Rippowam Cisqua School Bulletin, Fall 2019 by Good Design

Bulletin RIPPOWAM CISQUA SCHOOL

Immersive Learning The Galapagos 2019

Fall 2019

Fall 2019 3

Letter from Head of School Colm MacMahon

Campus News 4

Ninth Grade Trip to Quito, Ecuador, and the Galapagos

Ripp Alumni Student Athletes in High School and College

Practice Makes Progress: The Keith Haring Project

Sixth Graders Wowed the Crowd with Annie JR.

Imagine Benefit Auction 2019

RCS in Pictures: Fall 2018

RCS in Pictures: Winter 2018

Graduation 2019

Upper Campus Academic & Athletic Awards

“The Promise of a Washing Machine” Silver Key, Short Story by Ava Slocum ’19

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

RCS in Pictures: Spring 2019

Annual Report of Donors

Fall Sports Wrap-up

Winter Sports Wrap-up

Spring Sports Wrap-up

Retirements

Master Teaching Fund: Grant Recipients

Board of Trustees: New Members

Alumni News 62

Alumni Spotlight: Artist Amelia Adams ’04

Alumni Spotlight: Chef Frankie Celenza ’02

Alumni Connections

Alumni Class Notes

In Memoriam

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RIPPOWAM CISQUA SCHOOL

Bulletin RIPPOWAM CISQUA SCHOOL

Fall 2019

Rippowam Cisqua School Bulletin is published by the Advancement Oﬃce: Karin Smith, Director of Communications & Bulletin Editor Jen Goodhue, Advancement Associate Caroline Vincent Mockridge ’81, Director of Special Projects Daphne Viders, Interim Director of Development Caroline Carpenter ’15, Daisy Fauver ’16, Advancement Oﬃce Summer Interns

Credits: Design: Good Design, Deep River, Connecticut Photography: Minush Krasniqi, Rhonda Spevak Cover photo: Jordan Schnell Printing: Printech, Stamford, Connecticut

34 52 62 68

Board of Trustees Peter B. Freund ’91, Chair Whitney Brown, Vice Chair Charles E. Buckley, Treasurer Ben Harris, Secretary Sonja Bartlett Jonathan Childs Anne Citrin Kelly Coles Nancy Dwyer Eaves ’92 Margot Fooshee Abby Gerry Harry Grand ’93, RCSAA Chair Richard C. Mugler III D. Bryce O’Brien Christopher H. Pachios Will Reeve ’07 Charlene Sy Ryan Sara Slocum Daniel van Starrenburg Page Vincent ’79 Ex Oﬃcio Colm MacMahon, Head of School Deborah A. Hurrell, Assistant Head, Finance & Operations Lisa Kaufmann, Parents Association Chair

Colm MacMahon Head of School As I look through photos and videos from June’s ninth grade trek to the Galapagos Islands, I am reminded of educator and activist John Hope, who challenged that “We must get beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness of truth, and explore and tell to the world the glories of our journey.“ Knowing the physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges our students faced on their Capstone trip to Ecuador and its neighboring islands, I am certain they learned a great deal; the tremendous benefit of an immersive experience is that it remains with you, deep inside your bones, and impacts you in indescribable ways. The kind of off-the-grid, handson learning that our students experienced in the Galapagos promotes not only deeper understanding, but also lifelong connections to what was felt, heard, tasted, smelled, and seen. Immersive learning is our present and our future, and our teachers should be commended for their incredible, continued work in this area. As you look through this issue of the Bulletin, please be sure to take time to read about retiring teachers Page Vincent ’79, Tom Morrissey, and Kimberly Fox (pages 56-57). These retirements are particularly poignant as the collective tenure of these three educators is nearly a century, and in Page’s case, she is still continuing her partnership with us as a new member of the Board of Trustees. These exceptional teachers, administrators, coaches, and friends, along with their remarkable colleagues, both past and present, have shaped the history of our school. From its founding in 1917 to its Centennial Celebration two years ago to today, Rippowam Cisqua School has grown as an institution because of the people within its hallways and within its community. As we look to a new future for our school – a future that potentially includes the reuniting of our Early Childhood, elementary, and middle school divisions onto one campus – I am excited by the prospect of merging two extraordinary worlds of students, educators, and parents. Our older students are always at their best when they are with our younger students, and the younger ones benefit from the opportunity to admire the leadership, confidence, and kindness of their older peers. The possibilities for shared growth and exploration are immeasurable.

Of course, we are not there...yet. Ahead of us remains at least one year of opportunity for continued community building, history-making, and innovative thinking with our current geography. But the future is right in front of us, and it is incalculably bright. If, in reading this magazine, you find yourself reflecting upon or reminiscing about your RCS experience, I encourage you to come to campus and join in the active life of our community. If it has been some time since you were last here, it may look entirely different. But, as so many of our alumni and their parents tell me, for most it feels very much the same. I hope to see you at school soon. Warmly,

Colm MacMahon Head of School

Ninth Grade Trip By Ridley Sperling As a culminating immersive learning experience, the Class of 2019 was blessed with the opportunity to travel the first week of June to Quito, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands. Living the mission of RCS, the ninth graders learned a tremendous amount during their travels about how to both respect and contribute meaningfully to a diverse and increasingly complex global society,

Photography: Chris Perry and Jordan Schnell

which in this case focused a great deal on human impact on the natural world and the role humans play in environmental conservation. Throughout the school year, ninth graders explored in their classes and on Learning Immersion Days the theme of Identity and Belonging and the diverse ways it manifests itself in academics and

in daily life. Whether through exploring Ecuadorian culture while standing on both sides of the equator in Quito, or snorkeling with sea turtles, learning about giant tortoise repopulation efforts, reveling in the unpolluted and untouched landscape of the islands, each with its own unique species and terrain, hiking a volcano and learning about calderas, or respecting animals in

to Quito, Ecuador, and the Galapagos their natural habitats, Ripp’s ninth grade examined what it means to be both a participant in and an observer of the world around them, as well as how to be impactful, whether on an interpersonal level or a global scale. The ninth graders were richly impacted by their experience, learning many valuable lessons during their week

away. A number of students became keenly aware of the value of living in the present, commenting on how important it was to not “take time for granted,” and “to appreciate time because it passed by faster than I thought.” And for some students, the most valuable connections were newfound awarenesses of how much of “an impact we [humans] have on the

world,” and “the importance of handson learning and real-life interactions.” Gayle Miranda reflected, “I truly understand when people say you can make a change or major impact on the world. Seeing how clean the islands were and the amount of care they have for the islands and animals really made me want to start doing things now that benefit the world on a bigger scale.”

Rippowam Alumni Student Athletes in High School and College The primary goals of our middle school athletics program are simple: build school spirit, foster camaraderie, and provide exposure to a variety of different sports in order to cultivate positive long-term physical health and wellness habits. At RCS, Interscholastic athletics begin in fifth grade with an

Tyler Buckley RCS ’12 Westminster School ’15 Trinity College ’19 Baseball “I played football, basketball, and baseball while I was at RCS. I was lucky enough to play for Coach Richie Meyers all three seasons – his coaching methods and sense of humor were something I will never forget. He was, hands down, the best coach I have ever played for! “Learning to balance college athletics and academics was not always easy. My experience over the past four years forced me to learn from a few mistakes. I found that, while in season, I had to make sacrifices in order to fully commit to my team and my schoolwork. Having practices, lifts, or games nearly every day actually made it easier to manage and schedule my time.” College major: Political Science College sports highlight: “When I hit back-to-back home runs my junior year against Amherst College.” 8

emphasis on skill development and participation; by the time students graduate, many have taken their skills to the next level and are prepared to tackle the competitive play of secondary school. Some of our most talented student athletes go on to compete in NCAA Division I, II, and III

athletic programs. We recently caught up with a few current Ripp alumni college athletes. In the next few pages we celebrate their discipline and sportsmanship. Here’s what they had to say, from favorite coaches to developing a strong athletic foundation in middle school. Go Red! Go Blue!

Mairead Kilgallon RCS ’15 Greenwich Academy ’18 Princeton ’22 Crew Mairead played soccer, basketball, softball, and track at RCS. “My coaches made me enjoy competing with a team, and appreciate teamwork in a way that horseback riding (which I had been doing competitively for much of my life) wasn’t able to do since it’s such an individual sport,” Mairead said. “I remember especially Coach Kwarula on the track team encouraging me to try different events and always stressing the importance of working as a team at all our meets. “I stayed at RCS until ninth grade and then went to Greenwich Academy in Connecticut as a new sophomore. While I was nervous entering after freshman year, I felt almost immediately at home in the GA community. I was well-prepared academically to handle the new coursework, which freed me up to make close friends and try a sport completely new to me: rowing. It was unlike anything I had done before, but the grounding in the importance of attention and teamwork I got in my sports experiences at Ripp helped me learn quickly and bond closely

PHOTO: Sport Graphics with my new teammates. The crew team became an integral part of my high school experience. I am very thankful that Ripp prepared me so well for all the challenges I faced after attending and not only overcome them, but thrive so much in the new environment I entered. Ripp was a formative experience for me that I would not trade for the world. I made some of my closest friends at Ripp and we still remain very close even after

we all went to different high schools and colleges. I am incredibly grateful to Ripp for giving me such a joyful and memorable childhood.”

Charlie Carpenter RCS ’12 Deerfield Academy ’16 Williams College ’20 Baseball

balance the school work with my athletics. Right before I started my senior year at Deerfield, I committed to play baseball at Williams College. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to attend such a wonderful school while still pursuing my love of baseball. I’m very much looking forward to the last year at Williams both on and off the field and will forever be grateful to RCS for laying the foundation both in the classroom and on the field.”

“During my time at RCS I played football, basketball, and baseball. At Deerfield Academy I played both basketball and baseball, but focused on baseball, especially during my junior and senior years. RCS prepared me academically so when I was in-season at Deerfield I was able to

College major: English Favorite RCS memory: “I loved recess during the warmer months, when we all went outside and just enjoyed ourselves. Four square was another activity that helped sharpen my competitive edge.”

College major: Economics

PHOTO: Sport Graphics

Lily Fauver RCS ’13 Deerfield Academy ’16 Dartmouth College ’20 Crew “At RCS I played basketball primarily, although I also played soccer and lacrosse for a few years (without much success). Because I had been playing basketball on an outside AAU team and had been taking lessons after school with Mr. Morrissey, I was very prepared for winter sports and made varsity my first year at Deerfield. But in the spring,

I hadn’t really liked lacrosse and wasn’t very good so I decided to try a new sport, which is how I got into rowing. “I learned about balancing athletics and academics at Rippowam because I had been playing sports both in school and after school (both club swim team and basketball). Once I went to boarding school those practices were strengthened as the academic rigor increased. Therefore, once I got to Dartmouth it was a challenge I was prepared for. In fact, I found my freshman fall easier than many of my terms at Deerfield.”

College major: English major modified with Russian Literature and an Anthropology minor College sports highlights: “Medaling at the Club Fours event at the Head of the Charles my freshman year and rowing last “summer” in New Zealand (January/ February) with three of my Dartmouth rowing teammates with Star Boating Club in Wellington where we won a bronze in the four at the New Zealand Rowing Championships.” Favorite RCS memory: “Playing four square in the spring or climbing trees with friends at recess.”

Parker Goldstein RCS ’13 Choate Rosemary Hall ’16 Oberlin College ’20 Baseball “I played football, basketball, and baseball while I was at RCS. Mr. Potter and Coach Meyers were my football coaches and I loved both of them, but Mr. Potter left a bigger impression on me when it came to football. He was a really special man. Coach Meyers was also my basketball and baseball coach, and he was a legend. My favorite subject was definitely math, mostly because it was my best subject (although I wish I paid more attention in history). My favorite RCS memory is probably playing baseball and basketball for Coach Meyers. I felt very prepared after attending RCS.” 10

College major: Double major in Politics and Economics

Matt Schwartz RCS ’15 Taft School ’18 Union College ’22 Football “While I was at RCS I played football, basketball, and lacrosse. All my coaches were outstanding; they were able to foster teamwork and trust, and that formed the foundation of the athlete I am today. Two coaches who had a huge impact on me were Mr. Hart and Mr. Barrett. They both taught me how to love and play the game the right way. Some of my

favorite memories from RCS are going undefeated in fifth/sixth grade football and playing with the same basketball team the entire time I was at RCS and only losing one game. And of course, the ninth grade trip to Italy. After RCS I attended the Taft School, and as I reflect on that experience, it’s clear to me that RCS really prepared me to step outside my comfort zone.” College major: History College sports highlight: “Union College (7-2) beat rival RPI in the Dutchman Shoes Bowl to ruin their undefeated season.”

