Calhoun Chronicle, Summer 2015 by The Calhoun School

Banner Year for Athletics!

Class of 2015 Accepts the Challenge

Portfolio: Art & Poetry

Alumnae/i Reunions

summer 2015

Calhoun’s Mission To inspire a passion for learning through a progressive approach to education that values intellectual pursuit, creativity, diversity and community involvement.

Board of Trustees 2014—15

Pa r e n t s A s s o c i at i o n 2 0 1 4 — 1 5

Eric Potoker ’85 Chair

Steven J. Nelson Head of School

Officers

Vice Presidents, Middle School

Jon Brayshaw Vice Chair

Co-Presidents

Life Trustees

Chris Rothermel Rosa Sabater

Susan Dubin Barbara Pyles

Robert L. Beir* Eric B. Ryan

Dylan Hixon Treasurer

Vice Presidents, Lower School/81st

Louise Litt Lora Vaccaro

Secretary & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Lynda Roca

Melissa Liberty Secretary

Honorary Trustees

Trustees

Susan Barkey Jonathan Bauman Stefanie Bhalla Andrea Booth Michael Conboy Lori Fleishman Dorr ‘92 James Glasgow Melanie Griffith Erica Hong Michael Marra Bernadette Mitchell Marc Murphy Colleen Pike Blair Shaiza Rizavi Chris Rothermel, PA Rep Rosa Sabater, PA Rep Steven Sinatra Claudia Singleton Jay Sugarman Susan Thomson

Gertrude Marden Bacon ‘34* Edwin Einbender* Constance Stern Flaum ’39 Ronald M. Foster, Jr.* Sally Goodgold* Lawrence S. Harris Mark S. Kaufmann Anne Frankenthaler Kohn ’39* Peter D. Lederer Stuart Levin* Florence Yachnin Liebman ‘38 Helena Simons Marks ’32* David C. Masket* Joan Masket Arthur S. Olick Elizabeth Parmelee* June Saltzman Schiller ’42 Jesse S. Siegel* Mary-Ellen Greenberger Siegel ’49 Allen B. Swerdlick Edward S. Tishman

Vice Presidents, Lower School/74th

Treasurer

Carolyn Tierney Paul Vinger

Barry Cohen Vice Presidents, Upper School

Marc Corpron Jackie Kern

T H E CA L H OUN SC H OO L Main number

Alumnae/i Relations

212-497-6500

646-666-6450

Lower School/74th

Annual Giving

212-497-6550

212-497-6579

Admissions/81st

Communications

212-497-6534

212-497-6527

Admissions/74th

Please send changes of address, phone or email to familyupdates@calhoun.org

212-497-6575

*deceased

o n t h e cov e r

summer 2015

The Boys’ Varsity Volleyball team, which won the NYCAL league and tournament titles, helped cap a milestone year for Calhoun’s athletics program.

The Calhoun Chronicle is published twice each year by the Communications Office for alumnae/i, current and former parents, staff and friends.

Beth Krieger beth.krieger@calhoun.org

Angela Fischer Michelle Raum

NEWS Editor

Photographers Jim Byrne Gary Joseph Cohen Beth Krieger Kyra Louie ’12 Javier Seclen

Jim Byrne jim.byrne@calhoun.org Alumnae/i News

Bart Hale ‘00 bart.hale@calhoun.org Copy Editor

Page 18 Photo: Javier Seclen

Editorial Assistants Photo : GARY JOSEPH COHEN

Editor

Design

Christine Zamora ‘81, CZ Design

Amy Edelman

Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

Contents summer 2015

Features 16 28

Banner Year for Athletics

Class of 2015 Accepts the Challenge Plus: Summer Send-Off, Moving Up and Commencement

Portfolio: Art & Poetry

Departments Viewpoint

by Steve Nelson

S c h o o l N e w s

Benefit 2015

From the Board

Parents Association News

Faculty/Staff Newsmakers

Student Newsmakers

Onstage

Alumnae/i News

Class Notes

Profiles: Calhoun’s D.C. Politicos Emma Dumain ’04 Mark Freedman ’08

Peer Leadership Celebration

Reunions

43 46

Viewpoint by St ev en J. Nel son, He a d o f School

Calhoun Can Spoil a Guy “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I would attribute that quote, but its genesis is unclear. The phrase is at least 400 years old and the sentiment it conveys is universal and timeless. Trite, perhaps, in the estimation of some, but triteness does not dilute its truth. I returned to Calhoun in mid-May from a six-month sabbatical. Having never been away from work for longer than a few weeks since 1970 or so, I was curious to experience a very different life rhythm. Other than a loose discipline around writing for a few hours on most of the days in December, January and February, I was free to experience life as it revealed itself. My wife and I spent most of the winter in Vermont, with a few trips back to New York and a stint in Colorado to welcome a new grandson. This winter, particularly in Vermont, was the kind one usually hears about from a nostalgic grandparent: snow drifts to the eaves, nights so brittle that ice on the pond groaned. Even the coyotes in the nearby woods were too cold to howl. On clear days, the temperature struggling unsuccessfully toward zero, the blue sky was so thick you could stir it with a spoon. You may know the odd phenomenon that accompanies a less demanding schedule: All the things that are usually squeezed into a workweek—shopping, cooking, fixing a leak, bill paying—seem to expand to fill all the hours. This expansion makes these things more pleasurable (well, not bill paying), and time indeed flies when you’re having fun. To our surprise, my wife and I never twiddled our thumbs and said, “What shall we do now?” It would be dishonest to report that I desperately missed Calhoun. Most days I had an email or two, and over the months there were a few Calhoun problems to wrestle with. The problems alone were enough to remind me that being away has its advantages. During sabbatical, my wife and I visited a few potential schools for our almost-four-year-old granddaughter, Maddie. They were perfectly fine, I suppose. Several boasted of progressive intentions in their colorful brochures or on their vibrant websites. “Child-centered.” “Play-based.” Montessori. Steiner. Red Hawk

Calhoun Chronicle

Elementary. I felt like Goldilocks. One was too small. One was too big. One was too neat. One was too messy. Informed in part by our visits, Maddie’s parents chose a school and it is perfectly fine, I suppose. Calhoun can spoil a guy. I also spent a lot of time reading and writing about education. I read about “no excuses” charter schools that treat children like pets in obedience schools (or worse). I read about debilitating stress and the increased incidence of depression among America’s teenagers. Most of what I read about education made me sad. And then it was over. On May 18, I put on a tie for the first time in months and headed to West End Avenue. As I approached the building, a few students called out, “Hi, Steve!” From the gorgeous new Commons, a few early arrivers—enjoying their morning Bobo—waved cheerfully from seats at the counter. It’s difficult to report my reaction to returning without sounding saccharine. As I walked the floors in each building I couldn’t stop smiling. I recall a parent who, when visiting during admissions, declared, “Your children are alive!” as though it was an epiphany to find “living” children in a school. But that parent was right. Our children are fully alive. That is no small thing. I know, and perhaps you know, that it is increasingly rare to find “living” children in a school. In most places I’ve visited, kids are already stressed, sometimes jaded and cynical, and usually reluctant to make eye contact with adults. I can, and do (sometimes at excessive length!), describe the neurobiological or psychological reasons that a progressive approach is a better way to learn. But the real magic of Calhoun is that it is alive. In our culture, particularly in our schools, we can be so consumed with preparing for the future that we sometimes forget to live fully in the moment. Children are 4 or 8 or 14 only once. They should be vibrantly alive every day, bursting with curiosity, falling in and out of love, making mistakes in a safe community, trying things without the fear of judgment or failure. We insist on it. I think this is Calhoun’s greatest gift. As may be the case for you, I tend to lose sight of this when I’m here all the time. I didn’t know how much I missed it until I came back.

school news

Calhouners Dream Big at 2015 Benefit This year’s Benefit, held at Cipriani Wall Street on the evening of February 27, 2015, was one of the best attended in Calhoun’s history. More than 550 guests came out to celebrate and support the school. Contributions to the event totaled nearly $1 million, ensuring that Calhoun and its students will, indeed, continue to “dream big, sparkle more and shine bright”! Literally hundreds of people helped to make the event a major success—from committee volunteers to auction donors and buyers, corporate sponsors, advertisers, underwriters, purchasers of faculty tickets, and, of course, the many guests who attended. The school owes deep gratitude to this year’s new and incredibly dedicated leaders, Benefit chair Erica Stamey-Hong and vice chairs Susie Barkey, Liz Conboy, Leigh Gerstenblatt, Laura Glick, Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, Lilly Pino and Carolyn Tierney. All worked tirelessly on every aspect of the event, making it a spectacular night for our community.

1. W hat would Calhoun’s Benefit be without our star-studded live auction? (L-R) Danny Pino, Chef Bobo, Marc Murphy and Richard Kind kept the entertainment bar high while auctioneer Lydia Wickliffe Fenet kept the bids moving even higher! 2. (L-R) Shnieka Johnson, Anne Morin and Rosa Sabater strike a pose before the dancing begins. 3. Paul Netter tries his bidding hand at one of the 15 amazing live-auction items. 4. The Benefit committee’s powerhouse team: (L-R, front) Laura Glick, Liz Conboy, Erica Stamey-Hong (chair), Susie Barkey, Lilly Pino, (L-R, back) Leigh Gerstenblatt, Michelle Ciulla Lipkin and Carolyn Tierney summer 2015

school news

Calhoun Kids Welcome Grandparents and Special Friends Almost 300 grandparents and special friends came to Calhoun in early May, to spend time in classrooms with grandchildren and special friends. Guests took part in craft projects and math games, story time and sing-alongs. It was a wonderful intergenerational experience for all involved; the joy was infectious! 1

1. Kevin Conboy with granddaughter Nola (3’s) 2. Carole Zabar with grandson Harrison (3rd grade) 3. Josie (1st grade) with special friend Susan Samuels

4. Taeko Wu with granddaughter Penelope Wu (4’s) 5. Samuel Mensah with grandson Isaiah (2nd grade) 6. Sue Clayton with granddaughter Lucy (4th grade) 7. Sandra Matute with grandson Jote (3’s) 8. Margaret Aspinwall with grandson Owen (kindergarten) 9. Heidi Parisi with granddaughter Beatrice (2nd grade)

Calhoun Chronicle

school news

from the Board

Board Sees and Seeks Continued Growth in Endowment Fund, Major Gifts Thanks to an increasingly generous and devoted community, Calhoun has made significant leaps in shoring up its endowment while simultaneously attracting major gifts for capital improvements. The current Board has led the effort to build the Endowment Fund since 2007. In the last five years alone, the fund has nearly doubled, reaching close to $7.5 million in cash and pledges. This is incredible growth, considering that the endowment hovered around the $2-million mark for several years and only 20 years ago was nearly nonexistent. At the annual State of the School Address held in May, Head of School Steve Nelson pointed out that the overall growth in fundraising has allowed the Board to significantly increase teacher salaries, from the bottom third of all New York City private schools to the top third.

The growth of the endowment, together with major gifts, has also allowed the Board to pursue several strategic goals and seize opportunities that required significant capital investment. Most recently, the school’s major gift effort enabled the Calhoun Commons to become a reality. “As the Board continues to prudently manage the school’s overall resources, a larger endowment helps us to invest in progressive programming, continue to support our great faculty, and maintain Calhoun’s historical commitment to generous tuition assistance,” says Board president Eric Potoker ‘85. He adds that, even as the school pursues additional facilities upgrades, it will be accompanied by endowment fundraising. “The growth of the Endowment will allow the Board to plan and execute its vision to expand

youmakeithappen

the quality and scope of Calhoun’s position as the leading progressive school in New York City, with state-ofthe-art facilities, innovative programs and increasing opportunities for its students.” Eric speaks for the Board in thanking the school’s major donors—all members of the Robert L. Beir Giving Society— for their ongoing generosity toward the Endowment Fund and the school’s major-giving efforts. “What is even more impressive and important,” he adds, “is that the majority of the parents who made these commitments did so while also continuing their support for the Annual Fund and Benefit.” Over the last 15 years, gifts to the Annual Fund and Benefit have totaled nearly $30 million, all of which go to support annual operations, teacher salaries, tuition assistance, facilities and materials.

For more information about how you can support Calhoun’s Endowment Fund, Major Gifts efforts and Annual Fund, go to www.cahoun.org/giving.

