Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School sailboat club members Sydney Lundin, clockwise from front right, Jody Huie, Gaby Astacio and Tedy Hofman, and their club’s advisor, science teacher Abbie Sewall, pose with the boat they built throughout the course of the past school year. Anna Gustafson/The Forum Newsgroup
A group of students from Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School in Forest Hills charted new waters last week when they launched the boat they built from scratch into the Hudson River.
Twelve students – seventh- through ninth-graders who are all members of the school’s recently founded boat building club – constructed the 7.5-foot structure, dubbed Nautical Nonsense, over the course of the past year with the help of their group’s adviser, science teacher Abbie Sewall, and Brooklyn Boatworks, a nonprofit that works with schools throughout the city.
“I was really nervous on the way to the Hudson, but once we got there it was really exciting to see it sail,” said Tedy Hofman, 12.
Evolving from novice boat builders who had never given much thought to craft at all to handy workers who handily used plywood and lofting tools to create Nautical Nonsense, the students said they were delighted, and even a little surprised, at what they learned throughout the year.
“At first I unsure about it, but I thought I’d give it a try,” said Jody Huie, 13. “As it went on, I learned how much I actually enjoyed it, and I learned I was quite skilled at it.”
Gaby Astacio, 13, said being in the club helped teach the members skills that will last far beyond the confines of the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School.
“We learned teamwork – a willingness to work with other people – which you’ll definitely need in the future,” Astacio said.
Sydney Lundin, 13, said the hours spent molding plywood into what became a two-person boat with a rudder and a sail was inspiring – and made her realize that she “loved to build.”
“You learn a lot more about yourself doing this,” Lundin said. “This was new for me, and if you keep trying new things, you’ll learn more about who you are.”
Club members – who learned about the New York Harbor and the history of sailing during their building sessions – agreed that they’d like to continue sailing, and this summer Huie pointed out that club members will have a chance to take sailing lessons through Brooklyn Boatworks.
As for further out on the horizon? The students said they’d love to do something even more adventurous – everyone agreed they wouldn’t hesitate to jump on a sailboat for a round-the-world excursion.
Sewall emphasized the club members’ growth she witnessed during the year.
“The kids’ confidence, their ability to believe in themselves, really grew,” Sewall said. “I’m really proud of them.”
By Anna Gustafson
