Hello, Class of 2023!

After four uncommon and unprecedented years at Dana Hall, the Class of 2023 has become a strong and united class. Our experiences with altered traditions, virtual classes, changing schedules, temporary classrooms and a construction project have challenged us to find new ways of building our community. And even though some of us spent much time away from campus due to the pandemic, we feel strongly connected to Dana Hall and our classmates.

During our first year at Dana Hall, the Class of 2023 met for the first time as a class and soon bonded after we put on our Cabaret, which we know will be remembered by many as the most fantastic performance in our school’s history. And when we left for our first high school Spring Break in March 2020, no one expected our time away from campus to last months, and for some, over a year. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the rest of our freshman year was spent online, with many of us far away from our classmates. Our class remained separated during our sophomore year: some students chose hybrid learning and others studied virtually. Our Senior-Sophomore tradition was a challenge. Internet issues and COVID-19 restrictions meant many of our classmates didn’t get to experience the joy of meeting their seniors in person. The Class of 2023’s spirit persisted and we remained committed to building relationships with one another despite these barriers. We fostered friendships both online and in person when restrictions allowed, and were thrilled to spend time getting to know one another.

The Class of 2023 gathered in person again for our junior year and we took it upon ourselves to be the school’s most audacious grade. We set high standards for our ability to balance academics, clubs, sports, arts and other extracurricular commitments. And at the end of the year as COVID-19 policies eased, our life briefly returned to normalcy and we enjoyed participating in Field Day, dancing at Prom and watching the Class of 2022 graduate. As a class, we bonded more than ever during our senior year. Despite a shift in routine again caused by the Classroom Building Project and finding our way around a changing campus, we focused on our shared goal of ending our high school experience on a high note. We made sure to create a memorable Senior-Sophomore tradition for the Class of 2025 and dedicated ourselves to Mid-Winter preparations.

Throughout these past four years, the Class of 2023 has found a comfortable and creative place at Dana Hall. We are friendly, encouraging and outspoken. As a class, we have supported one another as we have focused on our academics, built new relationships and tried out new ideas. We are proud of our Dana Hall education and our class’s focus on social responsibility. As 83 students from six states and six countries, the Class of 2023 has strived to expand our perspectives and curiously discover the world around us. Thank you to every activist, artist, athlete, performer, scholar, scientist, and writer who has made the Class of 2023 the best!

We are now headed off to different parts of the world. We will embark on remarkable journeys and meet new people. Yet, the four years we spent with the Dana Hall Class of 2023 will always be true and dear to each of us. In five years, we will reunite in the new Classroom Building, joking and reminiscing about our brilliant youth. We will cherish our time at Dana, a place where we will always be welcome.

Your 2023

Class Historians, Jessica Du & Sunny Shi