COMMENCEMENT 2017
magazine
Class of 2017 — may you grow,
FLY + SOAR!
CELEBRATING the Class of 2017
Middle School PRIZE NIGHT
SPRING SPORTS Wrap-up
contents
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Springboard to the Future
Awards + Prizes
Spring Sports
Students are honored for their achievements at every level.
A season marked by ups & downs, with history-making milestones.
72 students proudly graduate at Commencement.
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Commencement Dinner
Crossing the Threshold
Highlighted by student awards & the faculty dedication speech.
Middle Schoolers stepped up to high school on Prize Night.
ON THE COVER
Graduate Ryan Park ready to soar to new heights after Harvey.
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magazine
The Harvey School 260 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 10536 harveyschool.org // 914-232-3161 harveymagazine@harveyschool.org
HEAD OF SCHOOL William J. Knauer EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Del Campo ALUMNI EDITOR Sally Breckenridge FEATURE WRITER Abby Luby CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Gabe Palacio Photography
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DESIGNER Good Design, LLC gooddesignusa.com PRINTING Printech Stamford, Conn. MISSION STATEMENT The Harvey School provides a college-preparatory program that fosters lifelong learning and inspires students to develop the confidence and leadership qualities necessary to succeed in a diverse, competitive and changing world. With our commitment to small class size, our community cultivates the strengths of each student through academic excellence, artistic exploration, athletic achievement, community service and global understanding.
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CORE VALUES » Passion for learning » Respect » Integrity » Dynamic balance » Excellence
commencement 2017
Springboard to
the Future By Abby Luby
Harvey Survivors (left to right, back row): Zachary Gault, Jake Lewis, Brian Alvarado, Joseph Bakas (sitting on table) Will Shaffer, Anzel Vasquez, Michael Gramando, John Wise; (front row) Macy Drude, 2 HAR VEY MAGAZINE // Carillo commencement 2017 Kyrsten Greenwood, Emma
IT’S COMMENCEMENT DAY and Harvey’s Class of 2017 proudly walks into the very crowded Fenstermacher Athletic Center amid thunderous applause and cheers as cellphones spike into the air to capture the special moment. The vibrant and sonorous tones of the traditional “Earl of Mansfield” played by Pipe Major Jonathan Hencken accompany the 72 exuberant graduates to their seats and to the next exciting phase of their lives. In his invocation, Rabbi David E. Greenberg of Temple Shaaray Refila in Bedford Corners spoke about how the Harvey community has played a big part in the lives of the senior students and he wished the class the best as they “embark on a journey seeking wisdom and personal enlightenment.” The gracious, welcoming remarks by Head of School William Knauer clearly expressed how happy he was to be a part of the commencement. He said, “I feel very fortunate to have spent my first year at Harvey with you, Class of 2017. As a group you have earned the respect and admiration of your teachers and of your fellow students. You are talented, compassionate, inclusive and genuine.” His parting words offered advice to “hold on always to a part of that carefree child who first came to us.” Mr. Knauer signed off with a quote from author Ursula Le Guin: “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Thirty-six delighted and surprised students were acknowledged for their outstanding achievements and happily received their special awards from Upper School Head Philip Lazzaro and Assistant Head Elisabeth Visintainer. Some prizes went to more than one student. In her commencement address, Darsie Alexander, Executive Director of the Katonah Museum of Art and nationally known
curator and art historian, shared ideas about the future unknowns and life’s surprises. “Surprise moments can also be associated with good fortune,” said Ms. Alexander. “I understand the [Harvey] girls rugby team had some good fortune this year — that was a little bit of a surprise — and it was well deserved!” Ms. Alexander suggested that creativity is integral when and if one’s plan goes awry. “For many, your next step is college; for others, it could be a year of travel or volunteer work. It’s even possible that some of you don’t know exactly what’s next, and that’s OK, too. In my business, which is the business of artists, uncertainty can breed great creativity and a spirit of invention.” Honoring the success of each graduate with the seminal diploma was a pivotal moment. Presenting diplomas were Mr. Knauer and Chair of The Harvey School Board of Trustees Eileen Walker. Proud Harvey seniors happily clasped their welled-earned degree as a spirited, nonstop round of applause reverberated throughout the Fenstermacher Center. Students were given standing ovations and friends in the audience called out spontaneous “Congrats!” Some students, such as Dajour Fisher, shouted out an elated cheer after shaking hands with Mr. Knauer. Others, such as Jewel (Tian-Yi) Li waved her diploma high in the air as a flag of victory. Oliver Little pulled out his cellphone and posed with Mr. Knauer for an on-the-spot selfie.
“I feel very fortunate to have spent my first year at Harvey with you, Class of 2017” —HEAD OF SCHOOL WILLIAM KNAUER
Above. Will Shaffer gets a diploma and a handshake from Mr. Knauer. // Below Left. Alexandra Barber // Below Middle. Dajour Fisher // Below Right. Katerina Pantginis
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“Loosely translated, Harvey is a place as encompassing as the vast ocean that admits hundreds of rivers.” —VALEDICTORIAN JANICE CAI
In her heartfelt valedictory speech, Janice (Yutong) Cai, was sincere, humorous and humble. She touched on her Chinese roots and recounted how she experienced East-West culture differences, giving us a birds-eye view of how Harvey valued and respected those differences by welcoming diversity. As one of Harvey’s five international students in the Class of 2017, Janice spoke candidly about being an outsider. Her speech was sprinkled with Chinese words; one in particular described Harvey. She said, “Loosely translated, Harvey is a place as encompassing as the vast ocean that admits hundreds of rivers. What makes Harvey different from other independent schools is that Harvey welcomes a diverse student body.” Janice applauded several of her teachers for their inspiration, saying they were “far more approachable, and the best thing was that they didn’t cut anyone from productions, or otherwise I would not have any chance to be onstage at all.” She revealed to her classmates her own sense of trepidation for the future. “I am as confused and anxious as you. But I know that all of us will take those Harvey experiences that mean the most to us, and use them as motivation to push on.” Janice ended her speech with an expressed wish for her classmates: “ So as we gather for a final time, I guess what I wish for all of you is to go on — live a purposeful life, a good life. And I’ll try to do the same, too.” Finally, in the long, honored Harvey tradition, Student Council President Oliver Little handed over the Spirit Cup to his successor Benjamin Kabakow, leader of the Class of 2018. Graduates joyfully marched outside to a bright,
Above. Valedictorian Janice Cai with her proud parents // Right. 2018 Student Council President Ben Kabakow (left) receives the Spirit Cup from outgoing Class of 2017 leader, Oliver Little.
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summery day, with echoes of “The Minstrel Boy” piped by Piper Henken. They were greeted by family and friends offering congratulatory hugs and hearty handshakes. Elizabeth and Henry Vasquez and their younger son, Hendy, congratulated their son Anzel Vasquez. “This has been a blessing,” said Mrs. Vasquez. “Anzel has grown to be quite a gentleman and since he is a survivor, Harvey has been our home for seven years. We always feel welcome here.” Another Harvey survivor, Emma Carillo, said she was both excited and sad. “This day is bittersweet in many ways. My sister Olivia just stepped up from the Middle School last night, so I will still have a connection to Harvey. Next year I will be going to Sacred Heart University because it has the same feel as Harvey — a school where you can be close to your professors and teachers.” Ryan Park, who said he would miss playing football and rugby for Harvey, was still excited to graduate. “Today is the day I start the next chapter of my life, with all its unexpected twists and turns.” Standing near the great oak tree and proudly posing for pictures with their daughter were Janice (Yutong) Cai’s father, Xu bing Cai and her mother, Rong Jing Cai. “When she was a student in China she did OK,” said Mrs. Cai. “But when she came here to this country and to Harvey, she became who she is today. Over the last four years she has become more self-confident. There were more opportunities for her here like dance and singing, all of these she has used to express herself.”
Above. Class of 2017 members have some fun while posing for their commencement photo. // Left. The family of John Wise gathers outside in the Quad with their graduate.
