Meeting Street Academy Lower School Principal Tamil Goodson and Upper School Principal Shavawn Milford spoke to the fifth graders during their graduation ceremony. Below are their heartfelt remarks.
SHAVAWN: Welcome to the graduation of Meeting Street Academy’s class of 2025.
TAMIL: I know this looks different, so let’s address why we are both in front of you today.
We thought it was important for this class and the Owls that will follow to see both of their principals share the podium as this is our first year with the structure of Lower and Upper School. While I did not get the honor of spending an incredible amount of time with this year’s graduates, our hope is they still benefited from the significance of seeing two female leaders collaborating and supporting one another day in and day out.
SHAVAWN: Our hope is that they will all look back 10, maybe 20 years from now and consider us role models, two school leaders operating in solidarity and maybe even a small reflection of what they, too, can achieve as future leaders in our community. Our hope is that the girls we serve especially will remember the way Principal Goodson and I have shown up in spaces genuinely supporting one another, learning from one another, proud to call the other a colleague, confidante and friend.
Our hope is that while so much of children’s lives are consumed with the negative images and drama depicted across social media, we hope that they will see the power of two leaders coming together to do incredibly important work and witnessed there being no need to dim the light of my sister or anyone else in order for me to shine.
TAMIL: Together, we have:
- Improved attendance rates from 92 percent daily attendance to 96 percent daily attendance
- Enhanced instructional coaching and students time spent working and engaged in meaningful learning (10-20 percent teachers’ talking vs. 80 percent or more students’ talking or independently working)
- Increased the number of proficient students from last year in English/language arts from 53 percent to 69 percent and in math last year 65 percent to this year 71 percent
- Ensured rigorous instruction and implemented more celebrations than ever before, instilling the concept of we work hard to play hard and we celebrate not only ourselves but everyone else!
SHAVAWN: On Signing Day, I named a few of the accomplishments of this class, but for the proud parents, I want to reiterate them for our guests. Amongst things to celebrate, five scholars have collectively earned $1.3 million in scholarship funds to attend top schools in the Lowcountry.
Students matriculating to arts schools have spent over 300 hours just this year alone, practicing for their auditions. Fourteen scholars participated in an overnight excursion to Camp Canaan in Rock Hill. Five fifth grade scholars participated in our elite book clubs that traveled to New York City or San Francisco. Eight fifth grade scholars have been recognized for reading over 200,000 words a piece this year. Collectively, this class has read 3,779,147 words and some over the course of this school year. All fifth grade scholars are wearing a stole with a collection of pins that reflect some of their noteworthy accomplishments during their time at Meeting Street Academy.
TAMIL: Today we want to leave you with some advice as you prepare to go off to the middle schools of your choice. In many ways, you’ve already been challenged and proved here at Meeting Street Academy that you’re equipped and ready to strive for excellence. Set the bar high! What does that even mean?
Whatever you’re aiming to achieve, you’re not just trying to be average, but you’re aiming to be the best you can be! It means challenging yourself to do more than you thought you could.
I am someone that believes in setting the bar high and doing your very best. I can remember years ago when I was a classroom teacher sitting in the audience amongst hundreds of other teachers, Principal Milford shouted me out in a speech hoping that one day we could lead together because she knew I had a high bar for myself, my students and everyone supporting kids in this incredible work. With so many other educators in the crowd, why did I get a shout out from one of the most talented leaders doing this work? Because of my high bar.
I started my journey with Meeting Street Schools as a third-grade teacher in Spartanburg. I didn’t step into the classroom thinking I knew it all. I knew that there would be great days, and I knew that there would be many hard days. But regardless of how hard most days were, I knew I had to show up for kids and my kids were going to excel. That meant I had to set the bar high for myself, accept hard feedback and push myself to do the most every single day because I truly believe that success is measured by the lives you touch and the obstacles you overcome. I need you all to be ready to take on that challenge because it will pay off for you. If I didn’t show up to work ready to give my all each day I wouldn’t be standing in front of you today.
Setting the bar high didn’t start as an adult. I established that mindset as a student like you all.
When I was a freshman in high school setting the bar high for myself meant having to practice extra during the week to be the best cheerleader on the team so that I could secure the cheer captain spot.
