Meaning in Moments
At the start of this new academic year, I find myself reflecting on the power of moments. The life of a school is punctuated by meaningful moments—commencements, continuations, award ceremonies, senior games, opening nights. Why do these kinds of moments matter so much? What makes these moments so special, memorable, or influential? In The Power of Moments, Chip Heath and Dan Heath highlight four defining characteristics that are often present in moments like these: elevation, pride, connection, and insight. I believe that these four elements are central to our school’s philosophy of fostering growth and purposeful experiences for our students, and one of the best examples of this is our senior retreat.
Elevation – Truly pivotal moments are often elevated in comparison to the routine of daily life. I am grinning a bit as I consider this particular comparison, as the senior retreat is not only an elevated mental and spiritual experience, but a literal gain in elevation—FRCS seniors ascend a thirteen-er together on this trip. This retreat is a moment that stands in stark contrast to daily life—plucking our students out of their weekly school rhythms and plopping them around a campfire, on top of a mountain, or in the middle of the woods all by themselves. Elevated moments feel different, in the best kind of way.
Pride – The feeling of pride in oneself and one’s accomplishments is such a powerful motivator. From academic milestones to acts of kindness and leadership, our school encourages our students to take pride in their accomplishments. Now, though I love a good day hike, I have never had a deep desire to climb a fourteener—in all honesty, photos from the scramble to the top of those mountains remind me of the bleak landscape of Mordor from The Lord of the Rings. Ick. But don’t hate me yet, Coloradans! Though I don’t personally feel a deep desire to tackle every fourteener in the state, I do appreciate how profoundly impactful it can be to complete something so challenging. As our seniors ascend a mountain together on their retreat, their physical and mental capabilities are tested, instilling a sense of accomplishment that few other experiences or moments can replicate.
Connection – In today’s fast-paced digital world, genuine connections have become increasingly rare. However, our school places a high value upon the creation of authentic relationships, always seeking opportunities for students to bond and connect on a deeper level. On the senior retreat, without Netflix or Instagram or iMessage, students are encouraged to immerse themselves in nature and each other’s company. Last year’s seniors brought disposable cameras on the trip and I watched as, throughout the rest of the year, those physical images served to continuously remind students of the moments that they had shared together in August.
Insight – Moments that prompt us to reflect on our identity and future direction are so important f0r our personal growth and spiritual walk. The solo experience during the senior retreat provides students with a chance to disconnect from the distractions of daily life and spend time in solitude, gaining clarity on their values, passions, and aspirations. As an alumna whose class was the first to experience the solo, I can attest that this kind of intense introspection has the potential to result in a stronger sense of self-awareness and intentions for a purpose-driven future.
The senior retreat is only one of many arenas in which our school seeks to foster meaningful moments for our students. The Practicum program creates elevated experiences that nurture relational connection, our commencement ceremony fosters a sense of healthy pride in our students’ growth and accomplishments, and end-of-year celebrations in elementary school provide insight into the laudable character traits of our students (I still remember receiving the “Discernment” award in third grade).
As a passionate advocate for student success and personal growth, I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a school that places a strong emphasis on creating such powerful moments. These experiences are not just isolated events but integral parts of our students’ educational journey. They shape who students are today and contribute to who they will become in the future.
To all students, remember that every day is an opportunity to create your own meaningful moments, to elevate the ordinary, and to build authentic connections with your Creator and those around you. As your guidance counselor, I am here to support you in your journey, and I hope to continue fostering these unforgettable moments in our community in the years to come.
