Student Life

Multiple Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning producer and philanthropist Thomas S. Perakos ’69 brought “Razzle Dazzle” to The Frederick Gunn School’s 175th Commencement Exercises on May 25, 2025.

“Kids, you’ve got nothing to worry about. It’s all about showbusiness. The whole world is your stage now. You’ve got what it takes. Let’s bring it,” Perakos said as he took the stage to deliver a Commencement Address that was filled with a mixture of funny, poignant, and memorable moments.
 

Multiple Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning producer and philanthropist Thomas S. Perakos ’69 will address the Class of 2025 at The Frederick Gunn School’s 175th Commencement Exercises on May 25, 2025. Perakos is currently a producer of the stunning revival of “Sunset Blvd,” which received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical Revival. He is also a producer of “Buena Vista Social Club,” which led the Tony nominations, receiving 10, including Best New Musical. Perakos’ accolades now span two continents. His producing credits earned him three 2025 Olivier Awards in London last month for “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button” — Best New Musical; “Giant” — Best Play; and “Titanique” — Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play. 

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The Frederick Gunn School Music Program will present its spring concert, “Soundtrack of Our Lives: Iconic Movie Themes, Music Masterpieces, and Timeless Jazz,” on May 15, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Tisch Family Auditorium of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. The concert will feature Chamber Orchestra, Vocal Ensemble, Jazz Band, and special guests under the direction of Ron Castonguay P’27, Director of the Arts and Music Director. 

Limited seating is available for family, friends and the community. No registration is required. Parking is available in the Upper Parking Lot with a limited number of accessible parking spaces directly outside TPACC. Please see the Campus Map for details.
 

Best of luck to both the Boys and Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Teams, who will play in the New England Championship Quarterfinals on March 5. The #8 seed Girls Varsity Ice Hockey team will travel to Lawrence Academy to face #1 Seed New Hampton School in the Dorothy Howard bracket at 2 p.m.

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The #8 seed Boys Varsity Ice Hockey team will travel to play #1 seed Kimball Union Academy in the Piatelli/Simmons Bracket, with a 4 p.m. puck drop. Go Gunn!

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Cathy Yang '28, a student in the Technique and Artistry cocurricular program, won The Connie Horton Memorial Award for Best in Show at the Kent Art Association's 33rd Annual Student Art Show. Yang was honored for her beautiful ceramic work among students who exhibited in a variety of artistic mediums from six schools: The Frederick Gunn School, Millbrook School, South Kent School, Forman School, Marvelwood School, and Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
 

Ever wonder what it’s really like to be a Gunn student? An exciting new film project, “The Highlander Journey,” which had its world premiere on February 18, seeks to answer that question as it shows the journey of being a Highlander from freshman to senior year. The five-minute film is fast-paced and fun, highlighting some of the challenges, changes, and traditions — like School Walk, Senior Rock and the Stray Shot — that will resonate with current students and alumni, as well as giving prospective students a look at why Gunn is a cool place to be.  

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Student-athletes from Gunn's Boys and Girls Varsity Ice Hockey teams have organized three games to raise funds and awareness for mental health and those affected by cancer. Girls Varsity Ice Hockey hosted a Hockey Fights Cancer game vs. The Hill School on January 26 in Linen Rink to benefit the American Cancer Society.

On February 7, Boys Varsity Ice Hockey will take on Taft School at 4:15 p.m. in Linen Rink in a game to benefit The HT40 Foundation’s Shoulder Check initiative. A second Hockey Fights Cancer game is scheduled for February 14, with Boys Varsity Ice Hockey taking on Brunswick at home at 6 p.m.
 

Three Highlanders were honored with awards at the 51st Yale Model United Nations (YMUN LI) conference, held January 23-26, 2025 on the historic campus of Yale University. They were among 20 student-delegates who participated in the conference from the Gunn Model United Nations program. 
 

Get in, Washington. This winter musical is gonna be so fetch! The Frederick Gunn School Theatre Program will proudly present the fiercely hilarious musical “Mean Girls High School Version” from book writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (“Legally Blonde”), and composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), February 20, 21, and 22 at 7 p.m. in the Tisch Family Auditorium of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center.

All shows are open to the public. Seating is by general admission. No reservations required. Free parking is available in the Upper Parking Lot off Kirby Road, with a limited number of accessible parking spaces outside TPACC. Please see the Campus Map for details.