On the first day of Newspaper, Garcia asked everyone why they took the class. My response? “I don’t know.” The truth, one I was embarrassed to say at the time, was that I thought it might be cool, and it was. The funny part is, I don’t like writing, and I still have no idea how to make a graphic. My brain’s always worked better with numbers and systems, so the open-ended task of writing an article, especially this one, is still petrifying.
The uncomfortable nature of the class is what made it all the more satisfying for me. Completing a physics test is one thing, but seeing my name next to an article in the Liberator was a new kind of reward. It wasn’t about a grade, it was about giving a small contribution to a larger whole. That sense of purpose is something I never got from solving for x.
Still, Newspaper isn’t the only class that surprised me. Between four signature courses, you will undoubtedly be baffled when hearing that each one was many people’s favorite class at LASA. The one that puzzled me was Planet Earth (Plearth). I didn’t enjoy relying on a small group, and I definitely didn’t enjoy having a park 20 minutes away from me; however, I’m grateful for both Plearth and Newspaper in a similar way. They have taught me how to step out of my academic comfort zone and embrace their uniqueness. The classes also gave me the peace of mind that I am fully deserving of LASA’s multidisciplinary endorsement.
I didn’t get through LASA alone. My sister, Reiko, was a senior when I was a freshman. While our parents decided I was going to LASA for commuting reasons, Reiko became my guide through much more than 183 traffic. Reiko has helped me navigate through instability, pressure, and college applications with the wisdom given to her by our school.
Looking back on these past four years, I know that most of the time I didn’t do things right. But the truth is, you cannot grow from perfection. I’m not graduating with a pile of chords, a perfect GPA, or a shelf full of trophies. What I am taking with me is immeasurable: resilience, perspective, and a better understanding of myself.
