Dwight Today Summer 2021 by Dwight School

Summer 2021

DWIGHT TODAY A Magazine for the Global Dwight Community

THE POWER OF CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY

AMID CHALLENGING TIMES

“Listen to the Music” Reinventing a Proud Tradition Fatmira Purovic ’92 Dwight in Her Heart

Dwight Global #2 Best Online High School The Class of 2021 Persevering Together

The Dwight Scroll yearbook team and “Forward,” which speaks to generations of students to come, circa 1938.

Dwight is dedicated to igniting the spark of genius in every child. Kindling their interests, we develop inquisitive, knowledgeable, self-aware, and ethical citizens who will build a better world.

HEADING | DWIGHT TODAY

The Pride yearbook team — the current generation, circa 2021 — from left: Sara Piao ʼ21, Michelle Heuveldop ʼ21, faculty advisor Amanda Katagiri, Mimi Halpern ʼ22, and Isabella Halpern ʼ21.

DWIGHT TODAY

FEATURE STORIES

Dwight Global Ranked #2 Best Online High School in the U.S.

Shane Hansen Personalizes Learning

Innovation on Stage Amid COVID-19

Fatmira Purovic ’92: Working at Dwight Is a Family Affair

Spark Tank Students Shine through Community Service

Commencement Celebrates the Class of 2021

Laurie Silbersweig: Editorial Director Emily Chase: Design Director Samantha Roy: Editorial Associate

Dear Dwight Community, The close of the school year marked 18 months of living — and our students thriving — amid the pandemic that continues to shape our world. We owe this to Dwight’s ever-resilient, strong, and supportive community. Most especially, our faculty and staff demonstrated a tireless commitment to igniting the spark of genius in every child on a level that is truly heroic. In this issue of Dwight Today, you will have a glimpse of just how creative and innovative our community has been during challenging times. Through a combination of in-person, hybrid, and online learning, students of all ages reached new heights, which we celebrated virtually here in New York and collaboratively with Dwight Schools worldwide. We are so proud of how our seniors navigated their final year, capping it with outstanding IB scores. Over 170,000 students globally attempted the highly rigorous IB Diploma across more than 246 countries this year; our students’ Diploma acquisition rate was 100%. The IB is known for its international standard of academic difficulty with a top Diploma score totaling 45 points. Among our graduates, 24 students received a score of 35 and above, nine received a score of 40 and above, and one student received a perfect score of 45. Last year, only 300 students worldwide were able to achieve this honor. This graduating class also truly set themselves apart in demonstrating a deep well of caring for one another and for New Yorkers in need, especially as COVID-19 took a significantly larger toll on people who are homeless and living in shelters. Student-led initiatives and non-profits, including some launched or boosted through Dwight’s Spark Tank incubator, put socially responsible entrepreneurship in high relief on and off campus. As a leading IB World School, we are committed to educating caring, open-minded critical thinkers who can help build a better world. Indeed, Dwight students embody the IB ideal and nothing makes me prouder than knowing that this generation is stepping up to make a difference and effect positive change. Never before have I been so honored to serve as Chancellor. Fondly, Stephen H. Spahn Chancellor of Dwight School

DWIGHT TODAY | IN THE CLASSROOM

Tenth Graders Find Inspiration in Dwight’s Own Goya Etchings Dwight is home to a museum-quality art collection with over 200 pieces of works by world-renowned artists across centuries and media. Among them are etchings by Francisco Goya — in fact, a complete set of 40 from the La Tauromaquia (Bullfighting) series — published in 1816.

Painter and printmaker, Goya was the leading luminary among Spanish artists during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He has been further distinguished for occupying a place in two artistic realms as both an Old Master and the first truly modern artist. Goya’s work has had an enormous impact on generations of artists who followed, including our own student-artists!

be used to communicate ideas and personal responses to issues and events in the world, challenge dominant prevailing views, and serve as a powerful tool to bring about social and political change.” THE LEARNING AND CREATIVE PROCESSES

The La Tauromaquia series, which has been installed in our Main Campus for years, now rests above a series of 12 works by tenth grade students made using a similar intaglio method of printmaking — a dry-point technique in which the image is incised into a plastic printing plate to hold the ink using a sharp “needle” point.

First, tenth graders examined the La Tauromaquia series — one of countless teaching tools in our living museum — investigated the subject matter and studied Goya’s master printmaking techniques. In this series, Goya depicted bullfighting through his own lens, which was a bold reflection of the tumultuous social and political forces of the era in which he lived.

The finished pieces reflect the thoughtful work students undertook during the first semester of their IB Visual Arts class entitled “Power, Rebels and Revolutions” taught by Justyn Ambrose, Head of Visual Arts. He says, “Together, we have been exploring how works of art can

Next, students studied German Expression, a movement during the early 20th century in which artists, reflecting a moment of rebellious change in the history of Western art, emphasized subjectivity over reality, often distorting it to reflect their personal feelings and to communicate ideas.

FINDING INSPIRATION | DWIGHT TODAY

Tenth graders explored how the images and compositions created by noted artists such as Käthe Kollwitz, Max Beckmann, and Ludwig Meidner were responses to the societal and political issues specific to life in pre-WWII Germany. Their prints, which are part of MoMA’s vast collection of German Expressionist works, served as further inspirations for students. Bringing together the knowledge gleaned from studying the Goya series and German Expressionism, students were tasked with reflecting on their own experiences and responding to a challenge they see in today’s world to create compositions using the dry-point printmaking method. The results were on display in our Fall 2020

Visual Arts Exhibition and now share the same pride of place as one of Goya’s most noted bodies of work. Our community can enjoy seeing them; perhaps among them is an “early work” by the next in a long line of famous artists who Goya inspired! We are proud of Dwight’s impressive collection of art, providing students with a uniquely enriching environment in which to learn from original sources, develop their skills, and spark their creativity. We look forward to more projects in which students tap into their own talents and create their own pieces inspired by studying the bounty of artworks across campus.

DWIGHT TODAY | IN THE CLOUD

Weʼre on Cloud 9: Dwight Global Has Lots to

Celebrate! We’ve got great news to share and we’re lion proud: Dwight Global has been ranked #2 in the country in a list of the 50 best online high schools published in Newsweek! Newsweek reports rankings compiled by niche.com, based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users. “With more Americans turning their attention to online school choices over the last year than ever before, this is an especially meaningful recognition for us,” says Louisa Childs, Head of Dwight Global Online School. “We are thrilled with this honor, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing students, faculty, and staff. I can’t say enough just how proud I am of everyone. I am equally proud that Dwight Global is ranked by Niche.com as the second most diverse private school in New York State, so we have lots to celebrate!”

ON THE FOREFRONT “We began our online program in 2013 when Dwight in both New York and London were selected by the International Baccalaureate to be the first two of six schools — chosen from 3,700 schools worldwide — to pilot IB education online. We were proud to be on the forefront to eliminate geographical barriers and open doors to high-quality education around the world,” says Stephen Spahn, Chancellor of The Dwight Schools. “In addition to charting the course for increasing access to an IB education online, we did the same for the AP when we founded Dwight Global the following year, providing students with both options — along with the opportunity to take courses from each to personalize their educational journey.” THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR STUDENTS Since 2014, Dwight Global has grown to include over 250 students from 26 countries around the world, and we look forward to introducing the IB Diploma Program this fall, extending our IB, AP, Honors, and standard-level courses further. With this addition,

DWIGHT GLOBAL | DWIGHT TODAY

students will be able to select from the full complement of top educational programs available anywhere. Choice along with flexibility have been hallmarks of Dwight Global, as a number of our students require time outside the typical 8 am-3 pm school day to pursue their sparks of genius. Included are professional actors, top ballet dancers, and elite athletes who train, travel, perform, and compete around the world. They, like all of our talented students, don’t want to compromise on academics. At Dwight Global, they don’t have to because we provide every student with a rigorous, personalized independent school education — from the comfort of their own home or wherever their passion takes them. CONNECTING IN THE CLOUD AND IN PERSON Dwight Global’s commitment to building a strong community is another hallmark of our School. Along with lots of small group project work in class, there is a house system that fosters friendships as well as friendly competition, and countless clubs and service projects that bring students together to pursue shared interests.

Further enhancing the Dwight Global experience are on-campus programs at Dwight in New York City designed to connect students with one another and with their teachers in person, beginning with orientation in the fall. They meet again for a mid-year weekend devoted to STEAM exploration and learning. Additionally, students can participate in music, theater, and other creative collaborations and competitions with students at Dwight Schools around the world. Capping the experience is Graduation, when seniors join peers in New York for this final milestone in their educational journeys. The Class of 2021 recently did just that and will join fellow alumni at impressive colleges and universities. To date, Dwight Global grads have gone on to attend Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, UCLA, Duke, and other leading institutions. We have so much to be proud of — and so much more to look forward to!

DWIGHT TODAY | FACULTY Q&A

Shane Hansen Personalizes Learning within — and Far Beyond — the Classroom

As a Quest teacher, Shane Hansen works one-on-one with students to support their learning, closely collaborating with their classroom teachers. His innate ability to connect with students is matched by his dedication to the lifelong process of learning in the world well outside the classroom’s confines. We sat down with Mr. Hansen, who is easily recognizable, thanks to his signature Homburg hat, tilted jauntily when out and about, to learn more about his views on education, travels to the Middle East, and his personal journey. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT WAS YOUR PATH TO EDUCATION? I was born in Salt Lake City, and due to my father’s work in the energy sector, we moved to Tulsa when I was ten and again to Houston four years later. My path starts with my grandfather, who was a teacher and principal of the only school in the

small Utah town where my parents grew up. He passed away before I was born, yet his passion for education, which was deeply instilled in my father, was shared with me through stories about him. An aunt I looked up to was also an educator. Now two siblings and several cousins are as well, so I guess it’s in our blood!

My steps to teaching began when I was at Brigham Young University, majoring in Near Eastern Studies with a focus on religion. I worked as a TA for a professor of World Religions/Comparative Religion and in our many conversations, he encouraged me to prepare to take his position when he retired. My hope was to help students

SHANE HANSEN | DWIGHT TODAY

understand that while religious beliefs and practices vary, the core of nearly all of the world’s major religions are more similar than different; at the heart of every one is a belief in serving others, and yet, religions have too long been at the center of so much fear, hate, and violence. TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST. A professor crafted a study abroad program in Alexandria, Egypt, to provide Arabic immersion opportunities and I jumped at the chance! Certainly, I have stories of pyramids and camel rides, ancient temples and catacombs, miles-long “mercy tables” through the streets and humble Ramadan meals in tents, but my largest takeaway hinges on something that my professor always said: You can study for years in the classroom, but you’ll never know if you truly understand the Arabic language until you navigate the open markets. Following graduation, I had an opportunity to teach at the National School of Aleppo in Syria, where I was excited to continue my studies of the Middle East, Arab culture, and the Arabic language. It was a private school not much different from Dwight,

and I taught Language Arts in grades 6-7. During that time I realized that I wanted to work with young people and try to help adolescents with the unique challenges they face. I pursued my MA in Education at the University of Florida, while also teaching at a public school, hoping to return to the Middle East upon graduation. Yet that coincided with the Arab Spring and the unrest gave me second thoughts. Sadly one night, the National School of Aleppo was destroyed by an errant missile. WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY? At the core are dual beliefs. First, education is a journey and not a destination. It can be easy to lose sight of that in our “get a degree to get a job” world. If we focus more on the journey, then education will be richer, more meaningful, and will lead more readily to developing lifelong learners. My second belief is grounded in the necessity and value of getting out of the classroom. Education exists, I believe, to develop our understanding of our inner world and our shared outer world. You can’t know if you understand the outer world until you dive into it.

I also believe that education can be found in everything we do that develops our knowledge, expands our understanding, and connects us with others. I share this with students as an advisor of Dwight’s WISER Club and Debate Team, and by working on the CAS Committee. HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH CLASSROOM TEACHERS? Collaboration is key to supporting students on their individual educational journeys. As Quest teachers, we have bi-weekly check-ins with all of our students’ classroom teachers to ensure that we always have a clear picture of how they’re progressing. I also work with students to know when and how to reach out to classroom teachers when they might need clarification or additional support. As adults, we often forget how scary it can sometimes be for students to voice their needs or concerns. As with so many things in life, communication is key, and Quest teachers can help act as a bridge between the student, classroom, and home. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A QUEST TEACHER — AND BEING PART OF AN IB WORLD SCHOOL? My favorite aspect is the highly personalized nature of Quest, which brings our School’s first pillar to life and provides me with the opportunity to truly get to know my students one-on-one. As educators, we must strive to meet our students where they are. This extends beyond school and into their lives. I also enjoy being involved with all subject areas; I’m engaged in nearly every class Dwight offers and I revel in the opportunity to continue learning. I’m grateful to be part of an IB World School because the IB is one of the most challenging curriculums. Its focus on developing criticalthinking skills is essential for our students as they prepare to enter a world flooded with information and misinformation. As a member of the CAS Committee, I’m also

DWIGHT TODAY | FACULTY Q&A

Education exists, I believe, to develop our understanding of our inner world and our shared outer world. You can’t know if you understand the outer world until you dive into it.

passionate about the IB’s SA/CAS program

watched in joy as Egypt liberated itself from

matter. Soon, children from neighboring

and the focus it brings to other areas of our

an authoritarian dictator, my heart also broke

tents happened to wander by at the time

students’ lives — building habits of creativity,

as I watched Syria be torn apart. In 2015, I

volunteers were there and before long, 25

physical activity, and service.

flew to Beirut to work for an organization,

kids would happen to be at Moussa’s house

Salam LADC, in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon,

three evenings a week.

HOW DO YOUR TRAVELS INFORM YOUR TEACHING? As a lifelong learner, traveling is essential to my own educational journey. Having the opportunity in 2019 to go with students to the WISER School for Girls in Kenya, which Dwight has supported for over a decade, has been a real high point for me at Dwight so far. In the spirit of Dwight’s global vision pillar, I hope to model for students the importance of getting out of the classroom to see if you truly understand what you’ve learned. My experiences enable me to speak about the need to step out of our comfort zones with some authority; that is where we find out who we really are and what we really know.

home to over half a million Syrian and Palestinian refugees, and have since returned

WHAT IS YOUR SPARK OF GENIUS?

six times to volunteer. My focus has been on

It’s being able to connect with people of

education through formal classes, curriculum

various ages and backgrounds and understand

development, and an activity called “Play

their needs. I think back to meeting Josh

with Purpose,” held in settlements where the

Kigel, Director of Quest and Special Studies,

leadership wouldn’t allow formal classes. All

when I was a substitute teacher and he

take place in fields, tents, one-room homes —

observed the classes I was covering. He said

wherever permitted.

something along the lines of, “I can teach

While volunteering, I met a man named

you the academic specifics of Quest, but you

Moussa and his family, who had been in Lebanon for seven years and finally, just a few months ago, found asylum in Canada. While his settlement wouldn’t allow classes, he was determined to maintain his childrens’ education, particularly English lessons.

PLEASE SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR

Fortunately, it was decided that he could

VOLUNTEER WORK.

invite volunteers into his home to visit, and

A part of my heart is and will forever be

if they happened to be teachers and if lessons

in Syria. During the Arab Spring, while I

happened to be taught, that was a private

have something that got those kids to open up to you in under 45 minutes — and that can’t be taught!” WHAT IS A LITTLE-KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU? I’m a foil fencer — a sport I came to in my early 30s (proving it’s never too late). Through my journey, I was able to compete with the University of Florida team through graduate school, which took me all over the U.S. I recall something my instructor told me in my first weeks, which was to imagine that my foil was an extension of my arm. An older fencer walked by and said, “If you’re doing it right, your foil is an extension of your soul.” I’m still trying to get my head around that! One thing is for sure, Mr. Hansen brings a lot of soul to his work wherever he goes!

GLOBAL VISION | DWIGHT TODAY

Kudos to Our 2021 Global Camerer Essay Competition Winners! The Camerer name has long been well-known at Dwight in New York, and in the last few years, it has become familiar across our global network of schools. Dr. Emil E. Camerer was a prominent educator who served as Dwight’s Headmaster from 1895-1926. In honor of his memory, our School has held an annual Camerer Essay Competition for students in grades 9-11 for as far back as we can remember, making it one of our long-standing proud Lion traditions. We extended it two years ago, when students on every Dwight campus were invited to participate in their own school-wide match-ups. The competition process begins when students in grades 9-11 submit essays to their English teachers, who then select the best in each grade for review by all English Department faculty. The winning entries are then entered into the global competition, adding to a myriad of enriching Dwight cross-campus creative programs and collaborations. This year, we received submissions from students in New York, London, Shanghai, Dubai, and online. Administrators from The Dwight Schools had the difficult task of judging the well-crafted personal essays, which are always as diverse as the students who write them, and selected this years’ winners: ● Grade 9: Clara Beaugie, Dwight School London, for her untitled essay ● Grade 10: Sarp Sevil, Dwight School, for his essay entitled “Glass Houses” ● Grade 11: Caroline Hendrickson, Dwight Global, for her for her essay entitled “Fix the Outside, Shatter the Inside” Congratulations to all the finalists and winners!

EdTech Digest Honors Jaya Bhavnani Congratulations to Jaya Bhavnani, Executive Director of Dwight Global Online School and IB Coordinator at Dwight School Dubai, for winning a 2021 EdTech Digest EdTech Leadership Award! These prestigious awards honor people for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere. Ms. Bhavnani has certainly done that — she helped create our online program when Dwight Schools in both New York and London were selected to pilot online education for the IB in 2013, planting the seeds for Dwight Global. After helping Dwight Global grow, she moved to the Middle East three years ago as part of the founding team of Dwight School Dubai. “‘I believe you have to be willing to be misunderstood if you’re going to innovate.’ This quote from Jeff Bezos made me realize how fortunate we are to be working with Dwight’s leadership team who support new ideas, is open to change, and for whom innovation is a journey, not an end point,” Ms. Bhavnani says. “I want to extend a thank-you especially to Chancellor Spahn!”

Thank you to our amazing staff for smiling through so many COVID-19 testing clinics on campus! From left, Claudia Irico, COVID-19 Project Manager; Kyana Berrios, Health Suite Attendant; Fatmira Purovic, Healthcare Director; Caroline Venturini, Assistant to the Head of School; and Rodney Frederick, Maintenance Manager.

