Harvey Magazine Commencement 2023

CLASS OF 2023

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Commencement

An alum’s parent who turned an indelible childhood memory into a highly successful play and film shares his secret of finding success with the largest graduating class in school history, exhorting them to work hard in the pursuit of their dreams.

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Senior Breakfast

Donning their college shirts for a photo op, the Class of 2023 gather together for a morning meal hosted by the Alumni Relations and College Counseling offices.

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Awards and Honors

Worthy recipients garner an abundance of senior awards.

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Commencement Dinner

Seniors gather with their parents and school faculty in a joyous prelude to the Commencement Day ceremony.

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8th Grade Moving Up

Thirty eight members of the Class of 2027 receive a warm send-off as they become rising ninth graders ready to face even greater challenges ahead.

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Spring Sports Wrap

Harvey athletes gave it everything they had in a spring season that saw many exciting moments and outstanding performances.

Cover photo by Julie Ades Richter

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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

Karen Grazia

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Chris Del Campo

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Sarah Parker

CONTRIBUTORS

Celia Baer ’23, Meg Booth, Brendan Byrne, Michael Fink, Debra Forte, Rob Griffin, Emiliana Knauer ’23, William Knauer, Ray Lacen, Jordan Latta ’23, Joanne Lombardi, Chazz Palminteri P’14, Veronica Jean Seltzer ’09, Denise Smith

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Gabe Palacio Photography

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Julie Ades Richter Photography

Abby Hassett

Ray Lacen

DESIGN

Good Design, LLC, gooddesignusa.com

PRINTING

J.S. McCarthy Printers, jsmccarthy.com

MISSION STATEMENT

Our purpose is to prepare and inspire students to become independent, adventurous thinkers and engaged, compassionate citizens in courageous pursuit of knowledge and truth.

CORE VALUES

» Passion for learning

» Respect

» Integrity

» Determination

» Excellence

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

The Harvey School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Class of 2023 Commencement

Embrace What Comes Next

Smoke-filled skies from Canadian wildfires did not put a damper on the commencement ceremony for The Harvey School’s Class of 2023 on the morning of June 8. Spirits were high as the graduates processed into the Fenstermacher Athletic Center led by Pipe Major Jonathan Henken playing the “Earl of Mansfield.”

2023 marked the largest graduating class in Harvey history with 82 seniors ending their high school career and embarking on their next educational journey. Senior Jacob Weisberger sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” followed shortly after by the remarkable Harvey Chorus singing an inspirational and moving arrangement of “Astonishing/How Far I’ll Go.”

Head of School Bill Knauer welcomed graduates and their families, and spoke to all the ways our seniors have grown during their time at Harvey. “I’ve watched you stand up for what you believe in, stand together against injustice, and stand by your friends when they needed you most,” Mr. Knauer said. “I am

confident you are up to the challenges that will come. Though you leave us today to embrace what comes next, you will always be a part of this place, and we look forward to hearing all about your future accomplishments,” he said.

Harvey Commencement Speaker, actor Chazz Palminteri, spoke to the graduates from the heart, fondly recalling his own memories of Harvey and those of his son, Dante, Class of 2014. Mr. Palminteri humorously shared that when he accepted the school’s invitation to speak he forgot June 8 was the first day of the Tribeca Film Festival, so he had to tell Robert DeNiro he was going to be late. Mr. Palminteri encouraged the seniors not to be afraid to fail and to put in the hard work by showing up. “The saddest thing in life is wasted time,” he said. “85% of success is showing up. If you don’t show up, nothing happens. You have to work hard,” he said with encouragement.

Vale dictorian Emiliana Knauer, headed to Amherst College this fall, thanked her friends,

1. It’s a thumbs up from Alex Rynott as he processes toward Commencement behind Lucas Ruiz-Vicente and followed by Vivian Shen and Grace Shepard.

// 2. Liz Hurley and Mackenzie Grady are ready to graduate.

// 3. Head of School William Knauer is the proud father of graduate and valedictorian Emiliana Knauer.

her teachers, and her father, the Head of School, for all they have done collectively to reach this moment. “We will always remember how deeply the teachers cared, and how easy it was to form such close relationships with the faculty,” the top scholar of the Class of 2023 said. “The many moments we had at Harvey will not be remembered for their details, but for how they changed us as people,” she said. “We will leave the Harvey community as people ready not only to change as we evolve and thrive, but also prepared to make some incredible change in the world.”

Students receiving awards were recognized for their outstanding achievements academically, in the arts, athletically, and as student leaders before Head of Upper School Phil Lazzaro, Chair of the Board of Trustees Eileen Walker, Dean of 9th and 10th Grade Susan Harris, and Mr. Knauer presented the diplomas to each graduate. Caps took flight after Mr. Knauer instructed the seniors to move their tassels from right to left, officially becoming graduates of The Harvey School.

4. Eve Doran and Marcus Diaz are all smiles. // 5. Emma Galgano is thrilled to be recognized for a senior award. // 6. The Harvey Chorus performs “Astonishing/How Far I’ll Go.” // 7. Boarding students pose with O’Malley dorm parents: Graham Rose, Dante Meloni, Khalil Aguilar, Nekia Bland, Jr., Justin Polanco, Greg Janos ’98, Aaron Providence, John DePalma ’01, Vincent Andren, and Ricardo Paris Aguirre. // 8. Jordan Latta and Juliet Jaques // 9. Caps fly as members of the Class of 2023 officially graduate Harvey.

SuccessShowingIs Up

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER CHAZZ PALMINTERI P’14, ACTOR

1. Actor Chazz Palminteri P’14 delivers Commencement Address.

// 2. Kailey Bologh, Aleah Ford Sussman, Olivia Quinn, and Jennifer Mena ’24 pose with faculty member Melanie Gambino.

// 3. Graham Rose with his family

// 4. Ricardo Paris Aguirre, Lucas Ruiz-Vicente, Lucia Falque Moreno, and host parent and faculty member Jessica Vicente take Commencement selfies.

// 5. Mitchell Winters with his family // 6. Josiah Ellis shows off his diploma. // 7. Lucinda Durkin celebrates with parents Bethany Durkin, school trustee Kevin Durkin, and older sister Olivia Durkin ’21.

// 8. Ari Klein and Kara Freedman celebrate with family and friends.

// 9. Daniel Gasch, Emma Galgano, and Jordan Freund show their excitement on Commencement Day.

Why am I here? I’ll tell you. There’s a lot of reasons why I’m here. First, I want to say to the students, you’re all very, very important because Mr. Lazzaro a year ago asked me, “Would you like to give the Commencement Day speech?” and I said, “Absolutely,” and my son Dante said, “You have to do it.” He was a student here and graduated. And I said,” OK.” But today is the beginning of the Tribeca Film Festival and I forgot about it. So I just told Robert DeNiro that I’m going to be late, to be here to do this for you. So if I have to leave a little early it’s because I have to run there.

My son, Dante, came here and graduated. And my son said to me, “Dad, I love Harvey, I love the school.”

