PacBay Insights – Weekly Blog

Ms. Ho, Director of College Counseling

Just last week, Samantha ’26, Venia ’26, and Katelyn ’26 stopped by to visit.  They talked excitedly about their summers and friends who’ve already started college. Halfway through our hangout, one of them shrieked and said, “Sam!!  Your video just dropped on the PacBay Instagram!!”  We all stopped to watch it.  Sam shared about how volleyball at PacBay helped her build her confidence and leadership skills, and how leadership truly comes down to caring about the community you’re serving.  

For those of you who weren’t here last year, Sam was our Student Council President.  It’s interesting to think about someone like Sam needing to build her confidence and leadership skills because it looks like she always had them.  Sometimes I talk to students about stepping up in leadership roles, and they hesitate because it intimidates them. If that sounds like you, I would encourage you to look to Sam as an example.  Her journey started with a love of volleyball, which transformed into a love for her team, which then became love for the school that helped shape her.  It may be hard to believe, but leadership isn’t actually about you, it’s about serving a community you already love. 

If you think it’s about you or your gifts or your limitations, I would encourage you to look at the example of Moses. Moses said to God, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” – and look how God used him!  He only (*sarcasm*) parted the Red Sea, led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, and guided his people through 40 years in the wilderness.

It is oftentimes humility and empathy that make the best leaders. We see it in the Bible (like Moses), but we also see it in our everyday lives (like Sam Lin).  Contrary to popular thought, leadership isn’t actually something you’re born with…it’s something that is born out of love.

Dr. Chen, Head of School

An ancient Chinese sage once said, “a leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. In a similar spirit, Jesus said, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Greatness, in both traditions, bends downward into service.

Already I’ve been encouraged and inspired by the many ways our students are exhibiting this kind of servant leadership. 

I see Misha and Noah gathering up the quiet courage to share deep spiritual insights during high school assembly. I see Ruthie, Izzy, and Alejandro working tirelessly behind the scenes at bake sales so that the money raised can serve the entire student body. I see a group of earnest students volunteering as PacBay Ambassadors, showing up at admissions events to show their love for the school. I see team captains caring for and encouraging their teammates as they face tough competitors on the volleyball court. I see peer tutors giving their time so their classmates do not have to struggle alone. 

Already, our students are stepping forward in quiet and authentic ways to serve and make a difference in our community and beyond. Some are asking how they can help the victims of the devastating floods in Nepal that happened just over a week ago. 

These are the quiet ways that our students and community are leaning into the way of Jesus. It is quiet, helpful, and hopeful. 

In a time when so much feels artificial, our students are choosing what is real. In a time marked by strife, they are choosing love. In a culture that often rewards self-promotion, they are choosing humility and service. I can’t wait to see what will transpire in the lives of our students this year. 

Welcome back, PacBay!