Four weeks into our inaugural year and Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy continues to define itself. We have yet to have a full week of school without celebration, interruption, schedule change, a late bus or a carpool family that is still learning the rules. Monitoring student compliance to our uniform policy continues to be a daily activity.
And yet, even with our lack of ritual and routine, there are some assurances.that we are becoming a school. As I walk the campus I observe teachers working each day to design and deliver engaging lessons; we want our girls to get involved with their learning - to lead in this critical process.
I am beginning to see girls settle down. They are starting to understand that we are not playing school; we are doing school and it is hard work if we hope to accomplish anything worthwhile.
Most importantly, a process of transformation from our place as guests on the Governor Morehead School Campus (GMS) to a school community is beginning to occur. The process began when GMS leaders provided a glimpse into who the GMS community is. Mr. Benton's and Ms. Jackson's stories of their academic careers at GMS and the impact they have had on the blind and visually impaired community opened our eyes to see that potential is unlimited if you see yourself as a leader and are committed to making an impact for yourself and your community. Meeting the GMS student body president was our first introduction to a GMS student - his vision for a successful school year sounded a great deal like the words in so many WYWLA application essays.
I really think the greatest days of our year thus far came during week two when we had the opportunity to meet and greet the GMS students.Each WYWLA girl had the opportunity to make introductions to their GMS fellow students...and they learned that they have much in common. They are all students who have to study, who have hobbies, interests and talents. They like to laugh and tell stories and they have hopes and dreams for their own lives.
While the students were making introductions, I had the opportunity to speak with a GMS staffer. As we watched our students together, her eyes filled with tears. She said that initially she harbored real fears and concerns about the way our campuses would work together. GMS has been a cherished place for the students and the faculty; what would the arrival of 150 new students mean to the GMS identity and its family? On this special day, what she and I both began to see was how much we all have in common. Our students taught us that; they led the way in that moment and they continue to be a guiding light for all of us.
Today as I supervised breakfast in the dining hall, I noticed a group of girls - two GMS girls and two WYWLA girls. What I heard was laughter. They were chatting like old friends with the exuberance that can only be middle school girls. I have no idea what was so funny; I only know that I saw one community of children gathered in a dining hall that is a centerpiece to their daily learning, leading and living. They see the possibilities of new friends and we see girls becoming the kind of young women in whom we can all be proud.
