5 minute read
From the Head of School
All the World’s a Stage
ANTICIPATION IN THE AIR. A hush of darkness. A few shuffling feet. The tension is broken by the delicate sound of a single, a capella voice: “I have a dream… a song to sing…”
And in that moment, hundreds of spectators in the newly renovated Walker Auditorium are willingly swept into the world of theater, about to experience the delight of the HDA’s winter production of Mamma Mia! The word theater itself comes from the Greek and means a place for viewing. The magic of theater, however, comes from this experience of being transported.
Mamma Mia! debuted at Hotchkiss in the depths of February, with snow still on the ground and spirits wearied by two long years of pandemic. With a burst of light and song and dance and color, the show ushered in the next phase of Walker Auditorium. The renovation of the auditorium was made possible by a generous gift from the family of Robert R. Gould ’77, co-president of the Board of Trustees, in the name of his mother, Jean Gould, for whom the stage is named. Members of the Classes of 2019 and 2020 and many other donors also made substantial contributions (see p. 16).
Before the show, the cast and crew were treated to a congratulatory message from Meryl Streep P’98, star of the 2008 film version of the musical, who graciously wished them “good cheer and a lot of broken legs on your opening night inaugurating this beautiful theater!”
In thinking about the enduring significance of Walker to this community, I was reminded of Shakespeare’s famous
PHOTO BY SCOTT BARROW
words in As You Like It: “All the world’s a stage/And all the men and women merely players…” In this oft-recited speech, the character Jacques famously describes seven stages of life, from infancy to old age, and likens the experience of passing through them to that of being on stage in a play. Each individual plays many parts; each life is full of entrances and exits.
These entrances and exits are equally true at Hotchkiss. A new teacher arrives thinking that Lakeville may be suitable for a year or two on the path to something else and retires 35 years later after a lifetime of entirely unpredictable professional and personal reward. A prep who may enter stage right homesick and bewildered exits stage left four years later as a senior who is confidently striding toward an unscripted future full of promise.
This year we had the most competitive admissions cycle in Hotchkiss’s history, with nearly 2,400 applicants for only 144 available spots. For the Admissions team it was a challenging season, but for the talented few selected to become part of this community, it is a triumph. Hundreds of families returned to campus for revisit days in late March and early April, and we look forward to welcoming an outstanding group of new Bearcats in the fall.
There have been many other high notes during the winter and early spring, among them Hotchkiss boys varsity basketball’s victory in the 2022 NEPSAC Class A tournament, a first in the program’s history. A number of other sports had strong showings as well (see p. 18). A highlight of a different variety was the State of Connecticut’s lifting of the mask-mandate for all schools in the State on February 28, enabling members of this community to see one another fully again.
As I think about the metaphorical Hochkiss stage, every individual enters, exits, and re-enters at different times in their lives. In the many years after graduation, children are born, careers, discoveries, and laugh-lines are made, and loved ones inevitably pass away. Life is made up of entrances and exits. Yet every member of this community has the opportunity to find new parts to play in the story of the School. It is thanks to gifts from so many of you that the excellence of Hotchkiss endures.
Among the most joyful moments to be experienced in Walker Auditorium—for students and for me—is announcing a Head of School holiday. On February 24, I announced a winter holiday in honor of the cast and crew of Mamma Mia! and all who contributed to the renovation of Walker Auditorium. Deafening doesn’t describe the sound in the room! I invite you to scan the QR code below for a brief window into a few moments of unfettered joy. For alumni, I trust it will bring back a warmth of memories.
While Hotchkiss is not the only stage in our lives, we are, all of us, transported by the experience of being part of this community.
I wish you a joyful spring!
All the best,
Craig W. Bradley
SCAN TO WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HEAD OF SCHOOL HOLIDAY. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A Grateful Alumna
I have been dutifully reading this magazine since I graduated in 1983 and appreciated the window into the news and evolution of Hotchkiss. I just wanted to say this most recent issue may be the most vibrant I have ever received. Not sure what has changed technically, if anything, but it feels like such a high-quality publication and is a pleasure to receive and look at! I imagine boatloads of work go into producing it, and I don’t know how often you all receive thanks, but I just wanted to say the care is really evident! Thanks for this rich contribution to alumni life!
DEBORAH NEWLEN ’83
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Because There is No Planet B
BY JULIA ELLIOTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY WENDY CARLSON
“To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.”
—ROBIN WALL KIMMERER, BRAIDING SWEETGRASS: INDIGENOUS WISDOM, SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, AND THE TEACHINGS OF PLANTS
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Sharing Important Content
I commend the magazine staff for the articles in the Environmental Stewardship section ‘Because There is No Planet B.’ I want to share these articles with a number of environmentalist and educator friends. The articles are inspirational in showing how interdisciplinary teaching can excite students. Good job! I am looking forward to more in 2022!
JOHN BRADLEY ’59
I loved your articles on the Fairfield Farm and biomass heating. Although I am still practicing medicine at 85, my wife Pat and I organically farmed in Rhode Island for years and also raised sheep and goats for wool and mohair. To see Hotchkiss morph from a smallish all boys prep to your current status is very refreshing in the crazy world we are in politically and educationally. (I’m not sure Mr. Parsons would agree with my syntax.)
