Page 118 - 2013 Vestige

Wood Britton
Four years ago, I spoke of college and graduation as if it were some sort of incomprehensible dream and here I am, twenty six days before that day, writing my final statement of gratitude to the incredible community that makes up the Virginia Episcopal School. First off, I have to thank Mr. Battle for giving me the opportunity to succeed when no other school would. I have been given the chance to pursue any career that I choose and for that I am truly grateful. To my teachers, I am forever in debt to the sincere dedication that y'all have put forth to guide me towards the full stature of manhood (of course I have a significant amount of growing left ahead, but I am sure y'all get the gist). To Laf and Chandler, I see both of you as true friends to me, and not only buddies, but as people I look up to and admire. Mrs. Watson, I know I only worked with you during my junior year, but I cannot express how much you did for me. Mr. McCormick, you are incredibly dear to me and I will never be able to repay what you have done for me at this school. You are the true southern gentleman and have been an incredible role model for me here, and for the rest of my life. Coach Jones and Mrs. Jones and Coach Ross, I love y'all a whole lot and cannot wait to see y'all soon (and don't be surprised when I show up with a bunch of my buddies looking for bologna sandwiches one day). Mr. Garmey, should you ever end up going to Hawaii, please bring me a coconut (or whatever they eat there) and always remember to wear your coat on Tuesdays. Mr. Knebel, I know I like to joke around, but your class has inspired me to write, in hopes of being a columnist for Field & Stream as a side career. Thank you so much for that. Lee, although this isn't goodbye forever, I can't say that it won't be different without you next year. We have had a whole lot of great times and have ended our time here at VES with a relationship that is no less than that of brothers. Beez, and Bouddan, I will absolutely miss the free periods/sleepless nights on dorm, dhs, the ridiculous laughter that has come out of our conversations, and all of our outrageous antics. I can't wait for Team Fromunda to meet again, and keep leakin'. I love y'all and truly hope for the best for each of you. Doug, you are a different breed man, but I have to say I will really miss the Barrels and Bails trips out to Pond Chamberlin and the danger zone, good luck brother. Phil, it's been awesome this year, to think we went from never speaking a word to great friends is incredible. See you soon brother. To my other brothers: Caleb, Spencer, Logen, Wyatt, and Nic, keep on rockin', it's been an incredible year with y'all. Kelvin, I would never have thought that you would be my roommate next year, but obviously we have become pretty good friends because I wouldn't normally tell a squid that I would miss him. To all my underclass friends here I have to give a shout out, as I hope that we will see each other again soon: FE, CJ, AS, HC, DD, MG, JR. And to the entire Snowshoe crew: Cupp Run 2014. I am also formally handing the presidential torch of the Barrels and Bails club to Beez, don't let me down. And to the rest of the VES community, I hope each of you appreciates this school as much as I do, and hope that you can leave this place with confidence, knowing that you are prepared to take on the world. Thank you VES for giving me this opportunity, as I am forever in debt. I can't wait to return and will hold this place close to my heart for the rest of my life. Thank you.
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Chris Childress