
Photo courtesy of Sithini Chea, created on Canva.
Electives are a great way to take a break from academic core classes to find a new hobby or passion, or to meet new people and make new friends. Since Woodward offers diverse classes, students have a wide variety of electives to choose from. The classes can range from ceramics to music production or even jewelry.
Iya Tangsujaritpunt ‘23, who has been taking Yearbook since last year, enjoys a special aspect of the class: photography down on the sidelines in addition to meeting new people.
“The publication and working on it is truly an experience [that] you can’t experience anywhere else,” Tangsujaritpunt said. “How many students at Woodward can go down on the sidelines during games to take pictures? Not a lot. I was new last year, [but] now I know so many people just by doing interviews and working with them either on spreads or covering them in the yearbook.”
Tangsujaritpunt expresses how Yearbook provided her with a sense of a loving and friendly community.
“Since I was new last year, I didn’t really have friends, especially the first couple of weeks, and so [here is a] shoutout to Samantha Grivno ’22, Jordan Tovin ’22 and Aiden Brill ’22 who made me feel so welcomed and loved.”
Tangsujaritpunt chose Yearbook for a multitude of reasons. She admits that Yearbook is a way to challenge herself as well as leave a lasting impression on Woodward.
“I like being able to step out of my comfort zone to interview people and also to take pictures and use cool equipment,” Tangsujaritpunt said. “I also want to be part of creating Woodward history.”
Tangsujaritpunt believes that people should join Yearbook because they can learn useful skills.
“You can also learn more and expand your horizons such as learning how to use a camera, photoshop, construct interviews, and develop your journalism skills,” Tangsujaritpunt said.
Tyler Hart ‘24, who has been taking theater since 4th grade, expressed that theater–or more specifically Performance Ensemble–provides a safe and welcoming community as well as helps students form practical skills.
“Other people should join since it builds self-confidence and public speaking skills,” Hart said.
Shreya Surapaneni ‘25, who has been taking violin since 1st grade, enjoys bonding with her fellow classmates in chamber orchestra.
“Honestly, I feel like orchestra can be a very rewarding experience when you’re in the right group,” Surapaneni said. “I really enjoy playing the violin, and I made a lot of new friends, especially the seniors last year.”
She recognizes that music is an important skill that everyone should partake in.
“I think [orchestra is] an experience everyone should have, maybe not necessarily in orchestra but I feel like with music in general because I think playing music is very calming [and] relaxing,” Surapaneni said. “I feel like music is a lifelong skill.”
Tangsujaritpunt emphasizes the importance of bonding in a community which makes Yearbook worth it in the end despite the hard work.
“You should build connections and find a community in Yearbook because you never know if you would be more than acquaintances,” Tangsujaritpunt said. “You might have more in common or have similar interests which would make you better friends.”