10 minute read
Horizons
Building Brighter Futures Since 1964
Hosted at New Canaan Country School
HORIZONS HIGH SCHOOL
Graduates Celebrate 95% College Placement
—Executive Director Nancy von Euler
Twenty-two graduating seniors in the Horizons at New Canaan Country School Class of 2021 were honored on June 12.
Among the graduates were NCCS alumni Jennifer Llamas and Brian Villalta, each of who both received awards. Brian, a 2021 graduate of Rye Country Day School and 2018 graduate of New Canaan Country School, was presented the Leah Kimmet Spirit Award by Nehemie Moïse, Horizons Director of Student and Family Support, and Family Council representative Luisa Osorio. The award recognizes a graduating Horizons high school senior for their outstanding kindness, enthusiasm and dedication to others. Brian is currently attending Columbia University.
Jennifer, a 2021 graduate of Greens Farms Academy and 2018 graduate of New Canaan Country School who is currently attending the University of Pennsylvania, was presented the Jackie Roberson Valedictorian Award by Ms. Roberson, Horizons Senior Program Dean of Students and Culture. This award is in recognition of the student who has received the highest cumulative, weighted GPA throughout their high school years and is known for their integrity and active involvement in the Horizons program.
The class student speaker, Kemberly Denerville, a 2021 graduate of Brien McMahon High School’s Center for Global Studies in Norwalk, shared inspirational thoughts for her fellow seniors who made it through an incredibly challenging year. She charged her fellow graduates “to be confident in college and in the journey ahead of us to be curious, strong, atypical, and be extraordinary, I want everyone to go out there and reclaim your time.”
Monae Cherry, Horizons Class of 2011, shared reflections as the alumni speaker and led the recitation of the Alumni Association Oath as the graduating class became inducted into the Horizons Alumni Association. Monae joined the NCCS Apprentice Teacher Training Program this fall.
Bankwell sponsored the graduation event for the third year in a row, recognizing the resilience, hard work and dedication of these seniors, many of whom started with the program before third grade. Bankwell Branch Manager Toure Surgeon, a Horizons alumnus from the Class of 2006, kicked off the ceremony by saying: “Undoubtedly the accomplishments from this group are unprecedented as they successfully navigated through a year of COVID, virtual classes and social issues. This class has shown true resolve and I can guarantee it originates from their family, friends and the great program that is Horizons.” Bankwell, together with contributions from the Horizons Family Council, gifted our graduates with a new piece of luggage filled with essentials to help prepare them for the next step in their educational journey.
Executive Director Nancy von Euler closed the ceremony with a Franciscan blessing that beautifully reflected the Horizons values and hopes for the impact the graduates will have as they head into the world: “May you be blessed with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in this world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.”All students were asked to take a plant that lined the stage and present it to their family in recognition of the love and support that helped them get to this important milestone.
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For more information, please visit www.horizonskids.org.
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HORIZONS CLASS OF 2021 College Destinations
Columbia University, Fordham University, Norwalk Community College, Southern Connecticut State University, Springfield College, University of Connecticut (Stamford), University of Connecticut (Storrs), University of Pennsylvania, University of Massachusetts (Boston), Western Connecticut State University and Western New England University.
NEW HORIZONS SWIMMING POOL A
Springboard for Student Success
The Horizons at New Canaan Country School Board, Board of Governors and leadership donors gathered Sept. 8, to dedicate the new and improved McNaught Pool and celebrate Horizon’s 57th successful year. Executive Director Nancy von Euler shared with those assembled the importance of the pool and the ripple effect of Horizons’ swimming program: “In addition to serving as a tool to build swimming skills, self-esteem and confidence in students, the pool also offers the opportunity to provide swim instruction for the students’ adult caregivers and lifeguard training and job skills for older students and alumni.”
1. Lyn McNaught, former Horizons at NCCS Executive Director, whose leadership led to the building of the original Horizons pool, was in attendance with Michael McNaught, former NCCS administrator. 2. Nancy von Euler introduced Horizons Board Chair Sanny
Burnham Warner ’88 who led the dedication ceremony by expressing her gratitude: “We are beyond grateful to the generous donors who made the new McNaught Pool a reality.” 3. Longtime supporters Jane Stoddard Williams ’72 and
John and Nancy Ziac (former NCCS administrator and teacher, respectively) attended the celebration. 4. Jed Stevens ’78 (son of Horizons at NCCS founder and former
NCCS Headmaster George Stevens) and wife Kerry Stevens (former Horizons at NCCS Executive Director) were among those honored for their leadership and support. 1. Brian Villalta ’18 received the Leah Kimmet Spirit Award and currently attends Columbia University. Jennifer
Llamas ’18 received the Jackie Roberson Valedictorian
Award and attends the University of Pennsylvania. 2. The class student speaker, Kemberly Denerville, a 2021 graduate of Brien McMahon High School’s Center for Global
Studies in Norwalk, shared inspirational thoughts for her fellow seniors who made it through an incredibly challenging year. 3. Members of the Horizons at NCCS Graduating Class of 2021 included (front row left to right): Kemberly, Carlos, Luis, Jerry; (second row left to right): Michael, Kimberly, Laura, Thaliane,
Jennifer; (third row left to right): Madelyn, Alyssa, Andres, Julieta; (fourth row left to right): Talana, Brian, Lucas and Andrew.
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Summer Program Is Back with a Splash!
