November 10, 2022
from Mark Segal, Upper School director
Yesterday was “one of those days.” It started with welcoming students to campus while standing in the damp drizzle before the sun rose, and ended as I bid adieu to the students as they left campus while standing, again, in the drizzle as the sun set (I am not a fan of going back to standard time). However, in-between the bookends of my day I was able to spend time with members of the Class of 2023 as they shared their stories. One of the requirements of graduation for all MPA students is to give a Senior Performance. Most students choose to give an 8-10 minute speech about how they have developed and grown into young adults and thank those who have helped them along the way, while some actually share their talents by performing for the audience.
Yesterday, we heard speeches about the power of words, the meaningfulness of volunteering, the power of positivity, and a beautiful rendition of David Bowie’s “Life on Mars” as it related to the speaker’s question, “Is this it?” and their optimism after escaping the Syrian civil war. All of the performances were tremendous, yet the last speaker shared a story of their experience of climbing Mount Lemmon, the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona, alone. Twenty-four miles of rugged terrain contributed to his doubt of if he could make it to the summit or not. He explained that the thought of his teachers, friends, and “home” at MPA gave him the strength to carry on as he confronted snakes, lost his cell phone, and forged a new path through the wilderness to make it to the top.
The support and care classmates show toward each speaker is eclipsed only by the way they huddle around each other at the end of the performances to celebrate the success of their friends. This huddle is a time-honored MPA tradition. The willingness of the speakers to be vulnerable in front of their peers is like nothing I have experienced in any other school environment, and is one of the things that makes MPA so special.
I look forward to the upcoming set of Senior Performances later this month, and will carry the memory of each seniors’ story with me when another one of “those days” occurs.
I look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Read More
Save the Date for the MPA Book Festival
This fall will be our first full return to the Black Box, with the Middle School production, “Space Princess Wars” by Don Zolidis. It is a bit ridiculous, at times chaotic, but always a lot of fun! Ms. J and Ms. Mastel have been working with 61 Middle and Upper School students to bring this show to life. Star Wars + The Princess Bride = Space Princess Wars!
from Bill Hudson, head of school
Thank You!
Dear MPA Community,
from Bill Hudson, head of school
from Ann Jurewicz, Lower School director
from Jenn Milam, Middle School director
from Mark Segal, Upper School director