Rippowam Cisqua School Bulletin Spring 2024

RIPPOWAM CISQUA SCHOOL Spring 2024

Bulletin

CISQUA SCHOOL

RIPPOWAM CISQUA SCHOOL

Spring 2024

Rippowam Cisqua School Bulletin is published by the Advancement Office

Karin Smith, Director of Communications & Bulletin Editor

Gary Lawson, Associate Director of Communications

Melissa Mirkin, Associate Director of Advancement

Caroline Vincent Mockridge ’81, Director of Special Projects

Daphne Viders, Director of Development

Credits

Design: Good Design, Deep River, Connecticut

Photography: Lori Adelsberg, engin akyurt on Unsplash, Fatima Albader, Caroline Aronowitz, Alexandra Baker, Miles Cameron ’93, Melissa Cavaliere, Brooks Eleck, Christy Glynn, Natalie Harrington, Minush Krasniqi, Andrej Lišakov on Unsplash, Erica Lowe on Unsplash, Lila Nachbar ’24, Heather Norberto, Rhonda Spevak

Printing: J.S. McCarthy, Augusta, Maine

Board of Trustees

Abby Gerry, Chair

Ben Harris, Vice Chair

Oliver Bushnell, Secretary

Charlene Sy Ryan, Treasurer

Sonja Bartlett

Christina Bresani

Micki Buchanan

Jonathan Childs

Kelly Coles

Nancy Dwyer Eaves ’92

James Fayed

Ex Officio

Colm MacMahon, Head of School

David Brown, Director of Finance

David Gordon

Page Vincent Gosnell ’79

Harry Grand ’93, RCSAA Chair

Amy Harsch

Jennifer Buntman Indig

Janelle Lika

Melissa Roth Mendez

D. Bryce O’Brien

Will Reeve ’07

Peter Scala ’98

Jordan Vogel

Julie Cooper, Parents Association Chair

Daphne Viders, Director of Development

RIPPOWAM

When PK Teacher Nicole Putorti discovered her students were interested in water, she followed their lead and the class began a study of our planet’s oceans and the sea creatures that live there. From April’s PK Ocean Performance, here is a humpback whale (Fitzhugh), an orca (Codi), a narwhal (Gali), two seahorses (Eva and Raine), a starfish (Emerson), and a beluga whale (Teddy).

“I honestly thought I knew a lot about the ocean,” Mrs. Putorti admitted, “but I learned so much more during this unit!”

Message from the Head of School

One of my favorite aspects of the Bulletin is the way it weaves current events with stories from our past. As an institution spanning over a century, our history is the foundation upon which our students thrive today, and the memories made in our halls are carried with them for the rest of their lives. It’s not a coincidence that so many alumni return to the School to share the RCS experience with their children; we proudly count 24 alumni families and 42 legacy students in our community this year. This enduring connection is a testament to the spirit of our school and is why, I think, so many of our teachers and staff remain at RCS for so long.

In terms of longevity, there isn’t an individual who has had a longer tenure than our esteemed music teacher, Lainie Zades, who retires this year after 45 turns around the sun at RCS. While we will be celebrating Lainie more fully in a future edition of the Bulletin, I would be remiss not to recognize the impact she, and so many others, has had on the legions of students who went through our school — many of whom we highlight in this issue. Our teachers shape who our students become, and we couldn’t be prouder of our alumni.

Having attended an independent school and being the recipient of magazines such as this one from those institutions, I am always drawn to the updates on past classmates and teachers, and am especially intrigued by the array of pathways graduates take in their lives. I encourage you to take some time and read about our past Rippowam Cisqua Award winners, some of our current college athletes, and the notes from specific

classes. I believe you will be as impressed as I am by all that your fellow RCS community members have accomplished.

Please also take a moment to bathe in the life of our school, as the stories about the arts performances, athletics seasons, service learning projects, and outdoor activities beautifully showcase our students expanding their knowledge beyond the classrooms. The vibrancy of our community is mirrored well in the articles ahead.

Lastly, and I write this frequently, if you have not been on campus in some time, please come back and visit. We would love to see you and show you that while our campus has physically changed dramatically (and continues to do so — see the Learning Lab article on page 8), the spirit of the community has not. Laughter prevails, and the connections between teachers and students remain the hallmark of what we do and who we are. And that is something that will never change.

All my best,

Colm MacMahon Head of School

Sunshine Committee

By Lori Adelsberg and Diane Belkevich, Sunshine Committee Co-Chairs

Schools typically turn into quiet and empty spaces after students are dismissed for the day… but not RCS! Walk the halls after school and you may hear laughter coming from the art studio, a thwacking sound from the gym, or earnest conversation from the Library and Media Center. These are the sounds of faculty and staff participating in Sunshine Committee activities planned just for them: painting, drawing, and pottery lessons in the art studio; pickleball games in the Trustees’ Gym; and book club discussions in the Library and Media Center. All faculty and staff are invited to join in the fun. In fact, over half of all faculty and staff have attended at least one Sunshine event, where we learn from colleagues who generously share their passion and expertise to guide their peers in these relaxed and enjoyable social learning experiences.

encouragement to each other and to their students.”

Collegiality and cooperation may be important in all organizations, but it is especially valued at RCS, where our students are among the beneficiaries.

Students can sense when their teachers work well together and care for each other, which sets a tone of respect and cooperation throughout the School. They can then influence students to adopt

But the Sunshine Committee’s impact isn’t just fun and games. The Committee works throughout the year to organize events with the singular goal of promoting

a culture of belonging among faculty and staff. After all, the concept of belonging is foundational to our school, encompassing those who work there as well as students.

As faculty member Serbesina Thaci said, “I feel grateful to belong to a community that places collaboration and support at its core, fostering an environment where faculty members consistently offer assistance and

similar behaviors when interacting with their classmates and the adults in their lives.

A harmonious relationship among teachers and staff creates a positive and welcoming atmosphere in the classroom. This environment helps students feel safe and motivated to learn. As one faculty member said, “I experience unwavering support from my colleagues, creating a positive atmosphere that extends to our interactions with students, ensuring they always feel supported.”

“Sunshine

events are great because I enjoy spending time with colleagues and we’ve had the chance to learn so many new things together. My favorite was making apple pies!”

— Jen Corcoran Science Teacher

“In

my over 45 years of tenure at this school, morale has never been better. Sunshine events are a great way to mix and mingle with colleagues that I don’t see on a day-to-day basis.”

— Lainie Zades Music Teacher

One of the biggest challenges facing schools today is teacher retention. It’s important for faculty and staff at RCS to know they are valued and appreciated and are provided with opportunities to get to know their colleagues outside the classroom. Faculty and staff have enjoyed gathering in the Dining Hall with rolling pins in hand to bake apple pies, getting healthier at yoga and barre classes in Cushman House, and engaging in some friendly competition playing a trivia game off campus.

The Sunshine Committee works to provide social opportunities to encourage creativity, productivity, and morale and strives to create a workplace that values collaboration, lifelong learning, and fun. Serbesina Thaci expressed it best when she said, “I LOVE my Ripp community!”

Beautiful Questions

By Emily Hyland, Director of Professional Development and Growth

During opening meetings in August, our faculty and staff delved into Warren Berger’s book A More Beautiful Question. We were excited to secure the much-indemand Mr. Berger as a speaker for our faculty as a way to extend conversations we began last spring on fostering belonging and evolving in the face of Artificial Intelligence.

According to Mr. Berger, and we agree, the number one imperative of today’s educators is to cultivate critical thinking in their students. In an era marked by the growing opportunities and challenges presented by AI, social media, conspiracy theories, and fake news, it is

critical thinkers who will tackle the great challenges ahead.

Through Mr. Berger’s insightful presentation, we examined how supporting our students’ natural curiosity is the greatest tool for developing their critical thinking skills. Furthering on our yearlong commitment to discussing belonging, the faculty and Mr. Berger discussed the ways in which fear and a lack of feeling at “home” can be the enemy to asking great questions. Thoughtful and generous questions can only be asked in a space where students feel a sense of home and community — a hallmark of the RCS experience.

We were thrilled to bring Mr. Berger to campus. From the moment we began discussions with the author last spring, it was clear his message would resonate with the RCS ethos. It was an amazing morning full of stimulating conversation. The eagerness with which our faculty dove into Mr. Berger’s thought-provoking and important work was inspiring for everyone involved. Armed with the knowledge of how to develop critical-thinking skills in our students through the cultivation of a sense of belonging, RCS is unstoppable.

When we arrive at the tree, we always approach it carefully and put down our blanket at a safe distance from its long branches. Like so many visitors before us, we sit down to sketch. When we return, we hang up a gallery of our “Bedford Oaks” for everyone to see!

Visiting the Bedford Oak

By Lily Kast, Kindergarten Teacher

Our fall field trip to the Bedford Oak is one of the Kindergartners’ favorite trips! Before we go, we gather information about the Bedford Oak from videos and books. We learn how beloved the tree is and how people come from all over to photograph it, sketch it, and admire its beauty. We talk about the great effort the town has made over the years to keep it safe and preserve it for future generations. The Oak has watched so much life unfold and thanks to our town, will continue to do so!

As someone who grew up on Clinton Road with the Bedford Oak as the backdrop of so many happy memories, this trip is especially meaningful to me and I’m thrilled to bring students to enjoy it each year.

What Is Ripp Rally Day?

By Cheryl Coyle, JPK-Grade 2 PE Teacher

We started Ripp Rally Day in 2015 as a fun way to kick off the school year and bring the whole community together. Today, the tradition continues and typically takes place on the Friday of the first full week of school.

Each Upper School student is paired with a child in Kindergarten–Grade 4. Prior to Ripp Rally Day, the students are encouraged to write letters or send drawings to introduce themselves to their partners. On Ripp Rally Day, Upper School and Lower School partners travel together throughout the morning. Even our Early Childhood students are part of the excitement! They come out to cheer, dance, and watch.

The day consists of different stations to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy. The Athletics Department

collaborates every year to provide new activities, adapt others, and make sure that the morning runs smoothly. The department’s main focus is to create a morning that is exciting and challenging for students and teachers alike. Ripp Rally Day promotes teamwork, exercise, cooperation, strategy, and school spirit.

As the activity leaders, ninth graders play an important role in Ripp Rally Day. They communicate with the groups of children and adapt to the different ages that rotate through their stations. Faculty members support the nines throughout the day, encouraging them to ask themselves: “How is this going for me? How is this experience going for the group that I am teaching? What are some positive things that are happening at my station? How can I improve it for the next group?”

These guided questions help the ninth graders learn to take responsibility

for their stations, and it shows when they are in front of their peers, especially if they are running for Red/ Blue team captains.

Every year the ninth graders pleasantly surprise me. They work hard to keep their stations exciting and organized. The nines learn valuable lessons about themselves and walk away with a new and improved appreciation of this fun-filled day.

Most importantly, Ripp Rally Day allows everyone to play games, have a good time, try their best, and be a good friend. Laughing, singing, piggybacks, hugs — it’s a win for everyone. This partnership between ages and grade levels brings the school together as one community and sets a positive tone that starts the year off with school spirit. Games and children are synonymous with each other and laughter plants the seeds of learning. Go Red! Go Blue!

Groundbreaking for the New Learning Lab

In June, RCS will begin its latest expansion endeavor, the construction of a new Learning Lab. When this hub is completed in August 2025, it will encompass over 4,000 square feet of new learning spaces, including a writing center, a two-story math commons area, and additional classroom space for small group instruction.

This welcoming and light-filled space will provide students with opportunities to work individually and collaboratively across a wide spectrum of disciplines, while at the same time also creating dedicated areas for writing and math.

“Research shows that environmental factors like natural light, intentional seating arrangements, and natural materials can boost students’ cognitive performance,” Assistant Head of School Erin Callaghan said. “When designing this space, we made sure there were opportunities to allow natural light into all areas of the lab.”

There will be independent learning spaces where students can go and have autonomy over their learning — places where they can sit and enjoy reading a book, meeting with a friend, or collaborating with a teacher.

The School’s objective is to create a beautiful space where all forms of learning are nurtured, fostering a sense of safety and confidence among students as they fearlessly explore new subjects and acquire valuable skills.

“Building confident communicators is a foundational pillar of our school,” Ms. Callaghan added. “Creating an intentional space where students can celebrate the writing process, target their skills, and receive individualized support is critical in their journey to communicating their ideas clearly, persuasively, and creatively.”

Mount Kisco-based KG+D Architects is the design team behind this project. The firm also reenvisioned the Upper School campus for our renovation

project, completed in 2017, and the Early Childhood House, completed in 2020. Construction is being handled by Andron Construction in Goldens Bridge, New York.

“Learning should never have a stop sign. Our goal is to create a dynamic hub where enrichment and engagement are continually fostered and celebrated.”

— Erin Callaghan Assistant Head of School

CAFE Club: Community and Belonging

The RCS CAFE Club (Cultural Awareness for Everyone) is a student elective group dedicated to promoting community and belonging. Led by Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Ridley Sperling and Associate Director of DEIB Marie Peña, the club organized the School’s second annual Spirit Day on October 19, 2023 — and it was a huge success! Students and faculty were encouraged to wear purple in support of anti-bullying awareness and action, and $2 donations, if possible, were encouraged. In total, the RCS community raised almost $500 for nonprofit organization The Trevor Project.

“The whole school dressed in purple to support anti-bullying, showing how we

can all come together as a community to support one really good cause,” Sophie Rosen ’25 explained.

“CAFE is basically a safe space for all the kids who join. We organize things for the whole school, and our goal is just to make everyone feel accepted, whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or not.”

