Brynn ’26
College/School Attending This Fall: University of Rochester
Major/Area of Interest: Brain and Cognitive Sciences & Medical Anthropology
Years at Shipley: 4
Activities and Positions Held:
Black Student Union (Co-President), Belonging and Connection Committee (Co-President), Writing Center Tutor, Spirit Squad (Co-Captain), JV Volleyball (Co-Captain), Power of Blue, Theater, SPARC
Who was your most influential teacher and why?
The most influential teacher I had at Shipley was Mr. Maurer. In his class, I had the opportunity to tremendously improve my writing, as well as my thinking skills. I was constantly pushed to challenge ideas, identify literary techniques and the meaning behind their usage, and, all in all, to learn how to comprehend literature at a deep level.
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class at Shipley was Honors Comparative Anatomy and Neuroscience because of the depth at which we could explore and learn about animal life. I planned on taking Anatomy since my freshman year, telling myself I had to do well in my Honors Intro Physics class so that I could continue doing Honors-level science classes and finally enter this course. I expected it to be difficult and overwhelming, but I found that it was the most fun I had in class so far. Mr. Clement's humor and approach to teaching really helped me to remain engaged, and the content (being what I want to study in the future) was extremely interesting to learn about. I also like the hands-on opportunities, like dissections, and the freedom to explore our interests through presentation projects.
What was your most memorable experience at Shipley?
My most memorable experience at Shipley was probably the first Gator Games that we had. I was a captain, and I was nervous because I heard so many people talking about how boring it was going to be and how lame it sounded. Most people that I talked to were saying that they were not even going to go. However, when the day came, everyone was so excited to spend time with one another and put everything they had into winning the games. My team ended up winning, but it wasn't about that - it was about how willing we were to come together as a community to commit to something, no matter how stupid or lame we thought it sounded.
What does Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing mean to you?
To me, Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing means having the bravery to leap and the understanding that mistakes happen during growth.
How has Shipley encouraged you to take risks?
I feel that at Shipley, I was pushed to try so many things I never thought I would. Notably, taking the stage to perform with the Shipley Theater Department for three years of my high school career. I definitely came out of my shell, growing more extroverted and more comfortable putting myself out there. Shipley provided me with a community that feels like a safety net, where if I take a risk, I know I'll have endless support if I were to fall; however, failure feels impossible when you have so many people who believe in your success.
Please write a short reflection on your time at Shipley and what it meant to you.
Honestly, at Shipley, I met so many amazing people. The number of opportunities I received feels endless, and I couldn't imagine my personality now if I didn't choose Shipley. I have been shaped so much by this community, and I'm grateful that I've been a part of the last 4 years here.