H AC K L E Y R E V I E W W I N T E R 2 0 2 3 – 2 0 24
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H AC K L E Y R E V I E W W I N T E R 2 0 2 3 – 2 0 2 4
Contents 2
———————————
From the Head of School
4 Hilltop Updates
H AC K L E Y A S H O M E
14 The Center for the Creative Arts and Technology Editor Aisha Laspina-Rodriguez Director of Communications arodriguez@hackleyschool.org Photography Primary photos by Hackley School Communications. Includes photos by guest photographers and writers. Design Jason Fairchild, Truesdale Group Printing Recycled Paper Printing, Inc. A very special thank you to Rozanne Rosenberg, Assistant Director of Communications, for your editorial support and help in getting this edition to mailboxes. Thanks also to Margie McNaughton Ford ’85 and to the many Hornets who shared their time, stories and ideas. This publication is possible because of you. © Copyright 2024 Hackley School. All rights reserved.
23 ‘Hackley as Home’: Embracing New Pages and Familiar Chapters on the Hilltop A reflection on the meaning and influence of this year’s theme. By HPA President Denise Dushas and Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean
26 Echoes of Kinship: A Glimpse into Hackley’s Boarding Corridor Three Hackley students detail their experience as Boarders.
32 Home on the Hilltop Community members who hold multiple roles reflect on what “Hackley as Home” means to them.
44 Home Is Where Our Memories Are A look back at memorable moments formed on the Hilltop 50 years ago. By Bruce Bassett ’73
47 Alumni Day 2023 No matter how much time has passed, the Hilltop is filled with memories of friendships, inspiring teachers and moments that helped shape alumni’s lives. For alumni, coming back to Hackley is like coming home. By Margie McNaughton Ford ’85, Director of Alumni Engagement
54 End Note | Finding a Home: Reflecting on 25 Years on the Hilltop By John Gannon, Director of Advancement
56 The Copper Beech Society | Support a Vision By Thomas T. Chin, Hackley visual arts teacher 1998-2021
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
2
H
ackley is my home. I express this
of Trustees president, Rodge Cohen P ’08, for his
sentiment not only in the most literal
invaluable contributions to the growth and success
sense, having found a place of residence
of Hackley, and we welcome our new President
on this remarkable campus, but also because, in the
of the Board of Trustees Dr. Harvinder Sandhu
short time I’ve spent here, I have been embraced by
P ’18, ’23.
the Hackley family with open arms and hearts.
This special edition also includes insights from
My initial impressions have solidified my belief
HPA President Denise Dushas P ’28, ’33 and
that Hackley is a home in the truest sense — a
Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean P ’34, ’36
place where enduring relationships are formed.
on the School’s theme of the year — Hackley as
Inspired by the theme of the school year, this special edition of the Hackley Review — “Hackley as Home” — is a celebration of the people who make Hackley the vibrant and connected community that it is. In the following pages, members of our community reflect on what makes Hackley their home. Their stories are a testament to the significance of this institution in the lives of so many.
Home: New Pages, Familiar Chapters — and its role in fostering connections within our community in a similarly titled article. In “Home Is Where Our Memories Are,” Bruce Bassett ’73 shares his memories of Hackley and provides a glimpse into the enduring impact of Hackley on his life. And in the closing remarks, titled “Finding a Home: Reflecting on 25 Years on the Hilltop,” Director of Advancement John Gannon P ’21 shares a reflective
As we explore the richness of Hackley life, we also
journey to his quarter centennial on the Hilltop
celebrate a new home for the arts and computer
and the importance of staying connected through
science at Hackley — the Center for the Creative
sharing one another’s life stories.
Arts and Technology. This state-of-the-art facility symbolizes our commitment to nurturing creativity, innovation and collaboration among our students. The transformative experiences within its walls will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of thinkers and creators.
Two special features provide a poignant reminder of the ways in which our community becomes a second home for many. In “Echoes of Kinship: A Glimpse into Hackley’s Boarding Corridor,” three boarding students reflect on their experiences living on campus and on the profound
One of the highlights of this edition — Hilltop
connections they share with their boarding peers.
Updates — extends a warm welcome to new
Several of our dedicated employees then share their
members of our community and congratulates
reflections in a specially curated spread that invites
longtime Hornets with new roles here at Hackley.
us to appreciate the varying perspectives that
Additionally, we pay tribute to our former Board
enrich our community.
2023-2024 Board of Trustees OFFICERS
Lastly, the Alumni Day photo story, thoughtfully crafted by Director of Alumni Engagement Margie McNaughton Ford ’85, P ’20 stands as a consistent element that graces the pages of each winter edition of the Hackley Review. This visual presentation brilliantly captures the essence of the new memories forged during Alumni Day 2023. Thank you for making Hackley not just a school, but a home for me and my family and all our fellow Hornets. May the stories within these pages inspire you and reinforce the profound sense of home that Hackley provides for all of us.
Harvinder S. Sandhu, M.D., President Kaveh Khosrowshahi ’85, Vice President Maria A. Docters, Vice President David Gluckman, M.D., Treasurer Eric B. Gyasi ’01, Secretary Sherry D. Blockinger ’87 Christopher P. Bogart John C. Canoni ’86 Thomas A. Caputo ’65 H. Rodgin Cohen Dawn N. Fitzpatrick Linda Holden-Bryant Jeffrey A. Libert ’73 Michael H. Lowry Rachel Mears Daniel E. Rifkin ’89 Hannah E. Saujet ’94 Jumaane W. Saunders ’96 Sy Sternberg John R. Torell IV ’80 Sarah Unger ’03 Amy Wong Maureen Wright Advisory Trustees
Charles Franklin P ’30, ’32, ’35 head of school
John J. Beni ’51 David A. Berry ’96, M.D., Ph.D. Robert Grusky ’75 Jason J. Hogg ’89 Michael G. Kimelman ’56 Jonathan P. Nelson ’64 Diane D. Rapp Conrad A. Roberts ’68 Lawrence D. Stewart ’68 Pamela Gallin Yablon, M.D. Honorary Trustees Herbert A. Allen ’58 Daniel A. Celentano John T. Cooney, Jr. ’76 Jack M. Ferraro H’63 Berkeley D. Johnson, Jr. ’49 Keith R. Kroeger ’54 Philip C. Scott ’60
Hackley Alumni Association, Inc. OFFICERS
Christie Philbrick-Wheaton ’00, President Sally Parker Nichols ’87, Vice President Dan E. Rifkin ’89, Treasurer Timothy L. Kubarych ’06, Secretary Hackley Parents’ Association EXECUTIVE BOARD
Denise Dushas, President Jennifer Madison, Executive Vice President Jennifer Lippman, Administrative Vice President Irina Zeltser, Treasurer Seena Karunakaran, Assistant Treasurer Autumn Derby, Upper School Vice President Brenda Ayers, Middle School Vice President Natalia Rozenholc, Lower School Vice President Orly Miller, Secretary Senior Administrative Team Charles Franklin, Head of School M. Cyndy Jean, Associate Head of School Basil Kolani, Director of Academic Affairs Andrew M. King, Director of the Upper School Shazia Durrani, Director of the Middle School Lisa Oberstein, Director of the Lower School Erin Bernstein, Chief Financial Officer Robert Aldrich, Director of Operations and Campus Planning Sheila Hicks-Rotella, Director of Enrollment Management John Gannon, Director of Advancement
Hackley School adheres to a long-standing policy of admitting students of any race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity and national 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, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity or national origin in administration of its educational policies, employment, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.
H I L LT O P U P D AT E S 4
Hackley Welcomes Our 13th Head of School A momentous occasion unfolded on July 1, 2023, as we welcomed Charles Franklin as Hackley’s 13th Head of School. With a distinguished background and a heart brimming with passion for education, Charles arrived at Hackley from Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, where he served as the Assistant Head of School.
During his six transformative years at Landon, Charles played a pivotal role in shaping academic programming, leading faculty growth and evaluation initiatives, and overseeing hiring and professional development. His commitment to excellence aligns seamlessly with the values we hold
Head of School Charles Franklin with his wife Haley and daughters Connelly ’30, Tate ’32 and Charlie ’35
dear at Hackley. In a May letter to the community, the Head of
dorm parent and dean of students, showcasing his
School Transition Committee expressed, “Those
deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of
who had the opportunity to meet Charles were
a thriving educational community.
impressed by his approachability, thoughtfulness and genuine focus on others. We are confident that his commitment to listening, understanding and engaging will greatly benefit the Hackley community.”
In a recent interview with the Dial, Charles shared his profound sense of humility and excitement as he assumed the role of Head of School. “I look forward to playing a part in helping each student feel a sense of connection, inspiration and owner-
A Connecticut native and an alumnus of Amherst
ship of their experience at Hackley,” he said.
College, Charles furthered his academic journey
Charles’ primary goal this year is to engage in
with a Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins.
meaningful conversations with the Hackley
His professional trajectory is marked by a diverse
community, embodying a commitment to connec-
array of roles, from history teacher and coach to
tion and community-building.
5
Hackley’s Senior Administrative Team. Standing (L-R): Director of Enrollment Management Sheila Hicks-Rotella, Director of the Middle School Shazia Durrani, Director of Advancement John Gannon, Director of Academic Affairs Basil Kolani, Chief Financial Officer Erin Bernstein Sitting (L-R): Director of the Upper School Andy King, Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean, Head of School Charles Franklin, Director of the Lower School Lisa Oberstein, Director of Operations and Campus Planning Robert Aldrich
Reflecting on the past few months working with
We are thrilled to have Charles’ passion for educa-
Charles, Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean
tion and compassionate leadership style at the core
noted, “Charles leads with the heart of a teacher
of Hackley’s future. His belief in the power of
— the way he leads his meetings with employees,
community resonates deeply, and we anticipate a
interactions with parents and engagement with
dynamic era of growth under his guidance.
students reflects how important it is for him to stop and really focus on the people standing in front of him. He doesn’t rush you through conversations, he doesn’t allow the agenda to dictate what needs to get done — he is focused on the individual and what they need in the moment.
“I extend a heartfelt welcome to Charles as he assumes a pivotal role within our cherished Hilltop community,” shared Dr. Harvinder (Vin) Sandhu, President of the Board of Trustees. “Charles was carefully selected as Hackley’s 13th Head of School for his unwavering devotion to
There is a great saying about teaching, that half of
educational excellence and his outstanding vision-
the curriculum walks into the classroom each day.
ary leadership. His wealth of experience and
Charles embodies that quote because of his
passion align seamlessly with the values that
people-first approach. I think that is why building
define our School, and his focus on the student
community is so important to him.”
experience will undoubtedly leave an indelible
What makes Charles’ arrival on the Hilltop even more special is his declaration of Hackley as his
mark on the hearts and minds of all who grace our halls.”
new home as he and his wife, Haley, along with
Join us in extending a warm welcome to Charles
their three daughters — Connelly, Tate and Charlie
Franklin as we collectively embrace this exciting
— and new pup Scuppers settled into Gage House.
chapter. Here’s to a vibrant future on the Hilltop!