“Children all over the nation are wearing purple in protest against bullying, in support of LGBTQIA+ students who have been bullied, and to show allyship toward anybody who needs support,”

Ms. Peña added. “It was started by a teenager in Canada who was tired of seeing her friends being bullied. This is our second year recognizing Spirit Day and it’s spearheaded by the students in CAFE, who every year create posters, raise awareness, speak at assemblies, and work to get everybody on board.”

RCS Secondary School Fair

By Brooks Eleck, Associate Director of Secondary School Placement

RCS hosted over 70 day and boarding schools at the September 19, 2023, Secondary School Fair, where admissions representatives were thrilled to meet and talk to our amazing RippKids. The evening was a terrific experience for our students; they left feeling excited about the process ahead, and got a little practice under their belts for connecting with admissions officers.

The RCS Secondary School Fair was originally established to expose students

in seventh through ninth grade to a variety of boarding schools in the Great Boarding Schools network. Over time, however, we observed that families in the placement process needed to be exposed to a wider variety of schools and be offered opportunities to speak with admissions professionals from both day and boarding environments.

We have grown this event to meet the needs of our families and our receiving schools — it seems to be a bigger and bigger hit every year! In prepandemic times we might have expected approximately 20 schools to attend the event, whereas we now welcome up to 80 schools from all over the country. This event continues to provide a valuable opportunity for students to meet with admissions professionals and hone their communication skills.

As the Placement Office, we feel honored that schools make such an effort

to be here for our students. And we strive to allow our families to see everything they can in an efficient manner, so this night has become a terrific opportunity to do just that.

Midnight Run

Photography by Lila Nachbar ’24

Volunteer organization Midnight Run coordinates over 1,000 relief missions each year, bringing food, clothing, blankets, personal care items — and most importantly, conversation — to New York City’s homeless. That human exchange, rather than the exchange of goods, is the essence of the Midnight Run mission.

Ninth grader Lila Nachbar captured these images of her classmates prepping brown bag dinners and sorting clothing for homeless people on January 26.

“I was taking photos for my Capstone project, which is a photo portfolio of my ninth grade year at Ripp,” Lila said. “In this photo, I wanted to capture the importance of a Midnight Run and

the hard work that is put into this impactful night.”

Our ninth graders made a difference in the lives of a number of people that evening. They helped those they met find appropriately sized clothing, distributed toiletry bags and food, and served up hot chocolate and chili.

“Most importantly,” Director of the Ninth Grade Program Chris Perry said, “they brought warmth and cheerfulness as they interacted with the people we met.”

For almost 25 years, Mr. Perry has been leading RCS ninth graders into New York City for a night of service with Midnight Run, giving students an

opportunity to share, understand, and care about people living on the streets. This year, students made most of their stops along Central Park West.

Before the Midnight Run, students met with Midnight Run Executive Director Dale Williams who, having been homeless himself, was able to provide a deeper understanding about living on the streets and fighting for your life every day.

“At the end of the night I definitely took a big sigh,” ninth grader Gavin Kwarula said. “I went home thinking, yes, I helped this person, but how can I help more? I gave them food, I gave them clothes — but that won’t last forever. I just keep them in my prayers.”

“I think the Midnight Run is one of the best activities we have ever done because it gives us a sense of giving back to the community and understanding that people are fighting for their lives every day.”

— Gavin Kwarula ’24

An undertaking of this scope does not happen without the efforts of many people, so thanks are in order! We are grateful to:

All members of the RCS community who donated money during our jeans day (we collected over $1,200) and a variety of clothing during our clothing drive

Ninth grade families who supplied hardboiled eggs, hot chocolate, chili, meatloaves, and a variety of toiletry and clothing items

Faculty who traveled to New York City with the ninth grade (Josh Bookin, Vincent Kwarula, Gavin Robinson, and John Yu) as chaperones, and those who helped organize clothing at RCS (Yvonne Cognac and Kathy Perry)

Our Maintenance team for the use of the school van that carried most of our supplies

Chef Jonathan and SAGE Dining Services for providing supplies for the sandwiches we made and also serving containers

When we returned to RCS, we had supplies left over, but nothing went to waste. Leftover meals and hot chocolate were delivered to Neighbor’s Link on Saturday. Over 170 pounds of clothing were delivered to the Community Center of Northern Westchester. Some clothing was also donated to Bedford Presbyterian Church for the Midnight Run they made at the end of February.

WHAT A NIGHT!

We had a blast on Meyers Fields on September 23, 2023, at one of our most anticipated events of the year: Friday Night Lights. Event Co-Chairs Jessica Crescenzi, Ariel Flores, Lauren Saiger Machowsky ’99, Liz Rini, and Stefani ScamardoHaynes, along with their team of volunteers, kicked off fall with all the favorites — from face painting and sack races to food trucks and the bonfire finale — and added new touches of their own.

Illustrator and graffiti artist VIZIE (Patrick Griffin) collaborated with students to create an interactive, larger-than-life mural. Represented by Colin Carlton P’31, VIZIE’s innovative work, spanning from the late ’90s to the present day, has seen him leave a mark on street art scenes worldwide. We were thrilled to partner with him right here in Bedford.

The evening unfolded with an incredible lineup of performances, starting with student bands Riptide, featuring Hal Cohen ’27, Grayson Fisher ’27, Hudson Haynes ’27, Layla Lakamp ’27, Reed Ryan ’27, and Kick Sisto ’27; and The Gigachads, featuring Hudson Haynes ’27, Malcolm Kirkpatrick ’27, and Nolan Walsh ’27. Singer-songwriter Lauren Minear P’33, ’36 then took center stage with a selection of soulful tunes; and emcee, rapper, and (new!) RCS Associate Teacher Matt Lacey ’15 (aka Kid Lacey) closed the show.

Each year, Friday Night Lights raises the bar higher, evolving from its inaugural Family Carnival in 2017 into not only a backto-school community builder but also a cherished tradition and, in 2023, a showcase for musical talent. As we eagerly anticipate next year’s FNL — the sixth installment — we can only wonder what surprises lie ahead.

“The stage was really awesome.”

It takes time and a dedicated team to produce an event like Friday Night Lights. Parents, students, faculty, and staff joined forces to turn this year’s annual fall celebration into one of Ripp’s best. But we couldn’t let you turn the page of this magazine without a shout-out to one parent in particular, founder of Hard Head Management Stefani ScamardoHaynes, who brought her expertise in overseeing music festivals (and an actual stage, sound checks, and crew) to Meyers Fields.

No one was more impressed than our student musicians:

“The stage was really awesome,” Kick Sisto remarked.

“There was a stage crew so they could do sound checks,” Layla Lakamp added.

“And a soundboard with all the knobs. It was all very professional,” Grayson Fisher agreed. “It was just a lot of fun.”

Stefani Scamardo-Haynes

A Music Changing Experience

Before they became Riptide, sixth graders Hal Cohen, Grayson Fisher, Hudson Haynes, Layla Lakamp, Reed Ryan, and Kick Sisto were all jamming at different music camps and taking different classes. But when they all enrolled in Rock 101 at Bedford’s School of Rock, something changed.

“We just really enjoyed playing together,” Grayson explained. “And we all were becoming close friends.”

And then someone asked if they wanted to perform at Friday Night Lights.

Grayson Fisher (GF): I guess we didn’t know it was going to be such a big deal. When we got there, we saw the big legit stage, and we were like, “Oh, gosh.” It was a lot to take in.

Layla Lakamp (LL): Originally, I think just Hudson’s band, The Gigachads, was playing. And then we were invited to play, too, and we knew that was pretty big.

RCS: What was it like performing on the Friday Night Lights stage?

GF: At first, when we were about to get up there, we were pretty nervous. But, I don’t know, I felt very alive up on that stage. It was so fun.

LL: I thought it would be super nervewracking. But then having all those people supporting us, it was actually really fun.

RCS: What was your favorite part?

GF: I would say either being up there [on the stage] or coming down and feeling like we did it and it was good. And it went well.

RCS: Are you a bit bolder, a little bit braver now?

GF & LL: Yes!

GF: Definitely, because since it was our biggest crowd, I feel like smaller crowds will just be easy from now on. I remember my first performance; it was really hard songs, on piano. I was very nervous. But after I got through with it, I was like, I can do anything now.

RCS: Anything else you want to say about performing at Friday Night Lights?

GF: I’m glad we had that experience because it was really music-changing.

LL: Yes, I think it brought a new kind of step into our lives of music.

Grayson Fisher (left) and Layla Lakamp (right)

G raduation 2023

Rippowam Cisqua School’s 105th Graduation began with eighth and ninth graders back together on the stage — a poignant reunion after three years of a global pandemic. A smoky haze from Canadian wildfires almost forced the ceremony indoors, but on Thursday, June 7, eighth graders celebrated the completion of middle school and ninth graders marked the culmination of their Capstone year with a joyful procession into the tent.

“If we have learned anything over these past few years, it is that family, friends, and community are what we all need most,” Head of School Colm MacMahon said as he opened the program. “And that’s what today is: a celebration of community and the role you have all played in making our lives better. So, thank you for being a part of all our journeys, and I wish you nothing but the best.”

“As many of you know,” he continued, “in the 2023 yearbook, Early Childhood students were asked to give advice to our graduating class. Here are a few of their recommendations.”

Piper Hyland ’34: “Do your work and make new friends!”

Dylan Abraham ’34: “Play soccer as much as you can.”

Felix Voûte ’34: “Give flowers to your teachers who helped you learn and grow up.”

Blake Cruz McLaughlin ’33: “Be kind to the other kids!”

Clyde Murphy ’34: “Keep reading!”

Parker Wrinn ’33: “Play every day!”

And lastly, from Rory McEvily ’34: “Remember all of us at RCS and everything you learned.”

“Be Proud, You’ve Earned It”

Grade 9 English Teacher and Associate Director of Secondary School Placement Brooks Eleck was selected by the ninth graders to deliver the 2023 Graduation speech.

If you’ve known my family and me for any amount of time you know that we are very big proponents of outdoor experiences. As a result, we notice that our family, and those we bring with us on our adventures, form a special bond as a result of the journey. So even though I was trying to be responsible and prepared ahead of time, this speech is completely different in nature than the one I started before the trip to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador with the ninth grade just last week [May 29June 25, 2023]. What a group of patient, interested, and invested travelers this group was.

Ferrying from island to island on what we coined as “barf boats,” hiking and running up and down mountains and volcanoes, eating or not eating new food, and overall just being together as a group was a privilege I feel is one of the most precious times I have ever had in my 15 years at Rippowam Cisqua School. It was extraordinary to watch you all in action in roles as a confidante, a friend, a wing man, and a listener. It was inspiring. After all this time watching you adjust back to life in real school, this was the opportunity Mr. Perry, Ms. Sperling, and I finally had to enjoy with you to see all your most valued characteristics.

As such, I’d like to offer some verbal thank you notes to:

Aubrey Lombardo: For showing us the world from an entirely new perspective, especially its beauty.

Caroline Kelleher: For demonstrating the power of humility and grace under pressure.

Catherine Phillips: For exemplifying how to be “fine” and also how to be not fine and still hold your head high.

Connor Gray: For peeling off so many layers of yourself this year that we got to see your curiosity and courage.

Connor Scollans: For showing off your brain in uncanny and remarkable ways.

Eleora Slocum: For your steady, observant, and thoughtful presence. It was a gift every day.

Eoghan Glynn: For your raw curiosity and kindness that you sprinkle around to make everyday mundaneness into everyday greatness.

James Murray: For being the binding agent that sealed our connection with another culture, brilliantly.

Kate Hallock: For being willing to navigate massive change and all the while act with fairness and fierce loyalty.

Kiersten van Starrenburg: For knowing how to use just the right words or actions to make people work for their personal best.

Luke Gavigan: For noticing a small detail in a person that matters and making it shine in a whole new light.

Olivia Bosson: For conveying the power of a genuine, bright smile.

Stella Levy: For being the rock. The anchor. The parachute. Valentina Ossio: For connecting us all through the value of your knowledge and understanding.

And to Will Moody: For reminding us to understand the true power of our actions and the even truer power of the story beneath them.

To all of the graduates on stage today: Be proud, you’ve earned it. We will miss you.

“A Final Farewell”

Selected Remarks from the Class of 2023

Co-Presidents Caroline Kelleher and Connor Gray

CG: First, we would like to give a big thanks to our families and loved ones, who have helped and supported us every step of this challenging but rewarding journey. They motivate and give us the extra push when we need it, and they always have our backs. They have been a significant factor in our success, and we owe them plenty.

CK: Over the course of the year, many teachers and faculty supported us, but we would like to especially thank three extraordinary teachers who devoted time and care for our grade. These three individuals are Ms. [Ridley] Sperling, Mr. [Chris] Perry, and Mrs. [Brooks] Eleck.

Mr. Perry, our biology teacher, was the best dean our grade could have asked for. He kept everything on schedule and ensured we were up to date on everything. Ms. Sperling was our humanities teacher, but she also taught us to be ourselves no matter what happened. Lastly, Mrs. Eleck, our English teacher, was someone we could look to if we needed help and always receive the best advice from. All three went to every event, LID [Learning

Immersion Day], or special occasion they could to support us and see us grow as individuals. They were also there to join our experience in the Galapagos. They taught us more than just academics; they taught us how to be the best people we can be.

CG: A lesson that was not taught to us by our teachers but by being the oldest students on campus was leadership. This year, ninth graders were all looked up to by hundreds of kids spreading from preschool to the eighth grade. Two ninth graders were selected each Friday to read children’s books to the preschoolers. This was a fantastic way to interact and get to know the youngest students on campus. For Ripp Rally Day, all ninth graders oversaw a station. Kindergarteners through eighth graders played the games we were running. On that day specifically, we developed our leadership skills profoundly. We became role models for the entire school.

