Hayden Plourde (Class of 2024)
Having been a university student for a couple years now, I find myself appreciating my preparation from my years WCS.
WCS offered several AP courses that I have found relevant and helpful to have taken now that I’m in college. Not only did these classes offer valuable credits towards the completion of my degree, but they also encouraged critical thinking and taught new ways of synthesizing information.
College is filled with people who have their own backgrounds and experiences that differ from my own path. Taking AP US History and AP World History allowed me to empathize with the experiences of those outside of myself and better understand their worldviews. Additionally, they also knocked out my humanities credits, which is certainly a plus.
The one thing you hear the most about college as a high school student is how many papers you’ll have to write. Thankfully, I’ve been prepared by AP Lit and AP Lang for such ventures. I’m incredibly grateful to have had Mr. Freitas as a teacher, as he taught me and many others how to effectively categorize our thoughts into an effective essay format. As he promised, my college professors have praised many of the papers I have submitted.
Ultimately, while my education at WCS has prepared me for the college experience, I believe the connections I formed are the most salient part of my years at the school. My university, as well as many others across the United States, is not a religious institution as WCS is; therefore, tying faith and academics is not a focus. I believe branching out is an important experience for young Christians, as we should be able to form bonds with all kinds of individuals in order to demonstrate the welcoming nature of our Savior. It can be dangerously easy for faith to become a footnote in the midst of the college experience. Thankfully, my time at WCS connected me with many good friends both in life and in faith that I can rely on. I am forever grateful for these friends that WCS placed me around for so many years, and I hope to keep these connections with me as I head forth into my adult life.