Lions Roam 2026

by Zoey Lee ‘27

This year’s Lions Roam was named “Surfacing the Past: Museum Design Through Artifacts” and they travelled to Sweden this March for two weeks. The course was offered in the fall, and they learned about Scandinavian history, museum design, analyzed art, and designed their own museums. According to the Guiness World Records, Sweden has the most museums per capita as of 2021, so it makes sense that they went to Sweden, for its abundant and diverse museums. Specifically, Mr. Spalletta and Ms. Griffin thought that the Vasa Museum offered an interdisciplinary experience that would attract people with many different interests. They went to 18 different museums in the span of two weeks, that included ones that focused on history, focused on photos, that used to be a person’s house, the first ever open air museum, and more. They were in Stockholm for most of their time, with Petroula, their guide, but also spent 3 days in Kiruna, up north, to learn about Sámi, the indigenous population in Sweden and to go to the ice hotel.

The first museum they went to was Skansen, which is the first ever open air museum that opened in 1891, which basically means that its exhibitions are outdoors. The museum has a zoo, gravestones spread out outside, and lots of old buildings with artifacts inside them. The students got to see what a typical Scandinavian home used to look like and got to try a classic Swedish plate, fresh cod with mushrooms and potatoes with lingonberry juice. Lingonberries are tiny red berries that taste sweet and sour.

They also got to experience a Swedish cooking class in Stockholm, where they made their own lunch. They made mashed potatoes, lingonberry sauce, and a lettuce roll filled with ground meat. They also made dessert, which was a mixed bowl of chocolate, fruits, whipped cream that they whipped themselves, and ice cream. They discovered that the cooking place had a stand mixer only after they had whipped all the whipped cream by hand, which I thought was a clever joke.

Lions Roam students participating in a Swedish cooking class.

During their second week, they went to Kiruna to learn about Sámi culture. They had a Sámi tour guide in Kiruna, and visited another open air museum called Nutti Sámi Siida. They had a Sami meal, which included reindeer pizza and bear meat, in a lavvu shaped house, which is a traditional Sami house. I was told that the reindeer meat tastes like a combination of lamb and cow, but that the bear was not very palatable. While they ate, they also heard all about Sami culture from the Sami people that work at Nutti Sami Siida. Sami people rely heavily on reindeers as their source of food and warmth. Reindeers usually get food from under the snow, but with global warming the snow is melting and turning into ice, making it hard for reindeers to hunt. The Sami language is also getting lost because Sami kids are getting taught English and Swedish in school, and in some cases, they can’t even communicate with their parents. After having the meal, they went outside to meet reindeers and look at Sami art.

Petroula, their guide, interacting with a shy reindeer that’s only a few months old.

They also got to go to the Ice Hotel while they were in Kiruna. Although they didn’t get to sleep overnight there, they got to play on ice slides and explore the ice sculptures.

One of the many ice sculptures at the ice hotel.

They spent the most time in Vasa Museum, which was the second to last museum that they visited. They spent an entire day there, getting to learn all about the story of the Vasa warship; the people that were on board, why it was built, how it sank, and more. The Vasa warship was built for a war between Poland and Sweden to showcase how powerful the king of Sweden is, so it had lots of statues on it. However, it sank because of the numerous statues and how tall the ship was and it stayed at the bottom of the ocean for 333 years while people looked for a way to resurface the ship without damaging it. In those 333 years in the ocean, the Vasa lost a lot of its color, but scientists were able to run chemical diagnostics to find out what pigments were on the wood. So at the museum, there were also projections of what scientists think the Vasa looked like brand new.

A staff member at the Vasa fixing a support that was harming the ship.

At the end of the day, they had an assignment to find something that the museum was missing and to come up with their own exhibition that would fill that missing part. They then presented each of their exhibition ideas to the Vasa Museum curator, and she thought that everyone had great ideas. This was also Mr. Spalletta’s favorite part of the trip, because he felt very proud of everyone for their presentations and how far they’ve come.

Revisit Day

by Olivia Sun ‘29

The hallways feel a little different on revisit days. There is more energy, more smiles, and a noticeable effort from both students and teachers. For incoming students, it’s meant to be a glimpse of high school life. In many ways, it does just that perfectly. But it doesn’t always tell the full story. 

Revisit day is set up to be a positive experience. It gives prospective students a chance to explore the buildings, meet teachers, and envision themselves as active parts of the community. For the students who feel the expected nervousness, it’s an opportunity to learn what type of community they are going into, making good first impressions crucial. This past revisit day for the St. Marks community was a chance to show off our best and to embody what our school stands for. From small details like welcoming smiles, warm greetings, and even being in dress code, we showed the potential members of our community the potential life they can have on campus. In that sense, revisit day does exactly what it’s supposed to do: it makes people feel comfortable and included. 

Students play a huge role in this. Whether they are officially hosting incoming students or just sitting in class next to a visitor, many make an effort to be friendly and inclusive. They answer questions, share their own experiences, and try to make themselves comfortable on what is a rather overwhelming day. For someone coming from a smaller or completely different school, these interactions are their first connections to the community, a warm and inviting environment allows them to feel at home in a new location. 

Clubs, Sports teams, and student groups also contribute to the day by showcasing what life outside the classroom looks like. Tables, posters, and quick conversations give incoming parents and students a chance to see the opportunities available to them. This is valuable because high school isn’t just about academics, it’s about expanding your interests and building connections. Seeing the variety of cavities helps students feel excited about joining a new community. 

Teachers also adjust their classes in ways that benefit visitors. They often choose lessons that are engaging and interactive, which helps students feel involved in the conversation instead of just observing. These refined lessons reflect the effort teachers put into creating a positive learning environment. This is a first look into what high school classes can feel like. For students it allows them to transition from a lecture based middle school format of class to a student lead discussion. For parents, it’s a chance to ease their anxiety of whether the quality of their kid’s education, seeing them integrate into the class settles their worries about whether they might integrate into a new school and a welcoming classroom can leave a lasting impression. 

Revisit day highlights something important; a school is more than just a building or schedule, it's a community. The collective effort from students, teachers and staff show how much we care about building a warm and inviting environment. This day captures what is truly important in our community, the willingness to be welcoming to upcoming students. 

Gone Fishin' 3566

by Chelsea Cao ‘28

Many people may have heard that our FRC robotics team, 3566 Gone Fishin, has qualified to go to the district championships. This is the first time in ten years that our team has reached the finals. While that achievement shines brightly on the surface, it is the visible result of months of dedication and hours of work, from long hours of CAD design, building, and programming to testing, teamwork, and problem-solving. 

Dating back to January, after the FIRST challenges were announced, our team immediately divided into small groups to discuss the design, strategies, and building plan. Then, the building team quickly built the field elements out of logs in one week. However, this is only the beginning; the hardest part is still waiting ahead of us.

In the following couple of weeks, you might have seen field elements set up in the lower center or our drivers driving the robots near these field elements in the evening. You may have wondered who is working so hard in the evening. The answer is, it is our robotic team. Every member of the team was locked into designing, building, and coding the robot so that we could have a full robot in the first competition. With all of our members' efforts, before the competition, our robot was capable of shooting and scoring consistently into the hub. 

With this in mind, we possessed hope and excitement for the first competition. Walking into the site, there were loud cheerings, laughter, and the sounds of swerve drives spinning. Our team felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The practices, late nights, and careful planning all led to this moment. For the entire two days, our drivers, coders, and builders worked together in the fast-paced environment, constantly repairing and strengthening. Our robot went on and on the fields without too much of break between. And in the end, all of our work paid off. We were the first pick of Alliance 5, and we ranked 10th in the qualification round. Finally, the days ended with a huge team dinner, thanks to all of the teachers picking a great restaurant. 

