Trinity-Pawling Fall 2021 Magazine

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m a g a z i n e | fa l l 2 0 21 Trinity-Pawling School

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SAVE THE DATE, TRINITY-PAWLING COMMUNITY! We have some great plans for the 2021-2022 school year. We hope you’ll join us! For more information about these events, visit trinitypawling.org.

Mark your calendars for Trinity-Pawling’s traditional annual events: HOLIDAY RECEPTION AT THE HARVARD CLUB OF BOSTON December 6, 2021

HOLIDAY RECEPTION AT THE UNION CLUB, NEW YORK CITY December 13, 2021

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE WITH PARENTS AND COMMUNITY December 12, 2021

SPRING RECEPTION AT THE METROPOLITAN CLUB, WASHINGTON, D.C. May 5, 2022

COMMENCEMENT May 28, 2022 CLASS OF 2020 CELEBRATION June 4, 2022 HOMECOMING AND REUNION WEEKEND June 10-11, 2022

If you’d like to be on our event mailing list, be sure we have your current information on file. Please contact Janet Hubbard P’07 at jhubbard@trinitypawling.org or 845-855-4830. Note: Events subject to change if forced by the response to COVID-19. We look forward to connecting with you!

PRIDE PERSPECTIVES WEBINAR SERIES Join us throughout the year for our interactive webinars featuring experts from the Trinity-Pawling community. For the full list of webinar topics and registration information, please visit www.trinitypawling.org/pride-perspectives.

FAMILY TIES JAMES DESROSIER ’73 BRIAN DESROSIER ’76, P’09 BRIAN DESROSIER ’09

A MAN WHO KNOWS HIS “WHY” MICHAEL ACQUAAH-HARRISON ’21

EXTRA INNINGS MO VAUGHN ’86

FORWARD THINKING


Headmaster’s Message

Trinity-Pawling Magazine is published by the Office of Communications for alumni, parents, and friends of the School.

The Many Facets of Creativity

Headmaster William W. Taylor Director of Advancement Elly Erickson Director of Communications Judy Redder

The last art class that I took was in 8th grade. Previous to that, I loved art in elementary school. It was fun and something to which I looked forward. In junior high school, though, my feeling on art quickly soured. The reason for this sudden shift is that, in those two years, I was being graded in art class. Suddenly, my grades confirmed a belief that I was simply not very talented in art. From there, it was an easy extrapolation to conclude that I was not at all creative. From the time I was twelve years old until well into my adult years, I was convinced that I was not a creative person. I was stuck in a fixed mindset that was forged because the grades that I received as a 7th grader, given by a teacher whose name I forgot years ago, had the impact of forming a selfawareness that I lacked creativity. Then, in 2001, I was hired to lead a project to build a middle and upper school campus and its curricular, cocurricular, and athletic programs. For some reason, the objective of “building something” did not challenge my fixed mindset of not being creative. Building, in my mind, required hard work, perseverance, and discipline — all skills that I believed that I had successfully amassed through 13 professional years at Trinity-Pawling as a teacher and administrator. In reality, though, this project was creating something. It was a daunting, overwhelming, and deeply gratifying professional experience — one that revealed to me a totally different understanding of the creative process. One of the first revelations was that very few people can see things that do not yet exist. Most people, I discovered, had to see structures and proven track records of a school before they could trust that it would be anything else but an abject failure. Yet, there are people who can see a vision and

can be compelled by it if it is appealing. To be able to forge a vision for something that does not yet exist is a highly creative process. As such, the teachers that I hired and the families who enrolled in the first few years of that school’s existence proved to be highly creative and industrious people. Schools thrive when they are filled with creativity. The other significant revelation from this experience is that when building something new, one is actually relying on a process of synthesis. New initiatives are synthesized with more traditional practices to the point that they become distinctive to a particular program or a certain school. And, synthesis is also a highly creative process. So, despite the weight that I had ascribed to my junior high art teacher, I discovered in my 40s that I was, in fact, a fairly creative person. And, this new selfawareness was revelatory. Whether through Trinity-Pawling’s strong commitment to the arts or through the Practicum for Civic Leadership or through the new Institutes for Active Learning, TrinityPawling students are constantly exposed to opportunities to discover their creativity. As importantly, they are exposed to the powerful revelation that creativity can exist on many different levels and is directly linked to the powers of a growth mindset. This creativity, moreover, is a critical component of the School’s commitment to prepare its students to be leaders in an ever-changing world. For this reason, Trinity-Pawling is the next-generation school for boys. Onward!

Senior Writer Maria Buteux Reade Class Notes Editor Janet Hubbard P’07 Photo Credits Bizzy Amor Christine Ashburn Hayden Desmond ’23 Tom Kates Nicolle McDougal Connie Rafferty Copyright © 2021, Trinity-Pawling School Trinity-Pawling School 700 Route 22 Pawling, NY 12564 845-855-3100 www.trinitypawling.org

Trinity-Pawling School admits students of any race, color, creed, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs and athletic and other School-administrated programs. For Parents of Alumni – If this issue is addressed to your son who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office with the correct mailing address. Email alumni@trinitypawling.org or call 845-855-4829.

Follow Headmaster Bill Taylor’s blog: www.trinitypawling.org/headmastersblog

FALL 2021

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ta bl e of C on t en t s | FA L L 2021

Features DEPARTMENTS

2 THE SCROLL Broomball ... Rock Concert ... A Hole In One

5 A VIEW FROM THE QUAD Keegan Flynn ’10 is selling the cloud and working from home … A.J. McHugh ’95 is seeing the future … Michael AcquaahHarrison ’21 is a man who knows his “why” … Norman Schwartz ’10 is mastering freight logistics In the Classroom with Erin Smith and Tim Smith Newsworthy

28 Family Ties

JAMES DESROSIER ’73, BRIAN DESROSIER ’76, P’09, AND BRIAN DESROSIER ’09

5 Andrew Duplessie ’11 – The Entrepreneurial Mind

Faculty Minute with Tarik Smith The Big Picture: The Quad 2021

34 PRIDE ATHLETICS Sports Section Pride Spotlight: Mo Vaughn ’86

38 CONNECTIONS

8 Dylan Penebre ’01 – Recipe for Success 12 Francee Quinlan ’81 – Yes, Always Yes! 19 Yoon Keun Ane ’05 – Translator of Technology 24 Gavin Quinn ’05 – Playing Digital Defense ON THE COVER: Students enjoying the new quad gathering areas (L to R) Joe Porto ’22, Mason Clark ’22, Avery Ferraris ’25, Tony Gao ’22, Francisco Bendezu ’22, Mikey O’Rourke ’22, Robbie Accomando ’22, and Andrew Belcher ’23 Photo by Connie Rafferty

Jim Knowlton ’03 … 1,125 Reasons to be Grateful … Meet the Director of Advancement Elly Erickson Class Notes From the Archives: Frederic Duclos Barstow Memorial Science Building, 1937

54 END NOTE Rob Davenport Editor’s Note: All dates are subject to change if forced by the response to COVID-19.


the scroll T W I T T E R : F A C E B O O K : I N S TA G R A M

HEADMASTER BILL TAYLOR IS TWEETING — FOLLOW @TPSHEADMASTER!

“Happy to announce that the Board of Trustees have proclaimed that today (May 8) is the Coratti Family Day, in honor of the care and service that Dave and Debbie Coratti have given to the @TrinityPawling School community for the past 40 years!” — @TPSHEADMASTER

WE POSTED

A school year at Trinity-Pawling is not complete without a faculty broomball game in Tirrell Rink! After a safe and successful year of classes and community, it was the perfect way to celebrate together. To all of our faculty and staff, we extend a heartfelt thanks for your incredible commitment and hard work throughout this challenging year. We did it! #RiseToTheChallengeTP #TPcommunity “I’m routing for the ladies to clean up!!!!” — MRSKHAYWOOD

“We already know @samclougher94 took MVP.” — N1CKSELDEN

We want to hear from you! Follow us on social media! twitter.com/TrinityPawling twitter.com/TPSHeadmaster

youtube.com Trinity-Pawling School

facebook.com/TrinityPawling @trinitypawlingschool @TPrideHockey @TPridefootball @rollpridelax @tpridebaseball @trinitypawlingfarming @trinitypawlingsoccer

flickr.com/photos/trinity-pawling_school/sets/ linkedin.com /Trinity-Pawling Alumni

#

#RollPride #adayinthelifetp #tpshoutout

#tptraditions #ethosofeffort #beagentleman

We will consider all correspondence for publication unless you stipulate otherwise.

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Write to us: Trinity-Pawling Magazine, 700 Route 22 Pawling, NY 12564 Email: communications@trinitypawling.org For class notes and alumni matters, email alumni@trinitypawling.org


TOP 3 POSTS ON INSTAGRAM

Let’s hear it for all of our talented student-musicians who performed in the annual Spring Rock Concert over the weekend. They rocked Coratti Field! “These musicians have never shown more grit than they did with this year’s concert. I couldn’t be prouder.” — Mr. Kelsey, Director of Instrumental Music Way to go, gentlemen! #TPshoutout #EthosOfEffort “You rock!!” — OCATHY

“A fantastic night of live music!” — TPTHEATER

Last evening, Headmaster Bill Taylor and Jennifer Taylor welcomed the prefects to Gamage House for a spring advisor/advisee cookout! The group missed their fellow prefects Tommy Li ’21 and Kevin Zhong ’21, who are attending classes remotely this term. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, for hosting! #adayinthelifetp “Miss those.” — DARRENPALMER

Over the weekend, we kicked off our first-ever online student art auction: Campus on Canvas, featuring the beautiful work of Prefect Toby Berner ’21. As part of his Senior Independent Project (SIP), Toby spent the past year painting beloved buildings and areas here at Trinity-Pawling. Inspired to give back to the School, he asked that all auction proceeds be directed toward the Trinity-Pawling Fund. Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with our community, Toby.

“Great group!”

“Let’s GOOO Toby - rise advanced art!”

— TPTHEATER

— JASSSSON_J

“Happy young men! Awesome!”

“Toby is fierce! Such a talented and kind young man. Buy his art!”

— MONEILL89

“Studs.” — LUCAS.HUGHES4

— TPTHEATER

“Inspired SIP!” — CABQUAKER

“That is terrific!” — HOFFDADDY67

ON CAMPUS

The Farming Team may have been on summer vacation but it was still harvest time in the campus gardens! Coach Frost ’04 and his family brought in the first batch of fresh vegetables planted by the team in the spring, including Swiss chard, peppers, kale, cucumbers, tomatoes, and more! They were available for purchase by the #TPcommunity throughout the summer, and all proceeds help to fund the farming program for the upcoming year. Thank you, Frost family! #TPshoutout

FALL 2021

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TOP 3 POSTS ON FACEBOOK

We can't wait for nights like this on Coratti Field this fall! #FlashbackFriday #mytrinitypawling “Wow.” — PETER COLAVECCHIO

“Great photograph and how I wish I could have played on the field under the lights.” — PETER C. ZANELLI

“Awesome.” — MARY ELLEN WARNERO

TOP 3 POSTS ON TWITTER

Trinity-Pawling in Beijing! This group recently connected for a mini Trinity-Pawling reunion ... we hope you all had a great time, gentlemen! A special thank you to Alan Xu ’20 for sharing the photos. #TPbrotherhood

Congratulations to all students who earned a place on the Headmaster’s List for the Spring 2021 Term! Onward! #mytrinitypawling

The gathering included Alan Xu ’20, Tianwei Liu ’20, Kevin Yin ’20, Tian Yu ’20, Mike Yan ’20, Tommy Li ’21, Kevin Li ’21, Michael Geng ’21, Ledi Wang ’21, and Jack Chen ’23 “So good to see you all together!!!” — AMY FOSTER

“Nice!” — TOM ZARECKI

“That’s nutz, awesome but nutz.” — MICHAEL BURNS

“Not fair he can hit it that far!!!!!!”

