"My pursuit of higher education unquestionably began at the Academy," says Steve Stanton '94, who is now in his second year at the University of Michigan working towards a Ph.D. in Psychology.

Steve came to The Grosse Pointe Academy as a first grader. "I was an only child and my parents wanted to give me a good start," he explains. "They looked at a variety of schools in the Grosse Pointe area. I think one thing that impressed them was the long period of tenure so many of the faculty members had. All the teachers were very established and my parents were impressed with their dedication. Many of them were at the Academy for their entire careers. This was something my parents grew to appreciate."

Steve developed strong relationships with many of his teachers during his eight years at the Academy and recalls some of his fondest memories, like beating then Headmaster Sid DuPont in golf by one stroke when he was in eighth grade ("I still have the score card," Steve says. "I considered it one of my greatest accomplishments of my young life!") and racing honors math teacher Scott Tily in completing a quiz.

Steve still keeps in touch with many of his teachers. During a recent visit, he planned a holiday dinner with Marion Chrisner, who was not only his music teacher for eight years, but also gave him private piano lessons. He also helps out with Mike Fultz's Academy Adventures summer trips whenever possible. "I didn't go on the trips when I was a student," Steve admits, "but I have more than made up for it with the number of trips I have gone on since!"

Steve refers to Mr. Fultz as "a good cheerleader in all aspects. He gets kids enthusiastic not just about science, but about sports and his outdoor trips as well." Steve enjoyed six years of science with Mr. Fultz, culminating with sixth grade biology.

 "The Academy is incredibly good at fostering interest in academics," Steve affirms. "I am in a field now that is firmly rooted in science, and it all started in sixth grade biology and eighth grade honors chemistry."

Steve believes that his teachers "fostered the idea that it's okay to be pushed hard, and that when you are pushed and do well, it's all the more rewarding. Learning to be pushed to that extreme has carried over into the rest of my educational experience as well."

Upon graduating from the Academy, Steve went on to attend Grosse Pointe South High School. "I can say with certainty that when you graduate from the Academy, you are prepared for high school," Steve says. In fact, while the honors classes at South were challenging, particularly in the upper grades, "it was nothing like the challenges I faced at the Academy." He went on to attend the University of Michigan, where he received a B.A. in Psychology and Economics.

 "The Academy is a wonderful place to get eight plus years of being nurtured academically but in a way that really cultivates a desire to challenge yourself," says Steve. "I can vouch for myself and other people I know from my class and other grades that it is something that really does last."