Spring Reflections – Looking Back on WA

As I’m sitting here on steps of Warner Theater, I’m trying to think of my favorite times here at Worcester Academy. I can think of Pep Rallies, Spree Days, and games I played that were so much fun. But I think the best part of W.A. is the people I have met and grown so close to. Most of my friends that go to a normal high school hate it. They can not stand being in class. But here at W.A., there’s something about it that I know when I come here everyday there’s someone that can make me happy in some way. Whether it’s my friends joking around with me, or a caring teacher who helps me with a struggling paper, there’s always someone nice willing to help. When I give tours for the Admission prospects, and they ask me what I like most about the school, I tell them the people here. The teachers are so friendly and you can tell they actually want to be there and want to see you succeed. I feel that if I went to a public school I would have fun, but it wouldn’t be the same. Worcester Academy has bec ome a place to get away from problems outside school. The setting of W.A. in an urban city is a surprise to some because you would never expect a place like this in Worcester. Most kids never get the chance to go to a school like this, so I try to make sure I never take it for granted because many never get the opportunity. Just sitting here watching the teachers and students walking around, going to class or meetings or anything, I can see a different part of Worcester here. In a city where not everyone is the nicest, and not every place is the safest, Worcester Academy can be a nice breath of fresh air. Even though it’s school, which is suppose to be boring, difficult, and basically painful for students, W.A. makes it easy, for me at least, to get through this easily. When the weather’s nice, just walking around campus going to class and being apart of the community, I can’t help but be in a good mood. While there have been sad, embarrassing, and bad experiences over the years, When I do leave here n ext year, I will miss the people that make it so pleasurable. After this one English class of writing this assignment, I have thought about this for the first time and now realize what makes it such a great place. As much as I can’t wait until college, I’m not going to rush it because I know once I leave this place I’m going to miss it.

I think Worcester Academy is such a great place because of the personal freedom we have on a consistent basis. Everything we do here is something that we can apply into our daily lives all the time. For example, the daily schedule we have, everyday is something different just like in the future of our lives. Another example is the classes we take being in dress code, making sure you’re on time as much as possible. Even things we find stupid and totally pointless like never cutting the quad at any time. There is no one holding your hand through the whole day, it is your job to do your responsibilities. If you don’t , then there is consequences that teach you to not to do it again. Freedom does not only go through the school day but after school too. I basically live here during the school week. I can eat here, lift here, play basketball, and even work here. Worcester Academy has many benefits that I appreciate greatly. When I speak to my friends from outside school, they always tell me and complain about how there is no freedom at they’re school and they can never take out certain things during the day like cell phones, iPods, and eating and drinking during class time. At WA, because the adults and teachers treat as young adults instead of children, we will always have that freedom and privilege as long as we do not neglect it. This has not happened and has not been the case ever. The last freedom we have that I really like is how unlike most high schools, Worcester Academy is set up like a college campus. So when you go from class to class, you are able to go outside and get some fresh air rather than being stuck in a stuffy old building. Freedom is why I like WA so much, and it is why WA is so unique.

When I think back to Worcester Academy, I think of the sketchy neighborhood it is located in, and the colorful people that influence the area around us. But most importantly I think of all the wonderful times I had in my seven years on the hilltop. Of course not all of them were great. No matter where you go, there will be events that negatively impact you’re life, but for the most part, Worcester Academy has created a positive environment for me to excel in. Sports have always been a big part of my daily routine, ever since 6th grade, I have been doing sports, however it wasn’t until freshmen year that I was finally given the opportunity to pursuit my true love of skiing. I later became captain, MVP, won the Central Mass Ski League, and came in 4th at New England Championships. Tennis has also opened new doors for me Becoming captain in my senior year. I get to see how people react under pressure in difficult environments. Tennis has shown me a side of people that I would not normally see off the court. Frustration brings out that side of a person that doesn’t want to be seen. I feel like the community is filled with nice people that are willing to help you at any time. For this I am grateful because it has helped shape the character that I am today. The Worcester Academy faculty has been an influential part on my experience at the school. I would like to thank Mr. Viva for helping these thoughts come to the surface. I have found myself expressing my true self instead of following the guidelines of a regular English class. Mr. Segesdy was also one of the more colorful people that affected my life on the hilltop. Ever since soccer sophomore year, we had found good things to talk about and have related on several subjects. The same goes with Mr. Hollenshead, who with his lack of hair is probably the baddest guy I know (yes I did just go there). I hope to see every one exceed in life after WA and wish the best.

