very time a senior class graduates, something is left behind. Whether it’s traditions or inside jokes, their departure marks the closing of a chapter. This year, however, the graduating boys and girls classes mark the end of an era. The end of Springside School and Chestnut Hill Academy.
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is a relatively new school, founded in 2011 through the merger of two historic schools: the all-boys Chestnut Hill Academy (est. 1861) and the all-girls Springside School (est. 1879). These two schools had diverse cultures and traditions, some of which survived the merger, and some that didn’t. It just so happened that this senior class was in Pre-K when CHA merged. Thus, they are the last class to have attended CHA.
The remaining members of boys who were at CHA share what their graduation means to them:
“As a part of the last class of CHA, it feels extra meaningful to graduate. CHA had such a storied history, and it’s sad to see it ending. It feels like we’re turning the page to a new chapter in our school’s history.” — Alex Topping
“Being the last class of CHA means a lot to me because I am part of its history. I feel like I have brought some of the traditions into the SCH community by participating in historic groups like Hilltones and Players, doing my best to help them continue to thrive and be celebrated. An old CHA tradition I miss is All School Day. It was an event that brought the entire school together, from kindergarten through 12th grade, and provided younger students with great role models. I miss the large brotherhood and community that CHA created. CHA will forever mean something to me – the values of the five jersey stripes will always be represented in me, as they helped shape who I am today.” — Jarrett Whaley
“I think it is special to be the last group of a school with such a rich history. It is very important to preserve the traditions that were once at CHA.” — Sam Tonkon
“Being the last class of CHA comes with a certain amount of responsibility. We have gone through 14 years of education with a constantly changing administration with evolving ideals. We started in Lower School learning about courage, honesty, integrity, loyalty, and sportsmanship. Now our values include thoughtfulness, diversity, resilience, courage, and integrity. Both sets of values hold their own importance, but they are most impactful when learned together. We are the culmination of that synthesis of ideas. Whether that is a good or bad thing will be seen through the next generation of students at this school. It is the last class of CHA’s responsibility to continue giving our original values a high degree of importance in our lives. If we fail to do so, we will not be taking full advantage of our unique situation.” — Patrick Gaghan
The last one is me, Julien Friedland.
“It’s weird, knowing that you’re the last class of a school. It’s even weirder watching traditions you once celebrated and looked forward to fade into obscurity. Though, that’s a bit how life works. We all have our lasts, whether we know it at the time or not. For CHA, we were its last class. That’s what makes life, and what made CHA, special.”
