Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School Blog: Take Charge

Clouds gathered, and a steady rain fell over the Morgan Lawn on the morning of Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School's 198th Commencement, but from students to families to faculty and staff, nobody allowed the rain to dampen their spirits on this joy-filled day.

Head of School Dr. Lance Conrad opened the ceremony, welcoming graduates, families, alumni, and a distinguished roster of guests, including Board Chair Charlotte Merrell and commencement speaker Jackie Herrera, Program Coordinator at the Waltham Family School.

Cheyenne Bates’ father taught her early on never to say, “I can’t.” If something was hard, he helped her shift from “can’t” to “can”, going so far as disallowing the word. Years later, Cheyenne, a CH-CH alumna from the Class of 2016, has returned to campus in a new role as the Middle School Performing Arts Teaching Fellow, where she’s adapted this lesson for her students. She helps them switch from “can’t” to “I can’t do this… yet.” It’s apt advice, because right now she’s manifesting several things that might not have happened… but only not yet.

In 2021, I sent the email below to the community in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. Fast forward to 2026, and CH-CH will have its first Jackie Robinson Day on campus. You’re probably wondering what that means. This day is a celebration and reminder of how we at CH-CH can embody the same life of purpose that Jackie Robinson did. As Jackie is quoted as saying, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." Our truest legacy is the impact we have on the spaces around us, and one where we spend much of our time is here at CH-CH.

Gemma Pike ‘25, now in the spring of her first year at Endicott College, has been told from a young age that she has an eye for seeing things others miss. This statement is true both in the classroom, where Gemma considers herself a visual learner, but also outside of academics, where it manifested as an early interest in photography. She started out sharing photos with friends or over Instagram, but her passion for the medium truly snapped into focus once she began photography classes at CH-CH.

As we close out Black History Month, CH-CH welcomed the opportunity to experience history in a new and exciting way. Craft Sutton, historian, researcher, cultural enthusiast, and passionate storyteller, visited our campus to explore the powerful intersection of sneakers, culture, identity, and history.

From the moment he said, “Good morning,” it was clear this wouldn’t be a traditional lecture. Craft invited us into conversation immediately, asking, “Are there any sneakerheads in the building?” Hands went up. What followed was a dynamic, student-centered exploration of how something as everyday as a pair of sneakers holds generations of meaning.

At Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall, Health and Wellness courses look different. All students at CH-CH receive 6-7 weeks of wellness lessons during class meeting times, and the type of lessons and the content they engage with change and grow with each student each year. 9th and 10th grade programs are specifically designed to help students settle into high school life. Once students reach 11th grade, they get the opportunity to choose their own wellness curriculum. This unique program to CH-CH is allowing students to engage in Health and Wellness topics they’re interested in, boosting engagement, and providing students with essential real-world skills.

It takes most college students a semester or two to zero in on passions, projects, and course loads. But Nate Edwards-Roseney ‘22 was a Fellow at Clark University’s Mosakowski Institute even before he began his freshman year; the Institute was part of what drew him to Clark in the first place. For the past four years, he has only deepened his commitment to the Mosakowski Institute and its work, while deepening his connection to himself and those he teaches and trains.

It can be hard to feel the immediate impact of one’s work in a world where so much has become virtual. But for Eevie Silvia ‘24, currently a sophomore at Hofstra University, the bridge of connection and impact has been literal.

In the CH-CH Admissions Office, one thing I often hear from families is that beginning the process of searching for the right school can be daunting and overwhelming. With so many schools out there, it’s hard to know where to begin. 

As the associate director of Admissions, one of the best parts of my work is being part of a vibrant school community. But, what I’ve come to love just as much is meeting so many families each year as they begin their search for the right-fit school. 

Ian MacPhail, CH-CH History Department Chair, Co-Director of Campus Life, and Head Boys' Lacrosse Coach shares his insights on student clubs, leadership opportunities, and the vibrant club culture at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall.