Tobias F.

Why Masters?
I chose Masters for many reasons. The first of which is the incredibly welcoming and friendly community we have here. Everyone is so kind, warm and inclusive. The second was the Harkness style of learning. In my mind, it’s the best way to learn.
 
What activities are you involved with on campus?
I play trombone in the contemporary ensemble, am exploring journalism with Tower (the school newspaper), am a member of the Alpine club, and participate on the cross country, basketball and baseball teams.
 
What is something you wish everyone knew about Masters?
In my opinion, having an advisory and advisor is the most underrated thing at Masters. When I first arrived at Masters in sixth grade, my new advisor gave one of the most memorable speeches I have ever heard. He took a pencil and proceeded to snap it in half. He told us that we are a brotherhood in that advisory and we all should have each other’s back and that he would always have ours, no matter what. Then he took out a handful of pencils and tried to break them all at once. He struggled for a few seconds and then told us that together we are strong and unbreakable, but alone we can snap just like the first pencil. Having an advisor who could bring together a room full of shy strangers in under five minutes really defined my experience at Masters!
 
What is your favorite tradition at Masters?
The Delta vs. Phi competitions. Every student is assigned to either Delta (blue) or Phi (red). On both Founder’s Day and Field Day, we have very big events to rack up points and other smaller competitions throughout the year. It's a fun way to add a competitive aspect to school without disrupting our learning environment.
 
Best spot on campus?
The amazing dining hall. It is a modern building with a cool architectural design, incredible food and facilities, and a very kind staff who go out of their way to give us an awesome experience.