By: Ryan Jolton
Why D’Evelyn. Throughout all of my six years at D’Evelyn I have always wondered why I stayed and what drives me to get up every morning and continue to choose D’Evelyn. Now as a senior, ready to graduate, the answer comes to my mind with ease. Having previously spoken to the school about the “Jag Spirit,” it is our tight-knit community that helps me choose D’Evelyn every day. Having a graduating class of less than 150, I know every person that I will be walking with on May 21st. Although very different from other schools, it is a privilege to know every one of my classmates. Additionally, as academically challenging as D’Evelyn is, it is extremely important to develop study groups and classmates you can work with. For example, before every test, all students come together in our glass GroupMe to ask questions about the material and to even seek calming reassurance, which reminds me of the privilege I have to call myself a Jag. Furthermore, aside from having developed deep connections with my classmates, I have also made relationships with my teachers. As school can get challenging, it is very important to me to be able to get one-on-one help, and at D’Evelyn, I do not have to go far to find such help. Being able to go over classwork, and real-life issues with my teachers makes me feel comfortable at D’Evelyn. Thus, my relationships with my classmates and teachers help me answer “Why D’Evelyn.” D’Evelyn’s extracurricular activities also help me continue to say yes to D’Evelyn; primarily, being a member of the baseball team. As I could say for any other sport, having time every day with my teammates has helped me develop extremely close relationships with every player. From 6:30 A.M. practices to winning the regional championship, every minute spent with my team makes me feel honored to be a part of such a close group. To continue, being with my classmates away from schoolwork is comforting: we get to talk about our workload and what may be stressing us out, then when game time comes, it is all focus. All in all, being a part of any team at D’Evelyn helps to alleviate stress and keep me a jag. In addition to being on the baseball team, I also support every team. From football games to volleyball games to basketball games, I, along with other classmates cheer on our teams. Being able to relax from school work and watch our outstanding student-athletes compete is an activity I have always cherished. Being a fan holds importance to me because I have pride in being a jaguar, on and off the field, court, whatever it may be. Watching our “smart school” compete and even beat other large schools is one of the most amazing things to be a part of as a jaguar. While my personal relationships and sporting events keep me a jag, D’Evelyn has a group or activity to make anyone feel welcome. From religious groups to social inclusion groups, D’Evelyn has what it takes to make sure every student has someone they can talk to. These groups also bring spirit to the halls. From a canned food drive put on by the Spanish Honor Society, to a healthy activities day by Sources of Strength, there is always something fun at school. Having these activities reminds me that D’Evelyn is more than just a place for me to take tests and do homework, it is somewhere I can have fun. Reflecting on my six years at this amazing school, there is not just one thing that kept me a jag; it is a full circle of components that make it worth it to be a D’Evelyn Jaguar. Ryan Jolton Class of 2022 By: Megan Choun, Math Teacher
Is D’Evelyn worth it in the end? The simple answer to the question is yes, however if someone had asked me when I was a D’Evelyn student, my answer would have been no. While attending D’Evelyn, like many students, I was stressed, struggled academically, struggled with friendships, and there were numerous times I wanted to leave. My parents were, and still are, firm believers in the D’Evelyn philosophy, and leaving was not an option. I was upset I was “forced” to stay and I believed I would have been a much better student elsewhere. Of course, that was merely based on my perceptions of what my friends at other schools were doing. I saw them enjoy free time after school, have little to no homework, and always spending time together. My evenings and weekends, on the other hand, were consumed with homework and studying. Although I did have time to participate in cheer and be a part of the track team, in my eyes that wasn’t enough. Reading and comprehension were challenging for me, so reading and annotating complex novels and textbooks, and taking notes were the last things I wanted to do. I fought the homework, I fought my parents, but most of all I was battling with myself. I was figuring out who I was, who my true friends were, what it meant to be a true friend, and all the while trying to keep up with the rigorous and high expectations of D’Evelyn. It was not an easy time, but I made it! It took a lot of courage and perseverance. When I chose to look at the positives around me, my perceptions of school and my struggles with friendships improved. This change did not happen overnight and with time and maturity, my senior year was by far the best year at D’Evelyn. Growing up is hard, being a teenager is tough, and attending a rigorous, challenging school adds to those growing pains. Remember, every high school experience comes with highs and lows, regardless of the school. However, the benefits of D’Evelyn is something very few can share. D’Evelyn is unique and I do believe it is not for everyone, but for those the school is for, it is worth it. A few well-known quotes come to mind when considering the D’Evelyn’s unique brand, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” “There’s good and bad in everything,” “Everything happens for a reason.” Life is full of wonderful moments and challenges. It is how we embrace those hard times that sharpen us to become more well-rounded people. With courage, strength, perseverance and maturity, I can now say D’Evelyn was worth it. College was enjoyable and easier because I knew how to study efficiently and write well, and most of all I had learned how to be a good student. I chose to return to D’Evelyn as a teacher because I have seen the benefits this unique school provides to all students. D’Evelyn prepares students for college, future careers, and helps shape young people into strong well-rounded members of society through its rigorous and demanding culture. It may be hard to see the silver lining when in the thick of it all, but trust me, it is worth it and then some. Megan Choun D’Evelyn Class of 2007 Current Math Teacher at D’Evelyn By: Mia Schmetter
As a senior at D’Evelyn, trying to make a decision that will shape my future, I’m spending a lot of time reflecting. I know it sounds cliche, but my six years here in middle school and high school has been the home to lots of change, growth, and challenges. As an 11-year-old 7th grader, surrounded by upperclassmen, all I wanted was to be older and to grow up faster than I was meant to, but the opportunities given to me here at D’Evelyn allowed me to slow down, and cherish my high school experience. The community of students and teachers here makes all of the late nights, long days, and hours of schoolwork worth it. I have been able to be a part of around 10 different clubs/organizations/teams in my six years here, National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), Girls Mentoring, Latin Club, Advanced Orchestra, Girls Swim Team, Sources of Strength (SOS), National Honor Society (NHS), Tri-M Music Honor Society, Student Council, Swing Dance Club, and Marching Band. Also during my time I have started my NonProfit Organization, InstruMentors, and have been a part of the Executive High School Internship (EHSI), working at St. Anthony’s Hospital. Getting involved has been one of the best decisions I have made, and it has allowed me to create relationships with my peers and teachers. Teachers and students care about YOU and your interests. They don’t base their opinions of you on your grades, GPA, or the difficulty of the classes you take, but instead, they focus on building your character: your hard work, dedication, and honesty. There’s something special about having teachers who take a genuine interest in us as students, allowing us to thrive in our academics and in our activities. I still believe that focusing on your academics and taking pride in your grades is important, and it opens a lot of doors for you during and after high school, but grades do not define you. Going to the top school in the state comes with rigorous schoolwork, but I promise, if you balance out your classes with activities you enjoy, your high school experience will be made better. Take risks, try new things, make lasting relationships, and find your community, because the people at D’Evelyn will love and support you. Mia Schmetter Class of 2022 |
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