The Compass | Spring 2024

By: Bryan Geary

A Conversation with Derek Krein

On February 17, 2024, Derek Krein officially became Tilton’s 29th Head of School.

His appointment is the result of a nationwide search that yielded more than two dozen qualified applicants. Krein stood out for his 30+ years of experience at all levels of independent schools, including in the classroom, residential life, college counseling, and administration. Most recently, he served as Dean of Faculty and Dean of Professional and Programmatic Growth during his lengthy tenure at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA.

Krein is an independent school graduate himself, having attended Kent School (CT) before earning his Bachelor of Arts as a double major in Psychology and History from Connecticut College. He also holds a Master’s in Liberal Studies (Leadership concentration) from Dartmouth College. Recently, he joined the Board of Trustees at Indian Creek School (MD) and is an active leader in the independent school landscape, having presented and worked with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and Leadership + Design (L+D) among other distinguished organizations.

As Krein and his family — including his wife Bobbi (a fellow independent school administrator), children Lee and Gunnar, and family dogs Bowie and Beans — finalize their move onto the Tilton School campus, The Compass caught up with him for a conversation that helps

characterize his approach as an educator, his top priorities, and the experiences that led him to this point.

The Compass: What about the Tilton community has stood out since your appointment in February?

Derek Krein: I would say how friendly and engaging everybody has been. That’s all corners of school life — the employee body, the student body, as well as the parents and alums that I’ve met. Everybody is eager to say hello and welcome us to the community. They’re also really eager to share what they love about Tilton, and that’s been a helpful introduction as I start to build my own understanding of the school.

That understanding is going to happen through the stories. I’m excited to sit down with everybody — I think I’ve made it through about a third of the faculty, probably about a quarter of the full employee body, for those conversations. That process of gathering and synthesizing their stories is really important to understanding the DNA of Tilton. And I can’t wait to expand that out to alums, current students, current parents, and past parents; all of that is part of the full tapestry of what Tilton School means to education and in the world.

TC: Looking forward to the final twoplus months of the school year, what are you excited about?

DK: These final two months are really my first two months. So, I hope to bring sort of a “new school-year” energy and also to ask and invite the seniors and juniors — who have the leadership of the school — to introduce me to Tilton in the way that they would to other new faculty and students in September. Help me see it through your eyes. The different cycles of the academic year have different energy, but I would love for them to conjure up the opening of school excitement to help me “start” really well.

“I want our community to know that everybody has a role in shaping where we want to go and how we want to get there.”

TC: Speaking of the students, what opportunities have you had to interact with them and how would you characterize those interactions?

DK: A lot of it is in passing or informally. Lunch has been a great place to have conversations. I stopped into Rachel Compton’s AP Stats class and, while it might not have been the way that any of them thought they were going to start class, it was really helpful for me to hear how they are as the spring trimester progresses, what they’re working on in class, and pick up where their collective energy level is.

I love our semi-regular student video prompts in Skinner Tower as well. Recently, students were asked to tell the camera what they love most about Tilton — this happened to be one of my first official days on campus and it couldn’t have been a better place to connect and hear about the joy they have as students here on the Hill.

At School Meeting earlier this spring, I invited students to step in for open office hours on Mondays during lunch. I’ve also resumed the regular meetings with our Student Body President and Vice President — Ben and Aidan were eager to start that up again. And then, whoever the new co-presidents are, it will be great to have time with the four of them to hear more about the student experience. It’s not a shy group of students, which

is awesome — they’re coming to me. I think it reflects a Tilton expectation of stepping forward as opposed to sitting back and waiting.

TC: Speaking broadly, what are some of your goals and aspirations coming out of this school year and heading into 2024-25? What are the things you hope to accomplish or experience?

DK: I do think that the past four or five years globally, and institutionally, have been disorienting. Given those dynamics, there has been some “swirl” that affected different people in different ways, and it has also created new pathways and opportunities. I think predictability and consistency from me will be important, though what that ultimately means is yet to be determined. Community is always a custom job, so we’re going to create the next iteration of Tilton together. I want people to know that I am predictable, visible, and ready to get to work, but also — and this is critical — that I’m not the only one doing the work. I want our community to know that everybody has a role in shaping where we want to go and how we want to get there.

