Senior Speakers

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 May 5th. It featured six members of the Class of 2025.

Ayden Gardner, a four-year senior from Warwick, Bermuda, reflected on the role football (soccer) has played in his life. Inspired by his father's history, Ayden embraced football not just as a game but as a way to better his future and bond with his loved ones. He shared stories of how football helped him overcome struggles in school, build community, and travel the world. At Suffield, his experience on the soccer team shaped his development as both a player and a person. He closed by thanking his coaches, friends, and family, especially his parents and sister, for their love, support, and inspiration.

Kyryl Popov, a four-year senior from Kiev, Ukraine, offered a powerful reflection on a less visible but deeply familiar challenge: the addiction to approval. He spoke about the relentless pressure to win praise—from friends, teachers, even family. “You were already enough, even before anyone noticed,” Kyryl reminded his peers, urging them to pursue what truly matters rather than chasing validation. He shared heartfelt thanks to his friends, dormmates, teammates, and especially his family, acknowledging the love and support that helped shape him.

Bernardo Lujan Lalieu, a four-year senior from Delicias Chihuahua, Mexico, used this moment to express gratitude to the people who shaped his journey—starting with heartfelt thanks to his parents, siblings, and close friends. He celebrated the strong friendships he formed at Suffield, sharing humorous and affectionate shoutouts to classmates who made his experience unforgettable. Bernardo also recognized the teachers and families who supported him along the way, especially his advisor Ms. Yeager and the Anand family, who welcomed him into their home. 

Alan Suarez Vargas, a four-year senior from Bogota, Colombia, used his chapel speech to express his appreciation for the people who shaped his Suffield experience. Alan shared how his quiet nature didn’t stop him from forming strong, lasting bonds with those around him. He spoke warmly of his siblings—his brother, a trusted confidant, and his sister, whose positivity and encouragement always pushed him to grow. Alan also shared appreciation for close friends and dormmates whose humor, chaos, and late-night adventures made the years unforgettable. “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened,” he reminded his classmates.

Haruka Kajiwara, a four-year senior from Tokyo, Japan, shared a gripping and deeply personal story—the day his lung collapsed. What began as a routine school morning turned into a medical emergency, one he initially had to face alone. Haruka recounted the pain, the disbelief from others, and the moment he finally got the help he needed. His message was clear and heartfelt: always listen to your body, even when others don’t believe you—it could save your life.

Joaquin Vargas Deandar, a two-year senior from Monterrey, Mexico, reflected on his journey of personal growth and the decision to return to Mexico for college after his time at Suffield. He shared how stepping out of his comfort zone—leaving home, family, and friends—was key to his development, both as a student and as an individual. Joaquin’s experience at Suffield helped him strengthen qualities that will serve him as he returns home, not just with a better education, but as a more well-rounded person. He expressed gratitude for the friendships and lessons he gained, and offered his advice: growth comes through embracing challenges and stepping outside your comfort zone.


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