Raina Welch, Class of 2008, is a poised and focused 17 year old entering her senior year at Saint Mary’s College High School this fall. Raina joined Prospect Sierra in the 5th grade. “High school prep started immediately! Because of that, the work requirements at St. Mary’s have been easy to meet.”
She credits both her humanities classes and the writing program at Prospect Sierra, where she learned to master structure and presentation, for making the transition into high school easier to her than it was for others.
Growing up in a multi-cultural neighborhood, Raina became interested in studying other languages as a child. “It was like those kids had a secret code, and I wanted to know what it was.” Support from the World Language program at Prospect Sierra propelled her early interest in language study. Interested in the two most widely-spoken languages in the world, she studied Spanish in middle school and took Mandarin as an elective in high school. Raina will complete AP Spanish this year and aspires to become a Simultaneous Translator at the United Nations.
Raina has also participated in the choir throughout her high school career. In addition to singing in jazz choirs outside of school, she will perform this year with St. Mary’s invitation-only Chamber Choir, which she has been asked to co-direct with a friend.
“My social life is beautiful!” she exclaims. “There are so many different people and everyone is so welcoming.” Her advice to students entering high school is: “Be yourself, be proud of who you are, what you like, and how you connect the two.” She emphatically adds, “Get organized … and start with your locker!”
Interested in seeing more Prospect Sierra Alums? Check out some photos from the Class of 2011 Pizza Party.