The Hill | Summer 2022 by Greenhill School

The magazine of

Greenhill School

The

SUMMER 2022

A SUMMER TRIBUTE TO THE

Greenhill Class of 2022

On the cover: (left to right) SENIORS ASHTON HIGGINS, ASHLEY SHAN, ISABELLA SERRANO, and CHLOE MERRIMAN celebrating their graduation from Greenhill School.

Greenhill Mission: In a diverse and inclusive community, Greenhill prepares and inspires students to lead authentic, purposeful lives.

Greenhill Vision: We see our students joyfully reaching their full potential. We see our school thriving as an academically excellent, diverse, inclusive, and connected community. We see our world made more hopeful because of the Greenhill community.

Greenhill Core Values: Excellence Integrity Compassion Courage

contents Class of 2022 commencement

senior awards

baccalaureate

matriculation

senior traditions

senior capstones

collegiate athletes

Community Highlights

Greenhill School 4141 Spring Valley Road Addison, TX 75001 972.628.5400

greenhill.org

academic highlights

fine arts highlights

year-end celebrations

fourth & eighth-grade awards

community gatherings

parents’ association award winners

greenhill fund

alumni highlights

welcome new trustees

campaign update

It is the policy of Greenhill School to administer its educational programs, including admission and financial aid, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national or ethnic origin, or disability.

We congratulate the

GREENHILL CL On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, the Class of 2022 graduated from Greenhill School at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL TREVOR WORCESTER welcomed the graduating class and families and introduced senior Hallie Sternblitz to deliver a message of gratitude to Greenhill faculty and staff. Musical performances by the Greenhill Singers were interspersed between the two senior addresses given by Pranav Mukund and Shruti Siva.

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LASS OF 2022 Fredston Head of School Lee Hark, Associate Head of School Tom Perryman ’81, and Board of Trustees representative Holland Gary ’93 awarded diplomas to the students as they walked across the stage. To conclude the ceremony, Mr. Hark delivered his charge to the Class of 2022, and the newest Greenhill graduates recessed out of the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall to celebrate and take pictures with their families and friends! This event would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of Assistant Head of Upper School Rebecca Shuman, Dean of Students Jack Oros, Head of Upper School Trevor Worcester, Senior Class Dean April Burns, senior advisors, and faculty and staff volunteers.

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That’s the charge: Care. This fall, whether you’re at college or somewhere else, care about the work you do, care about what you’re learning, care about the people who help you and support you and love you and make your life easier. Care about your classmates. Care enough to get involved, to take up a cause that matters to you. Care about the institution that invited you to become a part of its community. The world needs people who care. Caring is the logical extension of leading an authentic, purposeful life. Caring gives authenticity and purpose, direction and focus. And, I believe, caring leads to a life full of joy.” — LEE HARK, The David and Rochelle Fredston Head of School

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Greenhill students are the very definition of community. We stand up for others. We recognize and call out behavior that doesn’t meet our standards... Every teacher and administrator, whether you realized it at the time or not, had an impact on you. By imparting knowledge and life lessons, they invested in you... My teachers believed in my capabilities and shed light on skills that I didn’t know I had. They turned my weaknesses into strengths, helping to transform a young, insecure braggart into a composed, mindful man – or as I’d like to think, a pretty chill dude. ” — PRANAV MUKUND, excerpted from his Senior Address

This graduation is the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new, exciting time for us. One where we get to explore everything we can, with our time at Greenhill as both a springboard and a north star to guide the morality of all the great things we’ll do... We are here today because people before us learned extraordinary things about the world and thought other people should know them. That knowledge is our great power, and it is now our responsibility to use what we were given to make the world as inviting as it seemed when we were little and all we wanted to do was go out and explore it. I believe we can, and I believe we should.” — SHRUTI SIVA, excerpted from her Senior Address

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The teachers we have had the privilege of encountering during our time at Greenhill have made us the students, activists, friends, and humans that we are today, and it’s because they always knew the goal of our time at Greenhill, even when we didn’t. They were never aiming for us each to reach individual success; rather, they were aiming for the world to reach a greater success because of us.” — HALLIE STERNBLITZ, excerpted from her Faculty Appreciation Address

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2022 SENIOR AWARDS SHRUTI SIVA | Valedictorian The Valedictorian is the graduating senior who has earned the highest cumulative Upper School grade point average. “Shruti has excelled across all academic disciplines. Selected in 10th grade to take AP Biology, she has enrolled and successfully completed eight AP courses and two postAP courses – achieving an A+ in all but one of those high-level courses. In fact, if you were to look at Shruti’s transcript in Upper School, there are very, very few instances in which A+ is not the letter grade. That achievement also comes with great praise from faculty. Our AP Econ teacher says ‘she asks questions that blow me away,’ the Vector Calculus teacher states, ‘Shruti wants to understand the how and why,’ and her second semester English teacher wrote, ‘[her] writings hold a spirit of inquiry that is at the heart of the best philosophical writing.’ She has been a four-year Debater, achieving the state championship in March, and her capstone project focused on analyzing bias in prison sentencing.”

ELLA DZIALOWSKI | Salutatorian The Salutatorian is the graduating senior who has earned the second-highest cumulative Upper School grade point average. “‘Mature.’ ‘Responsible and hardworking.’ ‘A model for others.’ ‘A Powerhouse.’ Over the course of Upper School, Ella has successfully completed 7 AP courses, earning an A or A+ in all of them, and two post-AP courses, earning an A+ in each of those courses. Whether taking high-level STEM classes, English and History courses delving into genocide, the events of 9/11, or women’s writings, Ella engaged thoughtfully and wrote meticulously. In addition to these highly rigorous courses, she is also a gifted 3D artist and a 3-sport varsity athlete. Ella is self-confident in her work, multitalented and achieving in all disciplines at the highest level.”

