Head's Weekly Message — May 14, 2021

Dear Mayfield Senior School Parents,

 

Today is so bittersweet as our beloved Class of 2021 complete their class work at Mayfield Senior School. It certainly has been a journey—filled with both difficult challenges and great joys. For me, it has been a privilege beyond measure to walk with our Seniors for the past four years. I have learned so much from them, and I have been so inspired by their kindness, determination, and generosity of spirit. Thank you, parents of the Class of 2021, for raising such amazing daughters.

 

Yesterday our Seniors made us all laugh as they enjoyed their penultimate day of classes dressed in a variety of interesting outfits, including bright yellow hazmat suits as an irreverent symbol of their pandemic experience. Others dressed in colorful summer attire, while others just dressed up. We honored our Seniors with a beautiful virtual prayer service during the advisory period on Wednesday, and I’m so looking forward to the next three weeks when our Seniors will have so many opportunities to enjoy each other’s company while we celebrate their time at Mayfield.  I’m particularly excited to see all the seniors and their moms on Wednesday, May 26 at Annandale Club for our annual Senior Tea party. We encourage everyone to wear party attire—including their loveliest hat, since we will be in the sun. Please don’t forget to RSVP via your personal email invitation by May 19.

 

As graduation day draws closer, I am thrilled to announce our 2021 Commencement Speaker—Liesl Pike Moldow ’83. After earning her B.S. from Stanford and her MBA from Harvard, Liesl has dedicated her life to the health and well-being of young people as the co-founder of SafeSpace, an organization that empowers teenagers to be agents of change in promoting wellness and destigmatizing mental health issues. I’m so looking forward to hearing Liesl’s wise words, which I know will be so relevant in the context of this past year.

 

Liesl is one of my heroes, as are all our students who served in leadership roles this year. On Wednesday, we honored our outgoing student officers and welcomed those newly elected for next year at a small ASB ceremony on the North Lawn. I couldn’t be more grateful for the extraordinary dedication and creativity our girls exhibited through so many challenges. All those recorded morning announcements and weekly virtual communities kept our spirits up as did the many activities that the girls organized and led throughout the year. Their efforts were truly amazing!

 

Next week, on Wednesday, May 19, you and your daughters will have the opportunity to celebrate the heroes in your lives during our annual “Be Our Heroes” Day of Giving. I encourage you to reflect with your family on those who have really stepped up this year with courage, compassion, generosity, and strength and consider honoring them on that day with a special gift. I know this will be very meaningful, and I thank you in advance for your support.

 

As we look ahead with hope to a return to normalcy, I want to encourage all 9th through 11th graders to consider returning to campus for their final two weeks of classes starting this Monday. Especially for those who have continued to participate remotely—this will be a great opportunity to see your teachers and your friends without the separation of a computer screen.  Now that vaccination against COVID-19 has become available for those 12 years and up, I encourage all families to consider protecting themselves and our community by getting vaccinated. To help make this easy—on Saturday, May 22, Mayfield Senior School and Mayfield Junior School will be holding a joint vaccine clinic on the Euclid Ave. campus. Check your email next week for further details.  

 

Finally, it is with very mixed emotions that I announce the retirement of our beloved art teacher Paul Tzanetopoulos. Paul has inspired, encouraged, and mentored countless Mayfield students during his long and storied career. An acclaimed artist, perhaps best known for his iconic light pillars at LAX, Paul will be deeply missed. I know however that he will keep in touch as he will always be a cherished member of the Mayfield Senior School community. Please join me in sending Paul off with our prayers and endless appreciation.

 

With Love and Gratitude,