n i a t n u o M e h t n O
THE STORM KING SCHOOL JOURNAL SUMMER 2020
Board of Trustees Officers
Roger D. Auerbacher ’66 Chair – Ex-Officio Robert Docherty ’72 First Vice Chair Renee Sands Tobin P’20 Second Vice Chair Robert Ginsburg ’72 Third Vice Chair Scott Rutter ’73 Secretary Myles Megdal Treasurer Jonathan W. R. Lamb Head of School – Ex-Officio Scott H. Cantor ’73 Alumni Assoc. President – Ex-Officio Trustees
Ila Barton ’92 Michele T. DeFreece P’14 Bruce Hanson ’62 Christine E. Watson ’94 Paul Ryan P’23 Kerryane Monahan ’92 Trustees Emeriti
Michael Brower ’63 Robert Cory III ’63 Jack D’Angelo H’13 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: John Carruthers Lynn Crevling ’72 Michele DeSimone '00 Jeremy Freeman Anne Fulton P ’09 Sarah Fulton ’09 Tom Fogarty Joseph Graziosi Ben Harnick Jonathan W.R. Lamb Dr. Tim Lance Lindsay Myers-Brown Kerryane Monahan ’92 Marek Pramuka P’20 Michaela Pramuka P’20 Toni Scherrer Elizabeth Wilson Taviloglu P’19
On the
M ountain
The Storm King School Journal SUMMER 2020
F E AT U R E S
4 Kerryane Monahan ’92: A True Daughter of Storm King Get to know our 152nd commencement speaker - an alumna, science educator, avid outdoorswoman, and SKS Trustee.
8 152nd Commencement: Socially Distanced OTM Contact info:
otm@sks.org
See how Storm King celebrated the accomplishments of the graduating senior class of 2020 during the pandemic
OTM: The Storm King School 314 Mountain Road Cornwall on Hudson NY 12520
11 College Acceptances
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. On the Mountain is 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.
12 Online Learning
PHOTO CAPTIONS LEFT: Shayla Lawrence ’21 during Chicago: High School Edition dress rehearsal FRONT COVER:
Naunet LeonhardesBarboza ’20 at the Commencement Car Parade
This year's senior class has one of the best college acceptance records in the history of SKS. See which colleges they'll attend this fall.
A closer look into the School's rapid switch to online teaching and learning earlier this year
D E PA RT M E N TS
2 From the Head of School 3 Comments 14 Mountain Road Virtual Arts Weekend; Diary of Anne Frank; fall and winter athletics season recaps; MLK Day of Service, Faculty Profile: Lindsay MyersBrown; From the Classroom: Native Fauna; NYSAIS Accreditation; International Trip: Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
30 The Common Room The Future is at Hand, but Paused; New Alumni Council members; An Extraordinary Gift; Michele DeSimone '00
36 Events & Notes 37 Class Notes 42 In Memoriam
BACK COVER: The SKS class of 1961
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Summer 2020 / 1
From The Head of School JONATHAN W.R. LAMB
Dear Storm King Family, First and foremost, I hope that of you are safe and healthy wherever you may be. What a difference a few months makes! Since I wrote the introduction to our last issue of On the Mountain last fall, our world has been turned upside down by the Coronavirus pandemic. Over the past several months, our faculty and staff did a wonderful job of helping our students transition to online learning to successfully finish the school year. Faculty and students alike produced virtual versions of important spring events including our 4th Annual Poetry Festival, our Arts Weekend events including dance and music recitals, our student art show, and finally, selections from this year’s musical: Chicago: High School Edition. In May, the Alumni Council held a virtual get-together to welcome the senior class into the SKS Alumni Association soon followed by the School’s first virtual graduation where all of our traditional end of the year events– the Academic and Athletic Awards Ceremonies, Senior Service, and our 152nd Commencement–were pre-recorded and shared with the Storm King community. Seniors who live nearby were also given the chance to come to campus and pick up their diplomas, caps and gowns, and lawn posters with their photographs the afternoon after the graduation video was shared. Since then, our faculty and staff have been putting policies and protocols in place that will allow us to safely reopen the campus in the fall for in-person
instruction. Although we remain in crisis mode, we are confident we can start the school year and manage the challenges ahead. Despite the emergence of the pandemic in the spring, we had a tremendous school year on many levels. In this edition of On the Mountain we feature some wonderful stories about our alumni and the School today. Kerryane Monahan ’92, our 152nd commencement speaker and new board member, is the focus of our alumni feature. Other stories include a mini-feature about alumna and entrepreneur Michele DeSimone ’00 and profiles of our new Alumni Council members. Other stories about our fall and winter athletic seasons, the international trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, online learning, our wonderful fall theater drama The Diary of Anne Frank, the phenomenal college acceptance record of the senior class, and an interview with faculty member Lindsey Brown reflect just some of the great things that happened this year. The new school year will be yet another test for all of us, but I know that Storm King and all of you will rise to meet the challenge. Please stay safe and stay connected! Jonathan W.R. Lamb
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Comments Dear OTM, Judy and Michael Klingman ’60
When the latest issue of On the Mountain appeared, I looked at it with cursory attention. After all, it has been 60 years since I graduated. After college, we went off to the tip end of Africa as far away from home as we could be- and for the next half century we continued on a global odyssey. Nobody from any of my alma maters - prep school, university or graduate school - was able to connect with me. I managed to survive and prosper in strange faraway places with no guilt about not appearing in an alumni news journal. However, when my wife looked at the latest issue of On the Mountain, her reaction was much more energetic, and vital. She stated the obvious- the upcoming reunion would be the 60th, and maybe my last decennial celebration. When I was 18, I never conceived of becoming a senior, let alone a geriatric, but I decided long ago to embrace my age and to never look back. So, since it is a pivotal event in all of our lives, I felt it was necessary for me return to the Mountain. With the unfortunate cancellation due to the coronavirus, we hope to make it back in 2021. My background certainly attenuated my connection to Storm King over the past 60 years and I have no regrets. I cannot change history, but I can go back when we can gather in person again, and I urge my schoolmates to do the same. Sincerely, Michael D. Klingman ’60 Michael Davis Klingman's senior yearbook portrait
THANK YOU FIRST RESPONDERS & ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL On behalf of The Storm King School community: We appreciate the sacrifices you are making during these uncertain times and the support and strength you provide to us all!
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Summer 2020 / 3
Kerryane Monahan ’92
A True Daughter of Storm King
By Elizabeth Wilson Taviloglu P’19
Every year at The Storm King School’s commencement, new graduates are reminded not to leave us forever, to come back and tell us about college, share their careers with our students at Career Night, and bring their spouses and children back to visit where they once learned and played; that Storm King will be here, waiting for their return, and that their school on the Mountain will always be their home. Many of our alumni take the advice to heart and come back to see us often, but according to one alumna from the Class of 1992, she never truly left. Now a scholar, renowned science educator, avid outdoorswoman, philanthropist, and most recently, a Trustee, this alumna says that her heart has always remained at Storm King–the place she credits for forming the very fabric of who she is today. Meet Kerryane Monahan ‘92– a true daughter of Storm King.
K
erryane Monahan ’92 was chosen by Storm King’s administrators as the speaker at the School’s 152nd commencement for good reason. Her journey of self-discovery and her life’s path could resemble that of any student at Storm King today. Her inspirational story, her accomplishments, and the solid advice she prepared for the new graduates was the perfect send off for the Class of 2020 to conclude their years at Storm King. Due to the pandemic, Kerryane was unable to return to the Mountain and stand before the class to deliver her words in person. At the news that commencement would
Kerryane, an avid outdoorswoman, birding at Moosehead Lake in Maine
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be conducted virtually, Kerryane recorded her speech at her home in Florida against a colorful backdrop of palm trees, wearing her regalia. The upbeat video was a highlight featured in the School’s virtual commencement ceremonies released on the morning of June 6, 2020. “I had a vision of what this day would look and feel like,” she began in her pre-recorded address. “This is so not it. I suspect we would much rather be together, on the Mountain, celebrating all of the accomplishments of this senior class.” She continued to tell the new graduates about her time at Storm King, how her experiences on the Mountain helped her discover herself and her passions, and her wishes for them in their future lives. “As the class of 2020, it’s time to develop the vision for your life’s adventure,” she explained. “May you change the world in ways we cannot yet imagine, but in the end we couldn’t imagine living without. Let no one constrain your dreams, don’t wallow in the disappointments, don’t be afraid of hard work; instead, find opportunity, promise, and joy.” Her words were spoken both from experience and from the heart.
Maine to the Mountain Kerryane’s own life adventure began in 1974 when she was born. After spending her early years in Maine, she resided in the Hudson Valley, graduating from The Storm King School in 1992. “Both of my parents were from Massachusetts,” explained Kerryane in a recent interview. “We moved to Cornwall, New York, for their jobs– they were both college professors and deans. They missed New England so much, they ended up purchasing a family home in southern Maine and we spent every weekend, holiday, and summer vacation up there. It was a five-and-a half hour drive each way, so until my time at SKS, all my friends were in Maine. I sort of lived a split life, I suppose. I didn’t think it was odd or different because it was all I knew.” “I came as a junior to SKS with a small cohort of other day students,” she continued. “I was looking for a school experience that was a bit more personalized and innovative relative to traditional public school. I needed to be challenged and pushed to grow. Storm King changed the trajectory of my life. The place and the people that teach and learn there brought out the very best in me, and introduced me to new ways of thinking, and to new pieces of me I didn’t know existed.” Today, as a renowned educator, scientist, and National Geographic Education Fellow, Kerryane credits her successes to her teachers at Storm King who taught her chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and confidence. “When my egg broke in physics, or I cried over my cat in anatomy, my teacher Mr. [Robert] Thompson never once questioned my ability to be a scientist,” she explained. “Instead, he pushed me and nurtured my curiosity and
that made all the difference. I will add, he also held me accountable and landed me in Saturday night detention for a month when I opted to ascend First Peak on an early spring day instead of attending class.” Kerryane says her passion for the outdoors and conservation science was sparked by her environmental science teacher, Mr. Joel Priest: “Mr. Priest taught me how to backpack across the deserts of the southwest, raft the white water of the upper Hudson, climb rock faces, winter camp on frozen reservoirs, and most importantly, he taught me how to connect with nature and the critical role that nature plays in our lives, and now my life is centered around the natural world.” “And, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Mr. [John] Sinkhorn, my senior English teacher, who taught a bunch of high school kids about existentialism,” she recalled. “Actually, let’s pause there for a moment. He had teenagers invested in the works of Sartre, Beckett, and Chekov – we were exploring the themes of existentialism which included dread, boredom, alienation, freedom, and
nothingness. It turns out he was literally preparing us for the COVID-19 pandemic. If only we’d known!”
A Science Scholar After spending two years on the Mountain, Kerryane went on to receive an A.B. in Psychology with a correlate in American History from Vassar College, followed by an M.A. in Anatomy and Neurobiology from the Boston University School of Medicine. Most recently, she completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Teacher Preparation from Lynn University. According to Kerryane, her interest in science was present from an early age but it was her time at Storm King that helped her discover this important facet of herself and gain the confidence to pursue her passions in higher education and beyond: “I think I was always interested in the sciences, but my time at SKS showed me that I could do it in an era when women scientists were still fairly rare; that there were problems to be solved by people willing to get their hands a little dirty; that science could be fun and exciting, and also challenging
“I believe a single person can change the world. But, when people work together, they can effect bigger change faster.” sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Summer 2020 / 5
More birding at Maine's Little Moose Public Reserve Land
“Philanthropy is not just about the money...never underestimate the power of small gifts to effect big change.”— Kerryane Monahan ’92 packs that weighed almost as much as I did. It was so hot, so tiring, so hard. I thought I would collapse. But I didn’t. Marc Eisenberg ’93 took some things from my pack to lighten my load a bit, and we kept going. And eventually, it wasn’t hard anymore, it was amazing! To this day, I remind myself that when things get hard, share the burden a little bit, and keep going; find the beauty, the inspiration, the amazingness of whatever experience you’re in and just keep going.”
A Leader in Science Education Kerryane performing at an SKS dance recital
with many opportunities for failure. As a science educator, this is something that I strive to provide to my students. Today, maybe more than ever, scientific thinking and analysis, and simply the curiosity to want to understand, are so important for society.” “Mr. Priest and Mr. [Tom] Kane took a small group of us on a backpacking trip to Arizona,” she recalled. “We literally wandered the mountains and deserts, up to 12 miles a day, carrying
6 / KERRYANE MONAHAN ’92
Today, Kerryane is a leader in science education; a National Board Certified Teacher of Biology, a National Geographic Certified Educator, a former Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellow, and a National Geographic Education Fellow for 2019. She has been working in secondary education for over 15 years in both public and independent schools. As a teacher leader, she focuses on weaving environmental themes across science disciplines and creatively using technology to support student
learning and engagement. “I never expected to become a science educator,” explained Kerryane. “I went to Boston University School of Medicine to study for a doctorate in Neurobiology. My research was focused on aging in a primate model and I really loved the work but I wasn’t enamored with working alone in a lab day after day. Some nights I would even sleep on the couch to monitor experiments that were running. One day, I realized this wasn’t how I wanted to live my life. So, I just up and quit and decided to figure out what to do… I fell into a secondary school teaching job and found that I loved it.” After this initial discovery of her love for teaching, Kerryane found that she thrived on the energy of the students and enjoyed sharing her research skills with them and “getting them to do science, not just read about it.” “I’m inherently an overachiever, so it wasn’t good enough to just be a great teacher. I wanted to help other teachers be great too, and find ways to help them make their classrooms amazing for kids,” Kerryane explained. “So, I went back to university to earn a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus in Science Education, and continue to work with teachers through my fellowship with National Geographic, and most recently as a SciStarter Educator.” Along with her work, Kerryane sits on several foundation boards with a focus on science education and creating authentic science learning opportunities for all students. She presents regularly at state and national conferences and works as a consultant for schools, districts, and publishing companies. In addition, she is the recipient of numerous teaching awards, developed an intervention strategy for building literacy through science, and has been awarded several STEM grants. She is also the former Editor for the The Florida Science Teacher, a journal of best practices for science teachers.
A Committed Philanthropist In her virtual address to the graduating Class of 2020, Kerryane emphasized her belief in the importance of becoming a philanthropist and giving back: “Philanthropy is not just about the money, it is about giving what is most needed to causes and organizations that can have a measurable and needed impact. My greatest wish for each of you is that, beyond achieving your dream job or career, you become a philanthropist – that you find a cause you can commit to. Never underestimate the power of small gifts to effect big change.” “I believe a single person can change the world. But when people work together, they can effect bigger change faster,” she told the seniors. “By partnering up with organizations it means one can do more. For example, as a National Geographic Education Fellow, I spent a year
focusing on how to bring Citizen Science into the classroom and how we can help teachers get more students doing science and contributing to meaningful scientific research.” “As a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellow, I was gifted the chance to spend time along the southern border of Senegal studying agroforestry and secondary education programs. I spent nearly one month learning from Senegalese scientists and educators. We shared best practices; we developed collaborative learning opportunities for students; and we developed life-long friendships,” Kerryane continued. “Most recently, I founded an education consulting business called The Change Education Company. My goal is to help teachers and schools teach and learn today for tomorrow. We live on a changing planet and we need to invest educational resources into preparing our students to be stewards of this one Earth. That means empowering them to effect positive change. SKS did that for me. SKS made me believe I could do anything and that’s the life I plan to live,” she continued.
An Avid Outdoorswoman When she has a time-out from her busy schedule, Kerryane loves to spend time on the ocean, in the woods, fishing, and camping in the State of Florida where she resides today, and in other locations around the country. She has a vested interest in preserving the Indian River Lagoon and was awarded the Woman of Distinction Award for Environmental Leadership by the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida for her commitment to environmental education. Her love for the outdoors is another facet of herself she says blossomed at Storm King. “The opportunities to go hiking, mountain biking, camping, rock climbing, and backpacking at SKS really cemented my love of nature and being outside, but more importantly, those opportunities taught me that I could develop the skills necessary to take on lots of different kinds of challenges,” Kerryane explained. “Later in life, when I had an opportunity to spend time in West Africa as a Fulbright Teacher Fellow, I didn’t question my ability to make it work. I knew I could carry forward the skills I had learned. It turned out to be a transformational experience for me, both personally and professionally. I learned so much about myself, about teaching and learning, and how important it is to think globally and to get students to think about their role in the world and how they can make a positive impact.” These are thoughts that were shaped by the mission of her alma mater, Storm King.
as a new Trustee. Although she has yet to set foot on campus in person due to the pandemic, she is very excited to reconnect and get started in her new role. “It’s been many years since I’ve been back to the Mountain, but I am very much looking forward to getting up there again and bringing my husband to see it,” Kerryane explained. “Especially, First Peak– I’m going to make him do the climb and see the rock where I spent many hours taking in the view and the sun.” As a lifetime educator and an alumna, Kerryane believes the future of Storm King is bright, and the invaluable experience she brings to the Board of Trustees will help to ensure this. “I have always seen, and continue to see Storm King as an innovative center of teaching and learning; an educational institution that develops the whole child; empowering kids with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and desire to step out into the world and affect positive change– literally making the world a better place for all of us,” she explained. “In their future lives, I want our graduates to say they’ll send their kids to SKS because they can’t imagine a school that could do a better
job educating and empowering their kids to lead a fantastically fulfilled life,” she continued. Her sentiments were also reflected as she bid the Class of 2020 farewell in her commencement speech: “In this moment, you might not be able to appreciate all the gifts that have been handed to you through your education at The Storm King School. But I promise you, for the rest of your life, those gifts will reappear and I hope you see them, recognize them, and honor them. Stay connected with this place and these people. This might be the greatest piece of advice I give you today.” Kerryane's SKS yearbook photo
“Storm King changed the trajectory of my life.”— Kerryane Monahan ’92
Homecoming In 2020, the life Kerryane planned to live brought her back to the Mountain as this year’s commencement speaker and Kerryane as an SKS Varsity Cheerleader standing 5th from the left
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Summer 2020 / 7
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THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTY SECOND COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
Socially Distanced
Saturday, June 6, 2020 was a joyous day for the Storm King School community. After more than two months of staying at home and successfully completing their spring semesters online, the 52 seniors in the graduating Class of 2020, along with their families and friends, anxiously gathered around their computer screens just before 10 am for the most important event of the school year– Storm King’s 152nd Commencement. This year, the ceremony was conducted in a virtual format and watched by Storm King families located across the United States and around the world. Later in the day, some of the graduates also had a chance to celebrate at a socially distanced Commencement Car Parade held on campus. The 25 boys and 27 girls from seven states and 14 countries who make up the Class of 2020 watched intently as the faculty and administrators, whom they hadn’t seen in person for months, took them through this important rite of passage on video and helped them celebrate all they had accomplished during their
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collective years at Storm King. The pre-recorded event was designed to stay true to the School’s traditional commencement ceremony and featured most of the scenes that have been a part of graduation for decades. The virtual ceremony began with the chiming of the bell in the Stephen P. Duggan Bell Tower and the sound of Storm King’s Dean of Faculty Mr. Freeman on bagpipes, followed by a series of welcome greetings by students representing the different languages spoken in the senior class. After a moving rendition of “America the Beautiful” by members of the SKS Choir, Head of School Jonathan Lamb appeared in his academic regalia to convey his opening words. “We all know this has been a school year like no other we have experienced. But, in its own way, it has been another tremendous year for Storm King thanks to the hard work of the faculty, staff, and all of our students,” began Mr. Lamb. He went on to outline some of the accomplishments of the class, including 28 HVAL Championships, 23 bids to the New England (NEPSAC) tournaments, the first NEPSAC Championship in Girls Volleyball, countless academic, creative, and artist accomplishments, and more than 4,500 hours of service volunteered in the local community. He also praised the class for having one of the best college placement records in the history of the School.
Captions: 1. Asst. Head for Student & Residential Life Alan Lewis, Dean of Academics Tim Lance, PhD, and Head of School Jonathan Lamb during the Commencement Car Parade 2. Guy-Paul Delisforts at the Commencement Car Parade 3. Sophia Grausso driving with her father at the Commencement Car Parade 4. Dr. Kerryane Monahan ’92, the 2020 Commencement Speaker 5. Asst. Head for Student & Residential Life Alan Lewis moves Pierce Pramuka's tassel from right to left, signifying his status as a high school graduate
3 "May you change the world in ways we cannot yet imagine, but in the end, we couldn’t imagine living without."
4
—DR. KERRYANE MONAHAN ’92, 2020 SKS Commencement Speaker
5
sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Summer 2020 / 9
Following the song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” performed by graduating senior Amelia Douches, Mr. Lamb introduced Storm King’s 152nd commencement speaker Dr. Kerryane Monahan ’92. As a Storm King alumna, a leader in science education, a committed philanthropist, and an avid outdoorswoman, Mr. Lamb welcomed Dr. Monahan as “a true daughter of Storm King.” Dr. Monahan spoke to the class about her valued time as a student at Storm King, shared her passions for science and education, for conservation and the outdoors, and among other important messages, she encouraged the Class of 2020 to develop a vision for their life’s adventure with no constraints on their dreams. “May you change the world in ways we cannot yet imagine, but in the end, we couldn’t imagine living without,” she advised in her compelling closing words. At the conclusion of Dr. Monahan’s speech, graduating senior Morgan Papera performed “How Far I Will Go,” followed by the presentation of the 2020 Commencement Awards by Dean of Academics Dr. Tim Lance and the traditional class promotions by Mr. Lamb. Finally, the name of each graduate of the Class of 2020 was announced along with their photo, thus officially completing their high school careers on the Mountain. The presentation ended with another beautiful rendition of the alma mater by the Storm King Choir. Later that same day, emotions were high among the graduates who participated in a Commencement Car Parade held on campus. It was their first visit back to SKS since the School switched to online learning in March. Faculty and staff dressed in their regalia dotted the school grounds to wave and congratulate the graduates as they drove by with family members in colorfully decorated cars. Mr. Freeman met the procession at Cottage with his bagpipes and serenaded the parade as they moved up the road through campus, waving, cheering, and honking their horns along the way. Graduates received their diplomas from Head of School Lamb through their car windows and had their tassels flipped by Mr. Lewis using a long-handled clip. Once again, we wish to congratulate the Storm King Class of 2020 and welcome them to the SKS alumni community! Many thanks go out to all the faculty, staff, students, and parents who made our virtual 152nd Commencement possible and a memorable experience for our graduates.
Commencement Award Recipients The Storm King Cup: the highest commencement award presented to a senior who has distinguished themselves by their personal qualities and their accomplishments. The recipient is chosen by a vote of the faculty, staff, and students. Jordan Golding The Headmaster's Cup: since 1938,this award, inscribed “for cheerfulness of spirit and enthusiasm,” has been given to a senior whose love for the School is profound. Naunet Leonhardes-Barboza The Spy Rock Cup: awarded to a senior whose performance and contributions to the School have fostered its best interests and traditions . Matthew Pelton The Riley Cup: to honor in perpetuity an outstanding member of the staff and an outstanding senior who have contributed to the School’s community ethos in practical and creative ways. Mr. John Carruthers
Morgan Papera
Storm King Scholars: granted to those seniors who have consistently achieved at the highest academic levels and who have contributed significantly to other areas of campus life. Pierce Pramuka
Kenna Stone
Virtual end of the year events for the 2019-2020 school year: Commencement 2020: sks.org/commencement-2020/ Senior Service: sks.org/senior-service-2020/ Academic Awards 2020: sks.org/academic-awards-2020/
Commencement Car Parade 2020
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Class of 2020 Boasts Impressive College Acceptance Record
Dr. Kwon and Susan Pan ’20
O
n Saturday, June 6, The Storm King School Community recognized the hard work and accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2020 at its very first virtual commencement ceremony. The 52 graduating seniors had much to celebrate, including a very impressive roster of college acceptances. “This class faced many hurdles and constantly changing parameters due to the recent crisis, but they’ve succeeded in having one of the best college acceptance records in the history of The Storm King School. I'm extremely proud of them,” explained Director of College Counseling Dr. Marti Kwon. The 27 girls and 25 boys from 14 countries and seven US states making up this year’s graduating class applied to a wide roster of both public and private research institutions and smaller liberal arts colleges in North America, as well as institutions in Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, and Croatia. Their choices reflected their academic prowess, their diversity, as well as a myriad of professional interests. “Like many of their peers before them, Storm King’s Class of 2020 sought to challenge themselves academically and professionally in the years to come,” continued Dr. Kwon. “Many had expressed a desire to combine their interest in business with a personal passion like visual and performing arts or causes important to them, such as social justice and sustainability. Some graduates may pursue post-secondary programs that offer interdisciplinary opportunities or options to double major. Others indicated they planned to pursue studies in the STEM disciplines and the traditional liberal arts. Several others also expressed a desire to play sports in college.” “The Class of 2020 started the calendar year off with a bang as they finished up and submitted nearly 600 applications for admission to colleges and universities across the United States and the world,” explained Dr. Kwon. “For this class, the average number of colleges/universities applied to was nine. That is up by one from last year’s class average of eight. In addition, Storm King faculty submitted a total of 117 letters of recommendation in support of the Class of 2020.” Despite the rapid and widespread changes to the college admissions landscape due to the COVID-19 outbreak which occurred shortly after, Dr. Kwon reported that the list of acceptances
and commitments continued to grow through to National College Commitment Day on May 1, with most students gaining acceptance to one or more of their top three choices. “Even though I couldn’t enjoy seeing the seniors come into my office to write their college acceptances on the white board as per tradition, they connected with me virtually using the Naviance platform,” said Dr. Kwon. Congratulations to the Class of 2020 for gaining admission to so many prestigious colleges and universities including NYU Stern School of Business, New York University, Tufts University, Wake Forest University, Vassar College, Parsons-The New School, Berklee School of Music, and The George Washington University; several UC campuses including Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara, and San Diego; Belmont University, Cornell University, DePaul University; SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Stony Brook, and SUNY Binghamton; University of Rochester, Norwich University, The Ohio State University, Ringling College of Art and Design, Florida International University, Quinnipiac University, School of Visual Arts, University of Michigan, Fordham University, Wellesley College, The University of Chicago, University of Connecticut, Pace University, Penn State, University of Miami, Tecnológico de Monterrey, University of Sydney, University of Toronto, University of Virginia, and University of Washington; University of Zagreb, Pace University, National University of Singapore, New York University, Maryland Institute of Art, Arizona State University, Rutgers University, University of the Arts, Emerson College, University of São Paulo, Clarkson University, Dominican College, University of Florida, and Clark University among others.
