Marika Clark Class - of 1988

I had the good fortune of attending Gould Academy my junior and senior year. Gould gave me the stability and structure I needed that I was not getting at the public school I had previously attended. In public school I was just a number and I never felt like I fit in socially. In addition, although I excelled in some subjects, I struggled with others. Prior to Gould, I was never able to receive the one-on-one attention that I needed to set me up for success. In addition, due to the fact that I felt like I didn't fit in socially, I never participated in organized sports or clubs. Somehow, I knew in my heart, Gould was where I needed to be. 

 

Fortunately, Gould's Endowed Scholarship Program made a private education attainable for me and I was able to attend the school. And, under the care of my advisors, teachers, coaches and other support staff, I thrived at Gould academically and socially. Additionally, for the first time in my life I participated in extracurricular activities and I had a wonderful experience! I learned to ski and later volunteered for the Rug Rat Program. I played my first team sport and absolutely fell in love with lacrosse, and the Outing Club and the Four Point Program took my love for the outdoors to a new level. And, I cherished the time when the small group of horse lovers went riding with Mrs. Owen. This small group of riders was the beginning of what would later become Gould's equestrian program.

 

Campus life at Gould was also a wonderful experience for me. I loved the sense of community and how safe I felt there and was grateful for the structure and stability it provided for me. I formed many close and life-long relationships with fellow students and staff that I will always cherish. Still, 36 years later, there is rarely a week that goes by in my life that I don't have contact with someone from my amazing Gould family. 

 

Attending Gould Academy was truly a life changing experience for me and one that I will always hold close to my heart. Gould truly shaped me into the person I am today and I credit a significant amount of my personal and professional successes to the education and life skills I learned there, as well as the strong relationships that I made while at the school. I want other young people to have the same wonderful experience I did at Gould which is why I have included Gould and its endowment program in my estate.