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An Introduction and Welcome from Stacey Walker, High School Director

Dear Riverstone Community, You are invited to learn more about our graduating class in this installment of Meet the Seniors! In these pages, you will hear from our incredible seniors firsthand about their experiences at Riverstone and their journeys to come. As a senior class, they are quirky, ambitious, and supportive. They brought lasting impact to the Riverstone and larger Boise community by their commitment to excellence both in and outside the classroom, quiet leadership, programs developed (go Robotics!), and joy shared. We are thrilled to honor the Class of 2027 in this edition of Meet of the Seniors while celebrating their bright futures–enjoy! With Gratitude, Stacey Walker 2

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Leadership by Example

At Riverstone, we value leadership. For some, this leadership may manifest itself in extroverted ways that inspire and influence those around them. For others, this leadership may be exhibited through the examples they set in how they lead their lives and conduct themselves. For many, leadership may be some combination of both. Riverstone students are presented with many opportunities to become the leaders they want to be, whether this is through initiating change that leads to positive outcomes, influencing others for the better, or having the courage to defend their beliefs. Elle F., Coco G., Lukas H., Lillian G.

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Elle F. Boise, Idaho

How many years have you been at Riverstone? 9 What is the title of your Extended Essay? Sleep Under Pressure: Academic Workload, Extracurricular Commitments, and Sleep In High-Achieving Adolescents As a dedicated and accomplished athlete in this year’s graduating class, you set an example on the field for others to follow. In your experience, what is one thing that sports teaches you about leadership? I think one of the biggest things sports has taught me about leadership is that it's not always about being the best player, the loudest person on the field, or winning. It's more about how you treat the people around you and the example you set for others. I've played soccer for most of my life, and I've been on many different teams with various coaches and teammates. I've also had the opportunity to be a captain, which has taught me a lot about what it actually means to be a leader. When I was younger, I saw leadership as being the person in charge or the one everyone looked to during a game. But as I've gotten older, I've realized that some of the best leaders aren't necessarily the loudest people. They're the ones who consistently show up, work hard, and support their teammates, even when things aren't going their way. I've also dealt with quite a few injuries throughout high school, which has honestly been one of the hardest parts of playing sports for me. There have been times when I couldn't contribute to my team in the way I wanted to, and that was really frustrating. But I think those experiences taught me that you don't have to be on the field to make a difference. Sometimes being a leader means encouraging your teammates from the sidelines, having a positive attitude, or just being there for someone when they're having a hard day. I think this applies to a lot more than just sports. Whether it's at school, on a team, or somewhere else, I've learned that leadership isn't always about what you accomplish individually. It's also about how you help the people around you succeed. And I think that's probably the biggest thing I'll take away from playing soccer. At the end of the day, being a good leader is about making the people around you better, not just yourself. 4

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Coco G. Jeju Island, South Korea How many years have you been at Riverstone? 4 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The Effect of Excessive Social Media Use and Exposure to Violent Content on the Development of Moral Reasoning and the Increase in Moral Desensitization in Adolescence You are a reflective and kind soul that is perceptive to things others do not always notice and appreciate within the Riverstone community. As you think of your experiences and all that you’ve been a part of at Riverstone, what is a piece of advice you can glean from your unique insight to pass on to future students? If there's one thing I've learned during my time at Riverstone, it's how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Riverstone puts you in situations where you're not always going to know what you're doing. You might find yourself struggling on your first fall trip or being challenged by people who see the world differently than you. It's natural to want to avoid those situations. It's easier to stick with what you're good at, what you know, and the people you're already secure around. But I've realized that if you do that all the time, you limit the experiences you get to have. Getting comfortable being out of your depth doesn't mean you suddenly stop feeling nervous or uncertain. It means learning that those feelings don't necessarily mean you're doing something wrong. Sometimes, they just mean you're doing something unfamiliar. So my advice to future students is to be willing to put yourself in situations where you aren't completely at ease. Speak up even when you're unsure, try something you don't know if you'll be good at, and don't immediately back away from experiences that challenge you. I’ve learned being uncomfortable can be a worthwhile feeling. You don't have to know exactly what you're doing all the time; you just have to be willing to figure it out as you go. 5

