[New Year, New Staff] Meet Residential Counselor Rachel Stewart

With the start of a new year at the Gatton Academy comes several new personalities to the staff. We are excited about these passionate and dedicated individuals who have joined our team. They come to us from different parts of the country with a host of varied experiences. Over the last few weeks, the staff has had a chance to get to know each other. It’s now your chance to meet the new faces behind the Academy. Each day this week, we’ll profile a new staff member.

Academy Avatars sat down with each new staff member to post ten questions in hopes of getting to know them better. Avatars came up with five questions that we asked each person. Each Avatar also posed five unique questions of their own choosing to ask as well.

Up next is Residential Counselor Rachel Stewart.

Interview by Katie Rush, Academy Avatar

1.  Why did you decide to join the Gatton Academy staff?

I wanted to be a part of the Academy because I really enjoy being a mentor and a role model. I could do that many places, I guess, but I chose the Academy in particular because I enjoy math and science and working with gifted youths.

2.  Where did you attend college and what subjects did you study?

I graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Music Education.

3.  What are you looking forward to the most about the coming school year?

I’m looking forward to meeting and working with the new juniors and returning seniors!

4.  What do you think makes the Gatton Academy a unique educational experience?

For Kentucky, it is very unique to be in high school and college simultaneously. Also, it is very unusual to attend a residential high school where your classmates are also your roommates.  I think these make the Academy one-of-a-kind and a very special experience.

5.  What contributions do you hope to make to life at the Gatton Academy?

Since I was identified as gifted, I feel that I can relate to gifted students and all that being gifted entails. Also, I am excited to be an RC so I can help students with the high school to college transition.

6.  If you were an astronaut, to which planet would you like to travel?

Pluto, since it is the farthest away from the Earth and the Sun. I would like to see what the galaxy looks like from that totally different perspective. Pluto is still a planet to me!

7.  What are your hobbies and interests outside of being an Academy RC?

I love to read, and I’m a little bit obsessed with the German language. I play clarinet and piano, and sing, in addition to just hanging out with friends and making music.

8.  Who are your favorite authors?

C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, and Jane Austen

9.  What song could describe your life?

Probably “Bonjour” from Beauty and the Beast, because I’ve never been content with staying in the same place and not pursuing new experiences and adventures.

10.  What is one of your favorite quotations?

“Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.” Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

New staff, Rachel Stewart, residential counselor, staff, Student Life