2024–2025 Sixth Form Issue by The Hill News

THE HILL NEWS

VERBA VOLANT, SCRIPTA MANENT

5 2

Congratulations Class of 2025!

By HILTON JOHNSON ’25 Student Government Co-President

Class of 2025,

We made it.

It is an incredible feeling in these last few days that this is our last time at Hill. We have had a lifetime growing up together here– in the tuff, the incredibly funny, the unforgettable. And now we prepare to go our separate ways. As student government co-president, I only want to say to you, I am proud of us.

Let’s take it back for a minute. Third form. We were all brand new, having just come back from a global pandemic that

changed the world. We got lost around campus; we worked out how much we despised breakfast check-in and sports with masks on. We were clueless, awkward and excited. That is how we started this journey.

4th form year came in fast. We were not the youngest anymore and we found our voices. We have learned how to juggle sports, classes and the crazy dorm life of Foster and Rolfe. We started to realize what it was to be a part of the Hill – not just coming to school here, but being here. This was a year packed with late night talks and getting in trouble.

By 5th form year, it got serious. We were to lead - on the field, in the classroom and in the dorms. We began to consider college and what the world may become outside our bubble. We were upperclassmen but still we

had so much to figure out. Still, we showed up. Those long practices, difficult assignments and laughs when all we felt were our heads were exploding, we pulled through. And yet, this was also the year in which we found confidence. We knew who we were.

And finally… 6th form year. This was our time. Our last first day. Our final Lawrenceville Weekend (and the one we did win in spirit if not in the score). We were able to sit up front in the chapel and hold the traditions that make Hill what it is. We became mentors. We gave speeches. We planned events. We did the Hill values out loud and we were heart led. We have passed on traditions that made us – chapel talks that made us laugh and cry and the rivalry weekends that united the entire school and Then there were the little moments like pack-

ing a blue light game to get behind our teams, sitting on the quad when it was nice out and playing J-Ball for the last time. These are not just memories; they are us now. As we venture into the next chapter, whether you are going to college,doing a gap year, or have not quite figured it out yet; you did it. We have become this place. We have stumbled, we have failed, we have won together. That is what matters. Class of 2025, you are my people. Thank you. For the laughs, for the support, the late night chats and the real moments. I have never felt prouder standing next to a group of people than I do right now. Here is to us; once students, now alumni forever. We did it.

Beth Allain made Hill feel like loving home

By AUSTIN DUNN ’25 STAFF WRITER

Beth Allain’s presence at Hill did not go unnoticed; she was one of the brightest lights on campus, with a smile that could light up any room.

To many of us, she was a friend, but to me, she was my advisor, which made us family. Looking back, it is clear that her influence extended far beyond the advisory meetings; she shaped our perspectives and touched our lives in profound ways that deserve to be remembered and celebrated.

When I first arrived on campus, I was terrified. I immediately regretted my decision. I was certain I had made the biggest mistake I could have ever made. When I pulled onto campus with all my stuff, Allain was there waiting for me. She was the first experience I had while at Hill. In a matter of moments, I felt as if I had found my place and found my new family.

This initial encounter set the tone

for a relationship that would become a cornerstone of my time at the school. Beyond that crucial first impression, Allain consistently provided a sense of stability and warmth. Her office became a safe space where I knew I could always find a listening ear and genuine encouragement. Whether navigating academic challenges, dealing with homesickness, or simply needing a friendly face, she was always there, offering guidance with the enthusiasm she carried everywhere she went. In these countless small moments, often over casual conversations, the bond of ‘family’ truly solidified. If there were one thing about her, it was that she would never let anyone walk past. You would often find her near the entrance to the academic building or just outside her office door, constantly pausing her tasks to take the time to stop and check in with whoever was about to walk past.

There was absolutely nothing that would stop her from doing this; rain or shine, day or night, you could reliably assume that Allain was going to offer a warm smile, a friendly greeting, and make your day just that much better. One particular instance stands out vividly. During my fourth form year, I had a very tough time with everything, academically and personally. I felt overwhelmed and doubted my ability to succeed. Allain noticed how I was acting differently; she was the only person to see. Instead of offering generic advice and solutions, she took the time out of her day to have lunch with me so I could find the solution. In this time of feeling lost, I knew I was not alone once I saw her, and whatever happened, I knew she would be there. Her support and belief in my capabilities made all the difference. From this, I was able to get everything in order so that I could regain my confi-

dence and return to my usual self. Allain was so much more than an Adviser; she was family. I knew I could always trust her with anything, big or small. We all have that one per-

son who makes a place; for me, that is her. I miss her dearly, but I know she is in a better place surrounded by everything and everyone she loves.

Gettings reflects on his time as form adviser to the Class of 2025

By EMERSON LEGER ’25 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As the last brick is placed into the ground, Matthew Gettings will close his chapter of being a form adviser for good. Gettings has served as the Class of 2025’s form adviser for the past four years. From planning socials, retreats, and leading the various Friday after-school form meetings, Gettings has cherished his time advising the Class of 2025.

“It has been a good experience. It does sometimes fall on challenging times when you are busy but most of the interaction I have had with the form has been positive interactions - socials, retreats. I really enjoy getting to know people,” stated Gettings.

His role as a form adviser at Hill started back in the 1990s, when Hill was still an all-boys school. Back then, form advisers did not rotate, which resulted in Gettings being a sixth form adviser for three years. Throughout the many years of serving in this position, his love for it has never dwindled.

“For the most part, it has a lot of connection with people in trying to support them in different ways, and that is really rewarding and fulfilling,” said Gettings.

One activity from his time with the Class of 2025 that stood out to him was the fourth form trip to Dorney Park. Gettings is all about connection, and those trips allow him to spend time with his form outside the classroom and athletic fields.

Faculty Coffee with the Sixth Form has served as that type of connection over this school year. Gettings mentioned that since he went to public school for high school, he did not have these types

of opportunities with his teachers.

“It gives me a different view of individual students but also of the class as a whole,” said Gettings.

Last year’s white water rafting trip was a bonding experience Gettings loved for the Class of 2025. Once on the water, students had no distractions except for what was to be done on the water, and no notifications buzzing from cellphones or worries about school work. Events that allow the form to be completely focused on one another are what make that great connectional experience Gettings admired.

“It’s been a good experience. It does sometimes fall on challenging times when you’re busy but most of the interaction I’ve had with the form has been positive interactions - socials, retreats. I really enjoy getting to know people.”

—Matthew

itive things and have realized it’s not just about them,” said Gettings.

your job knowing you are making a difference,” explained Gettings.

Gettings, Advisor to Class

of 2025

“Every time we can do something a little different as a form and not think about schoolwork or the pressures of life, are my favorite moments,” said Gettings.

As the Class of 2025 departs campus, Gettings knows that their legacy will not be forgotten. From third form year to sixth form year, the Class of 2025 has grown and impacted the Hill Community in positive ways.

“I think significant numbers of this class have really done pos-

After the sixth form jumps in the Dell and departs, it will be an abrupt and new change Gettings described. However, having teaching members of the Class of 2026 within the classroom on the field as a coach, he is ready to help from the sidelines with their sixth form year.

While looking ahead to his less active role next year, Gettings looks back at how the current sixth formers have changed since being third formers, when they just started out on their Hill journey.

“I have seen the physical growth, people do change a lot from third formers to sixth formers, but also just the emotional and personal growth,” explained Gettings.

Life after Hill is hard to conceive, but having lived through it all, Gettings offered wisdom and advice as the Class of 2025 heads to college and beyond.

Gettings encourages the class to “Try to look to the future with a goal of enjoying your career.”