Elliot Gilbert RCS ’13 Deerfield Academy ’16 Washington and Lee ’20 Lacrosse goalie “I played soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse at Ripp. My coaches were always encouraging and they pushed us to be our best and always represent the School with good sportsmanship. It was always so much fun to be on a team with all my friends, and we especially liked the after game celebrations (win or lose). “I thought Ripp prepared me really well both academically and athletically for Deerfield, and my transition was easy. Now that I’m at Washington and Lee, playing a sport forces me to manage my time efficiently and get my work done when I can rather than procrastinate. The competition of athletics also pushes me academically to set the bar high. I am looking forward to having Ripp alumna Blake Côté ’16 join me on the team next year!” College major: Double major in Business Administration and Art History Favorite RCS memory: “Spanish songs with Mrs. Perry and Ripp traditions like Field Day and Walk to Cisqua.” College sports highlight: “Making it to the NCAA Division III Final Four game of the National Championships my freshman year and forcing the game to go into overtime.”

Lindsay West RCS ’13 Fox Lane High School ’16 Colgate University ’20 Lacrosse

days at Ripp, which inspired me to take chances and stay confident in all that I do!” College major: Political Science, with a Theater minor

College sports highlight: “Taking the Naval Academy into overtime. Being able to play in a game like that and to keep up with a team of that caliber was an unbelievable experience for me.”

“At Ripp I played soccer in the fall, ice hockey in the winter, and lacrosse (of course!) in the spring. My favorite memory from Ripp was playing the Genie in Aladdin in the School musical. Rippowam had (and I’m sure still does!) such an amazing, supportive environment that I felt comfortable in lead roles in musicals. It was so fun to partake in this with all my friends – we had so many laughs and such a great time. I also believe that this gave me a lot of confidence in general going forward with my life from a really young age. I owe this to Rippowam, because I could never have had the courage to do something like this if it weren’t for Ripp’s creative and encouraging atmosphere. I believe that the reason I am a theater minor today at Colgate University can be attributed to my

Theo Bartlett RCS ’14 St. Mark’s School ’17 Tufts University ’21 Sailing College major: Economics Favorite RCS memory: “Coach Kwarula and our undefeated soccer team in eighth grade. He’s the coolest guy ever.”

Chris Stern RCS ’13 Fox Lane High School ’16 Emory University ’20 Baseball Chris played soccer, football, basketball, and baseball in middle school at Ripp. “My head coach for basketball and baseball was Coach Meyers and he probably left the biggest impression on me,” Chris said. “I still learned a lot from Mr. Kwarula in soccer and Mr. Cherubini, who also coached baseball, as well as Mr. Morrissey, who helped me in every sport. Balancing athletics and academics is definitely a challenge in college, but after your first semester, you learn what you have to do to stay on top of your schoolwork and to excel on and off the field.” College major: Economics and International Studies Favorite RCS memory: “Being a part of the Blue Team.” College sports highlights: “I set an Emory school record on the 2018 opening day, batting 6 for 6. I was a two-time UAA Athlete of the Week, named to the Division III National Team of the Week, and named to All-University Athletic Association First Team. I led the team in batting average, RBIs, and home runs in 2018.”

Natalie Bartlett RCS ’15 St. Mark’s School ’18 Tufts University ’22 Squash “At Ripp, I played field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse. In high school at St. Mark’s, I was constantly running into Ripp friends who went to other boarding schools when we played sports! It was such an incredible experience to see the people I spent my whole childhood with become adults

with various talents and interests. Last fall, I was nervous about being in-season in the winter because I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough time to complete my schoolwork. However, I actually find that having a busier schedule helps me manage my time better; when I finally do find time in my day to do work, I take advantage of the opportunity instead of procrastinating.” College major: Clinical Psychology Favorite RCS memory: “Learning to multiply in third grade.”

P R A CT I C E M A K E S P R O G R E S S :

T H E K E IT H H A R I N G P R O J E CT A MA L EKZADEH B Y A RT T E A C H E R S A R

LAST YEAR, H E A D O F S C H O OL COLM MACMAHON ASKED FOR

SOME STUDENT

ARTWORK FOR

HIS OFFICE.

RGARTNERS CREATE ART I JUMPED AT THE CHA NCE TO HAVE KINDE THAT THEY COULD VELY AND THEN SEE WORK ON COLLABORATI HANGING IN THE HEAD OF SCHOOL’S OFFICE. MR. MACMAHON GAVE A L WHITE CANVAS ME NO PARAMETER S SO THIS WAS A LITER

TO WORK FROM!

The idea of a Keith Haring project came to mind because he is one of my personal favorites and I have been wanting to add his work into my curriculum. When I started to teach the Kindergartners about Haring, some of them recognized his iconic work right away. When I presented the idea of painting on 48 x 72-inch canvases, students were excited to work on such a huge surface. Haring was known as an artist who was always drawing and always practicing. I tell my students that practice makes progress. It is ok to try new things and to try them more than once, and, most importantly, it is ok to make what we think are mistakes. In my JPK and Kindergarten classes we call them “oops“; that is what we learn from – and in art, there are actually no mistakes!

Another reason for my interest in Haring was that he was an artist who believed in giving back to the community, which is a common theme in our Kindergarten curriculum at RCS. He

used his work for positive social change and made it known that art is for everyone. I teach my students that art is a common language that can bond us. Keith Haring worked with line, color, and shape, all of which Kindergarten students have been exploring with me since JPK. We talked about rhythm lines and how/why they were used in his work. Haring started drawing simple line drawings using white chalk on black-paper-covered walls in the New York City subways. We talked about this to start, as most of my students have been on a New York City subway. We also looked at images of Haring’s work in the subway stations as well as some of his other pieces. We read the book Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing by Keith’s younger sister, Kay A. Haring. The book wonderfully details his early years and how he was always drawing, and briefly chronicles his life. The main messages were think big, work hard, and give back, which is what we hope for each one of our students.

HOW

The process of art is very important; the product comes as children develop artistically. Through the Haring project, I was able to teach the students about simple contour (outline) lines and gesture drawing. This is developmentally appropriate for Kindergartners. In art, we talk a lot about where artists get their ideas and inspiration. We talked about where Haring got his inspiration and how we were getting inspired by his work to create a collaborative artwork as a Kindergarten community.

DID

We started the process by twisting, bending, folding, and combining pipe cleaners (wire) and yarn. This gave students a visual and tactile way to understand how one line can change form, shape, and direction. Then students posed in a variety of ways and drew each other using white chalk on black paper to create the contour lines or outlines. Students then moved on to using paint to show their drawings, and eventually these ideas and skills translated to drawing the contour lines of JPK and SPK students on a large canvas. This multistep process took almost two months. Students presented the paintings to Mr. MacMahon in November 2018, and now they are hanging brightly in his office. And although the final paintings are awesome, the process that each student went through â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and their part in the creation of this large-scale painting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was the most fun and rewarding.

Sixth Graders Wowed the Crowd with Anniejr.

Everyone loves Annie. It’s a family favorite, Tony Award-winning musical based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strip from the 1920s, which inspired a radio show in the 1930s, and then opened on Broadway in 1977. And our fall production of Annie JR., the annual sixth grade musical, proved that the little red haired girl is still as adorable as ever. As soon as the curtain went up in the RCS Playhouse and the orphans burst into “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” the Class of 2022 had the audience smiling and humming along. The enthusiasm from the stage spilled into Centennial Hall after the production, and parents were still talking about the show on their way to the parking lot.

Directors Notes It’s the process that matters. Bill Fornara: The musicals at Rippowam are always amazing, but parents don’t see the process. Keith Robellard and Michael Florio work so well together, and it’s the process that the kids had a great experience with. Keith and What does it take to produce a sixth grade Michael set such a tremendous tone with these students and musical like Annie JR.? Here’s the scoop it just kind of snowballed. The from backstage, from directors Michael students never became sick of Florio (Theater Director), Bill Fornara the show or tired of rehearsing a particular scene. Keith and (Instrumental Music Director), and Keith Michael rallied these kids into Robellard (Musical Director). wanting to be there, wanting to do their best, and it was just positive all the way.

And it’s the whole team. Michael Florio: We ask all the sixth graders to participate each year in the sixth grade musical. Some of them aren’t theater kids. For some, sports are their main thing. Some of them like to dance, but don’t consider themselves actors. Some like to sing. I know from talking with their parents, that some of the kids were reluctant to try out. However, when the kids that were nervous got a role, they rose to the occasion. And that, I think, is my goal. For kids to feel safe and to feel like they accomplished something great. Public speaking is important. It’s definitely one of the things we strive for. Not all the kids had lines, but they all put themselves out there on the stage, knowing that people were going to see them. They were all out there under the lights. Look, you perform in everything. You need to be able to speak in front of people every day. These students tried something outside their comfort zone. That’s where the learning happens and that’s why I am proud of each and every one of them. Continued 17

Directors Notes Continued

How do you measure success? Keith Robellard: I measure the success of a show by hearing students say: “I want to do a show again; I want to get out there.” And even if they don’t go into theater, these children may at some point be leading a whole corporation, and speaking in front of all those adults. I think that’s what this is about. Getting used to public performance. Bill Fornara: I see the measure of success as having each child feel like they grew a bit. Stretched themselves and felt really good about where they ended up. If they feel like they’ve grown, and got out there, and improved with their singing, their acting, their confidence on stage – then that’s a win.

What did students take away from Annie? Michael Florio: I think confidence and risktaking are the two things they really take away from any production. They also get to see the growth of something; it’s just like creating a piece of art. It’s that feeling of progression, the idea of working through something, in a limited amount of time. As you practice and move forward, that progression is what’s important. I like to think that by opening night, it was their play. I had done everything I could do and was in backstage mode, not in director mode anymore.

What did you take away from Annie? Keith Robellard: I’m always trying to grow. I’m trying to pull as many interested students into the program as I can, because when you graduate one crop, you need to have another. It’s kind of like a minor league baseball team. Bill Fornara: Michael and Keith set a tone of cooperation. And they set that tone for a team – a cooperative environment. And that’s how you get happy students. It’s a successful show when that environment is set. 19

Beneﬁt Auction 2019 Three amazing co-chairs, nine months of tireless work, scores of volunteers, and hundreds of donations all culminated in one spectacular night on Saturday, April 27, when more than 350 members of the RCS community gathered on Meyers Fields for the Imagine Beneﬁt Auction.

Imagine co-chairs Beth Crowell, Courtney McGinnis ’88, and Emma Willis set a warm and inclusive tone throughout the year they spent planning this incredible event, and their creativity, passion, and commitment were evident in every aspect of Imagine. On Saturday night, the spirit of imagination and endless possibilities was felt throughout the gala tent, elegantly decorated by RCS parent Brett Cameron and an army of volunteers. Everyone marveled at

the hot air balloon basket hanging overhead, which was built by parents and students in the RCS Innovation Center. Guests were thrilled when they arrived at their tables and found portraits of their children taken by RCS parent and professional photographer Rhonda Spevak alongside vases overflowing with gorgeous tulips homegrown specifically for the evening by Imagine co-chair Beth Crowell. After a knock-out performance of “Shallow” by ninth graders Elizabeth

Jones and Ella Miller and welcoming remarks by Head of School Colm MacMahon and Board Chair Peter Freund, auctioneer Simon de Pury, known as the Mick Jagger of art auctions, brought the house down with his enthusiastic presentation of 16 incredible live auction items, including the hot air balloon basket hanging in the center of the tent. When the final gavel was struck on live bidding and the last silent auction item was sold, more than $1 million in funding for RCS programs and curriculum had been raised. Support for Imagine came from all corners of the RCS community. Parents, alumni, and parents of RCS alumni volunteered their time and expertise, donated fabulous

prizes, and engaged in heated bidding. Faculty contributed greatly to the evening’s success donating everything from tea parties to paintball excursions to an over-the-top Upper Campus sleepover for all of the fifth grade girls, which was held on the night before Graduation. “The Imagine Benefit Auction was truly spectacular – an incredible opportunity to celebrate all that is possible for our children and our school,” wrote Head of School Colm MacMahon in a letter to the entire RCS community. “I am in awe of our School’s parent volunteers and offer my heartfelt thanks to our extraordinary co-chairs and all those who helped bring Imagine to life.”

