Category: Grayson Fuller

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Grayson Fuller

My name is Grayson Fuller. I am a senior from Woodford County. Before my time at the Academy, I was an active member of Key Club, Academic Team, some after school tutoring programs, and a Tenor I in my school’s a capella group. After hearing about it in the eighth grade, I knew Gatton was where I wanted to go. I was already passionate about biology, chemistry, and mathematics, so the STEM aspects of the school appealed to me. Also, having never felt that classes moved quickly enough, I thought that going to Gatton would give me the chance I needed to accelerate in my studies.

When I arrived, Gatton was everything I hoped for and more. Classes were fast paced and rigorous. The people were awesome. We had access to some of the coolest academic opportunities: research, study abroad, eligibility for nationally competitive undergraduate scholarships. Study abroad is the opportunity the Academy provides that I love to rave about. I have traveled to both Costa Rica and England with my peers. The two trips, while vastly different from one another, were some of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. I gained A LOT of independence from things like attempting to purchase fruit at a grocery store where the owner speaks no English and navigating the London tube system on my own (well, with a few other peers with me). What I gained from study abroad was invaluable to my development both as a student and as a person.

Reflecting upon my experiences from junior year, my experiences were remarkable! The friends I made here helped remove any doubts or fears I had when coming into the Academy. My seniors, who have since graduated, gave me the wisdom and know-how I needed to succeed and enjoy my Academy experience. As we usher in the new junior class, I hope to serve as the guide I needed when I was in their shoes.

Grayson Fuller

By: Grayson Fuller

Today we departed from Harlaxton Manor and headed to the small town of Keighley. Here we boarded a steam train which carried us to the village of Haworth. The village seems to be in a constant state of rain and cold, and we quickly sought shelter in Haworth Church to await our tour. In small groups, we left the church to tour the parsonage that the Brontë sisters grew up in. Here we saw where the sisters conducted the majority of their writing. Also, we saw some of the original pieces of literature the sisters produced, written in the minuscule script that was characteristic of all the Brontë sisters.

 

After departing the parsonage, we began our walk through the moors. These stark, tranquil hills served to give us insight into how Emily Brontë illustrated them in her novel Wuthering Heights. On our trek, we experienced not only the beauty of the moors, but also the difficulty of having to climb them. This opportunity afforded us tremendous understanding of the characters in Emily Brontë’s aforementioned novel, allowing us to personally relate to Catherine and Heathcliff and to experience a work of literature in a way that few can.

Grayson Fuller

By: Grayson Fuller

Today, we departed from Nutford House in Westminster to travel to Chawton Village and the city of Winchester. Upon arriving at Chawton, we proceeded to tour the cottage in which Jane Austen wrote many of her novels. After this, we toured the grounds of the Knight Estate, where Austen’s cottage was located.  Following the tour of the Estate, we visited St. Nicholas Church and the adjoining cemetery. Buried here are both Mrs. Austen, Jane’s Mother, and Cassandra Austen, Jane’s sister.

Next up on the itinerary was a trip to Winchester.  We arrived at Winchester Cathedral, inside which Jane Austen is interred. The Cathedral was in the process of arranging things for the Jane Austen Memorial service to be held the next day on the 200th anniversary of her death. We left the Cathedral to walk along the path frequented by John Keats during his time here in Winchester. Following this peaceful walk, we arrived at the Hospital of St. Cross and, without touring the grounds, departed back to Nutford House.