Features

Across the world, rich cultures and traditions bring families together to celebrate the spirit of the winter holiday season. At Choate, students embrace this time of year in countless ways, showing that, while many honor familiar customs, the joy of the season can take many forms. From cooking favorite holiday recipes to meeting extended family, here’s how Choate students spend the holidays. 

The staple of any party, an icon of music, and the epitome of music fests: DJs. With their headphones and bobbing head, the DJ and their scratching of vinyls has been ingrained into all facets of pop culture. At Choate, several students have also explored the art of DJ-ing.

Myths offer something to believe in, whether that means hope for the future or comfort about the past. From the legends of ancient gods to folklores told today, they appear throughout human history. At Choate, such myths existed, from old fraternities to rumors about underground tunnels. 

It’s Monday morning, and The Choate News has hit the Dining Hall tables. Over the course of the school day, the 1,300 copies of the paper will cover everywhere from Lanphier Cafe to Carr Hall. Mr. Blaze Garbatini, on behalf of the Valley Publishing Company, marks the start of the paper’s journey.

Around every seven years, Choate faculty have the opportunity to take a term off for sabbatical. For many, the break is a chance to explore hidden talents, rediscover old passions, and return to campus with fresh perspectives.

Most members of the Choate community are no strangers to moving, from saying farewell to the place they called home to stripping the walls and packing treasured belongings in dubious cardboard boxes. This year, many teachers, including Ms. Rachel Hudelson, Ms. Michelle Thompson-Taylor, and Mx. Athira Sanal, moved houses and dorms across campus.

Every day, stampedes of students visit Lanphier Café for a much needed pick-me-up in the form of an iced coffee or a warm smile from their favorite baristas. For many, it’s a comforting daily ritual, and Lucas Du ’29 is a regular. “I come to Lanphier Café very often, like four times a week,” he said. However, the vibrant atmosphere that Lanphier Café offers would not be possible without the staff behind the counter.

The renovation of the Hill House dining hall wasn’t just about updating the space — it transformed the entire dining experience. With expanded food options, upgraded equipment, and new stations from a brick-oven pizza station to a soft-serve ice cream machine and a refrigerated drop-in cold food well, the newly renovated dining hall has brought more excitement at every meal for the Choate community.

At Choate, students pursue all kinds of passions, from sports to social justice, art, and more. With the sheer number of resources available on campus, students are encouraged to explore their interests in all sorts of ways and are supported by teachers and faculty throughout the process. For some, pursuing an interest might mean trying out for a sports team or joining a new club. However, for Wayne Wang ’26 and Ada Tieanworn ’26, their interests fall in exploring the world of business and entrepreneurship.

In Choate’s 2025 Summer Reading book, Everything is Tuberculosis, John Green explains the reach of tuberculosis throughout history, from cities created as sanatoriums for patients to the “beauty of consumption” depicted in 18th and 19th century European art. While tuberculosis may seem distant in time and relevance, our very own school and the town of Wallingford worked toward raising awareness, supporting patients, and preventing the further spread of the disease.

For many teachers and faculty, working at Choate doesn’t just mean teaching classes: it’s also a place where families are built and kids are raised. For parents with babies or young kids like Math teacher Mr. Nick Tagge, Teaching & Learning Associate and Head Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey Coach Ms. Laura Troy, and Science teacher Dr. Selena Gell, daily life with their children blends in with dining hall routines, dorm duties, and Choate community life.

Every year, Choate Rosemary Hall’s Capstone Program allows sixth-form students to embark on a unique academic journey where they can pursue their passions through extensive research. Working alongside a faculty advisor, seniors are able to explore a topic that interests them, culminating in a final project presented during the spring term...

At Choate, teachers aren’t just teaching — they’re learning. Across various academic departments, teachers are taking advantage of the many educational opportunities offered by auditing classes...

Every day on campus, while walking to a class or activity, it’s easy to overlook the natural world around us. From the lush trees that line our walkways to the adorable creatures that appear, Choate Rosemary Hall is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. Learn more about these species and their role in the ecosystem...

We’ve all been there — your English teacher is going on about Macbeth and the theme of ambition, while all you’re ambitious for is the end of class in 20 minutes. Many students at Choate, whether out of boredom, creativity, or a friendly dare, have left their mark on the round wooden tables in the Paul Mellon Humanities Center, coined “harkness graffiti.” Here is a glimpse into some witticisms, drawings, and commentaries that have found a permanent home on these surfaces...