Wyatt C., our Chapels and Assemblies Prefect, recently shared a deeply personal and emotional reflection with the school community. In his talk, "Becoming, not being," he opened up about the ongoing, sometimes messy process of growing into who we are meant to be. It wasn’t about having all the answers or being perfect: it was about embracing the uncertainty and the small, often unseen moments that quietly shape us every day.
Wyatt described those mornings that start wrong, things like the late wake-ups, wrinkled shirts, and heavy bags and how they echo in the rest of the day. “Becoming isn’t about being perfect, it’s about noticing the small things that shape you — the lessons, the mistakes, the moments that change how you see the world.“
His sister taught him one of his most powerful lessons: grace. Despite the challenges they face, she offers simple acts of love and forgiveness, like saying "goodnight" after a difficult day. Wyatt expressed how this quiet consistency moved him deeply, showing that becoming also means learning to forgive ourselves and others, to let go of anger, and to keep trying. It’s in these small acts of grace that real strength and growth live.
Wyatt shared parts of school that challenge him, but he found strength in what sets him apart.. “Because what I’ve learned is that success isn’t about being good at just one thing. It’s about exploring the things that excite you, trying new challenges, and giving yourself the chance to grow in different ways.” That bravery to not be perfect but to try anyway is at the heart of becoming.
He is grateful for the opportunities at HTS, as supportive staff, clubs, sports, and even the simple comfort of a friendly smile or a heartfelt "thank you." He invited the community to notice these blessings amid the everyday hustle, because gratitude opens doors to growth. He asked everyone to connect with those small moments of kindness, reminding us all that we have the power to brighten another’s day and, in turn, grow ourselves.
Wyatt’s words were a call to action wrapped in warmth and honesty: becoming is not a destination but a journey with stumbles, setbacks, and small victories. He invited the HTS community to embrace imperfection, to learn from mistakes, to support one another quietly, and to keep moving forward. His message reminds us that we don’t have to have it all figured out; we just need to care enough to grow a little more every day. Because life is too short not to become.