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Let’s hear it for Nick Vega ’22 for his recent commitment to play baseball at New Jersey Institute of Technology (@ NJIT)! We can’t wait to see him back in action on the diamond this year. Congratulations, Nick! #TPshoutout #rollpride @tpridebaseball

— DAVID LINDSAY

“Probably an 8 iron for me!” — JOHNNY BOYD

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: A rising senior on the varsity golf team, Henry Hopkins ’22 recently made a hole in one on a 375-yard par 4! Well done, Henry! #rollpride #TPshoutout

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“That’s not that hard?” — WAYNE CONLAN

“Let’s go!!” — MATT COTÉ

“Not bad.” — PETER PESSOLANO

Let’s hear a roar for the Trinity-Pawling Pride on this #WorldLionDay! Just 34 days until the start of the Fall Term ... we can’t wait to see the Pride back in action! #ROLLPRIDE


A VIEW FROM THE QUAD The Entrepreneurial Mind ANDREW DUPLESSIE ’11 BY THE REVEREND DANIEL LENNOX

If there is one thing entrepreneurs have in common, it’s that they are all willing to try. The entrepreneurial mind gravitates towards ideas, creativity, and a will to turn an idea into an enterprise. Andrew Duplessie has these qualities in spades. “It’s tough to summarize my journey as an entrepreneur. All I can say for sure is that I’ve embarrassed myself enough that I’m sort of numb to it. You have to be willing to put yourself out

there. Release a product. Don’t hold it like a jewel. Take the tough feedback and use those data points to develop something important.” Duplessie might have had a few embarrassing entrepreneurial flops along the way, but mostly, he’s on a winning streak. Still in his 20s, Duplessie has dabbled in acting, appearing on the wildly popular show American Horror Story; he founded Tipster, a popular app incubated through Stanford University’s StartX program aimed at connecting users to style experts in the fashion industry; he’s a writer of popular horror stories; and currently he is the Chief Marketing Officer at Flowcode, a company that enables users to instantly connect with the digital world by scanning a QR code. “After COVID-19 hit, everyone was scanning,” reflected Duplessie. “We were at the right place at the right time with a great idea that could help people.” Duplessie has a lot churning in his entrepreneurial mind, but for him it’s perfectly natural. “I love watching. Sitting at a coffee shop and simply observing people has been instrumental in my journey. That’s when you get the best information as an entrepreneur.” A lot of people observe Duplessie, too. He has nearly half a million followers on Instagram, and he uses his online rapport to get direct feedback and data around certain ideas percolating in his mind. “When I pitch an idea to an

investor, I know in advance that I’ve got the feedback and data points. It’s really effective and cool,” says the former Founder-In-Residence at Science Inc., a venture capital and private equity firm focused on solving everyday problems. Duplessie graduated from Tulane University with a degree in finance and math. A few early post-graduation rejections in the world of banking set him on fire to go the start-up route. Since then, he’s never looked back. “Thankfully,” he reflects, “those early fails enabled me to get to a creative place, which is where I am most myself.” Duplessie credits his time at TrinityPawling as quintessential to the man he is today. “100 percent — my work ethic today comes from my time at TrinityPawling. When I look back on T-P — the group rating system was so critical. The dorms were great. Really, it was the greatest experience of my life.” Andrew Duplessie has a lot going on. He’s just finished a new book, Flowcode is launching a big commercial campaign, and he’s ruminating on other ideas that can help people make more sense of their lives. For the outsider, it’s a rather dizzying pace, but for Duplessie’s supple entrepreneurial mind, it’s just daily life on an exciting journey. “Entrepreneurialism is like a muscle,” he quipped. “You have to stretch, build, fail.” For Duplessie, the mental workout is pure joy.

FALL 2021

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

A CLOUD-BASED WORLD KEEGAN FLYNN ’10 BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

As the world shuttered in March 2020,

their basements, and that required paying

Keegan Flynn left his office at Oracle

outside contractors to maintain them.

Headquarters in Austin, Texas and never

Now everything is internet-based, with

returned. He quickly mastered the WFH

information securely stored in the cloud.”

(work from home) lifestyle, setting up his laptop and popping in ear buds from

education in selling cloud technology

“home” in New York; Mexico; Jackson

to large strategic enterprise accounts,

Hole and Big Sky, Montana; Salt Lake City

specifically Fortune 100 accounts. “Cloud

and Alta, Utah; and Steamboat Springs,

tech is so big, and as we know, there’s an

Colorado. Technology frees him up to

app for everything. HR software is not my

work — and play — from anywhere.

dream product, but I can take this skill

“You have to embrace tech to move

set and transfer it to anything I believe

forward,” Keegan Flynn says. “Even as a

in, from financial tech to some product

student, I was an early adopter of the Kurzweil assistive learning software at Trinity-Pawling. Tech is the future of everything we do, whether you like it or not, and cloud software is the heart of that future.” Flynn has worked for

“Tech is the future of everything we do, whether you like it or not, and cloud software is the heart of that future.”

Oracle since 2015, after earning

Competitive and determined by nature, Flynn relishes negotiating with his clients. “It’s like moving chess pieces on a board — I have to envision their next move and be prepared to adapt.” Flynn attributes part of his success to skills he developed at TrinityPawling. “The Effort System was my first crash course in politics. Learning to work

management from Wake Forest

with the system to get what I wanted taught

University. Flynn started his Oracle career

me strategic thinking, and developing a

as a Business Development Consultant

professional and trusting rapport with

and then as an Enterprise Sales

faculty enhanced my people skills.”

Representative. He currently manages

Advice for younger folks entering

a team of 10 sales representatives

the business world? “Identify potential

in the Human Capital Management

mentors and cultivate a solid rapport with

software group, focused on strategic

them. Think three steps ahead or you’ll

financial services and large enterprise

always be behind. Stay curious and learn

retail accounts. Some of his clients

as much as you can about your field.

include American Express, JP Morgan,

Imagine that someone is watching you —

Albertson’s, and Macy’s.

that will keep your moral code in line. And

had traditionally been strictly hardware-

TRINIT Y-PAWLING MAGAZINE

dealing with the ocean.”

his Master’s of Science degree in

“Prior to the cloud, business technology

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At Oracle, Flynn has gained a solid

write thank you notes.” Because in a cloud-based world, a

based. Companies had enormous

handwritten note keeps us connected

physical databases and processors in

while we WFH.


SEEING THE FUTURE

SEEING THE FUTURE A.J. McHugh ’95

BY THE REVEREND DANIEL LENNOX

When A.J. McHugh graduated from

in providing real-time notifications to

Trinity-Pawling in 1995, the world of

clients to help mitigate risk and to stay

cell phones and the internet was still

several steps ahead of issues that can

in its relative infancy. Phone booths

affect business or brand reputation. “In

could be found on street corners, and

today’s world, information proliferates

students still submitted handwritten

beyond just a physical plant of a

essays. Remember those days? McHugh

company. Dataminr enables clients to

remembers them all right, and he recalls

use technology to focus in like a laser

when everything started to change.

and ensure they stay ahead of the risk

“Once I saw that technology could help

in real time,” said McHugh. “It’s good for

me, the light went off. I was caught

the stability of the economy and for the

between a change in the times, and the

safety and security of the world.” In late

only way out was technology. Technology

December 2019, for instance, Dataminr

enabled me to scale way beyond myself.”

claims to have detected the first signals

After graduating from Franklin &

of the COVID-19 outbreak from public

Marshall College, and then receiving a Master’s degree in

social media posts. Since then, Dataminr has consistently

journalism from NYU, McHugh went to cover the headlines

provided information about pockets of outbreaks, product

for CBS News. Over the years, he watched as economic

shortages, travel restrictions, and government policy

pressures pushed news outlets to cut budgets and staff.

changes.

Gone were the days where any media network could afford

Today, Dataminr’s clients include CNN, BBC, the United

reporters in all corners of the world, but McHugh still had a

Nations, NYC Emergency Management, The Washington

job to do.

Post, and 650 other various organizations and newsrooms.

It was during this time that he realized there was a

Now, McHugh works with customers every day to help

faster, more powerful way to collect information than the

them get as much value from the platform as possible.

traditional hallmarks of a telephone call, a reporter on the

Most of the skills he uses were nurtured at Trinity-

ground, the Associated Press, or Reuters. McHugh started

Pawling. “Relationship building. Listening. Hashing out

to see the bigger board of what lay ahead in terms of the

ideas. Learning to work together, unlocking the mind,

technological boom that was about to break — he saw

learning history” were all features of McHugh’s daily life

the social media platforms that would eventually become

as a student, and he credits his time at Trinity-Pawling

normative in everyone’s lives. “Social media technology —

as instrumental in helping him find his passion for

getting images in the moment enables you to be right there

communication, information, and the desire to inform.

— front and center as a firsthand witness and viewer.” McHugh was right there. In 2014, he left CBS to join a start-up company called Dataminr, an artificial intelligence platform specializing

Our world has come a long way from the landline telephone and the typewriter. As a lover of history, McHugh likes to look back, but he also loves pushing forward because, as he put it, “the only thing consistent in life is change.”

FALL 2021

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS DYLAN PENEBRE ’01 BY KATE VENGROVE

In the heart of the pandemic, things looked bleak for the restaurant industry. Forced to shutter dining rooms and transition their business models, many establishments unfortunately closed either for the short or long term. Those that survived were able to adapt swiftly and adopt systems, protocols, and technology that allowed them to “serve up” their business in a new way. Enter Dylan Penebre and his company PointOS, a point-of-sale system for restaurants, bars, and clubs. Penebre’s company was able to provide just the right technology at just the right time for many small and mid-sized businesses. Add the company’s client-centric mission to the evolving needs of the industry and a very fortunate recipe for success was born. “We had been shifting our services and beta testing a cloud-based model of PointOS that extended into the hands of the consumer for a few years. In some ways, even though we didn’t know it, everything we were doing over

WHEN YOU’VE GIVEN YOUR ALL, YOU CAN RELAX AND LET GO

the past four years was enabling us to adapt and grow in this new economy,” Penebre states. Indeed, PointOS provided the perfect omnichannel tool for restaurants that suddenly needed to offer solely takeout or provide a hybrid of outdoor dining and to-go services. Instead of utilizing

OF THE OUTCOME, KNOWING

multiple platforms to manage the food ordering system

YOUR EFFORT AND HARD WORK

(i.e. Grubhub, Uber Eats), restaurants could streamline the

WILL ULTIMATELY BRING YOU TO WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.”

process with PointOS. With their technology, everyone from the wait staff to the customer can place orders via a QR code, online ordering app, or directly from a business’s website, completely “mobile-izing” the restaurant experience. “Our system allows multiple levels of interaction. You could have the traditional sit-down experience with waiter and bartender service, be at an outdoor table scanning a

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QR code, or be at home and utilize a

restaurant owners who were in tears.

just two months before graduation.

business’s unique branded website

They just didn’t see how they could

My father had recently died of cancer

to access a menu — all orders placed

survive or pivot from the way things

and I was devastated. Mr. Taylor and

go directly to the kitchen. For the new

were always done. My heart went

Mr. DeGrasse showed up at the wake

dining landscape, this flexibility is both

out to them, and it was rewarding to

with 10 of my friends from the School.

critically important and also a profit-

demonstrate how repurposing their

I still get choked up when I think of

driver,” comments Penebre.

investments to a new technology

that moment — it really symbolized

could bring in more business in the

everything that T-P is all about.”

To be certain, the success that Penebre and PointOS have experienced has been hard-won.

end,” Penebre reflects. His hard work, along with that of his

As far as skill sets and traits he’s carried with him, Penebre lauds the

Just as many businesses were forced

20-person team, has certainly paid off.

structure that Trinity-Pawling provides

to do at the onset of the pandemic,

PointOS product sales were up year

as well as the School’s Effort System,

the company needed to soul-search

over year in 2020, with business that

both of which he uses to manage his

and reorganize to pursue the best

they can depend on for a while longer.

time and expectations. “Everyone

path forward. “There was a lot of luck

It was a win-win — as the company’s

always wonders if they’re doing

involved,” Penebre shares. “Because

sales grew, more and more struggling

enough, right? The framework that

we knew there wouldn’t be a lot of

restaurants were able to reinvent

T-P instills helps to take some of that

new business for a while, we shifted

themselves and get back on their feet.

anxiety away. When you’ve given your

resources from sales and marketing

Now with the pandemic almost in the

all, you can relax and let go of the

to customer service. We hired many

rear-view mirror, Penebre has begun

outcome, knowing your effort and hard

new service reps who could assist

to plan for the future. “We’re currently

work will ultimately bring you to where

our clients as they adopted the

looking at larger restaurant groups

you need to be.”

technology.”

and making plans to reach out and

It’s been a humbling, yet heart-

Certainly, Penebre has given his

share the system with them. We’ve

all this past year, and he’s helped

warming endeavor. “I really struggled

really honed our business model over

countless small businesses to boot. A

at first with the idea of pushing sales

the past year and look forward to

win-win for sure! Kudos to him and his

during such a difficult time, until an

growing and expanding out.”

team on a job well done.

‘a-ha’ moment reframed it all — we

Penebre reflects on his time at

could help these businesses evolve,

Trinity-Pawling with emotion. “There

keep their doors open, and eventually

were so many important memories,

thrive. I had many conversations with

but one I will never forget happened

FALL 2021

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

Michael Acquaah-Harrison ’21 A MAN WHO KNOWS HIS “WHY” BY EMMA CHRISTIANTELLI

It’s not every day you meet an accomplished nineteen-year-old entrepreneur with his own start-up company. Michael Acquaah-Harrison is the creator and founder of the mobile app Eyewitness©, a safety-based livestreaming application for people in critical situations. Michael began his start-up venture in the summer of 2020, inspired to meet our society’s growing need for more safety and accountability. When he arrived at Trinity-Pawling for

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his postgraduate year, he continued to expand the application as part of his Senior Independent Project (SIP). “I created a Kickstarter campaign for the app during the summer before Trinity-Pawling. After reaching the full $15,000 funding in August 2020, I spent my postgraduate year managing the development of the application, communicating with backers, and planning advertisement campaigns in preparation for the launch,” he shared. In addition to earning a Diploma


“From teachers and advisors to coaches and college counselors, they all made a genuine effort to be a resource in any way possible. Their support meant so much to me.”

with Distinction (an honor given to seniors who showcase exceptional independence and determination throughout their SIP process), Michael also won the Baldwin Award at the Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony this past May. The Baldwin Award, established by Billy Baldwin ’79, is presented to a standout senior who demonstrates a clear drive and passion for his project, as well as a highquality final product and presentation. Michael checked all of these boxes — and then some. Now in his first year at Carnegie Mellon, studying business and finance at the Tepper School of Business, Michael continues to hone his entrepreneurial skills and ingenuity. A gifted basketball player, he is also a first-year starter for the Tartans. “While time management and good study habits are known to be important, I believe one of the secrets to success is understanding your ‘why.’ That’s being able to articulate the reason for what you do and what motivates you to give your best every day, in the classroom and on the court.” Since launching his start-up, Michael has certainly gained valuable insights into the business world —

lessons and moments he plans to carry with him from one project to the next. “I’ve learned to not be afraid to fail epically,” he laughed. “It’s not the success of a project or task that matters most; it’s the experience and the effort you put in to see it through. I’ve also learned that growth happens in unusual places. Businesses are constantly tested, challenges always arise. Figuring out how to properly react and tackle each obstacle is where we grow, both personally and professionally.” Looking back on his short but meaningful time at Trinity-Pawling, the young entrepreneur credits the School with helping him to sharpen his problem-solving and presentation skills. He is also grateful to the dedicated faculty whose support and encouragement made all the difference. “From teachers and advisors to coaches and college counselors, they all made a genuine effort to be a resource in any way possible. Their support meant so much to me.” On behalf of the Trinity-Pawling community, we wish Michael continued success — in class, on the basketball court, in business, and beyond. Get ready, Forbes Magazine. Michael is only just beginning.

