The People Who Shape Us: A Season of Gratitude and Growth
Dear Hill-Murray Community,
We hosted Grandparents Day last Friday, always one of my favorite days of the year. There is something profoundly moving about seeing teenagers seated beside their grandparents… In a world that moves quickly and often pulls young people in a thousand directions, grandparents offer something steady and enduring. They bring perspective when everything feels urgent, wisdom when questions feel overwhelming, and a quiet confidence that reminds our students who they are and where they come from. Their presence matters now more than ever. At the same time, I am mindful of the students who did not have a grandparent attend, for whatever reason. You were also very much in my heart that morning. The deeper truth is that every student is surrounded by people who love and believe in them: parents, teachers, mentors, coaches, and all of the individuals who walk beside our kids. That support matters.
I shared with our students that my own relationship with my grandparents still shapes me today. They saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself. In many ways, that is what grandparents do, right? They reflect back to our students a deeper truth about who they are. They remind them that they are known, that they are loved, and that they belong. And in a time when so many voices compete for their attention, that kind of grounding is not just important; it is essential to the formation of a young person.
Last week, I also attended the Minndependent Awards, that honors the top programs and individuals in Minnesota private and independent schools. I’m so proud to tell you that this year, Hill-Murray won two of the top awards – Minndependent Honor Teacher of the Year, Mr. Ben Gapinski, and Program of the Year, Pioneer Pathways, led by Mrs. Amy Kotzmacher. I’ve included the videos linked above, and it is amazing to honor educators so committed to Hill-Murray School!
Next Friday, May 15, marks our seniors’ final day of classes. One week later, they will walk down the aisle of the Cathedral to receive their diplomas, truly one of the most beautiful and meaningful traditions at Hill-Murray. Having been through it as a Hill-Murray parent, the Graduation Mass is more than a ceremony; it is a sacred moment. It honors the journey, celebrates the years between school and family, and sends our graduates forward, rooted in faith and ready for what comes next.
Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of spending time with many members of the senior class, hearing about their plans and the paths they are preparing to pursue. I am continually inspired by their ambition, their thoughtfulness, and their excitement for what lies ahead. And time and again, our alumni return to tell us the same thing: Hill-Murray didn’t just prepare them for college or their next step, it prepared them for life. To lead. To serve. To stand for something. To live with faith at the center of it all. That is our purpose.
As our graduates step into their next chapter, my hope is that they carry with them a deep understanding of how known and loved they are, a commitment to use their God-given gifts in the service of others, and the courage to choose the harder, more meaningful path when it presents itself.
Because in the end, being a Pioneer is not about where you go next, it’s about who you choose to become when you get there.
Sincerely,
Melissa