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Lukas H. Brooklyn, New York How many years have you been at Riverstone? 5 What is the title of your Extended Essay? Loss in Radiation Intensity during Diffusion through Medium's You have shown tremendous growth over your time at Riverstone as a leader in your commitment to clubs (go Robotics!), international experiences, and academics. How has Riverstone shaped your growth and how do you plan to continue this in your future? I could have built this in a cave, with a box of scraps. For those of you who don’t know, that’s a reference to Iron Man. But for me, it’s also a pretty accurate description of Riverstone Robotics when I first joined. When I started, our club had around $300 in funding. We didn’t have everything we needed, we didn’t have a huge budget, and we certainly didn’t have all the answers. But we had a team, a goal, and a box of scraps. So we built. And over time, we grew. Today, our funding has surpassed $5,000. We’ve developed our skills, built better robots, and become a stronger team. But the most important thing we’ve built isn’t a robot. It’s the ability to take an idea, start with almost nothing, and turn it into something real. That’s something Riverstone has taught me far beyond robotics. Through leading clubs, exploring opportunities outside the classroom, and challenging myself academically, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen because you have everything figured out. It happens because you’re willing to start, to fail, to learn, and to try again. As I move forward, I want to carry that mindset with me. Whether I’m studying nuclear engineering, working with a new team, or taking on a challenge I’ve never faced before, I know that I won’t always have all the resources or all the answers. And that’s okay. Because I’ve learned that you don’t need to start with greatness to accomplish something great. And that’s what I want to leave you with today. Maybe you have an engineering project you’ve been thinking about, a book you’ve wanted to write, a painting you’ve wanted to create, or an idea you’re afraid isn’t good enough yet. Start anyway. Every successful person started somewhere. Every great invention, every masterpiece, every meaningful achievement began as something small, uncertain, and probably a little bit messy. Sometimes, greatness starts with nothing more than a few people, an idea, and a box of scraps. So don’t wait until you have everything you need. Build something. Create something. Try something. Because building in a cave with a box of scraps isn’t the end of the story, its the start. It’s the first step toward greatness. 6

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Lillian G. Seattle, Washington How many years have you been at Riverstone? 9 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The Effect of Mindfulness and Compassion Practices on Stress and Anxiety Being a well-rounded student means embracing a variety of learning experiences. How have different subjects or interdisciplinary projects at Riverstone contributed to your personal growth and enhanced your overall academic performance? I think one of the most valuable things Riverstone has taught me is that learning doesn't happen in just one discipline. Throughout my time here, studying different subjects has shown me how interconnected the world really is and how important it is to approach problems from multiple perspectives. Being in the IB program has challenged me to think beyond simply memorizing information for a test. In subjects like history, science, and English, I've learned to question information, consider different interpretations, and support my ideas with evidence. Although the subjects may seem very different from one another, they all require critical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to understand ideas beyond the surface level. I've also learned that the skills I develop in one subject often help me in another. For example, the analytical skills I use in science help me approach arguments in English, while the research and writing skills I’ve developed across my classes help me communicate my ideas more effectively in almost every subject. Learning to make these connections has made me a more flexible and independent student. Beyond academics, being exposed to different subjects has helped me to become more open-minded. I've learned that there isn't always one correct way to approach a problem, and that understanding different perspectives can lead to better ideas and a deeper understanding of the world around me. Overall, Riverstone has taught me that being a well-rounded student isn't just about performing well in a variety of subjects. It's about taking what you learn from each experience and using it to grow as a person and as a learner. I think that's one of the most important skills I've gained here, and it's something I'll continue to carry with me long after I leave Riverstone. 7

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Outdoor Education

Riverstone’s Outdoor Education program provides students with learning based experiences that build self-confidence, teamwork, leadership and responsibility, while fostering a greater appreciation and understanding for nature and the environment. Through field and classroom activities that extend throughout their academics and curriculum, students learn to overcome challenges and forge lifelong skills that help them succeed at Riverstone and prepare them for their pursuits beyond. Not all classrooms have walls is a common slogan to represent this integral pillar where all students spend 25 nights outdoors just in high school. Lukas H., Estella M.