RCS in Pictures Fall 2018 Events

Ripp Rally Day

Halloween

RCS in Pictures Fall 2018 Events

Grade 2 Performance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Gathering

Kindergarten Performance Everyday Heroes: Our Community

RCS in Pictures Winter 2018 Events

Grades 5-9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Revels

Grades 1-4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Holiday Concert

GRADUATION Rippowam Cisqua School concluded its one hundred and first academic year on Thursday, June 13, with a moving and memorable Graduation ceremony at which Head of School Colm MacMahon and Board Chair Peter Freund ’91 bestowed diplomas and certificates of completion to the RCS Class of 2019 and to members of the RCS Class of 2020 who were departing after eighth grade. At 5:00 in the afternoon, members of the rising ninth grade class led a procession of fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students followed by the entire Rippowam Cisqua School faculty into the Graduation tent, where family and friends of the graduates along with many RCS alumni and former faculty awaited the start of the ceremony. Once everyone was in place, music teachers Keith Robellard and Bill Fornara launched into “Pomp and Circumstance,” heralding the arrival of the eighth and ninth grade graduates. Mr. MacMahon welcomed the graduates, their families, friends, alumni, faculty, students, and staff before leading the traditional recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. He then asked departing families for whom a graduating student was their last child to attend RCS to stand and

2019

be recognized before honoring faculty with longstanding tenure including Upper Campus math teacher Missy Swan and Lower Campus music teacher Lainie Zades who each have taught at the School for 40 years. “One of the great traditions at Rippowam Cisqua School is the Red/Blue Competition,” Mr. MacMahon remarked before introducing this year’s team captains Lili Azima and Hale Brown, Red Team, and Stefan Darmanovic and Jasmine Pearson, Blue Team. Mr. MacMahon went on to outline the various activities related to academics, athletics, and community service that students participated in throughout the year to earn points for their teams before announcing the Blue Team as the winner of the 2018-19 Red/Blue Competition. Turning to address the graduates as they prepared to become RCS alumni, Mr. MacMahon noted, “The reach of the RCS alumni community continued

GRADUATION

2019

is geographically far and wide and you will run into people who had Mr. Perry for science and Mrs. Swan for math in your travels across the country and around the world.” As he does every year, Mr. MacMahon asked the graduates to “Remember the foundations and friendships you built here at Rippowam Cisqua School, take care of yourselves and make good choices, and come back to visit often as we will miss you.” As is tradition, the graduating class asked a faculty member to give the commencement address. This year, that honor fell to Jordan Schnell, Grades 8 & 9 English and humanities teacher. Addressing the graduates, Ms. Schnell remarked, “Since you all know I believe in and rely on data, observations, and analysis (cause and effect if you will), after nine-ish months with you, I feel confident in saying I have learned enough about you to share a few more observations about your year, to analyze you just a bit more, and to share some parting insights as you head off on new journeys. “Each of you has an important story to tell, and each of you benefited from listening to and being part of the stories of your peers, from the relationships you created as a class. And it is in this area that I saw you demonstrate the most growth and it is also the one in which I encourage you to keep growing. With regard to your interactions with one another

earlier in the year, at times you weathered the storm, and at times you were the storm. But at some point, as a collective, all seventeen of you made the decision, the choice, that you wanted to learn more about each other, to delve deeper into your stories, to spend your remaining time together crafting the story of your class. This risk-taking, this stepping outside of your comfort zone, this commitment to come together, this willingness to be vulnerable with one another in order to tell the story of your class is the best and most important achievement I have seen you make all year. And it seemed to all come together just in time for our magical trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. “It was evident on so many occasions in Quito and the Galapagos that you were a true cohort. Each of us was forced out of our comfort zones on this trip, whether it was climbing a volcano, snorkeling for the first time, dealing with altitude sickness, or being away from home for as long as we were. You laughed at ridiculous jokes together, you let yourselves feel pure joy and awe when we walked amongst the giant tortoises, you played tag on the beach under the stars and jumped through the waves, you stood up for your friends and stood up to your friends, you giggled with excitement when the sea turtles and sharks swam under us, you ‘mastered’ the egg challenge on the equator, you connected with our wonderful guides, you had great conversations with your peers. In essence, you created and cultivated relationships.

“And this is what I urge you to hold onto, what I hope you will take away, if nothing else from this year: Create relationships, listen to each other’s stories, find people you want to invite to be a part of and who will enhance your story, let people know you want to be part of theirs.” Another favorite Graduation tradition is the presentation of the class gift. This year, ninth grade Class CoPresidents Devin Kwarula and Gayle Miranda, on behalf of their classmates, announced the Class of 2019’s gift to the School: “Many of us have been here since JPK and SPK and so to leave a long-lasting mark, we have decided to add something beautiful to our school by making this year’s ninth grade class gift a fish tank. We decided this in the hopes of bringing the community together as well as to start caring more for animals. As the Class of 2019 saw in the Galapagos Islands, people fiercely protected the environment to preserve its original state.” After receiving their diplomas and being officially welcomed into the RCS Alumni Association by Board Chair and member of the Class of 1991, Peter Freund, the Class of 2019 stood together one last time to sing John Denver’s classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which had the entire audience enthusiastically singing and clapping along. Then, with diplomas in hand, the graduates processed out of the tent to a reception in the Dick Wade Gymnasium followed by a night filled with celebration.

GRADUATION

2019

Congratulations to the Rippowam Cisqua School Class of 2016 The following is a selection of colleges and universities at which RCS students have matriculated in the last five years. American University Amherst College Babson College Barnard College* Bates College* Baylor University Beacon School Bentley University Berklee College of Music* Boston University* Bowdoin College* Brown University* Bucknell University* Claremont McKenna College Coastal Carolina University Colby College Colgate University* College of Charleston* College of the Holy Cross* Colorado College* Colorado State University Columbia University Cornell University* Dartmouth College Dickinson College Dublin Institute of Technology Duke University* Elon University* Emory University Fordham University* Franklin and Marshall College* George Washington University* Georgetown University* Georgia Tech* Gettysburg College* Gordon College Grand Canyon University Hampton University Haverford University High Point University Hobart and William Smith* Johns Hopkins University Kenyon College* Lafayette College Lehigh University Lynn University Macaulay Honors College

Marist College Muhlenberg College New York University* Northeastern University Northwestern University* Oberlin College* Oneonta College Pitzer College Princeton University* Providence College Rensselaer Polytech Institute Rhode Island School of Design San Diego State University Santa Clara University* Savannah College of Art and Design School of Visual Arts Sewanee â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The University of the South* Southern Methodist University* St. Lawrence University* Stanford University Suffolk University SUNY New Paltz Syracuse University* Texas Christian University Trinity College* Trinity College Dublin Tufts University* Tulane University* Union College* University of California Santa Cruz University of Chicago* University of Colorado Boulder* University of Connecticut

University of Delaware* University of Denver* University of Hartford University of Maryland University of Massachusetts University of Miami* University of Michigan* University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Notre Dame* University of Pennsylvania* University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island* University of Richmond* University of Scranton University of Southern California University of St Andrews in Scotland* University of Vermont* University of Virginia* University of Wisconsin* Vanderbilt University* Villanova University* Wake Forest University* Washington and Lee University* Washington University in St. Louis Wentworth Institute of Technology Wesleyan University* William & Mary Williams College* Yale University* *indicates two or more students

GRADUATION

2019

The following is a list of the secondary schools that our graduating ninth graders and departing eighth graders will attend in September 2019. Archbishop Stepinac High School Berkshire School Blair Academy Brunswick School Columbia Grammar and Prep Fordham Preparatory School Fox Lane High School* Greens Farms Academy Greenwich Academy* Greenwich Country Day School*

Hackley School Harrison High School Harvey School Hill School John Jay High School* Kennedy Catholic High School King School* Lawrenceville School* Masters School* Milton Academy

Peddie School St. George’s School* St. Luke’s School St. Paul’s School School of the Holy Child* Suffield Academy* Taft School* Trinity Pawling School *indicates two or more students

Upper Campus Academic & Athletic Awards

Presented to Members of the Eighth and Ninth Grade Classes The Rippowam Cisqua Prize Elizabeth Jones

Awarded to the student who is outstanding in qualities of leadership, character, and general school citizenship. Presented annually on behalf of the family of Mrs. Francis W. Welch, this is the highest award conferred by the School.

Melanie J. Kraft French Prize Ava Slocum Awarded for excellence in French

Spanish Prize Michael Del Toro

Awarded for excellence in Spanish

Wadleigh W. Woods Latin Prize Eddie Gilligan Awarded for excellence in Latin

Sarah F. Fowler Drama Prize Elizabeth Jones

Awarded for outstanding contribution to drama

Jane Brooks Robbins Science Prize Ava Slocum

Awarded for genuine interest and enthusiasm in the field of science

Laura D. Paddock English Prize Ava Slocum

Awarded for outstanding ability in all phases of English

Prudence B. Read History Prize Ava Slocum

Awarded for exceptional understanding and appreciation of history

Stanley M. Feret Mathematics Prize Michael Del Toro Awarded for exceptional interest, initiative, and accomplishment in mathematics

Sarah F. Fowler Drama Prize (tech) Jolie Karen

Awarded for outstanding contribution to drama/tech

Paul and Audrey Fisher Art Prize Jasmine Pearson Awarded for outstanding ability in art

Susan Fiala Music Prize Nate Levinson

Awarded for outstanding contribution to the musical life of the School

Ristorcelli Music Prize Aggie Ryan Awarded for the greatest improvement in music

Ann Thacher Faculty Award of Distinction Gayle Miranda Awarded to a member of the graduating class who the faculty feels deserves special recognition.

Trusteesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Prize Kate Harvey and Gayle Miranda

Awarded to students in seventh through ninth grade who have shown the greatest scholarship improvement during the school year.

Walter F. Wyeth Prize Devin Kwarula and Ella Miller Awarded to members of the graduating class who have displayed the greatest consideration for others.

Waldo B. Jones Prize Jasmine Pearson and Ava Slocum

Awarded to members of the graduating class who have exhibited creativity and original thought in a variety of media.

Athletics Award Gertrude Pell Bishop Memorial Award Hale Brown and Kate Harvey

Awarded to members of the graduating class who have displayed outstanding athletic proficiency, together with the highest qualities of good sportsmanship and team play, and who have maintained high standards of scholarship.

Photo by Nong Vang on Unsplash

The Promise of a

Washing Machine

Father, mother, son, daughter. Such were the people in the suburban home on an unnaturally cold spring morning. The son was gathering his baseball equipment for his afternoon game in his bedroom. The daughter was washing her face in the bathroom. The father was choosing which tie to wear to work in the master bedroom. The mother was in the kitchen, apron tied around her dress as she prepared breakfast for the family. All was as it should be. *** Laura was scrambling eggs in a pan on the stove. She had made scrambled eggs on so many mornings that she did not need to consult the well-worn cookbook that stood dutifully on the counter. It had been a wedding gift from her mother, although it was not a gift that she was surprised by, as it had always been clear that with marriage 36

Silver Key, Short Story By Ava Slocum ’19 came cooking, and with cooking came the family cookbook. It was filled with the delicate writing of her mother, the loopy writing of her grandmother, and even the fading writing of her greatgrandmother. Laura’s own precise hand had yet to mark the yellowing pages, however, even though she had been in possession of the book for six years. “Breakfast!” Laura called, scraping the eggs onto plates with Eggo waffles. “What is it, Mom?” Ricky asked, running into the kitchen. “Eggs and waffles, dear. Let me fix your shirt; you’ve buttoned it all wrong,” Laura responded, pulling the boy to her. “Can you put some butter on my waffles?” he asked, unperturbed. “I’ve already got it,” his mother said, motioning at the butter dish sitting next to the plates. “Would you like to bring it

into the dining room for me?” “Sure!” Ricky grabbed the dish and skidded out the door. “Be careful!” Laura called after him. A small smile tugged gently at the corners of her mouth watching her son slip unsteadily into the dining room on his socks. The sun streamed in through the windows, giving her tired blue eyes a glint that had long been absent. As she turned to pick up the plates, it was gone. After the family had eaten their breakfast and remarked on Ricky’s upcoming baseball game and the deliciousness of Laura’s cooking, the household began to move towards

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards recognize students in Grades 7-12 for their vision, ingenuity, and talent. Some of our nation’s most accomplished creative leaders have been recipients of the Awards – including Richard Avedon, Ken Burns, Truman Capote, Lena Dunham, Stephen King, John Lithgow, and Andy Warhol. This year, teenagers across the United States submitted almost 350,000 original works in 29 different categories of art and writing.

The 2019 Hudson-toHousatonic Scholastic Congratulations to Rippowam Cisqua Writing Awards School’s 2019 Scholastic Award Recipients! 2,151 works submitted 345 Honorable Mentions awarded to promising works 194 Silver Keys awarded to distinguished works 120 Gold Keys awarded to the most accomplished works 5 American Voice Nominees selected for the strongest regional works

The Promise of a

Bruce Balinsky ’20, Silver Key, Flash Fiction: “The Lottery Is Not Just a Tax” Hale Brown ’19, Honorable Mention, Personal Memoir: “Favorite Place” Lizzie Diamond ’20, Honorable Mention, Journalism: “Schlepper” Gardner Heitzmann ’20, Honorable Mention, Critical Essay: “The Light of Justice” Maddy Israel ’20, Honorable Mention, Short Story: “One of the Many” Elizabeth Jones ’19, Honorable Mention, Poetry: “Be Forgotten” Lila O’Brien ’20, Silver Key, Journalism: “Hope for the Small Voices” Madeleine Port ’21, Honorable Mention, Short Story: “Bicycle” Zach Sherman ’20, Honorable Mention, Poetry: “This Is Me” Ava Slocum ’19, Honorable Mention, Poetry: “How to Be Perfect” Ava Slocum ’19, Silver Key, Short Story: “The Promise of a Washing Machine” Kat Trantzas ’20, Honorable Mention, Personal Memoir: “The Glimmer in Her Eyes” Avery Warren ’21, Honorable Mention, Short Story: “Lady Liberty”

Washing Machine

the door. Richard took his briefcase and put on his coat, and with a kiss for his wife and a hug for his children, he left for work. Laura shepherded the kids out of the house and into the family car. Temperatures had dropped substantially overnight, and even though it was far into April, a silvery frost had glazed the windshield. The comfort and warmth that the sun had promised through the window glass proved empty; the light it cast on the uniform, clapboard house, sleek car, and carefully tended plants was frigid as it touched the Fitzgeralds’ skin. “Mommy, I’m cold,” Becky said, pulling her sweater as tightly as she could across her small frame. “I’m not!” Ricky exclaimed, looking triumphantly at his little sister as though this difference in temperature was to be followed with a gold medal. “I’m tough.” “I’ll go grab you a coat, honey. I’ve got to get a cloth to wipe the windshield with, too,” Laura responded, with a stern look at her son. “No, I don’t need a coat,” Becky humphed. “I’m tough too.” “Oh yeah?” “Oh yeah!” The two children glared at each other,

each barely concealing their shivers. “I’ll get you both coats. Now that’s enough,” Laura reprimanded, her attempted sternness sighing into the air, the words dissipating in a ray of sun. She fetched Becky’s little pink coat, Ricky’s distinguished blue one, and an old rag and headed back out to face her warring offspring. She handed them the coats and set to work on the windshield. Laura’s cleaning was only seeming to accentuate the windshield’s poor visibility. The glittering shield of frost was becoming a blurry mess of water and the scratchy trail of the rag. Thinking of her husband’s anger if she actually damaged the car made her reach out and touch the wet marks, and she was bathed in momentary relief as each scratch was wet beneath her fingertips.

Laura glanced at her straw gardening hat, pert and stylish with its pink ribbon. Richard had bought it for her on her last birthday. The box was perched on a shelf in her closet, still proclaiming its usefulness to “the happy housewife,” its “beautiful design,” and its necessity for “stylish gardenkeeping” to whoever ventured a look at its rose facade. The hat’s perfect

image was marred by the broken hook on which it hung, making it appear to be barely supported, askew and about to plummet to the linoleum kitchen floor below. Laura took it from the hook to prevent this fall and stood contemplating the ice-blue panes of sky, cold and uninviting through the kitchen windows. It did not seem an agreeable day for gardening, but she knew that it was necessary to keep the yard thriving and to the same standard as the adjoining plots. Her neighbors were diligent in upkeep, and as far as Laura could see the grass was identically green and healthy within each square of yard. Making up her mind, Laura perched the hat on her chestnut curls, bending to the toaster to make sure it attractively framed her face. Stepping back, she cast a smile for the appliance, perhaps to convince it of her happiness, but the illusion was worn and weak at the corners, like a photograph stained by an encroaching puddle of water. Laura took her garden shears and opened the kitchen door, squinting in the cold light that suddenly flooded her face. The perfectly tilted hat did little to block the sun, and Laura began to regret the minutes she had spent on 37

the useless garment until she heard a voice exclaim, “Oh, hello, Laura!” “Hello, Donna!” Laura answered, a smile spreading her face as though it was on a switch. She crossed the yard and directed the smile at her neighbor, who was clipping the opposite side of the hedge. “How are you doing?” “Well, as well as can be expected,” Donna answered, her own automatic smile shrinking almost imperceptibly. “Yes, I am also,” said Laura. An understanding passed through the hedge’s barrier, a recognition of a similar feeling, one that was not to be shared aloud. The sound of metal on plant filled the air. “Well, you’ll never believe what I just heard,” Donna said, and it was understood that the women were to bury their moment of unity underneath the predictable flow of conversation. Laura tried to hold onto it, but Donna’s voice, rising and falling in pitch as she detailed the latest gossip, washed away this pursuit.

Humming Love Letters in the Sand, Laura went outside, set down a basket full of laundry, and began to hang each article of clothing on the clothesline. Her voice could not reach the low croon that Pat Boone did in the song, but imagining she was hearing it on the radio, Laura let the melody envelop her in a cushion of remembered love. It took her some time to rise from this cushion and realize that the clothes, each evenly clipped and spaced like a line of soldiers preparing for inspection, were several sizes smaller than they had been previously. The line of soldiers suddenly looked less imposing, less ready to be scrutinized, less capable of representing their country in battle. Everything had been shrunken by the washing machine. “You made a vow that you would ever be true / But somehow that vow meant nothing to you,” crooned Pat Boone in Laura’s head as her sigh rippled the cloth in front of her. A crease appeared, unbidden, between her penciled eyebrows as she took in the facts that much of the wash was ruined, that she would have to buy new clothes, and that her family would no doubt be frustrated when they opened their drawers to find more wood than 38

fabric. The washing machine was a daily frustration: more often than not it unfavorably altered the clothes put in it. Laura reasoned that its outdated machinery was simply incapable. She smoothed her forehead with two fingers and took a breath of fresh resolve. A new washing machine was the only viable solution to the problem. *** “Rick, I’m going to work on the car. Want to come? We can do an oil change,” Richard said to his son as he passed through the living room. Ricky looked up from his arithmetic, a flash of fatigue crossing his face, still round with the fullness of youth, before it was replaced by eagerness. “Sure, Dad!” He tossed his pencil down and stood, nearly colliding with his mother as she bustled in from the kitchen. Laura placed a hand on his head to steady him or herself; she was

The Promise of a

Washing Machine

not sure. He looked up at her, and both pairs of blue eyes lit with affection, making a trail of warmth between mother and son. Then he was gone from under her palm, and she let it drop to her side, noticing the sudden coolness of the air. “Wait! Daddy!” Becky called, her own eyes full of deep blue longing mixed with a slight glimmer of hope. “Can I come too?” “Why don’t you help your mother in the kitchen?” came Richard’s voice, and as it reached Becky, the deep blue swallowed the glimmer. “Okay!” Becky called back, her pert voice giving an entirely different impression than her face, which was cast downward, her dark little lashes resembling mascara smudged with tears. Having observed this as she walked into the room, Laura crossed in front of the couch and kneeled on the carpet, pulling her daughter to her. Laura tilted her head so it rested on Becky’s curls, and for a moment their hearts beat in sync, in understanding, in support.

“Let’s go make dinner. You can grate the cheese for the tuna noodle casserole and butter the baking dish. I know how much you like to do that,” Laura said, squeezing Becky’s arm and getting to her feet. Becky gave her mother the suggestion of a smile and the two went into the kitchen. Their hearts resumed their separate patterns as Laura began to dice the green pepper and Becky hefted the grater onto the counter and started to grate the cheese, Watching her mother deftly open a can of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup and pour it into the mixing bowl, Becky’s face glowed with admiration. “Mommy, one day I want to be just like you,” she said adoringly. The empty can slipped from Laura’s hand onto the counter with a clatter. Her mouth formed a red O of disbelief. “That is so sweet of you, darling,” she responded after a moment, the O becoming the curve of an all-too-worn smile. Becky grinned and resumed her grating. As she observed her daughter diligently doing the tasks of the kitchen, something rose from within Laura’s stomach, something formed of six years, of a lifetime, and lodged in her throat, stunning her eyes into pools of wetness. Underneath it, the urge to say No. No, you don’t. No one should have to be like Mommy rose up, but it could not get through her blocked throat and disappeared back into the deepest reaches of her consciousness. “This casserole is delicious, Laura,” said Richard, wiping his mouth on his napkin and smiling at his wife. The family sat around the dining room table, making small talk and eating dinner. The scene was a replica of that of this morning, excluding only the food being served, and of dinner last night, and of all the dinners and breakfasts Laura could think of. “Thank you. Becky did most of the work,” Laura replied graciously, smiling at her daughter. “I buttered the baking dish and I grated the cheese,” the little girl exclaimed. “Well, I did an oil change almost all by myself,” Ricky said. “That he did!” Richard said with pride, and they beamed at each other in mutual respect. Laura was struck

A blanket of stunned silence fell over the dinner table. After a second’s deliberation, Becky and Ricky shook the blanket off, leaving it draped on Laura, and began to squeal and jump about. “We’re moving!” “We’re getting a new house!” “I can’t believe it!” “Oh, thank you, Daddy!” “I bought a house catalog after work, and I think the best house for us is in Rosewood Park. I’ll talk to the developer tomorrow, and if all goes well, we will be in a new house in a few months’ time.” Laura’s body felt warmer as she watched her children’s jubilance. She eased the blanket off her shoulders,

her lips slowly stretching towards her cheeks, the left side pulling more persistently until it had succeeded in offsetting the perfect symmetry of the smile that so often switched on. It was a true beam that lit her face now, dimpling her left cheek, creasing the corners of her eyes, and bringing a shine to her complexion. Laura could not recall the last time that she had felt such a smile. Things will get better now.

The family sat watching the television set in the living room. Becky and Ricky had changed into their nightclothes, Richard had unpacked his briefcase, and Laura had cleared the dishes and put them in the washer. Such was the post-dinner routine, followed by a television show at eight. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer boomed. “Tonight’s episode of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is brought to you by Frigidaire, the only washing machine that does not shrink your clothes while

they wash. Frigidaire machines utilize advanced technology to prevent the fibers in all different kinds of fabrics from contracting. Use Frigidaire for easy, stress-free washing.” As his deep voice reverberated throughout the room, a woman clad in a dress similar in style to those Laura wore daily demonstrated how to use the Frigidaire machine. A broad white smile stayed fastened unwaveringly on her pretty face, like a crescent-shaped gag that had been tied around her mouth, as she placed dirty clothes in the washer and turned it on. She stepped out of the camera frame as a diagram of the inside of the machine was shown on the screen. Leaning forward, Laura studied the diagram as best she could before it was replaced by the woman standing next to the fully intact machine. Laura sat back and the woman pulled a sweater out of the machine for the audience to observe how it did not shrink, her affixed smile widening further to show the excitement of this fact. “You know, I think that’s the model that the Rosewood Park houses have,” Richard commented, as woman and washer were swallowed into darkness and the advertisement ended. “Frigidaire is happy to bring you America’s favorite family…” the announcer now said. This was an introduction Laura had seen countless times. Although her eyes remained on the screen, giving every appearance of the engaged viewer, her mind was far from the living room of the Fitzgerald house in Green Hill Park; it had leapt to the future Fitzgerald house in Rosewood Park, straight into the laundry room. She saw herself taking a sweater out of the Frigidaire washing machine and marveling at how it remained its original size, identical to the woman on television and equally happy. It was inconceivable that the new washing machine would not bring this picture, this happiness. And as Laura and her family sat in their home around their television set, a cricket perched on the windowsill, chirping a song of hope and promise into the uncertain darkness of the inexhaustible development.

Photo by Ralph Kelly on Unsplash

suddenly by the similarity between the two, father and son, with the same interests and mannerisms. She could see Ricky sitting at the table in twenty-five years, identical to Richard in all respects but hair; Richard’s was a combed, gelled dark brown, and Ricky’s a wild blond, although maybe by adulthood he would have learned to tame it. Laura looked then at fouryear-old Becky in her chair and saw a twenty-four-year-old Becky, a mirror of her mother across the table. A hope that looks were all they would be alike in seized Laura, and a muﬄed cough leapt into her throat at its strength and suddenness. “So, I have some exciting news for everyone,” Richard announced, and the family turned to him expectantly, Laura pushing the cough back into her stomach. “I have been promoted!” The table erupted in exclamations: “Way to go, Dad!” “Oh! Dear, congratulations!” “Yay, Daddy!” “Yes, the firm told me today, and I start the new position Monday of next week.” “Oh, that’s wonderful,” Laura said. She had not a clue of how this promotion had come about or what had been involved in it, or even what Richard was being promoted to. Her husband’s job was close to a mystery to her. A glimpse at the papers that perpetually filled his briefcase, covered closely with official text, was the most Laura had ever seen of the actual work that Richard did in the city. He would sit at his desk late at night, lamplight illuminating his furrowed brow and concentrated eyes, as though the answer to communism itself lay just beneath the surface of the black letters. Many an evening Laura had stood behind him, the set of her own brows and eyes mirroring her husband’s as she scrutinized the documents, until remembering that she had to clean the bathroom or pack Becky and Ricky’s lunches, and reluctantly drawing away. “Yes, and wait until you hear this next bit. This promotion comes with quite a bit of increased pay, so I thought to myself: what could we all really use? And you know what my answer was? A bigger, better house! We’re moving!”

