From the Hilltop December 2024

Warm Winter Greetings

Today, we share the final From the Hilltop of 2024 as we close out a year that demonstrated the strength and the joy that the Kimball Union community brings each and every day. Take a look back at December, a month filled with wonder, curiosity, giving, and joy. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Joy to the World

The Kimball Union Academy community spread a little magic for others in need during various community service projects, including a few long-standing programs that have become hallmarks of the KUA holiday season.

Penny Fellowship led efforts to serve a delicious and festive lunch to 82 seniors from the surrounding community at the annual Plainfield Senior Holiday Lunch. The event is organized in partnership with Plainfield Community Resource Director Stephanie Schell P’21.
Densmore Hall hosted games in Alumni Gym for students and faculty with an entrance fee or toy for Toys for Tots. The 15th year running, the event brought in 36 toys and $600 for local children.
Through grade-level programming, 9th and 12th graders wrote letters to veterans while students in grades 10 and 11 made no-sew blankets for Project Linus, which offers handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.

Season's Readings

If your holiday shopping is done, perhaps the time is right to treat yourself to a great winter read. Members of the Kimball Union Academy community are here to help with their favorite book selections this year.

Cullman Scholarship Reaffirms a Love of Biology

Sarah '26 interned last summer with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife studying the impact of winter ticks on the region’s moose population and helping extract feather and Avian flu samples from a colony of black terns.

An Artist Working Within Boundaries

Making art accessible is a guiding principle for Riley Adams. As chair of the Art Department, she hopes to engage even more students in the arts. She will exhibit her own work in the Taylor Art Gallery beginning January 17.

Wildcats Clinch KIT Championship

The Girls' Varsity Basketball Team went 3-0 in the 62nd Annual Paul W. “Frosty” Francis Kingswood Invitational Tournament (KIT), and triumphed over Holderness in the championship game on December 22.

Outstanding individual performances included Leila Portugal Roman, who was named the All KIT MVP; Nyasia Caban, who earned All KIT First Team; and Zoe Pagan, who was recognized on the All KIT Second Team.

"Overall, it was a great tournament play for the entire team," says Head Coach Angelica Pascual. "These girls showed incredible resilience and played for one another."

KUA Announces Fall Athletics Award Winners

Kimball Union Athletics recognized 25 fall student-athletes in December who were honored by the The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), Lakes Region League (LRL) and National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Learn More

KUA in the News

Boston Globe: Scouts Aren't Changing the Flood-Marr Vibe

Signatures of college, junior hockey, and professional scouts were noted on page after page at the front desk of Milton Academy’s Athletic and Convocation Center, but the vibe inside the building, where Kimball Union's boys' hockey team was playing in the annual Flood-Marr Tournament, still felt communal. Coach Tim Whitehead explains why.

Scenes From: Winter Music and Dance

Thank You KUA!

Our Day of Giving earlier this month was a tremendous success, with 822 donors contributing to raise over $570,000—the most ever raised on a Day of Giving! While we fell just short of our 900-donor goal this year, we could feel the KUA love here on campus and we hope you did too, no matter where in the world you were. Thank you to those that were a part of the day, your support has an immense impact here on campus. If you weren’t able to join us on One Day. One KUA, there's still time to make an impact and show your support for KUA by giving to the KUA Fund before the year ends!

Support KUA

Alumni, have your registerd for Reunion 2025, taking place May 30-June 1? All classes are invited with special celebrations for classes ending in 5 and 0. Early registration is now open, and if you register before April 11, you'll be entered to win a KUA YETI Rambler Beverage Bucket.

Register for Reunion

Nominations Open for 2025 Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards are presented annually at Reunion. Nominate fellow alumni to recognize their service to KUA and the community in one of the following categories:

Alumni Volunteer Award
Alumni Achiever’s Award
Young Alumni Award
Sportsmanship Award

All nominations for Reunion 2025 are due by January 15, 2025.

Nominate an Alumnus

Upcoming Events

Jan 17: Taylor Gallery Opening, Riley Adams

Jan 17: Perimeter Jazz Ensemble

Feb 8: Whittemore Athletic Center and Akerstrom Arena Renovation Celebration

Feb 15: Feichtinger Cup and Harry Robinson ’74 Memorial Ski Day

Feb 15: Ethics Day

Feb 27-Mar 1: Winter Musical, Les Misérables

April 25: A Grand Day (for Grandparents and Special Friends)

May 30-June 1: Reunion 2025

See Full Calendar

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