When I approached this quiet 8th grader and asked him if he would like to be interviewed for the school website, his eyes lit up and he asked me: “Really?” When I answered with a quick and matter-of-fact “Yes”, he responded in kind.
On the day of the interview he showed up a few minutes early and with a contagious energy that made me smile. Here is the interview to ensue:
1. Did you choose Sizer or did your parents? Why?
My parents chose Sizer because they felt like I could use a better environment. Sizer provided that because it has smaller classroom and fewer students. This was useful to me because it meant that there would be little or no distractions. They also chose it because they saw that I was acing all of my classes. This school has advanced classes and so students can take different classes at different levels. When I got to Sizer it made it easier for me to learn to continue without having to stop for others. The last reason my parents choose Sizer is because they saw that it had the highest overall MCAS scores in Fitchburg.
2. What is your favorite subject and why?
Math. I like math the most because it cause me to think the most. It can sometimes be challenging, which makes it fun. Another thing that makes math fun is my math teacher, Ms. Robbins, from rising and running, cart wheeling and sliding. She is one of the few teachers I’ve seen do that. She reminds us that math is fun!
3. Who is your hero and why?
Unlike others my hero is no superstar or an all time ball player. They’re just really good people, my parents. My dad works long hard days and supports 7 children that way. Not only is he my hero, he is also my inspiration. He is the oldest of the oldest sons, and ever since my grandfather passed away, he has to take his place as the leader of my clan. This makes him work even harder. He is also the wisest man in my family and the best volleyball player I’ve seen.
My mom works hard at home to make sure that we all have what we need. She is sweet and caring, and works hard for us kids, and would do anything to help us and anything to protect us. My parents are amazing people who want us to make the best of our lives, and not just in work, but to be good people. That is why they are my heroes.
4. Do you help out at home?
*looks at me like I'm crazy* Of course I do. That's what you do. You help your family, everyone does their part. That's what you do as a family. You help. You contribute.
This all sounds familiar….like the Sizer 6…
*smiles* Yeah, we have the same values. Think, care, act.
5. Is there anything you’d share with a student who is considering coming to Sizer School?
If you’re thinking about coming to this school you should. The teachers here are really nice and know you very well. Whenever I walk in the hallways at least 3 teachers know my name, and some of them I haven’t even seen before, you also have a lot of hands-on-projects, which I think is pretty cool.
It’s also a lot easier to make friends because of advisories. Advisories allow you to get to know one teacher really well and get to know your peers better. Because of this I’ve made many friends and can talk to my advisor whenever I need help. Maybe you’ll like this school a lot or maybe it’s not right for you, but I hope you at least try it, because I think you will like it.
Ms. Vazquez: Wow, Sky, thank you so much for taking the time from your lunch period to talk to me and for sharing so much. I really appreciate it.
SY: Thank you. That was fun.
Ms. Vazquez: Where would you like to take your picture?
SY: One under the mission on the stairs.
Ms. Vazquez: Really? Why there?
SY: Because it’s really who we are and I like what it says.
Sky has future plans of going to college, majoring in computer engineering and traveling the world. I know he will accomplish all that he sets out to do because with his attitude, the possibilities are vast and limitless, much like his name. Thank you Sky.
Ms. Vazquez is the Student Recruitment & Enrichment Coordinator at Sizer.