At the Community School of Davidson (CSD) High School, there are days when study sessions should stay on topic, and there are days when it is just fine to deviate from the course. May 3, 2024, was one of those days when a study session veering off course led to something more lasting.
The Allied Achievers and Comrades Association (AACA) took root when the three Spartans, Maxwell Shealy, Liam Hogan and Akhilan Kumaran, who many referred to as ‘brothers” due to their tight bond, got together for a study session. AP Government discussions quickly transitioned more to leadership and growth
“While we were supposed to be studying we realized that we had each other’s backs and we wanted to spread that to a bigger group around our school.” Akhilan Kumaran (‘26) said.
The idea took hold. The club began to teach that leadership is not about holding a title, but that everybody can band together and lead in their own unique ways, believing that the world is made up of people, not leaders beholden to formal titles and a hierarchy.
That’s what leadership meant to the founders, and they wanted to help others realize that through a club. Club officers don’t hold traditional titles although members often lightheartedly refer to each other using arbitrary military titles.
While originally founded by three males, the club is open to female students, too.
Guest speakers highlight the club’s annual calendar and those invited share their own personal and professional leadership stories and lessons. AACA had many prominent guest speakers in its first two years, including CSD’s new executive director, Craig Smith, two area town mayors, and Stephen Curry’s former Davidson College basketball coach, Bob McKillop.
Founder Liam Hogan said, “I wanted the AACA to be more than just a club, I wanted it to be a community. I founded it because I saw fellow students, and I wanted to grow together with them and build meaningful relationships while learning from each other and wise individuals.”
The club has reached the end of its first chapter, and its founding leaders are transitioning the leadership responsibilities to underclassmen for the first time.
One of the new leaders is Connor Cassell (‘28), somebody who has a bright vision for a positive future even when times are tough.
“I am looking forward to this great opportunity because this club has done so much for me. It has helped me make friends, become a better person, and get closer to the three OG leaders. I am grateful that I was given this opportunity,” Connor Cassell (‘28) said. “One thing I look to do to improve the club is to have our fellow brothers teach some of the lessons. One of the best ways to learn is by teaching others.”
Cassell isn’t the only member who found it made a difference to him and wants to carry that change moving forward. Tyler Shealy (‘28) is a bright new leader who wants to organize new speakers and experiences.
“I feel honored to have an opportunity to teach my peers about leadership and knowledge that will take them far in life. I am grateful to also be working alongside the three original leaders and the two other new ones. One part of the AACA I would like to change is getting more of the best public speakers in the world to teach our fellow brothers.” Tyler Shealy (‘26) said.
The club has an optimistic future going forward, with many of its youngest, 9th grade members choosing to stay for the years to come.
It can be said, with confidence, that the club’s original slogan, “Per Aspera Ad Astra,” Latin for “Through Adversity to the Stars,” will likely hold for what the next chapter has in store.
One graduating leader is Thankful that first Study session veered off course and for what is next.
“The AACA was one of the best things I ever did in high school, and making sure we transitioned the leadership to new leaders who’ll keep the club was important to me,” Kumaran said.