DWIGHT TODAY | ON STAGE

Beautiful People by William Saroyan

Happy Journey to Camden and Trenton

Painted Rai Beautiful People

The Skin of Our Teeth

The Skin of Human Comedy Our Teeth The Time of Your Life All My Sons All My Sons The Execution of Justice Our Town by William Saroyan

by William Saroyan

Human Comedy

Our Town

and Trenton

The Good Person of Szechwan

All My Sons

by Thornton Wilder

presents the Mainstage Theater production of the film

by Thornton Wilder

Happy Journey to Camden and Trenton

by Janet Malia Allard

Human Comedy

by Emily Mann

Take Care

The Skin of Our Teeth

Our Town

All My

The Time of Your Life The Execution The Good Person Production Beautiful People of Justice An Innovative of Szechwan in the Age of COVID-19 Friday, January 29 The Execution of Justice Online | 7 pm Painted Rain The Good Person of Szechwan

All My Sons

by William Saroyan

Painted Rain

by Thornton Wilder

The Skin of Our Teeth

Happy Journey to BeautifulThe Good Person of Szechwan Camden and Trenton People by Bertolt Brecht

TAKE CARE | DWIGHT TODAY

The Skin of Our Teeth

Happy Journey to Camden

“Take Care is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before … it’s a new reality for Dwight and a new reality for theater everywhere,” said cast member Gui Sequeira ’24 about this year’s Mainstage Theater production, which is also a film. His description couldn’t be more apt.

together around the theme that “we are all responsible for the

ALUMNA AND TEACHER ON THE SAME PLAYING FIELD As our students were unable to rehearse and perform a play in person due to the pandemic, Terry Christgau, Head of Upper School Theater Productions and the Master Theater Program, turned to former student — and now creative collaborator — Sophia Conger ’14 to help devise an alternative.

each other; in others, we see what happens when they don’t.

The two had recently worked together on a TV pilot that Sophia wrote, directed, and produced; she cast Mr. C (as his theater students call him) in an acting role, turning the tables! Sophia, who had shared her talents as an actress and singer in numerous performances at Dwight under Mr. Christgau’s direction, first caught the movie bug when Dwight launched an IB Film course in 2012. Mid-way through her high school career, Sophia switched from studying theater to film because she thought she was better suited to being behind the camera, and went on to major in film at Ithaca College.

Good Person of Szechwan by Bertholt Brecht.

A NEW PLAY WITHIN A MOVIE The creative COVID-19 work-around turned out to be a film of student performances, which posed unique challenges: every actor, once they had prepared mostly virtually, had to film themselves at home. To ensure continuity, each received a black background to shoot against and guidance from Sophia about where to position the camera and how to light their scenes to make it look as though students were in the same space before she edited them together. Students also had a significant additional challenge of not being able to be present with fellow actors and feed off of one another in scenes they share, nor were they able to feel the energy that comes from performing in front of a live audience. With numerous limitations, the demands for ingenuity were great. Yet our studentactors faced these challenges with Lion-sized grit and talent — and the result says Ava Goldfarb ’21, “is a testament to how durable and creative our Theater Department is and how flexible students are.” We couldn’t agree more! AN IDEA TAKES SHAPE Take Care itself as a concept was also unique; it’s a tapestry of scenes from different plays, which Mr. Christgau selected to weave

well-being of one another, which is more important now during COVID-19 than ever before in my lifetime,” he asserts. The scenes embody this theme with positive, powerful, and endearing messages. In some, we see what happens when people take care of The scenes were excerpted from: Our Town, The Skin of Our Teeth, and Happy Journey to Camden and Trenton by Thornton Wilder; The Time of Your Life, Beautiful People, and The Human Comedy by William Saroyan; Painted Rain by Janet Malia Allard; Execution of Justice by Emily Mann; All My Sons by Arthur Miller; and The Prior to the premiere of Take Care, Mr. Christgau explained: “We intercut their scenes, one into another, rather than laying them out in a linear fashion. Also with a selection of scenes, the audience will not see these plays in full, but hopefully, if we do our job well, we will end up with an interconnected piece of fabric or something akin to a jazz piece.” Indeed they did and it was wonderful! Bravo to the cast, who enjoyed being on the “red carpet” for a socially distanced cast viewing in the Quad the night before the premiere: Ava Goldfarb ’21 Carol Arap ’22 Jane Barbero ’22 Isis Boelens ’22 Laureline Costa ’22 Leia Immanuel ’22 Faatima Khan ’22 Rory Paltridge ’22 Elexis Perls ’22 Bernardo Sequeira ’22 Rebecca Woldenberg ’22 Emma Brandon ’23 Adam Kaplan ’23 Ava Kimmel ’23 Natalie Martell ’23 Avery Meer ’23 Lily Ventura ’23 Erick Hernandez Lopez ’24 Hayden Lucas ’24 Olivia Mitchell-Burrell ’24 Brooke Radosevich ’24 Guilherme Sequeira ’24 Maysa Souri ’24

DWIGHT TODAY | PERSONALIZED LEARNING

E I G H T H Design Their Own G R A D E R S Websites en Español What do you get when students’ work in both Spanish and Design classes come together? A virtual tour of the Spanishspeaking world designed by our very own eighth graders! Each student in Sara Soto’s Spanish class chose one of 21 countries and then dove into researching that nation’s culture — exploring its history, traditions, and cuisine; and learning about a wide range of topics, from sightseeing, music, and art to nation-specific slang. Their work was both immersive and comprehensive. Armed with lots of information, students then brought their projects to their Design classes taught by EunSon Ju and Kate Godwin. There, they developed their own websites using Weebly to present what they learned. After building the website architecture, students added their content in Spanish. Throughout the process, they tapped into their creative thinking, time management, detailed planning, and organization skills, while offering feedback and support to one another along the way. After a month of hard work, students shared their impressive websites in Spanish class. Just some include: Colombia Maggie Jelic ’25

Panamá Maya Kimyagarov ’25

Uraguay Nico Faessler ’25

Perú Danielle Reische ’25

Puerto Rico Doyle Gwon ’25

España Gili Ben Shoshan ’25

This transdisciplinary project gave students in their third year of Spanish the opportunity to deepen their Spanish language and design skills at the same time, while growing as IB learners — specifically as open-minded inquirers and communicators — as well as global citizens. Thank you to Señora Soto’s eighth graders for taking us on a wonderful virtual vacation!

COMMUNITY | DWIGHT TODAY

started calling New York Representatives, but with practically no chance for a response in time, we had to find another way.” That other way was a petition. Jacey drafted it, her friends who attend Spence and Calhoun, weighed in, and by 5:30 they had uploaded it to change.org. Turning to social media, they shared the link on Instagram and engaged their friends and families to do the same via Twitter chats and Facebook groups. “By the time we went to bed, we had 800 signatures!” Jacey shares. “On Saturday at 6:45 am, I arrived at Wollman for my skating academy lesson, which I thought could be the last, and we were up to 900. As the day went on, some people there for public skating time who were also devastated by the news had printed out a QR code so that others at the rink could sign the petition,” Jacey explains.

JACEY HOOTSTEIN ’21 Helps to Melt Mayor’s Decision to Close Ice Rinks For senior Jacey Hootstein, who has been skating since first grade, being on the ice has not only been a wonderful way to enjoy fresh air and connect with friends, but it’s also been a passion. She has dedicated many, many hours to lessons and competing regionally on a junior level, winning medals along the way. It was on the afternoon of Friday, February 19, that she and two friends with whom she had been skating for ten years heard the crushing news: The City, in a battle with the Trump Organization, was planning to abruptly shut down both Wollman and Lasker ice rinks six weeks prior to the season’s end and the conclusion of their 20-year contract — in just two days’ time. The trio jumped into action immediately. As Jacey describes it: “It was about 4 pm, and we were in shock, but also we wanted to see what we could do to stop it. So we emailed the Mayor and

THE WORD CONTINUED TO GET OUT What came next was media attention, as one parent contacted The New York Post and another CBS local news. New Yorkers were quickly learning about the pending closures, including many for whom losing the chance to enjoy skating outdoors during the pandemic was especially disappointing. Jacey appeared in a WCBS segment and by Sunday evening, the petition had 6,660 signatures. Thinking it was the last day, Wollman, home away from home for so many, held its end-of-year celebration early for all the kids who skate there. Just as the party came to an end, Jacey says, “We got the news that the Mayor decided to keep the rinks open. We were all crying with joy — and three teenage girls had made it happen — we did it!” Jacey continues, “It feels so great because without any adult direction, the three of us made a real difference, leading to the reversal of the Mayor’s decision, helping over 250 people who work at the rinks to keep their jobs, 2,400 kids who take lessons and play hockey, and countless other people continue to use and enjoy the facilities.” The activism launched by Jacey and her friends Serena and Mya caught the attention of additional news outlets, which covered the story with a new happy ending the following day. ALL-AROUND TOP ATHLETE Jacey, who came to Dwight in sixth grade, takes skating lessons four times a week before school because she’s also been an impressive three-season athlete after school. Last year, she was Captain of the Varsity Girls Soccer, Basketball, and Softball teams! A student-athlete for whom school is also a priority, Jacey looks forward to continuing her passion in college on a skating team. No matter where she goes next, Jacey will carry with her the immense gratification that comes from using her voice to effect change — and the joy that skating brings for a lifetime!

