Involvement: Drama Club Head, Theatre (Plays and Musicals), Writing Fellow, Community Partnership Head (ENGin), Northfield League Member, and currently doing fall dance

“I entered Walker’s in 6th grade, but I have lived on campus in faculty housing since 4th grade. My parents are Dr. Thacker and Ms. Harris-Thacker, and my sister graduated class of ’24. I love being a Cicerone because I have a unique experience when it comes to Walker’s students, given that when I started school here I knew almost everyone and I babysat some of the faculty kids (I still do, and I also cat-sit!). With my experience, I can talk about campus life pretty well and I can bring to the conversation things my parents have talked about with me, like community partnerships, the archives, and aspects of our community that they love. I aim to show perspective families that Walker’s is a second home, and that our community is incredible. When I was a perspective student, I was really scared to try new things and go to an all-girls school, because I had grown up attending public schools my whole life. Coming to Walker’s made me step outside my comfort zone, and helped me try new things that I would never have if I went to school anywhere else. Coming to Walker’s was my first time trying theatre, and now it’s a core part of my identity.”

What is your favorite class and why?

I love Advanced Studio Art because I can focus on the aspects of art that I’m most interested in, and develop an intriguing portfolio. The focus of my portfolio is modernizing clothing from the Early Modern (1600s) period using techniques from that era, which is a topic I find absolutely fascinating. I love that we can basically do whatever we want!

What is a unique experience you’ve had at Walker’s that you didn’t think you’d be involved in when arriving at Walker’s?

Definitely theatre. As I said before, I never thought I would be as involved with theatre as I am now. I’ve been in 11 shows here since I started in 6th grade, and my experience in theatre at Walker’s has given me the confidence to do community theatre over the summer. Walker’s also sponsored Simsbury Summer Theatre For Youth’s performance of Annie that I teched over the summer. It was so cool to be repping my school while building sets and making costumes!

What is your favorite part of your typical day at Walker’s? What do you look forward to every day?

I love lunch. The FLIK staff is absolutely incredible. My favorite meal is the chicken tikka masala.

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

Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try things out! If your friend has a hobby, try it with them! If your advisor recommends you try a sport, try it! You’ll never be bored here if you try stuff.

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

Definitely that the community is so strong. I’ve never attended a school where people are encouraged to explore their identities, be themselves, and feel empowered. I grew up attending public school in Florida, and it was very different. I didn’t feel empowered at all. I felt pushed to the sidelines and I didn’t feel like I belonged in my school community. Walker’s Capabilities Approach was the first time I felt like I could do things in the world, and that is extremely important, especially to young people. We need to grow up in a community that accepts and challenges us and Walker’s does that.

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

Coming to Walker’s made me feel smart for the first time ever. At my school in Florida, we had “gifted” classes, where you had to take a special test and you basically got bragging rights if you passed. I was always told that I wasn’t smart enough to succeed in school, but at Walker’s, we don’t tell people their not smart—we’re encouraged to try hard things and the environment is engineered to create spaces for us to discover that we are smart. I’ve learned through my time at Walker’s that “smart” is not something that certain people inherently are. It’s something we all are, just in different ways. We have to discover our smartness. I have ADHD, and sometimes it feels like I can’t do anything because I have focus issues, struggle with testing anxiety, and have a very loud brain. Walker’s has support systems in place that allow everyone to feel smart no matter what struggles they have, and that has been incredibly empowering for me.

How do you think Walker’s has prepared you for your future?

The VITA Program, where we learn how to prepare people’s taxes, file tax returns, and become certified with the IRS. I don’t know of any other school that does that.

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I love sitting in the SOC or Abra’s reading or playing a game with my friends. My friend and I recently started learning card tricks during our free time, and it’s been SO fun!