M.C.

Class of 2007

What was it like when you started at SA?

I remember I got accepted to Sonoma Academy, and it was a great accomplishment, then three or four days before school I panicked. I thought: I have to stay with my friends. High school is traumatic enough, leaving my friends made it that much harder. I don’t deal with change well – I cried when my parents wanted to change from carpet to hardwood floor. So coming here was traumatic for me. And then I came and it was fine. It wasn’t hard to make friends. I started soccer, which helped a lot. Playing a sport makes you feel like you’re part of something.

How have you changed since you started at SA?

The most important thing I’ve learned is how to change and adapt to things easier. And of course, I feel more comfortable. I feel better with new, younger people who I can show around and help. I’m more open.

How would you describe the SA community?

I like the feeling of comfort. You have people to go to when you break down. I feel like our community is a safe place where you can go and not be judged. There are people who dress really crazy and I totally respect that but at other schools they might be rude about it. And a cool thing about this school – you have like six people in a class. A big class is like twelve.

What have you tried here that you’ve never done before?

SA is a haven for stuff I like to do. I’ve been able to get into it more, and expand upon it. I have a passion for a lot of things. SA encourages me to try new things. I can always get support to do that.

On teachers:

They’re great. The teachers here are what make me come here every day. When I considered going to a different school, my friend there told me, “Some teachers don’t even know my name.” I’ve always been friends with my teachers. I love all my teachers at SA – I don’t have one teacher I haven’t loved. I don’t just like them. I love them. They all are open and intelligent and funny and imaginative and original and knowledgeable. You can ask Sam any question about biology and he’d know it, or spend all night looking it up. Mike is the most animated math teacher I’ve ever had. He even made Physics fun. Brandon is the best humanities teacher for freshmen. He gets you to say what you want to say (in writing) and then go even further. Siobhan is so smart, she knows so much about history and even contemporary writers. I’ve learned a ton from her. I like that we have young teachers – they’re easier to relate to. They’re young in spirit. You can joke with them and talk to them when you’re feeling down. You can’t replace these teachers. They are all so amazing.

On soccer:

I’ve played soccer since third grade. The first day of soccer at SA was more stressful than the first day of school. But when I got there the girls were there putting on their socks and they said hi and welcomed me. Chris is the best coach ever. Even as freshman, you feel “up there” and part of the group. I got to joke around with him like I had known him forever. I’m not the best soccer player, but I like being on a team. The long car rides (to away games) really helped us bond. Last year at lunchtime we’d cram onto one picnic table at lunch – all girls, all soccer. It was crazy. It felt good to fit in with people right away. I’m friends with a lot of the seniors, and would probably not have met and hung out with them if I hadn’t played soccer.

On community service:

For community service this year, I worked at Lincoln Elementary School and tutored children. I got assigned a little friend and it was nice to see what an impact you can make on a child’s life. They’re changing so much at nine or ten. I taught her a couple things in math—just little tricks—and she said, “Oh my gosh,” and got it. I’d like to do more. I like working with kids.

On public speaking:

I love public speaking, so when I came here I knew that before the year was over I had to do it. I did a moment of silence (at community meeting) about gossiping and rumors. I was reminding people, even adults, how when people tell you something it’s a privilege—you shouldn’t just tell anyone. I think we do a pretty good job here keeping gossip to a minimum, I mean, I felt safe saying that. I got closer to a couple of people who came up to me after and asked me if there was anything in particular wrong. And teachers came up to me too and complimented me. I also love being involved in student leadership.

What else is important to you?

I was born and grew up in Italy until I was six years old. We’re totally Italian in our manner at home. We go back to Italy every year or every other year. It’s what keeps me going. I get to look at life through two lenses. I’ll definitely live there for a while. I love being Italian. Also my humor— it’s an awesome part of me.