Elle – 10th Grade – SAT
Hi everyone,
First off, I just want to say a huge thank you. Thank you to all the incredible people I’ve met here, and to everyone who’s played a part in making this experience something I’ll never forget.
When I first came to Kent, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I thought it would just be about studying and sitting in classes, but what I got was so much more. I met some of the most amazing people I’ve ever known, and I learned more about myself than I ever thought possible.
One of the biggest surprises for me was the phone situation. I came in worried about being disconnected, but it turned out to be one of the best things for me. Without my phone, I was able to really focus—both on my work and on the people around me. It allowed me to be more present, and I felt way more connected socially than I ever imagined.
And speaking of focus, I didn’t realize just how much I could push myself until I got here. I started with a 1200 SAT score, and now I’m looking at a score improvement to 1460 and a 1500 superscore. It wasn’t until I challenged myself that I realized what I was truly capable of—and that’s something I’ll carry with me long after I leave Kent.
I also want to thank Mrs. Joyce for giving me the incredible opportunity to be here at Kent. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
To all the kids here, thank you for helping me grow into a better version of myself. Each one of you has had a huge impact on my life, and I’m so thankful for the connections we’ve made.
So, to everyone here- thank you. To the students who pushed me to be better, to the counselors who guided me every step of the way, and to all the teachers who helped me realize what I’m capable of. This place, these people, and this experience… they’ve shaped me into someone I didn’t even know I could be. I’ll never forget it.
Thank you.
Eva – 9th Grade – SAT
“Dear Kent Prep, I hope this email finds you well. I’d like to inquire about your summer residential program.”
About four months ago, my dad and I sent off an email to Ms. Joyce, asking about her SAT/ACT summer residential program.
A week before my dad approached me with the proposal, I was on the brink of falling apart. My spirit was low, and my work ethic even lower. Finals week was approaching, and the dread alone left me in a deep slump. It was so bad that not even binging my favorite shows for hours was making me feel any better. After I had surpassed 16 hours of screen time in a day, my family started to get worried. By some miracle, my dad’s friend was in town. The friend told my dad all about this amazing program that his daughters had gone to, had loved, and my dad came back home with an idea. A couple of weeks later, we had scheduled a meeting with Ms. Joyce, and my family drove me to Queens with tentative hopes.
I walked into the interview room shaking, my palms sweaty. Ms. Joyce asked questions and I answered them, trying not to hyperventilate. An hour passed in a flash, and suddenly I was back in the car, my dad asking how the interview went. I responded with a shrug. Despite my noncommittal gesture, the interview had sparked curiosity in me. This camp sounded SO interesting, and I felt the familiar spark of testing anxiety start to grow in my stomach. “Please let me make a good impression.” Finals came and went, and the email made its way into my dad’s inbox. “Accepted.”
When I walked into the room during orientation, I felt so out of place. I tried so hard to assimilate that day it was embarrassing. Before coming here, whenever I felt it was necessary to make new friends in a new environment, I would give out compliments and favors like candy, just trying to get people to like me. Sure enough it worked, I’ve always had plenty of friends growing up. I was the epitome of a giver and I didn’t see anything wrong with it, even as it sucked the life out of me. However, within one week at this camp I soon realized that I didn’t need to force anything, if people liked me they would attempt to talk to me as much as I talked to them. I started to find what worked for me and what didn’t, whether it be studying methods, note taking, or social interactions. I’m grateful for so many of the campers here for encouraging me to be myself. In the future, I hope I can present myself, instead of a cheapened version designed to be agreeable. Kent has definitely changed my outlook on the world for the better.
Throughout this camp, I’ve only gotten more and more confident with each passing day. I’ve hit so many academic milestones, learned so many new things and have done so many memorable activities. Playing everything from blackjack to mafia with my friends, water rafting with my group and dancing with everyone during ballroom, I’ve made so many memories. All of these will stay with me, but what will stay with me longer are the friends I’ve made along the way.
