SENIORS REFLECT

Emma LaRiviere ’23

Told to Lillian

Holley

“I came here as a Junior, which was definitely a hard transition, going from a school where I’ve grown up with kids my whole life and then coming into school where I knew nobody. But I felt like everybody was very welcoming. I joined the Field Hockey team first and we got so close so fast and it’s kind of been like that with every sport… you meet people and you get really, really close, and it is about being competitive and winning, but it’s also like your teammates are your best friends in a way. I feel like that was a great experience I got out of Proctor and also I think one thing that has really helped me personally is just the relationships I’ve gained with my teachers. I don’t know if calling them by like their first name really does anything, but I’ve just gotten so much closer with my teachers here than I have at any other school and I really cherish those relationships now and feel like I’ve learned so much from them.”

Cosi Gregg ’23 Reflects

Told to Carrie Babson

A few weeks ago Vienna by Billy Joel came on the speakers in the Coffee House and everyone belted out the lyrics and then all the classics were cued up, American Pie, Brown Eyed Girl, Piano Man. Everyone was so happy it was one of those small heartwarming moments that fills you up for a long time.

“My best Proctor experience has been the roommates I have had. I am a three-year senior and I have had three different roommates over the years. They have all made me grow as a person and taught me things about myself. They truly made my Proctor experience, they all made me laugh when I was missing home, they all held my hand when I needed to cry, and all let me be myself. I was nervous when it came to picking a roommate so I never asked anyone until the day before the housing lottery and to my surprise that was the best choice I made. I was paired with someone I had never talked to in my life. But at the end of the day, she became one of my closest friends at this school. I now am living with one of the funniest people I know, she has made my last year here a Proctor one to remember. We are constantly laughing and having the best time together. I really have loved the diverse people I have lived with and am so thankful for them all. I will truly miss my roommates after this year.”

Mark Rodeo ’23

The biggest surprise about my time at Proctor came from how I initially viewed it to how I do now. I came here in the heart of Covid, and immediately fractured my back and had a horrible football season. I spent most of the rest of the year online, and for a while, I didn’t want to come back to Proctor. I did though, and my Junior year I developed an appreciation for Proctor and the opportunities it’s given me. I now am dreading graduating and leaving the community, which is something I once never thought could be possible.

Ocean Classroom was one of the most intense things I’ve ever done in my life. Being up on deck at midnight running off of little sleep was one of the hardest, mentally challenging experiences I’ve encountered. Working, sleeping, and eating with the same group of people day and night could also get hard. But I learned to put others before myself in every situation because that is the only way to keep things running smoothly on a boat. I learned a lot about patience and being able to find a place in your mind where you can escape. Learning about the stars was truly amazing, now I am able to look up at the sky and point out several different constellations! This experience also taught me how to embrace the little things like being grateful for a hot shower or a home-cooked meal. Now that I am off the boat, I remind myself every day to appreciate all that is given to me.