July 20, 2023 • 15 mins
Summers in the Oregon School District are a great time for alumni to come home and visit. In this episode, we caught up with Blake Anderson, Isabel Bauer, and Blake Pankratz and looked ahead to their futures and advice for younger students in the OSD.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER1:
Today, we're talking with some of our OHS graduates who are spending part of
their summer working in the OSD. (00:00):
undefined
Tune in to hear about what they've been doing since graduating and whatsummer's been like and what's next.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:15):
undefined
Here is your host.
Lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Dr.
Leslie Bergström.
SPEAKER1: Welcome to Inside the OSD. (00:29):
undefined
We love catching up with our alumni and are excited to hear about what you'redoing now.
Let's start by having each of you introduce yourself and what you've been doingsince graduation.
SPEAKER3: Hi. I am Isabel Bauer and I have been attending Marquette University for the past year. (00:43):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Uh, my name is Blake Pankratz, and I've been attending Colorado Mesa University. (00:50):
undefined
SPEAKER5: My name is Blake Anderson, and I've been attending Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. (00:55):
undefined
SPEAKER1: And both of you have on t shirts that reflect your college of choice. (01:00):
undefined
That's pretty cool.
So you've all returned for the summer and you're working in the OSD.
So tell our listeners about your job and what made you decide to apply for aposition here in the summer.
SPEAKER3: Uh, so I am working as a summer playground leader. (01:16):
undefined
This is actually my third year doing it, so.
And I loved it the first two years.
I get to work with kids and have just a great time outside all summer, so.
SPEAKER1: So what about the program? (01:31):
undefined
Does it start after summer school and go for the whole afternoon or?
SPEAKER3: Yes. So it starts at 12:00. (01:35):
undefined
Summer school obviously ends at 12:15, so we pick up the kids there and walkthem to Prairie View and hang out until 4:00.
SPEAKER1: Wow. Okay. (01:44):
undefined
That sounds like a lot of fun, actually.
SPEAKER3: It's so much fun. (01:47):
undefined
Cool.
SPEAKER1: How about you, Blake? (01:48):
undefined
SPEAKER4: I've been working as a seasonal custodian over at Forest Edge in Fitchburg. (01:50):
undefined
Um, I -- This is my second summer doing it, so I love it.
It's just -- It's just work, but it's.
It's. It's nice to, like, kind of come back into the schools and help out whereI can.
SPEAKER1: Well, saying hi to all kinds of people that you run across that you remember when you were a little kid, right? (02:08):
undefined
Yep. And how about you?
SPEAKER5: So I'm a swim instructor at the Oregon Community Pool. (02:16):
undefined
I think I've been doing it for about five years now.
And I started, um, I kind of got into it when there was a class, I think it wasthe first year it was actually offered at the high school where you got your WSI
and Lifeguard certification.
SPEAKER1: Oh yes, that's right. (02:34):
undefined
SPEAKER5: So Deb trained me in, who was the old pool manager, and then I started lifeguarding working in the pool. (02:35):
undefined
And I've been doing that every summer and since, so.
SPEAKER1: Well, and also you swim in college, right? (02:46):
undefined
So it all fits together?
SPEAKER5: Yeah, I swim at Luther. I teach there too. (02:50):
undefined
And I just like to kind of give back and teach the sport that I'm verypassionate about.
SPEAKER1: Oh, that's awesome. (02:57):
undefined
Okay, so what have you enjoyed most about being back in the OSD?
SPEAKER3: The people. Honestly, everyone here is just so nice. (03:02):
undefined
And I you know, it's always really welcoming and it's just a lot of fun to seeeverybody.
Yeah.
SPEAKER4: Yeah. I have to go with the same. (03:11):
undefined
I love seeing my old teachers, even though I didn't go to that school.
A lot of teachers, you know, came over there when it opened.
So I get to see a lot of my old teachers from Brooklyn and RCI.
