Shipley Stories
Meet Jacopo '25
Jacopo Villani-Morabito
College/School Attending This Fall: Penn State University
Major/Area of Interest: Undecided
Years at Shipley: 4
Activities and Positions Held:
Soccer (Captain), Food4Philly, Power of Blue, Finance Forum, Chess Club
Who was your most influential teacher and why?
My most influential teacher at Shipley was Mrs. Calderon. I took Spanish III during junior year and Mrs. Calderon was my teacher. I always looked forward to Spanish class and enjoyed it every time I stepped into the classroom. I believe Mrs. Calderon taught very well and she always brought a smile to my face. I also asked her to write one of my letters of recommendation for college and she was very eager to do so.
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class at Shipley was Spanish. I was a freshman when I arrived at Shipley, and I never took a real Spanish class before. During middle school, I would have Spanish once a week but never got the opportunity to fully engage in class and learn Spanish. Throughout my four years at Shipley, Spanish was the most interactive and enjoyable. It was fun to learn new things and my classmates and I would always enjoy a laugh in each class.
What was your most memorable experience at Shipley?
My most memorable experience at Shipley was the Shipley soccer program. I played on JV my freshman year and Varsity the rest of my high school years. I met some of my best friends throughout this program and I am truly grateful for it. Shipley Soccer brings kids together and creates a family. It was amazing to see the kids grow over the years. Each year the roster was different and I was always so happy to meet new kids and welcome them into the family.
What does Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing mean to you?
To me, Courage for the Deed; Grace for Doing means to get yourself out in the world, be willing to take risks and do it with good manners.
Complete this sentence: Shipley has prepared me to…
Shipley has prepared me to adapt to new things, take risks, and develop traits to thrive in life.
How has Shipley encouraged you to take risks?
Shipley encourages you to take risks every day you step onto campus. The teachers encourage students to engage in class more and always challenge us to do better.
Please write a short reflection on your time at Shipley and what it meant to you.
My time at Shipley was a period of growth and it has shaped me into who I am today. I made many good friends and have grown as a person. I have learned many new things and will take them on my college journey and beyond.
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.
