- April 25, 2024
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The “Class of Legends.” That’s how the senior class of 2017 at Matanzas High School is known, thanks to achievements in the arts, athletics and academics.
We have a kind-hearted class. The students want to go out and help people.
ANDREW WILLS, on community service at the school
“We emphasize all three areas,” said Andrew Wills, senior class and student body president. He pointed our recently that athletic teams have advanced to playoffs, and student artists have been recognized for their work both in the studio and on the stage. Academically, the Washington Post has included the school in the top 12% most challenging schools in the nation, based on the number of advanced tests taken by seniors.
Now that the seniors are about to embark into life after high school, Andrew said they do so with a lot of enthusiasm.
“My graduating class has always been ambitious,” he said. “We work hard.”
Many seniors have had part-time jobs while in school and are already “climbing up the ranks,” he said.
He also points to an “incredible amount” of hours of community service, conducted by clubs and teams at the school.
“We have a kind-hearted class,” he said. “The students want to go out and help people.”
Wills has been busy in his high school years, being involved with student government, Christian athletes, publications, American Sign Language Club, student body treasurer, track and field and other activities, including serving as the mascot, Petey the Pirate.
Andrew is the son of a school administrator and teacher. He’d like to see schools return to the old methods of teaching, rather than going by state mandates.
“Teachers are not even allowed to make their own syllabus,” he said.
It’s ironic, he said, that in high school, the classrooms are controlled by the state, but when students get in college, they’ll be in an environment that is professor-based. That’s one reason students like dual enrollment, to get introduced into the college way of doing things, he said.
Education is most effective, Andrew said, when students work as a group in a real-world environment. For example, Andrew is interested in construction, and he’s been able to actually pour floors and install shingles at the high school.
He also points to the flagship courses such as culinary.
Wherever the Matanzas Pirates go next after they graduate, they will be sure to fly their flag high.