RCS in Pictures Spring 2019 Events

Walk to Cisqua

Grandparents & Special Friends Day

RCS in Pictures Spring 2019 Events

Middle School Musical â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bye Bye Birdie

Field Day

Sports Update

Fall Sports Wrap-up Girls Varsity Soccer

Coaches Award: Claudia Citrin, Amariah Leckie, Rowan McGinnis Most Valuable Players: Hailey Doniger, Juliet Kaufmann, Camille Smith

Boys Varsity Soccer

Most Improved Players: Liran Arnow, Achylles Pons-Beltsyk Coaches Award: Aidan Aybar, Hale Brown, Corbin Coles Most Valuable Players: Stefan Darmanovic, Eddie Gilligan, Devin Kwarula

Varsity Field Hockey

Most Improved Players: Kate Harvey, Nina Revall, Ava Slocum Coaches Award: Lizzie Diamond, Ella Miller Most Valuable Players: Katie Braden, Mischa Kandel, Aggie Ryan

Varsity Flag Football

Most Improved Players: Chris Bueti, Jack Cicchelli, Ellis Kennedy, Chris Sciacca Coaches Award: Bruce Balinsky, Charlie Cooper, Jamaal DeGaffenried, Zach Sherman

Varsity Volleyball

Most Improved Player: Lauren Schnapp Coaches Award: Clara Guettel Most Valuable Player: Abby Rosenstock

Cross Country

Most Improved Players: Charlie Gordon, Lucas Peacock Coaches Award: Avery Warren Most Valuable Player: Dylan Landau

Winter Sports Wrap-up Girls Varsity Ice Hockey

Most Improved Player: Aggie Ryan Coaches Award: Juliet Kaufmann

Boys Varsity Ice Hockey

Most Improved Players: Jake Kaplan, Oliver Stafford Coaches Award: Brandon Hackett, Jack O’Callaghan Most Valuable Players: Will Ghriskey, Bryce O’Brien

Varsity Squash

Most Improved Players: Annie Hallock, Oliver Jones, Avery Warren Coaches Award: Hale Brown, Kate Harvey, Devin Kwarula Most Valuable Players: Mischa Kandel, Dylan Landau, Achylles Pons-Beltsyk

Girls Varsity Basketball

Most Improved Players: Elizabeth Jones, Ava Slocum Coaches Award: Ella Miller, Lila O’Brien Most Valuable Player: Camille Smith

Boys Varsity Basketball

Most Improved Player: Aidan Aybar Coaches Award: Cole Decker, Gardner Heitzmann Most Valuable Player: Stefan Darmanovic Sportsmanship Award: Chris Bueti

Sports Update

Spring Athletics Awards Spring Sports Wrap-up Varsity Girls Lacrosse

Most Improved Players: Eva Rodgers, Paloma Snisky Coaches Award: Lila O’Brien Most Valuable Player: Katie Braden

Varsity Boys Lacrosse

Most Improved Players: Jay Ashforth, Luke Bai, Oliver Stafford Coaches Award: Eddie Gilligan, Alex Krusko, Harry Whitman Most Valuable Players: Jack Cicchelli, Gardner Heitzmann

Varsity Softball

Most Improved Players: Chloe Person-Hoffer, Abby Rosenstock Coaches Award: Jolie Karen, Anna Ziegler Most Valuable Players: Clara Guettel, Aggie Ryan

Varsity Baseball

Most Improved Players: Robby Kurzer, Alex Shtohryn Coaches Award: Teddy Coles, Sam Federman Most Valuable Players: Aidan Aybar, Corbin Coles

Track & Field

Most Improved Players: Amariah Leckie, Remy Lipman, Lucas Peacock, Elaina Spencer Coaches Award: Elizabeth Diamond, Achylles Pons-Beltsyk Most Valuable Players: Kaseme Leckie, Camille Smith

Congratulations to the following student athletes who received recognition at a special student assembly on May 30.

Stephen Miller Baseball Award

This award is given annually in honor of Stephen Miller, a young man whose exuberance for the game transcended athleticism. The recipient must be driven, passionate about the game, and above all else, must represent the team and the sport in the finest possible manner. Aidan Aybar ’20

Gillian Roth Softball Award

This award is given in memory of Gillian Roth, whose enthusiasm, determination, and dedication to softball is an inspiration to us all. Clara Guettel ’20

John Odden Lacrosse Award

For the most valuable player, this award is given to one boy and one girl. Hale Brown ’19 Mischa Kandel ’20

Harry Barber Award

The Harry Barber Award was instituted in memory of longtime RCS umpire Harry Barber. It is awarded to those ninth graders who have shown the greatest athletic improvement during their time at RCS. Eddie Gilligan ’19 Camille Smith ’19

Talented Ripp Coaches Vincent Kwarula Athletic Director Boys Varsity Soccer Boys 5/6 Basketball Varsity Track & Field

Vincent Kwarula is a world renowned soccer player with many accolades to his name. He played in two World Cup games on the Kenya National team, where he also served as captain. He won two NAIA Championships and was nominated for the 1999 All-American team while attending Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky. He was selected Defensive Player of the Year for the Northeast Division while playing Division II and earning his bachelor’s degree at Southern Connecticut State University. Vincent continued his education at Manhattanville College where he earned his Masters in Teaching. Off the soccer field, Vincent is President of the Kwarula Society for Kenya Education (KSKE). KSKE was founded to advance children’s education and provide access to clean water and electricity. Vincent’s professional experience, longstanding reputation in the community, and genuine ability to connect with students helps to develop confident and engaged athletes willing to go the distance for RCS.

Miles Cameron ’93 Director of Innovation Boys Varsity Lacrosse

Miles Cameron ’93 has coached a wide range of sports since he graduated from Middlebury College in 2000. From ski racing to soccer, Miles even started a lacrosse program at the prep school where he began his teaching career. Coach Cameron loves working with kids of all levels. As a Bedford Bears Youth Hockey coach he works both with the U8 program and with five year olds who are just learning to skate. He has coached lacrosse at the high school level and spent nine years as the head JV lacrosse coach at Riverdale Country School, where he led his team through three undefeated seasons. Miles began his coaching career at RCS with the 2015-16 boys 5/6 lacrosse team, which ended the season with only one loss. He is now head coach of the RCS boys varsity lacrosse team and is looking forward to building a successful program focused on the core values of good sportsmanship and fundamental athleticism. He will also be ensuring the future of the program as a second grade and Kindergarten coach with Fox Lane Youth Lacrosse.

Retirements

Page Vincent ’79 Page Vincent first stepped onto the Bedford-Rippowam campus as a new Kindergartener in 1969. Though she did not start in JPK, it is fair to say that she is a true “lifer.” Over the last 40 plus years Page’s roles at Rippowam Cisqua School have included student, parent, faculty member, dean, and of course, Director of Secondary School Placement. At the end of the 2018-19 school year, she retired from her day-to-day responsibilities as a faculty member, senior administrator, and the Director of Secondary School Placement, but will continue to impact RCS in her new role as a member of the Board of Trustees. We asked Page to share with us a few thoughts as she heads into retirement.

When you were a student, who were your favorite teachers? PV: Mr. B (Roy Bruninghaus); I loved his stories about serving in WWII on the Enterprise. Mr. Fisher; he was so kind, gentlemanly, and dependable. Mr. Tighe; he was such a character – he was Ripp’s answer to Bob Newhart! And Ms. Fiala, who helped me in roles like Sister Sarah in Guys and Dolls.

RCS: What have you enjoyed most about working at RCS? PV: All of it! RCS: How many students have you placed? PV: Roughly 800 students have passed through the Placement Office in my tenure.

RCS: You’ve had such an enormous impact on so many students at RCS.

RCS: What will you miss the most? PV: I will forever miss the expression on a student’s face when that proverbial light goes off and a new concept clicks. I will forever miss the “cat-whoate-the-canary” look on a student’s face the morning after a sought-after acceptance letter comes in the mail. RCS: Favorite RCS tradition (big or small)? PV: Walk to Cisqua. Gathering the Upper Campus for the beautiful walk along Guard Hill Road, there is such a sense of anticipation. When we arrive at the Lower Campus, there is a flurry of students rushing to see their childhood teachers and the inevitable comments about growth. Finally, watching the older kids connect with their young partners and engage in all kinds of activities, games, and interviews is priceless.

RCS: Why did you choose to work at RCS initially? What year did you start? PV: I started in September 1994, but I also worked for Ripp for a year in 1990-91, which brings me to 25 years. In 1994, I earned a Masters in Curriculum. I wrote my thesis on the phenomenon now known as the “middle school cliff.” Research shows that for social reasons, middle school girls often step away from rigorous math courses. Years down the road, these girls find themselves precluded from certain majors and career paths that would have been available had they not made this sociallydriven choice in middle school. In 1994, RCS created gender-based math classes for Grades 5 and 6. Given my master’s research, I was eager to be part of the program, which was ultimately written up in The New York Times.

Faculty bus excursions to NYC to watch Ashton Crosby in various off-Broadway plays... Creating the Capstone New York Experience with events like visiting Glenn Close on the set of The Stepford Wives, and singing “Dona Nobis Pacem” at Revels with the whole Ripp community are just a few of my favorite memories.

RCS: Favorite lesson you ever taught? PV: I love teaching Algebra I. There is a lesson on the solutions to a quadratic where we use the path of Shamu, the killer whale, star of Sea World, to illustrate parabolas with zero, one, or two-solutions. Using the discriminant, our class sorts out quadratics with no solutions, because Shamu cannot fly. We also rule out quadratics with one-solution because Shamu cannot bounce! And we further investigate quadratics with two-solutions so that Shamu can burst up into the air, entertain the audience, and splash back down. For whatever reason, this lesson seems to really stick with the students! RCS: Favorite memories? PV: There are so many! Leading the inaugural Capstone trip to Italy and the Greek Islands with the Class of 2005…

RCS: When I think RCS, I think... PV: Family school... great legacy… bright future… caring teachers… huge opportunity… genuinely and authentically child-centered. RCS: What are you most excited for as you look to the future? PV: I am excited to spend more time with my family. And I will put myself in the role of student as I try to learn to race sailboats and play golf. I also hope to find a way to provide math support at various local organizations like the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club and Island Academy International in Antigua. RCS: Anything you’d like to add? PV: I am truly honored to continue to serve RCS, in a volunteer capacity, and on the Board.

Tom Morrissey As an advisor, multisport coach, health and ethics teacher, and the School’s Athletic Director, Tom Morrissey, known affectionately as “Mo” to many RCS students and alumni, made a lasting impact on countless students and families during his more than 20-year tenure at RCS. Among many career highlights, Mr. Morrissey led the girls varsity basketball team to over 100 wins in seven seasons (2008-15), and expanded the School’s sports program to include Track & Field, Cross Country, Volleyball, and Squash. Mr. Morrissey set an inclusive and supportive tone for both students and coaches. “Athletics is an integral part of the RCS curriculum as it capitalizes on the value system

promoted in the classroom and extends it to the court, the ice, and the field,” Mr. Morrissey commented in the 2015 RCS Parents Association Newsletter. “Above all else, our sports program allows the children to be a part of something larger than themselves, giving them the opportunity to build their skills and engage in fun, competitive play. At RCS, it’s not about wins or losses, but forming healthy connections to teammates so they learn good sportsmanship, consideration, and respect for each other.” Off the field, Mr. Morrissey is an accomplished playwright and poet. He staged a production of his third screenplay, White Oak, during the summer of 2017 with many RCS alumni taking part both on stage and behind the scenes. In announcing Mr. Morrissey’s retirement earlier this year, Head of School Colm MacMahon commented, “While we are disappointed to see Tom leave, he has certainly earned the opportunity to seek out the professional options that will also allow him to further expand on his love for theater and playwriting. I expect we will be hearing more from Tom in this area as the year progresses, and we look forward to celebrating his theatrical accomplishments.”

Kimberly Fox RCS: When did you begin your career at RCS? KF: I started in 2001 as the computer assistant and became the head computer teacher the following year. I grew up down the road from the Rippowam campus (back when Rippowam and Cisqua were still separate schools), so when I heard of an opening I jumped at the chance to work at RCS. RCS: What did you enjoy most about working at RCS? KF: Autonomy as a teacher, creative and supportive colleagues, and involved and generous parents. RCS: Favorite RCS tradition (big or small)? KF: Singing the “Christmas Canon” with the children. I also loved the mornings when I joined the Head of Lower Campus to greet students with a handshake and a smile.

