Holderness School - Review #8

My two years at Holderness prepared me well for life by teaching me about civic pride and community participation through the student jobs program. I learned that I could overcome adversity and be self-reliant though the Outward Bound program. I competed at a high level in sports and learned the importance of a combined life of athleticism and scholarship. Formal dress for classes helped me to distinguish the difference between leisure time (and attire) and business time (and appropriate attire.) My most influential teacher (and coach) at Holderness taught me that the fullest life is one in which you work hard and play hard and when you demand your money's worth.

I think the Outward Bound program probably had the greatest impact on my life during my two years at Holderness. The experience opened my eyes to potential I hadn't realized I possessed. My U.S. history teacher and ski coach also had a great effect on my approach to living, inspiring me with confidence and a thirst for knowledge and excellence.

My advice to anyone heading off to boarding school would be embrace change and challenge yourself at every opportunity.

More than anything, I see that Holderness encouraged me to participate in a community to work toward a common good, while pushing myself beyond what I thought possible.

I’m sure the school has changed drastically since I was a student there. I’m glad, though, it has retained the core programs aimed at engendering self-reliance and community service.

Small classes. Teachers who were not only well-versed in their respective subjects but taught with enthusiasm. My ecology teacher imbued in me a new found appreciation for wildlife and the delicate balance of our ecosystems. He also ran a wildlife refuge center where we would go on field trips.

Holderness offered high-level team athletics and students were expected to put equal effort into sports as academic pursuits. Alpine skiers were required to also participate in a Nordic team sport.

I enjoyed working in fine arts studio.

Recreational sports also were encouraged at Holderness. I played a lot of tennis even though I wasn't on the team, having chosen lacrosse as my spring team sport.

I shared a double room my junior year, but had a single my senior year. The dorm advisors were a great resource and always available.

We had formal dinner every night of the week. Student served and cleared. The headmaster would give a report if the day’s events after the meal. Otherwise, meals were relaxed, with plenty of good food available.

We would walk into downtown Plymouth where there was a single movie theater and few restaurants.

We sometimes had dances with girl's schools, but otherwise only had 13 girl (who were very popular, as you might imagine) day students at the school. We had mandatory Chapel once a week. Plymouth State College wound host rock concerts in its field house from time to time.