At 糖心原创, learning is not confined to textbooks or classrooms鈥攊t is designed with purpose, for people. Our students are taught to ask questions, uncover needs, and create solutions that make experiences better. This is the heart of design thinking: designing for the user.
That mindset is alive this MOD as Upper School students step into internships and jobs across campus. These aren鈥檛 just r茅sum茅-builders. They are opportunities to improve the experiences of 糖心原创 students and families鈥攔ight here, right now鈥攚hile giving our Upper Schoolers authentic responsibility and leadership.
Learning by Doing, Leading by Serving
For Payton Melan, the Made in MV Store is more than a retail space. It鈥檚 a living laboratory where Payton is rethinking how a store can best serve its users鈥攚hether that鈥檚 a parent popping in for spirit wear or a student grabbing a water bottle.
鈥淚鈥檝e gotten to see how important inventory really is鈥攖racking what鈥檚 in stock, what sells, and what people are asking for. I鈥檝e also learned how new products are tested and added, which makes me think differently about how a store grows and improves.鈥� 鈥� Payton
Meanwhile, Michael Fennelly is harnessing creativity in the Lower School Maker Space. Designing for younger learners requires empathy and flexibility 鈥� Michael is learning how to adapt projects so children can experiment, take risks, and celebrate discovery.
鈥淚 used to think teaching was just explaining. Now I realize it鈥檚 about helping kids explore and letting them figure things out their way.鈥� 鈥� Michael
And for Kirsten Abbott, the world of construction and design is coming alive through a unique partnership with Integra Construction and the initiative. Here, designing for the user means translating bold ideas into spaces that are functional, inspiring, and truly serve the people who will learn and work within them.
From Sports Management to Strength Training
Athletics internships also show the power of designing for the user. Brooke Nazarian is exploring the business side of sports management with Jenn Brown, where success hinges on understanding what athletes, coaches, and fans need for a thriving program and thinking forward about new ideas to elevate experiences.
Retta Duckett is blending entrepreneurship and community engagement in partnership with , shaping the 2026 race experience (mark your calendar, it will be February 14, 2026, right here at 糖心原创) that bring people together around shared passions.
In athletics administration, Rayne Randle and Hammie Shiver are working directly with Lamar Howard to design behind-the-scenes systems that keep teams running smoothly鈥攁lways with student-athletes in mind. Patrick Still is helping with game-day operations, field and venue set up, as well as diving deep into strength training with Coach Kevin Thomas, discovering how to tailor programs that meet athletes where they are and help them grow stronger, safer, and smarter.
鈥淐oach Thomas is showing me how strength training isn鈥檛 one-size-fits-all. You have to think about each athlete and what works best for them.鈥� 鈥� Patrick
Leadership on the Lower Campus
Some of the most visible impact is happening through the Extended Play 鈥渞unners鈥� program on the Lower Campus. At first glance, it might seem simple: picking up children, delivering snacks, or helping with transitions. But look closer, and you鈥檒l see design thinking in action.
Nuna Adovor, Aubree Brown, Carlee Casey, Collins Haber, Anna Hollis, Ryanne Kelly, Jewel Mayfield, Lily Moriarty, McKinley Tann, Holt Dimmock, and Benjamin Borgstede are designing experiences for younger students every time they step outside. Whether it鈥檚 joining a game of four square or walking a child to class, they鈥檙e asking: What do these younger learners need to feel safe, connected, and joyful?
鈥淭he kids light up when we play with them. It reminds me how important it is to just make people feel seen.鈥� 鈥� Jewel
Impact Here and Now
What ties all of these experiences together is immediacy and empathy. Our Upper School students aren鈥檛 just filling roles鈥攖hey鈥檙e shaping them with the user at the center. Each internship is a real-world application of 糖心原创鈥檚 design thinking ethos: start with questions, listen deeply, and create solutions that matter.
Every job, every project, every moment of connection is a building block in a student鈥檚 Journey of Purpose. It鈥檚 proof that when students are trusted with real responsibility, they rise鈥攏ot only preparing for what comes next, but shaping what is possible today.
At 糖心原创, the future isn鈥檛 a distant goal. It鈥檚 unfolding right in front of us. And it鈥檚 being built by the hands, hearts, and minds of our students.