Name: Noah

Graduation Year: 2023

Middle School: Orinda Intermediate

Hometown: Orinda

 

Why did you choose College Prep? The people. Coming from a less diverse middle school, College Prep intrigued me because I could relate with many others with similar interests and drive for learning. After shadowing and attending the school's open house and equity/inclusion meeting, the large spectrum of ethnicities, genders, and passions attracted my attention. The school’s unique activities and clubs such as CPS Day, Common Classroom, and Spirit Week also stood out to me.

 

What's the biggest difference between middle school and high school? The increased workload. In middle school, it was much easier to stay on top of my assignments, while in high school I learned how to be more organized and efficient when it came to school work.

 

What advice do you have for 8th graders applying to high school? Coming from a public middle school, I'd tell eighth graders to do what feels right to them. Even when you may want to go to the same high school as your friends or go to the school that seems less difficult, base your choice off of which high school you believe you'll reach your highest potential at.

 

What is your favorite place on campus? The gym is my favorite place on campus because you can play basketball, eat food, and talk to your friends. It's a fun place to hang out during your free time.

 

What are you involved in on Campus? During my freshman year, I took part in soccer, basketball, and swimming. Although having an athletic commitment for every season of the school year initially seemed difficult, it was definitely worth it. I made new connections with both other freshmen and upperclassmen, as well as learning how to manage my time more efficiently. I've also signed up for a few clubs this year, such as Korean Club and Survivor Fan Club. The meetings have been really fun, doing things like watching an episode of Survivor or having Korean food catering at lunch. My friends and I also created the All Things Soccer common classroom which was a really fun experience, even on Zoom.

 

What has been your favorite class? Physics, because of my interest in learning about the real world and how things actually work. As an incoming freshman, physics was something I was completely new to, but the activities including in-class labs and experiments (e.g. the Egg Drop Challenge), really engaged my attention.

 

What has been the best thing about College Prep? The small size. Everyone, including students and faculty, is closer to each other because of the tight community we have. Talking to one of your teachers can be like talking to a friend, and I feel extremely lucky to have made such meaningful connections within the short time we shared on campus. I also enjoy how easy it is to set up a meeting with a teacher around any questions you have.

 

What is your favorite College Prep memory? Kayaking during Dr. P's Fish and Ships Intraterm. We saw sea otters and learned about the aquatic environment.

 

1. I've been to 17 countries.

2. I'm really into sneakers/streetwear.

3. I'm a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo.