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Strategy and Stratocasters

Yesterday I spent the day dreaming big about Berwick. At our annual trustee retreat, we took the opportunity to consider the theme of “good to great,” and how we might continue our journey towards a vision of national excellence and seacoast values. I feel so lucky to work with a committed group of volunteers who will push me to think deeply about ten, twenty, and thirty years into our future on this Hilltop. Our work together was focused upon ensuring that all of the amazing progress we have made in the past decade will not only be preserved but also built upon as a foundation for new heights in the decades ahead. We were able to hear from our commencement speaker and Colby College president, David Greene, and his ambitions for his liberal arts college. Conversations centered on creating a culture of opportunity and the power of doing extraordinary things. It was pretty amazing.

When I made it to work this morning, my first task was a critical rehearsal with a senior, as we have been working to craft a version of my favorite song of all time: Blue Sky by the Allman Brothers. We have been doing our best to channel Dickie Betts and Duane Allman as we try to replicate the sweet harmonies of dueling guitars. Clearly we are in a bit over our heads. But it happens to be one of those songs that immediately can alter my mood at any moment: it offers perspective, hope, and joy. Chip Harding has been cautiously looking over our shoulders…nudging us along and giving us the confidence that it might actually happen. We are getting ready to our debut tonight at the coffee house at Fogg in front of the Upper School students. It may not be the Fillmore East, but I still think it’s pretty cool.


Who gets to live such a charmed double life? Who gets to blend the challenge of envisioning a different financial future one day and channel Dickie Betts the next? It may be true that I am feeling a touch winded after a week filled with alumni events and trustee retreats, but I must say - it feels pretty awesome.

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