Worcester Academy has taught me a lot about myself, but I also believe that I have taught myself a lot about Worcester Academy. “Achieve the Honorable” simply means to succeed with honor and class, to represent the $22,000 you spend a year to come here. Honor doesn’t come cheap, you know. To me, the school slogan signifies that if I want to do something, I have to find a way to do it. Worcester Academy can provide me with the necessary sources, but if I want to fully achieve my standards, I have to do it.
For example, I always wanted to experiment in broadcast journalism. I loved the idea of creating an outline for a show every week and filming it for an audience. At my old school, there was a miniature TV studio that was wired to the public access channel from my town. The studio was filled with high-tech cameras, a mixing board, the works. Students would put on news programs, talk shows, sports shows, and even sitcoms that they produced on a weekly basis. When I came here, I thought I would be provided with the instruments to mix all my ideas into a program with my fellow peers, I was extremely wrong. It took me three years, a lot of brainstorming, and hours of hard work to create a show filmed weekly out of a low-quality camera on a tripod linked to a computer that is connected to a website that broadcasts live. We named it “The Show”, not out of a lack for a better name, but because it was the only show at Worcester Academy, ever.
I have been inspired by Worcester Academy in some cases, however. One of my only fears besides Sarah Palin running for office in 2012 is leaving WA without leaving my mark. It is, essentially, the first step into what I want to be. But I simply cannot leave this place without someone thinking, “This is the way it is because of Andrew Pogorzelski”. As Mr. Viva said, “The experiences I have here will shape who I will become, they do not define who I am.”

I have had a great experience at Worcester Academy. At first, I wasn’t sure if I made the right decision to come to Worcester Academy. I struggled with the decision between going to my town’s public school with all my friends or going to WA, a private school where I would only know a few kids going. Although people were friendly to me, the first half of the year was tough since I did not really know anybody, and the schoolwork was much more challenging than at my previous school. I got involved in sports and clubs, including cross-country and the Environmental Club, and started to meet people. I made some of my best friends on the cross-country team, which has been one of the best parts of my WA experience. My teachers have always been very willing to help me, and have truly helped me to succeed. One of my teachers even agreed to come in early, at 7 am, to go over the material with me. My involvement in cross-country, as well as the leadership role as co-captain, has helped me become more responsible and mature. WA has so many opportunities for students, and truly cares about their students, and how they are doing in their classes. Environmental Club has been a good experience as well, and we have started recycling programs and helped increased carpooling to WA, and I am really glad we have been able to make this positive change. At WA, I have matured a lot because, while I have had help, I have had to figure out how to succeed academically and socially. Overall, the community feel and the friendships I’ve made are probably the favorite things about the school. I feel like I will be friends with my best friends from this school for a long time. I am very happy that I came to WA and I feel that the experience positively influenced my life.

My time at Worcester Academy has been rewarding and life changing. Worcester Academy has allowed me to brighten my future and expand my mind. When I am walking about on the WA campus I feel lucky. I feel lucky to have such a nice, aesthetically pleasing campus with great people and places. This is why when I hear people complaining about the school I realize that they do not know how good they have it. I went to public school in my town and rode the bus or walked to my brick, one building school. Things were not always the greatest at my school and certainly not as good as WA. When I went into Worcester Academy as a freshman I only knew a couple of kids that already went to the school. I expected to get the new kid treatment that I had always known. That is when everyone shuns you and certain kids make fun of you and you grin and bear it for the beginning. Worcester Academy was completely different. Because I was new people did not stay away from me, they went up to me and introduced themselves and made conversation. This blew my mind, as going into school on the first day and having so many people be nice to you was unheard of to me. This is just one way in which Worcester Academy enriched my life. WA is a safe environment to me where I am able to expand my education and make friends along the way. Through playing on great sports teams such as the 19 and 3 hockey team my sophomore year, and the soon to be 2009 Champion baseball team my junior year, I have had great experiences. From class competitions to spree day it has been a lot of fun along the way. I also think a great aspect of WA is the extra help teachers are willing to give. It is a new and great tool in school since coming to WA to be able to go see a teacher during their free time for help with a certain subject. It is just an example of the effort being put in to make Worcester Academy a great learning environment. Furthermore I just want to say thank you. Thanks to Worcester Academy and thanks to the people in it for giving me a great time while I have been here.