DWIGHT TODAY | GLOBAL VISION

Listen to the Music

Underscored Unity through Community Across The Dwight Schools

From multiple continents and across different time zones, members of the Dwight global community logged on to their computers on April 17 to watch a live-streamed concert, “Listen to the Music,” performed by students worldwide. This special event, which was organized and hosted by Dwight School Seoul, illustrated the power of creativity to surmount the challenges that the pandemic has brought. Despite travel restrictions, our global network pushed forward to connect and collaborate virtually for The Dwight Schools’

annual music festival, which has previously been held at New York’s Carnegie Hall for many years, and at the Shanghai Concert Hall two years ago. Always one of the biggest highlights of the calendar year, this music festival brings together student-performers and music faculty to share a week of

rehearsals, friendship, and cultural exchange — all before gracing the concert stage to share their musical sparks of genius in a glorious culminating concert.

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC | DWIGHT TODAY

To prepare for this year’s virtual concert, Dwight School Seoul’s music team partnered with colleagues on other campuses to design a program featuring music across genres, bringing the best of technology to inspire and showcase our students’ talent. While extending a proud Dwight tradition, our Music Directors and faculty reinvented it in unprecedented times. The concert took shape via film, with each campus submitting their pieces differently based on local COVID-19 conditions: Dwight in Dubai, Seoul, and Shanghai did not have restrictions for recording in groups, while Dwight in London was closed, so their

School performance was edited together from individual videos. In New York, Katelyn Moon ’23 recorded her own violin solo of a Chopin nocturne; while fellow performers recorded their own parts for an original song written by Justin Chen ’21, who edited them together with his own. He sang the vocals and performed on guitar, drums, keyboard, saxophone, and trumpet — yes, all five instruments!

faculty joined in, as did some parents from Seoul, and the result was a joyful celebration of music and unity! Nothing makes us happier than when the entire Dwight family comes together to collaborate and build bridges across countries and the world, and this year’s concert — a testament to the strength and ingenuity of our global community — certainly brought smiles to every Dwight Lion’s face!

When it came to the finale, “Listen to the Music,” the Seoul team edited together individual recordings of more than 100 musicians and singers from every campus — and one dancer from Shanghai. Music

DWIGHT TODAY | GLOBAL VISION

For Healthcare Director Fatmira Purovic ’92,

Working at Dwight Is a Family Affair Fatmira Purovic ’92 has worked tirelessly to help our community remain healthy and back in school during the pandemic. This is no small task — rather, it is an ongoing Lion-sized effort for which we are all most grateful.

FATMIRA PUROVIC ʼ92 | DWIGHT TODAY

As Healthcare Director, Ms. Purovic has helped to shape and oversee our School’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, from liaising with the New York State Department of Health and bringing testing clinics onsite, to helping faculty and staff receive vaccinations and everything in between. As COVID-19 and uncertainty have redefined life for all of us, Ms. Purovic has been a calm center at the eye of the storm. Her reassurance, expertise, and caring have made a huge difference for our students, families, faculty, and staff, as we continue to navigate the changing face of the pandemic together. AN ALUMNA RETURNS TO HER ALMA MATER We have felt Fatmira’s quiet strength as a healthcare provider for over 15 years, but not everyone knows that she first came to Dwight in 1991 as a student. After moving to the U.S. from her home in the former Yugoslavia (Montenegro), she enrolled as a senior and it was here that she made her new family home, though she

didn’t quite know it yet. Her husband is Eddie Purovic, long-time dedicated member of our Security team, who previously taught P.E. and coached soccer, boxing, judo, boys basketball, and conditioning for all scholar-athletes. Their son, Ram, also graduated from Dwight in 2014. “Dwight helped to build a solid educational base for me,” Ms. Purovic shares. “Coming in with only one year left in high school was a challenge, but Chancellor Spahn helped me make my course selections and he and all the teachers were so supportive. It was an exciting time and I really excelled in class.” After having learned English, Ms. Purovic was drawn to master another language — Japanese — and she began studying with Radomir Kovacevic, who was also from the former Yugoslavia (Serbia). He was a Dwight Japanese, philosophy, and P.E. teacher,

and quite notably, a masterful conditioning coach. Mr. Kovacevic, who drew on his own experience as a three-time Olympian representing Yugoslavia in judo and winner of the 1980 Bronze Medal to coach, had learned Japanese while training in judo and studying at Tokyo’s Tokai University. His famous grueling workouts tested the mettle of many students; alumni often credit him with helping to shape them literally and metaphorically, and Ms. Purovic was no exception: “Mr. Kovacevic was not only my Japanese teacher, but also my mentor and life coach. While I did not participate in his physical workouts, he taught me to believe that I can overcome any challenge life brings if I remain calm, continue to work hard, and never give up.” After graduating from Dwight, Ms. Purovic, who had become fluent in Japanese, parlayed that expertise into a job as a data entry specialist at Marubeni America, which is headquartered in Japan. She left several years later to have her son and be with him full time. When Ram went off to preschool, the moment had come for a career change and it was nursing school that beckoned. In 2005, when Dwight’s School Nurse was retiring, Chancellor Spahn, with whom she had remained in touch, invited Ms. Purovic to fill her shoes. Delighted to be asked, she returned to her alma mater, where her husband had been working; this time with Ram, who had enrolled in fifth grade. The whole family woke up each morning bound for Dwight from their home in Queens. “Over the years, Dwight has grown and the number of students has increased, but throughout one thing has always remained constant, which is what I most enjoy about my job: how students have always found comfort in me and the special connections that I have forged with them,” Ms. Purovic explains. “The bond of trust is there, which is especially important when students are ill and feel most vulnerable. Some older students have, over the years, occasionally found their

My love for Dwight goes far beyond someone who likes and values their job.

DWIGHT TODAY | ALUMNI AND STAFF PROFILE

way to my office, perhaps with an excuse to see me for emotional support during college application season and exam time when they are most stressed. I have always offered them a steady hand and encouragement in addition to treating their physical symptoms.” CALM, COOL, AND COLLECTED One of the enduring truths about Ms. Purovic is that she does not get stressed herself. Amid the last year when everyone has faced more anxiety than usual, she has remained centered and grounded. “During this challenging year especially, Radomir’s encouraging words often came to mind: to stay calm, work hard, and never give up,” she shares. “Though he passed away in 2006, Radomir’s legacy is carried on through his wife, Savka, who is the Main Office Coordinator on our Riverside Campus, and their three children who also graduated from Dwight. My family’s connection with Radomir’s family has remained strong over the years.” When Dwight closed last spring, Ms. Purovic dove head first into attending every online seminar and reading every publication to educate herself in preparation for helping Dwight to navigate the pandemic. “I connected with experts and with colleagues at other schools to share information and insights. After every new webinar, I reviewed and reflected on the emerging understanding from the infectious disease professionals and shared what I learned with our incredible Dwight team,” she explains. The Dwight team, which had the unique advantage of implementing lessons learned from our campuses that had reopened in spring 2020, went into high gear over the summer to ready our facilities and School to welcome our community back safely. With that knowledge, Dwight was one of the first schools in New York City to reopen last August; so, too, were we among the first to establish on-site testing clinics. This was thanks to Ms. Purovic, whose research enabled us to partner directly with Quality Laboratory Service rather than having to go through another third-party clinical provider, increasing convenience and dramatically shortening the amount of time to receive results from 10-14 days to 48 hours. This enabled our community to be better prepared to respond and reduce the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19 significantly, so inperson learning could continue as seamlessly as possible. Ms. Purovic has, understandably, received an untold number of questions from community members, and has moved from behind the scenes to a more visible position than she ever could have anticipated. She has helped us to feel comfortable with changing testing and quarantine guidelines. As more and more people become vaccinated, one thing will remain the same: Ms. Purovic will continue to offer the latest scientific information and reassurance regardless of what comes next. “I was at Dwight in 2009 when we faced a novel

H1N1 influenza virus together, and I look forward to the time when we can all see beyond this pandemic,” shares Ms. Purovic. “While the nature of viruses is such that new strains emerge, I hope that science and technology will enable us to better fight them armed with the knowledge gained over the last 18 months.”

When taking a rare moment for herself, Ms. Purovic can be found bass fishing on a lake in upstate New York, where her family enjoys time away from the city. “Being on the water with a fishing pole is always the most relaxing for me,” she shares. Ms. Purovic can also be spotted atop a ski slope in winter alongside Ram, who was a competitive racer before college. Every weekend, their family was on the mountainside cheering him on, and skiing remains a favorite activity. DWIGHT IN HER HEART “My love for Dwight goes far beyond someone who likes and values their job. The School and Spahn family have given my family so much — an invaluable education and more,” she says. “If there are 24 hours in a day, I want to put in 30 to give back a little of what they have given to me. After coming to School day after day, year after year, the bonds are so strong; and everything I do for students, faculty, and staff is what I would do if I were to treat a member of my own family. This makes my job special, and we will get through this pandemic together as an extended family, stronger and closer than ever.”

