"The first art class I took at CSW was 'Exploring World Cinema,' and it was incredible. We not only watched films from around the world, but learned how to analyze them through the lens of a director. We even got the chance to interview a producer from The Tree of Life (2011). The world of film is so vast, and so complex, and so worth investigating."
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE GREATEST STRENGTH OF CSW'S ACADEMIC PROGRAM?
Because I make my own unique schedule, I have the motivation to invest my time and effort into learning. It gives me the opportunity to explore a singular topic in depth, and the classes themselves go far beyond the classroom and into the real world. They're not just lectures provided by teachers. Students experience true growth though hands-on academic programming.
OF ALL THE CLASSES YOU'VE TAKEN HERE, WHICH HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITES?
Major Author: Toni Morrison
"Toni Morrison" is an exceptional English class that was both academically stimulating and intriguing. I learned a lot about my own identity as well as the power of language. I left every class rethinking aspects of my own views. It was a challenging class that pushed me to look for deeper meanings within literature.
From Venus to Guerilla Girls: Women Redefining Self through Art
"Venus to Guerilla Girls" taught me so much about women's art history. Each week, we had a new reading about a different topic, such as body image, along with daily prompts requiring a visual response. In class, we regularly held complex and intricate discussions about the readings and how they applied to 2018 feminism.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS AT CSW?
- The day of Culture Fest, my teacher LeeAnn, my friend, Jose, and I took a trip to Moody Street to buy plantains for the event. It was a great bonding activity and speaks to the incredible student-teacher relationship that is unique to CSW.
- I was very nervous to choreograph a dance for Dance Concert this year, but the day I showed a portion of my piece to the "Choreography Seminar" class, I received so much detailed and positive feedback. It made me feel amazing and gave me the courage to keep pushing myself.
- Once during my time at CSW, Poetic Justice—CSW's slam poetry club—was asked to perform at the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE) Students of Color Conference. This was the first time I performed my poetry outside of CSW. The excitement of the crowd was exhilarating and it gave me so much energy and confidence. Afterwards, people came to up to me and told me how much they loved my poem. It was a great feeling.
HOW HAS YOUR TIME AT CSW SHAPED YOU AS A PERSON?
CSW has taught me how to voice my opinions and be unapologetically myself. I've learned to embrace the things that make me different.