By Katie Curran, Editor-In-Chief
I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Whalley, Sturgis East’s IB Chemistry teacher. In honor of Veterans Day, I asked him about his experience in the Marines and beyond. I appreciate him taking the time to answer these thoughtful questions below. Sturgis thanks Mr. Whalley for his service!
Describe your experience in the Marines:
“I went to college for two years as a Bio major and decided that I didn't want to be there … I knew I was likely to be drafted so I joined the Marines. I was in the Marines for three years 1968-1971. I was in California for a year, Viet Nam for a year and my last year was served in South Carolina. For me, it was a very maturing experience. [It was] sort of like taking a "Gap" three years. I went back to college and had no problem focusing on my school work.”
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
“I was lucky in that I did not have any friends who died in Viet Nam. I did have friends, fellow Marines, that died later from causes related to our time in Viet Nam. On Veterans Day I think and reflect on our service together even more that I usually do. So for me, it is a time to think about service, friends and relationships.”
What is the most important thing high schoolers should know about Veterans Day?
“We live in an amazing country. There are many ways to show our appreciation: military service, volunteering and activism are among a few. Veterans Day is the day to show appreciation for those who chose the military.”
After the Marines, how did you become involved in high school science?
“Growing up I was always a science geek. I did chemistry experiments at home. [I] enjoyed my science classes in high school. That is why I started out as a bio major.
When I got out of the Marines I still wanted to be involved in science and was interested in teaching. I had some great science teachers at Salem State and later at Fitchburg State. I started out as an Earth Science teacher, teaching Geology and Astronomy. Along the way, I taught Biology and later Chemistry. For the last seven years I have been at Sturgis and now teach IB Chemistry. Teaching has been a great career which I still enjoy.”
Describe your experience in the Marines:
“I went to college for two years as a Bio major and decided that I didn't want to be there … I knew I was likely to be drafted so I joined the Marines. I was in the Marines for three years 1968-1971. I was in California for a year, Viet Nam for a year and my last year was served in South Carolina. For me, it was a very maturing experience. [It was] sort of like taking a "Gap" three years. I went back to college and had no problem focusing on my school work.”
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
“I was lucky in that I did not have any friends who died in Viet Nam. I did have friends, fellow Marines, that died later from causes related to our time in Viet Nam. On Veterans Day I think and reflect on our service together even more that I usually do. So for me, it is a time to think about service, friends and relationships.”
What is the most important thing high schoolers should know about Veterans Day?
“We live in an amazing country. There are many ways to show our appreciation: military service, volunteering and activism are among a few. Veterans Day is the day to show appreciation for those who chose the military.”
After the Marines, how did you become involved in high school science?
“Growing up I was always a science geek. I did chemistry experiments at home. [I] enjoyed my science classes in high school. That is why I started out as a bio major.
When I got out of the Marines I still wanted to be involved in science and was interested in teaching. I had some great science teachers at Salem State and later at Fitchburg State. I started out as an Earth Science teacher, teaching Geology and Astronomy. Along the way, I taught Biology and later Chemistry. For the last seven years I have been at Sturgis and now teach IB Chemistry. Teaching has been a great career which I still enjoy.”
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