I was completely awestruck by Park Tudor's beautiful campus. Some of the leaves were beginning to change colors...it was indescribable! I felt like I was on a small college campus. After meeting with the Head of School, Mr. Jennings, I went to meet with the Jazz Combo. They performed a few songs for us and WOW was I impressed. Their sound was so mature - upbeat, yet soulful. These guys have their own CD and even get to perform in local festivals and at the Jazz Kitchen! To this day, I still listen to the CD they gave me at my desk at work.
I headed to meet the students involved in the Legacy Initiative program next. They were busy looking through old letters, diaries, and photographs of war veterans. The Legacy Initiative Project's mission is to publish these stories that would otherwise remain untold. This way, future generations will be able to learn about those who served, both here and abroad. You can buy their last book entitled, "Wartime Memories from America and Abroad." I can't believe how much these high schoolers have accomplished!
Lastly, I went to meet Gracie, Park Tudor's "mascot." She's a GIANT yellow lab with a constant smile on her face. The staff told me that she was training to be a service dog, but didn't pass the tests, so Mrs. Grinkmeyer (Upper School Counselor) kept her. Gracie even has her picture in the yearbook! The kids love to pet and feed her…as you can see by her “full” figure. Students also told me that if someone is upset, Gracie doesn't leave their side. Now that's pretty cool!