Tuesday, September 14, Stoneleigh-Burnham School opened the 2010-2011 academic year with Convocation. Invocation by alumna Reverend Shayna Appel ('78, P '04) was followed by a welcome from Head of School Sally Mixsell ('69), who remarked that each student had a new year in which to be her best self.
The School is pleased to announce that for the first time since its founding seven years ago, the Middle School is at capacity with 32 students! This year, we have a total student body of 140 students, our highest attendance in five years. Girls from 14 countries and 11 American states are represented.
Academic Dean Natalie Demers also celebrated the global community at SBS and reinforced the power of education. Senior Courtney McKnight encouraged students to take advantage of all of the opportunities at SBS, and to get "outside your comfort zone." Dean of Students John Larson reinforced the mission of SBS, asking girls to identify what honor, respect and intellectual curiosity mean to them.
Finally, Student Council President Seung Yun (Theresa) Oh gave a speech on her understanding of the Honor Code. The Code itself was then read aloud by Student Council Vice President Marissa (Rissy) Dowrey. All students, faculty and staff signed the Honor Code and the ceremony came to a close with a benediction by Reverend Appel, who encouraged all attendees to recognize their individual challenges this year and be willing to take new and creative approaches to reach their goals.