Just driving here, on my way here, just coming here — I haven’t been this way in a long time — made me think of all the times we had dropped him off here, my wife and I. And when my son graduated, he said, “Dad, there’s a teacher, Mr. Phil Lazzaro, it’s because of him

that I’m graduating.” That’s really what he said to me. And I say this to the teachers out there: this is the impact that you have on students. And my son said to me, “I want to do something for Mr. Lazzaro. You know that picture of the 1980 hockey team, the ‘Miracle on Ice’? They all signed it. I bought that for him.” And then Dante said, “Mr. Lazzaro’s a big hockey fan and I want to give it to him.” I said, “Are you sure you want to give that to him? That’s going to be worth a lot of money one day.” And he said, “It would mean more to him than it will to me and I want to give it to him. Because without him, I don’t know how I would be.” Dante really said that to me. So I said, “Go ahead, give that to him.” My son gave it to Mr. Lazzaro. (turning to Mr. Lazzaro) Don’t ever sell that, it’s going to be worth a lot of money (laughter). I said, “Dante, whatever you want,” and when Mr. Lazzaro asked me to speak, I said I would.

Mr. Lazzaro told the story about how I started. Briefly, I was 9 years old sitting on a stoop, when a man killed a man right in front of me. I thought about it. It didn’t give me nightmares or

anything, but I never forgot it. And then when I was an actor in LA, and I was running out of money, I said, “Well, I’m going to do something with my life. Because I was running out of money. I said, should I go back to New York, and I said No, I’m going to write something about my life, I’m going to write about that killing.” I started writing each day, I wrote eight hours, 10 hours every day. I performed at night theater, and I kept working and working, and after 10 months of working really hard, I performed this oneman show, and it exploded and changed my life. I’m telling you this story for a reason. Because it’s about working hard. You can’t get around it. You cannot. And the moral of the movie that I wrote, and I love to speak to young people is the saddest thing in life is wasted time. You all have talent, all of you. Every one of you has the talent that you can do anything you want. Anything.

I know some of you look at people like me, actors and movie stars, and think, oh, my God, they have it made. But you’re much richer than I am. You are. And you know why? Because you have time. Time. You’re all so young and you can do anything you want. Anything.

I wrote down some of the things that will help you get to your goal. The first thing I’d like to say, some of you out there maybe didn’t get into the college of your choice. Your number one college. That means nothing. Zero. I didn’t get into any colleges that I wanted to get into. I wanted to get into Fordham because I was from that area. I was never a very good test student, just like my son. My son has dyslexia and I have dyslexia, and I know that only because my son has it. My son wanted to get into Berklee in Boston and he got in and graduated. But if you didn’t get into the college of your choice, don’t even worry about it. It means nothing. I ended up going to Bronx Community College. Don’t say, “Oh, they didn’t want me.” It has nothing to do with you. Now today, it’s all about other things. You go to college, or maybe some of you

don’t want to go to college, and that’s fine, too. You want to go right to work, I don’t care, that’s OK. The world needs plumbers, I had a plumber in my house yesterday and I asked, “How much is that?” My son should have been a plumber. Whatever you want to do, you can do it. Listen to me, 85% of success is showing up. You’ve got to show up. If you don’t show up, nothing happens. Nobody’s going to one day knock on your door and say, “Hey, you know, I’m looking for a lawyer, are you a lawyer?” That’s not going to happen. It’s not going to happen, folks. You have to show up. You have to work hard. If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got. That’s the way it goes. You’ve got

to fail. You’re going to fail. You’re going to be bad at something and you’re going to fail. I failed constantly. But I kept working hard until one day I hit it. You’re going to hear a lot of no’s and that’s OK. I can make you feel better about all the no’s you’re going to get in life right now. How about if I told you all that the next things you go out for, you’re going to get 40 no’s but the 41st time you go try, it’s going to be a yes. How are you going to feel when you get 10 no’s in a row? You’re going to say, only 30 more no’s. As soon as I get these 30 no’s out of the way, that’s when I’m going to hit it. That’s how you’ve got to look at life. You’ve got to keep on trying, trying, trying. And be careful of your friends … You will be judged by the worst of your friends. Never forget that. If you’re the smartest guy in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Learn from

other people. When I was in my 20s, I looked around and people said, “The salary your friends are making, that’s what you’ll be making,” and I said, “I gotta get out of here. I got to do something with my life.” But with friends, be very careful. Friends can bring you down, so choose your friends wisely. You know that old saying, ‘Birds of a feather flock together’? There’s a reason why they say that. Sometimes you have to let friends go. It’s like you’re on a bus with all your friends. Sometimes you have to open up the door and let them go. If they don’t have the desire that you have, move on, because friends can bring you down.

I don’t want to bring this up, but I will. Drugs and alcohol. Drugs are 99-0. They never lose. Never ever, ever. I never met a person who said, “Oh, I take drugs but I can handle it.” It never works out. You’ve got to have blinders on in life, forward motion, keep going straight.

And I say this to the parents out there: some of your children, these young men and women, they might have something they want to do — it doesn’t have to be the acting, the writing and the directing, but anything. They need your support. This is what I always tell the parents because life is so hard. I would go to drama schools and colleges, and I would speak to the kids, and I would talk to the parents. They would say to me, “Mr. Palminteri, my daughter wants to be an actress, my son wants to be a writer, can you talk them out of it? They need something to fall back on, I’m so nervous.”

And I say, “Listen to me. You have to support your kids, you have to. Because life is so hard. Don’t worry, they’ll get beat up, and if they’re not good at what they do, they’ll give it up. They will. But they need to have the support of their parents. Or else only two things can happen, and they’re both bad. Either they won’t make it and they’ll resent you, or they will make it, and they’ll resent you. So it’s better to give them the support; they’ll get banged up enough and they’ll learn.

D enzel Washington used to say, fail forward. Fail going forward. You’re 17 years old, you’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to fail at something. Keep going forward. Don’t go backward.

I just want to say, it’s been a pleasure to be here. I’m excited to be here. I’m excited my son went here. My son’s doing very well living in LA and now I call him and say, “Hey, Dante, want to lend me some money?”

Go d bless you all.

10. José Vasquez with his family

// 11. Dante Meloni enjoys the moment with his family.

// 12. Phil Lazzaro awards diploma to Alexandra Silverman.

// 13. Mackenzie Grady with family // 14. Kailey Bologh and Hudson Chris stand for senior award recognition.

Prepared to Make Some Incredible Change in the World

VALEDICTORIAN SPEECH BY EMILIANA KNAUER ’23

Class of 2023, I cannot believe that this day has finally come. I am so proud of us. First and foremost, thank you to our dedicated, caring teachers for taking the time to get to know each and every one of us and for not only being educators, but also mentors and role models. Thank you to the College Counseling Office for supporting us through a notoriously stressful time in our lives and dealing with all of our chaos and indecisiveness. Thank you to Mr. Lazzaro, Ms. V, Ms. Harris, and Mr. Forde for all they do, both what we see, and what we don’t. Thank you to Ms. Forte for keeping all of us functioning; without her, a lot of papers would have been handed in late. I guess I should also thank the Head of School for all of his incredible commitment to the Harvey community, even though he does love embarrassing his daughter. Thank you to my amazing friends for not only being people I can laugh with, but also people I can learn from. You all are truly the best friends anyone could ever ask for. And, finally, thank you to my classmates, each and every one of you. We would not be where we are today without each other, and I think it’s

safe to say we will probably take the cake for having the most interesting 10-year reunion. As a grade, we are, undoubtedly, unforgettable. To be frank, I’ve always found it a little funny that the student standing up here on this stage year after year is supposed to bestow some profound words of wisdom upon the rest of the class about life after high school, that we are somehow supposed to know how to approach the years to come. But, I’m in the exact same situation as every single one of you — excited, but unsure of what the future holds and a little scared of such a big change. So, while I will give my perspective on this important transition, I also want to reach out to a few of you, my classmates I don’t always have a chance to talk to, to ask for the best piece of advice you’ve ever received that really shaped you while growing up. Jasmine values stability, Sara values new experiences, Jose values discipline, and James believes in making an effort to stop worrying so much about others’ opinions of you. Coincidentally, Kailey’s answer of choosing courage over comfort happens to be quite similar to my own advice for our class: embrace change.

