The Hearth • Winter 2026 • Eaglebrook School

Winter Carnival

By Chris Jeong ’26

The first-ever Winter Carnival at Eaglebrook opened in 1925, one hundred and one years ago. It allowed parents and relatives to see the progress their children were making academically, athletically, and holistically in their most formative years. Parents got to see their first glances of the campus, especially the ski hill, where a ski jump competition was held almost every year. Surprisingly, Eaglebrook’s Winter Carnival is one of the oldest forms of a New England carnival held in the winter. Only Dartmouth College’s Winter Carnival is older, making Eaglebrook’s the secondoldest of its kind. 101 years later, in 2026, Winter Carnival is still the joyous and informative celebration for Eaglebrook students, fully engaged in the winter spirit.

Winter Carnival will officially kick off on January 30th, 2026. The day will begin with a Morning Assembly from the Student Council’s vice president, Marcus Fraser ’26. Last year, TK Lee ’25 talked to the community about the meaning of success and what success has meant for his family. Eaglebrook is more than excited to hear what Marcus has to say to the community at large.

After Assembly, students will move into classes with their parents and relatives. Although much shorter than regular classes, students will have the opportunity to showcase what they have learned so far and to share the uniquely Eaglebrook learning experience with their families. After lunch at Gibbs Dining Hall, the music department, including the Band, Jazz Band, and Chorus will host a performance for all guests in the Assembly Area. After all the members of the audience have exited, the real fun begins.

Each dorm competes on the Halsted Flats for the Winter Carnival Cup. From a threelegged race to a Klondike race, students will have the chance to compete in various activities and games. Last year, we had to move the location of the Winter Carnival Games to Gates Quad due to unfavorable conditions. We are more than eager to compete for the Cup in the admittedly more hilly Halsted Flats.

The evening ends in seriousness and peace, however. The evening of the 30th will mark the start of the Secondary School Application Process for our Fifth Formers, who will be beginning their journey in the Assembly Area for a meeting

Varsity Hockey’s Europe Trip

By Lawson Pollard ’26

with Mr. Fay and Ms. Martyn. The Evening of the Arts will soon follow, with highlighted performances from the music department and the theater department, presenting the Winter Play. The Evening of the Arts at Winter Carnival excites me the most; it is when the whole school, both students and parents, gets together to enjoy a night of good music and theater. What a treat!

On the 31st, Parent Teacher Conferences will be held for most of the morning. Then, athletic events will commence for most of the evening, with games and practices for all students. What is also exciting about Saturday afternoon is that our famous Easton Ski Hill will be open to everyone: students, guests, and even alumni.

After all athletic commitments have ended, students will be allowed to depart the campus with their families. Winter Carnival is officially over!

Winter Carnival may end on January 31st, but students will be more than energized with the winter spirit once they return to campus on February 2nd.

The Varsity hockey team was fortunate enough to experience a trip to Finland and Sweden. The team endured an eight-hour flight, the first hefty flight for some on the team.

After a long day of travel, we hit the ice almost immediately the next day, skating with some of the best coaches in all of Finland. We were definitely tired, but excited to be on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation playing hockey.

Day four arrived, and we embarked on a bus tour around Helsinki, taking in the old Olympic Stadium and numerous tourist attractions. Although the sightseeing was superb, we were all looking forward to the afternoon when we visited the sauna. This is one of the boys’ favorite parts of the trip. After about 15 minutes in the blazing space, we would jump into the freezing Baltic Sea, with temperatures reaching midtwenties.

The next day came, and we were ready to play. The other team surprised us as soon as we walked into the rink. The techno music blaring out of their locker room sounded like your heart was about to jump out of your chest with how many beats there were. However, that was only a scare factor; the boys rallied, and even fourth-former Jack Avila ’28 netted his first goal for the Varsity team, winning the game 13-1. After the game, our team developed a strong addiction to the game Pokémon Go, even sharing the app with some of the locals. While still addicted to the game, we headed to the island fortress. This had a deep history; three countries took ownership of the land over the span of 200 years. Wrapping up the tour, we boarded a cruise ship to cross the sea from Finland to Sweden, completing the second half of the trip. It was from the moment we were on the boat that we knew there was nothing for us kids to do, but coaches, Winslow ’07, Bourdon, and Weichselbaumer ’16, had a good time (this was on New Year’s).

Last Candlelighting at Gibbs

By Kevin Hong ’26

On the night of December 17th, Eaglebrook School held the last Candlelighting in Gibbs Dining Hall. For over fifty years, Gibbs has been the main dining space on campus, where students and faculty gather for daily meals. This final Candlelighting was the last time the tradition took place in Gibbs before the transition to the new dining hall.

Candlelighting is one of Eaglebrook’s oldest traditions. It began with Headmaster Mr. Thurston Chase, Mr. Andrew Chase ’73’s great-grandfather, at his church in the Berkshires, and was then brought to Eaglebrook. The event has been a time for reflection and gathering. The ceremony was first held outdoors, then moved indoors, and has taken place in Gibbs Dining Hall for many years.

After the long ride over, the boys got on the bus, and there was a ton of snow outside. On the way to the Vasa Museum, the bus in front of us got stuck, and we were at a standstill for 30 minutes until Coach Winslow ’07 instructed us to walk to the museum. But it was surely worth it; that ship was amazing. It’s the oldest recovered ship that had fallen into the sea. Even though the team didn’t win the games in Sweden, we certainly learned more about ourselves and how we can improve. I would like to extend my thanks on behalf of the team to everyone who made this trip possible, including parents, coaches, authorities, and all others involved. The team looks to stay strong and carry the bond and level of play we had in Europe to the games ahead.

The evening followed the familiar rhythm of Candlelighting, but the setting gave it new meaning. After a holiday music concert featuring the String Orchestra, Band, Chorus, Ad Libs, and student soloists, the community gathered in Gibbs for a special Candlelighting celebration. Student groups sang carols, with World Language singers performing in French, Spanish, Latin, and Chinese; faculty members also joined in the singing. Though these elements reflected long-standing tradition, this year they carried added weight as the final Candlelighting held in Gibbs Dining Hall.

