Hilltop Happenings

Our boys recently took part in Odyssey Day. We had our launch with “Fate’s Lottery” along with a screening of the film “Troy”. On that occasion, a digital roulette wheel randomly selected the order in which each III Former would select the passage for his declamation. The declamation, a 25-line memorization from a significant scene in Homer’s Odyssey, was the centerpiece of the event itself.

As part of their declamation, students are required to incorporate costumes, make-up, and/or props. The three III Form English teachers – Jess Metcalf, Bryan Pannill, and Procter Smith – have been working with their classes not only to develop declamatory skills such as facial expressions, movement, body language, clarity, pace, and volume, but also to recognize theatrical details in each passage to guide students in selecting costumes, make-up, and props.

In addition, each student composed a brief introduction to his declamation to help provide continuity from one presentation to the next, and each student found artwork that correlated in some significant way to his chosen passage. Every student presented a short analysis of that work to establish its relevance to the passage by pointing out and describing important elements in the artwork. The artworks themselves were projected onto the viewing screen in the Centennial Room.

As always, Odyssey Day culminated with a Greek banquet, prepared by Administrative Chef Keith Hudak and his staff. 

In a ceremony during school meeting, third former Manuel Guemez was honored as the Odyssey Day 2019 Grand Champion. Guemez’s declamation was judged as the best in a particularly strong field of performances that included all 46 members of the Class of 2022. This year’s champion gave an intense and chilling dramatic rendering of the horrific tale from Book 12 of Homer’s epic in which the monstrous Scylla impales a half-dozen members of Odysseus’ crew on its talons and then devours those crew members alive. Third-form English teachers Jessica Metcalf, Bryan Pannill, and Procter Smith all offered Guemez congratulations as an engraved medallion was placed around his neck at the end of the ceremony.

Several other third formers were also recognized during the ceremony. Charlie van Beuren was named “Most Creative Performer,” Niko Valcin earned “Best Vocal Projection,” Erik Rice gave the “Best Artwork Presentation” [ed. note: every third former discussed an artwork that portrayed his declamatory passage], and Brendan Kiley stood out as “Most Enthusiastic.” Each student received a certificate to honor his distinction.

-English Faculty Procter Smith