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.

 

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.

 

Martine

Martine is a senior at Honolulu Waldorf School, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Waldork Status: 15 years.

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

Sometimes my mind drifts off to random thoughts when I say the verse. Sometimes I picture my future self in college and if I will ever think about this verse and miss saying it. Other times, if a year is coming to an end I think: “this is the last time I’ll say the verse as a freshman…sophomore…junior…senior or as a 15 year old, 16, 17.. etc which makes me feel excited about the future but at the same time the thought of leaving behind the deep friendships I’ve made with some people I’ve known almost my whole life and some I’ve just met hurts my heart. The teachers often have us face the ocean as we say the verse (I look into the world) and this helps me focus on the words I am saying. Other times it just makes me feel like I’m really ready to MOVE ON. Reflecting on this has made me realize that the verse is more than just a collection of words and that it actually impacts me… Thank you!

 

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

Oh man.. this brings up stressful feelings from intense days of getting all the applications in on time… Anyway, I wrote my common app statement about my personal development and leaving the confinement of my smaller self and learning to focus on different more fulfilling things such as hiking, surfing, swimming, connecting with the earth/nature and simply enjoying the presence of people that I love (family/friends) while still recognizing that life will always be challenging for me and for everyone! The Waldorf community definitely came up in a few of the extra questions that the colleges asked me: how it helped shape who I am today and my actions in the future.

 

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

I would tell myself to care less about my reputation, but then again, I wouldn’t be on the path that I am now if it weren’t for the immature, unsure freshman I started out as… I guess I would advise myself to just enjoy life and the few responsibilities that come with being 14/15 years old (easier said than done though!)

 

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

We don’t have those fairs. I doubt that this is the reason why we don’t have them but it might be relevant to point out that the only difference between Summer and Winter here in Hawaii is a couple degrees change in temperature and an increase/decrease in the waves, we do have some changes but they are quite subtle compared to other places around the world. We do however have a “Waldorf Fair” every Fall, which was definitely a blast in my younger years..

 

Foreign exchange? Where?

Yes! I went to Freiburg, Germany in the second semester of my junior year. It was a great adventure that I learned, matured and grew from as a person. It was awesome to experience the difference in culture, climate and people.

 

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

Oh this is a good one. I have been a steersman for the Waldorf outrigger canoe paddling team for the past three seasons and it is always a joy being competitive for each other and experiencing such intense teamwork and support from one another. It is also extremely heartwarming to hear about my classmate’s plans for after high school and to listen to how excited they are and just noticing their true intelligence and how much they’ve matured over the years. I used to be a bit embarrassed when I told people I go to Waldorf but now I say it with pride, because I know I am receiving an alternative, unique and overall great education with people that I love. I also feel a sense of warmth and pride whenever I talk about “old times/ memories” with my classmates or when we look at our old class pictures, it just seems so amazing that we’ve been together for so long and how much we’ve changed.

 

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

That would probably be this year. These past few months of applying to colleges and for scholarships have been quite challenging and frustrating for me, especially considering that our college counselor was teaching this for the first time and basically learning it with us. Sometimes it can be challenging to be around the same people day after day, year after year. I have occasionally found myself frustrated with some of the teachers and their methods of teaching… I’ve noticed that because our Waldorf school is so small, we can sometimes lose contact with a professional setting (particularly in high school), which has its ups and downs.

 

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

At Waldorf I have learned to cherish true friendships and having a close relationship to mentors and teachers. I will take with me my love and connection to fine arts (clay, wood work, painting, drawing, etc.) I will take with me my curiosity and hunger for learning and exploring in the world. I value my understanding of how much people change and develop into themselves. I feel that Waldorf has helped me feel an appreciation for and love of mother nature (plants and animals) and I know I will value this throughout my adulthood. I’m also happy that I will be able to knit myself a scarf when I go to a place where it snows in the Winter!

Emily

Emily is a senior at Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda, Maryland.

Waldork Status: 8 years.

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

Emily: The imagery in the morning verse (stones that repose, the stars are sparkling etc.) brings to mind all of the colorful experiences I’ve had through Waldorf, whether it’s through class camping trips, or using pencil shavings to really make my main lesson book cover page shine! As I get older though, I actually think about what the verse means, and I try to carry some parts of it in my daily life, especially “to learn and work may grow within my inmost being”

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

I wrote my essay about how this past summer, I wanted to get a steady part-time job, but I didn’t hear anything back from any of the places I applied to, so I decided to market myself as a babysitter, pet sitter, lawnmower and taxi service for kids (aka Uber by Emily).

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

School will get more difficult; develop your work ethic now so you can slack off later.

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

Fall fair!

Foreign exchange? Where?

To Escuela Libre Micael in Las Rozas, Spain (a suburb of Madrid)

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

Being at Hermit Island.

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

During every single independent research project we had (the senior project most of all!)