Eaglebrook School

Deerfield, Massachusetts

Volume 97, No. 2

January 30, 2026

Staff:

Eric Berube ’26

Ethan Bu ’27

Jasper Chen ’28

Johnny Chen ’27

Danny Chu ’26

Yuzu Emoto ’26

Marcus Fraser ’26

Kevin Hong ’26

Kijun Hwang ’28

Chris Jeong ’26

Jonathan Jiang ’26

Daeho Kim ’26

Edward Kim ’26

Liam Kim ’26

Rye Lane ’28

Chase Lee ’27

Henry Lee ’26

Adrian Li ’27

Eason Li ’26

Daniel Liang ’27

Finn Matheson ’27

Jagger Newlin ’28

Caden Nunez ’26

Logan Oh ’27

Caden Park ’27

Jisung Park ’27

Lawson Pollard ’26

Jason Sim ’26

Toby Teng ’27

Ted Tian ’28

Teague Washburn ’28

Max Yoon ’27

Ryan Yuan ’28

Editors:

Daniel Liang ’27

Toby Teng ’27

Ryan Yuan ’28

Advisors: Emily Bedell & Ana Dias Leyden

Photographer: Aric Russom

THE C MMUNITY

Eaglebrook School Archives

By Adrian Li ’27

Beneath the students and classes that come and go each year, Eaglebrook is supported by a rich and lasting history. For 101 years, the school has been shaped by both domestic and international students. Much of this history is preserved in the heart of campus, specifically, the basement of Evans. This is where the Eaglebrook Archives are located. There, archivist Mr. Tom Doyle works daily to organize and protect the school’s historical records.

Mr. Doyle developed an interest in history during his school years, which eventually led him to pursue archival work in the late 1990s. Before arriving at Eaglebrook, he worked as an archivist at Keene State College from 2000 to 2005 and at the Woburn Public Library’s Glennon Archives from 2005 to 2019. In 2024, he joined Eaglebrook, where he handled day-to-day tasks, including reviewing communications, filing new materials, and organizing collections. His favorite part of the archives is the photo collection, which is organized by decade.

The Eaglebrook archives contain a wide range of items that reflect the school’s past. These include student artwork, antique technology, the 1933 honor roll, yearbook collections, and even a pair of yellow Crocs left behind by a former student. One

Adopt-a-Family

By Jonathan Jiang ’26

In the middle of December 2025, a group of responsible Sixth Formers was selected to participate in a special community service project named “Adopt-a-Family.”

Christmas was coming up, as well as winter break. The whole campus was under a holy festive spirit, and everyone’s attitude was high and cheery. However, regardless of that, our caring Sixth Formers have noticed those around us who are less fortunate and don’t have a good holiday as we do. It is both a good reminder for the students on campus of the privileges that we have and a great opportunity to lend a helping hand to those who have fewer things to enjoy.

This project was a fundraising event among students to encourage donations of no more than five dollars per person for families around our campus. Then, the amount of money would be used to buy presents and necessities for the

of the most recent additions is a MiniVac 601 computer donated by an alumnus. The archives also hold Thurston Chase’s letter collection, organized by subject, which includes letters from students and parents expressing gratitude and describing important moments in the school’s history. One such moment occurred during World War II, when students from Britain and other countries came to Eaglebrook to escape the war’s effects overseas.

The role of the archivist is an important part of the Eaglebrook community. By preserving the past, the archives help students understand the school’s history and recognize their place within it. They remind us that while students and

classes may change, Eaglebrook’s story continues, and we are now a part of it. After all, without history and something to show for it, we wouldn’t have much at all.

Anaerobic Digester

By Jason Sim ’26

Around one-fifth of the food produced for human consumption is either lost or wasted globally, amounting to approximately one billion meals per day. Clearly, food waste is a significant issue, and unfortunately, the same is true for Eaglebrook.

families that couldn’t afford them for their children or themselves. One Sixth Former was selected from each dorm to go around and promote this idea. And it proved to be a success because we have raised over 800 dollars in all dorms.

Then, the group of Sixth Formers took the funds and went on a trip to Target. There, they bought a large variety of different items, including food, clothing, and board games for presents. All of these items were then gift-wrapped and distributed to the community beside our campus, and we received amazing feedback from them. The goal was not just to satisfy their needs and provide them with a well-deserved holiday, but also to help students learn how small acts of kindness could make a significant difference in a family’s life. Knowing that, the fellow students headed off to their own Christmas vacation with a fuller heart.

In our school, the Sustainability and Food Committees have worked hard to find solutions to this issue. In fact, they have collaborated to come up with a unique proposition. That is an anaerobic digester. You’ve probably never heard of this machine and are wondering what kind of function it may serve. An anaerobic digester is a system that breaks down organic material into reusable digestate, a nutrient-rich material. The digester is very sustainable, as it can function in an oxygen-free environment and produce minimal waste while recycling matter that would otherwise become waste. Currently, Eaglebrook wastes hundreds of pounds of food per meal, serving around 450 people all over campus. To solve this prominent issue, the Sustainability and Food Committees hope to create a plan and present it to the Eaglebrook Maintenance department so we can start reducing waste as early as 2026. However, to prepare for this, students will need to get various pieces of information to provide a solid reasoning for the project. Currently, Sungbin Lim ̓27, Sangwon Lee ̓27, Max Qin ̓27, and Nathan Kim ̓28 are collecting data on Eaglebrook’s waste, trying to determine the most efficient size of a digester.

On the other hand, Jason Sim ̓26, Yuzu Emoto ̓26, and Steve Lee ̓27 are researching the digester and planning the proposition. All these different roles are supervised by Mr. Dorsen Joseph through his expertise in engineering and machinery. The Sustainability and Food Committees plan to continue working through the winter trimester, hoping to make a change in the way food waste is managed at Eaglebrook.

LIFE AT EAGLEBROOK

Student Council

By Marcus Fraser ’26

The Student Council is an elected group of students that represents the student body. This year’s group consists of Ryan Kang ̓26, Liam Kim ̓26, Marcus Fraser ̓26, Jack Shaw ̓26, Frank Zhang ̓26, Jay Cho ̓26, Reid Harrison ̓26, James Purcell ̓26, Paco Zhang ̓26, Sebastian Chen ̓26, Henry Lee ̓26, and Derek Kelly ̓26.

The Student Council works with Ms. Blain by discussing the student body’s suggestions, with the main goal of providing the Eaglebrook community with a voice in decisions.

