Below are the full magazine profiles of seven seniors in Waterford’s Class of 2023, sharing meaningful thoughts on their experiences, excellence and what has shaped them most while at Waterford.
How has your time at Waterford shaped you?
My time at Waterford has shaped me by allowing me to discover who I am as a person and what I am passionate about while still stretching me in all aspects of life. Waterford has pushed me to explore subjects outside of my comfort zone and be open minded which is a lesson I know I will carry with me for life.
Which faculty member(s) have had the most impact on your education and why?
Mr. Dolbin has had the most impact on my education because he fostered a love of math in me I didn’t know I had. He patiently spent hours of extra time working through difficult concepts with me in his help sessions and always had a kind attitude towards me and all the other students in his class. His patient attitude and kind character allowed me to embrace his math class with a more open mind and I ended up loving it.
Where have you found joy in your Waterford journey?
I have found joy in every day at Waterford. Whether it was the victory of getting a physics problem right, playing the correct notes in the measure in orchestra, or eating lunch on the quad in the sun with my friends, there has been joy in every single day.
What advice do you have for younger students at Waterford?
Enjoy every moment you have left at Waterford. It can be so easy to get caught up in the test you have next week or the assignment due tomorrow that you forget to simply enjoy your classes or the time you get to spend with your friends.
What will you miss most after graduation?
I will miss the community of Waterford the most after graduation. All the support from teachers and friends is truly what makes the school special.
Waterford has allowed me to appreciate and enjoy learning in all my subjects, from the humanities and art to science and math. It’s hard to pick a favorite. In all departments there are great teachers who clearly love their subjects and enjoy passing on their passion for learning.
I took Honors pre-algebra in Class X with Mr. Sayes and he managed to make a difficult class feel fun and interesting because his energy and passion are infectious. But more importantly for me, he is notorious for the discipline and organization he demands from his students in their work and those are skills that can make it easier to be better learners in any subject.
The arts at Waterford are a unique strength and I value my experiences in Orchestra and Photography. When the core academic subjects can sometimes feel overwhelming, these more creative and collaborative classes are places where I can renew energy and be inspired. Likewise team sports like soccer are another way to work in a fun and collaborative way with other students and coaches and it has enriched my overall Waterford experience.
Put down your phones and get off your devices! It’s a small school but there are so many interesting people around you and you’ll enjoy your days at school more if you interact more personally with the students and teachers around you. Also be open-minded and try different activities and sports, you might be surprised what you find becomes important to you.
I’ll miss being around teachers who I feel look out for me and care about how I’m doing. I’ve had teachers come find me to make sure I know about an opportunity or who encourage me to sign up for something they know that I would like.
Waterford has offered me so many opportunities that have developed me as a person. Whether it be great faculty, caring friends, or a robust club my passions and interests have thrived at Waterford.
Dr. O and Coach Boyd have had the most impact on my education. Dr. O’s great chemistry classes, science olympiad, and continued support have kindled my love for science and engineering. Dr. O made me realize I could go to class happy to learn. Coach Boyd taught me valuable life lessons such as the importance of perseverance and teamwork, especially in a rowing environment. He pushed me to constantly improve myself and become who I am today.
I’ve found joy in seeing myself improve athletically, academically, and musically. I might’ve not had perfect grades or the fastest times, but knowing I put my best effort into everything I did and seeing the results brings me joy.
To explore outside your comfort zone by taking classes you wouldn’t normally take or joining a club. I was never an athletic person and went out of my comfort zone by joining the rowing team in freshman year. Crew has been something that’s improved me as a person by constantly pushing me to better myself. I’ve also met some of my closest friends through crew. Take a chance and if you truly don’t like it you can stop, but you can only discover new passions by trying new things.
I’ll miss Waterford’s tight-knit community that can’t be found anywhere else. Getting to see my friends on campus everyday and being able to talk with students from different grades is an invaluable experience.
Waterford has helped me grow as a person both academically and socially. I think the various teachers I have had have shaped me in different ways. Helping me gain confidence to speak out and participate more.
Dr. Pope and Mr. Dolbin. These teachers made learning so fun. I found joy going to their classes and wanting to participate in the class. It helped me because I was a better student for all my other classes and helped me find joy in all classes.
I found joy in the journey from anatomy and philosophy. This class is so fascinating and fun. There is never a dull moment which helps me find joy in learning.
Take the courses that feel most comfortable for you. Don’t cram in a bunch of APs if that is not what you really want. Take it easy and have fun learning. It makes it so much better. And slow down, it goes by fast and you will miss it when it is gone. Enjoy it while you can.
I think I will miss the people and teacher because I have been with everyone since 2nd grade. I can’t imagine a life without them.
