The Blue & The Gray: Fall 2013

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poly p rep m a G a z i n e

WhaT’s your poly “ThinG”?

DeBaTe • perForminG arTs • 9 The Blue & The Gr ay

explorinG poly aFFiniTies:

sTuDenT puBlicaTions •

squash anD WresTlinG •

anD much more!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2013–2014

MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOLS 9216 Seventh Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11228 LOWER SCHOOL 50 Prospect Park West Brooklyn, NY 11215

OFFICERS Scott Smith ’75, P’14 Chairman David M. Womack P’14, ‘16 Vice Chairman Kristerfor Mastronardi ‘95 Treasurer Grace M. Sawyer P’82 Secretary

BOARD MEMBERS Robin L. Bramwell-Stewart ’86, P’16 Cynthia Capone ’88 Michael Clark P’07, ’14 Jeanne M. Cloppse ’84 Michael A. Correra ’87 Elizabeth Comerford P’09, ’11, ’14 Charles M. Diker ’52 Jacquin Fink ‘54 Susanna Furfaro, M.D. P’13, ’15

Karen E. Burke Goulandris, M.D., Ph.D. P’15 Jennifer Jordan Gorman ’99 Nicholas Gravante ’78, P’20, ’23 Gary E. Hanna, Esq. ’84 Arnold F. Mascali ’84 Thomas H. Parker ’65 John J. Regan ’86 Wade E. Saadi Jr. ’95 President, Alumni Board of Governors Robert G. Sabbagh ’87, P’27 Phyllis Serino P’08, ’13

Ellen Taubman P’12 Malcolm P. Travelstead P’93, ’96 Vincent J. Vigorita, M.D., ’68, P’96, ’99, ’15 TRUSTEES EMERITI (ex officio) Clifford Barr, Esq. ’48 Harry J. Petchesky, Esq. ’55 IN MEMORIAM Andrew F. Gurley ’55 (Deceased 2013)

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FeaT ur eS

 recently featured in The New York Times City room photo blog, this photo of Josina reaves (english) is from photographer aliza eliazarov’s portrait series on today’s educators. read more about our outstanding faculty on page 44.

04 Sustainability Greening the curriculum with support from Greentrack Strategies’ Ira Feldman ’75.

10 Student Publications Student newspapers, journals, and yearbooks remain vital to student life at Poly. arthur levitt Jr. ’48 reflects on his time as The Polygon’s Editor-in-Chief.

16 great Debate There is a long tradition of debate at Poly, one dating back to 1873.

26 West Side Story Triple reprise Performing West Side Story for the third time, a look at the new Jacquin P. Fink ’54 Performing arts Wing, and a Q&a with Broadway star leah Horowitz ’97.

34 a Perfect Match Poly’s Championship Wrestling Team is poised to become the New York City center for wrestling.

editor Malcolm G. Farley Director of Marketing & Communications

associate editor Rebecca Grossfield associate Director of Marketing & Communications

Staff Writer/Photographer linda Busetti Parent Marketing & Communications Manager

Design lilly Pereira

Photography linda Busetti Guy Devyatkin P’00 Ilana Dubrovsky-Razam Martyn Gallina Jones P’15 Rebecca Grossfield Poly archives

o n T h e C oV e r Face painter “Faces by Derrick” prepares Olivia Knutsen ‘18 during a dress rehearsal for the Spring 2013 Middle School musical, The Wiz.

The Blue & The gray is published by Poly’s Marketing & Communications Office. It features news from the Poly community of alumni, faculty, and students.

Inquiries and submissions are welcome; send to the associate Editor at rgrossfield@polyprep.org.

38 high Performance Exciting plans for Poly Squash and a new partnership with urban after-school enrichment program, CitySquash.

D ePa r T Men T S

02 headmaster’s Desk What was behind Poly’s daring 1917 move to Dyker Heights from downtown Brooklyn?

42 Book review Nick Soodik (English, Form III Dean) on Camus’ The Stranger.

44 Faculty achievements an impressive roster of teacher accomplishments.

46 retirements Four staff members with a combined 57 years of service to Poly.

50 Student achievements last academic year, students continued to excel outside the classroom.

54 Class notes 62 obituaries Ph o T o SPr ea D S 08 Poly history 14 academics 24 Visual arts

For more information about Poly Prep, visit www.polyprep.org.

32 Character 40 athletics 48 Commencement 2013

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Headmaster’s

Desk

By David B. Harman P’04, ’06, Headmaster

At the Helm: Poly Affinities School lore suggests that one of the reasons we moved to our 25-acre Dyker Heights campus in 1917—and became a country day school—was that Poly students (all boys at the time) had been clamoring for more after-school activities (namely, sports). I suspect what we would now call “strategic thinking” also played a role in that daring move from downtown Brooklyn to what was, at the time, a semi-rural retreat on the edge of the city.

But whatever lay behind it, Poly’s transformative decision accelerated teaching and learning far beyond the traditional classroom wall. After 1917, Poly faculty and students quickly expanded their after-school activities to make use of the additional campus facilities and extra time in the school day—much as additional traffic always seems to fill up a new, eight-lane expressway. Poly students flocked to join new sports teams and the school’s debating society. Theater productions, school publications, glee clubs, and other student groups with faculty mentors expanded.

In 2013, these after-school activities are stronger and more varied than ever.

They include “Girl Up” in the Middle School, a United Nations Foundation-sponsored

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club to help girls in the developing world and “Floetry” in the Upper School, a poetry group that stages student and faculty readings. Even at our Lower School, we now offer a rich array of after-school opportunities for our youngest students, including a theater program, Mandarin, and a chess tutorial.

When you talk to Poly students, past and present, the profound effect these activities have on our students’ intellectual, physical, and moral development is clear.

Editing The Polygon, playing lacrosse, or performing in the Middle School musical makes an indelible mark on a student.

The strong relationships with faculty, the enduring friendships, the ability to collaborate, bounce back from failure, and apply classroom concepts have

created seminal experiences for Poly alumni and current students. They form a core of our education in mind, body, and character, one that students and alumni never forget.

You might call these experiences Poly “affinities,” and that is why we chose them as the theme of this issue of The Blue and The Gray. Of course, with limited space, we can only provide a sampling of alumni and student experiences. Theater, student publications, wrestling and squash, our rejuvenated debate team—these are admittedly just a few examples. But we think they are representative of the joy of effort and mastery, which make Poly such an extraordinary venue for learning and growth. I hope you enjoy these stories—in pictures and in words—as much as I did.

On October 19, 2013 Poly students, faculty, and staff planted trees in Rockaway Community Park as part of a volunteer effort to plant 20,000 trees and shrubs to rebuild the shoreline severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy. This event was sponsored by the NYC Parks Department through the MillionTreesNYC initiative.

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“

Sustainability is best understood as a framework … for the integration or balancing of environmental protection, economic development, and social justice.

”

Sustainability Ira Feldman ‘75, President and Senior Counsel of Greentrack Strategies, Urges Poly to Embrace “Sustainability” Even as Issue Disappears from National Agenda “It will be important for Poly to embrace the full meaning of sustainability—especially on the curriculum development side of upcoming efforts,” said Ira Feldman ’75, president and senior counsel of Greentrack Strategies since 1996.

Feldman has 25 years of experience as an attorney and management consultant focusing on environmental regulatory innovation, strategic environmental management, sustainable business practices, and corporate social responsibility.

“Sustainability is best understood as a framework (or a perspective, lens, or approach) for the integration or balancing of environmental protection, economic development, and social justice,” Feldman said.

“While these are the three pillars or prongs at the core of every sustainability discussion, the term is used in slightly different ways in different contexts,” he explained.

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“At the international level, where environmental protection and poverty reduction are twin goals, ‘sustainable development’ provides a strong emphasis on the needs of less developed countries.

“In the business world, the term is usually ‘sustainable business practices’ or the ‘triple bottom line’—implying that the traditional single economic bottom line must now be reconciled with social and environmental considerations.

“At the community level, sustainability is used to describe local approaches that focus on quality of life, including ‘smart growth’ in land use planning. In all of these settings, moreover, the term includes, but is broader than, the ‘rule of law’ and ‘good governance’ discussions, which have typically included the active participation of the legal community.”

Feldman’s interest in sustainability goes back to his days at Poly. He recalls that on

the very first Earth Day in 1970, “school was cancelled and we had an environmental teach-in.” Feldman, who started at Poly in the 6th grade, was well known for making posters, so he was asked to create a series of environmental posters for Earth Day. He also recalls a 4th grade project in which he studied the effect of air pollution on the urban environment of Brooklyn.

Feldman studied environmental changes, human health issues, and urban formation as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania. He pursued an interdisciplinary degree, which “cut across eight or nine undergraduate areas,” earning both a B.A. and an M.S. Then, at Columbia University Law School, Feldman studied environmental law and environmental sustainability.

When Feldman returned to Poly for his 35th class reunion at Special Reunion 2010, he wanted to share his passion for sustainability issues. “I had been looking for a way

By Linda Busetti, Parent & Communications Marketing Manager

Fifth graders learn about composting firsthand—digging through materials from the wooden compost bin to look for signs of decomposition and worms, helpers in the decomposition process.

to re-engage with the Poly family,” he said.

“I wanted to make sure that Poly incorporates sustainability into its future plans.”

Poly has already taken many steps to “go green” with the goal of integrating the environment and sustainability into the curriculum and engaging in innovative, interdisciplinary projects to promote environmental education and stewardship. Under the leadership of

Associate Head of School for Advancement & Operations Steve Andersen ’71, P’13, ‘22, Poly has also been incorporating sustainable practices in energy use, waste disposal and recycling, building use and design, grounds and campus maintenance, and food service for many years. (For example, Poly’s landmarked and award-winning Lower School in Park Slope became the first

LEED-certified [“green”] school building in New York City, and the first such primary school in New York State, when Poly expanded and renovated it in 2005.) Now Feldman is proposing that Poly use alternative energy sources on campus—not just solar, but also wind turbines. He was very excited to hear about Sam Nakagawa’s ’13 New York City Science and Engineering Fair awardwinning project in which he built a wind turbine designed for urban use under low wind-velocity conditions.

Feldman said it was “a big deal for my parents to send me to Poly.” With that in mind, he would someday like to “give back” and offer a Nathan and Estelle Feldman Prize in Environmental Science for Poly students. “Sam is the kind of guy who would have won that sustainability prize,” Feldman said.

Many in the Poly community of students, teachers, parents, and alumni are excited by the possibilities for expanded sustainability education and increased sustainability in the school’s operations. Given the unfortunate disappearance of sustainability as a top national issue, Poly—and the larger national and global community—sorely need the leadership of alumni like Feldman to ensure that we continue to take concrete actions to alleviate global climate change, reduce waste and pollution, and preserve endangered habitats and species.

We also need to ensure that the next generation of Poly alumni—our current students—grow up to understand, love, and safeguard our increasingly crowded planet.

PresTIGIous envIronMenTal FellowshIP GloBal susTaInaBIlITy Yale University rising sophomore hans Bilger ‘12 (pictured right) recently won—and embarked on—a Summer Environmental Fellowship for a two-month internship with the Centre for Biodiversity Research and Conservation (NACRES), a non-governmental conservation organization, in the Republic of Georgia.

NACRES’ mission is to safeguard the biodiversity of Georgia and the South Caucasus through conservation activities at national and local levels, based on sound science, sustainability principles, and local participation. Bilger traveled overseas from mid-May to mid-July.

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Poly’S “Green Team” Jaimie St. Cloud, founder and leader of the Cloud Institute, says that her organization’s mission is to ensure the viability of sustainable communities by leveraging changes in K–12 school systems to prepare young people for the shift toward a sustainable future.

“So far, I have facilitated a dialogue about and introduction to Education for Sustainability (EfS) with key administrators and the Leadership Team at Poly Prep,” Jaimie St. Cloud said. “I was introduced to Poly Prep by Ira Feldman ‘75—a long-term colleague and friend. I am hoping that the [two] Poly science faculty members who attended our summer workshop will lead the way to more involvement with Poly. We can provide the necessary professional development, coaching, tools, and strategies that will serve them well.”

TeacherS’ WorkShoPS

SuSTainaBiliTy SeT To Become even more viTal aSPecT oF loWer School curriculum In July, thanks to a generous donation by Ira Feldman ’75, Dan Wood (Lower School Science Specialist) attended the Education for Sustainability Summer Design Studio workshop at the Cloud Institute in New York City. Faculty member Marie Corkhill (Science) also attended the workshop, thanks to Feldman, helping to bring EfS to the Middle and Upper Schools, as well.

One of Wood’s goals was to begin the work of embedding the Cloud Institute’s innovative educational ideas into the Lower School’s existing sustainability curriculum and instructional practice.

In the EfS workshop, Cloud Institute instructors create “a learning community that engages participants in activities that combine systems thinking, sustainable economics, and the science of sustainability,” according to the institute’s website. The workshop is designed “to increase participants’ awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the core concepts, content, and habits of mind that characterize living and working toward a sustainable future.”

Wood said that Poly’s composting effort, now a major activity at the Dyker Heights campus greenhouse, had its start in the Lower School, where it outgrew its original space and was “transplanted” (all puns intended) to the greenhouse.

In the past year, Lower School students helped to pick herbs and vegetables in the raised beds near the greenhouse. In May, 4th graders came to the greenhouse to plant seeds for popping corn, which they harvested in the fall as 5th graders in the Middle School.

Wood also mentioned that his students are very involved in recycling plastic items on Poly’s Park Slope campus. Wood himself is a great recycler of printed paper that can be turned over and used again in Lower School copy machines.

Of course, Lower School classroom teachers have already initiated a wide variety of interdisciplinary sustainability activities in recent years, ranging from Parks Slope cleanups, art projects, the creation of bird guides, and visits to Jamaica Bay, to name just a few.

Stay tuned for new sustainability education projects at Poly in the coming academic year.

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STudenTS PreSenT in-dePTh Team ProjecTS on ecoloGy During the 2012–2013 academic year, Poly offered a new year-long science elective for Upper School students who wish to “explore the interactions and relationships between humans and the Earth.” The year-long course fits neatly into the goals of Poly’s sustainability initiatives and focuses on both ecology and fostering a deeper understanding For more about Poly’s upper of—and engagement with— School science environmental issues. curriculum: polyprep.org/ As part of their final usscience assessments, students worked in teams to craft presentations on environmental topics as varied as aquaponics, solar power, recycling, and the greenhouse rain catchment system. Most of their projects were Poly-centered, focusing on the greenhouse, the Poly ponds, or campus recycling. Some of the participating students’ project abstracts included: Polyponics: Fixing Poly’s aquaponics System

By Emma Restrick ‘13, Rafael Gamba ‘13 “Prior to our work, the aquaponics system in the greenhouse was not sustaining any plant life. We built a new structure and planted four types of seeds, all of which are growing well. In the future, the fish and plants will continue to survive in this hydroponic relationship, until the plants need to be transplanted and the fish released when they get too large.” levels of nutrients in Soil Beds

By Kerri Saputo ’13, Roman Accetta ‘13 “Our project was to fix the soil beds outside the greenhouse. We tested the nutrient levels and discovered that nitrogen was low in every bed. We are planning to rotate crops and implement nitrogen-heavy fertilizers in order to fix this problem.” rain catchment System

By Levi Stern ‘13, Sam Bernstein ‘13, Maddy Bell ‘13 “We built a rain catchment system to preserve water for the greenhouse at Poly.

We installed a gutter along the edge of the west side of the greenhouse, and all the rain

would drip into it. Then, the rain would flow into our 52-gallon barrel, which is connected to a hose. all this water is reusable, and it will be used for watering plants and other activities for the greenhouse.”

Cleaning the Poly Ponds

By Dustin Foote ’13, Brian Miller ‘13 “Our project focused on cleaning the Poly ponds using bioremediation with mud balls.

We worked with Dr. annie Hauck-lawson so we could improve on the same project done over the summer by Syracuse University students.”

Making the Cut

By Philip Maldari ‘13, Nigel Henry ‘13 “We took root cuttings from a blueberry bush and azalea plant and put the cuttings into 3 different groups.

1. Soil with water 2. Soil with Miracle Gro (fertilizer) 3. Soil with rooting hormone The goal of the project was to test to see how much the root of the plant would grow and see which makes the most production.”

year one

Poly SuStainability CurriCuluM Poly’s new Sustainability Curriculum Coordinator Dr. annie Hauck-lawson P’10, ‘13, along with “Greenhouse Buddies” linda aponte P’13 (Science), Olivia Tandon (Science), and Flo Turkenkopf (Science) met weekly this past academic year to plan, implement, and assess greening/sustainability curricular and extracurricular activities, including the greenhouse and organic gardens.

The Upper School Environmental Club shared responsibility for the care of greenhouse plants and fish with teachers and other students, such as 5th and 6th graders who worked in the greenhouse weekly during Form Time. Middle Schoolers also collected and brought fruit peels and cores left over from snack time to compost every day.

These hands-on activities enabled 5th graders to learn about composting firsthand after studying decomposition in class. (Dr. Hauck-lawson is a “certified master composter.”) Just behind the greenhouse, with Dr. Hauck-lawson directing them, they took pitchforks and dug For a full out the compost materials from the wooden compost bin to profile of Dr. inspect for signs of decomposition and worms, helpers in the Hauck-lawson tinyurl.com/ decomposition process. drhauck-lawson Ninth grade biology students studied photosynthesis, as well as mitosis and meiosis, through hands-on activities in the greenhouse. Tandon’s Environmental Science class conducted year-long projects, many of which involved research in the greenhouse.

