Willa Rowan '11

Trenton, New Jersey
Day Student


“I was scared to start a new school, but when I arrived, I saw students hugging teachers and kids playing guitar in the grass. At the opening assembly, students shouted the George School hymn and cheered to welcome the new students, and I knew I had made the right decision.”



Describe a pivotal moment at George School.

“What is a good art course for me to take?” I asked my advisor, when it was time to choose my classes for sophomore year.

He smiled and looked me straight in the eye, letting me know I was about to receive a famous slice of Terry Culleton’s wisdom pie. “A good art course is the one that speaks to you. What other people like isn’t important. Choose the art that will provide you the best creative outlet.”

Terry was totally right. Exploring woodshop let me explore the creativity I never knew I had.

Several months later, as I’m covered head to toe in sawdust after making a really cool table, I have Terry to thank for saying yes, you should take the class you want, and my shop teacher, Carter Sio ’76, for saying no, the table saw really isn’t as scary as you think.


More about Willa:

An IB diploma candidate, Willa serves as a student representative to the Environmental Stewardship Steering Committee and co-leader of TERRA, the campus environmental club. In woodworking and field hockey, she has found her means of artistic and athletic expression.