Alumni Spotlight

Emily Spikes ’17 attended ACDS from Begindergarten through 8th grade. Upon graduation from Leland High School she enrolled at Portland State University where she obtained a BFA Art Practice degree. She also earned a Certificate in Graphic Design from UC Berkeley.

Emily is hoping to build a career in publishing and book illustration — combining her love of storytelling, drawing, and design. At present she is continuing her Marketing and Design internship at ACDS with Cathy Shin. Emily states, “Being able to contribute to the ACDS community in a creative way has been a full-circle moment, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to give back.”

Emily shares that she is honored to have her work included in the 2025 BFA Exhibition: Beyond the Periphery at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University. Emily spent her entire senior year developing her project; a children’s poetry anthology, which she fully illustrated. Each poem is paired with a full-scale oil painting. The exhibit was open from May 15th through June 6th of this year.

When asked in what ways ACDS has had an impact on her, Emily shared that the school’s commitment to the arts as a core part of childhood education has always meant so much to her. She stated that she has fond memories of participating in theater productions. She also enjoyed creating art under the incredible guidance of Mrs. Wilkus. Additionally, Emily’s membership on the school yearbook team helped her grow as both an artist and a collaborator.

The place that truly sparked Emily’s imagination was the ACDS Library. Emily shared, “Mrs. Egli was the best librarian anyone could ask for — her passion for stories and creativity was infectious. Through author visits, book fairs, and magical themed events, she helped bring books to life in a way that inspired me deeply. Meeting real authors and illustrators throughout my childhood made the idea of a creative career feel real and possible. Those moments stayed with me and ultimately led me to pursue a path in illustration."

Some favorite ACDS traditions for Emily include community events like Pumpkin Carving, the Thanksgiving Feast, and the end of the year Carnival. Emily shared that these gatherings were not only fun, but they created a sense of connection among students, teachers, and families. She added that they were a joyful part of her time at ACDS and a big reason why the school felt like home.

A favorite memory for Emily was the brief but special period when she and her older brother, Jacob, were at the school together. She was in pre-kindergarten while Jake was in middle school, but it was a meaningful time because his class and hers were “buddies.” She states that she was so proud and excited to have her big brother and his best friend, Jeff, assigned as her “Big Buddies”.

Emily added that she’s always felt a strong connection to her teachers at ACDS because they were genuinely kind and cared deeply about their students. She especially connected with Mrs. Egli and Mrs. Wilkus, who helped spark her love for art. The school library was her favorite place on campus because it was a welcoming space where she could be herself, dive into good books, and talk about her interests with her beloved librarian. Emily also shared that she loved the art in the library created by Mrs. Hatch as well as the art made by students for the author visits.

Advice that Emily would like to share would be to follow your passions — whether it’s art, science, theater, math, or something else. Whatever sparks your interest and makes you feel excited to learn is worth pursuing. She also advises to try new things, learn new skills, and meet new people. Every experience is a chance to learn. Don’t be afraid to go after what excites you — you’ll grow the most by doing what you care about.

When asked what Emily would say to a prospective family she stated, “I highly recommend ACDS to any family seeking a well-rounded, comprehensive education for their child. ACDS provides not only a strong foundation in core subjects but also emphasizes social skills, creativity, and building meaningful connections. From the moment you step onto campus, it’s clear that every teacher and faculty member is deeply invested in their students and in the school community. It’s rare to find a school that nurtures such a positive and supportive environment for both.”