from the headmaster When I reflect back on my childhood days here at Rumsey, I do so with a smile on my face and a true sense of warmth in my heart. Middle school years are some of the most challenging for adolescents. It is a time of various stages of growth, of trying to figure out one’s identity, and certainly a time of testing limits. It is a time when children need the adult figures in their lives to support, guide, and center them. The faculty members who took care of me during my three years here at the School had a life changing impact on me. As a young man, I found the classroom work challenging. My successes came easier on the athletic fields, on the ice, and with the friendships I formed. It was, however, through the guidance and support of Rumsey’s faculty that I understood the importance of finding success in the classroom as well. I developed structure around my study habits and grew significantly as a student. However, what stands out in my memory the most are the lessons learned outside the classroom, spending time in the dormitory before going to dinner or on the ponds in the winter, or walking back from the practice fields after sports. It was dorm parents saying good night, and for those alumni who are old enough to recall, having that front seat in the van. There is something special about being part of this close knit supportive family. Students may not fully realize the impact Rumsey’s values will have on their lives until they journey through life beyond Rumsey; only then will they begin to appreciate the foundation that was laid here. I recall the summer before my senior year in college, I’d made the decision to work at Rumsey’s Summer School. While I did not teach, I was given many other responsibilities that provided me the opportunity to begin giving back to a place that was so pivotal in my life and helped shape the person I am today. Many years later, I remain just as committed and thankful to this special place. I am certainly not the only alumnus to feel this way, as there are ten of us here at Rumsey. It is inevitable that all schools must evolve in order to stay relevant. As we embark on a comprehensive strategic planning process, I am personally thrilled to create a roadmap to identify areas of need and growth. This process will highlight all that we have done and will continue to do well, while providing a clear framework on which to help guide the future plans of Rumsey. I look forward to sharing more about this process as the year continues. It is important to note, that we would not be where we are today without the dedication, leadership, and support of all those who came before us. While we must always look to our future, we must also honor our 119-year history of effort, family, and community as the core of who we are as a school. As you read through this Spring edition of Rarebits you will see traditions, celebrations, recognitions, remembrances and moments of daily life here on campus. Thank you to families from all over the world, and down the road, for giving us the opportunity to work with your children, and thank you to our faithful Alumni who keep in touch or who have the chance to return to this beautiful valley and school family that provided them the opportunity to preserve their childhoods. Sincerely,
Matthew Hoeniger ’81 P’11, ’15 Headmaster
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