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A large group of students crowded around the back patio behind the Multi-purpose room today, a few faculty members sprinkled among them. The focus? The World Cup game between the US and Iran, a grueling match that ended with a 1-0 US victory that ensured the US team gets to play at least one more game this weekend against Netherlands. I was thrilled that I could sneak away from meetings for a few minutes to catch a glimpse of the excitement and, equally thrilled, that so many students were caught up in the largest sporting event in the World. A lifelong soccer fan – and former player and coach – I remain obsessed with the beautiful game that only occasionally gets the attention I think it deserves in the US.
You know who else was watching today? Hillbrook alum Aly Wagner, one of the greatest soccer players in US history and a star of several US World Cup and Olympic teams. She is also one of the announcers for the Fox broadcasting team at the World Cup.
Throughout the day on campus, another equally exciting event was unfolding – 8th graders auditioning for a role in the 8th grade musical – Willy Wonka. Students seeking lead roles had an opportunity to sing and read for various parts, and I saw many nervous – and excited – 8th graders as they anticipated the big moment. It is just the beginning of a months-long process that will culminate in the 8th grade musical in May, a production that will involve every member of the Class of 2027 and that will serve as a showcase for the school’s deep commitment to music and the performing arts.
Both of these events reinforced for me the critical role that co-curriculars play in a school community. Playing for the basketball team, running cross country, playing in a rock band at an all-school assembly, earning a lead role in a musical, participating as part of a robotics team – these activities are often the defining activities for students in school, and it is critical that we create time and space for students to develop and pursue these passions.
This Thursday evening we will host another in our series of Upper School Webinars, a fireside chat with Upper School Head Mike Peller and our new Athletic Director Tim Downes. Tim is an extraordinary addition to our founding team, coming to us from the Westminster School in Atlanta, where he has served as the Athletic Director since 2015. Westminster finished the 2021-22 school year ranked #1 in the country according to MaxPreps, a program designed to rank and recognize the top high school athletic programs in the country. Prior to Westminster, Tim served as the Athletic Director at several colleges and universities between 1999-2015, including Emory University, Franklin & Marshall College, and the California Institute of Technology.
I encourage you to join us to hear from Tim and learn more about the steps he will be taking to help us create an exceptional athletic program, a program that will create opportunities for a broad range of athletes to compete and to grow. All of these students will learn lifelong lessons from their time on the sports field. And some, like Aly Wagner did back in the 1990s, might just take those lessons and apply them on the biggest stage in the world.