All Growns Up

When I started teaching, this kid was in 2nd grade. I taught him Drama in 3rd and 4th grade. I got a letter from him today.


Hi everybody! This is Kevin and I was your student in either my 3rd or 4th grade year which was 8 or 9 years ago before the turn of the century. Gee, has it been that long? I just wanted to let you all know what was going on and what happened to me after I left Askew.

After a rocky middle school section of my life where I went to Shadowbriar, Paul Revere and then I escaped to WestBriar Middle School, my older brother Brian passed away in July of 2002. My family and I miss him dearly and are glad that the enzyme that he was missing is finally undergoing clinical trials this spring.

In high school, I participated avidly in music, being on Westside's drumline for 2 years and in the Jazz Band up to this my senior year. I have also been an actor in Westside's Varsity Theatre Company for my Jr. and Sr. year.

So, this year I was applying to colleges and I was trying to figure that out. And I sent out all these applications and I got in to a bunch of places and I'm really excited because I found out where I am going to school next year.

About a week and a half ago, I got into my first choice school, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AKA MIT. I'm really psyched and I plan on studying Bioengineering and maybe even joining the ski team or the crew (rowing) team.

I actually had my app. deferred from applying early and after sending them a lot of info about this project that my friends and I finished in late January, and several love letters, I got in.

I just wanted to let you guys know how I was doing and to thank you for all the support that you gave me at an early and critical age. Without the solid foundation that I got at Askew, I would definitely not be the same person that I am today. The encouragement, academic and otherwise that I received in addition to the remarkable instruction from you, my elementary school teachers is a testament to the hard work that you put into your profession. Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.

Early on, you all taught me to challenge myself and think outside of the box for a solution. You pushed me to discover creative solutions to what otherwise may have been standard problems. I remember wondering where I would be in 8 years at my 4th grade graduation. Well, now I sit here on another milestone, 11th in my class of 556, having gotten into the school that I feel is the best fit, and I wonder what's next.

As to that, I will let you know. But until next time - I hope to visit before I leave - I would like to genuinely express my thanks and appreciation for the time and effort that each of you put into educating the 9 or 10-year-old version of me. The 18-year-old that speaks to you now is truly grateful.