Support is everywhere: how the Peddie community lifted me up
A supportive community can help students conquer life’s toughest challenges. Tour guide Chloe shares her story about how the whole Peddie community, from the classroom to the athletic field, lifted her up.
At Peddie, support isn’t just a concept–it’s a tangible, omnipresent force that lifts up each of its members to new achievements and shapes the community. Now reflecting on my Peddie journey, I am forever aware of how this encouraging environment has been a stepping stone to my personal growth and overall experience as a Falcon.
Stepping on campus for the first time, I was immediately welcomed with a network of support. From the athletics team and coaches to teachers and advisors, their dedication went beyond the classroom and field. Not only did teachers teach and grasp our attention, but they also invested in our future endeavors and success. There have been countless moments at Peddie where I didn’t understand a problem set or lesson. My teachers stayed after class, set up private meetings, and patiently guided me through the concept until it clicked. This reflects the broader culture at Peddie, where the teachers and faculty offer personal connections, their own time, and expertise. It allows students like me to feel empowered and safe to ask questions and seek help.
The Peddie community also lifted me through support from my peers. Whether through group study sessions, group projects, or sharing a laugh between classes, the togetherness among students was appreciable. Their constant belief in my abilities and encouragement helped me gain the confidence I didn’t know I needed or had.
Beyond the classroom, Peddie’s approach to mental health is both proactive and compassionate. Counselors at Peddie are not just easy to approach but also deeply engaged with the student body. Although I can recall times when stress and anxiety felt overwhelming, from academic pressure or personal challenges, during these moments, advisors and counselors provided a safe space to offer both professional guidance and emotional support. Their advice to manage stress and help navigate bumpy times without judgment does not go unnoticed throughout the community. Peddie became a blanket of encouragement that extended to everyone, athletes or artists, no matter their path.
Looking back at my experiences at Peddie, it is evident that the support I got was not just an act of kindness and open-heartedness but a collective character that was found in every aspect of the community. Peddie taught me the value of lifting others as I had once been lifted, reinforcing the importance of a strong community where all can thrive. The Peddie School is more than an educational institution and preparatory high school, it was a refuge of support that guided me and left a lasting mark on my personal, academic and athletic development.