Horizon 2025 - Flipbook - Page 14
FROM THE ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Mellany Barnett, Associate Head of School
Upper School students now
have more ways than ever to
explore their interests beyond the
classroom, with more than eight
new non-traditional clubs and
classes introduced this year.
At the heart of these offerings is a
shared goal: helping every student
feel connected. Strong social
connections are proven to support
mental health, and we want every student to find a group
where they can belong and contribute.
Each of these opportunities began with a simple idea — an
idea that found someone passionate and persistent enough
to bring it to life. In some cases, it was a staff member;
in others, a student. But every initiative had one thing in
common: someone dedicated to making it happen.
Among the newest opportunities are Hope Squad, Shelton
Wranglers, Coffee House, Girl Talk, Urban Homesteading and
Shelton Pathfinders.
Hope Squad is a powerful,
nationwide initiative focused
on mental health awareness
and peer-to-peer support.
Jack Bendalin (Shelton Class
of 2025) and his mother,
Susan, played a pivotal role
in bringing the program to
Shelton, recognizing the need
Junior and senior members of Shelton’s
for student-driven resources.
Hope Squad participated in the 2025 Texas
Peer-to-Peer Youth Conference in Arlington, Hope Squad trains students
joining students from across Texas to learn
to act as approachable
about mental health awareness.
advocates, helping peers feel
seen, supported and safe.
Their efforts are building a culture of compassion, kindness
and understanding across the Shelton community.
The Shelton Wranglers tap into school spirit and leadership.
This student-led group supports athletic events and
energizes the student body. The spirited group was often
seen running flags at football games and rallying the crowd
at volleyball, basketball and baseball games. Students Dylan
Lowry, Ford Myers, Hudson Ramsey and Charlie Raynaud
were key players in reviving the Wrangler tradition.
Coffee House is a creative space where students share
original poetry, music and stories in an open-mic format.
It’s a cozy, low-pressure environment that celebrates
self-expression and artistic voice. Students first enjoyed this
event at the ISAS Fine Arts Conference and then brought it
to life at Shelton. Ford Myers (Shelton Class of 2025) led the
initiative and found a supportive sponsor in Shelton Director
of Fine Arts Anné Hughes.
Girl Talk offers a safe, supportive space for young women
to discuss real-life topics, build confidence and mentor one
another through open dialogue and shared experiences. The
program began with one club in 2002, and there are now 96
clubs nationwide. In Shelton’s Girl Talk Club, eighth-grade
girls joined Upper School girls on Wednesday afternoons
in the library, where they bonded over shared experiences
— and one unforgettable cake! Girl Talk was led by Avery
Macha and Ella Trevino, students in the Class of 2025, and
sponsored by Morgan Richard.
The Shelton Pathfinders Program connects current Shelton
seniors with Shelton alumni mentors who offer guidance,
advice and real-world insights to support students as they
prepare for life beyond graduation. Designed to foster
meaningful connections, Pathfinders provides students
with the opportunity to learn from alumni who have
successfully navigated similar challenges and paths. Katie
Guerra (Shelton Class of 2025) played an instrumental role
in creating this program, which launched an exciting new
chapter in alumni and
community connections.
Inspired by the Shelton
Beehive and supported
by our generous Shelton
Parents’ Association,
Shelton’s Urban
Homesteading Club has
become a semester-long
course. From animal care
Layla Erickson, Lydia Stroh and Ford
Jouvenal joined Shelton Assistant Head
and gardening to tool
of Upper School Zac Ladd in caring for
use and construction,
Shelton’s two-week-old chicks.
the program emphasizes
hands-on, real-world learning. Students focused on routines
for maintaining the beehives and worked to establish a
chicken coop and vegetable garden. These projects involved
designing and building the coop and raised garden beds, as
well as selecting chicken breeds and plant varieties.
These new offerings reflect the creativity, compassion and
initiative of the Shelton community. Students and staff are
working together to shape a school culture where everyone
can find their place. As more students step up with ideas
and more staff members lend their support, the possibilities
are limitless.
Shelton Affiliates With National Organizations
Shelton is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). NAIS
serves independent schools by offering research and trend analysis, guidance on
leadership and governance and professional development opportunities for school and
board leaders. Shelton is also accredited by the Independent Schools Association of
the Southwest (ISAS), a respected accrediting body that upholds rigorous standards of
excellence for independent schools in the region. ISAS accreditation reflects Shelton’s
commitment to high-quality education, strong governance and continuous improvement.
12
NOVEMBER 2025
THE HORIZON
SHELTON SCHOOL
