Vivian C, senior — Interview conducted by Angela Wang
Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 11:30 am: We’re in the back of the library right after assembly. It’s already crowded, with people swarming in groups, chatting loudly with their friends. I click record. “Welcome, Vivian.” The interview has begun…
Angela:
If you could choose only one song to play every time you walk into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Vivian:
Ok, uhh, this one’s hard because I feel like my music taste changes literally every month. So, for right now, I would say "Icon" by Jaden Smith.
Angela:
Oh, nice! I don't know that song.
Vivian:
It’s good! Highly recommend.
Angela:
What is something unique about you that your classmates might not know?
Vivian:
One thing, okay, I've kept a diary since fifth grade. I only remember to write in it every month or so now, but I'm still proud that I've kept it going.
Angela:
Woah, that’s great because what happens is most people stop after a while because it's a lot. That's what happened to me at least.
Vivian:
Yeah, I have it on my shelf. Every so often I’m like, "oh, I should probably write an update in here."
Angela:
So it's not like a daily routine?
Vivian:
It's not a daily thing.
Angela:
Have you ever gone back and read your entries from fifth grade?
Vivian:
Yes, I have. It's so interesting to see—like what I was thinking about at the time, you know? It's fun to look back.
Angela:
So looking back at your experience at CPS, what is something you will never forget? It could be an event, an experience, or a memory.
Vivian:
Maybe, like, hanging out with friends. Um, I mean, prom was pretty fun. Or Junior Retreat.
Angela:
Nice! Was prom at school?
Vivian:
No, it was the Merchants Exchange in San Francisco. The venue was really beautiful.
Angela:
What are you looking forward to in the future?
Vivian:
I'm really excited to start, like, exploring hobbies that I kind of picked up in high school but I never really got into, like crocheting or rock climbing.
Angela:
Oh, wait. We have a rock climbing thing with the club on Friday! You should come!
Vivian:
Yeah, I’ll check it out! Yeah, I did rock climbing a couple of times in RHF in freshman year and it was really fun.
Angela:
If you could say thank you to one room in CPS, which one would it be?
Vivian:
Definitely the dance studio. Yeah, yeah, I've made so many memories in there. Also, it's such a great space to kind of get away from the rest of the anxieties around school.
Angela:
Here's an optional one if you want to answer it: what do you feel like you have accomplished?
Vivian:
Oh, like in high school?
Angela:
Yep.
Vivian:
I would say, like, having... finding a greater sense of self, if that makes sense. Like figuring out who I am as an individual.
Angela:
Yeah, yeah. That's nice. Over high school, like, over the course of high school?
Vivian:
Yes.
Angela:
What do you think triggered that?
Vivian:
I don't know. Okay, for some reason, I think the pandemic really helped because I feel like I was alone at home a lot of the time, so it gave me a lot of time for retrospection. *laughs*
Angela:
Right, yeah, nice. Well, that's the end of the interview. Nice talking to you!
Vivian:
Okay, thank you so much! That was fun!