Every year, a new senior class is granted the opportunity to influence and guide the next generation through leadership roles and leading by example in the Northwood community. The ’23 class has taken this opportunity to the next level.
“This year, the senior class has made everyone more involved in the community,” observed Sachiel Ming ’24. “They have done a better job in promoting more diversified friendship groups. I have learnt a lot more about the hockey and ski teams this year, and it has been a great experience,” Ming added.
The class of 2023 is composed of countless leaders from all teams, and their leadership has positively shaped our community. It will truly be noticeable when they leave. Their Northwood experiences provide wisdom like no other, and help younger students strive for more, throughout their Northwood journey. Members of this senior class will be commencing their college life at top universities such as Northwestern, Columbia, and Yale.
Turner Jackson ’23 is a three-year senior who will attend Northwestern University next year. Turner is a role model at Northwood and has inspired many students to strive as he has done. His personality is renowned at Northwood, and he is known to be a kind man who will always be there to help. His advice to Northwood students is, “Enjoy the process. Take everything one step at a time. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and put yourself out there. You have so many opportunities, so make the most of them.”
Jackson also reflected on his journey and regretted not taking enough time to get to know everyone. He acknowledged that often, students cling to their sports groups and don’t venture out. He wishes he had spent more time with other remarkable individuals at school. Turner, an international student from Hong Kong who came to Northwood to reach his goal of attending a top university, has been at the school for three years and reflected on his time here, expressing, “My Northwood experience has been unique. Everyone will have their setbacks and successes. My experience has been nothing short of that. It has prepared me for the next stage of life.”
Another role model senior is Thebe Mosehathebe. Thebe is a four-year senior who will attend Hobart College next year to pursue his passion for soccer. Thebe has constantly worked to improve the culture at Northwood School and has mentored younger students. He believes the most impactful advice he could give is to, “Live in the moment. Enjoy every day and see it as another opportunity to learn something new. Speak to the hockey girls, go out to town with the skiers, laugh with hockey boys, and get to know the independents. There are so many different types of people who come from different backgrounds, and there’s a lot to learn from them,” Thebe said.
“Get to know the faculty as well,” Thebe added, including the cleaning staff, the administrative team, and the kitchen staff. There are a lot of great people at Northwood, and all it takes is opening up and being friendly to learn a thing or two.”
Thebe also reflected on how he could have used his time at Northwood differently, expressing, “I wish I had gotten to know more people earlier each year. In my experience, you get to know a lot of interesting and fun individuals only at the end of the year, which makes me wish I had known them much earlier.”
Northwood students often neglect the opportunity to socialize with people from all over the world, and the diversity of Northwood is something that makes the school special. Students should capitalize on this. Thebe began his hectic Northwood journey as a freshman and emotionally reflected on his time at Northwood, saying, “It has been an amazing journey. I have experienced tremendous personal growth over the years, and I believe I have become a more well-rounded individual. I have forged many enduring relationships and have endeavored to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I can only express my gratitude to Northwood for shaping me into the person I am today.”
Northwood extends its heartfelt appreciation to this year’s senior class for their resilience and leadership. Thebe and Turner are exemplary role models at Northwood who have truly impacted this school. Northwood encourages all students to depart knowing that they have influenced the Northwood community for the better. With not much time remaining until our seniors bid their final farewell to Northwood, seize this opportunity to learn as much as possible and heed the advice given by Turner and Thebe. We will deeply miss our seniors and wish them the very best of luck in all their future endeavors.
