Questing The Quest

By ELIZA CONRAD

At the Advanced Studies Program at St. Paul’s School, the majority of classes are self-explanatory. World Religions studies world religions and Shakespeare for Performance rehearses and performs Shakespeare. Not many ASP students, however, can define The Quest. Mary Beth Sareault of Milford, who takes Engineering, thinks “its one giant scavenger hunt for the meaning to life.”  Connor Harding of Central, who takes Shakespeare for Performance, believes “The Quest is for, like, something awesome.” Before classes started, students in the class did not even have a good idea of what they would be studying while at ASP. Student Maeve Dolan of Winnacunnet “knew nothing.” She took the course “because I wanted to find out.”

           
Even though this class still remains a mystery to many, Mr. Holding, who teaches one of the sections of the course, gives a general idea of what actually happens in the classroom. The Quest is a “literature course that focuses on the human condition and the search for meaning in life” as well as “a philosophical element”. There is a film component to Harding’s section, as he has a degree in film studies. Intern Victoria Sobocinski’s favorite aspect of class is the discussion among students. ASP “Questers”, however, have a favorite activity so far: the scavenger hunt.

On this hunt, the students were given a map of the St. Paul’s campus, but with each place having a different, Mesopotamian name. They also received a clue and had to find where it was directing them. After a series of steps, the students put together a section of writing. The passage was an excerpt from The Epic of Gilgamesh. Through this activity, The Quest students reenacted what the Mesopotamians had to do in order to put The Epic of Gilgamesh together.

           
Is this class all fun and scavenger hunts? Former students of The Quest, interns, and the teachers can see why this course is advantageous. Current House Supervisor Catie Cotton, a former Quest student, credits the course with putting “me outside her comfort zone” as she was more interested in math and science while in school. The Quest “helped me to read well, analyze well, and become more comfortable participating in class discussions.” Cotton was a history major and believes that The Quest helped her to become more comfortable with this major in college. Sobocinski took a course similar to the Quest in college. Holding knows that this course is beneficial especially for students at ASP because “ASP is a Quest”. This course discusses the sacrifices that people throughout history have made in order to gain wisdom even though “ignorance seems blissful.” According to Holding, Humanity strives to have more knowledge, even though “it will cause terrible pain.” This course presents lessons that “transcend time and place” says Holding. Even present Quest student Amanda Spiller of Portsmouth has heard from a former ASP student that the Quest “was the best experience.”

           
What is the Quest? Intern Sobocinski thinks that is “exploring the personal trials, tribulations, and successes of characters that any generation is able to relate to.” Student Dolan believes that “The Quest is a search for one’s self.” Some students have more of a mysterious take in the course. Student Christina Moreland of Rivendell says that the class “is a journey for knowledge and that can mean a lot of different things.” Like most of the people at ASP, Spiller’s answer is “I will let you know when I figure it out.”