Like Home to Me

By Wilhelmina McQuarrie

Before Foxcroft, I had only ever attended large, co-ed day schools until the pandemic hit. Then it was online, fully asynchronous learning that best suited my family’s nomadic lifestyle and my passion for showjumping. Still, I felt a twinge that urged me not to stop looking for a school that could provide me the autonomy to follow my athletic aspirations and the structure of a physical campus. It was during a moment of acute panic, just weeks before the start of my junior year, that a Foxcroft student and fellow rider reached out to me, persuading me to apply to the school that had given her the support and stability that I sought. Admittedly, I was terrified when I finally enrolled; but what awaited me at Foxcroft surpassed my hopes and expectations.

My experiences at Foxcroft are significantly different from my virtual learning. The most important aspect of this transition was gaining a community of bright, resilient, and creative peers; even as I sit some 900 miles away from them at a horse show, they continue to inspire and motivate me. The same goes for my teachers, who show their investment in my success and that of my peers by making themselves invariably accessible. Due to the caring efforts of Head of School Mrs. McGehee, my advisors, and my ever-supportive dorm mom Ms. Boswell, I consistently know I have support systems to turn to.

One of the things that drew me to Foxcroft was its Exceptional Proficiency (EP) program, which grants students the flexibility to travel in their quest to develop a skill, sport, or other talents they are passionate about. Of the schools I toured and researched while making my decision, this program was entirely unique to Foxcroft. As a showjumper and member of the program, I spend three to four months away from school each year. I have now experienced being away from school for several months at a time, and in all my years of prolonged absences at different schools, I have never felt more loved and looked after than I do at Foxcroft. Though this comes as no surprise, my teachers continually offer me copious support as the school/riding/ community service juggling continues.

Perhaps the most meaningful support I have received has been from my peers. The tight-knit community that greeted me on my first day has continued to surprise me with how encouraging and uplifting they are. Although I was initially intimidated by the tribal Fox/Hound tradition that has permeated the school spirit for over 100 years, I’ve come to love it so much that I flew back from a competition in Florida specifically to watch a Fox/Hound Field Hockey game. I have certainly reaped the benefits of the “friends 'til the end” mentality that it fosters. I felt the genuine welcoming community right away. Virginia Bonnie ’22, the very same girl who initially encouraged me to look into Foxcroft, generously offered to be my roommate and Old Girl during my first year and has quickly proven to be one of the most amazing friends I have ever known.

Coming to Foxcroft, I was welcomed by the kindness and compassion offered to me by both new and returning students. This did not negate the sense of alarm that made my throat go tight when my mother hugged me goodbye, but it certainly helped me to discover that Foxcroft was a place I would quickly learn to call home. As a senior, I’m treasuring my last months here and dreading having to walk away, but I know I’ll always have a home ‘in Old Virginia.’ •

Afghan Students share hopes, dreams, and culture with Foxcroft year, I feel more comfortable and able to be more independent.” Lema’s favorite class is Modern World History. Khujusta enjoys leadership opportunities and is currently a whip in Dillon Dormitory and an International Ambassador.

Afghanistan around their age, and it's wonderful to welcome them, as I hope my mother was welcomed all those years ago. I even performed an original Afghan dance with them for the school. I am certain they will accomplish a lot in the future. "

It’s been more than a year since Foxcroft welcomed two students fleeing Afghanistan with only their backpacks. Lema S. ’24 and Khujusta N. ’24 arrived at Dulles International Airport with four other students destined for Virginia schools carrying only bare essentials and a commitment to get an education and help other Afghan girls do the same in the future.

When they first arrived, they experienced a very different kind of school community from the one they left behind. “Seeing new and different girls from different countries with different ideas was something good,” shared Lema. “I was happy and excited because the campus and nature look bigger than my old school.”

While they were excited to come, “Last year was hard because there were a lot of new things, and we had to improve our academic English and learn to study in an American school,” recalled Lema. “This

Their journey to Foxcroft began when Head of School Cathy McGehee learned from the International Coalition of Girls Schools about an opportunity to help students fleeing Afghanistan who needed a school home. “It is a big commitment,” expressed McGehee. “These students need everything, from clothing and shoes to phones and computers. Foxcroft has made a three-year commitment to provide financial aid, which is a real cost to the School.” Kate Hastings ’78, Chair of Foxcroft’s Board of Trustees, recalls, “Cathy came to the Board and said, ‘If not Foxcroft, then who will help?’ We all felt this was the right thing to do and fully aligned with our mission.”

Whether sharing traditional music and dance or Morning Meeting presentations on Afghanistan that show how beautiful and different their country is from the news portrayals, and the observance of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid — the entire student body has gained from having Lema and Khustja as classmates. “We feel grateful to have Lema and Khujusta join us and share the cultures and traditions celebrated across Afghanistan and the beautiful traditions and practices in Islam,” confirmed Leyla Akhundova ’23.

For Farah Alvarez-Miranda ’23, it’s personal. “Having Lema and Khustja at Foxcroft has revealed my mother's culture in ways I never thought. She left

After spending time with American families, Khujusta noted that in America, “families let students focus on studies and sports at home whereas in Afghanistan girls are expected to study and to help around the house doing cooking and dishes.” Still, Lema and Khujusta are among the few Afghan girls whose parents are committed to their education, even if it means sending them to the United States and not knowing when they will see them again.

Leaving family behind has been hard, but both girls talk with their families on weekends. “What I like most about Foxcroft are the people who are supportive enough not to give up. And the campus makes me calm,” offered Khujusta.

In the future, both girls want to attend American universities. Khujusta is interested in medicine or law. Lema would like to study dentistry. “I just want to be healthy and succeed in my academic program,” declared Lema. “I want to learn a lot about people’s environments and the things that can help me achieve my goals.” •

THANK YOU to the Foxcroft families and trustees who provided gift cards last year to purchase clothing and supplies for Lema and Khujusta and hosted them on holidays and breaks. Some also donated to a restricted fund (Financial Aid for Students with High Needs) that contributes to the girls’ tuition. It is estimated that Foxcroft will need over $350,000 to cover three years of tuition.

If you would like to help support tuition or incidentals for Lema and Khujusta, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at advancement@foxcroft.org. If you are interested in hosting the girls, contact the Office of Student Life at studentlife@foxcroft.org