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Lukas H. Boise, Idaho

How many years have you been at Riverstone? 11 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The physics of skiing To the teachers who have accompanied you on trips, you are among one of the most committed graduates of the Riverstone Outdoor Program in this year’s class. Why do you think this is and what has been most important to you about your Riverstone outdoor experiences? I've always loved the outdoors, while my family has gone camping many times, most of my favorite memories are from the Riverstone outdoor trips. From going to the Bruneau Sand Dunes in first grade to backpacking through the Eagle Cap Wilderness in my senior year, I’ve always strove to be the best I can in the outdoors. I think the most important thing about the outdoor trip is the independence it requires from each student. As a young student you have a parent with you but once you reach 4th grade you no longer have them with you for the trips. While you still have teachers with you to guide you, a lot of it is on you. Whether it’s cooking food or filtering water, you learn how to provide for yourself in a way, even if it's just basic necessities. All of this also creates a strong bonding experience between you and your peers, whether it's just learning outdoor skills or a little trauma bonding with your classmates, these trips are often the start of friendships. For example, mine with Gavin B. started on the 8th grade river trip. These trips contain some of my most cherished memories from Riverstone, both of the fun times and of me pushing myself to be the best I can.

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Estella M. Bay Area, California

How many years have you been at Riverstone? 5 What is the title of your Extended Essay? An Analysis of the “Curse of Ham” in the LDS Church as a Theological Justification of Racial Restrictions You are known as an avid storyteller. Share with us an experience from the outdoor education program and its impact on you as a person today. In eighth grade, our class went on a five-day snowshoeing trip in Blaine County. The hike to our yurt was supposed to be two miles. We ended up doing about eighteen. So we really got our money’s worth. Our teacher told us to go ahead, and I was leading the line. Somehow, we’d convinced ourselves we were going to the “Miner Yurt,” so we followed the signs. Nobody questioned it. Our source was basically, “I thought somebody said that.” About a mile in, we realized none of the chaperones were behind us. We were thirteen and fourteen, carrying sixty-pound backpacks through the snow, with daylight running out. Then Andy fell into a tree well, and Will pulled him out. Everyone was exhausted and scared, including me, but we kept encouraging each other forward. Finally, we reached the yurt. It was locked. It was also the wrong yurt. Apparently, my leadership skills were stronger than my navigation skills. Ms. Bergen eventually came running up, exhausted and incredibly relieved to find us. Then we had to hike back as the sun was setting. That trip taught me I can help people keep going, even when I’m scared of myself. But now, before leading everyone forward, I ask a few more questions. Starting with, “Which yurt?” 10

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

International Understanding

At Riverstone, students cultivate a diverse world-view and appreciation for the world’s peoples and cultures through academic endeavors and personal experiences. Through classrooms, exchange programs, language and cultural experiences, and international travel opportunities, students form an international understanding that will give them the ability to engage and contribute to our global society.

Martha R., Vera B., Grace C.,

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Martha R. Cologne, Germany

How many years have you been at Riverstone? 1 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The Evolution of Celebrity Image Construction: A Comparison of 2000s Gossip Blogs and Modern Social Media As an international student and senior resident of Riverstone house, you have helped further the multicultural environment that we seek to create at our school. How has the international background of Riverstone’s student body and the mix of people at Riverstone house influenced your experience at Riverstone? Germans are punctual, Americans are loud, and the Japanese are polite. Stereotypes are convenient shortcuts for understanding people based on their cultures. That is until you actually have to live with them. It is difficult to reduce someone to a stereotype after you’ve shared a kitchen, survived weeks without proper hot water, and watched twilight together, or seen them at their worst after a long school day. Coming to Riverstone House from Germany, I initially noticed how people formed impressions of one another based on accents, nationalities, or unfamiliar habits. Not to say that I didn’t do so as well. Living together with people from all over the world, however, has taught me to look beyond those first impressions. I quickly realized that knowing someone’s nationality actually tells you very little about who they actually are. Some of my closest connections at Riverstone have come from discovering things we have in common despite growing up worlds apart. What I value most about Riverstone House and the school's international student body in general is that our differences rarely stand in the way of forming genuine relationships. They are simply a part of everyday life. And that is what makes Riverstone House and the experience I have made at this school so unique: I learned that you do not need to share someone’s background to understand their humor or feel at home around them. As the dorm’s only senior, I hope that I can help create that same sense of intercultural understanding for the students who come after me. 12

