With her graduation on June 6, 2025, Eisner Scholar and Roycemore lifer Keira Kim '25 became the final alumna in Roycemore history to have attended classes in Roycemore's original building located at 640 Lincoln Street on Northwestern's campus.

Keira began at Roycemore in Junior Kindergarten in 2011, shortly before Roycemore located to its current location on Davis Street at the beginning of 2012.

In a speech delivered at this year's Scholarship Fundraiser, Keira reflected on her 14-year experience as a Griffin and took us back to Roycemore's roots.

"I want to start by asking how many of you know about the old location of Roycemore School. You may have physically stepped foot inside the building, seen it from the outside, or even heard a story about it.

For those who haven’t, I will share with you what it was like to be a Junior Kindergartener at Roycemore’s original location on Northwestern University’s campus. As the final current student to attend school at the old building, I feel it is essential to share this part of Roycemore’s history.

I joined Roycemore as a small, rambunctious four-year-old who had too much energy and curiosity to fit in her small body. Roycemore was the perfect choice for my education because my Early Childhood teachers knew exactly how to drive my excitement.

Roycemore is truly an amazing place to learn through experience. As a young child, I looked up to the older kids in awe of their responsibilities and achievements. I carry my memories of being a little girl sitting in the gymnasium of the old Roycemore with me through my everyday life, and look back at them very often when I see the Lower Schoolers walking through the hallways.
 

In Junior Kindergarten, I remember watching the Upper Schoolers perform Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which I later got to perform in third grade. I was fascinated by the lighting on the stage and the fact that everyone memorized their lines. Seeing my older peers perform made me so excited to perform on stage when I reached their age. To the families of younger students here at Roycemore, I encourage you to foster those memories by bringing your little one to a Middle or Upper School performance because those are the moments that will stick with me forever.

If you brought my four-year-old self into this room right now, and asked her what she learned in the years to follow Junior Kindergarten, she would explain to you how to care for an ant farm, show you how penguins raise their chicks, explain to you what happens if the pigeon drives the bus, and maybe read you a short story that she created during Writers Workshop. I am so thankful for the support I received in Lower School, which truly solidified my foundations in learning."