LAMPLIGHTER
THE ALLEN-STEVENSON SCHOOL MAGAZINE
WINTER 2009
COVER STORY
Many Ways to be a Teacher HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE
A Passion for Music Graduation 2009 Making a Difference
The Allen-Stevenson School Receives LEED Gold Award I would like to thank the Board of Trustees, staff, students, parents, and community of Allen-Stevenson for their sincere and effective efforts in making our school an ENERGY STAR and LEED certified building. Thanks especially to Joe Foresta and Harris Stein for bringing about these accomplishments. During this time of scarce resources and high prices, our efforts create an impact locally, nationally, and globally. ~ David R. Trower
On July 1, 2009, Allen-Stevenson was awarded LEED Gold for Existing Buildings (EB) by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This makes Allen-Stevenson the first primary school in the United States to achieve LEED–EB Gold status. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is USGBC’s leading rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient, and highest performing buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water
savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. In order to achieve this status and to reduce its carbon footprint, The Allen-Stevenson School incorporated a number of green features which included: environmentally preferable carpet tiles and linoleum flooring; the installation of high performance compact florescent and low mercury content fixtures, lighting controls that include occupancy and day lighting sensors, LED exit signs, low flow lavatory fixtures and metered faucets; and the installation of high performance glazing and shades on windows, just to name a few.
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THE ALLEN-STEVENSON SCHOOL MAGAZINE WINTER 2009
!"#$% &' (&)!%)!* Director of Communications Casper Caldarola
Communications Manager Sarah Woods
Contributing Writers Rich Alifano Ryann Galloway Neal Kamsler Monique Lowitt Alix O’Mara David R. Trower h’95
Editors Susan Etess Susan Lukas Jean McCauley Anne Meyer Mary Richter
Photographers Nancy Mitchell Al Pereira
IN THIS ISSUE New Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Headmaster’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 New Siblings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 New Faculty and Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Cover Story: Many Ways to be a Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Task Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Critical Friends Group Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Professional Development Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Faculty Summer Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Earthwatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Riklis Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Kellner Great Teacher Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Graduation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 A Passion for Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
IN EVERY ISSUE Around A-S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Making a Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 A-S News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Alumni News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Did You Know? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Cover photo of faculty member, Susan Lukas, with Matthew Gallea ’12. Photo taken by Nancy Mitchell. The Allen-Stevenson School admits students of any race, color, religion, nationality, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid program, or any other programs administered by the School.
The Lamplighter is published biannually by The Allen-Stevenson School and is sent free-of-charge to alumni, parents, and other friends of the School. We apologize to the following donors whose gifts to Allen-Stevenson were not recognized accurately in the 2008-09 Annual Report. We express our renewed thanks to them for their support. Gifts from Current and Past Faculty, Staff and Friends Jacqueline C. Brown Colleen Doan-Lombardozzi Dolores Farkas Jacqueline Leitzes Linda Ellenberg Rafferty Linda N. Schapiro Patsy Steffan Robert Freedman ’51 – ten year Annual Fund donor Peter C. R. Mathes ’85 – ten year Annual Fund donor Merrill Lynch – Annual Fund donor to match Christopher Zellner and Deborah Pinto F. Keene Miller ’76 – ten year Annual Fund donor Deborah Pinto – Annual Fund donor in Eighth Grade Printed on paper containing 20% post-consumer recycled content.
THE ALLEN-STEVENSON SCHOOL
$%"+%,*-./ 011230141 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ronald S. Rolfe ’60, President Colin R. Knudsen, Vice President & Treasurer Dean I. Landis ’78, Secretary Jeffrey G. Beers ’71, Assistant Treasurer David R. Trower h’95, Headmaster Peggy Brim Bewkes Susan de Menil Molly O’Neil Frank Alexander G. Gellert ’79 Michael Gould John J. Hannan Peter B. Kellner ’84 David H. Koch Paul A. Leff Thomas H. Lister Beatrice H. Mitchell Ashok Nayyar Duane A. Nicholson Alix O’Mara* Amy L. Robbins Suellyn Preston Scull Lisa Pagliaro Selz Simon D. Wasserberger ’85* Joseph F. Wayland Leonard A. Wilf * member ex officio
TRUSTEES EMERITI Mildred J. Berendsen Marian R. Bicks Jane Phillips Donaldson Richard N. Foster D. Ross Hamilton Susan B. Hirschhorn Karen T. Hughes John R. Hupper '40 E. William Judson Robert J. Katz George A. Kellner Robert Liberman ’58 Peter deF. Millard Richard C. Perry ’70 Joe L. Roby Andrew P. Steffan
ALUMNI COUNCIL Simon D. Wasserberger ’85, President David W. Herzberg ’89, Vice-President James A. Magid ’9 1, Vice-President Marc N. Rice ’84, Vice-President Charles W. Allen ’9 1 Basil Lloyd Anderson ’08 Andrew Robert Arias ’9 2 Zach T. Axelrod ’95 Neil E. Bader ’79 Anthony Paul Bonan ’9 3 Pierre A. Bonan ’8 9 Robert B. Buehler ’7 8 Robert Dana Burge ’76* Alfred Paul Burger ’87 Andrew Alan Burger ’5 9 John T. Carr III ’7 6 Erik A. Cliette ’8 1 Brooke Bayard Connell ’8 6 Adam James Phillips Donaldson ’05 Maurice Fahrie Edelson ’78 Jason M. Farkas ’9 7 Michael Feinberg ’8 4 R. Vanneman Furniss ’9 1 Alexander G. Gellert ’79 Harlan E. Goldberg ’9 0 Evan R. Goldfischer ’8 1 Christopher Scott Goodman ’8 6 Michael H. Grady ’9 1 Christopher J. Hallows ’8 7 Schuyler Havens ’88 Michael W. Hedges Jr. ’7 7 John C. Henry Jr. ’8 4 John Baird Hersey ’09 David Riklis Hirschfeld ’9 9 Patrick D. R. Horan ’8 5 Tristan Howard ’9 6 C. Andrew Hughes ’9 8 Clinton V.P. Johnson ’7 9 Stephen H. Judson ’7 6 William H. Judson ’7 8 A. Reed Katz '04 Kenneth LaFreniere ’9 0 Dean I. Landis ’78* Paul J. Mancuso ’0 3 Timothy C. McCabe ’94 Kenneth J. McCauley ’9 3 Liam R. Millhiser ’96 Ross R. Millhiser IV ’94 Richard C. Perry ’70* Christopher Persley ’8 8 Vincent Peterson ’7 4 Philip N. Pilmar ’0 1
Roger Raines ’8 0 Harlan Reinhardt ’83 Ronald S. Rolfe ’60* Eric Rosas ’0 6 Berton Rose ’9 7 John Rose ’9 0 Louis Rose ’86* Henry Jay Rosenwach ’04 Eric E. Rothstein ’81* Dean E. Sanborn ’6 1 Alessandro Meyer Santoro ’07 Randolph R. A. Schrade ’7 6 Yoshiki Shimada ’7 5 Alexander Boucher Shipper ’0 2 Denton Alexander Smith ’9 4 Michael Tiedemann ’86 Andrew W. Vogelstein ’8 1 Noel Eric Volpe ’8 5 Alexandre von Furstenberg ’8 5 Dewey S. Wigod ’7 7 Hans L. Wydler ’8 1 Clifton G. York ’7 8 Andrew Etess Zimmerman ’0 0 *president emeritus
PARENTS ASSOCIATION Alix O’Mara, President Marie Bitetti, Vice President Anne Schnitzer, Treasurer Cristina Morris, Recording Secretary Amy Bader, Corresponding Secretary Linda Barnett, Advisory Constance Cornish, Advisory Kim Dickstein, Advisory Suzanne Freind, Advisory Susan Morgenstein, Advisory Lisa Selz, Advisory Lucia Smith, Advisory Pat Verrilli, Advisory
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM David R. Trower h’95, Headmaster Susan Etess, Lower School Head Kimberly Kyte, Middle School Head Neal Kamsler, Upper School Head Richard Alifano, Director, Physical Education and Athletics Casper Caldarola, Director of Communications Michelle Demko, Music Department Head Ronnie R. Jankoff, Director of Admissions Glenn Lieberman, Director of Technology Anne Russo Meyer, Director of Learning Resources Mary Richter, Director of Development C. Harris Stein, Business Manager
WE WELCOME
)%5 !,6*!%%* PEGGY BEWKES
Peggy has had life long interests in communications, human development, and the physical sciences. After graduating from Yale University with a degree in cultural anthropology, she worked for ABC Sports. During that period Peggy worked as a producer of the American Sportsman Series, Olympic Games, Wide World of Sports, and documentaries. As assistant to President Roone Arledge in his move to ABC News, Peggy participated in the creation of a new world wide news organization, and was one of three producers to launch ABC’s news magazine “20/20”. Peggy then moved as writer, director, and producer to the acclaimed ABC “Closeup” documentary unit. She has received an Emmy and a Writers Guild Award. After a career hiatus to raise three sons, Peggy has renewed her interest in the sciences and education. In 2007, she was appointed Chairman of the Dean’s Council at Yale School of Medicine. She is an Associate of the Yale Child Study Center and is a member of the Yale University Council. A long-term member of the American Museum of Natural History Advisory Council, and a member of the Advisory Board of The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, Peggy has continued a commitment to scientific research as well as science literacy. She is a trustee of the New School University.
ALIX O’MARA Alix O’Mara was born and raised in New York City, attended the Lycée Français de New York for fourteen years where she received her French baccalaureat. She then attended Haverford College where she majored in French Literature. Alix attended law school at New York University, where she was an editor of the Journal of International Law and Politics. She then spent many years in the capital markets group of the law firm Dewey Ballantine. Following her time at the law firm she served for two years as the General Counsel of Maternal Fitness. Alix has served at Allen-Stevenson in many capacities during her 10 years at the school including class representative, co-chair of the benefit and book fair, and has been a member of the School’s executive and advisory committees. Alix and her husband Kevin O’Mara, a partner in the private equity group of Jones Day, have four sons, Nicholas ’09, Ian ’12, Peter ’15, and Charles ’19, all of whom have attended or are attending Allen-Stevenson.
PETER KELLNER’84 Peter Kellner is co-founder and Managing Partner of Uhuru Capital Management. He is also Founder and Senior Managing Partner of Richmond Management, a firm with venture capital investments in technology and communications in the U.S., China and India. As a social entrepreneur, Peter co-founded Endeavor, a pioneering organization promoting entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Peter is on the board of Obopay, Inc. and AdChina, Inc., and the non-profit boards of Endeavor and Ashoka Youth Venture. He is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations; Crown Fellow, The Aspen Institute; Member, Pacific Council on International Policy; Member, International Institute for Strategic Studies; and Member, North America Council of Ashoka. Peter attended Milton Academy after his graduation from Allen-Stevenson. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and was a Fulbright Scholar to Hungary after college. Peter received a J.D. from Yale Law School and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
DAVID KOCH David Koch is an Executive Vice President and a Board member of Koch Industries, Inc., which owns a diverse group of companies with a presence in nearly 60 countries. Koch Industries is involved in refining and chemicals; process and pollution control equipment and technologies; minerals; fertilizers; polymers and fibers; commodity and financial trading and services; and forest and consumer products. David is also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Koch Chemical Technology Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries. David has supported a wide variety of organizations and programs, which further cancer research, enhance medical centers and support educational institutions, as well as programs that sustain arts and cultural institutions. David and his wife, Julia, have a son, David ’14, a daughter, Mary Julia, who attends The Spence School, and another son, John, who is in pre-school at The Episcopal School. David earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and he currently serves on more than 20 non-profit boards.
SUELLYN PRESTON SCULL
SIMON WASSERBERGER’85
Simon Suellyn Preston Wasserberger Scull was born in is the new Brisbane, President of the Australia, and Allengraduated from Stevenson the University of Alumni Council, Queensland. and with his Having trained as wife Cynthia, he a pharmacist in became an A-S Australia, Suellyn worked in professional pharmacies parent when his for two years before being offered a position at son, Ethan ’19, started Kindergarten this fall. Riverdale Country School as an 8th grade science teacher. After Allen-Stevenson, Simon graduated from The Lawrenceville School and subsequently from In 1980, Suellyn joined the faculty at Trinity School Boston University. Since 2004, he has worked as as a member of the science department. She has Senior Vice President of CB Richard Ellis, major served as Upper School dean, assistant principal, New York commercial real estate advisors, and was the first female principal of the Upper where his responsibilities have included the School. In 1997, Suellyn became director of educaleasing of 7 World Trade Center and the reposition for The Learning Project, where she worked in tioning of the Empire State Building, currently in curriculum development, educational policy, and staff progress. Prior to 2004, Simon was Senior hiring. In 2003, Suellyn returned to Trinity as interim Director for Tishman Speyer Properties, where Associate Head of School and was permanently he had a number of acquisition, development, appointed to that position in 2004 and now serves as and leasing assignments. a consultant to the new headmaster. Simon is a member of the Real Estate Board of Suellyn is married to travel writer and author, New York and a member of the Board of Trustees Theodore Scull. When her professional commitments for The Lower East Side Tenement Museum. allow, Suellyn and Ted enjoy traveling near and far. L
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HEADMASTER’S
7%**"8% MANY WAYS TO BE A TEACHER Fundamentally, there is no more important responsibility for the future than to teach and no more special opportunity in life than to learn. Over the last forty years, I have been a teacher; I have hired and supervised teachers; and I have tried to think carefully about what it means—as Headmaster—to support faculty members in their craft. I believe that there must always be a variety of approaches to teaching, because times change, personalities are different, and boys are unique. Most important, whatever the approach, it is a privilege to have this role to teach. In my experience, however, the best teachers are also good learners: they pay attention, and they add to what they think they already know—about individuals, about subjects, and about the world. I value professionals who consider the question, “What’s best for the boys?” as a central part of their approach to teaching. Obviously, the answers can vary, but it always helps if there is a capacity to consider alternatives and new information. David Trower meeting with Kindergarten faculty
The imprint on students is also important. A few weeks ago, while attending the memorial service for a former colleague, a teacher of great renown, I had an opportunity to reconnect with men I taught before coming to Allen-Stevenson nearly twenty years ago. It is intriguing to wonder how their early school experiences influence who they are now. Teachers breathe life into a school’s mission, and they can create myriad opportunities for children to succeed. They are the agents for the school’s mission.
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School missions are distinctive, often in
Going back to the service where I saw for-
ed in October on the topic of Educating
subtle forms. So much of Allen-Stevenson
mer students, I am struck by what some of
Boys. Another 18 teachers, who had heard
today, for example, can be captured in one
them remembered about me. Yes, it had to
(correctly!) that Allen-Stevenson is a superb
single phrase in our mission statement:
do with subjects taught, but more often the
boys school, recently visited from The
many ways to be a boy. The expression
stories swirled around moments where I
Netherlands. Their first observation, after
comes from the sentence that reads, “In the
shared something about myself or mani-
spending a morning at large in the School,
belief that there are many ways to be a boy,
fested my care for them. They cared about
was to describe “the obvious love and
me, too. Some were curious to know what I
care” we have for our students. Such
recalled about them as boys and were
warmth usually informs our “ongoing com-
eager for me to understand their more
mitment” here and undergirds the relation-
recent insight, work and maturity. How
ship I am describing.
the School offers an ongoing commitment to each student and uses the best insights and tools available to understand him as a whole person.” When I mention many ways to be a boy, I usually add and many ways to
powerful the example of teachers can be.
be successful.
