Horizon Dec 2023 - Flipbook - Page 11
FROM THE ASSOCIATE HEADS OF SCHOOL
Mellany Barnett and Amy Cushner, Associate Heads of School
houses, cake walks and a special lunch on four days of the year.
Students earn points for their advisory by participating in the
contests, and the winning advisory gets a prize.
The Senior Retreat is a special day held off campus at the home
of one of the students. Students enjoy breakfast and team
building activities, then receive special letters from friends and
family members.
Mellany Barnett
Amy Cushner
Shelton Celebrates Seniors All Year
Senior year is a special time for students and we want it to be
extraordinary at Shelton. Upper School works with the senior
liaisons from Shelton’s Parents’ Association to offer senior
privileges and host special senior-only events throughout the
year. Upper School teacher Christy Fowler serves as the Upper
School Events Coordinator.
The Senior Lounge is a special place on campus for seniors
only. Students spend their study hall periods there working,
relaxing, playing games or working on college and scholarship
applications with Director of College and Career Advising
Debbie Knox. You often hear a loud bell ring as Mrs. Knox
announces each time a student is accepted into a college.
Spring events include a Community Service Day when our
seniors work as a group to give back to an organization in the
Dallas area. After the day of service, the class spends a day at
Trinity Forest Adventure Park. The park has an aerial obstacle
course and zip lines and encourages each student to “face your
fears, push your limits and experience a new kind of adventure!”
The fun begins in the summer, when a special logo is chosen for
the senior class. Parent liaisons deliver signs with the Shelton
senior logo to each senior’s house. In August, seniors are
treated to doughnuts and a time for fun photo ops on their last
first day of school. Each senior receives a t-shirt and sweatshirt
with the class logo.
Many seniors
participate in the
tradition of painting
their parking spots.
Parents and teachers
enjoy time together
in the parking lot
watching the creativity
and collaboration.
Early September brings the Senior Hero Night Ceremony, when
each senior choses someone who has made a difference in their
life as a hero. Students choose a family member, teacher, coach
or family friend and read a short speech about this special
person. This meaningful event deepens friendships and builds
confidence as each one shares from the heart, speaking to an
audience of more than 200.
The school-wide Adopt-a-Senior program involves all students
from Early Childhood to eighth grade. Each advisory “adopts”
a senior who will visit their class for a variety of activities.
Teachers often choose a student they taught in class years
earlier. Seniors visit the advisory for an interview and talk about
their interests, school activities and plans for the future. The
senior becomes a superstar to the younger students who love
seeing them around campus. In the spring, the seniors plan and
lead an activity for their advisory.
The year ends with advisories giving the senior a good luck
basket with items related to their college or career.
Rally Days are another favorite tradition for the seniors. Our
SPA parents choose a theme and organize games, bounce
The year ends with Senior Shred Day, when students decorate
their uniforms with their college colors and/or “shred” it in
celebration of the last day it has to be worn. Seniors are treated
to a final party to celebrate together and a special graduation
ceremony for students, families and our teachers.
We hope seniors end the year feeling proud of their involvement
and achievements, knowing that we truly celebrate each one
of them and are grateful for the chance to do it. To the Class of
2024, future graduates and alumni, may you always have fond
memories of your Shelton days.
Shelton Affiliates with
National Organizations
Shelton is a member of NAIS,
the National Association of
Independent Schools. NAIS serves independent schools by
offering research and trend analysis, guidance for leadership
and governance and professional development opportunities
for school and board leaders.
SHELTON SCHOOL
THE HORIZON
DECEMBER 2023
9