Charlie '26
Charlie '26
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Groton activities: football captain, tennis captain, basketball, music prefect, Chapel prefect, peer counselor, Young Republicans, Color Guard, Second Form prefect
Most surprising when you first arrived at Groton:
The most surprising thing was how welcoming and accepting the students were. I first arrived at school on a rainy day for football preseason. I was immediately taken to my dorm room and then led down to the locker room. Older boys guided me through every step of the first week. I had expected to fend for myself, but the countless questions I had were all answered.
Favorite class: My favorite class at Groton has been AP Chemistry. The class is the perfect mix of lecture and lab time. I was thoroughly engaged and challenged over the course of the year. Each day, we learned, laughed, and collaborated with our peers.
Most memorable Groton moment: My most memorable moment at Groton came during the first game of my Fourth Form football season. The previous season, I watched from the sideline as we were crushed on the road to open the season. However, I was out on the field this rainy afternoon. After a 14-13 lead at halftime, the second half was purely defensive. This 14-13 win was truly special for the program and the team culture
Favorite Dining Hall food: burgers
Favorite place to study: library stacks
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![A group of young men in casual attire standing in front of a grand, ornate building with arched entryways and architectural details.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763757533/grotonorg/db0znu21gh9yozuk6vll/stubbs.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763757533/grotonorg/db0znu21gh9yozuk6vll/stubbs.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763757533/grotonorg/db0znu21gh9yozuk6vll/stubbs.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1763757533/grotonorg/db0znu21gh9yozuk6vll/stubbs.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1763757533/grotonorg/db0znu21gh9yozuk6vll/stubbs.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1763757533/grotonorg/db0znu21gh9yozuk6vll/stubbs.jpg","width":2200}])
Four days a week, we have morning chapel before class. Chapel consists of an opening prayer, reading, senior student speaker, a musical offering, and the singing of a hymn. Every senior has the opportunity to give a chapel talk in front of the whole school. Just before Thanksgiving break, I had the opportunity to give my chapel talk.
![Charlie poses with his advisory in front of balloons that read 141.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759953063/grotonorg/cnn0g02ldrqrfvzlwzcr/IMG_3229.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759953063/grotonorg/cnn0g02ldrqrfvzlwzcr/IMG_3229.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1759953063/grotonorg/cnn0g02ldrqrfvzlwzcr/IMG_3229.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1759953063/grotonorg/cnn0g02ldrqrfvzlwzcr/IMG_3229.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1759953063/grotonorg/cnn0g02ldrqrfvzlwzcr/IMG_3229.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1759953063/grotonorg/cnn0g02ldrqrfvzlwzcr/IMG_3229.jpg","width":2200}])
Year 141 and counting. The annual Groton School birthday celebration is a highly anticipated dinner because of the good food and blue bottles tradition. Students gather in the gym to have a sit-down meal in their advisory groups.
![Charlie holding a small fish near a river]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757099902/grotonorg/euawbohzt7lioffsqprp/CharliePost2a.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757099902/grotonorg/euawbohzt7lioffsqprp/CharliePost2a.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1757099902/grotonorg/euawbohzt7lioffsqprp/CharliePost2a.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757099902/grotonorg/euawbohzt7lioffsqprp/CharliePost2a.jpg","width":1200}])
One way to unplug from your phone is to go where there is no cell service. Each summer, I take a camping trip with friends from home, in search of fish.
![A happy ice cream customer gives the camera a thumbs up while holding a spider man ice cream pop]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757099730/grotonorg/vavb8q6fq6jntgtauh5f/CharliePost1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757099730/grotonorg/vavb8q6fq6jntgtauh5f/CharliePost1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1757099730/grotonorg/vavb8q6fq6jntgtauh5f/CharliePost1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1757099730/grotonorg/vavb8q6fq6jntgtauh5f/CharliePost1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757099730/grotonorg/vavb8q6fq6jntgtauh5f/CharliePost1.jpg","width":1600}])
A series of dreams eventually led to me driving a truck fourteen hours home after an away tennis match last spring. That same truck would soon become the best summer job I could imagine.
![The boys JV basketball team]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752243926/grotonorg/valybymxcz0qbtauea11/large_news1373025_1395090.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752243926/grotonorg/valybymxcz0qbtauea11/large_news1373025_1395090.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1752243926/grotonorg/valybymxcz0qbtauea11/large_news1373025_1395090.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1752243926/grotonorg/valybymxcz0qbtauea11/large_news1373025_1395090.jpg","width":960}])
As winter approached, I was excited for another season of JV Basketball. The roster was filled with great players and great people.
![Charlie leading the procession of acolytes at Lessons and Carols]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752243844/grotonorg/icpukoi1zuj2rdjlxcps/large_news1361977_1386556.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752243844/grotonorg/icpukoi1zuj2rdjlxcps/large_news1361977_1386556.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1752243844/grotonorg/icpukoi1zuj2rdjlxcps/large_news1361977_1386556.jpg","width":800}])
Every December, Groton puts on three Lessons & Carols services for the community, parents and alumni, and students.
![Members of the young republicans and young democrats pose for a photo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752243520/grotonorg/ikjmlgcur2dtkmecg4kg/large_news1350870_1376625.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752243520/grotonorg/ikjmlgcur2dtkmecg4kg/large_news1350870_1376625.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1752243520/grotonorg/ikjmlgcur2dtkmecg4kg/large_news1350870_1376625.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1752243520/grotonorg/ikjmlgcur2dtkmecg4kg/large_news1350870_1376625.jpg","width":960}])
Every four years the U.S. gets the chance to have a presidential election year. This year I have had a larger role in discussing the election on campus because I am a Young Republicans head.
![Three students pose on a boardwalk by the ocean]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752243397/grotonorg/gizc8pjipid27muh3ofj/large_news1345435_1371797.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752243397/grotonorg/gizc8pjipid27muh3ofj/large_news1345435_1371797.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1752243397/grotonorg/gizc8pjipid27muh3ofj/large_news1345435_1371797.jpg","width":720}])
One of the many beauties of coming to Groton is the diverse group of students. This was put on full display this summer, when I was lucky enough to have a friend from school visit me.
![A group of students pose for a photo in front of the Venice waterways]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752243203/grotonorg/zf1mnpxeliwt6deya1jq/large_news1345434_1371794.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752243203/grotonorg/zf1mnpxeliwt6deya1jq/large_news1345434_1371794.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1752243203/grotonorg/zf1mnpxeliwt6deya1jq/large_news1345434_1371794.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1752243203/grotonorg/zf1mnpxeliwt6deya1jq/large_news1345434_1371794.jpg","width":960}])
Following exam week, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to Europe with the orchestra. The two-week GEO (Global Education Opportunity) that followed was truly life-changing.