Next Step for College Prep: A Guide for Sophomores  

Written By Leila Sherman and Jada Blank

Article from the week of November 11, 2025

Anyone could tell you that freshman year is quite stressful. You’re at a new school with new workloads and have to suddenly adjust to many different styles of learning! By the time you are a junior, the rush to prepare for college becomes real, and all of the sudden you have to start preparing for applications and standardized testing. But what of tenth grade? We interviewed Ms. Wuerthner, the college counselor here at Credo, and gathered her advice on what to do in downtime during sophomore year that can help us prepare for the upcoming workload. 

The first and foremost thing to pay attention to is keeping your grades up. We often get overwhelmed with the various activities that are recommended to pursue, such as extracurriculars, JC classes, and AP testing. However, putting in the work for all of your regular classes should be placed above all else. This is especially relevant when it comes to competitive colleges. 

Additionally, regarding both classes and extracurriculars, colleges value quality over quantity. Showing a lot of dedication and passion for a single subject is much more appealing than being a part of many different things with slight participation. For example, rather than joining five clubs and then showing up to them without any actual interest or dedication, it would be better to pick one or two that you are extra passionate about and participate more than is required of you. The best thing you can do is to stick with the things you enjoy and have previously done, along with doing your best to maintain a well-sustained involvement. Try to increase your responsibility and involvement in not just your activities, but also your community, and show as much leadership as you can. 

When it comes to electives, none of them are less weighted than others, but colleges do look at which classes you choose out of the ones offered at your high school. They know the difference between an art class and a science class, so if you are planning to go into the sciences, it is a much better idea to choose the harder scientific class rather than the art class. This shows that you can handle the type of work necessary for your chosen field of study. If you are hoping to get into a competitive school, you should choose the most competitive-looking coursework. Competitive Universities are interested in well-rounded students, so you should make sure to take advantage of all your opportunities!

In sophomore year, it is by no means necessary for you to know what subject you want to major in following high school. For most schools, you don’t even need to know your major by the time you apply. In fact, around 70% of students change their major two to three times while in college. Most of the time you have to declare your major by the end of your college sophomore year. The first two years are GE (General Education), which makes it okay to not yet have a decided major. If you wish to get a headstart and figure out what sort of subjects you might be interested in, CCGI (California College Guidance Initiative) can help guide you towards a suitable major (and even career) with quizzes and questions. That being said, it is important to recognize that some colleges have different requirements; for example, in UC Berkeley, applicants have to specify whether they are applying to the College of Letters and Science or to one of the more specialized colleges, which have stricter requirements. As Diana Wuerthner states: “If a student wants to apply 'undecided' at UC Berkeley, they'll need to know what UC Berkeley college they're applying to. Students can apply undecided to the College of Letters and Sciences, then later declare what actual major within that college they will declare - ie, art history, legal studies, mathematics, etc.”

Different Universities also vary in their application processes, especially when also considering international colleges. For example, many German schools require at least three AP classes, while Dublin requires none for an application. If you are interested in applying to an international school, the best advice is to take a look at the requirements for the specific college you are interested in and work from there. It varies drastically depending on your country and the competitiveness of the university. 

One of the most stressful parts of junior year are the standardized tests. The very first is the PSAT, which is taken in October of your junior year. The PSAT is good for scholarships and recognitions for your applications, and cramming for it last minute is definitely not a recommended strategy for anyone. You could start preparing for it now, but, seeing as the PSAT is solely made for eleventh graders, a study guide will be provided later. A good time to start studying would be over the summer; it allows you plenty of time but isn’t absurdly early. 

  Essentially, tenth grade isn’t necessarily a better year to start preparing than eleventh grade, but it is good to spread out the work so that you aren’t too swamped once application deadlines and tests draw nearer. One thing you can do is consider dual enrollment at the Junior College. Since dual enrollment allows you to take required college classes while still being in high school, it is very good for speeding up college coursework. As Ms. Wuerthner says, "students can complete required general education coursework through dual enrollment, removing that course requirement once they enroll in their college. For example, English C1000 at SRJC meets the college-level English requirements at most colleges." If you know what you want your major to be, it can also be beneficial to take classes supporting that particular subject. In general, when considering JC classes, keep in mind that the sciences are harder than many of the other classes. These also tend to require more time in person, while others are usually hybrid or online. In addition to this, students are required to report these class grades on all of their college applications. Dropping the class with a W (withdraw) will show up on college transcripts, but will not affect your GPA. However, you cannot choose to not report a C, D, or F.

