Student Life at Woodberry Forest School • september 2014
Tigers Circle the Globe
A New Leader
Boys thrive during study abroad opportunities
dr. Byron hulsey becomes
Woodberry boys always have an answer when they’re asked, “What did you do over the summer?” Many choose to participate in exciting enrichment opportunities the school offers through a variety of study abroad programs — this year in China, Nicaragua, Oxford, Scotland, and Spain. Designed and led by Woodberry teachers, these multi-week adventures for small groups of boys offer high-level instruction, including intensive language classes; cultural immersion; and, in some cases, opportunities to help others. Plus, they’re all great fun! Girls from nearby boarding schools also participate in the Scotland program. Any Woodberry boy can apply for study abroad and financial aid is available.
ninth headmaster
Woodberry Forest has always been a family place. On July 1, Woodberry welcomed a new family to campus — Headmaster Dr. Byron Hulsey; his wife, Jennifer; the couple’s children, Ben and Claire; and the family dog, Hank.
Here are just a few of the activities that kept Woodberry boys engaged: •
Hiked up — and sand-boarded down — Cerro Negro, a volcano in Nicaragua
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Climbed the Karsts of Guilin, magical land formations in southern China, and the Great Wall in northern China
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Scrambled gorges in the Central Highlights near Balmoral Castle, Scotland
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Punted (steered a longboat with poles) on the River Cherwell in Oxford, England
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Practiced bullfighting at a cortijo in Spain with a professional bullfighter
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Played an interactive game to reenact the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn in Stirling, Scotland
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Sampled paellas on the Mediterranean
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Screened the movie Frozen, in Spanish, to teach comprehension skills to Nicaraguan children
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Studied code and cyphers at the University of Oxford
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Enjoyed tea houses during the day and home-cooked meals at night with host families in Liuzhou, China
ua
Nicarag
Dr. Hulsey, a Texas native and Woodberry graduate, is dedicated to ensuring that the school offers motivated boys what they need — challenging academics, exciting athletics, and many social and cultural opportunities. “I first arrived at Woodberry as a young boy in search of a better education and a life challenge,” he said. “I got what I was looking for and so much more.”
Spain
As a student, he served as senior prefect, the top student leadership position. He also earned AllState honors in cross country, lettered in track and baseball, and was editor-in-chief of the yearbook. He earned a history degree from the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar and graduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Hulsey returned to Woodberry as a teacher, coach, and college counselor. He later taught at a boarding school in England and served as assistant headmaster at Norfolk Academy. He most recently spent eight years as headmaster of Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama.
Oxford
Scotland
The Hulseys are now settled into their new home, the historic Residence. “Here boys become lifelong learners,” Dr. Hulsey said, “and they also have lots of fun!”
Woodberry Forest School Tiger Tales • september 2014 • 1