Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School Blog: Take Charge

Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall graduates have had their creative fires stoked in every class – not just the art and music classes – and they’re taking what they learned and applying it to careers, both creative and traditional. We asked five alums to explain how they’re creative, where their inspiration comes from, and the role that CH-CH played in helping them become creatives. 

You begin to walk to the front of the classroom, feeling the eyes of your classmates watching you. You walk slowly, one step at a time, palms sweating, heart rate quickening. But then you pause. You take a look at your One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest poster with its beautiful, vibrant colors and remember that you spent at least an hour and a half practicing in preparation for this presentation. You turn to the class, feeling confident, a smile spreading across your face and feel not so nervous anymore.

Art-making in the 21st century is challenging, rewarding, and maddening, all at once. To succeed as an artist in the 21st century, you must be well-versed in technology, oral and written communication, art history, politics, and of course, your medium. Whether it’s as a performer or a visual artist, being creative is multi-faceted.

Since joining the CH-CH community in 2010, Ashley Balaconis has made a big impact on campus. From teaching Skills and Academic Support to coaching soccer and basketball, even taking on the role of Dean of Faculty. Year after year, students return to campus to discuss the life-changing influence Ashley had on their teenage years. Outside of the CH-CH campus, Ashley advocates for the safety and well-being of children in local neighborhoods.

Did you know that studies have shown that students that hand-write their notes learn more than those that type their notes? I mention this because notes are one of the most crucial tools in keeping students organized and allowing them to develop their own understanding of new material, but when is the last time that anyone has thought about how they're taking notes?

Alumna Sofi Madison '03 took full advantage of her time at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall. Here, Madison learned the value of staying open-minded and balancing multiple endeavors. CH-CH's influence on her life did not end when she graduated. Madison continued to draw on her experiences as she began running her own business.

I still vividly remember the moment I stepped out of my mother’s car and walked all alone out to the field for the first day of field hockey tryouts. Not only was I a new student but field hockey was a new sport for me. I was certainly very nervous, but overcoming those initial butterflies was so important for me to start 9th grade well. By the first day of classes, I knew my way around campus and recognized faces when the entire school gathered. Now, as the Director of 9th and 10th Grade Programs at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School, I’ve been able to experience many, many first days from a variety of perspectives, I would like to offer these 5 tips for getting involved at your new school to make your first year your best year ever!

On Wednesday, August 29, Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School broke ground on their $5.5M re-imagination of their historic building for the visual and performing arts, the Barn. As a result of CH-CH's Building Creativity Campaign, the School will add 9,000 square feet, including a new theater, new music classroom space, expanded state-of-the-art studio spaces, and a glass atrium gallery, creating a 22,000 square foot center for the arts.

How many times have you gotten nervous about something... anything, and said to yourself with a cautious chuckle, "Never mind, I'll just worry about it later."? If you nodded your head while reading that last bit, then you've come to the right place. It's easy to put off those things that scare us, but inevitably, it just makes the end result that much harder. Entering a new school can be one of those things that makes us nervous, but I've put together three tips to help start your school year strong! 

Since joining the CH-CH community in the fall of 2012, Julia Woodward has made a big impact on campus. From teaching English and Skills and Academic Support to coaching soccer and ultimate frisbee, even having the yearbook dedicated in her honor. Outside of the CH-CH campus, Julia has volunteered her time to educate inmates in maximum-security prisons. Experiences both inside and out of the classroom are a constant reminder to Julia of how rewarding and life-changing the role of a teaching can be.