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Project: Pomfret is about more than learning new skills — it’s about discovering new perspectives, forging meaningful connections, and stepping confidently into the future. This year, over ten days, twenty-seven different project groups sought real-world answers to essential questions aligned with at least one of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our Honors Global & Sustainable Development class traveled to Turrialba, Costa Rica, to immerse themselves in their yearlong exploration of how different countries, communities, and individuals can develop in ways that are socially just and environmentally sustainable. This year, they partnered with Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), one of Latin America’s most well-respected institutions for sustainability education, to give them an inside look into the region’s environmental champions. They visited a sustainable cacao farm, a hydroelectric plant, and an upcycled fashion company. While canyoning in waterfalls and exploring botanical gardens, wildlife sanctuaries, and volcanos, the group immersed themselves in nature. They embraced local traditions through homestays — kneading dough for homemade tortillas, joining pickup soccer games, and witnessing a vibrant acto cultural performance.

While some students explored sustainability globally, others focused on hands-on solutions closer to home. In Vermont, a group dove into the art of design and construction at the Yestermorrow Design Build School. The organization provides a hands-on educational experience that inspires people to create a more sustainable world. The group spent four days designing and building prototypes of various structures and learning to work with power tools. After constructing the frame of their shed, they returned to the Hilltop and added walls, a roof, and shelving. “Seeing the shed come together piece by piece was incredibly rewarding,” said James Haley ’26. “Every day, we tackled a new challenge, and by the end, we had a finished structure we were proud of.”

“Project: Pomfret has given me the confidence and tools to step into professional settings — whether it’s interviews, networking events, or internships. Over these two weeks, I’ve expanded my network exponentially, connecting with Pomfret alumni and influential professionals across various industries. The insights and skills I’ve gained will give me a competitive edge as I start applying for jobs.” Chase Parent ’25

Beyond hands-on construction and design, other students focused on building something just as valuable — connections. The Griffin Networking group spent the two weeks meeting and learning from friends of Pomfret in preparation for life after they leave the Hilltop. In the months leading up to the two-week project period, they laid the groundwork for success by creating LinkedIn accounts and polishing their resumes and elevator pitches. They sent letters to Pomfret alumni, parents, and friends they wanted to learn more about and invited them to meet with their group. More than forty responded, and the juniors and seniors gained valuable advice — asking questions and making connections during the in-person and Zoom meetings. To gain insight into career success, they met with Quinnipiac University’s Career and Experiential Learning Lab — which reports that 97.8 percent of their 2023 graduates were employed or pursuing advanced degrees within six months of graduation. After each day of networking, they journaled about their experience and key lessons they learned. “I really connected with Kay Cowperthwait ’87,” shared Sophia Matusevich ’26. “We spoke for an hour after our session about my college process and my desire to pursue ice hockey in college. It was inspiring to hear how she took her passion for athletics and created her own hockey clinics and workout classes.”

While some students built career connections, others explored self-expression through music. They learned about the songwriting process and attended musical performances before crafting their lyrics. After refining their rhythm and melody, they recorded their song in Pomfret’s recording studio. “The most exciting and unexpected parts of the song came from being in the studio and experimenting with different sounds and melodies to really get what we were looking for,” said Owen Schmidt ’26. They shook off their nerves, debuted their original song "Dandelion" at the TedEx event, and shared a behind-the-scenes video of the challenges and triumphs they experienced during the collaboration process. “The song is very catchy and has a melody and lyrics we are very proud of,” says Lara Miletic ’27.

Just as music has the power to tell a story, so does the spoken word. As part of Stories Matter, the freshman class embarked on an immersive storytelling journey inspired by The Moth. Through this experience, they explored their heritage by documenting family trees, interviewing relatives, and engaging in meaningful conversations. They also visited social service agencies in Providence, where they met and listened to survivors share their stories. Drawing on the personal storytelling techniques they learned, each student delivered a five-minute speech — without notecards — about a relative they consider a survivor, highlighting the power of storytelling to preserve and honor personal histories.

Project: Pomfret is about more than learning new skills — it’s about discovering new perspectives, forging meaningful connections, and stepping confidently into the future. Whether through music, construction, storytelling, or sustainability efforts, these ten days push students to think differently, act boldly, and leave their mark on the world.
 

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