2022 Program Update

HEAD

BOARD OF

Rylan

Richard

Jonathan

Brant

Denis

Terence

Walter

David

Michael

Jason

Hasan

Sean

Robert

Ian

Daniel

Susannah

Meghan

Andrea

36 Hours at Dexter Southfield

Dear Dexter Southfield Community,

Anyone who has traveled to a new city or region has likely set aside a few minutes before embarking on their trip to review The New York Times popular and resourceful “36 Hours: a guide to a city’s adventurous and fascinating must-see destinations.”

As I sat down on a recent Sunday morning to write this letter, I reflected on what Dexter Southfield’s version of “36 Hours” might look like. How we would capture the ethos of a PreK through Class 12 community with three divi sions that shares 36-acres of campus space, borders a city with world-class institutions and resources, and places an intentional focus on character development? Where would we recommend a visitor begin their explorations: the Lower School Reading and Learning Center (page 2), The Middle School Garage (read more on page 4), or perhaps the new Dexter Southfield Squash Center (page 8)? I quickly arrived at the fact that Dexter Southfield is a destination worthy of the special-edition, hard-cover version reserved for locations with a bustling itinerary.

So, what does 36 school hours at Dexter Southfield look like? Here is just a small glimpse into four days in the spring of 2022:

> On Wednesday, we hosted our first New Venture Competition, the culminating experience of our Upper School Entrepre neurship Program launched in the fall of 2021 (page 12).

> Throughout the week, we welcomed fam ilies to campus for our Lower School Music Fests and Senior Art Exhibition, and alumni joined us on campus for their Spring Alumni Board Meeting.

> On Friday, faculty and students from Class 2 ventured into Boston for the first time since 2019 for their annual end-of-year excursion on the swan boats. Back on campus, their lower school peers sat captivated in the seats of the Clay Center Lecture Hall as they took in a magnificent performance of the Middle School’s spectacular spring theater production, Elf the Musical, Jr.

> By Saturday morning, our varsity sports teams were scattered throughout New England competing in spring postseason games, before returning to campus later in the evening for our 1920s themed junior and senior prom.

Just as it is nearly impossible to uncover every unique destination of a city in 36 hours, it is equally as challenging to share all that is happening at Dexter Southfield in a limited number of pages. Instead, it is my hope that after reading the enclosed stories capturing some of last year’s most exciting initiatives, you will schedule your own visit to campus to discover something new. Perhaps you are a parent wishing to explore the next division, a grandparent wanting to learn more about your grandchild’s experience, or maybe you are an alumnus, alumna, or past parent longing to return to the hill. Whatever the reason for your visit, I am confident you will leave ready to schedule your return trip.

Best, Todd Vincent Head of School

Falling in Love with Literature

At the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic year, Dexter Southfield launched an initiative more than three years in the making: the Lower School Reading and Learning Center, a state-of-the-art library containing more than 3,000 books. Headed by former fourth-grade teacher Chris Newton, with the unwavering support of Head of Lower School Dr. Marlena Alex, the goal of the Center is simple, yet profound: to provide a dynamic space for students ages four to 12 to spark their passion for literature and life-long learning. “Reading is fundamental,” said Newton. “It is the basis for everything you will learn in your life, so encour aging that love for reading in students early on is so important. To have a dedicated space for this in our Lower School is simply phenomenal.”

EMBRACING BOOKS OVER ELECTRONICS

As Newton admits, in today’s digital world, it is becoming increasingly chal lenging to keep children focused on books. “The statistics aren’t surprising— over the past 10 or 15 years we’ve seen independent reading time decrease among students, largely because of technology.”

The trend is also influenced by the declining popularity of libraries, and even books themselves. “Some people will say that we don’t really need libraries in 2022, with the Internet and eBooks,” explained Dr. Alex. “But we believe surrounding our students with books, in paper format, still carries enormous benefits. That’s what I love about this school—we embrace tradition with an eye to the future. The Lower School Innovation Center is connected to the Reading and Learning Center, and that reflects our dual commitment to tradition and progress, both visually and physically.

To support our mission, we also made strategic choices in design: bold colors, moveable chairs, cozy nooks, and even a cargo net—it’s a space where the students want to come and curl up with a book.”

In terms of strategy, the Center is employing a number of approaches to keep students off of their iPads and turning the page. Newton has access to a library management system (LMS) that helps him locate ideal books for each individual student, using metrics like reading level, interests, and length. “I also encourage students to ask questions about the characters and make predictions about the stories,” he added. Students can check out books, just as they would a local library.

MOVING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM LIBRARY MODEL

Each homeroom class has dedicated weekly time in the space with Newton. Teachers can also elect to bring their classes to the Center when it is not being utilized for these sessions. In addition, Newton works closely with teachers to ensure that each class visit ties into their curriculum. He

holds special ‘read-alouds,’ where he reads to the students about a topic they are studying at the time. This approach is fundamental to Dexter Southfield’s mission: purposefulness in reading. “When we talk about purposefulness in reading, we’re referring to the scientific the ory that reading skills are acquired progres sively over time,” noted Dr. Alex. “Our youngest children begin by learning phonics, before moving on to more complex things like story structure, characterization and so on.”

The opening of the Center ultimately rep resents a new era. The School once embraced a classroom library model, where students had access to small in-class libraries. The Reading and Learning Center offers something dif ferent, and more impactful. “I think the fact that the center is a destination outside of the classroom helps—the kids can look forward to leaving their classrooms for a little bit. There are comfy chairs and vivid displays. It’s also a fantastic resource for the faculty because they can use the Center to teach and engage their students in new ways.”

INSPIRING STUDENTS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

The Reading and Learning Center space first opened its doors in the fall of 2020. Located in the Gui Building, the epicenter of the School’s Building a Better Tomorrow project, the space was first used as part of the School’s return to full-time, on-campus learning. “We were so grateful to have that extra square footage in the fall of 2020,” shared Dr. Alex. “It was critical to providing our students a space outside of their classrooms to read a book, stretch their legs, or focus on mindfulness. While that was important for that moment in our history, we are thrilled it’s now being leveraged for its intended use of fostering a love for reading within our students.”

Despite notable progress, the Reading and Learning Center is still in its early stages of development. “We have big plans for its fu ture,” Dr. Alex explained. “We already have a new shipment of books on the way, and that will add to the thousands of books we already have. And, it must be stressed, that none of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors.”

“Reading is fundamental. It is the basis for everything you will learn in your life, so encouraging that love for reading in students early on is so important. To have a dedicated space for this in our Lower School is simply phenomenal.”

-CHRIS NEWTON

The Garage: Powering Innovation

In the fall of 2020, Dexter Southfield leadership began scouting locations for a Middle School Innovation Center—a venue outside of the classroom where students could collaborate on academic and extracurricular projects. After months of hard work, The Garage opened its doors to Classes 6 through 8 for the start of the fall 2021 semester.

“The name, The Garage, came to me while we were searching for potential sites,” explained Head of Middle School Todd Fawcett, who has been a key player in the project since its inception. “We were wandering around an empty garage on our campus, and I realized that some of the world’s greatest brands—Apple, Google, Amazon—came to life in garages, so why not repurpose this space using that simple, yet impactful name?”

A STATE-OF-THE-ART STUDENT RESOURCE

Covering 8,000 square feet, The Garage is a one-level, multipurpose space on the lower level of the Middle School boast ing high-tech facilities that support learning and innovation across a range of disciplines, from science to art and cooking. “We’ve incorporated highly-specialized equipment. There’s a laser cutter, a 3D printer, interactive televisions, ovens and cooking equipment, whiteboards, and even robotics design kits,” said Fawcett. “Everything is set up on rolling storage carts, allowing us to transform the space quickly. At any given moment that could mean concurrent classes, club meetings, or division activities.”

For science instructor Diane Popeo, The Garage is an invaluable tool for a more practical curriculum. “Science classes should be places that promote experimentation and trying different approaches to figure out what solution works best,” she noted. “That’s why The Garage has been such a game-chang ing addition to our program, because it provides space and resources for students to engage in hands-on learning. And the students love it; they enjoy the collaborative nature of the environment as well as learning somewhere other than in their classroom. The change of scenery boosts creativity.”

Faculty member Bob Donahue shares Popeo’s sentiments. “The Garage has truly transformed the delivery of educa tion to our students,” he explained. “I’ve used The Garage for a number of my programs. My economics class used the interactive televisions and whiteboards to research some of the world’s leading companies, and in my government unit, we used the space to hold mock trials. One of the reasons the space has been so successful is its reach far beyond just science classes.”

EMBRACING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO EDUCATION

In addition to traditional class-based learning, The Garage hosts a range of interdisciplinary projects.