WILL MCDONALD | The Estelle Dickens Service Award The Estelle Dickens Service to Greenhill Award is presented to the senior who has given the most outstanding service contribution to Greenhill School. The award commemorates the more than four decades of service given to Greenhill by beloved teacher and administrator Estelle Dickens.

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“Will brings a steadfast commitment to the activities for which he serves and leads. He has been an ambassador for the school as a Host on the Hill and a Hill Guide, deftly touring prospective families across the campus. This year, Will served as a peer mentor, helping guide 9th graders in advisory settings with the knowledge, experience, and advice of a 12th grader. The most visible of his accomplishments, however, are his numerous contributions to the Arts here at Greenhill: filmmaking, improv, and theatrical productions. An integral part of Student Council, serving as Class President this year, one faculty member noted: ‘Will seems to always be around helping out and making things happen not just for the Senior Class but for the school as a whole.’ It seems that his first question in any given situation is ‘how can I help?’”

CLAUDIA HURST | The Kate Cecil Award The Kate Cecil Award is given to the senior who renders the most outstanding service to the Dallas community. The award is named in honor of Kate Cecil, a member of the faculty for seventeen years. “Claudia has logged more than 800 service hours at various organizations during her four years at Greenhill. As much as the number of hours served is truly remarkable, it is the service and outreach work that takes priority for Claudia. She is a troupe leader for Teenage Communication Theater and a member and officer of the teen board for Heroes for Children, an organization that supports families whose children have cancer. With more than a dozen different agencies to which Claudia has dedicated her time, the biggest service involvement is as co-chair of Greenhill’s charity fashion show. This year the event raised more than $40,000 for the Grant Halliburton Foundation. As one faculty member wrote, ‘Claudia truly cares about the Dallas community and has a heart for service. She is a well-rounded student, mentor to younger students, and true leader among her peers.’ Claudia is a model for what our mission states: ‘prepare and inspire students to live authentic, purposeful lives.’”

ELLA DZIALOWSKI | The Phillip G. Foote Award The Phillip G. Foote Award is given to the senior who is considered by the faculty to epitomize the qualities of citizenship in the Greenhill community. These qualities are rooted in the School’s core values of excellence, integrity, compassion, and courage. The award is named for Greenhill’s second Head of School. “Ella has been called ‘a model for her peers’ by our faculty. Her advisor writes, ‘Ella’s strong sense of right and wrong not only drives her, but it inspires those around her.’ A four-year member of the Honor Council, a fellow student said, ‘Morally, I aspire to be Ella. She pushes me to be my best self every day, and every time I’m considering whether to take the easy way out of a situation, I think about what she would do.’ This moral compass transcends the classroom into the other parts of her Greenhill life. An extremely talented artist and four-year, three-sport varsity athlete, Ella brings both the most coachable attitude and highest work ethic to all in which she engages. But perhaps her Honors Spanish Literature teacher said it best: ‘Her treatment of our literary themes and the many characters she has encountered in our texts show her to be a considerate and compassionate person, an incredible student, and a wonderful example of what we hope for in all of our Hornets.’”

PRISHA GUPTA | The Phillip G. Foote Award The Phillip G. Foote Award is given to the senior who is considered by the faculty to epitomize the qualities of citizenship in the Greenhill community. These qualities are rooted in the school’s core values of excellence, integrity, compassion, and courage. The award is named for Greenhill’s second Head of School. “‘Prisha brings ‘calm energy and a kind nature’ to classrooms, which in turn make those environments a better place for all students. A talented storyteller, she embarks on and engages in courses and activities that help narrate not only her own experiences, but also those of others. Regardless of the age of those with whom she interacts, Prisha always reflects our core values. One faculty member writes, ‘She approaches her work and daily life with kindness and compassion towards Lower Schoolers, Middle Schoolers, and peers.’ Having witnessed these core values at work for the last four years, her advisor writes, ‘Prisha brings integrity, courage, and compassion to everything she embarks on. I have nothing but gratitude for the amazing citizenship and leadership that she has brought to our community.’ Committing to excellence in everything she does, Prisha’s own words summarize why she is an apt recipient for this award: ‘Humanity is all one giant team, and we’re not winning if one of us isn’t…We have to look out for each other.’ Indeed we do.” *All quotes are attributed to Head of Upper School Trevor Worcester, spoken from his perspective, and the citations of teachers’ remarks at the Upper School Honors Assembly.

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ICIS BARRIENTOS | The Board of Trustees Award The Board of Trustees Award is presented to the senior who has met the challenge of Greenhill with perseverance, courage, and humor. “Icis came to Greenhill in 9th grade. Faced with one of the longer commutes that a family has, she came to school each day with a bright smile, eager to face whatever challenge was set before her. Icis’s English teacher for Narrative Nonfiction lauded her for ‘bringing an inimitable energy, perspective, intelligence, and humor to the table each period.’ Despite all the numerous challenges Icis faced over her time in Upper School, she always took advantage of and engaged in a number of activities. Icis has served as manager to sports teams at Greenhill and has been a member of TACT (Teen-Age Communication Theater) this year. She has been involved in affinity groups and was an inaugural member of our Student Inclusion Council. Her college counselor remarked, ‘Icis brings a strong advocacy for equity along with her cheerfulness.’ Icis courageously overcomes challenges in her control, and perseveres in the face of challenges outside of her control.”

