Class of 2021 Spotlight

If one word had to be chosen to describe the Class of 2021, it would be resilient. In the face of an unpredictable year, this group of 29 students showed grace and good humor at every turn. They reimagined traditions like Spirit Week, reenvisioned student-led events like Culture Jam, and redefined what it means to be flexible and adaptable as they rolled with the punches of the pandemic. As they begin their next chapters, the Class of 2021 is undoubtedly ready to rise to whatever challenges come next.
Genna Barge
With humor and endless positivity, Genna is a star in any classroom or on any field. As a scholar, athlete, and woodworker, this lifer is a force to be reckoned with. A fearless goalie, Genna is a rare combination of intellect, curiosity, and kindness.

Cara Burns
Cara’s sunny, funny approach enlivened classes, lunchtimes, and countless Tik Tok videos. She goes with the flow like the Allegheny River, which she’s navigated from a young age. This coxswain’s leadership and prowess from the back of the boat will be missed.

Marilee Carlson
Curious, creative, and a fierce advocate for her peers, Marilee has been keeping it real since her arrival in tenth grade. Always ready to reach out and ensure that all voices are heard, Marilee has helped to guide other students on their paths towards responsible citizenship. 

Grace Coffelt
An independent thinker with a courageous spirit, Grace is unafraid to take risks, and her compassion and empathy lead her to give more than she receives and to always leave a place better than she found it. All the world’s a stage, and Grace has all the tools she needs. 

Alexis Crichlow
Alexis is the sort of student teachers love to see on their roster. Whether she is in the clay studio, on the court, or in the classroom, she is giving 100% and making us all proud. She brings her level-headed composure to everything she does and refuses to change who she is for anyone.

Sofia Geminetti
Devoted to service and quick to offer help to others, Sofia operates from a place of true compassion. Her faith is her North Star and she follows it. Thinking of others before herself, Sofia works to link others in subtle but significant ways. 

Abby Grone
This future engineer has navigated the space between the virtual and the physical in so many ways this year. Steering the yearbook through a virtual school experience to create a real document of the life of the school, Abby exudes concern for representation of all points of view. 

Kiera Harrell-Danks
Kiera is a high flyer in every way. A  brilliant scientist, inventive designer, and dazzling writer, this lifer cannot be contained in a lab, on the stage, or on a page. Where others see challenges, Kiera sees opportunities for change, and she dives in, sometimes with her scuba gear, without hesitation.

Samantha Honig
Flying downhill in record time is no trouble for a skier like Samantha. She demonstrates control and grace as she slaloms through the snow and life at Ellis. A devoted member of the Jewish Student Union, and the field hockey and lacrosse teams, she is always ready to lead a discussion or make an assist. 

Natalie Jasper
We can all see Natalie’s remarkable talent on the basketball court, but her star burns just as brightly in the classroom. A methodical activist, this lifer is a keen observer of what’s right and what’s wrong. A leader who is secure in her own ability, she is unafraid to enlist help from others. 

Alexis Kentebe
Whether she’s singing or teaching her advisor about thermodynamics, Alexis is a star who always does her best—and always with grace, energy, and a positive attitude. An inquisitive scholar, a courageous writer, and a loyal friend, she is sure to make her mark in the lab and on the stage.

Hunter Kloss
Independent, empathetic, and passionate about social justice, Hunter is fearless in their willingness to speak truth to power and to demand urgent change to the status quo. A brilliant historian, a talented writer, and a star on the stage, Hunter gets a five-star review from their fans here at Ellis.

Miranda Lightner
As captain of the soccer and lacrosse teams, Miranda exudes passion, energy, and leadership. She instills fear in the minds of her opponents, impresses her coaches, and brings out the best in her teammates. She is a trendsetter in any academic field or on any athletic field she finds herself. 

Audrey Lyda
Slicing through the complexities of contemporary artwork with the same ease as if she were on the river, Audrey shows strength in the classroom as well as in the shell. This lifer’s incredible focus has steered her through the challenges of balancing scholarship and high-caliber athletic performance.