H I L LT O P U P D AT E S 6
Board of Trustees Updates
Rodge Cohen Steps Down as Board President It is with mixed
“The Board of Trustees has been tremen-
emotions that we
dously fortunate to benefit from Rodge’s dedicated
announce H. Rodgin
service spanning more than 25 years,” shared
“Rodge” Cohen P ’08
Board of Trustees Vice President Maria Docters.
stepped down from
“Not only is his wisdom integral to our problem
his role as President of
solving and the development of the School, but we
the Hackley Board of
all benefit and grow from the opportunity to work
Trustees in June 2023.
with him. As the voice in the room that everyone
Rodge has been an
turns to, Rodge embodies leading with humility
integral part of our community since 1995, and his
and an open mind and sets a commendable exam-
contributions as a parent, trustee and, most
ple for us all.”
recently, as President have been immeasurable. Rodge, a distinguished graduate of Harvard
Beyond his official duties, Rodge has served as a mentor to our alumni, volunteered for various
University and senior chairman of Sullivan &
workshops and planning committees, and provided
Cromwell, LLP, has not only had a remarkable
invaluable partnership that has contributed signifi-
career as a prominent financial services regula-
cantly to Hackley’s success. His son, Jonathan ’08,
tory attorney but has also been a steadfast
a Hackley “Lifer,” is a testament to the deep roots
supporter of Hackley. His commitment to our
Rodge has planted in our community.
community is evident in the countless ways he
We extend our deepest gratitude to Rodge
has dedicated his time, wisdom and expertise over
for his tireless service, his visionary leadership
the past 20-plus years.
and his genuine warmth. His impact on Hackley
As President of the Board since 2020, Rodge
will be felt for years to come, and we are fortunate
demonstrated exemplary leadership and grace,
that he will continue to be a valuable member of
guiding Hackley through the challenges posed by
the Board of Trustees. As we welcome Dr.
the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating a divisive
Harvinder Sandhu P ’18, ’23 as the 17th President
political landscape, and overseeing a smooth tran-
of the Hackley Board of Trustees, effective July 1,
sition in School leadership. His dedication to the
2023, we recognize Rodge for his invaluable
well-being and success of Hackley has been
service. Thank you, Rodge, for your commitment
unwavering.
to Hackley.
7
Hackley Welcomes New Board President Vin Sandhu It is with great
Excellence: Learning Beyond Boundaries. Moreover,
pleasure and anticipa-
during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vin’s expertise
tion that we extend
as a member of the School’s COVID-19 Medical
a warm welcome to
Advisory Group was instrumental in guiding us
Dr. Harvinder “Vin”
through those challenging times.
Sandhu P ’18, ’23, as
Vin’s connection with Hackley extends
he assumes the
beyond his role on the Board; he became a part of
esteemed role of
our community in 2007 as a parent to Alexi ’18
President of the Board
and Arjan ’23. Throughout the years, he has been
of Trustees. Vin has been an invaluable member of
an outstanding community leader, offering his
the Board since 2014, and his extensive contribu-
time as a mentor and volunteer. Vin’s involvement
tions have significantly enriched our community.
in various programs, such as the Senior Project
“As a former Hackley parent, Board Member,
mentorship, Independent Science Research
Chair of multiple Board Committees, and an
Program and Networking Program, reflects his
Executive Officer of the Board before assuming
commitment to fostering a vibrant learning envi-
the role of President, Vin knows the Hackley
ronment. Additionally, his contributions to the
community incredibly well from a variety of
classroom as a visiting lecturer have had a lasting
vantage points and over many years,” shared
impact on our students.
Board of Trustees Treasurer David Gluckman.
In his professional capacity, Vin serves as
“Vin is always thoughtful, measured and inclusive
Co-Chief Emeritus of HSS Spine and is an
as he weighs matters important to the School,
Attending Surgeon at HSS, specializing in mini-
considering issues deeply from a range of perspec-
mally invasive spine surgery, robotic surgery and
tives and listening closely to others’ viewpoints.
the use of spinal biologics for enhanced healing.
We are indeed fortunate to have him bring to bear
Currently holding the position of Professor of
in our community his significant experience, fine
Orthopedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and
judgment and genuine love of Hackley.”
serving as the Medical Director and Chief of HSS
Over the past nine years, Vin has exhibited exemplary leadership, notably chairing both the
Orthopedics with Stamford Health, Vin’s expertise is truly commendable.
Buildings & Grounds and Finance Committees
Vin’s commitment to advancing medical
and holding the position of Executive Officer of
knowledge is evident in his active engagement in
the Board. In 2018, he played a pivotal role in
researching and developing medical devices and
steering the strategic planning process that gave
instruments for spinal surgery, holding several
rise to Hackley’s strategic plan, Redefining
patents. With more than 100 peer-reviewed Continued
H I L LT O P U P D AT E S 8
Board of Trustees Updates
scientific publications and numerous awards from
We express our deepest gratitude to Vin for
prestigious organizations, including the North
his outstanding dedication to Hackley. As Vin
American Spine Society and the Orthopedic
steps into his new role, we eagerly anticipate the
Research Society, Vin’s contributions to the field
positive impact he will continue to have on our
are truly noteworthy.
community, guiding us to even greater heights.
Farewell to Advisory Trustee Timothy “Tim” Matlack ’70 Tim Matlack has
as well as class representative, mentor and event
decided to step down
host of many alumni events.
as Advisory Trustee
“I was very involved in the process of Tim’s
effective this school
appointment to the Board of Trustees in 1990, as
year. Tim’s journey
my term as President of Hackley’s Board of
with Hackley is a rich
Trustees also began in 1990,” shared former Board
tapestry of achieve-
President and Hackley Medal of Honor awardee
ments, beginning
Jack Ferraro H ’63, P ’94, ’95. “In spite of the
with his academic
extensive due diligence conducted by the Board
career, where he earned cum laude and a Parker
prior to nominating a Trustee, the Board can
Cup. His dedication did not stop there; Tim
never really be sure as to how their choices will
remained an active and engaged member of the
turn out, however, in Tim’s case our collective
Hackley community, wearing multiple hats over
judgment proved to be superb.” He added, “Tim’s
the years in various capacities and bringing to
service as a member of Hackley’s Board of
Hackley his experience as board chair at St.
Trustees and Advisory Board was exemplary. On
Andrew’s Episcopal School and as President of the
several occasions, I sought Tim’s advice on myriad
Independent School Chairperson’s Association.
matters pertaining to Hackley — particularly
As an alumnus, Tim’s impact has been felt far
those relating to School governance — and I
and wide, from his service on the Advisory Board
always received sage advice. I am personally grate-
from 1993-2009 and 2019-2023, to his two terms as
ful to Tim for his lifetime of support and contribu-
a member of the Hackley Board of Trustees from
tions to Hackley School!”
1990-1993 and 2009-2018. Tim’s commitment has
As we bid farewell to Tim as an Advisory
been unwavering and defined by camaraderie and
Trustee, we do so with heartfelt gratitude for his
his tireless efforts to connect Hackley alumni as a
dedicated service. The Board accepts his decision
member of the Hackley Alumni Association,
with regret and expresses deepest thanks to Tim
Reunion Committee and Annual Fund Committee,
for his invaluable contributions.
9
Congratulations Are in Order!
M. Cyndy Jean Becomes Associate Head of School On Thursday, May 25,
helping develop student-led conferences in the
2023, former Assistant
Middle School, she designed and led the program
Head of School for
that is now Hackley’s Teaching Fellowship. Cyndy
Community and
also helped launch Hackley Hosts, a webinar series
Inclusivity Dr. Cyndy
designed to bring educators from across the coun-
Jean announced that
try to hear from leading voices on topical issues.
she would be staying
Some of Cyndy’s most lasting and impactful
on the Hilltop to take
contributions have come through her efforts to
on the inaugural role
help Hackley build on its mission-driven commit-
of Associate Head of School.
ment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2021, she
In her note to the community last spring,
was appointed Hackley’s first Assistant Head of
Cyndy expressed, “As I reflect on my experiences
School for Community and Inclusivity. In this new
at Hackley, it is the people that reaffirm my belief
role, Cyndy combined her lived experiences with
in our mission and core values.” Her resolute
extensive academic study on how to build inclusive
choice to remain at Hackley stems from the
communities to develop structures and systems for
profound dedication exhibited by the School’s
Hackley’s approach to DEI work, including oversee-
employees, students and parent volunteers
ing the development of a multi-year DEI plan,
throughout her tenure but also is a testament to
increased levels of professional development for
the enduring strength of the School’s vibrant and
employees, the creation of DEI Advisory Groups to
cohesive culture. We’re thrilled that she and her
include parental voice, the launch of employee
family have decided to remain an active part of the
Resource Groups, and the refinement of several
Hackley community.
policies within the School to create a more inclu-
Cyndy arrived at Hackley in 2007 as a Lower School assistant teacher after completing her
sive and equitable environment. “In my 16 years on the Hilltop, I have
undergraduate studies at Amherst College. In 2010,
witnessed our community’s brilliance and dedica-
she became an English teacher in the Middle
tion, which has influenced my development as an
School, also taking on advising and coaching
educator, a leader, a mother and a friend. My deci-
responsibilities. Shortly thereafter, she was asked
sion to remain at Hackley is a reflection of all you
to take on the leadership role of a grade-level dean
have poured into me,” Cyndy shared. “I remain
within the Middle School. In 2015, Cyndy moved
eager to continue meaningful work with you. I look
into the Director of the Middle School role, and, in
forward to working closely with Charles Franklin,
2018, she earned the Hilltop Award, presented by
the senior administrative team and all of you ‘to
“Lifers” from the Class of 2018. In addition to
spread beauty and light’ for many years.”
H I L LT O P U P D AT E S 10
Congratulations Are in Order!
John Gannon Named Director of Advancement This fall, John
helped build a strong culture of philanthropy on
Gannon P ’21 officially
the Hilltop. John’s commitment to Hackley is
began his appoint-
extraordinary.”
ment as Hackley’s
John’s fierce commitment to Hackley extends
new Director of
beyond professional ambition; it is deeply personal.
