Knightly News

The ARC says farewell to 22 senior Fellows who are graduating! Many of these students have served for multiple years and in multiple subjects. One graduating senior, Jackson Ezell, wrote a reflection about his time as a Fellow, particularly about the transition from Writing Center to Academic Resource Center. We thank all Fellows who have served during their time in high school and wish these students all the best!

I have worked in the Episcopal Academic Resource Center for the past three years, and it has been a genuinely rewarding experience. Applying what I have learned, helping others, and continuing to learn alongside them is a signature part of working in the ARC.

The specific facet of learning with the students I tutor has opened my mind, encouraging me to learn more about the subjects that fascinate me. Furthermore, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the ARC for its transformation from primarily a place to find help with English coursework to a resource center for all subjects.

When I started working in the ARC as a sophomore, I learned extensively about the philosophy behind these institutions. The academic pillars of the Writing Center rest on the concepts of letting students come to their own conclusions, learn with peers, and build independent knowledge. A tutor can achieve this goal by asking questions that help students find the best way to convey their ideas. This method allows students to maintain the originality of their work while also learning how to apply these newfound skills in their writing. When I visited the Writing Center as a freshman, I did not quite understand what made me feel so confident in my work during the session. When I discovered this constructive learning style was key to this form of tutoring, I wished to provide other students with a similar experience. My goal to give my peers a memorable experience like mine motivated me to contribute to creating an uplifting and constructive environment in the ARC.

As I began my journey as a writing tutor, the Writing Center underwent a significant change. We prepared to transition to an Academic Resource Center. This would not mean that the Writing Center portion of the institution would disappear; instead, we would expand our services by providing help in all subjects. As more and more tutors who specialized in multiple topics joined the Academic Resource Center, I made more meaningful connections. Through our shared belief in the importance of critical thinking in the tutoring process, I made friends with people interested in various subjects. Learning from one another as a community also taught me to apply this learning philosophy to different subjects. My role as a tutor grew to cover English, French, and Social Studies. This process allowed me to use what I had learned as a writing tutor for other subjects I am passionate about. As the Writing Center grew, so did the opportunity to instill a constructive, community-oriented learning environment to my peers.

Last year, I had the opportunity to use the ARC’s mutual learning philosophy with this new, broader resource center opportunity. As my subject areas expanded, I made a long-term commitment to tutoring a student in French. Throughout the year, we worked to practice good conversational skills together, learning from one another throughout the process. As a tutor, I found different subjects to discuss, asked questions, and listened to responses. By the end of the year, we had a significantly better grasp of communicating in French. Through this experience and the expansion of our center, I learned about the value of good communication skills, how to apply the Writing Center philosophy to different subjects, and how to make long-lasting connections through these institutions. My experiences in the ARC have significantly altered my perception of tutoring. Before working at the Writing Center, I assumed tutoring would be an extension of critiquing and perfecting. However, what the ARC does is unique. It is essential to its mission to allow students to learn from one another, understand that the tutor and learner are equal, and foster more open-mindedness in the community. Because of this philosophy, I have watched the ARC grow over the years, both in subject matter and in the number of attendees. The entire Academic Resource Center is full during our free time, with the attending students and tutors genuinely wanting to be in such an uplifting environment. This cooperative learning has strengthened my dedication to creating more similarly open-minded atmospheres. I will continue the ARC’s mission and create welcoming, constructive environments wherever I go. My understanding of tutoring has been forever altered, and I wish to do the same for the rest of my community.

Thank you to all the Fellows who have served their community this year, especially these seniors!

Alisha Ali
Sophie Arnold
Savanna Baker
Ben Barney
Leighton Boyce
Avery Bradford
Julia Brinker
Addison Eglin
Jackson Ezell
Aiden Farmer
Wyatt Horridge

Beau Legnon
Miniya Malone
Jaela Purnell
Addison Reynolds
Ava Rose Robertson
Chloe Rubin
Kali Russell
Rylee Simoneaux
Ella Stephens
Laci Summers
Anna Kate Yale

Jackson Ezell

Jackson Ezell is a member of the Class of 2025. He will attend Centre College and study International Studies.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.