Several classes, as well as the Upper School Environmental Club, are studying Poly’s ponds, with the 9th grade class gathering data and conducting an ongoing pond study. Environmental Science students, 5th and 6th graders, 9th graders, Environmental Club members, and others made more than 200 mud balls for a pond remediation project. a combination of microbes, molasses, and soil, the mud balls harden and undergo anaerobic fermentation, which promotes sludge-eating microbial activity. Students and faculty then placed the mud balls into the two ponds. In collaboration with The Brooklyn College Environmental Sciences analytical Center lab and Intel program, Dr. Hauck-lawson has enabled Upper School students to study the effects of microbial activity on the ponds.

Students in Poly’s Research Science class also presented their research on these experiments at the NYCSEF exhibition on March 3, 2013, at City College’s Great Hall in Upper Manhattan.

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Poly History 8

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The first issue of the Poly Prep, a sixteen-page magazine without the benefit of drawings, designs, or half-tones, was offered for sale on Oct. 13, 1899. By 1905, it was a monthly and had developed the literary, artistic, and business abilities of its board to a degree that positions on its staff were eagerly sought after. In January 1913, the magazine began publishing an impressive alumni issue, calling attention to the achievements of Poly graduates.

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Student Publications Just a few of the many Poly student publications.

aT Poly, the tradition of student-led writing, designing, and publishing originated more than 100 years ago, at the very least. Applying the mastery of grammar, vocabulary, facts, argument, metaphor, rhetoric, imagination, and ideas that students learn in the classroom to projects they manage themselves is a key goal of these Check out clubs and activities. But friendship, collaboration, leadership, the Poly arts Journal blog at and faculty-student mentoring are perhaps even more important. polyartsjournal. wordpress.com Today, publications like The Poly Arts Journal and last year’s new feminist “zine” called Outskirts, continue this venerable tradition. In this section of The Blue & The Gray, we explore our student newspapers and yearbook.

By Malcolm G. Farley, Director of Marketing & Communications Research by Ann-Marie Werner P’06, ’09, ’11, ’13, Archivist

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The Polygon Today Still a Vital Student Activity on the Verge of Its Centennial Year

With a number of recent Columbia Scholastic Press Association awards, Poly’s Upper School student newspaper, The Polygon—revived in 1914 when its name was changed from the slightly embarrassing The Pollywog—continues to play a vital role in the life of the school as the paper enters its 99th year of publication.

The Polygon’s very practical mission is to “inform the community and to teach journalistic techniques

and ethics. It strives to present important issues accurately and fairly, to adhere to the highest standards of integrity, and to help students learn how to write, edit, and lay out news stories.”

For the 2013–2014 school year, the paper has entirely new leadership at the top, including a new faculty advisor, Poly alumna Jennifer Cohen ’05 (World languages; English); and new Co-Editors-in-Chief, Eugenia Xiao ’14 (Gray Key Society) and Catherine Yuan ’14 (Gray Key Society).

Xiao and Yuan chatted with The Blue & The Gray about their exciting leadership roles and their plans for the year. Facing some of the same challenges that newspapers as venerable as The New York Times and The Washington Post are confronting, Xiao explained, “We want to increase readership.”

She noted that the paper would be adding more room for opinion pieces and student feedback via a web-based “suggestion box,” and perhaps an online “rant” blog via Tumblr. an online version of the entire paper may have to wait until The Polygon’s centennial year, however.

Tower Times The Polygon Training Ground and locus for Middle School after-School learning and Fun

“It’s Tower Times, not The Tower Times,” Caesar Fabella P’18 (History) and a Tower Times faculty advisor for 12 years, emphasized when he spoke to us. “No definite article. Many people make that mistake.”

Founded about 20 years ago by Poly veteran Gail Karpf P’06 (Middle School English Coordinator), Tower Times aims to expose Middle School students to writing for a newspaper, Fabella explained. Tower Times remains a newsprint publication after an online experiment and appears bimonthly in Middle School homerooms. But, according to co-Tower Times advisor Phoebe aberlin-Ruiz (Classics; Health), staff writers edit and produce the paper in a very 21st-century way by sharing contributions electronically via Poly’s Google docs system and by using a “drag-and-drop” online publishing software that permits students to work from home, as well as in school. aberlin-Ruiz noted that participating in this after-school activity really gives Middle Schoolers “a different sense of pride than seeing their work in the classroom or on hallway walls.”

“Yes, the kids get a byline in Tower Times right away; sometimes 5th grade contributors often get 10 or 15 copies to give to family members,” Fabella added. He also noted how valuable Tower Times was to The Polygon, since many of its recent editors-in-chief and many of its writers got their start in Tower Times’ pressroom.

Fabella’s contention was borne out by our conversation with 9th grader Eric Muoio ’17, who told The Blue & The Gray: “I wrote a number of articles for Tower Times: on advisory; Poly’s hockey team; on Kaleidoscope [a new community initiative and issues forum launched by Middle School Head lori-anne Brogdon ‘95, P’27, ‘28] and the Middle School spring musical.” Muoio added, “I’ve always been interested in writing and journalism, and I plan on joining The Polygon in the Upper School.” like his Upper School peers, Muoio also described the benefits of being a student journalist: “When I write, I expose my true self. I can see my own voice.

If you’re interested in journalism, you should write for Tower Times. I urge Middle Schools students to join up and participate.”

Catherine yuan ’14 (left) and eugenia Xiao ’14 pose with the 1947 Polygon Board of editors sign.

Having joined The Polygon as a freshman, Xiao reflected on how transformative the experience had been for her, “Being an editor has allowed me to make connections to people I didn’t know and learn how to express myself. Now, after three years, I’m much more communicative. I also really get into debating issues with friends.”

Yuan joined The Polygon as a sophomore, and was a trailblazer when she became the first female Co-Sports Editor. like Xiao, she emphasized the benefits of The Polygon. “It’s a great learning experience. I’ve definitely improved as a writer because

editing other writers’ copy helps improve your own writing,” she said. “also, working with other people helps you grow up. lawyers and doctors have to work with other people, too.”

Yuan’s goals for the paper dovetail with Xiao’s. “We need to expand readership, recruit more writers. That’s the main problem with The Polygon, given all the other activities Poly students can participate in. We don’t have enough students involved.”

Boston College freshman albert Barkan ’13, one of last year’s Co-Editorsin-Chief, agreed with his two successors when he told The Blue & The Gray, “I think it’s unfortunate that more students don’t take the opportunity to work for The Polygon. We are the voice of the school.

This is the most academically oriented student activity at Poly, and students who are passionate about writing and issues should give us a try.”

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Polyglot yearbook photo of arthur levitt Jr. ’48

From The Polygon’s editor-in-Chief to SeC Chief How Distinguished Poly Alum arthur levitt Jr. ’48 Got His Start

Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Williams College. General’s aid in the U.S. Air Force.

The Berkshire Eagle’s drama critic. Time-Life staffer. Key partner in a leading Wall Street brokerage. Chairman of the American Stock Exchange. Chairman of the NYC Economic

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Development Corporation. Past owner of Roll Call, a newspaper covering Capitol Hill.

Longest-serving chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Author of Take on The Street: What Wall Street and Corporate America Don’t Want You To Know/What You

Can Do to Fight Back. Senior advisor at The Carlyle Group. Writer of a recent New York Times op-ed entitled, “Don't Gut the SEC!” These are just a few of the many accomplishments of one of Poly Prep’s most distinguished alumni, Arthur Levitt Jr., a Brooklyn native and member of the Class of ’48.

Yet Levitt describes his time on The Polygon, starting in his sophomore year, as “the single most defining experience of my life during school and the 1940s.” (Levitt cited his participation in Poly’s Bearns public speaking contest as seminal, too.) It would be hard to imagine a more emphatic testament to the value of after-school activities from a man who might reasonably be expected to have forgotten his youthful stint on a high school newspaper.

Inspired by his maternal uncle, the editor of the Hearst Corporation’s The American Weekly, Levitt developed his interest in journalism early. At Poly, the sense of achievement involved in producing a weekly paper, the camaraderie with peers, and the mentoring from Poly’s legendary English teacher and Polygon advisor Dr. Miles Kastendieck seems to have energized Levitt to try out for editor-inchief his senior year.

In a savvy scoop, Levitt recounted how he took the subway to Harlem to interview Father Divine, a well-known evangelical and African American leader of the era, and to hear him preach. Levitt then wrote up his interview for The Polygon, which won him the job at the helm of the paper. Clearly, then, Levitt not only developed writing and editing skills at the paper, he also honed some of the bold leadership skills that served him—and our country— so well during his time in public service.

Perhaps, too, Levitt’s Polygon experience— and the school’s memorable teachers—helped shape his summation of the value of a Poly education: “It’s a school that encourages a passionate curiosity about everything, stretches your limits , and equips you to do almost anything.” His own varied and remarkable career bears out those claims—which we believe still hold true today.

Polyglot a Yearbook Reflecting the “life and Spirit of Poly”

George Scott Whiting, editor of the first Polyglot in 1901, characterized the goals of Poly’s then new-fangled yearbook in the following modest terms: “The editors have endeavored in every way to present a record of the most interesting events of the year that is now coming to a close, and to publish a book reflecting the life and spirit of the school.”

That first issue memorialized a cornucopia of what we would now call after-school learning and activities, including: “Oratory, Poetry, The Poly Prep Relay Team, Football Team, Basket Ball Team, Hockey Team, Track Team, Baseball Team, The Gymnasium Team, The Handball Team, The Polytechnic literary and Debating Society, Poly Prep Dramatic Club, The Camera Club, The Polytechnic Electrical Society, The Choral Club, and The Poly Prep Orchestra.” also included were write-ups of the academic classes, student blurbs on other topics, and various advertisements.

This list sounds both familiar and exotic, with clubs such as The Electrical Society having morphed into today’s Middle School Robotics Club and Tech Squad, and some of the theater and musical clubs having moved into Poly’s Performing arts program.

Today’s after-school “menu” at Poly includes groups such as Girl Up, War Child, african Dance Club, Cambodia Club, and Kids Walk For Kids With Cancer. These changes reflect how much Poly itself has changed over a century, of course, including the addition of girls, much greater student diversity, the school’s focus on global education, and an emphasis on community service as part of character education.

Still, the mission of reflecting “the life and spirit of Poly” persists, ensuring that the Polyglot continues to enjoy the longest shelf life of any student publication. as our archives Office can attest, requests for replacements of lost Polyglots make up a small but steady trickle of requests from Poly alumni, year after year. last year’s Polyglot Editor-in-Chief liz Curtis ’13, now attending Bucknell University, affirmed the publication’s enduring value for Poly students and alumni. “Even with all today’s technology, it’s nice to have a hard copy of something for people to keep and have for a long time,” she said. She also affirmed the value of the Polyglot for student editors and writers, too: “It teaches you organization, responsibility, and teamwork. You have to make sure you’re on top of everything.”

Polyglot faculty advisor aimee Nevins (Health), who will be working with Co-Editors-in-Chief Eddie Spinelli ’14 and Nick

a 1973 Polyglot.

D’amico ’15 this year, agreed. Despite modern layout and photography software, the Polyglot still requires old-fashioned sweat and dedication. “We meet almost every Saturday from October to Spring Break. Sometimes on Sunday, too,” she noted.

Nevins, like her student editors and writers, is particularly eager to see the completion of the new Joint Centers for Student Publications and Marketing and Communications currently under construction on the 2nd floor of alumni House. The collaboration, mentoring, and camaraderie the new space will foster will be particularly welcome.

Wherever it is produced, however, the Polyglot will continue to offer a nostalgic snapshot of the Poly experience, for students and alumni alike. as Nevins explained in response to a question about a possible digital Polyglot, “Three years ago, our survey showed students wanted a hard copy yearbook… and, after all, what will happen 25 years from now at Special Reunion when you want to whip out your Polyglot to show your classmates? Would you still be able to read or find an electronic version?” We suspect we know the answer to that question. Semper Polyglot!

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Poly Academics 14

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Poly Is Outstanding Faculty, Visiting Experts, and Academic Excellence!

Some highlights this year included: author adam Gidwitz sharing his writing techniques with 6th graders; Upper Schoolers in anatomy and Physiology dissecting fetal pigs; 6th graders using new iPads at the Brooklyn Museum and in science class; Nick lee ’04 with his geometry class; 3rd graders diagramming skeletons; a Middle School math awardee and Upper School Rienzi Poetry Contest winners; and 8th grade “nautical engineers” participating in the first Duct Tape Regatta.

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pG 19 our sTaT e champIo n In orIGIn a l oraT ory

pG 18 7 Th G r a de Ta k es o n Is s u es o f The d ay pG 19 meeT The de B aT e c o a c h pG 22 4 Th G r ade r s lea r n T h e a r T of per su a s I o n

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Great Debate THE 2012–2013 D E B aT E a N D f OREN S IC S T E a M

Thanks to a visionary alumni gift, Poly Prep was able to revive the legendary Debate and forensics Team under the guidance of Coach Brent adams (English). The newly energized program includes a Debate elective as well as a competitive team.

Students enrolled in the elective Debate course study various styles of debate, including public forum, extemporaneous speaking, and original oratory. Students interested in more theatrical events such as dramatic interpretation and humorous interpretation also receive instruction in, and an opportunity to perform in, those events. Class members are required to compete in one interscholastic tournament, but many opt to become active members of the after-school competitive Debate and forensics team.

Officially, team members meet once a week—Thursdays at 3:45 PM in Room 118.

Unofficially, competitors are often found preparing for tournaments three to five afternoons a week in addition to countless hours of individual research and case writing.

In 2012–2013, members of Poly’s Debate and forensics team participated in a variety of debate activities, including public forum, lincoln-Douglas, extemporaneous speaking, original oratory, oral interpretation, and dramatic interpretation. The team competes in different local, regional, and national leagues, including the metro-area MHl (Metro-Hudson league), the local BQCfl (Brooklyn-Queens Division of the National Catholic forensic

league), and the nationally regulated National forensics league.

The team earned a very impressive total of 110 awards this past academic year.

Highlights included: one student who earned the first Public forum Debate Championship in the Brooklyn Queens Catholic forensic league, one student who was named 8th Original Oratory competitor nationwide, and the Metro Hudson league (MHl) award to Poly as “Debate Program of the Year.”

Debate is a powerful intellectual activity for its participants. Students learn how to develop their own voice—literally and figuratively—and to assertively advocate their own and opposing points-of-view. The program also builds team and research skills, and strengthens student engagement with contemporary issues, politics, public policy, history, and literature. One Poly parent and trustee, Dr. Karen E. Burke-Gouladris P’15, remarked on the transformative nature of this activity for her son, “I’m so thrilled with how seriously my son [John] is taking his commitment to Debate. He was actually up first thing on a recent Saturday morning in a jacket and tie preparing to compete that day. It’s truly wonderful to see.”

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STaT e Cha Mpion

MeeT The CoaCh Brent AdAms, esq.

in or iGinal oraTory

Jair FrooM e ‘ 1 5

Brent Adams (english) had a long professional career as a lawyer, lobbyist, and chief financial and professional regulator for the state of Illinois before coming to Poly Prep. He was born in Louisiana and grew up in Oklahoma.

He earned his B.A. and m.A. from northwestern University in Chicago and his J.d. from new York University.

Adams practiced law for five years as a litigator with a large firm in Chicago.

He also worked as a lobbyist with an AIds foundation and for Citizen Action, an advocacy group in Chicago.

It was his role in writing a piece of Illinois state legislation on payday loan reform that brought about his transition to government and politics. In 2006, Adams became an attorney for Illinois’ department of Financial and Professional regulation. three years later, Illinois Governor Pat quinn appointed him secretary of the department.

In coming to coach Poly’s debate and Forensics team in 2012, Adams said he was coming home to his first “passion,” the “speech and debate community.” He was very active on his high school and college debate teams and says returning to speech and debate was “like getting back on a bicycle.” He added, “It has been smooth and exhilarating.” “speech and debate are about learning how to craft ideas that are persuasive,” Adams said. “there is a pureness of motive in debate,” he added. “It is a pleasant reminder of why I loved it.”

Jair Froome ‘15 (pictured here with his mom, Dawn Froome).

T i M e l i n e : h i S T o ry o F p o ly D e B aT e a n D F o r e n S i C S T e a M December 1875 Poly’s debating society is organized by seven founding members.

1894 debate becomes an officially recognized school activity.

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March 7, 1902 the debate team holds a Prize debate Contest with six students arguing an affirmative or negative speech and a rebuttal. the topic is, “should Our national Government subsidize Our merchant marines?”

December 1903 the debate team argues: “resolved: that the United states Government should own and control the railroads.”

1906–1907 the Poly Prep Literary and debating society meets every Friday at 2:45 Pm for one to one and a half hours. debaters earn percentages from the judge. Percentages are kept secret until the year’s end. Albert H. Boyd is first, followed by William H. Frank Jr., and Byron t. Browne.

1910 the championship of the Long Island Interscholastic debating League is decided by one debate. Poly is defeated while upholding the negative side on the topic: “resolved: that it would not be for the best interests of the United states for women to have an elective franchise equal to that now held by men.”

7TH graDe TaKeS on

Issues of the Day laW Day WorKSHoPS

While learning about key american historical events, such as the

1: Human rights law, non-Profit law, Public interest Work, and Pro Bono: Jacqueline Bausch P’18, april agostino P’16, ‘18, Tracy flynn P’18, Samuel Murumba P’00, ‘01, Micheal Pontone ‘03, Sarah Welch

Constitutional Convention, with liane Dougherty (History), students honed their skills of persuasion, engaged in complex debates, and learned how to develop an effective argument.