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Vera B. Boise, Idaho How many years have you been at Riverstone? 8 What is the title of your Extended Essay? Spectrophotometric Determination of Iron in Lucky Iron Fish Water Otter Exchanges are an opportunity for all grade 9-11 students to participate in an international exchange with three European partner schools. You had the chance to go to Germany and Spain. Share with us how your experience impacted your growth as a learner and person. The Otter Exchanges were some of my most memorable experiences at Riverstone, teaching me lessons beyond the classroom. Before these exchanges, I hadn’t traveled much outside the United States. Riverstone gave me the opportunity to visit Germany and Spain, as well as Costa Rica during spring break. These trips allowed me to experience different cultures and see the world from perspectives different from my own. One of the most valuable aspects of the Otter Exchanges is that students participate at a young age. Experiencing different cultures helps us become more open-minded and better understand the world around us. One of the hardest, but also most fun, parts was staying with a host family. Living with people you’ve never met, whose language and culture differ from your own, can be scary. It requires you to adapt and step outside your comfort zone. In Costa Rica, Estella and I stayed with a family that spoke only Spanish. With our limited Spanish vocabulary and pronunciation, communication was hard. Still, we did our best to communicate and bonded throughout the week. One of my fondest memories was playing a huge game of Uno with our host family and all their neighbors. Even though we didn’t all speak the same language, we were laughing together when someone got stuck with a +8. Looking back, I realize how much these experiences challenged me to grow. They taught me to be more independent, adapt to unfamiliar situations, and approach new experiences with an open mind. Most importantly, these exchanges made me want to continue exploring the world. I want to keep discovering new cultures, meeting people, and, of course, eating lots of delicious food. The willingness to adapt and step outside my comfort zone that I developed will help me in the future, whether I’m building relationships with classmates and professors in college or finding my place in an unfamiliar environment. I’m grateful that Riverstone gave me these opportunities because they taught me that learning means stepping beyond what we are familiar with. 13

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Grace C. Arlington Heights, Illinois

How many years have you been at Riverstone? 5 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The Effect of Color, Age, and Sex on the Dendritic Field Spans of Horizontal Cells in the Human Retina. You have shown how learning a new language opens doors to understanding different cultures and perspectives. How has learning a new language deepened your appreciation for global diversity and connected you to the world in new ways? I believe Language is magical: it allows you to find connections no matter where you go in the world, as I discovered on our international trips. In Spain, I bought a snowglobe in Valencia and got a delicious piece of cake to go with it because I shared a language, Mandarin, with the shop’s owner, who was celebrating his first day of business. At the International School of Florence, I was able to make friends, even for just a day, as we bonded in Mandarin over debating the proper way to fold an origami crane. Learning a language is more than just a skill you’re required to study for a few years in school; it’s an opportunity to open a door to a whole new world. Though my Spanish is far from proficient, through my studies in the language, I’ve come to better understand and appreciate more of the cultures with which it is intertwined, whether in sharing tapas with my friends in a crowded market in Madrid or splitting a small plate of paella four ways outside, in the rain, in a small castle town. In Valencia, I got to set off firecrackers during Las Fallas and vote for the ninots I wanted pardoned from the bonfire flames in which they were to be burned. Language has opened my eyes to diverse cultures and traditions around the globe and allowed me opportunities to connect with them at a personal level. I think there’s something truly incredible about that, and I hope it’s something everyone gets to experience. 14

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Community and Service

Julian B., Will A., Mason B.