1. Valedictorian Emiliana Knauer // 2. Jordan Latta and Emiliana Knauer // 3. Sukie Vongveeranonchai holds the NEPSAC basketball championship trophy he helped his team to win. // 4. Lucas Ruiz-Vicente with his family, including mother and faculty member Jessica Vicente

I think it’s safe to say that none of us had the senior year we expected. Personally, I became friends with people I’ve gone to school with for years but felt like I was truly meeting for the first time, and I met new people this year who immediately felt like friends I’d known my whole life. In a lot of ways, while I’m sure we all expected this to be a year of lasts; it also ended up being a year of firsts. And sure, over the past four years we have been a pretty dysfunctional group of people at times, but I say that, not to criticize us, but to emphasize how remarkable it is that we achieved and overcame and learned all that we did. Together, we dealt with drastically changing social climates and education online and a literal worldwide pandemic, and while the process through it wasn’t always pretty, we still managed to come out of all these unforeseen circumstances as a grade who broke Harvey records and found success in so many ways, but above all else, people who individually grew as human beings. That is what I’m most proud of. For 10 of us here, about 2,555 days ago, we walked into Harvey Middle School for the very first day of sixth grade. But, regardless of whether it has been seven years or nine months since we walked onto Harvey’s campus for the first time, we are not the same people walking off. As I wrote this graduation speech, I was also simultaneously writing my senior thesis paper, which was honestly a little overwhelming at times, but I did write something in my paper that just coincidentally really applies to graduation as well. For context, my thesis was about the way that I remember childhood experiences, and at the very end as I was doing some reflecting,

I wrote, “Personally, I think that the way that we choose to remember moments in our lives can influence us as people just as much as the moments themselves.” Now granted, in my senior thesis, this thought did end up being about a cat from a children’s book, but I do think it relates to what we are going through right now. It’s inevitable that as we move on to the next phase of our lives and beyond, the details of a few Harvey memories are going to blend, and maybe even fade. But, much like how we remember the highlights of childhood memories, or the lessons we learned, I think that the same goes for Harvey. Even if we don’t remember every teacher’s name one day, we will always remember how deeply the teachers cared, and how easy it was to form such close relationships with the faculty. We may not remember the outcome of every game, but we will remember how happy we felt the moment we were so welcomed to try a sport that scared us. We won’t remember every lunchtime conversation, but we will remember how there was always someone interesting to talk to. Much like what Hudson said to me about how the little things make a big difference as his favorite piece of advice, the many little moments we had at Harvey will not be remembered for their details, but for how they changed us as people.

Now, I think it’s safe to say that we are about to face a lot of unknowns. We aren’t going to have Ms. Morris’ seemingly endless supply of random snacks when we are hungry. We aren’t going to have Mr. Forde’s crazy socks or Ms. Mahony’s emotional support juice boxes when we are sad. We aren’t going to

5. Jacob Weisberger sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Commencement. // 6. Jacob Weisberger with his family and younger sister Mollie ’26 // 7. Emiliana Knauer with her mother Eileen Juico and father, Head of School William Knauer // 8. Kailey Bologh with her mother // 9. Olivia Quinn and Issi Ovelar // 10. Dylan Kluge with family // 11. Jordan Latta with family, including mother and trustee Ronice Latta (second from right). // 12. Khalil Aguilar with his parents and brother Kenny ’22 // 13. The Mallon family with three Harvey graduates: Julia ’18, Brandon ’23, and Shawn ’16 // 14. International students Ricardo Paris Aguirre and Lucia Falque Moreno with their families from Spain // 15. Daniel Gittleman, Dante Meloni, and Mackenzie Grady

have Mackenzie’s unbelievably enthusiastic cheering at sports games. Leaving these sources of comfort and joy behind is undoubtedly bittersweet. So, as my biggest piece of advice to you all, I would just say this. Don’t let the fear of the unknown, the fear of starting over, hold you back. Instead of trying to assume the kind of year you will have, or people you will befriend, or opportunities you are open to experiencing, only assume that there is always more to learn, and that life rarely goes according to plan. If this year taught me anything, it’s that sometimes, the outcome we experience is better than the plan we made. Clearly, we are a grade full of people who have already been given some great advice in our lives, so I guess in some ways, my only words of wisdom to you all are just an encouragement to use these pieces of advice we have received to maintain open minds about what is to come, and allow ourselves to keep growing as people, just as we did at Harvey. Class of 2023, I wish you nothing but the best of luck in the future, and I have no doubt that no matter where we go, we will leave the Harvey community as people ready not only to change as we evolve and thrive, but also prepared to make some incredible change in the world. Congratulations!

Awards & Honors

John L. Loeb, Jr. ’44 Scholarship Cup // Given and endowed by Mr. Loeb to the school’s leading scholar: Emiliana Knauer

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., Class of 1919. Given to the student who is voted by the faculty to have contributed the most to the spirit and aims of the school: Emma Galgano

Lindsley Loring Loyalty Award // Created 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 their school relations during the year: Bennet Katzin

Head of School’s Prize // Created 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 their life at school: Dylan Kluge & Olivia Quinn

The Head of Upper School’s Award // Given annually to the student, who, in the view of the Head of Upper School, has supported the aims and mission of The Harvey School: Issi Ovelar & Holden Roberts

Harry A. Dawe History Prize // History Prize for excellence in history is named in honor of Mr. Dawe who served as headmaster of The Harvey School for 15 years: Harrison Acrish (U.S. History), Elliot Freedman (U.S. History & European), Spencer Elkind (European) & Vincent Andren (Economics)

Thompson Achievement Award // Given by Mr. and Mrs. Calvin A. Thompson, parents of Alexis ’82 and Thaddeus ’87, and inscribed annually with the name of the student who is voted by the faculty to have made the greatest all-around improvement: Daniel Gasch

English Prize // For excellence in English: Emiliana Knauer

John A. Shea

Prize // Endowed by an anonymous donor in honor of Mr. Shea’s 80th birthday in recognition of his 22 years of service to the school: Issi Ovelar

Edward Micola Model United Nations Award // In honor of Edward V. Micola ’92, given to the student who has displayed the most dedication, energy, and expertise at Model UN competitions: Emma Galgano & Bennet Katzin

Citizenship Award // Endowed by the Harvey Parent Association: Jordan Latta

Technology Prize // For excellence in technology: Alexandre Conoscente

Mathematics Prize // For excellence in mathematics: Jasmine Zhang

Latin

Science Prize // Kailey Bologh (Life Sciences), Hudson Chris (Life Sciences), Loveleigh Viera (Physical Science) & Jasmine Zhang (Physical Science)

Wells

Given to the school in 1973 by Mr. and

Arnold Wells, the award goes to the winner of the annual Wells Speech Contest:

in

The David Muntner Theatre Tech Award // For outstanding contributions in theater: Emma Galgano

Dance Prize // For outstanding contributions in dance: Jordan Latta

Scholar-Artist Award // Voted by faculty as outstanding scholar-artist of the senior class: Emiliana Knauer & Jasmine Zhang

Keenan Wynn ’31 Prize for Excellence in Drama // Aleah Ford Sussman & Ari Klein

Japanese Prize // For excellence in Japanese: Harrison Acrish & Vivian Shen

Spanish Prize // For excellence in Spanish: Emiliana Knauer & Loveleigh Viera

Matthew Preston ’65 Poetry Recitation // Awarded to the student who is judged to be the winner of the annual Matthew Preston ’65 Poetry Recitation Contest. This award was given to the school

1977 by the Preston Family: Daniela Rynott ’25

Speech Cup //

Mrs.

