The Rivers Edge - May 2024

THE RIVERS EDGE

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024!

Prize Day 2024

The Faculty Prize Jack Michael Willard

The Dudley Willis Trustee Prize Arianna Martínez Cavero & Camille Pearl DeStefano

BY CAMILLE DESTEFANO ’24

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Completing one’s senior year of high school is a momentous accomplishment that marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. At Rivers, there are several celebrations for recognizing the class of 2024 and their achievements. From the Senior Arts Celebration to the Senior Barbecue to Graduation, Rivers always succeeds in making each senior feel acknowledged. Senior fall has always been a worry for many with lingering college essays to write, challenging school work, numerous activities, and lots of stress. However, as spring approaches, seniors usually begin to relax and

look forward to the fun activities and traditions that Rivers offers. The idea of “Senioritis” occurs when seniors feel as if they do not have to try, do their work, or study during the spring semester, which can be a misnomer; the senior traditions truly ignite a joyous and fun atmosphere. The traditions typically start in late April with the prom, which is open to both juniors and seniors. Prom is always a memorable experience where students can laugh, dance, and eat delicious food. Oftentimes, students also enjoy connecting with peers from a different grade in a non-academic setting. Two more unique activities in late April and early May are senior water tag and

senior skip day. These activities bring the grade closer together and bring happiness into the final month of high school. Charlie Kantaros ‘24 emphasizes, “These activities have truly brought the grade closer. Recently I’ve bonded with kids all over the grade, and I’m extremely grateful for it. These events are things I’ve looked forward to my entire Rivers career and it’s extremely special to finally get to participate.”

Additionally, Rivers provides more focused celebrations for those who participate in different activities. For example, there is a Senior Arts Celebration, a night designed to celebrate all seniors who have participated

The Jeremiah J. Sheehan Memorial Prize Madison Whitney Stikeleather

The Hooper Lawrence Memorial Prize Caleb Darnell Lys

The F. Ervin Prince Prize Rachel Jess Bueker

Priscilla Wallace Strauss Athletic Prize Avery Olivia Del Col

The James A. Navoni ’70 Athletic Prize Amir Lindsey

The ISL Award of Excellence Julia Ahearn & Cayden Miceli

Senior Award for Exceptional Dedication to Athletics:

Julia Ahearn, Catherine Butler, Sophie Rousell, Griffin Gerald Schutte & Maxwell Louis Stevelman

The Nonesuch Players Prize Phoebe Lynn Fogel & Payson Grace Salyer

The David Killam Instrumental Music Prize Jack Francis Benson, Ethan Kasparian Weisman & Arianna Martínez Cavero

The Classical Music Prize Joylyn Yubin Kim

The Choral Prize Payson Grace Salyer & Coley Michelsen Schaefer

The Photography Prize Evan Patrick Deede

The Two-Dimensional Arts Prize Milan Jayant Joshi

Austin A. Chute Memorial Prize Gregory Paul Canning & Phoebe Lynn Fogel

The Modern Language Prize for Mandarin Chinese Caleb Darnell Lys

Otto Alcaide Language Prize for French Coley Michelsen Schaefer & Alexander Garrett Goldsmith

Otto Alcaide Language Prize for Spanish Alejandra Paez Peñaloza& Megan Marie Sweatt

The George Woodbridge ’24 History Prize Alejandra Paez Peñaloza

The Science Prize Noah Springhorn

The Mathematics Prize Shelby Jane Whitaker & Tyler Andrew Karp

BY SPENCER GARY ‘25

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Rivers Givers has had yet another successful year filled with philanthropy and fun. Rivers Givers is a youth philanthropy program led by seniors and participated in by juniors. In this program, students complete a curriculum on philanthropy, hold various fundraisers, and learn how to solicit requests for proposals. After receiving requests for proposals from various local nonprofits, the students examine their requests

and conduct site visits to the organizations seeking funding.

Toward the end of the year, all Rivers Givers members come together and decide where they’d collectively like to donate the funds they raised throughout the year. After this decision is made, an all-school assembly is dedicated to presenting the local nonprofits that received grants from Rivers Givers.

Rivers Givers is led by seven senior leaders: Amanda Hiatt ‘24, Caroline Chung ‘24, Farrah Reza ‘24, Harper Fruhan ‘24, Joylyn Kim ‘24, Shelby Whit-

taker ‘24, and Taylor Parsons ‘24. Lucas Malo, the Director of Community Engagement, is the faculty leader of the program.

This is Malo’s first year at Rivers, and he acknowledges that it takes time to fully understand the needs in the Rivers community.

Malo said, “When doing something for the first time there is always a learning curve. One cannot implement change in a community until they have taken the time to understand the needs of that community.”

The Robert W. Rivers Prize for English Phoebe Lynn Fogel & Zoë Olivia Powell-McCroey

The Interdisciplinary Prize Zoë Olivia Powell-McCroey

The Community Engagement Prize Caroline Patricia Chung & Mason Wolk Klein

Kenneth F. Benjamin ’50 Citizenship Award Braxton Seale & Katherine Lilla Kenworthy

Johns Hopkins Univ. Alumni Faculty Prize Esme Anna Assad

Brown University Alumni Book Mairin Cully Anderson

The Thomas Olverson Prize Andrew Ho

The Harvard Club Prize Cailyn Kim

Senior Members of the Cum Laude Society:

Jack F. Benson, Finnian

Cahill,

Ferguson, Phoebe Lynn Fo-

Keagan J. Harder, Tyler A. Karp, Joylyn Yubin Kim, Mason Wolk Klein, Arianna Martínez Cavero, Alejandra Paez Peñaloza, Payton C. Richard, Noah C. Springhorn, Madison Whitney Stikeleather, Megan Marie Sweatt, Alexis Rose Tower, Ethan Kasparian Wesiman, Shelby J. Whitaker, and Jack M. Willard

Meaningful Year of Rivers Givers Concludes with Generous Donations to Two Greater Boston Nonprofits

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Despite this learning curve, Malo could not be more proud of what Rivers Givers has achieved in his first year: “As I translate that philosophy to Rivers Givers, with this being my first year, I could not be more thrilled with the program.”

Malo was also fond of the seven senior leaders who have been instrumental in making this program a success: “Each in their own way has made an impact on the success of the program, and it would not be possible without them.”

This program began in October when the entire junior class was invited to apply to join Rivers Givers. A few weeks later, the new cohort of juniors was admitted to Rivers Givers. The curriculum started soon thereafter with senior-led training workshops. Junior members learned how to evaluate nonprofits and how to run effective fundraisers, and they even heard from two Rivers parents, Matt Hiatt, chairman of the A.M. Fund, and Pam Martin, president of the Audax Charitable Foundation, who discussed their applications of these philanthropy skills in their adult lives.

After these sessions, Rivers Givers held its first major fundraising event at the annual Rivers Holiday Basketball Tournament. On the tournament’s opening day, Rivers Givers held its annual dodgeball tournament. Teams of students in holiday-themed outfits faced up against each other in an exciting and meaningful way, as all players paid an entry fee to Rivers Givers. The philanthropy group also sold Holiday-Tournament-themed t-shirts as well as pizza during the boys’ and girls’ basketball games to fundraise.

A couple of months after this successful fundraiser, Rivers Givers held another fundraiser, this time a raffle for a JBL PartyBox

110 Speaker. A JBL PartyBox 110 is a top-of-the-line speaker, and this raffle sent excitement throughout the Rivers community for the chance to win this highly coveted item. Members of Rivers Givers sat outside the lunchroom and sold tickets to students and faculty. All proceeds, once again, went into the pool of money to be used at the end of the year to donate to local nonprofits. Through these fundraisers, Rivers Givers made their way to a goal of raising five thousand dollars. Under Malo’s leadership, Rivers Givers has built a robust partnership with the Alumni and Development Office at Rivers. With the support of the alumni and parents through this office, the group’s fundraising total is matched every year, which brings their total amount raised to ten thousand dollars.

In return, members of Rivers Givers assist the Alumni and Development Office’s fundraising initiatives by sharing quotes for videos that are used to solicit donations and by recording thank you videos to send to donors.

Rivers Givers members now had the opportunity to distribute these ten thousand dollars to local nonprofits of their choice. Nine organizations applied for funding. Each organization applied with a proposal and a budget statement, both of which members had learned to analyze in training sessions in the fall. Each nonprofit’s proposal provided background on its mission, impact, and how it would utilize our funding. Budget statements allowed Rivers Givers members to understand how much money each nonprofit spent and what percent a Rivers Givers grant would make up of their total budget. These statistics were important for Rivers Givers students to decide which nonprofit would benefit the most from a donation.

After reviewing these proposals, and having a thoughtful discussion, the group narrowed the organizations down to four: Room to Grow, Soul Project, Beat Childhood Cancer, and Village Table. All four of these nonprofits have vastly different missions, but all of them make positive changes to their community. Room to Grow supports parents with newborns, while Soul Project empowers women and girls to be themselves. Beat Childhood Cancer funds a new approach to childhood cancer treatment, while Village Table assists food-insecure individuals in the Greater Boston area.

Rivers Givers made site visits to all four of these nonprofits to get a better understanding of their impact and goals. The site visit day began with a virtual visit to Room to Grow. Next, the group boarded buses and traveled to the Soul Project in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. After a hearty Chipotle lunch, the program members joined a virtual meeting with Beat Childhood Cancer Zoom. Finally, Rivers Givers students headed to the Village Table. After a long day of visits, the group had grasped a firm understanding of each nonprofit and had built bonds with various organizations.

Teddy Foley ‘25, a junior member of the program, said, “The site visits were pretty impressive. Some nonprofits were perhaps more welcoming than others, but all of them did a good job explaining their mission and impact.”

After a thoughtful discussion, the Rivers Givers members made their final decision to split the funding among two local nonprofits: The Soul Project and The Village Table. On May 10th, these two organizations traveled to Rivers to accept their grant at an all-school assembly. Both organizations gave an overview of their mis-

sion and how they make a difference in the Greater Boston Area.

Aside from the impact that Rivers Givers has made on local nonprofits with its donations, the program has made a profound impact on its members.

