Ken Matanachai ’22

For me, Hotchkiss was filled with many life lessons. The most important thing I learned is actually a question I ask myself all the time: what game am I playing? Now, I don’t usually have a definitive answer to this question; however, I ask myself this because of all the expectations, societal or familial, that have been placed upon us. It helps me question my assumptions about what it means to live my life. It keeps me from falling into the rabbit hole of “never enough” and dissatisfaction.

By clearly separating out what I need to do versus what I’m told to do, I’ve found a sense of calmness and fulfillment that has served me well during challenging times.

Isaac Tandatnick ’22

Over my time at Hotchkiss, I have made some good friends and even better memories. If I could give one piece of advice to younger students, it would be to put yourself out there. I shied away from clubs and activities in Prep and Lower Mid-year because I was scared of what people might think and because I thought I wasn’t good enough. Starting Junior year, I ventured out, served as class president, and since have served as a head tour guide and proctor.

The opportunities at Hotchkiss are endless and a student’s room for growth has no ceiling. Throw yourself in the way of opportunity and you will be met with success. P.S. Also, just be yourself.

Yihan Ding ’22

Once you survive four years of extreme sleep deprivation, Hotchkiss is truly transformative. You leave thinking anything is possible. Unfortunately, resolving my procrastination was not part of my “transformation.” However, at Hotchkiss, I learned to produce higher quality essays five hours before the deadline. With practice, 2000 words with an annotated bibliography is easily manageable in a double lunch period.

In all seriousness, the most important lesson I learned from my time here was to give myself breaks. Take advantage of the Health Center and communicate with your teachers. The mental health days you take once in a while makes all the difference.

Kenny Noland ’22

My favorite things about Hotchkiss are the people and the staff. I have met so many interesting people with vast differences and experiences, and I have learned so much in just one year at Hotchkiss. If I had to give advice to younger students, I would say to be kind to everyone and try to meet new people, because there are so many people at Hotchkiss that are worth getting to know.

I would like to thank all of my teachers, because they all have truly been the best teachers I’ve had in my high school experience. I would also like to thank Coach Yassine Talhaoui, Coach Turner and Coach Hahn.

Cooper Roh ’22

I’m honestly grateful that I have struggled here. It means I grew. In a weird kind of way, I’m thankful that Hotchkiss put me through so much. And hopefully now, I may remount my pedestal as a human now.

I hope to be a symbol of not just academic success, but of personal success and triumph, of struggle, and I’ve accepted that I don’t need to be perfectly OK right now to be worthy of love. And that’s OK.

Camilla Fritzinger ’22

I made most of my best Hotchkiss memories in Tinker — I accredit so much to the girls who I lived with during my last two years here. When I look back on my time here I will remember rigorous academics and a lot of stress, but I will cherish the memories I made with the girls in the classes of ’21 and ’22 in Tinker.

I’ve learned so much during my time here and I have Hotchkiss to thank for making me the person I am today.

Nate  Brockington ’22

Nothing beats spending your passing periods with your best friends in Main. Everyday, I become closer with my best buds, and make new friendships. Younger students should reach out to anyone and everyone, including students across all grades and teachers across all departments.

It’s amazing how many unique and incredible people you meet everyday.

Beatrice Conti ’22

This spring, I started making the effort to speak to as many people in my grade as possible before graduation. It’s been incredibly rewarding, but also a bit sad — I wish I’d started doing it earlier. I hope you’ll all take the time to get to know the people in your grade, including those with whom you haven’t overlapped yet in any classes or activities.

Remember that it’s never too late to start saying hi!

Billy Meneses ’22

“My name is Billy Meneses and I am a proud member of the class of 2022.”

Ah, matriculation, or what I like to call, the scariest time of the year. I remember walking up to the front of the chapel and waiting in line until it was my turn to introduce myself to the school. When I finally made my way to the microphone, I breathed shakily into the microphone and proclaimed my place at Hotchkiss, the place where I would make a name for myself for the next four years. At the time, a seemingly traumatic experience became a cherished, nostalgic memory that all Hotchkiss students share. Now that I have had the privilege to attend matriculation and not have to stand up in front of hundreds to announce my name, it makes me excited to see the preps who will eventually find their place at Hotchkiss, even amid the trials and tribulations they will endure. Trust me — I write from experience — Getting through Hotchkiss is no easy feat, but matriculation is a time not just for class unity but school-wide unity. This tradition shows us that we really are all in this together.

Matriculation, what became my favorite tradition, is one of the first times that new and old Hotchkiss students are together in the same room. When we sing “Fair Hotchkiss” at the end, it is a culmination of the new and the old, the passing of a Hotchkiss tradition and the beginning of new Hotchkiss generation.