FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
A Year of Renewal N E O F M Y F AV O R I T E T R E E S
is the ginkgo tree. A geologically ancient organism, the gingko is sometimes referred to as a living fossil. There are a few gingkos on campus, including a magnificent old beauty next to the entrance to the Luke Foyer and Dining Hall. One of the fun facts about ginkgo trees is that they shed their leaves synchronously following the first heavy frost of the season. The first heavy frost arrived late this fall. One morning last week, following that frost, I encountered a small group of students and some younger faculty children standing under that magnificent tree catching (or at least trying to catch) ginkgo leaves as they fell in a steady shower to the ground. The ginkgo’s fan-shaped leaves are hard to catch because of their zig-zagging movement as they fall. Superstition holds that catching a ginkgo leaf brings good luck. Amidst these moments that signal the end of fall, I find myself feeling a spring-like sense of joy and good fortune, similar to the joy on the faces of those fortunate young people as they caught ginkgo leaves. In every chilly breeze and swirl of falling leaves there is a deeper appreciation of the simple, no-longer-take-for-granted reality that students, faculty, and staff are on campus together at Hotchkiss enjoying all aspects of school life. Many of these were unavailable during the pre-vaccine stage of the pandemic. This fall has been a joyful time of reinvigorating traditions and celebrating the pleasures of community. In September, we returned to live music in Katherine M. Elfers Hall with a truly
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remarkable event. International piano virtuoso Lang Lang visited Hotchkiss at the invitation of his student and friend Oliver Chen ’22. The afternoon’s program included a performance by Lang Lang, who was joined onstage by Oliver and Fabio Witkowski, head of the visual and performing arts, as well as a master class for Hotchkiss students Kenny Zhang ’22 and Ricky Shi ’23. The caliber of musical performance combined with live instruction showcased Hotchkiss at its best (see p. 14). Another highlight of the fall took place early in October when I announced the first Head of School Holiday of the year. What a thrill it is to say those magic words! The euphoria of students is awesome (in the original sense of the word). Alumni will surely remember the incomparable feeling of a Hotchkiss holiday. I called the holiday in honor of a dear friend to the School, Trustee Emerita Jeannie Weinberg Rose ‘80, P’18. Jeannie is securely in the Panthéon of remarkable leaders in the history of the School. She served 23 years as a Trustee, eight years
as president of the Board, and she is now in her second year as a Trustee Emerita. During her years as president, some of which were challenging for the School, she led the Board with clarity and without trepidation. Upon her retirement from the Board in June 2019, Trustees adopted a Resolution of Tribute in her honor. Hotchkiss is forever in her debt (see p. 13). Just a few weeks ago we welcomed hundreds of visitors to campus for Family Weekend. While conferences with advisors and teachers were held virtually for reasons of safety, families were able to attend events, visit their students in dorm rooms, watch sports, and more. It was a lovely weekend and heartwarming to see families in person. In mid-November we enjoyed yet another Hotchkiss tradition, Spirit Week, which culminated in Taft Day. The community dove into a full week of themed student activities, dressing up, food, and fun. On November 13, we welcomed busloads of student athletes and spectators from Taft as well as Hotchkiss alumni and parents for a day of sport, spirit, and fun. While the skies opened in
