Opening Day at Greenwich Academy
Posted: September 7, 2005
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>Opening Day at Ridgeview Campus

GREENWICH ACADEMY—On Wednesday, September 7, 2005, the opening day of school, students entered the Upper School building escorted by cheering seniors. The traditional procession of the entire school into Raether Athletic Center, passing through two rows of seniors, was the first order of the day. A spirited assembly followed with an introduction of school leaders and opening remarks by Head of School Molly H. King on her theme for the year--Character First. School student president Chase Kreuter '06 also spoke.

Molly King recognized the seniors, dressed in their signature class color of red (the only class color not repeated in any school division) for their "energy, fanfare and leadership.... You are the leadership grade for this community—Remember how much you have looked up to the seniors of the past and recognize that responsibility. We expect great things from your class."

She asked Group VIII, the leadership grade for the Middle School, to stand, and welcomed Becky Walker as the new Middle School head and Camille Spaulding as the assistant head.

To Group IV, leadership grade for the Lower School, Mrs. King said, "Many of you are starting your sixth year in the Lower School—you’re the leaders not just of the Lower School on the main campus but also on the Ridgeview Avenue Campus, where Pre-Connecting and Connecting Classes are located."

Continuing the tradition she began last year, Mrs. King will "shadow" one student for a day in each division. This year she will join students in Group XI, Group VII, Group III and Connecting Class.

Mrs. King's theme--Character First-- is consistent with our GA motto, "Toward the building of character. She said, "Remember that character comes before all else in this community. There are many wonderful quotations that pertain to character—one of the most familiar is in Mrs. Dietzel’s office: 'Character is what you do when no one is watching.' Another one of my favorites is from Margaret Chase Smith, who served as a senator from Maine from 1949-1973. She said, 'The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.'"

Mrs. King continued by explaining how character is demonstrated in everyday situations. She said, "Excellent character also means thinking about how to improve our world. Right now, there are enormous needs and challenges right here in our country caused by Hurricane Katrina—in Florida, Alabama and especially in Mississippi and Louisiana.

"It has been heartening that a number of you, your teachers and your parents have been checking in to see how the Greenwich Academy community can respond to this disaster. A number of people already have given money and goods to those organizations that are helping on the front lines such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and a number of other community organizations. Faculty, community service representatives and student government leaders have begun meeting about creating a service initiative. We will keep you informed, as our GA effort will include everyone.

"We are all blessed to be part of Greenwich Academy—a place of joy, of wonder, of laughter, of learning and of growing. This year, let us put Character First, and as we do, we will bless our school, our world and ourselves."

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