Around CampusBush News
Cultivating Community Through Connection: Convocation 2024
Students, families, and alumni gathered in the heart of the Middle School Courtyard on the morning of Wednesday, August 28 for Convocation 2024, a joyous Bush tradition which commemorated the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. Smiles were not in short supply on this day, as faculty and staff welcomed new and returning students with open arms. The fifty-first Convocation featured gifted student speakers from each division who shared hopes, personal experiences, and advice on building connections with their fellow classmates. New Bush students and families also learned the values of The Bush School, what they mean, and how they impact the learning experience.
Head of School Dr. Percy L. Abram, Board of Trustees President Karim Lessard, and Family Association President Heather O’Malley kicked off Convocation with insightful remarks about the connections they’ve built since at Bush. “Connection is integral to the mission of The Bush School,” said Board of Trustees President, Karim Lessard. “If you want to learn and do interesting things, make the world a better place— this is the school for you.”
Dr. Abram shared his views on the importance of human connectedness, sharing how it can help cultivate and uplift a community. “Connection, I believe, is a wholly human enterprise that can bring us together to focus on shared goals, common good, and our collective success,” Dr. Abram said. “Instead of a device that brings us together, it’s actually the beating heart, the touch of another person’s skin in moments of comfort or despair that offer true connections.”
Student speakers Lily B. ’32, Connor F. ’29, and Charlotte P. ’25, shared their experiences at The Bush School and provided tips on how to form strong bonds and connections during the first years at Bush.
“First, be yourself–don’t try to be someone you’re not,” said Lower School speaker Lily B. to a crowd of over 1,000 Bush community members. “Second, you can have more than one friend. Third, think before you speak. Finally, don’t rely on first impressions; everyone deserves a second chance. Don’t be afraid to connect with new people and form new bonds. It is scary and uncomfortable, but it can be rewarding. Be brave, be bold, and make connections!”
The talented, young speakers highlighted The Bush School’s ability to establish an environment of belonging by making every student feel welcome, and part of a cohesive community. Each student emphasized the importance of spreading the same inviting aura to one another.
“I think one of the best ways to connect with someone is by learning their name,” said Upper School speaker, Charlotte P. “I can still remember the first time that I realized that Percy knew my name. It was during Fall Festival, and I was in Tenth Grade. We were meant to be wearing the colors of the schoolhouses. Being in Sugar Pine, I was all decked out on my dad’s all purple track suit. Percy, also in Sugar Pine, noticed my swag, addressed me by name, and gave me a Bush water bottle for repping my class spirit. Percy has always modeled how to forge connections with the community because he’s putting in the work to make everyone here feel at home.”
All speakers shared fantastic words highlighting the importance of building connections in a thriving community, and how Bush continues to lead by example by making every member known and valued.
“You can’t have a school without knowing people,” said Middle School speaker Connor F. “Bush makes an effort so that everyone knows everyone, allowing for you to take risks and find yourself while still having a web of connections to catch you if you fall.”
Dr. Abram gave hopeful closing remarks and manifested a great year with the students through expressive cheers. The fifty-first Convocation was wrapped up nicely with the K-12 Volunteer Fair, which gave community members the space to build connections with one another through a variety of Bush volunteer opportunities.
Convocation is a Bush tradition and has been an all community opening of school event for fifty years welcoming students, faculty, staff, and families to gather to begin the new school year together. Head of School Les Larson established Convocation in 1972, and ever since, we have gathered as a K-12 community—all students, parents/guardians, faculty, and staff—once a year on the first day of school to begin the school year together in community.
In case you missed Convocation, view a recording of it here.
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 735 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.