This ninth grade year was a great experience, and everyone evolved as a person in many different ways. From the start of our journey until the end, we have all grown into kind, brave, and responsible people. We were able to tackle many challenges and create a forever-lasting bond with each other along with it. As we say a final farewell to our middle school years, let the distinguished memories stick with us for the rest of our lives.

“Find Your Purpose”

Selected Remarks from Grade 8 Dean

Melissa Cavaliere

It is my honor and pleasure to speak to you as the eighth grade dean and to tell you a little bit about all my students who sit before you today, awaiting the next chapter in their lives. I have been at Ripp now for three years and the journey has been wonderful so far, in large part because of the joy, humility, kindness, and of course friendly sarcasm that this class has brought to my life every day. We have laughed together, cried together, survived a pandemic, learned in pods together, and most recently walked about 1,500 miles together in Washington, D.C.

Arriving here on my first day, I remember navigating through the jitters we all go through as teachers, especially when entering a new school.

All that anxiety was instantly washed away when my homeroom students walked into my classroom, and with an outstretched hand, James Eleck proclaimed, “Hi, I’m James. I’ve been here

since practically the day I was born, so if you need me to show you around, I can.”

From that moment forward, I knew this place I had walked into was not just a school, but a community.

Everyone here has all the skills and more to succeed in the next chapter.

And so my graduates, my good friends, islanders, soccer players, leaders, activists, builders, artists, and most importantly, thinkers, I want to send you off with some advice as you move onto your next academic chapter.

Find your purpose and let it guide you. It may take time, exploration, and experimentation to discover what truly ignites your soul, but be patient and persistent. When you find that calling, pursue it with unwavering dedication. Never lose sight of who you are. Today, I’ve described what an incredible group you are not only collectively, but individually, so please never forget how strong, powerful, and significant you are in this world. Be yourself, stay curious, always demand the respect you deserve, and make us proud. Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Rippowam Cisqua School Class of 2020

The following is a selection of colleges and universities at which RCS students have matriculated in the past five years.

American University*

American University of Paris

Barnard College*

Bates College*

Boston College*

Boston University*

Bowdoin College

Brown University

Bucknell University*

Claremont McKenna College

Clarkson University

Colby College*

Colgate University*

College of Charleston*

College of the Holy Cross*

Colorado College*

Columbia University*

Cornell University*

Denison University*

Dickinson College*

Duke University*

Elon University*

Emerson College

Emory University

George Washington University*

Georgetown University*

Gettysburg College

Hamilton College

Harvard University

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Howard University

Indiana University*

Ithaca College*

Kenyon College*

Lafayette College*

Lehigh University*

Marist College

Middlebury College*

New England Conservatory

New York University*

Northeastern University

Northwestern University*

Princeton University*

San Diego State University

Southern Methodist University*

St. Lawrence University*

Stanford University

Syracuse University*

Trinity College*

Tufts University*

Tulane University*

Union College*

University of California Berkeley

University of California Santa Barbara

University of Chicago*

University of Colorado Boulder*

University of Denver*

University of Maryland

University of Miami*

University of Michigan

University of Missouri

University of North Carolina*

University of Notre Dame*

University of Oxford

University of Pennsylvania

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond*

University of Southern California*

University of St Andrews Scotland*

University of Tampa*

University of Texas

University of Vermont*

University of Virginia*

University of Wisconsin*

Vanderbilt University

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest University*

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington and Lee University*

William & Mary

Yale University*

*indicates two or more students

Villanova University*

Congratulations to the Rippowam Cisqua School Class of 2023

The following is a list of the secondary schools that our graduating ninth graders and departing eighth graders joined in September 2023

Alex Aybar, Hackley School

Mia Biondo, Berkshire School

Olivia Bosson, King School

Thomas Butkiewicz, Greenwich Country Day School

Julius Cafiso, Hopkins School

Luke Childs, St. Paul’s School

Miles Cullen, Episcopal High School

Luke Gavigan, Berkshire School

Eoghan Glynn, Sleepy Hollow High School

Connor Gray, Westminster School

Timmy Hall, Brunswick School

Kate Hallock, Berkshire School

Liam Hamlet, Canterbury School

Caroline Kelleher, Holy Child Rye

Helen Kennedy, Westminster School

Riley Kur, Greenwich Academy

Stella Levy, Fox Lane High School

Aubrey Lombardo, Sacred Heart Greenwich

Anabel Mazzella, Somers High School

Harry Mitchell, Deerfield Academy

Will Moody, Greens Farms Academy

James Murray, Berkshire School

Harper Newell, Fox Lane High School

Valentina Ossio, Holy Child Rye

Jack Pauley, Greenwich Country Day

Catherine Phillips, St. Andrew’s School

Juliette Ross, Greenwich Academy

Connor Scollans, Westminster School

Eleora Slocum, St. Luke’s School

Blair Sontag, Loomis Chaffee School

Dean Sontag, Loomis Chaffee School

Silvia Steffen, St. Luke’s School

Kiersten van Starrenburg, Greenwich Academy

Judah Viders, Brunswick School

Upper School Academic & Athletics Awards 2023

Hyperbole and Inspirational Speech

Hyperbole Winner

James Eleck ’24

Inspirational Speech Winner

Laura Sanchez ’24

Bryna Watkins Writing Award

Analise Braddock ’26

Awarded to a member of the sixth grade class who has demonstrated passion and ability as a writer

Le Grand Concours (National French Exam)

Le Grand Concours is a national competition organized by the American Association of Teachers of French. Students are evaluated for their written, oral, and listening comprehension skills. In 2023, over 43,000 students in all 50 states competed in the event. As such, attaining a medal or honorable mention in a contest of this magnitude is highly commendable. Eighth and ninth grade French students from RCS sat for the exam.

Médaille de Bronze (Bronze Medal)

Ella Fargnoli ’24

Médaille d’argent (Silver Medal)

Aubrey Lombardo ’23

Mention d’honneur

(Honorable Mention)

Thomas Butkiewicz ’24

Anabel Mazzella ’24

Ann Thacher Faculty Award of Distinction

Kate Hallock ’23

Kiersten van Starrenburg ’23

Awarded by the faculty to members of the graduating class who deserve special recognition

Presented June 7, 2023

National Latin Exam

The National Latin Exam, administered by the American Classical League and the National Junior Classical League, is the largest test of its kind in the United States. It is designed to test a student’s knowledge of the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of Latin, as well as the culture and history of the Roman people. Sixth grade Latin students from RCS sat for the exam.

Magna Cum Laude Certificate

Trevor Lombardo ’26

Maye Viders ’26

Cum Laude Certificate

Ryan Butkiewicz ’26

Scout Cooper ’26

Jamie Hall ’26

National Spanish Exam

Each spring the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese sponsors the National Spanish Examination. The test has two 40-minute sections incorporating listening, reading, and grammar concepts. Attaining a medal or honorable mention is prestigious because the exams are the largest of their kind in the United States, with nearly 85,000 students taking the test in 2023.

Medalla de plata (Silver Medal)

Alex Aybar ’24

Juliette Ross ’24

Eleora Slocum ’23

Medalla de bronce (Bronze Medal)

Luke Childs ’24

Certificado de Honor (Honors)

Riley Kur ’24

Catherine Phillips ’23

Jack Sicard ’24

Silvia Steffen ’24

Kiersten van Starrenburg ’23

Frankel Scholarship Prize

Jamie Hall ’26

Awarded to the fifth or sixth grader with the highest grade point average for the year

American History Award

Dean Sontag ’24

Awarded to a member of the eighth grade class for outstanding achievement in history

Harry Barber Sports Award

Kate Hallock ’23

Kiersten van Starrenburg ’23

Awarded to those ninth graders who have shown the greatest athletic improvement during their time at RCS

Paul and Audrey Fisher Art Prize

Aubrey Lombardo ’23

Awarded for outstanding ability in visual arts

Sarah F. Fowler Drama Prize

Blair Sontag ’24

Awarded for outstanding contribution to drama

Sarah F. Fowler Drama Prize (tech crew)

Caroline Kelleher ’23

Awarded for outstanding contribution to drama/tech

Trustees’ Prize

Stella Levy ’23

Awarded to that student who has shown significant academic improvement

Susan Fiala Music Prize

Kiersten van Starrenburg ’23

Awarded for outstanding contribution to the musical life of the School

Ristorcelli Music Prize

Luke Childs ’24

Eoghan Glynn ’23

Awarded for the greatest improvement in music

Melanie J. Kraft French Prize

Aubrey Lombardo ’23

Awarded for excellence in French

Spanish Prize

Eleora Slocum ’23

Awarded for excellence in Spanish

Wadleigh W. Woods Latin Prize

Connor Gray ’23

Awarded for excellence in Latin

Prudence B. Read History Prize

Eleora Slocum ’23

Awarded for exceptional understanding and appreciation of history

Stanley M. Feret

Mathematics Prize

Kiersten van Starrenburg ’23

Awarded for exceptional interest, initiative, and accomplishment in mathematics

Jane Brooks Robbins

Science Prize

Kiersten van Starrenburg ’23

Awarded for genuine interest and enthusiasm in the field of science

Laura D. Paddock English Prize

Aubrey Lombardo ’23

Awarded for outstanding ability in all phases of English

Richard L. Wade Scholar Prize

Juliette Ross ’24

Awarded to the student in Grades 7-9 who has the highest academic average for the current school year

Walter F. Wyeth Prize

Eoghan Glynn ’23

Awarded to the member of the graduating class who has displayed the greatest consideration for others

Gertrude Pell Bishop Memorial Award

Caroline Kelleher ’23

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

Waldo B. Jones Prize

Aubrey Lombardo ’23

Given to a member of the graduating class who has exhibited creative thought in a variety of media

Rippowam Cisqua Prize

Catherine Phillips ’23

The Rippowam Cisqua Prize is given to the student who is outstanding in the qualities of leadership, character, and general school citizenship. This is the highest award conferred by the School. The Rippowam Cisqua Prize represents the importance of our students’ desire to explore their talents to the fullest, and their appreciation that honesty, consideration, and respect for others are values that will help make the world a better place.

“Catherine has immersed herself in all areas of school life since joining the RCS community in fifth grade,” Head of School Colm MacMahon said when he presented the award. “From her impressive TED Talk on alopecia, to her thesis paper, ‘Space Exploration: an Imperative Element for a Sustainable Future,’ to her video project that highlighted varied voices at RCS, Catherine has strived for excellence and achieved it. She has indelibly left her mark on RCS. Catherine’s optimism, perennial smile, and earnest kindness have brightened the days of students and faculty alike. Though her talents are innumerable, above all else, Catherine is a person of the highest character — hardworking, respectful, honest, thoughtful, generous, and compassionate.”

100 Years of Rippowam Cisqua Prize Winners Updates from Seven Past Winners

1949 Peter Greer

It’s been so long ago that I was the Rippowam Prize recipient that I’ve all but forgotten about it. It was an honor at the time, however, and I was immensely flattered that I had been selected.

I am retired from Union Carbide, the Marine Corps, and from a yacht delivery business. I live in Gulf Shores, Alabama, about three miles from the Gulf itself. We retired here 32 years ago.

I married Joan Wyeth, whose father, Walter Wyeth, was headmaster at RCS (then Bedford-Rippowam) from 1946–1973. Joan and I were married for 61 years and she is buried in the family plot at St. Matthew’s Church in Bedford. We lived in states all over the country: California, Washington, Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, Wisconsin, Alabama, Connecticut,

Maine, and Massachussetts. I served in the 3rd Marine Division in the Far East.

My days are consumed with taking care of my cats and dog, attending to household chores, living a modest social life, and reading. My health is fair to good, with the usual limitations imposed by age. I still have my Rippowam prize, Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. It sits proudly on the shelf in my home library. I was one of two boys who graduated from RCS at the end of eighth grade in 1949, and went on to Taft School and Yale University. My favorite teachers at RCS were Laura Paddock for English and Sally Ferris Fowler for first and third grade. And Olive Angus deserves honorable mention as the teacher who helped me overcome dyslexia.

1957 Marilen Grosjean Tilt

What a surprise it was for me to win the Rippowam Prize.

I left Ripp at the end of sixth grade when my family moved to Europe in 1954, just nine years after the second World War. I came back halfway through ninth grade.

I’d been unhappy at the British boarding school. This was actually in

1923 Sarah Williams

1924 Edith Colgate

1925 Eleanor Lapsley

1926 Fannie Humphreys

Switzerland because we lived in Germany and my parents didn’t want to send me across the ocean, across the channel. So I went, and actually, it was probably a great thing, but that’s a whole other story. I learned never to complain again. Anyway, I came back by myself, right after Christmas vacation, and entered Ripp living with family, friends, and my godmother, et cetera. I felt as though I’d

1927 Mary Whitman

1928 Marjorie Miles

1930 Angela Fowler

1931 William Speers

been given a gift. One more half year at Ripp.

So, when my name was called by Headmaster Walter Wyeth, that June day in the gym where the graduation was held at that time, I simply couldn’t believe it. It meant so much after having had the most extraordinary half school year, reunited with the girls who had been such close friends. Boys had left

1932 Frances Whitall

Ettore Grassi

Elizabeth McChristie 1935 Augustus Van Cortlandt

1946 Michael Shillaber

1947 Joan Cumings

1948 Margaret Huguley

1949 Peter Greer

after eighth grade. That’s how it was done then.

We all went to boarding school. I went to Miss Porter’s in Farmington, Connecticut, having been so well prepared by Ripp teachers. I can still picture them vividly now: Mr. Wyeth for Latin, Mr. [Wadleigh] Woods for French, Mrs. [Rosemary] Donahue for English Literature. And earlier we had Mrs. [Laura] Paddock, who guided us through the rules of the English language, learning the parts of speech and how words are properly put together.