Olivia Barsky ’26

Cavalier Awards

The Cavalier Award is underwritten by the Harvey 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 year’s winners are 2023 graduates Nekia Bland, Jr., and Juliet Jaques; eighth grader Leif Peters; and faculty recipient Joanne Lombardi.

Boys Athletic Prize // Presented to outstanding senior male athlete: Clayton Collum & Kirk Ortega II

Girls Athletic Prize // Presented to outstanding senior female athlete: Kira Ortega

E. Bradley Richardson Scholar-Athlete Award // Named after a former head of school, voted by faculty as outstanding scholar-athlete of the senior class: Hudson Chris

Art Prize // For excellence in art: Ricardo Paris Aguirre

Ronald W. Duncan Music Awards // Given for excellence in the field of music in honor of former piano teacher Ronald W. Duncan: Harrison Acrish (Instrumental), Kara Freedman (Choral) & Jacob Weisberger (Choral)

COMMENCEMENT DINNER SPEAKER CELIA BAER ’23

I Am Now Ready To Take On Life After Harvey

When looking at high schools, I told my mom, “Find me a small private school, I’m not going to public school.” She found Harvey, and from the moment I shadowed here, I knew this was the place for me. My very first memory, of at least the girls of our grade, was having a beginningof-the year pool party at Emi’s house where all the returning girls filled us new students in on all the gossip about the boys in our grade. This is when I realized I could trust these girls and I would have a smooth start into high school. I thought I would have the hardest time as an incoming freshman because people already knew each other and I didn’t know a soul. But everyone was so welcoming and made me feel as though I were part of a family. When I starte d at Harvey, I joined the volleyball team because I played in middle school and wanted to continue, and because of this Harvey team I was able to meet students across the grades. Along with volleyball I joined basketball and met my two best friends.

Then I joined lacrosse. Lacrosse was the very last sport I would ever think of joining, but in junior year I made the bold decision to join, and I’m so happy I did. Not only did I find my favorite sport, but I also found an amazing family and coach. If it weren’t for Harvey, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play all these sports. What I love about the sports program is that I didn’t need any prior experience in order to play on the teams. Because of this, I was able to find a place where I could be myself, learn how to be a team player, and, most importantly, have fun.

As I mentione d before, I did not want to go to a big public school. It wasn’t for me and I knew I would succeed in a smaller environment. Harvey gave me everything I was looking for: small classes where I always felt like I was heard and not just a face in the crowd and amazing teachers who wanted to teach and were willing to create Zoom calls at 9 o’clock at night if that was the only time everyone was free. And because of these educators, I was able to find a love for certain subjects I used to dread. Just the environment itself felt like a home. Administrators and teachers were always willing to sit down with me to talk about whatever was on my mind, whether it was discussing a serious issue or just telling them about my weekend.

I’m sure we’ve all had our ups and downs through high school, but we will always remember these years and how they shaped us into who we are today. Harvey has become a family to me. I found some of my favorite people, discovered my favorite subjects, and I am now ready to take on life after Harvey.

1. William Knauer with Celia Baer ’23 // 2. Commencement Dinner speaker Celia Baer // 3. Senior and undergraduate girls varsity lacrosse players pose with coach and Associate Director of Alumni Relations Greg Janos ’98 following Commencement.

THESE CLASS OF 2023 SENIORS ATTENDED HARVEY ALL SEVEN YEARS — GRADES 6 THROUGH 12. WE AFFECTIONATELY CALL THEM

Harvey Survivors

Clayton Collum

Juliet Jaques

Lucinda Durkin

Emma Galgano

Bradley Lederer

Ian Kalman

Emiliana Knauer

Spencer Whitman

Olivia Quinn Jacob Weisberger

Be Kind. Be Bold. Do What You Love

ROB GRIFFIN, FACULTY SPEECH

Good evening, I was very honored to have the 2023 yearbook dedicated to me. Honored and surprised, but it almost didn’t happen because it took me a long time to learn the first lesson for tonight: Do what you love.

When I was your age, if you could go back in a time machine and tell me that someday I would be a teacher, I would have doubled over, dropped to the floor, in the fetal position, laughing, and laughing, and laughing.

I’ve been lucky enough to teach at The Harvey School for the past 15 years and I can truly say it’s the best job I’ve ever had. In my travels I’ve been an accountant, a debt collector, a pole climber, a tax analyst, an inventory specialist, etc. All noble professions, but they weren’t for me. I was miserable.

Then a great thing happened — I got fired. Well, officially, I was laid off, but it’s all the same in the end. So, what was I going to do with my life? My wife suggested, “Do what you love.” Well, I love history. I love sports. How could I combine them into something where I could make a decent living?

Teaching? HA! Teachers don’t make any money and they’re so dorky. But I became a teacher and I’ve never regretted one moment. And that brings me to the Class of 2023. When Mr. Lazzaro came to me in the summer of 2019 and told me I’d be teaching freshmen in the fall, I was a bit apprehensive because, well, they’re freshmen. And I hadn’t taught the grade in years and never at The Harvey School. But I decided to go into the new year with an open mind.

Now, the kids know this, and I sometimes annoy them with it, but I really love philosophy, especially the Greeks. And my first lesson of the new school year is always about philosophy, and it had always worked well with the sophomores, so I thought the freshmen should love it, too. About 10 minutes into the lesson, I knew it wasn’t going well, but I got through it. After class one of my students came up to me and said how much he enjoyed the lesson and how he agrees that philosophy is so important because it answers all the deep questions of mankind, for instance,

Is it OK to yell “THEATER” in a crowded firehouse?

I was amazed. What an interesting question. I later learned it was an old Steve Martin

1. History teacher Rob Griffin gives the faculty speech at Commencement Dinner.

// 2. The 2023 Cavalier yearbook is dedicated to Mr. Griffin, presented by Juliet Jaques ’23. // 3. Liz Hurley, Sara Adelman, Savannah Thompson, and Kira Ortega // 4. Talia Spector with her parents

bit, and now I was even more amazed he knew who Steve Martin was, and that’s when I knew the Class of 2023 was special.

The s econd lesson tonight comes from the speaker, writer, and philosopher, Alan Watts. Watts asked the question, “If money were no object, what would you do with your life?” The thought being many people do things they don’t like because they feel they must, either because of money, the drive for success, or validation.

But if you could study whatever you wanted and do whatever you wanted, what would it be? At first, most responses were being an athlete, or a singer, or buying the Minnesota Timberwolves. And as they thought about it, I started to hear about climate change, eliminating hunger, eradicating diseases, and providing a quality education for all. Again, I was amazed. The kids really did get it.

Finally, I’ll leave you with one last lesson.

Don’t be afraid to fail.

Be kind, be bold, be empathetic, do things you love, don’t be afraid to try new things, let nothing be unknown to you, and make a difference in the world because, yes, one person can make a difference.

