Since Emily Colten ’27 joined Dwight two years ago, she has been focused, willing to participate and take risks, and encourages her peers. Leading classroom conversations, she makes everyone feel welcome and accepted with her warm and considerate energy. 

Abby Blaine, Emily’s English Teacher, said that these attributes make her an excellent representation of the values that Dwight holds dear. In fact, she recently received the Global Citizen Award, celebrating students who are consistently accepting of all backgrounds, genuine to those around them, and principled in their actions.

Taking multiple honors classes, such as Math, Physics, and Chemistry, Emily is reaching new heights. With a deep enthusiasm for science, she hopes to add HL Biology to her growing list of rigorous classes. She said, “I love learning about cells, how all of it happens, and how we can’t see any of it. For example, there are flowers right in front of me, and they’re living, and knowing that they are made up of the same stuff we are is really fascinating.” 

Although she finds herself more confident in STEM, Emily has recently discovered a love for the humanities. Her dyslexia which, at times, makes reading and writing more challenging, does not prevent her from thriving in these classes. 

In fact, Quest has been immensely helpful in navigating her dyslexia. She has spoken on panels at her former middle school about how Quest has truly made the transition from constant assistance in the classroom to only having help at certain points in the day so much easier. 

Ms. Blaine explains, “She has to work twice as hard, but she’s never let that get in the way [of being] the best student she can be, a testament to the way in which nothing can limit a student if they really care.” 

Currently, she is a member in the film club, an interviewer for the newspaper, part of the Make-A-Wish group, stage manager and show crew at the theater, and an admissions ambassador for Dwight. Emily enjoys being an active member of many activities and experimenting with all of her sparks of genius, rather than just one.

In the film club, Emily often chooses films and topics that are unique, surprising the group with interesting discussions. For example, she presented a sophisticated Japanese film made by a German director, Perfect Days, which tracks the solitary but intentional life of a man who cleans public toilets in Japan. Bentley Ferraina, Grade 12 Dean and the film club’s advisor, thought this choice created an important conversation for the students. He said, “Emily is remarkable at being a leader in the room, and brings a maturity and a level of insight to every meeting.”

History teacher Patrice Reyes expressed similar sentiments about how Emily has an ideal balance of staying focused while being friendly and open with everyone. Emily asks pertinent questions, is willing to explore deeper, investigates, and, at the same time, listens to the other students, contributing a level of analysis that opens conversation and dialogue. 

These same skills have served her well as she took on a number of roles in the theater department. After starting as an actress, but feeling a little too shy for the big stage, she decided to participate in show crew in Present Laughter and Into The Woods and various Scene Nights, before finding her niche as Stage Manager for the most recent Dwight play and musical, Alphabetical Order and The Addams Family. Emily said, “I love the community and getting to know everyone. I love the chaos backstage.”

Emily’s passion for stage management highlights her ability to stay organized and efficient, while also supporting her peers on stage. Terrence Christgau, Director of Upper School Theater Productions, said, “Emily is a natural, and a lucky find for the department.”

Overall, Emily takes both after-school activities and her classes incredibly seriously. She not only puts effort into her own studies, but also motivates her peers. As Ms. Reyes so eloquently put it, Emily “gives 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. A good role model and a good friend, she is the one who is the quiet leader.”

We can't wait to see how Emily grows in the second half of her high school career at Dwight!