THE STORM KING SCHOOL JOURNAL SPRING 2019
FASHION IS THE WORD
An Update from Admissions 1867
On Schoolhouse Pond: A Tribute to an SKS Legend —MAIA BROGAN
Board of Trustees Officers
Roger D. Auerbacher ’66 Chair – Ex-Officio Michelle T. DeFreece P’14 First Vice Chair Joseph W. Blount ’74 Second Vice Chair Scott Rutter ’73 Secretary Myles Megdal Treasurer Jonathan W. R. Lamb Headmaster – Ex-Officio Scott H. Cantor ’73 Alumni Council President- Ex-Officio Trustees
Ila Barton ’92 Robert Docherty ’72 Robert Ginsburg ’72 Lawrence “Lon” Gratz ’61 Bruce Hanson ’62 David Hartcorn ’73 Renee Tobin P’20 Trustees Emeriti
Michael Brower ’63 Robert Cory III ’63 Jack D’Angelo H’13 Harrison M. Davis III ’56 Thomas Delaney ’58 Stephen Duffy ’71 Peter Duggan H’58 Lawrence Fain ’58 Michael Fischer ’82 Stanley Freilich P’11 Herbert Gelhardt ’48 B. deRacey Gilbert ’60 Margaret Harbison Hon. Harold Kennedy ’73 Peter Lamb ’72 Bettina Murray GP’20 Arthur Reis ’75 David Riker ’50 John Settel ’50 Jeremiah H. Shaw P’95 Karl Soderlund P’91 James Sollami P’02,’08,’09 Robert D. Williams Jr. ’54 Suzanne van der Woude P’74,’75 Peter Wunsch ’73
The Storm King School does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origins, age, disability, or any other classification protected under State or Federal law.
On the Mountain is made possible by the enormous effort of our school community. Special thanks go to: Meg Brogan Adley John Carruthers Lynn Crevling ’72 Tom Donahue Michelle Arginsky Farber ’83 Dr. Paul Feffer Tom Fogarty Anne Fulton P ’09 Sarah Fulton ’09 Jonathan W.R. Lamb Megan Liggett Kimberly Marshall P ’21 Shenelle Mays-Smith ’01 Laura Mowat Lindsey Plummer Marek Pramuka P’20 Michaela Pramuka P’20 Toni Scherrer Elizabeth Wilson Taviloglu P’19
On the
M ountain
The Storm King School Journal SPRING 2019
F E AT U R E S
4 Fashion is the Word at SKS See how SKS' new Fashion Program came about
8 A Life of Love and Beauty Celebrity make up artist Shenelle Mays-Smith ’01 shares her story and the big impact SKS made on her life
OTM Contact info:
otm@sks.org
11 Michelle Arginsky Farber ’83
OTM: The Storm King School 314 Mountain Road Cornwall-on-Hudson NY 12520
A Trend Shaper in Retail Fashion
On the Mountain, the official journal of The Storm King School, is published for the benefit of the greater school community, including alumni, families, friends, and faculty. Designed to communicate the School’s mission, values, and culture with accurate information and stories about members of the school community past and present, current news, upcoming events, and other information of interest to our community. PHOTOS: LEFT: Boys basketball overpowered archrival NYMA 64-62 in OT to capture the 2019 Storm King Invitational championship trophy
14 On Schoolhouse Pond A tribute to Maia Brogan’s well-lived life 1924-2018
24 Using Modeling Inside & Outside the Classroom An example of how our faculty uses innovative ways to engage our students
D E PA RT M E N TS
2 From the Headmaster 22 Mountain Road SKS Celebrates MLK Day, Fall Athletics: One of the Greatest Seasons in SKS History, Fall Theater Production: The Importance of Being Earnest, From the Classroom: Students Explore Business Planning, SKS Takes the Plunge for Black Rock Forest
34 The Common Room From the Alumni Council, Alumna Performs Songs From Italian Heritage at SKS
ON THE COVER: FRONT: Fashion Design students visit with Mic.com at One World Trade Center BACK: An English class at The Storm King School circa 1953
38 Events & Notes 39 Class Notes 40 In Memoriam
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2019 / 1
From The Headmaster JONATHAN W.R. LAMB
Dear Storm King Family, A passing storm last night left the campus glistening this morning. As I write this, the Mountain and the River are clear and sharp, and the field and hillsides are covered in the budding, early spring green that assures us winter has moved on. Those of us who live and work with young people see the promise of spring in everything that we do. A day which dawns such as this resonates both in the moment, and through all of the years after both we, and our students, move beyond this place. This almost-perfect morning captures the spirit of our 151st school year as it, too, moves toward its conclusion in just a few weeks. Storm King continues to attract bright, talented, and energetic young people from neighborhoods in the Hudson Valley and around the globe. In the last three years, we have had record numbers of students inquiring about coming to Storm King, and record enrollments. And while we are larger, we continue to draw students because we ask them to “dream big” and give them the individual attention needed to cultivate those dreams. In this issue of On the Mountain, we feature stories which highlight many facets of our school today and from the past. Our caring teachers and their classes, our wonderful fine arts program, our athletic teams and community service offerings – these are the platforms for the experiences which alumni fondly recall and which drive our current students to thrive today. You will also find articles about our evolving Fashion Design Program, and our fall theater production. Stories about our economics classes and an approach our science teachers are using called ‘modeling’ are also included.
Our spectacular success in fall athletics is featured, as is the exceptional community service work accomplished by students on Martin Luther King Day. To complement this edition’s fashion articles, the stories of two alumni, Michelle Arginsky Farber ’83 and Shenelle Mays-Smith ’01 tell of their colorful careers and how they shared their experiences with our students. We also include a special tribute to Maia Brogan, the wife of former Headmaster Frank Brogan (1966-1974), who passed away on December 6, 2018. As spring turns into summer and we transition into our 152nd year, we continue to work hard every day to ensure The Storm King School remains a wonderful place for our current students and faculty, and a special place to come home to for alumni and others who lived or worked here in years past. We hope you enjoy this latest issue of the magazine and accept it as an illustration of all of the good things that continue to happen here On the Mountain. Jonathan W.R. Lamb
2 / FROM THE HEADMASTER
REUNION WEEKENDth
JUNE 7-9 2019
Reunion Weekend is a time to commemorate our institution, honor our traditions, and set our sights on the future. There has never been a better time to come back, to reconnect, to celebrate. We hope to see you in June!
1867
50th REUNION Class of 1969! Honor years ending in ’9s & ’4s —All classes welcome! FRIDAY, JUNE 7
AWARD RECIPIENTS The Margaret Clark Faculty Excellence Award
Les McLean, 1970-1974 Science Chairman, Director of Athletics, Director of Activities, Coach
5 pm
Registration Opens
5 -6:30 pm
Headmaster’s Reception
6:30 -9:30 pm
Beer & Wine BBQ
SATURDAY, JUNE 8 8:30 -9:30 am
9:30 -10:30 am In Memoriam 11 -12 pm
THE SKS SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 1. Peter Boden ’63 Captain of Soccer, Basketball & Baseball 2. Bruce Dennison ’68 Captain of Soccer & Baseball 3. Jermaine Miller ’02 Captain of Basketball (Champion Teams ’01 & ’02) & D1 College player
Registration/Welcome Breakfast
Alumni Association Meeting
12:30-2 pm Luncheon 2-3:30 pm
Afternoon Activities
4 -5 pm
Alumni Awards Presentation
6-7 pm
Gathering on the Terrace
7-9 pm
Headmaster’s Remarks/Dinner Banquet
SUNDAY, JUNE 9 8:30-10am
3
2
1
Farewell Breakfast
Register online at
sks.org/Reunion-2019
Fashion is the Word at
SKS
by Elizabeth Wilson Taviloglu P ’19
S
omething exciting is taking shape at The Storm King School – and it’s all in the name of fashion. What began several years ago with the interest of a few students and grown by popular demand has swiftly become one of the most anticipated new programs offered at SKS. With Storm King’s first-ever fashion design class successfully completed in the fall of 2018, the future looks even brighter. As the program develops in the coming years, style is here to stay and ‘Fashion’ has become the word at Storm King. The idea of offering a fashion program at The Storm King School isn’t a new one. It all began about five years ago when a few students who were interested in pursuing careers in the fashion industry approached Visual and Performing Arts Chair John Carruthers for advice and inspiration. “The seed of the fashion program was sowed during the 2014-2015 school year when I had three students in my AP Studio Art class who were interested in studying fashion in college,” explains Mr. Carruthers. “They inspired me to think about fashion and its related industries from the arts and future career perspectives, and how it could fit into our curriculum here at SKS.”
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From there, Mr. Carruthers conducted research on During the workshop, the students were also asked to think of their how to incorporate fashion design into the School’s AP own brand concepts and create short, visual scenarios that could later Studio Art curriculum. “I asked myself ‘What should be developed into a form of visual communication for their brands.” a great fashion portfolio contain? What are the top “I also contacted friends and acquaintances holding various posifashion colleges looking for and what are the differ- tions in the industry who agreed to come to the School and do workences in the fashion programs offered at various col- shops. For example, during that same year, Ms. Mariya Kelly, a young leges?’ Gaining insight into these questions, allowed designer early in her career, came to the School to do a workshop on me to better evaluate what part of the fashion indus- entrepreneurship and the fashion industry. This gave students an try would be most important for Storm King students introduction into the industry as a whole; what it looks like today, and to focus on: sewing, drawing, marketing, history, what a recent graduate can expect to face. Ms. Kelly came back to Storm branding, sustainability, and more,” continues Mr. Carruthers. “Working with those three students to differentiate what part of the fashion industry they were interested in (design and marketing, in their cases), we researched college programs and portfolio requirements. The students interested in marketing were accepted to Parsons and FIT, the student interested in Design was accepted at Otis College of Art and Design.” “Those successes gave me the idea to reach out to college fashion programs for more input and to arrange visits from college reps. During SKS fashion design students learning how to take body measurements the 2017-18 school year, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) worked with us to arrange a workshop at Mic.com, King again this past September to share her career experiences with a contemporary news and current events website the students, and help them learn how to define their career paths as which caters to millennials, and a private tour of the creative entrepreneurs by analyzing their talents and goals,” continLouis Vuitton historical exhibit, both in New York ues Mr. Carruthers. City. Another highlight was a trip to an open house “Also during the 2017-18 school year, I mentored an extracurricular Fashat Parsons School of Design,” he continues. ion Club where students repurposed clothes they bought at the thrift store “In addition, Ms. Carmela Spinelli, the Director of to create new designs. They also had workshops with an expert seamstress, Global Initiatives for SCAD, met with SKS students in a branding merchandiser, and an in-house expert on fabrics. The Fashion the Art Center that fall for an afternoon workshop on Club was a very successful and popular club, so we decided to expand it Branding & Communications in the Fashion Industry. The into a program,” explains Mr. Carruthers. workshop focused on concept development and creThis year, the Fashion Program was launched with the School's first ative thinking for famous fashion brands and aimed Fashion Design class. Under the guidance of art teacher Megan Liggett, to give the students a glimpse of one of the many students learned the technical skills of sewing, pattern making, and the ways their interest in fashion can turn into a career. creative skills of sketching and working with fabrics including printmaking
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on fabrics and 3-D design. The course also covered the history of design, fashion marketing, and the manufacturing process including sustainable fabrics and industrial processes. In addition, the class took advantage of Storm King’s proximity to New York City by incorporating visits to and from professionals in the field. For their daily assignments, the students looked at different aspects of design from working with non-traditional materials to learning classic skills in sewing and draping. To start out the year, the students contemplated the essential question: “What is fashion?” To help them find the answer, they were given their first design challenge of creating a dress
Designer Mariya Kelly speaking to SKS students
out of fibrous material or paper. The young designers were charged with using recycled paper and other elements for their project. The results were amazing, including a tiered dress made from colored tissue paper, a forest-inspired dress made with brown paper, branches, and leaves, a doll dress, and a wedding dress made from white coffee filters. To complement the class, the students also attended workshops with pattern-makers in Beacon, NY, a visiting Steampunk and Cosplay designer, and a class trip to Mood Fabrics in New York City– a haven for fashion students and designers made famous in the TV series Project Runway. To finish the semester on a high note, Ms. Liggett's class organized their first fashion show. The show, complete with student-models, upbeat music, and synchronized lighting, took place on Thursday, December 6, in the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre. For the show, students Jesse Li ’20, Coco Chen ’19, Kristina Huang ’22, Iris Zhang ’19, Emily Elizabeth Kent ’21, Ashley Cabrera
’19, and Gloria Wang ’19 created a blouse, a dress, a pencil skirt, and pants, as well as accessories such as hats, scarves, jewelry, and shoes. Each student-designer was also responsible for recruiting their own models from among the rest of the student body, fitting their items and accessories to each model, and coordinating each overall look including hairstyling and makeup. At the show, the excitement was high as all of the models and designers entered the theater and walked down the corridors toward the stage in true runway
Students making their first creation out of recycled fibrous material
fashion. For the grand finale, more than 500 balloons cascaded down upon the models and designers, filling the stage. It was the perfect ending to celebrate the students' creations and a semester of hard work. “For the future we are looking to expand the fashion program with more classes and hands-on opportunities, as well as college portfolio-building activities for the students. We are also working in close cooperation with the College Counseling Office to bring many wellknown art and design schools to campus, and arrange trips to take interested students to as many portfolio events and open houses off-campus as possible. We're really looking forward to next semester,” continues Mr. Carruthers.
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A Life of Love and Beauty
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by Elizabeth Wilson Taviloglu P ’19
rowing up in Harlem with a love for the arts, celebrity makeup artist Shenelle Mays-Smith ’01 knew from an early age that her career path would never lead her to a typical nine-to-five job. After graduating from Storm King and studying Theater Arts in college, Shenelle’s life as a celebrity makeup artist is far from typical. Today, she is a beauty consultant of choice for celebrities and models on the national and international stage. Her talent and passion for her craft have brought her around the world and her work can be seen on red carpets, runways, awards ceremonies, and photo shoots in the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Far East. Alongside her success, this artist, beauty expert, industry leader, CEO, wife, and mother remains humble, and credits her alma mater with introducing her to the world; teaching her to dream, reach outside her comfort zone, and take risks.
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CELEBRITY MAKE UP ARTIST SHENELLE MAYS-SMITH ’01 A COLORFUL CHILDHOOD With New York City as her playground, Shenelle Mays-Smith was already fascinated by Broadway Theatre and backyard dance companies when she arrived as a sophomore at Storm King in 1998. “I was raised in Harlem by my mother and my grandparents. My father, although very involved in my life now, was not around as much. In this setting, I was surrounded by all of the ethnic cultures in New York City–Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, and Hispanic–and I thrived in the diversity,” Shenelle explains. “As a child, I became a calculated risk taker. I was bold and bright, sensitive and compassionate, and serious and loving. I really don't think I have changed much. I have definitely grown, but these qualities are somewhat innate within me.” When Shenelle came to Storm King, these same qualities and her love of diversity caused her to fit right in and quickly become a regular in SKS’ theater program and a valued member of the girls soccer team. “My arrival at SKS was very exciting. I am a girl from the east side of Harlem. I was used to being around many different kinds of people and cultures, but my years at Storm King really introduced me to the world. As soon as I arrived on campus, I immediately understood there was a greater universe, even outside Harlem,” she explains. “I was able to discover my love for people. I found that I could befriend and exchange stories with peers from across the world.”
“A’s” AND GOALS AT SKS Her life at Storm King was also highlighted by trying new things. “I was stretched to my potential at SKS because I was able to try activities I would not normally do and sports I wouldn't normally play, all in a supportive environment. Those who know me know I'm not very athletic. I enjoy movement but I'm not very coordinated. At SKS, I played basketball and soccer. I even wrestled! My goal was never to be the best. The point for me was that I tried something new. What I loved was that my soccer coach, Ms. Janiac, was also my Algebra teacher. With neither area being my strong suit it was indeed difficult. Ms. Janiac was somehow able to integrate the two and stimulate and engage me like never before. By the end of that semester, I was literally scoring both A’s and goals!” Shenelle also credits Storm King for helping her to define her career path and discover her passions. “I had so many different creative interests, but I lacked focus and direction. Then, I began spending more and more time in the Theater Department. Over time, and with the help of my teachers, I began to realize that the [performing arts] industry as a whole had a spot with my name on it. By the time I was ready to go to college, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to study theater performance and be a part of that world. My time at SKS helped me narrow it all down and focus on developing my craft and the skills I needed,” she continues. Shenelle’s life as a boarding student at Storm King also helped her succeed after graduation. “To pursue my passion for theater, I decided to enroll at North Carolina Central University. Living on campus at SKS prepared me for my university experiences at NCCU, as well as later at the Regents British American College in London. I embraced culture at Storm King, so when I left, I continued to yearn for it. I was never
hesitant to reach out of the box while at college and gain new experiences through travel and education. The confidence SKS instilled in me through personal interaction and guidance from faculty has been a life-changing quality.”
INSPIRED BY FACULTY It was that same personal interaction and the close relationships with her teachers at Storm King that led Shenelle to discover her true calling–a passion for makeup artistry. In fact, she says it was an SKS faculty member who first inspired her. “When I graduated from SKS, the Theater Department Coordinator at the time, Aynne Ames, gifted me with Sam Fine's book Fine Beauty. In it she wrote “Keep reading, writing, and doing makeup.” I don't remember doing makeup back then, so I think it’s awesome how a teacher can see the possibilities in their students, before the students themselves. I was very inspired by that book, and by my teacher’s message. I still have it. I reference it often and cherish it dearly.” During her college years, Shenelle took the advice of her teacher at Storm King. “Doing all the makeup for the university plays, I eventually found my calling– makeup and aesthetics. I was so passionate about what I was doing I went on to pursue a license as an aesthetician from Lia Schorr in New York City. From working at Sephora in North Carolina to freelancing on national artist teams in the tristate area for Lancôme and Chanel, I knew I would become a celebrity makeup artist,” continues Shenelle. Shenelle's junior yearbook photo 2000
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CELEBRITY MAKE-UP ARTIST SHENELLE MAYS-SMITH ’01 “Today, I am blessed to be a makeup artist in New York City with an extensive celebrity clientele. My career has afforded me the opportunity to travel to four continents, several countries and countless cities over the past 14 years. I have worked with everyone from A-list celebrities like Paula Abdul, Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Chrisette Michele, Elise Neal, Melanie Fiona, Jasmine Sullivan, and H.E.R as their personal makeup artist, to the everyday bride, or the woman transforming after life's challenges,” explains Shenelle. She has also groomed “A-List” male superstars including Kendrick Lamar and OutKast’s Big Boi.
MAKEUP FOR THE STARS On the international stage, Shenelle’s appointments span throughout the Americas, Europe, South Africa, Japan and Indonesia, She has done makeup for red carpets and stage appearances at the Grammys, Brit Awards, BET Honors, Soul Train Awards, and New York Fashion Week. Her screen credits cover If Loving You is Wrong (Tyler Perry), RnB Divas LA, Blood Sweat and Heels, MTV Making the Band, and Real Husbands of Hollywood. A respected industry leader, her makeup and self-care tips and tutorials have also been featured in the pages of People, Essence, InStyle, and Kontrol magazines. Looking toward the future, Shenelle plans to do more work in film and television. “This is a new facet of the industry for me. It’s exciting, challenging, and just different; but very rewarding. My most recent work aired on the first two seasons of The CW’s Black Lightning. I'm currently working on location in Memphis, TN, for a new NBC pilot called Bluff City Law.” Though it may be hard to believe looking at the long list of celebrities she’s worked with, Shenelle insists that her work isn’t about celebrity connections or making headlines. “My focus has always been on serving everyday women and helping them fall in love with their own countenance by highlighting Shenelle & SKS student Emily Elizabeth Kent ’21 during Career Day 2018
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their inner glow,” she explains. “I’m committed to providing my clients with self-care options to optimize their beauty and raise their self-esteem and the possibility of succeeding as they pursue their dreams in a world that often tells them not to be comfortable in their own skin.”
