Fostering Leadership in Middle School
What does leadership look like?
Benjamin S. '30
Exploring Culture
Middle School students are also able to create their own clubs. Grade 5 student and Jewish Culture Club founder Benjamin drew inspiration from his sister who led a similar club in her middle school. “We started off with two people and we’ve grown to about seven more. We’ve learned more about Jewish culture through reading and food.” Benjamin adds that being on the Student Council and on the math team is giving him the experience he needs to participate even more as he goes through Browning. “You can see what you need to do to build things over time; these clubs prepare you for life.”
“It means teaching, showing, helping, and learning. As a leader in my club, I learned things I didn’t know.”
Benjamin's Clubs
- Sports (baseball and basketball)
- Math Team
- Student Council
- Jewish Culture Club
Austin C. '27
Healthy Competition
Austin, a Grade 8 student, counts math, chess, and violin among his passions, and as an advanced math student, he participates in math competitions with Upper School students. “They can be role models for me, and I get to see what high schoolers do,” he says. Faculty engagement also makes boys more able to find new interests, he says, adding, “Teachers here are really passionate about what they teach. Ms. Gillman works so hard to make science interactive,” he says of the Green Team advisor. Austin also serves as the group’s treasurer.
“Taking action and being passionate.”
Austin's Clubs
- Green Team
- MS Math Team
- US Math Team
- Browning Chess
- Ovation Ensemble
- Encore Violin lessons
Ninis T. '28
Passion Projects
Browning’s size isn’t an impediment to boys exploring their passions, says Ninis. “If a teacher knows that you’re really interested in something, they’ll be able to help you pursue it,” the Grade 7 student says. “For example, last year when I wanted to start a middle school newspaper, teachers helped me. And this year, Mr. Weiss and (English chair) Ms. Vonnegut helped me make the club bigger.”
“People can depend on you, no matter what.”
Ninis' Clubs
- MS Newspaper
- Green Team
- Chorus
- Rock Band
- Shakespeare Play
- Hand Chimes
- Taste of Home
- Sports (soccer, track, and baseball)
- Yearbook