Foley said, “Rivers Givers allows me to give back to my community and other communities that are in need. The program gives me a chance to understand other people’s perspectives.”

Foley also pointed out the practical skills he learned from participating in this program: “We learned how to read grant applications and what specifically to focus on, whether it’s their mission statement or values.”

Malo hopes that this program helps students gain “understanding of a variety of nonprofits, their mission, how they function organizationally and taking a deeper look into how to successfully fundraise and what informs their philanthropy.”

Malo added, “ The skills of being able to motivate others, interviewing a possible grant recipient, and engaging across differences is powerful — this program provides a tangible way for students to reflect, learn and grow.”

Another reason, along with teaching these skills to Rivers

Givers members, that youth philanthropy is important on campus is that “it’s one way to make change in a community or to support a cause that is important to them,” said Malo. “It’s crucial for one to reflect on what motivates their giving and how that aligns with their direct advocacy or community engagement work. The opportunity to engage in dialogue with peers about giving, reflecting on their values, and learning to understand perspectives different from their own is an invaluable lesson.”

One change Malo hopes to improve the program for next year is “doing more education about the organizations that applied for funding so that students who donate can better understand where their donations are going.” He continued, “This [philanthropy] is a Rivers community-wide event, and this is important.”

Rivers Givers has clearly made a positive impact on its members, the Rivers community, and local nonprofits. It will be exciting to see this program change and improve in future years under the leadership of Lucas Malo.

Senior Events: What’s Next for the Graduating Class?

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and excelled in the arts program during their time at Rivers. Different sports also hold “senior nights” to recognize the seniors on their teams who have played large roles in supporting and fostering a welcoming environment.

Next up in the calendar of senior events comes an event with alumni, a session crafted to prepare seniors for life beyond Rivers. During this event, alumni give sage advice and educate seniors on what to expect in the future. Following this event is the Senior Barbeque—the first official celebration of the senior class. This celebration occurs on the evening of the last day of academic classes.

Various events involve the

entire community in recognizing the seniors, including the final all-school meeting and the Prize Day Ceremony. Such events are incredible experiences for the senior class and are a formal and meaningful way for others to part ways with the seniors. Next up: Senior Coffeehouse! The Senior Coffeehouse has been a distinguished tradition that seniors always look forward to in the spring. Even those who don’t consider themselves to be musically inclined enjoy performing in front of the seniors at this coffeehouse. One of the coffeehouse leaders, Lexi Tower ‘24, reflects on this meaningful experience, commenting, “The Senior Coffeehouse is a great time for the senior class to come

together and showcase their talents whether it is singing a song or playing an instrument.” Many seniors look forward to this event, which is scheduled for May 20th. Shortly after the coffeehouse is the senior beach day ending with a movie night with pizza. Megan Sweatt ‘24 looks forward to the variety of fun activities offered to seniors in the spring, stating, “After a really busy four years and a lot of hard work and effort put into academics, I’ve really been looking forward to the fun activities that I know we get to have as seniors, such as the beach day and movie night.”

Finally, to round off the Rivers experience, seniors participate in the Senior Banquet and Graduation. The Senior Banquet is an

event where senior students and their families get together to celebrate their time at Rivers with speakers, performances, and dinner. The banquet is the last senior event before graduation; the final cherry on top of the seniors’ Rivers experiences. The Senior Banquet is always a memorable experience for all who attend, and it is a privilege for the seniors to be able to choose their speakers.

Graduation is the pinnacle activity to remember and celebrate the senior class. Graduation, like the Senior Banquet, includes faculty and senior speakers chosen by the grade in addition to recognitions of each student, remarks from Mr. Dahlem, and the presentation of diplomas. Henry Johnson ‘24 anticipates

what the unique Rivers graduation experience is like: “I’m looking forward to hearing both the speakers at graduation and the banquet, as well as getting the opportunity to celebrate the Class of 2024. We have all worked so hard over the past few years, so it’s gratifying to be able to celebrate together one last time!”

As the senior grade nears the home stretch of their time at Rivers, many emotions are floating around. However, there is seemingly a universal theme of anticipation paired with nostalgia as time dwindles. As last year’s future now becomes a reality, the class of 2024 is preparing to end their final year with a bang.

Rivers Givers at their site visit to the Soul Project. Photo by Lucas Malo.

Co-Presidents Renaud and Saponaro: A Year in Review

BY MEGAN SWEATT ‘23 CO-EDITOR

Taking on the role of school co-presidents is no easy task, but Jack Renaud ‘24 and Leila Saponaro ‘24 have handled their jobs gracefully and are exemplary leaders for The Rivers School.

Renaud and Saponaro both have experience in student government, as they are veteran leaders in Rivers’ student administration. Saponaro was elected the class of 2024’s co-president in her sophomore year, and Renaud joined her as grade co-president in their junior year. This extensive period of collaboration has helped the two enormously when it comes to cohesively and productively bettering the school.

School co-presidents are school leaders elected at the end of the school year, and candidates stem from the junior class. Elections typically take place in an all-school assembly during the spring semester. A group of selfnominated candidates who have previously applied arrive with a prepared speech to present to the upper school. In these campaign speeches, candidates share their goals in school reform, specific changes they hope to make as co-presidents, and the qualities they possess that make them leaders. Candidates also often throw in humorous personal anecdotes to appeal to the crowd.

After this all-school, when the speeches take place, a Google Form is sent out to the upper school, and students rank all the candidates for the position. The rule is that co-presidents must be of two different gender identities. Thus the top candidates of two different gender identities are the winners of the elections.

Co-presidents have a lot on their shoulders, especially since their responsibilities occur during the hectic and stressful senior year. Co-presidents work to

create positive academic and social reform while creating other initiatives and projects. The pair works with the student council and several adults, including Ms. Donahue, Mr. Mills, and Dr. Anderson. It takes a village to lead and create change for the student body, but this year, Saponaro and Renaud were the successful spearheads of this process.

With Ms. Donahue, who is known around the Rivers campus as “SDon,” as the principal advisor of the student council and the school co-presidents, her impact, as put by Renaud, is that “she keeps us on the rails in terms of timing, budget, and scale for any projects we want to do.” He explained, “We have a lot of lofty ideas, and SDon is there to keep them realistic.”

The school co-presidents have a significant presence on campus throughout the school year. The two can often be seen during upper school divisional and all-school assemblies, where they introduce speakers, share exciting school news, and more. Recently, when Rivers hosted admitted students on campus for the day, the co-presidents were responsible for welcoming them to campus and congratulating them on their acceptance to Rivers.

Renaud and Saponaro have had other notable speeches throughout this year. Most importantly, copresidents traditionally give the first two senior speeches of the year. This year, Rivers was welcomed back from summer break with two brilliant speeches that made everyone laugh and think about their high school experience. To review some of the highlights from their speeches, Renaud shared the joys and challenges of having Pop-Tarts for breakfast every morning and how he would not change it for the world. Saponaro told the school about her experience on the ski team and be-

ing okay with not being the best at activities or skills in her life but still having fun in the process.

After giving the first senior speeches and starting the school year in full swing, Renaud and Saponaro got right to work. Their most significant project of the year was, once again, tackling the stresses of midterm season. In past years, the student council and the co-presidents uprooted and redid the traditional system of taking midterms three times a year within Rivers’ former trimester system. With the new semester plan, the student council, along with Rivers itself, was able to decrease trigger points of stress for students.

Renaud and Saponaro thought they could go even further to relieve the stress of midterms, and they did. Renaud shared, “Earlier in the year, our biggest project was getting the most out of midterms while trying to keep stress levels low. It was really tough, and it will probably be an annual issue, but I think we gave the school solid insights into how the student body feels about midterms.”

Another project that the copresidents tackled this year was creating a new lunch setup to promote efficiency with the lunch lines. Moving from two lunch lines to four sounds insignificant on paper. Still, it has already revolutionized the lunch room and ensured that everyone spends less time waiting for their food during lunch. The co-presidents roles in this change, as Renaud explained, involved “some consulting on the new servery setup.” Thanks to their consultations and feedback, everyone in the Rivers community has recently been experiencing a less stressful and less chaotic lunchtime at school.

Renaud and Saponaro also have other projects they are starting to implement for next year’s co-presidents to take over and expand upon. Some of these

newer projects include being test pilots for new organizational tools, with more information soon to be released. The two have also participated in discussions around additions to the Revers turf, such as Spikeball nets so that students would no longer need to provide their own and potentially picnic tables.

There are many changes that this year’s school co-presidents should be proud of for their positive impact on campus. Renaud is proud of many things: “I’ve had a couple of good ideas over my time in student council and have been privileged to be able to give a number of speeches and run all-school every now and then, which, of course, gives me pride.”

Renaud added, “However, I think the thing that makes me most proud is all the freshman, sophomore, junior, conservatory, and captains council representatives who put in the work to make the school a better place. Probably 85% of all the ideas that get brought up in student council never pan out or just don’t work, so I’m really proud of all the kids who commit time and effort into making things happen and thinking far above themselves for the good of the school.” The school is fortunate to have co-presidents who, as demonstrated, are proud of student involvement and who genuinely enjoy collaborating with so many people around Rivers.

“Working with all the members of the student council has been awesome because there are so many different perspectives and lines of thought in the group,” admitted Renaud. “Whenever we are tasked with a problem to solve, we tend to produce many different ways to solve it because every member of the group has a different take on problem-solving.”

Everything Renaud and Saponaro do is to improve the student body’s experience. Their impact

and productivity as school copresidents are primarily due to them working so well together. Renaud commented, “Leila and I work great together because we take very different approaches to almost every single project or issue. Leila likes to solve issues so that everyone benefits the most, whereas I try to fix things as efficiently as possible, and that, surprisingly, works very well together.”

It can be challenging to create any student-lead change on any high school campus, regardless of also having differing approaches to going about that change, but as evidenced by the changes made this year and those put in place for next year, Renaud and Saponaro have found ways to balance either options and approaches and put the school first, even before themselves. This hard work and selfless approach to leadership does not go unnoticed. One senior class member said, “ The senior copresidents this year have done a great job in creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone on campus. Additionally, they have helped in organizing fun events and make Rivers the best it can be.” Another of Renaud’s and Saponaro’s senior classmates described, “They are so helpful and very friendly. They always listen to not only the senior class but the whole school.”