Two Longtime Trustees Retire from Service Andrea Booth and Melanie Griffith, both dedicated, longtime trustees, leave the Board this year after completing their full nine-year terms. Both Andrea and Melanie served on the Board’s Committee of Trustees and the Development Committee during their terms. Andrea Booth, who joined the Board in 2006 and took on the role of Annual Fund chair, significantly increased participation on the Annual Fund Class Committee—which led directly to an increase in funds raised. Her can-do dedication and drive—even while working as vice president/creative director at Grey

Worldwide and raising two Calhoun kids—didn’t stop her from agreeing to fill in for one year as a Parents Association co-president, in 2012–2013. “Andrea has served the Board and school in so many ways, always managing to capture the school’s ethos in her interaction with other volunteers while making the case for Calhoun on behalf of the Annual Fund and the PA,” notes Board president Eric Potoker ’85. Melanie Griffith also came on the Board in 2006, when her three children were in the 3’s, kindergarten and second grade. A former corporate lawyer, she

said at the time that she looked forward to helping ensure the success of the school’s fundraising efforts. And that she did! Says Eric, “Melanie turbo-charged Calhoun’s Annual Benefit when she took over its leadership, increasing the amount raised almost three-fold. Even more important, Melanie has always pinpointed the uniqueness and spirit of Calhoun, and led us all in appreciating the subtle ways in which Calhoun is so special.” The school and community owe many thanks to both Andrea and Melanie, for their energy, commitment and vision. summer 2015

school news

PARENTS ASSOCI ATIO N

New Slate of PA Officers for 2015-16 School Year At its annual meeting in May, the PA voted David Hawkins as the new PA co-president and Board representative for the 2015-16 school year, joining fellow co-president

David Hawkins, the Carnival’s “master” car brigade chair, has been named co-president of the Parents Association. He will work alongside Rosa Sabater.

Rosa Sabater, who will continue for a third year. David assumes the role from Chris Rothermel, who completed her two-year term this spring but will serve as co-vice president of the Upper School, alongside Amy Edelman. David brings to his position a deep commitment to parent volunteerism and the Calhoun community. The dad of two Calhouners—Zach, entering sixth grade, and Sadie, entering third—he has been volunteering at Calhoun as a cluster and grade parent since he and his wife, Nicole, came to Calhoun five years ago from Australia. A former banker with JP Morgan, David has also served on Calhoun’s Benefit committee and as the “master” car brigade chair for the Calhoun Carnival.

PA Officers, 2015-16 Co-Presidents David Hawkins (6, 3) Rosa Sabater (11) Secretary Louise Litt (5) Treasurer Lynda Roca (4, 3) Vice Presidents, Upper School Amy Edelman (11, 7) Chris Rothermel (9, 3) Vice Presidents, Middle School Bert Pasquini (5) Barbara Pyles (8, 5) Vice Presidents, Lower School/81st Katie Manglis (3, 2) Daphne Smith-Naylor (3, 1) Vice Presidents, Lower School/74th Sheila Kirkwood (K, 2) Paul Vinger (1)

PA Announces Expanded Parent Forum Series The Parents Association has announced that it is continuing the Parent Forum series (formerly known as the Parent Education Forum) for the 2015-16 school year, with at least one event scheduled for parents in each division of the school. Among next year’s Parent Forums will be two nights devoted to technology: On Tuesday, October 6, social media scholar Danah Boyd will speak on “Teens

& Technology.” The second presentation, “Talking About Technology with Your Lower Schooler,” will be held on Tuesday, January 12, and hosted by Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education. A third Parent Forum, being organized by the US Parents Association leadership, will focus on social and behavioral issues related to high schoolers; a date and

PA Book Fair Makes Bestseller List Calhoun raised $23,887 at this year’s Book Fair, held once again at the Barnes & Noble on 82nd Street. “This year’s gross was even better than last year,” reports co-chair Lori Serling Sklar ’75, who was genuinely touched by the generosity of families, faculty and friends. In addition to funds raised as a percentage of sales, donors purchased hundreds of wish-list books for Calhoun’s libraries. Thanks are due to all those who shopped at the annual event as well as to the performers and authors who participated in the day’s festivities: Cynthia Wuco and the Calhoun Chorus; father-daughter authors Mark and Talia Kurlansky ‘18, and guest author Steve Light. Finally, the Calhoun community extends deep appreciation to Lori and Larry Sklar, and librarian Beverly Lane, who have been organizing the Book Fair at Barnes & Noble for nearly 20 years. Calhoun Chronicle

speaker will be announced in the fall. The Parent Forum program began almost 25 years ago as a monthly morning workshop exclusively for parents of 3’s–1st graders. The PA now hopes that its expanded programming will meet the needs of all parents, 3’s through Upper School. Find out more about Parents Association events and activities at www.calhoun.org/pa.

Bookplate designed by Jason Liberty, 4th grade.

school news

Spring Carnival Captures Cougar Spirit

Calhoun’s New Website Makes Staying Connected Easier Than Ever! Responsive web design (RWD):

RWD provides optimal viewing and navigation, whether you’re on a wide-screen desktop monitor or smartphone; the web pages conform to the device you’re using. Calendar Navigation

Easier than ever! Filter and import the dates you need! Calendar Alerts

Is there a particular event you don’t want to miss? Go to a calendar date and click on the little bell icon to receive notification by email or text. New Athletic pages and Calendar

Better navigation to find all you need to know about teams and schedules Better Portal Design

Easier-to-find student reports, documents and critical information New Mobile App

for iPhones and iPads How to Log in to Portal Pages:

Parents and alumnae/i will be sent instructions in August about how to log in; current students, faculty and staff will be able to use their old usernames and passwords.

3 1. Even Little Callhouners, like Beatrice Baker, volunteered for the day! 2. MS teacher Luke Alpert ‘09 is like a fish outta water in the dunking booth! 3. Jake Roshkow ‘18 and Romi Konorty ‘18 helped keep the popcorn flowing. summer 2015

school news

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS M AK E R S

Forty-Year Veteran Beverly Lane Tapped for Uhry/Thompson Award

Beverly Lane receives the Uhry/Thompson Award from Head of School Steve Nelson.

Librarian Beverly Lane is this year’s winner of the Uhry/Thompson Award! The announcement, made by Head of School Steve Nelson at this year’s Annual Tea, doubled the celebration; the festivities also marked Beverly’s 40th anniversary at Calhoun. Since 1975, hundreds of Calhoun Lower Schoolers have discovered their love for reading—or had their passion for reading nurtured—thanks to Beverly’s thoughtful guidance. “No matter what the learning curve, Beverly develops a passion for reading in all of her students and makes books exciting because she knows how to connect with each child on a personal level,” says Director of Alumnae/i Relations Bart Hale ’00. While sharing her love for reading, Beverly has also been the voice of calm

and “uber” organization during three major library renovations—first in 1991, again in 2000, and finally, this year, when the library moved to its new home on the lower level. In addition to her role as librarian, Beverly has also served over the last 20 years as co-chair for the school’s annual Book Fair—the only faculty/staff member to ever lead a Parents Association committee. In that role, says co-chair Lori Serling Sklar ’75, “Beverly has been instrumental in raising nearly $350,000 for Calhoun, along with donations of several thousands of books to the school’s libraries and classrooms.” The Uhry/Thompson Award is given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in the classroom and a commitment to progressive education.

Annual Tea Honors Teachers/Staffers; Pays Special Tribute to 38 The Calhoun Parents Association continued the tradition of the Annual Tea this year to honor and thank teachers, administrators and staff. The event was a wonderfully attended celebration, featuring a festive luncheon set in a gym transformed to picnic barbecue, with gracious servers (parents and student volunteers), and beautiful music provided by Jackson Lundy ’16. PA co-presidents Rosa Sabater and Chris Rothermel officiated, making note that this year marked an unusually large number of employees celebrating tenure anniversaries. “Today, we are honoring 38 members of the faculty and staff who have collectively dedicated a whopping 535 years of service to Calhoun,” said Rosa. “We are grateful beyond measure.…Thank you for making a difference—more of a difference than you know—in our children’s lives and ours.” Among the 38 employees honored were

Calhoun Chronicle

US math teacher Erika Zamfirescu, MS music teacher Brian Coogan, senior administrator Kathleen Clinesmith and LS language arts teacher Lisa Gilbert ’81 marked their 25th anniversaries.

MS English teacher Shelley Greenberg and LS art teacher Rose Marie Cooper celebrated 35 years at Calhoun.

8 who were celebrating 20 years or more at Calhoun: Librarian Beverly Lane (40), LS art teacher Rose Marie Cooper (35), MS English teacher Shelley Greenberg (35), senior administrator Kathleen Clinesmith (25), MS music teacher Brian Coogan (25), LS language arts teacher Lisa Gilbert (25),

US math teacher Erika Zamfirescu (25) and 74th Street facilities manager Eddie “Spaghetti” Ayala (20). Another 11 employees celebrated their 15th year at Calhoun, 9 marked their 10th anniversary, and 10 more faculty/staffers completed their 5th year.

school news

Eileen D’Alessio Retires After 24 Years Eileen D’Alessio, LS 4’s teacher, retired this June after a 24-year career at Calhoun. Eileen began at Calhoun in 1991, working with 4’s and kindergarten students before becoming the LS74 art teacher in January 2000. This past year, she was back in the classroom with four-year-olds—a full circle for this dedicated educator! Over the course of more than two decades, students, parents and colleagues were touched by Eileen’s gentle nature and creative spirit.

Noteworthy Gary Cohen, US art, was awarded a Skidmore Summer Art Teachers Fellowship in ceramics for the 2016 summer. He’ll be one of four high school studio art teachers chosen from across the country for the five-week program. In addition, Gary was also invited this summer to be a visiting artist in ceramics at Salem Art Works (Salem, NY), where Chris Garcia, US sculpture teacher, will also be a resident. Anthony Gaskins, LS74 associate teacher—soon to be MS humanities teacher—was the creator, director and cast member of The Day After MLK, a performance piece that debuted at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center this past spring. The play looks at three newly converted orthodox Muslims who work closely with Malcolm X and his Organization of Afro-American Unity. A group of Calhoun parents, students, faculty and staff went to one of the shows as part of Calhoun’s first Gathering for Social Justice on May 1. Joan Gillman, MS science teacher, will spend her summer as she always does— going from workshop to seminar, in her quest to learn new ways to make fifth and sixth grade science exciting and meaningful. Joan will attend the Penn State In-Service Teacher Workshop on cosmology, as well as a five-day workshop at Cornell University on “All Things Bio.”

Lorenzo Krakowsky, US Director, was the moderator of a panel discussion on “Issues of Diversity in College Admissions: The Changing Landscape,” hosted by the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in early May. The panel featured educators and innovators known for their work in the areas of race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity and economic diversity. Hernán Ortiz, US Spanish teacher, was awarded his MA in private school leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College this past May. Hernán has been teaching Spanish at Calhoun since 2010. He graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA in Spanish literature in 2005. Larry Sandomir, MS English teacher, penned a feature article about his seventh grade curriculum, “Teaching the Holocaust,” for the March 2015 issue of Association for Middle Level Education Magazine. Earlier this year, Larry was one of several teachers who met with visiting Russian educators interested in the ways we teach about issues of social justice. Jason Tebbe, US history teacher, will participate in a Gilder Lehrman Institute

of American History teacher seminar this summer at Stanford University. Jason says he’s looking forward to exploring how the immigration, industrialization and class struggle of the Gilded Age—from the end of the Civil War to roughly the turn of the twentieth century—created the foundation for the modern United States.

Danny Isquith Named Interim MS Director Danny Isquith, Dean of Academic Affairs and math teacher in the Upper School since 2002, has been named Interim Director of Calhoun’s Middle School, effective July 1, 2015. Danny steps into the role being vacated by Middle School Director Eric Chapman, who left at the conclusion of the school year for Saint David’s School, where he will become Head of Upper School. During his 12 years at Calhoun, Danny has managed to make calculus a popular Upper School elective. He has also been instrumental in several administrative capacities—creating the daily and yearly academic schedules for all three divisions at the 81st Street campus, and functioning as a college counselor to juniors and seniors. A 2002 graduate of Yale University with a BS in astronomy and physics, Danny received his MA in private school leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College this past May.

summer 2015

school news

STUDENT NEWSM AK E R S

Cooper’s Troopers Honor Classmate, Promote Street Safety Calhoun’s 150 second, third and fourth graders spent an emotional June 3, remembering their classmate Cooper Stock while learning about traffic laws and pedestrian safety. The occasion was the second annual Cooper’s Troopers Day of Service, which honors Cooper, a Calhoun third grader who was killed by a reckless taxi driver in January 2014. Cooper’s mom, Dana Lerner, inspired the idea for a community service

project at Calhoun that would associate Cooper’s legacy with helping others. In its first year, Cooper’s Troopers helped create a children’s library for West End Residences, a nearby homeless shelter. This year’s day of service focused on street and pedestrian safety. Through a series of hands-on activities, second, third and fourth graders learned street-smart skills and how to advocate for adherence to traffic safety laws. They designed

Students held hand-made signs as they marched up Riverside Drive—complete with NYPD escorts—chanting, “Cooper’s Troopers,” all along the way.

crosswalks with Legos, filmed a public safety announcement, tracked the speed of cars on West End Avenue and wrote letters asking Mayor Bill de Blasio to improve pedestrian safety. Morning activities were followed by a march up Riverside Drive for the Lower Schoolers; fourth graders continued on to West End Avenue at 97th Street, the street where Cooper lived and died, to participate in the ceremonial naming of Cooper Stock Way. “It was a physically and emotionally exhausting day of events and experiences,” admits Alison Rothschild ‘85, LS Director. “But I can honestly say it was one of the proudest moments of my 26 years at Calhoun. When the fourth graders arrived for the street-naming ceremony, they were the modicum of poise and grace. I was filled with hope and inspiration that these students—having gone through this together—will use this terrible tragedy to make positive change in the world and do so while remembering Cooper.” For more information about the Cooper’s Troopers Day of Service, see www.calhoun.org/cooperstroopers.

