2024 Convocation

Suffield Academy’s 2024-2025 academic year officially began with Convocation on September 9, 2024 in Tisch Field House. Head of School Charlie Cahn opened the program by sharing “The spirit, resilience, and cohesion of the extended Suffield Academy community have been clearly apparent over the last week. We have a great deal to look forward to as we begin the new year.”

Mr. Cahn welcomed Suffield’s one hundred and thirty new students and seven new faculty members before recognizing the school’s most senior faculty and staff members who have been a part of the community for more than thirty years—Mrs. Vianney, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, Mrs. Cahn ’88, Mr. Hennessey, Mr. Moore, Mr. Kasanowski, Ms. Mish, and Ms. Rusczyk. He said, “These people help carry forward the values and traditions of our school.” 

Student Council President Guru Anand ’25 encouraged his peers to challenge themselves in the classroom, become inspired on the playing fields, and explore passions in the arts and beyond. “Suffield Academy is about character. Our school motto, Esse Quam Videri [to be, rather than seem] reminds us to act with integrity, treat others with kindness, and take responsibility for our actions.” Guru continued by sharing his pride in Suffield and the unique community. “Be open to new friendships and embrace our diversity—it's one of our greatest strengths with students from eighteen states and twenty two countries.”

Dean of Academics and Faculty Ms. Yeager challenged faculty to a Leadership Program activity that freshmen often do. She asked faculty to come forward in front of the podium if they have either worked at Suffield since September 2010 or are an alum. After the challenge, she shared that she chose 2010 to represent the year many freshmen were born. “Look carefully at this group—nearly fifty percent of our full-time faculty have not just been teachers, but teachers at Suffield longer than you have been alive! For alumni, they graduated from Suffield, graduated from college, and cared enough about the school to come back and give to another generation. That is what I want you to think about this year—a commitment to put others first and be part of something bigger than yourself.” Ms. Yeager concluded with three final charges for the Suffield Academy community:

Work to be your best self and be one small part of something great. The power is in your hands to determine what kind of community we have.

Every day should be a good day. I read the line in a book this summer, ‘I made the conscious choice not to have any more bad days—only challenging days. Only days that pushed me to be a problem solver. But not bad days, not ever.’ That is a contagious philosophy—having days that challenge you to be a problem solver and figure it out, not bad days.

We all control the spirit on campus—do your part to be your best self and put others first. Strive to be known for your impeccable manners, your kindness, your welcoming smile, and good words.

The Convocation ceremony was a spirited and inspiring morning before students attended their first academic class. Underclass Prize Day will take place as the chapel program on Monday, September 16.

View Convocation Ceremony