8:20 a.m. Devon gets off the bus at the Marshdale campus and walks into Amy’s Upper Elementary Classroom ready to start a new day.

What are you most looking forward to today?
We have a special visitor today. Her name is Ashley Schuyler. Ashley used to go to school here. After she left, she started a non-profit organization called AfricAid when she was my age. I think she’ll be really inspiring!

What is your favorite part about MSE?
“I LOVE being able to express myself: to be truly me! I never feel like I’m tucked in a shell. I like working with other kids of different ages and interests and ability levels. It’s fun helping the fourth years get adjusted to Upper Elementary. I just LOVE this school! You know, I spend more time here than at home, so I’m really lucky to be in a place that’s so comfortable.”

12:25 p.m. After lunch, Devon gets in on a basketball game. “We play really hard at recess which is great because running around helps me focus and gets me ready to go back to work in the afternoon.”

What are you looking forward to about middle school next year?
All the awesome trips! I can’t wait to hike up Mount Goliath or go to Canyonlands National Park with the whole middle school! I’ve also heard David’s science class is really cool. I can’t wait to do chemistry experiments. I’ve been here since I was three years old and have loved every new level, so I’m pretty sure I love middle school as well!

2:15 p.m. Devon tackles a lesson in her Spellography book. Spellography uses games, activities, and engaging instruction to reinforce decoding skills, develop reading fluency, teach vocabulary, and strengthen spelling retention. “It’s funny but I really like doing spelling this year!”

What would you like to be when you grow up?
I don’t really know what I want to be when I grow up. Every class here empowers me; I want to be so many things! I love to dissect things; we’ve done worms, sea stars, owl pellets, and frogs…oh and a cow’s heart. So I might want to be a vet. I also love history. We learned a lot about China; it’s so interesting! Did you know that the first emperor, Shi Huangdi, developed a written language for the Chinese masses more than 2,000 years ago? He made all the Chinese people use the same coins and measurements so he really unified China!

4:30 p.m. After school Devon spends time with her horse, Tango. She trains 1-2 hours, four days a week to prepare for Hunter Equestrian competitions on the weekends. to competitions together. She competes in jumping; she’s REALLY good! I just love it!”