GCDS News June 2025

JUNE 2025

GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

FROM MOOT COURT TO THE SUPREME COURT

GCDS Partners with Harvard University

ANDREW NIBLOCK A Legacy of Joy

HISTORY BOOK HONORS GCDS CENTENNIAL

FROM

THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

There are many features that distinguish a GCDS education— our deep emphasis on character development, our public speaking program, our interdisciplinary approach, our care of community, and so much more. Running throughout these areas, there is one common thread that is incorporated in everything we do, at every grade level—application.

We provide as challenging and rigorous a learning experience as the very best schools, but the degree to which we intentionally and authentically incorporate the opportunity to apply the knowledge students have acquired and the skills they have developed is beyond compare.

Application transforms theory into practical opportunities to use knowledge and skills, intensifies understanding, and better prepares students for addressing real-world chal -

lenges. It results in deeper engagement—which we also refer to as “joy”—and, ultimately, learning that sticks.

In one example reflected in this issue, and perhaps one of my top ten proudest moments as Head of our school, I joined a group of GCDS students and faculty in Boston this spring to meet with Harvard faculty and administration in a daylong exchange of ideas around the future of education. Our students went toe to toe with Harvard faculty as they relayed their experience with—and advice for—a pilot using Harvard Business School’s online learning platform in secondary education.

Of course, it all begins with our littlest littles, where learning is always hands-on and applied. A great example of this is the opportunity we provide for them to develop their

communication and public speaking skills in their spring plays and our beloved Kindergarten Circus.

Or in the Upper Elementary where our students transformed their classrooms into a Civil War Museum, and through models, maps, biographies, and narratives, applied and presented what they had learned.

In the Middle School, our Probability Carnival gives students the opportunity to design game boards to test theoretical probability, tracking the outcomes as students from the Upper Elementary play the games.

If you have the opportunity to visit any college today, the newest building on campus is generally named, the college of applied _________ (you can fill in the blank with science, medicine, business, communications, etc.). GCDS has been

ahead of this curve, and we are gratified to see the world of higher education is finally catching up.

Our Middle School math teacher, Luisa Myavec, points out in this issue, “Sure, students can solve a multi-variable algebraic equation, but can they apply their understanding of it?” Luisa ensures that they can.

In this issue, you will see scores of other examples of students applying their learning and I hope you find it as inspirational as I do!

Adam C. Rohdie

2025

Greenwich Country Day School P.O. Box 623, Old Church Road Greenwich, CT 06836-0623 www.gcds.net

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Adam Rohdie

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Kim Eves

EDITOR

Moina Noor

PHOTOGRAPHY

Greg Alexander, Whit Hawkins, Greg Horowitz, Jon Lopez, Ariana Lubelli-Brown, Royce Paris, Suzanne Shrekgast, Chichi Ubiña, Louise Wales

ILLUSTRATIONS

Tom Ernst

MAGAZINE DESIGN

Foogoo Communications Design

MARKETING GRAPHICS

Kirsten Bitzonis

WEBSITE

Suzanne Shrekgast

Please share your comments, address changes, and inquiries GCDSNews@gcds.net

Send Alumni News and Photos

Liz Orum Duffy ’98 Director of Alumni Relations liz.duffy@gcds.net

GCDS News is published three times each year and is distributed to alumni, GCDS parents and grandparents, faculty and staff, and friends of the school. All rights reserved.

Greenwich Country Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin or any other category prohibited by law, in admission policies, scholarship programs, athletic and other school administered programs.

On the Cover: The Upper School

Constitutional Law class and GCDS Law Review editors at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC

Cover Photo: Greg Alexander

This magazine is printed with organic inks in a facility using wind power energy.

GCDS HISTORY BOOK 59

GCDS + HARVARD VPAL Working Together to Advance Learning

On a Friday morning this past April, in a conference room on the campus of Harvard Business School (HBS), a discussion was heating up. Harvard faculty and administrators were locked in conversation with a group of students—all GCDS Upper Schoolers—discussing the future of high school education. Sitting around the conference table with the students and professors, GCDS faculty jumped into the dialogue, building on their students’ points about the efficacy of different applied education approaches and technological tools. Into the afternoon, the conversation continued to evolve as GCDS students and faculty presented data, analysis, and proposals, and the Harvard faculty interjected with their own ideas, experiences, and research.

The meeting was a culminating feedback and analysis session for a yearlong pilot partnership between the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) at Harvard and the GCDS Upper School. The two institutions collaborated in pursuit of three common goals: embracing educational innovation, experimenting with new pedagogies, and channeling their collaboration toward societal impact. For the past year, about 70 students and a team of six faculty across five

departments at Country Day have worked with the VPAL team to test and analyze innovative pedagogical tools for university and professional instruction.

This initiative speaks to the core design of the Upper School at Country Day. Six years ago, the Upper School was launched with one mission: to leverage the strength of the GCDS community, and the school’s century of tradition and excellence in education, in order to create opportunities for students to apply their learning to the problems that define the contemporary world. Institutional partnerships, such as this recent pilot with Harvard VPAL, have been crucial to this effort—opening opportunities for our faculty and students to collaborate on strategic projects with universities, companies, and government offices around the New York Metro region and across the country.

Partnering with Harvard VPAL

The mission of the Upper School led to a partnership with the Vice Provost’s Office at Harvard, which is focused on similar goals of scaling applied and interdisciplinary skills at the university and professional levels. Harvard’s VPAL team coordinates academic innovation across all 11 schools of Harvard University. The Vice Provost’s Office

“Education does not scale itself; the people do. This unique partnership will allow our faculty and Harvard faculty to create programming in key areas of student development in secondary education. As we think about scaling to a more general audience, our partnership will further emphasize our mission of redefining rigor and creating interdisciplinary connections angled toward preparing our students to address the problems of a rapidly changing world.”

—Coleman Hall, Upper School Math Chair

DR. ANDREW RUOSS

Asst. Head of Upper School for Academic Programs; VPAL+GCDS Coordinator

LILY BREITFELDER

GCDS Class of 2026

VPAL+GCDS Team Researcher

leads Harvard’s efforts to channel resources and expertise to chart the future of learning and research. The office focuses on “extending the reach of Harvard’s excellence through key partnerships and agreements with institutions and businesses around the world.”

As Vice Provost Dr. Bharat Anand noted about the partnership with GCDS: “We came in with common aspirations here.”

While Harvard VPAL has primarily focused on undergraduate, professional, and lifelong training, the office has begun to explore opportunities to apply these initiatives to secondary education.

“If we can create amazing educational content for the core fundamental courses and be able to share this with schools across the country and the world in ways that students might be able to benefit with the right local support, honestly, that’s a game changer,” said Dr. Anand about the GCDS pilot.

Over the past year, a GCDS faculty team, representing math, computer science, design, and economics fields, has worked with the VPAL team to translate tools and curricula from Harvard courses into GCDS classrooms. Economics courses are engaging with the Economics for Managers course developed by faculty at Harvard Business School, design and filmmaking courses are incorporating HBS Design Thinking curricula, and math and computer science courses are employing sustainability and data analysis programs developed by Harvard faculty.

But the students and faculty were not just piloting the classes, they were also assessing the programs’ impact on their learning. Students engaged in periodic surveying and narrative feedback, and then a team of students and faculty analyzed the incoming data. Advanced Computer Science students also interrogated the HBS digital plat-

form and developed additional tools and suggestions.

The Upper School teaching team met weekly to discuss how the Harvard courses resonated with their students, how the courses were implemented— whole cloth, flipped classroom, or hybrid—and which Harvard tools most impacted particular learning profiles.

The GCDS faculty involved also represented deep experience in college-level teaching, professional development, and e-learning design. They included former faculty members of Savannah College of Art and Design, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the architect of Columbia University’s first e-learning platform.

“Working with the Harvard team enriched our conversations as faculty, as well as our work with our students. We tested different approaches to design thinking in my classes—working with the kids to map out which methods amplified their ability to design and build solu -

tions to complex societal problems,” described Dr. Louise Wales, Upper School Arts Chair.

The Upper School’s priority of positioning students as learners alongside their teachers has also driven this partnership.

“The collaboration between Harvard and GCDS challenged us to translate our experiences as learners into useful insights for the Harvard team,” said 11th Grader Jessie Colin. “In the day-long meeting with professors and university

leaders, it was exciting to discuss and reimagine the future of education—a future which my peers and I will experience.”

Advancing Learning Innovations at Scale

As the Vice Provost’s Office approached the partnership with the ultimate goal of scaling to secondary education nationwide, and potentially globally, the student and faculty teams worked together to focus their feedback on how the expe -

“If we can create amazing educational content for the core fundamental courses and be able to share this with schools across the country and the world in ways that students might be able to benefit with the right local support, honestly, that’s a game changer.”

