The cheers that followed set the tone for everything that came after.

On August 21, 糖心原创 gathered twice, once for Lower Campus and once for Upper Campus, to open the 2026鈥�27 school year with Convocation, the annual tradition that calls the whole community together to set the purpose and spirit for the year ahead. And this year, that spirit had a name: Creativity.

The Lower Campus Convocation kicked off at 8:50 am after students from PK4 through Grade 5 made the walk across the street to the Upper Campus Gym. Cecelia Rogers (Grade 5) and Ada Rogers (Grade 2) led the community in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Invocation delivered by eighth-grader Liam Ireland. Livi Zelickson, also in Grade 8, then welcomed the younger students with warmth and clarity: “Convocation is not just about starting school; it’s about starting strong, dreaming big, and helping each other along the way.”

Head Prefect Eli Diaz took the stage next, and what he said was anything but ordinary.

The Upper Campus Convocation followed at 10:20 am, with the same electric energy. After Luca’s now-legendary entrance, the same student voices carried the program: Cecelia and Ada Rogers again led the Pledge, Liam Ireland delivered the Invocation, and Livi Zelickson welcomed the crowd.

Then Eli stepped up again and challenged his peers to rethink everything they thought they knew about creativity.

“Creativity is a choice,” he began, before leading the community on a journey that was equal parts art history and personal storytelling. He introduced the infamous artwork Comedian, a banana taped to a wall that sold for over $5 million, and used it to reframe what it means to be truly creative. But the heart of his speech was his own story: a community garden he built at 糖心原创 that was overtaken first by fire ants, then ravaged overnight by rabbits. Rather than walk away, he regrouped, designed a fence, and eventually watched vegetables from that garden make it into the Upper School lunch line.

“I used to think creativity was about being the one to come up with the idea,” Eli told the crowd. “That it was a talent, something that you either have or you don’t. But I don’t think that anymore. Creativity isn’t about the idea. It’s about what happens after the idea.”

Kristy Lundstrom’s address carried that thread forward for every age group. Drawing on the faculty’s summer read, The Creativity Choice by Dr. Zorana Pringle, she brought the science of creativity to life through two unforgettable stories: Dr. James Naismith’s invention of basketball (and the ladder required to retrieve the ball from a solid peach basket) and Greta Thunberg’s 251 consecutive Fridays of showing up alone outside the Swedish Parliament before millions joined her. Student actors Reid, Juliet, Janae, and Oliver brought the Naismith story to life in a live vignette, with Charlotte, CC, Matthew, and Nora embodying the Thunberg story.

“You are already creative,” Kristy told students. “Creativity is not something only a few people have. Creativity is a choice.” She closed with two MV commitments that will anchor the year: Start with Questions and Be brave to try and try again.

Both Convocations closed with a benediction from Stacey Lee and a performance of “Unwritten” by The Stangs, a fitting anthem for a community ready to write the next chapter.

With a completed capital campaign and a theme built for the moment, 糖心原创 is starting the year exactly the way it finishes: by choosing to create something worth showing up for. The idea is just the beginning.

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“Being part of the Sustainability Committee is about more than just recycling bins and biodiesel鈥攊t’s about changing mindsets and inspiring action,” Beau explains. “We’re on a mission to show that sustainability isn’t just a concept鈥攊t’s a way of life.”

For Beau and the committee which includes Grayson Richmond, Ryley Fuller, Charlotte Goerdel, Sarah Mekelburg, Dennis Norman, Edee Moorman, Frankie Whelan, Herris Fentress, and Audrey Brown, the journey toward sustainability begins with the School’s facilities. Through innovative projects like recycling initiatives and repurposing cooking oil into biodiesel, they’re transforming 糖心原创 into a greener, more eco-friendly space. But their efforts extend beyond the physical environment鈥攖hey’re also sparking conversations and raising awareness among students and faculty.

Beau Class of 2025, and Lauren Dove, Class of 2024, spoke at Chapel last week. “Everyone has a role to play in sustainability,” Beau emphasizes. “Whether it’s planting gardens [which Lauren had done as part of her with the Girls Scouts] or reducing waste, every action counts. That’s why we’re here鈥攖o inspire and empower others to take meaningful steps towards a more sustainable future.”

