The genesis of “Beyond Empire” comes from a personal place. As a first-generation American of Trinidadian immigrants, who came to the US amidst Trinidad’s independence from the UK, Stephen Bailey finds that it is imperative to trace these stories. The central questions of the course ask, “What is it to move beyond empire? How do people understand themselves in a new context? How do you reacquire or reinvent yourself?” What underlies the curriculum is the belief that through investing in the literary worlds of other cultures, students can be world scholars and compassionate readers.
Stephen emphasizes reading a breadth of literary styles like poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc. to think critically about how language is used. With challenging material from authors and playwrights like Tayeb Salih and Lynn Nottage, Stephen asks for courage from both his students and himself; the courage to ask hard questions and to listen to different voices and opinions. “That is where true inquiry begins!”
Student-Athlete Signing Day 2026 Highlights
Senior student-athletes were recently honored during Signing Day, a special D-E tradition that recognizes their commitment to play at the collegiate level. Six members of the Class of 2026 gathered in the Myrna B. Sherman Gym for the ceremonial signing, surrounded by...
LEAD Students Make Connections With Cyanotypes
In their Blue Era! Members of the Leaders for Equity & Diversity (LEAD) Program recently created identity-inspired cyanotypes, a printing process that uses ultraviolet light and water to produce a blue-hued photographic image. LEAD Advisor Mr. Joel Lee ’17,...
World Language Field Trips Immerse Students in Cultural Traditions
Upper School (US) World Language Faculty recently organized field trips that allowed our students to explore different cultures and traditions. During a workshop on Afro-Latino music, dance, and history at the Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center in New York City,...
HOPE Fashion Show and Pop Up Art Reception Highlights
D-E’s HOPE: Fashion With a Purpose club presented a fantastic fundraiser earlier this spring, with a theme of “Futuristic Fashion,” and featuring original and curated D-E student and faculty designs. An innovative, cross-divisional program involving Lower, Middle, and...
D-EMUN Concludes Its Collegiate Conferences on a High Note
D-EMUN finished strong during the recent Model UN conference at Cornell University (CMUN), including winning the Outstanding Large Delegation Award! This recognition was both exciting and rewarding, according to Nick Bevilacqua ’27. “It truly reflected the effort...
MS Musical BeetleJuice JR. Opens Friday, May 8
The cast and crew of D-E’s Middle School (MS) Musical, BeetleJuice JR. are hard at work readying for next week’s opening! Based on the blockbuster motion picture turned Broadway musical, BeetleJuice JR., tells the story of a strange and unusual teenager named Lydia...
Spring Carnival 2026 Highlights
The Spring Carnival, a beloved D-E tradition co-hosted by D-E Student Activities and the Parents’ Association, was a massive success! “Despite organizers having to pivot [from Leggett Field to Modell’s Sports Complex], it was just as lively as in past years,” said...
Cabaret Night is Friday, May 1, Featuring Guest Artists Don Byron, Kenny Davis
Stage Band and Jazz Workshop are hard at work rehearsing—jazz lovers, get ready to enjoy! Plan to attend an amazing LIVE Cabaret Night performance by our Upper School Stage Band and Jazz Workshop ensembles tomorrow, Friday, May 1, at 7:00 PM in Hajjar Auditorium....
5th Grade Original Musical Highlights
Spring always brings an abundance of amazing live performances at D-E! Fifth Graders recently took center stage to present a set of three distinct shows for this year’s Fifth Grade Original Musicals (formerly known as the Fifth Grade Opera). What makes this event so...
Jazz Rock Assembly Highlights
D-E is still buzzing following last week’s highly anticipated Jazz Rock Assembly, directed by Mr. DeBellis with vocal coordination by Mr. Kacmar. The event featured almost a dozen riveting performances by student vocalists and instrumentalists, including “The Mighty...
