Stories

My name is Brooke, and I am currently serving as Charlotte Prep student council vice president. I have attended this school since kindergarten and have appreciated the nurturing, supportive, and inclusive community throughout my years here. I feel as though I’ve truly grown up at Charlotte Prep.

Since I was 6 years old, I've participated in the community-wide BUDEE program. It’s an experience that bonds you with a different age group each year, whether as a 3rd grader mentoring a Pre-K student or a 2nd grader looking up to a “cool” 7th grader. I remember being the kindergartener looking up to my eighth-grade BUDEE, Natalie. I still remember wearing my rainbow dress with navy blue leggings and showing her my self-taught cartwheel. I can still feel my hands positioning at a certain angle to perfect the landing. When I showed my BUDEE, she and her friends applauded me and told me how awesome I was. Those words still bring a smile to my face when I think about them. The words spoken at Prep really influence the students. Even just a few weeks ago, my little brother was feeling a bit tired, but immediately felt ecstatic once he remembered he was having a sleepover with one of his Prep friends.

Another core memory that’s shaped who I am today is when I was in first grade, and an author came to read to our class. At that time, I had never seen an author who was the same race as me, and I was pleasantly surprised to know that people who look like me write books. Prep’s diverse speakers and assemblies have broadened my perspective, brought me joy, and provided unique representations of the world through different cultural events and inclusive programs. Due to all the impacts those events had on me, I felt that I could do it too—I could share parts of my story through literature. So, I published my first of two books in 2019 titled Cupcake The Lying Unicorn. The goal was to teach a lesson about telling the truth and the repercussions you’ll receive if you lie, based on an experience I had in my 1st grade classroom. Throughout my years here, I’ve always been encouraged to speak my truth, while also empowering others. 

Over time, this school has taught me to build connections—whether it's me going to a classmate’s Bat Mitzvah, FaceTiming Prep alumni, or even traveling all the way to Switzerland to reunite with a first-grade friend—the friendships fostered here at Prep are unforgettable. The impact Prep has had on me has been very influential, and I am confident your children will love it here too.

If I could offer some advice to new families, it would be to take photos along the way and embrace the curriculum. My mom has over 1,000 photos of me throughout my journey from Montessori to now, and looking back on how I behaved brings me so much peace, elation, and comfort. Here at Prep, our school photographer captures the joy of it all: learning, playing, cheering, athletics, fine arts, and overall candid moments of students on and off campus. Also, invest in their education as early as possible. When I started school at Charlotte Prep, my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Hacker, reminded us to always put in our best effort, and I’ve kept that motivating memo with me throughout my years here. The early years of schooling truly made an impact on how I behave as a teenager. I believe the curriculum and caring staff Charlotte Prep has provided have made a positive impact on how I behave today. Looking back on my first day, in my unicorn dress, black Mary Jane flats, blue backpack with the straps gripped tightly by nervous hands, and a seemingly excited smile, Brooke didn’t have the slightest idea how many defining moments she would experience here. 

Read More about Brooke's Journey as an Author