Reestablishing our professional learning priorities is a near and long-term priority for me. Our faculty consists of lifelong learners and we want to make sure that there is some coherence to where we’re investing our time and resources to make sure that we’re getting the training and the perspective we need for our students. We want our faculty to be confident that they have access to the information, practice, and ideas that they want to bring to our students.

TC: What are some of the key messages that you hope students, parents, alumni, and the extended community take away from this conversation?

DK: I love schools. I think that they are, aside from the home, arguably the most important institution we have in our country. And the opportunity to cultivate character and knowledge all within a community of caring and supportive people — that’s really what our society needs. Our work, at it’s essence, is about creating life-ready citizens. If we knew exactly what the blueprint or map was, we would all be following it right now. We’ve got a group of really dedicated educators here — we also really need the input from our alums who, currently in their own professional world, can say,

“I love schools. I think that they are, aside from the home, arguably the most important institution we have in our country.”

“Hey, here are some other signals that we can’t afford to miss at Tilton.” Bringing their expertise into the curriculum — and I mean that very broadly, it’s not just the academic curriculum, but the full-on 24/7 nature of a boarding school — matters as much to what we’re doing here as the expertise of our division heads and first-year faculty. This is all a metaphor to say, we need to know both how to use a compass and how to read different types of maps — we’ll need all of these tools to chart the path forward.

Another key message is that I really want to hear their stories. What about Tilton School was essential to their success today? What skills or sensibilities do they attribute to their experience here? What makes them say, “If not for Tilton, I wouldn’t be here or I wouldn’t have accomplished X, Y, or Z?” We’re going to see themes emerge in these responses.

Our community has navigated through some leadership and COVID churn. It was disruptive and disorienting, but I want to ensure we don’t lose sight of the things that are quintessentially Tilton, even in this current iteration. So, while I’m willing to share my stories, I really want to hear more about others as a way to help inform where Tilton School is going. That information, along with our self-study and upcoming accreditation, is going to be, ultimately, the catalyst for what the Tilton of 2024-25 and beyond is going to be.

TC: Is there anything else the Tilton community should know about you and your background?

DK: I’ve done a lot of work with this group called Leadership + Design. It’s an educational consultancy, but they think of themselves more as sort of a movement. One of their founding partners managed to, I think, paraphrase a saying that is sometimes (mis) attributed to Walt Whitman — even before it made its way to Ted Lasso: “Be more curious than certain.” What I like about this version is that it doesn’t mean that you can’t have conviction, but leading with curiosity invites learning and is a hallmark of dynamic leadership. As a guiding mantra, it opens up more possibility for the rest of the community. So I’ll ask a lot of questions, and at times even my own kids will feel like, “Oh my gosh, here we go again.” I am really interested in the stories that people have to tell and the rationales driving those

stories. Rarely does anything happen by accident. So something that people should know about me is that I am genuinely curious.

Another defining part of my background is that I discovered, at a very early age and without all the language to express it, that all learners are different learners. My older sister has special needs, and, as young children, I would be given an instruction by my parents to go out and do this or that with my sister. But my sister couldn’t do things the way I did. So, at an early age, I had to figure out how to ask myself an important question: “All right, so what will work?” I didn’t have this language at the time, but I was searching for a path to achievement that didn’t embarrass her or compromise her dignity.

These experiences are the origin of my conviction that schools are wonderful, essential places. Rarely again in their lives will our students have the opportunity to be as vulnerable as we allow and encourage. Our students will never have the same opportunity for as deep, profound, and durable learning as they have here on the Hill. And I really do chalk up my conviction in curiosity to the environment that I grew up in — I grew up under a roof of engineers and immigrants, but also with an older sister who was, in many ways, the best teacher I ever had. I think that taught me to be an outstanding educator.

“Our students will never have the same opportunity for as deep, profound, and durable learning as they have here on the Hill.”

Derek Krein, Head of School

Serving from the Heart

Longtime Faculty Member Julie Caldwell P’24, ’26

Honored with Community Service Award

By: Bryan Geary

For 25 years, Julie Caldwell P’24, ’26 has been a hallmark of the Tilton community — the school and the town. Her efforts and leadership have instilled the value of service for more than two decades and have made a difference in the lives of countless members of the surrounding towns. On Saturday, March 16, Caldwell received a much-deserved honor: the town of Tilton’s 2024 Community Service Award.

