speaker-0: Welcome. I'm Charles Franklin, and I'm excited to welcome you to our podcast here at Hackley. What makes Hackley special is the people who make up this community and the different perspectives, experiences, and ideas they bring to life on the Hilltop. This podcast gives us an opportunity to hear more of those voices. We'll talk with students, faculty, staff, and others about their experiences and some of the people and ideas that shape our school. And there's no better place to begin than with our students. Today I'm joined by three members of the senior class. I'm looking forward to hearing their perspectives. So let's get started. With us today we have three members of the senior class who we're excited to hear from. ⁓ so we'll ask them to introduce themselves and then have some questions for them. So ⁓ Ella, we'll start with you.
speaker-1: Hi, my name is Ella, Ella Ferrari. I'm a senior at Hackley. ⁓ I've been here since freshman year and I live in Croton on Hudson, New York, so a little bit up the river.
speaker-2: ⁓ hello everyone. My name is Charlie Napack. As Mr. Franklin said, I'm also a senior at Hackley. I've been at Hackley now, if my math is correct, this is my eleventh year. I've been here since second grade. ⁓ and I live in New City, New York. So those of you from Westchester, that's across the Tappensee Bridge. So quite far, but I get here every day.
speaker-3: Kayla. Hi guys, my name is Kayla Mennon. I am a senior ⁓ here at Hackley. I live here in Terrytown, New York.
speaker-0: Wonderful. Yeah, thank you all. ⁓ to start, let's go ⁓ a little deeper. Tell me a little bit, what are some activities or ⁓ things you do here at Hackley that have really you've enjoyed and take up some of your time? Obviously we're gonna talk about classes in a little bit, ⁓ but what are some of those activities or clubs or experiences that ⁓ have really helped shape your experience?
speaker-1: I I think there's a couple of things that I've done that are like vary but also really stay like in the category of talking. I really like to talk a lot. So ⁓ I'm in a lot of speech and debate clubs such as Ethics Bowl and Model UN. Model UN has always had like a special place in my heart. I've done that since freshman year. ⁓ and I really loved going to all the conferences and I recently joined Ethics Bowl about last year. ⁓ but also another club that I think is like I don't know if you would call it a club, but it's probably the most important thing that I do here at Hackley, which is the thing that I love the most is being a student bastard leader. ⁓ I know that this podcast might be starting to get sent out to prospective families. and if you ever want to get in touch with me, I'm really happy to speak with you because it's like my favorite thing in the world is talking to prospective families and trying to convince you to come here because that was the whole reason that I came to Hackley ⁓ was because of the Hackley student ambassadors. So it's always been like a really important part of my Hackley experience because I really owe my love for the school to them. ⁓ and then obviously being a part of HTVS, which is the Hackley Girls Varsity team. ⁓ or just the program in itself. Mr. Franklin's daughter is part of the program. She's great. And so I was able to form that connection with a freshman as a senior ⁓ during preseason, even though we normally probably wouldn't have crossed paths generically otherwise. So ⁓ that was something that was really cool in HGVS HGBS has always just been a really big part of my experience at Hackley.
speaker-0: Thank you, Charlie. What about you?
speaker-2: So I'm actually in a lot of similar things as Ella. ⁓ Ella was a little humble. We are the co leaders of the Ethics Bull team, which is semi new at Hackley. It's back after a long hiatus. I've also have two older siblings, both of them participated in it. ⁓ something that's been a constant throughout my hackley career is since seventh grade. Yeah. Seventh grade I've played three sports every season. ⁓ in middle school that was soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. In high school that's now switched ⁓ in the winter sport from basketball to squash. ⁓ I'm the captain of the boys' soccer team. ⁓ and the teams are really like families here at Hackley. It's kinda cool. Something that's very unique about Hackley is friendships aren't bound by grade. And that's really because of sports, because of things like preseason. Some of my best friends are in different grades because of sports. ⁓ other than those sports and ethics bowl, I'm a member I was a previous member and now a new member of the debate team. I used to debate in middle school and made my long awaited return last year. ⁓ ask asked Mr. Fitzpatrick, he really loves me on that team. ⁓ and then I'm just always walking around the community. I'll I'll lurk in any club that's available. ⁓ I'm anywhere and everywhere at all times. ⁓ and yeah, that's really all I do here.
speaker-0: That's great. Great, thank you. And Kayla, what about you?
speaker-3: ⁓ some things I do here at Hackley is I am a consistent runner. I have been running here basically every year of high school. ⁓ I do cross country, indoor track, outdoor track. ⁓ it's really something like looking back now I would have probably never done. ⁓ I really found the love for all my teammates and my coaches during preseason and it's kinda like running is like some ⁓ like a little mental therapy for me. That helps me keep on going throughout like all my high school years. ⁓ I also have had my share of club so far. I am the president of our Black Student Union this year, ⁓ along with ⁓ Kai, Harlow, and and ⁓ Dylan, who is a sophomore. They are a lovely team. ⁓ I have also ⁓ helped ⁓ manage Hackley Yogis, which is also ⁓ Pretty cool ⁓ club that we have here and a place I spend a lot of time. ⁓ I also in the summer I do Hudson Scholars with Mr. Sykes. ⁓ I love spending time with the kids from Sleepy Hollow and Terrytown, and it's always so nice to see them when I'm walking by in the community and you know they just say hello. And most of time I am always in good hue, usually in the library, like ⁓ talking to Miss Swan or just doing my work, or I am doing my work in Which is very nice.
