Sam Wikler-Marchand
What is a favorite memory from your time at Meridian?
My favorite memory was probably canoeing with my peers at Becket - something about having the whole school out on the lake shouting to each other across the water was both at once very freeing and very communal at the same time. I also loved JRPS presentations - watching all of my peers present what they had poured themselves into over the last 9 months was fascinating and exhilarating, and then teaching the Meridian community about a topic that was really important to me really made me feel like my work paid off.
What will you miss the most after you leave Meridian?
I will miss the small community - talking with kids from other divisions in the lounge, having conversations with people working in the hallway when I should be in class, or room-wide excitement of the craftacular commencement speech while the entire school is cramped into one room in pajamas.
What is a parting thought you have for younger students? Words of wisdom?
Never try to be anybody besides yourself - at Meridian, people are very accepting and you'll have a much better time if you let people accept you for who you really are. Outside of Meridian, you may make a few friends by molding your personality to meet someone else's liking, but they won't be the friends that you really need or deserve. Be yourself, find people who you can have fun with, and don't bother thinking much about those who disapprove of your passions, identity, or personality.
Quotes from Sam’s peers:
Sam has come a long way from when we first met in the Spring of 6th grade. His love for Minnesota, Appalachia, and equity are infectious and admirable. Sam is a true thinker and leader who is always willing to give his opinion even when challenging or unpopular.
Sam always brings a smile to everyone's face. Whether he's telling you about Townes Van Zandt, creating a pun, or simply talking with you about weekend plans, Sam radiates positivity.
Sam is one of those dudes who you'll meet once in a lifetime. He’ll seem weird at first, but that’s what makes him. The last four years, he’s been one of my best friends. Someone I can trust to chase me down the hallways for the craziest things.
Sam, is super cool. I aspire to be as good as him in art one day. We have a lot of hilarious inside jokes between us like the funny ted Cruz jokes from our project in Nathan’s class. Will forever remember the time I first met you and you were swinging around a pole and then you stopped and turned to me and offered me a high-five Lol!
From high-five ambushes in the hallways and a pocket tape of Fargo (no, literally, he carried the movie around in his pocket), Sam has evolved into a scholar of Fargo’s region and the process of making film. When he walks the hallways, there is no way to tell whether you'll be ambushed by high fives or high-level debate, but either way Sam approaches people with a directness and focus that makes him a great peer and communicator. Sam is just as generous and enthusiastic in sharing these later learnings as he was in sharing his understanding of the complex rocket high five.
Sam is a wicked cool person. From his art to his JRPS, this kid is motivated and passionate. That's going to take him far in life.
Sam can vibe with anyone. He is an incredible person to laugh with. He listens to people's passions with the eagerness of someone waiting to have an insane revelation about the world. Sam is comfortable with changing his opinions, but he also has an intuitive idea of what is right and will always follow it.
Sam, your passion on the topics that fascinate you and your ability to befriend anyone is extremely admirable. You radiate silliness but are able to reel it in when the time is right. Your art is fantastic and I hope you never stop making it. Enjoy Minnesota!
Whether using pencil, pen, ink, or watercolor, Sam’s amazing drawings and crazy artwork will always blow me away. Just talking to him, I always learn new and super interesting things that I never considered before, and the amount of energy and passion with which he lives his life is inspiring.