At The Rivers School, students love their school co-presidents and all of the work they do to help make the community the best it can be. While the upcoming graduation and, therefore, new school co-president elections are on the horizon, Renaud and Saponaro have unequivocally left a positive legacy at Rivers, and their improvements and initiatives will undoubtedly carry on making an impact, long after their graduation this May.

A Journey Through Ancient Lands: Students’ Mediterranean Odyssey in Italy and Greece

BY DANIEL CONNELLY ‘25 ASSISTANT EDITOR

After an unpredictable start, the 2024 Greece & Italy trip, which ran from March 10 to March 16, was an experience to remember. The trip, organized by Mr. Girard, an Upper School Latin Teacher, started two days late because the initial flight got canceled due to a strike at the airline.

On March 10, the group arrived in Rome at night and ate dinner at Il Ristorante Mangia Fuoco to fuel their adventures for the next day. They enjoyed pasta, pizzas, and steaks.

The next day is when the twenty-one students would start to gain insight into the history, art, and architecture of Italy from expert guides, and overall enjoy a fun travel experience. They be-

gan the day at the Largo Argentina, where Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March in 44 B.C. They then went to the Pantheon, where they were put into awe at the beauty and symmetry of the structure. They then proceeded to explore other landmarks and ended the day with a visit to the Capitoline Museums, where they viewed its collection of art from a wide range of time periods. Gaiyatri Mathew ‘27, the only ninth grader on the trip, says, “I loved seeing the Pantheon and the art in the Capitoline Museums in Rome.” Their second full day was marked by a visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica. The group first viewed the Pieta made by Michelangelo depicting the

Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus. The group then made their way through the

Students standing in front of the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. Photo by the Rivers School.

A Journey Through Ancient Lands: Students’ Mediterranean Odyssey in Italy and Greece

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church. Girard captures it as his favorite part of visiting Rome, “It’s just kind of awe-inspiring. There’s nothing quite like it in the world. It’s architecturally astounding, the scope and beauty of it…It’s just something that you’ll never forget.” Next, just north of the Vatican, they headed to Castel Sant’Angelo. At the roof of the castle, a breathtaking view was provided. Girard adds, “we could see all of the places that we had visited the day before and point out all the things we’re going to see the next day.”

On March thirteenth, the group’s last day in Rome was spent visiting famous sites. They began by making it to the top of the Palatine Hill, where the remnants of Emperor Domitian’s palace from the first century A.D. stood. From this vantage point, they looked down upon the Roman Forum, observing it from a

bird’s-eye view before descending the hill and exploring the site at ground level. Next, they visited the epitome of Roman landmarks: the Colosseum. Then, they ventured to the neighboring Basilica of San Clemente. On the way to dinner, they stopped at the Trevi Fountain in which they threw coins, so legend has it that they will be returning to Rome.

After a flight to Athens, they started their exploration in Greece on March fourteenth. They visited the Parthenon where they climbed the ancient citadel to see the remains of the temple to Athena. The students spent time exploring and asking questions.

The following day the group went to the Peloponnese and took a bus to Mycenae. The students ascended the 4,000-year-old ruins of the pre-classical Greek town of 30,000. The next stop was at the seaside town of Nafplio where they enjoyed lunch

and gelato for dessert. They ended the day at the theater of Epidaurus. It seats 13,000, and the amazing acoustics allowed the students to hear each other from across the theater. Krya Coggin ‘26 says, “The theater of Epidaurus’ natural acoustics was an amazing feat of technology that was interesting to experience.”

On the last day of the trip on March 16, they visited the National Archaeological Museum. The museum has art from Neolithic times through the Roman period. Students were able to wander the galleries and take in the amazing artifacts. In particular, the students were interested in seeing golden artifacts from the Mycenaean tombs that they had visited the day before, including the famous mask of Agamemnon. The last landmark they visited was the temple of Poseidon at Sounion which is surrounded by water. The group explored

the site and climbed down to the sea. A highlight of the trip was the nightly trivia, and they ended with a final round, of prizes. Girard says, “Kids took it pretty seriously taking notes during the day on their phone so they can win.”

Overall the students gained a variety of perspectives and insights. Girard states, “some of the kids were really into the history and the art and architecture, but for other students, it was more of just like a really fun travel experience with good friends.”

For example, Patrice Girard ‘26 gained much from the trip. She says, “My classmates and I were exposed to completely different cultures from our own. We had an amazing time trying the various kinds of Italian and Greek food, and ending the night with gelato for dessert.”

Furthermore she adds, “For me personally, I loved being able to share this experience with my

dad. Going on the Italy/Greece trip was something my dad and I had been looking forward to going on together since I started at Rivers. So it was very special for me to experience it with him.”

For both Ben Gardener ‘26 and Harrison Rand ‘26, they enjoyed connecting with others. Gardener says, “My favorite part of the trip was making connections with my friends and chaperones. Over our week in foreign lands, I found myself having exciting conversations with my teachers and other classmates that I might not hang out with on a normal school day.” Rand added, “I was given the opportunity to connect with new people and form new friendships.”

Even with the logistical issues making the schedule tight, the students deemed the trip an invaluable experience which Girard echoes, “It was a lot of work, but worth it.”

Rivers School Conservatory’s Contemporary Seminar

BY JOYCE DO ‘25 ASSISTANT EDITOR

Renowned composer, conductor, and pianist Lera Auerbach stands as an influential figure in the world of classical music, having graced prestigious stages worldwide and collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and the Oslo Philharmonic. Now, she brings her unparalleled expertise to The Rivers School Conservatory (RSC), marking a momentous occasion for the 45th Annual Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young, which was held from April 5th to April 7th.

Auerbach’s latest opus, String Symphony No. 2 – Nox: Tenebrae Lucis, was meticulously crafted in partnership with RSC for which she seamlessly intertwined the talents of students, RSC ChamberMusicLab (CML) participants, and musicians from A Far Cry and their fellowship program. This collaborative effort culminated in a world premiere performance under Auerbach’s baton in Rivera Hall to create a deeply enriching experience for all involved.

For Joylyn Kim ‘24, the first violinist of the commissioned piece, the experience was profoundly inspiring. “It was really cool to have the composer conducting the piece in front of us,” she remarked, highlighting the emotional connection forged during the performance. “It was an eye-opening experience,” underscoring the profound impact of Auerbach’s presence.

Adalia Wen ‘25, both a composer for the Contemporary Seminar and a performer, admired Auerbach’s insightfulness and collaborative spirit. “Lera Au-

erbach has such a strong vision for her pieces,” she noted, emphasizing the authenticity of the interpretation. “It is really nice to work with her because you don’t have to guess what her intentions are.” Auerbach’s advice to Wen was that “it is okay to not be perfect.” Her words served as encouragement in a field of composition where self-doubt often looms large. Wen continued to express her appreciation for the Seminar, describing it as “a great official, yet non-judgmental space where [she] could share her own compositions.”

Reflecting on his participation in the orchestra, Jason Liu ‘27 enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with seasoned professionals and forge new connections. “My favorite part was working with all the A Far Cry professionals and the student musicians that I met during the process,” he said. Liu also highlighted Auerbach’s detailed guidance in creating specific emotions from the music, describing the experience as “unique.”

For decades, the Seminar has served as a place for influential composers to converge with the local community, commissioning groundbreaking works that challenge the boundaries of contemporary music. From leading figures like John Cage to recent contributors like Chen Yi, the Seminar’s legacy of innovation continues to evolve, bridging student composers from institutions such as Berklee College of Music and Tufts University with RSC students.

The Seminar represents a rare opportunity for student musicians to engage directly with esteemed composers, nurturing their artistic growth and fostering a deeper

appreciation for contemporary music. As the event unfolds, from the performers on stage to the captivated audience members, each individual contributes to the Seminar’s celebration of innovation and artistic leadership.

Furthermore, Joyce Do ‘25, a pianist in the piano seminar program at the Rivers Conservatory, played “Decision,” “Family Holiday,” and “Stubborn” from Lera Auerbach’s Images from Childhood, a collection of 12 short pieces. She affirmed, “I loved playing Auerbach’s pieces, especially because I enjoy playing contemporary music. It is one of my favorite genres!” The Contemporary Seminar stands

as a special opportunity for students to interact with and experiment with contemporary music.

“I was first exposed to contemporary music through the Seminar, and I always get excited for this weekend every year. I am so grateful for this special event that the conservatory hosts.” In its celebration of collaboration and creativity, the Contemporary Seminar at The Rivers School Conservatory shines as a symbol of artistic exploration, inspiring future generations of musicians to reach the outer limits of contemporary music and to leave an enduring mark on the conservatory as a whole.

The Rivers Edge

Co-Editors-in-Chief

Associate Editors

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Staff Writers:

THE RIVERS EDGE is published by the students of The Rivers School. THE EDGE is an open forum for the news, events, ideas, issues and concerns of the student body. Letters and contributions from the entire Rivers communitystudents, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni - are welcomed and encouraged. Unsigned letters will not be published, but names will be withheld upon request. Please send letters to The Editors, THE RIVERS EDGE, The Rivers School, 333 Winter Street, Weston, MA 02493.

Violinist Joylyn Kim ‘24 smiles after her performance. Photo by The Rivers School.

Jason Glick ‘24

Megan Sweatt ‘24

Spencer Gary ‘25

Sarah DuBard ‘25

Chelsea Yan ‘25

Daniel Connelly ‘25

Joyce Do ‘25

Ryan Ferguson ‘24

Camille DeStefano ‘24

Cailyn Kim ‘25

Chelsea Yan ’25

Stephanie Kay ‘12

Noelle Lee ‘26, Grant Ramirez ‘26. Maylea Harris ‘26. Henry Goldstein ‘26.

