When Rima ’23 first heard about Oakcrest School, it was at the encouragement of her parents and her older sister, Dima ’22, and after shadowing herself, Rima knew she wanted to be an Oakcrest student.

 

She explains that there were four things that stuck out to her about Oakcrest: the all-girls education, the strong foundation in faith, the close-knit community, and the welcoming teachers and faculty members. 

 

“The all-girls education has allowed me and other Oakcrest students to have more confidence, freedom, authentic conversations and friendships, and room to grow intellectually and morally in the classroom and beyond,” Rima said. 

 

While she is not Catholic, Rima continued by saying that the foundation in her faith that Oakcrest has built upon throughout the past five years has allowed her to develop her character in a way that she believes wouldn’t be possible without faith. 

 

One of her favorite classes has been AP Chemistry with Dr. Kat Hussmann. 

 

“AP Chemistry challenged me in ways I had never been before in the classroom, but this was so special because the lessons and topics I learned were so unbelievably enjoyable,” Rima said. “I was also able to form such a close connection with my eight person class. I was able to grow such a great love for Chemistry through the fun labs we did, the lessons taught, and Dr. Hussmann’s admirable teaching style and method.” 

 

In addition to participating in Science Olympiad and the Ambassadors Club, Rima serves as a student tutor and plays on the Soccer and Track and Field teams. She is also a flutist in the Chamber Orchestra. Rima will serve as the Student Council president for the 2022-2023 school year. “I am so incredibly grateful and excited to serve,” she said. Rima has served as a member of the student council since the ninth grade, when she was class president and as school secretary in sophomore and junior years. 

 

“These leadership roles have helped me develop many skills such as how to work together on a team, fostering teamwork, multitasking, time management, communication, and being realistic, adaptable, accountable, and a good listener,” Rima said, reflecting on her experiences. “Student Council has also deepened my connection with the student body and encourages my passion in representing the voices of the student body and increasing motivation and spirit throughout school.” 

 

Outside of Oakcrest, Rima enjoys working at the GW Hospital and volunteering at the Embry Rucker Shelter. She loves to cook and bake and spend time making dinner or dessert for her family and even making cooking videos for the elderly. 

 

One aspect of Oakcrest that means a lot to her is the school’s emphasis on character development, in accordance with its mission, she said. 

 

“Oakcrest works with parents to provide a liberal arts education that is woven together with an environment that encourages spirituality, collaboration, authenticity, openness, innocence, confidence, and independence,” she said. “All these aspects that are embedded in the mission of Oakcrest come together to form young women prepared for the future and the journeys ahead. Oakcrest is truly a school like no other.”