Connor Spellecy
Contributing Writer
“I want to be that trusted adult for someone… If I can impact that one person, that’s what I’m here to do,” Unit 124 secretary to Dr. Sam Smith, Aryka Cooper said.
Cooper is a former WGHS student, who first came here during her junior year.
According to Cooper, she was a very reserved student when she first got here.
Before coming to Webster, she attended a few different high schools, mostly in Ladue. She didn’t know anyone at Webster, so she had a harder time making friends at the start of the year.
“I needed to put myself out there. Even if it was just going to the Selma Street Dance for, like, 30 minutes… It’s building that community and connection with people. I think it’s always great to put yourself out there, because you don’t realize what you’ve been missing out on until you’ve seen it for yourself,” Cooper advised freshmen.
In addition to working in the office, Cooper is also currently working to become a Japanese teacher. Cooper began learning Japanese during her junior year of high school, watching Japanese learning videos during study hall.
This pushed Cooper to join the Anime Club, where she was able to meet new people with the same interests as her and make new friends.
Cooper’s passion stayed with her, even during her college years. At college, Cooper got her degree in Japanese translation and interpretation. She began working as a Japanese tutor, which she continues to do while she waits for the opportunity to teach Japanese at Webster full time.
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