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Severn News
Peer Power: Students Shape CommUnity
Severn Upper School CommUnity Day showcases student-led lessons on a variety of subjects.
The Severn Upper School came together recently for its annual CommUnity Day, an event that spotlights the power of student leadership, collaboration, and community-building. US students took center stage, designing and leading sessions on a wide range of topics of their choosing, covering everything from the impact of natural disasters to the influence of classic Americana and the transformative role of music as a tool for social change.
To kick off the day, Senior Class Dean Andrew Otero led the entire student body through a meaningful movement activity that helped to demonstrate the diversity and strength of the Severn community.
Following the all-school opening and subsequent debrief, students attended three different hour-long sessions run by student leaders. Workshop assignments were based on surveys submitted earlier in the week, where students had the opportunity to choose the topics that they were most interested in.
Following the all-school opening and subsequent debrief, students attended three different hour-long sessions run by student leaders. Workshop assignments were based on surveys submitted earlier in the week, where students had the opportunity to choose the topics that they were most interested in.
The students on the planning committee developed and presented an impressive 31 seminars and the programming offered something for everyone. There were seminars on AI’s role in human rights, the history of Severn School, sports medicine, understanding mental health, letter-writing and pet rescue. Facilitators designed dynamic sessions through the use of interactive online games, quizzes, situational skits, and practical demonstrations. For example, a session on the rise of street food culminated with poetry about tacos. Another session introducing students to American Sign Language utilized hand position cutouts to spell words in the ASL alphabet.
The program's objective is to build community while also providing students with a unique opportunity to step up and share their personal interests and passions with their peers.
“CommUnity Day is an essential element of Severn School,” said Otero. “It’s one more way we ensure that ALL students feel known and valued.”
“CommUnity Day is an essential element of Severn School,” said Otero. “It’s one more way we ensure that ALL students feel known and valued.”
“We think that community is where everyone is comfortable where they are, with a sense of belonging,” said Alyssa Johnson ’26 and Molly McCone ’26. “Even if people are different, they can still come together, collaborate, and accept each other for who they are.”
By sharing their knowledge and passions, these student leaders inspired their peers to think critically, engage deeply, and broaden their perspectives on social, scientific, and humanitarian issues.
