We Do

11 September 2014Sarah P, Mackenzie ‘15

My very first morning at Brentwood last week was terrifying. What if people could tell my blouse was from Wal-Mart? What if people could tell we’d needed financial aid? What if people thought I was rude, or poor, or even worse, arrogant? My stomach twisted from the anxiety as we drove down the neat little road into my home for the next year. I tugged at my blouse and tried to dust off my pants and winced because I’d worn the wrong socks in my brand new shoes. I think if someone had been even the slightest bit unkind at that point, I would’ve cried. But I’ve never had a more welcoming experience in my life. People helped me with my bags. People came to my door to say hello. People shook my hand and complimented my nails. I was overwhelmed with both gratitude and all the new faces and experiences. If Brentwood is where the world comes to school, then I have nothing but hope for the world I’m about to venture into. My three day period of orientation was full of fun, sun, and the faces of my new sisters. We played sports, we told stories, every new student was fully embraced and genuinely appreciated. Unlike some of the previous schools I’ve been to, there was only joy in getting to interact with new people. Coming from a town of two hundred to a school of over five hundred is a shock, definitely, and learning that all of those five hundred are likely the nicest people I’ve ever met is an even larger shock. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been asked about my day or my classes, because at Brentwood, people care. I can find people from every corner of the world and every profession here, and no matter how busy their days are, they’re still willing to save a little time for a friendly “Hello”. It is the only school I’ve ever encountered (and I’ve encountered plenty) where the students actually thank teachers for their time and efforts. Who does that? We do. Brentwood is a place to stick your hand up and ask questions. It’s a place to make friends who will last a lifetime. It’s a place to learn and experience everything from classrooms to dance parties to sisterhood. Most of all, as we’ve heard stressed over and over again, it’s a place to be you. Sarah P, Mackenzie ‘15

Where Students Choose To Be