Lise's Lens: September 15, 2022

This week, Lise reads an article about indigenous model and activist Quannah Chasinghorse, and listens to a podcast featuring Harvard Business School professor and CSW past parent Dr. Linda Hill '20. She also indulges in some tasty mooncakes in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival!

WHAT I’M READING
 
  • I recently read this article in Allure about model and activist Quannah Chasinghorse. One thing she talks about in the piece is how wearing indigenous jewelry gives her a noticeable boost in confidence. “It’s because I do feel more seen, I do feel more powerful…” she says. It is so important that our students are able to express themselves and wear things that make them feel confident and powerful. Chasinghorse’s words also demonstrate what it means for an individual to be able to proudly identify with their background and culture. I like to think our PACE program and DEIB groups help to awaken and perpetuate this feeling here at CSW. 


WHAT I’M LISTENING TO/WATCHING

  • I was delighted to listen to “Leading with Purpose in the Digital Age,” in which scholar Brené Brown speaks with Harvard Business School professor and past CSW parent Dr. Linda Hill P’20. I have so much respect and admiration for these two brilliant women. I have learned so much from their research over the years and was thrilled to see them team up on this podcast. It left me with so many thought-provoking questions for myself and our institution. Take a listen!

WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
 
  • I have been thinking about the privilege of leading a school and having the opportunity to work so closely with young people. I know I did not think much about human development during my adolescent years, but I do know I marvel about it now. There is nothing more fascinating and humbling than watching a young person grow emotionally and intellectually between their first year and their graduation. I am so thankful to be in an environment that gives me optimism about the future, because each and every student has unique gifts and talents to contribute to the world. 

    The opening of school has given me ample opportunities to fill my coffers with optimism as I peek into classrooms, chat at lunch, attend athletic events, and have snacks and study hall drop ins with the boarders. A gift indeed!


WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE

Last Friday, in observance of the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Moon Festival) Gloria ’25 stopped by my office with a beautiful box of mooncakes she had made. 

As the students in our Asian Heritage Affinity group shared this week, “the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in many Asian countries, with a history dating back to 475 BC where the term "Mid-Autumn" first appeared in the book Rites of Zhou from the Warring States Period. The Moon Festival is often an occasion for family reunions where friends and family gather for dinners, share mooncakes, light paper lanterns, and moon-gaze.”

I loved the color and design of Gloria’s cakes, and it was a delight to learn more about the ingredients she used — including natural food coloring from ingredients like chocolate, beets, and green tea. I got to taste both the red bean and custard fillings too! 

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CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.