During their study of the 1787 convention, members of the class were assigned a persona and took on the role of someone present at the real-life historic convention. In addition to in-classroom discussions and debates, students kept a journal embodying their character and understanding their positions on a range of topics—from the legislature’s ability to tax and manage commerce to which government branch has the power to declare war. later, students studied slavery and the abolitionist movement while exploring primary documents of the time and different viewpoints. for example, students read and discussed a letter written by William lloyd Garrison in the popular abolitionist paper of the time, The Liberator.

This past year, the course culminated with a new event, law Day, on May 20. law Day took place in different classrooms and the Joseph Dana allen library. Dougherty and her students welcomed various members of the legal field (Poly parents and alumni) during a series of workshops on everything from entertainment law to human rights law. Practicing attorneys spoke about the challenges and rewards of their careers before answering student questions. They also spoke about their The diverse array of visitors included: intellectual property and human rights professor Samuel Murumba P’00, ‘01, corporate litigator and criminal defense attorney and Poly trustee Nicholas Gravante ’78, P’20, ‘23, and civil litigator Gail Kizner P’18, among others.

november 1913 The Debate Team argues: “Resolved: That there should be a small space of ground in New York City into which goods could be shipped and stored free of duty.”

2: The role of a Prosecutor and Defense attorney in a Trial: Michael Bass, Maryanne Bertuna ‘94, Matthew Bogdanos P’16, ’18, ‘20, Ted Donlon, lisa friel P’10, ‘12, Nicholas Gravante ’78, P’20, ‘23, Paul Weinstein P’16, ‘18 3: law and Television: arthur l. aidala ‘85, Dean Katsoras ‘97, Gail Kizner P’18, Rina Pantalony P’14, ‘18, Susan Povich P’18, 4: The Supreme Court: Susan Beiles (History) P’88, ’90, ’95, laura little, Stephanie Seto P’18, ‘21, Barbara Underwood P’04 5: Current issues in law: Gregory attorri P’18, lawrence Brandman ’78, P’16, Bayard Chapin P’18, ‘20, Dr. anthony Gini, John Elefterakis, Michele Masucci P’18, Tracy Udell ‘97

1921 The 20-member Debate team meets Saturday mornings between 9:30 AM–10:30 aM and attends two or more debates each year with outside schools.

1937 In lieu of an organized team, students participate in numerous public speaking contests.

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JoIn The deBaTe: SaMPlE PUBlIC fORUM CaSE

key defInITIons

public forum debate: Debaters argue a topic of national importance, typically one involving foreign or domestic policy. Public forum debaters must make persuasive and logical arguments in a manner that is accessible to a wide variety of audiences. resolution: The topic of the debate.

Ballot: an evaluation form used by a judge in a debate round to evaluate the debaters’ effectiveness in presenting their arguments. contention: a contention is a major argument used to support a case. Often, contentions contain sets of smaller arguments called sub-points.

oTher deBaTe Terms lincoln-douglas debate: a type of oneon-one value debate over a resolution that changes every two months. extemporaneous speaking (extemp): an event where the contestant draws three questions (consisting of either domestic or international issues, depending on the event) and has 30 minutes to prepare a speech of up to seven minutes. oral Interpretation: an event where contestants prepare both a poetry and a prose piece. Pieces do not have to be memorized, and contestants perform by reading from a small binder. dramatic Interpretation: Contestants perform dramatic pieces from novels, plays, or short stories, for up to 10 minutes. The piece must be memorized and contestants performed without props or costumes. original oratory: a speaking event where the contestant presents an original speech for a maximum of 10 minutes. The speech can be about any subject, but most speeches present a current issue and offer a possible solution.

What's Your Position? “resolved: on balance, the rise of china is beneficial to the interests of the united states.”

By Katherine Pazushko ’15 and Larry Sulner ’15 affIrmaTIVe The bilateralism and economic interdependence that has evolved as a result of China's rise have increased global stability—both economically and politically. Hence, we affirm: Resolved: On balance, the rise of China is beneficial to the interests of the United States. We observe the following: according to a report issued in July 2000 by the Commission on america’s National Interests, the “interests of the United States” include: • Ensuring the stability of major global systems such as trade and the environment; and • Establishing productive relations with nations that could become strategic adversaries, such as China and Russia. contention I: Interdependence The two nations’ economies are intertwined, promoting global stability and the interests of the United States. China currently owns $1.5 trillion in american debt, which acts as a positive investment for China and as a source of much-needed cash for the United States. according to a 2012 report by the Congressional Research Service, “The

United States economy depends heavily on foreign capital inflows from countries with high savings rates (such as China) to meet its domestic investment needs and to fund the federal budget deficit.” While it is easy to say that Chinese exports harm our jobs and economy, concrete evidence greatly disproves this claim. contention II: Technology and development subpoint a: carbon capture and storage While america struggles with the pressing problem of smoke and carbon emissions from coal power plants that account for 45% of our electricity, China has a solution. a pilot project by China Huaneng Group Corporation “has been able to remove carbon from coal-plant exhaust for about $39 per ton of captured CO2. The work has been so impressive that Duke Energy Corporation, the largest United States energy company, has signed a research agreement with Huaneng to study its technology.” subpoint B: Thorium power China is the global leader in creating a new type of clean nuclear energy, which

T I m e l I n e : h I s T o ry o f p o ly d e B aT e a n d f o r e n s I c s T e a m 1949 Public Speaking, an optional activity for seniors, supervised

by Dr. Van Vleck, meets weekly to practice enunciation and correct posture while preparing extemporaneous speeches.

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1958 The Debate and Public Speaking Club has weekly meetings in which they discuss and debate present-day topics to prepare for the Speaking Contest.

1962 The Debate team argues: “Resolved: That the federal government should equalize educational opportunities by means of grants to public elementary schools.”

1978 The newly formed Debate Club, under the direction of Mr. Verlinger, learns essential oratory skills.

1987 The Debate Club is revitalized under the leadership of Mr. Woodman. Topics include: the SaTs and baseball.

will provide the world with greener and cleaner power. according to the london Daily Telegraph, on January 6, 2013, the new generation of thorium reactors produces far less toxic waste than that of uranium and cannot experience catastrophic failures like fukushima. China is currently building 26 of these clean reactors, which will be finished by 2015. These new reactors would create a world with little to no carbon emissions, and no nuclear waste, helping the global environment. subpoint c: electronic cigarettes Chinese research and development is saving american lives, specifically with the invention of electronic cigarettes, or “e-cigs.” E-cigs have been used by one in five american smokers, according to Michael Harper of redOrbit.com. They do not contain any tar or tobacco, which cause fatal lung damage. according to a study by Dr. Konstantine farsalinos of the European Society of Cardiology, smoking one single tobacco cigarette leads to an acute myocardial dysfunction, while the e-cig has no adverse effect on cardiac function.

Weighing the concrete facts over the romanticized, my partner and I urge a pro ballot in today’s round.

neGaTIVe Because my partner and I believe that the threat of China looms large over america, we negate: Resolved: On balance, the rise of China is beneficial to the interests of the United States. larry and I observe the following: The Rise of China began in 1949 with the re-unification of the country by Mao Zedong,

1999 Under the direction of Ms. Kornblum, the Debate team competes in numerous one-to-one lincoln-Douglas style debates.

according to the Center for Research on Globalization. The rise of China is ongoing, as the United Nations still defines China as a developing country. contention I: military Threat subpoint a: arming rogue nations and Terrorists It is no secret that, on the path to its rise, China plays a central role in proliferating weapons of mass destruction. according to unclassified intelligence reports submitted to Congress, China has been a key supplier of technology, specifically the People’s Republic of China entities provide nuclear and missile-related technology to Pakistan and to Iran. as demonstrated during the Korean War, China is as willing to oppose the United States in direct conflict as it is to arm our enemies.

North Korea is an indisputable threat to the United States and our allies, and China is its main supporter. as reported by The New York Times, on March 5, North Korea said that it would “cut off a hot line with the United States military in South Korea, calling the truce that stopped the Korean War in 1953 null and void and threatening to strike the United States with ‘lighter and smaller nukes.’” subpoint B: cyber attacks Over the last several months, the source of hacks into the computer systems of american companies and firms has been traced back to Chinese hackers, posing a perilous security threat. On January 31, BBC News reported, “Internet security firm Mcafee said it had uncovered one of the largest ever series of cyber attacks, targeting 72 different organizations over five years, including the International Olympic Committee, the United Nations, and security firms.” although they did not publicly announce the hack to

2004 The Debate team competes at colleges and schools all over the Tri-State area and earns numerous trophies.

2009 after a gap, the Debate team resurfaces under the leadership of Mr. Werner.

Students receive an introduction to lincoln-Douglas debate in an elective course.

larry sulner ’15 and katherine pazushko ’15

have originated in China, Jim lewis, a cyber expert with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said, “China was behind the campaign because some of the targets had information that would be of particular interest to Beijing.” contention II: killing the climate as defined above, it is in the United States’ best interest to ensure the conservation of the global environment. In contrast, China is one of the world's leading and most unapologetic polluters, negating environmental efforts at home. according to the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, the Chinese local government favors economic benefit over environmental protection, creating major environmental impacts. By our own embassy in China, air pollution has been declared unsustainable. Now what does this mean? americans in Beijing recognize that Chinese air pollution is out of hand, and they may suffer from the overwhelming health hazards.

Due to China's large and increasing population and urbanization, this situation is only going to get worse.

Weighing the hazards already inflicted by China’s rise and those to imminently follow, my partner and I recognize that there is no alternative but to negate and strongly urge a con ballot.

2011 Headmaster David Harman announces a generous alumni donation to support and revitalize the debate program at Poly.

2012–present Under the leadership of Brent adams, Poly’s Debate and forensics team competes in various speech and debate activities, including Public forum, lincoln-Douglas, and Original Oratory, earning numerous prizes.

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4Th Grade rs learn

The Art of Persuasion as with virtually all of the academic abilities Nursery–12th grade Poly a students acquire at our school, developing the essential skills to craft curpersuasive argument begins early. at the lower School, the writing riculum—from creating journals in Kindergarten to the persuasive essay the in the 4th grade—builds on children’s inclination to tell stories. along revise. way, lower Schoolers learn to brainstorm, then write, edit, and

The 4th grade persuasive essay project is a particularly exciting assignment for 4th graders because of the potential for real life rewards!

Students begin by coming up with a wish or request from their family, In the teachers, or friends. Then, they write an initial letter to that person. getting letters students wrote this year, some popular requests included the a family dog, an ear piercing, or the right to stay home alone. With including help of their teachers, students review what might be missing, revise potential counter-arguments and loopholes in their arguments. They are their letters before sending them to their recipients. Once the letters sent, students patiently await responses. Here is a sample:

Dear Mom, You are the most beautiful mom in the world and you look so young that you could even be my sister. You are also

very thoughtful and always make smar t decisions. Last ly,

you are very open-minded and willing to be creative with different things. I appreciate the things you do for me and the things you let me do. But there is one thing I’ve always wanted, the privilege to stay home alone.

There are three reasons why I feel that I should be able to stay home alone. The first reason is that I would act responsibly on to when I am home alone. The second reason is that I’m moving some fifth grade next year and I might be home earlier than Jett ule days and when he has an after-school activity and my sched would change. The last reason is that I have learned what the expectations are for staying home alone from Jett.

I thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I love you very much!

Love, your daughter, Lola

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Dear Lola, Thank you so much for writing and expressing your feelings regarding staying home alone. I truly had no idea that you had such strong feelings toward this matter and hopefully I can help you understand the importance of why children stay home alone.

I know it must seem pretty exciting to be home alone.

You have to remember that initially Jett would stay home alone only for short periods of time, when we absolutely needed him to manage until a grown-up arrived. He was only comfortable doing this for a short period of time. He grew into longer periods as he began to grow up. He is now more comfortable at 12.

There truly is a lot to look forward to as you begin to grow up. I am proud that you are interested in this new responsibility‌ and it’s great to know that when we need to depend on your independence, you’ll feel confident to take on that responsibility!

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. It is important that you continue to express your opinion! I will discuss this with Dad. All my Love, Mom

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Poly Visual Arts 24

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Poly Is the Visual Arts!

Student artists in Upper and Middle Schools exhibited their paintings, self-portraits, sketches, and sculptures in winter and spring art exhibits. lower School students learned about primary colors, built “rustic roadsters,� and painted paper models of Peregrine falcons and other birds of the Hudson River Estuary.

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By Rebecca Grossfield, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications

a Tr I Pl e P O ly rePr IS e O F

“

KIrK COhall ’14, “PePe”

I always knew I loved to sing, but being a part of the Poly musicals has allowed me to tap into and, ultimately hone, my crafts of acting and dance.

The feeling of leaping the “Mambo!” across the stage during West Side Story is indescribable.

FreD WIllS ’15, “MOuThPIeCe”

I loved dancing my way across the stage. As a Jet, I danced in numbers like “Cool” and “The Jet Song,” which gained standing ovations—but what really made this experience enjoyable was being able to participate in this show.

The 2013 musical performance of West Side Story on March 1, 2, and 3 was actually the second time the show was performed in the Richard Perry Theatre, and the third time it was performed at Poly. In 1982, West Side Story was the last full Upper School musical to take place on the Memorial Chapel stage. Then, in 1997 Poly’s Upper School performed the musical again, this time in the Richard Perry Theatre. Many of the leaders of the 1997 production also helped with the 2013 one, including Sonya Baehr P’00 (Performing Arts; Director), David Higham P’07 (Performing Arts; Technical Director, Set and Lighting Design), and Kevin Wallace (Choreographer). More recent additions include Nicholas Armstrong (Performing Arts Chair; Music Director) and David Brimmer (Fight Choreographer).

Director Sonya Baehr explained, “Every director of musical theater wants to tackle West Side Story at least once in his or her lifetime. As with any show,

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you have to wait until you have the right group of students who can do justice to the material.”

Wallace used the original Jerome Robbins choreography for this year’s production.

Brimmer, who works regularly on Broadway as a stage combat expert, helped create a powerful knife fight scene for the rumble. Armstrong led a professional orchestra which brought Leonard Bernstein’s

challenging and musically sophisticated score to life.

“We had outstanding vocal performances from our two leads, Canning Robb ’13 as Maria, and Harold Theurer ’13 as Tony,” Baehr said. “The entire company committed to the show 110%, and I will look back on this experience as one of the most thrilling productions we’ve done in the Richard Perry Theatre.”

JADA BAIJNATH ‘15, “ROSA”

If you dance in the show, you have to come to Poly almost every Saturday, but it’s worthwhile because of the hilarious, amazing, and talented choreographer, Kevin Wallace. I learned so much about dancing because West Side Story is such a dance-oriented production. Until the musical this year, I never knew that I had a talent for it.

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1: Harold Theurer ’13, “Tony,” also won the Gershwin Award for Best NYC-Area Lead Actor in a High School Musical Theatre Program. In late June 2013, he competed in the national high school musical contest known as “The Jimmies.” His co-star, Canning Robb ’13, “Maria,” also participated in the Gershwin Awards competition.

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2: 3: 4: 5:

The Jets in the 2013 production of West Side Story.

1997 production of West Side Story.

The Sharks on stage in the 1982 performance.

1982 West Side Story performed in the Chapel.

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PerFOr MInG a r TS al uMnI SPOT lIG h T

Q&A with Broadway Star:

leah hOrOWITz ‘97

leah horowitz ’97 is no stranger to the stage— though she professes to having been one very shy six-year-old. Horowitz just performed in her 7th Broadway show, the hit revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, where she played Young Heidi. Recently, she spoke with The Blue & The Gray and discussed her journey from the Richard Perry Theatre to the “Great White Way.” Do you remember your first theatrical performance? I remember it vaguely—I was performing in a community production of The Wizard of Oz on Staten Island.

I was playing one of the munchkins. My mom couldn’t believe I was six years old and looked completely at ease.

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how did you get interested in theater? Staten Island used to have a big community theater community—my mom took me to see shows all the time. I was a really shy kid, but one day I told her I wanted to do that. She took me to audition for The Wizard of Oz. I was so nervous.

My dad was a professional musician, he played in the pits of

some Broadway shows, and my mom was really into theater. She became a good costumer. When I started at Poly, she actually made some costumes for our shows and they ended up hiring her. Our house was always full of costumes.

When did you start at Poly?

I started in 7th grade, in the fall of 1991.

What was that transition like? I was in public school since 2nd grade. It felt like I was in another universe [at Poly]—the campus was beautiful, the facilities were so nice. Plus, we had a dress code and that was really different. My transition making friends was a little hard because

I was shy, but I did immediately get into theater.

What was your first Poly show? Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat—I was the narrator. I was somebody who didn’t talk a lot in class and walked around with a book in the hallways, but there I was. have you outgrown that shyness as an adult? I’m definitely more outgoing, but the stage is still where I feel like I can express myself.

Did you remain very involved in the Poly theater program during high school? I did every show. Liz Feldman ’95,

Dan Fogler ’94, and a bunch of the other kids I did Into the Woods with freshman year were really great to me. I was also in Glee Club and Concert Choir. I was a Peer Leader senior year, but I was still kind of shy. I always just thought, “Why am I doing this?”

If it hadn’t been theater, what path might you have pursued? I never thought I would go into theater professionally. I really loved Bobbie Swain (Science; retired) and all of the science teachers I had at Poly. Science classes were my favorite, even though they were so hard. I was going to go into some sort of science field.