Evana – 11th Grade – SAT
Good evening everyone. Firstly, I want to say how glad I am to be standing here in front of you. These few weeks have passed by too fast, in my opinion, so I’d like to start from the beginning. When I arrived at Kent, I was nervous that I wouldn’t find “my people”. I was scared that we would be absorbed into friend groups and that I might miss out on meeting everyone. When my dad dropped me off, I was so eager to meet new people that I didn’t even set up my bed until right before I went to sleep. However, this was my mistake. I was so focused on finding “my people”, people who were similar to me in every way, that I forgot that our differences bring us together. Kent is the perfect place for this. A place where like minded and goal oriented people can come together. Kent gave me the opportunity to work with these people- my peers. Being fully immersed into SAT work was overwhelming at first, but it comforted me to know that we were in this together. I did not believe I would get as much out of this as I did. I gained new perspectives and life long friendships with people from all over. And that’s exactly what makes Kent Prep, Kent Prep. The people build this camp and make it their own, and that’s exactly what we did. Another way Kent changed me was that it improved my attention to detail. With SAT, picking key words in the passages I read and applying grammar rules to questions I answered became natural. But I began to notice even more. I noticed the beautiful Manhattanville campus and the way the sun shone on the castle. I noticed the dandelions over the expansive lawns.
And most importantly, I noticed the beauty of the people surrounding me. Specifically, the qualities beyond materiality that make us so unique. How we differ in our reactions, our humor. How we work out problems and how we converse. I am so grateful to call you all my peers. And even more, my friends. I will forever cherish the qualities in all of you that make us different. So thank you, Ms. Joyce aka Mama Joy, for fostering the goodwill and joy in all of us. You found the determination in us and I will never forget the impact you have made. Your kindness and generosity has shown me the impact I want to make. Meeting ambassadors, for example, showed me what I could become and what it means to truly be a Kent Prep Cool Nerd. To my friends, you have all become my second home and I’ve started to feel like there is nothing more I need than this. But that’s not how it works. I’m excited to see where we all end up and I genuinely wish you all the best. Thank you.
Even – 11th Grade – SAT
Hi everyone, I’m delighted to stand at this podium. I can still remember the day I arrived; it was about 11 pm. Nick, Morgan, and Ms. Joyce brought me to my room because I hadn’t checked the stuff list; I didn’t bring my sheet, quilt, and pillow. The moment I saw the empty bed, I knew that I was cooked. This is my first time going to a camp in the U. S. Everything was unknown; I thought I was going to suffer through the camp. The second day, I was woken up by the
counselors, but I wasn’t prepared. I was afraid to talk to these “strangers” I’ve never met before, I thought I would be introverted as usual, put myself alone in a corner, avoiding communication, but as time went by, I realized that this camp isn’t a camp just for SAT, everyone was nice and caring, you guys taught me a lot of english, so I tried to show the “actual” me. I started to be “touchy” and talkative, and I am really happy to show “me” to you guys, because we are not
only classmates anymore, we are “friends”. During class, everyone was locked in, so I also tried my best. For me, reading was just a way to make my parents happy, but when I started to read with Ms. Joyce, I started to enjoy reading; it isn’t a “punishment” anymore, it’s a new way to learn. My score improved, and my study habits changed. When I was lazy, the counselors and classmates told me to keep going. I also loved the jeopardy, everyone was fighting for their teams, at this moment, winning or losing doesn’t matter anymore, it’s more about passion and friendship. In this atmosphere, phones aren’t that important anymore. I also experienced cultural differences, but all of you understood and respected my culture. Although Ms. Joyce doesn’t
want this speech to be a thank-you speech, I still appreciate that you guys can appear in my life, you brought me happiness, you brought me SAT confidence, and you changed my life. Thank you! 我爱你们! (bow).
Grant – 10th Grade – SAT
Good evening, everyone.
