Student Profile

Conrad, Hockessin, Delaware

Course Selection, V Form

  • English 5
  • Advanced Physics
  • French 3
  • Drawing
  • Multivariable calculus
  • Global Studies
  • Chamber Music

Activities

  • Varsity soccer
  • Crew
  • Orchestra
  • Math Team
  • Mock Trial
  • Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout)
  • Fencing

Why did you come to St. Andrew's? What did you like about the school?

I first heard about St. Andrew's because it was close to home. On visiting campus, I was immediately attracted by the small, nurturing class atmosphere as well as the tight-knit and friendly community. I also found the campus gorgeous.

What can you tell us about your extracurricular interests?

For almost half my life, the violin was actually my most bitter enemy. I learned to play it purely out of my parents' desire. This only changed in the last couple of years, when I began playing with several different violin groups ranging from all-state orchestra to the governor’s school's chamber group to Culmination, a violin/strings group that plays pretty much anything and everything from Celtic to rock. I also finally attained a certain minimal mastery level over the instrument. Since then, I have come to enjoy it deeply, and have made the majority of my progress since beginning. Now I do not regret the initial struggle at all: I think it was necessary.

Fencing is strikingly similar in this respect; you have to stay with it if you really want to come to love it. In older, more traditional schools of fencing, students used to have to spend an entire year just learning footwork, let alone fence in a bout or pick up a foil.  Although I myself did not take such a long path, I would still agree that fencing, like the violin, does require devotion. Both help develop discipline, focus, and mental agility, not to mention that both can also be immensely fun.

As I continue to play the violin in the school's chamber and orchestra groups, I also hope to pursue fencing in some way or another, perhaps form a group if I hear of people being interested, or maybe just skulk around jabbing at off-guard corridor mates in their moments of least suspicion.