EYOB GEBRU | The Board of Trustees Award The Board of Trustees Award is presented to the senior who has met the challenge of Greenhill with perseverance, courage, and humor. “Eyob exudes energy and optimism. As his advisor notes, ‘Not many people can walk into a room and just make everyone smile without saying a word.’ Arriving at Greenhill in Kindergarten, Eyob has been involved in so many activities over the years. His college counselor writes, ‘One would be hard pressed to find someone on campus who has not been lifted by his kind-heartedness, humor, and optimism.’ Even more extraordinary is to see that light shine through, every day, in the face of challenges that many adults rarely experience, let alone an adolescent. And yet, Eyob makes great impressions on his peers and his teachers. As his 9th grade English teacher remarked, ‘I knew this student should be nominated for one of Greenhill’s highest honors all the way back when they were a freshman in my English class.’ Eyob translates to ‘loyal and trustworthy’ in Tigrinya, his family’s language; how fitting that we entrusted him in the role of emcee for our Homecoming pep rally in October and the Senior Family Dinner this past weekend, and he shined brightly in both instances.”

PRANAV MUKUND | The Senior Leadership Award The Senior Leadership Award is given to the member of the senior class who best demonstrates the qualities of leadership. The origin of this award was the D. Harold Byrd and Jennie Stuck awards, which honored male and female leadership. “Pranav commands the respect of both adults and peers. One English teacher writes, ‘Funny, enthusiastic, prepared, Pranav is always ready to immerse himself, and I can always count on him to kickstart or elevate the conversation. His compassion creates an inclusive environment that allows everyone to thrive.’ That respect also flows from his peers. As one student notes, “Along with teaching me to be comfortable in my own skin, he taught me how compassion was cool.’ Pranav has also led in several different activities outside the classroom: cofounder of our Model UN, Smarter Bites childnutrition education president, and featured Bollywood dancer. A fixture in the recital hall as a member of the orchestra, Mr. Paraskevas notes, ‘Pranav’s strengths lift up the rest of the ensemble: solid technique, powerful sound, and rich capacity for musical expression… a superb leader, one who helps each member be his best.’”

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JOTHI GUPTA | The Bernard L. Fulton Award The Bernard L. Fulton Award is the highest honor given in the Upper School and is presented to the senior who best embodies the mission and core values of Greenhill School. The award is named for the founder and first Head of Greenhill School. “Jothi is, simply put, a shining star. Her advisor writes, ‘Jothi is an astounding leader, a kind person, and an example to the entire student body of Greenhill—purposeful, principled, and thoughtful’. Jothi engages in the most rigorous course load we offer, always looking for something new to discover. Some of her teachers have commented: ‘she is one of the most consistent contributors to class discussions,’ ‘an excellent classroom citizen,’ ‘a wonderful human,’ and ‘she is outstanding and raises the level of discourse in class each day.’ Those positive descriptors follow her as a captain on the Cross-Country team, a co-editor-in-chief of the Evergreen, and as Student Council President, where she instilled in us the need to elevate kindness and revel in the power of joy. I will leave you with a note from her college counselor: ‘Jothi has this exceptional combination of having the purest desire to learn and the humblest of intentions to make a difference in someone’s life.’ In the years to come, we will be watching her make so much difference in the world with pride.”

Helen Fulton Awards The Helen Fulton Awards are named in honor of Helen Fulton, founding faculty member and wife of Greenhill’s founder, Bernard Fulton. Helen Fulton was a lifelong learner, exemplary citizen, and a well-rounded, balanced individual. This award is unique in that seniors nominate their peers who they believe embody these characteristics, and then the winners are chosen by a faculty vote. Twelve students were chosen to receive this award.

GAVIN BELL

BENNETT BROADDUS

CAROLINE GREENSTONE

KENDALL HASHIMOTO

BRODRIC HOUSTON

SPENCER JACOBS

SUMANA KETHU

JASMINE NAJARI

KADEN NATHANI

MIA NESS

TATUM SIMS

JOHRDYN TARPEH

BACCALAUREATE

Greenhill’s Baccalaureate was held at the Cathedral of Hope and provides graduating seniors a final opportunity to reflect on their time at Greenhill, remembering with a sense of gratitude, humility, and larger purpose. Senior class leaders offered an invocation, anthems, readings, and benedictions to express their gratitude and commitment to the Greenhill experience, values, and beliefs. Upper School History Teacher Matthew Giorgio was chosen by the seniors to deliver the keynote address. He spoke about taking healthy risks, living life to the fullest, and how much he appreciated getting to know the Class of 2022 throughout his nine years at Greenhill School.

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The older I get, the more I worry about regret. I try hard not to have any regrets. Whether it means trying that which scares me, speaking up when it’s easier to stay silent, or sharing my opinion even when I may not know how others in the room feel about the topic. I have to be me. And I know that that ‘me’ will always evolve as a result of these experiences. And as I grow and change, there too will always remain an essential core to my being that is uniquely me. And I believe that every one of you before me will each grow and evolve, and I also believe that you will all retain that essential core which is uniquely you. Cherish that essence, nurture it, grow it with healthy risks, and live your life to the fullest.” — MATTHEW GIORGIO, Baccalaureate Speaker, Upper School History Teacher

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AND THEY’RE OFF THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2022 will attend these colleges in the United States and abroad. Austin College Babson College Barnard College Bates College Boston College Boston University (2) Brown University (2) Bucknell University Cal Polytechnic-San Luis Obispo (2) Carnegie Mellon University (3) Centre College Chapman University (3)

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Colorado College Colorado School of Mines Cornell University (2) CUNY Hunter College Dartmouth College Denison University Duke University (5) Elon University Emory University (2) George Washington University Georgetown University (2)

Goucher College Harvard University (2) Indiana University-Bloomington (2) Loyola Marymount University (2) Massachusetts Institute of Technology Middlebury College Morehouse College New York University (3) Northeastern University (2) Northwestern University Occidental College

Ohio State University Purdue University (2) Rice University (2) Salisbury University Santa Clara University Southern Methodist University (3) St. Olaf College Swarthmore College Syracuse University Texas A&M University Texas Christian University (2)

Trinity University (2) Tulane University (4) Union College University of Arizona University of Arkansas University of British Columbia University of California-Los Angeles University of Chicago University of Miami (7) University of Michigan (4)

University of North Texas (2) University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania (3) University of Pittsburgh The University of Texas at Austin (9) Vanderbilt University (3) Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University Washington University in St. Louis (4) Williams College (2) Yale University

greenhill.org

Senior

TRADITIONS

WATER TOWER In one of Greenhill students’ favorite traditions, the Class of 2022 expressed their creativity by leaving their mark on the water tower in August. 16 The Hill | Summer 2022

SENIOR DADS’ / SPECIAL FRIENDS’ LUNCH Dads and special friends joined their seniors on campus for a cookout, ping pong, and good times.

