A Message From the Head of School
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Holton-Arms was imagined by Jessie Moon Holton, nearly 125 years ago, "My high hope is that they who enter through the open door of Holton-Arms remember that they felt, in the friendliness of a home, the urge to learn and the joy of overcoming obstacles as the way to happiness and the fullest life.”
It is with great joy that I write to you from Holton’s physical campus, a learning community, where challenging ourselves within a supportive community is evident.
As framed in my Convocation remarks, Holton is a place where students embrace the "ING" of learning — becomING their best selves, stretchING their minds and talents, and feelING secure in the knowledge that they are supported every step of the way. Whether considering different perspectives or taking healthy risks on stage, our girls are doing hard things within the comfort of a home.
Place
I am thrilled to share how we are evolving! With great appreciation for Holton's Board of Trustees, who made way to serve as guardians for our future, we are thrilled to announce the opening of the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons — a project many years in the making — involving the vision of former leaders, students, educators, volunteers, and donors.
What impact can a thoughtfully designed place have on mission delivery? How will the opening of the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons enhance our ability to foster a love of learning, curiosity, and sisterhood? Made possible through the generosity of philanthropic donors and fiscal management, this space has the power to nurture our time-tested and future-focused programs, designed to grow excellence.
The space is intentionally designed, featuring cozy reading nooks, a variety of workstations, and areas for both quiet reflection and dynamic collaboration. Here, third graders might share beloved books with seniors, middle schoolers will harness presentation skills, and our entire community will gather for collective learning and individual growth. More than just a physical space, the Learning Commons embodies our core mission—providing an education that nurtures not only the mind but the soul and spirit of each student.
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Holton is a place where each individual's identity, talents, and experiences enhance the rich educational program for which we are known. Through gathering, we cultivate, promote, and enhance a sense of belonging. The Learning Commons embodies our prioritization of gathering and elevates our collective pride in being a part of the Holton community, a place where each Panther, with their own uniqueness as represented by fingerprints, adds to our collective strength as One Panther, One Holton-Arms community. This artwork, co-created with our entire community, will hang in the entranceway of the Learning Commons.
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Program
Spirit Week at Holton-Arms brought together our vibrant community in a weeklong celebration filled with themed costumes, cross-grade connections, and a school-wide pep rally. From lunch-time dance-offs and musical chairs to sweet treats (always food at Holton), new cheers, and shared laughs, the campus was alive with energy and joy. Yet, amidst the fun, our Panthers tackled hard things, too—crafting literary masterpieces, solving complex math problems, creating art in real-time, and fiercely competing on the sports field.
During Blue and White Night, I witnessed a perfect moment that reflects the essence of Holton’s mission and community. Alumnae gathered around a senior, sharing “advice for life” beyond Holton’s open door, reminiscing about their own Holton days. Nearby, middle schoolers taught our youngest Panthers a new cheer, their voices bridging generations with enthusiasm and support. The sense of community is ubiquitous and for the people of Holton, I am most grateful.
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People
Recently, I had the privilege of touring the campus and the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons space with Nancy Peery and Dick Marriott, whose original vision made the Alice S. Marriott Library possible for a previous generation of Panthers, including their four daughters who graduated from Holton-Arms. Their heartfelt response to how we've reimagined this vital learning center was deeply moving. The Marriotts personify individuals who care deeply about those who come next.
Our Holton community is remarkable. Students demonstrate individual determination and unwavering connection as they forge their paths forward. Guided by our exceptional faculty and staff, they experience an education that balances tradition and progress, preparing them to address real-world challenges, beyond our open door. As we open our newest door and welcome prospective families, I'm profoundly grateful for your role as loyal, active, and engaged ambassadors, sharing the unique promise of a Holton education with others and fortifying our ability to continue our momentum.
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The deep appreciation for the people, program, and place, combined with our commitment to evolution and progress makes our path forward clear. The Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons represents more than a physical transformation—it embodies Holton’s core mission and signals how we shall make way for our time-tested and future-focused learning community. We hope you will join us to tour this inspiring space soon by signing up here.
We look forward to welcoming you into this incredible space—a place where our appreciation for people, and the program, merges with our commitment to our community. Together, we'll continue our tradition of inspiring our girls to reach for the stars, arm in arm, shaping Holton's bright future.
With great appreciation for the privilege of serving as Holton’s Head of School, I look forward to gathering, both within and beyond Holton’s open door.
Warmly,
Penny B. Evins
Head of School
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A Message from the Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Dear Holton-Arms Community,
Greetings from the Holton-Arms Board of Trustees. I am Jessie Holladay Sterchi, and it is my honor to serve as Chair of the Board. Our role as a Board is to safeguard our mission, provide strategic direction, and oversee resources that sustain our future and advance our school, which requires collective vision and resources of time, treasure, and talent.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I express our sincere gratitude to the long-term visionaries who ensured the development of the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and commitment that this transformative space now stands as a beacon for the future of Holton-Arms. Capital projects like these are vital for sustaining our school’s mission and ensuring that we continue to evolve for future generations of Holton women who will continue to lead, innovate, and inspire.
As you enter through the doors of the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons, you’ll be immediately struck by how this modern and innovative space now represents the very heart and essence of Holton-Arms—nurturing the “mind, soul, and spirit” that define our school. This vision was made possible by the dedication of a decade of constituents—Boards of Trustees, campaign chairs, two Heads of School and their administrative teams, and our gracious donors. While the partnerships evolved over time, the commitment to this cornerstone, future-focused capital project for Holton-Arms never wavered. These key stakeholders understood that a successful capital project must be mission-driven rather than competitive, ensuring it genuinely reflects and serves the needs of our community.
As the Board of Trustees, we are mindful of our responsibility to the future of Holton-Arms. Aligned with the vision and dedication of those who shaped this remarkable new heart of our school, we are committed to staying mission-driven and forward-focused as we guide Holton-Arms into its next chapter. We are excited about the possibilities ahead and look forward to your continued support as we work to ensure an enduring legacy for the next generation of Holton-Arms girls.
With gratitude and excitement for the future,
Jessie Holladay Sterchi
Class of 1999
Chair, Holton-Arms Board of Trustees
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