“I got kind of teary when I got up front and looked out,” says Caldwell of receiving the award at the annual town meeting. “It hit me that this community has been my community longer than my childhood home. There are all these people that I’ve gotten to know in a deeper way over the years; my kids have grown up here.”

Caldwell has been involved with the school’s community service program for the entirety of her 25 years at Tilton, and has been at the helm for the past two decades. There were, she recalls, always excellent initiatives happening on campus: students helping in the nearby soup kitchen, spring community service day, and more. The missing element, she says, was the interaction between Tilton students and local citizens.

“I really felt that you need an interpersonal connection to make the experiences more meaningful,” says Caldwell, who loved that a passion for service is at the heart of all that she’s done in her career. A native of Andover, MA, her father ran Rosie’s Place — a women’s shelter in Boston — when she was growing up. She frequently tagged along, volunteering for events or just spending time with people.

I always say share your time and your talents with others — we have these great kids and we really want them to get involved, give back, and lead by example.”

“All the ladies loved him,” she says with a smile. “They would always pinch his cheeks. He was a very beloved, important person there. My dad didn’t have a lot of money, but he would always give the little bit that he could. I felt like that was an example to follow.”

Caldwell took that example to heart, taking a year off before attending college to serve full-time with City Year in Greater Boston where she worked with the Pine Street Inn, a women’s homeless shelter, and the Hurley School in the South End of Boston, a SpanishEnglish immersion school. The latter experience — being exposed to teaching and using her Spanish language skills in a real-world setting — paved the way for what would ultimately be her career at Tilton.

At the town meeting, fellow Tilton faculty member, longtime colleague, and Town Selectman Scott Ruggles P’18, ’20, ’22, ’24, ’26 had the opportunity to introduce Caldwell and her award. While there were many incredible contributions to highlight, one program in particular stood out for him and other Tilton residents.

“One of Julie’s most influential programs is the ‘Seniors Helping Seniors’ program she created, runs, and participates in,” said Ruggles in front of the attendees.

“Julie felt that the graduating senior class at Tilton School would benefit from having multiple service projects during their final year and helping the senior citizens in the Tilton community would benefit both the students and residents. So, a few times a year she coordinates with the Tilton Senior Center to identify senior citizens in the community that could use assistance with projects around their homes.”

The program is a favorite of students and community members alike and has, according to Caldwell, facilitated some of the most meaningful learning experiences that she’s observed in her time at Tilton.

“It’s a part of our mission statement,” she says. “The last word is lifelong service. Sometimes we are a school on a hill, literally looking down on a community that we really need to be part of, not

isolated from. And I always say share your time and your talents with others — we have these great kids and they have so much to offer and we really want them to get involved, give back, and lead by example.”

Through partnerships with the New Hampshire Veterans Home, the Bread and Roses Soup Kitchen in nearby Franklin, and local public schools, Caldwell leads students to meaningful experiences and development of the essential skills that drive teaching and learning at Tilton — like mindfulness and communication. So, as much as she was appreciative of the award, talking about former students who do amazing things after their time on the Hill lights her up even more.

“It is really neat having alumni come back and tell stories of how this sparked something in them and prompted them to take it further,” says Caldwell. “I hope that we’re planting the seeds. It may not be that every kid goes and does something grand, but it’s planting that seed. That empathy, that perspective, and having that higher purpose is so important.”

Winter Sports Recap

Girls Varsity Basketball

Girls Varsity Basketball capped off a historic season by winning the inaugural Girls National Prep Championship. The Rams final record of 31-4 established a new program high for wins. In addition to racking up several All-Lakes Region and All-NEPSAC selections, senior captain Ahnay Adams was named the Gatorade New Hampshire Player of the Year (for the third straight season), as well as both the Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in NEPSAC Class AA. Read more about the team’s national title and Adam’s stellar season at the QR code below!

Lakes Region All-Stars

• Ahnay Adams ’24

• Colleen Phiri ’25

• Sophia LeGoullon ’24

• Hannah Lynch ’25

Individual Awards

All-NEPSAC

• Colleen Phiri ’25

• Hannah Lynch ’25

• Gatorade New Hampshire Player of the Year

– Ahnay Adams ’24

• NEPSAC Class A Player of the Year

– Ahnay Adams ’24

• NEPSAC Class A Defensive Player of the Year

– Ahnay Adams ’24

All-NEPSAC

Honorable Mention

• Sophia LeGoullon ’24

• Tish Blackwood ’25

Boys Varsity A Hockey

Following a successful regular season, Boys Varsity Hockey earned the #6 seed in the NEPSAC Small School Tournament. Though they fell in the quarterfinals, the team will return many of its skaters next year and is primed for further improvement.

