PFS Alums

Laura Shinn Reflects on the Foundation of Kindness and Curiosity

PFS Student, 1993-1999
The Pennington School, 2007
McDaniel College, 2011

Laura Shinn, who attended Princeton Friends School from Pre-K through 4th grade before moving away in 1999, credits the school with shaping her character and values in profound ways. Her educational journey took her from Churchill School in Manhattan to The Pennington School for high school and later to McDaniel College in Maryland, where she majored in History and Political Science. Now residing in Georgia, Laura continues to hold PFS in the highest regard, recommending Friends schools exclusively to anyone seeking a nurturing and values-driven education for their children.

Laura fondly recalls her time at Princeton Friends as formative, describing the school as a place where kindness came first, mistakes were embraced as learning opportunities, and curiosity was celebrated. “I never met happier people,” she shared. 

“PFS raised me and built a foundation of morals and kindness that became my spine, which I carry to this day.”

One of the key lessons Laura took from her time at Princeton Friends was the importance of questioning everything from a place of genuine inquisitiveness—a trait she notes hasn’t been encouraged in other spaces for her since. The school’s approach to celebrating individual successes without comparison fostered a warm and supportive environment. She still treasures memories of her librarian, Barbara, who supported her reading journey; staff guitar playing in the Great Room while students sang; and the iconic second-grade calendar project, which she credits with helping her overcome challenges in a way that left a lasting impression. “To this day, I still equate January with the color yellow because of that project,” she said.

Laura’s love for the environment also blossomed at Friends. She remembers dissecting owl pellets and discussing environmental stewardship—lessons she carries into her daily life. One vivid memory is her science teacher’s disdain for plastic straw wrappers, which often ended up littering the ground. 

“We all walked away with a love of the environment because we were playing with the planet every day at PFS,” Laura said.

In 2019, Laura returned to PFS with her husband to revisit the campus that meant so much to her. As history majors, they delighted in exploring the historic Meetinghouse and grounds. Laura reflected on the unique aura of the Meetinghouse, recalling its distinct smell and the sense of peace it evoked. She tied her admiration for the school’s respect for individuals to a science class memory, where her bold guess about the body’s water content earned her recognition and confidence. 

“In all my life, I went on to other schools–high school, and college–but never have I ever had the level of respect as a person that I did when I was a young student at Princeton Friends School.”

Laura’s reflections underscore the value of Princeton Friends. She believes the school’s emphasis on kindness, morality, and cooperation equips students to make a meaningful difference in the world. “There are things about this world that people will all experience—the world will do that to them. A school doesn’t need to be tough and rough and stressful for them to learn what the world will teach them anyway. But at PFS, your child will learn the lessons of kindness, and morality, and cooperation, and will carry those forward to make a difference this world so desperately needs.”

Today, Laura is proud of the person she has become and credits Princeton Friends School with planting the seeds for her enduring values. As she says, “PFS is magic.”

Newell Woodworth, Class of 2011

PFS Alum, 2011
Mercersburg Academy, 2014
Bates College, 2018

“So much of my character and the skills that I use every day, like being able to write well, and listen well, and treat other people with kindness and respect, I owe that all to PFS.” So starts the interview with Newell Woodworth, Princeton Friends alum who graduated in 2011, having begun his time as a Pre-K student in the Beginning School. Newell shared his experience growing up at Princeton Friends as one that was equal parts academically rigorous and supportive, saying, “I like to be challenged and the challenge was definitely there. I was also a pretty rambunctious child, and PFS’s approach of meeting each child really worked for me, so I really shined.”

As Newell recalled his journey from Pre-K through 8th grade, he highlighted the close relationships he developed with faculty, silent meeting (Quaker meeting on Fridays), time to play, and cross country as top memories. Academically, he appreciated the rigor of math, literature, and Chinese, fondly remembering annual Storytelling Week and Poetry Week where he developed writing, speaking, and listening skills that he still uses today.

In talking about his experience with Chinese, a language he has continued to develop and use, working for Chinese companies and now in his tutoring business, Newell lights up. “I had so much fun learning this language early on, and now I love to work with kids to help them learn characters and pronunciation in ways that are fun and grounded in patience and support,” Newell said, tying this into the foundation of learning the language at Princeton Friends from Pre-K through 8th grade, and attributing that early educational experience to his proficiency in pronunciation and character writing.

