PLV Humanities Scholarship Winner: Ben Chlarson

I am proud to introduce Ben as the first PLV Scholarship recipient who applied as part of our recent partnership with the Newport Harbor Educational Foundation. Ben’s application essay on the importance of studying the humanities touched on many of the ideas expressed in the introduction to my Black Lives Matter post: namely the need to bridge differences in a polarized political climate by combating ignorance and hostility with curiosity, understanding, and an increased appreciation for diversity. As a Global Studies major, Ben hopes to examine the cultural frameworks that underlie our common humanity in order to someday make an impact on a national or international level. Global Studies is an interdisciplinary major that draws on wisdom from across the humanities from an applied orientation grounded in the social sciences.

But before Ben could pursue his ambitions at university, Covid happened. Here in America, the final months of high school — between prom, graduation, and other senior-geared events — are a venerable rite of passage for teens on the verge of officially entering adulthood. Even though his final days of high school were not anything like he had anticipated, Ben — a true Newport Harbor Sailor — weathered the storm of pandemic uncertainty with maturity and resilience. During our virtual award event, my husband Shawn and I were struck by Ben’s easygoing adaptability and capacity to take things in stride. Check out this snapshot of Ben to learn more about his experience at Newport Harbor and his dreams for the post-Covid future:

University and major:

UCLA, Global Studies and Economics

Favorite class at Newport Harbor:

Global Connect and International Relations

Newport Harbor teacher who taught me the most, and what they taught me:

Mr. Clay was my Calculus teacher for two years and became more than a trusted teacher, but also my friend. He has been a great mentor and role model and has taught me many valuable lessons from integrals and derivatives, to advice for college, and even the proper method of skinning a turkey. 

What I will miss most about Newport Harbor:

The community. This graduating class of 2020 overwhelmingly held an enormous sense of community and pride in our school. I will miss each and every person at this school. 

Words of advice for high school freshmen:

Take advantage of every opportunity. Whether it is the opportunity to make new friends, to learn, to experience new things, to experience a sports game, etc. make sure you take these opportunities. This school’s students are very fortunate to be blessed with a plethora of opportunities, it is simply up to you to take them. 

What was it like to be in the graduating Class of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic:

While it has been hard to be so close to the end before having many important milestones ripped away from us, this is an issue affecting everyone, not just us, and personally I have been blessed to still be in an overall positive situation throughout this. While it is disappointing, and it truly does hurt, it is important to be optimistic and adapt to our situations to make the most of them, rather than be a victim.

What I would want for future generations of students to know about COVID-19:

It is as crazy as it sounds. It should also be a lesson that we need to cherish the small things. No one would have ever predicted I would not be able to hug my grandma, or not be allowed to go to school, or even just eat chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant for months (or possibly even longer). Just take small reminders occasionally to appreciate little things.

What the pandemic has taught me:

Always be optimistic. Always look for ways to learn and grow from our situations. Always adapt and overcome rather than let yourself be defeated. It is hard, but it is important and you will become a better person because of it.

What I am most looking forward to at UCLA:

Being able to learn at a world-renowned university with thousands of extremely talented and bright students and learning from professors who are leaders in their field. I am excited to get involved and be able to immerse myself in this community.

My dream for the future:

I hope to get involved in governmental or similar work. Specifically, I would like to work with the United Nations or the State Department and help create a more just, equal, free, and prosperous world for all and especially for communities and people who have typically been marginalized or denied these opportunities.