Having known these students for over two years in the academic classroom, and outside the classroom in a boarding school context, I am confident they will be an asset to any community they join on the merit of their…

… strong intellectual fortitude and heart for those around her:

Persistent in frustration, I did not let her emotions get in the way of pressing for further understanding. She was able to visualize abstract particle level ideas, and connect them with complicated mathematical routines. She recognized the impact of microscopic characteristics on macroscopic properties and brought ideas from previous units into the current units we were learning to deepen her understanding.

…drive for excellence in all she does:

When working on required test corrections, M came every lunch period and after school daily until they were finished, asking insightful questions to make sure she understood what mistakes she had made in an effort to avoid them for the future. M’s papers were always turned in with artistic flair and beautiful lettering gracing the top of her page in an attempt to make whomever the recipient was smile.

…growth in communication and strength in leadership skills:

As student-president L began to advocate for NHS to take over the planning of a two whole school events, our “Multi-Cultural Night” and “Mashujaa Day Celebration.” Navigating administrative politics is difficult in most schools even for adults, but my heart soared as I sat in a meeting with L, the other three NHS officers, our Principal, and the Superintendent. L skillfully guided the conversation, repeating back the statements the Superintendent made to make sure she was hearing the correct parameters for the events. She carefully posed her ideas, then adjusted them to reflect the feedback of the adults.

…growth through tackling difficult tasks with excellence:

…ability to make deep thoughtful connections:

Every challenge thrown her way, G approached with enthusiasm, never once complaining. Her homework was always completed on time, having evidence of thorough self-correction from the provided answer keys. Her work exhibited detailed notes about errors she had made with hints and reminders of areas she needed to grow in.

Having tested into the advanced science track, it was clear from the start J had a natural knack for Chemistry. He picked up on complex mathematical routines connected to abstract particle level concepts with ease, crunching numbers and explaining models using technical language and accuracy in his descriptions.

…her natural talents and abilities:

A performer naturally, she also shared clever witty poems at regular school poetry slams. Whether a comedic take on the ancient cafeteria trays, or a personal depth in re-writing Poe’s “The Raven,” J’s ability to transport those around her through written word was unparalleled by her peers.

…service, kindness, and respect of those around her:

As the advisor for our schools chapter of the National Honors Society last year, I also got to work with L as a manager of our Monday Night Outreach Program. Co-leading this program with another student, L helped organize the delivery of chai/tea to the night guards on duty, write encouragement notes to our cafeteria staff, create thank you posters for the maintenance and laundry crew, delivering origami flowers to the student health staff and more.

…resilience in the midst of difficult circumstances:

While missing a significant chunk of school due to medical difficulties, W took the initiative to self-study the missed content during her holiday break. I was impressed to see her earn the top score on the AP Chemistry exam, a difficult feat for students present for all the taught content, as a reflection of her resilience and natural intellect.

…strong work ethic and servants heart in a multi-cultural community:

S’s experience of living in a multi-cultural setting has given her a unique perspective on those around her. She has an enriched cultural awareness and adaptability that has fostered an open-mindedness to be able to improve inclusivity by bridging cultural gaps.

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I’ve spent hours this past weekend working on letters of recommendation for over a dozen students, these being small excerpts from some. Part of the job, it’s a joy (and a chore!) to sit down and think through all the ways I love these kiddos. It’s fun to accentuate their strengths in an attempt to give them a leg-up in their college admittance processes. While fun, it also takes lots of time. I blocked off yesterday before the term began and wrote in giant letters on my Saturday: LETTERS OF REC. I left campus for “Java House” (a mix between a Starbucks and Denny’s) and plugged in my computer as I sipped a Malindi Macchiato keys clattering away as I typed. A few hours later, there were words on pages and checks on my list of students who’d requested letters from me.

We’re nearing our mid-term break and I am looking forward to a long weekend next week, unplugged from the world, recommendations behind me and lessons off the mind, as my friend and I head up to Northern Kenya on a mini-road trip to visit some mutual friends. While some of our students will be enjoying their breaks too, many will be continuing to work on their college application process… would you pray for them?

Prayer Points:

-Would you pray for our seniors as the college admittance process is gearing up and can be stressful and overwhelming for many of them?

-Would you pray for our staff as they seek to find ways to support these kids as they prepare for their next steps? In our cross-cultural setting, many of our students end up in unfamiliar countries for their next steps in life.

-Sometimes the roads are great. Sometimes the roads are rough… would you please pray for safety as I drive up to visit my friends? The trip is long, though the milage is less than you’d expect. Please pray my car doesn’t break down (it shouldn’t- it’s reliable) as if something were to happen, there would be not much access to assistance.