The Paideia School

Student Spotlight: Kennedy O'Neil '25

Kennedy O'Neil  '25


Senior Kennedy O’Neil ’25 transferred to Paideia following the closure of the Atlanta Girls School last May. Amid the uncertainty and challenges of this transition, Kennedy strengthened her connection to the school community and her sense of self through theater.

What would you do if you found out the school you had attended your entire childhood was going to close? This is a question I never thought I’d face until late March of last year, when an email arrived that truly changed my life. While “life-changing” may sound dramatic, it certainly felt that way to me. Just two months away from my senior year, I was devastated by the news that the community that had shaped me would simply fade away. As I sat there, stunned, I felt an overwhelming sense of loss and fear about what lay ahead of me.

As the initial shock began to wear off, and I enrolled at Paideia, that lingering fear didn’t disappear. Even though I knew deep down Paideia was a perfect fit for me, a voice crept in: ‘what if no one likes me?’ It was a feeling I hadn’t expected. I had always believed in the power of self-expression and thought being true to oneself was very important. But, this would be a new environment, and I wasn’t sure if who I am would be enough. Everything felt uncertain, even my own sense of self.

Kennedy O'Neil in %22Willy Wonka%22
Kennedy O'Neil in %22Willy Wonka%22
Kennedy in the Student Run Musical, "Willy Wonka"


Amid all this uncertainty, one thing anchored me: theater. As I approached my first day of school, I made a promise to myself – I would be involved in every Paideia show I could during my senior year. Little did I know, this mission would become the very thing that helped me find my place in this new community.

This year, I have had the privilege of working with incredibly talented students and directors. Each show has taught me invaluable lessons. The student-run musical in August opened my eyes to the beauty of collaboration. I learned to work with new performers, emphasizing the need for communication within theater. In November, the fall play pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I learned the importance of trusting direction and how surrendering to guidance can lead to unexpected discoveries. As I rehearse for the spring musical, I’m learning to trust myself as an artist to recognize my worth and to embrace the fact that no one is like me, which makes me unique.

Beyond performing, I have a deep love for the craft of theater itself. I’m constantly seeing shows locally and reading any plays I can get my hands on. This passion led me to an incredible opportunity – interviewing our 2024 Pepperdene speaker, Tony Kushner. As a renowned playwright, Tony Kushner has inspired me in many ways. It was a true honor, especially as a new student, to represent the school and be a voice for our collective curiosity.

Kennedy O'Neil with Tony Kushner


Through these experiences, I’ve been able to rediscover myself and understand how I fit into Paideia. I would be lying if I said it hasn’t been challenging, but the support from both students and faculty has helped me find joy in my last year of high school. 

There’s a lyric from the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which I performed at my old school, and that resonates deeply with me, “as we stumble along through life’s funny journey.” In many ways, I’ve stumbled through this year, trying to find my footing. But now, Paideia is beside me, helping me stay steady and walking with me to the next chapter.