In January, the Middle School held a first-of-its kind interdis ciplinary initiative, J-Term. The project had students work in groups to build their own prototypes for more sustainable cities. “We called it ‘Cities of the Future.’ The students designed infrastructure and buildings while considering critical issues like the environment and gentrification. They

came up with some really creative solutions, and they ended up presenting them to their grade level and displaying their projects in a gallery-style walkthrough,” shared Fawcett.

The project’s size and scope, both in terms of student involvement and the topics studied, impressed faculty. “All of the disciplines came together for the J-Term project—science, English, economics, history, math, the arts—it was the first time the Middle School had ever worked on such a large-scale project,” noted Popeo. “It was only made possible because of the space and facilities provided by The Garage.”

A primary goal of The Garage and projects like J-Term is to advance the understanding of design thinking practices. Popular in business and academia, design thinking refers to processes used to develop new innovations, products, or services. To support curriculum enhancement in this area, middle school faculty members engaged in professional development training in the practice over the summer with Design Case, a leading consultant in implementing maker space education and innovation programs.

“We worked with Stanford Fellow and founder of Design Case Con sulting, Mark Schreiber, who also supports Google’s Startup Digest. He explained the core concepts, and the teachers put their knowledge into action by designing board games. The other piece of that training centered on the language of the MBA; our teachers were introduced to ‘business’ vocabulary and were then given tools to introduce that in the classroom. The goal was to help our kids feel comfortable using professional language. It is important when spaces like The Garage are created that we also support and train our faculty in how they can leverage it to enhance their teaching methods, so professional development will continue to be a critical and strategic component in our work.”

STRENGTHENING THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

For Fawcett, perhaps the most profound benefit of The Garage, beyond collaborative learning, is the sense of community it reinforces across the Middle School. “I really didn’t expect it to become such a community center. It’s a great venue for fostering those social inter actions, while also encouraging learning.” For Donahue, the space has fueled his passion for his career. “I think this state-of-the-art, forward-thinking facility is encouraging our faculty to get really creative with the way they design their curriculum. It’s enhancing our love for teaching.”

“I really didn’t expect it to become such a community center. It’s a great venue for fostering those social interactions, while also encouraging learning.”

-TODD FAWCETT, HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Qian “Ann” Ge

FINDING A SECOND HOME AT DEXTER SOUTHFIELD

When searching for a school for her children Nelson (Class 11) and Elaine ’17, Qian “Ann” Ge was blown away by the beauty of Dexter Southfield’s campus, the range and quality of its facilities, and the warmth of staff and students. However, it was the School’s profound sense of community that made Ann realize that she had found the perfect place for her children. “We are a foreign family, and when we selected Dexter Southfield, we had just arrived in the U.S. from China,” she explained. “We fell in love with the School immediately. It gave all of us that feeling of belonging, and it was like we had found a second home.”

A very generous donor to the Dexter Southfield Fund for more than eight years, Ann’s reason for giving back is simple: to strengthen the institution she loves. “The School needs the financial support of parents. Tuition alone does not cover all expenses,” Ann noted. “It’s also a way to say thank you to the School. My children are happy, healthy, and have made remarkable progress. That is due to the strength of the teaching.”

Ann also volunteers her time to a variety of causes. As President of the WeStar Corp. and co-chair of the NECAA (New England ChineseAmerican Alliance), she leads a number of programs and initiatives that empower the Chinese community here in New England. She re cently led a campaign to introduce an after-school Chinese language program in Weston Public Schools. Here at Dexter Southfield, she is

a champion of our Chinese community. Her commitment to cultural exchange was ex emplified during Lunar New Year, when she handed out red envelopes to Dexter Southfield faculty and staff members.

Looking ahead, Ann hopes her myriad contri butions will continue to help the School grow and thrive. “I love Dexter Southfield’s motto, ‘Our Best Today, Better Tomorrow.’ That’s why I think it is so important to keep donating, to ensure that the future is even brighter,” she said. “Long-term, I would like to see a continued emphasis on the importance of traditional academics.”

“We fell in love with the School immediately. It gave all of us that feeling of belonging, and it was like we had found a second home.”

