A look back at autumn from the corner office...
GROTON, Mass. — As the then Acting Head of School endeavored to recover from the congratulatory clapping she "endured" at the hands of an admiring community in the Richardson-Mees Performing Arts Center, Libby Margraf sought to wind down the 2024 with her take on the "Spotify Wrapped."
"I'm not a big Spotify person, but I understand the concept of the 'wrapped.' So, I decided to give Lawrence Academy a little bit of a fall wrap," she explained. "Let's start with this [gestures to a PowerPoint].
"Number one is the power of the community that started this year with our Spartan Leaders and our faculty," she said. "This is how it began, and I'm happy to say it hasn't stopped all fall, so thank you to the leaders and our faculty."
In another photo displayed in the RMPAC, Ms. Margraf connected the beginning of 2024-2025 to Graduation in 2024.
"One of my favorite memories of every school year is the senior sunrise, which is the morning of graduation," she explained. "I usually sit up on the [Murtagh Field] steps and photograph the sunrise and the seniors.
"I was happy to be able to take the same picture for new students at Chariot Races on one of the first evenings of the fall, so this will stand out as one of my memories," said Libby.
"Okay, next," she continued. "I will never forget hollering at everyone in the student lounge, saying that we had to go look at the Northern Lights as Ms. Goodrich was taking pictures.
"I think I said something like, 'Put your phones away. We're going to appreciate nature.'
"And then when we got out there, I had to say, "Take your phones out because you can't see it without it." But this was a view we got to experience," said Margraf.
"This is a picture of the [girls'] soccer team," continued Ms. Margraf. "just one of the many teams this fall that faced all sorts of adversity and handled it with grace and grit.
"Your strength inspires me."
From the field to the stage, the inspiration continued.
"The courage and talent on stage for 'MacBeth'—it's not an easy play, but it was enjoyable from start to finish," she said. "That will stay with me."
Making her recollections a bit more personal, Libby turned to her beloved advisory.
"So, for my advisory, [what] brings me joy - our gingerbread houses," explained Margraf. "This is for all you to think about those little traditions you have in your advisory, as you head into the final stretch.
"Remember the good stuff."
Praise was then on the agenda, and Ms. Margraf singled out the senior cabinet for special recognition.
"These four have led seamlessly, with incredible humor, strength, and perseverance," she commended. "They put in lots of hours behind the scenes, and they not only entertain us but also lead us every single week,
The crowd of students began to get fidgety, as they always do. They were ready to bolt to their classes, duties, or studies (or even the frivolity of the end of the year). But the acting head kept them one last minute, ready to put an exclamation point on her term in the Schoolhouse's corner office.
"Lastly, to all of you," she said. "Mr.Canty is right. I love this place and we're really lucky to have this community - teachers, staff, faculty, students, parents, alums. Sometimes, we forget just how lucky we are.
"So, take a minute this week and appreciate what you have."