The performance exemplified excellence and demonstrated an emotional connection rarely seen by high school students. 

We experience similar moments frequently at RE. It goes without saying that our students are talented. In the last week alone, we saw our speech and debate students earn numerous trophies at a national tournament in Gainesville; our boys’ varsity swimmers and girls’ and boys’ varsity golfers win district titles; our middle school academic team win the ISSF Middle School Geography Bee; our upper school academic team win the National Academic Quiz Tournaments South Florida Fall Invitational; and nine students receive national writing recognition. Those accolades and victories are wonderful, and I’m so proud of our students. But what takes my breath away on a daily basis is not how much individual students shine, but how fully all of our students support one another, living out our core value of Support & Community. 

Just over a week ago, RE’s girls’ varsity volleyball team lost in four sets to Gulliver Prep in the regional playoffs. It was a crushing defeat, especially for the team’s seniors, and yet my colleagues David Clark ’86, COO, and Donald Cramp, Head of the Upper School, and I felt a bit of pride and joy; we were touched that nearly the entire boys’ football team showed up to Gulliver’s home court to cheer on their classmates. And, of course, our student-athletes competed with heart and class.

Less than two weeks ago, dozens of RE juniors and seniors entered ninth-grade classrooms in groups of two or three to share lessons on health and wellness that will continue throughout the year. The students are volunteer Peer Health Educators with the Health Information Project (HIP), determined to help their peers confront the most challenging health concerns of this era with facts, resources and a willingness to listen and share. This week, our students on both campuses are participating in vibrant celebrations of Diwali – they love the dancing, the food and the cultural activities that bring everyone together.

The altruistic instincts that our students display, and which we seek to nurture, help advance the lessons on civil discourse that have been key points of emphasis this fall. We have frequently reminded our students and professional community that, regardless of their particular viewpoints on issues or politics, we expect that we will treat each other with respect, and communicate in a kind and inclusive manner in every circumstance.

It is this commitment to care, and thoughtfulness of communication, that brings a group of people together and creates the foundation for a tight-knit community. We have many, many remarkable individuals in our student and faculty ranks, and yet the best things we do, we do together. Our most meaningful moments involve connection and outreach. Our students know they can rely on their teachers and each other, and they are building relationships for life.