Manisha Ratakonda (left) and Kate Yager, both Class of 2016, show their support at a One Hockaday spirit rally.
by m a nish a r ata konda | Class of 2016 When I first came to Hockaday in kindergarten, I remember looking up to the older girls with admiration and awe.
so, the environment at Hockaday has
This year, the One Hockaday program
never been a cutthroat one. Out of the 123
gave us the chance to meet with
girls in the senior class, there has always
students in Lower and Middle School
been someone to help teach a concept,
through various activities, and seeing
to provide a shoulder to cry on, and to
how excited the younger girls were
laugh at jokes (even the really bad ones).
and how much they appreciated us was extremely meaningful.
They were all intelligent, polite, and caring – everything I wanted to be
The girls in my grade have helped define
when I grew up. Occasionally we would
my schooling experience, and I hope
As President of the Athletics Board this
have activities planned with Middle
through One Hockaday, students will
year, the board members and I have
and Upper School, and these days
be able to build a community not only
had the opportunity to begin a new
were extremely special to me; they
with the girls in their grade, but with
tradition of having all-school pep rallies
gave me the opportunity to socialize
girls throughout the entire school.
through One Hockaday. Seeing girls
with the girls who I so admired.
It helps us in our pursuit to live in
of all ages sitting in the bleachers and
line with the School’s Cornerstones.
cheering for our varsity athletes has
Now, as a senior in Upper School, it’s
Character education is extremely
been very thrilling, and we hope it is a
crazy to think that I’m now one of the
important, and grouping younger
tradition that the School continues.
“older girls.” After being at Hockaday for
girls with older students gives us the
13 years, I understand the importance
chance to be active role models and
One Hockaday has built a stronger school
of having a community. I’ve been
think about what we want the younger
community this year, and will hopefully
surrounded by the most knowledgeable
students to see when they look up to us.
continue to do so for years to come.
and talented girls and faculty, but even spring
2016
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