My Worcester Academy experience is an experience I will never forget. The friends and memories I have made here will be with me forever. When coming to Worcester as a sophomore, I admit I was a little intimated from all the buildings and activities going on, but they were soon to become the reasons why I love this place. As I was sitting on the quad with some of my closest friends this afternoon, I looked around and really noticed how beautiful our school is. I feel that at some times we take for granted Worcester and all it has to offer, even though we should be thankful everyday for what we have.
Although the campus is enough of a reason to love WA, the schools diversity and people are what makes WA a unique experience. Being able to meet kids from other countries and learn about their ways of life has been an amazing bonus to my education. I love knowing if I walk into the student center or library that a friend is always going to be there. I love being a part of superfans and cheering on our school, or playing and having the support of my fellow classmates. Some of my favorite times here have been in the classroom, whether it’s “the ring of fire” or charades in Spanish, here at WA I’ve enjoyed learning.
As I go into my senior year, I hope to continue to make memories that I will always remember. I feel that sometimes we overlook what we have in front of us and how lucky we are to be at Worcester Academy, but as I begin my final year here I hope to continue to take advantage of all the WA has to offer. The people, the activities, and the scenery are what truly make Worcester a special place for me.

I’m sitting on the benches outside of the student center on a nice spring day watching my life play on around me like a movie and reminiscing about the past two years. Thinking about how on nice spring days the boys’ dorm blasts music from Dexter and people throw Frisbees on the quad. Middle schoolers coming back from gym class and the freshmen coming back from the gym after playing basketball all free period. Ms. Kastler and Mr. Liller walking past and laughing, with those very distinct laughs, coming back from their lunch date together. Seniors hanging out in the senior lot, which as the year has progressed, more and more spots have been left opened. People avoiding going through Dexter at all costs because their flip-flops are out of dress code and the possibility of seeing Ms. Gould or Ms. Lamir is too high. Others trying to get into the locked lunchroom to be first in line. Seniors in the student center wasting the entire lunch and their free periods playing Super-Strikers in the senior room. Seniors taking over the junior and sophomore couches.
People in class trying to convince the teachers to let them out early, especially if it’s the period before lunch or last period. Going to assembly and watching Mr. Elkins ride around on the things that hold the chairs. Seniors dismissed from assembly first but actually leaving last because they have to fold up their seats. The attempt to get to class as late as possible but still before the bell and/or knowing that within the first fifteen to twenty minutes you can get to class late and not be marked absent. Making brownie runs when you have Gov before lunch and listening to Mr. Dagenais say that “Chatham WILL fall this year.” Going to environmental science only to wait fifteen minutes for Mr. Carroll to show up with a quiz on some chapter that was never discussed. Getting donuts from Ms. Kastler when you have a morning test.
It’s funny, when I think about it; I’m going to miss this place and all the quirky little things that have made the last two years. I know that I will forever have my friends and teachers who have made this place but soon the little more unappreciated things will start to fade from my memory. Like the fact that Mr. Carroll gave WAY too much homework or the fact that creative writing was by far the best class. I’ll always remember hanging out in Ms. Kastler’s room discussing life and on certain days just hiding from the world. I’ll always remember winning the New England Class B Championships, but I might not remember how I used to literally stand in the middle of the field has practices and not move. I’ll always have my best friends and the crazy memories, pictures, and shirts we made over the past two years. And without those friends, all the little experiences would have never happened.
So yes, I am counting the days until Spree Day but at the same time, yes, I am hoping the days go by a little slower. Because there two years have passed by so quickly and I’m scared in an excited and sad way to break free of my comfort zone and start a new chapter where more memories can be gathered.