2017 College Matriculations Samuel Shapiro, who came to Harvey as a freshman, said “This day seems very surreal because the time here at Harvey went so very fast. Harvey made me more independent and I learned how to rely on myself more and trust my instincts more.” Sam plans on majoring in sociology and entrepreneurship at Clark University. The celebratory atmosphere was contagious as the Harvey graduates, soon-to-be alumni, buzzed around the Quad, taking pictures with school chums they may not see for a long time. Parents and grandparents relished the moment, as did Alexandra (Lexi) Barber’s grandmother, Arlene Banow, who lovingly recalled her granddaughter as a little girl. “But Lexi has blossomed wonderfully here at Harvey. She’s become more secure, happy and responsible. She has seen what she is capable of doing.” Lexi was honored with the Upper School’s high award, the Founders Honor Cup, which recognizes the student who is voted by the faculty to have contributed the most to the spirit and aims of the school. The grandfather of John Wise, also named John Wise, remarked about his grandson’s experience at Harvey. “It was wonderful to follow John’s progress over the years. He learned so much and I was delighted and surprised when he was awarded the Head of School Prize.” John’s father, J. Eric Wise, said his son “had a great experience from start to finish here at Harvey.”
Boston University Clark University (2) College of the Holy Cross Columbia University Connecticut College (2) Davidson College Denison University Elon University Emerson College (2) Emory University Fordham University (5) Franklin & Marshall College Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College Hobart & William Smith Colleges (2) Hofstra University Iona College Ithaca College (2) Manhattan College Manhattanville College (2) Muhlenberg College (2) New York University (3) Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences Pace University, New York City
Pennsylvania State University Principia College Providence College Quinnipiac University (4) Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. (3) Sacred Heart University Siena College Skidmore College (2) St. Bonaventure University (3) Syracuse University Temple University The George Washington University The New School Tulane University (2) University of Cincinnati University of Denver University of Hartford (2) University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Pennsylvania University of Rhode Island University of Wisconsin, Madison Wake Forest University Whitman College
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“But the letter [from freshman year] showed me how I matured and made me feel proud of who I am.” —SAGE MYERS ’17
Top. Macy Drude and her two siblings and parents gather for a treasured family photo. // Above. Sage Myers celebrates with her family following her commencement.
John himself smiled at his family’s praises and said “I thoroughly enjoyed my years here at Harvey and I am sad to be leaving. I will miss the small campus, especially since I will be going to New York University in New York City.” John plans on majoring in pre-med, and with a twinkle in his eye he said, “I want to find out about the correlation between anatomy and music.” When he came to Harvey three years ago from a public school, Jake Rogers found a welcoming team of teachers. “I’ve gotten huge support here at Harvey and I’ve had some great opportunities which let me succeed,” said Jake. Ashley McKenzie’s parents, Patrick and Nadine McKenzie, recalled their daughter’s first days at Harvey as an eighth grader. “Before coming to Harvey she was a little introverted,” said Mr. McKenzie. “We had to ride with her on the train from Mount Vernon at first and that was a big transition. But that situation didn’t last long as she quickly got involved with volleyball, writing and theater.” Mrs. McKenzie noted her daughter’s growing confidence. “To get to this moment, it’s a day that we are excited about. This is a day that Ashley moves to the next chapter in her life.” Marveling how their son Kevin matured was Frank and Meisu Zhang. “Kevin started in
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eighth grade and has been here for five years,” said Mr. Zhang. “It’s very exciting to see how he has changed from a boy to a young man. I’m very proud. He not only has excelled in ice hockey, but he taught himself the piano before he came here and the Harvey music teachers helped him advance.” Will Shaffer, who won both the Mathematics and Science Prizes for Excellence, is a Harvey survivor. His parents, Paul and Cathy Shaffer were savoring their son’s educational success. “Will is the second of my children to graduate from Harvey,” said Mr. Shaffer. “I’ve found Harvey to be the greatest place and where getting good grades is cool. No father could be any prouder.” Mrs. Shaffer agreed. “Will worked so hard and I have Harvey to thank for that.” Sydney Best, who was awarded the Photography Prize, also enjoyed pursuing sports. “If not for Harvey, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to play my favorite sport, rugby.” Sydney said she would be attending St. Bonaventure University. “I’m planning on studying strategic communications and computer science. Sydney’s dad, Sule Best, said he was “super proud,” and her mom, Yvonne Best, said “Sydney has matured and has formed some definite opinions since being here at Harvey.” Remembering her first days as a freshman, Sage Myers poignantly recalled when her teacher, Elisabeth Visintainer, assistant head of the Upper School, asked her class to write letters to themselves. “She said the letters were not to be read until we became seniors. I just read mine yesterday,” said Sage. “There were a lot of things I worried about then, things that now seem unimportant. But the letter showed me how I matured and made me feel proud of who I am.” Madeline Blinderman’s dad, Adam Blinderman, said the Harvey community was a perfect fit for his daughter. “We were fortunate to have Maddy here since she is a twin, and it was important to find her own identity. With the staff here at Harvey she developed immensely. She will be attending Hartford University and majoring in early education. I call that real pay-back.” Little by little, the graduates drifted off as they left the Harvey campus to pursue education on new and different campuses. They said their farewells to the teachers and staff that will always hold a unique memory of each student, a special time capsule of their student years from the carefree child to the curious adolescent and then maturing to a young adult.
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Janice Cai’s VALEDICTORIAN ADDRESS Mr. Knauer, members of the school board, teachers, parents, friends, and the Class of 2017. Wow! This is absolutely the hardest assignment I have had to do at Harvey. Countless hours staring at a blank piece of paper have made me all too aware of the limits of my own ability — and now here I am today still not knowing what to stay. I mean, how do you encapsulate four years into five minutes? How do you boil down to its essence all the joys and the tribulations that come with high school? I love puzzles, but this is one puzzle that has me beat. And then I realized something as crumpled sheets of paper nearly had me buried — Harvey didn’t turn out to be anything like “High School Musical” — the show I watched in China before arriving in the US. Talk about a letdown! I thought that kids would break into spontaneous song in hallways and classrooms … like some sort of everyday version of “West Side Story,” but without the knives. Well … maybe not really, but Americans are so colorful, so expressive, and I was ensnared and pulled across the Pacific and found something … well … different. Yes … the Americans were friendly, and the students multi-dimensional, but we had to work. Maybe I never had to memorize 100 poems so that I could be randomly called on to recite one, like what I had to do in my middle school in China, but my studies here were challenging in a way that was unexpected.
So I hunkered down, and despite my sheer disappointment during my freshman year, I got over it — and you know what? Harvey proved better than anything I could watch on TV. Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Gambino are nothing like Mrs. Darbus, the drama teacher in the show, besides their passion for performing arts, distaste for cellphones during rehearsal and Ms. Gambino’s big scarves. They, like all the teachers here at Harvey, were far more approachable, and the best thing was that they didn’t cut anyone from productions, or otherwise I would not have any chance to be onstage at all. Harvey is … well … … Loosely translated, a place as encompassing as the vast ocean that admits hundreds of rivers. What makes Harvey different from other independent schools is that Harvey welcomes a diverse student body. We did not need to learn how to accept others, like in “High School Musical”; instead, we knew how to do this from the beginning because we all desired to be accepted ourselves. This tolerance … this appreciation to allow people to be who they are, is what has allowed “outsiders” like me to take on challenges, to risk failure, in a new culture and one so different from my own. And for this I am grateful. So why did I and so many others come to The Harvey School from so far away?
Above. Janice Cai delivers her valedictory address. // Below Left. Graduates Hunter Hoffman, Katrina Garbin, Cayla Smith, Jake Lewis and Alex Appel line up for commencement procession. // Below Right. The Best family and friends gather with graduate Sydney on the patio outside the Walker Center.
This is an old Chinese saying about learning, but I prefer the way Michelle Obama put it in
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Below. Harvey faculty, Greg Janos ’98, Allison Sakre ’08, Anna Walant ’10, Kyle Delaney ’04 and Megan Taylor ’09, pose for an alumni photo at the 2017 commencement. // Below Left. Ava Cohn and Kyrsten Greenwood are all smiles at graduation. // Below Right. Graduate Will Shaffer enjoys a special moment with his sister Victoria ’11 and proud parents.
her speech at Peking University: “It is better to travel ten thousand miles, than to read ten thousand books.” So what did we learn at Harvey? Maybe you learned individual thinking from Mr. Cowan’s literary responses, or a whole new language called calculus from Mrs. Phillips that allowed you to perceive the world in a different way? Maybe you learned from Ms. Gambino that postures are all about “the silver cord that lifts you from the chest and ties itself around the moon?” Or maybe you are like me, joining robotics not knowing what I was getting myself into, and realized that it’s clearly not where my talents lie — I just couldn’t cut metals and put things together. Instead, Mr. Kelly inspired me to draw and create an engineering notebook team using my art skills. So I doodled … and you know what? Those drawings actually turned out okay — and even made a difference in competitions.
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All of us have learned how to solve our own problems (or at least that we should own them). We have learned that hiding from problems doesn’t help (even though I was ready to fake a fever to get out of giving this speech!). And somehow real life snuck into every class, even if we didn’t realize it at the time. Opportunities in the theater arts teach us how to deal with setbacks and keep running with them because life is full of foibles and fables. Opportunities on the athletic fields teach us that perseverance means everything even if it doesn’t result in a win. And most importantly, we learned to chase after difficult goals because there is no success without first facing failure. We are now two months away from college. What’s next? I don’t know either. I am as confused and anxious as you. But I know that all of us will take those Harvey experiences that mean the most to us, and use them as motivation to push on. The older I become the more certain I am that I don’t have any answers. And I guess this is okay. Living a good life is not about knowing where you will be at the end of the journey, but about where you are right now. As YA novelist Jojo Moyes writes, “You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.” So as we gather for a final time, I guess what I wish for all of you is to go on — live a purposeful life, a good life. And I’ll try to do the same, too.
Head of School Knauer REMARKS Good morning and welcome to families and friends of our graduating seniors; to our Board of Trustees; to our faculty, staff, and administration; to our juniors and other students; and, most importantly, to our seniors, the Class of 2017. I spoke last night at the Middle School Stepping Up Ceremony. My advice to those students centered on the idea that, while it is important to understand and celebrate the past and to prepare for the possibilities of the future, it is essential to keep in mind the importance of living in and appreciating the present. I think that’s an equally relevant message for you this evening. In fact, truth be told, I considered giving the same speech today, and just changing “8th graders” to “seniors.” No, really. Do you have any idea how many speeches I’ve had to give this year? I would have done it, too, until I realized that one of you has a sibling in the 8th grade. I’m not going to mention any names, but you know who you are. The problem with giving speeches is that everyone expects you to say something profound, or at least entertaining, which is further complicated by the fact that all of you sitting here in front of me are just hoping I have the good sense not to talk for too long. Fortunately, I am confident that the speakers who follow me will offer plenty of depth and entertainment, so I am free to be brief and dull. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be here tonight. I feel very fortunate to have spent my first year at Harvey with you, Class of 2017. As a group you have earned the respect and admiration of your teachers and of your fellow students. You are talented, compassionate, inclusive, and genuine. You support each other, challenge each other, and balance each other. I stand here tonight as a representative of a community that feels very proud of all you have achieved and of the people you have become. Graduation is one of those defining moments in life. We are here to celebrate a milestone on your personal journey. As I pointed out in my presentation about the Camino de Santiago, the metaphor of life as a journey is a common one, and as you know it is one reflected in literature across the ages — “The Odyssey,” “The Canterbury Tales,” “Huck Finn,” “Don Quixote,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Lord of the Rings,” “On the Road” — just to name a few. Usually, the literal, physical journey of the narrative represents a personal journey of
self-discovery. As the main character moves through space and time, he or she also moves from one level of development to another. Childhood to adulthood, innocence to experience, ignorance to knowledge. Sound familiar? You have all grown in your time here. Your teachers and families have watched you grow from carefree children playing in the gym or on the Quad to accomplished young adults getting ready to head off to college or other adventures. Some of you have spent much of your lives with us, others joined us more recently along the way, but all of you are about to leave together as graduates of Harvey. So, what parting words do I have to offer you on this big day? I guess my first piece of advice would be to hold on always to a part of that carefree child who first came to us. Don’t let the growing responsibilities and expectations you will face make you forget the importance of wonder and joy in your lives. Secondly, keep an eye on your goals but don’t forget to look around you on your path to achieve them. Remember, they call this a “commencement exercise” because it is a beginning and not an end. As author Ursula Le Guin wrote, “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Finally, be guided always by your integrity and face the world with courage and determination, even when the journey gets hard and other options seem easier. Do that, and you will never lose your way. And one more thing — never forget to recognize and thank the people who help you along the way because, if you haven’t realized it already, more often than not it’s the travelers around you who make the journey possible, give it meaning, and bring it to life. Congratulations, Class of 2017.
“Graduation is one of those defining moments in life. We are here to celebrate a milestone on your personal journey.” —HEAD OF SCHOOL WILLIAM KNAUER
Above. Mr. Knauer welcomes guests to the 2017 commencement, his first as head of school. // Above Right. Peter Lombardo is all smiles at his graduation. // Below. Fellow graduates Ryan Gross and Allison Silk share a happy moment before commencement.
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Executive Director, Katonah Museum of Art Darsie Alexander’s COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
“It’s important to be open to those meandering moments of exploration and to embrace getting sidetracked, especially at this time in your life. ” —DARSIE ALEXANDER
Above. KMA Executive Director Darsie Alexander is keynote commencement speaker. // Below. 2017 graduate Madeline Blinderman poses with her family following commencement.
Good morning, and thank you for inviting me to speak today. It’s a real privilege to stand before you at such a wonderful time in your lives on this beautiful campus that is The Harvey School. As someone who talks a lot about art, I was a little daunted and certainly very honored to be asked. I guess you could say I am a neighbor and friend, with my home base at the Katonah Museum of Art right up the street. I am proud to proclaim that I am also a high school graduate, and those years were formative in ways that I did not fully understand at the time. Perhaps you will discover the same is true for you, as time moves forward and you gain some distance on this period of your life. Certain impressions of people will stand out, and you will never forget them. You are — first and foremost — a class of individuals as well as a body of students. Graduations recognize achievement, but in my mind they are beginnings. You’ve completed four years of high school and are ready to move on. For many, your next step is college; for others, it could be a year of travel or volunteer work. It’s even possible that some of you don’t know exactly what’s next, and that’s okay, too. In my business, which is the business of artists, uncertainty can breed great creativity and a spirit of invention. I myself never imagined I’d wind up in the art field. But I always appreciated the offbeat and often revelatory perspectives that artists had about everyday life. A few years ago, for example, I asked the filmmaker John Waters — famous for
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the indie movies “Hairspray” and “Serial Mom” — to curate an exhibition for the museum where I worked at the time. Instead of doing the customary research into the objects and their histories, John took a different approach. “Let’s think about the artworks as roommates,” he said. “Which ones get along? Which ones want to strangle each other? The end result was, needless to say, playful, smart and — being John Waters — a little weird. The show was also brilliantly irreverent — a send-up of how overly serious art exhibitions can be, and how necessary humor is in all aspects of art and life. This installation by a legendary figure from the film world surprised a lot of people. Not only did many not realize that he knew anything about art, but his idea was totally original. In my business, which centers on helping people see the world in a new way through art, surprise plays a central role. On one extreme, surprise can equate with shock, as when something completely groundbreaking occurs, like the invention of a new style. On the other extreme, surprise can involve noticing something very subtle in a familiar object that was previously unseen. Perhaps you know the feeling of recognizing a small and unexpected change in a person or place that is meaningful to you. I am quite sure that when you come back to Harvey for your fifth, 10th and even 20th reunion, something will surprise you. How do we manage surprise, and what does it require of us? In some circles, surprise is the enemy of order. In a board meeting, for example — no one likes a surprise. In fact, as museum directors, a lot of us spend a great deal of time planning so as to minimize the effect of surprise. In my job, which is incredibly fun and creative, I spend an inordinate amount of time managing my calendar. I color-code meetings and set up reminders to keep myself on schedule. And as I look out at you, a capable crowd of graduates, I know that pacing and organization have played a huge part in your success. Back-to-back classes, early morning obligations, and intensive exam schedules mandate a certain rigor when it comes to planning. In fact, you could say that everything about the last four years has been about getting you ready — laying the foundation for the next phase of your life, whatever that may be. At the same time, as I am sure you know, there are certain things you just can’t control. These
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events can be very exciting and also a little scary. You may need to make a quick decision on a job, or react to an important change of plans; you may discover a critical piece of information as you embark on something you thought you fully understood, and this discovery causes you to change course in a way that is even better for you. Surprise moments can also be associated with good fortune. I understand the girls rugby team had some good fortune this year (that was a little bit of a surprise), and it was well deserved! For me, the history of art is a history of people doing unexpected things, often while they were trying to do something else. I have found time and again that the very act of investigating one idea can often lead to an even better one, which may have very little to do with my original assignment. It’s important to be open to those meandering moments of exploration and to embrace getting sidetracked, especially at this time in your life. Your path can have a lot of twists and turns, stops and starts, and — of course — surprises … Those are moments to savor. We can all get very busy in life, scrambling to get ahead, to reach our goals. This busyness can get so intense, in fact, that we can lose track of where we are actually going. I make the analogy here to Siri, my GPS traffic navigator. Siri’s favorite expression, especially when I am lost, is to say, “Proceed to the route!” Now everyone knows that Siri’s main job is to actually GIVE ME THE ROUTE. Not giving me a route is her way of saying, “There are no instructions for this. You’re on your own!” Well, in some ways you are. We all are — kind of on our own. This isn’t a bad thing; it’s
called being independent, and THAT’s been a huge part of your education at Harvey. You’ve had friendships that have given you a sense of belonging and solidity, teachers who have helped you figure out what you are trying to say, and you’ve seized opportunities to challenge yourself and your own limits. All of these experiences have been exercises in life that you will draw upon in the years to come. They will help guide you, and even inspire you to welcome the unexpected events, opportunities and people that you will encounter. Often when people like me are asked to give speeches, it is because we know a lot about art and creativity. And sure — I can tell a great painting from an average one. But creativity can take many shapes and sizes, and can mean different things to different people. As you might have guessed by now, I think creativity has an awful lot to do with an ability to look for things that fall outside the prescribed path or plan. Interestingly, it takes practice to see the great potential in unexpected developments. Not all of us are artists, but we are the architects of our own lives. Some of you may prefer to see life with a splash of paint or a dab of color there, while others may prefer a more controlled composition, sketched out in advance. Whatever your tendency, this is a time to experiment, and try new things. You may find in the process that you surprise yourself, and open the door to an unexpected journey. Thank you and congratulations!
