From the Hilltop February 2026

Our Global Village

Our little corner of the world here in Meriden is home to a flourishing global village where students from 24 different countries unite as one. This month—with the spirit of the Olympics in the air and the fresh promise of a new year—our campus feels brighter than ever. It’s a joy to watch firsthand how a little empathy, a lot of understanding, and plenty of good old-fashioned fun can bridge any distance and bring the world just a little bit closer together.

Reflections of an Olympian

With the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics underway, we asked Mathematics Teacher and Nordic Ski Coach Justin Freeman to share his observations and insights, which he learned firsthand as a member of U.S. Ski Team in the 2006 Olympics.

Scenes From: Lunar New Year

For students who celebrate the Lunar New Year, Munro House served as a warm and welcoming gathering place to enjoy the comforts of home. Celebrated by millions of people around the world, Lunar New Year is a time for cultural traditions, family, and hopes for good fortune in the coming year. From a homemade feast of traditional dishes to games to calls to loved ones, the day offered an opportunity to pause and share in joyful moments. Thank you to Lily Deng P'29 and Jasmine and Tao Zhou P'29 for joining us and bringing the tastes of home all the way from China.

Olivia '26 Pairs Substance with Style

Olivia '26 embarked on a monthlong Cullman Scholarship experience in Italy aimed at making fashionable adaptive clothing options more accessible.

Wildcat Cubs Roar Onto Campus

KUA Partners with Plainfield School for National Girls and Women in Sports Day

More than 50 Plainfield School students from kindergarten to eighth grade joined KUA coaches and students on campus for an afternoon of skill-building, friendship, and fun. Youth sport participation is associated with better mental health, stronger social functioning, healthier body composition, and higher physical activity levels over time. But by age 14, girls are dropping out of sports at two times the rate of boys, according to the Women's Sports Foundation. KUA is hoping to change that narrative by inspiring young girls to find a love of athletics through this annual event.

This year's theme, Fueling for Performance, helped KUA athletes understand the physiological side of success, while still celebrating the joy and confidence that athletics provide with the younger girls in our community. The whole day was empowering and gratifying for our female community!" - Colleen Norgang '03, Head Athletic Trainer

Navigating an Ethical World

To support seniors' transition after high school, KUA hosts an annual Ethics Day, that affords students the opportunity to hear directly from alumni and parents about how they navigated an ethical dilemma they faced in their professional lives.

Ethics Day creates meaningful space for seniors to connect and network with alums in an authentic way — asking questions, building relationships, and seeing tangible examples of life after KUA." - Angelica Pascual, Senior Class Dean

Cold Rink, Warm Welcome

KUA welcomed alumni home to Akerstrom Arena last weekend for the KUA Hockey Reunion. An alumni game, family skate, and an afternoon cheering on the Wildcats let alumni relive memories made in the rink.

KUA Presents "Urinetown" as Winter Musical

KUA will present Urinetown on February 26, 27, and 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Flickinger Auditorium. Equal parts hilarious and thought-provoking, Urinetown skewers corporate greed, political apathy, environmental collapse, and—yes—bathroom humor, all while gleefully poking fun at musical theater itself.

Kimball Union Magazine

The Fall/Winter 2026 issue of Kimball Union is now available and packed with news and updates from The Hilltop and beyond! This issue also features our Donor Report - a thank you to all who make the KUA experience possible!