News from the Hill
The Spirit of Innovation in the Middle School
Title:
Middle School Learning Specialists Lisa Bauer and Marie Walsh have introduced a group of Class 7 students to a four-week roundtable series, “The Spirit of Innovation,” in which students draw from National Geographic, Harvard Business Review, Scientific American, and Smithsonian to explore real-world examples of innovation. Ms. Bauer and Ms. Walsh pose a new topic of conversation each week and invite guest speakers who relate to the publications. Recently, students heard from entrepreneur and current Dexter Southfield parent Christina Pardy.
Christina founded her own company in 2014 as a creative outlet for sharing her knitting projects with friends and family. After 11 years, the female owned and operated company employs more than 400 female artisans, sources ethically produced materials, and utilizes a sustainable supply chain to create handcrafted knitwear. Christina shared with students some of the strategic decisions she made to turn her love for knitting into a business, as well as how innovative decisions shaped her career––from overcoming fear to tweaking production processes, the impact of social media, and leveraging a high-profile NFL partnership. Thank you to Christina for sharing her insights into entrepreneurship and innovation.
More News from the Hill
![The Spirit of Innovation in the Middle School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741204755/dextersouthfieldorg/ckoaq2xgcgahbm0wjlqc/STIK.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741204755/dextersouthfieldorg/ckoaq2xgcgahbm0wjlqc/STIK.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741204755/dextersouthfieldorg/ckoaq2xgcgahbm0wjlqc/STIK.jpg","width":800}])
Class 7 students welcome entrepreneur and Dexter Southfield parent Christina Pardy ’38 to campus.
![Order Up! Nutrition in Action]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740679190/dextersouthfieldorg/ibxmdbfwqjsvzhc4sime/USNutritionChefAnthony.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740679190/dextersouthfieldorg/ibxmdbfwqjsvzhc4sime/USNutritionChefAnthony.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740679190/dextersouthfieldorg/ibxmdbfwqjsvzhc4sime/USNutritionChefAnthony.jpg","width":800}])
Ms. Capozzi’s Upper School Nutritional Science class welcomes Loco Taqueria’s Executive Chef Anthony Ciancio.
![Anthony Hall '26 commits to UNC Chapel Hill]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740169558/dextersouthfieldorg/nrvstkcjakx6jtjztpoa/U-Hall1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740169558/dextersouthfieldorg/nrvstkcjakx6jtjztpoa/U-Hall1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740169558/dextersouthfieldorg/nrvstkcjakx6jtjztpoa/U-Hall1.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to Anthony (U-Hall) Hall ’26 for committing to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
![Upper School Scholastic Art Awards]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738846845/dextersouthfieldorg/cewfp4jkfkhkuxdxwac1/ScholasticArtAwards.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738846845/dextersouthfieldorg/cewfp4jkfkhkuxdxwac1/ScholasticArtAwards.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738846845/dextersouthfieldorg/cewfp4jkfkhkuxdxwac1/ScholasticArtAwards.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to Upper School students who received recognition in the 2025 Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards Competition.
![Middle School Girls AMC 8 Awards]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738845842/dextersouthfieldorg/pkcoz84gdnqpbjtgaevv/AMC8Girls.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738845842/dextersouthfieldorg/pkcoz84gdnqpbjtgaevv/AMC8Girls.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738845842/dextersouthfieldorg/pkcoz84gdnqpbjtgaevv/AMC8Girls.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to select Middle School students who put their learning to the test and achieved outstanding results in the American Mathematics Competition.
![Middle School Boys AMC 8 Awards]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738845752/dextersouthfieldorg/z4xqt2fq43ineur8f88f/AMC8Boys.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738845752/dextersouthfieldorg/z4xqt2fq43ineur8f88f/AMC8Boys.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738845752/dextersouthfieldorg/z4xqt2fq43ineur8f88f/AMC8Boys.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to select Middle School students who put their learning to the test and achieved outstanding results in the American Mathematics Competition.
![Fall All-NEPSAC Recognitions]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733945490/dextersouthfieldorg/upu6h6nksnhmgexyn4gc/nespac-fall.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733945490/dextersouthfieldorg/upu6h6nksnhmgexyn4gc/nespac-fall.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733945490/dextersouthfieldorg/upu6h6nksnhmgexyn4gc/nespac-fall.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to our fall athletes who earned All-NEPSAC recognitions!
![Class of 2025 Collegiate Athletes]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733440264/dextersouthfieldorg/tbvsqngp80vpz8bhowrk/collegiate-athelete.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733440264/dextersouthfieldorg/tbvsqngp80vpz8bhowrk/collegiate-athelete.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733440264/dextersouthfieldorg/tbvsqngp80vpz8bhowrk/collegiate-athelete.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to our Class 12 student-athletes committed to the collegiate admissions process.
