Walking the Way Forward: Senior Reflections from WCASD

As graduation approaches, we’re sitting down with two outstanding WCASD seniors who have served as Student School Board Representatives to reflect on their journey and what comes next.

Meera Narayan and Jackson Ogden share the experiences that shaped them, the lessons they’ve learned, and the advice they have for those just getting started.

Whether you’re a student, parent, or community member, this episode is a reminder that education is about more than academics, it’s about who our students become along the way!

Transcript

Speaker 0:03

You're listening to Talking the WCASD Way, the podcast where we share stories, updates, and voices from the Westchester Area School District community. I'm your host, Dr. Kalia Reynolds. Let's get talking. Welcome to Talking the WCASD Way, the podcast where we highlight the stories, partnerships, and perspectives that shape our district community. Today's episode is a special one. As we approach graduation season, we're taking time to reflect, to celebrate, and look ahead with two of our three outstanding seniors who have served as school board representatives. Today, I'm joined by Jackson Ogden from Henderson High School, and I'm also joined by Meera Narayan from Ruston High School. These students have had a unique vantage point, seeing our district not only as learners, but as leaders and contributors to decision making. Today we'll hear their insights on their experiences, the potential of our new Porch River graduate, and their hopes for the future. So let's get talking. All right, I'm so happy you're here today. Let's go and get started. Let's think about your seniors, you're graduating soon. But when you were in elementary school, when you were in middle school, what experiences inside or outside the classroom have most shaped who you are today, and how have those experiences prepared you for next, for what comes next?

Meera 1:26

So I will say that in elementary school, I was definitely very clingy. Like I always loved to be with my parents. So going out into school and like having to be eight hours away from my parents, that was definitely very nerve-wracking to me. So my elementary school teachers, specifically my first grade and my second grade teacher, Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Davis, they were very special to me. They made school a very comfortable, a very enjoyable place, and they made it a very happy place for me. From somebody who always liked to be with my parents, I didn't really like trying anything new. They made school enjoyable from what we were learning, even if it was as simple as like counting numbers or just writing the alphabet, school became a safe place. It wasn't home. It wasn't like the playground, something that I always had fun, but it was somewhere in the middle. It was a place that I felt safe. And I genuinely enjoyed being there. And it just gradually grew and it has continued growing up until now.

Kalia 2:18

It sounds like that was a pivotal point for you to feel safe and connected outside of being a part of just your family circle and being a part of your parents. So definitely a pivotal point. How about for you, Jackson?

Jackson 2:31

Yeah, I mean, I I definitely agree with that. I uh have a lot of fun memories of of elementary school. Um, and that was sort of a good space for me. And I think that then became uh hard during middle school with COVID. But uh, as I came back, I think something that really inspired me as a learner, helped me uh continue to grow, was in eighth grade, I was in an algebra two class with uh only nine other students. Uh it was uh Miss Boggs, and it was amazing being in that small classroom environment. It really reminded me how much I liked learning. Just uh not just because I was with uh so many friends that I liked so much, but um Miss Boggs did such a wonderful time, did such a wonderful job teaching in this way that made it feel like we were discovering things. She wasn't just giving us information, but we're discovering these mathematical concepts. Uh, and I remember really loving learning again after that class, and I think that then propelled me through high school and has uh led to some of the reasons I've made a lot of decisions and the reasons I chose the college I did.

Speaker 3:35

It's so endearing for both of you to share specific stories of those teachers that were impactful. That's that's all that we can hope for, right? And in your journey as learners, in your journey in school, that you at least have somebody, a one person that can help you to feel safe, to help you to feel connected, to help you enjoy your learning experience, and that helps you to grow. I think, Jackson, one of the things that you said that was such a pivotal piece for our work as we are just engaged in this year as a district for a portrait of a graduate is making sure that students really enjoy learning. And everyone has different strengths, everyone has different interests, but whatever that is for you to be into it fully connected in a way that you spoke about it. So I'm gonna ask you the next question around our Port Triver graduate, and that is something that has been a point of pride for us as a district. Um, one of the things that we've been working on intentionally is making sure that we've heard from our community, stakeholders, students, families, educators, administrators, community, and business members to say what are those skills that are so important, not only while students are with us in the district, but more importantly once they leave us. So you're at that point, that threshold where you're about to graduate, you're going off to what's next for you. And we have five, we have five competencies in our portrait: responsibility, we have empathy, we have communication, we have adaptability and problem solving. So when you think about our district's portrait of a graduate, those skills and competencies I just talked about, which of those competencies resonate with you and where have you seen them come to life in your own journey?

