Class of 2017
Academy
Williamsburg
Kylie Marie Nelson
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
-Robert Frost
You know those tough decision that need to be made, that no one wants to make? I’ve had a lot of those in my life. We all have. Lucky for me, Williamsburg was one of those choices. It was something completely out of my comfort zone. I was terrified. But it looked like a really cool school, and I wanted to try it. So I did.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have had the best educational experience; better than I ever could have imagined. Being a Burger means hard work. It takes a lot of effort. I have had endless hours of brain-frying work, some sleepless nights, and many full of tears and a feeling of defeat. But because of the dedication of amazing mentors and a lot of hard work and dedication on my part, being a Williamsburger has become one of the most fulfilling things I have ever been a part of. I would never trade that for anything.
I have learned so much more than I ever thought I would, or even initially wanted to. I now have amazing mentors that I have grown close to. I know they are always there for me. I can always look up to them. I have met some of my very best friends through Williamsburg Academy. Some have come and gone, and others are still very much a huge part of my life. But all of them have affected me in one way or another.
If I could leave one piece of advice for all Williamsburg's, it would be this. Be dedicated. Really, truly dedicated. Don’t look at your education as a burden, but as an opportunity. It’s your life. You can do great things with it if you put your mind to it. Nelson Mandela once said, “There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Another thing. Your mentors really do care about you, even if you think they are torturing you with endless homework or crazy assignments. All they want is for you to succeed.
Also. Do. Not. Procrastinate. Use your SAR. Be efficient. I can’t tell you how much of a difference it makes.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said this: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” I love this quote. I think it very accurately portrays Williamsburg and what we, as Burgers, stand for. Williamsburg is not a school that is easy. No one ever said that it would be. There would be no point if it was easy. Burgers are different. Out of the ordinary. People who feel like there is more to life than dragging themselves through a meaningless education and working a mediocre job for the rest of their lives. People who want to make a difference in the world. Individuals who want to learn how to lead and become great leaders. As Burgers, we “...go where there is no path and leave a trail..”. We are becoming who we are meant to be.
Some of my plans for the future include attending college and receiving a bachelor's degree in Music Therapy, possibly serving an LDS mission, and when the time is right, getting married in the temple and raising a family of my own. This is an exciting, yet terrifying, journey to begin. I am so thankful for Williamsburg and my friends and family. They have helped to prepare me for life. I don’t know where I would be without all of you. Thank you for that.
Long story short, I am Kylie Nelson. Otherwise known as Ky, Smiley, Ky-ky, Marie, Jojo, Goose, Sky, Smiley Kylie, and other various names ranging from, “Hey you!” to Kaylee, Haylee, etc. I will usually answer to any of them. I am a perfectionist. I am an aspiring musician, lover of photography, art, and all things music. A bookworm. I like meeting new people and making friends. I love long summer days. I love going on an occasional spontaneous adventure. I love learning. I can’t help it. Some would call me a nerd. I am random. I love making people smile. I love my friends, family, and my religion. I am a Burger.