![Hardy Watts ’25 commits to University of Wisconsin]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739971416/dextersouthfieldorg/ri8rmcioey2alye8sgnf/HardyWatts.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739971416/dextersouthfieldorg/ri8rmcioey2alye8sgnf/HardyWatts.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739971416/dextersouthfieldorg/ri8rmcioey2alye8sgnf/HardyWatts.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to Hardy ‘25 for committing to play football at University of Wisconsin.
![Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733439836/dextersouthfieldorg/qfbrku5fxjho8is6wdos/Kennedy-Institute-Class-8.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733439836/dextersouthfieldorg/qfbrku5fxjho8is6wdos/Kennedy-Institute-Class-8.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733439836/dextersouthfieldorg/qfbrku5fxjho8is6wdos/Kennedy-Institute-Class-8.jpg","width":800}])
Middle School students immerse themselves in the legislative process and take to the Senate floor.
![Fall Cum Laude Society Inductees]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733439327/dextersouthfieldorg/wleza0gmgqt7shdqqofy/cum-laude-25.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733439327/dextersouthfieldorg/wleza0gmgqt7shdqqofy/cum-laude-25.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733439327/dextersouthfieldorg/wleza0gmgqt7shdqqofy/cum-laude-25.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to the most recent members selected to join the Dexter Southfield Chapter of the Cum Laude Society.
![Noelle Lambert: USA Paralympian & Survivor Castaway]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740169941/dextersouthfieldorg/sr161fk2ybxm8cr2yypi/WebsitePhotoResizePosts_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740169941/dextersouthfieldorg/sr161fk2ybxm8cr2yypi/WebsitePhotoResizePosts_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740169941/dextersouthfieldorg/sr161fk2ybxm8cr2yypi/WebsitePhotoResizePosts_1.jpg","width":800}])
​Two time US Paralympian Noelle Lambert visited campus to meet Middle and Upper School students.
![School Counselor Connections]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733439673/dextersouthfieldorg/rmyegcmiokkz3g2p3nfc/school-counselors.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733439673/dextersouthfieldorg/rmyegcmiokkz3g2p3nfc/school-counselors.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733439673/dextersouthfieldorg/rmyegcmiokkz3g2p3nfc/school-counselors.jpg","width":800}])
Moments like these create tailored experiences for students to connect with the School Counseling Office.
![Gamification at MIT]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733440000/dextersouthfieldorg/wimohtqi2a8l4uzxex9v/mit-upper-school.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733440000/dextersouthfieldorg/wimohtqi2a8l4uzxex9v/mit-upper-school.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733440000/dextersouthfieldorg/wimohtqi2a8l4uzxex9v/mit-upper-school.jpg","width":800}])
Apollo '25, Chloe '25, Dean '25, and Isaac '25 participated in fellowships at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
![National Merit Commendations]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733440453/dextersouthfieldorg/lfhtkfc4dxdslntv9udo/merit.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733440453/dextersouthfieldorg/lfhtkfc4dxdslntv9udo/merit.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733440453/dextersouthfieldorg/lfhtkfc4dxdslntv9udo/merit.jpg","width":800}])
In recognition of their outstanding ability and potential for academic success in college, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation honors seven Dexter Southfield students.
![Class 8 InvestWrite Competition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733440823/dextersouthfieldorg/ykv1zsdrzffvx3ti69bt/invest-write.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733440823/dextersouthfieldorg/ykv1zsdrzffvx3ti69bt/invest-write.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733440823/dextersouthfieldorg/ykv1zsdrzffvx3ti69bt/invest-write.jpg","width":800}])
Congratulations to Matthew '28 For winning second place in the Middle School Division of the National InvestWrite Competition!
![Middle School C-Span StudentCam]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726856665/dextersouthfieldorg/ymd15mhwfjtg85fwzg6k/9L3A9203.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726856665/dextersouthfieldorg/ymd15mhwfjtg85fwzg6k/9L3A9203.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1726856665/dextersouthfieldorg/ymd15mhwfjtg85fwzg6k/9L3A9203.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1726856665/dextersouthfieldorg/ymd15mhwfjtg85fwzg6k/9L3A9203.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1726856665/dextersouthfieldorg/ymd15mhwfjtg85fwzg6k/9L3A9203.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1726856665/dextersouthfieldorg/ymd15mhwfjtg85fwzg6k/9L3A9203.jpg","width":2200}])
Middle School students place in the C-SPAN's StudentCam documentary competition.