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ACADEMICS How Did It Work?
Dean of Academics Dr. Tim Lance
The Transition to Online Learning
I
t is said that difficult times often bring out the best in people. This is definitely true for members of the Storm King School Community. As the novel Coronavirus outbreak began to unfold across the globe earlier this year, our students, parents, faculty, and staff rose to the challenge. With foresight, some quick decision-making, and a tremendous effort, the School mobilized quickly to keep our community safe. The decision to move to online learning was made during the Spring Break holiday. Within a few weeks, our faculty succeeded in transitioning the School’s academic program into a virtual format and began to deliver classes successfully online. Virtual learning at Storm King officially began on Monday, March 23. “At that time, the school administration was already monitoring the progression of the virus very closely,” explained Dean of Academics Dr. Tim Lance. “We had many things to consider, but the health and safety of our close-knit community took priority. After the announcement was made, it took us a little over one week to adapt our academic program for full-time online learning, establish contact with all of our students who were all over the world, and get everyone up to speed in using the new, online tools. Although we continued to perfect the system throughout the semester, we started off strong and our quick turnaround was truly impressive,” he continued.
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Using a combination of online platforms including Zoom, Google, and the School’s integrated academic platform Blackbaud, teachers held classes at the same times they would conduct them in their classrooms on a normal school day. Students from locations across the world were able to join their classes in real time. For those located in different time zones, recordings of their class sessions were posted for their future use, and students had the opportunity to get help from their teachers during virtual office hours. “The dynamic was very natural and organic,” continued Dr. Lance. “The overwhelming majority of our students were very proactive and participated actively. Along with the academics, having a schedule and being able to connect again with friends helped to relieve some of their anxiety about the future, and provided a sense of normalcy.” After the first week of online classes, the news about positive experiences began to come in. For example, dance instructor Mrs. Jacobson was very happy to report that her first virtual dance classes using the Zoom platform were a great success. All of her students were in attendance and completed their dance routines from six different countries around the world, including Macao, Ukraine, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada, and the United States. “At the start, I was concerned that conducting my class online wouldn’t provide the same experience for my dancers,” explained Mrs. Jacobson. “It was different, but we all adapted quickly and it ended up being a lot of fun. I’m so proud of all my students for “attending” class on time and dancing from home.” Dr. Lance also reported that his initial math classes went exceptionally well with the use of the live shared whiteboard function in Zoom: “Using the live whiteboard, I was able to work through problems and do corrections on the board for the students just as I would in my own classroom,” he commented.
Evaluation and Improvement Once the Virtual School was up and running, the faculty turned their attention toward evaluating what was working and what needed improvement. Dean of Faculty and English Department Chair Jeremy Freeman, who was part of the team who initially worked to move our academics online, now took on the task of gathering feedback and making recommendations on how to further improve the online learning experience for our students. “I wouldn’t say the transition to online learning was seamless, but the first month of online classes certainly felt like a success, and it continued to get better after that,” explained Mr. Freeman. “Consistent student attendance in virtual classrooms and advisories was an initial concern;
however, looking at the records, teachers reported consistently that they were making contact with all of their students, and most students were eager to attend classes.” “We also found that class sizes ranging from 10-15 students turned out to be ideal for making personal contact with students as a group or in individual meetings. Giving individualized feedback on assignments within a 48-hour window was also very manageable. Sending a personal email or setting up an individual conference with a student when necessary was also easy to do which helped to maintain more individualized contact using our online tools and platforms,” he continued.
their days. All teachers provided some video component to each class, whether a screencast or a recording of the class. This way, a student could miss a class but still observe and integrate the learning that happened live. Some opted to set aside a day each week for individual conferences and check-ins to keep the daily connectivity going as much as possible,” he continued. “There was an initial concern that these methods wouldn’t work, but students on other continents were actually very appreciative of these extra measures. I know in my
Zoom was the Hero According to Mr. Freeman, Blackbaud and Google Drive formed a great baseline to begin building what would become remote classrooms. “Once we added Zoom, Google Meet, and Google Classroom to the mix, just about anything became possible. The big surprise was how quickly everyone learned how to operate as a Zoom Host and how many ‘grassroots’ types of meetings emerged. We had teachers organizing practice meetings to try out new features in Zoom, such as break-out rooms, the whiteboard feature, and screen sharing. The Math, Science, and Art departments taught each other how to use tablets that are paired with the Zoom whiteboard. These tools made it easier to draw diagrams, demonstrate drawing techniques, or write out chalkboard-style math problem solutions.”
"I’m very proud of how our entire school community has come together to make this happen, and make it successful." — HEAD OF SCHOOL JONATHAN LAMB
Online Challenges “There were a few technical issues and we had some teachers who needed updated or new laptops, but that was quickly taken care of. We ordered stylus/tablets which made whiteboarding easier on Zoom, and teachers stepped up quickly to master their use,” continued Mr. Freeman. The question of how to reach students in different time zones while still keeping the class synchronized took some deliberation. “Some teachers arranged for evening classes once or twice a week so that students in remote time zones could join classes earlier in
class, even though they were not required to, and that a video of the class was made available to watch during the day, some students still stayed up a bit late to join the class,” he explained.
New Goals Looking toward the start of the fall semester, Dr. Lance sees the School’s successful transition to online teaching and learning as a stepping stone toward the future. “Depending on the circumstances, online learning may become a necessary and permanent
installment as part of the School’s academic offering,” he explained. “We have found that the School’s mission, in part, can be delivered successfully in this virtual setting. Based on what we’ve learned, we’re looking at further improvements and new ways to keep our students engaged with the material while learning online. Whatever course events take in the near future, we’ll be ready. It seems online learning in some form or another is here to stay,” explained Dr. Lance.
Kudos Both Dr. Lance and Mr. Freeman agree that despite the sometimes deep learning curve the School faced, the faculty was outstanding during the entire process. “As is often the case in a crisis, people rise to the occasion and embrace the ‘growth mindset.’ With so many questions and unknowns, teachers were extremely proactive in identifying the help they would need and the help they could give. There were a lot of teachers who were teaching teachers and then sharing what they discovered and learned in the process,” they continued. “I’m very proud of how our entire school community has come together to make this happen, and make it successful,” said Head of School Jonathan Lamb at the conclusion of the semester. “Kudos to Dr. Lance, Mr. Freeman, and all of our faculty and staff for stepping up to do everything necessary for us to make the switch so quickly and seamlessly. To our students who are located all over the world, I congratulate them for their enthusiasm and active participation during these difficult circumstances and for completing their spring semester successfully. I also want to thank all of our parents and guardians for their support and open communication with us since these changes began.” “Looking toward the fall semester and beyond, our faculty will continue to look for innovative ways to teach their classes and engage their students online, and we’ll be prepared to deliver our mission of inspiring our students toward academic success and confidence in a learning environment that embraces character, balance and trust amid whatever circumstances arise,” continued Mr. Lamb.
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ARTS WEEKEND 2020 GOES VIRTUAL
Pre-pandemic dress rehearsal for Chicago
D
uring the months of April and May, The Storm King School campus is usually bustling with activity. Students and faculty are normally out and about, enjoying the spring weather and celebrating the works of our student-artists at the School’s annual Spring Arts Weekend. Although 2020 has been far from normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this didn’t stop our community from recognizing our students and their talents. After the School’s quick move to online learning in March, students and faculty alike had to rethink the delivery of Arts Weekend– a traditionally live series of events– in a virtual format. It was decided that student works in various branches of the arts would be launched to the community as a series of online events spread out over several weeks in April through early June. Staying true to the date of the original event, 2020 Spring Arts Weekend kicked off with a bang at 4:00 pm on Friday, April 24, when the Student Art Show went live on the School’s website and social media channels. Positive feedback from the community came in almost immediately and the new, virtual format for the show was a great success. 2019-2020 dance students performing during our Fall Show
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Visual Arts Chair John Carruthers was very pleased with the online show and the reaction of the community: “This new, virtual format proved to be an excellent way to highlight each student and their works individually. Colors and details really pop on screen and the format allowed the viewer to take their time and savor each piece. I actually want to continue using this platform in the future to supplement our live art show.” Mr. Carruthers was also very happy to announce this year’s art award recipients which included Anna V. ’22 for Best Painting, Igor Klimtsov ’20 for Best Drawing, Flora Cai ’21 for Best Digital, Jasmine Tian ’20 for Most Creative, and Dorothy Mao ’20 for Best in Show. In addition to the Student Art Show, another key component of Arts Weekend included Storm King’s Annual Poetry Festival featuring works from Storm King students and other independent schools in the region. Recreated as a virtual event this year, the Poetry Festival was delivered in three separate episodes with entries and winners judged by Orange County Poet Laureate Robert Milby. This year’s poetry finalists included Calhoun School’s Lomie Blum for “Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner,” SKS’ Anora Mahin ’22 for “Midnight Memories,” and Hamden Hall Country Day School’s Kate Xie for “The Boy Who Could Walk on Air.” Judge and Poet Laureate Robert Milby said that these, and all 25 poems selected from nearly 200 submissions were “exceptional poems from exceptional writers. Congratulations to all the student-poets and we’re looking forward to seeing you next year!” Other installments of Arts Weekend included a charming video compilation of Mrs. Jacobson’s dance students performing dance routines from their homes all over the world, a spring music concert featuring Mr. Nelson’s music students and a selection of songs by the Storm King Choir. Most recently, a video of songs and scenes from the spring musical Chicago: High School Edition was shared with the community as the final installment of Arts Weekend, thus bringing the virtual event to a close on June 10. Many thanks to the department chairs, faculty, and staff who helped to make this year’s extended Virtual Arts Weekend a success, and congratulations to all of our talented student-artists, poets, dancers, singers, and musicians who have worked
Members of SKS' Band
hard all year under difficult circumstances to create such wonderful work!
Virtual Arts Weekend 2020: sks.org/Virtual-Arts-Weekend-2020 Student Art Show: sks.org/Student-Show-2020 Spring Dance Show: sks.org/Spring-Dance-Show-2020 Spring Concert: sks.org/spring-concert Poetry Festival: sks.org/Poetry-Festival-2020 Chicago- Highschool Musical: sks.org/chicago
Dove, Anna Volkova '22 sks.org / ON THE MOUNTAIN / Summer 2020 / 15
O
ne of the most famous and haunting stories of the 20th century was brought to life once again at The Storm King School and it was as powerful and thought-provoking as ever. Three performances of Goodrich and Hackett’s The Diary of Anne Frank took place at the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre on November 15-17, 2019 courtesy of Storm King’s Performing Arts Department and its talented cast. The play brings to life the memoirs of a young Jewish girl who is forced to hide to escape Nazi persecution. For nearly two years, Anne, her father, mother, and sister joined the Van Daan family to hide in a secret annex space above her father’s former office in Amsterdam, as the Nazis deported the Jews of Holland to their deaths. In her secret attic, Anne comes of age: she laughs, plays, fights with her mother, and falls in love for the first time. In spite of her oppressive circumstances and the horrors that
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK surround her, Anne’s spirit transcends, as she voices her belief, “in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.” “The Diary of Anne Frank was one of the most challenging plays we’ve ever produced at SKS, due to the seriousness of the subject matter,” explained Performing Arts Department Chair Anne Fulton. As we began the rehearsal process, our student-actors were, for the most part, familiar with the history of Anne Frank and her family. They were very interested in the real lives of the characters and dove deeper into researching their backgrounds, which helped them to bring them to life on stage.” A highlight of the show was the impressive set built by SKS' Stagecraft class which filled the entire stage and used continuously throughout the performance. “One of the challenges we faced was the fact that eight of the ten actors were on stage for the entire show and had very quick costume and prop changes that had to be done in a blackout between scenes. It took many hours of rehearsal in the final weeks to get them right,” Mrs. Fulton continued. “There are comedic moments in the show, mostly between Anne and Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan, which help to lighten the mood. The ending is so sad, and there’s so much tension among the characters throughout the show, that the lighter moments are very important,” explained Mrs. Fulton. “Sophomores Scout Zischke as Anne and Alex Neighbors and Olivia Mende as the Van Daans handled these scenes very well. The entire cast rehearsed in the evening, after a full day of classes and sports and had a great deal of dialogue to memorize, in addition to keeping up with their homework. For a few students, this was their first experience performing a lead role. They all gave excellent performances and I’m looking forward to working with them again on our future productions.”
