Campus Life

Hill School Chapel Talks

Attending Chapel is one of The Hill’s most treasured traditions. Sixth formers and faculty take to the lectern each week and offer the community the most inspiring, reflective, insightful, and sometimes comedic talks. Most are posted here on our website for all to enjoy. Take a listen - you won’t be disappointed.

February 20, 2023: Annabella Shafer '23 (Ardmore, Pa.)

Live Life Now: Growing up different from everyone else isn’t the ideal life. There are many ups and downs that come from it but also valuable life lessons you receive from it. You never know what someone is going through from an outsider's perspective so be grateful for what you have even if it may not be the “perfect” or “normal” life. Everyone has moments in their lives that impact them and sometimes it is hard to see how lucky you are when you are really struggling. No matter what, keep pushing and never give up. Live your life in the now.  

View Here >> about February 20, 2023: Annabella Shafer '23 (Ardmore, Pa.)
February 17, 2023: Anna Carroll '23 (Chester Springs, Pa.)

The Power of Faith: February 1st, 2023 was the night I realized I needed to change my mindset. I finally realized that I was human. The past four years have been some of the worst years of my life, riddled with family emergencies, complicated friendships, and health issues. Yet somehow this place of stress and hardship has become a place I don’t want to leave. Somehow, even as I pushed myself towards burnout, I have learned to love myself. And that is the power of faith. My message is simple, love yourself, make the most of your time here, and have faith.

View Here >> about February 17, 2023: Anna Carroll '23 (Chester Springs, Pa.)
February 2, 2023: Dami Odubona '23 (Hillside, New Jersey)

Looking Through a Lens in Black and White: Growing up and learning in two different environments can be hard. Self-identity is one of the hardest things in life to discover. Wondering if you fit in or belong, is a thought prevalent in many minds. It may seem as though you live in two different worlds until you make them become one. Struggling with self-identity is not an uncommon occurrence, but dealing with it and using it to help you grow is what makes it important.

View Here >> about February 2, 2023: Dami Odubona '23 (Hillside, New Jersey)
January 30, 2023: Benji Wang '23 (New Taipei City, Taiwan)

Finding a Voice that Belongs to You: Your voice can be used to bring happiness to the people around you. However, if you are not careful, it might turn into a weapon that hurts the people that love you. I reflect on times in my life when I have used my voice as both positive and negative forces and the lessons I’ve learned from it. How will you use your voice?

View Here >> about January 30, 2023: Benji Wang '23 (New Taipei City, Taiwan)
January 20, 2023: Ms. Twila Fisher, Director of Community and Economic Development

Upside Down Living: A recent housing trend in the UK called “upside down living” proposes a different layout of one’s home in order to maximize the benefits it offers, ultimately making life happier and more balanced. If we were to apply this in a spiritual sense to how we live, what would change? How could rearranging our focus on the inside lead to a fuller, more genuine way of being? 

View Here >> about January 20, 2023: Ms. Twila Fisher, Director of Community and Economic Development
January 17, 2023: Jason Zhou (Shanghai, China)

Passengers on the Bullet Train: In the bullet train we call life, the people we meet are all passengers who come and go. In this electronic age, confirmation biases limit us from taking in different perspectives and listening to the other side of the story. In life, this journey without a destination, what are the relationships that shaped your value? In this divided 21st century, how can we build more bridges for one another and turn hate into love?

View Here >> about January 17, 2023: Jason Zhou (Shanghai, China)
January 9, 2023: Jimmy Shao '23 (Hamburg, Pa.)

Privilege: Your past and your circumstantial privilege and upbringing, along with present hardships do not define what you do with your future. Make yourself a student of the game, or someone who is always looking for little ways to improve, because in doing so, you are able to better yourself and those around you. Strive for success in your dreams and goals no matter the condition, as you never know where life will take you through your failures and achievements.

View Here >> about January 9, 2023: Jimmy Shao '23 (Hamburg, Pa.)
October 28, 2022: Dr. Kathryn Malone, Elizabeth Blossom Chair of Humanities and Senior Master Teacher of Humanities

It’s Only a Game; Some Life Lessons, Some Good, Some Bad, Drawn from my Life in Athletics: In this year that marks 50 years of Title IX, 50 years of Yale field hockey, and 100 years of U.S.A. field hockey, as well as the 50th anniversary of my own high school graduation and my 24th year at Hill and thus my 24th year involved in Hill Athletics, I want to reflect on some of what I learned from my experiences, and try to put the role of athletics in American life, American education, and American culture in some perspective.

View Here >> about October 28, 2022: Dr. Kathryn Malone, Elizabeth Blossom Chair of Humanities and Senior Master Teacher of Humanities