— Dr. Bharat Anand, Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, Harvard University

Back row: Adam Rohdie, Andy Dutcher, Lauren Waller, Andrew Ruoss, Kathleen Bliss, Gordie Campbell, Louise Wales, Coleman Hall, Matt Breitfelder, Front row: Lily Breitfelder, Jessie Colin, Mia Stark, Imran Iftikar, Harrison Servedio, Charlie Moloney

Faculty Team:

Dr. Louise Wales, Arts Chair

Coleman Hall, Math Chair

Gordie Campbell, Creative Applied Technologies/CS Chair

Andy Dutcher, Economics + Math Faculty

Kathleen Bliss, Math Faculty

Dr. Andrew Ruoss, Asst. Head of Upper School for Academic Programs; GCDS + VPAL Coordinator

Student Team:

Imran Iftikar ’25

Harrison Servedio ’25

Lily Breitfelder ’26

Charlie Moloney ’26

Jessie Colin ’26

Mia Stark ’26

rience at GCDS could offer insights for broader application. “Over and over, our students’ suggestions were spot on with the ideas and proposals that the Harvard team had heard internally,” said Computer Science Chair Gordie Campbell, who attended the meetings. ”It’s validating when student insights align perfectly with those from established professionals. It suggests your students have developed a strong understanding of the field and are thinking at an advanced level—and thinking about the potential impact of their ideas.”

Students were also at the heart of conceptualizing opportunities for scalability of the high school partnership beyond GCDS. Lily Breitfelder, a GCDS junior, focused her Advanced Junior Thesis research on organizational psychology and studied the partnership as it evolved, evaluating the work of both institutions’ faculty through technical models of institutional change. She was embedded in every faculty meeting and interviewed GCDS faculty and administrators, as well as members of the VPAL team at Harvard.

There were inevitable hurdles along the way: legal policies, technical structures, and translating college programs to a high school. But as Dr. Anand reflected, “the fact that we got over those speed bumps is a testament to the efforts of everyone involved. It almost underscores that this was the right pilot.”

Moving forward, the Upper School plans to continue to expand the use of Harvard VPAL modules as a powerful addition to the curriculum. The GCDS faculty team is working to grow the initiative to more departments and to employ the Harvard tools, with the goal of co-creating course materials and applied experiences to be developed at GCDS and, ultimately, to be shared across the VPAL platform with high schools across the country. Exciting possibilities lay ahead as GCDS and Harvard VPAL continue to work together on a shared vision for the future of education.

Since its founding, GCDS has focused on cultivating the strengths of its students and instilling the value that achievement is realized in channeling personal growth toward the public good. As GCDS approaches its centennial year, our faculty and students are engaging directly with cutting-edge tools and working with partners like Harvard VPAL to craft futurefocused concepts and education models. Thinking across disciplines; applying learning to critical, unsolved societal problems; and leveraging technology and design to enhance learning—this is a shared mission of these two institutions and a requirement for impact in a rapidly evolving world. )

Adam Rohdie, Bharat Anand, Matt Breitfelder

The Light That Endures Andrew Niblock’s Legacy of Joy

The memorial service for Andrew Niblock, held in The DON (The Donovan Mitchell Athletic Center) on Jan. 26, was a masterclass in how one life—even when cut short by ALS —can illuminate countless others.

Niblock, who served as Head of Lower School for nearly a decade before his death on Dec. 6, possessed what many called an “indomitable spirit.” As Head of School Adam Rohdie put it, Andrew somehow maintained “a sense of humor, an optimistic spirit, a deep and abiding love for others, and a curiosity about the world.”

“While physically Andrew was not the same . . . mentally, spiritually, in his character, he was the exact same guy after ALS,” Rohdie told the tearful gathering. “When you set aside the physical barriers imposed by this heinous disease and you look into the character of the man, you saw the exact same guy.”

Jackie Jenkins, Assistant Head of School, described Niblock as “a forever cheerleader—someone you might not have realized you needed, but who showed up and made you better.” She added, “Andrew brought people together. . . . He was a connector. He knew we need each other to thrive, and he understood that sometimes people need a little help to see our common humanity.”

The most moving part of the ceremony came from his two sons, McCrory and Townsend, who spoke about their father’s legacy. “My dad was the best man I’ve ever known,” shared Townsend, an 8th grader, as he teared up. “He always put others before himself, even if his situation was more urgent.”

McCrory, a senior, shared, “The most impactful lesson my dad ever taught me is the ability to listen. Being a good listener was important to my dad.” He added, “He always said that he had enough joy and memories for ten lifetimes. So I know that even in his short time, he lived his life to the fullest.”

Before joining GCDS, Niblock had been a coach—an experience that shaped his educational philosophy and leadership style. Matt Fishman, a longtime friend, recalled, “He was loose,

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING LIGHTS UP FOR ANDREW NIBLOCK

On Jan. 13, the Empire State Building was illuminated in GCDS orange in honor of Andrew Niblock and in celebration of his life and commitment to our community. GCDS parents and alumni who were in NYC that evening shared photos on Instagram of the Empire State Building from their vantage point. “I can only imagine the huge smile on Andrew’s face if he knew about this tribute,” said Mr. Rohdie.

fun, full of energy, and deeply relatable. He was the original player’s coach. He made the game fun. He had our backs and we loved playing for him.”

This coaching mentality never left him. Even as ALS progressed, he continued mentoring others, showing by example how to face adversity with grace.

“What is to give light must endure burning,” Fishman said, quoting Viktor Frankl, an Austrian philosopher who survived the Holocaust. “I knew he would embrace the challenge, find meaning and inspiration in the next chapter of his journey, and continue to give light to all who were fortunate enough to know him because that is who Andrew was and what he did.”

Andrew’s brother, Rory, spoke of how Andrew “recharged by bringing people together” rather than seeking solitude. “Andrew loved a lot and made everyone feel comfortable,” he explained.

“So many have reached out over the last month to share how good and welcomed he made them feel.”

Head byline

During his battle with ALS, Niblock refused to surrender his purpose as an educator. Instead, as Rohdie observed, “Andrew was a born teacher, and while the pre-ALS Andrew taught us so much, the post-ALS Andrew taught us even more.”

Deck

In the educational community of Greenwich, Niblock’s influence runs deep. Jenkins noted that “his impact and reach in everything he did went well beyond what even he might have hoped or dreamed,” adding that “the ethos of this place ran in his blood.”

“You shook the world while you were with us with your humor, your joy, your deep humanity, and that butterfly effect will be felt for generations to come,” she said.

As attendees filed out of the memorial service, many wiped away tears, but just as many wore smiles—a fitting tribute to a man whose optimism remains undiminished.

NIBLOCK PLAYGROUND FOR THE LOVE OF PLAY

At the Niblock Memorial Service, Mr. Rohdie announced that in tribute to Andrew Niblock’s significant contributions to the school, this summer, the Lower Elementary playground will be completely rebuilt and will proudly carry his name. When completed, the Andrew Niblock Playground will be a cutting-edge space for generations of our youngest Tigers. It is thoughtfully designed to inspire play, spark curiosity, encourage growth, promote collaboration, and, of course, deliver endless FUN—a true reflection of Andrew’s legacy.

“For more than half a century, the playground at GCDS has been the place where GCDS parents made their first connection with other GCDS parents,” said Mr. Rohdie. “It was the place where we all traded stories about raising children, and it was the place where we watched our toddlers grow into adolescence. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate and memorialize a giant like Andrew Niblock. Together, we will create a space that not only celebrates, but also perpetuates his lasting impact on our school community.”

TEAM NIBS

Team Nibs claimed the championship at the 11th Annual Quinn for the Win 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, honoring the memory of Andrew Niblock. The event, founded when Ice Bucket Challenge co-creator Pat Quinn was diagnosed with ALS, continues his legacy despite his 2020 passing, raising funds for ALS research.

GCDS basketball coaching staff showed strong support, with Girls Varsity Asst. Coach Sean Dantzler, Boys JV Head Coach Mike Coburn, Boys Varsity Asst. Coach Keith Williams, Boys Varsity Head Coach Pat Scanlon, Boys JV Asst. Coach Jon Coffy (pictured opposite).

Townsend Niblock with Adam Rohdie, Head of School

McCrory Niblock

Rory Niblock

Jackie Jenkins, Assistant Head of School

Render of the soon-to-be-built Andrew Niblock Lower Elementary School Playground

Andrew Niblock with the Class of 2025 when they were in Grade 3

TEAM NIBS

GRADE 9

BIOETHICS DEBATES

Ninth-grade students participated in a bioethics debate as part of a cross-disciplinary (science, English, and history) project. Students studied biological advancements, researched ethical considerations, and practiced debate skills. They concluded by presenting formal arguments on selected topics.

DEBATE TOPICS INCLUDED:

1. Should CRISPR gene editing technology be used to genetically modify human embryos?

2. Should corporations be able to patent human genes?

3. Should we embrace cloning organisms to combat species loss in response to environmental changes?

4. Should embryos, leftover from the IVF process, be used for stem cell research or clinical applications?

“While the debates themselves are always a highlight of the ninth-grade academic arc, I most enjoy listening to students after the event—reconciling the opposing viewpoints and developing an informed, nuanced perspective of their own.”