O f the 80 or so graduates, I’ve either taught or coached about 75% of you, and I can say you truly are extraordinary young people. It’s been an honor watching you grow and mature. Please, please, please, don’t ever change.

One last quote from one of my favorite philosophers:

“In this galaxy, there is a mathematical probability of two billion Earth-type planets. And in all the universe, 200 billion galaxies like this. And in all of that … and perhaps more, only one of each of us.”

Go d bless the Class of 2023.

Senior Awards

Triple “C” Award from the Office of the New York State Attorney General // Khalil Aguilar, Juliet Jaques & Holden Roberts

Val’s Pal’s Foundation Scholarship // Issi Ovelar

Army ROTC Scholarship Award // Dylan Kluge

Scholarship for Academic Excellence from the NY State Education Department // Khalil Aguilar

Scholarship for Academic Excellence from the NY State Education Department // Zachary Anisman, Kailey Bologh & Ian Kalman

5. Head of Upper School accepts the Senior Class Gift check from class parents Jenny Rynott and Jerri-Lynn Galgano. // 6. Jordan Latta, trustee Ronice Latta, faculty member Melanie Gambino, Ricardo Paris Aguirre, and his mother

Class of 2023

Amherst College

Matriculations

Oberlin College

Amsterdam Fashion Institute

Babson College

Bentley University

Binghamton University

Boston College

Boston University

Bucknell University

Chapman University

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Colorado College

Dickinson College

Drexel University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emerson College

Franklin & Marshall College

Gettysburg College

Grinnell College

Hamilton College

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Ithaca College

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Lynn University

Middlebury College

Morgan State University

New York University

Parsons School of Design

Penn State University York

Providence College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rollins College

Siena College

Skidmore College

SUNY Oneonta

Susquehanna University

Syracuse University

Trinity College

Union College

University of Arizona

University of Connecticut

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Indiana at Bloomington

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of New Hampshire

University of Richmond

University of Southern California

Vassar College

Wagner College

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

SENIOR BREAKFAST

Alumni Office Welcomes the Class of 2023

The Senior Breakfast has become an annual Harvey tradition, a special morning marking the soon-to-be graduates’ end of their time as Harvey students and welcoming them as they cross over into the Harvey Alumni family.

Hoste d jointly by the offices of College Counseling and Alumni Relations, the Class of 2023 celebrated their last day on campus by signing the pennants of their college destination before enjoying a delicious breakfast with their classmates. Then it was time for our annual college shirt group photo in the Quad, followed by a presentation in the Study Hall featuring guest speaker and Harvey alum Veronica Jean (VJ) Seltzer ’09, on-air news reporter for News 12 NY.

VJ shared her story of attending Harvey from grade 6 through grade 12. “I felt and still feel very at home at Harvey,” VJ told the senior class. “The small class sizes and the fact that teachers lived on campus helped to give me the confidence I don’t think I otherwise would have had,” she said. VJ shared clips from her television career following her graduation from Tufts University and Columbia Journalism School and her path to each position, working in several markets across the country including South Bend, Indiana and Lexington, Kentucky before returning home to Westchester County and News 12.

She credited faculty members Mr. Kelly, Mr. Lazzaro, and Ms. Mahony, but also said she doesn’t like to name teachers at the exclusion of others. “Every student here, every teacher had an impact on me. Harvey is home, which is why I’ve stayed connected as an alum,” VJ said.

VJ enc ouraged the newest class of Harvey alums to look around them and note that someone they are looking at might hire them one day, or introduce them to their future spouse or business partner. She also shared that there are a lot of great events for alums and a social network

of Harvey Cavaliers so it’s easy to stay involved and benefit from connecting with generations of fellow alumni like themselves.

S peakers also included President of the Harvey Alumni Association Lara Casano ’95 and Associate Director of Alumni Relations Greg Janos ’98, Director of College Counseling Meg Booth, and senior speaker Jordan Latta (see Jordan’s speech on page 20).

Seniors received their official Harvey alumni membership cards and a Harvey blanket to keep them warm as they embark for college to further their education.

VJ’s words resonated for the Class of 2023. “Remember on those days when you aren’t feeling so great and feel like your story doesn’t matter,” she said. “Remember, there’s someone out there like me that sees something maybe you don’t at that moment and sees what an amazing story you do have. Congratulations!”

Seniors went on to receive their Cavalier yearbooks and then enjoy a senior BBQ served up by the Upper School administration and faculty.

1. VJ Seltzer ’09 speaks to the Class of 2023 at Senior Breakfast.

// 2. Juliana Rocco is excited to sign her college pennant.

// 3. Seniors pose in their college shirts with pennants.

Class of 2023, We Are Strong!

JORDAN LATTA, STUDENT SPEAKER

Class of 2023, can you believe we’re here? We are about to graduate! But I want to take a step back, as I am sure most of you would like to do at this moment, to 2018 when times were simpler and you didn’t have to complete horrifying college applications with Ms. Booth. When I first entered Harvey, I wasn’t sure of what my success would look like here. Coming from a private school for students with disabilities, I wasn’t sure how I would move forward in a school with a more rigorous curriculum while having a memorization and reading comprehension disability. Now, I can confidently say that

there was no reason for me to walk nervously down the long, tiresome hill to the Middle School. I had no idea what amazing memories were about to be made for the next four years. The Harvey School was the best choice for me. Harvey allowed me to grow as a person in many ways: academically, socially, and within the many extracurricular activities. Harvey’s intimate classroom settings have given me the opportunity to freely participate in class discussions. Through the flexible schedules of my teachers, I always had the opportunity to meet for extra help, which gave me a chance to learn how to take the initiative when I needed help. Hopefully, I won’t drive my professors or RAs insane with various meetings, like how I still do with Mr. Ruble. Also, I will try my best not to gossip with my professors like how I did with Ms. Saraniti. Harvey allowed me to create not only close-knit relationships with

1. Jordan Latta will attend UConn and Emiliana Knauer is bound for Amherst College. // 2. Student Speaker Jordan Latta celebrates her fellow classmates at Senior Breakfast. // 3. Lucinda Durkin, Mya Dias, and Olivia Quinn // 4. Harrison Acrish to attend Middlebury College, alma mater of Meg Booth, director of college counseling

my teachers but lifelong friendships. I had the ability to make friends with students who come from different backgrounds — racially and financially. I am going to miss the days of laughing until I can’t breathe with Emi Knauer at lunch as well as glaring at Brandon Mallon for being too loud in Calculus.

Through being a part of the dance company and varsity basketball and volleyball teams, I grew not only as a dancer and player, but as a leader. I am going to miss the annual dance concerts and the words of wisdom from Ms. Gambino. Also, I am going to miss the intense basketball and volleyball games that showcased Kira and Kirk scoring double figures each game.

Class of 2023, we are strong. We made it out of an unexpected pandemic that changed our academic and social life for years. We had to go through our classes being on Zoom to finally being back on campus, but with masks, temperature checks, packaged food, and social distancing. Oh, and let’s not forget about the flex space. Wasn’t that everyone’s “favorite place!” I am so happy to say that everyone

sitting in this room made it out of the pandemic not only healthy but wiser, stronger, and as almost-graduates who are ready for the next chapter … no matter what comes our way.

