Caleb Ockman 鈥�21 arrived at 淫人色欲社 as a 14-year-old freshman with a clear goal: to pursue high-level soccer in the United States while earning a strong academic foundation. Four years later, he graduated as a scholar, a linguist, a leader鈥攁nd now, just a few years beyond the Hillside, a Fulbright finalist bound for Turkey.

鈥淚t started with soccer,鈥� Caleb recalls. 鈥淚 came to South Kent thanks to Owen Finberg, who helped me understand that this was the place where I could do both鈥攄evelop as a player and as a student. That was the original goal: play for a top prep team and eventually play in college.鈥�

Caleb committed to Williams College in the summer before his senior year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He entered Williams as a recruit for the varsity soccer team, intending to double major in French and political science. But like so many transformative stories, his path quickly evolved.

鈥淭he coach who recruited me left before I arrived,鈥� Caleb says. 鈥淭he new coach had a different style, and it just didn鈥檛 click. D3 athletics are intense, but they鈥檙e not supposed to be your whole life. I made a tough decision to step away from the team.鈥�

What followed was a flourishing of intellectual curiosity. 鈥淥nce I left the team, I had time and space to explore,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 joined the student newspaper and a foreign affairs journal. I started sailing鈥攕omething I鈥檇 never done before鈥攁nd became a tutor in Russian. I started taking courses that challenged me in entirely new ways.鈥�

Caleb鈥檚 interest in Russian wasn鈥檛 entirely new. As a child traveling with his parents, Caleb lived in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Serbia, and Kenya where he had early exposure to Slavic languages and Eastern European culture. That

background shaped his decision to double major in history and Russian while still completing coursework in French and political science.

South Kent played a crucial role in helping Caleb hone his academic focus. He credits Father Steve Klots with pushing him to think more deeply and engage more fully with his studies. 鈥淗e was instrumental in helping me find purpose in the classroom,鈥� he says. 鈥淎t South Kent, you鈥檙e never just a number. People see something in you and help bring it out.鈥�

That ethos鈥攐f seeing potential and investing in it鈥攃arried Caleb through his time at Williams and into the wider world. In the spring of his junior year, he studied abroad in Kazakhstan through Middlebury鈥檚 rigorous Russian immersion program, taking university courses entirely in Russian and pledging not to speak any other language during his stay.

One of those courses鈥攁 class on the international relations of Central Asia鈥攚ould profoundly shape Caleb鈥檚 academic and professional direction.

鈥淲e studied the region鈥檚 geopolitics, from the fall of the Soviet Union to the present, and the role of players like Turkey,

China, and Russia,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat course made me realize I wanted to pursue a career in foreign policy鈥攁nd that to understand Eurasia, you can鈥檛 just know Russian. You need to understand Turkey.鈥�

That realization sparked his Fulbright application: a proposal to study in Turkey, deepen his understanding of Turkish language and culture, and explore Turkey鈥檚 unique geopolitical position as a bridge between East and West.

The application process was long and uncertain. Caleb applied in the fall of his senior year and waited months for a decision鈥攆irst as a semifinalist, then as an alternate, and finally, in late May, as a confirmed Fulbright finalist.

Now preparing for his year in Turkey, Caleb is weighing placement offers from two universities in Istanbul. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good problem to have,鈥� he laughs. 鈥淏oth programs are excellent. I鈥檓 choosing between different course offerings, housing options, and how far I鈥檒l be from the city center. But either way, I鈥檒l be immersed in a region I care deeply about.鈥�

Though his path began with soccer, it has expanded into a world of diplomacy, cultural fluency, and global citizenship. Caleb

co-founded Williams鈥� first campus foreign policy group鈥攁 student-run think tank of sorts that hosts weekly discussion sessions, produces research, and mentors undergraduates interested in policy careers. The group grew from a handful of students to over 45 by his graduation.

Looking ahead, Caleb is exploring opportunities with think tanks and government agencies in Washington, D.C., including roles in foreign policy analysis. He鈥檚 also considering graduate study in law or international relations, though he鈥檚 quick to point out that practical experience will come first.

鈥淚 want to work. I want to be in the field鈥攚hether it鈥檚 through the State Department, a federal agency, or a policy institute,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 care deeply about this region because I grew up there. I鈥檝e seen the challenges people face, especially in Ukraine, where I lived for part of my childhood. If I can contribute to a better future for that part of the world, that鈥檚 what I want to do.鈥�

From the quiet calm of the Hillside to the complexity of Central Asia, Caleb Ockman鈥檚 journey is a testament to what South Kent strives to instill in every boy: resilience, curiosity, and a sense of purpose. As he steps into his Fulbright year, he carries with him the values that shaped him鈥攁nd a clear vision for the difference he hopes to make.

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Decision Day at South Kent is more than just a moment of recognition鈥攊t鈥檚 a celebration of hard work, personal growth, and the strength of a community dedicated to forming young men of purpose.

鈥淭he Decision Day event is a celebration of the hard work, resilience, and growth students have shown throughout their time at 淫人色欲社,鈥� said Lindsey Lefevre, Assistant Head of School for Academics and Student Programs and Director of College Counseling. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to recognize not only our graduates鈥� achievements, but also the support of faculty, coaches, staff, and families who helped guide students with post-secondary pursuits.鈥�

In an increasingly competitive and complex college admissions landscape, South Kent鈥檚 students continued to rise to the challenge鈥攂alancing rigorous academics, high-level athletics, and deep personal formation. This year鈥檚 matriculations reflect not only impressive outcomes but the School鈥檚 mission to prepare students for success in college and beyond.

Graduates from the Class of 2025 have earned admission to鈥攁nd will be attending鈥攁n array of highly respected colleges and universities, including:
Clarkson University
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Rochester Institute of Technology
Williams College
Wesleyan University
St. Lawrence University
New York University (NYU)
Boston College
Princeton University

These acceptances represent a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, geographic diversity, and athletic commitments, reflecting the individuality of each student鈥檚 path and the intentional, student-centered approach of the College Counseling Office.

Throughout the college application process, students were supported by a dedicated team of faculty and counselors who provided individualized guidance, writing support, test preparation, and mentorship. Through Writing Center workshops, SAT preparation sessions led by faculty in both the Humanities and STEM departments, and regular one-on-one counseling meetings, South Kent students engaged deeply in the process of self-discovery and planning for the future.

And while the college outcomes are certainly worth celebrating, the event also underscored something deeper: the lasting character and habits formed on the Hillside. As the students prepare to leave campus and step into a wider world, they do so not only as graduates鈥攂ut as young men equipped to lead with intellect, integrity, and intention.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025. The world needs your voice, your strength, and your continued pursuit of excellence.

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