GIVING BACK WITH LOVE To achieve this goal and effectively reach women beyond super-sized stages, catwalks, and celebrity red carpets, Shenelle partners with Black Celebrity Giving (BCG) each year to beautify women who are impacted by domestic violence. BCG’s annual campaign hosts an empowerment panel which includes makeover sessions meant to uplift participants. She also volunteers to do makeup for Little Miss Black U.S. pageants throughout Georgia. Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, with her family, life for Shenelle isn’t all about work. On top of her star-studded career, she makes sure to dedicate plenty of time for her husband, Jay, and her two children, Maxwell and Marli Monroe. “Jay and I met at work. He is the tour manager for the Grammy Award-winning artist Chrisette Michele. I am her friend and have been her makeup artist for 10 years. The cool part about our love story is that we met on tour. Every night we were in another state surrounded by awesome experiences and an even better soundtrack.” Shenelle has also taken the time recently to turn a hobby into a small business–a meal delivery service for seniors of which she is the CEO. “I have always made a hobby of feeding the homeless, the less fortunate, and the food-deprived whenever my time allowed. To be able to do this more effectively and consistently, I started a meal delivery service about a year and a half ago. Feeding those in need is another way of expressing love for mankind,” she explains.
ENDLESS HEIGHTS Just as her love for humanity helped her flourish at Storm King nearly two decades ago, it was this same love of people that brought Shenelle back to the Mountain for Career Night in October 2018. At the event, which was one of the School’s most successful Career Nights in recent history, Shenelle participated as a mentor who shared her professional experiences with our students. In addition, she conducted a Makeup for the Fashion Industry workshop for SKS’ fashion design class. The students were fascinated as she talked about her experiences on the runway and working with famous designers, models, and celebrities while she demonstrated how to use makeup to highlight a particular fashion piece. “When I returned to Storm King for Career Night, I was so excited– it had been over ten years,” explained Shenelle. “Upon my arrival, my heart warmed and I remembered the reasons why I loved the Mountain and the endless heights it exposed me to. I have been blessed enough to always know what I wanted to do and go after it. I believe that kind of decisiveness is fostered while setting one’s foundation. When you are placed in environments that constantly push you to step outside of your comfort zone at an early age, it prepares you for life. Storm King did just that. It challenged me educationally, physically, emotionally, and socially. It gave me the foundation I needed to pursue my dreams.”
A Trend Shaper in Retail Fashion
Michelle Arginsky Farber ’83
by Elizabeth Wilson Taviloglu P ’19
A
lumna Michelle Arginsky Farber ’83 has been surrounded by creativity, design, and fashion for as long as she can remember. Class Valedictorian at SKS, this Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) graduate worked with one of the world’s best-known designer labels right out of college, and inadvertently helped to shape America’s retail shopping experience as we know it today. Now, after her 20-plus year career in the fashion industry, she applies her combination of business acumen, creativity, and drive to succeed in her own company much closer to home. Throughout her life and career, one thread has remained constant for this busy mother of two–her belief that failure is never an option and that SKS gave her a solid foundation from which to pursue her dreams.
A CREATIVE CHILD Michelle Arginsky Farber ’83 was born in Brooklyn in 1965 and spent most of her childhood in upstate New York at her family’s home in the Catskill Mountains. “I was the older of two girls and grew up in Ellenville, NY–a rural community not too far from SKS. I had a wonderful childhood there that was filled with love, family, and lots of creativity,” explains Michelle. It was also there, at her mother’s clothing business, that Michelle first became involved with fashion. “My earliest creative inspirations came from my mother, who was a designer of children’s wear,” explains Michelle. “She started her own company in the late ‘70s called JM Originals. By the time I was a teenager, the company employed over 100 people, right there in Ellenville, NY. Somehow, I was always involved. My mother also had a showroom in New York City. As I got older, I was able to come in to work, go to trade shows, and help with the marketing and merchandising of her designs. In short, my mother is a very creative person, so I got that from her.” Her entrepreneurial spirit is also something Michelle feels she was born with. “I was a creative child, but also very entrepreneurial from an early age. It was always important for me to be able to “monetize” any ideas that I had. For example, at our holiday family dinners, I would always get my sister to do a show and I’d be the one selling tickets to our family members,” laughs Michelle. “Throughout my life this inclination has never changed and it has definitely contributed to my success in my career and my business.”
VALEDICTORIAN TO BE Always a unique and driven student, Michelle spent her elementary and middle school years in public schools before transferring to Storm King. “At public school, I began falling through the cracks academically, so I came to SKS for my junior and senior year. That was in September of 1981,” explains Michelle. Michelle says that starting as a junior at SKS was somewhat difficult
and that she knew absolutely no one. That changed quickly, however, and today, she still keeps in touch with her SKS classmates. “I was very lucky to live in Stone Hall, which, at that time, was the senior girls’ dorm. It was amazing and I loved every minute of living there. I was so fortunate to live with a group of girls that were all getting ready to go off to college. My roommate, Monica Berkowitz ‘82, also new to the school that year, was from Guatemala. She was a wonderful roommate and, believe it or not, we had a lot in common. Thanks to the magic of social media we were able to keep in touch for quite some time,” explains Michelle. Michelle’s happiness at SKS also reflected in her academic performance. “I thrived in its smaller classroom settings. For example, math was never my best subject, but at SKS I realized that given the right teacher, math soon made sense,” she explains. “I also became involved in student government, the National Honor Society, and some extracurricular clubs. At Storm King, I flourished.”
HEADMASTER HORTON According to Michelle, it was also the close student-faculty relationships at Storm King that helped her to grow and instilled confidence in her. In particular, Headmaster and teacher Thad Horton made a lasting impression during her senior year. “As seniors, we were required to take a public speaking class taught by the Headmaster, Mr. Horton. I was utterly terrified, but I ended up loving it! I believe that class was invaluable to me and I still use the skills I learned from Mr. Horton almost every day. To this day, when I need to speak in front of a group of people, I speak with confidence thanks to him and
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his public speaking class. I learned what a lectern was from him! Mr. Horton really took me under his wing. He had a vested interest in me academically,” continues Michelle. Headmaster Horton’s belief in Michelle didn’t go unfounded. “My senior year I found out early on that I was in the running for Valedictorian. I had my eye on that “prize” and it kept me focused on keeping my grade point average high,” she explains. “It was so great for my self-esteem when I was applying to colleges. I loved being a part of the National Honor Society and that was also something that SKS introduced me to. I still rely on all of the tools that I used to make “Valedictorian” happen. I need to harness that “mindset” each and every day when I am working with clients and obtaining new jobs,” she continues. After graduating from SKS, Michelle attended Skidmore College with an intended major in Government–an interest that grew from her participation in student leadership activities and the Student Council at Storm King. She says her experience at SKS prepared her well for life at college and she enjoyed her time at Skidmore; but during this time, Career Night 2018 BACK ROW: Ricky Paull Goldin ’82, Sarah Fulton ’09, Michelle Arginsky Farber ’83, Andrew DaSilva ’06, FRONT ROW: Lynn Crevling ’72, Shenelle Mays-Smith ’01
her inkling for fashion began to resurface. “After two years at Skidmore, I realized that I did not want to be a Government major and thus transferred to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. In retrospect, it was definitely the right decision.”
BIG LABELS, BIG DREAMS Now equipped with a degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from FIT, Michelle was ready to venture into the world of fashion in New York City. “I was very fortunate to start my career at one of the industry’s most wonderful companies–Anne Klein. It was my first job right out of college and I stayed with them for eight years,” she explains. “I started in the sales department working with the buyers of famous retailers and department stores from all over the country. Nordstrom’s, Saks, Macy’s... the list goes on. It was an amazing time to be at Anne Klein and an unbelievable place to work. Anne Klein was a phenomenon among fashion designers of the time. She was a designer who revolutionized women’s wear and put something called sportswear on the map. Anne Klein made it okay in the ‘80s for women to wear pantsuits,” explains Michelle. “I remember working the first-ever fashion show in Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week for high-end sportswear. Anne Klein and other designers like her were setting the fashion trends of the time. Then, sales and merchandising professionals like me were responsible for making the clothes available and attractive at the retail level. Therefore, we also had a lot of influence in the design of the shops and retail outlets. It was the birth of the store-withina-store concept, which is the norm in today’s department stores,” explains Michelle. “For a time, I was responsible for the Anne Klein department at Bloomingdale’s. I worked closely with their merchandisers and architects to create Anne Klein’s shop there. This involved collaborating with the retailer in analyzing demographics and seasonal trends. Together, we would choose which designs to place each season and in each store. We would work at least a season ahead, so we’d often be pushing wool winter clothing on the floor in June,” continues Michelle. “One of my most memorable moments while working at Anne Klein was during the time I was handling most of their west coast business, which was great! The first Nordstrom’s store was opening in San Francisco. Everything in the store was cutting-edge. They had even constructed curved escalators for the opening. When I look back, it really took a lot of confidence to do all that I was doing like traveling solo and doing business in new and foreign places. I was fine doing all of it and took everything as it came. I believe I gained that confidence and self-assurance at SKS,” says Michelle.
THE KIDS COMPANY It was the same self-assurance that helped her navigate some of the fashion industry’s negatives and orchestrate her next move. “With all of the glamour and perks, working in any aspect of fashion is hard work and very competitive. In sales, it is very cut and dry. You have to make projections with numbers and then back it up with the sales of millions of dollars of products. Your job is to keep the customer happy
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without compromising the integrity of the buy. As a creative person, this can become stifling. When I became pregnant with my first child, Sammi, I felt it was time to move on. After eight years at Anne Klein, I decided to start my own business.” For the next twelve years, Michelle continued using her fashion and selling skills, but on her own terms. “From 1993 to 2005, I owned and operated my own showroom in New York City which I called The Kids Company. I was the manufacturer’s rep for my mother’s line, plus up to 17 other labels at any given time from all over the country. There, I provided my clients representation on the East Coast to both potential buyers and manufacturing partners, gave them showroom space for their current collections, and facilitated networking and meetings with buyers. It was perfect because it allowed me to use all of my previous experience and work according to my own rules. I also had my second child, Adam, along the way, and this setup allowed me to balance motherhood and career. My husband, Scott, who is also an entrepreneur, supported me fully, so it all came together.”
