What’s in a Wish?

There’s a tree—not one grown from the ground but one planted in purpose. It’s branches stretch upward, open, and waiting. At it’s base, stones rest quietly, each one representing a piece of growth yet to be revealed. Tied to it’s limbs are colorful ribbons, each a hope, a whisper of who a hero is becoming. This is our tree at Acton that offers heroes the opportunity to dream and invites the ritual of being willing to grow together. It stands tall in our lobby, a daily reminder for every hero who walks past: your magic matters. It stands as an offering—to hope, to change, to possibility.

When we moved to our new Acton Main location, something felt missing and we realized it was the Wish Tree. So, we found a sister tree and began a new ritual, this time rooted in renewed meaning.

To begin our final session of the year we invited learners to reflect during a morning Launch discussion. What does it mean to make a wish? Is it a sign of hope—I wish for something better? A sign of belonging—I add my wish, just like others? A sign of manifestation—this is what I will accomplish or grow into? Or something else? Learners discussed their ideas, feelings, and the process of how they used the tree in the past. One learner shared “The tree just is magical. When I see it I remember that I was able to do something great because my wish came true.”

At the end of the discussion each learner was invited to make a wish for the final session of the year. To say the room was magical would be an understatement. It was full with wonder, hope, belief, dreams, encouragement, and joy. Each learner quietly selected a ribbon color that felt right to them and then some chose to write their name and some chose to write their wish. One by one they tied their wish, giggled while reaching the highest branches, and then took a step back to admire their wish before they moved into their day.

At Acton, rituals like these aren't about perfection or performance. They're about presence. They’re about anchoring our learning in something meaningful — not just in what we know, but in who we’re becoming. We don’t tell learners what to wish for. We trust them to ask the right questions and listen for what matters.

This tree, though not alive, has come to symbolize growth in it’s truest most liveliest form. At our closing year Hero’s Ceremony the tree will reveal something else. The stones at its base will reveal the character trait each learner earned through effort, challenge, and courageous choices. The stone is a symbol of the character that builds the foundation of who each hero will become.

Now, I invite you. You are a courageous hero that has chosen adventure at Acton. What do you dream, hope, desire to manifest? If you feel inspired we welcome you to visit and add a ribbon of your own. Consider a wish for your child, a hope for your family, a vision for your own journey, or something else. Choose a color and tie anytime you need to wish.

Let our lobby be a shared space of hopes, declarations, and gentle reminders of what we are growing into together.