While we did a pretty good job in the first competition, we were determined to do even better in the second competition. In only one week, with only 14 of our team members here, we incredibly efficiently built a simpler and more rigid intake, improved the coding for autonomous movement, finalized the indexing*,  and expanded the hopper** capacity.   

*indexing: the process of feeding the ball to the shooter mechanism

**hopper: a storage mechanism on a robot designed to hold fuels (balls)

In the second competition, with the ambition to do even better than last time, we gave 120% of our efforts. Coincidentally, we got Alliance 5, but this time we were the captain! You may have heard this in the Athletic Winter Awards: through good teamwork and excellent robot design, we went into the semifinals. In the semifinals, our strong performances in the previous round put our opponents under pressure, leading them to take some alternative methods, including intentionally breaking our robot's shooters, so that they can win. But true competition is never only about success; it is also about how teams respond when facing challenges. In moments like these, what shines bright is not just how well the robot performed; it is about the resilience, determination, and collaboration of the people behind it.  Even if we were eliminated in the semifinals, they remind us that some of the greatest victories are the ones that require perseverance. 

Currently, the entire team is upgrading the robots to do even better than in the second competition. With our upcoming District Championship on April 15th, I wish our teams to achieve fantastic results, overcome every challenge, and make the competition a memorable experience for everyone. 

Gray Colloquium

by Abby Stone‘26 and Catherine Zhang‘26

Most people watch sports for the scoreboard. Lyndsey Armacost ’14 and Ryan Sullivan watch for everything else. When the two media professionals visited St. Mark’s for January’s Gray Colloquium, their panel focused on journalism and its impact on the college network, the sports industry, and social injustices. 

Armacost said that instinct began at St. Mark’s, where she wrote for the St. Marker and eventually created her own sports blog. Those early experiments taught her that reporting was less about sounding polished and more about chasing the questions that mattered.

“I had a passion for finding answers,” she said. “There is a difference between writing well and learning to write in your own voice.”

Sullivan’s path looked nothing like hers. He entered college planning on business, shifted to marketing, and only stumbled into media through early work in operations and equipment management. His first full time role at the Big Ten Network was in communications, where he learned how to write with clarity and purpose.

“That role taught me how to write concisely and professionally,” he said. “It has helped me in every job since.”

Despite their different beginnings, both now work in roles that require them to translate the human side of sports into stories audiences can feel. Armacost discovered video storytelling at Northwestern and realized how much power lived in pacing, sound, and emotion. At ESPN she produces long form investigative pieces that often involve people at their most vulnerable. She recalled being sent to Uvalde after the 2022 school shooting and meeting families who had lost children.

“You cannot go in with a script for conversations like that,” she said. “You listen. You build trust. No two situations are the same.”

Sullivan works on the opposite end of the spectrum, overseeing digital content across Big Ten schools. His team films everything from sensitive personal features to lighthearted moments like golfing with Caitlin Clark or mic’d up practices. Much of the work focuses on Olympic sports that rarely receive national attention, which he sees as an opportunity rather than a limitation.

“We want to amplify athletes who do not always get the spotlight,” he said. “Sometimes that means a sensitive story about loss. Sometimes it is golfing with Caitlin Clark. Sometimes it is a mic’d up practice. It is all storytelling.”

Both emphasized that sports never exist in isolation. Armacost spoke about sportswashing and the importance of questioning narratives that feel too simple or too convenient.

“If you see a headline you do not understand, read about it,” she said. “Ask why. Give everything a Google.”

Sullivan reminded students that collegiate athletes, despite the spotlight, are still young adults balancing school, training, and public scrutiny.

“They look like pros on TV, but they are still learning and still growing,” he said. “Our job is to support them and tell their stories responsibly.”

When asked what advice they would give to students interested in media, both pointed to the value of practice and discomfort. Armacost encouraged experimentation.