In the words of the Allen-Stevenson Code,
Finally, articles in this Lamplighter
we really do “inspire boys to become
address other current opportunities to
Here at Allen-Stevenson, these many ways
thoughtful, responsible, generous, respect-
learn and grow: the six Task Forces, the
ful, studious, enthusiastic, determined,
five Critical Friends Groups, several
creative, and good”—when we model those
Professional Development Groups, Faculty
qualities ourselves.
Summer Reading assignments, and vari-
to be successful are found in what we call the 3 A’s—Academics, Athletics and the Arts—the three key domains of our educational program. Our teachers and administrators—not “the School” as abstraction— are almost always the ones who carry out this mission. They show boys what the “ongoing commitment to each student” really means; they are the ones who have the “best insights” and use the “best tools” to understand boys as whole persons. They open new portals, so much so that the great American poet Robert Frost was right when he confessed, “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” What creates such outcomes is actually the relationship, not the content. Teachers awaken the potential in students, and the results can be transformative. At AllenStevenson, we celebrate the many ways to be a teacher, and thus reflect the many ways to be a boy. Without jumping on the latest bandwagons, we also apply new insights about boy development, about changing families, and about teaching and learning to our curriculum and in our pedagogy. In fact, these are exciting times to be teaching the young, because so much is being discovered about brain development, technology and communications, and the like. Of course, there are many new challenges, too, and colleagues learn from each other as well.
ous grant and fellowship possibilities This issue of the Lamplighter celebrates
sponsored by the School. Because each
teaching and describes some of the
boy is unique, teachers must be resilient
School’s current projects that keep teach-
and multi-faceted; they themselves must
ers fresh. In addition to introducing our new
continue to learn and grow. These projects
faculty and staff, it includes the outstanding
showcase our teachers as learners and as
Founders Day speech by Tim Wallach ’65,
collaborators.
who describes how A-S influenced his life. These two pieces might be seen as “book-
This issue of the Lamplighter reflects
ends” to other parts of the issue, which
many ways to be a teacher. Such endeav-
profile a process of continuing professional
ors can only strengthen Allen-Stevenson.
development that helps Allen-Stevenson
Fortiter et recte
teachers pay attention, learn new information, and broaden their personal and professional experience. Allen-Stevenson’s commitment to professional development is strong. The School supports many teachers in their graduate
David R. Trower h’95
work, and many more attend professional
Headmaster
workshops and conferences. A lot of faculty professional development also happens at school, through professional days and other opportunities that broaden the experience and insights of our teachers. In November, about half the faculty used a professional day to visit other schools to support the collaborative work that we are doing. We can also learn from our many visitors, who have included 120 teachers from five states who came for a conference we host-
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We welcome our
NEW SIBLINGS & LEGACIES
Thomas ’18 and Stuart ’15 Harris
Ty ’19 and Noah ’19 Katz
Bryce ’19 and Brandon ’13 Randolph 6
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Grey ’18 and Ford ’19 Holmen
Ian ’12, Charlie ’19 and Peter ’15 O’Mara
Jake ’18 and Luke ’19 Silpe
Philip ’17 and Jack ’19 Tinker
Zach ’17 and Tyler ’19 Wolkoff
Mr. Mitchell Spiegel ’82 and Nelson ’19
David ’14 and Matthew ’19 Vogelstein
Mr. Marcel Deans ’91 and Jackson ’19
Mr. Mark Wasserberger ’82 and Jordan ’19 and Mr. Simon Wasserberger ’85 and Ethan ’19
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WE WELCOME
)%5 '"(6$!9 : *!"'' NATHAN C. BARRY
played lacrosse goalie for Endicott College from 2005-2008. A Graduate of Gunston Day School in Centerville, Maryland, Nate brings his experience as a teacher and coach with Peak Performance Goalie School to our athletics staff. He will coach Middle School football and Upper School Lacrosse.
comes to AllenStevenson after working for many years at his uncle's restaurant on 135th Street in Harlem. He is a born New Yorker, but travels back to the Dominican Republic to visit family. Besides enjoying his job here at Allen-Stevenson, he loves listening to music, going to dance clubs and spending time with his beautiful 2-yearold daughter.
RYANN L. GALLOWAY,
ANDRE DUNCAN
is a graduate of the University at Albany where he completed his bachelor's degree in Sociology and AfricanAmerican Studies. He was a two-time captain of the Men’s Basketball Team, an All-American, and was recently inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. He taught Second Grade at Merrick Academy Charter School in Queens and spent the past two years at The School at Columbia as a Kindergarten Associate, Third Grade Associate and Boys Basketball coach. Andre joined the Allen-Stevenson team in September 2009 as a Third Grade Associate teacher. He is married to Angela, and they have two sons, DiAri and Adrian.
our new Development Associate, comes to us from The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, where most recently she was Assistant to Alumni Relations and The Lawrenceville Fund. Ryann is a graduate of Lawrenceville and of Wheaton College, from which she earned a BA in English and minored in Art History. As a volunteer in a variety of activities, she is experienced in fundraising and in working with volunteers in the arts, education and business settings. Having recently moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, she loves visiting museums and galleries as well as photographing the city whenever she has the opportunity.
MONIQUE SULLIVAN LOWITT
INGRID HERRERA
joined AllenStevenson in August of 2009, as a Spanish teacher. She received a bachelor's degree in History with a Certificate in Latin American Studies from Princeton University. Prior to joining Allen-Stevenson, Ingrid taught at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD. Outside of school, Ingrid enjoys spending time with her 4-year-old daughter, Elena, her 1-yearold daughter, Sara, and her husband, Jordan Winter. Ingrid loves to cook and to travel, and is an avid reader.
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started at AllenStevenson in August 2009 as Director of Alumni Relations. Monique earned her undergraduate degree in English at Harvard College and her MBA from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. She worked as a journalist, in market research, in management consulting, and for 9 years at American Express in Strategic Planning, Reengineering, and Internet Marketing. She has experience working with alumni at Dalton, Brearley, and Harvard. Monique loves playing tennis and laughing with her twin 11year-old daughters, Natasha and Sabina.
BEN DOYLE
joined the AllenStevenson community in February 2009 as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant. In his home state of Ohio, Ben earned bachelor’s degrees in Business Management and English from Muskingum University. He enjoys reading and sports, while also being a published writer and a Certified Personal Trainer.
GJILBERTA LUCAJGELAJ
is a native of Albania and joined the AllenStevenson community this September as the Violincello (cello) teacher. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY Purchase in Cello Performance, a Diploma of Performance from Mannes College of Music and a Masters in Music Education from NYU. Gjilberta enjoys playing with various orchestras in the USA and reading German and Russian classics. She lives in Westchester with her husband and her red-nosed pitbull, Dino.
DARLENE MAYS
joined the AllenStevenson community in September 2009 as an associate in the business office. She is a former history teacher, arts and crafts/ceramic instructor, and camp director on Long Island. For the past 19 years, she has been involved in numerous charitable organizations, most recently as a board member of Save the Children's Long Island Coalition. Married to Bobby for 26 years, Darlene has 2 daughters: Roslyn 25, and Lindsay 22. Dining with friends, book club, handicrafts, and traveling are among her favorite ways to relax.
How many of you know the names of every member of the faculty and staff at AllenStevenson? Better yet, how many of you know something about what each of these people does to make Allen-Stevenson the wonderful community that it is? For most people, the answer to these questions is something like, “I know some people by name, others by face and often I don’t really know much about what they do at the School.”
EMILY SAMUELS
VILIAM PALA joined AllenStevenson in the spring of 2009, as a multisport coach. He received his Bachelor of Science at the University of Mechanical Engineering, Kosice Slovakia. He is a certified fitness trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has successfully completed the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program. KAREN SHAFFER
graduated from Montclair State College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She worked for First Investors Corporation as an accounting manager before passing her CPA exam. She then went into the Not-For-Profit world and worked for Mercy Home for Children, Inc. as their Chief Financial Officer for the past six years. Karen happily joined Allen-Stevenson on August 31 this year as Controller. Karen enjoys movies, karate, and travel.
ADAM SHECTER
joined AllenStevenson in September of 2009 as the K-4 Technology Resource Teacher. He received a BA in Cultural Studies from McGill University, and an MSE in Elementary Education from the Bank Street School. In 2006 he attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, and had his first New York solo exhibition, "New Atlantis," at the Eleven Rivington Gallery in September 2009.
joined AllenStevenson in the spring of 2009. She has a bachelor’s degree from Colby College and a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street. She taught at Dalton and then left New York and taught in schools in Chicago, Houston, and London. She also worked as a Literacy Consultant for the Houston Independent School District and with Accelerated Literacy Learning in the New York City public schools. Emily has two children - a 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, spinning and running, and reading.
The Community Life + Diversity team embarked on a project to help all of us (the students, parents, teachers, and staff) get to know more about each other. By the end of October, a “poster” featuring the names, kid-friendly job descriptions, and interests of each faculty and staff member were prominently displayed in the Dining Room. In addition, these posters were shown as a slideshow on the monitor in the Main Hall.
CHRIS SHOEMAKER
joined AllenStevenson in the spring of 2009 as a Middle School Lacrosse coach. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Santa Clara University in 2002. Chris currently spends his fall coaching the Upper School Junior Varsity Soccer team. He enjoys hockey and spending time with friends and family when he is not at Allen-Stevenson.
SARAH WOODS
We have already noticed the boys greeting staff by last name and asking them questions about something written on their poster. We have also noticed connections being made between faculty and staff who learned something new about each other.
joined AllenStevenson in June 2009 as Communications Manager. She was born in England, but grew up in Oak Ridge, TN from the age of 6. Sarah graduated from The University of the South with a BA in Economics. Sarah has had both business and communications experience in Hong Kong, New York and London. More recently, she has held important volunteer positions at two New York City independent schools. At The Dalton School, she was the First Program Divisional Representative/Parents Association Board member for two years, and was the co-head of the Parents Association at The Weekday School. Sarah loves to run in Central Park, and hang out with her husband and two sons on the weekend.
Ultimately, we hope this project will help the adults in our community model for students the importance of greeting people by name and to show respect for each member of the A-S community.
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around A-S Founders Day 2009 w i th speaker Tim Wallac h ’ 6 5 Fifty years ago in 1959 as I started
Never in my wildest dreams could I have
innocently rested. Well, I can tell you that
Fourth Grade, I entered Allen-Stevenson
imagined that 5 years after graduating
got me to concentrate. The truth is I
through the very same front door that
from Allen-Stevenson I would be having
never had to eat a page, but I could
exists today. But back then the rest of
dinner at Cambridge University in
never be too sure that I wouldn’t have to.
the School was totally different – about
England AND in a fantastic 16th century
one-third of its current size and only
wood paneled dining hall (picture the
To be at 800-year-old Cambridge
fronting 78th Street. I was transferring
dining hall in Harry Potter) AND as the
University studying history as a college
from P.S. 6, which I had entered in First
student guest of Professor Plumb (no,
student was a dream come true for me.
Grade in 1956, the second year of its
not the one from the board game “Clue”
To my surprise the English were actually
brand new spectacular building (still
but rather the esteemed head of the
like all those characters in Gilbert &
there on 81st Street) with shiny new
History Department). Professor Plumb
Sullivan. I was in a land chock full of
desks and a huge wonderful playground.
was peppering me with all sorts of histo-
major generals, lord chancellors and but-
And now I was going to a much smaller
ry questions and I did my best to answer
tercups. I was in the land whose
school, with even smaller rooms, stricter
them while simultaneously trying to fig-
Wellington had thrashed Bonaparte, and
rules, beat-up old wooden desks with all
ure out how, in this very elegant hall
later whose Churchill had battled Hitler. It
sorts of disturbing carvings gouged
where Charles Darwin had dined 200
all seemed so familiar. But I quickly real-
deeply into their surfaces, banging
years ago, one should eat a banana – do
ized that despite my good Allen-
steam pipes and a small gym with a
you somehow peel it with a knife and
Stevenson and Trinity education, I was
warped floor that also served as a so-
fork or slice it with the skin still on?
no match against English students who
called lunchroom. And I wondered for
Fortunately, Professor Plumb, seeing me
had been focusing on history for most of
days what had I done wrong to deserve
struggling with my wretched banana,
their young waking existences. So I
this sort of punishment. I kept on asking
came to my rescue and advised me that
buried myself by reading a book a day
my parents for an explanation and all
it was quite all right to eat the rest of it
for three years. I found one special pro-
they could say was, “You’ve done noth-
with my hands.
fessor who guided me along towards what at times seemed an impossible
ing wrong, this is for your own good.” In the middle of all this, I was then asked
goal. Sometime in my third year, I
Well, that didn’t make any sense at all
a rather obscure history question. I
crawled back out into daylight and found
and then as time passed, things only got
paused, finished my poor little banana,
that I finally had something to say and
worse…instead of As, I was getting Bs
and delivered an answer, to which the
perhaps, for some, way too much.
and even Cs. What oh what had I done
Professor beamed, “Fancy an American
wrong? But by the end of that first year I
knowing that!” And then he asked how it
I thought back during those challenging
sort of got used to it all, and by the fol-
was that I knew that obscure little piece
days and think even today, how will I
lowing year I felt that this was MY
of English history. I remarked that I had
deal with this challenge? And quickly I
school. Over the next 5 years I found
won the history prize in Seventh Grade
find myself remembering my days at
myself singing in Gilbert & Sullivan as
at The Allen-Stevenson School and my
Allen-Stevenson. How I started off slow-
Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore and as
Eighth Grade history teacher had a tradi-
ly. How my buddies helped me to
Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, working on
tion that if he called upon the prize win-
become a truer friend. How my teachers
the newspaper, upending the Student
ner in class and the winner failed to give
had such an enormous impact on me.
Council, playing baseball, and, in the few
the correct answer, then the winner
And there were two special teachers I
minutes left over, going to class.
would have to eat the page out of the
need to tell you more about.
history book upon which the answer so
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The first was Gerry McGrath, that
today, though much larger than
demanding history teacher of the
when I attended, seems to me very
eaten page who was also head of
much the same in spirit and tone –
athletics. He seemed to know
celebrating each individual to
how the world worked from the
become his very best, as a student
baseball diamond to the halls of
and as a young man.
Congress. In his sweat clothes, he proudly held court in a shoe-
And do be aware that what you do
box of an office next to that small
here will have very long range
gym with at least six people
effects. Five years ago I was on
packed in there at any one time
the telephone trying to raise
in full debate. And then there was
Tim Wallach ’65 with The Mitt
money for Cambridge University,
Bill Landis, English teacher extraordinaire who
calling alumni all over the world. I always started
kept his students completely spellbound with
my talk by saying “Hi, this is Tim Wallach.” And
the threat of throwing a dart very accurately
on one of those calls, the person on the other
onto their desk if they did not pay absolute
end suddenly asked, “Did you by chance go to
attention. In his dramatic, thunderous way, he
Allen-Stevenson?” And, of course, I proudly
made you think more deeply about life as he sin-
said, “Yes!” To which he then said, “Well, I was a
gle-handedly acted out a Shakespeare play right
student at St. Bernard’s and at a baseball game
in the middle of the classroom. But what was
in 1964 you caught my long fly ball that surely
interesting about these two teachers in my case
would have been the winning home run!” AND
is that I was far from being a star athlete or a
THIS IS THE MITT. I was stunned…first that he
star English student. Yet both of these teachers
even knew my name but also that he was still
saw that I tried hard. I always tried hard because
smarting over this fabulous event from 40 years
I had to. I looked up to them as mighty forces
ago. I said, “I hope this won’t prevent you from
and quickly determined that it would probably be
making a big donation.” Well, what can I say? I
a smart idea to be on their good side. So they
caught another big one.
took me under their wings, surely sensing how much I admired them, and they in turn taught me
So where are we? What's the point, Mr. Wallach?
perseverance. They gave me confidence. And
The point is that this is a very special place. The
they encouraged me never to give up. Together
point is to follow your dreams. Find those very
they provided a compass for my mind and my
special teachers - there are many right here -
soul.
who will take you under their wings and teach you how to fly, even to soar.
