149th Roll Call
For those of you who don’t know me yet, I’m Mrs. Burke, the Director of Faculty, and on behalf of the Miller School faculty and staff, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to each of you as we start the new school year. The beginning of a new year brings with it the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and teachers after a summer apart, to welcome new members to our community, and to set new goals for what you want to accomplish this year. If you are new to the Miller community, it is the perfect time to make new friends, try something you’ve never done before, and find a way to leave your mark as a Maverick. A new year can come with a mix of excitement and apprehension. You need to make a conscious decision to embark on this new year with a positive mindset, knowing that while there will be successes and challenges along the way, both will provide opportunities for you to learn and grow.
To all of our faculty, staff, and administrators, I would like to thank you in advance for all that you will do this year to engage with our students, to provide meaningful lessons inside and outside the classroom, and to support one another as members of our community. Whether this is your first year on the Hill or you are a seasoned veteran, a new school year provides an opportunity to set new goals for your own personal and professional growth and to find new ways to inspire and support our students in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and in the dorm. As you prepare to embark on the meaningful work that you will do this year, reflect on this often quoted description of our profession -- “education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” I cannot wait to see what your wisdom and enthusiasm will spark in our students this year.
8th grade -- the Class of 2031! You are the newest members of our community. In these early weeks of the school year, you will spend much of your time learning to navigate the ins and outs of life on the Hill. Don’t hesitate to ask for help as you learn the ropes. If you’ve moved from Seven Rivers to the upper school this year, use your knowledge of our campus and our community to help your classmates acclimate. Once you have settled into a routine, seek out ways to forge an unique identity for your class, to become active members of our community, and to take advantage of the countless opportunities to try something new. Look to the seniors, especially those “lifers” who also came to Miller in 8th grade, for inspiration and advice. They challenged themselves to try new things, to strive for excellence in the classroom, and leave their mark in other aspects of their life on the Hill. We are looking forward to you doing the same. To paraphrase Dr. Seuss, "You're off to great places! Today is your day! THE HILL is waiting, so get on your way!"
9th grade -- the Class of 2030! Congratulations, 9th graders, it’s official! You have taken the leap into high school. Some of you are returning for another year on the Hill; others are new to Miller. Together, you will explore the many opportunities that Miller has to offer. Your classes may be more challenging than in years past, but by committing to do your best, you’ll be able to meet those challenges and find success. Outside the classroom, look for ways to share your unique talents with others, whether that means trying a new sport or joining a club. As you begin your high school journey, be confident in yourselves as you take your first steps on this new path. And take this advice from Ted Lasso -- “be curious, not judgemental!” If you approach everything you do this year -- from your classes to athletics to making new friends -- with a mindset grounded in openness to new things and empathy for others, there will be no limit to where you can go and what you will accomplish.
10th graders -- the Class of 2029! As sophomores at Miller, you are at a unique stage in your high school career — you are no longer the youngest in our community, but the end of high school is still a far off speck on the horizon. Now is a time to reflect on how far you have come since you started and make big plans for all you’ll accomplish before graduating. As Taylor Swift reminds us, “Today is never too late to be brand new.” In the year ahead, hold onto those things that make you special and the experiences that have shaped you, but don’t be afraid to change and grow. Push yourselves to try something new, to refine -- and perhaps redefine -- your goals and your place in our community. On your journey, you can look to the upperclassman for advice while also serving as role models for our younger students. This year will provide you with many new challenges and opportunities that will help shape the person you are meant to become. Embrace them all!
11th graders -- the Class of 2028! You are members of the sesquicentennial class -- your graduation will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Miller School. Start thinking about how your class will make your mark on this special celebration. You have also moved into the privileged group of upperclassmen and upperclasswomen, so remember that “with great power comes great responsibility.” All joking and Spider Man references aside, there are a lot of responsibilities and challenges associated with the 11th grade. Perhaps you are taking an AP or DE class for the first time, or you are moving up to the varsity roster on your team, or you're starting a part-time job or an internship. As you work to balance your responsibilities both on and off the Hill, remember it’s okay if things don’t turn out exactly how you planned. If you face your challenges head on, armed with a positive attitude and an understanding that even setbacks can provide opportunities for growth, you will ultimately find the success you’re hoping for. And don’t forget, the Miller community is here to support you every step of the way!
And last but not least -- the seniors -- the Class of 2027! At long last, you have made it to your final year of high school. The privileges you have been waiting for -- like using the senior stairs and painting the rock -- are officially yours. You are community leaders, role models for the younger students, the shoulders upon which adults place increased responsibility. You have already left an impressive mark on our community through your hard work and dedication in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in the engineering lab, and on the stage. The mindset in which you enter this year makes all the difference. Resist the urge to bask in your previous accomplishments or coast through your classes. Instead, seek new challenges, welcome unexpected opportunities for growth and self-discovery, follow your passions. Use your senior year to explore how you can excel in a new endeavor or make a difference in our community. Graduation will be here before you know it, so heed this advice from cinematic senior Ferris Bueller -- “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
And now, Mr. Drude, it is my honor to present to you the student body of the 149th session of the Miller School of Albemarle!