Nardin Wintermission 2026

Anabella Oleandi & Lola Pollock ~  February 2026

Wintermission is one of the things that makes Nardin such a unique place, and every year students are eager to experience this special week. Two of our Wintermissions this year were an immersive trip to New York City, and Something Old, Something New, where students refurbished a home for a refugee family.

The New York City trip allowed students to experience several types of art: Broadway theater, visual arts, writing and journalism, film, stage makeup, and more. The first day, students arrived in New York at 8:00 a.m., and immediately headed to a tour at NBC Studios. Students got to see studios like Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and even got to tape a student-led version of the Today Show. Later that evening, Nardin visited Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockette’s Christmas Show. The next morning, the students went on a tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and then drove to Rag and Bone Headquarters for a panel meeting with some of the members, led by alumni Sandi O'Connell D'Avella (1999, E'95). That evening the girls saw the first Broadway show of the trip, The Great Gatsby. The following day included a tour of the Museum of Modern Art, and a tour of the NFL Headquarters, led by two Nardin alumni, Lucy Popko (2017, E'13), and Megan Hughes (2016, E'12). Our students were able to have a Q/A session with our alumni, learning about sports media. After a bit of shopping, students headed to their second show of the trip, Maybe Happy Ending, which was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, and won 6. On the last day, students participated in an interactive Broadway Makeup workshop, where they got to practice fake bruises and cuts. One student even got makeup done from the Lion King by a professional. After lunch was a tour of the New York Times and a Q/A with staff, led by alumni Madeline Masiello (2014, E'10). Finally, the girls headed to their last show of the trip, Chess, and even got to stay after the show to get autographs from the cast. The girls also got the opportunity to take a picture with the lead of the show, Nicholas Christopher. “The NYC Wintermission was an amazing trip that I loved being able to experience with my friends. I loved going to see all of the Broadway shows, and we had opportunities to visit multiple alumni at their current jobs that gave amazing insight to future careers!” - Mirabelle Post ‘27. 

Something Old, Something New allowed students to refurbish furniture and set up a house for a refugee family. On the first day during the Something Old Something New Wintermission, the students went to Journey’s End and met people who worked there. Then they toured the facility and talked to a refugee that was helped by the organization. For the next two days, the students worked to refurbish a furniture piece of their choosing. By Friday, the students had completed their projects and not only helped move the pieces, but visited Clara’s Closet to shop for the family. A student’s account was “Something Old, Something New was an excellent experience and an inspiring opening to the lives of those who aren’t as fortunate as I am” - Julia Askar ‘28. 

All in all, these Wintermissions prove to be amazing experiences for Nardin students, and we are so grateful for the opportunities they provide.