Talia ’26
College/School Attending This Fall: University of Michigan
Major/Area of Interest: Neuroscience (Pre-Med)
Years at Shipley: 5
Activities and Positions Held:
Soccer, JV Basketball, Cross Country, Track & Field, Care for Cancer Club (Co-Founder & Co-Head), Science Olympiad
Who was your most influential teacher and why?
Mr. Goren was my most influential teacher. I had him for both physics and chemistry sophomore year. Physics was the first class that I found extremely challenging, and I was often embarrassed to ask questions since the class was almost entirely seniors. Mr. Goren was ALWAYS there to help. I spent countless hours in his room doing practice problems before tests and going over WebAssigns. He was always extremely patient, kind, and understanding. Rather than simply helping you solve the problem, he made sure you understood underlying concepts essential to solving the problem. He would ask incessant questions, taking the extra time to ensure you could use these concepts to solve harder problems. As someone who hated being wrong or not knowing the answer to a question, Mr. Goren pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to face these discomforts.
Who was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class was Honors Pre-Calculus. Dr. Rebholz is a wonderful teacher, and I enjoyed the challenging problems he presented us with from his Special A to the A-plus Separator. The dynamic of the class was always super fun and engaging. Doc went WAY beyond the scope of pre-calculus and taught us essential problem-solving techniques. Many problems required lots of patience, perseverance, and clever thinking—skills not only important for math, but also for our daily lives.
What was your most memorable experience at Shipley?
I don’t know if I can pick a particular moment that I would consider the most memorable. My experience at Shipley has been full of memorable experiences like Swamp Night, Oaks to Acorns, and often just the time spent playing games in the lounge. It is truly the people who made the place and my experiences at Shipley memorable. I am lucky to be a member of this welcoming and tight-knit community.
What does Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing mean to you?
I interpret Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing as having the bravery to take action and the character to follow through with integrity. Having courage alone isn’t enough; without grace, actions can come across as overly forceful or lacking empathy. At the same time, grace alone is not enough. Without courage, there is no action at all. These two qualities are inseparable. They depend on each other and grow together.
How has Shipley encouraged you to take risks?
Shipley encouraged me to take risks by creating an environment where growth matters more than perfection. Students are pushed to challenge themselves by taking hard classes, thinking critically, and going beyond the scope of the curriculum. At the same time, teachers were always there to support us, offering their guidance and encouragement. Their unwavering support makes it easier to take risks.
Please write a short reflection on your time at Shipley and what it meant to you.
Shipley gave me the opportunity to form friendships with people who are older, younger, and the same age as me. This tight-knit community allowed me to learn from different perspectives, build meaningful connections, and feel a strong sense of belonging. I had the most amazing teachers who were willing to go above and beyond for their students. I made lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. Shipley is a community built on support—from your friends, your teammates, and your teachers. I will forever be grateful for my experiences at Shipley and for the people I met along the way.