Opinions

Advice from a Senior: Hacks for Navigating Rivers

BY MEGAN SWEATT ‘24 CO-EDITOR

Growing up as the oldest child in my family I always wished I had an older sibling to teach me everything I needed to know about surviving high school. These past four years have been filled with trial and error, ups and downs, but this mix of experiences has made me even more equipped to offer up some advice that I wish someone had told me.

My biggest worry coming into high school as a freshman who was new to the school was making friends. Leaving my established group of town friends whom I had known since preschool and kindergarten was a difficult thing.

I was convinced I would never find another group of people who would cement themselves in the same way in my life, but I am here to tell you that is not the case.

You do not have to be best friends with the first person you meet, but then again you could be so have an open mind and try to meet and connect with as many people as you can. I have also learned through my own experiences that people you will become closest with can come into your life at different times. For example, I became close with some of my best friends junior year. At first, I was bitter about this and the “wasted time,” but I have come to

learn that this is when they were meant to come into my life and I would not change it for anything.

Another piece of advice I have about high school is to not let school and schoolwork take over your life. While high school is still “school,” it is also a place to make memories and to be a teenager. On my very first day of freshman orientation, we were each handed letters with advice written by the seniors who had graduated the year before. My letter, although I do not know or remember who it came from, has stuck with me until even now. My main takeaway from it was to make an effort to not do homework during lunch. It sounds simple, and maybe even obvious, but the writer’s reasoning struck home with me.

This graduated senior explained that lunch was one of the only times in the day when you would be together with all of your friends at the same time. This time together should almost always take precedence over any last-minute rushed homework. In the end, you would hopefully rather be remembered by your friends for being present and for showing that you care about your relationships with them. It is simple advice, and I will admit I did ignore it some of the time since there are always going to be some last-minute homework time crunches, but I am glad I had

this reminder and I am convinced my relationships with friends would not be as strong without it. One common piece of advice that parents, teachers, and anyone who went to high school will always tell you is to try as many new things as you can. I also received this same advice, and I am glad I did. High school first and foremost is the place where you grow into adulthood and where you start to find yourself. It is the perfect time to try out new interests, clubs, sports, music, or anything else that sparks any interest. You never know if that next thing you try could be “your thing,” so you might as well give it a go while you are still in this small, safe, and supportive environment. Specifically, I would recommend that everyone sign up for any club that even remotely interests them, view the sports requirement as an opportunity to try something new and meet new people, and once again keep an open mind.

Now for some academic advice. If there is one thing I have learned during my time at Rivers, it is to take advantage of office hours! Believe it or not, teachers truly do mean it when they say they want to help you, and there is no harm in going to meet with them for help. Some great times to utilize your teachers and meet with them are, for example, starting or editing an essay, reviewing a test,

or especially doing corrections. Sometimes it can even be beneficial to simply get to know your teachers during these office hours. Another, non-academic, piece of advice I have is concerning morning check-in. Your grade check-in each morning is an underrated time to hang out with friends, but that requires coming to school safely before 8:25. While even I struggle with this, and it is also harder to do if you have a parent driving you, I guarantee it is worth it. By coming even ten minutes earlier you can get the chance to check in with friends, meet with a teacher or ask them a question, or even take a minute to take a breath and collect yourself before class starts, instead of running to check in late and having to then run to SDon’s office.

Another piece of advice I would give is to make assertive decisions regarding the lunch lines. Luckily the new system of lines seems to be efficient and quick-paced, but even so, make the assertive decision to either join the lunch line as soon as you get there or fully wait until it has died down. No one wants to hesitate for a couple of minutes, only to join and wait then for an extra ten minutes.

While you are in Kraft Dining Hall, make sure to make friends with the lunch and cafe staff. These are people you will see every day, so why not flash them a smile

or start some small talk while in line? As a bonus, they are all incredibly nice people and would love to connect with students. Lastly, as a senior looking back on my time at Rivers, some of my favorite memories are from attending various school events. From sports games to musicals, to grade nights, these activities are a great time to connect with people from Rivers not over class. The school spirit at these events is also a huge draw. My advice would be to go to as many of these events as you can, as well as to dress up for any theme and get your friends to as well. You could even go ahead and buy a bunch of red and white costume pieces from the route nine Party City while you are at it because chances are you will end up taking a lot of last-minute trips there before themed games anyway. This way, you will be set for homecomings, Red and White days, your own sports gamedays, and everything in between. High school is a different experience for everyone, but these pieces of advice can apply to most people. Overall, upperclassmen and teachers are there to help you and guide you, and at the end of the day, Rivers is a great place to have grown up in these past four years. I hope that with this advice it is a great place for you too!

Cheers and Jeers! The Academic Year 2024 in Review

BY MAYLEA HARRIS ‘26 and HENRY GOLDSTEIN ‘26 STAFF WRITER and CONTIRBUTING WRITER

The 2023-2024 school year has been memorable, with countless new experiences alongside the wonderful Rivers community. Although this year created more memories than we could encapsulate in a single article, we compiled some of the highlights and not-so-highlights of this year.

Cheers to Mr. Dahlem and all of the new faculty! Welcome to the Rivers community, and we are so glad to have you with us.

Cheers to all the championships that Rivers’ sports teams won this year! Our football team won NEPSACs for the second consecutive year in the fall, and varsity volleyball placed second. In the winter, boys’ basketball won their NEPSACs as well. In the music world, congratulations to Big Band for winning gold at MAJE! There is so much to celebrate this year about our teams and conservatory.

Jeers to the lying groundhog for predicting an early spring when snow and hail fell in April. We need sunshine!

Cheers to the “Gritaly” trip! Many students from the class of ‘26 (and one outstanding ‘27) got to traverse Italy and Greece over March break, taking in diverse cultures and history while practicing Latin and creating new friendships and memories.

Cheers to this year’s Rivers Nonesuch Players’ productions of Clue and The Prom! These were fun and hilarious, with phenomenal casts, crews, and pits (in our fully unbiased opinions).

Jeers to having only one snow day. The Snow Day Calculator built us up and broke us down many times, but on the bright side, at least we got to come to school anyway and slip and fall on the slush multiple times! (Or was that just me?)

Cheers to all the Friday Night Lights! Seeing everyone in spirit gear and supporting each other loud and proud was terrific.

Cheers to the new Instagram Takeovers! Seeing everyone’s experiences at Rivers, classroom environments, and after-school activities has been exceptional.

Jeers to the bad weather. We hope these April showers bring May flowers and that the heavy hail on the final revisit day does not discourage prospective students from coming to Rivers!

Cheers to Pasta Wednesdays! Although they may be controversial, they will always hold a special place in many of our hearts.

Cheers to the eclipse viewing! On April 8th, 2024, we experienced 93% totality in Weston. Thanks to the hard work of the science office, eclipse glasses were made available to everyone. Students and faculty gathered on the Revers turf to view this astronom-

ical spectacle. Although the phenomenon was not quite as dramatic as some may have anticipated, it was still a fantastic experience.

Jeers to Mondays.

Cheers to the jazz trip to Cuba! This trip was an incredible opportunity for Rivers students to jam with Cuban musicians and experience a new culture. Legendary drummer Gavin Bollar ‘27 reports, “Cuba opened my eyes in many ways. Through the people, music, and food.”

Cheers to the Special Olympics! Every year, the tenth graders volunteer their time to run the Special Olympics on campus, whether refereeing a game or setting up lunches. It is a beautiful tradition that raises the spirits of students and players alike.

Jeers to the retirement of the panini press. We hope it enjoys being locked away in the kitchen closet and knows it is desperately missed. On behalf of the Rivers community, we are not complete without our Wednesday grilled cheeses.

Cheers to all the spring sports and those on the teams that went to Florida over March break! We cannot wait to see what everyone achieves as individual players and as a team. Best of luck with the spring season!

Cheers to all the Scholastic Art and Writing award-winning students! It was inspiring to see everyone’s artwork and the vast

amount of awards we all brought back to campus. Keep creating!

Jeers to the many hours we spent cramming for tests, quizzes, and projects. This summer will undoubtedly be a nice break from the stresses of schoolwork!

Cheers to the dining and maintenance staff! You all make Rivers amazing, from keeping up with our appetites with consistently restaurant-quality food to keeping our campus lush and clean to constantly replenishing the s’mores cookies at the Cafe. We appreciate everything you do!

Cheers to all of our awardwinning students! Whether you are winning national jazz competitions (like Ethan Kasparian Weisman, who says that the “National Young Arts Week may be the most profound artistic experience [he’s] ever had”) or performing some of the best Shakespeare in the country (Katherine Shaw

‘26!), you make us all proud to be part of the Rivers community.

Cheers to Mr. Nisbet, bouncing back from injury! We are all so happy to have you back on campus, bringing joy to everyone, from art classes to athletics.

Cheers to this year’s Coffeehouses! These are all incredible events for Rivers students to showcase their talents and support one another, and we are excited for many more to come!

Cheers to the new lunch line layout, which cuts down the time we spend waiting for food! Now, students and faculty can grab lunch lickety-split!

Jeers to not having enough jeers! It was an incredible year at Rivers, with its kind and talented students and faculty and many memorable experiences. Roll wangz!!!

THIS DAY IN HISTORY May 23

Events

1900 - William Carney becomes first Black American to earn the Medal of Honor

2015 - Ireland legalizes same-sex marriage

Notable Birthdays

May 23, 1947 - Jane Kenyon May 23, 1974- Jewel

May 23rd is World Turtle Day!

Jazz Students’ Cultural and Musical Exchange in Cuba

BY JASON GLICK ‘24 CO-EDITOR

Rivers’ jazz band musicians’ lives often revolve around music as they delve deeper into their studies both in and out of the classroom. A unique opportunity was presented to them for the 2024 spring break to travel to Cuba to further immerse themselves in the jazz language and culture with Afro-Cuban inspiration. Several musicians had never left the country and others had never spoken Spanish, the most commonly spoken language in Cuba. For many students, the trip culminated their Rivers jazz endeavors. For younger musicians who attended, the trip was perhaps a jumpstart to their musical careers and a preview for what is to come in the future. Rivers musician Ethan Kasparian Weisman ‘24 emphasized, “A big part of being an artist and also just being creative in general comes from constantly experiencing new things in life, and the trip to Cuba was so artistically inspiring for me because it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.”