Coming here was a completely new experience for me. I’ve never been away from home for this long, and to be honest, at the beginning, I felt inexperienced, unaware, and completely unprepared for what was ahead. I wasn’t sure what to expect — besides the testing, the studying, and the morning runs — and I was afraid I wouldn’t fit in. But I’m sure we all felt the same way. After these few weeks, I can confidently say that this camp has been more than just a test prep program — it’s been a place where I’ve grown, not just as a student, but as a person. Being around everyone here has taught me so much. Whether you knew it or not you have all influenced me. You’ve taught me that you don’t have to constantly prove yourself to everyone around you. That success isn’t about chasing other people’s approval — it’s about being proud of the effort you put in and the person you’re becoming. I’ve learned to do your best, be yourself, and work for what you want — because no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. This camp builds character. It pushes you — in the classroom, during testing, in exercise, and in life — to reach for your full potential. When I look back on my academic growth over the past few weeks, I’m honestly proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve learned new test-taking strategies that have helped improve my score, and I’ve changed how I think about tests entirely. From self-affirmations, to applying pacing techniques, and reading strategies. I’ve truly gained SAT confidence in my ability to improve. I really want to say thank you Mrs. Joyce, for giving me this opportunity. Being here at Kent Prep has been an incredible gift, one I’ll never forget. You believed in me and helped me to improve my reading as long as helping all of us become better versions of ourselves and I’m truly grateful. But not everything we did here was academic. Some of my favorite experiences came from the outside of the class. I have really enjoyed the activities here like kickboxing, fencing, white water rafting, and our recent New York trip. I’ve truly enjoyed our table talks at breakfast, lunch and dinner and playing BS in the lounge. Vocabeardy was probably the best competitive experience I have had here and I am thankful for my time here. So, as we all get ready to go our separate ways, I know we’re taking more than just improved test scores with us. We’re taking friendships and memories. I’m excited to see where life takes each of us after this, and I’m proud to have been part of this camp with you. Thank you all so much — for being part of my experience, for inspiring me, and for making these four weeks unforgettable.
Thank you.
Gwen – 12th Grade – SAT
Hello everyone,
I can’t believe we’ve already reached the last day of camp. The past 3 weeks have gone by so fast and I’ve made so many memories. Thank you to all the staff members at Kent and to everyone here who made this camp such a great experience.
I feel a lot more confident about taking tests now and I surprised myself a lot by waking up every day and studying. I can take the work ethic I built and apply it to so many other aspects of my life.
I’m very thankful for all the people I’ve met and friends I’ve made. I didn’t expect to form such close bonds with people in less than a month. Not having my phone in my pocket all day really forced everyone to socialize and I’m grateful for not having that distraction. It really showed me how much time there is in a day.
I also felt very motivated by everyone around me and as a group we pushed each other to improve every day. There was a perfect balance of work and fun inside and outside of class.
So, thank you again to everyone who made this experience so memorable. Go Nixors.
Haley – 9th Grade – SAT
I’ve been a pupil at Kent Prep for as long as I can remember. I’ve lived under the fluorescent lights that hummed as I took my pretests. My siblings and I were all little ducklings that waddled in and out of Kent. Joy, you’re next here [look at camera]. Growing up around the smartest kids in New York, I internalized that my complete potential would never reach as high as my peers. However, it’s safe to say that this camp has taught me the opposite.
I initially had no desire to come to this camp. I ended my school year more addicted to caffeine than I am now. I wanted to lock away and take a break from it all. Despite this sentiment, I came to this camp with the gut feeling that I could finally set things straight for myself. Whether that would be my sleep schedule or my ACT score, I was hoping to get some confidence for myself and SAT Confidence The first week had turned into two. The rest of the month had seemingly snapped instantly.
I would not have seen change in myself if it wasn’t for the turmoil. Waking up at the crack of dawn and running myself into a delirious state was a tedious task I trudged through for the first days. Prior to camp, I was insecure about running since leaving my track team. However, the struggle made me appreciate running for what it is and the energy it gave me for the day. Through the sweat and grime, I was encouraged everyday by our collective struggle in the beaming light of dawn.
