2018-2019 Chapel Theme: "Love, not in word or speech, but in truth or action."
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Upper School
Tuesday, April 30 - Olivia Cipperman '19 Radical Optimism & Recognition of Community Service Volunteers
Senior Olivia Cipperman delivered a motivating Chapel Talk centered around having a positive mindset. She began by sharing, "I am a radical optimist...it's how I strive to lead in every aspect of my life." She shared her thoughts on what radical optimism means to her and reflected on how, at first, it was challenging to enter a large high school four years ago. She recalls how she began to doubt herself and how today's society makes it easy to "fall into pessimism." She explained, "Online imagery and standards of high achievement teach us to dislike our bodies, our work, and even our natural personalities." She also shared that in an environment like EA, it is easy to push aside happiness in favor of relentless pursuit of high achievement.
She went on to explain that to be a radical optimist, you need to believe in yourself in spite of all else and focus on the positive. "Refusing the negativity is an act of defiance and self love." She encouraged her classmates to focus on the things that matter, to celebrate little successes, and to spend a lot of time with family and friends. She also suggested that everyone gets to know themselves. "We should be friends to ourselves," she said. "The more we know who we are as individuals, the more we'll recognize what makes us happy; in many ways, happiness is a long and personal journey." Watch here.
At the end of Chapel, Mrs. Becky Brinks, Community Outreach Coordinator, thanked the many students who completed community service work this year.
Thursday, May 2 - Grace Hennigan '19 Overcoming Grief and Yearbook Dedication
Grace Hennigan shared her thoughts about the tragic loss of a close friend during her Chapel speech on Thursday. "She was unique in her ability to leave an indelible impression on anyone who knew her," shared Grace. In July 2018, Grace lost her friend Sadie in a car accident. "Sadie's passing truly altered my outlook on life," said Grace. "It is a change I feel every time I make a choice between right and wrong or become paralyzed by a delightful wave of laughter." Grace told her fellow students- she now tries to better embrace every moment, "cheerful or desolate, in her honor." She encouraged her peers to, "be kind and focus on the good things. Above all, rise above the fear of failure. Because the brutal truth of it is that tomorrow is not, and never will be, guaranteed." Watch here.
At the end of Chapel, this year's Tabula editors announced that this year's yearbook is dedicated to US Form Dean and math teacher Cheryl McLauchlan, Hon., who will retire at the end of this year after 24 years of service to EA. As Mrs. McLauchlan walked to the front of Chapel to receive a special framed copy of the dedication pages, applause could be heard across campus as students, faculty, and staff offered a standing ovation.
Friday, May 3 - Alumni Chapel Tom Dalzell '69
The Friday of Alumni Weekend traditionally features a member of the class celebrating its 50th Reunion. This year's speaker was Tom Dalzell. "The trajectory of my life has been somewhat unconventional and counterintuitive for growing up on the Main Line and ten years of Episcopal," shared Mr. Dalzell. "That said, everything that I have done has been informed and driven by the values and skills that I learned at Episcopal." Mr. Dalzell was the attorney for the United Farm Workers in California for many years. "Service and doing good for the least of our brethren were core values at Episcopal. The gospel has different messages for different people, but the message that I heard and followed was to help others, to do good works. By working to make life better for farm workers and electoral workers I have done what I learned to do here," said Mr. Dalzell. He has also done extensive research and published several books on slang. Watch here.
Middle School -
Monday, April 29 - Thoughts from the Class of 2023
On Monday, the first valendictories for the year were shared in Middle School Chapel by members of the class of 2023. Clare Collins and Anika Kakarla, the president and vice-president of MS Chapel Council, organized a group of students to speak about various aspects of the school. Clare and Anika spoke about Chapel Council; Brad Johnston spoke about Student Council; Lydia Nawrocki spoke about the Harloquin Club and the Theater Program; Michael Minicozzi talked about the value of sports; Elizabeth Boruff talked about our choirs; Eric Cui discussed the value of our instrumental music; Sabrina Burnetta gave a presentation about environmentalism and our new composting efforts; Kat Barber spoke about robotics. Each student spoke for about two minutes, and it was a wonderful presentation about many of the things EA has to offer that go beyond the traditional classroom. Rev. Zug then gave his "Ode to the Class of 2013," writing a story which contained all 99 names of those in the II Form, using each person's name as a noun or verb or adjective or some other part of speech. The end of the academic year approaches! This is the first celebration of our II Form class.
Wednesday, May 2 - Kate Smith Faith PaperII Former Kate Smith read her faith paper in Chapel on Wednesday. Kate is a Roman Catholic who described herself as having a "love-hate relationship" with the Roman Catholic Church. She loves God and she loves Jesus, but she also expressed frustrations about certain aspects of the church, particularly in regards to the equality of women and the support of the LGBTQ community. Another clear theme in Kate's paper was the love that she has for her family as well as the hope of Heaven.
Lower School
Thursday, May 2 - 1st Grade Hymnal Chapel
It was an extra special day in Chapel on Thursday as 1st graders, and students new to Lower School this year, received their Hymnals. Students used their new Hymnals and closed Chapel singing All Things Bright and Beautiful, a Lower School tradition.
