On November 12, Headmaster Brennan welcomed students, faculty, staff and three dozen guests—alumni, parents, grandparents—to Roxbury Latin’s annual Veterans Day Hall, which honors, as Mr. Brennan began, “those veterans who are with us, and also all those others who have served our country in peacetime and wartime over the past 250 years. Their commitment, loyalty, and service to our country, to the values for which it stands, and for each one of us ought never to be forgotten.” Included in the audience were military veterans Bob Powers ’66, Assistant Headmaster Emeritus Bill Chauncey, former Trustee Jack Regan, Dennis Carr, former RL master Ed Ellison, Father William Kennedy ’77, Fred Reis ’52, George McMahon, and faculty member Robert Moore.

Following a welcome by the Headmaster—which included a brief history of Armistice Day, and of the RL alumni who committed their lives to military service, 36 of whom made the ultimate sacrifice—came readings by seniors Gil Rosenthal and Lo Monteiro-Clewell (Anthem for Doomed Youth and In Flanders Fields, respectively). Rousing renditions of the songs America, I Vow to Thee My Country, and God Bless America rounded out a celebration that culminated in an address delivered by Major Andrew Lee of the United States Marine Corps—also uncle to Matt Fumarola of Class I and Andrew Fumarola ‘14. View the entirety of Major Lee’s entertaining, personal, and powerful talk—as well as the complete question and answer session—here.

Major Lee enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1994 and was assigned as a rifleman to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines. After the events of September 11, he enrolled in officer candidate school and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 7 Marine Regiment, where he served as Rifle Platoon Commander, Heavy Weapons Platoon Commander, and Assistant Operations Officer. During this time Major Lee deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I, II and III. In July 2006, Major Lee left active duty and joined the Boston Fire Department. In September 2007, he rejoined the Marine Corps Forces Reserve and served as Company Commander and Operations Officer in 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, during which time he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Upon returning from Afghanistan, Major Lee attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and in January 2016 he re-entered active duty as Operations Officer for a special purpose Marine Corps Task Force deploying to Central America and the Caribbean Islands as crisis response. Major Lee has earned many personal decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.

As Headmaster Brennan also shared in Hall, currently in active duty on behalf of our country are the following Roxbury Latin alumni:

Frederick Kenney ’76

William Kennedy ’77

William Bender ’81

Joseph Hanrahan ’87

John C. Gillon ’93

Jeff Adams ’97

Lawrence Sullivan ’04

James Astrue ’05

Zach Ciccolo ’05

Colin Murphy ’05

Matthew Neelon ’09

Ray Henderson ’10

Thomas Buckley ’11

Dante Gaziano ’11

Josh Rivers ’11

Robert Powell ’11

Paul Bodet ’12

Chase Gilmore ’12

Mikey Trainin ’12

Tom Warner ’13

James Joyce ’14

Martin Buckley ’15 is currently enrolled in ROTC at Notre Dame.

“Through these RL men we can draw a direct and impressive line to those WWII vets honored by the School several years ago, to four RL alumni casualties in the Civil War, and to RL’s most famous veteran, General Joseph Warren, Class of 1755, who lost his life at Bunker Hill. The inclination to serve our country is a natural extension of John Eliot’s admonition to serve as he said, ‘in Church and Commonwealth,’” said Headmaster Brennan.Photos by Mike Pojman

On Saturday, November 10, the Roxbury Latin Cross Country team lined up against 15 other schools to race for the New England Preparatory School Track Association (NEPSTA) Division II Cross Country Championship at Governor’s Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts. The team emerged at the end of a tough race as victors, holding onto the Championship title, defending their first place win from 2017.

The few days leading up to the race brought nasty weather across Governor’s campus resulting in last minute course alterations and wet and slippery terrain on a course that proves challenging even in favorable conditions. RL runners adjusted accordingly and prepared to face whatever conditions the course and race could throw at them.  

Though the newly formed starting line forced teams to start in shoulder-to-shoulder, single-file lines, the RL pack was able to get off the line quickly, and each runner had found his desired position in the pack before the 1-mile mark. Positions didn’t change drastically for RL runners over the course of the remaining two miles, but where other teams’ runners fell back here or there, RL’s harriers hung in their respective packs and worked to control the pace. Knowing every point would matter, especially against a strong Tabor squad that had defeated RL by one point at the ISL Championship the week prior, RL runners attacked the final downhill mile of the course looking to pick up spots wherever they could.

