Meet Cassius!
Cassius is one of our OG students graduating with the Class of 2026. His journey began 9 years ago, and throughout almost a decade in the community, he has helped shape The Open School in lasting ways.Â
Over the years, Cassius has explored a wide variety of educational and creative projects and embraced numerous leadership opportunities. As chair of our justice system, he played a pivotal role in the evolution of the process through his dedication and active involvement. With this experience, he further developed his communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Cassius brought many unique and memorable opportunities to the school community. He cared for two school pet mice throughout their entire lives and created hands-on learning experiences for students interested in animal anatomy through dissections. Some of the specimens he introduced included a pigeon, frog, mouse (separate from the school mice), and a cow’s eyeball. With a strong interest in metallurgy, he also supplied the school with its first furnace, creating opportunities for students to recycle and melt down metals for different projects and experiments.
In addition to his contributions, Cassius dedicated himself to developing a wide range of personal interests and skills. He has trained in jiu-jitsu for nine years, practiced piano, explored personal finance in depth, challenged himself through math and algebra studies, and expanded his knowledge of subjects such as 3D printing and horticulture. With the support and guidance of his advisor, Cassi, he also gained more confidence in writing papers and essays over the years!
Looking back, Cassius is grateful for the personalized experiences that helped him discover more about himself. He encourages other students to make use of the many resources and opportunities available as they pursue their own interests and goals!
One important lesson he has learned is the value of balancing preparation with presence. He reminds students nearing graduation to spend time getting the essential things in order instead of waiting until the last minute, while also making sure not to rush through their final year. Cassius believes it is important to stay present and appreciate those final moments, as they can hold a great deal of value during this stage of life and transition.
As Cassius prepares for his next steps, he shares that he feels very ready for what’s to come and is looking forward to new discoveries and adventures ahead. His plans include attending community college, and he also hopes to travel in the future, particularly to countries in Asia.
Reflecting on his time at The Open School, Cassius fondly looks back on all the student trips he went on, as well as countless hours spent gaming with his twin brother Odin and close friends Nate and Colin. These friendships and shared experiences became some of the most meaningful parts of his journey here!
