We were thrilled to wrap up a successful Island School semester in May 2021. Fifty-two students completed the Spring 2021 Semester and joined a strong cohort of over 2,000 alumni prepared to become leaders effecting change. Semester Director Sam Kosoff shared some final remarks at graduation, and we were delighted to recognize three students for their notable contributions to the semester, within an impressive group of peers.

Sam shared the following remarks with S21 after taking a moment to thank our families, teachers, staff, and all the individuals who contribute to making the semester possible.

“We talk a lot about challenges and identifying the “hard way.” And I want to come back to this again because as I was listening to amazing Demonstration of Learning after amazing Demonstration of Learning, the common theme I heard was that people learned more about themselves through struggle. Maybe it was a difficult relationship, perhaps it was paddling into a headwind or coping with bugs or 30 knot winds, or maybe getting up the wall on a run/swim. But overcoming such hurdles and failing at times is what imbues you with grit and determination. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to have downtime, moments when you are not in growth mode, but are able to reflect and celebrate your accomplishments – like we are now. But, if you have learned anything here, it is that the obstacle is the way. The Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius said it this way about 2000 years ago: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

So as you cast out from this beautiful place –  this place that catalyzed friendships and deep learning, introduced you to some new thinking, made you question this thing called “education.” That asked you to create knowledge, not simply ingest it, and that pushed you physically and emotionally, I hope that you feel confident. I hope that you feel prepared for the obstacles coming your way because day 101 is right there, waiting for you to change the world.

I want to end with a quote from my most often quoted poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson who wrote the poem Ulysses, the central theme of which is the search for adventure, experience, and meaning that makes life worth living.

“I am a part of all that I have met;

Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough

Gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades

For ever and for ever when I move.

How dull it is to pause, to make an end,

To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!”

CONGRATULATIONS SPRING 21. We love you.”

-Sam Kossoff, Semester Director

We are pleased to present the following graduation awards:

Spring 2021 Caciques – Brendan Howard & Page Tullie

“Brendan, you have been that push for hundreds of moments of community chain reactions these past 100 days. It was your Cheshire cat grin, unable to be suppressed by your mask, your screaming voice motivating someone to finish strong, your wrap around hugs for peers from all family groups. You led your dorm with pride, although, it’s clear your connections did not stop in Beachouse. You lead through a lens of inclusion, and the example you set helped ensure that students from every family group were interacting and connecting. You are seen as a leader across campus and are a catalyst for moments that have brought us all collectively closer together.”  Anya Pforzheimer, Faculty

“The Cacique leads by example by thinking of the community first and has proven to be a top performer in all facets of school life. Paige’s classmates found comfort in her leadership style and appreciated her commitment to supporting others as a dorm head. She jumped at the opportunity to lead and play a major role in fostering the remarkable community we have today. Having students like Paige, who embrace the Island School journey, community, and challenge is what makes the Semester deeply rewarding. Paige’s resilience, positivity, and growth are foundational to her success as a student. She chooses to face adversity head-on and knows what it takes to be a leader for others.” – Jack Bliss, Faculty

 The Maxey Award – Sadiqah Whittington

 “The most beautiful thing about being a healer, as this girl is, is her ability to recognize how magical the process of healing can be. She knows that in order for this magic to work, healing is not a process you do alone. That healer would say that friendship is magic. This community is magic. One day, this same girl reached ‘the light at the end of a dark tunnel,’ though she was not alone. “How can I turn someone’s head to the sun, if all they know is dark?” the girl once asked. She wanted to share this newfound brightness with others.

 I would like to name this girl Sadiqah. Sadiqah is a healer. Sadiqah is the sun. Sadiqah is in you- and she is in me. Sadiqah is magic.

 With her challenges, with her sacrifices, with her healing, with her magic, and with you, Sadiqah gets to write the next chapter of this story; the story is no longer about a girl, but instead about our collective healing.” – Anna Becker, Faculty & Associate Director of Admissions