Friday, June 6, 2025

Dear Members of the Holton-Arms Community, With the end of the 2024-2025 academic year upon us, it is important to pause, celebrate our many accomplishments, and reflect. In doing so, I want to ensure my gratitude is abundantly expressed. Our year was filled with personal growth and community-wide progress. To each member of our Panther Claw—students, faculty and staff, our families, alumnae, and friends of the School—we extend thanks. Because of your partnership, there are many great moments from the 2024-2025 school year to reflect upon. Students Our Panthers sought, embraced, and leaned into the opportunity to grow in mind, soul, and spirit as individuals and as a close-knit learning community. We are enormously grateful for our students! Faculty and Staff The exceptionally talented and devoted professionals of Holton-Arms advanced curiosity. They most certainly cultivated the unique potential of young women with an education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit. Thank you to Holton's invaluable and supremely skilled faculty and staff! Parents/Guardians and Volunteers You showed up, enhanced our excellence, and deepened our connections with each other in ways visible and heartfelt. We thank our volunteers for supporting our mission delivery. Your time, talent, and philanthropy allowed us to thrive. Panthers of all ages exemplified the spirit of Holton: interdependent and connected. We made meaning out of the unexpected, found strength in each other, and embraced our founder’s vision: “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.” Holton's supportive culture cheered for victories and allowed our students to fail gracefully, and to get back up with clarity of purpose as one Panther Claw. Together, we learned both academic and life lessons. We experienced joy in the opportunity to creatively find and make way. Holton-Arms has modeled such accomplishments for 123 years. It is both a privilege and a pleasure to be part of this vibrant and time-tested learning community. Although it was hard to narrow down, I am elated to share a Holton-Arms Top Ten List for the 2024-2025 school year. I wish you a summer filled with health, rejuvenation, and memory-making with your loved ones. We look forward to welcoming our new Panther Families, seeing our returning families, and we already miss the Class of 2025 and their families. Until we meet again, inside Holton’s Open Door, please take care. Once again, thank you for making this year one of great purpose and inspiration at Holton-Arms. Warmly, Penny B. Evins Head of School 1. Opening convocation The Class of 2024 makes their way into the Anne Davis Camalier ’47 ’49C Amphitheater for their first Holton Convocation. Read More 2. Blue and White Night under the lights The Panthers lit up the season with their first night game on the new turf field. Spirit and energy filled the air as they took the field under the lights. Read More 3. Arts Festival Showcase Visionary Voices Families, faculty, and students gathered to admire student work at the inaugural All School Arts Festival, celebrating across all grade levels. Read More 4. Unveiling our new Panther turf field Thanks to the generosity of donors, we unveiled a turf field in September. This renewed space supports our student-athletes as they grow through movement, nurturing a healthy mind, soul, and spirit. Read More 5. Opening of the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons Students, faculty, and staff came together at an All School Gathering to celebrate the grand opening of the new Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons, a vibrant hub for curiosity, collaboration, and community. Read More 6. Dedication of the Anne Davis Camalier ’47 ’49C Amphitheater Anne Davis Camalier ’47 ’49C attends the dedication of the amphitheater named in her honor. Read More 7. Women & Power for Good Marcia Johnson Bateson ’75, creator of the Women & Power for Good Summit, joins Head of School Penny B. Evins and Lauren H. ’27 as they enjoy lunch with Holton students during the Women & Power for Good Summit. Read More 8. Celebration of Lights The Holton community gathered for the first-ever Celebration of Lights, an All School Gathering honoring reflection, unity, and joy. Read More 9. Closing Ceremony Seniors form a tunnel for their 3rd grade buddies, a cherised tradition as they cross the bridge together on the way to the Closing Ceremony, an All School Gathering. Read More 10. Class of 2025 Commencement With pride in their accomplishments and anticipation for what's ahead, the Class of 2025 shines brightly on Commencement Day. Read More