Why did you decide to pursue theater instead?

The only reason I ended up in theater was because I was applying to NYU. My mom said, “Why not audition for Tisch?”

I didn’t want to, but she kind of nagged me. I remember I called Tisch from the pay phone in the Poly theater lobby. The following Monday I got an audition. how did that audition go?

There was just one man auditioning us—the head of the school.

As he was talking, I thought, “This sounds really great.”

Somehow I got in; I got that college acceptance in February, before any others.

What was the Tisch program like? Tisch had different studios within the drama department. I was in CAP 21 [no longer affiliated with NYU].

I went to studio three days a week from 9 am–6 pm, and the other two days did my required courses. It was very intense: all day training, probably six hours of acting, voice, speech, and

leah horowitz ’97 and Michael allegretti ’97 in West Side Story, 1997.

singing. Freshman year was especially tough. how did Poly prepare you for the theater world? The great thing about Poly was the Richard Perry Theatre—it’s really a professional kind of space.

We worked with Kevin Wallace and Sonya Baehr, who had experience in the professional world. We were really getting good training.

What did you do after graduating college? I graduated a semester early. I went to an open audition for Disney in Tokyo, and stayed for eight months. When I came back, I worked for a while in some non-union things and just kind of paid my dues. Then I decided I wanted to move up to the next level. I started auditioning for Broadway shows. I was lucky enough to audition for the casting director of a Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. He was like my guardian angel. how did that audition change your life? That part led to a bunch of other things.

A lot of this business is about personal connections. If people know you and know you’re a nice person, they will want to

hire you again. That doesn’t get emphasized enough to young people—you want to be the kind of person that people want to work with every day.

What’s the world of professional theater like? It’s a very up and down business.

When I first started out, I talked to a dancer who had been in 10 Broadway shows and was worried about her next job. You never stop auditioning, so you have to develop an inner strength and confidence. I’ve seen a lot of people leave this business, but right now I really love it and I try not to worry too much. how do you balance your work and personal life?

We heard you recently got married. Congratulations!

My husband and I actually met in college. We were in the same program. He understands the world of theater. Now he works in film and television.

We were together in college then broke up for eight years— we’ve been apart many times.

We try to communicate as much as possible and take lots of trips to visit each other.

What’s a typical work schedule for you? The craziest time is when I’m rehearsing for a show. Once a show opens, my days are basically free. When I’m working, I still run and do yoga. In my free time, I take acting classes. I go home and visit my parents on Staten Island.

I hang out with my friends and their children. There are periods of time when I’m not working— my husband and I try to travel then. Right now, we’re trying to plan a trip to Italy. One tough thing is planning trips. A lot of trips get planned last minute.

Is it difficult being away from home for long periods of time? Well, you sort of develop your routine. I’ll usually bring my yoga videos, find a gym, and a Trader Joe’s.

I’m an only child, I’m okay with being alone. Plus, you’re working with people that are also away from home.

Do you have an all-time favorite show? I always loved Into the Woods, which I first saw when I was seven years old.

When we did it at Poly, it was a dream come true—I played Little Red Riding Hood. I love Carousel, which I performed at Poly and again recently at Lincoln Center.

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The New Jacquin Center for the Poly alum Jack Fink ’54 has had a long involvement with a number of organizations dedicated to the performing arts. In 1983, he founded New York Musical Theater Works, an organization devoted to developing composers, lyricists, and librettists, and was chairman of its board for five years.

In 1994, he became chairman of the board of the New Group, a contemporary theater group, where he served for two years. He still finds time to support other theater organizations, such as the Actors Fund, the American Theatre Wing, and the Caron Foundation.

Fink has been a big supporter of Poly Prep, too, since he bid farewell to the “Tall White Tower”… just a short while ago.

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Indeed, Fink is now volunteering his time and expertise as a school trustee, too.

More recently, in concert with Steven Andersen ’71 P’13, ‘22, Associate Head of School for Advancement & Operations, and Lisa Della Pietra ’86, Director of Alumni Relations, Fink became excited about Poly’s continuing commitment to—and success in graduating alumni in—the performing arts. Andersen and Della Pietra also showed him the school’s plans to create a new performing arts wing to better accommodate our growing performing arts program. Fortunately for us, Fink decided to make a transformative and visionary $1 million capital gift to Poly for the new facility.

P. Fink ’54 Performing Arts The new center is designed to substantially enhance a program that has a long tradition of training excellent performers in music, theater, and dance. The center will also support top-quality teachers, student creativity, teamwork, skill-building, and self-expression.

As construction on the new Jacquin P. Fink ’54 Center for the Performing Arts begins this fall, excitement is palpable among returning performing arts faculty and students.

Each time he shows visitors the rapidly evolving building site, Headmaster David B. Harman P’04, ’06 notes proudly: “Jack’s remarkable gift to our school will really take our already outstanding performing arts program to the next level, creating

performing arts facilities second-to-none among independent schools in this city. We are incredibly lucky to have found such a far-seeing and generous partner in our plan to upgrade Poly for 21st-century excellence…in academics, athletics, new technology, and the arts.”

InSPIreD? helP SeT The STaGe FOr FuTure GeneraTIOnS. Interested in learning more about the new Jacquin P. Fink ’54 Center for the Performing Arts and how you can foster future generations of Poly actors, musicians, and dancers? Please contact Steve Andersen ’71, P’13, ’22, Associate Head of School for Advancement & Operations, at (718) 836-9800, ext. 3280.

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Poly Is Character Education and Service Learning!

Some highlights this year included: the collection of shoes by lower Schoolers for a spring break Upper School trip to our sister school in Cambodia; our annual Blood Drive; Martin luther King Day service in a flatbush church; and benefit runs and walks for non-profit organizations.

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Jake Barry ’16

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By Linda Busetti, Parent Marketing & Communications Manager

A Perfect Match Championship Poly Wrestling Team looks forward to Proposed New Wrestling facility and Greater Opportunities to Help Kids Via New Non-Profit Partner, Beat the Streets.

Plans for new Wrestling Facilities Steve andersen ’71, P’13, ‘22 (associate Head of School for advancement and Operations) is spearheading plans and fundraising to build a new state-of-the-art wrestling and squash center at Poly. a very generous pledge from Michael Novogratz P’14, ’16 will help bring the dream of expanded wrestling and squash facilities closer to reality. andersen served as wrestling coach for 15 years, from 1984-99, during which time Poly won 13 league championships and 10 state titles, so his commitment to the sport—and the educational and personal benefits it brings participating students— runs very deep. He maintains very close ties with Poly wrestling alumni and with the current wrestling coaches, award-winner Konstantine avdeev and history teacher Khalil abdul-Malik.

“The new facility will be great,” said Head Wrestling Coach avdeev, “No one else in New York City [will have] a facility like it, not in high school or college…It’s the opportunity to be the center of wrestling, and the new facility will be ‘the jewel of the school.’”

Wrestling has always been an important aspect of the Poly community, with the sport going back at least to 1919. Poly alumnus Glauco lolli-Ghetti ’96 praises andersen and the Poly wrestling program. “It taught me preparation, efficiency, belief, and hard work are integral in achieving my goals,” lolli-Ghetti said. “These are values I’ve transitioned to in my professional life.”

“By Poly building a new facility, the New York City wrestling community will make Poly the New York center of wrestling,” Head of Wrestling Operations abdul-Malik said. “Poly has the ability

to become the best training center in New York. athletes can learn to excel here and become national competitors.

“Wrestling is a sport that produces leaders within the Poly community and in our greater society,” abdul-Malik said.

“You don't have to look too hard to see that many of the leaders in education, finance, medicine, science, the U.S. military, and government are people who have wrestled in high school and college.

“Since 1854, Poly Prep has also been in the business of educating the future leaders of New York City and america,” abdul-Malik continued. “It just makes sense for those who care about wrestling within the Poly community to invest in the wrestling program and the proposed wrestling and squash center so that our beloved school can continue to attract a group of talented New Yorkers that will be instilled with the

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“

Wrestling is a very democratic sport.

All you need are shoes. leadership qualities our city and country need in order to continue to grow and flourish in the 21st century.”

Beat the Streets “We have great support from Dave Barry P’16 and Mike Novogratz P’14, ’16, who is founder and chairman of Beat the Streets, a non-profit organization that builds wrestling programs in New York City public schools,” added andersen. as andersen also noted, beyond its storied athletics program, Poly has always had an even deeper commitment to character education and service learning. In that tradition, Poly has been partnering with Beat the Streets, whose mission is “to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling.”

Beat the Streets opened up a program at Poly last year “for all kids all year-round, girls and boys,” abdul-Malik said.

The goal of Beat the Streets is “to get kids off the streets, to train them,” abdul-Malik said. “Wrestling is a very democratic sport,” he added. “all you need are shoes.” “as adults, we see that we owe some of our success to wrestling,” abdul-Malik said. “Beat the Streets helps kids attain their goals…You don’t get rich from wrestling.

But Konstantine and I see it as a gift to us, it helped us attain our goals.” During the school year, youngsters from the Beat the Streets program come to Poly’s current wrestling facility about twice a week, said avdeev.

He, abdul-Malik, and other Poly wrestling coaches are available to work with them.

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Poly Wrestling in 2012–2013 avdeev said Poly’s wrestling team had a good year in 2012–2013. “We had a young team with only three seniors,” avdeev said. The three seniors, who graduated in May, are Roman accetta ‘13 (attends New York University); Ethan liberty ’13 (pursuing a “gap year”); and Justin Dier ’13 (attends Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania). avdeev said Poly has new coaches, including lou De Stefano, who is “young and very enthusiastic,” and Coach abdul-Malik, who “has a great passion for the sport.”

Twice this year, 1996 Olympic gold medalist Kendall Cross came to Poly as a guest coach to give pointers to Poly’s varsity wrestlers.

Poly’s young wrestlers, lenny Merkin ‘16, Jake Barry ‘16, Christian Novogratz ‘16, and John DeStefano ’17, will make Poly wrestling exciting to watch in 2013–2014.

“Poly Prep has great facilities and coaching staff,” said Merkin ‘16. “Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, but I have gotten used to it. Wrestling is my life and the first year I had at Poly was awesome. I feel like we are doing very well as a team, especially since we are all so young. Poly wrestling

is at its peak and the coaches know it as well as we do. Personally, I love the school and the wrestling program.”

“Wrestling teaches discipline and grittiness,” abdul-Malik said. “Even though wrestlers compete individually,” he continued, “students know they represent Poly as a team. Teammates encourage each other, help each other to be better at the sport, and urge each other on.” highlights “Three Blue Devils wrestlers appeared for the first time in the latest National Prep rankings,” abdul-Malik reported earlier in 2013. a highlight of Poly’s wrestling program resurgence was the defeat of rival Horace Mann (52–30) on January 9. That victory was followed by the defeats of long Island lutheran (48–34) on January 17 and Trinity (65–15) on January 23.

Poly had a good weekend at the Mayor’s Cup Tournament (January 26–27). “We were in first place for a good portion of Saturday at the Harlem armory,” abdul-Malik said.

“We lost some heartbreaker matches and slipped to fourth, but rallied on Sunday and earned third place over all in the team race.

That also meant that Poly won the Private School Division and snapped Horace Mann's six-year winning streak.”

On february 2, the Blue Devils won the Wrestling Ivy Prep league Championship.

“They earned this and they deserve it,” avdeev said. Poly won the match with a final score of 252, with Horace Mann finishing second with 224 points and Hackley right behind them with 211 points. This is the first time the Blue Devils have captured the Ivy crown since 2000. “large numbers of kids are excited about wrestling,” abdul-Malik said. “Student athletes have come to Poly because they know it is a special place.”

meet our WRESTLING & SQUASH Coaches

Konstantine Avdeev Head Wrestling Coach Poly’s Head Wrestling Coach Konstantine Avdeev is an accomplished wrestler and represented the Soviet Union/Belarusian International team from 1984–1992. During those years he won many medals, including: Champion of Belarus 1986–1992, Soviet Union Championship 1989 (Best Technician Award), Soviet Union Championship 1990 & 1991 (bronze), medals at various international tournaments in Poland, Germany, and Turkey from 1985–1990, and champion at the Empire State Games in 1994 and 1995. He earned a BS at the University of Franciska Skorina in Belarus.

Avdeev has been coaching wrestling at Poly since 1993. In 1995, he coached the Russian International team at the World Cup and was named Coach of the Year in 1999.

Avdeev became Head Wrestling Coach at Poly in 1999, and has placed studentathletes in Division 1, 2, and 3 schools including Franklin & Marshall, the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Wesleyan University, and Lehigh University.

Avdeev has coached All-Americans, National Champions, and State Champions at Poly. He also coaches at the NYAC athletic club, and hosts clinics at Lehigh University and Ohio State.

Khalil Abdul-Malik Head of Wrestling Operations Khalil Abdul-Malik enthusiastically joined the Poly Prep coaching staff as Head of Wrestling Operations in fall 2012. Before joining Poly, Abdul-Malik constructed

powerful wrestling programs at Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, Virginia from 1999– 2006 and then the Westminster School in Atlanta, Georgia from 2006–2012. Six Norfolk Academy and Westminster wrestlers earned State Champion titles and four earned All-American honors during AbdulMalik’s tenure as the head of those teams.

Abdul-Malik was an accomplished collegiate wrestler himself, at both the College of William and Mary in Virginia and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned a BA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Abdul-Malik twice won the National Prep Tournament in high school.

Abdul-Malik also teaches Foundations of the Modern World (Form III) in the Upper School History Department at Poly.

Meredeth Quick Girls’ Varsity Squash Coach Meredeth Quick (English; Athletics) is the Co-Director of Squash and the Girls’ Varsity Squash Head Coach. She also teaches 6th grade English in Poly’s Middle School.

Quick learned the sport from her dad when she was growing up in Denver.

Quick played squash at Princeton University on a two-time National Championship team. After college, she played professionally for six years on the WISPA tour, while coaching at two prominent junior programs in Greenwich (The Round Hill Club) and New York (The Heights Casino).

She also played on the United States Women's National Team for six years.

Quick represented the United States in the Women's World Team Championships three times and has been the Junior Women’s National Coach for five years and is still currently serving as the assistant coach.

Ben Oliner Assistant Athletics Director Boys’ Varsity Squash Coach Ben Oliner (Assistant Athletics Director) is Poly’s Co-Director of Squash and the Boys’ Varsity Squash Head Coach. He also teaches the Middle School squash physical education programming—which includes a physical education squash class and the Middle School squash team—along with Coach Quick.

Oliner learned to play squash from his father, a lawyer, in New York, while growing up in Brooklyn Heights, a “hot bed” of squash competition.

Oliner was on the squash team at Brown University where he played #1 all four years, was a two-time captain, and an All-American. After college, he played professionally for three years on the PSA tour, while also coaching at the college level (assistant at Vassar College), as well as prominent junior programs in Greenwich and New York. During this time, Oliner also helped launch a not-for-profit urban squash program based at Vassar.

After enrolling in Columbia’s Master’s in Sports Management program, he worked with United States National Team coach Chris Walker to start an after-school squash program in the New York area.

Oliner was also the alternate to the U.S. national team, achieving a ranking as high as #5 in the country. Oliner has also worked at the Yale Club and the Heights Casino.

In addition to coaching the squash teams, Oliner also serves as Poly’s Assistant Athletics Director.

Pictured (L–R): Khalil Abdul-Malik and Konstantine Avdeev. Meredeth Quick and Ben Oliner.

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High Performance Poly’s Outstanding Squash Program looks forward to New facilities and Partnership with Not-for-Profit CitySquash Plans for new Squash Facilities Poly’s squash program is poised for an exciting future, led by Co-Directors Ben Oliner (assistant athletics Director) and Meredeth Quick (English; athletics), with plans for a new facility and partnership with the nonprofit CitySquash.

Steve andersen ’71, P’13, ‘22 (associate Head of School for advancement and

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Operations) is spearheading plans and fundraising to build a new state-of-the-art wrestling and squash center at Poly, which will include six new squash courts on the first floor, a mezzanine area, and a wrestling center on the upper floor.

“These would be six additional courts,” Oliner explained. “We would still use the three existing courts at the Dresher Center

and have a total of nine courts on the Poly campus, making us the largest facility in the five boroughs of New York City.” a very generous pledge from alan Dresher P’92, ’95, ’03 has brought Poly closer to breaking ground for the new squash facilities.

Poly’s squash program, which began in 1963, currently uses the Dresher family Squash Center, which includes the Walsh

family Court, Clifford Barr Center Court, and Belknap family Court. These are “international style courts,” Quick explained, which were built about 14 years ago.

Partnership with CitySquash Headmaster David Harman and Steve andersen have been meeting with Tim Wyant, Executive Director, and Terence li, Program Director, of CitySquash, to create a partnership between Poly and CitySquash, furthering the intersection of athletics and community service at the school.

CitySquash is a not-for-profit after-school enrichment program, based at fordham University in the Bronx, which helps motivated and talented elementary, middle, high school, and college students from economically disadvantaged households to fulfill their academic, athletic, and personal potentials.

With initiation of the partnership, youngsters in the CitySquash program who fall below the poverty level and live near Poly Prep will use Poly’s squash courts.

Wyant, who explained that CitySquash works with athletes as young as 3rd grade, said, “We were blown away by Poly’s amazing generosity” in offering use of its squash facilities. “This is what we do at Poly,” andersen said. “We change people’s lives.

We are here to serve a greater good.” as plans with CitySquash were being finalized, Oliner explained, “We are in the process of working with the organization to start a Brooklyn chapter of their organization based out of our new Poly facility.”