At Hill, students often can get caught up in perfect performance, and that can carry on throughout life. While that is not a bad characteristic, Gettings emphasized to focus on what makes you happy rather than the paycheck. He has come to learn this throughout his life.

“Education does not pay so well, but the bills sort of take care of themselves, especially if you are getting up every day happy to do

“Most people work 30-40 years of their life, so to work in jobs you do not really like would not be living, so embrace your future.”

In his time as a form adviser, teacher and coach at Hill over the decades, Gettings has impacted the community. He thoroughly enjoyed his last experience serving in the role of a form adviser.

“The good certainly outweighs the bad,” said Gettings.

“I’ve

seen the physical growth, people do change a lot from third formers to sixth formers, but also just the emotional and personal growth.”

—Matthew

Gettings, Advisor to Class of 2025

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW GETTINGS

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH BENDER

PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTIN DUNN ‘25

Beth Allain with her advisory.

Matthew Gettings taking a selfie with members of the Class of 2025.

Matthew Gettings poses on the library steps with members of the Class of 2025 on College T-Shirt Day.

Matthew Gettings with members of the Class of 2025 during commencement.

Nelson departs campus after devoting her life to Hill

By RENA ZHANG ’25 STAFF WRITER

The Hill School Center for the Arts is like home to me. The familiar symphony of string and brass instruments, choir and jazz ensemble echoes throughout the hollow walls of the auditorium. The laughter of teachers and students remains eternal in the band room upstairs. However, an image that I will miss most after this school is the long, narrow hallway that leads up to the studio art room.

No matter the hour—whether under thunderstorm skies or golden afternoon light—that hallway always promised one thing: the quiet, steady presence of Ellen Nelson. Perched at her desk like a wise owl keeping watch, she will be there, typing away, half-lost in thought. And yet, the moment you stepped through the door, her eyes would lift, and that knowing smile—one that felt like it held the universe’s gentlest secrets—would meet you.

“Hey Rena, how are you doing?” she would ask warmly.

I would reply the same, before diving into the deepest, most existentially inquisitive questions about art, fear, human existence and beyond. They were questions on the edge of our language, one can only wish to fathom, questions that only Nelson was able to encourage me to travel to the end of my mind and attempt to answer.

Nelson’s relationship with Hill began long before many of us ever arrived here in this world. A true daughter of this place, she was raised on campus in Wendell dormitory, the child of two beloved faculty members, Winnie and Dick O’Shaughnessy ’50.

Nelson would go on to build a life that honored that legacy and extended it further, returning to The Hill in 1987 to begin her own 38-year journey as a teacher, mentor, leader and artist.

“I look back and I think about the places on campus I can still see through a child’s eyes. It is really neat to be in a space for so long that I literally watched the trees grow. I think what I will miss most about this school is the trees and the pathway, and of course, the people. But this space is just so powerful because it is alive, it is a vessel for memory. It is almost an accumulative effect,” Nelson reminisced.

The cumulative energy of the school, the powerful memories that it holds for Nelson and her past, are what she will look back on with the fondest remembrance. Among these is the Alumni Chapel. She recalled the worn Alumni Chapel steps that were replaced with new ones, a melancholy yet powerful image that she had soaked in.

“When I was a little kid and hanging around outside near the chapel, the chimes would ring, and I

would count, one, two, three, four…, and knew exactly that I had to run home when it rang six times,” she said with a gaze that seemed for a second to have returned to the same little girl who listened to those harmonious sounds at golden sundown.

In those soft melodies from a distant memory she found a sense of belonging, a feeling that all of humankind searched for their whole lives.

- Ellen Nelson, Senior Master Teacher of the Arts

“There was a period in my life when I did not feel like I belonged. I was a girl on a male campus, it was basically a male bastion! And my father being protective of me, told me that I was not to roam around as an adolescent girl. When I got this job,I felt I belonged again! So this feeling of belonging, not belonging, and then a return to belonging is very powerful… There was that evolution that deepens ones experience when you go through that ebb and flow,” explained Nelson.

Nelson has worn many hats—Senior Master Teacher of the Arts, chair of the arts department, coordinator of the Boyer Gallery, faculty adviser and chair of the Women of The Hill.

“To maintain The Women of the Hill, in the time back then, was really needed and important to me. As culture shifts, as we went co-ed, I still felt like that sisterhood was necessary for me to feel like a part of not only the community at large, but within the female community. I gained strength and empowerment through the sisterhood we built together. I wanted to try to continue to hone and foster those special opportunities,” said Nelson.

The Hill’s story is inseparable from hers going forward, this story will continue to be written through the words of not only, Nelson herself, but also the people who have been influenced by her powerful presence. When I asked her at last, what she wished her legacy at the Hill school to be, she replied a profound question.

“Why are we put on this earth? We are put on this earth to make

lives better,” answered Nelson.

On this earth, we are put on to experience happiness, a collective end to us all.

“Comfort, connection. If we’re not about that, then why are we doing this? To me, it was never really just about the art. It is about caring and the nurturing, and making sure that my students and friends get the message that I care about them. It is that overarching thing that my heart is reaching out to your heart. That would be my answer. There are enough broken hearts in this world. I certainly do not need to be contributing to it. I counter all the sadness, at least that is what I try to do, and I hope my legacy would be not necessarily all the things that the students learned academically. Those are second tier things. The first tier is what I learned from my friends, my students and everyone else: how to be a good friend,” explained Nelson.

“To maintain The Women of the Hill, in the time back then, was really needed and important to me. As culture shifts, as we went co-ed, I still felt like that sisterhood was necessary for me to feel like a part of not only the community at large, but within the female community. I gained strength and empowerment through the sisterhood we built together. I wanted to try to continue to hone and foster those special opportunities.”

- Ellen Nelson, Senior Master Teacher of the Arts

As I laughed with her in the midst of the studio art room at how simple it all sounded, yet how deep and complex the connections we build with others can be, Irealized something. I realized that genuine human connection is, at the end of the day, what makes us good creations.

Nelson’s legacy at Hill is not just the grand title of the master of arts, or a highly esteemed member of the women at hill. It is the chaotic familiarity and freedom she gives to the studio art classroom, the walls of spaces she provides for students’ colorful and passionate paintings to illuminate the gloomiest days, the smiles of those whom we had the pleasure of tasting one of her famous

As the Nelsons depart from campus to their house in Maine, they each leave parts of their caring and loving hearts here on campus with us and the future classes and faculty

homemade desserts on a random Thursday morning. That’s it: Mrs. Nelson’s legacy is of Giving and Love.

come. Just like the kind swaying trees in a summer breeze, chimes of the distant chapel bells, the delicate robin egg shells Nelson once showed me with quiet wonder—life will continue here. It moves forward, always, but never without love by its side.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLEN NELSON

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLEN NELSON PHOTO

Sometimes you need to wrestle like a girl

By LEXI LUBCZENKO ’25 SPORTS EDITOR

The summer before I came to Hill, I tried out for the Shotokan Karate US Junior National Team and would never have seen myself as a college-bound wrestler four years later.

I had signed up for wrestling to help strengthen my takedowns in karate, which I had considered my “main sport”.

Honestly, I did not love karate. There were many rules and each match is monitored by multiple judges using flags to give each karateka points or warnings.

Karate is not just a sport, but a martial art. We were required to be respectful to referees and could not argue much with their decisions.

I often entered and left matches with anxiety because every point had to be non-negotiable and “clean” (meaning at my age, an attack to the head could not make contact, but still needed to be precise). With karate came this constant struggle for perfection and precision that took a toll on me mentally.

