Columbus Academy’s 116th school year began on August 24 with 1,186 students, the school’s largest-ever enrollment. Special highlights to the start of this school year were an expansion to our Explorers program for 3-year-olds, the opening of a high-tech innovation lab called the Viking Shipyard and new academic courses such as Synthetic Biology, Japanese History, an honors English class on Dystopian Dilemmas and an honors computer science class in Machine Learning.

This year’s senior class consists of 94 students including our first senior who is the child of an alumna (and alumni couple): Harper Bean, daughter of Dr. Brittany Kistler Bean ’93 and James Carter Bean ’93.

“Our seniors have already been on a retreat, they’ve already captained teams that have had games, they’ve already practiced in musical groups, they’ve already written their college essays… and we haven’t yet finished the first week of school,” stated Head of School Melissa Soderberg during Convocation in the school’s quad. “And in just 280 days, they will be back in these exact seats ready to cross this stage as graduates. What happens over those next 280 days — who they choose to become, how they step up and how they lead — is entirely in their hands, as it is in yours.”

Soderberg, in her 14th year as Academy’s first female head of school, took time to recognize faculty and staff who have reached milestone years in their service to the school: Brad Henry, Bob Lee and Dr. Jing Yan for 20 years, Michelle Saling and Julie Simmons for 30 years, and Christy Bening for 40 years. Bening was later recognized again for being the first recipient of a new honorary chair – the Kevin Morrin Chair for Inspired Teaching. Two more new honorary chairs announced were Katie Castle as the McElroy Master Chair in Math and Crystal Tursich as the Dixon Master Chair in Art and Art Appreciation.

The ceremony was then turned over to Student Council co-presidents Noor Albirini and Billy Griffith.

“Today we share this space with some of our younger Vikings experiencing their very first Convocation and our seniors experiencing their very last,” said Griffith to his fellow students. “While we may be on different parts of our journeys, today reminds us that we are all connected by something bigger than our grade or our age; we are one Academy community… better yet, a family.”

After thanking those “who make this community what it is” – teachers, coaches, dining hall staff, maintenance/cleaning crews and others – Albirini suggested all students carry three things into the new school year: community, courage and creativity.

“Community to remind us that we are never on this journey alone and that each of us has a role in making Academy a place where everyone feels that they belong. Courage to step outside our comfort zones, try something new and take on challenges even when they seem intimidating. And creativity to explore our interests, think differently and bring new ideas to our school.”

Convocation ended with the beloved annual tradition of pairing of kindergartners with their senior buddies.

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