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

YES, ALWAYS YES! Francee Quinlan ’81 (Mary Frances Matt) BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

An immaculate kitchen with gleaming

do that, you’re nowhere in design.”

counters devoid of clutter. A softly-lit

Quinlan always operates from a

dollar condos. We drive in many lanes: staging, designing, decorating,

living room in soothing tones accented

place of ‘Yes.’ “I’m a firm believer in ‘Fake

renovating, and move management.

by colorful pillows positioned just-so on

it ’til you make it.’” She attributes some

And fortunately, through one network

the designer couch. A spacious walk-in

of her confidence to her years at Trinity-

or another, we continue to get phone

closet with perfectly pressed clothes

Pawling. “As one of 20 girls in a school

calls. And our answer is ‘Yes, always

and a neatly organized shoe rack. Thick

of 300 boys, I had to step up and find

yes!’ Because you never know when

white towels precisely folded on a shelf

my voice. Finding your voice is power.

those calls may stop.”

in the primary bathroom suite.

Many times, I was the only girl in the

Quinlan and her husband of 29

classroom, so I quickly learned to make

years, Michael, live in Newbury,

last decade creating these domestic

my voice as strong as any of my male

Massachusetts. Their two children,

fantasies as a stager of luxury homes

classmates. I developed the confidence

Tucker, 26, and Maddie, 24, both live

for architects and developers in New

to find my lane and make my mark.

in Boston. In addition to tending her

England. In 2012, she made a bold leap

Trinity-Pawling is where I learned to

beautiful gardens, Quinlan fosters

and left the Boston head-hunting firm

navigate in a world of men, and that skill

baby Nubian goats for a dairy farm and

where she had been an integral player

has served me well in my subsequent

raises ducks, chickens, dogs, and the

to launch Ducks in a Row Design.

careers. I feel such gratitude for my time

classic barn cat. “I still get down and

at the School and for the relationships I

dirty just like I did as a kid growing up

made and maintain.”

in Pawling and riding horses with my

Francee Quinlan has spent the

“A friend asked me to stage a home in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and that started the ball rolling. Staging

In 2016, Quinlan brought on a

dear friend and classmate Andy Busby Rickert at Clover Brook Farm.”

wasn’t exactly what I had been thinking

business partner, Andrea Schaut. After

about, but I’d renovated my own home

staging homes on the North Shore, the

and done room redesign for many of my

duo decided to branch out. “We changed

energy? An avid skier and self-

friends. Staging a space creates a visual

our style from coastal to contemporary

proclaimed ‘cardio queen,’ Francee

fantasy that makes people’s dreams a

and started working with architects and

works out with her personal trainer

reality. A staged home is a wonderful

developers in Boston, Rhode Island,

five mornings a week. “Especially for

platform, it's my business card. And

Connecticut, and New York.”

an entrepreneur, self-care is non-

believe me, realtors come in and

“The first thing you learn: a stager

What’s the source of her boundless

negotiable no matter how stressed, busy,

scrutinize every detail, from bathrooms

doesn’t make money without their

or complicated life can get. I consider

and kitchen cupboards to walk-in

own inventory. So, we invested in four

myself the CEO of my own body and

closets. Part of decorating and design

warehouses of beautiful inventory

make each morning meeting mandatory.”

work is making the mundane beautiful

that would allow us to play with the

from a visual standpoint. And if you can’t

big boys, staging six to ten million

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With that, she sets the stage for her own success and health.


Problem Solved JOHN APPEL ’95 BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

In the 1995 Trinitannus, John Appel’s classmates voted him the Biggest Griper, a classification he admits he deserved. “At Trinity-Pawling, I learned I couldn’t just complain all the time; I had to find proactive ways to generate buy-in and work through the proper channels of engagement, such as student government.” Appel still maintains that rebellious attitude, but his gripes now center on information technology. “My job is to assess the flaws in a system and propose solutions on a corporate level.” He’s like an air traffic controller, hovering above the fray and looking at a macro level while overseeing teams who focus on the granular. After graduating from Pratt Institute in 1999, Appel launched into graphic design. That’s where he became the default IT problem solver. “In the studio, if we had a printer or a computer that wasn’t working, or the WiFi was slow, I tended to be the one to figure it out.” He discovered he enjoyed this kind of problem solving and systems thinking, so he transitioned from design into information technology. In 2006, Appel joined Apple Inc. and spent a month at their Cupertino headquarters, receiving technical training, learning customer service

best practices, and gaining certification across all of their platforms. Appel spent the next six years working for the company in their New York City offices where he revamped local operational workflows. “As an operational lead,” he explains, “I learned that the challenges one finds within information technology are often more process-oriented than technical. For example, when dealing with on-site warranty repairs, how could we circumvent service bottlenecks more effectively? Did we staff manpower accordingly or have the necessary allotment of parts on hand?” Appel continued this trend on process design and implementation at Alice & Olivia (2012-2014), Gawker Media (2014-2016), and AGT International (2016-2018). He’s currently with The RealReal, a luxury consignment organization of more than 4,000 employees. As IT manager for a support team of 45, he leads 12 direct reports. “The opportunities for process improvements and technical implementations have gone to warp speed,” he observes. Appel credits his abilities to meet these challenges with having learned effective ways of communication — and learning, by mistake, the ineffective channels of communication — during his days at

Trinity-Pawling. So what appeals to Appel about information technology? “IT involves problem solving, critical thinking, and communication. I have to convey what’s happening technically in layman’s terms. I also need to be able to shift from micro to macro to assess the root of the problem and grab tangible data that proves my point. For example, The RealReal proposed giving everyone in retail a company-issued cell phone so they could establish a VIP relationship with their customers. That sounded like overkill to me since those calls could be made from the store phones. Not to mention the significant costs with buying the phones, services, and all the security behind it. I pulled up the metrics from AT&T and saw that 95% of the employees who had these phones used them for less than 15 minutes a month. The tangible data proved the impracticality of the concept.” “Saying no isn’t easy,” Appel concludes, “and people may see me as combative or deliberately causing problems. However, I just try to fix operational problems that are wasteful to the business. As I learned at Trinity-Pawling, you can either complain and achieve nothing, or use the proper channels of engagement and make change.” F A L L 2 0 2 1 13


IN THE CLASSROOM

ERIN SMITH AND TIM SMITH A DYNAMIC DUO LEADING THE COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT BY EMMA CHRISTIANTELLI

“I BRING STORIES AND LESSONS FROM MY PRE-TEACHING CAREER INTO MY PROGRAMMING CLASSES ALL OF THE TIME. THIS WAY, OUR STUDENTS SEE HOW THE SUBJECT WORKS IN LIFE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.” —TIM SMITH

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Hands-on. Collaborative. Real-world problem solving. With a new school year underway, the computer science classrooms in the Dann Building are brimming with this type of active learning. Just ask Erin Smith and Tim Smith, Trinity-Pawling’s newest computer science and math teachers who joined the School community this past August. In addition to sharing a last name — but no, they are not related — Erin and Tim also share an energetic, innovative teaching style, and an exciting vision for the computer science department at Trinity-Pawling. “In both math and computer science, I teach the material the way I wish it were taught to me in school: with energy, creativity, and a dose of reality,” began Erin, an experienced educator and web developer, who also serves as the Academic Technology Coordinator. “It’s so important that our students see the realworld application of the programming and coding concepts they are learning. It helps them to discover the path they may want to take, and the skills they’ll need to get there.” Backed by a 25-year career in the private sector as a software engineer, and a 10-year education career to boot, Tim takes the same real-world teaching approach. “I like to think of myself as an ‘edutainer’ — that’s an educator and an entertainer,” he laughed. “I bring stories and lessons from my pre-teaching career into my programming classes all of the time. This way, our students see how the subject works in life beyond the classroom.”


Through courses ranging from foundational to Advanced Placement, Erin and Tim challenge their students to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. “In this day and age, when mobile apps are a dime a dozen, things may seem ‘simple’. But there is so much work and innovation behind the process,” shared Tim. “I want our students to understand these complexities. It helps them to appreciate the devices they use every day, gain a greater respect for the industry, and learn what it takes to be successful.” “I believe the computer science industry cultivates lifelong learners,” added Erin. “It’s ever-evolving, and everywhere you turn, there’s more concepts to learn; more skills to build on. I want to inspire our students to be a part of that growth in the world.” She also recognizes the value of being a female computer scientist teaching young men. “In a male-dominated field, I’m thrilled to represent women in STEM and show that we can — and do — make a difference.”

Looking to the future of the computer science department, Erin and Tim stay focused on keeping the curriculum fresh and relevant. “What resources can we tap into? How can we make this project more challenging? We are constantly reimagining the possibilities,” explained Tim, his voice crackling with energy and new ideas. And although their work revolves almost entirely around screens, Erin and Tim also encourage their students to have a healthy technology-life balance — a concept they teach by example. “There’s much more to life than screen time. It’s so important to round it out with other experiences and hobbies,” they said, sharing a few of their common interests: playing guitar, cooking, and traveling. When not teaching, programming, mentoring, or coaching, Erin is also training in mixed martial arts, and Tim enjoys solving sudoku and word puzzles. We’re excited to see what this dynamic duo will do next.

“In both math and computer science, I teach the material the way I wish it were taught to me in school: with energy, creativity, and a dose of reality.” —ERIN SMITH

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

AJ Keller ’10 DREAMING THE FUTURE OF INTEGRATIVE TECH BY CYRUS ROTHWELL-FERRARIS

AJ Keller dons his own crown as he Keller’s childhood home was heads a growing company with a filled with computers in a time novel product that is flying off the before laptops and smartphones. In 20 years, people will be shelves. Although Keller is still at The early exposure to technology wearing computers on their the beginning of his professional helped him get comfortable heads — it’s just inevitable. journey, his dream has crystallized dismantling and rebuilding into early, tangible results. Keller computers, simultaneously In 20 years when you ask and his company, Neurosity, highlighting the technological people about their have created a wearable headset shortcomings of many computer computer that houses EEG sensors interfaces. computer experience, it and an onboard CPU. Once Keller enrolled at Trinity will be invisible, it’ll be Today, Neurosity is “hyperPawling, he was already a computer focused on focus” as its main whiz. “I built a VPN connected to unique to you. marketing strategy, helping people my home so I could get unrestricted “shift into focus” using EEG internet,” he explained. “Friends feedback to control Spotify music. would get a virus and I could turn Computer-learning algorithms recognize individual brainwave their computer around in 6 hours. I loved when people gave patterns that indicate flow-state, allowing for feedback on focus me the opportunity to take apart hardware.” as soundtracks train the user’s brain towards longer and more Inevitably, Keller found Van Metcalf (recently retired consistent periods of flow. “A Crown is not just a luxury or a computer science teacher) in his computer lab in the basement bonus,” Keller said. “We can increase your focus over time. All of the Dann Building. “Mr. Metcalf was the dude,” Keller we have to do is give you a push.” said. “His little office was incredibly similar to my lab style:

16 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E


cramped, tech everywhere, never throwing anything out. I loved the place.” Keller soon found out that computer programming could fulfill a language requirement. “Mr. Metcalf immediately offered to have me sit in his office every day to study his book as an accelerated class. I really fell in love with it.” The impact of Keller’s time with Trinity-Pawling’s computer expert went beyond technology. “Mr. Metcalf set the example of teaching others as a way to learn. He taught me that I was good at teaching other people.” “Gurus like him helped me time travel,” Keller explained. “You could absorb their 20 years of knowledge in six months — that takes you from fundamentals to applied. I’m so thankful for the instruction and time that teachers have given me.” So why did Keller build a company that makes computer headsets? Coming out of Clemson University, Keller was recruited to what he thought was his dream job as an engineer with the aviation giant Boeing. In his first year, he had put in countless days measuring robots’ machine-drilled holes in metal components. He explained that working with manufacturing robots was both tedious and dangerous, and he couldn’t stop his imagination from whirring. “If we could just think one thought with these robots, the whole world would change.” Keller felt like he had always achieved his goals, so he set out to do something impossible. A zero to one product was integral to this outlook — Keller wanted to start a company that built something that had never been seen before. “Neurosity is offering the first product of its kind,” he said. Keller sees so much possibility beyond the early stages of his one-of-a-kind company. “There are more people who stink at tech than are good at tech,” he lamented. “People say, ‘I’m not good with technology’ — but what if the whole family could use tech at a high level?” “In 20 years, people will be wearing computers on their heads — it’s just inevitable. In 20 years when you ask people about their computer experience, it will be invisible, it’ll be unique to you. That will eliminate the phrase ‘I’m not good with technology.’ Eventually, when I’m old and sitting in a retirement home, I can still be in touch with my family by comfortably using technology.” Features like “think-to-scroll” and “think-to-text” will open up the floodgates for this new mode of interacting with our computers. Machine-learning can pave this path — as the computer responds to brainwave data, humans can use technology more seamlessly than ever before.