RCS: Favorite memories? KF: The expressions on students’ faces as they exclaimed, “Ohhh! Now I get it!” RCS: When I think RCS, I think... KF: Children running happily through the doors every morning. RCS: What are you most excited for as you look to the future? KF: My first grandchild! He is due in October. I love children, so having a new baby in the family is going to be a wonderful new adventure. RCS: Anything you’d like to add? KF: I will always be grateful to the many dedicated and talented people who were part of my years at RCS. I made some lifelong friends and have a treasure trove of fond memories. Thank you! 57

Master Teaching Fund Grant Recipients The Rippowam Cisqua School Alumni Association established the Master Teaching Fund (MTF) in 1992 in honor of the School’s former faculty members. The fund has grown and evolved over the decades, and, for many years, it has served as a wonderful and deeplyappreciated way of honoring current faculty members for their years of service to the School. In 2016, Head of School Colm MacMahon, in conjunction with the Alumni Board, expanded the Master

Teaching Fund to include all full-time staff members as well. Today, all faculty and staff members who have completed at least five years of full-time service at RCS are eligible to apply for a grant. Teachers and staff members become eligible in the fall of the year following the completion of five years of employment at RCS, and after completion of each succeeding fifth anniversary of full-time employment.

Every year, gifts to the MTF come from both current and past parents as well as from RCS alumni from across the country and around the world. The allocation of funds from the MTF is managed by the RCS Alumni Association Board in conjunction with representatives from the School. Grants are approved and awarded by the RCS Alumni Association Board – and, last year, the Alumni Board awarded seven grants to teachers and staff members.

Dane Sannicandro Third Grade Teacher Dane Sannicandro writes: “Both my maternal grandmother and my paternal great-grandparents were born in Italy. I was particularly close with my maternal grandmother, living with her for many years. She would often reminisce about her youth in Italy, her trip across the Atlantic, and the difficult times she experienced as an immigrant. The MTF grant provided an incredible opportunity to see the amazing historic sights and natural beauty of Italy. From the Colosseum and Vatican Museum in Rome to the beautiful waters of Ischia, Capri, and Positano, it was an amazing trip!” Dane and his wife, Lauren Redmerski, traveled throughout Italy.

Kathy Perry Grades 5-9 Spanish Teacher Kathy Perry writes: “My grant was focused on wellness and balance. I wanted to find ways that I could explore areas around our home where my husband and I could escape into nature for the day, get some exercise, and return refreshed. We bought two kayaks, binoculars, a set of wheels to help transport the kayaks from roof to launch, and special comfortable life jackets designed for kayaking so that we could be out several hours on rivers or lakes or even the Hudson River or out on the Long Island Sound. Having our own kayaks has been the stimulus to explore our region in a way we never did before and we are loving it! Escaping onto the water has a way of balancing me and restoring my inner calm like few other activities. I am so grateful for this grant opportunity. In the past we had to limit our kayaking to just a few trips in borrowed kayaks in the middle of the summer, but now we can explore whenever it strikes our fancy. So fun!”

Kathy passed under a tree limb along the edge of Esopus Creek River, New York, in her new Old Towne kayak.

Tina Boudreau Senior PreKindergarten Teacher Tina Boudreau writes: “With the MTF grant, I purchased a road bike, and my husband and I set out on a self-guided tour of Nova Scotia, riding the Evangeline trail. The grant inspired me to once again take up an activity that I’ve loved since I was a child. Thank you so much!”

Tina traveled throughout Nova Scotia on her new road bike.

Wendy Weaver Upper Campus Administrative Assistant Wendy Weaver writes: “After my tenth year at RCS, I was very fortunate to receive the Master Teaching Fund grant. I used the grant to make my dream of exploring Ireland with my husband a reality. I give my sincere thanks to the RCS Alumni Committee. This was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience!” Wendy traveled to Ireland with her husband of thirty-five years, Keith, and photographed this falcon in front of Ashford Castle.

Diane Belkevich Lower Campus Administrative Assistant Diane Belkevich writes: “I knew I wanted to participate in the RCS Wellness Initiative. I used part of my grant to purchase a Bowflex TreadClimber® that I use almost every day. It has changed my life! I am more fit and healthier than I have been in years. It is true, health is wealth. Thank you to the Alumni Committee for offering this great opportunity to not only faculty but also to staff.” Diane Belkevich utilized her MTF grant to embrace a healthier lifestyle.

Nicole Putorti Kindergarten Teacher Nicole Putorti writes: “The MTF grant is an incredible opportunity for the RCS faculty and staff. I was able to create a relaxing and private oasis in my home to help re-energize myself each night and provide a more peaceful routine for each morning. I am extremely grateful for the MTF grant, which enabled us to take our existing master bathroom and transform it into a luxurious safe haven of relaxation and tranquility. We all need a place to retreat – a getaway, a form of escape – where we can relax and feel rejuvenated. This is what the bathroom has become for my family and me.” Nicole used the MTF grant to enhance her home.

The Nicholas Bluestone Award Each year, the RCS Alumni Association Board of Directors designates one Master Teaching Fund grant as the Nicholas Bluestone Award. This special designation honors the memory of Nicholas Bluestone ’94 and serves as a perpetual remembrance of Nick’s love of RCS and his interest in the arts. A major consideration in giving the Nicholas Bluestone Award is that the applicant seeks funding to support a journey of discovery.

Carlos Londono Upper Campus Maintenance Team Carlos Londono writes: “For us, December is an important time of year, when families share Christmas and New Year’s Eve together. Ever since our son was a child, we have always tried to teach him about our culture and our customs. Traveling during this time of year allowed us to share with our son all of those beautiful customs, as well as Grandma’s traditional dishes! It was also important for me to spend time with my parents who are advanced in age and sick. I was able to complete some renovations at my parents’ house. Their bathroom needed to be repaired, and some walls needed to be repaired and painted. There are no words to describe the emotional satisfaction of seeing our family and having the opportunity to hug and kiss them, and say ‘I love you’.” Nicholas Bluestone Award recipient Carlos Londono traveled to Colombia in December 2017 with his wife, Dahiana Salazar, and son, Jack Londono ’17, to visit their family. 59

Rippowam Cisqua School

Board of Trustees

Trustees of Rippowam Cisqua School are fiduciaries to the institution as a whole and are collectively responsible for overseeing the welfare of the School and the pursuit of its mission. A vital part of that oversight is ensuring that all legal obligations are met and that sound financial management is provided for both current and future operations. Although trustees often have other relationships with the School – as alumni, parents, or relatives of current or former students – each trustee must put aside these personal relationships and concern him or herself solely with what is in the best current and long-term interests of the institution as a whole. The Board monitors the success of the School in fulfilling its mission and works in partnership with the Head of School to establish principles that will best serve the School, while the Head of School implements the policies and procedures to fulfill these principles on an operational basis. Board members are nominated by the Committee on Trustees and elected by the full Board. New Board members are selected based upon the immediate and long-term needs of the School. Each trustee candidate must demonstrate commitment and service to the institution. The full Board meets at least five times a year, on and off campus, to receive and discuss reports from the Head of School and other administrators, Board Committees, and outside consultants where appropriate. The Board handles the majority of its business through standing committees, which meet regularly. The Board has the authority to create additional committees as needed. The present standing committees are: Executive Committee Committee on Trustees Compensation Committee Finance & Audit Committee Investment Committee Advancement Committee Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee Campus Master Plan Committee Buildings & Grounds Committee Marketing & Enrollment Committee 60

New Board Members Lisa Kaufmann Lisa Kaufmann is Chair of the Parents Association. Lisa has been an active RCS parent volunteer for many years. Most recently, she served as the Parents Association Chair, Upper Campus and has helped to run Grandparents & Special Friends Day. Lisa has served on the Board of Directors of the Sheldrake Environmental Center in Larchmont, New York, and provides pro bono legal services to victims of domestic violence at My Sister’s Place in White Plains. Prior to the Kaufmann family coming to RCS, Lisa served as Vice President in charge of events of the Parent Teacher Association of Chatsworth Elementary School in Larchmont, New York. Lisa received her Juris Doctor at George Washington University Law School and was an Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for eight years. Lisa received her B.A. in history from Cornell University. She and her husband Adam live in Larchmont with their two daughters, Juliet ’20, and Caitlin ’22.

Page Vincent ’79 Alumna, past parent, teacher, and senior administrator, Page Vincent has been associated with Rippowam Cisqua School in a wide array of capacities for more than 40 years. Page has been a member of the Upper Campus math faculty for 25 years and served as Director of Secondary School Placement for 17 years. She also served as Interim Director of Admissions for two years. During her tenure at RCS, Page served on numerous committees and initiatives including the Search Committee for Head of School (2009), Chair of the Search Committee for the Upper Campus Division Head (2016), and Chair of the NYSAIS 10-year Accreditation (2018). A 1979 graduate of RCS, Page went on to attend Choate Rosemary Hall, Duke University (B.A.), and Western Connecticut State University (M.S.). Page’s family has deep ties to RCS. Her three daughters are graduates: Missy Walker ‘07, Hope Walker ‘08, and Dorothy Walker ‘16. Her mother, Barbara Vincent, served as Chairman of the Board. Her husband, Arthur Gosnell, served on the RCS Board and her uncle, Roger Vincent, served on both the RCS Board and the RCS Alumni Association Board. In addition to her work at RCS, Page serves on Duke University’s Undergraduate Board of Visitors and the Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s Women + Wellness initiative.

Alumni Spotlight:

Artist Amelia Adams ’04

Amelia Adams founded her custom paper company, Tiny Shindigs, in 2016. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Amelia illustrates and designs custom paper goods for all of life’s special occasions. She specializes in creating one-of-akind pieces that range from wedding invitations to pet stationery to house portraits. Amelia is the artist behind the exquisite invitation for last spring’s RCS Imagine Benefit Auction. RCS: Do you remember anything specific about your art experience at RCS? AA: I fondly remember making props for school plays in seventh and eighth grade. My classmates and I used acrylic paint on cardboard to create three-dimensional props that looked

like pieces of china pottery. I also remember the first time that I was introduced to rudimentary perspective in the classroom by creating a point on a horizon. It’s a tool that I still use to this day. And of course I recall making a papier-mâché model of Justin Timberlake in the sixth grade of which I was really proud! RCS: What medium do you primarily use in creating your work? AA: I paint in watercolor pretty exclusively and sometimes use ink. I spent five months living in South Africa in 2013-14 with my now fiancé, Andrew Cheever, and it was there that I taught myself how to paint with watercolor. It was at this time that I had an aha

moment and realized that I wanted to spend my time being an artist. RCS: What inspiration did you draw from in creating the RCS Imagine Benefit Auction invitation and stationery? AA: The Auction team and I had extensive phone conversations and email exchanges to discuss the décor and vibe of the event. I drew inspiration from the table decorations and floral arrangements, specifically tulips and forsythia, as well as the Imagine logo. All of these elements were portrayed in the Auction program cover, escort cards, and table numbers as well. To learn more about Amelia and her work, visit her website at www.tinyshindigs.com.

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Alumni Spotlight:

Chef Frankie Celenza ’02

Frankie Celenza, a New York Emmy Award-winning chef, created the YouTube series Frankie Cooks, which features recipe demonstrations of his famous creations. He is currently presenting and creating recipes on-screen exclusively for Tastemade, a global community for food and travel lovers, that reaches 250 million unique viewers a month. RCS: What are some of your fondest RCS memories and how have they shaped where you are today? FC: I’ll always remember Band Night at RCS and how much fun I had playing the drums and guitar, and singing backup vocals with my fellow classmates Alex Pall ’00, Evan Speiser ’00, KK Chase ‘00, Will Carroll ’00, Jamie MacDonald ’00, and Gordon

MacGill ’00. It usually took place twice a year, the night before Christmas break and the night before summer break. My heart still pounds thinking about the curtains being closed, with a hundred kids on the other side, anticipating the fun that was about to ensue. Those performances at RCS further instilled my passion for music and performing, which helped lead me to where I am today with my cooking shows. What sets Frankie Cooks apart from other shows is that aside from the cooking, I am involved in all aspects of the final product, including the video editing and music selection. My brother, Luke Celenza ’07 has composed music for my shows and has won two regional New York Emmy Awards for Outstanding Musical Composition. The

idea to start this came to me in 2009 when I noticed there were no young people presenting food on-screen, at the same time I was hosting bi-weekly dinners in my NYU apartment for hungry students who were trying to pay less than the school’s meal plan. RCS: What are some specific foods that are inspiring you these days? FC: My wife, Heather, and I are enjoying the abundance of stocks I make every winter. One of our favorite dishes is called La pappa al pomodoro. It’s a tomato and stale bread base, with broth poured over the top. We love it with pecorino cheese and basil. Pappa translates to baby food, and that’s exactly the texture I try to hit with the stale bread. Eyeballing the right amount

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of stock is paramount in achieving that texture. Similarly, the Spanish have a bread soup, leading with garlic and egg that follows the same idea. At home I’m also exploring other ways to use more vegetables. Eggplant parm, a dish I ordered as my school lunch on the eighth grade trip to Boston, is a wonderful vehicle for the vegetable, but too dense to eat regularly. Lately, I’ve been burning the skin to impart smokiness, then scooping out the flesh

and adding it to everything from pestos to omelets. RCS: Is it true that you and Cookie Monster have cooked together? FC: Tastemade, the digital channel and production house I work with, made some content in partnership with the Jim Henson company. I got a call one day that I’d be cooking with Cookie Monster. I figured the best dish would be a big, round, chewy…pizza! Mr. Monster was a

real trip to work with and the experience was hysterically fun. Most of the office was on-set to watch one of their childhood heroes in action. A producer came up to me after and asked, “Frankie, does this beat the personal invitation to the White House from Mrs. Obama?” It’s hard to say; they were both dreamy days of work. To learn more about Frankie and his work, visit his website at www.frankiecelenza.com.

