From the Head of School

The fi nal months of the spring semester are always memorable on our hilltop, replete with joyful Sixth Form traditions, fi nal artistic performances and athletic contests, and moments for seniors to engage in those “last” conversations with friends and faculty in the dining hall and dorm common rooms. They culminate in the tradition of Commencement, the satisfaction and pride of earning a Canterbury diploma, the departing drive down Aspetuck Avenue, and the excitement of college matriculations. And before the quiet summer months take hold, alumni light up the campus in early June as they arrive for long-awaited reunions with old friends and classmates.

As we know, with the arrival of the pandemic in March, this spring took a signifi cant turn—a turn that was felt sharply by our Class of 2020, who were eagerly anticipating the pinnacle moments of their Canterbury journey. Yet, as quickly as their disappointment and frustration came, so did their resilience and strength. Their character and compassion became highly evident as we moved through the last few months of the school year—amid a global health crisis intertwined with a national call for racial justice—and their leadership and initiative have forever raised the bar for classes to come. Most of all, they pushed our collective gratitude for our community to an entirely new level.

We off er this issue of Pallium in celebration of the extraordinary Class of 2020.

It is a collection of thoughts and images; tributes to award winners and academic, artistic, and athletic achievements; and a reprise of heartfelt and inspirational Commencement messages. It details how their bonds and connections remained strong, even from a distance, as they and their teachers made the remarkable shift to virtual learning. It applauds how they transformed their passions into purpose, strengthening the student experience and sense of belonging on our hilltop.

As we read the stories of our community chronicled in this issue, stories which also herald the work of our alumni battling COVID-19 on the frontlines of healthcare and dedicating their life’s work to racial equity, we are reminded of the profound relevance of Canterbury’s mission—to inspire moral leaders in a complex, secular world. Indeed, the need for well-educated, ethically minded, compassionate, and inclusive leaders has never been greater.

With continuing best wishes for your health and safety … and Godspeed to the great Class of 2020!

Rachel E. Stone P ’23, ’24 Head of School