The musicians began their journey on March 10th on their flight from Logan International Airport in Boston to José Martí International Airport in Havana amid subsidiary delays. Joining the Rivers group for the journey into Cuban musical culture was the jazz band at Noble & Greenough School, a fellow ISL institution. Nobles provided several chaperones on the trip while Rivers was led by Jazz Band Director Phillippe Crettien, who has coached many of the Rivers musicians who attended the trip for several years.

Upon their arrival at their hotel, students were immediately drawn into Cuban culture through slang, music, and food; food on the first night consisted of non-alcoholic fruit juices, fried malanga with honey, ropa vieja—shredded beef—with rice and beans, and sweet coconut with cheese for dessert. Rivers musician Nathan Manasseh ‘24 reflected on how eating and the restaurant setting itself was a defining component of students’ experiences. “A lot of the trip was spent eating at restaurants. There are good and bad sides to this. On the good side, you get to spend time with the people you’re around and really get to know them on a personal level. On the other hand, doing so almost limits the amount of time you have to do other things like exploring the culture and what it’s like to live the authentic Cuban life.”

While the fundamental purpose of the trip was for musical exploration, a large portion of the adventure was dedicated to learning about Cuba, its lifestyle, and key landmarks. The morning of March 11th was spent on buses. While sipping on lemonade accompanied by a sweet honey tang, the musicians visited Callejón de Hamel. Located in

the heart of Havana, Callejón de Hamel is a narrow alleyway that radiates the epitome of Cuban culture through several mechanisms; specifically, poetic images. As musicians, the group was amused by one specific event that Callejón de Hamel, which also functions as a community event center, offers on every Sunday: rumba. Rumba utilizes a trailblazing and innovative form of music that uses djembe rhythms to which students joined in to dance at a performance. The rest of the day—with a lunch break in between—was spent at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Havana. Old Havana encompasses rich Cuban history at various plazas, including Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco, and Plaza de la Catedral.

After a day of watching the action, the Rivers musicians finally got their chance to join in on the fun as the bus was loaded up with students’ instruments. The first item of business on the agenda was a lecture with the Cuban flutist Orlando Valle, who is often dubbed as “Maraca.” Maraca led the students to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the site of the concert that would be performed later that day. He delivered an explanation about the flute, his specialty, in addition to percussion instruments. Maraca even allowed students to demonstrate the Afro-Cuban uses of sonic percussion. Examples of sounds students were able to make with gestures as simple as clapping their hands included those of the clave, timbales, conga, güiro, and cowbell. Gradually, more instruments were added to the mix to complete the full jazz band structure. Maraca was extremely helpful to the students with regard to how they improvised. Later, the Rivers and Nobles students met the Cuban high school students for the first time at Conservatorio Amadeo

Roldan; they played several pieces together in advance of the concert that they would perform later that week. Feeling inspired, Manasseh observed, “I could tell by the way they sounded not only how good they were, but what specifically made them good. Just the way they articulate their instruments was unbelievable.”

Kasparian Weisman added, “I don’t speak any Spanish, so a lot of the Cuban musicians I met I couldn’t really speak to, but it was amazing how we could all still communicate with each other through music.” Lastly, the students traveled back to Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, at which they delivered a stellar performance.

For the first time on the trip, the group’s festivities did not take place in Havana. Instead, on March 13th, they ventured 75 miles to Matanzas. At San Severino Castle, which used to be a fortress during Spanish colonial times and then was developed into a museum in 1998 as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the students visited the Museum of the Slave Route where they saw several forms of art expressing ideas revolving around the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Subsequently, they enjoyed an impressive performance focused on the divine aspects of the Santería religion. The remainder of the day was spent with an emphasis on scenery; a Matanzas city tour full of sculptures located near the shoreline walk was followed by a scenic route on the bus where students could see the oil rigs and railroads.

The seemingly daily tradition f watching amusing and inspiring dance performances continued the next day with a performance by Habana Compas Dance in which they intricately combined Afro-Cuban percussion with flamenco dances. Every performer was trained to dance in various flamenco styles, play percussion

in Afro-Cuban styles, and even more impressively, alternate back and forth between the two arts in a singular performance. In this specific performance, percussion did not take the form of generic instruments; instead, percussion was played with colorful chairs.

Next, the Rivers musicians toured the Havana branch of ISA Universidad de Artes, a popular and highly-regarded conservatory. The conservatory’s music department’s dean greeted them immediately before watching a performance of its students playing original compositions. In the afternoon, the musicians were led in a master class by Aisar, a member of El Expresso de Cuba. His orchestra enjoys performing music at the center of Cuban dance culture. Aisar refrains from titling music with anything other than “universal.”

March 15th was the day with the most important and exciting task yet: to perform a concert with Cuban musicians. Several obstacles were in their way; this included the fact that three different big bands would join together for a cohesive performance and the fact that there was minimal time to rehearse. The joint concert was a great success in which several songs, including Oscar Stagnaro’s “Mariella’s Dream” during which soloists from all three groups were featured. After the concert, the musicians visited Fábrica de Arte, a relatively new center that showcases art and live performances. Looking back upon learning Cuban music, Kasparian Weisman noted, “The culture around music education in Cuba is quite different than in the USA. Cuban music students study many genres of music in their curriculum including classical, jazz, Cuban, and pop, which I thought was especially interesting, as for my entire life as a multi-genre musician in the USA, pursuing multiple genres has been con-

sidered going against the grain.”

In an opportunity to replicate the masterful performance of the day before, the three bands merged forces once again in the recording studio setting. Several factors went into producing the best recording possible for “Mariella’s Dream,” but with great sound engineers and a fantastic leader for all three groups in Philippe Crettien, the idea turned into reality. Contrastingly from a live performance of the piece, the new setting enabled more musicians to solo with an attention to detail for different instruments transitioning their solos into the other. Once again, it was a great success for all three groups. The remainder of March 16th was spent soaking in the beauty of Havana on their second to last day at a dinner at a beachfront restaurant. To kick the final full day of the trip off, the students went to the massive San José craft market. Contrastingly to its first floor, which is full of stalls with vendors advertising souvenirs, the second floor showcased elegant and costly artwork. The culmination of the trip occurred at a farewell dinner at Hotel Nacional, a national monument. The group experienced an emotional goodbye to their tour guides, bus drivers, and all those who made the trip possible and as enjoyable of an experience as it was. Amid the sickness that ventured to several Rivers students while on the trip, Manasseh reflected, “Even though there was a point when I was feeling sick, the music was able to distract me from the fact that I was not feeling great. I was still able to have fun.” Students and teachers alike lived an incredible experience bounded by the beauty of art that they will hold close to themselves forever.

Rivers and Nobles students and faculty chaperones at Hotel Nacional on the last day of the trip. Photo by Andrea Villagran.

Girls’ Tennis Strives for a Postseason Appearance

BY MEGAN SWEATT ‘24 CO-EDITOR

The girls’ varsity tennis team is putting forth a great effort at the beginning of another successful season. After losing a lot of crucial senior players and gaining a new coach, this year’s squad is rebuilding stronger than ever.

Following last year’s season, the team lost four seniors, including their two senior captains. This year, senior captain Farrah Reza and junior captain Mulan Zhang have stepped in to fill those talented shoes. Along with this new student leadership came a new coach. At the start of this season, Kerry Morton stepped in this year to lead the team, and so far, she has succeeded in building on the cohesiveness and talent of the team.

Coming up from the JV girls’ tennis team last season, Coach Morton has already made a positive impact. Leah Jin ‘25, a junior who has been a part of the squad since ninth grade, spoke highly of the team’s new coach. She commented, “Our coach, Coach Kerry, is also extremely nice and we’re definitely all feeling the excitement and determination to win this season.”

Other than the two captains, the girls’ varsity tennis team comprises players from a mix of grades, and this year, it is overall on the younger side. While the majority of the squad is composed of juniors, who are acting as impressive leaders for the next generation of players on the team, the younger players, namely sophomores Callista Walsh, Kate Hayes, and Barrie Abraham, and one talented eighth grader, Ella Gardner, are equally as committed.

Among this mix of grades, the team can still be close to one another. Jin ‘25 commented, “Tennis is definitely not the most hyped sport at Rivers but we honestly embrace it. We’re super supportive of each other and also really goofy but we get

along super well.” Even when tennis does not receive all of the attention it deserves from the community, the girls’ tennis team has been able to adapt and compensate by creating an even stronger sense of their community and built-in support system.

Regarding building up the tea from last year, Captain Zhang ‘25 remarked, “Although we lost a lot of seniors, we gained many new young players, and with Kerry, our new coach, our team has started to find its rhythm!”

She added, “Despite having a relatively young and new team, from our preseason trip to Hilton Head, we have all gotten very close and are looking forward to the rest of the season!”

As Zhang mentioned, Rivers girls tennis was one of the Rivers’ spring sports teams that went on an off-campus spring break preseason trip during the second week of the school’s March break. As the golf, softball, baseball, and girls’ and boys’ lacrosse teams traveled to Florida for their respective preseasons, the girls’ and boys’ tennis teams went to Hilton Head, South Carolina, for their preseason training.

Along with getting to do agility work on the beautiful Hilton Head beaches, the trip’s bonding opportunities were also a massive highlight for the girls’ tennis team. Zhang shared, “The preseason trip to Hilton Head was an amazing bonding experience for both the boys’ and girls’ teams.” She explained, “We had the opportunity to play highlevel players, and coming out of the winter season, it was great to get a lot of playing time outside!” The beautiful Hilton Head weather was beneficial in more ways than one; along with getting a lot of practice in, the team came away from their preseason more bonded and established as they headed into their season.

For Jin, the start of the season is her favorite time. She shared, “It’s always been my favorite part of the year when the spring

season starts because we are a very, very tight-knit group.” For Jin, the draw and appeal of the tennis season is not just the sport, but the people too.

The team’s preparation ad honing of skills continued as they returned to campus. With constant practice and effort, the team has even set tangible goals they intend to work towards. When asked what the team is working on specifically this season, Zhang replied, “This season, we hope to continue to bring the same energy and dedication to each practice and match, and work towards qualifying for NEPSACS!”

