Senior Spotlight: Eden
What are your plans after you graduate?
I plan to go to Northeastern University in Boston and major in criminology and criminal justice. After I graduate from college, I plan to go to law school to become a criminal defense attorney or prosecutor!
How do you feel Bennett has prepared you for what comes next?
Bennett has prepared me for college in many ways, and with all the opportunities we’ve had, I feel that I’ve developed certain qualities that I previously lacked. I think that with college life, Bennett has helped boost my confidence and enabled me to come out of my shell!
Why did you choose/decide to go to Bennett Day School?
I wanted to go to Bennett because it was a similar atmosphere to my middle school. I also really like the fact that we were able to build relationships with our teachers because of the small class sizes. Overall, I just really like the opportunities Bennett offers!
What’s your favorite project-based learning (PBL) memory?
My favorite PBL memory was our simulation for the ‘What it means to be an American’ PBL, where we created fictional characters facing real issues. I made a character who experienced mental health struggles and was sent through the troubled teens program. I really enjoyed researching the program and the tragedies and traumas faced by the teens who attend it. I also really enjoyed seeing all the different stations of the simulation come together and seeing the parents go on the adventure with multiple characters who faced different challenges.
Tell us about your internship experience(s) at Bennett.
I interned at the Chicago Police Academy, where I attended law classes, gym classes, CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) simulation classes, and much more. Sometimes I was able to spend the entire day there, and during those times, I attended recruits’ graduations, went to court, observed what the recruits do daily, and participated in their scheduled classes. I also attended events after my scheduled internship hours ended. I truly loved my internship and the people there!
What advice would you give rising seniors?
To value self-respect. The thing with self-respect is that once you embrace it and know what you want, you can accomplish so much. I remember all the times when someone asked me if I was trying to impress someone, and I would always respond with, “Why would I try to impress someone? I’m doing this for myself.” Because I valued self-respect early on, I was able to navigate many experiences in my life with confidence and mindfulness, ensuring I wasn’t negatively affected.