Interview with Hudson College Alum, Joana Xavier
- Name
Joana Xavier - Grades (year)
Gr. 8 - Gr. 12 - University (major)
Brock University (Kinesiology ) - Gender
Female - Enrolment
Homestay student - Job/Career
Still in school
Joana, an alumnus of Hudson College, reflects on a supportive, inclusive environment where personalized attention, diverse opportunities, and a strong community helped her grow academically, socially, and personally, fostering confidence and lifelong connections.
Highlights from the interview
- What I most appreciate about Hudson College is how they saw potential in me from the beginning. I appreciate how welcoming the community and staff were from start to finish, and all the opportunities I was given to grow in every aspect of my life. I appreciate their patience when I didn’t speak English and their recognition of my achievements and improvements.What I most appreciate about Hudson College is how they saw potential in me from the beginning. I appreciate how welcoming the community and staff were from start to finish, and all the opportunities I was given to grow in every aspect of my life. I appreciate their patience when I didn’t speak English and their recognition of my achievements and improvements.
My experience at Hudson taught me that I am capable of achieving anything I put my mind and effort into.
Hudson stood out because of its personalized attention to each individual’s needs. With smaller class sizes, it was easier for teachers to tailor their approach to different personal needs.
Hudson also felt complete because it offered opportunities for people with different interests. Academics were fun, sports were exciting to participate in, and there were different clubs and roles for students to explore or simply enjoy what they loved.
One thing I remember most is how the motto “Be yourself. Be anything.” truly holds in the Hudson community, shown through how accepting everyone was of individual differences.
Some of the core values at Hudson include respect, care, support, and community involvement. The staff and students were always respectful to each other, and the staff was incredibly supportive, tailoring their attention to each individual’s needs.
The community was engaging, and the teaching style encouraged participation. The house system and annual awards motivated students to do their best. I looked forward to going to school every day, which isn’t common for elementary or high school students.
I felt welcomed, safe, happy, and constantly improving. I discovered interests and abilities I had never known I had. Hudson gave me the confidence and support to become the person I am today, and I am so grateful for that.
I always appreciated my time at Hudson and miss the people and the closeness of the community.
From my experience, Hudson cares for each individual’s needs, provides countless opportunities for community involvement, and helps students enjoy school. These factors make the learning experience much more memorable.
