Class of 2015 Senior Profiles

David Bakali
University of Pennsylvania
For athlete, musician, and intellectual David Bakali ’15, Shipley provided many opportunities to work hard while pursuing his varied interests. An open and accepting student body, as well as teachers who challenged him and cared about his success, contributed to his positive Shipley experience, which he says prepared him well for the academic rigor of college. Meet David.

Cami Bolling  
Boston College
Cami Bolling ’15 is a “Lifer,” or a student who has attended Shipley since first grade or earlier. She recognizes the profound impact that Shipley has had on her life and says, “I will remember the lessons that Shipley has instilled in me and they will be the key to my success.” Meet Cami.

Ethan Bradlow
University of Pennsylvania
Ethan Bradlow ’15 is grateful for the growing opportunities for STEAM learning in Shipley’s Upper School, which enabled him to apply some of his Java coding skills during a summer internship. Outside of the classroom, his athletic pursuits led to some of his strongest relationships and most memorable experiences. Meet Ethan.

Martine Fortune
Georgia Institute of Technology
Martine Fortune ’15 knew she wanted to enroll at Shipley when she was invited to attend the annual Community Supper & Basketball Games. “I knew after that night that I wanted to be a part of such a warm and lively community,” she says. Meet Martine.

Jordan Gottlieb 
University of Michigan
Jordan Gottlieb ’15 admits that she was a bit “rough around the edges” when she entered Linda Van Horn’s fourth grade class, where she first learned the value of hard work. “This initial push has inspired a lifetime of always putting my best effort forward,” she says. And no matter what she chooses to study or to do with her life, she feels like Shipley has prepared her well to succeed in all arenas. Meet Jordan.

Kaela Gundy
Syracuse University
“Throughout my time at Shipley,” says Kaela Gundy ’15, “I have realized that hard work is the key to true success.” This is just one of many important life lessons that Kaela has learned in her 14 years as a Shipley student. Meet Kaela.

Zoë Helmers
Wake Forest University
Zoë Helmers ’15 credits Shipley with developing her confidence as a student, athlete, and young woman. Her Shipley experience also sparked her passion for sustainability and the environment, a passion she plans on exploring as a student at Wake Forest University. Most importantly, “Shipley taught me that you don’t need to become the President or cure cancer to make a difference. Being a good human being is, in the end, the most important thing.” Meet Zoë.

Nia Holland 
Lafayette College
Nia Holland ’15 never expected to play Division I basketball after high school or that she’d grow so much academically as a Shipley student. To what does she does she attribute her academic success? The time management skills she learned here. Meet Nia.

Anisa Iqbal
Yale University
What stands out the most to Anisa Iqbal ’15 about her Shipley experience is the array of choices she had in pursuing activities and interests outside of academics. As a member of the Sprouts horticultural club, Shipley Singers, Glee Club, Yearbook, and Publications Photography staff, she certainly took advantage of the opportunities to participate in what interested her. Meet Anisa.

Deondre Jordan
Swarthmore College
Deondre Jordan ’15 leapt into the hearts of his fellow classmates well before he did a backflip in front of the whole school during his first speech as All School President, a title he earned after only one year at Shipley. This future neuroscientist says Shipley cemented his love of learning, which he feels will guide him to success throughout his life. Meet Deondre.

Sydney Majors
The University of Chicago
As a freshman, Sydney Majors ’15 had a difficult time balancing her academic obligations with her serious commitment to a competitive volleyball league, while still playing volleyball for Shipley. Thankfully, her understanding teachers made it possible for her to thrive in the classroom while pursuing her passion for volleyball—both inside and outside of Shipley. She was recruited to play for the University of Chicago’s varsity volleyball team and says, “I could not be more excited!” Meet Sydney.

Eddie McCann
Wesleyan University
Eddie McCann ’15 thrived in Shipley’s atmosphere of learning, exploration, and risk-taking. He was able to pursue and discover his many interests while succeeding academically. “Shipley has prepared me well for my life beyond high school, because I learned how to both succeed and recover from failure in a variety of settings, whether on the stage, court, or in the classroom.” Meet Eddie.

William McKenna
Tufts University
William McKenna ’15 appreciates the fact that Shipley creates an atmosphere where students from all walks of life can not only learn and work together, but also appreciate and celebrate one another’s diverse ways of thinking and being. He also appreciates the many skills he learned in his seven years here, “from writing a paper or finding the derivative of a function, to creating realistic goals for myself and learning how to push my intellectual and personal boundaries.”. Meet William.

Elizabeth Menkowitz
Colgate University
Elizabeth Menkowitz ’15 recognizes the impact that Shipley teachers have had on her life and is thankful to her parents for enrolling her at the School in Pre-Kindergarten. “I have had so many opportunities through Shipley,” she says. Meet Elizabeth.

Florence Murabito
Washington University in St. Louis
Even though Florence Murabito ’15 had never participated in Student Government, her classmates encouraged her to run for Senior Class President at the end of junior year. She was surprised by the request, but ran anyway (and won). “Shipley encourages us to stretch ourselves to explore new interests and passions,” says Florence, “no matter how late in our Shipley career they appear.” Meet Florence.

