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We are pleased to present a moment with alumni Stephanie Silva. Stephanaie recently joi...

I am forever thankful for my Montessori education. During my time at Keystone, I learned how to learn. My advice to all Keystone students is to embrace the Montessori philosophy. It shaped me into the person I am today.

Through my years at Keystone I learned so many things, learned many valuable life skills, made great friends that I am still friends with today, and I was able to experience new things that only a Montessori environment could offer me.

See Eunae Yoo's Founder's Day Speech on YouTube...

They say that you don’t know a good thing until it’s gone, and I find that is especially true with this school. While I was here, I enjoyed myself and I learned and I grew up and this school was an integral part of who I am today. But it wasn’t until I had to leave this school that I realized how valuable it is, and what a valuable education it provided me with. Very few are lucky enough to have the education that you have and I had.

I started at Keystone as a wee one in Pre-Kindergarten. And I loved it – what a great experience – from grocery days to planting in the garden to music lessons and so many opportunities for “free expression.” I was fortunate to be cast in many plays at Keystone, from the singing and dancing in “The Wizard of Oz” to Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” – and I truly think that’s what set me on the path towards TSTDC at Desert Vista High School.

The students themselves are self-directed. Do not confuse the Montessori instructor’s role with the modern-day educator’s role: Montessori teachers set up the launch-pad, students build the space-ship and blast off into space. The teachers are still in the control tower saying, “Your course is set for Mars. Call us if you need anything. You got this…”. I have gained a tremendous amount of responsibility, the ability to take initiative, confidence, charisma, and organizational skills not from the educators, but from…me…How? The productive, efficient, and considerate atmosphere of Montessori. Tis the beauty of pure self-motivation. I have also learned more humility, and respect for others, than most people in my high school.

Children at Keystone are self-directed, they study what they have an interest in, they are intrinsically motivated.

Eunae Yoo, former Keystonian graduated on May 8, 2013, from ASU, Summa Cum Laude. Eunae was on the Dean’s List, as well, she received a President’s Scholarship, a William Huizingh Scholorship, a Huizingh-Mumford Scholorship, & a Boeing Corporation Scholarship.