One of the great joys of being part of the CMS community is seeing our alumni grow into thoughtful, curious, capable young people. Recently, we were delighted to hear updates about two former students who are continuing to pursue their passions and build on the strong foundations they developed at Chesterfield Montessori School.
Alya Pellegrini: Sharing a Love of Latin
CMS alumna Alya Pellegrini, a junior at John Burroughs School, turned her love of Latin into a creative project for younger students.
Alya wrote and illustrated a series of Latin books designed specifically for early elementary readers. Inspired by the way she first fell in love with Latin while attending CMS, her goal was to create something that young children could truly engage with. These books perfectly match their reading level while introducing them to the beauty of the language - rare features in Latin learning materials!
Alya has generously volunteered her time to return to CMS several times to share her books with Lower Elementary students. During her visits, she presents the stories and offers a short lesson, giving younger students a glimpse into the joy of language learning.
It has been a special full-circle moment to see a former student inspiring the next generation of learners at CMS.
Henry Noel: Curiosity Across Many Fields
Another CMS alumni, Henry Noel, is thriving academically and creatively as he finishes middle school. Henry has been a nearly straight-A student, with teachers noting his intellectual curiosity and willingness to tackle challenging material, even attempting college-level work in some subjects.
Henry will attend De Smet Jesuit High School in the fall, where he received a merit scholarship.
His parents shared with us that interests span an impressive range. Henry is especially drawn to history, politics, psychology and theater—particularly Shakespeare and improvisation. He also composes his own music, enjoys glassblowing and recently learned how to sail. He’s considering golf, tennis or soccer in high school as he continues exploring new interests and opportunities.
Foundations That Last
Stories like Alya’s and Henry’s remind us how lasting the Montessori foundation can be. A love of learning, intellectual independence and the confidence to pursue one’s interests often begin early and continue to grow long after students leave our classrooms.
We are always proud to hear from our alumni and look forward to seeing where their curiosity and creativity take them next. If you are an alum of CMS (or a parent of an alum), we'd love to hear about your post-CMS academic experiences, professional accomplishments and/or personal milestones. Reach out to us or take a look at our Alumni Page.
