The week of September 1, 2025, The Hill kicked off its 175th academic year with a full slate of orientation activities and events, including adviser meetings, seated meals, Convocation, first full class days, and afternoon co-curricular activities, and Chapel orientation.

This year, The Hill welcomed a total of 530 students from 31 states and 19 countries, including 179 new students. Also new to the community this year is a talented group of faculty and staff, including Amber Buller, Ph.D., Director of Counseling; Therese Fischer, Engineering and Design Department; YeJin Han, Arts Department and Boyer Gallery Coordinator; Cecilia Jenkins ’20, Assistant Director of Admission; Chris Kuklentz, Director of Security; Bart Mestelle, Science Department; Devlin McCool, History and Social Sciences Department; Denali Nicholas, Communications Department; Payton Reid ’20, History and Social Sciences Department; Bill Stiles, Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities; and Brian Sullivan, Ph.D.,  Mathematics and Science Departments. Read more about them and all of Hill’s newest employees.

On September 3, after an afternoon of mini-classes and the first seated meal of the year in the Dining Hall with their advisories, students and faculty gathered in the Alumni Chapel for Hill’s traditional Convocation ceremony. View a recording of the entire Convocation ceremony.

Convocation Highlights

Welcome from Mr. Baum and SGA Co-Presidents

Hill’s Associate Head of School Ari Baum welcomed new and returning students home. In his remarks, Mr. Baum reflected on the lessons learned at The Hill over its 174-year history, emphasizing that not all lessons are immediate—some take years to take root. He shared the story of receiving the book Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, from his mentor and adviser, and spending a sleepless night rereading it a few months before his son, Asher, was born. (Mitch Albom will be visiting Hill on March 31, 2026 as part of the School’s Tom Ruth Speakers Series.) The book’s message centers on the idea that life is about community and connection rather than individual achievement, which has come to shape his outlook on  fatherhood and education. As Mitch Albom learned from his mentor, Morrie, “. . . the truth is, you need others to help you.”

At The Hill, community is central: meals, chapel, classes, and informal moments all reinforce the idea that learning and growth are collective, not solitary.

 “The Hill sees those places not just primarily as opportunities for each individual to learn and grow, but rather as opportunities for each person to factor into one another’s learning and growing,” shared Mr. Baum.

He continued, “You are not hearing me and you will not hear anyone else speak to you about the need for you individually to achieve at the highest levels… rather, you are going to hear about how you impact one another, now and for always,” calling specific attention to our School song, A Thousand Hands’ final line, “Back of each, the strength of All.”

SGA Co-Presidents Address the Community

Students and faculty also heard from SGA Co-Presidents Avery Cohen ’26 (Nova Scotia, Canada) and Ayaan Rege (Phoenixville, Pa.), who welcomed students and faculty to the first community gathering of the 2025-26 school year, and set a challenge for the members of each form in getting to the peak of their own Hill journeys.

They encouraged the third formers “to participate and engage in as much as you can, however you can” and to “step of your comfort zone to explore deeply within the community and within yourselves.”

To the fourth formers, Avery and Ayaan urged them to still focus on their own journeys, but this year “look to extend a hand to others.” They said, “whether you are new to Hill or already feel at home, remember that the most special part about Hill is the people, so branch out and connect with others.”

Acknowledging that fifth form year is the most challenging year, their message to fifth formers was to not be afraid to ask for help. “Hill thrives on interdependence—leaning on others and, just as importantly, being someone others can lean on,” they said. “The more you practice interdependence, the more you will discover that growth comes not from climbing alone, but from climbing together.  

And to their fellow class of 2026 members, Avery and Ayaan had one simple piece of advice, “Be where your feet are.” Acknowledging that Convocation actually marked the beginning of many endings for them, their hope is their classmates “stay in the present and take it all in. After all, some of the best memories made here are the ones you least expect.” 

Head of School Kathleen Devaney Encourages Community to Embrace Opportunity

After the Hilltones and Hilltrebles, Hill’s a cappella ensembles directed by Oaklawn-Tuttle Director of Vocal Music Yoon Soo Lim P’17 ’18, performed a fun, lighthearted rendition of “Blame it on the Boogie,” Head of School Kathleen Devaney had her chance to personally welcome new and returning students and faculty to Hill’s 175th year, with a call to community, reflection, and possibility, and sentiment that Hill is stronger because of the unique gifts each student brings.

Ms. Devaney shared a brief history of the iconic Chapel, whose recent expansion now allows the entire school to gather under one roof. “The expansion wasn’t just about space—it was about spirit too,” said Ms. Devaney. “It was about creating room for connection, reflection, and shared experience.”

“This place is the heart of Hill—a heart that was a gift from alumni to the School so that Hill students and faculty could have a place where they could all gather,” noted Ms. Devaney. “It’s where the threads of our individual paths merge into a collective journey—where we convocate.”

Ms. Devaney recalled the powerful Chapel Talks offered and the remembrances held for departed faculty and friends of recent years, stating, “The legacy of those who came before us is an invitation: to celebrate the now, to build on their foundations, and to create our own edifices of community.”

“Your opportunities are truly endless—what a gift. And you have access to these opportunities in a setting unlike any other time in your life. You chose this Hill family—and Hill chose you too,” emphasized Ms. Devaney. “There are so many people here invested in your success. The Hill faculty are those people. They’ll support you as you stretch yourself, embrace discomfort, and reach for your highest bar. They’ll be here for you through your entire journey.”

She left the community with an inspiring, collective charge for this 175^th year to “remember to make room for the possibilities of this new year, make room for imperfection, make room for one another and for all that you hope for yourself and for this community this year.”

The ceremony concluded with the Hilltones and Hilltrebles leading the community in singing Hill's alma mater, "A Thousand Hands” and a final benediction offered by Director of Spiritual Life and Firestone Endowment Chaplain The Reverend Anne Confer Martens ’02.

 Following Convocation, students and faculty returned to their dorms for desserts with their dormmates and dorm parents and to get ready for their first full day of classes and co-curriculars the following day.