A Letter To Mrs. Peck A Letter To Mrs. Peck

A Letter To Mrs. Peck

SANIYA LAUNGANI

igh school is full of inconsistencies; friends, classes and teachers. However, the one consistency I had throughout my four years of high school was room 210. From my freshman year in American Literature to my senior year of journalism, I have had Mrs. Peck as a teacher and mentor.

Mrs. Peck is an excellent literature teacher. She made me understand and comprehend the curriculum and increased my vocabulary with weekly spelling tests.

The classroom excited me to learn, with a giant, blue worn-in bean bag in the right-hand corner of the room constantly tempting me on tired days. Little did I know that bean bag would become my comfort.

Sadly our freshman year was cut short by COVID-19, and so was my time in the classroom. Through freshman literature, I was made aware of Cupertino High School’s publication, The Prospector. I applied and got in my sophomore year, meaning I would have Mrs. Peck as my advisor for the next three years.

Returning to in-person learning after an entire school year of distance learning was hard for many of us. I had often found that my social battery was not present anymore, and I would not want to be in the company of my peers or friends. Instead, I would go to room 210, where

HMrs. Peck would let me sit on the beanbag and read my book throughout brunch or lunch whenever needed. Mrs. Peck made the transition back to in-person learning an easier one, offering me my favorite Oats ‘n Honey Nature Valley Granola Bars and asking me if I needed an ear to listen. Knowing I had a place on campus where I could take a break from the crowded environment at school is something Mrs. Peck provided, as it instilled me with a sense of security.

When Mrs. Peck returned from medical leave during the second semester of my senior year, I could see the atmosphere of room 210 change. The room got brighter, staffers became more lively, and I looked forward to walking in every morning. The daily conversations about books we were reading or current events set up my school days for success.

I could not be more fortunate to find a classroom that reminds me of comfort and the teacher that changed the course of my four years at Cupertino High School. To whom efforts made me feel safe and heard will never be forgotten

Why maintaining a long-lasting passion for a beloved hobby is worth it

KEVIN JIA podcast editor

In a world that often values versatility and variety, it can be tempting to constantly switch interests and hobbies to meet the expectations of others. However, there is immense value in sticking to what you do and pursuing your true passions, regardless of societal pressures.

My Speedcubing Journey

It was in the fifth grade when I first discovered speedcubing, the art of solving a Rubik’s Cube in the shortest time possible. Instantly fascinated by the intricacies of this puzzle, I delved into the world of algorithms, finger dexterity, and pattern recognition that defined speedcubing. What drew me to this hobby was not the potential for recognition or pop - ularity; rather, it was the sheer joy I found in solving the cube and the desire to constantly improve.

Learning and mastering the art of speedcubing was no easy task. I faced numerous challenges along the way, from finger cramps to memorizing complex algorithms. But each hurdle only strengthened my determination to persist and grow. Through countless hours of practice and dedication, I gradually saw my solve times decrease and my skills improve. These achievements, both big and small, brought me immense satisfaction and a sense of personal accomplishment.

The Pressure to Switch Hobbies

In today’s competitive academic landscape, there is an increasing trend of students feeling pressured to constantly switch hobbies in order to boost their college applications. The belief that having a long list of diverse extracurricular activities will impress admissions officers has led many to abandon their true passions in favor of pursuing activities they have no genuine interest in. This pattern can be detrimental to personal growth and hinder the development of true expertise.

I have witnessed friends and acquaintances fall into this trap, as they hopped from one STEM-related activity to another, hoping to impress colleges with their diverse skill set. They often found themselves stretched thin, juggling multiple commitments without truly immersing themselves in any of them.

The result was a shallow understanding of various subjects and a lack of true expertise in any.

Sticking to One Hobby: A Mark of Dedication

Contrary to popular belief, sticking to one hobby and demonstrating a deep level of commitment can be more impressive to colleges and future employers alike. Choosing to delve into a single passion allows you to develop a unique skill set and a level of expertise that sets you apart. It showcases your dedication, discipline, and the ability to overcome challenges.

Moreover, pursuing one hobby wholeheartedly fosters personal growth. It teaches you patience, perseverance, and the value of hard work. By focusing on what you truly love, you not only gain proficiency in your chosen field but also develop transferable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity that can be applied in various aspects of life.

Final Words

In a society that often urges us to constantly switch gears and pursue the next big thing, it is crucial to remember the im- portance of sticking to what we do and embracing our passions. My own journey with speedcubing has taught me that true fulfillment comes from dedicating oneself to something you genuinely love, rather than succumbing to external pressures.

Sticking to What I Do

Whether it’s speedcubing or any other interest, the key is to pursue it wholeheartedly and remain steadfast in the face of societal expectations. By doing so, not only do we experience personal growth and fulfillment, but we also inspire others to embrace their own passions. So, let us break free from the notion of constantly switching and instead commit ourselves to what truly brings us joy

As a freshman, you are told that once you are in high school, you have to get serious about the things you do. You are taught to believe that everything you do, from the first day of 9th grade, will affect the rest of your life. But I chose myself as I paid more attention to my extracurriculars. I decided it was more important for me to focus on what I enjoyed and think about everything else when I felt like it.

Life Your Life: Even in a Bay Area Highschool

not to listen to that.

I knew that being a freshman meant that you had all the time in the world to do whatever you wanted, so I decided to do just that — choosing to prioritize photography, choir and water polo. COVID briefly squashed my plans, but once junior year came around, I hit the ground running.

I continued my passion for photography through journalism, entered my second year on the girls’ water polo team and kept pursuing my love for music by staying in choir. I took challenging classes, but just enough for me to focus time on my extracurriculars along with studying.

Returning to school postCOVID proved to be more difficult than I anticipated, causing my perfect balance of academics and extracurriculars to collapse under the weight of my mental health. I still continued to choose what I wanted to do for

My grades continued to decline, and I ended up finishing junior year with a 3.5 GPA. To me, that was not an unsatisfying closure to the year, as I felt like my performance in certain classes ended up giving me better insight into my own interests and priorities. Ambitiously, I entered senior year feeling ready to tackle seven classes, four editor positions, water polo, a position in class council and three Advanced Placement courses because they piqued my interest. After one month of school, I realized that it was almost impossible for me to manage this weight.

I sleepwalked through my first semester, trying to juggle every class and extracurricular, knowing deep down that it was not right for me. I realized that in order for me to be able to truly enjoy the upcoming semester, I needed to give something up, ultimately deciding to drop my third-period class.

My parents were extremely upset, given that this choice would be reflected in every application I sent out to every college, and they believed it was a choice that would lead to my ultimate demise. But I still went through with it.

This decision ended up being one of the best choices I made for myself in my entire high school career. With an open period, I was able to take some time out of my day to destress, spend time with people I love and take a step away from stressors. Ever since I dropped that class, I have felt lighter, with fewer things to worry about, improving my mental health and productivity significantly.

In high school, I broke many rules that people who live in the Bay Area could never imagine. I chose extracurricular activities for personal fulfillment and prioritized my mental health, never once considering what choices would look good on a college app. This mentality, though frowned upon, helped me enjoy high school and gave me so many memories that I will look back on with joy.

We are taught that since we are in high school, we must be conscious of the classes and opportunities we participate in, as it will all be reflected in our applications. While that may be partially true, I am here to say that these choices also affect you in the present. Think about what you enjoy, think about what you are passionate about and prioritize that. Do not partake in miscellaneous activities just for the sake of your college application. Regardless of what you do, you will still make it somewhere, and at the end of the day, that is what is important. Prioritize yourself. Choose you