[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.12.1″]<\/p>\n
\nR<\/span>uby Birch completed her seventh year at Los Encinos School by graduating in 2017. She now attends St. Cyril of Jerusalem School as an 8th grader. \u201cSt. Cyril is a Catholic school,\u201d Ruby says, \u201cbut they accept kids from all backgrounds. I feel comfortable there, but I am not really affiliated with any religion in particular.\u201d<\/p>\n Ruby says St. Cyril and Los Encinos School have some things in common, such as both have Halloween festivals, and the 6th graders build their respective haunted houses. \u201cTheir haunted house is way bigger, though, since it fills the gym and spills out into the auditorium!\u201d Ruby exclaims.<\/p>\n In December, however, St. Cyril holds a Christmas concert which features Christmas carols, as opposed to the LES Winter Show which traditionally features music related to the school-wide theme. \u201cMass is every other Friday,\u201d Ruby explains, \u201cbut the messages they teach are pretty universal, such as ‘be kind to everyone’.\u201d Ruby points out other ways the schools differ, including St. Cyril’s annual Italian dinner dance, and their traditional grading system. \u201cThe grading surprised me at first,\u201d Ruby admits, \u201cbut I\u2019ve been able to adjust.\u201d<\/p>\n We met up with Ruby this past summer on campus where she was attending Camp Los Encinos as a CIT. \u201cLES is like a second home,\u201d she says, happily. Ruby remembers many of her teachers, such as Ms. Byer, Bri Miller, Mr. Blanchard, and Valerie, saying, \u201call of them have known me since I was a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n And while she notices that the school keeps getting updated, some things are very familiar. \u201cThe art room looks the same, and brings back so many great memories,\u201d Ruby says.<\/p>\n Ruby\u2019s favorite subjects in middle school are Literature and History. She also plays volleyball for St. Cyril, as well as with a club after school. Ruby says, \u201cVolleyball teaches you cooperative skills, how to be a team player.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking to the future, Ruby thinks she may want to pursue a career as \u201ca film director, or something in the music industry.\u201d She plays the ukulele, and is learning the guitar. Her favorite bands are obscure indie groups like Arctic Monkeys and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Her favorite movies of all time are \u201cLady Bird\u201d and \u201cForrest Gump.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked if she could go back in time and give her kindergartener self any advice, she is simple and direct: \u201cDon\u2019t be worried about meeting new friends. And be nice to your teachers.\u201d She pauses for a moment, then adds, \u201cAnd big kids aren\u2019t as scary as they seem.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ruby-bw-1.jpg” \/][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ruby-bw-2.jpg” \/][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ruby-bw-4.jpg” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image admin_label=”camp at zoo pic” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/DSC_0290.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”camp at zoo caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n Ruby helps wrangle campers at the Aquarium of the Pacific.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”halloween pic” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_4983.jpg.jpeg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”halloween text” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n Halloween at LES<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”another halloween” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_2602.jpg-1.jpeg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”another halloween caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n Another Halloween at LES<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”apples pic” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_9023-1.jpeg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”apples caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n Peeling apples with a younger Coach Costin.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”field trip pic” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_8014.jpg.jpeg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”field trip caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n The shirts tells us this is a field trip.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image admin_label=”buddies pic” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ruby-and-buddy.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”buddies caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n Buddies!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”double hands pic” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_2659.jpg.jpeg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”double hands caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n Future optometrists<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”single hand pic” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_9539.jpg.jpeg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”single hand caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n There’s a pattern here<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”smiles pic” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ src=”http:\/\/losencinosschool.org\/alumni-page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_0825.jpg.jpeg” show_in_lightbox=”on” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”smiles caption” _builder_version=”3.12.1″ saved_tabs=”all” text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”15px”]<\/p>\n The top three finalists in a smiling contest.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_blurb _builder_version=”3.12.1″ title=”We want to hear your story!” saved_tabs=”all”]<\/p>\n