Annual Day

On May 18, the yearbook staff presented the 57th edition of the Phoenix, Hammond’s yearbook, in a school-wide assembly in Fawcett Indoor Stadium This year, the Phoenix’s editor-in-chief was senior Adela Mikell, with Lauren Asbill and Mattie Crosland serving as junior editors They, along with faculty advisor Heather Hansberry, spoke during the assembly, sharing this year’s yearbook theme as well as the yearbook’s honorees.

The theme of the 2023 Phoenix was “Skyhawk Pride,” described on the opening page as “the energy we bring, not just to the field, but to the classroom, the arts, and our service projects ” The theme was integrated into the student and faculty pages, which featured their reflections on what makes them proud to be a Skyhawk.

The yearbook was dedicated to upper school teacher Michael Rice, who teaches honors biology and AP environmental science classes as well as science electives on topics such as anatomy and zoology Rice was honored in the yearbook for demonstrating “passion for his subject, his students, the natural world, and Hammond,” with head of school Andy North praising him for the “pure joy” that “resonates from his classroom during each lesson or lab.”

Luke Weinbach and Adela Mikell were honored as Mr. and Miss Phoenix. This honor is bestowed annually on a male and female senior who, by vote of the faculty, embody the characteristics of true Hammond leaders through leadership, character, will, and influence Luke was honored i th b k f hi “h d epodge of talents and success” and for being “humble, genuine, and inclusive ” Adela was honored as “one of the nd earnest students at Hammond” and as “one of the strongest leaders on campus ”