Month: October 2025

By Melia Benetos ‘27

There are not many things more special than the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. On Grandparents’ Day, held on September 25, 2025, the Wyoming Seminary community came together to celebrate that special connection through a meaningful chapel service, followed by a delicious lunch.

The day started with the chapel service in the Kirby Center for Creative Arts, led by Wyoming Seminary’s very own Reverend Carrick. He spoke passionately about the importance of spending time with grandparents, speaking about his memories with his grandparents and how blessed he feels to have spent that time with them. The Chorale ensemble also performed, with Hannah Salesky ‘26 playing the cello and Ricky Qian ‘28 playing the piano alongside them. Nancy Dahal ‘28, a member of the chorale ensemble, had a great time performing with the choir, saying “as a member of the ensemble, I was enthusiastic going into the performance! It was truly lovely to see so many families together, and I will certainly remember the experience!” This sentiment was shared by students, faculty, and grandparents alike throughout the day. From the heartfelt performances to the emotional speeches given, the Grandparents’ Day chapel reminded the community how important it is to cherish time with grandparents.

Following the chapel service, families gathered to share lunch in the Carpenter Athletic Center. From savory sandwiches to sweet cookies, lunch was a hit! But, it was not only about the food; the lunch gave students the opportunity to bond and make memories with their grandparents. Tables were lit up by conversation, laughter, and joyful reminiscence. Students introduced their grandparents to friends and classmates, while also showing their grandparents what life is like on the Wyoming Seminary campus. It was a lovely opportunity for families to slow down and enjoy each other’s company through good food and memorable stories of life.

Wyoming Seminary’s celebration of Grandparents’ Day was a truly enchanting and unforgettable experience that reminded the school community of the faith, love, and wisdom that are passed down from generation to generation. Grandparents and grandchildren left the wondrous day carrying new memories and a deeper connection with both their family and peers. The Wyoming Seminary community is beyond thankful to all of the grandparents and family members who joined us for this special day that was definitely one to remember.

Ms. Miller’s fall ’25 Journalism class

A report of the recent school shooting in Colorado made its way to Kingston, Pennsylvania, and hit close to home. Even though it was 1,600 miles away, student talk began almost immediately. Conversations started about safety at SEM–the community inquiring about lockdowns, and posing questions we’d rather not have to consider. 

Private schools like Wyoming Seminary are statistically less vulnerable to gun violence than public schools. Between 2000 and 2018, researchers monitored 134 school shootings on or close to K–12 campuses with students in session. There were 122 in public schools yet just eight in private, about 6% to 94%. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NSEC) tells the same story: nearly 20% of public school students identify gang activity at their schools, compared to just 2%. Violent behavior like assaults and fighting also occurs less than half the time than it does in private schools. This fact mainly owes itself to class size, adult supervision, and school climates that foster respect and responsibility. 

Fewer threats, though, does not mean threatless. Sem’s security is systematic: doors that require key cards, personnel patrolling the corridors, and regular emergency drills that involve local authorities. Lockdowns and evacuations take place all year round — not because of news headlines, but to make preparation second nature. The head of school at Wyoming Seminary, Martin Mooney, explains how “we have one or two shelters in place drills, evacuation drills, and fire drills each term.” Campus police officers and CCTVs are involved as well: guards patrol the school throughout the day, watching gates, checking IDs when it’s appropriate, and providing first-response care in an emergency. These things don’t turn the campus into a fortress, but they turn the campus into a place where students can learn without large lingering fear. For most students, these changes do not restrict freedom, but enable it.

Students pay attention. “You feel safer knowing someone is patrolling the halls or doors are locked,” Billy Hall ‘26 said. The Colorado disaster also altered ordinary routines in little ways. Friends called each other more often. Conversations strayed from plans for Friday night to safety and mental health. Students inquired the administration about locking up classrooms or simply promised to look out for each other. 

Sem’s role now is to balance: keep the doors open, but stay alert. The statistics show that the private schools are safer, but alertness is still the best defense. Staying alert is not drills and locks—it is people keeping an eye on each other and looking out for one another. And at Sem, those little, ordinary steps can be the greatest defense.