A Lifelong Cardigan Journey

By Pablo Rocha Vázquez, Director of Alumni and International Relations

When I look back on my earliest Cardigan memories, one name stands out: Zach Wennik ’15, SS’17–’20. I can still picture him—small, blond, and full of energy—darting barefoot across Marrion Field during endless soccer games with friends. That same spirited boy has since grown into a remarkable educator whose enthusiasm and dedication continue to inspire both students and faculty.

Whether in the classroom, on the soccer field, or with students in an advisory meeting, Zach embodies the new generation of outstanding teachers that Cardigan Mountain School has been fortunate to welcome to The Point. His journey from student to faculty member is a testament to the lasting power of the Cardigan experience.

When I sat down with Zach to talk about his journey, it was clear how deeply Cardigan has shaped him. Looking back on his first summer on The Point as a Summer Session student, he admits, he was overwhelmed. Despite being familiar with the campus, he quickly realized that Summer Session offered new challenges and opportunities for growth. “It was humbling,” he recalls. “It’s rare at such a young age to meet kids from all over the world, experience independence, and learn who you are. It was challenging, but it was worth it. I learned that I was just one among many, and that realization opened me up to new experiences and people.”

Through his summers at Cardigan, Zach learned valuable lessons that continue to guide him today. “I became more open and empathetic,” he reflects. “I used to stick with people who had similar interests to my own, but Summer Session taught me to reach out, especially to people who seem quiet or different. That openness has shaped who I am as a teacher.”

Zach says his love for history also began during Cardigan’s Summer Session, when he took an interactive mythology class that captured his imagination. After graduating from Cardigan, Zach attended Kimball Union Academy and later Goucher College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and minored in history. His first job after college was at Dublin School where he worked in the Admissions Office, lived in a dorm, and coached Ultimate Frisbee. But it wasn’t long before Zach realized his true passion was for teaching history, and when a history position opened at Cardigan in the fall of 2023, he jumped at the opportunity.

It’s rare at such a young age to meet kids from all over the world, experience independence, and learn who you are. It was challenging, but it was worth it. I learned that I was just one among many, and that realization opened me up to new experiences and people.

Zach Wennik ’15, SS’17–’20

“Coming back felt natural,” he says. “Cardigan at that point had been my home for over 20 years. It gave me the confidence to step into teaching in a place where I already had support.” Two years later, Zach continues to teach, coach, advise, and lead several clubs at Cardigan. His favorite part of the day, he said, is interacting with the students during advisory times and on the sports field; he also enjoys celebrating the smaller personal victories with students—participating in a school drama in Humann Theatre, figuring out a complicated piece of music, or completing a tough assignment.

Zach has also returned to Summer Session, teaching the same course that originally inspired him to teach: mythology. He is also teaching a new course on nautical adventures. And while the program has continued to change and develop, at its heart it is still about relationships. Students from around the world—some as young as 9—live, study, and play together, forming friendships that often last a lifetime. “I still keep in touch with friends I met 15 or 20 years ago,” Zach says with a smile. “Now, as a teacher, I meet alumni who attended after me, and it’s amazing to share those cross-generational experiences.”

When asked to describe the people of Summer Session in one word, Zach doesn’t hesitate: “Harmonious. Everyone contributes to a sense of balance and belonging. We create our own culture, one that blends learning, fun, and connection.”

In an age when childhood often feels rushed, Cardigan Mountain School’s Summer Session stands out as a rare opportunity for young people to be curious, kind, and authentic. It’s a place where lifelong friendships form, where educators like Zach Wennik renew their calling, and where the next generation learns the value of community, empathy, and growth.

This article was originally published in the fall/winter 2025-2026 issue of the Cardigan Chronicle