Lakes Region All-Stars

• Max Gagnon ’26

• Danny Storella ’24

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention

• Danny Storella ’24

• Hunter Toms ’25

Boys Varsity Basketball

Boys Varsity Basketball had a successful season highlighted by a All-League duo from the Class of 2025 — Enzo Boudouma and Samuel Nosakhare. With many players returning for the 2024-25 season, we look forward to another exciting year!

Lakes Region All-Stars

• Enzo Boudouma ’25

• Samuel Nosakhare ’25

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention

• Samuel Nosakhare ’25

Girls Varsity Hockey

Though the Girls Varsity Hockey team got off to an uneven start, they ultimately finished strong and earned a berth into the NEPSAC Small School Tournament for the first time in program history. With Head Coach Zach Frament ’16 removing the “interim” tag from his title heading into the 2024-25 season, there’s a lot to look forward to next winter.

Lakes Region All-Stars

• Evelyn Lacey ’26

• Alexine Beaulieu ’26

All-NEPSAC

• Evelyn Lacey ’26

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention

• Thea Arsenault ’26

• Evelyn Lacey ’26

• Ava Decourcey ’26

• Shae Gould ’26

By: Bryan Geary

From the Hill to the Frozen Four

Tilton Alums Square Off in National Championship

In late March, Hobart College and Trinity College took the ice in Hartford, CT to decide the 2023-24 NCAA Division III Men’s Hockey National Championship. In a matchup of two top-tier programs, the former was chasing back-to-back titles while the latter took the ice in front of its home fans as the host of this year’s Frozen Four. It was, by any measure, a marquee event for the hockey world. Amidst all of the excitement, Tilton Head Boys Hockey Coach Brooks McQuade ’04 was watching with a particular interest: two of his former players — Conor Lally ’21 for Hobart and Gerard Marretta ’18 for Trinity — were about to square off with a championship on the line.

“Watching two former players compete on such a prestigious national stage evoked a huge amount of pride,” says McQuade. “That they were competing for schools like Hobart and Trinity speaks volumes about the caliber of our program and our school — it demonstrates our ability to develop top-tier athletes while emphasizing academic excellence.”

While at Tilton, they displayed many of the same attributes that led them to success at the collegiate level, continues McQuade. Marretta — McQuade’s first recruit after taking the job in 2015 — was a two-year captain for the Rams and went on to assume the same post for Trinity. Lally helped lead Tilton to the Lakes Region Championship in 2020, possessing a “very high hockey IQ and composure with the puck” that followed him to Hobart. For McQuade, it was a full-circle moment and an opportunity to see the work he has put into the culture of his program on display at the peak of Division III competition. While he and his former players agree that this representation on the national stage is certainly noteworthy, it is not surprising.

“Coach McQuade’s approach emphasizes playing the game the ‘right way,’” says Lally, whose Statesmen ultimately went on to raise the trophy with a 2-0 victory. “I came to appreciate how his coaching prepared me for the demands of higher levels of hockey.”

“Competing for schools like Hobart and Trinity speaks volumes about the caliber of our program and our school — it demonstrates our ability to develop top-tier athletes while emphasizing academic excellence.”

Marretta notes that the program’s goal is to place its players at the highest possible level after they leave the Hill. “Having two players play on the No. 1 and No. 2 nationally ranked teams is evidence of that commitment to achieving excellence for its athletes.”

Long a top program in New England prep hockey, McQuade echoes the sentiments of his former players. “College placement is crucial to our success and our recruitment efforts,” he says, while noting his focus on recruiting “right-fit” studentathletes. “We value players who excel in the classroom and contribute positively to the Tilton community. Our goal is to develop well-rounded individuals who will succeed academically, athletically, and personally on the Hill and beyond.”

This year’s Division III men’s hockey tournament was a perfect representation of this philosophy, even beyond the championship matchup. Brett Lockhart ’20 helped guide Plymouth State University to the NCAA quarterfinals — and recently signed a professional contract — while Jacob Iida ’20 played in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championship game against Marretta and Trinity.

