The Oak Park Independent Program is widely known to attract students who have a need for flexibility with time and attendance. Students with commitments in acting, music, sports and religion are a few examples of the immense diversity that comprise the student body. For senior Niyati Guram, she made the decision her junior year to transfer to OPIS with a focus on dedicating more time to tennis while simultaneously pursuing a higher education through Moorpark College.
“I chose OPIS to have a more flexible schedule and have more time to spend on tennis,” Guram said.
The OPIS program allows students the ability to pursue their education while being able to maintain their own personal goals outside of school. For Guram, the improved balance between academics and athletics has been beneficial for her.
“The adaptable schedule gave me the opportunity to take some dual enrollment classes at Moorpark College which I have been enjoying,” Guram said. “I am able to complete my work at any time and at my own pace which makes it easier to accommodate for other aspects of my life such as tennis.”
Whether she’s training for tournaments or spending time with friends and family, you can always find Guram close to her second home: the tennis courts. At the age of seven, Guram found her love for the game through her father, who encouraged her to try the sport. After a few lessons, she knew that tennis would be a huge part of her life in the future.
“My dad had been playing for a while and signed me up for a couple lessons at Westlake Athletic Club,” Guram said. “Since then, I have consistently been playing USTA tournaments, high school matches, and with my dad and friends.”
As co-captian, number one singles and two time league champion for the OPHS girls varsity tennis team, Guram has found comfort in the game of tennis as she has formed her closest friendships and best memories on the team.
“I am co-captain of the varsity girls tennis team and have played No. 1 singles for all four years of high school. My favorite part of being on the team is all the great friendships I made. I love the competition matches but what stands out most are the bus rides, team dinners and cheering for each other as a team,” Guram said. “My friendships and memories have helped me grow as both an athlete and person as we have learned to face the ups and downs of tennis together.”
Even while being a student at OPIS, Guram participates in many events and extracurricular activities on campus at OPHS.
“I am co-founder and co-president of the Art to Cure Hearts club, where we focus on creating art to give to children in hospitals and in foster care.”
Along with the flexibility OPIS provides, Guram has also learned the importance of managing her time effectively.
“Having good habits such as organization and time management also make it easier and allow me to section out what time I will dedicate to what part of my life,” Guram said.
She also enjoys the student to teacher ratio at OPIS, which allows her to connect and build relationships with all her teachers and counselors.
“I have enjoyed being able to talk to them, not only about the school subjects, but also being able to connect them to my life,” Guram said. “What makes [it] unique is the one on one experience between teacher and student. I think this makes the education very personalized and allows for the teacher and student to get to know each other throughout the year.”
Even though Guram isn’t technically a student at OPHS, OPIS allows her the opportunity to take rigorous classes at OPHS and Moorpark College.
“The academics allow for individualization,” Guram said. “They also promote teacher-student interactions at weekly meetings and provide many of the same classes offered at OPHS and offer the opportunity to take classes at OPHS or at a local community college.”
