SAA Fishies Start To Swim In a New Ocean

Morgan Goldsmith

With school starting really soon, I wanted to talk to a couple of incoming freshmen about their expectations and goals for their first year at St. Agnes Academy. I interviewed three girls from a system of charter schools called KIPP to see how they are feeling about starting their freshman year.

Melisa Campos, KIPP Academy Middle School

Q: Why did you choose to come to SAA instead of staying at KIPP?

A: “I chose to come to St. Agnes instead of KIPP because I wanted a different experience. I had been at KIPP for 10 years now, and I wanted something new. I knew that private school would be a different experience and challenge, so I decided to take that challenge.”

Dayanna Ochoa, KIPP Academy Middle School

Q: Do you have any goals for the upcoming freshman year?

A: “My goals as a freshmen include being in multiple clubs, making the junior varsity team for basketball and cross country, and having high grades.”

Katy Nino, KIPP Academy Middle School

Q: What benefits do you hope to gain from attending SAA?

A: “Transferring to SAA, I hope to gain more confidence in myself and be more open with others. Also, taking advantage of meeting new people and making new friendships. Something very important to me is faith, and I really hope to gain more faith and a better connection with God. I know SAA is a place where I will most likely be able to gain all these benefits and be a very successful person.”

I came from a KIPP middle school as well, so I am so proud of these girls for branching out and exploring their options. The only advice I can give is to always make time to sit down and breathe. SAA can be pretty stressful, but you won’t succeed without taking some time for yourself. Good luck to all of the incoming freshman!!