Back on the ice in Hartford, Hobart and Trinity played a scoreless first period. The buildup and first 20 minutes of action delivered an “unforgettable” experience, says Lally. “Facing off against Trinity in their home rink made for an electric

atmosphere — it was easily one of the most incredible environments I’ve ever been a part of.”

On the opposite bench, Marretta relished the opportunity to write this final chapter of his collegiate career in front of his school, family, and friends. “Standing on the ice during the national anthem, surrounded by cheering faces, is a memory that will forever be etched in my mind,” he remembers.

Hobart broke the seal late in the second period for its first goal, but the action remained tense until an empty-net goal with 25 seconds remaining to clinch the game’s 2-0 final score.

“The entire bench erupted,” says Lally of the moment following the last goal. “Looking back, those are the memories I’ll cherish the most — the ones I made with my teammates, my best friends.”

While reflecting on his time at Hobart so far, Lally emphasizes that the culture is all about “winning in the classroom and on the ice.” Fortunately, he says, Tilton prepared him well. “I feel like I’ve adjusted well because of the time management skills and experience I developed. I was drawn to Hobart’s close-knit community — I valued being part of a smaller school where I could build the same strong connections with my peers, professors, and staff members like I had at Tilton.”

For Marretta, bringing his time at Trinity to a close is bittersweet — saying goodbye to the people and the place that guided him through this part of his journey. “There’s also a profound sense of accomplishment knowing that I’ve achieved my goals and secured my dream job,” says Marretta, who will move to New York City following graduation to work at JPMorgan as U.S. Private Bank Analyst. With his next steps solidified, the value of his time on the Hill continues to settle into perspective — he hopes today’s Tilton students can get as much out of the experience as he did.

“My advice is to embrace the opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone,” he says. “Growth often happens beyond those familiar boundaries. Your potential is limitless.”

“I valued being part of a smaller school where I could build the same strong connections like I had at Tilton.”

Connor Lally ’21 after winning this year’s National Championship. Gerard Marretta ’18 during his time in the Black and Gold.

Giving Back Moves us Forward

A Reflection on Tilton’s Day of Giving

Success

In the heart of our community, the Tilton School’s Day of Giving showcased a phenomenal wave of generosity, unity, and spirit amongst students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni alike.

The milestones achieved during this pivotal event were truly remarkable:

• The Class of 2026 led the way with the highest student participation rate, embodying the spirit of giving among our youngest members.

• Alumni from the 1980s demonstrated their enduring connection to the school by making the most gifts, a testament to their lasting commitment.

• Our alumni from the 1960s contributed the most in terms of monetary donations, showcasing their deep-rooted support.

• The breadth of our community’s engagement spanned generations with donors ranging from the Class of 1949 through to the Class of 2027, illustrating the timeless bond across the Tilton family.

The

“Wall of Woohoo”

Skinner tower became a vibrant space for 93 supporters to share their enthusiastic shout-outs, amplifying the joy and community spirit.

Together, we raised over $350,000 from more than 440 gifts, a monumental testament to the strength and generosity of our community.

These facts are not just numbers; they are a reflection of the warmth, dedication, and spirit of the Tilton School family. Let’s continue to build on this incredible momentum, fostering a culture of support and unity that will propel us into the future.

Moving Forward

As we continue to build on the success of the Day of Giving, let’s not stop here. Join us in fostering an enduring legacy and support for Tilton School by setting up recurring gifts to the Tilton Fund. Your ongoing contributions will play a crucial role in sustaining the vibrant, dynamic, and innovative environment that our community members cherish.

To become a part of this continuous wave of support, visit our recurring gifts page and begin making a lasting impact today.

By: Lauren Robinson

Winter Carnival 2.0

A New Spin on a Tilton Favorite

In a new twist that both gave new life to Tilton’s Winter Carnival and crafted meaningful learning opportunities, Mr. Compton’s Entrepreneurship classes were in charge of planning, running, and overseeing all of this year’s festivities.

“We tried to tap into as much passion as possible,” says Compton, who worked with students on aligning their interests and energy into programming that would synergize the traditions of Winter Carnival with the Tilton of today. “They had to talk about the relationships that they would have to establish, the activities that they would be putting on, the resources that they would need.”

