Convocation

Steward’s campus is made even stronger when Spartans of all ages team up, support one another, and join in a blue-and-gold celebration. That is especially evident at Convocation, which signals a new school year and shines a spotlight on our school community. This year’s Convocation took place on September 10. 

The morning began with the procession of junior kindergarten, kindergarten, and senior buddies along the Colonnade. The Buddy Program is a delightful tradition: At the beginning of the school year, junior kindergarten and kindergarten students are each paired with a senior student, and throughout the year, they gather at informal and formal school events. Seniors serve as informal mentors, and all buddies benefit from the friendship and empathy that the program encourages. As the buddies walked to the gym, their families lined the Colonnade, applauding and taking photos. 

Hand in hand, the buddies arrived at the gym to “New Era Fanfare” performed by the Concert Band, which is led by Middle/Upper School Instrumental Music Teacher John McAlister. Associate Head of School Lisa Dwelle welcomed guests, and siblings Charlie Hart ’35, Finleigh Hart ’27, Ryland Hart ’33, and Wyatt Towler ’40 led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Upper School Chorus, directed by Middle/Upper School Choral Teacher Storm Burks, performed Steward’s alma mater. 

Head of School Dan Frank welcomed attendees, smiling broadly as he quipped, “I welcome you to the first Steward National Spelling Bee!” He said, “Earlier this summer, five people passed a rigorous exam to qualify for today’s championship,” and invited the five to the podium. One by one, Mr. Frank tasked them with spelling a variety of words, including friend, community, perseverance, resilience, and autochthonous. With great aplomb (and a few furrowed brows), the Spartans (Maxy Flansburg ’38, Juliet Harris ’34, Mason Wingfield ’31, Sofia Ruffin ’28, and Middle School Director Susan Atkinson) triumphed. 

“What did we see today that exemplifies just some of the reasons that this school — this community — is so amazing?” pondered Mr. Frank. “We saw a community that cares equally for all its members. We saw a community that enjoys competition and which cheers for and supports each other no matter what.” He continued, “We saw a community that is engaged with each other, inspired by each other, and above all cares for each other.” Noting that some days will inevitably be challenging, Mr. Frank said, “Balance, perspective, and humor will carry you through the day. Welcome to another great year at The Steward School!” 

The Alumni Achievement Award, which is presented at Convocation each year, recognizes outstanding members of the alumni community who exemplify Steward's mission through inspiration and engagement. This year’s award was presented to William “Bunt” Young ’82. 

The award honors Mr. Young’s dedication to and success in cinematography, a passion that was sparked when he was at Steward. Charlie Reilly, a retired media specialist and longtime friend and colleague of Mr. Young, introduced him. 

Mr. Young, who joined the Steward community as an eighth grader, is a Spartan through and through. He played soccer, basketball, and baseball at Steward and earned the 101% Award in athletics; he recalls fondly that Paul Cramer (Steward’s Head of School from 1975-94) “came and asked me to play sports because they needed more team members!” Mr. Young also served as a photographer for the school yearbook from 1978-1982, and an internship and part-time job during his sophomore year at a television station kick-started his career. 

His longtime interest in film and television resulted in a thriving career. He is an adjunct professor at VCUarts Cinema and has served as cinematographer for dozens of commercials, TV series, documentaries, and films. The three-time Emmy Award winner is also a member of a traveling production company. A proud Spartan, Mr. Young stays connected to Steward by attending alumni events and by reading the Colonnade magazine. 

A Sense of Belonging
Mr. Young began his speech by reflecting on his first months at Steward in 1977 (“...way back when telephones had to be connected to wires,” he mused). 

“My self-confidence at the time was quite low, after having attended another fine school in Richmond where I had been truly struggling,” he shared. “I just never felt like I flourished, or that I really belonged there.” When he arrived at Steward, he was terrified. 

“I was quiet … reluctant to put myself in a vulnerable situation,” he recalled. “Steward was a very small campus back then. There were only a handful of students in each grade, but it didn’t take long for me to feel comfortable here. I soon began to feel like I belonged. And that feeling grew stronger throughout my time at Steward.”

Mr. Young went on to share anecdotes about his experiences as a sometimes-struggling Spartan athlete. Encouraged by Mr. Cramer (“Are you willing to try? We need you!”), Mr. Young learned that “Failure is essential … While one strives to move forward, there are moments when one will fall down. Steward helped me learn how to get up and try again, and not just in basketball or baseball. I felt supported and encouraged by my teachers, coaches, and classmates. I felt a real camaraderie of sharing moments, good and bad, with people who supported each other. I felt like I belonged to a team.”

Deeply thankful for the opportunities he had at Steward, Mr. Young expressed gratitude for the encouragement that he received throughout his years as a student. 

“The leadership, faculty, staff, and students encouraged me to be who I was, and to feel that I really could pursue whatever endeavors that inspired me,” he said. Addressing the students in the audience, he smiled and said, “So, try. Try, and do the best you can. If you fail, try again. You belong, and you have Spartans, those with you in school, and all of us who have passed through these halls, cheering for you and supporting you in whatever you do.”

Following Mr. Young’s remarks, the Choral Ensemble, composed of students from all divisions, sang “Run Like the River” under the direction of Mr. Burks and Lower School Music Teacher Heidi Taylor.

Stewardship of Nature
Inspired by Steward’s 2026-27 schoolwide theme, stewardship of nature, Lower School Director Becky Groves, Middle School Director Susan Atkinson, and Upper School Director Bobby Pollicino shared their thoughts on connecting with and protecting nature. 

Ms. Groves noted, “Stewardship is a word that’s very important to this community … so vital to us that we have it as the centerpiece of our school’s name. A steward leaves every place better than the way they found it. Let’s make this a year where we individually and collectively step up as stewards of nature.” 

In her remarks, Ms. Atkinson said she was inspired by “The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World,” a book that Middle Schoolers read over the summer. 

“This year, I challenge us to stop focusing on artificial metrics like streaks, likes, and followers, which drain our energy resources, and to instead focus on making a real connection with nature, in both small and big ways,” she said.

Mr. Pollicino shared, “In reflecting on a student’s journey across divisions, we must recognize the transfer of ownership and responsibility of decision-making from our parents and teachers to our individual self. Upper School students have the opportunity to make decisions that not only impact us but also the world around us, which includes family and friends.”

Honor Code Signing
Later in the day, Middle School students, along with their division directors and teachers, signed the Honor Code — a formal commitment to meeting the mission and values of Steward, including academic and personal integrity. Participating in this rite of passage helps equip students to prepare for the world ahead. Upper Schoolers and students in grades 1-5 will sign the Honor Code later this month, and junior kindergarten and kindergarten students will sign it during their Character Education classes.