Ethel Walker School
Involvement: Capabilities Envoy Program, Art, Students Demand Action, MUN, WINGS
“Hi! I’m Max, an American-International student here at Walker’s. I entered my freshman year and decided that I wanted to be a Cicerone because I wanted to fill a leadership position. I hope to show you how awesome our campus is — especially in my favorite places: the dorms, the science classes, and especially the art room. Walker’s is essentially a home away from home for me with everybody who is there for you to support you through everything.”
My favorite class is math because the teachers here make it extremely fun. I love how the classes are relaxed enough to feel comfortable not only asking questions but also helping other students. Being able to ask questions really adds to the experience of learning in math because you don’t feel dumb asking a question that could possibly help you figure the entire thing out.
Something that I was completely shocked by was the inclusivity of everyone. I am an international-American student here, yet I mostly hang out with day students! I was so surprised because this group of people took me in so easily and I feel involved in so many ways despite having experienced different views.
A typical day for me involves waking up around 6:30 a.m. (I am an early riser) and eating breakfast in Abra’s with Ari (we eat breakfast together every day). I go about my classes, stopping in between to talk to friends or grab a drink in the dining hall. After my classes are over, I go to the dance studios for my co-curricular, and then go to dinner afterwards. After dinner, I head back to the dorm and then comes study hall from 7:00-9:00 p.m. After that, we all hang out in the common room for a bit, and go to bed.
My absolute favorite thing about being a boarder is the community it builds. From 9:00 to 10:00 p.m., we have a social hour after study hall, and in every dorm, there is always something going on. It could be ice cream for a birthday, watching a movie with popcorn, or studying for an exam coming up. No matter what, the people you live with are there for you and it is like having 40 siblings.
My biggest piece of advice for anyone — especially an incoming Walker’s student — is to explore. Do things you never would have anywhere else because the support here is fantastic. I tried out dance my first semester at Walker’s and ended up taking dance all year, every year since then. I have performed with confidence in front of the Walker’s community and beyond all because I decided to try something new. I love dance now, and it is part of who I am at Walker’s.
The biggest benefit is for sure the weekend activities. I have two brothers who go to different boarding schools and they don’t have the same opportunities we do. We go to Walmart, Target, the mall, the movies, and even to farms. I love the option to get off campus and explore or shop for a few hours.
It’s mind-blowing how quickly you adapt to Walker’s. I’ve grown to be able to accept challenges when it comes to classes and dance. I have also found that little freshman me was so much more emotionally out of control, and now I feel more mature. I have become more confident in my skills as a learner and a student.
Walker’s has helped me prepare by giving me so many opportunities to lead. There are also many chances to speak up and help out around the Walker’s community and beyond.
My favorite thing to do in my free time is to go walking in the woods or to go sit under a tree and draw. In the winter, I love playing in the snow (not much of that where I live) and in spring, splashing in the rain with my friends. Also in my free time, I like to go to the dorm common room and watch some movies with the fire on or go to the dance studio and lay on the dance floor listening to music.
