Upper School Student Retreats Boost Important Skills

2/10/2016

Today, students in Grades 10-12 are participating in retreats that are designed to address issues and skillsets that can help them thrive in and outside the classroom. From practicing mindfulness to reviewing sample college applications, the experiences will help prepare students for various phases of their lives.

Here are brief summaries of the activities each grade level is participating in throughout the day: (Students in 9th Grade are takng part in Community Engagement Week, serving as volunteers at 19 local organizations through Friday.)

10th Grade: “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” at the University of Richmond
Keynote presenter, Matt Bellace, Ph.D., a psychologist and comedian, will kick-off the conversation with his program “Natural Highs,” a positive, science-based, entertaining approach to substance abuse prevention. Other sessions will include mindfulness with Collegiate Upper School counselor Alex Peavey, yoga with former faculty member Sarah Peavey, and a self-defense class with local youth educator Chop Chop Bob.

11th Grade: Application Workshop
Juniors are meeting with visiting college and university admission officers throughout the day. Part of their time will be spent in small groups, learning about the process of evaluating applications. They also will serve on mock admission committees and make admission decisions about mock applications. (More information about the college deans is provided below.)

12th Grade: "Transition to College"
Dr. Linda Hancock, Director of the Wellness Resource Center at VCU, will lead an interactive keynote program consistently rated as our seniors’ favorite and most impactful event each of the last seven years. Her unique blend of relatable humor, real-time social norms data, and her comfort working with college freshmen help her message resonate with students.

Seniors also will spend time in small group breakout sessions, which will focus on healthy relationships. These sessions will be led by the One Love Foundation, which was created in honor of deceased U.Va. student Yeardley Love, with a mission to end relationship violence by educating students. They also will hear from Thomas Bannard of Rams in Recovery and administrative director for COBE (the College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute).

In addition to Upper Schoolers spending the day meeting with special guests, parents will have a special opportunity this evening: Parents of students in Grades 9-11 are invited to attend a College Deans' Panel tonight, from 7-9 p.m., in the Sharp Academic Commons.

This year's panel, says College Counseling Director Brian Leipheimer, "reflects the most robust and diverse group that we've had since we began the program in 2002."

Deans on our campus today and this evening include:

Lee Ann Backlund, Vice President for Enrollment Planning & Dean of Admission, Sewanee, University of the South (TN)
Barry Bradberry, Associate Dean of Admissions & Financial Planning,Elon University (NC)
Amy Jarich, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of California-Berkeley (CA)
Mildred Johnson, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment & Director of Admission,Virginia Tech (VA)
Dave Kraus, Director of Admission, Davidson College (NC)
James Pennix, Dean of Admissions & Enrollment Management, Radford University (VA)
Sally Stone Richmond, Vice President for Admissions & Financial Aid,Washington & Lee University (VA)
Greg Roberts, Dean of Admission, University of Virginia (VA)
Susan Schaurer, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management & Director of Admission,Miami University (OH)
Gil Villanueva, Associate Vice President & Dean of Admission, University of Richmond (VA)
Leigh A. Weisenburger, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Bates College (ME)
Tim Wolfe, Associate Provost for Enrollment & Dean of Admission,College of William & Mary (VA)

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