-QIAN “ANN” GE, PARENT

2022 College Matriculation List

Amherst College

Babson College (2)

Bentley University (2)

Boston College (4)

Brown University

Bucknell University

Clark University Clemson University

Colby College

Colgate University College of the Holy Cross (4) Columbia University Davidson College Elon University (3)

Endicott College (2)

Fairfield University

Flagler College

Fordham University

George Washington University Georgetown University

Hamilton College

Harvard College

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Indiana University Bloomington

Ithaca College

Kalamazoo College

Merrimack College

Middlebury College

Northeastern University Northwestern University Ohio State University Providence College (2)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Roger Williams University (2)

Saint Joseph’s University

Saint Louis University

San Diego State University

Santa Clara University

Sarah Lawrence College

Skidmore College

Southern Methodist University

St. Lawrence University

Syracuse University

Texas Christian University

The University of Texas at Austin

Trinity College

Tufts University

Tulane University Union College (2)

University of California, Berkeley (2)

University of Colorado Boulder University of Miami University of Michigan (2)

University of Mississippi University of New England University of New Hampshire

University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania (2) University of Richmond University of Vermont University of Wisconsin-Madison

Vanderbilt University

West Virginia University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The Dexter Southfield Squash Center

Pursuing squash was not always easy at Dexter Southfield, with students spending their week nights trekking to and from Boston’s Back Bay to use the courts at the renowned Harvard Club.

“We knew we wanted to grow our squash program. As often as possible, we want our students engaged in the camaraderie and excitement that happens when our community assembles on campus to support athletic competition,” explained Director of Athletics Brian McColgan, who has been a faculty member for nearly 25 years. “That’s when we seized the idea of creating our own Squash Center by repurposing the Dalrymple Gymnasium and reimagining an accompanying Squash Program. I’ve seen a lot of changes at the School, and this was one of the most exciting.”

PHOTOS

The Dexter Southfield Squash Center opened in the fall of 2021.

A CENTER BUILT FOR THE DIGITAL AGE

Despite pandemic-related hurdles, the Dexter Southfield Squash Center opened in the summer of 2021 on time and under budget. The facility houses six state-of-the-art singles courts and is designed to accommodate team matches, group training, spectating, and other special events. The Center also incorporates cut ting-edge technology, with iPads and score board monitors that are equipped with US Squash’s Club Locker Venue system—a tool that provides live score updates and keeps tabs on Dexter Southfield’s national ranking. Students can also hone their skills using the new “Squash Cannon,” a ball machine that pinpoints areas for improvement. “It’s a beau tiful facility, and everything is really well done,” noted McColgan.

A SQUASH SUPERSTAR TAKES CHARGE

With the Center construction underway, McCo lgan and others began their search for the program’s inaugural leader. They quickly settled on Dan Roberts—a highly accomplished pro fessional with a lengthy resume in the sport, including success as a top-rated player and coach. During his impressive career, Roberts has coached in multiple arenas, from junior leagues to national championships, and has helped countless athletes achieve profession al-level success. “Squash has always been my greatest passion,” said Roberts. “I love the syn ergy of the intense physical battle. It is often compared to moving chess, and I think that’s a perfect analogy. For the students, it intro duces new challenges that can help improve sportsmanship and social skills.”

But for McColgan, Roberts brings more to the School than just his expertise.

“He is a wonderful human being, both on and off the squash court. He is completely invested in our School and enjoys working with children of all ages,” McColgan shared. “When he starts talking about the game, his knowledge and passion really shines through.”

MAKING THE SPORT ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL

During the winter season, all three divisions participate in the Squash Program. In the Lower School, children in Classes 3 through 5 begin with the basics, learning to play the game by exploring the fundamentals of technique,

ball control, movement, and strategy. For middle school students, the curriculum becomes more advanced, with a focus on technical development and coordinated shot sequences, while the upper school program builds on the knowledge learned in the middle school curriculum. Injury prevention is a major focus throughout, which incorporates strength and conditioning to help students meet the heightened physi cal demands of the game.

Regardless of level, the goal of the initiative is to help players enhance their skills and nurture their understanding and appreciation for the sport. “Seeing our kids and their friends rallying around the program is so exciting,” explained Dexter Southfield parent, alumnus, and squash enthusiast Pat Malloy ’86, who helped with the development of the Squash Program. “Under Dan’s leadership, this program is really going to excel. I’ve been fortunate enough to learn and play with a lot of coaches over the years, and I think Dan’s approach is as good as it gets.”

A FUTURE IN THE BIG LEAGUES

In the first season under Roberts’s leadership, the varsity teams experienced tre mendous success. In February’s Class E New England Championships, the girls’ team placed third, with two students finishing first in their respective individual divisions and a third student finishing runner-up. Several athletes also advanced to the U.S. High School Team Squash Championships in Philadelphia, where the boys’ team finished runner-up in its division.

