Alumni Spotlight – Griffins Out Of The Nest

“Griffin spirit” calls one name to mind: Elijah Griffin. For Elijah, leadership has always meant showing up, getting involved, and stepping forward when opportunities arise.

Since graduating from Oxford Preparatory School, Elijah has carried that mindset to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he has quickly become a familiar face across campus through student government, campus leadership roles, and the university’s marching band.

Finding His Voice at Oxford Prep

Elijah started Oxford Prep in August 2017 as a seventh grader and quickly immersed himself in the school community. He played soccer, performed in the band, participated in the CFA Leadership Academy, and was involved in organizations such as the Tri-M Music Honor Society, Beta Club, and the Student Government Association, eventually serving as vice president.

It may seem like a lot on the surface, but Elijah gives credit to the mentors who held him accountable during his time at OPS. Coach Juntunen played a particularly important role, taking Elijah under his wing and helping him find the balance between schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

Reflecting on that time, Elijah laughed and said, “Coach J was my personal principal. He truly treated me as if I were one of his own kids.” This theme of a family-like atmosphere extended to staff members such as Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Heggie, as he emphasized the importance of them holding him accountable during his last couple of years at OPS.

With all of this support, Elijah always felt right at home at OPS, and he became a standard-bearer for school spirit.

His enthusiasm and school spirit made a lasting impression on campus—to the point that the school’s mascot was eventually named after him. On any given night at a sporting event, you could catch Elijah in the mascot uniform, managing a team, or being the loudest supporter in the crowd for all of his classmates.

His love for the school did not stop with his own classmates; he wanted to have an impact on the Griffins of the future.

The experience that stood out most was serving as a Griffin’s Nest counselor, where he guided and mentored younger students. For Elijah, modeling leadership and taking responsibility for younger classmates was especially meaningful.

“I took pride in setting a good example for the younger kids,” he said. “Watching those same students grow and mature was one of the highlights for me.”

These experiences gave Elijah the confidence to keep being himself and to find ways to impact his community.

Jumping In at UNC Pembroke

When deciding on schools, Elijah was looking for an environment similar to Oxford Prep, and UNC Pembroke offered that through its school culture and family-like community.

When Elijah arrived at UNC Pembroke, he stayed true to his identity. Rather than easing into campus life, he immediately began looking for ways to get involved.

“I refused to be one of the students who were scared to do something as a freshman,” he said.

During his first year, he joined both the marching band and the Student Government Association—two experiences that quickly connected him with the campus community.

His willingness to step forward has led to increased leadership responsibilities within student government, where he has served as a freshman and sophomore senator and currently holds the roles of junior senator and government operations chair. Most recently, Elijah was elected student body president. Not only is this one of the highest honors at any school, but it also serves as another testament to the connections he can build with any community of which he is a part.

Beyond student government, Elijah has taken on several other leadership and service roles across campus. As an orientation leader, he helps welcome incoming students and guide them through their transition to college. As a peer academic leader, he works with first-year students to help them navigate academic expectations and campus resources.

He has also worked in the university’s Department of Information Technology, providing technical support and customer service to students and faculty, and has served as a duty manager at Hawk’s Nest, helping coordinate student activities and events.

These experiences have allowed Elijah to build leadership, communication, and organizational skills while working closely with multiple departments across campus.

Pursuing Communication and Public Service

Elijah is currently pursuing a degree in mass communication with a concentration in broadcasting while also completing minors in business administration and political science.

As usual, the impact he hopes to have on others has greatly influenced his academic direction and future goals.

“With the political climate of the world, I felt more inclined to speak up and learn more about politics,” he explained.

He laughed while reflecting on the more interesting parts of past elections at UNCP for his SGA positions, but he knows there may be more elections he will be part of down the line.

Outside the classroom, Elijah continues to stay involved in service and leadership opportunities. He volunteers at his church as an executive pastor and sound technician and also serves on the university’s student conduct board.

Looking Ahead

After graduating from UNCP, Elijah plans to attend graduate school and pursue a master’s degree in prelaw. Down the road, he hopes to work in government and legislation, where he can contribute to public policy and help serve communities through leadership and advocacy.

Looking back, Elijah believes the environment at Oxford Prep played a major role in preparing him for success in college. The close-knit community and leadership opportunities helped him build confidence, develop strong time management skills, and learn how to balance academics with extracurricular involvement.

For current Oxford Prep students, his advice reflects the lessons he has carried with him since graduating.

“Be yourself. You’ll find a lot of people trying to change for others. Don’t change for anyone. Be who you are and have fun.”