Advancement. Now in
In a letter announcing his appointment, he
his 25th year on the
expressed that Hackley’s success holds profound
Hilltop, John is recog-
importance for him. His motivation stems from
nized for his commit-
the satisfaction derived from the art of relation-
ment to fostering relationships with all members
ship-building, a cornerstone of his professional
of our community and engaging them in the life
journey. Furthermore, John’s personal gratitude to
of our School. John’s genuine passion for under-
Hackley is evident as he reflects on the enriching
standing individuals and their unique ties to
experiences shared with his wife Elizabeth and
Hackley has been a driving force behind his vari-
the transformative education their son William
ous roles, including Director of Development and
received as a student.
Alumni Affairs, Director of Capital and Planned
As the Director of Advancement, John is
Gifts, Director of the Centennial Campaign and
poised to guide the School toward continued
Director of the Legacy Campaign. His multifac-
success. His complex role reflects a keen under-
eted experience underscores both his versatility
standing of the monumental impact that a world-
and his deeply rooted dedication to the School’s
class education can have on young minds. John’s
growth and success.
legacy at Hackley is not just marked by his
“After 25 years, I continue to be amazed by
impressive tenure but by the deep relationships he
John’s ability to create long-term relationships with
has cultivated, embodying a genuine concern for
the Hackley community,” notes trustee Thomas
the individuals who make up the fabric of the
Caputo ’65, P ’93. “These relationships have
Hackley community.
11
Damon Hall Appointed Assistant Director of the Middle School Damon Hall joined
Director of the Middle School Shazia Durrani
Hackley’s History
shared, “Damon has actively participated in all
Department in 2019
aspects of student life, whether volunteering as a
after working as a
judge, coaching three seasons of sports or subbing
middle and upper
for a colleague. He has also assisted in organizing
school humanities
trips and events, reshaping curriculum and creat-
teacher, first at the
ing new programming. Damon has consistently
Fessenden School and
supported advisors by providing clear guidance and
then at the Maret
unwavering support. I am confident that Damon’s
School, and as a coach at his undergraduate alma
passion and vision for the Middle School will be an
mater, Bowdoin College.
incredible asset as he transitions into this role.”
Over the past four years, Damon has built his
Damon Hall, congratulations on becoming
reputation as a dynamic teacher and an enthusiastic,
the Assistant Director of the Middle School!
strong and responsive dean and colleague. In the
Your passion for education and mentorship will
announcement to the community this past spring,
undoubtedly shine in this new capacity.
H I L LT O P U P D AT E S 12
Congratulations Are in Order!
Celebrating Progress and Growth It is with great joy that we extend our heartfelt congratulations to employees on their well-deserved promotions and new roles within our community. Each of you brings a unique set of skills and a commitment to excellence that strengthens the foundation of Hackley. We are proud to have such a talented group of individuals contributing to our community’s success. Melissa Boviero
Rebecca Hall
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
Your leadership will undoubtedly inspire both students and fellow educators.
We trust that your wealth of experience and care will guide students seamlessly through the college application process.
Emily DeMarchena
Brigid Moriarty
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & SERVICE-LEARNING
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR
We are excited about the positive impact we know you will make, fostering connections and community spirit.
Your passion for literature and education will surely enrich our English curriculum and the learning experiences of our students.
Nicole Frasco
Meghan O’Callaghan
COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
Your dedication as the College Counseling Office Administrator has been truly commendable, and we look forward to witnessing the continued excellence you bring to your role.
Your expertise and dedication to student success will be invaluable in shaping our School’s future.
13
Hackley Welcomes New Employees
This year, we welcomed new faculty and associate teachers, Teaching Fellows, staff members and administrators. These new colleagues are off to a strong start, making their presence known in all the best ways. Welcome to Hackley: Catherine Bautista
Taylor Gracie
Jennifer Herlihy
Sara Kratzok
HEALTH TEACHER
TEACHING FELLOW, ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
UPPER SCHOOL LEARNING SPECIALIST
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
Shakun Matani
Pablo Mena
Catherine Moskow
Jean Nadell
LOWER SCHOOL TEACHER
TEACHING FELLOW, MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
MIDDLE SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER, SEVENTH GRADE DEAN
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
Mari Nuzum
Jen Peterson
Graham Plewniak
Kelly Powers
LOWER SCHOOL ASSOCIATE TEACHER
FINANCE OFFICE CONSULTANT
LOWER SCHOOL ASSOCIATE TEACHER
MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHER
Sarah Shooman
Qian (Cindy) Sun
Sydnee Tyree
Nancy Zacatelco
LOWER SCHOOL ADJUNCT TEACHER
MODERN LANGUAGES TEACHER
ADMISSIONS ASSOCIATE
FINANCE OFFICE CONSULTANT
Front row (L-R): Mari Nuzum, Catherine Bautista, Sara Kratzok and Jen Peterson | Second row (L-R): Shakun Matani, Jennifer Herlihy, Charles Franklin and Sydnee Tyree | Back row (L-R): Graham Plewniak and Pablo Mena
14
CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY THE
All renderings courtesy of Pelli Clarke & Partners
15
A NEW HOME FOR THE ARTS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE IN SUMMER 2022, WE COMPLETED THE DEMOLITION OF THE FORMER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND CLEARED THE WAY FOR AN EXCITING NEW VENTURE: THE CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY. Nestled near the entrance of the Hilltop and spanning an impressive 50,000 square feet, this groundbreaking structure is entirely dedicated to fostering imagination and creativity. What sets the Center apart is its unique fusion of computer science with the visual and performing arts and the unparalleled creative opportunities it offers Hackley students and their teachers.
16
HACKLEY AS HOME
The expansive 550-seat auditorium and the 100-seat black box theater are poised to be the spotlight where creativity knows no bounds for our talented student actors, artists, musicians and technicians. More than performance spaces, these areas are envisioned as shared hubs cutting across disciplines — instructional spaces, rehearsal and practice rooms, scene shops, dressing rooms and control rooms will all converge to nurture creativity and enrich the arts at Hackley. The studios and flexible computer science classrooms are meticulously designed to facilitate superior computer science instruction across disciplines. The new Center for the Creative Arts and Technology is not just a building — it’s a dynamic learning landscape.
All renderings courtesy of Pelli Clarke & Partners
T H E C E N T E R FO R T H E C R E AT I V E A R T S A N D T E C H N O LO GY
BETTIE-ANN CANDELORA DEPARTMENT CHAIR FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS The new Center will have a transformative impact on drama and music students alike, inspiring the next generation of actors and musicians and showcasing the School’s dedication to cultivating creativity and excellence in the arts. This state-of-the-art facility will provide a creative hub where budding artists can hone their skills, explore their passions and bring their talents to life. With classrooms built for the needs of our students and programs, acoustically designed spaces and superior support facilities, it will undoubtedly elevate the quality of productions and performances. Moreover, the Center serves as a tangible embodiment of Hackley School’s commitment to the arts, reinforcing our dedication to nurturing wellrounded individuals by fostering a vibrant and dynamic artistic community.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
CENTER CONSTRUCTION SITE: A STUDENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY Throughout the school year, Hackley students and teachers have taken advantage of opportunities to visit the construction site and speak with some of the architects and professionals working on its development. In late October, AP Physics took an oncampus field trip during which students met with Caren Amicone, senior project manager for our partners at Consigli Construction; James Riina, project management team at Colliers Project Leaders; and architects David Coon of Pelli Clarke & Partners and Kevin Naimoli of Richard Turlington Architects. Students also watched the crane lift I-beams into place and learned about the structural requirements for cantilevered sections of the building, as well as the water management system to reclaim rainwater for landscaping use. In November, Architecture and Design students met with Amicone, Coon and Naimoli to learn about the architectural elements of the new building and the collaborative process between the architects and construction team. And in December, the Hackley Earth Action League (HEAL) Clubs across divisions took trips to the construction site to learn more about the Center’s many sustainability-focused features, including efforts to recycle the materials taken out of the site and using recycled or highly recyclable materials in the construction process. Students also learned about how the planned green roof, retention pond, water collection system for landscape irrigation, downward casting lights and permeable parking surfaces were all part of the designers’ efforts to make the space friendly for people and animals. Interior efforts, like the use of low VOC materials, LED lighting and air filtration, were also discussed, helping students understand how these efforts also work toward creating a more environmentally friendly space.
AP Physics students and Dr. Andrew Ying visit the construction site for the Center for the Creative Arts and Technology.
MELISSA TRANCHIDA DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR The Center for the Creative Arts and Technology is evidence of the commitment Hackley is making toward further developing roots in Computer Science. The Center will highlight computer science education for our students, inspire current educators to dream, intrigue prospective talent and spark connections with the K-12 community.
Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction
T H E C E N T E R FO R T H E C R E AT I V E A R T S A N D T E C H N O LO GY
“The Center will be a place where our entire community will gather for concerts, art shows, divisional meetings, guest speakers and much more,” noted Head of School Charles Franklin. “What is so exciting about this new building is that in addition to serving as an affirmation of the role of creativity and expression in the life of our School, the Center will also foster community and togetherness.” As we eagerly anticipate the grand opening in the fall of 2024, the diligent efforts of our partners at Consigli Construction have been on full display throughout the summer and school year. Onlookers, including students, faculty, staff and visitors to the Hilltop, have marveled at the remarkable transformation of what was once a vast pit next to Akin Common into the magnificent structure that is gradually taking shape.
Scan the QR code to watch the drone video of the construction site.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Center for
GREG CICE
the Creative Arts and Technology aims to
DEPARTMENT CHAIR FOR THE VISUAL ARTS
secure LEED Gold certification through
How exciting that, for the first time in Hackley’s long history, all
impressive sustainability initiatives. Picture a 15,000-gallon tank discreetly nestled in the ground in front of the building, strategically designed to capture water runoff from the roofs. Instead of channeling it to the municipal stormwater system, this water will find a purpose on-site, serving irrigation and other mechanical needs, embodying our commitment to responsible resource use. The Center will feature a green roof above the auditorium, adorned with carefully selected plantings. This not only adds an aesthetic touch but also contributes significantly to reducing stormwater runoff and roof maintenance.
the creative arts will be united under one roof! Visual Arts disciplines, which have been scattered across buildings for decades, will be brought together into a single cohesive department and share space with our friends in Technology and the Performing Arts. The possibilities for invention and collaboration are endless! The Center will also be home to Hackley’s first-ever art gallery. Facing Akin Common, the beautiful new gallery will host exhibitions from professional artists near and far and will establish the Hilltop as a vibrant center for creative expression. The new digital media facility and senior art studio will place Hackley’s visual arts program on par with leading art programs anywhere — including art schools and BFA foundations programs.
