Every morning we have morning meetings to share news, announcements, and inspiration. During the last week, as I was waiting for students to start the meeting, I saw a quote written on the whiteboard: “Our lives are made in these small hours.” It immediately resonated with me, and I carried it with me throughout the last week of the program. The last week of the program was when all of the capstone projects truly took their full form. I witnessed my students read out their credos, which are personal reflections about their journey throughout the summer. Many students had asked me if they were “doing it right” during the writing process. I expressed to them that there doesn’t have to be a singular way to write their credo; they can truly make it their own. Seeing them express their stories with compelling creativity was truly a full-circle moment. Throughout the week students had other presentations that truly demonstrated their growth from the summer and also a motivating path forward as they enter their junior and senior years of high school.

The week flew by, and before we knew it, it was the last day of the program. Saying goodbye to all the students, greeting my advisees' parents, and taking those last-minute pictures were the small hours that quote spoke of. We laughed, we cried, we said “goodbye (for now),” but I am excited to keep in touch with my students to see how they progress through the rest of high school. 

Being a graduate fellow at SEGL felt like going back home, but being in charge this time. From commuting to helping with assignments or even lending words of encouragement, I was no longer an alumna; I was faculty. 

There is something to be said about the behind the scenes, the production of everything in our lives. Educational opportunities in particular require meticulous crafting and attention to detail. Academic production goes beyond writing a curriculum or designing an assignment, but it goes as far as integrating the personalities and passions of our students into it as well. 

Thank you, SEGL.