Chapel Talks

You Can't Tickle Yourself: No human being on earth can tickle themselves. It is a physiological impossibility. But what does that have to do with the people who shaped you at Hill? More than you'd think.

The Five People You Meet At Hill: Hill is a collection of relationships that change and stay with us long after we leave. Inspired by Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven, this talk reflects on five people whose relationships transformed my four years at Hill, and the lasting lessons they taught me about friendship, mentorship, grief, and leadership that have shaped me into who I am today.

Staying Positive Even When Life's Plans Change: Having been a swimmer in some capacity for most of my life, trying XC upon coming to Hill third form year required me to take a leap of faith and step out of my comfort zone. Despite my initial apprehension, I soon discovered that running was right where I belonged. In your life, plans can change at any moment. Instead of being disheartened, it is imperative that you remain optimistic and stay open to new possibilities because you never know what you could learn.

Seeking Harmony Within Dissonance: True wisdom begins with the humility to recognize the limits of one’s own understanding. Total objectivity is impossible - we all argue from somewhere. To bridge the distance between people, we must recognize the limitations of individual perspectives and listen for the harmony hidden within our dissonance. Sometimes, the most unexpected conversations teach us the most.

Man in the Arena: You will feel fear, that's inevitable. But that's where you grow, charge straight through the arena with a face marred by dust and rely on the support of those around you. Find your arena; it is where you are uncomfortable yet, you are able to grow, and don't mind the cold and timid souls along the way.
 

Mistakes Don't Define You: This chapel talk is about my journey with my insecurities and dyslexia to personal responsibility, resilience, and maturity (or lack thereof), showing how my setbacks, academic, personal, and disciplinary, became catalysts for my own personal growth. It emphasizes that your mistakes don’t define you as a person; rather, it’s the courage to learn, change, and respond with integrity that ultimately shapes who we become.

Great Opportunities: Everything that comes your way is a chance to grow and learn. This applies to many things at Hill, but especially friendships. Take opportunities as they are presented to you, as great moments are waiting to be born.
 

Something's Afoot: Confessions of a Klutz Oscar Wilde wrote that "Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." Back-to-back injuries (and recovery time) provided me with the opportunity to reflect on life lessons — on topics ranging from inappropriate footwear to pain, laughter, and love.  

Finding Comfort in Confusion: We are often placed in difficult situations without much control. What's important is how you look at each moment and try to make the best of what you have.

The Value of Inefficiency: What happens when we slow down and take time for the things that really matter.

Halfway There: The Rev. Royer reflects on his Hill School experience and his life of service as a Pastor, and through that reflection invites your personal thoughtfulness on life and as a member of The Hill community.

Your Worth Is Not What You Can’t Change: "The hardest thing for a person to do is to truly accept themselves." - Kendrick Lamar. A talk about race, identity, and how self-love and self-acceptance are more powerful than how others may perceive you.

Who’s the Authority? “Whatsoever Things Are True” is a wonderful motto for a school, partly because high school students are wrestling with what they believe to be true, using the critical skills and knowledge base they have been taught to assess claims. We live in worlds of our imagination, in which we build and assess stories about what is true based on evidence, logic, and intuition, but mainly the authority of others. In a time during which who counts as an “expert” is changing, I reflect on the need for humble skepticism in navigating this quest for truth together.

The Boy Above the Clouds

Every Creation Sings: "Hiding doesn't make you holier—it just makes you smaller." A reflection on growing up religious, listening to the trees, and accepting yourself. 

Unmuted: Our obstacles in life can often forge our greatest opportunities. For years, my speech disorder made me painfully self-conscious. What once felt like a weakness slowly became a source of strength. Shaping my resilience and building my confidence, my speech disorder helped me discover a voice that is not only stronger but also more impactful.

Gratitude Through Failure: Gratitude and praise are two of the most powerful tools we have. They help us reflect, taking stock of what is in our lives, and moreover give us reason to continue through both good times and bad. Though sometimes in failure, it is hard to remember to have gratitude; meaningfully seeking to praise and have gratitude in times of struggle is instrumental to growth and progression.

True Purpose Lies in Relationships, Leadership, and Impact. Through injury and reflection, I realized that success isn’t about stats or standing out on the ice, but about lifting others and making people feel seen, supported, and valued.

“Rejection, So What..?” A look at the moments after disappointment and how our reaction to rejection determines the path to our second chance.

Home Just Isn't the Walls that Surround You: What makes home your home? Is it because you grew up there, or is it because your family pictures are there, what is it? What happens once it changes? Is it still your home? Moving many times with my family, I found my home, but I never knew why. Traveling every summer to see my family, I've learned that change is inevitable, but it's who you're with that helps you overcome that moment.