“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”

For Head of School Heather Willis Daly, Judy Garland’s words have stayed with her throughout thirty years of working in schools. In her Opening Chapel Talk this year, she shared the quote with students and faculty as an invitation to consider who they are, how they are shaped by the people around them, and what it means to belong without losing themselves.

That can be a complicated balance, particularly during high school, when the desire to fit in can sometimes compete with the desire to stand out.

“High school can be a time when people can feel a sense of pressure for conformity, when standing out feels risky,” Daly shared. “It’s essential that we learn to value our own unique strengths and life’s journeys instead of constantly comparing ourselves to others.”

Her message came as students gathered for the first all-school chapel of the year, following the Opening Sundial Ceremony on the Chapel Lawn. The traditions of opening week mark a transition for the entire school, but Daly's words turned the focus inward: What makes each person distinct? How can we learn from the people we admire without trying to become them?

“There will always be people who are smarter, or more athletic; those who are better looking, more charismatic or funnier,” Daly acknowledged. Rather than seeing those differences as measures of our own worth, she encouraged students to learn from mentors and role models while remaining open to growth and change.

We are all works in progress. "Head of School Heather Willis Daly

The idea surfaced again the next day, this time in the voice of a student. Senior Mason Lokhandwala, one of three Convocation speakers, spoke about the role that friendships and relationships play in shaping the Pomfret experience, while cautioning his classmates not to trade authenticity for acceptance.

“The people that you surround yourself with will help shape your experience here. Changing yourself to fit in with different groups just because you want more friends doesn't make it a better experience. It just means you are becoming less true to yourself,” Mason said. “Use your experiences and peers to develop a path to creating your own unique voice.”

Daly and Mason, speaking from different perspectives, offered a similar invitation for the year ahead: Let the people and experiences around you shape you, but don't lose sight of who you are. Discover your strengths, remain open to growth, and find your own voice along the way.

That, Daly hopes, is what Pomfret can offer its students: a place where they can become the best version of themselves while feeling seen, valued, and like they belong.

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