The girls’ team has been making steady progress towards their goal of qualifying for the post-season NEPSAC, New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference, matches. The team warmed up for their season with a scrimmage against Newton Country Day in early April, which prepared them for

their first official match against Milton Academy. Even though they did not pull away with a win in their first match, their next two matches showed even further improvement. In these next matches against St. Marks School and Thayer Academy, the Rivers team kept the score close, and both matches ended in only a 4-5 loss. Even though they did not win, the close scores reflect their determination and ability to stick with it during close matches and against tough opponents.

Jin also confirmed the team’s resilience and positive attitude: “The girls on the team are also some of the most dedicated people I’ve met, especially because our games are maybe some of the longest games, averaging around 3-4 hours.” Also, “even the teammates who don’t end up playing sit on the sides and eat snacks and cheer for others, which is so nice.”

The team’s positive attitudeand etermination have already

begun to pay off. In its match against Brooks on April 17, they got their first win of the season, with an overall score of 8-1. Many players won their singles matches: Anna Schlenker ‘26, Ella Gardner ‘28, Leah Jin ‘25, Mulan Zhang ‘25, Kate Hayes ‘26, and Nicole Lidforss ‘25. The double pairs of Schlenker and Gardner and Zhang and Jin also pulled away with wins of their own. This promising and landslide victory is a good sign for the rest of the girls’ tennis team’s season. In their upcoming matches against Buckingham Browne & Nichols, the Winsor school, and Governor’s Academy, girls’ tennis will look to build on this upward momentum. Their strong, bonded foundation as a team, the progress they have already shown in their results, and their end goal of NEPSAC qualifications all constitute a winning season, and we wish the girls’ tennis team good luck!

Boys’ Lacrosse: Shaking Up the ISL and NEPSAC Scene

BY JOYCE DO ‘25 ASSISTANT EDITOR

The Rivers boys’ varsity lacrosse team is currently enjoying a season marked by remarkable skill growth and notable achievements. Guided by the leadership of Head Coach Matt Hudson, the team has showcased outstanding performances on the field, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to excellence.

In their debut game against Williston Northampton, the team set the tone for the season with a decisive 14-3 victory. Captain Greg Canning ‘24 emerged as a standout player, impressively scoring five goals to secure the win. Building on this momentum, the team secured another victory in their second game, defeating New Hampton School with a score of 11-7.

Facing formidable opponents

like Roxbury Latin and Milton Academy, the team displayed commendable resilience, despite suffering a narrow defeat against Milton Academy with a score of 12-13. However, their recent thrilling victory against rival school Nobles and Greenough, clinched with a narrow 8-7 margin, serves as a testament to the team’s ability to bounce back and rise to challenges.

Goalkeeper Marcos Ramos ‘25 delivered a stellar performance in the game against Nobles, showcasing exceptional skill with an impressive twenty-one saves. Captain Joshua Do ‘24 exhibited leadership on the field, contributing two goals and five assists, while Will Croom ‘25 added two crucial goals to secure the victory.

“The team has gotten bet-

ter every day, and our goal is to improve by one percent daily,” noted Ramos. Canning echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s camaraderie and shared determination to succeed as a cohesive unit: “I’m excited for the rest of the season…we see each other as family and brothers.”

Coach Hudson emphasized the team’s focus on consistency and controlling the controllables, instilling a mindset of resilience and adaptability among the players. The addition of Zack Musi ‘26 as the new faceoff player has further improved the team’s dynamics, contributing to their overall success on the field. Coach Hudson noted, “[Musi] has been a huge help for the team and our program.”

Moreover, Do commented on

“team karaoke” and “the hours of conversations that happen after team dinners.” He also noted that he has “only experienced beating Nobles once in his four years of Rivers Lacrosse…beating Nobles was one of the greatest feelings I have experienced. It is all due to the hard work our players put in every day.”

As the season progresses, the Rivers boys’ varsity lacrosse team remains optimistic and determined. They eagerly anticipate their upcoming challenges and away games against rival schools. The lacrosse team is poised to continue their impressive performance and make their mark in the league. Finally, Do ‘24 stated, “Rivers WILL make some noise in the ISL this year.”

Barry Abraham ‘26 serving a ball in a match against Thayer Academy. Photo by Parker Fryberger ‘26.

Captain Joshua Do evades a Roxbury Latin defender. Photo by Avery Walter ‘25.

Senior Leadership Propels Boys’ Varsity Baseball Toward Success This Spring

BY NOLAN CAHILL ’26 STAFF WRITER

The significance of leadership for the Boys Varsity Baseball team extends beyond mere skill on the field; it’s about harnessing that skill and channeling it effectively. With a roster brimming with talent and potential, the role of captains becomes even more pivotal. Finn Cahill ‘24, Coley Schaefer ‘24, and Brett Stone ‘24 understand this implicitly, recognizing that talent alone isn’t enough to secure victory in the highly competitive ISL. They know mental focus, discipline, and unity are equally vital for success.

Maintaining mental composure is crucial in high-intensity baseball, where split-second decisions can make or break a

game. Each player must remain laser-focused, blocking distractions and staying dialed into the game’s rhythm. These moments are where strong leadership truly shines. Captains like Cahill ‘24, Schaefer ‘24, and Stone ‘24 must set the tone for their teammates, instilling a culture of unwavering focus and determination.

Moreover, in a sport as challenging and frustrating as baseball, the journey is fraught with highs and lows. It’s during these moments of adversity that leadership truly shines. Captains serve as role models and must keep the varsity baseball team on track for the entire spring. Whether it’s bouncing back from a tough loss or staying motivated during a practice session, the guidance and encouragement provided by the senior captions are invaluable.

Leadership isn’t just about what happens on the field. It is also about fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity off the field. For this year’s squad, the captains, along with the nine other seniors, play a crucial role in nurturing team cohesion and fostering an environment where they support each other and the younger players on the team. This sense of belonging and solidarity translates into a stronger, more cohesive team, one that is better equipped to overcome challenges and achieve success together.

As the Boys Varsity Baseball team embarks on their journey into the 2024 season, they do so knowing their captains are ready to lead them to victory. With skill, determination, and passion for baseball, the senior leadership hopes to go out with

a bang and win a championship in the first year of the ISL baseball postseason. The captains and Coach Sullivan’s season-

long challenge is to ensure every ounce of talent is used and that every player remains mentally focused on the path to success.

Boys’ Varsity Tennis Looks To NEPSAC “Three-Peat”

Despite Early Season Struggles

BY SPENCER GARY ‘25

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

After winning the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council or NEPSAC championship the past two years, the Rivers boys’ varsity tennis team had an up-and-down start to their season but is still in a strong position to win their third straight NEPSAC championship. The varsity team has worked hard through challenging practices that test their fitness and tennis skills. So far this season, the group has won more games than they have lost, placing them near the top of the pack. With much of the season remaining, the boys’ varsity team still hopes to complete a NEPSAC “three-peat.”

Coach Phillip Parrish leads the boys’ varsity team, a big name in New England tennis. Parrish has been the tennis director at the Longfellow Club in Wayland since 2004. Before this, Parrish was the assistant tennis coach for the men’s team at Harvard University. He helped lead the team to an Ivy League title and a NCAA Final 16 appearance in the 2004 season. Parrish holds significant titles in tennis, such as being a USPTA Pro 1 and PTR Professional Certified. He has also won various awards, most recently winning the “Tennis Industry Association Award for National Junior Champion” in 2016.

As his achievements suggest, Parrish is an excellent tennis coach with extensive knowledge of the game, especially at the high school level. The team speaks very highly of Parrish and his coaching style.

Captain and number one seed player Jordy Schwartz ‘25 said, “Our success as a team is mainly because of Coach Phil.” Schwartz continued, “He brings

calm and wise teachings from his long years of playing competitive tennis to the team, which allows us to improve significantly.”

Three-year varsity player Teddy Foley ‘25 had similar positive thoughts on Parrish.

“Coach Phil is very knowledgeable,” said Foley. “He has a very high tennis IQ, and he provides leadership for the team.” Foley added, “He has been a coach for a while and knows the Rivers program well. We really appreciate him, and he really likes us.”

At the start of their season, the boys’ tennis team had to deal with their first challenge: the departure of two star seniors and former captains Aaron Weiner ‘23 and Colin Falvey ‘23. But the most significant loss was of their former number-one seed player, Charlie Schlenker ‘25.

Schlenker was a large contributor to the team’s success in recent years. He led the team to back-to-back NEPSAC championships as the number-one seed. However, Schlenker left after the end of last season to pursue tennis at a higher level at a tennis academy in South Carolina.

Luckily, to help counteract these three significant player losses, Rivers picked up a star freshman, Dudley Willis, ‘27. Willis has brought his strong tennis game to the team, which has crucially assisted the team in playing without Schlenker, Weiner, and Falvey.

To start the year, the boys’ varsity tennis team and the girls’ varsity tennis team made their annual trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina, over spring break. They had intense tennis and physical training on the court and even worked on their quickness on the beach. This preseason warm-up trip helped the team get back into the

swing of things, both with their tennis skills and team bonding.

The boys’ varsity team started their regular season against Beaver Country Day School, where they won their opening-day match 5-0, and Willis won his first career singles match. The whole team played well during this match. “This 5-0 win was huge,” said Foley. “This was an easier game for us.”

Next, Rivers faced up against the tough St. Mark’s team and lost by a score of 1-4. Even in last year’s championship season, the group lost to St. Mark’s by a score of 2-5. Foley added that this “loss smacked us back into reality.”

Foley attributed some of these early-season struggles to a need to build stronger leadership throughout the team, especially with the departure of three phenomenal players.

“We’re struggling with leadership as we have no seniors. We are looking for leadership to point us in the right direction and give us the right amount of confidence going into each match,” said Foley after the loss to St. Mark’s. “Collectively, the juniors on the team have to stand up for one another and be strong leaders.”