Student’s Human Rights Art Exhibit Displayed at United Nations An art installation by Alex Horsley-Redding ’16, called Know Your Arts 1–30, made its public debut in mid-June, when it moved from Calhoun’s 81st Street lobby to the United Nations. The sculpture, inspired by Andy Warhol’s soup cans, depicts the 30 “inalienable fundamental rights” as outlined in the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights. “I hope this sculpture inspires people to know about our basic human rights, and demand them for everyone,” says Alex, who completed the project for his Community Action class. The installation is one of many art Calhoun Chronicle

Alex Horsley-Redding ‘16 poses with his Warholinspired human rights art installation, first displayed at Calhoun, and then at the United Nations.

projects Alex has created over the years to promote social justice. In fact, he has been

creating and selling his “urban-inspired fine art” to collectors worldwide since 2005, when he was only six years old. “I create art for two purposes,” says Alex. “First, to build awareness about social justice issues and, second, to use the proceeds to contribute to charities that make the world a better place for all of us to live.” Among the many organizations Alex supports through his art is the Global Gendercide Advocacy and Awareness Project and Hear Us, an organization that brings awareness to homelessness. See more about the work of Alex Horsley-Redding (a.k.a. Alexander Aristotle) on his website, www.urban59.com/#!artists.

school news

Calhoun Responds to Nepal Disaster Thanks to efforts led by the Upper School Nepal Relief Committee, a dollar drive, bake sale and general-donation solicitation elicited more than $8,000 from the Calhoun community to support relief efforts in Nepal. All of the funds went to CITTA, a grass-roots, New York–based relief organization with which Calhoun has had a relationship since the 2004 tsunami disaster in India. In addition to fundraising, the Upper School Nepal Relief Committee engaged

seventh grade students in a Nepalese prayer flag project. The project was suggested by sophomore Josh Blank, who had spent time in Nepal on a photographic travel journey earlier this year, and had befriended a number of young people on his travels. Josh and Debbie Aronson ’79, Director of Community Service, enlisted Michael Daube, CITTA founder, to help locate a partner school in Nepal, where they hoped the flags would bring comfort to students.

(Left) Upper School Nepal Relief Committee: (L-R) Debbie Aronson ’79, Director of Community Service; Becca Horowitz ’18, Jake Roshkow ’18, Julia Weissman ’18, CITTA founder Michael Daube, Josh Blank ’17, Gianna Stock ’18, Emma Griffith ’17 and Stef Sarantis ’18 (missing: Oummu Barrie ’18 and Talley Sacks ’17) (Top) Seventh graders in Irene Baigorri’s social studies class created traditional prayer flags to send to students at a partner school in Nepal, bringing hope and comfort. The flags were delivered by CITTA founder Michael Daube.

Claire Annino ’20 Wins National Scholastic Writing Award Claire Annino ’20 was awarded the national Gold Medal by the 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Award competition for her personal essay/memoir “Picture-Perfect Goodbye.” She was one of 783 Gold Medal winners, culled from the 300,000-plus submissions that first went to regional competitions across the country. The national competition, established in 1923, is the most prestigious of its kind for creative students in grades 7–12. Past winners include such artists and writers as Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Stephen King and Lena Dunham. Claire, who qualified for the national competition after emerging from the New York regional round with a pair of regional Gold Keys, was one of six Calhoun students who earned honors at the New York regional level. Other Calhoun regional winners were: Maryam Chishti ’16 and Celia Goodman ’18, who each won Silver Keys for their contributions in the short story category; Josca Zahn ’20, who earned her Silver Key in the dramatic script division; Nicholas Galluzzi ’16, who was named to the Honorable Mention list for two different works in the flash fiction category; and Delia Pelli-Walbert ’17, who won an Honorable Mention in the art/sculpture category. The New York regional winners were selected from more than 11,000 submissions.

Claire Annino ’20 earned a Gold Medal in writing in the national 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition.

summer 2015

school news

STUDENT NEWSM AK E R S

The Upper School team, which garnered the New School Award in the NYC Regional Science Olympiad, included (back, L-R) team coach and MS science teacher Kristin Nastos, Zak Wegweiser ’17, Javay Fraser ’16, Lily Edelman-Gold ’17, Oumy Kane ’17, Emma Griffith ’17 and chaperones Shameena Khan and Natalie Naranjo; (front, L-R) Anna Dolgon-Krutolow ’17, Caitlin Leung ’17, Gabriela Chapman ’17, Lydia Eguchi ’16, Katherine Hade ’18 and Rea Brayshaw ’18.

Upper and Middle Schoolers Excel at Science Olympiad Twelve Upper Schoolers brought their scientific prowess to this year’s NYC Regional Science Olympiad, and returned home with the New School Award—given to the team that scores the most points among first-time participants. Calhoun’s Upper Schoolers competed in 16 of the 22 events, and finished in the

top 10 out of 61 schools in two separate events. The team of Zak Wegweiser ’17 and Gabriela Chapman ’17 placed sixth in the invasive species test, and Caitlin Leung ’17 and Oumy Kane ’17 teamed up to finish ninth in the Wright stuff competition. The winning Upper Schoolers were coached by MS science teacher Kristin

Nastos, who launched Calhoun’s Olympiad program last year with a Middle School team that won the same New School Award. For this year’s Middle School team, Coach Kristin was joined by fellow MS science teacher Alba Polsley. The doublecoach mentoring, plus the momentum from last year and the recent Upper School win, undoubtedly helped prepare the Middle Schoolers for their impressive showing. The Cougars participated in nearly every event this year—compared to last year, when they entered just 9 of 22 events. Their top showings came in the bridge-building competition (third place for Casimir Hixon ’21 and Liam Hade ’21), the invasive species test (fifth for Avalon Scarola ’20 and Luke Halverstadt ’20) and the road scholar event (sixth place for Matthew Glimcher ’19 and Lucas Chapman ’19). Overall, the Middle School Cougars finished 12th or higher in 9 of 16 events. Additional teammates included Fernando Rueda ’19, Margaret Barnsley ’20, Asher Bennett ’20, Evan Changar ’20, Jackie Kletter ’20, Oscar Llodra ’20 and Ella Stiller ’20. “I’m extremely proud of all of these students, who showed such enthusiasm and spent their Saturday in the pursuit of science,” says Kristin.

US Sustainability Club Makes It to the United Nations Sustainability Coordinator David Hyman and six members of the Upper School Sustainability Club represented Calhoun at the 39th Annual UNIS-UN conference, held at the United Nations last March. The conference included expert speakers who addressed more than 700 high school students from five different continents. A number of students also had the opportunity to (L-R) Sustainability Coordinator David Hyman, Jack Javer ‘15, Keizo Fish ‘17, Chris Jager ‘15, Talia Calle ‘16, speak to their peers, including Jack (Dean of Students Alison Foster in back), Lindsey Randle ‘16 and Katherine Hade ‘18 Javer ’15, who urged his contemporaries to show support for the Ogalala Sioux in their protest against the Keystone XL pipeline. Jack addressed the audience in the General Assembly hall—a presentation displayed on the same overhead screen on which our world leaders appear!

Calhoun Chronicle

school news

Spotlight Getting involved and following your passion—that’s what it’s all about here at Calhoun! But who can keep up with everything going on? So here’s a quick take, just to help you keep your finger on the pulse!

(Top) Anna Koppelman ‘19 was one of four Calhoun students who participated in Independent Voices, a student poetry reading. (Bottom) Quentin Ruffin ’27 earned a gold medal at the New Jersey State Taekwondo Championships.

For the fourth consecutive year, Calhoun’s 730 Jazz Ensemble performed at the Berklee High School Jazz Festival in Boston, MA. The Calhouners competed in a highly competitive division that featured some of the best young high school musicians in the nation.… Clair Cohen ‘15, Bradford Onukogu ‘15, Anna Koppelman ‘18 and Stella Platero ‘18 were among the select student poets from New York independent schools who participated in this year’s Independent Voices project, an open poetry reading hosted by Joint Schools Activities (JSA). Their poems, along with one by Julia Ettelbrick ‘17, were also included in Independent Voices, the anthology of poetry by high school students. Thirty-five students represented Calhoun at the Yale Model UN Conference this year. The three-day conference was attended by more than 1,300 high school

delegates from around the world.... Six Upper School students represented Calhoun at the Chess-in-the-Schools Chess Day. Matthew Abrons ’16, John Michael McCann ’17 and Zak Wegweiser ’17 combined for five wins.… Jackson Lundy ’16 brought his love of music to students in the Dominican Republic’s Las Terrenas International School, by hosting an after-school ukulele class for students in preschool through seventh grade. He raised money for the weeklong seminar— including the 17 ukuleles that he donated— by staging a benefit concert at Calhoun early last winter…. Kindergartner Quentin Ruffin won a gold medal at the 2015 New Jersey State Taekwondo Championships in the 6–7-year-old division. The win qualified him to compete in the national tournament this July.... Social activism and service got a huge boost this year from Calhoun kids. Among them: Calhoun’s AIDS Walk team, a mainstay at the school since the late ’80s, raised more than $16,000; Upper Schoolers made a big push this year for Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer, raising $1,600 plus another $600 from Penny Harvest; and students worked to raise awareness and dollars for Pencils of Promise, Autism Speaks, Habitat for Humanity, Breast Cancer, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society…. Lower Schoolers in the special course Songs of Love wrote and recorded several customized songs for children with serious illnesses, which were to be delivered to the children by the Songs of Love Foundation. This is the second year that Calhoun students have participated in the project.… The US Students in Action Club launched a new initiative this year called Calhoun Harmony Club, which staged several performances for senior citizens at the local Esplanade retirement home.

Junior Workshop Project Transforms into “Angelic” Business For Julia Presten ’15, what began as a Junior Workshop project became the subject of her Senior Work independent study—both of which helped launch a full-fledged small-business operation, with hundreds of sales already banked. Last year, during the course of her Junior Workshop project, a six-week independent study, Julia met with professionals in the retail garment industry to help guide her in launching a line of women’s clothing. She continued her education by enrolling in summer courses at the University of Michigan, which further honed her abilities to both run and market a small business. By early 2015, Julia was ready to put her business plan into motion: Angelic NYC, a clothing line featuring ultra-soft loungewear adorned with angel wings, was born. She began selling her apparel via word of mouth and through social media. The first batch of apparel quickly sold out. Julia then used the six weeks during Senior Work to build and launch her website (shopangelicnyc.com), which enabled her to further expand the fast-growing demand for her line. “It’s crazy how much has happened already,” says Julia. “But I couldn’t have done this without Calhoun’s pathways to pursue independent studies. I don’t know of any other school that would allow a student to follow his or her dream as much as Calhoun has allowed me to pursue mine.”

summer 2015

KIDS 2015-16 Calhoun Performing Arts Series presents 14

school news

KIDSTUFF: Click, Clack, Moo Saturday, September 26, 2pm A TheatreworksUSA Production

TALK Comedy DOC Plus TALK: The Mask You Live In Monday, October 5, 6:30pm Co-presented by Calhounâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gender & Parenting Committee COMEDY NIGHT: After Dark Thursday, October 22, 7pm Story Pirates for all ages!

TALK with NICHOLAS KRISTOF Tuesday, October 27, 7pm MUSIC: Totally Mozart Thursday, Jan. 28, 7pm Calhoun Chamber Orchestra KIDSTUFF: Story Pirates Saturday, February 20, 2pm

Tickets: $5/students and senior citizens; $10/adults www.calhoun.org/tickets

Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center The Calhoun School 433 West End Avenue @ 81st Street Wheelchair accessible

Calhoun Chronicle

summer 2015

school news

STUDE NT NEWSMAK E R S

Junior Engineers a Portable 3-D Printer While 3-D printing is a cutting-edge technology, one capabiilty the printers currently lack is portability. Lindsey Randle ‘16 is trying to change that. Over the course of Junior Workshop— a six-week independent study—Lindsey designed and built a portable 3-D printer with an easy-to-collapse mechanism. Her goal was to create a printer that could be easily transported without compromising the apparatus’s buildvolume. “My hope is that a portable printer could be used almost anywhere,” says Lindsey. “Someone could even hike out to a rural area and print something like custom prosthetics for people in need.” Lindsey, who expects to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering in college, put together her first 3-D printer from a pre-built kit when she was 13. Earlier this school year, she constructed a homemade version from scratch as

Lindsey Randle ’16 shows off her portable 3-D printer on Junior Workshop presentation day.

