The first annual Knight's Bowl Dorm Challenge kicked off in mid-January and allowed dorms to compete against one another in the one category that means the most on campus: behavior. For years, dorms compete for the coveted Knight's Achievement Award each month as one of the four monthly awards given out at each assembly. This award reflects the best Knight's Club at the time and is largely based on qualitative evidence. But there are times when a larger carrot is needed to keep everyone focused and motivated on the positive momentum that is happening on campus. For this 4-week challenge, that incentive was an NBA basketball game for the winning dorm.
The points for the challenge were set up partially like a golf scorecard with negative behaviors gaining points, and identified positive behaviors subtracting points: the dorm with the lowest score after the four weeks winning the competition. Weekly winners were also identified with mini-prizes for each week. Examples of some of the items being scored include being on time to school, recruiting new pledges and Knights on the dorm, having successful weekends and home passes, and positive forcefield ratings.
Nacona was recently given the distinct honor of being a Lifetime Executive Knight, an honor that few Woodward Academy students receive. But what does this mean? On the surface, it means that he is one of only 8 students to have received this honor since 2012 when the title was first introduced. The process to become a Lifetime Exec is not concrete and does not include a checklist of skills that can be marked off. Each recipient was chosen because they stood above the rest of the student population. The vagueness and ambiguity of this honor is what makes it special and distinct, and that much more meaningful to each Knight who receives it.
Each Lifetime Exec started the same way on campus: as a new peer who didn't have a full understanding of the Woodward Academy way. Over the course of their stay on campus, they picked up on the student culture, learned from their student leaders, and formed their own leadership style. All of these Execs took on a mentoring role on their dorms, and spoke their mind and offered feedback to other student leaders (some who they may have befriended). They had to be the bearer of bad news at times, but were also the beneficiary of Knights privileges. Their role shifted with the pulse of campus, but they knew that and always accepted the challenge because it was in them to lead… and they embraced it.
The honor is a reflection of what they did on campus. I would be remiss to say that receiving the Lifetime Executive Knight honor is a guarantee for success. It is not. As a school, we equipped these students to distinguish themselves as leaders amongst their peers, and then they leave and put into practice what they have learned. Some check in periodically to offer updates on how they are doing. One is entering his junior year at college on the east coast, doing exceptionally well. Another I had the benefit of running into at Target of all places. As we were both getting household essentials, we locked eyes at the same time, but he was the first to draw his hand for a gentleman's handshake. We exchanged pleasantries, he introduced me to his girlfriend, and assured me he was doing well. He was getting stuff for his apartment. After two minutes, we parted ways and I left knowing he was still a Knight inside. It should not have surprised me, he is a Lifetime Executive Knight after all.
What does it mean to be a Woodward Academy Knight? For many students, they would tell you that they have changed. That they are more mature and polite. They listen to feedback and are open to ideas. They are respectful, kind, caring, have empathy, and they have reflected on their past. They know what they did, and they now understand the ramifications of those actions.
As staff members, we initiate this difficult change and delight in watching it take hold in students. But that change happens on our campus, in isolation to the rest of the world. Few people see it happen, and even less think that it can. Eventually, many of our students must confront the fact that some people still think that they are criminals… that they are lazy and lack self-discipline, that they cannot amount to anything. So perhaps the greatest characteristic of a Knight is having grit and the desire to overcome those obstacles, because "those people are wrong."
Over the course of their stay at Woodward Academy, these students have come to that conclusion honestly. Their change is authentic, and now they see their future as bright as ever. Months ago, these students were on a collision course toward incarceration, or an even worse fate. Now they can say "I am a Woodward Academy Knight. I will never accept negative behavior. I will never quit."
What is the ripple effect of this change? The goal is to help every student who attends Woodward Academy with their immediate micro-behavioral needs. We want them to be kind and respectful, and be able to listen. They must suppress some of their immediate behavioral urges, and get rid of others all together. For many students, this can happen very quickly (within weeks), and it starts them on the path toward the real benefit of being a Knight. On a macro level, this change takes hold to course correct their life. It serves a long term purpose so that they will be able to share their wisdom with their brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends. Being a Knight means that our students have an opportunity to be a quality student, a great son, and eventually a good employee, spouse, mentor, and father. That is what happens when you Become a Woodward AcademyKnight, and that is how you change tomorrow.
