Gretchen Kerfoot '23
What things are you involved in at Rivers?
I play hockey, volleyball, and tennis. I also am in the Middle School play. Before coming to Rivers, I had never played hockey or volleyball, and had never acted. I’ve had my ups and downs with all of these activities, but have come to love them over the years. I made many great friends and memories throughout the seasons that I will never forget.
Back
I play hockey, volleyball, and tennis. I also am in the Middle School play. Before coming to Rivers, I had never played hockey or volleyball, and had never acted. I’ve had my ups and downs with all of these activities, but have come to love them over the years. I made many great friends and memories throughout the seasons that I will never forget.
What is your favorite class?
I love both math and science. One thing that is special about math is that we find ways to apply math concepts to real-life situations. For example, when learning about quadratic functions, we graphed the parabola of the Golden Gate Bridge and the arc of water from a drinking fountain. While I learn so much in these classes, they are also super fun! The classes provide the perfect balance of work and fun.
I love both math and science. One thing that is special about math is that we find ways to apply math concepts to real-life situations. For example, when learning about quadratic functions, we graphed the parabola of the Golden Gate Bridge and the arc of water from a drinking fountain. While I learn so much in these classes, they are also super fun! The classes provide the perfect balance of work and fun.
What is your favorite Rivers memory?
One of my favorite memories is from my participation in the “walk for water” event in 6th grade. That year, in Humanities, we had been studying the water crisis and read a book about children in Sudan who have to walk miles every day to access water that was still unsanitary. To simulate this situation, the entire grade, including many teachers, carried gallon jugs and walked around campus for the whole morning. People would join us along the way, picking up a jug. During this walk, I laughed with my friends and also got to meet new ones while gaining a better understanding of what some people go through every day.
One of my favorite memories is from my participation in the “walk for water” event in 6th grade. That year, in Humanities, we had been studying the water crisis and read a book about children in Sudan who have to walk miles every day to access water that was still unsanitary. To simulate this situation, the entire grade, including many teachers, carried gallon jugs and walked around campus for the whole morning. People would join us along the way, picking up a jug. During this walk, I laughed with my friends and also got to meet new ones while gaining a better understanding of what some people go through every day.
What three words do you associate with Rivers?
Three words that I associate with Rivers are welcoming, encouraging, and engaging.
Rivers is one of the most welcoming communities I know. When I first came to Rivers, I was incredibly nervous and wasn't sure I would fit in and find my place. However, in just the first day of school, I could tell that I was already accepted into the Rivers community. Leadership Week really welcomed me into Rivers and gave me insight into what the school and the people were like.
Three words that I associate with Rivers are welcoming, encouraging, and engaging.
Rivers is one of the most welcoming communities I know. When I first came to Rivers, I was incredibly nervous and wasn't sure I would fit in and find my place. However, in just the first day of school, I could tell that I was already accepted into the Rivers community. Leadership Week really welcomed me into Rivers and gave me insight into what the school and the people were like.
Next, Rivers encourages people to go out of their comfort zone and try things that they wouldn’t have thought of before. There are clubs that you can join to meet new people and try new things. If you have an interest or hobby you’d like to share, you can organize your own club and meet people from all grades who share your interests.
Finally, Rivers engages students in everything that it does. In science class, we won’t just learn about freezing and melting points, we’ll complete a lab to simulate the process and see what we can find out about the topic. In math class, we won’t just learn about probability, we’ll structure a carnival game and manipulate its probability of winning to earn the most tickets.The teachers and your peers are looking out for you to make sure you get the most out of every class and participate to your fullest capacity.
What advice would you offer to new students to help them get the most
out of their Rivers experience?
I would say new students need to try and be open to anything. There are so many wonderful opportunities at Rivers, and the best way to get the most out of them is to go outside of your comfort zone. You can play a new sport, talk to someone new, try an instrument, go out for the play, even if you’re not a star athlete or musician.
out of their Rivers experience?
I would say new students need to try and be open to anything. There are so many wonderful opportunities at Rivers, and the best way to get the most out of them is to go outside of your comfort zone. You can play a new sport, talk to someone new, try an instrument, go out for the play, even if you’re not a star athlete or musician.
© 2021 The Rivers School. All Rights Reserved
Rivers admits academically qualified students and does not discriminate against students or families on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other school-administered programs.