First Friday on the Hilltop: a sneak peek into gradewide activities

Sink or swim; those were the only options for freshmen as they competed to create the winning boat of the regatta. On Friday, September 6th, an energetic and competitive spirit filled the air as the freshmen used nothing but cardboard and duct tape to create boats that eventually would put to the test of seaworthiness in the Hackley pool.  The day kicked off with a scavenger hunt to gather materials loc...

This First Friday, members of the Class of 2022 loaded up buses to Teatown Lake Reservation after checking in for attendance in their homerooms. The sophomores chattered excitedly as they drove to Croton, hopping off the buses to meet their guides for the day.  Teatown Lake Reservation is a preserve in Westchester County where visitors are invited to hike, visit rotating exhibits, and experience Wildflower Island, home to over 320 species of na...

Public speaking can be an overwhelming fear, but, done right, it has the potential to be unbelievably rewarding. On First Friday, juniors were split into eight-person groups, meeting in various locations over campus. They wrote, rehearsed, and produced speeches. After performing them once in their small group, each group voted on the one they believed most valuable to be performed in the Performing ...

On First Friday, the seniors gathered at the Head of School, Michael Wirtz’s house for their annual breakfast. There, with muffins in hand, the Class of 2020 mingled on the porch of the Gage house, as Mr. Wirtz hopped among conversations. The seniors were buzzing with conversation, taking the chance to catch up with friends.  Many of the conversations were about how far the seniors had come and how m...