Emily Weddell

I started at FMS when I was 4 years old, entering the preschool program and then completing all of my elementary and middle school years on campus.

I always loved all the interactive, school-wide celebrations like earth day, international children’s day, and the holi festival! FMS taught so much more than just core subjects and some of my favorite memories were those days where we learned about other cultures and developed a greater understanding of the world in the most fun, hands-on way.

I am attending Baylor University in Waco, TX. My major is journalism with an emphasis on public relations and with a minor in entrepreneurship. I work at Magnolia from the HGTV show Fixer Upper which I absolutely LOVE. I’m involved with Baylor’s international missions department working as a public relations intern for them; traveling to Guatemala as a photographer and storyteller. I’m also involved in a local church. Finally, I volunteer with an organization called She’s the First which supports women’s education in developing countries.

I love writing, so naturally I like English, but now my journalism and public relations classes are my favorite!

I enjoy hiking, napping (it’s necessary as a full-time student with a job!), volunteering, traveling, trying new restaurants, and seeing new movies!

I won a scholarship my senior year of high school for my contributions to EcoFiltro, a social business in Antigua, Guatemala that provides water filters to urban and rural families, as well as public schools. I fundraised $6,500 for the organization which equated to 175 filters; giving approximately 6,200 children access to clean water! This is by far my proudest accomplishment to date.

After I graduate from college, I hope to get a job in public relations; possibly advancing my role at Magnolia or for a PR firm. I am interested in pursuing a master’s degree, considering a major of business, professional writing, or another related subject to enhance my journalism degree. I would also love to have my own business one day. I’m fascinated by the social business model, and I would also enjoy an event planning business or having my own PR firm.

A Montessori education offers students the unique opportunity to learn at their own speed. Looking back, I really appreciate that I was able to excel rather than being confined to a specific agenda. I think it helped me grow in more ways than one, as this method allows students to learn from those ahead of them and to teach those who need help.