“Do you remember the split infinitive?”

“Never use the split.”

“Never split the infinitive.”

Those were her parting words.

Then there was Stanley Feret. Roger Vincent ’59 reminded me recently about Mr. Feret’s magical way of standing with his back to the blackboard, chalk hidden in his hand, secretly writing the equation to solve a spoken algebraic word problem on the blackboard behind him. It was pretty amazing. He stood aside revealing the equation and the answer, and we all gasped. How could he do it? He did it again and again. I’ll never forget that.

And Mr. Wyeth, who was positively frightening as he strode through our small classroom to take his place at the head and rigorously put us through Latin vocabulary and translation.

After Ripp, Miss Porter’s School, and Wellesley College, knowing from an early age that life would revolve around children, I married a Bedford boy, the late Roddy Tilt, and raised four children with him. All of them attended Ripp. And the school by then had merged with Cisqua. We both served on the Board. I was on the Parents Council and other voluntary organizations, and have remained closely connected to the School.

So, Ripp launched me as a mother and a teacher. And when I realized and witnessed the ravages of learning disabilities on young minds and the unbelievable miracle of cure that is possible with good teaching, I pursued a double master’s degree at Manhattanville College in elementary education and reading disabilities. So teaching these special children on the Cisqa campus was a privilege and a most happy endeavor. I learned much more from them than I could possibly have taught them. Rippowam Cisqua School gave me that

1975 Nick Stoneman

Receiving the Rippowam Cisqua Prize truly meant a great deal, and still does.

Even at the grand old age of 15, it felt like a deep honor to have this place that was having such a remarkable impact in my life provide me with that kind of recognition.

We live in Maine, just north of Portland, near Bowdoin College. And, interestingly, we bought property here, because way back in 1975, one of my teachers at RCS and now a close friend, John Odden, had purchased property there and it had a small cabin. He gave me a chance to come up and work with him on renovating it.

So, oddly enough, about 10 years ago we were looking all over the area for a piece of property to buy, and there ended up being a lot available next to John’s cabin. We’ve maintained our friendship for all these years. He was in our wedding, his daughter and son started working for me at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota, and his son went to the school. So we stayed connected over time for sure.

RCS was an amazing gift for me in so many ways. It was a school that helped me grow and develop as a young man through ninth grade and then launched me on to the prep school I went to. Later in life, I came back and worked there as a

opportunity, and it enriched my life for many, many years. Today, I live barely a mile from the school that launched me and made such a difference in my life.

As I drive by, I’m constantly reminded of the happy years I spent close by as a child, a mom, and a teacher. What a privilege. What memories. And what fun.

“I’ve spent the last 30 years in education, and I think that so much of my desire to get into that field stems from a real appreciation and understanding of what teachers can do and how they can support, guide, and influence young people. And that all came from what occurred during my time at RCS.”

’75

— Nick Stoneman

teacher and coach. I taught sixth through ninth grade history. I was also the class dean and a coach for soccer, hockey, and lacrosse.

I think the difference that RCS made for me was the quality of teachers and the mentorship they provided me. David Weld was instrumental in taking me under his wing and introducing me to the great outdoors, fostering what has become a lifelong love for birding, and an appreciation for being in a forest and working in the woods. He was a great outdoorsman. Then John Odden, as I mentioned, and Richie Meyers, who was a character way back then — and was the main character when I went to work at RCS! He was the football coach and the athletics director. And he, in his own kind of way, provided me with good direction and structure, as a somewhat irascible middle schooler.

I’ve spent the last 30 years in athletics education, and I think that so much of my desire to get into that field stems from a real appreciation and understanding of what teachers can do and how they can support, guide, and influence young people. And that all came from what occurred during my time at RCS.

Out of college, I spent five years on Wall Street, then transitioned to becoming a carpenter and actually lived in the cabin that John Odden owned in Maine. I spent

1993 Dan Ryan

Our Class of 1993 was a great group and winning the Rippowam Cisqua Prize was a great honor. I remember well receiving the award from then-Board Chair Andy Dwyer, and still have a picture of that moment in my house today.

And now I am back where it all started! My wife, Charlene, and I moved to Bedford in 2009 after meeting at Georgetown University and subsequently living in Manhattan for many years. I am still quite involved in the school as our two children,

three years as a carpenter and also coached at the collegiate level. And from there transitioned into teaching and coaching, three years of which was spent at RCS. And then, essentially because RCS sponsored me, I went to the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College and got a master’s degree in educational leadership. And now, I’ve been running schools for 25 years as the headmaster.

In the last three years, a colleague of mine and I have started our own education company, a consulting firm called Katahdin Education, and we work with schools that need strategic planning and expansion, consulting both domestically and internationally. You could legitimately say that RCS influenced my career.

Reed ’27 and Morgan ’29, currently attend RCS. It is an amazing reflection on our community that so many alumni of the ’90s are current RCS parents today.

After graduating from RCS in the ninth grade, I attended the Taft School with two of my longtime Ripp friends, Harry Grand ’93 and Roo Reath ’93, and went on to the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University for my undergraduate degree. Today, I am a managing partner at Heidrick and Struggles where I have worked for

1965 Peter Stanton

1966 Pamela Davis

1967 Anne Farley

1968 Elizabeth McLanahan

1969 Quentin Warren 1970 Shippie Davis

1971 Jonathan Crawford 1972 Edward Schildbach

the past 20 years. We are a premier provider of executive search, digital assessment tools, interim management, and leadership consulting services globally — operating in 30 countries and serving 70% of the Fortune 1000. My career demands a significant amount of travel, which is both exciting and at the same time exhausting, and doesn’t

2015 Matt Lacey

We interviewed Matt Lacey ’15 following his performance at Friday Night Lights on September 23, 2023. You can read more about FNL on page 12.

I didn’t think Mr. [Matt] Nespole was going to call my name for the Rippowam Cisqua Prize until he started to say, “...a stellar athlete, scholar, musician, and friend to all,” and I thought, okay, well that narrows it down to a few! Once I won, my jaw dropped. I wasn’t expecting that.

“I feel like it’s tough being a Black person in any space where it’s not predominantly with people who look like you. But I went through this school and didn’t just survive, but thrived. l found comfortability, found my own family, and found people who supported me. Winning that prize topped it all off.”

— Matt Lacey ’15

leave a lot of time for hobbies outside of spending time with family and friends and trying to ski and fly fish as much as possible.

Rippowam was a transformational experience for me. I entered in the fourth grade and was lucky enough to land in Mrs. Chapelle’s class. She instilled in me a love of reading and

writing, and the school itself provided a foundation for academic curiosity and overall personal confidence during those pivotal middle school years. I enjoyed playing sports for Richie Meyers and participated in as many clubs as I could. My ninth grade Portfolio project was creating Moving Up Day for the fourth graders, which still exists today!

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything. Ripp did a good job at not making these prizes and awards something to strive for, like a competition. Half of the ninth grade class probably forgets about Prize Day until a few weeks before. I think it’s an honor and I’m eternally grateful for being formally etched into this school’s history.

Being back is surreal. When I was at RCS it was two separate campuses — it hadn’t been renovated yet. So, being here, and seeing all this on Meyers Fields, is wowing. Friday Night Lights surely wasn’t an event held when I was here, so I love the fact that RCS is expanding and doing more community-building.

When I think about my time at RCS, a lot of what we did was foundational. It’s middle school, right? And I stayed for ninth grade as well. So, it was a lot of my formative years. Through concerts, talent shows, and even my Capstone Portfolio project, I was given the space to actually explore my passion without any judgment. I vividly remember rapping “Empire State of Mind” during one of our sixth grade concerts. I also remember writing original raps for class presentations. Even the opening argument for my world history debate was a hot verse! RCS never shamed me for the things that I loved; my teachers always carved out spaces where I could be my true self.

I met some of my best friends here, and a lot of my teachers and advisors are still here, too. They’re basically family: Mrs. [Brooks] Eleck, Mr. and Mrs.

[Chris and Kathy] Perry, and Ms. [Ridley] Sperling. And seeing Jay [Oliver], and Tony [Frasca] — you don’t have to be a teacher. If you are an adult figure here, if you were with me when I was here, you’re a part of my story. So it’s wild being back.

When thinking about my story, Ripp was and still is an integral part of it. Without the growth and development that I experienced here, Choate Rosemary Hall would have eaten me alive, and who knows if I would have gotten into New York University. Ripp preserved my passion, accelerated my curiosity, and fortified my self-esteem.

Right now, I still have my apartment in Brooklyn and primarily perform in the city. You can find me online anywhere,

by the name of Kid Lacey. I also host music-based events such as showcases, festivals, and DJ parties. I just want to say thank you to RCS, and if there’s only one thing to ask, just keep inviting me back because I want to be a part of this.

In February, I returned to RCS as a Grade 5 Associate Teacher and Administrative Associate. I had no idea at FNL that a few months later I’d be employed by my alma mater. All things considered, it feels like I was destined to be here right now. It is surreal walking through the halls, seeing the new parts of the building, and trying to remember what the old ones looked like. I love connecting with students all across the Upper School, whether it’s in the classroom or on the field. And for those wondering, my passion for music is still alive and well. I’m grateful to channel it through my Hip-Hop History elective. Ultimately, I know the work I’m doing is meaningful. I guess the only thing close to a downside is that I’m constantly reminded to call my “colleagues” by their first name.

2018

Sophie Guettel

I graduated from the Lawrenceville School in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, in 2022, and am now a sophomore at the University of Virginia. I spent last summer working on a dude ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming, and am now pursuing my double major in English and Media Studies. At school, I’m deeply involved with the Cavalier Daily, UVA’s student newspaper, as well as the Sustainability Advocates club. I hope to pursue a career in journalism of some kind after graduating.

The fond memories I have from RCS are abundant. While it’s incredibly difficult to pick just one favorite, I think that the majority of my most cherished memories took place in the Ninth Grade House —

there was nothing more magical than just hanging out with everyone in our own, special space and making each other laugh!

I also look back extremely fondly on memories with Mr. [Tim] Hart, my seventh and eighth grade history teacher (who, to this day, remains my favorite teacher of all time). My friends and I would frequently visit his classroom

either in desperate need of help with our assignments — which, in retrospect, were actually pretty rigorous and complex for middle schoolers — to discuss politics, or to simply joke around and chat with him. I can remember such a mutual sense of respect and adoration between us all. Wonderful experiences with teachers such as Mr. Hart also compose a large portion of my beloved RCS memories!

2020 Clara Guettel

I graduated from RCS in 2020 after ninth grade and entered Northfield Mount Hermon, a boarding school in western Massachusetts, as a freshman. Although I made great friends and was involved in many different activities, I decided I’d be happier at a day school. I transferred to Greens Farms Academy, where I am now a senior, and I absolutely love it. I’ve made wonderful friends, have great teachers, am a member of the Student Council (like I was at RCS!), and I am the leader of my school’s all-female a capella group, the Harbor Blues.

For my Capstone project at RCS, I wrote my thesis paper on rare brain disorders such as Capgras delusion, Cotard’s syndrome, and Jerusalem syndrome. This paper sparked my interest in psychology and neuroscience, which I’m persuing now. Last year, I studied deep brain stimulation and the effect of excessive screen use on the potential progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This year, I’ll be comparing the cultural norms of different countries to see what lifestyle, environmental, and societal factors impact the progression of Alzheimer’s. This project is oriented towards finding a way to standardize treatment for Alzheimer’s worldwide and also a way to hinder its development. Because of this compounded interest in psychology and neurodegenerative disorders, I began working at Maplewood Senior Living Facility last year and work hands-on with residents who struggle with these sorts of conditions.

This past summer, I worked as a camp counselor in Vermont. This was my eighth summer at Camp Kiniya and I had a cabin of 11 girls who ranged from 11-13 years old. I planned activities, took care of the kids, and even helped plan campus-wide events! I hope to return for the summer of 2024.

One of my fondest memories from RCS was our graduation. Because of COVID-19, we couldn’t have a proper

ceremony; however, our graduation was just as, if not even more, special. Everyone drove onto Meyers Fields with their families and parked in a large semicircle. Each family had a bench and we had such a beautiful ceremony out on the lawn, where everyone could be safe.

Another favorite memory of mine was the Midnight Run. It was the best night of the whole year. Our whole grade stayed late at school to prepare food and then got to go into the city and distribute it. This was an incredible bonding experience for our grade and faculty members.

“For my Capstone project at RCS, I wrote my thesis paper on rare brain disorders such as Capgras delusion, Cotard’s syndrome, and Jerusalem syndrome. This paper sparked my interest in psychology and neuroscience, which I’m persuing now.”

— Clara Guettel

’20

Annie Hallock

Jackson Cooper

Catherine Phillips

Fall Outdoor Adventures

In 2023, our fall outdoor trips took students in fourth through ninth grade from the foothills of the Berkshires to the high peaks of the Adirondacks and down the whitewater of the Deerfield River in Massachusetts. The trips not only fostered time for students to explore and learn new skills, but also created opportunities for grades to bond.

“Team building is a cornerstone of our outdoor trips and we are so excited for the adventures that await our students each fall,” Assistant Head of School Erin Callaghan said.

Grade 4

“Year after year, the Camp Jewell overnight trip is a highlight of the fourth grade experience.”

Camp Jewell Colebrook, Connecticut

October 19-20

Faculty leaders: Melissa Buell, Lucas Curran, Ken Jordan, Heather Norberto, Nora Zahner

Camp Jewell is located in the Northwest corner of Connecticut, in the foothills of the Berkshires.