Waterford has helped me discover sides of myself that I wouldn’t have known about if I had attended elsewhere. I’m a math and science nerd who also happens to play the cello and play tennis (and extremely bad golf!). On top of that, I’ve become a steadfast and responsible individual over the years I have attended Waterford.
The faculty at this school is amazing which makes it difficult to narrow it down to just a few, but I’ll give it a try. Mr. Bromley is a major one who was influential in my education. He sparked my love for the sciences way back in (I think) 6th Grade which has carried on until today! Another would have to be Mr. Sayes. His class helped me realize that math is a whole lot more fun once Algebra was in my rear-view mirror. Lastly, I would have to say that Mrs. Curtis was incredibly influential during my time at Waterford. If it weren’t for her class, I’m not sure I would still be attending Waterford today. It was a very, very steep learning curve starting out at Waterford which was tough on 5th Grade me, but her class helped me push through it and eventually adapt and excel at this school.
Ever since joining in 4th Grade, I have always loved seeing how Waterford’s faculty interact with the student body. Being able to see teachers who both love what they teach and enjoy working with (sometimes unruly) kids can be difficult to find outside of this school.
I won’t lie, it’s a long and tough road both attending and graduating from Waterford. You will have highs and lows because that’s how life is. It isn’t a matter of if it will happen, but rather when it will happen. During those low times when you feel in the dumps, look back and see how far you’ve come. No matter who you are, you are better than your past self, whether that be 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years ago! When you’re at a high point, don’t forget where you started, take a moment to reflect on what you went through to get where you are now. Take pride in your hard work, but don’t stop now you’ve still got so much ahead of you!
The thing I will miss the most will be the community at Waterford. It will be tough for me to say goodbye to the people, both students and faculty, who have helped me along the way. Life can and will take people in different directions and it will be difficult to part with some of the close friends I have made here at this school.
Waterford has shaped me to look at the bigger picture. I am very detail-oriented and sometimes focus too much on the little details, but Waterford has helped me to pull back and think about things as a whole. The academics have taught me to look outside the classroom at what is happening locally, nationally, and internationally. It has helped me become a conscious thinker and to discuss and support current events.
The faculty member that has had the most impact on my time here at Waterford is Ms. Annie Brenneman-Semans from the dance department. Not only has she helped me grow as a dancer over the past ten years, but she also understands the importance of academics. She is flexible with scheduling around school and events but also encourages us to always perform at our highest level every day. I have such great respect for her not only as a teacher but as a friend.
Waterford has given me a strong sense of community because of the bonds I have created with all of my peers over the fourteen years I have been here. I have created lifelong friends and can strike up a conversation with anyone in my grade. Even though we all have different interests and participate in different after-school activities, we all support each other when games, shows, or performances happen.
The best advice I have for younger students is to take advantage of everything Waterford offers. Take new electives, after school activities, and embrace the AP classes. You might be surprised that you find something new you enjoy. As a senior, I thought I had done it all, but I found out I enjoy economics after taking one term of it!
I will miss all of the art productions where I can watch my friends perform. The performing arts department has been a part of my life since nursery fours when I first came to Waterford, and I will be sad to not sit in the amazing concert hall and support my friends. I will also be sad to not perform in choir concerts or dance on the stage again because it’s incredible to see the audience that comes and supports the events at Waterford.
Waterford has shaped and taught me to be an involved community member, inspired me to continue learning inside and outside of the classroom, and to be kind and inclusive to everyone. I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned some very important life lessons during my fourteen years at Waterford.
There have been many people in the Waterford community that have had an impact on my life, but Dr. Stockham has had the largest impact on my education. He has helped me develop a passion for history and an interest in pursuing it in college. I admire his passion for history and the methods he uses to make learning history interesting and fun. In addition, his support for Waterford athletics and his colorful commentary during games exemplify Waterford’s spirit.
I find joy in my Waterford journey through daily interactions with other students and teachers. It may sound cliché, but small acts of kindness or even casual conversations while walking to or from a class helps to lift my mood and hopefully provides the same to others.
Younger students at Waterford should seek out new experiences and leave their comfort zone to take advantage of all the opportunities that Waterford offers. Time moves faster than you might want it to, so try everything. Work hard, but also take time to enjoy the community around you and cherish the relationships that have grown with you throughout the years.
I will miss the close-knit community here at Waterford and the friendships that I have fostered. It is hard to find such a caring and supportive community. No matter who I am talking to or the grade that they are in, I have the ability to ask for help or just have a casual conversation about an interesting topic, which is something that I hope to reproduce as my educational journey continues.
October 26, 2022
November 9, 2023
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