Having said all of this, there are opportunities for tenth grade students that are sent out via email. The upcoming college info night (which will be on Zoom on November 13), is just as important for students to attend as parents. There will also be one in the fall for juniors and another in the spring. Further information and opportunities will be provided as the years go on.

To sum it up, pay attention to your grades, get to know your teachers, and engage in extracurriculars. Now is the time to start exploring your options and discovering what you really enjoy doing! 

The Benefits and Drawbacks of PSAT's

By Nahara Goodman

Article from the week of November 4,2024

The PSAT is a test that comes around every October. The purpose is to prepare juniors for the SAT and to provide a chance for students to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. However, with this test comes the additional layer of pressure, making students stressed due to studying, testing, and scores. Truthfully, the PSAT does not significantly affect your college applications, and though the PSAT may lead to scholarship opportunities, only a small percentage of students actually qualify. However, some disagree with this, arguing that the PSAT is something that should be taken seriously. That the stress is worth the chance of recognition and a scholarship. These things leave the question, is the PSAT worth the extra stress?

For most students, the PSAT adds another layer of pressure to an already demanding academic schedule, when it does not significantly affect their college applications and prospects. Though, the PSAT can be a very helpful thing in preparing you for your SAT, and it  can help you recognize what areas you need to work on before the SAT comes around. While it is just a test to prepare you, students still treat it as if it will have a lot of  power in your college applications, which can lead to unnecessary stress and burnout. The anxiety that this test can cause, when it does not even appear on your college transcript, can affect students' focus on schoolwork and take a hit on their mental health. In addition to this, although the PSAT can lead to scholarship opportunities, only a small percentage of test-takers actually qualify, leaving many students stressed for little reward. In order to get this scholarship, students must complete the rigorous application process. After the PSAT, they become Commended Students, Semifinalists, Finalists, and THEN Scholars; only the highest scoring participants in each state will receive the scholarship. This makes students question, is it worth all the stress when only 0.5% of the students who take it get the National Merit Scholarship. 

While some students believe that the PSATs are notis not worth the extra stress, some would argue differently. Though the PSAT can cause more stress to students due to studying, scores, and more, some would say that all of that is worth it in the long run. The PSAT is there for juniors to take as a practice test before the SAT, learning what they must first improve on. . Many students can find this helpful because they want to prepare as much as they can for the SAT since those scores can affect your college transcripts, and you want to be as prepared as possible. “I do think that the potential for a scholarship makes the PSATs worth the stress” says Alma Baker-Fielding, a junior here at Credo “ I think that people who are trying to get that scholarship are really gonna try hard and understand that there's going to be a lot of stress involved with it.” 

The PSAT is  an optional standardized test that  every junior can take to prepare them for the SAT and give them scholarship opportunities. To some students it is a helpful tool, but for others, it’s an unnecessary source of stress. While it can open the door for recognition and opportunities, only a small group of students get those rewards. Whether or not it’s worth the stress depends on each and every student's mindset and goals. 

Sources:

https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/national-merit-scholarship

https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=1745

https://blog.getintocollege.com/is-the-psat-used-for-college-admissions#:~:text=It's%20a%20vicious%20cycle%2C%20I,impact%20on%20an%20admissions%20decision.

Zoë French’s Senior Project - Adapting and Directing Credo’s Fall Production (Knives Out)

By Elsie Lennox 

Article from the week of October 28, 2025

We are back again with another senior project highlight. This week I spoke with Zoë French, a member of Onyx Cohort, who is taking her passion for theater to another level. This project delves deep into passion for creativity, and the outcome will be a spectacle for all of Credo’s community to enjoy come November.

For her senior project, Zoë French is directing Credo’s fall theater production Knives Out, adapted from the original murder mystery written by Rian Johnson. During the spring of her junior year, she and her friend, Calla, were out discussing the fall play and the possibility of doing a murder mystery. They were immediately drawn to the story of Knives Out. “We both agreed that Knives Out is the greatest murder mystery ever.” Zoë said, “We liked the idea that it had never been done before, it wasn't a Gosford Park, it wasn't a Death on the Nile. It was new, it was original.” Knives Out  was, in fact, written in 2019 about a modern family. Zoë shared the significance of this time in her eyes; it was an era current high schoolers remember well and can connect to, so there is a level of sentimentality in the decision of which mystery to direct as well.

