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Katie Bergen

Activities & Positions: What activities and sports are you involved in? How many years have you participated? Do you hold any leadership positions?

I am a three-sport varsity athlete since freshman year. I play soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. My junior year I was captain in basketball and lacrosse. For my senior year, I will be a captain in all three. I was also involved in handbells since I was in 6th grade but stopped my junior year. I participated in stage crew junior year, and I was also in student government junior year as a community life representative. I partake in numerous clubs including DECA, conspiracies, and action research.
 
Favorite Club: What’s your favorite club and why? What do you do in the club?

I have two clubs that are a tie for my favorite. I am the co-founder of Shipley’s conspiracy club. I love this club because it is heavily discussion based, and we talk about everything from Jeffrey Epstein’s death to the question “Is the earth flat?”. I also really like the club called DECA which is a business competition involving role play and a written test. This year I was in the marketing group, which taught me a lot about the field I want to pursue in college. As a part of DECA, you go to a regional competition and compete against the local independent and public schools to hopefully make it to DECA states where you compete against schools all across Pennsylvania.
 
Favorite Class: What’s your favorite class at Shipley? What do you like about the subject and the teacher? Did you always enjoy this subject, or did it take you by surprise?

This is a tough one because throughout my time in high school my favorite course has changed from Math to English to Science. Now, however, my favorite class would probably be US history. I loved this class because it was all about our country’s past and learning about what has shaped the world and country we live in. I have always loved history because I am curious to learn about the past. It is important to know what happened if it repeats today or in the future. But I think the way my teacher taught it was so interesting because it was heavily discussion based and note taking. Conversations were based on readings all while the whole class would discuss and take notes, and this was heavily catered to my learning style. I did not expect to say this class was my favorite but after this year it was because of how much I learned.
                
Favorite Shipley Memory: What do you think of when you think of Shipley? What’s one of the best things you’ve experienced here?

I think of a caring environment which pushes you academically and as a person. After being a student at Shipley for 14 years, I look in the mirror and see the same younger girl but far older, smarter, and more mature. Shipley shapes kids into passionate, caring members of many different communities. The best thing I have experienced is the supportive environment from the teachers to the coaches. It really shows how much everyone wants you to succeed. My favorite memory at Shipley is winning the lacrosse FSL championship in 2019. This was because we were undefeated that whole season - it was just like a movie and winning the championship was the icing on the cake. I have never felt so much joy or so proud to represent the Shipley crest on my chest. In that game I fouled out, and it really showed how much my team had my back and we won the game.
 
Most Valuable Lesson Learned: What have you learned during your time here?

When I was a junior I ran for all school president and sadly I did not win. It was heartbreaking and devastating, and it took awhile to realize the bigger lesson that was in front of me. That failure leads to a new beginning, and I was going to be an even stronger person coming out. I put myself out there in front of the entire Upper School and although I lost, I learned how strong I am. It was a big moment for me personally, and I rethought about who I was as a person. I realized this isn’t about winning or losing. It's about taking risks. Shipley inspires change makers and risk takers, and with my 14 years at Shipley it has taught me to take those risks. You will succeed and you will fail, but you will never know what will happen if you do not try.
 
Advice to New Students: What advice would you give yourself back when you started at Shipley? What tips would you pass on to new students? Are there any activities/traditions they should be sure to take part in?

My biggest piece of advice would be get involved. Run for the student government position, try the play, participate in sports, partake in the arts because there are so many different aspects of Shipley. Being involved in different aspects gives you new perspectives from other students as well as many ways to meet new friends. I strongly recommend playing a fall sport because preseason is a great way to get to know upperclassmen, especially being new. Attending preseason you get 20+ new friends just by playing a sport.
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814 Yarrow Street
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Phone: 610-525-4300
Fax: 610-525-5082
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.