Voices on The Hill

English Teacher Joe Addison: My entire family goes for an Atlantic Ocean polar bear plunge in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. 

Kenly Burton ’19: My family and I ride in a horse-drawn carriage at our local library and sing Christmas carols.

Coco Fath ’19: Every year on Christmas day, before opening our presents, my family brings presents and dinner to a homeless shelter.

English Teacher Brad Czepiel: We have a lot of the common traditions, but a highpoint is our annual New Year’s Day hike. It’s a quiet moment with family in a time of year that can be a whirl. Hot chocolate while looking out over New Haven county is fortifying.

Editor-at-Large/Ms. Gleason’s Son Ziggy Gleason: I light the menorah and get to open a present each night. I get a special breakfast with stockings in bed, and then go down to the tree after turning the lights and ornaments on.

Science Teacher Emilie Harris: My family gets together in the morning to open presents and then go next door to my grandmother’s to have breakfast and watch her open presents. She lives alone and is wheelchair-bound so we have a lot of fun making it a festive and exciting morning!

English Teacher Alexandra Kelly: On Christmas Eve morning, my sister, her best friend, and I always meet for breakfast at Dottie’s Diner in Woodbury, CT.  A moment of calm before our more traditional family events in the following days, it’s a great way to catch up, share stories, and enjoy the best doughnuts in the state!

Science Teacher Benjamin Taylor: Growing up, I would open my presents excitedly on Christmas day, and then spend the next week playing with none of my toys; instead burying myself in that tiny electrified world.

Ashley Chin ‘19: Every time we travel we bring back an ornament for our Christmas Tree, so our tree is pretty unique.

Elijah Sabin ‘18: On the first night of Hanukkah, my family goes to a party at our friends’ house, where we eat latkes and light the menorah. For the rest of the holiday, we celebrate every night by exchanging gifts, lighting the menorah, and my mom says a few prayers in Hebrew. 

John Blumenthal ‘18: Each year my family and I go with our friends to a Christmas tree farm and tailgate, find a tree, and have a good time.

Quinn Schneider ‘18: During the first week of break, my family and I get our tree and start decorating for Christmas. I then spend Christmas morning with my family and grandparents.

Sara Chung ‘19: Each New Years’ Eve, my best friend and I read old resolutions from the past year (most of which were not completed), and we write new ones.  We also make a cheese platter. 

Coach Stephanie McDonald: Every year, my sister and I wear matching pajamas on Christmas Eve.