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
CAST (in order of appearance): Mr. Frank: Aditya Mansury ’22 Miep: Carly Neville ’22 Mrs. Van Daan: Olivia Mende ’22 Mr. Van Daan: Alex Neighbors ’22 Peter Van Daan: Thomas Chou ’23 Mrs. Frank: Amelia Douches ’20 Margot Frank: Naunet Leonhardes-Barboza ’20 Anne Frank: Scout Zischke ’22 Mr. Kraler: Warren Stone ’23 Mr. Dussel: Gabriel Valdes ’20
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FALL ATHLETICS 2019
Season Recap
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t was an incredible fall season for Storm King’s student-athletes. All five varsity teams, namely boys and girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, and girls volleyball finished their seasons with outstanding records and epic play, while four teams brought home the HVAL trophy. It was also the first time in SKS’ history that the girls volleyball team went on to capture the New England Prep Class D championship title–“a spectacular performance to conclude a spectacular season” according to Athletic Director Joseph Graziosi.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Girls Cross Country, now in its second year on SKS’ team roster, enjoyed an undefeated record and their 2nd consecutive HVAL championship this fall. At their first meet at Faith Christian Academy on September 14, the girls took 1st place as a team by default with freshman Scout Zischke leading the way as the top runner. A second 1st place finish at Oakwood the following week brought the girls to the Storm King Invitational on Saturday, September 18. On the Mountain, the Storm King girls finished with 4 runners in the top 10, led by Scout in 1st place followed by Sophia Bove (4), Kenna Stone (6), and Joy Li (10) winning the invitational by default having the only complete team of five runners. During the second half of their season, the girls continued to push forward, winning 5 more league victories versus Darrow, Marvelwood, Poughkeepsie Day, and NYMA bringing them to the HVAL championship meet as the top seed on October 30. Once again, SKS’ top runners Scout and Sophia led the girls as all 6 Storm King runners placed in the top 15 capturing their second consecutive HVAL championship title. On Saturday, November 9, three runners from the girls cross country team also traveled to the NEPSTA (New England Private School Track Association) Division IV Championship Race held at the Hebron Academy in Maine. Out of the 97 varsity runners competing from around New England, SKS’ girls placed well with Scout and Sofia placing at 11 and 19 respectively, and freshman Joy Lee placing at 72. Scout and Sofia were also invited to run in the NEPSTA All-Star Meet on Saturday, November 16, at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA. Season Stats: 9 of 9 first-place finishes, HVAL Champions
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BOYS CROSS COUNTRY The now 5-time HVAL champion boys cross country team started out strong this fall despite a course error in their first race of the season at Marvelwood which resulted in no team score. The mishap didn’t faze them going into their next series of races starting with the Oakwood Invitational on Wednesday, September 18, where they earned 1st place. Onward from there, their winning momentum continued at Darrow then NYMA, which brought them home to the Storm King Invitational on Wednesday, October 12. On the Mountain, the SKS harriers prevailed, with our top five runners finishing in the top 10. Two more wins versus Poughkeepsie Day and Marvelwood carried the Cougars to the HVAL Championship race on Wednesday, October 30, where the boys dominated the field defeating Poughkeepsie Day School, Marvelwood, Woodhall, Darrow, Oakwood Friends, and Faith Christian. Led by freshman Eddie Iannuzzi-Sucich (3rd Overall), Storm King placed five runners in the top 11 spots and 7 in the top 15 to win its 5th Consecutive HVAL Championship. Myles Debrecourt ’20 (5th Overall) was the next Storm King runner to finish. Yuan Li ’21 (9th), Vinnie Iannuzzi-Sucich ’24 (10th), and Warren Stone ’23 (11th) demonstrated the trademark pack running of the Cougars, soon followed by senior captains Guy-Paul Delisfort (13th) and Jae Hyun Kim (15th). Season Stats: 7 of 7 first-places finishes, HVAL Champions
SKS. Our team is young and ready to work hard in the off-season to prepare for a great season next fall,” she explained. Season Stats: 5-6-1
GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER The girls varsity soccer team started their season away on Wednesday, September 11, at Faith Christian Academy. After a valiant effort and three goals, the girls fell to FCA 3-7. The following week, home advantage was with them when they faced Oakwood on Wednesday, September 18. Excellent teamwork led by seniors Sam McCullough, Naunet Leonhardes-Barboza, and Maho Alacantara Zaldivar turned the tables for the girls, rallying the team to a 9-0 victory. Continuing their regular season schedule, the girls enjoyed 3 more wins, 3 losses, and a tie before falling to Hoosac in their final game of the season 1-0. The setback didn’t quell the girls’ determination as they advanced to the HVAL playoffs as the #3 seed with home-field advantage for the quarterfinal match on Monday, November 4, versus Oakwood. Their persistence paid off once again, bringing them to a decisive 6-0 victory and the semifinal game which took place on Wednesday, November 6, against Marvelwood. Kudos to the girls, who played tirelessly through a grueling, 80-minute tie in the semifinal match, ultimately falling to Marvelwood in overtime penalty kicks. Freshman Elena Centeno scored SKS’ only goal in the first two minutes of the match with Marvelwood scoring late in the second half to tie the game 1-1. After playing through two intense 5-minute “golden goal” overtime rounds, SKS’ defense, led by senior goalkeeper Naunet Leonhardes-Barboza, fought off any shots on the goal which led to the game being decided with a penalty shootout. After a long match, SKS’ first two veteran players missed their shots, but junior Yu Osaki and senior Sam McCullough came through with one goal each. Coach Kristen Barbosa was very proud of the team despite the final result. “In the end, Marvelwood was able to find the back of the net a few more times than
BOYS VARSITY SOCCER To kick off fall action on the pitch, the boys varsity soccer team played their season opener versus the Darrow School on Saturday, September 7, with only a few practices under their belts. Great play, the home advantage, and the moral support of parents and fans helped bring the Cougars to a decisive 11-0 win on their opening day. Continuing their regular schedule, the boys achieved 11 more wins and 5 losses to finish their season on Saturday, November 2, with a decisive 8-1 win over their longstanding rival NYMA. According to Coach Joseph Graziosi, eight different players scored for Storm King versus NYMA “demonstrating the depth and leadership of the team.” With the win, the boys finished their season with a 13-5 record and an undefeated record of 10-0 in the HVAL, running their conference winning streak to 46 matches, a record that dates back to November of 2015. The winning continued at the HVAL Playoff Tournament beginning with the semifinal game versus Marvelwood on Wednesday, November 6. The Cougars had the home-field advantage, decisively defeating Darrow 8-0 and advancing to their 6th consecutive Championship Final the following Saturday. On Saturday, November 9, the boys emerged ready to face Marvelwood in the final for the 5th year in a row. With intelligent play and a strong defense, the boys succeeded in capturing their fourth consecutive HVAL Conference Championship title with a 7-0 score. “This was, by far, the most inspired performance I have seen in my 12 years of coaching soccer at Storm King,” continued Coach Graziosi. “I have never been more proud.” Season Stats: 15-5-0, HVAL Champions
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GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL The girls volleyball team began their season with some new talent on the roster. “Newcomers including Jojo Gong ’20, Seina Kusunoki ’20, Sude Bakal ’21, and Zoe Buddie ’22 brought the team great skill, while veterans including seniors Rory Tobin and Morgan Papera gave us depth and “Volleyball IQ,” explained Coach Jeanette McMahon early in the season. With this effective line-up, the team came out strong to beat their HVAL archrival Faith Christian Academy, 3-0, at their season opener on September 11. The win against FCA was a premonition of their success to come and there was no stopping the girls as they continued their regular schedule of league and non-league games, enjoying 10 wins and only 1 loss to Harvey School. After an exciting victory against Poughkeepsie Day School in their last game of the season, the Cougars advanced to the HVAL quarterfinal match on Saturday, November 2, where their winning streak continued, beating NYMA 3-0. The win advanced the top-seeded girls to the semifinal versus #5 Oakwood on Saturday, November 6, where the girls cruised to a 3-0 victory. This exciting win set them up to play the HVAL Championship final match on the following day– Sunday, November 7. That Sunday was a historic day for the team, who ultimately captured the HVAL Championship title for the second year in a row versus #2 seed Faith Christian Academy with a score of 3-0. In all three games, the Cougars racked up the points with their signature combination of strong serving by sophomores Milana Shigapova and Zoe Buddie, and junior Sude Bakal, consistent set-ups, and formidable play at the net by Zoe, senior Seina Kusunoki, and Captain Jojo Gong. Following their HVAL Conference win, the #1 seeded girls advanced to the New
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England Prep Division IV Championship playoffs for the first time in Storm King’s history. On Saturday, November 16, the girls faced Connecticut’s Christian Heritage School, New England’s #4 seed, in an exciting match featuring long volleys, strong serving, and excellent teamwork, emerging victorious 3-1. With the win, the team advanced to the New England Championship final game on Sunday, November 17, where they overcame #2 seed Wooster School 3-1 in an exciting and sometimes harrowing showdown. Head of School Jonathan Lamb, faculty members, and family traveled to Danbury, CT, for the final to cheer the Cougars on. “Congratulations to the girls volleyball team on their historic win, and to all of our fall athletes for an impressive season,” commented Mr. Lamb upon his return from the final in Connecticut. “Many thanks go out to our student-athletes who worked hard all season and to the coaches and fans who supported them. Congratulations to all.” Season Stats: 15-1, HVAL Champions, 2019 New England Prep School Class D Champions; # 1 Ranked Class D Girls Volleyball Program in NEPSAC
WINTER ATHLETICS 2019
Season Recap The 2019-2020 school year was a rollercoaster for our student-athletes, especially for those who had to give up their spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, our winter teams gave us a lot to celebrate and the excitement of this fantastic season carried us through.
including three starters: Josiah Diaz ’22, Chris Smith ’21, and RJ Delahaye ’22, as well as strong players moving up from our JV squad. I’m looking forward to continuing our winning momentum again next season,” explained Coach Lewis after the semifinal game.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL At the top of the roundup is the boys varsity basketball team who ended a very strong season just before the Spring Break holiday in late February, and continued their push toward the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) championship tournament during the first week of March. Just before the NEPSAC tournament, the boys ended their regular season on a high note and a record of 17-5 with a win on their home court versus Hoosac School on Wednesday, February 26. After feverish tempo and neck-and-neck scoring throughout the game, Storm King succeeded in edging out their rival by 1 point with 34 seconds on the clock and a final score of 53-52. After continuing practices on campus for the first few days of Spring Break, the #2 seeded Cougars were ready to travel to Waterbury, Connecticut on March 4 to face #7 Bancroft School of Worchester, Massachusetts in the NEPSAC Quarterfinal game. With the support of a fan bus from Storm King, the Cougars cruised to a decisive victory over the Bulldogs 69-45. The win advanced Storm King to the NEPSAC Semifinal game played on their home court on March 7 versus #3 seed MacDuffie School. It was an exciting game with the Cougars fighting hard throughout. Rashad Rameserran ’20 netted 27 points and RJ Delahaye ’22 scored 12 points, but the team ultimately fell by 3 points, 55-52 in the final minutes of the game. As a member of NEPSAC, the Cougars have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in recent years, having won back-to-back class “D” titles in 2016 and 2017, and reaching the Final Four in Class “C” in 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons. Coach Lewis was very proud of his team’s performance throughout the tournament and the year. “The Cougars finished the season with an overall record of 18-6, reaching the Class C semifinal for the third straight year. We graduate five players from the program this year but expect to have back a strong group
GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL The girls varsity basketball team also put a successful winter season under their belts this year. According to Coaches Barbosa, McMahon, and Hauser, the girls kicked off their season strong despite several back-to-back cancellations: “The team this year was characterized by a mix of experienced leadership by seniors Sam McCullough, Naunet Leonhardes-Barboza, Linyin Wang, Jasmine Yuan Tian, and Rory Tobin as well as a group of talented new players including freshman Elena Centeno and sophomore AC Van. After a challenging first game loss against what is probably the best team in our league– Darrow School–Storm King succeeded in firmly defeating Oakwood 33-14 on December 11 at our home season opener.” Following winter break, the girls continued their momentum, displaying skill and determination as they faced opponents including Poughkeepsie Day School and King School, and enjoyed a resounding win over Marvelwood. In their final home game of the season versus Darrow on February 22, home advantage and the efforts of freshman forward Elena and senior forward Ut Gong were not enough for a win, but their 5-5 record advanced them to the HVAL semifinals on February 26, where the girls overcame Poughkeepsie Day School 35-31 in the exciting game against a strong opponent. As a result of their efforts and tenacity, the girls advanced to the HVAL Championship Final for the 2nd time in 3 years and stand with a season record of 6-5.
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Tournament at 101. All this while the team succeeded in clinching their 7th HVAL Championship title in 9 years on Wednesday, February 19, when the Cougars hosted NYMA, Marvelwood, and Woodhall for the Finals. The Storm King wrestlers closed their season undefeated in the conference with a record of 8-1. Following the Championship, Elijah Graziosi and Noah Mendlewski participated in the National Prep Championships. According to Coach Tim Gillett, the future looks bright for SKS wrestling as 16 out of the 19 wrestlers on this year’s roster are underclassmen planning on wrestling next year.