From brain data to metadata, the Crown is personalized to each individual. Neural activity is captured by the electrodes as electrical impulses. Less than one millisecond later, the data is received by the Crown and instantaneously processed into meaningful scores like focus, calm, and kinesis.

“I think I use what I do as a way to protect my own mental health. I’m doing what I want to do every day. And I am very grateful I have gotten to a point where I get to do what I want to do, tomorrow.” The first 60 builds of the Crown were assembled by Keller and his girlfriend in a clean-room woodshop in Brooklyn, but Keller has outsourced manufacturing for this fall’s shipment of 1,000 units (pre-orders have already sold out, sorry…). The company looks to grow 5 times in 2021, and even more in 2022, aiming for a $100 million valuation by the end of next year. Keller said he often thinks about the TrinityPawling motto: ‘To whom much is given, much will be expected,’ saying, “I can impact the world. I’m now in a position to practice philanthropy in a way I never was before.” “Perfection is possible,” he concluded. “We are going to build the best brain computer interfaces and neuropowered applications. For now, we are the headset of choice for all who seek to understand themselves, but we are designing for the future — we just want to put computers on people’s heads.”

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

Norman and fiancée Jessica Wolf will be married in April, 2022.

MASTERING FREIGHT LOGISTICS Norman Schwartz ’10 BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

Unless you grew it in your garden or caught it in the wild, everything in your house was probably shipped on a freight truck. Fortunately, people like Norman Schwartz drill down on the logistics that get those products off a loading dock, into a truck, and onto a highway. Schwartz started with a freight brokerage in Austin, Texas after graduating from the College of Charleston in 2014. “My job was to find trucks for shippers. But I knew nothing about transportation logistics.” Nevertheless, he quickly saw the inefficiencies. “Brokers are on the phone all day trying to match loads with trucks, and the typical legacy freight brokerage moves only about three shipments per day per operational head.”

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By 2015, a handful of start-ups were building technology that allowed trucking companies to use an app to book and track shipments. Schwartz saw the potential and realized the freight brokerage where he was working was headed in the wrong direction. So he switched gears, moved to San Francisco, and hopped on the Silicon Valley train. In January 2017, Schwartz landed a job with Uber Freight. “There were 30 of us on the team, and we were moving 50 shipments a day. The company now has more than 1,100 employees with a $1.4 billion annual revenue.” Schwartz serves as a senior enterprise sales executive. Uber Freight works with enterprise companies (i.e. Anheuser-Busch, International Paper Company, Target, Coca-Cola) that move a million

truckloads a year and with small-tomedium businesses that move 15 loads a year. “My largest customer is an Irishbased company that manufactures cans and bottles. Any bottle of wine or can of beer you’ve had probably came from this company.” 90% of the freight companies in the United States are small operations that run a fleet of one to six trucks. The pandemic has had a seismic impact on the trucking industry and disrupted the entire supply chain. “There’s a shortage of trucks to begin with,” Schwartz notes, “and now it’s even worse. The cost to transport goods has increased 30% since 2020; it’s pure supply and demand.” The master of freight logistics sums it up. “The practice is still the same: match the truck with the load, pick it up, and deliver it on time. However, by moving logistics onto a cloud-based platform, we can schedule and move truckloads of freight using real-time information, and we eliminated the army of people on the phone. I can monitor the location of every load across the U.S. with our track-and-trace technology, and our customers can log into our portal and see exactly where their shipments are. Uber Freight is at the forefront of the digital transformation of transportation logistics. It’s all about connecting and being able to access everything you need in one place.” “We’re applying high tech to solve everyday problems related to how the world moves goods. Being part of a team that has scaled operations and built technology as quickly as we have has been an invaluable experience for me, and I feel like I’ve earned an MBA just by paying attention.”


Translator of Technology YOON KEUN ANE ’05 BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

Every company has its own style of

to write a paragraph, reduce that to

delivery speed increased by 12% for

communication: some terse, some

a single punch line, compress it to a

those whose packages traveled via

verbose. Yoon Keun Ane experienced

phrase, and ultimately a single word.”

the new air solution. And in a company

this range in his time with three of the

And Amazon? “Jeff Bezos embraces

driven to make customers happy, that was huge.”

world’s tech giants. After graduating

the 6-page document that forces the

from Columbia in 2010, he worked

author to think logically and write

at Samsung then interned at Apple

clearly to pitch an idea, without visuals.

as a senior product manager in the

while pursuing his MBA. In September

That document undergoes a series of

Alexa shopping division working with

2019, he moved to Seattle as a senior

peer reviews, critiques, and intensive

software developers focused on the

program manager at Amazon.

revision, advancing through the ranks

grocery reorder space. “Using speech

until it arrives at leadership level. By

recognition technology and machine-

schooled in brevity. Steve Jobs and Tim

then, we have analyzed the proposed

learning algorithms, your Echo device

Cook liked keywords, opting for a single

idea from every possible angle.”

offers recommendations for what

His takeaway? “Apple employees are

word to explain the company’s goals and the customers’ needs. We learned

Ane spent two years as a senior

Starting this fall, Ane will serve

you need to reorder based on your

program manager in Amazon’s supply

purchasing history. Our goal is to build

chain logistics. “Our job was to ensure

new features and user interfaces to

the transportation network was

make that reorder experience simple

optimized and that we had the capacity

and easy for the customers.”

to fulfill the customers’ needs.” In other

Ane reflects on how Trinity-Pawling

words, get the package to the doorstep

helped shape the course of his life. “I

faster and on time.

came to the United States in 2001 not

One of Ane’s 6-pagers resulted in a

speaking English or knowing anyone.

transportation solution that improved

Trinity-Pawling gave me the confidence

the speed of air shipments. Although

to embrace a new culture, develop

Amazon operates 70 aircraft to ship

lifetime friendships, graduate from

across the United States, ground is

Columbia, and find the jobs I want. And

still the faster and more preferred

I’m pretty sure my writing has improved

shipping method because the ground

over the years as well!”

packages can get to customers within

“I work at a tech company,” he

24-48 hours from hundreds of local

concludes, “but don’t consider myself

warehouses across the country. “Air

a techie. I’m not a programmer or

shipment took more than two business

engineer. My role is to translate the

days, and I came up with a solution

tech into something the customer

that reduced the delivery to less than

needs.”

two days. Customer satisfaction with

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

Newsworthy fAcult Y honoRs

quoted

“ We’re here, both in person and

broadcasting around the world. We have completed this year and have gathered to celebrate the milestone of the Commencement of the Class of 2021! Can I hear an Amen!”

—Headmaster Bill Taylor, said at the Commencement Exercises 2021. He went on to salute the faculty and staff of Trinity-Pawling for their courage, stamina, and perseverance — and for leading the charge and pulling the community through to that joyous day. on c Ampus

TRINITANNUS DEDICATION During the 2021 Trinity-Pawling yearbook dedication and Stepping Up ceremony in May, Head Prefect Peter Claro ’21 announced, “The 2021 Trinitannus is dedicated to Dr. Glenn ‘Doc’ Mandigo!” An excerpt from the yearbook dedication reads: “This year’s Trinitannus is dedicated to a member of the faculty who brings a smile to everyone’s face, whether on the field practicing, in the classroom, or in the dining hall hearing his joke of the day! This lifelong learner earned a BS, an MBA, Masters, and PhD in Chemical Engineering before returning to the classroom to be a part of students’ growth and transformation in the Math Department here at Trinity-Pawling. Doc is one of the most genuine people on campus. He is always ‘for the boys!’” Congratulations, Doc!

MEET THE PREFECTS Congratulations to the prefects of the 2021-2022 school year — we welcome your leadership on campus! Seniors (L to R): Ryan Walker, Mason Clark, Francisco Bendezu, Head Prefect Joseph Porto, Mikey O’Rourke, and Tony Gao. Junior Prefect Robbie Accomando is not pictured here.

PUBLISHED

A NEW BOOK RELEASE FOR CHRIS KELSEY

Director of Instrumental Music and talented author, Chris Kelsey, just released his newest novel, Ain’t Nothin’ Personal, as the third volume in his mystery series! Sublime Book Reviews calls it “another not-to-be-missed installment in the Emmett Hardy series: witty, fast-paced, and irresistible.” To learn more about the series or to add Ain’t Nothin’ Personal to your bookshelf, visit www.chriskelsey.com.

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COMMUNIT Y

THE ART S

Trinity-Pawling’s dedicated college counseling team has an individualized, student-centered approach as they thoughtfully guide each student through the college selection process — from researching and visiting (virtually and in-person) to applying and interviewing. As the recent graduates from the Class of 2021 can certainly confirm, the team worked tirelessly to make their college application experience efficient, focused, and rewarding.

ON STAGE

Here is the matriculation list for the members of Trinity-Pawling's Class of 2021. We wish our recent graduates all the best in college and beyond, wherever their paths may take them! Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) Belmont Abbey College Boston College Carnegie Mellon University Champlain College Connecticut College Cornell University Curry College Dartmouth College Denison University Drexel University Fordham University George Washington University Gettysburg College Haverford College High Point University Hobart William Smith Colleges Howard University Indiana University-Bloomington Johns Hopkins University Lehigh University Long Island University Loras College Loyola University Maryland Marist College Michigan State University Misericordia University New York University North Carolina State University at Raleigh Pace University Pennsylvania State University

Providence College Quinnipiac University Rochester Institute of Technology Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Samford University St. Lawrence University Stony Brook University SUNY College at Potsdam SUNY Polytechnic Institute Susquehanna University The University of Arizona The University of Tampa Trinity College University of California-Berkeley University of Colorado Boulder University of Florida University of Kentucky University of New Haven University of Rhode Island University of Toronto University of Washington (Seattle Campus) University of Wisconsin-Madison Vanderbilt University Villanova University Wagner College Wake Forest University Wesleyan University West Point, United States Military Academy Western Connecticut State University

To cap a year absent of indoor theater productions, Trinity-Pawling’s drama students performed Monty Python’s ‘The Edukational Show’ in May 2021. The series of skits, music, animation, and shorts from the original Monty Python show pushed the audience to consider the absurdity of the mundane. Jackson McAvoy ’21 finished a wonderful Trinity-Pawling Theater career as a leader on stage with a performance that captured the audience and sparked belly laughs throughout the theater. The Kathleen Claypool Prize for Dramatic Arts winner Kyle Tanner ’21 showcased his humor and command of the British air. Christian Strader ’21 showcased his beautiful voice, belting alongside youngsters Phuc Vu ’22 and Junyoung Park ’22 about the deliciousness of SPAM in their onstage Trinity-Pawling debut. Max Camaj ’23 and Daniel Lisanti ’22 also made their premier appearances on stage, establishing a promising future for more laughs, and tears, in Gardiner Theater. Assistant Director Joe Osborne ’21 finalized his creative and thoughtful Trinity-Pawling Theater career with the successful show. A special thanks is deserved for Mr. Burnham’s direction, Mr. Bresler’s sound and lighting design, and Mr. Templeton’s musical direction.

quoted

“You will have a lot of “next games” in life. And of course, I’m not just talking about athletics. How are you going to approach the next game? Everyone has the will to win, but not everyone has the will to prepare. Graduates, you have the dedication and resilience to prepare for your next game. Thank you, Class of 2021, for all of your great contributions to Trinity-Pawling and best of luck to you in your next game and next chapter of your journey. Roll Pride!” —Dave Coratti P’08, said in his address to the Class of 2021 at the Commencement Exercises in May.

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faculty minute

Court Vision TARIK SMITH BY THE REVEREND DANIEL LENNOX

Throughout his college basketball career, Tarik Smith was the go-to point guard who possessed the unique gift of seeing how the game was going to unfold. In basketball parlance, he had court vision, and he knew how to push all the pieces together and pull out all the gifts of those around him for the win. Now, as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Self-Awareness (DEISA); the head varsity basketball coach; an English teacher; and as a leader in entrepreneurism as it relates to the newly-minted Institutes for Active Learning; this is how Smith intends to approach his professional life. “I’ve learned you can do many things and be successful. Forward-thinking leadership means wearing many hats. It’s a holistic approach to learning — being exposed to multiple things — that produces opportunity and change and the desire to have the ball in your hands late in the game.” 22 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E


Smith joined Trinity-Pawling this fall from the Winchendon School where he taught in the Humanities Department, the Service and Impact Learning program, and served as an assistant prep basketball coach. A graduate of Tufts University, Smith studied English and Entrepreneurism while captaining the Jumbos to some of the school’s most successful seasons, including advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2016. “I scored 1,000 points, but that was just a little part of my role. Being part of the team and the community exposed me to the idea that you can do multiple things through collaboration, teamwork, and creating spaces for transformation.” Prior to his time at Tufts, Smith was a standout student-athlete at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. “I arrived at St. Paul’s from the Bronx, New York, where I grew up. It was a bit of a culture shock, for sure, but ultimately I learned about the power of empathy, adaptation, and community.” As a result, Smith sees the world as linked inextricably together. His vision for his role at Trinity-Pawling is to approach each day as a point guard approaches a basketball game: recognize opportunities, listen to the voices, be accountable to one another, teach, find new ways of doing things, be vocal, lead the way, and weave everything together to create a high percentage shot for powerful change.

