King Philip Regional High School

King Philip Regional High School

Student Spotlight is an opportunity to highlight dynamic students who are making a positive impact on their local KP community and the larger global community. This week I am excited to feature Sarah Joy.


Nicole Bottomley

Principal

King Philip Regional High School

Pronouns: she/her/hers

This week’s Student Spotlight is senior Sarah Joy whose strong focus on the mind/body connection allows her to balance many interests in her life. Sarah is treasurer of National Honor Society, President of the French National Honor Society (FNHS), a 4-year member of the Leo Club, an avid ballet dancer, and an accomplished musician to name just a few of her activities. Sarah dances 6 days a week in Franklin where she not only hones her craft but also mentors and teachers younger ballet students. She helps the students view ballet as a vehicle for storytelling and expression, while also understanding that a tremendous amount of hard work goes into the continuous improvement needed. For example, this is the 12th year in a row she has participated in the Nutcracker with her dance company and her dedication has earned her the role of the Dew Drop fairy this year. Sarah describes the Nutcracker as more than just a show. It is a community that signifies long standing traditions and one she feels fortunate to be a part of throughout her life.


Although her dedication to ballet and dance is impressive, it is just one of the interests she pursues. After switching from piano when she was younger, Sarah has been playing flute since the 4th grade. She enjoys her time in the band but it is the band leadership program that has had the biggest impact on her. Sarah believes that it is important to take an active role in any activities she is involved in and applies this philosophy to her work in Leo’s club where she has made a significant impact on the community through her volunteering. When asked how she finds a life balance Sarah stated, “There is nothing I would want to give up. Everything I do compliments each other.” Sarah's focus on the mind/body connection through meditation and other strategies that allow her to thrive in all that she does.

Interview with Sarah

Q: Your commitment to Ballet is impressive and extensive. What is it that you love about studying and practicing ballet as such a huge part of your life?


A: There are many things I love about ballet. First, it is hard. I am constantly striving for perfection while knowing that that is impossible to achieve. I love the constant challenge to better myself. Second, it is expressive. I am my most honest and vulnerable self when I dance, and that has helped me to make so many amazing friends and connections through ballet. I love the language of ballet that allows for such unique communication and expression. Lastly, ballet has been part of my life since just about as long as I can remember. No matter how my life changes, I always start ballet class with pliés.


Q: How has your participation in the Band Leadership Program at KPRHS influenced your role in other activities or influenced how you approach other aspects of your life?


A: One of my favorite things about the Band Leadership Program here at KPRHS is its application to all aspects of life. We are taught the importance of encouragement (and the difference between it and praise). We are taught strategies for modeling and fostering the culture we want to create within an organization. Most importantly, we are taught that true leaders are the ones who take action, no matter how small it seems, when they see an opportunity for positive change. I apply these lessons, and many more, to my leadership roles as FNHS President and NHS treasurer. Specifically, I take action to create positive change through increasing FNHS's role in the school and tri-town community and through expanding and consolidating the peer tutoring program across all subjects (peer tutoring now takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays!). But if I learned anything from the band leadership program, it is that fancy titles are irrelevant to true leadership work. Thus, I also work to apply these lessons to the setting where I do not have fancy titles, such as encouraging my friends at ballet and seizing every opportunity I have to make my community a better place.


Q: During our conversation you discussed your interest in the mind/body connection so it isn't surprising that you have taken on a graduation distinction project connected to that topic. Can you share a little about your project and why you feel this topic is important?


I chose to graduate with distinction in STEM and focus my project on the medical applications of meditation due to this interest of mine. After spending junior year working on my AP Lang inquiry project on meditation's journey to America and the long process of it taking root here, I was fascinated with this seemingly "magic" process that attracted me yet I did not understand. Thus, I made it my goal to understand how meditation can bring about such amazing results, not only in helping people cope with mental health struggles like anxiety and depression but also physical struggles like chronic pain, psoriasis, and even in some cases cancer. I seek to curate a list of resources from experts aimed at beginners and those interested in getting involved with meditation because I know there are many who, like me, are fascinated with meditation and harnessing the immense power of the mind, but are not sure where to start.


Q: What advice do you have for students who have not yet found their interests/passions?


A: Personally, my problem has always been having too many passions, but I offer the same advice to those who do not think they have enough: there is no one definition of passion. No one has "too many" or "not enough." If you love something, regardless of how small it may seem, keep doing it. If something piques your curiosity, give it a try. Do not let fear stop you. Just as I talked about the Band Leadership Program's application to all aspects of life, the lessons I have learned from Ballet are just as applicable. Take pirouettes for example. This summer, while studying at the Washington School of Ballet, I heard someone say something that completely changed the way I thought about this ballet step. They said that you have to fully believe that a pirouette will work before you go for it, and then, it probably won't work. But you have to keep trying, keep believing that it will work because then eventually it will. And, it will feel amazing. So, take a lesson I learned from pirouettes – be determined, be courageous, and believe.

About King Philip Regional High School

We establish high academic standards and expectations for personal responsibility. Students are encouraged to become lifelong learners, to be productive contributors to society, to set ambitious goals, and to use all available resources.


Principal: Nicole Bottomley

Assistant Principal: Kip Lewis

Assistant Principal: Karen Archambault

Assistant Principal: Jill Poirier

Athletic Director: Gary Brown


Website: https://www.kingphilip.org/high-school/
Twitter: @KingPhilipHS

Instagram: KPHighSchool

Location: 201 Franklin St, Wrentham MA 02093
Phone: 508-384-1000

Nicole Bottomley
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