2026 EBS Talks

Taking place on a Hilly Chase night, students work hard to prepare their presentations, which can include personal experiences, tips and advice for fellow students, emerging research they find interesting, demonstrations, or musical performances.

This year proved to be another success, with eight students taking the stage in an inspiring demonstration of our student body’s curiosity and intellect. Faculty also performed a musical interlude, and Eaglebrook’s Contraband closed out the night, ending on a high note.

 

Logan O. ’27 began the night’s talks exploring the concept of “illusory correlation.” He came to the conclusion that small self-rituals before an important event, such as Logan’s own habit of using the same pen for every exam and clicking it twice before he begins, do not actually affect performance but help us believe in ourselves and respond more effectively to mistakes.

 

Taka T. ’27 shared the impactful volunteer work he has done over the last few years in Cebu, Philippines, where he has been assisting people experiencing poverty. He asked classmates to think about what it really means to support someone, concluding that real support is about meeting the community’s specific needs.

 

Anderson A. ’27 explored the science behind procrastination—a real issue that many young people encounter. He emphasized that this problem is not due to laziness or slacking off, and can be addressed by helping our brains relax and showing compassion for our mistakes.

 

Daniel L. ’27 shared his passion for world history, including his interest in World War II, and how he shares these interests with his father. He encouraged peers to keep learning and pursuing what interests them, as these will define who they are and impact their outlook on the world. 

 

Faculty members Mr. Townsend, Mr. Jodka, Mr. Fay, Mr. Landenberger, and Ms. McAvoy then took the stage to perform a high-energy country music interlude, which drew raucous applause from the audience.

 

Toby T. ’27 resumed the talks, diving into the causes of student stress, how to manage it, and the resources available to Eaglebrook students. He also shared his personal strategies for when he feels stressed. 

 

Max Q. ’27 shared the many benefits of being out in nature. He emphasized the ample opportunities Eaglebrook provides for students to immerse themselves in nature and asked students to consider taking advantage of them. Rather than spending free time indoors, he suggested something as simple as walking around campus.

 

Harry A. ’27 dissected the argument over whether it’s better to take notes or actively listen during class. He presented both sides, their benefits and drawbacks, and ultimately told students that the path to success is to use elements of both—the “two pass system.” He advised students not to be a photocopier, but an architect of their own understanding and learning.

 

David P. ’27 closed out the presentations exploring the scientific reasons behind students’ inability to focus, and the impact of excessive social media and screen time on attention control. In today’s world, “focus is becoming a superpower,” said David.

 

Eaglebrook’s student band, Contraband, ended the night with a vibrant performance showcasing their impressive musical talent.