February 19, 2025 Warm greetings from Holton-Arms, One of the most cherished aspects of life at Holton is our vibrant sense of community. It is the foundation upon which we build academic excellence and nurture the mind, soul and spirit of each student. A strong community allows our students to take healthy risks, share their voices, and fully contribute to their educational journeys. When our students feel the support of their peers, they are willing to try, are unafraid to fail, and rise to meet the challenges of learning. Rather than focusing on perfection, we embrace Mrs. Holton’s vision to embrace "doing hard things within the warmth and comfort of a home.” Doing hard things can be joyful. This is the lesson I want to ensure today’s girls and tomorrow’s leaders not only learn, but also model in their daily lives as Panthers, both within and beyond Holton’s open door. In my seat, I observe this lesson as a way of life for our current students and generations of alumnae. I hope that you can see, imagine, and have evidence of Mrs. Holton’s foresight as a flashlight for our current journey and future endeavors as one Holton-Arms community.   Community Collaboration Our educators are dedicated to delivering an academic program that grows excellence by tapping into every Panther’s unique talents in mind, soul and spirit. The combined strength of our learning community is truly unparalleled. Together, we fulfill a mission that goes far beyond the lessons of a textbook—preparing our students for life beyond Holton’s open doors. Over President’s Day Weekend, I read anonymous essays from current juniors applying for Holton’s Alumnae Scholar Award. The personal stories about my colleagues, who give their all to these applicants in presence, preparation, and passion-filled pages are inspiring. Our students’ essays and my daily interactions on campus motivate me to advance our timeless excellence with unapologetic ambition. Future aspirations are rooted in deep care for the people and mission delivery of Holton-Arms. Together, as members of our shared learning community, we shall preserve what matters most and design for our future.   Strategic Planning Next Steps As we launch our planning process, current parents/guardians will soon receive a survey. I invite you to reflect upon our strengths, identify challenges, and name opportunities. Although every Holton family is distinct, each of you intentionally chose our school as the learning community for your daughters. In making this choice, you likely saw Holton-Arms as a place that provides a purposeful and inspiring education—one that helps your Panther grow into the best version of herself. I share this impression as a starting point and, alongside Holton’s Board and my colleagues, remain committed to ensuring the school continues to evolve in productive and forward-looking ways. We are eager to learn from your feedback.   Community Connections and Making Standards High When conversing with our impressive and proud alumnae, the value placed on Holton’s sisterhood is noteworthy. A lifelong network provides an invaluable and dynamic connection amongst Panthers of all ages. This inspiring bond seeded a community art project, which currently hangs in the hallway outside my office. Created in concert with the opening of the Susanna A. Jones Learning Commons, One Panther is an intentional reminder of our interdependence and community pride. Since my office is near our dining hall, the beautiful and noisy hum of Panthers is an ever-present backdrop to this vision of our purposeful and persevering connection. Next time you are on campus experiencing “everyday Holton,” I hope you will come by to see One Panther. Middle School Make Your Way Day brought alumnae back to campus last month to discuss their lives, careers, family systems, and appreciation for a Holton education. Listening to this group of alumnae elevated the learning that occurs when students have access to our network of Holton graduates. Our girls are most curious about how they might apply the skills they learn in school. The return of former Panthers created an ideal in-person classroom, without screens, and an eagerness for more opportunities to see and experience the joy of "doing hard things" beyond our campus.   Shortly after this signature alumnae event, I had a visit with Barbara “Bobby” Gitenstein '66, President Emerita of The College of New Jersey and a former Holton trustee. Bobby’s leadership journey as a college president is instructional and inspiring. A fearless champion of education and a devoted Holton-Arms alumna, Bobby is a powerful example of Mrs. Holton’s vision in action. During her recent visit to the DMV, we found time for a chat between her busy schedule and visits with Holton friends. The women with whom she lived and learned, while a Holton boarding student, are precious in mind, soul and spirit to her. Without pause, this most impressive educational leader credits her Holton educationー the people, place, and programs ー for her many accomplishments. It gives me great joy to share that Bobby will serve as Holton's Alumna Commencement Speaker for the class of 2025. As sung in our alma mater, countless Holton alumnae, including Bobby, demonstrate the importance of making standards high.   Holton turns 124! Happy Birthday Holton! was a remarkable day of gathering; we enhanced traditions with new additions. I hope stories about the pause we took to build, nurture, and nourish our claw of Panthers in sisterhood made their way to you. It was a joyful day! We prioritize palpable bonds, paw to paw, to learn and grow the unique potential of each Panther. In doing so, each student leaves her distinctive “paw print” of talents, perspectives, experiences, learnings, and leadership on the hearts and minds of her classmates. As a professional team, we are here to support and partner with you and our students, every step of the way. This is the transformative power of a Holton education, one which lasts long after our graduates walk across the bridge. We thank you for the gift of knowing and growing your Panthers, who bring purpose to the profession my colleagues and I cherish. We join together in appreciation for your many acts of generosity and recognition, including the much-enjoyed Parents Association’s Sweet Treats event. Along with the sights and sounds outside my office and the beauty of One Panther, the sweet aroma of Valentine's Day treats was delightful! Partnering with our Parents Association and working intimately with Lisa Noto, our PA President, continues to be a highlight of my service to Holton. Beyond the material support our parents provide, Lisa and all of our volunteers are essential to ensuring our dreams for your children become a reality. Hol-TON of Fun, another PA event, is just weeks away. I look forward to seeing you there and encourage your participation in Fund-a-Dream, our online auction to support Holton’s financial assistance initiatives. Without your participation, Holton’s mission delivery would not be possible for current and future Panthers. In closing, thank you for your efforts to nurture and advance Holton’s purpose and enrich our connections. Warmly, Penny B. Evins Head of School