One accomplishment of the Student Council during the Fall term was the creation of a pop-up store, a project that we had worked on for months beforehand and which we put in place during Country Fair. By sending out numerous forms, the Student Council was able to figure out what faculty and students wanted to see in the popup store. During our Country Fair, the Student Council was able to see all their hard work pay off, as parents, faculty, and students purchased Eaglebrook’s merchandise. At the end of the day, all the merchandise had been completely sold, showing a big success for the school and the Student Council members involved.

In the Winter term, the Student Council has partnered with the Wellness Committee to help raise donations for the “Adopt A Family Foundation”, with the whole school raising over 800 dollars in donations. The Student Council has also worked on giving back to the students by having more Dress-Down Fridays, encouraging students to wear their favorite hoodie or school colors.

The Student Council is always here to support the student body. If any students have ideas, concerns, or need assistance, they are highly encouraged to reach out.

New Snowmaking System

By Jisung Park ’27

Eaglebrook has purchased three additional snowmaking machines this year to enhance snow production. This plan began two years ago, when Mr. Smith and Mr. Durant visited a ski resort in Boston.

They discovered a new gamechanging snowmaking technology from a company called Latitude 90. Latitude 90 is a company that makes snow-making machines with environmentally friendly, state-ofthe-art technology. Their snowmaking machines include the L series: L120, L60, and L30, which can operate nonstop for weeks, maintaining a consistent pace, and are the newest technology offered by Latitude 90.

Latitude 90 snow-making machines are the best; they are like miniature factories, using their unique technology to produce the finest snow. The machines pump temperaturecontrolled water from a reservoir to an evaporator. Free of chemical additives, the water is then pulverized onto a refrigerated evaporator and transformed into ice through deposition, the process by which vapor condenses directly into a solid. The ice is then broken down by a roller and sent to the propulsion mechanism. The roller grinds the ice into tiny snowflakes, which are customized to

different sizes using a fully automated computer control system, resulting in high-quality soft ice that is propelled through the mechanism to the ski hill.

Not only that, each snow machine houses a powerful industrial refrigeration system; the outside temperature has almost no effect on snow production. Hot weather, wind, rain, and snow don’t alter the snowmaking machine’s pristine, highquality snow production for as long as possible.

Eaglebrook is fortunate to currently have three of these massive machines, as there are only four in the entire State of Massachusetts. The school has high expectations for improvements in snowmaking time and quality. Our maintenance team started the machine during Country Fair and aimed to get the season started faster and make it last longer than in past years. The enhancements showed as expected, with the ski hill being ready sooner than planned, even after experiencing temperature changes. Students are also excited to use the ski hill, which opened a few weeks ago in excellent condition. Winter Wednesday is also happening soon, when students will be able to ski at night right after Home Night.

Food Committee

By Henry Lee ’26

The Food Committee is a group of Sixth Formers who plan the seasonal menu for Gibbs Dining Hall and promote appreciation for the Eaglebrook kitchen staff, representing the students. The Food Committee meets weekly after Sunday dinner. After entering the boardroom, the meeting begins with a weekly appreciation for the school staff, especially the kitchen staff, followed by snack-pack suggestions and more.

This year, the Food Committee has been collecting menu suggestions from students and sharing recipes submitted through the meal suggestion box. In collaboration with the Sustainability Committee, the Food Committee has also been measuring food waste generated during meals. By analyzing the data for each menu, they have determined the number of specific meals to prepare based on the results. This approach saves time and effort, ensuring that no food is cooked and then discarded.

(continued from page 1)

Last Candlelighting at Gibbs

Once the musical performances concluded, our Headmaster, Mr. Andrew Chase ’73, spoke about the significance of Candlelighting and recited the phrase traditionally associated with the event, “As one light lights another, nor grows less, so nobleness enkindles nobleness.” The room then joined in song, Adeste Fideles, continuing a practice repeated year after year during Candlelighting in Gibbs Dining Hall.

Gibbs Dining Hall has hosted Candlelighting for many years and is closely tied to the tradition. The building has also been where students have had breakfast, lunch, and dinner for generations. As Eaglebrook moves dining to a new facility, Gibbs will no longer be a dining hall. After the new dining hall opens this spring, Gibbs will be renovated for classroom use, allowing the building to continue supporting the school’s needs.

for students with food neophobia, who struggle to try new dishes, so they can enjoy the offerings at Gibbs. Each dorm has a few Food Committee representatives; at Eagle’s Nest, there are Henry Lee ̓26, Paco Zhang ̓26, and Jason Sim ̓26; in Flagler, we have Jonathan Jiang ̓26, and Evan Chen ̓26; in Taylor, Jangwon Yoon ’26, Kevin Hong ̓26, and Jero de la Fuente ̓26; in Halsted, Jeppard Xia ’26 and Tony Zhang ̓26; in Kravis, Ryan Kang ̓26, Oscar Wang ̓26, and Marcus Fraser ̓26, and finally, in Mayer, we have Pato Herrero ̓26, Liam Heselton ̓26, Jacob Kang ̓26, and Louis Liu ̓26.

Recently, the Food Committee has been assigning members to serve during the Sunday brunch and managing faculty substitutes. They have also been developing solutions

LIFE AT EAGLEBROOK

Dorm Life

By Edward Kim ’26

Eaglebrook has six dorms on campus: Mayer, Kravis, Flagler, Eagle’s Nest, Taylor, and Halsted. Each dorm provides a welcoming and warm environment, functioning as a second home for the students on campus. Each dorm has 30 to 45 students affiliated with it, and six to ten faculty members who serve as dorm parents to assist with the students’ daily lives. These dorms are not just a living space, but they’re a place where lasting memories are formed, relationships grow, and you feel like a member of a big family.

Living in dorms plays a significant role in growing as a human and in shaping our personalities. Some important values learned are independence, life skills, and a sense of responsibility. Students are encouraged to make their own decisions, take an interest in things that concern them, and grow into independent individuals. Furthermore, by respecting and supporting one another, students lay the foundation for growth as upstanding individuals by fostering friendships.

The dorm serves as a space where everyone feels safe and comfortable, and we gather in the common room to play card games,

play Nintendo together, and share stories to build community.

Dorm faculty also organizes various events to make dorm life more enjoyable. Movie nights, game competitions, and even themed parties are just some of the events that bring everyone together in the dorm. These moments create strong bonds among students, fostering a sense of brotherhood and making dorm life a truly enjoyable experience.

The Dorm is arguably the greatest catalyst for Eaglebrook students’ personal growth. They cultivate responsibility and independence, learn to be considerate of others, and learn

Winter Play “Paranoia”

By Ethan Bu ’27

In this winter’s play, Paranoia, a group of citizens gets called into the District Court of Mensa for what seems to be a normal day of jury duty. They are surely wrong. As everyone gets settled, it is revealed that one (or more) shapeshifting creatures called “Visitors” have started taking over control of our planet, and some have even infiltrated the courtroom. Before they can get their bearings, the door is locked. They have no choice, and they need to identify the “Visitors” in order to survive. Will they discover the traitors? Or will the Visitors slowly infect the whole room? Come to Paranoia to support your friends and find out!

Here’s how the rehearsal process happened: First, we started by auditioning, where Mr. Jodka and Ms. Syers determined which character was most suitable for us. We remembered our lines throughout the winter break, so it will be a lot easier to stage the play. After we returned from break with our lines memorized, we staged the play in rehearsal blocks.

This year’s winter play is exceptional in the number of students who were willing to participate. The play itself is also unique because, instead of splitting it into separate scenes, we have combined it into one smooth, flowing run-through. I hope you are

how to live together. The countless memories made while living in the dorms are cherished and will linger long after graduation, providing a valuable opportunity to form some of the closest friendships.

The lessons learned while living in the dorm have a profound impact not only on students’ school days but also on their entire lives. They align with Eaglebrook’s mission, leaving behind even more profound lessons. As an Eaglebrook student, the memories made with friends and teachers in the dorm will remain with everyone for a lifetime, as they are by far the most enjoyable and special experiences, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

By Logan Oh ’27

all ready to be entertained by the most original winter play written by our own Mr. Jodka and Ms. Syers. In addition, we would like to give a huge shoutout to Adrian Li ’27 for his significant contribution to the script. We can’t wait to see everyone there and be prepared for a fun and intense show! Beware, don’t get too paranoid about it!

The cast is: Adrian Li ’27 as Warden, Conall Menon ’27 as Carpenter, Kaden Song ’27 as Librarian, Daniel Liang ’27 as Construction, Alex Jie ’28 as Minecraft, Bryan Zhang ’28 as Cop, Jonathan Jiang ’26 as Outlaw, Minkyu Ko ’28 as Dentist, Hugh Devine ’27 as Pokemon, Eason Li ’26 as Retired Judge, Chris Li ’26 as Ram, Johnny Cabot ’29 as Firefighter, Addie Pieroni ’27 as Restaurant, Jasper Chen ’28 as Gardener, Bear Adams ’29 as Student, William Lin ’27 as Guard 1/Twin 1, Ethan Bu ’27 as Teacher, Christian Lin ’28 as Guard 2/Twin 2, Christopher Newson ’28 as Homecoming, Kevin Hong ’26 as Kevin (Old man), Victor Oudin ’26 as Wall Street, and Shelby Jackson ’28 as Kurt.

The crew is: Ülla Williams ’26, Harvey Syers ’27, Austin Yeung ’27, Martin Gilmore ’27, and Jagger Newlin ’28. The play will be performed on January 29 and 30.

Sally Laubin, who taught German, French, and Spanish at Eaglebrook for 45 years, was one of the most influential teachers at Eaglebrook. She was a faculty advisor and served as a dorm parent in Baines, The Lodge, and Eagles Nest. She was a natural speaker of many languages, especially French. This proficiency came from her experience in France, where she pursued advanced studies. Laubin connected deeply with her students, inspiring them to pursue their dreams. One of her former students, Jason Wu ’98, is a famous fashion designer who designed Michelle Obama’s inaugural gowns. The 2024 Eaglebrook Magazine features a conversation between Jason Wu and Sally Laubin about the life lessons he learned at Eaglebrook and the lasting influence she had on his life. Not only one, but many were influenced by her teaching. Beyond the classroom, Sally participated in many activities. She was devoted to the Hampshire Music Club and the “Bonjour” language group, demonstrating her passion for music and language. Even after her retirement, she continued to tutor, volunteer, and contribute to the community.

After five decades of teaching in Western Massachusetts, she set a great example and had a profound influence on the educational community. She shaped the lives of thousands of students and contributed to the region’s academic excellence. Unfortunately, Sally passed away in early November. Her legacy lives on through the many teachers and students she inspired, as well as the lasting impact she made on the Eaglebrook community.

EAGLEBROOK SP RTS

Varsity Hockey

By Finn Matheson ’27

Whether you can believe it or not, the Varsity hockey season is nearing its halfway point. We’ve gone on numerous trips, shared memorable experiences, and strengthened our team bond. Our performance has been strong, with most wins, and we’ve learned valuable lessons along the way.

In just half a season, we have played in three different states and four different countries. To start the year, the team traveled to Canada, stopping in Vermont along the way to earn a quick win and start the season strong. In Canada, we faced the rigorous Kuper Academy and won the three-game series 2-1. It was an excellent start for the team, and the locker room energy was high.

After a few bumps in the road, the team was ready to compete in the Belmont Hill Tournament. We participate in this tournament every year, but we have yet to achieve the results we were looking for. We had scratched the surface but never broken through. Our first game was against Belmont, a formidable opponent, but nothing we couldn’t handle. After the win, our eyes were on the prize. We headed into the championship game with energy and tenacity, determined to claim what was ours. The intensity we played with led us to a dominant 9-1 victory.

To conclude 2025 and start the new year, the team traveled to Europe. We first landed in Finland, where we experienced the culture of the world’s happiest country. Visiting Fortress Island, a former army base located off the coast of Helsinki, was an extraordinary experience for the group. While enjoying the trip, we also played games and performed well, earning two wins and one loss. On New Year’s Day, we boarded a cruise to Sweden. After docking in Stockholm, we visited the Vasa, a famous ship museum. Although we didn’t play our best in Sweden, it was time to return to America and head back to school to continue our season.

As we moved into the new year, we had games at Exeter Academy. We didn’t bring our best against the Mountain Kings and suffered a loss, but we locked back in and defeated a strong Exeter team 5-0. With three home games this week, we are excited to stay together as a group and continue playing strong hockey.

The Varsity hockey team includes: Spencer Austen ’27, Reese Ewell ’26, Silas FilasAime ’27, Camdyn Foster ’26, Colin Galli ’27, Liam Heselton ’26, Johnny Jacobs ’26, Derek Kelly ’26, Jax Kilimonis ’27, Finn Matheson ’27, Michael Mickiewicz ’27, Declan Morris ’28, Eli Myers ’26, Christopher Newson ’28, Briggs Olin ’27, and Lawson Pollard ’26, Chase Quebec ’27, Parker Stanton ’26, Jacob Thompson ’26, and Nick Woodward ’26.

By Rye Lane

’26

The Eaglebrook Ski Patrol keeps the ski area safe and secure throughout the winter season. The team is composed of dedicated students and faculty who strive to ensure the safety of our skiers. Current team members include Harry An ’27, Allen Chen, Martin Gilmore IV ’27, Gabriel Lane ’26, Jack Shaw ’26, James Wang ’27, Eason Xu ’26, and Tony Zhang ’26. Our coaches are Mr. Jim Fay and Mrs. Shappy LaPointe. Every day after classes, we meet at the top of the hill to begin our training and rotations. One of the most unique and exciting highlights of this season was our lift evacuation training. This specialized drill prepares the patrol team to rescue skiers off of a lift in case of an emergency involving a malfunction. During the exercise, I had the unique experience of belaying two people down from the lift. Managing the ropes and the belay device to lower them with precision was both fun and a great learning experience. An additional benefit to the skiing program at Eaglebrook this year was the new snowmaking system. Our new machines are able to blow snow regardless of the outside temperature by cooling water internally. This technology allowed the maintenance crew to start the snowmaking process months earlier than they have in the past, as well as extending the season for skiers. The additional snowpack from the new machines has been very helpful in creating a smoother and earlier start to the season, making the skiing and riding experience more enjoyable for all mountain users. While we enjoy the exhilaration of being on the snow, as patrollers we try to remain focused on our responsibilities on the mountain. The patrol team takes pride in being the first ones out and the last ones off the hill to ensure everyone’s safety. As you enjoy the winter season, make sure to pay attention to your surroundings, look out for your fellow skiers, and always ski safely.

Varsity Squash

By Yuzu Emoto ’26

Despite many previous robust players leaving the team due to graduation, that did not stop the current Varsity squash team from having strong team members with great spirits to fight for the win, along with supportive coaches. As the season started, there were many new players joining our team, each and every one of them giving their best for every spot on the ladder. However, the ranking was established quickly, and we soon became accustomed to the practice. In terms of drills, we train a variety of skills, from forehand to backhand, to strengthen our team’s fundamental skills. Not only do they train our squash skills, but they also help us maintain our agility and strength. We often have a “conditioning day” where our coaches, Mr. Trimbach-Rios and Mr. Morganis, give us physical training such as burpees, star jumps, push-ups, sit-ups, planks, and more.

Before our first match, we made sure we were ready physically and mentally so that we could pull off that win. The first game was away against Suffield Academy. Despite battling with the nervousness surrounding the team, our composed and motivated team members were able to win all their games, marking a great start to the season. The following game was our first home game against Westminster. We were fortunate to see our hard work pay off, resulting in a 7-1 win in that game. This week, the squash team had an overnight trip to play against Berkshire and Hotchkiss. Although we were excited for the first overnight trip of the season, we maintained seriousness and focus on winning all the matches. The first day, we played Berkshire, ending on an 8-0 win. However, we knew that Hotchkiss would be one of the biggest challenges we would face for the season. Our ladder tried their best to fight against one of the toughest opponents this season. However, their experienced players came out strong, finishing the game in a 1-6 loss.

Although we had our first loss, we are still 3-1 in the win-loss record this season. The week of January 11th, we will be playing against Deerfield, Berkshire, and Taft, and we are focused on achieving our next goal: winning all of the matches. Although having many new faces, this year’s squash team has proven its strength as a team and its strong work ethic, giving us a promising future for the season. Current returning players include Yuzu Emoto ’26 and Louis Liu ’26, while our new members are Danny Chu ’26, Jay Cho ’26, Jonathan Jiang ’26, Steve Lee ’27, Anthony Zhao ’27, and Jason Hu ’28.

Varsity Basketball has a vision built through Camaraderie and Discipline

By Caden Nuñez ’26

This year, the Varsity Basketball team has put a large amount of their focus toward building camaraderie. Basketball is a sport that requires a whole group to be engaged. Not only the 5 players on the court, but the bench and even the coaches. This year, the team has done a commendable job of executing our vision, but will look to continue building on our togetherness. Our vision has allowed us to jump out to a 7-2 start. Despite the great start, the team is not satisfied with their early-season success because the ultimate goal is to win the Rising Stars Tournament at the end of February.

Despite a late practice time, players show up an hour early, ready to work. Some players work out, some stretch, and some chill, but regardless of what individuals are doing, we are together building strong bonds. Varsity basketball players come to every practice with enthusiasm and a hunger to improve. One of the ways they spark competition is by splitting up players into two separate teams for the week. This means that during practice, these two teams will go head-tohead in every drill in order to be able to choose where the team will eat after their next away game. This adds an incentive to work extra hard every day and leave the excuses at the door.

In the first section of the season, while the team found success, we had a tendency to complain and worry about things that didn’t matter. As we move deeper into the season, we look to focus on performance, and performance alone. This will allow us to move on from things more quickly and stay focused on doing whatever we can to win the game.

This team will face a challenging schedule, with a majority of the remaining games are expected to be very competitive. The team is focused on staying resilient and using adversity as fuel to learn and grow into a stronger unit. There is obvious improvement with this team every day; players are starting to find their roles and give up their desires for individual success in favor of the team’s success. This team recognizes that all 15 members, including players and coaches, play a crucial role in our ability to accomplish our goals, and this is evident in every practice and game.

Our roster includes Cole Systo ’29, David Hu ’28, Malaki Veras ’27, Duncan Bedell ’27, JJ Bones ’27, Andy Duan ’27, Riggins Kopcza ’27, Jaden Godette ’27, Drew Moore ’26, Reid Harrison ’26, Marcus Fraser ’26, and Caden Nuñez ’26. Our coaches, Mr. Andy Bedell, Mr. Sol Lakey, and Mr. David Goodrow, lead the way.

EAGLEBROOK SP RTS

Competitive Skiing

By Kijun Hwang ’28, Caden Park ’27, and Max Yoon ’27

The Eaglebrook Ski Team has started off their season with an extraordinary start. The season began with the notorious but brief dry-land training, where the team ran collectively on the track and completed a variety of different workouts. Thanks to our incredible maintenance crew, who have begun pumping snow even before the winter season has started, we have been very fortunate to have a significantly shorter dry-land training period.

The ski team hit the slopes before Winter Break this year—a historical first—and we are incredibly grateful for the chance to train so early in the season. We began with some brushes and then moved on to a new training gate called “Hero Gates.” They are gates that come up to your knees and are soft, making them impactless. They were a pleasure to train on, and we are looking forward to implementing original gates for both Slalom and Giant Slalom.

The Eaglebrook Ski Team also has a unique tradition. Every Wednesday, the whole team travels to Berkshire East Ski Resort for races, creating an exciting atmosphere where everyone competes together. We also race against numerous other schools, including Deerfield Academy, Northfield Mount Hermon, and many more.

Our Eaglebrook ski team is led by Mr. Noah Harrison, Mr. Ryan McClure, and Ms. Erika Looman. Our team members include Oliver Arcoleo ’29, Christian Chandler ’27, Matthias Choi ’28, Maddie Fay ’27, Kijun Hwang ’28, Alex Jie ’28, Nathan Kim ’28, Bea Lakey ’27, Henry Lee ’26, James Lin ’26, Luigi Murphy ’26, Victor Oudin ’26, Caden Park ’27, Andres Seal ’26, Dean Tanoyo ’27, Ülla Williams ’26, Richard Worley II ’29, Thomas Yang ’28, Max Yoon ’27, Ryan Yuan ’28, Frank Zhang ’26, and Kenneth Zheng ’29.

By Eason

The JV1 basketball team has made huge improvements and progress throughout the season, and our undefeated record to date has made the team work even harder for future games. So far, we have used multiple tactics and plays that eventually led us to victory, including inbounding plays, full court press, and the play “motion” that always provided us with great opportunities to score, causing us to be a successful team. More than that, coaches Runk, Faulstick and Pieroni have been amazing, helping us with daily practices and conditioning. In daily practice, we will get into the warm-up drills, from lay-ups to shooting, then to 2-on-1 drills. After that, we get into the formation’s arrangement and play assignments, which is the time when we practice, such as full court pressing and two-three defence. Then we will get into a 5-on-5 full-court practice game when we have time to do so. In my opinion, I really enjoy the practice every day with these excellent teachers, because it really helps me to get better at being a center on the court, and improving my game sense in a real match. Until now, the hardest game we have played was against the Deerfield Thirds basketball team, in which we barely beat them in overtime. Overall, we have improved a lot from the start of the season until now, and the most significant improvement has been in our team chemistry. I hope the team can keep the record of undefeated for the rest of the season, and I look forward to finishing the season with a dominating record!

Members of the JV1 team include Nathaniel Bobb ’28, Peter Brown ’27, Vijay Chitnis ’26, Tyler Crean ’27, Brody Cross

Ryan Kang

Eason Li

Navon

Li

Billy

Henry Stevenson ’26, Caden Washburn ’26, and Paco Zhang ’26.

JV Hockey

By Chase Lee ’27

Our JV hockey team has had a very successful start to the season, with our team’s effort and teamwork shining in all aspects of our play. Our roster includes Jack Avila ’28, Drew Carvel ’28, Finnegan Coffin ’28, Colton Fuller ’28, Lane Fuller ’27, Derek Kang ’27, Travis Kelly ’28, Liam KIm ’26, Henry Kunkle ’27, Chase Lee ’27, Chris Lee ’26, Daniel Pang ’27, David Park ’27, Jisung Park ’27, Ari Seol ’26, Travis Sias ’28, and Jason Zhong ’28, as well as our dedicated and passionate coaches Mr. Luke Williams and Mr. Michael Armstrong. We kicked off our season with a tournament hosted at Eaglebrook and began on a positive note with an overtime win against the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, where Daniel Pang scored a clutch highlight-reel goal in the first minute of sudden death. Despite our losses to the East Coast Militia and Providence Capitals, the team bounced back well against Kuper Academy, pulling off a 4-3 win. After the tournament, we had a strong winning streak, steamrolling through Hillside School, the CT Capitals, and our rivals at Pope Francis. After arriving from winter break, the team suffered a devastating loss to the Springfield Jr. Thunderbirds, taking an unlucky goal with 3 seconds left in overtime. Our team is currently preparing for a tough game against Rectory School, a fellow junior boarding school. Our team has played great so far this season, and we will continue to build on our success.

In my opinion, the biggest factor in our success has been our encouraging and supportive team culture. Our commitment and great chemistry on the ice make the team what it is. We support each other when one of us feels down, and push each other to be the best versions of ourselves we can be. Our team isn’t just a team; it’s a special community both on and off the ice.

JV Squash

By Johnny Chen ’27

JV squash is a team for intermediate squash players with experience in the sport. Squash is a competitive sport that tests your endurance, speed, and quick thinking. Each game scores up to 11 points and consists of 5 sets. There are also appointed referees to ensure a fair match. It is not an easy sport, as you need to run around the court, trying to tire your opponent. Your shot placement is important, as you need to know when to hit the ball hard or soft, and finding the right spot is quite difficult. The JV players are great, but they aren’t quite ready for the Varsity team yet. The tryouts were stressful as players competed against each other in games to determine the spots on the JV and Varsity teams. The top 8 players moved up to Varsity, while the rest of the players played games to secure their spot on JV. Our day starts with stretches and some laps to get warmed up to prevent injuries. We then hit rails, which means hitting the ball against the front wall and trying to keep it as close to the side wall as possible. We do this because it not only helps us get used to hitting the ball, but it is also a good skill to master as the ball is very hard to hit once it’s close to the side wall. Then, our coach, Mr. Bogel, chooses what we do for the day. We focus on hitting good shots that are hard for our opponents to reach, making them run for the ball. In our first game against Deerfield Academy, we lost 1-6. Even though it wasn’t fun losing our first game of the season, we pulled through and practiced hard. This resulted in our 4-3 win over Bement. In the day between our games, sometimes we would have challenge matches, which is an opportunity for the top JV player to move up to Varsity. This also benefits lower-ranked players, as they get to play to move up in rank. A special tradition we have in the JV team is conditioning. Mr. Bogel makes the team run and do exercises like frog jumps or running up and down the court if any member is late to practice. This improves the team’s speed and agility while making sure none of the players are late. This brings us closer as a team and encourages better teamwork, even if squash is a solo sport.

This year’s JV squash team consists of the following: Leo Cao ’28, Johnny Chen ’27, Edwin Huang ’27, Jun Lee ’26, Lucio Li ’28, Sungbin Lim ’27, Jamie McGee ’27, Fede Piedrahita ’26, Rex Wang ’28, Max Yao ’26, and our coach, Mr. Alex Bogel.

By Teague Washburn ’28

This year, the JV2 basketball team is off to a good start. So far, we are 3-0 with wins over Bement (45-34), Smith Academy (44-20), and Williston Northampton (49-14). A typical practice for us begins with some free throws and layups, followed by dribbling or practicing defense, but mostly activities such as 3-on-3s or full scrimmages. These parts of practice are always my favorite because they bring in competitiveness, which I think everyone enjoys. In these scrimmages, we sometimes incorporate other tricks, such as you can only shoot inside the paint, or you can’t dribble, which challenge us and push us to be a better team.

This year’s team consists of our coaches, Mr. Carlos Rios, Mr. Tyler Wool and Mr. Myles Olmstead lead our team that consists of Anderson Aihie ’27, Lane Fasion ’26, Ryan Han ’27, Adrian Hsu ’27, James Kang ’27, Enhua Liu ’27, Dominic Malzone ’28, Jaden Mok ’27, Jason Sim ’26, Teague Washburn ’28, Jesse Wooster ’26, Andrew Xu ’27, and Rintaro Yokokawa ’27. Wish us luck in the rest of our season.

EAGLEBROOK SP RTS

Thirds Hockey

By Eric Berube ’26

In Thirds Hockey we start practice at 2:15 and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday we share ice with Development Hockey.

To start off practice we have five minutes to skate around and shoot, before we group up and start doing drills. Some of the drills that we do are ones where there are two teams with five people each, two skaters at the blue line representing defensemen, and three skaters in the zone representing forwards. This drill teaches us that if we pass to each other and to the top, it is much easier to score. During pre-game warmups, the forwards go in a circle to pass the puck, and the defense passes a puck across the ice at the blue line. Then with 1:30 left to go in the warm up, we do a horseshoe drill.

So far this year we have had five games and won three. Some of our games were against Brattleboro Youth Hockey, which we beat 11-1. Against Connecticut GC, our team was losing 5-2 in the start of the second period, but we tired the other team out and ended the game winning 7-5.

This Friday we have a rematch against Rumsey Hall School, who we beat 5-0 on the 9th of January, and on Saturday we will play Cardigan Mountain School.

The players on Thirds are Andrew Baer ’28, Eric Berubé ’26, Xavier Berubé ’27, Sequoia Borek ’27, Yenisey Borek ’29, Andersen Chang ’27, Christopher Desrosiers ’27, Chase Greene ’26, Joseph Holland ’26, Samson Hunter ’26, Alonso Jurado ’26, Milly Li ’29, Jack Metcalf ’27, James Purcell ’26, Zach Schimmel ’29, Harvey Syers ’27, Fischer Williams ’28, Adam Xu ’28, and our coach is Mr. Trevor Borek ’97.

Development Hockey

By Jagger Newlin ’28

One of the most popular sports at Eaglebrook is hockey, and it’s not just for experienced players. Some new and inexperienced players would like to develop a love for the game, and they form the 2025-2026 Development hockey team.

So far this year, we have learnt the basics of hockey: how to skate, handle the puck, and learn the rules. A regular practice consists of putting equipment on, then, once on the ice, doing some skating and passing warmups. Then, we learn some strategies, like working on our breakouts. Usually, we end practice with a game, like 3v3 matches.

In November, we participated in the Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month Challenge, “Movember Challenge.” We contributed 18 miles, and some players were moved by the cause and ran extra!

Since we don’t need the full ice, we usually share it with the Thirds hockey team. We usually give the full ice to them on Mondays and Wednesdays, so we go skiing at the Easton Ski Area. Wish us luck for our second game on February 14, 2026!

This year’s student roster includes Pato Belden ’27, Marco Campos ’26, Woosung Chun ’28, Jeronimo de la Fuente ’26, Pato Herrero ’26, Antonio Holguin ’26, Minkyu Ko ’28, Daniel Li ’29, Samuel Liu ’29, Esteban Martinez ’27, Jagger Newlin ’28, Pablo Olivares ’26, Eduardo Trevino ’26, Monty Vanderwilt ’28, Gero Vazquez ’26, and Alex Wykoff ’28.

Thirds Squash

By Ted Tian ’28

Squash is a fast-paced racket sport played by two players in a four-walled court that can be either made of glass or a wall. The goal is simple: hit the ball against the front wall so your opponent cannot return it before it bounces twice. Players must take turns hitting the ball, and it can touch the side or back walls as long as it touches the front wall. Each shot requires skillful reaction speed and shot placement to get the point. It also requires a lot of movement in the court. In fact, squash burns approximately 1,000 calories per hour when played, ranking among the highest calorie-burning sports.

Unlike many team sports, squash is primarily an individual sport, although improving as a team is a big part of it. Once you step onto the court, it is just you and your opponent playing the game. There are no substitutions and no teammates during a game. Every point depends on yourself. However, even though matches are played individually, team support still matters a lot. At the start of the season, our squash team faced Bement. It was our first match, and many players were nervous, but also excited. We had our first challenge match to determine our team rankings, so we would know who to play against. Then, our coach, Mr. Lamb, and Dr. Leyden told us what to do. From the very beginning, we were ready. We tried our absolute best and executed really good rallies. The hard work paid off, and we won the match against Bement. Throughout the match, everyone showed great sportsmanship. Everyone encouraged each other between games and shared advice on which shots were effective and which could be improved. Even though squash is an individual sport, the support from teammates is really important. We all cheered for points won or a tough shot for our teammates. After the match, our coaches talked to us about continuing to improve our fundamentals. They discussed improving footwork, stamina, and being consistent on swings and serving.