— DEVIKA BODAS, Upper School Science Teacher

GRADE 7

PROBABILITY CARNIVAL

Seventh graders designed games of chance for the 6th annual Probability Carnival on April 24. Upper Elementary students tried their luck while seventh-grade mathematicians “wheeled and dealed,” showing off all that they had learned about probability.

TIGERS TAKE TOP PRIZES AT SCIENCE FAIRS

TWO JUNIORS, COOPER TAYLOR AND CHRIS SUY, RECEIVED MAJOR AWARDS AT THE 2025 CONNECTICUT SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR. BOTH STUDENTS PRESENTED THEIR PROJECTS AT QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY IN MARCH.

Cooper Taylor’s project on “Optimizing Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Aircraft Efficiency Through Propeller Design” received several awards, including first place in Physical Sciences Senior High Individual. In addition to the state award, Cooper took second place at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in the Engineering and Technology category, which was held in April in Virginia. In May, Cooper also received The Chief of Naval Research Scholarship Award and $15,000 at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), where he also placed fourth in the Engineering Technology: Statistics and Dynamics subcategory.

Chris Suy presented “The Effectiveness of an Adaptive Traffic Light Utilizing IoT Technologies,” earning recognition for innovation in engineering and excellence in physical sciences.

Since the creation of the new high school five years ago, GCDS has built its scientific and engineering research program from the ground up. In that time, more than 40 students have competed at the CT Science Fair. “Chris and Cooper are the first to compete in the finalist round and win big,” said Dr. Nathan Haag, Upper School Biology teacher. “Their work is a shining example of what can be accomplished here at GCDS.”

The Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair, a yearly, state -

ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC

RESEARCH

wide science and engineering fair for students in Grades 7–12, aims to attract young people to careers in science and engineering while developing scientific, research, and critical thinking skills. The Fair is organized and judged by academic and industry leaders throughout the state.

“Over the past year, I have dedicated thousands of hours to this project. This journey has been incredibly rewarding—filled with many designs, rebuilds, and yes, quite a few crashes. This project has shown me the power of persistence, creativity, and personal initiative.” —Cooper Taylor ’26

“My teachers have given me the academic framework to learn and solve problems through project-based work, which helped me develop the skills to research and build.” —Chris Suy ’26

In early February, students from Advanced Scientific Research, a yearlong course in the Upper School, made three-minute presentations of their projects to their peers, modeling collegiate thesis competitions. The research course, taught by Dr. Nathan Haag, guides 11th and 12th graders interested in STEM by developing original research projects for science competitions. The curriculum covers experimental design, research proposal writing, statistical analysis, and presentation skills. At the end of the school year, students delivered comprehensive indepth talks that covered project results and implications.

Penelope Hentsch-Cowles’ ’25 project, related to AI, entailed combining two neural network types to model metalens shape and structure.

Reid Rodgers ’25 researced the effect of temperature on upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea sp.).

Chris Suy ’26, Cooper Taylor ’26

Earth Week Adventures

Earth Week at GCDS blended learning, creativity, and action, inspiring students to become active stewards of the environment. Across all divisions, students engaged in hands-on experiences and community projects that celebrated and protected our planet.

In the Lower Elementary School, students got their hands dirty on WORMY WEDNESDAY, learning about the vital role worms play in soil health. They also planted wildflowers and wrote heartfelt letters to the Earth, pledging their commitment to environmental care.

Upper Elementary School students explored the natural beauty of our CAMPUS TRAILS and STREAMS, deepening their connection to the local ecosystem. Fifth graders packed a nowaste lunch and spent the afternoon at Greenwich Point building community and navigating nature!

Middle School students embarked on nature trips and participated in the 4TH ANNUAL POETRY SLAM, where they performed original poems highlighting environmental themes.

On Earth Day, students across all divisions dressed in blue and green to honor our planet.

Throughout April, GCDS community members took part in meaningful environmental action, including projects at our FRENCH FARM and HYDROFARM, the RETHINK WASTE FAIR, the LIVE LIKE LUKE BEACH CLEANUP at Greenwich Point, and the MIANUS RIVER CLEANUP

The Center for Public Good also hosted its annual CLOTHING DRIVE, promoting reuse and waste reduction within the GCDS community.

GRADE 5

CIVIL WAR MUSEUM

Fifth graders transformed their classrooms into a Civil War Museum, combining research, art, writing, and music in an interdisciplinary project. Their dioramas, maps, and biographical sketches effectively portrayed 1860s America, abolitionism, key battles, and post-war reconstruction efforts. The museum showcased both the students’ historical knowledge and their creative talents as they brought this critical period to life.

Beyond the Equation: Luisa Myavec’s Mathematical Magic in Room 119 profile:TEACHER

BY LAUREN WALLER

Asst. Head of Upper School for Faculty & Students

With the enthusiasm of a game show host and the confidence of a master teacher, Luisa Myavec explores how ratios connect to proportions with sixth-grade students in a class I was lucky enough to visit on an unusually cold Monday in late March. “Dingdingding! You’re right! Now, what method did you use to solve that equation? We want to be efficient problem solvers but also accurate.” For Luisa, it comes down to method: there’s not one “magical right” way to do each problem. Often, there are many choices, and it’s about finding efficiency and accuracy . . . and a lot of joy along the way.

Room 119 was alive with warmth and rigor on the day of my visit to Ms. Myavec’s sixth-grade honors math class. Student-created graphs featuring the outline in profile of Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaurs were displayed on one end of the whiteboard, arms outstretched at varying angles and lengths— clearly part of a project on graphing. (Any great middle school teacher knows that everything is better with dinosaurs.) Luisa’s palpable energy, preparation, patience, and expertise were on full display as she deftly moved from concept to concept, building the lesson masterfully over the long block. As the class moved from review to the meat of the lesson, Luisa revealed an upcoming project using ratios and percentages to help craft the most effective training plan for her next marathon. “Wait, we’re actually helping?” a student asked, full of curiosity and enthusiasm to see the math he was learning applied in The Real World. A lifelong runner (“it’s always been my thing”), Luisa finished in the top 25% of New York Marathon runners for her age group, and this project ignited students’ desire to help their teacher.

A native Midwesterner, Luisa grew up in Michigan, where teaching is a family business. Both of her parents work in education, her mother as a middle school division head, and her father as a math teacher. “The values I learned from them shaped me into who I am today. The why is so important to me.” Growth mindset is one of those values, and Luisa notes that she “approaches teaching math with a growth mindset,

just like coaching, asking how to make each lesson better each time.” Her parents’ deep appreciation for middle-grade students inspired Luisa to gravitate toward teaching mathematics in grades 6–8.

After attending DePauw University, where she studied education and played Division 3 field hockey, Luisa made her way east and north, attending graduate school and working at both New Canaan Country School and Georgetown Day School. She “followed the dream” of teaching and has been “trying to find the perfect community.” She’s quick to note, with an earnest smile, that she has discovered that perfect community at Greenwich Country Day School. “Every day, my students teach me something new. The Middle School faculty love each other; we are all on the same page: helping students and each other be our best selves. I love our values—we really commit ourselves to character.” It’s easy to see why smiles and laughter abound in Luisa’s classroom. Under the T-Rex graphs, Luisa has a vase filled not with flowers, but with myriad colorful rulers. It’s easy to see this as a metaphor for Luisa’s teaching. “I love math! It’s like a language, and it’s so beautiful.”

IN THE CLASSROOM

Magic happens when things get harder,” Luisa notes of her students’ persistence through the challenging sixth-grade honors curriculum. “Math isn’t always black and white,” she adds, noting that she tries to help students value being efficient and accurate as they solve problems, ensuring that they have voice in which method they decide to choose first as they approach an equation. Luisa’s classes are often organized with a mini-lesson to start, followed by practice, in groups or independently, and she notes that she consistently has a project going on in the background, so students should always have something to “

work on, even if they finish a problem set early. “Connections are everything.” Luisa values the application of the math students are learning. “Sure, students can solve a multi-variable algebraic equation, but can they apply their understanding of it?” Luisa considers mathematical thinking in three ways: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application. “When these three types of thinking are at play, we see the magic happen, and engagement and rigor increase.”

When students make a mistake in Luisa’s classes, she turns back to her focus on growth mindset. Each assessment comes with an opportunity to create an error analysis, focusing on the 3 Cs: Careless errors, Computational errors, and Conceptual errors. Luisa’s success with these error analyses led the entire Middle School math department to adopt the “3 Cs” after assessments. The team is considering presenting these error analyses at a conference, as this kind of reflection has yielded more understanding from students.