In hardship, you all were willing to lend a hand through the grit. I’ve learned from here that companionship is crucial for success. There is no shame in asking for help because we are all playing the same game. The confidence that others had for me propelled me to show my very best. Whether I won or lost, you guys would still pat my back and stick with me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your humor, acceptance, and passion.
In the end, there will always be an opportunity to get up and make the right change. It doesn’t matter when you wake up at 4am or 4pm, it is still the start of your day. And if nothing goes right, you all are privileged enough to have a new day tomorrow.
I’m only 14 and I’m well aware that this is just the very beginning. I don’t think that there is a limit to human potential with the support of others.
It is only an upward hill from here but life is not the myth of Sisyphus because you are rolling that boulder with your friends and family. There is hope for a luminous sunset at the top of the hill. Be kind. Hug your parents. Thank YOU.
Jason – 11th Grade – SAT
Good evening everyone. I don’t wish to take up much time with this speech, so I will keep this fairly brief. Hopefully just above the two minute mark.
It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t a tad bit scared the day I arrived at Kent; this camp has been the longest period of time I’ve ever spent away from home. Nevertheless, it feels as if this camp started just yesterday.
I’ve made so many unforgettable memories over the course of these last four weeks that went by in a blur, and I’m thankful for all of them. What makes this camp special isn’t the beauty of the campus, or the improved scores on mock exams, or the bacon, egg, and cheeses Walter made when we didn’t feel like eating upstairs. No, what makes this camp special is the fellow prefects I was able to bond with and make memories with that I’ll cherish fondly.
My favorite part of my day during the school year isn’t leaving; it’s lunch time, because I have an hour to spend with my closest friends. Every day here felt like lunch time. I have learned so much about all of you and I was beyond delighted to learn that many people here shared similar interests to my own. In doing so, I was able to exercise my passions like never before with confidence that was fueled by everyone’s encouragement. You would have never seen my singing in the stairwells at school or even in the confines of my own home, but I think it’s about time I changed that.
Being able to sing in front of you all wasn’t the moment my apprehension diminished. The day I truly felt at home was when I first gave Marco a back massage during breakfast and he absolutely melted. It should be a given that a camp like this would naturally cause many of us to build internal tension and stress from the morning exercise, classes, and mock exams; however, there should always be a moment where one can release the tightness in their shoulders. I’m glad to have been that moment for many of you throughout our time together, especially the counsellors. I hope I was able to make a lasting impression on all of you and made your time at this camp more bearable. If any of you are in the Jersey area in the future, don’t be afraid to text me if you want to link up. I’ll always be down to catch up over a coffee and offer a back massage. With that, I believe that’s my two minutes. Thank you.
Lorenzo – 11th Grade – SAT
When I first got to Kent Prep, I was nervous. I didn’t know anyone, and I wasn’t sure if I’d fit in. The idea of spending the whole summer at a camp with strangers seemed a little intimidating. But, looking back now, I can honestly say that my time there changed me in ways I didn’t expect. It wasn’t just about the activities or the fun moments—it was about the people I met and the lessons I learned that I’ll carry with me forever.
The friendships I made at Kent Prep are some of the things I’ll cherish most. At the start, I was pretty shy and unsure of how to approach people. But as time went on, I realized that everyone was feeling the same way, and that made it easier to open up. We all had our ups and downs, but the connections we formed were real and supportive. Whether it was having long conversations late at night, laughing at inside jokes, or just sharing quiet moments, I learned the importance of being there for each other. Those bonds helped me realize that it’s okay to rely on others and that true friendship means supporting each other no matter what.
The activities were another big part of the experience. Some of them, like white water rafting or the intense Jeopardy-style games, were totally new to me and honestly a little intimidating at first. But with the support of my friends and the encouragement of the counselors, I pushed myself to try them. And some of those moments ended up being the most memorable and rewarding. There’s something about tackling rapids with your group or thinking fast under pressure during a game that brings out a different side of you. I realized I was capable of more than I thought, and that feeling stuck with me long after the camp ended. It reminded me that growth happens when you lean into the challenge.
