Buckley Letter Fall 2023 by The Buckley School

Buckley FALL 2023

LETTER

Buckley LETTER

The Buckley Letter is published twice a year by the School’s Development and Communications Offices. Class Notes Editor: Kate Philip Principal Photography: Da Ping Luo; Cover and photo on page 2: Jordan Hollender Design: Ann Zipkin, AtoZ.Studio

The Buckley School is an equal opportunity employer. Buckley does not discriminate on the basis of race,

BUCKLEY TRIVIA

color, national origin, religion, sex, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, sexual orientation, ethnicity, carrier status or any other characteristic protected by law. The Buckley School actively seeks diversity in its faculty and student body.

Before the Buckley School purchased what is now known as the Hubball Building, what was the function of the building? Email your answers to the editor at communications@buckleyschool.org.

In This Issue Fall 2023

Head of School’s Remarks

THE BOYS

Spring Art Exhibition Closing Exercises & Awards Commencement Remarks The Year in Photos Athletic Awards

THE SCHOOL

The Parents’ Corner In Memoriam: Brian Walsh Hats Off to Mr. Byerly and Mr. Shimkus!

THE ALUMNI

Spring Alumni Party Class Notes In Memoriam

IN CLOSING Buckley Before: Hubball Building Thank You!

NOTES: What do you think of The

Buckley WINTER 2022–2023

Buckley Letter? Email your thoughts to the editor at communications@ buckleyschool.org.

LETTER

ANSWER TO LAST ISSUE’S TRIVIA:

What year was the Hubball Building completed? Turn to Buckley Before, page 40, for the answer.

BS09_Buckley Letter_winter 2022-23_final_25apr23.indd 1

4/25/23 1:39 PM

ON THE COVER: Head of School Greg O’Melia welcomes Weyman Weiner, Class III, to the 2023–2024 school year. ABOVE: Class VII boys enjoy recess on 73rd Street.

Opening Assembly 2023–2024

Remarks from Greg O’Melia, Head of School GOOD MORNING and

welcome back, boys and faculty members. I hope you all enjoyed your summer and have come back refreshed and ready to go. I am sure many of us here, boys and adults, are a bit nervous. My advice to all of us, including myself, is to enjoy the excitement of this first day! It is indeed wonderful to see all of you here today for our Opening Assembly. These are very exciting days as each of you are in a new homeroom, have new teachers, new classes, and in some cases new sports teams and other activities. I would like to thank all of my colleagues who worked over the summer to prepare the school for our start today. I want to express my special gratitude to all the members of the Maintenance Department who oversaw the buildings this summer. I also want to thank all of your teachers and coaches who have prepared their classrooms and gyms for your arrival so we are ready to go on day one. We are indeed very fortunate to have such wonderful facilities spread over three locations in which we study, work, and play, not to mention the athletic fields on Randall’s Island. With all these facilities and opportunities to grow, it is good to be reminded of our values and roots. Let’s start with our long-standing school motto. HONOR ET VERITAS

Honor—a keen sense of ethical conduct; integrity—doing the right thing (especially when no one is looking!). Truth—sincerity in action, character, and utterance. We should be able to ask one another a question and receive a truthful response, which builds trust. You will find in your life that truth and trust are at the core of all strong relationships. I also want to remark on the school mission, which guides us in all of our operations. It states that Buckley is about every boy—yes—every one of you! We want each one of you here today to thrive and to be successful this year.

Fall 2023

At Buckley, we are always learning with and from one another. So let us be kind, and may that be one of our top priorities. And if we are unkind, may we apologize sincerely, and learn from that mistake. We are all in this together, and we truly need to help each other. We can encourage one another, especially the new members of our community who are making a big transition in joining our school. I remember joining Buckley 23 years ago and being quite nervous. How would that first assembly go? I remember forgetting to wear my blazer around the school on my first day and someone politely telling me that I needed to do so. May our kindness also help us recognize that differences make life interesting and exciting. A boy has a beautiful voice and sings extremely well. A boy is a talented ballet dancer. A boy practices a different religion. A boy looks different from me. A boy has an accent and he pronounces words differently. Rather than joke or tease another boy or treat someone unfairly, I want you to think about how fortunate we are to have those talents, interests, and accents at our school. Ultimately, we all rub off on one another, and I for one am very thankful for that. And if all of us were exactly the same, life at Buckley would be very boring indeed. We want everyone here, with all of his various interests and unique characteristics, to be welcome at Buckley. We also want to remind everyone that it is okay to make a mistake—the most successful people grow from their mistakes. They don’t give up. In fact, not achieving a goal often can lead to an even more worthy accomplishment. I know this from experience! Finally, remember that we are a special school because of all of you here today, students and faculty, and also, in significant part, because of those boys and teachers who came before us. Floreat semper ludus Bucklianus!

Quick Look Class II homeroom teacher Mrs. Herrity works with Spencer Bradbury, Class II.

The Boys

Lawson Wells, Class III, performs in the class play for Class III-Brand.

STUDENT FEATURE

Spring Art Exhibition

TOP TO BOTTOM: One of

Class I’s ceramic turtles.; Class II city blocks project.; Class VIII boys show off their plaques (left).; Class VII mosaics (right).; Class I cherry blossom project.

The Buckley Letter

THE BOYS

ROW ONE: Class V artwork.; ROW TWO: Class VIII Homeroom Art

Competition to create a reproduction of Henri Matisse’s Woman with a Hat.; artwork by Zeb Zinn, Class I.

Fall 2023

LEFT COLUMN, TOP TO BOTTOM: Class III artwork.; Class VI projects on display.; Class II cars crafts projects (left).; Beginners flowers and Class II tea

cups.; RIGHT COLUMN, TOP TO BOTTOM: Jack Schwartz, Class V, with his father, Dave Schwartz, shows off his hand-carved sword.; Izzy Patel, Class III, and his mother, Sam Zafar.; James Jia, Class I, and his family admire his artwork.; Pax Phillips, Class III, and his mother, Monica Herman.

