Woodlawn’s scholar athletes are prepared to participate at the highest levels of NCAA college athletics. A college, recruiting a Woodlawn student, makes no compromises. They get talented and competitive athletes who are prepared to excel both on the field and academically. Below are a few examples of our amazing NCAA scholar athletes.
David Hager '14
Senior Project Financial Analyst - Veristat, Cary, NC
Published April 2014
Hey, I’m David, and I’m a senior here at Woodlawn. I came to Woodlawn in the eighth grade, and I can say without a doubt that it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! Since coming to the school I have had countless opportunities to pursue new interests and hobbies. In my first year at Woodlawn I was introduced to cross country. At that point I had never run before, and wasn’t too keen on the idea of running to the point of exhaustion for fun. However, I gave it a try, ended up loving it, and I stuck with it all four years of high school. Because I was given the opportunity to try a new sport, I found a new passion, and I wound up signing with UNC Asheville to run in college! I can confidently say that without Woodlawn, I would have never had the same opportunities.
On the academic side, Woodlawn has helped me out in a lot of ways. The small environment and tight-knit community at Woodlawn gives every student the ability to develop close relationships with classmates and teachers. I love the fact that every teacher knows me as a person, not just as another student. Because of the smaller class sizes, you never feel nervous about asking questions, and you are able to learn the material well.
I am incredibly thankful to have been able to attend Woodlawn. The school has changed my life, and I will carry the memories I’ve made here for the rest of my life. I feel ready for college, and I am definitely going enjoy the remainder of my time here at Woodlawn!
David is a recent graduate of UNC Asheville.
Allie Nagelski '13
Forrest Daugherty '2013
Credit Suisse Bank
Investment banker at TPG Global, San Francisco, CA
Published September 2012
Hey, I’m Forrest Daugherty, a senior at Woodlawn. I’ve been at Woodlawn since the 4th grade, so I’d say I know a thing or two about it! My favorite part about Woodlawn is definitely the opportunities. I know that sounds boring, but believe me, it’s not! At Woodlawn I’ve traveled the world—I’ve been to Greece and Colombia, where I stayed with my Spanish teacher’s family. Only one person spoke any English! The teachers at Woodlawn will work with you and do whatever they can to help you out, even if it’s giving you access to the kitchen every Monday morning to make breakfast. Thanks Breakfast Club!
More personally, Woodlawn has given me the opportunity to pursue my passion. About a year ago I was introduced to rowing and have been working hard at it ever since. The school gave me space to keep my rowing machine and has been nothing but supportive ever since. Now I’m being recruited to row in college, largely due to the training I was able to do at Woodlawn.
While I can’t wait to row in college, I’ll definitely be making the most of my senior year here at Woodlawn!
Forrest, Princeton University '17, currently lives in San Francisco, CA and is employed at Credit Suisse Bank.
Paulina Campbell '12
Stage Manager and Theatre Technician, New York, NY
Cassidy Coutinho '12
Health Insurance Broker, Willis Towers Watson
Sawyer Bowman '11
Senior Software Engineer II at Instacart, San Francisco, CA
Kathleen Elkins '10
Senior Reporter at CNBC
Published October 2018
I graduated from Woodlawn in 2010 with one other classmate. Yes, you read that correctly - there were just two of us. (photo above, 2010)
We were the first graduating class and a bit of an experiment. Woodlawn essentially built new curriculums for us as we progressed through 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. The school took a chance on us - and we, in a way, took a chance on it - and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here are a few reasons why:
- You can’t beat the academics. As a student at Woodlawn, I always had a feeling that the school work was tough: We were held to a very high standard and expected to be prepared, thorough and analytical in whatever assignment we were working on.But it wasn’t until I went to college at one of the most competitive liberal arts schools in the nation when I truly appreciated Woodlawn’s academic rigor. Woodlawn not only helped me get into Williams College, but it prepared me for the fast-paced and challenging academic setting I would face during my four years at Williams.
- I genuinely loved going to school every day. I am an anomaly among my college friends in that I actually enjoyed high school. Woodlawn was a place that I wanted to go to every day. That’s a testament to the teachers, who care about the students and find ways to make learning fun, and to the students, who not only are your closest friends, but those who push you to be the best person you can be.
- I am a strong, independent woman and comfortable in my own skin because of Woodlawn. While I didn’t fully realize it as a high schooler, Woodlawn was teaching me so much more than how to solve for “x” and analyze Dickinson: Woodlawn taught me how to treat and better serve my community, how to speak up and find my voice, and perhaps most impactful to me, how to be comfortable in my own skin.
At Woodlawn, you’re encouraged to be yourself. At Woodlawn, being different and unique is actually cool. And growing up in that type of environment instilled in me a level of confidence that has been crucial to my success beyond the classroom. Woodlawn shaped who I am today: a confident woman living independently in New York City and pursuing a career I feel passionately about.
Kathleen is currently a reporter for CNBC in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Williams College in 2014 with a BA in Spanish and three Division III National Tennis Team Titles.