R E FL E C TI O N S
Seniors Share Their Stories Se nior Ref le ction s ,
a ninth grade class tradition, are an opportunity for boys to build confidence in public
speaking by sharing thoughts about what is important to them in front of their assembled classmates, teachers, and Fenn staff members during All School Meeting. The boys, guided by Lorraine Ward, reflect on a significant person in their lives or talk about a passion, a journey—whether literal or figurative—they have taken, or an experience that has taught them a valuable lesson. Here are some excerpts from reflections given last fall. “One day I watched a Concord Youth Theatre performance and I began to feel differently about drama. I realized it was cooler than I had thought. I went on to act in Summer Fenn and CYT productions, and last year I played the title character in The Elephant Man at Fenn, which was challenging and rewarding. I learned that you might not be so good at or passionate about something the first time you try it, but if you revisit it, you may end up loving it.” Tyler Arle
“I began collecting license plates when I was seven and now I have about a thousand. I have made friends all over the country and write a column for the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association magazine. I’m one of the organization’s youngest members. Plates have stories to tell and they are all unique. I think it’s good to do something that you think is cool, even if other people don’t. You never know where that passion will take you.” Sam Farley
60
45027.indd 60
“Fears. We all have them and we all hate them. They might be spiders, clowns, or running low on battery power. For me it’s heights. When I went to Camp Caribou with my class, I saw the high ropes course and my heart sank. I put on a harness but sat on a bench, hoping no one would notice me. My classmate Sam Farley came over to ask what was wrong and I admitted I was afraid. He encouraged me to try and the next thing I knew I was at the top of the ladder. I looked down to see Sam and a few other boys cheering me on. I still have fears, but being willing to confront them with the support of others makes all the difference.” Matt Sanders Tyler Arle
“Our identities aren’t decided by our passports or birthplaces, but by the people, places, and experiences in our lives. My six years at Fenn have shaped me into being who I am. Last year I left Fenn to go to Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy for three months to train as a ski racer while keeping up my Fenn work. Even though it was hard at first to adjust, I made good friends, improved my work habits, and learned there was somewhere else besides Fenn that I could call home. I wondered, though, if I would be welcomed back and feel as if I belonged here again. But the day I came back, Mr. Boonisar greeted me warmly and made me realize that your home never forgets you and you never forget your home.” Ethan Bondick
fe n n m a g a z i n e
1/27/16 2:40 PM