Kent Place Celebrates Founders Day with Spirit and Generosity

On Wednesday, March 5, Kent Place celebrated its sixth Founders Day, the school’s annual day of giving. Banners, balloons, music, and exuberant greetings from students, teachers, and administrators brightened the overcast, windy day. Chumley the Dragon — senior Morgan Reis volunteered to be Chumley for the morning — doled out generous high fives, while her smaller counterpart — Kindergartner Rose Mills, dressed as “mini Chumley” — waved pom-poms with Primary students.

Now in its third year, the Upper School Founders Day Student Committee planned, starred in, and helped to produce a Founders Day video. The committee also oversaw a friendly poster contest, in which each Upper School Advisory created a unique Founders Day sign. Paraded about during the morning car line, the posters were then brought to the Primary School, where Kindergartners voted on their favorite. The winners — from Upper School computer science and engineering teacher Judith Bianco’s Advisory — earned a Dunkin’ Donuts breakfast.

All Founders Day gifts go into the Kent Place Fund, which supports immediate student and faculty needs as well as our signature programs, such as the Ethics Institute and the Girls’ Leadership Institute. The generosity of our community ensures that Kent Place remains as vibrant and vital today as it was at its founding — thank you!

The day was an incredible success. In just 24 hours . . . 

• More than $700,000 raised
• $155,000 unlocked through the challenges
• More than 1,150 donors 
• 100 percent Board of Trustees participation
• 100 percent Alumnae Board participation

Other fun facts from Founders Day 2025 . . .

• Encouraging participation among young alumnae, donors in Classes 2009–2024 were automatically entered into a special raffle. Melina Santoro ’14 nabbed the prize: a KPS gift basket with a cozy sweatshirt designed by a current student and other luxe goodies.
• Another effort spearheaded by the Founders Day Student Committee: Upper Schoolers penned handwritten thank-you notes to show their appreciation for donors’ support.