Lindsey’s blueprint for her portable 3-D printer.

part of another independent study. That experience helped her figure out that she was interested not only in using the 3-D machine, but in improving it. “I started thinking, ‘What if I could fold it and get rid of the space that is the build area?’ That would allow it to be easily transportable while maintaining a large build area when printing.” Junior Workshop provided

Lindsey the freedom to undertake her ambitious project, and she says the positive feedback she has received has given her the encouragement to continue working to improve and perfect the design. When that happens, she says she’d like to make it publicly accessible through open-sourcing—sharing it with “as many people as possible.”

Internships Provide Seniors Career Experience in Lead-Up to Graduation

(Top) Daniel Perez ’15 describes his internship in programming at CISCO Systems, Inc. (Bottom) Andrea Frierson ’72 (left) and Heather Finn ’93 were among the 27 alumnae/i who participated as panelists in the fifth annual Cougar Career Symposium.

Calhoun’s seniors got a taste of life in the workforce during their final mod of the school year, by completing internships at one of 50 businesses and organizations. Now in its fifth year, the Senior Work program offers site-based opportunities in fields ranging from programming to politics, providing an ideal experiential learning capstone for each graduating class. Students like Daniel Perez ’15, who worked at CISCO Systems, Inc. (a multinational technology company), reported that his hands-on programming experience taught him the importance of being “effective, productive and on-time.” Thomas Gatanis ‘15, who spent his five weeks at Professional Physical Therapy, says he quickly realized that he had to be a “self-starter” and that “you get out what you put in.” Some seniors gave credit to Calhoun

for skills that eased the transition from school to the workplace. “The fact that I have close relationships with teachers gave me a basis for how to act in situations with co-workers and managers,” observed Megan Lasersohn ‘15, who interned at WFMU Radio in New Jersey. To help prepare seniors for their internships, Calhoun’s Alumnae/i Office hosted the fifth annual Cougar Career Symposium, a special networking event geared toward sharing experiences and advice with Calhoun juniors and seniors. This year, more than 27 alumnae/i spanning three decades participated in the symposium. Read more about Calhoun’s Senior Work program at www.calhoun.org/ seniorwork, and watch videos from this year’s and past Cougar Career symposiums, at www.calhoun.org/careers.

summer 2015

school news

Onstage 1

UPPER SCHOOL THEATER

The Importance of Being Earnest

Upper School thespians performed the original four-act version of this comedy by Oscar Wilde. 1. Nick Galluzzi ’16 (left) and Justin Frasier ’17 2. (L-R) Emma Morrow ’16, Cole Ortiz-Mackes ’16 and Emily Kuper ’15

eighth grade play

The Real Inspector Hound 3. (L-R) Lucas Chapman, Lucia Prinzi, Eva Passarelli Gembka and Aiden Griffith elicited great laughs in Tom Stoppard’s parody of the stereotypical whodunit parlor mystery.

fifth grade theater

Our Story Written by Jono Hustis with music by Joel Esher 4. (L-R) Axel Fonseca and Paloma Chapman in a scene from the fifth grade play, based on true stories of immigrants found through the Ellis Island Oral History Project.

sixth grade theater

The Great Depression 5. Lauren Carey in a scene from The Hollywood Choral Monologue: Three Letters to Mrs. Roosevelt

Calhoun Chronicle

school news

middle school chorus concert 1. Jamaar Henry ’20 (center) leads the seventh grade chorus with some cool dance moves!

jazz II concert 2. Eighth grade jazz musicians: (front, L-R) Gabe Worth on guitar, Amon Ferri on sax and Charlotte Nahley on trombone; (back, L-R) Aasif Perry, Jeff Metheny and Noah Jean-Baptiste PHOTO: Kyra Louie ‘12

ms winds ensemble concert 3. (L-R) Leah Shneyder ’21 and Lauryn Midgett ’21 on flute 5

4. (L-R) Nathan Smith ‘22 and Andrew Goodgold ‘22 on clarinet

ms strings concert 5. (L-R) Ian Black ’20 and Anourag Shah ’20 on violin

summer 2015

A Banner Year for Calhoun Athletics

Omar Kabbaj ’15, a four-year member of the Boys’ Varsity Volleyball team, goes up for the spike in the NYCAL Tournament semifinals, as Sacha Rogosin ‘16 looks on.

PHOTO: Javier Seclen

by Jim Byrne

Calhoun Chronicle

The 2014–15 school year was one of championship victories, milestone moments and history-making achievements for the Calhoun athletics program. League titles began piling up last fall, when the undefeated Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team ended its season with league and tournament championship trophies; the JV Girls’ Volleyball team added a tourney title of its own. Cougar success continued into winter, with basketball teams and indoor track and field squads challenging for league supremacy. But everything came together in the spring, when an unprecedented 105 US students participated in athletics, and four more league championships were added to Calhoun’s title haul.

Boys’ Volleyball Spikes Its Way to League and Tourney Championships Since returning in 2012 after a multi-year absence, the Boys’ Varsity Volleyball team has had one goal: win the championship. Led by head coach Sabrina Zurkuhlen ’06, the Cougars came incredibly close in both 2013 and 2014, advancing to the postseason tournament finals each season but exiting sans championship trophy. That changed this year. Propelled by a core of four seniors—Jack Javer, Omar Kabbaj, Chris Jager and Jacob Taylor—the Cougars exploded out of the gate in 2015, and raced to the regular-season league crown with a 10-1 record. They added one more trophy—the NYCAL Tournament championship—by sweeping through their postseason opponents en route to a page in the history books. “To end their final season

as both tournament and league champions is only fitting and well deserved,” says Sabrina of her seniors. Despite the 3–0 score in the tournament title bout against UNIS (25–20, 25–22, 25–22), the Cougars did, in fact, face adversity during the match. In the second set, they trailed 19–12 before rallying to win. Ultimately, the sweep was their 11th of the season, an apt conclusion to an unforgettable year. “Our goal this season was to jump from good to great—and the boys embodied that philosophy every time they stepped onto the court,” notes Sabrina. Certainly, the team’s success is a testament to the coaches and the dedicated student-athletes.

The Boys’ Varsity Volleyball team—posing with assistant coach Kevin Randazzo (far left), head coach Sabrina Spiegel Zurkuhlen ‘06 (second from left) and assistant coach Matt Ng (far right)—celebrates after defeating UNIS 3–0 in the NYCAL Tournament championship game. The Cougars also won the regular-season league title. summer 2015

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Ana Finnerty-Hagerty â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17 speeds to the finish line at Riverbank State Park, with Lulu Largent â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;17 not far behind. Ana was also part of the 4x400-meter relay team that won gold at the NYCAL Championship Meet. Calhoun Chronicle

PHOTO: Jim Byrne

Track and Field Ends Dream Season with Two League Titles The Track and Field team raced into Calhoun history books this spring, when they captured both the boys’ and overall (boys’ and girls’ combined) league crowns in the NYCAL Championship Meet, held on May 12 in Riverbank State Park. Each league crown was a program first for Calhoun Track and Field—not to mention the unusual haul of individual and relay medals that helped qualify 14 Cougars for the NYSAIS Championships. In fact, this year saw the largest contingent in Calhoun’s history go off to compete in the state championships. The boys’ team earned 93 points to secure the NYCAL Championship, while the girls placed third, with 43 points. The combined score of 136 was more than enough to edge Columbia Prep’s overall second-place score of 107. Individual Calhoun runners or relay teams placed in the top three of an astounding 11 events (some with multiple top-three finishers), with first-place victories in the Boys’ 3,200-meter run (Dylan Jacobs ’16) and Girls’ 4x400-meter relay (Clara Franck ’17, Morgan Mitchell ’15, Michaela Harvey ’17 and Ana Finnerty-Haggerty ’17). “Everything had to go perfectly, and it did,” says head coach Prince Gomes. “I had confidence in the athletes the entire time, but I didn’t want them to know that. It was a matter of pushing the right buttons to keep them focused and believing they were one unit—a team.” The 14 Cougars who qualified for the state competition at the NYSAIS Championship Meet on May 20 included Dylan, Morgan, Clara, Michaela and Ana, as well as Massimo Costantini ’15, Marcus Cook ’15, Jackson Griffin ’15, Michael Leavitt ’15, Brad Onukogu ’15, Zeus Rocancourt ’15, Matthew Rozanoff ’16, Jonah Sherman ’16 and Emilia Roos ’17. The boys’ team placed 11th out of 18 overall (the girls did not qualify as a team), but Jonah finished second

in the shot put, with a Herculean throw that fell less than two feet shy of the championship-winning toss. Most remarkable is the fact that Jonah’s silver-medal performance came a mere six months after he picked up a shot put for the first time!

1. A first-timer to the sport, Jonah Sherman ’16 dominated the shot put event in winter and spring Track and Field, and won a silver medal at the NYSAIS Championship Meet in May. 2. Morgan Mitchell ’15 qualified for the NYSAIS Championship Meet after an impressive performance during the season. 3. Dylan Jacobs ’16 led the pack in the 3,200-meter run at the NYCAL Championship Meet. 4. This year’s Track and Field team earned Calhoun’s program its first-ever league titles at the NYCAL Championship Meet.

summer 2015

Boys’ Varsity Basketball Leaves Lasting Legacy It was a year of memorable moments for the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team. The highlights kept coming—from qualifying for the NYSAIS State Tournament for the first time ever and then advancing to the semifinals, to Zeus Rocancourt ’15 reaching the 1,000-point milestone. Head coach and Director of Athletics David Bartolacci, whose Cougars finished 14-6, says he knew the team had potential for greatness from the very first practice. “There was just something about the way we approached things that day . . . an indescribable feeling that each of us felt from the start, that it could be a very special year.” David recalls a game in early January against rival Columbia Prep, when he was particularly gratified with the way the Cougars were fighting for the win. “We were very short-handed in that game, playing the entire first half without four of our starters,” remembers David. “Guys who don’t normally play much stepped into a very intense, physically demanding situation and gave it everything they had. I have never been more proud of a group of players than I was during that first half; I think that played a pivotal role in our success during the season.” Perhaps the fight they showed at Columbia Prep set the stage for what was the most memorable moment of the season for the fans of Cougar Nation. After surrendering a 15-point lead in a home rematch against those same Lions in February, Calhoun held on to defeat Columbia Prep for the first time since 2006 when Zak Wegweiser ’17 nailed a floater at the buzzer to give the Cougars a 62–60 win.

Bright Future for Basketball Program

The Boys’ Varsity Basketball team wasn’t the only Calhoun hoops team that achieved success this winter. Despite rostering just one senior, Kazumi Fish ’15, the Girls’ Varsity team played with moxie during a rebuilding season and looks poised for a run in 2015–16. The JV Boys’ team defeated Trevor Day in the NYCAL Tournament semifinals, but fell to Columbia Prep in the finals. With a new head coach in Sabrina Zurkuhlen ’06, the Middle School Girls’ Basketball team won its first game ever, and then added three more victories before season’s end! 4

1. Z eus Rocancourt ’15 crossed the 1,000-point mark with a 24-point performance in Calhoun’s final game of the season. He finished his career with 1,008 points, an achievement made all the more impressive by the fact that he did it in only three years. 2. Members of the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team were all smiles after an overtime victory in the NYSAIS quarterfinals at Staten Island Academy. 3. Lia Barnhard ’16 pushes the tempo for the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team. 4. Kai Dease ’19 dribbles up court for the Girls’ Middle School Basketball team.

Calhoun Chronicle

Cougars Can Swing Clubs and Bats, Too! Competition may take them several miles from 81st Street and West End Avenue, but Calhoun’s golf, softball and baseball teams are still worth cheering about. Playing at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx, the Varsity Golf team put together a solid season, with highlights including a 10-plus-stroke victory over Browning, and three Cougars—Tyler Battino ’17, Stephanie Vaccaro ’19 and Cameron Dunn ’19—tying for low score of the season. Girls’ Varsity Softball returned to Calhoun for the first time in a decade this season, with a deep roster of enthusiastic Upper and Middle School students, like pitcher Layla Garcia-Carela ’16 and hard-hitting second baseman Olivia Cohen ‘16. The Boys’ Varsity Baseball team welcomed the debut of ace pitcher Zac Zudeck ’18, and was buoyed by the presence of three-year starter Sean Cullity ’16. The Middle School Baseball team followed up its undefeated 2014 NYCAL championship season with an impressive 5-1-1 campaign this year.

