The senior speaker series, now in its tenth year, is a valuable Suffield Academy tradition. As the capstone to the Leadership Program, it provides a unique opportunity for students and faculty to hear from each senior and is a weekly highlight in our community. The 2024-2025 senior speaker series continued at chapel on January 27. It featured seven members of the Class of 2025.
Vincent Prescott, a four-year senior from Somers, Connecticut, shared a deeply personal and powerful reflection on his journey with mental health, resilience, and the importance of community. He spoke about struggling to find passion and love in his life before coming to Suffield and how learning to accept himself and embrace the people around him helped him heal. "I used to look at sayings like ‘it’ll get better’ or ‘one day at a time’ as a dismissal or a joke of a saying that had no merit. But the honest-to-God truth is that it does get better, and don’t believe me because I say it but because I have staked my entire life on this,". Vincent expressed gratitude for the teachers, mentors, friends, and family members who have supported him, emphasizing that on even the hardest days, it is the people in his life who keep him moving forward.
Isabelle Marzouca, a four-year senior from Kingston, Jamaica, shared how her journey at Suffield Academy has been shaped by resilience, community, and the search for belonging. Leaving home was daunting, but she held onto the Jamaican saying: “Wi likkle but wi tallawah”—a reminder that despite her small stature, she possessed great strength. She recalled moments of unexpected warmth—an enthusiastic wave, a booming voice calling her name—that helped her feel seen in an unfamiliar place. “Slowly, those simple gestures turned into friendships, and what had once felt unfamiliar began to feel like home,”. When her brother and closest friends graduated, she feared losing the community she had built. But instead, she discovered that change brings new connections.
Reagan Silva, a four-year senior from Suffield, Connecticut, spoke about the importance of keeping things in perspective, a lesson her father has instilled in her since she was young. She shared her father’s journey—born in Venezuela, moving to Portugal as a baby, and then immigrating to the U.S., where he and his family faced financial hardships. Despite those struggles, her parents worked hard to provide a vastly different and better childhood for her and her brother. Reflecting on her parents’ experiences has shaped Reagan’s outlook on life. Whenever she feels overwhelmed or unmotivated, she reminds herself of their sacrifices and the opportunities she has because of them. She encouraged her classmates to be grateful for what they have rather than focusing on what they lack. Reagan also took time to thank those who have made a meaningful impact on her Suffield experience—faculty members who supported and guided her, coaches who believed in her, friends who have been her support system, and most importantly, her grandmother and family. She expressed deep gratitude for their love and encouragement, emphasizing how much they have shaped who she is today.
Tom Stanley, a two-year senior from East Windsor, Connecticut, reflected on a quote from Gladiator that has guided him: “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” To him, it serves as a reminder that life is temporary, and how we spend our time matters. “It always motivates me to be a good person, follow my faith, and live a life that’s worth living,” he said. The decision to transfer to Suffield was a turning point. While he loved his previous school, East Catholic, he felt unfulfilled. Suffield has offered him an environment of high-achieving peers and a welcoming community—an opportunity he embraced fully. His work ethic was shaped by his father, whom he considers the hardest-working person he knows—always providing for his family and supporting his goals. When Tom shared his desire to transfer to Suffield to push himself further, his father was completely supportive, believing in the importance of self-improvement. Looking back, Tom is grateful for the people who have supported him—his family, teachers, coaches, and friends. Their guidance has helped shape his high school journey, and he is proud to have made the most of his time at Suffield.
Kyla Brogan, a two-year senior from Wethersfield, Connecticut, delivered a heartfelt speech about the power of finding positives even in difficult situations. Kyla shared her personal journey of deciding to transfer to Suffield Academy after initially turning down the offer in her junior year. It was a tough decision, but after experiencing a difficult day at her previous school, Kyla realized she made the wrong choice and reached out to Mr. Booth to transfer mid-year. She also shared a touching story about the loss of her grandfather, with whom she had a special bond despite the distance between them. His passing, though painful, became a source of inspiration for Kyla, reminding her that her love for softball goes beyond herself and that her grandfather continues to watch over her games. Her message was a reminder to find strength in adversity and to embrace the opportunities life gives, no matter the challenges.
Sarah Miller, a one-year senior from Coventry, Connecticut, spoke about resilience, loss, and the unwavering support of family—both by blood and by choice. She reflected on challenges such as losing her father, Connecticut State Trooper First Class Kevin Miller, and multiple knee injuries that changed her athletic journey. These experiences taught her tough but valuable lessons about patience, perseverance, and self-worth beyond softball. Rather than dwelling on hardships, Sarah focused on gratitude for those who have stood by her. She thanked close family friends, for their unconditional support. She also expressed appreciation for her Suffield family, who made her feel at home despite joining as a senior. Sarah ended with heartfelt acknowledgments to her grandparents, her brother Ryan, and most importantly, her mother, whose strength and love have been her anchor. She dedicated her speech to her father, knowing he continues to cheer her on, symbolized by every dragonfly she sees on the softball field.
Maeve Selvitelli, a four-year senior from Suffield, Connecticut, shared how swimming has shaped her life. She spent summers at the Suffield Country Club pool, where she first discovered her love for the sport. With the help of mentor Eva Crouse ’17, she mastered butterfly and gained confidence in her abilities. However, joining Suffield’s swim team was a wake-up call. Without a club swimming background, she quickly realized she was far behind her teammates. Struggling through intense practices and self-doubt, she questioned whether she should continue. But instead of giving up, Maeve chose to push herself, embracing the challenge and working hard to improve. Swimming has become more than just a sport to Maeve—it’s a way to prove to herself that she can overcome obstacles and push past her limits. She no longer just races others; she races herself. Her speech was an inspiring reminder of perseverance, self-growth, and the rewards of pushing through doubt.
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