A SWEET GESTURE

Elliott Stay ’27, a new 8th grader, was following a suggestion from his dad, Steve Stay P’27, Executive Assistant to the Head and Registrar, when he started baking and handing out cookies this past fall. “My dad said, ‘to help you get to know people, why don’t you make cookies?’” What began as a goodwill gesture has evolved into a weekly tradition during Monday assembly, one that the whole community eagerly anticipates with a drumroll as Elliott calls out the names of that week’s 12 lucky recipients. Elliott’s weekly list is generated randomly, but his cookies are a labor of love. “I do enjoy it, but I’m not a professional,” Elliott said. Each Sunday he works on a new batch, drawing inspiration from cookbooks borrowed from the library. He takes into account food allergies and tries a new recipe each week, which can sometimes make for a stressful Sunday. “This week it was s’mores squares with graham cracker crust, chocolate fudge, and homemade marshmallow fluff,” said Elliott. “I was close to crying; the fudge burnt to the bottom of the pan, I had to smash the crust into the pan with my fist and that hurt, and the marshmallow fluff was a whole ordeal. My mom had to help with that.”

So far, Elliott has made well over 150 cookies, and sweetened the day for that many classmates. Cookies aren’t necessary to forge friendships among Greenie brothers, but they sure don’t hurt. “It can be a lot of work, but I enjoy doing it,” Elliott said. “I hope to continue baking cookies next year.” n