A Snowy Campus Welcome for Winter Parents and Family Weekend

It was a blustery winter wonderland on Williams Hill for Winter Parents and Family Weekend Feb. 16–17. About 200 parents and families arrived on campus throughout the day Friday to visit classes, attend form-specific programs, enjoy time with their children as well as other parents and faculty members, attend the winter musical “Little Shop of Horrors” and cheer on the Black & Gold in athletic contests.

 

Derrick Logan ’93, his wife, Takia and their daughter, also named Takia, drove three hours and barreled through a snow squall from their home in New Jersey to visit their son Derrick ’27. It was well worth it, Takia said, not only to see her son, but also to reunite with his friends, speak with teachers and to fully immerse herself in the community.

 

“Westminster still allows you to parent and they work very closely with you to keep you a part of the community. [Head of School] Elaine White was very straightforward and upfront about how well she is going to get to know your student and how she is going to work with you to keep your child in line with what your vision is for their future. And that really resonated with me as a mom.”

For Derrick Sr., who attended his son’s physics class, the visiting campus was a bit of a walk down memory lane. In physics, he admitted, “I had to dust myself off because it’s been a while, but I work with data, so the math wasn’t so foreign.”

 

Other parents also expressed an appreciation for the opportunity to attend classes and gain a picture of what and how their children are learning.

 

Megan Silliman, who was visiting her daughter, MacKenzie ’26, attended four classes for the first time and afterward she watched her daughter at hockey practice. For her part, MacKenzie loved having her mom visit classes. “It made the day much more relaxed,” she said.

 

In between classes and lunch, parents had a chance to admire the student artwork in Baxter Gallery and in Fearn Hall.

 

Following class visits Friday, parents attended the Chapel program before enjoying a buffet lunch in the Gund Dining Room in Armstrong Dining Hall. In the afternoon, Third and Fourth Form parents had the opportunity to attend “Mapping Your Child’s Journey at Westminster,” a panel discussion on how to set your child up for personal success in academics, athletics, and extracurriculars while pursuing their unique interests. Fifth Form parents could partake in a “Mock College Admissions Committee,” an interactive exercise for them to learn about the many factors that go into the college admissions process and decision making. Sixth Form parents had an introduction to how Westminster engages young alumni after graduation, from college visits to career networking, during “Life Beyond Williams Hill.”

Later in the afternoon, a Class of 2025 Parents Reception and Class Gift Kickoff and a Parents’ Reception took place at Pratt House. Before the class gift announcement, White told parents that they play a vital role in not only the day-to-day of the school but also in the rich traditions at Westminster such as the class gift.

 

Fifth Form Dean Kelly Wosleger said the Class of 2025 has a special bond and enjoy spending time with each other, which inspired their class gift of a multi-purpose deck to be located between the paddle courts and hockey rink that will be a social gathering place.

 

Kara Lynch P’23, ’25, a member of the  Parents’ Class Gift Committee noted: “There are two beautiful paddle courts there, but the rest of the area needs some love. And I think this class gift could really do that and really bring the whole Westminster community there to enjoy it.”

 

Following the receptions, the community enjoyed dinner before Dramat’s evening performance of “Little Shop of Horrors.” 

 

On Saturday, parents had more opportunities to attend classes, enjoy coffee and conversation with the College Counseling Office and watch more athletic matches before bundling up for the ride home.