T H E C E N T E R FO R T H E C R E AT I V E A R T S A N D T E C H N O LO GY
The green roof will serve as a biodiversity haven, enhancing
SUSTAINABILITY ELEMENTS
the ecological balance and simultaneously improving the building’s thermal performance by reducing heat infiltration by more than 70%. In essence, the Center for the Creative Arts and Technology is a testament to Hackley’s dedication to innovation, cross-disciplinary collaboration and sustainable practices.
If you are interested in learning more about the building or exploring naming opportunities, contact Director of Advancement John Gannon P ’21 at jgannon@hackleyschool.org or Major Gifts Officer John Halpin at jhalpin@hackleyschool.org.
PLANETARY HEALTH ELEMENTS
(Outdoor Environmental Quality and Energy Efficiency)
Rainwater Harvesting (15,000 gallon underground cistern) = no potable / municipal water used for landscape irrigation Restoring 32% of site back to nature and using native / adaptive vegetation, which require less water / maintenance Benefits of Green Roof Reduces heat island effect of building (lowering heat emitted from building into atmosphere) Captures stormwater Planted with native species to attract birds, bees and butterflies
Scan to watch a simulated walkthrough of the new Center.
High albedo roofing membrane (very light in color) to reflect solar heat and lower cooling loads High-performance glazing to reduce solar heat gain creates lower cooling loads to conserve energy Site lighting in low wattage and shielded to preserve dark skies Sustainably harvested wood (FSC certified) High albedo landscape paving to reduce heat island effect Greater than 50% construction waste recycled
HUMAN HEALTH ELEMENTS
(Indoor Environmental Quality)
Enhanced indoor air quality (Merv-13 filtration and increased fresh air ventilation) CO2 sensors and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emitting materials Low-flow toilets and faucets to conserve water Spatial daylighting autonomy and annual sunlight exposure (significant natural light)
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HACKLE Y AS HOM E
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‘Hackley as Home’: Embracing New Pages and Familiar Chapters on the Hilltop By HPA President Denise Dushas and Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean Each year, the Hackley Parents’ Association and school administrators collaborate to shape a theme guiding collective initiatives throughout the academic year. In this reflective piece, Denise Dushas P ’28, ’33 and Cyndy Jean P ’34, ’36 explore the meaning and influence of this year’s theme, a motif that also shapes the overarching theme of this edition of the Hackley Review.
We are excited to step into a new academic year at Hackley School, where community is at the center of who we are and what we do. The air feels light, and joy frames how we begin together. Joy, not defined as the fleeting emotion synonymous with “happy,” but as defined by a sustained, intentional practice of care for self and care for others — one that brings about a notion of belonging, understanding and connectedness. As a result, our theme for the year, “Hackley as Home — New Pages, Familiar Chapters,” couldn’t be more fitting for the journey ahead.
We like to think of Hackley as a beloved book, rich
development of initiatives that will strengthen
with familiar chapters that resonate with each of
existing programs across divisions and enhance
us. This year, we aspire to deepen the sense of
how we might bring to life new shared spaces
connectedness that characterizes our community,
while honoring Hackley’s history and purpose.
weaving an even tighter bond between the School and families in the new pages we write together.
As we approach the significant milestone of the School’s 125th anniversary, we understand the
We warmly welcome new families and employees,
need to evolve while preserving the foundational
including a new head of school and his family. The
elements — academic excellence, unrivaled athleti-
unique perspectives brought by our community
cism and artistic creativity — that have guided the
members — new and returning — add depth to
Hilltop for generations. Deep collaboration
our collective grasp of the School’s mission and
between School and families is the catalyst for this
core values. Slowly, but surely, we anticipate the
evolution, as we collectively imagine ways to
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HACKLEY AS HOME
support our students and all that makes Hackley
succeed in academics, athletics and the arts, and
special. Revisiting the building blocks of Hackley’s
also feel a sense of ease while here. It is a place
mission and culture is like coming home; like
where we can shoulder life’s challenges together
re-reading familiar chapters that build on the
and create new and collective meaning and under-
comforting traditions of the School’s history and
standing in a shifting world as we author new
the legacy of those who came before us.
pages together.
Our shared vision for Hackley is clear — we are
So, as we embrace this new academic year, we hope
committed to creating a home on the Hilltop where
you can honor the familiarity that makes Hackley
everyone can excel, find a sense of purpose and,
feel like home while engaging new challenges and
most importantly, be themselves. We envision a
experiences with confidence. We hope this year
community that harmonizes ambition with wonder,
pens a fresh, exciting story for our community as
achievement with cheerfulness. It’s about creating
we return to our home on the Hilltop and joyfully
a fun, nurturing environment where everyone can
work together.
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This fall, the Lower School Community
AROUND THE HILLTOP
Engagement Team sent out a Google survey
BEING AND FINDING NEW FRIENDS ON THE HILLTOP
“Being and Finding New Friends in Our Hackley
to faculty and staff on the Hilltop entitled Community.” The questions on the survey ranged from “What is your title and role at
Hackley?” to your favorite book as a child, a fun fact about you and what you’re working to get better at, among many others. The goal: To learn a bit more about some of the important roles people in our community play to help make Hackley the magical place that it is. Throughout the year, Lower School students learn about ways in which they can make a difference, both locally and globally. “We can’t think of the community outside the campus without recognizing the community within the campus,” noted Roni Kanter, fourth grade teacher and Lower School community engagement coordinator. The Community Engagement Team helped to run an assembly in November as part of the Character Education curriculum in the Lower School where they introduced students to some of the people who help make Hackley such a special community. Ms. Kanter’s hope for the initiative is that students find common connections with others at Hackley. “I would love for them to see you, know your name and remember what you do here, but also to think ‘Oh my gosh, she likes tigers, and I like tigers! That’s something we have in common!’” she added. “We were really trying to keep up with the ideas of ‘United, we help one another’ and ‘Enter here to be and find a friend.’ And when you’re trying to make friends, you’re looking for things you have in common.”
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HACKLEY AS HOME
Echoes of Kinship: A Glimpse into Hackley’s Boarding Corridor A tapestry of memories and friendships is woven every day throughout Hackley’s hallowed halls. In the boarding corridor, students gather in cozy corners and develop bonds that will flourish long past their time on the Hilltop. In the quietude of latenight study sessions, the laughter echoing through the dorms and the unspoken connections forged over countless meals, these students discover a profound sense of belonging — it’s the unmistakable feeling of home. In this exclusive feature, three Hackley boarders share heartfelt reflections of Hackley’s boarding community, exploring the intricate connections that make this institution more than just a School and student-peers more like an extended family.
Hackley students gather in a common space in the boarding dorms in 1951.
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night of boarding, everyone makes a door sign with their name and graduating year that we can decorate as little or as much as we want. It’s very cool looking at each door sign, as each one has its own personality and allows the boarders to get to know each other. Another tradition is the Boarding Extravaganza, which is a big competition toward the last week of the school year. It is a highly competitive event where everyone tries to outsmart, outwit and outlast all the other teams. We garner points not just through competitions like Jeopardy, but also Current Boarders enjoy a game night.
through our creativity with the banner and team name. It is such a fun way to wrap up the school
Ari Spiegel ’26 on Weekly Activities and Boarding Traditions The boarding community comes together in many ways throughout the week. Some of these include weekly activity nights and what have become boarding traditions. Every week, we do an activity that includes anything from laser tag to tie-dye. My alltime favorite activity was making pasta in the Johnson Center kitchen. Getting to talk and connect with other boarders while making and eating pasta was very fun. We also have a movie and pizza night every Thursday — the last night of boarding for the week before everyone goes home for the weekend — when we watch a movie competitively voted upon by the boarders while enjoying pizza. When the Google form is sent out, there are many debates about which movie is better and should be picked to watch for that night.
year by coming together and competing for the ultimate prize: bragging rights (along with ice cream for everyone at the end). One of my favorite traditions is the Senior Wall. At the end of the year, each Senior gets a square on the wall that they can paint to leave their literal and figurative mark on boarding when they graduate. Seeing all the creative little squares of Seniors I knew is incredibly nostalgic to look back on.
Isabelle Cai ’26 on Snowy Day Bonds Nothing bonds us more as a family of 26 students than boarding snow days. Each year, if a snow day falls in the middle of the week, boarders spend the entire day in the hallway doing fun activities. We get to have a day simply dedicated to being with each other. My favorite experience from last year was going sledding by the hill down to Allen’s Alley with some faculty children. We didn’t have fancy
Boarding also has traditions like making door
sleds prepared for more than 30 kids, so we went
signs on the first night of boarding, the Boarding
on the cafeteria trays of the Lower School Dining
Extravaganza and the Senior Wall. On the first
Hall and had a blast. Despite the freezing weather,
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HACKLEY AS HOME
there were smiles on everyone’s faces. While we
amazing. In addition, it was incredible to spend
were outside, the boarders and faculty children also
lunch and dinner with just us together that day. We
built snowmen together. Many boarders I talked to
were really going deep into conversations. It was
mentioned that this experience reminded them of
especially nice for me to talk to people who I don’t
their childhood bonding with their family on days
see that often during regular school days for lunch.
like this. But this time, we had the opportunity to
Actually experiencing a snow day in boarding really
do it with our boarding home and family.
got me to understand why so many people call it
We also have a wide range of activities indoors. There is a full collection of different board games in the boarding hallway. Last year, there were hours of ongoing Monopoly throughout the day. I got to see the more competitive side of some of my friends, and they eventually beat the allegations of Monopoly games being never-ending by the end of the evening.
their favorite boarding experience.
Meredith Lee ’25 on Connections Forged Around the Dinner Table When the phrase, “Hey, are you going to dinner?” is heard, it is often in the context of a sibling asking another sibling if they are going to attend their nightly family meal. The same question is often asked among boarders, and the casual question has
When we came back inside, there was also a holiday
the same meaning for boarders as it does for
karaoke session. We put on our favorite holiday
siblings. The quality time that boarders spend
songs with a speaker, and many of us sang along.
together through conversations in the corridors
Later on, we even put on songs that weren’t exactly
before knock-in, entertaining dinner conversations
holiday themed, but the experience was absolutely
and even making homemade pasta push the connection that boarders have with each other past friendship to family. This type of relationship means that we feel very comfortable around each other, free to express ourselves and share issues, triumphs and hopes with each other. Unlike the people who regularly eat breakfast and lunch at Hackley, most people at dinner call Hackley home, creating a homey element to the atmosphere of eating dinner on the Hilltop. For example, at the start of a new school year with new boarders, their personalities are quickly revealed through our nightly dinner conversations. Having dinner
Boarders enjoy such indoor activities as ping pong together in the Boarding corridor.
together bonds the boarders as a community, and it is definitely a familial experience.