Allen-Stevenson was the crucible that made me who I am, that made it possible for me to take
And, one final point, never give up. Never give
advantage of the opportunities that came my
up in school. Never give up in sports. Never give
way, to face with determination the challenges
up at work. Never give up at love. Simply, never
that arose. And to cherish friendships with stu-
give up. Fortiter et recte. Allen-Stevenson.
dents and teachers 50 years on. The School
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around A-S
2009-2010 Allen-Stevenson Alumni Council (ASAC) Executive Committee
Front row David Herzberg ’89, David Kersey h’98, Simon Wasserberger ’85 Back row John Carr ’76, Maurice Edelson ’78, Marc Rice ’84, Jamie Magid ’91, Van Furniss ’91
The Parents Association 2009-2010 Executive Board and Advisory Group
Front row Anne Schnitzer, Marie Bitetti, Alix O’Mara, Cristina Morris, Amy Bader Middle row Linda Barnett, Lisa Selz, Kim Dickstein, Pat Verrilli, Connie Cornish Back row Susan Morgenstein, Suzanne Freind, Lucia Smith
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East Side Classic by Rich Alifano
In athletics as in physical education, we strive to develop the character and social skills of our boys. As coaches, we like to think that a person with good character will do the right thing when no one is looking. We encourage our boys to live their lives by that creed. In everything they do within athletics and physical education, our boys are expected to do unto others as others would like to be treated. The fundamental process that occurs within athletics and physical education builds a boy’s sense of responsibility, respect, teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, organization, hard work, and communication. At Allen-Stevenson we provide countless opportunities for our boys to extend themselves beyond their comfort zone, into a place that encourages and embraces development of both athletic skills and character. The traditions that come with playing for the Blue and Gold foster a great sense of community and school spirit. In the past, our hockey teams have traveled to Canada for international competition and basketball regularly travels to Connecticut to play some of the top prep schools from that state. One of our richest traditions is the football game between Allen-Stevenson and Buckley. This is a game that many boys at A-S learn about as Lower School students. There is great anticipation and excitement on the part of participants and fans. To that end, the athletic departments at each school joined together to form a new tradition for this game. Starting in 2009 the game will forever be called the East Side Classic.
The championship cup
At Allen-Stevenson, we will look upon this new tradition as an opportunity to further develop the whole child. Coaches will stress the importance of preparation, dedication, tradition, and team. We will teach that there are many ways to be successful in the athletic arena. Players will learn that their individual effort and hard work will directly affect the team’s performance. They will be encouraged to embrace the challenges ahead and to build up their teammates, especially when things get tough.
A silver cup, engraved with the winner’s name from each year will be awarded to the champion. The cup will remain at the champion’s school until which time it is dethroned.
As professionals, our coaches strive to serve as mentors and role models for our boys. They approach each day expecting to challenge both themselves and the boys, whether it’s a new teaching style, practice plan, game plan, or seeking creative ways to improve themselves and their team. The East Side Classic is yet another way in which this can be achieved.
The Allen-Stevenson football team after the Buckley win on October 22, 2009. The score was 30-20.
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Many Ways to be a Teacher
Task Forces
This issue of the Lamplighter highlights our faculty. Allen-Stevenson places great value in its teachers and wants to continue to ensure that they can offer the excellence that the School and its community have come to expect. In order for teachers to provide excellence, they, too, need to be given the opportunity to learn. In the strong belief that the best teachers are almost always good learners, Allen-Stevenson actively supports adult professional growth and development. These measures take a variety of forms and may vary from year to year. Increasingly, the School aspires to be a professional learning community in which every employee is actively engaged in mutual projects, cross-divisional collaboration, and shared responsibilities that enable AllenStevenson to become the best school it can possibly be.
During the summer of 2008, the Small Heads group,
According to Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization, who writes that organizations for the future need to be “flexible, adaptive and productive,” learning communities are “…organizations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together.”
this process. Five years in the life of a school goes
Allen-Stevenson encourages a variety of initiatives to promote such a learning community. These include the Critical Friends Group (CFG), the Professional Development Group (PDG), the six Faculty/Staff Task Forces, Earthwatch, and the Riklis Grants. To honor and recognize excellence in teaching at Allen-Stevenson, The Kellner Great Teacher Award has been presented to a teacher annually since 1984. This issue is another tribute to our faculty.
Task Forces. Task Forces are collaborative work
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consisting of David Trower, Susan Etess, Kim Kyte, Neal Kamsler, Anne Meyer and John Pariseau reflected about what Allen-Stevenson might look like in the year 2013. The group engaged in a structured discussion about how Allen-Stevenson might look in five years, led by a facilitator who has worked with the administrative team in the past. This exercise was so illuminating that it became apparent that the entire faculty, and the School, could benefit from the same experience. And so, during the following school year, the faculty embarked on the same task – looking at Allen-Stevenson in the future. After the faculty thought about the future of the School, the Small Heads group began to look ahead and consider in much greater depth what AllenStevenson might look like in five years. The ideas and input of the faculty was a most important part of very quickly. As the discussions and reflections deepened, groups of ideas emerged, and it became apparent that in order to plan for what the School might need for the future, an in-depth study of certain areas of the School had to be conducted. Six important themes emerged for the discussions and reflections, and it was agreed that groups should be created within the School to examine these areas. Six well-balanced groups of faculty and staff, with representation from all divisions and areas of the School, were designed. These groups of people became the groups, which come together for the purpose of addressing specific topics, and to complete specified work in a defined amount of time. The faculty brought great energy and enthusiasm to this task. They eagerly signed up for three areas of interest and then were assigned to a group. These Task Force groups began their work in the winter of
to Help Allen-Stevenson Plan for the Future 2009, and will continue to meet throughout the 2009-2010 school year. Leaders emerged and people volunteered to be facilitators. Teri Schrader, the consultant who has been helping the faculty learn about Critical Friends Groups, conducted facilitator training. Each Task Force ended up with at least two facilitators. Ms. Schrader will continue to work regularly with the facilitators group throughout this school year, by helping them to formulate agendas that will support their work. Each group was given a charge with themes and questions to answer. Resources were also gathered for the groups to use to help them reflect on the mission, values, and curriculum of the School. These Task Force groups will be looking at key issues, which will include: what is currently done in that particular area within the School, what needs to be learned, and what recommendations might be considered. Each group has also been asked to reflect upon the implications of its work for: the schedule and budget of time; curriculum systems and structures and uses of space; financial resources; and technology, as each make recommendations. In order to be sure that the Task Forces stay on the course they set out for themselves, a series of feedback loops were also established. Every six weeks, each Task Force will report to the Large Heads group, which is made up of the Small Heads group plus Assistant Heads of the three school divisions and other key administrators in the School. Facilitators of each Task Force will also meet with the Small Heads group on a reg-
TASK FORCES AND CHARGES: BECOMING A GENTLEMAN AND A GOOD GLOBAL CITIZEN Charge: To recommend measures to help each student become a thoughtful, respectful member of the community, school, neighborhood, city, country, and world. Rich Alifano, Facilitator Stephen Warner, Facilitator Jennifer Zimmerman, Facilitator Chris Acerbo, Phil Amplo, Blaise Bulfair, Andre Duncan, Jeffrey Herschenhous, Lori Popkowski, Robelyn Schrade-James, Ray Seeback, Jill Silverman, Jennifer Vermont-Davis, Chaplin Warren WORKING WITH FAMILIES – EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION AND EXPECTATIONS Charge: To recommend steps to strengthen the reciprocal relationships between the School and its families Michelle Demko, Facilitator Sarah Kresberg, Facilitator Ben Neulander, Facilitator Kathy Allen, Casper Caldarola, Gabrielle DeMatteis, Ronnie Jankoff, Craig MacDougall, Jean McCauley, Jennifer McNeil, Haruka Mori, Frank Peduto, Daryl Shapiro, Randy Schrade EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING Charge: To identify structures that foster effective learning and to enable teachers to assess that learning in the context of skills, habits, and content. Karen Bancroft, Facilitator Winnie Barnes, Facilitator Steve Cohen, Facilitator Sally Allen, Jaison Correa-Spain, Margaret Garfinkel, Peter Haarmann, Ingrid Herrera, David Kersey, Julia Kunin, Melanie Lester, Susanna Rubin, Barbara Shindler, Melissa Trepeta, Diana Tully PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AND GROWTH Charge: To recommend effective systems and structures to enhance excellence in teaching and promote adult and professional growth. Alan Cashdollar, Facilitator Rob McCallum, Facilitator Kim Sklow, Facilitator Chris Brozyna, Tony D’Itri, Alice Heminway, Merrill Hughes, Ahn Lee, Sari Lorner, Darlene Mays, Tara Parsons, Mary Richter, Glenn Rodriguez, Elsa Wilkis, Bob Wynn
ular basis. It is our hope that the end result of this work will be that each Task Force will make recommendations that will further support the needs of the School. These recommendations will be evaluated and a timeline and benchmarks will be set up on how to accomplish these goals. Getting to 2013 will be an exciting and well thought out process for Allen-Stevenson.
INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES Charge: To describe in specific terms effective Allen-Stevenson teaching, both in the classroom and beyond it, and to recommend measures to foster such excellence. Glenn Lieberman, Facilitator Susan Lukas, Facilitator McCartney Wilkins, Facilitator Venesha Cashdollar, Jean Colebank, Kristin Filling, Danya Haber, Mike Harris, Abby Levin, Sue Moon, Ginny Rowe, Adam Shecter, Mary Terry, Bonnie Tucker FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Charge: To serve as resources to other Task Forces as we collectively consider the financial implications for recommendations. Mary Leonard, Facilitator Erik Resurreccion, Facilitator Billy Dransfield, Joe Foresta, Gena Goldstein, Monica Matthew, Nikyda Scott , Karen Shaffer, Harris Stein, David Sutton, Rob Wiseman, John Zufall
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Having grown from 3 to 5 groups, and now consisting of approximately 50 teachers, the CFGs have become an integral part of teaching at Allen-
UPDATE ON
Stevenson. The groups, comprised of ten faculty members each, have been created to allow for a variety of personalities to provide different perspectives from the three divisions, and to repre-
CFG Participants Susan Lukas: coach Winnie Barnes Michelle Demko Andre Duncan Danya Haber David Kersey Julia Kunin Sari Lorner Barbara Shindler Kim Sklow
Critical Friends Group sent different subject matter expertise. Ideas for upcoming meetings are submitted in advance.
These might include fine-tuning a class plan that is going to be introduced in the future, analyzing existing teacher work in light of student
response, and addressing dilemmas, such as how to help socialize a particularly shy boy.
The CFGs are also intertwined with other aspects of teacher work, such as that of the Task Forces. Some teachers, for example, are bringing Task Force work to their CFGs for input and further
tuning. This gives more teachers an opportunity
to affect and understand the work of a number of Task Forces.
The groups meet twice a month - one long meeting on a Wednesday afternoon and one longer meeting with dinner. Each group has a coach,
who generally serves in that position for the life
of the group. The teachers then bring their experience back to the classroom, and have, in some cases, run their classes like a CFG, with the
teacher facilitating and the boys taking on the role of group members.
As the organizer of the CFGs at Allen-Stevenson,
Susan Lukas says, “This is on-going professional development at a very high and effective level, primarily because members of an Allen-
Stevenson CFG become conversant with each
other’s work. We keep track of, have conversations about, and develop an interest in what is
going on in our colleagues’ classes. As a conse-
quence, not only does the group serve to develop strategies for solving teacher practice problems, it also brings the community together. When
teachers learn what other teachers are doing in
their classes, barriers fade and connections are
made for teachers, and, more importantly, for students. It’s a win-win situation.” Excerpt from the Fall 2008 Lamplighter.
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McCartney Wilkins: coach Steve Cohen Kristin Filling Rob McCallum Ben Neulander Haruka Mori Lori Popkowski Mary Terry Melissa Trepeta Mary Leonard and John Zufall: co-coaches Chris Brozyna Gabby DeMatteis Peter Haarmann Mike Harris Ginny Rowe David Sutton Jennifer Vermont-Davis
Jenn Zimmermann: coach Venesha Cashdollar Jean Colebank Jeffrey Herschenhous Abby Levin Robelyn Schrade-James Bonnie Tucker Stephen Warner Elsa Wilkis Erik Resurreccion: coach Kathy Allen Alan Cashdollar Sarah Kresberg Sue Moon Tara Parsons Daryl Shapiro Jill Silverman Diana Tully Chap Warren
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP Gives More Opportunities for Teachers to Learn PDG Members Rich Alifano Sally Allen Phil Amplo Karen Bancroft Blaise Bulfair Tony D’Itri Billy Dransfield Margaret Garfinkel Alice Heminway Ingrid Herrera Merrill Hughes Kristina King Ahn Lee Melanie Lester Glenn Lieberman Craig MacDougall Jennifer McNeil Frank Peduto Glenn Rodriguez Susanna Rubin Randy Schrade ’76 Nikyda Scott Ray Seeback Adam Shecter Jill Silverman Rob Wiseman Bob Wynn
A new faculty endeavor began this year, which is known as the Professional Development Group or PDG. This group of teachers was established as another learning opportunity for teachers, specifically those who were not a part of a Critical Friends Group (CFG). Approximately 25 teachers belong to the PDG, which currently meets once a month. Teachers in this group designed a wide variety of professional development projects, which they will pursue during this 2009-10 school year. Some of these projects will be worked on individually or in pairs. In addition, two large groups of six to ten faculty members have been created. The individual and small group projects range from researching the wealth of resources in New York City related to Spanish culture that could be incorporated into the new Spanish program within the School, to designing a curriculum based on science fiction books and creating a magazine of the arts to showcase the talents of faculty and staff. Of the two larger groups, the first includes a team of Kindergarten teachers, led by Ahn Lee, Kindergarten Learning Resource Specialist, which is reviewing the current Kindergarten Social Studies curriculum. The aim is to assure that our program is as inclusive of multiple points of view as possible and incorporates a variety of cultures. The other big group, led by Susan Etess, Lower School Head, and Rich Alifano, Director, Athletics and Physical Education, includes members of the Physical Education Department. This group will study the development of boys ages five to fourteen. They will examine case studies and specific situations that commonly occur with boys within this age group. As part of this work, the group will read, It’s a Boy, by Michael Thompson, to enrich their discussions. Susan Etess and Anne Meyer, Director of Learning Resources, are spearheading the PDG. They are both thrilled by the enthusiasm the faculty has shown for these projects and are looking forward to seeing these ideas come to fruition. The Professional Development Group has given faculty members an opportunity to study in-depth a topic of interest to them related to their teaching, as well as time to pursue that particular interest. These projects will benefit the School greatly as teachers bring their work back into their classrooms to enhance the curriculum and the teaching/learning process.
