A glance through old yearbooks and even photos from last winter reminds us just how much the world has changed over the past nine months. We yearn for the normalcy of assemblies in the Wilkins Meetinghouse, a packed Brown Dining Commons, hosting basketball and hockey games, and the impromptu dance party in the Wise Center. A return to normal may still be a distant dream, but the release of two successful vaccines has lit a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel through which we have all been stumbling through this year. 

Despite over 135 course offerings, individual classes do not differentiate Proctor from other independent schools. Instead, the entirety of the Proctor experience, and the collective opportunities available to students, set us apart. In order to help students synthesize their varying experiences, on campus and off, Proctor introduced the Academic Concentrations Program in 2015.

With the unknown if interscholastic athletic contests would take place this fall, we already accepted that this would be the most challenging and unique athletic season we have ever faced. What makes athletic programming so valuable is the outlet it provides students and a new environment to learn how to be on a team, lead, win and lose with grace, and exert the built-up physical energy from a full day of classes. It was never a question of if we would have athletics this fall. It was a question of how.

Without the ability for our usual in-person Fall Family Weekend, Proctor’s College Counseling team will host a series of virtual seminars over the next week. Parents of juniors and seniors should keep their eyes out for an email from Director of College Counseling Mike Koenig early next week with additional information. 

For near a decade, Proctor has aired live athletic events, performances, and assemblies to countless online spectators. With the most unique year that any of us have experienced, the need for high quality, live broadcasting of athletic contests, and performances at Proctor has never been more vital. Proctor's talented technology team has been hard at work making sure cameras are ready and signals are strong to ensure the highest quality production possible. 

In less than two weeks we welcome students back to Proctor's campus for the first time since March. The ability for in-person instruction and regular daily routine of classes, afternoon activities, and nightly study hall is something we all desperately crave. As we transition back to campus and settle into our new normal, afternoon activities will be a part of our routine. 

Mike and Becky Walsh arrived at Proctor Academy in the Fall of 2002 when Mike accepted a teaching and coaching position. Since then, Mike has taught in the science and technology departments while serving as the head boys' hockey and golf coach and Becky as the administrative assistant in the Athletic Office. The Walsh's also raised two boys on-campus, Reilly '17 and Ronan '20. For Reilly, growing up on Proctor’s campus often felt like a dream - access to playing fields, the Teddy Maloney ‘88 Rink, and role models in the high schoolers that surrounded him - but his real dream from an early age was taking the ice for an N.H.L. club. This week, Reilly Walsh is one step closer to living out this dream of playing professional hockey. 

As we enter Spring Break, students and coaches from five different teams are taking advantage of a pause in the academic schedule for training trips and competitions. USSA/FIS skiers will continue to train and compete through the end of the month, while our freeride skiers and snowboarders depart for Big Sky, Montana this weekend, and the Nordic team qualified two skiers for regional competition. Four of our spring sports teams have headed to warmer weather for a preseason training trip as well. As we have communicated to parents and students, each of these trips and their planning remains fluid as we monitor the COVID-19 situation. Check out a preview of each of the trips below!