After Princeton Friends School, Newell went on to the prestigious Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, noting his academic readiness that enabled him to succeed and go on to double major in Environmental Studies and Chinese at Bates College in Maine, areas of study that were directly tied to his PFS foundation. “Environmentalism is something I was aware of at PFS because of the school’s efforts to be sustainable, and so I've always been really passionate about the environment…and then I got to college and could major in it. It was the same with Chinese–since B-School, I always loved studying the language and then was able to study abroad and work as a tutor throughout college,” Newell noted.

After college, Newell quickly realized that the corporate world he entered into wasn’t aligned with his life’s vision, and he is now passionately pursuing a degree in Classical Five Element Acupuncture in an intensive program in Boulder, Colorado–a bold move he directly attributes to confidence he built at Princeton Friends. “Acupuncture is very much about how we as humans can live in harmony with the natural world, the seasons, the environment. The origins of medicine are tied to learning from nature and learning to heal ourselves and heal others,” Newell shared, as he explained how this career path will enable him to combine his love of the environment, Chinese, and helping others.

Newell ended our inspiring conversation with a clear love for Princeton Friends, and an appreciation for the foundation it helped him build for himself. He shared, “PFS absolutely prepares kids for the real world–and not just the bases it covers like reading, writing, and math. All of that is covered really well, but what makes PFS unique is the emphasis on the individual and the awareness that each student is different, is going to learn differently, and different things will excite them about learning. I felt really honored as an individual student, and I was seen–really seen–as a unique kid. And that has made all the difference.”
 

Alum Spotlight: Ezra Love, Class of 2019

Ezra Love, a 2019 graduate of Princeton Friends School and current student at Hampshire College in Massachusetts, described their experience at PFS as transformative and central to shaping who they are today. Starting in Pre-K, Ezra’s time at PFS nurtured their love of learning, curiosity, and strong moral foundation.
Ezra shared, “Something I experienced at PFS that I deeply appreciated was having classmates who would stand up for me. It speaks to the values the school instills—fundamentally, they don’t want to see others get hurt.”

“I’m really grateful for PFS,” Ezra continued. “When people ask me about myself, it’s always part of the story I include because it was such a big part of making me who I am.” 

Fostering an Everlasting Love of Learning and Curiosity 

“PFS is the kind of place that makes you curious—even if you don’t start that way. It’s where I learned to learn for the joy of it.” As a neurodivergent student, Ezra found the flexibility and understanding at PFS invaluable. “Teachers recognized that in some areas I moved faster and in others slower. That kind of support helped me connect what I was learning to life and deepened my curiosity.” 

They credit PFS teachers like first and second grade teacher Jessica Hurwitz for fostering their curiosity, offering more challenging coursework in the areas they excelled in when they were ready, and helping them navigate social struggles with care and attention.

Preparedness for High School 

Ezra reflected that “PFS supported me in believing–to this day–that learning is for the sake of learning” and that prepared them exceptionally well for the challenges of high school: first, at a rigorous independent high school, The Peddie School, and then at their local public high school in Hightstown, New Jersey. “I remember watching peers in high school slack off on assignments if they weren’t weighted heavily for their grades, but I never did that, because I genuinely wanted to learn. It wasn’t just about the grades,” they said.
Thinking about some particular skills they brought into high school, Ezra noted that “PFS helped me become a confident writer and public speaker, and it instilled a love of reading that I carry with me to this day. Our librarian Sal, for instance, encouraged me to explore my curiosities through books, and that sparked something deeper that has remained with me.”

Beyond High School

Even now, at Hampshire College, Ezra can trace their academic success and vision for the future to their roots at Princeton Friends. Ezra always loved the school’s integration of music, community, and curiosity-driven learning. “I’m a big music person, and the music program at PFS had such an influence on me. Singing together during Community on Fridays and using the music binder were key parts of my experience.” Their time at PFS also revealed a love for working with children. “Meeting Partners were such a special part of my experience–both in having an older Meeting Partner and in being that older Meeting Partner to younger students as I got older. It was when I realized I wanted to work with kids.” This passion for music in concert with their experience as a Meeting Partner, now drives Ezra’s goal of becoming a music therapist–their college major–helping others connect in ways words sometimes cannot.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

Ezra’s journey from Princeton Friends School to Hampshire College is a testament to the power of an education rooted in curiosity, connection, and kindness. As they look toward a future as a music therapist, Ezra carries with them the values and lessons learned at PFS. “I’m really grateful for PFS,” they reflected. “It wasn’t just a school to me—it was a community that shaped the way I see the world and my place in it. I learned to love learning, to connect deeply with others, and to stand up for what’s right.” 

Whether mentoring younger peers, creating connections through music, or simply learning for the joy of it, Ezra embodies the spirit of Princeton Friends School—a place where curiosity is sparked, individuality is celebrated, and kindness is a way of life.
 