GLOBAL VISION | DWIGHT TODAY

From Dubai to New York:

A Very Special Origami Exhibit by Teodore V. ’27 Takes Flight When Teodore V., a sixth grade student at Dwight School Dubai, shared his passion for origami with Chancellor Stephen Spahn, an idea was sparked: the Chancellor invited Teo to create an origami mobile to take its pride of place in the stairwell of our Main Campus in New York. The new mobile would be installed where one had hung previously for many years and was well-loved as an iconic element of our School. Teo was in fifth grade at the time; he first discovered his love of origami in first grade when he began making cranes. He enjoys making things with his hands and learned to craft a wide range of animals, which Teo describes as quite fun. This year, he shared his spark of genius by teaching his entire class how to make a crane. A CREATIVE VISION COMES TO LIFE Teo’s concept reflects his very thoughtful global vision. “I decided to make a mobile with six birds, each representing one of The Dwight Schools around the world: the eagle for New York, the raven for London, the crane for Seoul, the dragon for Shanghai, and the sunbird for Dubai. And finally, a dove to symbolize the peace between all five schools,” shares Teo. This is a truly beautiful project — in both concept and finished product. It was also a massive undertaking! Teo made more than 500 origami over the course of a year, which he was able to do by completing a bit every day and having lots of patience. “Eventually, I got it done,” he says. “Mr. Henning Fries from Dwight School in Dubai helped me ship the origami to New York, where the project would be exhibited.” When asked which origami is the most complicated, Teo said the dragon. Yet every one has been folded with great precision and care from colorful squares, bringing to life the culture of the country where each one of our Dwight Schools is located. “Teo captured the individual spirits of our global campuses and brought them together in harmony. We are so grateful to Teo, and beyond delighted to share his extraordinary creativity and pure joy with everyone who walks the halls of our campus,” says Chancellor Spahn. Upon completing the extensive project, Teo wrote a reflection: “This was an extraordinary experience because I learned more about taking responsibility, creativity, time management, writing emails, and making origamis. I look forward to seeing the final piece in Dwight New York. I would like to thank Chancellor Spahn for this opportunity, and it has been an honor to work with him during this project.” Teo, who likes studying history and design, along with science as there is always so much to explore, tells us that it has been exciting to be part of the new Dwight School in Dubai and his favorite thing about our community is how students are encouraged to pursue their sparks of genius. We are so excited to share Teo’s spark of genius with all of our Schools globally, not only because they are represented, but also because Teo’s inclusive idea was so inspiring and his commitment, perseverance, and talents light up the world! We’re not the only ones — Teo’s project caught the attention of Gulf News, which published this story for readers throughout the UAE. We can’t wait for Teo to see his beautiful soaring work, which spans five floors in 18 West 89th Street, exhibited in person — and his name alongside it on a plaque in commemoration!

DWIGHT TODAY |

Eighth-grade scientists studied the physics behind safety mechanisms such as seat belts, helmets, and airbags ... then built and tested their own designs to protect eggs dropped from above into the Quad. Did they break?!

| DWIGHT TODAY

Oh, the wonders of The Studio! Preschool and Kindergarten Lions love to create and explore in our makerspace with teacher Zach Horvet, who inspires them through all kinds of hands-on learning.

DWIGHT TODAY | BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

and encourage electronic music producers to contribute their work and music lovers to join by sharing custom playlists and reviews. “While some students may choose to publish their music on streaming platforms, that is not our expectation for being part of the 566 Records process,” says Mr. Novod. “In fact, we imagine most students will submit music for the Dwight website as their primary goal — a rewarding accomplishment in and of itself!"

Watch out Sony, Capitol, Def Jam, and Atlantic … 566 Records has arrived — and with it, some rising stars in music! Dwight’s very own student-run record label and website, 566 Records — named for the home of our music recording studio at 566 Columbus Avenue — is the latest addition to our School’s dynamic music program. The idea for 566 Records was born when Eric Novod, Head of Performing Arts, came to Dwight last year and saw the potential for developing a label in our recording studio. A former studio musician and producer himself, Mr. Novod gauged student interest and was delighted to hear an enthusiastic “yes!” Mr. Novod had hoped to begin following our 2020 global Carnegie Hall concert just when the pandemic intervened. While the launch was delayed when we switched to virtual learning for the remainder of the year, planning for this exciting Upper School initiative continued. Last fall, when School reopened, Mr. Novod and a group of student-musicians and singer-

songwriters — the 566 Records Advisory Team of Justin Chen ’21, Marlowe Clarke ’21, Lucca McHugh ’22, Jake Bruner ’23, Ella Shin ’23, and Tom Volpato ’23 — met weekly to map their vision for the label and website, combining in-person and athome recordings. BUILDING A MUSIC COMMUNITY While some students on this talented team had already self-published music on Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Music, they wanted to do much more than create a Dwight platform; they wanted to foster opportunities to collaborate, encourage fellow artists and help them record highquality versions of their original music, learn from industry professionals, build a thriving music community encompassing all instruments and styles — and connect that community to other creative areas and programs at Dwight. The label’s goals are wide-ranging and inclusive. In addition, students also want to help peers who record at 566 to develop a marketing plan for sharing their music,

LEARNING THE BUSINESS Whether students are really passionate about music and want to pursue it as a career or as a serious hobby, the kind of experience they can gain is invaluable. “There are so many important aspects of the recording business that students need time to master and don’t normally have access to nor the time to develop the necessary skill set and confidence in most school music programs,” explains Mr. Novod. “I’m delighted that we can offer this hands-on learning experience and resources to Dwight students.” Whether they are singers, songwriters, instrumentalists, music producers or engineers — or a combination — students will learn so much from Mr. Novod, through 566 Records Master Classes with pros, and from each other. “We will be offering students the kind of enriching and broad-ranging support that established record labels offer their artists,” he says. This year, students on the Advisory Board are featured artists who share their work as well as insights into their creative process through interviews. Their music ranges from pop, rock, and R&B, to electronic, classical, and singer-songwriter; some students are writing original pieces in our IB Music Class and others have been doing so on their own. No matter the genre or personal style, there are no limits to what students can do at 566 Records!

PERSONALIZED LEARNING | DWIGHT TODAY

Tom Volpato ’23 Shares His Self-discovery through Music “It feels like a dream — a dream seeing my album on Apple Music — on the same platform where all my favorite albums are,” shares sophomore Tom Volpato. His debut album, entitled “Young Fascinations,” can also be found on Dwight’s own 566 Records, providing access not only to Apple Music, but also to other platforms wherever listeners stream music! Tom helped to found 566 Records, our student-run record label and “Young Fascinations” is the latest project in the 566 spotlight. His work on the album began when he was in ninth grade and shared some lyrics with Eric Novod, Head of Performing Arts. “Mr. Novod was working one-on-one with us in class to see what our interests in music were and how he could help each of us develop our skills and talents. He taught me that there’s no one way to write songs, meaning that the lyrics can come first or the melody can, as long as it comes from your heart and is based on your musical intent,” Tom explains. He continues: “Mr. Novod also taught me about different song structures, how to create melodies and harmonies within the key I chose for any given song, and more. His help was so incredibly invaluable throughout the whole process.” “Tom is a deep thinker and a talented multi-instrumentalist. In my experiences, that combination of skills often yields original songwriters,” says Mr. Novod. “After learning some new harmony, vocal, and production techniques, Tom took the ball and completely ran with it. My only goal was for Tom to create well-crafted songs that he felt confident about, whether that was one or five songs. But when true inspiration hits, amazing things happen!” GROWING INTO HIS SPARK OF GENIUS Music has always been in the air for Tom, who was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where his father is a well-known professional musician. Before he knew it, Tom was playing a range of instruments by the age of five and soon discovered that his favorite was drums. He took lessons for eight years and played in school bands, as well as in his own group, whose name translates to “Contact” in English. They performed covers by Brazilian rock bands and even won a few battle of the bands before Tom and his family moved to New York. That’s when Tom joined Dwight as a sixth grader. He played the drums in our own Middle School battle of the bands. He also sang on stage for the first time and recalls that he didn’t feel confident, but was inspired to improve. It was around that time that Tom’s father bought a guitar and Tom taught himself how to play it as well as the piano, earning him a spot playing electric guitar at Carnegie Hall for one of our global concerts.

When he turned 15, Tom realized that music was always his spark of genius, he couldn’t live without it, and wanted to do his absolute best to keep learning and growing. “I felt that music was the way I could express myself naturally and I began the process of creating ‘Young Fascinations’ from scratch as I didn’t have any experience recording or using music software. It took two years and a lot of encouragement, both in and out of School, to feel comfortable enough with my production process to share it with other people. Everything came together naturally, and I feel like, my thoughts about discovering my identity grew until I started turning them into music. It’s a way I found to say something to myself first, and it has always been like this; I believe that everyone has something to take away from other people’s self-discoveries. I wanted to create the most genuine expression of myself with this process, so I would never forget who I am or where I’ve come from. In other words, I tried to condense my emotions into something I was proud of and this is how I created this album.” While Tom’s primary instrument is drums, he decided not to play them on the album “to make it sound emotionally raw and intimate … the album was built around layering the guitar and vocals.” While music has certainly occupied most of Tom’s free time, he has also participated in Dwight’s Unicef Club, taken karate lessons, and plays tennis. In the classroom, in addition to music, Tom enjoys English, history, and design because that’s where “I can think abstractly and not have to know specific answers to questions; we can have a variety of answers and bring different perspectives.” Tom is spending the summer in São Paolo to study music theory, improve his instrumental techniques, and think about what’s next. After completing “Young Fascinations,” a labor of love, he wants to see what new life experiences await before inspiration strikes for album number two.

