"YOUR HIGH SCHOOL PREPARED YOU WELL"

by Anthony Bosman
“Anthony, reading your research essay was a breath of fresh air,” said Professor Wendy Goldberg, my freshman Writing and Rhetoric instructor at Stanford University, California. She continued, “I can tell that your high school prepared you well.”
Since I’m a math major, English has always been more of a peripheral interest to me. Nevertheless, my professor was right. I’m indebted to my high school, Forest Lake Academy (FLA), for providing an excellent foundation for my future studies.
Granted, when I graduated from FLA in 2008 and began studying at Stanford, I was intimidated by the backgrounds of my fellow students. Stanford accepts less than one in ten applicants, making its students hand picked from around the world. Yet, over time, I discovered that my education at FLA provided me with a competitive advantage in a number of ways. Here are five examples:
A Solid Foundation
In addition to the small class sizes and variety of teaching styles I encountered at FLA, a number of the faculty became personal mentors. They took an interest in my personal life, creating an environment that allowed me to flourish.
When I arrived at the university, I could do more than just write well. For instance, I immediately entered the most rigorous track of math courses. Last year, I graduated from Stanford with a degree in Mathematics with Honors, a distinction given to a minority of graduates.
A Passion For Service
The same faculty who taught me in the classroom at FLA were involved in leading student service activities, varying from small programs in the community to a 12-day-mission trip to Latin America in which I participated one spring break.
This cultivated in me an integrated view of education and service, and I was inspired throughout college to put my knowledge into action through a variety of volunteer activities in the local community and abroad.
Practical Work Experience
I had a part time job all four years of high school. One summer, I worked with the school’s grounds and maintenance crew. During the school year, I tutored students with their math problems. Working to financially support my education taught me responsibility and broke down my false notions of entitlement.
A Christian World View
In both FLA’s science and humanities classes, I learned to evaluate information with a Christian world view. In one class, we studied the French Revolution from a secular perspective, then evaluated it in light of biblical teaching. In college, not only did this help me to understand information within the context of the biblical narrative, it also enabled me to critically evaluate and intelligently respond to the many ideas and theories expressed.
A Knowledge of Christ
Most importantly, FLA’s Christian students and teachers, along with religious programs and classes, allowed me to grow in my relationship with Christ. In college, I was shocked to discover how many students were searching for purpose and, devoid of satisfaction, entered into destructive habits and relationships. I discovered that FLA equipped me to share the joy and freedom found only in a relationship with Christ.