Sweetest Celebration: Honoring Our Senior Lifers

The Hamden Hall community celebrated one of its time-honored traditions: the Lifers’ Shirting Ceremony, which honors the seniors who have spent their entire academic career under the pines.

The Class of 2024 has six students who earned the “Lifer” distinction: Casey Armstrong, Ethan Berman, Jake Cacace, Will Christman, Nico Ciccone, and Margaret Gustafson.

The six Lifers and their parents were invited to a morning breakfast where they enjoyed light conversation and took a trip down memory lane with a slideshow presentation featuring the seniors over the last 13 to 14 years. Photos included yearbook portraits, class group shots, field trips, musical productions, club activities, athletic games, and more.

As the students and their parents walked into Taylor Gymnasium for the all-school assembly, they were greeted by Head of School Bob Izzo. He opened with a few remarks before turning it over to Director of Lower School Lorri Carroll, who shared the history of the Lifers’ Shirting Ceremony. The tradition started back in 1982 by former administrator and PreKindergarten teacher Kathie Harris to promote the annual Valentine’s Cookie Sale – which commenced on Thursday, February 15.

Continuing the sweet tradition, PreSchool, PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten gathered on and in front of the stage to perform a few songs including the all-time favorite C is for Cookie with a little help from Lower School Music teacher Rachael Jungkeit. As the song finished, the Lifers turned to the younger students, who helped them put on the custom-made red T-shirt for the official shirting ceremony.