Lovett’s 99th School Year Officially Opens

In pairs and trios, seniors from the Class of 2026 walked into the Wallace Gym, each clasping the small hand of a kindergartener from the Class of 2038, to begin Lovett's time-honored Opening Chapel tradition. The procession painted a living picture of the Lovett journey, from first steps to final year, as representatives from every grade entered with their class signs held high.
 

The Opening Chapel celebration on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, officially launched Lovett's 99th school year, bringing the entire school community together in a moment that captured both continuity and new beginnings. Voices joined together singing "This is the Day," and the entire community recited the Character Pledge, affirming their shared commitment to honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion.
 

Head of School Meredyth Cole captivated the group with her message, "The Stories We Write About Each Other," weaving together humor, wisdom, and heart through the delightful tale of a woman at an airport. In the story, the woman discovers she had been eating a stranger's cookies while mistakenly judging him as a thief—when in reality, he had been graciously sharing his own treats with her without complaint.
 

"We are story-making creatures," Mrs. Cole stated. "Every single day we're writing stories about the people around us. And here's the thing—just like the lady at the airport, we're often writing the wrong story."

She encouraged students to embrace "generous imagination and curiosity" in their daily encounters. From lower schoolers learning that loud classmates might simply be bursting with excitement, to upper school students discovering that challenging teacher feedback often springs from belief in their potential, every age group received tailored encouragement to see the best in others.

As students and faculty departed, the service concluded with the singing of the school hymn, a fitting close to a gathering that reminded the entire Lovett community to choose kindness, write better stories about one another, and create a space where everyone feels truly seen and celebrated.