1. Zac Zudeck ’18 made his debut on the mound for the Boys’ Varsity Baseball team this spring, pitching brilliantly for the Cougars. 2. Wilder Brayshaw ’20 takes a cut during the Middle School Baseball team’s 9–3 victory against Columbia Prep. The Cougars finished the season 5-1-1. 3. Layla Garcia-Carela ’16 ponders her next pitch for the Girls’ Varsity Softball team, which returned to Calhoun as an interscholastic sport for the first time in a decade. 4. Varsity Golf team: (L-R) Stephanie Vaccaro ’19, Cameron Dunn ’19, Tyler Battino ’17, Holden Witkoff ’17, head coach Matt Vidmar and Tom FitzGerald ’18 5. Holden Witkoff ’17 putts for the hole in Calhoun’s 10-plus-stroke win over Browning.

summer 2015

Class of 2015 Graduates Accept the Challenge Graduation day at Symphony Space, June 12, 2015. There were the traditional favorites: Steve’s personalized poetic stanzas for each student, followed by the popular then-and-now baby-picture slideshow. Plus, there were two exceptional performances by graduating seniors: Cellist Noah Krauss performed Bach’s “Prelude from Suite for Solo Cello No. 3,” and the talented trio of Emily Kuper, Chris Alpert and Josiah Myree performed “Drive Darling.” But it was also this year’s guest speakers—each sharing memories, hopes and words of encouragement—that resonated so deeply with families, friends and faculty. “We didn’t know it at the time, but we lucked into a school that cares as much about raising good people as it cares about making good students,” said Rosa Sabater,

Calhoun Chronicle

PA co-president, trustee and parent of graduating senior Michael Leavitt. “We learned that a Calhoun education is as much about learning to be present, leaning into joy, being a leader, growing in confidence and displaying compassion as it is about learning chemistry and calculus.” Rosa was one of three senior parents invited to speak; joining her were Erika Zamfirescu, mother of Rebecca Chubaryov and Upper School math teacher, and Bernadette Mitchell, mother of Morgan Mitchell and Board trustee. US math teacher Danny Isquith, invited by the students to be the commencement speaker, noted that this graduation was marking a transition for himself as well as the graduates, as he moves from Upper School to his new position as Interim Director of the Middle School. He used the occasion

to Be Brave, Be Amazing, Be Worthy! that we have all learned as Calhoun students is that it is okay to take risks, and that there is no shame in failing because, in the words of Theodore Roosevelt, you have failed while daring greatly. Cody Gerard, the second of the student speakers, acknowledged that, while it might be hard and even scary to contemplate change, he was “fully prepared to go out and make the most of all the opportunities the world presents to me beyond high school.” He also gave an emotional summation of his last 13 years at the school. “I have loved almost every moment of my years at Calhoun,” said Cody. “From the friends I’ve made, to the things I’ve done, I feel as if I could not have gotten the experiences I have had at Calhoun anywhere else, and I am forever grateful for that.”

PHOTO: beth krieger

to encourage the seniors to remember two things: to learn from the people around them and to “boldly approach the unknown,” he said. “Growth only happens when you do new things. It’s a terrible thing to wait until you’re ready; now is as a good a time as any. You can handle it! I don’t know about you, but I’m excited!” Danny’s words were a common thread through many of the remarks of the day. Bernadette also encouraged the graduates to “be brave, be amazing, be worthy!” But it was student graduation speaker Cen Koci who first assured guests that he and his peers were prepared to take that challenge. “The most important lesson that you could learn at Calhoun is not how to find the integral of 45x^8th—which, by the way, Danny, is 5x^9th—the most important lesson

Class of 2015 Where They’re Going By Lisa Bianchi Merritt, Director of College Counseling This class is adventurous in so many ways! Of the 37 destinations, 14 of these schools are new to Calhoun’s five-year matriculation list. And while the majority of the students will stay in the Northeast, eight students chose schools in the South, three in the Midwest, one in the Southwest and one “across the pond” in the UK. Additionally, 17 seniors chose to enroll at a school that was not the most selective school to which they were admitted, which illustrates that these students possess the strength of character, the strong sense of self and the community support to make thoughtful choices based on “fit”—financial, academic, emotional. Arizona State University, Barrett Honors College Bard College (2) Barnard College Bennington College Binghamton University Bucknell University Clark University Cleveland Institute of Music Columbia University Drexel University (2) Elon University (2) Emory University (2) Eugene Lang College (2) Fordham University Franklin & Marshall College (2) Georgia Tech Hampshire College Ithaca College Leeds College of Art Muhlenberg College Quinnipiac University Rhode Island School of Design Smith College Syracuse University (3) College of Wooster George Washington University University of Connecticut (3) University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami University of Richmond University of Vermont University of Wisconsin, Madison Villanova University Virginia Tech Wesleyan University Wheaton College (MA) Yale University (Numbers indicate attendance by more than one student.) Calhoun Chronicle

1. Emily Kuper ‘15 and Chris Alpert ‘15 2. Cody Gerard ‘15, senior class graduation speaker 3. Cello soloist Noah Krauss ‘15 4. Cen Koci ‘15, senior class graduation speaker 5. Jackson Griffin ‘15 taking a selfie with Head of School Steve Nelson 6. Caleb Bart ‘19, eighth grade commencement speaker 7. Stephanie Vaccaro ‘19, eighth grade commencement speaker

Fourth Grade Moving Up

Eighth Grade Commencement

First Grade Summer Send-Off

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PHOTO: beth krieger

Portfolio X XXX newsmak e r s

LS art teacher Rose Marie Cooper takes a peek at the papier-mâché animal sculpture by fourth grader Ava Carter. Calhoun Chronicle

school news Observation. Creative Expression. Innovation. Through art, we explore the world.

the visual X XAt X X Calhoun, newsmakers

arts are fully integrated into the curriculum at every level of the school—often partnered with language arts, social studies, science, math and theater for project-based interdisciplinary study. New electives and special courses offer expanded opportunities to experiment with a rich variety of media and materials in such areas as woodworking, costume design, videography, digital photography, graphic design and 3-D printing. It’s all about “learning by doing”—or in the new vernacular, it’s the MAKER MOVEMENT!

1. Bennett Hagemeier ‘16 tries his hand at the pottery wheel. 2. Eighth grader Allie Costantini works on a larger-than-life 3-D sneaker. 3. Sixth grader Amaya Evans works on a box she designed under the guidance of MS woodshop/art teacher Michael Zurkuhlen ’06. 4. Kindergartener Anya Schenk paints her vision of the world. 5. Seventh graders Kira Friedland, Josca Zahn and Caleb Rubin show off their egg-bearing “Para-Splat” parachute, made of tissue paper and toothpicks, in preparation for Calhoun’s annual Egg Drop.

winter 2015

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Portfolio

Tupelo Tree

Spring Daffodils

by Nepemba Katembo first grade

by Casey Finelli kindergarten

First graders visit a tupelo tree in Central Park throughout the year to observe and document its seasonal changes.

Observation is key to both science and art!

Family Portrait by Leo Stone Weiss kindergarten

A look at families is at the heart of the kindergarten curriculum.

Calhoun Chronicle

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“A Big Candy Store” by Anya Schenck kindergarten Studying geometric patterns through art

Suncatcher

by Amelie Nell, 4’s Creating suncatchers is a fun way to learn about patterns and colors while practicing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Tchaikovsky Meets Jackson Pollock by 4’s students

Inspired by Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Elissa’s and Isabel’s students created this painting in the style of Jackson Pollock. The cross-disciplinary study was also a valuable lesson in collaboration.

Lion by Brian Stone, first grade This papier-mâché lion was one piece of a larger interdisciplinary study on mammals.

summer 2015

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Portfolio s

Wood Teapot Clock

by Eleanor Bird Phillips third grade

Math, design and hands-on carpentry skills came together for this woodshop project.

Papier-mĂ˘chĂŠ Turtle by Olivia Ruiz fourth grade Inspired by Mexican animalitos

I remember when we were releasing the trout.

At Black Rock I get a sense of accomplishment all the time.

It was really cool when we saw the trout in the stream afer they were released.

I remember the stars that I saw in the sky on the night hike.

Calhoun Chronicle

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On a Mountain a poem written in quatrains by Henry Dorr, third grade On a mountain you can see The sky and the deep blue sea But if you go very high You will go beyond the sky And if you go way down low Crystals shine brighter than the sun Where there is no rain or snow And you can have so much fun

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mi Cuerpoâ&#x20AC;? (My Body) by Gloria Stamm second grade

Self-portraits help reinforce Spanish vocabulary lessons.

Pointillism Owl by Sam Kind, fourth grade

Experimenting in optical color mixing, based on the work of Georges Seurat

Black Rock Forest Reflections by members of the fourth grade class Students recall special moments from the culmination of their trout project and their overnight stay at the Black Rock Forest preserve.

Apple Sandpaper Print by Ben Karpatkin third grade Students experimented with texture and design, using melted oil pastel drawings transferred to sandpaper.

summer 2015

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Portfolio Collaborative Painting by fifth grade students Students began painting their own work for 15 minutes, and then moved on to another studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s painting to add their own interpretation. The goal was to encourage students to take risks and not become overly attached to their work.

Fauve Skyline by Holliss Hirsch sixth grade

Inspired by the works of Henri Matisse and Andre Derain

The Great Depression Poem by Lexi Ashe sixth grade In preparation for the sixth grade theater production, students were asked to write a poem or reflection inspired by an iconic photograph from the Great Depression.

Calhoun Chronicle

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Hope’s Ashes by Cashel Day-Lewis, Seventh grade Inspired by readings related to the seventh grade study of the Holocaust

The fire came for them, Licking their hands like a forgotten puppy, And I stood by, hand stayed by a dog leash of mistruth, Waiting for someone to say it was wrong Tears marched out of my eyes Like wounded soldiers kept moving By eyes that had seen hell, Eyes that had watched hope turn to ashes Walking pain, Breathing suffering, Living skeletons, Dead from work but sent to die again The furnaces fueled by the bystanders, The pistols cocked by hate, Even death cried, When it entered those barbed gates Silent voices screamed, Quiet whispers died with the prisoners, Ashes of hope, Were blown away by Nazi winds

“Vines” by Zoe Stojkovic eighth grade Digital photography class: Students were asked to create a digitally altered self-portrait, using Photoshop.

Liberation came, And yet the memories stay within the walls, clinging to ghosts of mothers and fathers, Held back only by the forgetful living

summer 2015

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Portfolio

Eighth Grade 3-D Art Class Students were asked to create a larger-than-life sculpture, Ă la Claes Oldenburg.

Skateboard s

by Devin Fina, Andrew Harvey and Crosby Spagnoli

Rubikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cube by Allie Costantini and Juliette Lillywhite

Calhoun Chronicle

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The Open Door by Claire Cohen ’15 [Included in JSA’s 2015 Independent Voices anthology]

The door slams shut behind you Ripped pieces of paper line the hallway outside To trace the steps you took when you left They lead downstairs to the bakery we once loved It’s closed now, filled with the quiet whispers of things once well known They have now opened a Starbucks, and they no longer know our names as one They pronounce mine singularly when I ask for coffee And I’m curious to understand how change has whipped you from the shelves in the apartment How it grabs on to you and holds you whispering that all can stay the same Grab my hand it says we will go through this together You believe it and let it in. As do I who stands at the foot of our door, my door. You used to say… “Change will always be there creeping up behind you Let it in. Take it in in one deep breath, because when there is nothing left When life seems to have closed every possible road Change will leave an open door.” At least I hope.

Three Portraits by Chiara Wood ‘15 Inspired by Toulouse-Lautrec

summer 2015

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Female Figure

Matthew Potoker ’17 Sculpture 1 class assignment was to create a human or animal figure, at least 17 inches high

I Know That by Delsa Lopez ’17 I hate that voice that’s made When reading words aloud That were not born in your throat and delivered from your tongue That fake voice, as if it has to sit up straight To present your thoughts, As if your voice has to clear its throat And wring its hands to speak. But I also know that I can’t stop mine from doing the same.

Raku Pottery

Students created the pottery pieces at Calhoun, and then fired/completed their work at Black Rock Forest. It was the first time Calhoun students had ever experienced the Raku firing process, and the first time that Black Rock Forest had supported a Raku firing in its facilities. L–R by Etienne Venet ’17 by Eugene Padayogdog ’18 by Celia Goodman ’18

Calhoun Chronicle

Re-Purposing Materials

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An art elective with a focus on sustainability

Chandelier by Zak Wegweiser ’17 Created from the tops of plastic cups

Little Black Dress by Gabby Montes ‘16 A work in progress. Intro to Costume Design: This was the first year Calhoun has offered an elective that teaches design and sewing!

