What is life like as a Beaver student? We interviewed several students across all grades—from middle school to senior year—to get a peek into the Beaver student experience. Below you’ll hear from Kaili Griffin ’27—a rising senior. Kaili reflected on combining her passions during a student directed project, gaining leadership experience in student organizations, and what she’s looking forward to in senior year.
You’re a senior next year, congrats! What does your upcoming year look like?
My senior year will be filled with many exciting milestones, including taking my first advanced classes, playing my final seasons of soccer and lacrosse, and applying to colleges. I’m also looking forward to continuing my leadership roles at school and making the most of my last year with friends, doing senior traditions.
What activities at Beaver have helped you find community and feel a sense of belonging?
The soccer team, Black Student Union, and Student Body Advisory Council have all helped me build meaningful connections and find a sense of belonging at Beaver. These communities have given me a space to connect with others who share similar values, ideas, and goals while also learning from people with different experiences and perspectives. Together, we are all committed to making a positive contribution to the Beaver community.
What’s a project that you have worked on that you really enjoyed?
This past winter, I completed a Student-Directed Project on the neurodiverse brain, specifically focusing on ADHD as a form of neurodiversity. I combined weeks of research with my own lived experience of having ADHD to create three sculptures that visually represented different aspects of the ADHD experience in a way that was accessible and easy to understand. This project allowed me to combine my love for science and art, and it was one of the most meaningful and enjoyable projects I have had the opportunity to create and share.
I started at Beaver as a freshman. Since then, I have grown tremendously in my academic confidence. I was often a student who second-guessed myself, but Beaver gave me a supportive environment where I felt comfortable taking risks, challenging myself, and realizing what I am capable of.
Kaili Griffin '27
What has been your favorite class?
My favorite class was my history class during the winter of my junior year, called Theories of Justice. The course challenged me to think critically about ethics, healthcare, philosophy, and inequality. Through field trips, discussions, and the exploration of different philosophical theories, we connected abstract ideas to real-world injustices. Each discussion pushed me to consider perspectives and experiences different from my own, helping me become a more thoughtful and empathetic learner.
Tell me about a teacher who has made an impact on your experience. How did they help you grow?
Mr. Adjout has made a huge impact on my experience at Beaver. He is my advisor, and I know advisors are meant to help, but Mr. Adjout has gone above and beyond for me. He has been an incredible support system, always there to help with any question or concern I have. His guidance and encouragement have helped me become more confident in myself both as a student and as a person. Beaver has strong supporting members.
Beaver students have the opportunity to make decisions on their classes, afternoon activities, SDPs, and more. Can you share a bit about some of the decisions you’ve made that have impacted your experience?
An impactful decision I made at Beaver was choosing to take all honors science classes. Those courses challenged me academically and deepened my passion for science and medicine. I also chose to pursue Student Directed Projects, which gave me the freedom to explore my interests in meaningful ways and create work that I was proud to share with the community. Finally, stepping into a leadership role on the Student Body Advisory Council has allowed me to help strengthen communication between students and faculty. With that group, I feel like I’m making a real impact on the Beaver community.
Time for some rapid-fire questions!
Favorite class: Theories of Justice
Favorite lunch: Chicken tikka masala
Favorite spot on campus: R-level window couch
Favorite afternoon activity: Soccer
Favorite Upper School event: Dam Jam
Favorite free block activity: Running the Student Body Advisory Council every other Wednesday during lunch