By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Southborough/Northborough – As graduation approaches, thoughts of the future flood the minds of seniors who ready themselves to venture beyond the walls of high school. For 2003 Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) graduate Josh Sturgeon, life nine years post-graduation is rewarding and full – thanks, in part, to the many people and teachers who influenced him along the way.
At ARHS, Sturgeon found his niche playing basketball and playing music, both experiences shaping the way he would navigate his future experiences. Reflecting on his four years at ARHS, Sturgeon recalls the one class that influenced him more than any other.
“I took a class in my senior year that changed my perspective on learning,” he said. “The class was called Romanticism and it was co-taught by a music teacher and an English teacher. One of the teachers was Dr. Robert Eaton. Instead of tests, we produced “exhibits” that stretched our ability to integrate what we were learning with a project. It forced me to reproduce something of value with what I learned rather than simply regurgitate memorized information. I also got the chance to draw while listening to classical music – and that was my homework, which I thought was pretty cool.”
While Sturgeon has many fond memories of his time at ARHS, his best memories took place in the old gymnasium during basketball season.
“Our school had a lot of pride, and it was an amazing experience playing in front of the loud and proud crowd of fellow students, parents, and teachers,” Sturgeon said. “I think the sporting events at Algonquin were a great representation of the strong sense of community in Northborough and Southborough.”
Following his graduation in 2003, Sturgeon attended Gordon College, where he studied international business. Originally, his intention was to play basketball at Gordon since it was such a big part of his life while at ARHS (he was a captain of the varsity team), but once he realized how many other things there were to explore in college, he made the decision not to play. As a result, he began to pursue music and songwriting with more passion and eventually recorded two different albums: “Rescue” (released in 2006) and “Knapsacks and Lovenotes” (released in 2008).
“I always felt supported by my teachers at Algonquin. It was clear that their decision to teach went far beyond earning a paycheck,” Sturgeon said. “Their personal attention outside of class and concern for my future beyond high school gave me confidence to succeed in college.”
Sturgeon went on to pursue a master's degree in religious studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary – a degree he just finished.
For Sturgeon, his love of music and his dedication to his faith are closely woven together.
“Music allows you grasp things that words can’t describe. I can’t think of a better way to try and explain God. Music engages all of your senses, emotions, intellect and soul. Creating music is a way for me to articulate and understand God's love for people.”
For now, Sturgeon and his wife, Erica, are living on the north shore and managing a handful of business endeavors. They are both entrepreneurs at heart, and have grown very fond of the start-up world in greater Boston. And, they are expecting a baby girl in the fall.
“Personally, I have been writing a lot in the past couple years in the area of digital marketing and church planting,” said Sturgeon. “I’m working on a manuscript at the moment. It falls somewhere in between a practical how-to and a theological exploration of how people experience God's presence in worship. It would be a dream to get it published at some point in the future.”
While Sturgeon navigates life post-Algonquin he does so with fond memories of his high school experience.
For the current seniors who are just weeks away from graduation, Sturgeon has this advice, “develop a clear sense of purpose for everything you do. Don’t study just for the sake of studying. Study with a goal in mind. Don’t work a job for a little pocket change that you can blow on the movies. Find something that interests you, gain valuable experience, then blow that money on the movies. When you seek to develop a clear purpose for your life, you can’t help but ask big questions. I believe the pursuit of those big answers is a meaningful and worthwhile journey.”