Taylor Speaker Series: Tobias Wolff
We were honored to host award-winning author Tobias Wolff as the inaugural guest in Berkshire’s new Taylor Speaker Series, an endowed program funded by former trustee Vernon Taylor ’66, designed to welcome speakers in the humanities to campus. The author of This Boy’s Life, Wolff has written several story collections and two other memoirs, including In Pharaoh’s Army, a finalist for the National Book Award, and the novel The Barracks Thief, which won the Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction. From visiting English classes to discussing the writing life with students over lunch, Wolff offered a look at the grit and discipline required of a literary career and discussed some of his favorite authors with our Bears. During a keynote speech and Q&A, Wolff shared stories of his “epiphany” on a San Francisco park bench after serving in Vietnam and the teachers who have mentored him throughout his life.
The room was attentive, and everyone had questions; the atmosphere felt real and human, which I just didn’t expect from an author of his status. There was no sense that our worth as writers depended on impressing him. I think this highlights the difference in boarding schools back in the time of 'Old School' and now." –Declan Blanchard '26
This past week, the Berkshire community came together in a variety of ways to honor the rich cultural traditions of the Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Horse with shared celebrations across campus and in our Chinese language classes. Lunar New Year festivities kicked off with a student-led Chinese dragon dance and a traditional Sichuan opera "face changing" performance by Jaden Wei, a senior at nearby Salisbury School, during Monday's All-School Meeting. Ahead of the school-wide celebrations, Ms. Beattie's Chinese language students made dumplings, practiced their calligraphy, and decorated Berkshire Hall with red lanterns and other traditional decorations. The Pan-Asian Collective Affinity Group also celebrated together with a special Lunar New Year dinner. The entire Berkshire community then enjoyed a special Lunar New Year-inspired lunch in the Campus Center to kick off the Year of the Horse, which officially began on February 17.
Scholastic Art Awards
Art students had great success in this year's Scholastic Art Awards regional competition, setting a Berkshire record with 42 awards. The awarded artwork included photography, ceramics, mixed media, digital art, and sculpture. Six students were awarded Gold Keys: Evan Ballard '28, Yuki Hu '26, Samantha King '29, Benson Lu '28, Chidera Okeke '26, and Sahar S. '26! Congratulations also to Lila Barkan '27, Graham Bartels '29, Bryson Brojde '27, Cecilia Franck '26, Tamana H. '26, Dionis Phelan '26, Sai Ronanki '29, Ryan Seelenbrandt '28, Lena Smith '26, Celine Tsai '26, and Emily Yang '27 for winning Silver Keys; and to Adriana Carlin '28, Alex Fan '29, Harper Murray '29, Ellie Patterson '26, Ryan Rabe '29, and Simon Wang '28 for their Honorable Mentions!
Black History Month
Black History Month at Berkshire was honored by a series of student-led initiatives that brought our community together to honor the past and celebrate the present. Throughout February, student leaders from the Black Student Union (BSU) led our weekly All-School Meetings and Assemblies. During one All-School Meeting, members of the BSU highlighted important Black Americans to illustrate their impact on American history. The BSU also hosted an Alumni Panel during an All-School meeting. Please see more about this panel on the following page. The BSU also fostered smaller moments of connection by hosting a dinner for students and faculty who identify as African or African American.
Black Student Union Alumni Panel
On Monday, February 16, the Black Student Union hosted an inspiring alumni panel during All-School Meeting. The event provided a meaningful opportunity for the Berkshire community to celebrate the achievements and diverse experiences of four of our graduates of color. Ugochukwu Achara Jr. ‘19, Tobenna Ikejiani ‘20, David Oladeji ‘22, and Kenny Coard ‘85 took the stage for an insightful interview moderated by Chidera Okeke ‘26 and Katherine Nelson ‘27, members of the BSU Executive Board. Following the presentation, the alumni joined students and faculty for lunch in the Campus Center, where they shared further advice and conversation. The alumni finished their day under the Mountain by participating in Clay Splawn's Ethics class.
Panel participants photo, from left: Katherine Nelson '27, Dean of Inclusion and Belonging Kelvin Martinez, David Oladeji '22, Tobenna Ikejiani '20, Ugochukwu Achara Jr. '19, Kenny Coard '85, Chidera Okeke '26, Gabby St. Clair '27
Dispatch from The Dome
The monthly Dispatch from The Dome highlights our Bears' literary and artistic talents. January's Dispatch features this painting, "Id," by Ellie Patterson '26 and the poem “Words from an All-Nighter" by Emily Yang '27.