“I always played basketball with intention, accountability, and the understanding that every voice on the team mattered. Being part of the Black community, and the BLM movement, I understand the importance of such diversity and inclusivity. I want to create spaces of accountability and set goals oriented toward transformational growth that are achievable, and in striving for those goals, develop a self-awareness that cultivates an equal environment for all. It’s not just one person. It’s an entire community that will foster change.” Smith is a leader. He’s the player you want on your team, and sure, he can take the winning shot. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands when the game is on the line, but — at this stage in his journey — he’s ready to pass his leadership, talent, and wisdom to the community of students, faculty, and staff of Trinity-Pawling. Tarik Smith sees an opportunity for growth, collaboration, and transformation, and as the Director of DEISA, an English teacher, and the varsity basketball coach, he’s ready to lead Trinity-Pawling to new places and positions of potential. He’s got court vision — but he has a grander vision too: a vision of a better world.

“I’ve learned you can do many things and be successful. Forwardthinking leadership means wearing many hats.”

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

PLAYING DIGITAL DEFENSE GAVIN QUINN ’05 BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

Life often sends us on unexpected paths. For Gavin

In 2020, he joined 360 Privacy, a boutique

Quinn, he planned to become a police officer but diverted

cybersecurity shop started by another Green Beret who

course and ended up as a Green Beret. “It’s actually

had developed technology that helps remove people’s

funny because I never thought I would be in the military,”

information from the internet. “Our clientele are high

he laughs. He studied criminology at Auburn University,

profile individuals: athletes, entertainers, corporate

joined the military at age 24, and became a Green Beret

executives, high net-worth individuals. We do risk

in 2014. Quinn served on active duty in Africa and Europe

assessments and ascertain their threat exposure in

as a communications specialist, focused on threats

different facets of their lives. We create a customized

to cybersecurity. “I went to tech security school, and

plan tailored to their individual lifestyle. We’re basically

a week into class, I applied to the Master’s program

a digital security concierge service. If our clients have a

in cybersecurity at Norwich University. I knew what I

problem in the digital arena, we’ll help them deal with it.”

wanted to do with my life.” Quinn moved to Nashville and oversaw cybersecurity

On a typical day, Quinn talks with prospective clients, helps troubleshoot issues, and assists those who’ve

at a defense contractor for two years and then shifted to

been hacked. That necessitates scouring the dark web.

HCA, a Fortune 50 healthcare company that owns about

“The dark web is a cesspool of online criminals and the

200 hospitals. “They have a huge security operations

worst people on the planet,” Quinn explains. “It requires

center, and my job was to create a threat intelligence

special software to access this subset of the internet,

team. I assembled a group that works with hackers and

and we look to see if our clients’ information has landed

sees the latest trends and techniques and who is being

there.”

targeted.” Quinn then shared that information with the

Quinn has become passionate about digital security.

people defending the network and told them what to look

“I don’t like it when technology takes advantage of

out for and how to prepare and counter.

consumers. I’m a security-minded person, both physical

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and digital. Even as an athlete at TrinityPawling, I had a passion for protection and security. I always played defensive roles in soccer and lacrosse. Maybe that’s why I ended up in the military.” “In 2016 when I was a Green Beret, we were sent on a mission to analyze a rural facility in the United States where the President might go to unwind. We were to assess how to protect the compound. We spent two weeks there trying to find every conceivable way to attack the place, then we devised strategies to defend it. We had to have the creative mindset to go full spectrum and generate potential threats at all levels. Here’s how I would attack and here’s how I would defend. We basically went on the offense to play better defense. Green Berets have that mindset of ‘What would the bad guy do?’” Now with 360 Privacy, Quinn can help people in his role as digital defender. “Most people have no idea of their exposure online, or how signing up for an app transmits their personal information. You sign up for a Whole Foods gift card, and that company is going to sell your information to a hundred marketing firms who

Fundamental Tips on How to Protect Your Digital Profile Keep your computer and data safe with security updates and an antivirus program. Update your devices. Upgrades bring a significant security package. It’s worth it even if it shortens your phone battery life. Make sure you have a good firewall. Freeze your credit reports to eliminate the risk of identity theft. You can do this by going directly to Equifax, Transunion, and Experian. You can unfreeze your reports temporarily if you need to open a new line of credit or refinance. An easy but powerful protective measure. Two-factor authentication is the easiest way to protect from being hacked especially for your bank and sensitive accounts. Don’t reuse passwords on multiple sites. If you use the same password for Instagram and LinkedIn, when Instagram gets hacked, your LinkedIn information will be hacked as well.

It’s staggering how much money is made by

Use a password manager such as LastPass or OnePass. Apple and Google also have great password managers. Those systems are encrypted and impenetrable.

corporations selling our personal information.

Make sure your apps are updated and delete unused apps.

sell it to others, and it just goes on from there.

It bothers me that we have no control over how our personal data is handled.” “It’s easy to become paranoid,” Quinn acknowledges. “And there’s a cost to being hyper-focused on privacy. I’ve learned that I have to give up some of my privacy and personal freedom for ease of living. But I feel the industry is going in the right direction. You can’t avoid using technology, but you can take simple measures to safeguard yourself and

Be careful about providing your social security number and home address. Does the CVS shopper card really need that information? Use a separate email account for bank or sensitive accounts. Have one email account for junk and another one for sensitive information. Make a logical separation of secure or sensitive email versus standard fare. Road warriors who use public WiFi should opt for a VPN (virtual private network). It’s an encrypted tunnel for all the traffic on your phone or computer. Nord VPN is a good one.

your personal information, such as turning encrypted password manager. A little common

5 RULES TO APPLY TO EVERYTHING YOU RECEIVE DIGITALLY:

sense goes a long way.”

• Do you know this person or organization?

on two-factor authentication and using an

Gavin lives in Nashville with his wife, Erin, and their three children.

• Have you ever received something from them before? • Were you expecting something from them? • Does anything look out of the ordinary? • Does it seem too good to be true? F A L L 2 0 2 1 25


The Big Picture

THE QUAD 2021 At the heart of campus, the quad is home to years of cherished memories. For more than a century, generations of students have relaxed, played, and celebrated on this beloved spot behind Cluett. When its walkway began to crumble, a distinct need arose to renovate the path and update the space. Enter Marlynn and Bill Scully ’57, whose extraordinary generosity has truly transformed the Trinity-Pawling campus over the years. After learning of the need, they stepped up and led the way, providing the necessary funding to clear the area and reconstruct the iconic walkway. We are deeply grateful to them for their philanthropy toward and leadership in this critical project. The new walkway is both safe and beautiful, and will serve the campus and its community for years to come. Thank you, Bill and Marlynn!

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Inspired by the generosity of the Scullys, others have provided funding for key seating areas and lighting along the quad path. With gratitude, we acknowledge and thank Dianne and John Avlon P’96, Patti and Jim Bellis ’72, and Kathy and Erik Olstein ’86, P’11,’14,’17, for naming three of the scenic quad corners, as well as Patti and Jim Bellis ’72, Megan and JP Burlington ’95, Glenn Carey, Peter McCabe ’68 and Tim McCabe ’69, Courtney and Osei Mevs ’94, and Jennifer and Headmaster Bill Taylor for “lighting the path” by naming lampposts. The quad has come to life again this fall, thanks to the remarkable support of our extended community. If you would like to be part of this historic project, there are still naming opportunities available. Reach out to Elly Erickson, Director of Advancement, at 845855-4838 or eerickson@ trinitypawling.org for details and more information. Photo by Hayden Desmond ’23 F A L L 2 0 2 1 27


Family Ties THE DESROSIERS: JIM ’73, BRIAN ’76, AND BRIAN ’09

BY EMMA CHRISTIANTELLI

For many Trinity-Pawling alumni, the brotherhood becomes an extension of their family. The Desrosier family is no exception. In fact, for Jim, Brian, and Brian, the brotherhood is family. Jim joined the Trinity-Pawling community in 1969, his brother Brian arrived not long after in the mid-1970s, and young Brian (son of Brian ’76) continued the tradition years later, graduating in 2009.

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In addition to their family tree and ties to the School, the three Desrosiers are also connected by another common thread — successful careers in technology. We had the privilege of chatting with the legacy family to learn more about their accomplishments in the field and the role Trinity-Pawling has played in their personal and professional success.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN TECHNOLOGY. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE INDUSTRY? Jim ’73: Every industry I’ve worked in was techimpacted — publishing, advertising, financial services,

Jim Desrosier ’73

internet, online higher education, networking. In those roles, each company went through major technology transitions. I was lucky to be at the center of those transitions on the business side. For example, working on Proctor & Gamble at Grey Advertising in the early 1980s, cable TV turned the TV ad world on its head! At MasterCard, I designed the MasterMoney debit card that bridged the gap to PIN-based transactions in the United States. The tech wave is still cresting under me.

Brian ’09: My story is a little different, as it’s really a combination of finance and technology. My interest in business and finance started at T-P, where I took my first economics class. This led me to major in the field at Trinity College and after two summer finance internships, I knew I wanted to pursue a

Brian ’76: Believe it or not, I took a basic programming

finance career. I currently work at Synchrony in

class at Trinity-Pawling. Fresh out of college, I wanted

FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis) supporting

to land a job in the computer industry, and the only

our health and wellness, and digital partners. In the

job I could get was as a manager-in-training at one

three short years I’ve worked here, the company has

of Radio Shack’s first computer stores. Then in 1984,

grown a lot on the digital side, announcing exciting

I opened my own computer store in Greenwich.

partnerships with PayPal, Venmo, and Verizon. We

Evolving over the years, Lighthouse Technology

are always working to optimize our partners’ and

Partners is now one of the top-managed service

consumers’ digital experiences. It’s great to work in a

providers (MSP) and Microsoft Partners in the United

place where corporate finance and technology meet.

States. Like T-P, mine is the story of a small outfit punching way above our weight class.

F A L L 2 0 2 1 29


WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR WORK? Jim ’73: Strategic variety and adaptation have marked my career. All business is a technology business now. I didn’t have a choice but to integrate into every major

Brian Desrosier ’76

advancement the tech world pushed. When I shifted coasts and moved to Silicon Valley, I helped Infoseek IPO (one of the first search engines) to do so. We pioneered most of the tools used today in MarTech.

experience to beat national competitors. Trinity-

It’s exciting to see those ideas evolve and to keep pace

Pawling all the way!

with the constant development.

Brian ’09: For me, it’s having the opportunity to work

Brian ’76: Unlike growing up, when effort is the

for such an amazing company. Synchrony’s business

most important thing, today it’s all about results. My

impacts so many people across many different

“special power” has always been knowing I could

industries. The company’s strong emphasis on culture

outwork anyone else I knew. I learned this work ethic

and values makes it a fantastic place to work. I have a

at T-P and developed it further in college and at each

desire to continue growing, learning, and advancing

career step. Striving and achieving is what satisfies

within my career. I feel I have the opportunities and

me. The outsourced IT services industry requires

support to really do that here at Synchrony.

an intense dedication and a relentless drive to stay relevant and competitive. I love that challenge! We are digital transformation experts and only 22 employees. Yet, we’re one of the top 350 US Microsoft Partners, out of 100,000. We have the know-how, heart, and

ANY STANDOUT LESSONS OR EXPERIENCES YOU CHERISH FROM YOUR TIME AT TRINITY-PAWLING? Jim ’73: It’s been almost 50 years since I graduated from T-P, and my most vivid memory is the kindness

“ Like many T-P kids, I came to the School with something to prove. That’s why ours is actually a story of effort. T-P teaches the fundamental life lesson that work ethic overcomes all else — that and honor are all young men need to succeed. ” BRIAN ’76

30 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

and inclusivity of the faculty and their families. Since then, T-P has been instrumental in key transitions I made during my career. Like my classmate Scott Ford, who introduced me to Infoseek. Or more recently, my brother luring me back east to assist with his business.


Brian ’76: Some think that going to T-P is a story

Brian ’09: The values I learned at T-P — being

of overachieving. I used to wake up before sit-down

honest, having discipline and integrity, being a

breakfast and sneak onto the rink to get in extra

good person, having a strong work ethic — really

practice. Like many T-P kids, I came to the School

stand out to me from my time at the School. It’s

with something to prove. That’s why ours is actually

hard to teach those things, but T-P gave me the

a story of effort. T-P teaches the fundamental life

chance to find those strengths in myself. In terms of

lesson that work ethic overcomes all else — that and

experiences, it would definitely have to be hockey.

honor are all young men need to succeed. This is

Playing at such a high level in the Founders League

what I am most proud of in my own son. He’s the

was an unbelievable experience. Hockey has and

nicest person I know, and nobody worked harder

will always be a huge passion of mine and playing

than he did growing up.

for T-P allowed me to continue to grow as an athlete, student, and young man.