SPEAKER1: Oh, that's fun. (03:27):
undefined
SPEAKER5: I think I might have to continue on, but a lot of people are going off with the people. (03:29):
undefined
One thing that I found really cool about working at the pool for so many yearsis I'm, like, teaching kids that I've had their older siblings or like, that's
great. I know someone who's like, related to them or like, "Oh, that was myteacher and that's their kid," or just the relationships I'm seeing people that
(03:49):
I haven't seen in a while, and it's just cool to see them grow and develop.
SPEAKER1: That's really nice. (03:53):
undefined
Whenever you have the opportunity to speak with alumni -- Whenever I get thatopportunity, I like to ask this question.
What's been the most valuable thing you've learned in the OSD that helped youprepare for the path you've taken?
Whoever wants to start that one, because I know your gears are turning.
SPEAKER3: I'll go. I learned how to advocate for myself, which is something as like an introvert is a very difficult thing for me to do. (04:11):
undefined
But in the later years of high school, I learned how to, you know, ask for helpwhen I need it and how to really just, you know, stand up for myself,
which has helped me a lot in college.
SPEAKER1: That's -- that's amazing. (04:31):
undefined
I'm still working on that one.
So I'm so glad.
We're all a work in progress, right?
Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER3: Always. Always. (04:37):
undefined
SPEAKER1: How about you? (04:38):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Um, I learned a lot of, like, communication skills, I think through the school. (04:39):
undefined
It's compared to, like, some of my friends now in college.
I feel like I have kind of a foot ahead of them because, um, I just know, like,how to email my teachers, how to communicate, how to make connections
with things.
(05:01):
And I think I picked that up here at the Oregon School District.
SPEAKER1: Well, that's pretty cool. (05:04):
undefined
And how about you, Blake?
SPEAKER5: I think I'd have to agree with a lot has been said. (05:06):
undefined
But another thing that I felt that I was really well prepared for, likeacademically, I was able to able to challenge myself through the class that I
was taking, like AP classes and other honors classes.
And a lot of my teachers pushed me and made me strive for greatness.
And now, like, I mean, I've been in college for three years, but immediatelywhen I got there, I felt I was very well prepared, especially compared to some
(05:34):
of my peers who might not have been as prepared.
But there was a lot of skills that I learned or like my teachers pushing methat helped me feel prepared for college.
SPEAKER1: And that's amazing. (05:43):
undefined
Is there any particular subject you felt that in more than others?
SPEAKER5: I really felt like a lot of some of the science classes. (05:49):
undefined
So I'm a biology major, a chemistry minor, and so like, my AP classes that Itook or like, my honors physics classes.
I felt like those classes really pushed me.
And then when I got to college, it was like, it's very similar.
I mean, there's degrees up, but I had pushed myself and had developed goodstudy strategies that had helped me feel prepared and ready to take
(06:17):
on college. Oh, that's amazing.
SPEAKER3: Do you want to add to that? Yeah, it's adding on to that. (06:19):
undefined
I also took a ton of AP classes and took a lot of math classes at high school.
I'm a math major and so I as well, I got pushed a lot harder in school, but Iactually felt going to college was easier than some of like the AP classes
because it prepared me so much for the workload that like when I didn't have asmuch as much work in college, I was like, "Wow, that was that was great.
(06:41):
This was kind of easy."
SPEAKER1: I like that. (06:43):
undefined
I want to ask a little bit about that communication piece that both of youmentioned.
And Blake, you agreed with it, too.
What -- what helped you learn to do that?
Just that the expectation was set that you reach out to teachers and that youcommunicate?
Or what do you think led you to be able to do that?
Because as you pointed out, that's a really important skill.
SPEAKER3: It is. It is. (07:06):
undefined
One of the things I learned is that teachers are always super accommodating ifyou ask them for help.
And so that was something that I learned how to do and that I think is reallyimportant for everyone to learn how to do for the future, not just for college,
but for jobs and for future life is being able to communicate with someone andask for help and ask, you know, whenever you need something.
SPEAKER4: Yeah, I totally agree with that. (07:32):
undefined
And adding on to that, you know, growing up through the district, I've had manydifferent educators and I haven't had any bad
experiences, so I always felt like very comfortable going out of my way to likemake a connection or they come to me and make a connection.
