John

John is a senior at Lake Champlain Waldorf School in Shelburne, Vermont.

Waldork status: 3 years.

Words of Waldorks: What does the morning verse make you think about?

John: Being someone formerly in the public school system, the morning verse was a very interesting thing to discover upon joining Waldorf school. In public school we were forced to say the “pledge of allegiance” every morning which basically feels like drab conformity/forced thinking. The morning verse, on the other hand, is a lovely statement in which we simply ponder the world in relation to ourselves and how we shall apply ourselves to the day mentally. This sort of resonates as a verbal meditation for me throughout the day, or a kickstart like a cup of coffee to help me acknowledge my being and prepare to put that to work.

If you applied to college this year, what did you write your personal/ Common App essay about? 

In my main common app essay I wrote about the topic of questioning the art of seeing, as well as perception in relation to scale and to one another. This was a topic that was first introduced to me through our Botany main lesson in which we read many articles and excerpts on this idea. It is actually a topic that I was/am still so interested in that I decided to base my senior project around it. This is something that plays heavily into my thoughts now, and I have found that to be the case with many of the things we explore through main lessons. I also was required to write a second essay for the college that I wanted to/am now going to which I ended up writing about Waldorf and essentially how it changed my life/ whole mentality.

Looking back, what advice would you tell your ninth grade self?

Ninth grade was a strange time frame for me, as it was when I was still in public school but still starting to find myself more as an individual. I guess what I would tell myself is probably to keep distancing myself from the general populous, think deeper and stay curious, and also just to let things happen as life is completely open-ended and this is only a minuscule fraction of it.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better?

I guess since I missed out on grade school it’s hard for me to say but I believe (at least in our high school) we have more emphasis on the winter fair. We all participate in some way or another so I would say that is more significant personally, in my little experience.

Foreign exchange? Where?

Nah (sadly), I came too late for that but I find it to be really wonderful that such opportunities are offered.

When did you feel the most pride during Waldorf High School?

I’d say there have been quite a few prideful moments. If I had to choose I think the most significant are re-learning to knit, doing some surprisingly just-above-mediocre calligraphy, and hand-writing a little poetry book that was all botany inspired and written in the midst of nature during the block.

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

I think the most difficult part was adapting from my public school experience in which I was taught that everything was to be done a certain way so it looks good and gets me good grades which makes the school look good. When I got to Waldorf, people actually cared genuinely about quality of work and thought, which was new to me. In one of my first writing classes, our teacher told me “I’m going to teach you how to write.” And that she did (or so I hope) after many, many drafts and papers handed back to me covered in red ink. Now, looking in to studying writing as a career, I don’t know where I would be without that help.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf school?

I think what will stick with me most is the idea of letting free thought guide me. I need to listen as much as I speak and let the environment around me help me to discover myself.

Anna

Anna is a senior at the Monadnock Waldorf High School in Keene, New Hampshire.

Waldork Status: 12 years.

Words of Waldorks: What does the morning verse make you think about?

Anna: I like to think about how my saying the verse connects me to every other Waldorf high schooler. In such a small school, it’s easy to feel alone and isolated, but saying the same words as my friends from other schools, kids in other countries, students from other times- it grounds me and connects me. I feel comforted.

If you applied to college this year, what did you write your personal/ Common App essay about? 

I wrote about my grandmother. She lived with me for my whole life and she passed away this past summer. I wrote about growing up with her taking care of me and the transition as we both aged, to me being her caretaker.

Looking back, what advice would you tell your ninth grade self?

I would turn to that awkward 9th grader and tell her that life was about to get hard and tricky and a lot of things wouldn’t go her way, and the things she didn’t know would scare her. But when the last trimester of senior year comes around she will have two best friends, her first choice college and bright blue hair. I’d then tell her just to keep working and smile more because she’s almost there.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better?

Fall. Easy.

Foreign exchange? Where?

Nope.

When did you feel the most pride during Waldorf High School?

Winter Instrumental Concert of senior year when our little, six instrument orchestra got a standing ovation after we crushed Bohemian Rhapsody.

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

Differential calculus. Without a doubt.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf school?

For the past twelve years we have been taught in every class, each day, that we can be our own people, and that we are better because of it.

Nora

Nora Weber is at Senior at The Hartsbrook School in Hadley, Massachusetts.

Waldork Status: 10 years… but a lifer through her family.

Words of Waldorks: What does the morning verse make you think about?

Nora: The sunshine.

If you applied to college this year, what did you write your personal/ Common App essay about? 

My disability, Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Looking back, what advice would you tell your ninth grade self?

Always make time to do what you love, say yes to every opportunity that comes your way and be kind.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better?

Fall and winter festivities are infinitely better mostly because the high school doesn’t participate in the May fair at my school. The Holiday Fair while admittedly lost much of its charm once I passed sixth grade still reminds me of my childhood so I still love it.

Foreign exchange? Where?

Yes, Germany for three months. Had a fantastic time.

When did you feel the most pride during Waldorf High School?

