Read My Full Bio
Friday, April 30, 2010
Deprived of our old and worn but famously cozy and beloved "Jig," we students have been a little disoriented throughout the renovation project at Taft. While the gorgeous new dining hall was being finished up, the Jig was used for meals. This was probably practical and necessary, but we wanted our late-breakfast, post-classes, pre-study hall hangout and snack shop back. But enough lamenting; our loss has been repaid.
The new Jig recently reopened, and it is the hottest thing on campus right now (and that's saying a lot). A professional menu on the wall (even though you can presumably order anything for which they have the ingredients) compares to the old black board with white plastic letters, most of which had fallen off. A café-style eating area puts to shame the tight, scratched up wooden benches of the old facility. Best of all, there is a great space with couches, a big screen television, a pool table, a ping pong table, and a couple of foosball tables.
During the first week of the Jig's new identity, the place was full of enthusiasm and cheerfulness. We were all so proud of the new space we had to spend free time, and the bonding that occurred there, especially within the senior class, was incredible. Not at all surprisingly, this spirit has not changed. The Jig is a great place to hang out and really brings the community together in a free and casual atmosphere that cannot be topped anywhere else on campus. I know everyone would agree that it has been worth the wait, and I feel lucky to be able to enjoy it for the next few months!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Things at Taft were getting a little tense a few weeks ago, especially for the seniors, because it was crunch time for early college applications. As my birthday was nearing, I figured I would be spending it between classes and the library. However, I was given the best birthday gift ever: a Headmaster’s Holiday.
On Wednesday, the school piled into Bingham for the usual morning assembly. We heard announcements for home games scheduled for that afternoon and were told to sit patiently afterward for a video regarding healthy habits that Mrs. Keys, the school nurse, would show us. We were already pretty suspicious that it was time for a Headmaster’s Holiday, and when the video came on, it did not have the serious vibe that everyone expected from a health video. Instead, Peter Berg—a graduate of Taft and a Hollywood director—showed up on the screen. Even better, the video came to include Will Smith (yes, the one from Fresh Prince, Men in Black, and Hitch). It was almost unbelievable to see Peter Berg and Will Smith talk about Taft, its students, and its football team, and to hear Will Smith tell us that we would have Thursday off from classes. The school celebrated loudly, and the halls were filled with happiness and reverence for Mr. Mac, who had arranged the amazing announcement.
On Wednesday night, Taft students finally had a chance to relax after a long stretch of work; a Peter Berg movie was shown in Bingham. On Thursday, there were no classes, and only the varsity teams practiced. Everyone enjoyed the time off whether they slept, hung out with friends, or caught up on work. I am not sure if school morale has ever been better.
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Watch the video for yourself)
Kristen's Bio
Read My Journal
My name is Kristen, and I am a senior day student from Watertown. Having grown up just a few minutes from Taft, I always admired its beautiful campus as a child and hoped that I would one day attend. So, to think that I have spent the past four years here—and that I am approaching my departure—is incredible.
Taft has encouraged in me a vast transformation that I cannot imagine happening anywhere else. I came to the first day of freshman year excited but nervous, and I must have been the shyest girl to walk Taft’s halls all freshman year. I played thirds soccer for the dream team (we went undefeated), JV basketball and track that year, and it was on the field, court and track that I made lasting friendships and huge leaps from my characteristic silence.
Four years later, I am a converted full-time runner: I run cross country in the fall, train with our track coach Mr. McCabe in the winter, and run track in the spring. This year, I am co-captain of cross country and captain of track. So far, I am having a great time with the cross country team, which has almost doubled in size from last year and which has turned around from a season of a single win last year to having a record (so far) of 5-2. Talk about transformations!
In the classroom, I have also had many exciting experiences. Formerly a public school student, I was accustomed to classes of 25 or more students. Now, I sit in classes with six to 12 students and have round-table discussions, where my opinions are valued and my participation is expected. I also take my intellectual passions outside of the classroom, as I tutor local elementary school students in Homework Helpers and peer tutor within Taft.
The people, though, are what make Taft so amazing. When students told me freshman year that I would become “friends” with my teachers, I thought they were ridiculous. However, I can admit that I tell my advisor Mr. Campbell everything about my life (each day) as if he is one of the girls, visit teachers in their offices or apartments, and stop to chat with my coaches when I pass them in the hall. They are all so welcoming, talented, compassionate and dedicated to what they do at Taft. That is why I feel so at home here have had so many opportunities to grow and succeed.
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