At our recent Cushing Expo, I had the opportunity to interview history and social science students about their end-of-semester research projects. The Expo is a relatively new tradition at Cushing, and is part of our initiative to develop, celebrate, and showcase curiosity. I was impressed with the creativity and depth that students displayed in their research — and particularly enjoyed the community dialogue and discourse that accompanied the student presentations.
The final weeks of the Fall semester have been a showcase for the warmth of our community. Our recent Community Lunch featured stories of holiday traditions. Our Holiday Concert and Holiday Stroll featured delightful celebrations of the season (and some spirited competition). And the stress-relieving Finals Petting Zoo was another example of how the community comes together for playful moments amid the work of final exams and assessments.
This is the last Scoop of the year — we will start up again when we return to campus in January. From all of us at Cushing, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!
What is the best way to reduce stress during finals week? Petting some adorable animals! The Office of Student Affairs hosted a petting zoo in the Fisher-Watkins Student Commons featuring chickens, ducks, bunnies, baby goats, and even a baby pig to help students unwind in between exams this past weekend. > Instagram Reel
Cushing's Jimmy-Gaye Buono Holiday Stroll is always a special time for the Penguin Community, as students come together in friendly competition to decorate their dorm the best!
For more details and application information, visit Cushing Summer.
Holiday Tournaments
While Cushing is taking a break for the holidays, many of our Winter varsity teams are taking part in holiday tournaments, including the Boys' and Girls' Watkins Tournaments that Cushing hosts at Iorio Arena.
Girls’ Varsity Hockey
Watkins Tournament (12/18–12/20)
Williston Invitational (1/4–1/5)
Boys’ Varsity Hockey
Lawrence Groton Invitational (12/18–12/20)
Watkins Tournament (1/2–1/4)
Girls’ Varsity Basketball
Ethel Walker Holiday Tournament (12/19–12/20)
Boys’ Prep Basketball
Jordan Holiday Classic (12/27)
Basketball in Bean Town Sunday, January 18, 2026
Boys' Prep Basketball returns to TD Garden for a rematch against Newman School on January 18, 2026. There will be a special reception for members of the Cushing community in the 1928 Club inside TD Garden. We'd love to see you there!
This weekend it's Hockey Night in Ashburnham! It's also Super Saturday. Students can also sign up for an Apex Entertainment Trip and an H Mart/Trader Joe’s run. Thanks to our recent snowfall, there will also be sledding on the art center hill!
Cushing tips off versus Holderness School, en route to a 60-55 victory. Led by strong performances by Isys Dunphy ’26 and Julianna Morin ’28, Girls' Varsity Basketball has started the season 4-0, and heads into this this weekends' Ethel Walker Invitational on a roll. Roll Pens!
%20(8).png?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=Scoop%20Official%20Header%20(600%20x%20350%20px)%20(8).png)
.png?upscale=true&width=440&upscale=true&name=Scoop%20Album%20Template%20(13).png)
%20(4%20x%206%20in)%20(6%20x%204%20in)%20(8).png?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=Scoop%20Official%20Header%20(600%20x%20350%20px)%20(4%20x%206%20in)%20(6%20x%204%20in)%20(8).png)
.gif?upscale=true&width=1040&upscale=true&name=Scoop%20Snapshot%20Template%20(3).gif)
-1.png?upscale=true&width=480&upscale=true&name=Scoop%20Album%20Template%20(13)-1.png)
.png?upscale=true&width=480&upscale=true&name=Scoop%20Album%20Template%20(16).png)
.png?upscale=true&width=480&upscale=true&name=Heading%20(8).png)
.pdf%20(1).png?upscale=true&width=480&upscale=true&name=PDF%20This%20Weekend%20October%2017th%20(3).pdf%20(1).png)
.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Scoop%20Snapshot%20Template%20(9).png)
.png?upscale=true&width=1200&upscale=true&name=Did%20you%20know...%20(18).png)
