Author: General Admin

  • Kyle Wainwright Memorial

    Kyle Wainwright Memorial

    This weekend we celebrated the life and beautiful spirit of Kyle Wainwright, who died tragically at age 15.  Kyle was a former student, co-led a cycling mini-course in the spring, and was a dearly loved member of our community.  Below is just a sampling of the outpouring of support on social media:

    So far away and feeling the pain that is the reality of today in Monteverde. That light of Kyle, walking in rubber boots down the trailsKyle4 with Mark, listening to Machillo’s big brother advice, a smiling baby rocking in his mother Patri’s arms. My love to each of them and to his buddies who I imagine don’t know what to do with their grief. And to the community that is still bathed in his light. Life just doesn’t get harder than this. RIP Kylito you are forever young.

     

    La mágica montaña de Monteverde… Hoy está de luto. Una vez más. .. Se siente la tristeza en este pueblo. La montaña está llorando. La comunidad está dolida pero sin duda muy unida. Bien es cierto lo que escuche … Los que decidimos vivir acá, escogemos una vida diferente. En la que nuestros hijos puedan ser libres, salvajes y seguros. Crecer en un ambiente de paz y de amor. Bien es cierto que vivimos en fusión absoluta con la naturaleza donde hay precipicios, los árboles se caen, tenemos escorpiones y culebras … Aquí, La naturaleza nos habla y nos enseña!
    Es una forma de vida… Que escogemos y que amamos.
    Hoy mi gente está de luto, mis amigos están con gran dolor, mis hijos por primera vez nos escuchan a su papá y a mí hablándoles de la cruda realidad de la vida… Experimentándola en su propio camino… Con la cruda realidad de un niño… Mi hijo expresa su reacción en shock con los ojos bien abiertos y una pequeña lágrima y un silencio absoluto, Mi hija grita y llora expresando su rabia , pero si era tan solo un niño!!! Si… Tan solo un niño…Los niños de esta montaña están impactados y la tierra sorprendentemente se expresa una vez más… Con una imparable lluvia mojando cada rincón, y lavando cada lágrima de este pueblo. No puedo explicar el dolor de mi gente, no puedo explicar el dolor de perder un hijo, arrebatado de su vida en tan solo un segundo.

    Kyle, brother, childhood best friend, Sequoyah’s other half. Kyle3You were so sweet, so kind, so loving. You had so much life left to live, so much joy left to spread. You and my brother had the same passion for biking and that made you guys inseparable. You had a spot in me and my family’s house and hearts. I will never forget you and all the memories we have created over the many years of friendship. Our lives will never be the same again. You will be missed deeply and fiercely for the rest of our lives.

    Un gran joven a partido de este mundo, Kyle muchas gracias por la amistad que nos diste, quedará en mí esos recuerdos de lo que compartimos, nunca se me olvidara el sábado antes de la final que fuiste vos el que nos ayudó a marcar la pista y lo que vacilamos.

     

    Although we only knew each other for a short while, Kyle you were a pleasure to be around and an amazing guy.  My feelings go out to all of your family and friends who have to endure such terrible news. Kyle, I and this world are going to miss you buddy. Rest well.

     

    Dear Kyle, I grieve for your family, Mark and Patricia and Mark your brother, who are suffering the unimaginable. I grieve for my son, who has lost his dearest friend. I grieve for the entire community of Monteverde who will not again experience the warmth of your smile. I grieve for all who knew you and loved you, for I know there are countless who mourn your loss tonight beyond these mountains and beyond these borders.

    I know you didn’t mean to leave us. I know it was an accident. A terrible, crushing, heart wrenching accident. And I suspect, if I allow myself, that we will see you again. Perhaps we will find you in an evening star that shines a little brighter or a rainbow that glows with more intensity. Perhaps you will become part of our forests and watch over your friends as they ride the trails, you so frequently rode together.  Regardless of where or how, your spirit and your friendship will remain a part of us all. –  Deb O.

    Kyle2

    Q mala noticia! Era toda una promesa de este deporte…no se me olvida que siempre hablabamos al terminar las etapas y siempre pasaba a saludar! Que mala nota….que en paz descanse!