Calista Martin-Singer
From a thesis examining LGBTQ+ characters in American Drama to exploring the complexities of Surrealism, Calista’s work celebrates preparation and perseverance. She knows when to step forward, but also when to step back, as she did in supporting other performers as part of her senior project. 

Carly McGuire
This lifer is one of the most considerate and gracious scholars Ellis has produced. Carly shares her love of learning with others and readily puts her talents to the service of the community. Her senior art portfolio explored personal history and heritage, and invited classmates to share their own stories through her exquisite photography. 

Dalia Milch
Persistence, kindness, and devotion are all words you could use to describe Dalia. This lifer is a true proponent of the phrase lead by example. Never afraid to take a leap, test out an idea, or try something new, Dalia specializes in showing her classmates and teammates the power of hard work and dedication. 

Emilie Perelman
Curious, engaged, and determined, this lifer, class secretary, and student council representative always brings her full self to everything she does.  Whether completing dissections or exploring gendered language in feminist mystery novels, she is eager to iterate, master new skills, and spread her wings. 

Tegan Poerio
Leader, teammate, and scholar, Tegan leaves big shoes to fill. While we all know her to be devoted to field hockey, this lifer is just as devoted to her friends, often providing tutoring help at the back of the bus when returning from away games. She inspires us with her commitment to be her best self. 

Annika Ramani
An inquisitive scholar and a courageous activist, Annika is guided by unshakable conviction and an innate desire to leave her community a better place than she found it. A brilliant poet and writer who explored cancel culture and the American prison system in her senior thesis, Annika is always ready to speak up for justice. 

Manon Reagans
Nothing gets by this lifer’s keen eye for detail; no injustice bypasses her strong moral compass; no task is given anything less than her best effort. This stringent, meticulous approach to life is Manon’s trademark. Fierce and vocal, she pushes no one harder than herself in her drive for perfection.

Alex Rushford
Compassionate, generous, and intellectually engaged, Alex met the challenge of attending her classes on Zoom head-on. Despite the physical separation from her peers, this lifer was determined to actively contribute her ideas, questions, and opinions in her classes each day. 

Hannah Rust
With a passion for ceramics and unpretentious leadership on the field hockey pitch, Hannah is always finding her own path. This lifer has grown and flourished surrounded by the Ellis community. A loyal and brave friend, she holds her ground and is never afraid to stand up for a classmate. 

Sami Silk
Sami celebrates the power of the word, be it spoken, written, or sung. Leading the Ellisian Journal, penning an original musical, composing work for our Ellis singers, these all articulate Sami’s love of language. Actor, singer, composer, and author, Sami does it all with clear vision about how to make her voice heard.

Claire Simon
In both the ceramics studio and through her clay work itself, Claire communicates with a sophisticated simplicity. She was also a committed member of the field hockey team and a crucial component of the team’s success. Through it all, Claire has maintained her independent spirit and rapier wit which will serve her well in the future.

Alanna Steals
Programming a robot is no problem for a lifer like Alanna. Her undying curiosity is endless and guides her path to discovery. In her classes, her thoughtful questions provide real-world connections and spark the best discussions, and her stories often end with joyful laughter.

Savanna Stein
Don’t let Savanna’s laid-back demeanor fool you—she is a passionate, incisive thinker with a tremendous understanding of design. Her work in the darkroom and studio demonstrates this, and her friends will attest to her fierce loyalty. Still waters run deep with this inquisitive and reflective scholar. 

Lowrie Woodside
Passionate, curious, and queen of the non sequitur, Lowrie is an enthusiastic learner, dedicated athlete, and gifted linguist. With unwavering honesty and devotion to the community, Lowrie is always authentically herself. With impressive coding skills and fluent French, Lowrie is paving the way for the next generation of female software developers. 

Abi Zimmerman
Abi’s grace and calming presence fills our halls and inspires students and teachers alike. No matter the challenges she faces in the classroom or on the basketball court, Abi does not give up. Instead, she works harder, plays smarter, and is always ready to step out of the spotlight in order to give someone else a chance to shine. 
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