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FACULTY SUMMER READING READING FOR THE COMMON GOOD For the past 16 years, teachers have spent the summer reading books and other works together to help develop common points of reference for their collective work as members of the AllenStevenson faculty. Having some common points of reference is useful for thinking about the educational program and the standards it sets, not only for the students but also for the growth of the faculty. In the summer of 2009, faculty were asked to read one book in common, Howard Gardner’s recent work, Five Minds for the Future. In addition, the Task Forces, which are described in
detail on page 14 in this issue of the Lamplighter, were asked to assign themselves a variety of summer readings related to their specific area of focus. These readings included excerpts, articles, and books, which supplemented their research and discussions. Five Minds for the Future was chosen because it also complemented the work being done by the task forces. Well known for his extensive work on the theory of multiple intelligences, Gardner is a powerhouse thinker in the world of education, but the focus of Five Minds for the Future is different from some of his other works. In this book, Gardner
describes multiple uses of the mind and the role of schools in developing fresh mindsets for new, and, sometimes, conflicting needs. The context for Five Minds for the Future is well described on the dust cover of the hard copy edition, which states: “We live in a time of vast changes that include accelerating globalization, mounting quantities of information, the growing hegemony of science and technology and the clash of civilizations. Those changes call for new ways of learning and thinking in school, business, and the professions.”
PAST FACULTY SUMMER READING SUMMER 1995 David Perkins, Smart Schools: Better Thinking and Learning for Every Child SUMMER 1996 Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D., Finding the Heart of the Child: Essays on Children, Families and Schools
Wendy Mogel, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children SUMMER 2003 Mel Levine, M.D., A Mind at a Time: America’s Top Learning Expert Shows How Every Child Can Succeed Dan Olweus, Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do
SUMMER 1997 Beth Gutcheon, Saying Grace Priscilla L. Vail, Smart Kids with School Problems: Things to Know and Ways to Help
SUMMER 2004 Robert Evans, Family Matters: How Schools Can Cope with the Crisis in Childrearing Sam M. Intrator & Megan Scribner, editors, Teaching With Fire: Poetry That Sustains the Courage to Teach
SUMMER 1998 Stephen C. Clem, Karin H. O’Neil, and Z. Vance Wilson, Taking Measure: Perspectives on Curriculum and Change Diane J. Hulse, Brad and Cory: A Study of Middle School Boys Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D., Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
SUMMER 2005 Carol Ann Tomlinson, The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners J.F. Rischard, High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them
SUMMER 1999 Dan Kindlon, Ph.D., and Michael Thompson, Ph.D., Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys David Perkins, Smart Schools: Better Thinking and Learning for Every Child
SUMMER 2006 Robert K. Greenleaf, Brain Based Teaching: Making Connections for Long-Term Memory and Recall Thomas L. Friedman, The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century
SUMMER 2000 John W. Gardner, Excellence: Can We Be Equal and Excellent Too? Arthur L. Costa & Bena Kallick, eds., Discovering and Exploring Habits of Mind Eric Jensen, Teaching with the Brain in Mind
SUMMER 2007 Rushworth M. Kidder, How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living Michael Schulman, Building Moral Communities: A Guide for Educators Marilyn Watson, Discipline for Moral Growth
SUMMER 2001 Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Mapping the Big Picture: Integrating Curriculum & Assessment K-12 Richard Rodriguez, Hunger of Memory Roy Fox, ed., UpDrafts: Case Studies in Teacher Renewal SUMMER 2002 Michael Thompson, Catherine O’Neill Grace and Lawrence J. Cohen, Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children 20
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SUMMER 2008 Mary Frosch, ed., Coming of Age in America: A Multicultural Anthology Eric Jensen, Enriching the Brain; How to Maximize Every Learner’s Potential
!"#$%&' ()*+$) ,-$./%/'' Every summer, for the past several years, Allen-Stevenson has provided the opportunity for a teacher to travel with Earthwatch, one of the world’s leading environmental organizations. Earthwatch uses a unique model of citizen science, matching volunteers with researchers to investigate some of the greatest environmental challenges facing the planet. The idea behind participating in Earthwatch came to Allen-Stevenson through parent, Mariel Colmenares, mother of Jorge ’12 and Andres ’18. By bringing the Earthwatch experience to Allen-Stevenson, it was felt that this would provide additional means for learning and thinking globally. Also, it would offer the chance to grow the School’s science program, honor faculty who wanted to learn more about a given subject and part of the world, and bring an all-around transformative energy to
Alan Cashdollar Learning Specialist Alan Cashdollar was chosen in 2008 to receive funding to travel to Belize on an Earthwatch program called Sustainable Belize. A big part of the work he and his group of volunteers did was to study reef management. The country of Belize relies on the coral reef for its survival. Taking care of this resource and understanding what can damage it is important to the country. This Earthwatch research project group took water samples and collected data to try to understand which corals were the most resilient. In addition to water study, Alan had a chance to
the teaching faculty.
“Earthwatch is an organization that I came to know well through participating in some of their events. What impacted me about Earthwatch’s approach is that through work in the field doing scientific research they bring together cultural heritage, socio-economic conditions, ecosystems, climate change and all factors that are entangled in creating the environmental challenges we face today. I passionately believe that if our teachers have this direct experience their awareness of our planet will radically expand, and will bring to the classroom the information, inspiration and the passion that is key to engage our children in the transformation of our practices into sustainable ones and become the leaders of the future. I am incredibly happy that this connection between Allen-Stevenson and Earthwatch has worked well and flourished. I am aware that other independent schools in New York City have followed Allen-Stevenson’s leadership in this area, and I’m very happy for that.” ~ Mariel Colmenares In order to participate, Allen-Stevenson faculty members submit a proposal explaining which Earthwatch program they are interested in joining and why. The committee, which currently consists of Alan Cashdollar, Jeff Herschenhous, Abby Levin, and Sari Lorner, then reviews these submissions and chooses a candidate. Through Earthwatch, teachers have had the chance to grow both personally and professionally. These benefits can be appreciated through the experiences of the four teachers who have traveled with Earthwatch, as described on the following pages.
Alan Cashdollar with Sean, boat captain, diver, and logistical manage
visit several Mayan temples and learn about the history of the Mayans in the region. Alan feels that his Earthwatch opportunity allowed him to improve certain professional skills, such as taking notes, making presentations, and working closely with a team. He also said that the experience gave him a rich and insightful look into an entirely new culture. Trying new foods, learning history while visiting Mayan ruins, observing new wildlife, and learning about new kinds of medicine, were all enriching to his life. Upon his return, Alan presented what he experienced with Earthwatch to both the faculty and the Upper School boys. Since then, he has served as a resource for the students by providing information about Mayan civilizations to support
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!"#$%&' ()*+$) ,-$./%/'' some of their projects and has shared his knowledge with the Sixth Grade boys as they worked on their coral bleaching study. “Getting to travel with Earthwatch changed my perspective about the world, which I also share with the students at Allen-Stevenson,” said Alan. Jeffrey Herschenhous Upper School Science Teacher “I experienced the joy of watching good people working hard to help others. The residents of the Amazon River area are a peaceful, hardworking, gentle, and congenial people, who deserve the best life has to offer. To them, that does not consist of cars, air-conditioning, and video games. It means food, shelter, clothing, health, happiness, and the abili-
ty to provide for one's family. Their environment gives them all that is needed, and their skills provide them with the techniques to make use of their surroundings. No one should alter what nature has provided for survival. We do have an obligation to make sure that no one takes away the raw materials that they gather and turn into the necessities of life. I have been a very fortunate man to see, first hand, what is needed and what can be done to help preserve this area. I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to share my adventures, experiences, feelings, and observations with the Allen-Stevenson community since my return.” Sari Lorner Fourth Grade Homeroom Teacher “In August 2007, I had the privilege of spending ten days in Pahala, a town on the southeast
Jeffrey Herschenhous and some of the children of San Pedro
Sari Lorner with a green sea turtle on the black sand beach in Pahala, Hawaii
coast of Hawaii, better known as the Big Island. The focus of this Earthwatch expedition was looking at the impact of sugar plantations on the ecology of the area. The three major components of the research included collecting oral history from the members of the community, analyzing artifacts from two excavation sites, and taking pictures of present day Pahala. As the last research group of a four-year pro-
Jeffrey Herschenhous with his friend Jorge
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Sari Lorner helped find artifacts, which included: tools, galvanized nails, and earthenware
ject, our biggest task was to catalog the artifacts that had been uncovered. I learned about archaeological procedures and techniques, and was given the opportunity to be a part of the team working on the documentary film about the research program. In addition, I learned a great deal of information about Hawaiian culture from the Principal Investigators (PI) of this program. When I first started the expedition, I was not sure how much of an impact my volunteering would have on the project. By the time we finished entering data on the last bag of artifacts, I had changed my mind. Not only did I learn new things, I realized that every volunteer is an integral part of a research team. I strongly urge anyone who can, to consider joining an Earthwatch Expedition. It truly is a trip of a lifetime.� Abby Levin Third Grade Head Teacher “This summer I had the incredible opportunity to be a participant in Earthwatch, which is an organization that gives individuals the chance to engage in scientific research to promote an understanding of our environment and learn what is necessary to sustain it. Individuals are placed in different research teams all around the world and I had the unique experience of participating in a research team in the Sierra Mountains. Our team was looking at the population of caterpillars in the area. During my research, I lived in a cabin with six other teachers from across the country and spent my day collecting butterflies. Once collected, we attempted to identify the species. I was lucky enough to find a species that had not yet been identified before and named it after my dog Oscar (He would be very proud!). We then observed the caterpillars through their life cycle to see how many butterflies emerged from the chrysalis versus how many parasites (such as moths, flies) emerged. We would then theorize as to why certain species were able to defend themselves against parasites while others fell victim to them.
Abby Levin helped identify and observe species of caterpillars
I enjoyed the experience immensely as not only did I learn more about the environment and the delicate ecosystems we live in, but I also got to enjoy the beauty of nature!�
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RIKLIS GRANT HELPS TEACHERS GROW
The Riklis Grant, a professional opportunity from the Betty and Pinhas Riklis Faculty Fund, was established to provide faculty with a chance for pleasure, renewal or refreshment. The thought was that if a teacher grows personally, they will grow professionally. A written proposal of a plan for travel and/or study over a school vacation or during the summer is submitted and a decision by committee and lottery is made. For many AllenStevenson faculty, the opportunity to travel or pursue an outside interest is not within their means. Additional funds have been contributed to the Fund in the past few years, which has allowed more than one teacher to be offered a grant. The Riklis Grant underscores the value that Allen-Stevenson places on the teachers as the School’s greatest asset and serves as a way of thanking teachers for their service to the students and the School. Several teachers describe below the opportunities provided to them by the Riklis Grant, and additional donations from Trustees in 2009:
Margaret Garfinkel on the right with her sister Ellen
Receiving the Riklis Grant could not have come at a better time for me. I fully experienced the nuanced pleasures of spending time with my beloved Italian family in a country bursting with passion and vitality! I am deeply grateful to the Allen-Stevenson Board of Trustees for inspiring my trip and am proud to belong to a community that values education and educators so highly. My teaching is enriched by this wonderful experience. It brought home to me an understanding of how valuable it is to belong to a community that sustains me in my daily role and also in my life beyond teaching. Molti grazie tutti!
MARGARET GARFINKEL Kindergarten Head Teacher
SUE MOON Third Grade Associate
The Riklis Grant provided me with the incredible opportunity to travel to southern Italy to visit my sister, Ellen, who lives in Naples with her family. Ellen has always been a touchstone in my life. She and her family have been planning to visit me in New York, however, these plans were postponed since her husband is being treated for non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
The Riklis Grant helped me in my journey to Asia. With it, I was able to visit my homeland of Korea as well as Japan. The plane tickets were very expensive, and I would not have been able to afford them without the Grant. Being exposed to cultures that I am unfamiliar with gave me the opportunity to reflect upon my own cultural background. The differences
Sue Moon saw many colorful Korean fabrics and hanbok
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gave me insight into what I could do better, but also made me feel proud of where I come from. I hope to apply what I learned in my travels to the classroom by bringing in new perspectives. Because promoting diversity is one of Allen-Stevenson’s goals, getting the opportunity to see how other schools and students conduct themselves is an invaluable tool that I will utilize in the classroom. Exposing the students to a variety of learning styles will help facilitate their growth as well-rounded boys.
ELSA FLEITES WILKIS Spanish Teacher It is with great appreciation and sincerity that I thank the grantors of the Riklis Grant for their most generous gift that aided me in spending a memorable time with my family this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The trip not only allowed me to experience the beauty of this remarkable city, but also let me be a part of the marriage festivities of the daughter of one of Brazil’s vibrant Jewish philanthropic families, the Klabins. Many elaborate events surrounded the wedding, but the one that left the most lasting impression on me was the dinner given the night before the wedding by the Klabin family in honor of their two hundred guests attending from abroad, the wedding party (of which my daughter and her husband were a part) and the immediate family members from both the bride’s and groom’s sides.
This celebration took part at the Eva Klabin Foundation, the home of the grandaunt of the bride who had bequeathed to the City of Rio de Janeiro her home and her world-renown eclectic and extensive art collections, provenance of her travels and acquisitions all over the world. It was personally fascinating to me to see the Egyptian, Italian, French, Flemish, Dutch, Oriental and Pre-Colombian art collections housed at this house-museum along with the Applied Art Collection, which contains finds from America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The Eva Klabin collection is one of the most important classic art exhibits in all of Brazil. Having been a part of this Brazilian, international cultural family affair, I became personally re-invigorated with a refreshed sense of the vital importance of teaching Spanish and our cultures to our AllenStevenson boys. I feel now more strongly than ever that my role in teaching the boys Spanish is not only for them to learn my mother tongue but also to enhance their zest for learning more languages and certainly understanding other worlds that will be so much a part of their own adult world in the 21st century.
