Blue Key provides prospective families with a look into life at Dana Hall through the eyes of a current student. It allows students to share their experiences and love for Dana with families outside of our community who may be interested in attending Dana Hall. The four Blue Key Heads want you to know a little more about their life at Dana Hall.

Name: Maddy ’14  
Hometown: Hamilton, Mass.
When I came to Dana: 9th grade as a boarding student
Why I came to Dana: I had witnessed firsthand the positive effect Dana’s close knit community had on my sister and I wanted to experience that for myself.
Activities/Clubs: Blue Key, dance and soccer
Favorite thing about Dana: I love the atmosphere that the all-girls environment creates.
Favorite tradition: Senior-Sophomore
Favorite person (teacher/coach/dorm parent) at Dana: My Johnston D dorm parent Nadine Coleman is so warm and welcoming and always made me feel at home.
Biggest challenge: Thesis essays
Best Dana moment: Dorm competitions because they’re loud and fun!
Best part of an all-girls environment: I’m more engaged and participate more in class than I would be otherwise.
Favorite thing about going to a boarding and day school: I meet tons of friends from across the country and the world.
Best part of boarding life: Hanging out with my friends any time of day!

Name: Amanda ’12
Hometown: Natick, Mass.
When I came to Dana: 6th grade
Why I came to Dana: For the smaller class sizes and individualized attention in an all-girls environment
Leadership positions: Blue Key Head, Kesher Head, Peer Educator
Activities/Clubs: Blue Key, Community Service Advisory Board, Gospel Choir, Kesher, Peer Education, singing and softball
Favorite thing about Dana: The wonderful girls and kind and supportive faculty and staff
Favorite tradition: Harbor Cruise
Favorite Dana sponsored trip or weekend activity: Going to Austria on tour with the Chamber Singers
Favorite class and why: Discrete Math and Statistics because math is one of my favorite subjects, and the class allowed me to apply the math concepts I learned in the class to real life situations.
Biggest challenge: Finding time to do all the things I want to do at Dana!
Best Dana moment: Winning the Softball Eastern Independent League Championship in 2010 and 2011
Best part about an all-girls environment: Every girl is able and feels comfortable being herself. The girls at Dana are not afraid to speak their minds and opinions. Everyone is celebrated for her own unique se;f and talent.
Advice to an incoming student: Try new things and take risks. There are so many great opportunities Dana has to offer, and trying new things helps you to find new interests and grow.

Name: Emily ’14
Hometown: Needham, Mass.
When I came to Dana: 6th grade
Why I came to Dana: For the all-girls community, the academics, and dance.
Leadership positions: 8th grade Class Co-president, 9th grade student Council, Blue Key Head
Activities/Clubs: Blue Key, Dance and Hallmanac
Favorite thing about Dana: The community and traditions
Favorite Dana sponsored trip or weekend activity: Scavenger hunt in Boston
Biggest challenge: The rigorous academics
Best part about an all-girls environment: The amazing bond that is created among everyone
Favorite thing about going to a boarding and day school: Meeting girls from around the world and learning about all of their cultures
Advice to an incoming student: Be who you want to be because Dana is an open community

Name: Celeste ’13
Hometown: Natick, Mass.
When I came to Dana: 7th grade
Why I came to Dana: I was awestruck by the beatuful campus and facilities. My tour guide made Dana seem like a dream, and my decision was so much easier after Dana Days!
Activities: Blue Key, Community Service Advisory Board, field hockey, figure skating, hockey, lacrosse, skiing
Favorite thing about Dana: My friends, of course!
Favorite tradition: Senior-Sophomore
Favorite class and why: Chemistry with Mr. Fadden because he understands how difficult the class is so he makes the class so much more enjoyable and interesting than just plain old chemistry.
Favorite Dana food: French fries and ice cream
Biggest Dana challenge: Managing time
Favorite thing about going to a boarding and day school: People come from all over the world.