Thanking Galloway

A Farewell to High School

14 days until Graduation. My Graduation. As excited and nervous as I am to begin the next chapter — college, living on my own, a glimpse at real life — I am also a bit nostalgic. The end of high school approaches like a high-speed train, fast and unrelenting until it reaches its destination. My destination is May 24th, and it has finally begun to hit me. I may not miss high school, per say, but I’ll definitely miss Galloway.

Let’s backtrack. I came to Galloway in 6th grade, an even timider version of myself, anxious to make friends and adjust to life in middle school, which, as we know, actually begins in 5th grade here. Former 6th grade history teacher Mark Boswell likes to boast that he “broke me.” Let me explain. Before I came to Galloway, I attended a very strict public elementary school. As a student there, you couldn’t walk in the hallways unless it was on the second square of the floor. There was no talking in the hallway either, and student behavior was monitored daily via a card-pulling system (i.e. pulling your card was bad because it meant you did something wrong.) Needless to say, I was surprised by the drastic difference in school culture at Galloway. So, one day during 6th grade, I was leaving Mr. Boswell’s class on the verge of tears, but before I could escape, he stops me and sits me down in his “Chair of Truth” behind his desk. All I wanted to do was leave, but I sat down and when he asked me what was wrong, I just broke down.

I share this anecdote because it reminds me precisely why Galloway was the place for me. From a young age, I learned that Galloway teachers care not just about academic achievement but about you, the student, and that is priceless. I’ve done a lot of growing up since 6th grade. I transferred to a different school after 8th and swiftly returned to Galloway a mere nine weeks into my freshmen year. While I won’t bore you with the reasons for my transfer here, know this: Galloway welcomed me back with the kind of warmth and familiarity I needed amidst a period of personal vulnerability and complete uncertainty. For that I am forever grateful for Galloway, for a place that became my second home, a place that, at times, offered me more stability than my own.

I hope I leave my “home” having made a positive impact on a community that thrives off of individual growth, innovation, fearlessness, mastery, individuality, and peace. I’d like to thank a few teachers and departments that have greatly influenced both me and my time here.

To Mrs. Sarah Armstrong, if it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have been readmitted to Galloway. Thank you for being a great teacher, advisor, and friend.

To Mrs. Sally Cramer, thank you for giving me an outlet in which I could continue following my passion for dance. Dance Ensemble gave me friends in other grades, challenged me to try new styles of dance, and, most importantly, encouraged me to be a leader. I will take the lessons I’ve learned from my time in Dance Ensemble wherever I go, so thank you endlessly for all the years of mentorship, laughter, and, of course, dance.

To the Galloway Theatre Department, thank you for providing a space for students to share their love of theatre with one another. And to the lively and imaginative Megan and Marele, thank you for sharing your genius and teaching your craft. I am so lucky to have had the two of you as directors over the past couple years.

To my team of #Aquascots, thank you for allowing me to say I was a varsity athlete. I know I’m not the fastest swimmer, but I will cherish the memories I’ve made on this team, even if we practiced in near freezing temperatures!

Lastly, a huge thanks to my friends who’ve made high school such a memorable experience. I’ve found it’s the people you surround yourself with that help shape life experiences, and I wouldn’t have wanted to graduate with any other bunch.

Farewell, for now.

Lauren Edwards