“Try things,” she said. “Write badly, write better, build something, fail, figure it out.”

Sullivan urged students to develop communication skills and push themselves socially, noting that he was a quiet high schooler who never imagined speaking publicly.

“You grow by getting reps,” he said. “Written communication, verbal communication, putting yourself out there. It all matters.”

Overall, St. Mark’s was grateful to have both Armacost and Sullivan share their experiences with the community. Their visit offered students a clear look at how thoughtful, responsible sports storytelling is built, and the school was fortunate to learn from two professionals who continue to shape the field with care and intention.

Casino Night

by Jaewon Lee ‘29

“All in!” A student shouts as he bluffs his way to a 7-2 offsuit win. That burst of excitement was just one example of the thrill at St. Mark’s 50th Casino Night on January 10th. The room echoing with nerves and students praying the roulette ball lands on red are all a part of why Casino Night is a cherished tradition at St. Mark’s. It is an opportunity for students to unwind from academic and athletic stress and spend time with friends, and potentially win prizes through casino games. Despite the winter breezes blowing outside, the atmosphere inside the Patterson Sculley lobby almost felt like Las Vegas, packed with students eager to win some money.

The lobby was filled with blackjack tables, roulette wheels, poker tables, and numerous other games. Students were able to play a variety of games, with blackjack and the roulette wheel on the first floor and poker tables on the second floor. Students looking to catch a break from the competitiveness at the tables were able to grab snacks and drinks from the kitchen in the lobby. The clatter of poker chips and the riffle of cards being shuffled, along with students choosing to dress up in suits and dresses, added to the immersive experience and atmosphere.

A key part of Casino Night’s success was contributed by parents and faculty who volunteered as dealers. They helped the games run smoothly, as well as adding a sense of community to the event. Seeing familiar faces running the tables made the event much more enjoyable and welcoming. The dealers also made the event accessible by explaining the rules and guiding students who were not familiar with casino games. Without them, Casino Night would not have been such a successful event. 

Each student had $40K to start with, and through a mix of strategy and luck, could have won as much money as their hearts' desire. After playing, students redeemed raffle tickets by trading in their money. Each ticket was $25K, and each student was limited to trading in for 13 tickets. Then, students chose which of the different prizes they wanted to put their tickets into. Some notable prizes included two seat tickets to a Boston Celtics game, an off-campus dinner for 4, and various gift cards for Starbucks, Raising Cane’s, DoorDash, etc. The winners were chosen and announced during the school assembly.

With the support of parents, faculty, and Mr. Giegucz, who organized this event, the 50th Casino Night became one of the most successful events of the year.

From Pouvwa to Umoja: A Week of Culture at St. Mark’s

by Lily Oh ‘27

The week of January 19th, 2026, was a week full of cultural exchange at St. Mark’s, starting with the MLK Day performance on Monday and wrapping up with UMOJA on Friday.

The week kicked off on MLK Day with Pouvwa, a dance performance by Jean Appolon Expressions. Pouvwa means strength and resilience in Haitian Creole, and those themes came through clearly in the performance, which was powerful, emotional, and grounding. The dance represented Haiti’s history of struggle and perseverance, using movement to communicate ideas of justice across communities.

On Friday, UMOJA—a cultural celebration where students share performances connected to their backgrounds—brought the community together for an afternoon full of music, movement, and reflection. The ceremony opened with a Chilean duet by exchange students Agustina Nieto and Alex Thiermann, followed by a Bollywood dance by Divot Vallandas ‘28. Members of S.O.C.A (Sisters of Color Affinity) shared poetry by Maya Angelou, and Sherry Mi ‘26 performed a traditional Chinese dance, Ode to the Lotus. The program continued with a salsa by Los Leones, a Latinx affinity group, and a K-pop dance to NewJeans’s “Hype Boy” by ASEA (Association of Southeast & East Asian).

