Ready for Launch
The Ellis School celebrated the intectually vibrant, confident, and driven students of the Class of 2019 at Commencement on June 6, 2019. As individuals and as a group, this class of 34 young women has contributed so much to the Schoool—from thought- provoking performances and probing presentations to vibrant artwork and thrilling playoff games. Now as alumnae, the Class of 2019 will join the ranks of strong women who have graduated before them as the carve their own paths to create positive change in the world.
Sydné Ballengee, Senior Class President
“The glorious part about [our class] puzzle is that each piece is so unique, yet they all fit together to create the wonderful image of the Class of 2019. We embody strength and flexibility: by sticking together, we do not allow others to bend and break us.’’
Leah Ewers, Student Council President
“We will lead with our minds, but almost more importantly, we will lead as the types of people that the Ellis community has shaped us to be: people who care about others, are empathetic, and know how to give and receive love. The Ellis community has given this to us, and now it is our turn to give it to the world.’’
Jenera Solomon, Ph.D., Executive Director of Kelly Strayhorn Theatre and 2019 Commencement Speaker
“You will face moments in life when things happening around you are not okay. And the question will be: who’s going to say something? I know an Ellis girl will say something. In those moments, my hope for you is that you’ll have the courage to ask difficult questions. Because when you do, you’re making room for other people to ask questions and that’s how we solve problems and put ourselves on a path to make a difference”
Class of 2019
Olivia Annon Ball
Sydné Nicole Ballengee
Amani Janee Barnes
Sierra Niko Brandegee
Erica Catherine Davis
Leah Elizabeth Ewers
Katharine Graham Ference
Payton Elizabeth Ferris
Louise Edwina Finnstrom
Isabelle Mariah Hammer
Emma Zhiren Hsiung
Ziyan Hu
Kaia Kaufold Iverson
Lauren Nicole Jasper
Dorothy Ann Johnson
Kai'ya Anique Jones-Gordon
Roxanne Elizabeth Kim
Lillian Bess Leibovich
Brynna Isabelle Luedde
Helen Barbosa Luffy
Rebecca Madeline Moran-Scoratow
Stephanie Ohori
Renée Marie Margaret Frembgen Petersen
Amelia Larkin Rosenstock
Rebecca Leslie Rust
Emma Lucia Schell
Hannah Faith Shanley
Lucia Sandsedt Snyderman
Olivia Claire Strickland
Alison Lee Taylor
Augusta Smythe Weiss
Olivia Faye Wilson
Senior Projects
The Class of 2019 looked outside of themselves and into the local and global community to raise awareness for causes they believe in, spark conversations that influence change, and give notice to issues of importance to them in their final assignment as Ellisians. From partnering with a gender equality lawyer on the #MeToo movement to interning with the City of Pittsburgh on an immigration initiative, the Class of 2019 tackled a range of topics that illustrated their impressive commitment to some of the some of the most pressing issues facing their generation today.
Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Animal Conservation and Appreciation
Entrepreneurship
Positive Body Image
Positive Body Image
Preservation and Promotion of the Arts and Literacy
The Perils of AddictionService Learning and Volunteerism
Social Equity Advocacy Girls’ Education
Women’s Empowerment
Women’s Empowerment
Economic Diversity and Inequity
Media Bias and Representation
Gender Equality
Fair Voting Practices
Climate Change and Environmental Awareness
Sports and Leadership
Accessibility of STEM Programs
Healthcare and Medicine
Accessibility of STEM Programs
Healthcare and Medicine
Class of 2019 College Commitments
Armed with arsenals of ambition and spirits of optimism and resilience, the Class of 2019 will attend 28 different colleges and universities in 12 states in the fall. Three students will participate in Division III college athletics, andd our graduates plan to study everything from architecture and engineering to computer science and literature, proving yet again the multifaceted nature of an Ellis education. Because Ellis is focused on finding each girl's best fit college that supports her individual journey and unique goals, the Class of 2019 will begin their next their next chapter on campuses that, much like Ellis, allow them to continue to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Matriculation List:
American University
Amherst College
Brandeis University
Chapman University
Chatham University
Colgate University
Connecticut College
Cornell University
The Cooper Union
Duquesne University/LECOM
Emory University
Haverford College
Juniata College
University of Miami
Middlebury College
Mount Holyoke College
Northwestern University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of Tampa
Temple University
University of Vermont
Washington University in St. Louis
The College of Wooster
Yale University
Amherst College
Brandeis University
Chapman University
Chatham University
Colgate University
Connecticut College
Cornell University
The Cooper Union
Duquesne University/LECOM
Emory University
Haverford College
Juniata College
University of Miami
Middlebury College
Mount Holyoke College
Northwestern University
Pennsylvania State University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of Tampa
Temple University
University of Vermont
Washington University in St. Louis
The College of Wooster
Yale University
