Reflection of My Four Years at MHS by Michael Simmons

I am Michael Simmons, and I just graduated from Marblehead High School. I really enjoyed my four years as a student at Marblehead High School. I leave with many fantastic memories.

My favorite memories from high school start with my involvement in sports. I thoroughly enjoyed being on the football team for four years. We had many great coaches and I made lots of great friendships with my teammates. I also really enjoyed being a part of the MHS track team. Coach Crowley and Coach Rudloff, along with their staffs, were great to have as leaders of their teams.

I also have really enjoyed being a team manager for the boys’ basketball team over the last four years. Many thanks to the coaches: Gavin Softic, Wayne Hanscom, Dave Pliner, and Mike Giardi and his staff. I have known Mr. Giardi for about ten years. He has been a good role model for me.

I have been a member of two clubs that I really enjoyed. Best Buddies has been an awesome experience for me. I also spent parts of the last two years on the “Headlight” school newspaper staff. Mr. Higgins and the other members of the staff have been great to work with.

Mrs. Wales, who heads up the Transitional Program, has been my primary teacher over the last two years. She has taught me a lot about life skills and has helped me build my vocational and banking skills. Ms. Thornton, who heads up the Academic Skills Program, has helped me a lot in building my educational skills. As part of my academic program, I have had a number of opportunities for job internships over the last couple of years. I have been fortunate enough to work with Mr. Tarmey, the Athletic Director. I have learned a lot working with Mr. Tarmey and am very thankful to him for all the time I’ve spent learning how to be an athletic director. I’ve also spent a big part of my senior year working at the YMCA in Marblehead. Ricky Roland has been my job coach and I have also learned a lot from him. Additionally, I completed part of my senior project through working at National Grand Bank. I have loved working at the bank. The people I’ve worked with are such nice people. I got to work closely with Matt Martin, who I used to know through Youth Football. He has been wonderful to me! I am so thankful to Mr. Nye, who gave me the opportunity to work there. I will always have positive memories of the bank.

Some of the most important things I learned are dealing with stress, anxiety, and disappointment. I would like to thank Ms. Snow, who helped me in getting into Riverview School.

Through all these sports and clubs I have made many great friends. In particular: Dylan Cressy, Matt Millett, Crandall Maxwell, and Peter Tully have become great friends to me.

Based on all my experiences at Marblehead High School, I have learned things like to be on time for events, to be a team player, to accept change, to be a good friend, to work hard, and to always be nice to others.