Alumni Profile: Angel Deschamps '16

Q+ A with Angel Deschamps

Angel Deschamps attended GUS from kindergarten through 8th grade, graduating in 2016. She went on to graduate from Beverly High School in 2020, and then from Roger Williams University, where she majored in art, in 2025. She has worked as a SUMMER@GUS counselor since 2021, and took over this summer as the Visual Arts Specialist. She is also a beloved member of our AfterSchool program team and currently leads “Angel’s Art Party” - an enrichment program that helps students tap into their existing (or newfound) interest in visual art. This fall, she also joined our substitute teacher roster and has been known to fill in at the front desk in a pinch. If you see her around, be sure to say hi! In her free time, she is building her art portfolio and also taking commissions.

What was one of your most meaningful or memorable GUS experiences?

This question is so hard because there are so many of them! In lower school, I was enthralled by the 4th grade theme, the sea. Going on field trips every week and learning about the creatures in the sea around us was incredibly impactful for me. I still remember all of the crab species that live around the North Shore and how to identify them! In upper school, all my teachers were invaluable to me. My language teachers, especially Barbara Kelly and Arcie Petty, have been lifelong mentors of mine, and I am so grateful to GUS for being the place where I met them. GUS is the place where my creativity was nurtured and encouraged, which led to me getting my bachelor's in the arts. I was never told to stop drawing or stop being creative; it was always encouraged and met with nothing but praise and excitement. Graduating from GUS allowed me to see how fortunate I was to have a school that cared so deeply about the arts, as in high school, I found many people did not have the same experiences in middle or elementary school.

In what ways do you feel GUS prepared you for what you're doing now?

GUS prepared me for almost everything I did after graduating. When I transitioned to Beverly High School, I was nervous about the difference in size, as my new class was as big as the entire student population at GUS. I was more than prepared for the schoolwork I had at BHS. I used to believe I was horrible at math, but when I went to BHS, I was placed in the honors math classes and did better than I thought I could. From never being shut down for who I am by any of the teachers or staff to encouraging my artistic abilities, GUS shaped me and helped develop my confidence in so many silent ways.

Any words of advice for current GUS students?

Enjoy the arts program at GUS to the fullest extent. When you leave GUS, you’ll find that it isn’t common for many people to have the experiences you’ve had with the arts. Printmaking, sculpture, and even the White Shirt Project are things most people don’t get to experience until college! The performing arts and music, as well, take advantage of everything GUS has to offer! Middle school is always hard, but remember to be kind to yourself and others. A question to ask yourself that has helped me a lot is, “Will it matter in 10 years?” If the answer is no, then I try to let go of my worries about what is stressing me out. Whether that’s a test, or any drama happening. It can help put things in perspective.

Anything else you want us to know about your experience at GUS?

My experience at GUS with Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH) helped shape my curiosity about languages and my passion for community service. I have gone to the Honduras and Dominican Republic NPH homes and hope to make it to more locations in the future!