SENIOR MOTHERS’ / SPECIAL FRIENDS’ BRUNCH Senior moms and special friends came to campus for a special brunch with their students on the MPAC patio. greenhill.org

SENIOR BREAKFAST AND WILDFLOWER STOMP After hearing remarks from Lee Szor ’03, the Class of 2022 received their senior sweatshirts in October 2021. Continuing a new tradition, they participated in the Estelle Dickens Wildflower Stomp. Those seeds have since bloomed into a beautiful field of colorful flowers near the Preschool building.

CLASS OF 2022 TREE PLANTING Each graduating class plants a tree on campus to commemorate their time at Greenhill. Seniors planted the Class of 2022 tree next to the tennis courts. 18 The Hill | Summer 2022

COLLEGE CHALK During the last week of school, members of the Class of 2022 decorated the sidewalks close to the Upper School with their college logos and mascots.

SENIOR DINNER Seniors and their families reminisced on their time at Greenhill while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, music, photo opportunities, and a delicious dinner. We’re grateful to the senior class families who contributed their time and talents in creating wonderful celebrations for the Class of 2022 throughout the school year.

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SENIOR CAPSTONES

In the spring, eight seniors presented Capstone projects reflecting months of collegiate-level field research. These varied and involved projects evoke an earnestness for exploration and intellectual curiosity. HOW TO BECOME TIKTOK FAMOUS Aarian Dhanani “Most of us are on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube every day, but have you ever wondered how some people reach hundreds of thousands of views on their content? This was the focus of my capstone, where I researched how individuals and companies could take advantage of the algorithms and implement strategies to make their content reach a greater audience. I learned how creators such as Mr. Beast and Charli D’Amelio were able to grow so quickly on their platforms, and how others have been replicating their success. In addition to the large number of strategies I discovered, I also carried out studies testing out my findings on various platforms.” INTEGRATING LGBTQ+ STUDIES IN UPPER SCHOOL EDUCATION Julian Iwasko “Besides the Stonewall Uprising and AIDS Crisis, how much do you know about LGBTQ+ history? As an LGBTQ+ student, I often find a lack of LGBTQ+ history and representation in school. The LGBTQ+ demographic is active and present in Greenhill’s student and faculty populations, so my capstone — Integrating LGBTQ+ Studies in Upper School Education — strives to bring a formal study of U.S. LGBTQ+ history to the Greenhill community. I created a full semester-long curriculum of LGBTQ+ history that will be preserved digitally to function as a tool for educators and a self-education tool for students. Teachers may use parts of the curriculum to incorporate into their classes, and students may use it for their own studies outside of the classroom. I hope that this curriculum serves to educate those interested in LGBTQ+ history, as well as provide visibility and recognition for Greenhill’s LGBTQ+ students and faculty. “

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HOMELESSNESS IN DALLAS: ROOT CAUSES AND EFFORTS TO SOLVE A COMPLEX PROBLEM Travis Mann “What do you do when you drive by someone on the street corner? Do your eyes dart away? Do you give them money or food? How did they get to this place in life? Homelessness and its root causes are complex and multifaceted. Homelessness is much deeper than what we see on the streets. In Dallas, work involves 21 local shelters and numerous organizations that focus on countless individuals. While handing money out the window may seem reasonable, there are other comprehensive efforts in action. I focused my capstone on learning more about the root causes and these efforts that are working to solve a complex problem.” OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IN BREAST CANCER TREATMENT Pranav Mukund “There are few things on Earth that are as elusive as the “cure for cancer.” Of the billions of dollars that are poured into cancer research every year, breast cancer research receives the largest share of these grants. Why does the nature of breast cancer necessitate such large funding initiatives, and how does a research lab use this funding to further scientific discoveries? I worked in a breast cancer lab to conduct my own research on breast cancer treatments and learn more about how these funds sustain scientific labs. With the guidance of Dr. Prasanna Alluri and his lab team at UT Southwestern, I started a project that aims to help patients that develop biological resistance to common breast cancer treatments. I cultivated two breast cancer cell lines and screened them across multiple therapeutic drugs to determine the viability of new cancer treatments in overcoming treatment resistance.”

SPORTS BROADCASTING: MORE THAN WHAT MEETS THE EAR Evan Parker “Since sports gained a presence in media and television, its broadcasting has evolved into a niche form of news and entertainment that we see today. Devout sports followers across the world often switch the radio from traditional news to a feed strictly rooted in scores and stats and also allow this passion to dominate much of their experience on social media. Through my capstone, I have had the opportunity to research (and even practice) the production and nuances of broadcasting in sports. I created a short series of mini-podcasts that discuss and work to better understand some of the facets of sports broadcasting.” AND JUSTICE FOR ALL: ELIMINATING BIAS IN PRISON SENTENCING ALGORITHMS Shruti Siva “From targeted ads to social media to 23andMe, decisions are increasingly being made by algorithms that sort through massive silos of our data. These processes seem isolated from human error, but they carry the massive risks associated with foregoing human discretion. In high-stakes determinations, like prison sentencing, how comfortable are we with letting algorithms take the wheel? Can data ever be truly neutral? I attempted to quantify the weight of racial bias in sentencing algorithms that claim to be colorblind, using data analysis and disparate impact tests on publicized sentencing data. I surveyed existing literature to study the societal factors that lead to this bias and explored possible solutions to address these factors. I concluded my research by comparing these solutions and attempting one such approach to preserve fairness without compromising accuracy.”

