The Importance of Being Satiated

Mrs. Macey's junior/senior spring elective entitled Wit and Wisdom hosted a Victorian tea party on Thursday, May 11th, inspired by our reading of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. Lace table clothes and fine china adorned the Harkness table as students prepared tea and cucumber sandwiches, assembled lavish displays of biscuits, made corsages out of sunflowers, and designed intricate invitations adorned with lace, which were sent to Ms. Jacox's Dante class. Our distinguished guests, who had been buried in this semester through the nine circles of hell, enjoyed a pleasant morning practicing the "art" of conversation, interspersing Wilde epigrams with ease, while wiling away the hour sipping tea and nibbling muffins and biscuits.




Please enjoy some excerpts from the students musings on the event:

“New Haven– Amid towers of wafers, mountains of crumpets, and a sea of tea, sat the most distinguished members of our high society, nay, school, sharing in the pleasures of each other’s company. On a Thursday at noon, a cohort of Lady Jacox’s disciples entered the dining room of Baldwin Hall. As our guests waxed poetic, we served refreshments and cucumber sandwiches. Some of our more distinguished guests delighted us with epigrams of their own, while others chose to forego conversation in favor of the luncheon provided. In any case, we welcome Lady Jacox’s bunch to any future arrangements.”


The Importance of Being Classy
“I can resist anything except for temptation.” The temptation of hot tea, cucumber sandwiches, and a tower of biscuits proved too great for Lady Jacox’s Dante class during second period on Thursday, May 11. On this day, Lady Macey’s Wit and Wisdom class prepared a Victorian style tea party for the english class across the hall. Chris Sherk, Junior, expertly poured hot tea into the cups of the visitors during the event, accompanied by Thor Illick, Junior, who consequently offered freshly sliced lemons. The guests participated in the art of conversation, reading from epigrams provided by Lady Macey’s disciples, while enjoying the nice treats and refreshments. The event was exquisite and the guests are welcome back anytime to engage in the art of conversation once again.”


“…As they entered, guests struck up conversation of every nature with one another. Ms. Jacox and Mrs. Macey had a lovely conversation about the importance of wearing the proper attire to events such as these, to which Ms. Larsen made the excellent point that dressing extravagantly on the daily prevents one from ever being overdressed. Mr. Ross dominated much of the conversation, engaging both Mr. Basta and Mr. Gu, while eliciting more than one chuckle from the good-tempered crowd. The guests continued to smile over the rims of their teacups for the remainder of the hour until the toll of the bell, signifying their need to depart. The distinguished guests left - full from both the delectable treats and the fulfilling conversation - in high spirits.”
 
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Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.