Throughout the year, our community has been exploring the theme of Excellence, not as perfection, but as a commitment to growth, effort, and purpose in everything we do. 

To explore what Excellence looks like across campus, we sat down with members of the Viewpoint community representing different roles: a student, a teacher, a staff member, and a coach. In the Q&As below, they reflect on what Excellence means to them and how they strive to embody it in their work and daily lives.

Rohan Shivakumar ’26
Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholar

What does Excellence mean to you as a student at Viewpoint?

Excellence goes hand in hand with passion. It’s not just caring about something because of external motivation, but caring enough to keep improving. When your love for what you do is so strong that it replaces the need for “discipline,” that, to me, is excellence.

Congratulations again on being named a Regeneron STS Scholar. Can you share a bit about your project and what this recognition means to you?

My project focused on using satellite imagery to understand how plant-water relations evolve in response to an incoming fire threat. Being named a Regeneron STS Scholar is meaningful to me because I was personally affected by the Woolsey Fire. What began as a way to better understand that experience grew into years of research aimed at improving wildfire prediction.

Can you share a moment when you had to push yourself beyond what felt comfortable in your academic or research journey?

When I first began building FlameFlux, a wildfire spread prediction machine learning model, my early attempts failed completely. At one point, the model predicted a fire would spread 100 miles into the Pacific Ocean. It would have been easier to abandon the idea, but instead I spent months debugging satellite inputs and reaching out to fire agencies for better data. That uncertainty was uncomfortable, but it’s also what made the experience so meaningful.

Who or what has influenced your understanding of Excellence along the way?

My friends have greatly shaped my understanding of excellence. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who embody it in so many different ways—from running to chess and even math.

What advice would you give to other students who are striving for Excellence in their own journey?

Don’t focus on the accolades or awards that may come with excellence. Be curious. The things that shaped me most weren’t the results, but the days and nights spent working on problems that genuinely fascinated me. If you care deeply about what you’re doing, improvement comes naturally and excellence becomes a byproduct of your passion.

Kate Iacoi
Fourth Grade Reading Teacher

What does Excellence mean to you as an educator at Viewpoint?

Excellence is not about perfection or test scores. It is about growth. It is about creating a classroom where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, and every student feels valued. Excellence means holding high expectations while also providing the support and encouragement students need to reach them.

How do you foster a culture of Excellence in your classroom?

I set clear expectations, provide consistent structure, and encourage students to take ownership of their learning. I believe excellence also means modeling the qualities we hope to instill in our students—integrity, perseverance, kindness, and a love of learning. Students learn as much from who we are as from what we teach.

Can you share a moment in your teaching when you pushed beyond your comfort zone? What did you learn from that experience?

One moment that pushed me beyond my comfort zone was implementing book clubs in my reading classroom. This involved more student-led discussions and releasing control of the conversation. This culminating unit is one of the most rewarding parts of the year. Seeing students discuss confidently, collaborate thoughtfully, at times disagree respectfully, and deepen their understanding of the texts has been incredibly inspiring.

Who or what has most influenced your understanding of Excellence as an educator?

My understanding of excellence has been influenced by my colleagues and mentors who thoughtfully balance rigor with genuine care for students. Observing educators who hold firm expectations while maintaining warmth has shaped my own approach. Their example reminds me that excellence grows from both the relationships we build with one another and our learning process.

What advice would you offer to students as they strive for Excellence in their own journeys?

Excellence is not about being the best in the room or never making mistakes. Your journey is your own. Avoid comparing yourself to others. It is about showing up each day willing to try, to learn, and to improve. Ask questions. Take risks. Be brave enough to try, even when you are unsure. Excellence is built through consistent habits—set goals for yourself, stay organized, and take pride in your effort. Excellence is built in the small, consistent choices you make every day.

Marty Brown
Senior Director, Operations & Facilities

What does Excellence mean to you in your role at Viewpoint?

To me, excellence means creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive because the campus around them simply works. It’s the combination of intentional planning, proactive stewardship, and empowering the operations team to take pride in their craft. In Operations & Facilities, excellence shows up in the consistency of our work—delivering a safe, reliable, and beautiful campus every single day so others can focus on teaching and learning.

Can you share a moment when you had to push yourself, or others, beyond what felt comfortable to pursue Excellence?

A memorable moment was when our team faced several major events and facility challenges all at once. We had to stretch beyond our comfort zones—reprioritizing quickly, communicating constantly, and maintaining high standards under pressure. It reminded me that excellence shows up most clearly when we’re pushed and still choose to rise together.

What does Excellence look like in the everyday, behind-the-scenes work people might not see?

Excellence often looks like small, consistent decisions: checking a building one more time before leaving, fixing something before anyone notices it’s broken, choosing to communicate proactively rather than reactively. It’s our team showing up early, staying late when needed, and caring deeply about details most people never witness. Those invisible efforts create the conditions for the entire operation to run efficiently across campus each day.

Who or what has influenced your understanding of Excellence along the way?

I’ve been shaped by leaders and mentors who modeled steadiness, humility, and a commitment to people first. They showed me that excellence isn’t perfection, it’s ownership, accountability, honesty, and continuous improvement. My background in camp leadership also ingrained in me that when you take care of people and the environment they live and work in, excellence becomes a natural byproduct of that investment.

What advice would you give to someone striving for Excellence in their own journey?

Excellence starts with consistency. Show up, do the small things well, and take responsibility for your work, even when no one is watching. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, stay curious, and don’t be afraid of failure; growth lives there. Most importantly, remember that excellence is less about achieving a single moment and more about building a daily mindset.

Justin Hackitt
Cross Country Head Coach and Upper School Biology Teacher

What does Excellence mean to you in your role at Viewpoint?

As a cross country coach, excellence is when I see my whole team working together during a grueling hill workout in 90 degrees, working hard and cheering each other on. Excellence doesn’t happen because you have fast runners. Excellence happens when every athlete is willing to put aside their own comfort and push themselves for the sake of the team.

Can you share a moment when you had to push yourself, or others, beyond what felt comfortable to pursue Excellence?

When I first started coaching, I had no idea what I was doing. I was an assistant coach for one season before the head coach at the time moved and gave me the position. I felt deeply inadequate but had to lean into the discomfort and insecurity and utilize every resource at my disposal to learn how to be the best coach I could be.

What does Excellence look like in the everyday, behind-the-scenes work people might not see?

Excellence looks like holding a plan loosely while staying sensitive to the needs of the team and individual athletes on any given day. Each athlete arrives at practice carrying a full day of experiences and emotions—some good, some difficult. Attuning to what they are carrying through conversation and attentive listening is often far more important than executing a seamless or perfect workout.

Who or what has influenced your understanding of Excellence along the way?

One of my earliest and most significant influences was my high school coach. He inspired me to lean into discomfort and to commit to something bigger than myself. I also draw deeply from key principles of my Christian faith, including Jesus’ teaching: “The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” This perspective emphasizes humility and leading from behind—seeking to serve others, sometimes above pursuing personal wants or recognition. It is a guiding principle that shapes much of my coaching philosophy.

What advice would you give to someone striving for Excellence in their own journey?

Don’t take yourself too seriously, work hard, prioritize rest, and no matter how successful you may become, prioritize selflessness, remember those who got you there, and always pay it forward. The journey is far more important and rewarding than the accomplishments at the end. Don’t take the little moments, good or bad, for granted.