Editorial Belinda Schubert ’99 I recently stumbled across a 2005 BBC News article about researchers in the United Kingdom who set out to teach the town of Slough to be happy. The plan was to instruct 50 volunteers on techniques for increasing happiness, and allow them to go on to spread the emotion to others in the community. The list of ten techniques to be taught to volunteers as a means of achieving happiness included counting one’s blessings, having a good laugh, exercising for half an hour, taking the time to talk to friends and loved ones, and helping others. This immediately reminded me of a typical day at The Grove. The morning announcements in Chapel, surrounded by friends and mentors, result not only in frequent laughter, but also in a chance to acknowledge the many things for which one is grateful. At meal times, students gather together in the dining hall, talking and laughing. Sports give ample opportunity
I think this happiness-fostering atmosphere is what Justice Ian Binnie refers to in his speech (p.8) when he praises the huge range of interests fostered by the school. I can’t think of a better environment in which to launch the Learning Commons Program, described by Dr. Avery (p.15). With this foundation provided by the unique qualities of The Grove, students are ready, minds open, to benefit from the truly amazing educational resources being made available through the generosity of The Grove’s alumni, family, and friends. I hope some day to be blessed with children and have the chance to send them to this place of happiness and learning. In the meantime, I am going to wish Grove News readers farewell. I am moving on to pursue new adventures as an exchange student in the Netherlands in the coming year. This will be my last editorial for the Grove News. It has been a great pleasure to have the opportunity to contribute.
for exercise and far more—as Mr. Gilfillan describes in his article on p.20. The school’s highly successful
Belinda Schubert ’99, a freelance writer and editor, is
volunteer program and international service
currently attending law school at UBC. She graduated
opportunities give every student the chance to help
from Princeton in June 2003 with a degree in English
others.
Literature.
Grove News Spring /Summer 2007 |