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Advancing Liberty “Even Now”

Advancing Liberty “Even Now”
Bob Schaffer, Headmaster
In proposing this year’s school motto, top student leaders composed an elegant request that every Liberty parent should see, especially as we launch an ambitious school year despite distractions of pandemic proportion. 
 
“Dear Mr. Schaffer, As you know, each year, the School Captains select a class motto. We have been thinking about what motto would specifically fit our class and also represent the values of Liberty Common High School, and we have narrowed in on one we particularly like: ‘Even Now.’ 
 
The idea behind ‘Even Now’ is the belief that truth, beauty, and goodness are at hand ‘even now,’ in the present, no matter the current challenges. This motto insists that growth and truth are not illusive concepts to be found in an out-of-reach future or a lost past, but instead values available in the present moment, available ‘even now.’ Not only does this claim that each moment of life has value and purpose, but it speaks of an undying hope in something beyond physical situations, beyond the material world.
 
‘From the perspective of our specific class, the recent COVID pandemic has necessitated the development of a tenacity in our peers. We have noticed that our classmates have recognized the lie of constantly stressing about the future or dwelling in the past, instead striving to live in the present moment. As we approach a new year of unknowns and expectations, this motto advocates for hope no matter the victories and no matter the trials. 
 
“This motto also fits with the Liberty capstone virtues, particularly those of gratitude and fortitude. While it is easy to find contentment in moments of success or the reaching of a goal, it shows much deeper virtue to believe in the worth of every moment, to persist in gratitude and perseverance in every ‘even now’ of disappointment or failure. 
 
“We have consulted the Latin instructors about the translation of the motto, and we have concluded that the correct translation of the motto is ‘Etiam Nunc.’ 
 
“To sum all of our thoughts into one line, we would argue: Even now, with the current successes and the current trials, goodness persists. 
 
“We hope you will resonate with this motto as much as we have, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts!
 
“Thank you so much for your considerations, Sydney Reinke and Ezra Black, School Captains 2021-2022.”