Pages, Strokes, and Steady Growth

Alice L. smiles wide while her eyes glance upwards, transporting her into imagination and immersing herself in Santiago’s journey on the sea. She rocks to the side ever so slightly, as if swaying on the ship alongside Santiago, before returning to reality–with a distinct lack of Hemingway. Smile still present, she recenters herself and exclaims: “That’s too hard a question! It’s so hard to pick just one! But, I really like The Old Man and the Sea. And I don’t want that to sound basic–I really, truly loved it.” 

She devoured Hemingway’s novel in two days, which is typical once a book hooks her. “I keep thinking about him bringing back the fish, even though the sharks destroyed so much of it… I’m still thinking over why that stuck with me.” A good reason to re-read, I offer. She laughs, then adds, “I’m actually re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird right now. I’ve read it a few times, and I’m always amazed that I have a new point of view–on the characters, the plot, the symbolism. It’s the best thing to realize–rereading shows me how much I’ve grown.”

Alice reflected on her growth for much of our conversation, as we talked about books, her volunteering at a local library, and the power of perspective. For Alice, volunteering at her local library is a natural extension of her love for stories. “We have books everywhere at home. I read so much,” she said, looking around as if for a familiar cover. “And it’s important to read the book before watching the movie,” she adds. 

She describes reading as a limitless experience, where imagination takes the lead–“I love turning the page. I love sitting in a library.” Through her volunteer work, Alice has found joy not just in the books themselves, but in understanding the systems that keep them organized and accessible. “Different books are for different seasons,” she reflected, a quiet nod to the rhythms of both reading and life evincing wisdom beyond the years of a current eighth grader. 

That same sense of thoughtful reflection carries into Alice’s experience at Prestans, where she’s found a learning environment that genuinely supports her growth. “My teachers are so sweet, and I learn faster–it’s better, because it’s at my pace. It’s okay to ask questions, to clarify and learn from mistakes. If I need to slow down to really understand something, we do. And if I’m ready to move forward, we can.” For Alice, that kind of responsiveness isn’t about convenience–it’s what makes learning meaningful, even transformational.

Outside of school, Alice keeps a full and balanced schedule. In addition to volunteering at her local library, she plays piano, makes time for friends, and is a dedicated swimmer, often in the pool for 1.5 to 2 hours each day. She recently switched to the backstroke to fill a gap on her team–no one else was swimming it. She saw a need, didn’t shy away from it, and now it’s her favorite stroke. Alice has discovered the calm and discipline in the repetition, and the sense of purpose in showing up not just for herself, but for others.

Like Santiago in The Old Man and the Sea, Alice has a steady resolve and quiet effort. Whether swimming lap after lap or turning the pages of a favorite novel, she moves with a kind of thoughtful persistence–patient, purposeful, and open to discovery. She may still be mulling over why Santiago’s marlin has stayed with her, but perhaps that’s the point. Some stories, like certain swims, are less about reaching the end and more about who we become along the way.