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

In addition to teaching math in grades 6 and 7, Luisa serves as an eighth-grade dean. This means she is able to interact with students at all three grade levels in the Middle School. “I am super proud and excited to work with the other Grade Level Deans. We are currently looking at our advisory program very intentionally across grade levels. It has been so great to work with other teachers who are passionate about curriculum development and programmatic themes in this way.” Indeed, Luisa brings the same thoughtful, deliberate approach to her work as a dean as she does to teaching math. As a co-planner of the eighth-grade trip to Washington, DC, alongside Morgan Withrow, Luisa and Morgan decided to make the majority of the trip a cell-phonefree experience. This intentional prioritization of face-to-face interaction is matched with equally intentional reflection on the experience. Students will write a reflection about the trip as a

whole, considering the meaningful learning experiences they had as well as their experience without a phone in their hands.

Luisa combines her love of teaching and her passion for athletics in her role as Upper School JV volleyball coach. She refers to the volleyball community at GCDS as a family—a successful family, as Luisa’s team has been undefeated FAA champions for the past four years! Always willing to show up, lend a hand, and do what’s right for the team, Luisa coached two volleyball teams last year. This kind of dedication to the student experience and the team as a whole is part of what makes Luisa such a wonderful colleague and teacher.

As I compiled my notes from Luisa’s class and from my interview, I was struck by the number of times she used the word “magic.” I might have anticipated “logic” from a math teacher, but teaching transcends just great planning, clear expectations, and finding the “right” answer. Which methods does Luisa choose each day? The happy alchemy of thoughtful and intentional planning, fun and fair engagement with students, and a love of our Country Day community. Room 119 in the middle school is surely a magical place to learn and grow.

“

Luisa considers mathematical thinking in three ways: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application.‘When these three types of thinking are at play, we see the magic happen, and engagement and rigor increase.’”

FROM MOOT COURT TO THE SUPREME COURT

FOR UPPER SCHOOL CONSTITUTIONAL LAW STUDENTS, THEIR TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC, BECAME UNEXPECTEDLY HISTORIC WHEN THEY WITNESSED A MOMENT OF LEGAL HISTORY UNFOLD.

On an April visit to the Supreme Court, the class observed the court as Edwin S. Kneedler, deputy solicitor general, argued his 160th and final case before the nation’s highest court. At the conclusion of oral arguments in Diamond Alternative Energy v. EPA, Chief Justice Roberts rose to his feet.

“Justice Roberts stands up and says, ‘I’d like to honor something special here. My friend Ed Kneedler has argued 160 cases, and I believe this is his last case. That is the record for modern times,’” recounted Steele Barhydt, an 11th grader.

What followed was extraordinary. The entire court, including all justices, gave Kneedler a standing ovation—a rare break from the traditional decorum of the courtroom where applause is typically forbidden.

“

It was an incredibly special moment in court history and we got to witness it,” said Steele.

The experience continued when students spotted Kneedler in the Court cafeteria following the proceedings. “A few of us went to shake his hand. I’m a really big fan and have been reading his cases and listening to his oral arguments,” said Penelope Shepherd, a 12th grader.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW COURSE

This memorable trip was the culmination of Paula Russo’s rigorous Constitutional Law course at GCDS, where students spent an entire year studying Supreme Court cases and participating in moot court exercises. The class—one of the Upper School’s Advanced Applied Social Sciences courses— explores the Court’s role in American society through analysis of constitutional topics such as freedom of speech and religion, due process, equal protection, and substantive due process. Students read real Supreme Court cases

and “brief” them every night, then analyze and discuss them the next day.

“The goal of the course is for students to develop high-level analytic thinking and writing skills,” said Ms. Russo, who herself is a Harvard-trained lawyer and former law school dean.

Ms. Russo uses a modified Socratic method to help students develop their analytical thinking skills through speaking in class. In fact, their engagement with their peers’ arguments and ideas represents 30 percent of each student’s grade. “Pulling the legal issues and theories out of a case is difficult at first, but it’s really gratifying to see how the students sharpen their thinking as the year progresses,” she said.

Students wrestle with current events, cases on the Court’s docket, and presentday political realities. “I tell the students that I am not interested in their opinions. I want to hear rational arguments, supported by fact and sound reasoning,” said Ms. Russo.

The Con Law class and GCDS Law Review editors met with alumna and MSNBC commentator and former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki ’93 during their visit to Washington, DC.

“We are all able to put our biases aside to analyze things generally from a legal perspective, which is the point of the class,” said Steele.

During this spring’s moot court sessions, students argued, as one example, Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, a pending Supreme Court case that centers on the question of whether religious charter schools are permissible under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. In moot court sessions, students take the roles of appellate attorneys, preparing and delivering oral arguments, and justices, who grill attorneys on the facts and arguments of the case.

Steele considered himself a more reserved student before this class, but he has become a confident public speaker who enjoys a good debate. “When you are trying to convince someone of something, you need to use rhetoric and gesticulate.”

Penelope enjoys the logic of legal reading and writing. “To me, law seems like the objective version of the humanities. You want as little fluff in legal writing as possible.”

For these students, the chance to see the justices in person offered insights that simply reading about the Court could never provide.

“It was a special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the justices in person and where our laws get made,” said Steele. “You feel the weight of history and the symbolism of our American legal system is literally carved into the ceiling and walls.”

Beyond the Court proceedings, the trip included meetings with various legal and political professionals, including two alumnae: former White House Press Secretary and MSNBC commentator Jen Psaki ’93 and Betsy Wright Hawkings ’78, who runs a firm counseling politicians and staffers on non-partisan techniques. They also met with Adam Liptak, Supreme Court reporter for the New York Times, and Dan Lippman, White House reporter for Politico

In addition to the Supreme Court, the class visited the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan earlier in April and met with Judge Richard Sullivan to discuss law and the courts. The students saw two oral arguments and marveled at the command of detail that the appellate attorneys displayed. Arguments usually last 18 minutes, but one continued for over an hour. “It was a ‘hot bench,’” Ms. Russo explained.

For many students, the Constitutional Law course has been transformative. “After taking Con Law and writing and reading law briefs, I realized I could work hard,” said Penelope. “I realized I had a passion for the law, and that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.”

GCDS LAW REVIEW

The GCDS Law Review published its first edition earlier this school year and a second edition in May. Founded by students Sol Hochman ’24 and Charlotte Dell’Olio ’24, the publication features

articles on diverse legal topics. The GCDS Law Review operates as a club affiliated with High School Law Review, a national program that promotes “agreeable disagreement” through constitutional study.

Penelope, who joined after taking a Constitutional Law course last year, now serves as chief editor and works with a team of 10 students. Under the guidance of Ms. Russo, the group meets regularly to discuss interesting legal cases and edit papers. For the current issue, Penelope wrote about “the anti-commandeering doctrine, which is the reason why sports betting is now allowed.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our students and GCDS,” notes Russo. “It’s truly student-driven and aligns with national standards for academic excellence.”

The Con Law class visited the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan.

Leena Aronson ’25 during Moot Court

Nursery Makes Waves

Our tiniest Tigers made a big splash with their musical play, “Make Waves with Nursery.” This ocean-themed performance showcased the Nursery students’ musical skills, melodious voices, and a range of super-fun songs that were enjoyed by all. The Nursery moved, grooved and kazoo-ed with pure joy in their very first GCDS production!

Pre-Kindergarten on French Farm

The Pre-K presented “Pre-K on French Farm,” a musical play that highlighted the experience that their class has had on visits to French Farm this year. The performance featured rockin’ farmthemed music, creative choreography, and spectacular costumes that they made in their classrooms! The peacocks, sheep, chickens, scarecrows, farmers, horses, donkeys, and bees created quite the buzz around GCDS—it was a show not to miss!

Authors & Illustrators

Brianne Farley

Author of Ike’s Incredible Ink

Children’s author and illustrator Brianne Farley captivated Kindergarten through Grade 2 students during a special March visit. Farley read her new book Worm Makes a Sandwich and talked about the publishing process and composting.

Following the presentation, Kindergartners enjoyed an art project, collaborating on garden murals with various materials. “The kindergarteners jumped into the mural project, adding their creative touches to the gardens. You could see how proud they were, trying different art materials and figuring out where everything should go,” observed Lower School Librarian Jen Weintraub. The finished murals were proudly displayed in the library, much to the young artists’ delight.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Author of Popular Series

Author Jarrett J. Krosoczka visited on April 7. Known for the Lunch Lady series, Jedi Academy series, and graphic memoirs including Sunshine (which eighth graders studied), Krosoczka spoke to Middle School students about overcoming childhood challenges and rejection before finding success. He later met with the Newbery Club, where seventh grader Amanda Raezer said, “He showed me that rejection isn’t something to be afraid of and that persevering is the way one achieves their dreams.” For Upper Elementary students, Krosoczka demonstrated his digital drawing process for the Lunch Lady series, impressing fifth grader Greta Goldfaden who appreciated learning about “his childhood and the process he uses to write books.”

