College/School Attending This Fall: Georgetown University

Major/Area of Interest: International Politics

Years at Shipley: 5

Student Government (All School President, 11th Grade Vice President), Model UN (Co-Founder, Co-President), Swimming (Co-captain), Winter Musicals, Intramural Squash, Shipley TV (Co-Anchor)

Dr. Gillin was easily my most influential teacher. I had her for history freshman and sophomore years, and I went on such a journey in her class. Her teaching style made me fall in love with history. I sat attentively every day, taking pen and paper notes on her lectures. She was always so approachable, but challenged me to be the best student I could be.

My favorite class was Honors Spanish V with Señora Bejar-Massey. We had such a fun class dynamic and would never fail to laugh. Señora made the class so engaging and made us the best versions of ourselves. I'll never forget our class discussions on Chac Mool, Carmen Lomas Garza, or our debate on the Guatemalan Civil War. I was always smiling as I walked into the classroom; the energy was so electric. It was the best way to end my Spanish journey at Shipley.

My most memorable experiences at Shipley have been my foreign exchanges. I was lucky enough to go to Spain & Costa Rica, and both were life-changing opportunities. I loved being exposed to new cultures, practicing my Spanish, and exploring this new (to me) land, but my favorite part was the bonds I made, both with other students on the trip and with locals. Staying with a host family in Zaragoza was an incredible experience; I got to live as a teenager in a foreign country for a week! And from unforgettable times snorkeling in the cerulean waters of Costa Rica to strolling through Park Güell to get the best view of Barcelona, I have loved my Shipley travel experiences and will never forget them.

Shipley inspired its students to be brave and to take on challenges, but to do it with grace.

be a change-maker.

Shipley is a space where anyone can try anything. That is why I was able to pursue some of my passions, like theater and Model UN. But, I was also able to explore some things I had never even thought about before. At Shipley, I was able to try crew and squash, and loved them both. I even played intramural squash every year in high school. So, Shipley allowed me to explore outlets I had never even thought of before.

In the most sincere way possible, my time at Shipley has meant so much to me. Shipley has allowed me to grow as a person, in my interests, my athletics, my passions, my learning, and just in who I am. I will cherish the relationships I have formed here, with my teachers and my peers. Shipley is the reason I am who I am today.