Meet Tina Test ’76, a Hotchkiss Director of Leadership Giving and One of the Original 89 Girls

Tina Test ’76 ventured to Hotchkiss in the fall of 1974 as an upper-mid and never looked back. She is one of the original 89 girls who entered that year and helped change the face of the School (including earning a letter as a member of the boys varsity swim team and being the first girl to win the Goss Award for the top female athlete in the senior class!). We sat down with her to learn more about her time here and why she became a member of The Town Hill Society.

Why did you choose to attend The Hotchkiss School?

I got to know the School because my brother, Fred ’73, was exploring boarding school and Hotchkiss was on the list. We lived in northern New Jersey in a town that did not have a high school, so we would have been bused to the next town. My mother attended a boarding school, so my parents naturally thought my brother might benefit from a boarding option. My parents valued education and knew a more challenging program would benefit all of their children.

Fred attended Hotchkiss while discussions were taking place about the School going co-ed. It was fun to think I might have the option to attend my brother’s school. When the opportunity to apply actually presented itself, I also looked at other schools, but I didn’t like their large size. Applying to Hotchkiss felt right and familiar.

What was it like to be one of the pioneer girls on campus?

I actually didn’t think we were pioneers back then. We were just new students who were nervous about a new experience and being away from home. Many of us had a connection to the School: a brother, uncle, grandfather, etc., who attended, making it feel early on like it was our school. We did feel a little pressure to make co-education work. We knew there were faculty and alumni who did not want the School to go co-ed. They wanted the “experiment” to fail. We were all in this together, living in the same dorm, which helped us bond with each other quickly.

What did you do after graduation?

I attended Princeton University. Coincidentally, and I did not realize it at the time, I went to another school that had only recently gone co-educational. My graduating year from Princeton was the ten-year anniversary of having female students there.

How has Hotchkiss helped to shape your life?

The friendships I formed at Hotchkiss have lasted 50 years and have expanded to include additional lifelong friends. Attending Hotchkiss connected me with students from around the country and the world, providing a much richer experience than was available at most day schools. I love to travel, which was partially stimulated at Hotchkiss. The School provided some options for student travel but not as vast as are offered today. The love of learning expanded beyond the classroom into an interest in seeing parts of the country and the world while also connecting with classmates.

I gained independence and learned time management and how to get things done on my own. We were well prepared to live away from home and with a roommate. Academically we were well prepared for college and the work environment.

Why have you chosen to support Hotchkiss financially through the Town Hill Society?

I want to give back. While I will never be in a position to name a building, I am very appreciative of the opportunity given to me by those who funded scholarships before me. I support the Annual Fund at the academic institutions I have attended, but I wanted to leave something more after I am gone. For me, my Hotchkiss experience gave me my closest friends and prepared me to make the most out of my college experience. My bequest will be allocated toward financial aid, so I can pay it forward for other students.

You’ve been working at Hotchkiss for many years. What have you learned while raising support for your alma mater?

I’ve learned that even the smallest gestures can have a huge impact. The variety of stories are never-ending. The reasons why people give are so emotional and inspirational, and I've really enjoyed learning about the story behind each one of the gifts that comes our way. No matter what generation of alumni, they are intellectually curious, leaders, and independent thinkers.

I’ve always told my son that education is something that can never be taken away from you. So stretch yourself as far as possible and grab opportunities in front of you while surrounding yourself with smart, good people who will continue to challenge you to be your best.

What would you like other alumni to know about giving back to the School?

When you give to Hotchkiss, you are not only making an immediate difference in students' lives, but you are also ensuring that the impact of their experience here travels throughout that person’s lifetime. Everything you see today at Hotchkiss was given by someone else. Consider the Dining Hall, athletic center, scholarships … everything is because of the generosity of someone else. The idea of being part of that and helping to sustain our mission is incredibly rewarding and important. At convocation we heard an inspiring message from the all-school presidents about the power of a candle, and I’m paraphrasing: you are a candle that needs oxygen to breathe but also gives off light to help others see; when you gather 600+ candles, the light shines brighter than you can ever imagine. So I’m one candle among many, many others helping provide the light. Though my gift may seem small, when combined with similar gifts, the impact is significant.

What do you see as some of the most positive growth and change at the School since you graduated?

Not only is the School now 50-50 co-ed, providing equal opportunities for all students, a change from the 4:1 boys to girls ratio our first year, the School is a more kind and supportive place. The academic rigor is still high, but the sink-or-swim atmosphere we experienced has softened. The School is creating an environment where students can thrive and feel confident to stretch themselves and try something new, even if they potentially fail. At Hotchkiss they are challenged, encouraged, and supported.

What excites you the most about Hotchkiss today and its future?

I love that Hotchkiss continues to push the envelope with regard to introspection—meaning, if you're satisfied with where you are, you may become stagnant. This pushes people out of their comfort zone and to think outside of the box. The students help us get there. I always have to remind myself that this is not an average school. I have the opportunity to see students in action. They push our teachers to be the best they can be. I have attended a few classes and am amazed at the caliber of the work our students are doing at the high school level. They express the same love of learning that is still instilled in all of us. For them, the School needs to continue to look forward. But in doing so, they have kept the core values that have always been part of Hotchkiss: academic rigor, integrity, and intellectual curiosity. The programs change, but the experience is similar across all alumni.