Parent Stories

Keeping NHS Cyber-Safe

Veronica Kent P’21

When the youngest of Veronica Kent’s three children scored unusually high on the Massachusetts Comprehensive System (MCAS) test in elementary school, Veronica knew that her daughter, Nora, had a great academic future. When it came time to decide on a secondary school, Veronica encouraged her daughter to apply far and wide. She was accepted by a lot of excellent schools, and Nora visited several of them, but something wasn’t clicking for her.

That changed when Will McCulloch, NHS Director of Enrollment Management, visited Nora’s middle school. Intrigued by the presentation, Nora later visited the campus with several other potential enrollees.

“That did it,” Veronica says. “She fell in love with the place. Her heart was set on New Hampton, so I agreed — sight unseen. I had never been to the campus.”

Veronica reports that Nora thrived at her school of choice, both academically and with the many social and extra-curricular opportunities. With the encouragement of her statistics teacher, Andrew Gale, Nora worked as a statistician for the basketball team and also developed an interest in creating video clips of the players that could be used to send to college scouts. She became so proficient in shooting, editing, and producing that soon after matriculating at the University of Miami, she became the videographer for the University’s basketball team.

Veronica herself soon became very involved with New Hampton School, serving on the Board of Trustees and eventually establishing The Kent Family Fund, which focuses on investing in IT infrastructure and education. Why IT? As the CEO of a global company — Alletess Medical Laboratory, a leader in allergy and immunology testing — she knows the importance of cyber security.

“I became aware of some opportunities to enhance the school’s technology platform and security, and I wanted to help,” she says. “Given the security threats that increase every day, all organizations need to stay vigilant.”

Technology isn’t the only reason behind the Kent Family’s ongoing generosity.

“I am so proud of the kind, confident, and accomplished young woman Nora has become and I think New Hampton School has a lot to do with that,” Veronica says. “I think a big part of what makes New Hampton so great for students is that most of the faculty lives on campus. The kids really get to know the teachers and their families — even their dogs. It was such a great environment for Nora and I want to help support that kind of opportunity and experience for others.”

I think a big part of what makes New Hampton so great for students is that most of the faculty lives on campus. The kids really get to know the teachers and their families — even their dogs. It was such a great environment for Nora and I want to help support that kind of opportunity and experience for others.”


VERONICA KENT P’21