Severn Embarks on a New School Year

Long a Severn tradition, the Convocation program included student speeches, an introduction of each class—from 2039 to 2027—recognition of milestone anniversaries for faculty and staff, and a closing address from Head of School Doug Lagarde.

Convocation is particularly meaningful for the 103 members of the Class of 2027, who have embarked on their final year as Severn students. In a heartwarming nod to this milestone, seniors paired up with the kindergarten and first-grade students who are just beginning their Severn journey. Following tradition, they processed in together and remained with their young counterparts throughout the event. Afterward, the seniors gave them each a book, which they read together in the library.

Once the program concluded, it was time to honor a new tradition: the welcome line. The entire Admiral community lined both sides of Alumni Walkway, where they welcomed anyone new to Severn—students, faculty, and staff—with cheers and high-fives as they traversed the line.

One student from each division—Lower, Middle, and Upper—is invited to speak at Convocation. This year, Parker ’34, represented the Lower School, and spoke about how the Severn community is like family. Eve Haskins-Braden ’31 was the Middle School speaker, and she shared her hopes for the new school year. In addition to doing well in school and enjoying eighth grade, her message centered on the growth that comes from trying new things. And she implored her classmates to adopt that approach as well. “This year I hope you try something new, big or small,” she said.

Rowan Ward ’27 was the final student speaker, representing the Upper School. Rowan opened his remarks by looking to the future. “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by what you didn’t do than what you did,” he began, quoting a passage from a book called P.S. I Love You by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. After noting that this quote also appears in the popular game Minecraft, he continued with the rest: “So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Ward implored his classmates to do just that: to explore new interests in and out of the classroom; to dream big; and to set all the expectations and noise aside and “discover who you really are.”

To close out the program, Lagarde offered brief remarks on the real meaning of character, conduct, and scholarship—integral parts of Severn’s mission and values. Positing that “Conduct is character and scholarship in action,” Lagarde spoke of how these ideas are tightly connected. He also encouraged students to be someone others can count on, and to be okay with saying, “I don’t know”—but ideally following that up with, “I’ll find out and get back to you.”