speaker-0: Great. Well, thank you all for for sharing a little bit about yourselves. And and I want to dive in now. I I think back at the end of last week, ⁓ senior class came over to to my house here on campus Gage House and and we had a nice breakfast on that first Friday. And one of the things that I talked to to the senior class about there at that event was about how senior leadership really helps define the student experience in so many ways over the course of the year. How you all are as seniors and how you lead has a tremendous impact on the community. And so Knowing that that you all have had different leadership roles and different experiences and opportunities, I'd love for you to share a little bit. Let's think about student leadership. What what are some traits or characteristics that you've noted are really important to to this to to a good student body and a good year from from the senior class? And what are the ways that seniors can help lead that you think you notice you you hope to have yourself or you notice with others? ⁓ we'd love to hear some thoughts on that. Cause I think it's a really important topic for our school of how this class can help lead ⁓ the entire institution. So Ella, I don't know if you have any thoughts you want to share. What what what's important about student leadership? What what traits ⁓ come to mind?
speaker-1: I mean, I think when I the first thing that pops into my mind about student leadership, especially as a senior going to class with a bunch of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, so students that are younger than you, ⁓ is having the ability to form a connection with them. ⁓ I spoke briefly about HGVS. I think that sometimes there is like this this consensus that seniors need to be more superior to those younger than them. ⁓ and it kind of creates this divide between older students and younger students, which is really frustrating because if you're trying to be a captivating leader, You can't be mean to the kids younger than you or you can't push them away. So I think like being able to create that connection and Hackley provides so many ways for you to do that through clubs, through classes, through sports, ⁓ where you're able to create that connection. But then also there's some agency within yourself. You need to know how to create that connection. Like you can't close yourself off. You really wanna be it doesn't matter if you're an introvert or an extrovert, but you wanna be able to make friends and you wanna be able to be kinder to those around you. ⁓ and kind of break that little bit of a barrier that you're holding yourself off to just people in your grade and like having that ability to make new friends. I that's the first thing that jumps into my mind.
speaker-0: Think that makes so much sense, right? Being open and showing that openness to younger students and and and you know, the oftentimes they look up to the seniors and think, ⁓ that's a senior but you're saying be open, be receptive, like reach out to those kids. I think that is really
speaker-1: Makes them feel more comfortable being open with you, which I think is a really cool thing about Hackley.
speaker-0: Yeah. Charlie, what what goes through your mind?
speaker-2: I mean, of course I have the basic ones going through my mind, like lead by example. But I think an underrated leadership tool to me has always been listening. I feel like usually when you think of leaders, you think of like the per the person with the loud voice who could really grab the attention of everyone in the room. But I think the underrated part of that is the ability to be able to g be a good listener and that's something I really pride myself in. I'm obviously not saying I'm a great leader, but I think the b ability to listen is really where everything starts. Once you could listen to your peers, whether that's some of your best friends or some of the freshmen, like Ellis said ⁓ hackley classes are with students of all grades. Like I'm in an oral history class where I'm one of three seniors and there's nine freshmen and eight sophomores in it. And what's really been powerful to me is once you can have a true meaningful conversation where you're really listening with other people, then you try to build this environment where everyone is thriving. So I would say an underrated trait in becoming a good leader is the the ability to listen because you're really learning about and really showing that you care about the people that you're surrounding yourself with.
speaker-0: Yeah, I I think it's a really mature and wise thing to point out. the ability to listen really helps develop the relationship with whoever you're trying to work with and lead. And it's not a one way street, right? You are listening to students in your on your teams or your clubs and trying to then form that connection. So I I think that's a great ⁓ attribute to highlight. No, thank you. Kayla, what about you?
speaker-3: I think one of the most important traits and I'm even like starting to learn this myself is just honestly being genuine and being yourself. ⁓ I feel like everybody kinda has this idea of what it means to be a leader and that is completely fine, but I feel like, you know, what people really want to see ⁓ from you is to learn about you, to learn about yourself and everybody has their different strengths. ⁓ like what Charlie said, like if you are a good listener, like make sure that you could use that great power to Be comfortable in talking to people and have them ⁓ be comfortable with you. ⁓ you know, if you are a very energetic person in the morning, like use that energy to like lead a room or lead power and get people excited. ⁓ personally I believe like the best leaders are the people that are most confident and comfortable with themselves and that could give that comfort and confidence to other people. So
speaker-0: Yeah, I I love that answer because I think y I think you're so right. Like you have to be true to yourself as a leader. There's no one way to do it and it has to come from who you are and what your values are. And then you can use that, as you said, to to help lead others, but it has to be genuine. So I I d agree wholeheartedly. I think that was a a great point to bring up. ⁓ I you know, you you El, you talked a little bit earlier about younger students. ⁓ maybe ⁓ you know, you don't how you don't have to be humble all of you, but you you've been through the Hackley experience. ⁓ Since second grade and certainly the the entire high school up till now ⁓ for for both of you. What what piece of advice might you give? You know, we have ⁓ a number of ninth graders who are just starting their upper school careers now. What might you want to give them as a piece of advice? Charlie, I'll start with you this time. ⁓ what what would you say to either new ninth graders who are listening, their families, maybe even eighth graders who are thinking about the the transition upper school next year? What's something that you look back at now? You're like, ⁓ that's a really good piece of advice I could share.