The Buckley Letter

THE BOYS

Closing Exercises 2023

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Cruz Natori, Class VII, J.J. Garrett, Class VIII, Charles DeSorcy, Class VII, and Vail Brokaw, Class VIII, proudly hold their awards.; Mr. O’Melia presents an award to William Bateman, Class VIII.; Grant Henry, Class VIII, and Sasan Korangy, Class VIII, hold up their Science Award.; Richard Wayner ’82 presents a certificate to son Alfie Wayner, Class VIII.; Michael McCool, Class VIII, and Harry Elworth, Class VIII, receive the History Prize.; William Bateman, Class VIII, and J.J. Garrett, Class VIII, receive the Tammen Cup.; Matthew Trucano, Class VIII, and Oliver Smales, Class VIII, receive the Thomas W. Armitage Award.

2023 Class IX Graduates

2023 Class VIII Graduates

Dillon Allen

Blair

Jude Adelsbach

Brentwood (CA)

Sasan Korangy

Riverdale

John-Jay Comfort

Taft

Felix Alfaro

Deerfield

James Leslie

Columbia Prep

Adam Emami

Milton

Oliver Bachleda

Green Mountain

Michael McCool

Hackley

Jackson Ham

Columbia Prep

William Bateman

Groton

Chase Nelson

Dalton

Teddy Hamadeh

Deerfield

Cole Bishop

Riverdale

Luke Orlowski

Riverdale

Jack Hiscoe

Hackley

Vail Brokaw

Deerfield

Jackson Pettid

Salisbury

Ryan Stenzler

Deerfield

Oliver Burger

Hotchkiss

Archie Roosevelt

St. George’s

Harry Elworth

St. Paul’s

Julian Salas

Collegiate

J.J. Garrett

Trinity

Oliver Smales

Hotchkiss

Gavin Hamilton

Lawrenceville

Mesha Thomas

Millbrook

Ryan Heintz

Taft

Matthew Trucano

Lawrenceville

Grant Henry

Riverdale

Orion Veltri

Horace Mann

Gus Hope

Grace Church

Luca Walter

St. Paul’s

Adrian Jones

Trinity

Fall 2023

CLASS VI PRIZES

UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS

French Prize Nico Jayanti, Class VI Ayaan Srivastava, Class VI

Gold Pin for Scholarship Given to the boy or boys with the highest yearly average.

Mathematics Prize Alex Conrod, Class VI Felix Deschenes, Class VI Science Prize Keshav Katkar, Class VI Ayaan Srivastava, Class VI Spanish Prize Felix Deschenes, Class VI Jamie Porter Cup for Excellence in Writing Felix Deschenes, Class VI Society of Colonial Wars Medal for Excellence in American History Alex Conrod, Class VI Gold Founder’s Pin for Progress Robert Mui, Class VI George Lane Nichols Prize Given by Mr. and Mrs. Acosta Nichols in memory of their son to recognize courage, reliability, loyalty, and helpfulness. Keshav Katkar, Class VI Jennifer R. Ward Prize Given to those members of Class VI who have demonstrated qualities that Mrs. Ward exemplified and encouraged: a positive attitude; support of one’s fellows; courage in facing challenges; and respect, care, and kindness for others. Milo Lipman, Class VI Ayaan Srivastava, Class VI Head of School’s Prize for Strength of Character Given to the Class VI boy who, in both word and deed, has exemplified the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct in his work and his relationships with fellow students and teachers. Felix Deschenes, Class VI

William Bateman, Class VIII Grant Henry, Class VIII Silver Pin for Scholarship Given to the boy or boys with the second highest yearly average.

Paul Rotella Cup for Excellence in Music Ryan Heintz, Class VIII Luca Romano, Class VIII Orlando F. Weber Jr. Cup for Excellence in the Fine Arts James Leslie, Class VIII Oscar Paduano, Class VIII

John Henry Murray, Class VII

Jack Woodruff Memorial Prize for Public Speaking Grant Henry, Class VIII

Bronze Pin for Scholarship Given to the boy or boys with the third highest yearly average.

Joseph Stewart Cup Given to the most outstanding scholarathletes in the Upper School.

Vail Brokaw, Class VIII Charles DeSorcy, Class VII J.J. Garrett, Class VIII Cruz Natori, Class VII

Adrian Jones, Class VIII Matthew Trucano, Class VIII

Gold Founder’s Pin for Progress Dillon Allen, Class IX Jackson Pettid, Class VIII

C. Brett Boocock Award Given in honor of former Headmaster Brett Boocock to the Upper School boys who have shown kindness to both friends and acquaintances and, in the highest sense, generosity of spirit to all.

Aziz Family Mathematics Prize William Bateman, Class VIII

Adrian Jones, Class VIII Ryan Stenzler, Class IX

French Award Grant Henry, Class VIII

Harrison S. Kravis Award Given to the boy who has exhibited, in his Upper School years, those special qualities associated with Harrison Kravis ’87: a cheerful, positive attitude and optimism and determination in response to the most demanding challenges.

Samuel Gates Bowl for Debate John Jay Comfort, Class IX Teddy Hamadeh, Class IX History Prize in Honor of Artemis Stamatopoulos Harry Elworth, Class VIII Michael McCool, Class VIII Latin Prize in Memory of Jack Fogarty Vail Brokaw, Class VIII J.J. Garrett, Class VIII Science Award William Bateman, Class VIII Sasan Korangy, Class VIII Ryan Stenzler, Class IX Spanish Award William Bateman, Class VIII

Mesha Thomas, Class VIII Thomas W. Armitage Award Given in honor of Thomas W. Armitage ’21 to the boys in Class VII or VIII who are most worthy in all aspects and who, because of their generous participation in varied school activities, deserve special praise. Oliver Smales, Class VIII Matthew Trucano, Class VIII Watson Bradley Dickerman Cup Given by Mrs. Florence D. Dickerman to the most helpful citizen in the Upper School. Jack Hiscoe, Class IX

Richard L. Davisson Cup for Excellence in English Composition Grant Henry, Class VIII Sasan Korangy, Class VIII

Thomas P. Tammen Cup Considered the highest award in the Upper School, the Tammen Cup is given to the boys who have shown outstanding character, achievement, talent, and promise.

