Bright Knights
STANDING OUT ON HIS OWN PATH Quinn Charlton ’22
Quinn Charlton ’22 is known as a leader and willing to help where he is needed. He believes part of what has made him successful at EHS is how often he speaks up in class discussions. “It made things easier for me. It will give you a better relationship with your teacher when they can see you care and are paying attention in class,” says Quinn. “Talking in the class discussion also makes the information easier to take in when you’re actively responding and making your brain do something.” Nancy Eisenberg, Associate Head of School and Quinn’s English teacher, says she experienced Quinn’s leadership qualities firsthand. “Quinn is a leader in-class discussion. He was the first to volunteer to recite a Langston Hughes poem, and when the class was having difficulty understanding a metaphor, he stood up to demonstrate. His insights are excellent,” says Eisenberg.
“Be open to making new friendships and meeting people that come from a different place than you do.” He is well-known for his active involvement with DIA (Diversity in Action), one of the oldest student-led organizations at EHS. “I got into DIA wanting to be around more of the students like me, getting to know them better.” Quinn adds, “The best part of DIA for me has been going to the Student Diversity Leadership Conference and participating in the multiracial affinity group at the conference. At the conference and in DIA I’ve gotten to meet more biracial kids like myself, and it makes me feel less alone.” Associate Director of Admission and DIA Sponsor Ayesha Spooner describes Quinn as a gem and a ray of sunshine. “I appreciate all that he offers in the way of being a student leader and I believe it’s his smile and genuine energy that makes the organizations, teams, and this campus better for everyone.” Aside from playing an active role in campus life, Quinn is also very involved in sports, including football, wrestling, and tennis. “I like different aspects of all of them,” he says. “I love football games. I love wrestling practice. I love tennis as a whole, but that’s also because it’s something I’ve grown up with and is a big part of my family. It’s something everyone in my family does,” says Quinn. Perhaps one lesser-known fact about Quinn is that he is passionate about dancing. He took his first dance class when he was four or five years old. His brother was a dancer, so Quinn always danced, too. Quinn focuses on Hip Hop for Boys at EHS, but he has also danced ballet. “I like the music,” Quinn adds. “The music makes me want to dance. My body just starts moving on its own.” For prospective students, Quinn has this advice: “Be open-minded and get out of your comfort zone. Be open to making new friendships and meeting people that come from a different place than you do.” To teacher and Student Activities Director Courtney Lindloff, Quinn’s willingness to help other students stands out. “Before his senior year started, Quinn reached out to see how he could volunteer to work with our new Knights to help them make their transition to EHS even better. Quinn takes initiative, invites his peers to participate, and discovers joy in the many ways in which he connects with our community,” says Lindloff. Quinn finds driving motivation in his two favorite quotes, one by The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the other by musical artist Tupac. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” and Tupac said, “Long live the rose that grew from concrete. When no one else even cared.” Quinn hopes to attend the University of Miami to study intercultural communications.
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—Emma Kate Tsai
