Landmark Stories

Derek's Remarkable Journey

For Derek C. ‘24, the day we met was an important one. After many years of preparation and dedication to the Boy Scouts, he was waiting to hear if he was to become an Eagle Scout. Spoiler alert: He passed his interview and is now an Eagle Scout!  

Ask anyone who knows Derek, and you’ll learn he’s many things: an athlete, a team captain, a trusted friend and advisor, and an ambitious dreamer who seems to be able to create his own future. Derek’s journey to Landmark began well before his family even heard of the School. When Derek was about 8 years old, he became a fan of the show Zoey 101, which depicted teenage life at a California boarding school. Derek was drawn to the sense of community among the students, the seaside setting, and the freedom and challenges of boarding school. Fast-forward to middle school when Derek was diagnosed with dyslexia, he could be found Googling “best schools for dyslexia” and came across Landmark School—and was boarding here two years later.  

Why Derek Loves Boarding

Though Derek’s family lives about one hour from Landmark, he lives on campus during the school year. Yes, the daily commute would be a challenge for his family but we also know Derek dreamed of boarding at our seaside school. And here he is. Derek has many reasons for choosing to board at Landmark, most of all he says “I like being around different people—it gives me a chance to mature at an accelerated level.”  Derek says his residence hall is “like a home” and he’s grateful to have a roommate who shares his high organizational and design standards.  

On the weekends, Derek can be found at the beach, eating out with other students, or traveling to Boston for the day. He sometimes takes an Uber to Boston with friends and learns to use the T to get around the city. He also likes being on the road with Landmark staff. “Traveling on weekend trips with the teachers humanizes them. Sometimes we go to their favorite restaurants or sites and I learn something about them. Those are the best days,” he says. Derek also comments on the diversity of his friendships at Landmark, “living on campus forces you to relate to different people—I have friends that don’t always agree with me but we make it work.”  

Derek’s Top 5 Weekend Activities

1. Visiting Boston with friends 
2. Going thrifting 
3. Beach trips
4. Exploring new places with teachers who know the area
5. Getting coffee 

Prepared for the Future

After graduation, Derek wants to enter the hospitality field, so what’s he dreaming up next? Let’s ask Google. Derek searched for the “best hospitality schools in the world” and learned that Switzerland’s Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) takes the prize. So, this summer, he took a week-long Introduction to Hospitality course at EHL in Switzerland. I ask Derek how he’s feeling about traveling so far from home, and he said “It’s going to be great, it’s part of my dream.”  

Derek sets lofty goals for himself—becoming an Eagle Scout, living abroad, and excelling at Landmark School.

We can’t wait to see what Derek dreams up next!

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Living at Landmark

Students who board at Landmark High School live, learn, and thrive with peers from around the country and the globe. Landmark quickly becomes a second home and housemates become family.

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