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 😉

Throwback! Hannah ’15

 Hannah is a graduate, class of 2015 at the Waldorf School in Zeist, Utrecht, The Netherlands. 

Waldork Status: 15 years.

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

It reminds me that today is a new day full of new challenges and opportunities.

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

I wrote a book about a girl who discovers herself while on a journey to a magic land. She meets new people, new cultures and a new way of living. While she’s on that journey, she loses everything she has, and by doing that, she finds herself.

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

I would tell myself that it is OK to be alone sometimes, and that in that loneliness I would be able to find myself and find the people that I truly wanted to be (friends) with. I would make sure that I would know that the only person I could be was myself, and that being that person is the best person I could ever be. 

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

Spring/May/Medieval fair, because Spring is about new life, it is about appreciating the warmth and the sunlight; everyone feels more alive and positive.

Foreign exchange? Where?

I went to Toronto, Canada, and stayed for three months. 

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

I was so proud when we went to the most amazing Concert Hall in the Netherlands with our choir (which was grades 8 through 12) and performed Mozart’s Requiem for 1500 people. 

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

I live an hour bike away from my school so it was a challenge everyday to get on that bike and ride a total of 32 km. 

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

Something I discovered while going to a Waldorf School was that you can be anyone you want. As long as you are willing to fight for what you want, anything is possible. Some people will let you down and some will help you to get up, but being true to yourself is the key to your happiness.