Every year, two members of the senior class exhibit a “spirit of inquisitiveness and a seriousness of purpose” worthy of $30,000. Hamilton’s Bristol Fellowship awards these seniors funding to pursue research that encourages both “discovery of self and the world.” This year’s recipients, Abigail Moone ’23 and Charlie Ratner ’23, hope to make those same discoveries.
Moone, a women and gender studies and French and Francophone studies double concentrator, will travel to the United Kingdom, Rwanda, Brazil, Japan, and French Polynesia to explore the project, “Inside Out: Creativity in Identity in Community Building.”
Abigail Moone '23
Majors: French and Francophone studies, and women's and gender studies
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
High school: Boise Senior High School
Inspired by their own experiences, Moone will study how individuals explore their own identities and experiences through artistic expression. Through their work, Moone hopes to illuminate the link between identity formation and artistic expression. They plan to learn from individual artists, creative groups, art teachers, and community members in the countries they visit.
Moone is most excited about experiencing country-specific art installations and forms, ranging from a library to dance class. “I am particularly excited to visit the Glasgow Zine Library, attend poetry slams in Kigali through SpokenWord Rwanda, and learn different dances, such as zouk in Brazil,” they said. “I am still processing that this will be my reality!”
Ratner, a computer science concentrator, will take his passion for lacrosse with him to pursue the project “Exploring Youth and Community Development Through Lacrosse.” He will visit Chile, Australia, Czech Republic, and Kenya to “examine the leadership, teamwork, and confidence skills emphasized by lacrosse leaders in each culture.”
Ratner’s project will be highly hands-on as he plans to volunteer with lacrosse coaches to better understand how the respective cultures and traditions of the countries he visits “shape the game.” As a two-time captain of Hamilton’s men’s lacrosse team, he will conduct a “cross-cultural analysis” between the experience of the students he works with and his own.
Charlie Ratner '23
Major: Computer science
Hometown: Ho Ho Kus, NJ
High school: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Ratner is looking forward to gaining a global perspective through his work. “I’m excited to step outside of my usual routines and dive into the customs, traditions, and values of diverse cultures,” he said. “I’m especially eager to learn new languages and explore unique cuisines, music, and art, while connecting with people from various backgrounds who share my love for lacrosse.”
The Bristol Fellowship has been funded by the Bristol Family since 1996 in honor of William M. Bristol, Jr., Class of 1917.
