​Kate Landry
College Choice: Rice University
Prospective Major: Economics and Managerial Studies (minoring in Business and/or Spanish)
If the couch is the throne in the Writing Center, then Kate would be the queen. Rarely would a tutorial go by that you didn’t see Kate sprawled on the plush cushions, laughing, smiling, and sharing stories with her friends. However, Kate relinquished her spot on the sofa often to aid students in their writing, most likely with English papers or Spanish essays on bullfighting. Though most of these sessions were relatively simple and easy, her most memorable session is the opposite—she had quite a hard time helping one student find material to cut out of his paper, which was “SO good…so well researched and thoughtful and coherent.” Though they struggled to find information to take out, she loved seeing the student grow, become a better writer, and realize his talent.
Kate was also a fountain of new ideas for the Writing Center and a leader in the famous Waffle Workshops, one of which had so many people who wanted to participate that the Writing Center had to turn them away. From all that Kate’s learned in her three years as a Writing Fellow, her advice to new Writing Fellows is: “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn and grow with each session but also don’t be scared to show that you know what you’re doing and [that you’re giving] people meaningful feedback and help.” Kate,thank you for your service to the Writing Center. The impacts of your reign will be as infinite as the floral pattern on the couch.
– Alyssa Macaluso

Mary Oliver
College Choice: Louisiana State University, Honors College
Prospective Major: Interior Design
Mary Oliver served as a writing fellow since her sophomore years and was always a vocal leader on the staff.  She helped the Writing Center expand its offerings in the Foreign Language department by helping her peers with their assignments for Spanish.  She also enjoyed assisting students from both middle and high school over the years.  Last year, Mary led a Spooky Stories Waffle Workshop with Elliott Kellam, and she has volunteered her time at other events and workshops.  Her favorite memories revolve around sitting on the couch with Harrison, John, Kirby, and many other writing fellows.  She also will always remember a conversation with a seventh grader this year about a hilarious short story. 
 
For next year’s writing fellows, she advises them to learn from their peers.  Mary said, “I learned the most about my own writing just by tutoring others. Also, don't worry about being the perfect fellow. As long as the person you're tutoring walks away with one new idea, your job is done.”  She hopes to be remembered as someone who liked being in the Writing Center.  “I feel like I spent a large amount of my time in the WC, and I'm going to miss it and all of the people I became close to in it. It's probably one of the things I'll miss most about Episcopal,” she added.  The feeling is mutual, Mary.  Your friends in the Writing Center and the countless students you helped will miss you, too! 

• Mrs. Julia Spaht

As a send-off for their peers in the Writing Center, students in the Honors Composition class composed Senior Tributes for each of the graduating Writing Fellows.  The tributes feature the seniors’ favorite Writing Center memories as well as their advice for new Writing Fellows in the Upper School.  The tributes were originally featured on the Writing Center’s Instagram account (@episcopalbrwc), but we thought you’d enjoy seeing them here. 

Estelle Crawford
College Choice: Birmingham-Southern College
Prospective Major: Biology
 
Estelle Crawford has been consistently engaged as a writing fellow since her sophomore year and valued her time on the staff.  A natural peer tutor, Estelle especially enjoyed helping the 7th graders this year and becoming more aware of the growth that happens in writers from middle to high school.  She enjoyed talking with younger students about research papers too, both by making presentations in classes and by offering hands-on assistance.  Also involved with cheerleading and E-STAAR outside of her classes, she always had a professional attitude about balancing her commitments. 
 
For her senior year, Estelle served as one of the Social Media Chairs focused on promoting special events and shaping students’ understandings of the Writing Center.  During her junior year, Estelle served as a Student Coordinator and helped with organizing the online appointment system.  Her favorite memories of the WC are the times she spent chatting or studying with friends on the always-popular couch.  For tutors who are new to the program, she advises, “Embrace being able to help people. You’d be surprised how many times what you say sticks with them every time they write a paper.”  We will miss Estelle in the Writing Center next year, but we wish her the best at Birmingham Southern!

