Dr. Donald Johnson—English professor and poet in residence at East Tennessee State University—was this fall’s Bingham Visiting Reader. Dr. Johnson met with students in Class I and II, and in honor of Veterans’ Day, he began his reading with two poems that are about soldiers and war. The first, “The Sergeant,” was inspired by his father, a World War II veteran who later commanded a squad of the Honor Guard that traveled to West Virginia. The second poem he read, titled “Point Lookout, Maryland” recalled the American Civil War, and Dr. Johnson explained: “In East Tennessee, memories of our Civil War are still quite alive, quite vivid in some families. Our state was divided in the Civil War—many families were divided.”

Described by his peers as the “dean of sport literature” and “a master craftsman,” Dr. Johnson draws inspiration these days from the natural world, and from taking close notice of the details of life. He read several poems from his most recent book of poetry,More Than Heavy Rain—poems that bring to light his home on the Watauga River, his family, and observations of life lived outside.

Neekon Vafa (I) and Harry Kwon (I) took their computer programming skills to a whole new level when they participated in—and placed first at—MIT’s Internet of Things Hackathon earlier this month. A hackathon is an event in which computer programmers and software developers collaborate intensively on software projects.

“The spirit of a hackathon isn’t competitive,” says Harry. “Everyone goes there to learn, even the most experienced programmers.”

Most of the attendees are working professionals; Neekon and Harry were the only high school students participating. Over the summer, Neekon added his name to MIT’s waitlist after researching various hackathons. The night before the two-day event, Neekon received word that he was in, with a couple of extra tickets included.

This week, activist and author Debby Irving talked with students about what she explained as an epidemic of “white silence.” This fall’s Multiculturalism and Community Development speaker, Ms. Irving said that when it comes to racism in the United States, white people must be part of “cross-racial conversations” in order to make progress on racial divisions and injustices.

October brings the time-honored Swap-It sale to campus each year, and so many people—at Milton and beyond—feel the benefits. Swap-It began more than 60 years ago when Milton parents gathered to trade school uniforms. As years passed, families brought other items to trade and sell, and Swap-It grew into a lively and beloved tradition. For decades, sale proceeds have benefited Milton’s youngest learners: Proceeds have underwritten computers, cameras, playground equipment, Middle School lockers, furniture and teaching materials. Over the last four years, Swap-It has also provided essential seed money for educational innovation in K–8, fueling curriculum renewal and professional development.

Armed with satellite images and colored tape, 13 Honors Geometry students ventured to Cunningham Park with a mathematical mission: to develop an accurate map of the park’s walking trails, suitable for public use.

“Taking what we are learning in class, and seeing how that math can be applied in real world situations, felt so practical, and really cool,” says Rachel Handler (IV).

Math faculty member Matt Simonson planned this field trip project as a hands-on way for students to complete their unit on graph theory. He first tasked students with organizing themselves and determining what supplies they would need. They requested six colors of tape and markers. On a damp, drizzly morning, the group headed to the park, breaking into groups of two or three.