DWIGHT TODAY | GLOBAL VISION

Global Leaders

Alessandro Dal Bon ’21 and Calvin Yang ’21

Take Next Big Steps to Fight Climate Change

“We have to keep on fighting and do more and more because our voices are being heard now. We have to make sure that they continue to be heard.” This is what Calvin Yang ’21 said after being on the frontlines of the September 2019 Global Climate Strike alongside his classmate Alessandro Dal Bon ’21. As student Core Committee members of Fridays for Future NYC, they helped to organize and promote the event in which 315,000 people followed behind them — literally and figuratively — in the largest of all the global strikes, which collectively totaled eight million participants. As we shared last year in Dwight Today, the duo was dedicated to taking leadership roles, using their voices — speaking to politicians and numerous media outlets — and engaging others in Generation Z to advocate for change. This included rallying in front of the UN, attending CNN’s Presidential Town Hall about the climate crisis during the leadup to the election, and founding Fridays for Future at Dwight. Much has happened in more than a year, and we checked in with Calvin and Alessandro to hear what paths they have since carved both individually and jointly — and where they want to go in the future.

FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE | DWIGHT TODAY

BEST-LAID PLANS … A QUICK PIVOT Following the Climate Strike, Alessandro and Calvin were gearing up for the next mass mobilization planned for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day when COVID-19 intervened. In very short order, they shifted gears to work with the national Climate Strike Coalition on a three-day live stream of Earth Day events, which drew nearly five million people worldwide. In conjunction, Alessandro co-wrote a compelling editorial, “Why You Should Care About Earth Day Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic,” published in Teen Vogue. Calvin and Alessandro were then tapped to help with youth outreach around climate efforts by Mike Bloomberg, when he put his hat into the Presidential ring; they also co-founded Students for Bloomberg in support of his campaign. NEW AND DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS Since then, Calvin, who was born in Toronto and has always been passionate about Canadian politics, began exploring future political career options. After working with the Green Party during the 2019 Canadian elections, he launched the Canadian Youth Alliance for Climate Action (CYACA), which is the country’s first youth climate lobbying and public policy firm. Calvin turned to Alessandro to join as the Chair of the Foreign Advisor Board and a Board member. CYACA caught the attention of Thrive Global and interviewed Calvin for its series “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Began Leading My Company.” Hoping to better effect change through non-partisan politics, Calvin has moved away from the kind of activism that brought him and Alessandro to the head of the New York Climate Strike. He is focusing on gaining practical experience by meeting with politicians and Parliament officials from every party to discuss their environmental platforms and lobbying for amendments to the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. “Having Canadians share their voice is vital to maintaining and strengthening the sacrosanct nature of our democracy,” he asserts. Under Calvin’s leadership, CYACA (also Calvin's Spark Tank project) now has an in-house legislative and legal team, will soon have an office in Ottawa, and will be conducting Canada’s first Gen Z environmental election poll before the next federal election.

In New York, Calvin also become the Chief Climate Advisor for a Mayoral candidate, penning climate policies for the campaign. As a virtual student during his senior year, he was challenged to balance this work with a rigorous academic course load of four HL Diploma classes, and cites good time-management skills as key, plus the IB curriculum for pushing him to become a risk-taker. Looking ahead to attending college in the U.S. and law school in Canada, Calvin has more than put his toe in the political water and is well on his way to entering the Canadian political arena in the future. While sharing strategic insights with CYACA, Alessandro, who was born in Italy, devoted his time to helping elect the Biden-Harris ticket by phone banking and pursuing independent projects as a hybrid student. An exciting project is being featured as one of the activists in a new children’s book, Climate Action: What Happened and What We Can Do, by Seymour Simon, who The New York Times called “the dean of the [children’s science] field.” “This year, the environmental movement has been reshaped by both the pandemic and the new Administration and is still taking form,” Alessandro explains. “There is difficulty in mobilizing with hundreds of thousands of people now and all social movements need to find the most effective way to keep up their momentum. Before the election, protesting was necessary because no one was listening. Now we are in a better place and I hope that the youth climate movement comes together again and organizes to keep pressure on leaders around the world to fulfill their promises. In the commitment + action equation, action is the hardest part,” he says. Alessandro plans to study engineering in college, which he sees as a continuation of his journey advocating for solutions to the climate crisis by helping to make those solutions possible through technology, especially in regards to carbon capture and hydrogen power. “There is so much new technology becoming available all the time — and so much that we can do with it,” Alessandro says. Additionally, he doesn’t plan to stray away from activism and looks forward to joining efforts at the college level, for which he’s ideally prepared to lead. “My goal from the beginning has been to bring as many people as possible together to contribute to solving our climate crisis,” Alessandro shares. We know that he will definitely do that in life well beyond Dwight!

DWIGHT TODAY | ON THE PLAYING FIELD

Dwight student-athletes participated in clubs this winter designed to help them stay active and further develop their skills and confidence while the pandemic continued to preempt interscholastic league competitions. They brought their best to this unique season and here’s a round-up from our Lion coaches: BOYS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL | While socially distanced and sometimes in smaller groups than usual, players demonstrated wonderful teamwork and spirited competition. During practice, the focus was on skill development — improving footwork, ball handling skills, and scoring ability. Coach Michalak shares that even more beneficial for players was being active and participating in a sport that is so important to so many high school students. We cannot wait for next year — we look forward to returning to competition with Lion fans in the stands! BOYS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL | Coach Ascher reports how it was incredibly rewarding to watch so many students improve their dribbling, passing, footwork, and overall basketball IQ. Players really focused on their game in all facets; as many are heading into high school, a new level of competition is fast approaching! It was also encouraging to see new students without much prior experience make such strong improvements.

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GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL | While many Varsity players yearned for a true high school season, they made the absolute most of a trying time. Coach Madarasz credits Jacey Hootstein ’21, Victoria Pauwels Romero ’21, Jade Abramson ’22, and Olivia Salerno ’22, for coming to practice each day with a positive attitude and motivation to improve. While the team goals were to develop and enhance skills, the main focus was remembering how fun basketball is and how important being part of a team can be. GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL | Coaches Spiegel and Arnold report that students showed up every day with a willingness to get better and work hard no matter what. Coach Spiegel shares, “With the pandemic and everything going on, it was so rewarding and fun to be surrounded by such a great group of girls who truly love basketball and that makes it not only fun for them, but for me as well.” Thank you to our eighth graders who set the tone for the program, and we wish you the best of luck as you continue your playing careers at the high school level! SWIMMING | Coaches Rodriguez and Jeffries attribute much of our swimmers’ success to strong mental toughness. Coach Rodriguez explains, “This year brought its challenges. There was no competition and the team was broken up into cohorts so the camaraderie was different, but I am so proud of the dedication and hard work that every student brought to the pool.” Our team looks forward to making a huge splash next year — and to defending Dwight’s 2019-20 ISAL championship honors! TRACK | Coach Scott explains that while the team missed traveling to the Armory for training and competitions, as well as bonding with fellow teammates, runners made the best of the season, whether at School for practice or following workouts remotely from home. Coaches Scott and Sklar are looking forward to next season and remind runners to “stay focused — your time is now, Jack Yoon ’23, Sonya Pesselev ’22, Anoushna Bardhan ’22, Jack Yoon ’23, and Izzie Venturini ’23!”

WINTER ATHLETICS | DWIGHT TODAY

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Here’s to All Graduating Lions! As a scholar-athlete, senior year is meant to be the most memorable and exciting time spent participating in team sports. While seniors were unable to enjoy a competitive year filled with personal bests, victories, and celebrations, we are so proud of the character and efforts shown by all. Thank you for your strength, courage, and willingness to set an exemplary standard for our community — and congratulations on a riveting and illustrious four years at Dwight: Boys Basketball: Ross Brodsky, Luca Daly, Chaz Jackson, Aidan Friedson, and Blake Masterson Girls Basketball: Merle Boelens, Lexi Colodne, Jacey Hootstein, Sasha Kroutoi, Apolline Marcel, and Mey Ozyel Boys Swim: Justice Carrenard, Daniel Halpern, Jorge Sanchez-Lara Alonzo, and Killian Terrisse Flagg Girls Swim: Georgiana Bailey, Jeanne Rondot, Stacey Soh, and Andie Valles Fons Track: Matthew Armstrong, Alessandro Dal Bon, Fynn Haagen, and Jack Xia

DWIGHT TODAY | SPARK TANK

Students Shine Through Community Service in the

Spark Tank Spotlight The mission of Spark Tank, in which students learn how they can make an impact and build a better world through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and service, has never been more important. So, too, has that impact never been greater, thanks to our students’ unwavering dedication to making a difference during the pandemic. When the health and welfare of some of the most vulnerable people has been at such a heightened risk due to COVID-19, students found inspiring ways to reach them. Some young entrepreneurs tried to make life on the streets or in homeless shelters a bit better through non-profits previously launched through Spark Tank, which captured the attention of the media. They are Ross Brodsky ’21 and Alex Goldenberg ’21, whose Sole Purpose was designed to collect, refurbish, and distribute sneakers to New Yorkers who are homeless; and Chloe Trujillo ’21 and Victoria Buendia-Serrano ’23, founders of SustainABLE Start, which provides ecofriendly hygiene kits also to local-area residents who are homeless. Other student-entrepreneurs raised funds in support of a WHO global pandemic response and local economic relief efforts for families on limited incomes. As always, a number of exciting new ideas for projects, including those born from students’ personal passions and experiences, were brought to Spark Tank with the goal of benefiting people without the same access to resources. THE YEAR IN REVIEW During 2020-21, Spark Tank, which was founded in 2015 with support of The Dwight School Foundation, and quickly became a signature Dwight program, continued to grow. Over 90 students participated, including all students in grade 9 Design classes — more students than ever before; 20 of whom presented at virtual Spark Tank events and seven received $250 Spark Tank Service Challenge grants. This year was also the first in which Dwight Global students participated in our after-school incubator program.