TO INFINITY, AND BEYOND! REPAIRING A 3-D PRINTER Varun Sureka “A 3-D printer has been sitting, abandoned, in a dusty alcove of the robotics room ever since construction ceased my freshman year. In the interest of repairing it, I decided to center my capstone around researching the mechanical and electrical engineering behind the original design. Following the engineering design process, I first disassembled the printer and then slowly shaped it into working condition. My final goal was to have the printer fixed and add a bit of my own personal flair. “ THE ROOTS OF A FORM: FURNITURE FOR OUR CAMPUS Jonah Yaffe “Have you ever wanted to relax or study outside with friends or even by yourself during a break on a beautiful school day? After four years as a student in the Upper School, I have experienced this feeling countless times. This is why I chose to focus my capstone on designing outdoor furniture for our campus, specifically for in front of the Marshall Performing Arts Center (MPAC). I was drawn to the MPAC because I saw the wide open space in between it and the math pod as a chance to connect two branches of our community, the arts and academics. I gathered feedback from students and faculty on what they would want in an outdoor space and furniture, then took their input and created several designs that I worked out in more detail, teaching myself AUTOCAD along the way. I brought these designs back to the students and faculty to gain more feedback before creating a final iteration of my designs.”

greenhill.org

COLLEGIATE ATHLETES The Greenhill Athletics Department is proud to send the following twelve student athletes to compete at the college level. Congratulations!

LEE DORT Basketball Vanderbilt University

JASON ESTRADA Track & Field Brown University

MIA NESS Cross Country Occidental College

TATUM SIMS Volleyball St. Olaf College

KELLEN SMAW Lacrosse Salisbury University

ADRIAN SUAREZ Track & Field Trinity University

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ABBY PLATT Tennis Bucknell University

ERIN REYNOLDS Soccer Centre College

NOAH SHELBY Basketball Vanderbilt University

JOHRDYN TARPEH Track & Field Duke University

LILLY THIEBERG Field Hockey Middlebury College

CAROLINE VOS Field Hockey Swarthmore College

greenhill.org

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS

NATIONAL DEBATE COACHES ASSOCIATION The team of Ashton Higgins ‘22, Ashley Shan ‘22, and Aimee Stachowiak ‘22 won the National Championship in the World Schools division. TEXAS FORENSIC ASSOCIATION STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS The Greenhill Debate Team won State Championships in Policy Debate and World Schools Debate. Caroline Greenstone ‘22 earned the Top Speaker award in World Schools Debate. Greenhill Debate championed and earned sweepstakes and top speaker awards in other tournaments, including the 48th Annual Harvard National Forensics Tournament, Colleyville Heritage Winter Invitational, Southlake Carroll “Dragon Faire” TFA/ TOC Qualifying Tournament, 8th Annual University of Houston Cougar Classic Speech & Debate Tournament, Harvard Westlake Debates, The 20th Annual Coppell Classic, John Edie Holiday Debates Hosted by The Blake School, and the Newman Smith Tournament. NATIONAL SPEECH AND DEBATE ASSOCIATION (NSDA) The Lone Star District of the NSDA announced that this year’s Coach of the Year and Student of the Year are both from Greenhill School. Director of Debate Aaron Timmons, Jr. has been named Coach of the Year and Cameron Kettles ’22 has been named Student of the Year. Both Timmons and Kettles have been nominated for NSDA national recognition in their respective categories. Results for national recognition will be released later this summer.

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS MONTAGE Greenhill’s literary magazine Montage received a Gold Crown Award, the highest award for exceptional writing, art, and design. The Crown Awards honor top student publications chosen from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association members. Student publishing in news, magazine, yearbook, and digital formats are eligible for Crown Awards. Publications are judged on their design, photography, concept, coverage, and writing excellence during consideration. A total of 817 publications were eligible for judging this year.

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The Greenhill MIDDLE SCHOOL QUIZ BOWL TEAM “A”, consisting of Kate Ponnambalam, Evan Sevalds, Aaron Kuang, and Maya Jagsi, placed first in the state at the 13th Annual Texas Quiz Bowl Alliance Middle School Championship and third in the Uber Division at the 2022 Middle School National Championship Tournament, making this the highest a Greenhill team has placed at this national tournament. Greenhill A also placed first at the TQBA Bluebonnet Bowl IX, the Olive and Oak Soiree, TQBA Houston Holiday Hoedown XIII, TQBA Lone Star Tip Off, and TQBA Jamboree Tournament. Additionally, Greenhill QUIZ BOWL TEAM “D”, consisting of Ansh Gandhi ’28, Tomal Khan ’28, Connor Kim ’28, Arman Makhani ’28, Dylan Shah ’28, and Evan Tsai ’28, placed first in the Elementary Division of the 2022 Middle School National Championship Tournament.

DALLAS YOUTH POET LAUREATE Rising senior Madison Rojas ’23 was named Dallas’s first-ever Youth Poet Laureate in a special ceremony at Dallas City Hall on April 6, 2022. Mayor Eric Johnson ’94 recognized Madison and her ability to inspire current and future poets of all ages. The Youth Poet Laureate is part of a new program initiated by the Dallas Public Library in conjunction with the annual Express Yourself! poetry competition and Poet Laureate of Dallas position. The role aims to promote and support youth literary talents and boost youth voices in Dallas. Madison will serve a one-year team as The Youth Poet Laureate and will be published in the Express Yourself! Finalists’ Anthology. She will also participate in public readings and other Express Yourself! events.

