Olivia ’26
College/School Attending This Fall: Washington University in St. Louis
Major/Area of Interest: Public Health & Society
Years at Shipley: 9
Activities and Positions Held:
Stage Crew (Assistant Manager), Book Club (Co-Head), UPenn Social Innovators Program, Help for the Homeless, Varsity Soccer
Who was your most influential teacher and why?
Dr. Gillin was my most influential teacher because she was thoughtful in regard to my learning differences, and her difficult writing prompts allowed me to become a better analytical writer and critical thinker. I had her in both 10th and 12th grade, and she emphasized to me and my mom about how much I have improved as a writer, and in her words, "blossomed." She made me feel seen and is such a wonderful teacher.
What was your favorite class and why?
I really enjoyed Great Books with Mr. Maurer. It was a small class (only six people) that made class discussions really interesting and engaging. Mr. Maurer asked great questions and was really good at playing devil's advocate to encourage students to think critically and consider different perspectives. He was a tough teacher to please sometimes, but he was also very humorous and made class discussions interesting.
What was your most memorable experience at Shipley?
I spent a lot of time helping manage the musicals, which meant dedicating a lot of my time to being at rehearsals and performances. During those four years, I made one of my closest friends at Shipley outside of my friend group and was able to learn a lot about musical theater from behind the scenes. Although it was a big commitment in terms of time and energy, I learned a lot and felt good that I was able to contribute to the productions without actually being on stage.
What does Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing mean to you?
To me, our motto reflects the importance of advocating for a cause that you feel is significant, even if others do not share the same belief as you or if it is challenging. At the same time, your advocacy must be approached in a way that is thoughtful and respectful to the community around you.
How has Shipley encouraged you to take risks?
Shipley frequently encouraged students to try new things, especially extracurricular activities and classes.
Please write a short reflection on your time at Shipley and what it meant to you.
Throughout my time at Shipley, the community and teachers as a whole prompted me to consider how my actions can make an impact in the world around me. This idea allowed me to develop a sense of passion, purpose, and belonging as both a student and a human.