Kate O’Shaughnessy ’03 | Newbery Award Winner

The GCDS Newbery Club hosted a special breakfast on April 25 for author and alumna Kate O’Shaughnessy ’03, whose book The Wrong Way Home received the 2025 Newbery Award. The book was also the club’s favorite book that they read last year.

While visiting family in town, O’Shaughnessy made time to meet with student readers from Grades 5–8. During the breakfast, club members discussed the novel’s themes of self-trust and questioning one’s assumptions with the author herself.

TIGER PAUSE A Middle School Challenge to Reduce Screen Time

The Middle School launched the inaugural TIGER PAUSE CHALLENGE during the first week of April, which asked participants to: step back from social media; reduce phone and screen time; and enjoy fun activities in real life instead.

“We know that technology brings great benefits to our lives, but there are many ways that too much screen time isn’t good for us,” explained the eighth-grade planning committee in an email. The voluntary challenge encouraged students and teachers to collectively step back from devices so “none of us will be missing out on anything while we let ourselves experience a break.”

To encourage participation, the school organized daily lottery prizes, special snacks, and a Dress Down Day. The initiative also educated students about how technology is “intentionally designed to catch—and keep!—our attention,” making it difficult to disconnect.

STUDENT & FACULTY REFLECTIONS

Morgan Withrow, a Middle School Science Teacher and EighthGrade Dean, shared enthusiasm about Tiger Pause: “I was really impressed that nearly half of our Middle School participated in the first year, and I suspect even more will join in once we build more structure around what it is and why it matters.”

Participants discovered they gained between 30 minutes to two hours of free time each evening, which they used for outdoor sports, reading, or family conversations. Withrow noted the challenge revealed how “students automatically reach for their phones even when they don’t consciously intend to.”

Sixth-grader Maya Pilla participated “because I felt I needed a break from my electronics. I often get distracted by them and am not able to finish my work.” She reported completing more tasks

and having spare time without turning to devices. “I learned that electronics aren’t as important as you might think,” Pilla reflected.

Amelie Burt, also a sixth grader, joined the challenge “to see if I could last without social media in my life” and discovered that stepping back from her phone helped her mental health and connection with family. “When I did not go on my phone in the car the week of Tiger Pause, I learned a lot about my younger brother’s day,” she noted.

The Tiger Pause Challenge demonstrates the school’s commitment to helping students develop healthy technology habits while encouraging mindful device usage.

“. . . I felt I needed a break from my electronics. I often get distracted by them and am not able to finish my work. I learned that electronics aren’t as important as you might think.” — Maya Pilla, Grade 6

“GCDS and RCDS have partnered together on an age-appropriate program where students can explore ways to help our communities be places where all children can find success regardless of our different journeys.” — Andrew Ledee, Director of Community & Belonging

MOSAIC CONFERENCE Builds Community & Belonging

On April 26, GCDS and Rye Country Day School co-sponsored the 13th Annual MOSAIC Middle School Diversity Conference. This interactive conference centers around empowering participants to create an inclusive and supportive learning community within and across schools. Nine participating Fairchester schools sent 66 middle school students and 18 high school facilitators to RCDS to explore the importance of identity, diversity, and community impact.

The circus came to town April 16–17 as Kindergartners transformed into lions, tigers, seals, circus cats, dancing bears, acrobats, clowns, rodeo riders, and strongmen. Parents and schoolmates cheered this beloved GCDS tradition, creating memories that will last a lifetime for our youngest performers.

Peter McKenna Retires After 31 Years in the Woodshop Expert Craftsman and Teacher

By Debbie Blake Kerrick, Former GCDS Arts Director

Peter McKenna’s time in the Arts Department began in 1994 when the current woodshop was then housed in the old “Middle School” adjacent to Locke Center. In it was a tiny closet that functioned as his office, where a phone and laptop remained free from sawdust, a loving by-product of the numerous projects-in-progress quietly displayed around Peter’s shop. Alumni describe him as a “calming presence,” recalling “there was something super peaceful about being in his shop and making stuff with your hands.”

A quiet craftsman full of grace, Peter was always willing to help a student struggling with a new tool or a colleague who asked for guidance making a personal project. Peter Preston recalls a man who “never said no” when asking to use the woodshop to

construct sets for our Middle School musicals at all hours of the day and night. A trusted colleague, dedicated teacher, meaningful mentor and a friend to all, the “McKenna Magic” was real. Measuring, cutting, drilling, glueing, hammering, sanding—these were just a few of the many skills Peter’s students mastered in their time with him in the woodshop. Whether working with black walnut, cherry lumber, maple strips or white pine, Peter knew exactly which wood would be best suited for each project.

And before long, students emerged from this magical place with their masterpieces. Clocks, cutting boards, folk art fish, step-stools, candle-holders, whirl-a-gigs, side tables, Adirondack chairs and even a canoe! Peter held the special sauce that made every child feel like an artist and a maker.

An expert craftsman in his own right, Peter always enjoyed collaborating with colleagues on countless GCDS projects. Nowhere was this better evidenced than Peter’s collaboration with beloved graphics design teacher Kathy Davis. Together, their originality and vision allowed them to combine talents and skills on fourth- and fifth-grade student projects, including clocks for cancer patients and bird nesting boxes for Tod’s Point. Together, they made tables for fundraising auctions, lamps for GCDS retiring community members and, with the help of Drew Bridge, turned many Annual Art Show visions into actual reality.

Peter’s lifelong fascination with the seafaring arts stems from his boyhood boating in and around Long Island Sound. Following in his woodworking father’s footsteps, he built himself a 3,000-square-foot colonial reproduction gambrel roof Cape Cod-

“Woodshop has expanded my mind to be more creative, and Mr. McKenna has always been helpful to me. One of my favorite projects was creating a whale toy, and we made some fun outdoor equipment like baseball bats.” —Hunter Crumbine, Grade 5

style home over the course of eight years, where he currently lives with his wife Pam, their two dogs, and his rescue cat, Murphy. In 2001, he designed and built a country barn workshop on that same property in Deep River, CT, which currently houses his Nautical Arts Workshop. Inside are work stations for 10 students and a variety of power and hand tools, many that were once owned by his father. This maritime workshop seeks to preserve the seafaring arts and was featured in both Inkct Magazine and the Shoreline Times Newspaper. As if all of this were not enough, in addition to offering weekend and summer classes there, Peter offers boat building

Lambs Arrive AT FRENCH FARM

workshops to families at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex and woodworking activities to the Boy Scouts.

Henry Adams reminds us, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Peter’s compassion, dedication, and commitment to Tiger Pride are his true legacy, and we will greatly miss the sawdust and smiles in our GCDS woodshop.

New lambs, Tina, Flo, and Dotty arrived at French Farm this April. Pre-K families met them during the first Pre-K Parent-Child French Farm experience on May 3. “As we enter our centennial year, it seemed appropriate to name them after two of the founding parents, Florence Rockefeller and Dorothy Baker,” said Aaron Sinay, Farm Manager.

PERFORMED BY: The Middle School

DIRECTED BY: Ashleigh Hahn, MS Musical Theater Director

On March 5–6, the Middle School’s production of Alice in Wonderland transformed Carroll’s classic tale with a bold, contemporary urban setting. The modern cityscape featured vibrant street art, neon lights, and rhythmic energy that captivated audiences throughout. Standout moments included the Caterpillar’s breathtaking transformation into a butterfly, which served as a visual metaphor for Alice’s own journey. Clever shadow play depicted Alice’s size changes, while multiple performers portrayed the Cheshire Cat, creating a mysterious presence that appeared and disappeared across the stage. The production beautifully captured the story’s themes of curiosity, identity, and transformation. Our talented students brought fresh energy to this beloved classic, delivering a performance that was both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

This page: 1 Georgiana Platsis, Ali Bostock 2 Jane Pecorin

Opposite: 1 Charlotte Stein, Penny Eken, Carlotta Rodriguez, Nina Barth 2 Avery Schwartz, Bea Wolfe, Gwynnie Grogan 3 William Davis, Ryan El-Ouardighi 4 Gracie Carella 5 Reese Melnikoff, Charlotte Stern, Annabel Kleinknect, Jasper Larken 6 Elsa Kim, Isabella Coffin 7 Ryan Walmsley 8 Katarina Amen, Cassidy O’Donnell, Georgie Reyes 9 Jane Pecorin 10 Habiba Samson, Elizabeth Meyers, Sylvia Strange, Elise Tamsons 11 Ben Lescott and Siena Goodman

Festival of theArts

The Festival of the Arts (FOTA) is a culmination of GCDS student accomplishments from the year across music, dance, visual, and performing arts. At GCDS, the Arts are a central part of our curriculum from Nursery–Grade 12. Students are taught fundamental skills early on and are encouraged to develop a passion in any or all of our core art programs.

