The Head of School's Perspective
The blog of Robert W. Hill III

When Mrs. Stevens Speaks…

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The gathering of Williston alumni known as Wildcat Weekend took place last weekend in Mystic, CT. Once again, Kathryn and I had the pleasure of attending and sitting with Sarah Stevens. For us, meeting with alumni from the Philips Stevens years always leaves us feeling that much more connected to the school’s past—there never seems to be a shortage of stories and anecdotes.

At 96 years of age, Mrs. Stevens still commanded the attention of her “boys.” She recalled how some of those present needed to be reminded to wear neckties to the teas that took place for visiting sports teams once the competition of the day had ended. What a civilized thing to do, I thought, after a tough matchup on the gridiron against a rival school.

From another dinner companion, I learned that students always applauded their teacher for the final class of the year. I think we should bring that tradition back.

Friendships that began at Williston are now life-long relationships. These abounded at Wildcat Weekend among the 50 alumni and spouses in attendance (representing the classes 1955-67). It was wonderful to once again be a part of this marvelous turnout.

Posted in: Williston Northampton alumni

Singing in the School Year

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Williston is a “singing school,” as Ben Demerath, our music director always tells us.  And surely, our boys and girls singing groups, the Caterwaulers and the Widdigers, produce memorable moments each year.  But even Mr. Demerath was surprised by what happened at Sunday’s first Upper School assembly.

Gathering in Stephens Chapel following orientation activities, the classes of 2013 through 2016, were arrayed in their class colors. As part of Associate Head of School Jeff Ketcham’s annual talk about the year to come, the words to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” were displayed on screen and the song was played over the sound system. All of a sudden, the entire assembled student body started spontaneously singing along to the anthem.

I have seen more opening days of school than I care to admit to, and the combination of activities that Williston students enjoy in the days leading up to first classes reveals the dedication of all who work here.  Not many schools, I suspect, have teachers who are willing to spend two (sleepless?) nights in cabins with ninth graders the weekend before classes; and the time and care with which the deans and dorm parents transition students into Williston regarding community expectations—with an emphasis on integrity—speaks loudly about the relevance of our mission.

So here we go with our 172nd school opening, and I look forward to every moment of the good to come.

Posted in: Academics at work, Life on campus

Place to Place: Camp Belknap and Williston

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Hanging in the main room at YMCA Camp Belknap on Lake Winnepausake are all sorts of banners, from colleges, universities, and boarding and private schools.  Williston’s banner has a spot in the pantheon in New Hampshire, hung many years ago by an unknown hand, I gather. The banner reveals a long connection between the two places—a connection that continues to this day.

Photo courtesy of Roger Maroni ’77

Roger Maroni ’77, who maintains an affiliation with Belknap, passed this photo along.  I had a chance to see the banner for myself when picking up our son Robby, who enjoyed a week of camp at Belknap. As a a sixth grade student, Robby got to experience the kind of connections that our students make in their own formative years to Williston.

As we gather together as a faculty to prepare for the school’s 172nd year, I think of the human connections that endure well beyond the passage of a single season.  This coming year will be filled with all sorts of accomplishments, disappointments, acts of selflessness, and acts of kindness. Above all, students and faculty alike will form connections to Williston. This is a transformative place—one which confers meaning and influence well beyond the Homestead’s gates.

Posted in: Academics at work, Life on campus

The Hills, Far Afield

Black Rhino spotted by Hill family in South Africa
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It was great to come home to Williston following a vacation that took the Hills far afield to visit family in both the UK and South Africa. As is so often the case after such an experience, one cannot help but return with fresh perspectives.

I recalled the diverse beauty of South Africa from a previous visit, and so that viewpoint was not new or changed from the impression I gleaned over 20 years ago.  But what seemed different to me was the human landscape, epitomized by the recent celebration for Nelson Mandela’s birthday, or the colossal World Cup stadium that marks one view into Cape Town and carries its memories of “Bafana Bafana.”

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Posted in: Global view

Diploma Redux

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Something out of the ordinary happened at the School’s 171st Commencement.

Actually, I would say that the entire Commencement was particularly memorable—given that a deluge outside drove us into the Athletic Center for only the third time in dozens of years. The address by Joanna Lau P’13 was captivating for the personal journey of courage and determination that it revealed in the story of the speaker’s mother.

But something else happened that was a bit odd.  After the diplomas were conferred, I was asked if we could re-present the diploma to one of our young men. His parents had arrived too late to see the live version.

Being Williston—and not to be hung up on unbending ceremony—we improvised. We had the young man return his diploma and then take the walk across the stage, handshakes and all, so that his parents could enjoy the moment.

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Posted in: Life on campus