Astronomy Club Head, Ethics & Philosophy Club Head, Photo League Club Head, Maker’s Club Head, No Limits Editor-in-Chief, Flinn Proctor

One of the most important lessons I learned at Hotchkiss is that you can’t get through anything alone. I have always valued my independence as a strength to be proud of, but I have often been unaware that it has obscured the benefits of collaboration. In my mind, it was impossible to be someone who was both independent and worked with or sought help from others. 

Hotchkiss taught me that life is more rewarding when I learn from my peers and that relying on others and reaching out for help is not a weakness, but a strength. I quickly learned that independence must be balanced with collaboration in order for me to be successful, whether it be working to harvest squash at the farm or to repair a broken robot part. More importantly, collaboration allowed me to see the knowledge and wisdom my peers had to offer and made my projects with them all the more enriching. 

My advice to others is to embrace this collaborative culture. Hotchkiss is without a doubt a competitive place, but you will get further if you know how to work together and when to seek support.