Senior Speakers [Oct. 30]

The senior speaker series continued on October 30 featuring seven members of the Class of 2021: Miles Henle, Hani Chung, Delaney Miles, Julia Cotteleer, Nora Slate, David Towers, and Emma Winiarski.

The series launched with the Class of 2017 as an addition to the chapel program where all seniors delivered a speech, presentation, or performance to the Suffield Academy community. Head of School Charlie Cahn said he hoped the program would serve as a formative experience for the seniors, an opportunity to strengthen community, and a way to continue providing engaging chapel programming. These talks are supplemented by traditional chapel events including the Alumni Leadership Day program, Student Council Elections, and Kent-Davis Speaking Competition during Commencement week.

Miles Henle is a four-year senior from Suffield, Connecticut, who loves computer science. From coding video games to building robots, he discussed some of his recent projects. “Computer science is easily my favorite subject, and I hope to have convinced some of you to dip your toes in the water and try it,” he concluded. “For those of you who might consider this, I would like to bring you through what the computer science track looks like and show you all the cool stuff you can make.”

From Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Hani Chung is a boarding student in her third year at Suffield and from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Delaney Miles is a day student in her second. They spoke about their thriving friendship and lasting bond. “Although we will be leading different lives in the future, we will always be grateful to Suffield for this lifelong friendship,” they noted. “Despite living at school or at home, there is no separation between day students and boarders because this community is so welcoming. Suffield will forever remain at the core of long-lasting friendships.”

From East Granby, Connecticut, Julia Cotteleer expressed what it is like to feel estranged but not flawed. She reflected on her life and the healing power of music: “With my hands on the wobbling strings of my guitar, I found my strength. As my voice grows in different directions, that of my younger self echoes to remind me of how I got to where I am. I am alive. I am breathing. I am different. I am rediscovered.”

“I’ve always hated change but things have to change to get better, and I want them to,” said Nora Slate from Springfield, Massachusetts. “To be loud and uncensored and to tell people exactly who I am and how I feel without worrying who could overhear—I don’t care what questions people ask or the looks I’ll get. I just want to be able to talk about it.”

A day student from Westfield, Massachusetts, David Towers shared one of the happiest moments of his life: the birth of his brother’s son Anthony Thomas Towers. “My nephew has already affected my life in such a big way,” he explained. “He gives me even more motivation to be the best me I can be. I plan to set a great example for him because I know that one day he will do amazing things, and I will be with him every step of the way.”

From Westfield, Massachusetts, Emma Winiarksi is passionate about playlists. “When we listen to music, we ask ourselves where we want to go,” she noted before presenting her favorite selection of songs. “I take great joy in the creative expression that comes with forming relations between songs to instill a feeling or inspire storytelling. Make a playlist and allow yourself to ponder where you want to go because you never know where it could lead or what you might learn about yourself.”

The senior speaker series will resume on November 6. You may view all chapel talks here.