COMMUNITY
FINDING CREATIVITY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS FIND OUTLET THROUGH SERVICE. By David C. Weeks GLOBAL EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTOR
Before Covid-19, the river of life slowly meandered or
The GCS students were among 90 students from 11 states
descended rapidly. Carried along with its movement, each
across the nation who learned from speakers on various
of us would bypass boulders or drift through the “flat” water.
social issues in large Zoom meetings and determined a
Occasionally, we would find ourselves savoring the calmness
topic of interest requiring financial support. With guidance
of deep eddy pools. These temporary respites on our
from Close-Up Foundation facilitators, the group engaged
journey allowed us to appreciate the meaningful experiences
in online research, prepared a presentation, and ultimately
that have left us enriched. Passing the beauty found along
presented it to a panel of “Shark Tank” judges in a competition
its banks further enhanced the quality of our lives. Then
for possible funding. All the presentations were impressive,
it happened. The ever-moving river of life found its path
and the topic receiving funds was “Impact of Gentrified
blocked, and a dam exposing our lives’ fragility arrested
Housing on Homelessness.” Keita and Olson were members
the flow of our journey. The strength of that dam created a
of the winning group, with Olson delivering a compelling
reservoir that has deepened with each passing day. Some
presentation for funding. Olson combined the group’s
of us, left floating, have peered into its depth for inspiration
research with his persuasive speech to explain the allocation
and have been greeted with resourceful creativity.
of funds. “Our drive, work ethic, and overall teamwork were key characteristics prevalent throughout our amazing
Recognizing the value of virtually partnering with middle
journey, and the outcome project truly showed our progression,”
and high school students during the pandemic, Blake Kohn,
explained Olson. The victory is a proud achievement for GCS,
executive director of the National Network of Schools in
especially considering the well-researched competition, all
Partnership (NNSP), contacted GCS. In March 2020, David
delivered with authority.
Weeks, global education and community service director, identified five students who already proved themselves
This valuable and empowering enrichment activity shows
to be school leaders. The five—Middle School students
how students found inspiration and demonstrated
Aicha Keita ’24 and Riya Madaan ’24, and Upper School
resourceful creativity in their collaborative presentations
ambassadors Emily Kavic ’22, Wyatt Olson ’22, and Sofia
on topics meaningful to them and their audience. Says
Vallejo ’21—participated in a three-month pilot program
Vallejo, “This experience was one of the most valuable in
initiative, NNSP Student Task Force on Community
my high school career because I met students who shared
Engagement.
the same interests as me, and I now have more tools to help me achieve greater change for my community.”
WINTER 2020
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