Q&A with Sarah Virden ’89 on Joining the Town Hill Society

“I hope others can find a way to give back … and make a lasting impact.”

We sat down with Sarah Virden, Hotchkiss Class of 1989, to discuss her time at Hotchkiss and her recent decision to become a member of the Town Hill Society, which recognizes those who have included Hotchkiss in their estate plans. Virden’s bequest will impact future students with financial support to make the Hotchkiss experience attainable. Virden is contributing to The John C. Virden III & Martha Recht Virden Scholarship,* which was established to honor her parents, longtime members of the Hotchkiss community.

You have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s. How did Hotchkiss prepare you for a successful college career?

Hotchkiss prepared me to really approach college work as a priority. You learn how to use your time well and really be curious. This came in very handy when I took off my junior year of college. And that’s where I think that the skills from Hotchkiss really kicked in. Despite the time away from college, I knew I would eventually make the most of what I was learning. Living up in Maine with my grandparents, I got to have a different geographic experience—and I was able to recenter and recommit to being a student. That helped me go through my junior and senior years in 12 academic months. I credit my parents for supporting this idea. It’s a story I often relay to my students to help let them know that there is never a linear path in life, and it’s okay to pause and reflect on where you want to go.

You currently serve as director of academic counseling at Miss Hall’s School. Why did you go into education as a career choice?

It was a very comfortable way to grow up, being associated with the School. As long as I can remember, my dad was working in schools, so that was definitely something I wanted and thought I would enjoy. When I first started my career, I thought I would be in the classroom. And while I did teach for a short time, I found I was better as an administrator—so that’s the path my career took. I’ve had a variety of roles at Miss Hall’s, and I’m in my 30th year now. I’ve served in a variety of positions, including director of residence life, assistant dean of students, director of college counseling, and director of academic counseling, my current role. I’m helping students chart their path and conceive the ways in which they are moving through their academic program, keeping in mind what classes they want to take and those they can expand in. Building on many years of just working with 11th and 12th graders, I realized how important it is to start the conversation as early as possible so students can make their way through an exciting high school career.

You are one of many Virdens to attend Hotchkiss, and your mother was a longtime staff member. Tell us about your time here and what you liked most about your experience.

I am one of those people who has friends for life from Hotchkiss. I have a group of friends that span the length of time that I’ve been associated with the School, not just from my time on campus. I have incredible friends who I can connect with and pick right back up whenever we get together, not just at reunions.

Academically, my favorite area was in my upper mid year when I decided to study Russian, a unique opportunity at the time because it was around the fall of the Soviet Union. I took Russian in college and traveled to Russia a few times; in my senior year at Hotchkiss I was lucky enough to travel to Russia with my classmates and our teacher, Sam Lardner ’82.

Athletically, I was a pretty solid JV participant; I played field hockey, squash, and softball (varsity), but I am a rabid sports fan, and I would often be at games even when I wasn’t playing and be on the sidelines cheering.

Your affection for Hotchkiss runs deep. Why do you care so much about the School?

I have the education that I received and the friendships that I developed and continue to nurture. And as a faculty child who was able to go to Hotchkiss, it’s important for me to recognize why I can and want to give back. Supporting schools where I attended is a priority for me and always has been. There’s some degree of a family connection here, especially with the funds that were established first when my mom passed and then when my dad retired. The outpouring of love and support during those times was phenomenal.

Why did you decide to join the Town Hill Society and include Hotchkiss in your estate plan?

I had an amazing experience. I always figured I’d give back in some way and felt even stronger about this with the outpouring of support around my mother’s passing and my father’s retirement. The community rallied around our family in both moments; it confirmed what I believed about the Hotchkiss community.

Any final words you’d like to share?

I hope others can find a way to give back to an experience that, I hope, was a positive one and make a lasting impact.

*About the John C. Virden III & Martha Recht Virden Scholarship

The Martha Recht Virden Scholarship was established through the lead effort of John Grube '65, P’00 and additional gifts in her memory from alumni, friends, colleagues, and family members. Whenever possible, preference will be given to children of alumni. Martha was a longtime employee of the School and wife of Associate Head of School and Dean of Students John Virden ’64. Upon John's retirement in 2015, the name of the Scholarship was changed to the John C. Virden III & Martha Recht Virden Scholarship.

The Martha Virden Fund was established in 2009 with gifts in honor of the late Martha Virden, director of stewardship and longtime member of the Alumni and Development Office. The Fund is to be used at the discretion of the head of school and the director of human resources to address medical or family emergencies or to alleviate a financial burden associated with a personal tragedy.