Alumni Spotlight: Aurelia '24

I never felt like just another student in a system. I felt seen, supported, and understood.

Pursuing a passion at the highest level often requires sacrifice. For Aurelia ’24, that meant finding a way to balance a demanding competitive riding schedule with her ambitious academic goals. At Prestans Online Academy, she found a program that allowed her to continue doing what she loved without forcing her to compromise her education.

Now studying Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Northeastern University, Aurelia reflects on how her time at Prestans helped shape the path she’s on today. Her story is a testament to what can happen when students are supported, challenged, and given the flexibility to truly excel.

What was going on in your life that led you to search for an online school?

I had the absolute pleasure of growing up around horses, and I truly fell in love with them and with that came the competitive horse show world. It was during the summer before my sophomore year of high school that I realized just how much more I wanted. More time at the barn, more time at horse shows, really, just more of everything I loved. At the time, however, I was enrolled in a top private school because, just as much as I loved horses, I loved learning. I was hopeful and ambitious about my future. I dreamed of attending a college in the Northeast, traveling while in college, and eventually going on to a top law school. From a young age, I understood the power of education, and it was never something I was willing to compromise. So, I had a problem: I wanted to ride, but under no circumstances could my education suffer. The solution was not an obvious one, at least not until I found Prestans. After just one phone call, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had found not just a sufficient solution, but a superb one. 

What stood out about Prestans Online Academy compared to other options you were considering?

Prior to speaking with anyone at Prestans, my family and I had explored several other online schools, but there were a few things that immediately set Prestans apart. First and foremost was the genuine care they showed for both me and my education. Every question and concern I had was met with thoughtful attention, and I never felt like just another student in a system. I felt seen, supported, and understood.

Can you share a specific moment, class, or teacher that really defined your experience at Prestans?

The teachers at Prestans were all truly exceptional, so it is difficult to choose just one. They were incredibly knowledgeable and qualified, but what stood out most to me was how passionate they were about their subjects and how genuinely kind they were as people. We all know that it is often not the subject itself that makes learning difficult or enjoyable, but the person teaching it, and my English teacher, . Ms. Cooper, was the perfect example of that. Long before my time at Prestans, I had a fear of reading and writing that I had slowly been working to overcome. It was Ms. Cooper who helped me fully fall in love with both. One moment that has always stayed with me was when we were reading The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. We spent so much time peeling back the layers of the text and discovering meaning where I never would have thought to look. At one point, I paused on what seemed like a simple mention of a blanket and remarked that it was odd how much it stood out to me. Rather than dismissing the observation, Ms. Cooper encouraged me to keep thinking about it and explore why it caught my attention. As we continued reading, that seemingly small detail turned out to be an important opening move by Kafka and a key to understanding larger themes. That moment perfectly captures what made my experience at Prestans so special. 

What’s one Prestans memory that still makes you smile or laugh?

Now that I am in college studying philosophy, one of my favorite Prestans memories is actually my very first introduction to the subject. It came from my teacher and adviser, Mr. Chaput, who introduced me to the famous ethical "Trolley Problem." At the time, I completely dug my heels in. I understood what the question was getting at, and frankly, I did not like it. It made me uncomfortable. But the more I thought about it, the more I found myself genuinely wrestling with the problem and trying to determine what the best answer might be. When Mr. Chaput and I discussed it further, I realized discomfort is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, when approached thoughtfully, it can be one of the most interesting places to learn and grow. That conversation opened a door I never expected. Today, philosophy is my favorite part of my studies, and I often smile when I think back to how resistant I was to that first thought experiment.

Is there a skill or habit that you learned at Prestans that you still use? 

Without a doubt, the biggest skills I learned at Prestans were time management, responsibility, and communication. In many ways, Prestans functions similarly to college, but with much more support. You have the freedom to manage your own schedule, while always knowing there is someone there to help if you need it. Time management was a huge lesson for me. Because I was not in class all day, I had to learn how to structure my time and take on that responsibility. Communication was another important skill, and honestly, it was the harder one. I never wanted to inconvenience anyone by asking questions, but my teachers and advisors encouraged me to reach out, be transparent, and advocate for myself. Those are the exact skills I use every day in college. Managing my time, staying organized, and sending emails to professors all feels natural now because Prestans helped me build those habits early on. 

What have you been up to since graduating and what are you working towards now?

Since graduating from Prestans, I have been attending Northeastern University, where I am pursuing a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE). I was accepted into Northeastern's Global Scholars program, which allowed me to spend my first semester in London and my second in Oakland. It was a great experience for me! Northeastern is also known for its co-op program, which gives students the opportunity to gain professional experience while in school. This fall, I will be heading to Northern Ireland to work with Habitat for Humanity as a Communications Co-op, where I will also have the opportunity to explore work related to political science and law. Right now, though, I am spending the summer in Washington, D.C., interning at Vincent & Elkins. It has been an incredible experience, and I am learning so much every day. Looking ahead, I am strongly considering law school, but I am excited to see where these experiences take me and to continue exploring the opportunities ahead.

What would you say to a student (or parent) who’s unsure about online learning?

I think I would tell them that online learning has the potential to do something that traditional schooling often cannot, as it can be tailored precisely to the student. It has the flexibility to meet students where they are and help them thrive in ways that might not be possible elsewhere. Of course, that potential only matters if it is in capable and caring hands. In my experience, Prestans has those hands. I would not hesitate to make the same decision again. Prestans gave me an education that fit into my schedule while preparing me for everything that was to come next.