As a sophomore, I had my mind made up that I would take college courses before graduating high school and that meant having to study hard every night to pass my courses so that I would be on track to get into some of the best colleges.
As a junior in high school, I knew that I wanted to get into the teacher cadet program but only a select few of students were accepted. Because I wanted this so badly, I took it upon myself to talk to and observe some of my favorite teachers during my lunch time to help me write my report to get into the program.
I wanted to reflect on my high school moments so that you can see what a high bar at nearly your age looks like. The most important thing I hope you’ll take away from my reflection is that with a high bar, the greatest opportunities present themselves to you.
SHAVAWN: Eighty-one percent of this class (those wearing a legacy patch on their stoles) have been a part of the Meeting Street Academy family for eight years, and some even longer, as they were tagged honorary Owls as babies and toddlers showing up for events with their now alumni siblings. For quite some time, you’ve been collectively seen as a cohort passing through Meeting Street Academy together.
This cohort of students will soon be a memory, even better – Meeting Street alumni, as you all go your separate ways to different middle schools. For some of you, this idea of change and having a fresh start somewhere new is exciting and for others, this may feel daunting or overwhelming to finally leave the only school and classmates you’ve ever known. Either feeling is OK. I say that because you have a little time to ensure your mindset is right for the next part of your journey.
You have the opportunity to rebrand yourself and show up at your next school even better than the person we’ve had the privilege of knowing here at Meeting Street Academy. In fact, the world needs the best version of you to keep evolving, and be OK with standing out. Be the UNICORN!
You all bring something unique to the world and that uniqueness was perfectly crafted to ensure that your purpose and destiny is fulfilled. This is another opportunity to stand out rather than try to fit in. The world loses out when we try to fit in and be someone we’re not. When I look back, I think about the times I needed to stand out and make big moves motivated by wanting to make my parents proud and ultimately be proud of myself.
‘Til this day, my small circle of close friends jokingly remind me of what standing out looked like for me: It meant that at some point, they no longer needed to extend the invite to the teen club because I wasn’t going. I knew it wasn’t the crowd I needed to hang with and quite frankly my mom was not signing off. I appreciate her for that now.
It meant that I was in fact going to sign up for the Advanced Placement classes, and my friends would joke that I spent the day in another building away from them only to see them at lunch.
It meant that when I had the opportunity to leave school early (legally), I was going to clock into work at Finish Line to sell sneakers and return to school for cheer practice because I wanted to have my own money and, in my mind, relieve my hard-working single mom.
It meant that when my college advisor suggested I take a load of 12 hours because more than that would be too much of a load, I took 18 and graduated with a near perfect Grade Point Average and was hired to start teaching months before I graduated.
It meant that later when my college apartment raised the rent beyond what I could afford and others were excited about moving into another rental with more roommates, I knew I had to figure something out. I invested in my first home – making me a homeowner at the age of 23.
I don’t say all this to pat myself on the back or get applause, because I personally operate privately and quietly. I know that standing out can be socially challenging and sometimes we can be rejected amongst our peers, and you have to mentally prepare yourself for that too. I’ve spoken to many of you about how everyone won’t celebrate your successes. That’s OK. Keep your eyes on the prize, celebrate YOU. Be the unicorn.
Being the unicorn simply means you’re unique, you’re different, you’re special, you’re rare! You’re not perfect, because I too made many mistakes along the way, but standing out does give you visibility. When you standout for the right reasons, you’re allowing people to see that you want something a little more and you’re not making excuses. It shows that you’re willing to work a little harder. That you’re confident about who you are and you are driven to succeed.
So, I challenge you to be OK with being the only one to go back to your teacher for extra assistance. Be OK with being the one that commits to practicing a little longer. Be OK with being that one that sprinkles kindness everywhere you go and is inclusive of others. Be OK with doing and being YOU! The world needs the best version of YOU!
TAMIL: In closing, we encourage you to embrace what is ahead (the unknown) with curiosity and open mindedness. Constantly raise the bar of excellence for yourself. Remember that change doesn’t happen to us, but something we influence. Let the best version of you influence your destiny.
SHAVAWN: And while you are spreading your wings to soar into the next chapter of your life, always remember Once an Owl, Always an Owl.