The RCS Alumni Association Board 2019-20 Harry Grand ’93, Chair Dan Ryan ’93, Vice Chair Richard Cahill ’92, Treasurer Dana Johnston Brooks ’89 Ellen Sluder Cohen ’92 Storrs Lamb Cote ’79 Katie Prezzano Durfee ’82 Cecily Fowler Grand ’65 Jenny Heath ’91 Gus Levy ’98 Forrest Mas ’04 Sydney Mas ’07 Zoe Haydock McKnight ’98 Bill Meyer ’84 Vanessa Seide ’93 Annie Stickney ’96 Marilen Grosjean Tilt ’57 Alexandria van Starrenburg ’07 Christopher Wirth ’94

Alumni Connections Fall Back to Ripp Alumni enjoyed the annual RCS tradition of gathering together before Thanksgiving at the Fall Back to Ripp reunion on November 20, 2018, in the Upper Campus Innovation Center. It was a wonderful opportunity for the Classes of 2014-18 and current ninth graders to mingle.

Don’t miss Fall Back to Ripp 2019!

Science teacher and ninth grade Dean Chris Perry said, “I enjoyed Tuesday, November 26, 4:30–6:30 p.m. catching up with RCS alumni, hearing from our recently Young alumni are invited back to departed eighth and ninth campus to catch up with old friends and graders about the beginnings favorite Ripp teachers. Be on the lookout of their new school year, from juniors about the rigors of that for details soon on the RCS website, academically challenging year, Instagram, and Facebook. and from the seniors who were eagerly awaiting early decision news from colleges. Perhaps best of all was just watching the alumni interact with each other, from those enjoying pizza in the Innovation Center to the recently graduated ninth graders who returned to hang out with Ms. Schnell, Mrs. Perry, and me in the Ninth Grade House.” (Left to right) Brewster Mockridge ’16, Will Hennig ’16, Chris Perry, Ryan Low ’16, and Gabe Grimeh ’16 caught up at the Fall Back to Ripp reunion.

Keep in touch with RCS and alumni. Connect, communicate, catch up, and celebrate with your classmates from RCS. It has never been easier to reconnect with fellow alumni. Facebook: Rippowam Cisqua School Instagram: rippowam_cisqua LinkedIn: Rippowam Cisqua School Twitter: @rippowam_cisqua

www.rcsny.org

(Left to right) Scarlett Small ’18, Arielle Szycher ’18, Hilary Block ’18, Ashley Pontillo ’18, Franny O’Brien ‘18, Naomi Gibson ’18, Sophie Guettel ’18, and Summer Vogliano ’18 returned to catch up and visit with teachers, too.

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Members of the Class of 2012 – along with some of their parents, siblings, and friends – returned to RCS for a class reunion on June 5. The alumni, parents, and guests gathered in Centennial Hall to enjoy cocktails and some remarks from Head of School Colm MacMahon. Several faculty members were in attendance as well, and the alumni and parents enjoyed reconnecting with their former teachers.

“You see these kids? They’re the reason I’m a teacher here at Rippowam today,” math teacher Paul Ragonesi said. “I started with this class as an assistant teacher and I was hooked for life.” The members of the class also came together to honor the memory of their classmate Willie Maerov ’12. Through the generosity of several RCS families, the School planted and dedicated a tree in Willie’s memory, and it will forever stand in loving tribute to him

Class of 2012 Reunion

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and the wonderful impact he had on his classmates, teachers, and friends. Many alumni and parents of alumni were returning to the School for the first time since the new building opened, and they enjoyed touring the new facilities. They loved the new spaces, but many were quick to remark that it “still feels like home.” Thank you to all the alumni and parents of alumni who helped to organize this event!

We love having alumni back on campus! Here are (from left to right) Sebastian Grunebaum ’11, Lizzie Tobeasan ’12, Annabel Grunebaum ’12, Samie Stein ’12, Georgia Morley ’12, Andrew Koudijs ’12, Phoebe Walker ’12, Danny Carollo ’12, Graham Offermann ’12, Liesl Hennig ’12, Richard Riegel ’11, and Amelia Riegel ’14.

Parent of alumni Lance Maerov and teacher Missy Swan

Parent of alumni Patty Grunebaum and Head of School Colm MacMahon

(From left to right) Andrew Koudijs ’12 , teacher Paul Ragonesi, and Danny Carollo ’12 Former RCS teacher, coach, Director of Admissions, and parent of alumni Ashley Harrington and Liesl Hennig ’12

Alumni Class Notes

Jan Jacobi ’59 published his first book, Young Lincoln.

The Goodhue and Mas families bowling together over the holidays

1959

1977

1992

Jan Jacobi published Young Lincoln, a young adult novel about Abraham Lincoln’s early years and young adulthood, on February 1, 2018. He writes about his RCS experience: “Rosemary Donahue was a remarkable teacher. In her class she taught us to analyze literature with the skill of a graduate student. She accepted nothing less than excellence. Larry Tighe was our grammar teacher. He taught us that grammar was a system we could use to write stronger sentences. He was also one of the kindest men I’ve known. He was a joy to be with outside the classroom as well.”

Justin Cronin is the New York Times bestselling author of The Passage Trilogy (The Passage, The Twelve, The City of Mirrors), the inspiration for a Fox network television series. He is also the author of Mary and O’Neil (which won the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Stephen Crane Prize) and The Summer Guest. A Distinguished Faculty Fellow at Rice University, Justin divides his time between Houston, Texas, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Katherine Sutton Martin lives in Brewster, New York. After years in the legal industry, she’s shifted tracks and now works for a local school district. She’s been happily married to her husband, Robert, since 2014 and they both love to dote on their adorable rescue pup.

1964

Frazer Rice ’88 published his first book, Wealth, Actually.

The Goodhue and Mas families were rolling strikes together in Stowe, Vermont, over the Christmas holidays. RCS alumni included Randy Goodhue ’64, Sam Goodhue ’97, Willy Goodhue ’04, Cynthia Branch Mas ’71, Forrest Mas ’04, and Sydney Mas ’07.

1988 Frazer Rice is a leading private wealth manager with fifteen years of experience advising millionaire and billionaire families on finances, including fiduciary and estate matters. He has been featured in the New York Times, the Daily Telegraph, the Journal News, and the March/April 2019 edition of Bedford Magazine. His first book, Wealth, Actually, was published in 2018.

Andrus Nichols and Regan Southard Watford met up in Los Angeles, California. Andrus writes: “Someone in my cast happened to be best friends with Regan’s husband! We found time to grab lunch and have been in touch ever since!” Andrus Nichols is a successful, highly acclaimed actress. She splits her time between Brooklyn, New York, and Connecticut. She’s engaged to be married and has a mini-dachshund named Tallulah. Regan Southard Watford is a story producer for Vanderpump Rules on Bravo and is married to actor Myk Watford. They live in Los Angeles and have two young children.

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Andrus Nichols ’92 and Regan Southard Watford ’92 in Los Angeles, California

Katherine Sutton Martin ’92 at her wedding in Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Ellie Mahoney, daughter of Carrie Ryan Mahoney ’96

Brad Sorte ’97 and family in Delray Beach, Florida

1996

1998

2001

Carrie Ryan Mahoney and her husband, Kevin, celebrated their daughter Ellie Rose’s first birthday on February 11, 2019. Ellie’s cousins Reed Ryan ’27 and Morgan Ryan ’29 enjoyed celebrating, too.

Jake Grand and his wife, Katie, welcomed their first child, Owen Andrew Grand, on September 30, 2018. The family lives in Portland, Oregon, with their dog, Belushi.

Sarah Carnabuci relocated to San Francisco, California, this past November after spending ten years in New York City. She accepted a job on the global marketing team at Williams-Sonoma, Inc., and is enjoying the West Coast lifestyle.

2000

Paige MacDonald Clarke recently received her Ph.D. in Applied Social Psychology and lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband Garrett and two sons, Stone (3½) and Grey (one year old).

1997 Brad Sorte and his wife, Yasmin, have a daughter, Evie, who turned three in May. Brad works for Caron Treatment Centers as the executive vice president and managing director of Caron’s Florida Continuum and is an active board member for the Palm Beach Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. Brad, Yasmin, and Evie currently reside in Delray Beach, Florida.

Teddy Kunhardt and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their first baby, Henry Meserve Kunhardt, on July 27, 2018. They live in Chappaqua, New York, with their two dogs, Eleanor and Birdie. Joe McMenemon and his wife, Erin, had twins on May 30, 2018, born five minutes apart. The babies’ names are John Joseph McMenemon IV and McClure Ashton McMenemon. Joe writes: “We live in New Orleans, Louisiana. Both babies have been a wonderful blessing to our family. They are growing so fast and are the best of friends! My sister, Kaitlin McMenemon ’99, also had a baby in September 2018, so they already have a little cousin to play with!”

Kate Dorsch lives in Chappaqua, New York, with her husband, Eric, and two boys, Gus and Jasper. She sends all her ’01 alumni a big hello! Erika Gorman married Michael Rosenstein at the Boston Public Library in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 18, 2018. Rippowam Cisqua School alumni in attendance included Dan Cohen ’03, Louisa Polos Condon ’01, Maggie Gorman ‘04, and Emma Diebold Tellem ’01.

Alumni Class Notes

Baby Owen Grand, son of Jake Grand ’98

Henry Meserve Kunhardt, son of Teddy Kunhardt ’00 and Sarah Kunhardt

The McMenemon twins, sons of Joe McMenemon ’00

Erika Gorman ’01 marries Michael Rosenstein

Baby River Khachane, daughter of Vanessa (Goldstein) Khachane ’01

2002 Vanessa (Goldstein) Khachane and her husband, Avi Khachane, are excited to announce the birth of their first daughter, River Hazel, on May 1, 2018. Vanessa continues to work at YouTube/Google, based out of the New York offices, as a creative producer and marketing executive for the YouTube platform. Kate Lawrence is working as an internal medicine physician in New York City. She has a great dog. She was married in Miami, Florida, with the following alumni in attendance: Merrell Hambleton ’01 and Kelly Young Fullerton ’01 (and Vanessa (Goldstein) Khachane ’01 in spirit)! Louisa Polos married Logan Condon at Katonah Presbyterian Church in Katonah, New York, on July 21, 2018. The reception was held at Shenorock Shore Club in Rye, New York. RCS alumni in attendance included Cara Rosenbaum ’05, Thomas Polos ’03, Sarah Carnabuci ’01, Leah Rosenbaum ’02, and John Diebold ’04.

George Kunhardt and his wife, Jackie, welcomed George Trowbridge Kunhardt Jr. on April 21, 2018, at Northern Westchester Hospital. George Jr. weighed 6 pounds and 13 ounces, and measured 19.5 inches.

2003 Henry Johnson and his wife, Julia, welcomed their daughter Eliza Kemper Johnson on July 30, 2018. They live in the historic hamlet of Pound Ridge, New York.

2004 Mac Beitzel married Mary Marshall on September 29, 2018, in Stowe, Vermont. RCS alumni in attendance included Will Goodhue ’04, Peter Greenwood ’04, Forrest Mas ’04, and Sydney Mas ’07. Mac is the brand manager at his family’s store, Hickory & Tweed, in Armonk, New York. Mary is on the web merchandising team for

Michael Kors in Manhattan. The Beitzels currently live in Stamford, Connecticut.