WRESTLING Coach Tim Gillett started Storm King’s rising wrestling team off this season with a brisk hike up Storm King Mountain on the first day of practice. In the days following, the young team members, several whom were wrestling for the first time, worked tirelessly toward their first competitions of the season versus opponents including Hackley, Horace Mann, Trinity, and Mahopac. The boys participated in Marvelwood’s annual Skiff Mountain Scuttle on December 14, where our wrestlers placed well, including Warren Stone– 4th; Tony Wu–3rd; Luke Ciunga–3rd; Elijah Graziosi– 2nd; Sean Ryan–1st; Eljus Prifti– 1st. In January, the wrestlers traveled to Long Island’s Stony Brook School where they defeated Churchill School 60-18 and narrowly lost to the home team 42-36. Senior Captain Noah Mendlewski led the SKS effort with two pins. Next, they traveled to Woodhall School for a league match-up against the home team and NYMA, and Connecticut’s Hamden Hall Country Day School, emerging with 2 impressive victories versus 3 schools, overcoming Marvelwood 54-18 and host Hamden Hall 42-30 before falling by 1 point based on criteria in a tiebreaker to Forman School, 43-42. On Saturday, January 25, the boys made the trek to Martin Luther School in Queens, NY, to compete in a tournament that included the top NY private schools and 4 top New York public schools. Several Storm King wrestlers were awarded medals including 8th grader Elijah Graziosi for 2nd place; freshmen Sean Ryan for 3rd place, Warren Stone for 4th place, and Tim Chong for 4th place; sophomores Aditya Mansuri for 4th place and Jack Kidd for 2nd place. “ In February, Elijah Graziosi and Noah Mendlewski traveled to New Jersey’s Blair Academy to successfully compete in the NY/NJ/TN National Prep Qualifier for wrestling. Noah finished in fourth place at Qualifier by defeating his opponent from Peddie School. Elijah qualified for the Nationals by winning the NY State
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BOWLING After a winning season versus their HVAL opponent NYMA, the SKS bowling team succeeded in clinching the HVAL Trophy this winter at their final match held at Tarsio Lanes in Newburgh, NY, on Thursday, February 20. NYMA won the first match 129 to 80, but SKS returned with a win in the second round 118 to 92. In the third round, SKS succeeded in defeating NYMA and winning the final match with a strike by senior Igor Klimtsov in the 9th frame and 2 strikes by senior Conall Sweeney in the 10th frame. For the season, Storm King won 5 games and NYMA won 1 game. Congratulations to all of our winter student-athletes and their coaches for their perseverance, effort, and sportsmanship all season!
COMMUNITY SERVICE
SKS VOLUNTEERS SERVE OVER 750 HOURS ON MLK DAY
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hile most of the country had the day off on Monday, January 20, 2020, the Storm King School grounds were buzzing with activity. For the eighth consecutive year, our students and faculty commemorated Martin Luther King Day by learning about Dr. King’s legacy, helping to improve our campus, and serving various good causes in the local community. The day began with an All School Meeting where members of the BSU (Black Student Union) and NHS (National Honor Society) gave a presentation about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and talked about his important role in the history of our nation. After a short question and answer session, the students departed for various volunteer activities they had signed up for both on and off-campus. This year, students had the chance to work for many great causes, including Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, the Food Bank of The Hudson Valley, and the Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen – an organization that provides hot meals to those in need. Others helped our neighbor, Black Rock Forest Consortium, set up their education center for upcoming programs by cleaning and rearranging furniture and organizing the room. Yet another group braved the cold as they helped to clear branches on the grounds of the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Some of our musically-talented students also traveled to the New Windsor Country Inn to entertain senior citizens living there.
Various campus improvement and cleanup activities were also running throughout the day in Orr Commons, the art center and the theater, and while all this was going on ‘Mrs. G’ [Graziosi] was busy with the New York Blood Center heading this year’s blood drive in the gymnasium. In the chemistry lab, students were busy writing letters to servicemen and women stationed overseas for Operation Gratitude while others were working in the greenhouse, painting the walls and cleaning the workspaces in the art center, and building the set for our upcoming winter musical in the theater. In Orr Commons, the BSU and National Honor Society teamed up to run a clothing and shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls and other organizations that help the homeless, and students made dumplings and stuffed envelopes in preparation for the Chinese New Year. The numbers this year are impressive. On campus, the clothing drive collected more than 20 bags of clothing and more than 100 pairs of shoes; over 830 feet of wall space in the art center was painted by the students in 4 different colors; 275 letters were written for Operation Gratitude; about 400 dumplings were made and 200 envelopes were stuffed in the dining hall; and 47 units of blood were collected, enough to save nearly 1,000 lives. Keep up the good work, Storm King!
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SKS Theater Tech and Psychology instructor Lindsay Myers-Brown
-- FACULTY PROFILE --
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH LINDSAY MYERS-BROWN
“Theater and the arts are more than just fun things I love to do. They are means to connect with so many people, especially kids. They are channels for them to express themselves, learn by doing, and gain confidence; many for the first time.” –Lindsay Myers-Brown
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nyone who has ever attended a stage performance at The Storm King School knows that Theater goes hand-in-hand with a Storm King education. And nothing symbolizes the performing arts in the hearts and minds of the school community more than the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre. Despite its iconic status, most of us only enter the Theatre for specific events such as All-School Meetings, awards ceremonies, recitals, or one of the School’s many stage performances. The red, upholstered seating, the blue velvet curtain, and the stage that showcases countless shows and events each year are known to everyone in the community. But, how many of us are familiar with the rest of the building and everything that goes on behind the scenes? There is one faculty member who knows the Theatre inside and out. For her, every nook and cranny of the building is her classroom, and her home away from home. Meet Theater Tech and Psychology instructor Lindsay Myers-Brown. Mrs. Brown graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam with a degree in Theatre Education and has an MAED in Special Education from Ashford University. Now moving into her third year at SKS, she has become an integral part of the Performing Arts Department and a favorite faculty member and mentor of her students.
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On any given day during class hours, the Theatre is filled with the sounds of wood cutting, clanking hammers, and the chatter of students working in collaboration to create the sets, soundtracks, and lighting for our upcoming performances. A relative newcomer to the Storm King faculty, Mrs. Brown has started off running with her plans to grow the Stagecraft class and improve the technical support for our shows and events. Join us as we get to know Mrs. Brown behind the scenes, and how she brings a mix of passion for theater, technical expertise, and a love for teaching to her students:
Q: Please tell us about your education and how you got started as a Theater Tech Instructor. “When I went to college, I knew I wanted a career in theater, but I wasn’t sure in which capacity. I actually started at Potsdam as a triple major– Physics, Mechanical
FACULTY PROFILE Engineering, and Theater. My family supported my passion for theater, but also encouraged me to major in something else. That way, I would be sure to have a fallback. I took several acting classes, vocal classes, and technical theater classes, along with calculus, Intro to Engineering, and physics. After a year, I was approached about a new major SUNY Potsdam had created – Theater Education. I had never considered being a teacher, but it seemed to be a way to pursue theater, have a great career, and complete everything within three more years.
Q: What stands out in your mind as a factor that shaped who you are today? After graduating from Potsdam, I started working at St. Lawrence NYSARC teaching individuals with developmental disabilities. I taught many subjects from dance, art, theater, acting, and technical theater to Karate. I absolutely loved working there and found it incredibly rewarding. It was there that I realized how theater and the arts were more than just fun things I loved to do. They were important ways to connect so many people, and allowed many of the participants I worked with to express themselves for the first time. From there, I knew I wanted to learn more about serving the special needs community. After a year of working there, I began my masters in Special Education at Ashford University.
Q: What do you hope to achieve at Storm King? My mission is to create a full Stagecraft program; one that can allow students to really dive deeper into every element of Technical Theater and that is 100% student-run. I want the students to take on productions, and have them mentor younger students under my guidance. With the School’s close proximity to New York City and the Theatre District, I also want students to realize the career potential that exists in so many aspects of theater. This past winter, I took three of my students to the 2020 NYSTEA (New York State Theater Education Association) Student Conference in Callicoon, NY. At the Conference, the students attended multiple workshops including stage management, singing, dancing, sewing, and construction among others. It was a great opportunity for them to learn from the nation’s theater masters, participate in a college fair, and learn about networking with their peers and professionals. I hope to take a larger group this coming year. Above and beyond theater, my goal is to teach my students how to communicate, how to work together, and how to take responsibility and pride in their work. The arts have a way of allowing students to be completely themselves; there are no judgments. I truly believe that every person can benefit from the arts and it can be used to improve so many facets of life.” Theater Tech Students Luke Ciunga ’23 and River Holasek ’20
Q: Please tell us about your experiences and what brought you to Storm King. Arriving at SKS was a great thing! The few years leading up to my starting here on the Mountain were crazy. I was working in a large high school, located six miles from an Army Installation. Eighty percent of the student population were military kids, which taught me so much about the army, about family dynamics, and the difficulties of moving frequently. I met my husband, a soldier, and realized I was now part of this military community I had been slowly getting to know. Now, I was moving around and trying to fit in at various new locations! We went from upstate NY to Missouri, then Kentucky to Tennessee. In each location, I taught in some capacity. I worked as a substitute teacher, as a theater tech teacher, and finally as a military family educator. These experiences made me realize that teaching theater was my passion. When we found out we were moving to West Point, I began my search for a new teaching adventure which brought me to Storm King. The moment I got on the campus, I knew this is where I wanted to be. I feel so comfortable and welcome and that is thanks to all of the wonderful students, faculty and staff.
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-- FROM THE CLASSROOM --
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE STUDENTS EXPLORE NATIVE FAUNA
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ardly a day goes by without spotting at least one species of native wildlife somewhere on the Storm King School campus. Surrounded by nature and adjacent to Black Rock Forest, the school grounds house hundreds of animals, birds, and insects and seeing them daily has become an integral part of the Storm King experience. Common animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, and bats abound, while larger and more diverse species including skunks, raccoons, white-tailed deer, and even an occasional black bear make their appearances from time to time. Spotting and identifying these creatures is fun for our students and it presents many opportunities for learning both inside and outside the classroom. A good example is a project completed by Mr. Graziosi’s Environmental Science class. As one of their important assignments, the students took on the challenge of creating the School’s first Campus Fauna Guide–an online and printed guide to the native species found on campus. While studying the biosphere, populations, and habitats, the class decided that creating the guide would be a good, hands-on way to apply what they learned and to share their knowledge with the rest of the school community. “We see these animals all the time but we don’t know much about them,” explained Michael McCullough, a sophomore who worked on the project. “For those of us who are from the area, these animals are familiar to us. But I know many students from other countries who’ve never seen a skunk or a raccoon. We thought of creating this guide so that everyone can name the animals they see and learn some facts about them,” he explained. For this first edition of the guide, the class focused on mammals–the most visible group of animals around the SKS campus. Each page provides a photo, some background information, and helpful tips on what to do if someone encounters one of these creatures. The students began by conducting
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ASP Environmental Science class instructor Mr. Graziosi
"I enjoyed doing the research about my animals but citing all of our sources was hard. Mr. G helped us to format all of them the right way at the end of the book, and now I can see why it’s so important." — Jack Kidd ’22
online research including resources published by Black Rock Forest. “We used Black Rock’s list of mammals native to the Forest to determine which species should appear in the guide,” explained Mr. Graziosi. “The class divided the list of mammals among themselves; then each student was responsible for gathering the information needed and for crediting their sources. The next step was to refine and edit the information according to our page template and to find a suitable photo. While all of this was going on, one student also helped to design the cover.” “Pulling together the information about each animal was a great learning experience for the students on several different levels,” commented Mr. Graziosi. “They not only learned facts about their mammals, but they took their ideas and created a useful, finished product. They got a taste of how to write up information for a research project and learned the importance of citing their sources in an appropriate way. Working toward the final product, they also gained insight into what it takes to publish and print a booklet. The project was an example of experiential learning at its best and I’m very proud of my students,” continued Mr. Graziosi. “I enjoyed doing the research about my animals but citing all of our sources was hard. Mr. G helped us to format all of them the right way at the end of the book, and now I can see why it’s so important,” commented sophomore Jack Kidd. Junior Maya Graumlich was very pleased when she saw the finished guide. “We talked about it a lot in class, and we did a lot of research, but it was hard to picture what the guide would look like when it was finished. It really looks nice and I can’t wait to show it to my family,” she said. According to Mr. Graziosi, the guide’s first edition is only the beginning: “It is my hope that we can continue to expand the project in the coming months and years by adding sections on reptiles, amphibians, birds, and insects. With all of this wonderful nature surrounding us, and with the help of resources like Black Rock Forest, the sky’s the limit.” Many thanks go out to the students who worked on the project: Maya Graumlich '21, Jack Kidd '22, Igor Klimtsov '20, Michael “Mikey” McCullough '22, and Jenna Smith '20. To view the Campus Fauna Guide: sks.org/fauna-guide
The Storm King School Granted Accreditation by NYSAIS
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n February 2, 2020, Head of School Jonathan Lamb announced that The Storm King School was recommended for accreditation by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Commission on Accreditation and approved by the NYSAIS Board of Trustees. “Congratulations to our school on completing another successful accreditation cycle. Kudos to everyone in our community who have worked hard to move our school forward by leaps and bounds over the past several years. It has been a pleasure working with the accreditation committee through the process,” said Mr. Lamb. The NYSAIS accreditation process follows a ten-year cycle that verifies a school’s educational program complies with all requirements established by the New York State Board of Regents. The cycle begins with an exhaustive internal and external examination of all aspects of the school community including mission and culture, governance, educational program, student and student services, finance, and school operations; parents, faculty and non-teaching personnel; community relations and communications. SKS completed its self-study in 2014 and received accreditation in 2015. At the midpoint of the ten- year cycle, a school prepares a report of progress and is then visited by a team of New York State independent school professionals to evaluate that report and progress. Storm King is accredited through 2025, at which time the cycle of accreditation will start again. NYSAIS is authorized by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, “to evaluate and accredit nursery schools, kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools operating within the State of New York and, as concerns New York corporations with branches in other states and countries, to evaluate and accredit those consistent with the laws, rules and regulations of host states and countries.” Additionally, NYSAIS is a member of the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA), which includes twenty regional, state and international accrediting agencies. As a member of the ICAISA, the NYSAIS accreditation process is recognized across the United States and throughout the world. For more information about NYSAIS or NYSAIS accreditation, please visit: nysais.org.
