From the Head of School

Springing Forward

AFTER A QUIET MID-WINTER SEASON

during which students were learning from home as well as enjoying some welldeserved time off, it was a delight when they returned to campus in mid-February. With the vernal equinox came a wave of warm weather, and students rushed outside to enjoy the sunshine and warm air. As I write today, however, the daffodils are bowing their heads under a thin coating of snow.

Despite the fickle nature of spring, excitement was very much in evidence on March 23 when we celebrated the first Head of School Holiday of 2021. The holiday was held in honor and loving memory of former trustee and dear friend of the School Philip Pillsbury Jr. ’53, who sadly passed away on March 3. As I said in announcing the holiday, Phil loved Hotchkiss, and Hotchkiss loved him. (Please see p.65)

In-person classes and co-curricular activities are in full swing — well, full swing under pandemic conditions. In the weeks ahead, we look forward to varsitylevel scrimmages with a small number of schools that have committed to the same safety measures we are following. While we remain vigilant in following the nowfamiliar practices, particularly masking, it has been uplifting to see students back on the fields, courts, golf course, and the lake.

Meanwhile, it has been a little over a year since the pandemic began. Across the country and around the world, more and more people are being vaccinated, and I am beginning to feel a greater sense of optimism. At last we may be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

As you know, I looked back at the School’s history as a guide to inform our response to the pandemic. In doing so, I spent time contemplating Hotchkiss’s legacy. I have considered characteristics that make this School what it is: an enduring commitment to academic excellence, a love of fair competition, and a mission centered around inspiring a diverse range of students who are committed to the betterment of self and society. These are students who will one day inherit — and lead — our world.

During these long months of spreading contagion, in the United States we have witnessed the spread of contagion of a different kind: acts of racism perpetrated against people of color. Last summer, names that became known to us all were those of Black Americans killed in acts of racial violence. COVID-19 has also unleashed violent racist scapegoating targeting Asians and Asian-Americans. In response, the Hotchkiss community has drawn together in opposition to racism and racist violence.

Hotchkiss is first and foremost a learning community. In order to learn well, each member of the community must feel safe, seen, and supported. This diverse, pluralistic school comprises the strength, wisdom, grit, curiosity, and joy of every individual member. In an especially heartening recent moment, students from the Black and Hispanic Student Alliance (BaHSA) joined those from Triple A, the Pan Asian affinity group, for a discussion on allyship and building a shared alliance of support. The integrity and goodness of the community can be gauged by these times of solidarity.

As a learning community, we are committed to excellence. Excellence is not a static destination to be reached. Rather, it is a quest to which we are committed across all that we do. Every ten years the School is re-accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC); the last time was in 2016. We have recently undergone an interim fiveyear review, and I’m pleased to share a line from the report written by Jay S. Stroud, Commissioner of Independent Schools for NEASC: “The Commission commends the Hotchkiss faculty and Board and particularly the School’s leadership for significant progress and for a constant and unrelenting commitment to strengthening an already remarkable School.”

These words are gratifying. Yet our

capacity to continue to enhance the excellence of this School — from expanding access to more qualified students, to attracting and retaining outstanding teachers, to improving facilities, to creating innovative programming — is possible only thanks to your generosity. Our 4th annual Day of Giving on February 24 was the most successful yet, raising nearly $900,000. Among a variety of alumni matches and challenges, the Class of 1994 successfully called upon their class to raise $20,000 for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In doing so, they unlocked a gift of $110,000 to support the Walter J. Crain Scholarship and Fellowship programs (see p.11). Your generosity makes a difference!

While it will be several weeks before this issue of the Magazine arrives in your mailbox, as I write to you, we have recently extended offers of admission for next year to an inspiring group of talented students. Based on application volume, this was the most competitive year for admission in the School’s history. We accepted one out of every eight applicants. We look forward to welcoming an outstanding group of new young Bearcats in the fall.

While I feel an increasing sense of optimism, I remain mindful of the persistent threat of the constantlymutating virus and the impact it has had on so many people and families connected to Hotchkiss. It has been a long year, though I have never felt more deeply grateful for the sustained goodwill and mutual support from the Hotchkiss community.

Please stay well. Happy spring!

All good wishes,

Craig W. Bradley

Hotchkiss Honors Its Devoted Staff and Faculty Members

ON JAN. 21, HOTCHKISS HONORED all 358 of its employees in an Anniversary Awards video ceremony. Collectively, they have provided 3,329 years of service to the School. A special tribute was given to those faculty and staff members who have served the community for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 45 years of service, representing 711 years of service.

Two special awards were presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the School: Renee Sartori, Jessica Craig assistant to the chief financial officer, received the Margot Hooker Award; and Jessica Craig, director of prospect management and research in the Alumni and Development Office, received the Robert and Candice Barker Staff Recognition Award.

Head of School Craig Bradley asked the community to reflect on the work that they do thoughout the School. “All of this work is done by a group of thoughtful, skillful, and dedicated people who do their Renee Sartori very best day in and day out to assure the excellence of the Hotchkiss experience,” he said.

Sandy Lynch, chief financial officer, presented Renee Sartori with the Margot Hooker Award, established in September 1996, in memory of Margot Hooker, a long-serving staff member.

Sartori started working in her current position in 2017 as the assistant to former CFO John Tuke P’13,’21. She began her Hotchkiss career in the Business Office as part of the accounting team in 2000. Commenting on Sartori’s devotion to the School, Lynch said, “She loves Hotchkiss and considers the people here to be her closest friends and extended family. Every day Renee comes to work, she makes it a point to walk the halls to wish everyone a good morning and ask how they are doing. Her sunny smile is infectious and brightens even the dreariest of days, and her cheerful personality makes everyone feel special. You can feel that she truly cares about how you are doing.”

Ninette Enrique, chief advancement officer in the Alumni and Development Office, presented Jessica Craig with the Barker Award, named for Robert and Candice Barker, whose four decades of service exemplified dedication to the School.

“She is a talented director of prospect research and management and brings her all to her chosen profession — her expertise, work ethic, and deep knowledge of and passion for Hotchkiss donors cultivated over 21 years,”’ said Enrique.

“‘Beyond what she does for fundraising, we value most who Jessica is — a shining light, a joy sparker, a connector of the highest degree, with an enduring love for the School. She embodies the word ‘community’ with a quiet warmth that is irresistible.” H