speaker-2: ⁓ it all started actually this piece of advice from a math class I was in with Ella and it's a sign on the top of that math class. ⁓ in what was Miss Casper's room. I'm not sure who teaches there now, but the sign says a day without laughter is a day wasted. And that's really like a motto of mine that I live by. And my piece of advice would be like Enjoy everything and find a time to laugh. Cause when you're truly laughing, you're having fun. That doesn't mean don't do your work or goof off in class. That means find moments where it's acceptable and find moments that are true and real and have a good laugh 'cause there's no better feeling. Like a good laugh could really change the day. And if you look for a moment in joy in every day, that day where you had three tests becomes a little less worse because you're laughing with your friends. And also like the classic core hackly ones, like I'd also try to find a community member, so like a teacher or coach to become close with 'cause they really are a mentor in so many ways. Whether it's on the field or in the classroom, the connections I've made with coaches and teachers are I hope will last more longer than my hack league. Like whether it was Miss Casper who'd give me a rock before every test wishing me for good luck. ⁓ or my daily offices my daily stops in the history office where I'm there for forty five minutes of cycle. Every teacher there will know me and knows I'll stop by. But I would definitely laugh and enjoy your laughter and really make a conscious effort to think about the times when you're having a good time and come cl become close with a community member, someone that you didn't think you'd become close with before.
speaker-0: No, those are great. Thank you. Caleb, what about you?
speaker-3: I think one of the ⁓ a piece of advice I could give to some upcoming freshmen is to try everything, including things that are outside your comfort zone. ⁓ thinking back to when I was in my freshman year, I did not really know like what things I kinda wanted to pursue. I didn't know if I wanted to run or do yoga or do this or that. But I will say and everyone when you go into high school, it kinda just seems like everybody knows what they're doing and they have like a mission and a passion to do that. But that's not exactly true. You know, people could figure out ⁓ things that they love in their freshman year and their sophomore year, their junior year, or like me, even in my senior year. so you could do that by trying out new activities and clubs and you may not like them, which is perfectly okay, but with trying ⁓ new things and ideas outside your comfort zone, it could really lead to a passion that you love and enjoy and could pursue for a much longer time.
speaker-0: ⁓ yeah, I love that answer because I think you touched on something there that is ⁓ I think is a real stressor or a pressure that that younger students feel, which is I need to have everything figured out now. Right. I need to know in my ninth grade year all the classes I want to take and all of the things I want to do. And and I think your your journey points out, no, you can grow and evolve and follow those things if you're open to those experiences. ⁓ which I think is probably much more common that you know, maybe you all have had the same of you just you evolve through high school and you grow and you find different interests. So th that thank you for sharing that. Ella, what about you? What advice would you give?
speaker-1: I think ⁓ something that's really important to me is this idea of being vulnerable. ⁓ and I think this ties a little bit into Charlie and Kayla's point. ⁓ but if you know me, like I'm a pretty open book, maybe more open than I should be, but I do think it has really created a lot of the long lasting friendships that I've made here or just has created a little bit of a more relationship with my teacher. ⁓ Charlie, I remember math, if we're going back to math class, like I would get a lot of test anxiety and Charlie would always have these like mints with him. ⁓ if I had never expressed that openly, if I had never been vulnerable that I have a little bit of test anxiety, I would have never been able to ask Charlie for a mint. And those mints were like lifesavers. They are like the best. They calm you down instantly. ⁓ definitely would recommend. ⁓ but just this idea of being vulnerable and being okay with that, and I think that ties a little bit into Kayla's point as well. It's like Be vulnerable with yourself. You've never done the arts before, but maybe you could try it this time and just see. ⁓ and if you really don't like it, don't do it. That's okay. Be vulnerable with your teacher. Hey, maybe math isn't really my subject. For me, maybe math isn't really my subject. So I need to meet with my teacher. I need to talk with my teacher. Instead of just hiding behind the test or hiding behind the computer, I think it's really important to be vulnerable with your teachers and with your friends.
speaker-0: Yeah, wonderful. I I appreciate that. I feel like we should have all the ninth graders here l listening to to that great advice. ⁓ all right, a little bit of a speed round here to end ⁓ our our our session. ⁓ I'll I'll start ⁓ Cal I'll start with you. ⁓ what are you most looking forward to ⁓ in your classes this year? ⁓ whi is there a class or a a topic you're really excited about?
speaker-3: I absolutely love all my classes this year. I will I I will say as seniors we do get to have some fun and picking them. But I will say one ⁓ very ⁓ important class I'm looking forward to is Modern Euro, ⁓ Modern European History with Mr. Klamenko. I've had the honor to both have history classes with both Charlie and Ella. And I will say each one that we've had either in sophomore junior year has been Interesting, but I've learned a lot of very cool things and you know, trying to try new things and learn new ideas. I actually did some self-reflection and I realized I've never really learned in depth about ⁓ European history, especially like the Renaissance and then onward. And I realized that Mr. Kamenko's class is exactly that and I am so excited to, you know, ⁓ I guess pick up all the new fun ideas all year. Like right now we are learning about King Louis the Fourteenth and the Sun King and it's just all very cool, fun things that I am excited to learn about.
speaker-0: Well, I b before we get to Ella and and Charlie's answer, I mean I have to be honest, before getting into school administration, I was a history teacher, I was a history major in college, so I think he gave a great answer there. ⁓ not saying our other departments aren't great, but well said. ⁓ Ella, what class ⁓ are you really excited about?
speaker-3: I love all the
speaker-1: Think you had an interesting pick because all three of us are big history nerds. ⁓ and Charlie and I are actually in the same modern euro class this year. So Kayla, we miss you. We wish you were in our section. ⁓ but I think I'm gonna take a different approach, even though I am taking three history classes this year, which I'm really excited about, all of them. ⁓ I think I'm honestly most excited for my bio class, which is interesting and words that I never thought would come out of my mouth, because I am not a big science or math person. ⁓ but I was doing my lab over the weekend and I there was something that was really satisfying about finishing it and completing it ⁓ and being really proud of my work. ⁓ and I think there's there's something interesting about that because I pushed off science last year because I was like I wanted to double up on history again because I've been trying to do the whole history department. ⁓ but it was really cool to me to think when my mom asked me the other day, she goes, like what's your favorite class right now? I was like, kind of bio. I'm really enjoying bio and I really love Miss Hannon. ⁓ and I really also again talked about younger students. I really like being in a class with a bunch of juniors. I think it's cool that I get to experience that with some of my friends from H G V S for my last year. ⁓ so I would say bio is something I'm looking most forward to.
