‘Unplugged’ Brings Alumni Back
DON’T FORGET YOUR ROOTS: Six members of San Juan Hill’s alumni, Danielle Eden (2012), Samantha Battis (2012), Jeffrey Zawoysky (2011), Jordan Furlong (2013), Charlie Crane (2013) and Analuisa Del Rivero (2012), returned to the Stallion Theatre on January 10 to share experiences and tips regarding college life with current SJHHS juniors and seniors. With the college application window coming to a close, it provided a great opportunity for seniors to get a firmer grasp on what exactly they have been applying for as well as giving juniors a head start. Panelist advice covered topics ranging from academics to life on campus, in state and out, and transitioning from high school life to the independence of the college atmosphere. Students had the opportunity to ask personal questions that they felt would prepare them for their own future experiences. Photo by Chetana Piravi.
On Friday, December 10, a few of SJHHS very own alumni shared their personal experience, and accumulated wisdom on college life–both academically and socially–and answered many questions juniors and seniors were curious about before making final decisions on their own futures.
The alumni panel presented college students from several schools in and out of state. The panelists included: Jordan Furlong (UCSD), Sam Battis (CU Boulder), Danielle Eden (CSU Fullerton), Jeffrey Zawoysky (CSU Chico), Charlie Crane (USC), and Analuisa Del Rivero (Orange Coast College).
Juniors and seniors asked about various aspects of college life like scholarship opportunities, Greek Life, classroom size/structures, and making decisions on majors.
Milo Simpson (12) asked, “Is it hard to make friends in college?”
All agreed that it is quite easy to make friends in college since there are so many people attending. They also explained that by joining clubs, including yourself in various activities/sports, or joining a fraternity makes it a lot easier to meet new people.
On high school preparation for college classes, Crane said that “the education that you get here 100% prepares you for college. When I was coming into high school I was worried that a public education wouldn’t be sufficient in preparing you for college, and I can freely say that we have some of the best teachers in the world and that I felt completely prepared for a college experience.”
Jordan Furlong also added that “especially for all you seniors applying for college right now and stressing out about getting scholarships, over-prepare and prepare for any situation, but know that it will work out in the end and that any decision that you make will be fine.”
In regarding a question to what the transition is for going to a college out of state so far away from home, Sam Battis said, “out of state is a really great experience and I recommend it personally because you get to experience a new environment and to come out of your comfort zone.”Audience members and teachers seemed to be very amused and satisfied with how well all of the attending alumni were doing on there own at college.
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I am a senior, class of 2014, here at San Juan Hills High School. I joined the newspaper staff because I was in it last year (as the news editor) and...