THE EVERGREEN The Evergreen, Greenhill’s student newspaper, was selected as the winner of the Editorial category in the 2022 High School Journalism Competition held by The Dallas Morning News. Many student writers were selected as finalists for other categories, and Avery Franks ’22 was chosen as the winner of the Sports Feature category. The Dallas Morning News judged the 2022 High School Journalism Competition with entries that include work from student newspapers, yearbooks, and digital news organizations from high schools across North Texas. This was the 31st year for the contest and had nearly 400 entries from 21 schools. To read The Evergreen, visit evergreen.greenhill.org. greenhill.org

FINE ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

THE LITTLE MERMAID The 50th Spring Musical was a splash! Students performed Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and we recognized Greenhill Legend Lucinda Fox Carter at the performance for her efforts in founding the musical program.

KEEP UP WITH GREENHILL NEWS! Visit greenhill.org/news-archive and follow us on social media to stay updated on student achievements! Facebook.com/GreenhillSchool Twitter.com/greenhillschool @GreenhillSchool

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2022 SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS Christine Yan ’22 received a National Silver Medal for her oil painting Disconnected. The awards celebrate creative students, provide a platform of expression for their original work, and recognize the dedication of educators.

MIDDLE SCHOOL FINE ARTS SPRING FLING The Inaugural Spring Fling Fine Arts Festival showcased Middle School success in the arts. The event was filled with excellent student performances and student art displays that included photography, painting, jewelry, and more.

MR. P’S LAST IMPROV SHOW The Upper School Improv Troupe gave a hilarious performance at the final show of the year. Many alumni attended as this was Greenhill Legend Henry Paolissi’s last performance before his retirement. greenhill.org

YEAR-END CELEBRATIONS Culminating ceremonies returned to Rose Hall this year. Student remarks pulled at the heartstrings, reflecting on lessons they had learned and reminiscing on fond memories. Following the ceremonies, families filled the MPAC Grand Lobby and Patio to celebrate their student’s achievements.

FOURTH-GRADERS spoke about their favorite memories and enjoyed performances from other Lower School students. EIGHTH-GRADERS commemorated the year with insightful student speeches and performances.

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FOURTH & EIGHTH GRADE AWARDS HELEN MISURA AWARD RECIPIENTS Helen Misura was a founding faculty member of Greenhill in 1950 and served as the first Head of Lower School from 1950-1969. Upon her retirement in 1969, the school established an award in her honor, given to fourth-grade students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, scholarship, citizenship, and sportsmanship.

SAAMYA MALLADI

WILLIAM SILBERMAN

Congratulations to our 2022 recipients: SAAMYA MALLADI and WILLIAM SILBERMAN

RONNIE FREEMAN AWARD RECIPIENTS A friend of Greenhill’s founders, Ronnie Freeman was a Middle School student in the 1950s who, before she died of spinal meningitis, showed tremendous resiliency, perseverance, and courage. This award is given to the eighth-graders who attended Greenhill for four years and maintained the highest standards of scholarship, citizenship, leadership, and participation in school activities. It is the highest honor attained in Middle School. Congratulations to our 2022 recipients: HELEN REED and CHARLIE WALDMAN

HELEN REED

CHARLIE WALDMAN

greenhill.org

Community

GATHERINGS

FRIDAY ON THE HILL Parent volunteers pulled together a spectacular afternoon of fun at Friday on the Hill in April. Students engaged in games, crafts, music, and snacks while bouncing and swinging on inflatables.

GREENHILL GOES GLOBAL Greenhill families gathered in April to celebrate cultures from around the world by learning about different countries and watching performances at Greenhill Goes Global. 30 The Hill | Summer 2022

HORNET NIGHT & COMMUNITY PICNIC Hornet Night and Community Picnic brought the community together in March to support student athletes and enjoy fun activities and great food provided by Big Al’s Smokehouse Barbecue, owned by Lauran Plaskoff Weiner ‘86.

THANK YOU TO OUR GREENHILL UNDER THE BIG TOP SUPPORTERS Thank you to everyone who donated an item, bid in the live and online auction, or joined us to dance the night away. Because of you, we were able to raise over $440,000 for the Growing Stronger Together Campaign, the campaign for the future of Greenhill School in the areas of STEM and innovation, athletics, and endowment. Thank you to our incredible Auction Chair Elisha Brandenberger and her auction committee volunteers for making this the biggest auction in Greenhill history. And a special thank you to our event co-chairs Trinh Vo Tran and Maggie Zamanian for making it such a memorable night.

ISAS FINE ARTS FESTIVAL Greenhill School and Parish Episcopal School co-hosted an abbreviated version of the ISAS Fine Arts Festival for schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The festival gave students the opportunity to showcase their artistic and performance abilities in front of their peers who were visiting from other schools.

