Letter from the Head of School

Recently, I wrote a note—by hand, a tradition that is alive and well across our campus— to friends about something meaningful to me. My friend has a tradition of reading a children’s book as a family at Christmas. In recent years, they have shared this tradition with my family by gifting us a copy of the book and sharing with us its meaning to them. It is a beautifully simple and deeply significant gesture that reminds my family of what is important to us, brings us together around a shared experience, and builds our sense of commitment to one another.

Like my story, this edition of our magazine showcases Cannon School traditions that serve these same goals. If you have talked with more than one or two people about our school, the fact our six core values live and breathe on our campus is hard to miss. We all share the privilege to learn, play, teach, and work together within the bounds of this code. When Junior Kindergarten students showcase their “teddy bears” every year to parents, siblings, Senior Buddies, friends, and, “even Mr. Jones,” I’m reminded of all the ways we value and celebrate courage and passion. Living by these values is what is important to us.

Although some time had passed, there may be a few Lower School parents still recovering from this year’s Gold and Maroon Day. As you’ll read, it’s a wild morning in the Lower School! Not only do we have a raucous time in Boswell Gym, but it also builds community, reinforces the value of play as an integral part of learning, and promotes healthy competition. It brings folks together around a shared experience.

Twice a year, our Upper School gathers to celebrate four students who have exemplified honor at an Honor Sword Ceremony. A part of our Honor Council’s responsibilities, this tradition is a key component of our Upper School community’s shared commitment to live with integrity and reinforce a culture of accountability. By gathering together with one another to recognize these four students, we build our sense of commitment to one another.

Some will argue that tradition as a concept is problematic because it can work against the admirable goals I believe our traditions support at Cannon School. It is true, that some traditions can become self-perpetuating with no connection to their original purpose or value. A tradition for tradition’s sake is a sign that complacency and missed expectations may be around the corner. At Cannon, we have an engrained expectation in our culture that we are always growing and improving. We can be thankful our community holds traditions dear with purpose, intentionality, and commitment.

Warmly,

EDITOR

Amy Reiss

Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

CANNON MAGAZINE WINTER/SPRING 2023

Cannon Magazine is published semiannually by the Office of Advancement. Send address changes to rriemersma@cannonschool.org.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Beth Levanti

Director of Marketing and Communications

CONTRIBUTORS

Sarah Sooklal Skylar Couture ’23

Ella Kungl ’23

G. Christopher Jones Head of School

LEADERSHIP

HEAD OF SCHOOL

G. Christopher Jones

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

Dr. Regina Nixon

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Carla M. Moyer

HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

Fabio A. Hurtado

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION

William Diskin

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Todd W. Hartung Jr.

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Whit G. Brown

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Dr. Beth Wilner