When Lucy Ruse ‘24 entered the Scottish Harp Society of America’s 40th anniversary tune writing competition, she hadn’t expected her composition, Equinox, to come in first place. 

“It was a total shock when the call came in saying that I had won the competition,” Lucy said. “I especially want to thank Mrs. Baldwin for being my harp teacher these many years and inspiring me to enter the competition.” 

The competition, which was open to members of the Scottish Harp Society of America, received entries from harpers with a wide depth and breadth of experience, including many who are internationally recognized.

Lucy has been a member of the Oakcrest Harp Circle studying the harp under Mrs. Alix Baldwin since Lucy was in the sixth grade. 

Commenting on Lucy’s achievement, Mrs. Baldwin said that she was extremely proud of what Lucy has accomplished with her composition. “Lucy’s excellent slip jig shows real understanding of the harp and the Celtic style, and was the result of a lot of hard work,” Mrs. Baldwin said. “How thrilling to know that harpers all over the world will be playing her tune; we can’t wait to play it at Oakcrest!” 

When not practicing the harp or writing her own music, Lucy is a member of the National Honor Society, the English honor society, the math honor society, and is on staff of the Oakcrest literary magazine, Vestigia Dei. In the busy day-to-day life of a junior in high school, Lucy said that some of her favorite moments are debating with her friends at lunch time and the “rapid-fire banter” in her AP U.S. history class with Mrs. Aimee Maturi. 

As a member of the math honor society, Lucy spends her time tutoring younger students in the subject, an opportunity which she said allows her to “reach out to other girls and deepen my understanding in these academic areas.” 

One of her favorite classes that she remembers fondly was eighth grade theology with Mrs. Bonnie Hanssen. It was her stories that really stayed with Lucy to this day. Having the opportunity to attend Mass and receive the sacrament of Confession at school is a part of the Oakcrest life that Lucy said she loves, in addition to the care of the teachers for their students. 

Outside of Oakcrest, Lucy plays piano and tennis, spends time painting and sketching, and can be found swing dancing.