Winter Week of Wisdom and Wonder
It is not every week that students find themselves carving spoons beside a fire, building full-scale furniture out of cardboard, analyzing the physics of space travel through film, or designing and riding their own skateboards. Those moments unfold during the Winter Week of Wisdom and Wonder, Miller School of Albemarle’s January short-course program that pauses the regular academic schedule and invites students into a different kind of learning.
Now in its seventeenth year, WWOWW remains one of the school’s most distinctive traditions. Each January, students return from winter break to a slate of short courses designed and taught by faculty members who bring their interests, expertise, and curiosity directly into the classroom. While the structure of the week remains constant, the courses themselves change each year, shaped by new ideas and fresh perspectives.
Before winter break, students select two courses from a catalogue modeled after college registration. The result is a week that feels intentionally different. Courses span intellectual inquiry, creative expression, physical challenge, and hands-on experimentation, offering students the chance to explore subjects that fall outside the boundaries of the traditional curriculum.
This year’s offerings reflected both intellectual range and creative ambition. In A Walk in the Woods, Mr. Celella led students through reflective hikes inspired by Bill Bryson’s writing, using the natural landscape as a starting point for observation and inquiry. Mr. Magee’s Basket Weaving course transformed reeds and natural materials into functional objects.
Several courses centered on play, strategy, and collaboration. Mr. Adeline’s Board Games and Ms. Landseadel’s Dungeons & Dragons filled quickly, offering students opportunities to think creatively, negotiate rules, and build shared narratives. In Mock Trial, Mr. Troyer invited students to put fairy-tale characters on trial, sharpening critical thinking and public speaking skills through imaginative legal scenarios.
Hands-on making was a hallmark of the week. Ms. Zito and Mr. Kotol guided students through Cardboard Furniture, where basic construction techniques and design thinking resulted in full-size, functional pieces. In Paper Making and Book Binding, Ms. Thomas combined sustainability and craft.
Other courses invited students to engage deeply with history, culture, and the arts. Dr. Caddell’s Taylor Swift Studies: An Eras Tour applied critical analysis to music and popular culture. In Here’s Looking at You, Kid, Ms. Burke led students through classic films such as Citizen Kane and Casablanca, examining what earns a movie its lasting reputation. Young, Scrappy & Hungry: Hamilton in History and Performance, taught by Mr. Debiasse, blended historical documents with musical performance to explore the legacy of Alexander Hamilton.
Physical challenge and outdoor learning also featured prominently. Mr. Kauffmann’s Humpback Rock Challenge pushed students to test endurance on one of the region’s steepest climbs, while Mr. Hanson’s Outdoor Survival immersed students in shelter-building, navigation, and fire-making skills. Ms. Reyes’s Never Take a Cave for Granite took students underground, combining geology, ecology, and adventure in the Shenandoah Valley.
Across campus, afternoons brought a second wave of exploration. Students competed in Mr. Culbertson’s Axis & Allies Tournament, debated college football in College GameDay with Ms. Lilienstern and Mr. Meriwether, designed and decorated in Henna and Handmade Creations with Ms. Landseadel, and explored boxing’s cultural and historical significance in The Art of Boxing with Mr. Kennedy. From salsa and tango with Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald to wet-plate photography using nineteenth-century processes, the range of experiences underscored the spirit of the week.
The week culminated with a guest address from Richie Parker, who spoke to students about courage, confidence, and pursuing purpose. A former NASCAR engineer and Chief of Staff for University of Virginia Football, Parker shared insights drawn from a career that bridges engineering, athletics, and leadership. Featured in an Emmy-winning ESPN segment, he emphasized a simple but powerful idea: success is within reach for those who embrace their journey and refuse to give up. His remarks blended reflection with humor, underscoring the importance of perspective when navigating challenge and change.
A graduate of Clemson University, Parker holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA in entrepreneurship and innovation. During his time with Hendrick Motorsports, he contributed to nine NASCAR Cup Series championships. He later led strategic operations and team development as Chief of Staff for Virginia Football.
Now a sought-after motivational speaker, Parker works with organizations including NASA, Dow Chemical, and professional sports teams. Following his address to the student body, Parker also led a seminar with Miller School engineering students.
Taken together, WWOWW offers more than a week outside of the normal curriculum. It creates space for students to follow curiosity, take risks, and engage with subjects simply because they spark interest. As students return to their regular classes, they carry with them new skills, fresh perspectives, and a reminder that learning can be fun, joyful, and driven by wonder.