I am proud to say that I will be going to UConn next year. Thank you, Ms. Booth, for your help with finding colleges, filling out applications, troubleshooting scholarship essays, and easing my anxiety about the whole college process. And thank you to Ms. Harris who has always been my school mom and cheerleader throughout my high school years. Also, thank you to all of the Harvey faculty who have either given me further knowledge, and mostly passing grades to get me to this joyous point in my life feeling confident in my next steps into college. Lastly, thank you to my family and friends who have always supported me, loved me, given me great advice, and kept me sane along my academic journey so far.

Class of 2023, let’s thrive in college. Let’s celebrate our success. And let’s make The Harvey School, our families, and our own selves proud! Thank you.

//

//

5. Liz Hurley, Celia Baer, Emma Galgano, Loveleigh Viera, Lucia Falque Moreno, Zoe Melnick, and Juliet Jaques // 6. Hudson Chris is bound for Colorado College. // 7. Alexandra Silverman and Mya Dias

8. Lucas Ruiz-Vicente and Grace Shepard // 9. Lucinda Durkin and Issi Ovelar

10. On their way to Elon University are Bradley Lederer, Jacob Weisberger, and Brandon Mallon. // 11. Aaron Providence is headed to Morgan State University.

8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony Dream Big, Exceed Expectations

Exuberance and excitement filled Fenstermacher Athletic Center as 38 Harvey eighth graders took the giant leap from middle school to upper school June 7 in the Eighth Grade Moving-Up Ceremony. The students strode in to be recognized in front of family, friends, faculty, and staff, ready to reflect on their time in middle school and take that step up as rising ninth graders.

“When students enroll in our middle school, we expect them to be engaged in the classroom and involved in programs and activities beyond the classroom,” said Head of Middle School Dr. Brendan Byrne. “This group of students has embraced and often exceeded that expectation,” he said.

Whether it was b eing active participants on their sports teams, on the stage in Lasdon Theater, or writing for the Middle School literary magazine Equinox, this class strove to be engaged learners in every aspect of student life at Harvey.

Head of School Bill Knauer addressed the students and their families with equal excitement for their future. “This is a time of great transition for you,” Mr. Knauer said. “You’re about to take that big step from Middle School to Upper School. To step up, as the name implies, is very

exciting. The future holds endless possibilities.”

“Embracing the future requires optimism, flexibility, hope, courage, and trust. Trust in yourselves,” said Mr. Knauer. “Trust in the people you share your future with, and trust that good things lie ahead.”

Faculty Speaker honors went to math teacher Michael Fink who received a boisterous cheer from his students. “I’ve either taught, coached, or spent time in a club with 87% of you. I had to throw in a little math,” Mr. Fink said. “I’ve gotten to know many of you pretty well — your likes and dislikes, your families, what makes you happy or sad, your hobbies and activities outside of school. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you,” he said. “I encourage you to put the time in to get to know people.”

Mr. Fink acknowledged the hard work of these students. “I am proud of you when you work hard at something and put the effort in no matter what the end result is,” he said. “The praise and acknowledgements will come, but they will mean so much more if you already know that you have done your best.”

Eighth graders were then presented with awards and diplomas as they walked across the stage to shake Dr. Byrne’s hand, and then walked off a little older and a little wiser, to the applause of all those in attendance.

“I appreciate and will miss the many contributions they have made to our school,” said Dr. Byrne of the Class of 2027.

“I hope, and everyone in this room hopes, that you dream big, and then throw yourselves into all you do and make those dreams a reality,” said Mr. Knauer. “I look forward to your many future successes. Congratulations.”

Indeed! Congratulations, Harvey eighth graders!

“THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS.”

—Eleanor Roosevelt

You All Have Something to Offer

MS FACULTY SPEECH MICHAEL

FINK

Dr. Byrne, Dr. Metz, members of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Knauer, faculty, staff, families, guests, and students, it is my pleasure to welcome you all here on this amazing day. I would be remiss if I didn’t specifically recognize my colleagues in the Middle School who not only work so hard on a daily basis for the benefit of the students, but who also make teaching at Harvey such an enjoyable experience through their companionship, wisdom, and wit. Toiling away in the salt mines we call middle school is manageable because of all of you.

But I’m not here to heap praise on my colleagues. I’m here to address the graduating eighth grade class. So let’s do this.

Three years ago, when the first batch of you walked through the doors of the Middle School as sixth graders, so much about school was new. Not just the usual stuff like new classmates, new teachers, and a new school, but a whole bunch of new routines. We had to pre-order our boxed lunches back then. We also had to complete our daily COVID screening. You had a 15-minute recess

between every class! That was pretty sweet. And, of course, we had to wear masks. People may argue the efficacy of mask wearing, but we stand as witnesses to the fact that Cameron’s chin was well protected by that small piece of red cloth he wore every day. Wearing a mask wasn’t much fun, but at least you were together. Oh, it might not have been perfect all the time, but you got to be kids and go to school when so many others didn’t. It was definitely better than being on Zoom. That original group of seven: Lee, Neel, Sarah, Aidan, Cameron, Katya, and Sullivan grew by two with the addition of Beatrix and Jacob during the year, and you not only just survived, but really thrived. A few of you will accuse me of being cheesy or sappy, but someday I think you will look back on that year and realize how special it was. The following fall, word must have gotten out about how much fun we were having because 16 of you joined us in seventh grade. We added a couple of Grahams and a couple of Daniels, we were joined by our first Middle School international student, we welcomed our

1. Sophia Thilo, Katya Stephens and Sophia Kimmel // 2. These eighth graders are excited to be rising ninth graders. // 3. The Class of 2027 // 4. Middle School faculty speaker Michael Fink // 5. Leif Peters enters the athletic center.

8th Grade Class of 2027

Teddy Aaron // Jake Acosta // Zoey Berman // Lee Birch // Madison Boothe // Sydney Boothe // Grahm Bryant //

Graham Casey // Dylan Coughlin // Sarah Fisher // Aidan Garcia //

Mallon Gilligan // Rylan Gilligan // Adalaine Hayes // Perri Hines //

Peikang Hu // Daniel Kiamie // Sophia Kimmel // Lily Kutai //

Robert Lawrence-Comerford // Cameron Lederer // Daniel Lehman //

Henry Leibowitz // Matthew Lerner // Theo Leyva //

Jake Lichtenstein // Beatrix Mackil // Stephen Millette //

Neel Mistri // Leif Peters // Jacob Pinney // Zachary Roberts //

Benjamin Shaw // Jordan Sheppe // Sofia Solares //

Katya Stephens // Sophia Thilo // Sullivan Wieting

6.

initial set of twins to the grade, the first of an eventual three Sophias arrived, not to mention an eager Lerner, St. Stephen, the inseparable combo of Zach and Leif, and, of course, Teddy. Perri seemed to ground the group when she arrived during the year, but Ben LC tumbled in to knock us back into orbit. I would say school was back to normal, but that word doesn’t suit some of you that well. Sports and after-school activities were back. You still had a sizable 10-minute break between classes and there was no more pre-ordering lunch. For some of you, there was a bit of an adjustment period as you learned how to interact with real, live humans again. It also took a few of you a while

to realize you were no longer on Zoom and homework was not optional. In the end, except for the toll it took on your caring and devoted teachers, you all seemed to have escaped the dreaded seventh grade year no worse for wear.

