Kicking off the new year, the Grade Level Programming sessions on Thursday, January 9, focused on ONE WORD. Inspired by Jon Gordon’s One Word Challenge, this annual activity invited Williams students, faculty, and staff to focus on a single word that will guide them toward achieving their goals throughout the year.
To help students ease into this activity, Upper School Dean Chelsea Rallis introduced a unique twist during Advisory time on Tuesday, January 7. Traditionally, New Year’s resolutions are centered on personal goals, almost like benchmarks to achieve. Rallis encouraged Advisory groups to flip this perspective by considering the vow of the peacock, an idea that focuses on outward growth and how one can impact others. She challenged students to think about how they could contribute to the community and how they wanted to be in the world this year.
After completing this reflection within their advisory groups, students were ready for their Grade Level Programming, where they took on the One Word Challenge. Each grade approached the activity differently. For example, the senior class focused on words that would resonate with them as they transition to college and life beyond Williams, while the seventh graders brainstormed words together before each selecting one from their list—or coming up with a new word of their own.
The community’s peacocks and One Words are displayed in the main hallways of the School as a visible reminder of the goals and aspirations our community aims to achieve throughout the year.
