377 Creativity: May 2014

377 T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R S T. L U K E ’ S S C H O O L

Creativity

Welcome to 377 The Magazine for St. Luke’s School. Our mission is to bring you new perspectives on life and learning on the Hilltop—through the lens of a particular topic. In this issue, we celebrate creativity. The indicates that you can find out more about that specific story at www.stlukesct.org.

Long ago, a young man named Paul McCartney wanted to form a band.

He’d heard of this guy John Lennon, and went to check him out. There on the stage was John, playing and singing a song that everybody knew— but he was making up his own lyrics (he had forgotten the real words).

Paul was shocked. There were “rules” about music, rules he thought were unbreakable. He and John went on to rewrite a lot of them.

There is no recipe for creativity—but there are essential ingredients. One is resilience. John forgot the words to the song. For some, that would be it. Our brains would shut down and we would slink off stage in fear and humiliation.

But John was able to keep ideas flowing. Paul too was resilient—he was able to let go of his expectations and explore the creative freedom John offered.

At St. Luke’s, resilience and creativity go hand in hand like a Lennon and McCartney song. Teachers and students try things. There are no bad ideas, only young ones.

Tradition is the jumping off point: student vision can be altered by wearable technology (p.2), young and not-so-young can sing the blues (see center spread), and Hemingway is the source of inspiration and activity in the fabrication lab (p.9).

This rock-n-roll legend highlights another key ingredient of creativity: collaboration.

As human beings, we need to operate under the assumption that two, or six, 527 or eight million heads are better than one. “We Can Work It Out” may have been written a generation ago, but it’s a promise that we must continue to make for generations to come. One thing’s for sure—keeping a promise like that will take all of our creativity.

Mark Davis, Head of School

1

What are they wearing? It’s Google Glass, a device straight out of your favorite sci-fi novel. It’s a tiny computer featuring voice activation, hands-free recording and a legion of cool capabilities—all worn on the bridge of your nose. And it’s the future. As Director of Information Technology Elizabeth Preston puts it, “Technology is part of our students’ lives and wearable technology is the next big thing.”

You don’t often spot someone sporting Google Glass. That’s because the initial distribution went exclusively to selected applicants. When Google announced their Google Glass Explorer Program last winter, Center for Leadership Director Jim Foley led a Twitter campaign to get a pair for St. Luke’s. Since the glasses arrived, faculty and students have been experimenting. Ninth-grader Jake Lustig wore the Glass to football practice while classmate Gabrielle Doré captured Blues Band rehearsal via Glass. “We have just begun to explore the possibilities of this new technology,” says Science Chair Michael Mitchell. “That’s the thrill of being an early adopter—there are no set rules or predetermined limits.”

2

What do you do while recovering from your seventh surgery and lugging around a four-pound metal frame which is, by the way, surgically attached to your leg? Charlotte Robinson ‘15 decided it was the perfect time to become an entrepreneur. After undergoing Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) surgery to lengthen her right leg, Charlotte could not find clothes that fit over the bulky frame. “I didn’t want my wardrobe limited to baggy, unstylish clothing just because of the frame,” said Charlotte. “I decided to design and sew my own clothing.”

Now, happily frame-free, Charlotte launched a website where she gives “Tips for Healing” and sells specially-designed underwear. “The name of the line is No Guts No Glory,” explained Charlotte. “Because it takes guts to achieve glory.”

3

“Everyone has potential to be a leader. To be a great one you need to do something distinct.” That’s the message Sandra Comas shares with seniors in her Becoming a Leader class.

Through a combination of art, history, literature, philosophy and business, the students discover what it takes to be a strong leader—though they have to climb a mountain first. Using the Harvard Business School’s Everest Leadership and Team Simulation, SLS students work in teams to reach the Mt. Everest summit. The exercise reveals strengths that often surprise students and as Comas says, “the best way to find your leadership qualities is when you’re put to the test.”

4

St. Luke’s history was once just that: history. All that’s changing with senior Sebastian Bates’ determination to connect with St. Luke’s past. “To know where you are, to know where you’re going, it’s very important to know where you’ve come from,” said Bates.

Early this year, Bates and the Student Government dusted off the Founders’ Cup competition—a St. Luke’s tradition started during World War II. Bates and team breathed new life into the competition, relaunching the historic intramural teams, the Maroon and the Grays, as four “Houses” named after historic SLS figures. The Houses were then pitted against each other in a series of challenges in the arts, academics and athletics. Watching students get caught up in the friendly rivalry, one can sense the esprit de corps of yesteryear taking a firm hold on the present.

5

Blues

Exhilarating... Amazing...

I was so psyched...

Super Amped!

“Lessons learned here go above and beyond any classroom walls,” says Valera. He sees Blues Band as a prime example of project-based, collaborative learning.

Leinbach agrees and adds that “the developmentally rich process of kids playing and listening to live music is a paradigm increasingly in danger.”

Junior Augie Barringer has played in Blues Band since freshman year. He recalls “countless times during rehearsals practically dying with laughter.” But when performance time nears, “everyone gets more organized, pays attention and is present.”

Junior Hanna DeLoe shares that she had to overcome stage fright in order to experience the thrill of performing in Blues Band. She was inspired, in part, by the complete abandon of French teacher Jon Shee during his hard rocking Billy Idol performance—complete with a bleached blond wig. DeLoe states she “has never had more fun in any activity at SLS.” Junior Ryan Holzberger’s injury may have kept him off the soccer field last fall, but he ended up discovering a whole new passion as he trumpeted his way into the Blues Band. Holzberger plans to join the fun again next year because “there’s something really special about playing great music that you love and sharing that experience with others.”

