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A student's view of the 150th anniversary
The 2004 Parents' Assembly was held on Tuesday, June 8 in Parker Hall. Among many memorable words was the address given by Student Council Co-President Sradda Thapa, Class of 2004.
Woodstock School has been around for a hundred and fifty years now. We have striven on through both World Wars, the Partition, the Gulf War and the 9/11 attacks. While there was heated hatred aimed at everyone "different" around the world, here at Woodstock, every student and every staff could only offer compassionate words. That's what I personally love about Woodstock. Even though the community here is comprised of various religions, ethnicities and economic backgrounds we get along - and what's more, we appreciate the differences. Through my seven years as a Woodstocker, I hardly thought about things like that. It has only been in these final months that I looked at my years in retrospect and cherished every moment.
In my seven years here, I have seen significant transformations. That's why I can't imagine all the changes Woodstock must have undergone through the past one hundred and fifty years. Some recent alumni I have met have been astonished with the Woodstock I know; they call Midlands "the College" and the Principal the "headmaster" and constantly ask us about the hills and birds they spotted on their hikes. But, even with such changes and differences the Woodstock spirit lingers. Factors may have changed, but the essence remains, and that's why Woodstock is able to celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. I must confess that, when I first came to Woodstock, I was disappointed with the state of the paint on the walls of my room in Alter Ridge and I was irritated at having to walk for 15 minutes up a hill to get to school every morning. Since then, I have come to appreciate the simple life Woodstock encourages us to pursue. Woodstock has been my home for over half a decade (that's a lot of years if you are my age!) and though, at times, I have wanted nothing more than to be at home or to literally kill the monkeys that invade the path to school, I have come to love this place. Woodstock has played a vital role in developing my opinions, values and dreams. Whether it be in the middle of a heated argument with my friends by the flagpole or in Mr. Johnston's Politics and Government class, I have become me because of my time here. I have come to understand the different cultures that coexist in any community and know that what might be a compliment from my side may be an insult to them. Woodstock has truly taught me beyond the classrooms and textbooks. Woodstock has also provided me with ample opportunities to explore and discover the world - and myself, as well.
And I am certain that it is because of Woodstock's ability to teach such priceless lessons in this indirect manner that we are now celebrating a hundred and fifty years of providing an excellent education. That's something many schools cannot boast about. As a member of the senior class I can confidently say that I feel privileged to be graduating this year. Thank you, Woodstock, for providing more than an excellent classroom education, for showing us the importance in giving to those less fortunate than ourselves, for teaching us to respect people because they are people, for assisting us in getting our priorities straight, for making us who we are today. So, on behalf of the students here yesterday and here today, we wish Woodstock School a very happy 150th anniversary!!