Page 5 - NJC Newsletter 2013-Spring

The Goodman-Vincent Family: Myles ‘14, Ella, Diane Goodman and Marc Vincent
TNeuchâtel
Return
reflection on what a visit to Neuchâtel – and NJC - might hold in store. However this journey was not just a sentimental one. Together with my husband Marc – and our son Myles and his younger sister Ella – I was returning to Neuchâtel not only as a former student, but also as the parent of a prospective student. Marc and I both work for the United Nations, and our family has lived all over the world, including Rwanda, Switzerland, Sudan, and Kathmandu, Nepal, where we are currently based. Myles had enrolled in NJC for next year, but we wanted him to have the opportunity to visit the school before making his final decision.
Arriving at NJC felt like coming home, not only because of the grey mid-March skies and the fact that the school looked the same (with a few nice renovations), but also because of the warmth of the welcome which our entire family received from the Head of School, Mr. William Boyer, as well as the Deputy Head, the teachers, the guidance counselor, the pension coordinator, and, most importantly, the current students. Mr. Boyer spent the afternoon with us, answering numerous questions ranging from academics to social life to sports, treating us to lunch at the nearby university (a short walk from the school where all NJC students now have lunch), and updating us on changes at the school (all positive!) as well as teachers past and present.
at the school tutoring a student. While Myles and Marc met with the guidance counselor to discuss possible courses and university applications, I gave a presentation to the students and faculty on how my year at Neuchâtel had helped prepare me for a UN career working to protect refugee women and children’s rights, mostly with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The highlight of the visit however was having the chance to chat with the impressive group of current students after my presentation. Their extremely positive pension experiences, the amazing trips which they had taken both with the school and independently, the good relationships they clearly had with their teachers and the administration, the close bonds which they had formed with each other and their enthusiasm, curiosity and friendliness confirmed to all of us, and most importantly to Myles, that NJC was the right choice. The only family member not entirely satisfied with the visit was Myles’ sister Ella, as she has to wait two more years before she, too, can attend NJC.
Diane Goodman NJC ‘76
to
he long voyage from the Himalayan I even had the chance to reminisce with a former to the Jura mountains provided ample time for teacher of mine, Mr. Barnes, who happened to be
news and souvenirs for alumni, families and friends 3
our guest Diane Goodman ’76 spoke to the students briefly about her career path, having served initially as a lawyer and then finding herself attracted to human rights issues and women’s rights. These passions ultimately paved the way for her work with the uN. She shared a film about refugees – who told their stories of struggle and the life they have made for themselves since – and then opened the floor to students’ questions. It was a captivating presentation. We are so grateful to Diane for presenting about the uNHCR, which our students visited earlier this year in Geneva, and also for sharing her own NJC story. We’re of course hoping for a repeat speaking engagement for the Class of 2014, with son Myles in the audience!
Bill Boyer, Head of School