Leading up to the event, students pitched their ideas and honed their marketing strategies. They implemented their knowledge from class by crafting a vision statement, converting it into an impact opportunity statement, and developing a business model. Along with eventplanning, marketing tactics — social, print, and word of mouth — were among the essential skills needed to complete the project. The class brainstormed ideas to excite participants and shared information about Winter

Carnival on Instagram and TikTok, leveraging popular trends and featuring guest-star Rusty the Ram.

Students also put their interpersonal skills to work, enlisting the help of others on campus and beyond. Some reached out to the Communications Office to design and print posters, while others collaborated with the Engineering class on the Ram Jam as it was appropriately named. Outside of campus, students worked with vendors to provide them with Tilton-branded merchandise to distribute throughout the weekend.

“We have these pillars of an entrepreneurial mindset: creativity, passion, growth mindset, improv, selfleadership — all these things needed to be present and done simultaneously. For our students to display all those points at once was impressive,” says Compton.

Mr. Frament ’16 and his Engineering students combined with Compton’s class on a freestyle course for the Ram Jam competition. Intertwining entrepreneurial thinking with engineering logistics, the two classes applied their classroom knowledge to to construct obstacles, ramps,

and rails for the skiers and snowboarders. to launch from. They invested days into building and problemsolving to perfect every element, and the result was a highlight of the weekend (and some pretty great skills shown off). Awards were given out to the boarder with the best “sty” (Gen-Z for style), the best trick, and the most air.

“When the fire lit up and the music started playing, everyone was overcome with pride and a sense of belonging. Then we had a big snowball fight — it was fun, it built community, and everyone was a part of it,” says Compton of a memorable weekend. “This project introduced our students to a ton of real-world obstacles. The biggest of these was probably communication and timing.”

The combined efforts of faculty and students produced, by all accounts, one of the more unforgettable weekends on campus in several years. During the course of the project, Compton stressed the historical context of Winter Carnival and that his students were leaving a mark on their school for future generations of students. Forever Tilton True, indeed!

“ Winter Carnival was fun, it built community, and everyone was a part of it.”

Connor Compton Social Sciences Faculty

By: John Agnello, Director of Advancement

Rascal to Role Model:

The Evolution of Stanley Kessel ’63

Stanley Kessel ’63 epitomized the transformative journey that Tilton School fosters in its students. His tenure at Tilton from 1961 to 1963 was a turning point, as the school’s structure, guidance, and support helped mold a young man with tremendous potential.

Presented with a critical choice by his parents — the military or Tilton School — Kessel stepped onto the Tilton campus, a bright yet untamed spirit who had previously flirted with mischief. At Tilton, “Stan” was known for his ingenuity and spirit. He and his

It was here, amid Tilton School’s supportive and disciplined environment, that Stanley’s boundless potential was channeled.

classmates once humorously attempted to start their vacation early by creating a flood — a plan that, while unsuccessful, demonstrated their creative thinking.

It was here, amid Tilton School’s supportive and disciplined environment, that Kessel’s boundless potential was channeled by the dedicated faculty and administrators. Their commitment to nurturing his talents proved pivotal, setting Kessel on a trajectory toward unlocking his full potential and achieving great success later in life.

His professional journey soared to impressive heights, as Kessel’s strategic prowess led him to manage complex computer systems for Bank of America and United Press International in New York. Beyond his career, Kessel’s passion for Corvettes symbolized his pursuit of excellence and precision, qualities that he carried in every aspect of his life.

love for Tilton and the profound difference one individual’s support can make.

Kessel’s philanthropic spirit was as exceptional as his career, manifested through 32 years of continuous support to Tilton School. This legacy of giving, carried on by his wife, Sherry, after his passing in 2017, has helped sustain the school’s mission to nurture in its students

As we acknowledge the Kessels’ four decades of unwavering support, we are reminded of the impact that dedicated alumni can have. By supporting Tilton School, you help craft a legacy that echoes the transformative experiences of students like Stanley Kessel. Your generosity will not only honor the past but also invest in the potential of future leaders and innovators.

By supporting Tilton School, you help craft a legacy that echoes the transformative experiences of students like Stanley Kessel. Your generosity will not only honor the past but also invest in the potential of future leaders and innovators.