Later, B.L.U. (Black Lives Union) led a fun “cookout music” segment, teaching dances rooted in Black culture like the Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, Wobble, Teach Me How to Dougie, and the Scubaaa Dance. SMSARA, our most newly formed Buddhist affinity group, featured Harry Shin ‘27, who reflected on his Buddhist mindset and cut his long hair on the stage as a symbolic act of letting go.

M.O.C.A. (Men of Color Affinity) shared an original drum performance, and the ceremony closed with a traditional lion dance celebrating the upcoming Lunar New Year, leaving the audience amazed.

What makes UMOJA meaningful every year is seeing community members step into the spotlight and share parts of who they are. The event created a moment to relax, laugh, cheer, and support one another.

Overall, the week offered a chance to slow down amid busy schedules and winter routines, encouraging the community to experience diversity as something more than an abstract idea through shared moments and artistic expression.

A huge thanks to everyone who performed and helped make UMOJA 2026 happen!

Snow Day

by Serena Lin ‘28

The weekend of January 18th, my roommate and I were hoping for a snow day the next day. Unfortunately, the sun rose as normal and the snow day alert email that my roommate and I were looking forward to did not arrive.

On the Friday of the same week, one of my teachers asked us to do whatever snow day rituals we could think of, from sleeping with pajamas worn backwards to taking a cold shower and putting a spoon under your pillow. Thankfully, the weather forecasts were predicting a large snowstorm ranging from Sunday to Monday.

The next day, January 24, the snow-day email arrived to announce both a snow day and a cold weather alert. Perhaps someone did wear their pajamas backwards, or perhaps my attempt at putting a giant soup spoon under my pillow (which is not very comfortable to sleep on) worked.

The storm was large flakes of snow blown up and down, left and right like a fiercely shaken snow globe. Snow piled up layer after layer on the ground, covering everything in dazzling white. While the snow was falling, St. Mark’s also posted announcements on adjusted schedules: dinner on Sunday and Monday ending early at 6 pm to allow Flik staff to drive home safely, food ordering and delivery temporarily banned because of unsafe driving conditions, and being mindful of facility staff working all day to clean off the snow piling up on walkways. Additionally, Orah passes could be extended to return on Monday, and Sunday check-in was pushed back to 9 pm. Being snowed in on Sunday night led to more weekend activities open: watching the NFC Championship games with Dr. Barnes, open gym, movie night, open kitchen, and the snow sculpture contest held by Ms. Caron and Mr. Giegucz with the winner being awarded a prize. 

Monday afternoon, an email was sent announcing a late start of 8:45 am due to Evening Chapel. That same night, school on Tuesday was pushed back to 10 am, cancelling the free afternoon block, to account for bad road conditions. 

23.2 inches of snow was recorded, ranking it one of the top ten snowstorms that Boston has had. Due to the extent of the snow, it is a true effort to clean all of it up to provide a safe environment for students. Regardless of these challenging conditions, many staff members went above and beyond to ensure the campus remained safe and comfortable.

A special thanks to the Flik staff who traveled to campus under the snow to provide food, facility crews who worked late into the night to clean up walkways, and all the staff members on campus who facilitated a warm and relaxed snow day!

Family Weekend: Parents Back to School

by Joanna Cheng’29

From October 9–11, our campus buzzed with the excitement of Family Weekend, a tradition that brought together students, families, and faculty to celebrate the spirit of our school. We are all deeply grateful to our devoted teachers, staff, students, especially our exceptional Advancement Ambassadors, whose volunteer efforts were indispensable (from bringing our school spirit to life as lion mascots to ensuring every behind-the-scenes detail was set up). Whether you joined us in person or followed along from afar, here’s a recap of the memorable events that weekend.

Thursday

Family Weekend kicked off with the International Family Luncheon in the Faculty Room. Over lively conversation, our international families connected with one another and with faculty members, celebrating the diversity that strengthens our community. It was a warm reminder of how St. Mark’s brings the world together under one roof.

