by Sophia Wooden ’20

Reflecting on my time here at Sherwood, I find that some of my fondest memories are in the few classes that I truly found a family. In these “family classes” I either instantly felt comfortable among the company of friends, or in time, with shared experiences and interests, I gained an inexplicable connection with some of my fellow classmates. I felt completely open to say what I wanted to say, do what I wanted to do, and be who I wanted to be. It felt like the people alongside me were stuck with me no matter what. We were in it for the long haul. 

In this family, my classmates challenged me, taught me to be better, and I helped them in the ways I could, too. Initially, we weren’t the fondest of mates, but as time passed, it became custom to share smiles as we passed each other in the hallway. Students outside of the classroom would even be confused. They didn’t understand our community and they didn’t  understand why we were so unapologetically ourselves. Bizarre, wild, untamed, delighted, controversial, and most of all passionate. They didn’t know anything about the bond we created in that back room. It was a safe place to go when you’re upset, or you have a lot of work to do, or even if you just want to have an old Taylor dance party. You could run around the room with a Viking hat, or an oar, and maybe a gavel, and everything made sense. 

One of my most favorite families at Sherwood, was the one I found in Newspaper. Joining this class was such a blessing in my high school career. I don’t know what it was like before us, and I don’t know what it will be like after us, but I know that anyone that takes this class has the potential to be a member of an amazing family. If it’s not the newspaper, let it be your senior sociology class, your med class, or even if you must, your yearbook team. Enjoy the company of so many different, and complicated, yet incredible people. You never know when that privilege will escape you. I might even argue that establishing relationships in high school is far more important than any grade you receive in a class. Of course, work hard in school, but also work hard to understand people. Give everyone a fair chance, and I’m sure that you will be surprised, I know I was. Trying Newspaper, and really giving it a chance opened my eyes to much more than I ever expected.