FOTA kicked off May 1 with the Upper School Arts Exhibition (see page 31). On May 5, the Festival of Arts Grand Opening showcased student artwork in their divisions. Whether it was studio art, ceramics, woodshop, photography, jewelry design, or fashion design, every student was represented in this once-a-year celebration of creativity and artistic expression. For one week, students were fortunate to work with Artist-in-Residence Carol MacDonald, a printmaker and art instructor from Colchester, Vermont. The month-long Festival continued with the Dance Showcase, concerts, and Lower Elementary plays. Look out for more coverage of FOTA in the Graduation issue, including the Upper Elementary Musical, Matilda , and a roundup of divisional concerts.

Festival

Arts

ARTS EXHIBITION

UPPER SCHOOL Upper School arts diploma students, both performing and visual, showcased their portfolios on May 1.

Artwork lined hallways in the art wing for a gallerylike atmosphere, and individual musical and theatrical performances took place in the band room.

Jeffrey Piper ’26

Celeste Escobar ’25

Kai Harashima ’25

Kylie Costabile, Ellie Rosolen ’25

A Robust Arts Education

By Louise Carrie Wales, Ph.D Chair, Upper School Arts Faculty

When speaking with GCDS families, I often pose a simple question: when did you come to believe you lacked any artistic talent? In other words, when did you lose your confidence—whether in the studio, on stage, or with an instrument? Many of us have a story to tell that underpins our pervasive arts-related insecurity. And, yet, human beings are defined by our ability to think creatively as evidenced in millennia of astounding artistic production. Philosopher Henri Bergson coined the term “Homo Faber” and asserted that our inherent “will to make” separates us from other species. It is, by all definitions, in our DNA. How then do so many of us abandon our natural inclinations? Sir Ken Robinson explains, “I believe profoundly that we don’t grow into creativity; we grow out of it. Often, we are educated out of it.” As I see it, this outcome is devastating. For educators, particularly in the arts, it is our paramount responsibility to nurture and encourage creative endeavors—at every stage of learning— respecting the tremendous fragility of our innate artistic spark.

At GCDS, we are fortunate to have a full roster of talented and qualified faculty in the arts across all disciplines N–12. We also benefit from administrative support for and commitment to our diverse efforts. This bit of writing should simply serve as a reminder and defense of the Arts’ fundamental importance in the lives of our students—today and well into their futures. In a paragraph detailing what skills current workforces require, the Wall Street Journal repeatedly lists “Creative thinking and resilience, flexibility and agility . . . along with curiosity and lifelong learning.” Problem solving also tops the list year over year. The arts foster all of these skills in spades.

Simply put, a robust art education, encompassing visual, performing, and musical arts, is critical for cultivating creativity, cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and skills applicable to the real world. In Arts with the Brain in Mind, Eric Jensen asserts that “the systems they nourish, which include our sensory, attentional, cognitive, emotional, and motor capacities, are, in fact, the driving forces behind all other learning.” The research is clear. There are countless studies from well-reputed academics (Johns Hopkins University among many others) that draw clear connections between musical training as enhancing spatial-temporal skills and math comprehension. Moreover, musical training strengthens auditory processing, discipline, and teamwork. Playing in a band requires both commitment and collaboration. Similarly, performing on stage boosts memory retention and social understanding. Consider any GCDS production (most recently the Middle School’s Alice in Wonderland and the Upper School’s April rendition of School of Rock) and you will

witness every kind of child finding their voice and delivering lines with power and effect in front of large audiences. It’s a remarkable opportunity that boosts public speaking and self-confidence. These collaborations create life-long memories while promoting empathy through character development.

The visual arts, in turn, enhance fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and problem solving. As early as Nursery, children negotiate their worlds visually through drawing, diagramming, painting, and sculpting in clay. Recent research supports the notion that hand work—from notetaking to drawing to painting—creates neural pathways in the brain that are bypassed when working digitally. Frank Wilson dedicates his book, The Hand: How Its Use Shapes the Brain, Language, and Human Culture, to this particular investigation concluding that the brain develops more rapidly when humans are engaged in creative problem solving— such as early making of tools and, now, drawing in the analog world as opposed

Romell Sarsoza ’28, Bea Renwick ’28, Lilly Patchen ’28

to digitally. As students observe and learn to truly see their surroundings, the resulting artworks can be astounding.

FORGING POWERFUL CONNECTIONS

We have countless examples among our Upper School artists, but three stand out as evidence of art’s ability to forge powerful connections between subject matter and the real world. In response to a project entitled “What Inspires You?” ninth graders Bea Renwick and Romell Sarsoza are creating paintings that require coordination of disparate skills—from makerspace circuitry to mapping to painting and collage. Each one had to reflect deeply about the life they are leading and what experiences have impacted them. Bea’s painting, a circular canvas mixed-media work, illustrates her impressive array of travels around the globe using collage, painting, and mapping pins. Romell, in turn, has 3-D printed a spine and included green lights to enhance an anime inspired self-portrait. The two answers could not be more different, but

ETCHING ROOTS

reflect the students’ identities and life experiences in creative and compelling ways.

The third powerful example was created by Lilly Patchen, also a ninth grader, during the Art to Heart Intersession course and is evidence of art’s impact on community and the development of emotional intelligence. Students considered five immigrant stories through in-person interviews. They subsequently responded to the story that resonated most for them personally. When describing her work, Lilly wrote “along the way, Lala and her family had to throw themselves with their suitcases onto mountains from a moving train. I wanted to incorporate this alarming scene in my artwork, so I sculpted mountains and a train on the ‘immigration’ bookend to symbolize the hardships and difficulties of immigrating.”

What Lilly created in a short span of time is astounding in its symbolism, iconography, and skill. She listened to the story, responded with her creative work and then, will give the finished work to the per-

From May 4–8, Carol MacDonald, a visiting artist-in-residence and Vermont-based printmaker, moved through all four divisions, teaching students across grade levels how to use the etching press to create meaningful prints.

As students pressed ink to paper, Carol encouraged them to visualize themselves as trees and their support networks as roots. “Considering the students as the trees and the staff as part of their roots creates a powerful metaphor for recognizing and strengthening our school community,” she explained.

By week’s end, the school displayed not just beautiful prints, but a deeper awareness of the interconnected support systems that sustain the GCDS community.

“In my latest body of work, I explore images of roots as a metaphor for the support systems that keep us grounded and nurtured. Our families, schools, and community play a vital role in sustaining us as our lives evolve.” —Carol MacDonald

son who inspired her—a full circle moment meaningful to all concerned. Lilly’s experience reminds me of Elliot Eisner, Professor Emeritus of Child Education at Stanford, who said “with the arts, children learn to see. We want our children to have basic skills. But they also will need sophisticated cognition, and they can learn that through the visual arts.” What Bea, Romell, and Lilly’s artworks have in common is a profound ability to “see” well beyond the surface—and resulting interpretation of their surrounding worlds.

In a changing landscape of increasing digitization and AI, let this brief meditation on some key factors in support of a robust art education linger in our minds. It seems fitting to end with John F. Kennedy’s words: “To further the appreciation of culture among all the people. To increase respect for the creative individual, to widen participation by all the processes and fulfillments of Art—this is one of the fascinating challenges of these days.” His words resonate now more than ever.

This April, the US Theatre Program brought the house down with School of Rock: The Musical, an electrifying, high-energy production that celebrated the power of music, self-expression, and the uplifting, mutual inspiration that flows between students and teachers. With a rocking score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Julian Fellowes, the show thrilled GCDS audiences with its infectious spirit. The talented cast, crew, and orchestra delivered powerhouse performances, capturing the joy and rebellion at the heart of this high-voltage hit.

1 Laine Geyer and Phil Candito 2 Marli Young and Sawyer Young 3 Front Row: Gavin Haroche and Chris Suy Back Row: Gisele Putka, Phil Candito, Shep O’Keeffe 4 Full cast and crew 5 Lulu Wills, Emma McDermott, Kyle Kelly, Charlotte Best, Jeffrey Piper, Dylan Ever, Natalie Simpson, Linnea Shah-Gustafsson, Adrian Tortoledo Gonzalez 6 Kyle Kelly 7 Dylan Ever, Brooklyn Setterberg 8 Lachlan Welch

PRESENTED BY: The Upper School

DIRECTED BY: Betsy Durning

Festival of the Arts

JAZZ BAND Shines at Festival

On April 5, the Upper School Jazz Band participated in the 38th Annual Essential Ellington Jazz Festival held at Greenwich High School. It was an inspiring day filled with performances by talented high school bands from our region and Canada.

Students delivered three adjudicated pieces, engaged in valuable masterclasses led by professional jazz musicians, and enjoyed a concert performed by these clinicians. Several of our students, Dylan Ever, George Belshaw, Oliver Jackson, and Rob Lang, received recognition for their outstanding solos.

“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and outstanding performance of our Upper School Jazz Band at the festival. They truly represent the pioneering spirit of our music program, and I look forward to seeing them continue to showcase Tiger Pride in the performing arts.”

—

Jesse Tenneyson, US Band Director & D irector of Arts N–12

The Upper School CONCERT BAND and JAZZ BAND both earned first place ranks and Best Overall Band and Best Overall Jazz Band at the Music in the Parks Music Festival in Hershey, PA.

