Student of the Bloc

The Student of the Bloc program was created by the faculty to honor a student each bloc who best exemplifies the ideals of effort in academics and community responsibilities, enthusiasm in participating in outdoor and community activities, and respect in relationships with members of the CTA community and for CTA’s rules. The faculty considers each student’s academic performance, how they take care of such responsibilities as kitchen duty, maintenance assignment and cabin maintenance. They look at their point total, and overall contributions to community life at CTA. The chosen student is rewarded with their picture and name placed on a Student of the Bloc plaque prominently displayed for the bloc, a $20 gift certificate to their favorite music store, 10 points, and the biggest chocolate bar we can find!

Tatiana Feuer

Tatiana is a junior who has been at CTA for just over one full year. She is from Los Angeles, CA where she lives with her mom and dad and enjoys playing basketball. Tatiana is an incredibly strong student who achieves honor or high honor roll every bloc. Once she graduates from CTA, she is planning on attending college at either the New School in New York City or San Francisco State University. Tatiana would like to focus on the humanities and philosophy and envisions herself becoming a cultural anthropologist, traveling the world studying other cultures. When it comes to succeeding at CTA, Tatiana gives simple advice, “Tell the truth.” Tatiana will be at CTA in the fall to finish her senior year. She will undoubtedly be an important student leader.

John Gray

John has had an incredible senior year. Not only has he made high honor roll every bloc, but he has developed the confidence that has earned him the respect and friendship of every person on campus. He is from Albuquerque, NM and has been at CTA for two years, and after graduation he will be attending Fort Lewis College, most likely to study math. John earned both the Academic Excellence and Excellence in Math awards from our school this year. In his free time, John likes to play video games, though he readily admits, “It’s kind of depressing.” That being said, John was a sturdy and motivated hiker on our wilderness trips and hopes to see Alaska in the near future. John says that he appreciates CTA because it gave him the opportunity to live in a new place. The key to doing well here, he says, is not to create drama. We’re grateful for John’s time at Timberline, and we wish him well in college and elsewhere.

Cooper Larsh

Cooper is a junior from Boulder, CO who has been at CTA for one year. Whether it’s hiking on a wilderness trip or backcountry skiing, Cooper has impressed us all with his stamina and has earned the nickname, “Turbo.” Halfway through the year, Cooper also hit full speed academically, proving to everyone that he is determined to make honor roll every bloc. He is already making plans to go to college after he graduates from CTA. He is considering Denver University, Colorado College, and St. John’s College. What Cooper has fully demonstrated is that he has grown into a highly motivated young man who is indeed capable of accomplishing any goal, earning student of the bloc twice this year. We’re looking forward to having Cooper back for a successful senior year.

Alex Sharp

Originally from Pagosa Springs, CO where he raises horses and llamas with his family, Alex just graduated from CTA after being with us for two years. This summer Alex will be visiting Germany and in the fall will be attending Fort Lewis College. Alex enjoys playing the piano and acting, and he sees himself becoming a math or foreign language teacher in an urban school. Alex says that he enjoyed the freedom with responsibility idea at CTA because, “It kept me on my toes.” His advice to other students is to be yourself and be a drifter, don’t get stuck in one group of friends. We wish Alex all the best in college and all his endeavors, and we know we’ll be seeing more of him in the future.

Ella Yenguin

Ella earned student of the bloc twice this year. She is a thoughtful, artistic, and idealistic young woman who believes in the power of her convictions. She is from Maplewood, New Jersey and likes to spend time in “the City” going to restaurants and museums. She is spending the summer teaching art at a free summer program for kids. Even though she considers herself a big city girl, Ella has developed a deep appreciation for the mountains and deserts that surround CTA, and she embraces our wilderness trips with a genuine sense of awe. She says CTA has allowed her to take part in outdoor activities like rock climbing that she never would have tried otherwise. After studying art or environmental science, Ella envisions herself as an organic farmer living in a beautiful cottage. Ella will spend her third and final senior year with us next year, and we are very much looking forward to seeing her again.