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Julian B. Jacksonville, Florida How many years have you been at Riverstone? 5 What is the title of your Extended Essay? Policy Development and Trade Statecraft in China During the Reform Era The CAS program encourages you to balance creativity, physical activity, and service to others. You have demonstrated this across a variety of avenues from clubs to athletics to volunteer hours. How has combining these three elements helped you develop a more well-rounded approach to personal growth and contributing to your community? Throughout high school, I have learned that personal growth and contributing to my community go hand in hand. Through organizing, volunteering, and contributing to something bigger than myself, I have discovered different ways to connect with the people around me while also developing my own personal goals and experiences. Throughout these experiences, being creative, active, and serving others has transformed the way I contribute to the communities around me. Throughout my four years in Model United Nations, being creative helped me reach across the room at conferences and create solutions with groups I had never worked with before. Being active has taught me the importance of discipline, perseverance, and commitment. Through volunteering and staying involved in my school community and beyond in the causes I care about, I have learned that growth requires consistent effort and a willingness to challenge myself. Serving others has shown me how to put those qualities toward a purpose beyond myself. Through volunteering and civic engagement, I have seen the importance of listening to others, recognizing community needs, and taking action to address them. For me, giving back to others is the main goal, and contributing to my community remains at the center of my attention. Doing this, and being an active member of my community has been shaped by the way I incorporate creativity, activity, and service to others. The experiences I have had in the communities I belong to have helped me develop skills and perspectives that I can carry into other areas of my life. I have learned that becoming a well-rounded person is not just about balancing different interests, but about bringing what you learn from each experience into the way you serve others. As I move beyond high school, I want to continue growing as a person while using my education, skills, and opportunities to make a meaningful contribution to my community. Ultimately, I hope to measure my success not only by the things I achieve, but also by the positive difference I make in the lives of others. 16

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Will A. Kirkland, Washington How many years have you been at Riverstone? 9 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The Calculations and Effects of Seam Shifted Wake Community building involves bringing people together to create stronger bonds and a sense of belonging which you have created over your time here. How has your experience in fostering connections within your community changed your understanding of unity and the role you play in strengthening those around you? I have been at Riverstone for a very long time. We have had many people within our grade, many of whom are not here for senior year, but still mean something to us here at Riverstone (Gavin, Rest In Peace in Australia). Every person who has joined this school has been able to form a deep connection with the people here within our community at Riverstone. One of my fondest memories of the connections we made as a group was the snowshoeing trip we took in the 8th grade. We showed up to the site and it was only supposed to be an hour-long hike to the yurts. Due to a little misinstruction, half the group took the wrong turn and hiked the equivalent of 5 miles - 3 miles in the wrong direction. In order to communicate between us, we started communicating in relay lengths of 0.1 to 0.25 miles. So we did not get back very soon. During these relays, I heard yelling near the trees to the side. When I went to check it out, Andy was stuck in a tree well, and Tuck was refusing to help him out because he had the sled with some group gear. Don’t ask me where they came from or where they even went in the first place. So I helped him out, and they headed to the yurts on our long walk back once we knew what was happening. We showed up to the yurts 6 hours behind schedule. Then later that night, we had to take Gijs down to the bottom of the hill as he had gotten Covid, which then later spread through basically the entire yurt by the end of the trip, including to myself. Later that night, Gavin, for no reason, was sleep talking and then started screaming in his sleep about some nightmare, and Rhett who was keeping us warm in the yurt by stoking the fire every hour was getting yelling at for his alarm, so he stopped at midnight, which meant it was absolutely freezing the next morning. All in a day's work. Safe to say this was my second favorite trip that we’ve been on. My first is the River Trip through a literal fire. I am a person who enjoys a little type 2 fun. When reflecting on why I enjoy it, I think it's because I enjoy a little suffering with my friends that I’ve made at this school that mean so much to me. These relationships have developed me into the person that I am today. These experiences were unique, and almost everything that went wrong was caused by our own poor decision making, but we were able to get through it as a collective better than if any of us were alone.

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Mason B. San Luis Obispo, California How many years have you been at Riverstone? 2 What is the title of your Extended Essay? Hume and Antirationalism. Learning is a communal effort when classes focus on discussion, as most Riverstone classes do, and no one contributes more to class discussions than you. Can you talk about why you find this communal approach to learning so engaging? One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Riverstone is the emphasis on discussion-based learning. I’ve always enjoyed discussing ideas and challenging different perspectives, so having an environment where that’s encouraged has been really valuable to me. I think one of the biggest benefits of discussion-based learning is that it forces you to engage with ideas more critically. It’s one thing to understand a concept or form an opinion on your own, but it’s another thing entirely to explain your reasoning to other people and defend it against criticism. I’ve found that some of the most interesting discussions are the ones where I come in with a strong opinion and end up having to reconsider parts of my argument because someone raises a point I hadn’t thought about. There’s a lot of value in learning how to disagree with people constructively. It allows you to understand perspectives you might otherwise dismiss, recognize weaknesses in your own reasoning, and ultimately develop stronger, more informed opinions. I think Riverstone does a great job of creating an environment where disagreement is seen as an opportunity to learn rather than simply an argument to win. Ultimately, I find this approach so engaging because it makes learning an active process. Instead of just absorbing information, we’re contributing to the discussion and helping shape each other’s understanding. I believe that’s made me a much more thoughtful student, and it’s one of the things I’ll miss most about Riverstone. 18

