Christa Knipes

Christa Knipes is a Junior from Lebanon, Ohio, and is double majoring in Dance and English and minoring in Psychology. She is involved with several clubs on campus.

Christa did not have your typical upbringing; she started her education through being homeschooled in her rural town, with not much to do. She expressed she was unlike the other students in her hometown that were homeschooled. She knew this form of education was not a good fit for her, as she has a passion for dance.

Christa knew to achieve success in the field of dance; she needed to take a leap of faith. So, in her Junior year of high school, she decided to enroll in Interlochen Arts Academy. She knew boarding school would be different, but with her bubbly personality, she excelled and reached her goal of majoring in dance at the university level.

Christa grew up with her parents, her dog, and her older brother Connor who was homeschooled with her from a young age. She believes her family has been vital in achieving the success she has today, as they have been both supportive and inspiring as she took steps to reach her goal of pursuing dance at a higher level. She jokes that her family is like a real-life sitcom. The laughs and love her family has provided her throughout her life, has helped her stay grounded and be her true self.

Hurst Day 2019, Christa is on the far right. 

After graduation, Christa has several goals in mind. She plans to receive a Master's in Secondary Education and intends to become a professional ballet dancer for as long as she can. She also hopes to utilize her degree to teach English to middle schoolers and high schoolers.






Christa is active in several clubs on campus and has very little free time between her involvement on campus and her studies. She is in Dance Club, Phi Chi, Phi Eta Sigma, and NHSDA. Christa is currently the Co-President of Dance Outreach as she has limited time to herself, from her studies clubs, and her job on campus. She utilizes her free time for catching up on sleep, reading, writing, and having sarcastic conversations with her friends.


She prides herself in reading the entire Harry Potter series out loud to her dog when she was in elementary school. Her passion for reading at a young age has helped her excel as an English major, as she picked up on grammatical structures at a young age from the extensive reading she would do in her spare time. 

Christa is a student who is always on the move. If you are lucky enough to have a class with her or find her in her free time, I would suggest taking the opportunity to have a conversation with her.  You will be able to meet someone who has a unique background and has continued to work her way to the top while redefining the odds.

- Isabel C. Merriman

Bailey Brillman

Bailey Brillman is a sophomore from Buckingham, Pennsylvania. She is majoring in Applied Forensic Science with a concentration in Biology, and she is minoring in French and Biochemistry.

Bailey wants to continue her education after getting a bachelor's degree at Mercyhurst. By applying to Cedar Crest College's Forensic Science Master's degree program and specializing in Blood Studies Analysis. Her goal is to work alongside law enforcement in a federal agency. She wants to help victims find closure by finding it hard to get evidence to solve the case.

Outside of academics, Bailey likes to participate in several clubs across campus, including; the Forensic Science, Theatre, French, and Biochemistry clubs. From freshmen year of High School to now, Bailey has been a part of Marching Band.

Bailey has several accomplishments, both inside and outside of the classroom. In High School, Bailey was active in Marching Band earning, as a team, first place in the U.S. Band Championship competition out of twelve other high school bands. She won the Patriot award for investment in her senior year. Bailey is a proud active Girl Scout Alumni complete with a Bronze and Silver Awards, and she has a lifetime membership. The Bronze and Silver awards and service projects totaling over 100 hours of community service.

During her primary education, Bailey was involved in several school theatre productions, including 'Twinderella,' 'The Big Bad Musical,' 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown,' 'Dear Edwina,' 'Seussical the Musical' and 'Mary Poppins.' She had put her passion for theatre performances aside to continue pursuing higher education.

Her family is an important part of her life; at home, she lives with her mom, dad, sister Corey, and their lab-whippet mix named Liberty.

Bailey would describe her as a typical Ravenclaw. Yes, she's obsessed with the Harry Potter series. She is intelligent, not afraid of challenges, and loves to help others.

- Isabel C. Merriman