Success After Solebury School

Beatrice Becette ’12
American University 2016
Associate Producer, National Geographic

“At Solebury, I was given the freedom to express my creativity in my school work—like making a music video about the digestive system for my biology final, and rapping about Hamlet for an English project.” —Beatrice
 

Beatrice Becette has always been a creative spirit, and these days she pours that energy into her work as a producer for National Geographic, where she writes, produces, edits, and develops content for TV. She also hosts a Nat Geo Kids educational series called Kids vs Plastic.

In 2008, Beatrice came to Solebury from the Princeton Friends School in New Jersey. As someone who began writing music as a young child, a school like Solebury—with the arts at its core and where creativity is actively fostered in all subjects—was just the right school. “Solebury allowed and encouraged me to be me,” she said from her home in Washington, DC. “I was able to explore any and all subjects I liked and was given the freedom to express my creativity in my school work—like making a music video about the digestive system for my biology final, and rapping about Hamlet for an English project.”

For her three-week senior project at Solebury, Beatrice wrote and recorded an album. “This experience helped shape my creative voice and ultimately gave me the confidence to continue writing, in all forms,” said Beatrice. “[Music Department Head] Cathy Block was one of my mentors for my senior project. She pushed me to write outside the box and believe in my own creative voice.”

There were more teachers at Solebury, however, who helped shape her growth—a French teacher, a theater director, and still others. “[Chorus Director] Phyllis Arnold encouraged me to explore my voice and take on new opportunities, like County Chorus, to build my confidence and advance my skills,” said Beatrice. “[Teachers] Peter Ammirati, Diane Downs, and Lauren Eckstein inspired me to take risks with my writing and helped me understand different creative techniques for telling stories.”

After Solebury, Beatrice continued on to American University, where she majored in Film and Media Arts and minored in Creative Writing and Marketing. Today, her work for National Geographic keeps her busy, but she still makes time for music. “I do produce music for some side projects,” she said. “I also sing in an all-female a cappella group called ‘The District’.”

—Summer 2019
 

Read more Success After Solebury stories.