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 February 16 and featured eight members of the Class of 2026.

Herrie Kim, a three-year senior from Seoul, South Korea, reflected on how living in three different places shaped her understanding of home as a collection of relationships and experiences. Moving from Seoul to Jeju and ultimately to Suffield, she described how each chapter brought growth—from family memories and childhood friendships to independence, cultural connection, and lasting bonds with roommates, teammates, and friends. With humor and honesty, she acknowledged her lingering habit of running late while expressing deep gratitude for her parents’ unwavering love and support. At Suffield, she discovered the power of friendship and community, realizing that the people around her transformed unfamiliar spaces into places of belonging. As she shared, “Home is more than a location; it’s the memories and relationships that shape who we become.”

Amelia Wang, a four-year senior from Beijing, China, shared a heartfelt and humorous reflection on how food shapes culture, connection, and identity. A self-proclaimed foodie, she compared Suffield’s dining hall offerings with the flavors of home, expressing both appreciation and playful skepticism while admitting that dishes like General Tso’s chicken only deepen her nostalgia for authentic Chinese cuisine. Through vivid descriptions of Lunar New Year traditions—making dumplings for prosperity, serving fish for abundance, and sharing longevity noodles for long life—she illustrated how meals carry symbolism far beyond nourishment. She also explained the etiquette and rituals of shared dining, emphasizing respect for elders and the importance of togetherness at the table. As she reminded the community, “Food isn’t just something to fill your stomach—it carries meaning,” encouraging everyone to eat well and cherish the connections formed around a shared meal. 

Michael Adu-Gyamfi, a three-year senior from Old Akrade, Ghana, delivered a humorous and heartfelt reflection on stepping beyond his comfort zone. Known on campus as a dedicated soccer player, Michael recounted his reluctant enrollment in an acting class for an art credit, only to discover he would have to perform live on stage. Choosing to “do something completely unhinged and hope for the best,” he embraced the role with unexpected enthusiasm, earning laughter, applause, and a newfound sense of confidence. Though he joked about retiring from theater “undefeated” after one performance, he emphasized that the experience taught him the value of taking risks and trying something new without letting it define his identity. Grateful for the coaches, teachers, host families, and teammates who supported his journey, Michael reminded the community that growth often begins the moment we dare to look a little ridiculous. 

Gavin Baer, a four-year senior from Palmer, Massachusetts, reflected on the lessons he will carry from Suffield beyond memories and friendships. He emphasized the importance of living in the moment, noting that the small, everyday experiences—bus rides, late-night talks, and dining hall meals—often hold as much meaning as the big milestones. Gavin also highlighted the value of giving one hundred percent effort in every challenge, recalling how perseverance and teamwork led his soccer team from a difficult freshman season to a championship. Finally, he encouraged staying true to oneself, recognizing that authentic connections come from being genuine, even in environments that tempt conformity. Grateful for his family, teachers, and friends, he concluded that these lessons—presence, effort, and authenticity—will guide him as he moves forward into college and beyond. 

Eli Carpol, a three-year senior from Smiths, Bermuda, shared how squash—initially just a way to fill after-school hours—became a source of life lessons in trust, patience, and perseverance. From struggling as a beginner to facing a sudden heart condition that required emergency surgery, Eli described learning to relinquish control and rely on faith, recalling the reminder to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” A later MCL injury tested his resilience, teaching him that recovery is not linear and that progress often comes in unseen steps. His journey culminated in a first-place finish at his final Bermuda Junior Nationals tournament, a moment of closure that affirmed his mother’s belief that “there’s light at the end of the tunnel.” With gratitude for friends, mentors, and dormmates who made Suffield feel like home, Eli encouraged the community to keep going long enough to see that light for themselves.

Daniel Martin, a two-year senior from Easthampton, Massachusetts, reflected on a recent college interview question that asked him to name what matters most on a single sticky note—a prompt that immediately brought him to one answer: family. He described his father as a model of quiet strength and accountability, teaching him that “being a man isn’t about talking, it’s about showing up,” while his mother instilled integrity, humility, and the belief that character outweighs achievement. Daniel also credited his older brother for setting a standard of discipline and ambition that pushed him to compete with himself and pursue growth beyond his comfort zone. Together, their influences shaped his work ethic, values, and sense of responsibility, forming the foundation beneath every goal he sets. He concluded that family is not only what he values most, but the reason he strives to become better each day. 

Ashlyn Wills, a two-year senior from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, reflected on the challenges and growth that came from moving 1,800 miles from her Colorado home to New England. She described the comfort and identity tied to her “303” area code—mountains, family traditions, and endless summers—and how leaving that behind initially left her feeling lost. With the support of teachers, teammates, friends, and family, she gradually embraced her new “413” community, finding familiarity, connection, and a sense of belonging. Ashlyn emphasized that home isn’t limited to one place, sharing that “Colorado will always be my home… but so is Massachusetts in a different way.” Grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and love of her family and mentors, she celebrated the ways both places have shaped who she is today. 

Ollie Janson, a three-year senior from Miami, Florida, expressed how high school has been a journey of growth shaped by challenges, change, and shared experiences. He expressed gratitude to his family—especially his little brother Nico—for keeping him grounded, as well as to teachers, coaches, and mentors for their guidance and patience. Ollie also acknowledged the role of his classmates and roommates in creating lasting memories and a supportive community. Recognizing that every experience contributed to who he is today, he concluded with appreciation for the people who made his time at Suffield meaningful. 

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