RECOGNIZING
EXCELLENCE Fall 2021 Newsletter | RCDS student achievements from the 2020-21 school year
Celebrating our graduates! Members of Rye Country Day School’s Class of 2021 are attending the following
Colleges and Universities American University (2) Bates College (2) Boston University Bowdoin College (2) Brandeis University Brown University Bryn Mawr College Bucknell University (2) Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University (3) University of Chicago (2) Colby College Colgate University (3) College of the Holy Cross Columbia University Cornell University (3) Drexel University Duke University (2) Emory University (3) George Washington University Georgetown University (3) Georgia Institute of Technology Harvard University (3) (One attendee unless otherwise indicated)
Howard University Indiana University Bloomington Kalamazoo College Lehigh University (2) Massachusetts Institute of Technology Middlebury College Muhlenberg College New York University (2) Northeastern University (2) Northwestern University (3) Pomfret School Pomona College Princeton University (2) Purchase College, SUNY Purdue University Rice University Skidmore College Southern Methodist University Stanford University Tufts University (2) Union College University at Buffalo, SUNY
University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Barbara (3) University of Georgia University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami (3) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor University of Notre Dame (2) University of Pennsylvania (3) University of Richmond University of St. Andrews, UK (2) University of Southern California University of Virginia University of Wisconsin, Madison Vanderbilt University Wake Forest University (3) Washington and Lee University Wellesley College Williams College (3) Yale University (2)
Rye Country Day School recognized students in the twelfth, eighth, and fourth grades during three festive, in-person events. Read about the 2021 graduation and moving-up ceremonies on page 2.
UPPER SCHOOL GRADUATION
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2021! Dr. Al Rizzi
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Dr. Al Rizzi ’82, Chief Scientist at Boston Dynamics, was the Graduation Speaker. Dr. Rizzi touched on the benefits of the wide range of experiences and perspectives the Rye Country Day education offers, and he encouraged the graduates to continue to develop their critical thinking skills in college and beyond. He also commended the Class of 2021 for their resilience in meeting the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. He concluded his remarks urging the graduates to take advantage of opportunities to learn about their interests and discover new passions to guide them on their path to success, joy, and having a positive impact on society.
The WildScats sang I Lived written by Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella.
Senior Class President Kyle Mandell '21 addressed his classmates.
On June 11, 2021, the Class of 2021 was
recognized during Rye Country Day School ’s 152nd Graduation Exercises. The in-person ceremony, which was held at Manhattanville College, was a welldeserved, festive conclusion of an unprecedented year for our seniors, as well as a celebration of their many achievements and outstanding careers as Rye Country Day students.
“You have far surpassed the School’s academic standards, and you have acquired the academic skills, a core body of knowledge, and an understanding of others that together will serve you well in the years ahead. You are critical thinkers who are able to unpack complex concepts, make connections across disciplines, and collaborate effectively to achieve incredible results. The world needs thinkers and doers like you.”
— Head of School Scott Nelson Scott Nelson
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MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADUATION On June 9, 2021, the Class of 2025 celebrated their
Mr. Song addressed the rising ninth graders.
Middle School graduation. The ceremony included remarks from Middle School Principal Ryan Song and Head of School Scott Nelson, as well as the graduation address by Class Speaker Leah Steyn ’25 and a welcome to the Upper School from Maya Hirani ’22, Student Body President. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
Leah Steyn '25, Class Speaker
Maya Hirani '22, Student Body President Jolee Pisacano '21 performed the beloved classic Somewhere Over the Rainbow at MS graduation and the Grade 4 Moving-Up Ceremony.
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Mrs. Shea addressed the rising fifth graders.
GRADE 4 MOVING-UP CEREMONY On June 8, 2021, fourth graders moved up
to the Middle School. The event included remarks from Lower School Principal Barbara Shea, Head of School Scott Nelson, and Stacy Kaufman on behalf of the fourth grade teachers. In addition, each fourth grade class selected a speaker. Rachel K., Jack S., Amelia A., and David K. shared their perspectives on the milestone moving-up moment and their experiences throughout their Lower School years. Congratulations to the Class of 2029!
David K. '29 read a poem about his Lower School experience.
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ALUMNI PRIZE RECIPIENTS By Lori Ferguson
The Alumni Prize is the School’s highest honor, and it is awarded to seniors who have made the most outstanding contribution to the life of the School.
Deepta Gupta ’21 During their Upper School years at Rye Country Day School, Deepta Gupta was a familiar face in every upper-level STEM class offered, as well as a lively participant in English and music courses. Embracing a rigorous academic curriculum that few students have matched, they depart the School with a remarkable record of 7 honors and advanced courses and 11 AP courses. “Learning is Deepta’s fuel,” observes Associate Director of College Counseling Dion Reid. Deepta agrees, “There is so much in this world to take in and be awed by; learning and seeing with open and expectant eyes makes life exciting.” Deepta indulged their curiosity through research. They were an active member of the RCDS Young Physicists Tournament team and took advantage of the School’s Science Research program to conduct astrophysics research at the Nevis Laboratories of Columbia University. These experiences cemented their desire to pursue research in college and beyond. Deepta strongly valued sharing their accrued knowledge and giving back to the community. After joining the Upper School’s VEX Robotics team, they discovered a culture of mentorship that made way for strong camaraderie and quickly became a resource for teammates, as well as for classmates seeking assistance in computer science, math, and science courses. “I’m a pretty strong believer that what we know is useless unless we share it. I enjoy teaching others what I’ve learned; it solidifies my understanding of the materials and helps to strengthen my patience and empathy.” In their junior and senior years, Deepta became a force outside the classroom as well, distinguishing themself as a student leader committed to strengthening the school community. As part of the student-led Anti-Discrimination Committee, they worked alongside teachers and administrators to shift the School’s policies to foster a more transparent and community-oriented environment.“During my first two years at Rye Country Day, I was content sticking to my comfort zone,” they confess. “After much reflection during quarantine, I realized that I would never grow if I didn’t lean into my discomfort and do my part.” Deepta will matriculate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall with their eye on a joint major between electrical engineering and computer science and is also considering a minor in energy studies. They attribute this willingness to explore varying interests to Rye Country Day. “My teachers were always there for me, academically and personally,” Deepta observes. “I learned a great deal from them, and one of my most important takeaways is not to block myself into a certain set of classes, activities, or people simply because that’s what’s familiar. The person who I ended up being in the School was a direct product of my teachers giving me opportunities to learn and grow.”
