Helen ’26
College/School Attending This Fall: Auburn University
Major/Area of Interest: Economics
Years at Shipley: 7
Activities and Positions Held:
All School President, Honor Council, Admissions Ambassador, Jewish Student Association (Co-Founder and President), SCOPE (President), DECA, JV Girls Basketball, JV Girls Lacrosse, Boys Varsity Lacrosse Manager
Who was your most influential teacher and why?
My most influential teacher was Mr. Hornung. He was my advisor for three years and my English teacher for both semesters of my senior seminars. Mr. Hornung greeted me every single morning for three years with a smile and positive energy. Many people are not morning people, so Mr. Hornung and I had a one-on-one conversation for 15 minutes every single morning. He is kind, loving, positive, and extremely smart. He deeply cares about his students as learners but also as people behind the learners. He remembered every small detail I told him and always showed an interest in whatever I had to say. When I was in 10th grade, I really wanted to be in Honors English, but my teacher told me she didn’t think it would be a good fit. Mr. Hornung knew how important it was to me and advocated for me to be moved up into honors. He offered to meet with me to get my writing to the level of an honors student. He saw what was important to me and helped me achieve my goal. I was in Honors English for two years, and it was by far my favorite class. As a teacher, he pushed us to try new things, involving every type of assessment possible into his curriculum. He gave bonus points for meeting with him outside of class in the hope of preparing us for college. Mr. Hornung is what made my Shipley experience so positive. Everyone who knows me knows how much I adore him. Mr. Hornung is my teacher, my mentor, and my friend! He is absolutely perfect!
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class at Shipley was Macroeconomics with Dr. Rebholz. It gave me a greater understanding of the world from an economic standpoint and focused a lot on current events. In many classes, you don’t get to discuss current events, but Doc always came to class with a new topic to discuss. This class prepared me to go out into the real world with a foundational understanding of how the economy functions and a curiosity to learn more. Macroeconomics is the reason I want to study Economics at college. One of my favorite things about this class is that it was not taught for an AP exam. Because of this, Doc asked us about things we were interested in and built part of our curriculum around those interests. For example, our case studies about Venmo and Uber.
What was your most memorable experience at Shipley?
My most memorable experience at Shipley was my whole experience as All School President. This role allowed me to work with administrators, teachers, and students. I got to be a community builder and define the energy of the school. I built so many incredible relationships this year and felt truly seen as an individual. This role gave me the tools to create community, the confidence to reach out, and now the skills to go forward in the world.
What does Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing mean to you?
It means not being afraid to try new things and to carry yourself with confidence, but also to treat others sensitively as you go forward in the world.
How has Shipley encouraged you to take risks?
Shipley is a place where you are encouraged to leave your comfort zone and even encouraged to fail. The teachers here push you to try new things and are ready to support you when things don’t go perfectly. There is a comfort at Shipley with being uncomfortable, which I think is really important.
Please write a short reflection on your time at Shipley and what it meant to you.
I cannot even begin to describe what Shipley means to me. I came to Shipley in 6th grade from a public school where I was just a number on a spreadsheet. Within three days of school, I already had countless teachers who knew my name and so many things about me. It was a welcoming and kind community from day one. Shipley supported me through many phases of my development, including when I needed mentors to get me back on track. My teachers were patient with me and focused on the things I was doing right, always affirming my positive traits.
The teachers here genuinely care about each student and want them to succeed in the world. Before Shipley, I had only been viewed as a student. Shipley views you as a person. They want to get to know all aspects of you, and your teachers then seek you out for opportunities based on what they learn about you. I cannot thank Shipley enough for everything the School did for me. Shipley turned me into a confident, well-educated, well-rounded young woman. I am so grateful I was given the opportunity to attend Shipley.