The Dome editors Georgina Clarke '26, Molly Caesar-Kim '26, Chidera Okeke '26, and Lena Smith '26 introduced each work. Below are the editors' reflections on what drew them to the pieces and why they were selected.
The poem opens with vivid and playful metaphors: a dying cactus, a wilting flower, a cooked mushroom, all of which immediately pull you into the specificity of the speaker’s experience. Each image is surprising, specific, and funny, while also showcasing a real sense of struggle. We were immediately drawn to the relatability of the poem, as I am sure we have all experienced countless late nights full of procrastinated assignments and chaos."
While selecting the artwork, we found curiosity and playfulness in the addition of the jewelry embellishing the fish. The jewels almost personify whoever the fish may be. We loved how using only green for both the fish and the background, and all the different shades & soft brushstrokes, created a sense of tranquillity, and we thought this paired well with the feelings of solitude and stillness in Emily’s poem."
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
The Berkshire community gathered during a recent All-School Meeting to observe Holocaust Remembrance Day. In a moving display of student leadership, the program was led by several leaders of different affinity groups. Student leaders opened the meeting with historical context, guided the community through the devastating reach of Nazi propaganda and the lived reality of the concentration camps. They then introduced Martin Niemöller’s poem, "First They Came." The audience was then invited to participate in a Berkshire-specific adaptation of the text. As individuals stood one by one, the room fell into a somber silence, which illustrated the collective responsibility and shared impact of the Holocaust.
On such an important day as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, bringing together students from many different affinity groups to recount and remember what the Holocaust was, speaks to the support and belonging these groups create on the Berkshire School campus." – Jason Epstein, Director of Technology and faculty advisor to the Jewish Affinity Group
Thank you to the following affinity group leaders for hosting this ASM programming: Lila Barkan '27, Lily Royce '27, Jessica Sonner '27, Aliza Torop '28, Lauren Stenzler '27, Blaze Casdin '26, Tildie Ettedgui '27, Chloe Winkler '27, Katherine Nelson '27, Jerome Williams '26, Gabby St. Clair '27, Chidera Okeke '26, Lucas Gee '27, Nuala Chee '27, Amaru Fiori '27, and Anabel Vilas '28!
The Winter Musical
Last call! See the final performance of Hadestown: Teen Edition, the Tony Award®-winning musical by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin Saturday night in Allen Theater! A timeless tale that intertwines the story of young lovers Orpheus and Eurydice with that of Hades and Persephone—King and Queen of the Underworld—Hadestown: Teen Edition invites audiences on a journey, literally “to hell and back.” The show explores themes of hope, resilience, and awakening, and how the power of love and art can change the world.
This is a rare opportunity to produce a show right here in Sheffield that is still running on Broadway. This show provides an opportunity for our talented performers and backstage crew to tackle mature themes of love and sacrifice in a way that feels incredibly relevant to today’s world.” –Jesse Howard, Theater Director
Closing night for Hadestown: Teen Edition is tonight (Saturday, February 21) at 7:30 p.m. in Allen Theater. The show runs for just over two hours with one 15-minute intermission. There is a $2.00 suggested donation at the door for the Wil Smith Scholarship Fund.
The countdown is on! Next week kicks off Pro Vita Winter Session! With more than 50 courses led by students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni, two off-campus trips, a Global Celebration, and community-wide evening events, Pro Vita is always one of the most anticipated weeks of the school year.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram to learn more about Berkshire's signature "For Life" program and see daily updates from classes all week long!
Winter Dance Concert
February 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Allen Theater
The upcoming Winter Dance Concert will feature a variety of styles, including ballet, contemporary, jazz, K-Pop, and tap. Don't miss it!
Dancers: Yuki Hu '26, Katherine Nelson '27, and Ciecee Qiu '28
Dance Program Director Madison Bagby shared the following concert preview:
"This winter has been an amazing opportunity for some of our most veteran dancers to really level up their game and showcase just how talented they are. With only three dancers on the team this season, each number in the show provides opportunities to highlight their individual “superpowers.” As such, each dance is a step up from seasons past, incorporating both highly dynamic formations and substantially more intricate and athletic choreography."
