Seven Questions with a Posse Scholar from Washington High School

The past year has been a whirlwind for Angela. She grew up in Mexico and decided at the age of 16 that she wanted to come to the U.S. to finish high school and attend college. She is already well on her way toward accomplishing both of these goals, as, earlier this school year, she learned that she would be attending Trinity College in Connecticut as a Posse scholar. 

She hopes to use her time at Trinity as a starting point toward her ultimate goal of pursuing a career in the medical field. Get to know her more below. 

What have been your interests both inside and outside of the classroom at Washington? 

My two favorite subjects have been psychology and biology because they connect with my interest in the medical field. Outside of the classroom, I’m involved in a lot of social clubs. I’m in a club that’s mainly for kids from Latin America, and we support each other. I’m also on the Local School Council, where I try to make the school a better place for its students. 

What have been some of your favorite memories at Washington? 

A lot of my favorite memories have come from joining the ESL (English as a Second Language) Club at Washington. I’ve gotten to make so many meaningful friendships not only with my classmates but also with the teachers who run the ESL program. 

What was your reaction when you found out you were named a Posse Scholar? 

I was genuinely in shock. Once the news sunk in, I was so proud of myself and became more excited about the future and attending Trinity. 

What are you looking most forward to in college? 

I am looking forward to meeting new people, forming a new community, meeting new people, and continuing to learn both as a student and a person. 

What strategies are you going to use as you continue working toward a career in the medical field? 

In terms of the medical field, I’m really interested in pediatrics and psychiatry. Staying organized is going to be very important. I tend to be a really forgetful person, especially when I have a lot of things to do, so I am going to try to keep my mind organized by writing things out. 

What advice would you give to other CPS students who have recently come to Chicago from other countries? 

I would encourage them to be sociable and try to make friends even when it is hard or they want to stay in their shell. I was a little intimidated at Washington at first, but running for the Local School Council was a great way for people to get to know me. Joining clubs helped me get to meet new people as well. 

If you could sum up your time in CPS in one word, what would it be and why? 

Growth. I’ve grown so much as a student. I’ve learned so much. And I’ve improved myself in so many ways.