Meals of Hope

For the second consecutive year, the Tilton community turned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day into a “day on” through service learning. Gathered in the Masiello Dining Commons, the Rams partnered with Meals of Hope to package over 20,000 meals (in just an hour!) that went to food banks across the state of New Hampshire.

“

It is gratifying to sense that we will have an influence, directly or indirectly, in many aspects of people’s lives and the betterment of society, the future, and the world.”

Jim Masiello P’90, ’11, ’12

By: Bryan Geary

Leaving a Legacy

A Tribute to the Incredible Impact of Jim Masiello P’90, ’11, ’12

Months before Jim Masiello P ’90, ’11, ’12 passed away at the age of 83, he offered the following assessment of The Masiello Family Foundation’s charitable work and support of Tilton School.

“We believe that children and education are our future,” his statement reads.

“The Masiello Family mission is to help financially challenged children who have the desire, drive, and ambition to want to make a difference in their life and the world around them. These students will, in the near future, be leading and in prominent work environments and we are extremely fortunate to be in this position to be a part of their lives, their opportunities, and their future.”

A prominent figure in the insurance industry and a long-time public servant, Masiello built an impactful second chapter of his life and career through his foundation and his passion for supporting the causes most important to him, including — among many other things — the Masiello Scholarship program at Tilton. The scholarships are, “awarded to students with need from a New Hampshire community with preference given to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, exemplary character, honor and integrity and should demonstrate leadership and participation in three areas of student/campus life.”

Over the past 10 years, 10 students have had the opportunity to create their own Tilton experience because of this program — individuals who have made an incredible impact as learners and leaders all across campus. One of these students, Kirsten Chandonnet ’18 says she remembers getting the phone call from Admissions about the scholarship.

“That was surreal in and of itself, because we had decided it [attending Tilton] was too much and we couldn’t do it,” she says. “Then we received that phone call and my life changed completely that day.”

Chandonnet recalls meeting Jim and his wife Kathy Masiello for the first time and immediately feeling a sense of family. Over her time at Tilton, the Masiellos stayed in touch with letters and annual meetings on campus, all the time reminding her — and the other scholars — how much they were capable of and how they were behind her 100%. As impactful as that relationship was, Chandonnet says that it flourished after her time on the Hill.

“After my first year at Brandeis [College] we started this tradition where I go and see them every summer. We have dinner and spend an hour or two talking and catching up,” she says with a smile. “It was unique for me — we grew really close. I 100% consider them family at this point.”

The family’s philanthropy at Tilton extended beyond student scholarships and can be seen at the forefront of the recent revitalization of campus. From the Masiello Dining Commons and the Masiello Family Terrace to the Charles E. Tilton Mansion and Knowles Hall, they have always answered the call for support, and that impact is impossible to overstate. And, yet, as stunning as each of these projects are, a moment during the dedication of the Masiello Family Terrace in the fall of 2022 illustrated the cause that was most near and dear to Masiello’s heart. As part of the celebration, several Masiello Scholars were in attendance to say a few words about the impact of their scholarship and experience at Tilton — he was beaming with pride the entire time.

“I had just finished reading a toast to Jim and Kathy,” says Arie Perry ’24, “when Jim started chuckling and humor-fully informed those attending that a few years back I did not talk and now I can go on and on.”

The joke was a reference to the first time the two had met, at the beginning of year scholar lunch, when Masiello playfully called her out for not talking as much as her peers around the table. He had watched her progress over the next few years and his pride was as evident as his sense of humor.

“Knowing Jim Masiello was an honor for which I will be forever grateful,” she says. “I can say with confidence that his words and the kindness he and his family have shown me changed my life.”

Reunion 2024 June 14–15, 2024

We are excited to welcome back to Tilton the Classes of 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019!

As with all reunions, all alums are invited and encouraged to join the festivities back on the Hill.

3rd Annual Alumni Weekend Golf Scramble

Friday, June 14, 2024

Lochmere Country Club, 360 Laconia Rd, Tilton, NH 03276

Gather your foursome and join us for the 3rd Annual Tilton School Golf Tournament!

Registration will begin at 7:30 am. At that time, the driving range and putting green will open and a continental breakfast will be served. The tournament will feature a shotgun start at 9:00 am, and lunch will be served following the completion of your round.

Online registration closes at 5:00 pm on May 31. After this time, please contact Kendra Toy at ktoy@tiltonschool.org or 603-286-1818.

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