Society of Mayflower Descendants in New York Prize for Excellence in American History Charles DeSorcy, Class VII Cruz Natori, Class VII

William Bateman, Class VIII J.J. Garrett, Class VIII

The Buckley Letter

THE BOYS

Commencement Remarks ANDREW O’DONOHUE ’11, CARL J. FRIEDRICH FELLOW, HARVARD UNIVERSITY JUNE 14, 2023

Thank you, Mr. O’Melia, for that kind introduction and for inviting me back to Buckley today. First let me say what a special honor it is to be here with you—with the proud parents, families, and dear friends; with the teachers, coaches, and staff who make Buckley the school it is; and with you, the gentlemen of Buckley and the graduates we have come together to celebrate. I WAS SITTING IN YOUR SEATS 13 YEARS AGO at my own

Buckley graduation—here in this gym where I enjoyed countless hours of dodgeball and didn’t enjoy the countless sit-ups. I was surrounded that day by my parents, my grandparents, and my siblings, and even by some teachers I am so glad to see again today, like my Class VII homeroom teacher, Mr. Scribner, and my Class VIII homeroom teacher, Mr. Shimkus. For me on that day, and for you today, Buckley graduation is the first milestone in our education and our life story. When I arrived at Buckley and started Beginners, I was informed that I would graduate in the year 2010 and thought, “That day is so far off, it might never come.” But my graduation day arrived. Yours has too. And it’s a special graduation because you may never spend so long at any school or be so shaped by any alma mater as you are by Buckley. When I attended my Buckley graduation, I was excited to celebrate with my family and friends and filled with a sense of accomplishment. But I was also filled with questions, and yes, I was also uncertain. I wondered: “How will I figure out what I’m good at? How will I know what my thing is? How will I succeed in high school?” And I thought, mistakenly, that I should focus on the classes where I got the best grades and the activities and sports where I performed best. But actually, this mindset of letting grades guide what you do isn’t the most effective approach. This might be how people think at Allen-Stevenson. At Buckley, I learned a different way of thinking about how to thrive in high school. My first piece of advice, which my uncle shared with me, and I now share with you, is: Follow your bliss. Follow what sparks your interest and your curiosity. I learned this lesson as I was graduating from Buckley, like you are today. During my time here, one of my favorite classes was Latin. I even participated for fun in competitions about Greek and Roman mythology. So when I was about to start high school, I signed up for the Latin placement test and thought, “I am going to ace this.” 10

Fall 2023

What happened? I failed. My new high school used a different textbook, and there was a lot of vocabulary I hadn’t yet learned. But as I prepared to start high school, I found that Buckley had given me the foundation of Latin grammar and syntax I needed to pick up those new words easily. If I had paid attention only to grades and external feedback, I might have quit. I might have said, “I’m just not good at Latin.” But an internal voice told me I loved Classics—that Latin was my bliss—so I spent the summer making decks of Latin flashcards, and I loved it. I went on to take Latin for all four years of high school. I liked Latin so much that my mom and dad nicknamed me “Maximus.” As all the Buckley boys here can tell you, that means “the greatest” in Latin. And if you didn’t get that one, you too will be making flashcards this summer. When you start high school this fall, you may also find that you go from being the captain of your soccer team at Buckley to second string, or that there are words in French, Latin, or Spanish you haven’t learned yet. But know that your coaches and teachers here at Buckley have given you the foundation you need to succeed in whatever area you love. As you learn what you love at Buckley and beyond, your next mission will be to use that love to serve the people around you. This idea brings me to my second suggestion for you: Ask what you can do to contribute to your community. My story of connecting what I love to do and what I could do for others starts with something every Buckley graduate does: carving a plaque. For my plaque, I chose to chisel an image of the printing press invented by Gutenberg in 1440, which changed history, religion, and even human psychology, by enabling an explosion in the production of books and the advent of widespread literacy. What I could not have expected is how that love of books and writing I learned at Buckley would enable me to contribute beyond myself. Nine years

after my Buckley graduation, I published my own book, co-edited with my mentor Tom Carothers, which analyzes why political divisions have become so deep in democracies around the world, from Brazil, India, and Turkey to here in the United States. Of course, when I graduated from Buckley, I didn’t have a master plan to publish a book about political polarization—let alone to become a writer. Mr. Scribner can testify to that. But I gradually found my path, and you’ll find yours too, when you connect doing what you love with asking what you can do for others. In my case, at Buckley, the activity I enjoyed most was writing for The Shield. I loved testing the boundaries that our faculty advisor would allow. Our advisor, Mr. Rosenshine, was the equivalent of your Mr. Hemingway, I’m told. My goal was to write articles that Mr. Rosenshine would want to censor. First, I argued that Buckley needed to do more to recycle our juice boxes from recess. Then, I published the scandalous untold history of Buckley’s first headmistress. I approached every story for The Shield like it was the next Watergate. I kept following my bliss—my love of writing—and when I was in college, I connected that love with the broader cause of seeking to safeguard and strengthen democracy, both abroad and at home in the United States. One summer during college, I decided to work for the U.S. State Department as an intern in Istanbul, Turkey. My first week on the job, I was assigned to write a human rights report about how the United States could help protect a vulnerable minority group in Turkey. But my very first week, a political earthquake shifted the ground beneath our feet: I witnessed a coup attempt in which a faction of Turkey’s military attempted to overthrow the government by force. That night, my State Department colleagues and I watched in panic as tanks blocked a nearby bridge. Because of gunfire on the streets, we had to be transported by bulletproof car to a safe location. Late into the night, I was still seeing chandeliers shake and windows rattle as military jets fought for control of the sky. When the coup attempt failed, I watched as thousands of people were arrested, including some of the civil society activists I had hoped to speak with for my human rights report. After that night, I didn’t know what I or the United States could do to protect democracy and human rights; nor did some of the senior diplomats I worked with. So I made it my mission to ask what we could do. I wanted to know why many democracies—including our own—were in danger and what could be done to heal the divisions that were threatening democracy not only in Turkey but also in the United States. Writing had always been my bliss, ever since The Shield, and I sought to put that love to use by asking what I could write that would have an impact beyond myself. Ultimately, I ended up on the unexpected path of writing a book—and that path started here at Buckley. My plaque is the proof. So that’s my story, starting with my first chapter at Buckley. But what about your stories—the ones you are currently writing? You don’t have to wait—and you certainly don’t have to wait for a coup attempt—to ask what you can do to contribute to your community. Already, you have experienced events that may have inspired you to step up or to take action. All of you have overcome

