February 8, 2018
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
It’s not often that I start my day in tears. In fact, I don’t cry much at all. But a recent morning was different as I listened to the six seniors give their senior performances. I was incredibly moved by their courage as each reflected on how they have overcome challenges and adversity. I was also grateful to be a part of a community where these young people felt comfortable and safe to tell their stories and knew they would be supported and accepted.
Senior performances are a capstone experience at MPA. The seniors reflect on their learning, values, struggles, and passions as evidence of their readiness for college and life. The speeches then compel them to speak publicly about the formative moments that have helped shape who they are. Being able to authentically present yourself in front of your peers can feel risky for the student, but is ultimately rewarding as empathy and support for one another builds throughout the year. It is not uncommon to hear classmates say to one another, “I never knew that about you.” Or, “I am so proud of you.” Each senior is encouraged to end their speech with an expression of gratitude to those who have supported them.
I’ve had the opportunity to see nearly all of the senior performances this year. Our seniors do a wonderful job and share stories that are touching, funny, and thoughtful. They often display a depth uncommon among young people. The speeches reminded me of a recent keynote address given by Harry Kraemer, professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and former chairman and CEO of Baxter International, about values-based leadership. Harry speaks about four essential principles of values-based leadership: self-reflection, balance and perspective, true self-confidence, and genuine humility.
As Harry Kraemer defines it, self-refection is the ability to reflect and identify what you stand for, what your values are, and what matters most. His second principle, balance and perspective, is the ability to see situations from multiple perspectives, including differing viewpoints to gain a holistic understanding. Kraemer’s third principle, true self-confidence is explained as more than mastery of certain skills. Instead, true self-confidence enables you to accept yourself as you are, recognizing your strengths and your weaknesses, and focusing on continuous improvement. Finally, genuine humility is the ability never to forget who you are, to appreciate the value of each person in the organization, and to treat everyone with respect.
As I read Harry Kraemer’s book, “From Values to Action,” I found myself drawing correlations between an MPA education and his call for values-based leaders. Throughout their MPA careers, students have opportunities to sharpen their critical thinking skills through the study of history and literature. They learn to consider multiple perspectives and find creative avenues of self-expression through the arts. Across grade levels, students discover their voice and develop the skills and confidence to communicate effectively. Character education and cultural competencies provide students with the ability to recognize the uniqueness of each person and to learn to value what they bring to our community.
Our strategic plan, Momentum 2020, calls for us to prepare students to learn, live, and thrive in today’s 21st century globalized society. As I listen to their senior speeches, I experience a sense of hope and faith in the future, knowing they will leave MPA committed to improving our world in simple and mighty ways.