(07:52):
And that, I think, is what helped me learn these communications.
SPEAKER1: The relationships led to comfortability, led to an ease in reaching out? (07:56):
undefined
Yes. Oh, that's -- that's really nice.
So what's been the most interesting, surprising or exciting thing you'veexperienced since graduating from the OSD?
SPEAKER5: I can start with this one. (08:13):
undefined
So Luther, the college I go to, has a lot of study abroad programs oropportunities to do that.
And actually this recent January or our j-term, which is this weird kind ofschedule we have where in January you take one class, which is typically when
people go abroad. I took a English class that we actually went to Tanzania andwe learned about kind
(08:38):
of this, the conservation efforts being done there, as well as like thepastoralist and like different way of life that the Maasai people had.
We like lived with them and like camped out in like the wilderness and like wetalked with them and shared like our experiences and theirs.
And it was really life changing event that I found really interesting.
SPEAKER1: Oh, that sounds amazing. (08:57):
undefined
Yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER4: For me, I just recently -- so this past semester I was going through an application process with the School for an Ambassador program, and I got (09:02):
undefined
accepted in.
And basically what that is, is I kind of help with admissions.
I work kind of in the admissions office and I give tours and kind of showpeople the campus and in exchange they give me my tuition
(09:27):
back to me. So it's a great it's a great deal for me.
SPEAKER1: That's amazing. (09:29):
undefined
That's great.
I think you'll be very good at that.
How about you?
SPEAKER3: Well, so, I have through Marquette, have been able to make connections with the police department there. (09:35):
undefined
I want to work in, like, data analysis within crime.
Wow. And so I've been able to make connections there and hope to start aninternship there in the next next semester.
SPEAKER1: Oh, you guys are something. (09:54):
undefined
This is great.
Okay, So, as you know, Summers goes so quickly and in no time you're going tobe off to the next part of your journey.
So what's next for you when you look into the fall and into the future?
What's your next big thing?
SPEAKER3: Well, obviously-- Your internship. (10:10):
undefined
Internship with college.
But in the spring semester I will be studying abroad.
I haven't applied yet. Applications aren't open, but I'm going hoping to go toGreece, which I think will be really cool.
I'm doing a lot of STEM stuff in school, but I love art and I love mythologyand history and so I'm looking to study that well while in Greece,
(10:34):
because I was a huge Greek mythology nerd growing up.
SPEAKER1: That's awesome. (10:36):
undefined
Either of you?
SPEAKER4: Yeah, I'm going back to Colorado this August. (10:40):
undefined
August 1st, and I kind of have my -- I have a two weeks training for thatAmbassador program.
Um, and I'm just kind of looking forward to working on that, getting startedwith all of that and continuing school.
SPEAKER1: That's great. How about you? (10:57):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah, so senior year of college. (10:59):
undefined
So got that swim team will be my last year doing probably swimming and then Ihave been working on applications this summer for dental school
so interviews hopefully will be happening in fall for me.
SPEAKER1: Well, good luck with that. (11:16):
undefined
Congratulations on knowing your exact next step.
Yeah, that's exciting.
Yeah. So finally, if you had one piece of advice to current OSD students, whatwould that advice be?
SPEAKER3: Uh, so I've spent a lot of my life looking forward to the future, not living in the present. (11:32):
undefined
And I think I missed out on a lot of opportunities, especially in high school,but also middle school and RCI.
And so my advice is to live in the present and to take advantage of everythingthat you can in the time that you're in right now.
SPEAKER4: Nice. For me, it would definitely be joining clubs, sports organizations within the school. (11:52):
undefined
I think I got a lot of value out of joining.
I was -- I ran cross country, did swim team, track, and I was involved in a lotof different clubs, I guess you could say at the high
(12:12):
school and even even in the middle school and below.
But I think that was the most one of my most valuable experiences here.