I had trained karate for almost five years (since I was nine years old), but I was not a black belt - I was the rank directly below it, but I had been winning elite tournaments for over a year. I trained MMA alongside karate and developed into a well-rounded fighter. Martial arts became my life; I spent hours a day at the dojo after school teaching classes and training with older teammates.

I then lost my first match during the National Team trials by a point and I felt like I could never win a match again.

The next January (my first year at Hill), I started wrestling practices with one other girl in the room. High school boys wrestling conditioning was much harder than karate. On my first day, I could not breathe after the warmup. Even though it was difficult and a little uncomfortable, I enjoyed learning to wrestle, especially with the other

girl who coached me through my first days. On my fifth day of practices, I tore a ligament in my arm. I was told to avoid fighting or wrestling for a few months, but there was no way that after convincing my mother to allow me to wrestle that I was going to quit. I started practicing again after two weeks, constantly telling Coach Hoffman, “I think I’m allowed to do this drill.” And when I had healed, I practiced throughout the spring club practices, finding another girl my age to learn to wrestle with.

And so, during my first season in my sophomore year, I had already fallen in love with wrestling. I loved it even when I had to practice with boys every day, even when I was left out and often would not say a single word at practice, even when I lost my first ten matches straight (and badly) to boys my age, asI still had no idea what I was doing every time I stepped foot on the mat.

I won my first few matches against girls and hoped everyone – my family, “teammates”, friends, and coaches - would stop judging me and asking, “Why are you even wrestling?” Why was I spending every day getting beat up at practice, then again in tournaments, without friends or even a regular practice partner on this team of all boys?

I’m a girl who wrestles because she loves to, and I learned that I was not alone in this scenario at all. I met girls from all over New York while wrestling on a club team, who are also the only girls in their area. Many of their schools have now started separate girls’ programs because of their achievements that brought attention to the sport.

This was what I hoped to do by becoming Hill’s first female All-American at National Preps, the most important and historical tournament of our season. Earning 3rd place and securing All-American status was the best moment of my time at Hill - not only because I hope it can mean a future for girls’ wrestling at Hill, but also because it was the culmination of years of building back my self-confidence. Al-

most 4 years prior, I had felt so much anxiety after crumbling under pressure that I believed I could never win again; but at that moment, I accomplished what I worked for and enjoyed every minute on the mat that weekend, even when I lost in my semifinal match. The moment was special because of how much I love wrestling. I want people to see that and to feel empowered to try something they’ve always wanted to do (especially martial arts or grappling!). So, what I ask you to do is wrestle life like a girl. Spend your time doing what you love especially if people oppose it, if it is inconvenient, if it is unconventional, and one

of the hardest things you have ever done. I am biased as a wrestler, but I think it is the hardest sport out there and more physically demanding than anything else I have ever done. However, it is so rewarding sometimes to pursue your passions not only out of love and curiosity, but also the opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself. I am so grateful for the small but mighty community I found in the movement to grow women’s wrestling, and I hope to see the growth of

Charlie Hewitt: From Hill to Yale, a legacy in the making

By FINLEY LEGER ’25 STAFF WRITER

For Charlie Hewitt, football has always been more than just a game, it has been a lifelong passion.

“What started it all was just my love for the sport and watching football with my family,” Hewitt shared. Growing up a fan of both the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots, Hewitt’s early experiences in flag football soon blossomed into a full commitment when he transitioned to tackle football around the age of ten. Playing quarterback came naturally to him, aided by his years of baseball experience that sharpened his arm and athletic instincts.

Hewitt still vividly remembers his first tackle football practice after moving to Massachusetts.

“I walked into practice, and right away I was paired with some of the top kids on the team,” he recalled. A volunteer coach, who specialized in working with quarterbacks, took Hewitt under his wing.

“That day really started it all for me,” he said. It was a moment that not only sparked his growth as a player but also set the foundation for everything that would follow.

When it came time for high school, Hewitt

found something special at The Hill School. “The biggest difference at Hill was the people,” he said. Unlike past teams with hundreds of players, Hill’s tight-knit environment created a brotherhood.

“For four years, my main friend group was ten football guys. Every practice, every game, it felt like hanging out with your best friends.” That camaraderie made every moment more meaningful and created memories that would last far beyond the final whistle.

One memory stands out in particular: beating Lawrenceville his freshman year. It was Hewitt’s first taste of the Hill-Lawrenceville rivalry, and it could not have gone better.

“Being able to tell my grandfather where I am going made me feel proud

that everything

I worked for was worth it. ”

—Charlie Hewitt, Class of 2025

After the starting quarterback was benched, Hewitt stepped in and played nearly three quarters — including throwing the game-winning

touchdown with about a minute left. “Scoring that touchdown captured exactly what Hill football felt like — achieving your goals with your friends by your side,” he said. The celebration afterward, with the entire school rushing the field, was a scene he’ll never forget.

Off the field, football helped shape Hewitt into a leader. As a two-year captain, he learned the importance of guiding others, knowing when to push teammates, when to encourage them, and when to listen.

“Learning how to lead men is something a lot of people do not have these days,” Hewitt said.

“Football taught me how to take feedback and give it, and that has been huge for my growth as a person.”

Reflecting on his journey, Hewitt said he would tell his freshman self to “keep doing what you are doing.” The hard work, early mornings, all paid off.

“I feel like I accomplished my goals,” Hewitt said. It is a lesson he will carry into the next chapter of his life — playing football at Yale University.

Choosing Yale was an easy decision for Hewitt. The combination of outstanding academics and a strong football program was unmatched. “There are not many colleges that offer a more powerful degree, and the football team

has won three of the last five Ivy League championships,” he said. The new facilities and the historic 60,000-seat Yale Bowl only made the decision sweeter. “It was a no-brainer for me.”

“Football taught me how to take feedback and give it, and that has been huge for my growth as a person.”

—Charlie Hewitt, Class of 2025

But for Charlie, heading to Yale carries an even deeper meaning. Both The Hill School and Yale are family legacies — his grandfather also played football for Yale.

“Being able to tell my grandfather where I am going made me feel proud that everything I worked for was worth it,” he said. Representing his family and Hill on such a grand stage means everything to him, and he hopes to pave the way for future Hill athletes to chase similar dreams.

As Hewitt looks ahead to Yale, his journey so far tells a story of dedication, leadership, and love for the game. His legacy at Hill is secure — not just as a great quarterback, but as a true teammate and leader.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLIE HEWITT

the sport here at Hill.

Charlie Hewitt posing with a trophy at Yale.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLIE HEWITT Charlie Hewitt during a football game playing for Hill.

Lexi Lubczenko ‘25 during her last media day with Hill Wrestling.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HILL SNAPSHOTS

Starting Technology Student Association at Hill

By CAYDEN CUBBIN ’25 STAFF WRITER

At the Technology Students Association (TSA) National Conference last year, I was walking alongside a friend from my old school district whom I had met up with, and we were discussing how far we had come.

We started TSA at the same time at our middle school and were involved in many events together until COVID-19 came around the next year and I parted ways to come to Hill.

I haven’t stepped foot in a Boyertown building since then, but they stayed, among the rest of our chapterand worked over the years to win events nationally and become state officers, extremely prestigious accomplishments within the competition. This is what our conversation was about: had I not gone to Hill and rather stayed home with their highly

successful chapter, would I have been able to achieve these titles as well?

Would my own experience in TSA throughout high school be more successful if I had a sound base and did not have to make the program myself?

Hill has been a catalyst for so many changes in my life, from crew to cross country to theatre, but TSA has been the only constant between my life now and before Hill.