speaker-0: That's great. Charlie?
speaker-2: ⁓ I'm really stuck between two. I don't wanna copy Kayla's answer with Modern Hero 'cause yes, you picked three big history buffs here. Like I think I took four histories last year, so I was gonna say modern euro because but it's between modern euro and oral history and the reason is the same for both of them. It's really cool when you're in a class environment that's not a required class, meaning that every single kid in that class took it because they're genuinely interested in it. I would say in ninety nine point nine percent of Hackabee classes, every student is genuinely bought in. But there are days where I don't wanna say my hour long math class, ⁓ but I'm forced to take it. That's the sad truth. But it's cool about modern euro and oral history because I'm in a classroom of like anywhere from ten to eighteen students who all wanna be there and all all the time and specifically went out of their way to choose this class and learn about the class. So disregarding all the course content, which I'm also interested in, it's really cool just being in a room with a bunch of students who all share the same passion and curiosity for the same subject as you
speaker-0: No, that's great. And I promise I did not know that about that your your collective love of history. but I'm I'm happy to hear it. ⁓ all right, last question ⁓ today. ⁓ you know, senior year, you're kind of looking ahead at all the the things that are gonna happen this year and and the the culmination of your time at Hackley. Are there some traditions or ⁓ events or just things ahead on the calendar that you're particularly interested in? I think might be nice to share because ⁓ you know, as as you talked about. one your early answers about laughter and joy and about and and the meaning that that brings to your ⁓ experience. ⁓ we we you all just talked about the academic things that you're learning in the classes and how much that's impacting you, but but also the the connection to the community. And I think for so many of us ⁓ here at Hackley, these events and these traditions are important. So Ella, maybe can you start? Is there a is there one that stands out for you? Yes.
speaker-1: I think this might be something that not a lot of people would think about, but I am most excited for the new Hackley freshman night, which is gonna be or now it's I think it's turned into a day. We did a day last year, but whatever it may be. ⁓ which is a lot later, it's around March, February, when the new Hackley freshmen get their letters of acceptance and they're able to come in for a day and kind of experience Hackley. ⁓ that has always been my all-time favorite event at Hackley, even though I love staying. ⁓ just because you really again you get to know these younger students and you get to talk to them about something that you love so much, which is Hackley. I love Hackley so much and I'm so able to like talk about it and why I love it so much. ⁓ and I really like seeing the students kind of get a smile on their face because they know that they're getting really excited about the school and that they want to come. And I remember that was me like three years ago now, four years ago now, ⁓ when I came to New Hackley freshman night and like I just had the biggest smile on my face 'cause I kept hearing from all these student ambassadors about how amazing it was and I really wanted to be a part of them. So I think that would be my favorite event that I'm most looking forward to.
speaker-0: No, that's great. And and certainly knowing that, you know, this might might might even be more poignant for you because you're not gonna be here with those students. So this is your opportunity to sort of get that message and get to know them a little bit and and continue that. ⁓ Charlie, what about
speaker-1: ⁓ no.
speaker-2: ⁓ I mean they're excited for the Stings or no. I'm most excited for the coffee houses. ⁓ there's something that I didn't necessarily go with. I didn't go to my freshman and sophomore year. I never went to all three. 'Cause I was like I was a little intimidated, like none of my friends really went. ⁓ I'm not a performer, but since then, ⁓ coffee houses ⁓ the three coffee houses that take place during the year are my favorite hack the event. It's such a cool feeling when you see like your peer that you don't know too well go up on the stage and like perform a talent that you never knew they had. And it's also like really inspiring when you see your classmates get up in front of a whole room full of people and just start like singing or playing the guitar. And it's just a great night and I really hope anyone's listening comes to the coffee house 'cause the more the merrier. And sometimes we're lacking a little on the numbers. No
speaker-0: Those are ⁓ unbelievable events. ⁓ and maybe maybe you can get on stage your senior year we can see. ⁓ and Kayla, what about you?
speaker-3: I will say I do love the coffee house. In fact, I did learn that AP Bio is gonna sing a song for Coffee House, which I am not a singer, so I hope that ⁓ we'll be okay. ⁓ but one thing I'm definitely looking forward to is this Sting, especially the spring sting, because Track runs it. And I will say we don't really have a lot of meats ⁓ here in the John Center, but it's just the fact that You know, after a long day of school you could see your friends that you don't really usually see after school come up the track. They ask you how you're doing. You see some family members, ⁓ other members of the faculty. ⁓ I they honestly for the ⁓ the spring sting they put you in any race and it's usually a fun race. And I remember last year I was in a four by one and a four by one is definitely not my race, but it's just Something I was with my friends and it's something that really builds a lot of future connections and a lot of fun with. ⁓ also there's a kids four by one, which is from what my understanding is some ⁓ members of the hackl of the f of the Hackley faculty, their children are in it. And it's actually so fun and cool. I remember one time they had matching shirts, so it is just very cool and very sweet.
speaker-0: ⁓ well that's great. And and I think the through line there through what all of you shared is that that sense of connection to either each other or your classmates ⁓ or younger students, whatever it might be, like th those things help bond us together and really form that connection. I think that's so prevalent. I I've I know I've noticed that in my time here at Hackley, how much students ⁓ how much meaning and purpose they take from those events where they can connect ⁓ and be together, whether it's at the Sting or the Coffee House or ⁓ even at you know, admissions events. So ⁓ that's great. Well We'll we'll we'll stop there. ⁓ you know, I know you all have class to get to, you're probably excited. I hope you have history class coming up. But ⁓ yeah, there you go. ⁓ but really thank you so much. I mean it great opportunity for I think a broader audience to hear a little bit what what's it like to be a senior here at Hackley. So I can't thank you all enough ⁓ and I hope you have a ⁓ a great rest of the day.