What stands out to me, though, is how Kent Prep gave me the space to reflect and grow as a person. I’ve always been the type of person who rushes through things, but the time I had there taught me how important it is to slow down and take a step back. I found myself asking questions about what matters to me and how I want to live my life. It wasn’t just about learning new skills—it was about learning more about who I am and what I want to bring into the world.
There were moments when I felt out of place or unsure of myself, but those moments taught me so much. I realized that it’s okay to feel vulnerable and that asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It made me stronger because it helped me build the courage to keep going, even when things were tough. I left Kent Prep feeling more confident, more connected to others, and more in tune with myself.
Looking back, my time at Kent Prep wasn’t just about having fun or crossing things off a list—it was a journey of personal growth. The friends I made, the challenges I faced, and the time I spent reflecting on what matters most all helped shape me into a better person. It’s wild to think about how much I changed in just a few weeks, but I know I’m not the same person I was when I arrived. And for that, I’m grateful.
Melisa – 12th Grade – SAT
Having to come to an SAT prep camp this summer was definitely not something on my 2025 bucket list and to be honest I was dreading the day that I would come here to spend hours prepping for the SAT, live far away from home, meet new people and spend 4 weeks without my phone. I was forced to leave my comfort zone and survive without my daily 4-5 hours of screen time. But looking back now, stepping out of my comfort zone turned out to be one of the maybe best things I’ve ever done.
The first week was definitely the hardest. Everything felt so new and overwhelming. And I’ll never forget the first night of classes when we got so much homework that we all had to stay up until past bed time doing math and ofc cant forget all the times when i would cram memorizing 35 vocab words right in time for dinner. All the nights I would reminisce about how long yet short the days are and eventually I started to realize how much I’m going to miss this
One of the biggest challenges for me was being without my phone. I’ll be honest—I thought I’d hate it. But as the weeks went on, I started appreciating it more. I had time to actually focus on things—whether it was studying, hanging out with new friends, or just being present. Not being glued to my screen forced me to connect with the people around me on a much deeper level than I would’ve expected. I started seeing and feeling the value and joy of living in the moment.
Moreover, I don’t remember a single day when I didn’t have a smile on my face, when I wasn’t dying laughing with my friends over the dumbest things ever and never have I ever I felt alone. Stepping out of my comfort zone I met all of you guys, the people who I know I can always rely on, the people whom I can trust and the people whom I will always be able to call my second home.
As the times flew by and I looked back ,I realized this wasn’t just about prepping for the SAT. It was about learning how to face challenges and how overcoming them is how you grow as a person. So thank you to all of you for making this summer one I’ll never forget. And a special thank you to Ms.Joyce (aka mama joy) for choosing me to be a part of the 2025 Kent prep community. Thank you.
Oscar – 12th Grade – SAT
Everyone’s looking extra good today.
It’s a little hard to believe that we’re already at the end of camp. These past four weeks have been packed with long days, full schedules, and more ACT practice than most people would think is humanly possible. But through it all, I’ve come out on the other side better than I was when I started.
Ten full-length mock exams. Six hours a day of class, drills, studying, and strategy. On top of that—waking up at 6 a.m. every morning to run. And no, that never got easier. But strangely enough, I’m actually grateful for it. That structure, that routine, forced discipline into our lives in a way that I know is going to stay with me far beyond this camp.
I’ve grown a lot here—not just in how I take a test, but in how I approach work, pressure, and people. At first, I wasn’t fully locked in. I kind of coasted. But somewhere along the way, I started trying harder. I started taking it seriously. And for the first time, I saw real progress. The ACT isn’t easy—but it’s starting to feel more manageable. I still have work to do, but now I actually believe I can get where I want to be.
One of the best parts of camp was being surrounded by so many smart, motivated, and ambitious people. It pushed me to raise my own standards. The energy here—the way people focus, compete, and still support each other—it’s rare. And it made me better.
