On Wednesday, April 23, the English Department hosted the 13th annual Voices in Literature Conference. English students from the interdisciplinary Perspectives in Literature class (as well as other Upper Schoolers who opted in) participate by creating presentations, art, and music related to a single theme. This year’s theme was “Animals.”

For this year’s Perspectives teacher Ms. Zoela Summerfield, it was her second time facilitating the conference. “I love opportunities to geek out with other people in a way that really gives people room to explore their own curiosity and own ideas,” she said.

To kick off the conference, Upper School settled into PAC during the PM Band of the same day to listen to actress and pet photography handler Joy Nash, who is recognized for her roles in “Twin Peaks,” “Dietland,” and “The Mindy Project.” She spoke about her experience in the pet photography business, calling it an “educational [job] in a lot of ways I never would have expected.” Learning to step out of her comfort zone and stay alert were just a few of the lessons Nash learned during her time as an animal handler. “You don’t have to have it all figured out right now,” she said. “You just have to keep showing up, stay curious, and be ready because your magic moments might come from a place you never expected.”

After Nash’s speech, Perspectives students rushed out of PAC to begin preparing their presentations. This year, the theme “Animals” inspired classrooms to be transformed into themed biomes across campus. Metallic fringe curtains billowed in front of each biome as attendees entered. The rooms ranged from an adoption center where Spyglass editor Valentina V. ’26 sported a chimpanzee hat to an ocean-inspired meditation room. 

Inside RB50, chairs and desks were stacked on top of each other on the side, clearing a space inside for a small cube-shaped lamp that reflected watery looking light against the walls. Calming music from the soundtrack of 52 Hertz no Kujiratachi, a movie inspired by the story of an unheard and lonely whale, played. Perspectives student Mason K. ’26 played clips of 52 Hertz no Kujiratachi for attendees and encouraged them to take a moment to lie down around the room and relax. Mason appreciated the collaborative aspect of the Perspectives class and conference. “I think it’s really cool [that] we grouped together different biomes and really let each person’s interest shine,” Mason said.

Many participants and attendees enjoyed the variety of interpretations of the theme and the conference overall. “It was refreshing to see how a lot of the people analyzed the meanings of animals in literature without connecting it to humans,” said Melina H. ’26. 

Stephanie C. ’25, who presented a project studying fish in literature, said, “[Ms. Summerfield] has made this conference so much fun to do because she’s incorporated fun into every single step, whether it’s the planning, or the costumes we wear, or a different assignment she gives us.” This year’s theme was a success and sparked discussion between both attendees and Perspectives students. “I think [Animals] is an incredible theme that can take us down all kinds of different avenues of exploration,” Ms. Summerfield said. “I was deeply moved and impressed by the ways that students showed up because it’s been such a difficult year…And I think that says a lot about who they are as people.”