Admissions
The most important event in spring 2014, and indeed in the entire academic year, was the ’18s admissions cycle. Selecting the right students is the key to creating and maintaining a culture of enthusiasm, friendliness, and excellence. The task is daunting: there are typically 20-30 applicants for only 5-6 slots for incoming IR Fellows each year.
In keeping with our determination to practice, not just talk, leadership, “Special Projects Officer” Jessica Williams (’16) was given responsibility for preparing the IR Fellows portion of the CCGL admissions presentation. Due to a scheduling mishap beyond her control, she was only given about ten days to put the whole presentation together. The stellar quality of the students who chose to apply to the IRF program attests to the tremendous success of Jessica’s presentation. In interviews conducted during the admissions process, many students cited as a major factor that interested them in becoming an IRF that our admissions presentation was almost entirely conducted by the students themselves. Often those who had Mr. Boland as a teacher also cited the quality of Jessica’s classroom presentation as something that impressed upon them the quality of the IRF program.
Six students emerged from the fiercely competitive application process to become the IRF Class of 2018: Sophia Burke, Mila Colizza, Adavya Dhawan, Tai Jeffers, Jimmy Peccie, and Chase Yager.
(Left to right): CCGL Director Sean Wetmore, Mila Colizza (’18), Jimmy Peccie (’18), Chase Yager (’18), Adavya Dhawan (’18), Sophia Burke (’18), Tai Jeffers (’18), IRF Director David Rezelman, and Headmaster Dennis Manning.
Screening of the Documentary Girl Rising
In the spring Sophie Kidd (’16) viewed a documentary called Girl Rising. She had long had a special interest in girls’ education, and she was moved by the film’s powerful message, so she determined to bring it to the wider Norfolk Academy community. As the documentary’s web site explains, “Girl Rising is a global campaign for girls’ education. We use the power of storytelling to share the simple truth that educating girls can transform societies. Girl Rising unites girls, women, boys and men who believe every girl has the right to go to school and the right to reach her full potential. Our mission is to change the way the world values the girl.” Sophie took the initiative and made the necessary arrangements that culminated in a very well-attended private screening of the film in Landmark Auditorium on February 4th, 2014. (The movie is available today as a DVD to purchase, but at the time the only way to show it at Norfolk Academy was to license a private screening directly with the movie’s producers.) No who who attended were left unaffected by the film’s powerful message. Some in attendance were moved to tears.
Girl Rising (2013).