6 minute read
EMBRACE CHANGE
from 2021 Summer Bridge
On March 13, 2020, the predictability of life which we came to expect fell away, leaving many anxious and upset, if not angry. As the pandemic persisted and uncertainty intensified through the fall, it gave rise to the question "When will this ever end?" The truth of the matter is that as much as we want to control the future, uncertainty is inevitable at all times in life, not just during a pandemic.
In her most recent book, Uncharted: How to Navigate the Future, entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan writes, “The future is unknowable... [and] despite our best attempts to predict the future, it's futile...This leaves us uncomfortable and anxious and is why humans have always searched for ways to see what's coming: oracles, shamans, horoscopes.” Throughout history, we have sought to quell our anxiety through fortune-tellers of one type or another. Today's version might be the most cynical, and we are all too quick to turn our decision-making, our agency, over to this false prophet. The false prophet? Artificial intelligence and the supposed predictive power of data. Every industry today is working feverishly to harvest as much data as it can in order to predict everything from what we might want to buy, listen to and eat, to who we might want to date or where we might want to vacation. The underlying belief is that with enough data, the future is predictable, and therefore, uncertainty can be mastered.
Are there times when Netflix or Amazon makes a suggestion that is spot on? Sure. But the idea that humans are just an aggregation of data and, with enough of it, life can be predicted and mastered is fundamentally wrong. Being human is so much more than surrendering to an algorithm. We as humans are nourished by being together, by person-to-person conversations, by having the ability to exercise agency and make our own decisions. A life worth living surrenders to things that take time, to the ambiguity of life, and embraces change.
Last August, the Class of '21 and other student leaders chose "Embrace Change" as their adaptive challenge for the year. This human-centered theme, based on flexibility, empathy, and compassion, guided our interactions throughout the year. With our students leading the way, Severn thrived in what historians will come to document as one of the most trying years in modern history. By embracing change, the Class of '21 enhanced their ability to solve problems creatively, to work adeptly in teams, to think carefully about the issues of the day, and to take an active interest in the affairs of this community and of communities at large. And by continuing to embrace change, they will emerge from the pandemic resilient enough, agile enough, and persistent enough to overcome whatever new challenges come their way.
In the process of developing these agile skills and competencies, the Class of '21 has kindled a new mindset through which to view the future — a trust mindset. Trust is the means by which someone establishes confidence in something. In fact, the Latin root for confidence is to “have full trust.” At a time when the world is overly anxious, trust provides a way forward. Graduates, as you navigate the complexity of the world today, continue to trust in the power of presence, and the importance of being with each other. Continue to trust in the foundation you've forged during your time at Severn for it will allow you to be comfortable with ambiguity and patient with the important things in life that take time. Trust in your agency to act on your ideas without being asked, which is the key to having a life worth living. Make your own future.
The number 21 symbolizes success and triumph. And this year, Severn's Class of 2021, you have certainly demonstrated that to be true. You have shown grit, patience, flexibility, and character beyond your years. You have inspired and led in all ways. You've embraced change for us here at Severn, and for that, I'm grateful. As you go forth, help other communities embrace change as well, for we do not educate to maintain the world as it is but to expand the trust and beauty in it.
Doug Lagarde, Head of School
To accommodate the Severn community, Severn livestreamed and recorded the 2021 Commencement ceremony. Watch the recording on YouTube:
BIT.LY/2021SEVERNGRAD
UPDATES FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
ONE DAY. Forever Severn. April 29, 2021
Thank you, Admiral Family!
On April 29 we celebrated our first annual Severn Day of Giving, where parents, alumni, faculty, and friends joined together to support Every Admiral. You exceeded expectations with a combined total giving of over $120,000 to the Severn School Admiral Fund. Thank you!
A special thank you to our 20-21 Upper School Admiral Fund Chairs, Ed and Elizabeth Hiller P '22, AP '18, for their generous $25,000 match and ensuring the day's success. Stay tuned for round two in Spring 2022!
Admiral Auction Home Edition Raises Over $150K For the Kids
The annual APA auction brings together parents, alumni, staff, and friends for a special night of fun and fundraising — this single event funds all APA-sponsored extracurricular activities at Severn in addition to teacher wish list items at the end of the year. And like so many things this year, the 2021 auction was like no other in Severn's history. With a video showcase featuring an array of students, performances, and messages from faculty and staff, The Admiral Auction Home Edition was a reminder that as a community, we rise above any challenge and come out stronger for it. No matter how close or how far, Severn School is our home.
We are overwhelmed with gratitude to everyone who contributed to our efforts that resulted in over $150,000 in support of the APA's programs for students, faculty, and families. From our generous sponsors and advertisers to our class basket coordinators, amazing host AJ Gersh '15, and students and teachers who took time out of their day to connect us all with videos, music, and more, it was a tremendous collaborative effort. With friends and family joining us from across the country and around the world, we could feel the Admiral energy buzzing through the screen.
Did you hear? Severn School won a
CASE Gold Circle of Excellence Award
in the Special Events and Online Fundraising category for the creative and professional presentation of the virtual Auction. Go, Admirals!
2020-2021 DEI Progress Report
The 2020-2021 DEI Progress Report published in May 2021, shares the combined efforts of Severn's Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty and staff, students, parents and alumni to reach a common goal of greater understanding and belonging.
As we add to and adjust our program in the coming years such that all members of our community feel a sense of belonging at Severn, we will update the community on a regular basis. If you have any questions or comments, please email
DEI@severnschool.com.
Thank you for being a part of our Severn community that strives to listen, to grow, and to provide the most dynamic, authentic, and inclusive educational environment possible for our students.
2021 Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumna Kate Orff '89
Severn School is pleased to announce the 2020-21 Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is landscape architect and 2017 MacArthur Fellow, Kate Orff '89. This award, named for the founder of Severn School, is the highest honor the school bestows upon an alumnus/a. The award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding service to humanity, service to the community, professional achievement, or service to Severn School. Ms. Orff is the 40th individual member of the Severn community to be inducted. The annual reception will be held on November 11, 2021.
