Keelie Verbeek '22

Major: Art + Art History

After graduation, I will be working as the Director of Visual Arts and Ceramics for Worcester Academy's summer programming, and in the fall I will be working for Dexter Southfield as an entry level educator and soccer coach. I hope to be able to get back into pottery, and start training to run the Boston Marathon next April.

Favorite Professor and Class

Methods of Coaching with Roy Dunshee was by far my favorite class, so much so that I was afraid to get up during class to get water or go to the bathroom because I didn't want to miss out on learning anything.

Fondest WC Memory

Being a part of the women's varsity soccer team for 3.5 years, and tying John Hopkins (we shut them out for 120 minutes, ending their over 60 game streak).

Let’s Hear It for the Liberal Arts

My time at WAC made me more confident as a leader, and in my own identity; I learned the importance of prioritization, and being able to differentiate between events and tasks that are important for life, and those that really don't have much significance outside the present. Most of all, I learned the importance of making time for yourself, and your mental health, even when you don't necessarily have the time — you cannot pour from any empty cup, period.

Advice

Don't run yourself into the ground trying to do everything under the sun. I spent the last two years of my college career so exhausted and overworked that I didn't get to enjoy the parts of college that really matter. Yes classes and homework are important, and you should never let your grades slip because you are goofing off, but looking forward to graduation, my biggest regret is not spending more time with the people I care about when I had the chance.