Elise Pickens. Lifer. Since her early years in kindergarten at the lower school to her current status as a junior on the Randolph Campus, her experiences have shaped her growth and development as a student and a person.
Pickens kindergarten classroom, Ben’s room, was fundamental to her feelings about school. She felt at ease in the space and kindness of the environment.
As she grew up in the lower school, Pickens made memories: “I remember playing outside a lot with the cottonwood seeds, and the playground… also the tree inside one of the ½ classrooms was fun,” Pickens said.
Her favorite teachers from the lower school were Joy Liberman, Jill Chang, and Tim Rongstad.
“I really liked my art and music classes,” Pickens said, “and I also liked when I had time to read.”
She felt uniquely connected to her sisters and loved the energy during homecoming when seniors put yellow and blue streaks on their little cheeks.
When she transitioned into middle school, there were many changes: “I didn’t see my sisters every day… It’s a much bigger campus instead of having just one homeroom class,” Pickens said.
Middle School lacked the consistency of the lower school homerooms. Her sisters, grades eight, six, and three helped Pickens to feel at ease in a school environment, and she felt more alone without them. As she switched buildings, the size and work of the school was also overwhelming.
She said, “I was a little bit stressed with the homework situation because there was more of it.”
However, the newfound freedom and trust were aspects she appreciated. Math class and science labs became her strong suits during this phase of her education.
There is even more freedom now, with electives and going places without a teacher.
— Elise Pickens
The scene changed once more as she shifted from the middle school wing to the upper school. Pickens is back to going to school with her younger sister and enjoys the club the Lovelace Society, which is programming, robotics, and art all mixed up.
Pickens is enjoying her time and said, “There is even more freedom now, with electives and going places without a teacher.”
Pickens said she finds joy and fulfillment in various aspects of her school life.