Foley was proud of the team spirit throughout the team, though: “The team spirit is pretty good. My favorite part about the tennis team has always been the team dynamic. Having a strong relationship with my teammates from various high school grade levels has been meaningful to me.”

Foley thought, with time, the younger players would understand how to have a winning mindset pre-match: “All the returning players definitely know exactly how to prepare for each game, but we are starting to work on getting the new freshman into the mindset.”

The juniors clearly stepped up their leadership and improved the team’s overall mindset as the group picked up six victories in their next eight games. Most impressively, in each of their matches against Tabor Academy, St. George’s School, and Governor’s Academy, the boys’ tennis team won by a score of 7-0. This string of wins puts the team’s record at seven wins and three losses for the season.

Following this win streak, there is optimism on the boys’ tennis team that, if they continue to build up leadership and combine it with their already excellent tennis skills, they could make a deep post-season run and maybe

even complete the “three-peat.”

“Our roster is looking the best it has from top to bottom from my view since I joined the team in freshman year,” said Schwartz. He also applauded his fellow captain, Ewen Robertson ‘25, for the brand of Rivers tennis that they have created: “Ewen and I, as the captains, bring a competitive and gritty approach to the game, so it tends to rub off on the rest of the players.”

With outstanding tennis talent and a strong sense of team spirit, the Rivers boys’ varsity tennis team is poised to close out their regular season well and complete their third-straight successful postseason appearance.

Captain and No. 1 Seed Jordy Schwartz ‘25 Prepares to Serve vs. St. Marks. Photo by Jacob Werrick ‘16.

Tyler Karp ‘24 prepares for a pitch against Thayer. Photo by Karim Eljamal ‘26.

Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Triumphs on the Turf

BY SARAH DUBARD ’25 ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Varsity girls’ lacrosse leads the pack in Rivers’ spring athletics. Already off to a 5-0 undefeated record, the 23-player roster is primed to be a powerhouse on the field this season. Returning coaches Pistel and Freeman continue to lead the team in rigorous practices daily, but the training process began even before the team’s first practice.

Over March break, many players embarked on a weeklong trip to Clearwater, Florida, for spring training, scrimmages, and team bonding off the field. Libby Bowers ‘25 explained, “Although the practices and scrimmages were great, the best part about the trip was the team bonding. We all got super close.”

While there, Rivers took on the Pingry School of New Jersey in a scrimmage, carrying the victory. While the scrimmages were exciting and a great way to shake off the rust and establish a team dynamic, much of the team bonding took place on day trips to the beach, team dinners, and explorations around the area.

After the break, the team returned to the Rivers campus for formal tryouts. Over the next few days, the coaches compressed the numerous players into a team of 23, and the following Wednesday, the girls took to Dana Hall for their first league scrimmage.

Coming off the Dana Hall scrimmage with a decisive victory, Rivers hit the road to

tackle Brooks in their season opener. Avery Del Col ‘24, Cece L’Esperance ‘25, and Hannah Piche ‘26 each contributed two goals to Rivers’ 9-6 win. Murray Finard ‘24, Molly Hazard ‘26, and Kyleigh Rabazzi ‘26 followed with one goal each, with Finard and Rabazzi assisting on four and three goals, respectively. Returning goalkeeper Chase Anderson ‘25 held firm in net with seven saves.

As co-captain Del Cold described, “The team has been cohesive both on and off the field, and Coach Pistel and Coach Freeman have played a big part in leading us to success.”

After their first win, Rivers continued strong against BB&N. L’Esperance stood out on the field, contributing five goals and an assist toward the team’s 14-9 victory. Hazard, Rabazzi, Piche, and Finard led the team through the game. As co-captain L’Esperance described, “BB&N was our first home game of the season. We just clicked.” L’Esperance just reached 1,000 career points and is committed to the University of Richmond to play lacrosse.

Another captain, Murray Finard ‘24, is committed to the University of Vermont to continue her lacrosse career. She has been a key player in assisting goals and scoring many herself. “Our team’s connection is not only strong on the field but also off as well,” she described. “We all support each other every day and come to

‘25

practices ready to work hard.” Rivers proceeded to take down Groton in a 7-6 away game. An improved offensive line and consistently strong defense have allowed the team to tackle tough opponents like Groton. “Chase Anderson ‘25 is a star on our defense,” explained L’Esperance. “She always stays calm and is one of the most humble teammates, and she made some really clutch saves against Groton.”

As all the players can attest, Anderson has held down the defensive line as goalkeeper. “Chase is vocal to the defense, and her clears are so on point,” remarked Finard. “She has

saved us in so many games.”

With such a strong roster, Rivers headed to Lawrence Academy to secure yet another big win.

With such a massive win of 16-4, every player on the team had an opportunity to play. “It was so fun cheering everyone on and seeing everyone work together in order to come out with a win,” reflected Finard. Indeed, such impressive scores justify Rivers’ place with the best record in the ISL. On Friday, April 19th, the girls took to Milton Academy, securing another win. Looking forward, the team is preparing to redeem last year’s 5-17 loss against Nobles. “No-

Great Depth Positions Golf Team for Success

BY GRANT RAMIREZ ‘26 STAFF WRITER

The Rivers varsity golf team kicked off the 2024 season in mid-March with a spring break trip to the Evermore Resort in Orlando. Over the course of four days, the team had the opportunity to play 90 holes of golf. Equally as important, the team spent their time off the course getting to know one another and building a solid foundation of trust and respect throughout the roster.

Led by Coach Mac Caplan, who is serving his sixth year working with the team and the third year as head coach, the varsity golf team has traveled south for pre-season only once before, so this trip is a new tradition for the team to bond over. “During this trip, the team got into the swing of things for the upcoming season and had great team bonding,” said Coach Caplan.

Securing a spot on the Rivers varsity golf team is no small feat. Unlike other spring varsity teams, tryouts for the golf team are in the preceding fall. Each golfer plays thirty-six holes, which is four different nine-hole rounds. Coach Caplan, along with the help of Assistant Coach Francis Karasch, reviews the best

three of those four rounds. “To compete in the ISL in a varsity match, you need to be able to shoot better than bogey golf, so making mostly pars and bogeys is the metric to make the varsity golf team,” stated Caplan.

Rivers also has a junior varsity golf team, but a spot on this team is not guaranteed. To make the junior varsity team, a prospective player must shoot better than double bogey per hole during the tryouts. Rivers has consistently

had a lot of interest in golf on both the junior varsity and varsity levels. This deep interest in golf has led to a solid pool of players and a continual increase in the level of play year to year on both levels of the golf program.

bles is going to be a tough opponent,” said Mairin Anderson ‘25, “but the team has already improved so much this year, and we’re ready to go in with our full effort.” L’Esperance attributes such a team improvement to consistent off-season training, particularly an incredibly devoted sophomore class. Rivers takes on Nobles, Pingree, Tabor, Phillips Academy, and Governors on our home turf. They are poised to maintain their undefeated season with continued hard work and an enthusiastic fan base.

This year, the varsity team comprises a strong group of veteran golfers and is led by senior co-captains Ryan Macduff ‘24 and Camille DeStefano ‘24. The team has five of the top seven golfers from last year returning, including four seniors and one new player who is extremely strong. While they might struggle at the one and two spots because some other teams in the league have stronger top players, Caplan believes the depth of his team will make them competitive with other ISL teams throughout the season. Given that the team is consistent across the ladder, this team may generate some of the best results in the golf program’s history.

“The biggest surprise this season has been how deep we are as a team. The golfer playing six could just as easily play number three probably,” commented Caplan. In previous years, Rivers has finished towards the bottom half of the ISL. However, with a strong group of players across the team, Rivers will be more competitive in the league this year. “We will be in the middle of the league this year. Hopefully even stronger,” said Caplan. With improving weather conditions, the season began with a decisive 5-2 win over BB&N.

Captain Cece L’Esperance

taking on a BB&N defender. Photo by John Hurley.

Golf teammates enjoy time together on the course. Photo by the Rivers School.

Great Depth Positions Golf Team for Success

Continued from page 1

Thayer Academy and Belmont Hill proved to be a greater challenge, and the team fell to both teams. Rivers came back nicely with a solid win over Middlesex on their home course. After a very tight match against Nobles, Rivers began to find their stride with a 5-2 win over Governors and a 5.5-1.5 victory over Brooks.

“Newcomer Jackson Vignati (#5 on the ladder) and first-year starter Chase Holzman (#6 on the

ladder) have been great additions to the lineup,” said Caplan. Three seniors, Ryan Macduff, Henry Johnson, and Camille DeStefano, are all playing in the top half of the ladder and have been competing well against seasoned opponents across the ISL. Sophomore Thomas Lamb is playing in the #1 spot and competing against some of the top golfers in New England. “He has demonstrated a great attitude and tremendous perseverance despite sometimes feeling

like a ‘sacrificial lamb’ in that top spot,” commented Caplan. Golf is a challenging sport, especially on the mental side. It can be incredibly frustrating at times. The goal of a golfer is “staying positive, focused, and remaining consistent round to round and hole to hole,” added Caplan. While it is difficult to have this mindset on the course, this is the way players can be the best individually and make the most significant impact on the team.

Playing golf for the Rivers varsity team is intensive and takes a big commitment from the golfers. Caplan said, “They work very hard in the summer and in the off-season on their game. The Rivers varsity golf season is very intensive. The team has two practices and two to three matches a week. Those are very long afternoons and nights. It is a lot to balance the extracurricular activities with school work and the golf schedule.”

While it is hard to predict how the season will end, the team is really coming together, and the level of play has been strong. “We have good depth, so we’re likely to earn a lot of points in the middle and bottom of the ladder,” remarked Caplan. This is a talented group of golfers who support each other and really enjoy the sport. After a solid start to the beginning of the season, this team is positioned for continued success.

Track and Field Hurdles Toward ISL Season Finish

BY NOELLE LEE ’24 STAFF WRITER

Legs aching, breath shortening, and seeing stars. For many of the Rivers students on the track team, this is a common feeling among those who participate in this rigorous sport. Spirits soaring, bonds tightening, and community strengthening: these are also experiences shared by the track team while running together, side by side. While track is one of the most grueling and difficult sports, the dedication and effort that all the Rivers’ track athletes practice brings them together underneath lasting friendships and nostalgic memories.

