As you walk on to Webb’s campus for the first time, one of the first noticeable parts of campus is the four mottos etched into the front steps. These four phrases remind students to think, act, lead and serve.  

Webb’s mission statement is focused on the four separate actions: thinking boldly, having moral courage, leading with distinction, and serving with a generous spirit. Although only one directly uses the word “lead,” all four actions can be used to describe a well-rounded leader. But what is the defining moment when a student becomes a leader? Is it when a student gains a major leadership position with a set list of responsibilities? Or is leadership about the small action of showing up every day, prepared to joyfully engage in the community? 

“I think every student who comes to Webb is a leader because they are choosing a different type of high school,” said Dean Lantz. “There’s lots of options for high school education, and if somebody is privileged enough and have a choice to come to Webb, it’s much different than what the average American student is going to experience.” 

Some might argue that leadership at Webb begins by choosing a private school experience with a much higher rigor than a public high school. This bravery allows Webb students to have more control over their futures. 

“For me, leadership is really a very basic principle of how one leads their own life.” Dean Lantz said. “The choices that we make, how we push ourselves, the grit that we have to keep moving forward. When things get tough, those things are all reflections of how one leads their own life, and if they’re leading a worthy life, a life that’s worthy of other people looking to it as an example.” 

Webb students take the initiative to accept struggles and work to improve themselves daily. Accepting the challenges that come with everyday life and pushing through them defines our ability to persevere as a leader.  However, I believe the act of coming to Webb is self-service rather than leading the community. Leadership is how you contribute to the community and serve your peers, not just making a choice to be in a specific community. 

This act of servitude can be expressed in both large and small ways.  

“I teach math, so when I want to hear a solution, and students don’t raise their hands, and then you have that one student that exercises courage and raises their hand, that’s students showing leadership,” Dean Lantz said. 

Leadership is about having the courage to speak up during a Harkness, have a controversial opinion or answer a question in IPC, even if you think you may be wrong. But if everyone who goes to Webb is a leader, then why is there a need for leadership positions?  

There are six major leadership groups that facilitate helping the community in different ways: the honor council, peer advisors, dorm prefects, day student prefects, student government, and international student liaisons.  

By having so many leadership groups, Webb delegates the way students can focus on serving the community specifically. This system allows students to step up as leaders without having overwhelming responsibilities and stay motivated.  

Last week, the leadership group gathered to review the data from this year’s school-wide wellness survey. The meeting served as a call to-action for student leaders, focusing on how certain aspects of campus life can be improved by each individual leadership group.  

“The meeting opened my eyes on how Webb pushes student leaders to take initiative by providing them with feedback and encouragement,” Saraya Chigoji (‘27) said. 

After the data was revealed, students are then pushed to take the initiative. This moment of power shift is when the genuine leaders shine. Although Webb students are exercising independence by enrolling, the true leaders are those who take action, listen to feedback, and work with a generous spirit.  

“I wanted to be a PA to help the community. Making sure that everyone feels heard and seen. While also planning fun campus events to help bring us closer together,” Natalia Mosaquites (‘26) said.   

Leadership is about serving the community, not self-servitude. Natalia has the passion and the work ethic to help elevate the community, not just herself.  So, stand up for yourself and your community, at every moment. Do this simply by being the brave person who speaks up in a quiet classroom or by putting your spirit into a leadership role.  The words etched on the front steps of Webb’s campus are there to remind you to think, act, lead, and serve for others, not just yourself.