Alumni Profile

Ben Sommer
Ben Sommer 2014

Ben Sommer

2014 Alumnus


Middle School:
Black Pine Circle

High School:
Oakland Technical High School

Since graduating from Aurora, I have gotten involved in my community and my school in a variety of ways. I loved middle school and enjoyed being involved in student activities there, including running the talent show, participating on student panels, leading student assemblies, participating on the Debate Team and in Improv Club, teaching STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) to younger kids, and presenting paper circuits, a cardboard arcade, and other projects at the Bay Area Maker Faire with the Black Pine Circle Maker Club. In high school, I joined the “Tech Techies”—an afterschool program where I am learning production design for school theatre performances (set design, lighting, audio, etc.).

Every summer, I volunteer with Community Reading Buddies, part of the Aspire Education Project. I mentor pre-K through 3rd graders from Oakland who participate in a summer literacy program. I love working with younger kids and helping them learn to read and discover books.

One of the things I loved most about my time at Aurora was the close relationships I had with my teachers. Each one of them was an important person in my life, and I am still in touch with them. I was so inspired by my teachers that I am considering becoming a teacher myself!

I entered Aurora shy and reserved, and I graduated from Aurora feeling more confident about sharing my thoughts and ideas. I was encouraged to think critically and look at issues from many different perspectives, so that way of learning comes naturally to me now. Maybe most importantly, Aurora taught me the importance of being nice to everyone. At my current school, I am one of many Aurora graduates. Though we’ve grown in different directions, we all still radiate the same kindness, helpfulness, and general magnanimity. Being a part of Aurora School was something very special in my life.

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