Uniforms for Unity
Why are students required to wear uniforms?
Students notice everything. Often, without a proper sense of self, their insecurity causes them to compare themselves to others. Our human nature draws us to differences, newness, and change. Our students are told that they need to stand out among their peers. They must be special, unique—yet hold to the same morality as the majority of their peers. Our world screams at our youth that they must both embrace a moralistic group identity and continue to be their most unique selves. In contrast, the biblical call is for all men and women to be seen as equally valuable to God and one another, celebrating both our differences and those universal truths that unite us as a human race.
The differences celebrated when wearing a uniform are the ones that matter: the virtues and gifts bestowed on each individual, as Paul describes to the Ephesians. The variety among young boys and girls flourishes within the unity exhibited in Christ. Our uniform at school represents that same unity, asserting that no one student has any less value than another and that each student is judged based on the attributes that matter, their virtues. Generosity, grace, patience, dedication, steadfastness and joy are the hallmarks sought after and highlighted by wearing a uniform.
Similarly, what we wear communicates something about our culture and our goals. When we dress professionally, it puts us in the mindset of working as professionals. It serves as an ever-present physical reminder of our responsibilities and purpose. In the same way, when our students dress as learners, it helps to create both an individual mindset and a collective culture of learning. It sets off our school time from leisure time and our school activities from play. When we dress with consistency and excellence, it helps put us in a frame of mind to work with consistency and excellence.
That same uniform declares to the outside that we are on the same team on the inside. It shows that we are not here to compete or compare with one another but to build one another up, united towards a common goal, striving to graduate students instilled with a lifelong love of learning equipped in service to both God and man.
Jake Hilburn
Upper School Teacher
