Dear Future Graduating Spuds,
As the Class of 2024 leaves within the end of the month, they share words of wisdom.
Karin Hahn, UC Davis:
“Try that scary thing,” said Karin Hahn. “Once you do, you’ll notice that you’ll find a lot of personal growth.”
Elizabeth Ramsay, NYU:
“Don’t be afraid of rejection,” said Elizabeth Ramsay. “In the end, it will get you closer to your goals… like when I joined the volleyball team and made friends or applied to college.”
Alula Alderson, Stanford:
“When I was a freshman, I think I was scared of people judging me, and so I didn’t do some things I wish I’d done.” Alula Alderson said.
She recommends juniors get a head start on college applications in the summer.
“Talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to,” Alula said. “I think it’s interesting that OVS is so small, but I still don’t know everyone’s names and haven’t had a conversation with everyone in the school, and that’s a regret I have.”
Ann Heinemann, University of Florida:
“Don’t be so hyper-fixated about staying friends with the same people. There’s so many other great people to become friends with that you never would have expected,” said Ann Heinemann.
When Ann came to OVS, she met and became friends with many new people, which she might not have done at her old school.
“Before coming to OVS, there was so much social pressure to be with certain friends and trying to save friendships even if they weren’t productive anymore,” she said. “It’s ended up being the best thing ever.”
Donahi Soriano, Leeds or Berklee College of Music:
Donahi Soriano recommends taking photos of absolutely everything.
“It is the best thing for me to go through my camera roll and see a picture of myself freshman year with my shaved head and all my friends,” she said. “It brings back so many memories.”
Vlada Antipkina, Parsons School of Design:
“Go into OVS with a positive attitude,” said Vlada Antipkina. “Especially if you are from a different environment, I know how hard it can be to adjust here, but going with a positive attitude and knowing that it’s going to end one day helps a lot.”
Charlie McGregor, Santa Monica College:
Charlie McGregor says it is important to communicate with teachers about how you work and what you struggle with so that you and the teacher can compromise.
“If you just go into class your freshman year and don’t tell the teacher what your needs are, you don’t really express it, and you just do your own thing, that will lead you in the wrong path.”
Aiden Hollon, University of Cincinnati:
“Join Robotics,” said Aiden Hollon.
Kate Huey, Pitzer College:
“It’s really good to work on time management,” said Kate Huey. “Having a planner, or just keeping track of things… I feel like that’s the only reason why I got good grades.”
Matthew Galgano, The Ohio State University:
“Get involved with activities that you think you’re not fully interested in,” said Matthew Galgano. “You might find something that you truly like.”
He feels that trying activities like robotics and student leadership, both of which he grew to love, have made him a more well-rounded person.
William Ramsay, Colorado School of Mines:
William Ramsay says, “Make sure you get your senior privileges done ASAP, okay? I mean ASAP. Elect your people to do it immediately, put pressure on Mr. Floyd to get stuff done, and make one of the privileges that you’re allowed to skip the first block if you have a free block… It changed my life.”
Mariana Thatcher, Scripps College:
“For everyone in high school right now, just have fun. It’s such a perfect time just to goof around,” said Mariana Thacher. “Do whatever you want with your friends. Go run around Ojai. Get outside and do everything you can. Go swimming because our rivers are full, which is rare. Take advantage of your time here because it honestly does go by fast once you’re a senior in spring semester.”
For the juniors, Mariana said, “While I think you should immerse yourself in college applications, I would say don’t push it, know your limits, and remind yourself that you are still the priority. Also, remember that it’s not about names. Don’t go to Harvard because it’s Harvard if you think you’re going to be unhappy there…”
Yousef Masoud, UC Merced:
“Every school week, just keep thinking, ‘It’s almost Friday,’ and you’ll make it,” said Yousef Masoud. “That was me the whole year.”
Elsa Feng, Emmanuel College:
“Raise your voice,” said Elsa Feng. “I’ve done laps; I didn’t even know what I was working for,” she said. “That made me realize I should speak up more for myself.”
Anna English, Lewis and Clark:
“Work as hard as possible because it’ll make your senior year even more fun when you know that you worked really hard, and it’ll make it all more relaxing, and you already did all the hard work. You can rest eventually,” said Anna English.
Additionally, Anna said, “I wish I knew that there are so many colleges out there. There are so many more options than you think or more than only brand-name schools that you hear about. Just continue looking, and don’t pick a school just because of the name.”
While some of the seniors, unfortunately, were busy due to AP exams, camping, and graduation preparation, unable to share their advice, they and their classmates shared similar experiences and words of wisdom.
Although high school is still going to bring all kinds of surprises and changes we cannot predict, hopefully, something you read here today resonates with you.
Sincerely,
The OVS Class of 2024