The Phenologist
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Jackson Skipper in his natural habitat—observing nature on Miller School’s campus.
On any given afternoon, you might find Jackson Skipper wandering the upper meadow or lake trail alone. Watching him brings to mind the Romantic poets—especially William Wordsworth, who once wrote about walking the English countryside in his poem “Tintern Abbey.” Like Wordsworth, Jackson moves through the landscape with quiet attention. He pauses to examine a stone or leaf, looks skyward to spot a bird, and handles the natural world with a sense of familiarity and joy—as if reconnecting with an old friend.
Jackson is an observer. He takes in the world deliberately and with care. One might even call him a phenologist—a rarely used term for a branch of science that relies on careful observation to understand biological life cycles. The word derives from the Greek φαίνω (phainō), meaning "to show, to bring to light, to make appear," and λόγος (logos), meaning "study, discourse, reasoning." In a time increasingly defined by instant reactions and digital distractions, Jackson’s phenological approach feels refreshingly different. He slows down. He pays attention. As Wordsworth might say, he “sees into the life of things.” He is a scientist with a Romantic heart.
At MSA, this quality has shaped every part of his journey. Jackson is a master birder and a foundational member of the Sustainable Agriculture Program. One of the program’s first students, he has grown into a thoughtful student-farmer whose passion has helped the farm flourish. This fall, he’ll continue his path at the University of Montana, where he plans to study Wildlife Biology.
Before he graduated, we joined Jackson for one last walk through the meadow to reflect on his time at Miller and his approach to life.
Tell me about your family history at MSA.
My family came to the Miller School when my grandfather was offered the position of Head of School in the mid-90s. Both my father and uncle attended Miller, as well as my cousins, the Fortiers, within a few years of each other. After they graduated, my family remained involved with the MSA Board, maintenance staff, and the Alumni Association. Then in 2020, we decided to try out Miller for my high school experience. After three years, my brother joined as well, making us second-generation legacies.
Describe yourself before coming to MSA.
I was a shy, quirky kid with little interest in being social or making friends—content to just float through life. Anything that wasn't a book or a video game didn’t hold my attention for long. I had a passing interest in the natural world, but I didn’t interact with it enough to form a meaningful connection.
How has MSA helped you develop as a person and a student?
MSA helped me learn to be confident in myself and unapologetic in my interests. If you ask anyone at MSA what they know about Jackson Skipper, they will almost certainly say, “the bird guy.” I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love birds and the natural world, and that confidence was nurtured by the Miller community over my time here. Seventh-grade me would never have imagined sharing my interests beyond my closest friends and family. The wide variety of classes also exposed me to different academic paths and gave me valuable skills such as proactivity and good study habits.
How has MSA’s campus and agriculture course assisted you in this goal?
Miller’s campus gave me a taste of the beauty that can be found outdoors on a personal level. It introduced me to the system I now use to determine a good day outside: the more bug bites, the better! On a more serious note, it wasn’t just about admiring grand vistas. It was exploring the woods, flipping rocks to find salamanders, and looking for birds that drew me outside—and MSA was the perfect place for that. The farm program helped me realize that I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to be outdoors, even if it’s not strictly related to agriculture.
Tell me about your passion for birding. What have you learned from it?
Birding has become a huge part of my life over the last few years. I’ve driven all over the state of Virginia searching for rare birds, from mountain hollows to beachside cliffs. I’ve met people from all over the world and even made a nemesis (the loggerhead shrike—a bird I’ve missed for three years in a row). The most important skills I’ve learned are patience and observation. Nothing is guaranteed in birding, but your best chances come from being willing to wait and keeping an eye out for anything interesting.
Tell me about the power of observation in general.
Observation is something I find extremely helpful in daily life. It helps me understand the world around me in much greater depth and appreciate the little things. I would never have learned about many of the amazing species that live near my home without careful observation. It also enriches everyday experiences, from noticing literary motifs in my favorite books to taking in the sights while driving Virginia backroads.