​- Mrs. Julia Spaht

Harrison Ferachi
College: American University
Prospective Major: Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government
​
Harrison Ferachi is more commonly known as the "head honcho" in the Writing Center. He is always around, ready and willing to help. In his three years as a writing fellow, he has helped students of all ages with "research and literature analysis-esque assignments." Harrison is a supportive friend to all. In one of his most memorable sessions, he helped a student who was extremely nervous to share her writing. Harrison realized how good the writing was and made sure that the student knew this.
In addition to his work tutoring, Harrison spearheaded the campaign to create Under the Oak and has continued to organize these events each year. He also hosted Waffle Workshops (including the Journaling Workshop this spring) and helped communicate with middle school students and classes that partner with the Writing Center.
As Harrison moves on to college, he wants new writing fellows to remember that they are students first and that they will learn as much from the process as their tutees will. Harrison will surely be remembered as a "leader and participant involved in promoting the Writing Center as a place where all types of writers are welcome and a useful service for students and teachers alike." Harrison is invaluable to the Writing Center, and we will sorely miss him next year.

- Hallie Sternberg

​For the past few days, I have found my head buried in Elle Luna’s The Crossroads of Should and Must, a richly illustrated book my fellow Honors Thesis students and I received as we graduated. The more I draw and write on the pages in an attempt to arrive at the path to my Must, my “calling,” the more I realize that for me, finding my Must began with the process of finding and choosing a university – MIT.
 
It is difficult to pinpoint when I first heard about MIT, but by junior year, I was vaguely familiar with MIT’s academic reputation and aware that MIT’s Course 6, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, is often ranked the first in the US. I knew from such rankings that I Should apply to MIT. But only when I began to read the MIT blogs in my junior year did I decide that I Must apply. I had feared that MIT revolved only around science and engineering, but soon found posts discussing the humanities at MIT and made little discoveries such as a reference to The Tempest by a blogger. I suggest that anyone searching for a college that aligns with their potential Must look for clues in places such as student blogs to gain insight into the perspective of those who roam the campus buildings every day.
 
Impressed by my online encounters with MIT and encouraged by my counselor to travel to the colleges on my list, I made plans to visit in the summer. I was moved by the palpable sense of excitement for learning. Even in the summer, the campus was buzzing with activity, pulsing at a rate that matched the beat of my own heart. I learned that most undergraduates are involved in research and about the “firehose,” a symbol for the knowledge gushing into and out of the buildings at MIT. I learned about the labyrinth of tunnels that connects the departments and about the figurative links that connect academic disciplines. I learned that the buildings and majors are affectionately associated with numbers that everyone remembers. I avidly noted details in my college journal, continued browsing the admissions website, and tried to distil my enthusiasm into essays. A few months later, I submitted my application, and after another few months, I received an invitation to join the newest cohort of MIT students.
 
When I visited post-acceptance, I was inspired by other aspects of the MIT culture, such as the tireless tinkering. I learned that the mascot, Tim the Beaver, was chosen for his skill and diligence. I stayed in a dorm that builds a roller coaster during orientation, met representatives from robotics and coding clubs, and watched in awe as students shared their research. I Must comMIT, I thought. 

​I know that my Must involves connecting disciplines and ideas at MIT and probably begins with Computer Science and Engineering. But you might be wondering what this beginning of a story means for you as its reader. I challenge you to make attempts to define your Must and take steps to reach it, as Elle Luna advises. Especially to those of you who are approaching college application time, here is a request – consider not only where you Should go but also where you Must go. Let the excitement begin!

​Yes that day, and the days and years following it, was a tough battle. I still have not fully recovered, but that Sunday has shaped me into the man that I am today. Dad was the leader of the family, and after he was gone I stepped into that role. I have attended many leadership programs and been appointed to numerous leadership positions. As much as I would love to take all the credit for my success, I could not have done it without the help of Dad. I often wondered why my friends, family, and teachers consider me as a leader, but I now know that it is because in the back of my mind I always try to do what is right even when nobody is watching. And no matter what college I attend or job I pursue, I believe that it is my duty to help others overcome similar situations like my own. Dad always helped and put others before himself. That is exactly what I intend to do as well.