Elsa Fleites Wilkis (far right) with (from left to right) daughter, Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, son-in-law, Kevin Wilson, and friend, Caroline Debass
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KELLNER GREAT TEACHER AWARD This award was initiated by a gift from George and Bicky Kellner, parents of Peter ’84 (a new Trustee). The Kellner Great Teacher Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an Allen-Stevenson teacher. The establishment of the award came about when George Kellner was a member of the Board and Desmond Cole was Headmaster of the School. Amongst Mr. Cole’s goals were two that he mentioned to Mr. Kellner. Mr. Cole wanted to find ways to grow the endowment, and he wanted to find a way to honor teachers at Allen-Stevenson. When these aims were explained to Mr. Kellner, he immediately stepped forward and helped Mr. Cole to achieve both of his goals at once. “Teachers are unsung heroes, so giving them a chance to be recognized for their endeavors was something I was very happy to be able to support. Distinction comes from being recognized, especially by one’s peer group,” says George Kellner. Mr. Kellner takes great pleasure in providing the opportunity to highlight excellent teaching at Allen-Stevenson, and only wishes the endowment fund was large enough to award more than one teacher each year. Headmaster David Trower solicits nominations from faculty in May, and the decision is made by a group of senior administrators. The Kellner Great Teacher Award is presented at the Upper School Closing Exercises. The 2008-09 Kellner Great Teacher Award recipient was Susan Lukas, Seventh Grade English Teacher. Susan says about being a teacher at Allen-Stevenson: “Most of us have had teachers we remember throughout our lives, teachers who love what they teach, but, more important, whom they teach. Students fortunate enough to cross paths with them know, instinctively, that this relationship is a significant, and sometimes life-changing, one. Allen-Stevenson teachers I know are like this. They love their subjects and their students. They work hard at the skills and art of their chosen field. They find great delight in the wonderful and surprising work their students create, and feel concern when students are not successful. Great schools that recognize the value of their teachers, and have in place the kind of effective support that makes it possible for them to blossom, help to create this sort of excellence. When coming to work every day is fulfilling and rich with the excitement of being in a community of intelligent collaborators, when classes are full of active students eager to learn and show what they know, and when an administration listens to teachers about what they need to do their best work, good teaching becomes the norm. I’m so grateful to be working in this kind of school with these most dedicated colleagues who know what it is to be an important part of students’ lives.” The following quotes are from submissions that were made as part of Susan’s nomination for this award and provide some of the reasons why she was recognized for her contributions to teaching and, thus, given the Kellner Great Teacher Award. “She has had a dramatic and profound effect on the professional culture of the School.” “I am often struck by her dedication to the teaching of her craft and also to the boys in her care.” “Susan has emerged as a true leader, enriching the lives of some of her fellow faculty members and, by extension, the lives of the boys in our care.”
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Some of our past awardees gave us their thoughts:
Michelle Demko Head, Music Department “How does one describe what an honor it is to be recognized as a recipient of this award? We all work so hard, giving so much time and energy, that to be singled out for this award is almost embarrassing. I truly feel that my success here is a reflection of our success as a school. That we are trying to honor the many ways there are to be a boy while we honor the many ways there are to be a teacher.” Peter Haarmann Middle School English Teacher “Receiving the Kellner Great Teacher Award was, first and foremost, a great surprise; receiving it while working at AllenStevenson was a great honor. Teaching, though certainly an honorable career choice, doesn't always receive the same level of respect in our society as many other professions do, many that are less service oriented and whose scope is much less universal. The choice I made many years ago to pursue a course of study that would eventually land me in the classroom surrounded by children from all walks of life and with varied experiential backgrounds, was not an easy one to make. It was assumed I would follow in the footsteps of many other family members and find a job in
a large office downtown working with stocks and bonds or insurance claims. When I finally admitted to myself that the only real joy I would find in the future would come from teaching and learning, I readjusted my college major and began the process that would satisfy my wishes. Winning the Kellner Great Teacher Award was a sign that my long ago decision was a worthwhile one.”
Previous recipients include: 1984-1985 Stanley Gauger
John Pariseau h’98 Special Projects “The recipients of this award reflect the rich tapestry of talent and passion at Allen-Stevenson. Every year when a new award is presented, I have felt honored all over again to be included in such company.”
1985-1986 Scott Harlan 1986-1987 David Kersey h’98 1987-1988 John Pariseau h’98 1988-1989 Anne Meyer 1989-1990 Nancy Cohen 1990-1991 James Holt h’03
Ginny Rowe Second Grade Teacher “To receive the honor of the Kellner Great Teacher Award was humbling for me because I work with great educators, all of whom are worthy of the same recognition. It provides a sense of pride for our school and the people we work with.”
1991-1992 Lisa Egan 1992-1993 Daryl Shapiro 1993-1994 John Doyle 1994-1995 Virginia Rowe 1995-1996 Steven Cohen 1996-1997 Michelle Demko 1997-1998 Jodi Giroux
Daryl Shapiro School Nurse; Health Educator “Receiving the Kellner Great Teacher Award was a great honor and a great accomplishment. It was inspiring to be included in a group of teachers who have mastered the art of teaching with such excellence. It has been years since I received this award but I still think of this award with great gratitude and pride. It is the type of award that keeps on giving, as it remains a highlight of my work and a great inspiration. Again, thank you.”
1998-1999 Rich Alifano 1999-2000 Craig MacDougall 2000-2001 Betty Marolla 2001-2002 Stephen Warner 2002-2003 Peter Haarmann 2003-2004 Jennifer Zimmermann 2004-2005 Francine Margolis 2005-2006 John Zufall 2006-2007 Sarah Kresberg 2007-2008 Sally Allen
Stephen Warner Assistant Head Lower School; Co-Director, Community Life + Diversity “When I learned I had won the award I must confess I felt honored to be in the ranks with many of my esteemed colleagues here at A-S who had taught me so much about teaching. It also made me remember my own teachers who taught me the value of having patience and looking for the good in everyone.” Jenn Zimmermann Reading/Learning Specialist; Admissions “I have worked with many great teachers in my years at Allen-Stevenson. I was proud to be included in that group.”
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Making A Difference highlights some of the many ways in which people give to The Allen-Stevenson School.
GIVING OF YOUR TIME AT ALLEN-STEVENSON AND RECEIVING IN RETURN
Ten years ago when my son Nick began his first day of Kindergarten at Allen-Stevenson,
Here is a sampling of some of the ways to get involved: - For the creative in the group, the Drama Committee might be a great match. Help with cos-
I never imagined that my husband and I would find a school as welcoming to parents as it was to boys. During my first years at the School I spent a little time volunteering at various events and found it was a great way to experience the School first hand. Throughout the past ten years, and three more sons, I’ve served as a class representative, a co-chair of the Spring Benefit and of the Book Fair, as a member of the Executive and Advisory Boards, and a volunteer in some capacity on many other committees. Each experience has introduced me to countless wonderful faculty, staff and parents, and given me the satisfaction of knowing that my work has in some way benefitted the boys and the School as a whole.
tumes and make-up for our various productions. - The Art Committee installs all of the beautiful art work our boys create. - The Community Service team organizes the many drives and events we run to benefit deserving institutions such as the All Souls Soup Kitchen, P.S. 83, Ronald McDonald House and more, and helps the boys understand the value of service. - The Ice Skating Committee needs many hands to make this wonderful night in February a success for all families. - The Spring Benefit this year will be a family event in April and surely needs lots of input, creativity, and organization from parents. - Working in the library is a great time to watch the boys in action and assist our librarians. - The Book Fair is typically staffed with over 50 volunteers throughout the three-day event. - Joint School Representatives (for grades five and above) enjoy a peek at our boys’ social
There are so many ways to participate as a parent at Allen-Stevenson. This year the Parents Association is lucky enough to have 25 committees comprised of nearly 70 parents organizing all of the events which your sons benefit from and enjoy so much, ranging from the Holiday Reception and Raffle, the Ice Skating Party, the Spring Benefit, the many Community Service drives, to the Book Fair and more. Each of these committees in turn needs many hands to make each event a success. Whatever your availability, skills and interests are, the School always welcomes and values your time.
lives as they organize the many activities with the girls’ schools such as dances and community service events. The School’s Blue Book describes (in the white pages) all of the committees we run, so that’s a great place to start as you consider how to participate. However, the Blue Book can’t communicate the joy that the giving of your time will bring to your son. Whether he sees you in the hallway during the school day, or sees you working at a school event, the message is that you care about the place he spends most of his time. Your volunteering also shows him that the giving of time to something you believe in is a rewarding experience. Lastly, the parent body at Allen-Stevenson is diverse, engaging, and committed. Volunteering at the School will introduce you to a wonderful community of peers that you are sure to learn from and enjoy. The Parents Association and the School value your time and energy and we look forward to working with you, whether you have a few hours during the entire school year or a few hours each week. ~ Alix O’Mara, PA President
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The founders society: A Special Way to Honor Her Son When Dr. Irene Meister-Armington was invited to come to Allen-Stevenson in the spring of 2008 to present an award honoring her son, it was the first time that she had been back to school since her son Nicholas Meister-Armington graduated in 1977. Nick, who entered Allen-Stevenson as a First Grader and graduated after completing the Ninth Grade, was known as a bright and friendly student with a unique talent for technical theater work. He chose film-making as his career and received numerous awards. When Nicholas died in an accident in 2003, Dewey Wigod ’77 began searching for a way to honor his classmate and dear friend. Dewey reached out to every student he could find who was part of their class at Allen-Stevenson during Nick’s eight-year tenure. Dewey managed to raise enough capital to establish the Nicholas Meister-Armington ’77 Theater Award Fund, an endowed fund which “recognizes those boys who have provided outstanding technical support to the drama program.” The award has been given since 2008. For the past two years, history and drama teacher David Kersey h’98
Dr. Meister-Armington and her son Nick Meister-Armington ’77
welcomed Nick’s mother, Dr. Meister-Armington, back to school, shared memories with her about her son, and provided her with information about the students chosen for this award. Dr. Meister-Armington has had a varied career in international This past spring, Dr. Meister-Armington returned to the School
trade, economics, and foreign affairs. She worked as an execu-
for a second year to present the award that honors her son.
tive in the oil and paper industries, traveling extensively around
These visits back to East 78th Street provided a glimpse of a
the world. In the course of her career, she held a number of
new generation of spirited and determined boys that reminded
exciting positions as a staff member of Congress, professor,
her how much Nick truly loved Allen-Stevenson and how much
advisor to President Ronald Reagan, and chair of several com-
the School had embraced him. That day, Dr. Meister-Armington,
mittees advising the US Government on Trade. When she left her
who had contributed towards the Theater Award Fund, decided
last post as Senior Vice President in a paper organization, she
to honor her son in another manner. Having already designated
started a consulting company, “Irene Meister and Associates”
portions of her estate to her two alma maters, Indiana University
and has also been lecturing at several universities. Dr. Meister-
and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts
Armington is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations;
University, as well as having established a scholarship in her
Board Member of the US Council for International Business, and
son’s name at Dartmouth College, from which he graduated, she
a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of Indiana University.
decided to include Allen-Stevenson in her estate. She hopes that her bequest, which will become The Nicholas Meister-
She decided to leave what she calls a “small legacy” in Nick’s
Armington ’77 Scholarship Fund, will be significant enough to
memory because Allen-Stevenson has been important to both of
provide approximately $8,000-$10,000 toward an annual scholar-
them. It is because of her generosity and foresight that future
ship. This endowed fund will help to support an Allen-Stevenson
Allen-Stevenson boys will have the opportunity to embrace their
student who maintains the highest level of excellence in his
outstanding talents. With this planned gift, Dr. Meister is truly
work and who would benefit from financial assistance.
giving the gift that will grow and continue to give.
The Founders Society honors the group of donors who have included Allen-Stevenson in their estate plans. If you plan to provide for the School in your estate and have not informed the School yet, please contact Mary Richter at 212-933-5214 or mrichter@allen-stevenson.org.
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A-S NEWS
Last year, Assistant Head of the Upper School, STEVEN COHEN, was part of the International Boys Schools Coalitions action research team that explored how literature study could be used to broaden boys' conceptions of masculinity. He wrote a chapter in Journeys Into Masculinity, which is this year's report from the action research team. Kindergarten teacher, ALICE HEMINWAY and her husband, First Grade teacher, ERIK RESURRECCION, have a new addition to their family. Eleanor "Ellie" Sargent Resurreccion was born May 18, 2009, and joins older brother, Jamie.
Jamie and Ellie Resurreccion
Former Computer teacher, FRAN MARGOLIS and her husband, Jon, welcomed their second son, Aaron. He joins big brother, Micah. Former Music Department Head of Chapin, ROBERT SCHRADE, and his wife, ROLANDE, former LS music teacher, celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with music, food and friends at Liederkranz Hall. Mr. Schrade also toasted his wife and performed Rolee's Suite for Piano at Sevenars, the Berkshire summer concert series they founded together. Fifth Grade teacher, DAVID SUTTON, recently received his Advanced Certificate in Gifted Education from Hunter College. This will lead to New York State Certification in Gifted Education.
Micah and Aaron Margolis
Second Grade teacher, MELISSA TREPETA, married Thomas Terzulli, on March 21, 2009, at the Woodlands in Woodbury, Long Island. Over the summer, trumpet teacher, THOMAS VERCHOT, participated in the Ostrava Days 2009 festival of New Music in Ostrava, CZ. He is principal trumpet of the Ostravska Banda, an international chamber orchestra, whose members come from eight nations and specializes in playing contemporary classical music. Closer to home, Tom was also soloist this summer with The Metropolitan Soloists along with French horn teacher, HEIDI GARSON, in Isham Park in Manhattan. Melissa Trepeta and Thomas Terzulli
Thomas Verchot
Rolande and Robert Schrade
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Ongoing Schools Allen-Stevenson students are always well served in the secondary school placement process. The goal of the process is to find the right “match” for every boy. Each boy should be looking for the school that will best serve his needs as he moves through high school, inspiring him to grow and develop into the best possible student and person. For some boys that is a boarding school, for others a day school with a campus, and for others a more urban setting. Some of the factors that boys consider when looking at schools are size, location, academic program, extracurricular offerings, and approach to teaching. Our boys are known for their wide range of interests and their willingness to contribute to a wide variety of school activities. As such they are highly sought after by ongoing schools. Below is a list of schools that last year’s graduates are attending, as well as an update on our alumni who graduated from high school.
