News
Tanner Kelton ’23
Name: Tanner Kelton
College/University Attending: University of Pennsylvania
Major/Area of Interest: Architecture
Years at Shipley: 10
Activities:
Varsity Soccer 2-year captain, thirds basketball, Jewish Cultural and Leadership Club,
Events Planning Committee (president), Athletics Committee, Shipley TV
Who was your most influential teacher and why?
The teacher who impacted me the most was Dr. Gillin! History is a class that I would normally hate, but Dr. Gillin brought US History to life. Through her captivating storytelling, honest opinions, and a variety of learning mediums, our class became the one I looked forward to every day. Although she was a phenomenal teacher, she did as much for me outside of the classroom as she did in it - many a time would I walk by her class and stop in to talk about soccer season, the college process, etc. But by far the moment in which she impacted me the most was right after my junior-year soccer team lost in the state semi-finals in Pittsburgh. She found me moping on the side of the field and gave me a hug, telling me that she was "my mom for the day," and the comfort that I felt is something that I will never forget,
What was your favorite class and why?
My most enjoyable class at Shipley was, no doubt, French 5. An ID course, the class ascended above learning the language, as we had done the past four years. Instead, we dove into using the language! By this, I mean we did various projects, from animal documentaries to country presentations, in which we used our four years of French experience to talk about our interests and passions - it was the perfect capstone to my language education at Shipley!
What was your most memorable experience at Shipley?
After losing in the semi-finals of our PAISAA state soccer playoffs in my junior year, I was heartbroken - we were in Pittsburgh and had had no fans, we had lost in penalties to the first seed, and the season was over. But as soon as I boarded the bus and checked my phone, everything felt a little better. I had texts, emails, and voicemails from what seems like the entirety of the Shipley community, expressing their support (and their anger at a sketchy call earlier in the game). Even teachers who I had not talked to since Lower School reached out! In no other moment in my life have I felt such support, and it is something that I will never forget.
Complete this sentence: Shipley has prepared me to…
Try new things. As cliché as it sounds, one of the most important things that I have learned in my time at Shipley is that you will never regret trying something. Life is about exploration, and Shipley offers such a plethora of opportunities and activities that I can now feel comfortable trying, and failing, as I go to college.
How has Shipley prepared you to be your best self and do your best work?
I wrote in my Admissions Ambassador profile that, above all, Shipley means support to me – this still stands true. Through my 10 years at Shipley, the unwavering support I have received, the teachers that I know are always looking out for me, have made me feel comfortable to fail. Without the fear of failure, I can work for the sake of work, I can pursue my interests for the sake of pursuing my interests, and I know that if I fail, it will never be the end of the world.
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.
