Beyond the classroom: Soccer, Indoor Track, Crew, Theater, Declamation Contest, PEST, Medicine Club, Art for Community and Environment Club, GED Tutoring Club, ESL Club

Advice for new Falcons:

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from teachers or students. I used to be very scared to reach out for help. I didn’t want to bother my teachers or classmates, so I ended up struggling alone. Turns out I was scared of nothing! Everyone is willing to help and happy to help — all you have to do is ask! I wouldn’t have realized this if it weren’t for Dr. Venanzi. I had a presentation due in her class that I was struggling with. I was trying push through it alone when I received an email from Dr. Venanzi checking in on my progress. I decided to be honest with her and explained that the project was giving me a bit of trouble. She met with me on a Sunday to help me with the presentation! Now I know to reach out for help when I need it, and I hope all new Falcons will do the same.

What being a Peddie student has taught him:

Being surrounded by this community has driven me to help others. At Peddie, I have found a passion for community service. I have learned that I can use my good fortune and opportunity to lift other people up. That is why I spend as much time as I can helping adults in the community study for their GED and learn English. All my friends at Peddie are so motivated, too. They empower me to follow my passions. They drive me to try my best in all my endeavors. Peddie has shown me the importance of surrounding myself with people who push me to be the best version of myself.

Reflection: When I decided to come to Peddie, I was honestly quite nervous. I was afraid that I would be too far away from home and be homesick before I even set foot on campus! Still, I knew it was the right choice, and I was validated in that choice as soon as I set foot on campus. Between the beautiful campus, my friends in the dorm, and the teachers who cared so much about my wellbeing, I never wanted to leave! I think it was over 2 months before I even had a desire to visit my family at home. The Peddie community really surprised me with its openness and warmth. Everyone I met was dedicated to being friendly and welcoming, so cultural barriers weren’t even a problem. I felt like I belonged from my first day.

Learn more about what life at Peddie is like and find out what it takes to join our wonderful community.