“My favorite thing about Saint Mary’s is that it’s all girls,” says Suiter, a boarding student from Raleigh, N.C. “I jumped right in and the whole community welcomed me. High school is a time of change and things are so busy, it’s great to have this sisterhood of students to go through it all with you. It makes all the difference because everyone is always there for you, will make time for you, and wants the best for you.”
For Suiter, learning in an all-girl setting is also a plus. “Being with girls in the classroom is easier and more comfortable. I’m more confident about speaking up in class, questioning different beliefs and ideas, and asking more questions. The teachers really get us and get how we learn. And the girls - we all want to help each other succeed. That’s just something you don’t find in a co-ed school.”
Being in a community that values and respects girls’ voices makes Saint Mary’s a great fit for Suiter who has learned to use her voice as a student leader. “I’ve learned so much – how to lead, what it takes to be a good leader – and that I love being a leader!
Looking ahead, Suiter looks forward to college, having new experiences, and meeting different people – and she’ll do it with confidence. “Saint Mary’s has prepared me to step into new situations, use my voice, be a leader, and always do my best. I’ve learned so much."
For Suiter it comes down to this: "Saint Mary's is such a special place. Other schools you just go to for four years, but Saint Mary’s stays with you for life.”