In some ways, the current issue offers different takes on new beginnings, including the subject of artist David Smith ’04’s cover painting of a campus cherry tree in blossom and the “Head Note” essay at the start of the issue by Interim Head of School Ryan Boccuzzi. Boccuzzi stepped into his new role last February, when Kai Bynum stepped away for medical reasons after four remarkably eventful years as head of school. In this issue, Bynam talks about his tenure and accomplishments — one of which was the construction of the first new academic building at the Upper School in 40 years. The T.J. Vassar ’68 Center for the Sciences and Humanities opened in a grand celebration in April, and gets its close-up in these pages courtesy of a behind-the-planning look by academic dean and chemistry teacher Hans de Grys. In another feature, ten alums whose work has been greatly affected by changing federal policies reflect on how they carry on with the values expressed in Lakeside’s mission statement. One of the alums, U.S. diplomat Sam Downing ’01, was photographed for the magazine in several locations at the State Department headquarters in D.C., including a reception room where, says Downing, “There’s an unfinished painting of the signing of the Treaty of Paris that I like to think speaks of our unfinished national ideals. It hangs above a fireplace in a room that is fitted out to resemble a Virginia planter’s entrance hall.”  

Head Note

Since the publication of the Spring/Summer 2026 Magazine,  Lakeside School's Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Ryan Boccuzzi as Lakeside's 12th head of school. Read the full announcement.

Almost every day at the State Department or representing our country overseas, I’m thinking back to the iconoclastic teachers at Lakeside who shaped my way of seeing the world. I think that foundation of critical thinking and global awareness was absolutely essential for me as a U.S. diplomat.— Sam Downing ’01, from “Mission Statements”