Top. Daniel Qiu gets some help with his boutonnière before his graduation ceremony. // Left. Joseph Bakas and Alexandra Barber hold up their diplomas after receiving them at commencement. // Right. Michael Wilson proudly displays his diploma as his parents stand by him beaming with pride.
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commencement dinner
Our Roots
Above. 2017 class agents Joseph Bakas, Alexandra Barber, John Wise and Jewel Li are introduced at commencement dinner by Harvey Alumni President Dan Chapman ’73 and Young Alumni Coordinator Laurie Cohen. // Below Left. Sydney Best delivers the student address at commencement dinner. // Below Right. Sydney with teacher Anna Walant ’10 and Ryan Gross
Lie Right Here … By Sydney Best For those who were not aware, I did not join Harvey’s Class of 2017 in middle school, freshman year, or even at the start of sophomore year. In middle school, I attended The Chapel School in Bronxville and my class size was 12. And then for freshman year I went to Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem, and my class size was nearly 600. It was definitely a culture shock coming from these vastly different worlds. I went from teachers knowing my parents by
their first names and computers in every classroom to not having enough textbooks to study for the geometry regents and being referred to only by my student ID number. However, that all changed for me Thursday, September 4, 2014. For those of you who were at Harvey at that time it was a Day 2 and it was your third day of your sophomore year so you were fairly settled into this Harvey community. But that evening I came home from my first day as a sophomore and my parents called me into their room with the book “Fahrenheit 451” lying on the bed. I was puzzled because I already handed in my summer reading assignment and I received the syllabus from my English teacher that day and this book was not on it. When they passed me this book and I opened up to the first page there was a note that read, “Sydney, we were told that all the 10th graders at Harvey had to read this book. *smiley face* GOOD LUCK!! We love you very much and will do anything to help in your GROWTH. We want nothing but the BEST for you.” xoxo Mom and Dad.”
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“Harvey gives you After reading that, I was flushed to color of this book and the room was filled with tears of joy. (If you don’t believe me, my mom got it all on tape.) But it was mainly filled with this feeling of relief. I knew that Harvey was the place for me to grow and not be constrained by the strict public school system. The very next morning my mom and I drove up to Katonah blasting “Happy” by Pharrell Williams on repeat. You would think that this moment was my happily-ever-after but it wasn’t … yet. Coming to Harvey I was definitely given opportunities that challenged me both academically and intellectually. I was fortunate enough to take classes like coding, game design, yearbook, poetry, economics and, yes, Senior Bridge. These classes were not offered in most high schools. With the help of teachers and faculty I was able to go to them as resources for other classes to further understand and also for advice. This judge-free zone that is instilled in Harvey’s core values makes it a pleasure to come to school every day and take that iron horse to Katonah at six in the morning. The classes were very open-ended but they still had structure and meaning to them. At Frederick Douglass Academy there was only one athletic extracurricular activity for girls … cheerleading. If you know me, you know I am far from the cheerleading type.
During my very first encounter with Mr. Lazzaro I was called into his office to make my schedule and the conversation ended with … “You’re playing rugby in the spring” followed by my very naive “okay.” That first encounter was the foundation for the furthering of my academic career at Saint Bonaventure University and playing for their women’s team. Harvey has not only been a school, but a home. I was at a place where I could dress up as my favorite teachers for Halloween, help teach a middle school dance class during my frees, write freely and bring my work to any teacher in the English department, but it was also a place where these teachers praised me when I was excelling but were not afraid to pull me to the side and give me a good kick in the butt when I started to steer away from my path of greatness. Just because my last name is Best, it does not mean that I am perfect. I have had my share of hiccups during my time here. However, Harvey gives you the opportunity to turn a new leaf when things go awry. Being a student here has taught me that it’s not about what you say when the going gets tough, it is your actions after. So tonight, tomorrow, graduation day and the days after, you will all remember these final words. I hope that the Class of 2017 continues to strive for greatness despite whatever obstacles may come our way. Dance freely and do not conform to society’s norm. Each and every one of us has gifts that are going to be shared with the world. I hope that we will all leave an imprint on the sands of time so that we can leave a positive impact on this world. Never forget that our roots lie right here. We should never forget them, when we grow, fly and soar … when we all take over the world.
the opportunity to turn a new leaf when things go awry. Being a student here has taught me that it’s not about what you say when the going gets tough, it is your actions after.” —SYDNEY BEST
Left. Senior parents (left to right) Cynthia Ryan, Cathy Shaffer and Suzanne Nardi present Head of School Bill Knauer with 2017 Class Gift. // Below. Friends and classmates (left to right) Colin Nardi, Jared Ellis, Ava Cohn, Kyrsten Greenwood, Noah Kagan, Brian Alvarado and Curtis Grellier gather at the commencement dinner.
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Faculty Dedication Thank You Speech
… And What
Will You Dream? By Christine Cahill Before I begin, I must first thank everyone for their endless encouragement and support, specifically a huge thank you to Phil Lazzaro, Amy Gignesi, Melanie Gambino, Kerby Lewis, Beth Visintainer and Alex Lindquist for the extra morale boost I needed to stay focused and grounded. These past few days, since that May morning, I have been overwhelmed (writing draft after draft) on how to express what your dedication means to me. I have thought back on this year and past years thinking of the journey I have helped you navigate and it reminded me of a book I love to read to my nieces and nephews, Matthew Cordell’s “Life is but a Dream.” There is one particular part of the book that came to mind when thinking of all of you:
Above Right. College Counseling Director Christine Cahill gets a big hug from one of the graduates. // Above Left. Ms. Cahill delivers the faculty address at commencement dinner.
“… I dreamed you were away from us, exploring unknown places and meeting someone new. Still I dreamed on. Further and further into your future … Into Ours. I saw a new you: Taller. Wiser. Stronger … Strong in Body … and … Strong in Soul. And I dreamed that one day a great journey would end as another would begin. We looked upon you, impossible you. We Felt Everything! Then I awoke … who will you be? Who Will You BE? … And What Will You Dream?”
