A few weeks ago, I had a milestone moment in becoming part of the Sequoyah community: I got to be Face of the Day! Face of the Day is apparently kind of a big deal (just ask Ben). It is always a surprise, and is designed to help K-1 children get to know faculty and staff. In this case, the Backyard invited me for a morning math meeting where they then revealed I’d been chosen for the day. I was given the big yellow smiley sticker to wear and some of our youngest students taught me both their names and about our school, and about what value we place on knowing one another. A great start to 2024.
This milestone wasn’t the only one at Sequoyah for me in January. I am also freshly returned from my first Field Studies trip. With Out Back teachers, our parent volunteers and field studies crew, and Deena Elrefai, our new assistant director of Field Studies, I visited Tüpippüh Nummu/Death Valley last week. We studied the region’s spectacular geology, did our solos on the Mesquite Flat Dunes, and reflected on the unjust history of Manzanar at the base of the Sierras. The mix of integrated learning, reflecting, exploring, playing, collaborating, laughing, appreciating, and taking care of one another grounded me once again in deep appreciation for what we do here at Sequoyah.
As I approach the halfway mark in year one being Head, I continue to look forward to many more big new moments, from admission announcements to graduation ceremonies. How fitting then, that a milestone for me is dovetailing with Sequoyah’s calendar right at the midway mark through this year: Jogathon on February 23 is also my 50th birthday! I’m certainly not “new” in life, and yet I feel invigorated and delighted to be with this school, at this time, with all of you. As I think about what I have hoped to accomplish, on this day I’ll find myself among friends, living with purpose, running with kids, and eating pizza. I will be setting my sights with the Sequoyah community on meeting new milestones that will help us make a difference in this world through educating and supporting healthy, confident, purposeful, justice-minded young people.
Since arriving on campus last July, I have thought about Sequoyah’s growth and future, and have seen with every milestone our gifted teachers, administrators, and staff co-create a school with students that allows for great learning to happen. This is progressive education at its best – an education that listens to the children while making sure they are taken care of with good boundaries, structures, and design. A school that brings students to their growth edge and allows them to explore and wonder there. As I write, high schoolers are deep in their SIP projects, while faculty and staff on both campuses are in the swing of guiding students to understand the world and their skills and strengths within it through conferencing, assessment, and benchmarking.
Speaking of growth, some of our students’ greatest skills and strengths are on display this year with Gryphon athletics. We had spectacular seasons for our flag football, girl’s volleyball, soccer, and basketball teams, and Coach Brian Knigin has added to our record this year by announcing the creation of Sequoyah’s inaugural all-gender baseball team. Students currently in eighth through 11th grade are welcome and encouraged to sign up for twice-weekly skill development classes starting in March – and to be a part of Gryphon history. In a year when the MLB recorded record attendance in games, and Los Angeles proved to be the top market in all of MLB baseball, we will join the excitement and the energy. The team will call nearby Jackie Robinson Community Center home; what better place to kick off Sequoyah baseball than at fields named after the prominent Pasadenan justice activist and sports legend?
And then there is Summer at Sequoyah, the school’s expanded summer programming, beginning in June. In addition to the beloved Summerhouse and Counselor-in-Training program, Summer at Sequoyah will not only feature clinics for volleyball and basketball, but also summer Field Studies trips, a STEAM camp with sessions covering both aviation and retro game design, and a few other new offerings still in the works. It’s a huge evolution, and I’m very excited by the leadership and vision of Beatriz Lagunas – along with Brian Eagen, Brian Knigin, and Abraham Orozco – who together build summer experiences designed with Sequoyah values to nurture a child’s curiosity and independence.
Before that, however, comes Jogathon. From what I’m told, it is one of the most joyful expressions of community support we host, and judging by all the student organizing for fundraising and t-shirt sorting that’s going on in preparation, I have no reason to doubt. Each class and grade will make their way to, or around, Singer Park in support of Sequoyah’s commitment to socioeconomic diversity. Students know their actions will impact the lives of people in their community and will further secure the values of our school. At Jogathon, together, we will be raising money for a school I am proud to lead, where children are allowed to be themselves as they stretch (literally!) and grow in community. Please don’t miss out; come as a volunteer or supporter and watch them cross the finish line!
There will be many more moments to come this year, and I can’t wait. And the best part about it? At the core of each program we build, every Task Force that convenes, every initiative that gets launched, is the relationships among people who share a love of Sequoyah and the vision for the world we inhabit. Just like with Face of the Day, we have the chance to celebrate each other, and introduce ourselves a little more deeply to one another, and share in moments of relationship, learning and care. Let’s live in full delight for all of that and remember why we do the work we do together.
As always with gratitude,
Rebecca Hong
Head of School