Senior Speakers

The senior speaker series, now in its eleventh 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 2025-2026 senior speaker series continued at chapel on January 12 and featured seven members of the Class of 2026.

Mackenzie Dutton, a four-year senior from Suffield, reflected on the importance of chosen family and the deep bonds formed through friendship. While close to her brother, Mackenzie had always hoped for a sister and found one in her friend Addie Lord ’29, whose support and care shaped her daily life at Suffield. She expressed gratitude for the Lord family, her advisors, teachers, coaches, friends, and parents, noting how love is often shown through actions rather than words. Mackenzie encouraged her classmates to cherish friendships that bring joy and strength, saying, “I hope someday each of you find your own Addie—someone to light your spark, never fail to make you laugh, and help you through each obstacle you may face.”

Connor Pikula, a four-year senior from Suffield, shared how persistence and hard work have shaped his athletic journey at Suffield. From early struggles in soccer, basketball, and golf to gradually moving up through the ranks, Connor emphasized that improvement comes from dedication, resilience, and embracing every opportunity to grow. He reflected on the lessons learned from pushing through challenges and the support of coaches and family. Expressing gratitude to his parents, grandparents, coaches, and neighbors, Connor celebrated the guidance that helped him succeed. Highlighting the takeaway from his experience, he said, “These are not claims to fame. They are results of working hard to improve in everything I do and rewards for continuing practice in the sports and activities I enjoy.”

Ronan Sullivan, a four-year senior from Suffield, shared how friendship has shaped his experiences and personal growth at Suffield. What began as a reluctant trip to go fishing with friends became a weekly ritual that taught him the value of stepping out of his comfort zone, embracing challenges, and finding joy in shared experiences. Ronan emphasized that the people around us strongly influence who we become academically, socially, and personally. He expressed gratitude to his family, teachers, coaches, and friends for their guidance and support throughout his four years. Reflecting on these lessons, he encouraged his classmates to choose companions who help them grow, saying, “One of the most important decisions you can make in life is choosing who you surround yourself with.”

Sadie Kessler, a three-year senior from Weston, Connecticut, highlighted the friendships that have shaped her time at Suffield. From navigating life with her first roommate, Charlotte, to quickly forming a bond with her current roommate, Lily, Sadie discovered the value of trust, laughter, and shared routines in creating a sense of family away from home. She described how these relationships taught her lessons in patience, responsibility, and the joy found in simple daily moments. Expressing gratitude to her roommates, family, advisor, and coaches, Sadie celebrated the people who helped her grow into a better version of herself. Reflecting on these friendships, she said, “Even though they are completely different, they share the common theme of changing my life, and I am forever grateful for that.”

Constantine Georgiopoulos, a four-year senior from New York City, recounted his journey of growth and self-discovery at Suffield. Initially uncertain about boarding school, he described how the accumulation of connections with peers, faculty, and dormmates helped him build lifelong friendships and confidence. Constantine celebrated the challenges, humor, and memories of dorm life, classes, and extracurricular experiences that shaped him into a more independent and resilient person. Expressing gratitude to teachers, friends, and family, he emphasized the importance of embracing opportunities and creating lasting memories. Reflecting on his time at Suffield, he encouraged younger students to approach life with curiosity and boldness, saying, “The record shows I took the blows. And did it my way.”

Sasha Kachanovskiy, a three-year senior from Moscow, Russia, described how being away from home for extended periods shaped his resilience and independence. Facing the challenge of missing family during school breaks, Sasha found stability and connection through his older brother in Florida, sharing experiences and a passion for cars that grounded him during uncertain times. He reflected on how these relationships, along with friendships and supportive faculty at Suffield, helped him navigate life far from home and grow into a stronger, more adaptable person. Expressing gratitude to his family, friends, and advisors, Sasha emphasized the value of support and connection in overcoming challenges. He concluded by celebrating the lessons learned from distance and family bonds, saying, “Everything I do moving forward is motivated by my desire to make you proud.”

Hadley Gribbell, a two-year senior from Boston, Massachusetts, shared how ski racing has shaped her courage, discipline, and willingness to take risks. Recounting a childhood moment when she challenged herself on a steep slope, Hadley reflected on how learning to embrace failure and push limits has influenced not only her athletic pursuits but also her approach to school and life. She emphasized that progress comes from testing yourself and recovering from setbacks, both literally and figuratively. Expressing gratitude to her family, advisor, and dorm parents, Hadley celebrated the support and encouragement that helped her grow over the years. Highlighting the lesson she carries forward, she said, “Every fall and setback is just another part of life that helps you grow stronger.”

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