“The preeminent goal of the fourth grade trip is to build community. We intentionally mix all the students up so they come together as a grade, seeing themselves as fourth graders and not as individuals in their classrooms. Our overnight is scheduled early in the fall so we can all get outside the classroom together, and we teachers can see the students from a different perspective.

“We love seeing all the different ways the students can shine. Maybe they don’t love hiking, but they come alive in the pond study. Their fear of heights might make crate climbing a challenge, but the shelter they build in outdoor living skills would be a welcome sight if they were stranded in the woods. We look forward to it as much as the students!

4 Teachers

— Ken Jordan and Nora Zahner Grade

“There are a number of positive outcomes that we see from the fourth graders after our night away. We always are impressed with the skills of perseverance that we witness; for many of the students, this is their first night away from home, and that can be a challenge. Additionally, we are consistently impressed with the empathy they show to their classmates. Whether they are helping a friend carry their suitcase up the hill to the cabin, or inviting new students to a wiffle ball game in the stadium, the students revel in the opportunity to share this new experience.”

— Grade 4 Teacher Nora Zahner

Grade 5

Nature’s Classroom, Camp Washington Lakeside, Connecticut

October 2-3

Faculty leaders: Caroline Aronowitz, Josh Bookin, Christy Glynn, Megan Honey

Camp Washington is located on 300 acres of low-lying woodlands, new-growth forests, streams, a beaver pond, and vernal pools in the Litchfield hills of western Connecticut.

“The fifth grade trip helped to not only build a sense of independence for students, but also bond the classes and grade together early in the year. Students could choose from a variety of activities while we were there, including building and launching bottle rockets, animal tracking, bridge engineering, and a study of the creek. They had to lean on each other to complete their tasks, which helped to build teamwork and collaboration skills. We also went on a night hike, which was a unique experience in the dark that truly connected students while they learned about night life in the woods.

“Overall, the trip was such an awesome way for students to get to know each other, experience the outdoors, and gain valuable skills that will carry them through the rest of the year!”

— Grade 5 Teacher Caroline Aronowitz

Nature’s Classroom, Eisner Retreat Center

Great Barrington, Massachusetts

October 2-3

Grade 6

Faculty leaders: Alex Baker, Natalie Harrington, Gavin Robinson, Sam Sanyshyn

The Eisner Retreat Center, with 600 acres of streams, a pond, and hiking trails, is located in the Berkshire hills of Western Massachusetts.

“The trip to Great Barrington provided students with excellent team-building activities that helped strengthen communication skills and foster peer-to-peer respect. Sixth graders hiked, tried fun workshops like woodworking, and in the evening performed skits, roasted marshmallows, and sang around the campfire. Our sixth graders do a lot of group work throughout the year, so it was a great opportunity to form a team-oriented foundation that they have continued to build upon throughout the school year.”

— Grade 6 Teacher Natalie Harrington

“It was great to get the students off campus and into nature, where they engaged in hands-on lessons focused on critical thinking skills, team building, and exploring the connections between the natural and human-made world. The overnight trip provided students with outdoor experiences, outside the conventional classroom, that strived to guide students toward healthy and harmonious relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world.”

Grade 6 Teacher Alexandra Baker

Grade 7

Camp Jewell Colebrook, Connecticut

September 13-14

Faculty leaders: Marie Peña, Gavin Robinson, Katie Wrinn

“The seventh graders participated in team-building activities that included creative thinking and collaborating. They also learned a lot about nature, including hiking safety. In the evening they socialized and danced — and enjoyed skits, singa-longs, and s’mores around a fire pit with their counselors.

“I’ve been on a lot of trips over my 20 years of teaching, and this was one of the best.”

— Grade 8 Teacher Marie Peña

Mountain Workshop, Silver Lake Conference Center

Sharon, Connecticut

Deerfield River, Massachusetts

September 13-14

Faculty leaders: Melissa Cavaliere, Yvonne Cognac, Lauren Moskovitz, John Yu

The Silver Lake Conference Center is located on 300 wooded acres along the shores of picturesque Silver Lake in northwestern Connecticut.

“The eighth grade trip was fantastic! Watching the students bond as they navigated the white-water rapids and bravely climbed to the top of the ropes courses showcased their resilience and adventurous nature. The highlight was seeing their creativity shine through the culminating event. Their strong friendships were clear as they gathered around the campfire, and performed small skits that brought us all together through laughter and s’mores.”

— Upper School Math Teacher Lauren Moskovitz

Grade 8

Grade 9

High Peaks Mountain Guides

Lake Placid, New York

September 12-14

Faculty leaders: Fatema Albader, Miles Cameron, Brooks Eleck

Lake Placid is located in the High Peaks Wilderness of the 6.1-million-acre Adirondack Park, in the northeastern part of New York.

“The trip was excellent. It was everything I hoped it would be for a culminating outdoor trip for our students. In seventh and eighth grade, students learned to climb on a man-made wall. In ninth grade we were on real rock, top-rope belaying; canoeing on the beautiful, pristine lake; and mountain biking. All with top-of-the-line gear and knowledgeable, patient instructors and guides.”

— Director of Innovation Miles Cameron

The “Why” Behind Outdoor Adventures

“Some kids don’t want to be organized all the time. They want to let their imaginations run; they want to see where a stream of water takes them.”

— Author Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods

“In his book Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv emphasizes the significance of allowing children to spend time in nature. He highlights the freedom for independent exploration, the ability to focus on small moments, and the nurturing of imagination that being outdoors provides.

“When our students return from these outdoor experiences, we witness firsthand the messages conveyed by Louv’s book coming to life. We wholeheartedly believe in providing our students with the space and time to explore the wonders of nature and unleash their creativity.”

— Erin Callaghan, Assistant Head of School

The Sixth Grade Play PETER PAN

By Franco Pedicini, Upper School Drama Director

At RCS, fifth through ninth graders grow as artists and theatremakers as they broaden their knowledge of acting, design, playwriting, dramaturgy, and the production process. The theatre classroom is a joyful space in which students are encouraged to participate in open dialogue, explore and experiment, generate original theatrical material, and reflect on their processes and performances with intellect and kindness.

When I suggested Peter Pan to Head of School Colm MacMahon and Assistant Head of School Erin Callaghan as a sixth grade play option, Ms. Callaghan gasped — with delight, of course! We knew intuitively that this story would be the most wonderful world for our sixth grade class to explore. Perhaps we couldn’t resist the spirit of Peter Pan and his friends calling to us from Neverland.

Peter Pan brings us creative energy, spontaneity, adventure, and the triumph

of imagination over fear. It was an honor to work with our sixth graders. They are extraordinary actors, comedians, musicians, singers, and writers, with a sense of wonder that will never quit. Congratulations, Grade 6! I hope you are proud of your great work together.

I’d also like to thank our sixth grade parents. So many reached out to me with words of encouragement and support. You helped make my first production here at Ripp very special!

New Upper School Drama Teacher Franco Pedicini

We are thrilled to have Franco Pedicini joining us this year at RCS! Mr. Pedicini teaches theatre history and guides students in the core principles of acting, scene study, playwriting, and devising. He directs the school productions and fosters an inspiring learning environment at RCS, encouraging students to explore movement and space, engage in improvisational theatre games, conduct text analysis, create characters, and expand their imaginations and creative potential through performance.

Mr. Pedicini holds a B.A. in English Literature and Theatre from Stony Brook University and an M.A. in Theatre from Hunter College. He is a member of Actors’ Equity, the Educational Theatre Association, and the American Alliance for Theatre & Education. He also teaches at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, home of Sanford Meisner’s acting technique.

“I’m confident each student learned how to partner well with others during the production process and somehow, magically, learned how to harness their wonderful creative energy in front of an audience.”

— Franco Pedicini Upper School Drama Director

Fall ’23 Sports Wrap-up

Girls Varsity Soccer

Coaches

Colm MacMahon, Katie Wrinn

Most Improved Player

Taylor Robinson

Coaches Award

Sophie Slocum

Most Valuable Players

Lily Glynn

Lina Halaifonua

“What a great season it was for the girls soccer team. After graduating some very talented players last year, the team found itself very reliant on its new seventh graders, and boy, did they step up. Along with a returning group of highly skilled eighth and ninth graders, the team ended up having a fantastic season. The future remains very bright for this squad.”

— Coach Colm

MacMahon

Boys Varsity Soccer

Coaches

Vincent Kwarula, Christiaan Cacciotti

Most Improved Player

Jack Sicard

Coaches Award

Ciaran MacMahon

Franco Moha

Most Valuable Players

Sam Baker

Gavin Kwarula

Varsity Field Hockey

Coaches

Caroline Aronowitz, Brooks Eleck, Natalie Harrington

Most Improved Players

Phoebe Miller

Clio Slocum

Coaches Award

Lilia Zouaoui

Most Valuable Player

Renee Charles

“Our fall varsity field hockey season was filled with camaraderie and enthusiasm. With new, less experienced fifth and sixth graders joining the team, we started the season by prioritizing our teamwork skills and building a strong community among the players. The coaches elevated the players’ abilities with their enthusiasm and engagement, but the players themselves were the true heart of the program!

“We had our fair share of challenging games, but a specific highlight was when we beat GCDS after losing to them in a shutout at the beginning of the season. Our goalie

and our defenders were our youngest players and they shined! Renee Charles ’26, our goalie, earned the Most Valuable Player award. Our midfield and attack players included athletes new to the sport and they all eagerly awaited their time on the field during every game. The more experienced and older players acted as role models and junior coaches to the newer players. This was a really special season filled with many learning opportunities that ended with more of a sisterhood than just an average sports team.”

— Coach Brooks Eleck

Varsity Flag Football

Coaches

Max Moise, Lucas Curran

Most Improved Player

James Eleck

Coaches Award

Aiden Angier

Most Valuable Players

Holden Cooper

Patrick Lonergan

“Despite losing many players from last year’s undefeated team, the varsity flag football team amassed a 10-3 record over the season. The team greatly benefited from the chemistry that our ninth graders had forged over their time at RCS, and it showed in their leadership and playmaking on the field. Our squad was helped in large part by solid play from our eighth graders, and we witnessed tremendous growth from our seventh grade players over the season!”

— Coach Lucas Curran

Girls Varsity Volleyball

Coaches

Miles Cameron, Lauren Moskovitz

Most Improved Player

Nellie Darmanovic

Coaches Award

Stephanie Gerry Charlie Sisto

Most Valuable Player

Ella Fargnoli

Cross Country

Coaches

Tess Finnigan-Allen, Sarah McCay

Coaches Award

Hal Cohen

Quinn Pray

“Throughout the cross country season, Hal Cohen ’27 and Quinn Pray ’25’s consistent top five finishes in meets reflected their relentless dedication. Meanwhile, Shayna Howard ’26, Henrietta Cohen ’25, and Jules Sindaco ’26 made impressive strides in improving their running skills, a testament to their

hard work. Amidst the challenge of daily runs, Shayna and Hal’s infectious humor brought light-heartedness to practices, inspiring the team despite the demanding routine, and fostering an encouraging atmosphere for everyone involved.”

— Coach Tess Finnigan-Allen

Ninth Grade TED Talks

And after all that… the TED Talks were finished. This year’s ninth graders covered topics from shark conservation and diabetes to self-confidence and the value of a smile. Parents and friends in the Bedford Playhouse audience were impressed not only by the breadth of the students’ knowledge but by their confidence and poise as well.

“The most wonderful thing for me in teaching this class is the organic way in which the ninth grade students come

to know me in my role as a counselor over their years at Ripp,” Upper School Counselor and TED Talk Facilitator Holly O’Neill-Melville explained. “By the time they are ninth graders, we know one another so well, and there is a genuine framework of trust that has been established. I ask the students to lean into being vulnerable as presenters and sit in their discomfort, and this is where the magic happens. The magic for me is seeing their self-confidence soar on stage as a result.”

Holiday Performances

As 2023 came to a close, we celebrated with what is probably the day most dedicated to the performing arts, the day of the holiday performances.

On the last day of classes before the winter break, families were invited to join us for one, two, or three performances, with hot chocolate and coffee stations around campus for the breaks in between. Every grade at RCS was included, beginning with the Early Childhood-Kindergarten Winter Performance in the Playhouse.

“With this being my first winter show at RCS, I tried to center it around a joyful winter theme meets Broadway and pop music’s best,” Early Childhood Music Teacher Arielle Sherman said. “I wanted families to feel a sense of warmth, cheer, and familiarity in the music.”

Next on the program, families moved to the Trustees’ Gym, where Lower School Music Teacher Lainie Zades led first through fourth graders in the

Holiday Concert, showcasing traditional songs and many favorites.

She was full of praise for students, sharing, “I’m so proud of the children; they worked so hard. They performed beautifully and flawlessly. All their hard work paid off.”

The day concluded with another longstanding December tradition — the Upper School’s 48th Annual Revelry, directed by Drama Teacher Franco Pedicini — in Wade’s Gym.

Christmas Canon

After her 45th Holiday Concert, Lainie Zades reflected on her many years directing the performance. “The holiday concert overall is packed with songs that I greatly enjoy,” she said. “Bill Fornara calls them my greatest hits. But if I had to narrow it down, ‘Christmas Canon’ has become a tradition at RCS, and I love to see the children’s faces when they perform it. This program is so special.”

Each year, a small group of student soloists is selected to join faculty musicians for the Canon. In 2023, Stephanie Gerry ’27 played violin and William de Montille ’29, Bea Grand ’30, and Morgan Ryan ’29 played piano.

“Well, Mrs. Zades told me I could audition and then I got the part, with two other people in fourth grade,” Bea proudly said. She had been practicing for the role since second grade!

