MillbrookEngage

Introduction by MillbrookEngage Program Director Trish Rexhouse

Founded in 2015, the MillbrookEngage internship program quickly became a part of the modern-day fabric of our school. The program is mission-centered, an embodiment of Millbrook School’s motto, Non Sibi Sed Cunctis, and core value of service. Since its inception, 60 students have participated in this unique program, serving not-forprofit organizations during the summer before their VIth form year.

MillbrookEngage continues to be a win-win-win: for our students, the not-for-profits they serve, and Millbrook School. The program's significant growth—more than doubling in size in the last two years despite the challenges of the pandemic—affirms its success. Working beyond the borders of Millbrook’s campus this summer, 15 students brought Non Sibi Sed Cunctis to new regions, sectors, and organizations and returned to campus in September with newly gained real-world experiences to share during the annual MillbrookEngage Chapel Talk.

A deep commitment to service connects Millbrook students past and present. The legacy set forth by alumnus Herb Shultz ’63 when he conceived of and initially funded MillbrookEngage is alive, well, and growing.

ROGAN FAUCI

Rogan spent eight weeks working at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in New York City, where he had been a patient as a young child. Remembering the important work done by child life specialists at the hospital, Rogan tailored his MillbrookEngage internship to his interests, expertise, and experience. He brought his love of music, discovered while he was a patient, to many children at the hospital by playing for them and with them, giving them something to look forward to each day. Rogan found MillbrookEngage to be extremely rewarding and worthwhile. “No matter what you do, you’re helping,” he said. “Millbrook taught me to always be willing to jump into things to make a difference.”

NOLA GREENBERG

Nola found both her creative voice and drive to serve at Millbrook. Chinatown Soup is a group dedicated to supporting artists and growing grassroots arts culture in Nola’s home of New York City and includes a café and gallery space as well as studio space for resident artists. During her term there, Nola managed their social media, worked with artists and entrepreneurs using the space, performed administrative tasks, and assisted in applying for grants. She was able to forge connections with all kinds of people, a skill she’ll continue to develop at Millbrook and beyond.

MARGAUX LEVINE

Margaux’s internship for the Connecticut chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) gave her deep insight into the workings of a busy non-profit while providing them with hours of needed support. As the world’s largest private funder of suicide prevention research, the work of the AFSP depends greatly on the fundraising efforts of local chapters. Margaux was instrumental in planning events, maintaining existing partnerships, and connecting with potential donors, all in service of raising suicide awareness. This internship allowed her to develop new personal connections with AFSP staff and volunteers, many of whom had firsthand experiences with mental health challenges, and realize the importance of destigmatizing discussions about mental health.

LUCY LI

Lucy gained hands-on and administrative experience in the medical field through her MillbrookEngage internship with the Association of Chinese American Physicians. Though she spent some time writing notes and filing reports, a majority of her work was patient focused. Lucy was trained to perform several nursing tasks, including administering EKGs and other tests, and she developed close working relationships with several doctors and nurses. Lucy maximized her time and sums up her experience: “I am now determined to pursue a pre-med track in the future thanks to MillbrookEngage.”

ANN NAJORK

Ann’s MillbrookEngage internship brought her to the Hudson Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HVSPCA). Ann, a zoo curator, sought a role that would further her career goals while also serving an organization in need. She spent most of her time in the cattery, training and socializing kittens for adoption and arranging placements in forever homes. HVSPCA personnel praised Ann as one of the best-prepared volunteers ever, and, in the true spirit of MillbrookEngage, she left the shelter better than she found it.

THEO WILTON

Theo interned at CCTV, an independent broadcaster committed to using television to engage citizens with local government and community in Burlington, Vermont, by broadcasting town meetings, hearings, and other local programming. Theo served as a true utility player, shooting video in-studio and on location, editing and archiving, and planning coverage and programming. Theo has practice in journalism as editor-in-chief of The Silo, Millbrook’s student newspaper, and he thrived in the fast-paced environment of news gathering while honing his ability to problem solve and think on his feet. Maddie Bochniak interned at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut where she assisted patients post-surgery and helped get cancer patients to treatments throughout the hospital.

Kosmas Brandenberg interned at the Lenape Center, an organization creating programs, exhibitions, workshops, performances, symposia, land acknowledgment, and ceremonies to continue the Lenape presence in New York and educate people across the United States.

Nick Chen interned as a docent at the King Manor Museum in Queens, New York. He also worked on programming related to climate change and deforestation.

Hannah Coon undertook a research project on the Trevor Zoo's marmosets using behavioral ethograms and analysis of their corticosterone hormones to report on their stress levels.

Sophia DeStazio interned at Hope On A Mission in Poughkeepsie, New York. She maintained an online thrift store, recruited volunteers, and did other work in support of homeless and underserved constituencies.

Toby Morrow interned in the Department of Media Studies at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie.

Ryan Pink worked in fundraising and on social media in support of Athletes vs. Crohns & Colitis of Westchester, New York. The organization encourages young people to participate in sports while coping with a chronic illness.

Johnny Rigolino worked as a camp counselor with Edge Athletics in Poughkeepsie, where he organized and facilitated youth basketball clinics.

Forrest Schmitt helped to connect immigrants with legal assistance and other resources at the Berkshire Immigrant Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.