I’ve made some amazing friends. I’ve seen friendships turn into something more. I’ve had conversations that made me think differently. I’ve laughed harder than I expected to.
The excursions gave us a breath of fresh air—rafting was chaotic in the best way, and the New York City trip was a highlight for sure. Having that kind of independence again, even for a day, reminded me of who I am outside of just studying.
Now, full honesty—I didn’t exactly breeze through camp drama-free. I picked up two strikes along the way. Strike one: the phones. Yes, I had four. Yes, they found them. No, they didn’t find all of them. Strike two I’ll just say it was immature.
And through all of that, someone chose to see the good in me. Mrs. Joyce—words don’t really do justice to the gratitude I feel. You showed me compassion when I didn’t necessarily earn it. You didn’t just keep me here—you believed in me. That kind of grace and trust changed the way I saw myself. You’re a remarkable person, and I hope you know how much that meant.
This camp wasn’t just about test prep—it was about building habits, pushing past limits, and learning who we are when things get hard. And I’m walking away stronger for it.
To my counselors, my classmates, my friends—thank you for making this intense journey not just bearable, but meaningful.
And hey—if I can survive four weeks of 6 a.m. runs, hidden phones, and living with Nick, I think we’re all ready for whatever comes next. Let’s crush that ACT or SAT, and whatever else life throws our way!
Thank you!
Ryu – 12th Grade – SAT
My first encounter with Kent Prep was about four months ago. At that time, I was asking ChatGPT about SAT camps in the US. I kept telling it again and again that I wanted to bump up my SAT score and that I needed to change my routine, mindset, and motivation in order to reach my goal: entering the University of Tokyo, studying economics, and eventually joining a Japanese general trading company. Finally, it recommended Kent Prep to me. When I saw the reply, I realized that Kent Prep was exactly what I was looking for, and I filled out the form right away. Fortunately, I was accepted into the camp, and now here I am, standing in front of you giving this speech.
The reason I emphasized changing my routine, mindset, and motivation is because, even though those three things are the key to achieving anything, they were terrible before I came here. I had been getting lazy—especially when it came to studying. I don’t want to make excuses, but I’m pretty sure that the environment in rural Canada influenced me a lot, where people live for today, not for the future. Living there made me realize how powerful the environment surrounding me is. Back in Japan, I could study for hours without much effort because everyone around me was doing the same thing. But in Canada, my biggest challenge has been studying when no one else is.
These four weeks at Kent Prep were long enough to reset myself by removing my bad habits. No phones; exercising every morning; talking to new friends from different backgrounds; learning vocabs every single day. Could you have done all of this at home before coming here? At least for me, I don’t think I could have. But I did it for four weeks, because every event here strengthened the connections between us. For example, we helped each other so much—whether it was catching up on math problems or passing the vocab tests. And Even, I’m pretty sure I woke you up several times during the mock tests, didn’t I?
These strong connections created an environment where we could build steady and healthy routines, a strong mindset to keep improving, and a firm motivation to move forward.
Even if we live hundreds or even thousands of miles apart, I truly believe we can keep this environment alive online forever.
Now, when I go back to Canada, I want to be the one studying even when no one else is. And I know I can do it—because I have all of you.
Thank you.
Sara – 12th Grade – SAT
Hello All,
I am so glad to have been able to experience this opportunity with y’all. Everyone told me that the month would fly by, and after the first week I didn’t realize how right they were. As someone who has never really done summer camps or long sleepaway camps, and as someone who is an only child, I never realized how much it would change my worldview to be able to hang out with kids my age and meet others outside of school. Not only that, to be able to meet these people in an entire new country and environment outside of Doha. Fortunately and unfortunately for me, I’ve moved around a lot, which meant a lot of hellos but also just as many goodbyes. I hope that the people I’ve had the pleasure to meet here will be able to be continuously in my life, even if we’re half a world away from each other.
