From Hilltop to Home

We have almost two weeks of classes under our belts, and the energy across campus has been nothing short of electric. Leading the charge is an extraordinary senior class. They have shown up with unbelievable spirit—not just as individuals, but as a fully unified class—setting the tone at Soccerfest, Super Sunday, the Soap Slide and so much more.

I hope summer has been a positive and productive one for you and your family. Welcome, new families, to my monthly letter, From Hilltop to Home, and welcome back, returning families. I began writing these letters twelve years ago in part as a way to connect parents more closely to their children’s lives at Blair and in part because I missed the practice of writing. I shall continue to write to you all monthly, and if you find these helpful, I’m glad. If you don’t, that’s fine, too. Regardless, please know at the outset of this journey we are about to embark on—Blair’s 179th year—that I am always available to you. My cellphone is included in the signature line of every email I send to parents for a reason.

Twenty-four years ago, my grandmother—80 years old at the time—arrived on this campus with a very specific mission. She didn’t just come to visit her grandson at his new place of work; she came to feed. I can see her standing in Clinton Hall, where we previously hosted our International Weekend dinner, serving two meatballs from the nearly 400 she hand-rolled at her home to each student who stood in line. To her, food was the ultimate avenue for showing care—a way to nourish a community and say, “You belong here.”

From the high-stakes drama of “The Game” to the elegant transformation of the Romano Dining Hall for our Winter Ball, the Blair campus has recently been a whirlwind of activity. We have seen varsity athletes and other fans cheering on novices, ninth graders filling the squash galleries for their friends, and seniors leading their class with an impromptu, inspiring speech to make this semester the best of their Blair lives, followed by a “Bucs on Three!” cheer to close out the Winter Ball. Each of these moments has brought a welcome brightness to the winter season.

We entered Peddie Day 2025 with high hopes, still riding the excitement of the JV girls’ tennis team’s thrilling win under the lights at Blair the previous Monday. Spirits rose even higher after a festive Friday School Meeting and pep rally, highlighted by outstanding student skits and a surprise visit and motivational speech from Craig Evans—who retired last year after 31 years at Blair, including two decades of delivering his pre–Peddie Day speeches.