Since I began my educational career, I don’t think that I could have ever predicted that I would end up where I am today, going to UCSD with a full academic scholarship. 

Since I have started here at Preuss my educational journey has been anything but typical. Longer school hours and a three hour round trip commute and advanced classes all seemed like extra work that didn’t seem worth it when I was in middle school, but I would see later all the work was counting towards something.

In the middle of it all, right before spring break, Covid came along. This event needs no explanation of how it changed everyone’s lives and routines. But nonetheless this definitely shook up my educational journey and was an academic challenge with my grades definitely reflecting this. However, despite the hit that my grades took, I was able to recover before returning and prepared to return to school in person.

I was excited upon my return to campus and found that Preuss was not the same school that we had left. A myriad of changes had occurred including new staff, curriculum, transportation challenges and more. Despite all this Preuss remained the rigorous school I knew and continued to help me become a top notch scholar and prepare me for my higher education journey. Some classes I felt were particularly helpful in this were my AP classes which gave me college credits, my research and internship classes, which gave me a chance to practice skills useful to my future, and especially advisory class, which served as my rock and was a place of guidance and support throughout my entire Preuss career. 

Now that I have almost completed my senior year, it does not feel real. My time at Preuss is coming to an end, and it does not feel like it. It seemed like I had plenty of time left as I navigated through the year, but as the day of graduation gets closer, it starts to set in just how little time is left and now it is time to say goodbye.

As I am leaving I would like to give some final advice to any future Preuss seniors who may be reading. Take advantage of all the opportunities given to you. Preuss scholars have an unusually high access to educational and scholarship programs like A Bridge for Kids, Earnst and Young College MAP program, Access Youth Academy and more. As I recall my times here at Preuss I wish I had taken advantage of more of these opportunities because I may have been able to be in an even better place today. I would also like to tell you to take risks and try new things. You may shy away from going to new places or trying new things because of shyness or anxiety, but this can severely limit how much you can achieve and grow as a student and person. Finally, take it seriously. Many students including myself make the fatal mistake of believing that school is not that serious and you can just coast on through but this is not the case. Your effort reflects the opportunities you get, and when you get to the end of the year and see where everyone will be going off to university, you’ll either be thankful, or regretful, of the effort you put in. With hope you will be thankful.