Alumna Soleigh Kueter '19 was recently named the 2026 winner of the Citizen of the World Award. 

This award recognizes alumni who are fulfilling the school’s mission: "The Bright School builds a foundation upon which students become wise and compassionate citizens of the world. Its century of progress fosters the intellectual, artistic, physical, and moral growth of young boys and girls." 

To be eligible for the award, alumni must be current students in high school (grades 9-12), college. or graduate school. The winning alumni demonstrate leadership in service to others in the broader community. Anyone may submit a nomination, and our fifth graders select the winner. All names, schools and gender are removed from the nominations, and fifth graders evaluate each nomination based on the students’ activities. The award was first given in 2017.

Girls Preparatory School Upper School Head Beth Wilson wrote in her nomination of Soleigh, "Self-assured yet curious, outspoken yet a careful listener, clear yet kind, Soleigh has embraced a range of experiences at GPS—varsity athlete, Mock Trial leader, Model UN delegate, committed volunteer—not for recognition, but because they reflect her passions. She is also a scholar who is unafraid to voice her beliefs and stand up for what is right."

Erin Sizemore, Dean of Students and Assistant Head of Upper School at GPS, added that "Soleigh’s accomplishments strongly reflect a commitment to global citizenship. She has participated in the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) conferences for three consecutive summers, where she collaborated with peers to develop policy solutions to international environmental challenges. In Model UN, she has represented countries such as France and Switzerland and taken on a major leadership role as Digital Press Chief for a regional conference, helping organize events and produce media. As President of Mock Trial, she has earned “best team member” honors three times and demonstrated advanced skills in argumentation and legal reasoning.

Beyond these, Soleigh has conducted environmental research through the Tucker River Fellows program, including a project on the impact of plastics in waterways, and is currently researching the spread of a virus affecting butterflies in the southeastern U.S."

Soleigh visited fifth graders during the final week of the 2025-26 school year to share about her leadership and volunteer experience. She spoke about working Model UN and mock trial, which she called "life changing."

She encouraged students to pursue activities that offer opportunities for public speaking because it is "a great skill to have," regardless of your career aspirations. "You will go far when you put your mind to it."

Students were particularly intrigued by her research on a virus affecting local butterflies. Soleigh began her research as a participant in the Tucker River Fellows program, which sparked her interest in environmental science. 

Soleigh plans to study foreign policy at American University in Washington, D.C. this fall, with the goal of attending law school afterward.