THE POWER OF PEERS A

How Group Support Helps Each Owl Find Her Voice

strong girls’ school is a place where students discover their authentic selves, develop skills and competencies to communicate and lead, and be prepared to make a difference in the world. To my mind, an appropriate term to encompass these capacities is “voice”, and it is StoneleighBurnham’s fundamental commitment to helping our students find their voices that grounds all that we do. Having said that, one of the key elements that supports a student’s ability to find and use their voice - whether it is a literal voice or an ability to step up and demonstrate skills - is the role of peers. Knowing and trusting that peers will support them when they try something new or take a risk or face a challenge, is essential to the confidence that success in such moments requires.

I always look forward to, and love, the performing arts presentations at SBS, and this winter’s performance before the holiday break was no different. That evening, as I sat in the audience and peeked at the program between performances, I smiled to myself; this was going to be one of those SBS moments: A talented junior was about to take to the risers to sing solo - in public - for the first time. This was sure to be one of those times when I saw a clear representation of the amazing things that happen at SBS because it is a girls’ school that supports students in finding their voices and being

She walked up to the microphone under the lights, looked a wee bit nervous and took a breath, then looked at the audience, who shouted “You’ve got this!”, called her name, and cheered her on - even before she had sung a note. She smiled and nodded to her accompanist and began, her voice clear and sonorous, interpreting the melody and lyrics of the song in her own unique way. This was a beautiful and personal rendition of the piece. It was magical, but there is a second part to the story, and it happened at the end of the song, as I knew it would. The gym erupted in cheers of support. Throughout the concert there were mirror examples of students reaching deep inside themselves to rise to an opportunity to express themselves and show their talent and skill, and they were strengthened by the support and appreciation of their fellow students.

This magic, passionately supportive classmates transforming the confidence and thus the abilities of their peers also happens on the competitive fields and courts. Whenever I’m at a home volleyball game, a spectator from the other team will invariably remark on the power of our cheering section. It’s always made up of dancers taking a short break from their practice, riders on the way up from the barn, and other athletes who aren’t at their own games and competitions. There may not be many of them but they are impressively loud and unwaveringly positive.

During the equestrian shows in the barn, riders prepare to enter the show arena by getting on their horses in the practice ring and then walking down the connecting passageway between the two venues. At the entrance to the main show arena, the judge often instructs spectators to stand back and give the space to competitors as they pass. I usually stand just behind the barrier of chairs where some of the spectators are seated. Equestrian shows are necessarily quieter than arts performances or sporting events for the sake of the horses. However, I’m always filled with pride when SBS riders finish their ride and walk out of the arena, while the rest of the team flocks to their side to tell them - with specific detail - how well they did.

In each of these places in our community, students are brave enough to put themselves and their skills in front of an audience and open to judgment, whether they are doing so individually or collectively. Their peers play a crucial role in supporting and buoying them through the challenging process of preparing for and engaging in each competition or performance. In this special way the strength of each voice is built through the voices of peers.

Stephanie Luebbers Head of School

EDITOR

OWL ICONS

Charles L. Greene II

Director of Marketing and Communications

EDITORIAL BOARD

Stephanie Luebbers

Head of School

Susan Mattei Director of Advancement

Amanda Mozea

Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

RETURN ADDRESS

Kathleen Tuck Fontaine ’83

Associate Director of Advancement

Brittany M. Weiss

Marketing and Communications Manager

ADVISORY GROUP

Sam Sattin Torres ’08

Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Cole Whitaker

Assistant to Head of School & Special Projects Manager

CONTRIBUTORS

Natalia ’23

Mara G. Kohls

Director of Enrollment Management

Shawn Durrett P’26, ’28

Assistant Head of School for Community and Program

DESIGN

Peter Chilton

PHOTOGRAPHY

Matthew Cavanaugh

Matthew Cavanaugh Photography

David Silver

Silver Photograpy

Catarina Pedro

Catarina Pedro Photography