     

    Kyle, I’m going to miss you so bad. We had great and bad times in our childhood and we have great friends! I remember you passing by the house, bothering you, and playing with our good friends! Miss you honey. See you soon!  Always in everyones heart.

     

    Demasiado triste al recibir la noticia de que Kyle ya no está con nosotros, aunque tengo poco de conocerlo sé que es un excelente corredor y un gran amigo, que en paz descanse y condolencias a la familia!

     

    Families will need to be supported for the long haul.  But that’s what our mountaintop knows what to do – to hold each other.

     

    En mi familia hicimos una ceremonia por kyle… Mi hijo llevo una moto de lego y prometió vivir al máximo, Mi hija llevo Flores y prometió siempre creer en la magia y la felicidad, yo prendí una candela, prendí cedro y prometí abrazar y amar a mis hijos todos los días de nuestras vidas … Valorar y agradecer sus bellezas e inocencias a todos momentos…. Así como también seguir abrazando y dando todo nuestro amor a los que amamos…. Porque esta vida es preciosa , pero arrebata… Y es ahí cuando entramos en perspectiva de lo que realmente importa…
    Mi pueblo está de luto y yo lo apoyo… Porque es en momentos así donde me agarro fuerte de esta comunidad tan alucinante y de esta magia de la montaña, y es aquí donde despierto y recuerdo que siempre hay cosas más importantes que lo que uno esté pasando… Es aquí donde quiero abrazar y amar con todo mi ser…. Es aquí donde el sentimiento más puro de amor y apoyo nos recuerda … Porque vivimos. Porque nacimos. Y porque seguimos aprendiendo…. Fuerza mi pueblo!

    Kyle5

  • Andrea’s Farewell Poem

    Andrea’s Farewell Poem

    As a parting gift, outgoing English teacher Andrea Folds shared this poem at the final assembly, describing every single student she taught (Grades 5-12):

    They say to get your message through, best to put it in a song.
    Humans have short attention spans, and rhyming helps them drag along.

    So here it is kids listen up, your teacher’s speakin straight
    Forget your teenage insecurities, and believe me when I tell you, you’re great.

    Sure roll your eyes and yawn and slouch, pull out your phone, that’s fine.
    But these words will still sneak in  and linger in the back of your mind.

    I see you morning day and night, both at your best and worst
    I hear you gossip, flirt and fight, I hear you bless and curse

    So I speak with no illusions of your seeming innocence
    You’re teenagers I’m well aware, victims of adolescence

    Despite all this, for some strange reason, I actually really like you.
    So I made a song of all the things that I think best describe you.

    Alden gets the subtle jokes
    Ale keeps kids alive
    Angel brings the counterpoint
    Angelee does a happy jive

    Angelina floats above it all
    Annalisse holds it all together
    Anthony’s a walking almanac
    Ayen laughs at all human endeavors
    Andrea Folds reciting poem
    Camila’s earnest
    Cata’s feisty
    Cristina’s the future president
    Cyrus keeps a perfect poker face
    Dani’s artista in residence.

    The other Dani has a secret joke with life
    Diego has a secret everything
    Elena’s sarcasm cuts like a knife
    Eli has the driest wisecraking.

    Emma bakes like Martha did before prison
    Ernesto orchestrates wiles
    Estesiy kindly calls you out when you err
    Fabi intuits with ease through her trials.

    Fabian fabricates
    Fio enamors, and
    Francis can stick draw the universe
    Ga deftly legislates
    Galen keeps going, and
    Gilbert’s a human in blank verse.

    Grace plays for team wins
    Gudi pro tinkers, and
    Izzy’s supremely confusing,
    Jean Ca keeps cheer up
    Jose Pablo dodges me, and
    Josue does it all with fine swing.

    Laura is thoughtful
    Liam’s big picture
    Luis is a house full of mirrors
    Monica’s patient
    MP is still pro, and
    Nahomi’s a renaissance thinker.

