I was raised in a small, bucolic New England town in the Berkshire mountains. I learned the value of community and an appreciation for nature. With the four seasons, my childhood included fall soccer under colorful leaves and winters ice-skating on frozen ponds. For Spring, there was lacrosse on green grass and visiting the candy shop on Main Street. Summers included swimming in the lake on hot afternoons and late evening bareback rides through meadows.

Despite growing up in a small town, I was provided opportunities to experience the larger world. For example, when I was five, my entire family moved for a school year to China. My brother and I attended a Chinese Waldorf school. It was a full immersion experience and I became fluent in kindergarten-Chinese. 

My high school uses the tag line “Small school, Big world” because, despite being small, classes are integrated into the larger community, including renowned artists’ studios, college labs, libraries, and gyms, theater companies and regional museums. Additionally, we have an international exchange program with the Dresdan Waldorf School in Germany. I was able to travel to Germany and stay with a host family. I look forward to hosting a student from Germany this year.

Through my school years, I moved up the grades with the same cohort of students.  As a result, my senior class of 10 students are more like siblings to me  than classmates.

With this foundation, I look forward to college where I can explore my interests in business and forensic psychology while continuing to pursue my writing.