Inspiring Community and Connection: Indian Creek Welcomes Leadership Anne Arundel

Seven community leaders who are participating in Leadership Anne Arundel’s Flagship Program visited Indian Creek School as part of Education Day on January 8, 2026. The guiding questions of the program this year is “What does it take to build and sustain a thriving and inclusive community in Anne Arundel County? and “How can I lead and collaborate to make that a reality?”

 

As the only independent school hosting a site visit, Head of School Booth Kyle shared information about what it means to be a private school while providing an overview of Indian Creek. Dean of Community and Wellbeing Danny Haley and Director of Immersive Programs and Co-Director of the Evergreen Institute Lindsey Seynhaeve led a tour that ended in the Creek Lab where students welcomed the visitors.

Some of the many ways ICS strives to be an inclusive community are through community outreach. Senior Andrew Kokoski shared information about the school’s longstanding participation in the Polar Bear Plunge raising awareness and funds to support Maryland Special Olympics for individuals with Down syndrome. Andrew also shared stories about his participation in PALS overnight summer camps over the past few years where he was paired with a buddy with Down syndrome for a week in several different locations across the US. Andrew’s passion for the Polar Bear Plunge and PALS has inspired significant Creek student participation with these nonprofits.

Eagles with a Purpose and Evergreen Institute participant Tatum Kauffman ’28 spoke about her collaboration with Gigi’s Playhouse that provides services and activities for individuals with Down Syndrome. Tatum was instrumental in hosting a carnival for Gigi’s Playhouse families at ICS last year, and she is planning a Prom Closet this year. In addition, Mr. Haley’s advisory had small group conversations with community leaders to help visitors learn more about the Creek. Thanks to these members of the Class of 2029 for spending their Advisory with LAA participants today: Katelyn Bowen, George Cockrell, Evan Ham, Isabella Holden, Isla Kulynych-Irvin, Aden Kweder, Chelsea Lester, Thomas MacKenzie, Clara McKee, Fitzy Parks, Michael Smith, and Rory Varn.

 

When LAA participants shared what they learned about Indian Creek with their classmates, they created a collage of images illustrating several key words they heard during their visit: kindness and wellbeing, community, mentorship, opportunity, and unity. Director of College Counseling Maggie Margiotta Melson is on the LAA Education Day Planning Committee, and she enjoyed organizing the visit and hearing the reflections of local leaders who picked up a lot about our school culture in less than an hour on campus.