When it comes to college, he encourages students to fully embrace the experience.

“Get involved when you get there, and make sure the college you choose fits you. And stay connected with your people from high school.”

Soon, you may turn on your TV or open your phone and either hear or see Elijah, but we know that regardless of where he is, his impact will be felt in the community he’s in.

We are so proud of Elijah and cannot wait to see what the future holds for him.

For Layla Brewer, growth used to mean having every step of the process planned out. What growth means to Layla now is a little different from what it meant to her at fourteen. Her version of growth has become about trusting the process, staying open-minded, and focusing on what is right in front of her.

That mindset has carried the Oxford Preparatory School (OPS) alumna from the music rooms at OPS to the classrooms of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and now to Elon University School of Law, where she is pursuing her Juris Doctor as a Presidential Scholar and Leadership Fellow.

Finding Her Place at Oxford Prep

Layla joined Oxford Prep in 2017 as an eighth grader, and like many students entering a new school, she remembers that transition feeling a little scary at first. Yet, it did not take long for her to find a place where she felt at home.

For Layla, that place was music. Through band, orchestra, jazz band, the CFA Leadership Academy, and Tri-M Music Honor Society, she found not only activities to be involved in, but also a true sense of belonging. The Jazz Band, in particular, became a safe space for her, and a place where friendships were built and where she felt fully accepted. She spoke about how many of those relationships are still lasting to this day.

She spoke especially warmly about the educators who helped make Oxford Prep feel like home. Mr. Pulley gave students creative freedom and encouraged them to make music their own, which made the band room feel less like a class and more like a community. Mrs. Stallsmith,
though never officially her teacher, also left a lasting mark. Whether Layla needed a quiet place to spend lunch, somewhere to sit during free periods, or even a comfortable space to hold virtual job interviews, Mrs. Stallsmith always made room for her.

Initially, the small-school setting at Oxford Prep intimidated Layla. Over time, it became one of the things she cherished most. She loved how easy it was to build real relationships with teachers and classmates and how the school created a space where students could grow without feeling judged. “Oxford Prep gave students the freedom to grow and find their own interests,” she said. That freedom helped Layla begin to understand who she was and what mattered to her, not just as a student, but as a person.

Stepping Into Something Bigger

Layla graduated from Oxford Prep in 2022, not only with her high school diploma, but also with her associate degree through the OPS – Vance Granville Community College Career and College Promise Program. This is a major accomplishment that reflected years of hard work and determination. As a first-generation college student from a family rooted largely in the trades, that milestone carried even more meaning.

Layla always had her mind set on going to a major university, but the college application process brought on many challenges that made Layla question her decision on where to go to school. During this time, she felt upset and unsure of herself, but she pointed to one moment that helped her reframe her mindset. Dr. Smith had a small conversation with her, and he simply encouraged her to look beyond the one or two schools she had always pictured for herself. This led to her touring other schools, sitting in on college classes, and learning about different learning opportunities. That simple push to explore more options opened doors she may not have considered otherwise and ultimately helped lead her to UNC-Chapel Hill.

One of her favorite memories from senior year was celebrating her commitment to Carolina with the jazz band and the friends who had supported her along the way. It was a moment where she truly felt seen and celebrated by the Oxford Prep community.

At UNC, the transition was exciting but also overwhelming. Moving from a close-knit school like OPS to a large university meant learning how to navigate a completely different environment. But Layla found that many of the habits and skills she developed at OPS could translate to any environment. Knowing how to connect with people, stay open-minded, and advocate for herself made her transition smoother than expected. She found the same school spirit and passion at UNC that she felt back in her OPS days.

The biggest adjustment came in her mindset. Before college, Layla always wanted to have a completely mapped-out plan for her path in life. When forced to make decisions about majors, minors, career paths, and internships, Layla quickly learned an important lesson during her time in college: it is okay not to have everything figured out right away. “It’s fine to not have a plan,” she said. That willingness to explore gave her the space to experiment with classes, interests, and opportunities until she found the direction that felt right.

Layla went on to graduate with a bachelor of arts in economics in May 2024, but her next step was something that she never expected.

Ms. Brewer aka “Brew”

Layla had plans to further her education beyond UNC, and Law School was always a path, but it got put on hold for something Layla could never have guessed. While at UNC, Layla worked as an Admissions Ambassador, guiding prospective students and their families through the college search process. She naturally became invested in the role due to her desire to help others. That role eventually opened the door to what she now describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.

After graduation, Layla returned home to serve as a college adviser at Vance County High School (VCHS) through the Carolina College Advising Corps. There, she worked with more than 235 seniors, helping them navigate college applications, FAFSA, financial aid, military enlistment, athletic recruitment, and career planning.

