Last week, our juniors and seniors participated in Cor Unum Days. Students heard from keynote speaker Christian Paige, an Emmy-nominated spoken word poet, speaker, and educator, who shared his insights on how to navigate difficult decisions. Students then participated in workshops to explore this idea further. The second day of Cor Unum was dedicated to service, with students engaging in impactful projects at the YWCA, Operation Sack Lunch, and Urban Artworks. Through these experiences, students embodied the Sacred Heart commitment to direct service.

Cor Unum (Latin for "One Heart") is a signature program at Forest Ridge that embodies the values connected to the Sacred Heart of Christ. This year, we focused on the theme of Growing in Wise Freedom. As a Sacred Heart Network School, we are called to live by the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education, with a particular emphasis on Goal 5. This goal encourages growth in courage and confidence, emotional resilience, empathy, and ethical decision-making.

Cor Unum highlights several key criteria, including the cultivation of health and balance, respectful dialogue, and leadership development. In today's fast-paced world, where trends, influencers, and social media dominate, our students are challenged to maintain their mental health, spiritual growth, and emotional well-being. 

The question remains: how can we help students listen to their own voices and grow in wisdom amidst these external pressures? Essential questions for Cor Unum include how to support students on their spiritual and emotional journeys, navigate complex life challenges, and foster empathy in communication. The purpose of this program is to equip students with the tools they need to approach difficult situations with wisdom, grace, and authenticity, empowering them to make informed decisions and lead with integrity.

Abby B. '25 reflected on Cor Unum Days, noting that "while I think we all learned so many life skills from Christian Paige, what I appreciated most about his conversations with us is that everyone was welcome to take away what they needed most. For me, one piece of advice from Mr. Paige really stuck, which was that while we often spend time thinking about the systems we want to dismantle, it's just as, if not more, important to think about what we want to replace those systems with. n a world that feels full of negativity and destruction, I find myself often thinking in those same terms, even if my end goal is positivity and progress. For example, I’ve recently been looking into anti-censorship and anti-book banning movements. While these goals are important, Mr. Paige’s words reminded me to take a moment and envision what free expression looks like to me, and how I hope to protect and support free speech in my community. I think this idea is also very special, because it shows how our dreams, hopes, and aspirations for the future play an integral role in service and leadership. Just as we get to choose what causes are important to us, we also get to choose what we want our futures to look like."