Ani

Ani is a senior at the Honolulu Waldorf School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Waldork Status: 16 years.

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

Ani: I think the morning verse symbolizes how aware the Waldorf philosophy is of the world around us. We are taught in the younger grades to ask the plant before picking a flower or to also save that little beetle from being stomped on by some clumsy second grader. Not many people are this appreciative of mother nature and all that she does for us. I did an exchange to the Kimberton Waldorf School in Pennsylvania and I found it interesting how the verses were so different, yet so alike, there were different words, yet the meaning behind them were exactly the same.

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

For the Common App, I wrote about what a struggle losing my grandmother was, and what I did to get out of the rut her death had left me in. For my personal statement, I definitely talked a lot about the benefits of Waldorf education. I also talked about my involvement in sports and other extra curricular activities, such as leadership seminars and community service. I also talked about how growing up in Hawaii with a half Japanese family shaped me into who I am today.

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

I would definitely tell myself to not change myself just to fit in or impress other people. I would also tell myself to find out who my real friends are to save myself the heartache. I’d also advise myself to not procrastinate with school work… haha.

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

That’s a hard one, but I think Spring festival definitely has more involvement with all the grades and is just a lot more fun and exciting.

Foreign exchange? Where?

I did my exchange to the Kimberton Waldorf School in Kimberton, Pennsylvania. Many people ask why I chose such an odd place and whether or not it is even considered a ‘foreign’ exchange since it is in the same country, but I was met with so many new experiences that it almost felt as if I was in a different country. Going to Pennsylvania was one of the best choices I have ever made.

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

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. It was my second year in high school and I was in my upper math class; we were studying geometry. All of a sudden over the loud speaker Mrs. Dwyer summoned the whole school down to the auditorium. We all sauntered single file out of the class room and down the stairs, still confused as to what was important enough to interrupt math class.  When we arrived in the auditorium and were met with a bunch of the teachers. They proceeded to explain that there was a beached whale just down the road from our school. And as we walked down the street I saw the excitement in each of the students eyes. Even the so called ‘cool’ kids, who appeared as if they didn’t care about anything, cared about this dying whale on the sand. This just proved that Waldorf can bring out loving, caring child in everyone.

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

I definitely felt challenged during the whole college application process. I felt very unprepared and frightened about the future. I feel like Waldorf has a tendency to shelter the students. So I‘m still pretty freaked out.

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

I think I have to choose two for this one. I definitely learned to appreciate everything around me, no matter how little something may seem, it plays a role in my life somehow. I also learned how important community is. I have been with the people in my class for over half of my life. They are my family and always will be. And that is something that I will cherish for a lifetime.

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.

Silvia

 Silvia is a senior at the Chicago Waldorf School in Chicago, Illinois.

Waldork Status: 4 years.

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

Silvia: Normally I just say it without much thought ( it is 7:55 in the morning after all). But I guess when I do think about the morning verse it gives me a sense of community.

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

I applied to a few colleges this year (none on the common app) a few essays I wrote were about what I wanted to major in and what I enjoyed doing… etc.

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

To not stress out about getting into college, if you work hard it will turn out okay.

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

Spring/May/Medieval fair is way better because it is marking the beginning of the end of school and warm weather.

Foreign exchange? Where? 

I went on exchange to Colombia summer between 10th and 11th grade.

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

On our all school camping trips or during the winter festival.

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

I felt the most challenged when I had to face the ACT.

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

This is a very hard question… I guess that showing your work in a visually pleasing way is important, that and Eurythmy is great.

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 😉

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.

 

Jordan

 Jordan is a senior at the Samford Valley Steiner School in Brisbane, Australia.

Waldork Status: 15 years.

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

Jordan: To look within ourselves and see the greater good, the greater versions of ourselves. That we are connected and interrelated to nature, we are apart of nature and nature is apart of us.

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

Haven’t applied to University and I don’t intend on going to Uni.

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

To not worry about self image and to believe in myself more strongly.

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

Winter festival is my favourite fair, we have a school bonfire where we sing songs around it and all the classes have soup cheese and bread prior, starting the night with Fire Eurythmy.

Foreign exchange? Where?

I didn’t go on exchange.

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

I am feeling most challenged by the education this year, year 12 when we are pushed to the limits in regard to school work, Senior Project and social life.

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

One truth; Be me. I am an individual and I have the right to be me, without fear of speaking up.