Life of a Fellow: Ella
Say hello to Ella, one of our Fellows at Hill Freedman World Academy! Ella graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. Before joining 12+, she worked with a non-profit in Boston focused on classical music and LGBTQ+ rights. Continue reading below to see how Ella’s experience at 12+ has been thus far!
The end of February brings with it a sense of relief at a return to our normal schedule – at least judging by this year’s standards. The end to the disruptions brought on by the Omicron spike has certainly made my team’s work easier. But beyond that, I feel grateful that our students have not had to once again oscillate between virtual and in person learning.
When I started the school year at Hill-Freedman I heard variations on a similar sentiment repeated by students of all ages. “Does anyone else feel like they’ve been stuck at the age they were in March 2020? I still feel like a sophomore.” A similar idea had been parroted around my own social scene since summer 2021, when the world started to open again, and the mask mandate was briefly lifted. I graduated from college into the pandemic and experienced its consequences during what would have already been a tumultuous period in my life. But the high school students I’ve spent the past few months with were sent inside during what is usually a phase of even more rapid change and growth. Who can say they felt like the same person at age 15 and 18? It’s no wonder leaving school as a sophomore and returning a senior who is supposed to be preparing to move on would be a jarring experience.
My job is to help propel and encourage that growth, to get my cohort of 12th graders to look into the next stage of life and make sure they’re prepared. Many of my students are motivated by the task of envisioning their life next year. During my own senior year I remember being ready to leave even though I loved my friends. I’m happy to encourage their urge to move on, and to help foster the articulation of their goals, but at the same time I’ve realized that an equally important part of the job we do as fellows involves the present. This year that aspect seems especially imperative.
How can we give our students a chance to enjoy high school after missing out on a whole year of in person learning? For me, the answer exists in our Center and the simple, meaningful moments we experience there. Many of my favorite memories from the year come from such moments: bonding with students while analyzing pop culture, reading and editing a poem being submitted for a contest, looking through a student’s photography dedicated instagram, and realizing one student had decided to convince half of the senior class I was from Canada (I’m not). Last fall that same student asked me to watch her perform a monologue for her audition to a summer theater program with the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. I’m not sure I would have had the bravery to do the same when I was a theater kid in high school, and I was honored to realize my opinion mattered to her - and to get to see how talented she is.
A few weeks later she texted to tell me she had been accepted. Every time a student comes into the center to gleefully ask for an acceptance sticker I’m thrilled I get to be part of that moment with them, and that I’m on the list of people they want to share their accomplishment with. I’ve always struggled with asking for help – independence comes more easily to me – but being a fellow has emphasized that leaning on other people in no way diminishes your achievements.
I’m consistently impressed by our students; many of them have a sense of self and vision for the future that’s difficult to master at any age. The power of 12 Plus’s program lies in having someone in a school whose job it is to notice and encourage that vision. I’m excited to see where each of our seniors decides to go next, and grateful for the chance to slow down and enjoy their time as high schoolers with them.