Where Entrepreneurial Ideas Take Root: CDS Hosts Its Inaugural Round Square Global Conference
Carrollwood Day School opened its doors to the world this week, hosting its inaugural Round Square Global Conference from November 9 - 13, 2025. For five days, our campus became a hub of creativity, collaboration, and global connection, welcoming student delegates and faculty from seven countries across four continents. Under this year’s theme, "Seeds of Ingenuity: Where Entrepreneurial Ideas Take Root," the conference sparked conversations and ideas that stretched far beyond our classrooms, with international idea-sharing focused on sustainability and entrepreneurship.
At the heart of our mission is a belief that students grow into thoughtful leaders when they are challenged to experience the world beyond what they already know. Round Square helps make this possible, offering our students opportunities to travel, connect across cultures, and learn through experiences that stay with them long after they leave the classroom. With the opportunity to host an international conference, instead of our students going out into the world, the world came to them. Welcoming global peers onto the CDS campus allowed the community to see this commitment to worldwide citizenship come to life in the most meaningful and authentic way.
Seventeen of our Upper and Middle School students stepped into their roles as delegates, navigating workshops, keynote sessions, and discussions with curiosity and confidence.
Twenty-three CDS families generously opened their homes to host international students, offering a personal connection that exemplifies our commitment to global learning.
The conference itself was guided by the thoughtful leadership of Noah O. '26 and Avery W. '26, our Student Conference Leaders and co-presidents of Round Square, whose work in both preparation and execution shaped the experience for every participant.
As students and guests arrived from Rwanda, Peru, Ecuador, England, Denmark, and Canada, many experiencing the United States for the first time, the campus buzzed with excitement. The welcome ceremony set the tone for the week, weaving together performances, speeches, and a flag ceremony that celebrated connection and curiosity. Later, a food truck rally brought everyone together over shared meals and laughter, giving students a taste of new flavors and a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
The days that followed were filled with immersive experiences designed to ignite curiosity and collaboration. Day two kicked off with our keynote speaker, Katie Williams, Director of Marketing and Partnerships for the Ocean Rescue Alliance International, immediately grounding the room with her deep connection to the ocean and the work her organization leads around the world. She spoke about the vital role coral reefs play in sustaining marine ecosystems and invited students to imagine what is lost when those reefs disappear. She also shared how ORAI is creating a new path forward by building artificial reefs that offer safe, thriving habitats for corals, fish, and countless other species, blending science and art to restore what the ocean so urgently needs. Her speech was followed by barazas, a Building Reefs hands-on workshop, and even a scavenger hunt that combined fun with critical thinking. Students then explored the Climate Fresk workshop, grappling with environmental challenges and brainstorming solutions.
Day three brought a hands-on connection to nature at the Clearwater Aquarium and the nearby beach, with opportunities to reflect and discuss the ecosystems we depend on. And on day four, students experienced innovation in action at Embarc Collective. They met three inspiring entrepreneurs who shared the highs and lows of building sustainable businesses. The CEO of Embarc Collective, Tim R. Holcomb, guided a lively Q&A, while Shawn Cutter of EnergiAcres explained how he uses greenhouses next to power plants to reduce carbon footprints and partner with companies that refuse to waste water. SaLisa Berrien, Founder, CEO, and CTO of COI Energy shared her mission to redirect unused energy from large companies to communities that often go without power, transforming inefficiency into opportunity. The day concluded with a walk along the Tampa Riverwalk, a meal at Armature Works, and a student-led keynote series, capped by lightning pitches and a design sprint that showcased the ingenuity of our students.
The conference closed with a celebration that matched the energy and inspiration of the week. The closing ceremony brought together our international guests, students, and faculty for a final reflection, followed by a festive dinner, Kona Ice treats, and a Silent Disco that had everyone dancing into the evening.
Hosting a Round Square Global Conference reminded us why we choose this path. Carrollwood Day School doesn’t just teach students to learn, it teaches them to lead, to serve, and to connect with perspectives beyond their own. By welcoming the world onto campus, we saw the seeds of ingenuity come alive as entrepreneurial ideas took root, friendships formed, and principled, empathetic leadership blossomed in real time.
A heartfelt thank you to our Director of Global Programs, Sam Glover, whose vision and dedication made hosting a Round Square Conference on the CDS campus a reality. We are equally grateful for the countless hours of preparation poured in by faculty, staff, students, and parents. Their commitment and care are what turned this week into something truly extraordinary.