THE HILL NEWS VERBA VOLANT, SCRIPTA MANENT
VOLUME CXIX. NO.X
April 2, 2021
An open letter in response to the shootings in Atlanta By JASON ZHOU ’23 STAFF WRITER
PHOTOS BY ERICK SUN ’24
The paintings above are a part of the collection of 17 donated by Michael Sweeney in the spring of 1923.
Lunch with a side of American history How century-old paintings have a home at The Hill
By ANNA YAO CARROLL ’23 STAFF WRITER
The Hill School is home to numerous pieces of history: one of the most notable being the collection of original paintings that hang along the interior perimeter of the Dining Hall. The dark wood paneling, high ceilings, and intimate seating convey an essence reminiscent of Hogwarts, yet amid such splendor, many remain oblivious to the slice of American history that lives upon the wooden walls. These images depict significant Americana events and officials, ranging from Ulysses S. Grant in combat to George Washington at Valley Forge and include scenes from four different wars: the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. These stately pieces of artwork were presented to Hill as a gift in the spring of 1923 by Michael Sweeney -- the same Sweeney to whom the upstairs gymnasium is dedicated. Sweeney was the head of the Department of Physical Education and played an integral role in creating one of the first Physical Education cur-
ricula ever. Additionally, he was well-respected as an athlete, once holding the World Record for his high jump of six feet and four inches. After retiring at the culmination of the 1922-23 school year, Sweeney presented The Hill School with a collection of 17 oil paintings. “He had purchased the paintings and given them to The Hill School in gratitude for his years of service,” said Head of Archives Louis Jeffries. “The Hill has done great things for me — I should like to do something for The Hill,” stated Sweeney in a March 1947 Hill News article describing his generous gift to the school. Painted by Newell Convers Wyeth, these 17 images are the original illustrations of the book, “The Poems of American Patriotism,” edited by Brander Matthews and published by Charles Scribner’s and Sons on Christmas Day 1922. The paintings include scenes from four wars: the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. At the time, Wyeth was a well-known painter, who illustrated books such as “Treasure Island,”
“Robin Hood,” and “King Arthur,” as well as commissioning murals for buildings like The New York City Metlife Insurance building and the State Capitol in Missouri. Native to Needham, Massachusetts, N.C. Wyeth was born into a family of soon-to-become renowned artists, being the younger brother to Andrew Wyeth, a well-respected visual artist. In his early adult years, N.C. was selected by distinguished painter Howard Pyle, along with other promising artists, to participate in his art summer school in Wilmington, Del. “With that foundation, he headed out on his own. Howard Pyle had a lot of connections with commercial aspects, so he helped Wyeth begin his career by tapping into his commercial art clients,” said Senior Master of the Arts Ellen Nelson. Although he aspired to be a fine artist, Wyeth pursued commercial art through illustrations of novels and history books, in hopes of monetarily providing for his family. At the end of World War II, when American patriotism was running high, editor Brander Matthews compiled
poems that embraced true Americana nature and pride, creating “The Poems of American Patriotism.” Wyeth had worked with the book’s publisher, Scribner’s and Sons, before, illustrating books like “Black Arrow,” “Scottish Chiefs,” and “Kidnapped.” The images were originally painted on the 30 x 40 inch canvases now located in the Dining Hall and then shrunken to be used for the text. Although there is little about how Sweeney received word of the possibility of purchasing the art, many suspect it was through then Hill headmaster Boyd Edwards. Like Wyeth, Edwards had connections with the University of Delaware in Wilmington, and thus learned that the paintings were able to be purchased. He then, most likely, communicated this with Sweeney. Each painting was bought at about $1,000 -- a much lower price than valued. Before Sweeney’s offer, however, Wyeth refused to sell this patriotic collection, even after being offered considerable amounts of money. Continued on Page D6
Council works towards its twelfth year of community grants By SARAH JIANG ’22 STAFF WRITER
Hill, like many other boarding schools, can be a very sheltered community. Especially with the global pandemic this year, it has become easier to forget the world beyond the campus walls and easier to forget the local community that isn’t protected within the Hill bubble. The Hill School Student Philanthropy Council consists of 12 students across
Students say the current nature of demerits has its drawbacks
the fourth, fifth and sixth forms. The group receives $16,000 from the Frank family each year, and this money is then distributed to local nonprofit organizations across Pottstown. Since its establishment in 2008, the council has received applications from NGOs such as Pottstown Cluster, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels and more. Amy Lehman, faculty adviser to the Student Philanthropy Council, meets weekly with the council, speaks to Pottstown NGO leaders, and supports the
council through every avenue. Through the grant process, everyone on the council gets a one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact, learn and understand the meaning of philanthropy amongst the Pottstown community. Much like the students, local organizations have had great experiences working with the SPC. Wendy Egolf, from the Salvation Army, has worked with the council members in developing a better environment in their homeless shelters.
“We enjoy the interaction and genuine concern the Hill School students have for the community. The students that visited us and toured our family shelter were asking great questions about what we do and how we assist families to become independent and find permanent housing,” Egolf said.
Residents reflect on states loosening COVID-19 restrictions
Student artists take a stand over H-Term
Hidden places: liminal spaces on Hill’s campus
ARTS & LEISURE | Page D6
FEATURES | Page F8
Continued on Page B3
Despite the nefarious murder of eight Asian Americans in Atlanta on March 16, people simply generalize these types of events into the presence of xenophobic discriminations and attacks. Xenophobia cannot be used to excuse racism. It is important to recognize that this event is more than a xenophobic hate crime or a white supremacist terrorism. On the American racial spectrum, Asian Americans are always in that shallow grey area. American kids are often subjected to stereotypes and asked, “Where are you actually from?”, while being perceived as people from wealthy households with sets of privileges who “don’t understand the struggle of racism.” We were never quiet, but the social norm tends to overlook our voices. When people start to normalize racist remarks, for example, assuming all Asian students are “too test-oriented” or saying that Asians are always the quiet kids and they can’t be athletes, it is hard for us to make a change and be heard. In the Chinese culture, we were taught to keep our heads down when encountering hardship and injustice. We kept humbling ourselves because, in our culture, harmony is the most precious thing. Before I came to the States, my grandparents warned me that “people always shoot the bird leading in the front,” and said that I should stay humble and avoid sharing opinions on sensitive topics. However, I cannot ignore the tears, anger, and scars that Asian Americans of this generation are suffering. We are tired of correcting others who call us by the wrong names. We are tired of hearing false blame for the virus ringing in our ears every day. We are tired of the deliberate sabotage to our businesses when we are trying to make a living. We are tired of the bloodshed and violence and the absurd excuses behind it. We are tired of blatant racism toward us and racist people who type on keyboards claiming their comments are not racist. As Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, an American author and activist said, “One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an antiracist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.’” This is the time to call out racism when we see it; to educate people on cultural awareness so that they are respectful to different cultures; to become an anti-racist; and to make our world a peaceful place without hatred, as it should be. The ultimate measure of a person is not in the moments of comfort one has had but in the times of challenge and controversy. Whether to overcome adversity in this distorted society and make an impact in the name of our skin and culture, the choice is in our hands.
After months of restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some states decided to begin reopening in March, including West Virginia, Texas and Alabama. As vaccination accelerates in West Virginia, Alabama and Texas, the states will relinquish the remaining guidelines.
CAMPUS NEWS | Page A2
LOCAL NEWS | Page B3
ILLUSTRATION BY ELIZABETH HUDAK ’21