Parent: Melissa Hargreaves, parent of Izzy Snyder
Ms. Hargreaves' daughter, Izzy Snyder, has been attending Stuart Hall for a little over a year. They chose Stuart Hall as Izzy had been looking for a small and academically challenging boarding school. She greatly appreciates the stability within the Stuart Hall community. When she was younger, Ms. Hargreaves aspired to be a lawyer as she liked to argue. When she began high school, her mother became sick and spent a lot of time in physical therapy. This inspired Ms. Hargeaves to become a physical therapist. She says, “I learned that college wasn't for me, and I ended up as a Business Manager for the same physical therapy practice my mom went to.” She is currently a realtor and owns a residential property management business! She loves the growth she has experienced in her profession along with her ability to problem solve and help people. While she enjoys her profession, Ms. Hargreaves mentions the struggle of the heavy workload. Although she likes the majority of music, country is her preferred genre. Through her appreciation of her profession and Stu’s stability, it’s not difficult to see Ms. Hargreaves and her relation to the Stuart Hall collaboration grad goal!
Student: Val Wearing
Val Wearing has attended Stuart Hall for two years as a boarder and will graduate class of 2027. Before beginning their career at Stu, Val had applied to eight and been accepted to seven boarding schools. Out of the seven acceptances, Val chose Stu due the open and seemingly genuine nature of the students and staff. After Stu, Val says, "I plan on being a set designer. I have always loved theater, but I don’t like being on stage, I love to build and bring to life the scenery from the script,” and that they “first started working with scenic design at a performing and visual arts camp over the summer.” Val greatly appreciates the respect within the Stuart Hall community along with the set-up of the mastery program as it exists outside of simple memorization. Val does wish Stuart Hall harbored a drivers ed for seven-day boarders as well as more behind the scenes work within the theatre department. Once a graduate, Val will greatly miss the friends and teachers they have met within the community. Val’s hobbies consist of painting, drawing, playing indie video games, and writing poetry and short stories! Musically, Val most enjoys Punk Rock and Indie music with bands including The Pretty Reckless and Team Trust. Val easily encompasses the creativity grad goal through their love to learn and their vast imagination.
Teacher: Thomas Dixon
Mr. Dixon has worked at Stuart Hall for six months and is entering his second semester as a dorm parent and teacher. He was initially drawn to Stuart Hall due to the “intimate nature that comes with its size, its boarding program, and its philosophy of pedagogy.” He has been an educator for the majority of his post college life and finds the art of teaching to be incredibly rewarding. He says, "What I appreciate most about Stuart Hall is the support I get from both faculty and staff,” and appreciates the “focus and elevation of the student’s inner person.” While Mr. Dixon cherishes the Stuart Hall environment, he mentions the conflicts of being a dorm parent while maintaining a life outside of the community. His hobbies include watching movies from the 20th century, reading religious poetry, and “dominating my opponents in complicated board games.” He also enjoys the musical talents of the Chatham Rabbits, Lord Huron, and The Hillbilly Thomists. Through his love of teaching and the transfer of knowledge he most relates to our communication grad goal. He says, “I’m sure there are other faculty that disagree with me, but I’d be happy to refine my opinion with them over a cup of coffee in the dining hall.”
Madeline Speights