The holiday season can be a difficult time for students at Woodward Academy with memories of home and thoughts of their families that naturally creep in during the winter break. As a school, we do our best to help as many students as possible get home passes during the holidays, but not all students will be able to spend time at home. With school out of session for a week and a half, activities are organized to help students keep their minds occupied over the holiday season.
The 5 Challenges of Christmas is an all week competition between dorms that is a hybrid between RUSH Month activities and holiday festivities. The challenges include cleanest dorm, most friendly, student appearances, a PT challenge, and Knight's pride. Each will be judged throughout the week and the 5 Challenges will be interwoven during the day's activities that will also include a holiday theme. During Christmas, holiday movies, baking cookies, and calling home will be the norm on each dorm. The winning dorm will be announced on the Monday after Christmas and those students will be the first to get the new Knights gear.
The students of Navigator Hall wanted the best Knight’s Den on campus, and they were willing to get to work in order to get it. All eight dorms on campus are set up in a similar fashion, and each has a place where only Knights can go. The Knight’s Den is where students can relax to read a book, watch a movie, or compete in video game action. When the Navigator Hall students approached their staff team with their idea to revamp it, Program Director Bill Badgley knew the perfect person to head up the project.
Don Teague is Woodward Academy’s Testing Coordinator, and works with students to complete their high school equivalency. He is also assigned to Navigator Hall and is a known handyman on campus when it comes to woodworking. His work is excellent and when he was tasked with the remodel, he knew that his vision for the Knight’s Den would not be cheap.
Over the course of 6 months, the students of Navigator Hall raised approximately $2,500 to fulfill their dream. They accomplished this by organizing a 50/50 raffle, selling concessions at weekend visits, and making hoodies and t-shirts supporting the football team. They were also able to make some money by working off campus. All summer, they were responsible for prepping and managing a little league baseball complex in Polk County. They also sold concessions during Iowa State Cyclone football games inside Jack Trice Stadium, and helped clean a local church every week.
Once the money was raised, the team went to work and they spared no expense. New flat screen televisions (each with their own control) are surrounded by a 14 foot, custom built oak entertainment center. The gaming center includes a Playstation and Xbox 360 that can handle 8 players at once. To make the Knight’s Den truly a special place for viewing, new black out thermal curtains were installed that surround new couches that occupy the raised theater seating.
The entire process was a huge motivator and success for the dorm. The students responded with hard work, dedication, and a sense of purpose to fulfill their desire for a new Knight’s Den.
Rush Month is an annual tradition on campus that gives students an accelerated opportunity to be a member of the Knights Club. The campus wide initiative traditional happens over the holiday season as a motivator for students. Since its inception a couple years ago, students have responded positively, allowing for it to occur every year.
Group Living Director Trent Fleshner sees this month as an opportunity for students to unite toward a common cause. "This month gets the entire campus focused on getting students who are not a part of the Knights Club involved. It is great for students who recently lost their Knight status to prove that they want to be a part of the Club, and it's perfect for new students to get a kick start for their program."
The first week of Rush Month enlists top Knights from across campus to conduct interviews to all prospective Knights Club members. During this time, the students begin the "pledge" process and are active participants in the club. The second week they earn the privileges of being a Knight, and the third they take on many of the responsibilities that Knights have on the dorm and in the classroom. Rush Month concludes on January 3rd with a celebration of having new Knights on campus. Although this month is an accelerated opportunity for students to earn their Knight status, it certainly does not have diminished expectations. Not all students will make it to the end with their Knight. For those students, they will have a more traditional opportunity when they are ready. But for students who are ready now to prove that they are committed to positive change in their life, Rush Month benefits them as we move toward the end of the year.
To Ankoma Riddick, a Guide "is someone you can look up to, respect, get along with, and trust." On Woodward Academy's campus, it is one of the highest positions that a student can achieve and something that does not come along very often. Obtaining Guide status is reserved for students on Delta Company, the highly structured dorm on campus. "A Guide is a leader wherever he goes and people know it right away. He leads in everything he does… and carries himself with a positive attitude." In many ways, Ankoma is referring to modeling the behaviors that he wants to see in other students, and he's been doing it since first attending Woodward Academy.
