Upper Schoolers Explore Colleges, Careers, and Nation’s Capital

The halls of the Upper School are typically bustling with students heading to class and connecting with friends. For the first few days of October, however, they were surprisingly quiet as all Upper School students embarked on off-campus adventures.

On October 1, Grade 11 students departed for Steward’s annual Junior College Tour. The students and their chaperones spent two days visiting colleges and universities around the state, including JMU, Virginia Tech, Roanoke College, UVA, and the University of Mary Washington. Braylan Rice ’25, an official UVA tour guide, led their tour there. The students met with other Steward alums at most of the other schools to hear about their experiences. The tour is an integral part of Steward’s college counseling process, allowing students time to explore what might (or might not) feel like the right fit, all under the expert guidance of our faculty.

"The trip was very educational and answered a lot of the questions one could ask about college,” shared Khalil Dublin ’28. “It was great for students to experience a taste of what the different schools have to offer." 

On the same day, the senior class left for an overnight trip to Washington, D.C. Students visited the Supreme Court, the Capitol, museums, and monuments. The trip combines lessons about history, culture, and government with a lot of fun. 

“The goal of the trip is to solidify class bonds, strengthen and build relationships, and enjoy time together as a senior class in the nation’s capital, which also provides an opportunity for our seniors to delve deeper into their study of government,” shared Upper School Director Bobby Pollicino.

The Grade 9 and 10 students started their day-long adventures on Friday, October 2. Freshmen students participated in on-campus breakout groups focused on service learning, followed by a Ravenchase scavenger hunt at Maymont in the afternoon. In the service-learning groups, students researched issues including food insecurity, environmental concerns, and housing insecurity, then planned potential service projects. They then presented their ideas to their peers and faculty.

Sophomores enjoyed off-campus bonding at Topgolf in the morning, followed by an afternoon designed to help students secure and make the most of a meaningful Minimester internship. Students also participated in a panel with 11 local professionals — Steward alumni and parents  — who shared practical advice on finding an internship, making a strong impression, and maximizing the experience. Following the panel, the students went to breakout rooms for small-group sessions with the panelists to discuss topics such as “How Do I Make a Good First Impression?” and “Business, Money, and Starting Your Own Thing.”

“During the alumni panel, I learned about how when looking for internships, I should be prepared to be denied and not take it personally,” Erik Avram ’29 shared. “I also learned that the best way to get an internship through an email is to stand out and attract the person’s attention by making emails more personal and not just business-focused.” 

Mr. Pollicino added: “This programming is mission-driven and directly connected to our values. Whether finding inspiration on a college campus, learning about civil discourse in our nation’s capital, reflecting on your individual focus through planning an internship, or fostering a sense of care and respect through service learning, each grade-level experience is specifically designed to meet their needs. The experiences help set the tone for a successful year.”