From an early age, Country Day prepares students to be engaged citizens by examining what it means to belong to a community and the potential impact of a person’s actions. Through clubs, advisories, grade levels, and divisions, students have numerous opportunities to serve and that experience gives students the leadership and problem-solving skills to be self-directed “doers” making a difference in the world. Here are two examples:
Rising third grader Bryson Best is also known as the “Kid Knows Sports" on YouTube and Instagram. He recently used proceeds from his business to support Baby Bundles. Through his channel, Bryson launched a business selling The Kid Knows Sports Coronovirus Kits in June. His kits include a 2 ounce hand sanitizer and an anti-microbial, washable face mask with his logo.
He recently sold out of his first 50 kits and is dividing his proceeds into three jars: Give. Save. Spend. When his parents asked him what organization he would like to donate to, he exclaimed “Baby Bundles!” without any hesitation, thanks to his fond memories of volunteering at Baby Bundles with his kindergarten class at Charlotte Country Day.
In an Instagram post, Baby Bundles wrote: “We are so thankful for Bryson's dedication to helping others at such a young age!”
Since 2002, more than 1,200 Country Day juniors and seniors have mentored students at Rama Road Elementary School as Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
During the summer, Country Day “Bigs” always miss their “Littles,” but this year was especially hard because they couldn’t say good-bye this past spring. Rising seniors Connor Miller and Jaclyn Siesel contacted the program coordinator Big Brothers Big Sisters to see how they could support their Littles this summer, even if from a distance. They reached out to Country Day friends and families and collected gently used books, art supplies, and snacks; one mom even had re-usable cloth masks made for each child. A few weeks ago, they brought 142 activity bags to Rama Road Elementary and were onsite to put the bags in the cars as the parents drove through to pick up.
In an Instagram post, Big Brothers Big Sisters wrote: "We appreciate our Country Day High School Bigs for continuing to empower the youth during this time."