Holy Innocents' Junior to Study Ethics, Global Leadership in D.C.

Ellie Epperson, a junior at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, will be one of only 24 students across the country to study at The School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) in Washington, D.C., this semester. Students from public and independent schools will tackle ethical thinking skills, leadership development, and international studies in a program designed to give students “the best possible opportunity to shape themselves into ethical leaders who create positive change in our world,” according to the SEGL website.

Epperson is particularly interested in taking advantage of outside opportunities in the nation’s capital, focusing on current events, and learning more about education policy. Epperson tutors at-risk children through Holy Innocents’ Change a Life Club, at Sandy Springs Mission, and volunteers with the Holy Innocents’ Horizons Program, helping students with subjects like math, reading, science, and global studies.

This school year she was also paired with a Horizons seventh-grader who needed help in social studies. “Ellie meets with him every Tuesday to help him with his homework and explain any concepts he struggles with,” said Christine Brodnan, Horizons Program site director. “I have been very impressed with her ability to understand the educational opportunity gap and take action to make a difference through volunteering with Horizons.”

Ellie plans to study political science in college and possibly go to law school or become involved with Teach for America. HIES’ Director of Global Studies Erik Vincent—who describes Epperson as a compassionate young woman embodying the character of a global citizen—believes that Ellie’s semester at SEGL ” promises to be transformative, both for her and our HIES community.”

For more about The School for Ethics and Global Leadership, click here.