    Nahual is naughty, there’s no other word, and
    Pablo is just as mischievous.
    Riley’s a go-getter,
    Ryan’s a love letter, and
    Samir is abstractly frictionless.

    Sara is wisdom,
    Sebas integrity
    Sequoyah a stop-motion camera.
    Sierra’s a peace-maker
    Suyen a care-taker
    Swatty a galloping Samurai.

    Tara scribes beyond her years
    Tati inks new worlds
    Thony has never been bored in his life
    Zekiah’s an orange flag unfurled.

    There you go that’s everyone, now I’ve proven that I know you.
    So for the love of god, take my word when I say
    That even though you kids take years off my life, like a decade so far
    I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

    Monteverde Friends School all-student photo April 2016

  • Synchronized Swimming in Costa Rica

    Synchronized Swimming in Costa Rica

    [et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

    On the list of most-seached-for terms on Google, Syncronized Swimming in Costa Rica rarely shows up.  But it reared it’s gloriously ridiculous head at the final assembly of Monteverde Friends School.  Our illustrious teachers and staff drew much laughter and appreciation, as did each class performance of plays, music and other creativity.

    We’ve already shared beautiful photos of the Grade 12 graduation and the Grade 6 graduation, but here are just some fun photos of the rest of the closing of our 2015/16 school year.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”3673,3674,3675,3676,3677,3678,3679,3680,3681,3682,3683,3684,3685,3686,3687,3688,3689,3690,3691,3692,3693,3694,3695,3696,3697,3698,3699,3700,3701,3702,3703,3704″ gallery_orderby=”rand” fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” auto_speed=”3800″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_all_caps=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Grade 6 Graduation

    Grade 6 Graduation

    [et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

    For a 12-year-old in Costa Rica, graduating from “Primeria” to “Collegio” is a major life milestone.  Last week we celebrated our grade 6 class in the last-day assembly, as well as a dinner party for families and another surprise party for departing teacher Emanuel Hemsi.

    As with the grade 12’s, the ceremony made clear the important role that the entire community plays in educating these fine young students.  Teachers, parents, extended family, the Quaker meeting, the School Committee, administration, friends… all were thanked and applauded.  We also applaud that all these students have chosen to continue their education at our school, with the exception of two whose families are moving back to the U.S.

    Please enjoy these photos of the graduation ceremony.  I wish we could also share the beautiful reflections that their teacher Emanuel presented about each student, and the warm embrace that the full meeting house shared in their applause.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”3632,3633,3634,3635,3636,3637,3638,3639,3640,3641,3642,3643,3644,3645,3646,3647,3648″ fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_all_caps=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” auto_speed=”4000″] [/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Grad 2016

    Grad 2016

    [et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]

    Tears, inspiration, family, transition, fear, excitement – graduation is a whole lifetime of experience and emotion wrapped into one magical day.

    On Saturday, we honoured 6 outstanding young men and women as they prepare to move on from our precious school community onto whatever path they choose next.  They each spoke of how important this school, this community, their friends and their family have been in their journey thus far, and we spoke of how we believe they have learned far more than just the basic academics they’ll need at University.  We believe that each one of them has learned the value of community, of being a good person and a lifelong learner.  One community member observed:

    Los discursos de los graduados me parecieron excelentes, demuestran una vez mas que los exámenes de bachillerato están casi sobrando. Fueron discursos emotivos, inteligentes, adornados incluso incluso con citas de Aristoteles y de Walt Whitman, en los que ademas reconocen todo lo importante que ha sido la escuela y su filosofía para la formación de cada uno.

    I thought the graduation speeches were excellent, demonstrating once again that the final exams are almost superfluous. They were intelligent, emotional speeches, even adorned with quotes from Aristotle and Walt Whitman, in which one could see how important the school and its philosophy has been for the formation (education) of each student.”

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”3595,3600,3601,3602,3597,3598,3596,3599,3609,3620,3621,3603,3604,3605,3606,3607,3608,3610,3611,3612,3613,3614,3615,3616,3617,3619″ fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” auto_speed=”4500″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” caption_all_caps=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]