CHS Valedictorians: Meriah Schoen

Meriah Schoen talks about balancing schoolwork and a boatload of other activities during her four years and Calabasas High, and her upcoming move to Emory University to study biology and anthropology.

Calabasas Patch:What did you like most about Calabasas High School?

Schoen: I think my favorite part about Calabasas High was that there was a lot of ways for people to get involved, whether it be a club or a team or music, it was the best part about high school. I got the chance to involved in numerous things and each of those things help you grow.

Patch: What activities did you participate in?

Schoen: I was in the wind ensemble for four years, I also had a chance to be in the pep band for a production of "Beauty and the Beast." I was on the varsity swim team for two years, I was the president of Peer Support, which is where you reach out to fellow students and learn about mediation techniques. I was the leader of freshman orientation days, Coyote Connect, which helps freshmen feel welcome and how to transition into high school and for them to have an older person that they could talk to at school if they needed one. Beyond that, outside of school I worked at West Hills Hospital for four years, because I want to be a doctor. I volunteered at the Venice Family Clinic, the UCLA biomedical lab, a National Honor Society tutor every Saturday and I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.

Patch: What was it like balancing all of those activities with your schoolwork?

Schoen: I think it gets stressful at times, but I think it's so much for fulling to be involved in stuff than not to be.

Patch: Where are you headed for college?

Schoen: I'm going to Emory Unversity. I'm going to be studying biology and anthropology. I think the minute I stepped on campus I had that feeling, that vibe that this was just the place for me.

Patch: What's your favorite memory from your four years at Calabasas High?

Schoen: I think a lot of the greatest memories were in wind ensemble. It was one of the most stressful classes for me, it constantly pushed you to better than you were, but at the same time I made really great friendships there. I'd see the same people every day and I create a special bond with those people. We went to Chicago and Seattle, those were great trips. … I also liked my AP European history class in tenth grade. I never really liked history before taking that class.

Patch: Are you going to miss Calabasas?

Schoen: Yeah, I definitely will. I'll miss my family and friends and the weather. But I think college is a time to experience new things … I'm a bit nervous and excited.