Elizabeth (first row on the left) at the health clinic in Ghana

Although the days of attending Steppingstone classes are a distant memory for Elizabeth St. Victor ‘98, she enjoys staying connected to Steppingstone through the alumni community and finds the events and reunions a great way to catch up and reminisce with former classmates and friends.

Currently a sophomore at Yale, Elizabeth attended Newton Country Day School after completing the 14-month program. “Steppingstone gave me the diligence, self-confidence, and academic preparation I needed to succeed at a high level at Newton Country Day School and beyond.” As for college, Elizabeth initially felt like a “small fish in a big pond,” but has since made a successful transition to life on campus by getting involved with the theatre and drama department at school. Elizabeth has been a stage manager for several on-campus productions and is complementing her hands-on theatre work with some theoretical background by enrolling in playwriting classes.

Her penchant for challenging experiences landed her overseas last summer. Elizabeth spent six weeks helping to start up an eye health clinic in Ghana. Through the Unite for Site Program started by a Yale alumna, she traveled to Patriensa Village with two other college students to conduct eye exams, screening village residents for glaucoma and cataracts.

During the course of her stay, she and her colleagues performed exams, gave seminars on eye care, and handed out free sunglasses that had been donated by optometrists from the United States to over 900 men, women and children. They also had the opportunity to escort patients needing cataracts surgery to the nearest hospital for their operations.

The experience really struck a chord with Elizabeth. “I worked from nine to five nearly everyday, but I never felt tired. In fact, I was rejuvenated every time I saw how happy the people of this little village were.” She adds, “All I saw was how similar we are. Here, just like back home, people love, marry, have kids, and create friendships.”

Elizabeth is keeping her options open as far as her future career aspirations. She’s looking at a possible career as a playwright or writing for a high-profile publication like The New Yorker, or as a lawyer specializing in immigration or civil rights law. Whatever she decides, her future looks bright, so she’d better wear shades.