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For Ari, Isabelle and Meredith, a profound truth emerges — the Hackley boarding community stands as an enduring testament to the spirit of kinship on the Hilltop. Through the shared laughter over pots of pasta, exhilarating escapades down snowcovered hills, comforting warmth of communal dinners in the Dining Hall or the collective experience of living on the Hilltop, the bonds forged within Hackley’s walls will undoubtedly etch themselves into the hearts of the boarding family for a lifetime.
Hackley boarders create unique door signs that express their personalities.
About the Authors: Isabelle, Meredith and Ari are all in their second year of Boarding at Hackley. Ari, a Hackley sophomore, hopes to continue to make Hackley an inclusive place through involvement in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, including leadership of Gender and Sexuality Allied and membership in the Black Student Union. Ari notes, “In my free time, I enjoy talking to people, stage-managing theater and the thrill of throwing shot put, weight throw and discus for the track and field team.” Isabelle, also a sophomore, came to the Hilltop in ninth grade and serves on the Community Council as the tenth grade class president and as a Student Ambassadors leader for the Admissions Office. Isabelle is also actively involved in the STEM Club at Hackley and is on the Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Swimming and Varsity Track and Field teams. “I love being a part of the Hackley community,” Isabelle notes, “especially through being with friends on and off of Boarding, in different grades and on my sports teams.” Meredith, a junior, is in her twelfth year at Hackley and is excited about contributing to the School and fostering uplifting communities through leadership on the Community Council, Hackley Yogis and Model UN, and sports captainship on the Varsity Cross Country and Varsity Track and Field teams. “In my free time, I love to hang out with friends, work out and learn about topics that I am interested in, such as sports physiology and social psychology, through reading books,” Meredith adds.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
In the 2022-23 academic year, Hackley’s
AROUND THE HILLTOP
PUTTING THE SPORTSMANSHIP INTO SPORTS
Athletics teams had one of their best years in a decade, winning 11 league titles. (The Hornets won 12 league titles in the 2012-13 year.) The winning teams included field hockey, girls’ tennis, boys’ soccer, boys’ squash, girls’ squash,
girls’ foil fencing, boys’ foil fencing, boys’ saber fencing, girls’ lacrosse, boys’ lacrosse and boys’ tennis. Of those, boys’ soccer, boys’ lacrosse, girls’ lacrosse and the boys’ tennis doubles team also brought home state championship hardware. While titles and trophies are impressive grabs, speak to any of our amazing coaches, and they’ll tell you that teamwork, collaboration, integrity and sportsmanship are really the things that make each season special and provide the lessons and memories they want student-athletes to walk away with. “Winning is, of course, the object of any game, but it’s also something that is really a side effect of a group of players being able to individually and collectively compete at their best because they know that they have the support of great teammates who believe in them, hold them to high standards and want for them to succeed,” noted Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse coach and Assistant Director of the Upper School Chris Arnold. “On HGVT, we emphasize the importance of treating opponents with dignity, handling victories and defeats with grace, supporting our teammates and always playing fairly,” added Girls’ Varsity Tennis coach Dave Sykes, Upper School history teacher and Director of the Hudson Scholars program. “Tennis is often viewed as an individual sport, but the girls on HGVT deserve a ton of credit for cultivating a supportive, spirited, fun and inclusive team environment. The way in which they cheer for each other, lift each other up, and work hard and laugh together speaks volumes about their commitment to one another.”
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Jenny Leffler, Upper School English teacher and coach of the Varsity Field Hockey and Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse teams, spoke of the importance of building trust among her players both on and off the field. “The players learn to trust each other, work hard for each other and get inspiration from each other. They push not just for themselves but for their teammates, and they do hard things together. “To see players step into incredibly hard positions, be willing to play anywhere, constantly have each other’s back on and off the field, address things that are hard or not working, and then have the strength and determination to push through the hardship and not just settle for it, that, to me, is the measure of a great team.” In fencing, coach Greg Gall noted that the most important thing for each student-athlete is to support each other and give each match 100%. “They know how to motivate each other and be there for each other in victory or defeat. They want to win for the team. There’s a sense of loyalty to each other and ‘the greater Hackley’ — when one person or squad wins, the whole team wins.” “Every successful team of any sort has a mix of individual players that play different roles. The magic sauce is making players understand and embrace their role so that the team is stronger than the sum of all its parts,” added Boys’ Varsity Soccer coach and Director of Auxiliary Programs Peter Sawkins. “It is the ultimate in collaboration, teamwork and respect for each other. The 2022 record-setting boys’ soccer team was a great example of this.” Mr. Arnold summed it up well: “Great teams work to get better every day, build resilience by pulling together in the face of adversity, treat failures as opportunities to learn and show respect to their opponents.” And that’s exactly what our Hackley Hornets strive for each day both on and off the field.
Scan the QR code to read the Hackley Perspectives blog post “Why I Coach” by Varsity Football Coach Joe McDermott ’14.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
Home on the Hilltop We all know the old cliché, “Home is where the heart is.” Throughout Hackley’s storied history, students, families, alumni, faculty and staff have poured their hearts into Hackley and have truly made it “home.” On this Hilltop, colleagues become lifelong friends, alumni can return years later and find familiar corners of campus and friendly faces, and students gather to enjoy each other’s company. Hackley is a place where faculty and staff entrust their own children to experience the special community that defines the School. It is a cherished home for generations of families. As we explore the theme “Hackley as Home” this school year, we asked community members who hold multiple roles on the Hilltop to reflect on what “Hackley as Home” means to them.
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EMILY DEMARCHENA P ’30 MS AND US MODERN LANGUAGES TEACHER, ADVISOR, COACH, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & SERVICE-LEARNING
I attended Hackley’s Middle School from 1987 to 1990, the days of boat shoes, pegged pants and rugby shirts — the “good-old days” when Phil Variano was just starting his tenure as Middle School Director. I spent the days climbing up and down the stairs of the old red-brick Middle School building, running around its pavemented playground and trying to find the quickest, most direct route to the Tuck Shop and back. I was blessed with the opportunity to return to the Hilltop to teach Spanish in the Middle and Upper Schools in 2007, and my life has been forever changed for the better. The relationships I have made over the last 17 years, both professional and personal, are what make Hackley home to me. The students — current and alumni — who challenge me to be a better educator and person; my colleagues, who have shown me what it means to be a friend; those who inspire me and my sixth grade son (a Hackley Lifer!) to be the best versions of ourselves. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank Hackley, or former Admissions Director Chris McColl, for having the wisdom and foresight to hire Aaron Washington in 2011, not knowing that he would become my husband in 2016. My family and I have deep roots on the Hilltop — there is no other place in the world I would choose for our home.
Emily DeMarchena outside her home in Allen’s Alley.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
STEVE FITZPATRICK P ’18, ’21, ’32 US HISTORY TEACHER, DIRECTOR OF DEBATE, ADVISOR, COACH
My current fourth grader is scheduled to graduate from Hackley in 2032, which will mark 27 consecutive years in which I will have had a child enrolled in the School. My son Rian ’18 started in 2005 and his sister Kiri ’21 graduated when Julia was a first grader. I started at Hackley in fall of 1995 and, over that time, I’ve been a history teacher, coach, dean, faculty rep, advisor, director of curriculum, director of debate and served on more committees than I can count. For the first 10 years of my career, I coached all three seasons and lived on campus. I’ve led sixth grade campouts and Casten trips to India, Japan and London. When I think of Hackley as “home,” I think it means “all in” — from September through June, every ounce of my energy goes into the Hilltop. As a teacher and parent, I have a unique lens into the workings of the School, and, as a longtime employee, I have had the chance to watch the School blossom into one of the most impressive in Westchester. Hackley was a special place when I got here, but the incredible new facilities, dedicated staff and talented student body make it a dream environment in which to work. The joy of going to school with your children every day, the chance to watch them learn and grow from your colleagues, and the ability to see firsthand what a Hackley education affords is like no other job in the world. Hackley has been my home for the past 29 years and counting. Hackley will always hold a special place in the hearts of both me and my family.
Steve Fitzpatrick on the Quad.
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MARGARET RANDAZZO P ’11, ’14 US MODERN LANGUAGES TEACHER, ADVISOR, COACH
I live on campus, and no matter the day or season, I am constantly in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds me. I feel incredibly lucky to have easy access to so many wonderful places on campus, such as the Dave Allison trails. They became a welcome refuge during the pandemic, when I would walk for hours in search of peace and serenity during a time of considerable angst for all of us. Then there is the Johnson Center for Health and Wellness, a state-of-the art facility with something for everyone. For me, the cardio and weight rooms have made a difference in my physical and mental health. The community garden and the Orchard as I pass them each day on my way to work or a walk up to the track cheer me, not only because of the way they look but because of what they represent, the talents and efforts of my colleagues and students. “Hackley as home” also means living and working with a tremendous group of people in and out of the Modern Languages Department. I have a much bigger family thanks to the many wonderful people in this community who have supported me and my two daughters throughout my 30 years on the Hilltop.
Margaret Randazzo with walking buddy Lynn DeMichele, laboratory assistant, at the start of the Carl Buessow Trails.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
MELISSA STANEK ’90, P ’21, ’23, ’30 US HISTORY TEACHER, DEAN, ADVISOR, COACH
As a graduate of Hackley, I held a special place in my heart for the School as I was well aware that in coming to Hackley, opportunities expanded for me. I loved and appreciated my time here so much that I decided to go into teaching before I had even left the Hilltop. That being said, I hadn’t considered returning to teach at Hackley — I worried that I would always feel like a student here rather than a teacher. When I graduated college, I taught at two other schools for more than 10 years. They were amazing schools, and I had a wonderful experience. At each, though, I felt like something was missing — at the time, I wasn’t sure exactly what that was. When I returned to Hackley as a teacher 21 years ago, I finally felt at home. I realized that what I had been missing was the unique sense of community we have here at Hackley. Even before I moved onto campus housing, I began to appreciate that Hackley provides a central gathering place for teachers, students and their families to come not just as their school or job, but as a place to be together and enjoy each other’s company. Young faculty children, like my two sons and daughter, interact regularly with the “big kids” in boarding or the older faculty kids who acted as role models for them. Teachers eat dinners with their students, getting to know them in a way that is more meaningful than simply teaching them in the classroom. Friendships develop among like-aged faculty kids that are more akin to sibling relationships than simple peer bonds. Teachers and their families lean on each other and actively support one another in times of celebration and crisis. For 10 years before I came back to Hackley, I held great jobs in wonderful institutions. But none of that can compare to coming home.
