Hill School Chapel Talks

Four Things I Learned Between 2020-2025: Everything will be alright.

Give It Your All: This talk details Anthony’s journey of finding satisfaction in living life at one hundred percent. His decision to part ways with his dream of playing collegiate baseball, along with not receiving an academic scholarship to his chosen university, has helped him realize that he doesn’t put in effort in hopes of receiving awards or recognition. He gives it his all because it’s the only way he knows how. 

Where Are You From? I used to hate answering the question “Where are you from?” For years, I was afraid to put myself out there until I realized that growth only comes from discomfort. To truly grow as a person, you must put yourself in new experiences and in positions that are not easy to navigate at first. You will find happiness on the flip side. 

Finding Belonging.

The Truth About Belonging: This Chapel talk is about the journey to find confidence in your own story. We constantly try to be this “perfect” version of ourselves, but lose sight of who we are by doing so. Alyssa’s talk is an introspection on her struggles after transitioning to boarding school, and the insecurities she faced through parts of the journey. Her talk serves as a reminder that belonging does not come from validation from others, and rather is our meaningful growth from embracing imperfection and being unapologetically authentic. In the end, her talk expresses deep gratitude for her time at Hill, where she ultimately learned to love who she is.

Take Action: Experiencing the fires in the Los Angeles area helped me to realize that taking action and appreciating the mundane moments in life are necessary. A natural complainer, this experience allowed me to move past that as I grew to realize that habit was only holding me back from appreciating what I have now.

Relighting My Spark: Sometimes, we burn out from the sport we’ve competed in for years—and that’s okay. It’s not the end; it’s just a chance to try something new. Taking this chance on a different sport can completely reignite your passion to compete. You might just find the thing that lights your spark again, even in your sixth form year.

Finding Strength Within Struggles: This talk reflects on the challenges faced while dealing with self-doubt and the desire to have perfect control and knowledge in life. Through personal experiences with hockey and social interactions, this speech highlights the importance of embracing mistakes, leaning on others for support, and focusing on the positives in life rather than dwelling on negativity. Everyone has moments of weakness, but these moments offer opportunities for growth. Everyone is encouraged to embrace imperfections, ask for help, and seek positivity in small moments every day.

Afraid of the Dark: Why are we afraid of the dark? It's a widespread and common fear that exists in many people, even long into adulthood. I believe it has nothing to do with the dark at all, and through my own experiences, I describe why I think so many of us are afraid of something seemingly so simple. Who are we when there's nothing in front of us to tell us who to be?
 

Curiosity Killed the Cat: A  heartfelt and inspiring speech about the power of curiosity, imagination, and embracing the magic of life. Through personal stories—childhood adventures, fears, and a deeply personal family connection—the speaker challenges the idea that growing up means losing wonder. Encouraging others to find their own "Neverland," they remind us that curiosity isn’t something to fear—it’s what keeps us truly alive.

Showing Gratitude: It is easy to take love for granted. From my experience with my grandma, I learned that sometimes, love is hard to recognize. So, I encourage everyone to pause and reflect on everyone who has made an impact on our lives. And when you have the opportunity, show your gratitude, express your appreciation, and let them know how much they mean to you!

It’s Not About What You Want to Be but Rather Who You Want to Be: Oftentimes, we are told by others what they think we should be. Over time, I’ve come to realize that not knowing exactly what I want to do in life is okay. It is okay to not have everything figured out and to take time to find what truly makes you happy.

The Button That Can’t Be Pressed: Why I Wouldn’t Undo Regret Would you press a button to bring your loved ones back? Grappling with regret, loss, and the unchangeable nature of time that come with my choice of studying abroad, I have started to embrace regret as a part of personal growth. Life is about carrying those love and memories forward, rather than holding back by the past.

Finding the Freedom in Failing: Oftentimes, we get caught up inflating our own mistakes, but in reality, life moves on. Through the concepts of failure, identity, and resilience embedded in an embarrassing moment of a fumbled punt, I discovered that true belonging isn’t about perfection but about embracing setbacks, leaning on others, and finding strength in the imperfections that shape us.

The Memories that Choose Us: A reflection of the fleeting nature of life and the power of memories. Through personal stories, I share how the details of moments may fade, but the feelings of love, connection, and joy remain. I encourage my peers to cherish their time at Hill, indulging in the moments that matter most, which become the stories we carry forward.

When One Door Closes, Another One Opens: At Hill and in life, your worth isn’t defined by your successes or failures - it is how you react and persevere through adversity.

The Cost of Productivity: In life, we focus so much on optimizing our time, maximizing productivity, and pursuing the “right” extracurriculars. However, that mentality actively has the opposite effect and can lead to a lack of motivation and a decrease in results. Instead, strive to pursue activities you genuinely enjoy and embrace breaks and downtime that will lead to more productivity.

The Power of Paradox: A reflection on what a paradox is and how it might be used to open the mind to possibilities.

Why did it Have to Happen to Me? Living with something that you never asked for can be difficult. It can bring out the worst in you,  but it can also show you the best. Over time, I’ve come to realize what I have isn’t something I need to hide from the world, it’s something to embrace.