A Conversation Across Continents

Students gain a deeper understanding of geopolitical conflicts and environmental disasters through firsthand personal stories.

Recently, students from two Eagle Hill classes had the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with individuals who have witnessed the effects of war and natural disasters firsthand. This conversation, held over Zoom, connected students with former Eagle Hill student Amory Flint Wood and his mother, India Hicks.  Both are involved in humanitarian efforts on the front lines of the war in Ukraine, as well as disaster relief in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Opportunities like this remind us that learning extends far beyond the classroom walls and that our community—past and present—can be a powerful source of insight and inspiration.

Guided by Ms. Thompson, Mr. Gelinas, and Mrs. Geary in their respective classes, The Social Construction of Identity and The Butterfly Effect, students explored: What do values and identities have to do with social resiliency and the Butterfly Effect?

During the virtual event, students interviewed Amory and India—about their work with G.E.M. (Global Empowerment Mission), a humanitarian organization dedicated to providing direct relief to communities affected by disasters worldwide. They asked questions about identity, motivation, values, and the role of an individual in their local communities and during global crises.

India and Amory offered personal reflections on their experiences, emphasizing how a deep understanding of one’s values and a commitment to service can help communities survive and grow stronger through adversity. India shared a humorous moment, saying, “I smile ironically for Amory’s graduation present. I said, ‘Come to a war zone with me.’ I am the best mother in the world or the worst; it was a privilege for us to go and see firsthand what happens in an active war zone. Modern warfare is terrifying and very different from what I learned in history books”. Their insights through the conversation shed light on geopolitical conflict, environmental disasters, and global awareness.

Mrs. Geary reflected on the event, stating, “We are deeply grateful to India and Amory for sharing their time, wisdom, and lived experiences with our students. Opportunities like this remind us that learning extends far beyond the classroom walls and that our community—past and present—can be a powerful source of insight and inspiration.”

To experience the whole conversation with India and Amory, click the video link.

Watch video >>