Brian Desrosier ’09

HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING PART OF A LEGACY FAMILY HERE AT TRINITY-PAWLING? Jim ’73: My gratitude to T-P is bottomless. From my choice of Kenyon College to key career transitions, the School has been there. Not just guiding both my brother and me on our paths in life, but for the lifelong friendships we made with classmates and faculty.

“ It’s really an honor. T-P had such an incredible impact on both my dad and uncle, and not every kid gets to have a shared high school experience with family. ” BRIAN ’09

Shout out to “original” Chris LaMorte on the long-term class unity front! Brian ’76: I’ll never forget the first time I came back to campus to watch my son play soccer. I walked down the hill to the fields. The fall colors were intense and idyllic, and there was Brian with Coach Ned Reade, who also was my soccer coach so many years ago. Seeing Brian have the T-P experience was just such an amazing feeling. It took me back in time. Brian ’09: It’s really an honor. T-P had such an incredible impact on both my dad and uncle, and not every kid gets to have a shared high school experience with family. It’s a great connection and I will always look back on my memories at the School positively.

F A L L 2 0 2 1 31


by the numbers COLLABORATION TRINITY-PAWLING PRACTICES THAT ENCOURAGE COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENT, CAMARADERIE, AND TEAMWORK Trinity-Pawling’s programs are purpose-built to develop problem-solving skills, promote interdisciplinary exploration, and teach important communication skills. Our vibrant and committed faculty bring a breadth of experience and passion to their subject areas. Students are active participants and co-creators, in and out of the classroom. This is an educational setting for people who are ready to get to work — together!

17 10

AVERAGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS PAIRED WITH ALUMNI — AIMING FOR THE DIPLOMA WITH DISTINCTION

96 32 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

College counselors and faculty members, working with students on the college application process

2.5

Weeks of Wintersession, enabling students and teachers to dive into their passion projects together

Hours of new faculty onboarding, ensuring their success and a warm welcome to the community

5 Students on each Global Collaborative Challenge team, co-tackling realworld problems while fine-tuning their communication skills


13

Members of the varsity farming team, growing crops for the community

3

8

Full-stage theater productions each year, with students and faculty performing a multitude of activities that all contribute to a common success and a true feeling of teamwork

26

Prefects, collaborating with their fellow students, the faculty, and administration to lead a successful school year

40

Team captains, supporting and motivating their teammates throughout each season

52 Teachers who are passionate about their subject matter, designing dynamic programming for the Institutes for Active Learning

Proctors, overseeing dorm duties, fostering fun, supporting their peers, and making everyone feel at home

24/7 Faculty dedication — mentors like these are rare!

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pride athletics

ATHLETICS ARE ALIVE AGAIN CYRUS ROTHWELL-FERRARIS

The cross country course has been cleared, mowed, and timed. The lights over Coratti Field shine bright, and the sound of the game-time whistle pierces the autumn air. After a highly unusual year for athletes, the Trinity-Pawling community is excited for a fresh slate of competition following four seasons of patchwork practice, game-like simulation, and carefully planned, health-conscious interscholastic competition. While adjusting and striving to improve under circumstances beyond their control, Trinity-Pawling student-athletes now don the blue and gold, trotting onto the fields to represent The Pride once again. NEW LEADERS OF TRINITY-PAWLING ATHLETICS Multiple sports welcome new head coaches this year, picking up the legacy of former head coaches and beginning to build for the future.

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Rob Davenport takes the controls as the varsity football head coach, after serving as the TrinityPawling defensive coordinator for the past three years. Before Trinity-Pawling, Coach Davenport was a collegiate football coach at a number of programs across the country, most recently at Carleton College in Minnesota. He hopes to bring together a strong group of young athletes, with a big red circle over the Choate game in the first meeting between the storied programs in years. Coach Davenport takes over for Nick LaFontaine, who contributed to the TrinityPawling community far beyond his work as a football coach. Good luck to the LaFontaine family in their next chapter! Salvatore Zani now heads the varsity soccer team, bringing decades of experience as a player, trainer, manager, and coach to Trinity-Pawling. He will take the helm of a young, yet talented team, with the pleasure of coaching his sons in the program. We thank former head coach Sam Clougher for four years of dedicated leadership, mentorship, and expertise. In winter athletics, the Trinity-Pawling faithful will cheer on a new varsity basketball head coach, Tarik Smith. After a career as a boarding school athlete that included enrollment at St. Paul’s School and a PG year at Cheshire Academy, Coach Smith went on to an outstanding career at Tufts University, before beginning his coaching career as an assistant at The Winchendon School. Smith follows the legendary 20year career of former head coach Bill Casson. All the best to the Cassons! Finally, the Smith Field House and Coratti Field will simply not be the same without Coach Coratti’s constant presence. Coratti Field hosted its first home game this fall without Coach Coratti on the sideline. The whole community will be thinking about the Corattis and their new journey. Roll Pride!

SALVATORE ZANI BUILDING THE BEST TEAM BY CYRUS ROTHWELL-FERRARIS

With over 20 years of regional coaching experience, varsity soccer coach Salvatore “Sal” Zani is taking the program to new heights. In addition to coaching at Player’s Eye, he previously started a winter and summer team called Forza Extreme that attracted the best players from Westchester, Orange, and Dutchess counties. “I’m the type of coach that plays to win,” he explained. “I have an eye for picking out the right players; not always having the best players, but having the best team.” With academy-based training, Coach Zani prepares players with a lot of film study, weight room workouts, speed and agility training, and of course, a lot of soccer. Previous head coach Sam Clougher recruited Zani’s sons to Trinity-Pawling. Zani explained, “Clougher was a big part of why I sent my kids to Trinity-Pawling, I believed in what he did, and the School is so strong academically.” Clougher’s recruits are blending right in with Coach Zani’s this season. “I’m excited for the season,” Zani said. “The soccer program is competitive in every game that we step into.”

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pride spotlight

Mo Vaughn ’86, the late Miles Hubbard ’57, and Dave Coratti P’08 at the dedication of the Maurice Samuel Vaughn ’86 Baseball Field at Trinity-Pawling School in 2012.

Mo Vaughn ’86 EXTRA INNINGS BY THE REVEREND DANIEL LENNOX

When Mo Vaughn retired from Major League Baseball in 2005, he was still a young man. “Listen, I was a great player,” Vaughn reflected, “but after the injury and my retirement, I kept asking: why did this happen to me and what’s next? I had no base.” Life after professional sports can be a nebulous place. There are extra innings to be played, often a whole lifetime still to be lived, but finding a sense of purpose can be challenging for retired athletes. Things were no different for Vaughn. His life was in flux; however, according to Mo, “one thing I had going for me was that I knew there was going to be an afterlife for me after baseball.” Indeed, “afterlife” seems like a fitting word, as Vaughn’s post-baseball career seems rather heavenly. Initially, Vaughn worked for the then-Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg (a Red Sox fan), working to provide affordable housing while

36 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E


becoming a voice for lower-income people living in the you need to do, Mo…now do it!’ Both are so essential to New York City metropolitan area. For Vaughn, this was my success.” a way to channel his wayward energy into what he called Recently, Vaughn made a generous gift to Trinity“a proper place.” “Here I was,” Vaughn said, “affecting Pawling in honor of his mentors and the gifts Trinitythousands of people by providing housing as a real estate Pawling bestowed upon him as a young man. To this agent, and all of a sudden I’m looking back thinking: day he harkens back to the model of life laid out to him what is more essential, doing this or playing baseball?” while under the tutelage of Miles Hubbard ’57, Dave Life started to make more sense for Vaughn as he Coratti P’08, and others. “Chapel was the best part of the found a greater sense of identity outside the batter’s School. Sit-down dinners…they set the stage. All those box. Then, during a biblical-esque storm, Vaughn had a little things… the discipline that I remember to this day. revelation. After three weeks of You only get it when you’re gone. rain and not being able to work It started at T-P. Building those and train outside with his son, he bonds launched me to college, realized he wanted to build a fulllaunched my pro career, launched time practice facility. Soon after, my business. They are the backbone he opened the Vaughn Sports of my success.” Vaughn talks with an ease that Academy, a baseball academy in makes it clear that he’s in a special Boca Raton, Florida, dedicated phase of his life. Sure, it might be to developing young athletes life after professional baseball, an as they become great baseball players and great people. “I am a American League MVP with the coach that will guide you through legendary Red Sox fans cheering his every move, but rather than feeling baseball and your life,” Vaughn said. “My father was a coach. like borrowed time, these extra —MO VAUGHN My parents were both teachers. innings sure sound like a sweet spot I never thought I would be a for Mo Vaughn. Some would even coach, but now I think this is the call this space…being in one’s prime. best possible move I could have “I’m 53. I wake up with the intent made. All these things have happened. All the trials and to be successful. Success is affecting change in people’s tribulations. I’ve arrived at a place where I can give back. lives. Coaching and mentoring young kids. Building Post-baseball has flipped into something important.” opportunities for kids. Being a mentor like Hubbard and Vaughn attributes much of his success to his time Coratti were for me. I’m enjoying this.” at Trinity-Pawling, where he was a four-year student, Vaughn has every reason to enjoy. Life’s extra innings a senior prefect, and student-athlete leader. “Coach have brought out the Most Valuable Person in Mo Vaughn. Hubbard and Coach Coratti — everyone needs mentors Vaughn ended our conversation as only a Red Sox like these two. Hubbard directed me on how to get legend could: “Hey, call me if you need me.” everything out of each day. Coratti…he was calm and Homerun, Mo Vaughn. cool. He’d come at me like the Godfather: ‘this is what

“ I AM A COACH

THAT WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH

BASEBALL AND YOUR LIFE.”

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connections GIVING BACK TO THE BROTHERHOOD Jim Knowlton ’03 BY EMMA CHRISTIANTELLI

“When I look back on my time as a student, I see all of the great things that TrinityPawling did for me,” began Jim Knowlton. “I want to help other young men have that same experience.” As an avid hockey player, Knowlton made his way to Boston to play junior hockey following his time at Trinity-Pawling. A year later, he moved west to study economics at the University of Colorado Boulder and now currently lives in Denver, working as a knowledgeable and trusted commercial real estate broker with Pinnacle Real Estate Advisors. Knowlton attributes much of his success to the lessons he learned and the people he met at Trinity-Pawling — and now he’s eager to return the favor. “I was lucky enough to attend T-P for two years and played with Coach Brian Foster ’79 on the hockey team. Coach was great to me. We had a blast on the team and I learned so much from him and his family,” he shared, remembering the days when he would enjoy an occasional family dinner with the Fosters or babysit for their daughters. “When I was young, I never liked rules and schedules, so I certainly had my ups and downs at T-P,” Knowlton shared with a laugh. “But it set me on the right path. I learned the importance of effort and routine, and the School was really the catalyst for me to attend college.” Now as a generous alumni donor, Knowlton hopes to help Trinity-Pawling do the same for the next generation of students. “I am proud to give back to the place and the people that did so much for me,” Knowlton said, sharing that his most recent gift was made in honor of Coach Foster. “When I reflect on my past and where I came from, it’s the people who helped me along the way that stand out. With the help of Coach Foster and the other coaches and teachers on campus, I was afforded many opportunities at T-P,” he concluded. “I just want to pay it forward.” On behalf of the School community, we extend a heartfelt thank you to Jim for his generosity and dedication — and for making the Trinity-Pawling experience possible for young men for years to come.

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WE HAVE 1,125 REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL On behalf of the entire Trinity-Pawling community, we thank our supporters for their generosity this past fiscal year. Because of their gifts and participation, we were able to provide a consistent, safe, high-quality educational experience during a very difficult time. With much gratitude for their financial support toward the growth and success of Trinity-Pawling, we honor the individuals, corporations, and foundations who contributed to the School during the last fiscal year, ending June 30, 2021. Visit our Donor Honor Roll at www.trinitypawling.org/giving/honor-roll.

These are just a few examples of the ways your kindness made a difference.

$1,310,401 raised for the

Over $2M in total gifts for operating needs,

Trinity-Pawling Fund.

scholarships, and capital projects.

1,125 alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends contributed & made a difference! Quad transformation project initiated, enabling the renovation of one of Trinity-Pawling’s most iconic spaces. 88 Senior Independent Projects supported through alumni

Countless health

investment and mentorship.

and safety measures supported on campus.

Critical and ongoing technology investments made to support hybrid learning.

Gratitude for our amazing community!