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Now tonight, I can reflect back and can honestly say that history was made on Thursday, May 25th! YOU, The Class of 2017, did something that has not occurred in quite some time (decades possibly!). That morning, I was brought to tears, rendered speechless and humbled by so much love. My cup had truly runneth over! This is how I described to my family and friends the great honor you had bestowed on me that day. It had not truly set in, what happened during the yearbook presentation until I saw so many of you later that night at prom. I was still reeling with emotions, as you were all embracing, congratulating and even crying with me … again! Truth be told, Ava, I was so surprised that I accidentally stopped listening to you once it dawned on me who you were actually talking about (OKAY, it did take all the seniors turning and staring at me to truly embrace that there was no mistake, Ava WAS talking about ME!!) I refused to look at the yearbook while I was surrounded by so many — it was overwhelming how many well wishes and support I received, not only from the senior class, but from the entire student body and my faculty and administrative peers. I was afraid the tears would, YET AGAIN, begin flowing. After a few more hours, trying to pretend to be working, I returned home to Stafford Hall, so I could finally read and truly appreciate the dedication the Class of 2017 bestowed on me. Ava, I am in awe, first of your ability to keep such a major secret from your fellow classmates and me but secondly, by your beautiful presentation as the class representative, speaking for everyone, your words truly humbled me. I am blessed to have
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such amazing young adults in my life pushing and supporting me almost as much as I pushed and supported you. Continuing to read through the yearbook, I came across my final message to my seniors that I had forgotten I had written when Ms. Walant “conveniently” asked me for a few words to fill up some space to help out with yearbook page layouts ….(sneaky, very sneaky Ms. Walant!!) Rereading my words to you made me … Surprise, Surprise cry again! I cried because my words ring just as true today as when I wrote them months earlier. As your senior year comes to an end, celebrate each other, remember all the wonderful memories you have made as a class and as friends. Celebrate and be proud of all that you have accomplished. I think back to your freshman year at how awkward and shy you all were. NOW, I look out into the audience and I am so proud of the men and women staring back at me. YOU have all grown into such intelligent, well-spoken and independent (well almost) young adults. I am so excited to see where your future paths will lead you! As you look back on your last four years at Harvey, remember no matter what, we are first and foremost family. Let go of past wrongs (yours and others); everything about high school was practice for adulthood. Do not let catty remarks or petty thoughts hold you back. Embrace your mistakes, own them; remember the life lessons gained and move on — continuing your growth into adulthood. Know you will always be in my heart and in my thoughts. Should you ever feel lost, all you need to do is come back home to Harvey. We will be here — I will be here — supporting, encouraging and believing in you! I will miss each of you as you move onto your next academic adventure — COLLEGE! When you think back on Harvey, I hope it is always with fond memories.
It has been a privilege and my pleasure working with you. Having the opportunity to guide and assist you through your college research and application processes has been an adventure (to say the least) — YES, it was rocky at times, BUT come on, you have to admit (at least now that it is over), it was A LOT of FUN! The ups definitely outweighed the downs because you came together as a class. During the downs, I was so inspired by how you rallied together supporting one another whether lending a shoulder to cry on or rushing to the College Office for the college tears tissue box! I have to say this is the first class in my tenure at Harvey that remained steadfast in friendship. I really am so excited for “All the Places You Will GO!” With that being said, as your dedication to me began with Dr. Seuss, I believe, it is only fitting that it ends with a final Seusism! So here we go … To my Seniors, the Class of 2017 Always Remember … “And will you succeed? YES, you will indeed! … Okay, maybe I’m (98 and three-fourths percent guaranteed) KIDS, you’ll move mountains! SO … Be you one of my Awesome Advisees or Delightful Dorm Daughters (And, of course, everyone in between!) You’re off to Great Places! Today is YOUR DAY Your mountain is waiting SO … GO ON … Get on your WAY!” Thank You, Class of 2017!
“Now, I look out into the audience and I am so proud of the men and women staring back at me.” —CHRISTINE CAHILL
Above. Ms. Cahill with valedictorian Janice Cai // Below Left. Ms. Cahill with Halle Paredes following commencement // Below Right. Rohan Harrison gives Ms. Cahill a high-five after graduation.
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Awards + Honors Academic Prizes
The Ronald W. Duncan Music Award // Given for excellence in the field of music in two categories, vocal and instrumental, the award honors former piano teacher Ronald W. Duncan: Jake Lewis (instrumental) & Sage Myers (vocal) The Head of School Prize // Given to the School and endowed by the Board of Trustees, the award is inscribed annually with the name of the student who, in the view of the Head of School, has put forth the greatest effort in any aspect of his or her life at school: Sydney Best & John Wise
The John A. Shea Latin Prize // The prize was endowed by an anonymous donor in honor of Mr. Shea’s 80th birthday in recognition of his 22 years of service to the School: Macy Drude
The John L. Loeb, Jr. ’44 Scholarship Cup // Given and endowed by Mr. Loeb to the School’s leading scholar: Janice Cai
The Lindsley Loring Loyalty Award // Given to the School and endowed by Mrs. Lindsley Loring in memory of her husband, the award is inscribed annually with the name of the student who is voted by the faculty to have shown the greatest loyalty in his or her school relations during the year: Dajour Fisher & Jewel Li
The English Prize & The European History Prize // Jake Lewis
The Japanese Prize // Cameron Stelly
The Spanish Prize // Talene Boyajian
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The Mathematics Prize & The Life Science Prize // William Shaffer
awards + honors
The E. Bradley Richardson Scholar-Athlete Award // Named after a former head of school: William Shaffer
The Technology Prize // Joshua Bloom & Jarrod Waner
The Girls Athletic Prize // Sara Steinberg
The Boys Athletic Prize // Theodore Little
David Muntner Theatre Tech Award // Ryan Gross
The Founders Honor Cup // The Upper School’s highest award is presented by the Carter family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Swift Carter, founders of The Harvey School, and their son, Herbert Swift Carter, Jr. ’19. Given to the student who is voted by the faculty to have contributed the most to the spirit and aims of the School: Alexandra Barber
The Citizenship Award // Endowed by the Harvey Parent Association: Halle Paredes
The Keenan Wynn ’31 Prize for Excellence in Drama // Macy Drude & Zachary Gault
The Edward Micola Model United Nations Award // In honor of Edward V. Micola ’92: Hana Cornell & Michael Wilson
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The Art Prize // Joseph Bakas
The Dance Prize // Sydney Best, Cayla Smith & Katrina Garbin
The Physical Science Prize // Jewel Li
The US History Prize // Michael Wilson
The Improvement Award // Given by Mr. and Mrs. Calvin A. Thompson parents of Alexis â&#x20AC;&#x2122;82 and Thaddeus â&#x20AC;&#x2122;87: Jared Ellis
The Photography Prize // Sydney Best
Scholar-Artist Award // Janice Cai
Senior Athletic Achievement Awards < Amaya Henry // 10 Letters
Alex Appel // 8 Letters
Theodore Little // 7 Letters
Peter Lombardo // 7 Letters
William Shaffer // 7 Letters
Brian Alvarado // 6 Letters
Dajour Fisher // 6 Letters
Kyrsten Greenwood // 6 Letters
Noah Kagan // 6 Letters
Ryan Park // 6 Letters
Sara Steinberg // 6 Letters
Rafael Tapia // 6 Letters
Jarrod Waner // 6 Letters
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awards + honors
Commencement Dinner Awards
President’s Education Awards Program // Outstanding Academic Excellence Award (Gold Award): (back row) Noah Kagan, William Shaffer, Joseph Bakas, Chenxiao (Daniel) Qui, Jake Lewis, Brian Alvarado, Anzel Vasquez, Colin Nardi, Eve O’Brien, Halle Paredes, Allison Silk; (front row) John Wise, Cayla Smith, Sarah Manners, Macy Drude, Zachary Gault, Catalina Ruiz-Jimenez, Tian-Yi (Jewel) Li, Mufeng (Giana) Yang, Yutong (Janice) Cai, Alexandra Barber (not pictured Katherine Beasley & Ryan Park)
The New York State Board of Regents Scholarship for Academic Excellence // Jake Lewis, Eve O’Brien, Anzel Vasquez
Citizenship Award // Sydney Best, Dajour Fisher, Ryan Hays
Office of the New York State Comptroller Student Achievement Award // Alexandra Barber, Jake Lewis, Tian-Yi (Jewel) Li, Halle Paredes, William Shaffer
Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents Scholastic Achievement Award // Tian-Yi (Jewel) Li & William Shaffer
State of NY Office of the Attorney General // John Wise
President’s Education Awards Program // Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (Silver Award): (left to right) Ashley McKenzie, Sage Myers,Curtis Grellier, Madeline Blinderman, Krysten Greenwood, Ari Meadows (faculty), Ava Cohn, Aerin Glover, Amaya Henry, Sara Steinberg, Jarrod Waner (Rohan Harrison, not present for photo) harveyschool.org 19
Cavalier Awards The Cavalier Award is underwritten by the Parent Association, and is given to the students and faculty who best embody the values code of The Harvey School. This is an individual who demonstrates a passion for learning, respects and treats everyone with dignity and appreciation, has a deep sense of integrity, has a dynamic balance in lifestyle choices, finds joy in learning and life, and strives for excellence. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winners are 2017 graduates Anzel Vasquez & Kyrsten Greenwood (top left); eighth-graders Olivia Durkin & Andrew Ortiz (far left); faculty recipient Susie Danziger (left).