Michelle and husband Scott
A NEW ADVENTURE Today, Michelle has reinvented her career while still capitalizing on the creativity, skills, and drive that made her so successful in the fashion industry. The owner of M. Studio Events, catering mainly to New York City clientele, Michelle feels her new choice of career is a natural progression from her former life in fashion. “I was always the go-to person for party planning advice even during my years in fashion. All of my experience in the fashion world gave me the tools to “marry” my business skills and creativity which allowed me to open M. Studio Events, my event planning company. In essence, I am using all the same skills,” she explains. “In the upscale event planning world, creativity is key, as are people skills and selling skills. Selling hundreds of items as a creative merchandiser is not too different than putting a large event, such as a bar mitzvah, wedding, or other milestone occasion, together. I’m still dealing with fabrics, colors, and trends every day, but now rather than clothing, it is table linens, décor, venue design, etc. Events have become my passion and I love what I do so much that it doesn’t seem like work.” “I am also very lucky that my family has always supported me in my endeavors, starting with my parents. They raised my sister and me to believe we could do anything. Having this positive support is so important growing up. Now, I am lucky to have the support of my wonderful husband, Scott, and my two children. Scott and I have been married for nearly 30 years and have worked together in our event planning business since 2013. Our daughter, Sammi, is 25 and getting her master’s degree at Fordham University and our son, Adam, is 22 and graduating from NYU Stern this spring. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
A STRONG FOUNDATION Even with her busy life, Michelle has not forgotten Storm King and the Mountain she always loved. She has been back to visit several times and reunited with her friends over the years. Her latest visit was in October 2018 when she met with some of our current students as a mentor at Career Night 2018. “Hearing that the School is starting a fashion program is so terrific! The school continues to grow each time I come back to visit. The new buildings
Michelle at Career Night 2018 speaking with junior & senior students
are always what I notice first. The dining hall feels the most familiar, I think because of the gorgeous view of the Hudson. I know I definitely took that view for granted when I was 17 years old.” On Career Night, Michelle shared her insights and experiences about school, fashion, career and life which were invaluable to the students, especially those interested in fashion careers. “I encouraged them to work as hard they could in both high school and college, and to make sure that they study and pursue subjects they love. That is what will lead them toward a fulfilling life and career.” She also encouraged them to always ask a lot of questions, do internships, and use their summers wisely. “In short, I hope that young people, especially those who are fortunate enough to find themselves at Storm King, can have a similar experience to what I had. It was nurturing as well as challenging, and I made friends that I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life. SKS gave me all of that. It is the place that provided me with a solid foundation, allowing me to start and cultivate everything that I do each and every day. “
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A TRIBUTE TO MAIA BROGAN 1924-2018 By Lynn Crevling ’72 in collaboration with Meg Brogan Adley & Tom Donahue
Maia Brogan was the wind behind his sails, the rudder supporting his direction, a skip in his step, and strength that bolstered him. Francis “Frank” Brogan, the tenth Headmaster of The Storm King School, brought the undeniable presence, wisdom, and support of his wife, Maia, when he arrived on the Mountain in 1966. For eight years, their partnership impacted hundreds of young lives. A quintessential Headmaster’s wife, Maia loved and excelled in her role. Had she been born a generation later, she might have been recognized for her own career accomplishments, but that reflected neither the times nor her inclination. Maia Anderson was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, on March 31, 1924; the fifth child in a family of three brothers and two sisters. Her father had emigrated from Sweden and her mother was from New Hampshire of Swedish descent. Shortly after Maia’s birth, the Anderson family moved to Hyannis on Cape Cod where her father started a plumbing and heating business–a trade he had learned as an apprentice in Boston. Her father had little formal education, going only to the third grade. He was a self-educated man
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who proudly served for 24 years on the local Town of Barnstable School Board. Her mother, whose education went only to the eighth grade, was an avid reader, and, along with her husband, valued education. All six of the Anderson children graduated from college. Maia attended the University of New Hampshire, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in Languages just as World War II was breaking out. Because of the war effort, classes were accelerated and she completed her studies in three years and six weeks.
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MAIA BROGAN 1924-2018
A World War II decoding center in Washington D.C.
MAIA WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO BREAK THE CODE TO FIND OUT THAT WORLD WAR II HAD ENDED A young Mrs. Brogan
Out of college, Maia joined many other young women of the time and moved to Washington, D.C. to support the war effort, working for Army Intelligence as a code reader. The U.S. Army and Navy was recruiting intelligent young women from small towns and elite colleges, and more than 10,000 women served as code breakers while their
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brothers and boyfriends took up arms. The women cracked codes, relying on a mixture of mathematical expertise, memorization, and occasional leaps of intuition. Their efforts shortened the war and saved countless lives. Maia was the first person to break the code to find out that World War II had ended. The challenges and importance of this work during the war, with Maia’s intelligence and skill in languages, were significant, yet Maia exemplified the New England Yankee qualities of modesty and understatement, never speaking of her important role in history. At the end of the war, Maia returned to Cape Cod. Frank Brogan had returned to Cape Cod after the war, too. Frank was the youngest son of an Irish family that owned and operated rooming houses and restaurants on the Cape and Florida. He had dropped out of school and enlisted in the US Marine Corps on the day that
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941 at age 17. After his basic training, he was sent to the Pacific Theatre where he served valiantly in three Marine beach landings (for a depiction of what Frank experienced, see the film Saving Private Ryan) including in Guam where his actions resulted in later being awarded the Bronze Star for Bravery. Years later, late one evening while sitting on the back stairway to faculty member Tom Donahue’s apartment in Lowmount, Frank told Tom that he had failed a paper in his English class on Friday, December 5, before his enlisting. His English teacher had told him to rewrite it for Monday. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on Sunday, Frank told Tom he felt "saved" from rewriting the paper as he headed to the Marine Recruiting office. A couple of years later, sitting in the very back of the landing craft jam-packed with Marines on their way to the beach, bombs exploding all around, men hit and screaming, some dying in the surf, he said he asked himself, "Why the hell didn't I just rewrite the damn paper?" In Hyannis Port after the war, Frank returned to finish high school and graduated at age 21, where he met Maia again. Maia Anderson and Frank Brogan had known each other since childhood. They were born on the same day and the same year, both growing up in Hyannis Port, MA. They married in 1948, and then moved to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where Frank attended college and Maia worked for the chairman of the English Department. The chairman told Maia that Frank was a very promising student! Frank graduated magna cum laude and went to Harvard for graduate studies. While Frank was in graduate school, Maia again supported them both by working at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the Dean of the Liberal Arts College. Maia’s father had purchased a sizeable piece of land on Cape Cod in Hyannis Port and, after building their home, he divided up the remaining land among his six children. Maia and Frank built a home on the family plot in 1960, a modest cottage on a quiet dirt road overlooking a large pond named Schoolhouse Pond. When Frank was younger, he used to walk by that pond and the land, not knowing that one day he and Maia would marry and build a house on the land that he loved. The cottage became known as The Pond House, and was used as a summer escape and place to return after their travels. Frank’s first job after leaving Harvard was a position at Punahoa School in Honolulu, HI, where he taught English. He remained there for two years
before returning to the mainland and a new position at Montclair High School in New Jersey where he taught English. While at Montclair, they adopted their first son Sean who died of crib death on Christmas Day at Maia’s parents’ homestead on Cape Cod. Months later, they adopted son, Jed, and later, their daughter, Meg. In 1963, Frank accepted a position as head of the English department at Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, the oldest American school outside the United States. They lived there for three years, traveling extensively throughout Europe and Asia. In 1966, Frank was selected as the tenth Headmaster of Storm King School. Upon the family’s arrival he wrote, “Mrs. Brogan and I, along with our children Jed, 12, and Meg, 6, are now settled in Spy Rock House. Recent additions to the family are Timothy and Widgeon, nine-month old Springer Spaniels.” As Headmaster’s wife, Maia established the Headmaster’s home, Spy Rock, in a New England-style of elegant simplicity and as a place for entertaining leaders of the community, trustees, alumni, faculty and students. In an interview in 2017, Maia recalled, “Oh, I loved that house…we were just thrilled to be in such a big, beautiful house…and having that dining room with the long table and filling it with people… we started doing that very quickly! I remember the first dinner we gave for Trustees and that long table in that lovely dining room with that beautiful fireplace. Also, the first faculty member that Frank interviewed joined us at that long table for a meal before he was hired. It was Tom Donahue. He was intelligent and also very funny and sometimes naughty. I can see him to this day all dressed up having come up from New York for the interview, and he was so interesting as he started spilling his life to us. Immediately we thought: we’ve got to have this man on the faculty because he knows kids! And most of it took place over dinner at our table at Spy Rock.” Tom Donahue recently wrote, “For those of us who lived through the Brogan years on the mountain, Maia was a great and powerful presence…Her boundless energy, her relentlessly upbeat demeanor even in the face of some very, very rough times she endured, her endless kindnesses to all the young fools on the faculty (me very much included), made her the indispensable woman, the softener of life's sharpest edges, the dependable, friendly face. At a very personal level, she was the last of the mentoring lions of my youth…I seem to have had the immense good fortune to happen upon a great number of really wonderful people along the way, some of whom came along just
when I needed them most. Frank and Maia (I will never think of one without the other) are at the very top of my list. I owe them more than I could EVER have repaid.” Maia and Frank, always a partnership, steered and navigated The Storm King School in the tumultuous times of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, bridging the timeworn traditions of a boys’ boarding “prep” school in an era of staggering social change largely driven by youth: political and antiwar activism, feminism, the black power movement, recreational drugs, a budding gay rights movement, and more. In 1969, Frank Brogan wrote, “It is a dynamic world these boys go out to this year – more vital, threatening, more questioning, more opinionated… What bothers me is we are asked to choose up sides… we are lined up
by polarities…and in a democracy designed to accommodate the rich complexities of differences, we are given to sparse simplicities.” Maia recalled that they were successful because “Frank loved kids, and he had been an interesting kid himself! He sometimes had trouble in school and sometimes had big successes…One day Frank and I were walking on the
Jed, Maia, Meg, and Frank Brogan with their Springer Spaniels Timothy and Widgeon on the steps of their home at SKS , Spy Rock
WE WERE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE "FRANK LOVED KIDS, AND HE HAD BEEN AN INTERESTING KID HIMSELF!" — MAIA Scott Cantor ’73, Headmaster Frank Brogan, Roger Altman ’74, Bill Gagan ’73, & Peter Lawrence ’74
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street on Hyannis Port on Cape Cod. He had been retired maybe 10 years or so. We met a woman both of us knew– our English teacher in high school! She was very glad to see both of us, but right away she wanted to know about Frank. She said, “Frank, what did you do with yourself?” Frank said, “You’ll be surprised. I was a good teacher, the head of the English department, and a Headmaster.” “That doesn’t surprise me at all,” she said. Then Frank laughed and said “Come on, Mrs. Hearst, you flunked me!” Maia said that the
teacher replied, “Frank, you were one of my brightest students. I flunked you because you didn’t do your work.” Frank smiled, “You’re right, I didn’t do my work!” During the Brogan era, students’ shoes were often neatly lined up on the steps inside the entrance door of Spy Rock for monthly birthday party dinners. They were noisy gatherings with mountains of homemade pizza and other food, and birthday cake. Maia recalled, “Those dinners were our introductions to the boys at the School. When
Students dining at the Headmaster's table with Maia and Frank Brogan, December 1966
"I MOSTLY LISTENED, AND THEN FED THEM COOKIES. I MADE THOUSANDS OF COOKIES IN THOSE FIRST YEARS." — MAIA Architect Richard Spisto, Frank and Maia Brogan, and Joe Blount ’74 at the dedication of Brogan House June, 2003
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the students came to the house, they liked to eat, and to have a little bit more. Feeding them was big. Teenage boys, wow!” “A couple of years later when we had boys staying on the third floor, they soon discovered the door between the stairs from upstairs to our living space… We became sort of parents to those kids in the attic, which was a very agreeable place, actually. They would often come down and visit or hope for cookies. I always had cookies. The boys would come to us to share their problems, worries, or changes they wanted to see. They were honest and sometimes very apologetic. I mostly listened, and then fed them cookies. I made thousands of cookies in those first years. I learned a lot of things just because they were relaxed and I didn’t push them. I just listened and sometimes tried to help. Things that would come out that I could then share with Frank, so he had another source. In that sense, I was really more part of the School than I thought.” Indeed, alumni recall Maia as “our campus mom.” She was seen at athletic games and at school plays and musical performances. She did not hesitate to instruct on grammar or manners at the dinner table, but “she listened to you, as if you were her own, and for those special moments, you were the only other person in the world, a rare gift.” She was kind, but she could also be tough, others recalled. “There was nothing more depressing than knowing you had disappointed Mrs. Brogan. She could give you a look without words that told you everything you needed to know.” Maia spoke gratefully then of the tremendous opportunity as a Headmaster’s wife. “It has been a chance to be for a great many young people what most parents can be only for their own children.” Perhaps she believed that reading the code of teenage communication was her greatest career accomplishment. The Brogans left Storm King School in 1974 to move to Florida for Frank to become Headmaster of the Ransom Everglades School and Meg to attend high school, then Rollins College. In 1978, Frank ended a long and distinguished educational career as Principal of the Upper School at Friends Academy, a Quaker co-educational college preparatory school in Locust Valley, NY. Maia had also worked at Friends Academy in the Admissions Department where students from the school were regular visitors. In the last year of Maia’s life, she got a call from one of the parents from Friends Academy –who had just become a grandmother–to
let her know that her son had named his daughter in honor of Maia. Frank and Maia lived a life of travel and learning over their 65 years of marriage. They journeyed to Central America, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Gibraltar and Casablanca. They traveled on The Orient Express. They found themselves in Cape Town, South Africa, when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and in Berlin, Germany, when the Berlin Wall fell. The walls of their homes were covered by bookshelves and loaded with books on many topics, but with a particularly large area for poetry. They spoke about authors and writers like many speak about the weather. In later years, when Maia’s eyesight began to fail, Frank read The New York Times to her every day. The Brogans retired to Westminster Retirement Community in Winter Park, Florida in 1996. They were drawn by the beauty of the area where Meg had spent her college years, and by the Westminster community’s intellectual stimulation, social support, and an abundance of events and activities. Frank taught poetry for adult education classes at Rollins College and Maia was on the local library board and volunteered for hospice. After Frank’s death at 89 years of age on July 31, 2013, Maia remained in Winter Park with her supportive community of friends and no shortage of activities for her inquisitive mind. She exercised daily with discipline, walking briskly on the Westminster grounds, swimming and taking aerobics classes. A nephew took up Frank’s role of reading The Times to Maia, and she fed her intellect by listening to books on tape every day. Fiercely independent, Maia insisted on hosting and cooking for her guests and past students who came to visit in her later years. Her refrigerator was covered with cards, postcards and handwritten notes from students and friends from the past, whom she would greet when they called on the telephone with a cheery “Hello, love!” She seemed never to forget a single student who had crossed their path. In February 2018, Maia moved to the Boston area to be closer to her daughter, Meg, and family, and enjoyed visiting with her 96-year-old brother and 92-year-old sister, as well as spending time with her five grandchildren. She was eager to visit The Storm King School in June 2018 for the reunion, but was unable to make the trip. At the reunion, Meg made videos of past students and colleagues that brought joy to Maia in her last months. She couldn’t see the faces, but recognized the voices and recalled memories that brought a
The Brogans in their golden years
"MY MOTHER'S EMOTIONAL STRENGTH AND SUPPORT WAS A MAJOR REASON FOR MY FATHER'S SUCCESS." — MEG smile to her face. Maia passed away peacefully on the evening of December 6, 2018. Having been ill for some time, just days before she died the nurses told Meg that they couldn’t believe how long she fought on for life. A nurse asked her how she was still hanging on, and Maia replied, “Tough Swede!” Meg noted that Maia died, ironically, hours before December 7, Pearl Harbor Day. Meg recalls that throughout Maia’s life, she always gave Frank the full credit for success; coming from an era in which the woman supports the man. She describes her mom as a tough and stoic Swede who recognized wonderful talents in Frank and helped him through the repercussions of war; supported them financially so that he could focus on his studies at UMass Amherst and Harvard; and was flexible and supportive about many moves, that enriched their lives and his professional career. They adopted three children and lost two, which
was heart-wrenching for both of them. Through all of this, Maia continued to be strong, knowing that they could get through it together, and still help and be an influence on students at the schools where they brought their amazing partnership. “My mother’s emotional strength and support was a major reason for my father’s success,” Meg says. Maia Anderson Brogan is buried by the birch tree at the Pond House overlooking Schoolhouse Pond along with Frank and Jed Brogan. It was, and remains, the site of many festive gatherings of friends and family–a place that gave Maia and Frank Brogan both peace and joy. Meg invites friends to bring stories and memories to a celebration of their lives on Saturday August 24, 2019 at The Pond House in Hyannis Port, MA. Please RSVP to Meg Brogan Adley at mbadley1@yahoo.com or 617-686-6519 or to Lynn Crevling ’72 at 845-458-7517.
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REFLECTIONS FROM STUDENTS & FACULTY
Joe Blount ’74 and Maia Brogan at Reunion 2013
"FRANK AND MAIA WERE PARENTS TO US ALL." — JOE BLOUNT ’74 Jack Downing ’71: She was a great lady of compassion and understanding. Her kindness and caring kept me from dropping out of SKS my senior year. Hal Cannon ’71: In those years, we had “esprit de corps.”We cared about where we were. We took care of our home, our school. Folks from other schools noticed it and we noticed it when we visited other schools. It was the true legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Brogan–the most impactful influences on my life, other than my parents. They taught the value of honor, class, character, and caring for something other than one’s self. Yes, they were the finest years at a time some other schools were literally disintegrating. Few leaders have been or will be their equal. Tom Donahue Faculty 1968-1975: There was a saying in the early years of the modern feminist movement in this country. It referred to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers–the great dance duo who appeared together in countless Hollywood movies over a couple of decades. It went like this: “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.” I always think of that line when the subject
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MAIA BROGAN 1924-2018
of headmasters’ wives comes up. It’s easy to forget nowadays when women, including the wives of headmasters, often have careers of their own, frequently widely different from those of their spouses. They go off each morning to do battle on fields quite alien to the halls of academe where their husbands hold sway. That was not the case in times past. It was certainly not the case at The Storm King School in the years when Frank and Maia were there. On opening day one year, the assistant headmaster of the School began his remarks to the parents and students by saying: “I want to clear up a misconception right now. The real assistant headmaster is sitting right over there. Her name is Maia Brogan.” He was right. And some years later, when Frank had accepted a position as school head in Florida and was closing out his last spring at Storm King, one of the Trustees asked him, quite seriously, if it would be possible for Maia to stay on at the school for some time to help the Trustees transition to a new administration. She was everywhere, and she was everywhere all the time. She never hesitated to praise, to cajole, to smile at, or just to be a presence in the life of anyone on the campus, faculty or student. She also babysat. She hosted monthly teas for faculty wives. She cooked a truly great dinner at the Christmas break for some 60 people counting faculty, faculty wives, buildings and grounds crew, and anyone who happened to be visiting the campus at the time. She did all that and still had the time to socialize and laugh and visit with people whom she thought she might have neglected. I remember those dinners with enormous fondness; the house decorated for the season, a fire in the fireplace, the welcoming feel of it all, the anticipation of a couple weeks off. And it was she, not caterers, who did it all, and, I assume, the cleanup that followed. Small boarding schools can sometimes be tough places to live and work, especially when the weather closes in, or some events have taken place that bring the school atmosphere down for a time. And at those times, not surprisingly, people are more likely to be snarky with each other, relationships become strained, people can be pointlessly critical, perhaps, or simply less than friendly. In the seven years that I lived on the campus, I never, ever, heard ANYONE be critical of Maia. On the contrary, she was always the rock, the steadfast and dependable figure of warmth, eternally upbeat (or so it seemed), always off and doing good things for the place and the people in it. That is always the way I remember her. I’ll bet I have lots of company in that feeling.
