FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

ANTHONY PISAPIA

Reprinted from The Hilltopper Magazine, Fall 2025

 

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Outside of Philadelphia, there is a nature reserve whose shining star is a giant sequoia tree. Signs throughout the reserve point the way to the tree and, with great anticipation, buses full of children, who are there for class trips, approach it.

What they find, however, is quite disappointing. The giant sequoia tree is not, in fact, giant. It stands alone, only twenty-feet tall, despite being hundreds of years old.

What they learn is that in order for a giant sequoia to grow tall, it needs help. Its roots, rarely more than 10-feet deep, despite growing as much as 300-feet tall, must spread out and interconnect with the roots of other giant sequoias to provide stability and nutrients. It is the interconnectedness of the roots, of an entire grove of giant sequoias, that allows each individual tree to grow tall. 

If students are like giant sequoias, the Marshall community is their grove. I was reminded of this during homecoming, when I had the honor of awarding four well-deserving and impressive alumni with Marshall alumni achievement awards. By their own account, none of these alumni arrived at that stage alone. All spoke about how the Marshall School community made them what they are today: their teachers, their fellow classmates, their connectedness to Marshall alumni and Marshall parents around the world. Every piece of the root system that is Marshall helped them become who they are.

As our students take root and Learn to Explore, Learn to Learn, and Learn to Lead, I am mindful that they cannot do it alone. You make the difference. Your philanthropy, your steadfast support of this school, and your ability to recognize your role in their future set Marshall School apart. Thank you for taking that responsibility seriously and for your commitment to Marshall School.

I am excited about what our students are learning every day. Most of all, I am excited about who they are becoming. Their connection to the Marshall School community, to all of us, will help them throughout life.
We are One Marshall. Together, we all grow “taller.” Together we Transform.

Anthony Pisapia
M.S. Ed. Head of School
Marshall Parent ’25, ’27, ’31