I take pride in the people around me…I feel pride when I see my friends getting up on stage to play their original music, or watching them dive into their characters in plays or even graduate. Academically I felt proud this year when I received an A+ on a paper that I had worked really hard on in Biology and when I completed and presented my Lyceum Lecture at the end of our Transcendentalist block.

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

I think the most challenging part of Waldorf High School is being held at a constant accountability. When there are only 60 kids in your high school every person is seen and heard. Sometimes I wished I could disappear even just for an hour into a massive crowd of people just so I had a tiny break from feeling like I was in a fish bowl, constantly being watched.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf school?

 

A strong community is key to a happy life.

Lara

 

Lara is a senior at the Kimberton Waldorf School in Kimberton, Pennsylvaina.

Waldork Status: 14 years.

Words of Waldorks: What does the morning verse make you think about?

Lara: The line that stands out to me is “I look into the world and see the shining sun” the rest I tend to say on auto pilot. However, this line makes me think about always looking at things from the bright side.

If you applied to college this year, what did you write your personal/ Common App essay about?

I wrote about my experience in 4th grade moving from Chemnitz, Germany to Kimberton, Pennsylvania, and how it was for me to learn a second language etc.I also wrote about my experience on exchange at Colegio Waldorf Lima, in Lima, Peru and how it was for me to learn a third language. I basically wrote about me learning languages and then later being able to translate between German and English and Spanish.

Looking back, what advice would you tell your ninth grade self?

I have absolutely no idea, maybe to not procrastinate, and to not freak out about grades, to much work load etc. Actually I would tell my 9th grade self not to stress and to have fun, because if I stress then that is where problems arise.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better?

Fall/harvest/winter fair is better because we have Michaelmas day. On Michaelmas day there is a whole ceremony where grades 2-12 presents something and the 6th grade despised as the dragon comes out. Michael, often on a horse, then comes from the top of the hill and slays the dragon its awesome. I was St Michael twice and it was really awesome and fun!!!

Also for Advent we have advent assembly’s which are beautiful. As a whole school, we gather every Monday after each advent Sunday and sing People Look east as well as Light the advent candle. There are musical sharing and a fairy tale is told by the seniors. At this time we also celebrate honuka.

Foreign exchange? Where?

Colegio Waldorf Lima, in Lima Peru.

When did you feel the most pride during Waldorf High School?

I feel like that will happen once I stand on stage at graduation.

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

Really every year of high school I felt very challenged and as I went up the grades that challenge grew according to my age. So I would say that this year as a senior I have felt challenged the most because we are seen more as adults and many classes are geared to prepare us for college (I think), but they are still Waldorf with lots of presentations, art projects, main lesson books, etc.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf school?

Be creative and don’t be afraid to fail. Use your imagination!

Meg

Meg is a senior at Monadnock Waldorf High School in Keene, New Hampshire.

Waldork Status: 16 years.

Words of Waldorks: What does the morning verse make you think about?

Meg: The morning verse is so much a habit that sometimes I forget to
think about it but when I do it makes me think about all the good in the
world and, that no matter how bad my day is, the sub and stars are
sparkling somewhere. Basically life keeps going, the world is beautiful,
and I will keep living.

If you applied to college this year, what did you write your personal/ Common App essay about? 

I wrote about the Contra dancing camp I have
attended for 10 years and the love of community it helped to foster in me.

Looking back, what advice would you tell your ninth grade self?

Don’t worry as much and try to have fun with everything. Also, don’t
procrastinate.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better?

Tough choice but I think fall and the harvest season/fair.

Foreign exchange? Where?

No foreign exchange but hosted an exchange from Paris.

When did you feel the most pride during Waldorf High School?

No specific time but when my school came together and pulled something off as a whole.
Or just had a lot of fun being ridiculous (dressing up for spirit week or
other fun things). Also- hermit island and singing around a camp fire with
so many Waldorf kids, knowing that we all had a connecting thread.

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

During blocks that I was resistant to or that were out of my comfort zone.
When I rejected them I struggled a lot but if I could accept the difficulty
they became easier.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf school?

That there is not just one definitive answer to a
question; questions can be thought about from all different perspectives.

Lee

Lee is a senior at Kimberton Waldorf School in Kimberton, Pennsylvania.

Waldork Status: 10 years.

Words of Waldorks: What does the morning verse make you think about?

Lee: It makes me ponder how the human is connected to the world and the universe not only scientifically, but spiritually as well.

If you applied to college this year, what did you write your personal/ Common App essay about? 

I described my self-taught passion for landscape photography.

Looking back, what advice would you tell your ninth grade self?

 Truly try to live in the moment. Enjoy spending time with your classmates and never take your Waldorf education for granted. Always be thankful.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better?

Fall and winter are my favorite times of the year. The cold seems to bring people together.

Foreign exchange? Where?

Nope. But wish I had…

When did you feel the most pride during Waldorf High School?

Whenever I talk to public school kids…

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

At the moment we are working on senior projects which seem quite daunting. I’m sure once it’s done and over with it will be one of my best experiences of my Waldorf high school career.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf school?

