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"Classical kind of brings in everyone from different places. It doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you demonstrate that you are capable of hard work."
What are your plans after high school?
CB: I got into Stanford early action. I also got into MIT and the University of Chicago. I am still waiting to hear back from Harvard and Columbia. I really like the combination of great academics and great sports, matched with the warm weather at Stanford. I applied to six schools all together. I was really surprised that I got into some of the schools I did.
I like science, but I am not sure in what field of science. I have experience in genetics. I did an internship at Brown University last summer which was in computational genomics, which is like a cross between genetics and computer science. But I am also very interested in neuroscience, which was formed during my AP Psych class. Also environmental science, which is what attracted me to Stanford. Maybe I will go into research or something like that. I'm not sure.
You both got into MIT? Was that always your goal?
HF: It was definitely scary -- the whole admissions process -- so I applied to many schools to be safe. I applied to 18 schools. We have fee waivers, so it makes it easier to apply to a lot of schools, that, and the Common App. My top contenders were MIT, Harvard, and Brown. But I withdrew from the Ivy League schools after I got admitted to MIT. My second choice was WPI. MIT was my dream school, and I've checked out the school with my cousin a few times, both before and after I got in.
I am interested in a robotics track. I am not from here; I came from Mexico when I was in the first grade. I did the ESL program in elementary school. The reason I mention that is because it was my grandfather who got me into science. He taught me basic wiring and soldering to get me started in electronics.
What are your extracurricular activities?
CB: For the past four years at Classical, I've played volleyball and lacrosse. I also do rock climbing club, which is really fun, Spanish club, and gender equality club. I also play the violin and piano.
HB: I did band all four years. I played the trombone. When I came here, there wasn't an official robotics club. A friend of mine wanted to make one, so I worked with her to make it happen. We had started looking for grants and outside funding, and we came across this article about how Brown wanted to expand robotics in high schools. We got in touch with a professor at Brown University and got supplies. It was a slow start at first because of COVID, but during junior year it picked back up.
Which staff member has made a big impact on your life?
CB: Ms. Hickey and Mr. Harding. Ms Hickey is also my field hockey coach, and I had her class freshman and sophomore year. She always challenged me. She has a strong personality that is always fun to be around. Mr. Harding is a guidance counselor. He is just the best, and will do anything for anyone.
HF: Since the very first day, my guidance counselor, Mr. Verecchia, wanted to get to know me. It helped that I knew what I wanted to do from the beginning. He likes to mention how I reached out to him the summer of my 8th grade year because I called him to learn more about AP options in school. He offered to meet with me at the school, recognized I had a lot of ambition, saw that I was committed to my work, and helped me with AP classes. He saw my potential. It's those small actions that make it obvious that there are people looking out for you that want you to succeed.
What lesson did you learn in high school?
CB: I think making friends and working with others to try to understand things was a big lesson. Like in physics last year, a bunch of us didn't understand concepts, so we would visit Brown University, use the whiteboard in their building, and do all the problems out. There are a lot of ways I learned to work with others when not everything came naturally to me.
HF: I think that Classical taught me to value the amount of time and effort I put in. I remember challenges during my earlier years, as I remember having a lot of challenges to face getting used to the language. Classical taught me that there is hard work that needs to be put in, that not many things are going to come to you for granted. So you should always strive to do the best work you can. That is very valuable, as a school like MIT is going to be very challenging.
Are you grateful to be a product of Providence Schools?
CB: My friend and I gave a little speech at freshmen orientation last month, and we spoke about how proud we are to say we went to Classical. I have a lot of Purple Pride. It's a fun place.
HF: I think that the culture you find at Classical and the school spirit comes from the diverse backgrounds that come together here. We all have a good time. I imagine it is something you get at public schools that you may not get at a private school. Classical kind of brings in everyone from different places. It doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you demonstrate you are capable of hard work.