Melissa Stanek in the Sternberg Library.
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MICHAEL CANTERINO ’03 US ENGLISH TEACHER, ADVISOR, COACH
I recently spoke with an alumna at Alumni Day, describing Hackley as ‘home.’ She commented about how many teachers and classmates recalled specific memories of her and her time on the Hilltop. And I told her, as an alum and now as a teacher, I think that’s what’s special about Hackley — how you can come back years, even decades, later on Alumni Day or a random Tuesday in February, and not only can you find a familiar corner of campus to spark your nostalgia, but odds are you’ll also find a friendly face to reminisce with for a few hours.
Michael Canterino at Clark Oval, a spot on campus that “hasn’t changed much.”
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HACKLEY AS HOME
DIANNE FAHY ’92, P ’30, ’30 MS MATH TEACHER, ADVISOR, COACH
I’ll never forget the call I got from Phil Variano in July 1996 offering me a math teaching position at Hackley. I thought I was just the luckiest person. And then getting a spot to live on this campus! Truly a wish come true. When I started to question my call to teach just five years later, rather than encourage me to look elsewhere, both Phil and Walter Johnson personally encouraged me to take a deep look at all the opportunities our K-12 campus had to offer, and my switch to the Middle School allowed me to answer that call to teach with conviction. It’s not a surprise I would find countless mentors — teachers everywhere naturally offer their coaching tips to one another. But to have administrators take the time to encourage you on your professional journey — I feel very lucky to have benefitted from such investment. When my sixth grade twins headed out this past August on their first-ever, multi-day overnight camping excursion to the Adirondacks, I thought once again how lucky I am to be a part of the Hackley community. Because for me, signing them up for that trip wasn’t just about giving them the opportunity to participate in a quintessential summer backpacking adventure. It was also about allowing them time with committed excursion educators, ones I’ve had the privilege of witnessing develop their own trip leadership skills and outdoor education expertise. And now, my own children were getting a chance to join in on their time-tested, well-designed trip. It is what makes being a part of this community as faculty and as a parent such a rewarding experience. I’m surrounded by a community of people who have a natural desire to do it right — not just do it — and do it together. What could be luckier than that?
Dianne Fahy at the Kroeger Arch chess board, where she conducts a math lesson every year.
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WILLIAM “BILL” MCNAUGHTON ’79 TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
I’ve worked at Hackley for 33 years, but the School has always been integral to my life because the Hilltop has been home to me most of my life. My parents, Randy and Mary Anne McNaughton, taught at Hackley for 46 years, and our family, which includes my siblings Margie ’85 and Mike, lived in Allen’s Alley, the faculty housing above the tennis courts. My mom and dad also ran Hackley Day Camp, and during summers, I was my dad’s assistant, a position affectionately known as “Chief Garbage.” I graduated from Hackley in 1979 and went on to Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in acting and literature. After college, I worked as a production stage manager for a local children’s theater company, but I found my way back to Hackley. I started working in the Hackley bookstore; within a month, the Assistant Headmaster, and my mentor, David Bridges, hired me as the technical director of the Hackley theater. I thought this would be a short-term gig. Through the years, I’ve worn many different hats: house manager, prop master, lighting designer, master electrician, scenic designer, scenic artist, master carpenter, sound designer, production stage manager, director and costume designer. Creating the technical aspects of the productions within the Hackley community has made my love of theater flourish. I have always felt a part of the Hackley family, but I felt it even more after the death of my wife Janet last year. The love and kindness expressed by the faculty, staff and families were overwhelming. The letters, emails, flowers, food and gift cards helped me through a dark period. I will never forget those acts of kindness. I will retire at the end of this school year and move on to the next chapter of my life, but my connection to the Hackley community will always be part of who I am, and I will take a little bit of Hackley with me wherever I go.
Bill McNaughton with his sister, Director of Alumni Engagement Margie McNaughton Ford, in the Johnson Courtyard under the “gargoyle” of their father, Randy McNaughton.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
MICHELLE CREPEAU P ’22 MODERN LANGUAGES TEACHER & US DEAN
When I accepted the job at Hackley back in 1993, I thought that it would only be for a year or two because my experience was in the public schools, and I considered myself a public school teacher. I planned to work here for a short time while looking into the public school system for schools that would be a good match and keep me in that environment. And then I started teaching at Hackley. I found myself so surprised and happy to work in an environment with colleagues who cared as much as I did and who worked hard, and with students who inspired me more every day. Two years later, I was offered housing, and Hackley literally became my home for a couple of years. I have made some of my closest friends here, grown and developed as an educator and dean, and loved becoming a part of this amazing community. Three decades later, I am so grateful that I decided to teach at Hackley. It has been one of the best decisions I ever made!
Michelle Crepeau outside Goodhue Memorial Hall.
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KAREN CASPER P ’19 US MATH TEACHER
I lived on campus first when I was single, and then with my husband. We raised our son Danny here. Although we eventually moved off campus, Danny still refers to Hackley as home. Recently on a visit, Danny returned to the campus to check out some of the changes that have taken place since he graduated. At the Lower School, a security guard stopped him and asked, “Where are you going?” Danny’s reaction of “Where am I going? I live here!” reflects our feeling that Hackley is home. Hackley was a wonderful place to raise a child. Snow days were a great bonding time, and after dinner, when our kids could safely play by themselves, we had time with colleagues. We eventually moved off campus, but as I arrive each day, there is always a feeling of warmth for me as I drive up the hill knowing I have come to a place where, just like family, people are always there for you.
Karen Casper in the Lower School playground, where she has fond memories of her son Daniel spending many an afternoon.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
ANNE SIVIGLIA H ’23 (HONORARY ALUMNA) US ENGLISH TEACHER
I have never lived on campus, though my husband says I spend enough time here to claim residency. When I first arrived more than 35 years ago, Hackley was not the welcoming place I think it is today. Hard to say when that change happened, but I became aware of it one day after many years of being yearbook advisor (I was the yearbook advisor for my first 12 years at Hackley) as I was telling my team that there would be no yearbook if they didn’t do their jobs. “My yearbook is home,” I said. “It says New Rochelle High School. This is your school and your yearbook.” As I said it, an odd feeling came over me, and I realized that I have come to feel Hackley was my school, too. And it has continued to feel that way more and more as the years have gone by. With colleagues and eventually with former students, I have celebrated births, weddings and other memorable life events. By now, I’ve been here so long that for the past few years, I’ve had the joy of teaching children of former students. And I now count many of my colleagues among my closest and dearest friends. Since I arrived at Hackley in the fall of 1986, I have witnessed enormous changes. The most obvious are the physical ones — a new Middle School, a new science building, a new Lower School, a new library, the old pool and gym replaced by the Johnson Center for Health and Wellness, Akin Common, new playing fields, new faculty housing, the Carl Buessow Trails, the Orchard, the Apiary and, of course, the new Center for the Creative Arts and Technology rising more each day before our very eyes. Certainly impressive when you see them listed! But there have been less visible yet equally important changes. The inscription over the front door reads, “Enter Here to Be and Find a Friend.” That is obviously not new, but the focus and emphasis on it were not a part of the ethos when I first came. I love that they are now. I love that people reach out to new arrivals, both faculty and staff, with welcoming words and smiles. And as I drive to school each day, looking forward to seeing my students as I always do, I pull into my parking space and feel that I am coming home.
Anne Siviglia in the Lindsay Room.
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Last June, Sam Sanders ’24 earned the
AROUND THE HILLTOP
COLLABORATION ON THE ROAD TO PUBLICATION
prestigious honor of having his essay accepted for publication in the summer edition of The Concord Review, a quarterly publication for history papers written by high school students that has a 5% acceptance rate. In addition to
the large amounts of research he conducted and work he did at home, Sam noted he received “pointers from Mr. [Chris] Sheppard (Classics Department Chair) and the other faculty at Hackley, as well.” Sam’s piece on the ancient Greek historian Polybius and how a better understanding of his psychology formed as a detainee can inform his more wellknown historiographic methods and political ideas took a new and interesting approach on the subject. “On his first draft, Sam solicited a ton of feedback from the History Department,” noted history teacher and debate coach Steve Fitzpatrick. “A lot of kids wouldn’t put themselves through that, but Sam got a lot of good feedback and revamped his paper. That willingness to put in that extra work and really take that feedback to heart, that’s the process of writing.” “We felt like we could really push him and be critical, constructively, in our feedback,” added Classics Department Chair Chris Sheppard. “Sam was really hungry for [that feedback].” Mr. Sheppard also added that Hackley’s classics publication, the Concordia, “basically wouldn’t have happened without Sam.” He noted that Sam encouraged peers to submit their work to the publication, met one-on-one with contributors, learned Adobe InDesign to put the publication together and even collaborated with the publisher. “I really want to highlight Sam’s leadership skills,” noted Mr. Sheppard. “He has this ability to have a vision and execute on it. He really does model that character is higher than intellect.”
To learn more about Sam’s road to publication, scan the QR code to read a Q&A with him published last spring.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
Home Is Where Our Memories Are By Bruce Bassett ’73
It seems like only yesterday that I arrived on the Hilltop to begin my first year, fresh from public school, ready to trade my Keds sneakers and jeans for a tie and jacket. It had to be only yesterday — was it not? — that I had “Chapel” every Tuesday, followed by “Composition” when I had to write for an hour on some topic. It had to be only yesterday that I was assigned as an assistant waiter at lunch in the old Dining Hall to a round table of 10 students and two teachers, serving them bowls of “Three Layer Shepherd’s Pie” (Potatoes-Beef-Grease) or platters of “Red Death” (do not ask). It could not have been more than a day or two ago of worrying about being summoned to Mr. Benjamin Greene in the Disciplinary Office to cite me for some rule infraction.
Could it really be over 50 years since hearing Mr.
Valhalla (I still have my volunteer recognition pin).
Arthur King ask if we were “hungry” to learn about
I remember the many summers, through my
various flora and fauna; or Mr. Randy McNaughton
college years, working at the Hackley Day Camp,
teach about rock formations with an unrivaled
under the direction of “Chief Randy” McNaughton,
expertise and an even greater sense of humor; or
mostly making gallons and gallons and gallons of
Mr. Arthur Naething reveal the deeper meanings
“bug juice,” flipping hamburgers on cookout days,
of Melville’s Moby Dick, all the while holding a
and wearing with much pride the title “Chief
harpoon; or Mrs. Maag Mitton, with much dili-
Garbage” (yep…that was my job title).
gence and even greater patience, encourage all her students to speak only a foreign language in class (my French was terrible)?