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Alexander Harasimowicz ’21 Mention Alexander (Alex) Harasimowicz to anyone in the Rye Country Day community and you will immediately learn of his exemplary work ethic and his inspiring commitment to community. Alex is a stellar student—with 10 AP courses and a nearly perfect transcript to his credit—across a host of academic disciplines. Of particular note, he possesses a prodigious talent for language and leaves RCDS fluent in French and Spanish. Known for his warm and welcoming personality, Alex is a self-described people person. “I love meeting people. I have a disability, so I grew up kind of immobile and talking to people is the way I connect.” Alex uses this ability to connect through language both in and out of the classroom. At Rye Country Day, he earned a reputation as a gifted Oral Proficiency Intern (OPI) and contributor to LINGUA, a new RCDS program that engages advanced language students to help younger pupils. He was also a popular motivational speaker, a passionate advocate for social justice, and a natural leader in the classroom and on the basketball court, where he played wheelchair sports and managed the boys’ varsity team. “I’ve really enjoyed the classroom engagement, as well as the lifelong friends I’ve made through varsity basketball,” Alex shares. “I’ve learned that when faced with a challenging situation—be it academic, physical, or social—the best way to get through it is through collaboration,” he continues. Alex will matriculate at Yale University in the fall. He looks forward to exploring various courses of study, especially global affairs, which hold a certain appeal. “I want to leverage languages in some way, and I’d also love to get back to traveling,” he says. Alex treasures his time at Rye Country Day and is humbled by the award of the Alumni Prize. “I’m grateful for everything I’ve received—I’ve made so many great friends and connections. To have the School give back and recognize me is truly wonderful.”
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ALUMNI PRIZE RECIPIENTS
Kyle Mandell ’21 Kyle Mandell is a skilled communicator, leader, and collaborator. A gifted linguist, Kyle is the only student at RCDS to have exhausted the Spanish curriculum in the tenth grade and one of a handful to claim the Spanish Prize as a sophomore. And Kyle uses this facility to help others. The first RCDS student to be nominated to be an Oral Proficiency Intern (OPI) as a freshman, he deftly assisted numerous younger students in both French and Spanish through the years. In his senior year, he served as a student leader for the OPI program. “I really like studying Spanish and languages in general because they're an avenue to completely different cultures, perspectives, literatures, etc. that I wouldn't be able to experience otherwise,” he observes. Kyle is also an avid thespian. He began his involvement with theater upon entering Rye Country Day in the third grade and has since performed in over a dozen productions, in many cases as the lead. “It’s such fun to go on stage,” he enthuses. “I love the group of friends I’ve made through theater and the butterflies and thrill of performing are incredible.” Such intense involvement in theatrical productions also allowed Kyle to hone his gift for collaboration, which is evident in everything he does. Given his charismatic nature, Kyle is a natural leader and was elected class president by his peers for four consecutive years. “Kyle is the kind of leader who leads by example, by doing, by showing up and stepping up,” notes Spanish and French teacher Joan Kubisch. Kyle modestly attributes his success to relatability and to his willingness to be active within the community and make a broad range of connections. “I don’t have one specific friend group—I’m friends with lots of different people—and I think people feel comfortable approaching me. I’m energetic, and I’m not afraid to put myself out there.” This fall, Kyle enters Harvard University with his eye on an arts and humanities track. “I’m considering a major in history and literature, or perhaps Romance languages and literature, and I may pursue a theater, dance and media minor,” he says. Whatever his course, Kyle is confident that his days at RCDS have set him up for success. “I went to high school with lots of very smart, interesting people,” he observes. “I’m used to being in an environment of high expectations—being with such brilliant peers has set me up with a great mentality for college.”
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HEAD OF SCHOOL’S PRIZE RECIPIENTS By Lori Ferguson
The Head of School’s Prize is given to students who model leadership, courage, or academic excellence.
Kathryn Farrell
goal. The School’s motto, Not for Self, but for Service, is also Katie’s personal dictum. “Everything is so much better if you’re willing to lend a hand and help to develop your community,” she observes. “An experience becomes much more meaningful for everyone if you focus on relationships rather than simply the end product.” During her four years at RCDS, Katie lived this philosophy, excelling in group work in and beyond the classroom. She served as a Peer Leader and assumed leadership positions with the Cross Country team, the RCDS Developers' Club, and the Robotics Team. She also earned numerous accolades for her achievements, including the RCDS Computer Science award and the Columbia Book award.
Kathryn Farrell ’21 Kathryn (Katie) Farrell approaches every learning opportunity with her signature excellence, creativity, and interdisciplinary mindset. A 2018 Community Engagement Fellow and 2021 Presidential Scholar Candidate, Katie is a standout student in STEM and computer science courses who is equally renowned for her prowess as a writer. “I like computer programming because you can get extremely detailed—each line does just what you tell it to do and only logic is at play. With writing, on the other hand, you can use just one line to express yourself emotionally by playing with style and word choice. In both instances, whether it’s a software program or a story, you’re moving an idea from your brain out into the world so that others can interact with it.” Interaction is a common watchword for Katie, a natural leader who instinctively draws others along through her enthusiastic approach and commitment to a common
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Sasha Leonard ’21 Sasha Leonard is a joyful and passionate learner. “I like to find ways to apply anything I learn inside the classroom to other aspects of my life,” she enthuses. “It’s fun to learn new things and step out of my comfort zone.” Indeed, Sasha squandered no opportunities to expand her knowledge during her three years at RCDS; she leaves the School with an impressive record of 11 advanced/honors classes and 7 AP courses to her credit. Sasha Leonard
Despite her many accomplishments, Katie says she was both surprised and honored to be selected for the Head of School’s Prize. “There are so many incredibly talented students at RCDS—I feel really lucky to have been selected for something like this. I also feel grateful for all the amazing and supportive faculty who have helped me through the last four years. I could not have done it without them!” Katie will matriculate at Princeton University in the fall, and although she plans to continue pursuits in computer science and creative writing, she is also considering courses with an environmental focus like clean energy or conservation. “Since coming to Rye Country Day, I’ve learned that it’s important to stretch and try new things that you’re not sure you’d be interested in or capable of doing, because you never know … you may find something you love.”
A strong student in every discipline, Sasha shines brightly in the arts. She is a gifted writer, particularly in poetry. She has earned Scholastic Art and Writing Awards as an RCDS student and served as the editor of OMEGA, the School’s literary magazine, her senior year. “As much as any student I’ve ever taught, Sasha embraces the writing process and shows a pure love of writing, not for the sake of the product, but for the act of writing itself,” observes English Department Chair Iain Pollock.
