October 2001

Hello, this is Dan Piraner and Chris Taylor bringing you the story of the great student and outstanding violinist, Jessamyn Schertz. Jessamyn came to Stewart in 1989.

In an e-mail to us, she noted this and stated that it made her feel old, because that is when we were born. She enjoyed Independent Study, as well as that, she knew everyone in her class. Her greatest challenge at Stewart was skillpacks. She NEVER had the patience for them. Her favorite and best subject was Language Arts, and doing grammar boxes. She still enjoys English, but she likes math better now.

Her favorite subjects now are Math, Foreign Languages, and English. Jessamyn’s least favorite subject was Science. Though her attitude changed toward math, she still doesn’t like science. Jessamyn says that Stewart helped her the most in math. At Stewart, she did some of the Algebra that was assigned to her in high school. What also helped was the ability to work at our own pace in independent study.

When asked whether she enjoyed schoolwork, she responded, “Does anyone enjoy schoolwork?” Then she stated that it was OK, sometimes. Jessamyn says that Stewart prepared her well for junior high. “The hardest thing about changing schools is that the structure of public school is so different,” she says. “I like it though.” Jessamyn says that she would not have been an “A” student if it had not been for Stewart School She remembers “these pink and blue math worksheets that everyone did horribly on. We all would have been getting C’s.”

Jessamyn’s best memory from school was recess. Again, she liked Independent study Her favorite teacher was Mrs. Solso, “because she read us cool books like The Princess Bride during homeroom. In an email to her, we asked whether she thought she was smart, funny, or nice. Jessamyn asked whether the question was multiple choices. “All of the above, of course!” she stated.

When asked how she feels about herself now, Jessamyn says that she feels fine with herself. She just wishes that she were not so indecisive about where she wants to go to college. Jessamyn is still in touch with some of her friends from Stewart.

A few Stewart people go to North with her, and she is still friends with some of them. Jessamyn’s greatest achievement, according to her, is violin. Jessamyn is first chair in the Columbus Youth Orchestra and plays in the Columbus Philharmonic. Jessamyn says that playing on stage is exciting. She has been playing since the age of 4. Jessamyn has no brothers or sisters, so when asked whether she has any siblings that play, she said “No.” Jessamyn has a few friends in the orchestra.

Jessamyn remembers Stewart when she plays, because she used to play there. Her favorite song was “Down by the Old Mill Stream,” because of all the motions. Jessamyn would rather play with other people than solo. Last summer, she spent two months with an IU program in France, speaking only French. Jessamyn enjoyed it a lot.

Jessamyn advises students to keep doing their math, because even if you think it’s boring, it’ll be easier later. Jessamyn swears Mrs. Carmichael didn’t pay her to say that. Also, enjoy recess, “because you’ll miss it when you leave!” I met Jessamyn in person, and she was very enjoyable to talk to. I think that Stewart students and teachers enjoyed her while she was at Stewart! “We sure did,” added Mrs. Carmichael. “She was a top student, a perfectionist on her violin and an extremely nice and kind person.”