What made the role so meaningful was not just the paperwork or deadlines; it was the relationships.“It was much bigger than just being the college advisor,” she said. As usual with new staff members, there was hesitancy from the students to interact and get comfortable with Layla, but that quickly went away as she progressed in the job.

Layla poured herself into those students, connecting not just with them, but with their families, coaches, athletic teams, and teachers. She recalls traveling hours for basketball and football games, watching student-athlete highlight tapes, and stepping in for roles that may not have been in the job description. She became someone they could trust during one of the most uncertain and important seasons of their lives. Upon initial meeting, they referred to Layla as Ms. Brewer, but as the relationships were built, they quickly built nicknames and inside jokes, and not far after, seniors were packed into the office of “Brew”, finding their next step. Even now, she still keeps in touch with some of the students she supported.

At the same time, Layla was navigating her own next chapter. While helping students apply to college, she was studying for the LSAT and preparing her own law school applications. She spoke to one moment where she allowed all of her students to go through the FAFSA process with her as she filled out her forms in front of all of them. In many ways, she and her students were walking through major life transitions together.

The experience at VCHS gave her not only clarity, but perspective.

A New Chapter, Rooted in Purpose

Today, Layla is a law student at Elon Law, where she is involved in organizations such as the Pro Bono Board, Education Law Society, and the Intellectual Property, Sport and Entertainment Law Society. Though law school has brought new challenges and a new level of academic intensity, she has embraced it with the same thoughtful determination that has guided her all along. She describes law school as difficult, but deeply rewarding.

While she remains open-minded about where exactly her legal career will lead, one dream has already begun to take shape: she would love to one day create a nonprofit legal counseling organization for young athletes, helping them access the guidance, advocacy, and protection they may not otherwise have.

That goal reflects something consistent throughout Layla’s story, her desire not only to succeed herself, but to use what she has learned to help others move forward, too.

Looking Ahead

As Layla continues to build her future, she does so with gratitude for the people and places that have helped shape her along the way. Oxford Prep gave her a place to belong, teachers who believed in her, and the freedom to become more fully herself.

Her advice to present and future Griffins is simple, but powerful: “Focus on the step in front of you, not the staircase.”

For Layla Brewer, the journey has been full of unexpected turns, but the beauty has been found in the help she continues to provide for others. We’re so proud of our young star and excited to see her growth in the future!

Building the Foundation at Oxford Prep

When Isaac Watkins reflects on his time at Oxford Preparatory School, one word rises above the rest: “yes.”

“Oxford Prep said yes and allowed me to explore,” he shares. That spirit of exploration has since carried him across the globe. Isaac has traveled almost everywhere you can think of, from rural Thailand, Greece, France, Canada, and even Egypt, and now into the classrooms of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he now thrives as a Morehead-Cain Scholar.

During his time at Oxford Prep, Isaac embraced every opportunity available to him. He participated in choir, band, and jazz band, and engaged in leadership experiences such as the CFA Leadership Program and collaborative work with the school board. By the time he graduated, Isaac had earned more than 40 college credit hours. Isaac was more than ready to take on the challenge at UNC, but he found himself continuing to be driven by experiential learning. The formative moments in all the different clubs and programs at Oxford Prep helped him grow not only as a student but as a thinker and communicator, and that’s what led to his next big decision.

A Gap Year of Growth

Instead of enrolling in college immediately, Isaac chose to take a gap year after graduation. From September 2022 to March 2023, he lived in a small, under-resourced community in Thailand, teaching English to students ages 10 to 12 across seven rural schools. He worked closely with local educators to create a student-centered curriculum and to organize a Christmas card exchange that connected nearly 300 Thai students with peers abroad. Living and working in Thailand stretched him personally and professionally. It strengthened his adaptability, deepened his understanding of culture, and confirmed his desire to pursue work centered on dialogue, education, and faith. These experiences were eye-opening and gave Isaac a new perspective before he returned to North Carolina to begin his time at UNC.

All-Around Excellence at UNC

When asked about the difference between Oxford Prep and college, Isaac responded with “The content transferred well… but I had to learn to take control of my own learning and create structure for myself.” That mindset would shape all of his success in higher education.