Speaker 2 5:11

I mean, I could share stories for every single one of those. I think all of those skills have have developed. But I think most important to me is the empathy. It's something that's been taught. And I I I remember in in elementary school hearing a song about walking and other people's shoes. I can still sing it. Like I I remember it being taught from an early age, and that's uh and that's continued on. I think about um I'm in Henderson's drama club right now. I did stage group for the first time in the fall, and at the end of the process, everyone shared their experience in the club. And every single person there talked about how amazing that space was for them. Because everyone was so empathetic, everyone was so caring and kind. And that that was really impactful for me. It's the reason I'm helping them out and assistant directing now in the spring. It's it's it's seeing that empathy that happens at the school that helps people feel safe, helps them uh bring them friends. It's something I hope to continue to extend to to all of my classmates, to all of my peers. Uh, it's something I learned at school and it's something I want to continue doing at school. Um, and then hopefully to bring into college and my life ahead.

Speaker 6:22

It's about life. I think that that's so important for what you shared. And I think the really special thing that's important is that with our portrait, as we've come together as a ditcher community, it's not like these are new skills or competencies. I think you really affirm that that this is something from an empathy, from an empathy lens, you've been able to call experience over time where you've said, I've learned that, I've been taught that, I've been able to reinforce that. And and now you see when it's there and when it's not. So I think that that's so important because that's that's a beautiful part of our portrait. It affirms what is really good and it makes sure that it's a point of unity for for our district. How about uh for you, Mira?

Speaker 1 7:04

Um, I actually agree with Jackson. Um, for me, um, it's empathy and communication. I feel like those two go hand in hand. Empathy, like you said, is understanding what other people feel and kind of putting yourself, I remember that song too, people's shoes. But I feel like that can only work if you know how to properly communicate it as well. Like you need to know how to talk to many different types of people. There's gonna be people that you like, there's gonna be people people you don't like, there's gonna be people that you agree with and people not so much. But it's important that you know how to communicate effectively and understanding that while you have your opinions and they have theirs, being able to empathize if they say something that you might not particularly agree with, but you still understand where they're coming from. You can't have problem solving if you don't understand all different sides of the problem. You can't really be a leader if you don't understand what other people are thinking. If you only go through life with your own narrative, you you're not gonna you're not gonna be a great leader. I'm sorry. You gotta understand all different types so that you can bring it together and then problem solve. So I agree with Jackson. I think empathy and both just communication are very valuable skills. And I like the fact that the portrait of a graduate emphasizes those two because I think those are very important to learn when you're still young, when you're in your formative years, just so you can learn and practice it. So, just like as you said, when you go off to college, when you go into the workforce, when you become living out in the world, you know, you have those skills, you know how to use those skills because that's gonna set you up for success.

Speaker 8:33

Mira, it's so beautiful in what you just said there, because I think oftentimes when we think or hear the word portrait for graduate, we think about high school. And something that you said is that you have an opportunity to practice those skills while you're young. That's a beautiful thing as far as having a portrait. These competencies, we want to make sure that from kindergarten all the way through, before we're sending you on your way for what's what's next in life, that you had an opportunity to practice them, to model them, to see them be modeled, and to really reinforce. So it's it just it warms my heart to hear you both talk about it in that way because this year our portrait for graduate is new. Our our our first launch of this was making sure that one, people understood that we have a portrait and to know what our competencies are. So as we continue to live and and and just grow together as learners, we will do a better job of just making sure that it's embedded of all the things that we do here in the district. But I've heard just excellent examples already of how you've seen those things be told and how those you've seen those things being reinforced in your schools and classrooms, which brings me so much joy. So thank you for that. Now that you are, you're at the a threshold, a point in your life, which I think is exciting, and I don't know if it's nerve-wracking as far as what's next for you. But looking back, what are some of the most important lessons you've learned during your time here in the district in any school? You've been through our schools. What advice would you give to younger students, particularly students that are at the middle school level and are looking to begin their high school journey, or those that are freshmen, for example, are just finishing their first year in high school? What are some advice that you would give them so they can really lean into their experience?

