The King community came together for a spectacular Winter Showcase weekend, highlighted by dominant performances from the school's winter varsity teams. The event featured a thrilling hockey victory, student versus faculty competitions, and back-to-back basketball wins, all fueled by the energy of the King/Project Music pep band and King Cares/Viking Pride fan support. Beyond the showcase, King athletes engaged in a leadership and culture-building workshop, celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day with a resounding victory, and raised the school’s second Gatorade Player-of-the-Year banner in the Upper School Gym. Last week truly embodied the strength, unity, and excellence of the King Athletics community.
School News
Congratulations to Sydney Hauben ’25, Nina Griffith ’27, Emma Lange ’27, and Gates Seidelmann ’27 who were selected for the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition at the Hartford Art School. Emma, who earned a Gold Key, also qualified for the national competition. The students' award-winning works, ranging from a chandelier-inspired sculpture to a modern take on school life, are the result of their dedication to their craft under King School’s Art and Design Program.
King Athletics proudly welcomes Jayne Tully ’17 and Claire Morris Nadler ’17 to King as coaches for the Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team, bringing their leadership and athletic experience back to their alma mater. Tully, a former Division I lacrosse player at Fairfield University, joins as Head Coach and Alumni Relations Associate, while Nadler, an All-FAA and All-New England honoree, returns as Assistant Coach after working as an ER nurse. Their return was just one of many exciting moments for the Vikings this week, as the Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball teams celebrated Senior Night with thrilling wins, showcasing teamwork, dedication, and standout performances. Additionally, the Male Athlete Leadership event, “Who Am I in My Community?” provided over 60 student-athletes with a unique development experience, blending self-exploration through art with a jiu-jitsu session focused on balance, respect, and leadership.
History came to life for middle and upper school students through immersive experiences that deepened their understanding of the experience of Jews and Gentiles during the Holocaust.
In the Upper School, the Jewish Students Affinity Group (JSAG) hosted a presentation and a Q&A session with art teacher Ran LaPolla and her mother, Willy van Koten, whose family risked their lives to hide Jewish families during the Holocaust. Middle school advisory groups used the artificial intelligence program ChatGPT to hold virtual conversations with AI-generated characters depicting youth in Nazi-occupied Poland.
Both discussions highlighted resilience, moral courage, compassion, and the importance of standing against injustice.
The Lower School Library Learning Commons was transformed into a buzzing “Connecticut Visitors Center,” culminating Grade 3’s study of Connecticut. After months of exploring the state’s history, geography, and famous landmarks through exciting lessons and field trips — including visits to the state capitol and the Mark Twain House — students showcased their knowledge through discussions, eye-catching brochures, and posters. After sharing fascinating facts, students challenged attendees with quizzes on their areas of interest.
King School commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with presentations that encouraged students to reflect on the civil rights leader’s legacy and on how they can make a positive impact in their communities. At divisional assemblies, Dr. Clyde Beverly, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, spoke to students about Dr. King’s teachings and their parallel to the school’s virtues. Students were challenged to actively shape their environment and stand up for what is right through Dr. King’s inspiring words: "The time is always right to do what is right."
The King Debate Team secured a resounding victory at the January 2025 Connecticut Debate Association (CDA) tournament on January 11. Ryan Jakubowski ’26 and Steven Blanco ’26 were crowned champions, marking a significant milestone in their two-year journey of steady advancement in competitive debate. So far, eight King debaters have qualified for the state finals, and with two more qualifying tournaments ahead, the team is optimistic that even more students will secure their spots at the state level.
As 2025 gets underway, the Vikings are hitting the ground running with remarkable performances. With Varsity Boys Basketball, Varsity Girls Basketball, and Varsity Boys Ice Hockey all on impressive winning streaks, the teams have combined for just one loss since the start of the new year. From buzzer-beating victories to standout individual performances, the Vikings are dominating the competition and showing no signs of slowing down. Don’t miss the action — cheer on our teams as they look to keep the momentum rolling this winter!
Former professional basketball player, author, and wellness advocate Chris Herren shared his inspiring story with the King School community. Part of the Parents' Association Speaker Series, Herren's presentation on January 14 emphasized the importance of perseverance, early intervention, and community support in overcoming life's toughest challenges. The event left attendees feeling empowered and motivated to take action in supporting those in need and preventing future struggles.
Grade 2 students embarked on a deep exploration of identity as they investigated the driving question, “How do we share and celebrate our identity to create a classroom community where everyone belongs?” Over the course of six weeks, they engaged in interdisciplinary lessons that celebrated their individuality and cultivated an appreciation for the similarities and differences around them. The unit promoted academic growth and strengthened social-emotional skills, helping students build a stronger sense of community.
The King Community engaged in thought-provoking discussions around digital wellness during “Tech Through the Ages: An Intergenerational Dialogue About Innovation” on Thursday, January 9. With an emphasis on the importance of cross-generational understanding in today’s tech-driven world, keynote speaker Nadira Hira inspired attendees to approach technology with empathy and intention, fostering lively conversations in breakout groups and a dynamic panel featuring students, alumni, and teachers. United by King’s mission to promote academic success, ethical grounding, and digital wisdom, participants left with knowledge and strategies for balancing technology’s opportunities and challenges.
The annual Grade 8 cultural exchange program between King School and the Greenwich Japanese School (GJS) continues to build connections and global understanding. Following King students' visit to GJS in December, this year’s program concluded on Thursday, January 9, with King students welcoming their GJS peers for a full day of events and activities. The exchange provides real-world insights into global citizenship, leaving students and educators inspired by the connections forged across cultural boundaries.
Caroline Ellis ’25 was ecstatic when she learned she had been named the 2024-25 Gatorade Connecticut Volleyball Player of the Year. The news came through Instagram, sending her running through the house in excitement. A three-time NEPSAC Player of the Year, Caroline led her team to an undefeated 21-0 record and the school’s first-ever Class A NEPSAC title. Now, as the second athlete from King School to earn this prestigious honor, Caroline caps off her King career on a high note, carrying the momentum into her next chapter at the University of Mississippi.
College-aged alumni escaped the winter chill as they returned to campus for the annual “Hot Chocolate and Hellos” event on Tuesday, January 8. The event offered a chance to reconnect with old friends and teachers while enjoying sweet treats in the Upper School. Smiles, laughter, and recollections of fond memories filled the room as alumni shared the impact King continues to have in their lives.
The Lower School Winter Concert at King's Performing Arts Center was a joyful celebration that showcased the talent and hard work of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. Each grade performed three pieces, delighting families, faculty, and staff with songs like "Snow Pants and Winter Giggles," "Light a Candle for Peace," and "Holiday Mash-Up."