Whatever else it was to us, especially the first-year students, the Academy was an experience that far exceeded anything our respective high schools could offer. We were a handful of generally dissatisfied high school geeks who jumped on the opportunity to escape to an environment where we would not be ridiculed for wanting to learn. Course, it wasn't as idyllic as it seemed at first, and we did meet with resistance from various sources (not least of all the Academy's director). So we were forced to become a close, cohesive group - what else was new?! Plans for our 5-year reunion are progressing at a wonderful pace, and everyone is excited about getting together again....besides that, I've kept in touch with several of my fellow Academy members over the years, and consider them more my family than my blood relatives. Far as I know, all thirty-odd of us original ultra-misfits are now basically happy, productive, independent-thinking adults, which is more than I can say for most people attending their 5-year high school reunions this year. We simply got what we needed five years ago, that being a supportive community of peers, not the ninth circle that is a typical high school. And, to any Academy member who comes across this post, I love you and I'll see you in August, if not sooner!
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Whatever else it was to us, especially the first-year students, the Academy was an experience that far exceeded anything our respective high schools could offer. We were a handful of generally dissatisfied high school geeks who jumped on the opportunity to escape to an environment where we would not be ridiculed for wanting to learn. Course, it wasn't as idyllic as it seemed at first, and we did meet with resistance from various sources (not least of all the Academy's director). So we were forced to become a close, cohesive group - what else was new?! Plans for our 5-year reunion are progressing at a wonderful pace, and everyone is excited about getting together again....besides that, I've kept in touch with several of my fellow Academy members over the years, and consider them more my family than my blood relatives. Far as I know, all thirty-odd of us original ultra-misfits are now basically happy, productive, independent-thinking adults, which is more than I can say for most people attending their 5-year high school reunions this year. We simply got what we needed five years ago, that being a supportive community of peers, not the ninth circle that is a typical high school. And, to any Academy member who comes across this post, I love you and I'll see you in August, if not sooner!