Roosevelt

As some of you may know--and others may have no clue--my high school (Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences also known as TSAS) will be moving to a new building next year, as well as opening a middle school. Our future home is a magnificent WPA era school that I had the liberty of exploring this past Tuesday during one of the monthly PTSO (Parent-Teacher-Student Organization) meetings. While being able to explore the new building was in-and-of-itself pretty exciting,  I also had the honor of being asked to speak at the meeting about my experience at TSAS. The following is said speech:

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Hello! My name is Carly Hughes and I am a senior at Booker T. Washington. Haha, just kidding― I am a senior at TSAS, but I imagine you’ve already guessed that much.

I could have been a senior at Booker T., however, because just a little over four years ago I was accepted there as a freshman. And while I imagine that I would have received a fine education had I attended Booker T., I do not believe that I would have become the person that I am today.

In my mind, the distinction between Booker T. and TSAS stems from the manner in which students and teachers interact. And, while I am unable to tell you exactly what it is like to be a student at Booker T., I can tell you that none of my close friends who go there are in a group text with their AP Chemistry teacher. I know that they have never been to their English teachers house for dinner, and I know that they most certainly would never tease their teachers―even if it is in a purely loving and affectionate way. 

TSAS on the other hand, emphasizes ‘mutual respect,’ to the point that it’s probably in the dictionary as a synonym by now. Regardless, TSAS is a place where the teachers care about the students, and the students care about the teachers―something you cant get at a typical school where students are just a face in the crowd, and teachers are just a door with a number. 

The only downside of TSAS is that the more teachers get to know you, the harder they will make you work. Not out of spite, but out of a desire to see you flourish. 

I am currently taking AP Calculous II. As an independent study. While yes, it is partially because TSAS does not offer it as a class, it is primarily a way to challenge myself, and TSAS response to help me do so.

Moving forward I know that the education I have received at TSAS will put me lightyears ahead of my peers, because TSAS has taught me how to think, rather than just what to think. Thank You.