STEWARDSHIP & ETHICS

“My obligation is to do the right thing. The rest is in God’s hands.”
— Martin Luther King, J.r.
Saint Mary’s Hall [@smhallsa]. (2018, Sept. 5). Each SMH Division has an Honor Code. [Photograph of SMH Students signing the Honor Code]. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/BnWuf42B1p1/?taken-by=smhallsa

Saint Mary’s Hall [@smhallsa]. (2018, Sept. 5). Each SMH Division has an Honor Code. [Photograph of SMH Students signing the Honor Code]. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/BnWuf42B1p1/?taken-by=smhallsa

Ethics & Stewardship are words which hold a significant amount of weight in my life. Growing up in a Military household, ethics and integrity were instilled in me as a young girl. My dad has always said, “without honesty and your word you have nothing”. My dad’s words have stuck with me forever.

Saint Mary’s Hall (SMH), the private school which I attended for 14 years, acts much like Texas A&M in that it holds high standards for its students. SMH requires each student of the Middle & Upper School to sign the Honor Code (pictured above), before all faculty, staff & the Honor Council. This occurs prior to starting each new school year. After the students sign the Honor Code, they then must state the following pledge: "I am a student of Saint Mary’s Hall. I will not lie, cheat, or steal. My signature is my word, and my word is my honor." From a young age my family and SMH helped me to understand how unethical actions cause serious repercussions.

This standard has been continued during my time as a student at Texas A&M University. As an Aggie, we are recognized for upholding our values and our morals. As a student, I am required to uphold the AGGIE HONOR CODE. The Honor Code states “An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do.” As a student and leader at Texas A&M University, I have worked hard to exemplify honesty, integrity, loyalty, and uphold the Aggie core values.

Saint Mary’s Hall provided a foundation of stewardship through their golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” As a young girl, I would view those words painted on the wall and have striven to live life accordingly, every day since since then.

Both Saint Mary’s Hall and Texas A&M have taught me that leaders, who posses stewardship, must be held to high regards and should be held accountable for their wrongdoings. Each day I am determined to uphold proper ethics through my actions, and my words. I am fully aware that my words and choices are a direct reflection of who I am and what I stand for. Professionally, personally, and/or academically, I hold ethics & stewardship to an extremely high regard. I believe this clearly shows through my past and current academic and professional experiences.