My years at Worcester Academy have been memorable and life-changing. However, the people I have met through WA are what has made my experience here so great. I am so fortunate to go to a school where I can meet people from all over the world that I never would have met if it weren’t for WA. Being a part of this community has allowed me to make many friendships. Some have faded over time, but the friendships that have remained are the ones that I cherish.
WA has also taught me a lot about myself. I can hilight my strengths as well as my weaknesses. Looking back on my years from 6th grade onward, it makes me reflect on how much I have changed, as well as my classmates.
As for my senior year, I really have no idea what I expect it to be like. Every year, on the first day of school, I find myself wondering what the upcoming year will bring, and I never know what to expect. I do know, however, that I want to have an impact on the school in a positive way. How I will accomplish that, I’m not sure.
I guess what my experiences at WA have really come down to are the people. I had a great middle school experience, and a completely different and awesome high school experience because of the friendships I have made and the people that I have met. The teachers at WA are great and really care about the success of their students. The friendships I have made at WA have shaped who I am today, and have a huge impact on my life. For that, I can’t thank WA enough.

My most memorable experience while here at Worcester Academy was meeting all the people that I played sports with. It was easy to get along with these kids because we were interested in the same things. I am going to miss hanging out in the Student Center or on the quad when it’s nice out. In the fall a bunch of us would go out to New Balance Fields and be soccer hooligans for the boys and girls teams. I also already miss when my brother’s went to WA and all their friends would come say hi to me and be nice to me because I was the younger brother everyone loved, or so I think.
Worcester Academy is a place where you can be yourself and other people would join you most likely. The student center is a place where we can all hang out and talk to our friends about anything. A school like Worcester Academy isn’t a school where certain kids hang with certain kids, almost everyone is either friends with or knows everyone. Each grade is so small, unlike public schools where one grade has the same about of people as half of our school. This also makes it easier for the students to get to know the teachers as well. Which helps because it is much more comfortable to go see the teacher to talk about their work or even talk about something else in there life. Worcester Academy has made me the person I am today, from the people I have made friends with while I have been there, or the teachers and coaches that have taught me. If I stayed at my town’s high school I don’t think that I would be the same person. Especially because there is no hockey at my town’s high school and baseball is average.
Some things I won’t miss about the academy are the extra long assemblies in the gym, especially when it’s hot outside it makes it ever hotter in the gym. Also, the after school detentions and Saturday detentions, but everyone hates those. Some other things I won’t miss are getting yelled at because you forgot to shave, or your shirt is not tucked in, or your trying to stay warm in negative degree weather but your told to take your sweatshirt off. Then there’s the cafeteria where it is so crowded it’s impossible to move. WA has been seven great years and it made me who the person I am and will be for the future. I always see all the graduated students coming back onto campus and talking to old teachers and some student and when I was younger I used to wonder why they would come back to visit here and now that I’ve been here for so long that when I leave I am sure that I will want to come back at some point to see how my old teachers are doing.

My experience at Worcester Academy is and will remain as one of the most valuable parts of my life. I still remember the first day that I came to Worcester Academy all the way from Korea. Although I lived in Canada for a year and a half before I came to Worcester Academy and had already experienced what it is like to study abroad and be distanced from my family, it was still challenging for me to live on campus as a boarder because I constantly got homesick. Living with a roommate was a complete change in my life. Besides, it was a definite challenge for me to be able to deal with any kind of issues on my own. I learned how to be independent, instead of asking everyone around me for help whenever I needed it. However, when I was put in a situation where I felt that I wasn’t strong and mature enough to handle certain problems that came up to me, a lot of my friends were next to me trying to help me with anything that I wasn’t able to manage on my own. Hence, I believe that my friends at school are what make my experience at Worcester Academy campus so special. They always make me smile. Whenever I’m homesick, I always happen to think of my friends at Worcester Academy because I always care about them and even treat some of them as my family.
It’s not only my friends that make my WA life so special but also a plenty of opportunities given to everyone on campus. Worcester Academy offers a lot of extra curricular activities to students, such as sports and musical activities. Being a part of those activities, such as Field Hockey, Softball, Academy Singers, and musicals, I was given such amazing opportunities to be able to interact with the team members and experience new things everyday, and I hope to continue to take advantages of such activities that WA offers to students. Lastly, I thank Worcester Academy for having let me experience such great opportunities and the people in it for having allowed my experience at WA to last forever in my mind.