Congratulations
cougarS The Storm King School
SENIORS ON YOUR NCAA DIVISION 1 COMMITMENTS
Shania Roehrich
Kolby Braxton
Tiana Vazquez
Hometown: Campbell Hall, NY
Hometown: Glassboro, NJ
Hometown: New Windsor, NY
GPA: 4.0
GPA: 4.23
GPA: 4.22
Sport: Womens Lacrosse
Sport: Mens Basketball
Sport: Womens Lacrosse
NCAA D1 Commitment: Campbell University
NCAA D1 Commitment: Delaware State University
NCAA D1 Commitment: University of Hartford
Conference: Big South
Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference: America East
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Mountain Road
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2018-2019 ADMISSIONS
FAST FACTS
ENROLLMENT
197 141 & 56 STUDE NTS
DAY
BOARD ING
111 & 86 33%
6
CONTI NENTS REPRES ENTED
7 & 25
STATES
COUNT RIES
MALE
47%
STUDE NTS OF COLOR
STUDE NTS RECEIV ING FINANC IAL ASSISTANCE
223 ADMISSIONS
FEMAL E
$2.63M
FINANC IAL AID AWARD ED
APPLIC ATION S
STATISTICS
89 39%
61 SENIOR S
$61,700 BOARD ING TUITIO N
NEW STUDE NTS
$33,500 DAY TUITIO N
ADMIT RATE
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Participants of the 2018 Summer Modeling Workshop for Faculty
Using Modeling Inside & Outside the Classroom
O
ne important mission of teachers at The Storm King School is to find continually innovative ways to engage their students in active learning, no matter what their discipline. When it comes to science–namely physics, chemistry, and biology–Science Department Chair Dr. Paul Feffer believes that modeling is an important approach which can be used to capture the imagination of students at every grade level. Modeling has become a buzz word in educational circles, and at Storm King, it is quickly becoming the approach of choice for our science teachers. Dr. Feffer has been working with faculty over the past several years to build the modeling approach into the science curriculum and daily classroom activities. “Several years ago, I had heard the term "modeling" at a time I was looking for a more engaging and coherent way to teach physics. The term "modeling" is used to refer to representations of how we think something works. The representations can include drawings, physical models, computer models, and mathematical calculations among others. In contrast to lecturing or traditional teaching methods, modeling encourages students to actively process concepts, unpack and reveal their thinking, and consider how the available evidence fits or not with their ideas. It also immediately gives them a chance to practice and receive teacher feedback.” According to Dr. Feffer, the modeling "cycle" was developed for physics initially but can be extended to chemistry, biology, and even mathematics. “Initially, I was looking at modeling for my physics classes. Now, teachers have also begun using this methodology in our Science teacher Lindsey Plummer
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chemistry and biology classes. Last summer, I organized a faculty workshop on campus with the aim of promoting the use of modeling in our biology classrooms. During the two-week program, teachers practiced thought-provoking experiments and analyzed findings as they switched between student and teacher roles. They also discussed the pedagogical rationale for all aspects of modeling in biology. The workshop was led by Glen Stuart, a master New Jersey science teacher, and organized with the help of STEMteachersNYC, an organization that I’m involved with,” he explains. Science and math teacher Lindsey Plummer is one of the Storm King faculty members who attended last summer’s workshop. This year, she is using the modeling approaches she practiced with her 8th-grade science students. For example, in their most recent experiment, the class ventured into Black Rock Forest to measure the length of a stream. Next, they were encouraged to model different ways to determine the speed of the running water from one point to another. Ms. Plummer was very impressed with the students’ work: “I utilize modeling in my 8th-grade Earth Science class. After measuring the stream, I gave the measurements to the class in groups. Their assignment was to find a way to estimate the flow of water in m^3/sec. They pulled together what they knew about units and geometry to make the calculations, resulting in a couple of different, really creative methods,” she explains. Outside of the Sciences, Dr. Feffer also encourages a small group of math students to experiment and have fun with mathematical modeling. Earlier this spring, juniors Jae Hyun Kim, Naunet Leonhardes-Barboza, Emmanuel Davis, and June Young Jang successfully completed the MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge–a national math modeling competition for high school students. Through their participation, the students worked as a team to tackle real-world problems under time and resource constraints, similar to those faced by professional mathematicians. “The students worked hard over one Saturday from about 9:00 am until 11:00 pm. The team prepared a very respectable paper and they may even have a shot at getting to the next round,” explains Dr. Feffer. Whether the students win a prize or not, it’s clear that modeling at Storm King is here to stay. “Our goal as academics and as science teachers is to get students to see themselves as scientists. To do this, it’s all about creating opportunities for students to be the doers of science! Teachers can support this by helping students see the everyday phenomena around them and then help them break down and understand the scientific concepts that make these phenomena possible,” continues Dr. Feffer.
Science Department Chair Dr. Paul Feffer
Science teachers Michael Vondras & Lindsey Plummer
Chemistry teacher Amelia Kolach
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1
SERVICE LEARNING: SKS CELEBRATES MLK DAY
Despite the freezing temperatures, Storm King’s MLK Day of Service was a great success again this year.
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W
hile most of the nation had the day off on Monday, January 21, 2019, the campus at The Storm King School was bustling with activity. For the seventh consecutive year, our students and faculty commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by serving philanthropic organizations in the local community and learning about Dr. King’s legacy. First thing on that Monday morning, everyone in the campus community made their way to the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre to begin the day with a presentation about Dr. King and his invaluable contributions to our nation’s history given by members of the SKS National Honor Society. Following the slideshow, the audience promptly split into groups to attend various service activities both on and off campus. This MLK Day, our students and faculty volunteered for many well-known organizations located in the greater community, including the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum (HHNM), the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, Church of the Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen, the Fullerton Center, and the New Windsor Country Inn assisted living facility. For those who chose to remain on campus, one group of students assembled blankets for Project Linus, while others wrote letters to veterans and service men and women stationed overseas as part of Operation Gratitude. In addition, SKS’ Black and Latino Student Union (BLSU) held a clothing drive and SKS’ Green Team worked on their year-long plastic straw initiative. Throughout the day, there were also several campus improvement activities taking place in the gym, art center, theater, and greenhouse. Students were busy painting colorful hallway walls in the art center and the locker rooms, building
sets for the upcoming spring musical Mamma Mia! in the Theatre, and helping out in the Business Office. While all this was going on, faculty member Mrs. Graziosi was running this year’s blood drive in the gymnasium in cooperation with the New York Blood Center. Despite the freezing temperatures, Storm King’s MLK Day of Service was a great success again this year. More than 12 large bags of clothing were donated to the St. James Episcopal Church in Cornwall, baskets full of cards and letters were prepared, more than 30 blankets were assembled, many senior citizens were entertained, and 37 pints of blood were collected—enough to save more than 100 lives. Great job, SKS!
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1. The SKS 2019 Blood Drive held in the wrestling room 2. Ana ’21 writing letters to veterans & service personnel stationed overseas as part of Operation Gratitude 3. Pierce ’20 & Morgan ’20 chatting with residents at the New Windsor Country Inn, an assisted living facility located in Orange County 4. Brandon ’21, Guillermo ’19, & Coco ’19 assembling blankets for Project Linus 5. Storm King’s Black & Latino Student Union (BLSU) clothing drive
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sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2019 / 27
FALL ATHLETICS: ONE OF THE GREATEST SEASONS IN SKS HISTORY
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utumn 2018 was an exciting season for Storm King Athletics! For the first time in the School’s 151-year history, all five varsity teams on our fall sports roster– namely boys and girls soccer, boys and girls cross country, and girls volleyball–won their respective Hudson Valley Athletic League (HVAL) Championships. According to SKS Athletic Director Joseph Graziosi, it was also the first time since 1983–the year Storm King joined the HVAL–that a single school captured all five championship titles. “This is an achievement that has never been accomplished. It could very well be the greatest single season in the history of Storm King Athletics,” said Mr. Graziosi when the girls soccer and girls volleyball teams brought home SKS’ fourth and fifth trophies on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. The excitement began building in late August with the addition of the girls cross country team to the fall athletics roster, giving Storm King representation in all five sports offered in the HVAL Conference. It didn’t take long for Mr. Graziosi to declare the Drive for Five – a challenge for all five teams to bring home their league titles. The Drive was led by the boys and girls cross country teams who had exceptional records throughout the season. While the girls ran their first season on record at the top of their league, the boys team was working toward their fourth consecutive league championship. After two extraordinary championship races at Oakwood Friends School, both teams
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Boys & Girls Cross Country
Varsity Volleyball
Girls Cross Country
Girls Varsity Soccer
Boys Varsity Soccer
brought home trophies #1 and #2 for Storm King on Wednesday, October 31. SKS’ third league trophy came more than a week later when the boys varsity soccer team won their third consecutive HVAL championship and fourth in five years by defeating arch-rival Marvelwood School 3-0 on Monday, November 12. The win also pushed their conference winning streak to 35 matches, a record that dates back to 2015. The Drive for Five was completed shortly after when SKS’ two remaining teams–girls soccer and girls volleyball–battled for their respective championships. Due to unplayable field conditions on the Mountain, the girls soccer team traveled to West Point Prep to host Faith Christian Academy on Wednesday, November 14. With their determination and teamwork, the girls succeeded in winning their third consecutive conference championship, beating Faith Christian 4-2. Later that same afternoon, the volleyball team hosted three-time defending conference champion Faith Christian and put the final stamp on the Drive for Five, winning in straight sets 25-21, 25-19, and 25-17. Coach McMahon said after the game that this was probably the best match the girls had ever played. Their win brought Storm King its first volleyball league championship in 15 years. Headmaster Jonathan Lamb was very pleased with the wins as he thanked the coaches, student-athletes, and the rest of the community. “Our five HVAL Championships represent tremendous work and commitment by both players and coaches, not just this season, but for the many years leading up to this one. Thank you to all of the coaches, parents, and fans who supported each team and each player. This surely will go down as one of the best sports seasons in Storm King history, perhaps the greatest,” commented Mr. Lamb.
