Senior Profile: Elia S. ’26

As we count down to the end of the school year, we asked some of our seniors to tell us about their interests at Friends and how their experience has prepared them for the next step.

Elia S. ’26

Up Next: Wellesley College | Major: International Relations - History | Minor: Peace and Justice Studies

Activities at Friends: Asian Student Union, Book Club, Concert Chorale, Friends Committee on National Legislation Campus Chapter (Founder, Co-clerk), Model United Nations, Quaker Connections, Speech and Debate, William Penn Fellows (Co-clerk), Wind Ensemble, Yearbook (Editor), Varsity Girls Cross Country, Varsity Girls Indoor Track

Special Programs: Student Assistant Teacher (SAT) for History of the Modern World, Renaissance Scholar Certificate (Scholar's Certificate Program)

Awards/Honors: Honor Roll 9th-12th Grade, National Merit Scholarship Program Letter of Commendation, McCormick Unsung Heroes Award Nominee, Société Honoraire de Français

What is/has been your favorite subject at Friends and why?

My favorite subject at Friends has been history. I’ve moved around the country multiple times throughout my education, and thus, have experienced many different schools’ curricula. Because of this, I can confidently say that the Friends School history curriculum is unmatched. Throughout these various schools, I have taken United States History too many times to count. However, no school taught it the way that Friends does- with units grouped by “themes” (economy, immigration, social movements, etc) rather than time period. This thematic organization helped to reinforce the historical narrative that we were learning throughout the year, as we returned to each period multiple times with different focuses. 

This is just one example of how a Friends School history class is different from others. Another aspect worth mentioning is the ample number of history electives offered at Friends. In your senior year, you can take these semester-long electives as your main history course. However, if you’re particularly interested in history, you can also elect to take one of these electives along with your main history in an earlier year. For example, in my junior year, I took both US and the World, and Constitutional Issues and the Supreme Court at the same time! These history electives are expansive- there’s one for everyone. I am currently taking History of Disease, and I have friends taking Introduction to Archival Work: World War II Collection, where students work with the Towson University Archives to look at primary sources from WWII.

How do you think Friends has prepared you for your next step in life?

Friends has a uniquely supportive environment, where truly no question is a “stupid question,” and everyone is invited to explore their many interests without fear of mockery. My friend and I joined the Wind Ensemble during our junior year with minimal experience (to put it lightly). We were immediately welcomed to the group, contributing our impressive tambourine-shaking and triangle-hitting skills to the band. Sure, I had never been in a wind ensemble before. But my peers and music teacher, Mr. Zagurski, were incredibly supportive in this new endeavor of mine, and helped me feel okay stepping out of my comfort zone.        

This is just one example of the support I have received when exploring a new interest here at Friends. I am involved in a national Quaker lobbying organization, and have, with the help of a teacher (shout out, Mr. Paulson) and a friend (shout out, Asha C. ’26), been able to create a Friends Committee on National Legislation campus chapter for Friends School. I also compete in cross country, where my coaches and teammates continue to push me to be a better athlete. 

Friends, with its extremely sound support system, has instilled in me the ability to feel uncomfortable and continue trying. I know that in the future I will encounter many new topics and opportunities– my time at Friends has given me the experience to understand that taking risks does pay off.