CLASS OF 2009 Taylor Bennett Poly Prep Samuel Bernstein Loomis Chaffee Richard Bryan, Jr. Trinity Francisco Chomnalez Dalton Matthew Dwyer Hill School Christopher EchevarriaWestminster Max Elgart Fieldston Hunter Erensel Hill School Jesse Fastenberg Birch Wathen Aaron Fogle Kew Forest Dylan Fowler Choate Alessandro Giacometti Westminster John Hersey Westminster Miles Hill Kew Forest Derrick Holman Columbia Prep Samuel Javit Fieldston Adam Kotin Columbia Prep Jonathan Lamb Deerfield Louis Lecole Trinity Stephen Lipton Horace Mann Daniel Locker Fieldston Dimitri Mortsakis Millbrook Nicholas O’Mara Poly Prep Robert Plagemann Poly Prep Ravi Popat Trinity Owen Rosenberg Lawrencebille Clarke Rudick Trinity Matthew SchwimmerFieldston Alexander Selz Millbrook Antony Strauss Proctor Academy Alexander Tomashoff Westminster Christopher von Turk Columbia Prep Blair Academy Tyler Waldman Skyler Wasser Westminster Chirstopher Wayland Trinity Dalton Tyler Wojak Harry Whitney III Riverdale
CLASS OF 2010 James Allan Alexander Bartner Oliver Beers Caleb Berwin-Stein Elliot Bok Nicholas Curcio Ben Dickstein Justin Dier James Gamble IV Lukas Harb Oliver Israel Max Kalikow Noah Koeppel Christian Lange David Lawson Andrew Leone Robert Lubin Gil Lubkin Robert Marston
St. George’s Columbia Prep Poly Prep Columbia Prep Hotchkiss Trinity Columbia Prep Poly Prep Trinity Packer Collegiate Columbia Prep Columbia Prep Poly Prep Hotchkiss Columbia Prep Loyola Riverdale Poly Prep Columbia Prep
Nicholas McCombe Jeremy Mittleman Vikram Nayyar Nathaniel Pettit William Rowles Matthew Russo Mac Schumer William Sperry Daniel Terry Cameron Toh Jake Zellner Lucas Zelnick
Horace Mann Milton Columbia Prep Trinity Bard Early College High School Horace Mann Packer Collegiate Trinity Dwight-Englewood Trinity Andover Fieldston
CLASS OF 2006 David Asser Columbia Prep Lehigh University Alec Barnett Choate Syracuse University Jonathon Beckles Poly Prep University of North Carolina Daren Bennett Blue Mtn Academy Andrews University (Fall) New York University (Spring) Mark Blumenfeld Lawrenceville Lawrenceville (Post Graduate) Daniel Cannon Rye High School Middlebury College Alexander Chouraqui Riverdale Washington University in St. Louis Chadd Clairmont Blair Rollins College Redmond Colson Birch Wathen Lenox Phillips Andover (Post Graduate) Adam Crown Horace Mann University of Chicago Jack Elgart Fieldston University of Pennsylvania James Elish Dalton Williams College Pearce Erensel Poly Prep Dickinson College Jordan Feinstein Friends Seminary Oberlin College Bradley Fishel Suffield Academy Rollins College
James Garfunkel Home schooled Deferred Joel Gonzalez Berkshire Academy Boston University Michael Greene Fieldston Cornell University Aaron Halfon Westminster Rollins College Nicholas Herbst Horace Mann Tulane University Peter Hoff Millbrook Rider University Hayata Ishikawa LREI Fashion Institute of Technology Matthew Joseloff Horace Mann Georgetown University Oliver Kennan Indian Mountain Colorado College Alexander Klaris Choate Syracuse University Joshua Kronfeld Columbia Prep Indiana University Alexander Lamport Stuyvesant University of North Texas Jacob Lang Solomon Schechter Elon University Sam Levitt moved to LI University of Buffalo Benjamin Loveman Choate Wake Forest Michael Maloney Fieldston Dickinson College Daniel Marcusa Dalton Dartmouth College Jacob Mark Columbia Prep Brandeis University Ross Mintz Hotchkiss Tulane University Steven Mohl moved to France University of Miami Nicholas Moore moved to MD Frostburg State University
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Peter Quinn St. Ignatius College Prep, CA UCLA Anthony Rao III Columbia Prep New York University Michael Restrepo Ronald Reagan Senior High School Florida International University William Robinson Friends Seminary Wheaton College David Rohn Columbia Prep Indiana Univeristy Eric Rosas Hotchkiss Colgate University Nick Rosenberg moved to Westchester University of Michigan Andrew Rousso Columbia Prep Skidmore College Matthew Schroth Lawrenceville Georgetown University Alexander Shaheen Dalton Yale University Daniel Shimony Fieldston University of Michigan Jeremy Shpizner Dalton Northwestern University Enrique Smith III Kew Forest Drew University Charles Tisch Trinity University of Michigan Grant Tomashoff Hotchkiss Boston Univeristy Jonathan Tomashoff Hotchkiss Trinity College Ian Valentine Millbrook Rider University George Van Dercook Fieldston University of Vermont Samuel Zamkow moved to England Proctor Academy (Post Graduate)
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Closing Exercises 2009 I am very excited to be here. I was, however, not aware that there would be parents attending this event, so I am not able to give my previously prepared speech. First off, I want to say that I know there have been a lot of rumors flying around, and I want to state that I will be donating a large part of my $250,000 dollar speaking fee straight back to the school.
Paul John Weitz ’80 graduated from the Collegiate School and Wesleyan University. Paul is the Co-President of Weitz Brothers Productions with his brother Christopher John Weitz ’84. Along with Chris, he wrote the film Antz, directed American Pie, and wrote and directed About a Boy, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. He wrote and directed the films In Good Company and American Dreamz, and the upcoming Cirque du Freak. His plays include Roulette, Privilege, and Show People; his new play, Trust, will debut in summer 2010. He also acted in the film Chuck and Buck. Paul lives in Los Angeles and is married to Patricia Weitz, the author of College Girl. They are the parents of Jane Antonia Weitz and Maxwell John Frederick Weitz. Paul’s father was the late designer, John Weitz, who was a Trustee at Allen-Stevenson, and his mother is the actress Susan Kohner Weitz.
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And if they are not moderately intelligent, they will at least be not so completely stupid as to give everyone the impression that I am an ass. And if they do give everyone the impression that I am an ass, then so be it.
So, who here likes Barney? What color is he? Purple? Who here likes Elmo? What color is he? Red? Who here likes Blues Clues? What color is Blue? Blue.
ONE: Don’t have a chimpanzee as a pet. Although chimps are cute, and smart, they are wild animals, and they will occasionally tear your face off.
Perhaps I will not be able to use much of the same material.
TWO: Try not to think you are better than other people. You and I are not better because we had an A-S education.
It’s wonderful to be back at AllenStevenson. I have wondered how different the school is from when I attended school here. One obvious difference is that when I went to school here, it was an all-girls school. I was never quite sure why my parents made the decision to have me study with people of the opposite gender, but I am sure they had their reasoning. But really, when I went to Allen-Stevenson, things were different. Monday assembly began with corporal punishment. I get such a feeling of nostalgia when I think of Mr. Kersey, standing there with a horsewhip, administering a good flogging to a seventh grader who had not completed his English assignment. The assembly moved on to a full Latin mass, led by Mr. Pariseau, followed by two hours of casual Latin conversation. And then we all returned to the single classroom which housed the first through ninth graders.
I remember our joy at the first snowfall, when the ninth graders would throw the first graders off the roof onto the gentle cushion of snow piled up on the parked cars below. Yes, those were good times. As is traditional on these occasions, I am going to impart to the students a few
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And if they are not succinct, they will at least be moderately intelligent.
This is a big week for me, as tomorrow I will be speaking at the graduation of the pre-school I attended on Park Avenue. Luckily, I am able to use a lot of the same material for both graduation speeches.
I remember the first major fundraiser the school had, the proceeds going to provide cheese for the students grilled bread sandwiches at lunch.
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words of wisdom. And if they are not wise, they will at least be succinct.
Here are my words of advice to you, the graduating class.
We are only better than kids who went to Buckley. We are not better than kids who went to public school. They are just as smart as we are. You are especially not better than girls or women. I hope you figure this out before I did, because then you will save yourself a tremendous amount of embarrassment. You individually are not better than any of your classmates. You all have things to learn from each other. And getting good grades doesn’t make you smart. Wanting to learn new things, does. If you are extremely popular and successful right now, watch out. You may be peaking early. It is best to peak at about the age of seventy-nine. If you sometimes feel like a loser, you are in good shape. THREE: Do not keep a domesticated tiger or alligator as a pet. These are wild animals, and they may attack and try to eat you. If you must keep one as a pet, do not let it sleep with you. FOUR: If you are experiencing dread, talk to someone about it. Don’t keep it bottled up.
I am always struck by the love that I feel in this room on this day. The love of family, of friends, and of teachers. AllenStevenson hosted the first Off to College party for alums and their parents. The party was for boys who had graduated from high school and were heading off to college next year. It was wonderful to see these alums grown into young men and beginning the next phase of their educations. Many of them had maintained close relationships after A-S and others were reconnecting after years apart. It was also fascinating to see the joy the parents had in seeing each other together again. It reminded me of how special the bonds are that form at this school and how they reach beyond the students. ~ Neal Kamlser, Head of the Upper School
If you are having a tough time, whatever it is you might be going through, whatever it is you might be afraid of, other people have gone through it too. Don’t try and keep it a secret. Express it. Talk to a friend, talk to your parents, talk to a shrink, write it down, talk to a teacher, talk to someone. And in terms of talking to your parents, forgive them. Because generally they don’t want you to experience pain. But sometimes life is painful, and sometimes that’s when you learn the most.
Paul Weitz ’80, David Trower, and Alumni Medal winner Harry Whitney III ’09
FIVE: No matter how much you like cats, do not keep over 15 house cats in your apartment. Unless you are able to keep a whole bedroom filled with half a foot of kitty-litter, preferably organic kitty-litter. To make an appropriate kitty-litter scooper for your kitty-litter room, slice holes into a metal shovel. FINALLY: How other people judge you is a lot less important than how you judge yourself. If you worked really hard on something and you got a lousy grade, good for you. Give yourself a good grade, mentally. Those are the ones that count. If you overcome a fear, if you stick your neck out for something or someone, good for you. I hope I’m as brave as you are, sometimes.
David Trower with Desmond Cole Fortiter et Recte Award winner Jeremy Mittleman ’10
John Pariseau with Charles E. Horman Award winner Miles Hill ’09
I am really grateful to have been invited here today. I want to thank you for having me. Thanks to the teachers and to Mr. Trower. Thanks to Mr. Kersey for trusting that I wouldn’t flake out. Thanks to Mr. Pariseau. Thanks to my classmates who are here. I wish I had learned Latin while I was here. I wish I could speak fluently in Latin. Congratulations to the graduating class. Rich Alifano with Athletic Award winner Alexander Tomashoff ’09
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This year’s reunion weekend will feature a Celebration of Music Past and Present at Allen-Stevenson on Saturday, March 13 at 6:00 pm. Stanley Gauger, and Rolande and Robert Schrade, as well as a host of other music and instrumental teachers have been invited as honored guests. To kick off the celebration, we have interviewed many illustrious alumni in the world of music and featured them in the article below.
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Grown men, Allen-Stevenson alumni, still proudly identify themselves as Coco (The Mikado), Dick Deadeye (H.M.S. Pinafore) or Mabel (Pirates of Penzance). Interviewing several alumni still involved with music, it became clear these men are products of a strong, distinctive music program and a musical culture that left its mark on them. It was okay to be a musician. In fact, it was cool. For at least 60 years, a faculty of passionate musicians has introduced boys to various types of music, built their confidence to perform in front of audiences and to take risks in their music making, and given them the power of mastery at a young age.
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Alumni emphasized that Allen-Stevenson also allowed them to take risks. “They gave me the confidence to be unconventional,” recalled Fruster.
“I remember Stanley Gauger leading the orchestra. We were allowed to experiClarence Fruster ’97 plays in a hip-hop band, “Jah C and The Antidote,” on ment. I tried every the weekends with classmate, Jaison conceivable instruCorrea-Spain ’97. “Allen-Stevenson ment in nine years. I introduced me to a broad range of learned that I wasn’t music and gave me a very classical going to be an instrueducation – chords, harmony. I mentalist. But, I had remember a chorus trip to Florida to a calling to be part of sing at Walt Disney World. On the music,” said Craig way, a friend of Ms. Demko shared Kallman ’80, now the some Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Chairman and CEO of Key of Life. I didn’t know that music Craig Kallman ’80 Atlantic Records and found it very inspirational.” Group. “It was such a robust program. It provided rich, in-depth opportunities. It was also valuStudents learned from each other as able as a filter. I honed what I was good at and well as the teachers. “Many kids were what I was not.” listening to Nirvana, Green Day. I just soaked it all up,” noted Fruster.“I did Kallman started DJing at the hottest city dance my first rapping there. My classmates clubs in high school, became a college rep for would throw out a word and I would CBS records while a student at Brown University, Clarence Fruster ’97 and Jaison Correa-Spain ’97 rhyme with it, and express myself in and founded his own record label. He started poetry.” Fruster also remembers the thrill of being on PBS standing next to Big selling records out of the trunk of his car. At 26Bird at Rockefeller Center, singing outside with lots of other school choruses. years-old, Kallman sold his company to Atlantic and has stayed on for 18 years. Kallman fondly Chris Carlson ’01 is finishing up at Berklee College of Music in Boston with a recalls the significant understanding of perforBA in Music Production and Engineering. He plans to move to Los Angeles to mance he gained in the A-S Gilbert & Sullivan work at a music software company carving a niche in the new era of direct-tomusical theater program. “I was always the fan marketing and distribution, and independently produced artists. Carlson comedic lead – Major-General Stanley in Penzance, Sir Joseph Porter in Pinafore. These remembers showing up early in the morning for orchestra. “We would grab a productions were one of the most electrifying bacon, egg and cheese from Wrap-n-Run across the street. I remember having things about being in school.” to rinse my mouth out before playing my flute and being envious of the string players not having to do that. Playing in the orchestra and having weekly lessons with Michelle Demko was my experience at A-S which shaped who I am today.”
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Will Pitts ’90 returned to school for a degree in social work when his composing career didn’t take off as he had hoped. He scored films for the students of an NYU film professor for several years and one project evolved into a feature film at Sundance, “MVP.”“I wasn’t particularly good at sports or reading in my early years, so music was a good way for me to stand out. In Second Grade, the ‘cool’ thing to do (although he questions how cool playing a flute really is) was to learn to play pop tunes like Michael Jackson’s Beat It on the flute.” He described great tolerance for his “musical rebellion.” Typically, flutes play the top notes in the “right hand” of piano music. Pitts started improvising during class, taught himself the bass clef, and started playing the tenor and bass lines on his flute. Learning to read multiple lines of music simultaneously proved extremely valuable for his later composing. For Alexander M. Brash ’99, the network of support and creativity in music at A-S contrasted with later experiences in the “flat, constricted world of higher education music.” Brash followed Yo-Yo Ma as the conductor of the Bach Society Orchestra at Harvard University (a student conducted chamber orchestra), he wrote a book of essays critical of higher education for classical music entitled Alexander Brash ’99 Save Your Ritard for Juilliard!, has played clarinet since Sixth Grade, studied music theory for four years in high school with Randy Schrade while attending Stuyvesant High School, but to earn a living he currently is with American Express. As a high school senior, he was selected as the only student to play in a 9/11 commemorative concert with the armed forces symphony orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall. Brash played a solo clarinet piece by Cavallini at this emotional, sold out concert. For the launch of his book, Brash organized a concert at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall playing with friends, many of whom he met through the Schrades. Brash brought the Bach Society to AllenStevenson to play with the current student orchestra. In addition, Brash helped build an endowment for Harvard’s Bach Society to finance music lessons for orchestra members as well as outreach to the community. David Yazbek ’75 is best known for his writing for musical theater. He wrote the music and lyrics for Broadway hits Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and The Full Monty.
“Stanley Gauger let me dabble with a lot of instruments. One week I was a cellist. Another I conducted. Next he plopped me down in the violins. He gave me opportunities. Not too many baseball coaches would let you pitch one game, and play third base the next. Gauger did.” “I remember being in the little practice rooms at AllenStevenson and just going in and banging around on the drums,” said Nick Kinsey ’98. “Mr. [Randy] Schrade Cover of the Elvis Perkins in Dearland CD was there and he never told us to be quiet.” Kinsey is in an indie rock band, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, with classmate Wyndham Boylan-Garnett ’98. “The Schrades had a huge influence on me,” said drummer Kinsey. “We are into lots of American Folk music and our record have lots of horns,” harkening back to their A-S days. He was also inspired by clarinet teacher Vinnie Ferraro’s stories of being on the road with a swing band. He and Boylan-Garnett recently toured on the West Coast followed by three weeks in Europe, a new CD in October, and another five week U.S. tour culminating in New York City’s Bowery Ballroom and the Music Hall of Williamsburg in December.
