“My name is Addyson Cord and I am writing on behalf of Stella Shdeed. I am the assistant trainer at Kelianda Farm and I work alongside the Ethel Walker School Equestrian Team to train Stella and her horse for showjumping competition.
Stella has been such a pleasure to get to know and work with over the last few years. She has grown tremendously as a rider and a person in the time that I have known her. Being a competing equestrian athlete takes an immense amount of discipline, dedication and hard work and Stella truly embodies all of those qualities. She is determined, works incredibly hard, and is very thoughtful about her actions. Stella is also compassionate and empathetic, which makes her a wonderful teammate to the other riders and students on her team, and her horses as well.
I am continuously impressed by Stella’s positive attitude, dedication and commitment to her teammates, her horses and her own personal growth. I believe Stella is a wonderful role model for her peers and cannot wait to see where the future takes her. Everyone in her future endeavors will be lucky to have her! Thank you for your consideration.”
~ Addyson Cord, addy.cord@gmail.com
“As Director of the equestrian program at The Ethel Walker School I come into contact with dozens of incoming students each fall. Stella was a stand out from the beginning. Stella’s freshman year she quietly joined our team, engaged and motivated. She set numerous goals for her junior career and is steadily, with ambition; achieving each goal.
Stella is willing to help in the barn, ride extra horses and pack the trailer for horse shows. Stella is kind, empathetic, hard working and a roll model for her underclassman. She would be an asset to any program because of her solid work ethic and leadership abilities.”
~ Linda Langmeier
“It has been my utmost pleasure to get to know Stella as both her Academic Advisor and teacher. As her art teacher I have seen an ability to create widely appealing imagery and to find the unusual within the ordinary. More importantly as her school advisor I get to witness that her ability to impress is spread across all the subjects that she takes. I also get to witness her devotion and skill as an elite rider at the school. She is truly an impressive student and athlete.
Stella is extremely driven and focused. While others are torn over what to study or produce Stella is alive with ideas and plans. She routinely exhibits a confidence that means she’ll make her goals a confirmed reality. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her ability to fill her long days with a balance of academics, riding and barn activities while still maintaining relationships with peers and self-care is impressive.
Her high goals and expectations carry through all her classes where she strives for, and routinely achieves, excellent grades. She holds herself accountable and as such is hard-working and task orientated. Her ‘can-do’ attitude thrives on being challenged and she is open and honest when she defends her work or decisions. While extremely motivated she is also considerate of others, collaborative and always ready to help her peers. I have witnessed this many times in classes, our group advisory sessions and within her strong friend group.
Stella’s riding aspirations demand her untiring attention. Whether she is at our own school barn or competing locally, regionally or nationally she remains self-deprecating while fiercely mastering the skills needed for her passion. She is the epitome of dedication and the model of resilience when difficulties arise.
Stella is one of few Sophomores that are engaged with the college process and is deliberately considering her college future in earnest. Wherever she eventually attends she will be attentive, passionate, questioning, interested and thoughtful. As such Stella is thoroughly deserving of your consideration and I strongly recommend her and know she will be a worthy addition to your program.”
~ Ben Barker, Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Dept, Academic Advisor, Photography, Movie Production & Graphic Publication Teacher, The Ethel Walker School, Simsbury, CT