Central to their mission is collaboration, both within the school and with external partners. By working with local companies like and , 糖心原创 is working towards more sustainable practices. And with initiatives like single-stream recycling making it easier for students to participate, the impact is tangible.

On the Lower Campus, the , (now with over 60 members strong) is also helping to inspire and empower others to take meaningful steps towards a more sustainable future. Working with Upper School maker teacher, Mr. Tiffin, and several Upper School Core Students during Interim, the Tree Club created reusable wooden corn hole games for the courtyard in the shape of trees. They unveiled the new games on Earth Day while kicking off a special Earth Day event for the Lower School.

糖心原创 alumni, Maddy Long, Class of 2019 and recent Clemson graduate now works at WestRock, a leader in sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions. Maddie and several WestRock colleagues spoke to Lower School students about how paper is made and why it is so important to recycle and replant the trees we use. Students learned that paper can be recycled 7 times and for every tree, WestRock and the paper industry plants seven trees to replace the one cut down tree. After the presentation, each Lower School class moved outside to the courtyard to receive a seedling. Each student scooped fresh soil into a recycled paper box so they could bring their seedlings home and plant them.

For Beau, the journey is just beginning. With Earth Day as a catalyst, the sustainability committee is gearing up for new projects and initiatives to further embed sustainability into the fabric of 糖心原创. From recycling awareness videos to collaborative art projects, they’re inviting the entire school community to join them on this journey.

“As we look ahead, there’s a sense of optimism and possibility,” Beau reflects. “Together, we can create a future where sustainability isn’t just a goal鈥攊t’s a way of life. And I invite every student, every teacher, and every member of the 糖心原创 community to be part of that journey.”

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Unpacking Leadership Styles

Guided by David Ayers, Dean of Student Life in the Middle School, the retreat aimed to unravel the intricacies of leadership and inspire purpose and service. Participants delved into various leadership styles, each with its own unique approach and characteristics. Here’s a glimpse of these styles:

• Coach Leadership: Recognizes strengths and weaknesses, helps individuals set goals, and provides constructive feedback.
• Visionary Leadership: Manages through inspiration and confidence, painting a compelling vision for the team.
• Servant Leadership: Focuses on enhancing the fulfillment of team members, placing their well-being at the forefront.
• Autocratic or Authoritarian Leadership: Makes decisions with minimal input from others, maintaining a dominant role in leadership.
• Laissez-faire or Hands-Off Leadership: Delegates tasks and offers minimal supervision, allowing autonomy and independence.
• Democratic Leadership: Values the opinions of others, fostering collaboration and consensus.
• Pacesetter Leadership: Sets high standards and emphasizes performance excellence.
• Bureaucratic Leadership: Follows a strict hierarchy and expects adherence to established procedures and protocols.

The Marshmallow Challenge: Building Towers and Teams

The practical aspect of the retreat involved the Marshmallow Challenge, a hands-on activity that required teams to build towers using marshmallows and spaghetti. The central lesson learned was drawn from It underscored the need to bring all senses into a task and apply the best thinking, feeling, and doing to address the challenge at hand.

The Marshmallow Challenge promoted shared experiences and a common language, providing a perfect analogy for the complexities and creativity that come with leadership.

Prefect Norms: A Blueprint for Leadership

During the retreat, a set of Prefect Norms was established to guide the Junior Prefects in their leadership roles:

• Give Everyone a Chance to Communicate: Encourage open dialogue and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.
• Respect One Another: Foster an environment of respect and inclusivity.
• Manage Your Time and Communicate: Effective time management and communication are keys to successful leadership.
• Be Responsive: Be attentive and responsive to the needs and concerns of the community.
• Have Fun: Embrace a positive and enjoyable approach to leadership.
• Give It Your All: Commit wholeheartedly to your leadership responsibilities.
• Set a Good Example at MV and in the Community: Lead by example, both within the school and in the broader community.

