The Driving Spirit Awards are presented annually on Flint Hill Day, previously known as Founders’ Day, to Flint Hill employees who lead by example through their dedication to students, faculty, or the Flint Hill community at large as evidenced by their ability to energize and inspire the Husky community. Their embodiment of the Driving Spirit makes Flint Hill the special and unique place we all value.
Award recipients are nominated by students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni. A committee of the Senior Leadership Team, led by the Head of School, completes the selection process. This year, on February 19, 2026, four recipients were honored.
Melissa Holder-Murray
Chief Human Resources Officer
Written by Julie Young – Human Resources Coordinator
The depth of Melissa’s dedication to Flint Hill is something we all feel. Since joining Flint Hill in 2022, she has thoughtfully reshaped our Human Resources department, bringing clarity to complex processes, strengthening best practices, and building systems that better support our community.
As a thought-partner and tireless advocate, Melissa listens to the voices of our employees. She creates space for concerns, for questions, and for hard conversations. Leading a Human Resources department requires adaptability, preparation, and deep knowledge but it also requires compassion. Though she is exceptionally bright and trained as a lawyer, what sets Melissa apart is her emotional intelligence. She has a natural instinct for knowing when to step in and guide a difficult situation toward resolution, and when to quietly sit beside someone who simply needs support.
In HR, the needs never pause. A staff member sustains an injury. A faculty member must suddenly care for a loved one. A concern arises that cannot wait until Monday morning. In those moments, Melissa shows up even when it means putting the needs of others before her own. She leads with empathy and acts with intention. Melissa reminds us, through her steady presence, what it looks like to care deeply about the people around you.
Travis Keatley
MS Makers Teacher
Written by Brian Lamont – Director of the Middle School
In a school that values community, collaboration, and growth, Travis consistently models the qualities we seek in every teacher, colleague, and employee. For over a decade, his unfailing positivity, commitment, and curiosity have enhanced the middle school experience for all of us.
He is respectful and kind in every interaction. Whether a student is seeking feedback on a design or has misbehaved, he is thoughtful, soft spoken, and encouraging. For a colleague looking for a collaborator or a safe place to vent, he is a great thought partner and listens free of judgment. He is the steady teammate you can always count on to be positive, supportive, and open-minded.
Great schools like Flint Hill thrive because of adults who “wear many hats” and recognize their impact in and out of the classroom. Travis’ engagement and impact have taken many forms over the years. He spent many years as an English teacher before shifting over to Makers this year. He has been a 7th Grade Team Leader, assuming additional responsibilities to support students and colleagues. And while baseball is his preferred sport, he typically coaches multiple sports and fills in where needed. Whether picking up an extra supervision duty, class section, or coaching assignment, Travis has been the ultimate “team player” for our middle school.
Being a middle schooler can be challenging. Working with middle schoolers can be even more challenging (and, of course, awesome!). For all of us to do our best work and be who we need to be for our students, we have to be surrounded by people who are positive, supportive, and will do whatever it takes. Travis Keatley embodies this Driving Spirit and our team is thrilled to celebrate him with this award.
Emily Sanderson
US History and Social Sciences Teacher
Written by Amy Clement – MS and US History and Social Sciences Department Chair and US History and Social Sciences Teacher
The Driving Spirit Award honors individuals who exemplify Flint Hill’s core values at the highest level, and Emily Sanderson embodies these qualities in every sense.
Having had the privilege of working with Emily in a variety of capacities — as a lacrosse coach, teaching colleague, Department Chair, and Director of Studies — I can speak with confidence to her professionalism, her dedication to her students, and her deep commitment to Flint Hill School. When Emily made the deliberate choice to return full-time to the classroom, she brought with her an extraordinary breadth of pedagogical expertise that has meaningfully enriched the daily experience of every student she teaches.
Emily is a masterful educator whose focus never wavers from what matters most: the growth and development of the young people in her care. Her classroom is a place of genuine encouragement, intellectual rigor, and a space where students can master fundamental skills, pursue their curiosities, and build lasting confidence. By modeling a lifelong passion for learning and an unwavering commitment to the craft of teaching, she inspires all who work and learn alongside her to pursue excellence.
The Driving Spirit Award is a fitting testament to Emily’s remarkable ability to elevate those around her and to the enduring impact she has made on the entire Flint Hill community.
Dave Smith
Associate Director of Security
Written by Kevin Plourde – Director of Security
Plain and simple, Dave Smith is the reason that students and faculty feel safe here at Flint Hill School. His tireless efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment here on campus is the personification of Driving Spirit. With a constant calm and caring demeanor, Security Dave is a familiar and comforting sentry at the Lower School, bringing over a quarter-decade of police experience to his position.
As Associate Director of Security, Dave brings continuity and a wealth of institutional knowledge to the team. His willingness to take charge of projects and his ability to lead others shines through every day. In essence, Dave consistently “shows up, and shows out” for this community and is a role model for what it means to be a Husky. Whether organizing security logistics for Flint Hill special events or overseeing building access credentialing, Dave approaches each task with care.
Upholding the highest standards of conduct, Dave approaches everything he does, keenly aware of the Flint Hill brand and the hallowed traditions it represents. Students and faculty alike greet Dave each day knowing that they are in good hands and if there is ever an issue at Flint Hill, Security Dave will keep us safe!