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Traditions

It’s the middle of October and a few of our most important annual traditions are behind us: Opening of School Assembly, Homecoming and Mountain Day. I recall hearing about these events before I joined the community, but no one description came close to preparing me for the special place these traditions hold in the Brearley student experience—the key word here being “student.”

From a young age, students watch their older peers lead these events and seek to emulate them. When seniors recall the moment that inspired them to run for a position that is responsible for one of these annual traditions, they often cite a moment very early in their career, like being a kindergartener watching co-heads of the Athletic Association lead the crowd in a rousing round of "Beaver One, Beaver All"; or as a Class IV student, receiving their class mascot from the presidents of Class XII after they’ve exchanged original songs in honor of the beloved critter; or even as a Class VII student listening to co-heads of Self-Government or BSDLC deliver their welcoming remarks at the Opening of School Assembly. What stands out in all of these cross-divisional interactions is the throughline of our School’s mission and values. There is no hint of seniors acting “too cool for school” during these moments. Instead, they embrace the opportunity to model integrity, respect, inclusion and kindness for their younger peers. In this way, they play a key role in creating, along with faculty and staff, a community based on mutual concern. 

Traditions serve our community in many ways. They gather us in celebration. They provide annual events that students look forward to and connect them with generations of Brearley alumnae. They also shape our culture and help us live out our values.

These ideas were in bold relief as I led the lake walk on Mountain Day, flanked by two seniors, who have been my companions on past hikes on this special day. We talked about how supportive their classmates are of one another during the busy fall term, what we have done together over the last 13 years, what books we had read recently and how much we appreciated leaving our desks behind to enjoy the beauty of the Hudson River Valley. As we walked and talked, I asked them to look at who else had joined us at the front of the long line of Brearley students and teachers—a group of fast-walking Vs and VIs. It was then that I said to my wingwomen, “They remind me of you at their age. Bright-eyed, adventurous and wanting to be near the big girls.” They laughed and we all agreed that future excursions will be led with the same vigor as in the past. And so it goes with traditions...

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