speaker-3: Thank you. ⁓
speaker-1: Hi, my name is Ella, Ella Ferrari. I'm a senior at Hackley. ⁓ I've been here since freshman year and I live in Croton on Hudson, New York, so a little bit up the river.
speaker-2: ⁓ hello everyone. My name is Charlie Napack. As Mr. Franklin said, I'm also a senior at Hackley. I've been at Hackley now, if my math is correct, this is my eleventh year. I've been here since second grade. ⁓ and I live in New City, New York. So those of you from Westchester, that's across the Tappensee Bridge. So quite far, but I get here every day.
speaker-3: Kayla. Hi guys, my name is Kayla Mennon. I am a senior ⁓ here at Hackley. I live here in Terrytown, New York.
speaker-0: Wonderful. Yeah, thank you all. ⁓ to start, let's go ⁓ a little deeper. Tell me a little bit, what are some activities or ⁓ things you do here at Hackley that have really you've enjoyed and take up some of your time? Obviously we're gonna talk about classes in a little bit, ⁓ but what are some of those activities or clubs or experiences that ⁓ have really helped shape your experience?
speaker-1: I I think there's a couple of things that I've done that are like vary but also really stay like in the category of talking. I really like to talk a lot. So ⁓ I'm in a lot of speech and debate clubs such as Ethics Bowl and Model UN. Model UN has always had like a special place in my heart. I've done that since freshman year. ⁓ and I really loved going to all the conferences and I recently joined Ethics Bowl about last year. ⁓ but also another club that I think is like I don't know if you would call it a club, but it's probably the most important thing that I do here at Hackley, which is the thing that I love the most is being a student bastard leader. ⁓ I know that this podcast might be starting to get sent out to prospective families. and if you ever want to get in touch with me, I'm really happy to speak with you because it's like my favorite thing in the world is talking to prospective families and trying to convince you to come here because that was the whole reason that I came to Hackley ⁓ was because of the Hackley student ambassadors. So it's always been like a really important part of my Hackley experience because I really owe my love for the school to them. ⁓ and then obviously being a part of HTVS, which is the Hackley Girls Varsity team. ⁓ or just the program in itself. Mr. Franklin's daughter is part of the program. She's great. And so I was able to form that connection with a freshman as a senior ⁓ during preseason, even though we normally probably wouldn't have crossed paths generically otherwise. So ⁓ that was something that was really cool in HGVS HGBS has always just been a really big part of my experience at Hackley.
speaker-0: Thank you, Charlie. What about you?
speaker-2: So I'm actually in a lot of similar things as Ella. ⁓ Ella was a little humble. We are the co leaders of the Ethics Bull team, which is semi new at Hackley. It's back after a long hiatus. I've also have two older siblings, both of them participated in it. ⁓ something that's been a constant throughout my hackley career is since seventh grade. Yeah. Seventh grade I've played three sports every season. ⁓ in middle school that was soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. In high school that's now switched ⁓ in the winter sport from basketball to squash. ⁓ I'm the captain of the boys' soccer team. ⁓ and the teams are really like families here at Hackley. It's kinda cool. Something that's very unique about Hackley is friendships aren't bound by grade. And that's really because of sports, because of things like preseason. Some of my best friends are in different grades because of sports. ⁓ other than those sports and ethics bowl, I'm a member I was a previous member and now a new member of the debate team. I used to debate in middle school and made my long awaited return last year. ⁓ ask asked Mr. Fitzpatrick, he really loves me on that team. ⁓ and then I'm just always walking around the community. I'll I'll lurk in any club that's available. ⁓ I'm anywhere and everywhere at all times. ⁓ and yeah, that's really all I do here.
speaker-0: That's great. Great, thank you. And Kayla, what about you?
speaker-3: ⁓ some things I do here at Hackley is I am a consistent runner. I have been running here basically every year of high school. ⁓ I do cross country, indoor track, outdoor track. ⁓ it's really something like looking back now I would have probably never done. ⁓ I really found the love for all my teammates and my coaches during preseason and it's kinda like running is like some ⁓ like a little mental therapy for me. That helps me keep on going throughout like all my high school years. ⁓ I also have had my share of club so far. I am the president of our Black Student Union this year, ⁓ along with ⁓ Kai, Harlow, and and ⁓ Dylan, who is a sophomore. They are a lovely team. ⁓ I have also ⁓ helped ⁓ manage Hackley Yogis, which is also ⁓ Pretty cool ⁓ club that we have here and a place I spend a lot of time. ⁓ I also in the summer I do Hudson Scholars with Mr. Sykes. ⁓ I love spending time with the kids from Sleepy Hollow and Terrytown, and it's always so nice to see them when I'm walking by in the community and you know they just say hello. And most of time I am always in good hue, usually in the library, like ⁓ talking to Miss Swan or just doing my work, or I am doing my work in Which is very nice.
speaker-0: Great. Well, thank you all for for sharing a little bit about yourselves. And and I want to dive in now. I I think back at the end of last week, ⁓ senior class came over to to my house here on campus Gage House and and we had a nice breakfast on that first Friday. And one of the things that I talked to to the senior class about there at that event was about how senior leadership really helps define the student experience in so many ways over the course of the year. How you all are as seniors and how you lead has a tremendous impact on the community. And so Knowing that that you all have had different leadership roles and different experiences and opportunities, I'd love for you to share a little bit. Let's think about student leadership. What what are some traits or characteristics that you've noted are really important to to this to to a good student body and a good year from from the senior class? And what are the ways that seniors can help lead that you think you notice you you hope to have yourself or you notice with others? ⁓ we'd love to hear some thoughts on that. Cause I think it's a really important topic for our school of how this class can help lead ⁓ the entire institution. So Ella, I don't know if you have any thoughts you want to share. What what what's important about student leadership? What what traits ⁓ come to mind?
