Alexa Mathisen reaches up to spike the ball at a volleyball game. She plays for the Five Stars, a club team.

Alexa Mathisen leaves Rio’s large class sizes for Country Day

Sophomore Alexa Mathisen transferred from Rio Americano High School on Jan. 5.

Q: Why did you transfer?

A: My mom, Kristi, works here as the first-grade teacher, and my sister Bella is coming here next year. Also, I like how it’s a small school. At Rio the class sizes were usually 30-40 kids in one class, and I really like how now I am not in such a big class. I originally decided to go to Rio because of their political science program and because it’s close to my house, but then I wanted to transfer here because there are higher academics.

Q: What did you do for Winter Break?

A: I played a lot of basketball and volleyball. My family came over, and I hung out with friends.

Q: What is your favorite subject?

A: Science, but I’m not taking a science class this year, although I probably will next year. I took biology in my freshman year at Rio and chemistry over the summer, so I decided to take a year off of science. Now I have a free period for science, so I am going to focus on adjusting to the new school and catching up on my Sophomore Project.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: Sports—I play basketball and volleyball. I’ve been playing volleyball for six years, and I’m a setter for Sac Performance Volleyball Club.

I also  have an internship at Mercy General Hospital downtown. I work there once a week for three hours at the front desk or with the hospitality cart. I started my internship last May, and I plan on doing it all through high school, even though it’s a year-long commitment. It’s a great opportunity for a high schooler, and it will prepare me for medical school. I hope that I can intern at Davis Hospital in the future.

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. It’s the only book that I have read of Chbosky’s, but it was really interesting and I loved the characters. I liked the movie, too.

Q: What are you most excited for at SCDS?

A: The smaller class sizes and playing basketball, since I wasn’t able to at Rio. Basketball conflicted too much with volleyball.

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