Thirteen more of you came knocking on Harvey’s door this year. Another set of twins graced our halls, two Jakes, the aforementioned Sophias, a Sheppe and a Shaw, Addy and Zoey and Dylan oh my, Henry the 8th … grader — terrible, I know — and a Theo to balance out the slightly crazy seventh grade version. Although this group really missed out on some amazing classroom instruction from yours truly, you made the most of your time here. You quickly immersed yourselves in all that Harvey has to offer. You and your classmates thrived in performances and on playing fields. Your talents carried you beyond the walls and boundaries of the Middle School as you took Upper School classes and played on varsity teams. You all survived middle school and we survived you. Now, high school awaits. So, what can you expect?

Over the course of my illustrious career as a middle school teacher — words never uttered before today — I’ve heard many a student lament, “I can’t wait until I get to high school.” Alright, settle down, Captain Cool. Yes, high school comes with a little more freedom, a little more independence, and more free periods. But it also comes with more responsibility, more work, and greater expectations. If the goal of middle school was to help you hone the skills that will make you successful in high school, high school is for you to use those skills to help you acquire knowledge and know how that will prepare you for college or maybe even life. So, if the biggest selling point in moving up to high school is that it isn’t middle school and you will have free periods, it might be time to reevaluate. If you have worked hard and taken school seriously up till now, continue to do so. You’ll be in good shape. If this description doesn’t necessarily describe you to a “T,” maybe it’s time to start. If you are willing to work and take a more serious approach to your classes, you will find a lot of people willing to help you succeed. I can’t guarantee the same will be true if your primary goal is to entertain your classmates and coast along. So be ready to bring something to the table. How are you going to contribute to making your high school years better for more people than just you? You all have something to offer. Don’t be afraid to get involved and try something new. You and your school will be better off.

Seeing double — the Gilligan and Boothe twins // 7. Daniel Lehman with his parents // 8. Sofia Solares with her family // 9. Perri Hines with her family // 10. Eighth grade boys take their last photo together as middle schoolers. // 11. Dr. Brendan Byrne accepts the Eighth Grade Gift check from Director of the Harvey Fund Isabelle Correa.

Being that I’m old and generally uncool, I’m in no position to offer advice, but heck, I’ve got the microphone, so I guess I’ll keep rolling.

One student specifically asked that I don’t lecture you on being kind. So, I won’t tell you how the world will be a better place if we all are kind to each other (it will be) or how many more muscles it takes to frown than smile (I’m pretty sure Google will back me up on that). But you are not going to stop me from saying this: “Don’t be a jerk.” It sounds so easy and such simple advice, but so much high school drama and resulting pain stems from someone being a jerk. So, try not to be a jerk and help others avoid being a jerk and be sympathetic to those who have experienced the pain of a jerk firsthand. And maybe be willing to forgive a jerk. I say this humbly as someone who has been a jerk, but also as someone who has been forgiven for being a jerk, and who forgave a jerk, and hopefully someone who has comforted the jerk afflicted. My last piece of advice is a direct result of my being old and uncool. As all of you students are fully aware, my wardrobe consists of khakis and plaid shirts. But there is something to learn from my sense of style: try not to be consumed by what others think. I know, easy for me to say. But the sooner you learn to evaluate your own selfworth and cease looking for outside approval, the happier you’ll be. As T. Swizzle says, “Haters gonna hate.” So, as she also says, “Just shake it off.” Surround yourself with good people, value their opinion, and learn to evaluate and appreciate yourself. On occasion, I have been asked by members of this class if I think they did well on a test or are good at some activity. Generally, I don’t answer but rather respond with, “I don’t know. How do you think you did?” Or, “Did you work hard? Are you proud of yourself?” I imagine this is frustrating. Guess what? I am proud of you when you work hard at something and put in the effort no matter what the end result is. So

are your parents and loved ones. But we are all secondary to how you value yourself and your hard work. The praise and acknowledgements will come, but they will mean so much more if you already know that you have done your best.

I’ve either taught, coached, or spent time in a club with 87% of you. (I had to throw in a little math.) I’ve gotten to know many of you pretty well — your likes and dislikes, your families, what makes you happy or sad, your hobbies and activities outside of school. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. I encourage you to put the time in to get to know people. Your new classmates will have their stories to share. Try to avoid defining others by one characteristic, trait, or interest and make it difficult for others to define you by one thing. It’s our relationships with other people that make life more interesting. But don’t just talk. When I lived in Alaska, a native gentleman told me I talk too much. He told me I needed to just listen. He was right. Sometimes we are so desperate to fill those awkward silent moments that we don’t pause long enough to let something sink in or to allow the other person to speak. And in that listening we learn a lot about the speaker and maybe something about ourselves. So, on that note, I will hand the mic over to allow someone else to speak. Thank you all and good luck!

Middle School Prizes

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. Neel Mistri

2. Perri Hines

3. Adalaine Hayes

4. Stephen Millette

5. Peikang Hu

6. Sarah Fisher

7. Beatrix Mackil

8. Theo Leyva

9. Zoey Berman

10. Sophia Kimmel

The

the student who has contributed the most to the life and work of the school: Stephen Millette

The

// Given in memory of Michael Stirling ’50 inscribed each year with the name of the student who has demonstrated the greatest interest and enthusiasm for literature: Beatrix Mackil

in mathematics: Neel Mistri

in science: Madison Boothe

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: Neel Mistri

The Leverett T. Smith Memorial Award // Named after our former Headmaster Leverett T. Smith, given in recognition for initiative and perseverance in the pursuit of some special interest during the school year: Daniel Kiamie

The Jack Hornor Prize // Endowed by Jack’s father, John W. Hornor, Esq. in honor of his son, Jack Hornor, Class of 1929, awarded for excellence

The Hickrill Science Prize // Endowed in 1953 by Mrs. Robert Halsband and Frank Alan Weil, Class of 1944, awarded for excellence

Michael Stirling Duncan Memorial Cup

Alumni Honor Cup // Recognizes

Faculty History Prize // Peikang Hu

Harvey Art Prize // Sophia Thilo

Faculty Music Prize // Adalaine Hayes

Faculty Drama Prize // Matthew Lerner

Harvey, to the student voted best athlete: Zachary Roberts

Philip G. Cole Award // Given by Dr. and Mrs. Philip G. Cole in honor of their son Philip G. Cole, Jr. Class of 1934, to the student who has shown the greatest all-around improvement: Lee Birch & Sophia Kimmel

The Wells Speech Award // Given by Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Wells in 1973 to the Middle School winners of the speech contest: Beatrix Mackil

The Matthew Preston ’65 Recitation Prize // Given to the Middle School winner of the Michael A. Lopes Annual Poetry Contest: Amity Doyle

The Alvah Innes Memorial English Prize // Named for Alvah Innes ’32, awarded to the student who excelled in English composition: Sarah Fisher

Faculty Spanish Prize // Zoey Berman

The Baoth Wiborg Memorial Prize // Given in honor of Baoth Wiborg ’34, presented each year for excellence in Latin: Neel Mistri

The Aspinwall Athletic Cup // Given by Lloyd Aspinwall, Class of 1925, a member of the Board of Trustees, whose two sons attended

The Robotics Prize // Stephen Millette

Class of 1981 Award // For exemplary sportsmanship on the athletic field: Sydney Boothe & Jordan Sheppe

Sports Wrap

Spring 2023

Although the spring sports season did not produce any league championships this year, our athletes certainly played like champions, giving max effort game in game out while representing their school in fine fashion. The varsity boys lacrosse team came closest to winning a league title, coming up heartbreakingly short, losing in sudden death overtime in the HVAL championship game. The spring may have come up empty on winning championship trophies, but the season was filled with highlights from each team whose individual athletes made many outstanding contributions. Two varsity lacrosse athletes, in fact, reached career scoring milestones. In her senior year, girls team captain Juliet Jaques (below left) scored her 100th career goal while junior captain Jared Effinger (below right) did the same for the boys team. We salute all the players for their efforts on behalf of Harvey’s athletic program this past spring, and we congratulate all of the following who received league recognition and earned special team awards from their coaches:

