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Moral, Happy, Productive Lives in Action

Author Caralena Peterson Speaks to the Perils of Effortless Perfection in Talks with DA Students, Faculty and Families

Peterson is well aware of the tropes of perfectionism: an endless need for validation, a steadfast belief that there’s only one path to success, a persistent fear that any stumble will thwart success forever. She lived it as an undergrad at Duke University, where a series of health setbacks — disordered eating, anxiety attacks, a depressive episode — were all the result of trying to be perfect without appearing overwhelmed. She shared her story Wednesday in a visit with DA Upper Schoolers and faculty, as well as parents and caregivers, to put a name to the pervasive feeling that so many young people experience in middle and high school: the need for effortless perfection.

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    Durham Academy Magazine

    DA Marketing & Communications Team

    Leslie King
    Director of Marketing & Communications
    C: 678-613-6707 
    P: 919-287-1729 

    Kate Auger
    Digital Content Specialist

    Melody Guyton Butts
    Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications

    Dylan Howlett
    Writer & Content Strategist

    Jesse Paddock
    Videographer

    Victoria Price
    Creative Services Manager

    Durham Academy’s magazine was first published in 1974. The annual publication features articles written by various members of the DA community, including faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and students.

    It’s been a year of milestones at Durham Academy: the graduation of the biggest senior class in DA history, including the most future college student-athletes ever; the opening of the largest building on all of DA’s campuses, completing a major phase in the plan to reimagine the Middle School campus; the announcement of a new, rigorous, flexible curriculum in the Upper School; and a deepening commitment to both sustainability efforts and diversity, equity and inclusion.

    These are but a few of the examples of how DA is flourishing and evolving to prepare students for moral, happy, productive lives.

    Durham Academy Magazine 2023

    Mission-Driven

    Mission-Driven is Durham Academy’s blog about everyday examples of the moral, happy, productive lives of our students, faculty, staff, families and alumni. There’s something special about the DA experience, and we’ll share it with you here — defining who we are through our traditions, our hopes and our dreams for the future.

    Navigating Identity: A Journey of Empowerment and Advocacy

    Last week, a group of Durham Academy faculty, staff and students traveled to St. Louis to join other independent schools at two of this year’s NAIS Conferences: 13 faculty and staff participated in the People of Color Conference (PoCC), and six Upper School students attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). For Bonnie Wang, attending the PoCC was a continuation of her unceasing work toward helping her students along their journey of self-realization.

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