Good Hope Country Day School’s Senior Class of 2025, in partnership with the National Honor Society, successfully organized and hosted a powerful Student Symposium centered around the themes of kindness and empathy. These are not just words to be spoken but values that define who we are as a community. The event served as a reminder that kindness and empathy should be evident in our actions, shaping both our relationships and our identity as individuals.
In a moving tribute, the symposium honored the late James Earl Jones, who passed away at the age of 93. Known for his commanding voice as Mufasa in The Lion King and Darth Vader in Star Wars, many may not know that Jones struggled with a profound stutter, which left him nearly mute for years. His life story is a testament to perseverance through kindness and empathy—qualities that helped him overcome his speech challenges.
Jones once shared, “One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter.” He didn’t overcome his stutter by denying his difficulty but by working through it, one word at a time. His story reminds us of the power of self-empathy and the importance of encouragement from others.
Jones’ journey serves as a powerful metaphor for the symposium’s message: like Jones, each of us has our own unique path. How we treat one another—with kindness, empathy, and understanding—shapes not only our school community but also who we become as individuals.
The symposium included various discussions, workshops, and activities designed to encourage reflection and connection. One of the highlights was a reflection activity where students chose a symbol or object that represented them or a meaningful period in their lives. These symbols will form a collaborative display, creating a “group picture” of the class, symbolizing their shared experiences and unique journeys.
As the day unfolded, the symposium encouraged all participants to listen with compassion, speak with empathy, and act with kindness, reinforcing the importance of these values in both personal growth and building a supportive, connected community.
