By Jai Makam ’23
Welcome back, everyone. I hope you all had a great first and Welcome Week.
As I was on the bus coming back from the ninth grade's amazing trip to Cape Cod I had time to reflect on all of my years at Foote, and how lucky I am to be involved in such a great school and community. As I looked around the bus I saw 15 unique individuals who identify in different ways, and have differing interests — each contributing something meaningful not just to our group but to the whole school. Some were awesome athletes, some standout musicians, and some incredible actors. Also in the front of our bus were our smart, kind, and cool teachers.
Everything inside that bus has made Foote special to me over the past nine years. We are a diverse and inclusive community where everyone's strengths are celebrated and weaknesses are supported. Beyond this, one of the most remarkable things about Foote is the friendships we make and keep well beyond our years here.
We all agree that the teachers, the friendships, the experiences — from harvesting maple syrup, raising chickens outside of your class, dancing on May Day, 80 -yard dash at Field Day, all the way up to the ninth-grade play — offer unforgettable bonds that we are so privileged to have.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge all those in the New Haven community and all around the globe who aren't as lucky as us. The culture at Foote reminds us we are leaders and to never forget what we have and what we can give to change the world and make it a better place. As we go through this year remember to be kind, have fun, and be the best version of you. Remember to live your own story.