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Entrance to the El Chato giant tortoise preserve on Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Exploring Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
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ave you ever dreamed of walking on an untouched, sandy beach alongside a giant Galapagos Tortoise, climbing the slopes of a volcano, zip-lining over a rainforest canopy, or standing with your feet on the Equator? Earlier this year, a small group of students and faculty did all of this and more when they traveled to explore the culture and untouched natural beauty of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The intrepid Storm King travelers began their journey at 9,350 feet above sea level when the group stepped off the plane in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, in early March. They were fortunate to complete their trip just before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. During their nine-day adventure, they had the chance to hike and zip-line through the lush cloud forests of Mindo to the sound of tanagers and toucans and learned about the threats of deforestation in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. According to Director of Service Learning Ben Harnick, who accompanied the students, making their way through the jungle was “an amazing experience that everyone enjoyed. Even senior Dorothy Mao, who expressed some trepidation about the activity, went along with encouragement from her peers and had a blast.” While in the rainforest, the group also paid a visit to a chocolate plantation that produces some of the finest Ecuadorian cacao and spoke with local farmers about their efforts to keep their business sustainable and their carbon footprint small. “We explored every aspect of the supply chain from bean to bar, and sampled some of the world’s best chocolate along the way. This was amazing,” continued Mr. Harnick. “We learned so much about cacao and how this small artisanal outfit makes all their chocolate by hand. They also make a number of other cacao-related products like tea from the husks, lip balm from the cacao butter, and sauces/marinades Students examine marine life inside tidal pools collected in dried lava rock
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Students learn how the Galapagos Islands were formed from volcanoes
from the white, slimy part of the plant (which we were challenged to try. It was surprisingly good!).” “That same day, we traveled to zero degrees latitude on our visit to the Museo de Sitio Intiñan where we all got to stand with one foot in each hemisphere and test out the effect of gravity on the equator through a series of interactive experiments,” continued Mr. Harnick. After the group departed from Quito, they headed for the Galapagos Islands of San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, and Isabel via speedboat where they spent the next six days learning about the challenge of sustainability in this protected landscape. Their first stop was San Cristobal where Charles Darwin first went ashore in 1835. “Suddenly we were transported from a world of bustling streets and towering mountains to an arid archipelago full of natural beauty and otherworldly landscapes. In between island-hopping we enjoyed snorkeling with sea lions at the Galapagos Marine Reserve and relaxing moments on the islands’ beautiful beaches. The sea lions were a few feet away from us and very playful! They swam right alongside us on the coast,” continued Mr. Harnick. “We also went sea kayaking which was another student favorite. Once again, Dorothy went along despite her doubts. We all had a good laugh when eighth-grader Santi Valdes and sophomore Adit Mansury tipped their kayaks multiple times.” On the island of Santa Cruz, the students learned about the creation of the islands as they explored underground lava tunnels. They also got to meet the islands’ most famous reptile: the giant Galapagos Tortoise. These tortoises can weigh up to 500 pounds and are scattered throughout the islands’ highlands. “Seeing the tortoises in their natural habitat was amazing,” continued Mr. Harnick. “Then it started to rain which brought out many of the tortoises for an afternoon bath! We also visited a tortoise research facility on Isabel Island where we saw tiny baby tortoises no bigger than our palms and fully grown adults weighing hundreds of pounds!” Another highlight of Isabel Island included a walk around the rim of Sierra Negra, one of the largest volcanic craters in the world, measuring six miles in diameter and 1,000 feet deep, snorkeling at Concha de la Perla, and the sighting of a real Galapagos penguin. “As a group, we saw and learned so much and had so many great experiences and memorable moments, it’s difficult to cover them all,” continued Mr. Harnick.
“I was really impressed with the way our small, very diverse group of students interacted with one another. I think our first group experience, zip-lining, helped to establish a bond within the group that carried through the entire trip. The trip was a great example of experiential education as we learned so much about history, culture, ecology, biology, etc. through a series of amazing adventures. I think all involved also learned a lot about each other and themselves. Travel is a fantastic catalyst for young people to gain insight and achieve growth. Our adventure was a rewarding and enriching experience for everyone.” On ideas for future international trips, Mr. Harnick looked to his students for inspiration. “Toward the end of the week, we began to dream of where to go next year. Peru and Machu Picchu? Perhaps something more personal like Mason’s ancestral Uruguay? Or a different direction such as Iceland to see the aurora borealis? At the end of such a wonderful travel experience, the students were thirsting for even more adventure. The possibilities of where to go next became endless. From that moment, SKS’ motto of 'How big can you dream?' became the spirit within all of us.”
"As a group, we saw and learned so much and had so many great experiences and memorable moments, it’s difficult to cover them all." — Ben Harnick
The group standing at 00° 00’ 00” latitude on the Equator line
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THE FUTURE REMAINS AT HAND BUT PAUSED
The Cobb House, now the Allison Vladimir Art Center
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t hardly seems possible to think of a time when we were not completely consumed by our current public health crisis. As an observer of this past winter’s Board of Trustees and Alumni Council deliberations prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, one clear and decisive message resonated throughout their assemblies: the future remains at hand. With the dawn of a new decade, there is much to celebrate on The Storm King School campus. The good health of the School’s balance sheet is still reflected in every facet of the life of the School, whether in-person or remotely. Early winter saw work begin on the Cobb House, home to the Allison Vladimir Art Center, marking the last of many deferred projects. As social distancing restrictions were relaxed, the much needed exterior work was completed and now complements the interior of this renowned fine art center; home to world-class instruction in painting, drawing, graphic design, fashion design, and film. We were grateful to have a strong and growing Storm King Fund for much of this work, as well as the disciplined fiscal management of our Board and management team. This past fall, the lighting system in the Henderson Dining Room within Orr Commons was also completely redone with energy efficient lights that enhance the stunning views of the Hudson Valley below and Catskill Mountains beyond. As we say goodbye to this past decade, The Storm King School can also say farewell to deferred maintenance.
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Henderson Dining Room
As previously reported, in March, the School skillfully transitioned to an online/remote learning platform to ensure the health and well-being of the entire school community in the face of the approaching pandemic. Prior to pausing in-person learning, in January The Storm King School welcomed five new students to its community bringing our overall enrollment to a historic high of 195 students. Demand from around the world and across the nation was never stronger as the School also enjoyed a record number of admission applications that has translated into larger matriculations at every grade level. While not reflected in these numbers, it is important to note that those students who did gain admission (as not all do), are among the highest caliber seen in recent history. This is evident by the continued success demonstrated on our playing fields and courts, within the extracurricular programs such as Model U.N., within fine and performing arts, and above all, in our strong top-tier college and university placements. In the same light, the School’s stature among its peer cohort continues to rise as measured by rankings on multiple online national rating agencies– trends that will bode well for a bright future once we successfully navigate through these uncertain times.
Alumni Council In a very short time, the impact of the SKS Alumni Council on both the School and its 3,000 plus alumni has been impressive. Through thoughtful discussions and planning, the various committees within the Alumni Council have successfully increased influence on alumni communications and participation at reunions, regional gatherings, alumni sporting events, and career encouragement. By this time next year, we hope to distance a little closer to resume the wonderful momentum created last year as we begin to plan for a 2021 Reunion Weekend extravaganza that will recognize and celebrate not only our alumni but also all things we cherish as a school community. One of the highlights of the Council’s work this past year was the creation of two new SKS Alumni Awards, the first recognizing achievement in the arts including performing, fine, literary, documentary film, and cinematography. The second was created to honor SKS alumni devotion to the welfare of humanity and the world in which we live. As we gather again at next year’s reunion in June 2021, the Alumni Council will bestow its inaugural 2020 SKS Alumni Council Arts Award to Richard Wormser ’51 who among his many accomplishments is the creator of the PBS Peabody Award winning series The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow and American Reds. Throughout his career, his work has been
recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as he continues to teach, write, and address a range of social justice issues through his medium. When the School community can once again safely gather, the Council will present and celebrate its highest honor, the 2020 Alumni Council Humanitarian Award honoring its inaugural recipient, Amaha Kassa ’90. Mr. Kassa is the founder and executive director of African Communities Together (ACT) which serves as a national non-profit advocacy agency for African immigrants and refugees (www.africans. us). Mr. Kassa will be invited to campus to address the entire SKS community, once it is safe to do so. As part of the Council’s ongoing work, this past March the second of an extensive three-part series of alumni surveys focusing on alumni experience, communications, programming, and philanthropic interest was conducted. The School has already benefitted from the Council’s first survey last year which asked a variety of questions in regards to our alumni experiences and the types of outreach and engagement most meaningful to them. The Council is confident these efforts will lead to increased alumni involvement, participation, and philanthropic support now and in the years to come. Overall alumni engagement has become that much more meaningful through the utilization of the data collected from these important surveys. In the meantime, The School, along with the entire Alumni Council would like to thank all those who participated in these critically important surveys. Designs for the Future (Now More Than Ever) At its January meeting, the Board of Trustees planned to gather at the Mohonk Mountain House to begin to imagine a Storm King School in the year 2032. As the public health crisis unfolded, it became quite evident that this gathering would have to be placed on hold as the Board and School’s Senior Administration huddled to skillfully manage the School’s transformation to virtual/remote learning while at the same time administering to the individual learning needs of our students. The dexterity
One of the highlights of the Council’s work this past year was the creation of two new SKS Alumni Awards.
Amaha Kassa ’90
Richard Wormser ’51
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with which this transformation happened will be remembered in the annals of SKS history as legendary. Mission-critical resources required to keep the School’s educational promise were rescheduled, redistributed, and repurposed so that the School could successfully complete a year like no other for its students, faculty, and staff. The lessons learned from this time have already begun to benefit Storm King as seen in our remote summer offerings, administrative systems, and virtual gathers and meetings for alumni, parents and friends. As the School continues to find its way forward this fall and into the academic year ahead, there will be a great deal more changes, challenges, and compromises as the School continues to navigate this unplanned social crisis. One thing is certain– that for 153 years our School has always seen its way through times of urgency and we trust that lessons learned will serve to strengthen the fabric of its core as we come together again on its beautiful mountainside campus in the fall.
A Historical Groundbreaking Paused Last December the School signed with the architectural firm of Jack L. Gordon, heralding the first steps in the design and construction of our new Academic Center. Originally scheduled to be completed in 2022, this building will mark the first new construction on the Storm King campus in nearly 40 years and will eventually replace
Last December the School signed with the architectural firm of Jack L. Gordon, heralding LOWMOUNT the first steps in the design and construction of our new Academic Center.
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Dyar Hall with eight large, flexible classrooms and two STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) labs. In February, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold, the Board and Administration recognized that the building program would have to be paused as the School dealt with oncoming crisis. With this unforeseen situation unfolding, the School postponed the new academic center’s June 2020 scheduled ground breaking and associated fundraising efforts as economic uncertainties enveloped the United States. It is anticipated that once business travel is safe, the School will continue to host a series of regional informational meetings across the United States regarding the programs and construction of the new academic center. Additionally, in 2021, it is expected that the Storm King School community will see the first renderings of the new building as the building program restarts. Should the stars align for this much anticipated project, the School could host a historic
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NEW ACADEMIC CENTER
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Future Campus Master Plan
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groundbreaking as early as the 2021 Reunion Weekend. However, as the current crisis remains fluid, we continue to proceed with the understanding that the timeline for construction and the raising of the resources necessary for the academic center’s completion must align. No indication of a new building on the SKS campus can go without mention of the resources required for its completion and the fundraising efforts that will resume. The first phase of the new Academic Center will cost approximately $5 million. While the School is seeking construction financing to ensure that the completion of the building is done expeditiously, it will also require the collective generosity of the entire SKS Community. Already, members of the Board, Alumni Council and select members of our community have made generous commitments to the project. In the next few months, you will hear a great deal more about how the School will leverage this initial generosity into a campaign from which the next great chapter of the School will be written. The completion of the new Academic Center will mark the end of an extraordinary strategic cycle for The Storm King School. Not since the mid-1960s has the School been in such a strong position. One has just to look at the extraordinary investment Storm King has made in its physical plant, the growth in its enrollment, the stability within its leadership, the increased value of our endowment, or the acceptances of its students to top-tier colleges and universities. As we strategically find our way through the challenges posed by our current circumstances, Storm King will regain its stride and resume its strategic design for 2032 and beyond. In that time, The Storm King School will transform itself as it welcomes new leadership, new investment, and an entirely new generation of talented faculty and students. The planning for our future as we know it may appear to be paused, but it strategically remains an ongoing and important agenda item in our designs for the next ten years. We must think about what lessons we have learned and will continue to learn from this particularly challenging time. We must continue to embrace our concern for and dedication to the individual educational needs of our students, to the campus and the historical relationship it has to our surroundings. Above all, we must uphold the values we have held for more than 152 years of truth, respect, and responsibility for and to each other in our diverse and global community. These are the tenets on which to build the next decade, worthy of your dedication, and when the time comes, grateful for your ongoing investment. On behalf of the entire SKS community, thank you for being faithful to the ideals on which we will once again write the next great chapter of this School’s life.