However, when I had to bring it here to Hill, it became very different in my mind. My job was not to build things and prepare for a competition, it was now to advertise,communicate and register a chapter so that they could prepare for a competition.

When we first started, the only two people in the school who even knew what TSA was were Drew Ward ‘25 and I, so until we could take the program to the State competition,

which would not be for another year and a half, we had to run the team off our promises alone that this was worth it. Despite this, we found a strong initial group that helped lead us through the years and eventually grew into a successful program within the state.

Many schools who do TSA have been doing it for decades. They have advisors who either did it as students or had advised the program for many years and most significantly did not have a three-week long winter break in the middle of each work season. This taken into consideration, the fact that we have been able to accomplish so much in only four years speaks to the team’s dedication and high quality of work at this school, and I am so proud of them.

I combed over these things when talking with my friend and realized that, while they were probably right,

coming to Hill has completely shifted the idea of TSA in my mind. It just was not about the competition for me anymore. TSA was the chapter I created at home, the people I had brought together into this program,

and I would not give that experience up for anything. It is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done, and I am excited to see where the students who carry it on after I graduate go.

Class secretaries look ahead to next chapter

By MALLORY ROHRBAUGH ’25 & HARRY WHALEY ’25 STAFF WRITER

Whether you have been here for one, two, three, or all four years, our time at Hill has certainly flown. It is hard to believe that in only a few short days we will be jumping in the Dell and our time as Hill students will come to an end. No more 7:30 check-in; no more required speakers; and no more academic dress. However, this also means no more late-night conversations in the common room; no more fun athletic competitions; and no more of the Hill traditions we have all grown to love. All of the moments we had hoped to experience are now behind us. We participated in pep rallies before L’Ville weekend, Hill-o-ween, H-Term (remember when we had that?), Dorm cup and cookouts, Head of School Holidays, Strawberry Festival, J-Ball, and so many more meaningful experiences that have shaped our time at Hill and have left us with lasting memories to smile and look back on for years to come. Certainly, graduation and our impending departure are bittersweet, but luckily for all of us, we are about to join another community with the Hill Alumni Association. We have both been privileged enough to engage with Alumni through our participation in the Stu-

dent Alumni Ambassador Program and each conversation has left us with excitement for the relationships we, the Class of 2025, will be able to foster with this group in the future. There are so many opportunities to continue our relationship with Hill and each other that range from local events to our class Reunion. Part of our responsibility as your Class Secretaries is to organize our Reunion every five years after we graduate, our first being the Summer of 2030. These reunions will be a time for us as a form to gather once again, reminisce, tell old stories, and catch up on our lives after Hill. For whatever reason, each of us was brought to Hill and meant to be members of this community to help carry on its traditions and shape it into the place that we know and love today. Next year and in the many years to come, we will become members of other communities all around the world, but although our network will grow and take us in many different directions, we will still be connected by our shared Hill ties. It is certainly said a lot around campus, and is a bit cringey, but no matter the distance or time, our Hill ties will never sever. Whether it is through Alumni Chapter Events, impromptu coffee dates, or coincidental meetings, there are many ways to stay connected with one another after graduation.

Although Hill Ties Never Sever, it is on us, as a form, to continue the meaningful re-

lationships we have cultivated over the past four years with each other, the faculty, and the greater Hill community. As we move out into the world and forge our own paths, please remember that you have countless Hill Ties that are here to support you, whether it be professionally, personally, etc. As class secretaries, we urge you all to take everything you have learned, experienced, and built at Hill with you through whatever path life takes you and stay in touch with each other. One of the most spe-

cial things about Hill is our unparalleled community, one that can certainly withstand where life will take each of us. Look after yourselves and each other and thank you for the past four years- they are some of the best of our lives.

All

Four years of Hill hockey taught me the value of leadership

By LIAM SHEWARD ’25 STAFF WRITER

When I laced up my skates for the last time as a Hill hockey player, I could not help but look back on the journey with pride, gratitude, and disbelief at how fast it all flew by.

From that first nerve wracking practice third form year to standing in the locker room for the final time as a co-captain my 6th form season, this team has shaped not only the player I have become, but also the person.

Being part of Hill boys hockey is more than just coming to the rink every day, it is long practices, hard-fought games, and the unbreakable bond of teammates who become family.

I remember being a 3rd former, looking up to the captains and upperclassmen, wondering if I would ever have the confidence and skill they carried around. Now, looking back, I realize they were just doing their best, the same way I tried to do mine this year.

Serving as co-captain has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life. Leadership is not just about giving pregame speeches or wearing a letter on your chest. It is about the everyday tasks, checking in on a teammate who has had a tough day at school or reassuring a younger player that they will get their time like I once got from my captains, and setting the tone in practices and games.

The humbling part comes from realizing that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about being willing to learn what you do not know. There were times this season when I made

mistakes, when I questioned my decisions, or when things just did not go the way I hoped.

In those moments, I learned the most about being a leader from my teammates, coaches, and other Captains, Henry Lord ’25, Jack Johnson ’25, Carter Williams ’25, and Ken Leary ’25.

I have learned that every moment matters. It feels like yesterday I was a third former looking up to my upperclassmen teammates and now I am graduating in three weeks.

There are going to be highs like big wins and comebacks, and there are going to be lows that test your patience and your ability to stick together as fa/mily, but every moment matters. Every bus ride, locker room joke and team dinner adds up to something you carry with you long after your final game in a Hill jersey.

To future captains, lead with heart and passion, but not for yourself. Do not think you have to be perfect because you do not have to be. What matters is showing up consistently and doing what is right, even when it is hard. Listen more, your coach is always going to know better, especially if he was in the NHL. And remember that just because you are a captain does not mean you are going to get respect, that takes time.

Hill hockey gave me more than just memories and four years of hockey. It gave me a second family, lessons I will carry forever, and a place where I felt like I truly belonged for the past four winters.

I am proud to

To the the future Hill

care of this program. It’s something truly special.

family

aspect of this team.

To future players, enjoy every moment. Do not take a single shift for granted, that is something I wish I could go back and change. Compete like it is your last game, because the day it is, you would not want to get off the ice, trust me. Make memories that last a lifetime; the inside jokes, the road trips, the late night talks in the locker room after a tough loss. That is the

have worn a Hill Hockey jersey and shared my last four years with some incredible people.

hockey players, take

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIAM SHEWARD ’25

Liam Sheward ’25 about to take the ice.

the best, Mallory Rohrbaugh ‘25 and Harry Whaley ‘25

Class Secretaries

Class Secretaries pose with Head of School Kathleen Devaney.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH BENDER

TSA members together at a Technology Student Association conference.

PHOTO BY CAYDEN CUBBIN ’25

How interviewing changed the way I see people and myself

By LEXI LUBCZENKO ’25 SPORTS EDITOR

Before coming to Hill, I took a short journalism class as an elective in middle school, right before the pandemic. That’s where I learned not only how much I liked to write, but why I wanted to keep writing articles in high school – because I loved interviewing people.

When I came to Hill, I knew I wanted to continue writing and showed up for the first Hill News meeting of the year. By interviewing students and faculty at Hill for various articles, I’ve met some of the most passionate, driven, and interesting people, all in one place. People at Hill love what they do and excel in it. Here’s some of the lessons I’ve learned from accomplished Hill community members:

I learned that many top athletes experience anxiety and have mixed fun into their pre-game rituals to help them de-stress and perform better. Fun is often necessary.

Hill needs so much money to function, and it is difficult to find financial support from alumni to start new projects. We saw this with the halted construction of the new dorm next to Dell Village, a project meant to be a swing dorm so older residences could be renovated. Don’t take Hill luxuries for granted.

The visual and performing artists at Hill are truly amazing. I’ve interviewed award-winning artists and student directors, and after asking about their inspirations, they explained just how meaningful their pieces were to them.

I have heard from captains, team members, advisory members, and roommates

talk about the relationships they have made at Hill. You can find a family here.

The most important thing I learned was how to talk to people. In middle school, I didn’t know how to interview someone. What do I ask to get a full picture? What is relevant to this story for me to ask? What background information do I need? How do I get quote about something specific?

And so I started making the most of my conversations. I found myself using skills I picked up during interviews in college interviews, on college tours and conversations with prospective coaches, and impressed adults everywhere with thoughtful and unique questions. I learned to always ask questions because I can learn something from everyone I meet.

I encourage you to at least try writing one article for us. You’ll improve at conversations with adults, learn about topics you’d never even considered before, become a better writer, impress colleges, and get to know the community you’re in. Writing and editing for THN has allowed me to receive so much advice and wisdom from some very cool people. I’ve enjoyed having conversations with community members, highlighting them and their achievements and watching them light up to talk about the work they’re being recognized for. Become a writer (and maybe an editor!) for Hill News next year, I promise you will not regret it!

LETTERS FROM

An impulsive decision led to the best experience

By KIERN LIM ’25 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Staring at the afternoon activity form on MyBackpack (not Veracross) the summer before my fourth form year, I remember being at a loss as to which afternoon activity I should choose to begin my Hill journey in the fall. I did not know what to expect, for what was an afternoon activity? Coming from a Singapore public school where there was no focus on anything aside from academics, the idea that I had to choose something creative or physical to fill my afternoon felt so foreign. Till today, I do not know what force came over me that made me click “Hill News” as my fall afternoon activity. I had no journalism experience, I did not know a thing about writing an article, or conducting an interview. Maybe it was a moment of impulse or maybe it was out of curiosity. But whatever it was, I am endlessly grateful that I picked it. What began as a blind decision has turned into the single most formative experience of my time at Hill. I remember walking into the Writing Center without any expectations (may-

be that was the best way I could have started). While listening to Mr Swartz explain what it is that Hill News does, I remember having the thought of changing afternoon activities to something less intimidating. However, after my first interview, I fell in love and have stuck to it since.

There were definitely times during which I was completely overwhelmed. I had to learn AP style, figure out how InDesign works without it crashing my laptop and chase after article after article. But I could not imagine my Hill experience without them.

Over the last three years I have spent at Hill, Hill News has become my anchor and the Writing Center my home. It was the place I returned to season after season and year after year. It was through Hill News that I found my voice and thus I would not exchange this experience for anything.

Even now, as I work on my final layout for THN, all the stress feels worth it. Every deadline chased, every email sent, every article edited and every layout done. THN has given me more than just an afternoon activity. It taught me that words matter, stories matter and being able to tell them is such a privilege.

To my 2022 self—thank you for making that rash, impulsive decision to click “Hill News” on that activity form. You had no idea what you were getting into, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions you ever made. You never regretted it—not for a second (ok, maybe for a few seconds or minutes I was forced to question my life decisions)

To the next editorial team and the ones that come after: I hope you will dive into it headfirst and embrace every moment. You will learn more than you expect and grow more than you will realise (and probably endure more stress than you expect). But it is all worth it, I promise! And to The Hill News— thank you. Thank you for challenging me, for grounding me and for showing me that sometimes the most impulsive decisions lead to the most meaningful journeys.

Above all, to all those who believed in me (y’all know who you are), thank you from the bottom of my heart! Without any of you, I would not be who I am today. Your support gave me the courage to take risks, chase opportunities, and find my voice. I could not have done any of this without you.

PHOTO BY KIERN LIM ‘25

PHOTO BY EMERSON LEGER ‘25

Lexi Lubczenko ’25 encourages students to join The Hill News

Kiern Lim ’25 challenges students to try new things and be impulsive.

Your time will come, cherish the moment

By RACHEL HWANG ’25 VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR

As I first stepped foot on the Hill School campus in 2021, I thought it would take forever for me to graduate. Little did I know that, in the blink of an eye, I would find myself just 13 days away from graduation. Throughout my short journey at the Hill School, there are a few things I regret not doing. I am sharing this in hopes that fellow underformers will have no regrets when they are only a few days away from jumping into the Dell.

Entering a place that is academically challenging as a third former, I stayed in the basement of Senter dorm, located in Dell Village. I would attempt to wake up early on weekends to go downstairs and do my homework and study for math. This weekend plan gradually shifted from occasional visits to a structured schedule. I am not saying that it is a bad thing to study, but while I was able to catch up to the level I desired, I created a detrimental gap in my Hill career by not socializing with other classmates in Dutch or other dorms.

I had my best friends - shout out to Helen Zhang ’25 and Yvonne Bao ’25 - but I did not branch out beyond that circle. I did not visit Dutch Village, where the majority of third formers lived, unless there was a cookout. I did not attend weekend

activities unless they were required. There are many things I chose not to do throughout my Hill career, but these are the things I regret the most. Because I chose not to connect with other third formers and not attend weekend activities, I do not have the memories that others often mention. It was a consequence of my own actions - a consequence I hope underformers will not experience. It was not until my fifth form year that I changed how I spent my weekends. I would stay out in the common room with other fifth and sixth formers after check-in to chat, and I would sit outside in the quad with others and talked with those who walked by. I was able to spend time with my best friends as well as branch out and enjoy the things I had missed.

From a third former who isolated herself from the crowd to a fifth former starting to learn and attempting to socialize, I grew. Now, as a sixth former, both academically and outside of academics, I have achieved what I set out to do. With the help of the best hall, USE2, where we would watch different TV series as a group, sit outside and share random conversations, and more, I have made wonderful and unforgettable memories - and I look forward to even more until that day. The day when the Class of 2025 will jump into the Dell together and become Alumni. Do not worry underformers, your time will come very, very soon.

FROM THE EDITORS

A bittersweet farewell to THN

By EMERSON LEGER ’25 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

My time on The Hill News has come to an end and it is bittersweet. The past four years on this publication and the honor of serving as the Co-Editor In Chief this year will always hold a special place in my heart.

I remember my scared third form self, walking up to the Writing Center to meet with then Co-Editor In Chief, Olivia Mofus ‘22. She was extremely kind and welcoming, showing me the budget so I could pick what would be my first of many THN articles. Without her, I don’t know what I would have done, but she inspired me to have the goal of running for Editor in Chief and to keep up with THN. Even before Hill, I knew I wanted to become a journalist. I figured that out when I was twelve, partly because of Rory Gilmore from the television show Gilmore Girls. She worked on her high school’s newspaper. I saw one day being in my high school’s newspaper as a way to use my skill and love for writing.

While knowing what I wanted to do with my life at

such a young age could be seen as limiting, journalism is the opposite. From broadcast to podcasts to print, you can really do anything. I want to travel the world, write about cultures and interview world leaders. Journalism allows many different fields that I cannot wait to explore at Northwestern.

At Hill, my introverted self has been able to talk to different faculty and connect with students that would not have been possible without The Hill News. I have written articles concerning the TikTok ban to The Women on The Hill book club. I devoted myself to each article and have loved chatting with every single person I have interviewed over the four years. I hope that they have felt listened to and heard during interviews and within my articles.

That is the main goal that I want to do with my journalistic career: make people’s stories feel seen. I want to change people’s perception of journalists by reporting the truth and unbiased news as much as I can. Society, our country and democracy rely on the news. Journalism is

the backbone of pretty much everything, recording history every second. I can’t wait to write a bit of the world’s history during my career.