the profound disruption and difficulty of the pandemic, and you have been leaders in bringing in-person activities and traditions back to the Upper School. We need students like you who will ask what you can do to rebuild a sense of community and take care of each other’s physical and mental health. What is so special about Buckley is that all of you have already started to dive in and contribute. At Buckley, you have been the starters and captains of your sports teams, the actors and leads of your class play, the competitors and champions of Science Olympiad. In the process of doing what you love, you have supported each other and made Buckley a more vibrant place. Now before turning to my third and final piece of advice, there is some practical wisdom I must impart before you start high school. In general, you should be skeptical of anyone who tells you one thing will solve all your problems. But there is one thing that will solve 65 percent of your problems in high school, and that is getting eight hours of sleep. For those of you heading off to boarding school, please, call your parents once a week minimum. They love you, and their love and perspective will help keep you grounded while you’re away from home. But my final piece of advice is something I learned here at Buckley. That advice is to lean on and support each other. High school will be an exciting time: You’ll meet new friends, you’ll take new classes, and you’ll be challenged in new ways. You don’t have to do it alone, just like you didn’t here at Buckley. During your time at Buckley, your teachers and coaches, your family and friends, and everyone at Buckley has been your support system, and you’ve been theirs. On the sports field, in Glee Club, and in the classroom, you’ve learned here that success isn’t just about your own hard work but about working together and supporting each other. Reflecting on my time at Buckley, I know I owe so much to the people who supported me and transformed my experience for the better. I am still grateful to my history teacher and advisor at Buckley, Mr. Quinn, who would stay late after the school day was over because he knew I loved talking with him in his office. I am grateful to my English teacher, Mr. Burroughs, who only gently made fun of me when I turned in a paper that was double the page limit. I am grateful to Mr. O’Melia, who taught me in his Values and Leadership class—and I’m sure you have heard this too—that “character is what you do when no one is watching,” who has stayed in touch over many years, and who now has given me this opportunity to speak with you. It’s hard to believe that Mr. O’Melia and I started at Buckley the same year, 22 years ago, with Mr. O’Melia in the Head of School office and me in Beginners. Above all, I am grateful to my parents and siblings, who helped me practice my lines for class plays, quizzed me on Latin vocabulary, and even listened to this speech. I know that you, our graduates, are thankful today too, for your teachers and coaches, family and friends, and all the people who have made your years at Buckley so special. So, as you walk out these doors as Buckley graduates and prepare to write your next chapter, follow your bliss, ask what you can do for your community, and lean on and support each other along the way. Go forth knowing that the people in this room are here to support you and are proud of all you have accomplished at Buckley. Graduates, congratulations! ◆ The Buckley Letter

THE THE BOYS BOYS

The 2022–2023 Year in Photos Sep 9: Beginners’ first day

Sep 15: LS boys on 74th Street

Sep 22: Class IX trip to Boston

Sep 27: LS boys collaborate on a math project Oct 7: Class V Homeroom in Central Park

Oct 13: Class V in Julius Caesar Oct 12: Class VIII in Study Hall

Fall 2023

Oct 24: Class II boys learn about Diwali

Oct 25: Family Skating Party

Oct 30: Halloween Central Park Clean Up

Oct 28: Halloween Gymnastics Nov 10: Class III performs An Unlikely Hero

Nov 4: US Beninese dancer assembly

Nov 15: Class VII boys at the Book Fair

Nov 18: Beginners Family Friday

Nov 24: Class IX boys

Dec 2: Class VII performs Murder, Actually

Dec 9: Holiday gift bags for Operation Elf

Dec 14: Class VIII ushers at the Winter Concert

The Buckley Letter

THE BOYS

Dec 14: Upper School Carol Concert

Dec 12: Class I boys play dreidel

Jan 6: Beginners and Big Brothers

Jan 19: Class III in Live from New York, It’s Book Chat Live!

Jan 30–Feb 5: Buckley Read-A-Thon

Fall 2023

Jan 26: Class II performs Clue, Jr.

Jan 13: Justice Ventura speaks at US Assembly

Jan 27: US boys make valentines for charity

Feb 2: Class III–IV Parents as Reading Partners event

Feb 7: Beginners dissect owl pellets Feb 14: Mr. O’Melia reads to Beginners

Feb 24: The Student Council Hot Chocolate Sale fundraiser

Mar 3: Class III makes sandwiches for the NY Common Pantry

Feb 14: Kindness Challenge

Mar 1: Beginners celebrate the 100th day of school

Mar 4: The Science Olympiad team celebrates their victories

Mar 14: US celebrates Pi Day

The Buckley Letter

THE BOYS

Mar 17: US Operetta, The Hunchback of Notre Dame Apr 11: Upper School boys hear from a Holocaust survivor

Apr 17: Earth Week clean-up May 1: Class IV crafts

Fall 2023

Apr 10: Class VII–VIII boys during Community Time Apr 14: Beginners boys and their dads prepare for the Gentlemen’s Breakfast

Apr 21: Class V performs King Arthur May 4: Beginners after their performance of The Wizard of Oz

Apr 25: DEI Belonging Breakfast

May 5: Class IX boys and the judges for the Samuel Gates Bowl for Debate

Apr 28: Grandparents & Special Friends Day

May 16: Julius Randle speaks at US assembly

May 19: The Upper School Spring Concert June 7: Ms. Hunter welcomes Beginners to ‘Big Buckley.’

