Zoe H.
About Me
Hello! My name is Zoe, I am a single-course student from Colorado in my fifth year of taking classes through Stanford OHS. My academic passions lie in the fields of neuroscience and psychology, as I am fascinated by the mind and the brain. When not studying or in class, you can usually find me on the slopes or in the gym, as I am a competitive ski racer. I’ve loved skiing ever since I first stepped on skis at two years old, and since then my passion has only grown. I race for the Czech Republic and have competed nationally and internationally, and my goal is to ski Division 1 in college.
Growing up with strong female influences and role models in my family and in my sport, from a young age I have been passionate about female empowerment. I’ve had the opportunity to merge my passions for skiing and empowering women in the mentorship program, Girl Powder, that my older sister founded in 2016 and that I have led for the last few years. Girl Powder is a mentorship program for young female alpine ski racers that aims to teach important athletic skills while creating a welcoming community to support and push one another. My friend/classmate and I also started a female empowerment podcast, “And She Did” (available on all streaming platforms!), where we spotlight a female leader each month, and I am also an ambassador for the Women in STEM+ organization. At Stanford OHS, I run the Student-Athlete Bookclub Circle at Stanford OHS with my friend and fellow athlete. We both know how demanding yet rewarding managing both academics and athletics can be, and we want to create a community for athletes to learn and grow together. I also serve as the stories editor for Stanford OHS’s official student magazine, the Pixel Journal! In my free time, I love to go on adventures with my family and have just picked up baking (cookies and banana bread are still the only things that I’ve mastered, but I’m working on it!).
Why I Chose Stanford OHS
I chose to attend Stanford OHS because the online class format allows me to pursue both academics and athletics to an extremely high level. For many student-athletes, it is hard to find a school with rigorous academics that also provides the flexibility for one to train, compete, and travel. I applied to Stanford OHS in 7th grade because the online format and seminar-style classes provide both the flexibility and challenging coursework that I was looking for. Last year, I was able to attend my class while traveling throughout Austria for training and competitions. While I love skiing, academics are very important to me, and Stanford OHS allows me to have the best of both worlds. Furthermore, as a full Stanford OHS course load would potentially be a lot to manage while dedicating 40+ hours to athletics every week, Stanford OHS is special because it provides the option for students to take from one to six classes. Because Stanford OHS offers this option, I am able to supplement my Stanford OHS classes with other online programs, charter schools, and community colleges, to eventually graduate as a homeschooled student. Ultimately, I chose Stanford OHS because it allows me to chase my athletic goals while still taking classes at one of the best high schools in the country. I am so grateful to have found a school where I can be challenged academically but still accommodates and supports me to do what I love, race!
What I Love About Stanford OHS
What I love about Stanford OHS is a tough question... where do I even start? To name a few things that have specifically stood out to me in my time at Stanford OHS, I would have to mention the supportive staff, the passionate and diverse student body, and the wide range of clubs. Though Stanford OHS is demanding, I have found that the teachers and staff at Stanford OHS are always willing to help and are adaptable to each student’s unique situation. As my schedule is quite busy with competition and training, being able to manage school and skiing was a concern for me. The Stanford OHS instructors, however, have been extremely understanding. They have worked with me individually so that I could be successful both on the hill and in school. The instructors also provide student support by hosting office hours multiple times every week, allowing for personalized guidance for anything that students may be struggling with.
I also love the student body at Stanford OHS. Though everyone is spread throughout the world, Stanford OHS students are a tight-knit group. More than any other school I have attended, at Stanford OHS there is always someone willing to proofread a paper or eager to clarify a confusing concept. This enthusiasm to help each other fosters a community of collaboration and helps everybody at Stanford OHS feel welcome. The diverse student body at Stanford OHS also allows for a unique class dynamic with perspectives from across the world. For example, in one of my classes one year, we had students from Costa Rica to Japan, which allowed for fascinating class discussion when diving into Shakespeare and “Huckleberry Finn.”
Finally, I love the club and circle community that Stanford OHS provides. As a student at Stanford OHS, everyone is able to participate in the thriving club community, either by starting a club or joining an already existing one. Last year my friend and fellow athlete, Halle Hunt, and I started the “Student-Athlete Bookclub Circle.” Our goal is to create a supportive community for athletes at Stanford OHS, and we are reading a book or listening to a podcast each month to learn how to become better athletes. While starting my own circle has been exciting, I have also been able to join a variety of other clubs and circles. With over 90 clubs, offering everything from the “Model UN Club” to the “Rubik's Cube Club” to the “Hack Circle,” there is a club for everyone. The incredible clubs at Stanford OHS have definitely been a highlight of my time at Stanford OHS.