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3 Two hundred sixty Horizons students in Kindergarten through Grade 9 were welcomed to Country School’s campus for five weeks of in-person academic and enrichment programming on June 28. Originally founded in 1964, the Horizons summer program provided a blend of high-quality academics, cultural enrichments and confidence-building activities such as swimming, performing and visual arts and sports to under-resourced students living in Norwalk and Stamford. “We are grateful to be able to have our students back on campus for an incredibly important summer of learning, growth and healing in our caring summer community,” said Executive Director Nancy von Euler in remarks made on opening day. The theme for 2021, Horizons C.A.R.E.S. (Community, Action, Responsibility, Empowerment and Safety), was reflected in all elements of the program including a community pledge, curricula and special events. Beyond that — and an increase in the number of activities held outdoors due to safety protocols — the 57th summer program followed a comfortably familiar routine.
Students in the Junior Program (Kindergarten through Grade 5) started their day with morning meetings and class time, and participated in art, music, STEAM, physical education and swimming in the on-campus Horizons pool. Senior Program students (Grades 6–9) spent classroom time focused on English language arts, math, STEAM, woodshop, cooking and physical education, and rounded out their days with recreational swimming.
A highlight of this year’s program once again included Wacky Wednesdays. A favorite Horizons tradition, these themed days included age-appropriate activities and experiences for all. Nature Day, for example, included animal visits, fishing, a walk and ropes course experience in the NCCS woods, chalk art and a scavenger hunt. On another Wednesday, a health and wellness fair included yoga, mental health resources, a therapy dog named Gizmo, hip-hop and Zumba dance classes, relaxation through meditation and education on the topics of healthy eating habits, safety and
NCCS HORIZONS!
It was wonderful to see so many NCCS friends return to campus in July to help make the 57th Horizons at New Canaan Country School Summer Program a success! Some of the current and former NCCS students, faculty, staff and parents who pitched in included:
NCCS Alumni
• Kate Barnard ’20, Teaching Assistant,
Horizons Senior Program • Caroline Blouin ’19, Volunteer • Carl Brodnax ’76, Physical Education
Lead Teacher, Horizons Junior Program • Elsa Franks ’21, Volunteer • Jennifer Llamas ’18, Grade 4 Teaching
Assistant, Horizons Junior Program • Gigi Morgan ’19, Volunteer • Caitlin Neafsey ’19, Volunteer • Riley Newport ’22, Volunteer • Ramses Perez ’19, Grade 4 Teaching
Assistant, Horizons Junior Program • Sofia Petricone ’20, Volunteer • Riya Punjabi ’20, Volunteer • Maggie Ruvinsky ’19, Kindergarten
Teaching Assistant in Training,
Horizons Junior Program • Anna Sheridan ’19, Music
Teaching Assistant in Training,
Horizons Junior Program • Ryland Strine ’20, Volunteer • Brian Villalta ’18, Kindergarten Teaching
Assistant, Horizons Junior Program Horizons at NCCS Benefit
SAVE THE DATE! Sat., June 4
Recipe for Success, • Aaron Celebrating
Watkins ’18, Bright Futures
Swim Program
Teaching Assistant,
Horizons Junior Program • Ella Zea ’19, Literacy Teaching
Assistant in Training,
Horizons Junior Program
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wellness resources, healthy relationships and the dangers of alcohol and drug use. Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly difficult for Horizons students and their families, Horizons administrators deliberately chose themes of health, wellness and nature as a counterbalance to the prior year.
The summer concluded with the Grade 5 Moving Up Ceremony that celebrated the accomplishments of the Junior Program students, reemphasized the program’s core values of kindness and community, and welcomed them into the Horizons Senior Program.
“While the world is not always kind to us, I want you all to remember to be kind to one another. We are a family, and as a family, we take care of each other, we hold each other accountable, we encourage one another, and we support one another,” said Junior Program Dean of Students and Culture Tanya Small.
Students received graduation certificates from the Grade 5 teaching team and walked across a small wooden bridge where they were greeted by Senior Program Dean of Students and Culture Jackie Roberson and Senior Program Director Tim Rivlin, a symbolic rite of passage welcoming them into the Horizons Senior Program. 5 6
1. The new Horizons pool was a big hit with everyone, including these first grade students and their swim instructors. 2. Morning meeting for the first grade in their outdoor classroom. 3. Walking over the bridge 4. Hats off to the Horizons fifth grade class for moving up to the Senior Program! 5. Fourth-grader Morgan puts the “I” in
Kind, one of several art installations to be found around. 6. Junior Program Swim Teacher Eric Fischman and Junior Program Dean of Students and Culture Tanya Small presented Adrian with the Charles “Chuck” Szlachetka
Awardfor good conduct and citizenship. 7. Fourth-grader Ashley and
Jennifer Llamas ’18 8. NCCS Arts Teacher Chris Lawler taught
Grade 7 woodshop enrichment classes. 9. Lower School Spanish Teacher and World
Language Program Coordinator Sean Robb 10. Carl Brodnax ’76 Horizons Junior
Program Physical Education Teacher shared basketball tips with students Alexandra and Kaden.
*Last names of Horizons students have been omitted for their privacy.
Faculty & Staff
• Monae Cherry, Kindergarten Lead
Teacher, Horizons Junior Program • Raphe Elkind, Literacy Coach, Horizons
Junior Program • Rinku Ghadiyali, Grade 6 STEM Lead
Teacher, Horizons Senior Program • Annie Upton Henry, Grade 1 Lead
Teacher, Horizons Junior Program • Brayden Henry, Grade 7 Boys ELA Lead
Teacher, Horizons Senior Program • Chris Lawler, Grade 7 Woodshop Lead
Teacher, Horizons Senior Program • Isadora Machado, Grade 6 Art Lead
Teacher, Horizons Senior Program • Sean Robb, Grade 3 Lead Teacher,
Horizons Junior Program
Parents
• Jen Barnard, Volunteer • Laura Cramer, Volunteer • Jen Kline, Volunteer • Lisa Pannone-Bria, Volunteer • Kerry Stevens, Volunteer 8
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