Southwest High School – Once a Raider… Always a Raider

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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Amazing Raider families,

““Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying.” ~Roy T. Bennett~

Last week, the Nobel Prizes for 2025 were awarded. Five winners were either faculty members or alumni of the University of California System. This is the most Nobel Prizes awarded to a single organization in one year.

Frederick Ramsdell, a UC San Diego and UCLA alumnus, co-winner of the Nobel Prize in medicine for their work in identifying immune system cells that prevent the body from attacking itself — a breakthrough that transformed understanding of autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes and lupus.
John Clarke, UC Berkeley emeritus profession, Michel H. Devoret, UC Santa Barbara professor and John M. Martinis, UC Santa Barbara emeritus professor won the Nobel Prize in physics.
Omar Yaghi, UC Berkeley chemist received the Nobel Prize in chemistry having invented “metal-organic frameworks,” materials capable of capturing carbon dioxide, storing hydrogen and even harvesting clean drinking water from desert air.

When I listened to these inviduals who were interviewed regarding their win, many of them were surprised because there are many people around the world who deserve this recognition. Interviews of these prestigious winners revealed that they faced failures and multiple points in their work. But these failures did not stop them from trying. They studied their failures and found improvements to take them to the next level in their work. Why would they do this? Because they understood that their work was not for their own glory; they were working for the betterment of humankind and the world. In the end, their perseverance won and they were recognized for their achievements. Success is not a one-shot deal; instead, success is all about continuing the work until you have achieved what you have aimed for. As we approach this second progress report on October 31, I want you to persevere through whatever grades you may have. Do not let your failures define you and prevent you from trying again and again. It is never too late to make the adustment to improve. Remember, this is still a progress report keeping in mind that their is a finishing date of December 20, which is when the grades will be permanent. If you have grades that you are not happy with, then you will have to make the time to improve those grades. Do not wait until December to ask your teachers how you can improve your grades. ASK NOW. Do what you need to do because that is what you can control. This way, regardless of the December 19 grades, you can say that you really tried and gave it your all.

Have a great week,

Easter Finley, Principal