Tower Hill ushered in the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year with its annual Convocation on Friday, Sept. 25.
By Meg Ryan, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing
On a warm Friday morning in late September, Tower Hill students, faculty and staff came together on the Hayward House lawn to set an intention for the new academic year.
A newer tradition, Convocation celebrates the start of something new and looks forward to what’s to come. As students made the walk from DeGroat Field to the house lawn, they were led by representatives carrying their class banners showcasing the spirit and pride of each grade.
The morning’s program included speakers from across the school’s divisions sharing what makes Tower Hill so special to them and what they were looking forward to accomplishing this year.
“One of the best things about being a student at Tower Hill is you feel like you’re part of one big family, a family of Hillers. Our school community supports us as we learn important skills,” fourth grader Zoya Hanafi ’34 said.
The theme of family continued within eighth grade student Theo Liappis’ ’30 speech, who shared his story of feeling anxious coming in as the “new kid” from Virginia four years ago and immediately feeling welcomed and accepted.
“From the moment I walked through those doors, I was welcomed with open arms,” he said. “People were kind, teachers took the time to get to know me and I didn’t feel like just another new kid, I felt like I truly belonged. That is what community really is.”
Student Government Association President and Senior Ellie Heifetz ’26 concluded the student speeches reflecting on her time at Tower Hill, from preschool until now. She gave a few words of wisdom to her fellow Hillers.
“Thirteen years have gone by very quickly,” Ellie said. “Whether you’re a kindergartener, a fourth grader leading the Lower School, a fifth grader just beginning a new Middle School chapter, a ninth grader, a faculty member, a new student or a returning student, my advice to you is the same: take advantage of the present moment. In this next year, I encourage everyone to be curious, ask questions and advocate for changes you believe in. Go to your friends’ sports games and concerts, appreciate the little things and put yourself out of your comfort zone by trying something new this year whether it's a new instrument, sport or art and know that you will always be supported by the Hiller community.”
Community remained a common thread throughout everyone’s words shared at Convocation. Head of School Sarah Baker P ’36, ’39 referenced that the “heartbeat of Tower Hill” is the shared bonds and supportive nature of everyone within the one shared schoolhouse.
“It is my good fortune to share this community with you, to hold myself to be better and do better because of you, to understand that there is always someone younger watching and learning from me how to move through this world in a way that upholds our values and gives grace. I hope that we can set the intention together this year to be mindful of the gift of this truly intergenerational and truly shared community, the power that it has for us, and the power that we have within it to live with the intention, the pleasure, and the privilege of supporting each other deliberately,” she said.
And keeping in the tradition of celebrating the newest members joining Tower Hill, Head of Lower School Amy Bickhart presented Tower Tots Augie and Will with the Class of 2040 banner to wave proudly as they continued their academic journey on 17th Street.
Following a group singing of the Alma Mater, the event concluded with a surprise visit from the White Tiger who brought smiles and high fives to students as they made their way back into the schoolhouse to continue their day.
