The January 2021 student of the month at Ignite Christian Academy is freshman Rosalani Shilinsky, an aspiring musician and a national champion cheerleader who is also impressive in the classroom.
“She is a fantastic student,” wrote Bible teacher Greg Kilgore who nominated her for this month’s award. “She loves to ask questions about the Bible and different subjects covered in class because she has a great desire to learn more.”
My ICA Story
I’ve been a student at ICA since October 2020. After middle school, I had plans to go to a physical high school nearby. When the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, that was no longer an option. My mom and I set out to find the best possible alternative. We found ICA, and it’s been awesome so far. I love that we’re encouraged to take care of the planet, other people, and are generally encouraged to make the world a better place. I love having a positive impact on the people and world around me!
Why I Love ICA
I like that I can work from the comfort of my own home. Similarly, I can also make my own schedule. I don’t have to spend 6+ hours a day laboring over material that doesn’t interest me. All of my classes challenge me and keep me engaged. I can spend as much time as I want on something, and there’s no pressure from others. I can work on my own time. Plus, all my classes are really interesting. I’m always eager to see what comes next. Most importantly, I’m comfortable in the ICA community.
My Favorite Subject
My favorite class is without a doubt my New Testament Survey class. I enjoy how the class combines historical pursuits with a biblical perspective. I’ve always been fascinated with the beginnings of the church and how the world operated at that point in time. This class provides a deep dive into the biblical works that were inspired during the first century AD. I like that it goes deeper than surface-level knowledge. I think it’s really interesting to learn not only about the Scripture itself but also the people who wrote it and the history behind it.
My Family
I have one younger brother. He’s also a student at ICA. We either go for a walk or a bike ride every day after school. When the weather is warm, we like to go on fishing trips with our dad. We’re in constant competition to see who can catch the most fish. (I’d like to think that I’m in the lead!)
My Life in the Philadelphia Suburbs
My favorite part of the city is the music venues. I’ve had so much fun at concerts around the city, and I’ve met some of my best friends by waiting in line for shows. My favorite festival was probably Warped Tour at BB&T Pavilion, which is located just outside of Philadelphia. I seriously had the time of my life. As far as concerts go, I’ve always enjoyed smaller club shows. The Foundry at the Fillmore Philly is a frequented location for my friends and me.
On a different note, I also enjoy the physical landscape of this region. The Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and the Skylands Region of New Jersey aren’t far away. The Delaware Water Gap is another favorite vacation spot of mine. Those places are so beautiful in the summer. Spending all day outside in the woods is really special, and I wish I could do it more.
The Atlantic Ocean is also close, and I’m sure everyone’s heard of the Jersey Shore. The beach is super fun and so is walking the boardwalk after a long day in the ocean. I’m seriously missing the outdoors, and I can’t wait to get back out there when winter is over!
My Hobbies
I spend a lot of time playing guitar. It’s one of those activities I always have fun doing. I could never get bored of it. There’s just so much to learn about music. I also love to read. Literature has always been super important to me. My room is filled with books on any spare surface, and my parents have put a ban on me from bringing home any new ones till I’ve finished the ones I’ve already collected! I rarely have the time while school is in session, but over the summer, I love to paint. A lot of my friends are artistic, and swapping pieces is a cool way to keep little fragments of our friendship.
I’m also an All-Star cheerleader. This is my sixth season cheering, and my first year on a world’s team. World’s teams are eligible to compete internationally against other teams from all over the world. They’re also eligible for the Cheerleading World Championship! This is my first time competing on such an elite level team, and I’m thrilled to see how the season goes!
In 2018, I won nationals with the cheer team I was on at the time. That was an incredibly rewarding experience and honestly unlike any other. There’s nothing like taking the stage with your team and finishing victorious. Being crowned a national champion was something I’ll never forget.
My Dream Job
My dream job would definitely be a touring musician. I’ve always loved performing, and I think combining the showmanship skills I’ve learned as a cheerleader with my knowledge as a musician would put me in a favorable position for that job!
My Goals
Honestly, I feel like just got here! I’ve only been in high school for a few months, I still have so much growing and learning to do. I know that I want to continue working diligently throughout high school and hopefully get into a good college. There are so many interesting career paths, and I’m willing to explore till I’ve found the perfect fit.
My Words of Wisdom
Figure out a routine! Finding out what works for you and what doesn’t is super important in high school. I have different studying processes that I always repeat before tests and quizzes. Remember that you’ll get the most out of it when you put the most into it.
When things are difficult, remember that it will only make you better in the long run. Try not to get overwhelmed with the big picture. Take things day by day and make sure you’re on track. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to do your best!