Upper School Awards
Dekadeis // Top 10 Upper School scholars for the past three semesters according to weighted grade averages. The Scholarship Cup is awarded to the student with the highest average. 1. Jake Lewis 2. Jewel Li 3. Janice Cai 4. Allison Silk 5. Sanath Kumar 6. John Wise 7. Eve Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien 8. Zachary Gault 9. William Shaffer 10. Lara Dimick
Top Scholar 9th // Michael Martirano & Daniel Galgano
(Janice Cai and Jake Lewis absent for photo)
Top Scholar 11th // Lara Dimick Top Scholar 12th // Janice Cai
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(right, pictured at Commencement)
Top Scholar 10th // Sanath Kumar
awards + honors
American Mathematics Competition // Connor Phillips, Chris Liu, Yulanda Huang, Amie Phillips (math chair), Sanath Kumar, Coraline Chu, Parker Berke
Wells Speech Cup // Giselle Garcia
Changing the World Essay Contest // Endowed in memory of Nina J. Chin, presented by the family: Giselle Garcia & Daniel Galgano
Matthew Preston â&#x20AC;&#x2122;65 Poetry Recitation Contest // Coraline Chu
English & History // Isabella Iannone
Mathematics // Coraline Chu & Sanath Kumar
Language // Giselle Garcia & Isabella Iannone
Science // Chris Liu
Performing Arts // Julianne Quinn & Jared Peraglia
Fine Arts // Isabella Iannone & Victor Mizzaro
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JUNIOR AWARDS
Barnard Book Prize // Sarah McLean
The Faculty Improvement Award // Katharine D’Avanzo
The Dean’s Scholar-Athlete Awards // Kelly McMorrow, Connor Phillips & Pierce Steinberg
The Faculty Citizenship Award // Connor Phillips
The Dean’s Scholar-Artist Awards // Julianne Quinn & Jared Peraglia
SOPHOMORE AWARDS
The Most Improved // James Washington
The Most Outstanding // Giselle Garcia
The Dean’s Scholar-Athlete Awards // Sophia Scarsella & Alexander Ogg
The Dean’s Scholar-Artist Awards // Maya Mehrara & Alexander Breitenbach
The Dean’s Scholar-Athlete Award // Victoria Cartularo & Michael Martirano
The Dean’s Scholar-Artist Award // Pierson Husted & Marina Man
FRESHMAN AWARDS
The John L. Miner Award // For the most improved: Charles Weiller
The Frank M. Perrine Award // For outstanding scholarship, leadership and contributions to the school: Abigail Crossman
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eighth-graders step up on prize night
Crossing the
Threshold By Abby Luby
Middle schoolers at Harvey have kept their eye on the lofty horizon of high school, a once distant goal that in three quick years has now become a closer reality. This year, Middle School Prize Night marked the next step across the educational threshold for 38 eighth-graders, the Class of 2021. The ceremony was held in the Lasdon Theater of The Walker Center for the Arts where a long table was festooned with several shiny silver trophy cups, engraved plaques and beautifully wrapped prizes soon to be awarded to deserving students, among them the Decemviri, the top 10 students with the highest grade-point average. The girls looked lovely wearing traditional white dresses accented with corsages and boys were handsome in their blue jackets pinned with white boutonnières. As students heard music
teacher Zachary Wright perform Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” on the piano, their nervous chuckles quickly subsided as the soon-to-be high school freshmen earnestly walked to their seats. In his opening remarks Middle School Head Dr. Brendan Byrne described the evening as “a celebration of the many achievements that have taken place during the middle school years of these young people.” In his first Middle School Prize Night welcome since he became Head of School last July, Bill Knauer encouraged students to embrace their
Below Left. Densley Blake celebrates Prize Night with his family. // Below Right. Lauren Siegel, Jeannie Fink and Isabel Bandon are happy to be stepping up.
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Top Left. Aaron Desmond DuPree strikes a pose with his family. // Top Right. Mia Cornell (center) poses with her sister, Hana ’18 and her father, teacher Tim Cornell. // Above. Sophia Rae Epstein with her father following the ceremony
“In the weeks, month, years and even decades ahead, you will have the opportunity to invent yourselves and reinvent yourselves multiple times.” —HEAD OF SCHOOL BILL KNAUER
future which “holds endless possibilities.” He said, “In the weeks, month, years and even decades ahead, you will have the opportunity to invent yourselves and reinvent yourselves multiple times.” Mr. Knauer quoted Apple founder Steve Jobs about the importance of connecting the dots of one’s past experiences. The Head of School said, “Steve Jobs said ‘you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.’” Mr. Knauer wished the Class of 2021 “many future successes, congratulations and best of luck!” In her keynote address, school trustee and alumni parent Elizabeth Schwartz invited everyone to give a well-earned standing ovation to Dr. Byrne and “the outstanding faculty and staff of the Middle School as well as to all family members who gave the critical help and support to make this day happen.” Ms. Schwartz, whose two sons are Harvey alumni, shared some learned wisdom and life skills with the eighth-graders going forward. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Be prepared to pick yourself up and shake it off and move on to Plan B. We learn from these lemon moments, and we can make some great lemonade.” Students were beaming as they graciously accepted their awards and diplomas from Dr. Byrne. This year The Harvey School made history by awarding three students the honor of having their names inscribed on the Almirall Scholarship Cup, traditionally given to the student with the highest middle school scholastic standing. The three were Mia Cornell, Joseph DiGrandi and Kathryn Ogg. Family and friends of the eighth-graders were treated to a beautiful rendition of “When I Close
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My Eyes” by the Middle School chorus who sang in four-part harmony with wonderful clarity. In his closing remarks Dr. Byrne addressed the students he would miss seeing in the halls of the Krasne Middle School building, and he recognized the entire class for “making their mark on the athletic field, on the stage and in our community.” Those he named included Sofia Silverman for mountain biking, Will Madigan for rowing and Nadine Rattner for acting. “And a highlight of the year for me was watching the dance performances where Zara Hume actually choreographed pieces that were performed by her classmates,” said Dr. Byrne. He also recognized many students working to raise awareness for those less fortunate, including Gabi LevingerLouie and Lauren Siegel who were instrumental in launching Harvey’s new Diversity Club. Others earning Dr. Byrne’s praise were Max Edelman who, two years ago, started a basketball tournament to raise money and awareness for Smiletrain, an international children’s charity and those students who made “significant contributions to our varsity sports programs.” Dr. Byrne singled out Ryan Villano who was named MVP of the boys varsity tennis team and his teammate Patrick Murphy, who was selected as the team’s most improved player. When the graduation ceremony came to a close, the students filed out into the lobby happily holding their prizes and diplomas with a sense of elation and accomplishment. “It’s wonderful that all three were awarded the Almirall Scholarship Cup,” said Tim Cornell, Mia Cornell’s father. “It’s wonderful because Mia is good friends with the other two and they are straight-A students, hardworking and they support each other. It was a touching end to their middle school years.” Densley Blake, who was among the top 10 scholars and won the Jack Hornor Prize for excellence in mathematics said, “I love math and this award makes me think that
prize night
I’d like to be an inventor and create something that will help the world.” Congratulating Densely were his parents, Odette and Densely Blake, and his grandmother Ouida McKay. “We’re so very proud of him,” said Mrs. Blake. “We knew he’d get an award for either math or Latin.” Joseph DiGrandi, one of three recipients of the Almirall Scholarship Cup as well as the Alvah Innes Memorial English Prize, said, “I was really surprised. I’m really passionate about English, and going forward to Upper School, I will continue to pursue literature.” Joe was on staff for the newly resurrected Middle School newspaper, The Rambler. Joe said, “I want to bridge my experience here in Middle School to work on the Upper School newspaper or yearbook or both.” Olivia Carillo, who received the Class of 1981 Award for exemplary sportsmanship, was congratulated by her mother Kirsten Carillo and her grandmother Madelyn Ricciardi. Happy that she received the faculty Music Prize, Sophia August said, “I’ve always loved music, and at Harvey both Mr. Wright and Mrs. Cushman helped me apply what I already knew about music and I learned so much. Next year I hope to be in the high school chorus.” When Zara Hume heard Dr. Byrne mention her as one of the highlights of his year for her artistic choreography, she was quite pleased. Zara said, “I created steps that went with jazz and hip-hop. The steps were based on how my body first reacted to the music. The best thing about it was collaborating with the other dancers. I hope to pursue dance in the Upper School.” Isabel Bandon, who won the Hickrill Science Prize, said, “I’m so interested in science and in learning in general. This year and this ceremony makes me feel like my life is really happening. I have to think of how to achieve all my dreams.” Isabel’s father, Bill Bandon, said, “I’m extremely proud of Isabel. She works very hard and is very methodical in all her courses. Also, she’s become
“This year and this ceremony makes me feel like my life is very sophisticated and has redoubled her effort in her classes and in all her many activities such as varsity tennis, singing and cross-country. She’s like Wonder Woman.” Kathryn Ogg’s parents, Maria and Sandy Ogg, said they were thrilled that their daughter was one of the three students to receive the Almirall Scholarship Cup. The award reminded Mr. Ogg of a prescient moment two years ago when Kathryn’s older brother was fourth on the Decemviri list. “When his name was called at his Middle School Prize Night, Kathryn whispered in my ear that she would beat her brother. And she did! Harvey has been transformational for all three of our children.” As the evening’s festivities ended, students bade their classmates goodbye for the summer, knowing that on their return to Harvey next fall, it will be as full-fledged high schoolers with a fresh focus on a new horizon with endless possibilities.
