Hilltop
N EWS F ROM C A M P US
CAMPUS LIFE
Set in Stone
If you look closely as you meander through campus, you will discover beautiful and smooth, hand-painted stones tucked at the edges of paths, near the steps of buildings, or sometimes in the most unexpected nooks and crannies of inside spaces. Each fall, students in the humanities course, “The Search for Meaning,” paint these mandala stones during a unit on Buddhism. When Tibetan Buddhist monks complete sand mandalas, an essential final step is to wipe the sand away and destroy the creation, putting the emphasis on the journey rather than the final product. Throughout the year, the mandala stones rest on the classroom windowsill, witness to the class’s journey. When the year ends, students each choose a sacred place to leave their stone where weather and time naturally test their permanence. 1. Colby Boyce ’24
laughter of generations of tech students live in Elva’s Bell is rung after its walls. I am not the every win, so I have only student to feel this chosen this spot for my love of sports and winning, is a sacred place. Every year, when we clean and as well as the great memories with my team it sweep away the sawdust, we find mandala stones brings back. from past years, students 2. Daniel Heroux ’23 consecrating this place in I will be putting my stone their own minds like I do. by the stairs next to the hockey rink. My best and 6. Jacob Kettwig ’23 worst memories have I will be leaving my mostly happened there. mandala stone with the The beauty of a great win rocks and pebbles outside or grand loss are what the front entrance of make it so special. Akerstrom Arena. Hockey is what planted my roots 3. Elvin Stowell ’23 here at KUA and the bond I will leave my mandala with the people in that stone in the small, grassy locker room was really area outside the eastern something special. We wall of the weight room, went on to do great things near the downstairs together throughout the door to enter the gym season. and locker rooms. This location looks out over 7. Jai White ’23 the meadow toward I will give my stone to the Grantham range, a Ms. Lord. She is by far the beautiful view I consider most influential person to one of the best on me on this campus. Ms. campus. Lord makes my day every time I see her, and she has 4. Freya Liu ’23 been a major reason why I am in my room, looking I enjoy being at KUA. In at the leaves dancing with my three years here, I took the wind. Sun is bright, only one course with her, wind is comfortable, and anthropology—the most everything is perfect. enjoyable class I’ve ever There are bowls I made taken. and tarot cards I like to draw when I am 8. Kylie Donovan ’23 feeling misery. I seem to I have decided the farm is understand why I pick my the perfect place for me room as my sacred place. to put my mandala stone. I am choosing the farm—in 5. Isabel Brozen ’24 front of the red shed— The theater tech shop has because so many special always been a place of memories have happened legends in my mind. The there all through my time stories, work, stress, and at KUA. 4 18
KIMBALL UNION MAGAZINE
9. Madisun Lacasse ’23
My sacred place is in front of the Meriden Congregational Church’s “Black Lives Matter” sign. I picked this place because the sign is representative of me because I am African American and knowing that they care about the “Black Lives Matter” culture really puts a smile on my face.
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10. Tatum Rivers ’23
I will leave my stone by the big tree on the grass area between Dexter-Richards and the church. I love the spot as it has a great view of the sunset. When I spend time there, there are rarely other people around and it feels very peaceful. I love just lying in the grass while looking at the trees, sky, and the birds that fly by.
11. Tom Huang ’23
I am writing this in Doe Dining, and this is the place I will put my stone. This place gives me a sense of relaxation. I spend the most time with my friends here and in front of those friends I don’t need to put on a mask, I can just be myself.
12. Will Kramer ’23
I will be leaving my stone down by Janie’s Bench near Chellis Pond, overlooking Pope Field and the scenery behind it. My stone can sit and enjoy the nice summer weather while waiting for autumn leaves to fall as new and returning kids trot onto Pope Field in September.