![A Spirited Spring Weekend]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777603678/suffieldacademyorg/avs6v38xbflfckbr2fgu/20260424_SpringFamilyWeekendHP.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777603678/suffieldacademyorg/avs6v38xbflfckbr2fgu/20260424_SpringFamilyWeekendHP.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777603678/suffieldacademyorg/avs6v38xbflfckbr2fgu/20260424_SpringFamilyWeekendHP.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777603678/suffieldacademyorg/avs6v38xbflfckbr2fgu/20260424_SpringFamilyWeekendHP.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1777603678/suffieldacademyorg/avs6v38xbflfckbr2fgu/20260424_SpringFamilyWeekendHP.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1777603678/suffieldacademyorg/avs6v38xbflfckbr2fgu/20260424_SpringFamilyWeekendHP.jpg","width":2200}])
Spring Family Weekend brought parents to campus for a fun few days on Bell Hill. Festivities began Friday evening with the 26th annual Parents’ Association Auction, a lively night filled with great food, connection, and spirited bidding. Guests enjoyed a variety of dinner stations while exploring the silent auction and mingling throughout the evening. Director of Development Phil Riegel ’87 welcomed guests, and a high-energy student performance of “Pandemonium” from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee set the tone for the night. Head of School Charlie Cahn shared remarks before the live auction began.
Spirited auctioneers kept the energy high, especially around sought-after experiences and trips including a getaway to Windsor on Florida’s Treasure Coast, a day at the races in Saratoga Springs, a stay in a charming pied-à-terre in Paris, and a trip to Bermuda. Other highlights included a range of golf experiences, front row seats at Commencement, and coveted UConn basketball tickets—just a few of the many exciting offerings included in the silent and live auctions.
During the live auction, Charlie introduced this year’s Fund-A-Need: a new community gathering space in the academic quad with granite seating and a fire pit. Construction on the fire ring will take place this summer. It will be named in honor of Patrick Booth P’12, ’14, who is retiring in June after 25 years as Suffield’s Chief Financial Officer. Patrick has served the community in many roles including as a dedicated faculty advisor and head coach of the softball team. A plaque next to the space will read: “This space is named in honor of Patrick Booth, Suffield Academy’s Chief Financial Officer from 2001 to 2026. Embodying Suffield’s Core Four—kindness, respect, leadership, and effort—his dedication helped strengthen the school and the community he served with such care.” For more information on contributing to this special project, please contact Phil Riegel ’87. View a video celebrating Patrick and see the rendering of the fire ring.
On Saturday morning, parents joined their children in their classes, filling campus with energy and laughter. From jumping into chemistry labs and giving the ceramics wheel a spin to brushing up on language skills, debating in history discussions, and tackling calculus concepts, parents embraced the challenges with enthusiasm. Lunch and a full slate of athletic events capped off a lively spring weekend on campus.