SPEAKER1: Thanks. (12:22):
undefined
SPEAKER5: I think I'm going to kind of jump off what Blake said. (12:23):
undefined
I to kind of go off the same lines, but throughout my kind of like academiccareer here at Oregon, I always participated in sports, the exact same three
sports (12:35):
cross country, swimming, and track.
SPEAKER1: So the two Blakes had the same sports? (12:37):
undefined
That's awesome. I like it.
SPEAKER5: But now that I've been in college, I mean, I only do swimming, which is, I think, one of the longest sports seasons, but it's definitely give me more time (12:41):
undefined
to pursue other interests.
So I guess my advice would be -- I obviously, I recommend sports and -- but Ioverall recommend like extracurricular activities, like clubs.
(13:01):
I've really pursued clubs a lot more in college and wish I would have maybedone that more in high school or middle school and other stuff, just pursuing
other extracurricular activities.
It doesn't have to be sports.
Like I joined Burn Crew at Luther, which I don't know if obviously isn't a thinghere probably, but you burn the -- like burn prairies, like conservation stuff.
I got really involved in conservation outreach projects at Luther and someother groups like PALS, which is kind of like a mentor-y kind of thing
(13:31):
for younger youth. So just getting involved in other activities would probablybe my recommendation.
SPEAKER1: You know, remark -- very wise. (13:36):
undefined
I completely agree with what you're saying and I agree with it because it'sremarkably consistent.
Back in 2015, we had a panel of students speaking to a community members, like150 community members, and we asked them about their most impactful learning
experience. And they were all the way from elementary to high school juniorsand seniors.
(14:00):
And almost every experience was about something that they learned at school,but not in the classroom, right?
Like with their friends, in clubs, in athletics, influential people on theirlife, but not necessarily third hour class.
Right? It's the other stuff that contributed to making the experienceexperience even more rich.
(14:23):
So it's really wonderful to hear that all of you are moving forward with thatidea, right?
Like it's all of these experiences that contribute to a really rich life.
So it's been really nice to talk to you all.
Thank you for for sharing your experience.
And I know the community will love hearing about your success.
(14:46):
Remember that you can find links to all episodes of Inside the OSD and submittopic ideas on our website at
OregonSD.Org/Podcast. You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
(15:07):
We'll see you next time on Inside the OSD, where it's all about the kids.
undefined
Tune in to hear about what they've been doing since graduating and whatsummer's been like and what's next.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:15):
undefined
Here is your host.
Lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Dr.
Leslie Bergström.
SPEAKER1: Welcome to Inside the OSD. (00:29):
undefined
We love catching up with our alumni and are excited to hear about what you'redoing now.
Let's start by having each of you introduce yourself and what you've been doingsince graduation.
SPEAKER3: Hi. I am Isabel Bauer and I have been attending Marquette University for the past year. (00:43):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Uh, my name is Blake Pankratz, and I've been attending Colorado Mesa University. (00:50):
undefined
SPEAKER5: My name is Blake Anderson, and I've been attending Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. (00:55):
undefined
SPEAKER1: And both of you have on t shirts that reflect your college of choice. (01:00):
undefined
That's pretty cool.
So you've all returned for the summer and you're working in the OSD.
So tell our listeners about your job and what made you decide to apply for aposition here in the summer.
SPEAKER3: Uh, so I am working as a summer playground leader. (01:16):
undefined
This is actually my third year doing it, so.
And I loved it the first two years.
I get to work with kids and have just a great time outside all summer, so.
SPEAKER1: So what about the program? (01:31):
undefined
Does it start after summer school and go for the whole afternoon or?
SPEAKER3: Yes. So it starts at 12:00. (01:35):
undefined
Summer school obviously ends at 12:15, so we pick up the kids there and walkthem to Prairie View and hang out until 4:00.
SPEAKER1: Wow. Okay. (01:44):
undefined
That sounds like a lot of fun, actually.
SPEAKER3: It's so much fun. (01:47):
undefined
Cool.
SPEAKER1: How about you, Blake? (01:48):
undefined
SPEAKER4: I've been working as a seasonal custodian over at Forest Edge in Fitchburg. (01:50):
undefined
Um, I -- This is my second summer doing it, so I love it.
It's just -- It's just work, but it's.
It's. It's nice to, like, kind of come back into the schools and help out whereI can.
SPEAKER1: Well, saying hi to all kinds of people that you run across that you remember when you were a little kid, right? (02:08):
undefined
Yep. And how about you?
SPEAKER5: So I'm a swim instructor at the Oregon Community Pool. (02:16):
undefined
I think I've been doing it for about five years now.
And I started, um, I kind of got into it when there was a class, I think it wasthe first year it was actually offered at the high school where you got your WSI
and Lifeguard certification.
SPEAKER1: Oh yes, that's right. (02:34):
undefined
SPEAKER5: So Deb trained me in, who was the old pool manager, and then I started lifeguarding working in the pool. (02:35):
undefined
And I've been doing that every summer and since, so.
SPEAKER1: Well, and also you swim in college, right? (02:46):
undefined
So it all fits together?
SPEAKER5: Yeah, I swim at Luther. I teach there too. (02:50):
undefined
And I just like to kind of give back and teach the sport that I'm verypassionate about.
SPEAKER1: Oh, that's awesome. (02:57):
undefined
Okay, so what have you enjoyed most about being back in the OSD?
SPEAKER3: The people. Honestly, everyone here is just so nice. (03:02):
undefined
And I you know, it's always really welcoming and it's just a lot of fun to seeeverybody.
Yeah.
SPEAKER4: Yeah. I have to go with the same. (03:11):
undefined
I love seeing my old teachers, even though I didn't go to that school.
A lot of teachers, you know, came over there when it opened.
So I get to see a lot of my old teachers from Brooklyn and RCI.
SPEAKER1: Oh, that's fun. (03:27):
undefined
SPEAKER5: I think I might have to continue on, but a lot of people are going off with the people. (03:29):
undefined
One thing that I found really cool about working at the pool for so many yearsis I'm, like, teaching kids that I've had their older siblings or like, that's
great. I know someone who's like, related to them or like, "Oh, that was myteacher and that's their kid," or just the relationships I'm seeing people that
(03:49):
I haven't seen in a while, and it's just cool to see them grow and develop.
SPEAKER1: That's really nice. (03:53):
undefined
Whenever you have the opportunity to speak with alumni -- Whenever I get thatopportunity, I like to ask this question.
What's been the most valuable thing you've learned in the OSD that helped youprepare for the path you've taken?
Whoever wants to start that one, because I know your gears are turning.
SPEAKER3: I'll go. I learned how to advocate for myself, which is something as like an introvert is a very difficult thing for me to do. (04:11):
undefined
But in the later years of high school, I learned how to, you know, ask for helpwhen I need it and how to really just, you know, stand up for myself,
which has helped me a lot in college.
SPEAKER1: That's -- that's amazing. (04:31):
undefined
I'm still working on that one.
So I'm so glad.
We're all a work in progress, right?
Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER3: Always. Always. (04:37):
undefined
SPEAKER1: How about you? (04:38):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Um, I learned a lot of, like, communication skills, I think through the school. (04:39):
undefined
It's compared to, like, some of my friends now in college.
I feel like I have kind of a foot ahead of them because, um, I just know, like,how to email my teachers, how to communicate, how to make connections
with things.
(05:01):
And I think I picked that up here at the Oregon School District.
SPEAKER1: Well, that's pretty cool. (05:04):
undefined
And how about you, Blake?
SPEAKER5: I think I'd have to agree with a lot has been said. (05:06):
undefined
But another thing that I felt that I was really well prepared for, likeacademically, I was able to able to challenge myself through the class that I
was taking, like AP classes and other honors classes.
And a lot of my teachers pushed me and made me strive for greatness.
And now, like, I mean, I've been in college for three years, but immediatelywhen I got there, I felt I was very well prepared, especially compared to some
(05:34):
of my peers who might not have been as prepared.
But there was a lot of skills that I learned or like my teachers pushing methat helped me feel prepared for college.
SPEAKER1: And that's amazing. (05:43):
undefined
Is there any particular subject you felt that in more than others?
SPEAKER5: I really felt like a lot of some of the science classes. (05:49):
undefined
So I'm a biology major, a chemistry minor, and so like, my AP classes that Itook or like, my honors physics classes.
I felt like those classes really pushed me.
And then when I got to college, it was like, it's very similar.
I mean, there's degrees up, but I had pushed myself and had developed goodstudy strategies that had helped me feel prepared and ready to take
(06:17):
on college. Oh, that's amazing.
SPEAKER3: Do you want to add to that? Yeah, it's adding on to that. (06:19):
undefined
I also took a ton of AP classes and took a lot of math classes at high school.
I'm a math major and so I as well, I got pushed a lot harder in school, but Iactually felt going to college was easier than some of like the AP classes
because it prepared me so much for the workload that like when I didn't have asmuch as much work in college, I was like, "Wow, that was that was great.
(06:41):
This was kind of easy."
SPEAKER1: I like that. (06:43):
undefined
I want to ask a little bit about that communication piece that both of youmentioned.
And Blake, you agreed with it, too.
What -- what helped you learn to do that?
Just that the expectation was set that you reach out to teachers and that youcommunicate?
Or what do you think led you to be able to do that?
Because as you pointed out, that's a really important skill.
SPEAKER3: It is. It is. (07:06):
undefined
One of the things I learned is that teachers are always super accommodating ifyou ask them for help.
And so that was something that I learned how to do and that I think is reallyimportant for everyone to learn how to do for the future, not just for college,
but for jobs and for future life is being able to communicate with someone andask for help and ask, you know, whenever you need something.
SPEAKER4: Yeah, I totally agree with that. (07:32):
undefined
And adding on to that, you know, growing up through the district, I've had manydifferent educators and I haven't had any bad
experiences, so I always felt like very comfortable going out of my way to likemake a connection or they come to me and make a connection.
(07:52):
And that, I think, is what helped me learn these communications.
SPEAKER1: The relationships led to comfortability, led to an ease in reaching out? (07:56):
undefined
Yes. Oh, that's -- that's really nice.
So what's been the most interesting, surprising or exciting thing you'veexperienced since graduating from the OSD?
SPEAKER5: I can start with this one. (08:13):
undefined
So Luther, the college I go to, has a lot of study abroad programs oropportunities to do that.
And actually this recent January or our j-term, which is this weird kind ofschedule we have where in January you take one class, which is typically when
people go abroad. I took a English class that we actually went to Tanzania andwe learned about kind
(08:38):
of this, the conservation efforts being done there, as well as like thepastoralist and like different way of life that the Maasai people had.
We like lived with them and like camped out in like the wilderness and like wetalked with them and shared like our experiences and theirs.
And it was really life changing event that I found really interesting.
SPEAKER1: Oh, that sounds amazing. (08:57):
undefined
Yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER4: For me, I just recently -- so this past semester I was going through an application process with the School for an Ambassador program, and I got (09:02):
undefined
accepted in.
And basically what that is, is I kind of help with admissions.
I work kind of in the admissions office and I give tours and kind of showpeople the campus and in exchange they give me my tuition
(09:27):
back to me. So it's a great it's a great deal for me.
SPEAKER1: That's amazing. (09:29):
undefined
That's great.
I think you'll be very good at that.
How about you?
SPEAKER3: Well, so, I have through Marquette, have been able to make connections with the police department there. (09:35):
undefined
I want to work in, like, data analysis within crime.
Wow. And so I've been able to make connections there and hope to start aninternship there in the next next semester.
SPEAKER1: Oh, you guys are something. (09:54):
undefined
This is great.
Okay, So, as you know, Summers goes so quickly and in no time you're going tobe off to the next part of your journey.
So what's next for you when you look into the fall and into the future?
What's your next big thing?
SPEAKER3: Well, obviously-- Your internship. (10:10):
undefined
Internship with college.
But in the spring semester I will be studying abroad.
I haven't applied yet. Applications aren't open, but I'm going hoping to go toGreece, which I think will be really cool.
I'm doing a lot of STEM stuff in school, but I love art and I love mythologyand history and so I'm looking to study that well while in Greece,
(10:34):
because I was a huge Greek mythology nerd growing up.
SPEAKER1: That's awesome. (10:36):
undefined
Either of you?
SPEAKER4: Yeah, I'm going back to Colorado this August. (10:40):
undefined
August 1st, and I kind of have my -- I have a two weeks training for thatAmbassador program.
Um, and I'm just kind of looking forward to working on that, getting startedwith all of that and continuing school.
SPEAKER1: That's great. How about you? (10:57):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah, so senior year of college. (10:59):
undefined
So got that swim team will be my last year doing probably swimming and then Ihave been working on applications this summer for dental school
so interviews hopefully will be happening in fall for me.
SPEAKER1: Well, good luck with that. (11:16):
undefined
Congratulations on knowing your exact next step.
Yeah, that's exciting.
Yeah. So finally, if you had one piece of advice to current OSD students, whatwould that advice be?
SPEAKER3: Uh, so I've spent a lot of my life looking forward to the future, not living in the present. (11:32):
undefined
And I think I missed out on a lot of opportunities, especially in high school,but also middle school and RCI.
And so my advice is to live in the present and to take advantage of everythingthat you can in the time that you're in right now.
SPEAKER4: Nice. For me, it would definitely be joining clubs, sports organizations within the school. (11:52):
undefined
I think I got a lot of value out of joining.
I was -- I ran cross country, did swim team, track, and I was involved in a lotof different clubs, I guess you could say at the high
(12:12):
school and even even in the middle school and below.
But I think that was the most one of my most valuable experiences here.
SPEAKER1: Thanks. (12:22):
undefined
SPEAKER5: I think I'm going to kind of jump off what Blake said. (12:23):
undefined
I to kind of go off the same lines, but throughout my kind of like academiccareer here at Oregon, I always participated in sports, the exact same three
sports (12:35):
cross country, swimming, and track.
SPEAKER1: So the two Blakes had the same sports? (12:37):
undefined
That's awesome. I like it.
SPEAKER5: But now that I've been in college, I mean, I only do swimming, which is, I think, one of the longest sports seasons, but it's definitely give me more time (12:41):
undefined
to pursue other interests.
So I guess my advice would be -- I obviously, I recommend sports and -- but Ioverall recommend like extracurricular activities, like clubs.
(13:01):
I've really pursued clubs a lot more in college and wish I would have maybedone that more in high school or middle school and other stuff, just pursuing
other extracurricular activities.
It doesn't have to be sports.
Like I joined Burn Crew at Luther, which I don't know if obviously isn't a thinghere probably, but you burn the -- like burn prairies, like conservation stuff.
I got really involved in conservation outreach projects at Luther and someother groups like PALS, which is kind of like a mentor-y kind of thing
(13:31):
for younger youth. So just getting involved in other activities would probablybe my recommendation.
SPEAKER1: You know, remark -- very wise. (13:36):
undefined
I completely agree with what you're saying and I agree with it because it'sremarkably consistent.
Back in 2015, we had a panel of students speaking to a community members, like150 community members, and we asked them about their most impactful learning
experience. And they were all the way from elementary to high school juniorsand seniors.
(14:00):
And almost every experience was about something that they learned at school,but not in the classroom, right?
Like with their friends, in clubs, in athletics, influential people on theirlife, but not necessarily third hour class.
Right? It's the other stuff that contributed to making the experienceexperience even more rich.
(14:23):
So it's really wonderful to hear that all of you are moving forward with thatidea, right?
Like it's all of these experiences that contribute to a really rich life.
So it's been really nice to talk to you all.
Thank you for for sharing your experience.
And I know the community will love hearing about your success.
(14:46):
Remember that you can find links to all episodes of Inside the OSD and submittopic ideas on our website at
OregonSD.Org/Podcast. You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
(15:07):
We'll see you next time on Inside the OSD, where it's all about the kids.
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