The future certainly looks bright for Dexter Southfield squash. “We have a network of elite players here in New England, so I don’t see any reason why we can’t attract top talent,” explained McColgan. Roberts echoed these ambitious sentiments: “We have our sights set on moving up the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and National divisions and competing with rival schools—we’re here to prepare our students for interscholastic and intercollegiate success.”

“I love the synergy of the intense physical battle. It is often compared to moving chess and I think that’s a perfect analogy.” -DAN ROBERTS

George and Constance “Connie” Hamilton INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF THEIR GRANDCHILDREN

George and Constance “Connie” Hamilton have deep connec tions to Dexter Southfield. Their son, Peter, served as an English teacher and dean from 2000-2010. It was at Dexter Southfield that he met his wife, Meghan when she was a fellow teacher. They are currently proud Dexter Southfield grandparents of Peter and Meghan’s children, Henry (Class 5), Gus (Class 4), and Georgia (PreK).

These family ties are just one reason that the couple donates every year to the Dexter Southfield Fund. The dedication of its faculty and staff, the rigorous curriculum, and the School’s core values are also major motivators.

“The teachers are approachable and the curriculum emphasizes the development of key academic and social skills,” explained George. “Name a better investment than one in the future of your child or grandchild.”

In addition to their philanthropy, the Hamiltons love being an active part of their grandchildren’s school lives. Based in Worcester County, George and Connie make multiple trips to campus each year for events, including Public Speaking. “I love experiencing the kids and their class mates deliver their presentations and witnessing the year-over-year improvement,” said Connie. “It was not until I was in my 50s that I felt

comfortable addressing a crowd, so the fact that Dexter Southfield introduces and devel ops those skills in students from age five is truly priceless.”

Grandparents’ Day is a particular highlight for George, as it provides him an opportunity to witness student learning firsthand. “Encour aging the grandparents to be actively involved is one of the School’s greatest strengths,” he added. “It makes us feel like we are part of the community, and that is really very special.”

For George and Connie, supporting Dexter Southfield is also about investing in the fu ture of the institution. “The School is rooted in tradition, but it also embraces innovation. We really value that the School is always looking ahead, while staying true to its values, which very much align with our own,” noted George. Connie echoed his sentiments. “It’s such a wonderful community, and we admire greatly Head of School Todd Vincent’s leadership.”

DONOR PROFILE

“The School is rooted in tradition, but it also embraces innovation. We really value that the School is always looking ahead, while staying true to its values, which very much align with our own.” -GEORGE HAMILTON, GRANDPARENT

Andrew and Susan Iglowski

INVESTING IN DEXTER SOUTHFIELD’S FUTURE

When Andrew and Susan Iglowski were searching for a school for their daughters Claire (Class 5) and Eloise (Class 2), Dexter Southfield stood out for its unique educational model, rigorous curriculum, and commitment to helping students develop strong interpersonal skills.

“We were drawn to the single-sex structure in the Lower School, which creates an environment for the girls to build confidence in the classroom,” said Susan. “The daily emphasis on developing character, confidence, and compassion is something that will serve as a lifelong foundation well beyond their school years.”

Dexter Southfield’s state-of-the-art facilities and com prehensive athletic offerings were also major highlights. “We are especially thankful for the School’s commitment to physical education. The athletics program is incredible, and we are grateful that our girls can participate in it every day,” said Andrew.

However, it is Dexter Southfield’s strong sense of com munity that motivates the couple’s generous giving. “We

believe that a school’s reputation is as strong as the commu nity it builds,” explained Susan. “Giving back is a way to foster a sense of pride and gratitude for the School’s impact on students and families. Whether it be through time or money, contributions provide intangible benefits by enriching Dexter Southfield’s community overall.”

A major pillar of this community is the School’s staff, and the couple is continually impressed by the support the teachers offer their children. “What we appreciate most is that the teachers are encouraging our girls to test their limits and take risks knowing that, while they will make mistakes, they are in a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and builds resolve,” Andrew expressed. “Supporting the Dexter Southfield Fund is our way of expressing gratitude for the enormously positive impact Dexter Southfield continues to have on the growth and development of our girls.”

Looking ahead, Andrew and Susan hope that their gifts will help the School continue to grow and prosper. “Dexter South field’s future expansion will require even more resources and we want to play a role in supporting this long-term growth,” noted Andrew.

DONOR PROFILE

“The daily emphasis on developing character, confidence, and compassion is something that will serve as a lifelong foundation well beyond their school years.”

