LEADERSHIP IN A PANDEMIC: SEEING OPPORTUNITIES INSTEAD OF OBSTACLES S T O RY BY D E B B I E M A R C H I O N E P H O T O S BY C I N DY M C C A H I L L
A
lysse Quin ’21 had been looking forward to
Fall Extravaganza that included a costume contest, a
her senior year not least because she was
trick-or-treat relay challenge, and a riddle contest.
poised to serve as the ASB Social Committee
The Winter Ball, traditionally a formal dance,
Head. In this role, she hoped to lead a group of
metamorphosed into an afternoon of fun outdoor
students in planning and organizing some of Bear
activities, including a socially-distanced dance under
Creek’s most beloved Upper School traditions, such
a tent!
as the Fall Costume Dance and Winter Ball, as well as building student community through some new events.
allow the various health and safety restrictions to dissuade her. As Dave
Then came the pandemic. COVID-19 upended student life activities at Bear Creek like everything else. Faced with initially all-remote students, then a hybrid situation with some students on campus and some remote, and severe restrictions on gatherings, Alysse saw her original vision for the year evaporate. For many teens, this situation might have been a reason to just give in and resign themselves to a year without school-sponsored social activities. However, thanks to Bear Creek’s strong leadership development program, Alysse was able to look at the situation as an opportunity, not a setback. With support from the Upper School student life faculty and staff, the ASB Cabinet, and energetic committee members, she
Urban, Associate Dean of Students and ASB Advisor, notes, “One of the key leadership principles we teach is Modeling the Way. This year, that has meant seeing things not as ‘this is terrible’ but instead – ‘let’s work with what we have, be flexible and adapt, look for the opportunities God has given us during this time.’” This principle serves our students well now, and along with the other leadership principles they learn, will guide them as leaders well into the future. Upper School leaders from ASB, House, and clubs participate in a summer intensive “Leadershop,” a two-day workshop that prepares them for the school year, as well as meet individually with adult mentors throughout the year to examine and build their leadership skills.
transformed a traditional dance into something new
Bear Creek uses the book The Student Leadership
and exciting that brought students together in a fun,
Challenge: Five Practices for Becoming an Exemplary
safe way.
Leader by James Kouzes and Barry Posner as a basis
The annual Fall Costume Dance became a week-long
30
Alysse, like all of our other student leaders, did not
MODUS VIVENDI – Spring 2021
for its leadership curriculum. The book offers five principles, which Bear Creek bolsters with