Poly’s Squash Program 2012–2013 Judging by the past year, Poly’s great new facilities will be home to many up-and-coming squash players for years to come.

Boys’ Varsity The Boys’ Varsity Squash Team finished the season as the #15 ranked team in the country. The team finished with a 6–2 record in the Ivy league and a 15-9 overall record.

The team had a 2nd place finish in the Ivy league and a 3rd place ranking in New York City. In addition, two players earned all Ivy first Team honors. Throughout the season, the team also faced teams from five different states, including 10 teams ranked among the top 25 in the country.

girls’ Varsity The Girls’ Squash Team had a very successful 2012–2013 season, finishing with an overall record of 5–10—its best record in over three years. With a relatively new and young team last year (having lost five seniors from varsity two years ago), the team worked together to set goals and improve throughout the entire season. The girls gained valuable match experience during their training trip to Philadelphia over Winter Break, where they played against some of the top teams in the country and they capped off their season with two impressive victories over team rivals, Brearley and Chapin. other Squash news The 2012–2013 academic year was an exciting one for Poly’s squash program in other ways, too, Oliner explained.

In November, for the third time in two years, the Poly Prep squash program opened its doors to the community and hosted a weekend-long, U.S. Squash-Sanctioned Junior Tournament featuring over 70 boys and girls ranging from 10–18 years old competing for national ranking points. Classified as a “Bronze” Tournament, the event is designed for those with limited experience in playing national tournaments. Poly’s squash players, who competed, included andrew Minnis ’21, who won the Boys Under 11 Division, lena Khalifa ’18, who came in 2nd place in the Girls Under 15 Division, and Elizabeth lasusa ’17, who came in 2nd place in the Girls Under 19 Division. at an Upper School athletics awards Chapel on May 21, the Belknap Most Valuable Player award for squash was presented to Grace Bell ’15 and Nate Johnson ’13. Two individual standout victories this past year involved a student and a faculty member. Poly squash star Yehia Essam ’16 won the Dutch Junior Open in amsterdam, The Netherlands, confirming his status as one of the best young players in the world for his age. Poly science teacher Olivia Tandon won a prestigious Women’s level 4.0 Hyder Trophy during competition in New York City in May. Tandon will step in for Quick while she is out on maternity leave.

Over Winter Break, Oliner and Quick took all four Poly squash teams—Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity and JV teams—to Philadelphia to train

at The Episcopal academy, one of the most prestigious national programs in the country.

In late January, Poly’s Middle School Squash teams traveled to Yale University to compete in the U.S. Squash and Middle School Nationals against teams from around the country. They not only played at Yale’s 15 squash courts, they also watched some highlevel squash matches. While in Connecticut, they had the opportunity to watch Poly alum and squash player Ben Thaler ‘10 compete for Connecticut College against the U.S. Naval academy.

“It was a great overall experience,” Oliner said. “The kids not only got to participate against teams from all over the country, but also got to experience life on the Yale campus and enjoy its fantastic athletic facilities.”

“In addition,” Oliner continued,“the weekend prior, we took all of the students from 7th–12th grades involved in our program on a field trip to the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Terminal to watch the best pros in the world play.”

Students also posed for photos with former World #1 ranked squash player, Peter Nicol.

Poly hosted another U.S. Squash sanctioned Junior Bronze Tournament in february.

On May 18, Poly hosted a U.S. Squash Regional Training Squad for some of the top players in the country at its Dresher family Squash Center. The program involved a daylong training squad for the top nationally ranked under-17 players in the New York metropolitan area.

The squad was a great success, according to Quick. She said, “It was an exciting opportunity for Poly Prep to host such a prestigious event, and it was great to see many of the top players in the region train and compete at such a high level.”

Oliner added, “This is the first time that Poly Prep hosted an event of this caliber.

It’s very closely aligned with the Poly Prep squash program’s goals to be one of the preeminent centers of excellence within the sport of squash.”

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Poly Athletics Poly Is Outstanding Athletes!

Sports highlights this year included: Poly’s Varsity Baseball team winning its 3rd consecutive NYSAISAA crown and its 7th consecutive Ivy Prep League championship; and the Varsity Wrestling team capturing the Ivy League crown for the first time since 2000. Individual accomplishments included: swimmer Eddie Spinelli ’14, who broke a 36-year-old 100 Backstroke Ivy League record at Ivy League championships. Many other students also excelled in Poly’s other fall, winter, and spring sports.

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Book Review

right: albert Camus circa 1950s. Below: Camus’ The Stranger was published in 1942. The first english translation appeared in 1946.

ALBErT CAMuS’ CLASSIC

The Stranger What It Suggests About Life, Death, Loss & Baseball If I wrote that I love Albert Camus’ The Stranger because the book reveals the absurdity of the universe, you would stop reading—and you should. With the kids to pick up, dinner to cook, and a stack of essays to grade, who has time for a world devoid of order and meaning? I’ll take a few quiet innings of a Yankees game before bed and let the universe, however absurd, beat on without me.

As sure as spring means WCBS’s Yankee broadcaster John Sterling’s radio calls and my wife’s wicked pollen allergies, for the past six years the season also means I will be taking another hack at teaching this 1942 novel. Despite my repeated attempts to crack the book—or, perhaps, because of them—The Stranger continues to challenge me. Matthew Ward’s English translation hews closely to the seeming simplicity of Camus’ French original, but the novel is far from easy.

Divided into two roughly equal parts, the novel begins just after the death of the narrator’s mother. The first half describes the two largely uneventful weeks following the funeral, during which Meursault reunites with an old flame, goes swimming, eats lunch, and smokes cigarettes. He also kills a young Arab man on the beach, the novel’s central event. The second part of The Stranger pivots around Meursault’s trial for murder and depicts his time in prison while awaiting execution, the sentence for his crime.

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The reader need not go to bat with Kierkegaard, Sartre, and the other existentialist heavy-hitters to appreciate the novel and its weird protagonist, Meursault. I most enjoy the book for the dry disengagement of Meursault’s narration. For one thing, Meursault almost appears to lack feelings, especially those feelings we most expect.

When, for example, Meursault agrees to join a neighbor for dinner, Meursault’s decision is not governed by a desire for companionship: “I figured it would save me the trouble of having to cook for myself.”

Likewise, when Meursault’s girlfriend, Marie, asks if he’d accept a marriage proposal from a different woman, Meursault responds affirmatively: “Then she pointed out that marriage was a serious thing. I said, ‘No.’” The novel’s famous opening lines testify to the same impassive feature in Meursault’s character: “Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: ‘Mother deceased. Funeral

tomorrow. Faithfully yours.’ That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.”

Meursault fixates, here, on an intellectual problem—dating her death—and not the emotional impact of losing her. What may strike readers as repellent, his unresponsive nature, I view as a rebellious form of honesty, a refusal to express emotions he does not have just because the situation calls for feeling.

Meursault has no time for other expectations and social conventions either. His confusion, for example, regarding the telegram announcing the death of Maman—“that doesn’t mean anything”—applies as much to the valediction “faithfully yours” as to the fact or date of her death. The conventional sign-off lacks the faith and intimacy it purports to convey and, as a result, means nothing. During his trial for murder, Meursault refuses not only to repent, even when threatened by the examining magistrate, he also refuses to offer any explanation at all

I Book Review I

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Meursault lives first with indifference; he believes nothing matters in the face of our ultimate death. In prison, he begins to see that death makes nothing matter except being alive.

”

for why he returns to the beach and commits murder: “I said it just happened that way.”

Courtrooms traffic in explanations, but Meursault is indifferent to the expectation that he offer one. His response heightens the randomness of the shooting, and his honesty, though self-defeating, is admirable.

For Meursault, there is sanctuary in the business of everyday life, in the habits and pleasures of simple physical actions. His narration includes details about the route to his mother’s funeral home, the time at which the streetlights in his neighborhood turn on, and how much he enjoys washing his hands at work. After a day of sunning with “a girlfriend” (the indefinite article is Camus’, not mine), Meursault narrates, “Marie looked at me with her eyes sparkling. I kissed her…I’d left my window open, and the summer night air flowing over our brown bodies felt good.” In this image, sky and sea appear like one, and the tanned bodies of the couple unite them with earth. Stark, precise, deliberate, Camus’ language reveals a

character for whom no sensation is too small to report.

Yet, as Meursault’s worldview expands in the second half of the novel, as his inner resources awaken, the prose, too, changes.

Lyrical passages in “Part Two” read like poetry and convey a character whose consciousness begins to reflect on his experiences before imprisonment: “In the darkness of my… prison I could make out one by one, as if from the depths of my exhaustion, all the familiar sounds of a town I loved and of a certain time of day when I used to feel happy. The cries of the newspaper vendors in the already languid air, the last few birds in the square, the shouts of the sandwich sellers, the screech of the streetcars turning sharply through the upper town, and that hum in the sky before night engulfs the port: all this mapped out for me a route I knew so well before going to prison.” Such words as “love” and “happy,” which previously had no meaning for Meursault, now apply to his experience. In losing the images and

sensations he recalls, Meursault ironically discovers their value.

And, here, as the novel closes, I find the most delight in the experience of rereading Camus’ work every spring. Faced with his own execution, Meursault’s detached indifference gives way to a passionate revolt against death; the passive drifting of a former life, an existence that led to murder, ends in a deeply felt sense of fellowship with others. But Meursault’s closing epiphanies are not the stuff of greeting cards, of “living life to the fullest” and “y.o.l.o.” (ask the nearest teenager for a translation). The Stranger ends, instead, in contradiction: “For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate.” In the freedom of life before imprisonment, Meursault existed most narrowly; in the darkness of his prison cell, Meursault most cherishes existence; and now, in the hatred of others, Meursault finds most clearly a world of his own radical creation. Meursault lives first with indifference; he believes nothing matters in the face of our ultimate death. In prison, he begins to see that death makes nothing matter except being alive.

After six years of reading The Stranger in the classroom, I feel only a little closer to understanding the book. More than anything, I am confident that the novel has a lot to offer all of us, coupon clippers and contemplators of the universe alike.

Camus urges us to dwell in the rich textures of being alive, to imbue our daily choices with purpose. Death makes our choices all the more meaningful and the need to find beauty all the more vital. To find beauty in the face of imminent loss…say, maybe The Stranger makes a good book for Mets fans, too.

By Nick Soodik (English; Form III Dean)

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Achievements:

Faculty

Outside the Classroom Outstanding Achievements by Poly Faculty (2012–2013 Academic Year) at Poly, our outstanding faculty, coaches, and mentors are central to the Poly experience, helping students to achieve many amazing things each day in the classroom, lab, art studio, rehearsal room and theater, gym, and on the playing fields.

But Poly faculty are busy outside the classroom, too. Some are entering new degree programs, earning new degrees and certifications, engaging in professional activities in their fields, attending or presenting at conferences, publishing, winning awards, or being named to endowed chairs and lectureships at Poly. Below we have provided just a sampling of some of the notable faculty accomplishments this past academic year that took place outside the classroom.

Five Poly faculty members presented at the NYSAIS Teaching with Technology Conference at Abraham Joshua Heschel School in Manhattan on February 22, 2013. Among the presenters were Jamie Nestor (Middle School Dean of Student Life; Classics); Brent adams (Debate Coach; English); Dr. Peter rice (Science); lisa ammirati (Science); and runako Taylor (Classics). ¶ Victoria abdulahad (World Languages) attended a twoweek program at Middlebury College’s French School during the summer. ¶ lisa ammirati (Science) attended the Klingenstein Summer Institute, a twoweek institute run by Teachers College at Columbia University for early career

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teachers at independent schools. ¶ Nick armstrong (Performing Arts Department Chair) continued to conduct the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra during its 2012–2013 season. ¶ Jill Bolstridge (Performing Arts) performed in the Narrows Community Theatre’s production of “Crazy For You.” During the summer, she was employed as a senior administrator for the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Program. ¶ Dr. ellen Briefel (Science) attended the first New York City Mechanics Modeling Workshop hosted by Columbia Teachers College during the summer. ¶ Dana Catharine (Co-Director of Community Service; Classics; World Languages) wrote an essay for the new book, Listening for

Madeleine: A Portrait of Madeleine L’Engle, edited by Leonard Marcus. ¶ During October 2012, Diana Chery (World Languages) traveled to Buenos Aires for the production of her play, “Aviones de Papel.” ¶ On April 11, 2013, Guy Devyatkin P’00 (Science) presented a Livingston Lecture in the Natural Sciences titled, “A Personal Selection of Interfaces, in Nature, Science and Art.” He also spent the summer of 2012 living in a house on Shelter Island, biking in the Catskill Mountains, and traveling to Costa Rica and the Nicoya Peninsula. ¶ larry Donovan (Head of Lower School) visited an old friend in Lebanon during the summer of 2012. ¶ Caesar Fabella (History) participated as an Outstanding Teacher Fellow in the Oxbridge Teacher Seminar in Paris in July 2012. ¶ louise Forsyth P’03 (History) received a 2013–2014 Miles M. Kastendieck Lectureship in the Humanities grant for “Stalin and the Jews: The Strange Case of Birobidzhan.” She was also accepted to present on “Teaching History

by SKYPE: Problems and Pleasures” at the 2013 National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference. In July 2012, she worked in Elsenach, Leipzig, and Potsdam, Germany as the curriculum coordinator on a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute on Bach. After a two-week summer vacation in southern France, she returned to London for a week of intensive

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Yiddish language and culture study. ¶ Marisa Gomez (English Department Chair) presented on “Engagement and Achievement in the 1:1 iPad Classroom” in March 2013 at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Conference in Philadelphia with members of her Klingenstein cohort from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she completed an M.A. in 2013. ¶ Deirdra hazeley ’00 (Head Teacher, Grade 3A) won an artist’s residency via the Art Students League of New York on their Vytacil Campus in Sparkill, New York. During the summer of 2012, she participated in “Painting in Barcelona” through the School of Visual Arts. ¶ Michal hershkovitz P’16, ’18 (History Department Chair) delivered a Kastendieck Lecture in the Humanities titled, “American Exceptionalism and the Challenge of National Identity in a Changing World.”

During the summer of 2012, she, along with her husband and two close friends, visited the Civil War battlefields and Harper’s Ferry. ¶ Shannon hummel (Lower School Dance and Movement) hosted the premiere of “down here” at The Cora Studio via her dance company, Cora Dance, which she founded and leads, in Red Hook, Brooklyn. ¶ Gail Karpf (Middle School English Coordinator) attended the American Library Association (ALA) conference in Anaheim, California during the summer of 2012, along

1. Caesar Fabella (history) was an outstanding Teacher Fellow in the oxbridge Teacher Seminar in Paris in July 2012.

2. Deirdra hazeley (head Teacher, 3a) studied painting in Barcelona last summer with the School of the Visual arts. 3. elijah Sivin (history; Co-Director of Community Service) at a Community Works institute.

4. Victoria abdulahad (World languages) at Middlebury College’s French School.

with Kristen robb (Lower School Librarian) and Francesca leibowitz ‘95 (English). ¶ Javaid Khan P’24 (Director of Diversity) presented the Annual Kastendieck Lecture titled, “Laughter, the Best Medicine: Why We Need Comedy to Advance the Dialogue on Race.” Khan was also asked to be a member of the NYSAIS Diversity Committee, an 11-person committee of the New York State Association of Independent Schools. ¶ Francesca leibowitz ‘95 (English) won a spot on the nationally competitive “school teacher edition” of the game show Jeopardy! on November 8, 2012. ¶ Bill McNally (Athletics) attended basketball camps with the coaching staff and members of the Junior Varsity and Varsity Boys’ Basketball teams at Villanova University and West Point during the summer of 2012.

He also completed the National Association of Soccer Coaches Level Six diploma through a course given in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. ¶ Jennifer Nelson P’12, ’14, ’19 (K-4 Music; Grades 1–4 Chorus; Upper School A Cappella) performed with Poly A Cappella and Hans Bilger ’12 at the Arts at Old First Reformed Church’s benefit concert. ¶ Chris Peters (Retired Lower School Educational Director) created Google docs

for collections of books on character and diversity, classified each book according to topic, and wrote a synopsis of each book during the summer of 2012. ¶ Pam Pollock (Performing Arts) performed with her new classical jazz-based company, Jazz Roots Dance, at The Salvatore Capezio Theater at Peridance. ¶ Meredeth Quick (English; Athletics), as the United States Junior Women’s National Squash Coach, traveled to Doha, Qatar with the top four ranked U.S. Junior women during the summer of 2012. In addition, she attended a week-long Teachers College Writing Workshop at the end of August at Columbia University. ¶ elizabeth rapacchietta (Mathematics) took two full-week courses at the Anja S. Greer Conference on Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, about calculus and the geometry of origami from June 24–29, 2012. ¶ Kristy raska (Learning Support Department Chair) received a 2013–2014 Livingston Lecture in the Natural Sciences grant for “The Brains Behind Brains: Neuroplasticity, Neurodiversity, and Neuromarking.” ¶ John rearick P’10, ’14 (English; College Counseling) presented a workshop at the New York City Writing Projects 15th Annual “Teacherto-Teacher” Conference titled “Does Form Kill Creativity in the Writing Process?” ¶ Kristen robb (Lower School Librarian) attended a workshop with some Queens Public Library librarians. ¶ elijah Sivin (History; Co-Director of Community Service) attended the Community Works Institute’s Summer East Institute during the summer of 2012. ¶ olivia Tandon (Science) won a prestigious Women’s Level 4.0 Hyder Trophy during a squash competition in New York City. During the summer of 2012, she began a paleontology research project through Brooklyn College. ¶ Dave Wechsler (Lower and Upper School flute teacher) and his group, OMNI Ensemble, performed a 30th anniversary concert No. 1 at BrooklynQueens Conservatory of Music on October 20, 2012.

