I recall walking onto the bus for my first day at Fieldston Lower. I was beginning Pre-K and I was extremely nervous as I had not met any of my peers. I was greeted with a warm welcome from the bus driver, but besides that, I felt utterly alone. As I said goodbye to my mother with tears swelling in my eyes, I tried to take a deep breath and present myself in an excited mood to my peers. I took a seat in the first row, as I would not have to interact or deal with the stares from any other students on the bus (all of whom towered over my short 4-foot frame). I sat down across from a blonde-haired blue-eyed girl who seemed to be approximately my age, although even she was significantly taller than me. She was the complete opposite of me, as she was outgoing and didn’t seem to care about how she appeared to others. I, on the other hand, cowered in my seat, attempting to hide in the crevice near the window. “Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m starting Pre-K!” the blonde girl said to me. I was startled, as no one had ever been so forthcoming with me. I glanced around me to see if anyone had been eavesdropping on the outburst. “Hi, I-I’m Joshua” I stuttered. She continued to speak loudly, with a care-free demeanor that I admired. Of course, I was rather unhappy to be approached in such a public manner, but at least I took some comfort in knowing that I had made a friend.
This vivid memory in my past sums up my Fieldston experience perfectly. Starting as a shy and petrified child, I have now grown into an outspoken and driven student, unafraid to speak my mind and advocate for my beliefs. Fieldston has fostered this growth and certainly encouraged me to embrace myself and develop a sense of confidence. As a result of such encouraged change, I have truly built a community in Fieldston for the last thirteen years of my life. I believe that I have certainly made life-long friends, and I look forward to walking through the 200s or 500s and greeting a familiar face as I walk by.
Fieldston has become a home to me, one where I feel comfortable confiding in faculty or friends. Locations such as the Dean’s office or the trainer’s room are places for social gathering, and safe havens. The availability of teachers who genuinely wish to converse with students – whether it be academic or personal – is a prime example of the community which I cherish so dearly.
COVID-19 has certainly impacted individuals far and wide, but here at Fieldston, its effects are felt throughout the community. Classes are reduced to occurring once/twice per week, and there are no opportunities for external interactions, besides those that are made interpersonally. My dean, Mr. Anhalt, has made numerous attempts to unite our grade. As said in one of his emails, “I am thinking of the whole class and how we might connect through this time that we are all apart… I’m thinking of how to recognize and celebrate your upcoming rise to being the oldest students in the school. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out – even if you just want to catch up.” Mr. Anhalt’s good-hearted attempts are certainly omnipresent in the community during this time, but inevitably the effects are not the same. Most recently, the highly anticipated FSG Co-President speeches were forced to proceed in an online video format. I, along with many of my peers, felt the effects echo through the difference in format. The live speech is potentially the most crucial aspect of the campaign, and allows partners to stand out amongst the pack. Due to this pandemic, the online pre-recorded format was forced to replace the aforementioned custom.
The change in community is potentially felt strongest in the athletics department. Spring sports teams convene one/two times a week in hopes to bring players and coaches together, and allow seniors to have some attempt at finishing out their last season. Of course, the camaraderie is not the same and the bond shared between all members has been weakened as we are forced to rely upon the online format. Sophomore attackman Ben Forman “Online learning hasn’t lived up to any expectations in any class, but especially in lacrosse we are really feeling the effects of it because the majority of our experience has to do with us being together as a team. Whether it be running sprints, practicing plays, or team events outside of school, we rely upon face-to-face connection to help us be the best team we can.” These claims are reiterated by Junior d-wing Elle Berman. “The difference between being on the field and moving to a google meet online setting has been a really difficult adjustment for everyone because sports are so much of a face-to-face activity. Whether it’s practice, games, or just spending time with one another, we all benefit from seeing each other and having that energy that makes us a stronger team. For me as a junior, I was looking forward to getting to know the new players and taking on a leadership role. Lacrosse has always been my favorite part of the year, but overall I’m still happy to see my teammates and friends weekly.
Obviously, every member of the community has felt the waves from this virus. Of course, some individuals have been affected harder than others. Specifically, for the seniors, they are losing the opportunity to enjoy monumental events such as prom, graduation, or their final sports seasons. I certainly empathize with them, and more so with the students who will be a part of the “14-year club” such as myself. At the end of the day, I am confident that next year we will all move on and make even stronger memories by taking advantage of each moment we have when we come together, and making the most of the next school year. Until then, we must make sure to try and reach out to one another and make sure that we are all staying safe so that we can reunite shortly.
