The measure of our success
As I share regularly with various groups, including our most recent prospective families at our Admissions Open Houses, I greatly value the feedback from our Alumni and feel that their experience after they graduate Palmer Trinity is a wonderful way to "measure" our success. While we are always very proud to share data regarding college placement, standardized testing scores, and various awards/honors that our students garner, I sincerely believe that our work is incredibly difficult to quantify, if you will. In expressing my thoughts with you today, I will actually leave my argument to the real "expert" - a 2019 Graduate of Palmer Trinity School, Thomas McMichael, who recently emailed me and shared his sentiment. So many of you worked with Thomas in a myriad of ways, and, no doubt, your influence is still making a difference.
On a personal note, I had the pleasure of teaching Thomas, and we had a number of great conversations, both in and out of class, and in our time together in Scotland. In his time here, I always found Thomas to be a positive, quiet leader, a friendly face, and a student whom I particularly seemed to "connect" with and chat with frequently. As we all know, in this profession, those moments are so rewarding, and one of the meaningful "by-products" of teaching. Accordingly, I was so very happy to receive this email from Thomas recently, and it arrived on an afternoon at the end of a particularly challenging week, lifting my spirits immediately. Thomas gave me permission to share this beautifully written note, and it is one already placed securely in my "Keeper File"! Enjoy the words of Thomas, and know how much I appreciate the good work you are doing.
On a personal note, I had the pleasure of teaching Thomas, and we had a number of great conversations, both in and out of class, and in our time together in Scotland. In his time here, I always found Thomas to be a positive, quiet leader, a friendly face, and a student whom I particularly seemed to "connect" with and chat with frequently. As we all know, in this profession, those moments are so rewarding, and one of the meaningful "by-products" of teaching. Accordingly, I was so very happy to receive this email from Thomas recently, and it arrived on an afternoon at the end of a particularly challenging week, lifting my spirits immediately. Thomas gave me permission to share this beautifully written note, and it is one already placed securely in my "Keeper File"! Enjoy the words of Thomas, and know how much I appreciate the good work you are doing.
Dear Mr. Roberts,
I hope you had a great summer, and the beginning of the school year is going well. Based on many years of experience, I do not doubt that the year is off to a great start! I am writing to simply say thank you. As I began a new chapter in my life at Sewanee: The University of the South these past few weeks, I have had plenty of time to reflect on not only my most recent memories from the summer but my full seven years a Palmer Trinity. I find it astonishing how vividly I remember my first day of sixth grade; lost in the middle school building with no one except my then-freshman brother who wanted absolutely nothing to do with me. Can't really blame him. The thought of graduating Palmer was far beyond my imagination at that time, and it is all just quite surreal. Of course, I remember your love for quotes, and I think my dad summed it up quite well when saying, "The minutes go by like days, but the years fly by like seconds." That's exactly how it seemed! It's funny how life is a cycle. I felt the same emotions the day I was dropped off onto a brand new campus a few weeks ago, and I assume I'll feel similarly about my first job.
As any friend group does over their summer leading into university, we've been continuously talking and promising each other to stay in touch. As most of us began university around a similar time, we all naturally gravitated from our immature jokes to a very unforced and mature reflection. In addition to our many similarities, we all had one tremendous revelation at once. We had all instantly become responsible adults. The exact day college began, something about all our mindsets completely switched from being immature and goofy high school students to aspiring scholars at university. We began to ponder why that is, and we didn't need to dig deep for the answer. The answer to our "immediate" growth was obvious - it was Palmer Trinity. How I could have traveled blindly for seven years frankly scares me, but I am blessed to have finally realized how lucky I am to have grown up in such an environment.
The greatness of the Palmer Trinity community is hard and nearly impossible to put into words. When I think back to Palmer, I find myself in an immediate emotional state of pure happiness. I believe that when emotion, rather than words is the first reaction one has regarding their high school, that truly says something special. Who would've thought that it would be possible to be legitimate friends with their entire grade? Who would've thought that they would not only keep in touch but become friends with their teachers? Who could imagine having all the resources one could ever wish for from academic to athletic? There is an abundance of opportunity that without a doubt surpasses that of many colleges. And lastly, who could possibly imagine personally knowing and being able to contact the Head of School at such an institution? Whether it be through an email or a quick walk up a flight of stairs, there would never be a doubt in my mind that you would be open to helping with absolutely anything.