Ankoma is the Executive Knight on his dorm and one of the top Knights across campus. But gaining Guide status was never a given. In fact, it has been 4 years since Delta Company produced their last Guide. With his new found status, Ankoma is given much more freedom to move across campus and gets additional privileges on his dorm. These are all things that Ankoma has earned since he's done a great job being a leader on campus. He understands that even though he has earned a title that very few students have received, his work is not done. "When I got Guide status, I was happy and honored to be recognized for doing my job. But I need to make sure my dorm is the best on campus. I know I can take on any challenge that is thrown my way and I will be a good Exec."
The NBA season is kicking off in preseason form and two teams made a stop in Des Moines with a lot of Knights in attendance. Over 90 Woodward Academy students and staff filled Wells Fargo Arena for the game between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. There was a lot of buzz around the game because it featured Iowa native Harrison Barnes (guard for the Warriors) returning home to play in the same arena where he won two state championships for Ames High.
Not only did a ton of current students attend the game, but alum and Lifetime Exec, Quartney Parker, returned to campus and also attended the game. Pictured is Quartney (right) with current Guide and a top Knight on campus, Ankoma Riddick. Quartney will be spending some time with students and talking with them about his experience at WA and how he has been doing since leaving the Academy.
Not that the preseason matters, but Barnes lifted the Warriors to a win in his home state by hitting a clutch jumper with 6.8 seconds left in the game.
In the upcoming edition of the Knightly Knews, we're going to take a look at the Knights Club as our cover story. In advance of printing, we're going to run part of that story now by taking a look at how you can locate a Knight on campus and how the club impacts every student regardless of how they are performing at the time.
If you ask a student if he is a Knight, you’ll get one of two responses: an enthusiastic “yes” or an embarrassed “no.” When you ask a student why he doesn’t have his Knight, you’ll probably receive a list a reasons that focus around his behaviors. This is a step in the right direction. Although it would be great if that student was performing better, it is important to understand that the Club has played a role in identifying areas where he has to improve. For the eager student who answers “yes,” be warned that you might get something that sounds like “a Phase Four, positive Knight, in student government,” indicating all of the positive aspects of his program.
Besides asking students whether they are Knights or not, one of the easiest ways to identify them across campus is by what they are wearing. Knights receive “Knights Gear” which is fashionable Woodward Academy clothing. The most prized position of that being their jacket. Wearing a jacket is a status symbol on campus and something students wear with pride. So next time you're on campus, check out all of the Knights Jackets walking around and stop and talk with a Knight.
The Knights Club is the elite student body on campus and it is the organization that is at the center of our success. Becoming a member of the Knights Club is a big deal for our students and is often a very memorable moment. For them, the moment is a culmination of months of them dedicating themselves to changing for the positive.
The process of becoming a Knight takes time. First, they learn the norms on their dorm and on campus and demonstrate that by supporting them and confronting negative behavior. Over time, Knights on their dorm recognize and support them by giving them their pledge. Once this occurs, students are actively working toward their Knight status by collaborating directly with the Knights on their dorm. Once complete, they earn their Knight status in from of the entire Club. This moment occurred for a lot of students last week at the end of RUSH Month.
The goal of Rush Month is to accelerate this process by giving those students who do not have their Knight a chance to earn it by getting their pledge. Some of those students may be new to campus, other students it may another opportunity to get it. Whatever the case may be, this year's Rush Month was a huge success and ended with 217 Knights walking around campus, many of which were new to the club. Congrats to those Knights who worked directly with pledges, and an even bigger congratulations to those who earned their Knight for the first time.
Every other week, all the Knights on campus get together with the Executive Knights leading the Knights Meeting. They talk about upcoming events and new students are brought to the meeting to be introduced to the rest of the student body. They use it as one way of showing how cool it is to be a Knight because everyone is there. One of the best parts is at the end when all the Knights recite the Knights Creed. Enjoy the video:
The Knights Club is the positive student leadership organization at Woodward Academy. It is a primary component of our success on campus and every student is expected to be a member of it. When students come on campus, they are considered a "peer." While demonstrating consistent positive behavior, they earn their pledge packet and over the next couple week, work to earn their Knight status. For many, however, that is not the end of their rise in the Knightly ranks.
