’23 Penny B. Evins to take the reins as Holton’s eighth Head of School

The Holton-Arms Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Penny B. Evins as Holton’s eighth Head of School. Evins is a seasoned school leader who brings deep experience working collaboratively with faculty, staff, trustees, families, students and alums to strengthen school communities–always keeping the needs of the students front and center.

Read letter from Board of Trustees here!

With nearly a decade of experience serving as Head at two other prestigious independent schools–including Collegiate School in Richmond and St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore–Evins has an exceptional record of building strong, lasting relationships and motivating those around her to be the best versions of themselves.

With that said, Jones thought it fit to bestow a few words of wisdom upon Evins before she arrives on campus July 1.

Dear Penny,

As you take up the mantle as Holton-Arms’ eighth Head of School, here are a few thoughts that will hopefully help you to get a running start. In no particular order:

Holton loves initials and we call all kinds of things from rooms to classes to programs by their initials. The main conference room is referred to as the FCL, for Father’s Club Lounge (more to that origin story for another time); the TSR, standing for Trustee Seminar Room, is a meeting room in the Marriott Library; the Advancement Center has a meeting room called the ZMR for Zalcman Meeting Room. The Junior Lounge is often referred to as the JL, and the Senior Lounge as the slounge. You already know about LW3; USPH is United States Political History, the eighth grade history class; AGAES (pronounced ages) is Advanced Global Applications in Environmental Science, an advanced course in the science department. Just to get you started…

Find the staircases – there are four in the Lower School alone and more than twelve altogether. I just discovered two I didn’t know about.

There are several traditions associated with seniors that are sacrosanct, the first being Senior Spirit Day which takes place on seniors’ last day of classes. It involves a class video, dancing, singing, pizza, and ice cream (all before 10 a.m.), but THE most important part of the event is the slip-and-slide down Granger Hill. It’s an elaborate creation of plastic sheeting, soft bumpers, pipes, hoses, water, and dish soap. My first year, two girls ended up in the ER, one with the other’s front teeth in her forehead. Hazardous, to be sure, and so much fun. I recommend trying it, but make sure you’re properly dressed.

Graduation stands out as one of the most consequential events of the year, of course. It takes place in the amphitheater and the students are deeply attached to the symbolism of walking across the bridge and back. Short of a monsoon or hurricane, you should do everything possible to hold graduation outside in the amphitheater.

Speaking of seniors, lipsync, which happens every other year, is no longer a competition. Regardless, you already know, even months or a year in advance, that the best performance belongs to the seniors.

Many people’s favorite annual event is the Thanksgiving Assembly, one of the few times in the year we gather as a full school. Just like a Thanksgiving dinner menu, any proposed changes should be treated with due consideration for tradition.

Members of the community have great affection for the Holton plaid. It is so ubiquitous that it can become a neutral, as it does on Fridays when Middle Schoolers are free to wear any shirt they wish. Plaid and tie-dye? Don’t let the clashing colors and patterns offend your sensibilities.

I would strongly recommend memorizing the Alma Mater, the school song, as it is traditionally sung several times a year, and it is often quoted. Not having to refer to the program for the words will serve you well “far into the distant future” and demonstrate that you are “keeping standards high.” Moreover, “be we far or nigh,” students or alumnae may spontaneously sing it – at a school for Sikh orphans in India, in the lobby of a House office building, or upon winning a championship – so it’s good to be prepared.

While the “education of the mind, the soul, and the spirit” is central to all we do, it’s the motto, I will find a way or make one, that many find most compelling. Be ready for conversations about how it served as a guiding star for an alumna or to have a parent advise you that you’re not living up to it when you don’t make the exception they want.

Finally, as alumna and Assistant Upper School Director Lisa Craig told me when I started, when in doubt, ask yourself: “What would Mrs. Holton do?””