We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Destin Troyce

When I was 15 years old and in the 9th grade, my marine science teacher Mr.Sternchein gave me the best advice that still to this day motivates me and he said “work hard now or work harder when you are older” , I never forgot this advice because it taught me the importance of delaying instant gratification for a great reward. Read more>>

Sumi Siegel

I’m going to go way back, but first I want to preface this story by saying that I was an easy-going kid that got along with everybody. So here we go. It’s first grade, and our class is learning about different types of government. The theme of the week is monarchy. A name shall be drawn from a bag and that child shall be ruler for the week. My name is drawn and I am named queen! Queen Sumi, supreme ruler of the class and decider of all things. Read more>>

Matt Guzman

When I was a senior in High School, one of my favorite teachers and I got into an argument. Mr. Peters. All the kids called him ‘Pete.’ He wanted me to write a term paper on a polarizing topic that I disagreed with. I had a particular stance and I felt it would be a betrayal to write the opposite view. Read more>>

Seth and Theresa Harding

SETH: Early on, I had a strong interest in visual arts… illustration etc.  In high school and even in middle school I can remember doing drawings for the other kids, sometimes they would pay me, other times they would barter for other items such as candy, comics or even their lunches.  I developed a keen sense of exchanging art for commerce… the seeds of entrepreneurship. Read more>>