Page 162 - Herioter 2020

Rachel Fairley,

Vice-Captain

Rachel Fairley is an exceptional individual. the Drum Corps and three second and history that is her real intellectual
Generous, kind and thoughtful, she placings at the World Solo Drumming passion. Rachel’s brilliance in the subject
is also an academic powerhouse, Championships. Of the 24 significant is, in part, down to her emotional
committed teammate and talented achievements Mr Jörgensen listed for engagement. As Mr McCabe recognises:
musician. me, Rachel herself states the crowning ‘Of course she has a powerful intellect
She began her Heriot’s journey in the of the Juvenile Drum Corps as World and remarkable forensic skill, but she is
Nursery and, as she moved through the Champions in 2017 as a highlight. also a woman of enormous compassion
Junior School, made firm friends, worked Beyond her huge commitment to and feeling, so whether she’s reading
hard and, as it turned out, was the first drumming, Rachel has thrown herself about women in Nazi Germany or the
in her P2 class to lose a tooth. Esme, into a myriad of activities for the school. French Revolution she understands that
Rachel’s closest friend even now in S6, From conducting the Castle choir and what she’s actually reading about is
recalls that this was a catalytic moment playing the timpani drums for the first other people’s lived experience.’
in their friendship, noting: ‘it was an time in her life in this year’s House Music
important achievement to me at the competition (a thrill for her), to being And it is that awareness of other
time, acting as a testament to how she part of the tennis team and a stalwart people’s lives – their ambitions,
has never failed to be on top of life at of the hockey field, she has been an struggles and joys – that means Rachel
Heriot’s from the very beginning.’ Rachel engaged and enthusiastic Herioter is a force for good in the world. She is,
would, of course, not recognise this of course, a first-class Vice-Captain;
perception of herself as being ‘on top of throughout the years. she is also highly personable, warm,
life’ but it has not only been in the art Within the classroom, Rachel is funny, wonderfully witty and a brave
of tooth-losing that Rachel has led from insightful, intelligent and incredibly and powerful voice, standing up for what
the front. In P3, she began drumming! modest. Mr McCabe describes her as is right, and demanding equality and
Mr Jörgensen remembers her all those ‘one of the most articulate, talented, respect for all.
years ago as an exceptionally focused capable students to pass through the As she leaves Lauriston Place behind,
and determined pupil, ‘destined to History and Modern Studies Department for the life of a history undergraduate
become one of the school’s finest in the past 20 years’. Whilst she won the at St Andrews beckons, she goes with
drummers.’ Since then she has been the award for Highest Achieving Candidate our gratitude, admiration and love. It
leading drummer of all three pipe bands in Scotland for her 100 percent score is individuals like Rachel who shape
at some stage and is ‘an exceptional in her Higher modern studies exam, and
talent’. Coupled with her unbelievable has received scores of academic prizes in Heriot’s – her strength, determination
diligence, this aptitude for the drums has a wide range of subjects at school, it is and integrity – and we wish her every
resulted in many successes, including history that Rachel has chosen to go on success.
two World Championship wins with and study at undergraduate level – Dr Ali Neilson

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