A Walk To Remember… : Brooke’s NSA Story
By Brooke F.
If I were to summarize my NSA story in a single word, I’d like to consider my experience as extraordinary. Homeschooling, or what I would later come to recognize as virtual learning, was something my family had become familiar with years before enrolling at NorthStar. When I was approaching my first day of second grade, our local public schools had given my parents no other option but to consider online schooling due to medical reasons. This led to me being enrolled in another online school for many years. Similarly to NSA, their teachers and students were based around the globe. Looking back, these teachers would serve as my early mentors, which I feel strongly contributed to my interest in writing.
However, as I was finishing up my middle school curriculum, it was clear that the high school program was a whole other story. While I did love my previous academy, my parents and I realized I needed something different. High school courses were going to be challenging and we knew strong teacher support would be important. So, after months of research, we found ourselves feeling unsure of what to do. I remember my parents suggested we pray about it and the next day, we came across a review for a school known as NorthStar Academy. The rest was history…
My First Day/Year at NSA:
Even though I have been at NorthStar Academy for three years now, I can still vividly remember the first day I “stepped” onto the virtual campus. At first glance, it was slightly overwhelming. While I was familiar with the concept of online learning, NorthStar was an entirely different experience. The constant contact with teachers and students alike was something I found myself needing to adjust to. Buzz, the learning management system, was also a learning curve in itself. I had grown so used to submitting work through email at my previous school, so having a place for each of my daily assignments was something new.
The largest adjustment by far would have to be jumping into FirstClass for the first time. I remember feeling nervous when I moved my mouse to the “create new message” option, where I would introduce myself to the community that I would consider family for the next three years. The conversations I had in my first week soon turned into what I hope will be long-lasting friendships. I have met some of my closest friends through NorthStar, whether it was through a live call or a random group chat on FirstClass or Teams.
If you were to tell me years ago that I would be involved in a variety of student programs during high school, I’m not entirely sure I would believe you. It would honestly seem too good to be true! During my time at NorthStar Academy, I’ve been able to join a virtual Drama Club and a Creative Writing group, while being a student journalist for the Navigator and member of the National Honor Society. Being a student at NSA has also given me the chance to make a difference within my local community through volunteer experiences during “typical” school hours (some of my favorite volunteer events I’ve done include: New Jersey Maker’s Day and a bi-weekly Tech Tuesday program at my library).
My StuCo Experience:
The last thing I ever expected to find myself involved in was anything in government or politics -- something that plays a large role in student leadership! Honestly speaking, the path to becoming Student Council President wasn’t all smooth sailing. Looking back, I wasn’t even entirely sure I would have been on the Student Council at all!
My first year at NSA led to me initially running for 9th grade representative. I remember being ecstatic when the nomination email had popped into my then-FirstClass inbox. The idea of potentially being able to represent a group of students I had come to know really well excited me. One of my favorite memories of that StuCo election was staying up late to discuss ideas with my “campaign team” (which included my friend Gabi, whom I now have the pleasure of working with on this year’s StuCo!). The campaign didn’t entirely go as I had hoped, with another student being elected into the position.
However, I do believe that it was God’s plan for me! Running for representative allowed me the opportunity to join the Welcome Committee, where I would be the first NSA Sibling Program Coordinator. This unexpected experience played a large part in my student leadership journey. It helped to prepare me to take on the role as Welcome Committee Leader the following school year. From there, I was able to continue to encourage and welcome both the current and next generation of NorthStar students throughout the year. It was this path which ultimately led to me making the decision to run for Student Council President this school year. The experiences I had over the past two years left me wanting to continue serving my fellow students.
However, it wouldn’t be fair to mention StuCo and not talk about all of the fun I’ve had alongside the planning. Being on the Student Council has had its fair share of inside jokes and late night laughs. One story I will forever keep with me is when power outages had once made for a literal game of StuCo telephone -- right before our first Back to School Week celebration!! In the end, the Student Council has not only given me some pretty remarkable memories, but also some unforgettable friendships (or as I like to think of it, a family). Through the different events and celebrations, StuCo has shown me how to keep expecting the unexpected and reminded me how it’s okay to keep thinking out of the box.
Final Farewells:
As I look to don my cap and gown in just a short while, I’ll be taking with me the laughs and inside jokes which will serve as reminders of a whirlwind high school experience. My time at NorthStar Academy has been that of discovery and adventure. In more ways than one, I’ve discovered more about myself and who I am -- both as a person and as a Christian. My parents, teachers, and friends have done nothing but encourage me to keep dreaming big and shoot for the stars. No matter where I may find myself in the next few years, I do know that I will forever be thankful for the experiences and interactions I’ve had as a NorthStar student.
If I were to share any advice with the person reading this article, I would say this: dream big and aspire to achieve your goals. If it doesn’t work out, that just means God has something else in store for you. Just get out there and do it while staying true to yourself!
Columns: 🗞️Staff Stories
Brooke F. is going into her third year with NorthStar Academy. She is currently serving as Student Council President for the 20-21 school year. In her free time, Brooke enjoys reading, writing, singing, and listening to the latest Broadway soundtracks. In the future, Brooke hopes to be able to use her skills to give a voice to those in need.