How Tyburn shaped who I am
Tyburn’s academic and faith formation really helped me shape into the person I am today. This led me to getting many excellent scholarship offers for college.
For the last five years, I have spent most of my mornings at Tyburn Academy. School starts at 7:50 a.m., but I usually arrive a few minutes late, not because I dislike school, but because I tend to oversleep. However, since I got my driver's license, I have made an effort to get to school on time. Although Tyburn is a small school, it is very lively in the morning before classes start. Despite waking up only a few hours earlier, most of the students go about the hallways with seemingly infinite energy. I am mostly still asleep, but seeing them so energetic usually wakes me up.
Guiseppe with his friends Ashton and Isaac at Filmore Glen
Tyburn offers several school-wide events that set the tone for the year. The Filmore Glen hike, which is held just weeks after school starts, helps everyone bond with each other in nature. The hike brings the entire student body together and reminds us that our friendship extends beyond the classroom.
Academically, Tyburn has always encouraged me to grow and improve. Classes are demanding but enjoyable, and because the school is small, teachers can actually notice when you’re struggling, and they can help you. For example, Calculus, which is a college level class, is not easy, but the teacher’s enthusiasm makes the material surprisingly enjoyable. Teachers at Tyburn really like to teach, so they try to go above and beyond to the point where they don’t simply teach, but they also challenge you to think differently. Thanks to the school's smaller size, teachers can know us on a personal level, and even the strictest teachers somehow manage to slip in encouragement between reminders to tuck in our shirts or get into our school uniform. However, what really stands out at Tyburn isn’t just the academics but also the strong sense of community. Because Tyburn is smaller, you get to know everyone on a deeper level. Because of this, the students are really close with each other, and it is rare not to become friends with everyone after a while.
Faith is found everywhere at Tyburn. In theology class, especially in moral theology, which I am taking this year, we study real world situations and issues through the lens of Faith. On the last bell of Wednesday, Tyburn holds a short Mass. The sunlight streams into our small chapel and it is a really good way to relax after a long day of studying. Mass is relaxing, calming, and even for those who are not very religious, a break from the rush of the day. Every year, we have 2 school retreats where we play games and discuss our faith. It is pretty fun to play games with the entire school, and the retreats always make me remember important parts of my faith, reconnecting me with God.
Tyburn students attend weekly mass in our St. Albert the Great Chapel
One of my favorite parts of Tyburn is the focus on helping our community. Every student is required to complete 20 hours of community service; although it might seem like a lot, the school gives plenty of opportunities to reach that number. One can help at a school event, do some volunteering with your classmates, or even help organizations such as the Commons on St. Anthony Street. These experiences teach leadership in helping others, which is a fundamental requirement for many college scholarships.
Faith and academics at Tyburn shaped me in ways I never expected. Together, they helped me grow in virtue and character. By the end of each day, I am tired but also fulfilled. Every day at Tyburn teaches me not only what I study but also about leadership and responsibility.
These experiences have also opened doors for my future. The leadership skills, academic preparation from challenging courses, and personal growth shaped by Tyburn’s faith-centered environment helped me earn several college scholarships. Some of them include: Rochester Institute of Technology for $96,000, Elmira College for $88,000, Clarkson University for $100,000, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for $120,000. Tyburn didn’t only teach me academics, but it has also prepared me for the future.
Giuseppe Labaro is a native of Italy and senior at Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate.