The Suffield Bell
From Uncertainty to Belonging
Dash Hirsch ’27
It’s an experience we have all endured here at Suffield Academy, being a new student. This role is never trouble free, whether it’s the pressure to socialize on the first day, or the feat of navigating the various brownstone buildings—at the outset many of us struggled. However, as time progressed, like many of you, I began to adjust to life under the bell. My swift assimilation as a new sophomore this year was unequivocally a result of the vibrant and warm community here in tiger nation.
I felt the aforesaid community of our school first and foremost in the dorm. The company and mentorship exemplified by returning students showed me the ropes of how to be a tiger; they enabled me to learn every nook, location, and opportunity Suffield has to offer. My dorm parents also fostered an inclusive and safe environment through jokes and persistent check-ins, providing a new student like me with a sense of belonging. The community in the dorm continued to transcend into the academic and athletic environment.
In the academic realm, the encouraging community was equally apparent. Teachers and classmates alike instantaneously formed an environment of collaboration and support. My peers were quick to offer a hand with the notorious Microsoft 365, as my teachers stressed their availability for further assistance during and after conference periods. It became clear as the weeks
progressed that academic growth is nurtured through collective effort here at school, reinforcing the sense of unity that defines the culture of our school.
Athletics, too, became a cornerstone of my integration into boarding school life. From my first practice at cross country, I witnessed the deeply embedded values in Suffield’s ethos. Coaches emphasized the importance of working together, and teammates uplifted one another, creating a supportive atmosphere even during the most intense drills. Athletics has allowed me to bond with fellow students outside of the classroom, further solidifying my place within the community.
Suffield Academy’s dedication to students’ holistic growth— whether it be academic, athletic, or social—ensures that no new student like me is left behind.
Jerry Bao ’25
The Aspiring Poets & Writers Column
Interview with Suffield Academy Poet, Vyom Tiwari ’25
EJ Lee ’26
EJ: Hi Vyom, how are you doing?
Vyom: I’m doing well.
EJ: I just wanted to congratulate you on your newest poetry collection, Woeful Nights and Wishful Morns. I was so surprised when I saw it as one of the summer reads on our recommended list. A lot of people want to know how and why you managed to publish this great anthology. How did you come up with the idea of publishing a poetry collection at such a young age?
Vyom: So, I’ve been writing poetry for a while, starting back during the COVID times. I usually just kept everything in my Notes app, but I thought it would be nice to share it with a public audience. After all, you write poems for people to read. So, I wanted to make my work accessible. I reached out to Amazon Publishing to get it on to the Amazon platform itself and had to work with their production team to create the manuscript, design the cover, and eventually publish the book.
EJ: I personally wrote poetry, too, in COVID-19 times, but it petered out eventually after the crisis ended. How did you maintain the literary momentum you had in the lockdown?
Vyom: I kept everything in one place, in a single Notes app, so it was easy to stay organized and track my progress over time. Honestly, I also just found motivation in life itself. I love writing, so that passion kept me going, and I never really felt like stopping.
EJ: Amazing. I know that the process of publishing and putting your story out in the public is very hard for people to do sometimes. Maybe you fear how people may react. What recommendations or advice do you have for aspiring writers like me who want to publish their works?
Vyom: Honestly, it’s just about taking that first step. Reach out to the right people and polish your work. My advice is to go for it because you won’t know until you try. It can be daunting, but with all the resources available online, it’s easier than ever to publish. Plus, putting your work out there helps you break into the industry and motivates you to keep writing and doing more. If you have the confidence to take the first step, you will have the motivation and momentum to continue the process. Even when you’re tired and scared, your love for your work will push you on to do great things.
EJ’s Postscript
I hope these words from Vyom help the growing writers in the Suffield Academy community. Step forward and present your works with pride. Whether it be paintings, ceramics, sculptures, short stories, or poems, be confident in your hard work. You will always be appreciated for your creativity and motivation as a student here.
The Bell Staff
Editorial
Noreen Flanagan ’25
Milly Janevathanavitya ’25
Photography
Campbell Hudkins ’25
Sydney Drinan ’25
Layout Editors
Alexi Wolkoff ’25
Charlotte DeLong ’26
Contributing Writers
Maxwell Huang ’28
Dash Hirsh ’27
Nick Llanos ’25
Owen Tulley ’25
EJ Lee ’26
Faculty Advisors
Bill Sullivan P’22, ’26, ’26
Tobye Cook ’88, P’16
Contributing Photographers
Larina Zhang ’27
Larina Xhang ’27
4 out of 400
Perspectives from Four Students
Nicholas Llanos ’25
We have reached Halloween weekend and even in such a short period of time, there has been plenty of excitement, new experiences, and perspectives from the many students who have been here for the past eight weeks. Each year brings new ideas, students, and chances for our community to engage and connect. So, I reached out to four students at Suffield Academy (with rather different backgrounds) to have them recollect about the first half of this packed fall trimester. I asked general questions about how their year has been so far, their three favorite moments, and any expectations they were looking forward to later this year. Below are excerpts from my interviews with the four students.
Dev Anand ’28
First-year Day Student from Suffield, Connecticut
My name is Dev Anand and I’m a freshman day student from Suffield. One of my three favorite things that have happened this year has been Tiger Games, which was really awesome. Moreover, Color Wars has to be up there for the best events this year as I loved running with the paint bags and getting paint all over my friends! Another highlight has been the sports games. I think my favorite of them was the varsity soccer game against Deerfield. It was so exciting being able to meet new people; there was so much energy and support from our community. I was on the edge of my seat watching such an intense game. This year I am most excited for serving as the freshman class president! I’m going to create many events for the freshmen to make sure this is an unforgettable year for them.
Henry Cheng ’27
Second-year Boarder from Taiwan
Hello, my name is Henry Cheng, and I am a sophomore boarder from Taiwan. I would describe my experience as a sophomore so far as having academically challenging classes—especially due to the increased amount of homework and assessments. But it is nothing I can’t handle. Color Wars was really fun! I loved going down the slip-and-slide, and even though my clothes got stained, I had a blast. Bingo is one of my favorite events since I ended up winning twice, getting fifty dollars of Starbucks gift cards and a massive bag of candy. I also got to sit at a table filled with my friends. Another special moment this year was when we returned to school as it was so thrilling seeing so many friends and classmates after a long break. And meeting the new students gave me something to look forward to. Lastly, one event I am looking forward to is both Thanksgiving and Winter Formal Dinners, since it is nice to have a festive event with the Suffield Academy community where we eat great food.
Sarah Miller ’25 First-year Day Student from Coventry, Connecticut
Hello, my name is Sarah Miller and I’m a day student from Coventry, Connecticut. I’ve met my friends. So far, the experience has been good, and I have a great group of friends. I also love my classes. I find my classes interesting and inclusive; Suffield Academy is a healthy learning environment. I would say the last thing is I love all the opportunities to socialize as there’s always a game to go to or a trip on the weekends. I’m looking forward to spending my senior year with my friends and taking advantage of my year. My favorite event I have been to this year was Color Wars. I went with all my friends, and it was just super funny seeing them get dirty with all the colors on them.
Rhys Wilson ’26
Third-year Day
Student from Somers, Connecticut
My name is Rhys Wilson and I’m from Somers, Connecticut. I would say this year has been going pretty well. I’ve had some difficult classes and a pretty heavy workload so far, but nothing I can’t handle. I’m excited for the rest of the year. I would say probably my favorite part of the year so far was Color Wars. It was super enjoyable to throw paint at each other, go down the slip and slide and hang out with the whole community. I’m also excited for continuing to be the president of the investment club. So far, it’s been pretty interesting. It’s been challenging, but I’ve definitely stepped up to the role. I feel that it’s developing my leadership skills. The third thing is that I got a 105% on my math test. Going back to the investment club, I would say I am looking forward to competing in the Wharton investing competition as it would be a fantastic way to represent Suffield Academy.
Larina Xhang ’27
New Country, New Brain?
Milly Janevathanavitya ’25
Attending boarding school may have rewired students’ brains. Take a peek at how Suffield Academy’s international students adjust to boarding life and find belonging at their home away from home.
How can moving to a new country affect the brain?
Since saying goodbye to loved ones at the airport, students have never been the same. Neurologically, at least. Entering a new environment—boarding school—can disrupt familiar cognitive patterns and cause confusion, stress, and emotional overload. The brain may initially rely on established expectations and reactions that may not work in the new context. Fortunately, things get better from there. Our brains have “neuroplasticity,” which allows it to form new neural pathways to tackle new routines and challenges. That’s how students gradually feel more comfortable in the classroom, fields, and other community spaces. Over time, exposure to different environments can enhance flexibility and problem-solving skills—exactly what our school aims to develop.
Voices from Suffield Academy’s international students on adjustment: A student shared that: “At first, I was scared to talk to new people from other countries. But I just went for it and everything turn out fine. I’m homesick sometimes but our dorm parent takes care of us really well. I also go to the counseling office, and they always give good suggestions. At Suffield, after school activities feel chill and it is a time for me to bond with friends which has been great for my mental health.”
Others agreed: “Spending time with friends—going to CVS, Suffield Village Market, Dunkin, and Pacifica—are some of my favorite things to do. Also, drawing is the best way for me to relax and our school lets me do it both in class and in art special.”
“As academics intensify each year, stress definitely builds up so I always try to find ways to maintain a healthy wellbeing. I’ve found I’ve been able to do that through playing video games, sports and hanging out with my friends here.”
To further bring the international student community together, the International Student Leaders also have events in store. Since new students set foot on campus, they led a tour of the whole school and extended campus and held a scavenger hunt for students to familiarize themselves with their new home and bond with others. Soon, there will be a bingo night to share and celebrate iconic Suffield Academy experiences. Although adjusting to boarding school may be difficult at first, our community will always welcome everyone with open arms.
https://www.hmhco.com/blog/committee-in-our-heads-pt-1
Why is the U.S. Presidential Election Important to International Students?
Jay Hong ’25
The U.S. presidential election is approaching, and numerous news outlets are covering the election news about Vice President Harris and Former President Trump. However, only a few of our student body—those over 18 and with American citizenship—can vote. Whether or not they are older than 18, international students are not eligible to vote. Regardless, it is still important for them to pay attention and keep track of the upcoming election, as it has a significant impact on them.
In terms of policies, there are several regulations that strongly relate to international students. For example, immigration policies, including student visas—F1 and J1 visas—are directly affected by the administration in power. Different candidates have vastly different approaches to these issues, so it is important to pay attention to how these regulations can change.
Along with foreign visas, tuition policies and financial aid could change after this election. Although specific details vary among universities, most of these institutions rely on state and federal funding. Changes in funding, therefore, can affect tuition rates, especially for international students who often pay more than the average domestic student.
Another important factor for foreign students is a change in campus climate due to international relations. A political leader’s perspective of a country is more often reflected by the public, possibly shaping the overall environment in school for international students. If the relationship between the U.S. and another foreign country deteriorates, students from this particular country could find new restrictions and difficulties when integrating into their new school community. We all need to pay attention.