Tamika Guishard ’98 shared her experiences as a SLAM founding member, Keynote speaker, and filmmaker
As students settled into the Cochran Chapel’s pews in preparation for All-School Meeting (ASM), Andover’s Step team SLAM, strode up the aisles to the stage on December 5. This performance introduced keynote speaker, filmmaker, and SLAM founding member Tamika Guishard ’98. Guishard emphasized the importance of living in the present and offered guidance on how to navigate personal grief.
Guishard expressed that presence, rather than achievement, truly roots us in happiness and self-worth. Guishard shared a personal anecdote about a visit to Andover before her matriculation, describing how a moment of wonder convinced her to enroll in Andover, shifting her perspective on the school from apathy to excitement.
“I [thought I] wasn’t coming here, so I cared not one iota. But then, as I was crossing the street heading to our bus parked here at the chapel, a man was walking a pig up the street on a leash. And in my 13 years as a native New Yorker, I’ve seen lots of things, but never this. I stopped, and pet the pig, and my mother said right then she knew I’d give it [Andover] a shot. Being present in that moment [secured] my sense of wonder for the institution,” said Guishard.
Later in the day, Guishard and her colleagues hosted “Grief, Gratitude, and Mindfulness” workshops, featuring a film screening and a Mindfulness Drum and Dance class. Sese Upaa ’29, who attended the dance workshop, enjoyed listening to diverse community discussions at the workshop. Additionally, she noted that though it was challenging, she found that dancing helped root her in the present.
“The discussion with Tamika was amazing. We spent the first hour talking with her as she emphasized the importance of ‘7,’ her national parks, and the ways we can shift our perspectives from grieving to actions that help us reorient ourselves… Afterwards, there was a dancing portion with Reverend [Nafisa Sharriff]. It turned out to be a bit of a workout. Honestly I don’t think I was cut out for it, because the style of dance was pretty complicated. Nevertheless, it was fun, and it helped me feel present,” said Upaa.
For some students, Guishard’s talk pointed toward a more mindful way of moving through the school day. Soohan Cho ’29 shared that the talk encouraged him to slow down and approach daily life with more gratitude.
“I really got the idea that it’s important to be thankful for every single moment you have. A [prominent] mentality [at] this school that I’ve observed is taking things one at a time and accomplishing things in a segmented way until they’re finished. It’s really important, as she mentioned about gratitude, to once in a while, step back, look around you, and have a sense of thankfulness that you’re here, doing what you love, and that you should be grateful for all the things you have,” said Cho.
Rose Tabuke ’26, a co-captain of SLAM who helped introduce Guishard at ASM, explained how living in the moment has supported her throughout Senior Fall.
“Something I’ve been trying to practice my Senior Fall is being present. Going to different presentations, engaging in campus activities I wouldn’t otherwise. Not just to make the most out of my Senior year, but also realize that it’ll be happier that way because I am able to actually work myself [in]to what’s going on around campus and actually be a part of the community,” said Tabuke.
Reflecting on Guishard’s discussion on processing grief, Denys Tereshchenko ’26 explained how her differed from his. Tereshchenko shared that it was not easy to immediately recalibrate his perspective on mourning.
“Grief is a very personal thing, and each of us does it differently. For me, it’s hard to say how my mind would be changed on grief [from the ASM] or how I would restructure something that happens very naturally. It’s hard to say because it’s so personal,” said Tereshchenko.
In an interview with The Phillipian, Guishard reminded students not to define their self-worth on others’ opinions. She instead encouraged listeners to slow down, appreciate the moment, and recognize their own worth.
”You don’t have to prove yourself. The present is a present. It’s so easy to get caught up in what comes next or what you’re supposed to be doing, but just by sitting here, reading, learning, or engaging in what you love, you are doing something. You are enough. The fact that you are alive, showing up, and moving through life is already a gift. Take a moment to notice that, and give yourself credit for it,” said Guishard.
