Ask our tour guides, they're the experts

Where were you born? Where do you call home now?

I was born in New York city, but I moved to Hong Kong when I was a couple months old and I have lived there since.

Have you read anything good recently? What was it?

The Firm by John Grisham. Definitely one of my all time favorite books.

List one random fun fact about you!

In a three year stretch when I was little, I got stitches In head three different times.

Share your favorite Cate moment.

Too many to think of, but some of them include playing basketball in front of everyone on WinFo (Winter Formal) night. Definitely formal dinners for me, too.

Favorite Outings Week memory?

Sleeping at a campsite that had a full view of Half Dome in Yosemite, and seeing the sun make Half Dome red.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned at Cate so far?

That we are lucky to have the resources provided to us, so we should take advantage of them.

Favorite weekend activity at Cate?

Has to be dodgeball or kickball. Going to Riverpark and eating and watching a movie is also a lot of fun.

Where were you born? Where do you call home now?

I was born and raised in New Jersey and I still call New Jersey my home, but for me, Cate is my home away from home.

Have you read anything good recently? What was it?

For my English class, we read a book called Homegoing. It discusses heavy topics, but it’s written so beautifully and shows that nothing is just black and white and unwinds a complex and brutal history with ups and downs and twists and turns at every corner.

What’s on your Apple Music/Spotify Playlist?

My music tastes like a melting pot. I listen to R&B, Rap/Hip Hop, Pop, of course, Nigerian music, 90’s music, a little bit from the ’80s, and a whole bunch of random songs I just added to my playlists.

Share your favorite Cate moment.

There is a lot to pick from, but one moment that popped into my head was the Winter Dance Convocation. We had been working on this for a long time, but I was still so nervous the day of the show because performing in front of people, in general, is nerve-wracking, let alone the whole school. Also, dance is my art, so you always hope that when you show people what you love or what you are passionate about, you hope that they love it too. In the end, It was amazing and beautiful and went well. My friends even made me a poster in French, which is the language I am taking.

Best dorm on campus? Why?

It’s Schoolhouse! Not only does Schoolhouse have the best dorm parents, best dorm pets, and best dorm snacks, but it’s also newly renovated, so the dorm itself is gorgeous. Also, the dorm is smaller, so you have so many chances to get to know everyone and create real bonds. Schoolhouse, in general, has the best people.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned at Cate so far?

There is no such thing as the “perfect” student. Coming into Cate, I thought I was always going to have to have the right answer, understand things right away, etc. I even told myself to not ask too many questions or I’ll look dumb to the rest of my peers. But, as I matured through my Cate years and continue to learn and grow, I realized that a lot of people are still working on themselves. I saw a lot of times that a certain topic I am struggling with was also the same topic that many people are also struggling with. Or a topic that I found easy was giving someone else a really hard time, so ask those questions and know making mistakes isn’t a crime.

Favorite way to unwind and relax?

Music, Music, Music! Listening to my favorite songs and dancing like nobody’s watching helps me so much. Sometimes, I go to the dance studio just so I can use the speakers and the cool lighting there.

Where were you born? Where do you call home now?

Orange, California. Cate and Orange share the title of “home” now.

Have you read anything good recently? What was it?

I just returned from a road trip to Kansas/Nebraska and listened to the audiobook version of The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, a novel about family, nostalgia, and forgiveness, while driving through cornfields.

What’s your favorite sports team?

The Angels (professionally); the Cate School track and field team!

What’s your favorite food?

Flan and pecan pie. I bake pecan pie at my advisor’s house at school.

List one random fun fact about you!

This summer I dug for fossils in western Kansas! It’s home to the Niobrara Formation, which is chalk that was deposited during the Late Cretaceous. I found a fish jaw, lots of clams, some crinoids, and a lot of fish vertebrae.

What is your favorite place on campus?

Sunset bench. It’s my favorite place to unwind, read a book, knit, do yoga, climb a tree, etc. More broadly, I love running the loop around campus during sunset, and always stop by sunset bench (which is on the way) to take photos. If you scrolled through my camera roll you would see an enormous amount of sunset photos.

