Networking and relationship-building are some of the most crucial attributes to fine tune in today’s world. Nowadays, your connections and network are often the foundation for your future. Building strong relationships with the people around you is essential, especially as you move into the realm of professional business and work relationships. 

Unlike most, I didn’t experience a traditional education pipeline. I first attended a magnet elementary school, 40 minutes away from my home, where I knew no one. Next, I attended a vast, public middle school, where I was familiar with very few other students. I then went to a private high school in Calabasas, CA, where I knew absolutely nobody and felt extremely isolated. After that, I attended Kent School, a prep school in Kent, CT, and now Wesleyan. 

Often being the new student with little familiarity of the surrounding city, I was forced out of my comfort zone, challenged to learn the ropes of relationship-building. In elementary school, I was shy and reserved—to this day my coaches come up to me and are surprised by the person I’ve become. After transitioning to a public middle school, I had the first taste of being the new kid and needing to start over—but I weirdly found enjoyment in it. Making new friends and expanding my circle was exciting, and jump-started my social skills that have shaped who I am today.

When I moved to Calabasas for high school, despite feeling isolated socially, academically, and financially, I began to allocate time towards building strong relationships. Overcoming these challenges and forcing myself out of my comfort zone led to me being elected the Salutatorian Award, which included a speech at graduation. I felt proud to be awarded by my peers and teachers as the student who best represented our class.

Lastly, I moved to the East Coast where the process continued, and I had to learn to acclimate to a whole new set of personalities. As you move across the country, you learn so much about people and how we all differ. That is one of the most important things to learn for relationship building and networking. The ability to adapt to people’s personalities while appreciating everyone for who they are is something special and needed more in this world today.

2020 Viewpoint High School – Salutatorian Award Recipient:

Graduation Salutatorian Speech Video

2021 Kent School – Athlete of The Year Award Recipient: