Adam Nicolson

College Counselor Jessica Monterastelli’s office sits empty for the fourth week in a row.

Injuries have plagued the Friends college counseling team over the first weeks of the school year. 

Director of College Counseling Darryl Tiggle was out for the first week of school with a back injury, while Senior Associate Director of College Counseling Jessica Monterastelli was placed on the Injured Reserve after an ankle injury on a hike that required extraction from the woods – and surgery. 

While students can now find Tiggle, and new colleague Jake Montes-Adams on the third floor of the Upper School Building, Monterastelli is only available on Zoom. Some students say they appreciate her effort to stay up-to-date, but it’s hard to meet online.

Luckily, Assistant Director of College Counseling Montes-Adams has stepped in, helping to fill the void. Taking the lead on their very first day in the first Senior College Seminar, Montes-Adams showed an acute knowledge of the college process. Student attendees left the seminar commenting that they will likely be an insightful resource for our senior class.

Despite his injury, Tiggle was in high spirits after his warm welcome back to school. In the first Meeting for Worship of the school year, he was moved to speak to the entire Upper School about how happy he was to be back, and how grateful he was that students and faculty were excited to see him. 

Braeden Daniels ‘25 was one of Mr. Tiggle’s first meetings of the school year, after his return to campus. 

“He’s upbeat. He’s in a good mood even though he’s been out,” Braeden says. “He seemed excited to be back, happy to see everyone, happy to see me.”

These injuries come at an important time in the school calendar, as Seniors are picking colleges, writing essays, and filling out the Common Application. Tiggle returned to school after just a week, and Monterastelli is expected to return in October, before early application deadlines. 

We all wish them speedy recoveries!