Honoring Those Who Serve: Veterans Day 2025

This year’s assembly began with a slideshow honoring alumni, parents/caregivers and siblings, and members of the professional community, as well as family members who have served. Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem acknowledged that the connection to veterans and a life of service is a personal one for him and many members of the community. Dahlem spoke about his father, a U.S. Army veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War. Dahlem also recognized the veterans in attendance—Larry Colvin ’66; Steve Snider P’12, former and life trustee; Eric Vandiver P’31; and Spanish faculty member Patricia Barrios, who served as a colonel physician in the Colombian army. 

“Every story of service—my father’s, and every veteran’s we honor today—is complex and unique,” said Dahlem.  “But a single, unwavering thread connects them all: their selfless commitment to the security of our nation. That is the shared value we celebrate today. This dedication compels us to ask: How can we, the Rivers community, actively uphold the legacy of those who have served us so valiantly?”

The answer, he said, is grounded in service to others. Dahlem commented that the Veterans Day service project and Rivers’ participation in a blood drive the day prior are just a few recent examples of the community’s commitment to service in everyday life.

Stenquist was the keynote speaker for the assembly, presented in a pre-recorded segment due to the  13-hour time difference between Rivers and Iwakuni, Japan, where he is on active duty. In conversation with Jim Long P’19, ’21, special assistant to the head of school and Grade 8 dean, Stenquist shared his journey from Rivers to the Marine Corps. Stenquist attended Bowdoin College and Officer Candidate School, after which he commissioned as a second lieutenant, Navy Academy, in flight school. After completing his training, he received his first assignment, where he is now stationed in Japan, flying F-35 planes approximately twice a week. 

Stenquist credited the strong and caring faculty with providing inspiration and support, including current faculty members Philippe Crettien, jazz director, and Michael Girard, Latin teacher, as well as former Latin faculty member John McVey.

He also gave a shout-out to late math faculty member Dan McCartney P’08, ’15. “He blew me away with how much passion and care he had for his students,” said Stenquist. “I think that rubbed off on me in terms of wanting to lead and teach eventually.” 

Stenquist expressed gratitude for his parents, Lloyd and Dana Stenquist P’06, ’08, ’15—who were in attendance at the Rivers assembly. He credits them for giving him the opportunity to attend Rivers and instilling in him and his siblings the motivation to give back. “Our parents worked incredibly hard to give us opportunities and push us along…to put us in a better position than they grew up in,” he said. 

Following the recorded segment, Maya Kloman ’28 and Louie Particelli ’30 played taps (indoors, due to a below-freezing wind chill factor) before students headed back to classes. The spirit of service continued, however, with programming in Haffenreffer Gym.

With the support from a Rivers family, students, parents, and professional community members sorted and assembled 450 care packages for veterans experiencing homelessness, each containing new, high-quality hygiene and personal care products, along with a personal note of hope from the volunteer who assembled the package. The Veterans Day service project was part of a broader goal of connecting students to causes that are important to them and to “understanding the needs right in our backyard,” said Director of Community Engagement Lucas Malo, who coordinated the Veterans Day project. Over 100 people signed up to participate, and dozens of parent volunteers arrived early to set up and unload materials to make the project go as smoothly as possible. 

Provision Ministry, the partner organization coordinating the care packages, was founded in Westboro, MA, in 2017 by Tom Slicklen. Its mission is to help people in need of care by connecting generosity with those in need. The organization collaborates with nonprofit partners to support children and families, refugees, veterans, and individuals facing homelessness or food insecurity, distributing food and brand-new essentials to communities across New England and beyond. From its beginnings as a small operation run out of Slicklen’s Jeep Cherokee, Provision Ministry has grown significantly, distributing over $71 million worth of items to organizations and individuals in need last year. Rivers’ care packages will be delivered to veterans in need through the organization Project New Hope, based in Worcester. 

Slicklen was present for the project on Tuesday and addressed Rivers community members while they worked, saying, “The most important thing in this pack is the card. Provision Ministry is all about bringing hope to people who are hurting. We really appreciate you doing this today.”

Between the morning assembly and volunteer project, the theme of service—and honoring the service of others—was clear on campus this Veterans Day. “For me, it’s powerful to see students engaging with faculty, staff, and parents together all having a shared mission on a day that’s about recognizing service to others,” said Malo.

View a gallery of photos from the event.