Patille, High School Student, CA

“[Schools] have all the opportunities that you need, but I don’t think that people are actually taking advantage of it. They’re taking it for granted. Coming from a school where you don’t have all those things, I think that they should make it more of something they should push on kids.”

Patille was interviewed by a peer and one of our student Catalysts--Meera--for the RE-ENVISIONED collective visioning project at Paly in Spring 2017. Check out other #SchoolSpotlight interviews for Paly by following #PeopleofPaly.

What are your hopes/goals for your life?  What would make a “good” successful life?

I want to go to college--I mean everyone talks about school so, education [is important]. I’ve always wanted to do something with changing the world in some way. So if I have a thing by the time I’m 30, I should do something that involves that. I want to have a family, but before that I want to have a job. So, just feeling like you did something to help someone or a situation in need.

Is there anything you worry about getting in the way of achieving a good life?  Anything that keeps you up at night?

Yeah, school: if I don’t make it through. Or if I end up with like a bad relationship, that can also mess you up. But [mostly] school--t’s all based around school. Wondering if I missed an assignment, or could have done better on something and not feeling like I can put my whole into it. Also like I’m new here, so that’s something.

Ideally, what role do you think schooling, high school or specifically PALY, should play in achieving that ideal good life?

[Schools] have all the opportunities that you need, but I don’t think that people are actually taking advantage of it. They’re taking it for granted. Coming from a school where you don’t have all those things, I think that they should make it more of something they should push on kids. Maybe you should consider doing a class that you know, can help you in your life later. That would help you.

Do you think people (your friends, parents, teachers)  agree with you on each of those levels?

Yeah, my friends and family do want me to succeed and stuff. My mom kind of pushed me to do all the classes that Paly has to offer because it’s so different. So she wants me to like be a part of that.

What do you think the purpose of schooling is for individuals and society, broadly?

Well, to learn. To make relationships with others, that’s really important, because it’s not all about school. And to find yourself and who you want to be, [school] just helps you do that, and know like what you want to do in your life.

What have been some of your most empowering educational experiences? This doesn’t have to be in school - it can be something you have done outside of school.  

Well, I learned this kind of photography- I did a summer course for nine weeks learning film photography. So that was like the first time I really of felt like I was actually learning something that others you know don’t have. So that really made me feel like I was learning.

Tell me about your favorite teacher? Why are they your favorite?

Well, if I’m being totally honest, this year I haven’t had the best teachers, but Satterthwaite was actually my favorite one. He was just very like open and flexible. I have a learning disability so he was extremely open to that. And also, just he cares and is really easygoing too.

If you had to choose one thing about your high school experience to change what would it be and why?

I guess teachers could be better--more taking in what the students are saying. If a student told [teachers] "I don’t really feel like I’m learning," maybe try to work it out with them and figure out a way where you could learn.