Speaker 2 10:14

I mean, I kind of want to add on to what Mira said. You talked about the importance of being able to talk and connect with a lot of people. Um, and I think the the power of being willing to talk to people is so important. Yes. Through elementary school, through middle school, through high school, it it makes you a better person. It sets you up for opportunities in the future. I think about the things I've gotten to do in high school, and so many of them came from having a conversation with my friend. When they say, Oh, I'm volunteering here. Do you want to come with me? That's awesome. Being able to talk to people, to try new things. I I see so many seniors that try things that their friends did senior year, and they're like, I wish I did this earlier. Being able to talk to people, to hear about all the experiences that you don't have time to experience too. I I think it's I think it's so important for one's personal growth, but also for the opportunities that you have in life. Yeah. Having that empathy, having that communication, and being willing to talk to anyone at school.

Speaker 11:12

And being open. I just think it's it's funny. I was at a um conference not long ago, and one of the things they were just talking about is in speaking to just a rebound or recovery from COVID, and it was happening before, but just they call it a loneliness epidemic. And they talked about young people in particular, I think it's between 10 and 29 are like the loneliest age group. And I was so surprised, I was shocked by that. So to hear you say to talk to people, to really lean in and be open to those opportunities and experiences, and new learning, and new connection just reinforces what's important. There's there's a there is something to be clean to your experience of just opening yourself to trying. And it might be a little uncomfortable sometimes, but putting it out there, that's huge.

Speaker 1 11:57

What about for you? Um, so I actually do tours like every summer, and I do tours for transfer students who are looking to come to Rustin. And the one piece of advice that I give them, very similar to what you guys say, is never say no. Um, always be open to try like new activities, um, do new things, meet new people, because you'll never know what you're gonna gain from that. Like you said, like there's so many things that you can do. You can find things that you've never knew you would actually enjoy. Like um I've done choir for the past 10 years. I've done choir for a lot, but recently this girl joined my choir class because she was like, Oh, my mom wants me to do some sort of like music activity, some sort of like art. And so I chose choir because I'm not that great at drawing. And she was like, I don't think I'm gonna enjoy it here. And she told our whole class when during introductions, I think I might leave like after the first concert. I don't really see myself fitting in here. And then when we were choosing our classes for the next year, she was like, Guys, I love it here. Like, I love singing, like I didn't think that I'd like it here, but I actually love it. And I'm so glad that I tried it. I'm glad that my mom and my counselor pushed it. You never know what you're gonna find if you say no. Yeah, if you say no, you're closing that door, you're losing that opportunity. So, what I tell almost every kid that I do tours, I do tours to freshmen's every summer. And then I do tours to any kid who comes in for transfers, if they just want to take a walk, they want to hear what Rustin has to offer. And one thing I always tell them is never say no, always be open to new things.

Speaker 2 13:24

This reminds me of uh I have an English teacher who runs the speaking contest and he always ends his paragraphs with uh you don't regret the things that you do do, you only regret the things you don't do. Which definitely isn't true, but I really like words going. Because he's just like, just try it. Yeah. Call new speaking contest audition. Try something out.

