NC commits: Keira Beaumont’s Ivy League talent

Ciara Whimbush, Editor in Chief

December 6, 2024

Senior track and field athlete Keira Beaumont cemented her commitment to the illustrious University of Pennsylvania December 4. The anticipation of Beaumont’s decision permeated through NC, and once she declared her choice, the school community instantly took to social media for congratulations and well wishes. With her accomplishments both on the track and in the classroom, this young athlete faces an exciting future as a Quaker this coming fall.

December 4, senior and resident track and field (T&F) runner Keira Beaumont voiced her verbal commitment to run for the University of Pennsylvania’s (UPenn) Division One Track and Field team. Surrounded by her loved ones, friends and peers, Beaumont celebrated her Ivy League commitment after weeks of keeping her followers guessing on her Instagram. With UPenn, Princeton University and the Georgia Institute of Technology on the table, the young student athlete chose to represent the red and blue legacy of her new school due to the camaraderie and team bonding she experienced upon visiting.

“I just love that UPenn is in Philadelphia. It’s a great city and I just love the energy there, but meeting the team at UPenn was really exciting for me. Everybody, it seemed like a family. Everybody was having fun, listening to music and enjoying themselves, even on the hardest days, they were cheering each other on, and just enjoying even the worst parts of our training. The coaches were really nice and supportive, and I feel like they are kind of matching what my current coach is doing for me support-wise. I prefer a city, so it was [between] Georgia Tech or UPenn [for me] really,” Beaumont said.

After starting her journey with T&F at the age of four, Beaumont fell in love with the sport. As she advanced to high school athletics, she has run in events such as the 100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash, 4×100 Meter Relay and 4×200 Meter Relay races. Her diversity in events showcases the resilience and determination she has honed throughout her athletic career, both inside and outside of NC. Beaumont also runs as a member of Exchange Zone Athletics during the summer, a youth track club that supports young runners, and aims to cultivate a strong sense of character within its participants. Off the track, the dedicated Beaumont also participates in Beta Club, American Sign Language (ASL) Club and Black Student Union, while currently serving as the Co-Vice President for the National Honors Society.

Throughout her successful career in T&F, Beaumont has participated in a series of races where she proved her commitment to her craft. In February 2024, she ran in the Mondo Elite High School Invitational, where she placed first in the 55-meter sprint, and third in the 60-meter dash. During March, she earned the title of All-American at the New Balance Nationals, where she received third again during the 60-meter dash.

Her participation in NC events tells a similar story to her extracurricular races. At the McEachern Invitational, she won first place individually; during the 4×100 Meter Relay Dash, Beaumont, and NC alumni Alexis James, Eliana Mbadinga and Lois Mwenja landed a spot in the top three.

As she looks ahead towards her time as a member of UPenn’s T&F team, Beaumont expresses sincere gratitude for her time with NC, and anticipation for a strong end to her journey running as a Warrior. Through creating lasting friendships with teammates she may not have met within the classroom, Beaumont plans to use that same friendly nature in Philadelphia come September 2025. In terms of indoor rankings, she currently stands 18th nationwide and second place in the state for the 60-meter dash; as for outdoor track in the 100-meter dash, she ranks 55th nationally and sixth in Georgia.

“I think track has made me resilient. I have gained the mental strength to push myself through whatever challenges I need to. I am better with my time management and just bouncing school and track and it’s obviously open to so many opportunities for me to be going to such a high-level school and just lots of blessings in my life. I found community within track, and it’s given me a lot of confidence and I’ve pushed myself to be a better person on and off the track through the lessons that I’ve learned within the sport,” Beaumont said.

The Chant wishes Beaumont success during her time at UPenn and remains proud of all of her accolades thus far. Go Quakers!

About the Contributors

Ciara Whimbush, Editor in Chief

One fateful day in 2013, Ciara Whimbush wrote a story about two girls visiting a witch’s house in the woods. Throughout the process, she stumbled across the thing that made her feel most like herself: writing. As Whimbush nears the end of her high school career, she excitedly looks to see how her writing and creativity can push her to new heights. In her new role as The Chant’s Editor in Chief, Whimbush aims to spread her adoration and appreciation for journalism to all students, both in and outside of NC. Alongside being published in The Chant, Whimbush has also been featured in the Marietta Daily Journal, The Legal Pad, and The Georgia Recorder. Alongside The Chant, Whimbush holds the field of social studies in high regard, as she actively participates in organizations such as Rhizome, She Cares International, and Students 4 Ashwin that serve to uplift youth voices in civic engagement. Aside from typing away on her keyboard, her other interests include spinning her flag and rifle on the NC Color Guard, baking sweets, scrapbooking, and indulging in the latest reality television shows sweeping streaming services. During her third and final year at The Chant, Whimbush aims to become a better writer, an impactful leader and a conscious citizen of the world; through interviews, articles, and exploring outside of her comfort zone, Whimbush hopes that by the end of her time at NC, that she can make her first-grade self proud of how far she has come. Find her on Instagram: @c1araaaaaa.

Addie Hill, Lead Page and Media Team Liaison

Advancing into her second year on The Chant, Addie Hill’s love for writing has only grown. Now serving as the Page Lead and Media Team Liaison, Hill hopes to expand her abilities as a writer, communicator and editor, all while still striving to reach her main goal for this year: worshiping Jesus. As co-leader of NC’s Collective Hope Bible Study Club and attendee of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Hill aims to spread God’s love through writing. Outside of reporting, Hill loves to dance, listen to indie-folk music, read, crochet, spend time with her family and friends, and attend church. She cannot wait to finish her final chapter at NC by reporting for the school’s publication, and she strives to write for a newspaper in college and beyond! Find her on Instagram @addielhill.