Bea was “happy and excited” to play her favorite piece of music (Christmas Canon) for five special guests — her grandmother, parents, sister, and brother.

“The JPK-Kindergarten Winter Performance was a tremendous success. I am so incredibly proud of all of Ripp’s young performers. They worked for months on this, and it really showed in the way they shined!”

— Arielle Sherman Music Teacher

What Is Revelry?

Ask 10 people what Revelry is, and you’ll receive 10 different answers. Franco Pedicini had the task of directing the Upper School students and capturing the audience’s imagination with this year’s version of Revelry.

“The success of a theatrical production hinges on the dedication of the cast and crew, and I couldn’t be prouder of our students,” Mr. Pedicini said. “Their confidence on and off stage was truly extraordinary. During the rehearsal process, we worked together as actors, scriptwriters, costume designers, tech crew, singers, and musicians, which may be the secret to our Revelry success. We felt our collaborative work resonate with our audience, creating a magical and memorable experience for everyone present.”

“I’d like to take a moment to thank our Maintenance Team who helped transform Wade’s Gym. You guys are rock stars! I look forward to our next Revelry.”

Rippowam Cisqua School Board of Trustees 2023–24

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.

New Board Members

Janelle Lika

Janelle Lika grew up in Paradise Valley, Arizona, and attended Georgetown University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in History in 2002. After graduation, Janelle moved to New York City, where she spent most of her career working at Goldman Sachs. Currently, she is the director of business development at New York City-based Compass Rose Asset Management. A multi-billion-dollar credit specialist, Janelle is responsible for the firm’s capital partnering efforts. Janelle has held prior roles at Claren Road Asset Management and 3G Sahana Capital, covering global institutional allocators.

Janelle and her husband, A.J., bought a house in Bedford in 2014 and fell in love with the charming, family-friendly community. They relocated full-time in 2017 after the birth of Claire ’30 and Caroline ’32. They love raising their two daughters in Bedford and being actively involved in the community.

Claire and Caroline both started at Rippowam Cisqua School in JPK.

“We feel lucky to have found a school that aligns with our values of creating independent thinkers, confident communicators, and engaged leaders. RCS has fostered our daughters’ love of learning and we are grateful that the school cultivates the development of character and provides academic excellence.

“I look forward to working together with my fellow Board members, parents, and exceptional RCS administration in making a positive impact and advancing the School’s mission.”

Melissa Roth Mendez

Melissa Roth Mendez is a globally recognized brand executive with 20+ years in the Consumer Brands and Luxury Retail industry. She has an eclectic, multidisciplinary background that includes work in brand strategy and management, culture building, marketing, and ESG, with substantial expertise as a corporate lawyer. Currently, Melissa leads MRM Brand Advisory, where she spearheads comprehensive domestic and international consulting engagements addressing brand-related challenges, from market positioning to international business strategies. Before joining MRM, Melissa spent 16 years at Burberry in pivotal global roles as one of the key executives instrumental to driving the 160+ year-old luxury brand’s global organizational transformation.

Melissa is committed to supporting women and other underrepresented groups along their career journeys. She is a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, having founded and sponsored several employee resource groups, and has created DEI strategic plans. She holds a Juris Doctor from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, graduated magna cum laude, and was valedictorian of her class. Melissa recently earned a certificate in ESG for Senior Leaders at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to serving as a trustee at Rippowam Cisqua School, Melissa has served as a board member and advisor for various organizations, including Burberry New York, International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), and Westmoreland Sanctuary. Having served on both private and not-for-profit boards, Melissa is passionate about helping others succeed not only in corporate endeavors, but also in nonprofit engagements.

Melissa and her husband, Gerardo, live in Bedford with their two children, Oscar ’31 and Matilda ’33, and their eight chickens (which were hatched in Oscar’s Kindergarten class).

Peter Scala ’98

As an alumnus of Rippowam Cisqua School, Peter lives in Bedford with his wife, Meredith. Together, they are raising Catherine “Rinn” ’32 and Teddy ’35.

“We moved back to the area to be closer to family and we chose to come back to the School because of its close-knit community and nurturing educational environment.”

Peter is the founder of Parsonage Point, an investment company, and serves as a senior advisor to Olive Rock Partners. He is also a director of UPL Corporation and Advanta Seeds. He previously served as a member of the Board of Governors for the Hotchkiss School and the Board of Fellows for Trinity College. He is a graduate of Trinity College and received his Master of Business Administration from the Columbia Business School.

In addition to Janelle, Melissa, and Peter, we have on the 2023-24 RCS Board of Trustees: (Top row) Board Chair Abby Gerry, Vice Chair Ben Harris, Secretary Oliver Bushnell, Treasurer Charlene Sy Ryan, (Row 2) Sonja Bartlett, Christina Bresani, Micki Buchanan, Jonathan Childs, Kelly Coles, (Row 3) Nancy Dwyer Eaves ’92, James Fayed, David Gordon, Page Vincent Gosnell ’79, Harry Grand ’93, (Row 4) Amy Harsch, Jennifer Buntman Indig, D. Bryce O’Brien, Will Reeve ’07, and Jordan Vogel.

Master Teaching Fund Grant Recipients

The Master Teaching Fund (MTF) was established in 1992 by the Rippowam Cisqua School Alumni Association, led by Roger Vincent ’59, in honor of the School’s master teachers. Its purpose was to offer current RCS faculty and staff, who have completed more than five years of full-time service to the school, an opportunity to engage in something that is meaningful to them. The belief is that, however the faculty or staff member chooses to use their grant, the resulting

Bill Fornara

personal renewal derived from the use of the grant will organically transfer into the classroom and ultimately be of benefit to our community. Past grants have been used to take trips across the country and around the world, to purchase technology equipment, to purchase musical instruments, to learn a new language or skill, and more. Here, this year’s recipients share their experiences and their gratitude for the grants received.

Instrumental Music Director

Grant for 25 Years of Service

“Being a teacher at Rippowam Cisqua School for 25 years has been a distinct honor. During my tenure, I have had the privilege of working alongside many inspiring educators under the guidance of brilliant leadership. Most importantly, the students I have worked with through the years at RCS have been partners in joyful growth. For the past three years, I have been pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am incredibly appreciative of the RCS Master Teaching Fund, which will help pay for my last remaining 12 credits of schooling.”

Ridley Sperling ’92

Director of Secondary School Placement; Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; Capstone Program Teacher

Grant for 20 Years of Service

“I’ve always loved the German language and have wanted to learn it for ages, but it wasn’t until about a year ago that I decided to begin studying it officially. It’s definitely a challenge, but one that I’m enjoying. I plan to use my MTF grant to help fund a trip to Germany — definitely Berlin, but also Bavaria — where I can test out my newly acquired language skills as well as explore a country I’ve always wanted to visit. Thank you!”

Nancy Finch Administrative Assistant

Grant for 10 Years of Service

“I used my MTF grant to afford the ultimate sleeping experience. I was able to purchase an awesome Tempur-Pedic mattress with an adjustable base. I had no idea that I really needed this. Many thanks to the Alumni Committee for making my sleep dreams come true!”

“During my tenure, I have had the privilege of working alongside many inspiring educators under the guidance of brilliant leadership.”

— Bill Fornara Instrumental Music Director

Emily Gifford

Lower School Psychologist

Grant for 5 Years of Service

“I am using this gift to enhance my mindfulness and to reduce stress. My plan is to put it toward training in these areas so that I help myself while learning skills I can translate into my work at RCS. I haven’t yet identified the training or retreat that will best serve this purpose but I am keeping an eye out and have the very generous money earmarked for this goal.”

Holly O’Neill-Melville

Upper School Counselor, TED Talk Facilitator

Grant for 5 Years of Service

“I used this generous Master Teaching Fund grant to take time for self care, beach time, and some much needed Vitamin D on the sunny beaches of Miami, Florida, with some very close, dear friends from elementary school. This trip was timely, as I had wrapped up teaching the ninth grade TED Talk class in December. This process is always so incredibly rewarding, and it is a privilege to be a part of it. I used the five-day getaway to recharge my batteries as I prepared to offer emotional support and guidance to the eighth and ninth graders around the secondary school placement process. I am very grateful to the RCS community for this grant and recognition. Thank you!”

Gavin Robinson

Learning Center Math Specialist, Head Hockey Coach

Grant for 5 Years of Service

“I am so grateful that I received a Master Teaching Fund grant this past year. I used it specifically to get my Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) certification. Training with FRC improves the function of your nervous system, which leads to a reduction of pain and injury, joint health and longevity, and an increased ability to move freely and easily. I not only use this certification for clients I see at my gym, but also I use it in my own daily life. And, if anyone here within our Ripp community needs some teaching/education, I hope to share all that I’ve learned.”

The RCS Alumni Association Board 2023-24

Harry Grand ’93, Chair

Jay Fischer ’00, Treasurer

Dana Johnston Brooks ’89

Richard Cahill ’92

Ellen Sluder Cohen ’92

Storrs Lamb Coté ’79

Cecily Fowler Grand ’65

Jenny Heath ’91

Christine (Colley) King ’06

Gus Levy ’98

Forrest Mas ’04

Sydney Mas ’07

Missy (Walker) Meyer ’07

Lakeya (Graves) Newton ’04

Vanessa Seide ’93

Annie Stickney ’96

Marilen Grosjean Tilt ’57

Alexandria van Starrenburg ’07

Parents of Alumni Committee

Alexandria Altman P’15, ’17, ’19

Cyndi Azima P’19, ’22

Tracy Fauver P’14, ’16, ’18

Stefanie Feidelson P’08, ’11

Melissa Fleming P’11, ’14, ’15

Susanna Giordano P’06, ’08, ’12, ’17

Patty Grunebaum P’11, ’12, ’14

Michelle Hodge P’18

Lisa Kaufmann P’20, ’22

Heather Langham P’11, ’14

Anna Lee P’06, ’08, ’13, ’15

Karen McFarlane P’18

Mel Morley P’08, ’09, ’12

Suzanne O’Callaghan P’19, ’20, ’22

Felicia Peterson P’18

Cassie Robbins P’16, ’18

Kim Speegle P’14, ’15, ’17

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For the latest news from campus: rcsny.org

Alumni Connections

Fall Back to Ripp

Getting a chance to see our alumni walking through the halls is surely the best way to kick off our holiday season each year. Smiling faces, exceptional students — that’s what our community is all about. Seeing where our RippKids go from here is nothing short of heartwarming, and makes us beam with pride.

Alumni Cocktails at The Campbell

A big thank you to Tracey and Scott Gerber, parents of Chase Gerber ’10, Owen Gerber ’12, and Georgia Gerber ’15, for graciously opening up the doors at The Campbell in Grand Central Terminal for another alumni and parents of alumni New York City reunion on October 24,

2023. And a special thanks to Parents of Alumni Committee Member Patty Grunebaum for all her work behind the scenes. Over 75 alumni and their parents joined, along with teachers Ridley Sperling ’93, Chris Perry, Kathy Perry, and Head of School Colm MacMahon.

Alumni Hosts

Blake Coté ’16

Lily Fauver ’14

Harry Grand ’93

Sydney Mas ’07

Henry Mockridge ’14

Will Reeve ’07

James Reimer ’10

Peter Reimer ’10

Peter Scala ’98

Alexandria

van Starrenburg ’07

Hope Walker ’08

RIPP ALUMNI ATHLETES

Taylor Clayton ’18: From Meyers Fields to Ivy League Squash Courts

Hotchkiss School ’22

Yale University ’26

Taylor Clayton’s path to collegiate sports has been defined by perseverance and commitment, both in academics and athletics. While squash wasn’t a part of Taylor’s RCS experience, the foundation of teamwork, camaraderie, and shared goals was firmly established through participation in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Under the mentorship of Vincent Kwarula and former teacher/coach Tim Hart, these early experiences set the stage for Taylor’s subsequent leadership at Hotchkiss School as a two-year captain of the varsity squash team and a fourtime recipient of the Upper School Squash Scholar-Athlete Award. Taylor is now at Yale University, where the pursuit of an economics degree is balanced with Ivy League squash.

RCS: How did athletics at RCS play a part in your squash career?

TC: Even though I never had the opportunity to play squash for RCS, competing on the soccer field, basketball court, and lacrosse field taught me many important lessons and provided some of my favorite memories. Before high school and college competitions, squash was an independent sport for me (that is, I never played on a team). When joining my high school and college teams, my team-sport experience at RCS prepared me to work with my team towards a common goal,

push every teammate as they pushed me, and enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport. Also, I appreciate RCS for exposing me to many different kinds of sports, beginning in Lower School physical education with Mr. V [Dan Viglione] and Mrs. [Cheryl] Coyle.

Coach K, in soccer, and Mr. [Tim] Hart, in basketball and lacrosse, helped foster my love for sports and competition as well as showing me the benefits of hard work and dedication.

Coach K pushed me out of my comfort zone by asking me to play up with the seventh, eighth, and ninth graders in my first two years in middle school. Even though I was often the smallest person on the field, he told me that by believing in my training and trying to get better every single day, I would contribute to the team. Those lessons, and the opportunity to compete with my friends and for my school, showed me how much more there is to sports.

“Even though I never had the opportunity to play squash for RCS, competing on the soccer field, basketball court, and lacrosse field taught me many important lessons and provided some of my favorite memories.”

— Taylor Clayton ’18

RCS: How was your high school athletics experience and how did it prepare you for college?

TC: When I arrived at Hotchkiss, I would not have considered myself only a squash player; I loved soccer, playing on the JV team my freshman fall. However, playing on a team made squash even more enjoyable and rewarding because I was training and competing for something bigger than myself. The team squash experience inspired me to set a goal of playing squash in college. I knew it would require hard work and focus both on the court and in the classroom, but I was lucky enough to have amazing teammates, coaches, and friends to challenge me and push me to higher levels. Hotchkiss also allowed me to compete individually outside of school; I would travel to national tournaments on the weekends and over breaks.