Alum Spotlight: Rhianna Searle '19

PFS Alum, 2019
George School, 2023
Haverford College, 2027 (anticipated)

“I felt so loved and nourished as a child. Part of that was being lucky to have such a wonderful family, but a big part of that was definitely PFS,” recalls Rhianna Searle, Class of 2019. Now a sophomore at Haverford College pursuing degrees in English and Anthropology, Rhianna reflects on how her formative years at Princeton Friends School shaped her both personally and academically.

Nurtured by Nature and Community

Rhianna’s memories of PFS are deeply rooted in the sense of being cared for by the school’s close-knit community and its connection to the natural world. “I remember always being outside, playing and learning,” she shares, noting how PFS’s emphasis on nature-based education instilled in her a lifelong connection to the world and love of learning. From the sandbox to the woods, the physical spaces of the school were more than just a backdrop—they were integral to her childhood.

A particularly special place for her was the sycamore tree near the playground, where she made countless memories with her friends. Even now, she reflects on those moments spent outdoors and in the garden as formative, not only for her personal development but also for her enduring love of the environment. Today, Rhianna’s interests in grassroots economies, land rights, and social justice are rooted in those early experiences of stewardship and connection to nature. She partakes in a lot of climate activism work with the Quaker environmental group Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT).

The community at PFS also provided her with a unique sense of belonging and continuity. “My best friends to this day are people I met at PFS,” she says, explaining that they often reminisce about their shared experiences at the school, such as all-school singing and dancing on Fridays, a tradition that she didn’t truly realize the value of until after departing PFS. “At the time, I took it for granted, but now I see how special it was to be part of something that brought everyone together.”

Academic Rigor and Lasting Preparedness

While the nurturing environment of PFS played a significant role in shaping Rhianna’s values, the school’s academic rigor set her up for success in ways she hadn’t anticipated. Like many students, she questioned whether she’d be ready for the challenges of high school. But when she began at George School in 9th grade, she quickly realized that PFS had more than prepared her. “I was way more prepared than my peers,” she recalls.

Rhianna’s experience at PFS gave her strong foundations in key skills like visual literacy, public speaking, world language, and slideshow formatting—skills she found herself using frequently in high school and beyond. The confidence she gained at PFS allowed her to excel academically and express her ideas with clarity and poise.

Reading, Writing, and World Language 

Rhianna recalls how a strong foundation in Spanish at PFS enabled her to excel in her high school’s full immersion classes. She shares, “I took Spanish at PFS and was able to place into Intensive Spanish 3 my ninth grade year at George School. I had a really good grammatical foundation going into high school level language that made GS's full immersion classes feel less intimidating.” 

In addition, Princeton Friends' longstanding traditions of All School Reading, Poetry Night, and Storytelling Week had a huge influence on Rhianna personally and academically. “Growing up with a culture of reading means I still always have a book I'm reading for pleasure,” she notes. From her time as a Beginning Schooler and up through 8th grade, Rhianna remembers how reading and writing were made accessible and exciting. One of her earliest memories is “Capture the Day” in first grade, an exercise (still happening today!) where students write each afternoon in a hardcover journal about something memorable from that day. Over the years, PFS built on that foundation, exposing students to poetry and fostering creativity through storytelling, all in a scaffolded and interwoven way that built year after year. “Because of that, poetry is now a huge part of my life,” she says, reflecting on how PFS’s intentional approach to writing continues to influence her today, as she works to publish a book of poetry and has accomplished several poetry awards, including Bucks Country High School Poet of the Year (which she was also runner up in the previous 3 years) and the National Scholastic Award in poetry.

Values for a Lifetime

Looking back, Rhianna realizes that the skills she honed at Princeton Friends extend beyond academics. The school instilled values that continue to guide her, from stewardship and leadership to the importance of community. As an eighth grader, she took on mentoring roles, learning how to connect with and support others—skills she still uses in her current academic and personal life.

Settling In (PFS’s name for Quaker Meeting for Worship) was another powerful experience that shaped Rhianna’s ability to reflect and find peace within herself. “The Meeting House was a special place,” she recalls, noting how it helped her grow as a person who could self-reflect and process her thoughts. Even years later, she stays in touch with her old meeting partners, and a gift one of them gave her still hangs in her bedroom as a reminder of that bond.

As she navigates her college career and thinks about a path beyond, Rhianna looks back at her time at PFS as foundational to her growth. The school’s commitment to nourishing both the mind and the spirit left an indelible mark on her, one that she carries with her in everything she does.