Five Questions for AMSA Grad Peter Castoldi

On Saturday, the Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA) will hold its second graduation and grant diplomas to the first group of students to complete six full years at the charter school. The class of 2012 includes 24 seniors from Marlborough, said Maureen Evans, director of outreach and marketing at the school.

Patch caught up with one of those soon-to-be-graduates, Peter Castoldi, shortly after he returned from the senior class trip to Disney World to discuss his time at AMSA and what lies ahead. Castoldi will enroll as a freshman at Emmanuel College in the Fall.

What made you decide to attend AMSA?

My parents had been following it pretty closely when it opened and we decided it would be a good idea to go up and see what it was all about up. I remember that at first when I started going there I wasn’t sure I had made the right decision. It was a lot of work and I wasn't used to having a curriciulum and I felt a little overwhelmed. After the first year I sort of got used to it and I really enjoyed the rest of my time there.

What is your favorite memory of AMSA?

One of my favorites is when Forekicks was being built across the street from the school. They were doing blasting on the site and we’d be sitting in class and the air horn would go off and we’d ask the teacher can we please go look at the explosions. And they always said yes and we’d run up the windows and we’d be able to feel the vibrations. There was just this great sense of excitement every time it happened.  As far as teachers go, Mr. [Anders] Lewis was definitely one of my favorites. I had him since the sixth grade and history is a fun subject because it can help you appreciate the things you have now.

How will you be spending your summer?

I’ll be preparing myself for college and helping out at . I’ve been working there for about four years now, doing everything from mowing the lawn to helping to clean airplanes and just helping out with day to day operations.

How did you land that summer job?

I’ve been helping out up there for almost four years now. I just went up there to talk to the owner, who unfortunately is now deceased, in 2008, and told him I was interested in flying. He told me that if I wanted to, in exchange for some lessons here and there, I could help out at the airport. It’s right down the street from my house, so I’ve been going up there ever since. I’m still  taking lessons on the simulator and working on becoming a pilot. It’s a long process.

What are your plans after college?

I’ m going to take up business management  and maybe minor in something related. I hope to be successful in college and when its over find a good job so I can start working to pay off loans and contributing back to society and my family. If it works out that I can have a career in aviation, either with flying or in a management position, that would be great.