Sasha is also dedicated to creating inclusive learning environments and connecting communities through thoughtful dialogue. “Your environment can have a big influence on how you absorb information,” she explains. “The more inclusive the classroom, the more students feel represented and eager to learn.” Sasha’s thoughtful perspectives have earned her recognition throughout the RCDS community, including the Head of School’s Prize. She admits that she was surprised, and extremely happy, when she learned that she had been chosen to receive the award. “It’s cool to hear how others look at you. As I listened to the announcement, I got to reflect on myself from a different perspective, which was wonderful.” When asked what she takes away from her time at RCDS, Sasha does not hesitate. “I’ve learned to take advantage of the opportunities you’re given and go for what you want,” she says with a burst of enthusiasm. “I’ve had so much support from the teachers here. They’ve encouraged me to pursue whatever I thought was interesting— independent studies, my poetry—and explore how I can apply those interests in my life.” Sasha will be exploring many more opportunities when she begins her undergraduate journey at Pomona College this fall. She is considering a major in political science or international relations and a minor in Japanese. And of course she will continue to cultivate her love of language by writing poetry. “It’s a form of translation that allows me to explore ideas that can’t often be easily expressed.”
Eesha Narain ’21 With her deep commitment to community and her excellent academic performance, Eesha Narain has left an indelible mark on RCDS. Her dedication to building and supporting community at RCDS earned her numerous plaudits. In 2018, Eesha was honored with the Class of 2008 Award, a prize given to ninth graders who are bridge builders and change agents within their class. In 2020, she was presented with the James P. Godfrey Award for exceptional community service both within and outside of RCDS. And in 2021, she was awarded the Princeton Prize in Race Relations for her dedication to advancing race equity and fostering positive race relations within the greater Rye Country Day School community (read more on page 22). Eesha’s desire to give back sprang in part from her personal experience—having started in Pre-K, she had a long view of the RCDS experience and a “lifer’s” love for the school community. The RCDS motto, Not for Self, but for Service, has proven to be a meaningful guide for Eesha, and the skills and knowledge she acquired at the School helped her put her purpose-driven beliefs into action. She credits RCDS faculty for helping to shape the active and engaged person she is today. “The teachers are amazing—they really care and want you to succeed. Everyone is there to support you.”
a bit clichéd, I don’t believe you can define yourself only by academics and extracurricular activities. It’s the decisions you make and the friendships you form that are the most important.” When Eesha learned that she had been awarded the Head of School’s Prize, she admits that she cried. “Receiving this award made me feel as though my hard work had paid off, and I felt validated. I have dreamed of getting the Head of School’s Prize since I was in the Lower School, and it was a true honor to receive it.” Eesha enters Middlebury College this fall with her eye on a sociology major, a degree she believes will provide the tools she needs to pursue a career in community service. “I’m not entirely sure I know what I want to do, but it will be some sort of public purpose work,” she asserts. “I want to offer immediate help to others as well as long-term solutions.”
Eesha Narain
In the classroom, Eesha excelled with her signature enthusiasm —embracing a range of subjects from math to public purpose—and sought to use her knowledge to connect with others. A standout in her Spanish language and literature courses, Eesha served as an Oral Proficiency Intern (OPI) her junior and senior years and led the program as a senior. Yet, she remains grounded. “Although I know it sounds
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS 149 Rye Country Day students were recognized by the College Board’s 2021 Advanced Placement Program for their outstanding achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Exams. 62 AP SCHOLARS WITH DISTINCTION Students who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Charles Allen ’21 Campbell Babiarz ’21 Liam Bieber ’21 Wyatt Boester ’22 Alexa Bournazos ’22 Nicolas Briano ’21 Katharine Brydson ’21 Andrea Chang ’22 Leah Colin ’22 Caitlyn Dahnke ’21 Olivia Davis ’21 Allen Dong ’21 Kathryn Farrell ’21 Andrew Felton ’21 Eliza Fogel ’21 Sofia Fonti ’21 Olivia Giagni ’21 Cameron Goddard ’21 Francisco Gonzalez ’21 Deepta Gupta ’21 Lior Gurion ’22 Alexander Harasimowicz ’21 Matthew Harkness ’21 Kyra Heffernan ’21 Haley Herman ’21 Max Hines ’21 Greyson Humphrey ’21 Yana Jayampathy ’22 Sarah Jensen ’21 Philip Kimmel ’21 Maya Kini ’22 Olivia Lauri ’21 Taylor Le Lievre ’21 Xavier Lee ’21 Kathryn Lefever ’21 Sasha Leonard ’21 Kyle Mandell ’21 Matthew Mandell ’21 Emi McCarthy ’21
George Megdanis ’21 Jackson Merrill ’22 Jordan Miller ’21 William Murphy ’21 Eesha Narain ’21 Peter Nicholas ’22 Anna Owens ’21 Ryan Peacock ’21 Jesse Perlmutter ’21 Alexander Peters ’21 Angelina Pil ’21 Josep Pujadas ’21 Maisie Rochat ’22 J.B. Russo ’21 William Schnall ’21 Owen Sharp ’22 Alik Shehadeh ’21 Katia Soares dos Santos ’21 Benjamin Solo ’21 David Thurston ’21 Brian Villalta ’21 Ana Wilmer ’22 Frederick Xu ’22 36 AP SCHOLARS WITH HONOR Students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Yuto Abe ’22 Aadi Bhattacharya ’23 Harley Caggiano ’21 Christopher Casale ’22 Grace Casale ’22 Maxwell Comora ’21 Kelly Falcon ’22 Henry Featherston ’22 Tyfani Fennell ’22 Hudson Friedman ’22 Natasha Gilman ’22 Rubén Gómez ’21 Caroline Harkness ’22 Muhamed Ka ’21 Aisling Kernan ’21 Sean Kook ’22 William Kosann ’22
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Sriya Krishnan ’22 Samuel Kroin ’22 Charlotte Lee ’22 Rohan Malik ’23 Madeleine McCarthy ’21 Sofia Medina ’22 Raven Montagna ’21 Avery Moulle-Berteaux ’22 Alexander Nichols ’22 Amitav Nott ’22 Zachary Ong ’22 Devan Phelan ’22 Daniela Soto ’22 Ellie Stevens ’22 Jack Tinker ’22 Ella Weinstein ’22 Max Weinstein ’21 Reese Wolfe ’22 Marin Yearley ’22 51 AP SCHOLARS Students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. Magdalene Aideyan ’22 Charles Baxter ’21 Kyle Block ’22 Jessica Bobman ’21 Henry Burdick ’21 Mary Burdick ’22 Julia Carroll ’22 Baker Charbonnet ’22 Sydney Coffield ’21 Ethan Cohen ’21 Zachary Cornell ’22 Jack Cousin ’21 Scarlett Crakes ’22 William Cutler-Avizov ’21 Cade Dalton ’21 Elizabeth Dobi ’21 Jack Dunn ’22 Luca Franzino ’21 Julia Rose French ’22 Henry Friedberg ’21 Henry Geller ’22 Lourdes Geraldo Espinal ’21 Grant Halpern ’22
Maya Hirani ’22 Sebastian Jolly ’21 Sinclair Kennedy-Nolle ’22 Connor Le Lievre ’22 Oscar Mindich ’21 Kristina Montgomery ’22 Lucas Oddi ’22 Chidi Olewuenyi ’22 Jolee Pisacano ’21 Kyra Riedel ’21 Troy Rigby ’21 Chloe Robinson ’22 Sofia Rodriguez ’22 Sophia Salzman ’22 Isabella Sanchez ’21 Ibrahim Sidibeh ’21 Kaela Smith ’21 Amitav Suchdev ’22 Christopher Suter ’21 R.J. Thalheimer-Santamaria ’21 Jeffrey Tian ’22 Alden Tucker ’21 Mark Vollmer ’22 Arthur Wang ’23 Makayla Whealton ’21 Chloe Wise ’22 Ruth Zhao ’23 Ellie Zimmerman ’21 3 AP INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA Available to international students attending secondary schools outside the U.S. and to U.S. high school students applying to universities outside the country, the APID certifies outstanding academic excellence with a global perspective. Francisco Gonzalez ’21 Emi McCarthy ’21 William Murphy ’21 * College Board no longer distributes National AP Scholar awards. ** These lists reflect the College Board's AP Scholar reporting as of September 21, 2021
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2021 PRIZE DAY Rye Country Day School’s Prize Day ceremony was held virtually on June 7, 2021. We were thrilled to recognize our outstanding prize winners for their impressive achievements throughout the 2020-21 school year. Congratulations to all!