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2019 / 29
The
Importance of Being
Earnest
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F
irst performed on February 14, 1895, at London’s St. James Theatre, Oscar Wilde’s farcical comedy The Importance of Being Earnest came to life once again at the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre at The Storm King School. Presented by SKS’ Department of Visual and Performing Arts, three performances of the play took place on November 9 -11, 2018. Wilde’s most famous and enduring play, The Importance of Being Earnest provides a picture of 19th-century Victorian society in which appearance is more important than reality, looks are more valued than substance, and image is everything. Beneath the trappings of a witty farce, Wilde takes a swipe at a society obsessed with the superficial. The SKS cast of The Importance of Being Earnest included Stuart Hutzler ’19 as John Worthing, Tanestrran Chandran ’19 as Algernon Moncrieff, Asia Raacke ’19 as Lady Bracknell, Caroline Hecht ’19 as Gwendolyn Fairfax, Olivia O’Blaney ’21 as Cecily Cardew, Helen Shen ’20 as Miss Prism, Chris Chang ’20 as Reverend Chasuble, Alisdair Neighbors ’22 as Lane, and Joseph Sullivan ’23 as Merriman. According to Storm King’s Director of Theater Anne Fulton, her students and the stage crew worked hard to make the show a success. Based on the positive reactions of the audience, their efforts paid off. “The students were really happy that they got so many laughs from the audience–it helped to build their confidence in
their performances. This was probably the most difficult play we’ve done in terms of the sheer number of lines each principal character had, and in the “tone” of the dialogue. The Importance of Being Earnest isn’t often performed in high schools, and I was impressed by our student-actors’ dedication to developing characters whose lives and style of speech were very different from their own,” explained Mrs. Fulton. Senior Tanestrran Chandran, who learned many difficult lines and sets of dialogue, shared similar thoughts. “Before the first show, I was worried that the audience wouldn’t be able to understand our lines and accents. I was so happy to hear them laughing out loud during the performances. By the third show, I was very relaxed and settled into my role,” he explained. Alongside the great performances by her students, Mrs. Fulton credits the stage crew for the show’s success. “We had an excellent stage and technical crew under the guidance of Lindsay Brown, and the set changes for the three acts were quick and seamless. The beautiful set was designed by Mrs. Brown and constructed by her Stagecraft class. The costuming by Karen Eremin aided the actors a great deal in their ability to accurately represent characters from 19th-century England,” continued Mrs. Fulton.
The Storm King School's Summer Theater on The Mountain is now taking applications for the 2019 season! Students ages 11-18 are invited to join us this summer, July 22 – August 3 to perform in Disney’s High School Musical. For details of the camp and to register, visit sks.org/summer-theater
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2019 / 31
FROM THE CLASSROOM
STUDENTS EXPLORE
BUSINESS PLANNING
Cem Taviloglu ’19
S
torm King’s History & Social Sciences Department got down to business during the fall semester–business planning, that is. Juniors and seniors in SKS’ Personal Finance and Business class took project-based learning to the next level when they were asked to create a sound business idea and prepare a detailed business plan to present as their final project during Semester 1 final exam week.
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The work achieved by the students over the course of the semester was impressive; the class came up with many innovative ideas and presented slick, professional-quality business plans complete with branding and marketing recommendations, demographic research, cost analyses, financing methods, pricing strategies, manufacturing plans, and future projections. One business team–seniors Costanza Siclari and Tsun Wa Suen – have even launched their designer t-shirt business called Underage online and are already making sales in both the USA and Hong Kong. Personal Finance and Business is a comprehensive, semester-long course which introduces the concept of owning and operating a business, the rewards and the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the details of developing a successful business plan. Through a combination of classroom study and off-campus trips, students also learn about national and global influences on businesses, money and banking, and other aspects required to run a business. In addition, they gain an understanding of managing their personal finances, the basics of credit, career planning, and the principles of risk management, among other topics students will find useful in their lives. Along with the knowledge the students gained in the classroom, the class also went on a series of field trips where they applied their skills,
including a visit to a new area business called The Shelter House Cafe located in Newburgh, New York. There, the owner shared his own business plans and experiences, and answered the students’ questions. Other trips included visits to area shopping centers to research ideas for marketing, merchandising, and promotions. Senior Cem Taviloglu, who presented an out-ofthe-box virtual running business as his final project, had a lot to say about what he learned: “When I chose this class as an elective at the beginning of the year, I didn’t really know what to expect. Now, at the end of the semester, I think I learned a lot of important skills in banking, credit, and how to manage my own money. I also discovered that I actually like business; especially being able to conceptualize it and know what it takes to actually turn an idea into a successful business in the real world.”
SKS TAKES THE PLUNGE FOR BLACK ROCK FOREST
T
radition lived on at The Storm King School when, for the fourth year in a row, a group of SKS volunteers took The Plunge into the icecold waters of the Hudson River to raise money for Black Rock Forest. The Plunge is the culmination of a year-long fundraising campaign run by the Storm King Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). In the weeks before the event, NHS members collected donations toward the names of faculty and students who volunteered to “take the plunge.” The names with the highest donation totals were charged with jumping into the river. The day of The Plunge–Friday, April 12– was cold and blustery as students, faculty, and staff made their way down to the riverbank at Cornwall Landing. The crowd watched, laughed, and cheered as the grimacing student and faculty volunteers splashed their way into the freezing water. The top five faculty members were the first to go in led by Dean of Academics Dr. Lance; followed by Headmaster Lamb, Dean of Faculty Mr. Freeman, English instructor Mr. Rowe, and Science Department Chair Dr. Feffer. Next to jump in were the top five students: David Ma ‘19, Rory Tobin ‘20, Denys Bobchuck ’19, Bin Robin Hu ’19, and Carly Neville ‘22. Before plunging into the river, Headmaster Lamb took a moment to thank the NHS, the volunteers, those who donated money, and all who participated in the event. “This is our fourth year of doing The Plunge, and our second year for Black Rock Forest. I want to thank everyone who participated–as organizers, donors, and river-plungers. And, if you think it’s too cold, remember the weather back in January,” he said smiling. This year, the effort raised over $1,700 toward research and education at Black Rock Forest.
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2019 / 33
FROM the SKS ALUMNI COUNCIL Standing from left: Christine Watson ’94, Steve Bluth ’83, Scott Cantor ’73, Dick Broughton ’54, Chris Bonner ’66 and David Gilmore ’61 Seated from left: Adam Eisen ’80, Lynn Crevling ’72, Charles Cordero ’92, Madison Sergi ’14 and Johnathan Flores ’12 Council members not in photo: Sele Birchwood ’09 and Tom Delaney ’58
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O
ver the course of this academic year, the Storm King Alumni Council has been at work on several important initiatives for the School’s Alumni Association. As the governing body of the SKS Alumni Association, the Council partners with the Alumni and Development Office of the School to build and perpetuate an alumni community of support. The Council, made up of individuals representing each decade of SKS Alumni, meets three times per year (fall, winter, and spring) and works through committees focused on alumni philanthropy and engagement. This year, the Council focused on three main initiatives with the aim to strengthen both the School’s alumni programs and grow overall alumni participation. In March, the Council piloted the first in a series of scientific alumni surveys. The SKS Alumni Surveys were designed to improve alumni engagement and increase critical communication between the School and its SKS alumni body. This summer, once the Council has had a chance to review its findings, results will be shared with the SKS Community along with initial action steps based on the survey’s results. In April, the SKS Alumni Council hosted what
Storm King hopes to be a long standing tradition–the inaugural Senior Luncheon at the Storm King Golf Club. Council members, faculty, and staff were on hand for this inaugural event, which welcomed the Class of 2019 into the ranks of SKS alumni. During the event, seniors were presented with a specially-designed Class of 2019 sweatshirt and Student Body President Steven Muller ’19 presented the Class of 2019 gift to the School. President of the Alumni Council, Scott Cantor ’73, gave a moving talk on what it means to be an SKS alumnus or alumna and the responsibility the 2019 class has as future stewards of the School.
This spring, the awards committee of the Council brought forth in addition to Sports Hall of Fame, Margaret Clark Faculty Excellence, and Founders Cup recognitions, a new Alumni Humanitarian Award that would recognize those within the SKS Alumni Community who have dedicated themselves through their career or service to the betterment of our global society. This coming fall, the Council will deliberate as to the award’s specific criteria with the goal of recognizing its first recipient in 2020 among the many men and women within the ranks of SKS Alumni who have demonstrated a lifetime of dedicated service to humanity. At this year’s Reunion, members of the Alumni Council will present a recap of the fine work it has accomplished since its formation in the fall of 2017. SKS Alumni are always invited to attend all meetings of the Council which are held three times a year with the annual meeting held over Reunion weekend. Should you be interested in serving on the Alumni Council, please contact Lynn Crevling ’72, Director of Alumni Relations at lcrevling@sks.org or 845. 758. 7517.
Headmaster Jon Lamb & President of the Alumni Council & Alumni Assoc., Scott Cantor ’73, speaking to students during the inaugural Senior Luncheon held at the Storm King Golf Club
MEET OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS: Luke Sollami ’08
Lawrence Spiegel ’69
Jack Besterman ’18
Luke attended SKS from 2004-2008, following in the footsteps of his brother, Michael ’02, and succeeded by his brother Logan ’09. At SKS, he received the Walter Reade Jr. Sportsmanship Award and was the recipient of the Headmaster’s Cup. After graduating from Duquesne University with a BS in Health Sciences, Luke worked as a Constituent Advocate for the U.S. House of Representatives and then taught at SKS from 2015-2017. Luke currently teaches science at The Churchill School in New York City. Luke brings a unique perspective to the Council, as SKS has been an integral part of his life the past 20 years.
At SKS, Larry was the Editor-in-Chief of The Quarry yearbook and was the recipient of the SKS Traditions Cup. He spent the majority of his career at The Travelers in Hartford, CT, retiring at the age of 48. As he puts it, “I have woken up for the last 20 years with each day belonging to me.” His advice to Storm King graduates: “start building one’s nest egg when you are young and, like a garden, have fun watching it grow.”
Jack is concluding his freshman year at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute. At SKS, he was a member of the Cum Laude Society and an active participant in Storm King's theater program. Jack was an instrumental leader in the SKS community service program “Kitchen Chemistry,” dedicating his Saturday mornings for children at the Newburgh Armory Center. Jack is currently studying mechanical and electrical engineering, with additional study in the field of communications. He is also involved in RPI's student-run theater group. Jack brings a younger perspective that is valuable for reaching new alumni.
