September 9, 2007 -- Over the summer Head of School Mike Cooper reflected on why he chose to come to Brewster five years ago and what he cherishes most about the school. At the first All-School Assembly of the year, Cooper shared his reflective thoughts with the students.

"Brewster Academy was a school that had defined for itself what it values and this appealed to me,” he told the students. Cooper acknowledged that the Brewster Principle – Respect, integrity, and service: serve yourself and others with your best in all you do – was impressive to him.

After a long day of registration for returning students and day two of orientation programs for new students, Cooper was brief in his remarks but left the students with meaningful thoughts on respect and integrity to carry with them throughout their days at Brewster.

Without getting into specific policy expectations and reminders, Cooper told students that respect is about taking off hats when entering a building, dressing appropriately for the academic day, and serving their community. “Policies don’t exist for us to control you, he explained. ” … but rather to help shape your character.”

Using a movie clip from the film The Legend of Bagger Vance to illustrate moral courage, the students watched as local golfer Junuh, playing against two legendary golfers of their era, has a chance to win the heavily watched exhibition match (and the grand prize money) but calls a penalty stroke on himself when his ball moves. Before Junuh announces the penalty, the golfer’s young assistant quietly tells him that they are the only ones who could have seen the ball move.

Turning off the clip, Cooper told students that Junuh knew in his heart of hearts that he could not live with himself if he was dishonest and that, Cooper said, is integrity.

Before dismissing students, he encouraged them to be morally courageous and “to make the hard right over the easy wrong.” He added, “let’s grow together as people.”

During the assembly, the 2007 Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2007 Career Growth Award were presented, as well as the Unsung Hero Award, given to a faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond his or her responsibilities to do great things for the community. Teaching award recipients are nominated by faculty, administration, students, parents, and/or trustees. Long-time faculty member Mary Fallon received the Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of her demonstrated excellence in teaching practices and overall contributions within the Brewster Academy program. Instructional Support teacher Lauren Hunter received the Career Growth Award given in recognition of that faculty member who over the course of the year has demonstrated the most accelerated professional growth within the Brewster Academy program. BG Hodges, multi-media teacher in the Fine and Performing Arts department, received the Unsung Hero Award. To read more about these award winners and to read about past award winners, please visit the Faculty Awards section.