P o ly P r e P M aGa z i N e FA L L 2013

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Staff

Retirements

Poly sadly said goodbye to four long-time staff members at the

Every morning as I enter this building, I feel like I’m coming home. It’s a wonderful community, and one that I will sorely miss.

}

end of the 2012–2013 academic year, but wishes them all the best in their retirement.

Pat Montero Director of lower School admissions [ 17 yearS ] “Having been raised in Brooklyn, I knew about and wanted to work for Poly,” Pat Montero recalled. Montero was a part-time faculty member on the Board of Trustees for the Woodward Park School when Poly Prep acquired it in 1995. Montero and other Woodward Park faculty members stayed with the school after the merger.

Montero says, “I’ve worked at Poly for all these years, and every morning as I enter this building, I feel like I’m coming home. It’s a wonderful community, and one that I will sorely miss.”

The Lower School division’s first head under Poly Prep, Maureen Walsh Heffernan, offered Montero the part-time Admissions Office position that led to her eventually assuming the role of Director of Lower School Admissions.

Montero said she looks forward to “a life of play in my retirement.”

Fond Farewell} 46

The Blue & The G ray

Illustrations by Adam Cruft

I fell in love with the ambience of the campus and felt as if I had won the lottery when the position was offered to me.

Marie august Dyker Heights Campus receptionist [ 13 years ] Marie august first arrived in New York in 1970 to attend dental assisting school.

Instead, she embarked on a 43-year administrative career on which she “can look back with deep satisfaction.” august came to Poly in 2000. “I fell in love with the ambience of the campus and felt as if I had won the lottery when the position was offered to me,” she said.

Over the years, august embarked on many adventures—from concerts, plays, lectures, and ballets, to bus trips, museums, and a visit to a horse ranch. “I studied belly dancing, the alexander Technique, and took a voice-over class,” august said. “I attended every Shakespeare play offered at the armory and performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company.” “finally, Poly provided the ultimate benchmark in pre-college education as well as the opportunity to contribute as much as possible to so worthy a cause,” august continued. “In honor of Dr. Bryant M. Kirkland (deceased), former minister of the fifth avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan to whom I owe my spiritual education, I offer the title of one of his sermons: ‘attitude is Everything.’”

Walking in the gate, seeing Canada geese, ducks, tortoises, chickens… always made me feel as if I was walking into a Walt Disney cartoon.

Mark OransOff administrative assistant for College Counseling [ 19 years ] Mark Oransoff began working at Poly in 1994. “I wanted to change career paths and came in for an interview,” Oransoff said. “The rest is history.”

“Compared to working in corporate america, which I did for many years, Poly always made me feel as if I was on another planet,” Oransoff said. “Walking in the gate, seeing Canada geese, ducks, tortoises, chickens, roosters, rabbits, cats, dogs, catfish, and goldfish always made me feel as if I was walking into a Walt Disney cartoon.”

Mike Muska (Dean of College Relations) said, “Mark kept the trains running on time at Poly Prep, both in the college office and coordinating the school calendar. Hundreds of students and families were better off in the college process thanks to his attention to detail and timeliness. I’ll miss his wry sense of humor and our time together.”

“Retirement means the lack of pressure of so many deadlines, projects and events to plan.” Oransoff said, looking to the future.

“Having the leisure time of doing and seeing things that I haven’t done in so long.”

It is so exciting to see the little ones come… and to watch their anxious parents. It is even more interesting to see them in seven years walk up and receive their Lower School diplomas.

It all happens so quickly!

Chris Peters lower school educational Director [ 8 years ] Chris Peters came to Poly in September 2005 as the first lower School Education Director. “I was very fortunate to work on the lower School curriculum.

This had been a long-time dream/goal of mine,” Peters said. “It was also very forward-thinking of the school to staff this kind of position.”

Peters will remember the children she watched grow up. “It is so exciting to see the little ones come in to nursery and to watch their anxious parents. It is even more interesting to see them in seven years walk up and receive their lower School diplomas.

It all happens so quickly!” she said.

Both Peters and her husband retired this past June and moved to New Hampshire to spend more time with their two young granddaughters, son, and daughter-in-law.

“We also look forward to having more time to visit with our other son who lives in Chicago and to doing some additional traveling,” Peters added. “I would like to do some sewing, knitting, playing golf, and lots of reading.”

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Poly Commencement 48

The Blue & The G ray

Poly’s 115 members of the Class of 2013 processed from the main school building under brilliant sunshine accompanied by the Manhattan Brass Quintet, past proud parents and other family members and friends, teachers, and guests to their seats on the Oval on Commencement day, friday, May 31. It was Poly’s 156th Commencement.

Headmaster David Harman P’04, ’06, Scott Smith ’75, P’14 (Chairman of the Board of Trustees), Nate Johnson ‘13 (Senior Speaker), and New York City Mayoral Candidate Joseph lhota P’09 addressed the audience.

CLASS of 2013

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Achievements:

Student

Aspiration, Excellence, Victory Outstanding Student Achievements at Poly (2012–2013 Academic Year)

For more about the individual students who won academic, art, or public service awards, please visit our website at polyprep.org/excellence.

For more about Poly athletics successes last year, please visit our website at polyprep.org/sportsnews.

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T h e B l u e & T h e G r ay

I Achievements: Student I

at Poly, our students achieve many amazing things each day in the classroom, lab, art studio, rehearsal room and theater, gym, and on our playing fields, most of which necessarily go unheralded.

However, we have provided aggregate information here (because space doesn’t permit us to list individual students) on some of the most notable student accomplishments, which already received wider notice this past academic year.

College results & academics • Poly Prep’s Class of 2013 had some of the strongest college results in recent years. Many were admitted to Ivy league schools, including Brown (3), Penn (3), Princeton (2), and Yale (2) and also to “little Ivies,” including amherst (1), Wesleyan (3), and Williams (1).

• During the most recent PSaT/NMQST testing cycle, 5 Poly seniors earned the prestigious, nationwide National Merit Scholarship semifinalists designation, while 6 earned the prestigious National achievement Scholarship designation.

• 3 members of Poly’s Class of 2013 earned prestigious National advanced Placement (aP) Scholar awards for achieving an average score of 4 or more on 8 or more aP exams. 63 other Poly students earned other aP awards, including aP Scholar, aP Scholar with Honor, and aP Scholar with Distinction.

• 248 Middle and Upper School latin students sat for the National latin Exam during the spring of 2013; 91 won awards, including 3 top “Gold Summa Cum laude” prizes.

• Poly’s Debate and Speech team members won a collective 110 awards, including the Metro-Hudson league’s award for “Debate Program of the Year.”

• Poly Math league participants ranked 3rd in Brooklyn and 23rd in the entire state among public and private high schools in New York, and 1 Poly 5th grader won 2nd place for her poster from the association of New York State Math Teachers.

• 2 Poly students (one Middle and one Upper Schooler) won the prestigious nationwide National Council of Teachers of English Young Writer’s Program award.

• 1 Poly senior won 4 New York City Science and Engineering Fair prizes for his innovative sustainability engineering project.

• 1 Poly senior co-authored an article in a professional medical journal.

Character & Community Service • last academic year, Poly students in all three divisions collectively raised over $64,000 for hundreds of charities (a school record) while Upper School students collectively volunteed over 8,000 hours of community service.

Performing arts • 1 Poly senior earned the Gershwin award for best NYC-area lead actor in a high school musical theater program and then competed in the national high school music competition.

• 2 Poly students earned high scores at the New York State School Music association Vocal adjunction. athletics • 3 Poly teams—Girls Indoor Track, Boys’ Varsity Basketball, and Wrestling—won Ivy Prep league Championships.

• Poly’s Boys’ Varsity Baseball team won both a record-breaking 3rd consecutive NYSaISSa championship and a 7th consecutive Ivy Prep league crown (its 35th since 1946).

• 4 Poly wrestlers were named Private School State Champions.

• Many other individual Poly athletes won athletic honors, including 3 Poly wrestlers who won 1st place in the State Championships and qualified for Nationals; 1 Poly student who won the international Dutch Junior Open Squash Tournament; 1 Poly swimmer whobroke a 36-year-old backstroke record at the Ivy league Championships; 8 Poly boys’ and girls’ lacrosse players who were chosen for the NYC Mayor’s Cup lacrosse Games; and 1 Poly baseball player who was selected to be a part of the louisville Slugger Pre-Season all american Team.

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Stay Connected

to Join Poly’s global aluMni network attend one of our many fun alumni events, including: alumni Holiday Party December 18, 2013 Harlow, 111 E56th Street, New York, NY alumni ny regional March 12, 2014 location TBa gala 2014 april 11, 2014 Brooklyn Museum special reunion 2014 april 26, 2014 Dyker Heights Campus spring-into-summer event May 14, 2014 location TBa WaNT To FiND ouT MorE? Contact Maria DiNaso, associate Director of alumni relations, at mdinaso@polyprep.org or by phone at (718) 836-9800, ext. 3090.

ConneCt Virtually anytiMe like www.facebook.com/polyprep watch www.youtube.com/polyprepcds tweet www.twitter.com/polyprep link www.linkedin.com/company/poly-prep-country-day-school web www.polyprep.org/alumninews Polycam www.polyprep.org/polycam

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Class Notes

I Class Notes I

Fr OM The ar ChI V e S

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T h e B l u e & T h e G r ay

I Class Notes I

1937

Charles Plotz is celebrating his first great-grandchild. He says, “She could be the fourth generation at Poly, but for now [she] lives in Boston. There’s always hope!”

1940

robert C. Taffae is the proud recipient of the french Republic’s highest military decoration—the legion of Honor medal, Chevalier, during a ceremony conducted by the Consul General of france. His wife, anita, witnessed the proceedings.

1942

Varsity lacrosse Coach Brooks Sweet invited Marvin newman to speak with the current team about his undefeated 1942 season during his 70th Poly reunion in 2012.

The team presented Newman with a new lacrosse stick with his name, the year 1942, and Poly Prep printed on it.

1944

Bill Burdick is living in lansdowne, Pa, with his wife, lois, for whom he is a caregiver.

He retired after 20 years of teaching at the Episcopal academy, where he taught mathematics and was an athletics coach. He continues to referee soccer, wrestling, and track. Bill says, “Greetings to my classmates and hopes that you are in good health!”

1946

roy Fidler and his wife, Carole, celebrated his successful treatment for throat cancer last year with some travel: a ferry trip to alaska through the Inland Passage and a road trip

around southwestern Montana. Scheduled for 2013: seven weeks in Germany.

1947

after 10 years as Senior VP at TWa, Sheldon Kravitz became President of Plus Media Buying Service. His 12-year-old son attends The Browning School. He says, “I wish he would decide to transfer to Poly.”

1948

Clifford Barr is currently nationally ranked in the age group 80-plus in squash and swimming 50-meter freestyle swimming.

1949

Don Conover is sad to report that Milton Bernhard passed away on December 4, 2012.

1950

Joseph DePaola received an award recognizing 20 years of service as a docent at american airlines C.R. Smith aviation Museum. He was honored by Southern Illinois U. for serving 25 years as chairperson of the aviation Technologies advisory Council. He occasionally travels to Europe and teaches procedures to certify flight simulators. He and his wife, Joan, are enjoying life in Texas.

1952

Curtis reis had a grand 16-day cruise through the Panama Canal over the holidays, with stops in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Key West. He retired from banking after 53 years.

SenD uS yOur nOTeS Go to www.polyprep.org/ bluegray and click on “Submit a Class Note.” To get into the next issue make sure to submit your news by March 1, 2014.

SuBMISSIOnS Inquiries and submissions to The Blue and The Gray are welcome. Please email Rebecca Grossfield, associate Director of Marketing & Communications, rgrossfield @polyprep.org. You may also mail submissions to aTTN: Rebecca Grossfield, Poly Prep Country Day School, 9216 Seventh avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228.

aDVerTISe Every issue of The Blue and The Gray reaches thousands of Poly alumni, parents, and their families. Promote your business to a readership that is as discerning as it is intelligent. for availability, contact us by email at rgrossfield@ polyprep.org, or call (718) 836-9800 ext. 3950.

R EUNION

’48

’53

Class of 1948: (left to right) front row: Jules Baum, David Marrus, Charles Kaufman, Daniel Dorff, alan roland; top row: hugo Freudenthal, robert Torgan, hugh raphael.

Class of 1953: (left to right) front row: Paul zola, John Mcneill, harlan F. Stone; second row: robert harwood, James l. Crawford, richard Fearon, eugene M. Wheeler Jr.; top row: Mark abramowitz, richard Merhige, henry Salzhauer, Peter Kalison, Bruce Bernstein.

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I C l as s N ote s I

1955

Tony Junker is the founder and current Board Chair of Envision Peace Museum, the first museum in a major U.S. city devoted to peace and social justice, located in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly love. ¶ leslie J. Stark is now on the staff of the Vineyard Gazette.

He continues to present programs in the appreciation of classic jazz (for seven years), stays active in community theatre as a performer and director, and serves on three non-profit boards.

1958

alan newman is now working on iOS apps, as well as a myriad other projects. Two of his games will soon be released for iOS, and eventually on other platforms. One is a prize-winning game, called Dynasties, which will also be re-released worldwide as a board game, and the other is called Super 3, a best-selling game from 35 years ago!

He is looking forward to warmer weather and golf. ¶ On January 1, John Sands became President of the College of labor and Employment lawyers, an honorary professional association.

1959

Gary Mettler continues to pursue his music/performing career. He does solo, duo, trio, and fourpiece gigs. He’s played at BB King’s lucille’s Grill several times with his “GMaNBaND.” Visit his website: gmanband.com.

1956

neil Koreman’s email is neilkoreman@aol.com. ¶ George Marks, Bette, and others from his Corvette Club volunteered with Wounded Warriors at Camp Pendleton, Ca, in March 2013.

1957

harvey Scheff has semi-retired to Boca Raton, fl. luckily his son, andy, can handle the NY operations without him. He still maintains close friendships with George Malin and Victor rich. He says, “The class of ‘57 is diminishing too quickly. Time is precious, enjoy family and friends while you can.”

1960

richard Berg now has nearly 150 published Historical Simulation board games, one novel no one read (or bought), and a laid-back outlook that renders him metaphysically horizontal.

1961

Paul Feinstein and his wife, Martha, spent the winter in florida. Unfortunately a knee problem is limiting his tennis, but life is good.

1964

Two years ago Donald Crawford moved to Center City Philly from the Midwest to retire to an urban environment close to NYC. “It

has been wonderful,” he says, “filled with culture, restaurants, $10 buses to NYC and the New Brooklyn. Healthier than we’ve ever been, use the car once a month, maybe, classes at Penn.” ¶ On april 1, Morton levitt was appointed Senior associate Dean, faculty affairs, at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, florida atlantic Univ., in Boca Raton, fl.

1965

richard rubin is currently a happy, comfortable, retired gay guy living “la Vida loca” in beautiful ft. lauderdale, fl. He retired from his profession as a director in the IT field and as an EDP auditor for many years, and is now a professional “beach bum.”

1967

Jim hennessy has written professionally for business publications and film for 25 years, along with working as a finance and technology executive on domestic and foreign assignments. He is still living in San Diego, married to Claudia for 37 years, and has two grown children. ¶ ed Schoenfeld’s creative, modern Chinese restaurant, Redfarm, at 529 Hudson St., NYC, is currently the highest rated Chinese and Dim Sum restaurant in the 2013 Zagat Guide. ¶ Samuel Weiss is one of the founders of anthony’s Coal fired Pizza. They have 36 locations including three on long Island and three in New Jersey.

1968

armando Cuellar has been a superior court judge in alameda County since 2011. He was

RE U N ION

’58

’63

’68

Class of 1958: (left to right) front row: alan newman, Michael Kay, roger Wagner; second row: John Sands, Sebastian Scialabba, Mark Groothuis, edward reiss; top row: richard hafely, William l. Drucker, David elligers, Christophil Costas, redmond Thayer. Class of 1963: (left to right) front row: Marc Ostrow, anthony Schiuma; second row: richard ratzan, Joe Siegel, Douglas Crawford, Michael Krinsky; top row: Warren appleman, larry Denmark, arthur richman, Peter love, Thomas Fanta. Class of 1968: (left to right) front row: robert Shelala, Ira Turret, Keith Shaftel; top row: henry Dingman, Bruce Johannessen, Vincent Vigorita, ralph Dupee (former faculty/staff).

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T h e B l u e & T h e G r ay

I Class Notes I

appointed to the bench after 26 years in the district attorney’s office. ¶ Paul hertz is back to teaching at Barnard after spending 15 months as acting Provost. He is also looking forward to a year-long sabbatical to finish up a new project on the effects of climate change on Puerto Rico’s lizards. ¶ Peter Sessa closed his law office after 30+ years and is now an assistant Professor and Director of the Community Business Clinic at Northeastern law School. “It’s joyous!” he says. His son, Peter, is the assistant lacrosse Coach at St. leo in florida, where he is also getting his MBa. ¶ Vincent Vigorita recently returned to the Miskito coast of Nicaragua to visit the medical clinics he worked in as a medical student. He moved back to Brooklyn last year so his son, Tommy, could attend Poly. He has rejoined the Poly Board and is serving with his stepdaughter, Jenni Jordan Gorman ’99 (Trustee).