Meet Our New Alumni Council Members
JIM PERLBERG ’70 Throughout his four years on the Mountain, Jim was a member of Blue Key club, played soccer and hockey, and served as the manager of the baseball team. Following his graduation from SKS, Jim attended Wilkes College and Marymount College, graduating with a B.S. in Business. Jim has had a varied career life having worked at the NBC TV Network and the New York Life Insurance Company from which he retired in 2018. Outside of work, Jim was very active in service to the community, volunteering as an EMT and at other emergency service venues. These days, Jim raises money for the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation by riding his bicycle during their Great Cycle Challenge. Jim lives in Mahopac, NY with his wife, Marilyn, of 35 years. “I loved my time at Storm King. I learned more than what was taught from books. As a boarding student with classmates from all across the country and the world, I learned how to make my way in the world. Most importantly, I learned to always do my best, to do the right thing, and to care about people.”
LISA VEYKA ’83 Upon graduating from The Storm King School, Lisa completed a double-major in Media & Communications and English Writing at Fordham University. She went on to work in hotel, spa and restaurant management in New York City. A competitive marathoner and century cyclist, Lisa obtained her massage license, and then opened a therapeutic practice in NYC dedicated exclusively to performance athletes and those recovering from injuries and illness, which she owned and operated for 15 years. Over the last several years, Lisa led a team of specialists throughout the US addressing patterns of fraud and inappropriate behavior for a national online massage booking platform called Zeel. She is currently advancing her career by combining her tech, hospitality, and sleuthing skills to attain advanced cyber security certification through Barclays Bank, experts in cyber security for businesses. “I learned to negotiate life's choppy waters, pick my battles, and appreciate the goodness in people at SKS. I gained the confidence to shape my future. I had no idea the profound effect one year would have at the time, but now that I'm older, I get it, and I look forward to being part of the Alumni Council.”
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AN EXTRAORDINARY GIFT This past winter, The Storm King School received a gift that has not only enhanced the beauty of our ever- growing campus, but also has become an enduring symbol of the School’s resilience and strength. The gift, a 2010 sculpture by Denis Folz called Mighty Oak, was made by alumnus and former trustee B. deRacey Gilbert Jr., Class of 1960. The large oak leaf is a kinetic piece designed to carve its way through the campus mountain breezes as it stands symbolizing the strength, honor, liberty, and endurance of The Storm King School’s students and faculty. As one writer put it, “the oak is King of the Trees” with its longevity, ability to feed small game while at the same time build the mightiest of structures with its lumber. This is truly an extraordinary gift that will enhance our campus and symbolize the strength of its mountain-top surroundings.
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SKS ALUMNA & ENTREPRENEUR MICHELE DESIMONE ’00
I "Our entire team is tirelessly dedicated to maximizing the potential in children and guiding families through what can be a confusing and stressful process." — Dr. DeSimone ’00
n 2019, Dr. Michele DeSimone ’00 scored a hat trick defined by Merriam Webster as “three successes within a limited time.” For the DeSimone family, it was an incredible year by any measure. In August, Michele completed a Clinical Doctorate Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Kean University. At the same time, she and her husband Adam DeSimone ’00 purchased a building and fully renovated it to open a third business location in September. If that wasn’t enough, the couple also welcomed daughter Emma Grace into the world in October! After graduating from Storm King, Dr. DeSimone earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology from St. John’s University in 2004 and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from New York University in 2007. Soon after she began to work with patients, Dr. DeSimone was asked to teach within the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders at St. John’s. There, she realized her passion for mentorship and professional guidance within the field. Following in her father’s footsteps, she went on to become the entrepreneur that she is today. After Michele spent several years as a partner in smaller practices, the DeSimones founded The Sensory Studio in March 2016. The Sensory Studio is a community-based resource center offering specialized speech therapy, occupational therapy, workshops, professional training, and peer groups for children with developmental and communicative needs. Addressing a critical community need, The Sensory Studio opened its second Staten Island Center in the autumn of 2018 and a third in September 2019 after the couple purchased and renovated a building to become their flagship location. Dr. DeSimone employs 32 speech and occupational therapists across their three Staten Island locations and staffs several community schools. Each of the three centers is equipped with a full sensory gym, providing a comprehensive therapeutic experience. “Our entire team is tirelessly dedicated to maximizing the potential in children and guiding families through what can be a confusing and stressful process,” explains Dr. DeSimone. The DeSimones have also purchased a new home where they will be moving in August 2020 with their infant daughter, Emma; eight-year-old son, Sal; and their Boston terrier, Rocco. Michele and Adam met on the Mountain and wrote: “We have Storm King to thank for bringing us together, and we look forward to seeing classmates for a belated 20th reunion in June 2021.”
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ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME
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NYC HOLIDAY PARTY
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6 ALUMNI CONNECTIONS
9 36 / EVENTS & NOTES
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Events & Notes Alumni Basketball Game: 1 Standing from left: faculty Michael Vondras; past coach Kevin O'Brian; past coach Kevin Houston; Dean and Basketball coach Alan Lewis; Jesse Li '20; Larry Lepisto '89; Faculty David Mendlewski; Pep Viveros '21; Jermaine Miller '02; JC Garcia Perez '22; Mason Popowitz '21; Jose Figueroa '18; Jon Lopes '00; Sarah Fulton '09; Sele Birchwood '09; faculty Jeremy Freeman; Jayden Figueroa '19; David Bethea '01; Greg Facey '13; Richard Bailey '02; Faculty Angelica Centeno; Seated: Rory Tobin '20; Sofia Nobrega '21; Romee Choi '21; Sienna Roehrich '23; Sam McCullough '20; Naunet Leonhardes-Barboza '20; Staff Kaitlin Nolan; and Shauntiece Puddon Hunt '01; 2 Coaches Kevin Houston & Kevin O'Brian with their past team members: Jermaine Miller '02; Richard Bailey '02; Shauntiece Puddon Hunt 01; Jon Lopes '00; David Bethea '01; NYC Holiday Party: 3 Jim Perlberg '70; Alumni Director Lynn Crevling '72 and Neil Epstein '70; 4 Alexandra Caulfield '03 & Shauntiece Hunt '01; 5 Jon Lamb; Brad & Renee Tobin P'20; Bettina Murray G'20; & Roger Auerbacher '66 Board Chair; 6 Former Faculty Bill Cesario; Trustee Christine Watson '94; & Eduardo Sanchez '60; Alumni Connections: 7 Jordan Golding '20 shadows Dominique Manpel '79 at court; 8 Girls basketball team with alumnus Tom Delaney '58; 9 Jodi Gerson '91 Speaks to AP Psychology class
To see even more friendly faces: photos.sks.org/Alumni
Class Notes harder. The trip was interesting culturally as we were among subsistence farming hill tribe communities that were cultivating garlic and chili. We bought one kilo of garlic for 80 cents. The villagers were curious about our method of fishing, and why we released fish rather than eating them. But Mahseer are boney and, for us, inedible. At one point, we came upon a herd of water buffalo cooling down midstream. Our guide noted that we should steer clear of the water buffalo, but that the only real danger in the area were landmines planted by the Thais and Burmese during conflicts in the 1970s-80s. Both countries have apparently forgotten where the mines were placed, so we opted to walk the streams and near the banks. All told, we fished two to three miles of water in each of five streams over a three day period. We took Mahseer in every pool, with the largest fish we landed weighing three kilos. The larger fish, at five or six kilos, would leave a wake when we spooked them. It was a good trip, fishing in the time of Covid.”
Robert 'Bob' Parke ’57 Bob checked in with SKS reporting that he is zigzagging and jaywalking across Foggy Bottom in Washington, D.C. with little to no traffic during rush hour. Disappointed not to be returning to the Mountain this year, he is making the best of his ‘self-incarceration’ by touring his neighborhood when venturing out to the Post Office and Trader Joe’s. As he puts it, “Looking forward to seeing you all and the School when we’re safe again." Photo caption: Mr. Parke, at the front gate of his Foggy Bottom home, with Easton and Marek Pramuka in June 2018. Robert 'Bob' Cory ’63 Bob recently wrote that he is helping package food for delivery in his hometown.“In this crazy plague we are part of, it's the least I can do,” he commented. Bob is doing well and sends his regards to all SKS classmates and friends.. Steve Croll ’64 Steve sent news from Thailand: “Rather than sit at home in Chiang Mai and sequester for another week, I called a friend and a fishing guide to plan a trip along Thailand’s border with Burma to fly-fish for Mahseer. Mahseer fishes like a trout, but is stronger and eats anything that happens to float by, including berries. These fish live in freestone streams that flow from the Himalayas through Burma and into Thailand. Powerful and swift, Mahseer strike hard and fight
John Prentice ’64 No grass grows under the feet of John Prentice ‘64. After mentoring children for many years, John started volunteering about two and a half years ago at a homeless shelter where he initially did odd jobs. But, as time went on and John’s enthusiasm and skills became apparent, he was asked to take on improving the food pantry called Good News at Noon. He now organizes food drives, getting his Cresswind at Lake Lanier, GA community involved. Over a year and a half ago, he added raising money and seeking grants to his volunteer duties. He said he had gotten tips and ideas from the good work done by SKS. John’s garage at home is now half full of food, and donation checks may be found left under his doormat. “You simply can't believe how much food has been donated so far – we just received over 20 more bags and several cases of canned goods. ALL of the food that people really seem to appreciate and it's still being dropped off! It really is enough to completely fill the food pantry! I would love it if we were able to open the pantry on a second day each week,” he says. John continues to be a leader, full of heart and energy. Kudos! Bill Wood ’67 Bill has found the days of sheltering in place to be productive. He sent a design sketch and a photo of his progress to date on a sculpture he started in late February. “I did run out of steel on the last of the three pieces, but two are done and finishing them up is going to consume more than a few hours, so I'm good at home for the time being. There isn't much better than having a welding machine and a bunch of metal.” Until more steel arrives, there is always work on his 160 year old house, he says.
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Chet Neumann ’68 Chet wrote that he and his wife Gudrun are now retired. Chet continues to play hockey with the Kansas City Possums’ Old Timers Team, which was to compete at the Fort Myers Oldtimers Hockey Tournament in Florida in the Over 50 division this spring. As Chet says, he could compete in the over 60 group, as he will turn 70 this year, but likes the challenge of “the young guys.” Chet was also scheduled to speak at the Society of German American Studies (SGAS) Conference being held at Georgetown University. His lecture will be about John Fries and the Pennsylvania tax rebellion of 1798, which was quashed by President John Adams. Chet became involved with the SGAS as a result of the research he was doing about his grandmother’s farm in Rhinebeck, NY, which once stood on the site of what is now the estate of John Jacob Astor. Tom Donahue Faculty/Staff 1968-1975 Tom wrote that he stays in touch with Jon Keeve ’74 and enjoys the abundant and upbeat SKS news that comes his way. Tom still yearns to be on his skis, writing that global warming has done nothing to eliminate the wind, the gray and the cold in Michigan, but it has had the effect of cutting way back on the snow. He has been teaching at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. This semester he planned to teach Big Questions from the Dark Ages which, he notes, is a time period that is not “dark” by any stretch of the imagination! Last semester he taught a class called The Westward Movement and the Indian Wars of the United States. “After a long hiatus in Texas where I did no teaching, I am being reminded of how much I liked it. Nothing quite like a dry marker and a captive audience. And they haven't heard all my jokes yet, which is an added plus,” he says. Tom and wife Judy’s daughter, Jesse Donahue, Ph.D.,
PICTURE COMING SOON. ***I have to find the hard copy Lynn gave me and then scan it.***
Tom Donahue during a 1975 SKS ski trip
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teaches gender and politics, state and local government, public policy, and statistics at SVSU and is an activist and researcher with current interests being the politics of zoos. Daughter Kelly Donahue-Wallace, PhD, is a Professor of Art Education and Art History at the University of North Texas and the author of numerous books, chapters, articles and book reviews on Latin American and Spanish art and architecture. Henry Hudson ’73 Henry reports that he moved to Utah and is currently remodeling a house on ranch land where his son Henry Hudson Jr. ’04 will live. Henry Jr. is Director of Adventures and Events at Blue Sky Ranch, a luxury resort on 3,500 acres near Park City, Utah. Henry Jr. and his wife, Alexandra, have a daughter, Etta, and are looking forward to their second child coming soon. Henry Sr. also reported that daughter Jennifer Hudson ’02 is Director of Instruction at Sankaty Head Golf Club in Siasconset, Massachusetts in the summer and a teaching professional at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida in the winter. In 2019, Jennifer was recognized for a second consecutive year as a GRAA Top 50 Teaching Professional and as the New England PGA Teaching Professional of the Year. Josiah 'Si' Cantwell ’75 Si retired after a 40-year career as a newspaperman, most recently having spent 28 years with the StarNews in Wilmington, DE. He started his journalism career in 1979 when he joined The Charlotte Observer as night metro clerk, doing weather and obits. He worked up and down the East Coast in the mid-1980s and then worked for Viewtron (Knight-Ridder) on what would later become the internet. He was on the world desk the day in 1983 that the Soviets shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007. After stops at the Journal of Commerce and the Easton (PA) Express, he began at StarNews in 1990 as number two on the copy desk where he worked as business editor, wrote columns, headed up the newspaper's community coverage, and met and interviewed countless good people helping others. In retirement, Si is writing freelance, performing in a rock band called The Clams, and enjoying spending time with his wife of 36 years, Maria Cantwell.