really happening. I have to think of how to achieve all my dreams.” —ISABEL BANDON
Top Left. Sophia August celebrates with her parents at Prize Night. // Top Right. Isabel Bandon with her family following the ceremony // Below. Joe DiGrandi with his sister, parents and grandparents
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MOVING UP SPEECH By Elizabeth Schwartz, trustee, alumni parent
“Together, then, we will make some great lemonade and beautiful music.” —ELIZABETH SCHWARTZ
Above. Guest speaker Liz Schwartz suggests the eighthgraders “put down the duckie.” // Below Left. Samantha Fern with her parents // Below Middle. Zara Hume and her family gather in the gallery. // Below Right. Alexandre Pradines with his parents
Good evening everyone and congratulations to each of The Harvey School eighth-graders who have achieved this great milestone of moving up from the Middle School. And congratulations to Dr. Byrne and the outstanding faculty and staff of the Middle School who played such an important part in this magnificent achievement. And a hearty congratulations also to the moms and dads and grandparents and brothers and sisters and other family members who gave the critical help and support to make this day happen. I think that you and the faculty and staff and all the family members have earned a standing ovation. So please rise and join me in applauding all of you. I am very excited to be here this evening, as a member and representative of The Harvey School Board of Trustees, to let you know how proud we are of each of you. But more importantly, I am here as a parent of two boys, Sam ’09 and Andrew ’14, who also celebrated Prize Night at The Harvey School and then experienced four fabulous years in the Upper School. As a result, I have a few ideas to share this evening from my own family’s experience. The thoughts I want to share with you this evening: 1. Ask for help if you need it. 2. Learn some lifelong skills. 3. Follow your heart. 4. Make lemonade. 5. Carpe Diem. 6. Put down the duckie.
26 HAR VEY MAGAZINE // commencement 2017
So let me briefly elaborate. 1. First, at The Harvey School, we understand that each student learns differently and that each student has his or her own individual strengths and weaknesses. We respect and value each student’s individuality, and we are here to help you identify your strengths and to minimize the weaknesses. That’s our job. We are here to help you, and it is your responsibility to seek out this help and make the most of it. We will help you. Please remember there is always help wherever you are. 2. Second, you will have the opportunity during these next four years to learn skills that you will use for the rest of your life. These will be different for each of you. Some of these may be profound. How to solve complicated math or physics problems. How to build award-winning robots. How to play hockey. How to sing and dance or produce television programs. Some of these may seem minor or insignificant. My husband, for instance, took a typing class in high school, in an era long before computers and laptops. I think it was during a time when people got to school on horseback. But today, he uses that typing skill every single day at his job. Each of you will learn lifelong skills. 3. We hope that, as you work your way through these next four years, you will follow your heart and pursue your passions. Everyone is good at something and everyone can find things to be excited and passionate about. We will help you figure this out and we will support you in pursuing these goals. Follow you heart. 4. We also know that life isn’t always perfect. Sometimes, even as we try our best, things don’t always turn out exactly as we had hoped or planned. There are failures or rejections or surprises along the way. This brings to mind
prize night
a favorite well-known idiom: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. So, my lesson this evening is to be ready to make some lemonade. When things don’t go as planned and you have a lemon moment, be prepared to pick yourself up and shake it off and move on to Plan B. We learn from these lemon moments, and we can make some great lemonade. 5. Carpe Diem. Is anyone taking Latin? Does anyone know what carpe diem means? It means “seize the day.” It means that you should take advantage of this great opportunity that you have here at The Harvey School. Take advantage of the opportunities to make new friends, to seek out help from a very caring faculty and staff, to learn lifelong skills, to identify your strengths and pursue your passions and follow your heart, and, when necessary, to make some lemonade. This is a wonderful time in your life to take advantage of all the many opportunities that The Harvey School has to offer. Carpe Diem. 6. And my one final note is to put down the duckie! When my boys watched “Sesame Street” when they were little, they listened to a great song, “Put Down the Duckie.” (You can see and hear the song on YouTube.) One day, Ernie came to see Hoots the Owl, who had a terrific band that played great music. Ernie was complaining that whenever he played the saxophone, there was a very annoying squeaking noise. Hoots noticed right away that while Ernie was trying to play the sax, he was holding in his hand a rubber duckie that kept squeaking as he played. So Hoots told Ernie, “You have to put down the duckie if you want to play the saxophone.” In this day and age, there are many, many distractions that get in the way of pursuing all the goals that I just mentioned. There is the internet and social media and learning to drive and
watching TV and going to movies and hanging out with friends. These things are your duckie. You don’t have to give these things up. But it is your job and your responsibility to know when it is time to concentrate on school and studying and making the most of your opportunities. You have to know when to put down the duckie. And if you do that, you will all, in your own way, be great saxophone players. Those are my thoughts. I am quite certain that each of you will have a wonderful four years at The Harvey Upper School or wherever it is that you may be next school year. We hope that you will take responsibility for seeking out help, for developing new skills, for following your heart and pursuing your passions, for seizing the day, and knowing when to put down the duckie. Together, then, we will make some great lemonade and beautiful music. Congratulations to all and very best wishes to each of you.
Above Left. Zi and Keegan Glucksman and their family gather following the stepping-up ceremony // Above Right. Eighthgrade parents present the class gift to Dr. Byrne. // Below Left. Olivia Durkin enjoys a special moment with her sister and parents. // Below Right. Nadine Rattner is all smiles posing with her parents.