I am on my sixth year at Worcester Academy. Overall it has been a good experience, but the Upper School is no doubt better than the Middle School. It is, because of more free time during the day obviously.
When I first entered WA in the sixth grade, I was nervous, because I left all my friends at my old school. At the time I didn’t think that everyone was in the same situation as me for some reason. I don’t know why I thought that, but it was easy to meet new people that I am still friends with today.
Now looking back on WA I have met some good people and interesting fun teachers. The thing I am going to remember the most is the hockey team. It was such a fun group to hang around with, because we were al so comfortable around each other.
Now about my teachers I have had in the past. Some of them have been hard and some easy, like every other school, but overall I have learned a lot from them. One of my favorite teachers would have to be Ms. Kastler, because even though her class is kind of easy for me, it is still fun because of the energy she brings to class.
At Worcester Academy, I have learned lessons that will stay with me for life. I have learned them through academics and sports. I have played hockey and golf. For hockey I have learned how to stay disciplined and to work hard. On the contrary in golf I have learned how to stay calm and collective, because if you are not those in golf, you will never play good.
One last thing about Worcester Academy I have always wondered is how they have such a nice campus in sort of a bad neighborhood. All the building are interesting and have a long history except for Rader, which was recently added. The most intriguing building would have to be Warner Theater, because of how it looks, inside and out. For the most part, Worcester Academy has given me great experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life.

I have been sitting by my computer trying to think about the memories I have had at Worcester Academy and how I only have one more year left. I couldn’t really pick one thing to say, which is shocking because I have already been at this school for six years. My iTunes is currently open and a song just came on that got me thinking it is, Some People Change by Kenny Chesney. The chorus goes “Here’s to the strong thanks to the brave, Don’t give up hope, some people change, Against all odds, against the grain, Love finds a way, some people change” The one thing that I will always remember are the friends I have gained. We have changed from children to adults together and that’s something I will cherish forever. We have grown strong, loyal, and intelligent with one another by our sides. M friends are my life and Worcester Academy has brought be to meet the most wonderful friends that I will keep all the way through my life.
Not only have my friends and I have grown together but also the teachers here have influenced my life greatly. The teachers here are so easy to talk to they are approachable and actually trying to help you out. Ms. Flynn has not only been a great teacher but also a friend to me.
Next year I am hoping to have fun like I have been doing. As I am thinking about it, I couldn’t see myself at any other high school, I just love WA. I mean we even have our own hymn! I have had way to memories at Worcester that I can fill about more then ten pages about. But I will leave you with this one song by Kenny Chesney called young that describes high school to me. “Man I don’t know, where the time goes. But it sure goes fast, just like that. We were wanna be rebels who didn’t have a clue. With our Rock n’ roll T-shirts, and our typically bad attitudes. Had no excuses for the things that we’d done. We were brave, we were crazy, we were mostly. Young”

For me Worcester Academy has been both a stepping stone and a blanket of protection. WA has helped me succeed in high school and step onto the next point in my life, college. Hopefully better prepared than I would have had I attended public school. Knowing that for my family and me, WA is an opportunity, I was motivated to try and work hard in school. Worcester Academy has been an important part of my life, but I still consider it to be just a small step toward something I hope will be even greater in the future. College will be even more important, and so will my profession. As every “next” step, the previous seems even smaller and less important. And as hard as taking the step toward WA was at the beginning, stepping out, I look back and realize it was nothing compared to what the step into college will be like.
As for being a blanket of security, WA has certainly kept me out of trouble, and on the path I would have chosen for myself originally. I have seen my friends get in trouble, at times for things I don’t think they deserved for, but that’s not for me to judge. Whether it’s the people at WA or my understanding that WA is a privilege for me, it has kept me well on my path to what I hope to accomplish in the future.

When I decided to postpone college and come to Worcester Academy for a Post-Graduate year I did not know what I was getting myself into. I have never attended a private school before, and had no idea if it was similar to public high school, what the classes were like, how much time I would have to dedicate to school, and where this year would let me go.
I remember move in day quite well. I was excited to meet all the people that I would be living with for the next year. As I walked up stairs with all of my boxes and my room key in hand, I opened up the hallway door and saw my room. Dexter 206, it had a piece of construction paper on the door that read “Cinti, Mclimans.” I opened the door and said “Hey, whats up” to my roommate. I was hopeful that we would get along the year.
Im happy to say this year has been great for me. Attending WA has gotten me acceptance into a great school/baseball program and I could not be happier. Although there were times I was wondering if I made the right move, I know now that I definitely did.