During the ceremony, freshmen and any other new Upper School students and faculty sign a pledge to uphold Severn’s two codes of conduct, which were developed by the student body. They are:

 

The Severn Honor Code is part of the larger Honor Court, which is also student-led and reflective of the deep and abiding commitment by students to these ideals. Kicking off the start of each student’s Severn Upper School career with this formal signing event is one more way that Severn reinforces these values in a meaningful way.

 

The second feature of the annual Honor Code Assembly is a presentation from an alumnus who can articulate the importance of these codes and how adhering to these values translates beyond Severn. This year, the keynote speaker was CDR Lawrence Heyworth IV, USN ’01, who spoke on leadership, teamwork, trust, and the necessity of consistency to build character.

 

To illustrate his points, Heyworth began by showing students a TED Talk by Simon Sinek on leadership. Heyworth spoke about the value of trust. He then shared anecdotes from his time serving as the captain of a destroyer in the Mediterranean Sea, emphasizing the value of trust. He recounted how the faith he had in his crew allowed him to sleep soundly, knowing they had his back.

 

Heyworth also reminisced about his soccer team days at Severn, highlighting the lessons in teamwork and perseverance. Despite a season that ended in playoff heartbreak, the bonds formed through hard work and mutual support created a foundation of trust and cooperation that lasted well beyond graduation.

 

Severn taught Heyworth how to be a part of something bigger than himself and how to build deep trust and cooperation skills that carried into his naval career. He emphasized to students that the opportunities presented at Severn go beyond academic education; they  are foundational to growing character and achieving success throughout life.

 

The community and academic codes focus on the importance of respect, empathy, and trust. Students must endeavor to foster an environment of belonging and integrity. But, as Heyworth shared, mastery of these principles doesn't happen overnight.

 

“Severn cannot make you do these things. You must choose to do it yourself every day,” he said.

 

Heyworth left students with a challenge. “These codes are not a trivial piece of administration,” he said. “They could be the foundation of your character for the rest of your life, but only if you choose to do the right thing every day.”

 

“Building your character is up to you,” he added.

 

The annual Honor Code Assembly is not just a tradition but a powerful reminder of Severn's commitment to instilling values of respect, empathy, and integrity in its students. It serves as an annual touchstone for the community, reinforcing the importance of character and the daily choices that build it.