College Profile: Piper Wright '18 headed for Pepperdine
The Clayton, GA, native is one of many Rabun Gap seniors planning to attend Christian colleges and universities next year.
This story is part of a series of college profiles featuring students from Rabun Gap’s Class of 2018.
Fueled by faith, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee senior Piper Wright of Clayton, GA will head to the West Coast this fall to continue her education at Pepperdine University.
Pepperdine, ranked in the Top 50 best colleges and universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, is located in Malibu, California, and is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
“The atmosphere is so calm and inviting, I felt very comfortable there and that was what I was really looking for in a school,” Piper said. “The people are so nice and welcoming and the students reminded me of the type of students you see at Rabun Gap, a very diverse and driven community.”
Piper knew she wanted to pursue an international education and said Pepperdine had the major and programs she was looking for in a school. She plans to major in International Studies, with an emphasis on International Communication and Journalism.
“I think this particular major will give me so many different types of opportunities and will be very flexible. As the world continues to become more connected, I think a major in International studies and communication will be very valuable in the future,” she said.
Piper has been a strong leader and student in the Rabun Gap community. She served as a prefect this year and has been a member of the varsity volleyball team for three years, bringing home the team’s leadership award last fall. She’s also been a part of the varsity basketball team, soccer team, and track team. Off the courts, she’s served as a leader of the Community Service Club and performed on the Rearden Stage in “The Wizard of Oz” in 2017 and “Cirque Malvagio” in 2018. Piper is an active member of Clayton First United Methodist Church.
"Piper has really embraced ’finding the right fit, in her college choice,” said Cheryl Barber, Director of College Counseling. “ She has been thoughtful and intentional in the college search. I think this is a crucial part of the college counseling advice for our students. Students learn what is important to them during their time at Rabun Gap, and finding the college campus that embodies their educational and personal beliefs is a great start to a successful academic journey."
Though Piper will be more than 2,000 miles away from her mountain home in Rabun County, she’s ready to experience life on the West Coast.
“I am most looking forward to experiencing a very different culture and area and exploring all of the opportunities that Pepperdine will offer me,” Piper said.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