For Zoë, the beginning stages of adapting Knives Out was getting in contact with Rian Johnson, for permission to alter the screenplay for theater. Then came the shrinking of over 400 pages. Zoë expressed her thanks to Ms. Bliquez and Ms. G in the following process of eliminating scenes and editing the script to fit a live audience. During his communication with Zoë, Rian Johnson has expressed how impressed he is with the changes made to his screenplay. Excitingly, Zoë also said that he mentioned he would like to come visit Credo in the fall to view one of the performances of Knives Out.

As it goes with these senior projects, Zoë has faced challenges during almost the entire process. She shared that actually adapting the script was probably the easiest part. Due to the previous theater director, Ms. G, leaving Credo, Zoë recounted the challenges that have arrived with the presence of a new teacher. Small, unforeseen, setbacks have occurred in her directing process because of this; however, Zoë also shared the joys that have come with being able to take the active role of directing a play: “There are moments when an actor will improv, out of their own acting talents, and I will just start cackling because it is so fun to see the whole process develop.” Other difficulties have been residing in the technical aspect of what it means to crunch this cinematic masterpiece into the available area, the Blackbox Theater. “Constraining the stage to the lights is extremely complicated.” She said, “I am big on the cinematic aspects of the movie, thanks to Rian’s genius; it is very well constructed. This is something we lose a lot of when we put a movie onto a stage, but what is lost is gained back in the talent of the actors.” For her final words, Zoë encouraged everyone to attend at least one performance of Knives Out in November and to support the talented actors on stage, who are making this difficult adaptation possible. 

How Adequately is Credo Preparing Us for College?

By Charlotte Wilson

Article from the week of October 28, 2025

Last week, I talked about how Credo is unique from other high schools, in our area and beyond, and I mentioned a little bit about how that sparks the question of college. Yep, I said it, the word most high schoolers spend their whole four years dreading. Perhaps the reason college is such a daunting concept is not just what it is literally (just another school, except you’re older), but rather what it symbolizes. It symbolizes the first step of the staircase into becoming adults, adults who have responsibilities, jobs, and families. In a depressing sense, it symbolizes the death of innocence and the birth of new life, no longer as a child. Maybe you don’t even choose to go to college, which is as fabulous a choice as the contrary, but the staircase is still there.

High school’s main goal is to prepare us for college. It's kind of like the floor below the first step. Again, even if you don’t plan to attend college, the relationships and skills you gain while in high school set you up for future success. So the question is: How adequately is Credo preparing us for college? For those of us whose thoughts are constantly invaded by the fears and hopes that accompany higher education, it can affect how we move through high school. 

             Credo is already a college prep school (plus some other fancy electives), but it’s helpful to realize that our school’s structure is modeled differently, which can sometimes make applications and transcripts confusing (what with the Main Lesson Blocks and all). Another thing is the lack of AP courses, which can discourage some students about the strength of their applications. Yes, these things can be stressful at times, but the perseverance and commitment to education that you can show through this is much more valuable than just doing it cut and dry. Colleges that are a bit more stingy about who they let in aren’t looking for students who just follow along and stick to the “normal” way of doing things. They’re looking for that one student who looks at the world differently than anyone else. They’re looking for a student who is trying to make a difference in the world they see, not just the one that others see. 

             All of this being said, I think that Credo’s approach to education is attempting to mold us into these students that colleges look for. When you combine this with relentless ambition, success isn’t just reachable, it’s expected. Success doesn’t just mean getting into an Ivy. It means finding a tentative destination for that staircase.

How Does Credo Compare To Other High Schools?

By Charlotte Wilson

Article from the week of October 21, 2025

Lately, I’ve been thinking about college, as I’m sure many other people in our school and around the world too. Among these swirling college thoughts are questions like: Am I prepared? What if things had been different? 

When I first came to Credo, what drew me in was the tight-knit community and creativity that set it apart from the stereotypical high schools in our area and across the country . Looking at schools with a large student population, like Rancho Cotate right in our backyard, I notice considerable differences between almost all aspects of school life. 

When I explain to my peers out of state or even from nearby public high school, I am often met with  raised eyebrows and a lot of questions along the lines of why is your school so small? and what’s a cohort? Explaining the unique aspects of our school in public school terminology can be difficult at times, but after using familiar words like “homeroom” and “no lockers”, they understand (somewhat) in the end. 

It is undeniable that our high school is unique.here is nothing like it in our area. For one, we are a public Waldorf school, which incorporates methods of education that deviates from what the general public would call a “normal high school”. That's the beauty of our school, isn’t it? We don’t have lockers or thousands of students that shuffle drearily through the halls, pressed up against each other. Instead, we have meaningful teacher-student relationships that can even continue past high school. We have a wide range of courses that you cannot find anywhere else, making it all the more possible to find what makes you happy and motivated in this world. 

