College/School Attending This Fall: Franklin & Marshall College

Major/Area of Interest: Theater/Environmental Science

Years at Shipley: 5

Theater Productions, Jazz Band

My most influential teacher was Mr. Brown. I have always been interested in the craft of acting, and ever since taking Studio Theater I in 10th grade, he has inspired me and taught me so much.

My favorite minor class was Studio Theater, because that's where I sharpened my skills in acting. My favorite major class was Honors Music Composition and Production. I was able to use instruments and computer software in order to create music in several creative ways.

My most memorable experience was performing in Sister Act during my senior year. It was my very first musical, and I had a lot of fun during the rehearsal and performance processes.

Doing the right thing and being graceful about it.

Shipley has prepared me to follow my dreams.

Deciding to audition for the Sister Act musical was a risk I took. I had never sung in front of people and I didn't know whether or not I would even get a part. But it paid off with a lead role and a newfound interest in musical theater.

I reluctantly arrived at Shipley in 8th grade, and although I wasn't sure what to expect from a private school, especially since I had gone to public school my whole life, it went very well. I quickly made several friends and created a tight-knit group I could feel comfortable with. Over my years at Shipley, I discovered my ability to perform in front of others. I had learned to play piano and guitar several years before coming to Shipley, so the next few years consisted of a year of playing piano for the orchestra, and three years of playing guitar for the Jazz Band. My whole life I knew I had wanted to become an actor, so in 10th grade I decided to make a choice and take action in that dream. I started taking Mr. Brown's Studio Theater 1 class. I loved it immediately, from memorizing and performing monologues to working up the courage to participate in a Shakespeare production in my 10th grade year, I knew this was absolutely the path for me. My theater roles over the years have been: Brutus in a short scene from Julius Caesar, Lysander from A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Warden from Infant Morality, Curtis Jackson from Sister Act, and Romeo from Romeo & Juliet. Overall, my time at Shipley has allowed me to fully realize my passions, take risks, and get accepted into a school I'm very excited to go to (F&M). I had a very fulfilling 5 years at The Shipley School.