Power to Gen Z

BY JULIAN BULL
We parents and teachers often wring our hands with anxiety over today’s teenagers and young adults. We fret that their attention spans have been ruined by smartphones, we worry that they don’t participate politically, we fear that online pornography and violence have confused their relationships. While it’s important to discuss these trends, I am now firmly in the camp of those hopeful for the future when Gen Z takes charge.
Like many of you, I have been so impressed to read about remarkable high schoolers (including CH students) responding after Parkland and other school shootings. Mostly, though, my optimism comes from watching our students grow up, making mistakes, yes, but developing strong moral centers, sophisticated communications skills (including how to use social media to organize), and a real desire to make the world a better place.

Most recently I have met, in gatherings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, CH graduates who are actors, entrepreneurs, analysts, and athletes, breathless with excitement and ideas and positive energy. Our graduates are building rockets, selling sandwiches, and making gorgeous art. They are demystifying cryptocurrencies, near-earth objects, and white privilege. In increasing numbers, they are teaching and leading at Campbell Hall. Some are having children and dreaming about raising post-post-millennials (for the class of 2037?!).

Every generation has its challenges. Somehow we boomers managed to survive, though some cultural critics say we screwed up the country along the way. I say, keep the faith. “Campbell Hall will ever stay, a living flame to light the way,” proving in thousands of lives that love and creativity will always win out over fear and negativity.


  Follow Julian on Twitter @cannonbull


Julian Bull Signature
Back
4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Studio City, CA 91607
Phone 818.980.7280

Campbell Hall is an independent, Episcopal, K-12 all gender day school. We are a community of inquiry committed to academic excellence and to the nurturing of decent, loving, and responsible human beings.
Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
Campbell Hall admits students of any race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletics and other school-administered programs.
© Copyright 2024 Campbell Hall