Croissants and coffee lined the tables in the halls of the MAC as Noble and Greenough School alumni gathered for an Athletics Hall of Fame celebration and found old classmates, teachers, and a community that had only gotten stronger since they’d left it. Graduates from the Class of 1967 alongside those from the Class of 2020 viewed commemorative photos and reflected, sometimes audibly, on how much Nobles had changed. When prompted for “life advice” by The Nobleman, the messages graduates communicated formed a gradient. Graduating classes from 2000 or later gave tips focused on one’s social life and overall happiness. Older graduates tended to present thoughts on professional success. Despite their array of perspectives, most graduates saw their high school experience as a transformative one. “When I think back to my teenage years, that was Nobles. It’s a unique experience that you should take advantage of,” said Emma Roberts (N ’15).
The Hall of Fame ceremony began with honoring alumni for their achievements during their Nobles athletic careers. One of those graduates was Olivia Mussafer (N ’15), who had accomplished much during her run as a Girls Varsity XC athlete. Now a health counselor, Mussafer’s thoughts for Nobles students on life centered on enjoying the community she grew up in. “Soak in every minute, and keep in touch with the faculty,” she said. Her sister, Bridget Mussafer, graduated from Nobles three years later in 2018. She added on to this comment, saying, “Teachers make a huge effort to invest in you, so work hard and take advantage of that.”
“Soak in every minute, and keep in touch
with the faculty.”
Connectivity played a central role in the outlook of the Class of 2015. Andrew Conway, (N ’15), encouraged students to “Get involved–there’s so much Nobles can offer and as a Nobles graduate, be the first one to say ‘Hi’ to others.” Alongside him, Matt O’Connor (N ’15) delivered a similar message. “Keep in touch–don’t be afraid to add someone first on LinkedIn,” he said. The thought was relayed by members of the Class of 2000. “Keep in touch with your classmates. Nobles pushes you to learn and grow constantly,” said Karen Abraham Silver (N ’00).
Graduates had a flood of advice for life after Nobles. “Life is a spiderweb, not a ladder, and there’s always another path to follow,” said Alex Harris Woolley (N ’00). Harris Wolley didn’t know what she wanted to do at Nobles, but found her way to becoming a health practitioner. In other words, don’t be afraid to explore what you might want to do in life, and keep in mind that there isn’t always a vertical way up. Other graduates agreed, though with a distinctly philosophical perspective. Emma Tall (N ’06) emphasized how important it is to be comfortable with uncertainty, especially in a rapidly changing world. “You can’t control most things in life, but you can be ambitious regardless,” she said. This thought was echoed by Reverend Devin Green (N ’00). “Think about what you want to do after Nobles, not where you want to go,” she said. Green, now an interspiritual/interfaith minister, had navigated the marketing field before finding her vocation. Finally, happiness was an important factor to consider. “Don’t sweat academics past Nobles; you’re more than prepared. Practice being happier for people’s successes as well as your own,” said Edwin Johnson (N ’00).
“You can’t control most things in life, but you can be ambitious regardless.”
On the other end of the gradient, alumni from the Class of 1967 talked about the professional world. “Look for jobs that aren’t studied in high school or college,” said Eric Pape (N ’67). However, your actions shouldn’t be limited by what you think will make you successful. “Don’t give any opportunity up, and do something that matters,” said Jed Dawson (N ’75). Dawson, recently retired, worked in the lumber industry because he was interested in the environment and started the dynasty of Dawson families at Nobles, which holds more than 12 Nobles graduates.
While their ages spanned nearly five decades, the alumni agreed on one message for students at Noble and Greenough: Don’t be in a rush. Look around. You’ve got a community that will come back together years after you’ve all gone your separate ways. As the croissant supply dwindled and the event drew to a close, the conversations carried a commitment to community and a willingness to pass on the wisdom.