To the students reading this, do not be afraid to write an article for The Hill News. Everyone is welcoming and if you have something you want to say, go say it. You might find writing a new passion of yours.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who has ever read an issue and to everyone who makes those issues happen. A lot of blood, sweat and late nights go into every issue. That excited buzz around campus when a new issue is out always makes me smile.

As I graduate and head off to college, I will look back on my time as an editorial member with fondness. It taught me the basics of journalism and was my starting point. I will miss The Hill News’ budget meetings, where the room is filled with people who love the written word, immensely. The whole THN staff and Mr. Swartz, you will not be forgotten. Signing off for good. Good luck to next year’s editorial team.

PHOTO BY KIERN LIM ’25

PHOTO BY KIERN LIM ‘25

Rachel Hwang reflects on the little moments that make up her Hill experience.

Emerson Leger ’25 grew into her role as a leader of The Hill News.

Hill bids farewell to departing faculty

By LUCY LYU ‘25 & KIERN LIM ‘25 STAFF WRITER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kathy Malone

Ellen Nelson

Ellen Nelson has spent an extraordinary 38 years teaching at Hill, where not only did she grow up but also taught all five levels of studio art, art history and oversaw the Boyer Gallery as part of her afternoon commitment. Beyond the classroom, she was deeply engaged in the arts community on campus, helping students in afternoon arts and collaborating with visiting artists to curate gallery shows. Born on Hill’s campus and the daughter of ex-faculty members, Nelson’s roots in the community run deep. One of her fondest memories include racing bikes down the “Dell Speedway” as a child. Nelson returned to Hill to teach after completing her certification in art education. As she retires, Nelson is excited to begin a new chapter in Waterville, Maine with her husband, where she plans to volunteer as a docent at the Colby College Museum, join a printmaking collective, support a local food pantry, research a nearby unmarked African American cemetery and continue her own artistic practice. She is also looking forward to traveling, starting with Iceland this summer and finally making the trip to Alaska she once postponed. Throughout her time at Hill, Nelson has cherished the opportunity to inspire young artists and to be part of a community that has always felt like home. She encourages graduating seniors to embrace change, take thoughtful risks and “lower the bar on awe” by finding wonder in everyday life.

Wei-Jei DeLucia

Wei-Jie DeLucia has been a beloved member of the Hill community for over a decade, first joining as a substitute teacher and eventually teaching Chinese full-time for 8 years before transitioning to a part-time role. Throughout her time at Hill, she has made a lasting impact not only through her teaching but also through her involvement in international student programs and her earlier work in theater productions. One of her favorite memories is the International Student Festival. DeLucia’s journey to teaching at Hill began when she was invited to step in after a former Chinese teacher’s departure, a decision she initially declined but ultimately embraced. DeLucia found deep fulfillment in the classroom and with her students. After her retirement, she plans to dedicate her time to caring for her 93-year-old mother, while also exploring the possibility of teaching English in her local community.

Samuel Rhinehart

Samuel Rhinehart has been at the Hill School for three years. He came to Hill because he has always wanted a teaching experience at a boarding school. Here, he has been teaching engineering and computer science courses, as well as being an advisor for engineering co-curricular and Technology Student Association. Moreover, he is also the first adviser for sports marketing and a dorm affiliate at Dutch Village. He decided to use the word “growth” to summarize his Hill experience, for he believes that he has learned and grown a lot as a teacher since the first year at Hill, when he came in without any teaching experience. Rhinehart has truly enjoyed spending time with other faculty throughout the week as well as working with students on projects. Moving forward, Rhinehart will continue his path as a teacher while expanding his potential to all fields including physics, math, engineering, and computer science.

Jessica Hurst

Jessica Hurst’s favorite Hill memory is this past year’s Santelli Tournament for fencing, where several of her students went undefeated. It was such a proud moment that she would keep close to her heart. Hurst is going to pursue a position in Delaware that will allow her to use her new master’s degree in Information Technology. Throughout the two years she has spent at Hill, she was involved in faculty soccer, JV girls soccer, varsity fencing, and served as a dorm parent in Rolfe and a visiting dorm parent in Davy. She was also part of the Mathematics Department, a faculty J-Ball substitute, a member of Faculty Swimmers, a trumpet in the Hill orchestra, and a co-adviser. The reason Hurst came to Hill initially was because she was looking for something different and unique. In her opinion, Hill has offered so many amazing opportunities for students, and she wanted to be part of that experience. Hurst shared that she started as a dorm parent in Rolfe and then moved to the Playhouse over the summer, where she became a visiting dorm parent in Davy. Hurst has truly enjoyed getting to know students both in and out of the classroom and being part of such a vibrant community.

Leo Wang

Leo Wang has been at the Hill School for two years. The reason Wang came was because Jared Courtney and Bill Yinger reached out to him when he was doing his graduate degree at University of Pennsylvania. He believed that he had enjoyed the time spent working together with Yinger at teaching chemistry.

Kathy Malone has dedicated 26 impactful years to Hill, serving as both a United States history and humanities teacher, the academic dean, and the Blossom Chair of Humanities. Beyond the classroom, she helped establish the girls athletics program, coaching field hockey and lacrosse at all levels. Her favorite moments are when students “just have the lights turn on for them. Just realize something, have a new idea, get all excited about something, discover how good they really are. Learn to take their ideas, their own ideas seriously, and find that joy and learning and exploration.” Malone played a vital role in shaping Hill’s female student culture in its early years of co-education, living in Wendell during the early years of co-education at Hill. Among her other contributions to Hill, Malone supported the residential life program and spent this past transitional year mentoring faculty and working with the Office of Institutional Giving and Hill alumni. Malone came to Hill after a decade as a college professor, drawn by the opportunity to return to Pennsylvania, where she grew up and to help build a co-educational community at a school she had long known since her youth. Throughout her time at Hill, she cherished the moments when students found confidence and excitement in their ideas and learning. She described teaching humanities as “the best job in American education.” Malone will be moving to Kendal, a Quaker retirement community in Kennett Square, where she looks forward to new adventures and continuing to be part of a vibrant community.

Jodi Robinson

Jodi Robinson has spent three fruitful years at Hill as she took on the roles as the co-director of college counseling, a dorm affiliate at Dell Village, a member of the administrative leadership team, a member on the academic council, and an advisor. She has also participated in a term of community service in the afternoon as well as helping the athletic department with miscellaneous work and teaching essay writing during H-term. Robinson came to Hill initially because she wanted to become a college counselor after the many years she has spent in higher education admission. Robinson was never a stranger to Hill, for she would always come and visit campus every now and then during her time working at the University of Pennsylvania. She is going to be the director of college counseling at Germantown Academy next year. Throughout her time at Hill, she has loved helping students navigating through their college process. She has also appreciated the sense of community as she got the chance to live with faculty and students. She expressed a sincere gratitude towards Beth Allain, who has always been a supportive colleague and friend of her. She is looking forward to her next step in her college counseling career.

Will Scully

Will Scully has been part of the Hill community for nine years. Throughout Scully’s time here, he has been involved in the community in many different ways. He has been a math teacher, physics teacher, rowing coach, dorm parent at Wendell and Upper School West, a cross country coach for a year, a member of the faculty band and faculty soccer team, as well as an adviser. Scully’s favorite Hill memory is when the crew team won the race in Stotesbury Cup. What Scully loves the most about Hill is the community here. He presents that during pandemic, when everyone is being cut off from the world socially, Hill remains to be a bubble where community is established and maintained. Scully also points out that he loves the students here. He notices that every student says thank you when they leave the classroom, and this is something that he is grateful for. Next year, Scully will be going to St. Andrews School to continue his career both as a Physics teacher and a crew coach.

