Eight students delivered quality speeches as candidates for the position of School Leader on Thursday and Friday, and the results of the election will be announced on Thursday in assembly. The development of leadership is a great product of the boarding school experience. At most schools, the matter is highly structured, and possibly restricted to defined roles. Here, the opportunities allow for a full spectrum of involvement. A social activism class at a school commited to experiential education translates into student projects dedicated to heightened awareness and change.

On Monday morning, we found the hill leading up to the Meeting House covered with hundreds and hundreds of flags. Each white flag represents 500 Iraqi deaths since the start of the incursion (estimated at 600,000); each black flag represents 100 American deaths (3,393). We are asked to call representatives to make our stand known. Given that ratio, the sea of white is particularly powerful.

In assembly, the instigators explain their cause and purpose. In recent days, other members of the Social Activism class have conducted and demonstrated a survey on harrassment, and on the impact of plastic waste on specific wildlife species.

Lessons of leadership and social activism are easy to appreciate outside of classes. The sign-up for a newly-enhanced dorm leadership program is staggering, and peer counseling programs have similar appeal.

The boys' varsity lacrosse team is emerging as a study in leadership and character. Friday afternoon, an ugly incident occured when an opponent lost control. A Proctor player, responding to the incident, was also ejected. He addressed his team at half-time.... asking for cool-headed focus and team play.... and the team came from behind to win convincingly.

One team; one purpose.

We live in a greater community of significant social awareness and support. When a motorcyclist was injured in town Sunday, Dartmouth-Hitchcock's medivac team descended quickly in response.