One truth I will always hold with me because of Waldorf is that learning needs to be fun. I have found from my experience that when I am force-fed material that is not presented in a way that challenges my mind, body, and soul and that does not instill an excitement within me for said material, I have a very hard time comprehending what it is I “should be” learning. Waldorf has successfully taught me that it isn’t just your brain that does the learning, it truly is your whole body.

Throwback! Matteo ’15

 Matteo, a  CO-founder of the Best of Waldorf Art Facebook page, and a graduate from Green Meadow Waldorf School, class of 2015, in Chestnut Ridge, New York.

Waldork Status: Self-proclaimed Lifer.

What does the morning verse make you think about?

The morning verse is often a controversial part of Waldorf education. Some of my classmates would stay silent during the word ” God”. For Me however, it represented community. It was the one thing that brought us together each morning, in unison. 170 days a year, for 12 years some of us spoke those words together creating an unbreakable bond.

If you applied to college this year, what did you write your personal/ Common App essay about?

I wrote my essay about not talking for a full day in school. How it helped me, because a better person and opened my ears to listen and be more aware of my surroundings. This was made possible by being in a small class, and having Waldorf teachers open minded enough to let me try this.

Looking back, what advice would you tell your ninth grade self?

Waldorf education isn’t absolute. Its not about right or wrong when it comes to learning, but simply planting the seed for you to grow your knowledge in the future.  If i had known this I wouldn’t have argued everything I did.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better?

Fall fair.

Foreign exchange? Where?

I went to Argentina for three months. The relationship i had to my class but more importantly to my family and exchange is a connection that I have no been able to replicate. The family became my second family and the house very much became my home.

When did you feel the most pride during Waldorf High School?

When I gave a rose to a first grader at the beginning of 12th grade because it was the beginning of the idea that I was toward the end of completing my 12 years.

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

The most challenging for me was 9th grade. I arrived with expectations people had of me. I got a B- and C my first to blocks, and people started asking me if I was okay. I was great… just not at physics and chemistry.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf school?

Learning a concept is something, but learning to learn and think are priceless skills that can help you going forward. Also you never know when you are going to need to sow on a new button 😉

Gwenaël

 Gwenaël is a senior at the École Waldorf Steiner de Sorgues en région d’Avignon, in Sorgues, France.

Waldork Status:  9 years,

Words of Waldorks: What does the morning verse make you think about?

Gwenaël: I think that the morning verse is something good because it reminds me that I go to Waldorf school, and that it’s awesome school! Also, it  helps me be more concentrated in class I can’t really explain why but it works and this is awesome.

What do you plan to do after Steiner School? 

I actually plan to join the « Thin Blue Line » and become a french Gendarme which is like a State Trooper or join a Fire Department, but I would also like to do a 3D animation school called MOPA (Motion Picture In Arles) cause that is a mix between Art like at a Steiner School and Computer work which is one of my passions.

Looking back, what advice would you tell yourself in class 9?

I think if I had to do that I would tell myself to not be afraid of the future and just keep going ahead, whatever is happening right now it could be worse or better in 5 minutes so just live and be happy.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better? 

In France (or maybe just in my school) we do not have those fair but we have closely related ones. My favorite is the Christmas market (even if we don’t have snow in the south of France.)

Foreign exchange? Where?

In 7 Grade I went for two week to Germany to the Freiburg Steiner School to improve my German (and it didn’t work at all).  In 10th grade I went on exchange to the USA to the Monadnock Waldorf High School in Keene for 3 month, that was one of the best experience than I ever had. It was my first time away from Europe, I had never been to the USA and I met really awesome people and I really improved my English during my exchange.

When did you feel the most pride during Waldorf High School?

I  was proud after the trip that my class and I took to India. This was a special project in my school, it was like a senior trip cause we earned  money and worked to pay for everything on the trip. We raised 21k euros in 4 months and we went for two weeks to India to help the Untouchable peoples in the Thars Desert. It was an awesome experience than Steiner give me and to everyone in my grade.

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

I guess than it was during the 4 month of raising money cause it was really intense and we worked really hard and I was stressed about not raising the money in time but we did it.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf high school?

That you learn things not just for learning but for understanding and that you should always try your best whatever happens.

Laura-Fiona

 Laura-Fiona is a senior at Freie Waldorfschule in  Frankfurt, Germany.

Waldork Status: 12 years.

Words of Waldorks: What does the morning verse make you think about?

Laura-Fiona: The morning verse gives me the feeling that we are all in this together.

If you applied to college this year, what did you write your personal/ Common App essay about? 

I didn’t apply to college this year.

Looking back, what advice would you tell your ninth grade self?

I would tell my ninth grade self that a heart break is not the end of the world.

Fall/harvest/winter fair vs. Spring/May/Medieval fair… which is better?

Winter fair is my favourite.

Foreign exchange? Where?

I went to Australia as an exchange student.

When did you feel the most challenged during Waldorf High School?

I felt the most challenged at the beginning of year 12 at  Waldorf High School.

What is one truth about life that you will hold as an adult that you were given or discovered at Waldorf school?

One truth about life that I discovered is that it takes a lot of work to change your self but it is even harder to change some one else.