This year brought about a multitude of changes at Stuart, ranging from seemingly small elements, like our cherished song of the morning, to significant changes, both physically and figuratively, such as Cor Cordis. However, in the grand scheme of Stuart’s vision of inspiring girls’ education and leadership, these elements are more ‘cor-connected’ than you might initially think.
It all started with the library renovation. The project began soon after the school year ended and had a strict deadline for before the new year commenced. However, some construction errors caused the date to be pushed back significantly. Ms. Wall explained that although this could be frustrating, she recognized it as a great way to practice patience, especially when things don’t always go as planned. There was so much to be excited about, from the beautification of the spaces, to the pride that everyone could feel once having a productive environment to call their own; it would all come together in due time.
The final result was Cor Cordis, a space deliberately placed at the heart of everything—the ‘cor,’ if you will— and designed to centralize all services intended for students. These services include the learning center, the library, and the wellness centers. As Ms. Wall remarks, “If you were having a moment where you needed attention for your wellness, there [would] be one central spot you [could] go to.”
Additionally, the name Cor Cordis, which means “at the heart of it all” or “heart of hearts,” is derived from Latin and named similarly to Stuart’s theater, Cor Unum, meaning “one heart.” Cor Cordis was intended to further unite the school, reminding students, as Ms. Wall explains, that “their personal well-being is at the heart of everything that we do… it is the centering purpose of our mission.”
Along with the new space, Stuart introduces a new verb, “Corcording,” meaning to take a break. Cor Cordis is supposed to be “an evolution in philosophy and thought”. As such, the idea is that Cor Cordis actively seeks ways to improve your health and wellbeing. From the reimagined spaces to new, innovative curriculums, Cor Cordis is meant to encapsulate the true ideals at Stuart, leading students and faculty to ‘step into their power’.
This leads us to the premise of the new morning song: “Step Into Your Power.” Its history, as Dr. Muoio explains, started at the annual leadership team retreat where Stuart administrators gather together to plan for the following year. All of the administrators were asked to bring a song that they could evaluate together, and one of them was meant to be chosen for the upcoming year. During the discussion, the administrators analyzed both good and questionable songs, but ultimately landed on “Step Into Your Power,” chosen by Dr. Muoio herself. She had first discovered the artist, Ray Lamontagne when she was a college student, as she had always adored a “chill, coffeehouse type [of] music,” as it tends to “keep her focused on her work.” She was listening to Ray Lamontagne’s new album when she first heard the song and thought, “This song is really inspirational, and has a cool ‘bop’ to it.” Along with the fact that the message seems universal to all ages, Dr. Muoio also said the song emphasizes that “in order to really be able to read one’s self, and a community of people, you have to be true to who you are and have an understanding of that— And own it, effectively. And not have these parts of yourself that you’re pushing, suppressing, [and] hiding, because that comes through in our leadership.”
The lyricism especially made a big impact on the panel. Dr. Muoio noted that the lyrics, “All you need, you already own. It was given to you on the day that you were born,” had resonated with her, speaking to our humanity and sense of “personhood.” She also noted there was something uniquely powerful about creation in that context. Recently, Stuart has been centering work around the idea of one’s purpose and personal identity, making this song all the more meaningful in the community. Fun fact: Step Into Your Power wasn’t even supposed to be the theme of the year, but after considering it as the morning song, the administrators decided that it could double as both song and theme.
Altogether, ‘Stepping into your power’ means to embrace new experiences and face a level of vulnerability. Every challenge faced comes with a sense of uncertainty that is matched only by the power moves put forth by a leader. Though being a leader is oftentimes scary, it is not something that has to be faced alone. Cor Cordis serves as a reminder that it is a power move to ask for help, and that there is an active and loving support system for everyone right at Stuart’s core.
