Meet the Postgraduates
You may be wondering why this select group of seniors’ faces are shown here. But, they aren’t just regular seniors…meet the Postgraduates of the 2014-2015 school year.
What is exactly a Postgraduate?
A postgraduate, or PG, is someone who continues to study at a different institution after already completing graduation at their high school. PG’s usually do an extra year to gain that extra step that they will need in the next level of higher education, whether it be for sports, academics, SAT scores, or to develop more as a person.
Jacob Salerno
Wellesley, Massachusetts
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“I primarily wanted to take a PG year to have another year to develop as a student and athlete before heading to college. I’m going to be playing hockey and baseball this year.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“I decided to attend The Williston Northampton School after hearing great things about it from my family and friends. After visiting and learning more about the school, I knew it was the right place for me.”
What’s your favorite subject?
“My favorite subject is microeconomics.”
Fun Fact:
“I lived in Italy as a child.”
Jared Karas
Port Matilda, Pennsylvania
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“To kind of just get ready for college and in all honesty hockey was kind of a big factor.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“The fact that the hockey team had a nice year last year and to hopefully get some good exposure coming into the season here. One of my best friends from home, Marshall Rizzuto, came here last year so he kind of showed it to me…”
What do you like best about Williston so far?
“The atmosphere. I really like the fact that if you need help with something it’s not hard to find—it’s kind of what you make of it.”
What’s your favorite color?
“Blue.”
Willis Pollard
Worthington, Massachusetts
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“I really thought it was going to be a great opportunity for me to grow academically and also athletically, because I’m a big baseball player and I am trying to get into the best college possible for both baseball and for academics.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“This was actually the first prep school I toured and as soon as I toured it, I knew this was the one that I wanted to go to. As soon as I got to Williston I knew I loved it! It was great, the campus was awesome.”
What do you like best about Williston so far?
“The dining hall is awesome, having the buffet style, the teachers are really friendly and interactive and the classes are smaller than I am used to, if I am struggling with things in the classroom they make it really easy to get caught back up.”
Fun Fact:
“I have my own Camaro.”
Alicia Lima
Cape Verde
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“I wanted to have an opportunity for my intellectual engagement growth. Also, I wanted to feel what it means to have a college life before I go to college, so prep-school would be a perfect experience. I wanted to have more resource for my studies, and have the sense of community.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“I chose Williston because it is a friendly environment. The first time that I came to campus, I was so happy because I found that Williston was amazing; a place full of resource, and strong sense of community. Williston is fantastic!”
What is your favorite color?
“My favorite color is pink or purple.”
What is your favorite thing about Williston so far?
“The Williston community is always there to help you with anything! It is so cool to realize how much you laugh and have fun in one simple day- people here make you happy!”
Tito Ovhori
Lagos, Nigeria
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“I was in high school in Nigeria, so I decided to be a PG so I could get familiar with the U.S education system and also to improve my chances of getting into a good university in the states.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“My parents they like Williston, they knew about it because it was recommended to them by some teachers from my school and I also did my research on the area.”
What do you like best about Williston so far?
“There is one thing that is really prevailing here and that’s the friendliness, everybody is so friendly. People just come up to me and say “Hi Tito” people whom I don’t even know their names.”
What’s your favorite subject?
“My favorite subject would be between economics and math.”
Ryan Richmond
Toronto, Canada
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“I did a PG year at Williston to increase my opportunities as a basketball player (scholarships) and to also have a chance to increase my grades and SAT.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“I decided to do it [a PG year] at Williston because I had a great time on my visit and had a good relationship with coach Shelton. It is also a decent distance from home. I heard about Williston through a coach that works on my behalf back in Canada.”
What is your favorite subject?
“My favorite subject in school is English. I love to write and read on interesting topics. I also love discussion.”
Fun Fact:
“A fun fact about myself is that I can speak French. ”
Nathaniel Manwell
Conway, Massachusetts
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“My friend really enjoyed it and I thought that it would also be a great option for me.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“One of my friends went to the school and really liked it, so I looked at it and it seemed like a good option.”
What do you like best about Williston so far?
“I like the rigor of the coursework.”
Fun Fact:
“I have a collection of walrus memorabilia.”
John Kay
Hingham, Massachusetts
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“For sports reasons with wrestling and football and weight management. Push up the GPA a little bit, take the SATs once or twice more and to just mature as a person.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“Curt Mcleod. I grew up playing football with him and his dad actually went here too—I didn’t really know too much about a PG year, I just knew that Williston offered this PG program so it was like one of the only schools I applied to.”
What do you like best about Williston so far?
“I like Williston as a school, I think the teachers are great, small classes are great, football team is awesome, the athletics are awesome all the t-shirts and apparel and stuff.”
Fun Fact:
“I am a part of a freestyle rap group called ‘Keep it PG’, it’s made up of the PGs and the repeat juniors—Keep it PG featuring repeat Juniors of Ford Hall (a.k.a. three peats). We’re great, we have our first gig, and will be airing our first video at assembly on November 7th. That’s when our first music video drops.”
Kieran Hamilton
Queens Village, New York
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“To benefit me with academics and also athletics—I play basketball.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“Basically Coach Shelton’s philosophy and he telling me about the school.”
What is your favorite color?
“My favorite color is grey.”
Fun Fact:
“I’ve had three people in my family play professionally overseas, and in the NBA.”
John Aylward
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Why did you decide to be a Postgraduate?
“I decided to do a PG year to play another year of football in hopes of getting into a better college for football or to earn scholarship money at the Division II level.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“I found out about Williston from my father, who was my high school football coach. I got in touch with Coach Conroy, and when I toured Williston I loved it.”
What do you like best about Williston so far?
“My favorite thing about Williston so far is the people. Everyone is very nice and outgoing and really helped me settle in here.”
What is your favorite color?
“Red.”
Alexander Ganter
Lynnfield, Massachusetts
Why did you decide to do a PG year?
“I decided to do a Postgraduate year to improve my academics and to get another year of football under my belt before college.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“I found Williston through a few college football coaches who said this would be a great fit for me.”
What’s your favorite thing about Williston so far this year?
“My favorite thing about the school would have to be the dining hall. I go there during my frees and bang out some homework, drink some coffee, and get a great view of the pond. The food is also very good.”
Fun Fact:
“This will be only my second year of football. I’ve played hockey my whole life prior.”
Max Chipouras
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Why did you decide to do a PG Year?
“I chose to take a PG year for the extra year of academic and athletic maturity. I would like to boost my grades and put myself in a better position to succeed at the collegiate level.”
What made you decide on Williston?
“Williston is close to home for me so that was a big factor. I also chose Williston for its academic reputation and competitive football team.”
What is your favorite color?
“Salmon.”
Fun Fact:
“I have a beautiful golden retriever named Stella.”
