The 2008 WA Board of Visitors Annual Meeting brought together a diverse group of WA alumni, parents and parents of alumni, Worcester area community leaders and educators for a day of learning firsthand about what kind of school Worcester Academy is today - and its exciting plans for the future.

Visitors are appointed to serve two-year terms and are asked to attend the Annual Meetings, provide input, feedback, and support for a variety of programs on and off campus, and act as informed ambassadors for the school. More than 70 students, faculty, and administrators participated in the 2008 Board of Visitors Meeting!

Guests were treated to special tours of the newly-renovated Kingsley laboratories and saw firsthand how the new state-of-the-art lab classrooms and other renovations are being used to teach WA students "science for the 21st century."  Visitors also heard panels of students discussing their WA experiences and had lunch with student leaders.

The WA Academy Singers performed the music of Cole Porter '09, in honor of the 100th anniversary of Porter's graduation from WA. A student instrumental quartet also entertained the guests during the lunch.

The afternoon portion of the Board of Visitors annual meeting focused on the Academy's Strategic Plan. Small groups worked on crafting specific initiatives (events, programs, etc) on topics such as "Attracting, Retaining, and Sustaining diverse and Exemplary Faculty and Staff," "Strengthening Hilltopper Spirit," "Cultivating Community Partnerships to Enhance Student Learning," among others. The resulting initiatives will be used in the next steps of Strategic Planning this fall.

Convening Chair, Bob Weissman '58, closed the busy day by urging his fellow Visitors to become even more engaged and involved in the success of the Academy - through gifts of service, annual support, and support of the school's capital campaign efforts.

The day culminated with a reception at Abercrombie House for all participants.