H E AD LIN ES
Summer 2021
FINDING CLARITY IN A
YEAR THAT DEFIED DESCRIPTION This issue of Spartan magazine showcases some of the innovative ways we responded to these questions by harnessing the enduring spirit of St. Stephen’s. These included reinventing MLK Day, as guest speakers visited virtually to share their best practices for diversity, equity and inclusion, and students participated in “At The Table with Dr. King,” a musical, visual and spokenword performance that taught them about King, the American Civil Rights Movement and valuable life lessons on equality and respect for others. We reimagined traditional events, such as the Literary Festival, Grand Day and Reunion, to engage an even greater number of Spartans from around the world via online
In a school year that defied description, the 12th-grade bell-ringing ceremony on May 14 was a singular moment of clarity that I will remember for many years to come. As I savored the sights and sounds of the students shouting and the bell clanging, it felt as if the entire St. Stephen’s community had let loose a joyous cheer that reverberated off the buildings and cascaded down The Hill. The bell ringing celebrated not only our beloved 12th graders but all of our students who bravely navigated uncharted waters this year, their loving and supportive families, and—of course—our remarkable faculty and staff who served devotedly amid extraordinary circumstances. On another level, the bell-ringing tradition reminded me of those transcendent aspects of our school—such as our mission and core values—that distinguished us at our inception and continue to guide us more than 70 years later. The adversity we faced this school year came in many shapes and sizes—from the global pandemic, to the divisive national election and insurrection at the
conferencing. Meanwhile, our Middle School theatre students created a robot actor for their performance of “Waiting for Godot,” and Upper School students developed an online companion to the visual arts and literary journal Proteus that allowed more students to reach a broader audience. Most importantly, perhaps, our students discovered new pathways to learning while our teachers explored inventive ways to teach remotely. I hope that you draw strength and inspiration from these and other stories exemplifying the Spartan spirit. Finally, I would like to recognize all those who helped our school not only survive but thrive during this unusual year. I give thanks for the energy and resilience of our students, the commitment and endurance of our faculty and staff, the expertise and care of our medical advisory committee and Health Center team, the wisdom and leadership of our board, the support and understanding of our parents, and the goodwill of many volunteers. All these wonderful gifts and more, you gave generously, and for that I am deeply grateful. Sincerely,
U.S. Capitol, to the winter storm that caused us to cancel school for a week but could not chill our fierce spirit. These events forced us to reevaluate who we are as a school and what is required of each of us to sustain our living and learning community.
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St. Stephen’s Episcopal School
Chris Gunnin, Head of School
