DS was recently appointed Head Student Monitor for 2016-17 school year. DD texted us when Headmaster Hershey made the announcement. She said she was tearing up with joy. We are thrilled that he has this leadership opportunity and candidly cannot believe his personal transformation over the last three years. There are many opportunities to develop leadership skills at EHS; student monitor, honor committee, discipline committee, vestry, service council, community council, athletic captain, leader of school club, etc. and certainly head monitor is one of the most demanding.
Rising seniors apply to become a monitor in the early spring. Applications are reviewed by faculty and qualified candidates are placed on a ballot that is voted on by the entire student body. This year 26 monitors were chosen by the student body. Next the 26 monitor select 6 “senior monitors” and a head monitor. It is quite a show of respect and endorsement for his peers to elect him to this leadership opportunity. With the transition to a new headmaster, it will be even more incumbent for DS to provide strong leadership to the student body and administration. Since he was elected Head Monitor, he is unable to serve on Honor Committee, which was a long term goal.
Not to throw a wet blanket on a fire, but DS will have knee surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus sustained in February during wrestling. It actually occurred during practice. What still amazes me is DS wrestled at the state championships with this injury (not known at the time) and lost 5-2 in his final bout. If he won, he would have been an all-state wrestler. The match was paused at 3-2 when his knee popped and he withered in pain on the mat. We sensed that something was serious. He regained his composure and finished the match with pure determination. As soon as he returned to NH for Spring Break, he had a MRI which indicated no tear. In short the orthopedist should have put the knee in a dynamic position to rule out tears elsewhere. When he returned to EHS, the team doctor requested a dynamic MRI and voila, there was the tear. Since his recovery is four months, he will most likely miss a wilderness adventure trip in Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, 7/11 - 8/4. DS was selected to go on this trip, which is sponsored by an EHS Alumnus, and is a trip of a lifetime for 13 selected students. DS is frustrated and disappointed beyond description. If he does receive an appointment to a service academy, this is his last summer of fun. This news certainly casts a shadow over what was otherwise a wonderful week.