2007 Alison Bianco was married to Michael Allwin in Bedford in June. The couple live and work in New York City. Alison is at Merrill Lynch and Michael works at RBC Capital Markets. Anita Carroll graduated from Fordham Law in May 2018 and passed the New York Bar that fall. She is working at Shaub, Ahmuty, Citrin & Spratt as an appellate attorney. Anita is working on an essay collection and she is the immigration law representative for a progressive organization called Indivisible. She lives in Brooklyn. Catie Cushing is working as a postpartum doula and nanny in Queens, New York. She writes: “I started a business this past year for my doula practice, which I am super excited about!

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The wedding of Louisa Polos Condon ‘01

George Kunhardt ’02 with his family in Hancock, Maine

I am training to expand my practice to become a birth doula as well, so I will be able to be a part of the process from beginning to end. I also recently traveled to Bali for two weeks and loved it.” Malcolm Finkelstein moved from New Orleans, Louisiana, and joined Prosperian Wealth Management in New York City. Malcolm writes: “I am excited to be back in New York after living in New Orleans for almost nine years! Looking forward to reconnecting with all my old friends in the RCS community.” Madeleine Henry is a full-time writer and her novel, Breathe In, Cash Out, was published in July by Simon & Schuster. The book is about a yogi trying to stay centered as an investment banker, written after working in finance and at Goldman Sachs. Madison Malloch-Brown Jacoby married Reid Jacoby. Madison works at The Estée Lauder Companies in New York City, and Reid is an MBA candidate at London Business School. The couple were married in London this June.

Eliza Kemper Johnson, daughter of Henry Johnson ’03 and Julia Johnson

Alexandra “Sandy” Mattei moved to Berlin over a year and a half ago, with her Ph.D. advisor. She is working at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics. Sandy studies mouse stem cells to better understand how the genome is regulated during embryonic development. Peter Melhado owns and operates Isla Surf School in Charleston, South Carolina. The school specializes in surf lessons, summer camp, and paddle boarding tours. Peter’s younger brother, Reed, is helping to launch paddle boarding eco tours. Gregory Schroeder has been the lead producer on short form narrative projects of film and web series content since the summer of 2016. He writes: “Currently, I am a Producing Fellow at the American Film Institute Conservatory, where I am producing two thesis projects and set to complete an MFA.”

Mac Beitzel ’04 weds Mary Marshall

& Family, Jill founded three startups and worked at Viacom where she created custom marketing campaigns to integrate brands like Taco Bell, Adidas, and Cadillac into cultural conversations. Jillian leverages her experience to develop and test innovative business concepts that creatively solve customer pain points. She launched a new fashion product called Jillies. “Jilliies are small, reusable, and fabric-safe weighted dots that stick to the inside hem of a dress or skirt to prevent it from flying up in the wind. Check out www.shopjillies.com for more info.” Andrew Toporoff lives in New York City and attends law school at Columbia. Missy Walker was on location in Thailand as a producer for Miss Universe. She works in nonscripted film and television for IMG. Her recent project, a documentary special on the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, aired this March on MSNBC.

Jillian Tessler is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Friends & Family, where she conducts innovation sprints for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to Friends 71

Alumni Class Notes

Alison Bianco ‘07 with husband, Michael, in New York City.

Amanda Weld became engaged to Charlie Templeton. The couple met in math class at Union College and will be getting married in Cooperstown, New York.

2010 Place Wilson published A Person Named Place: A Millennial’s Guide to Mental Health and Emotional Intelligence in 2017. In her book, Place shares how she changed her life by embracing psychology and others’ experiences in order to increase and develop her emotional intelligence.

2014 Theo Bartlett ran the Boston Marathon on April 15 with his father, Jim, as part of the Tufts team benefitting the Friedman School of Nutrition.

Lily Fauver is a junior at Dartmouth College and a member of the varsity women’s rowing team. She spent the

Follow Madeleine Henry ’07 at @MadeleineHenryYoga for updates about her book and yoga practice.

winter in New Zealand with three of her Dartmouth teammates where they joined Star Boating Club in Wellington, and competed in regattas all over New Zealand. Lily also conducted research for a professor at Victoria University.

2016 Class Reps Blaire Clayton – bclayton19@nmhschool.org Paige Gilbert – paige_gilbert@stgeorges.edu Jack Kovensky – kovensky.jack@gmail.com Sarah Bonnem ’16 enjoyed a busy senior year at Choate Rosemary Hall, especially her role as a prefect in a sophomore/junior dorm. Her sister, Anna Bonnem ’18, enjoyed her sophomore year at Choate and spent the winter trimester living with a family in Paris as part of Choate’s term abroad program. Both sisters were involved with varsity racing on the water in the spring. Anna rows crew while Sarah is a sailor.

Madison Malloch-Brown Jacoby ‘07 was married in June 2019 in London.

Both Sarah (percussion) and Anna (cello) traveled to Italy in early June on a tour with the Choate orchestra. They visited many of the same cities Sarah visited with her RCS ninth grade class and performed Italian music in the great concert halls there. They also hiked over the summer with friends from Alford Lake Camp. Anna hiked the Maine section of the Appalachian Trail and Sarah hiked part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Daisy Fauver recently graduated from Suffield Academy where she was cocaptain of the varsity swim team and a head tour guide. Daisy will be attending St. Lawrence University in the fall. Eric Ochsner graduated from Fairfield Prep in June and drove out West in August to attend the University of Colorado Boulder where he will pursue a degree in Environmental Science and Biblical Studies. He enjoyed working at the Jenga Mission in Uganda earlier in the summer.

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Peter Melhado ’07 is making waves in Charleston, South Carolina, with his business, Isla Surf School.

Amanda Weld ’07 and her fiancé, Charlie

Theo Bartlett ’14 and his father, Jim, at the Boston Marathon

Eric Ochsner ’16 working at the Jenga Mission in Uganda

2017

2018

2019

Class Reps Grace Greenwald – greenwald.grace@gmail.com Katje Knoblauch – katje_knoblauch@missporters.org

Class Reps Bennett Braden – bennett.braden18@gmail.com Timothy Evnin – timothyevnin@gmail.com Nseya Hodge – nseya523@gmail.com

Class Reps Lili Azima – liliazima@yahoo.com Hale Brown – halehailandbrown@gmail.com Ella Miller – ellamiller2004@yahoo.com Gayle Miranda – gayledemiranda@gmail.com

Grace Ekperigin spent three weeks in Nanjing, China, participating in a language and cultural immersion program. The Choate Rosemary Hall junior traveled with CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) where she lived with a Chinese host family, commuted to Nanjing University for classes, and visited historical landmarks in Shanghai. Grace was incredibly excited to continue pursuing her passion for Chinese language and culture during her academic spring term in Beijing as a part of the “Choate in China” program. At the Thacher School in California, Daisy Lawrence works on the school newspaper, The Notes, reporting on American politics and partisanship in the United States. Daisy, in her last year of high school, founded a club called Political Alliance, which aims to foster an environment of intellectual freedom and challenge students at Thacher to look beyond their own lived experiences.

George Fauver writes: “This past year I finished my freshman year at Deerfield Academy, where I rowed in the 3V boat and was pulled up to the first boat to row at Nationals at the end of the season.” Hollen Spain ’18 is a junior at the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, and spent part of her summer in Spain with fellow Taft students in an immersion program. Her sister, Haylie Spain ‘15, graduated from Taft this spring and will be attending Colgate University this fall.

Tell Us What’s New with You! To submit Class Notes:

Send notes and/or high res images to Jennifer Goodhue at goodhue@rcsny.org. For short milestone information (engagements, weddings, births), please include full name and dates.

Photo tips:

- Set your camera to best setting - Photo size 4x6-inch (300 dpi) - Save files as .jpeg or .tiff - Identify people in the picture - Attach file to email 73

In Memoriam We offer our condolences to the family and friends of the following members of our school community. Abby Willard Northrop ’65 of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, died on April 23, 2018. She was 67 years old. Abby was laid to rest on May 11, 2018, at St. Matthew’s Church in her childhood home of Bedford, New York. Cynthia (Whitman) Swank ’76 died on July 28, 2018. Raised in Bedford, Cindy entered RCS in PreKindergarten and left her mark as both Blue Team captain and vice president of her ninth grade class. Cindy is survived by husband Mark; her four children Elsie ’04, Mark ’07, Sam ’10, and Georgia; her mother, former RCS staff member Aimee Whitman; her brother Cutler Whitman ’78; and sister-in-law Libby Prezzano Whitman ’85. Nicholas Avinoff Shoumatoff ’56 died on September 11, 2018, at his home in Mount Tremper, New York. The memorial service was held at the Trailside Nature Museum on October 14, 2018. His relatives include Antonia Shoumatoff Foster ’67, and Alex Shoumatoff ’60. Robert Sheffey Preston III died on Thanksgiving 2018 in Solvang, California, of early onset Alzheimer’s. He was 65 years old. He was the father of Hallie Preston ’99, Claire Preston ’04, and Robbie Preston ’12. Odette Austin died on December 15, 2018 at The Mann House in Atlanta, Georgia. She was a member of the Bedford Garden Club, St. Matthew’s Bible Group and the Social Register, as well as a founder of the BedfordWestchester Conservation Council. Odette was the mother of Roger Austin ’61, Alix (Austin) Kendall ’66, and Ghislaine (Austin) Belcak ’69. Cassie Kernan died on December 18, 2018, in Boca Grande, Florida. She was 74 years old. Cassie taught dance at RCS from 1980-84 and was the mother of Josh Kernan ’84, Kate (Kernan) Doerge ’89, and Michael Kernan, who taught in the RCS CAT program. Donald Kennedy Brush, former RCS parent and trustee, died on January 1, at Duncaster Retirement Community in

Alumni Class Notes

Bloomfield, Connecticut. His children are alumni Laurie (Brush) Matson ’72, Lise (Brush) Read ’73, and Carrie (Brush) O’Connor ’75. Mary Denny Kerrigan, wife of Anthony G. Kerrigan ’41 and mother to Geoff Kerrigan ’75 and Tim Kerrigan ’80, died on January 17. She had recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Mary was a librarian at RCS from 1971 to 1976. David Beitzel, brother of Skip Beitzel, and uncle to Mac Beitzel ’04, Chase Beitzel ’06, and Ryder Beitzel ’13, died on January 20. William H. Waters ’39 of Jensen Beach, Florida, died on January 21. He was 93 years old. Andrew Issac Sobelman ’84 of Pound Ridge, New York, and New York City died on February 3 at the age of 49. He worked for Goldman Sachs in New York City. Andrew was the brother of Pauline Sobelman ’86. Jonathan Boies died on February 22 at the age of 50. He was the father of Josh Boies ’20. A burial and private service for close friends and family was held locally on March 3. Archibald “Pete” Robertson Dunning Jr. died on March 21, at Caveland, his home in Boyce, Virginia. He was 79 years old. He was the grandfather of Katherine Tobeason ’11, Lizzie Tobeason ’12, and Freddie Tobeason ’16. Charlton “Rink” Reynders Jr. died peacefully, on March 24, at 81, near his home in Newbury, New Hampshire. His wife of nearly 60 years, Knowlton “Nonie” Ames Reynders, was by his side. He was the father of John Reynders III ’79, Chat Reynders III ’81, and Alys (Reynders) Scott ’82. Frances (Tower) Thacher ’69, a longtime Bedford resident, died on March 25 from pancreatic cancer. She had just celebrated her 65th birthday. She was the sister of Harry Payne Tower ’73. Her service was held in May at her mother’s home in Bedford.

The Annual Fund provides endless opportunities for every child at RCS. These are some of the

programs you will support this 2019-20 school year:

Team Building Experiences Walk to Cisqua Visiting Artist Series Athletics Mindfulness & Yoga Workshop Immersive Travel Experiences Geography & History Bees (Grades 4–8) Learning Immersion Days (Grades 7–9)

Revels Greek Agora Creativity Cohort for Faculty Innovation Secondary School Placement Process Midnight Run STEAM Fair Jazz Band Holiday Concert Field Day Field Trips

Grade Performances Kindergarten Night Party Boat Races at the Boys & Girls Club (Grade 8) Hyperbole TED Talks Earth Day Halloween Celebration Ripp Rally Day and so much more

Donate to the Annual Fund today. The Annual Fund raises funds that flow directly into the RCS operating budget. These gifts impact the day-to-day life for RCS and provide direct support for our academic, athletic, and arts programming that strengthen aspects of your child’s RCS experience.

ONLINE: www.rcsny.org/annualfund MAIL: 439 Cantitoe Street, Bedford, NY 10506 PHONE: (914) 244-1291/1293

RIPPOWAM CISQUA SCHOOL 439 Cantitoe Street, Bedford, NY 10506 www.rcsny.org