speaker-1: I mean, I think when I the first thing that pops into my mind about student leadership, especially as a senior going to class with a bunch of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, so students that are younger than you, ⁓ is having the ability to form a connection with them. ⁓ I spoke briefly about HGVS. I think that sometimes there is like this this consensus that seniors need to be more superior to those younger than them. ⁓ and it kind of creates this divide between older students and younger students, which is really frustrating because if you're trying to be a captivating leader, You can't be mean to the kids younger than you or you can't push them away. So I think like being able to create that connection and Hackley provides so many ways for you to do that through clubs, through classes, through sports, ⁓ where you're able to create that connection. But then also there's some agency within yourself. You need to know how to create that connection. Like you can't close yourself off. You really wanna be it doesn't matter if you're an introvert or an extrovert, but you wanna be able to make friends and you wanna be able to be kinder to those around you. ⁓ and kind of break that little bit of a barrier that you're holding yourself off to just people in your grade and like having that ability to make new friends. I that's the first thing that jumps into my mind.
speaker-0: Think that makes so much sense, right? Being open and showing that openness to younger students and and and you know, the oftentimes they look up to the seniors and think, ⁓ that's a senior but you're saying be open, be receptive, like reach out to those kids. I think that is really
speaker-1: Makes them feel more comfortable being open with you, which I think is a really cool thing about Hackley.
speaker-0: Yeah. Charlie, what what goes through your mind?
speaker-2: I mean, of course I have the basic ones going through my mind, like lead by example. But I think an underrated leadership tool to me has always been listening. I feel like usually when you think of leaders, you think of like the per the person with the loud voice who could really grab the attention of everyone in the room. But I think the underrated part of that is the ability to be able to g be a good listener and that's something I really pride myself in. I'm obviously not saying I'm a great leader, but I think the b ability to listen is really where everything starts. Once you could listen to your peers, whether that's some of your best friends or some of the freshmen, like Ellis said ⁓ hackley classes are with students of all grades. Like I'm in an oral history class where I'm one of three seniors and there's nine freshmen and eight sophomores in it. And what's really been powerful to me is once you can have a true meaningful conversation where you're really listening with other people, then you try to build this environment where everyone is thriving. So I would say an underrated trait in becoming a good leader is the the ability to listen because you're really learning about and really showing that you care about the people that you're surrounding yourself with.
speaker-0: Yeah, I I think it's a really mature and wise thing to point out. the ability to listen really helps develop the relationship with whoever you're trying to work with and lead. And it's not a one way street, right? You are listening to students in your on your teams or your clubs and trying to then form that connection. So I I think that's a great ⁓ attribute to highlight. No, thank you. Kayla, what about you?
speaker-3: I think one of the most important traits and I'm even like starting to learn this myself is just honestly being genuine and being yourself. ⁓ I feel like everybody kinda has this idea of what it means to be a leader and that is completely fine, but I feel like, you know, what people really want to see ⁓ from you is to learn about you, to learn about yourself and everybody has their different strengths. ⁓ like what Charlie said, like if you are a good listener, like make sure that you could use that great power to Be comfortable in talking to people and have them ⁓ be comfortable with you. ⁓ you know, if you are a very energetic person in the morning, like use that energy to like lead a room or lead power and get people excited. ⁓ personally I believe like the best leaders are the people that are most confident and comfortable with themselves and that could give that comfort and confidence to other people. So
speaker-0: Yeah, I I love that answer because I think y I think you're so right. Like you have to be true to yourself as a leader. There's no one way to do it and it has to come from who you are and what your values are. And then you can use that, as you said, to to help lead others, but it has to be genuine. So I I d agree wholeheartedly. I think that was a a great point to bring up. ⁓ I you know, you you El, you talked a little bit earlier about younger students. ⁓ maybe ⁓ you know, you don't how you don't have to be humble all of you, but you you've been through the Hackley experience. ⁓ Since second grade and certainly the the entire high school up till now ⁓ for for both of you. What what piece of advice might you give? You know, we have ⁓ a number of ninth graders who are just starting their upper school careers now. What might you want to give them as a piece of advice? Charlie, I'll start with you this time. ⁓ what what would you say to either new ninth graders who are listening, their families, maybe even eighth graders who are thinking about the the transition upper school next year? What's something that you look back at now? You're like, ⁓ that's a really good piece of advice I could share.
speaker-2: ⁓ it all started actually this piece of advice from a math class I was in with Ella and it's a sign on the top of that math class. ⁓ in what was Miss Casper's room. I'm not sure who teaches there now, but the sign says a day without laughter is a day wasted. And that's really like a motto of mine that I live by. And my piece of advice would be like Enjoy everything and find a time to laugh. Cause when you're truly laughing, you're having fun. That doesn't mean don't do your work or goof off in class. That means find moments where it's acceptable and find moments that are true and real and have a good laugh 'cause there's no better feeling. Like a good laugh could really change the day. And if you look for a moment in joy in every day, that day where you had three tests becomes a little less worse because you're laughing with your friends. And also like the classic core hackly ones, like I'd also try to find a community member, so like a teacher or coach to become close with 'cause they really are a mentor in so many ways. Whether it's on the field or in the classroom, the connections I've made with coaches and teachers are I hope will last more longer than my hack league. Like whether it was Miss Casper who'd give me a rock before every test wishing me for good luck. ⁓ or my daily offices my daily stops in the history office where I'm there for forty five minutes of cycle. Every teacher there will know me and knows I'll stop by. But I would definitely laugh and enjoy your laughter and really make a conscious effort to think about the times when you're having a good time and come cl become close with a community member, someone that you didn't think you'd become close with before.