May 11: Beginners perform Big & Bad, The True Story of Mr. Wolf

June 7: Ice cream truck visit!

May 30: Class IV Greek Wax Museum

June 8: Class VIII boys after their Salute

The Buckley Letter

THE BOYS

The Buckley Blue

Coach Stancampiano trains the Cross Country team.

Fall 2023

2022–2023 Athletic Awards ATHLETIC AWARDS Daniel F. McCartney Memorial Award Given to the boy or boys in the Middle School who have demonstrated achievement in all sports. J.J. Armstrong, Class VI Harley Frelinghuysen, Class VI Nathan Koehler, Class VI Per von Scheele Award Given to the boy or boys in the Upper School who have demonstrated achievement in all sports. Ryan Heintz, Class VIII Mesha Thomas, Class VIII William E. Trauth Jr. Award Given to the boy or boys in Class VII who have displayed determination and superior work ethic, resulting in maximum achievement. Ford Apple, Class VII James Ryckman, Class VII Jacob Smith, Class VII Robby Steel Memorial Award Given to the boy or boys in the Upper School who have best displayed integrity, initiative, perseverance, and determination while pursuing their athletic endeavors. Oscar Paduano, Class VIII Oliver Smales, Class VIII Ernest F. Roller Memorial Award Given to the boy or boys in the Middle School who have best demonstrated character, effort, progress, and sportsmanship. Felix Deschenes, Class VI Dax Keller, Class VI Ramsay Wayner, Class VI

William E. Trauth Sr. Memorial Award Given to the boy or boys in the Upper School who have demonstrated character, effort, progress, and sportsmanship. Harry Elworth, Class VIII Luca Romano, Class VIII Donald P. McQuade Memorial Award Given to the boy or boys in the Upper School who have best displayed leadership, courage, enthusiasm, and competitive spirit. Felix Alfaro, Class VIII Luca Walter, Class VIII Barber Cup Given to the best athletein the Middle School.

Fifth Grade Champion Charles Pettid

Eighth Grade Runner-Up Chase Nelson

Fifth Grade Runner-Up Ethan Quan

Seventh Grade Champion Pierce Brille

Fourth Grade Champion Luke Armstrong

Seventh Grade Runner-Up James Ryckman

Fourth Grade Runner-Up Julian Griffin

The Gladiator Award

Upper School Ironman Competition Upper School Champion— Philip G. Irving Upper School Ironman Award Winner Mesha Thomas, Class VIII

To earn this award, a boy must do 75 push-ups in two minutes, 65 sit-ups in one minute, 15 chin-ups, and 10 bench-press repetitions with 85 percent body weight. Keshav Katkar, Class VI

Ninth Grade Champion John Jay Comfort Ninth Grade Runner-Up Jack Hiscoe

Keshav Katkar, Class VI Joseph Stewart Cup Given to the most outstanding scholar-athletes in the Upper School. Adrian Jones, Class VIII Matthew Trucano, Class VIII Robert McKellar Herndon Cup Given to the best athletes in the Upper School. Gavin Hamilton, Class VIII Chase Nelson, Class VIII

FITNESS AWARDS Middle School Ironman Competition Middle School Champion Keshav Katkar, Class VI Sixth Grade Runner-Up Felix Deschenes Matthew Stenzler

Coach Macias (left) and Coach Domanico (right) present Coach Strumolo (center) with parting gifts.

The Buckley Letter

THE BOYS

Winter Sports

Varsity Basketball 10–4 overall COACHES: Andrew Domanico,

Richey Nash, Sherwin O’Neil CAPTAINS: Teddy Hamadeh,

Mesha Thomas

J.V. Basketball 5–7 overall COACHES: Theo Ford ’12,

Bob Larkin CAPTAINS: William Bateman,

Adam Emami

6th Grade Basketball COACHES: Tom Broderick,

Bob Marks CAPTAINS: Dax Keller,

Ramsay Wayner

Gymnastics 4–0 overall COACHES: Ramiro Mora, Sean Moran, Cuneyt Onaldin CAPTAIN: Alex Harwich

Strength Training COACHES: Will Hay ’12, Cuneyt Onaldin, Frank Stancampiano

Wrestling 12–3 overall COACHES: Tom Broderick,

MarcAntoni Macias, Konrad Szybisty CAPTAINS: Harry Elworth,

Ryan Heintz, Jack Hiscoe

ROW ONE: The 2022–2023 varsity basketball team.; ROW TWO: The 2022–2023 J.V. basketball team.; Matthew Sullivan, Class VII, dribbles the ball.; ROW THREE: Lucas Taylor, Class VII, shoots the ball; the 2022– 2023 strength training team.; ROW FOUR: The 2022–2023 wrestling team.

Fall 2023

Spring Sports

Varsity Baseball 13–1 overall; League Champions COACHES: Bryan Bishop, Tom

Broderick, Bob Larkin CAPTAINS: Chase Nelson, Jackson Pettid, Matthew Trucano

J.V. Baseball 7–5 overall COACHES: Theo Ford ’12,

Bob Marks, Richey Nash CAPTAINS: J.J. Garrett, Teddy

Hamadeh, Luke Orlowski, Luca Romano, Ryan Stenzler

Varsity Lacrosse 7–5 overall COACHES: Andrew Domanico, Will Hay ’12, MarcAntoni Macias, Will Strumolo CAPTAINS: Felix Alfaro, John Jay Comfort, Gavin Hamilton,

Track & Field Top 3 at all four league meets; Gotham Games Champions COACHES: Cuneyt Onaldin, Sherwin O’Neil, Frank Stancampiano CAPTAINS: Luke Adelsbach, Oscar Paduano, Luca Walter

ROW ONE: The 2023 varsity baseball team.; ROW TWO: The 2023 J.V. baseball team.; ROW THREE: The 2023 lacrosse team.; ROW FOUR: The 2023 track and field team.

The Buckley Letter

The School

Charlie Thiel, Class VII, returns to the Walsh Building after science class.

The Parents’ Corner By Sam Zafar, Buckley Parents’ Committee President

What a fantastic school year 2022–2023 has been for the Buckley community! After a challenging past few years, we were finally able to return to in-person gatherings and normal programming including class plays, operettas, the Spring Art Exhibition, the annual baseball outing, Grandparents & Special Friends Day, and Field Day. IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL to be able to gather regularly for our

Parents Committee meetings. This year we had some outstanding speakers, such as Glenn Hall from Hazelden Betty Ford Prevention Solutions; Buckley’s Technology Department with Julie King, Willie Dominguez, and Grace Lee; and the World Languages Department with Foreign Languages Department Chair Barbara Roque, Molly Allen, Allison Eggleston, Amanda Cruz Fernandez, Christine Haddad, Alexa Jervis, Matt Kostakis, and Maggie Mund. Our final Parents Committee meeting of the year was a timely and highly informative presentation on Mental Health at Buckley led by School Psychologist Danielle Oster, Director of the Lower School Faith Hunter, and Director of Student Support Dodie McCartney.

Highlights of the Year SKATING PARTY

The Skating Party was the first family event of the year—and what a way to start things off! It was very well attended and lots of fun was had both on and off skates! SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

We had a robust calendar filled with many fun events this year, all thanks to our enthusiastic Sustainability Committee co-chairs, Christina Barba and Anne Khuong. We kicked the year off with the Halloween Central Park clean-up, where boys dressed up in Halloween costumes helped to clear litter in the park. The momentum continued with a sold-out “Oysters and Champagne” event, at The Jeffrey, where we learned about Buckley’s partnership with the Billion Oyster Project. This was followed by a birding event in Central Park, where we learned about bird migration and ecology as well as helpful binocular basics. We closed out the year with a visit to Buckley’s Billion Oyster Project oyster cage at 91st Street and the East River to see all the great work being done in person. Our chairs did a tremendous job this year and we are incredibly thankful! DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING (DEIB)

Co-chairs Petunia Chmiel and Kevin Wells worked with Buckley’s Administrative Diversity Council Chair, Derek Lipscomb, to host a new initiative this year, known as the DEIB Parent Coffees. These gatherings served as an all-inclusive, informal forum for parents to gather and discuss topics pertaining to fostering inclusion at Buckley. We started The Buckley Letter

THE SCHOOL

the year off with a thoughtful book discussion of I Never Thought of it That Way by Mónica Guzmán, followed with a group discussion on Common Sense Media’s video on teenage mental health, discussing social media’s relationship with student mental health. We hope to have many more of these events next year and look forward to seeing many of you there! Petunia and Kevin also met regularly with Buckley’s Administrative Diversity Council to share parent feedback and discuss ways to further belonging at Buckley. Thank you to our fantastic co-chairs for all of their hard work! BOOK FAIR

A favorite Buckley tradition returned in full force! Under the creative leadership of Book Fair Co-Chairs Austen Cruz and Brooke Paduano, our boys were treated to a wondrous, pirate-themed transformation of the Alumni auditorium to align with this year’s theme: Books Are Treasure. The boys and their parents had a lot of fun perusing the wide selection of books, purchasing raffle tickets, and browsing through the eclectic variety of Buckley-themed merchandise. It was truly a team effort with many parent volunteers leading the charge within the categories of General Store, Decor, Design, Raffle, Cashiers, Titles, and Set-up/Clean-up; all of these contributions led to this very memorable event! CLOTHING GIVEBACK

This year we have had not one but three Clothing Giveback events at the school under the dedicated leadership of Laura Bradbury, Sarah McCauley, and Saran Mignott-Cadet. These leaders also worked tirelessly throughout the year to source Buckley uniform and sports clothing for any boy who may have needed it. Thank you to Laura, Sarah, and Saran for your dedication! COMMUNITY SERVICE

The boys were lucky to participate in numerous community service activities this year. These included collecting gently used winter coats to give to those in need through the New York Cares coat drive; making sandwiches to distribute to the New York Common Pantry; collecting and bagging holiday gifts to share among local children in need; handing out food to senior citizens through the City Meals on Wheels programs; making holiday cards for these same senior citizens; and collecting and sorting used books for preschool through high school students via the Project Cicero Book 24

Fall 2023

Drive. The boys also participated in street clean-ups during Earth Week. Huge thanks are in order to our tremendous Community Service Co-Chairs, Mariana Roscigno and Paola Rivero (Lower School), and Emily Talamo and Danielle Taubman (Upper School), for their enthusiasm in championing these efforts. FACULTY APPRECIATION

A new initiative this year was our TGIF Faculty Breakfast, a small token of our appreciation for our dedicated faculty and staff. Completely led by our amazing Buckley parents, every Friday morning this spring our parents volunteered to provide a warm breakfast spread and cheery decor for the faculty and staff. A big thank you to all the parents for their generosity! MIDDLE SCHOOL ALLIANCE

After a brief hiatus, Buckley returned to participating in the Middle School Alliance. This organization aims to bring local middle school students together to strengthen their connections through cultural and meaningful service activities. These activities are both social and philanthropic for boys and girls in grades V through VIII in Manhattan. Each grade partnered with a girls school and together they participated at various charity gatherings including Daniel’s Music, ENCORE NYC, and Hoops 4 Hope. A very big thank you to our MSA reps, who worked hard to plan and coordinate these incredibly special events for the boys: Lauren Pelletier and Indu Saqi (Class V), Mary-Kate Wynperle and Ariana Meyerson (Class VI), Marjorie Adams and Schuyler McBrien (Class VII), and Stephanie Reif and Ayanna Wayner (Class VIII). We are so incredibly lucky to have the opportunities for all these touchpoints with the community. However, none of the above would be possible without our superstar Development team: Tara Johnson, Madeline Hadley, Camille Sears, Kate Philip, and Lilian Bancroft von Althann. Our 20 class reps kept everyone informed and connected throughout the year, and many parents volunteered their time to help with class projects, class plays, and chaperoning field trips, to name a few. I say this often, but Buckley really does have the most special community. It is warm and inclusive, and it is all because of the parents and their commitment to their boys and their school. I am so humbled to have had the opportunity to serve in the role of Parents Committee President and I thank all of you for your support. Go Buckley! ◆

