PH OTO: WENDY C A R L S O N
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
A Remarkable Year O
N LY A F E W W E E K S A G O,
on a beautiful early-summer day, the members of the Class of 2021 walked across a stage to collect their diplomas in front of joyful family members on Hoyt Field. It was a momentous occasion that marked the end of a remarkable year. Last summer, when members of the administration and Board considered all the aspects of opening Hotchkiss safely during a global pandemic, we did not know if it could be done. We engaged with leading medical experts, immersed ourselves in the developing science, and studied how the School had responded to epidemics of the past. We made substantial financial investments in infrastructure improvements, staffing, testing, and countless other
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M AGA ZINE
measures. We received outpourings of support from alumni, families, and friends. Students came back to campus in September, and we formed a bubble of sorts around the campus (no comings and goings) and adapted to the “pandemic normal.” We got used to wearing masks, eating meals out of grab-and-go boxes, and playing only each other in sports. In the second semester alone, we administered more than 21,000 COVID tests. Then, in early spring, the pendulum began to swing. We resumed a limited schedule of interscholastic athletics and relaxed certain safety guidelines. In late spring, we were delighted to offer on-campus vaccination for students. All students and all employees will be vaccinated by the fall.
COVID, of course, was not the only scourge we faced. Over the past year, the collective consciousness in much of this country opened its heart to the reality of persistent anti-Black racism. Yet in parallel, as a painful consequence of racial scapegoating driven by the pandemic, anti-Asian and anti-Asian American sentiment intensified. These issues were deeply felt on campus. The community responded resoundingly to offer support while maintaining a commitment to ensuring free expression of a broad scope of ideas and perspectives. It was a challenging year, but also a year of great accomplishment. As far as we are aware, this was the most competitive season for admissions in the history of the School. We accepted only one of every
