Lise's Lens: February 2, 2023

 Lise reflects on the power of Elie Wiesel’s book “Night,” considers the complexity of being a teenager today, shares some genre-bending music, and celebrates CSW’s Wilderness Program. 
WHAT I’M READING
  • Did you know that last week was Holocaust Remembrance Week? As I was reflecting on the pain Jewish communities have endured, and on the rise of antisemitism around the world, I thought about Elie Wiesel and his important contribution to our collective understanding of the horrors against Jews and humanity during World War II. If someone told me I could only have five books, his work “Night” would certainly be on my list. I was a high school student when I first read this autobiographical account of Wiesel’s survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps— I find myself coming back to it on a regular basis, and gaining new perspectives every time I do. 

WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
  • The second annual International Students Conference was held at The Governor’s Academy last weekend. It’s a completely student-run effort with the mission “to build an international student community amongst New England Independent Boarding Schools.” This year’s theme was “Losing and Finding Myself”. I took a peek at the agenda — every single one of these topics made me pause with pride that these young people are so thoughtful (while also considering how much they have on their minds these days!).  Here’s a snapshot of the Saturday topics: Queerness in International Cultures; Self-Identification in the Age of Globalization; Class, Privilege, and Culture; Marriage Across the Globe; Tearing Down Lies. 

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO
  • I was recently in Miami, where I had the pleasure of attending a concert by Nu Deco, a phenomenal orchestra of amazing people. I really appreciate their mission “to create compelling and transformative genre-bending musical experiences that inspire, enrich and connect new and diverse audiences and artists.” This concert also featured Lawrence—siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence backed up by an eight-piece soul-pop band comprised of musician friends from childhood and college. Each group is inspiring and energizing in their own wonderful ways! 

WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE


Zoe Zuloaga '25 shared this photo of the recent Mod Break trip to the White Mountains. I love how Kevin talks about the CSW Wilderness Program: “We try to get as many students as we can out in the woods for shared group experiences, where they can learn both how to lead and how to be a supportive member of a group. I think there’s great value in having students experience a place that they wouldn’t normally experience — wherever that place may be – and the Mod System allows for trips like this one in a way that other school’s programs can’t.”

The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.