PLURAL COMMONS Catch up on how we are advancing our approach to building and sustaining inclusive community at Greenhill in the recent issue of the Plural Commons Digest. Content includes an introduction to the new statement on our commitment to Equity & Inclusion, excerpts from senior speeches, and an overview of the comprehensive inclusion self-study. Read the spring edition of the Digest by visiting www.greenhill.org/plural-commons-digest. 32 The Hill | Summer 2022

LEGENDS RETIREMENT RECEPTION In May, we honored seven Greenhill Legends who retired in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The celebration honored those who retired during the pandemic. Greenhill Legend status is achieved by faculty and staff who reach 25 years of service to the School. Letha Boulware-Tait, Pam Giraudon, Herman Card, Roger Charlebois ‘71, Pam Carroll-Hopkins, Henry Paolissi, and Peggy Norvell Turlington ’75 were recognized for a cumulative total of more than 200 years of service. greenhill.org 33

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNERS The School would like to thank PA President Megan Considine for her tireless efforts to bring our community together this year and welcome incoming PA President Amanda Beck! At the year-end volunteer appreciation luncheon, Megan said, “Together we have been able to say thank you to our teachers, bring beloved events back for our children, serve seconds in the cafeteria, re-stock library shelves, support each other, and hopefully create new friendships along the way. And my hope is that when you gave your time to Greenhill, you received even more in return.” The MARGOT MCGUIRE AWARD honors volunteers who, outside the dictates of a Parents’ Association leadership position, have made the greatest contributions over the course of a current school year. Recipients of the Margot McGuire Award must exhibit strong character, set a positive example for those around them, and go above and beyond to contribute to the Greenhill community. The Parents’ Association presented the Margot McGuire Award to Alyssa Fiedelman and Stacey Titens. The ANN PERRYMAN AWARD recognizes parents of graduating seniors who have provided extraordinary leadership and service to Greenhill through the Parents’ Association. The Parents’ Association presented the Ann Perryman Award to Linda Wimberly. The PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION SERVICE AWARD recognizes parents who have provided outstanding service to Greenhill throughout their involvement with the Parents’ Association. The Parents’ Association Service Award was given to Robyn Gould, Julie Kronick, Leticia Little, Melissa Rubel, and Susan Sternblitz.

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BY THE NUMBERS

THANK YOU, GREENHILL FUND DONORS! ALUMNI GIVING DAY

THANK YOU, ALUMNI! QUESTIONS ABOUT GREENHILL FUND? Contact Robert Clements, Director of Annual Giving clementsr@greenhill.org, 972.628.5681

LEARN MORE AT

greenhillfund.org

ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS Facebook.com/GreenhillAlumni

Twitter.com/alumnigreenhill

@GreenhillAlumni

ALUMNI WEEKEND Thank you to all alumni and guests who joined us for another spectacular Alumni Weekend — especially members from the Classes of 2011 and 2012, who celebrated their 10-year reunions. We enjoyed seeing families gather at our Alumni Lawn Party!

HORNET HUSTLE The third annual Hornet Hustle family run/walk was hosted by the Greenhill Alumni Board on May 7.

More than 100 students, parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends joined in for the two-mile lap around our athletic facilities. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor Sevin Burke Group, all proceeds went directly to the Greenhill Fund. 36 The Hill | Summer 2022

SENIOR LUNCHEON The Greenhill Alumni Board hosted the annual senior luncheon on Friday, May 20 at Bent Tree

Country Club. Outgoing alumni board president Clayton Lougée ‘03 shared words of wisdom with the graduating class of 2022 and officially welcomed them into the alumni association.

WES KITTLEMAN AWARD Established by alumnus Johnny Chilton ’78 and his wife, Alexandra, the Wes Kittleman Impact Award is named in honor of Wes Kittleman, former Upper School faculty member. It is awarded annually to one member of the Upper School full-time teaching faculty. Nominated by the senior class and voted on by the Upper School student body, this award recognizes an outstanding member of the teaching faculty in the Upper School who is known for excellence and dedication in their positive and transformational impact on students.

SCOTT COTTON, Upper School History Teacher In nominating Mr. Cotton, seniors wrote: “Mr. Cotton’s passion for the material he teaches consistently engaged me in class and helped me develop my love of learning. His efforts to make class as interactive as possible helped me grasp concepts that would have otherwise been confusing.” “He creates opportunities for students to share their opinions and thoughts, while also challenging them to think more deeply and consider all perspectives. Additionally, Mr. Cotton is open at any time to help answer any question one might have.” “Mr. Cotton strives to find passion within each of his students. He often fosters heated debates both inside and outside of class, as he asks questions meant to challenge our own beliefs and help us learn to think for ourselves. Not only is Mr. Cotton committed to bringing in speakers to show us the applications of his teachings in the real world, but he genuinely takes an interest in the lives of his students, especially when they have to do with the topics he teaches. Overall, he has helped me form my own educated opinions about important events taking place across the globe, and more importantly, he has helped me find my passion.” greenhill.org

WELCOME NEW TRUSTEES The responsibilities of the Greenhill School Board of Trustees include affirming and upholding the Mission of the School; establishing school policies; selecting the Head of School; approving campaign goals for annual giving and special capital campaigns; and approving the annual budget. Members of the Greenhill School Board of Trustees are elected by their peers at an annual meeting or a meeting specially called for the election of Trustees. Members are elected to serve three-year terms and may serve two successive terms.

CHERYL ALSTON Parent, ’25 Cheryl and her husband Roy are parents to rising tenth-grader Lilliana. Cheryl is the Executive Director & Chief Investment Officer for the Dallas Employees’ Retirement Fund. In 2011, Cheryl was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) Advisory Committee and served two terms. She formerly served on the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas from 2016-2021. She has served as an executive with CIGNA Retirement & Investment Services and Chase Global Services. Cheryl has served on the boards of the Texas Women’s Foundation, TACA, Southwestern Medical Foundation, Dallas Assembly, and International Women’s Forum (IWF). Cheryl has an M.B.A. in Finance from the Leonard N. Stern School at New York University and a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

NAUMAN ALI KHAN Parent, ’26, ’31 Nauman and his wife Anita are parents to rising ninth-grader Aydin and rising fourth-grader Saira. Nauman is the IT Advisory and IT SOX Compliance leader at Vistra Corp, an energy company focused on energy and power generation markets. Before joining Vistra Corp, Nauman was a leader within the Internal Audit function at Southwest Airlines and worked in the IT Advisory arm of Ernst & Young, LLP, and Deloitte & Touche, LLP. He serves on the Audit Committee and Technology Committee for Allied Trust Insurance and the Audit and Risk Committee for the Greenhill Board of Trustees. Nauman holds a B.B.A. in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Management Information Systems from the University of Houston.

