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aly has both amazing students and alumni who commit hours and hours to their studies, hobbies, jobs and extracurriculars. The knowledge amassed by current and former Paly students extends far beyond the classroom. Tapping into knowledge garnered from years of trial and error in everything from class selection to college applications would be invaluable to younger members of the Paly community. Yet, such communication is limited. Most younger students do not know older students willing to help them choose classes for freshman or sophomore year or talk to Paly alumni regarding college application’s and employment opportunities.

Firstly, The Campanile believes that the implementation of a program with the ability to network Paly seniors with Paly alumni and underclassman with upperclassman would be paradigm-altering. When it comes to creating a list of colleges to apply to, student-alumni dialogue has proved immensely valuable. Programs implemented by Paly such as Tea Time have served to help create more dialogue between students and alumni, covering a variety of topics. Additionally, websites such as Paths From Palo Alto have allowed Palo Alto alumni to communicate with each other and their communities regarding school and career experiences.

A communication network created for Paly students would connect volunteers of the target grade or postgraduate activity with students who have important questions regarding various topics. It would not only alleviate stress from guidance and counselors, but it may lead to more meaningful and applicable suggestions for students. Having received advice regarding what type of college to apply to at the College and Career Center, or talking with your counselor about schedule changes is helpful, but having access to a primary source of information regarding a topic is invaluable.

Students would be going to the tower building for more pressing questions, and would not need to rely on a handful of adults and whatever other contacts they have access to. Instead, they would feel confident in their ability to obtain helpful and genuine advice from students who understand their circumstance.

While current programs are trying to achieve the sort of communication The Campanile believes would be helpful, they are too small and infrequently used to be making the impact that the wealth of knowledge contained within the Paly community could be making.

While aforementioned programs such as Tea Time are on the right path, more must be done.

Our proposal would be attempting to bring currently occurring dialogues to the mainstream while also streamlining interactions. Paly is full of wisdom regarding education. It is time that knowledge was effectively shared.