What CA Means to Me
Lewis
Boarder
New York, NY
What have you learned about yourself through your academic work at CA?
The academic work at Concord Academy has helped me challenge myself, grow as a student and individual, and realize my strengths and weaknesses. I am allowed to be creative with my work, play around with ideas, and express myself in infinite ways. Students in my classroom, each of whom brings a unique perspective from all around the world, help me learn. They have taught me to break the barrier between independence and freedom, and seek the information I want to learn. Through the intimate and nurturing classes at CA, I find it easy to ask questions and to offer opinions. It is from these informal class discussions that I’ve learned the most about myself. They have expanded my horizons, molded my character, and influenced my intellectual thinking. Class discussions are essentially where most of the learning at CA is done.
What have you learned about yourself through athletics?
I’ve learned more about myself during my experience on the cross-country team then anywhere else. I’ve learned that improvement comes from a great deal of hard work, and that practice and patience leads to a satisfying sense of accomplishment. Through long distance runs across the woods, team dinners, bus rides, and gatherings after practice, I’ve heard many stories and, at the same time, been able to tell mine. Never before have I indulged in such a refreshing team experience.
How is the role of faculty at CA different than it was at other schools you’ve attended?
The faculty at CA is a friendly, spontaneous, and accomplished group of people. Their role in my life as a border is one that remains true to the mission statement of the school: teachers are nurturing, caring, and foster a love of learning. At my previous public school, teachers were inaccessible, hosted more structured classes, and didn’t focus on each individual student. Here at CA, I frequently see my Aztec and Inca Civilization teacher playing Frisbee out in the quad, my English singing a sixties song at Friday Karaoke Night, my cross-country coach acting out a skit at a faculty coffee house, or the kitchen staff dressing up in funny costumes for Halloween. Every faculty member at CA is involved; they inspire me through the art of teaching but at the same time impress me with their sense of humor, charisma, and outgoing personalities.
How has the value CA places on a sense of humor affected your time here?
Concord Academy is a place where it’s okay to express your individuality: be a poet and a musician, compete in a varsity team sport and run for student office, set up your own club or team, hang your artwork in the annual art show, whatever you want to do. The value CA places on a sense of humor has definitely affected my life as a boarder. It is this single aspect that makes weekends, Friday nights, and weekdays more enjoyable and exciting. Here, a sense of humor is intertwined with your daily schedule and exists all throughout campus. Humor is another example of how people choose to express their individuality.
Interests and Activities
Head of Alianza Latina (2 years), MOSAIC Core group members (3 years), Cross Country (3 years), Private voice instruction (2 years), Head of Diversity (1 year), Varsity Lacrosse (1 year), Community Service (completed 100 hours since freshman year), Co-Head of CASA (upcoming year).
