MS Photos, Videos & News

Grade 6 - Seamus Dineen

Seamus has embraced the WMA experience quickly, highlighting a few key "In This Community" statements. As a helpful classmate and friend, Seamus has clearly displayed “we respect our school, ourselves and others” as well as “we value our differences” by making sure every student he came in contact with felt welcomed and appreciated. What a wonderful way for our newest community members to start the year! Well done, Seamus!

Grade 7 - Kayden Chhoun

Kayden’s ability to host visitors, allowing them to feel comfortable and safe while enjoying a positive academic experience, makes him a very valuable resource at our school. Not only does he “challenge himself” to make each experience positive for the different students who come to visit, but he clearly embodies the ITC “we actively engage with one another” both as a student and a host. Outstanding qualities to have in our community, Kayden!

Grade 8 - Joyce Hai

Sometimes helping a single individual is good for the entire community. In Joyce’s case, helping a new student from the dorm feel more comfortable in her room and in the science classroom meant this student was able to go out and make new friends and study hard, knowing she always would have Joyce in her corner. Joyce’s commitment to being “friendly and courteous” was easy to see, but her willingness to “embrace learning” and “support one another” despite the fact this person was fairly new to her, well that speaks to a true Titan of Character.

Dorm - Samuel Essien '23

Samuel has been described by many people as a “true gentleman” who does a beautiful job of representing his home and his family with pride. In this way Samuel is undoubtedly a Titan of Character. But now Samuel represents a second family, his dorm family, and he does so quite well. Samuel regularly displays the ability to “hold himself accountable,” and one look at his room makes it clear he exemplifies the statement “we clean up after ourselves.” But perhaps his most endearing trait is that he, almost unfailingly, will “choose happiness” - a trait we find so very refreshing and wonderful.

Jason Qian '22

Jason was one of two middle school students who took a course in the upper school -- but Jason did it as a brand new student and in his second language. This past month Jason was hailed by his teacher as a hard-working, positive student of geometry, who led in his own, quiet manner. He could be counted on to stay engaged and excited about learning, while helping others around him expand their understanding of and excitement for Geometry. Jason brought those same skills to the dorm, and modeled scholarship for all to see. For his willingness to embrace learning, to challenge himself socially and academically, and for doing it all with a smile Jason is this month’s Dorm Titan of Character.

Owen Swanson '24

Owen is a prime example of someone who willingly offers assistance because he is well aware of how good it feels to receive a helping hand. Owen can be seen working with visiting students, not only ensuring our guests feel welcome and comfortable, but ensuring his school is seen in the most positive of lights. Owens actions this month have embodied the following ITC statements: We offer our assistance, we respect ourselves, our school and others, we are friendly and courteous, and we actively engage with one another. Well done Owen Swanson!

Genna Miccoli '22

Genna is the consummate Grade 8 recipient of the Titans Of Character award. As you will hear from the three nominations, the reasons for nominating her are as varied as they are impressive. On faculty member noted how “during our more heated conversations Genna was able to logically break down meaning without emotion, to respond in a very tactful manner.” Another recalled how Genna is “always working hard, pushing herself, and proactive when she does not understand something.” A third faculty member noted “Genna exemplifies what a good citizen of the school should be: courteous, respectful, hard-working, civil, helpful and thoughtful.” In her time at WMA, and during this very stressful and emotional month of May, Genna remained true to herself and her values, and in the process hit most of the ITC statements we hold so dear. Amazing.

Kristina Aguilar '23

During the student’s western expansion research project, Kristina shared her knowledge with classmates willingly and easily, ever happy to assist. She regularly shares her annotations with partners, directing classmates to a section of the text that supports their thinking, assisting in finding evidence as well as adding to their already uncovered facts. Her help is always gentle, without any kind of nod to her own expertise, causing her class to find her helpful and approachable. Kristina excelled in the following areas: we embrace learning, we offer our assistance, and we support one another. Brava Kristina!

Grade 6 - Callie Dunbar

If ever there was a personification of the ITC statement “we offer our assistance,” it would be Callie Dunbar. Callie can be seen consistently helping others in class, in the hallway and as she guides visiting students through our school. On these tours, our guests get a firsthand view of how beautifully Callie embraces this willingness to assist, but also the following ITC statements: “we embrace learning,” “we challenge ourselves” and “we choose happiness.” A school like ours needs an ambassador, and Callie fits that role so very, very well. Well done Callie!

