Happiest with her nose buried in a tome, Eliza, of Auburndale, Massachusetts, imagines one day owning a bookstore. In the grand tradition of bookworms, her quiet exterior belies a sharp, perceptive, inquisitive individual. But Eliza finds joy on the soccer field as well as the classroom at Commonwealth, stretching her skills at every turn. You can learn more about her below. 

Getting to Know You

What is bringing you joy right now?

I read whenever I have a chance. I’ve been getting back into knitting, which is a pretty relaxing thing to do. 

What are you doing to recharge? 

Reading and watching TV (to be honest) and hanging out with my dog. 

What is your favorite book (or a book you’ve re-read)?

I recently read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, which was really good. 

What do you think is the most intriguing paradox?

Is the fact that I can only think of Zeno's paradox, which isn’t really even a paradox, a paradox? 

What are your favorite comfort foods?

I think I have to go with a classic: mac’n’cheese. 

What was/is your favorite class (at Commonwealth or elsewhere)?

History or English are my favorite academic classes, but Ceramics is my overall favorite.

Pen or pencil?

It depends: I use a pencil for homework and a pen for class notes so I can quickly differentiate between them. 

Life as a Commonwealth Student (and Beyond)

What made Commonwealth the right school for you? 

The people. The kind of learning we do here is very engaging, and Commonwealth has such a nice community. I liked that it was a supportive environment while still being academically rigorous.  

What has your extracurricular experience been like thus far?

I play soccer, which has been really fun. I'm co-captain now, and I've been able to bond with new people. Before coming to Commonwealth, I hadn't played soccer since I was four (!), and I was worried I would be bad at it, especially compared to others, but that didn’t end up being a problem. It's always a fun experience, even when the bus rides take an hour and we have to play in the rain. Joining the soccer team was something I probably wouldn’t have done at another school, so I’m glad I got the opportunity to do it at Commonwealth. 

How has Commonwealth colored the way you learn and look at the world?

I think Commonwealth has helped me find more joy in learning than I had before, which overall helped to look for ways to enjoy things I might not have before, which I think is a good way of looking at the world. 

What do you envision for your future?

Well, ideally, I would like to own a bookstore or something like that. Realistically, I can only imagine as far as college; after that, I can’t say yet. 

What’s your advice for prospective students considering Commonwealth?

GO! This is a really good place to learn and have fun, so you should come. I don’t think there are a lot of high schools like it. There are few places that have the kind of learning and community opportunities and experiences that we have at Commonwealth.  

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