months ago what it was that made
without hesitation, "The faculty." They know
every student individually, his or her
strengths, weaknesses, troubles and success-
es both in and out of the classroom. I
explained to the interviewer how I have
always been the shy, quiet girl who is the last
to raise her hand to answer a question (even
when I know the answer), and at any other
school I would have been lost in the sea of
students, just another face in the back of the
class who would have silently snuck her way
Shorecrest I have found the confidence and support to become the President
of SADD and the National Honor Society, a varsity cheerleader, Cum Laude
Scholar and three-time "Outstanding Citizen." With the nourishment given to
me by teachers throughout my Shorecrest career, I have pushed myself to
take classes and risks that have brought me to a place I had never envisioned
for myself.
came here in the sixth grade, an awkward and difficult time for any child.
Luckily, Shorecrest's welcoming environment made it easy for me to make
friends and become adjusted to this new, fast-paced college preparatory
world in which I found myself. Over the years, I didn't just become adjusted,
but rather I began to flourish. When a family roadblock hit me in the begin-
ning of my freshman year, the encouragement and understanding that
poured in from the administration, faculty, students and families made me
realize that Shorecrest wasn't just any other school.
I have learned at Shorecrest. I will always be indebted to Mr. Field, who has
taught me the value of hard work and dedication, and Mr. Beaton, who took
me to Costa Rica to lay cement floors in the homes of impoverished families
and began the Global Scholars Initiative that has exposed me to other ways
of life that I would have never had the chance to experience. These, of
course, are not the only two who have inspired and influenced me over the
years, but simply represent the diverse ways in which Shorecrest has present-
ed me with opportunities to discover myself.
come. My friends and fellow students are some of the most remarkable
people I have ever met and have, in turn, made me better as well. I will for-
ever cherish the memories that I made here and the adventures that I have
had. My friends mean so much to me and I am truly going to miss them next
year, but I look forward to our ten, twenty and thirty year reunions so that I
can see how happy and successful we have all become thanks to our
Shorecrest beginnings.
home found us aliens very intriguing. They
would poke their heads around doors, peer
through cracks, and hide behind bushes
just to get a glimpse of us. By the second
day, most of the children came out of hid-
ing and began to interact with us. Having
three years of Spanish under my belt, it was
not difficult to communicate with the two
through seven year olds. They were all so
eager to help us carry the buckets down
the bank and while doing so had no hesita-
tion to chat our ears off. In the afternoons,
we would find our way to the local day
school where we taught simple Spanish
words and concepts. At some point during
my daily trips to La Carpio, I realized that
the work we were doing not only benefited
the physical health of the citizens, but also
their emotional and spiritual health. I truly
believe that we lifted those children's spir-
its -- if only for a short period -- and gave
them hope for a more promising future.
ly that told us of their escape from
Nicaragua to Costa Rica. Their amazing
story of triumph helped me understand the
passionate drive behind the Costa Rican
Humanitarian Foundation. Before we said
our last goodbyes, the children gave us
handmade beaded angels that would
watch over us on our trip home. Leaving
my host family, who had been so welcom-
ing, and the kids of La Carpio, was proba-
bly one of the most difficult moments of
my life. The poverty we saw really changed
my view of the world and heightened my
appreciation for how fortunate I have been
throughout my life. My venture to Costa
Rica opened my eyes to not only the
extremity of poverty but also humanity's
startling ability to hold onto happiness
while dealing with it. Shorecrest provided
me with an opportunity of a lifetime that
changed my view on the world, and I will
always be thankful for that.