“They come in the first day like a lump of clay,” says music teacher Bob Leinbach of the Blues Band process.

“Everyone is invited to bring in ideas and we just start brainstorming. It can be quite messy.”

Music teacher Peter Valera partners with Leinbach on Blues Band: “There are so many songs people want to play and sing, and we have a limited time to decide and produce it all. It’s hard to put limits and structure on that kind of creativity.”Yet somehow, the Blues Band always comes together into an electrifying 90-minute concert.

It all began 25 years ago, when English teacher Mark Bisson started playing the blues with three students. Over the years, the numbers and genres of music have grown. “But the Blues Band moniker just stuck,” explains Leinbach. “We play so much more than the blues. We play whatever works. The Blues Band is special because we go out there all barrels blaring and insist upon doing it right”.

“What brings students to Blues Band may differ, but all agree the experience is unforgettable.”

Senior A.J. Bandoo has been a staple of the Blues Band for the past four years and always gets “super amped” as the concert approaches. Bandoo and his fellow Blues Band performers especially love playing for the Middle School because the kids are so uninhibited and joyful. Many will jump up, dance around, and even rush the stage.

What brings students to Blues Band may differ, but all agree the experience is unforgettable.

To watch the Blues Band in action go to www. stlukesct.org/schoollife/arts/music

Art teacher Nancy Sarno believes any student can be an artist: “It’s just a matter of training their eyes so they can see and create what they want to express. There is never one way a project has to be done, or what it must mean, or even one way that it can be interpreted. It is a fluid, philosophical experience.” Sarno finds that “art stimulates and challenges our understanding of the world around us and within us.” Although she’s been at St. Luke’s for 13 years, Sarno often feels like the student: “Students are constantly surprising me with new ways of making and seeing art. I tell them I am here to learn from them. They are inspiring.”

8

Emma Creeden is used to creative results from her 7th grade English class. After asking students to write a six-word short story—an homage to Ernest Hemingway—she was impressed but not surprised by this moving response from Anna Camp: “I know you can cervive it.”

Anna’s play on words resonated with classmates Kendall Boege, Mary Grace Thomas, and Failenn Aselta. They envisioned the empowering effect for someone fighting cancer. Working in St. Luke’s Fabrication Lab, the girls have begun creating a line of jewelry inscribed with the shortened: “I Cancervive It.” They will begin selling the pieces this spring and plan to donate all profits to cancer research.

9

We are under the light of the moon, watching lovely creatures swirl on silken threads. It is no longer autumn in Connecticut, but Fairyland, midsummer. Love is no longer the destiny of humans, but sport among fairies.

This is just one of the magical places we visited, thanks to the amazing St. Luke’s Theatre program. In addition to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the school’s first ever full-length Shakespeare production, the Upper School transported us to 19th century England, for Sweeney Todd, and the Middle School wowed us with Fairy Tales Go To Court and Beauty and the Beast.

Each magical moment represents hours spent rehearsing, hanging lights, painting sets, making costumes, learning blocking, flying scenery, applying makeup, recording sound cues, designing and building an unusual barber chair, running lines at lunchtime, fighting weather and stage fright and more. No matter what, SLS actors and crew—from the youngest 5th graders to the oldest 12th graders—act like pros, onstage and backstage. They innovate, collaborate and, when the curtain comes up, it all comes together.

10

“It’s so rewarding to see how students grow and get excited when they take ownership and create something new,” says Director of Theatre Arts Jereme Anglin. Fairy Tales co-directors Leonora Mahler and Ty Wieland agree: “From 5th graders willing to open themselves up, to untapped talent in the 8th grade—students were awesome,” says Ty. “To make it all work it required students to collaborate across the grades,” adds Leonora who was also musical director for Beauty and the Beast. Fifth grader Ty Eveland’s favorite part? “Being able to bond with kids in other grades. You learn a lot, meet new people and know you’re part of a strong performance.

I think I’ll be in a St. Luke’s production every year.”

The Upper School presented The Imaginary Invalid on May 9 & 10, and the Middle School performed The Myth of Persephone on May 16 & 17. Bravo to all!

11

ALUM

If you ask SLS alum Michael Carusi, he will tell you he was “that weird guy in high school really into Greek mythology.” His mentors were English teachers Steve Flachsbart and Susan Doran and his early passion evolved into a BA in Literature from American University. After graduating in 2010, Michael found few job opportunities and decided, as he recalls, “to make my own job.”

Already an accomplished writer, Michael broadened his digital skills and now runs his own web development and marketing business.

“What I love about creativity,” said Michael, “is that you make the rules. Whether you are doing accounting or marketing, you are as creative as you decide to be.”

12

The St. Luke’s Science Wing …

A Gift For All

Opening this fall, the new science wing will be home to science and engineering classrooms, a fabrication lab, and a blackbox theater.

This new space has been designed with our students and our vision for hands-on, collaborative learning and exploration in mind.

The science wing was an idea, an aspiration made real by the generosity of many St. Luke’s families. St. Luke’s wishes to thank our generous donors.

We are grateful you see so much promise in our children. We are amazed at your willingness to go above and beyond...so they can, too.

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377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840 www.stlukesct.org

Wanderings of a Creative Mind, Acrylic, by Gardner Tregellas ‘14.

Gardner’s artwork was selected for inclusion in the 2014 Stamford Art Association Student Show and the Katonah Museum YOUNG ARTISTS 2014: A High School Art Exhibition.

Visit www.stlukesct.org/schoollife/arts/visual to see more art by award-winning SLS artists.

Let us know what you think at communications@stlukesct.org.

377 Editor: Nancy Troeger Photography Director: Desirée Smock Contributing Writer: Valerie Parker Design: Peapod Design 4/2014/#8/Creativity