Page 14 - Priorities #25 2004-January

‘In boarding school, you get used to managing your time and forming your own goals. It really
pays off when you go to college.’
Kirsten Chen Resident Advisor Stanford Class of 2003
Two resident families have a special role in dorm life. They are the Trujillos—Resident Advisor Chris, wife, Shawna, who is Dean of the Middle School, and preschoolers Taylor and Parker, and the Carlsons—Dean of Students Erik, wife Lisa, Lucy (at right on Erik’s shoulders) and newborn daughter Pippa. The artist’s sketch is a vision of the completed girls’ lounge.
or woman they send is very likely to be a good fit,” commented Al Zappelli, Director of Admissions and FinancialAid. Hehopesthatourbestapplicants
for next year will come from our own parents and alumni. Contacthimatazappelli@woodsidepriory.comif you know of an interested family.
“We are looking for applicants who are serious about academics, like to be involved in lots of activities, and would enjoy contributing to both the boarding program and the day school program.” he said.
Boarders of both genders will find a high quality living experience geared to developing independence, academic skills and lifelong friendships among adults and peers, Mr. Zappelli said.
“In boarding school, you get used to managing your time and forming your own goals. It really pays offwhenyougotocollege.Youarewayaheadof everyone else when it comes to being able to take care ofyourself,”commentedresidentadvisorKirsten Chen. Kirsten was a high school boarding student at St. Paul’s, and she graduated from Stanford in 2003.
The on-campus community consists of 17 residences for faculty, administrators and staff, plus the monastery which is home to the five monks, and St. Anselm and St. Benedict Houses for boarding students. Residents share a special commitment to living by Benedictine values, said Mr. Zappelli, who has lived on campus with his family for fourteen years.
“This is really not a’new’ program for us—it is a ‘next step’ that we’ve anticipated for some time. And it is very welcome.” said Tim Molak, Headmaster— who lives on campus with his wife and daughter.
The school community is well prepared, he said; nevertheless, a consultant recommended by the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) will work with the residence staff to assure a top-notch first year experience, he added.
In a small school, new faces and perspectives are always exciting:
“I think the addition of girl boarders will be great for all of us. I’ve really enjoyed having girls from other parts of the country and the world in my class. One of the best things is that we get to see our own area from another point of view,” said Megan Noice, a senior. Megan and her sister, Katie, have been good friends with students from the Slovak Republic in Central Europe.
Boarder Guilly Mendoza added “There will be more minds thinking up new activities, and with more people we can do even more. More boarders are always good!”
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