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Academic Excellence

Academic Excellence is the core of Riverstone’s five pillars. At Riverstone International School, every student arrives with their individual knowledge, strengths, and needs, and will be challenged and supported accordingly. By creating a shared expectation between students and the school, students develop into independent thinkers whose curiosity, creativity, and commitment enable lifelong success.

Maxson K., Jane D., Tuck W., Kailani K.

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Maxson K. Boise, Idaho

How many years have you been at Riverstone? 6 What is the title of your Extended Essay? Leitmotifs and their Implications in the Deltarune Soundtrack The extended essay requires in-depth research and critical thinking on a topic of significant relevance to you and your strengths personally. How has the process of conducting independent research for your extended essay challenged you academically and uncovered elements of yourself that you were unaware of? Conducting my Music Extended Essay on leitmotifs in the Deltarune soundtrack challenged me to look beyond my personal enjoyment of video game music and analyze how leitmotifs communicate meaning and connect different elements of a story. Initially, I approached the topic primarily as a music enthusiast, recognizing recurring melodies but not fully understanding how varying implications, instrumentation, and placement could affect the audience’s interpretation of in-game settings and the story. Through independent research, I learned to listen more critically and support my interpretations with musical evidence rather than relying solely on intuition. One of my greatest academic challenges was finding a balance between analyzing the technical aspects of music and explaining their narrative significance. This required me to develop a deeper understanding of musical concepts while considering how composers use them to convey ideas indirectly. Beyond improving my analytical and research skills, this process revealed that my interest in music extends beyond performance and composition to understanding the relationships between music, storytelling, and human understanding. I discovered that I enjoy investigating details that may initially seem insignificant and connecting them to a larger meaning. Ultimately, my Extended Essay taught me to approach familiar subjects from different perspectives and showed me that independent research can transform a personal interest into a more sophisticated understanding of an art form. 20

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Jane D. Boise, Idaho

How many years have you been at Riverstone? 4 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The Impact of Soft Power Through Media and Cultural Relativism on Structural Violence Against Women in Idaho The arts provide a unique platform to showcase creativity and personal strengths. You’ve done this in a variety of ways and had an impact on our community as a result. How has participating in the arts helped you express your unique talents, and how has it influenced your problem-solving, critical thinking, and learning in other areas? Creating art is important to me because it allows me to create the realities I imagine. I love art as a means of self-expression, telling stories, and creating beauty in the world. It is an incredibly powerful tool for communication, capable of transcending boundaries of language and capturing emotions. I create art both because I find fulfillment in it and because I need an outlet for my thoughts and emotions. For me, the act of creating is a regulating process, it helps me to clear my mind and reconnect with myself when my mind is in chaos. I’m the kind of person who always needs to be doing something with their hands, so I took to doodling while multitasking early on. Since I have a very active visual imagination, I’ve always wanted to be able to create things the way I view them in my mind’s eye. This desire has led to me honing my creative skills in sketching to the point where my creations almost always provide me with a sense of satisfaction, even when they take on a life of their own and don’t turn out quite how I intended. In short, I was at first drawn to art by my restlessness and love of beauty, and I have chosen to work on refining my skills in the arts so as to better give life to my imaginings. 21