Laine Geyer ’27

Dylan Ever ’26

Teddy Meyers ’26

Kyle Kelly ’27

Cabaret Night

On April 29, Upper School musicians showcased their remarkable talent at the 3rd Annual Cabaret Night. The evening’s theme, “Seasons of Delovely,” celebrated family, friendship, and companionship through captivating musical performances.

Linnea Shah-Gustafsson ’26, Sawyer Young ’26

Iyla Brown ’26

Mildred Osafo-Bekoe ’28

Gisele Putka ’28

Adrian Tortoledo ’28

DANCE SHOWCASE

we have cultivated a space where young dancers flourish as artists, building technical skills, creative expression, and performance confidence at every level.

Athletics

Winter Highlights

BOYS JV BASKETBALL won the FAA JV Tournament.

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL won a share of the FAA Regular Season Title for having the best record in the league before going into the playoffs.

Boys/Girls Swimming & Diving Teams secured second place at NEPSAC

PACK THE RINK

Girls and Boys Varsity Ice Hockey teams raised money to support communities recovering from the California wildfires at the annual community event on Jan. 30.

FAA CHAMPIONS

GIRLS VARSITY HOCKEY

The Girls Varsity Hockey team secured their first-ever Fairfield Athletic Association (FAA) Championship with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against crosstown rival Greenwich Academy on Feb. 28.

The championship battle saw momentum swing between both teams before Caroline Muzzio ’26 delivered the golden goal nine minutes into overtime, connecting on a feed from Raela Polanish ’28. Earlier goals from Lila Braddock ’26 and Selkie Brown ’28 kept the Tigers competitive throughout regulation, while goaltender Gracie Kepler ’27 provided crucial support with 16 saves.

“This was the most complete team effort the girls gave all season. Despite the score going back and forth, they showed their resilience and ability to keep battling!”

— Ashley Bairos, Girls Varsity Hockey Coach

NEPSAC | SECOND PLACE

BOYS/GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING

Both the Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving Teams secured second place at the NEPSAC Championship for New England prep schools.

Now in its fourth year, the swim team has grown impressively from 7 to 29 swimmers. Emily Behr, Talia Sandhu, Siena Christiansen, and Anna Hill won first place in the Girls 200 Free Relay. Similarly, Nico Della Pietra, Teo Della Pietra, Austin Nelson, and Harrison Thompson claimed first place in the Boys 200 Free Relay. Several GCDS swimmers also placed second and third in their individual competitions.

In diving, Josh Lunder won the FAA championship, and both he and teammate Nadira China earned NEPSAC Honorable Mention. This achievement is particularly notable as it marks the first year GCDS has fielded a diving team.

“

We are creating a team culture where group performance is as important as individual achievement. With many talented swimmers, we are well-positioned to continue to grow our success.”

—

Emmanuel Saldana, Swimming Head Coach

COLLEGE-BOUND

STUDENT-ATHLETES TALK TIGER PRIDE

This has been a banner year for GCDS athletics, marked by championships, records, new facilities, and incredible moments. It has also been a banner year for college-bound student-athletes. In total, 21 student-athletes will move on to compete at the college level next year. Matt Ward, Assistant Athletic Director, sat down with four of them recently to talk about what their time at GCDS has meant to them.

WYATT LUPO

Hamilton College, Golf

Wyatt Lupo joined GCDS’s varsity golf team as a freshman, making an immediate impact and eventually serving as team captain during his senior year. A two-sport varsity athlete, Wyatt also competed in squash throughout his four years at GCDS. Wyatt attributes much of his development to his coaches’ guidance. “The GCDS coaches have not only helped my game in terms of technical skills but have also changed the way I mentally approach

every round of golf I play. They have taught me how to maintain composure and make correct decisions in high-pressure situations.”

As he reflects on his time at GCDS, Wyatt most cherishes the team chemistry developed with his fellow seniors and teammates. This camaraderie contributed to the team’s perfect undefeated season and victory over Brunswick. For Wyatt, Tiger Pride means “embodying core values like empathy and integrity both on and off the course, and holding myself to higher standards at all times, not just when people are watching.”

Director of Athletics Tim Helstein praises Wyatt’s leadership and skill: “He has dedicated countless hours to the sport and continues to shave strokes off his game. He is our No. 1 golfer for a reason, never standing down to pressure and always rising to the occasion. He is our first male golfer recruited to play at the collegiate level.”

Wyatt leaves behind a legacy of leadership, determination, and hard work at GCDS. His success, both individually and as part of a team, has prepared him for collegiate golf

student athletes will compete at the college level next year. Look out for more news in the graduation issue.

at Hamilton College. His advice to younger students is straightforward: “Get involved with a sport as early as possible and ensure it is what you love to do; it will make spending hours practicing feel like minutes. Look at setbacks as ways to improve rather than letting them get to you.”

Wyatt’s journey from freshman standout to team captain showcases how passion and dedication can help athletes maximize their potential and prepare for competition at the next level while embodying the values that define Tiger Pride.

GRIFFYN FLOOD

Wesleyan University, Lacrosse

Griffyn Flood has witnessed the remarkable growth of GCDS’s athletic program firsthand. He began playing varsity lacrosse as an eighth-grader and participated in football for two years and basketball for four years during his Upper School career. This fall, Griffyn heads to Wesleyan University to continue his lacrosse journey.

During his time at GCDS, Griffyn has seen

“TIGER

PRIDE MEANS EMBODYING CORE VALUES LIKE EMPATHY AND INTEGRITY BOTH ON AND OFF THE COURSE, AND HOLDING MYSELF TO HIGHER STANDARDS AT ALL TIMES, NOT JUST WHEN PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.”— WYATT LUPO ’25

Wyatt Lupo

Ella Wilner

the lacrosse program flourish, reaching a 10-0 record and first place in the FAA with championship aspirations. “I stayed here because I wanted to help build the program and grow with it. It has been everything I’ve asked for,” he reflects.

While Griffyn’s on-field performances have been impressive, he values the countless hours of practice, teamwork, and personal connections most. His coaches have significantly influenced his development as both an athlete and person. Head Lacrosse Coach Andrew Copelan’s focus and passion, along with Head Basketball Coach Patrick Scanlon’s emphasis on resilience and toughness, have instilled in him qualities of positivity, determination, and commitment.

Although Griffyn looks forward to competing at the collegiate level, he acknowledges what he’ll miss most: “I think that you play with your best friends and you might not get that chance again. I’ve known these guys since elementary school.”

Athletics Director Tim Helstein commends Griffyn’s impact: “From quarterbacking our Middle School Football Team to being the All-Time Leading Scorer for our Varsity Lacrosse Team, Griff was always a determining factor. What I’ve been most proud of, however, is the leader Griff has become.”

For Griffyn, Tiger Pride transcends words: “I always think about the community, and how this is such a great place, because of that. Students of all ages, teachers, administrators, staff—everyone is rooting for each other and we want each other to succeed.”

His advice to younger Tigers emphasizes connection and balance: “Build relationships early—it’s such an important piece. Make sure you’re staying on top of your academics too but take advantage of the community you have here.”

BRIANNA McDERMOTT

Holy Cross, Basketball

Brianna McDermott’s path to playing Division I basketball at Holy Cross demonstrates her perseverance and determination. Since arriving at GCDS in 2021, she has helped transform the girls’ basketball program from a newcomer in a competitive league to one challenging the best programs in New England.

Brianna leaves a lasting legacy as the first GCDS student-athlete to score over 1,000 points in basketball. Her name now graces a banner in The DON, immortalizing her accomplishment. Athletics Director Tim Helstein notes: “Bri is the definition of drive and determination. It is her dedication to

improvement, drive for success, and determination to overcome obstacles that truly reflect her game.”

Reflecting on her growth, Brianna identifies leadership as her greatest area of improvement: “I have been given leadership opportunities and I’ve learned a lot.”

The GCDS community has been integral to Brianna’s experience: “Most people know what’s going on with athletics at the school, especially with basketball, so teachers, friends, everyone wants to know how you’re doing. The buy-in has been great, and my teammates were the best.”

Competing as part of a team has taught Brianna valuable lessons she’ll carry to Holy Cross: “I’m definitely going to take with me the fact that you need to win with each other as a team. No one can do it alone. You accomplish so much more together.”

While Brianna acknowledges the nervousness of leaving a place that felt like home, she’s excited about her next chapter: “I think GCDS has prepared me so well in order to excel academically, athletically, and as a person.”

For Brianna, Tiger Pride encompasses “thoughtfulness, determination, honesty, integrity, and community. That’s what I’ll remember and take with me. I’ve developed as a person because of it.”

As she prepares for her new journey at Holy Cross, Brianna offers advice to younger Tigers: “Mistakes are signs of growth, so don’t dwell on them. They will make you better. Time goes by too fast. Enjoy it.”