Brett Bearrows

Brett Bearrows has been a three-year faculty at the Hill School. She initially came to Hill through the Eccleston family, as she played lacrosse with Eccleston’s daughter in college. There was an opening in the admission office right as she graduated from college that she was lucky enough to interview for and ultimately be offered. She had considered a career in independent schools earlier in college, and she feel grateful that Tom Eccleston connected her to this opportunity when it arose. Moving forward, Bearrows will be joining the faculty at The Thacher School in Ojai, California where she will be the head girls lacrosse coach and continue working in admissions. Throughout the three years at Hill, she has been involved as an admissions officer, girls lacrosse coach, dorm parent in Upper School East and Davy, adviser to an awesome group of students, and member of the Hill faculty soccer team, The Napkin Ballers. She loved her time at Hill and felt extremely grateful for everything she has learned from those around her, both faculty and students. Her favorite Hill memory was spending time with her coworkers in the admission office and traveling with the girls lacrosse team with head coach Claudia LaMarca over spring break. She believed that her experience here has been so special to her because of the wonderful coworkers and students she has gotten the chance to work with.

Guess the baby!

WARNING: CUTE OVERLOAD INCOMING

Before they were stressing about college application, the class of 2025 were spreading their adorableness into the world. Do you think you can recognise them as babies? The answers are located at the bottom of this page! 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Page to Stage: The story of “Der Vogel,” Hill’s first student-written play

By SIENNA

As a rising 6th former last year, I was unsure about the future of our theatre department. We weren’t just losing a significantly large class of seniors, we also were in the process of transitioning with the introduction of a new director and some planned changes in staff positions.

In the middle of it all, I wondered if student-led shows would continue. My first year as a fourth former I participated in the student-directed “Ride the Cyclone,” a musical that was in the blackbox and only rehearsed on weekends. My 5th form year I was a part of the much better regulated “Clue,” also directed by a senior, and designed and run by other seniors with guidance from the adults in the department. This time, “Clue” received a proper tech week and the afternoon activity slot, proving that student work could and should be given the proper time it deserves.

But, I had a different idea when I sat down in winter my 5th form year and really decided I wanted to direct this year. I was told to use a play instead of a musical because of time constraints, and not many people are knowledgeable about good plays less than 90 minutes, including myself. As someone not interested in comedies, many more serious plays are also rated mature. Nothing I seemed to order and read seemed right for the cast we were expected to have, either. So, I sat down and came up with a

crazy idea: what if I wrote the play?

A little background: I’ve been a writer since before I could remember.

I’ve written my entire life – from the short story I wrote in 3rd grade that won nationally in a women’s club competition, to the lyrics in the margins of my notebooks, to the novel series I’ve been working on the past four years. Writing a play, while something I’ve never done before, seemed like an exciting project to take on to really get myself out of my usual comfort zone.

So, I wrote an eight page proposal including specific dates and logistics about my plan to write a show for this year, and sent it in.

Originally, I was rejected. Most of the time, it takes over a year before new shows even by professional playwrights are put up on stage or even just professionally read through. This is because of editing time, workshopping, and all the money and funding discussions had in the real world. However, Hill has the advantage of being able to fund our theater shows off of a budget, as we don’t sell tickets for money. So, the third to last day of school, my crazy dream was approved. And I made it into an honors independent study.

The book I chose to base the play on was an unconventional choice: “Demian: The Story of A Youth” by Hermann Hesse. That book means more to me than I could ever properly explain, but I’ll try to be brief. When I first picked it up in sixth grade, it was the first piece of real literature I’d read that touched me on a deeper level. It

was not just a presentation of shoddily constructed half thought up ideas, as many other more “serious” books were that I knew of, and, for once, despite its age, it also wasn’t so removed from me that I couldn’t relate to it. This is because Demian’s true strength is that it is timeless. Even without the backdrop of the impending threat of WWI, the book’s discussions of right and wrong, religion, and what makes someone an individual are struggles each and every person goes through. When facing the daunting task of writing the entire play in the three months of summer amid family visits and vacations, I first began with a reread. I hadn’t been able to just sit down and read the story since middle school, and having the book back into my hands was like returning to an old friend. It reminded me why I chose to adapt Demian, despite its lack of intense action or clear focused narrative. It’s a story of humanity, a story of all the ideas so many have struggled with for years. And there was nothing more that I wanted to put on stage, despite the challenges I knew I’d face.

While I could talk for hours on Hermann Hesse and Neitzche and all kinds of philosophical mumblings, I’ll spare anyone still reading this (you’re welcome). This process for me was almost spiritual: combing through pages upon pages of talking and carefully deciding what to keep, and what to cut. By the beginning of school, I’d spent so many hours every day on the script that I had even accounted for every single entrance and exit of every character from the blackbox, and every single logistical detail, even down to costume changes and prop tracking. For those who don’t know: this is completely unnecessary for a script. I wrote it in with the assumption that I was directing it, and had done all my “homework”, or so to speak of figuring all the character tracking out beforehand as I’d been drafting. I could’ve walked in the door the first day of theatre preseason and put on the show then and there. It would most definitely not have been at all good, but the point is I knew where everything went down to the hats on actors’ heads.

The first round of editing was cutting this, and I was told that I would

no longer be directing, due to the play being so new that having more adult guidance would allow me to focus further in on the story itself. I also took this as an opportunity to learn more, and when Bobby, our designer in the Ellis Theatre Guild, approached me asking if they could direct: I immediately and enthusiastically said yes. We proceeded to work very closely with countless sit down read throughs, and I took a script that was mostly visual and fleshed it out.

Demian is a coming of age told from the future by its narrator, Emil Sinclair himself, as he meets a strange character named Demian and travels through his life searching for answers to difficult questions. Adding in ensemble where the book didn’t require it took the story to the stage in a way the audience could understand: using the ensemble to become the philosophical concepts and to transport the audience into 1900s Germany.

Through much editing, many long nights, and even tears: the final script was produced. The show was decided to be moved to the mainstage, but in a more intimate style, to allow for the use of lights and the height of the space while still retaining the closeness I’d written the show in mind with. And then we were casting.

I had no intention of being in the show. A cameo, maybe. But, as we began the absolute patchwork quilt making that is the casting process for a production, it became clear everyone auditioning was doing amazing. Despite having no prior material to review (as these characters have never been portrayed on a stage in play form before), everyone

came in with fresh and bold interpretations of Hesse and I’s characters. And, we ended up casting a Sinclair that would lead me to play the Narrator, due to the fact I resembled the younger actor. Suddenly the character I’d placed myself in the shoes of as a writer was also mine to portray. Watching the show go up: the lanterns I’d drawn over a year ago in my sketchbook, Sinclair and Demian in their period costumes, the formations I’d imagined, the scenes I’d spent so long writing and envisioning. I felt like I was walking in a dream. So many people were spending long hours devoted to my work, actors were memorizing words I wrote, words that I held dear, conveying complicated concepts that I found so fascinating. I can’t really accurately describe how it feels for a writer to have so many talented people spending time on your work. How it feels, on an opening night on a debut of your own play, to stand among your characters as one of them, to see an audience leaned in, digesting the story you wanted to tell. I only hope this serves as a reminder to everyone that your dreams are real, if you just look for the door to open, you can walk through and see what amazing things might be waiting for you on the other side. No matter how many people tell you it’s improbable, it never is impossible. If I did it, so can you. Thank you to everyone who’s ever supported me. I love you all from the bottom of my heart.