1969

eric Miller left Brooklyn Heights after 36 years! He bought the Journey Inn, a B&B in historic Hyde Park, NY, on the Hudson River in Dutchess County. He’s directly across from the Vanderbilt Estate, and just down the road from the Culinary Institute and the fDR Estate.

“Come and stay with us, O Poly alumni!

We’re at JourneyInn.com,” he says. ¶ Jon Oliver founded a nonprofit, lesson One, in 1976 to help children achieve social and academic success. His work and book are recommended by Bill Cosby, Harvard, Yale, and the White House. Since the Newtown tragedy, he redoubled his determination to provide every child with the skills to be safe.

SuBSCrIBe TO The POlyCaM Get the latest Poly alumni news delivered to your inbox monthly. The Polycam features alumni profiles, news & events. Contact Rebecca Grossfield, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications at rgrossfield@polyprep.org.

He is gratefully looking to his Poly family to help provide financial support.

1971

Martin Kafina has been living in the Celtic and Red Sox nation for 22 years, has two kids ages 22 and 19, has been married for 25 years, and is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, Department of Rheumatology. He enjoys sitting on the board of the Emerson Health Care foundation in Concord, Ma. His pastimes include bicycling, swimming, and reading Henry Thoreau. ¶ Vincent Pantuso says, “The Class of ‘71 continues to thrive. about 50 of us remain connected via an ongoing email thread, which fluctuates between the sublime and the ridiculous.

It’s been great keeping in touch!”

1974

Tim hollister continues to work nationally on safer teen driving. His book, Not So Fast: Parenting Teen Drivers Before They Get Behind The Wheel, was published in September 2013 by the Chicago Review Press.

1975

William Stevens left Wall Street in 2009 and earned a

Master of Divinity (biblical languages).

He is currently working toward his doctorate. He is also working as a consultant to Christian nonprofits. His wife, Heather, and he are enjoying their son, Samuel Titus, born in 2012.

1982

Tom Iannelli and his wife, Barbara (Ippolito ‘85), are now Poly parents. Daughters Caroline and Claudia started the 7th and 6th grades, respectively, this past September.

1983

Claudio Caballero is living in Bangkok, Thailand, running a small software development firm and missing Brooklyn, family, friends, and especially his closest ones—his Poly classmates. ¶ Gregg Kaye was inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of fame in June 2013. He served as associate commissioner of the SSC from 2001–07 before being appointed commissioner of the Commonwealth Coast Conference, an NCaa Division III conference with 10 member colleges and universities that sponsors 15 championships.

R EUNION

’73

’78

’83

Class of 1973: (left to right) front row: Donald leibner, Francis Magilligan, richard Shapiro, richard Saltzman; top row: Peter lipschutz, Martin Gottlieb, William Colombo, Joseph lafauci. Class of 1978: (left to right) front row: adam roberts, Peter latson, Frank J. Galtieri; top row: evan Vogel, lawrence Brandman, nicholas Gravante. Class of 1983: (left to right) front row: Daniel nigrin, amy Schlansky; top row: edward Feldman, richard Merhige, evan Marquit (missing from shot: elizabeth Spiegel (haddad), Carolyn Seergy.)

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I Class Notes I

1984

John Coumarianos started his own asset management business, Hamilton Research and Management, LLC, in 2012. He says, “Best investment advice: nobody ever went poor reading Benjamin Graham.” ¶ Jennifer Jones and her husband are loving the award-winning performing arts center they created 13+ years ago. Recently, they built a gorgeous theater. They have students on Broadway, as well as studying musical theater at top schools. Their beautiful children are 20 and 17 and are enjoying music, theatre, and tennis, just like their mom!

1986

Ken ades is working at Deutsche Bank in Fixed Income eCommerce. He recently moved to Westfield, NJ (high school mascot is the Blue Devil! School colors are blue and white!) from Manhattan. Jacob David Ades turned two years old in June 2013. ¶ Naomi Kirkman is currently in her 5th year as Principal of Bradford Elementary School in Montclair, NJ, where she lives with her husband and two sons (Sam, 15, and Nick, 11). She’d love to hear updates from all her old Poly friends. ¶ Kelly lynch Papa has been working as a physical therapist assistant in a private practice in Bedminster, NJ. In 2008, she was promoted to Clinical Supervisor after developing a gait and balance program geared toward helping individuals with difficulty walking, including elderly patients or patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s, MS, or stroke.

1987

Nick Gaiano says, “Things are good!” After running a lab at Johns Hopkins Med, he became a Scientific Review Officer at the NIH. His wife, Michelle, sons David, 11, and Andrew, 8, and hamsters, Max and Fang, are all doing well.

1988

ethan litwin is the chair of the Antitrust Group at Hughes Hubbard & Reed. He is currently lead counsel to one of the LIBOR panel banks. In his spare time, he serves on the board of Gingold Theatrical Group. His home in East Hampton received a LEED Platinum certification and is featured in recent texts on green construction.

1989

Michael Kearns is currently the VP of Government Relations for the National Ocean Industries Association working on domestic offshore energy development. He was accepted into the Howard Univ. Master’s in Social Work Program. He lives in Washington, DC, with his partner, Jason Smith. ¶ Natacha Simpkins is living in Northern VA with her 4½-year-old daughter Madeline, 3-year-old son Benjamin, and husband, Todd. She is still a veterinarian and works part-time.

Simpkins says, “If anyone is in the area, give me a call!”

1991

Beth regan Jacobs lives in Larchmont, NY, with her husband, Nate, and their two boys,

Sawyer, 6, and Parker, 4. When Beth is not running around after her boys, she works full-time as the Vice President of Calvin Klein Underwear. ¶ Joseph Verdirame and his wife, Nancy, had their first child, Ava, in July 2012. He says, “She’s absolutely beautiful and brings us great joy.” Joseph started a new company, Vourno, a crowd-funding platform and independent news network for video journalism. Visit vourno.com. He says, “It’s been a sleepless, but rewarding year.”

1992

Deana Waddell (Di Dio) is in her 8th year working at UNLV in web communications as a content editor. She says, “On Jan. 31, 2013, my husband Charles, 2½-year-old daughter, Samira Lou, and I were blessed with the newest member of our family, a baby boy named Hudson Arthur.”

1994

Nadia r.

Mastromichalis welcomed baby Sophia Rose Heaning on September 7, 2012, at 7:59 AM.

1995

liz Feldman just finished her second season as a writer and supervising producer on 2 Broke Girls for CBS. She adds, “On a personal note: this May I’m getting married to my long-time love, Rachael Cantu. Life is very good and I am grateful.”

RE U N ION

’88

’93

’98

Class of 1988: (left to right) front row: Joanne Post, Samantha DiGennaro, erika Farrell, Cara lynn Cuite; second row: lisa Scholz, Stella angelakos, Victoria hasson, laura Krausman-McMillian, Jodi Coates Fairbairn; top row: Jeffrey Ferraro, Gabriel Bombino, Christos athanitis, George Venetoklis, robert Sturtz, Jonah licht. Class of 1993: (left to right) front row: Christine Kando Szabo, Paloma Nunziata, Melissa Muniz-Cohen, Nicole Bonica; second row: Maria-Teresa Plantilla, alexandra Spessot, Madeleine Perez, Keri Seidel, Jean Mary Bongiorno; third row: amy Cervantes, aaron Cistrelli, Valerie Bontemps-honerkamp, Jennifer Polovetsky, Christian rutherford, Kris harner, rebeca Matthews; top row: James loonam, andrew Travelstead, Geoffrey Neimark, Joseph Pastore, alfred Tam, Mark Coluccio. Class of 1998: (left to right) Sameep Sangankar, Peter Guirguis, John Barone, edward lee.

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I Class Notes I

1996

lamar gary wrote his first book, How to Properly Learn Languages, available at amazon’s Kindle store. ¶ Diane Fogarty married Chris Chandler in Cary, NC, on September 8, 2012. They are expecting their first child in September 2013.

1997

David alperin opened Goose Barnacle, a men’s clothing and fine art store in Brooklyn Heights. Visit goosebarnacle.com.

1998

James Valentino is a prosecutor for the Kings County District attorney’s Office, specializing in violent crime.

1999

andrew Matney is having fun raising twin 3-yearolds, Isabella and Gabriella, and being an attorney!

2000

John Verzosa and his wife, Betsy, welcomed a 6 lbs., 6 oz. baby girl this winter, Sophia anne Verzosa.

2001

rudi Hanja is approaching seven years as a real estate agent handling residential sales and rentals in Manhattan and Brooklyn. She says, “I recently partnered up with my pop at Brown Harris Stevens.” ¶ Katherine zinsser and her wife, Caitlin, are moving to Chicago where Kate has accepted a

tenure-track position at the Univ. of Illinois in the Department of Psychology. Her doctoral research at George Mason Univ. focused on children’s development of emotional competence in early childhood education classrooms.

2002

William atallah is a urology resident at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. ¶ as part of his medical residency, Christian zaino takes orthopedic trauma call at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. “I see and treat everything, from gunshot wounds to the femur and children who fell from the monkey bars with broken elbows to old ladies with hip fractures and athletes with aCl tears. I’m getting great experience,” he says.

2003

Jason goldstein is currently working in the action Sports & Olympics division of Wasserman Media Group as the Senior Manager, Social Media and Digital.

2004

Jonathan Feinberg was married to China Gordon in January 2012 and will begin pursuing his MBa at Harvard Business School in 2013.

2005

David Mash was recently elected to the board of the Syracuse Univ. Whitman alumni Club of New York.

2006

amanda Boston earned her Ma in political science from Duke in 2012. She is now a PhD student in africana Studies at Brown.

2007

Daniel Hochman graduated from Dartmouth in June 2011. He is working at Bridgewater associates. ¶ In 2011, isaac Katz moved to Israel to draft into the Israeli Defense force. He says, “I was selected to join the elite Paratroopers of the IDf. after completing training to become a paratrooper and serving some time on active duty, I was chosen to attend sniper school. Having completed sniper training, I recently accepted a promotion to the rank of sergeant.”

2008

Joe Colandrea graduated from Villanova last May and is currently working at Merrill lynch in downtown Manhattan. Before that he interned at PineBridge Investments, studied abroad in Italy, participated in and led multiple volunteer trips to South and Central america, and worked at his family restaurant, Colandrea New Corner, in Brooklyn.

2010

Christa Wojcik was recently admitted to the Psi Chi national honor society for psychology.

R EUNION

’03

’08

Class of 2003: (left to right) front row: olakunle Saliu, roger Morace, Dominique zirino, Keyonte Sutherland, Meekaelle Joseph, Maxine Fay Donskoi, emily rubin, Shanell Bryan, nandita Scillitani Kripanidhi, Julia Morrison, Kirk Deligiannis, Maria Marinakis; second row: luis Flores, Peter rocco, robert Francis, renessa noel-Baptiste, racine Henry, oksana Magg, anthony Ciccone, Daniel Flores; third row: Kathryn aberlin, David Herbert, andrew Cavitolo, Michael Pontone, Shaun Din, osaze ogbahon, Krystal Coke, Matthew Dresher; top row: Michael Marron, gregory Matsoukas, Ketan Bhalla, nathaniel ralph, Michael Falotico, Jonathan geffrard, John Polignone, Christopher Mangiero, Mark Kleyrerman. Class of 2008: (left to right) front row: Jennifer Buchholz, Jennifer guterman, lee Feiner, Katherine Wu-leung; second row: Marina gluckman, Courtney nolan, Katherine giovinazzo, Madeline Turner; top row: Daniel zaykowski, Matthew Harnisch, ian Holden, Joseph gibilaro, Brandon Jefferson.

P o ly P r e P M aga z i n e fa l l 2013

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I Class Notes I

Reunion 2013 Awardees alumni DisTinGuisheD achievemenT aWarDs Dr. louis aronne ’73 Dr. Aronne graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Trinity College in 1977 with a BS in biochemistry. He attended The Johns Hopkins Univ. School of Medicine and is board certified in internal medicine.

Aronne is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Weill-Cornell Medical College and an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia Univ. College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is Director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program, which he founded in 1986.

Former president of The Obesity Society, Aronne is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and of the New York Academy of Medicine. He edited and was chairman of the National Institutes of Health’s Practical Guide to the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, as well as a reviewing member of the Department of Health and Human Services and Food and Drug Administration’s publication, Guidance for the Clinical Evaluation of Weight Control Drugs.

Aronne also helped develop the AV MOVE Program, currently the largest weight-control program in the country.

In 2008, Aronne founded the Cardiometabolic Support Network, a program to treat obesity and obesity-related illnesses. It provides a network of support and scientific education resources for both patients and health care providers.

Aronne was one of the founding hosts of the Food Network, co-hosting more than 650 episodes of “Getting Healthy,” a nightly call-in show from 1993–1996. His other television and radio appearances include “The Charlie Rose Show,” “The Today Show,” “Dateline NBC,” “20/20,” “48 Hours,” and most other national news programs.

An author of over 60 publications, book chapters, abstracts, and books on obesity, Aronne’s first book, Weigh Less Live Longer,

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was published in 1996. His recent book, The Skinny on Losing Weight Without Being Hungry, published in 2009, was a New York Times best seller.

Aronne has won several awards for teaching, including the Leo M. Davidoff Society Prize from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1983 and Eliot Hochstein Teaching Award from Cornell Univ. in 1990.

He has been regularly ranked in Castle Connolly’s and New York magazine’s “Best Doctors in New York” as a specialist in obesity and internal medicine. lawrence Brandman ’78, P’16 Poly parent Lawrence Brandman graduated from Poly in 1978 and later received his AB, magna cum laude, from Harvard Univ. and his JD from Cornell Law School.

Brandman has spent most of his career practicing bankruptcy and securities law, focusing on complex financial products.

After beginning his career with Shearman & Sterling, he worked at Credit Suisse First Boston in the Legal and Compliance Department, and he served later as a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs & Co. In 2009, Brandman joined the bankrupt Lehman Brothers Holdings Estate where he is involved in the unwinding of the multi-billion dollar derivatives book. At Lehman, he serves as Head of Bankruptcy Strategic Advisory, Derivatives, and on the Management Committee.

Brandman is recognized as a leader in the field of bankruptcy and derivatives.

In addition to serving on the Advisory Committee on Financial Contracts, Derivatives, and Safe Harbors, which advises the American Bankruptcy Institution Commission on Chapter 11 Reform, he has represented industry in negotiations leading up to the 2005 and 2006 Bankruptcy Code Amendments and as a delegate in international financial treaty negotiations in The Hague, Rome, and Geneva.

A frequent speaker at various conferences, Brandman has also served in leadership roles on various industry committees

and has advised the Federal Reserve and State Department on derivatives and securities issues.

In addition to being a Chairman of Harvard’s Gift Participation Committee and a member of Cornell Law School’s Dean’s Special Leadership Committee, Brandman has been highly involved at Poly, serving as a member of the Poly Prep Alumni Board of Governors for over 30 years and has previously received Poly’s School Service Award.

While Brandman’s two brothers also graduated from Poly, his daughter, niece, and nephew all currently attend the school. nicholas Gravante ’78, P’20, ’23 Nicholas Gravante has repeatedly been honored as one of the country’s top lawyers, recently being named for the 3rd consecutive year as one of Lawdragon’s Top 500 lawyers in America. Gravante earned his BA from Duke Univ., where he majored in political science and psychology, and his JD from Columbia Law School. He began his legal career at the law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore.

A trial lawyer who specializes in complex commercial litigation and white collar criminal defense, Gravante is the Administrative Partner of the New York office of Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, one of the nation’s leading law firms representing large corporations and high net-worth individuals in high-stakes, and often high-profile, litigation.

In addition to running the New York office and serving as General Counsel of his firm, he has represented clients as various as the Andy Warhol Foundation, Calvin Klein, Inc., SBC Communications, Tyco International, Current TV, Texaco, C. V. Starr & Company, the American Red Cross, British-American Tobacco, and numerous hedge funds. His individual clients have included nationally known mystery author Mary Higgins Clark, former AIG Chairman and CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, and members of Vice President Joseph Biden’s immediate family.

Gravante currently serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations. He is

I Class Notes I

Photos left to right: [1] nicholas gravante ‘78, P’20, ’23, headmaster harman P’04, ’06 and hal rose ‘74, P’04, ‘09. [2] Family of dr. aronne ‘73, hal rose ‘74, P’04, ‘09 and headmaster harman P’04, ‘06. [3] headmaster harman P’04, ’06 and Sam digennaro ’88. [4] andrew Brandman ‘87, P’16, ‘20, headmaster harman P’04, ‘06, lawrence Brandman ‘78, P’16 & hal rose ‘74, P’04, ‘09.

Vice-Chair of the Brooklyn Public library’s Board of Trustees and is actively involved with several political campaigns.

This fall, Gravante and his wife, Jackie, donated one of the new state-of-the-art Middle School science classrooms. after serving for several years on Poly’s alumni Board of Governors, he joined Poly’s Board of Trustees in 2012, where he is working on the development and legal committees. He is also a proud Poly parent.

School Service award Samantha digennaro ’88 The founder of her own company, Samantha DiGennaro is a sought-after communications

and public relations strategist. She is a graduate of the Univ. of Chicago and has studied etching at The School of Visual arts.