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Wyndham Boylan-Garnett ’98 comes from a family of musicians. He described the Allen-Stevenson faculty – not just in music – to be “passionate about teaching.” History and Drama teacher David Kersey h’98 was influential to BoylanGarnett as a performer by directing him in several plays. “The performing aspect helped me. After high school, I moved to LA to become an actor.” When he moved back East and transitioned into music, the acting training stayed with him. At Bard majoring in photography, Boylan-Garnett was playing music on the side. But there were opportunities to do more. A-S chorus was the beginning of his singing experience. Now he writes his own music and performs it. Bandmate “Elvis [Perkins] comes up with the skeleton of the songs – the words – and we all outfit it with music, listening for the guitar, the keys, the trombone.” continued on next page
Daivd Yazbek ’75
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Architect Frank Visconti ’79 plays the trumpet and guitar every day – practicing, recording or playing with friends. He was proud to be the “first trumpet” in the A-S orchestra and remembers the triumph of performing for the parents at the Christmas concerts and recitals. Visconti attended Phillips Exeter with prolific jazz composer and trumpeter, Dave Douglas. Visconti and Douglas remained friends. Visconti became a fan of Douglas’ many albums and is an investor in his private jazz music label, Greenleaf Music Inc. Both Will Pitts ’90 and Rob Farren ’97 remember being selected to play the piccolo flute solos in Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever. “I was very proud that I had a way to distinguish myself,” said Pitts. Nick Kinsey ’98 remembered that “at schools like Buckley (where my brother attended), sports were the only currency to get respect. At Allen-Stevenson, the arts were an equal path with a lot of respect.” Robert Fingeroth ’90 concurs that at Allen-Stevenson “little kids were playing at a professional level.” In Seventh Grade, he transferred to Riverdale where “music was not an important part of the school culture." Fingeroth stopped performing or studying music for 10 years, and then rediscovered it taking guitar lessons after college, which eventually led to his becoming a folk-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist. Describing the A-S music program in one word, Alexander Brash ’99 used “happy.” He continued, “Chorus, orchestra, it was my safe zone. I felt comfortable and knew I would do well.”
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Evan Griffith ’07 took advantage of every musical opportunity while a student at Allen-Stevenson. “I studied piano privately with Ms. Schrade-James, violin with Lucie Gelinas, played violin in the orchestras for Mr. Schrade, sang in the chorus under Ms. Demko, and performed in Iolanthe and The Mikado. As an eleven-yearold “Pickled Boy" in Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicolas Cantata at All Souls Church under Ms. Demko's direction, I was mesmerized by the sound of the pipe organ. I began lessons shortly thereafter, and continue both my organ and violin lessons, although the organ is my primary instrument.”
He loved music from a young age so coming to Allen-Stevenson in Third Grade was a perfect fit. Cohen says, “classical music was in the air.” Paul Kellogg, who went on to be Artistic Director at Glimmerglass Opera as well as the New York City Opera, was his French teacher and the Head of the Lower School. Cohen now holds his dream job of Director of Development and Communications at the Metropolitan Opera Guild, promoting and cultivating appreciation of opera, which includes working in schools. Cohen still pursues his passion of music in his personal life, too, continuing to play the piano.
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Allen-Stevenson has attracted a couple of larger-than-life individuals who stayed with the School and built a complex and compelling program for generations. Stanley Gauger arrived in 1950 and ignited the musical fire. Rolande Schrade followed in 1968, Robelyn Shrade-James and Michelle Demko in 1989, and Randy Schrade in 1990. What was so special about studying with Gauger? “The experience of being taught by someone with a large frame of reference and also a lack of snobbery about music,” answered Yazbek. “He was not a classical music snob. Back then, it was very common to get someone who wouldn’t have patience with certain types of music.” Gauger had no problem with Yazbek’s 13-year-old band playing Led Zeppelin. “We were loud. We were horrible, but it was okay.” “We played classical, pop, show tunes,” continued Yazbek. “The most formative moments for me were singing from the Fireside Book of Folk
Currently, Griffith, a junior at Horace Mann School, plays in the violin section of their orchestra, Evan Griffith ’07 and has toured in Canada, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest with them. He studies organ at Manhattan School of Music pre-college. He is an organ intern at Temple Emanu-El and the organist for Hebrew Tabernacle in Washington Heights, and he squeezed in time to found a musical outreach program. Jesse Cohen ’79 remembers the thrill of sitting in the “Allen-Stevenson box at the Met.” A parent at the time donated a box at the Met for matinees and the tickets were raffled – a parterre box that seated 6-8 people. Cohen has been a member of the Metropolitan Opera since he was 12 years old.
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e Book Firesid
Songs. Whenever I come across a copy, I buy it. I have about four now; I’ve probably had eight. I find stuff coming up in my music from these songs,” said Yazbek. Rob Farren’s ’97 passion is avant pop music – pop influenced classical music. “The music program that Robelyn, Randy, and Michelle run is a wonderful blend of caring and needing to work hard. Kids want to be part of it,” explained Farren, who teaches chorus part-time at Collegiate. He emphasized that this positive atmosphere and level of talent is exceptional for an elementary school.
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Farren has found a supportive network from his music contacts. Making a living as a composer is challenging. So, the younger Schrades have helped him find private students for lessons and teaching jobs. Rob wrote a song for the current Bloomingdale’s BFLIX promotion that resulted from a chance meeting at a bar with classmate Sean Durkin ’97. Bandmates and classmates Kinsey and BoylanGarnett became fast friends in First Grade at Allen-Stevenson. Then, they sat next to each other in orchestra. Nick played clarinet and Wyndham trombone. “It was a seminal point in their lives,” said Kinsey’s mother, Catherine Kinsey. Griffith played in the CAJE Quartet with classmates Alec Kacew ’07 (cello) and Christopher Callegari ’07 (violin), and is part of the GriffithRucinski duo with classmate Jamie Rucinski ’07 (flute). “Music is my passion, and it all started at Allen-Stevenson,” said Griffith. Rucinski and Griffith met in Kindergarten. As Rucinski remembers it, he was at Evan’s house for a seder. Evan was very “musically oriented” so hanging out together meant playing music. Now Evan and Jamie play together at Temple Emanu-El for children’s Purim services, a concert in the main sanctuary for “Mitzvah Weekend” and religious school holiday services. Rucinski is a senior at the competitive Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (behind Lincoln Center), where students audition for acceptance and prepare for professional arts careers.
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two musicals – one based on the film Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and one about Bruce Lee. “I’ve always made music for myself. I’ve always had a band.” Last year, the New York Times, in its review of his Lincoln Center appearance, described Yazbek as “a daredevil juggler catching spiked pins in the traveling carnival of his imagination.” His latest CD is called Evil Monkey Man. A talented singer in school, Stephen Judson ’76 studied vocal performance and opera at the Boston University’s School of Music. While at University, he was personal assistant to conductor, Seiji Ozawa at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He went on to become the youngest Vice President in the 70 year history of Columbia Artists Management, Inc., a leading classical music management firm. He unequivocally stated “What I learned at A-S had a profound impact on the way I approached life and art. I’ve been involved in music for 40 years.” Today, along with ventures in communications and consulting based in New York, Milan, Brussels, and Geneva, Judson continues to run a business representing leading classical talent including Canadian violinist Lara St. John and Italian flutist Andrea Griminelli. He also negotiates global sponsorships for multinational cultural institutions – a field he was pivotal in evolving in the late 80s through his company, Judson Management Group, Inc. By day, Jaison Correa-Spain ’97 works at AllenStevenson as an arts assistant. He works on all theater and music productions, both orchestras, both choruses, and directs the Assembly Hall. He and bandmate/classmate Fruster have known each other since Seventh Grade. Jaison also plays flute, piano, and some guitar and hopes to be a professional singer. He composes and produces music, and is interested in classical as well as hip-hop. You may hear him playing jazz in Park Slope, Brooklyn at the Southpaw club. Correa-Spain summed up the consistent sentiments of the alumni interviewed: “Music is what I live for. I’m most happy when I’m listening to music and performing.” Clearly, AllenStevenson has left a significant mark on the contemporary world of music. ~ Monique Sullivan Lowitt Director of Alumni Relations
Even David Yazbek with his successful Broadway career regards musical theater as his “day job” that allows him to pursue his own “serious” music. He’s currently working on
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Our alumni have been busy at..... ...New Alumni Breakfast At the New Alumni Breakfast on June 10, 2009, graduates enjoyed breakfast while chatting with alumni from past years. The graduates then moved into the Assembly Hall for the pinning ceremony where they received their Alumni pins from members of the Alumni Association.
Gradua tin Preside g boys with R o nt of th e Board n Rolfe â&#x20AC;&#x2122;60, of Trust ees
e tes in th Gradua
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Graduates in the Class of 2010
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...Thirtysomething Party ...Off to College Party Allen-Stevenson’s first Off to College Party was held on June 8, 2009. The Class of 2006, their parents, and A-S faculty and staff were invited back to enjoy a reception that honored the recent high school graduates and wished them well as they headed to college.
At the Thirtysomething Party, a dozen Allen-Stevenson alumni reconnected with each other and peers from Browning, Chapin, St. Bernard's, and Saint David's on October 28th at a private party at PS 450 in New York.
Colin McCabe ’90, John Rose ’90, and Marcel Deans ’91
Sam Levitt, Chadd Clairmont, Alec Barnett, Alex Klaris, Jacob Lang, and Ben Loveman
T. J. McManus ’95 and David Kersey h’98
Matthew Schroth, Alex Chouraqui, Michael Maloney, Pearce Erensel, and Chadd Clairmont
David Herzberg ’89 and wife Elizabeth
Class of 2006 with David Kersey and David Trower
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...Golf Classic The Allen-Stevenson Annual Golf Classic, May 12, 2009, was held at Quaker Ridge in Scarsdale, New York. Over 70 alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends hit the links for a day of golfing. The day began with a brunch and a shotgun tee-off at 12pm, followed by an awards ceremony, silent auction, and cocktail reception. Tennis players joined the event for the first time with a round robin.
Andrew Hughes ’98, Mike Faherty ’98, Andrew Zimmerman ’00, and Rich Alifano Tennis Players
Guests gather before play begins
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...Dodgeball Over 35 alumni from the classes of 1981-2009 returned to play a friendly game of dodgeball and reminisce with their classmates in the school gym. This second annual Alumni Dodgeball game was held on May 21, 2009.
Christopher Carlson ’01 and father, Larry Carlson
Jesse Adler ’03, Robert Wynn, Ryan Umane ’00, Michael Rohn ’03, Bradley Umane ’04 , Nick Flickenger ’04, Ben Joseph ’97, Brandon Franz ’03, Max Barnhart ’03
Mike Grady ’91, Neil Bacon ’98, Ian Dana ’97, and Midhat Serbagi ’97
In order by year: 1981: Eric Rothstein; 1984: John Henry, Gianmarco Maestrelli, Marc Rice, Philip Utsch; 1985: Simon Wasserberger; 1989: Pierre Bonan, David Herzberg, Jason Walker; 1993: Anthony Bonan; 1997: Jaison Correa-Spain, Clarence Fruster, Ben Joseph; 1998: Keith Williams; 1999: Robert Katz; 2000: Ryan Umane; 2003: Jesse Adler, Max Barnhart, Brandon Franz, Matt Harb, Andy Katz, Michael Rohn; 2004: Nick Flickinger, Bradley Umane; 2008: Derrick Asser, Jacob Caplan, Will Chouraqui, Taylor Lane, Harry Neely, Evan Solomon; 2009: Harry Frank, Peter Lawson, Stephen Lipton, Nicholas O’Mara, Ravi Popat, Chris Wayland.
If yo u m
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y of our at t h e f 2009 e ve n t s, p ol lo w in g e ve n t le a s e j o i n us t h s i n 201 i s ye a r • M a rc 0: h 12-13 : A • M a rc h 13: Ba l um n i Re u n i o n ske t b al We e k e n • A pr i l l d 28: Do d g eball • G olf C l as s ic T BA • J u ne 7: O f f t o C o l le g e Pa rt y – Cl as s o f 2007 L
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Please send Alumni News for the Lamplighter to alumni@allen-stevenson.org or call the Development Office at 212-606-0890.
1930s
We're still both active on stage and offscreen as I still do lots of voiceovers.”
JOSEPH CHARLES ROPER ’30 (jropersr@aol.com) writes, “93 years old and still alive.”
1950s LOGAN FULRATH JR. ’52 (lfulrath@aol.com) writes, “I continue my practice of law in wills, trusts, and estates in Manhattan and sometimes serve as an Executor or Trustee.” PHILIP G. PROCTOR ’55 (Philip.proctor@mac.com) writes, “My daughter, Kristin, gave birth to my first grandson, Bowen Campbell, late last year. His dad, Geoff, is the oldest son of Gordon Campbell, the recently re-elected Premier of British Columbia in Canada. Kristin and Geoff (and little Bowen, named after their relative who founded the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) all went up to Vancouver to help Gordon reach the under-35 demographic, and it obviously worked. I'm proud and happy for them all. At the same time, I and the other 3 original members of the 42-year-old nationally honored Firesign Theatre comedy troupe which includes Peter Bergman, appeared STILL LIVE on stage in our new show ‘Forward Into the Past’ at the newly renovated 80-year-old Golden State Theatre in Monterey, California to a nearly sold-out house. We were also promoting our latest release on Shout! Reprise Records of Danger in a Box, a 4-CD collection of our classic Nick Danger adventures. Encouraged by the enthusiastic reception in these hard times, we intend to tour some more this year and next and are seeking venues. We started in the '60s and we're now in our 60s, so maybe the timing is right! Finally, I and my wife, Melinda, are celebrating 17 years of wedded bliss and enjoying our lives here in Beverly Hills.
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MICHAEL DOUGLAS ’59 was honored by the American Film Institute with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He is in New York this fall filming a sequel, Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps, to the 1987 movie Wall Street for which he won an Oscar for best actor as the infamous corporate raider, Gordon Gekko.
man in a lot of trouble. Maybe.’ First…he denies that Mamet is being coy by keeping a tight lid on the storyline, saying the three-scene drama is ‘too complex to be reduced to a single summarization. Basically imagine what you can’t normally say about race and it’s in there.’” Race is produced by JEFFREY RICHARDS ’62 and also stars Kerry Washington, a Spence graduate. A New
1960s Former United States ambassador to Romania, JIM ROSAPEPE ’66, and his wife, Sheila Kast, have recently published a new book, Dracula is Dead: How Romanians Survived Communism, Ended It and Emerged Since 1989 as the New Italy.
RICHARD EARLE THOMAS ’66 is starring in Race, a new play by David Mamet, opening on Broadway in December. The Wall Street Journal wrote: “Richard Thomas (a.k.a. “John-Boy” from “The Waltons”), who plays the mysterious would-be defendant, refused to confirm or deny the nature of his character, other than to say he was playing a ‘rich
York Times profile on Jeffrey stated: “Since his debut as a Broadway producer in 2000, he has been remarkably successful, particularly in the last couple of years. Among his productions are August: Osage County (“the most exciting new American play Broadway has seen in years,” Charles Isherwood wrote in the New York Times); a revival of The Homecoming by Harold Pinter (Ben Brantley in the Times called it a “first-rate revival”); and the critically praised revivals of Glengarry Glen Ross and Talk Radio. He was among the producers for Spring Awakening and August Wilson’s Radio Golf.”
1970s COL. BARTLETT HARDING HAYES II ’72 writes, “We moved from Germany to take command of the Surgery Squadron at Kessler Air Force Base, Mississippi in 2007 and I was promoted to Colonel in 2007." Bart was formerly an ophthalmologist at the Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.
