There is a special group of Friends in New York City. This fall, they organized a special Meeting for Worship for George School alumni at the Fifteenth Street Friends Meeting, where they were joined by Head of School Justin Brandon. We asked them to reflect on their George School experience. Though they were members of different classes, and had different experiences, they — along with so many George School graduates across decades — share common threads, and carry forward the George School community wherever they are. Meet Toni Burdick ’14, Naomi Hastings ’14, Emmanuel Tapia ’08 and Ché Williams ’16.

Tell us about your George School experience and how it has impacted your life.

It was the most extraordinary experience of my life. The faculty, students and staff shaped me into who I am today, and I’m endlessly grateful. In New York, The George School alumni community continues to fill my life with so much light and connection. – Toni 

Coming from Washington Heights in New York City; I have so much sincere gratitude for being accepted with open arms into a community I had never even dreamed of. Having roommates from Belize, Taiwan and Bucks County, the culture was bound to be authentic. As a young Latino baller and singer, it allowed me to be rather than compete. – Emmanuel 

George School gave me everything that’s important to me. – Naomi 

George school changed my life. It gave me an opportunity to breathe. To think about my schoolwork while in a loving, diverse, social justice-oriented community was what I needed at 14. It’s what I built off of and constantly still pull from in my life today. – Ché 

What SPICE resonates most for you?

Since learning about the SPICES in Chip Poston’s class in 2010, they have remained close to me. In my professional life, integrity and equality resonate most deeply with me, as I hope for diversity and genuine equity in the workplace and the wider world. – Toni 

I connect most with community. George School has given me a community wherever I land in the world. As an international student, this was and is an invaluable gift. – Naomi

Simplicity and peace seem to be the perfect way to spice. Upon arrival on campus I remember with the quietness and the owls at night I couldn’t sleep. But what started off as noise slowly became a meditation and a way to disconnect. It helped me to be, create and connect with the world so I was more than prepared. – Emmanuel 

Simplicity and peace have always stood out to me. To be simple doesn’t mean you’re weak or slow. To find peace doesn’t mean you’re afraid of confrontation. The marriage of searching for balance, and fighting for what’s right in a mindful, intentional, loving way is what I strive for. – Ché

My hope for every George School student is that…

… they feel a sense of belonging, and, above all else, that they find their home there. – Toni 

…they have the time to be present and mindful. I hope that they can then carry this special feeling and community with them after graduation. – Naomi 

…they find their safe space upon arrival. It can be a lot as a teenager but being able to connect with friends, nature, faculty, sports and the arts, are some of the many blessings. – Emmanuel 

…they embrace being uncomfortable and have the courage to put themselves in situations where they challenge what they believe and expand their worldviews! – Ché