South Delco News

Media-Providence Friends School issued the following announcement on June 10.

We'll be posting a Q&A with one of our grade 8 students each Friday leading up to the Graduation of the Class of 2022. Join us in getting to know what makes an MPFS graduate so special as we countdown to the big day!

A Q&A with 8th Grader Shannon McGoff, Haverford High School

Class of 2022 Time Capsule

Describe yourself in three words:

Loyal, honest, & athletic.

When you’re not at school, what activities or hobbies do you enjoy?

I play softball for 3 teams. I play the ukulele. And I also like to draw.

Who is your favorite musical artist, band? What is your current favorite song?

My favorite band is The Neighborhood. My  favorite song is “Over 85” by Hojean.

What is your favorite television series or movie?

I like the show Never Have I Ever. And the movie Through My Window.

What is your current favorite book?

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker. I read it in fifth or sixth grade summer reading. This girl meets this guy and they keep hearing noises in the back of their house in the woods. She had to find a way to rescue him without getting hurt.

The MPFS Experience

What grade did you start at MPFS?

I started in preschool 3 so, my whole life!

Do you have a favorite MPFS memory, event, or tradition?

Winterfest. I always get to see a lot of my friends. When I was younger the middle school would do face painting. And you could bring people from out of school, which was fun. Duck pond was always my favorite game as a little kid. I like running the games more as a big kid because you have a good purpose for the Winterfest and you feel more mature. 

What interests have been sparked during your time at MPFS?

Ukulele -- this year got me into playing outside of school. And maybe literature…writing essays and things. It makes me feel more interested in that topic. This year we did a research paper topic where you go to pick any topic and then you had to do research on it and write a 10 page paper. I chose to write about the racist history of Disney. The most eye-opening thing I learned was that many people have been called out for being offensive to Asian or African Americans or Native Americans because back then it was normal for them to use slurs or stereotypes in movies. 

Another interest would be creative writing. I wrote a story about two guys: one lived on one side of the sea and one lived on the other. They met from a guy delivering seafood. They were penpals. And one invited the other to come visit. As he’s going through on a boat there are all these obstacles. 

What do you think is the most important lesson you’ve learned at MPFS?

The most important lesson would have to be to treat everyone with kindness and to be very welcoming to everyone who comes in.

What do you think you’ll miss the most about MPFS?

The extra things we get to do like Winterfest or Pizza Pumpkin Night, because at high school they wouldn’t have those kinds of events. And you wouldn’t know everyone like you do here because this is such a small community. 

High School & Beyond

Where are you going to high school?

Haverford High School

Are you looking forward to trying any new activities, sports, or subjects in high school?

I’m looking forward to their U.S. History classes, literature, writing papers and researching things that we would have not known. And I’m going to be trying out for their softball team. 

Do you have an idea of what you’d like to study in college or what you might want to be when you grow up?

I don't have a strong idea since I’m still in middle school. I’m still thinking what to do in high school and what clubs I should take.

What advice do you have for next year’s middle school students?

Be confident in yourself. Always keep an open mind, knowing that next year you're going to go to high school. It’s going to be a big change and there are going to be risks you need to take. For example, I had to get out of my comfort zone to visit schools and take tests. 

Anything you  want your family, friends, or teachers to know about you or your MPFS experience?

I grew a lot from this school and I learned a lot about the SPICES (also known as the Quaker Testimonies). Community is a big part of what I got from this school because I’ve had the same people in my class since kindergarten. (Because of that) you learn to be respectful and open. 

Original source can be found here.