Life at JTD
Student Voice
Annie McCarthy '04
After spending nine years here at John Thomas Dye I am finally asked to share what my time here has meant to me. Looking back at what I have accomplished over these years, I feel a surge of pride, and I realize that I am leaving this school a completely different person. Many years ago or at least five, if you had asked me to write this essay I would have laughed and said that I am going to be here forever. Why would I write about what it has meant to me as I am about to leave? In a sense I was right then. What John Thomas Dye has meant to me will stay with me forever. My time here has taught me that I am confident and I will always belong to the JTD family.
What John Thomas Dye has meant to me could fill up so many pages, but I don’t want to make the teachers real all those so I will have to share what I feel are the most important examples, like the lesson that I am strong and can accomplish anything I put my mind to. When I was in kindergarten I remember how hard reading was. I would look at the page and the words would swim lazily across it. However, my teachers would not let me give up and so I kept on trying to decipher the mess of words. Thanks to the lesson of determination taught to me that day, I have been able to read many excellent novels I would have missed out on if I had not been taught to never give up at such an early age. Thank you John Thomas Dye.
If you asked any passerby what John Thomas Dye is they would probably say something like, “I have heard of JTD. It is that excellent school with a beautiful campus and wonderful students.” or “Oh, they’re the best. We could never beat them at soccer.” However if you ask any John Thomas Dye student, alumni, parent, or teacher what John Thomas Dye is they would probably say all these things and something along the lines of, “John Thomas Dye is a home away from home. The school is like one big family.” As I am leaving John Thomas Dye the effect it has had on me was making me feel loved and special and an important part of the JTD family. Over the years I have had many scrapes and tripped many times, but every time a hand has helped me up. Whether it is a hand of my closest friend or the hand of a teacher, it always came. Going off to my secondary school I know a little bit of John Thomas Dye will always be with me. No matter where I go, I will always be a part of the John Thomas Dye family.
The lasting impact John Thomas Dye has had on me is really more than words can say, but I have given describing my time here a valiant try, like John Thomas Dye has always taught me to do. Now as I leave the comfortable hall, project filled classrooms, peaceful canyon, sweeping lawns, and wonderful friends behind me and move on to my next adventure, I will always remember the lessons JTD has taught me and the good times we have shared. In a sense I am taking a little bit of John Thomas Dye with me wherever I go.
If you asked any passerby what John Thomas Dye is they would probably say something like, “I have heard of JTD. It is that excellent school with a beautiful campus and wonderful students.” or “Oh, they’re the best. We could never beat them at soccer.” However if you ask any John Thomas Dye student, alumni, parent, or teacher what John Thomas Dye is they would probably say all these things and something along the lines of, “John Thomas Dye is a home away from home. The school is like one big family.” As I am leaving John Thomas Dye the effect it has had on me was making me feel loved and special and an important part of the JTD family. Over the years I have had many scrapes and tripped many times, but every time a hand has helped me up. Whether it is a hand of my closest friend or the hand of a teacher, it always came. Going off to my secondary school I know a little bit of John Thomas Dye will always be with me. No matter where I go, I will always be a part of the John Thomas Dye family.
The lasting impact John Thomas Dye has had on me is really more than words can say, but I have given describing my time here a valiant try, like John Thomas Dye has always taught me to do. Now as I leave the comfortable hall, project filled classrooms, peaceful canyon, sweeping lawns, and wonderful friends behind me and move on to my next adventure, I will always remember the lessons JTD has taught me and the good times we have shared. In a sense I am taking a little bit of John Thomas Dye with me wherever I go.
The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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