I grew up in the public school system and always maintained good grades; however, I never went out of my way to be involved. My middle school years flew by and as my freshman year of high school drew to an end I began to realize that I was not satisfied with what I was accomplishing. I decided to take action and managed to apply to a boarding school in Asheville named the Asheville School. To my delight and amazement, I was accepted and offered a scholarship to attend.
The next year was filled with a mixture of new traditions, opportunities, and an entirely different culture. I came to learn that the school strived to enable students to be well rounded. As a result, I joined the volleyball team, the swimming team, and even went to meditation club. I came to understand politics and formed relationships with my teachers that did not always revolve around schoolwork. I adjusted to the dorm setting and made friends that will last for a lifetime.
While the school as a whole has been a magnificent experience that has enabled me to grow as a person more than I could have ever hoped, one program has stood out among the rest. Asheville School has an applied position in which juniors and seniors are elected to act as role models and student leaders for the rest of the student body. Juniors are given the title of "proctor" and seniors are labeled as "prefects". Approximately twenty of each grade are elected after a thorough application process. The job consists of welcoming new students, maintaining a positive campus vibe, enforcing school rules, and participating in conduct councils. Conduct council is a group of faculty and senior prefects that come into session when a misdemeanor has been committed. They question the student who has broken the rules and give a recommendation to the headmaster regarding what consequence they see fit.
As both a proctor and a prefect, these roles have forced me to grow up and learn how to handle a high position of leadership. I learned how to handle awkward situations, how to bring students together, and how to be a mentor for my peers. It has been a wonderful experience and one that I would not give up for the world. My years at Asheville School have taught me to believe in myself, something that many kids still haven't learned. This wonderful place that I will graduate from in the spring sets me apart from others because its mission goes beyond learning what is in the textbooks. They strive to prepare us for not only college, but also life.
The next year was filled with a mixture of new traditions, opportunities, and an entirely different culture. I came to learn that the school strived to enable students to be well rounded. As a result, I joined the volleyball team, the swimming team, and even went to meditation club. I came to understand politics and formed relationships with my teachers that did not always revolve around schoolwork. I adjusted to the dorm setting and made friends that will last for a lifetime.
While the school as a whole has been a magnificent experience that has enabled me to grow as a person more than I could have ever hoped, one program has stood out among the rest. Asheville School has an applied position in which juniors and seniors are elected to act as role models and student leaders for the rest of the student body. Juniors are given the title of "proctor" and seniors are labeled as "prefects". Approximately twenty of each grade are elected after a thorough application process. The job consists of welcoming new students, maintaining a positive campus vibe, enforcing school rules, and participating in conduct councils. Conduct council is a group of faculty and senior prefects that come into session when a misdemeanor has been committed. They question the student who has broken the rules and give a recommendation to the headmaster regarding what consequence they see fit.
As both a proctor and a prefect, these roles have forced me to grow up and learn how to handle a high position of leadership. I learned how to handle awkward situations, how to bring students together, and how to be a mentor for my peers. It has been a wonderful experience and one that I would not give up for the world. My years at Asheville School have taught me to believe in myself, something that many kids still haven't learned. This wonderful place that I will graduate from in the spring sets me apart from others because its mission goes beyond learning what is in the textbooks. They strive to prepare us for not only college, but also life.