Coro Exploring Leadership Alumni Spotlight

Libby Freeman
Coro Exploring Leadership Class of 2006

We are excited to share a new feature where we will be shining the spotlight on one of the many amazing Alumni from the Coro Exploring Leadership Program to see what they’ve been doing since graduating from the program. 

Youth Programs Manager, Ben Polansky, caught up with Libby Freeman from the Coro Exploring Leadership Class of 2006 for a quick interview. 

Ben: What are some of the leadership roles you've taken since graduating from the Coro Exploring Leadership Program two years ago? 
Libby: I was captain of my cross-country team, section leader in my school chorus, teacher’s assistant in the beginning class of my school chorus, and President of the Piedmont-Oakland chapter of the National Charity League. 

B: Where have you worked or interned in the last two years?
L: During the spring of 2008 I was a nanny for two families and a law clerk for a criminal defense attorney in downtown Oakland. This summer I am continuing to work as a nanny in addition to working with my Coro internship host for the 3rd consecutive summer at Assemblywoman Loni Hancock’s office. 

B: What kinds of roles did you take on at your job and internship?
L: At the law office, I enter citations, edit briefs, check precedent, enter evidence, prepare briefs for submission, and read correspondence from clients. At the Assemblywoman’s office, I am currently working on a resource guide of LGBTQ resources in the district. I also handle constituent casework and attend events on behalf of the District 14 Office.

B: What accomplishments have you had since graduating from the EL Program that you are most proud of?
L: My experiences of civic action in Coro helped me develop a vision for myself as a politically and socially active individual. In addition to my work at Loni Hancock’s office, I began working at a law firm in downtown Oakland. I was the only high school student in both offices. These opportunities lead to me wining the “Civics in Action” award at my school for my work in both offices.

Coro also instilled a sense of hard work and discipline in me that I was able to translate to school and athletics. My hard work was especially apparent in my cross country training. My team was 5th in the state my junior year and during my senior year I made All-League as an individual and was the top recruit in the early decision round at Wellesley College.  

B: What special activities have you participated in since graduating from EL? Summer programs, internships, travel, community service, etc.?
L: The summer after my junior and senior year, I continued on with my Coro internship at Assemblywoman Loni Hancock’s office. During my junior year, I performed John Rutter’s “Requiem” at Carnegie Hall in New York City. As a senior, I traveled to Germany with my school chorus to perform Handel’s “Messiah” in Halle, Hadel’s birthplace.

B: How have you applied your EL experience to life after the program?
L: EL taught me about discipline and hard work. I have adopted the work habits EL taught me in my everyday life, particularly in my academics and athletics.

Libby will be attending Wellesley College in Massachussets next year where she will be double-majoring in Political Science and Music.