Phoenix Country Day School hosts Afghanistan Ambassador for Maverick Speaker Series

I would like to share a message from our people… of gratitude and thanks. I am sitting here right now because of the contributions that you all have made, and the contributions Senator McCain made. We very much share the belief he had in the democratic processes. He was able to look beyond the political and social divisions and focus on the common good and shared goals. That’s what makes the world a better place, and it has impact on the other side of the globe.”

H.E. Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the United States

On Feb. 5, Phoenix Country Day School continued the tradition of the MAVERICK Speaker Series by featuring special guest H.E. Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

Since 1961, Phoenix Country Day School has stood as a beacon of educational excellence in the west, nurturing independent thinkers who become character-driven leaders of tomorrow, according to a press release.

Through the MAVERICK Speaker Series, PCDS is honored to host visionaries and trailblazers who, like Senator John McCain (P ’03, ’04, ’07, G ’10), have blazed their own trails in the world.

PCDS hosts this event to honor the legacy of Senator McCain --- a visionary and trailblazer who always led with moral courage and had the rare ability to collaborate with those with whom he disagreed. These are the traits that PCDS has encouraged in its students and that will continue to impact communities and, ultimately, the world.

Before the evening event, Ambassador Rahmani spent time with a select group of PCDS Upper School students who asked the ambassador about her career path, international relations, and the art of diplomacy.

Following the meeting with students, in front of hundreds of PCDS community members --- including students, parents, faculty, alumni, and guests --- Ambassador Rahmani was introduced by James H. McCain ’07 prior to launching into a conversation with PBS NewsHour Correspondent Stephanie Sy P’29.

Ambassador Rahmani began her remarks by saying, “I would like to share a message from our people… of gratitude and thanks. I am sitting here right now because of the contributions that you all have made, and the contributions Senator McCain made. We very much share the belief he had in the democratic processes. He was able to look beyond the political and social divisions and focus on the common good and shared goals. That’s what makes the world a better place, and it has impact on the other side of the globe.”

A common theme throughout the evening was the ability to forge ahead in spite of limitations and to succeed without fear of failure, the press release stated.

When asked what has inspired her success, the ambassador responded, “I think nothing inspired me more than limitation. When you are faced with limitation, it’s by itself a driving force. No one inspires me more than…the young people of Afghanistan, particularly the ones who are trying to make a living while going to school.”

She explained that she is made particularly hopeful by the imagination and courage shown by Afghanistan’s youth, especially the young girls.

Following the conversation between the ambassador and Ms. Sy, Head of School Andy Rodin asked them both questions submitted primarily by students.

On the topic of failure and leadership, Ms. Sy said that instead of trying to not be afraid to fail, she felt the most helpful guide for her was to simply always try to do what is right.

She said, “It brings me back to Senator John McCain. To listen to a man like that who was a prisoner of war, who was an American hero…he continued to face adversity and continued to put himself up, and he failed several times. Yet when we look at his legacy, we don’t think about failure, we think of a person who did the right thing. If I sat down with him today, he would lead with moral courage. I’m going to lead with what is right and that will be my guiding star.”

Ambassador Rahmani replied, “Following one’s passion is the key. If you are passionate about something, you get up and you try again.”

She offered that failure is often only a perception of failure, which by itself is limiting, and that passion can act as a torch that leads the way.

As the Valley’s only pre-k through grade 12 independent school, Phoenix Country Day School prepares promising students to become responsible leaders and lifelong learners through an education that emphasizes intellectual engagement, independence, collaboration, creativity, and integrity.