Chapter 1 - FACULTY
Traci Fairchild, MS PE & Health, Varsity Field Hockey Traci joined Rocky Hill School in 2006 and has since grown the field hockey program and served countless students as a teacher, coach, and adviser. Traci helped implement Developmental Design and Mindfulness programs in support of student wellness.
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took my job at Rocky Hill School right out of college. As a young faculty member, I needed some additional course work and certifications, and Rocky Hill paid for one class per semester. As my responsibilities grew, I found that being an adviser was something I truly enjoyed and was a welcomed extension of my role, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in social work. For three years, I took night classes while teaching and coaching. During that time, the School not only supported my professional development financially, but more importantly, emotionally. When it came time for my internship, the School came through, yet again. Director of Counseling and Wellness Krista Haskell mentored me as I completed 600 internship hours on campus and at Butler Hospital. Her professional and personal guidance was invaluable. And now, with two young children, my husband and I have become Rocky Hill School parents. This has been the best decision we have ever made and I feel like I can truly picture the next decade, or decades if I’m lucky, as a proud teacher, coach, adviser, counselor, mentor, and parent here at my beloved Rocky Hill School.
Chapter 2 - TECHNOLOGY Hunter Gallant ‘17
A Senior Prefect, National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and member of the Interact Community Service Club, Hunter is an exceptional student and dynamic young man. Hunter takes AP courses, plays in the band, is on the soccer team, and captains the tennis team. Last spring, Hunter received several academic awards and was inducted into the National Honor and National Latin Honor Societies.
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t’s no exaggeration that coming to Rocky Hill School was one of the best choices I’ve made. I was in public school through eighth grade, and while my experience wasn’t the worst, it certainly wasn’t the best. Rocky Hill was a complete departure from that. One of the grievances my family had with the public school in my town was the lack of support for students who wanted to take advanced classes. When we approached Rocky Hill about skipping a level in math, they wholeheartedly supported me. Since then, Rocky Hill has helped me push myself, culminating in many AP classes my junior and senior years. I’ve had so many opportunities to grow academically and pursue my interest in technology, including taking computer programming, participating on the robotics team, and even earning a summer IT position at the School. I’m not in college yet, but I feel very prepared. Rocky Hill was the best school for me, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here.
Chapter 3 - TUITION ASSISTANCE Angelo Gemma ‘13, College of the Holy Cross ‘17
Angelo, a Mariner Scholar, was a three-season athlete and captain, a member of student council, a Senior Prefect, and a Head of the Nathan Hale Society. He received many academic awards and his enthusiasm for science led him to major in cellular/molecular biology. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Angelo volunteers at the Free Health Clinic in Worcester and works as a medical scribe at Milford Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department.
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oming from a large public school, I had no idea what to expect at Rocky Hill. I would soon discover a school that was more than just a place of education; it was a family comprised of engaged students and dedicated faculty and staff. I would never have been able to experience this kind of learning environment if not for the generous benefactors who found it fit to bestow the Mariner Scholarship upon me. Rocky Hill prepared me very well for college, and without the School, I do not think I would be at Holy Cross today. I appreciate having had the opportunity to attend a place where I had some of the best experiences of my life.
Chapter 4 - ATHLETICS
Jenna O’del ‘16, University of New Hampshire ‘20 Jenna joined the School in eighth grade and distinguished herself as a highly creative student. In Upper School, Jenna served as editor of the School’s literary journal, led creative writing workshops, and established a writing club for younger students. She also published a book! Jenna discovered a passion for sailing as a member of the sailing team and as an instructor at Summer Enrichment Academy. Her dedication to academics and helping others resulted in many academic awards and induction into the National Honor Society.
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he sailing program is one of the glories of Rocky Hill School. When I entered the School, I had never before set foot in a sailboat. When I graduated a few months ago, I had spent the past five years sailing, the last four with the recreational program in the fall and the varsity team in the spring. I joined my college’s sailing team because I fell in love with not just the sport, but all that being a sailor and part of the team gave me. I gained an immense amount of confidence and leadership as I developed sailing experience. I learned sailing strategy while also learning how to teach. I learned how to balance academics with athletics, and as I grew through sailing, the sailing program itself grew, too. The program welcomed sailors with varying levels of interest and experience. I was thrilled when the School received a new fleet of Club 420s, and can say that, having sailed them in the spring of my senior year, they are great boats to sail. Simply, to summarize: Rocky Hill School is enlightened by having this wonderful sailing program.
