You know what they say, you only graduate twice.

Well at least that is the case for Williston super senior Mark Woort-Menker.

Mark is a post-graduate from Rye, New York, looking to improve as a soccer player while boosting his grades at Williston. He has aspirations to play at Lynn College in Boca Raton, Florida, and is looking forward to the start of the soccer season.

Mark toured Williston for the first time in October of last year and he fell in love with the campus. The athletic fields and facilities are “state of the art,” Mark said, and he knew right away that Williston would be his home for the 2017-18 school year.

Woort-Menker’s goals for the soccer season are to make playoffs, play consistently, and get recognized by the Lynn College coach, John Rootes, and possibly other schools as well. On the academic side of things, he would like to make high honor roll each quarter and improve his test scores on the ACT and SAT.

The PG experience is not exactly what he expected, but he is getting used to it.

As a post-graduate, Mark said “It feels weird to jump into the senior class while most of the other seniors have been at Williston for multiple years.”

“I’m adjusting to it,” he added.

While Mark was searching for schools, he also looked at Berkshire, Kent, Millbrook, and Suffield. He really liked all of those schools but when it came to decision day, he just could not picture himself at any of those schools. Williston had something about it that made him feel welcome from the very beginning.

Ever since he was two years old, Mark was dribbling a soccer ball and shooting it around. Soccer runs in his family, so he grew up around it and fell in love with the sport from the very beginning. “I love running and love competition,” said Mark. “Soccer gives me pride and teaches me many important life lessons.”

Woort-Menker comes from a small New York family with an older brother and sister. His brother, a soccer player, was a crucial role model to Mark as a kid.

One of the major factors that prompted him to do a post graduate year is that he has been injured numerous times. He has torn his labrum in both hips and has torn his meniscus in his left knee.

“It’s been tough.” Mark said, “These injuries are definitely drawbacks for my game but I am hoping that I can have a strong season this Fall.” he added.

One of Mark’s fellow teammates and also a post-graduate, Dylan Agbarha, said “Mark is just a great kid and very encouraging as a teammate. He’s very hard working and always brings a great attitude to practice.”

Post-graduate years are getting more and more popular. Assistant Director of Admissions Derek Cunha said, “The one year post graduate year can ensure a successful college experience.”

He added, “Living away from home is a component that is different for a lot of students and having one year under their belts is a huge advantage academically and athletically.”

According to Mr. Cunha, this year, there are two more post graduates than last year and this number is expected to keep increasing in future years.