The transition into university has been quite a growing experience. I have found myself working harder than ever in these past three weeks. I have spent countless hours on homework, four hours a day helping out and practicing with the tennis team, and simply adjusting to living life on my own. If someone told me all of this, I would assume I would be tired, but instead, I am energized and excited. There is absolutely no doubt that Palmer played a massive role in growing my character, and I am proud to say that.
I just wanted to express how thankful I am towards you, the teachers, and the Palmer Trinity community as a whole. Thank you for everything, and I look forward to being back on campus soon!
Sincerely,
Thomas McMichael
P.S. Interestingly enough, one of my close friends here is from Nashville and graduated from Battle Ground Academy. I thought that was a crazy coincidence.
All the very best for a great week.
Patrick
I hope you had a great summer, and the beginning of the school year is going well. Based on many years of experience, I do not doubt that the year is off to a great start! I am writing to simply say thank you. As I began a new chapter in my life at Sewanee: The University of the South these past few weeks, I have had plenty of time to reflect on not only my most recent memories from the summer but my full seven years a Palmer Trinity. I find it astonishing how vividly I remember my first day of sixth grade; lost in the middle school building with no one except my then-freshman brother who wanted absolutely nothing to do with me. Can't really blame him. The thought of graduating Palmer was far beyond my imagination at that time, and it is all just quite surreal. Of course, I remember your love for quotes, and I think my dad summed it up quite well when saying, "The minutes go by like days, but the years fly by like seconds." That's exactly how it seemed! It's funny how life is a cycle. I felt the same emotions the day I was dropped off onto a brand new campus a few weeks ago, and I assume I'll feel similarly about my first job.
As any friend group does over their summer leading into university, we've been continuously talking and promising each other to stay in touch. As most of us began university around a similar time, we all naturally gravitated from our immature jokes to a very unforced and mature reflection. In addition to our many similarities, we all had one tremendous revelation at once. We had all instantly become responsible adults. The exact day college began, something about all our mindsets completely switched from being immature and goofy high school students to aspiring scholars at university. We began to ponder why that is, and we didn't need to dig deep for the answer. The answer to our "immediate" growth was obvious - it was Palmer Trinity. How I could have traveled blindly for seven years frankly scares me, but I am blessed to have finally realized how lucky I am to have grown up in such an environment.
The greatness of the Palmer Trinity community is hard and nearly impossible to put into words. When I think back to Palmer, I find myself in an immediate emotional state of pure happiness. I believe that when emotion, rather than words is the first reaction one has regarding their high school, that truly says something special. Who would've thought that it would be possible to be legitimate friends with their entire grade? Who would've thought that they would not only keep in touch but become friends with their teachers? Who could imagine having all the resources one could ever wish for from academic to athletic? There is an abundance of opportunity that without a doubt surpasses that of many colleges. And lastly, who could possibly imagine personally knowing and being able to contact the Head of School at such an institution? Whether it be through an email or a quick walk up a flight of stairs, there would never be a doubt in my mind that you would be open to helping with absolutely anything.
The transition into university has been quite a growing experience. I have found myself working harder than ever in these past three weeks. I have spent countless hours on homework, four hours a day helping out and practicing with the tennis team, and simply adjusting to living life on my own. If someone told me all of this, I would assume I would be tired, but instead, I am energized and excited. There is absolutely no doubt that Palmer played a massive role in growing my character, and I am proud to say that.
I just wanted to express how thankful I am towards you, the teachers, and the Palmer Trinity community as a whole. Thank you for everything, and I look forward to being back on campus soon!
Sincerely,
Thomas McMichael
P.S. Interestingly enough, one of my close friends here is from Nashville and graduated from Battle Ground Academy. I thought that was a crazy coincidence.
All the very best for a great week.
Patrick
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