Few high school students can say they graduated from college before receiving their high school diploma. Even fewer can say they did it while performing in musicals, competing internationally in gymnastics, training in ballet, piloting hot air balloons and preparing to attend Harvard University. 

But Eleanor Joiner Davis is not an ordinary student. 

What she has accomplished during her high school education is absolutely head-spinning. 

Eleanor will cap her superlative high school education starting with her graduation from Western Nevada College on Monday. She will graduate with an Associate of Arts degree that she completed with the highest academic honor (summa cum laude). 

“I was very surprised to find out that I will graduate from college even before I graduate from high school, and I am very grateful to everyone who helped me accomplish this!” Eleanor said. 

WNC helped shape this extraordinarily accomplished student through dual enrollment and performing arts opportunities. She chose WNC classes because they provided specialized arts training not offered elsewhere. 

“I took musical theater classes from Stephanie Arrigotti, voice classes from Judy Monson, dance with Gina Davis, and piano with John Shipley. They gave me a world-class performing arts education!” Eleanor said. “With their help, I have had incredible opportunities such as being selected to perform in New York at the Broadway Artists Alliance cabaret and Musical Theater International workshops and intensives.” 

Eleanor did this outside of the umbrella of WNC’s Jump Start College, providing her with more educational freedom and responsibility as a young adult. Since her high school doesn’t offer Jump Start associate degree, she earned it on her own. That Eleanor is graduating from WNC before her Reno High School graduation is testament to not only her ambition and determination but also to having a dependable car. She drove to her classes at WNC several times a week.  

“WNC has been a phenomenal school for her, and we are so grateful to all her teachers there,” said her dad, Kyle Davis, Partner at Pinyon Public Affairs. Her mom, Dr. Amber Joiner, Legislative Internship Director at the University of Nevada, Reno added, “She would not be who she is without their tutelage and mentorship at such a professional level in the performing arts all these years!”  

Her additional educational goals haven’t impacted her academic standing (6.025 weighted GPA) at Reno High School. In fact, she is ranked first in her class and is the valedictorian. She’s popular, too! Eleanor was voted homecoming queen during her senior year of high school. 

Do you think the most-esteemed educational institution in the U.S. might be interested in such a well-rounded student?  

“I’m very excited to attend Harvard in the fall,” Eleanor said. “I’m interested in theater, music and applied math, and I’m excited to continue performing and exploring different academic paths.” 

She has been part of 12 musicals with Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company, which is produced and directed by Arrigotti, who is WNC’s Professor of Music. Her first role at age 11 was Lavender in “Matilda.” She has also played Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof,” Leisl in “The Sound of Music,” Serena in “Legally Blonde,” and the Cinderella understudy. The Legally Blonde character is ironic since she played a cheerleader in the musical about a blonde attending Harvard. 

“Ellie brought considerable talent as a child when she joined our company as Lavender in Matilda, then spent years developing it, studying dance and voice,” Arrigotti said. “Even though she was constantly at rehearsals, she used every available minute to study, eventually becoming valedictorian at her high school. Her drive, talent, and intelligence will open doors for her wherever she goes. Harvard has made a wise choice.” 

Eleanor’s success doesn’t end with academics and her passion for theater, dance, and music. 

She is currently Team USA's Junior National Champion on the Cyr Wheel and will compete this summer in Germany at the International Wheel Gymnastics Federation World Championships, as she did in 2024 in the Netherlands. Her love of the outdoors is accentuated by the fact that she’s an aeronaut and flies hot air balloons as a student pilot, along with her younger brother, Stewart. That passion and inspiration came from her grandfather, Kearney Davis, who was a pilot for 20 years and flew in the Great Reno Balloon Races.  

“I am one flight hour away from being able to take the full pilot license exam,” she said. 

Where did she get this high degree of ambition and the desire to follow through on her undertakings.  

“I think I got my drive and determination from my parents. They have both been great role models as lifelong learners, and they always support me when I want to learn new things,” Eleanor said. 

She also trains with the Sierra Nevada Ballet with Rosine Bena and is learning to dance en pointe (on their toes). For the past 13 years she’s been active with the Girl Scouts, even serving as a national delegate for the region.  

“I am finishing up my Gold Award project, which is a website and video at stopjunkmailnow.org, where I teach people 10 ways to stop junk mail from coming to their home,” Eleanor said. “We can save a lot of trees, water, and reduce carbon footprint by stopping junk mail.” 

Whether performing on stage, competing internationally, pursuing aviation or advocating for environmental causes, Eleanor has embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. Now, as she prepares for Harvard after graduating from WNC and Reno High School, she carries with her the experiences, mentorship and determination that have already made her stand out far beyond the classroom. 

“Eleanor’s accomplishments are extraordinary, but what stands out even more is her curiosity, discipline and passion for learning,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “She represents the kind of student success story that inspires all of us, and we are proud that Western Nevada College has been part of her educational journey.”