By the time you’re reading this, Commencement is just a few days away. The Willistonian spoke to students earlier in the trimester – with 57 days to go – and they were already planning their perfect high school finale.
After spending years together, this unique family will come together one last time before saying goodbye to their much beloved teenage years and the friendships they formed on campus.
Will Gaca, an 18-year-old from Durham, N.C., is disappointed by the cancellation of many events in the last two years due to the pandemic, but is happy with his experience at Williston in comparison to Durham Academy, his previous high school.
“I wish Covid hadn’t messed up things so bad,” Will said. “[But] I think the time I’ve spent at Williston was great, way better than at my old high school.”
Will revealed to The Willistonian his idea of having a time, preferably in the Spring, dedicated for day students to join boarders on campus, living among them and experiencing the life of a boarder, spending full days and night in the dormitories.
“I think that would be really fun and creative,” Will said.
Benning Johnson, senior from Quechee, Vt., is looking forward to nighttime athletic events as well as senior dances.
“I definitely hope we could have a dance again, they’ve been really fun in the past,” Benning said. “[It would be great to have] athletic events under the light, where the entire school comes together to support and cheer their classmates, to get some school spirit.”
Seniors, as they approach the final months of school, have begun to create bucket lists, which include several experiences and achievements they want to accomplish before graduation.
Benning is hopeful that an old tradition initiated few years ago will occur again: Tandem open-mic night.
In 2019 the Williston community rented out Tandem for an open-mic night, with the collaboration of Chris and Andrea Zawacki, owners and parents of Williston alumni.
The event was a success, packed with students as well as faculty members, who were on hand to exhibit their vocal and instrumental skills.
“It was a ton of fun, so I’m hoping we’ll have the opportunity to do that again,” Benning said. “That is definitely on my bucket list!”
Selena Negron ’22, a day-student from Easthampton, Mass., said she will try to make the best out of these last two months of high school, despite difficulties Covid may cause.
“I have experienced ‘normal’ Williston, ‘Covid’ Williston, and even somewhat ‘post-pandemic’ Williston,” Selena said. “I am going to try really hard to do anything in my power so that Covid won’t affect us seniors.”
Selena is excited for the return of Willy Gras – a Spring tradition at Williston – and prom, and she hopes to make the most of her friendships as the year winds down.
“Willy Gras is going to be so fun. Prom will be a blast too,” Selena said. “I just want to spend a lot of time with my group of friends so that we can make a few last memories before we all go our separate ways.”
Academic Dean Greg Tuleja will also leave Williston this year; he is retiring after 39 years on campus.
Tuleja described his goodbye to Williston as a bittersweet ending, because of the meaningful relationships he established, both with faculty members and students.
“I’ve been here for 39 years and the school means a lot to me, but I know it is time for me to go,” Tuleja told The Willistonian. “The students [are] who made me interested to go to work every morning.”
Tuleja shared how he is going to spend these last two months at Williston.
“I don’t want to miss the opportunity of paying attention that this is the last time I’m going to be here on campus with students, which has meant everything to me over the course of my career,” Tuleja said. “I’m going to try to notice for myself that I’m not going to be here again, and that is going to be important to me.”