Se
y
H
ome for Louie Reed is Oakland, California, 2,977 miles away from Watertown. He loves art, is passionate about the guitar, composes music, and plays ice hockey. For Louie, playing hockey in New England was much more appealing than playing hockey in California—imagine traveling from Oakland to San Diego for an away game—and his mother was hoping he could find some balance in his life. She didn’t want it to be all about the hockey; she was looking for
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kid run circles around the other players in the game. Sebby’s soccer skills were one thing; his academic talents were another: best student in his class of 350 students for the last two years, glowing reports from all his teachers, highest commendations from his school administrators. “It’s a dream come true to attend Taft,” he says. “I’m honored to be here and want to do well, not only for my own sake but for my parents’ and my grandfather’s.”
something challenging, but “healthier.” When the Blochs, former Taft parents and old family friends, explained all the opportunities—educational, artistic, athletic and social—that their children Matt and Reisa ’05 enjoyed here, Louie applied…and accepted the school’s offer of admission the first moment he stepped foot on campus, even before he saw the Mays and Odden rinks. Jake Odden ’86, who interviewed Louie in California, instantly recognized a unique young man, a hard
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worker brimming with leadership skills. “It’s a little easier being away from home than I thought it would be,” says Louie, “because there’s so much to do and the teachers are cool.” He enjoys the hard work: five classes, getting into shape for the upcoming season, hanging out in HDT, the social scene. What makes Taft special for Louie is the warmth of community. “I can’t tell how often I’ve just said ‘hi’ to people in the hallways, maybe hundreds of times in the three weeks since school opened.”
arieta
“...ambition, curiosity, determination and a wide view of the world.”
Marieta Kenkovova ’10 Taft Bulletin Fall 2008
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