Meet New Village School Alumni: Eli Ferrell, Class of 2014
Dec 04, 2024 | by Yuliya Patsay
Meet Eli Ferrell, Class of 2014, Pictured here battling wind on Tomales Bay in a canoe with a buddy to camp out near the mouth...
"At NVS, I remember feeling invincible and limitless. I miss the sense that everything was okay with the world."
After leaving NVS, Eli attended Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley and then Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Most recently, he completed a five-month internship with Congressman Pete Aguilar in Washington, DC, focusing on policy areas like immigration and agriculture. He hopes to continue this work in a state legislature, shaping policies that matter deeply to him.
When he’s not working or applying for jobs, Eli can be found mountain biking and running in the Marin Headlands, surfing at Rodeo Beach, or immersed in historical fiction.
"From third to eighth grade, I knew 50–100 kids like the back of my hand. That sense of community helped me remain curious and generally fearless."
Eli credits his NVS education with instilling a deep sense of connection and resilience. It gave him the courage to embark on life-defining adventures, including biking solo(!) across the U.S., hitchhiking from Alaska to Marin, and spending time as a novice monk in northern India.
"Your NVS education lives within you in the form of your values and orientation toward people and new experiences."
Reflecting on his journey, Eli shares wise advice for current students: “Don’t worry too much about making the right decisions. Your childhood will shape your young adulthood, just as mine did. Trust the values you’ve gained at NVS—they will guide you through life.”