Whenever I go visit large high schools, I immediately notice the lack of color and comfort. It feels like they’re less like schools and more like prisons meant to stomp out any and all ambition. But Credo? That’s where the magic lies. Traditional high schools’ only ambition is to simulate what it’s like to go all day staring at either a screen or a wall, just like how it would be in an office. It’s almost like introducing students to the 9-to-5 grind as early as possible, as opposed to Credo’s artistic and nurturing approach. 

Maybe it’s the Waldorf ideology, maybe it’s the fact that our teachers truly care about us, we may never know. Of course, not everyone may feel that way, but I think there’s something to be said for those who do genuinely enjoy their time at Credo, because let’s face it, our education is a rare gem.

Robotics Team Interview 

By Leila Sherman

Article from the week of October 21, 2025

This coming weekend, Credo High will be approaching an exciting event: the offseason competition for our school robotics team! Many people are already aware of the robotics club and know of their achievements, but not everything can be told by just word of mouth. I have interviewed Calla Kizner, a senior at Credo High and one of the leaders of the robotics team, so that we can get a deeper view into this incredible club.

 Calla joined the robotics club in her freshman year, and at the beginning, she wasn’t incredibly keen on it. She only joined because her friends and family encouraged it. Originally, Calla began as a part of the design and fabricating section of the team. Later, she altered her focus and began working with the previous Operations Captain, Grace Kellison. At the time, the robotics team didn’t have any part that was exclusively for media and branding, but Calla took an interest in and began forming it. According to her, “It's been a love-hate relationship over the years, but I don't regret joining.” Now, she is a part of the robotics leadership, along with Satya Roth. Joining the club has taught her priceless skills and lessons that will never fade.

Over the years, Robotics has accomplished some truly incredible feats. Just last year, at the regional competitions, they won the Team Sustainability Award and the Team Spirit Award. During her sophomore year, Calla formed a partnership with ReLeaf Petaluma, a non-profit organization that works to improve the environmental health of the Petaluma watershed and shelter wildlife. This partnership provided the team with many volunteering opportunities, such as tree planting, gopher cage creation, and annual beach cleanups. The club also has a policy in place that requires materials used for the robots to be reused. Along with their environmental awareness, Calla has done a lot of work preserving and preparing the robotics team to be passed on to future generations.Their hard work and capability impressed the judges, and they acquired an incredible achievement. As for the Spirit Award,  this is something that Calla began preparing for during her freshman year. “I spent months creating pom poms out of tissue paper, hand painting our first flag, making large cardboard numbers, and learning how to use Instagram to revive our failing account,” Calla states. When they showed up at the regionals and world championships, the progress was undeniable. Since then, they have been able to annually update team shirts, design a mascot for the team, purchase a team flag, and order real pom poms. This set the stage for the enthusiasm of the team during their competitions, and their support and team spirit rightfully earned that award. This was a huge triumph.

These accomplishments have certainly been emboldening for the club’s morale, and they have many goals for the upcoming seasons. In previous years, the club was able to found a summer camp program, cover season costs and set aside $10,000 for the future, expand community outreach initiatives, submit animations for awards, and increase club materials. Last year, they were able to build and program a swerve drive, which moves much faster than the previous West Coast drives and can move in any direction. The fact that they were able to achieve these goals is a statement to the team’s determination, skill, and resilience. This year, the club leadership plans to set the robotics club up for success when the seniors graduate so they can pass it on smoothly and successfully. Besides this, they are reaching to raise $60,000 through a variety of sources, win one of the animation and competition awards, and connect further with fellow teams to spread STEM education throughout the student bodies. We can all support the team as they strive to achieve their goals.

Sustainability in SOMO 

By Jada Blank

Article from the week of October 21, 2025

As members of Credo High School, we are also part of the Sonoma Mountain Village Community (SOMO). As part of the community, students are taught to be aware of the sustainability practices and One Planet Living (OPL) principles that SOMO has implemented. SOMO Village was developed in the year 2007, making it the inaugural OPL community in the whole of North America. Although it first started around 18 years ago, it is continuously growing, improving, and being expanded upon. 

One main focus at SOMO, which stretches as far as 200 acres of land, is renewable energy. This is why there are more than 16,000 solar panels on the rooftops of all its buildings that are said to power about 233 houses per year and provide carbon neutral energy for the entire venue. In 2020, there was the addition of one (and later a second) battery system with the important role of storing and preserving energy. 

