Hotchkiss Celebrates Two Dedicated Volunteers

Cindy Softy ’77, P’07,’09

2022 THOMAS W. ARMITAGE ’25 AWARD RECIPIENT

The Armitage Award is named for alumnus Thomas W. Armitage, Class of 1925, in recognition of his tireless work for The Hotchkiss Fund. It is presented each year to an outstanding class volunteer for distinguished service to The Hotchkiss Fund.

Cindy Softy ’77, P’07,’09 was one of the first young women to enter Hotchkiss as a lower mid in the fall of 1974. Since graduation, Softy has supported her class and The Hotchkiss Fund for 45 years. She has executed the duties of a class agent to the fullest by staying up-todate on campus life and attending both in-person and virtual events, keeping her classmates informed and engaged with the School, and adopting new technologies and practices to improve efficiency and communication between all parties. She is an exemplary role model who has inspired her peers and the next generation of Hotchkiss philanthropists and supporters, including her children, Schuyler Softy ’07 and Ben Softy ’09. Hotchkiss is grateful for her generous spirit and leadership.

Ruth Godin P’25

2022 Mckee Award Recipient

The McKee Award is named in honor of Hugh and Judy McKee P’78,’80,’84,’89 in recognition of their tireless work for The Hotchkiss Parents Fund. It is presented each year to Hotchkiss parents for distinguished service to the Fund.

Ruth Godin P’25 is the mother of Amalia Sardinha ’25. As a prep parent, Godin joined the Parents Fund team and was incredibly enthusiastic about reaching out to families. She tirelessly made phone calls during the Day of Giving and arranged a beautiful luncheon in Garden City that included many families from the area. Hotchkiss is grateful for her warm outreach to her fellow Hotchkiss parents and for making everyone feel like a special part of the community.

Community Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy During Full Day of Programs

BY DARRYL GANGLOFF

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” These powerful words by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. kicked off a full day of workshops, conversations, performances, and community service on Jan. 16 to honor King’s legacy and reflect on how the Hotchkiss community can continue to learn from his messages.

KINYETTE HENDERSON, co-director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Walter Crain Fellow, and instructor in English, told students in Walker Auditorium that King’s assassination occurred 55 years ago, which is “not as long ago as you think.” She said that this is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities. “We are going to take the time today to really think about our community at Hotchkiss. There is still work to be done.”

Students participated in more than a dozen workshops, where they discussed topics such as LGBTQ+ activism; how African American cuisine transformed America; the history of salsa music; racialized religion; empathy; food deserts; King’s speeches; and how to communicate in a community full of difference.

Bearcats also took part in community service activities. Children from neighboring towns visited Hotchkiss to play basketball and hockey with athletes in the Forrest E. Mars Jr. Athletic Center and create King-inspired pieces of art in the Class of 2017 EFX Lab. Some Hotchkiss students volunteered off-campus with Noble Horizons and the Humane Society.

Chapel events featured a poetry reading by Richardine Mamam Nbiba ’23 and a history lesson from Head of School Craig

Bradley. “Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an important day for many reasons,” Bradley said. “It is a day during which we study the past, contemplate the present, and prepare to change the future for the better. It is a day for learning, it is a day for looking inward, and it is also a day for celebration.” He said the fight for justice must continue because racism, inequality, and injustice persist. “I encourage you to use this day and the days ahead to reflect on Dr. King’s words, teachings, and his spirit. I encourage you to learn and understand our collective history. And I encourage you to learn how to use it.”

Panel Discussion

The Hotchkiss community gathered for an in-depth panel discussion with Kimberly Jones, an author and filmmaker known for the bestselling young adult novel, I’m Not Dying with You Tonight; Sam White, who collaborates with civil rights organizations and nonprofits on social impact projects and talks with young people about advocacy and civic engagement; and DeRay McKesson, a civil rights activist focused primarily on issues of innovation, equity, and justice. Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Erby Mitchell Jr. and Director of Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment Imani Majied ’15 moderated the talk.

“We are an intentionally diverse community. We seek to identify the most talented young people from around the world no matter their background,” Mitchell said, acknowledging that comes with some tension. “What advice would you give to these young people?”

Jones said Hotchkiss students are in a good position due to the cultural diversity on campus. “Growth comes from discomfort. You can’t always shy away from that, but you are also more than your worst day,” she said. McKesson agreed, adding that “talking through our feelings is really important.”

“Where does courage come from?” Mitchell asked. Jones suggested that “safe” spaces need to be replaced with “brave” spaces. “It’s important for you to expand your friendships so you have a diverse group of friends,” she said, noting young adults can have brave conversations with each other about implicit bias. “Kids are still at a point where they can do that, master it, and we can create a new generation of better adults.” She also emphasized that “being kind is a show of strength.”

“Bravery is doing what you think has a reasonable chance of success even if it’s uncomfortable,” White said. “You are some of the most elite students in the country. You have access to so much more than so many other people. Part of that requires the responsibility to do something with it.”

McKesson spoke at length about protesting and advocacy. He asked the audience for examples of items that cost $200. Responses included AirPods, shoes, a dress, hockey gloves, jewelry, and a textbook. “In New Jersey today, if you steal over $200, you can get 18 months in prison,” he said. “We believe in accountability without cages. There should be a consequence, but prison feels like a wild consequence. There are a million of those types of issues that you can advocate for and understand.”

Jones said that “activism is exceptionally local” and told the crowd to learn about their local lawmakers to make changes in their own communities. In the age of viral social media posts, White said the “value of something is not determined by its scale.” If “only” 10 people came to a meeting, what did you do with those 10 people? How did you take advantage of that time? “It’s great to do things for a lot of people. It’s also great to do things for people, period,” he said. “It’s OK if you don’t change the world tomorrow. You still matter. You’re still valuable.”

‘How You Want to Be Remembered’

Students learned from King’s 1968 “drum major” sermon that he did not want to be remembered for his accolades. “If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter,” he said.

Following a dorm activity, students ended the day by sharing how they want to be remembered. Many want to be remembered as a good friend, as a leader, and as being kind. Standing on Elfers stage, one Bearcat said, “If I leave Hotchkiss having helped at least one person and made an impact in their life in some way, then I’ll be happy.” H