School kids – and all of us – need more hugs: Suzanne Walker Buck

Guest columnist Suzanne Walker Buck, the first woman to lead Western Reserve Academy, brings distinguished leadership, joy and a spirit of innovation to the institution. She is guiding the academy with vision and purpose as it approaches its historic bicentennial in 2026.

Recently, a quiet student named Alice approached the podium at our all-school meeting. Taking center stage can be daunting even for the adults in the room.

But Alice had a quiet confidence as she delivered a message that could have fallen on cynical ears among a group of adolescents: “The world needs more hugs.”

Instead of the derisive laughter that sometimes simmers when teenagers don’t know quite how they should react, there was resounding applause – cheers, not jeers -- for this simple idea.

Alice’s call for hugs w