This is the roster of the people in thirds: Coach Jeff Lamb, Coach Nick Leyden, Lief Abramson ’28, Trevor Bao ’27, Eric Choi ’28, Alexander Choi ’28, Chengwei Fu ’28, Lachlan Heaney ’28, Travis Kim ’26, William Lin ’27, Carl Lu ’27, JAden Song ’28, Taka Takaki ’27, Ted Tian ’28, Derek Xie ’27, Austin Yeung ’27, Jangwon Yoon ’26, and Darcy Yu ’27.

Thirds Basketball

By Jasper Chen ’28

The Thirds Basketball team is a highenergy, fun place to improve your basketball skills while also having fun competing with opponents. We started off the season with a win against Hartsbrook School.

A normal day begins with three laps around the gym to get everybody ready for practice, followed by stretches to warm up and prevent injuries. We then do layup lines to get our touch and feel ready for the day. Sometimes three men weave after that. There is a wide variety of drills we do, and we often scrimmage, which everyone looks forward to. One type includes drivekick-swing, where we develop our motion offense, learning to drive at the right time and also keep the ball movement going to get better looks. We also work on our handles and shooting, as these are essential elements in making a good team. At the end of practice, we huddle up and discuss how we can improve. Practice is a very fun environment, where we can make new

Recreational Skiing

By Daniel Liang ’27 & Toby Teng ’27

Recreational skiing, or rec ski, is a place full of fun and exciting moments for anyone who wants to ski or learn how to ski freely in the winter. During practice, students take the lift and ski down the mountain as many times as they want. Eaglebrook currently offers two trails on the ski mountain: Amy’s Run, the main trail, and Langley, the beginner trail.

At the start of the season, we begin with dry-land activities, since the snow is not ready yet. These activities include rock climbing, basketball, soccer, manhunt, etc. These days are very chill, and it is a great transition into rec ski, as you get to know others in the team. Dry-land activities last around one month, to which point the snow is ready to ski, which is either in December or early January.

This brings us to the second part of the season, which is skiing on the hill. Normally, skiing starts after winter break, but due to heavy snowfall this year, we were lucky to begin after Thanksgiving break. However, the chairlift had not opened yet, so we had to hike up the mountain carrying skis and poles. Nevertheless, it was a lot of fun, and everyone is excited for the lift to open after winter break.

This is when real skiing begins, when the lift is open. It unlocks the entire mountain as well as the full Eaglebrook skiing experience. Snow conditions can vary, but mostly we have a great time on the hill. People can ski with friends, by themselves, or learn tricks on the mountain. Weekend skiing is also offered for students who enjoy skiing.

Overall, recreational skiing is a great winter sport

Swimming

By Daeho Kim ’26

The Eaglebrook swimming program has long been a source of pride within the school’s athletic tradition. Although swimming is often seen as an individual sport, our team culture emphasizes unity, shared goals, and collective effort. Success in swimming requires technical precision, endurance, speed, and mental toughness. Under the guidance of head coach and UMass Hall of Famer Russ Yarworth, swimmers develop not only as athletes but also as disciplined and resilient individuals, learning the importance of preparation, consistency, and accountability.

offered at Eaglebrook, where new friendships are made, and students get to enjoy the feeling of skiing in their backyard. We can’t wait for this skiing season to unfold.

This year’s coaches are Ms. Adawiya, Mr. Harlow, Mr. Landenberger, Mr. Mandell, Ms. Sikoski, and Mr. Townsend. The roster includes Kiran Alva ’28, Johnny Baker ’27, Austin Barnhill ’27, Gray Boron ’28, Port Cameron ’28, Joseph Chung ’28, Alden Dacus ’26, Hugh Devine ’27, Henry Dowsett ’28, Blaine Gagne ’27, Andrew Goodridge ’29, Yuentai Guo ’27, Felix Han ’29, Brooks Hinkle ’28, Henry Hornblower ’27, Creek Huang ’29, Daniel Jiang ’27, Ethan Jiang ’26, Michael Kao ’27, Preston Kim ’29, William Levesque ’27, Adrian Li ’27, Daniel Liang ’27, Wayne Liao ’27, Christian Lin ’28, David Luo ’28, Conall Menon ’27, Jasper Mok ’27, Julian Mok ’29, Lucas Pearman ’27, Pres PretrizziRichmond ’27, Addie Pieroni ’27, Maxx Qin ’27, Max Qin ’27, Kaden Song ’27, George Stevenson ’28, Leon Tanaka ’28, Dean Tanoyo ’27, Theo Tejavibulya ’29, Toby Teng ’27, Jack Villamizar ’28, Conner Wang ’29, Ollie West ’27, Lucas Wu ’27, Jeppard Xia ’26, Hoya Yoon ’28, Leo Yu ’29, Andy Zhang ’28, and Kenneth Zheng ’29.

This season began with evaluations of stroke technique, conditioning, and race readiness, followed by structured practices focused on refining skill and building endurance. Early workouts focused on efficient turns and strong underwater kicks, laying a solid foundation for the upcoming season. As meets began, swimmers translated their training into confident performances, supporting one another on deck and contributing across individual events and relays. Even in demanding races, the team maintained focus and composure under pressure. As the season continues, Eaglebrook swimmers remain committed to steady improvement, challenging themselves daily and racing with intensity, pride, and a strong sense of team identity while representing the school together. Our coaches are Mr. Russ Yarworth, Ms. Brie Dickenson, and Mr. Anthony Minickiello and the swimmers are Charlie Bucci ’27, John Cabot ’29, Evan Chen ’26, Sebastian Chen ’26, Peter Fermilia ’27, Dante Guerra ’27, Luca Guerra ’26, Kevin Hong ’26, Ryan Hur ’27, Chris Lee ’26, Jacob Kang ’26, Fritz Keber ’27, Daeho Kim ’26, Geo Kim ’27, Edward Kim ’26, Sangwon Lee ’27, Logan Oh ’27, Riley Smith ’27, Oscar Wang ’26, Lawrence Yang ’28, Alex Zhang ’29, and Charlie Zhen ’28.

friends, develop chemistry, and also improve our skills. Coaches push us, encourage us, and make us step out of our comfort zone, and that is how we improve.

Looking back, we had made such an improvement from the start of the year.

Our coaches include Ms. Brittany Inch, Mr. Richard Lee, and Mr. Dorsen Joseph. The players include: Tyce Boudway ’29,

Sean

Williams ’29, and Bryan Zhang ’28.