I've recently been working with an amazing school in New York City, working on a number of different projects including many writing assignments. Here's a sample of the some of the pieces I've recently written: As we as a nation prepare to elect the 44th President of the United States, it is important to recognize that regardless of the outcome, significant changes will continue to occur in the systems which make up this country’s foundation. As independent school administrators, we must focus not only on how these changes will impact our schools, but also consider the effect of these changes on the image of the United States as a leading global power. Will the world continue to look to the U.S. as the leader in areas of education, healthcare, politics, economics? Will our government’s leaders set the right example by their words and deeds? In closing, I am reminded of the words of Joe Schmo: “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” As leaders in the field of education, let our words and deeds set an example to be followed by the next generation of government leaders here and around the world. Beginning today, and at every subsequent high school graduation, the Blank Award will be presented to one of our graduating seniors, in honor of outstanding contributions made to the school community during that student’s years in the Blank High School. The award recognizes one special person who has demonstrated maturity, school spirit and citizenship and whose words and actions served as a role model for his or her classmates. The person we recognize today has made tremendous contributions to building a community within the high school, and has been an advocate for her peers, listening, building consensus, and courageously representing them to faculty and administration. Joe Schmo said, “attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference,” and in the case of this person, I couldn’t agree more. I am thrilled to present the first Blank Award to our Student Council President for the past three years, Ms. First Name Last Name. On behalf of everyone in the school family, I can’t begin to express my thanks to the two of you for co-chairing the Carnival. To say that you went above and beyond the call of duty would be an understatement. Your devotion to the school rose to new heights with this event, and thanks to you, the school community – 6000-strong – came together to celebrate the school’s 30th birthday. What a party you threw in its honor! Thank you for making last Sunday such a special day in the history of our school. We simply couldn’t – and can’t - do it without you. As Head of this famous school, I have known Chicky since she enrolled here in 2000. She is currently a 12th Grade student in our High School. During that time, I have known Chicky to be a dedicated student who takes her education very seriously. She is extremely diligent and always aims to do well in class. Simply put, she wants to learn, and she puts forth a consistent positive attitude doing so, in activities both academic and extra-curricular. Chicky possesses excellent self-advocacy skills, often seeking help without the encouragement of any teacher. Her commitment to her education, however, extends beyond her own goals. Chicky is a very caring person, and she possesses a genuine concern for the educational well-being of her peers. She manifests this by her willingness to help her peers with their studies and to advocate on their behalf. In this way she has voluntarily taken on a leadership role in her class, and her peers look to her for guidance as well as friendship. Of particular note is Chicky’s enthusiastic involvement in our theater arts program here at school, and specifically her recent lead role in the high school’s first play. She found an excellent balance between taking the project very seriously, arriving on-time, prepared and full of great ideas, while truly enjoying the rehearsal process and the public performances. In the end, she delivered a grounded performance which demonstrated maturity, self-confidence, and excellent comic timing, truly representative of a more experienced young actor. In closing, Chicky is a remarkable young woman, and we wish her every success as she leaves us for her college education.