When I think of CA, I think of a caring, challenging, inclusive, and fun environment. CA makes me feel welcomed, even as a new student, and optimistic for my future. CA has taught me how to be more confident in myself, and it really feels like everyone here wants you to succeed. I know that if I need help, I won’t hesitate to ask, because there are so many opportunities to talk with staff and students alike. I have met so many new people, and it is true what they say about CA: we really are a family here.

My favorite memory at CA was when I ran to be a Freshman representative on Community Council. I remember being very nervous, as I didn’t really know anyone and wasn’t sure of what difference I could make as a new student. But afterwards, I had a lot of people come up to me and reassure me that I did a great job and would be an amazing addition to the Upper School CC. When I later found out I had made it, I was so excited to be able to be a bigger part of the CA community.

An academic class that has been challenging to me has been Global Perspectives, because it has really pushed me to think and helped me to formulate my personal worldview. Global Perspectives is more of a current-events centered class, as opposed to all history. I know I have put a lot of effort into my work, and I am confident that I will learn a lot this year. Because of this, I am appreciative of all we have learned so far and appreciate the different opinions and places we explore in the class.

I love that at CA, no matter what level you are at, you can have a great experience in the arts. I am currently taking ceramics, which I’ve never taken before, and I love how many different things I’ve learned about working with clay and how to find my own art style. I will be taking theater in the third trimester, and I cannot express how excited I am! I know that the arts will be a big part of my next four years at CA, and am thrilled to work with my fellow actors.

A great experience I’ve had during CA athletics was preseason Volleyball. As a new student, it was nice to meet some new people ahead of the school year and then continue to work with them in school. During the season, I always loved how much everyone would come together and always try their best, no matter how far up or down the score was. CA athletics is always focused on teamwork and good sportsmanship. My teammates and I were always grateful and happy to be with each other, and win or lose, we know that we have each other.

On my flag would be my family, volleyball, a crab, a book, and the symbol for theater (two masks). My family would be on my flag, because they mean the world to me, and I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without them. I would have a volleyball on my flag, because it is my favorite sport, and I love to play it. I would have a crab on my flag, because it is a symbol of the city in Mexico where most of my family lives. I would have a book, because of my love of reading, writing, and all things literature. Lastly, I would have the theater masks, because of my love of acting, singing, dancing, and everything in between.

A standalone book that I absolutely adore is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. A classic, but a masterpiece, nonetheless. Bradbury’s novel was way ahead of its time and explores themes such as technology, knowledge, and how far people are willing to go to forget about the inconveniences of life. The novel entices the reader to think further about how they are utilizing their own knowledge in today’s society and how to prevent this dystopian future from becoming our reality.