Each dorm (there are 8 of them) have student government positions and many of those students attend a weekly "Dorm Report" meeting where they summarize how their dorm is functioning. It is student run and serves as a powerful communication piece for the Knights. It is one time during the week where all of the student leaders on campus are together in one room to talk about how the campus is running. They hold each other accountable for their dorms and come up with plans to fix any problems. It also allows them to get on the same page and to come up with the campus focus for each week.
With Thanksgiving this week and the Christmas holiday season next month, a number of Woodward Academy students will have an opportunity to spend that time with family back home. Not all students will be at home, however, but will spend the Thanksgiving and holiday breaks on campus at WA. Getting a home pass is a part of the transition process and often occurs as a students enters the final phases of their individual programs. Although every student's situation at Woodward Academy is different, getting a home pass is a part of the process of returning home and generally requires a student to be a Knight and is successfully moving through their program. Check out the graphic after the break.
This past weekend, members of Mountaineer Hall spent a night camping away from campus. They set up camp Saturday and moved right into getting wood ready for the camp fire and getting sleeping arrangements prepped for the night. Grilling food was a top priority with several Knights taking the lead. Spending a night away from campus with fellow Knights can add a sense of normalcy to their program and as leaders on their dorm, they deserved it. With many of the students living in urban settings, spending a night in the open air and under the stars was a first for them, and they all loved it. To top it off, no camping trip is truly complete without smores. To see more images from the camping experience, check out our Knight Pics website by clicking here.
The Woodward Academy football team got their first victory of the season this past Friday against the Guthrie Center Tigers. This season, the Knights experienced 3 losses by a total of 9 points and were due for a quality win in the district. The Knights moved the ball well all night behind Andrew Caulker's 167 yards rushing. In the fourth quarter, the resolve of the team was really tested when the Knight's defense made a 4th and goal stop with under a minute left in the game to secure the 14-8 victory. Check out a couple videos after the break to see what the victory really meant.
It is an expectation for all of our students to become a Knight on campus. It requires a lot of work on their part, but obtaining it can be one of the most rewarding experiences while attending Woodward Academy. Over the years, WA has weaved an effective system where norms and expectations are the same regardless of location or activity. Whether in school, on the dorm, or participating in athletics, WA students hear the same message throughout their stay. It is all around them and pushed in every aspect of their programming. They are surrounded with conversations to Join the Knights Club and to portray positive leadership traits such as Integrity and Cooperation. Over time, they start to live these messages and it becomes a part of them. It's a pretty amazing transformation and it never gets old watching it happen.
Every month, Woodward Academy holds an assembly where the entire student body gathers and awards are handed out to the respective dorms who earned them. Those awards include the Golden Dustpan (cleanest dorm), Silver Apple (best GPA), Community Service, and the Knight's Achievement Award (best Knights Club on campus). In addition to these things, the Student and Staff of the Month are announced along with an activity that pits dorms against each other in a friendly competition. Dorms rotate organizing the assembly, with the Phase 5 House being in charge this past Friday. One additional award was announced during that assembly that came as a complete surprise to the student MC in charge... the first member of Woodward Academy's Lifetime Executive Knight Club.
Perhaps the most important component to a student's success at Woodward Academy lies in their Knight status and participation in the Knights Club. For those unfamiliar with the Club, it is the student organization on campus that has a hand in nearly every aspect of Woodward Academy. Any student can be apart of it and students are introduced to it and pressured to be a member from the moment they walk in the door.
We'll outline the process of what it takes to become a Knight in a later post as the process is very structured and equal for every student. The important thing to note is what a Knight symbolizes. When a student is a Knight, they have consistently shown that they care about their program and want to make positive changes in their life. But positive behavior is an expectation on Woodward Academy's campus so a student's lack of Knight status may say more about how well they are doing... so ask them about it!!
After the break is a breakdown of what a Knights Meeting looks like.
