Some Lancers participate in a wide variety of activities on campus, from fun clubs to challenging sports. Others, however, find themselves hesitant to participate, whether it be because of introversion or an uncertainty as to where they fit in. For Brooke Baker (’23), a recent Saint Francis graduate, her journey at Saint Francis—specifically discovering her strengths and passions through activities and classes—has impacted how she views her time at Saint Francis and approaches life as a freshman in college at the University of Washington.
The Lancer: Why did you choose to attend Saint Francis?
Brooke Baker: Okay, when I was an eighth grader, I really wanted to go to Pres—I was dead-set on Pres. I lived right next to Pres, and I was like, “Oh my gosh, so convenient!” But then, after we got acceptances for high school, I went to one of those accepted-students nights, and I talked to some really cool people who changed my mind.
TL: What clubs or sports did you participate in at Saint Francis?
BB: I did tennis, I did a lot of activities things, I did Banner Brigade, I did Cannon Crew, Rally Board, I did Rubik’s Cube Club when that was a thing. Those were my favorites… Ignite also.
TL: What’s your favorite Saint Francis memory?
BB: The spring rally of my senior year, the “Old Grant Road” sing-along, that was my favorite moment. And cannoning is great—I love the cannon!
TL: What were some of your favorite classes or teachers at Saint Francis?
BB: One of my favorite classes senior year was AP Gov with Mr. Carroll. I am not a very good AP Gov student, I did not understand the majority of the readings, but I did enjoy going to his class every day because he is such an excellent teacher. I think every year I had teachers where, at the end of every year, I was leaving a lot of really good teachers and really good classes. Also, Mr. Cobb is a really good bio teacher, solid, very chill guy, but he gets it done—you learn stuff. Ms. Friedsam, great English teacher. I learned a lot about something I knew nothing about, which is amazing. Ms. Savinovich, also. Actually, I really just like all of the English teachers. I loved English 2H, I tell everyone about English 2H, the greatest English class ever to exist, but I am totally biased. Mr. Pasion, really good math teacher—I’m taking calculus again in college (the same class Mr. Pasion taught me), and Mr. Pasion is so much better than my current professor.
TL: What degree are you pursuing, and how do you feel Saint Francis prepared you for attending college?
BB: Right now, the way that the engineering program works at University of Washington is that you don’t declare your final major until you apply for it at the end of your freshman year, and you get selected at the beginning of your sophomore year. So I’m currently just an engineering undeclared major, but it’s been my intention to go aerospace—but you know, I’m open to the possibilities. I’m trying to check out some new classes next year, see what else is out there, because it’s a big world. I legitimately fe[lt] very prepared by Saint Francis. I think they did a good job. One thing though, when they changed the grading system, the one where everything is summative and formative, and formative is zero percent, I actually have grades for homework in college, which is not something that existed in some of the classes at Saint Francis, but it’s not a big thing. Workload wise, I feel like I’ve had more reading in high school, I’ve had to do more math problems. I feel like in general, rigor-wise, I’m pretty prepared.
TL: What advice would you give to current Saint Francis students?
BB: The most clichéd advice that I heard a lot when I was a student that I’m going to reiterate now is that you should just try everything you’re interested in, and even try things that you aren’t interested in, because for me, I was a very shy, reserved, “I don’t want to be in front of anyone ever” person, and that’s why I never got involved in student activities until I was a senior, and those things that I ended up doing there—those were my favorite things that I did at Saint Francis. It was only by really pushing myself out of my comfort zone that I got to do all those things that were the most fun. So, you know, push yourself!
TL: Do you have any final comments?
BB: The weather in California is so nice.
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
