In the space between adolescence and adulthood – where students evolve from who they think they are upon arriving at Proctor to who they discover themselves to be by graduation – lies the power of Proctor's educational model to reshape a young person's life trajectory. Proctor's educational philosophy centers on a powerful insight: students learn most effectively when personalized academics intersect with hands-on experiences in a supportive community. This occurs in classrooms, on off-campus programs, in dormitories, advisories, in the arts, on athletic teams, and during afternoon activities.
Recently, a panel of Proctor alumni returned to campus to share their post-high school journeys with current students, offering a glimpse into how their Proctor experiences continue to impact their lives and careers long after graduation. Their reflections brought to life what Interim Head of School Steve Wilkins and incoming Head of School Amy Smucker highlighted in a recent blog post: a model that seamlessly blends an evidence-based, neuroscience-informed approach to teaching and learning with robust and holistic health and wellness programming. This vision represents education at its most comprehensive: not only building skills, knowledge, and student metacognition, but also developing individuals who are healthy, adaptive, and equipped to thrive amid life's inevitable challenges.
As these alumni shared their stories, current seniors listened intently, seeing in these graduates possible versions of their futures, connecting the dots between their present experiences and potential paths forward.
2025 Alumni Panel Participants
The panel brought together five accomplished alums spanning graduating classes from 1992 to 2013:
- Zach Frish ‘09 | Assistant Attorney General at New Hampshire Department of Justice | Office of the Attorney General
- Jamie Gaines ‘13 | Real Estate Agent at Compass | Boston, MA
- Britt Plante Harff ‘08 | Director of International Recruitment and Associate Dean of Admission | St. Paul’s School
- Chase Pennoyer ‘12 | President of Resilient Buildings Group, Inc. | Concord, NH
- Sam Thompson ‘92 | Investor, Advisor, Cyclist and Creator | Founding Partner Progress Ventures
Finding Purpose and Identity
When reflecting on their Proctor experiences, panelists revealed how the school's educational approach shaped their growth and identity. For these alumni, Proctor was not merely an academic institution, but a formative community where they discovered their authentic selves and potential.
For Chase, Proctor created the conditions where passion could take root."My time at Proctor really helped me just fall in love with something, which I think was kind of lacking before in my life." Proctor, it seems, sparked his sustainability mindset and connection to the natural world, interests that evolved into his professional focus in energy efficiency consulting.
Jamie's experience with adversity at Proctor—breaking her back during ski season—forced her to develop adaptive strategies and resilience. "Breaking my back in the middle of the ski season and not being on the mountain with all my friends, having to do something else and fill my time." This unexpected disruption became a catalyst for developing the flexibility and resourcefulness that would serve her well when she later changed career paths from medicine to real estate.
Britt articulated how Proctor builds community through daily interactions: "You do this every day, getting to know the custodial people, the folks that work in the dining hall... Those are all really central people in the community here at Proctor." Her observation highlights how Proctor teaches students to recognize the inherent value and contribution of every community member, regardless of their role or title.
For Andrew, Proctor's diverse community served as a laboratory for developing the ability to connect with others: "You probably already know far more than your peers…about how to deal with people who came from different backgrounds as yourself." This early exposure to neurodiversity, as well as classmates from diverse geographic origins, socioeconomic backgrounds, and life experiences, prepared him for navigating complex social contexts in college and beyond.
Sam identified how Proctor fostered critical thinking by encouraging thoughtful questioning: "Proctor definitely gave me the confidence to question what didn't seem right...empowering yourself to question, not necessarily question authority, but question what's going on around you." This skill would prove valuable throughout his professional life.
College Preparation: A Step Ahead
A significant portion of the discussion focused on how Proctor equipped these alumni for the transition to higher education. The panel unanimously acknowledged that their boarding school experience provided them with the knowledge, skill sets, and understanding of social dynamics and norms that many of their college peers lacked.
Andrew noted how the residential life experience at Proctor streamlined his adjustment to college living arrangements: "I was able to have maybe more direct conversations about what I expected when living with people." His initial homesickness quickly transformed into enthusiasm as he applied the transition skills he'd developed at Proctor.
The self-regulation and executive functioning skills fostered at Proctor emerged as crucial advantages. Jamie emphasized: "When you go to college, one thing... is I could find solutions to problems because I was so independent from being at Proctor." She observed that while many college freshmen immediately turn to their parents when facing challenges, Proctor graduates have already developed problem-solving strategies and greater self-efficacy.
Chase described the challenge of transitioning from Proctor's scaffolded environment to the autonomy of college: "I completely disappeared... at least in the beginning, pretty loose with adhering to a good schedule." He highlighted the realization that at a large university like UC Boulder, "your teacher isn't going to recognize you... and let alone say you missed the class." Sam emphasized the importance of proactively creating structure in college: "You have to take the initiative to go out and put in the time to find the right people to work with, to connect with your teachers, because they won't come to you."
Britt offered wisdom about embracing new identities in college rather than trying to recreate the Proctor experience: "This is so magical and hold on to it and you're starting a new chapter and that's a beautiful thing in itself. And you're gonna have a new experience."
The Proctor Network: Connections That Last a Lifetime
Another theme that emerged was the enduring strength of the Proctor network – a web of connections that transcends generations and geography, creating a sense of belonging and mutual support that extends far beyond graduation. Jamie described how the Proctor affiliation creates instant recognition and rapport: "The people that care about Proctor, there are so many of them... it's not only alums, and students, but it's also parents [and extended family]."
The alums shared multiple examples of how these connections appeared unexpectedly—from Chase meeting Jamie at a networking event, which later helped him secure a mortgage, to Britt staying with a fellow alum during her internship, to Sam meeting another current Proctor parent at a conference in Las Vegas. The connection to Proctor’s extended community unites individuals who may have never met, yet instantly recognize a shared bond, creating a natural, enduring support system that enriches their lives well beyond graduation.
Wisdom for Current Students: Embrace the Journey
- Embrace uncertainty and its upsides: Jamie emphasized, "You don't have to have it figured out." She shared that her own path, which veered from pre-med to real estate, noting that at 30, she's confident she could start something new again if her current career stopped fulfilling her.
- Cultivate curiosity through diverse experiences: Sam encouraged students to "try many things in college... try econ, try art, try whatever you haven't tried here. Try something different and see what fits."
- Adopt a mindset of active inquiry: All panelists emphasized the importance of seeking information and guidance. Jamie advised, "If you really like, deciding between two schools or deciding between two career paths, get someone on the phone and just literally ask them questions." This active information-seeking behavior is a hallmark of self-directed learners.
- Honor the process, not just the outcome: Andrew encouraged students to take their time: "Enjoying the process of getting to where you wanna go is a really key thing... if you take your time with things and try to do things the right way as you go along, you will almost certainly find more success earlier on than you would expect."
- Maintain core values as anchors: Chase reflected on a pivotal moment in his career that tested his integrity, recalling how foundational values shaped his decision. "That ethical compass or who I was as a person really was sort of incubated here at Proctor... these sort of core lessons that you learn here don't change as you get older."
- Intentionally build community: Britt highlighted the importance of creating relationships through small daily actions. "You have that foundation of making sure that you're making eye contact on the path and saying hello to others, making other people feel seen and heard; that goes a really long way.”
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