Those Culminating Experiences

 

It’s May and the school year is winding down.  Inevitably that means the Upper School students are completing many different types of experiences – whether in the realm of academics, arts or athletics.  In fact, this time of year can feel like one culminating experience after another, with students turning in final projects or performing in one last concert or competing in their final game.

 

In recent weeks, I have attended the all-school art show, multiple recitals, the musical, watched the student film festival entries, and listened intently to the rock/jazz combo recital and choir concerts, just to name a few of the arts-based culminations.  In all I was struck by the level of proficiency, the dedication of the students and faculty, and even the quality of the thank yous and gratitudes expressed by our seniors towards their teachers and mentors.  I was also impressed, as always, by the fact that many of these students have multiple commitments covering an array of experiences.  One student spent an incredible day taking two different AP exams, rushing to soccer practice and then finishing off at a strings recital.  Honestly, that may be too many culminations for one day, but she was in good spirits about all of it.

 

Quite a few experiences have not yet reached their finale.  As of this writing, all six of our CHSAA-based competitive sports teams are entering their playoff rounds.  Even Mock Trial is still competing, as our state-champions are traveling to Hartford to compete in the national tournament.  (I am fortunate to be going as well and will report more on that next week.)  On the academic side, the last AP exams are being given, final papers are being turned in, and two big ninth grade projects are reaching their conclusions this week: the “pecha kucha” presentations in English, and the Global Perspectives community design portfolios.  Both of these are deep dives into personal explorations using creativity and critical thinking.  Meanwhile, Juniors in the Writing Seminar are busily assembling their portfolios, and the REDI Lab juniors will present on May 26, showcasing a trimester’s work of concerted effort towards one large-scale project.

 

Our seniors are especially in the mode of culminations, as they are continually celebrating their “last” of everything.  The tearful senior goodbyes at the choir concert gave way to parting wisdom from their teachers.  This week some of the talk even turned from the profound to the more mundane as seniors noted their “last C day” and their last “early dismissal.”  I suppose everything can be an occasion to reflect and celebrate!

 

Given the linear nature of the school year, it only makes sense that we build toward these culminating experiences as showcases for what the students have learned and also what they can do.  While these endings can be bittersweet, they are the endpoints of effort and perseverance.  And they actually just stand as temporary pauses in the longer journey ahead.  After all, we call graduation “commencement,” which actually marks the beginning of something new . . .