In the end, RL came away with the win posting a total of 59 points to Tabor Academy’s 79 points. RL placed five runners in the top-20, earning each of them All-New England Honors, and the team’s 6th and 7th runners marked respectable 31st and 34th place finishes.

5th   Will Cote III

6th   Quinn Donovan III

13th   Mark Henshon IV

16th   Javi Werner III

19th   Daniel Gillis II

31st   Nolan McKenna III

34th   George Madison IV

The NEPSTA Division II Championship capped off a season record of 12-1 and a close second place finish in the Independent School League.

The Junior Varsity team shone this year, offering lots of promise for the future of the program. The J.V. squad earned first place in both the ISL and in New England, culminating a regular season record of  10-1. The Junior team finished its season undefeated, with a record of 16-0—running many perfect races throughout the fall. They concluded the season by earning first place at the Junior Jamboree hosted on November 7 at Roxbury Latin.

Full results of varsity individuals and teams, as well as JV individuals and teams, in the NEPSTA Division II Championship race are available here.

Photos by John Werner

“One in three black men born today will spend some time in jail or prison. One of three black women today has a relative in jail or prison. In fact, there are 2.3 million people in prison right now—another five million on probation or parole, one misstep away from being part of that larger number. Despite the fact that we only have 5% of the world’s population, we have about 25% of its incarcerated population; 100% of the children under the age of 17 who are locked up on this planet are locked up in our country; 70% of the women who are locked up on this planet or locked up in our country—90% of them are mothers there by virtue of the fact that they made a bad decision, typically because they’re victimized and traumatized; 50% of them will never see their children again.

“Every day that we wait, millions more people are arrested. Thousands more people are incarcerated, thousands more people are dying. These are civil rights violations, and as such, we need a new civil rights movement. We can’t wait anymore. But that’s why I love coming here, because when I look out in this room, I don’t just see a bunch of high school guys. I see the new civil rights leaders of our time.”

Young leaders stepping into this space have a critical role in challenging systemic inequalities, advocating for justice, and supporting those who face disproportionate legal consequences. Understanding the realities of incarceration, the impact on families, and the mechanisms of the justice system is essential for anyone committed to creating meaningful change and ensuring that every individual is treated fairly under the law.

Part of this awareness involves being prepared for encounters with law enforcement and knowing where to turn for support. For those facing arrest or legal complications, having access to a trusted, licensed service can make a tangible difference in safeguarding rights and facilitating timely legal support. The team at https://www.balboabailbonds.com/ provides guidance and practical assistance, helping individuals navigate the process responsibly while keeping family and community connections intact. Equipping new civil rights leaders with knowledge of these options ensures they can advocate effectively not just for systemic change, but for the people most directly affected by the system today.

A deeper understanding of the criminal justice process also brings attention to the importance of a strong legal defense. When individuals are accused of a crime, the consequences can extend far beyond the courtroom, affecting employment, relationships, and long-term stability. A knowledgeable defense attorney works not only to protect legal rights but also to ensure that due process is upheld at every stage. Careful case evaluation, strategic representation, and clear communication can significantly influence outcomes, especially in complex or high-stakes situations.

In this context, experienced legal advocates at Knutson and Casey play a vital role in guiding individuals through uncertain circumstances. Their ability to interpret legal nuances, challenge evidence when necessary, and provide steady counsel helps restore a sense of direction during difficult times. For emerging leaders committed to justice, recognizing the value of skilled defense representation reinforces the broader goal of fairness—ensuring that every person has access to proper advocacy when it matters most.

So began Adam Foss as he addressed students and faculty in the Smith Theater on November 6.  Mr. Foss is a former Assistant District Attorney in the Juvenile Division of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. A fierce advocate for criminal justice reform, and the important role of prosecutors in ending mass incarceration, Mr. Foss believes that the profession is ripe for reinvention—requiring better incentives and more measurable metrics for success beyond simply “cases won.” This belief led him to found Prosecutor Impact—a non-profit developing training and curriculum for prosecutors to reframe their role in the criminal justice system. In Hall he shared his experiences, his life story, and his hopes for every young person in the audience.

