Student Profiles

STUDENT PROFILES How two Ensworth students find a healthy balance

G e r a r d B u l l o c k

In describing senior Gerard Bullock, Dean of Academic Support Kate McGlasson offers, “It would be cliché to say that some students have an ‘it’ factor—but Gerard has it. Call it magnetism, positivity or charm, his support of the volleyball team is as unwavering as his four-year commitment to the orchestra. More importantly, it is the balance and tra nsition that he seems to be able to ca rr y between commitments.”

One look at Gerard’s student record reveals a mosaic of interests and experiences: quarterback of the football team, track, baseball, chamber orchestra, wrestling, musicals. This year, he also added the role of Student Government President to his resumé. “It’s a lot of work,” he recognizes, but he also notes the insight and perspective his different experiences have given him.

Gerard admits that he struggled a bit during his freshman yea r tr ying to f ig ure out how to ba la nce ever y thing he wanted to do. He credits Kate McGlasson and freshman year advisor Mr. Miller, along with his parents, for helping him get organized and learn how to manage his time. “Ultimately, you have to have the mindset that you know you can do it. I try to be as productive as possible throughout the day, doing my homework during free time. After football practice, I’ll go to evening tutorial and knock out some of my work there. It’s also nice because I can be a little shy in class, and I can ask questions in tutorial that I forgot to ask during the day.” Early on, Gerard chose to give up his free period to participate in the band, and he is grateful that his involvement in the arts broadened his Ensworth experience even further. “Once you involve yourself in different things, you get to know different types of people and form new friend groups. You get to know people you never talked to before and find what you have in common. You also build relationships with the teachers, like Mr. Salazar and Mr. Aveni, and the teachers encourage you to try different things.”

G era rd’s col lege counselor Laura Stewa r t obser ves, “ I have worked with Gera rd over the course of his time at the high school and I have been so impressed by his commitment to living a healthy, balanced life. He exemplifies this through his commitment to academics and his deep involvement in so many facets of the Ensworth community. He is a musician, an athlete, a caring friend, a supportive fan, and our student body president. Plus, he has a great sense of humor and never takes himself too seriously. Gerard is a great example for others of what it means to truly live a balanced, healthy life.”

When asked what advice he might offer to new students, Gerard offers, “Explore things you never thought you would try. Ensworth enables you to do anything you want to; you can play a sport and do the musical, or you can be in Studio 4 Art and student government. You only limit yourself; Ensworth doesn’t limit you at all in anything you can do here.”

While many might measure a healthy, balanced life by evaluating external factors, for senior Ma r y Spa rks Lavey, the tr ue indicator of a healthy life lies within. Although Mary Sparks has been involved in a variety of activities throughout her time at Ensworth, such as cross country, theater, Tea r ing Dow n Wa l ls, Gather to Grow, Knitting Club, and Book Club, just to name a few, she is honest about the internal challenges she has faced along the way.

Mary Sparks shares, “Balance is my number one goal throughout life. It’s often hard for me to do this; for example, balancing school, a socia l life, and my menta l and physica l health has always been a challenge. Through different life lessons, and honestly, through a lot of therapy, I discovered that laying out the needs and wants I have as an individual, comparatively with the agreements I have made to others and myself, has helped me form a balanced lifestyle.”

As a result of her own experience, Mary Sparks tries to help encourage self-acceptance and self-care among her peers. She started an organization of students that have placed signs around campus with the reminder “It’s ok to not be ok.” She notes, “I think the hardest part when dealing with mental health, or just life in general, is to first admit to what we are feeling, to confide and ask for help, and eventually try not to judge ourselves for what we feel is tricky. It’s hard to accept the reality of your health sometimes, but I think once you are able to accept that and know where you stand, it is easier to find strategies to help.” Mary Sparks commends the breadth of support Ensworth offers students but recognizes there is more work to be done, and she hopes that her efforts will lead to continued growth in this area. “I think that Ensworth encourages healthy lifestyles, and I believe Ensworth has a headstart on a lot more schools around Nashville and even in the nation with encouraging balance in diversity, educational styles, and extracurriculars. And for me, the most important thing Ensworth can improve is the curriculum around mental health. If we had this integrated into our daily vernacular, we could set up resources when someone is ready to help themselves or find others to help them,” she shares.

Mary Sparks’ thoughtful approach to balance, her honesty about her own struggles, and her dedication to helping others have gained her the respect of both peers and teachers. David Berry observes, "Mary Sparks knows what matters, which is another way of saying that she knows what will matter over time. She has full respect for the homework assignment that is due tomorrow, but she also has the maturity, wisdom, and self-assurance to know and accept that the lunch table conversation she is having with a retired former teacher has a different kind of gravity and value. She knows that choosing to be fully present with that person in that moment is an act of both giving and receiving respect, grace, and love. And that is why—through her values and through her choices—Mary Sparks is making us a better community every day."

Tiffany Townsend Director of Marketing & Communications

Peer Support Team

Acts of Kindness & Gratitude, promoted by the Peer Support Team, are just one of the many ways Ensworth students and faculty support each other at the High School.