Dear Prospective Parents,
Our journey began in 1997 when our son announced, "I am going to Burke!" He was eleven, and thus we quickly dismissed this statement. Our family's exposure to ski racing began with his participation in a weekend racing program. In his mind, he had already identified Burke Mountain Academy as being the academy – chasing those young Burkies to the finish every Sunday during the season had made an impression. Our intent with ski racing was to create a love for the sport, and to generate a family activity we would all enjoy during the long Vermont winters. Little did we know how correct he was; he would eventually attend Burke. For our family, Burke was the perfect placement.
How did we end up loving Burke? A few years passed from that initial exclamation. We continued to observe his love for ski racing. We also observed a child who did not fit our middle school system in a variety of ways. With high school looming on the horizon, combined with his continued exclamation, "I'm going to Burke!" and our lack of confidence in the district, we decided to find an educational experience that would nurture the whole child. The dilemma was that we had absolutely no intention of relinquishing our parental responsibilities. The thought of letting him go at an early age was overwhelming. As we progressed down the Burke path, two conflicting points of view became clear. Were we going to be selfish and keep him at home, or would we give him the gift of following his passion? To move forward, these questions needed to be resolved.
Burke was our final stop on our school tour of both traditional prep schools and ski academies, much to the dismay of our son. He continued throughout our search to reiterate the theme begun several years prior, "Why are you wasting our time? I'm going to Burke!" We were still were not convinced. Upon our arrival at Burke on a rainy, raw, early April day, we immediately felt a sense of welcome. The sense of community and warmth emanated from everyone we met. Slowly our anxiety seemed to have eased. If we were going to send our son away, to follow his passion, it must be to a place capable of nurturing his emotional, physical, and academic needs. Burke was the fit we were looking for.
During our school search process, it was important to find a school who shared the values we were instilling upon our children. As we looked deeper into Burke, the school's values and ours were a close match. Trust, honor, respect and courtesy create the foundation at Burke. The responsibility of personal commitment becomes the responsibility of the individual. The expectations are clear. Each individual must live up to the standard of respect, and contribute to the vigor and honesty of the entire Burke community. The reward is a supportive community, where hard work and commitment to athletics, academics and community is held in the highest regard. These experiences would prepare our son for life beyond Burke.
The emotional pangs never really eased in our four years of leaving our son at Burke each fall. Perhaps that is how we are wired. What we did see was a young man who continued to grow. His skiing was the catalyst that inspired him as a learner. It encouraged a work ethic driven by his passion; supported by the entire Burke community, which in turn instilled the value of hard work, of trust, and of honesty. Burke provided a valuable life long learning experience and one, which he continues to emulate beyond his graduation from Burke. Was this one of the hardest decisions we have had to make as parents? Yes. Was it the best gift we ever gave our son? Yes.
As a family, we continue to be part of Burke. Our son, like many Burke graduates, returns to BMA whenever the opportunity is there. As alumni parents we know Burke is not for everyone. Those that do choose the Burke path are rewarded with memorable experiences – from international travel, to late night bonfires, to high intensity training weeks, to academic excellence, and to the Green Mountain Run, all of which contribute to a wonderful preparation for life beyond Burke.
Sincerely,
Skip Flinn and Mardi Young
Parents of Graham Flinn
Class of 2004
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