Even as a sophomore, Hannah Curhan ’23 still benefited from the mentorship of her Middle School Drama Teacher, Ms. Crewdon. During the winter, Crewdon showed Curhan an email from the METG (Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild), calling for submissions to its first-ever monologue contest.

Every BB&N graduation is a celebratory event, but none was possibly more jubilant than the one held for the Class of 2021 on June 11 on Nichols Field at the Upper School campus. Only a few months ago it was unclear whether an in-person graduation was even feasible, but with many COVID restrictions for Massachusetts lifted, the graduation ceremony took place "in real life," as students often like to say. The temperate, sunny day could not have been more perfect, or appreciated, by those in attendance.

The Upper School community gathered on Tuesday, June 8 to celebrate the Closing Ceremony, which marks the end of the school year and honors the accomplishments of many talented students. Along with the award presentations were musical performances by the Upper School Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra, as well as farewells to the Class of 2021 by student speakers from each class.

Focusing on “their spark,” or what interests them, the recent fourth grade collaboration focused on how kids can help achieve the UN sustainability goals in their own communities and lives.

This school year the key to life at BB&N has been flexibility in routines, traditions, and schedules. Such flexibility was front and center in the two days that Project Adventure recently facilitated team-building activities with the Class of 2024 at the Upper School that typically took place during Bivouac.

It was shark week at BB&N for seniors in Terry Cox's Marine Geology Cass before March Break. All semester, students have been learning about the history of the ocean floor and different marine species. So far they had dissected clams and squid. Then came the dogfish shark.

If it's the first two weeks of March and you come upon nattily dressed students rehearsing emphatic speeches in isolated corners, then you know it's time for the annual rite of pre-Spring-Break passage, the Sophomore Debates.

Upper School Students Aanika Patel '21 and Daniel Wang '22 attended the Round Square International Conference (RSIC) in Indore, India in 2019. Not only were they inspired by the vibrant, global discussions that they had along every step of the way, they also thought it was important to bring the experience back home.

In early December, Bradford Kimball '24 became the first BB&N student to win the National History Bee, which was delayed six months this year and held online due to COVID.

Students in the production of OR21, a retelling of the Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, worked hard all fall under more than challenging circumstances that included rehearsing while practicing social distancing and braving long shoots during cold weather.

In a year that has witnessed dramatic and challenging social upheaval, BB&N’s annual MLK Luncheon felt more prescient than ever this winter as more than 200 community members gathered virtually to celebrate the day that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

BB&N continues to prioritize the health and safety of our community, and to that end a partnership between BB&N Dining Services and a local food non-profit is making a difference for those in need. In response to concerns about excess food waste surrounding school lunches, a new program is turning unused meals into vital resources for the food insecure.