This month, Ursuline Links was delighted to bring together students, alumni and staff for our annual Alumni Reunion, an evening filled with inspiring conversations, shared experiences and a celebration of the Ursuline spirit that continues to connect our community across generations.
A particular highlight of the event was welcoming our guest speaker, Ingeborg Hyde, a public health and healthcare professional based in London and a graduate of Yale University.
Ingeborg shared the remarkable story of founding HappyFeet at just 13 years old while attending Ursuline Academy in New Orleans. What began as a simple desire to help people experiencing homelessness has grown into an initiative that has donated more than 15,000 pairs of socks across the United States.
Through her honest and engaging reflections, Ingeborg encouraged students to recognise that creating positive change doesn't require waiting until adulthood or having all the answers. Sometimes, it starts with noticing a need, caring enough to act, and taking that first small step.
Her message resonated deeply with many of our students, particularly those who had recently completed Ursuline Links Summer Camp and Social Justice projects. Their own experiences of service reflected the same belief that small acts of compassion can have a lasting impact.
Read more about our Summer of Service here.
Reflecting on a Summer of Service
The reunion also gave us the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our most recent cohort of Ursuline Links participants and reflect on the experiences, friendships and personal growth that emerged from their summer placements.
Student feedback highlighted not only the difference they made within local communities, but also the confidence and skills they developed along the way. Many spoke about becoming stronger communicators, more confident leaders and feeling better equipped to work as part of a team.
When asked to describe their experience, one student summed it up simply as:
"Fun, joyful, fulfilling."
For many participants, one of the most meaningful aspects of the programme was the opportunity to connect with young people from other Ursuline schools.
As one student reflected:
"It made me realise there's actually other Ursulines and we are connected by just attending the school. By actually cooperating with each other it's really nice."
Others spoke about the friendships formed through Summer Camp and Social Justice projects, and the sense of being part of something bigger than themselves.
"I enjoyed meeting different people from different Ursuline schools because it felt like we were one big community."
The impact extended well beyond the practical volunteering experience. Students described growing in confidence, becoming more comfortable engaging with new people and finding a stronger sense of belonging.
"It's definitely changed how I view talking to new people."
"It gave me a new sense of belonging amongst a new community."
Perhaps most encouragingly, the experience inspired many students to continue serving others long after the summer had ended, with more than 60% expressing an interest in supporting the programme and volunteering with Ursuline Links again in the future.
Living the Ursuline Mission
A common thread running through both Ingeborg's story and the reflections shared by our students was the power of putting compassion into action.
Whether supporting children at Summer Camp, working alongside food banks and refugee organisations, or launching initiatives like HappyFeet, our young people continue to embody the Ursuline values of service, leadership and community.
The reunion was a powerful reminder that Ursuline Links is about much more than completing a placement or volunteering hours. It is about giving young people the opportunity to discover their strengths, build meaningful connections, and realise that they have the ability to make a genuine difference in the lives of others.
We are incredibly grateful to Ingeborg Hyde for sharing her inspiring journey and to all of the students, alumni and supporters who continue to make the Ursuline Links community such a special one.
We look forward to welcoming everyone together again soon and seeing where the next generation of Ursuline leaders will make their mark.
