Good morning, everyone.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Elisha Asare, and I have the privilege of serving as your student council president this year. 
 
It’s a special tradition that we kick off the school year together on the Terraces — shoulder to shoulder, youngest to oldest — and there’s something powerful about that. It’s a reminder that we’re all part of the same story here at St. Christopher’s. And today, I want to speak briefly about what that story means to me.

If I had to sum it up, I’d start with this idea: “Be where your feet are.” It’s something that’s been said to me before, but it’s one I’ve really come to appreciate. It means being present — not just showing up, but being fully here and present. Fully invested in your classes, your teammates, your friendships, your faith. We all move quickly through this place, especially once the year gets rolling. But being where your feet are means not letting it rush by. It means taking the time to appreciate each moment, each person, each opportunity — because they matter. I started at St. Christopher’s in Kindergarten, and I too was once nervous about the upcoming literary society day, or sitting in Mrs. Brown’s 3rd-grade class working through multiplication, or in Mrs. Kuhlen’s 4th-grade class, enjoying our second recess of the day. At the time, those moments felt ordinary, even small, but looking back, they’re the ones that stand out and remind me how quickly our years here go by. You never truly understand the phrase “Your time here flies by fast” until all of a sudden, it’s your turn to move on to the next chapter and say goodbye.
 
Another principle that’s stuck with me is this: “Be someone who makes everybody feel like somebody.” Every one of us has the ability to lift the room — to make someone feel seen, valued, and heard. Whether you’re a senior or a sixth grader, a starter or a backup, new to St. Chris or a lifer — you belong here. And we all have a role in making this school feel like home for each other. That starts with kindness. With intentionality. By taking the time to check in on someone, invite someone in, and speak life into the people around us.

And finally — brotherhood. That word gets said a lot around here. But for me, it’s more than a motto. It’s something we live by every day. Brotherhood is what makes this place different. It’s the feeling of knowing that someone’s got your back — in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, during a tough day, or when you're celebrating a win. It’s what we build when we push each other to be better, when we hold each other accountable, and when we carry each other through. And it’s what you’ll carry with you long after you leave this place.

So as we begin this new year, I hope that we all commit to those three things:
 1. Be where your feet are.
 2. Be someone who makes everybody feel like somebody.
 3. Never take for granted the brotherhood that surrounds you.

Let’s make this year one we’ll be proud to look back on — together.

Thank You