Anacapa School said farewell to its graduating seniors at an in-person graduation ceremony on the school’s downtown Santa Barbara campus, honoring the dedication, brilliance and compassion of its exceptional students through speeches, reflections and applause.
While Anacapa School has been safely teaching in person with social-distancing protocol since the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, the public celebration marked a shift as Santa Barbara County officially reopens.
Two Anacapa seniors, Adamariz Rios and Olivia Powell, have offered to share some of their experiences and advice with future graduates:
Powell
What is your favorite memory from your time at Anacapa School?
“My favorite memory from my time at Anacapa was a moment of realization that I had in my first year. I was having lunch with my friends in a classroom and I noticed how comfortable, safe, and happy I felt being at school.
“This was incredibly important to me because the high school I had attended before made me feel so uncomfortable and out of place. At this moment, I realized that I had a safe space and could be myself without worrying about what others thought.”
What is your plan for next year?
“I have decided to take a gap year before I attend Vassar College and have the opportunity to work in my great aunt’s chocolate shop in Chile. I am incredibly excited to learn about life outside of a classroom, so I can start college with new insight.”
What is something you’ve learned at Anacapa that you’ll be taking with you into the future?
“I learned that, even though they might feel endless, I am always able to make it through stressful situations. I was often challenged by my assignments and at the beginning, I wasn’t confident that I would be able to complete them. But, because I always was able to finish these tough assignments, my confidence in my academic abilities grew.”
Do you have any words of wisdom you’d like to share with the Class of 2022?
“My advice to the next graduating class is to keep an open mind about your future. At the beginning of senior year, I had a specific idea about where I wanted to go to college, but that plan changed by the end. I’m so glad that I kept an open mind because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have ended up at Vassar, which I am beyond excited about.”
Rios
What is your favorite memory from your time at Anacapa School?
“There are so many to choose from. I would probably say that the memories from the beginning and end of the year trips are my favorite. Right off the bat, we as a school go on a trip just to bond. We get to talk and simply enjoy ourselves with other students
“Over the course of the year, I saw my peers grow and got to know them better and by the end of the year trip, everyone is comfortable with one another. It honestly feels like a family vacation.
What is your plan for next year?
“I will be attending Cal Poly SLO. I am excited and nervous about this next step in my life. Right now, it hasn’t really kicked in that I’ve graduated. Okay, more like I can’t really believe that I have graduated. I’m scared for what’s about to come, but I know I can move forward and I’ve grown more confident in my ability to do that.
“I know that I have my family and Anacapa supporting me from behind.”
What is something you’ve learned at Anacapa that you’ll be taking with you into the future?
“I learned to overcome the uneasiness of talking in front of a crowd, be more confident in my work, and acknowledge what is happening around the world. Whether it was in general classes or Breakfast Club (our all-school meeting), I was introduced to a variety of points of view.
“We weren’t just learning from textbooks, we were also learning about issues that are occurring in the real world. My generation is pretty enthusiastic when it comes to justice in the system, and I was lucky enough to have teachers and peers encourage my interest in these topics.”
Do you have any words of wisdom to share with the Class of 2022?
“Don’t stress out. I know that’s impossible for us teenagers, but just know that once it’s done, it’s done. Another piece of advice I can give is that if something is bothering you, whether it’s personal or about school, don’t be afraid to talk it over with a faculty member.
“If it wasn’t for the school faculty, I don’t know how I would have made it through this year. I unexpectedly lost an important person in my life at an influential time, and I’m grateful the faculty understood and provided me with the support I needed
“I can definitely say that you’re not alone in this, you have your friends, family, and Anacapa with you along the way. One last thing I want to say is just have fun and live your last high school days to the fullest.”