A reconnection with a beloved friend is incredibly special. After some time away from George School, Claire Schmucker ’20 and Polly Lodge found themselves in attendance at the 2023 Commencement Meeting for Worship. In the meeting house, Claire and locked eyes with Polly, her former advisor. As both remember, this moment ignited a sense of reconnection; filling both with emotion.  

In June, Claire matriculated from Cornell University with a bachelors’ degree in Environment and Sustainability and was named a Merrill Scholar. Given to students, selected across the 10 undergraduate colleges and schools, who have maintained a high academic record, entering the top 1% of the university, the Merrill Scholar award highlights a student’s academic accomplishments, their outstanding leadership qualities, and their proactive nature in seeking to better the world. The recognition brought forth by this award not only commends students for their diligent work, but also honors the mentors that have helped them along the way. With all expenses paid, Cornell welcomes each awardees chosen educators and mentors to their campus and recognizes them for their notable influence. When Claire was named one of the 42 students receiving this award and was told she could welcome a mentor of her own, Polly immediately came to mind.   

During Claire’s freshman year at George School, Polly was her Intensive Chemistry instructor. Claire appreciated that Polly was casual and funny, yet she held herself and her students to a high academic standard. Having exposure to Quaker values in her early education, Claire noted that Polly seamlessly integrated the Quaker SPICES into the classroom. Polly offered a warmth that was comforting to Claire as she became accustomed to a new environment, which led her to seek Polly out as her advisor.  

“Polly has a long legacy of deep commitment to her students, guided by the principles of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship,” Claire wrote in a tribute that was shared during the award ceremony.

“This expressed itself in her scholarly and personal mentorship and in the care and nurturing she showed us in many small ways, including the treats she would bring to celebrate her advisees’ birthdays. Our collection drew together a diverse group of students, who, through Polly, quickly built community.” 

For her part, Polly saw that Claire was a conscientious student who knew how to advocate for herself and was willing to take additional time to learn material outside of the classroom. Polly recalls, “Sitting at the faculty table at lunch, I remember hearing Claire’s name, and immediately chiming in, ‘Oh Claire! She is smarter than me, more mature, and nicer than me!”.  

The relationship between the two women is a relationship grounded in the Quaker tenets of equality and deep appreciation for the light within each individual. Both hold a tremendous amount of mutual respect and continue to learn from one another. Claire carries Polly’s influence as Polly carries Claire’s. Claire has been inspired to seek out strong leaders, mentors, and community in her education, and she will continue to carry that with her as she continues to ecological of humans interact with their environment. 

“Polly’s strong mentorship inspired me to seek out mentors and continue to be intentional about community building in my continued education,” she said.