Westminster School - Review #8

Someone once said, " From the outside looking in, you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain it." This holds true for Westminster's sense of Community. We are one big family that supports and guides one another in our everyday decisions.

After all of my hard work as a student, my senior year I was honored to have received the Headmasters Award. This showed me that my professors and peers supported me and recognized the hard work I was putting into my classes, both on and off the field, as well as during my free time.

Nothing.

I liked what Westminster stood for. Students understood and incorporated Westminster's 4 core values into their daily lives on the hill-- Community, Character, Balance and Involvement.

After your visit, feel free to walk around and see places you didn't have a chance to visit on the tour. Feel free to ask students walking around questions. They will be more than happy to direct, answer or help you.

Academics were an important factor in the search for my "perfect" school. What makes Westminster stand out is the passion the teachers have for what they teach. This makes a big difference in the classroom. The energy and excitement in some classes has given me a positive learning experience inside the classroom. The teachers willingness to help and see you succeed is important. Physics was a subject that I struggled with. An example of my teachers dedication was shown numerous times when they assisted me late, the night before a quiz or test. This is something not every teacher is willing to do and I thrived in challenging classes due to the constant support and push I got from my Westminster teachers.I graduated from Westminster in 2007. My little brother attends the school now and raves on about the new academic building. As nice as it would be to have had class in there, especially with the new outstanding resources, I believe that Westminster gave me something more than a high school education. It has shaped me into the person that I am today, and prepared me for the college by offering one of a kind professors, a variety of courses and a challenging workload.

What I like most about the Athletics program at Westminster is the encouragement it gave students to try new sports. Having grown up on an island, ice hockey was not available to me. I was encouraged to try something new. This was one of the most memorable experiences for me as I challenged myself in an area I never had before. The team spirit and support was something that I still cherish today. I understood the pride most teams have to put on that Westminster jersey and compete against other schools.

Having never been apart of the Visual Arts, Music and Theater program, I do not have much to say regarding the diversity and depth of classes available or the range of musical opportunities. However, I have attended many shows such as the musical Footloose, the Jazz ensembles and the Dance shows. Supporting the different programs was heavily encouraged at Westminster and I even returned to watch shows several times!

The extra-curricular activities at Westminster provide students with leadership opportunities. From planning weekend activities for students to being a part of the Math Club, Westminster encourages students to get involved and start clubs of interest if there weren't any at the time. Student organizations and volunteer opportunities give Westy kids a sense of responsibility and joy. I was a member and head tour guide of Black and Gold. I was also Editor-in-chief of the yearbook and was a member of SAC (Student Activities Club) which planned the numerous dances held on campus. These activities are a great way to meet students outside of classes and dormitories.

Dorm life is something that is very important when living far away from home. I have had an unforgettable experience at Westminster and living in dorms really prepared me for college. The main dorms for girls are Milliken (Freshman), Edge (Sophomore, Junior, Senior) and Cushing (Junior). Times have changed and this may not be the case for girls but throughout my four years, I was extremely pleased with the facilities the dorms had to offer. Some years I lived in older buildings and the rooms were larger than the newer dorms. There will always be pros and cons. There are vending machines in every dorm and they are all a short walk to the student center where food and drinks are available. What I like the most about the dorms is that they all surround the main campus quad. In between classes and afternoon activities, or on weekends, everyone is outside hanging out with one another whether they are doing homework, playing stick ball (a Westy tradition) or playing the guitar. When accepted into Westminster, they will give you a questionnaire to fill out. They will match students based upon their answers. I had a great experience with my freshman roommate. After freshman year, you have the option to continue to room together, choose a new roommate or live alone.

Looking back on it, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Wednesdays was everybody's favorite. From hot meals to a salad bar and desserts, Westminster's cozy dining hall gave students a variety of food. The dining staff at Westminster was extremely nice and there is a famous lady named Pat. Pat puts everyone in a good mood just by smiling and to my knowledge she is still there today. I wish I could've taken Pat with me to college.

Boutiques and restaurants can be found in Simsbury, a quaint New England town. As my senior year approached, a Starbucks was built walking distance from campus, which became very popular amongst the students. Nail salons, CVS Pharmacy, Little City Pizza, Andy's Supermarket and more are all a short walk away. On the weekends, the student activities committee organized vans to take students to the West Farms Mall (approx 20 minutes away) or the Commons (approx 10 minutes away) where they can shop till they drop or go watch a movie at the movie theater.

The social life at Westminster was great. I felt accepted from the entire student body and made many friends. The upperclassmen really guide and support the younger students. Everyone is in it together and Westminster has the true feeling of a great "Community"- one of our core values.