What, exactly, is a round square?
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raditionally, in Scotland, a “square” is the administrative center of an estate. If one was to build a perfectly round building to serve as this administrative center, it could be known as the “round square”. This is exactly how the Round Square organization got its name, a seemingly oxymoronic title that often leaves people wondering about its origin. In 1966, the heads of six founding schools met at Gordonstoun, a school in Scotland, to create an association based on the educational principles of Kurt Hahn. Dr. Hahn’s ideals are centered on the philosophy that young people’s character develops best through challenge and direct experience. The first Round Square conference was held in 1967 in the two-story perfectly round “square” at Gordonstoun, giving birth to the organization that now includes over 200 schools in 50 countries. Each of these Round Square schools embodies the six Round Square IDEALS, The Spirit of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service Since joining the Round Square network, Hebron students have traveled to Peru, India, and Canada. They have celebrated cultural diversity through international film festivals, they have given of themselves through service in the local community, they have welcomed Round Square exchange students to Hebron’s campus, and they have adventured together by hiking, cliff6 • hebron • SPRING 2020
Dr. Hahn’s ideals are centered on the philosophy that young people’s character develops best through challenge and direct experience
jumping, and camping. While many of the Round Square IDEALS have been part of the Hebron ethos since its beginning, being part of this network has given us a common language and framework to bring them to the forefront in our community. For instance, service has always been an integral part of being a Hebron student, but with the help of the Round Square student committee, students are now able to participate in service opportunities each weekend. This fall, Hebron partnered with Growing To Give, a non-profit farm in Brunswick that grows food for soup kitchens and food pantries. This winter, students are volunteering each Saturday at Trinity Jubilee Center, preparing and serving meals to men, women, and children who are hungry, often as a result of homelessness or disability. These regular and consistent challenging opportunities have a palpable impact not only on the students who participate but on the mindsets of the community as a whole. The following pieces were written by Hebron students who have been directly and profoundly impacted by participating in a Round Square activity. By focusing on the student perspective, we can better understand not only how students are processing and growing through these challenging experiences, but also how they are bringing these lessons back to the larger community and enhancing the feeling of connectedness throughout Hebron.