The track team at Rivers offers an array of different events, such as throwing, jumping, sprinting, and long distance, which are all outdoor track programs. The track team is in the NEPSTA division 3 and competes in ISL league games. The team competes in meets every Saturday and almost every Wednesday.

Practices are every day of the week, despite Rivers’ not having a track course, except on meet days, and consist of a variety of training based on the seventeen different events. Throwers practice “rotational movements” by either hurling a medicine ball, throwing turbo javelins, bowling with a discus, or practicing a full throw with a shotput. Long-distance runners practice with long runs or timed interval repeats. Sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers train “specific movements” that include flexibility and rhythm exercises over hurdles or practicing handoffs to prepare for the relay races.

A more specific day-by-day practice would start on Monday with longer runs that include some hills that are usually around 5-7 miles. Tuesday practices consist of easier miles and then strength training for the second half of practice. Wednesdays are the most difficult days of practice, with increasing pace and specific interval distances. While these practices are the hardest, they are important to build strength and confidence. Thursdays are dedicated to full recovery which includes easy bike riding, foam rolling, and ice baths. Finally, on Fridays, prac-

tices are pre-meet runs with easier pace and distance to tune up and prepare for Saturday meets. All of these practices train these athletes for upcoming meet after meet. The track team participates in two championships: one with the ISL at Milton on May 11 and another at Marianapolis for the NEPSTA championships on May 18. The athletes need to qualify for specific times and distances to be able to participate in these championships. Last year, the team medaled in several events at the championship meets, including both the girls’ and the boys’ 4x100 relay teams.

There are four captains of the track team: Milan Joshi 24’, Morgan Boyce 25’, Taylor Hauff 25’, and Dylan Herlilhy 25’. These student leaders have numerous responsibilities, from helping coaches with leading certain warm-ups and exercises to motivating team members to run the best that they can. While helping out with training is an important part of a captain’s job, so is maintaining a lively and encouraging environment. Joshi explained, “I think the main responsibility I hold, however, is keeping up the positive atmosphere we cherish on our team,” adding, “and making sure morale stays high.”

Moreover, the captains have optimistic goals in continuing to lead their team throughout practices, meets, and the championships at the end of the season: “I am looking forward to having the opportunity to compete against talented competition alongside my friends,” said Boyce. “I am also excited to push myself and my teammates as we grow the Rivers Track and Field program.”

Track members also have an enthusiastic attitude while tirelessly running alongside their companions. Many are willing to share their reasoning for why they chose the sport.

Track member Cailyn Kim ‘25 shared, “I tried throwing for the first time last year and really enjoyed it so I wanted to do it again this year.” Her insight reflects the dedication and enjoyment that track has to offer.

Track is known for being a sport that highly values community. Another track member, Nolan Killman ‘26 commented, “My favorite part of track

is how even though a lot of the sport is individual, you have your team around you supporting you through all your events.”

The head coach for the track team is Mr. Paul Karasch, and the assistant coaches are Mr. Jeff Nisbet, Mr. Sequoyah Reynoso, and Mr. Steve Paluseo. All of the coaches look forward to many things throughout this season. Coach Reynoso is hoping to see progress in every track member: “I am hoping for a season full of healthy athletes supporting each other, training hard, regularly achieving PRs (personal records), and peak-

ing at the championship meets.”

Coach Nisbet adds to this goal the understanding of the mental side of building endurance. “The key to endurance training is patience and consistency,” explained Nisbet. “There is definitely no immediacy which makes it more about the mental side of running than the running itself. However, it is always such a joy to see the runners’ pride late in the season as they earn those personal bests.”

Coach Paulseo stated, “It is great to see them enjoy the fruits of their hard work and preparation that they put in during their

training.” He continued, “When it all comes together on the day of the meet, that is really fun to watch.” Coach Paluseo’s statement highlights how all the training, drills, and runs that occur every day after school are worth it for the runners to have an opportunity to show off their endurance and capacity to push themselves.

Most of the Rivers community can agree that track is an extremely rigorous sport. Still, those who choose track as their spring sport can make long-lasting memories and friendships while running alongside their peers.

Distance Runners Sam Blank ‘26, Alex Young ‘25, and Justin Jang ‘25 warm up for their meet at St. George’s. Photo by Morgan Boyce ‘25.

Sports

Varsity Softball Reaches New Heights on the Diamond

BY SARAH DUBARD ’25 ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The varsity softball team at Rivers is poised for an exceptional season. With a staggering nineteen talented players, it boasts one of the largest rosters in recent Rivers history. Coaches Elizabeth Creamer, Christine Pynchon, tc Hanmer, and Ellie Strayer faced the exciting challenge of strategically organizing and maximizing the potential of this abundant roster. As captain Maddie Stikeleather ‘24 remarked, “Over the past few years, the softball team has nearly doubled in players. I am so excited to see how this program continues to grow!”

The team’s journey commenced over Spring Break with a preparatory trip to Orlando, Florida for an intensive spring training program. Against the backdrop of sunny Florida, the team engaged in rigorous practice sessions, honed their skills through competitive scrimmages against formidable opponents from other schools, and took time to bond during visits to Universal Studios.

“The spring training trip was vital in bringing our team together,” remarked Ally Giebutowski ‘25. “Not only did we sharpen our skills on the field, but we also forged strong relationships off the field. I got so close so quickly with a lot of the underclassmen and new players, so we have a great foundation going into the season.”

The five-day excursion included a series of three highly competitive scrimmages, culminating in an impressive victory over the King School of Connecticut. The team demonstrated its prowess with an over ten-point victory. Energized and unified, the players return to the Rivers campus ready to showcase their abilities during the formal four-day tryout period.

After weeks of diligent preparation and spirited tryouts, the team was fully equipped and eager to face their first ISL opponent, Dana Hall, on March 27th. The victory in this crucial scrimmage not only boosted team morale but also set a positive tone for the upcoming

league matches. Although the subsequent scrimmage against Needham High School ended in a narrow defeat, the Rivers team remained focused on their goal of continuous improvement and success in the league.

The highlight of the season thus far was the much-anticipated inaugural ISL game against St. Marks on April 10th. The two teams proved evenly matched right off the bat (no pun intended), resulting in a thrilling and hard-fought contest that concluded with a close 8-7 score in favor of St. Marks.

Despite the outcome, several standout players emerged, as a team member described: “The team is known for its energy and how enthusiastic we are at games. While we didn’t have the best record last year, we got a bunch of new players who are just amazing this year.” Notably, Ellie Beigel ‘26 has carried the team to many victories. Olivia Standish ‘27 is another valuable addition as a new pitcher on the team. Anna Matsuyasu ‘27 displayed impressive defensive skills at third base, while eighthgrader Charlotte McAdam ‘28 demonstrated exceptional leadership and skill as the team’s catcher behind home plate.

After two tough losses against tough opponents, Brooks and BB&N, the team is on a winning streak, with huge wins

against Governors, Winchendon, and Dana Hall in late April. The team is optimistic about the rest of their season. “Coach Hanmer and Coach Strayer have been instrumental in helping us improve during practice,” Stikeleather reflected, “both in the field and at the plate.” Izzie Stein ‘25 agrees that with the new leadership and talent on the field, “this year has the potential to be really successful.”

As the season progresses, with more ISL games on the horizon, the team remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence and unity. The season’s culmination in May will feature a highly anticipated and challenging match against Nobles, where the players will undoubtedly bring their best effort and determination to the field in hopes of defeating one of their longtime toughest opponents.

“We’re a really talented team this year. There’s a lot of potential, and I’m really excited to see us reach that potential,” remarked head coach tc Hamner.

The camaraderie and determination of the Rivers varsity softball team underscore their potential to achieve greatness this season. With a cohesive roster, dedicated coaching staff, and unwavering spirit, they are primed to leave an indelible mark on the league and inspire future groups of softball players who take to Nonesuch Field.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK RIVERS CLASS OF

Joseph Clemson University

Valentina Joseph Florida State University

Milan Joshi Colby College

Charles Kantaros Union College

Tyler Karp Amherst College

Ella Kaufman Colgate University

Jeremy Kiefer Middlebury College

Joylyn Kim Harvard University

Mason Klein Washington University in St Louis

Jacob Kulas Indiana University - Bloomington

Ellie Layish Tulane University of Louisiana

Alexander Lightbody University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Amir Lindsey University at Albany

Caleb Lys Northeastern University

Ryan Macduff Wake Forest University

Nathanael Manasseh Boston University

Arianna Martinez Cavero Harvard University

Cayden Miceli Connecticut College

Alexa Mordas College of Charleston

Brendan Nee Junior Hockey

Alejandra Paez Penaloza Yale University

Emerson Paquette University of Vermont

Katherine Paquette College of the Holy Cross

Taylor Parsons Southern Methodist University

Alex Perlman Wake Forest University

Nicholas Perniola Bryant University

Zoe Powell-McCroey Columbia University

Adam Prince Bowdoin College

Jack Renaud University of Southern California

Farrah Reza University of Maryland - College Park

Payton Richard University of Richmond

Sophie Rousell Trinity College

Payson Salyer University of Richmond

Rebecca Samuels Clemson University

Leila Saponaro University of Southern California

Coley Schaefer Villanova University

Griffin Schutte Brown University

Luke Schutte University of Chicago

Noah Springhorn University of Chicago

Mia Stephens Fairfield University

Maxwell Stevelman Wesleyan University

Madison Stikeleather Washington University in St Louis

Andrew Stillwell Texas Christian University

Brett Stone Trinity College

Tegan Stone Bucknell University

Christopher Sullivan Northeastern University

Megan Sweatt Colgate University

Alexis Tower University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Amirthini Vithiananthan Colby College

Ethan Kasparian Weisman Northwestern University

Shelby Whitaker Washington University in St Louis

Jack Willard Georgetown University

Luke Zermani Brown University

Aidan Zheng Northeastern University

Pitcher Ellie Beigel ‘26 prepares to throw vs. BB&N. Photo by Parker Fryberger ‘26.