ADITYA TYAGI

​AP English Language and Composition: Stories That Shape Us

​

Taking AP English Language and Literature with Ms. Herring was one of the most meaningful parts of my high school experience.
She was the kind of teacher who made words come alive and helped us see the deeper meaning behind every story. Even though we lost her midway through the year to her courageous battle with cancer, her impact stayed with me.

​

In her class, I learned how stories are more than just texts — they’re reflections of people, cultures, and values. One assignment I’ll never forget was analyzing "The Crow Brings the Daylight," an Inuit myth that revealed how light and darkness represent balance, survival, and hope. Through that assignment, I saw how myths, much like modern narratives, carry important lessons about life and human resilience.

​

Ms. Herring pushed me to dig deeper and connect literature to the real world — especially to things like empathy, ethics, and human experience. That mindset has shaped how I think about medicine and storytelling today. I now see that being a good communicator, a thoughtful listener, and an ethical thinker are just as important as scientific knowledge — and that’s a lesson I will carry with me long beyond high school.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​