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Meet Pinky Rowe ’15

 
Pinky Rowe ’15
Currently Attending: Stanford University
Years at Shipley: 14

Activities, Positions, Awards: Squash, Lacrosse, Tennis, Handbells, Sprouts

Everyone is Known
I started Shipley in Pre-K, so it has always been a big part of my life. The community at Shipley is unlike any other. Not one student ever goes unnoticed because everyone in the community is welcoming and friendly. The strong sense of community that Shipley offers has allowed me to create everlasting relationships with my peers, while also making me feel confident to learn and explore as a student.

An Emphasis on Writing and Critical Thinking
Being at Shipley since Pre-K has allowed me to explore my interests and helped me discover my passion for history and writing. All of the classes at Shipley are rigorous, and each department puts an emphasis on strong writing and critical thinking skills. Because of the rigorous course load, I have learned how to manage my time quite effectively. This is just one of the many skills Shipley has taught me that will come in handy in college and beyond.

Confidence to Explore
Shipley has taught me to be confident and take risks, whether it’s in the classroom or on the athletic field. Risk taking at Shipley is always encouraged, because every teacher is dedicated to supporting you and watching you grow. When I was going into 12th grade, I had to decide between taking calculus honors or statistics. Math doesn’t come easily to me, so naturally I was leaning towards statistics. However, after some encouragement from my college counselor, Mrs. Deitrich, I decided to take Calculus. I was nervous at first, because it was the first honors math class I had every taken, but with the help and support of my teacher, I came to love the class. Although I did face a few bumps along the way, I continued to work hard and get help from my teacher, and I finished the class feeling very accomplished. Without the encouragement of my college counselor and the extra help from my teacher, I never would have taken Calculus, but with the amazing faculty that Shipley offers, I was able to take this risk and feel proud that I conquered Calculus.

We’ve Got Spirit
My most memorable experience was in 10th grade at a boys’ varsity soccer game against Friends’ Central. The team was playing for the Friends Schools League Championship, so the Swamp [student cheering section] was massive. I will never forget the feeling of being surrounded by students from every grade cheering on our beloved soccer team. Together we made up a sea of blue and green, with the Shipley Gator leading the cheers. Standing with my friends and peers on the bleachers made me truly appreciate everything Shipley is, and all the spirit and passion the students bring to our close-knit community.

Plans for Fall 2015
I will be attending Stanford University in the fall.

Future Ambition
My future ambition is to do something involving the human brain and human behavior, whether it’s working as psychiatrist or in a lab studying the brain. I became fascinated in psychology after reading Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl concludes that the difference between those that survived the Holocaust and those that perished came down to one thing: finding meaning. Reading this book inspired me to learn more about the connections between the brain and the mind and how people find meaning in life. That idea has fueled my desire to learn more about psychotherapy as a possible career path, because I am fascinated by the concepts of meaning and happiness and the roles they play in our lives.
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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.