My first memory of Kelly Emery dates as far back as winter term of last year. After I had taken a substantial lead in a game of pool against Kelly, he, emotionlessly, walked over to me, and without the blink of a an eye, lifted his leg and proceeded to, in one fell swoop, scuff the top of my brand new white sneakers. With an intense look in his eye, he said to me sternly, “That is for wearing nice shoes”. And that’s how I met Kelly Emery.

After a year of immense contempt for the guy, who would think this brash young man would become one of my favorite campus personalities after I returned from Ocean Classroom? The fact (which escaped me at the time) is that Mr. Emery is wise beyond his years, but exhibits his hidden genius in heavy disguise, such as scuffing a stranger’s shoes. This may seem to be a wild interpretation of Kelly’s actions but as I reflect on this event that disgruntled me so greatly, I see past the newly donned shoes and understand that there was an underlying smugness in my being that I, at the time, did not recognize.

Kelly’s taking leave of Proctor Academy is truly a sad moment for many in the community, particularly those in the student body. While he may be leaving us in flesh, his legend will live on for several years to come (for better or for worse). There are very few Proctor alumni I have heard more stories about than Kelly Emery. While he isn’t known for his good decision-making, Kelly is filled with illuminating thoughts that have resonated within me long after he has spoken them.

The frustration I felt as I tried to think of a way to commemorate Kelly in Student Voices was unbearable, but as if God, Santa, Buddha, Satan, or whoever, granted my wishes, I saw the light, or at least I saw Kelly. It was a couple hours before he left on the bus back to Nantucket and he was making rounds, saying goodbye to those not engaged in afternoon activities. I leapt on the chance, and was able to interview Kelly for several minutes, recording his reflections on Proctor and life in general. This is what he had to say:

What do you have to say about your time at Proctor?

I liked some things and I didn’t like others. I don’t know if it was worth the money, but I learned things and that’s what counts. I don’t know where I’d be today without Proctor, but I’m glad I made some of the friends and met some of the teachers I did. It definitely affects the way I think now. If I had gone to Nantucket High School it would have been different. But I am not going to dwell on that fact because it is not a good way to live and that is something I definitely learned at Proctor.

What has your experience at Proctor done for you as person?

Ah, the specifics. I discovered my musicality, how to express myself soloing. They invite these speakers all the time, asking “who are you?”  and “what are you going be?” and ask you all of these questions, and I don’t really like that but I think about it, and ask why? What is the answer to that question?  It is something to think about at one point or another in your life. Whatever you do, you should do what makes you happy.

What have you taken away from your time at Proctor?

I have learned how to do hard work. I wasn’t really doing anything difficult back home. All of the reading and all the essays, I have learned how to work. I mean, senior year I started slacking but I still got by with satisfactory grades. I took school seriously enough and it will help me out later on. I already got into a college I wouldn’t mind going to, whether I go next year or not at all.

What have you taken away from getting in trouble (if you have taken away anything)?

DON’T DO DRUGS at private school. That’s bad, a bad idea. It does not mix. It’s not worth it, too. I mean, I feel happy and I got over it fast but I am still bumming. I will still have all my friends here because of Facebook and the phone, because we have been here together for a while now. And I will still have the things I learned. Maybe as a senior it is not as bad; if I got kicked out earlier I definitely would have been more devastated. It is just not all about you. There are other people that are going to be upset like your parents, your teachers. I don’t know if you care about what they think, but it can be important what other people think sometimes, even you don’t think it should all the time.

What advice do you have for Proctor students?

Just make the most of it. I came here and I hated it, I’ll tell you that much. If I were someone else I probably would have progressed so much more. I would have made more friends and had a different kind of experience. But I slowly made friends. I had some of the worst years of my life here, my friend [from home] killed himself, I got my first Major, and all these negative experiences. But I also had a lot of good times here. So just go for good. It is the way to live, live positive.

What are your plans for the future?

Surf, lifeguard, chicas. Just live. My friend was telling me this, I kind of believe him, “you only have a little time to live, so go find something you wanna do”. And what I want to do right now is play music, have fun with it, and get a job that pays enough. I lifeguard, so that’s a win-win situation for me, I like to be on the beach. So those are my plans, probably.

What’s been the best part of your Proctor experience?

That’s a tough question because there have been so many quality moments. But probably just the smiling faces. Going on Mountain Classroom for those short three weeks. I remember the fun times messing around, doing crazy things. Just the experience of living everyday life at Proctor. There is stuff that happens every day worth remembering, and I have plenty of those memories.

If you could say anything right now, what would it be?

This is the second boarding school I have been kicked out of. I have sort of been screwing up my whole life. It’s not the end of the world. If you screw up at one point, just RELAX. Don’t smoke some weed.

Tell a story.

 I first got here and was living in Eco-Dorm with Saam Aiken, and that wasn’t really a good first choice. I was not that good of a choice maker, and I was doing things other people probably wouldn’t do. And I had all these interesting roommates. I had Alex Duane. They have been so unique. They were kids that wouldn’t follow what other kids said. Everyone has his or her own personality. It’s just… yeah (sighs). I don’t think I have anything else to say…

Like it or not, Kelly Emery is many things Proctor is. He is unique, diverse, free-spirited, and a real individual. He may not have made every (or any) right decision, but in spirit, Kelly knows what it means to be a Proctor student. Kelly was a misunderstood and underestimated student. His quiet appearance and mild-mannered actions lead people to make quick assumptions. But in reality, Kelly Emery is a good guy at heart. Students that have taken the time to get to know him will miss him dearly. And that is my epitaph: you will be missed, Kelly.