"It’s been really inspiring to see the level of teamwork on regular display and the value our dancers put into supporting each other’s unique talents throughout the season-long learning process. Our dancers are dauntless in the face of challenges, always persisting to break it down into manageable pieces and make progress each day. Throughout this season, this trio has really found success in the positive habits they have made routine and built confidence that shines in their performance. I am so excited to see them seize the stage and share the fruits of their hard labor, dedication, and applied talent with our community."
Coaches vs. Cancer
In its first-ever Coaches vs. Cancer game on January 24, Boys Varsity Basketball earned a 57-56 win over King School. An anonymous donor pledged $30 for each of the team's 11 three-pointers, raising funds in support of the American Cancer Society.
The Girls Varsity Basketball team also hosted a Coaches vs. Cancer game on February 20, showing their support for the fight against cancer.
Fifth Form College Program
Berkshire welcomed representatives from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, College of the Holy Cross, Bucknell University, and Trinity College for our recent Fifth Form College Program.
The event opened with a presentation from Berkshire's College Office, highlighting current college admissions trends, keys to creating a balanced college list, and more. That evening, the college reps, representing colleges and universities of different sizes and from varying locales, held a panel discussion about the application process and answered questions from both students and parents. "Our annual College Program continues to stand out as a uniquely informative experience for Fifth Form families," said Director of College Counseling Andrea Bowler. "It sets an important foundation for the months ahead by giving families insight and practical guidance directly from collegiate admissions professionals. The program not only educates parents but also strengthens our relationships with colleges and universities. It serves as a powerful reminder of the partnership between families, schools, and admissions professionals in supporting students' success."
The college forum was excellent. I have been to many college prep webinars but this event was so unique. I especially enjoyed the morning session—it was helpful to review the applications with the admissions officers and hear their invaluable takeaways." –Irene Todd P'27
A Mountain of Gratitude!
Our 11th annual One Day for Berkshire was a resounding success! Thanks to your incredible spirit, we surpassed our 1,440-donor goal, unlocking the $115,000 overall challenge. We also met our parent and alumni challenges—securing an additional $100,000 for the Annual Fund—and capped the night off by securing an extra $5,000 for our end-of-day challenge. Your collective generosity has brought immense warmth to campus this winter, and we are profoundly grateful for your unwavering support. From all of us under the Mountain to all of you who participated … THANK YOU!
Save the Date!
We hope you can join us for Spring Family Weekend on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25.
Spring Family Weekend offers families and their guests the opportunity to visit campus to engage with the school, their children, and each other! The weekend is full of events, including a guest speaker, a host of home athletic contests, the Spring Concert, and more. See the full schedule of events below.
Calling all families of seniors!
Mark your calendar for a special Class of 2026 dinner! It's the first of many milestone events in the spring to celebrate members of the graduating class. More information to follow!
The King of Winter Sports
The Decades of Skiing, Jumping, and "Snurfing" on Berkshire's Mountain
Join Archivist Bebe Clark Bullock '86 and special guest Trustee Jed Scala '85 on a journey through decades of winter adventure on the slopes of Mount Everett, from the pioneering days of 12-foot wooden skis to the 1970s "Snurfing" era. Discover how the School's rugged terrain shaped world-class athletes and courageous WWII heroes of the 10th Mountain Division. This hour-long webinar celebrates the Mountain's storied past and those who made the trails a part of ski lore.
Wednesday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m. (ET)
Alumni Spotlight
Emily Russell ’07 didn’t set out to be a journalist, but a leap of faith took her from earning a master’s in Arctic policy in Alaska to the airwaves of NPR. Now a reporter for North Country Public Radio, Emily is telling impactful stories—from Olympic coverage to community profiles—frequently heard by the national audiences on Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Read on to learn how Berkshire’s core values of curiosity and resilience have shaped her career path.
Our Boys and Girls Varsity Squash teams are heading to the 2026 U.S. Squash High School Team Championships in Philadelphia, Feb. 20–22. Three-time World Champion and former World No. 1 Nick Matthew was mic'd up during a recent practice to help the Bears prepare for nationals.
Best of luck this weekend, Bears! 🐻💪