SKHS’ Piper Aube off to Bigger and Better

Piper Aube has never been satisfied with the ordinary. The dull and boring would never quench her desire to explore.

What especially sets Aube apart are her plans after high school — far from the average college setup.

“I plan to travel to Switzerland and work there at an international boarding school, called Ecole d’Humanite,” said Aube. “My position at the school will be a general assistant, pretty much just a helper.”

Ecole d’Humanite is a progressive international boarding school for middle school and high school aged students, located in Hasliberg Goldern, Switzerland.

Founded in 1934 by the progressive educator Paul Geheeb and his wife Edith Geheeb Cassirer, the school’s aims are comparable to the Waldorf School. Its education principles are based on a similar philosophy that emphasizes the role of imagination in learning; striving to holistically integrate the intellectual, practical, and artistic development of pupils.

“Helpers,” Aube said, “pretty much look after teachers’ children while the teachers are at work. “We’ll occasionally make meals for students and staff, and assist on hiking trips of up to a week long [in the majestic Swiss Alps],” said the adventurer-to-be.

The “Helpers’” room and board are provided free of charge on the condition that they work hard and abide by school rules.

New to SKHS as of fall 2014, Aube has just finished spinning a comfy cocoon of friends and acquaintances. Being the social butterfly that she is Aube said she is preparing to unfurl her wings and flutter on to bigger and better pastures.

And her new found friends at SKHS agree.

“Piper is a total badass, she’s the cooliest,” said friend and classmate Katherine Vitello. “I’m sure she’ll be ready for whatever the world throws at her, but the world better get ready for Piper.”

One might wonder “why did Aube choose such a unique endeavor?” Aube said she did not choose this at random.

“It has always been a dream of mine to travel to different parts of the world and experience different people, places and cultures,” Aube said. “I love meeting new and interesting people.”

Like many seniors in high school, Aube hasn’t the foggiest idea of what she’d like to pursue as a career. Only, unlike many, she isn’t kidding herself. She is not sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Aube is sure of one thing, though: she doesn’t want to spend an enormous amount of money on schooling until she knows what she would like to study.

Being an outdoors enthusiast and two time winter Olympic skier, Aube is sure to enjoy her fair share of triple black diamonds while working at the school. Ecole d’Humanite is nestled among the Swiss Alps with some of the best slopes in the world. As part of her pay package, Aube will be staying for free at the prestigious school that costs on average $46,200 per year per student.

Although it may sound like a vacation, it certainly will not be a vacation from education. Aube may not be attending as a student, but she will surely be learning quite a bit. People skills and patience will be key, as Aube will be working with people of many backgrounds, aging from infants to elders.

Language skills will also be developed, as Aube adds, “the main languages spoken at the school are Swiss-German and French [respectively]. ”

Ecole d’Humanite is by no means a conventional school, with a major focus on hands-on and outdoor classrooms.

“It’s a really cool and different school. I wish I went there,” said Aube.

Ecole even has goats which they use for milking and artisan cheese making, and have chickens whose eggs they harvest and eat. Students and staff have opportunities to interact with and learn about these farm animals and livestock raising practices.

After working at Ecole, Aube will become an au pair in France, helping a French family care for their children as she lives with the host family.

“It would be awesome for me, because I’m good with kids, I like cooking, and I’ve always wanted to see France,” said Aube.

Typically, au pairs take on a share of the family’s responsibility for childcare as well as some housework, and receive a monetary allowance for personal use.

Aube’s interests and hobbies include: hiking, going to the beach, and watching movies, “many of which I re-watch because I frequently fall asleep and miss the ending,” admitted Aube.

Aube shared that she is an animal lover who claims to have compassion for all animals — even sharks and spiders — both of which have proven to be evil by respected scientists decades ago. She also said enjoys listening to music, and drawing. Drawing is not just a “hobby”, but a serious talent. The AP artist’s extensive portfolio has awed students and teachers alike, and even caught the interest of RISD recruiters.

Friend and fellow senior Hannah Sorlien said, “Pip is basically the female version of Harry Potter (the chosen one!), minus the glasses and lightning bolt scar, which obviously leaves me to be — you guessed it — Hermione.”

Throughout high school Aube has also managed to maintain above a 4.0 GPA despite transferring schools twice: first from Chariho High School to Cranston East High School freshman year and then from Cranston East High School to SKHS during her junior year.

Although Aube has spent less than two full school years at South Kingstown, she surely has left her impact on the many friends she’s made and the teachers that have had the pleasure of having such a conscientious student.

Honest almost to a fault, Aube is sure to leave her mark wherever she goes. Whether it be Switzerland or your English class she is sure to get a laugh out of you, or at the very least leave smiling faces in her wake.