Involvement: Student Government, Swimming

“I am incredibly excited and honored to be given the opportunity to be a Cicerone. In my opinion, the foremost responsibility that a student at Walker’s could hold is the position as a Cicerone. I have a very clear understanding of what emotions transpire when transferring, entering, or leaving any school — I’ve been there. In fact, I was quite ambivalent about my enrollment at Walker’s, but frankly, I think that’s what makes me a great Cicerone. Now I can clearly see that I have gained so much more than I could have ever imagined due to attending an all-girls school. My duty as a Cicerone is to explain how Walker’s in particular has been the main reason I have received more than an education. I am beyond excited to represent our school as a Cicerone and strive to realistically give prospective students a glimpse into our lives here.”

What advice would you give to an incoming Walker’s student?

Walker’s has emphasized the importance of community to me. Over the years I have become friends with people that live across the world from me, are years older and younger than me, and those who have different cultures than my own. The ability to get to know my peers beyond their surface was due to the close-knit environment at Walker’s. I admit, I was skeptical of the small class size at first — for some reason I thought that limited me. On the contrary, I have found that Walker’s has given me exposure to life beyond my hometown in the early stages of my life. This has had an immense impact on my development as an individual. For this reason, I urge you to approach your experience at Walker’s with an open mind and an eagerness to learn… there is SO much to learn.

What do you think is the biggest benefit of attending school at Walker’s?

First and foremost, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to attend an all-girls college preparatory institution. My sister, Daphne, a Walker’s alum, has talked about her life beyond Walker’s and the impact that an all-girls school has on her. As her younger sister and from an outsider perspective, I can say with confidence that Walker’s in particular enabled her to bestow the key qualities that help her to succeed today. The teachers that facilitate our conversations have encouraged me to vocalize my thoughts and learn from others. The people I cross paths with in the hall encourage me to be kind and accepting of others. I have been in an all-girls environment before, whether it be sports teams, camps, etc., but I have witnessed my friends, my sister, and myself become the most independent, confident, understanding, and intellectual individuals specifically within Walker’s grounds.

How do you feel you have grown (academically, emotionally, mentally) since your first day at Walker’s?

Prior to attending Walker’s, it would take me a lot of convincing to believe I would be involved in student government. It would take even more to make me believe I would be enjoying classes such as photography; however, I would have simply not believed you if you said I would have a good relationship with my teachers. For some reason, my teachers in middle school weren’t a fan of my enthusiastic and loud personality. They conditioned me to see my unconditional self to be an immature distraction to others. The adults that pass me in the halls are no longer people that look down on me, rather people I look up to; my teachers at Walker’s shifted the phrasing of my defining quality from “obnoxious” to “someone who brings laughter and ambiance to a room!” This shift in my perspective showed me that my capability was entirely correlated with my confidence. Now, I can say I am confident with the grades I show to my parents (who would gladly confirm the drastic difference in my report card from years prior). My approach to life is entirely different because I now possess the confidence necessary to achieve anything I set my mind to.