August-October 2017
By Oscar
Gonzalez, Director of Equity and Inclusivity
My father built brick flower beds in my childhood home, and my mother laboriously planted rose bushes, petunias, pansies and geraniums to bring life to our yard. While most only saw the beautiful flowers, my mother did the work to water the plants, till the soil, prune the stems and extract the weeds. Like flowers, an inclusive and welcoming culture does not blossom without deliberate and intentional cultivation. When we nurture an environment where everyone has the continued on page 17
Shedding Our Pride, Reaching Our Potential By Josh Cobb, Head of School
On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points, setting the single-game NBA record. His score line was otherworldly. He attempted 63 shots, made 36. He also had 25 rebounds. But the most striking statistic, if you know Wilt’s only flaw in basketball, was the free throw percentage: 32 attempted, 28 made, 87.5 percent. Why so striking? Wilt Chamberlain was at best a 50 percent free throw shooter. He should have made 16 of 32 and scored 88 points, still impressive but not a record-setting 100. Why did he score 100? He shot underhanded. In “The Big Man Can’t Shoot” from the first season of Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast Revisionist History, Gladwell explores Wilt Chamberlain’s adoption and then subsequent rejection of the underhand shot as a study of why excellence in continued on page 18
IN THIS ISSUE:
Growing a Sense of Belonging
Today
Fall 2018
Alumni News Page 13 GPA Events Page 14 Civil Rights Trip Page 16 Summer Grant Program Page 4
Literacy Page 9