Furthermore, there are a variety of both indoor and outdoor events hosted at SOMO, such as concerts, festivals, and fundraisers or even blood drives. They also offer easy access to bike paths and bicycles as a way of transportation for the staff and residents, as well as many on-site EV charging stations. Other values of SOMO Village include reduced waste and locally-sourced and organic foods. The majority of the food found in restaurants, stores, and farmer’s markets there is from the on-campus Headwaters Farm. 

As the primary instigator and CEO of SOMO Village, Brad Baker, states, “We’ve been building SOMO Village for 15 years now and we’re only about halfway done.” This shows just how much time, effort, and care has been put into creating this strong community that thrives on wellness, culture, and sustainability. 

Should the Music Policy Be Changed?

By Charlotte Wilson

Article from the week of October 6, 2025

As we now approach two and a half months into the new school year, many of us (especially those who were at Credo last year) notice that many policies have changed, this includes the phone and music policies. Understandably, the new music policy has created considerable upset and frustration due to the lack of the ability to utilize it during independent work periods in class. Many of us, myself included, focus much better when music is involved, it serves as a motivator as well as a way to tune out other distractions in our environments. Of course, it must be recognized that this is not the case for all students, and administrators have placed these rules in place for a reason. 

In order to understand why these policies were changed, we must examine possible ways listening to music can stray from productive to unnecessarily recreational. Yes, music listening can be misused, especially when phone use is involved, but what about on laptops? It is unclear in the Family Handbook as to whether music is allowed on laptops, however there have been instances where teachers have prohibited all music, even on laptops. Still, I must wonder, do we have to do away with music listening in the classroom entirely, even if it is proven to help students study? According to a Harvard neuroscientist, a 2018 study found that engaging with familiar music stimulates a certain part of the brain to enhance focus. For this very reason I think music of a student’s choice should be available in some medium when in a study period. 

An anonymous student I interviewed made a very good point: “If our school is primarily an art school, shouldn't they appreciate the fact that we’re listening to music as an art form?”

This is indeed an interesting concept to ponder, using art to make art. Sometimes, music can even influence certain aspects of our work and give us inspiration, since we are inherently mimetic beings.

In addition to a member of the student body, I interviewed Emily Bliquez, one of Credo’s esteemed English teachers, here are her thoughts on the issue: “I think music can be a real asset in getting students into a flow when it comes to writing, but I also recognize that when there is any interaction with the phone that it is such a magnetic force for students that it can take them into a counterproductive state. On the one hand, I think that music is very helpful on its own, but I think when the phone is involved in making the music go into their ears there’s trouble. I think that there is a middle path which would be for when students can use their airpods or whatever it is that allows them to listen to music while on their laptops when writing. I feel like I would like that to be possible in the classroom for those students who choose that.”

Both of my interviewees made compelling arguments as to whether we should allow it back. So, one of the remaining questions is, how do we deal with music’s misuse when that inevitably arises? Well, a few cases of incorrect usage should not dictate the guidelines for the entire student body, we should strive to see the major positive impact rather than the few problematic instances. Whether or not the policy changes is an ongoing issue and ultimately up to the best judgement of the administration, however it is an intriguing concept to ponder as you navigate your way through the coming week.

Fundraising Committee

By Josephine Drees

Article from the week of September 29, 2025

Credo may be a smaller school, but its hardworking community always comes together to benefit its students, plan amazing events and more. One of the driving forces behind this is the Fundraising Committee, a dedicated group that ensures the student body has the resources it needs. I spoke with Maya Leach, the committee’s director, and I was able to gather some insight on everything that happens there. 

It all started when Leach was placed in Fundraising after interviewing for a co-lead student council position. Their Junior year, they ran for director and won. Leach describes their success as “deeply rewarding to be able to help the student body in that way.” The purpose of the club is to raise as much money as possible for the student council, which in turn funds activities for Credo’s students. At the start of each meeting, the previous week’s accomplishments and insights are discussed among the committee. Efficiency and awareness are two characters that play large parts within the club. 

One of the clubs biggest successes has been the Snack Shack, which came about last year and now makes consistent appearances during lunch. While dedicating some lunch periods to working shifts can be a challenge, members enjoy the perk of picking out a snack afterward. Some things to keep your eye out for and look forward to are a concert at the Phoenix in January and a possible drive-in movie night. To anyone interested in joining a welcoming club filled with bright ideas and strong voices that simultaneously helps the school, fundraising might be the perfect fit! 

