Celebrating Growth and Grit: 8th Grade Cornerstone Presentations Showcase Adaptive Expertise

On Friday, May 9, Cannon School's 8th graders took center stage—literally and figuratively—as they presented their Cornerstone Projects to an audience of proud parents, supportive teachers, coaches, advisors, and peers. These presentations were the culmination of a thoughtful and meaningful journey through the 8th Grade Cornerstone process, a signature learning experience that challenges students to reflect on their personal growth during middle school.

So what exactly is Cornerstone?

Cornerstone Projects are a key experience for 8th graders at Cannon, rooted in the school's commitment to developing adaptive expertise. Students are asked to explore twelve essential habits that form the foundation of adaptive expertise: risk taking, meta-cognition, reflection, purpose, empathy, flexibility, communication, mastery, curiosity, creativity, autonomy, and synthesis. After thoughtful reflection and planning, each student chooses one habit in which they’ve experienced significant growth and prepares a presentation that highlights their personal journey.

The process is both introspective and expressive. Students share stories of struggle, perseverance, and triumph, connecting their growth to meaningful learning experiences and relationships that shaped them along the way. The result is a powerful showcase of how these young people come to understand themselves and their potential more deeply. 

Edward M. ’29 reflected on the habit of Mastery through his journey in golf and music. He candidly shared how he used to have a love-hate relationship with golf, frustrated by results that didn’t match his expectations. But through the guidance of Coach Marks, who taught him to treat golf as a thinking game rather than chasing perfection, Edward began to redefine what success looked like. He also credited his father, his “unofficial golf coach,” for modeling persistence and honest feedback. For Edward, mastery came to mean showing up, training hard, and learning through the process, not just the outcome.

Kaylee D. ’29 chose Communication as her focus. Her experiences with middle school volleyball and volunteering at Special Olympics revealed to her that communication is about more than just talking—it’s about listening, understanding, and being present. She shared that learning to speak up during a tough volleyball season helped her grow as a teammate, while asking for help during Special Olympics events allowed her to better support others and ensure things ran smoothly.

Charlie Z. ’29 highlighted his growth in Reflection through his leadership roles in lacrosse. Serving as captain for both his club and school teams, Charlie faced moments where outcomes didn’t match expectations. He used those moments to learn about humility, accountability, and self-awareness. Through reflection, Charlie learned to adjust his mindset and become a more thoughtful leader. 

Kaylee S. ’29 focused on Risk Taking, inspired by her involvement in theater and all-state chorus. Initially drawn to theater to conquer her stage fright, she learned that the road to confidence is paved with setbacks and self-compassion. Auditioning for all-state chorus pushed her out of her comfort zone again, reinforcing the value of trying new things even when the outcome is uncertain. For Kaylee, taking risks became a path to self-discovery and resilience.

The Cornerstone presentations offered more than just stories. They offered glimpses into how Cannon students are learning to think deeply, act courageously, and grow authentically. Each student reminded us that middle school isn’t just a bridge to upper school, but also a critical time to discover who you are becoming.

Congratulations to the Class of 2029 on a powerful and inspiring Cornerstone experience!