Hewitt News

It is our honor to announce that The Hewitt School’s 2021 Commencement address will be delivered by Amy Walter. A regular speaker on the “Politics Monday” segment on PBS NewsHour, and national editor for the non-partisan Cook Political Report, Walter has been praised for her persuasive speeches and precise political analysis. 

After graduating summa cum laude from Colby College, she began working at the online news site The Cook Political Report as the senior editor covering the United States House of Representatives. Charlie Cook, the editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report, explains: “Today, her work is trusted and respected by Democrats and Republicans alike. She knows how to get beyond bluster and spin to unearth – and explain – what really matters in a political arena. And, she has a proven track record of success, which is essential for those whose jobs depend on accurate political forecasting.”

Along with her prodigious success at The Cook Political Report, Walter also served as political director at ABC News and is a regular Sunday panelist on NBC’s Meet the Press as well as CNN’s Inside Politics. In 2000, she was awarded The Washington Post’s Crystal Ball Award for her extremely accurate election predictions. Six years later she was a part of the Emmy-winning CNN coverage team.
    
The Class of 2021 admires Walter for so many reasons. We admire how she has managed to find methods to communicate to people on both sides of the aisle, which is extremely rare in this polarizing time. We admire how she constantly reminds us to speak up for what we believe in, as well as how important it is to communicate opinions with eloquence and passion. With each television appearance, article, and podcast, Walter reminds us to remember our values of equity, empathy, and empowerment. Finally, Amy Walter is a powerful example of our mission in action--she is a game changer and ethical leader who forges a more equitable, sustainable, and joyous future.