Four Cornerstones: Our Company's Guiding Principles

I'm a firm believer in Cornerstones. I was first introduced to the concept of Cornerstones as a middle schooler while I attended a small all girls' preparatory school in my native home of Dallas, Texas. My alma mater's “Four Cornerstones”—Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, Athletics—were trumpeted so often during school assemblies that they inevitably went over my head, and I admit I didn't really pay attention to them at the time.

It was not until around my sophomore year of college, when my thoughts on and appreciation of the empowerment and education of women and girls matured, that I came to recognize just how essential guiding principles, Cornerstones, are. They serve not just as a constant, guiding light in one's life, but also in running a business with integrity, developing selfless and dedicated relationships and much more. As a result of learning to incorporate Cornerstones into my life, I try my best every day to place others first, exhibit grace under pressure, and of course promote education and wellness for all young people.

The Hockaday School was founded exactly 100 years ago, and the Four Cornerstones have served her well for just as long a time. Goodness knows that I wish this company could last even a quarter that!

And so, without further ado, in dedication to a school that has taught me so much:

Élan’s Four Cornerstones

We hope that in using our services, our clients may come to embody the Four Cornerstones illustrated below. Each Cornerstone possesses characteristics that we believe are necessary for young people to move forward confidently and successfully into the world. We hope that the Cornerstones may serve as a foundation to their early academic and personal lives, regardless of whether life changes compel them to adopt other Cornerstones along the way.

Students, we are grateful to be on this journey with you and your family.

Scholarship

Scholarship is much more than a determination or perceived need to get better grades in school; scholarship is a life-long love of learning that extends beyond the confines of a classroom. It is the student’s joy in discovering new interests outside of school, engaging thoughtfully with new material on her own time, of her own volition and just for fun. Scholarship is the acknowledgment of the good that education brings and the gratitude for the opportunity to pursue such an education. It is respecting those who play a role in a student’s education, including her family, peers, teachers, community leaders and academics.

Our role: Élan is dedicated to each student’s pursuit of academic excellence and trusts that Scholarship will foster creativity and curiosity, leading to a more conscientious life filled with wisdom.

Ownership

Ownership is the pride a student has in his achievements, academic or otherwise. Ownership is the confidence a student exudes in knowing that his work is a manifestation of his own efforts—not his parents’, not his friends’, not the Internet’s. A student exemplifies ownership by possessing integrity and avoiding cheating or plagiarizing; drawing on the value of true Ownership, he prefers instead to rely on his own intelligence, creativity and resourcefulness. More broadly, Ownership entails the ability to assume responsibility: to take the initiative to solve problems and to follow through after making commitments.

Our role: Élan believes that Ownership is empowering with exponential effect. It is why, with coaching and plenty of encouragement, we insist that all of the work in the college admissions process is the student’s own.

Citizenship

Citizenship is active membership of a larger community. Citizenship calls for a student who is awakened to the fact that she belongs to more than just herself. It is the life-long realization that the effects of her actions can have powerful implications. As a human being gifted with many talents and resources, she is obliged to interact positively with the world and to contribute her part.

Our role: Élan encourages each student to look outward to fulfill a need in the universe in preparation for life-long civic participation, however the participation is defined in the moment. Citizenship can mean reading the world events section of a newspaper, volunteering in the local community or, when the time comes, always remembering to vote!

Stewardship

Stewardship is the manifestation of care for anything a student views as important or sacred. He assumes responsibility because it is good and right, because someone has to be the keeper and not because it is popular. Stewardship is the maturity to understand the bigger picture. Stewards are not “free riders.”

Our role: Élan hopes that each student learns to demonstrate good Stewardship. Stewardship is essential, for example, for the body and comes in the form of maintaining a healthy diet, exercise and self-image. Stewardship can apply to relationships with family and friends and come in the form of strong communication and trust. Students can be responsible Stewards of the environment, the library, the entire democratic process, anything.

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