Author: Milton Academy

On a morning last spring in classrooms throughout Ware Hall, Milton’s sixth-graders fielded questions from their classmates about historical figures they had spent the past several months researching and writing about.

Sitting in groups of four before their classmates, teachers, and families, the students took turns delivering their findings, asserting that the people they had chosen to study possessed strong democratic ideals—from politician and businessman Robert Smalls to scientist and astronaut Sally Ride to mathematician and computer scientist Annie Easley.

A bevy of questions from their classmates followed: “How did your person demonstrate democratic citizenship?” “How did events going on at the time affect their views?” “How were they perceived?” “What goals did they wish to accomplish?”

Later, students read narratives about events in their own lives, sharing stories of reflection and discovery, from deep connections to their pets to the isolation they felt during the pandemic to moments that revealed unexpected personal courage. All the essays were on display and available by scanning a QR code linked to their stories.

Steve Darling P ’21, ’23, Milton’s director of strength and conditioning, received the Massachusetts State Coach of the Year award from the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA). Darling works with Milton student-athletes to help them perform at the highest levels and achieve their goals while keeping their physical and mental well-being a top priority.

Darling has worked at Milton since 2002 and has served the school in many capacities, including as head coach of the boys’ track team, a throws coach for the boys’ and girls’ track and field teams, a member of the counseling outreach program, and a faculty member in Hathaway House. As a certified athletic trainer, Darling also works with the athletic training staff, and he teaches Health, Project Adventure, and Fitness Concepts through Milton’s physical education program. The NHSSCA award, he says, is one of the highlights of his career. “I am a lucky guy with the best job in the world.”

Philanthropist and businessman John Berylson P ’04, one of Milton’s most generous supporters, passed away July 4, 2023. Berylson, the father of former Trustee Elizabeth B. Katz ’04, along with his wife, Amy, were instrumental in the success of Milton’s recent Dare campaign, providing funding for a new turf field, Berylson Field; the Berylson Family Faculty and Resource Room in the Pritzker Science Center; and the revitalization of the Berylson Reading Room within Cox Library.

In May, Milton’s Board of Trustees bestowed Milton’s highest honor—the Milton Medal—upon Head of School Todd Bland P ’13 ’14 ’14 and Trustee Emeritus Bradley Bloom P ’06 ’08 for their outstanding service and leadership at Milton. Bland, who led the school for the past 14 years, and Bloom, a member of the Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2015, were recognized for their work advancing the mission and success of Milton Academy and for their impact, which will “last long past their formal...