St. Stephen’s Adopts New 2024-25 School Theme “Create” Encouraging Peers to Harness The Power of Their Own Creative Abilities

In his welcome back video at the start of the school year, Head of School Chris Gunnin officially unveiled the new theme for the 2024-25 academic year. 

Each year, the Theme Committee which includes Upper School students and faculty advisors discuss the energy and atmosphere they hope to embody and communicate across campus. As part of the process, an art student will illustrate a companion drawing to match. This year’s artwork was created by Anusha Mahbub ’25. The drawing is later mass produced into a card that’s distributed across campus and turned into a banner that is hung at the St. Stephen’s front entrance as a visual reminder. Members of the committee recently shared in chapel how they landed on the Create theme.

Following a scripture reading about God’s creation of earth, Casey Maina ’25 was the first of several students on the committee who stepped up to share.

“God took nothing and made something,” she said. “Within the Christian faith, the creation story is the backbone of the earth we inhabit to this day. That is why this year, the theme our team has chosen is “create” to encourage all of us to tap into our abilities to make the world richer in a multitude of ways.”

Committee member Rex Lauryssen ’25 said he was excited about the theme because there is so much students can do with “create”—whether they choose to focus on the metaphorical interpretation or the physical. Several fellow committee members followed with concrete and personal examples of what “create” means to them. Eishita Yadav ’25 told students she loves to create art. 

“According to my parents, the first time I created art was on my dad’s passport papers, and although he didn’t appreciate it, I thought it was a masterpiece,” said Yadav. “Since then, I’ve continued to scribble on any piece of paper that is in front of me, and although I can't exactly describe how art makes me feel, it definitely gives me a sense of joy and peace. It allows me to express myself in so many ways.”

Since first arriving on The Hill four years ago, John Kang ’25 told students he has created many “great and viable relationships” in the classroom, in the dorms and on the football field—but his favorite creation so far is an independent project he is currently tackling in his computer science class. It is a machine learning power gym companion that uses video processing and code estimation to help keep track of reps while working out, which also has an impact on overall safety. 

“I can't wait to use it in the weight room when I'm finished creating,” said Kang. “Even in the future, I won't stop creating. I hope that I can help create a more equitable, safe and prosperous world through whatever direction life takes me.”

Annabel Furlong ’25 says her most rewarding creations have always been music, specifically the music she makes with the Madrigals—the Upper School performance choir. 

“Whether it's a melancholy song and gorgeous distant harmonies or a loud upbeat tune, usually accompanied by clapping of some sort - creating beautiful music and sharing it with you all not only brings me joy, but has given me connections to people that I make this music with.” She also opened up to students about what she hopes to create in the future.

“I thought of many material things I could possibly create, however, I realized that the most important thing I wish to create in my future is a loving family,” said Furlong. “Whether I have a husband or wife, kids or pets, I only hope to create a family where I can find peace and happiness and feel loved.”

Julia McElveen ’26 told students how she knitted hats for cancer patients as a third grade assignment in school, and then described how it made her feel when she delivered the hats to a local hospital and watched a patient put on the hat she made them.

“While I watched her face transform into a bright, beautiful smile, I watched this lady experience joy and care, and became gratified knowing I helped create a moment of cheer, but ultimately it was a moment of connection between us,” said McElveen, who was recently inspired to start knitting again with a friend and create an organization called Hopeful Hats so they can create community with those who might need it. 

The committee then asked the audience to turn to their neighbor sitting next to them and discuss something they’ve created, and then discuss something they want to create. 

The Theme Committee meets at various times throughout the year and focuses on ways to keep the theme alive as it is incorporated into all areas of the St. Stephen’s community and student life.