91³Ô¹ÏÍø

She/her
Boarding Student from Orange, N.J.
Previous School: Kipp: Bold Academy

What are you involved in at CA?
At 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, I am involved in both leadership and community-centered activities. I serve as Junior Class President, co-head of RISE Bible Study, and co-head of Frizzed: hair care club. I am also a social lead in my boarding house, a member of the disciplinary committee, and an orientation leader. Beyond leadership, I am a member of the girls varsity cross-country team, Sensational: Dance Club, Umoja: Black Student Union, and am actively involved in 91³Ô¹ÏÍø's theater and dance programs. I also play guitar and piano. Additionally, I serve on the All-School Campaign for the Annual Fund.

Why did you choose CA?
I chose CA because it felt like a place I could truly grow into myself. The pass/no-credit 9th grade fall system especially stood out to me because it encourages students to take risks, try new things, and understand that failure is part of learning rather than something to fear. The strong student-faculty relationships stood out to me as genuine; CA has teachers that care about students as people, not just academically. When I first visited campus, it felt like a breath of fresh air. CA is challenging without being overly strict, which creates an environment where students are trusted with independence and flexibility while still being pushed to work hard. And this goes down to the mascot, the chameleon, because it represents adaptation, change, and becoming who you truly are. That idea of evolving in a supportive environment is what made CA feel like the right place for me.

What is your favorite activity at CA and why?
I love to draw at CA. I love just walking into the studio, sitting down, and creating something entirely my own, whether it is a quick sketch or a more detailed piece. I did not come to CA with the slightest idea that I would be drawing in my free time, but I took an art class not knowing what to expect, and now genuinely look forward to late-night studio sessions. What makes these moments even more special is the atmosphere. A bunch of students gather, play music, and talk about anything and everything. Those nights feel creative, relaxed, and deeply connected, and they have become some of my favorite memories at CA.

What is your favorite boarding memory or tradition?
One of my favorite boarding memories at CA has been participating in house competitions. Whether it is baking competitions, lip syncs, or dance battles, those events always bring so much energy and personality out of everyone. I love how competitive people get while still having fun and supporting each other.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at CA.
One moment where I really knew I belonged at CA was during the Winterfest talent show. My friends and I choreographed a dance, and performed it in front of the school which was so incredibly exciting and a little nerve-wracking at first. What made the experience so meaningful was the support from the entire community. People were genuinely cheering us on and supporting us in such a positive way. In that moment, my 9th-grade year, I felt really seen and supported, It made CA feel like a place where people show up for each other, celebrate creativity, and genuinely take joy in one another’s efforts.