By Li Yam ’22
My throat hurts. I scream louder. A mixture of French, Hebrew, and English plays out of my car speakers as my sister and I shout to the anthem of our childhood. A love song between Napoleon and Marie Antoinette, my sister and I assume these respective roles in a duet. The music is so loud I can’t even hear myself.
It was 7:30 AM on a Wednesday, and my sister and I were driving down Coldwater Canyon in the thick morning fog. Immersed in the serene weather, the sun would soon dissolve the clouds, and I would soon face the heat of my AP Language in-class essay. Yet, holding onto this scene with my sister and her friend (who had no idea why we were singing so passionately), I loved turning back the clock to a simpler time—my childhood and the connection I only feel with my siblings.
Despite our two-year age gap, I see my sister around campus daily. In the moments where I need a familiar smile or embrace, I am comforted knowing my sister is only a few classrooms away. After difficult tests or AP Language essays, running into my sister in the halls, cafeteria, or on the Quad always brightens my day. Being present for each other through both difficulties and celebrations deepens our connection. I introduce her to my friends, she does the same, and I love watching my sense of community grow to encompass even more friendly faces around campus.
Sharing the mistakes, lessons, and successes I have encountered throughout my time at Harvard-Westlake with my younger siblings is incredibly important to me. Whether it be suggesting certain courses, sharing funny classroom stories, or crucial study methods, my younger siblings are able to learn from me, and in return I am able to learn more about myself. My younger brother is currently thirteen years old, meaning he is on the Middle School Campus. Soon, it will be his time to join the Upper School community, and I am excited for him to share a similar experience with my sister.
When discussing Harvard-Westlake’s prominence, the institution stands out as an incredible academic environment with brilliant teachers and staff. While this is all true, the student population has helped my siblings and I find ourselves and strengthen our relationship. Being part of both my at-home family and my HW family, my siblings and I are able to create memories, share inside jokes, and continue to grow together in ways that not many institutions would allow us to do. The morning fog we encounter might be thick, but the drive to school stands as a beacon of light that leads us to brighter joy and connection.