Mixed Media Collage and Ink by Scarlet Thompson ‘15 Inspired by New York City life and landscapes

summer 2015

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“Open Spaces” s by Walker White ’17 Taken during the Upper School’s annual site-based excursion to Badlands National Park, SD

The Printed Matter by Sofia Jain ‘15

Assignment: To explore ways of altering and manipulating mug-shot photos using hands-on and digital methods, and then create an accordion book using InDesign

Calhoun Chronicle

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Cameras Inside Out Students build cameras from repurposed materials.

Glasses Camera by Ade McKay ’17

Teapot Camera

by Lily Edelman-Gold ’17

Sneakers

Skull Camera by Joelle Schneider ’17

by Daisy Freedman ‘15 Oils on canvas

summer 2015

Alum Babies Wear Calhoun Proudly!

class notes

We love alum babies so much, we send them their very first Calhoun Spirit onesie as a birthday gift! Let us know about your newest addition, and we’ll be sure to respond; it’s our way of wishing you and your family a lifetime of good memories! FYI, we want to know about all of your good news! Please send details and hi-res photos to: Bart Hale ’00, Director of Alumnae/i Relations, bart.hale@calhoun.org. Or submit your news online: www.calhoun.org/alumnews

Eli Mile

(Rachel Zients Schinderman ’89)

(Jessica Daniels Schwarz ’95)

r e t e P CC

Este

lla (Vanessa Shuster-Raizberg ’99)

Jack (Nora Zelevansky ’95) Calhoun Chronicle

(Stefanie Dreiblatt Wotton ’95)

(Mark Rentschler ’00)

Alumnae/i News MARRIAGES Katherine Tineo-Komatsu ’05 to Bennet Komatsu ’03

BIRTHS To Annie Polyn Pena ’95 and Jorge Pena, a girl, Bernadette To Hazel Gurland-Pooler ’95 and Jacob, a girl, Lily Alejandra

to those students she considered to be behaving inappropriately and lay a reprimanding hand on their shoulders. Elly enjoys reading books on tape, keeping up with current events and admiring her great-granddaughter. She also enjoys hearing from the daughter of Hazel Levine Tepper ‘32.

To Catherine Bertchume ’98 and Julian Oppenheimer, a boy, Julian Steven To Lenia Matias ’98 and Serkan Munsuz, a girl, Havana To James Granger ’00 and Janelle, a girl, Reece Vivien To Omar Kazi ’00 and Sabrina, a girl, Aaliyah To Yokasta Tineo ’03 and Anthony Villman, a girl, Arya To Sonia Balaram ’06 and Saad Yousuf, a boy, Samir

MEMORIAM Bette Newman Lombart ’40 Michele Kaiden Aisenberg ’41 Faith April Seidenberg ’41 Ruth Walzer Grabell ’42 Adele Ganger Harris ’44 Helen Cohen Lieberman ’46 (1/26/13) Barbara Mensch Fisher ’50 (2010) Adrienne Bayer Silver ’50 (2011) Cynthia-May Miller Schiller ’51 Barbara Miller Craddock ’57 Jack Swanstrom ’80

1930s

Else “Elly” Mayer McKean ‘32 recently celebrated her 99th birthday. She has fond—and vivid—recollections of her days at Calhoun, including memories of the actual Miss Calhoun, whom the girls nicknamed “Gum-Shoe Mary” for her ability (despite her great height) to tiptoe silently up

1940s

s Faith April Seidenberg ’41, a lawyer who was perhaps most widely known for suing the Manhattan bar McSorley’s Old Ale House for its failure to admit women, passed away in January at age 91. Faith also successfully represented female ice hockey players at Colgate University in the first case that converted a women’s sports team from club to varsity level under Title IX, barring schools from discriminating on the basis of gender. After graduating from Calhoun, Faith went on to Syracuse for college and then law school, where she was only one of two women in her graduating class in 1954. In her legal career, she also served on the executive board of the American Civil Liberties Union. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa, Dana and Laurie, and two granddaughters. Evelyn Ilton Strauss ’49 (Port Washington, NY) continues actively overseeing the Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation, established in 1984 by Evelyn and her late husband, Herb, in

memory of their daughter Lauri, who died of leukemia at the age of 26. The family, including youngest daughter, Julie Strauss Safran, has worked tirelessly to raise funds for the foundation, which supports research to find a cure for leukemia and allied cancers. It also provides funding for patient care, the promotion of marrow donor education, and marrow drives. In May, the organization helped sponsor a bike tour around Port Washington and neighboring towns. Evelyn also continues to work as a real estate salesperson for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International.

1950s

Sylvia Cohen Robbins ’51 reconnected with Calhoun at the On-the-Road luncheon held in Florida this past spring. A snowbird, Sylvia spends winters in Boca Raton and summers in New York. She is proud to report that her grandson, Jeremy, will be attending college at Washington University in St. Louis this fall. Sandy Silverstone Stern Velez ’51, who lives in Vancouver, Canada, writes, “I still treasure my friends from Calhoun—we were a very closely knit group.” On a Facebook post, she recalls Misses Parmelee and Cosmey, “who we lovingly called the giraffe and the owl; the uniforms we had to wear for gym and sports, which were awful yellow things that made us look like balloons; putting on lipstick after school; and walking down Broadway to see if we could spot the boys from Columbia Grammar and Franklin.” Sandy majored in drama and English at Vassar before becoming a TV personality. She now has a project for children called the Friendimals, which

class notes

includes original books and songs and a website about endangered species. Sandy’s five children and eight grandchildren all went to schools out west, but she says, “I still treasure my Manhattan roots and try to come east every year.” Susan Slocum Hinerfeld ’53 and her husband, Robert, hosted a mini-reunion luncheon at their Santa Monica, CA, home for classmates Judy Caplan Katz ’53 and Sarah-Mai Propper Simon ’53, who was visiting Los Angeles last March with her husband, Alan Simon. It was the first time that Alan had a chance to meet Susan, who had actually edited his spy novel Wolf Trap. Sarah sends a public thank you and kudos to Judy, “who was our personal Uber driver!” Deanna (DeDe) Lichtblau Framson ’56 sends a hello to her classmates! Dee serves as a cruise and travel expert for Boca Raton Travel & Cruises, where she has been since August 2009. Her career in travel started in 1966, when, together with her husband, Ron, she purchased the first of three full-service travel agencies. In 1986, they sold their businesses and she decided to specialize in selling and training solely within the cruise industry. An avid traveler herself, Dee’s last vacation with her husband was on the Azamara Quest, cruising from Rome to Venice, and then went on to a visit with their son and his family, who live in Vienna, Austria.

1960s

Judi Aarons Birnbaum ’60, who lives in Boca Raton, FL, got together with classmates first

summer 2015

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Calhoun On-the-Road in Florida! Calhoun On-the-Road returned to Florida for the second time in three years this past April, to visit alums and host gatherings from Miami to Palm Beach. The trip included a special luncheon at Seasons 52 in Boca Raton, where more than a dozen alumnae from the ‘40s to ‘70s reminisced and heard updates about the school. The On-the-Road program, now in its fifth year, has also visited California, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. 1

1. Isabel Sultan Kanefield ‘53 and Carol Hana Raspler ‘53 2. Dorothy Levine Zimelis ‘47 and Lenore Gussaroff Strauss ‘45 3. Betty Wasserman Sorrin ‘51 and Sylvia Cohen Robbins ‘51

Calhoun Chronicle

in Florida, at Calhoun’s On-theRoad luncheon, and then again at her class’s 55th Reunion in New York. She continues to work as a realtor for Signature International Real Estate, and encourages any Calhouners interested in Florida properties to be in touch. Judi has two sons, Jason and David, and two grandchildren. Joan Glassheim ’60 traveled from Mill Valley, CA, for her 55th Reunion this spring, taking some time off from her work as an ombudsman for Marin County Department of Health and Human Services. Linda Fradkin Landy ’60, Woodstock, NY, is happy to announce that “after 26 years at Bronx Science as executive director of the Alumni Association, I am finally ready to retire this summer.” Rachel Goldsmith Katz ’65 retired from teaching three years ago, still maintains a home in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, and spends a great deal of time traveling—much of it visiting family members. Her son, Ted, his wife, Jennifer, and their daughters, Sabrina (14) and Chelsea (10), live in Charlottesville, VA; her daughter, Kim, and her wife, Tzili, reside in San Diego, CA; and her boyfriend, Garet (back to practicing cardiology, postretirement!), lives in Las Vegas, NV. But not all travel time is spent on stateside family visits: “I regret not being able to attend my 50th Reunion, due to an upcoming European vacation. I will also be traveling to Israel with Garet and his family this summer. My suitcase is always packed!”

1970s

Victoria Pik ’71 lives in Boynton Beach, FL, with her husband, Paul Cranis, who had an active tennis career. Victoria, whose own career was in fashion, keeps in touch with Lisa Rosenberg Meade ’71 and Meg Schneider ‘71 when she is back in New York. Victoria is step-mother to three: two grown sons, Peter and Chris, and one daughter, Whitney. Joy Alison Cohen ’75, a Los Angeles Unified School District teacher, has been teaching third grade for the past 14 years. She writes that she also spends a lot of time traveling, having visited Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, Argentina, Greece and Crete, and having traveled all through North America and Europe. Susan Kanner ’75 is an account manager for Cisco Enterprise in New York, where she lives with her boyfriend and “two beautiful daughters, ages 14 and 12, who I adopted from China.” Page Willson ’75 could not attend her 40th Reunion but sends some catch-up notes: She recently earned her second BA in English, and then a middle/high school English teaching credential; she is currently teaching at a middle school. Page and her husband, Marc, of 23 years, have three children: Grayson is stationed in Hawaii in Navy linguistics; Devon is getting her bachelor’s degree in nursing at San Diego State University; and Hunter is in the computer science program at the University of California at Berkeley. In her free time, Page works with foster children as an in-home support counselor.

class notes

1980s

Betsy Lichtenstein ’80, who lives on the Upper West Side, is a selfemployed care manager for elderly clients. She helps coordinate their care and puts into place supports to allow them to age with dignity. Jack Swanstrom ’80 passed away at his home on March 4. Though he left Calhoun before high school, he is fondly remembered by classmates. He was a successful film director, with his works screened at more than 130 film festivals worldwide. He was also an assistant professor of film and design in the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) in the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Previously, Jack had served as a sergeant in the Gulf War; he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for service during Operation Desert Shield and the Bronze Star Medal for Operation Desert Storm. Erika Milvy ’82 recalls what the Upper West Side was like when she was a child in the 1970s, and how much the city—and parenting styles—have changed, in her article “My So-Called Free-Range Childhood,” published in The Huffington Post (March 3, 2015). “I went to a small, progressive school where the teachers were nurturing and creative,” writes Erika. She also reflects on one of the saddest memories—the shocking murder of Spanish teacher Claudia Curfman in 1977. Tanya Hotton ’85 (Venice, CA) is a producer whose projects integrate print, broadcast and social media. She assumes responsibility for all aspects of art buying, and photo and video

production, managing shoots for a wide range of consumer advertisers. www.tanyahotton.com Daniel Rudick ’85 lives on the Upper East Side with his wife, Lauren, and their five-year-old daughter, Gabrielle. Daniel is currently serving as director of Central Park West Dental. He reunited with classmates for their 30th Reunion this spring. Marc Davies ’86 (Philadelphia, PA) started his own law firm in June 2014, Marc Davies, P.C., after serving as a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig LLP. Marc will continue to handle cases related to government regulators, but is enjoying being his own boss and extending his practice to work directly with people on a local level—especially families with special-needs children. www.marcdavieslaw.com Adam Salazar ’87 lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Harli, and their two-and-a-half-year-old son, Felix. Adam is working at NBCUniversal, producing a show called 1st Look. He still remains active in the world of high school sports, as his company—Cozzi Pictures—streams live games for the Public Schools Athletic League and CUNY. Before his current ventures, Adam was director and executive producer of the TV series City Gridiron. Jeremy DuBroff ’89 has a full house in Park Slope, with his wife and 11-year-old son, four cats and a French bulldog. Jeremy is a manager at BluePrint, maker of raw and organic fruit and vegetable juices. This winter, he dusted off his varsity playing skills and joined us for the Alumni Basketball Game.

