On Friday morning, May 25, the 144 members of the graduating sixth form class officially were welcomed into The Hill School Alumni Association at the annual induction brunch. The Hill’s newest alumni, sporting their traditional Sixth Form blazers, enjoyed their final meal as a class in the Dining Hall. More than 40 alumni shared this special event with the class of 2012. View more photos here.

Bill Robertson ’92, Hill’s director of alumni relations, officially welcomed the class into The Hill’s alumni family. He also graciously thanked Headmaster David Dougherty and Kay Dougherty, who also donned their Sixth Form blazers, which were presented to them earlier in the week by the class of 2012.

Bill then introduced Colleen Gulick ’09, who shared her congratulations with the students, who were third formers the year she celebrated her own Hill Commencement. Colleen just completed her junior year at the University of Maryland, where she remains the youngest person ever to be recruited for the University honors program. She is a key member on the university’s NCAA championship field hockey team; a bioengineering major who has aspirations to become an orthopedic surgeon in the military; and is a national cycling champion 30 times over and the only woman to medal in a men’s cycling race.

Colleen urged the members of the class, “well-rounded and articulate human beings they’ve become while at The Hill,” to be open to the doors of opportunity that await them in college and to push the limits physically, intellectually, and emotionally. She delivered a message of perseverance as well, quoting her mother, saying: “Just because something doesn’t happen right now, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”

“Hill provided me with a great support system,” said Colleen, noting that she has learned that there does come a time when hard work trumps raw talent, especially when following your passion.

“Take advantage of what your Hill family has to offer—they are here for you,” said Colleen.

She ended her address by imploring the class of 2012 to emerge from the Dell tomorrow and “run, not walk down the hallways of the numerous doors awaiting you.” View a video of Colleen's address.

 

Bill Yinger '95, Henry J. Colbath Chair of the Science Department, then imparted his own “life lessons” on the class of 2012 as their teacher and fellow alumnus in his own unique, lighthearted, ultimately creative way— in the form of movie genres: action/adventure, animated, comedy, music, horror, drama, and documentary. View a video of Bill’s remarks.

At the conclusion of the brunch, the young men and women of the class of 2012 received their official Hill School ties and scarves and were congratulated by the alumni and faculty who were in attendance.