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2019 / 35
ALUMNA PERFORMS SONGS FROM ITALIAN HERITAGE AT SKS
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n Thursday, January 24, 2019, singer and alumna Jenna Esposito '96 and her ensemble graced the stage at the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre at Storm King School to celebrate Italian-American heritage and share their music with our current students. Jenna performed an eclectic mix of old standards and pop songs including “Come Prima,” "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "Teenager in Love," "Mack the Knife," and “That’s Amore” to a smiling and engaged audience. Jenna made her New York nightclub debut as a singer in 2004 and has been delighting audiences across the country ever since. As a student at Storm King, Jenna was an active participant in theater, chorus, jazz band, and softball. When she graduated from SKS in 1996, she was awarded the Storm King Cup that same year. Jenna later attended Sarah Lawrence College, where she graduated in 2000, followed by several years spent with children’s touring theater. Jenna is perhaps best known for her tribute to singer Connie Francis, which has been a smash hit among critics and audiences alike. Jenna is also renowned for her tribute to the “King of Cool,” Dean Martin, as well as songs made famous by fellow Italian-Americans such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and others. In addition, Jenna has headlined in numerous clubs, theaters, and festivals, both in New York City and around the country. She has also self-produced three CDs which are available on iTunes, Spotify, and CDBaby.com. Her most recent CD is titled That’s Amore: Songs from the Great Italian-American Songbook.
36 / COMMON ROOM
An SKS Charitable Gift Annuity enables our alumni to make a gift now, receive fixed payments for life, and ultimately provide a wonderful gift to sustain educational excellence at The Storm King School. Benefits of establishing an SKS CGA: 1. Transfer cash or securities to SKS. 2. Receive an immediate income tax deduction (and may save capital gains tax). 3. SKS pays you a fixed amount each year for life, typically a portion is tax-free. 4. When the gift annuity ends, the remaining principal passes to SKS. For a personal illustration on establishing a SKS Charitable Gift Annuity, please contact Tom Fogarty at 845.458.7564 or at tfogarty@sks.org. The Storm King School gift annuities offer an immediate charitable income tax deduction, tax-advantaged quarterly payments, and membership in the 1867 Society. Your tax-smart future gift to SKS is backed by an interest-bearing annuity trust ensuring future fixed income to all our CGA donors.
A sample of Storm King’s current annuity rates: Age(s) Rate Sample Gift Annual Payment* 70 5.6% $10,000 $560 75 6.2% $10,000 $620 80 7.3% $10,000 $730 855 8.3% $10,000 $830 80 & 75 5.7% $10,000 $570 85 & 80 6.6% $10,000 $660
Deduction** $4,107.50 $4,645.10 $4,989.60 $5,614.60 $4,152.90 $4,545.10
*Annual payments consist of ordinary income, capital gains, and/or tax-free return of principal. **Available in January 2019. Subsequent months may generate higher or lower deductions based on the monthly IRS discount rate
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2019 / 37
ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME 2019
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Photos: 1 Participants of the 2019 Alumni Basketball Game; 2 Greg Facey ’13; 3 Chien "Narra" Tseng ’18; 4 Elijah Barnett ’18; 5 David Perez ’02, Rachel Perez ’04 and Han Feuer ’09; 6 Rosemarie Smith, Serge Ngwanza, Grace Vazquez (all Current Parents) with Past Parent Denise Sollami, Assistant to the Headmaster and Current Parent Ingrid Ciunga, Registrar; 7 Racey Gilbert ’60 and Michael Brower ’63; 8 Andrew Banes Down, Yael Becker ’97, Daniella Jones ’97, Alexandra Caulfield ’02 and Shauntiece Hunt ’01
To see even more friendly faces: photos.sks.org/Alumni
NYC HOLIDAY GATHERING
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7 38 / EVENTS & NOTES
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Class Notes Tom Leeds ’69 wrote: “I received a call this spring from past SKS teacher, administrator, and Coach Dick Broughton ’54 encouraging me to attend this year's reunion. I am pleased to be attending the entire schedule of events for the weekend, along with my wife, Wendy. As a member of the "exclusive" one year club, I had the pleasure of associating with the entire SKS community during the school year, which was the best year of my five years of private school (yup, five). And as an "old" Cottage guy, I fit right in with the rest of those guys– what a trip that was! I can recall experiences on the wrestling team and lacrosse team, and Cottage antics that kept us occupied and entertained during down times. I also recall the opportunity to "fight" two forest fires, one of which was on Storm King Mountain– anything to get out of classes. Since graduation, I've been back to the Mountain only twice, 25 years ago with my Dad (Richard Leeds, SKS Class of '32). I have a family; two married sons and three grandchildren with a fourth on the way. I am retired from the US Army Reserves (Lieutenant Colonel) with six and a half years active duty, and the rest as a Reservist. I am also a retired GS-14 federal employee, with 26 years supporting the US Air Force in the Federal acquisition career field. Anyway, I'll be back for Reunion 2019 and look forward to seeing our classmates after a 50-year pause.” Mike Brophey ’72 wrote that he has retired from a nearly 45-year career in broadcasting, being on the air primarily in Philadelphia and Boston. As program director in Boston he took his country music station to the number one spot in the market, which also received Country Music Association Major Market Station of the Year. Mike was also inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2014. Mike lives just north of Boston with his wife, Ginny, and they have two grown children, Lauren and Ben.
Tyler Noall ’82 sent the following message: “I look back at my time at SKS as being an important transition in my life and often think about the guidance that Thad Horton and the other instructors at Storm King provided to us–we are all very fortunate for the opportunity. It surprises me how frequently Thad Horton pops into my head...the man made an impression, even 35+ years later. As for me, I’ve spent the last 33 years with one employer in Cleveland, Ohio–Progressive Insurance, in a variety of management, IT, marketing and analytical positions. I’ve unfortunately not kept up with my classmates from SKS, but recently had the unexpected pleasure of discovering that one of my co-workers, Kathy (Shoup) Sarris ‘89, also attended Storm King! I spend my time working to support bad habits, bumming around the planet, and playing tennis. I’ve got two kids, 23 and 27; both live in Denver and I hope to retire and join them in the near future. Hope life is treating you all well. It’s a constant struggle, but, we’ve got this!”
How are you? Communities thrive on communication. If you don’t see any news about your classmates, it’s because no one has sent us an update. We’d love to hear from you—and keeping up with the Storm King community has never been easier. web: sks.org/Classnotes call: 845. 458. 7517 email: classnotes@sks.org
Please let us know how you’re doing.
Please go to sks.org/Classnotes for the most up-to-date information on classmates. sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Spring 2019 / 39
Caynan Picard ’93 wrote that he retired in 2017 after 21 years as a Helicopter Pilot (UH60-Blackhawks, UH1 Huey). His military career started in 1994 when he enlisted in the US Air Force. In 2000, he attended the US Army’s Warrant Officer Flight School and subsequently served as a helicopter pilot in Germany; Honduras (South American Military Air Asset & Narcotic Eradication); and later at Fort Hood, Texas (Helicopter Pilot and Aviation Mission Survivability Officer, CW2, Medevac Unit). In 2008, he was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, and in 2011 to Mazer Sharif, Afghanistan. Additional assignments included Fort Rucker, Alabama, as a Helicopter Pilot Instructor, back to Fort Hood, and then back to Germany before retiring in 2017. “Honduras was my favorite mission because it varied from humanitarian aid, natural disaster relief, to air assault narcotic eradication. We flew to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and Columbia. Besides my combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Honduras was the most rewarding duty station in my Army career. The biggest sacrifice we make is being away from those we love. We are put in harm’s way and our loved ones are forced to live in fear. I have lost so many close friends, I consider myself beyond blessed to have served my country for 21 years and to be here to enjoy life with retirement benefits.” Pedro Nunes DaSilva ‘16 recently wrote: “Since graduating in 2016, I'm glad to say that I've been super busy! I attend Manhattanville College as a Business Major and a Musical Theatre minor and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I am currently the president of the all-male, a cappella group on campus, as well as a member of The Quintessentials, the elite pop vocal group. Besides singing, thanks to Ms. Perk (Jeanette Perk Jacobson, SKS dance teacher), my passion for dancing continues and I dance with a hip-hop group and take modern, jazz, and ballet lessons at school, in New York City, and Los Angeles! Since my freshman year at college, I've been able to star in musicals and plays at my school, such as The Drowsy Chaperone, The Pajama Game, and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Now, as a junior in college, I'm in the process of getting an agent so I can further pursue my dreams! I wouldn't have the confidence to do so if it wasn't for The Storm
King School! Thank you so much for everything you've done for me. You'll always be in my heart.” Miriam Sefcikova ’15 wrote: “I am currently finishing my last year of BA studies at the Anglo – American University in Prague, majoring in International Relations and diplomacy. I transferred to Prague after a year abroad in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where I was studying International Relations and Arabic language, which has always been a dream of mine. After finishing my first year at the University, I applied for an internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, where I got the chance to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand and his delegation. Currently, I am getting ready for state exams and finishing my bachelor’s thesis, as well as working as an intern at the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic, where I am working at the protocol sector. It is very tough for me to limit my favorite memory at Storm King to only one, as I enjoyed every day and felt like I was a part of one big, wonderful family. However, I do think about all the home games and fun times at practices, whether it was for basketball, soccer, or lacrosse on a daily basis.”
In Memoriam 1941
1968
John Hitzelberg
John Robustelli
January 28, 2016
January 10, 2011
1958
1977
Jonathan Flaccus
Homer Odell Anderson
(No date provided or found.)
April 10, 2019
1961 Jeffrey Edinburg January 31, 2019
Karen Ganz
1966
August 8, 2018
David Scheinman
Maia Brogan
March 6, 2019
December 6, 2018
1968 Jeffrey M. Jays August 16, 2003
40 / CLASS NOTES
FACULTY & STAFF
Visit sks.org/In-Memoriam for the most up-to-date information.
Great Performances! Behind every great performance at SKS is the Storm King Fund. Whether on the athletic fields, at the Model U.N., in the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre, or in our classrooms, great performances start with your support of the Storm King Fund. Your gift today ensures that Storm King’s tradition of great performances continues now and for generations of students to come. Make your gift online at: Mamma Mia! performance, Winter 2019
sks.org/give The Storm King School Alumni & Development 314 Mountain Road, Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520 845. 458. 7522 sks.org/the-storm-king-fund
On the Mountain
The Storm King School 314 Mountain Road Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520
CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER SINCE 1867
