Following arrival days and orientation weekend, our community gathered for Convocation in front of the Pilalas Center on Academic Row to mark the start of the school’s 205th year on Sunday, August 31. Convocation is a moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead together. This year’s theme—’Be the Change’—set the tone for an ceremony of perspective and challenge, as it was woven through remarks by our Head of School, Student Body Co-Presidents, and featured speaker Jacob Morel. Each speaker offered a unique lens on what it means to grow, contribute, and shape the legacy of Husky Nation in the year ahead.
Breathing in a New Beginning
Opening the ceremony, the Head of School invited the community to pause and breathe together—“inhale, exhale”—as a symbolic reset before the academic year. With tomorrow marking “a fresh start” where “everyone’s attendance is perfect, and your GPA is a 4.0,” the message underscored both optimism and personal responsibility.
Reflecting on New Hampton’s reach beyond our home among the lakes of New Hampshire, Williams reminded students of the School’s third century of excellence and its 7,000-strong alumni network, emphasizing a legacy built on leadership, resilience, and kindness. As he enters his final year at New Hampton, the Head of School traced the institution’s history through leaders like Fred Smith (Class of 1910), T. Holmes “Bud” Moore (Class of 1938), Dr. Jeffrey Pratt Beedy, and Andrew Menke—each shaping the school’s character, programs, and aspirations.
Looking ahead, Williams hopes his own legacy is one of balance, expanded opportunities, and a deepened sense of family—“and let’s not forget those chocolate chip pancakes and Monkey Bread!” he joked. He urged students to “be the change,” to leave New Hampton “in better condition than we received it,” and to craft a legacy of meaningful actions that will be talked about for years to come.
“In the end, we are ALL stewards of this great community with a responsibility to embrace and cherish each day we have together, understanding that this place and the relationships we build will be a part of us forever.” – Joe Williams
Cum Laude Society Induction
Head of School Joe Williams welcomed Erin Walsh ’01 to the lectern next for the Cum Laude society inductions of five students. Setting the tone for academic excellence, the Cum Laude society signifies the opportunity and drive to excel in our classrooms. The students recognized included Max Brown ’26, Jaedyn Feaster ’26, Chase Graves ’26, Anthony Hester ’26, and Nellie MacDonald ’26.
Change Starts Small
Student Body Co-President Cara Kuczek acknowledged that this year’s theme, Be the Change, can feel daunting at first—“how can one person have such an impact?”—but explained that true change begins with small, everyday gestures.
Cara reflected on the subtle moments that make New Hampton feel like family. From cheering on peers at games to greeting a teacher in the hallway, or sharing late-night conversations in the dorm, there are many moments to build our connections. It is these “little, unnoticed things,” she said, that knit our community together.
Encouraging her peers to contribute in every setting—“whether in the classroom, on the field, or backstage”—Cara reminded everyone that the school year “will fly by before you know it.” Quoting a commonly shared take on the original quote by Gretchen Rubin, and one often shared by faculty and students around New Hampton School, she added, “the days are long, but the years are short,” urging classmates to embrace each moment and help make New Hampton something they are proud to call home.
A Blank Page to Fill
Student Body Co-President Griffin Taylor framed the start of the year as “a blank page” ready to be filled with memories, experiences, and accomplishments. Tying his message to the theme “Be the Change,” he encouraged his peers to reflect personally on what that phrase means. “There is no wrong way to make a positive change,” Griffin noted, whether through recruiting future Huskies, contributing to a team’s success, or supporting a friend.
He outlined his focus as a student leader: creating opportunities for classmates to fill that blank page meaningfully. Over the summer, Griffin, Cara, and fellow co-president Elyse refined ideas and set concrete goals for the student body—initiatives designed to challenge and empower everyone.
With 34 student leaders stepping into roles and this year marking the school’s first three-president model, Griffin expressed confidence in his partnership with Cara and Elyse, calling it “an exciting opportunity to grow together.”
Finding Change in Every Role
History faculty member and longtime New Hampton resident Jacob “Jake” Morel opened his convocation keynote with a heartfelt introduction—sharing his roots in the village, his sixth year on the faculty, coaching roles, and even his two cats in the window at 89 Main Street. Just one week into married life, he reflected warmly on how life has brought him full circle.
Mr. Morel recounted his own turning point as a high school junior in 2011. Feeling “stuck” at the local public school, he designed an unconventional path, homeschooling himself to graduate early and begin college at Keene State the following January. Later, seasonal jobs across the country—from Oregon to New York—broadened his perspective before the pandemic brought him home, where he has since immersed himself in teaching, coaching, and residential life.
Mr. Morel framed true change as requiring three qualities: sacrifice, creativity, and optimism. Whether comforting a struggling friend, proposing a new weekend activity, or finding beauty in a frigid winter morning, he urged students to “choose the higher road” even when it feels uncomfortable. He reminded the audience that students already have a voice in shaping the school, pointing to the Acknowledging Discrimination course, launched by alumna Autumn James ‘21, as an enduring example of a student-driven initiative.
Quoting Socrates—“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”—Mr. Morel challenged students to decide what kind of change they will bring to campus this year. “Because this school, this community, will grow not just because of teachers or staff, but because of you.”
Showing Up with Presence, Energy, and Intentionality
Student Body Co-President Elyse Ngenda had the honor of closing remarks. She reflected on how quickly four years pass, admitting she once thought she “had forever,” only to realize “forever turned out to be four years.” Linking this awareness of fleeting time to the year’s theme, Be the Change, she reframed change as more than fixing problems—it’s also about “being present, fully, for the life you’re already living.”
Elyse challenged her classmates to bring genuine energy and involvement to campus life—“not just the kind that fills a résumé, but the kind that actually fills your life.” She urged students to attend events simply to support others, try new experiences, and talk with people they might not usually meet. Real change, she said, “starts with a mindset,” a daily decision to show up with effort, curiosity, and care.
“Time is the one thing we can’t get back,” Elyse reminded her peers. “Not everyone gets to be part of a community like this—that alone is a gift.” Her call was simple yet profound: “Be the change by being present, by showing up, by remembering every choice shapes who you’re becoming. Let’s make this a year we’ll always want to hold onto.”
Renewed purpose
As the community dispersed to enjoy brunch and the rest of the day, the message was clear: change does not arrive fully formed. It is built in the daily choices, quiet moments, and shared commitments that define campus life. Whether through small gestures of kindness, bold new initiatives, or simply showing up with presence and energy, every Husky has a part to play in shaping the story of this year. Convocation 2025 was both a call to action and a reminder of gratitude—for the opportunities before us and the community we create together. With open pages and renewed purpose, New Hampton School steps into another year ready to “be the change.”