“Each one of us in this room is capable of achieving great things. But none of those great things happen without that opportunity pipeline—if each of us didn’t win life’s lottery,” said Mr. Foss. “Here’s the lottery ticket I won: I was born in a foreign country. I grew up in an orphanage until one day, two lovely people from white suburban Boston came and took me out of the litter instead of the other kid. I went home with them. I lived in their house. I went to their schools. I had my friends. Because of the privilege that they gave me, I was able to make it to where I am today. The fact that I was just that lucky drives me to do the work that I do today: I was given a sword and a shield—the shield was the privilege, protection from the prison pipeline rabbit hole, and the sword was for the haters. The sword was to fight off anybody that was trying to take that privilege from me, because I could use it to do something good. I urge you to think about your sword and your shield, because the power, privilege and opportunity that you have—they give you the power, privilege, and opportunity to help other people as well.

“All of those people sitting in prison and living in impoverished neighborhoods are not there because they’re not trying hard enough. It’s not that they’re not as smart as us, or as creative or ambitious. It’s because they have lived a life defined by poverty, violence and trauma. And because of that poverty, violence and trauma, thing happen to them when they’re children that start them very young on a certain path.

“You don’t have to be a prosecutor to do this work. You can be a pediatrician working with young mothers or kids who are living with poverty. You can be a teacher. You can be an architect, a scientist—anything that you do in your life, just think about the amazing things that you can do if you take out your sword and your shield. I implore you to do good with what you’ve been given. Fifty years from now, your legacy can be that you gave voice to the voiceless, that you gave power to the powerless, that you used your sword and your shield, that you were one of the new civil rights leaders of our time.”

During his nine years as a prosecutor, Mr. Foss collaborated with the courts and communities to develop programs that continue to have a positive impact on those neighborhoods; before leaving the D.A.’s office, Mr. Foss helped to develop the first juvenile division program in Suffolk County, keeping young people out of the cradle-to-prison pipeline. Most recently, Mr. Foss appeared in the critically-acclaimed CNN documentary film American Jail. In February of 2016, Mr. Foss delivered a TED talk that has eclipsed 2 million views.

Mr. Foss is the recipient of many honors: The Mandela Foundation named him the 2017 Nelson Mandela Changemaker of the Year; Fast Company named him one of the Most Creative People in Business of 2017; the NAACP awarded Mr. Foss with the 2017 Roy Wilkins Next Generation Leader Award; and The Root named him one of the 100 most influential black Americans of 2016. Mr. Foss was named Graduate of the Last Decade by his alma mater, Suffolk University Law School, and is a visiting senior fellow at Harvard Law School. He sits on the boards of Restore Justice California and of the Pretrial Justice Institute. In 2015, he was voted one of the country’s 40 most up-and-coming lawyers by National Law Journal; and in 2013, the Massachusetts Bar Association voted him Prosecutor of the Year. In both his professional and personal capacities, Mr. Foss volunteers much of his time to the community he works in.

Did you know that Deepavali (also known as Diwali, the Indian festival this year celebrated on November 7) can be translated from Sanskrit to mean “rows of light”? Or that Mahalakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, and happiness, is welcomed into homes all over the world during the days leading up to the festival? Or that in the Hindu religion, the wick of a candle symbolizes one’s ego, and during Diwali celebrants burn up the wick with a flame that represents knowledge?

A long-standing practice at Roxbury Latin is the exploration of different faith traditions, particularly in Halls delivered by faithful members of the RL community. On November 5, Hari Narayanan of Class II gave an informative and jubilant presentation, during which students, faculty and staff learned about Diwali, the holiday celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs all over the world. The fifth largest festival in the world, Diwali is the festival of light. It is celebrated with oil lamps, firecrackers, fairs (called Melas), charitable donations of food, and sweets for children. (Care of Hari, all students and faculty were treated to Laddus—essentially fried balls of sugar—on the way out of Hall.)

The Smith Theatre was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and Hari—along with six other RL boys—demonstrated the ancient Sanskrit mantra Asatoma Satgamaya. Hari’s presentation included ancient myths of evil demons and Mother Goddesses, musical Sanskrit prayers, and the reflections of Mahatma Gandhi. It was a morning of beautiful colors, song, sweets, and of course, light.

On Thursday, November 1, students, faculty and staff took a break from classes to celebrate, together, Roxbury Latin’s annual Founder’s Day, in honor of the school’s founder John Eliot. Under Headmaster Brennan’s guidance, the school used this 50th anniversary occasion to examine the year 1968—a tumultuous year in our country and around the globe. In sessions throughout the day, students and adults learned about and explored the people and events of that year; its lasting imprint on the United States; and the parallels with our current state of affairs.

