Today was the last day of our SLA program and suprisingly-though I'm exhausted and fighting a head cold-I thank my lucky stars I was granted the opportunity to be part of this academy this year. The amount of people I met was unbelievable-I met some pretty beautiful people. And as I always say, if you pass up on an opportunity, you may be missing out on some of the most beautiful moments and people of this lifetime-this experience was no exception. 

I remain a bit sad at the end of anything. And though I have brilliant adventures to look forward to, I still felt that twinge of sorrow I always feel when something really good comes to an end. 

The sun was shining as the last bus pulled up for drop-off this morning and as always I walked into the cafeteria full of energetic scholars eating breakfast and talking to their friends, and I had to smile because at 9:06 we always conducted the chant and today would be the last time. After I got everyone quiet, we said a few thank-you's to our teacher and then I announced, "Whomever wants to come up this morning to lead chant-is welcome to do so." Kids started spilling from every direction into the center of the cafeteria and we began one last time...

We are Fox Chapel Scholars

Ready to Soar

We want to reach for the stars

Lift off and learn more

We have heart in what we do

And kindness in what we say

We have grit in our pockets

When we learn and we play

Space Cadets we are

Let our Universe hear us Roar

Because we are Fox Chapel Scholars

Ready to Soar

And the sound that came out of the leaders today was just a roar of confidence and positivity and excitement and community and love. I just stood back at one of the breakfast tables and listened with a smile. Because these are the moments that I live for. When I see students empowering others to go off and be their very best versions of themselves. Students who are proud to be scholars. Students who are proud to be alive. And though this experience has come to an end-it is inevitable that there will be plenty of experiences that lie ahead. But as with any great experience, the teachable moments I have taken from this summer will last a lifetime. Take a minute every day and push yourself to do something you never thought you would be able to do...reach for the stars..and realize the more open you are-the more adventures to be had.