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

Everything imaginable is connected in some way, however small or inconsequential. There is value in finding those connections

Emily’s favorite Waldorf memory:

Last year, my class was driving back from Kimberton, PA after a week working at the Camphill Special School there. We were driving through the toll lane in Baltimore and I made eye contact with a guy in the car in the lane next to us. He stared at me for a couple of seconds then started to do eurythmy at us! It took me a couple of seconds to realize what was happening, but then I started screaming to my classmates about what was happening. He must have been a Waldorf kid and seen that we were too, from our school bus.

Celeste

Celeste is a senior at Kimberton Waldorf School.

Waldork Status: 3 1/2 years.

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

Celeste: I don’t really think about it at this point. I kind of dread it honestly. Its become just another part of school that sucks early in the morning, tbh.

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

I lived in Singapore for 6 months in sophomore year and i wrote about the immense struggles I had over there, and how grateful it made me for my Waldorf family back home.

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

Don’t try to grow up so quickly. Stay true to yourself, always, and remember that you will find people who love you (in my case, it was at Waldorf that I found these people)

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

May Fair for sure. Everything is growing and sunny and everyone is happier!

Foreign exchange? Where?

I didn’t technically do one, but I lived overseas in Singapore for 6 months. It was pretty awful though.

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

So many times! Volunteering with Side by Side, a program that brings inner city kids into our school garden to teach them about sustainable agriculture was a highlight though. Also, hosting prom in 11th grade was pretty great. We decorated a barn and it all came together so beautifully ❤

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

At times, its difficult being with a small class, because you’re like a family in that you fight and disagree a lot, but that’s also a really wonderful thing. Some of the teachers at my school are definitely very difficult.

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

Always take responsibility, no matter what happens in life. And I don’t just mean for your actions; I also mean taking initiative in the community to organise events, help others, and better the environment. There’s also a creative element in myself that I have tuned into since attending Waldorf. Be proud of who you are, stay true to yourself. All that good stuff.

Adam

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

Waldork Status: 12 years.

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

Adam: I have thought about this question throughout senior year and originally I thought it was just something to bring all the students together in the morning, but now I think I have come to the conclusion that it is about something more. Now it also roots me and reminds me of all my life/time at Waldorf and everything that means to me.

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

I wrote about overcoming a struggle and persevering. I was leading a rockclimbing pitch in north Conway and came to a tricky part near the top and, after climbing all day, I was so tired I needed to be thrown a rope to have a few minutes break. Later I went back and finished the climb.

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

Don’t be an ******* (can I say that?) You’re not any cooler or any much a better person than the boy sitting next to you. To get respect you need to give respect to others – so be respectful and chill about it.

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

Ugh both equally as bad. But I have come to enjoy the warmth and community aspect of the winter fair.

Foreign exchange? Where?

Verrières-le-Buisson (just outside Paris) for three months last fall. Amazing experience, highly recommend it even if you don’t feel comfortable speaking a foreign language.

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

I don’t have a specific time in mind, but whenever I look back at my eight/ninth grade self and see how much I’ve grown and changed throughout high school. Most of this is definitely due to Waldorf because I can also then look back at some of my friends from middle school and see what I would be like if I had attended public school as they decided to do.

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

Definitely on the first day. Coming to a new school and joining a new class after only having met a handful of other students a few times before.

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

Some much of the information or knowledge that I have learned and still need to learn can only be learned through experience and drawing conclusions from previous experiences. Things cannot be learned just by someone (sometimes teachers) telling you.

Alexandra

Alexandra is a senior at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School in Hillsdale, New York.

Waldork Status: 10 years.

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

Alexandra: The day, the weather, what it will be like without it.

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

I wrote about my family moving to the United States from Guatemala and the difficulty of the transition and trying to balance two cultural identities.

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

Take it easy and breathe. Everything is going to be okay.

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

Winter fair all the way. I love the romanticism of it.

Foreign exchange? Where?

No foreign exchange but did visit Guatemala for 2 months last year in replacement of an exchange.

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

Forming the Student Council and getting the dress code changed.

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

During the beginning of precalculus. We had a wonderful teacher that really pushed for us to do our best.

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

That you need balance. Everything needs to have a certain level of balance to go well. Inwardly and outwardly. If your outside world is unbalanced then you will be too. And if you are inwardly unbalanced than your outside life will reflect that.

Aliya

Aliya is a senior at Green Meadow Waldorf School in Chestnut Ridge, New York.

Waldork Status: 15+ years

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

Aliya: Trying to avoid the word God when it comes up.

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

Bravery and fearlessness as it manifests in my life.

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

Ask your English teachers for book recommendations! You will never read a bad book again!

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

Fall fair.

Foreign exchange? Where?

Argentina!

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

When my report cards come out.

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

I took a 12^th grade honors chemistry elective and it was very challenging.

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

There is value in every person.