Louis S. '25: A Balancing Act, From Cartwheels to Care

We recently caught up with Louis S. '25 to hear how she balances her academic journey at Prestans with her passion for teaching young gymnasts and exploring the medical field.

Louis smiles wide, her warmth immediate and effortless. It’s easy to see why little kids adore her. When she’s not immersed in her English and psychology courses—both of which she loves—she’s busy guiding young gymnasts through cartwheels and somersaults, balancing school with a life centered around helping others.

Louis’ students range from five-year-olds to preteens, but one class holds a special place in her heart: a group of young children with autism. “They’re just little kids,” she says simply, brushing off any notion that they’re anything but playful and eager to learn. Her approach is patient, kind, and instinctively inclusive—she sees them first and foremost as kids.

Louis is the kind of person who makes the world feel a little more steady—a quiet leader with a big heart and someone who, even in the busiest moments, always has time for others.

Beyond the gym, Louis spends time in a hospital, which she readily admits is her favorite perk of being a Prestans student. With a flexible schedule, she shadows professionals, volunteers, and explores different fields of medicine, all while shaping her future. “I get to try out different places in the hospital,” she explains. “I can really decide—do I want to work in the ER, the PICU, other floors? Do I want to be a PA? It’s giving me the chance to figure that out before college.”

No matter which speciality she chooses, the overall path is clear: psychology as a major, pre-med courses on the side, and eventually, an advanced program to become a physician assistant. Thoughtful and deliberate, Louis is laying the foundation for a career dedicated to care.

Balancing school, teaching, and hospital volunteering takes discipline, and Louis has learned the value of staying ahead. Her advice for fellow Prestans students is practical, with a knowing smile: “Stay on top of the work. Do it the day it’s assigned, or the day after. Don’t save it for right before class starts—you won’t want to do it then.”

Her everyday life is just as down-to-earth as she is. On her desk? Notebooks, a pencil case, a calculator, and—fittingly—dog treats. When she’s not studying or working, she unwinds with TV, playing cards with her mom, or building Legos. The last thing she Googled? Harissa, while cooking with her mom.

Each summer, she travels to the Czech Republic to visit family—a trip that, like so much in her life, is about connection. Whether it’s through shared meals, teaching young gymnasts, or learning from hospital mentors in preparation for her future career, Louis finds both joy and meaning in the people around her and nurturing relationships with them. For Louis, the most meaningful work is the kind that brings people together.

Louis is the kind of person who makes the world feel a little more steady—a quiet leader with a big heart and someone who, even in the busiest moments, always has time for others.