Hometown: Cambridge, MA

Groton activities: bass player in Soul Sauce (Groton’s jazz ensemble) and Riverside Jazz Combo, Grotonian editor, Groton Community Engagement head, varsity squash, open mic head

Most surprising when you first arrived at Groton: I was shocked by the poise and generosity of everyone I met. On the first day of classes, overwhelmed by the maze of the Schoolhouse, I asked a random kid where Mr. G’s Latin class was. Although he was on his way to his own class, he walked me to my classroom. The fascinating part about it was that I could tell that the older kids had not necessarily come into Groton that way, but that the school’s culture had shaped them. Now, I’ve seen this evolution in myself and my peers.

Favorite class: It’s a close call, but I have to say that my Fifth Form English class has been my favorite. We dove deep into the meaning of the texts. We discussed not only an author’s intentions but also the book’s effect on us in the context of current social issues. Through reading Toni Morrison’s Beloved, my appreciation for language exploded; I realized that writing can be a form of jazz (one of my passions). Our philosophical discussions on Yann Martel’s Life of Pi made everyone in the class rethink the meaning of humanity, I think.

Most memorable Groton moment: Going fishing in the Nashua River on Surprise Holiday. While most people were in Boston and the campus was quiet, a friend and I borrowed fishing rods from the ecology classroom and took a short hike. We dug up fresh worms and cast into the algae-covered water. Only the rocks bit, and we returned empty-handed, but the excursion taught me to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us at Groton all the time.

Favorite Dining Hall food: Tacos!

Favorite place to study: I love studying at the small wooden table – which I call the “grind table” – in the library. It is the perfect place to get work done while still feeling the buzz of the Schoolhouse.