Best dorm on campus? Why?

CHE is a top tier dorm. It has the best dorm parents, the lip sync battle champions, and Cece’s snacks (chef’s kiss to her tiramisu and macarons).

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned at Cate so far?

From living with people who mentor me, inspire me, and comfort me, I’ve learned to open up to people and to engage in meaningful conversations with everyone I encounter. There’s always some bit of wisdom people are willing to share, and some joy that I can impart on them in return. I’ve made some of the deepest connections with the people of the Mesa this way, and have learned to broaden my perspective from them.

Favorite way to unwind and relax?

Going to the beach at 5 am to watch the sunrise with TSmith and grabbing Starbucks before class.

Where were you born? Where do you call home now?

I was born in San Francisco, and I currently live in Napa Valley, California.

Have you read anything good recently? What was it?

I read The Sky Before the Storm by Sabaa Tahir. It was the fourth and final book in a series I’ve been reading for a while and I loved seeing the way everything tied together.

What’s on your Apple Music/Spotify Playlist?

Honestly, my playlists are all over the place. Anything from the 2010’s that is upbeat, but also some calmer, almost sad music for studying, with the occasional Disney song thrown in.

List one random fun fact about you!

I have a captains license for large sailboats and catamarans, which means I can charter boats anywhere in the world.

Share your favorite Cate moment.

I have a lot of favorite memories, but making root beer floats at 1am in lower hall CHE, with a bunch of other juniors is definitely one of my most cherished.

What is your favorite place on campus?

I love the common room in CHE. At any given time, there are always people there: watching a movie, playing Just Dance, or just chatting. Its a great place to hang out with friends.

Favorite Outings Week memory?

During the Yosemite trip my junior year, we all got up early to hike to the top of the mountain we were camped at the base of, where we watched the sun rise, and drank hot chocolate.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned at Cate so far?

Friends are everything. Make sure you find people who will support and encourage you, because they will make the transition to boarding school that much easier.

Where were you born? Where do you call home now?

I was born in Houston, Texas but I consider California home now.

What’s your favorite food?

Avocados (they’re so versatile)

Favorite Outings Week memory?

Jumping off the Teacup rock at Pyles.

Best dorm on campus? Why?

Day students!

If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I would go back to 1970, so I could live through the 70s, 80s, and 90s and experience the music and fashion.

Favorite way to unwind and relax?

Listen to music, read a book, watch Netflix

Favorite weekend activity at Cate?

Ordering dinner with friends.

Where were you born? Where do you call home now?

Born in New York City but was raised in Hong Kong. Even though I am living in New York now, Hong Kong is still where I consider home.

Use three words to describe yourself.

Adventurous, sporty, willing

What’s your favorite sports team?

Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, New York Yankees. Grown-up going to games from all of these teams and have been fans of them for many years.

What’s your favorite food?

Curry, both Indian and Japanese curry.

Share your favorite Cate moment.

My sophomore year as a whole was pretty fun. Between football season, school dances, and weekend activities it was all a great experience.

What is your favorite place on campus?

The sporting fields when games are going on and fans are all in the stands.

Favorite way to unwind and relax?

Listen to music, watch some Netflix, and take a nap, especially during free periods.

Favorite weekend activity at Cate?

Dodgeball, Kickball, Capture the flag, or any other physical activities.

Where were you born? Where do you call home now?

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado.

Do you have any pets?

I have a goldendoodle named Maverick (named after Mavericks, the surf spot in Northern Cali, not Top Gun)

What is your favorite weekend activity at Cate?

Fave weekend activity at Cate is boogie boarding at the beach

What is a fun fact about you?

I can hold my breath for 3.5 mins

What is your favorite Outings Week memory?

Jumping off the 20-30 ft cliff into the big pool at Teacups freshman year.

What is your favorite food?

A french baguette (especially when it’s made by my advisor)

Favorite way to unwind and relax?

Falling asleep in the sun outside.