Nothando Khumalo '19
What things are you involved in at Rivers?
After playing JV soccer for three years, I am now on the varsity squad as a senior. The team atmosphere helped me to grow as a player. Also, as a senior I found myself in a position to mentor the younger players on and off the field. My coach, Ms. Donahue, helped me to become more aggressive on the field, which in turn helped my confidence grow in all aspects of school life. As captain of varsity track in the spring, I will bring these qualities with me to lead my team and to help younger athletes succeed. In addition to sports, I’m a Student Advisor, which is one of the most important leadership roles at Rivers. It is a role that allows me to engage directly with freshmen and their parents and to act as a resource for them. I am also a Middle School tutor, and a member of Red Key and Model UN. My involvement with Model UN has given me the opportunity to develop my oration and interpersonal skills. Finally, I am a member of RICA (Rivers Integrated Cultural Awareness), which gives me a forum in which to discuss social justice issues.
Back
After playing JV soccer for three years, I am now on the varsity squad as a senior. The team atmosphere helped me to grow as a player. Also, as a senior I found myself in a position to mentor the younger players on and off the field. My coach, Ms. Donahue, helped me to become more aggressive on the field, which in turn helped my confidence grow in all aspects of school life. As captain of varsity track in the spring, I will bring these qualities with me to lead my team and to help younger athletes succeed. In addition to sports, I’m a Student Advisor, which is one of the most important leadership roles at Rivers. It is a role that allows me to engage directly with freshmen and their parents and to act as a resource for them. I am also a Middle School tutor, and a member of Red Key and Model UN. My involvement with Model UN has given me the opportunity to develop my oration and interpersonal skills. Finally, I am a member of RICA (Rivers Integrated Cultural Awareness), which gives me a forum in which to discuss social justice issues.
What is your favorite Rivers memory?
My favorite memory comes from the trip I went on to Windsor Mountain as a student advisor this past fall. I still remember four years ago as a 9th grader waving goodbye to my mom from the bus as I left for my first trip to Windsor Mountain. I tried to hide just how scared I was with an over-the -top smile. If my fake smile had not betrayed my true emotions, my darting eyes and sweaty palms definitely did. Once we arrived at Windsor Mountain, a group of confident, smiling kids greeted us as we got off the buses. These students, I learned were Rivers student advisors. Even though I had never met any of them before, I trusted them to help me carry my bags and lead me to the main camp area. Throughout the weekend, they proved that their goal was to show us just how great a community Rivers could be. I knew after this experience, that I too wanted to be student advisor when I became a senior so that I could act as a model of reassurance and kindness to the freshman. I wanted to serve as a role model, a kind person they could greet on campus, a compassionate listener and, most importantly, as someone who could always be there to remind them that life at Rivers will be great, but that they always have the support of friends and faculty to help when needed.
My favorite memory comes from the trip I went on to Windsor Mountain as a student advisor this past fall. I still remember four years ago as a 9th grader waving goodbye to my mom from the bus as I left for my first trip to Windsor Mountain. I tried to hide just how scared I was with an over-the -top smile. If my fake smile had not betrayed my true emotions, my darting eyes and sweaty palms definitely did. Once we arrived at Windsor Mountain, a group of confident, smiling kids greeted us as we got off the buses. These students, I learned were Rivers student advisors. Even though I had never met any of them before, I trusted them to help me carry my bags and lead me to the main camp area. Throughout the weekend, they proved that their goal was to show us just how great a community Rivers could be. I knew after this experience, that I too wanted to be student advisor when I became a senior so that I could act as a model of reassurance and kindness to the freshman. I wanted to serve as a role model, a kind person they could greet on campus, a compassionate listener and, most importantly, as someone who could always be there to remind them that life at Rivers will be great, but that they always have the support of friends and faculty to help when needed.
How has Rivers shaped you as a person?
At Rivers we have a culture of meeting with teachers. This culture allows the students to be in a learning environment where asking questions is a positive. At some other schools there might be a stigma attached to asking questions or meeting with a teacher, but at Rivers there isn’t. Teachers have an open door philosophy where they want to meet with students, whether that student is doing exceptionally well or is in need of some guidance. Before coming to Rivers, I was not as willing to ask for help because it was not something that was the norm at my previous school. Now, I am usually one of the first ones to do so. For example, in my AP Biology class, if I have a question, I ask because there is usually someone else with the same question. Learning to be a better self-advocate has not only been important for me but I think it also has benefited whatever group I have been a part of at Rivers.
At Rivers we have a culture of meeting with teachers. This culture allows the students to be in a learning environment where asking questions is a positive. At some other schools there might be a stigma attached to asking questions or meeting with a teacher, but at Rivers there isn’t. Teachers have an open door philosophy where they want to meet with students, whether that student is doing exceptionally well or is in need of some guidance. Before coming to Rivers, I was not as willing to ask for help because it was not something that was the norm at my previous school. Now, I am usually one of the first ones to do so. For example, in my AP Biology class, if I have a question, I ask because there is usually someone else with the same question. Learning to be a better self-advocate has not only been important for me but I think it also has benefited whatever group I have been a part of at Rivers.
What advice would you offer to new students to help them get the most out of their Rivers experience?
As a student leader and as a person, the most importance advice I would give is always be yourself because when you are yourself you bring something to the community that no else can, and that’s really valuable.
As a student leader and as a person, the most importance advice I would give is always be yourself because when you are yourself you bring something to the community that no else can, and that’s really valuable.
What is your favorite extracurricular activity?
Being a member of RICA has been one of my favorite activities at Rivers. It is a place where I can talk about issues of social justice, diversity, and inclusivity. In RICA I am able to hear from other students of color about their experiences at Rivers. Differences enrich a community, and at RICA students of color and white allies have a place to talk about how we will work together to continue to make our campus welcoming and safe for all students.
Being a member of RICA has been one of my favorite activities at Rivers. It is a place where I can talk about issues of social justice, diversity, and inclusivity. In RICA I am able to hear from other students of color about their experiences at Rivers. Differences enrich a community, and at RICA students of color and white allies have a place to talk about how we will work together to continue to make our campus welcoming and safe for all students.
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