Aiden

Aiden graduated from 8th grade at Seacoast Waldorf School in 2021. This interview was completed in Seacoast Waldorf School’s Currents Newsletter in April 2024. Aiden is now a sophomore at Vassar.

What are you up to?

Let's see...I'm a junior (11th grader) at Berwick Academy, just down the road from SWS. I played Bruce in our Winter musical Matilda. I perform magic at Berwick's coffeehouses (open mic nights with fun, friends, and snacks!) a few times a year. I started a Film Club with my friends, where we watch and make movies. This Spring I'm excited to play JV tennis for a second year. Oh, and I can drive now! Pretty cool, right? Except for parallel parking on the left. That is DEFINITELY not cool.

What are your plans for the future?

Recently I started looking at colleges. I'm not sure what I'll study, but given my passions for art & science, I can foresee more of that. I'll definitely perform more magic; perhaps I will create my own show. In terms of the immediate future, I think I'll eat lunch. Maybe a PB&J? Yea, that sounds good.

What do you miss about SWS?

I see my classmates occasionally, but I miss hanging out with them everyday. I miss all the time outside, playing capture the flag or building forts from sticks. If only berries still counted as money. I miss learning through experience. Although I do some hands-on projects, much of my workload involves reading, writing, and staring at a computer. I miss the bountiful free time. High school is fun, but also a lot of work. Lastly, miss the community. I miss the amazing faculty & staff, the animals, and the classmates who make SWS so special.

How did your experiences at SWS prepare you for high school and beyond?

I take pinnacle art (Berwick's version of AP art), for which my drawing experience came in handy. Those main lesson books paid off! Beyond art, SWS taught me to love learning, and try new things. I love everything I do at Berwick. Even in classes I dislike, I find something to keep me excited. I attribute much of this curiosity to SWS. At SWS, a single day could include throwing javelins, drawing animals, and cooking spaghetti. This hands-on approach taught me to have fun learning. Further, it taught me to be curious and embrace new experiences, something very useful in high school. I also learned to type at SWS, which it turns out is quite useful not just for homework, but also responding to alumni interviews. Thanks SWS!