Collegiate Celebrates 27th Convocation with a Call to Connect, Reflect, and Belong

Collegiate School launched its 2025–26 academic year with its 27th annual Convocation, a cherished tradition gathering students, faculty, and staff across all divisions. 

A morning fog left dew on Grover Jones field, but clouds were quickly chased away by the bright September sun. The program followed a joyful processional set to music by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, with Fourth Grade students Harper Mickens-Dessasso and Shepherd Short leading the opening welcome to Junior Kindergarten through 4th Grade students.

Mickens-Dessasso brought poetic imagery to the moment, reflecting on Collegiate’s colors: “The green reminds me of growing in our love of learning this year. And I see the gold representing our happiness together.” Short followed with Cougar spirit, recalling his own piggyback ride into Convocation four years prior. “We’ve each brought something we can’t see, but we all feel—our school spirit!” he said, adding with excitement, “This year will go by faster than a racecar zooming through the wind!”

Following Short’s remarks, Senior Class President James Bonbright took the stage. Reflecting on his first day at Collegiate in Mrs. Leahy’s First Grade class, Bonbright shared how surprised he was to see older and younger students already friends. “I realized at that point what a welcoming place Collegiate is,” he said. He described the many traditions—buddy programs, Cub sports, recitals, and plays—that deepen the school’s strong community.

James then introduced a musical interlude, “Virtual Insanity,” performed by the Upper School Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Chorus.

The next student speakers were Middle Schooler Scott Burnett and Ginny Standing, who continued the theme of belonging and intention. Standing invited the audience to think of a time they felt supported through kindness or grace after a mistake. “Now imagine what you need to do to make someone else feel that way,” she said. Burnett echoed those sentiments, celebrating the shared experiences that make Collegiate a place of connection and care.

Both Middle Schoolers then welcomed Senior Class President Kyla Williams, who offered a moving reflection on the value of diverse talents. Drawing on the Greek philosophical ideas of Logos (logic) and Mythos (imagination), Williams spoke about embracing her creative side and the power of differences. “Your unique talent is important, and it is enough,” she said. Williams ended with a moving call to action, “And to all, may we be bold enough to celebrate our gifts, observant enough to see the need around us, and just brokenhearted enough to do something about it.” She then introduced Mr. Mancabelli for closing remarks. 

Mr. Mancabelli began by thanking student speakers who highlighted the energy and spirit of Collegiate. He then shared a personal story offering the advice he received from his mother on the first day of school for 13 years. As a child walking out the door to school his mother would call out the same reminder, “Don’t forget to smile and say hi.”

As a child, he did not fully grasp why his mother kept repeating the phrase; over decades of working with students, Mancabelli said he has come to understand its meaning. “A smile and a hi might seem small, but they can completely change someone’s day. These moments of connection matter.” He encouraged students to carry this practice into the year ahead, pointing out that everyone wants to feel seen and acknowledged. “If we know we have this power to lift people up, why would we choose to do anything else?”

Students were challenged to make small but meaningful choices such as saying hi first, sitting with someone new at lunch, asking one more question. He stressed that these everyday actions are what builds a community of respect, kindness, and belonging.

Mancabelli also reminded the community that Collegiate’s warm and welcoming atmosphere does not happen by accident. “Each one of us has a responsibility to create it and live it out every single day,” he said. He shared his gratitude for the faculty, staff, and coaches and highlighted that the work they do fulfills our mission and forms minds that seek and hearts that serve.

As Mancabelli concluded, he continued the tradition and called the students to join together to sing the school alma mater, Hail Collegiate before heading into a new school year filled with promise and purpose.