Imagine Wilton High School having its very own Glinda the Good Witch. Now, imagine someone even better. Introducing Sarah Dickerson, an empathetic junior with an impressive knack for art and music. 

As described by her friend WHS junior Julia Richards, Sarah is someone who’s “extremely funny” and “never fails to light up a room.” Wise beyond her years, Sarah “never jumps to conclusions” and is “always including others,” Richards adds. She also describes Sarah as understanding, caring, and smart. Sarah’s peers see her as an incredible friend and person, willing to both stand up for them and speak up against injustice in general. 

“She is a very good organizer and leader,” WHS junior Angela Varghese adds, also praising her as someone who “is very good at recognizing when people may need help” and is very capable of getting them that help. An extremely empathetic person, Sarah also goes the extra mile of taking action to help those around her, in ways both big and small. 

Sarah’s friends aren’t the only ones who think highly of her. Social Studies teacher Alison Walker describes Sarah as showing “incredible initiative, responsibility, and heart.” 

Sarah loves music and has an undeniable talent for it. She notably sings in the WHS select Madrigals choir and has scored solos in recent years with songs such as “Gaudete.” She’s also an active participant in the WHS band, where she plays the flute and in Richards’ words “is super good at it.” She also loves listening to music, especially Ariana Grande. There’s a clear overlap here, as she harbors a special love for the Wicked franchise. She’s also an artist, and on any given day you can find a number of doodles on the choir room whiteboard. 

Sarah strongly believes in empathy and equality. She enjoys spreading awareness about mental health, and is in both the Neurodiversity Alliance Club and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Club. Dr. O’Donnell praises her as “a consistent, quiet student leader on our DEI committee” who is “caring and advocates for all students in our school and programs.” 

Sarah is currently hard at work on a new event for the Festival this year, called “Walk in Our Shoes.” This event will be interactive, highlighting diverse stories and perspectives within our WHS community. Ms. Waller credits this event, designed to encourage empathy and awareness, to Sarah’s impressive passion and organization. “Her leadership has turned a powerful idea into reality, creating a space where students and staff can better understand each other,” Waller explains. Sarah has, as her friends described, taken action to make a powerful idea a reality – an impressive and rare feat at any age, let alone as a teenager.

Sarah has, through her kindness, passion, and determination, touched the lives of both students and staff here at WHS, and she continues to work behind the scenes to make our school a better place. Ms. Waller perhaps puts it best when she says that “Sarah’s commitment to making Wilton High School a more inclusive place makes her a true Hidden Gem.”