JEREMY BEN-AMI '77, the founder and director of J Street, debated Alan Dershowitz on American Foreign Policy and Israel on November 21, 2009 at 92nd Street Y. Jeremy was featured in an article about J Street in the New York Times Magazine on September 13, 2009. ARTEMIS WOLYNSKY JOUKOWSKY III ’77 (artemis@joukowsky.com) writes: “Journey to Freedom, a documentary about his grandparents, Martha and Waitstill Sharp, will be telecast nationally on PBS in 2010 or 2011. The Sharps were recently honored posthumously at Yad Vashem for rescuing European Jews from the Nazis before and during World War II.” MARIO M. MULLER ’77 (urbanmotif@aol.com) had an exhibition of his art work “Ten Years of Painting” at the Stephen Cohen Gallery, in Los Angeles in April 2009. FRANK A. VISCONTI II ’79 (fv@visconti-architects.com) is living in Pound Ridge, New York with his wife, Elizabeth, 2 boys (Cole, 12 and Christian, 8), 1 Chocolate Lab, 2 Cats and 1 German Warmblood horse. He writes, “We live in a ‘green’ house that is more like a tree house that overlooks a large pond. My architectural practice focuses on mostly apartment interiors in Manhattan as well as offices, shops, dentist offices and institutional work
(www.visconti-architecture.com). I am a member of the New York Athletic Club, and certainly need to spend more time there! Recently I joined the board of directors for the 600 member Westchester AIA. My company is a member of the US Green Building Council after becoming certified as a LEED Professional in September 2008. This year I received an AIA design award for a dentist office on Park and 60th Street and a modern minimalist apartment on Third Avenue and 65th Street. Currently, I am finishing a townhouse on East 39th Street, a cheese shop on First Avenue at 81st Street and a dentist office on Fifth Avenue at 10th Street. I stay in touch with classmates Jesse Cohen, Mike Schiff, Steve Metcalf, Matthew Schwartz, Warren Etheredge mostly through my keyboard!”
1980s ERIK A. CLIETTE ’81 (cliette06@yahoo.com) has been named President of the Board of the Jack and Jill Foundation of America, the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. In collaboration with the community service agenda of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., the Foundation promotes the excellent preparation of succeeding generations of children as leaders, in all walks of life, so that they may attain their fullest potential as individuals, enjoy rewarding and fulfilling lives, and contribute to world peace, progress, and prosperity.
Last May, LAWRENCE J. GREER ’81 (Larry_Greer_Rockets@yahoo.com) visited the school with his 5 1/2-year-old
son, Joey. Larry lives in Dayton, Ohio with his family and currently is an advance basketball scout with the Portland Trailblazers. ANDREW J. LANDIS ’82 (alandis@yahoo.com) writes: "My oldest son, Harry, who is in First Grade, is loving A-S. I have been busy launching a new company called Mall Talent - best described as American Idol meets YouTube at the mall." Nelson Spiegel, son of MITCHELL SPIEGEL ’82, and Jordan Wasserberger, son of MARK WASSERBERGER ’82, are both in the Kindergarten at AllenStevenson this year. MICHAEL FEINBERG ’84 (Michael@tigerbutton.com) and his wife, Justine, are the proud parents of a third son, Blake, born January 10, 2007. JOSEPH WOLFE KARCH ’84 (joekarch@gmail.com) is in the U.S. Army, currently serving in South Korea. Who says girls can’t attend AllenStevenson? Lila Rice, the 6-year-old daughter of MARC RICE ’84 and Chapin Class of 2021, became handy with a saw at the Allen-Stevenson summer art camp in June. (marc.rice@opco.com).
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CHRISTOPHER JOHN WEITZ ’84 directed The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the second book in Stephanie Meyer’s blockbuster teen vampire romance series, starring Dakota Fanning. It was released in November. See www.twilightthemovie.com for more details.
she cum laude and he magna cum laude. Ms. Hertz, who is keeping her name, is now a special assistant in the office of information and regulatory affairs, a division of the Office of Management and Budget, in Washington. She received her
Ethan Wasserberger, son of SIMON WASSERBERGER ’85, is in the Kindergarten at Allen-Stevenson this year. ERIK PETERSON ’86 (epeterso1@optonline.net) and wife, Jennifer, are the proud parents of daughter, Stella, born in October 2007. POLO DOBKIN ’87 (polodobkin@gmail.com) is the executive chef at Dressler, winner of two stars from The New York Times and one Michelin star, as well as chef at Dumont and Dumont Burger. All three restaurants are in Brooklyn. Dobkin taught a cooking class at Macy’s in October. WYATT WARTELS ’89 (wyattwartels@yahoo.com) married Nicole (Wanzer) Wartels on September 19th, 2009, at the San Francisco Film Centre in The Presidio, San Francisco. The best man was his brother, EDWARD WARTELS ’91.
1990s COLIN MCCABE ’90 (colin@choptsalad.com), co-founder of Chop’t, a chain of restaurants specializing in salads in New York, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, is opening his 10th store in Times Square. BRIAN HALWEIL ’90 (brian@edibleeastend.com) was recognized by Just Food for his contributions to the local food movement. He is executive editor of Edible Manhattan, Edible Brooklyn, and Edible East End, three sister magazines devoted to celebrating the local food community. Brian writes: “On a personal note, my wife, Sarah, and I live in Sag Harbor, where we keep a
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home garden and orchard (and have just started raising oysters). Sarah is a labor and delivery nurse at Southampton Hospital, and a yoga teacher in the Hamptons. We have a 22 month old daughter, Clio (old enough to help out in the garden), and a 3 month old son, Cyrus (not quite old enough to help). I'm a work-from-home dad, on staff at the Worldwatch Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C., where I am a senior researcher and where I head up the Institute’s food and agriculture program. We recently received a $1.3M grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support this work.” CHARLIE BURGER ’91 (charlesburger@hotmail.com) and his wife, Courtney, welcomed William Ryan Burger on September 20, 2009, weighing in at 7lbs 2 oz.
law degree from the University of Chicago. Mr. Angell, 28, is pursuing a law degree at Columbia and a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins. He is also a summer associate at Covington & Burling, the Washington law firm.” OLIVIER JACQUES BUSQUET ’96 won the 2009 Borgata Poker Open, World Poker Tour No-Limit Hold’em Championship, in September. “He
CANNON LYELL HERSEY ’92 (blackagemedia@yahoo.com) was part of an art installation, LIGHT SOURCE, which ran from June 4th to June 27th at a gallery in Chelsea in New York. WILLARD J. OVERLOCK ’95 (willoverlock@hotmail.com) was married to Colleen Neill on October 11, 2008 in Kent, CT. CHRISTOPHER E. ANGELL ’96 (ceangell@aol.com) and Jessica Rose Hertz were married May 30, 2009, by Judge Sonia Sotomayor at the Metropolitan Club in New York. The New York Times wedding announcement said: “The bride and bridegroom met at Harvard from which they both graduated,
topped a field of 1,018 players to take home the top prize worth $925,514 and his first WPT title. Busquet came into the final table with the chip lead, but he ran into some trouble early and then pulled off an impressive comeback during heads-up play (he was down below 2 million at one point when blinds were 100,000-200,000) to win the title at a final table that lasted 153 hands. Busquet
can also now claim the record of winning the largest WPT in history in terms of field size,” according to www.cardplayer.com. BRADLEY MILES FRIEDMAN ’96 and Danielle Zoe Cohen were married May 2, 2009. The New York Times wedding announcement said: “The bride and bridegroom, both 27, are associates at law firms in New York, she at Cleary Gottlieb & Hamilton, and he at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. They both received law degrees from Georgetown University. Mrs. Friedman graduated from Cornell, and Mr. Friedman graduated from Duke.” JAISON CORREA-SPAIN ’97 (jspain@allen-stevenson.org) and CLARENCE GYASI FRUSTER '97 (jah13c13@gmail.com) performed at Southpaw, a performance venue in Park Slope, Brooklyn in May. ROBERT FARREN ’97 played piano at a benefit concert for the New York Art Ensemble. He played a piece of his own for four hands called “N Train” and also performed with his mother, Ellen Farren (who is on the board with Michelle Demko and other past parent, Susan Koeneke). See Alumni in Music article on page 34 for more about Farren.
C. ANDREW HUGHES ’98 (c.andrewhughes@gmail.com) is pursuing a joint degree between the Yale School of Management and Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Science. He writes: “if all goes well, I will graduate in 2012 with an MBA and MEM.” ALEXANDER BRASH ’99 performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall in March 2009 to celebrate the release of his book of essays, Save Your Ritard for Juilliard! See Alumni in Music article on page 33 for more about Brash. ALEXANDER H. KLEBANOFF ’99 (ahklebanoff@gmail.com) has formed Alexander Klebanoff Associates which offers tours of galleries and artist studios beginning with a focus on Chelsea.
2000s
MATTHEW F. FERRARO ’97 (matthewferraro@gmail.com) is living and working in Washington in national security affairs, having completed a Masters Degree in History from Cambridge University.
FREDDY GONZALEZ ’01 (freddyfuego@gmail.com) celebrated the release of his first trombone CD with a Halloween concert at a club on the Upper West Side. Gonzalez describes his band’s musical style: “It’s like James Brown met up with Bob Marley and they jammed out with Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis stopped by.” Check out his band called Freddy Fuego on www.Myspace.com/freddyfuego.
FREDERICK TAYLOR ISQUITH ’97 (freddy.isquith@gmail.com) has graduated from Law School and the Maxwell School of Public Affairs at Syracuse University with a joint LLC/MA degree. He is now working at a law firm, Lovell Stewart and Halebian LLP, in New York.
MICHAEL BESOBRASAW MELNITZKY ’01 (michael.melnitzky@gmail.com) graduated from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan (undergraduate program) and is now working in Manhattan.
ASHLEY SPRINGER ’97 is starring in the movie Dare with Emmy Rossum and Zach Gilford. Called “smart and edgy” by The San Francisco Chronicle, Dare was an official selection of the 2009 Sundance Film festival. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Springer was cast in The Secret, Anamorph, and Assassination of a High School President. For more details, see www.darethemovie.com.
ALEXANDER BUELL MELNITZKY ’02 (thenintzk@aol.com) graduated from NYU and is going to Cardozo Law School.
policy specialists, lawyers, and organizers to solve major social problems. This
fall and spring, I will be overseeing an office of 50-60 college interns running campaigns to find solutions for issues like global warming/climate change, health care reform, hunger and homelessness, and the high costs of textbooks, among others. During the academic year, my students and I will be researching solutions with our state/national offices, holding press conferences, lobbying local and state politicians, and even helping to write effective legislation.” BRANDON M. FRANZ ’03 (bmf310@lehigh.edu) spent the summer in Bethlehem, PA, working for a professional women’s softball team, The Philadelphia Force. HARRY REID LEVINE ’03 (hlevine@georgiatech.edu) is a fourth year student in Civil Engineering at Georgia Tech. JEREMY MATTHEW EXSTEIN ’08 (jexstein@hotchkiss.org) writes “After a year of studying first year Chinese, I am embarking, with 15 others from my school, on a 3 week journey to China starting on July 10th.” ~~
J.P. WILLIAM SEALY ’02 (sealyw@gmail.com) graduated from the College of William and Mary in May. He is pictured here with his parents. “As I hoped, I will be living and working in California until next August. I accepted a job as a campus organizer with U.S. PIRG (the same position Obama held out of college) at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. PIRG is a student-directed, student-funded group that works closely with a professional staff of
IN MEMORIAM We are sad to report that these alumni passed away recently. Dudley Stoddard ’30 Christopher Shipley ’68
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THE LAMPLIGHTER WILL NOW HIGHLIGHT FACULTY AND STAFF INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF ALLEN-STEVENSON.
0123!44! 5!067 In addition to being head of the Music Department at Allen-Stevenson, conductor and flutist, musical director of the annual Gilbert & Sullivan production, Ms. Demko is also a Suzuki instructor and sings with the Musica Viva Chorus of New York. Most recently, she has enjoyed participating in the TriArts Theater DIVAS! productions in Sharon, Connecticut.
8,9574:3 ;238,5! ’<= > 87?!4@9 ;238,5!AB,0!; Robelyn and Randy ’76 Schrade perform two-piano and piano four-hand music every summer in the Schrade Family music festival "Sevenars," in the Berkshires. The opening family concerts are always standing-room-only affairs, featuring nine family members including grandparents, Robert and Rolee Schrade; children, Randy, Rorianne, Robelyn and her husband David; with grandchildren, Lynelle, Christopher ’05 and Miranda. Robelyn is working on her next Carnegie-Weill program. Her son Christopher is performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., this fall, and daughter Lynelle is performing the Tchaikovsky piano trio at the University of Michigan, where she is in the Doctoral program. Randy divides his time now between being a father, running the Orchestra program at Allen-Stevenson, and helping his parents with their summer music festival. This leaves little time for solo performing or composing, which were passions of his as a student at Allen-Stevenson. He still performs with his extended family to open the festival series every summer in July.
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What does Allen-Stevenson mean to you? “I acquired my interest in photography at home and brought that to school. The reason I support Allen-Stevenson is that, more than Exeter and more than Harvard, its teachers convinced me that learning is its own reward.” John Loengard ’49 Photographer, LIFE magazine Father of Charles Loengard ’79
For 127 years, Allen-Stevenson has provided boys with a strong foundation in academics, athletics and the arts. Each boy learns the importance of community and the world around him. As these distinguished alumni attest, Allen-Stevenson exposes each boy to dedicated and talented teachers, spirited classroom instruction, competitive athletics and the exciting world of the arts. In order to continue the School’s tradition of excellence, please contribute to the 2009-2010 Allen-Stevenson Annual Fund. Allen-Stevenson relies on contributions to keep the School strong. We hope you will be as generous as possible. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GIVE TO THE ANNUAL FUND: • By credit card online at www.allen-stevenson.org • By check or credit card using the enclosed envelope • By appreciated securities. If you wish to make a gift of stock, please contact Sari Nadler, Annual Fund Director, at 212-933-5238 or snadler@allen-stevenson.org
Please check to see if your employer will match your gift since matching gifts can double or triple your gift.
THE ALLEN-STEVENSON SCHOOL 132 EAST 78TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10075-0381
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK, NY PERMIT NO. 8048
SAVE THE DATE Alumni Reunion Weekend March 12 - 13, 2010 For Classes ending in “0”, “4”, “5”, “9”
1929 1930 1934 1935 1939 1940 1944 1945 1949 1950 1954 1955 1959 1960 1964 1965 1969 1970 1974 1975 1979 1980 1984 1985 1989 1990 1994 1995 1999 2000 Friday, March 12: Class Parties for Reunion Classes (Details to be provided by each class. Parties are off-site.) Saturday, March 13: 11:00 am-2:00 pm. All alumni invited. • Alumni Basketball Game • Dress rehearsal of Pirates of Penzance (Gilbert & Sullivan) • Open House: tour building, bring your family, drink coffee with friends Saturday, March 13: 6:00 pm. All alumni invited. • Alumni cocktail reception for all classes
• Celebration of Music Past and Present at Allen-Stevenson. Invited honored guests include Stanley Gauger, and Rolande and Robert Schrade.
For questions, to volunteer, or to host a class party, please contact Monique Lowitt, Director of Alumni Relations, 212-933-5240 or mlowitt@allen-stevenson.org