• IN MEMORIAM

Brian R. Walsh 1936–2023

• Remembrance by Head of School Greg O’Melia ON AUGUST 10, 2023 , the Buckley community lost a beloved

member, with the passing of Brian Walsh. The School’s fifth headmaster, Mr. Walsh served from 1982 until 2001, which will always be remembered as a period of calm and prosperity in Buckley’s history. A graduate of Yale and an Army veteran with a master’s degree in education from Harvard, Mr. Walsh joined Buckley with impressive school experience, having taught at both Bancroft and Walnut Hill before serving as the Headmaster of Shore Country Day for 11 years. Over the course of his 19 years at Buckley, Mr. Walsh oversaw two substantial building projects and their corresponding capital campaigns, which resulted in the facility we now know as the Walsh Building and was subsequently named in his honor. Buckley boys of today benefit from this expanded space, which allowed us to enhance and increase program offerings. Beyond these dramatic improvements to the physical plant, Mr. Walsh established many of Buckley’s most beloved traditions such as Leadership & Values class. His former student Stephen Sherrill ’02 perfectly captured his essence when he wrote, “His leadership class lasted 40 minutes, but all he really had to do was walk in the door.” Indeed, Mr. Walsh was considered an authority in the art of educating boys, and shared his observations and insights in his book, Boys Should Be Boys: A Headmaster’s Reflections. Longtime Buckley teacher and alumnus Blair Scribner ’68 remarked, “I became a better teacher by observing and learning from him,” while fellow longtime Buckley educator Dodie McCartney noted, “he never made a decision without considering the impact it would have on the Buckley boys. Brian would often say that the boys are the heart and soul of Buckley.” However, he also understood the need to have support from the entire Buckley family, and he formalized parent involvement at the School. He wrote, “It has always been my philosophy that when a school and its parents work together, the combination is dynamite in reaching the children.” Mr. Walsh shaped the Buckley experience of today, which is defined by our strong community and respect for others. It is hard to overstate the significant influence of Mr. Walsh’s keen direction,

Mr. Walsh and Mr. O’Melia at the Alumni Wine Tasting Party in 2012.

careful oversight, and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of excellence. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Daphne, who had served Buckley under three different headmasters, first as secretary and later as the assistant to the headmaster. Mr. Walsh left an indelible mark on thousands of Buckley students, parents and faculty, and for that, and for so much more, we are forever grateful. With honor et veritas, Greg

The Buckley Letter

THE SCHOOL

Hats Off to Mr. Byerly and Mr. Shimkus! ON JUNE 5, ALUMNI, PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND FACULTY MEMBERS GATHERED to celebrate retiring teachers Paul Byerly and

Stan Shimkus. The Buckley Community came out in full force to honor Mr. Byerly for his 19 years of service as a Class I homeroom teacher and Mr. Shimkus for his 20 years of service as an Upper School math teacher. The evening was a fun yet bittersweet sendoff, filled with lots of gratitude for these two incredible educators and their remarkable careers.

Paul Byerly

Stan Shimkus

An excerpt of remarks from Head of School Greg O’Melia Paul, your colleagues have called you the perfect teacher for young boys, someone pulled from the pages of a children’s book. You are endlessly optimistic, always seeing the best in every boy, and your patience knows no bounds. You have been a model for all of our early learning teachers in your ability to fill a classroom with fun and purpose simultaneously. You have a gift for bringing endless creativity to teaching. The school day comes alive with you, and our boys’ imaginations have been the beneficiaries. All of us on the faculty and staff have learned so much from you as well—how to speak to young boys on their level, so they both hear you and appreciate the lesson you are teaching. We have learned how to see joy in the most challenging moments in the classroom and to laugh quickly and often. And we have learned—or are still trying to learn—how to stay so impressively calm during the most chaotic moments of Nativity Play rehearsal! My colleagues and I will also be forever grateful for your successful efforts to build camaraderie among the faculty, from arranging happy hours to organizing departing teacher toasts. We will miss your positive presence at Buckley next year, Paul. We will miss watching your boys’ wonderful poetry recitals and seeing your cartoons all over our walls. As Buckley boys as young as six and as old as 26 have said recently, you are “the best teacher ever!” 26

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Stan, your colleagues marvel at your dependability, your consistency, and your collaborative nature. You are a master at holding that high Buckley bar while making every student in your class feel supported. You have helped boys “terrified” of math find joy in the subject and encouraged our most able mathematicians to climb to greater heights. When our alumni look back on their time in your classroom, they do so fondly, calling you quite a difficult grader and a teacher who was always there for them, often coming in early in the morning to offer extra help. You always put the boys first, Stan—a trait all of us educators strive to replicate in our own practice. Our boys have been the beneficiaries of your teaching over the years and many have used a love of math to chart their career paths. Our young alumni include financial wizards and respected economists and some are even teaching math—all with a Shimkus Classroom to thank. What’s more, you’ve also inspired our community outside of your expert mathematics instruction. We’ve loved hearing your original poetry during assembly, watching your successful class plays over the years (like your moving productions of 12 Angry Men and The Giver), hearing your advice to our young soccer players (advice well worth listening to from a longtime varsity high school coach at Thayer Academy), and learning the importance of public service from someone like you, who has dedicated his life to others from serving his country to serving our classrooms.