LACROSSE

(11-3 overall; 7-1 HVAL)

HVAL All-League

Jared Effinger

Wesley Elkind

Dante Meloni

Felix Oliver

Jackson Saccomanno

Michael Sorio

All-NEPSAC

Jared Effinger

Wesley Elkind

All-NEPSAC

Honorable Mention

Dante Meloni

Michael Sorio

Felix Oliver

New England Prep D3 Offensive Player of the Year

Jared Effinger

MVP Offense

Jared Effinger

MVP Defense

Wesley Elkind

MIP

Felix Oliver

Players’ Player

Michael Sorio

LACROSSE

(7-6 overall; 7-5 HVAL)

HVAL All-League

Juliet Jaques

Tory Janush

Kathleen McCulloch

Emily Sorio

All-NEPSAC

Juliet Jaques

Emma Galgano

WNEPSWLA All-Stars

Juliet Jaques

Emily Sorio

MVP

Juliet Jaques

Coaches Award

Tory Janush

Emily Sorio

Unsung Hero

Emma Galgano

Players’ Player

Juliet Jaques

Albert Achievement Award

Juliet Jaques

Scarsella Leadership Award

Kathleen McCulloch

Varsity BASEBALL

(8-12)

MVP

Kirk Ortega II

MIP

Hudson Chris

Cavalier

Mitchell Winters

Batting Champ

Kirk Ortega II

Cy Young

William Hargreaves

Edwin Sanchez

Gold Glove

José Vasquez

Rookie of the Year

Kira Ortega

Boys Varsity

TENNIS

(2-11; 1-7 HVAL)

HVAL All-League

Arav Shah

MVP

Arav Shah

MIP

Gianluca Putek

Coaches

Aden Yankwitt

Girls Varsity

TENNIS

(8-4 overall; 7-3 HVAL)

HVAL All-League

Grace Shepard

MVP

Grace Shepard

MIP

Madison Reckson

Coaches

Maya Taub

Team Spirit

Daniela Rynott

John G. Davis ’50

Tennis Award

Grace Shepard

Top Student-Athletes

Spring Term

Juliet Jaques ’23 and Wesley Elkind ’24

College Signings

Varsity GOLF

(2-5; 2-1 HVAL)

MVP

Cade Gilligan

MIP

Vincent Andren

Sportsmanship

Theo Leyva

Boys

RUGBY

(3-4 overall; 2-3 NY Metro League)

Perpetual Plaque Honorees:

Ted O’Connor Alumni Award

Daniel Gasch

Jesse Jamil

Jazz

Clayton Collum

James Miller

Discipline

Nekia Bland, Jr.

Hayden Smelser

Bravery

Khalil Aguilar

Eli Cornell

Hudson Krasne

Charles Treseler

Hudson Chris Tennis at Colorado College

Justin Polanco Baseball at Penn State York

José Vasquez Baseball at Rice University

Girls Varsity RUGBY

(4-5-1)

MVP Offense

Maeve Lazzaro

MVP Defense

Issi Ovelar

Sportsmanship

Carina Weksel

Varsity Coed TRACK & FIELD

All-FAA

Lucas Roberts

All-FAA Honorable Mention

Felipe Torres

Pamela-Skye Watson

All-NEPSAC

Honorable Mention

Lucas Roberts

MVP

Lucas Roberts

Mollie Weisberger

Top Newcomer

Patrick Cuneo

Pamela-Skye Watson

Most Improved

Benjamin Cutler

Cavalier Spirit

Adalay Shalov

Girls JV TENNIS

(0-8)

Jasmine Wariebi

Evangeline Gambetta

Coaches

Bailey Gans MS BASEBALL

(8-1)

Shaw

Cali Cavalier

Henry Gilbert

MS Coed TENNIS

(7-1)

Adalaine Hayes MIP Zoey Berman

Cavalier

Sarah Fisher

2023 Senior Athletic Achievement Awards

Juliet Jaques // 14 Letters

Kira Ortega // 12 Letters

Kirk Ortega II // 11 Letters

Liz Hurley // 9 Letters

Celia Baer // 8 Letters

Hudson Chris // 8 Letters

Jordan Freund // 8 Letters

Daniel Gittleman // 8 Letters

Jacob Weisberger // 8 Letters

Zachary Anisman // 7 Letters

Clayton Collum // 7 Letters

Emma Galgano // 7 Letters

Dylan Kluge // 7 Letters

Bradley Lederer // 7 Letters

Brandon Mallon // 7 Letters

James Miller // 7 Letters

Juliana Rocco // 7 Letters

Loveleigh Viera // 7 Letters

Nekia Bland, Jr. // 6 Letters

Lucinda Durkin // 6 Letters

Daniel Gasch // 6 Letters

Bennet Katzin // 6 Letters

Jordan Latta // 6 Letters

Charles Treseler // 6 Letters

Aden Yankwitt // 6 Letters

Homecoming and Alumni Reunion

Celebrating all classes, but especially those class years ending in “3” and “8.” Highlights include Hall of Fame Awards, Varsity Games, Special Class Photos/Events/Dinners, food trucks, and more!

260 Jay Street

Katonah, NY 10536

Address Service Requested

Class of 2023!

Harrison Acrish

Sara Adelman

Khalil Aguilar

Vincent Andren

Zachary Anisman

Celia Baer

Eli Birch

Nekia Bland, Jr.

Kailey Bologh

Hudson Chris

Clayton Collum

Alexandre Conoscente

Mya Dias

Marcus Diaz

Eve Doran

Lucinda Durkin

Spencer Elkind

Josiah Ellis

Lucia Falque Moreno

Myles Feldman

Aleah Ford Sussman

Elliot Freedman

Kara Freedman

Jordan Freund

Emma Galgano

Daniel Gasch

Daniel Gittleman

Mackenzie Grady

Elizabeth Hurley

Jesse Jamil

Juliet Jaques

Ian Kalman

Bennet Katzin

Ari Klein

Dylan Kluge

Emiliana Knauer

Mariana Kriuchkova

Alison La Force

Jordan Latta

Bradley Lederer

Samuel Levine

Kevin (Xiang) Li

Brandon Mallon

Ross McIntyre

Zoe Melnick

Dante Meloni

James Miller

Kira Ortega

Kirk Ortega II

Issi Ovelar

Ricardo Paris Aguirre

Justin Polanco

Aaron Providence

Olivia Quinn

Madison Reckson

Holden Roberts

Lucas Roberts

Juliana Rocco

Graham Rose

Lucas Ruiz-Vicente

Alexander Rynott

Vivian (Zhoubing) Shen

Grace Shepard

Rijkaard Shupe

Alexandra Silverman

Hayden Smelser

Talia Spector

Aislinn Swingle

Razi Tanksley

Savannah Thompson

Charles Treseler

Esmaralda van den Tol

José Vasquez

Loveleigh Viera

Sukie (Norawee) Vongveeranonchai

Jonah Weinstock

Jacob Weisberger

Spencer Whitman

Mitchell Winters

Aden Yankwitt

Jasmine (Jiayin) Zhang

Vicky (Kailin) Zheng