I remember Bram Stoker’s horror classic, Dracula, in Mr. Russell MacMullan’s class, where we were served small cups of tomato juice on the first day of
So many memories of those Hackley years flow
discussion; or the sage advice of Mr. Phil Havens
now in my life like a stream to a river: standing on
when struggling to choose my next educational
the stage in the old Goodhue Hall, singing solo a
step. I remember running laps on the second-floor
parody version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Little
indoor track of the old gym (33 laps for a mile), all
Buttercup,” entitled “Poor Little Dennison,” or play-
the while hoping that it would not come crashing
ing the part of “Grandpa” in You Can’t Take It With
down (it creaked and moaned a lot) to the floor
You on a make-shift stage in the Chapel; or volun-
below. Like it was yesterday, I remember what is
teering at the Blythedale Children’s Hospital in
probably too many instances that I was just plain
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Bruce Bassett ’73 pictured today (left) and playing the part of “Grandpa” in You Can’t Take It With You during his Hackley days (right).
silly in Study Hall. It is, however, the other students
paths of beauty that exist in creation; that diversity
who I remember the most. Their faces and voices
of life ought to be celebrated and nurtured; that
still resonate with me all these years later.
more can be accomplished as a community than as
The tapestry of my life has been woven with many other threads since those Hilltop days. There are,
individuals; and that there is great reward and satisfaction in being an instrument of beauty and light.
however, very few of those threads more cherished
“Home is where our memories are” is something I
and valued than the ones that were first spun at
read recently. Memories bring us back to places,
Hackley. I look back with much affection and with
people and moments that have been significant in
even more nostalgia and see with increasing clarity
shaping our lives. I am thankful that my memories
the origins of many lessons that have remained
include, after all these years, a home called Hackley.
with me for more than five decades: a sense of honor and integrity; the willingness to try new
About the Author
things and to push the envelope of my comfort
Reverend Bruce W. Bassett Jr. is an ordained Lutheran
zone; the knowledge that success can also be found
minister, now retired and living on Cape Cod,
in failure; that friendship is more fully discovered
Massachusetts. He celebrated his 50th Hackley reunion
when shared with others; an appreciation for all
this fall on Alumni Day 2023.
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HACKLEY AS HOME
In last year’s Winter 2022-2023 edition
AROUND THE HILLTOP
THE OLD OAK BENCHES… NEW LIFE FOR THE OLD OAK
of the Hackley Review, we reported on a new life for the Hilltop’s iconic and much loved Old Oak. This beloved tree fell during Tropical Storm Isaias after more than a century of welcoming generations of
students, families, alumni and employees to Hackley from its place at the entrance of the Quad. (Scan the QR code to read the full article.) With the help of our partners at Consigli Construction, who are also working on the construction of the Center for the Creative Arts and Technology, pieces of the Old Oak have been brought back to the Hilltop in the form of three finely crafted benches positioned outside each division office. To make the tribute even more special, we will soon add plaques that explain where the wood came from and share the history of the Old Oak. The benches will welcome K-12 students to Hackley for years to come, much like the Old Oak did for many decades.
By Margie McNaughton Ford ’85 Margie McNaughton Ford is Hackley’s Director of Alumni Engagement, parent of a Hackley graduate, Sean Ford ’20, sister of Bill McNaughton ’79 (Technical Director of the Theater) and daughter of Hackley legends Randy and Mary Anne McNaughton.
Alumni Day 2023 On Alumni Day in October, it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces as we welcomed generations of alumni home to the Hilltop. As always, it was a fun day of reuniting with friends and returning to those things we love about Hackley. No matter how much time has passed, the Hilltop is filled with memories of friendships, inspiring teachers and moments that helped shape our lives. This year, we celebrated milestone reunions for years ending in 3 and 8, inducted Anne Siviglia as an Honorary Alumna, attended master classes and games, visited former teachers and coaches, and enjoyed being Hornets. Thank you to the hundreds of alumni who made this another truly memorable Alumni Day! We can’t wait to see you next October for Alumni Day 2024, date coming soon. We will celebrate milestone reunion years ending in 4 and 9. Flip through the next few pages to see photos of the new memories we made on Alumni Day. Above, from top to bottom: Justin Eldridge ’98 shares his yearbook with his daughter. HAA Director Trish Raciti DeCenzo ’02 greets her former Latin teacher Rowena Fenstermacher. Ray Titcomb ’48 returned to the Hilltop with his grandson, Sean Titcomb, to celebrate his 75th reunion. Here, Ray (left) poses with his old friend HAA Director Dick Hodgson ’51.
Scan the QR code to watch videos from Alumni Day, including a retirement tribute to Steve Frolo, Head of School Charles Franklin’s State of the School address, Anne Siviglia’s induction as Honorary Alumna, the Memorial Service, the “WHTR Hilltop Radio: Where it Began” panel discussion and the Undefeated Football Teams Celebration.
www.hackleyschool.org/alumni/alumni-day
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Above, clockwise from top left: Head of School Charles Franklin gave his first State of the School address during the Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association, which included an update on the Center for the Creative Arts and Technology. Scan the QR code on page 47 to watch his address.
English teacher and Honorary Alumna Anne Siviglia’s annual Creative Writing Workshop is always a big hit among alumni. It is their chance to be students again and learn from a legendary teacher.
Half the members of the Class of 1983 came together for their 40th reunion, breaking previous attendance records for this milestone reunion. It was amazing to see them together again roaming Hackley halls, just like the old days.
During the Annual Meeting, Neil Jaggernauth ’06 paid tribute to his mentor, Coach Steve Frolo, and thanked Steve for instilling in him the importance of work ethic and camaraderie. Here, Coach Frolo (left) poses with HAA President Christie PhilbrickWheaton ’00.
Members of the Class of 2013 returned to the Hilltop to celebrate their 10th reunion. Pictured, from left to right: Tammy Delgado, Alyza Ngbokoli, Paulathena Stone, Francesca Delia and Kristen Daly.
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HONOR A RY A LU M NA INDUC T ION
“Anne, you are a vivacious ambassador of the written word as a vessel of knowledge, brilliant imagery and emotion. You have taught us how writing can be a salve for the wounded, an avenue of delight, a connector of conscience, and you have capped these lessons with a swirl of wisdom and wonderful humor. We are forever grateful for your magnanimous presence, and we hereby give you your proverbial flowers with this induction as an honorary Hackley alumna.” —Tanya Nicholson Miller ’90
Top: On Alumni Day, during the Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association, legendary English teacher Anne Siviglia was inducted as an Honorary Alumna, the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member by the HAA. Will Guidara ’97 joined in to celebrate Anne, virtually remarking, “There were many of us who look at our time at Hackley and, well, you are the one thing we remember most.” He added that he was proud of her. HAA Board Director Tanya Nicholson Miller ’90 thanked Anne “for all the prompts and salutations, for years of welcoming students, of seeing the depth of our possibility, and for providing the landscape for our growth and sustenance.” Scan the QR code on page 47 to watch Anne Siviglia’s induction. Bottom, left to right: The Class of 1973 reunited on the Hilltop for their milestone reunion and enjoyed sharing their Hackley memories. Here, members of the class gathered for a photo in King Chapel. President of the Board of Trustees Dr. Harvinder Sandhu P ’18, ’23 with his daughter Alexi Sandhu ’18.
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DAV E A L L ISON ME MOR I A L SO CCER GA ME
“I’m grateful that we are all here tonight and that Hackley honors and remembers Dave Allison’s legacy. I hope that in his honor we continue to play soccer and swim and live our lives as he taught us: with fairness, empathy and compassion.” —Meg Cimino ’83
Above, clockwise from top left: Former football players John Mackie ’86, Charlie Allen ’87 and Nate Ford ’03 at the Undefeated Football Teams Celebration.
The Hackley Hornet made an appearance during the reunion lunches in the Dining Hall to see old friends. Pictured, from left to right: Dan Huron (Giselle’s husband), Giselle Woo Huron ’98 and her two children, the Hackley Hornet, Mayuko Hamazaki (Noah’s wife), Noah Kaye ’98 and their three children.
The festivities began Friday evening with the Dave Allison Memorial Soccer Game and BBQ. The rain was heavy but didn’t damper the excitement. Before the team took to the field, former Hackley Girls’ Varsity Soccer captain Meg Cimino ’83 gave a heartfelt tribute to Coach A, reflecting on how he helped her through a difficult time.
On Friday evening, members of the Class of 1963, plus a special guest from the Class of 1964, gathered to celebrate their 60th reunion. They enjoyed reminiscing about their time on the Hilltop and catching up with their old friends.
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Above: To kick off their reunion celebration, members of the Class of 1973, along with their significant others, gathered for dinner in the Lindsay Room on Friday night. They enjoyed reconnecting with each other and sharing memories of their days at Hackley. Center, from left to right: Grace Rubin ’18 (right) holds a frame from the bottom of a hive during the Bee Adventure Workshop. Also pictured are Laura Walter-McNeill ’18 (left) and former faculty member Andy Retzloff (center). Laura Stokes-Greene ’98, Katherine Parsons ’98 and Alix Morgan ’98 at the WHTR Hilltop Radio event in King Chapel. Bottom: 50+ Club Members gathered in the Lindsay Room for lunch and enjoyed remarks by Director of Advancement John Gannon P ’21 and 50+ Club Chair Tom Karger ’63. Class of 1973 Reunion Committee member Doug Lasdon ’73 said a few words about his class, and 50+ Club Vice Chair Conrad Roberts ’68 inducted the Class of 1973 as the newest members.
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From top to bottom: During the Bottle Rocket Workshop hosted by Middle School math teacher Oshon Temple and assisted by members of the Middle School Alumni Connect Club, alumni and their families learned how to build bottle rockets and had fun launching them on Akin Common. A highlight of Alumni Day was the WHTR Hilltop Radio: Where it Began program, featuring former radio station staff members Jonathan Blau ’73 (left), Doug Lasdon ’73 (center) and Chris Berman ’73 (right). They reminisced about their time on air and behind the scenes of the student-run station. The panel was moderated by Molly Reinmann ’22 (far right). Molly is currently working on a story about the radio station for the next issue of Class Notes, due out in April 2024. To watch the program, use the QR code on page 47. As part of our master class series, alumni were treated to an art class taught by visual arts teacher Sarah Coble (second from left). Alumni and their families enjoyed sketching plants from Hackley’s Pollinator Garden using watercolor pencils. The class took place in the AP Art Studio, which also featured a student art show.
