FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Friends,

These are historic times, indeed. However, while the COVID-19 pandemic has required many sacrifices and changes to our daily life, Gill St. Bernard’s continues to thrive. This fall, I have been amazed at the resiliency of our faculty, students and their families. I am heartened that we are back in this place that has been so special for more than a hundred years. Although our school was forced to pivot to remote learning in late March, today students are here and in person. It is wonderful to hear their voices on campus. Granted, we now wear masks and stay six feet apart, but we are here. Life goes on in Gladstone.

As we welcome the New Year, we take this opportunity to reflect on the past academic year. We celebrate the times we were together as well as mark the moment when world events forced us to drastically pivot to virtual learning and remote living. Above all, the various articles also demonstrate how we remained connected during such challenging times. Some highlight many in person events including Homecoming and the tremendous production of Pippin. In the latter, we honor Venus Nedd, a devoted Gill parent who has freely given of her time to the GSB Players for two decades. Long after her daughters graduated, she shared her talents as a hair and makeup artist helping our actors to shine on stage. We commend our boys’ soccer team for capturing “Five Titles” last year, and honor Coach Bednarsky for being named Coach of the Year. We mourn the passing of Junie Hockenbury, a steadfast and beloved campus presence for 75 years, who meticulously mowed our fields, cared for our horses, and was as timeless as the land.

I hope you enjoy the magazine – its pages document this momentous and turbulent year-- reminding us that together, we will survive and even thrive. It is, in fact, the members of the GSB Class of 2020 who, having missed many of the rites of passage, demonstrated the best example of how to adapt to adversity with strength, resilience, and kindness.

Regards,

S.A. Rowell Head of School