The warmth of the King community cut through the winter chill at the annual “Hot Chocolate and Hellos” gathering on Tuesday, January 8. The event welcomed college-aged alumni back to campus to reconnect with each other and their former teachers while enjoying sweet treats in the Upper School.

“I can come back here and know every teacher,” said Dean Kaduboski ’22 as he expressed his appreciation for the close-knit community.

Currently at Boston College majoring in finance and management with a minor in history, Kaduboksi praised the College Counseling Office for his success beyond King.

“I had Mr. Volain as my counselor, and he prepared me for what to expect,” he said. “There’s always going to be some challenges moving to a much bigger school, but overwhelmingly it was a very positive and smooth experience.”

Karina Rao ’22 and Anabelle Creveling ’22 recalled similar feelings about the benefits of their education at King.

“I’m studying biology at Dartmouth and my biology teacher at King really instilled my love for it,” said Rao.

“The math courses I took here gave me a solid foundation that I use every day,” shared Creveling who is studying biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester. “The teachers and clubs, especially the Women in STEM club, helped me know that I was capable of pursuing a career in engineering.”

“It was wonderful to see so many alumni and to reconnect about various memories, many of which can have a hilariously different feel years later,” said Associate Head of Upper School and Upper School Dean of Students Jonathan Coulombe. “I also loved hearing about the paths that they are on, where they've studied abroad, and what their tentative plans are once the academic year ends.”

The event is one of the many ways King supports its alumni network. Group gatherings and mentorship opportunities throughout the year foster a supportive network that enriches both current and former students, reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines King.