Insights from Junior Prefects

As a result of the retreat, the Junior Prefects collaborated on key points that will shape their leadership journey:

• Using Time Wisely: Effective time management emerged as a critical factor for successful leadership.
• Inclusivity: The importance of bridging the gap and ensuring that all students, not just Junior Prefects, have the opportunity to be leaders was highlighted.
• Impact on the Middle School: Students discussed the impact they can have within the Middle School and the broader school community.
• Yearly Service Projects: The Prefects explored ways to contribute positively to their school through service projects.
• Supporting Everyone in the Middle School: Initiatives such as the snack shack, tutoring, and social events were considered as avenues for support.
• Serving Their Mantras: The students pondered how they could best embody their school’s mantras in their leadership roles.

Voices of the Junior Prefects

Thanks to Ms. Ashley Tabor, Middle School Floating Faculty member, for capturing some quotes from the Junior Prefects reflecting on their role within the team:

• Smith Andres: “I鈥檓 proud to be able to help the students and teachers in the Middle School.”
• Mamie Bowen: “I am happy to give back to the School in other ways than one.”
• Elle O’Neal: “I can be a leader and have integrity.”
• Oliver Johnston: “You matter!”
• Helen Chapman: “It’s great you can show yourself to be a leader.”

The Junior Prefects’ Leadership Retreat of 2023 was an enriching experience that empowered young leaders to embrace a variety of leadership styles and norms. These students, through their commitment and passion, are set to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the Middle School community and beyond. Their journey is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of leadership and the endless possibilities it holds for positive change.

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Through the , students have been serving the School since 2009. This unique form of student leadership empowers juniors and seniors chosen for their high character, exceptional integrity and commitment to 糖心原创鈥檚 mission and core values.

Each year, students submit an application and are invited to interview for specific roles to represent student voices, innovate the MV learning experience, and ultimately enact change.

Positions include: Head Prefect, Ambassador Prefect, Outreach Prefect, Student Life & Culture Prefect, Community Prefect, Outreach Prefect, Wellness & Spiritual Life Prefect, Sustainability Prefect, and Academic Prefect.

Based on the success of this servant leadership model, Middle School launched the Junior Prefect program in 2018 for Grade 7 and 8 students to learn critical leadership skills, develop confidence to represent their peers, and shape the experience for the entire student body. In September, Middle School students were given the opportunity to apply and participate in interviews, resulting in a select few being chosen to lead the student body. Unlike the Upper School program, Middle School does not assign each prefect to a specific role, but rather each prefect will have the opportunity to lead committees related to areas of interest.

The first responsibility for this year鈥檚 Junior Prefect team was to meet with Dean of Student Life David Ayers to participate in a Leadership Workshop where they established norms, and brainstormed the ways in which they could make an impact this school year.

First, the group listed as many existing programs and initiatives they could think of where they might make a difference. Then, in small groups, they popcorned out their biggest ideas for new projects and activities to share with the rest of the group.

• Jalen Hagans and Olivia Boissymaty, both in the Class of 2027, want to seek more ways to connect Grade 8 to the Upper School and Grade 5 to Middle School.
• Molly Baynton and Phia Calvo, also in the Class of 2027, want to develop more social events within their grade to support bonding, collaborating, and team building.

While all ideas were welcome, several resonated throughout the group:

• Grade 8 student, Charlie Copeland shares, 鈥淚 came up with the Buddy Bench, which are benches that can be placed on both campuses in case someone is feeling lonely, they can sit on the bench sort of as a signal that they could use some company.
• I also proposed a fun game we can play on campus. A bunch of golden shoes can be placed around the School. When students find them, they have the option of presenting information to someone at School. For example, kids can present something in chapel, or at lunch, or during morning announcements.鈥�

These ideas and others will be proposed for viability throughout the year. Middle School Dean of Student Life David Ayers made sure to let the group know 鈥淒on鈥檛 worry if we don鈥檛 get all of your ideas enacted this year. It鈥檚 important to set a framework for next year. For example, the dance you all want to have. There is planning and budgeting that needs to happen during the summer. So if you all propose plans before then, the students next year might be able to reap the benefits.鈥�

On Thursday, Junior Prefects will create committees which all Middle School students can join, to further refine their ideas from the Leadership Workshop as well as plan upcoming events such as the Halloween Bash. Next week the group will meet with admissions to learn how to lead new family tours. For the remainder of the year, each committee will meet weekly to continue exploring the ways they can make an impact with guidance from leaders in the community and their peers.

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