Alumni Spotlight: Mrs. Clark and Annalise

By Brooklyn C.

There is so much to learn by studying the lives of other people, including the lives of NSA’s alumni. Meet Mrs. Clark! From graduating in 2013, to attending Mount Holyoke college, and then making her way back to NSA to teach, she certainly has a story worth listening to. Annalise, an NSA alumnus since 2023, chose to attend community college after graduating. Keep reading to get to know them a little better!

In what ways do you think NSA prepared you for your life after high-school? If you attended college, what is something unexpected about college life?

Mrs. Clark: “I know it can be hard to self-pace at NorthStar, but I think that aspect of my high school classes really helped prepare me for college. In college, a lot of work and even class attendance is self-regulated, and I was able to make that transition pretty easily. I think something unexpected about college life is how it can feel like you're always "on" - because you're living and eating with your classmates, it can sometimes feel like you're never putting school away, so to speak.”

Annalise: “NSA prepared me a lot for college because so much of college is online these days. I already felt comfortable with discussion post[s], attending meeting[s], and completing assignments on the computer. One thing that I would have liked to have know[n] is how specific the classes, even gen ed, are to your degree. In return, this makes it really difficult to switch majors.”

What classes were your favorite to take at NSA? Why did you pick this class?

Mrs. Clark: “Dr. Beeson's AP US History class really helped ignite my passion for history! His high expectations for students meant that I was putting in a lot of work and really interacting with history. And here I am as a history teacher!”

Annalise: “My favorite course was the personal finance class because it was so applicable and taught me a lot about money. I feel like it was very helpful and I loved being able to take what I was learning and directly apply it to my life.”

Were there any assignments or courses you thought were irrelevant that have turned out to be helpful?

Mrs. Clark: “I loved the reading portion of my English classes, but I wasn't as fond of the big writing assignments. However, what I learned in those classes about note taking on sources and constructing a paper was hugely helpful to me in my undergrad, and even now as I take graduate classes.”

Annalise: “In the beginning, I thought the college prep class wouldn’t be super helpful as my brother had already taken it and we were both going through the college process around the same time. However, looking back I can see that there were really important points that students can benefit from. Like, looking at multiple colleges or even attending community college first.”

 If you could add a class to NSA's selection of courses, what would it be and why? 

Mrs. Clark: “There are way too many things that I'm interested in, but a couple years ago I actually came up with the idea to have a "homemaking" class, which would give basics of how to run a home and skills needed, but also talk about the theology of home and similar ideas. Probably no one would be interested but me though!”

Annalise: “If I could add a class to NSA it would be a homemaking class, or some sort of class that teaches students basic life skills that they may need in the real world. I feel that these types of skills are so important for students to learn, especially before they go to college and are on their own.”

For Mrs. Clark: What prompted you to come back and teach at NSA? How have things changed since you graduated? 

Mrs. Clark: “I really loved the mission, and the community! When I was learning to teach, and looking for opportunities to practice in various ways, Mrs. Horneck really helped me find spaces at NorthStar where I could grow. I wanted to teach, but also be home with any kids I had in the future, and NorthStar was a really great choice! In terms of how things have changed, it's a little hard to tell because before I was on the student side and now I'm on the teacher side of things. However, I can tell you the technology is much better! My first class at NorthStar was back in the era where curriculum was delivered through First-Class! The school is also much bigger, which is exciting to see.” 

Brooklyn C. lives in South Asia with her three siblings, mom, dad, pet cats, and pet turtles. She is in eleventh grade and has been a student at NorthStar for three years. She spends her free time painting and drawing, in hopes of pursuing a career in children's book illustration. She also enjoys running, going on walks, listening to music, reading, watching movies, and traveling. 

👤NSA People, 🔎InformationalEIC NSA2024-2025, January 2025 Publication