ARTIE STARRS Parent, ’29, ’33 Artie and his wife Elizabeth are parents to rising sixth-grader Margaret and rising secondgrader Arthur. Artie is the Chief Executive Officer of Top Golf. He formerly served as CEO for Pizza Hut and was responsible for driving the company’s global growth strategies, franchise operations, and performance. Prior to his tenure at Pizza Hut, Artie was the CFO and an Executive VP at Rave Cinemas. In the community, Artie focuses his time helping organizations dedicated to children and education through board service or advisory work. Artie grew up in Dallas, where he attended Cistercian, and received an AB degree in Economics from Princeton University.

LAURA LEY STAUB ’01 Parent, ’30, ’33, ’34 Laura and her husband Blake ’01 are parents to rising first-grader Andrew, rising second-grader Nathan, and rising fifth-grader Grant. Laura is a passionate alumna whose children represent a third-generation Greenhill Family. In addition to being the incoming President of Greenhill’s Alumni Board, Laura has been an active member of our Campaign Steering Committee and Social Chair leader of the Parents’ Association. Laura is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at UT Southwestern Medical Center and cares for patients at Clements University Hospital and Parkland Hospital. She attended and graduated with Honors from UT Southwestern Medical School and completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine in 2013.

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INTRODUCING MARYANNA PHIPPS Director of Admission and Enrollment Management JENNIFER STINCHCOMB Parent, ’29, ’33 Jennifer and her husband Nate are parents to rising sixth-grader Noah and rising second-grader Keaton. Jennifer is the Director of Digital Marketing and Communications at University Park United Methodist Church. Jennifer has served in various roles within the Parents’ Association throughout her family’s time at Greenhill, and is currently serving as the Director of Communications for the PA. She will be serving as President Elect this coming year, and President of the PA for the 2023-2024 school year.

MICHAEL WALDMAN ’98 Parent, ’26, ’29 Michael and his wife Natalie are the parents to rising ninthgrader Charlie and rising sixthgrader Andrew. Their daughter Katie is a rising second-grader at Oak Hill Academy. Michael has served the Greenhill comunity in a variety of ways, including taking on the role of Greenhill Alumi Board President from 2016-2018. Michael’s benefits and financial services career began in 2002 at Deloitte & Touche in New York. He joined Waldman Bros in Dallas in 2003 and became a partner as well as President of the Employee Benefits Division in 2010. In 2016, Waldman Bros joined IMA Financial Group, Inc. Michael continues in a leadership role at IMA, Inc. where he serves as Employee Benefits Advisor and Executive Vice President, and Retirement Plan Advisor for IMA Wealth, Inc. Michael holds a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Greenhill School named Maryanna Phipps as its new Director of Admission and Enrollment Management effective August 1, 2022. Maryanna most recently served as the Enrollment Management Director at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, Washington. Prior to that, she held the role of Director of Admission and Enrollment Management at The Hockaday School. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals. With more than 25 years of experience, Maryanna brings to Greenhill a deep background in independent school admission and enrollment management, extensive leadership experience, and strong strategic vision. In her work at multiple independent schools, Maryanna has consistently responded to the unique strengths and opportunities presented at each educational institution. At Charles Wright, she increased timely participation in re-enrollment by developing new education and communication programs, and she cultivated a warm, inviting admission culture that highlighted the school’s strong academic experience. At Hockaday, she navigated high-volume admission cycles and ensured that all applicant families felt valued by enhancing the school’s admission experience. Throughout her career, Maryanna has demonstrated the ability to streamline internal operations by leading the implementation of new systems and processes and to refine a school’s presence in the greater community. In addition, she is intimately familiar with the important role financial aid programs play within independent school communities, having managed the financial aid process at multiple schools. From the beginning of the search process, Maryanna emerged as the candidate of choice, both for her extensive expertise in this field and her clear connection to Greenhill’s mission, vision, and core values, including the School’s commitment to equity and inclusion. Her expertise, her commitment to families, and her amiable nature were consistently cited by her current colleagues as characteristics that contribute to her success. Maryanna earned a B.A. in English with a concentration in art history from Washington and Lee University in Virginia. She will be moving to Dallas this summer prior to her start. greenhill.org

Progress continues in the Growing Stronger Together Campaign. The five-year campaign includes the construction of a new STEM + Innovation Center, athletics enhancements, and additional endowment. Construction of the Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center continues, with crews hard at work excavating the building site and preparing the foundations. The construction process will continue toward the goal of opening the center to students in the fall of 2023. 40 The Hill | Summer 2022

We are grateful to the many community members who have generously donated to the campaign, with over $48 million already raised toward our comprehensive goal for the campaign and Greenhill Fund. If you want to make a gift or find out more, visit www.greenhill.org/growingstronger or contact Chief Development Officer Aaron White at whitea@greenhill.org.

There is no better investment than education. We are eternally grateful to have this opportunity to do something for Greenhill School, which our entire family loves. We hope the endowment will continue to support the routine operation and maintenance of the new STEM + Innovation Center. It’s wonderful to see our children exploring and discovering in the ocean of science!” — HANMEI ZHAO & YANG WU, Parents ’31, ’35

greenhill.org

4141 Spring Valley Road Addison, Texas 75001 greenhill.org

We hope you are having a great summer!

Save these important fall dates: Tuesday, August 23: First Day of School Friday, September 9: Greenhill Founders’ Day Celebration