Emily Evans

Emily

It’s your future. It’s your now.

I came here for the academics. I wanted to be challenged and I have been. But the amazing thing is Kent made me realize that learning really can be fun. Like in AP Biology, we dissected stuff, we mixed chemicals, the teacher cracked jokes, we took our notes in colored pencils. It was really enjoyable. Of course it was hard, too. And everybody in the class was, well, brilliant. But it wasn't competitive or intimidating. Kent is a welcoming place; everybody wants to help you and you just learn so much. It definitely got me ready to go pre-med next year.

Of course, schoolwork is only part of the Kent experience. There are the activities, like the Saturday night dances. They usually have a theme, like a Mexican dance or they might have a fun new DJ. And Kent has some great traditions, like Rock Day. That's when the junior class climbs up the mountain to numeral rock, paints it with their graduation year, and, before rappelling down, has this incredible bonding experience pelting each other with paint. It is as crazy as it sounds. I just loved it.

And it's great to play sports here because Kent is competitive. In soccer, we beat almost everybody, including our biggest rival. We even won the Founders League title and the league’s sportsmanship award. In the winter, ice hockey was incredibly challenging, but the coach was amazing; she even made drills fun. So, again, improving yourself and enjoying yourself—it's happening at the same time.

With music, I was in concert band. I was in a clarinet ensemble. I went on field trips to band festivals. There were just so many opportunities to play and learn. But I remember one day, my music teacher reminded me that these aren't just college resume items. They are like everything else at Kent. They prepare you for what's ahead, for college and for life. But they're also fun and exciting. So, as much as they're about having a great future, they're also about having a great now.