speaker-0: No, those are great. Thank you. Caleb, what about you?
speaker-3: I think one of the ⁓ a piece of advice I could give to some upcoming freshmen is to try everything, including things that are outside your comfort zone. ⁓ thinking back to when I was in my freshman year, I did not really know like what things I kinda wanted to pursue. I didn't know if I wanted to run or do yoga or do this or that. But I will say and everyone when you go into high school, it kinda just seems like everybody knows what they're doing and they have like a mission and a passion to do that. But that's not exactly true. You know, people could figure out ⁓ things that they love in their freshman year and their sophomore year, their junior year, or like me, even in my senior year. so you could do that by trying out new activities and clubs and you may not like them, which is perfectly okay, but with trying ⁓ new things and ideas outside your comfort zone, it could really lead to a passion that you love and enjoy and could pursue for a much longer time.
speaker-0: ⁓ yeah, I love that answer because I think you touched on something there that is ⁓ I think is a real stressor or a pressure that that younger students feel, which is I need to have everything figured out now. Right. I need to know in my ninth grade year all the classes I want to take and all of the things I want to do. And and I think your your journey points out, no, you can grow and evolve and follow those things if you're open to those experiences. ⁓ which I think is probably much more common that you know, maybe you all have had the same of you just you evolve through high school and you grow and you find different interests. So th that thank you for sharing that. Ella, what about you? What advice would you give?
speaker-1: I think ⁓ something that's really important to me is this idea of being vulnerable. ⁓ and I think this ties a little bit into Charlie and Kayla's point. ⁓ but if you know me, like I'm a pretty open book, maybe more open than I should be, but I do think it has really created a lot of the long lasting friendships that I've made here or just has created a little bit of a more relationship with my teacher. ⁓ Charlie, I remember math, if we're going back to math class, like I would get a lot of test anxiety and Charlie would always have these like mints with him. ⁓ if I had never expressed that openly, if I had never been vulnerable that I have a little bit of test anxiety, I would have never been able to ask Charlie for a mint. And those mints were like lifesavers. They are like the best. They calm you down instantly. ⁓ definitely would recommend. ⁓ but just this idea of being vulnerable and being okay with that, and I think that ties a little bit into Kayla's point as well. It's like Be vulnerable with yourself. You've never done the arts before, but maybe you could try it this time and just see. ⁓ and if you really don't like it, don't do it. That's okay. Be vulnerable with your teacher. Hey, maybe math isn't really my subject. For me, maybe math isn't really my subject. So I need to meet with my teacher. I need to talk with my teacher. Instead of just hiding behind the test or hiding behind the computer, I think it's really important to be vulnerable with your teachers and with your friends.
speaker-0: Yeah, wonderful. I I appreciate that. I feel like we should have all the ninth graders here l listening to to that great advice. ⁓ all right, a little bit of a speed round here to end ⁓ our our our session. ⁓ I'll I'll start ⁓ Cal I'll start with you. ⁓ what are you most looking forward to ⁓ in your classes this year? ⁓ whi is there a class or a a topic you're really excited about?
speaker-3: I absolutely love all my classes this year. I will I I will say as seniors we do get to have some fun and picking them. But I will say one ⁓ very ⁓ important class I'm looking forward to is Modern Euro, ⁓ Modern European History with Mr. Klamenko. I've had the honor to both have history classes with both Charlie and Ella. And I will say each one that we've had either in sophomore junior year has been Interesting, but I've learned a lot of very cool things and you know, trying to try new things and learn new ideas. I actually did some self-reflection and I realized I've never really learned in depth about ⁓ European history, especially like the Renaissance and then onward. And I realized that Mr. Kamenko's class is exactly that and I am so excited to, you know, ⁓ I guess pick up all the new fun ideas all year. Like right now we are learning about King Louis the Fourteenth and the Sun King and it's just all very cool, fun things that I am excited to learn about.
speaker-0: Well, I b before we get to Ella and and Charlie's answer, I mean I have to be honest, before getting into school administration, I was a history teacher, I was a history major in college, so I think he gave a great answer there. ⁓ not saying our other departments aren't great, but well said. ⁓ Ella, what class ⁓ are you really excited about?
speaker-3: I love all the
speaker-1: Think you had an interesting pick because all three of us are big history nerds. ⁓ and Charlie and I are actually in the same modern euro class this year. So Kayla, we miss you. We wish you were in our section. ⁓ but I think I'm gonna take a different approach, even though I am taking three history classes this year, which I'm really excited about, all of them. ⁓ I think I'm honestly most excited for my bio class, which is interesting and words that I never thought would come out of my mouth, because I am not a big science or math person. ⁓ but I was doing my lab over the weekend and I there was something that was really satisfying about finishing it and completing it ⁓ and being really proud of my work. ⁓ and I think there's there's something interesting about that because I pushed off science last year because I was like I wanted to double up on history again because I've been trying to do the whole history department. ⁓ but it was really cool to me to think when my mom asked me the other day, she goes, like what's your favorite class right now? I was like, kind of bio. I'm really enjoying bio and I really love Miss Hannon. ⁓ and I really also again talked about younger students. I really like being in a class with a bunch of juniors. I think it's cool that I get to experience that with some of my friends from H G V S for my last year. ⁓ so I would say bio is something I'm looking most forward to.
speaker-0: That's great. Charlie?