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Moments from the Alumni Reception
E NFD E ANTOUTREE
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JOHN GANNON P ’21 DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
FINDING A HOME: REFLECTING ON 25 YEARS ON THE HILLTOP
I arrived on the Hilltop in 1999, just in time for Hackley’s centennial celebration. My first Alumni Day was like attending a wedding and not knowing anyone, but the late Charlie Bates ’49 and Meg Cimino ’83 took me under their wings, and I quickly felt at home — like part of the family. And now I find myself on the eve of Hackley’s 125th anniversary, our quasquicentennial. My wife Elizabeth and I were quickly embraced by
to one of my “interviews!” And so began what has
colleagues like Thomas Chin, Richard Robinson,
become a lifelong conversation with hundreds of
Pavel Litvinov, Phil Gratwick and Vladimir
people I’ve come to know through my work.
Morgovsky each night at dinner in the Hackley Dining Room. Elizabeth and I fondly recall those “dinner parties” and how much we learned from our new friends — about their extraordinarily interesting lives and about Hackley. Therein lies the root of finding a home — relationships.
The title of Walter Schneller’s history of Hackley’s first 100 years is Where the Seasons Tell Their Stories, though for me it’s also about the stories that members of our community have shared. Some of these stories have made me laugh and some have made me cry. They all have
After college, I taught English in Madrid and
made me think about what it is that engenders
worked as an attorney, but that was not to be my
such affection and pride in our School, and about
professional path. Practicing law left me unful-
why so many of us feel such a strong connection
filled. I serendipitously found a career in alumni
to the Hilltop. I have attended Hackley-related
relations and development at Wesleyan, my alma
birthday parties, weddings and funerals. It has
mater, and then briefly with a medical center. I
been a privilege to be invited into the lives of so
subsequently took a call from a recruiter and ended
many in our community. In turn, I have done my
up on the Hilltop. I immediately set out to “get to
best to serve — to assist new families when they
know” Hackley, and I knew that the key to doing so
and their children join our School; to help our
would be the people. I wanted to hear their stories
alumni through our Networking Initiative,
— how did they find themselves at Hackley, why
providing them with valuable introductions; and
had they stayed, what did they like most about
to engage alumni and parents in the life of our
working here, going to school here or having chil-
School by inviting them to speak to a class or
dren enrolled here? Perhaps you’ve been subjected
deliver a lecture to a division.
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I thought I knew Hackley well, but it wasn’t until
stories, we come to understand our School’s history
my son William joined the Lower School in 2009
in ways that allow us to be the best stewards we
that I really understood our School. Through
can be, which enables us to make Hackley even
William’s experience, Elizabeth and I came to
greater. In order to be good stewards, we have to
know even more families, and these friendships
understand our past and what we are stewarding.
broadened our understanding of and appreciation
Once we do, we are better equipped to write
for the gift of a Hackley education, provided by
Hackley’s next great chapter — our understanding
dedicated teachers, coaches and staff. Though
of the past informs a clearer path to an even
we live off campus, the Hilltop increasingly felt
brighter future.
like home.
If I haven’t heard your story yet, I hope one day I
With the passage of time, I have grown increas-
will. To those who have already shared stories with
ingly interested in our School’s history — the
me, I say thank you, and let’s keep the conversation
history of this place that so many of us figuratively,
going. Thank you for enriching my life — person-
and in some cases literally, call home. I am focused
ally and professionally — and thank you for all you
on the stories — the stories and back stories that
have done and helped to make possible for our
tell “our” collective story. These stories are always
great School. Thank you for helping me and my
connected to people. By telling and sharing these
family to find a home on the Hilltop.
Director of Advancement John Gannon with his family, son William ’21 and wife Elizabeth, at William’s Commencement Ceremony.
The
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Beech
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Support a Vision By Thomas T. Chin, Hackley visual arts teacher 1998-2021 Thomas Chin ref lects on the impact Hackley had on his personal and professional life, and why he has chosen to include Hackley in his estate plans. On a Sunday in spring 1998, I bought a copy of the national edition of The New York Sunday Times. At that time, I was teaching at North Country Day School, located in the north suburbs of Chicago. Upon reading through the newspaper, I noticed a help-wanted ad from Hackley looking for an art teacher. The very first thing I noticed when I arrived at the Hilltop that summer was the sign above the entrance to the main building — “Enter Here To Be And Find A Friend.” I was greeted with warm smiles
Thomas Chin with photography students of the Class of 2004 outside Goodhue Memorial Hall.
and handshakes. As a new employee, my nervousness disappeared within minutes. After 23 years — I don’t know
artwork to how observation skills help to broaden one’s
where time went! — I can say without hesitation that this
sensitivity and personal perspective. And I also remember
sign speaks volumes about Hackley. I am very grateful for
my photography students spending countless after-school
the lasting friendships I made at Hackley; they continue
hours in the darkroom printing their photos — an activity
even after my retirement.
that brought them closer together.
I have so many memories of my time on the Hilltop.
Hackley has had a tremendous impact on me. I have fond
I remember how engaged my students were. I was
memories of enjoying conversations in the Dining Hall
impressed by their seriousness, curiosity and eagerness to
with colleagues John Gannon, Phil Gratwick and Richard
learn. I remember how easily our project critiques led to
Robinson about travels and cultural sensitivities. I still
broader discussions — from determining strengths of the
recall the connections made with colleagues over snacks and drinks during pick-up nights — Hackley’s employee food pick-up program is a generous subsidy provided by the School. And through faculty housing, I was able to connect with colleagues in unique ways. I’m extremely grateful for Hackley’s focus on lifelong friendships and faculty support, which also created opportunities for me to hone my crafts, work on the yearbook outside of school hours and enjoy my very own artist studio on campus. Thanks to the generosity of the Casten family and the support of administration, I was able to organize three school trips from 2001 to 2003: two trips to mainland China and one trip to Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore.
Thomas photographed with 2014-2015 Hilltop staff.
These trips helped the Hackley community to expand its
The
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cultural horizons. I have had many students tell me how much they appreciated these opportunities to learn about other cultures and how these experiences have helped them to shape their own personal perspectives and understanding of the world. What excites me about Hackley is that the School invests in its future. The Walter C. Johnson Center for Health and Wellness and the new Center for the Creative Arts and Technology demonstrate that Hackley values health and fitness and the arts and technology, which are vital to the wellbeing and growth of everyone in this community. I support Hackley’s character education. In a constantly changing world, an investment in a Hackley education is an investment in character education. I also believe that we, as teachers, are role models for our students. They do look up to us. I still remember all the teachers that I have had in my own education and how much influence they had on my growth, both intellectually and personally. A Hackley graduate is more than just someone who has the book of knowledge, but also someone with thoughtfulness, compassion and readiness to make the world a better place. To me, Hackley is more than a school; it’s a community where everyone cares about each other. This is the place where students grow into thoughtful and caring individuals with global awareness and understanding. This is the place where knowledge gets digested and put into perspective. And, most of all, this is the place where friendship is forged. Recently, as I was about to begin collecting my retirement, I added Hackley to my beneficiary list. To include Hackley in my estate planning was an easy decision to make. Over two decades, Hackley had given me so much. Until this day, Hackley continues to cover a portion of my health insurance, for which I am profoundly grateful. For those of you who consider supporting Hackley, I hope you consider including Hackley as part of your estate planning. What matters is not the size of your contribution; rather, it’s a sign of appreciation and support of Hackley’s vision and mission.
More about the author: Thomas is an accomplished artist (visit ThomasChinFineArts.com). In 2022 he had his debut novel, Unpredictable Winds, published (TouchPoint Press).
Beech
Socie t y
THE COPPER BEECH SOCIETY P l anning A head for H ackley S chool The Copper Beech Society recognizes members of our community who have included the School in their estate plans by making a planned gift, ranging from a bequest intention to a trust agreement or a beneficiary designation. Including Hackley in one’s estate plan is a decision to invest in the future — in tomorrow’s students and their teachers and coaches. Hackley is grateful to those who have chosen to support our School in this personal way. Anonymous (5) Robert M. Akin IV ’54 * Herbert Allen P ’58 * Ernest J. ’60 * and Ingrid R. Altgelt William G. Baddeley ’46 * Fred N. Baruch ’49 * Charles T. Bates ’49 * William N. ’39 * and Joanne Blatt Jonathan S. Blau ’73 and Melissa Eisenstat Robert G. Bowman ’39 * Charles B. Breaux 1919 * Carolyn V. Bruenn P ’81 * John C. Canoni ’86 Thomas A. ’65 and Janet V. Caputo P ’93 Thomas Chin Leroy L. ’51 and Barbara Cubicciotti * Eduardo Cue ’69 Ronald and Irene D’Alessio James R. ’54 and Juanita K. Dickson Rufus K. Dryer 1927 * George A. Forman P ’60 * David E. ’95 and Jana L. Friedman P ’30 Arthur M. Friedrichs 1930 * Paul D. Glicker ’71 Herbert B. Grant 1935 * Norris B. Gregg 1911 * Catherine C. Grieve ’88 David Hochberg ’74 Richard C. Hodgson ’51 Adam D. Jernow ’92 Berkeley D. Johnson ’49
Robert L. Johnson ’57 * John H. Kelly ’88 Hans W. Kertess ’57 Eric Christopher Landman ’66 Arthur V. Lewis ’45 * Thomas I. MacDonald ’58 Charles R. Mackenzie ’83 John D. McGarr ’63 Michael N. Morison ’68 * Estate of Thomas W. Philips * Edward A. Powell 1921 * Alfio Raciti and Patricia R. Romano P ’02 Sanford A. ’62 * and Ina Ramras Diane D. Rapp P ’91, ’94, ’98 Roark R. Redwood ’95 Thomas J. Reeves ’58 Robert S. Riley 1923 * Alan Y. Roberts ’60 Robert W. Rowen 1922 * Camillo M. Santomero III and Denise C. R. Santomero Alan J. Savada ’74 Nicholas and Cristina M. Savasta P ’33 Walter C. Schliemann ’57 William E. Somers 1925 * Peter A. Spina ’56 James D. Squiers ’45 * Lawrence D. Stewart ’68, P ’01 Charles R. Toti ’88 David F. Tuttle 1930 * Harlow G. Unger P ’83 Richard C. Unger ’83 Arthur N. Watson ’68 Jacques A. Wertheimer ’60
To learn more about including Hackley in your estate plan, please contact John Gannon P ’21, Director of Advancement, at 914-366-2654 or jgannon@hackleyschool.org. If you already have included Hackley in your plan and wish to be recognized as a member of the Copper Beech Society, please contact John. *Deceased
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