Franny O’Brien ’18: From RCS to the Fighting Irish

RCS: How are things going at Yale?

TC : My first two years have been awesome, and I cannot imagine myself anywhere else. Of course, transitioning from high school to college academics and athletics required more focus and effort, but I have enjoyed those challenges. I am studying economics and still taking courses in Latin and ancient history, which I started in fifth grade at RCS. I appreciate Yale’s balance, which allows me to take courses in many areas of study; some of my favorites so far are First Order Logic, Roman History through 13 Objects, and Data Exploration and Analysis.

Ivy League squash has been a step up in intensity and talent, both on my team and from the competition. The practice schedule, fitness requirements, and focus demanded every day have increased, and I have loved the chance to be challenged by great players and play with my best friends every day. The team has become my family. After finishing third at nationals last year, our team is primed to take a step up this year with almost the entire team returning and the addition of some strong freshmen.

Sacred Heart Greenwich ’22 University of Notre Dame ’26

Franny O’Brien’s journey from RCS to the University of Notre Dame’s lacrosse team has been marked by dedication, triumphs, and a deep connection to family. Her athletic prowess, bolstered by a supportive environment at RCS, laid the foundation for an outstanding high school career. At Sacred Heart Greenwich, Franny’s commitment to her

sport only grew stronger, culminating in a senior year that saw her selected as a team captain, achieve MVP status, and finish with an undefeated season. Yet, her journey didn’t stop there. The decision to carry on her late father’s legacy at Notre Dame led her to don the jersey with pride, finding success on and off the field.

RCS: How did athletics at RCS play a part in your lacrosse career?

FO: RCS definitely helped me prepare for high school athletics. Having the ability to play every sport I loved in middle school not only prepared me for the high school level but also made me a more dynamic athlete. I stuck with each sport that I played at RCS and lettered

in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse at Sacred Heart. Coach [Max] Moise was my basketball coach and he was easily one of my favorites! I remember his easygoing manner and confidence in every one of his players. The best memories I have from RCS don’t consist of a particular win or goal scored, but just the overall fun and good times that I had with my best friends. Running around after school and laughing with my teammates was the best part of my day, every day. I’m so grateful to have learned to love sports in such an encouraging and positive environment.

RCS: Your senior year at Sacred Heart sounds like the perfect way to end a high school athletic career.

FO: My senior year season was by far the best. I was blessed to have an incredible coaching staff and teammates; both supported me throughout the entire season. We had some amazing games, traveling all over New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York to play the best competition. But once again, it isn’t the memories of specific games or big wins that come to mind when I think of that season, it’s the people. (Although beating Penn Charter in triple overtime and beating Hotchkiss on our Senior Day are, for sure, highlights!)

RCS: Why Notre Dame?

FO: Growing up in a very, very large Notre Dame family [11 other family members have attended the school], I always had the mindset that I wanted

to be “different” and attend another university. Despite attending numerous hockey and football games in my childhood and making constant visits to South Bend, Indiana, I held on to this belief that I would branch out — until my sophomore year of high school. When Division 1 recruiting began on September 1 of my junior year, it only took me about 24 days to conclude that there was never any place for me other than Notre Dame. I still believe this, and I’m so thankful that the 17-year-old me made the right decision. Committing to Notre Dame has given me amazing friends, role models, and teammates, who I now call my sisters!

RCS: Your late father, Frank O’Brien, played hockey and lacrosse for the Irish wearing #14. How meaningful is it to wear #14 at the alma mater of your father?

FO: Proof of the incredible bond with my teammates was the decision of Grace Weigand to offer up #14 to me. She was a junior last fall, but she gave me #14 to wear for the rest of my college career. So after a year of being #41 for the Fighting Irish, I made the switch to #14 this year. Even though wearing #41 in my dad’s honor meant the world to me, I feel even more grateful that I can now wear #14.

RCS: How is it going for the Fighting Irish?

FO: We had an incredible season last year, making it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. I can say with ease that the highlight of our season was

“RCS

definitely helped me prepare for high school athletics. Having the ability to play every sport I loved in middle school not only prepared me for the high school level but also made me a more dynamic athlete.”

—Franny O’Brien ’18

beating #3 University of North Carolina at home in April. We snapped their 27game winning streak in the Atlantic Coast Conference to stay undefeated at home at that point in the 2023 season. Another amazing memory was upsetting Florida in the Sweet 16 at their home field. We scored with 10 seconds left in the fourth when the game was tied at 15 to advance in the tournament. It was the most exciting moment I’ve ever experienced playing sports.

Daughters for Dads

The Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team dedicates a portion of each season to raising awareness and funds for cancer research through its Daughters for Dads campaign. The initiative was started nine years ago by former Fighting Irish lacrosse player Jordy Shoemaker, whose father passed away after a battle with cancer that began when she was a sophomore.

“This cause is very important to me, as I also lost my father to cancer,” Franny said. “Being able to participate in the fundraising has been something very special for me and my family. Jordy is a great inspiration to me and remains very involved with the team.”

George Fauver ’18: Achieving Rowing Success at Bates College

Deerfield Academy ’22

Bates College ’26

The Traquina Boathouse is located several miles north of the Bates College campus on the banks of the Androscoggin River. This is where you’ll often find college sophomore George Fauver ’18.

George’s love of rowing began when he was at RCS, training with RowAmerica Rye during the fall, winter, and summer seasons. His commitment to the sport laid the foundation for his future success as he moved on to Deerfield Academy.

“My experience at boarding school was amazing,” George said. “The people, faculty, and facilities were tremendous. I still played most of the sports that I played at RCS. Coach K [Vincent Kwarula] and Coach Ed [Edison Clarke] helped prepare me for basketball and soccer at Deerfield. And RCS helped prepare me for the academic side of Deerfield, too.”

George credited Deerfield’s Rowing Head Coach Spencer Washburn as the individual who impacted him the most during high school, pushing him not only to improve through discipline, but also to enjoy the sport so much. Before Deerfield, Coach Washburn was the assistant coach

at Princeton University, where he honed his skills and expertise. His arrival at Deerfield brought not only a wealth of knowledge, but also collegiate-level training to the rowing program, enriching the experience for athletes like George.

“Over my four years, I learned how to think like an athlete,” George explained.

Coach Washburn spoke highly of George, commending his immediate impact on the team and his continuous determination to improve.

“From his first day as a member of the rowing team at Deerfield, George made an impact,” Coach Washburn said. “He arrived with real on-the-water skill and immediately contributed to the top boats; racing to a fourth place finish at the USRowing Youth National Championships as a ninth grader certainly highlights that! More importantly, his quiet determination to be his best helped him to develop in impressive ways. His approach, a healthy balance of competitive drive alongside the knowledge that having fun would make everyone better, also positively impacted those around him and the development of the team mirrored his growth. We got better every year and he was right in the middle of it. Given the way he invested himself in the process of getting better, it was fitting that in his senior spring, he was integral in leading the team to a New England championship and a National Championship. George helped the program weather the pandemic and all the challenges that came with that, and we emerged stronger than ever; his

leadership was critical to navigating those years with such success. We are a better program because of George’s presence and his impact continues to be felt today.”

Reflecting on his transition to Bates College, George said he sought a school that offered excellence in rowing and academics. Bates proved to be the perfect fit.

“My first year at Bates went very well,” George said. “The year prior, the team graduated three-quarters of the varsity boat. We had three freshmen fill in and others stepped up as well. Many teams in the league counted us out because of this. However, as the season went on, we kept on improving. During the fall, I was in the number two seat, which is the second seat from the back of the boat. We got 11th at Head of the Charles.”

As the spring season approached, George took on a pivotal role as the stroke of the boat — the eighth seat from the back and the one responsible for setting the rhythm for the entire crew.

“I believe I was chosen for this because my rowing technique is easy to follow and predict, as well as the determination late in the race that I learned from Deerfield. By the end of the season, we earned third at IRAs (Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship), only 0.08 seconds behind second, and made Bates program history.”

George is now in his sophomore year at Bates College and says he’s optimistic about winning the IRAs at the end of the spring. His experiences at RCS and Deerfield Academy have left a lasting impact on his journey, fostering lifelong friendships and contributing to his growth as an athlete and individual.

Alumni Spotlight: Jack Londono ’17

We sat down with Jack Londono and his father, longtime RCS Maintenance team member Carlos Londono, before Jack started working as an investment banking analyst at Centerview Partners in Manhattan in January.

Jack joined RCS in JPK; he was a lifer. Wrapping up his ninth grade year in June 2017, he won the Stanley M. Ferret Mathematics Award, the Wadleigh W. Woods Latin Prize, the Jane Brooks Robbins Science Prize, the Susan Fiala Music Prize, and the Rippowam Cisqua Prize — the highest award conferred by the School — just to give you an idea of Jack’s academic dexterity.

He also made some of his closest friends at Ripp, Luke Malcolm ’17 and Jack Sulam ’17.

“We’ve been together since first grade,” Jack said. “We grew up at Ripp. I see them whenever I can during break and we’re all very, I don’t want to say competitive, but we have always wanted to succeed, even to this day.”

They stay in touch and check in with each other on how they’re doing and how they can help each other. “The relationships that you create here are like no other,” Jack added. “I’m actually rooming in New York City with another friend from Ripp, Will Greve ’17.”

Reflecting on RCS and the teachers who had the greatest impact on his life, Jack said the first one to come to his mind was his science teacher, Chris Perry.

“He prepared us well. A lot of the things he taught us applied to subjects other than science. This might seem weird for an educator in the science field, but he taught us how to structure things in a way that was mechanical and fluid, and that was very efficient when it came to other subjects.”

From Hotchkiss

to Cornell

After graduating from ninth grade at RCS, Jack entered Hotchkiss School as a sophomore.

“It was a great opportunity and I don’t think I really would have considered boarding school if I hadn’t gone to Ripp,” Jack explained. “I gained independence there and it prepared me well for college.”

But the transition from RCS to Hotchkiss was still work and a bit of an

eye-opener because it was high school. Jack wasn’t living under his parents’ roof, he was meeting new people, he was acclimating to a new environment — and it was hard.

“I struggled in a lot of classes, but I pushed myself. I took AP Chemistry my first semester of my first year and I excelled in it. I don’t know, I was just driven to do well in that class and I really enjoyed it. But I also think I was just prepared for it.”

Jack graduated from Hotchkiss in 2020 and entered Cornell University’s business school, the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. He studied there for three years and graduated as a junior.

“I sort of accelerated my timeline,” Jack said, smiling.

Why finish Cornell in three years?

For Jack, it was a personal decision, like pushing and challenging himself. In his last two semesters, he was taking 21 and

22 credits, which was a heavy workload. He admitted that a lot of people questioned why he wanted to leave college, but he saw that he could graduate in three years and he decided to do it.

“I’ve seen how hard my dad — both my parents — worked for the opportunities I’ve had. And college isn’t cheap. I was proud of it. I thought it was only fair.”

Volunteering for SEO

Jack became involved with SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) at Cornell, a program that provides dedicated training to prepare undergraduates for internships that often lead to full-time jobs across Wall Street, commercial real estate, technology, and corporate America.

“SEO is a great nonprofit organization that helps diverse students find jobs in the corporate and professional world, where there sometimes is a barrier to entry,” Jack said.

Jack continues to be a part of the SEO community now that he’s out of college, creating opportunities for future students, and giving back.

Working at Ripp

The summer after eighth grade, Jack started working at Ripp, and he continued to do that through his senior year of high school.

“Even after I graduated from Hotchkiss, I worked at Ripp in the summers, doing everything: painting, cutting grass — you know, working hard. It was a good experience. And that work experience also served as a great talking point for a lot of the conversations I had during my recruiting process for jobs.”

The influence of a father

“I think a lot of it is just leading by example, right? What you see in your household is sort of what you become, and what you learn from. My dad has always worked a lot. I think that just instills values in you to do the same,

Left to right: Will Greve ’17, Chris Perry, and Jack at the New York City alumni event at The Campbell in December 2023

to be motivated, to strive to be better. We’ve always had a good relationship. I’ve always had the confidence to go to him for anything. That’s always been very special.”

And the special relationship of a grandfather

Jack built his Capstone project, a scale model of the Ninth Grade House, with his grandfather, a skilled carpenter and woodworker.

“My dad helped, too,” Jack shared, “but my grandfather was the mastermind behind it. He was really gifted.”

Mr. Perry was his advisor for the ninth grade project, and that, Jack said, was also special.

The Capstone project offers considerable freedom, and Jack initially

found himself uncertain about his direction. But he was sure that he wanted to incorporate a family aspect into it.

“It’s a lot of generations that have led to where we are today, right?” Jack reflected.

“It’s not just what we do, but also what people before us have done. We owe our past generations to succeed and build on their hard work, taking opportunities and making the most of them.”

Jack’s advice for current eighth and ninth graders

“It’s really important to just enjoy the process. People are so fixated on the future outcome — what boarding school they’ll get into, or later on, what college they will go to. But if you get too caught up in the future, you’ll always be chasing that next step instead of enjoying the moment.

It’s really special to be present and get to know as many people as you can. Learn as much as you can while you’re at Ripp. Create the foundation that you need now to succeed in the future.”

The Man Behind the Man: Carlos Londono

Jack’s father, Carlos, has worked at RCS since 1994. He’s known for his warm smile, friendly wave, and always being available to lend a hand. Like all his colleagues on the Maintenance team, he works wonders to keep the campus running smoothly.