Dear Holton-Arms Community, From Holton, a home away from home for our Panthers, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! The privilege of knowing and growing your daughters in partnership with you is a source of great purpose. My colleagues and I are most grateful for the blessings of such inspiration. Together, the people of Holton-Arms joyfully learn through challenges and inspire Panthers and communities, near and far, to do the same. Throughout the year, Holton’s educators strive to model a way of living through giving; collectively modeling joyful interdependence and purposeful connections, we grow excellence as a community. During Thanksgiving, we take time to honor Holton’s enduring sense of community. Our Thanksgiving Gathering embodies our mission delivery, offering an education not only of the mind, but also of the soul and spirit.

To ensure each Panther is independent and interconnected, I led our Thanksgiving Gathering with a focus on giving thanks and inspiring others to do the same. In a world where digital distractions are plentiful, prioritizing opportunities to gather helps to ensure we learn from the people in our presence. As a full community, we paused and considered the many blessings in our lives. Certainly Holton harnesses and unleashes many gifts. In unison, we enjoyed heartwarming melodies and seized the opportunity to craft thank you notes. Joy was abundant and mistakes were welcomed, all with the intention of creating and benefitting from a sense of togetherness.

One Panther, the panther on this gratitude postcard, represents our entire community. Filled with individual fingerprints, she represents our interdependence. Symbolizing our collective strength, which is born from the unique potential of each member of our community, One Panther hangs in the SAJ Learning Commons.

In service to Holton, it is a pleasure to express my sentiments of appreciation to you. As Head of School, I am thankful for you! The essential support you provide and demonstrate activates the transformative power of our girls. A Holton education is both a gift for today and everlasting, far into the distant future, as sung in our alma mater. I am thankful for our Holton students. They provide clarity of purpose, an unwavering thirst for growing excellence, and abundant joy in everyday Holton moments. These young women mean the world to me and fuel my tireless pursuit to ensure Holton thrives and flourishes! My supremely talented Holton colleagues, who work tirelessly to nurture your daughters’ intellectual and emotional growth. Holton’s volunteers and supporters, whose contributions enhance our programs and bring our mission to life. Holton’s parents, who give us the privilege of knowing and growing their daughters’ minds, souls, and spirits. Our unique strength lies in our ability to “do hard things in the comfort of home.” The Holton community encourages our Panthers to take on challenges with confidence, knowing they are surrounded by professionals and friends who believe in them. Thank you for being an integral part of Holton’s journey and for accepting my gratitude. I wish you and your loved ones peace, joy, and abundant opportunities for such a reflective pause. May your Thanksgiving celebrations be filled with moments that nourish your mind, soul, and spirit. When we rejoin, we shall build on Holton’s proud legacy, shaping a future full of purpose, possibility, and excellence. Until then, please enjoy this video, wherein our “Panthers Paws to Give Thanks.”

Warmly, Penny B. Evins Head of School

October 29, 2024 A Message From the Head of School 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 A Message from the Chair of the Board of Trustees   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

 

 

Dear Holton-Arms Community,

Thank you to those who joined us for Convocation this morning to hear the voices of students from all divisions, a member of our faculty and staff, and a member of our Board of Trustees.

Today, as I welcome you to Holton’s 123rd year, I am filled with immense pride in our shared commitment to educating the mind, soul, and spirit of young women. Reflecting on the legacy of our founders, Jessie Moon Holton and Carolyn Huff Arms, I am reminded that Holton has always been about meeting the present and future needs of our students.

This year, I am particularly excited to focus on the idea that mistakes are not just inevitable but essential for growth. Inspired by Corinna Luyken’s The Book of Mistakes, I believe that mistakes can lead to unexpected opportunities for creativity and learning. At Holton, we emphasize that learning is an ongoing process, represented by the continuous “ING” of living, growing, and connecting. Each moment, whether planned or spontaneous, offers us a chance to learn and grow.

Our journey at Holton is not about achieving perfection. Rather, it is about embracing uncertainty, taking healthy risks, and growing together as a community. By supporting one another through our mistakes, we can unlock our potential and create something truly extraordinary. The concept of perfection often limits us, holding us back from exploring our full potential. Here, we strive to move beyond the fear of making mistakes and instead see them as stepping stones to mastery and innovation.

In my own experiences, I have found that the most meaningful moments often come from the unexpected. Whether adjusting plans to accept another person’s outreach or embracing mistakes in the classroom, I have discovered that these moments of uncertainty often lead to profound growth and connection. It is in these unplanned moments that we find opportunities to deepen our understanding, strengthen our relationships, and push the boundaries of what we thought possible.

This year is a gift, being unwrapped today. It is a chance for continual improvement, growth, and discovery. I encourage each of you to embrace this gift fully, to welcome the surprises it brings, and to see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and evolve.

As we begin this school year, I encourage each of us to embrace the unknown, lean into discovery, and celebrate our individual and collective strengths. We are all part of something bigger—a powerful Panther community where each of us contributes to the excellence and goodness we seek to cultivate in mind, soul, and spirit. Together, let’s make this year one of growth, creativity, and connection. Let’s celebrate our imperfections as catalysts for innovation and community building, knowing that each step, each mistake, brings us closer to becoming the best version of ourselves.

For those not able to join us, we look forward to seeing you inside and beyond Holton's Open Door.

Warmly,

Penny B. Evins

Holton-Arms School cultivates the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit."

 

Dear Members of the Holton-Arms Community,

I hope the last days of summer bring joyful memories and well-rested Panthers, ready for our exciting new academic year together. I look forward to student-filled spaces and warmly welcoming our new Panthers as well as our returning students. Together, we embark on Holton's 123rd year, building on our legacy of excellence in educating girls with time-tested and future-focused programs.

Like every school year, ours will be marked by familiar routines, new experiences, and unexpected events. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the opportunities and challenges of an election season within a learning community.

During complex times, I find that providing clear expectations offers confidence and predictability, hallmarks of Holton’s longstanding tradition of excellence. Every Holton employee is a mission-driven educator and role model for our students. Successfully realizing Holton’s full promise and mission delivery requires interdependence and recognition that every community member, your children, my colleagues, and each of you is important and valuable. We rely upon each other and together, we create the ideal conditions for each young woman to achieve her potential and connect to her purpose.

Mrs. Holton’s vision, as stated in our mission, inspires us to embrace change and growth while considering the ages and stages of human development. As Head of Holton-Arms, I find strength and clarity in our founder’s vision and strive to ensure we are a non-partisan learning community centered on children’s intellectual and emotional exploration.  We welcome their curiosity and want them to ideate.

With a long legacy of excellence in educating girls, we provide our students with time-tested and future-forward programming. Holton students and graduates are known for their ability to engage in conversations wherein multiple perspectives are surfaced and for their ability to harness empathy. 

For over a century, Holton has prepared young women for a life of purpose, which involves leading and civic engagement. Within the next decade, every child in our current learning community will be of voting age. We have first-time voters in our Class of 2025; this November’s election day will be a momentous one for them. My colleagues and I hope that civic engagement is central to your children’s lives.

As they strive to become their best selves, I believe the children in our care need support and high standards, with many opportunities to feel hope, employ curiosity, find safety in wondering, fail gracefully, and succeed proudly. As educators, we are in a unique position to offer such an environment to grow the excellence of each of our students and our collective strength.

Recognizing that one’s professional status at Holton can signal power and create influence, I affirm it is not appropriate for any member of Holton’s faculty or staff to share their political views with your children. As role models, we commit to encouraging their curiosity, growing their agency, and fostering a sense of hope and positivity.

As parents and guardians, I ask you to model this commitment and employ our
Principles of Dialogue. This is essential for maintaining, advancing, and nurturing the strength of our community.

With a shared understanding of our non-partisan stance, Holton’s academic team has plans to position the election as an educational opportunity to learn about the electoral process, leveraging our Principles of Dialogue.

At the end of this letter, you'll find a review of our Divisional Approaches, which are also linked here, along with the dress code expectations outlined in our summer Handbook update.

Our educational program is crafted to cultivate mindsets, skills, and habits that will serve your children into adulthood. While serious, complex, and polarizing ideas are embedded in election topics, we intend to harness teachable moments and intellectual challenges as facilitators, promoting and upholding respectful dialogues.

With steadfast commitment to our individual roles, collective craft, and shared focus, we anticipate a wonderful year. I look forward to growing our excellence with you, my colleagues, and the heartbeat of our School, our beloved Panthers.

Thank you for your positive partnership and participation.

Warmly,

Penny B. Evins
Head of School

Holton-Arms School 7303 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 www.holton-arms.edu

 

 

Dear Holton-Arms Community,  Where did the year go? During my inaugural year as Holton’s Head of School, one of the first people I met shared her story of discovering Holton-Arms School. As a young girl, she was captivated by her friend’s school, lovingly calling it “Holding Arms.” She convinced her parents to visit, and apply, and eventually, she attended Holton-Arms. Now, as a parent of two Panthers, she cherishes both nostalgic experiences and traditions while looking forward to Holton’s vibrant future. I term her affectionate nickname a “marvelous mistake.” It reflects the sisterhood at Holton that spans generations, where students hold arms with each other and open doors for one another. As we celebrate this year, honor our graduates, and thank our dedicated faculty, staff, volunteers, alumnae, and families, we also bid bittersweet goodbyes to those embarking on new adventures, shifting positions, or retiring. This year we enjoyed old traditions and new routines, from crossing the bridge on the first and last days of school to the first time our third and twelfth-graders met their new buddies. These moments renewed our purpose and joy as One Holton community. We celebrate the Class of 2024, marking the end of their time as students but look forward to their lifelong learning and impact. They leave with an open invitation to return, reconnect, and give back, ensuring Holton’s mission continues. A special highlight is the recipient of the first Open Door Award, honoring Dave Hawkins. Dave, who began his career at Holton many years ago, embodies what is necessary to ensure Mrs. Holton’s vision of challenging oneself within the friendliness of a home. His warm greetings foster the friendliness of a home with personal and positive beginnings inside Holton's open door. We are fortunate to be part of Holton-Arms, a beacon of hope dedicated to cultivating the unique potential of young women through an education not only of the mind, but of the soul, and spirit. I wish you a healthy, memorable, and rejuvenating summer, and whether inside or beyond our open door, I look forward to seeing you in the near future. Warmly, Penny B. Evins

Dear Holton-Arms Community,

On behalf of the Holton Arms Board of Trustees and Head of School Search Committee, we are thrilled to announce that Penny B. Evins has been appointed by the Board of Trustees as Holton-Arms’ 8th Head of School. Penny was unanimously recommended by the Search Committee to the Board of Trustees who then unanimously approved her appointment to succeed Susanna A. Jones on July 1, 2023.