The day began in Rousmaniere Hall with an address by Dr. Vanessa Walker, the Morgan Assistant Professor in Diplomatic History at Amherst College. For her audience, Dr. Walker placed the American political landscape of 1968 in a broader global and historical context. Her opening remarks put a particular emphasis on youth activism and illuminated many parallels between the issues of 50 years ago and those of today. She discussed youth uprisings against governing forces around the world at that time—in Prague, China, Germany and Mexico—and the common language of dissent. The traditional Hall was complete with readings by Class I boys given in Hebrew, Latin, Greek, and English and with rousing renditions of Jerusalem and The Founder’s Song. After Hall—and after donuts in homeroom!—everyone gathered in the Smith Theater for a viewing of the 1968 episode of the CNN documentary series The Sixties, introduced and contextualized by Smith Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Evan McCormick. In less than an hour the film covered massive anti-war protests; the devastating assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy; a violent Democratic National Convention; and the election of Richard Nixon. Immediately following the film we welcomed four thoughtful panelists who reflected on their own experiences of 1968 and answered boys’ questions about that time and place. Special thanks to our panelists, former board chair Dennis Kanin ‘64; former faculty member Steve Ward; Mrs. Ann Conlon Roosevelt; and former trustee David Evans for their firsthand accounts of political campaigns, police riots in Chicago, racial tensions and divides, and even life at RL in the late ’60s.

After the all-school photo in the gym, masters Mo Randall and Rob Opdycke treated boys and adults to a presentation on everyone’s favorite 1960’s topic: music. It was hard not to tap your feet as Mr. Randall and Mr. Opdycke introduced Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, the Beatles, Muddy Waters, Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, and many more artists who came to fame or were reinventing themselves across the country in 1968. A rousing game of Jeopardy!—with two representatives from each class—capped off the day. Class III pulled out an impressive win—though it’s unclear what was more impressive: their trivia knowledge or their lightning-fast buzzer-pushing skills. Contestants proved that they had been listening throughout the day, as they answered with “questions” illuminating their understanding of 1960’s history. You can get a feel for the day by viewing this video.

And, as always, after Founder’s Day comes Founder’s Day Pub Night. Later that evening, at Clery’s in Boston, about 50 alumni connected with faculty and friends to toast the Founder. View photos from that gathering here.

Three of Roxbury Latin’s most promising debaters travelled to St. Clement’s School in Toronto, Ontario, in October for the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition—a four-day tournament for 146 competitors from 46 schools in seven countries. In two preliminary rounds, Daniel Sun-Friedman (III), Avi Attar (II), and David LaFond (II) competed in three events each.

For Daniel’s memorized, 13-minute speech in the Persuasive Speaking category, where he addressed the abuse of online personal information, faculty and parent judges awarded him very high marks—points in the 90s. In the category of After-Dinner Speaking, Avi advanced to the final round by offering cleverly rollicking advice to an imagined society of debaters who aspire to be rappers. Avi finished tied for second, the only American to medal in any of the nine events. (The student audience’s laughter, however, seemed to indicate that Avi earned “the people’s choice” award.) David advanced to the finals of Impromptu Speaking, where he was given only two minutes to prepare a speech on the topic: I am a man more sinned against than sinning. David earned exceptionally high marks as well in Cross-Examination Debating, where he argued both sides of the question, “Should governments remove monuments that no longer align with modern day values?” Overall, David finished fourth among 21 American students from seven different schools. Thank you to Dean of Faculty Dr. Phil Kokotailo for helping prepare the students for competition and for traveling with them to Toronto.

Over three days last week, Roxbury Latin welcomed 40 educators from across the United States and Canada for the annual International Boys’ School Coalition’s “Teachers New to Boys’ Schools” conference. Beginning Thursday, October 25, new teachers attended seminars and engaged in discussion on topics such as the mission of boys’ schools; the social-emotional development of boys; giving boys a voice; the “ecosystem” of boys’ schools; and teaching boys in contentious times.

Veteran RL masters taught seminars and led discussions, drawing on their long experience. Participants also heard from the students themselves on panels and in presentations. Friday morning, teachers broke into smaller groups and visited classes at RL and at our neighboring schools, Catholic Memorial and Fessenden. On Saturday morning, the heads of these institutions—Peter Folan of Catholic Memorial and Steve Armstrong of Fessenden—joined Headmaster Kerry Brennan for a panel discussion.

