Alumni Spotlight: Ione McKerley-Geier, A Tuf(t) Transition but Easily One of the Best
As graduation approaches, we can’t all help but wonder where all of the talented Pixels will venture off! If you are a graduating Pixel, perhaps you wonder what college will be like, or maybe you are a Pixel who has yet to embark on the monstrous quest of college applications and wonders how to approach them best. Thankfully, Ione McKerley-Geier, a 2023 graduate and first-year at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts can answer all of these queries.
But before we dive into Ione’s current college life, let’s learn a little bit about her experience at OHS because it shaped her college journey! She attended SOHS from seventh grade onwards and was part-time until her sophomore year when she became full-time.
Ione shares many fond memories of being a SOHS student; her favorite ones reflect the special nature of the OHS community. “The teachers and students alike are incredibly passionate and have a drive that pushes them to delve into interesting topics and pursue a level of rigor and a style of learning that is largely unparalleled by secondary education elsewhere (at least in my experience in the U.S.) I feel so lucky to have been a part of that,” Ione expresses gratefully.
Aside from the excellent educational experience she had at SOHS, Ione holds one memory, especially in high regard: “When my friends and I did graffiti on a legal wall in Boston at homecoming as seniors. We made a lot of different art (including various Peanuts characters). But I think the best part was when we spray painted Aristotle, John Stuart Mill, and Kant (the CRA--an OHS Core class, Critical Reading and Argumentation---triumvirate). It was super fun and very OHS.” A creative and unique experience with friends is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
When it came to choosing her favorite class, Ione found it difficult to choose. She fervently shares, “There were so many!” However, one of these favorites was an English class on beauty and destruction that she took in the second semester of her senior year. “It was a really small class so I felt especially close and connected with the other students and teacher. It revolutionized the way I thought about beauty and art (and frankly made me a happier, more fulfilled person because of it!) and pushed me to become a better writer along the way! I think that class embodies some of the many things that make SOHS special. The ability to have small, engaged seminars with incredible professors and people from across the globe about niche and fascinating subjects.” If I had to sum up the OHS experience, I would just quote Ione!
Now let’s transition into Ione’s experiences and transition into college. She described it as “super weird!” However, she felt “in many ways more prepared than other students. I was better prepared for the level of academic rigor, but I was also more used to being independent and managing time on my terms. Most other students were not used to having the freedom to choose their classes and schedule, but I already had to do that at OHS.”
“At the same time, it was incredibly difficult to leave home. I was used to being with my family all the time, but rarely seeing my friends in person. Suddenly being surrounded by lots of other people my age all the time was super stressful, and I still struggle with it! I think it’s important to stand by your boundaries and make time for yourself.” These are wise words. It is clear that Ione has taken multiple Core classes at SOHS! But in all seriousness, transitioning from home to college is a tumultuous change and it is important to have self-awareness and take care of yourself.
Some advice Ione graciously imparted were tips for college applications! This advice is eye-opening as it is directly from a recent college applicant and takes on the perspective of a high school senior! “My tips for college applications are pretty cliche I think: start ahead of time and make use of your college counselor! I did neither of those things and suffered for it. I know it can feel super vulnerable and hard to have other people read and comment on your work, but in the end, it will help you. You just have to power through. (And doing all of your apps over winter break senior year will also not be fun!)” As a junior myself, the vision of sitting at a desk starting the admissions process during my last winter break does not sound great! So thank you Ione, I’ll start my college list right now.
After all the hustle and bustle of college applications, Ione earned her acceptance to Tufts University in Boston! She is currently in her second semester and planning on majoring in history and international relations. Outside of class, she climbs for the Tufts rock climbing team, works on the Tufts daily newspaper, and writes for one of their literary magazines. In her free time, she enjoys taking long walks through Boston, cooking, baking with her friends, and visiting various museums and libraries in the area.
“There is so much to love about college! I miss OHS a lot, but there are so many new wonderful experiences to be had! I love living in a new city and on a beautiful campus that I can explore, and it feels great to be able to hang out with friends whenever rather than having to wait for months too! And of course, there are so many amazing different classes to take here, and I've learned so much.”
Now, you may ask, what does Ione have in store for the future? Well, “for now, I don't have any imminent big plans. I'm looking forward to finishing off my first year of college, a long summer break, and seeing where the rest of my college career takes me!” How exciting!
Unsurprising for a SOHS student, Ione provided us with wise and well-versed takes, taking us on a journey through her final SOHS years and early college experience. While giving a lot of advice for what some of us can do now to make the most of our time at SOHS, we also got to take a peek into life at university through Ione’s eyes.