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On October 12, Moorestown Friends School hosted “The Intersection of Quaker Values with Student Leadership,” a Sustaining Excellence Symposium in fulfillment of the Middle States Association Accreditation Process. The symposium was co-hosted by Friends Council on Education. MFS welcomed nearly 100 educators from Friends schools across the country, including many Heads of School, to explore the rich intersection between student leadership and Quaker values. Head of School Larry Van Meter ’68 shared findings from the school’s recent work with new student programs in this area, and participants engaged in roundtable discussions to unpack Quaker education initiatives underway at their schools. A keynote address was given by John R. Kimberly, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and nationally-prominent expert on leadership.

MFS students were front and center, with 16 seniors presenting on the Peer Leadership program and a similar number of juniors guiding participants through a role play from the Leadership Styles & Skills courseChigozie Chukwunyere ’19 addressed the entire group about her leadership philosophy, with many references to Quaker values. Together the students detailed their perspective on the values and benefits of “The Intersection of Quaker Values with Student Leadership.” A number of faculty and staff also coordinated presentations, including Upper School Director Meredith Godley, Chester Reagan Chair of Quaker/Religious Studies Dan Christy Randazzo, Director of College Counseling Keith Vassall, Math Department Chair Katie LuBrant, Middle School Director Kimberly Clarkson, Director of Diversity & Inclusion Karen Washington, LS/MS Quaker Education Coordinator Melissa McCourt, and History Department Chair Clark Thomson.