JAMES P. GODFREY H’95 AWARD Presented to students who have performed significant service on behalf of others. Yuto Abe ’22 Grace Casale ’22
UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS
DENNIS PARKER ’73 PRIZE Given to seniors who have made our school community more inclusive by celebrating diversity, raising awareness about issues of equity and social justice, and inspiring others to recognize the humanity of all people. Greyson Humphrey ’21 Eesha Narain ’21
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD Awarded to students who best exemplify the School’s sustainability initiative by seeking an understanding of the world around us, creating an atmosphere of environmental awareness, and promoting responsible stewardship of our planet. Ashley Hatstadt ’21 Phoebe Shapiro ’21
WILL MCCURDY ’05 AWARD Presented in recognition of courage, character, and commitment. Ibrahim Sidibeh ’21 Max Weinstein ’21
MARY ANN REICHHARDT MEMORIAL AWARD In memory of the School’s former Director of College Counseling. Given to a senior for a combination of outstanding academics and contributions to the School. Gideon Prempeh ’21
ALUMNI PRIZE The School’s highest honor, awarded to seniors who have made the most outstanding contribution to the life of the School. Deepta Gupta ’21 Alexander Harasimowicz ’21 Kyle Mandell ’21 HEAD OF SCHOOL'S PRIZE Given to students who model leadership, courage, or academic excellence. Kathryn Farrell ’21 Sasha Leonard ’21 Eesha Narain ’21 PARENTS ASSOCIATION PRIZE In recognition of exemplary personal growth and service to others. Liam Bieber ’21 Arly Rodriguez ’21 Katia Soares dos Santos ’21 GRETCHEN PULVERMANN ’30 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Given to an accomplished senior who will study performing arts in college. Sarah Jensen ’21
CLASS OF 2008 AWARD Given annually to ninth graders who have had the most positive influence in and outside of the classroom, noting their enthusiasm and dedication to school work and extracurricular activities. Aegus Kim ’24 Isabel Tiburcio ’24 CHRISTINE NELSON ’80 AWARD Presented to tenth graders in recognition of outstanding citizenship. Carter Appleyard ’23 Madison Danquah ’23
STEAM AWARD Presented to seniors who actively promote and inspire collaboration and display passion for design and creativity within the STEAM initiative. Deepta Gupta ’21 Josep Pujadas ’21
SENIOR DEANS’ AWARD Awarded to seniors who have made an outstanding contribution to their class and to the School during their senior year. Saliyah Muhammad ’21 Benjamin Solo ’21 R.J. Thalheimer-Santamaria ’21 THE SUPERINTENDENT’S AWARD Given by the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents to two seniors for high academic achievement. Kathryn Farrell ’21 Max Hines ’21 THE GLEN ROBERTSON AWARD (for Faculty) Rebecca Drago, Director of Public Purpose
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UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS BOOK AWARDS BROWN UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD Chidi Olewuenyi ’22 DARTMOUTH COLLEGE BOOK AWARD Jeffrey Tian ’22 HARVARD COLLEGE BOOK AWARD Jackson Merrill ’22 THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI BOOK AWARD Lior Gurion ’22 THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD Yana Jayampathy ’22 THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA BOOK AWARD Hudson Friedman ’22 WELLESLEY COLLEGE BOOK AWARD Magdalene Aideyan ’22 YALE UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD Maya Kini ’22
DEPARTMENT AWARDS ART LELIA CARTER BIRRELL ’68 AWARD IN 2-D Raven Montagna ’21 LELIA CARTER BIRRELL ’68 AWARD IN 3-D Angelina Pil ’21 LELIA CARTER BIRRELL ’68 AWARD IN PHOTOGRAPHY Chloe Wise ’22 LELIA CARTER BIRRELL ’68 AWARD IN VIDEOGRAPHY Max Comora ’21
ATHLETICS FAA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE Charles Allen ’21 Kathryn Farrell ’21
GLEN ROBERTSON MEMORIAL AWARD Given to students who have contributed most backstage to the School’s drama program. Greyson Humphrey ’21 Eesha Narain ’21
THE RICHARD LE MAIRE ’63 AWARD Presented to the senior boy who has contributed most to the School’s athletic program. R.J. Thalheimer-Santamaria ’21
DANCE AWARD Presented to students who have contributed most to the School’s dance program. Sydney Coffield ’21 Haley Herman ’21
THE MARY BORTON TROPHY Presented to the senior girl who has contributed most to the School’s athletic program. Harley Caggiano ’21
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
CLASSICS DEPARTMENT CLASSICS AWARD Andrew Felton ’21 LATIN AWARD Charles Allen ’21 Sarah Jensen ’21
COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE AWARD Cameron Goddard ’21 Anna Owens ’21 Rohan Malik ’23 COMPUTER SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Elizabeth Lee ’23 Anya Khemlani ’23
DRAMA & DANCE DEPARTMENT
SOPHOMORE ENGLISH AWARD Presented to sophomores who have excelled in the study of English. William Mahoney ’23 Nicholas Neshovski ’23 SENIOR ENGLISH AWARD Olivia Davis ’21 Sofia Fonti ’21 Sarah Jensen ’21 CREATIVE WRITING AWARD Sasha Leonard ’21 Arly Rodriguez ’21
HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT JOSHUA BENNETT ’06 HUMANITIES AWARD Lourdes Geraldo Espinal ’21 Katia Soares dos Santos ’21 CORNELIUS TACITUS PRIZE Presented to juniors who have excelled in the study of humanities. Magdalene Aideyan ’22 Jeffrey Tian ’22
V. JANET LOTT SPIRIT OF THE THEATRE AWARD Given to students who have contributed most onstage to the School’s drama program. Haley Herman ’21 Kyle Mandell ’21
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UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS continued MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT JUNIOR MATHEMATICS AWARD Lior Gurion ’22 Peter Nicholas ’22 SENIOR MATHEMATICS AWARD Deepta Gupta ’21 Anna Owens ’21 J.B. Russo ’21 ROBERT REESER MEMORIAL AWARD Awarded to the senior who has displayed a growing interest and talent in math over the years. Philip Kimmel ’21
MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT CHINESE AWARD Cameron Goddard ’21 FRENCH AWARD Kyle Mandell ’21 Katie Lefever ’21 SPANISH AWARD Jack Cousin ’21 Sofia Fonti ’21 Benjamin Solo ’21 MODERN LANGUAGES AWARD Alexander Harasimowicz ’21
MUSIC DEPARTMENT CHORAL AWARD Kyle Mandell ’21 Jolee Pisacano ’21 JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AWARD Cameron Goddard ’21 Deepta Gupta ’21 MUSIC AWARD Max Hines ’21 Sarah Jensen ’21
NATURAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT SENIOR SCIENCE AWARD Allen Dong ’21 Deepta Gupta ’21 Matthew Harkness ’21 Max Hines ’21
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2021 CHINESE AWARDS Middle School students participated in the National Chinese Essay Contest in October, and the results were announced in February. There are two levels of medal-equivalent recognition in the contest: Golden Apple and Silver Apple.
GOLDEN APPLE Connor Rusch ’25 Alexa C. ’26 SILVER APPLE Olivia Dittmann ’25 HONORABLE MENTION Leela Portny ’25 Zoe S. ’26
2021 GREEK AWARDS The 2021 National Greek Exam was taken by over 1,350 students from 170 universities, colleges, and secondary schools in the U.S. and around the world. Three RCDS Upper School students were named award winners.
BEGINNING ATTIC GREEK Red Ribbon (high honor award) Sofia Petricone ’23 INTERMEDIATE ATTIC GREEK Green Ribbon (merit award) Andrew Felton ’21 Green Ribbon (merit award) Ellie Stevens ’22
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
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NATIONAL LATIN EXAM The National Latin Exam (NLE) is administered annually to Latin students across the United States and around the world. The NLE is not meant to be a competition but rather an opportunity for students to receive reinforcement and recognition for their accomplishments in the classroom. This year, 48 RCDS students in Grades 7-12 were named NLE award winners across multiple levels of achievement.
MAXIMA CUM LAUDE SILVER MEDAL AWARDS INTERMEDIATE LATIN EXAM Sebastian Briano ’24 Anna Franzino ’24 Isabella Romita ’24 INTERMEDIATE LATIN READING COMPREHENSION EXAM Ronen Borkar ’23 John Moyer ’23 Natan Wiegenfeld ’24 ADVANCED LATIN PROSE EXAM Sarah Jensen ’21 ADVANCED LATIN READING COMPREHENSION EXAM Andrew Felton ’21
MAGNA CUM LAUDE AWARDS
MIDDLE SCHOOL INTRODUCTION TO LATIN EXAM MAXIMA CUM LAUDE SILVER MEDAL AWARDS Michael D. ’26 Andrew G. ’26 Lucius L. ’26 Harrison M. ’26 Theodore P. ’26 Danielle W. ’26
MAGNA CUM LAUDE AWARDS Artemis L. ’26 Winn M. ’26 Milin T. ’26 CUM LAUDE AWARDS Margaret B. ’26 Dylan F. ’26
MAXIMA CUM LAUDE SILVER MEDAL AWARDS Isabella Jolicoeur ’25 David Kern ’25 Margaret Nichols ’25 Aedan Pearl ’25 Emma Silberstein ’25 MAGNA CUM LAUDE AWARD Eve Shurslep ’25 CUM LAUDE AWARDS Daniel Madden ’25 James Murphy ’25 Margaret Owens ’25
UPPER SCHOOL SUMMA CUM LAUDE GOLD MEDAL AWARDS
BEGINNING LATIN EXAM SUMMA CUM LAUDE GOLD MEDAL AWARDS Nicky Smith ’25
INTERMEDIATE LATIN EXAM Jack de Haan ’24 Neil Noronha ’24 Sydney Snell ’24
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
INTERMEDIATE LATIN READING COMPREHENSION EXAM Zachary Ben-Meir ’23 William Mahoney ’23
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BEGINNING LATIN EXAM Ryan D’Ambrosio ’24 Caroline Kelly ’24 INTERMEDIATE LATIN EXAM William Fallon ’24 Ayush Maini ’24 Aditya Vyas ’23 INTERMEDIATE LATIN READING COMPREHENSION EXAM Adam Kern ’23 Lauren Kim ’23 Sydney Merrill ’23 Amitav Nott ’22 Sofia Petricone ’23 ADVANCED LATIN READING COMPREHENSION EXAM Charles Allen ’21
CUM LAUDE AWARDS INTERMEDIATE LATIN EXAM Penelope Brody ’24 ADVANCED LATIN PROSE EXAM Elizabeth Dobi ’21 Lucas Oddi ’22
SCRIBO LATIN COMPOSITION CONTEST The SCRIBO Latin Composition Contest challenges students to submit original literary works in the categories of prose, poetry, or comic. The theme of the 2021 contest was “famous ancient Mediterraneans.” Four RCDS Upper School students were among the contest winners.
