An election is a call to action. I'd like to use the act of voting as a metaphor for all of the initiatives undertaken by Proctor students (many too young to vote) that make a difference. Seth Godin observes, "The magic of voting is that by opting in to the system, you magically begin to count. A lot." Students who act on their beliefs magically begin to count.



A year ago, a sophomore stood in front of the whole school and announced his intention to form an improv activity based loosely on Drew Carey's TV show Whose Line Is It, Anyway? Proctor Improv is a stunning success, attracting as many as two dozen kids (who seem to have nothing else in common) to the stage for evenings of fun and mutual support. Below, some of the regulars pose, holding Stefan horizontally.



Fourteen years ago, environmentally concerned students began meeting at breakfasts to discuss on-campus ecological initiatives. The passion generated by Proctor Environmental Action gained the attention of Trustees and administrators when Carriage House was to be rebuilt. The result? Proctor's first theme dorm, Eco-dorm. But the accomplishments of PEA go beyond a dormitory. In Monday's assembly, Elijah had members of PEA introduce themselves and quickly review some accomplishments: the installation of low-flow showerheads in dorms, the bottled water ban on campus, organic gardening and "sustainable Mondays," when the evening meal features local, organic foods.




And it was a student group during March Project Period that assessed the viability of solar panels on campus roofs. Today, installation is commencing on Northern New England's largest rooftop photovoltaic array, as the 5,000 square foot south roof of the Wilkins Meeting House is receiving 273 Suniva solar modules. Each module is capable of generating 260 watts of power to the building (as well as the local power grid.) This equates to approximately 90,500 kilowatt hours of energy, offsetting 116,745 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.  This digitally edited image conveys the appearance of the installation when completed.



Some of us make a difference by voting. Others by identifying a cause or passion and holding to it....drawing others to it.
Mike called up the cast and crew of the powerfully-delivered fall drama production "The Diviners" for an ovation Monday.



Seth Godin observes that people who don't vote either don't want to be responsible for the outcome, or they don't want to live with the disappointment of voting for someone who loses. We are in the business of defeating such negativity.