New School Year Opens with Convocation

Northfield Mount Hermon’s Class of 2025 processed into Memorial Chapel, led by bagpipe music from teacher Steven Bathory-Peeler, to kick off this year’s Opening Convocation on Aug. 28.

Convocation marks the official start of the academic year as well as the first gathering of the entire student body in the chapel and the first “dress up” occasion of the year.  

In keeping with tradition, the senior class played a prominent role in the gathering: Brooke Hindinger and Rigel Velez led the assembled students and faculty members in the singing of the class hymn, “We Would Be One,” while Keona Burch and Jasper Neff led the singing of the school song, “Jerusalem.” 

Unandi Lungu, a senior from Randolph, Vermont, delivered a moment of silence, in which he recalled the nerves he felt when he started at NMH three years ago. “The learning curve after just a few days of school was noticeably large culturally, academically, and athletically. I had never lived in a dorm, done workjob, or had to take finals before,” he recalled. “I was in an unfamiliar place, away from home, with no established routine.” The final blow: He didn’t make the soccer team, something he’d been counting on after playing the sport prior to NMH.

But, Lungu continued, he soon made friends and found his place in the NMH community, through activities like the Jazz Ensemble and the Concert Band, the Black Student Union and The Brothers, junior varsity basketball, varsity lacrosse, “and the more accomplished and well-rounded Thirds Soccer.” And he urged his fellow students to open themselves up to new experiences, as he had. 

“This, right here, is a crazy opportunity to do amazing things, whether you’re new or returning, a recruit, here for academics, or just want a change of pace like I did,” Lungu said. “[Y]ou should commit to this opportunity of this school year that entails trying something new, meeting new people, and utilizing all the resources that NMH has to offer that you previously did not have. This has the potential to be so great, and time moves fast, so harness this opportunity as it will make your time here unforgettable.”

Yujin Kim, from Hong Kong, delivered the annual senior Spade Oration. The tradition refers to the ceremonial spade used for groundbreaking ceremonies and for the planting of a class tree by seniors shortly before their graduation. 

The spade, Kim said, is one of many traditions at NMH “that have built the foundations of our school while also celebrating who we are today. These traditions help us stay connected to our rich history and remind us of the vision D.L. Moody had when he founded the school. …

“The spade embodies dedication and the effort required to turn our aspirations into reality,” she continued. “It reminds us that every achievement begins with a foundational effort — an investment in ourselves and our community. It signifies our commitment to hard work, resilience, and the spirit of new beginning. New students, new teachers, new deans, new relationships, and new memories. The spade has helped us get to where we are today, and said spade will help pave new paths for the classes to follow.”

Kim urged each class to consider how the meaning of the spade applies to their journey at NMH. “As we embark on this new year together, let's take inspiration from the spade’s legacy,” she said. “The spade is a symbol of breaking new ground — of making a difference through effort and determination. Whether you’re just starting your journey here or nearing the end, let this year be a testament to what we can accomplish when we commit ourselves to working together with dedication and resolve.”

Head of School Brian Hargrove also addressed the community, focusing his remarks on this year’s learning theme, citizenship and action, and, in particular, on what it means to be a citizen of the NMH community. “I would like to offer this baseline for us,” he said. “We are all full members of this community. We all belong here. We all belong here.  And we all have shared privileges and responsibilities as citizens at Northfield Mount Hermon. …

“The NMH education is all about shaping the habits of the head, heart, and hand that equip us with the knowledge and wisdom, the work ethic, and the inspiration to take on the most difficult of endeavors,” Hargrove continued. “As we activate these tools, we find purpose in our potential; we are called to be the best versions of ourselves as we stand up as citizens who learn with passion, lead with intention, and act with humanity.

“So, let us understand, appreciate, and agree on the ideals of citizenship at NMH and what action will mean for us,” he said. “We all have a stake in what unfolds here; we are our neighbor’s keeper and they are ours. We are in this endeavor – our time at NMH – together and our paths are all inextricably connected in powerful ways across our campus as citizens of the NMH community.” 

Convocation is also an opportunity to recognize faculty members who hold chairs and fellowships. This year, that included four newly awarded honors: the Herbert P. Blake Fellowship, given to English and ESOL teacher Richard Sell; the Hersey Faculty Fellowship, given to science teacher Katherine Simpson; the Howard L. Rubendall Faculty Fellowship, given to science teacher Darik Velez; and the Elizabeth Howe Rueckert Faculty Fellowship, given to theater teacher Emily Salfity. 

In addition, Hargrove announced the recipients of three one-year NMH Faculty Fellowships: English teacher Anna Fleming, awarded the fellowship for academics; world languages teacher Steven Campos Santos, awarded the residential life fellowship; and Jamie Rourke, an art teacher and coach of cross-country and basketball, awarded the athletics fellowship.

 

 

Photos, from top:
Unandi Lungu; Yujin Kim; Head of School Brian Hargrove; Richard Sell with Hargrove and Assistant Head for Academic Programs and Dean of Faculty Bea Garcia, Katherine Simpson with Hargrove and Garcia, Darik Velez with Hargrove and Garcia. Not pictured: Emily Salfity.

Matthew Cavanaugh photos.