Thank You!

www.trinitypawling.org/supporters

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connections

THE POWER OF CONNECTION Introducing Elly Erickson

Since the 90s, Elly Erickson has driven past Trinity-Pawling along Route 22 and wondered what it would be like to stroll the halls of Cluett as a member of the community. “I have long known Trinity-Pawling for its prestigious reputation of educational excellence and its important role in our local area. I have been eager to join the Trinity-Pawling community for quite some time,” she said with a smile. Erickson’s hopes have come to fruition. This fall she joined TrinityPawling’s leadership team as Director of Advancement where, among her many duties, she aims to connect the wider community of Trinity-Pawling. “Alumni of institutions like TrinityPawling have emotional connections to the place they once called home and to the people who became their family. In advancement, we have the unique opportunity to hear and share their stories, understand how their school made a difference in their lives, and what excites them about the future of the institution. I am joining the team at a pivotal moment when Trinity-Pawling is implementing a cutting-edge vision, providing a platform for increased engagement and prospective alignment. I see advancement as a medium of connection, a way to strengthen relations in support of the School’s 40 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E


Welcome to the Board! mission and create collective positive impact through philanthropy.” Erickson brings 20 years of professional experience in development, communications, strategy, systems change, and management to her new role at Trinity-Pawling. For the past eight years, she worked for The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), most recently serving as Senior Advancement Officer where she and her team successfully spearheaded a $100M+ fundraising campaign. Prior to her time at the CIA, she worked as Director of Institutional Giving at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, as well as for a publishing company, an international youth exchange organization, and other nonprofit organizations. She holds an MBA from Marist College and a bachelor’s degree in music and French from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Erickson has lived abroad in Italy, France, and Scandinavia. Following her bachelor’s degree, she traveled as an opera singer with a specialization in Scandinavian music — making connections through music, language, and culture. Married with two children, a 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, Erickson says, “The pride

“I SEE ADVANCEMENT AS A MEDIUM OF CONNECTION, A WAY TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL’S MISSION AND CREATE COLLECTIVE POSITIVE IMPACT THROUGH PHILANTHROPY.”

I feel for my children and their growth is similar to how I imagine many parents must feel as their boys experience an education like no other here at Trinity-Pawling. I am looking forward to meeting the School’s families and further developing these bonds.” Through the power of connection, Erickson will cultivate opportunities at Trinity-Pawling to deepen these bonds of affection that transcend geographical distance and time. She’ll help further weave together the many threads that make Trinity-Pawling such a profound and positive community so that together we can continue to advance the mission of the School.

Serving on the Board of Trustees is the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus, parent, or friend of the School. Yet with this role comes enormous responsibility, for each member holds the School in their trust for future generations. We are pleased to introduce two of the School’s newest trustees: POLLY SHIH BRANDMEYER P’25 joined the TrinityPawling Board of Trustees in September 2021. Brandmeyer, a graduate of Georgetown University, is an independent scholar specializing in Sino-Western relations. She lives in New York City with her husband Michael Brandmeyer and children Alexa, Nick ’25, and India. “Trinity-Pawling has been a gift to my son. The School's ability to prepare each student to rise to the challenges of 21st century life by instilling confidence, integrity, community, kindness, and hard work is what has impressed me from the minute we walked onto campus. I look forward to working with the Board to continue to strengthen this remarkable school.” DANIEL V. PARKER ’07 joined the TrinityPawling Board of Trustees as our Young Alumnus Trustee in September 2021. Parker lives in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife Darlena Fulp and their children Dakota and Daniel. Parker matriculated at Fordham University. He is currently working at JP Morgan Chase. "Trinity-Pawling is a unique and exceptional experience which imprinted my life and career. I am excited about the opportunity and honor to serve on the Board of Trustees. There is nothing more important to me than helping to support the development of the next generation of leaders. Education is key and I hope to give back to the Trinity-Pawling community through serving on the Board.” F A L L 2 0 2 1 41


FOCUS FORWARD You — alumni, families, and friends — have provided critical support for our students, faculty, and programming over the past year. In challenging times, you have been there for the School in many important ways, contributing toward essential and everyday operating needs and enabling a safe and successful school experience for all. We now look to the future and all of its possibilities. As we embark upon exciting new academic initiatives, more active learning opportunities, the return of competitive athletics, and our timehonored traditions, we hope you’ll continue to invest in all that Trinity-Pawling has to offer. The future of our School is bright and it is in your hands. With your support, we can continue to provide the experience and education that transforms lives. Make a gift today via the reply envelope in this magazine, or safely and securely online at www.trinitypawling.org/give Thank you for your continued investment in Trinity-Pawling.

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Fund F A L L 2 0 2 1 43


connections

Homecoming and Reunion SAVE THE NEW DATE! JUNE 10-11, 2022 As a precaution, to protect the students and the viability of the academic year, we have decided to reschedule our 2021 Homecoming and Reunion celebration to June 10-11, 2022. By holding the event next June, we can accomplish two very important objectives: prioritize the safety and well-being of our entire community (alumni and their families included!) and focus our full attention on celebrating YOU on campus next summer. We look forward to welcoming you back in June 2022, when we will: • Celebrate the special reunions of all classes ending in 0’s and 5’s, 1’s and 6’s; • Honor the memory of those who have passed at our Alumni Memorial Service; • Celebrate Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees; • Enjoy fishing, hiking, disc golf, and cookouts on campus; • And so much more! Keep an eye on your email, mail, and future school publications for more details, and please feel free to reach out to Janet Hubbard P’07 with any questions. Email at alumni@trinitypawling.org or call at 845-855-4830.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AS WE NAVIGATE THE FUTURE.

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class notes | 1958 | Michael Kovner

Hello from Greenwich and Nantucket. Miss going to T-P for trustee meetings, graduation, and just seeing old pals. Saddened by the death of one of my best friends Bruce Huffine ’58, who sadly, but happily for him went quickly. Sad for those left behind. Now settled in on Nantucket for the summer. Thinking of what a fabulous job our wonderful Headmaster is doing in these most unusual times we are living in! My husband Jean joins me in wishing one and all a very happy summer!

Webster Russell Welcomed a new great grandson in June of 2021. He joins his two-year-old sister in Kansas. We have published our latest book, Dance Until The Music Ends (www.authors-russanddee.weebly.com). We are working on three others, one of which will be published this year. We maintain our travel site (www. russanddee.weebly.com). Finally cruising is starting up again so we are off on July 18th. Aside from the vagaries of an 80-year-old body, I am happy, healthy, and of sound mind or at least that is my contention.

| 1961 | Robert Yunich As I write today, thankfully, New York City is opening up: the New York Philharmonic has announced its schedule for the 20212022 season and is selling tickets; museums

are accepting visitors, the Mets and Yankees are playing to full crowds in their respective stadiums, and Broadway performances will resume in September. We continue to escape on weekends to our second home in New York’s Delaware County, in the hamlet of Andes. Delaware County is so rural, it’s sometimes said there are more cows than people. This was really good as the number — compared to New York City — of COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths were infinitesimal. Also, Delaware County has imposed fewer restrictions than NYC on gathering places and indoor dining. This has been a welcomed relief.

aired on Zoom. On account of virtual performances, NYYS has expanded its reach to include musicians aged 12 to 22 around the globe. NYYS also performed as part of the nation’s July 4th Celebration televised on CNN. Truly awesome. The website is nyys.org. Looking forward to seeing classmates at our 60th Reunion. How did that happen — I don’t feel that old.

| 1967 | Andrew Masset

Returned in mid-June from fishing for 2 days with a college classmate and fraternity brother. We fished from a float boat, with a guide, on the West Branch of the Delaware River. The Delaware is one of the best trout fisheries in the East. Big Rainbows and Browns, all catch-and-release for the sport and joy of fishing. For all practical purposes, I have completely wound down my insurance practice. I have stepped up my volunteer work: I am a member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited. Trout Unlimited is the premier national cold water conservation nonprofit with over 300,000 members, each belonging to one of nearly 400 chapters. There are 36 State Councils that govern the chapters within each state. In New York, there are over 30 chapters with nearly 9,000 members. As the Chair of the Development Committee, I am charged with reinvigorating a dormant fundraising platform with the appropriate infrastructure and crafting donor solicitation and retention strategies. I continue to serve as a Trustee of The New York Youth Symphony (NYYS). NYYS has done a remarkable job of coping with the pandemic’s restrictions. Members of the different NYYS performing ensembles (orchestra, jazz, and chamber music) have showcased their virtuosity in many concerts

I am doing a TV series called Long Slow Exhale about a college female basketball coach. I play a mega donor with an “opinionated” and “direct” personality. Shot five shows to date with three more this month. Best to all — especially graduates.

| 1969 | Bill Kelly

Hi everyone! After spending the winter with our two large and growing Bernese/ Newfoundland puppies in Utah’s snowy mountains, we are back on the farm and enjoying chasing deer and making things out of wood, concentrating on design ideas. F A L L 2 0 2 1 45


class notes

The dogs encourage me to work primarily with hand tools and to avoid noisy machines so they can nap while I work. I can hear the wood speak to me and feel its natural figuring far better this way. Today I was impressed by an article in the recent edition of The Quad about Toby Berner ’21, this year’s Valedictorian. In particular, Toby’s reflection below shows what a great job T-P is doing in helping young men integrate their threefold forces of thinking, feeling, and willing: “When I finish a painting, it’s not perfect and it never will be. But I feel good because I know that I took the time to step back, ask questions, and look at it from all angles to get it as close as I can to being perfect. Likewise, when I make important decisions in my life, I feel good in my heart knowing that I stepped back and thought about all angles, vantage points, and perspectives. Asking questions that challenge us to think hard and to look at ideas in different ways and from different perspectives forces growth and ultimately encourages a better humanity.” Read the whole article. It was emailed to us on 6/19/21. I trust it will make you proud of our School. God bless all of you.

Tom Hess

| 1976 | My older daughter in Seattle is expecting in August. The whole family will be there for 6 weeks — our second grandchild. During our last trip to Seattle, we explored Oregon wine country and got the best of their Pinot Noirs. Very neat. Hoping to connect again with Hemingway and Pettit when I return. 50th Reunion is going strong and it’s great to connect with many classmates. Dick Bauer recently hosted a shooting outing at his club, Tamarack in Millbrook, NY. Great day with David Foster, Dick, and Dan Tompkins of T-P, and a fun young man from T-P.

| 1971 |

| 1982 |

Beau Barile

Robert Brownlee

| 1970 | Alan Anderson

| 1973 |

David Foster became a first-time grandparent to a baby girl named Mila.

Chris Roux I retired in April and we moved to Pawleys Island, South Carolina. We are there for winter and spring and in Harwich Port on Cape Cod during summer and fall. If anyone is in the neighborhood, please get in touch.

Pictured above is Rob and his son, Luke in the fall of 2020.

| 1984 | | 1975 | Mike Waller I am hoping to see many of my classmates at our 45th Reunion. Hopefully, everyone has come through this very trying year in good shape. I will be beginning my 4th

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Louis Coons Well, after 33 years with the City of Fort Lauderdale as an Engineering Supervisor, I secured another job with Palm Beach County as an Engineering Inspector. I have been there 8 years now. Looks like I will retire in three more years! It has been an awesome career! Looking forward to retirement. Kids are doing great. Anthony (26) is an actor in LA. Jessica (24) just received her Master’s Degree in Higher Education. I miss T-P a lot! Those were the days. I wish I could re-live my days at T-P! A big "HI" to Allison Whipple ’76!

Just a continuous path with work and play. Enjoying my grandchildren! My health is very good!

announced the arrival of Kade Michael Anderson, 7.5 lbs. on May 19th in Denver, Colorado. Kade is the son of Laurie and Smith Anderson, penned by a proud firsttime Grandpa. All good. Cheers!

year at Holy Trinity Episcopal School in Houston in August. I am the Assistant Head of School. Malena and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in February. Our son Michael, a 2011 T-P graduate, is working at Rumsey Hall School in Connecticut. Our daughter Monica is working at The Breakers Resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. Hope all are doing well.

Kirk Vartan A Slice of New York (ASONY), the pizza shop we started in 2006 in Silicon Valley — two locations, was selected as the 2021 Small Business of the Year by Assembly member Alex Lee. We will be one of


approximately 60 small business owners honored out of 3.3 million in the State of California! ASONY became a Worker Cooperative (100% employee owned) on July 1, 2017. Currently, we have 14 workerowners with equal ownership rights, we have an elected Board of Directors, and five committees (Finance and Employee Benefits, Culture and Accountability, Innovation, Health and Safety, and Merchandising and Marketing). These committees are made up of both members of the co-op (the owners) as well as other employees that want to participate. I believe this model made us stronger during the pandemic and allowed us to continually focus our attention on taking care of our team. ASONY is a founding member of the Worker-Owned Recovery California (WORC) Coalition, and continues to work at the local, state, and national levels to advocate for awareness of worker-owned business models, specifically Worker Cooperatives, as a financially viable solution to selling your business, addressing the Silver Tsunami (the aging Baby Boomer owners), and a tool for cities as a wealthcreation mechanism for workers. ASONY freely shares its story and journey with people, and I present at conferences and events highlighting employee-ownership models.

| 1986 | Ryan Plunkett

| 1989 | Rick Hazlewood

Akram and his family recently stopped by for a Trinity-Pawling visit! It was great having you back on campus, Akram. Come back soon!

| 2004 | Tom Swon

Here is Rick and his son Whit ’21 in 2014 and 2021, upon Whit’s graduation from T-P.

| 1997 | David Beckwith David recently celebrated 20 years of working in the world of fine & rare wine. He is currently a wine advisor to private collectors through his business, Grand Cru Wine Consulting. He resides in Westchester with his wife and three daughters and plans to take them all up to visit T-P soon! He hopes all of his fellow alumni are doing well these days.

