Interview with Hudson College Alum, Ava Mauro
- Name
Ava Mauro - Grades (year)
Gr. 7 - Gr. 12 - University (major)
Wilfrid Laurier University (Business Administration) - Gender
Female - Enrolment
Day student - Job/Career
Business Development Intern
Ava, an alumna of Hudson College, reflected on how the school’s close-knit community helped her feel welcomed, supported, and confident from the moment she arrived in Grade 7. She highlighted the caring teachers, approachable leadership team, strong academics, inclusive student culture, diverse extracurricular opportunities, and ongoing alumni support, noting that Hudson prepared her not only for university but also for personal growth and lifelong connections.
Highlights from the interview
- What I appreciated most about going to Hudson was attending such a small high school and feeling like I truly belonged and was welcomed in that environment. I could walk into any of my classes knowing that the teachers genuinely cared about me and wanted me to succeed, learn, and grow.
What I appreciated most about going to Hudson was attending such a small high school and feeling like I truly belonged and was welcomed in that environment. I could walk into any of my classes knowing that the teachers genuinely cared about me and wanted me to succeed, learn, and grow.
One of the best ways I can describe Hudson's culture is as a tight-knit community. It's a small school where everyone knows each other and where relationships feel genuine and real.
Every student has a place, whether that's through sports, clubs, or simply in the classroom. My teachers, along with my peers, made sure no one felt overlooked. You always felt seen, supported, and welcomed.
The environment encouraged me to push myself further than I thought I could go. It never felt like pressure; it felt like support.
In a community like Hudson, it's almost impossible not to fit in. The environment is so supportive and encouraging, and everyone is given the opportunity to grow.
I know that I can always go to any member of the leadership team if I need support, and they will always take the time to listen.
I think Hudson's academic approach is challenging, but in the best way possible. The teachers and curriculum push you to grow while also giving you the support you need to succeed. There are so many opportunities to accelerate your learning and take on more if you're ready, making it easy to challenge yourself and aim higher.
Hudson's approach to extracurriculars is incredibly inclusive and student-centred because students have created many of the clubs that exist today… No matter your interests, there's a place where you can get involved and feel like you belong
Although there's a sense of competition, it's really a supportive kind of competition. We pushed each other to do better, shared resources, and celebrated one another's successes.
What makes student life at Hudson so unique is the lack of hierarchy between grades. It's completely normal to form friendships with students who are younger or older than you, and it never feels strange or out of place.
Hudson doesn't just prepare you for university; it gives you a community that stays with you long after you graduate.
Hudson truly feels like a second family. There are no hierarchies, cliques, or barriers between grades, which I think is very different from many other schools. Everyone belongs, everyone knows one another, and every student has a place.
