Aaron Meehan '25 Interviews New Head of School, Sam Bicknell

As Sam Bicknell and his family have started settling into life here in Dublin, I am sure the first thing on all of your minds is “If he could only have one mode of transportation that's not a car for the rest of his life, what would it be?” and the other essential questions that follow. Well, fear not, I am here to give all the answers you have been waiting for.

I had the opportunity to sit down with our new head of school and get to know him better with some light-hearted questions. So without further ado, please enjoy getting to know our new head of school just a little bit more. 

Top three drinks that aren't water? "I'm a huge fan of Spindrift; the mango orange is my go-to, but I love the new Nojito flavor too. I actually met the founder years ago, back when he'd just created the drink. Then coffee, I'm a big coffee guy, hot with a splash of cream in the morning, or a cold brew with cream if I'm out and about. And if I'm going for something a little wild, kombucha. I just feel healthier after I drink it."

Favorite ice cream flavor? "It depends on my mood, but I love Ben & Jerry's peanut butter cup. That said, if I'm at an actual ice cream shop, I'm a big fan of regular black raspberries too."

If you could have one exotic animal as a pet, what would it be? "I actually already have one, a bearded dragon named Leroy. My wife and kids picked him out; it wasn't really my call, but he's grown on me more than I expected. If I could pick anything though, I'd want a seal or a sea lion. I spent time in the Galapagos when I was younger, and the sea lions there are incredibly curious; they'd swim right through your legs while you were snorkeling. They remind me of dogs."

Favorite sport to watch? "It's seasonal for me, but I'm a Boston sports fan through and through. My favorite team is the Red Sox. Basketball was what I played most growing up, so I'm a Celtics fan too, but I probably pay the most attention to the Patriots and Red Sox."

If you could play a sport professionally, what would you pick? "Baseball. I love that it has both an individual and a team element to it, and there's real camaraderie in that sport. I do love soccer too, though, watching the World Cup was such a highlight for me. If I lived in another country, I think I'd want to be a professional soccer player. My son, who's seven, got really into the World Cup too, and he loves Messi, so it was fun to watch it together as a family."

One mode of transportation (besides a car) for life? "Probably a helicopter. I love the idea that you can land it anywhere. Though I should admit, I've only been on one once, when I was four or five, and apparently I threw up. I'm hoping I've grown out of that."

Favorite board game?

"I love Scrabble; I'm big into word games. My son finally graduated past Monopoly Junior, so we played a full game of Monopoly the other day; it took hours, but it was great that he stayed focused that long.”

Favorite state? "The easy answer is Maine. The coast was really important to my upbringing, being in nature and by the ocean. I also have a fascination with Hawaii; I lived there when I was four, and I've been back a couple times since. And I have to give a shoutout to New Hampshire too; I spent summers at a camp on Lake Winnipesaukee and loved it."

Favorite season? "This might be a bit of a cop-out, but I love the beginning of every season. The first snowfall, the first warm day of summer, the leaves are just starting to turn. If I had to pick just one, though, it'd be spring. Everything comes back to life, and I love the energy and color that brings after a dull winter."

Best way to spend a weekend with family? "In the summer, it's being by a body of water, exploring the beach or rocks, or boating. Those are some of the most joyful moments for me. In the winter, it's embracing the outdoors and snow in whatever way works for my little kids, building a snowman or sledding, and then coming inside to warm up by the fire with some tea or hot chocolate."

Best body of water to swim in? "The ocean, easily. Actually, I've committed to fully submerging myself in a body of water every single day since mid-July. I'm trying to keep the streak going as long as I can, hopefully into November, or even further with some help from the sauna by the lake."

Top US city, beyond the usual Chicago, New York, and LA? "Portland, Maine is my first pick, no question. It's small, it's on the water, and it has some of the best restaurants I've ever been to. I have to give Boston a mention too; it's home for me. And I got to spend a few days in Seattle recently and had a blast, great food and a really cool downtown."

One country you'd like to visit that you haven't been to? "Japan. I've always been fascinated by the country; I love the cuisine, and I hear the people are wonderful and welcoming."