IB has many traditions and one of them is the annual unveiling of the senior IBDP t-shirt.

“Designed by IB Visual Arts HL student Ellie Walsh ’25, this year’s IBDP t-shirt design offers an homage to a tradition central to George School, the practice of Meeting for Worship held in the Meetinghouse,” shared IB Coordinator Kim McGlynn. “Meeting for Worship is not only the spiritual heart of our community but a perfect example of the alignment between George School and IB, since it is a practice founded on reflective silence and active listening,” continued Kim.

Here is Ellie’s reflection on the design process:

“I wish I could say it was easy [to come up with the design], but honestly it wasn’t. George School represents so many things from knowledge to equality to community that it was hard to come up with something that encompassed all of that while also representing the international importance of the IB Diploma. I went through a few sketches but kept coming back to an old drawing that one of the original architects of George School had drawn.

It is considerably plain and only depicts Main Building on its own. However, I realized that the reason I was stuck on this was because even though the school values many things it isn’t possible without the gathering of students…[students] like IB Diploma candidates, who care about the school and what the school represents. That is why I thought the best design would come down to a simple sketch I did of the Meetinghouse because it is where we, as students, gather together to take time away to reflect.

The IB Diploma creates an opportunity to further our knowledge, the school provides a common ground to gather and share this knowledge, but it is only when we are with each other that we can go on to do great things.

While I understand this design is only for a shirt, if this experience has taught me anything it is that the way we think about design is rooted in the deeper connections we make with the places and people that shape us.  

Design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about telling a story, reflecting values, and creating a sense of belonging. The Meetinghouse, with its simplicity and centrality on campus, symbolizes the heart of that experience. It’s a reminder that no matter where we go, we will always carry with us the lessons learned, the bonds formed, and the responsibility to continue striving for a better world, together.”