Sam Cooper
Class of 2021
Passions
Creative WritingTaking a photograph that is actually worth a thousand words Basketball—any court, any season
Favorite Read
James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, published in 1963, but written for our timeMy Heros
My grandfathers, both of whom have lived amazing lives that defied society’s expectationsThings that make me smile
Pablo Neruda’s poetryMy basketball coach’s face when I use my left hand
Fly fishing on the Chama, even when we don’t catch anything
Where I'm Headed
Pitzer College
Angelina Friedrichs
Class of 2021
Interests
Acting in musicals and playsSolving complicated math problems without a calculator
Reading works that make me hold my breath and lose track of time
Favorite Place
My grandparents’ home in Colombia—their garden is home to mandarina trees, cilantro,painfully slow snails, chili peppers, and chickens
Can't Live Without
Family, Music, LaughterThings that make me smile
The smell of rainMy abuelita’s coffee
Watching Marvel movies
Where I'm Headed
Northwestern UniversityUrian Vasquez
Class of 2021
Interests
Singing, Acting, Learning LanguagesMy Hero
My mother—she is always there for me and shows me what it means to be empathetic, open-minded, and compassionateCommunity Involvement
I’ve been involved in Breakthrough Santa Fe as a student and now a teacher. I strive to live their motto: We are a diverse, safe, and close-knit community dedicated to excellence in lifelong learningHidden Talent Revealed at Prep
Acting—my leading role as Usnavi in last year’s musical In the Heights is a moment I will never forgetOn Prep
Prep has given me the courage to stand up for what I believe in and has taught me how to ask for help when neededWhere I'm Headed
Middlebury College
Emma Tsosie
Class of 2021
Interests
Photography, Psychology, HikingFavorite Read
There There by Tommy Orange—the story provides Indigenous representation and understanding in literature unlike any I have seen beforeWhat Inspires Me
Activism and equality—it is these interests that continue to motivate me to work hardThings That Make Me Smile
Laughing with people I loveTaking care of my succulents
Opening new books
What I Value Most
Kindness and empathyWhere I'm Headed
Dartmouth CollegeXander Hnasko
Class of 2021
Interests
Soccer, Basketball, Collecting VinylsFavorite Place
La Manzanilla, MX—where my grandfather lived for many years. It conjures childhood memories like paletas, mangos-on-a-stick, and slow porch sunsetsThings That Make Me Smile
Seeing a new ceramic piece emerge from the kilnPowder days
Watching a fish take my fly
Community Involvement
I spent last summer creating and selling pottery with my classmate, raising over $7,000 for the Santa Food DepotWhere I'm Headed
Stanford University
Aiyana Pendleton
MATH TEACHER/MATH DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Interests
Hiking, Biking, Traveling, BakingWords to Live By
Always be kind and loving, and know that your actions, no matter how small, make a differenceFavorite Part of My Job
Spending time with my students and finding ways to access how they learn, using their strengths to help empower them to grow and believe in themselvesThings that Make Me Smile
Helping students break through from “I can’t” to “I can”Spending time with my son
Playing board games with family and friends