“I entered Beacon School as an awkward 6th grader in 2007, having bounced around different traditional schools up to then because my dad was serving in the military and we were moving constantly. My mom found the scholarship announcement in the newspaper when I was in the fourth grade, and was so excited about the opportunity she had me apply as a sixth grader. She had me write in my application, and since we didn’t have a computer or printer at home, it had to be handwritten. Ultimately, we had to wait a year, but it was worth the wait. From that first interview, I felt instantly at ease. It was all so bright, new, exciting, and a little bit scary, but I was met with only kindness, curiosity, and openness. My first and dearest friend, Martha, asked me where I was from, and in my usual, sarcastic way, I said “Mars,” and when she laughed, I was right at home.
“My mom found the scholarship announcement in the newspaper when I was in the fourth grade, and was so excited about the opportunity she had me apply as a sixth grader. She had me write in my application, and since we didn’t have a computer or printer at home, it had to be handwritten. Ultimately, we had to wait a year, but it was worth the wait.”
Beacon taught me to love learning, in every little corner. The library, in particular, was so special to me as a bookworm. As a scholar, books weren’t always accessible to me but the library and the librarians were all so kind to me, helping me soak in literature and information so much more than ever before.
Beacon opened up new worlds to me, and I was so excited to dive in. Mrs. Locsin taught us to love stories, and I learned to love history with Mrs. Francisco and Mrs. Salvan. The teachers, administrators, and staff all gave us not only the tools to explore but also a sense of joy and wonder about learning. The Night of the Notables, plays, scavenger hunts, and sports fests, were all opportunities to connect with learning in a way that was tangible and fun. Drama class was particularly helpful to me, as an introvert with a fear of public speaking. It was invaluable in bringing me out of my shell.
Myself, and former Beacon teachers Mrs. Salvan and Mr. Ong in 2019
“Mrs. Locsin taught us to love stories, and I learned to love history from Mrs. Francisco and Mrs. Salvan. The teachers, administrators and staff all gave us not only the tools to explore, but gave us a sense of joy and wonder about learning.”
The sense of community in Beacon is also one-of-a-kind. Because of the small classes and the egalitarian format of learning, we learned not only to cooperate but also to form lifelong bonds and friendships. Although my friends and I are now all in incredibly different fields, and we’ve scattered throughout the world, our shared time in Beacon will always bring us back together.
8th Grade Grad, 2010
“The sense of community in Beacon is also one-of-a-kind. Because of the small classes and the egalitarian format of learning, we learned not only to cooperate but also to form lifelong bonds and friendships.”
As Neil Armstrong for NON
“The Night of the Notables, plays, scavenger hunts, sports fests, were all opportunities to connect with learning in a way that was tangible and fun.”
The Beacon School education has carried me through my time in Beacon Academy, through university, and now with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). I’m now a junior officer at DFA’s Office of International Economic Relations and in all sincerity, I would not be here today without it. In the coming years, in whatever foreign service post I end up in, I hope to carry that sense of Beacon-signature wonder with me at all times.”
– Nicole Mempin, Foreign Service Officer, Office of International Economic Relations, DFA; alumna, The Beacon School (MYP 2010) and Beacon Academy (2014)
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