Brill Bash: A Celebration of Brilliance, Belonging, and Dreams
by Elena Maina, Executive Director
As the summer winds down and the new school year approaches, we’re reflecting on the incredible journey of Summer Academy 2025. What began with curiosity and energy in June ended in an exciting celebration called Brill Bash. It was a joyful moment of pride and purpose, spotlighting our students’ growth, creativity, and courage.
Brill Bash isn’t just a celebration. It’s a declaration. A reminder that when young people are surrounded by safety, love, and acceptance, their brilliance shines. This summer, we didn’t just teach reading and math – we created a community where students were seen, affirmed, and empowered to take risks and to dream fearlessly.
We See You
At the heart of Summer Academy and Brill Bash is a powerful truth about our students: We see you. We see your light, your curiosity, your potential for greatness. Our students deserve to be surrounded by people who look them in the eye and say, “I see your brilliance, and I will walk alongside you as you nurture it.”
That’s what we did this summer. We built a culture of support where students felt safe to ask questions, explore who they are, and celebrate what makes them unique. Teachers, mentors, and staff cheered them on, not just as learners, but as leaders on their own journey.
The Power of Belonging
Too often, school environments focus on control more than connection. But when students feel truly accepted and loved, they thrive. At Summer Academy, we created spaces where students could show up fully as themselves, where their identities were respected, where their voices mattered, and where their stories were honored.
That safety and love gave our students the courage to grow. They weren’t afraid to make mistakes, because they knew someone would be there to help them get back up if they fell. They weren’t afraid to speak their truth, because they knew their truth mattered. That kind of environment changes lives, and it’s what every child deserves.
If Our Students Can Do It, So Can We
Brill Bash wasn’t just a student talent show; it was also a call to action. When we watched students perform spoken word, present projects, and dance with joy, we were reminded of what’s possible when young people are supported and encouraged. Their bravery inspired us.
If our students can show up, be vulnerable, take risks, and keep dreaming, then so can we. Let this summer be a reminder that growth is possible at every age, and that we all need cheerleaders, support systems, and spaces where we belong. Each one of us can play one (or many!) of these roles in our community. Let’s do it together.
Listening to What Our Children Need
Our students are speaking. Through their questions, their passions, and their hopes, they are asking us to listen. They’re asking for schools where they feel safe, for classrooms where they can be themselves, and for adults who believe in them.
If we want a better future, it starts by listening to the children who are trying to build it.
We Must Support and Improve Our Public Schools
Summer Academy offers a glimpse of what’s possible, but this kind of love and support shouldn’t only happen in the summer. It should be embedded in our public schools, every day. Our students and educators are doing incredible work in challenging conditions. Imagine what they could do if we provided the resources, staffing, and support systems they need to thrive.
Supporting our schools means more than showing up – it means speaking out. We should be advocating for equity, demanding policies that prioritize wellness, and investing in environments that view every child as brilliant and worthy of success.
We must not only support our public school system; we must also improve it. Because every student deserves what Brill Bash represents: a place where they are celebrated, not just tolerated. They deserve to be guided, not just tested. And they deserve to be in spaces where their joy is seen as essential and powerful.
Brill Bash Is Just the Beginning
As we reflect on the summer, we know Brill Bash is not an ending. It’s the beginning. That day, our students showed us what is possible when a community of support surrounds individuals who are willing to steady their nerves and walk out on that stage. Now it’s our turn to be brave, to be supportive, and to be bold in our dreams for the future.
