Alumni Spotlight – Griffins Out Of The Nest

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!

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!