Eighth-Grader Preps for Prep School

Let’s just call her Hurricane Jessica.

The eighth-grade student at Walter Reed Junior High School is a whirlwind of activity who breezes from honors classes to violin practice to long-distance running events to Shakespeare play rehearsal, seemingly without slowing down.

Jessica Watson’s energy and enthusiasm so impressed admissions officials at Governor Dummer Academy, a prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts, that they offered her a place in the Class of 2001.

To cover expenses, Jessica was awarded an annual $22,000 academic scholarship for each of her four years, said admissions director Peter K. Werner. “Ever since I knew what college was, I wanted to go,” Jessica said. “This is a college preparatory school, so I’m really excited about going.”

Last September, Jessica met with recruiters from seven East Coast boarding schools who routinely visit Walter Reed to meet prospective students through a program established by Assistant Principal Paul Scibetta.

By spring, Jessica had narrowed her choice down to Governor Dummer Academy and another school. However, when she received her scholarship award letter, she said her choice was, well, a no-brainer.

Jessica said she was awarded the scholarship based on her academic record, recommendations, financial need and sincere desire to attend school thousands of miles away from her Canoga Park home.

Several of her classmates initially were interested in going to prep school, Jessica said, but later realized they weren’t ready to leave home.

“I don’t have that problem,” Jessica said with a laugh, adding that the notion of going to boarding school is “cool.”

Still, Jessica’s mother, Vicki Butler, said she has mixed emotions about the prospect of her only child leaving the nest.

“It really is hard to let her go. I expected her to leave for college at 18, not for high school at 14,” said Butler, who is a single parent.

“This is something that she wants to do and I am supporting her.”