Falls Village student makes a mark at S. Kent School

KENT — Some students work incredibly hard during their senior year of high school. South Kent student Charles “Chip� Staats, a Falls Village native, seems to have been putting his all into his education for the entire four years.

His many accomplishments include being Senior Prefect, serving as a student representative on the school’s Master Planning Committee, writing for the school newspaper and being a member of the fourth- and fifth-form councils. Besides academic work, Staats also played varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

With all of these accomplishments during his time at South Kent School, it was no surprise that Staats was chosen to be one of the speakers at his own graduation ceremony on June 1.

Writing a speech to deliver in front of 51 of your peers might seem challenging, but it seemed as though Staats just spoke from the heart. He shared his thoughts on leaving the campus that he called his home for the past four years.

Staats went into detail on the three central components he learned at South Kent: integrity, respect and compassion.

“What I’ve learned in the classroom has been important, but I’ve learned far more important lessons from the teachers and my peers,� he explained. “Respect is what I’ve learned a great deal about in the classroom and on the playing field.�

The prize day ceremony began at 11 a.m. with each student being recognized by Headmaster Andrew Vandais. He writes a congratulatory note on each student’s diploma, and shares his insights on each student with the parents and families who are in attendance at the ceremony. A number of trophies were also given out.

Staats is the son of Charles and Carol Staats of Falls Village.

As an integral part of the school community, Staats also seems to have learned the lesson of respect and helping others.

“It’s often hard to slow down and identify with the needs of others,� said Staats. “But that is what we’ve been challenged to do.�

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