You know a St. George's graduate by the way she builds bridges, inwardly and outwardly, connecting a disciplined mind, adventurous spirit, and a brave heart, through her courage to meet the world exactly as it is, and her determination to leave it better than it was.
These words, taken from the St. George's portrait of a graduate, were written with students like Alexis Bourdeau '19 in mind. A committed swimmer, disciplined lacrosse player, and driven scholar, Alexis manages a hectic schedule, yet she still finds time to give back to her community.
Two year
s ago, she began volunteering for a Streets Ministries program called Streets Smart, an after-school program that pairs tutors with elementary students to review basics in literacy. It's been an eye-opening experience—one that has shown her how fortunate she is to attend a school like St. George’s. “Being a tutor has helped me see what kind of a difference I can make when I apply my own strengths to helping others.”
"I joined Alexis in this program based off what I heard her saying about it. She made it sound like a lot of fun and a rewarding way to serve the community. It's so clear that Alexis loves working with the kids at Streets and watching their skills improve week after week."
– Elizabeth Thomas '19
It isn’t always easy. The weight of playing varsity sports, tutoring, and keeping up with classwork, all while planning for her future with college applications, has proven overwhelming at times. That’s where her strong work ethic comes in—she plans ahead. When she finds herself with a few minutes to spare, she gets ahead of her schoolwork. She prioritizes her obligations and tackles one task at a time, and she doesn’t mind the stress—she embraces it. She would rather keep up with a busy schedule than wonder if she’s missing out on the opportunities she’s been given.
Her involvement in athletics has expanded her community within St. George’s, allowing her to know students she might not have otherwise met. Prior to swimming for the St. George’s team, Alexis had only swum competitively, focusing on the individual aspect of the sport rather than the team as a whole. “I never understood what it meant to be a part of a team until I began swimming and playing lacrosse during my freshman year. Going to the swimming state championship for the first time made me realize that the points I earn as an individual play a large role in the success of the team as a whole.”
"If I had an entire team of nothing but Alexis and her clones, color me happy. She is physically and mentally tough and so focused. Need a big swim at the state meet? You can count on Alexis."
– Rob Snowberger, Varsity Swim Coach
Through the example of leadership she sets for her teams and the academic support she provides to children at Streets Smart, Alexis Bourdeau embodies a St. George's graduate—she meets the world exactly as it is and leaves it better than it was.