Each year the Von Kohorn Address, named in honor of former Board Chair Henry Von Kohorn P ’93, ’96, is given by a faculty member chosen by the Head of School. This year’s speaker was World Languages teacher and Sixth Grade Dean Elena Aniel P ’35, ’38, who explored the powerful ways language shapes how we think, connect, and understand the world.
Drawing on her experiences growing up in the Basque Country and her early struggles with English, Aniel reflected on how attitude, culture, and even individual words influence our perspectives—from how we map space and imagine time to how we define major moments in our lives. Her remarks encouraged students to consider the languages they use every day and the broader lens each one offers on identity, community, and possibility.
The full recording of the address is available on Vimeo.