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Tuck W. Bay Area, California How many years have you been at Riverstone? 7 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The United States’ 2003 Invasion of Iraq Through The Political Science Lens of Jus Ad Bellum You have big plans for life after high school and they have been central to how you’ve been spending your time in high school while creating your own business. Please talk about your college ambitions and share some general advice with us on how to discover and pursue our own. For those of you who might be curious, one of the companies I started in high school is Convo55. It is an organization, led also in part by my best friend and fellow Riverstone student Julian Brown, which focuses on collecting questions from students across the state and interviewing politicians with those same questions. I have limited time to speak, but if you’d like to learn more about us, our Instagram handle and website are convo55.org, c o n v o 55 . org. One thing I’ve learned as an aspiring entrepreneur is that good ideas are often preceded by bad ones. My advice today to younger Riverstone students is to have a lot of bad ideas… Spend a night researching three potential college majors just to find out how much you hate all three of them. It doesn’t matter how many things you don’t want to be when you grow up as long as you find the one thing that inspires you. That one thing that inspires you might lead you to specific high school activities, a specific college and maybe even someday a specific job. I know this can seem overwhelming at such a young age, but no one knows you better than you know yourself and you’re only going to be a high school student for a relatively short portion of your life. The people that know what they want and are willing to explore and take risks to find that out, not only do they have a head start in life, but they have an advantage in college admissions, which I also know you all care about. People often ask me how I knew from such a young age that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and I tell them it's because I realized I didn’t want to be anything else. I know it might sound corny, but you are all surrounded by a diverse community of qualified and generous Riverstone staff and students at the best school in the state. If you want to learn more about the military you can ask Ms. Francomb, if you want to learn more about becoming a pilot you can ask Mason Banys, if you want to learn more about something else you can literally just Google it. There’s no such thing as being too young to find your passion, and there’s no moment better to pursue that passion than the present. 22

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027

Kailani K. Bosie, Idaho How many years have you been at Riverstone? 9 What is the title of your Extended Essay? The living artwork: how Darshan fosters Sakhya Bhakti The IB program emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and a global perspective. We have seen you demonstrate all three of these elements in a variety of different ways in academia at Riverstone. How has your experience in the IB program contributed to your academic growth and prepared you for future challenges in both higher education and your personal life? The Butterfly Effect is the idea that a small change in the beginning of a complex system can lead to massive, unpredictable results down the road. My butterfly effect? Moving to Taiwan at the age of three. I left rural Idaho for an urban island off the coast of China, and moved from a large house into a small apartment. Before then, all I knew was English. Suddenly, it was replaced by the rapid rhythm and harsh tone of Chinese. Lacking a way to express myself, all I could do was listen. I was uncomfortable, and I deeply missed the familiarity of home. After 6 years, Taiwan became home. I was comfortable with who I was, and where I was. I didn’t miss America, not one bit. I loved being a “Taiwanese” girl. From eating freshly cooked dan bing from my neighborhood breakfast food stall before I boarded the bus, to taking the MRT home, racing to catch the new episode of Doraemon on my favorite Taiwanese TV channel. But the funny thing about life is that it never lets you stay comfortable for long. Moving back to America felt like a culture shock to me. All of a sudden, I couldn’t even order ice cream because I didn’t know the right words in English. It took years before I could understand the basic plot of my favorite Disney movie series, The Descendants. I would sing the songs until at random times I would suddenly understand what they were about. Riverstone did not make this transition any easier. In 4th grade, I sat in the back of our Chinese class uncomfortably, because nobody, not even the teacher, knew that I was fluent. This didn’t last for long, since my parents always managed to drop the fact that I am fluent during every parent teacher conference. However, Riverstone didn’t brush this characteristic of me off. Rather, they embraced it and nurtured it. Before then, I was embarrassed to speak Chinese to other fluent speakers. Now, I speak it freely in the hallways infront of my friends, and even teach them some Chinese slang words. Riverstone and the IB has forced me to be a risk taker, and always step outside of my comfort zone. Take a college class during your sophomore year? Do it because it seems interesting. Have everyone in your English class read your handwritten paper 1 essay? Im a bit uncomfortable, but sure. Jump off a really tall swing at the YMCA camp even though I'm scared of heights? Do it for the instagram post. Honestly, I'm uncomfortable right now, in this moment. But that's what riverstone and the IB doesn’t let you do: get comfortable with where you are. We are everchanging. The people we meet, the experiences and opportunities that come across our path, and the environment we live in. These shape who we are, and who we will become. I am nervous for my future, but riverstone has made this nervousness exciting. I'm excited to grow in future educational environments, and social settings. And when I get there, I will do the same as I always have: keep chasing my passions, and keep taking risks. Because that’s what shapes the beginning of a complex system. That’s what keeps my butterfly effect going. 23

Meet the Seniors, Riverstone Class of 2027