VOICES: HEARD FROM CAMPUS

Voices

HEARD FROM CAMPUS

—HANK WITHINGTON ’21

What Helped Me Get Through This Year

URSULA FRIESHERFORT P’14, ’17 CERAMICS TEACHER

Back in March of last year, I was re-introduced to puzzling and that immensely helped to calm my nerves. I bought puzzles that were particularly beautiful in terms of color and imagery that pleased my aesthetics.

MIKE VAN DOLAH SCIENCE TEACHER

Daily walks in the woods with my two dogs and my wife to get fresh air, forget about the daily grind, and connect while being disconnected from technology.

KAY MCCABE ARTS DEPARTMENT CHAIR

One thing that has gotten me through the year is walking. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful places to walk; you get exercise and don’t have to wear a mask. Life goes on in nature, and it is reassuring to observe that.

TYLER DIXON ’23

Since we can’t easily take a vacation due to COVID, music and TV have been a great escape. It’s almost like taking a micro-vacation every once and a while.

SCRIB FAUVER P’09, ’12 WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT CHAIR My COVID puppy Kya.

OLIVIA ALWITT ’21

Watching bootlegs of musicals has gotten me through this year.

JESSE MATHERS SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR

I’ve found a fair amount of peace in my sourdough baking. Warm crusty bread is love.

ANNELISE SELIGMANN ’23

A small stuffed animal shark. It’s from a person who has been there for me, so it’s like they are here with me.

JERRY USERY INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER

Podcasts have been great. Comedian Marc Maron started doing Instagram live as an extension of his presence every morning and sharing his life. His thoughts—and his fans sharing their experiences—has been grounding.

JON HASTINGS ’01 SCIENCE TEACHER

It was immediate family. My wife’s support and the joy of my kids being mostly oblivious to COVID was great.

BOB BLAKE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I’ve been living alone in New Hampshire since the beginning of January while my wife and daughter have sheltered in Florida. Having the Epic East pass and spending time outside skiing with my adult son every weekend January through the first week in April has been essential to my health and happiness.

SANDY OUELLETTE H’16, P’03 RECEPTIONIST

This is an easy one for me: daily hugs from an adorable 2-year-old who lives with me! Everything else seems less important.

HANK WITHINGTON ’21

Fire Brigade. Every so often, when my pager went off, all my existing problems didn’t matter. All that mattered in my mind was my mission.

TIM WHITEHEAD P’18, ’20 HEAD BOYS HOCKEY COACH

Working with our student-athletes each day on the ice and in the gym has been truly inspiring. With COVID restrictions, there were limits to what we could do and certainly fewer games we could play, but our players’ drive to improve and their enthusiasm and passion for the game they love never diminished. There’s no doubt the experiences and lessons learned through perseverance this year will make us stronger and more resilient in the future.

Hilltop

NEWS FROM CAMPUS

HATS OFF

INSIDE

12-29: HILLTOP NEWS

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