Knowing the spring term at Hill is not going to be the same as previous years, the administration is currently evaluating different options and considering the interests of students in all forms.

According to Katy Hudak, the academic dean, “We have great hope to retain some of these traditions and they will be beautiful no matter what.” 

Events such as Parent’s Weekend, Commencement, the Strawberry Festival, yearbook signing and Sixth Form Dance are still in question. Depending on how the spring term unfolds and the condition of Montgomery County in May, these events will either be conducted in the virtual world or on campus with specially adjusted COVID-19 protocols. 

Director of Student Life David Hoffman ‘01 explained, “It might not look exactly the way that it has in the past, but we will pull out all the stops when it comes to creatively finding new avenues to make this a fun spring term for our community.” 

According to the sixth form SGA representatives, Sasjha Mayfield ‘21 and Andrew Chirieleison ‘21, the Hill School administration is currently in the process of setting up a variety of events: Prom, food trucks, the Dorm Cup and a lot of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion events. Throughout the months of March and April, speakers are lined up to discuss topics centered around DEI to all forms. The first event will be in honor of National Women’s Day on March 8, along with a movie on the quad on the weekend of March 13. 

Mayfield stated, “I am most looking forward to the little things, including spring dress for the sixth form and all of the movies on the quad for DEI.” 

Chirieleison commented, “I am really looking forward to the Strawberry Festival because we missed this last year, in addition to enjoying the warmer weather outside with people.” 

With a similar viewpoint, sixth form SGA senator Poppy Otten ‘21 stated, “In the coming spring term, I would really be interested to see what kind of modifications we can make for the Strawberry Festival.” Otten continued, “The spring term symbolizes a lot for the sixth form; these coming months are a very important time for us and the postgraduates because these are our last few months in high school.” 

Other exciting events which students enjoyed throughout the fall term and hope to bring into the spring term include the carnival, the silent disco party, the nail salon, strawberries and chocolate fondue at the Headmaster’s Garden as well as the petting zoo. 

“I am hoping the administration will loosen up the restrictions towards the end of the year, and I am excited for more events, especially the petting zoo,” Mary Kate Barnhart ’24 said.   

The Hill News will be following and reporting on the development of these much-anticipated spring events as the administration continues to plan the conclusion of the year. Please stay tuned for a dedicated page coming soon to our website.