“Don’t wait for things to come to you. ... You have to take risks if you want things to happen.”

We recently sat down with sophomore Joseph Hurd and found out he enjoys distance running, photography, and baking. He also says to be successful one must take risks. Maybe that’s why he made that fancy dessert at Christmas. 

 

Hometown: Los Altos, Calif.

Year: Sophomore

Activities: DEI intern, member of Brothers in Unity, participates in cross country and track and field. He says he enjoys distance running and is excited for the track season. “I have a lot of friends on the team, and it’s in the spring, my favorite season at Loomis. We’re out of winter, the sun is out. ... It’s a joyful season.”

Hobbies: Joseph has an interest in photography and has been taking photos at some Loomis Chaffee athletics practices and events at the request of his friends. He also enjoys cooking and baking: “I kind of get in my own world when I cook and bake.” His sister taught him. “Anything with a recipe I can make pretty well,” he says. He’s most proud of a dessert he made at Christmas, a Buche de Noel. It took a long time to make, and he didn’t even eat it because he doesn’t like chocolate.

Favorite snack? Barbeque potato chips. 

Favorite food? His dad’s Korean barbeque.

Favorite course so far? Philosophy of Non-Violence “because it was very discussion-based.”

Favorite place on campus? “My dorm room. My roommate and I are close, and it’s place [where] I can escape from everything.”

If you had one wish for the world, what would it be? This one he learned in elementary school: “Treat everyone how you want to be treated.”

If you had one wish for yourself, what would it be? “Be successful at a young age.” His advice for himself in achieving success: “Don’t wait for things to come to you. ... You have to take risks if you want things to happen.”

Is there a moment so far in your life that has changed you?  “COVID,” he says, explaining that he didn’t use his time as well as he should have. He realized that instead of wasting time, he should use it to learn a new skill or better himself in some way.

How has Loomis shaped you so far? “It has given me the opportunity to grow. I look back when I came in as a freshman, and I’m more mature now.” He also says that being around talented students and teachers allows you “to take something from them and add that to yourself.”