he Class of 2020 had no problem making a name for themselves. From infamously low averages to high detention counts, this year’s seniors started their four years of high school with the uphill battle of overcoming preconceived notions about them. As graduation day arrived, the seniors enrolled in top-notch colleges with astonishing achievements under their belts. These self-made hard workers have reinvented themselves as exemplary scholars, athletes and service leaders, exceeding the expectations of even their most hopeful mentors.
children of the
MILLENIUM
by carly breland
President Stuart Gulley witnessed the impact of the Class of 2020 on our community. “I have been quite impressed with the level of commitment to service and to giving back to the larger world, not just to the Woodward community, but for their attempts to try to make a difference both locally and globally,” Dr. Gulley said. Dr. Chato Hendrix, the Class of 2020’s school counselor, worked with them since their junior year. Her front row seat to the class dynamic, both socially and academically, allowed her to watch as the group grew and matured as students and as people. “I can honestly say, individually and as a class, it’s just a dynamic group of students,” said Dr. Hendrix. “They will continue to do exceptional things, make history. I see them continuing to make their mark on the world.” Larger-scale involvement became a theme within the Class of 2020, extending to many corners of the world. Some students developed by choosing to fully immerse themselves in countries thousands of miles away from their comfort zones. Many seniors spent time abroad, engaging in learning on a global scale, while international students found a home here. The Director of International and Global Connections on campus, Mr. Stéphane Allagnon, worked with all of the seniors who expressed interest in global studies. “This is the largest class of graduating [international] students that we have had,” Allagnon said. “The impact is also probably the most diverse that we have had because we have a big variety of students from different countries.” Many seniors got involved in service abroad and immersed themselves in other cultures. “I’ve also found better support from our Woodward students to protect or mentor our international students,” said Allagnon. Many students traveled to one of our sister schools, the Terranova School in Zambia, the summer before senior year in order to help the local community and school. Maya Mitchell ‘20 journeyed to Zambia for a life-changing experience.
“I connected with new people,” Mitchell said. “It really made the world smaller.” Spencer Smith ‘20 took global immersion a step further and spent his entire junior year studying abroad in Spain. “It wasn’t hard to transfer from Woodward to Spain because everything felt so new,” Smith said. “It was harder coming back because I felt like I had so many experiences to share, but at the same time, I felt like I missed a lot of everyone else’s experiences. So I was [kind] of having to catch up.” The worldwide reach that the seniors grasped during their four years built character, making them into the people they are today. Whether in Zambia or Spain, seniors left their mark on the map while learning about themselves and new cultures. What truly makes the seniors unique is not their well-traveled backpacks, however. Student leaders within the class have augmented former rules, represented their school publicly and closed the gap between students and administration. Their unyielding determination to ignite change on campus has paid off, leaving a legacy. Matthew O’Stricker, student body president, said he did not take his leadership role lightly. “I think I’ve become more cognizant of real world issues and have a better understanding of how to address and understand individuals that are around me, both old and young,” O’Stricker said. “The history that [seniors] have made here at the Academy, I think, is pretty profound, and it’s going to set a good precedent for future grades.” Uniform regulations were altered this year with the help of students who wanted more inclusive requirements. Gender-neutral and racially-conscious adjustments have been made. These alterations included allowing natural styles of hair for Black boys, many of whom previously had to alter their natural hair due to dress code restrictions. Michael Taylor White ‘20 brought the issue to Dr. Gulley’s attention. “When he came to me to talk about the dress code, I was able to
“We did not let a rumor become the norm for us–we created a new norm instead.”
Matthew O'Stricker
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