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 Teagan Fitzgerald—a rising Beaver senior. Teagan shares her thoughts about senior year, forming the Female Activists and Allies club, and more!
You’re a senior this year, congrats! What does your upcoming year look like?
Thank you, and wish me luck! I am both excited and anxious for my senior year. My nerves are eased by the confidence I have gained from my years at Beaver. I know that I am prepared and that the added workload of applications will be difficult, but I have true support from my college counselor and all of my teachers.
How do you feel you’ve grown during your time at Beaver? (Also, when did you start?)
I started in 7th grade, and I have grown tremendously over the last 5 years at Beaver in every way. Academically, I decided to pursue Chinese classes and have found tremendous success. During freshman year, two of my friends and I decided to found a club that we felt passionate about and believed others would too. We founded the Female Activists and Allies as a way to share what has been done and what we can add as a society to work towards equity. Athletically, I have accomplished so much at Beaver. I am a three-sport varsity athlete and team captain for two of them. I have won numerous athletic awards, but I am most proud of the team environment we have created. I have been lucky to form many friendships at Beaver with really special people who I know will be a part of my life forever.
What would you say is the BEST part of Beaver?
The best part of Beaver is the people—all of them. I love all the people in the building—my friends, classmates, teachers, and faculty. There is a uniqueness to the Beaver environment that I am sure requires a lot of work, but it’s so subtle that it just feels organic and natural. I love saying hello to everyone, and I find myself smiling every day.
What’s a class you took or a project you worked on that you really enjoyed? Why?
A class I truly enjoyed was called “Great Books.” Everyone in the course presents a book that they think the class would enjoy reading. It was an excellent opportunity to work on presentation and sales skills because the books were voted on, anonymously, and we all read books we may not have chosen to read if a classmate had not passionately advocated for them. I loved the books we read, especially And then there were none by Agatha Christie.
Could you share a bit about a teacher who has made an impact on your experience?
Wow, that is a really difficult question to answer because I have been lucky enough to form relationships with many of them, and they have definitely contributed positively to my experience at Beaver. If I have to choose just one, it is Ms. Brown. Junior year was my most challenging so far, but I always felt the strength of her support. I knew her door was always open, so I often found myself there seeking her guidance.
Describe what it’s like to be a Beaver student.
Being a Beaver student feels lucky. I feel like I lucked out by being a part of the Beaver community, and I already know that I will be an active alum. Being a student at Beaver has built my confidence and optimism about the future and the opportunities my education will provide me.
Meet Beaver Students…