Trust Me

The following article was published in the Spring 2010 edition of "Voices":

Alumni will remember from their high school days that nothing heightens parental suspicion faster than a teenager saying, “trust me” as they leave the house on a Friday night. Parents who hear “trust me” can be pretty sure that their child is up to something.

Yet, “trust me” is exactly what we want to hear from our students.

In March, when the SACS-CASI Accreditation Peer Review Team members were finishing their 5-year visit, the Team Chair told me that our students used the word “trust” repeatedly in describing their relationship with adults on campus. He found it so unusual that our students felt comfortable developing and leading new programs for adults such as our Board of Trustees orientation and the Family Association Retreat, and noted that the mutual trust between students and faculty was the foundation of the school’s culture.

In giving authentic leadership opportunities to students, we tell them explicitly that we trust them. What do we trust? We trust that students will do their best, using their gifts and skills to the fullest. We trust that they understand the mission of CGHS, and want to further that mission. Finally, we trust that they care deeply about the good for all members of our community.

Trust doesn’t eliminate mistakes, however. I once had a teacher at a leadership presentation raise her hand and ask me: “what if we trust students with responsibility and they mess up?” A perfectly legitimate question, and just as valid when I returned it to her: “what if you mess it up?” Students who are only given simple management tasks hear clearly that they aren’t trusted with anything more important, and certainly adults hear the same message. Even if a person has the skills and support system necessary for a leadership challenge, they are unable to act if they don’t feel trusted.

Mother Theresa once said “I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much.” To be fully trusted is a simultaneously inspiring and challenging experience, and a formational opportunity that students must experience now if they are to be leaders in church and community.

Today, our alumni continue to reward the school’s trust, returning to serve and lead at Cardinal Gibbons. Your parents were right: when you say “trust me,” you are up to something. You’re leading on the CGHS Board of Trustees, Alumni Council, and as faculty and staff members; you’ve contributed your time and expertise in our Alumni Career Day, and in the planning of the 100th Anniversary celebrations; and you are even leading our efforts in social networking technology and website design. How fortunate our students today are to profit from your contributions and to learn by your example the benefits of trust.