PROSE CONTEST MAXIMA CUM LAUDE AWARD Sydney Snell ’24
MAGNA CUM LAUDE AWARD Neil Noronha ’24 CUM LAUDE AWARD Brynn Coady ’24 POETRY CONTEST CUM LAUDE AWARD Eva Salzman ’24
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NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Andrew Felton
Alik Shehadeh
David Thurston
Andrew Felton ’21, Alik Shehadeh ’21, and David Thurston ’21 were awarded scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. They were selected from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding national finalists. Scholarship recipients are judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Congratulations to our scholarship winners! Congratulations also to our National Merit Scholarship finalists, Liam Bieber ’21, Nicolas Briano ’21, Deepta Gupta ’21, Matthew Harkness ’21, Max Hines ’21, Josep Pujadas ’21, and J.B. Russo ’21. NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP Andrew Felton ’21 NATIONAL MERIT MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. SCHOLARSHIP Alik Shehadeh ’21 NATIONAL MERIT CARLETON COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP David Thurston ’21
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ADDITIONAL HONORS
Katia Soares dos Santos
THE ANITA AND BLAIR MAZIN SCHOLARSHIP, HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (HLAA) WESTCHESTER CHAPTER Katia Soares dos Santos ’21 received a scholarship from the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Westchester Chapter. The Anita and Blair Mazin Scholarships are awarded by HLAA Westchester to outstanding high school seniors and adults with hearing loss for the pursuit of a college degree or vocational training. Katia was one of three Westchester high school students who received the $1,000 scholarships, which are made possible by funds raised from Walk4Hearing, an annual national project of the Hearing Loss Association of America. Katia, who was recognized for her excellent academic record at this year’s virtual HLAA Westchester Scholarship Awards ceremony, will attend Harvard University this fall.
Lucas Oddi
HONORABLE MENTION IN THE NIH BRAIN INITIATIVE CHALLENGE Lucas Oddi ’22 received an honorable mention in the BRAIN Initiative Challenge: Considering Ethics During Brain Technology Development. Hosted by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health, the BRAIN Initiative Challenge is a competition for high school students with an interest in science, the brain, and the ethical implications of novel technologies being developed and applied to understand the brain and treat brain disorders.
Connor Rusch
SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION Written works by Connor Rusch ’25 and Juliette M. ’27 were among the pieces chosen for inclusion in the Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA) publication Selection of American K-12 Outstanding Chinese Works this year. The CLTA, which received a large number of submissions, described the selected works as “truly exemplary.” Juliette M.
Lucas’s essay, The Neuro-Social Dilemma, shared his perspectives on neuroethics, the relationship between ethics and advancements in brain science and technology. It was selected for honorable mention from over a hundred submissions from students across the U.S.
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
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OUTSTANDING PURPOSE-DRIVEN ENGAGEMENT
Eesha Narain '21 with Head of School Scott Nelson, Director of Diversity & Inclusion Ali Morgan, and Director of Public Purpose Rebecca Drago
Ellie Zimmerman
CERTIFICATE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT BY THE CONNECTICUT COMMITTEE FOR THE PRINCETON PRIZE IN RACE RELATIONS
RECOGNITIONS FOR VOLUNTEERISM AND PUBLIC PURPOSE
Eesha Narain ’21 was honored with a Certificate of Accomplishment by the Connecticut Committee for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations for her demonstrated commitment to advancing race equity and fostering positive race relations within the greater RCDS community. Eesha’s leadership through her program, the Coalition of Differences, earned her this prestigious honor. The student-led initiative, which Eesha developed in her junior year, promotes civil discourse and diversity
Ellie Zimmerman ’21 received three important recognitions for her dedication to public purpose and volunteerism. She was named a State Honoree in the 2021 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, America’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer service; a President’s Volunteer Service Award winner; and the recipient of Volunteer New York’s Youth Leadership Award. Ellie is the founder and CEO of the non-profit Interns 4-Good, which has motivated and mobilized thousands of high school students across the U.S. as volunteers who provide technology assistance to nonprofit organizations. In addition, the Interns 4-Good volunteer network has also offered technology, academic, and remote learning support to students, families, and educators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
of thought through facilitating conversations around complex and charged topics. The idea behind the Coalition is to provide students with space to practice engaging respectfully across differences and around complex topics characterized by debate and disagreement. Eesha is the fourth Rye Country Day student to be awarded the Princeton Prize in Race Relations, joining Ami Diane '17, Patricia Bautista '19, and Faith Hardy '19.
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Nolan James
Jackson Stein
Jaymin Ding
YOUTH PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE AWARD
CIVIL AIR PATROL SCHOLARSHIP
CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE WINNER
Nolan James ’22 received the 2021 J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award, a special student recognition from the Westchester County Health Board of Health. The Board selected Nolan as this year’s awardee because his volunteer efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to public health in Westchester County. Nolan organized a meal delivery program for Meals on Main Street in Port Chester (formerly Caritas of Port Chester). The deliveries, which came by bicycle and in reusable bags collected by Nolan, were made by a group of Nolan’s RCDS friends, with Nolan serving as the lead coordinator for this public purpose effort. Nolan’s dedication is an inspiring example of the RCDS motto, Not for Self, but for Service.
Jackson Stein ’22 was awarded a scholarship to attend the California Wing Cadet Conference, a national Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadet gathering held annually. Jackson, who is currently a CAP Cadet Staff Sergeant, served as a representative of the New York Cadet Wing in the NY-048 delegation. The four-day virtual conference, dedicated primarily to young members of the Civil Air Patrol community, consisted of over 100 different classes. Civil Air Patrol is America’s premier public service organization for carrying out emergency services and disaster relief nationwide. As the volunteer nonprofit auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP’s three missions are to develop its cadets, educate Americans on the importance of aviation and space, and perform life-saving, humanitarian missions. CAP’s transformative cadet program creates young aerospace leaders through a curriculum that focuses on leadership, aerospace, fitness, and character.
Jaymin Ding ’25 won the 2020 Congressional App Challenge for his district. The challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives. Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. Jaymin used the coding languages Swift and Objective-C to create CloudHanger, an app that provides users with instant ordering, tracking, and contactless payment with nearby Dry Cleaning businesses. The idea behind Jaymin’s app was to use technology to support local businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR CANDIDATES
Campbell Babiarz
Campbell Babiarz ’21, Kathryn Farrell ’21, Andrew Felton ’21, Francisco Gonzalez ’21, Matthew Harkness ’21, and Matthew Mandell ’21 were named candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars program, which recognizes the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. They are six of approximately 4,000 candidates selected from millions of U.S. high school seniors. Campbell Babiarz is an outstanding, thoughtful student with notable academic and extra-curricular achievements. While at RCDS, Campbell took a demanding curriculum with consistently stellar performance. A skilled athlete, he was a member of Lacrosse and Soccer teams, and he was nominated by his soccer teammates to Team Captain in the fall of 2020. Campbell was also an Oral Proficiently Intern (OPI), helping younger RCDS students in their study of Spanish. Actively committed to public purpose, Campbell also dedicated his time to a number of service organizations, including NBA Cares, Kids In Crisis, Adopt-A-Dog, and the Byram Shubert Library. Kathryn (Katie) Farrell’s impressive academic career at RCDS included an advanced and rigorous curriculum with a focus in computer science and STEM, as well as an independent study in computer hardware and logic. She was a leader within the RCDS community as Cross-Country Team Captain, a member of the Developers Club and Robotics Team, and a Peer Leader. Pairing her interest in computer science with her commitment to public purpose, Katie was selected as a Community Engagement Fellow in 2018 and taught coding and arduino classes at the Carver Center in Port Chester. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Katie's desire to give back prompted her to train to become a certified volunteer EMT.