Tom and Kelly Swon had a son, John Chester on 10/25/2020. John is looking forward to being a member of TrinityPawling Class of 2038. (Our apologies for misspelling Tom’s name in the last issue!)

| 2006 | Taylor Maury

| 2002 | Cameron Church My wife and I welcomed our second baby boy, Bennett, into the family and moved to the North Shore of Boston all during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenging times to say the least!

| 2003 | Akram Al Agil

Taylor and his wife Huxley welcomed their second child into the family last February — a little boy. William Taylor Maury, Jr. (Billy) has expressed interest in TrinityPawling and is already practicing to make the golf team.

Ryan and his son, Ryan ’23, came to campus for a tour in June. It was great to see them both. Thanks for stopping by!

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class notes | 2007 | AJ Callahan

FaceTime videos in which Barstool gives the exciting news in real-time to each small business owner. He’s able to see firsthand the difference the Fund is making for families and their businesses across the United States.

| 2014 | Justin Cooper

| 2011 | Zach Kizitaff

AJ Callahan stopped by campus in August. He was visiting the area and participating in the Pawling Fire Department’s Parade.

Dan Parker I married Melanie Ledden-Kizitaff on July 14, 2018, earned my J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School in May 2019, and passed the July 2019 Bar Exam. Melanie and I welcomed our daughter Mia Kizitaff on July 22, 2020. I also became an Associate Attorney at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr. Family photo of Dakota, Daniel Jr. (Jay-R), wife Darlena, and Dan.

| 2008 | Andrew Manley

I have been extremely fortunate over the past few years. I married my best friend, was blessed with an amazing first child, and started my dream job. I am thankful to T-P for the incredible foundation that it helped me build, which has served me well since graduation in 2011.

From Trinity-Pawling to SUNY Cortland, Justin has certainly made a name for himself on the basketball court. Now an assistant coach for the Cortland Red Dragons, Cooper also co-owns LMC Athletics, a basketball skills training company in the Hudson Valley where he helps college-level players hone their skills.

| 2016 | Miles Mufuka Martin Co-founded a supply chain technology start-up aiming to provide within-thehour delivery for local business beyond food, beverage, and medicine. With over a million in committed capital so far, we plan to close our seed round later this year. Website: www.relai.us.

| 2017 | Glyn Ge and Hunter Olstein

| 2013 | Carlo Perello

As the Manager of Studio Production and Live Events at Barstool Sports, Andrew and the entire Barstool team have stepped up for small businesses in a big way. At the start of the pandemic, the company created the Barstool Fund — a national fundraising campaign to support small businesses. The Fund has raised over $41 million dollars with hundreds of small businesses fully supported. Andrew helps to produce the 48 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

Brandee and Carlo welcomed Kai Manuel on May 12th.

Glyn Ge and Hunter Olstein recently caught up over coffee in Washington D.C.! After a virtual mini-reunion with other members of the Class of 2017, the two classmates realized they lived only a couple of blocks away from one another.


James Varian

James and the SUNY Cortland Men's Baseball team tied for third place nationally at the NCAA Division III World Series!

Sam Shafer

Richie LaCalandra

Congratulations to LIU's Richie on being named NEC Offensive Player of the Year! Richie led the NEC with 5.64 points per game, which is also 4th in the country! He is the first player in Long Island University's history to receive this award.

Robby Phillips Robby spent his summer in Durham, NC, interning for Dogwood Alliance, an environmental organization working mostly in the South. He began his junior year at Duke University in August studying abroad in their program based in Madrid, Spain. He is studying Public Policy. Sam, senior goalkeeper for the Loyola Greyhounds, had the biggest moment in the biggest game of his career in May — making a last-second save to send Loyola to the NCAA Quarterfinals with a 14-13 victory over Denver!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit your Class Notes and photographs for the next issue of Trinity-Pawling Magazine online at www.trinitypawling. org/classnotes

| 2020 |

| 2019 | Jack Haims

These members of the Class of 2020 recently enjoyed a summer cookout on campus with Mr. Gillman ’05 and Mr. Mead – complete with a delicious steak dinner, great conversation, and rounds of tennis, volleyball, and yard games. Jack (#30), a junior midfielder at Colorado College, recently earned All-Region Recognition from the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association - IMLCA. Haims ranked fourth on the team with 22 goals, fifth with 31 points, and tied for fifth with nine assists — all of which are career highs!

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in memoriam Alvah O. Rock ’59, P’87, Trustee 2000-2017 BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

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“It has been great to be a part of a team focused on helping Trinity-

Pawling grow and do what it does best: helping boys develop into focused young men and contributing citizens.”

Alvah Rock ’59, one of Trinity-Pawling’s most munificent benefactors, passed away on August 31, 2021 at his home on Bay Shore, Long Island after a long illness. He was 81. Rock grew up in Madison, New Jersey and came to Trinity-Pawling as a sophomore. He immersed himself in all aspects of school life, from the full gamut of athletics to Rifle Club and choir. Hailed by classmates on his senior page for exuding an “abundance of good nature and carefree gaiety” and being a “staunch supporter of the choir,” Rock attributed his love of choral music to his years in the Choir, Glee Club, and the Octet. Rock made mellifluous contributions to choirs at Nichols College, from which he graduated in 1963, and church choirs wherever he and his wife, Susan, lived over the next 50 years. The Rocks were married at the start of Al’s senior year at Nichols. Rock spent his career in banking and real estate in the metro New York region, while Susan taught English literature at Long Island University in Brookville. The couple lived on Long Island for 45 years, where they raised four children – Stephen, Karen, David ’87, and Lesley — and enjoyed their nine grandchildren. Rock served on Trinity-Pawling’s Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2017. Upon his retirement from his role as Board Secretary, he noted he “enjoyed the camaraderie, intelligence, and dedication of my colleagues from all eras. I respect the longevity of the Board which allows trustees enough time to absorb the School’s culture. These experiences allowed me to see first-hand the evolution of the School over the years. It has been great to be a part of a team focused on helping Trinity-Pawling grow and do what it does best: helping boys develop into focused young men and contributing citizens. Much of that teaching occurs around the edges, lessons not necessarily found in

textbooks.” Rock earned the Distinguished Alumni Award in October 2019. Board President Erik Olstein ’86 shared his reflections. “True to his name, Al was solid as a rock. He loved the chance to serve as a trustee because it kept him abreast of what was happening in the broader world of education and specifically at Trinity-Pawling. Although Al was not one for small talk, he was an active and engaged board member who did not shy from speaking his mind. And when he spoke, people listened.” The Rock family’s generosity commenced with the Rock Squash Courts in 1999, followed by the Rock Lobby of the Gardiner Theater in 2004. Upon Arch Smith’s retirement in 2015, Rock helped endow the Archibald A. Smith III Chair for Mathematics and Science. These significant gifts impacted areas of school life dear to Ned Reade, recently retired Phillips Smith Chair of the Humanities and varsity squash coach from 1975-2013. “The Rock Squash Center allowed the program to evolve and thrive. The courts, a jewel in the Smith Field House complex, look as good today as they did at the dedication 22 years ago. And the elegant Rock Lobby provides a warm welcome to theater-goers and serves as a space to showcase student art on campus.” Al’s son David Rock ’87 concludes, “My father’s love for Trinity-Pawling ran deep. He felt energized and happy when he thought of the School. He made life-long friendships and kept up with them until the very end. His time there was transformative, and he was proud to make a lasting impact.” Trinity-Pawling extends our deepest condolences and our heartfelt gratitiude to the Rock family for their legacy and contributions to this community.

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in memoriam We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families of these Trinity-Pawling and Pawling School alumni. Mr. Mario Turtur, Jr. ’48 April 6, 2021 Houston, TX

Mr. Arthur B. Leonard III ’61 July 4, 2019 Bakersfield, VT

Mr. Jonathan M. Shisler ’85 September 19, 2020 Catlett, VA

Mr. Francis William Hugh St. Leger ’54 May 27, 2021 Bloomington, IN

Mr. John F. Bozzomo, Jr. ’78 June 26, 2021 Oceanside, NY

Mr. Peter B. Davis ’91 July 21, 2021 Wilmington, NC

Mr. George F. Casey, Jr. ’58 February 9, 2021 Birmingham, AL

Mr. Joseph Goldwasser ’82 November, 2020 Atlanta, GA

Mr. Frederick Hauser ’99 July 6, 2021 Pawling, NY

Mr. Anthony H. Farrand ’59 June 26, 2021 Union, NJ

Mr. David H. Von Ancken ’83 July 26, 2021 Agoura Hills, CA

Mr. Christopher C. Andrea ’07 May 28, 2021 Stamford, CT

We also offer our warmest condolences to the families of these former faculty, parents, and friends of Trinity-Pawling School. Mr. Eric Craven P’14 April 21, 2021 Tampa, FL

Mr. Jack A. Krause P’84 September 20, 2020 Grand Rapids, MI

Mr. William W. Messersmith III P’88 March 21, 2020 New Orleans, LA

Mr. Salvatore Gaglio GP’06, GP’09 September 24, 2019 Pawling, NY

Mrs. Mary Liffland GP’05 March 28, 2021 Pawling, NY

Mr. Robert W. Vrabel P’00 September 20, 2020 Brewster, NY

Mrs. Virginia Gaglio GP’06, GP’09 December 27, 2020 Pawling, NY

Mr. George L. Lotito P’95 August 24, 2020 Staten Island, NY

Mr. Paul D. Williams GP’20 June 27, 2020 Pleasantville, NY

Mrs. Lora Phillips Gray March 28, 2021 Londonderry, VT

Mrs. Virginia F. McElroy P’99 July 4, 2020 Millis, MA

Mrs. Sandra Uhlein GP’06 March 11, 2021 Litchfield, CT

Mrs. Dorothy Hansen Colburn W’44 February 7, 2021 Naples, FL

Mrs. Martha C. Mead P’05 July 31, 2021 Myrtle Beach, SC

This list includes the individuals whose deaths were reported to the Office of Advancement prior to September 1, 2021.

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from THE archives FREDERIC DUCLOS BARSTOW MEMORIAL SCIENCE BUILDING, 1937 “THE MOST COMPLETE, MOST MODERN PREPARATORY SCHOOL SCIENCE BUILDING IN THE COUNTRY” BY MEGAN BURLINGTON

Frederic Duclos Barstow, a 1915 graduate of the Pawling School, was heavily invested in the scientific and naturalistic world. He had completed several trips to the American Samoan Islands, studying the native people and recording moving pictures of them while hoping to help preserve their native life in the face of advancing civilization. He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 35. His parents wished “to perpetuate the name of their son by giving the building to be used for the thing that he most loved and also as the most needed equipment to complete Pawling’s academic courses” (The Pawling Record, June 5, 1936). When they approached Headmaster Raphael Shortlidge about such a gift, Shortlidge recognized that the School’s academic facilities would benefit from an upgrade to continue to be competitive amongst the nation’s preparatory schools, especially as the School’s enrollment had dipped during the early years of the Great Depression.

While officially named the Frederic Duclos Barstow Memorial Science Building, the new structure would boast laboratories for the physical sciences but also classrooms, shops, and studios for other disciplines as well as a library on the top floor. The Barstows also endowed the building to provide yearly income for the maintenance of the structure and all equipment within. The April 21, 1937 edition of The Pawling Record announced the dedication of the Barstow Memorial Science Building during upcoming Alumni Day festivities, while proclaiming it to be “a gift which enables the school to take its rightful place as one of the best equipped institutions of the kind in the country.” The Matthew Dann Science Building opened in 1964, and Barstow was converted to a dormitory in 1977. Its first dorm parents were future Headmaster Arch Smith and his wife, Gay.

FEATURES OF THE ORIGINAL FREDERIC DUCLOS BARSTOW MEMORIAL SCIENCE BUILDING, OPENED IN 1937: • Wood and metal shops, including lathes, sanders, drill presses, saws, and a forge • Chemistry and physics laboratories • Biology room • Mechanical drawing room • Science library • Photography room, with motion picture camera, projector, and dark room

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end note

Rob Davenport It was the summer of 2018 when Rob Davenport arrived at Trinity-Pawling with his wife, MJ, and their two daughters, Katie and Elena. As the newest triple threat on campus — a teacher in the English and history departments, a coach for varsity football and track and field, and a dorm parent in Hastings South — Davenport was eager to get started. He brought with him over 20 years of college football coaching experience, including stretches at Ripon College, The University of Minnesota Duluth, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy, to name a few. In the spring of 2021, as the school year came to a close, Davenport was tapped as the new head coach for varsity football. Now in the midst of his first head coaching season, he leads the Pride with a strong focus on his core coaching values: honesty, unselfishness, and the drive to improve.

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As a teacher and coach, what is the most important lesson to teach young men today? Whether in the classroom or on the field, I believe that time management, self-discipline, and integrity are key. These are life skills that carry over into the real world. No matter which path a student chooses to take, he will need them to succeed. How would you describe your coaching style? For me, it’s not about the playbook, the x’s and o’s, or the wins and losses. It’s more important to me that my players learn and appreciate the values that will prepare them for life ahead. To be respectful, hold themselves accountable, do what’s best for the entire team, and invest the right amount of effort in anything they take on. What do you love most about raising your family on campus? My kids have only grown up in college towns and on school campuses, so they really enjoy the environment. The community aspect of Trinity-Pawling is so enjoyable, and the support from our fellow faculty families makes all the difference.


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