Samantha Walther holds many impactful roles on The Hill school campus. She is an assistant coach on the girls varsity ice hockey team, dorm parent in Dell Village, World History teacher, and an advisor. For many, however, she is also a confident mentor and friend.
Walther herself graduated from boarding school at The Frederick Gunn School — then called The Gunnery— in rural Connecticut where she played goalie on the school’s hockey team. At Gunnery, she met Ari Baum, Hill’s associate head of school and head coach of the girls ice hockey team, for the first time. There, they created their connection which ultimately brought Walther to Hill. She also later played ice hockey at Hamilton College, breaking all-time records as a goalie, and competed professionally for the Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters.
Walther is a huge inspiration for many students at Hill, particular those in the ice hockey program. Adelia Chism ’26 speaks very highly of Walther, as she learned from Walther as an adviser and as a goalie coach on the girls varsity ice hockey team. Chism particularly treasured the open connection they share.
“There is a lot of open communication there, and she’s always down to talk if I’m stressed about anything hockey or school related,” Chism said.
Walther works to spend time with students and build relationships outside of the typical school setting. She worked hard to make real connections and made sure that students feel comfortable going to talk to her about anything. Chism shared how she had gone to Walther to talk in confidence about mental health and grades. “She’s never been disappointed,” Chism said.
On the long hockey trips, Walther would often spend time in the back of the bus with the players rather than in the front with the coaches. She would give advice, joke around and tell stories. One player, Anna Lloren ’26, found it particularly humorous “when Walther told us about the time Moose pooped on her pillow.” Other members of the team share memories from when Walther would spend time in the back.