Elijah Peake
Middlebury College
Elijah Peake ’15 is grateful for Shipley’s focus on the individual, which made it possible for him to pursue his ski racing career by learning remotely for five months each school year. Learning alongside students from other schools, he said, showed him how rigorous Shipley’s curriculum is, without being overwhelming. When he returned to Shipley each year, he says, “I was always surrounded by teachers and peers who shared a passion for learning.” Meet Elijah.

Brandon Peltz
Clemson University
Brandon Peltz ’15 was one of the new kids in eighth grade, but he felt accepted immediately by his peers. He made his mark as Shipley’s in-house on-campus DJ, and enjoyed his success in Shipley’s growing STEAM curriculum offerings. And even though he did not play soccer outside of school, he says that coach Thom Schauerman “gave me unexpected chances to prove myself on the soccer field and I did.”. Meet Brandon.

Sophie Pilkington 
University of Colorado Boulder
Sophie Pilkington ’15 played lacrosse until her sophomore year, when she decided that she wanted to try crew. “The team was extremely welcoming and helped me transition into a completely different sport with ease,” she says. By joining the time-intensive crew program, Sophie not only learned how to row, but also how to manage her time more efficiently. Shipley’s art program also had a profound impact on Sophie’s life and the direction of her future. Meet Sophie.

Bailey Pollack
University of Mississippi
Bailey Pollack ’15 enjoyed the academic challenges that his teachers presented in the classroom. They inspired him to seek learning opportunities outside of the classroom—something that was new to him after joining Shipley. This love of learning, he says, “was essential in making me enjoy coming to school every day.”. Meet Bailey.

Pinky Rowe
Stanford University
Pinky Rowe ’15 never considered herself a “math student,” but was encouraged by her college counselor to take an honors calculus class during her senior year. Though she doubted her ability at first, she succeeded with the support of her teacher. “Risk taking at Shipley is always encouraged,” she says, “because every teacher is dedicated to supporting you and watching you grow.” Meet Pinky

Emma Scornavacchi
Harvard University
“If Shipley is anything like a microcosm for the rest of my life,” says Emma Scornavacchi ’15, “I’m thrilled to look forward to what’s to come.” This aspiring writer appreciates the many opportunities for getting involved and taking intellectual risks provided to her by Shipley, where she felt challenged and supported by her teachers. Meet Emma.

Rachel Shapiro
Duke University
As a Shipley Lifer (a student here since at least first grade) Rachel Shapiro ’15 thinks of the Shipley community as her extended family. She says, “Shipley’s environment allows students to have a lot of opportunity to take on significant roles they might not find in many other schools – and the environment is safe – so it's okay to take risks, regardless of the outcome.” Meet Rachel.

Katie Steiner
Northwestern University
Katie Steiner ’15 may not know exactly what she wants to do when she grows up, however “whatever the future holds,” she says, “Shipley has prepared me for it.” One of the many things that Katie has enjoyed about her Shipley experience is the School’s focus on a balanced education and providing opportunities for students to pursue all of their interests. Meet Katie.

Spencer Strauss  
George Washington University
Spencer Strauss ’15 attended Shipley for 13 years and claims, “I can honestly say I liked going to school everyday.” From exceptional teachers who knew her as an individual and encouraged her to just be herself, to the early and frequent opportunities to take risks and develop confidence, Spencer is grateful for her many memorable Shipley experiences. Meet Spencer.

Campbell Taylor
Boston University
Campbell Taylor ’15 had never excelled athletically until he tried rowing in ninth grade, when he says his musical and theatrical careers also took off at Shipley. Rowing not only provided Campbell with an athletic outlet, but provided him with the tools to excel academically. Meet Campbell.

Madison Tucker
The George Washington University
Madison Tucker ’15 affirms that Shipley has shaped her future ambitions and given her the tools to succeed in college and beyond. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of Shipley’s community,” she says. Meet Madison.

Hunter Vander Zwaag
Wesleyan University
Hunter Vander Zwaag ’15 knows that Shipley has prepared him well for life. “I have grown to love learning, to speak my mind, and to always be curious,” he says of what he learned here. In addition falling in love with Latin and the Classics, Hunter appreciates the fact that he was able to discover his affinity for the theater late in his Shipley career. Meet Hunter.

David Wolfson 
Colgate University
David Wolfson ’15 recognizes the fact that not all schools have an environment where students feel comfortable participating in Mathletes in the morning and playing varsity basketball in the afternoon, like he did at Shipley. “There is a common feeling between students that allows us to take risks, try new things, and feel comfortable leaving our comfort zones,” David says about Shipley’s warm environment. Meet David.

Ben Ynocencio
Connecticut College
Ben Ynocencio ’15 is excited for his future, which he hopes to dedicate to his passion for food, the environment, and education by running a self-sufficient farm, restaurant, and education center. “Shipley has instilled in me a drive to achieve my goals and an open mind to adapt and evolve as necessary,” he says of the school which also helped transform him from a shy seventh grader into an outgoing and confident senior. Meet Ben.

This content was originally published in the Fall 2015 Shipley Magazine. Read more from this issue at http://blogs.shipleyschool.org/category/shipleymagazine/fall-2015/.
Back
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.