News
Two Shipley Seniors Nominated for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
The Shipley School is proud to announce seniors Elektra Ballas and Sebastian Fras have been nominated as candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Over 4,500 candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2021.
Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. If circumstances permit all Scholars are invited to Washington, DC in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities and culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White House-sponsored ceremony.
A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select approximately 600 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May.
If circumstances permit, scholars will be invited to Washington, DC, for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in events and activities.
Congratulations, Elektra and Sebastian!
Press release provided by The United States Presidential Scholars Program.
News
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Joy Styles ’92: Building Bridges through Positive Change
What do recording artists and civil servants have in common? “They bring people together,” says Joy Styles ’92, Nashville's District 32 Councilwoman and one of the first Black female country artists to ever sign a record deal. “The time that I spent at Shipley prepared me to be a trailblazer for my community and society as a whole," she says. Learn more about Shipley Changemaker Joy Styles '92.Read More -
Shipley Announces Next Head of Upper School
The Shipley School is proud to announce Kris Ryan has been selected as the next Head of Upper School. Kris will begin his work at Shipley on July 1, 2021. Read more about Kris in a letter from Head of School Michael Turner.Read More -
DEI Family Committees Host Book Groups
On Wednesday, March 10, Middle and Upper School caregivers and faculty convened on Zoom for a virtual Book Club meeting to discuss Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning. If you missed the meeting or are a Lower School parent, you can sign up to participate in the April 20 discussion that has been planned.Read More -
Shipley Launches "Take a Seat" Podcast
Take a Seat is a podcast about flourishing. It’s about the art of thriving, the science and practice of well-being, and people who are “crushing it.” Flourishing expert Dr. Nick Holton explores topics ranging from self-actualization, friendships, and transcendence, to optimal functioning, magnifying collective potential, and creating a better humanity.Read More -
Spotlight on DEI in Lower School Classrooms
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Spotlight on DEI in Middle School Classrooms
Recent DEI work in the Middle School spans explorations of America’s first published African-American poet, the “Black is Beautiful” cultural movement in relation to eighth graders’ study of A Raisin in the Sun, and scientific debates over sustainable fishing practices in indigenous cultures and the equitable distribution of vaccines to people across the world. Teachers have also engaged in their own DEI learning through various Professional Development opportunities.Read More -
Spotlight on DEI in Upper School Classrooms
In Upper School classrooms, students have been engaged in deep and meaningful learning around the impacts of racism on people in the U.S. and around the world, questions of equity in our economic systems, the contributions of the first Black women in national politics, and social justice issues in STEM fields.Read More -
Technology Student Association Earns Awards at Regional Conference
Shipley’s Technology Student Association (TSA) team recently competed at the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association Region 5 Conference and placed in three categories to advance to the State Conference.Read More -
Centering BIPOC Voices at Shipley: Q&A with Carlos Casilla
Carlos Casilla is Shipley’s Director of Choirs, PreK- Grade 12 Performing Arts Department Chair, and Class of 2021 Co-Dean. As a Black Dominican man, he is proud of his heritage, but also acutely aware of how those identities impact others’ perceptions of him, especially when he speaks Spanish in public. Learn more about Carlos and his experience as a person of color in our new series, Centering BIPOC Voices at Shipley.Read More -
Five Shipley Upper School Students Qualify for DECA International Conference
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Students for Sudan: A Fundraiser Born from an Inspiring 6th Grade Reading
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Shipley Seniors Reach Semi-finals of State Debate Tournament
Shipley Seniors reached the semi-final round of the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State debate tournament, held virtually on March 13-14.Read More -
Doing the Work: Shipley Board Approves Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan Goals
The racial reckoning of 2020 fast-tracked Shipley's efforts to draft a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan. Work on the plan was led by a Board of Trustees Task Force, and the plan's Preamble and Goals were approved by the Board in January of 2021.Read More -
Two Shipley Seniors Nominated for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
The Shipley School is proud to announce Elektra Ballas '21 and Sebastian Fras '21 have been nominated as candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.Read More -
Brianna Ross ’10: Promoting Equity in Urban Education
As Social Studies Department Chair and Equity Liaison at Deer Park Middle Magnet School in Baltimore County, Maryland, Brianna Ross ’10 says, “I’m focused on interrupting teacher biases, beliefs, and practices that perpetuate inequities while working to build teacher capacity to create inclusive classrooms that reflect the strengths and interests of our students.” Learn more about Shipley Changemaker Brianna Ross ’10.Read More -
Senior Abigail Kanes Named Main Line Student of the Week
Shipley Senior Abigail Kanes has been named Main Line Student of the Week for the week of January 24.Read More -
Lee Stuart ’71: Organizing for a Just and Compassionate Community
Lee Stuart ’71 has dedicated her life and career to improving the lives of others by providing access to food, housing, education, and a caring community. From the Bronx, NY, to Duluth, MN—she has lived Shipley’s motto, Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing. “I’ve been in some really challenging environments and situations, and it’s a good guidepost,” she says. Learn more about Shipley Changemaker, Lee Stuart ’71.Read More -
Dan Lichtenberg ’99: Investing in a Cleaner, More Sustainable, and Healthier Future
As founder and Chief Executive Officer of Keiki Capital, Dan Lichtenberg ’99 marries his technical and financial expertise with his passion for developing creative solutions to global problems—global warming and climate change, food and water insecurity, income and wealth inequality—and transforming data into actionable intelligence.Read More -
Emma Lo '21 Recognized as a 2021 National YoungArts Foundation Winner
Shipley senior Emma Lo has been recognized as a 2021 National YoungArts Foundation Winner in Classical Music (Piano). Through a rigorous audition process, she joins over 600 of the most accomplished young visual, literary, and performing artists from across the country.Read More -
Senior Niam Shah Named Main Line Student of the Week
Shipley Senior Niam Shah has been named Main Line Student of the Week for the week of November 23.Read More
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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.