At UNC, Isaac majors in religious studies and classics, concentrating in Ancient Greek, with a minor in philosophy. Initially intending to major in philosophy, he ultimately found himself drawn fully into religious studies, and particularly the translation and interpretation of biblical texts. Staying consistent with his time at OPS, Isaac has earned recognition in many ways. His essay “Breaking Luke’s Heart: Examining Alternative Interpretations of Καρδία in the Gospel of Luke” was recognized as noteworthy undergraduate scholarship in the study of religion and received the North Carolina Religious Studies Association Undergraduate Paper Award (2025) and the Halperin-Schütz Undergraduate Essay Award (2024–2025).

Beyond the classroom, Isaac has studied abroad in Athens, Greece; spent a month in Egypt conducting research and interviewing religious leaders; served as a pastoral intern in France; and conducted research for the City of Calgary on community engagement. Yet when asked what has impacted him most, he doesn’t point first to accolades. “It’s the debates you have in the halls… and all of the talks you have outside the classroom that push forward your development.”

From Student to Teacher?

Isaac’s love for conversation and big ideas led him to pitch and design his own Honors seminar at UNC titled “Thinking Religiously and Religiously Thinking: The Psychology and Philosophy of Religion.” As a C-START student instructor, he researched and developed the course alongside his peers, co-facilitator, and faculty mentors, and he now facilitates weekly Monday discussions with fellow students. Many may find this an unusual path, but Isaac has been no stranger to pitching ideas and speaking up as a student, as he was the first to petition for a student representative role to be created on the OPS school board. He credits Oxford Prep for cultivating that willingness to explore. “Given the opportunity to play, explore, and run with big ideas, that’s what makes Oxford Prep special.”

Looking Ahead

Isaac plans to apply to graduate programs, continuing his study of ancient texts and their ongoing relevance in modern life. His path has already taken him across continents, languages, and cultures, but his core approach remains rooted in curiosity and courage.

When asked about his advice to current and future Griffins, Isaac responded, “Play more. Go explore more. Be willing to fail. Do things you want to do for yourself and for the world.”

We are so proud of Isaac and can not wait to see what the future holds for our young star!

Averi Sievert was part of the second eighth-grade class to ever walk the halls at Oxford Prep, and she has had quite the journey to prepare her to walk the halls of Iowa State University, and now, law school in New England.

As a member of the Class of 2021, her journey at Oxford Prep began in 2016. To anyone who knew her during her time at Oxford Prep, all of her success comes as no surprise. Averi consistently embraced every opportunity to learn, lead, and explore. This was evident as she earned volunteer awards all four years of her high school career for logging the most service hours, while actively participating in organizations such as Key Club, Interact Club, and the Equestrian Club. Averi credits these experiences as the real preparation that allowed her to confidently step into the unknown for her undergraduate studies.

Beyond service and leadership, Averi highlights Oxford Prep’s strong emphasis on academics, the arts, and community as foundational to her growth. She describes Oxford Prep as academically rigorous, so much so that she says, “Oxford Prep was much more challenging than my time in undergrad.” The small, close-knit environment at OPS helped her develop the social skills and independence needed to thrive in new communities, making the transition to college both exciting and seamless. The transition would be a little different than most, as she decided to move more than 1,100 miles away from home.

After graduating from Oxford Prep, Averi attended Iowa State University, drawn to its small-town feel and opportunities to explore new interests. There, she excelled academically, earning a degree in Animal Science with a 3.90 GPA and graduating summa cum laude. Averi’s leadership continued outside the classroom as she served as a teaching assistant and tutor, helped establish an animal science help room to provide free tutoring for students (first time in program history), served on the Animal Science Undergraduate Advisory Committee, and earned recognition as an all-regional rider with the Iowa State Equestrian Club. These experiences reinforced the confidence and work ethic she first developed at Oxford Prep.

As usual, Averi also embraced opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through study abroad programs in Germany and later at the University of Galway in Ireland, where she studied artificial intelligence and humanitarian law. With family roots in Ireland, the experience was especially meaningful, allowing her to connect with her heritage and form lifelong friendships. Averi credits Oxford Prep’s college tours and emphasis on exploration with preparing her to take advantage of these global opportunities without hesitation.

Today, Averi is continuing her journey as a juris doctor candidate at New England Law | Boston, where she serves as vice president of the Intellectual Property Law Association and has earned a place on the dean’s list. She has also gained hands-on legal experience through an internship with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, something that the teenage version of Averi that was in teen court would’ve dreamed of.

When reflecting on her time at Oxford Prep, Averi credits the school with giving her the confidence to pursue big opportunities and the courage to explore paths she once wasn’t sure she’d take. Her advice to current and future Griffins is: “Take the classes you’re unsure about, try new things, and always follow what interests you.”

We are so proud of Averi and all of her success, and can not wait to see what the future holds for this young star!