Open Letter to the Class of 2018
I believe as you spread your wings and move into adulthood that each of you will leave your mark on the world. You have dynamic qualities within your class that will serve you well.
To the Class of 2018:
You ARE an interesting bunch. You have described yourself as close-knit, yet independent; varied, yet uniform; cynical, yet optimistic; dynamic, yet low-lying. You see yourselves as talented, yet underrated.
Interestingly, in our recent conversations, you did not describe your class as small. Indeed, you are mighty, which may just dispel anyone’s doubts about your class’ size.
While the term “out of the box” may sound cliche, it is clear that, as a class, you do look for the edges of the box and lean on them to determine their strength. “How hard can I push before this thing breaks,” you might sometimes have asked yourselves. At other times, you may have simply had no interest in being in the box in the first place.
You are the first Brookwood class I have known throughout Upper School. It has been a pleasure to watch you grow. And, if I may be direct — you did have a little growing up to do. But it was a thrill to see you begin to gel during your junior year — and peak this year — much like an athletic team trains to peak at its state competition.
I also believe this: what might have caused friction for some in your grade school years can certainly morph into useful attributes as you grow.
I believe as you spread your wings and move into adulthood that each of you will leave your mark on the world. You have dynamic qualities within your class that will serve you well.
A few examples…
Carson’s steadfastness; Thomas Harrison’s unflappability; Thomas Oppenheim’s entrepreneurship; Curry’s sense of humor; Marshall’s warmth; Robin’s considerateness; Will’s man-of-a-few-words wisdom; Max’s drive; Hill’s business acumen; Mazie’s dedicated spirit; Adam’s confidence; Katie’s kindness; Hannah’s servant-leadership; Natalie’s sharp wit; Jenna’s spirit of generosity; Dara’s sportsmanship; Landry’s quiet leadership; Jordan’s all-around good guy-ness; Madelyn’s resilience; Trenton’s encyclopedic knowledge of all that is; Ethan’s faithfulness (and ability to drop a beat); Preston’s assertiveness; Sterling’s sincerity; Daniel’s Warrior Spirit; Tyler Clark’s focus; Tyler Mirick’s personability; Noah’s commitment; Wyatt’s, willingness to help others….
So, to conclude, in your dualities, you have found both your individuality and group identity. You are and will always be Brookwood’s Class of 2018. This is something about which all of you should feel proud.
You are quite a fine group of young people. It has been a pleasure to get to know you and watch you grow. Good luck and God bless.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.