Tom Burkhardt ’84

Why did you decide to send your children to Old Trail?

Prior to starting Old Trail in fifth grade, I disliked school intensely. OTS provided me with the environment I needed to become an engaged student. I specifically recall Mr. Duff being able to convince me to put actual effort into learning. No school before or after Old Trail could offer the unique blend of challenging subjects and supportive teachers that I needed to excel. There was never a thought about my children attending any other school.

What was your favorite memory of Old Trail when you were a student?

I had many diverse experiences at Old Trail. From playing soccer for Mr. Darcy to the class trips, my time at OTS was impactful. One standout memory was the trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was the longest time I had ever been away from my family. One evening, we left the cabins and went for a night hike. There was no light pollution, and the stars were so bright we did not need flashlights.