The Sanford School Department is starting an Alumni Spotlight to feature graduates who have made strides in their careers, contributed to their communities, or achieved personal milestones. We want to hear from you. Fill out our form to be considered for our Alumni Spotlight feature (click here). Selected spotlights will be featured on our social media channels and district newsletter, inspiring current students and fellow alumni alike.This spotlight features 2011 graduate Daniel Norwood.
What is your current occupation?
Domestic Violence Advocate and Town of Acton Selectperson
How did your experiences at Sanford help you reach your education and/or professional goals?
SHS offered many hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom and through numerous extra-curricular activities. Clubs such as Mock Trial, Young Adults Against Dating Abuse, The Civil Rights Team, and Key Club all gave me valuable life lessons and skills that I still utilize today on a regular basis. They showed me my passions, how to work alongside people from all walks of life, be an engaged member of my community, and advocate for what I know to be right.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned as a student at Sanford?
Failure is inevitable. We will all fail, but regardless of whether you fail or succeed, you should always be true to yourself. I ran for class president every conceivable time. Time after time, I lost until my senior year. When that announcement came over the intercom that I had won, the victory was sweet, but the proudest moment was all my peers and classmates coming up to me afterward and telling me why they voted for me. Each of them commented how they noticed that every time I lost an election, it didn’t impact my work; they continued to see me working at homecoming and prom, volunteering to do whatever I could for our class, and how they felt that I had earned the chance to serve as our class president. I stayed true to who I was and my classmates saw that.
What was your fondest memory during your time at Sanford?
I always find these sorts of questions to be difficult to answer. Was it the early morning waiting in the cafeteria with my fellow Acton students talking about American Idol and Twilight? Perhaps it was the beginning work to change the school mascot, being elected Class President or the many lifelong friendships I have developed today? No, I can honestly say that I look back at my entire SHS career fondly because those highs and lows all led me to the careers I currently find myself in and to becoming the person I am today.
Is there anyone in particular who had a significant impact on you during your time at Sanford? Please share who and how he/she made a difference in your life.
During my time at SHS I was very fortunate to have some truly great educators. However, two have stood out amongst the rest and have had a lasting impact on my life even to this day. Nancy Kane, who was my AP Literature and Creative Writing teacher, and Heidi Whitney, who served as my Honors English and Advisory teacher, not only encouraged me to go after my dreams and supported me when things were going well, but they were there for me when times got tough. I had a rough Junior year, and both of these teachers took the time to check in with me and my parents and see that something was off. I wasn’t just a number or another student to them; they treated me as a person and made me feel seen and understood. It is the kindness and caring that they showed me during one of the toughest times in my school career and even life, that I value. I take that feeling of being seen and heard and try to do the same when working with students. I strive to pass on those same lessons, to make those I work with feel more than just a face in a crowd and for them to know that I care and am there for them just like those two made me feel all those years ago.
What advice do you have for current Sanford students?
Sanford is a wonderful city in which to live. Many may find that our life’s journey may lead us back here again. Others may find that their journey may take them to different cities, states, and countries. No matter where your journey takes you, always remember that you are part of a large global community, and it is going to take each and every one of us being involved, active, and engaged members of our communities, wherever that may be, to create a truly beautiful and safe world for all to live in.