“I like writing and reading. I also participate in cross country, orchestra, and debate. My favorite class would probably be geometry, because the teacher, he’s really nice, and we learn a lot in that class, and he cracks a lot of jokes. There are many things about me that are entrusting and unique. I have a stuffed animal I’ve had since I was a little baby, and I still sleep with it at night, and I don’t know how I would live my life if I didn’t have her with me. [This year], I hope that I can finish my homework more efficiently and meet a lot of people and get more confident in public speaking.”

Junna Castel ’20’s backpack during the first six weeks.

“I think I’ve accomplished most of the stuff I wanted to do, but I think I need to work on my WAS taking notes skills and public speaking. I think in debate, I’ve gotten a lot better at speaking in front of the people and like, having a lot of voice and not stuttering as much. In orchestra, I’ve become a little bit of a better leader, like I’m in first chair, but I’m not used to leading other people, so I think I’ve become a little bit better of a leader, in that aspect. Then, ways that I’ve improved. I’ve gotten to know the school a lot better. I volunteered in this debate tournament and then I had to show people the classrooms, and most of the classrooms I had no idea where it was, and then after this, I think I know the school a lot better. I just love how [Westwood] is so diverse and there’s so many things you can do, like you can fit in, if you don’t fit into one group, there’ll always be another group out there for you that you’ll be able to join, and have like a community around you.”

Junna Castel ’20’s backpack during the last six weeks.