INNOVATION | DWIGHT TODAY

Additionally, Jessica Capiraso (Gwynne ’22 and Grace ’25), who has been a member of the Foundation’s Spark Tank Committee from the very beginning, assumed the role of Chair. Currently Vice President at Victoria’s Secret, she has held leadership positions at other iconic brands, including Henri Bendel and Gucci worldwide. As quite a few students over the last six years have launched their own fashion lines through Spark Tank, Ms. Capiraso has lent her industry expertise as a mentor and guidance in the areas of marketing and e-commerce. Under the Committee’s oversight this year, the following students received funding to help them advance to different stages in Spark Tank’s fivestep development cycle, including three whose projects were launched and recognized with $1,000 grants from The Dwight School Foundation (indicated with an asterisk). • Justin Chen ’21, who organized a benefit concert in the early fall to raise money for the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Relief Fund • Logan Gatch ’21*, who began designing a signature fashion line, PG 22, in 2018 • Jennifer Klein ’21*, who published Klein’s Colombian Cookbook to raise both awareness of the economic impact of COVID-19 on the Latino community and money for food distribution through St. Peter’s Church • Calvin Yang ’21*, who founded the Canadian Youth Alliance for Climate Action, the country’s first youth climate lobbying and public policy firm • Justin Chen ’21 and Jacob Bruner ’23, who helped to launch Dwight’s own student-led 566 Records website and music label • Victoria Buendia-Serrano ’23, who has been working on two projects: Easy Aura, a filter-free app to try on makeup; and Forming Futures with Matthew Archer-Nieto ’23, a non-profit to provide toddler care and school supplies to families with low income facing additional economic challenges during COVID-19 • Avery Meer ’23, who is developing a Student Stress Support (S3) app • Erick Hernandez ’24 and Rachel Rubinstein ’24, who have been creating art kits for New York City public schools in need of supplies distributed through the non-profit organization Project Rousseau • Guilherme Sequeira ’24, whose Self-Tape Stuff provides homerecording tools needed to make self-tapes for auditions, and college and job applications, also distributed through Project Rousseau • Lukas Lancaster ’25, a Dwight Global student, who began My Porch Garden to grow produce on his balcony for those working in his apartment building in West Jakarta, Indonesia, as fresh produce has been difficult to find during the pandemic • Isabella Fakhouri ’26, who has been developing her project for a few years, Covered, enabling travelers to customize their suitcase covers

As we enter a new school year in the fall, we know that Dwight students will continue to bring creativity and innovation to help our local and global communities through the pandemic and well beyond.

First graders took a mini-field trip to our neighborhood West Side Community Garden and found inspiration in the Spring flowers for their art projects back in the classroom!

DWIGHT TODAY | GLOBAL VISION

Students from The Dwight Schools and WISER “All Pull Together” Sharing the belief that education is a right, not a privilege, creative Dwight Lions worldwide joined forces with students at WISER (Women’s Institute for Secondary Education and Research) in Muhuru Bay, Kenya, to create The Harambee Magazine — a cross-campus online publication in support of WISER. WISER works with local-area girls to transcend poverty, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence by empowering young women to drive change in their communities. After hearing about WISER’s mission at a 2009 GIN Conference, a team of Dwight staff and students in New York launched a WISER Club and raised $3,000, enabling one girl to attend the school, which opened the following year. WISER takes “a holistic approach, providing everything a girl needs to be successful: clothes, books, safe housing, female role models, leadership training, healthy food, mosquito nets, HIV education, and essential medicine.” The impact of WISER is significant, having touched the lives of more than 2,500 youth. Over 90% of all graduates attend college or university, despite the fact that only 9% of all girls in the region finish school. From 2010-12, Dwight students visited WISER yearly to contribute directly through hands-on activities. In 2013, travel warnings curbed trips to Kenya, yet the WISER Club continued to support the School through an annual WISER Week, raising funds to educate more girls. Conditions in Kenya changed yet again and we were pleased to resume the trip in 2019, connecting students personally and more deeply with WISER and introducing them to the culture and traditions of East Africa. With the launch of the online magazine this year, students in New York, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, and at Dwight Global are now

expanding Dwight’s connection with WISER students in the spirit of its name: “Harambee” is Swahili for “all pull together.” AN IDEA IS BORN Laurel Aquadro, WISER Club Advisor and Dwight Global teacher, and Stefania Bielkina ’23, Dwight Global student, put their heads together earlier this year to develop the idea for the magazine during Dwight Global’s own WISER Club meetings. Leaning into her interest in creative writing, Stefania wanted to do something new that would benefit WISER now and well beyond her own time in high school; The Harambee Magazine was quickly born and Stefania became Editorin-Chief. The first step was to put the call out for fellow student-editors to apply to join the masthead in an area of their interest: poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or visual arts. The Club selected editors whose passion for the project was palpable: Poetry Gloria Shakina, Form 3 WISER Hermione Jiang ’23, Shanghai

GLOBAL VISION | DWIGHT TODAY

Addah Gloria Alendu, Form 3 WISER Mil Right Susan, Form 3 WISER Fiction Daoxin Hu ’23, Shanghai Emily Schmidt ’24, Dwight Global Estella Ugbebor ’24, Dwight Global Tianying Xue ’22, Shanghai Visual Arts Jennifer Song ’25, Seoul Annie Luo ’23, Shanghai Eliza Pritchard ’23, Dwight Global Heba Mansour ’22, Dubai Pheny John Auma, Form 3 WISER Sandra Ongati, Form 1 WISER Non-fiction Maya Singh ’22, New York Lisa Li ’22, Shanghai Kelly Hsu Chi Wei ’23, Shanghai Rose Eberhardt, faculty, Dwight Global “l participated in the Dwight Harambee online magazine because I like art and could use it as a way to raise funds to educate WISER girls,” shares Visual Arts Editor Pheny John Auma, a Form 3 WISER student. The newly forged editorial team also put a call out; this time for submissions in each of the four areas from Dwight and WISER students. “To be published in the journal, the pieces had to have a humanitarian theme and demonstrate a high artistic and/or literary caliber,” shares Stefania. Additionally, as Harambee was created to

support the WISER mission — which has expanded with COVID-19 to provide relief for girls and their families who are directly affected by the pandemic — students were asked to make a minimum $3 donation to WISER per submission. Sixteen pieces came in and student-editors collaborated virtually to share their feedback and vote on which pieces to publish. “Our extremely diverse editing committee made sure that the selected pieces resonated with all communities,” Stefania explains. BRIDGING CONTINENTS “Not only is the content for The Harambee Magazine engaging, thanks to so many talented contributors, but also the process of putting it together has been rewarding for all. It has provided another opportunity for students to get to know their peers across Dwight Schools through a shared interest, and to connect with students in Kenya, while also extending our partnership with WISER and helping to raise additional awareness for the School,” says Ms. Aquadro. As the team was preparing to publish the magazine’s first digital issue, Stefania underscored that message: “Besides amplifying various issues around the world, Harambee serves as a unifying force, connecting most of Dwight’s campuses all around the world and with WISER. Although our first issue isn’t perfect, and there’s still a lot of work to be done in the future, we hope that the magazine will help forge a more cohesive, cross-campus Dwight community.” We have no doubt that it will — and we congratulate Stefania and the whole Harambee editorial team across continents!

DWIGHT TODAY | ARTS ROUND-UP

Timothy House Winter Music Celebration

Spring Music & Conservatory Concert

ARTS

ROUND-UP

Students shared their sparks of creativity, learning, and many talents on canvas, film, and virtually with music and theater performances without missing a beat amid COVID-19. Visual Arts Exhibitions

ARTS ROUND-UP | DWIGHT TODAY

Spring Scene Night

Mainstage Theater Spring Musical Bentley House Theater Production 39

DWIGHT TODAY | HEADING

Lion-sized

Congratulations

to the Class of 2021!

The view from the balcony in the majestic Riverside Church saw seniors process to their seats, three to a pew, in caps and gowns with now all-too-familiar masks. While there was distance between them, they could not have been closer as a class. This year’s graduates had demonstrated such a deep well of caring for one another, for the Dwight community, and for others in need during the pandemic. They will long be remembered for their compassion as well as for their resilience.

