This past Tuesday evening I had the chance to take part in the faculty volleyball game that was a part of the Dig Pink event being held at another local school. It has become an annual tradition for our two schools to come together to play volleyball and raise money for breast cancer research. Every year following the girls’ varsity game, the faculties from our schools take to the court to test our prowess at the net. In past years I had happily, and comfortably, sat in the bleachers cheering on my colleagues. This year, however, I felt compelled to join them on the court. In order to appreciate how this story relates to the nature of the Wakefield community, you have to understand that while I would consider myself athletic, my ability falls more within the realm of individual sports like running and swimming. You should also understand that I am a pretty competitive person which means I don’t really like to compete in things that I am not good at. Hopefully now a picture is forming in your mind that looks something like…competitive athletic type leaps into a game for which she does not possess any ability (or even know the rules)…and that sounds a lot like taking a risk, because that is exactly what it felt like on Tuesday night. You might be thinking, “big deal”, a faculty member takes part in a casual charity volleyball game even though she doesn’t play volleyball, AT ALL. However, for me those sorts of risks are a big deal. Then you may ask yourself, “why then does she do it if it seems like a ‘risk’”? The answer is, because the nature of the Wakefield community compels its members to become bigger, better, people by taking those risks that push us outside our comfort zone.
You may wonder what about our community compels its members to feel comfortable taking these steps outside the comfort zone. I believe it is the fact that it is a relatively small community so we are dependent on the engagement of everyone for success. Further, it is a supportive, clique- free environment in which students openly offer ideas in class, audition for a part in a play and fully engage in an activity without fear of social ridicule. Very simply Wakefield is a place where it is cool to be yourself; students are not required to fit themselves into a specific mold in order to be accepted socially. Learning in an environment where students are relieved from the pressure to be “cool” enables them to explore their interests and talents more freely and more authentically. This very combination of support and security at Wakefield allows them to develop into thriving, self-assured young adults.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of such a wonderfully unique and supportive community and wish that every student could have the opportunity to learn and grow at a school as supportive as Wakefield School.