Save the Dates! 2015-16 Alumnae/i Events

ALUMNAE/I Pub Night Thursday, November 19, 2015 6:30 – 9:30pm, Location TBA Meet up with Calhoun friends and faculty at a local pub! Holiday Homecoming Luncheon Friday, December 18, 2015 12:00 – 2:00pm, 81st Street 12 Days of Christmas celebration and luncheon for recent graduates, catered by Chef Bobo ALUMNAE/I Basketball NIGHT January 8, 2016 Be a spectator or player in this annual game, now in its tenth year. Cougar Career Symposium Spring 2016 Date TBA Alumnae/i panelists speak to Upper School students and fellow alums about career paths and opportunities. Alumnae/i Reunion 2016 Friday, June 3, 2016 81st Street Green Roof All alums welcome, with special celebration for classes ending in 1’s and 6’s Plus more surprises to come! For more information about upcoming events, please contact Bart Hale ’00 Director of Alumnae/i Relations 646-666-6450

summer 2015

class notes

Profiles... On the D.C. Beat with Emma Dumain ’04 Tell us about your career as a political reporter. I’m a reporter at Roll Call, a newspaper that covers the happenings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.—the politics, policies and people. I concentrate on the House of Representatives. Every day is different; one day I’m writing about which Democrats want to succeed Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, another I’m following up on how Republicans are going to get the votes to pass a bill that will avoid a government shutdown. I’ve had this beat for two years. How did you get to work on the Hill? In 2008, I started as an editorial assistant at Congressional Quarterly, which covers the nitty-gritties of policy and the legislative process, and was promoted to a reporter covering legislation in 2010. Then in 2011, I moved to Roll Call so I could write bigger-picture stories and focus more on the people who inhabit Capitol Hill, what they’re doing and why they matter. What made you go to Washington in the first place? My first love was journalism—I wanted to be a hard-news reporter covering serious and important issues. I knew the place to do that was in D.C., and the summer before my senior year of college I was lucky enough to have an internship at Roll Call; that got me excited about covering Congress, which is a source of so many great stories. I took only one political science class in college. I could never work in politics, but I always want to write about it! How has your job changed since you first embarked on your career? What are the most challenging aspects? Twitter has been the most jarring change I’ve experienced since becoming a reporter. It can be a great tool for sharing information very quickly but the extent to which reporters are encouraged to tweet as part of their jobs is frustrating to me. There’s this idea of becoming a “brand” or a “personality” as a journalist, at least in Washington; tweeting snarky things and having thousands of followers is considered one barometer for how good a reporter you are and how influential you are in the D.C. journalism community. It’s almost become part of the job description. It’s a tough balancing act for a person on a deadline.

Calhoun Chronicle

When did you decide to go into journalism? My freshman year of college I was a news editor at the paper, which also meant I was one of the senior news reporters on the team. I was sent to cover a big vote by the whole college faculty on a new “strategic plan” for Oberlin, which was very controversial because some feared it would take the college in an unwise direction. The tension in the room was palpable and the final vote was so suspenseful. Being a part of that, however small it might seem now, was an incredible experience I knew I wanted to replicate again and again. Also: I realized being a reporter is a great way to satisfy my nosy nature, and the collaborative and social aspect of journalism was more appealing to me than being a creative writer—something I considered, but it was too solitary a lifestyle for me. My favorite part of being a reporter is the reporting, interviewing different people and hearing their stories. Joining the college newspaper was the best thing I did at Oberlin. I made my closest friends and found a career I love. Being editor was great because I got to help shape the vision of the newspaper each week. It gave me an early sense of how a newsroom is a very special place. Were there any experiences at Calhoun that inspired or nurtured your interest in writing and, specifically, journalism? Shelley Greenberg taught me how to write and structure an argument. Sarah Tarrant gave me so much confidence in myself as a writer and a person that I wouldn’t have gotten through high school without her. I loved working on The Issue [the Upper School student newspaper], and Phil’s enthusiasm for helping keep it alive was so meaningful for me. Do you have any advice for aspiring reporters or journalists? Get internships or freelance assignments at newspapers, magazines, online news sites, etc. Any news organization that would hire you would want to see you’ve been published at real news publications (i.e., not your personal blog) and want to see your writing samples, or “clips.” I was extremely lucky to have been able to do unpaid summer internships but I want to stress that not everybody has that luxury, and that’s okay—you can still be a journalist! Write for your high school and college newspaper. Find freelance opportunities. When it’s time for you to look for real jobs, accept that it won’t be as a full-fledged reporter, but in an entry-level capacity. You’ll learn a lot by watching. You can take initiative and offer to help out on assignments. Find a mentor in the newsroom. If you can get a job in a newsroom— any job—you’re already partway there. [Follow Emma on Twitter @Emma_Dumain.]

class notes

Calhoun’s D.C. Politicos Mark Freedman ‘08; On the Cutting Edge of Counterterrorism Since December 2014, Mark has been a staff assistant in the front office of the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, where he provides direct support to the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism and her principal deputy. Previously, Marc was the strategic planning advisor on an interagency task force that focused on preventing terrorist acquisition of advanced conventional weapons. Counterterrorism is a pretty interesting career choice— especially for someone we remember as the star of Urinetown— among many other Calhoun theatrical productions! What influenced you to take this career path? I knew in Upper School that I wanted to pursue a career in international affairs. I took a foreign-policy class with [former US history teacher] Michal Hershkovitz as a junior, and then did an independent study with her on international relations theory in my senior year. Michal introduced me to the concepts of realism, liberalism and constructivism long before I re-learned them at George Washington University and then again at Georgetown. She also guided me through a research paper that would be my first (and to this day, my proudest) on al-Qa’ida. And I can’t forget about being head delegate of the Model UN club, or writing a regular opinion column for The Issue [the Upper School student newspaper]. At GW, I majored in international affairs with a concentration in conflict and security; I minored in history. Then I went on to Georgetown, where I completed a master’s in security studies with a concentration in terrorism and substate violence. That said, there were some projects that had a profound impact on my views: in particular, my graduate school research on al-Qa’ida’s strategy and target selection. Also, I grew up in Battery Park, across the street from the World Trade Center; that had at least a subliminal impact on my eventual career choice. I chose D.C. because it’s the premier destination to pursue international affairs, both academically and professionally.

What does your day-to-day look like? Most of my day is spent liaising between the bureau’s leadership and the 150-plus civil servants and foreign-service officers who comprise its work force. I cover whatever issues are currently of most interest to, or require the most attention from, the bureau’s leadership—from the counter-ISIL coalition effort, to disrupting terrorist travel, to countering al-Qa’ida’s narrative. What are our country’s biggest challenges and where do you think we’ve made the most progress? Things were very different in 2008. Osama bin Laden was still alive and at large, and the Middle East was relatively calm, with turbulent years of revolt and civil war still over the horizon. Since then, we have made some progress: Bin Laden is dead and we’ve significantly degraded al-Qa’ida’s core, largely by eliminating key leadership. The flip side of this is that we now face a more decentralized threat. Weak or failed governance provides an enabling environment for the emergence of violent extremism, as we’re seeing in Yemen, Syria, Libya, Nigeria and Iraq. Adapting to this evolving terrorist threat and working with our partners to address it is our greatest challenge. ISIL, for example, has exploited a weak security environment in Iraq and the conflict in Syria to seize contiguous territory for a self-declared Islamic caliphate. To address this, the United States has created the Coalition to Counter ISIL, composed of more than 60 partners from around the world. We can already see some signs of our success. There is no question that overall ISIL has been driven back in Iraq. Meanwhile, the coalition is also working to counter ISIL’s recruitment, financing and messaging. It can be emotionally difficult work. First, the subject matter can be depressing (daily accounts of civilians being killed, often brutally). Second, and especially in my particular position, much of the work is about responding to crises rather than initiating large, proactive projects. That said, I can imagine few fields that would instill you with as much of a sense of purpose. And I’ve personally always been extremely interested in the work. I often feel as though I am experiencing history as it is written. Do you have any advice for students who want to pursue careers in international affairs? As much as I (a native and staunch New Yorker) always wanted to deny it, I would encourage students to consider going to college in Washington, D.C., where the three main universities all have top undergraduate programs for international affairs and provide internships in government offices and all the other key foreignpolicy institutions, which students can take advantage of while they’re still getting a degree. It gives you a real leg up over the candidates who move to D.C. after graduation.

summer 2015

class notes

Neen Hunt Goes to Micronesia Former Head of School Neen Hunt (1980–1990) is working in Micronesia as part of a Peace Corps project, helping schools manage their accreditation process and develop administrative resources. Neen is responsible for six schools—one high school, one middle school and four elementary schools—each with 90 to 300 students. “Few of the professionals with whom I am working have been trained as educators,” writes Neen, noting that she has been “impressed by their eagerness to learn, their motivation to improve achievement in their schools, and their desire to be effective administrators.” She maintains an active blog on her experience, including photos and accounts of the May typhoons that were seriously challenging her work and living conditions. http://neenhunt.blogspot.com Francine Bard Fabricant ’89 (East Hills, NY) is a career counselor and lead author of Creating Career Success, published in 2013. She holds an MA in organizational psychology and an EdM in psychological counseling, both from Teachers College, and speaks regularly on how people can rethink career opportunities and build careers that are personally meaningful and rewarding. www.francinefabricant.com

1990s

Barbara Caraballo ’90 lives with her husband, Viktor Tadijanovic, and their son, Alex, in Jackson Heights, NY. This past spring she went to Eye Corp Media as director of sales support, after more than a decade as vice president of business operations at Clear Channel Outdoor. Both Barbara and Viktor returned to celebrate her 25th Reunion at Calhoun. Oliver Chase ’91, back on home court this winter for Calhoun’s Calhoun Chronicle

annual Alumni Basketball Game, showed some moves reminiscent of his former varsity days! These days, he spends time in a different court: He’s partner at a small law firm specializing in affordable housing and community development. Oliver, who lives in Jackson Heights, Queens, has a seven-year-old daughter and six-year-old son. Heather Finn ’93 (New York, NY), who is a commercial and voice-over agent for Frontier Booking International, returned to Calhoun this spring to share her professional advice and experiences with current Upper Schoolers at this year’s Cougar Career Symposium. Heather left Calhoun after eighth grade, but recalls her six years here as among her best! Hazel Gurland-Pooler ’95 and her husband, Jacob, are proud new(ish) parents! Lily Alejandra, born on November 22, 2014, joins the happy family in their home in Harlem. Hazel reports that

she is still working full-time as a director/producer on Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., for PBS. She recently received the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism; an Emmy Award for Outstanding Historical Program: Long Form; and a Peabody Award as a co-producer for the six-part series The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (also broadcast on PBS). As if not busy enough, Hazel is serving on the associate board of an organization called The LAMP—a media literacy group designed to educate kids, families and teachers about how the media plays a not-so-hidden role in their lives and how they can (re)shape it in the future. Annie Polyn Pena ’95, who lives in lower Manhattan, serves as assistant director of data and quality improvement at Bellevue Hospital. Bigger news, though, is that Annie and her husband, Jorge, had their first child, Bernadette, on September 19, 2014.

s Adrienne Glasser ’96 maintains a private psychology practice in Manhattan and is also the director of services at her group practice, Experience Wellness Group, where she specializes in eating disorders, addiction, trauma and relational trauma. Adrienne, who graduated from the New York University Silver School of Social Work, has been in the field for 15 years.

s Katy Garfield Schansinger ’96, a freelance television producer, returned to Calhoun for the annual Cougar Career Symposium to share her professional expertise in media with current students. Katy has produced programming for A&E, Bravo, MTV and VH1. Outside the office, she enjoys time with her baby boy, Carl, who will turn three in August. Betty Chan ’97 lives in Harvard, MA, where she continues her busy scientific research. Betty’s most recent work resulted in a paper published in the Journal of Biomolecular Screening (February 2014). She also coauthored a paper in Organic Letters last November. Betty mentioned to her former science teacher John Roeder that she made her skiing debut this year—not surprising, with all the snow Boston received this winter!

s Lenia Matias ’98 and Serkan Munsuz welcomed their baby girl, Havana, on February 16. Lenia is the founding principal of PS 280Q, a public school in Jackson Heights, Queens.

class notes

2000s

James Granger ’00 took some time this spring to shadow John Roeder’s Active Physics class in preparation for a high school physics course he’ll be teaching next fall at a school near his home in Claremont, CA. James and his wife, Janelle, are also the proud parents of a daughter, Reece Vivien, born September 24, at 7:48am, weighing in at 6 lbs., 15 oz.

having been at MySpace NYC. He cites his own experience—having moved more than 10 times in New York City—as an asset in helping people navigate the many challenges involved in the process!

IN MEMORIAM

Marietta Schiff, Former LS Teacher

s Omar Kazi ’00, who lives in Boynton Beach, FL, is an internist in Delray Beach along with his wife, Sabrina. The two are especially busy these days, enjoying parenting their twoyear-old son, Ishan, and their daughter, Aaliyah, who was born in December 2014. Omar caught up with classmate Bart Hale ’00, Calhoun’s Director of Alumnae/i Relations, during the school’s On-the-Road travels in Florida this past spring. David Merrill ’00 started a new job in March as a business development associate for the CDM Group, a big-pharma advertising agency based in New York. David holds an MBA in marketing, which he earned in 2011 from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business Administration.