“This community is great,” he said. “There’s an energy in the morning when I go to work. The people are so nice.”

A strong education for Jack was important to Carlos and Jack’s mother, Diana. They were excited to have their son at Ripp.

“In my opinion, the school helped Jack a lot, and that was most important,” Carlos reflected. “He enjoyed it when he was here.”

“You know, when he left the school, I missed him. But it’s part of life. And look, now he has great opportunities. I am happy.”

Jack and his father vacationing in San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina’s Patagonia region, September 2023.

Alumni Class Notes

McLain Ward ’91 and his daughter, Lily

and her

1970

Peter Ehrlich and Ken Ives were classmates at Cisqua School from Kindergarten through fourth grade and lived only half a mile apart growing up. Today, Peter lives in Miami, Florida, and Ken lives in Brooklyn, New York. In April 2024, Peter and Ken met up in Miami.

1991

McLain Ward enjoyed spending time with his daughter, Lily ’30, as she competed at the USEF Pony Finals — the most prestigious and celebrated horsemanship event of its kind in the United States — in August 2023. As Ward himself prepares for the France Olympics this summer, Lily is following in his footsteps as she recently competed in the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) this season.

1995

Lindsey (Heller) Lohwater, a biology teacher at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, was installed as an endowed chairholder and honored with the Founder’s Chair on January 19. A member of St. Mark’s science department since 2010, Lindsey also serves as the director of the Taft STEM Research Fellowship and as the school’s sustainability coordinator. She previously chaired the Science Department and has taught Advanced Biology, Biotechnology, and Anatomy and Physiology. Lindsey lives on campus with her husband, their three children, and a dog.

1996

Chris Chen relocated his acupuncture practice and his family to Ashland,

Oregon, last December. “I am hoping to make monthly trips back East to follow up with my patients as well as to teach and keep developing our budding New York City Chi Gong community. In Ashland, I will be developing a healing arts school and a hospice center. It has been a dream of mine to build a truly dynamic and multifaceted educational program for future generations of healers and body workers. I hope to hear from friends near and far.”

Tell Us What’s New with You!

To submit Class Notes: Send text and high-res images to Karin Smith at ksmith@rcsny.org.

For short milestone information (engagements, weddings, births), please include full names and dates.

Peter Erlich ’70 and Ken Ives ’70

’30 (top);

horse, In My Dreams

Chris Chen ’96 and his family in Oregon

Lindsey Lohwater ’95, honored with the St. Mark’s School Founder’s Chair

2006

Eliza Ghriskey was engaged to Peter Lawson-Johnston in April 2023 in Charleston, North Carolina, where they currently reside. They celebrated their wedding in April 2024… in Charleston!

Elizabeth Sednaoui and her husband, Gus Thompson, welcomed baby Frances Scott Thompson (Scottie) to the world on October 28, 2023. They live in New York City.

2007

Maddie Henry and her husband, David Alexandre, welcomed baby girl Auden

this past fall. Maddie wrote, “We also just moved back to Bedford and we are happy to live within walking distance of Rippowam Cisqua School — and pass the school frequently on walks with Auden!”

Missy Walker married Banks Meyer on April 15, 2023. After a wedding service at St. Matthew’s Church in Bedford, the couple hosted a reception that evening at the Rainbow Room in New York City. Among family and friends, they danced the night away. They currently reside in New York City.

Colette Salvatore was engaged in May 2023 to Dan Whitaker in front of the Sutton Clock Tower in Bedford. The couple was married at the Tryall Club in Jamaica in April 2024.

Sydney Mas was engaged to Hank Klehm in June 2023 in Vermont. They plan to wed in October 2024 in Bedford. They are currently living in Chelsea.

Alexandria van Starrenburg married Bud Vallely on August 19, 2023, at her father’s home in Bedford.

Maddie Burbank married Kyle Conlee on October 20, 2023. Maddie wrote, “We had a small ceremony with family at the Town of Bedford Court House. We live in Manhattan, where I work in commercial real estate development and Kyle is in the finance industry, specializing in healthcare.”

Anita Carroll lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, Ethan, and a sweet

Maddie Henry ’07 had a baby girl!

Elizabeth Sednaoui ’06 had a baby girl!

Eliza Ghriskey ’06 and her fiance, Peter Lawson-Johnston

Colette Salvatore ’07 is engaged!

Missy Walker ’07 and her husband, Banks Meyer

Alexandria van Starrenburg ’07 and Bud Vallely, celebrating this past August

Maddie Burbank ’07 married Kyle Conlee at the Bedford Court House.

Sydney Mas ’07 and fiance Hank Klehm

Jack Vallar ’09 and Elizabeth Fosburgh are engaged!

rescue dog and cat. After graduating from the Masters School, she attended New York University and then Fordham University for law school. Anita is a senior associate attorney at Rower LLC, where she practices family and matrimonial law. This year, Anita, along with her mother and brother, Ryan Carroll ’10, co-founded the Francis X. Carroll Family Foundation in memory of their father, who passed away from ALS in 2023. The Foundation raises funds for ALS research.

2009

Sarah Strong lives in the East Village, New York City, and, as a continuation of many RCS bake sales, is a food editor for branded content at Hearst Magazines. “I’ve been there for a year now and love working with so many legacy media

Sarah Cox ’09 and Alexander Giordano ’08 were married in September 2023 in Bedford. Celebrating with them were (from left to right):

Page Vincent Gosnell ’79, Charlotte Fleming ’14, Caroline Vincent Mockridge ’81, Hope Walker ’08, Christina Giordano ’06, Jeff Cox ’80, Isabella Giordano ’17, Seth Cameron ’88, Sarah Cox ’09, Peter Giordano ’12, Alexander Giordano ’08, Ellie Lovering Bird ’09, Henry Bird ’09, Jack Vallar ’09, Cutler Whitman ’78, Charlie Wilson ’09, Libby Prezanno Whitman ’85, Ben Colley ’09, Beanie Durfee ’81, Katie Durfee ’82, Amy Parsons ’76, and Randy Wilson Hall ’94.

publications on a topic I love,” she said. “Outside of work, I keep up with the New York City restaurant scene, do a lot of crafting, watch an obscene amount of television, still read a lot, and love to go to the theater — I’m looking forward to seeing fellow alum and good friend Sammi Cannold ’09 ’s Broadway directorial debut, How to Dance in Ohio !”

Jack Vallar graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2021 and is now clerking in Baltimore for Judge Niemeyer on the Fourth Circuit. He is engaged to Elizabeth Fosburgh, whom he met at law school; she graduated in 2022. They plan to be married in September 2024 in Castle Park, Michigan, with lots of Ripp friends in attendance.

2010

Congratulations, Adele Lawrence — married in June to now-husband Jamie Knight.

Chase Gerber said “Yes!” in Florence, Italy. Chase and her fiance, Henry Ordway, son of Cassy (Sperry) Ordway ’77, will marry in August 2024.

2011

Susannah Davies finished 115th out of 22,776 women in the 2023 New York City Marathon, with a time of 3:02. “This was my seventh marathon, third time doing New York City, and third marathon this year after Boston and Berlin,” she said. “Throughout my 15 years of running at RCS, Miss Porter’s (Class of ’14), and Kenyon

Adele Lawrence ’10 and her husband, Jamie

Chase Gerber ’10, engaged to Henry Ordway

Anita Carroll ’07, co-founder of the Francis X. Carroll Family Foundation

Susannah Davies ’11 at the 2023 New York City Marathon

Vallar ’11 and his fiance, Kate Murphy

College (Class of ’18), I can honestly say this was the most happy and fun race, all 26.2 miles. Someone even noted at mile 22 that I was still smiling. Clara Seaborn ’11, who also started in JPK with me, was out there cheering — talk about lifelong friendship!”

Doug Vallar is engaged to Kate Murphy. The couple met at Bucknell, and are planning to marry in June 2025 in Philadelphia.

2016

Daisy Fauver wrapped up her college career studying abroad on the St. Lawrence University Kenya Semester Program. “While I was based in Nairobi, I spent four months traveling around the country,” Daisy said. “I lived among the Hadzabe, one of the last remaining hunter and gathering tribes, and learned

Fauver ’16 on her recent study abroad in Kenya

about their perspective on using the earth and its resources. I lived in homestays in rural villages and urban centers all while studying the impact of climate change and urbanization on livelihoods. Lastly, I spent a month in Zanzibar, Tanzania, interning at a marine conservation NGO. It was truly a life-changing experience.”

Nicky Beaumont and his friend and fellow Ripp alumna Blair Clayton graduated from Kenyon College in May 2023.

2019

Shanika Duverneau is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania. She wrote, “I’m a writer for the Black Pre-Law Association, where we are tasked to write an article that talks about a topic of our choice that affects Black people. It then gets published in the organization’s journal,

Nicky Beaumont ’16 and Blair Clayton ’16 the night before their May 2023 Kenyon College graduation

XIII. I’ve decided to write about the role of privatization in mass incarceration and the effects it has on Black people.”

2022

Annabel Smith took first place in the 100-yard breaststroke at the 2023 Girls Swimming and Diving NYSPHSAA Championships in November 2023, with a time of 1:03.97. A junior at Fox Lane High School, she also helped her team earn fifth place in the 200 medley relay and tenth place in the 200 free relay.

“I’m super excited to be state champion!” Annabel said. “I never even could have imagined I would be state champion at the beginning of the season, but we all worked hard all season and it paid off.”

Doug

Shanika Duverneau ’19

Annabel Smith ’22

Daisy

In Memoriam

We offer our condolences to the family and friends of the following members of our school community.

Pauline (Polly) Harrison Winans Finn, mother of Penny Winans ’63 , Sandy Winans ’65 , Jane Winans McKim ’72 , and Elizabeth Winans Rossman ’77 , died on May 7, 2023. While her children attended RCS, Polly took part in the Parent Council, co-chaired the Affair at the Field fundraiser, and served as a trustee. Polly was a lifelong resident of Bedford, an active member at St. Matthew’s Church and in the Bedford Garden Club.

Frances Randall “Twink” Wood died on May 29, 2023. Wife of Jim Wood (Cisqua School President of Board of Trustees from 1967-71) and mother to Emily (Wood) Crofoot ’70 (married to Anders Crofoot ’76 ), and Steve Wood ’71 , Twink was a resident of Bedford for over 50 years, living at Braewold Farm. She was involved with many community and charitable organizations, including the Bedford Hills Historical Museum, the Bedford Hills Free Library, and the Parents Committee at RCS.

Richie Meyers

Richie Meyers, a beloved athletics director, coach, and teacher in the RCS community for 45 years, passed away on April 29, 2023. He loved coaching and being a part of the RCS athletics program.

“The career has been a dream,” he said when he retired in 2012. “It has just been a blessing. If someone had told me as a teenager that I would have this kind of career, I never would have believed it.”

Before joining RCS in 1965, Richie was coaching football at his alma mater, Western Colorado State in Yuma, Colorado. Mentally preparing himself to enlist in the Vietnam War, he took what he thought would be a quick trip to his boyhood home of New Rochelle, New York, for a preservice physical. Waiting for deployment orders and the results of his physical, he applied for a part-time physical education job at what was then called the Bedford Rippowam School. Headmaster Walter Wyeth hired Richie to help out for a month.

Recognizing early on that Richie had more to offer than just his athletic ability, and without his knowledge, Headmaster Wyeth wrote to the draft board and stated that Richie Meyers was needed at

the School, and was irreplaceable. Richie’s month on the job became months, years, and ultimately, decades. The Bronx native made RCS and Bedford his home, all the while keeping in touch with his New Rochelle roots.

Bill Barrett, RCS former Upper School division head, athletics director, teacher, and coach, said in 2012 that Coach

Meyers “created a level of excellence in our athletics program; he challenged generations of RCS students to live life to the fullest, never quit, and embrace life’s challenges head-on, with an optimism that demands we give our all.”

We remain forever grateful to Coach Meyers for his tremendous impact on the RCS community.

RCS alumni at Twink Wood’s memorial service. Pictured back (left to right): Anders Crofoot ’76, Steve Wood ’71, Jim Lawrence ’68, Philip Lawrence ’80, Ben Branch ’63; middle: Anne Keesee Niemann ’71,Hutton Jones Cole ’69, Kinnon Jones Williamson ’67, Sarah Stott ’67,Starr Oliver Lawrence ’46, Lee Steppacher ’71; and front: Jim Wood, Emily Wood Crofoot ’70, Janet Stott Pembleton ’63.

Missing from photo: Dan Ginnel ’71, Roger Vincent ’59

Planning for Rippowam Cisqua School’s Future

Imagine the Possibilities

Remembering Rippowam Cisqua School in your estate planning helps ensure a brighter tomorrow for our school.

The 1917 Society was established in memory of our earliest leaders and the year of the School’s founding — honoring those alumni, faculty, parents, and friends who made a choice to bolster the future of RCS by providing for the School in their estates and/ or by establishing planned gift arrangements that benefited both RCS and themselves. Today, all donors — whether through a bequest provision or a life income arrangement — are granted membership into the 1917 Society.

When you join our ever-growing list of individuals and families who have chosen to make provisions for RCS in their estate plans — including bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance, real estate, or other tangible property — you are making an investment in our future. You are giving our students opportunities to create connections today that will lead to

Depending on your circumstances, a planned gift may not only greatly benefit RCS but also may provide some significant tax advantages for you and your family. Thank you in advance for considering including RCS in your estate planning.

1917 Society

Through a simple provision in your estate, request the following designation:

Trustees of Rippowam Cisqua School, a charitable and educational institution in Bedford, New York.

For more information, please contact Director of Development Daphne Viders at viders@rcsny.org or at (914) 244-1293.