5…4…3…2…1… Happy New Year! As the clock hits midnight, people all around the world ring in the new year with friends and family. Across the country and in our own PA community, the arrival of 2018 meant a clean start and the opportunity to make some bold changes in our lives.
Although each and every person dreams of a brighter tomorrow, our personal goals don’t always work out. New Year’s resolutions have a bad reputation for being broken just days or weeks into a new year. However, people have been making resolutions for thousands of years, and PA students, faculty, and administration continue to do the same.
Since its founding in 2001, Providence has always been growing and changing, and this year is no exception. With the recent additions of the Quo Vadis curriculum, Performing Arts Center, and Dome, the school is looking forward to expanding athletic, artistic, and athletic opportunities for all of its students.
On the academic side, PA is ready to expand the Quo Vadis program, which is a new option for students this year. Students for the first time this year were able to take honors and advanced classes in literature, art, religion, and language. However, students take these classes alongside their non-honors peers, which really makes the program unique. PA Headmaster Dr. Flanders is proud that students can focus on subjects that they love while still having a holistic experience with all of their classmates. PA hopes to grow and fine tune this program in the future, giving students even more opportunities to be challenged in subject areas that they enjoy.
In terms of athletics and arts, the addition of the PAC and Dome have raised the bar for PA students. Dr. Flanders is especially proud of the Performing Arts Center, saying, “It creates an environment where our own excitement and joy…rises because of the nobility of the place”. Also, it’s no surprise that Providence sports are lifted up because of their new facilities. Dr. Flanders summed it up nicely, saying, “We beat Breck in boys hockey, what else can you say!” In 2018 and the years to come, Providence hopes to provide a truly well-rounded experience for students, giving them ample opportunities to excel in athletics, arts, and academics.
With these aspects in mind, the Providence administration has one big goal in mind for 2018, namely, to draw more students to the school. To do this, they are lowering the price of tuition going forward, which they hope will ease the sacrifice that it takes to attend Providence. Dr. Flanders says that the school is hopeful and excited to grow, especially now that it has increasingly stellar opportunities for its students.
Although big changes are in store for Providence as a whole, there are also changes being made on a smaller level. Upper school students are really hoping to take advantage of the new year and the new semester by making goals and sticking to them, although the student body as a whole has mixed views on New Year’s resolutions.
Some students have more traditional resolutions. Julia Dailey ‘21 and Essie Broich ‘18 are both resolved to make fitness a priority, although Essie admits that she has yet to start her desired daily exercise regimen. Julia hopes to follow through with her resolution, and says that her motivation comes from finally being in high school.
The most common resolution among Providence high school students is focusing more on studying. Sidney Kirchhof ‘18 and Clare Hillen ‘18 are both resolved to get better grades in their math classes, and Jack Kruse ‘19, “wants to be more engaged in class”.
Makena Detert ‘19 hopes to balance her time spent doing homework saying, “I want to stay on top of my schoolwork and not stress out more than I need to”.
Excited seniors Jamie Trende ’18 and Grace Klassen ’18 agree that in second semester, they can’t wait to graduate. Upper school students are largely ready to excel and take charge of their learning and grades in second semester, a fact which most teachers will be excited to hear.
Although many students hope to change things about their lives in 2018, there are also plenty of students who don’t make New Year’s resolutions. These students are perhaps a bit more realistic, and don’t want to waste time making lofty goals every year. Mary Walker ‘21 said that she doesn’t make New Year’s resolutions because she knows that she won’t keep them in the long run. Jack Zhao ‘19 has a unique perspective on self-improvement. He says, “If you want to change yourself, don’t wait until the new year”.
Dr. Flanders agrees with these students and says, “I don’t make new year’s resolutions”. He notes that it is important for all of us to be the best versions of ourselves that we can possibly be. Whether or not you make resolutions, it’s important to remember that no matter what, none of us are perfect when it comes to making changes or fulfilling our hopes and dreams. Dr. Flanders references a quote from St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, “Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth!”.
Our school has progress and change in store for 2018, which promises a bright future for the students, faculty, and PA community.