-SUSAN IGLOWSKI, PARENT

Shaping the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

In the fall semester of 2021, Dexter Southfield began its search for the next Mark Cuban or Lori Greiner. The Upper School Entrepreneurship Program is a new initiative designed to support students’ entrepreneurial appetite as they identify a business, service, or product opportunity and create operational and growth plans. “We’re looking to encourage that entrepreneurial spirit,” explained Emilia Guy, Chair of the Upper School Math and Science Departments, who oversees the program. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop a business plan for a product or service that they are passionate about.” Students are supported with access to speakers, workshops, and resources, along with alumni and parent mentors.

ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM @ DXSF

ALUMNI FOUNDERS PANEL

Barrett O’Neill ’11 Brendan Montima ’10 Carolina Quincy ’08

PARENT FUNDERS PANEL

Jeremiah Daly, co-founder and managing partner, Elephant

Gary Mueller, director, LiquidX, Korrus, Infinite Blue, Wurk, and LTX

Elizabeth de Saint-Aignan, managing partner, Sun Capital Partners

BUSINESS LEADERS SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS

In the first phase of the program, students partici pated in hands-on prototyping workshops with faculty from Babson College. “Experts from Babson College came in to share their knowledge and expertise with our students and guide them in interactive work shops,” shared Guy. “We are fortunate to leverage our location with easy access to world-class partners, such as Babson.”

To further engage students, Guy had to look no further than the Dexter Southfield alumni and par ent community. In October, the first of two panel discussions were held on campus, introducing stu dents to three alumni entrepreneurs who shared insight into how they began their businesses, including lessons from their Dexter Southfield expe riences that they still leverage. In November, the School welcomed three current parent investors to campus to share expertise about what it means to invest, best practices, investment phases, and insight into a typical day. Both panels were moder ated by Joshua Schwarzberg, CEO of procurement consulting firm Analyzed Costs and parent to two Dexter Southfield students. “The panel was a really insightful dialogue about the excitement of both starting and funding business,” Josh explained. “I think it’s incredible that entrepreneurship is being incorporated into the Dexter Southfield curriculum because those skills are truly essential in today’s competitive world of business.”

DEVELOPING THE NEXT BIG IDEA

The program’s second stage was focused on group work. “There were seven small groups, of two to three students per group that built out their unique business concepts. We met once a week to workshop their ideas and move their projects forward,” noted Guy. Many of the business plans addressed causes that are important to the stu dents. “I kicked off the business plan ideation process by encouraging the students to think about their values and what’s important to them— one group developed a service that can help the homeless community and another focused on improving health and wellness.”

For student Teddy MacAusland, the program has provided an unparalleled opportunity to advance his lifelong love for entrepreneurship. “From host ing a lemonade stand to developing a custom

t-shirt business, I’ve been interested in entrepreneurship from a young age, so I jumped at the chance to join this program,” he explained. “I’ve devel oped an idea for a consumer-to-consumer renting service, where users can rent out their personal items to each other. Our group was motivated by finding a solution to that age-old question: ‘If I buy this, will I use it more than once?’”

SHARK TANK COMES TO DEXTER SOUTHFIELD

In the final phase of the program, each group was paired with a mentor—a vol unteer with entrepreneurial expertise, who helped the students prepare pitches for their businesses. Then they presented as part of Dexter Southfield’s New Venture Competition. “It has that Shark Tank feel,” noted Guy.

It goes without saying, however, that this initiative is about more than launch ing a business. “They’re enhancing their teamwork skills, their interpersonal skills, their public speaking and communication skills,” said Guy. “I also believe that this program is teaching our students to not be afraid of failure. They can test ideas and evolve those plans when they discover what works and what doesn’t. That’s such an important skill to have, as most things in life take a lot of work to get right.”

“One group is developing a service that can help the homeless community and another is focused on improving health and wellness.”

-EMILIA GUY, CHAIR OF THE UPPER SCHOOL MATH & SCIENCE DEPARTMENTS

Brendan Montima ’10 was one of three alumni to sit on the Founders Panel.

Save the Date

FALL ALUMNI RECEPTION

Friday, October 21, 2022

All alumni are invited to join us on campus for an evening of connection and celebration with fellow Dexter Southfield alumni. All class years welcome. www.dextersouthfield.org/reconnect

DEXTER SOUTHFIELD DAY

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Join us on campus for athletic games, family-friendly activities, food, and school spirit! www.dextersouthfield.org/dxsfday