Head of School’s Notebook: A Look Back at 2023-2024

May 31, 2024

A Look Back at 2023-2024
Today marks the official end of the academic year and after the last student drives down the hill towards home tomorrow, the dorms, classrooms, and hallways will stand empty. With this quiet comes an invitation to look back at some of the many highlights of the year. Here’s a little scrapbook with some of those moments and what stands out in my memory about each.

Pyles Camp with 9th Grade Students
I loved everything about this experience – seeing the seniors set the tone for the incoming students (and me), completing the teacups hike and watching 9th grade students embrace uncertainty together, getting the chance to be away from screens and sink into the simple joys of a campfire and shared meal.

Sunset Ceremony: Bookends to the School Year
The rituals and traditions of the school provide us with regular moments of connection and reflection. This quote from the Spring Sunset Ceremony encapsulates what a full-circle moment it felt like to come together at the start and the end of the year in this warm tradition:

“I’m in awe of the fact that tonight marks the arrival of the full moon – some call this the May Flower Moon – if you know anything about me, you know I have an obsession with flowers and the cycle of renewal they represent. What’s even more remarkable, however, is that our August Sunset ceremony was on the evening of the Super Blue Moon. It seems that the earth is adding an exclamation point at the end of our sentence honoring how far we have come and how much we have grown, and to acknowledge, with a brave face, that the work is not done.”

Servons Speeches 
Every Thursday, the seniors share their wisdom with the school in Servons speeches, and each one, like each of our seniors, is unique, memorable, and wise in its own way. Consider these four highlights from this year’s speeches:

• “There’s this patience to the way time works here. Cate doesn’t stop changing, ever, but it seems to slow down just enough to wait for you.” – Mei Gong
• “​​You don’t have to sit still. You can, but if you like to run, then run. If you like to dance, then dance.” – Zoe Moss
• “Noor means light, and I carry that meaning with me every day. It reminds me of the person I aim to be: a guiding light in times of uncertainty. A person who dims herself for no one.” – Noor Harwell
• “Because maybe we are destined for greatness. But above all, we are promised life. In all its joy and despair, triumphs and losses, love and heartbreak, frustration and be-wonderment. And what a promise that is.” – Clyde Kye

School games with Henry & Walker
Some of the sweetest memories are when I get to spend time with the “big kids” (Cate students) and my little kids (Henry and Walker) together. Watching sports games are some of the best ways for us to do so. I love how my kids get to watch and learn from the Cate students – how they cheer for each other even when a shot is missed, the unselfconsious spirited cheering from the stands, and the fierce determination throughout the competition.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2BzR56LBRt/

Free Day: Taking a Moment to Pause
Announcing a Free Day was one of a moment of collective effervescence. While the process to get there was long and winding, the end result was a moment of pause that started with this moment of joy: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3TKFpOSJJl/

A Tiny Love Story to the Class of 2024
The Class of 2024 will always hold a special place in my heart. During Commencement, I shared a tiny 100 word love story from this moment, reflective of how loving, thoughtful, and kind this class has been:

It was August, and only seniors were on campus. After dinner, the seniors piled on top of each other on the couches in Booth. It was the first time I met the entire class. After introducing myself, I asked for questions. “What are you most scared about?” Sophie asked. Immediately, my eyes filled with tears. “I’m scared about being a new head with two small kids at home and letting everyone down.” To which a senior replied, “We admire you and know your boys will too.” This only made me cry more, but this time, out of love, not fear.

Dorm Pop-Ins
One Wednesday night, Frank Griffin and I decided to pop into each dorm. He arrived prepared with 16 large french fries from McDonald’s and boxes of Brownie Bites. We floated in and out of each dorm and I was captivated watching the delight on Frank’s face mirrored back in the faces of our students upon seeing us enter their common rooms. These informal moments of connection and care serve as the foundation of all we do here – a joy to witness and participate in these timeless traditions.

Sailing with Craig Bouma’s Class

Video by Andy Carranza ’24

I’ve enjoyed thinking about how the “spirit of this place” extends beyond the Mesa into the agricultural farmland, local Carpinteria community, and ocean. A highlight of the year was casting off with Craig Bouma’s students where we enjoyed a crisp afternoon on the water. As a lifelong sailor myself, I was overjoyed as I watched many of our students experience sailing for the first time.

Enjoying the Local Area: Our New Home
From trying out the local restaurants to volunteering in the community, making Carpinteria my new home has been such a joy. The annual Walkathon this year brought about the opportunity to explore the marine life, hike along the Carpinteria Bluffs, all while raising money for our community – a true embodiment of Servons!

Student Artwork
I’ve always said that if I wasn’t a head of school I’d run an art gallery. Luckily, I’ve found a way to turn my office into a gallery of student artwork, including a paper mache Cate sign from my son. I purchased each piece from our student artists in acknowledgment of their craft, skill, and time. I look forward to filling every wall and covering every surface!

Meeting Cate Legends
As I endeavored to learn all I can about Cate, I’ve been fortunate to meet incredible former faculty, parents and trustees, and devoted alumni.

A highlight was meeting Sandy “Mama” Ellis – this moment captures the instant feeling of love and acceptance everyone feels in Sandy’s presence.