harveyschool.org 27
Middle School Prizes
The Leverett T. Smith Memorial Award // Named after our former Headmaster Leverett T. Smith, is given in recognition for initiative and perseverance in the pursuit of some special interest (dance) during the school year: Samantha Fern
The Wells Speech Award // Given by Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Wells in 1973 to the Middle School winner of the speech contest: Keegan Glucksman
The Michael Stirling Duncan Memorial Cup // Given in memory of Michael Stirling ’50 is inscribed each year with the name of the student who has demonstrated the greatest interest and enthusiasm for literature: Tyler Wallach
Class of 1981 Award // For exemplary sportsmanship on the athletic field: Spencer Hellinger & Olivia Carillo
The Baoth Wiborg Memorial Prize // Given in honor of Baoth Wiborg ’34, is presented each year for excellence in Latin: Mia Cornell
The Matthew Preston ’65 Recitation Prize // Given to the Middle School winner of the Michael A. Lopes Annual Poetry Contest: Mia Cornell
The Aspinwall Athletic Cup // Given to the students voted as the best male and female athletes by Lloyd Aspinwall ’25, a member of the Board of Trustees, whose two sons attended Harvey: Keegan Glucksman & Patrick Murphy
28 HAR VEY MAGAZINE // commencement 2017
Hickrill Science Prize // Endowed in 1953 by Mrs. Robert Halsband and Frank Alan ’44, is awarded for excellence in science: Isabel Bandon
The Alvah Innes Memorial English Prize // Named for Alvah Innes’32 after he lost his fight with a severe infection is awarded to the student who excelled in English composition: Joseph DiGrandi
The Jack Hornor Prize // Endowed by Jack’s father, John W. Hornor, Esq. in honor of his son, Jack Hornor ’29, is awarded for excellence in mathematics: Densley Blake
prize night
Decemviri // The Top 10 scholars for the past three semesters, according to weighted grade averages. The Scholarship Cup is awarded to the student with the highest average. 1. Mia Cornell 1. Joseph DiGrandi 1. Kathryn Ogg 4. Densely Blake 5. Samantha Fern 6. Lauren Siegel 7. Frank McMahon 8. Keegan Glucksman 9. Garrett Quinn 10. Tyler Wallach
Faculty History Prize // Kathryn Ogg
Class of 2021
The Almirall Scholarship Cup // Given in 1922 by the late Juan A. Almirall, Esq. inscribes the name of the student having the highest scholastic standing for the year: Kathryn Ogg, Joseph DiGrandi & Mia Cornell
Faculty Drama Prize // Sophia Rae Epstein
Dr. and Mrs. Philip G. Cole Award // Given in honor of their son Philip G. Cole, Jr. â&#x20AC;&#x2122;34. Is given to the student who has made the greatest all-around improvement: Jeannie Fink
The Faculty Music Prize // Sophia August
The Harvey Art Prize // Cordelia McKenna
The Alumni Honor Cup // Recognizes the student who has contributed the most to the life and work of the school: Joseph DiGrandi
Sophia August Isabel Bandon Densley Blake Blake Bronson Everton Browne Olivia Carillo Mia Cornell Joseph DiGrandi Aaron Desmond DuPree Olivia Durkin Max Edelman Sophia Rae Epstein Tate Falta Samantha Fern Jeannie Galloway Fink Harrison Galloway-Kahn Keegan Glucksman Zi Glucksman Spencer Hellinger Benjamin Howard Zara Hume Gabrielle Levinger-Louie William Madigan Cordelia McKenna Frank McMahon Philip Moyles Patrick Murphy Kathryn Ogg Henry Oliver Andrew Ortiz Alexandre Pradines Garrett Quinn Nadine Rattner Mason Rice Lauren Siegel Sofia Silverman Ryan Villano Tyler Wallach
harveyschool.org 29
Sports spring highlights
The 2017 spring sports season had its share of disappointments but was marked by many exciting moments and history-making milestones for two varsity players … on the same team. The boys tennis team entered the season with the hopes of winning Harvey’s sixth straight Housatonic Valley Athletic League (HVAL) championship, but try as this year’s squad did to hold on to the league crown, the Cavaliers lost to Watkinson 6–3 in a semifinal matchup. Meanwhile, the girls made great strides in their fifth year of interscholastic tennis competition. The girls also battled Watkinson in a semifinal, only to lose in heartbreaking fashion, 4–3, to the eventual HVAL champion. The girls lacrosse team, looking to capture its second HVAL title in its brief history, suffered its most disappointing loss in the season, a 10–9 defeat in the championship game to Harvey’s 2017 nemesis, Watkinson. It was a history-making season, nonetheless, as both junior Sadie Albert and sophomore Sophia Scarsella reached the 100-career goal mark. The boys lacrosse team, meanwhile, played competitively all season long but lost in the first round of the playoffs to powerhouse South Kent. The varsity baseball team enjoyed an exciting season. After an 0–3 start, the Cavaliers turned their season around to build a 10–4 league record and claim the No. 2 seed in the HVAL playoffs. After a dramatic 8–7 extra-inning win against Christian Heritage in the opening round, the Cavs saw their season come to a disappointing end at home when they suffered a 2–0 loss to No. 6 seed Wooster in a semifinal matchup. At season’s end, the following athletes earned recognition from the league and from their respective coaches:
Boys Varsity TENNIS (8–8; 7–5 HVAL) HVAL All-League: Jared Ellis Noah Kagan HVAL All-League Honorable Mention: Jonathan Kushner MVP: Ryan Villano Coaches: Daniel Qiu Jonathan Kushner MIP: Patrick Murphy Sportsmanship: Noah Bailey John G Davis ’50 Tennis Award: Jared Ellis
30 HAR VEY MAGAZINE // commencement 2017
Girls Varsity TENNIS
Coed JV TENNIS
(11–4; 7–3 HVAL) HVAL All-League: Sara Steinberg Nicole Warshaw
(1–9) Most Improved: Olivia Carillo
HVAL All-League Honorable Mention: Charlotte Levy Brooke Dodderidge Natalia Looney Zoe Anastas MVP: Charlotte Levy MIP: Sage Myers Coaches: Isabel Bandon John G. Davis ’50 Tennis Award: Sara Steinberg
Coaches Choice: Marina Man Outstanding Leadership: Michael DiVestea
Boys Varsity LACROSSE (5–6; 3–4 HVAL) HVAL All-League: Cian Keohane HVAL All-League Honorable Mention: Zachary Anson Treshawn Felder Teddy Little NEPSAC Division 3 All-Star Game Selections: Zach Anson Connor Phillips Cian Keohane, Teddy Little Most Improved: Sebastian Wallach Sportsmanship Harrison Fontaine MVP Offense: Cian Keohane
Girls Varsity LACROSSE (13–5; 10–1–1 HVAL) HVAL All-League: Sadie Albert Julia Mallon Sophia Scarsella HVAL All-League Honorable Mention: Keegan Glucksman NEPSAC All-Star: Sadie Albert Sophia Scarsella
Ironman: Connor Phillips
WNEPSWLA All-Star: Sadie Albert Sophia Scarsella
Coaches: Tate Falta Treshawn Felder
MVP: Sadie Albert Sophia Scarsella
MVP Defense: Teddy Little
Most Improved Player: Erin Phillips Unsung Hero: Julia Mallon Coaches Award: Keegan Glucksman Players’ Player Award: Sophia Scarsella
harveyschool.org 31
Varsity BASEBALL (11–8; 10–4 HVAL) HVAL All-League: Ryan Goodiffe Pierce Steinberg HVAL All-League Honorable Mention: Brian Cicero Alex Ogg Jake Reber Larry Waterhouse MVP: Brian Cicero Silver Slugger Ryan Goodliffe MIP: Matt Drude Rookie of the Year: Ryan Horowitz Cy Young: Larry Waterhouse Coaches: Victor Mizzaro Pierce Steinberg Mr. Versatile: Alex Ogg Gold Glove: Jake Reber
JV BASEBALL (1–6–1; 0–5–1 HVAL) MVP: Sanath Kumar
Varsity SOFTBALL
Boys RUGBY B
(7–6) MVP: Lara Dimick
(6–4) JV Player of the Year: Grant Doherty
MIP: Sydney Penn Golden Glove: Kathryn Ogg Silver Slugger: Anna Buchmueller Sportsmanship: Lily Koenig Coaches Award: Lia Barning Rising Star: Sara Hoffman
Boys RUGBY (4–6; 0–4 Metro League) Varsity Player of the Year: Dajour Fisher
Girls RUGBY (2–2) NJ/NY High School Girls Rugby League Honorary All Star: Victoria Cartularo MVP Forward: Sydney Best
Varsity GOLF (0–6; 0–5 league)
Middle School BASEBALL
MVP Back: Amaya Henry
(5–4) Most Improved: Mitchell Yurko
MIP Forward: Mya Turner
Gold Glove: Spencer Hellinger
MIP Back: Courtney Alexander
Coaches Award: Jake Hellinger Dominic D’Onofrio
Rookie of the Year: Courtney Warren
Alumni: Dajour Fisher Discipline: Peter Lombardo
Gold Glove: Lucas Cohen
Bravery: Rafael Tapia
Coaches Award: Andrew Baron
Jazz: Kole Dokaj
32 HAR VEY MAGAZINE // commencement 2017
Student-Athletes Spring Award Theodore Little & Sadie Albert // To see up-to-the-date sports news, check out our website.
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