Penny is a seasoned school leader who brings deep experience working collaboratively with faculty, staff, trustees, families, students, and alums to strengthen school communities—always keeping the needs of the students front and center. With nearly a decade of experience serving as Head at two other prestigious independent schools–including Collegiate School in Richmond and St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore–Penny has an exceptional record of building strong, lasting relationships and motivating those around her to be the best versions of themselves. In addition to her depth as a leader, she has a breadth of experience across school divisions and functional areas, including: division headships, admissions, counseling, and fundraising. 

Perhaps a result of her New Orleans roots, Penny is a straightforward and warm communicator–a real connector and people person. In making this choice, we have selected a leader who fully shares our community’s strong commitment to–indeed, has dedicated her career to–nurturing a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive school. We are excited and energized by the promise and potential of Penny’s appointment as our next Head of School.

Selecting a new Head of School is perhaps the most consequential duty of the Board of Trustees. We extend our deepest gratitude to our fellow Search Committee members for the diligence, care and effort they have invested throughout this process. We are also appreciative of our alumni, faculty and staff, parents and guardians, and students who gave so generously of their time to engage with the finalists and share their many insights with the Search Committee along the way. 

We look forward to welcoming Penny along with her husband, Sam, and two children to our community in July. We will share more details about opportunities to meet and greet them soon. In the meantime, as Susanna continues to lead the School through June, we look forward to celebrating her extraordinary legacy. 

Stay tuned for updates on the many festivities ahead! 

Best,

Cathy Johnson Butz ’87, P ’18, P ’21, Trustee, Search Committee Co-Chair
Mark Israel, P ’20, P ’22, Trustee, Search Committee Co-Chair

Behind the Paw is a podcast series featuring interviews with teachers, alumni, students, staff, parents, and administrators—who support one another to find a way or make one. Hosted by Head of School Penny B. Evins, listeners will get a chance to follow along as Holton’s eighth Head of School listens and learns about what makes Holton so special. 

Episode 5: A Life of Impact and Meaning 
In this episode, Head of School Penny B. Evins explores the stories and insights of those who shape our beloved institution. We sit down with Julia Grandison, Academic Dean, and Yolanda Keener, Senior Class Dean, as they reflect on their years of service, share surprising tidbits about Holton's history, and discuss the evolving landscape of education. From classroom memories to favorite meals, from traditions cherished to challenges faced, listen in as we uncover the essence of Holton through the voices of its dedicated educators! 

Episode 4: Creative Waymakers 
In this episode, Head of School Penny Evins talks to Mike Robertson, Director of Libraries & Information Services, and Callie Oliver, Director of Auxiliary Programs, about why it takes a whole year to plan summer camp, the coziness of working in Granger House, how to find Callie by "following the music," and ... what does the Panther say? Listen in.

Episode 3: Arts, Athletics, Academics... oh my!
This week Head of School Penny Evins welcomes Athletic Director Graham Westerberg, Fine & Performing Arts Director Felicia Swoop and Student/Athlete/Artist Anne L. '24 to this episode of Behind the Paw. Listen in as they discuss the opportunities and challenges of trying new things, learning to fail, and quick changes between swim meets and Orchestra concerts. Check out previous episodes here.

Episode 2: Wisdom from 65 Combined Years at Holton

With a combined 65 years of experience at Holton, Lower School Science teacher Linda Bailey and Main Entrance Security Guard Dave Hawkins have touched the lives of generations of Holton girls and students. Listen in as Head of School Penny B. Evins learns a little more about what drew them to dedicate their careers to cultivating the unique potential of young women through the education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit. They discuss their hopes for Holton’s students and families, as well as why Holton is an ideal work environment. And hear why Mrs. Evins has dubbed them our “Chief of Find a Way or Make One” and “Chief of First Impressions,” respectively.  

Episode 1: Habits of Mind & Heart

In this first episode Mrs. Evins is joined by alumnae parent and Trustee Cal Daggitt (P’ 21, P’23), her eldest daughter alumnae Macy Daggitt ’21 and Middlebury junior to talk about the habits of mind and heart that have set her up well for life after Holton. They’ll discuss how Holton helped them make room for learning from mistakes, encouraged healthy risk-taking and provided executive functioning for “adulting” in college.