Ellis House

10 August 2016Liam Sullivan, Houseparent; Photo by Linnea M, Allard '17

The 2015-2016 school year was similar to many others over the years, but there were also significant differences in how the year transpired in Ellis House. The students returned in September to a revamped and renovated Ellis House. The new paint, new furniture and new bathrooms gave the house a feeling of a fresh start: this was a great way to start a new year. The continuity we had, however, was in the amazing personalities of our Aussie family the “Fitzy’s,” and the knowledge that our friends the Wismers would be returning to Ellis House during the December Break. 2015-2016 was also the year of Varro. Mr. Varro moved in downstairs, and immediately became a fixture around the House and part of our culture. His beard growth and wrist shot were envied by all! Indeed, Ellis House had the benefit of three sets of adults living in full-time, and two different, but ultimately incredible, Assistant Houseparents this year. Led by House Captain Daniel Pardo Suarez and his intrepid group of Prefects, our House had a great mix of personalities, and a warm and welcome feel to it. Our highlight of the year was, once again, Ellis Open House. It was another outstanding evening of gaming pleasure. This year, our Ellis House grads brought back an old tradition of wearing their Ellis House grad jackets around campus. They wore these with great pride. Our Ellis House traditions continued to include Mr. Cowie’s Monday night jokes, Big Bros nights, #1 cleanups, the perfect laundry dance, and Mr. Wismer having another child. Julian Harder got the award for the best April Fools Day prank on Mr. Sullivan, while our awesome cleaning staff, Shannon and Marilyn were thrilled to have such a clean bathroom downstairs. Indeed, the rhythms of the school year and the relationships we make in Ellis House have become the essential patterns of the Sullivan family. I am a Houseparent, and we are a House: a family. I would not want it any other way. Liam Sullivan, Houseparent

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