Friday

The day began with registration in the Parent Lounge, where families enjoyed coffee and pastries. The schedule was packed with opportunities to engage with every aspect of school life:

The Family Assembly in the Putnam Family Arts Center showcased the talents of our students, from speeches by student leaders to a performance by the Jazz Band.

Families then attended sessions with the Deans of Faculty, Students, and Academics, exploring topics like academic support, global opportunities, and student well-being. Parents were invited not only to understand but to contribute to the future of St. Mark’s.

Conferences with advisors and athletic practices followed. Families that met with advisors discussed their students’ progress, while athletes headed to practices in preparation for Saturday’s games.

Near the end, the Family Chapel service at Belmont Chapel offered a peaceful moment for prayer and reflection, allowing families to experience the traditions that connect our community.

The evening concluded with form-specific receptions and remarks from Head of School Dr. Hills and Parents’ Association Co-Chairs.

These activities highlighted our community, connection, and celebration.

Saturday

Saturday, one of the most anticipated days, offered a window into the academic life of St. Mark’s. Parents attended mini class sessions, stepping into their children’s shoes and experiencing firsthand the dynamic teaching and learning in our classrooms. These sessions not only allowed parents to understand St. Mark’s but also highlighted the dedication of our faculty and the curiosity of our students.

The weekend’s athletic achievements were nothing short of spectacular. Our teams delivered outstanding performances, skill, teamwork, and Lion pride:

JV volleyball (3–0 win over Milton)

Varsity volleyball (3–0 win over St. George’s)

Varsity field hockey (5–2 win over St. George’s)

JV field hockey (4–0 win over St. George’s. Still undefeated this season!)

JV girls’ soccer (4–0 win over St. George’s)

Varsity girls’ soccer (1–1 tie with St. George’s)

Varsity football (35–14 win over Governor’s. Varsity football’s win yesterday marks the best start for the Lions (4–0) since 1975!)

Varsity girls’ cross country (22–34 win over Brooks)

Varsity boys’ cross country (17–40 win over Brooks)

JV boys’ cross country (19–36 win over Brooks)

Beyond parents, students were thrilled to enjoy a four-day weekend. While some went home for a restful break, others hopped on Weekend Activity trips: exploring Harvard Square and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, visiting the Topsfield Fair, and walking the Freedom Trail. For those who stayed on campus, St. Mark’s offered activities to relax, recharge, and connect with friends.

Family Weekend may be over, but the connections and memories made will carry into the year ahead. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this celebration of the St. Mark’s community. As we move forward, let’s carry this spirit of collaboration and pride with us.

Go Lions!

Club Fair

by Joanna Cheng '29

On Friday, October 3, students gathered in the Benson gym for the annual Club Fair. The event, held during the club block, showcased the remarkable diversity of student interests and passions at our school.

Club leaders decorated colorful tables throughout the space, sharing information about their organizations and welcoming new members. From arts to academics, service to science, the fair offered something for every student to get involved in beyond the classroom and contribute to our community.

The wide range of clubs demonstrated the varied interests of our student body:

• Art pursuits such as dancing, crafting, and knitting clubs

• Athletic interests featuring Winter Sports Enthusiasts and pickleball players

• Business and politics such as DECA, Economics, Finance, Conservative, and Politics clubs 

• Services opportunities such as One Love, Paws for Cause, and Morgan's Message 

• Academics such as Math, Philosophy,Classics, and Debate clubs

• Global Perspectives like Model UN and Women's Club 

• Scientific clubs such as Agriculture, Biology, Computer Science, Marine Biology, and Medical Global Alliance clubs 

• And last but not least, wellness clubs such as Meditation and Mindfulness

The event successfully connected hundreds of students with new extracurricular opportunities. With club meetings now on the way, students can look forward to a year of exploration, skill building, and community engagement through these diverse organizations.