Bulldog News

Hillside mourns the death of Senator Kennedy

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Members of the Hillside School community today are mourning the death of U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, a long time friend of the school. Senator Kennedy passed away from brain cancer on August 25 at his Cape Cod home.

Hillside School Headmaster David Z. Beecher aptly voiced the sentiments of the Hillside community in the following specially prepared remarks which were released earlier today:

"Our Nation and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts lost a Senator today; Hillside School lost a dear friend. Members of the Hillside community, from both sides of the aisle, mourn the loss of Senator Edward Kennedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, close friends, Senate colleagues and his loyal staff.

Senator Kennedy was not only the Lion of the Senate but the Lion of the underdog. His compassionate care for those in need led him to Hillside in June of 2007 as our Commencement speaker. Ted Kennedy had “adopted” a family whose son, a future Hillside student, had lost his dad in 9/11. Senator Kennedy made that speech a priority in his busy schedule. He wanted to be here and pay tribute to that boy and to our amazing staff who had served him well.

On the day Senator Kennedy was with us, I saw a man who was generous, kind, caring and enthusiastic about his future, the future of our school and the future of our country. Senator Kennedy, himself a junior boarding school graduate, laughed with us, challenged us and enlightened us.

We are a better school because of Ted Kennedy’s leadership (the Hillside School Leadership Prize is given each year in honor of Senator Ted Kennedy), his compassion and his support. We join our fellow citizens in their appreciation for his many gifts and extend our prayers to the Kennedy family."

Senator Kennedy helps congratulate graduates at Hillside School's 2007 Commencement Ceremony.