Class of 1998

I am Kyle Wilson.  I went to The Phoenix School for nine years from Kindergarten in 1989 to 8th grade in 1998.  I consider myself fortunate to have undertaken the entire Phoenix experience - from being pried from my father’s arms, crying, the first day of school at Forest River Park to carrying a tired kindergartener through a corn field on the ‘all school trip’ in eighth grade.  The years I spent at Phoenix, with its unique environment of peer teaching has defined the qualities of leadership I have strived for through every endeavor of my life

Phoenix has instilled in me a spirit of caring for others.  This has manifested itself throughout my charitable work, my education and my personal life.  Despite all the charitable work I have done with Habitat for Humanity and HAWC since I graduated, I am still most proud of the accomplishments I achieved at Phoenix.  Only there was I able to invent a way of helping others instead of just signing onto an existing program.  Sitting in the common area surrounded by piles of donated toys and books that my group had gathered showed me how my efforts and ideas could make a difference.  This profound understanding of, and confidence in my own abilities, would serve me well throughout my life.

I went to St. John’s Prep High School, in Danvers.  My greatest assets in high school were the abilities to learn, to adapt, and to self motivate.  I attribute all of these to The Phoenix.  It instilled in me a love of travel and diversity that I explored further at St. John’s.  I participated in many travel study programs where I was often highly praised for my love of immersing myself in the culture.  I graduated near the top of my class at St. John’s.

From there, I majored in Civil Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.  The Phoenix spirit of teamwork and mentorship inspired me to become an RA for two years.  After three years at RPI, I decided Civil Engineering was not for me, so I decided to change educational paths.  I transferred to Mass. Maritime Academy, where I am currently pursuing two degrees, one in Maritime Transportation and One in Facilities Engineering.  Even in a regimented environment that contrasts with Phoenix’s educational style, my Phoenix background in giving to others guides me.  I tutor in both math/science and at our writing center.  I also TA a section on Algebra and private tutor on the side.

When I look back at the twenty four years of living I have done, I consider my time at Phoenix as one of my most defining.  More than any other leg of my educational journey, Phoenix has had the greatest impact on the person I am, not merely what I know.  I now look forward to contributing to the Phoenix dream.

Kyle has recently been elected to the Board of Trustees of The Phoenix School and will be working with Sadie Kahn-Greene on building a stronger alumnae/I community.