Students Find Comfort During Academy Transition in Family at Home, Schneider Hall

by Elaine Flynn, Academy Avatar

With Adventure Week, a new class enters the halls of Gatton Academy. Within this group of students, some may feel like they packed too much, others are still finding their place, and then there are a handful of students who were prepared by an older sibling.

The 2008-09 school year marked the first occasion in which siblings attended the Gatton Academy: Jenny and Jason Ludden.  Jenny, a 2009 alumna, noted having a brother in the program did not significantly alter her experience.  “Jason and I have always gotten along really well so being at the academy with him wasn’t a big deal,” she said.  “I encouraged him to apply.”

She went on to mention how they attended a few classes together and how useful it was to be able to study with each other.  No matter how unusual for the second year of the program, no one expected what was to come next.

The entering Class of 2011 features three students with siblings that have graduated from the Academy:  Michael Bowie, Corban Coffman, and Josh “Moose” Song. This year has also taken another step or two in family relationships at the Academy by having cousins, Tejas Sangoi and Paras Vora.

Perhaps most unique of all are twins Brittany and Courtney Howard.

These sisters have both chosen to attend the Academy out of their love for math and science. Between sharing a room, class schedule, friends, and talents they love, Brittany and Courtney have an interesting year ahead of them.

Yet, it didn’t just start this week, it started during the application process. Brittany and Courtney knew that there was a possibility that only one of them would make it into the Academy. However, they hung onto hope that they wouldn’t have to deal with that situation.  They did know that if it happened they would remain supportive of each other.  When the mail finally arrived after interview weekend, Brittany’s and Courtney’s hope was rewarded with both receiving letters of acceptance.

They will now experience the challenge facing all first-year Academy students: having a roommate.  However, when asked about sharing a room this year, Brittany commented, “When we were little we shared a room, but when our older sister left for college I got her room.”

They may even fight from time to time but, “We are just like any other siblings,” Courtney expressed.

When asked about the effectiveness of familiar support from siblings, Tim Gott, the Academy’s director, believes having a family member around can provide a special, additional layer of support in the transition to life in Schneider Hall. “The biggest factor is that having prior experiences eliminates some of the fear factor,” he said.  “Parents are much more comfortable and siblings have the inside stories to help make them comfortable. Not to mention having some textbooks and materials.”

As the semester begins, all Academy students will find themselves working hard, yet having the tight relationships will continue to keep them together and strong. Whether it is a twin, a sibling, a cousin, a friend from a home school, or friends made here, if any student wishes to succeed in this atypical high school, then they will need each other.

Britney Howard, Class of 2011, Courtney Howard, Elaine Flynn, family, siblings, Student Life, twins