HEADING | DWIGHT TODAY

“Dwight New York and Dwight Global students have persevered during what will go down as one of the most challenging times in global history,” said Head of Dwight School Dianne Drew in her Commencement address. She spoke to the unprecedented times in which our seniors had come of age with strength, passion, and mettle. “You have navigated 18 months of uncertainty, confusion, disappointment, and the complete upheaval of regular school life as you knew it and made it to this momentous occasion in your academic pursuits. The gravity of that cannot be underestimated and gives particular significance to the celebration we are here to recognize today.” The celebration was a joyous tribute to the collective spirit and outstanding individual accomplishments of the Class of 2021. Included are students who had been at Dwight since Kindergarten — known as members of our 13-year Club — and some of our very first Dwight Global students. A melding of

DWIGHT TODAY | HEADING

in-person, hybrid, and online learners, this graduating class also includes students who have pursued their personal passions at elite and preprofessional levels; and displayed impressive leadership as agents of change in helping others, protecting our planet, and in making our world a better place for all.

During the Commencement exercises, Chancellor Stephen Spahn and Dean of Twelfth Grade Alexander Cunningham joined Ms. Drew with their own special words and wishes for our graduates. Head of Dwight Global Online School Louisa Childs and Head of Upper School Eric Dale presented this year’s awards to recipients in recognition of their academic achievements, contributions to our community, and notable talents as athletes and artists. One award recipient, Justin Chen ’21, shared his musical spark of genius with a vocal and acoustic guitar performance of “Wake Me Up.”

Dwight Salutatorian Elizabeth Tatishev ’21, Dwight Valedictorian Jeanne Rondot ’21, and Dwight Global Valedictorian Remie Suvanto ’21 each spoke eloquently and from the heart, sharing their own perspectives on the unique journey the Class of 2021 had taken before they received their diplomas and the final milestone moment arrived. When the last name was read, Dwight Senior Class President Chaz Jackson ’21 led them all in the academic tradition of turning their tassels from right to left, symbolizing their newfound status as graduates and transition to our newest alumni! As graduates move on to the finest colleges and universities in the world, we wish them a fond farewell and a giant roar of congratulations!

From Cubs to Lions ...

Nine Grads Join Our 13-year Club We’re delighted to extend a special Dwight tradition that comes every year at this time: spotlighting graduating seniors who share a history that goes back to their first days together in Kindergarten — members of Dwight's 13-year Club. This year, we welcome more members in a single year than we have had in quite a long time with nine students! They, along with fellow members of the Class of 2021, celebrated their final milestone at Graduation and we salute them: Barrie Davis, Chloe Droumenq, Daniel Halpern, Isabella Halpern, Alexandra Kroutoi, Skyler Rosenberg, Jordan Sotomayor, Chase Stenberg, and Hugo Welsh. While the end of the school year was an especially busy time for them and all our seniors, we asked this year’s “Dwight lifers” to answer a few questions before heading off to the next chapter in their lives. Here’s what a few had to say: JORDAN SOTOMAYOR ’21 What is your spark of genius? Investing How has Dwight fostered your spark of genius? Spark Tank allowed me to experiment with projects and practice pitching my ideas. That was critical for my spark of genius. Secondly, being President of the high school Business and Investment Club gave me tons of experience with investing and leading a team.

What do you want to major in — and what might you want to pursue as a career? I intend to study Finance and will most likely be in the financial services industry. CHLOE DROUMENQ ’21 What is your spark of genius? My spark of genius is research. I adore being able to delve into a topic and expand on the knowledge I learned in class. How has Dwight fostered your spark of genius? Dwight has fostered this spark of genius through an emphasis on longterm research projects all along — the fifth grade PYP Exhibition, eighth grade project, tenth grade Personal Project, and IB Diploma Program’s internal assessments and Extended Essay. For all of these, I was able to find a subject I was interested in and work with teachers to research it in-depth.

What is your favorite memory or what have you enjoyed most about Dwight? My friends

What is your favorite memory or what have you enjoyed most about Dwight? What I have enjoyed most is the sense of community I have felt in all of my classes, being geared towards discussion and collaboration. This ranges from my Lower School teachers finding creative methods to foster imagination during their lessons to my high school teachers encouraging problem solving through collaborative efforts.

What college will you attend? University of Miami

What college will you attend? I will be attending Smith College!

What do you want to major in — and what might you want to pursue as a career? I’m not entirely set on one major quite yet, but I know it will consist of something within the sciences. CHASE STENBERG ’21 What is your spark of genius? My time at Dwight has helped greatly to ignite my ever-increasing interest in the study of psychology and how various events of the past have occurred due to people’s thought processes, values, and belief systems. How has Dwight fostered your spark of genius? Dwight has helped to kindle my interests and to become more knowledgeable, self-aware, and ethical. What is your favorite memory or what have you enjoyed most about Dwight? My favorite memory is pulling the Dwight Lion’s tail at our annual ice skating party! What college will you attend? Either Tulane University or the University of Virginia What do you want to major in — and what might you want to pursue as a career? Perhaps psychology, economics, or something else. No matter what these grads pursue or where they go, they will always share the special bond of having traveled their entire Dwight journey together!

DWIGHT TODAY | ALUMNI

The 1961 Dwight Scroll yearbook team Jan Dorman ’61 says, “It’s time for a 60-year reunion. Let’s hear more about how we can reconnect.” Steven Silver ’65 (Franklin) retired from his career as an orthopedic surgeon and researcher. Michael Frizell ’65 writes: “Living large in Texas. Loving retirement. Got my two Pfizer vaccinations.” Stuart Friedman ’73 (Franklin) received the Diamond Life Award from Equitable, rewarding 40 years of outstanding service and stellar revenue production. David Strauss ’76 (Franklin) writes: “It’s been a full and fulfilling five years since moving back to Manhattan just a few blocks away from Dwight or what I experienced as Franklin. In 2017, I launched Broadband Success Partners to support telecom investors with due diligence and planning services. In 2020, I remarried over Zoom, exceeding all expectations. Along the way, I’ve had many wonderful unofficial reunions with some classmates.” Eric Chernik ’83 recently got together with classmates: Craig Lubin, Julie Ancis, Cliff Diamond, and Torri Jones. He also keeps in touch with George Fisher, Philippe Bertrand, Leslie Barrett, and Roy Judelson, and says, “It’s great to reminisce about the old stories, from Engel to Eastman, Post to Foster, and to gym/dodgeball, as well as share new family stories.” Eric lives in Dallas with two college kids, running an HVAC distribution

company, and continuing to travel the world. “Believe it or not, I still play soccer each week (memories of the old Dwight Tigers with Kelly, Foster, and Goodman).” Stephanie Nilva ’84 says, “I’m currently running a nonprofit, Day One (dayoneny.org), which focuses on preventing and addressing dating abuse and domestic violence among youth, 24 and under. I started it in NYC in 2003, and the pandemic brought challenges to our 30-person team, which is conducting our prevention, counseling and legal assistance work virtually. I moved to the Lower East Side in early 2020, which was good timing in terms of adding some outdoor space and a view of the water. I hope everyone is doing well!” Suzanne Lauer-Maltby ’88 (AngloAmerican) recently became a producer on Season 2 of the HBOMAX series “The Other Two” and is living happily in LA with her husband of five years, director Tim Maltby, her stepdaughter, and their dog. Doug Davis ’90 won his third Grammy for producing “Four Questions” and The AfroLatin Jazz Orchestra, featuring Dr. Cornel West. He also received The Best Lawyers in America 2021 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year Award, and was named to Billboard’s 2021 Power Lawyer list and Variety’s Top Entertainment Lawyers’ list. In 2020, Doug received UJA Federations’ Music Visionary Award, one of the top industry honors.

Send your class notes to Olivia Merrick-Haight: omerrickhaight@dwight.edu

Salwa Emerson ’92 is working on her third book project this year! She has ghostwritten a thought-leadership book about the future of work in a gig economy and a nonfiction title about overcoming the stigmas around divorce. Salwa’s latest project “is a timely contribution to the world of health about the lymphatic system and the importance of detox. I hope to work on a few celebrity memoirs and business books in the coming months.” Aleta LaFargue ’95 (Anglo-American) is running for City Council in Manhattan District 3! She tells us, “After many years of community service and activism, I have seen how often communities are left underserved by their elected representatives. As a native New Yorker and student at Anglo-American, I learned the value of diversity and how to use my voice to advocate for the voiceless. Raising my son in my hometown, I knew that if I wanted to see change I would have to step up and be that voice for my community. During these difficult times, I believe we need to elect leaders who represent our values and are willing to fight for all of us. I am excited for this opportunity to find new and creative solutions to the issues we face.” Zachary Portnoy ’20 enjoyed his first year at Skidmore and playing on the Men’s Tennis Team, helping them reach the NCAA tournament.

Molly Darlington/Reuters

Mega-congratulations to Race Imboden ’11 and the U.S. Men’s Foil Fencing Team for winning the Bronze Medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics! Race — one of the most decorated fencers on the World Cup circuit — is a three-time Olympian. He and his teammates also won the Bronze in Rio in 2016. We are so Lion proud!

Mark Your Calenders for

REUNION DAY Saturday, October 16

DWIGHT SCHOOL | 18 WEST 89TH STREET T

Pre-K students celebrated their graduation with a parade of smiles and waves!