Ellie Cook

While soft-spoken senior Ellie Cook describes Oak Farm Montessori School (OFMS) as a second home, her own home has served as such for 38 children over the last ten years. Growing up in a biological family that serves foster children has impacted Ellie in all aspects of her life. “My main goal is to be an in-school social worker who will advocate for kids in foster care. The Inner city has a lot of kids who come from poverty and need help.” While some young adults are focused on themselves, Ellie’s goal is to obtain a Masters degree in Social Work to serve others. In preparation for this ambitious work, she has served as an intern at the school in two classrooms as well as coordinated meals to be distributed to other foster families in the area through her Capstone project.

Even though Ellie’s time at the school has been short, she shares how the school impacted her. “Before OFMS, I was shy and introverted. Even when I first came here I felt welcome and a sense of belonging, I had never really felt that anywhere else. Community and belonging are really the most important things here. I can talk to my teachers about anything.” Arriving at the start of her Junior year, Ellie quickly immersed herself in the culture and traditions of the school. Her favorite celebration is Founder’s Day. The high school students write what they are thankful for on crepe paper streamers and then hang them from the tree near the school. “I really enjoyed the time to reflect and give thanks. I feel like we all got to pause and really think about the things that make our community so special.”

Having experienced both a traditional and Montessori model of education, Ellie says she prefers Montessori. “They differ in the sense of not only acceptance, but preparedness. I feel very prepared to be a good productive citizen, whether that is in life or future career. In public school, it was more about academics and numbers. Here, it is different; teachers really care and allow you to pursue what you are passionate about.” While the small class number may not be appealing to everyone, she is appreciative of the ‘family’ feeling of the school and does not think missing out on football games or large social gatherings outweighs the lifelong friendships she has created. “Even through passing in the hall, in talking to myself about an idea or concern…they (teachers) will overhear me and ask how they can support me to make it happen or resolve the problem. Let’s start going through the checklist. Once that sense of stress is relieved, I can focus on what comes first and go from there.”

Ellie passes along this same encouragement as she works with younger students at the primary and lower elementary ages. Not only has this internship provided confidence in her skills for working with children, but she feels that the real life skills garnered from the process will prepare her for life after high school. “I know proper interview etiquette that will help me land future jobs and the opportunity to work with children ages 3 - 9 has provided me with knowledge and experience about the age group I intend to work with in the future.” She shares that the pictures, drawings and words of love from the children bring her great joy and fulfillment. “Many people talk to children like they are inferior. At OFMS, students are respected; the teachers will get on their level and talk to them so that they feel valued; it’s really cool.”

Ellie receives a confirmation email from IUPUI that she has been awarded one of the esteemed Bepko Scholarships.

When you first meet Alanna Woitalla, you could easily assume that her quiet demeanor is reflective of a shy personality. Oh, but you would be mistaken! While it may take some time for her to open up and share, this young lady has many passions that she pursues with vigor. Alanna shared that she has always set the bar high for herself. At a young age she became interested in gymnastics and a friend encouraged her to join a cheer team. Fast forward 13 years and this dynamic athlete has traveled near and far to practice and compete in a challenging and demanding sport. “The last two years I was on a worlds team that had three, 3 hour practices a week. When you’re on that team, you are there to go to worlds. It shaped me in a lot of ways, positive and negative,” she stated. Last year, even during Covid, Alanna was required to practice and train regularly. This meant she missed a lot of school to meet the gruelling schedule and workouts. Her parents supported her though and she was able to maintain her grades and social connections as well. While she did not cheer her senior year, she describes the decision as the right time to walk away; quitting is not in her vocabulary. Competitive cheerleading is not something Alanna plans to pursue in college, but stated, “anything you spend that much of your life doing is going to affect you.”

Arriving at Oak Farm Montessori as a Junior, and during a pandemic, means that she did not have a lengthy tenure at the school. However, according to Alanna the welcoming community she was introduced to made her feel right at home immediately. “I’ve always been an inquisitive person, but that type of learning is not feasible in a bigger school where they don’t have time