Why I love Peddie
At The Peddie School, tour guide Lexie found a supportive community that inspired her to discover new interests and try new things.
Although the academic rigor of my classes and intense sporting competitions against other schools are large parts of my Peddie experience, what truly sets the school apart is the community. Throughout my time at Peddie, I have found that the constant support of students and faculty have made me more willing to step outside of my comfort zone, take risks and try new things.
Coming into the school as a shy freshman, I had no idea what to expect from Peddie. However, joining the soccer team and participating in POCO (Peddie On Campus Orientation) before classes even started allowed me to meet people who have become lifelong friends. I quickly realized from watching senior leaders that I, too, could make a difference in the Peddie community. Encouraged by my peers and faculty, I began to explore the many opportunities that Peddie offers. I joined the soccer, basketball and golf teams, each of which has allowed me to meet and interact with so many new people. I have learned the value of being part of a team through the sports that I play, and have been inspired by each of my coaches.
Not only has Peddie allowed me to explore pre-existing interests, but the school has also allowed me to discover new ones. Fueled by my passion for community service, in my sophomore year, I began Peddie’s Unified Club. This club hosts multiple events throughout the year with athletes from Special Olympics to help teach them a variety of sports. Every term, I am amazed by the number of student and faculty volunteers who show up with smiles on their faces, ready to volunteer and support the participants. These events highlight the ability of the Peddie community to come together in support of the larger community and is one of the things that I believe truly sets the school apart.
In the classroom, I am pushed by my teachers and peers who always encourage me to be the best possible version of myself. Classes that I never expected to enjoy have become some of my favorites, to the extent that when someone asks me what my favorite subject is, I have no choice but to say “all of them.”
Events like Blue and Gold Day, Heads’ Day and, perhaps most importantly, Peddie-Blair Day are other examples of the Peddie community coming together for a common goal in support of one another. Specifically, the experience of storming the field to say the Ala Viva after a Peddie team wins on Peddie-Blair Day is one of my most memorable experiences that I feel truly exhibits the sense of community we have at Peddie. I have truly loved my time at Peddie because of the amazing people that I have met and I can’t wait to continue being an active member of the community for the rest of my life.