Chapter 5 - WATERFRONT Kaylynn Polley ‘17
Kaylynn is president of the Community Service Club, editor-in-chief of the yearbook, cocaptain of the varsity soccer team, and a Senior Prefect. As a junior she earned several academic awards. Her interest in environmental studies led to attending an Environmental Leadership Institute at Dartmouth College and serving as camp counselor at Save The Bay’s Exploration Center & Aquarium.
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n eighth grade, my soccer team played at Rocky Hill School and I was immediately blown away by the beautiful campus. This was one of the factors that swayed my interest toward attending the School. The educational use of the waterfront has kept me intrigued ever since I applied. As a true Mariner you are instantly given opportunities to explore the waterfront and gain hands-on experience, including kayaking trips and outdoor classes. As a senior, I tailored my schedule to my interests and took full advantage of the environment. At least once a week, my marine biology and AP environmental science classes put on boots and stomp down to the shore where we are able to see exactly what we are reading about in our textbooks. We’ve spent classes collecting and identifying algae and crabs, observing local species of sponges, and have even completed experimental labs out in the field. The connections made are extremely valuable and the hands-on experience has led me to focus in environmental studies in college. Rocky Hill’s access to the waterfront and use of it for education has heavily influenced my high school career and how I view the world around me. I credit my experiences here for sparking my interest and shaping my future.
Chapter 6 - THE ARTS
Maria Charbonneau ‘12, URI Pharmacy Program ‘18 Maria was a shining star at Rocky Hill School. On the stage, she charmed audiences in several musicals and in the choir. She was also a dominant field hockey player and threeseason athlete. Her ability in the classroom was especially apparent in Latin and she was a fixture on the honor roll. Maria received three of the School’s highest honors as she was named Junior Marshall, a Senior Prefect, and the Mauran Bowl recipient, among many other distinctions. Maria is currently a 5th year doctoral candidate studying pharmacy at URI and she interns at a Rite Aid pharmacy.
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return yearly to Rocky Hill for Founder’s Day and various other school events because, quite simply, I love my alma mater. Not only did I receive a stellar education to prepare me for college and beyond, but I also learned invaluable life lessons. In the incredibly short four years that I walked through its halls, Rocky Hill conferred great gifts to carry with me in life: a thirst for knowledge and the confidence to seek answers. I know that I gleaned the better part of my confidence through
participating in the theater program at Rocky Hill. Performing and singing on stage for an audience is undoubtedly one of the most daunting things one can do. But what I did not realize at the time is that each time I overcame my trepidations and stepped into the spotlight, I was growing as a person. And truly, there is no better place to grow than at Rocky Hill, with its especially supportive and encouraging family.
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ow, when I give scientific presentations in pharmacy school and in the community, I think back to my experience on stage and I square my shoulders and project my voice, as I was taught to do in the Upper School. Because after all, as my good friend Bill Shakespeare once said, “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women are merely players.” Thank you, Rocky Hill, for helping to develop my character as well as for providing the foundation for my future. I’ll see you at the next event because you know I will be there!
AFTERWORD
Rocky Hill School Donors, Faculty, Parents, Students, and Alumni Rocky Hill School is fortunate to be able to offer an exceptional education to such immensely talented students. These stories and testimonials remind us of how impactful the Rocky Hill School experience can be for all of us. It is critical that we continue to offer the types of programs and accessibility that the Annual Fund supports. Please share in the joy that comes from making the world a better place one student at a time, by contributing to Rocky Hill School. Our goals and outcomes are clear, and with each gift we get closer to creating that all-important sequel to these uplifting stories.
ANNUAL FUND $300,000 GOAL FACULTY $80,000 TECHNOLOGY $50,000 TUITION ASSISTANCE $80,000 ATHLETICS $30,000 WATERFRONT $30,000 THE ARTS $30,000
To make a contribution, please used the enclosed envelope or make a gift online: www.rockyhill.org/donate/.