The View From Here: Convocation 2022

Convocation is a time-honored tradition at Sonoma Academy — one that provides the inspirational start to the year and one that sets the tone for the themes and ideas that will help guide us in the months ahead. The literal meaning of the word “Convocation” is a calling of people to come together, and last Thursday in the Jackson Banke Amphitheater we were called to join as a one community of students, staffulty, parents, alumni, alumni parents, trustees, and former trustees. As we launched our school year, it was clear that so much of our excitement was fueled by the values of our school, our strong sense of self and respect for others, and the common belief that we can look forward to the best days of our school in the years ahead. Thank you so much to the many parents and family members who came to Convocation and those who watched virtually at home or work (for those interested, you can view a recording of it here). 

One of the things I was most proud of — and truly inspired and energized by — was that the common themes and messages from our speakers that morning emerged organically. One of those themes was our school community’s commitment to supporting one another through healthy risk-taking, exploration, self-discovery, and making an impact in our community and in the world beyond SA. 

As a Head of School it is most meaningful to hear our core values reflected in remarks from our current students and those who have recently graduated. Aubrey Elder ‘23, who was chosen to give the “Oration of the Spade” by last year’s  senior class, spoke about the process of overcoming self doubt as he defined his sense of belonging in his initial year at SA: “I think we can only start to find ourselves when our fears become powerless, when our desire to ‘fit in’ and our constant craving to live up to our expectations is replaced with a desire to be ourselves. When our fears fade into the background of our lives, we let our love and passion for the world show. Maybe that’s who we really are: hidden by our fears, our love still perseveres, so that on the day we accept ourselves for who we are, we can bring it into the light.” This is such an important lesson for us all and a valuable reminder of the power of acceptance and overcoming fear in our lives. 

Our alumni speaker, Eity Trejo ‘18, also recounted their journey from an unsure 9th grader plagued by “imposter syndrome” to a self-assured senior and successful graduate. They spoke about the ways in which Sonoma Academy supported their path to deeper self knowledge: “each year and each Exploratory and Intersession were stepping stones for me, leading from who I envisioned becoming when I was a wee tot to who I actually wanted to be as a person…This is the perfect place to begin self exploration, or to continue it…SA doesn’t just preparing us for SA; it prepares us for college and for the world and for ourselves.”

And our new Board Chair, Chris Hanna (Brian Whitely ‘20), spoke about observing the transformation that happened for her son during his time at SA, as he evolved from an elite athlete and self-defined lacrosse player to an accomplished actor, singer, surfer, and intellectual explorer. As Chris reminded us: “This is a place where it’s ok to try something new and not be good at it at first. It’s a place where we celebrate practice. So, promise yourself you’ll do something new, even if it’s awkward and weird at first.” 

Our Convocation ceremony includes some cherished traditions from our early days as a school: the passing of the Spade from our most recent graduates to the new senior class; the singing of our beloved school song; the ringing of the bell with a peal for each year our school has existed; and, most importantly, the tradition that most closely reflects the common message from our speakers last Thursday — the “human tunnel” created by the seniors. Every year, our new 9th graders pass through that tunnel, excited but certainly a bit nervous about what lies on the other side. Our seniors, who are entrusted with the heart and leadership of our school culture, form the arches as a welcomed embrace that symbolizes the guidance they will provide to our new students as they acclimate into our culture and community. It is literally a pathway for the next generation of SA students as they embark on their transformative time at our school. 

And at Commencement in June, we honor another tradition that replicates the meaning and importance of that tunnel yet again. This time, it will be us as their teachers and their school leaders, who form an arch for our graduates to come through as a symbolic final path of their time as students at SA. There are emotions of sadness for many of our graduates (and us!) as we say “goodbye” at that moment. But the powerful metaphor for the transformation and growth that happens at SA, and the way we all play an important and even life-changing role during those formative years, is alive in that moment, reminding us that the warm, supportive, and caring tunnel of SA is always with us and always there to help guide us forward.