speaker-2: ⁓ I'm really stuck between two. I don't wanna copy Kayla's answer with Modern Hero 'cause yes, you picked three big history buffs here. Like I think I took four histories last year, so I was gonna say modern euro because but it's between modern euro and oral history and the reason is the same for both of them. It's really cool when you're in a class environment that's not a required class, meaning that every single kid in that class took it because they're genuinely interested in it. I would say in ninety nine point nine percent of Hackabee classes, every student is genuinely bought in. But there are days where I don't wanna say my hour long math class, ⁓ but I'm forced to take it. That's the sad truth. But it's cool about modern euro and oral history because I'm in a classroom of like anywhere from ten to eighteen students who all wanna be there and all all the time and specifically went out of their way to choose this class and learn about the class. So disregarding all the course content, which I'm also interested in, it's really cool just being in a room with a bunch of students who all share the same passion and curiosity for the same subject as you
speaker-0: No, that's great. And I promise I did not know that about that your your collective love of history. but I'm I'm happy to hear it. ⁓ all right, last question ⁓ today. ⁓ you know, senior year, you're kind of looking ahead at all the the things that are gonna happen this year and and the the culmination of your time at Hackley. Are there some traditions or ⁓ events or just things ahead on the calendar that you're particularly interested in? I think might be nice to share because ⁓ you know, as as you talked about. one your early answers about laughter and joy and about and and the meaning that that brings to your ⁓ experience. ⁓ we we you all just talked about the academic things that you're learning in the classes and how much that's impacting you, but but also the the connection to the community. And I think for so many of us ⁓ here at Hackley, these events and these traditions are important. So Ella, maybe can you start? Is there a is there one that stands out for you? Yes.
speaker-1: I think this might be something that not a lot of people would think about, but I am most excited for the new Hackley freshman night, which is gonna be or now it's I think it's turned into a day. We did a day last year, but whatever it may be. ⁓ which is a lot later, it's around March, February, when the new Hackley freshmen get their letters of acceptance and they're able to come in for a day and kind of experience Hackley. ⁓ that has always been my all-time favorite event at Hackley, even though I love staying. ⁓ just because you really again you get to know these younger students and you get to talk to them about something that you love so much, which is Hackley. I love Hackley so much and I'm so able to like talk about it and why I love it so much. ⁓ and I really like seeing the students kind of get a smile on their face because they know that they're getting really excited about the school and that they want to come. And I remember that was me like three years ago now, four years ago now, ⁓ when I came to New Hackley freshman night and like I just had the biggest smile on my face 'cause I kept hearing from all these student ambassadors about how amazing it was and I really wanted to be a part of them. So I think that would be my favorite event that I'm most looking forward to.
speaker-0: No, that's great. And and certainly knowing that, you know, this might might might even be more poignant for you because you're not gonna be here with those students. So this is your opportunity to sort of get that message and get to know them a little bit and and continue that. ⁓ Charlie, what about
speaker-1: ⁓ no.
speaker-2: ⁓ I mean they're excited for the Stings or no. I'm most excited for the coffee houses. ⁓ there's something that I didn't necessarily go with. I didn't go to my freshman and sophomore year. I never went to all three. 'Cause I was like I was a little intimidated, like none of my friends really went. ⁓ I'm not a performer, but since then, ⁓ coffee houses ⁓ the three coffee houses that take place during the year are my favorite hack the event. It's such a cool feeling when you see like your peer that you don't know too well go up on the stage and like perform a talent that you never knew they had. And it's also like really inspiring when you see your classmates get up in front of a whole room full of people and just start like singing or playing the guitar. And it's just a great night and I really hope anyone's listening comes to the coffee house 'cause the more the merrier. And sometimes we're lacking a little on the numbers. No
speaker-0: Those are ⁓ unbelievable events. ⁓ and maybe maybe you can get on stage your senior year we can see. ⁓ and Kayla, what about you?
speaker-3: I will say I do love the coffee house. In fact, I did learn that AP Bio is gonna sing a song for Coffee House, which I am not a singer, so I hope that ⁓ we'll be okay. ⁓ but one thing I'm definitely looking forward to is this Sting, especially the spring sting, because Track runs it. And I will say we don't really have a lot of meats ⁓ here in the John Center, but it's just the fact that You know, after a long day of school you could see your friends that you don't really usually see after school come up the track. They ask you how you're doing. You see some family members, ⁓ other members of the faculty. ⁓ I they honestly for the ⁓ the spring sting they put you in any race and it's usually a fun race. And I remember last year I was in a four by one and a four by one is definitely not my race, but it's just Something I was with my friends and it's something that really builds a lot of future connections and a lot of fun with. ⁓ also there's a kids four by one, which is from what my understanding is some ⁓ members of the hackl of the f of the Hackley faculty, their children are in it. And it's actually so fun and cool. I remember one time they had matching shirts, so it is just very cool and very sweet.
speaker-0: ⁓ well that's great. And and I think the through line there through what all of you shared is that that sense of connection to either each other or your classmates ⁓ or younger students, whatever it might be, like th those things help bond us together and really form that connection. I think that's so prevalent. I I've I know I've noticed that in my time here at Hackley, how much students ⁓ how much meaning and purpose they take from those events where they can connect ⁓ and be together, whether it's at the Sting or the Coffee House or ⁓ even at you know, admissions events. So ⁓ that's great. Well We'll we'll we'll stop there. ⁓ you know, I know you all have class to get to, you're probably excited. I hope you have history class coming up. But ⁓ yeah, there you go. ⁓ but really thank you so much. I mean it great opportunity for I think a broader audience to hear a little bit what what's it like to be a senior here at Hackley. So I can't thank you all enough ⁓ and I hope you have a ⁓ a great rest of the day.
speaker-3: Thank you. ⁓