DiGennaro had more than a decade of experience running in-house communications at leading global companies prior to launching her own. from 1998-2005, she built and oversaw the New York, North american, and Global Communications teams at J. Walter Thompson, the world’s first advertising agency. Prior to that DiGennaro was Public Relations Manager of DMB&B. In 2006, DiGennaro founded DiGennaro Communications, a leading full-service communications firm offering brand posi-

SPirit award reciPient at hoMecoMing 2012 lisa della Pietra ‘86 Each year, the Poly Prep alumni association and its Board of Governors present the Spirit award to one faculty or staff member who has exhibited exemplary dedication to the school and a commitment to excellence inside or outside the classroom. The 2012–2013 Spirit award winner was Director of alumni Relations lisa Della Pietra ‘86.

Della Pietra returned to the school after a career in finance as a volunteer for the 9/11 Scholarship fund in 2003. Della Pietra raised money to support a named scholarship program honoring the 11 Poly “boys” lost in the 2001 tragedy, including her younger brother, Joseph Della Pietra ‘95. “at that time, it was all I could do to keep my brother’s memory alive,” Della Pietra recalled.

But Della Pietra found a lasting home at Poly, which for her has always been—at its core—about family. after a few months, she decided to stay on and work with the Development Office. In 2005, she became the Director of alumni Relations.

“I’ve known Poly in so many ways,” she said. “first lisa della Pietra ’86 and harold Bernieri ’85, P’15 I was a student, then I was an alum. I was also—in some ways—like a parent, watching Joey attend school here. and now, of course, I’m an employee. But for me, it’s the people—new and old—and the continuing relationships fostered here that’s the best part.”

tioning and strategy, thought leadership, content development, and media relations.

DiGennaro Communications specializes in the media, marketing, entertainment, and business sectors. Its clients include leading global and boutique companies such as Y&R, David & Goliath, Mr Youth, Myxer.com, Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, and live Nation.

DiGennaro Communications is headquartered in New York, with offices in Santa Monica, Ca and london.

Since opening its doors, DiGennaro Communications has seen consistent growth and has repeatedly been recognized for its success. In 2011 and 2012, DiGennaro Communications was named one of Inc. 500’s “america’s fastest Growing Private Companies” and the Stevie awards for Women in Business’ “Best Overall Company of the Year.” In 2012, Samantha DiGennaro was the recipient of an “Entrepreneur of the Year award” from The Stevie’s.

DiGennaro warmly remembers Poly art teacher Mr. Waite (Chair Emeritus, Visual arts, now deceased), who taught her much about art, life, and different ways of looking at the world.

Since graduating Poly, DiGennaro has worked as a dedicated advocate for the school. She is a consistent supporter of The Poly fund and currently both a Reunion Chair and Class agent for the Class of 1988.

DiGennaro was a big proponent for the use of a 21st-century digital communications toolbox at Poly. She is also a member emerita of the alumni Board of Governors, where she served for over a decade.

Director of alumni Relations lisa Della Pietra ’86 said DiGennaro is “tireless in giving her time, expertise, and love to this school.”

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Obituaries

I Obituaries I

1930

harold l. Warner Jr., 100, died august 29, 2012. He married Winifred a. Ingraham in 1936. He is survived by his daughter, Mary ann Putnam; three grandsons; and six great-grandchildren and was predeceased by his son, Thomas. a 1937 graduate of Yale law School, he worked at Chadbourne and Parke. Warner loved family, athletics, poetry, jokes, and reminiscing about legal cases.

1931

allen S. Brush, former chief financial officer of General Motors acceptance Corporation, died at his NH home November 16, 2010.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, and three sons, David, Donald, and Robert. Brush also

leaves behind six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. ¶ John McInerney, 100, died May 17, 2012. His life was guided by three great passions: a love of family; a devotion to the law; and a rapture for sailing the Great South Bay. He was predeceased by his wife, Ellen Eustis Pugh, in 1975. He is survived by five children, John, Carl, Ellen, Thomas, and Kathleen; and two grandchildren, Haven and Paul.

1935

Dr. henry W. riecken died December 27, 2012.

He had a number of fond Poly memories.

Riecken wrote of his English teacher Ina Cooper lane, “Mrs. lane started my understanding that writing is the most serious form of thinking, and that simple expository prose is one of the most difficult and valuable forms of expression.”

1937

Chester heal, 93, died february 15, 2013. He attended Wesleyan Univ. and was a proud descendant of Col. James Barrett, who led the militia men at the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Concord Bridge. He is survived by his wife, Jane; three sons, David (wife, Sheila), Stephen (partner, George Defrance), and andrew (wife, Pati); grandchildren, Kathryn, Kathleen, and Kim; and four great-grandchildren.

1938 In MeMOrIaM SalVaTORE MIlazzO Poly Groundskeeper, 1980–1988 Salvatore Milazzo passed away in November 2012 at the age of 91. Milazzo worked at Poly as a groundskeeper from 1980 to 1988. He was responsible for maintaining all the athletic fields, such as the pitcher’s mound, which was his specialty.

Millard P. Goodfellow Jr., 92, died after a long illness. He graduated Dartmouth College and joined the audit Department of what is now, PNC Bank in 1949. Goodfellow enjoyed traveling, reading, and sports, and loved animals. He is survived by his wife, allene leach; daughter, Martha Joan faircloth; a grandson, and a great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by his son, M. Preston.

1940

leonard luria died in 2012. luria and his wife, Gloria, were longtime supporters of the Mount Sinai Medical Center. He leaves a legacy of helping others through his kindness and generosity.

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howard B. Germain, 88, died July 19, 2012.

Survived by his daughter, amy; son, Neal; niece, Ellen; grandchildren, Daniel, Schuyler, alexis, and Nicole; daughters-inlaw, Elisa and Irene; nephew, Steven, and his wife, laura; grand-niece, Nina, grandnephew, Will; and first wife, Rhoda. He was predeceased by his wife, Roseanne; sons, andrew and David; brother, lawrence; and sister-in-law, Gloria.

1942

C. Dewitt Burdick, 88, died in february 2013. a fighter pilot in the U.S. army air Corps during WWII, he received the Distinguished flying Cross. Burdick married in 1946.

He attended MIT and worked with the Sperry Corporation until 1967 and later litton Industries. He is survived by his wife, Connie, three children, two grandchildren, and brother, Bill ‘44. ¶ edmund r.

Davis died September 24, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; brother, Will; sister, Nancy; nieces and nephews; and predeceased by his sister, Kathryn. Davis earned his MBa at Harvard after serving in the Navy during WWII. In the 1970s, he was New York Deputy Commissioner of Housing and Community Renewal and later Deputy Regional administrator at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ¶ Dr. robert a. Kilmarx died March 12, 2013 at his residence. He was predeceased by his wife, Bernice.

1943

richard Glickman died May 30, 2012. He graduated from the U.S. Naval academy and Pennsylvania State Univ. before earning his master’s from Columbia Univ. Glickman had a distinguished career as a New York City CPa. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, andrew and Suzanne; daughter-in-law, Julie; grandson, Eli; wife’s sister and her husband, Sandra and arthur, and their family. Donations may be made to Poly Prep.

1944

Darwin J. Blaine died June 17, 2012. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1944–1946 and later attended Johns Hopkins Univ.

Blaine was loved for his charming wit and personality. He was predeceased by his

I Obituaries I

brother, Norfleet, and is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Darwin, Curtis (wife, Peggy), allyson (husband, Walter); eight grandchildren; sisters-in-law; nieces; and a nephew.

1945

linton Baldwin, 85, died June 17, 2012, at home in Manhattan. an accomplished sportswriter, novelist, tennis player, and advertising copywriter, Baldwin was also a graduate of Yale Univ. and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He is survived by his wife, Karen lane; stepdaughters, Robin, Tracy, anja, and Petra; and sister, Joanne.

1946

Dr. robert M. reardon, 83, died November 25, 2012. He was predeceased by his wife, Vivian, and his brother, John. He is survived by his son, Robert (laura); two grandchildren, lee and Robert; a nephew, Mark, and a niece, Elizabeth. He had a long, successful career in ophthalmology, as well as a penchant for fun and fellowship.

1947

Professor roger a.

Dickinson died february 9, 2012. ¶ howard Phillips, 82, died January 25, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Carol; brother, Gerald (fran); daughter, Jan (Charles); son, Rick (Elissa); stepsons, alexander and the late Jonathan; grandchildren, Jenna, Jared, alexis, and Spencer; niece and nephew, Stacy and louis (Jackie); great-nephews, andrew, Bobby, and Jeffrey, and great-niece, alison.

1948

edward I. Barz died May 9, 2012, of esophageal cancer. a Brown Univ. graduate, Barz served in the U.S. Navy from 1953–56. He was V.P. and National Director of Media Research for foote, Cone & Belding and then Executive V.P. of Simmons Market Research Bureau. He was predeceased by his first wife, Dierdre Merrill. He is survived by his wife, Janet Marcus; two daughters; a step-son; and 6 grandchildren. ¶ William G. Becker Jr., 82, died february 25, 2013. Becker graduated Cornell Univ., served in the U.S. air force during the Korean War, then attended Cornell law

School. He worked at Shanley & fisher (now Drinker Biddle & Reath) until 1995.

He is survived by two sons, Robert and William (Elizabeth); and four grandchildren.

Donations welcome to: animal Refuge league of Greater Portland at www.arlgp. org. ¶ Dr. richard e. Glass, 81, died in December 2011. He was compassionate and much loved by family and friends.

1949

Milton e. Bernhard, 80, died December 4, 2012. a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he attended Princeton Univ. Bernhard married Cathy Huntley in 1968. He retired as General Counsel of fEI Corp. in 1998.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy; sons Ted, James, and andrew; and granddaughters Cassidy and Caitlyn. He was predeceased by his mother, father, and sister.

1950

ronald allen Jabara, 79, died July 26, 2012, surrounded by family. He was a loving husband to Carol; devoted father to four sons, Ronald, Douglas, Michael, and Benjamin; and dedicated brother to Harold, Virginia, Eleanor, Gloria, and Robert. He attended Dartmouth College and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard. He owned Jabara Imports since 1980. ¶ Donald ross, III, 80, died January 21, 2013. He was predeceased by his wife, Jane; and parents, Elizabeth and Donald. He is survived by his children, Deirdre, Donald (Susan), and Janet; and grandchildren, Olivia and Derek. His sister, Karen, predeceased him in 2004, leaving 6 beloved nephews and nieces. He was Poly’s first alumnus to attend Stanford Univ.

In MeMOrIaM DR. fRaNK J. MaCCHIaROla Trustee, 1988–1993 Dr. frank J. Macchiarola, Chancellor at St. francis College, died on December 18, 2012. Macchiarola was a graduate of St. francis, Columbia law School and Columbia Univ. He served on Poly’s Board of Trustees from 1988 to 1993. Dr. Macchiarola is survived by his wife, Mary; three sons, Joseph (Michaela), Michael (Jennifer), and frank (Sarah); seven grandchildren; and brothers Joseph, James, and Henry.

1953

Clifford K. eriksen, 74, former longtime headmaster at The Knox School, died December 2, 2010. He was a passionate educator.

Eriksen is survived by two sons, Benjamin and Timothy (Magdalena), and two grandchildren, luka and anja. He was predeceased by his wife, Elsa, and two brothers, Joel and Charles. Contributions welcome to The Knox School. ¶ George e. Siegel died June 16, 2009. He was a devoted husband to alice, loving father to andrew

(Marla), Howard, and Jim (Pam), and doting grandfather to layne and Jake.

1954

Dr. Marvin F. Kraushar, 74, died august 26, 2012.

He graduated Bowdoin College and Tufts Univ. School of Medicine. He served as a surgeon in the U.S. Public Health Service

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I O bitu ar ie s I

and later as chief of ophthalmology at Beth Israel Medical Center and the Interfaith Medical Center. His wife, Gaytha, survives him. Donations welcome to The Seeing Eye, Inc. in NJ.

1958

John a. Purpura Jr., 71, died July 7, 2012. at Poly and Wake forest Univ., he was a record-setting shot-putter. He attended St. John’s law School and later worked in insurance risk management. He is survived by his children, Jeanne (anthony), Robert (Jill), and John; sisters, Edith (Ronnie) and Vita; brothers, anthony and Graham (Joan); and many nieces and nephews. ¶ Donald Strohsahl died November 18, 2012, after battling

leukemia and diabetes. He received his Ba from lehigh Univ. and MBa from Pace Univ.. In 2000, Strohsahl retired from the U.S. army as a lieutenant Colonel.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; step-children, Brett and Gabrielle; four grandchildren; sister, Jean (Jerry); sister-inlaw, Kathleen; and brothers-in-law fred, Charles, and their families.

1963

John D. Knutsen, 67, died January 5, 2013, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank.

Prior to retirement, he was VP of Corporate and Treasury Bond Investments at lf Rothschild. Knutsen was predeceased by his parents, alice and Knut. Surviving is

In MeMOrIaM aNDREW f. GURlEY ‘55 Trustee, Poly leader, and Dear friend andrew f. Gurley died at home in Irvington, NY, on Monday, January 7, 2013.

He was 75. Gurley graduated from Poly Prep in 1955 and earned his bachelor’s from Gettysburg College in 1960. after college, Gurley began his long and successful career on Wall Street at Glore forgan and included time with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Drexel Burnham lambert. He joined PaineWebber in 1991 before their acquisition by UBS Securities and spent the last 17 years of his career there. He retired in 2008. Gurley was a Poly leader, supporter, and friend. He was also a Poly Prep Board of Trustees member. at Poly, Gurley was a star football player.

In November 1953, however, Gurley was stricken with polio, but he returned to school in September with perseverance and determination. andrew f. Gurley will be remembered as a generous and happy person who always made people smile. In addition to his work and family, he had a love of american history, the New York Giants, sports memorabilia, and memories of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He is survived by his wife, Joanna; his brother, John; his four sons, andrew Jr. (allison), Bruce (Margaret), Scott (Jane), and James (Mia); and nine grandchildren, Carson, Cameron, andrew III, Henry, Katherine, William, amanda, Juliana, and James Jr.

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his brother, K. Eric Knutsen; son and daughter, Robert and Diane; spouse, Shannon; and grandchildren, Gavin, ava, and liv.

1968

Dr. Charles M. rader, a clinical psychologist, died June 16, 2012. He graduated Hamilton College in 1972 and earned his PhD at the Univ. of Minnesota. In 1983, he began his long tenure at Ramsey County Mental Health Clinic in St. Paul. He enjoyed travel, sports, and the arts. Rader’s wife, Marcea, and son, Kirk, survive him. ¶ robert a. Schein, died November 28, 2010, of esophageal cancer.

1973

David Smith, lawyer, writer, and photographer, died June 16, 2012. He attended Stanford Univ. and Harvard law School before working at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, then as VP at Citibank. He is remembered as a favorite uncle to andrew, Katherine, Benjamin, and audrey; wonderful brother to Peggy and Peter; and loving son of alan and Joyce. Contributions may be made to the Brooklyn Public library.

1975

Dennis Fiorentino died October 30, 2012, during Hurricane Sandy, after a long illness. ¶ andrew libo, 54, died October 25, 2011, of a brain tumor at his home in Mamaroneck, NY. He was a founding member of Gersowitz libo & Korek.

1992

zachary F. lynn passed away in february 2012.

1995

Kibum Bae, a resident of flushing, NY, died in

april 2013.

Fifth grade Spanish students with their cascarones or “confetti eggs” as part of a World Languages’ celebration of Mexican culture.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2013–2014

Executive Board Wade Saadi ‘95 President, Alumni Board of Governors, Nominating Committee Matthew O. Walsh ‘92 Chair, Awards Committee Nicole T. Bonica ‘93 Chair, Fundraising Committee Nadia Mastromichalis ‘94 Chair, Events Committee Hal M. Rose ‘74, P’04, ‘09 Chair, Networking & Mentoring Commitee, Nominating Committee Martin E. Valk ‘81 Secretary of BOG and Nominating Committee Chair

Members Steven Andersen ‘71, P’13, ‘22 John Artise ‘65 Alexandra Maresca Azara ‘00 Danielle Sabbagh Basso ‘90, P’21 William Basso ‘89, P’21 Harold Bernieri ‘85, P’15, ‘19 Marianne Bertuna ‘94 Andrew T. Brandman ‘87, P’16, ‘20 Lawrence S. Brandman ‘78, P’16 Frank J. Castellano ‘84, P’16

Matthew Dresher ‘03 Qadir Forbes ‘11 Adam Garson ‘05 Anita E. Haskopoulos ’96 Daniel Lempert ‘09 Ayisha McHugh ‘12 Andrew McNally ‘96 Courtney Nolan ‘08 Matthew Roventini ’92 Andrew Schrijver ‘07 John Verzosa ‘00

Jacqueline Chirdo ‘13 Shannon Cohall ‘10 Christine Croasdaile ‘13 Lisa M. Della Pietra ‘86

Emeritus Members Samantha L. DiGennaro ‘88 Emeritus Lawrence F. DiGiovanna ‘69 Emeritus Gilbert H. Feldman ‘42, P’83, ‘85 Vice President Emeritus Mr. Nicholas Gravante ‘78, P’20, ‘23 Chair, Fundraising Committee Emeritus Dr. Vincent J. Vigorita ‘68, P’96, ‘99, ‘15 Emeritus Gary E. Hanna ‘84 Emeritus Paul Zola ‘53 Vice President Emeritus

Student Members Talisa Ramos ‘14

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PaID WHT RIV JCT VT Permit 86 MIDDle aND uPPer SChOOlS 9216 Seventh Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11228 lOWer SChOOl 50 Prospect Park West Brooklyn, NY 11215

David leventhal ’85 adjusting theater lights, probably during his senior year. leventhal managed technical aspects of most Poly theater shows and was often spotted backstage.

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The Blue & The G ray