Grade 7 - Brady Gouin

Brady Gouin has embraced three key ITC statements that make our school a better place for learning and living: “we value our differences,” “we challenge ourselves” and “we actively engage with one another.” At the beginning of the year on a Six Flags outing, Brady became the chief tour guide to our new dorm friends. He knew how important it was for these students to feel comfortable and included, and recognized that he had so much to learn from them as well. This appreciation for his schoolmates continued into April where Brady stepped in to sort out differences between classmates while helping others complete projects during crunch time - in these ways and so many more Brady has proven to be a true Titan of Character.

Grade 8 - Luke Lombard

While the idea of an ITC statement seems limited to school, the fact is a Titan acts like a Titan no matter where they are. Luke Lombard embodies this ideal. Luke showed great moxie when he recognized his behavior in class might have been a distraction to others, and thus returned after class to apologize to his teacher - a move Ms. Giokas found to be refreshing, mature and loaded with character. In this one action, Luke embodied three significant ITC statements “we hold ourselves accountable,” “we seek solutions rather than blame” and “we apologize and forgive”. Not long after that, Luke stood before a large crowd at a rally in Northampton and shared his Memorial Project research with complete strangers - it is a bold move when “we embrace learning” in such a way, but not out of character for a Titan like Luke Lombard. Bravo Luke!

Dorm - Andrew Guillaume

Andrew had a very special and positive April and was recognized by adults and students alike for his kindness and his dedication to our community. In the dorm, Andrew displayed two key ITC statements, “we support one another” and “we are friendly and courteous” when he helped a dorm mate through a difficult time by simply remaining positive and offering comfort without making the person feel overwhelmed - a delicate task. Andrew also embraced “we seek solutions rather than blame” when he realized his table mates at lunch had left the table a mess - Andrew noticed the problem, shrugged his shoulders and cleaned the table. That is what Titans do, and we noticed. Excellent job, Andrew!

In March, we sent out a call to Middle School faculty to nominate students they had witnessed display great character. From these nominees, four students were selected- one for the dormitory and one for each grade. Below please find our inaugural recipients - Sally Geoghegan, Kaelan Pinnock, Jeremiah Patterson-Yancy and Jinyu “Melody” Zhan. Their photographs are proudly on display in the Middle School rotunda. Bravo and brava to these four - our “Titans of Character!”

Grade 6 - Sally Geoghegan

Sally went above and beyond to be the inaugural “Titans of Character” recipient for Grade 6. Sally took time out of her busy schedule to create and share a study guide for her classmates, giving them the opportunity to work together to master the material in Humanities class. Brava to you, Sally, for meeting the following ITC statements - "We offer our assistance" and "We embrace learning" and "We actively engage with one another!"

Grade 7 - Kaelan Pinnock

As the initial “Titans of Character” recipient for Grade 7, Kaelan remained aware of his surroundings and invested in our expectations by recognizing his teacher was involved in an important conversation, and by waiting patiently and respectfully. Through his actions he embodied two key expectations of our school: "We respect our school, ourselves and others" and "We are friendly and courteous." Well done, Kaelan.

Grade 8 - Jeremiah Patterson-Yancy

Our Grade 8 recipient took "We offer our assistance" and "We are friendly and courteous" to the next level. He helped a member of the community who was not feeling well by fetching her water, thereby keeping her hydrated and comfortable. This not only took care of an individual, but also demonstrated to the community how to take care of others. Well done, Jeremiah!

Dorm - Jinyu “Melody” Zhan

How wonderful to have students from around the world taking such good care of our community and ensuring we have new, strong members to follow in their footsteps. Melody sent a follow-up letter to a visiting international student, sharing her love of the school and her greatest words of wisdom - it was very well received. A few months later, Melody wrote an article that was published in numerous newspapers and websites celebrating a visiting filmmaker. In doing so, Melody met the following three ITC statements: "We actively engage with one another" and "We challenge ourselves" and "We support one another.” Excellent work, Melody.