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The Admiral James & Sybil Stockdale Arena at South Kent School was abuzz with student-athletes, fans, coaches, teachers, and alumni last week. Following construction of the state-of-the-art ice rink, along with a dedication in October featuring notable speakers such as American diplomat Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, South Kent officially opened the doors to the new facility. “We are neighbors from just down the road and we’re very proud of you,” Kissinger had said at the dedication.

Head of School Andrew Vadnais began the opening festivities on Thursday, December 11th with an “open skate” for all of South Kent School. Students, teachers, and faculty children all enjoyed skating around the beautiful rink. “I thought it was important for our very first event in the new rink to be for the whole community,” Vadnais said. “It was a magical experience to have everyone come together and skate while listening to Christmas music. Opening night was truly indicative of what the South Kent family is all about.”

On Friday, the Head of School gathered with campus leaders and athletic coaches for a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. “As alumni who also played hockey on the Hillside, I’m proud that both [U16 National Assistant Coach] Dillon Duncan ‘04 and I are able to be a part of the next step in South Kent’s history,” U16 American Assistant Coach Patrick Crowley ‘08 said.

The Varsity Hockey team played their first game at Stockdale Arena on Friday night, coming out with a 3-1 win against Shepaug Valley School. On Saturday, retired South Kent Chaplain Reverend William Low performed the ceremonial puck drop along with Vadnais and Selects Academy at South Kent School Director Devin Rask. Selects Academy at SKS U16 American student-athlete Kyle Warren ‘16 began the game with a face off against a Northwood School opponent. “The Stockdale Arena is a big time facility; it shows the support for the program and allows each and every player the opportunity to enhance their skills both on and off the ice,” Rask said.

All four hockey teams, including Varsity, U16 American, U16 National and U18 National, played multiple games on the new home rink throughout the weekend. By Sunday evening, 6 of 7 hockey games resulted in South Kent wins, with the 7th being a tie. There are high hopes for this athletic season, as New England Regional Champions Selects Academy at SKS U16 National head to the National Tournament in March for the 2nd consecutive year.

With a promising start in the newest building on South Kent’s campus, the school is dedicated to upholding not only the memories of the past, but also the legacy within its name. “My parents’ story is very powerful and it contains important lessons for future leaders of our country,” South Kent alumnus Sidney B. Stockdale ‘73 said. “Thank you for keeping their story and the values contained alive.”

Many notable guests, including American diplomat Dr. Henry A. Kissinger joined South Kent School to celebrate the dedication of The Admiral James and Sybil Stockdale Arena on Saturday, October 18, 2014. Stockdale sons Sidney ’73, Stanford ’79, and Taylor ’81 all attended South Kent School.

Taylor Stockdale ‘81 not only honored his parents, but also brought attention to the support his brother gave him during his father’s time as a POW. “When my dad went away…I was three years old when he left and I was almost 11 when he came back,” he said. He explained that it was harder for his brothers because they were older when it all occurred. “When I think about South Kent, I loved my years here. But, when Sid was here, as my older brother, he was really kind of the dad to me…So, I know this is The Admiral and Sybil Stockdale Arena, and I think that’s terrific, but to me, it’s also about my brother, Sid,” he added with a round of applause from the audience. His older brother, Sidney B. Stockdale ‘73 said he was humbled and honored to represent his parents and family along with his brother. “My parents’ story is very powerful and it contains important lessons for future leaders of our country,” Stockdale said. “Thank you for keeping their story and the values contained alive.”

Other special speakers included bestselling author of “Defiant” Alvin Townley, two recipients of the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership (Vice Admiral James P. Wisecup and Commander Thomas J. Dickinson) and Richard H. Lawrence, Jr. ‘74, who named the rink. Townley spoke of Admiral Stockdale’s leadership among his men in the face of imprisonment. “They never knew when they were going to come home,” Townley said. “They just knew that whenever that day came they were going to return with honor.” Vice Admiral Wisecup charged student-athletes at South Kent “to remember the story here because it has to do with honor and keeping faith with your buddies.” Commander Dickinson praised Admiral Stockdale as “a hero in the Navy and in our country.” Additionally, he also noted his impression of South Kent School. “You have a direct connection with a legacy,” Dickinson said. “This school is something special. This is my first time at South Kent and I can see it. I’m proud of all of these young men who are going to be our leaders in our future.” Richard H. Lawrence, Jr. ‘74, who chose the name of the rink, said he, along with his wife, Dee, and Head of School Andrew Vadnais, wanted “an iconic symbol that would speak to both the essence of South Kent School and also provide a powerful message for the students on the Hillside.”

Chairman of the South Kent Board of Trustees Jeffrey G. Rosenberg ‘80 welcomed guests and pointed out that “this facility represents the growth and the success of South Kent.” Vadnais then introduced former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, telling the audience that “He was an amazing part of this story.”

Kissinger is an American Diplomat who was the National Security Advisor during Admiral Stockdale’s imprisonment in Vietnam and release. “We are neighbors from just down the road and we’re very proud of you, and I’m especially proud that I’ve been invited to speak here about Admiral Stockdale,” Kissinger said. He went on to talk about Sybil Stockdale’s important work in co-founding the National League of Families of POWs and MIAs. “I met with them every two months. About a hundred women would come into the White House.” Kissinger called the meetings “uplifting.”

Kissinger lauded Admiral Stockdale, who was the highest ranking prisoner-of-war (POW) during the Vietnam War, for his character. “We saw each other over the years and he was always a symbol of the best in America, of what makes this country worth fighting for,” he said. “A man who believed in freedom, who believed in this country, and who believed in the importance of our values around the world.”

“I want to thank South Kent School and all of you for giving me this opportunity to pay tribute to a couple in a time when we are always talking of our divisions and our uncertainties,” Kissinger said. “They are an example of what our country needs, what made our country great, and I cannot tell you how much it means to me to be permitted to say a few words about these two.”

South Kent Chaplain Reverend Stephen B. Klots closed with a blessing of the new rink. Refreshments, including a miniature cake replica of the arena, were served following the dedication.