Maya Leach’s Senior Project - Providing Aid to Palestinian Refugees

 By Elsie Lennox

Article from the week of September 29, 2025

Every year, Credo’s senior projects provide students with the opportunity to delve deeply into an area of interest or passion. These projects range from creative pursuits to activism to research, incorporating aspects of the students' unique interests and reflecting their values beyond the classroom. This year, one senior in particular is taking their project far beyond Sonoma County. 

Maya Leach is planning to travel to Greece in the spring semester to work with Palestinian refugees. “I wanted to do that, not only to help people but to reconnect with my culture and my heritage,” they said when asked what their motivation was for following this topic and working toward meaningful change. 

As they are unable to leave until March next year, Maya acknowledged the challenge of aligning their timeline with the senior project schedule. Still, they are dedicating significant effort to preparation; working hard during these months leading up to their departure to plan, organize, and connect with relevant resources. “Right now, I have been connecting with a lot of people and organizations,” Maya said. “Like looking into organizations that could help facilitate this”. They shared that many of these programs and organizations require applications and other processes, which adds another layer to the beginning phases of their project.

A key component of the project now involves working closely with their mentor, Dr. Gordon, to brainstorm fundraising strategies, including a potential GoFundMe campaign to aid the refugees and allow them to travel to the distance in the spring. Maya made it clear that as pieces came together, links to these resources would become available to anyone wishing to contribute. Maya’s project is one amazing example of the creativity, care, and dedication that are put into the senior projects. For Maya, this is a chance to take action in creating a difference in the world.

APPA (Animal Preservation, Protection, and Awareness) Club Interview Article

By Leila Sherman

Article from the week of September 29, 2025

It’s hard to picture a two-week old infant atop a horse, and yet, by all accounts, that is the age Jay Skraboly was when she began her equestrian life. Jay, a tenth grader at Credo High School, has been caring for numerous animals since she can remember, some of which include horses, chickens, and goats. This exposure to animals from such a young age has embedded in her a deep love for all creatures and their unique personalities, which many people seem to overlook. It was this passion for the well-being of animals that led Jay to found the Credo Club, APPA (Animal Preservation, Protection, and Awareness). 

“I feel like most people today don’t fully acknowledge that animals have thoughts and opinions,” Jay stated when asked what sparked the idea for her club. “Being able to see how unique and alive each creature is has changed my life, and I really wanted to share this awareness with others as well.” 

The club focuses on raising awareness about the effect humans have on the habitats of animals and just how much we affect their lives. Jay believes in teaching others how we can have a beneficial impact on the lives of all creatures, even if it is not direct, and created APPA so that she could share how the impact we have on them can be improved in the future. Even though the club has just started up, there are some projects in the works;These include raising money for owl houses to place around the school and planting more native plants around the community to invite native animals and insects. These projects can help to balance our ecosystem and show how every contribution can matter. 

Although Jay now understands the importance of each animal’s personality, that wasn’t always the case. Growing up around animals led her to care for them, but the turning point of her passion was found in a cow named Swiss Miss. Swiss Miss and Jay met when Jay was only ten years old, and though the cow is now friendly and joyful, she began as a hostile, anxious, and unapproachable creature. According to Jay: “When we met, I immediately knew I wanted that one.” With time and effort, Swiss Miss became slightly more docile, yet she was still fearful of humans and wouldn’t wear a halter. At this point, Jay and her mother had only been working with Swiss Miss occasionally, but they made the decision to invest more time and work. This one simple switch achieved wonders. Over the course of a year, Swiss Miss went from a nervous and skittish cow to a people-loving wonder. “She will come up to anyone asking to be petted, and it is all because of the constant attention we gave her.” Jay said. “Seeing the progress she has made has really paid off…[this was what] really inspired me to start the club. I wanted to share this amazing experience with others.”

Even with this passion behind her, forming the club was no easy feat. Jay received a lot of pushback from various people because her ideas were too similar to that of other existing clubs. “And even after the club had been created, I also hit another sort of barrier.” Jay admitted when she was asked what difficulties she had to face. “At first, I had all sorts of ideas flowing easily, but later they all ran dry. Getting over that bump was difficult, but also very important.”

Another difficulty Jay faced was making the club an inviting and joyful place. “The topic of animal mistreatment is so sad, and I really didn’t want that to be what the club was like. So I had to make sure I wasn’t including too many depressing topics, because I knew the moment I got sad, everyone else would as well.”