Millie ’28 wants to get to know you—the real you. A thespian, artist, and academic, Millie casts her social net wide, finding joy in the connections she forms and nurtures with the people around her. “Feeling like you’re seen and you can see others for who they are,” she says, is what it’s all about. And connecting with others is integral to how Millie lives: she wants to talk about classes, make people laugh, share artwork (the visual and performing kinds). While she’s at it, she leans exuberantly into the thrill that comes from a world-shifting English lesson, an intense afternoon of play rehearsals, or a classic Monty Python bit. Read on to catch some of her infectious enthusiasm for yourself.

Getting to Know You

What is bringing you joy right now?

Frequenting the pianos around the building and making music with my friends. Also simply doing my school work brings me joy, because by putting a lot of effort into it, I’m rewarded with feelings of completion and satisfaction. Lastly, I'm hanging out with my brother a lot after school, and it's really nice.

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

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. It was a school summer reading book, but I really appreciated the amount of care that went into writing it. It’s so creatively organized. A series I love is the Arc of a Scythe trilogy by Neal Shusterman. It explores such an interesting, dystopian twist on immortality. The writing is low-intermediate, but it was good for the age I was when I read it.

What do you think is the most intriguing paradox?

I read something recently that explored what it's like to be limited and boundless at the same time. So I was gnawing on that, thinking how we as humans are limited in many, many ways. Personally, I want to strive to be everything to everyone in a way, but I still have to manage that within the capacity of what I can do. So how can you be everything when you're one thing?

What are your favorite comfort foods?

Probably rice and beans; that's just the perfect comfort food. Also Annie's lentil soup.

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

My favorite class here would have to be English. I love languages, and I love the way books are written. And now that I've been in this class, there are so many things that I can pick out about the structure of a book; I’ll be reading and think, I know why this section makes me feel this way. It’s broadened my perspective of English as a language rather than just what I speak and what I read. I can see its parts and pieces. I love that.

I took a class outside of school that was taught by this professor who absolutely loved math. It was his whole life. I got to be in a class where someone taught what they deeply loved, and I think that's just beautiful. Even if I didn't get much out of it—it was on Monday nights, and I kept falling asleep—just seeing someone pour their heart out onto the whiteboard made all the difference.

When do you feel the most enjoyably challenged?

Art and writing. In Ninth-Grade Seminar we talked about the balance of challenge and reward, getting into your flow state, and art is my flow state once I find something I can focus on. Writing is hard, but I do get into that flow state that rewards me just by being in it. On the contrary, art can be completely unchallenging; you really can draw anything. Or, you could force yourself to get technical and really nitty gritty. Both drawing and writing can be really hard, but you get so much out of it, and you can share it with others.

What never fails to make you laugh?

Friends. Or myself, actually. My childhood humor was formed by Monty Python, so I've always done semi-slapstick jokes. I honestly love making a fool of myself with other people.

Pen or pencil?

Pencil, 100 percent. Specifically mechanical pencil, because I love how every time you use it, it sharpens along one edge. You can always turn it slightly and get a very fine point or a flat point, which is perfect as an artist. But the real question should be pencil or stylus. (Pencil's the answer.)

Coffee or tea?

Tea. I really like the taste of coffee, I like coffee ice cream, but tea just has my heart. You can have it anywhere, anytime, with friends and family. It’s warmth. Also tea parties are underrated.

Fall, winter, spring, or summer?

I definitely would have said winter or fall in the past, but now I'm leaning towards spring. Fall is gorgeous and all, but emerging from the chill of winter into spring leaves me joyful. You can just…breathe.

Life as a Commonwealth Student (and Beyond)

What was your first impression of Commonwealth, and how has it mapped to your experience?

Well, my first experience with Commonwealth was from my brother, because he came here two years before I did. From afar, everything felt foreign to me, because I went to the same elementary school for seven years. It seemed small, even a little bit impenetrable. When I first came into this building, I was comforted by how easy it was to talk to people. As I got to know Commonwealth, I learned how truly close-knit the community is; students have intimate friends across every grade. Now that I'm here, I'm so impressed and grateful that each teacher is just so passionate about their subject. That is a big thing for me.

Using metrics besides grades, how do you define "success" in your classes?

I actually do not focus on my grades. The way I determine my success in a class is how much I'm enjoying the material and how much I feel like I can talk to or teach others about it. I really like to explain things and have conversations about what I learn, so I’ll talk with my parents, my brother, or my friends, in or out of school. When I do an assignment, I have my own standard, and it tends to be higher than what a rubric lays out. So I'm a little bit harder on myself, but it's really worth it, because once I reach my own goals of what I want an assignment to be, I feel like I've done it for myself.

How do you spend your time outside of Commonwealth?

Recently, it's hanging out with my brother. When I can, I meet up with my middle-school friends. A lot of them are thespians as well, so they have all their afternoons booked with theater. I listen to a lot of music. In the past couple of months, I’ve gotten back into making music, too. And when I have some real free time, I sit down, put on music, and draw.

What has your experience with Commonwealth Theater been like?

It's been so, so nice. I was extremely grateful to be able to participate in last year’s fall play as a freshman. I didn't know I'd get that chance, but when it came, I just stepped into it, because it felt so natural. The support from the community (teachers, students, and parents of students!) makes me feel so warmly welcomed, because almost everybody gets to see the performances. It's just so lovely when you put in the work of theater—because theater is work!—to have people see and acknowledge that. And there are so many people in theater here that it's just a lovely community, and I've met so many amazing, amazing friends.

When do you feel most connected to other students (or teachers or staff members) in our community?

When we get past small talk. I think friendships are not necessarily built so much on content but rather on spending time together, and the more time you spend with somebody, the closer you will feel and the more natural your communication will be. Feeling like you're seen, and you can see others for who they are—that really helps you feel closer to somebody.

How has your Commonwealth experience colored the way you look at the world? How you plan for your future?

Commonwealth has challenged me as a person. I get “tested” in so many more ways that I thought I would in a school! It makes me feel more confident about my future because I know I can manage my time, I know I can make friends in new places, I know I can take myself places and be independent. And I can do the best work I can in a place that really values it. Every time I learn something new, I’m able to see the world differently. And I just love it.

What would you tell your ninth grade self?

I would say pace yourself and be forgiving. I'm learning this more and more. I have to forgive myself, because I can't do everything. I'm just a human, and I do have my limits. So just relax, enjoy, and go for opportunities when you can.

What is it like going to school in Boston?

I love it so much. Everything is happening all the time and the busyness excites me. The transportation is a highlight for me, because it’s honestly relaxing to take the train. But walking around Boston with my friends is also great. The only downside about being in Boston is that your friends come from everywhere, so it's not like you can just say after school, “Hey, you want to go to my house?” But the autonomy is great, and all the cafés are very delicious, especially during tech week, when you can walk out and grab something.

What's your advice for prospective students considering Commonwealth?

I really, really like talking to lots of people, and it is a small social circle here. But it does mean that you get to have more close connections. Your friends are across multiple grades, and that is extremely helpful when you ask them for advice; if that friend happens to be two grades above you, they can help you, like, pace your time for midyear exams or APs. It’s a community that's very knowledgeable. Teachers that you see out on the street say “hi.” You just know everybody. It’s very safe.

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