Marietta Schiff, beloved kindergarten teacher from 1988 to 2002, passed away on the morning of Thursday, January 28, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Former colleagues, former students and parents remember her fondly. Said one Calhoun alum, “Marietta was my 3’s teacher at Calhoun. She left a lasting impression on me. I cannot believe she is gone. My heart goes out to her family. She was a wonderful person.” And a parent: “How do you thank someone for helping your child turn into the adult that you always wished he would be ... . There will never be another Marietta, not ever; she will be missed today and every day.” account executive for Gurhan, and an assistant buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue. She shared her experience in retail at this spring’s Cougar Career Symposium.

associated with NYU. Max shared his experience with Calhoun students this spring, as a guest on the Cougar Career Symposium’s science and medicine panel.

Julie Otton ’04 (New York, NY) began a job last fall at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling LLP, where she was quickly promoted to senior business development analyst. She earned her JD from New York Law School in 2013.

Yelena Leon ’05 cowrote a song for former Disney star Coco Jones that was the number-two most-requested song this year on Radio Disney; the music video is now in rotation on MTV Hits. With a partner, she has also started a music management and publishing company called Rolen Music Group, to help other writers and producers pursue their dreams in the music industry.

Katherine Slifer ’05, who moved from Charleston, SC, to Baltimore, MD, last year, works as an eighth grade ELA and social studies teacher at the Friendship Academy of Engineering & Technology in Baltimore City.

Emily Kaiser ’05 serves as a national accounts manager for the Gucci Group in New York, a position she has held for the past year. Before Gucci, Emily was a sales associate and

Max Marcus ’05 is completing his second year of medical school at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. Before entering Hofstra, he worked as a lab assistant at the Veterans Affairs Hospital

Katherine Tineo-Komatsu ’05 and Bennet Komatsu ’03 were married in December 2014. This coming fall, they will be proud new Calhoun parents, when their daughter, Nailah Rose, enters kindergarten! Katherine is a social worker for the AIDS Adult Day Health Care Program at VillageCare. Bennet works as an HVAC technician with Tec Systems, Inc.

Todd Merwan ’02 is working as a licensed residential real estate salesperson for Miron Properties, a post he assumed in January after

s Amanda Ginsberg Beyers ’04 is currently residing in Namibia, where she works for a wildlife foundation called Naankuse. Writes Amanda: “We take volunteers from around the world to help on projects that involve conservation and rehabilitation work with African wildlife, as well as projects working with San Bushman children, who belong to one of the oldest and most marginalized tribes in Africa.” Upon graduating from Emory in 2008, Amanda started volunteering at an orangutan center in Borneo, and has participated in international projects ever since—eventually landing in Africa, “where I settled down to work for a cause I am most passionate about: wildlife conservation.”

summer 2015

class notes

whose work this spring included supporting the campaign to increase the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $15 an hour. Odetty celebrated the first birthday of her son, Kairo, in February.

Katherine Tineo-Komatsu ‘05 with her daughter, Nailah, and her nephew Zahir, son of Yokasta Tineo Semiramy ‘03.

Katherine returned this spring to speak to students at the Cougar Career Symposium, and then appeared at the Calhoun Carnival with her daughter, Nailah, and her nephew Zahir, son of Yokasta Tineo Semiramy ’03. Amy Blackman ’07 is living on the West Coast these days, pursuing her MFA at the University of San Diego’s graduate theater program. As part of her studies, Amy performs at The Old Globe. Last fall, she had a role in Shakespeare’s Pericles. Cody Lewis ’07 (New York, NY), who has been in the food and beverage business since graduating from Ithaca College in 2012, has been working as a sales associate for The Chefs’ Warehouse since fall 2013. He shared advice with students at this year’s Cougar Career Symposium. Nicole Cahill-Yi ’08 (New York, NY) shifted this past fall from work as a paralegal to a job in the financial services field, where she is now a client service associate at Morgan Stanley. On her team, she assists financial advisors in the wealth management department. Odetty Tineo ’08 is an organizer for nonprofit SEIU Local 32BJ,

Calhoun Chronicle

Lucia Reynolds ’09 is managing a new retail mobile truck in L.A. called Beautiful Things, which offers an “intriguing inventory of home and personal accessories,” according to a feature article last fall in the Los Angeles Times. Lucia owns and operates the venture with her mom. Linda Zhang ’09 earned her MS in media production from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism this May. She graduated from Barnard College in 2013 with a BA in economics.

2010s

Leah Cramer-Gibbs ’10, who moved back to the city after earning her BA in cultural anthropology from Union College in 2014, has been working this year at The Spence School as an associate kindergarten teacher. She caught up with friends at her 5th Reunion this spring.

s Emily Glaser ’10 has been working as assistant account executive at the ad agency McCann New York—focusing largely on their Microsoft account— since graduating from Colorado

College as a film and newmedia studies major last May. Emily was one of this year’s Cougar Career Symposium panelists. Aiyana Wain-Hirschberg ’11, who has been studying at the University of Puget Sound, was honored this spring with a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to go to Germany for an English teaching assistantship. With the award, she is one of over 1,900 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad for the 2015–2016 academic year. Several members of the Class of 2012 pursued study-abroad programs during their junior year of college. Among them: Addison Bale (University of Vermont) and Max Lemper-Tabatsky (Connecticut College) both studied in France; Maggie Stein (Gettysburg College) studied in Denmark; Rebecca Green (George Washington University) had a semester in Florence, Italy.

s Charley Cotton ’12 (Washington University) took off for the University of Edinburgh for a junior semester abroad this past winter, where he landed a starring role with the Edinburgh University Theatre Company’s production of Equus, staged at the Bedlam Theater. Said critic Thom Dibdin (alledinburghtheater.com): “The core of the EUTC production is a superb, sustained and believable performance from Charley Cotton

as the psychiatrist, Martin Dysart. It’s a strong mix of the naturalistic and the representational, as Dysart exposes the steps of his examination of the boy. Crucially, while providing a strong and clear narratorial role, Cotton also ensures that the play is as much about Dysart as Alan Strang, his young patient.” BRAVO! Nica Delbourgo ’14 hit the ground running in her very first semester, studying abroad in London as part of Skidmore College’s London First Year Experience. “It was an amazing experience, and I’m sure I’ll be studying abroad again in my junior year,” Nina reflects.

s Jack Gulielmetti ’14 celebrated the premiere of his original composition “Along the Dirt Meridian,” with its first public performance this past April by Synchronicity, a piano and percussion duo featuring Calhoun music teacher Gregory Landes and his brother, Garah. Jack, who completed his first year at the Juilliard School in May, composed the piece specifically for the duo. Abby Jean-Baptiste ’14 performed as a cast member on tour with the Princeton Triangle Club this winter in a production of An Inconvenient Sleuth. The tour took the thespians to New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Abby begins her sophomore year at Princeton in the fall.

reunions

Peer Leadership Alumnae/i Luncheon Celebrates 30-Year Tradition; Honors Robert Schaecher and Alison Foster More than 50 peer leaders from three decades gathered on Saturday, June 6, to mark the beginning of the program’s 30th year at Calhoun. The luncheon was also an occasion to honor Robert Schaecher, founder of the program, and Alison Foster, who has served as director for almost 20 years. Peer leaders serve as mentors to incoming ninth graders during their senior year, guiding them through orientation to the Upper School and then leading them in small-group classes that meet through the course of the year and cover topics ranging from socialization to health to sexuality. During the luncheon, former peer leaders recalled camping trips, their roles as mentors, and the lifelong impact the experience had on their own personal growth. In a tribute to Robert and Alison, Upper School Director Lorenzo Krakowsky sent words of praise, noting the valuable contributions they have both made to the school community. “Their work exemplifies and embodies the best of progressive education,” he said. “They are authentically student-centered, they care deeply for and about each individual student, and they are thoughtful and mindful in their approach. It is no surprise, then, that the Peer Leadership program is at the heart of what we do in the Upper School at Calhoun. It is an exceptionally humanistic and deeply powerful program that supports students on multiple levels and in very meaningful ways.”

1. Sonia Bonsu ’95, Director of Development and former peer leader, talks with Robert Schaecher, founder of Calhoun’s Peer Leadership program. 2. The Peer Leadership luncheon was a surprise for Alison Foster, one of the honorees. Alison took over from Robert Schaecher as director of the program in 1996. 3. Claire Cohen ’15, Abby Jean-Baptiste ’14, Robin Sklar ’14, Taj Cutting ’14 and Roman Brown ’14

From the Archives

4. Patrick Solomon ’07, Cody Lewis ’07 and Max Bosch ’07

For more fun facts on Calhoun traditions as well as photos and videos from the school’s history and past alumnae/i events, go to www.calhoun.org

5. #TRENDING: Peer leaders attending the luncheon discovered that among them, there were 11 sets of siblings spanning three decades! (Back, L-R) Jack Hale ’03, Todd Garrin ’02, Andrew Sklar ’07, Justin Harris ’08, Dan Stein ’07, Max Bosch ’07, Justin Bosch ’00, Geoff Foster ’96, Chris Foster ’95; (center, L-R) Emily Capkanis ’07 (and sister, Lauren ’10, temporarily missing!), Bart Hale ’00, Lisa Garrin ’08, Robin Sklar ’14, Tess Harris ’11, Rebecca Stein ’00; (front, L-R) Sam Scarritt-Selman ’08, Hannah Scarritt-Selman ’05, Pauline Newman ‘00, AnneMarie Newman Jeffries ‘00, Whitney Ferguson ’03, Michael Ferguson ’10

summer 2015

reunions

Spring Reunion 2015 Reunion celebrations began on Friday, June 5, with a luncheon for alumnae who attended Calhoun from 1950 to 1965, when it was still an all-girls’ school under the watch of Miss Parmelee and Miss Cosmey. After a delicious lunch at Kefi restaurant, many of the alums continued on for a private tour of Calhoun’s former building on 92nd Street. Alums agreed that the building interior looks entirely different now that it houses a preschool, but the library fireplace, spiral staircase, individual classrooms and gym elicited a flood of memories! Hours later, 125 more graduates from six decades gathered for the evening’s festivities. And while we had to forgo the green roof venue (due to afternoon rain), alumnae/i were more than happy to be partying in the new Calhoun Commons. Buffet dinner, drinks and dessert were capped with tours through the building. It was, according to more than one alum, the best reunion ever!

1. 6 5th REUNION—CLASS OF 1950: Penny Shapiro Zorn (left) and Doris Dobrow Gilman

2. 50th REUNION—CLASS OF 1965: (L-R) Geri Poskosh Brehm, Marilyn Allman Maye and Kitty Hopwood Cribb 3. 5 5th REUNION—CLASS OF 1960: (back, L-R) Carrie Charney Phillips, Rosalee Kutlow Lubell, Merle Ruderfer Rein, Judith Aarons Birnbaum, Maxine Margolis, Norma Rosen Revman; (front, L-R) Linda Kahn, Joan Glassheim and Linda Fradkin Landy 4. 3 5th REUNION—CLASS OF 1980: (L-R) Patricia Held Grunebaum, Andrea Schwartz-Franks, Margaret Riegel 5. 3 0th REUNION—CLASS OF 1985: Tanya Hotton, Melissa Kimmel Saperstein, David Mandelbaum, Lyris Rudick Mansoor, and (back) Daniel Rudick 6. 4 0th REUNION—CLASS OF 1975: Celebrants included Susan Kanner, Joy Alison Cohen, Deborah Levine Crater, Jacki Friedmann, Hillary Siegel Levin and Lori Serling Sklar

reunions

1. 25th REUNION—CLASS OF 1990: Kareen Cook (center) and Jeffrey Belkin (right) enjoy going through old yearbooks while Barbara Carabello and her husband, Viktor Tadijanovic, look on. 2. 10th REUNION—CLASS OF 2005: Lifers (back, L-R) Emily Kaiser, Alex Gelband, Adam Bass, Max Marcus; (front, L-R) Hannah ScarrittSelman, Rebecca Rothschild

3. 15th REUNION—CLASS OF 2000: Returning classmates included Isaac Shedd, David Merrill and Taiyo Ebato 4. FIFTH REUNION—CLASS OF 2010: Ben Blackman, Nina Smilow and Emily Glaser 5. FIFTH REUNION—CLASS OF 2010: Leah Cramer-Gibbs and Ben Waters 6. 20th REUNION—CLASS OF 1995: (back, L-R) Hazel Gurland-Pooler, Stefanie Dreiblatt Wotton, Sonia Bonsu, Abby Sirota Rothenberg, Nora Zelevansky, Annie Polyn Pena; (front, L-R) Chris Foster, Josh Stone

More photos: www.calhoun.org/alumevents

summer 2015

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To the Parents of Alumnae/i: If this issue is addressed to your daughter/son who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumnae/i Office with the correct mailing address. Call 212-497-6579, fax 212-497-6531 or contact by email: alumni@calhoun.org.

Class of 2015 Graduation, p. 24