Humans of St. Marks — The St. Marker

——By Rebecca Wu ‘21

Six exchange students from the Wittelsbacher Gymnasium in Munich, Germany —Salma, Carlotta, Valentin, Isabella, Daniel, and Georg—visit St. Mark's this spring. They have enjoyed their time in the United States and headed home to Germany on Monday, April 29.

I asked them each a couple of questions about themselves and their experience at St. Mark’s.

What do you like to do at home or at St. Mark’s?

Carlotta Havener: "I love singing and acting."

Valentin Fischer: "I like acting in a theater in Munich."

Georg von Poblotzki: “I like to swim, run, and play flute.”

Isabella Schepanek: “I like watching films and playing the guitar.”

Daniel Seitz: “I really like to do Fitness in the afternoon and I think that the classes at St. Mark’s are very interesting. I also like to chill with other students in the Center.”

Salma Boushib: “I like doing sports and hanging out with my friends. Also, it’s pretty fun to visit the musical rehearsals or to play four square.”

What is something that a lot of people don’t know about you?

Georg von Poblotzki: “I went to a Waldorf kindergarten."

Isabella Schepanek: "I started watching horror films at the age of 10."

Daniel Seitz: "Maybe some people don't know that I am very interested into basketball."

Salma Boushib: "I think a lot of people don’t know that I’m really into playing piano."

How is your school in Germany different from St. Mark's?

Carlotta Havener: "In our school, we have about 14 or 15 required subjects to take, and there are only language electives. Another difference is that we are not doing that much sports. We don't have sports every day.”

Valentin Fischer: " In Germany, we only have one art course to take, which is Music. Besides, we only do two hours of sports each week. "

What's your favorite tradition/ custom/ trend at St. Mark's so far?/ How do you feel about St. Mark’s?

Carlotta Havener: "I like the nice atmosphere here. "

Valentin Fischer: “I think St. Mark’s is really cool. I am sad that we are leaving soon.”

Georg von Poblotzki: "I like the kindness of all the people here."

Isabella Schepanek: "I like drinking starbuck's coffee in class :-)"

Daniel Seitz: "I really like the school meetings, because I think it is cool that the whole school meets to talk about new informations, and it also strengthens the cohesion."

Salma Boushib: "I like the school meetings and the ‘Hurrah’:) And everyone is nice to us! I had a really good time here!”

By Rebecca Wu ‘21

Ms. Verbeek came to St. Mark’s in 2016. She teaches FIT and works as the Executive Assistant and Data Analyst for the Assistant Head of School/Dean of Faculty and Dean of Academics. Her most important role, however, is as the parent of Keelie Verbeek ‘18 and Kerrie Verbeek ‘19.

Q: How does it feel to be both a St. Mark’s staff member and a St. Mark’s parent?

A: I like being a member of the St. Mark’s community as a staff member as well as a SM parent. It works out really well for me! I love getting to teach fitness here because it allows me to spend time with St. Mark’s students, which is absolutely my favorite part of the job. However, I’m not sure that I actually get to hang out with my daughters more than another SM parent since St. Mark’s students don’t usually end up having a lot of free time. But it’s a really happy coincidence when I see my girls passing by in the hallway or dining hall. It is a nice thing.

Q: Is there anything that you like to do with your daughters?

A: My favorite thing to do with my daughters is to watch them play soccer. I get the chance to watch them playing during a lot of St. Mark’s soccer games, and it is nice to be there and support them. That’s past tense for Keelie because she graduated last year, but I am still doing it this year with Kerrie. When we are not at school, say on weekends, we enjoy watching sporting events on television together.

Q: What advice would you give to parents of the new St. Markers?

A: I know that it is a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet with teachers and advisors during family weekend. I would also suggest talking to Mr. Vachris because he gives great parental advice. Those connections are really useful. I also think that St. Mark’s does an excellent job at posting photographs of all the different events on Smugmug. The interesting thing is even though I live in Southborough, I love looking at all those pictures. It makes me happy that no matter where the parents are, they are able to see their children’s pictures. Reading Dean’s Weekly and students’ publications, like The St. Marker and LEO, is also helpful. Parents can read about different events on campus and get to see students’ artwork. I just love all the opportunities that we have to know what’s going on on campus.