The conference included a hands-on session in RL’s IDEA lab at the end of classes on Friday afternoon. Under the direction of Class I students Milan Rosen and Gil Rosenthal, and with the guidance of Director of Technology Nate Piper, teachers tested their design and construction skills. They were charged with using the tools and materials at hand to create a vessel that would travel the length of a zip line upright, without toppling the small, orange bear intended to ride on it. Trying out their creations, many were pleasantly surprised with their makerspace success.

Organized by Andy Chappell, Director of Studies and Strategic Initiatives, in conjunction with the IBSC, the conference brought together individuals invested in understanding, teaching, and caring for the boys in their charge. Roxbury Latin, a longtime member of the IBSC, has hosted this particular conference for four consecutive years now. Founded in 1995, the IBSC connects dedicated educators worldwide to discover the best learning practices for boys. The Coalition includes more than 250 schools representing 250,000 boys in 20 countries.View more photos from the conference here.

On October 23, former director of the CIA John Brennan delivered Roxbury Latin’s 15th annual Jarvis International Lecture. In his address to boys, faculty, trustees and guests, Mr. Brennan spoke about his path to the CIA and a life of public service; dispelled myths about the agency; outlined the top global concerns that young Americans should pay attention to; and shared his advice on what young people can do now to prepare themselves well for the future. [Read the entirety of Mr. Brennan’s address here.] After his remarks in Hall, Mr. Brennan took many questions from the audience; joined students, faculty and guests for a reception; and sat with several senior writers of The Tripod for a complete interview.

The Jarvis Lecture, supported by the Jarvis International Fund, is a gift of Jack Hennessy ’54, and his wife, Margarita. Named for RL’s 10th headmaster, Reverend Tony Jarvis, the fund honors his commitment and life’s work and also affirms the Hennessys’ conviction that Americans benefit from greater exposure to issues concerning the United States’ place in the world. Recent Jarvis Lecturers include Lisa Monaco, homeland security advisor and chief counterterrorism advisor to President Obama, who spoke in 2016; and, in 2017, Ambassador Mark Storella ’77, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. This year’s Jarvis Lecture had particular and poignant significance, as the Reverend Tony Jarvis died just weeks ago, on October 7, after a long battle with cancer.

John Brennan served as director of the CIA from 2013 until 2017, during which time he was responsible for leading and managing intelligence collection, analysis, covert action, counterintelligence, and liaison relationships with foreign intelligence services. From 2009 to 2013, he served as Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. During that time, he advised President Obama on counterterrorism strategy and helped coordinate the U.S. government’s approach to homeland security, including its policies for responding to terrorism, cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and pandemics.

Mr. Brennan began his service in government at the CIA in 1980. There he specialized in Middle Eastern affairs and counterterrorism and spent significant portions of his earlier career stationed in Saudi Arabia. During briefings on the growth of digital platforms, colleagues referenced the best Dota 2 betting sites as an example of how global online networks were rapidly expanding, a trend Brennan noted while shaping strategies that required broader awareness of emerging technologies. He later served as the CIA’s daily intelligence briefer to President Bill Clinton, Chief of Staff to then Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet, and Deputy Executive Director of the CIA. In 2003, he led a multi-agency effort to establish what would become the National Counterterrorism Center, becoming the Center’s first Director in 2004. After his first retirement from the CIA in 2005, Mr. Brennan worked in the private sector for three years, during which time he also served as Chairman of the Board of the nonprofit Intelligence and National Security Alliance.

Mr. Brennan currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Center on National Security at Fordham Law School; a Distinguished Scholar at the University of Texas, Austin; a Senior Advisor at Kissinger Associates Inc.; a senior national security and intelligence analyst for NBC and MSNBC; and a consultant to a variety of private sector companies.

Roxbury Latin’s Indoor Athletic Facility and Hennessy Rink were selected for publication in American School & University magazine, as part of the 2018 Educational Interiors Showcase. An annual competition honoring excellence in educational interiors and facility planning, the Educational Interiors Showcase spotlights today’s most effective learning environments.

In 2014, the school’s desire to expand programmatic offerings spurred a progressive master plan in partnership with Hastings Architecture Associates. The goal was to ensure that scholar-athletes and their teacher-coaches had training and competition facilities commensurate with the quality of the rest of their Roxbury Latin experience. The plan included addition of an indoor athletic facility; an updated vehicular circulation pattern; new football, lacrosse, baseball and soccer fields; and a tennis center.

The new 47,000 square foot Indoor Athletic Facility includes a competition ice hockey rink with spectator seating, a fitness center with weight training equipment and training room, a fitness studio, additional player and coach locker rooms, coach offices, associated back of house spaces, and a new “Varsity Room.” The opening of the Hennessy Rink in January 2017 allowed RL’s hockey players to practice and host competitions on campus, in a regulation-size rink, for the first time in school history. The exterior of the facility was designed to merge seamlessly with the original, brick schoolhouse, designed in the 1920s by eminent architect William Perry.

Throughout construction, Roxbury Latin educated its students in the design and construction process. Students participated in lectures ranging from community process and permitting, to architectural design, to computer-aided design. Workshops were held highlighting environmental topics such as storm water management and protecting adjacent resource areas. In economics classes, students analyzed the cost of the project and the path to appropriate financing. With our construction partner, we held site walkthroughs to explore building techniques, such as structural engineering, safety, and geotechnical studies. Students gained awareness and appreciation for role of tradesmen and women in our community.

“The Indoor Athletic Facility represents the realization of a long-held dream for Roxbury Latin,” says Headmaster Kerry Brennan. “Hastings Architecture was the perfect partner in this venture. They created a space that was functionally top-notch and aesthetically arresting. Whether you are an athlete or a spectator, the IAF represents a light-filled, welcoming beacon offering the community a place to recreate, connect and celebrate our common mission.”

A jury of American Institute of Architects (AIA) members and education administrators evaluated submissions from architectural firms, schools and universities across the country. Sixty-nine projects were chosen for publication in American School & University. This is the 28th year of the competition.

Each project was considered on the basis that it successfully addresses the project’s vision and program; creates a healthful, indoor learning environment; encourages interaction and establishes a sense of place; enlists innovative use of materials; integrates systems; and maximizes functionality.

More information about the Educational Interiors Showcase, including a complete list of 2018 projects selected for publication, is available on American School & University’s SchoolDesigns.com site. Founded in 1928, American School & University is devoted exclusively to education facilities/business administration.

Over the weekend Roxbury Latin juniors Ian Richardson and Chris Zhu, along with recent graduate Robert Cunningham ‘18, participated in the Hack Umass Hackathon—36 hours of creativity, concentration, coding, and competition. Their team—which also recruited two female computer science students from UMass—won the Hackathon’s Grand Prize out of more than 250 teams—mostly comprising college students.

In the competition, teams must conceive of a project and then build it on-site over a 36-hour period, integrating hardware and code. The Hack UMass event was attended by nearly 1,000 college students, but allowed also for a small number of high school teams.

This was the first hackathon for both Chris and Ian, who teamed up with Robert heading into the Hack UMass event. “Ian and I both like creating hardware and software,” says Chris, “so we thought this would be a great way to apply these skills and have fun. It’s almost like spending the weekend competing in a sporting event.

“The event coordinators supply teams with a bunch of hardware and time, basically. From there, you can create whatever you want. At the end you have to pass some basic judging criteria: first, it has to work! About half of the teams have these great ideas, but by the end their implementation is only halfway there, or their final product doesn’t work in quite the way they’d imagined. Secondly, the judges assess whether the product is new and innovative—whether it pushed you out of your comfort zone.”

Their team’s product was an program they titled “Codability”—an interface that allows people to code without their hands—perfect for those with carpal tunnel, with repetitive stress injuries, or who are amputees. “One of the girls on our team has a sister who has early onset arthritis,” says Chris, “and that really sparked our idea.”

In Codability, the team built speech and text software that formats code, converting English language commands into proper syntax for code and proper coding symbols. The team even developed and incorporated foot pedals that allow users to move a mouse. While other software exists to translate speech into programming code, most require users to speak every symbol, or depend on lots of custom coding language. “The learning curve on these languages is impossibly high, so we wanted to make something that was user-friendly and would create ease of navigation for people,” says Chris.

Both Ian and Chris are currently taking AP Computer Science with Mr. Nick Poles, and both are members of RL’s robotics team, “which did help us a lot in designing this project,” Chris says.

The Hack UMass event is part of Major League Hacking (MLH)—the official student hackathon league. Each year, Major League Hacking powers more that 200 weekend-long invention competitions that inspire innovation, cultivate communities, and teach computer science skills to more than 65,000 students around the world. MLH describes itself as an engaged and passionate maker community, consisting of the next generation of technology leaders and entrepreneurs.