Reflections from members of the
Connor Downey ’22
CLASS OF
2022
Coming into Morristown Beard School nearly seven years ago as an awkward 11-year-old, I didn’t know what role I would play at this school that all of my siblings had attended. I was extremely unsure of myself walking in on my first day of sixth grade, I hadn’t discovered where I fit yet with academics, and I had not found anything yet to be passionate about. The summer before the start of my new school year I had to pick electives. My mom suggested period two Tap Attack. I put up a fight about taking tap dancing as a class at my new school. I thought I would hate it and be majorly made fun of. However, I met one of my favorite teachers by taking this class and discovered my newfound passion, tap dancing. As I practiced day in and day out at recess, in the car, at my desk, and even in the shower, I just could not get enough. Finally, I started to take tap classes outside of school at a local dance studio and to master my craft even further, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to attend classes in New York City. When I entered the Upper School at Morristown Beard, I knew that the Theatre Department would be the place for me. Being a part of the Founders family I have been able to have multiple opportunities to perform onstage to showcase my abilities, whether that be in the musical, at the dance concert, or the other various performances we get to have on campus. As I am coming to the end of my senior year here at Morristown Beard, I feel as though I have left my mark here. I no longer identify with that awkward 11-year-old. The opportunities I have been given as a performer here at Morristown Beard have shaped me into the more confident young man I am today.
Tyler Zakhary ’22 As I approach the final month of my senior year, I’ve found myself reflecting on my high school experience at MBS. Before I came to MBS as a 9th grader, school often felt like a repetitive daily activity of passive learning and memorizing new information with no real purpose or objective. While I was lucky to have great teachers, I never felt connected or inspired. It always felt distant or impersonal. Beginning with my freshman year at MBS, I felt a major transformation. I found myself in an environment where I was able to form meaningful relationships with my teachers and always felt like I had their support. The small, discussion-based classes at MBS allowed me to fully engage in my learning. I was particularly grateful to be part of the MBS community when the entire world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, my teachers worked tirelessly and endlessly to ensure that the distance learning experience was as productive and constructive as possible. Considering how drastically our lives had been altered, I found it very comforting to see my teachers and classmates every day and to continue our learning. On a daily basis, my teachers sought to make an uncertain and difficult experience a positive one. I will never forget how my advisor, Ms. Kenny, dropped off a card and candy on my 16th birthday; or how my 10th grade math teacher, Dr. Ievers, kept her Zoom meeting open at the end of every day to answer questions or simply check in with us; or how my grade dean, Mrs. Johnson, sent me a personal note during the lockdown to offer her support and encouragement. These are just a few of the relationships and experiences that have helped make me feel a part of a community that truly values each student, one that has contributed to shaping me into the person I am today and prepared me for the next chapter of my academic journey.
Crimson Spring 2022
23
