Thursday's Child: Student Stories

Rowan '26, A Freshman on the Rise

Rowan ’26 capped off his Middle School journey in style, proudly addressing his classmates at their move-up ceremony last spring as the latest recipient of the E. Newbold Cooper Fund, awarded to the 8th grade student having the best combined record for the year in scholarship, deportment, citizenship and extra-curricular activities.

“That was a proud moment for me,” he says. “Being asked to represent my class, congratulate my Girardian brothers and sisters, and thank my teachers for their support.”

Mr. Peter Ott, who taught Rowan in 7th and 8th grade, says that “Rowan is the kind of student that made me want to be a teacher. He has a thirst for knowledge and is never satisfied with a quick answer. He watches over his classmates and does his best to steer them in the right direction. I miss having him in my class.”

Moving “up the road” to high school is a moment every young Girardian dreams of, and such was the case for Rowan, who has been enrolled at the College since second grade.

“They were the cool kids,” he says. “Everyone wanted to be like them.”

As it goes, the transition to 9th grade was a bit different than Rowan expected.

“I wasn’t used to having so much freedom, with my time and schedule,” he laughs. “I may have gotten a little excited at the beginning of the year, but now I have a good balance between my schoolwork and my activities.”

And there are plenty of activities to keep Rowan busy. He plays baritone saxophone in the band and participates in sports year-round, from soccer to basketball to track (or maybe baseball this year). He loves the variety of opportunities he can pursue at Girard.

“I get to try everything here,” he says. “And it’s all right here on campus. The resources here are amazing.”

The inspiration to do his best and make the most of his opportunity at Girard comes from his mom, Rowan says.

“Most of my life, my mom has been a single parent,” he explains. “We’ve had some tough times and she always does everything to support me. I want to do my best possible here at Girard so that I can give back to her.”

Rowan’s mother confirmed that Girard has been a special place for her family:

“Girard has provided stability for our family through difficult times in our lives. The teachers and residential staff love the children, and the passion for student success is evident. Rowan is so excited to flourish in his high school career academically, musically, and athletically and I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.”

As Rowan continues to explore his talents for performing arts and athletics, he’s taken one of Girard’s core values to heart.

“I’ve really come to learn what it means to have integrity,” he says. “There were times where I had to learn that the hard way, but I’m confident that I know what’s right, and I try to live up to that in everything I do.”

Purpose and passion. That is what Girard College promises for its students, and Rowan, for one, is ready to discover his.