“We must not strive to be prophets, or poets, or to give the world anything - only to be ourselves.” - Hermann Hesse, Demian.

LICATA ’25 STAFF WRITER

Sienna Licata ’25 backstage with Anaika Bandi ’27 and Emma Collingwood ’27

PHOTO BY SIENNA LICATA ’25

The cast of “Page to Stage” during the production

PHOTO BY SIENNA LICATA ’25

DO YOU KNOW...

By EMERSON LEGER ’25 & KIERN LIM ’25 & LUCY LYU ‘25 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & STAFF WRITER

Emerson Leger is the editor in chief of The Hill News with Kiern Lim who accidentally drove on the wrong side of the road with Lucy Lyu who roomed third and fourth form year with Anastasia Krafczek who is head prefect with Philip Kim who is on SPC with Claire Wozniak who went to elementary school with Chloe Willman who went to Boyertown Middle School with Cayden Cubbin who started TSA with Drew Ward who does crew with Max Labaczewski who did a Minecraft capstone project with Adhith Gadde who is in Math Seminar with Jonathan Odike who was in French class with Nash Basile who was in the same fifth form white water rafting trip boat as Harry Whaley who is going to Cornell with Yvonne Bao who is a four year roommate with Finley Leger who is on the track and field team with Tasha Feldman who is in AP Government with Rachel Hwang who is in the same advisory as Mallory Rohrbaugh who is on USE2 with Jaelynn Bucinell who is besties with Constantine Kontes who golfs with Josh Bala who is a faculty kid with Gracie Eilberg who was in AP English Language with Madison Tian who is Sunday writing fellow with Caylie Zigner who rooms with Janna Ali who went to Wyndcroft with Cole White who plays baseball with Daniel Palmieri who was in Ms. Molitor’s 3rd form english class with Austin Dunn who is in the same engineering class as Henry Lord who is in Mrs. Lopez’s math class with Ramsay Stallings who is a PG with Jake Stewart who is in Chinese Philosophy class with Patrick Gao who does frisbee with Alyssa Diwale who chairs DEI with Nicole Leonardo is roommates with Meg O’Halloran who did fencing 4th form year with Maggie Qi who does theater tech with Tonsun Kovitchindachai who was in AP Humanities 3 Class with Prathik Chamarti who was in AP Physics with Tane King who does Spin with Lilly Harris who is going to University of Richmond with Anthony Grosso who does Monday night Writing Fellow duty with Billy Chen who is going to John Hopkins University with Clio Wu who goes skiing during spring break with Tucker Brown who went to Sadies 4th form year with Ava Mauro who plays lacrosse with Kayleigh Ludwig who has D period Eudemonia with Rex Geng who is in Dr Rhodes’ advisory with Abhi Siripurapu who is in the same E&M class with Leo Luo who is going to California for college just like Yanni Lin who plays squash with Fin Bivens is a four-year student like Ella Kaplan who lived in Senter third form year with Kierpa Singh is a student alumni ambassador with Eva Catalano who does dance with Helen Zhang who visited UC Berkeley with Sophia Xuan who was in the same advisory fourth form year with Lukas Coetzee who manages boys lacrosse with James Tran who studies Advanced Topics in Religion and Philosophy class with Anya May who lived in the same dorm, Markle, third form year with Caoilin Thomason who was in the same third form orientation group as Robert Pavlek who is on the wrestling team with Dysen Neill who does AP Econ with Braden Schultz who does lacrosse with Anderson Brndjar who is going to Babson with David Jordan who is from San Diego as Maxim Heinrich who has the same birthday month as Ken Leary who lived in Wendell with Bash Quadri who goes live on TikTok with Jacob Meachem who lives in Wendell with Jason Micklei who was in 4th form English class with Sienna Licata who rejected a promposal from Henry Hu who does Dungeon and Dragons club with Lili Rankin whose number 1 opp fifth form year was Wynn Magpantay who was in Mr. Gettings’ math class 5th form year with Jack Johnson who is dating Aubrey Turner who is rooming with Stella Byrd who does spin with Ryan Owens who is going to Bucknell with Dante Donaldson whose sister is on track and field team with Reese Richardson who once lived in the basement of Rolfe 4th form year with Nelly Hartmann whom the hypnotist said will marry Charlie Hewitt who lived in Hillrest 3rd form year with Isaac Wofford who does strength in the spring with Hilton Johnson who plays football with Charlie Winston who is going to NYU with Gabriel Bak who does orchestra with Ibrahim Ekmekci who is in the same advisory as Terry Li who loves discussing chinese characters in Greek class with Matt Flynn who speaks Italian with Filippo Galli who did a PG year with Kessy Cox who once sat at the same lunch table as Jennifer Lee who got eliminated in 6th form showdown by Troy Wright who was in the same English class as Addy Collingwood who got shouted out by Julia Saraniti who once went to a concert with Paige Barnhart who does crew with Liz Hoffert who rooms with Lily Soller who does strength with Sophia Fletcher who is on the same J-Ball team as Kaleigh Spatarella who is roommates with Eunice Kim who goes to get Teriyaki Bowl with Lola Palmer who eliminated Jake Thomas who is in same English class with Matt Conforti who sat at the same 6th Form Dance table as Lauren Kuppinen who roomed 4th form year with Sydney Saracene who was in the same eudemonia class as Chelsea Kuang who lives in the room next to Cici Liu who went to a concert with Grace Wang who rooms with Judith Manta who was a day student like Axel Lindquist who went to the hockey Canadian trip with Kate O’Brien who managed boys hockey that had Matt Dalkiewicz who sits in the same chapel row as Giuliana DiPrinzio who is best friends with Carly Hinz who played varsity hockey unlike Caroline Grable who lives locally like Leland Kiely who does prayer at Chapel with Ellie Macielag who was third form year roommates with Lexi Lubczenko who is in AP Gov with Logan Ray who does water polo with Jacob Faulkingham who got eliminated from 6th form showdown by Vova Nelen who sits in the same chapel row as Shreyas Motupalli who went on the AP Econ NYC trip with Riley Savage who is four-year roommates with Katie Torr who in 3rd form year briefly dated Jaelen Toole who plays soccer with Conlan Boyer whose dad works at Hill like the dad of Liam Sheward who is co-captain of Hill boys hockey with Carter Williams who lives on USW1 with Nick Karpovich who is from the DMV area like Meena Al-Kadiri who eliminated Fiona Shen in 6th form showdown who eliminated Jocelyn Means in 6th form showdown who came in as a new 5th former just like Genevieve Sbrocca who lived in Davy with Alexis Nussbaumer who is going to play soccer in college just like Gavin McBride who is going to Navy with Jake Popeo who is playing a collegiate sport like Zak Zindle who is going to college in Ohio like Harrison Ritts who is doing a PG year like Daniel Aselton who played in the Lawrenceville rivalry football game with Jake Ayala as well as Max Bechtel who had the same 4th form English teacher as Minh Pham who does cross country with Ilya Semerikov who is from Texas like Fife Akinyanmi who accused Jaewan Lee for being a werewolf in the game Find the Fool who called Alex Li Hog rider who tried to protect Yina Yao from getting eliminated from 6th form showdown but failed who participated in Columbia Model UN like Dami Kehinde who does spin with Pokuaa Biritwum who lived in Davy with Mackinley Ronan is in the same Worldviews class as Santiago Fuentes Woodbridge who is a three-year student like Max Tierney who does lacrosse with Manolis Paragioudakis who is teammates with Ryan McCann who plays on the same team as the boyfriend of Taylor Bigbie who lives on USE2 with Rena Zhang who did swimming with Liyan Sun who is going to Northwestern with Emerson Leger.