A senior at The Haverford School, Jackson Raleigh was elected to the school’s Honor Council and Signet Society and has been inducted into the school’s Cum Laude Society and Hephaestus Society. He won the “Class and School Spirit Award” given to the student in each class who best represents the ideals of citizenship, leadership and service. Raleigh has appeared in a number of roles in Haverford School’s musical and theater productions, is a member of Model United Nations and Peer Counseling and is a Haverford School Tour Guide. He is a multi-sport athlete at Haverford School, playing soccer and lacrosse.
Main Line Media News: What do you think has been the most important thing you have learned as a Peer Counselor?
Jackson Raleigh: Listen. Do not try and solve problems – actually listen. In most scenarios the best thing you can do for someone is legitimately hear them out, empathize with them, and demonstrate your care for them through supportive body language. 54 percent of Americans reported they “always or sometimes feel that no one knows them well” — this is a major problem. Without a proper support system, many who are lonely have no one to reach out to in a time of need. That is why work such as peer counseling is crucial. People need to have their voices heard. Doing peer counseling and revealing insecurities of mine has been greatly therapeutic to me. But also, listening to the stories of my peers has been greatly freeing for me, as I realize they have many of the same problems and concerns that I do. The worst thing we can feel is alone, and due to our human tendency to think everyone else has things figured out, or looks put-together from the outside, it is easy to isolate ourselves in our issues. However, the process of simply listening to someone with no other motive but to be there for them is unbelievably powerful, and it is a quality we all can use more often in our daily lives.
Main Line Media News: You received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award for your work in American history. What do you think is the most interesting period of American history and why?
Jackson Raleigh: I think the most interesting era of American history was the Reconstruction Era. Following the Civil War, the ratification of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments guaranteed an unprecedented amount of rights to all U.S. citizens, and specifically the newly freed enslaved peoples. This period was the Union’s best chance to implement radical egalitarian change – especially in the weakened south – and according to the legislation passed, it looked like they achieved that goal. However, this was not the case. For example, despite the 15th amendment guaranteeing freed blacks the right to vote de jure, de facto blacks in the south could not vote for decades and decades to come during the era of Jim Crow and significant voter suppression. I find it extremely surprising that the amendments and freedoms guaranteed to all citizens during this era were not realized until almost a century later during the Civil Rights movement. I also find it interesting how abruptly the North left the affairs of the South with the Bargain of 1877 and how the Supreme Court could rule in favor of ‘separate but equal’ in Plessy v. Ferguson while non-discriminatory legislation had already been passed. Unfortunately, these latter actions among some others cemented the end of the Reconstruction era, an era which certainly had the potential for much more.
Main Line Media News: You’ve played several roles in Haverford School’s musicals and theater productions. What has been your favorite role and why?
Jackson Raleigh: My favorite production was our rendition of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Dale Wasserman. I played Dale Harding, who provided balance and despair which countered the rambunctious spontaneity of R.P. McMurphy – the new man on the ward. Harding, the leader of the patients on the ward, goes through a massive change in character during the show which was very challenging to demonstrate. Working with Mr. Hengst and the rest of our cast and crew benefited me greatly as my character went from a depressed cooperator to an inspired and independent man despite Harding’s clear mental insecurities. Being able to execute this change and feel my character’s motives shift was something I always dreamed I could accomplish as an actor, let alone in front of a packed crowd. The concept of the play was also very intriguing; I had to immerse myself in the terror which was the psychiatric system of the 1960s – shock therapy and all else. During the show, I truly felt as though my only identity was Dale Harding, a feeling I could not replicate in the other roles I played.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why?
Jackson Raleigh: I picked up The Art of Living at a local bookstore, not having the faintest clue about what I was getting into. Turns out it is exactly what I needed and I believe what a lot of others need too. The book tackles Buddhist principles, but not in a way that comes off as indoctrinating, but more to spark gratitude within your soul. I think spirituality is an underrated aspect of our lives that we tend to overlook. We put so much emphasis on our mind and physical body that we sometimes forget the essence of our soul and the bigger picture.
Main Line Media News: Can you tell us a little about some of the most interesting activities of the Signet Society?
Jackson Raleigh: Signet Society helps with programming and organization for Haverford, and its range of activities is large and diverse. Earlier this year we went on an overnight trip with the third formers (freshmen) to Camp Saginaw to help integrate them into the high school community. It was a lot of fun being able to lead a bunk, set boundaries, but mostly have a lot of fun, playing camping games such as Mafia and telling personal stories. We also help with parent and alumni events. Recently we helped with the seventh graders’ minimester, each of us talking to a group of younger students about what it means to be a leader and how to adjust to high school life. We followed this conversation with a massive game of capture the flag. I love Signet because the range of activities is huge.
(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)
