Foxcroft's McKibbin urges Project Common Bond participants to create global community
Assistant Head of School Sheila C. McKibbin Sunday addressed 77 teens from around the world who all have lost a family member to acts of terrorism, welcoming them to a program -- Project Common Bond -- and a place -- Foxcroft School -- that together offer a remarkable opportunity for them to share, heal, grow, transform and be transformed.
"You have an opportunity through Project Common Bond to get to know and appreciate each other, to combine individually to create global community," she said at Foxcroft's Currier Library, noting that sharing one's story can be daunting. "You are at Foxcroft. Know that Foxcroft is a magical place that helps people to find their voice and to become known.
"It is essential in today's world that we get to know one another to embrace our differences, share our humanity and celebrate the joy that comes from forging common bonds to and with and between people, " she added. "It is my hope that every one of you will make connections to each other and form relationships that last a lifetime. You will be here for a while and when you leave, you will have the tools and the voice to validate others who are struggling.
"May we all learn from our time together and leave meaningful footprints on each other, on our lives and in the future."
"You have an opportunity through Project Common Bond to get to know and appreciate each other, to combine individually to create global community," she said at Foxcroft's Currier Library, noting that sharing one's story can be daunting. "You are at Foxcroft. Know that Foxcroft is a magical place that helps people to find their voice and to become known.
"It is essential in today's world that we get to know one another to embrace our differences, share our humanity and celebrate the joy that comes from forging common bonds to and with and between people, " she added. "It is my hope that every one of you will make connections to each other and form relationships that last a lifetime. You will be here for a while and when you leave, you will have the tools and the voice to validate others who are struggling.
"May we all learn from our time together and leave meaningful footprints on each other, on our lives and in the future."
In the spirit of making sure each person is known that is a hallmark of Foxcroft as well as Project Common Bond, McKibbin drew the PCB kids into the conversation immediately. McKibbin, who lost her father when she was 10 years old, shared her admiration for her mother, who packed herself and her eight young children and moved from Long Island to Hawaii to start anew in a great show of resilience. She then asked the PCB kids to think of who inspires them and share that with a neighbor. Earlier, McKibbin had conducted several ice breakers with the group and given them all rubber "Foxcroft" wristbands.
After the session, PCB participants continued to get to know each other and work on teamwork, communication and trust-building skills through a variety of fun and challenging outdoor exercises created by Adventure Links counselors.
The youngsters, ages 15-20, arrived Friday and Saturday from nine countries -- Argentina, Ireland, Israel, Northern Ireland, Palestine, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka and the United States and were greeted by Foxcroft students, who made signs and goodie bags, gave tours and helped the visitors get settled.
Now in its fourth year, Project Common Bond, which runs through July 30 and is under the auspices of Tuesday’s Children, a non-profit organization serving the needs of the 9/11 community.
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After the session, PCB participants continued to get to know each other and work on teamwork, communication and trust-building skills through a variety of fun and challenging outdoor exercises created by Adventure Links counselors.
The youngsters, ages 15-20, arrived Friday and Saturday from nine countries -- Argentina, Ireland, Israel, Northern Ireland, Palestine, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka and the United States and were greeted by Foxcroft students, who made signs and goodie bags, gave tours and helped the visitors get settled.
Now in its fourth year, Project Common Bond, which runs through July 30 and is under the auspices of Tuesday’s Children, a non-profit organization serving the needs of the 9/11 community.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