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Katie Farrell
Andrew Felton is an accomplished student with consistently excellent academic achievements and a special interest in classics and the humanities. At RCDS, Andrew was a thoughtful contributor to class discussions and a leader at school and in the local community. He tutored Latin and Greek both at RCDS and Don Bosco Community Center in Port Chester. He also volunteered as a group leader and mentor to boys ages 5-15 at the JCCA (formerly known as Jewish Child Care Association) residential foster care/treatment program for children with emotional and developmental challenges, and he was a Special Olympics Unified Bowling Partner. In the summer of 2020, Andrew participated in the Shalom Hartman Institute, a leading center of Jewish thought and education, serving Israel and North America. Francisco Gonzalez is an accomplished critical thinker with a special interest in the humanities, namely philosophy, politics, and economics. Particularly interested in civic engagement, Francisco was a four-year member of the RCDS UN Club, serving as co-president since his junior year. A talented musician, Francisco was a member of Rye Country Day’s a capella group, the WildScats, and choir. He also volunteered in the RCDS A-Chord program, teaching piano and alto saxophone to elementary students at the Carver Center in Port Chester. In the summer of 2020, Francisco participated in The John Locke Program at Oxford, a ten-day residential course for students to study philosophy, politics, economics, and history. Francisco was also a four-year member of the Varsity Cross Country team.
Andrew Felton
Francisco Gonzalez
Matthew Harkness
Matthew Mandell
Matthew Harkness is a complex and broad thinker with exemplary problem solving skills. A top student at RCDS, he took the most demanding program the School has to offer, including BC Calculus and AP Physics MEM in his junior year. Having taken such a rigorous curriculum, he was able in his senior year to explore his broad range of interests, from AP Music Theory to the Advanced Topics in Computer Science course Coding for a Cause. In addition to excelling in STEM, Matthew is a talented writer and purposedriven in his pursuits—he hopes to choose a career that will make the world a better place. He is also a dedicated outdoor enthusiast who has enjoyed and grown from the physical and intellectual challenges and camaraderie that hiking and canoe trips offer.
Matthew Mandell is an exemplary student who excelled during his time at RCDS. His favorite subjects are mathematics and computer science, specifically pure or applied mathematics. Matthew plans to pursue collegiate study in the STEM field, and he has gained hands-on experience as a Software Engineer for Capitolis during school breaks. A talented trumpet player, Matthew was an RCDS Band Captain, and on the weekends, he studied music at Mannes School of Music’s high school program. Pairing his interest in music with a commitment to public purpose, Matthew volunteered locally as a music tutor through the A-Chord program. As a member of the Varsity Hockey team, Matthew’s enthusiasm and dedication also shone on the ice.
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MATHEMATICS NEW YORK MATH LEAGUE CONTEST
Over one million students from the United States and Canada participate in Math League Contests each year. Every contest has questions from different areas of mathematics. The goal is to encourage student interest and confidence in mathematics through solving worthwhile problems. Many students first develop an interest in mathematics through problem-solving activities such as these contests. TOP SCORERS AT RCDS 8TH GRADE 1st – Frankie H. '26, Milin T. '26 2nd – Andrew G. '26, Arav R. '26 7TH GRADE 1st – Xavier P. '26 2nd – Charles P. '26 3rd – Lincoln F. '26, Oliver S. '26, Evan R. '26, Harry H. '26 6TH GRADE 1st – Maya T. '27 2nd – Magnus R. '27 3rd – Emma M. '27, Max Maven A. '27 5TH GRADE 1st – Melody W. '28 2nd – Arianna Y. '28 3rd – Lilia S. '28, Catherine L. '28
AMERICAN MATH CONTEST The American Math Contest is divided into two levels: one designated for students through Grade 10 (AMC 10) and the other for students through Grade 12 (AMC 12). TOP SCORERS AT RCDS AMC 10 1st place - Andrew Zhang ’24 2nd place - Jaymin Ding ’25 2nd place - Charles Gao ’24 AMC 12 1st place - Rohan Malik ’23 2nd place - Allen Dong ’21 3rd place - Deepta Gupta ’21
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MATH OLYMPIAD
Last year nearly 170,000 students from 6,000 teams worldwide participated in the Math Olympiad. All 50 states and about 30 other countries were represented. TOP SCORERS AT RCDS 8TH GRADE 1st – Arav R. '26 2nd – Milin T. '26 3rd – Frankie H. '26 7TH GRADE 1st – Lincoln F. '26 2nd – Matthew L. '26 3rd – Xavier P. '26 6TH GRADE 1st – Maya T. '27 2nd – Sara d. '27, Emma M. '27, Felix M. '27 5TH GRADE 1st – Melody W. '28 2nd – Catherine L. '28 3rd – Arianna Y. '28 *Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
AMERICAN INVITATIONAL MATHEMATICS EXAMINATION The AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) is an intermediate examination intended to provide further challenge and recognition, beyond that provided by the AMC 10 or AMC 12, to high school students in North America who have exceptional mathematical ability. RCDS QUALIFIERS Rohan Malik '23 Allen Dong '21
MUSIC & DRAMA
Haley Herman
Allison Pearle
Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2021 who will be joining university music and theater programs in the fall.
Alexandria Dunkley
Jolee Pisacano
FOR THE STUDY OF DRAMA/ MUSICAL THEATER Haley Herman Tisch School of the Arts, New York University Allison Pearle Tisch School of the Arts, New York University FOR THE STUDY OF MUSIC PRODUCTION Alexandria Dunkley American University Jolee Pisacano Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University
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EXCELLENCE AND PURPOSE IN MUSIC
Ayush Maini ’24 and Emma M. ’27 each played violin in individual string quartets that won the VIVO International Music Competition in their age groups. Ayush's quartet, Highland String Quartet, played Barber: String Quartet in B minor, Op. 11, 1st movement, Molto allegro e appassionato and was named one of the First Prize winners in the competition. Emma’s quartet, Phillip String Quartet, played Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 76, No. 2 “Quinten”, 1st movement, was also awarded one of the First Prize winners in the competition. Emma’s quartet also took First Prize in the 11th NY International Music Competition. Ayush Maini
Emma M.