Laura Cobrinik ’77 Laura wrote “I am sending a photograph of myself that my mom took of me last week when I was on the way to the bank. I am wearing a mask that my dad, a retired physician, bought a few years ago and vinyl gloves on my hands. I’m happy to say that my family and I are healthy.” Kathleen ‘Kiki’ Bostwick ’79 Kiki works at the Wildlife Care Association in Sacramento, CA. The Wildlife Care Association (WCA) is a nonprofit, independent, volunteer-based association permitted by the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to care for native wildlife. It rescues or rehabilitates more than six thousand wild animals each year, entirely supported by donations. “I take care of everything from hummingbirds, turkeys, deermice, possums, skunks, to deer. I love the work. I learn new things everyday and also have a whole new avenue of education to pursue. As soon as this (coronavirus) thing is over, I will continue my efforts to re-enroll at UC Davis to get a further degree in animal or bird care and rehabilitation. This is something I really look forward to.” Robin Harris ’79 Robin wrote “I was 15 years old and away from home for the first time when I came to The Storm King School. There were many people that helped me during those teenage years. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to Mr. Bill Cesario, one of the nicest people I knew; Mr. Thomas Yudd, for his colorful pants and sense of humor; and Mr. Michael Moore ‘72, who always found a way to make students better than the way he found them."
Tim Keogh ’79 Tim reports that he is a vet helping vets — an advocate for veterans, a life member of the VFW, and a proud papa of three. “I am a son of the American Revolution through my 5th great grandfather Jeremiah Dean. All the way through from him to me, every generation has served. I work with Josh Harder who represents California’s 10th Congressional District on his Congressional Veteran’s Advisory Council. The VA hospital system is, at times, difficult to navigate. The worst thing I see on a regular basis is a veteran trying to get the appropriate healthcare and services they have earned, and giving up in frustration due to not knowing how to navigate the system.” Tim would be pleased to hear from schoolmates or other veterans at http:// www.tpkeoghblog.com. Marty Swanhall Faculty/Staff 1981-1984 Marty was in touch after many years: “After teaching science at Storm King for three years, I became a college admissions officer for the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut (where I saw a few SKS alumni). While at UB, I realized that sitting in an office for half the year (I was visiting high schools for the other half) was not for me and SKS taught me that being in the classroom is where I needed to be. I started working part-time towards a master’s degree in Education with certification and got a teaching position at the St. Luke’s School in Connecticut. From there, I went to Newtown High School where I taught for 25 years. In June of 2018, I moved to Florida and am now teaching at Lakeview Middle School. I married LeeAnne last June, and when I am not in school, I’m becoming a Floridian. I have a Disney and Universal annual pass, had one for Sea World, have been to the Keys and Miami, and have seen many gators. Thanks to the internet, I am now in contact with many folks from SKS where my teaching career started.”
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Tiffany N. Gagliano Esq. ’92 Congratulations to Tiffany N. Gagliano Esq.’92 on her new position as the inaugural Dean of the School of Business at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. In her new role, she is expanding the Mount’s external relations and partnerships, supporting recruitment, and working with campus stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for the School of Business. Gagliano is a Mount alumna, class of 2002, and the parent of a current Mount graduate student. After graduating from the Mount, Gagliano earned a Juris Doctor degree at Pace University. She served in numerous professional roles with the City of Newburgh and Orange County and has been a volunteer basketball coach for most of her adult life. She is also a board member of Girls on the Run – Hudson Valley, a program that helps young women to develop essential life skills with an appreciation for health and fitness. Tiffany is married to James A. Gagliano, FBI Supervisory Special Agent (ret.) and CNN Law Enforcement Analyst. They are the parents of five children and a rescued pit bull. Captain Intrayuth Charoenthaipanich ’95 The Captain and his wife, Karnchana Singharuksa, are delighted to welcome their son “Thyme” born on March 21, 2020. Yuth wrote “Thyme is looking forward to studying at SKS one day.” Kota Nakamura ’95 Kota wrote that he attended SKS for its art program, fondly recalling his art teachers Bonnie Cayea Newman, Austin Stern and Ginger Lind as faculty/staff who were important to him on the Mountain. Voted most artistic in the 1995 yearbook, Kota went on to attend Syracuse University, earning a BFA in painting, then he earned a MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and a Ph.D. at The Tokyo University of the Arts. A working artist and part time university lecturer, Kota has been showing his large sculptural installations in New York City, in Japan and internationally since 2003, winning prizes at exhibitions. In 2018, he was selected to be a part of the Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh, commenting “It is always nice to communicate with
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artists from different countries and sharing information and thoughts.” Kota hopes that he can attend his rescheduled 25th reunion SKS in June 2021. “Please take care of yourselves at SKS, and let's believe in the power of art!” Erin Myers ’00 Erin wrote “A lot has gone on since I left SKS in the year 2000, yet, sometimes it feels just like yesterday. Since then, I have traveled to many places, including all over the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal, France, and London. Shout out to my Spanish teacher! Learning Spanish actually helped me get around with my family because most of the time anyone that was with me was clueless! I have three beautiful children: Mikey, Casey and Cameron. I cherish all of my memories on the Mountain and lifelong friends and great teachers that I will never forget during my four years at SKS. I wish everyone the best and since we couldn't do it this year, I hope to see everyone next year for our 20th year reunion. With Love.” Michael Sollami ’02 Michael is the lead Data Scientist of Salesforce’s Einstein Team based in Cambridge, MA. He received a doctorate in Mathematics in 2012 from the University of Wyoming and has since then led machine learning research and engineering teams at various companies. Currently at Salesforce,
Michael designs deep learning based search and recommendation systems for the e-commerce space. In 2019, he authored and received provisional approval for seven patents, putting the Commerce Cloud Einstein’s team high in the ranking for most patents company wide. In 2018, Michael was part of a five-person team that won a worldwide competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of State called Fishackathon, competing against 45,000 people in 65 other cities across five continents. Fishackathon’s goal is to protect life in our waters by creating technological solutions to help solve problems related to fishing. Michael’s team’s winning submission was called PoachStopper, a low cost solution that would recognize sounds associated with fishing and compute a unique signature for each boat that passes within a detection radius of 50 kilometers. Steven Wooten ’04 Steven wrote “To bring people up to date, after graduation I attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA where I was on the golf team from 2004-2008. After graduating from Morehouse, I started a career in sales with Apple and spent time working in the property management industry. I then spent five years at Morgan Stanley in Wealth Management working with a group of financial advisors in the greater Atlanta area, but I wanted to get back to something that I loved. If you remember me from campus, you will know that my passion is the game of golf. After getting married to my beautiful wife, Ryah, in September of 2018, we began the search and landed a once in a lifetime opportunity at Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green, FL where I became the Assistant Golf Professional of the daily golf operation. Streamsong is one of the top five destination resorts in the world located on 16,000 acres of reclaimed mining land with three resort style golf courses. Ryah is an educator from Pittsburgh, PA who played collegiate basketball at The California University of Pennsylvania. She is a Pittsburgh Steelers and a Michigan State basketball fan, so needless to say that we live in a house divided, as I remain loyal to the New York Giants and enjoy the University of Carolina sports program. We are also very excited to announce that Steven Melvin Wooten III, our first child, was born on March 4, 2020 (although our chocolate lab will never let us forget that she was our first baby). We look forward to seeing SKS friends again.” Alex Gillespie ’17 Congratulations to Alex Gillespie, Class of 2017, who is on the Dean’s list at Susquehanna University. A junior, Alex is majoring in Environmental Sciences.
Liza Shligerska ’18 Liza wrote that after graduation, she attended George Washington University, and in the fall of her college sophomore year, she transferred to NYU to study in their hospitality management program. Hospitality is a field that Liza selected because it will allow her to follow her passion for travel, be mobile, and work internationally. She has since transferred again to attend Cornell University’s hospitality management program with a concentration in hotel operations and hotel law. She said that Cornell is demanding, but she is excited about her studies and remains on track to graduate in the spring of 2022. She has already had two internships with the Fairmont Hotel: in New York City and in Kiev, Ukraine. Liza wrote: “I dearly miss SKS, and my only regret is that my 2018 volleyball team did not make the HVAL championships like this year’s team did! Congratulations!” Tamar Haham-McGowan ’19 Tamar wrote “Hey Storm King Community! I am currently back home from my first year at college, due to the recent circumstances (I know, what a great way to finish my first year of college). I am studying at Binghamton University, where I am a part of a few clubs that work with youth off campus. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to continue this work with children that Storm King taught me to know and love. Unfortunately, due to the recent circumstances, I no longer have the enjoyable in-person classes at school and the work with the children has come to a temporary close. However, the abrupt move back home has given me the opportunity to go back to work and meet up with fellow Storm King friends and teachers (from a safe distance, of course), while still being enrolled in the now-online classes at Binghamton. Storm King is still my home away from home, and I am extremely grateful for the unique opportunities I had at this place.”
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.
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In Memoriam 1940
1953
1961
1979
Dr. Donald Peck Burt
William D. Perry
Lawrence 'Lon' Gratz
Madalynne 'Fay' DuBissette
September 18, 2019
September 30, 2019
February 10, 2020
June 30, 2020
1941
1955
1976
1986
William James Lee Bradley III
Guy Holbrook
Jerry McGee
Arthur Dwight Maine
April 15, 2019
January 28, 2020
October 19, 1991
March 3, 2019
1950
1956
1977
Martin "Mert" Kennedy
Harrison M. Davis III
Robert Gustafson
Past Faculty & Staff
May 13, 2020
November 26, 2019
May 14, 2020
1990 - 1996
1951
1956
1978
Richard L. McChesney
Daniel C. Field, Jr.
Michael Chilton Carver, Jr.
March 14, 2020
June 19, 2018
March 14, 2008
November 25, 2017
1981-2001
1952
1960
1978
James Kent Kelleher
Richard Kirk Roberts
Stephen Timothy Welters
March 1, 2020
July 27, 2019
April 11, 2020
March 11, 2020
Lawrence 'Lon' Gratz ’61, former Chair of the Board of Trustees, passed away on February, 10, 2020 at his home in Bonita Springs, Florida. Lon is survived by his wife, Jane Schiff. While a student at The Storm King School, Lon succeeded academically and engaged in activities such as editing the literary magazine, managing the JV and varsity hockey teams, and playing on the tennis team. After graduating in 1961, he received a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Ripon College and attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Lon’s impressive business career included leadership positions at Reliable Management Corporation, Scott Medical Equipment, Stewart Oxygen Services, and other companies. After retiring in 1989, Lon continued to work as Board Chair, President, and CEO of Carillon Capital Management and as a personal investment portfolio manager. Community service was also an important part of Lon’s life. For nearly 20 years while residing in Georgia he gave his time and support to the North Fulton Community Charities, worked as a volunteer to elect the mayor of the City of Roswell and served as the Chairman of the Roswell Cultural Arts Board. Lon joined the SKS Board of Trustees in 2011 serving as a key member that helped Storm King turn a corner and move forward over the past decade. As Board Chair from 2014 to 2016, Lon once said, “After graduation in 1961 and during the ensuing years, I learned to appreciate my time at SKS as the most transformative in my life. As a result, I have always supported SKS.” Lon received the Storm King Founders Cup in 2014, the School’s highest honor. He continued to serve the School actively until his passing.
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Nancy Jane Fleckinger
Carl Pacione
Mr. Harrison Davis III ’56 The Storm King School community is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Harrison Merrill Davis III ‘56, Trustee Emeritus, alumnus, and business leader who was committed to educational excellence and devoted to the School’s well-being. Harrison passed away on November 26, 2019, at the age of 80. Harrison is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Marilyn Lasner Davis, and his four children Stuart Burton, Jeffrey, Jonathan, and Alexandra. The son of Storm King’s seventh Head of School Harrison Davis Jr. (1951-1952), Harrison attended The Storm King School as an underclassman before graduating from the New York Military Academy. He attended Hartwick College and Bowdoin College, and joined The Storm King School’s Board of Trustees at the request of Chairperson Stephen P. Duggan in 1991. A Board Member for more than a decade, he served as the Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and was Secretary of the Board from 1998-2006. In 2006, Harrison was the recipient of the SKS Founder’s Cup Award, the School’s highest honor, for his devoted service to the School. After retiring from the Board, he was often seen at holiday gatherings and through the years he remained the same warm and supportive man who deeply appreciated the School and his time on the Mountain.
Sustaining Our Tradition of Caring For 152 years, The Storm King School has demonstrated a Tradition of Caring, which has supported, throughout the generations, the individual needs of our students. As we navigate these uncertain times, it is important the School has the resources derived from The Storm King Fund to maintain not only uncompromising educational excellence but also the well-being and the safety of our entire learning community. Your generosity to the Storm King Fund will extend our Tradition of Caring. For questions on ways you can support The Storm King School’s people and programs, please call the Alumni & Development Office at (845) 458-7522 or visit SKS.org.
Commencement Car Parade, June 2020
On the Mountain
The Storm King School 314 Mountain Road Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520
CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER SINCE 1867
