What Has Greenhouse Meant to Me? A senior’s perspective from the class of 2022
Luke Schoff
When I started attending Greenhouse, so many years ago, I had no clue what would be in store for me. Being the homeschooler I was, I didn’t have many friends; and it didn’t help that I was pretty awkward too. Even at church there was always a bit of a disconnect between me and the other kids my age, mostly because many of them went to the same school. To top it all off, I had really bad anxiety as a kid whenever I was separated from my parents. Little league games were the scenes of numerous panic attacks, my eyes frantically darting to ensure me that my parents hadn’t suddenly abandoned me. Needless to say, going out with a bunch of strangers, all day long, once a week wasn’t the most thrilling idea. Meeting my class for the first time put my fears to rest. I was welcomed into conversation so easily; and my first day was a blast. It was then that I realized that Greenhouse was going to be the highlight of my week for the remainder of my time there.
My first year came and went. The next year, due to some scheduling issues, I had to switch classes to another day. I was welcomed into the new class; and life continued like it had for the last year. I still had fun in my classes; but my quiet nature proved to get the better of me. I didn’t want to admit that I was just really shy, so I told myself I wasn’t talking because I didn’t want to. I almost never engaged in conversation with others, but instead waited for people to talk to me. This, of course, didn’t do much for me, and I started to feel lonely again. At first I didn’t mind, but as time passed, it started to get to me. In 8th grade, I was invited to an end-of-the-year class party. At the party I had so much fun playing games and talking with the rest of my class. This gave me hope, hope that in rhetoric I could finally come out of my shell and make good memories.
When I started rhetoric I knew I’d have to make an effort to get closer with my class. Slowly but surely, I started attending more class events, such as our monthly FORT get-togethers and R@R gatherings for all rhetoric students. As time passed, I took note of the wonderful examples I was constantly surrounded by. It is because of that that I still feel truly connected with my faith. The joy which Greenhouse provided me inspired me to work as a classroom assistant for the school. That decision showed me how fun it can be to help others. Sadly, COVID gave that year a strange ending; but as sophomore year started, I somehow felt just as connected to my class if not more. Junior year was really when a serious difference was made. Every week was as fun as when I had started at Greenhouse, and I always looked forward to talking with my friends.
Coming into this Senior year, I feel like a different person than who I was when I started at Greenhouse. Even though I had to switch to a new class, that didn’t change me at all. Throughout the course of the year I’ve started to feel as close to my new classmates as I do to my previous class. This year I’ve made an effort to attend every FORT and every R@R. I volunteered as a shepherd for the Grammar 2 students’ play; and it was honestly one of the highlights of my year. With the teachers, the classmates, and the entire community, Greenhouse has helped me to be someone I’m proud of: someone who loves to help others, someone who loves to learn, someone who loves to hang out with his friends. Greenhouse is the reason why I am who I am, and I could not thank it enough for the blessings it has provided me. So what does Greenhouse mean to me? Everything.
About the Inger Hanus Memorial Gift for Seniors
Inger Hanus was a home-schooling mom who got involved in the Greenhouse back in 2006. She loved everything Greenhouse had to offer: the classical curriculum, plays, art shows and the wax museums. Inger loved the staff and families of Greenhouse as well, with many families becoming lifelong friends. Inger went to be with the Lord in 2012. The Inger Hanus Memorial gift was created to remember Inger and her love for the Greenhouse. The gift is awarded each year to a student finishing their high school career whose life was positively impacted by being part of this community.