To my counselors, I know this speech is not supposed to be one of thanks but I want to shine a spotlight on how hard y’all have worked. As someone who’s room is right next door to the office and common area, I’ve heard it all. Don’t worry not anything bad or personal (the walls aren’t that thin), but I’ve heard how late you guys stay up meeting and planning on how to make tomorrow better, I’ve heard how early you wake up to make sure we’re ready for the day, and I’ve also heard how each one of you makes sure that we’re always happy, whether that is making someones Birthday extra special or letting us sleep in a couple extra hours. Even when you yourselves are tired or having a bad day, y’all are always willing to play an extra game of Frisbee or make sure our exams are going well.
Being trapped in a bubble of scores and grades winds you up, it did to me at least, and a lot of lessons that I learnt a long time ago or that I forgot going into high school. Thanks to this camp and the people who’ve made this experience possible, I’ve relearned them. Y’all have inspired me to keep on going and contributing to the world around me. I’m proud to be a Kent Prep Cool Nerd now. Thank you.
Tayo – 11th Grade – SAT
Good evening, everyone.
The Kent Program has been a monumental chapter in my life and honestly, it’s hard to put into words how much it has truly shaped me not just as a student, but as a person.
When I first came into this program, I had an idea of what to expect. Sure, I knew it was going to challenge me. I knew there would be sacrifices like no phones and long hours of hard work and of course, I knew it would help me grow in ways I couldn’t even anticipate. But what I didn’t expect was the confidence I’d gain–the belief that, no matter what, I can genuinely do anything I set my mind to.
There were moments when I felt frustrated. I was putting in the work, but still, some things didn’t make sense right away and even to this day some things still don’t make sense. I didn’t see the results I wanted especially when it came to my scores. It was honestly very emotional seeing others progress faster than I was and sometimes I let it take the best of me after taking the mocks. But over time, I realized something. It wasn’t about racing against anyone else. It was about pushing myself, working harder, and embracing the process, even if it meant putting in double, triple, or quadruple the effort. no matter how many times it takes to reach the stars.
And that realization that I have to work more than twice as hard as everyone else changed everything for me. I stopped looking at others and started focusing on my own growth. Now, I’m not just hoping for progress; I’m actively pursuing it and creating it. I’m ready to put that energy into everything I do when I get back home after this; not just the SATs, but every other aspect of my life.
Beyond the academic lessons, though, what really stood out was the people. The counselors here, sharing their personal stories and how they overcame their own challenges, gave me a sense of perspective I hadn’t considered before. Then the advice from people like Mrs. Joyce on college and the future. The relationships I’ve built with everyone here have shown me what it means to surround myself with people who are pushing or have pushed for greatness, people who inspire me to be better. These genuine interactions are what have truly driven me forward and given me clarity on who I want to be and who I want by my side as I grow up.
To everyone in this program, I just want to say I love you guys. You have all made a lasting impact on me and for that, I’ll be forever grateful. This program, this camp, was the moment I finally seized the day and truly embraced the opportunity to become a closer step to the best version of myself.
Thank you.
William – 12th Grade – SAT
Hello, and good evening everybody. For anyone who doesn’t know, my name is William, and I am a returning student at Kent Prep. Before I start, I just wanted to say thank you to Ms. Joyce for allowing me to come back for another year and improve my SAT score. When coming to Kent Prep for the second time, I thought that nothing much would change. I thought that it would be just like last year. I couldn’t have been more wrong. When walking into orientation, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I saw new faces everywhere I looked. Nothing felt familiar at all.
After talking to the people around me, I realized how different this year was going to be. There were more people, and they came from places all over the world. At first, I was a little intimidated. It felt like everyone had already formed their groups, and I wasn’t sure if I’d fit in. But after a few days, I found myself striking up conversations with people I’d never spoken to before. It started out simple, like who got the highest math score on the mock test. But after a while, it turned into a crazy topic about whether or not cream cheese on sushi was OK. Call me crazy, but I don’t think it’s that bad. The point is that after a week, I made brand new and exciting people who are now called my friends.
Thank you so much for listening, and have a good night.