In Mr. Byerly, we had found a unicorn: a male teacher gifted at connecting with young boys and inspiring them as both an instructor and as a role model. 1

2 3

1 The Alumni Auditorium in full swing. 2 Paul Byerly

and his wife, Annie, and daughter Lily. 3 Amir Emami, Nathalie Emami, Adam Emami, Class IX, and Stan Shimkus. 4 Paul Byerly and Andrew Gustin ’95. 5 Victoria Ostrowski, Elizabeth Wainwright, George Truax ’20 and Alistair Ostrowski ’19. 6 Allison Eggleston, Dianne Garrett, Alexa Jervis, Maggie Mund, and Barbara Roque. 7 Dinah Herrity, Kathryn O’Donnell, and Ashley Francis. 8 Sonja Robinson and Janice Amato. 9 Chau Khuong, Nicholas Khuong, Beginners, Christie Jacobs, and Saul Jacobs, Class I. 10 Stan Shimkus and his wife, Martha.

In Mr. Shimkus, we had found an already seasoned math teacher whose devotion to his craft and his students knew no bounds. 9

10 The Buckley Letter

The Alumni

A Change in Board Leadership SINCERE THANKS TO OUTGOING PRESIDENT JUSTIN ABELOW ’83 AND WELCOME TO INCOMING PRESIDENT GREG FOWLKES ’84

of the time on matters of broad principle). More importantly, on As my term as president of the the less than 10 percent of times when we don’t agree, I almost Buckley School Board of Trustees invariably learn something from Greg’s wise counsel. As we embark draws to a close, I’m delighted to upon our latest strategic planning campaign, begin to integrate our report that the Board of Trustees new building, and in general rise to meet the challenges posed by has unanimously voted my longcontinued evolution, I can imagine no one better suited to lead the time board colleague and lifelong board of our beloved school into the future. friend Gregory Fowlkes as the next Board President. FROM GREG FOWLKES Greg inherits, as I will First, let me express how honored undoubtedly remind him I am to have been asked to serve periodically, a school that is in an as President of Buckley’s Board of extraordinary position. Applications and yield have been increasing, Trustees. Buckley has been formative outplacement remains extraordinary, we last year tied our own record in the lives of three generations of as the school with the highest alumni giving rate of any K–9 school in Fowlkes family boys, and I am gratethe nation, our endowment has recently hit new benchmark after new ful for the opportunity to give back benchmark, and our rigorous program continues to produce boys of to the school. As Justin notes, the the highest moral character, well suited to contribute to society, in the School is in great shape, and I look public service or in private, at the very highest levels. forward to working with our deep And, of course, we recently purchased a new building, which, and talented board, as well as with like the purchase of earlier buildings the absence of which now Greg O’Melia and his exceptional leadership team, to keep it that way. seems completely unimaginable, will allow material improvements I also recognize that I have exceptionally large shoes to fill. to our already world-class program. Justin, with predictable modesty in his remarks, omits the sizable But the future will not be without challenges, which is why role that he played in steering the School through some very I am so pleased that Greg will, like the classic Buckley boy he is, demanding challenges over the past few years. These started with a carry on the baton of board leadership. Greg first came to Buckley global pandemic (through which the School shone) and culminated officially as a member of the Beginners class of 1974, though as the in the thoughtful investment in campus expansion through the son of one Buckley alumnus and the relative of many others, he was acquisition of an adjacent building. We should all be grateful for his already no stranger to 73rd Street. After a distinguished career here, tremendous work. he matriculated to St. Paul’s and then to Stanford. After a career The role is really one of stewardship, as Buckley continues to as one of the handful of professional athletes to have graduated be guided by the same principles that it has for over a century. The from Buckley (windsurfing, but that counts!), he embarked upon School is further supported by a deep and engaged alumni base and a successful career in finance. When the time came, Greg and his a highly active parent body. The fact that the School is so important amazing wife, Annabelle, entrusted their son Winston ’22 to our to so many is an enduring testament to what it means to be a Buckley school’s care, and a third generation of the talented Fowlkes family boy, and I’m proud to be able to serve in furtherance of that. has now done honor to the Buckley blue. Greg has served with distinction on our board “ Justin steer[ed] the School through some very demanding for some time, chairing a great many of our most important committees and providing wise, measured challenges over the past few years. These started with counsel during some of the most tumultuous times a global pandemic and culminated in the thoughtful of the past decade. He has been, on our board, the investment in campus expansion through the acquisition Indispensable Man. For any of you concerned about continuity, I will point out that I agree with Greg of an adjacent building.” around 90 percent of the time (and fully 100 percent —GREG FOWLKES ’84 FROM JUSTIN ABELOW

Spring Alumni Party

MAY 4, 2023

ROW ONE (L–R): Colin Bailey ’14 and Mrs. McCartney.; Katherine and James Bohannon ’02.; Nicky Emmanuel ’67 and Wally Tomenson ’92.;

Nick Stern ’83 and Jay Eastman ’83; ROW TWO (L–R, CLOCKWISE): Caleb Smilgin ’78, Xander Patterson ’78, Peter Paine ’78, and Jim Cleary ’78.; Molly Rand, William Rand ’80, and Andrew Roosevelt ’78.; Lisa and Clay Mitchell ’86.; Bob Ireland ’82, Head of School Greg O’Melia, and Porter Fleming ’75.; Brooks Crowe ’01 and Andrew Langer ’02; ROW THREE (L–R): Bob Ireland ’82, Porter Fleming ’75, Malcolm Auchincloss ’91, and Bill Philip ’76.; Justin Abelow ’83, Mike Boyd ’83, and Michael Douglas ’88.

The Buckley Letter

IN CLOSING

Buckley Before In the previous issue of The Buckley Letter, we asked the following question: What year was the Hubball Building completed?

A: 1974

Fall 2023

T H A N K YO U TO OUR COMMUNITY!

This year’s Annual Fund shows just how far we can go when we work together. With your generosity, our community’s commitment to excellence is stronger than ever. Our boys, faculty, and staff thank you for your support.

We are so grateful to have you as part of the Buckley team!

1,754 51% Loyal Donors

Alumni Participation

$3,932,160 Total Raised

100% 98% Current Parent Participation

Faculty & Staff Participation

THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

113 East 73rd Street New York, New York 10021

PAID Augusta, ME Permit No. 121

Address service requested

Creating

A Class III student and his mother at the Spring Art Exhibition.