Speaker 13:46

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's huge. It's just the openness and the opportunity that comes from it. That's such a great advice. So we both have to remember that as you're transitioning from a um, I don't want to say like you're going off to a space that's not safe, but you're you've you've gotten to know people through your years, and everything is has just blossomed and grown for you. So as you're going into that next space, remember, remember your own advice, your words of wisdom for sure. Be open to new experiences and opportunities. Don't say no. I I you know, I I think that that's that's a valuable point, just modeling and being a person to say, let me let me walk you through, let me answer some questions, let me, we all need that's just not like a moving from high school or transition point. We all need somebody to that's a trusted person that can walk us through and show us the ropes and that we can just feel safe with. So I think you sharing that experience, Mir was so important. All right, so last question. We're looking ahead with hope. It's it's always such a good feeling to know that you're the pride of our district as we're sending you on your way to life and to be awesome, awesome citizens and contributors. As you prepare for the next chapter, what are you most hopeful or excited about, um, both for your own future and for the future of your schools and in our district?

Speaker 1 15:13

I think I'm very hopeful for the fact that I really appreciate the background and the lessons that I've learned here. And I'm hoping that, because I have a younger sibling, I'm hoping that she continues to feel that program and just the effort that the school puts in to making sure that they're preparing us for the future. Wow. I think from kindergarten to 12th grade, I've been in this trick district for those 12 years. I think there are so many lessons and that there's so many parts of the foundation that the school gave me, just like the foundation of being a good person, like most importantly, a good person. I think next a good student and just being a well-rounded individual. And I hope that in the future that every kid here gets to feel the effects of that.

Speaker 15:58

That's huge. Your parents are celebrating and your teachers are celebrating you for that comment right now. That's that's important. How about for you, Jackson?

Speaker 2 16:05

Yeah, I mean, I I could say that I like hope that these portrait of a graduate skills would help me in future life, but I know they will. Like I I see how all of these things will play a part in my life, in the college classes I'm in, and the clubs I join, and the jobs I apply for. And I know that that will help. So what what I hope is that the students that come after me can appreciate, again, what they're learning, appreciate the things uh that happen at this school. I've I've come to realize that I can find value in almost everything I've learned here. Um, even in the classes, maybe I I don't enjoy as much. They're teaching me something, they're bringing me something. Or I talk to my neighbor and I meet a new person. Uh I I hope that students can appreciate how impactful that the time they spend in school is on their life, how much it'll help them in the future.

Speaker 17:00

So huge.

Speaker 1 17:01

Like, even if it is just the small details, like even if it's not like the big assemblies where you're sitting in the auditorium and it's like, okay, guys, here's how to be a good student. I hope that they realize even the smallest conversations with your teachers or the experiences that we had like coming out coming out after COVID and being back in the real classroom, that all of it has kind of culminated into us graduating now and being ready.

Speaker 17:24

It matters. It really does. I think you both are just and so many other, but for you standing as representatives, one as school board members and and being representatives, but also in your time here, everything that you share is just validation for the hard work that educators put in every day to make sure that you are leaving feeling tooled and equipped and hopeful. You see it, you feel it, you embody it. So I just want to say thank you for all that you are and how you're gonna represent yourselves, how you're gonna represent your families, and how you're gonna represent your time here in the Westchester Area School District. Because as you've talked about how everyone has been able to pour into you, for you to be the young people that you are, we are benefactors because you have definitely taught and and shown your voice, your your your insight, your perspective definitely continues to make us better. So thank you so much for your time today. Tell tell everyone, because I'm sure this is gonna be a wonder, what's next for you? So once you graduate, once you graduate, what is next? Go ahead, Miriam.

Speaker 1 18:33

Um, I'm going to Georgia Tech in Atlanta and I'm gonna major in aerospace engineering. Amazing, amazing.

Speaker 18:39

And you're gonna stay cool because you know you don't want to be hot.

Speaker 1 18:43

I got my ice, I got my foot, and I'm set.

Speaker 2 18:47

How about for you? Um, I'm going to Swalphomore College to major in biochemistry and then minor in educational studies, hopefully to go to grad school and be a scientist.

Speaker 18:55

Yes, awesome. And maybe a professor on the side, too. Yes. Well, thank you so much for your time today. We appreciate it. Until next time. Thanks so much for joining me on Talking in the WCAS D way. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a conversation. Until next time.

Speaker 2 19:19

Because our district is full of stories.