By Borislava Panayotova

   Winter break is a time for relaxation for most students. Even those TPA graduates currently in college make their way back to Arizona to take a rest between their college semesters. Some even make it back to TPA.

   On Dec 22, 10 alums from the past four graduating classes made their way back to campus to present and talk to students about their college experiences. These 10 alums were: Connor Clark, Theresa O’Connor, John Perez, Catherine Ross (all class of 2023), Tyrone Jordan, Nathan Haug (both class of 2022), Clara Moffitt, Maya Kostov (class of 2021), Jatzia Felix, Grace Fraser, Tykiera Jordan and Stella Lovelady (class of 2020). 

   The group represents a great diversity of universities attended, with places such as Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania, as well as the University of Arizona and the University of Michigan.

   The 10 discussed what they enjoyed about college. Many say they liked the community they found in the new clubs they joined on their respective campuses, or the energy of the school spirit during football games. 

   They also talked about things they disliked. Theresa and Tykiera discussed how the University of Notre Dame, which they both attend, was very much in the middle of Indiana, in the sense that there was not anything outside of campus. Nathan echoed the sentiment when talking about his own experiences at the University of Alabama.

   Finally, the alums talked about some of the ways Tempe Prep helped them prepare for college. Jatzie said, “TPA does a really good job at getting you into a schedule.”