“Children who are passionate about both music and community service will use what we have, the gift of music, to help children in need around the world.” — Ayush Maini ’24 28 | Recognizing Excellence Newsletter 2021
In February of 2021, Ayush organized and produced the third Children Helping Children Benefit Concert, which featured performances by accomplished young musicians, including Ayush, Emma, and Emilie Ward ’23, with the goal of raising money for UNICEF. Ayush and Emma co-founded the annual benefit concert, which in 2019 and 2020 raised funds to support research and hospital care for children with cancer. Describing the goals of the 2021 benefit, Ayush shared, “In 2021, as we navigate these uncertain and unprecedented times, I felt it was more important than ever to do what I could to help children in need. With that in mind, we took a more global perspective and partnered up with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to support their mission of ensuring that no child suffers needlessly.” The benefit raised over $19,000, far surpassing the initial $10K goal.
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
2021 SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS Nine RCDS students were recognized by the 2021 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. A jury of leaders in the visual and literary arts blindly judge student submissions on the basis of the awards’ core values: originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal voice or vision. Student talent and skill are acknowledged by a Gold Key Award (top honor), Silver Key Award, or Honorable Mention. GOLD KEY Daniela Soto ’22 Photography: A Young Girl's Dreams Ruth Zhao ’23 Digital Art: Breathe SILVER KEY Ronen Borkar ’23 Personal Essay & Memoir: Love's Austere and Lonely Offices Emma Budke ’22 Photography: Quarantine Daniela Soto
Ruth Zhao
Ronen Borkar
Lucas Oddi ’22 Personal Essay & Memoir: Worthy Daniela Soto ’22 Photography: Dogtopia HONORABLE MENTION Emma Budke ’22 Digital Art: Emma Fashion: Newspaper Couture Ellen Chen ’24 Painting: Stuck
Emma Budke
Lucas Oddi
Ellen Chen
Celine Fong ’24 Photography: Peakside House Photography: Streets of Chinatown Photography: Swimming Lessons Ellie Stevens ’22 Short Story: Wu Changshuo Jeffrey Tian ’22 Illustration: Spare Some Change Ruth Zhao ’23 Digital Art: New York City
Celine Fong
Ellie Stevens
Jeffrey Tian
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ATHLETICS FAIRCHESTER ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION SCHOLAR-ATHLETES The Fairchester Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to senior student-athletes who have reached the highest academic standards while playing a minimum of two varsity sports and earning Fairchester Athletic Association AllLeague honors. During the 2020-21 school year, the FAA honored 12 student-athletes, including RCDS Wildcats Charles Allen ’21 and Kathryn (Katie) Farrell ’21. Both have attained academic excellence while also receiving All-Fairchester athletic recognition.
Charles Allen took six honors and seven AP courses during his Upper School academic career. He earned four varsity letters in both Football and Track and Field. He was an FAA AllLeague recipient in track and field in the discus, and he will continue his athletic career on the football team at Bowdoin College.
Kathryn (Katie) Farrell's academic program included six honors and nine AP courses. She was a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field teams since freshman year and served as captain of both teams. Katie earned All-League honors in cross country. She will attend Princeton University.
MARY BORTON TROPHY
RICHARD LE MAIRE ’63 AWARD
Harley Caggiano ’21, a three-sport captain, is described by her coaches as an outstanding athlete and leader. Harley received the Christopher Reeves Sportsmanship Award her sophomore year and was an All-League WHILMA recipient. In the fall of 2020, she was the recipient of the National Field Hockey Academic Award. Harley is a five-year letter winner in ice hockey, a two-year letter winner in field hockey, and a four-year letter winner in lacrosse. Harley received the Mary Borton Trophy for her outstanding contributions to the School’s athletic program.
R.J. ThalheimerSantamaria ’21 excelled at football, baseball, and wrestling. A three-sport captain, R.J. modeled the sportsmanship, competitiveness, and work ethic that transform an athlete to achieve their best. He earned All-League honors in all three sports, and he traveled to the NY State Wrestling Federation Championships as a junior. R.J. earned 11 varsity letters and was nominated to receive the 2021 Wildcat Award by his baseball teammates. He will continue his football career next year at Washington & Lee University. R.J. received the Richard Le Maire ’63 Award for his outstanding contributions to the School’s athletic program.
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Caroline Keating
NATIONAL FIELD HOCKEY COACHES ASSOCIATION HONOR
Harley Caggiano
RCDS Varsity Field Hockey players Harley Caggiano ’21, Caroline Keating ’22, and Olivia Lauri ’21 were named to the 2020 Keith Waldman – Optimal Performance Associates/NFHCA High School National Academic Squad. The High School National Academic Squad program recognizes high school seniors and juniors who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher through the first semester of the current academic year.
Olivia Lauri
WILDCATS CONTINUE THEIR ATHLETIC CAREERS IN COLLEGE CONGRATULATIONS to the members of the Class of 2021 who are continuing their careers as student-athletes at some of the finest colleges and universities.
Pictured above, left to right, from top: Charles Allen, Bowdoin College, Football Nicolas Briano, Tufts University, Rowing Ashley Hatstadt, Cornell University, Squash Philip Kimmel, University of Chicago, Football Dylan Lynch-Quiñones, Bates College, Football Anna Owens, Williams College, Rowing Gideon Prempeh, Howard University, Track & Field Arly Rodriguez, Bowdoin College, Track Kaela Smith, Williams College, Field Hockey Christopher Suter, Union College, Baseball R.J. Thalheimer-Santamaria, Washington & Lee University, Football
Arly Rodriguez
LEADER OF TOMORROW AWARD Arly Rodriguez ’21 received Armory Track’s Leaders of Tomorrow Award, recognizing exceptional academics, leadership, track and field performances, and coachability. Arly will continue her athletic career on the track and field team at Bowdoin College.
Charlie Keating
100TH GOAL Charlie Keating ’21 scored his 100th career goal during his final high school game against Hackley. His goals and overall performance helped lead the team to an exciting 13-12 victory. His 100 goals were scored in only three seasons. Charlie also received the Raymond R. Konopka Jr. Memorial Award, which is presented annually to the Boys’ Lacrosse player who best exemplifies the ideals of pride and dedication to the sport.
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