ELLA WILNER

Clemson, Lacrosse

Ella Wilner joined GCDS in eighth grade and immediately became an integral member of the varsity lacrosse team. After five trans-

formative years, she’ll continue her lacrosse career at Clemson University.

Ella takes pride in her team’s evolution: “We started out as a very young, scrappy team, who has evolved into a very successful team. This has come from the many lessons that we learned as we grew. We quickly climbed the rankings and became known in the FAA.”

Coach Caitlin Copelan has been instrumental in Ella’s development: “I have been fortunate enough to play for Caitlin Copelan who inspired all of us to work hard for each other. She always taught us the importance of the intangibles: hard work, heart, and hustle.”

Ella’s experience helping build GCDS’s program positions her uniquely for her next challenge at Clemson: “I have been so incredibly lucky to have learned what it’s like to build a new program here at GCDS and I’m excited to do it all over again this fall.”

Athletics Director Tim Helstein recognizes Ella’s impact: “Her speed and tenacity are unmatched. If the ball is in her stick, chances are, it will shortly be in the back of the opponent’s net. She has put great focus and effort into the growth of her game. As the leading scorer in program history, Ella has left her mark on GCDS Athletics that will be seen and felt for many years to come.”

While Ella will miss wearing the GCDS uniform and playing alongside her teammates, she carries Tiger Pride with her: “Throughout my five years at this school, the concept of Tiger Pride has been carried in my heart. I’m always thinking about respect and dependability in order to be a great teammate, but it goes way further than the field or the school hallways. I apply Tiger Pride to everything in my life, because when I’m off of the field, I still represent the GCDS community.”

Griffyn Flood Brianna McDermott

NIBLOCK BASKETBALL CHALLENGE

Our Middle School Athletics Program hosted the Annual Andrew Niblock Basketball Challenge in The DON on Dec. 18. The Niblock Challenge is designed to raise money and awareness for ALS, and celebrates Andrew Niblock, a beloved teacher, administrator, and friend to the GCDS community.

HOOPS NIGHT

Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball teams left it all on the court in front of a packed house in the new Donovan Mitchell Family Athletic Center at the annual GCDS Hoops Night on Jan. 10.

Congratulations to Josh Lunder ’25 for taking first place in Diving at the FAA Championships.

Congratulations to the Boys JV Basketball team for winning the FAA JV Tournament.

Athletics

1 Boys Varsity Lacrosse won the FAA Regular Season Championship and the FAA Tournament Championship on their way to an undefeated season.

2 Girls Varsity Lacrosse qualified for FAA Semi-final. Ella Wilner ’25 for Girls Lax scored her 200th goal on May 13 versus Greens Farms Academy.

3 Boys Varsity Golf: Undefeated regular season in FAA; FAA Tournament Runners-up

4 Girls Varsity Golf: Mia Rodgers ’25 Career Highlights—Tied for 2nd at 2025 NEPSAC/Pippy O’Connor Championship; Placed 3rd at the 2024 NEPSAC/Pippy O’Connor Championship; Won FAA in 2023

5 Boys Varsity Tennis: FAA Regular Season Champions, FAA Tournament Champions, and NEPSAC Champions

Mia Rodgers

FAA CHAMPIONS

BOYS VARSITY TENNIS

The GCDS boys varsity tennis team made history on May 12, completing a dominant performance to take home the school’s first Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) Tournament team championship. On May 15, the team defeated Brunswick to earn an undefeated record in the FAA regular season, securing that title as well.

The team competed over two days at Greens Farms Academy in singles and doubles competitions. Joaquin Urrutia ’28 won the third and fourth singles individual championship, while Dylan Ever ’25 and Lucas Hochberg ’26 won the doubles team championship. Three other Tigers finished as runners-up in their respective championship tournaments. Ben Schuessler ’26 was the runner-up in the second flight singles championship, while Cristian Pizzimbono ’25 and Asher Rosen ’26 finished second in the doubles team championship.

Overall, 10 Tigers competed over the two-day tournament, and the team finished with an astounding 19-3 record to take home the win. Head Coach

Steve Feder was extremely proud of his team’s poise, camaraderie, and focus.

“I am so proud of our team for their commitment to each other. Tennis is usually an individual sport, but our players are completely invested in our team’s success. Each player has made sacrifices to put the team first and that has led to amazing results.”

Steve Feder, Head Coach

BOYS VARSITY LACROSSE FAA CHAMPIONS

The GCDS Boys Varsity Lacrosse team completed a dream season on May 15 with a 21-3 victory over King to win the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) Tournament Championship and finished the season with a perfect 16-0 record. This is the team’s second FAA Tournament Championship in the last three years. The team also clinched the regular season championship last Friday with a win over Rye Country Day School, completing a perfect FAA regular season as well.

Coach Andrew Copelan had his team ready to go from the opening faceoff, as they scored quickly and often, en route

Tigers finish with a perfect season!

to a 5-1 lead following the first quarter. The Tigers were able to stay focused, as King battled hard, but was not able to keep up with the torrid scoring pace of the Tigers led by senior captain Griffyn Flood and Bobby Jones. GCDS also relied on their defense led by Steve Carre, Eli Thurer, and Luke Miles to go along with spectacular goalkeeping by freshman William Bugbee to keep the King offense at bay.

Congratulations to the players, coaches, and everyone who supported the team throughout this memorable season!

Legacy is leaving something better than you found it and this group certainly did that as we continue to raise the bar for GCDS lacrosse.”

—

Andrew Copelan, Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach

Congratulations to Ella Wilner ’25 for scoring her 200th career goal this May!

A History Book to Honor GCDS Centennial

The following are excerpts from the soon-to-be published history book Greenwich Country Day School: A Centennial History written by

Jim Cullen, Upper School History Teache

r

Introduction

By Douglas Lyons, Former Head of School

One hundred years is a long stretch—or just a blip in history depending on how you measure time. In the life of a school, the Centennial is a logical event to question whether the school’s founding mission has continuing relevance. That question is simply this: In its present form, does Greenwich Country Day School remain as good as its original promise? Have the significant cultural and technological changes in how people live and think in the 21st century rendered the founding mission obsolete? Does any theory of education survive 100 years?

The original promise of our school took shape in 1925 when three Greenwich mothers sought an education for their boys that would mobilize the natural curiosity of childhood; a school program in which rigor would be defined by active experience. They wanted their sons to be engaged in their own education, captivated by the beauty and mystery of the world around them. They hoped for a learning environment in which students could explore and expand their interests and broaden their worldview. Finally, they wanted their sons to care about learning but also to learn about caring.

The goal was to graduate lifelong learners: curious and resilient adults who would find meaning and purpose all around them. The mothers wanted their sons to be kind; good husbands, fathers, neighbors— role models in answer to the question, “What makes a good life?”

This vision was so clearly at odds with the prevailing pedagogy of the era that the word “revolutionary” seems appropriate. The risk was clear. Would this humble school, housed in Florence Rockefeller’s barn, attract Greenwich parents who were

accustomed to a far more traditional and competitive preparation for adulthood for their sons?

In modern terminology, Greenwich Country Day School opened as a startup. You could say it was launched as an “upstart” start-up. Although the school opened in 1926 with a minimum number of students (a baker’s dozen), these students were the sons of highly respected “community opinion shapers.” Despite fierce criticism from family and friends, the founding parents were steadfast in defending the school’s philosophy and their choice to send their sons to Country Day. Their support would prove to be critical in the early era. A mere three years after the founding, a global economic crisis engulfed the world. Our fledgling school survived.

Seventy-four years later, in 1992, as the newly appointed Head of School, I spent Spring Break in Florida where I enjoyed a series of lunches with nine long-retired

members of the first graduating class, the Class of 1938. Their poignant memories provided vivid evidence of the school’s lasting impact and the fulfillment of its founding mission. Every conversation about the early years of Country Day centered on the profound influence of the founding Head and the original faculty. John Lynn Miner

Doug Lyons, former Head of School, 2004

had a simple, compelling belief in the purpose of education in the formative years. He believed that the people who have the best lives are not those who have the most comforts; they are the people who have the most interests. These are adults who are rarely bored or lonely. They have been led to a precious gift; a disposition toward learning as an innately pleasurable act. Greenwich Country Day School in 2026 sparkles with facilities and technologies that the first faculty could hardly imagine. But they would recognize the culture. For it is true to the original promise. And still revolutionary.

CHAPTER 2

Optimism Amid Depression: GCDS Takes Root (1927–1941)

By Jim Cullen, US History Teacher

In some respects, Greenwich Country Day School was born at a propitious moment. The late 1920s were generally a prosper-

These were years when the fundamental character of the school—its student-centered and family orientation; its emphasis on educating the whole child; its specific traditions like public speaking—were durably established.

ous time in the United States, especially in environs like Greenwich, where a rising stock market lifted many boats, and where some very shrewd minds, seeing piles of unsold goods on faraway quays, sensed the tremors of a coming earthquake. These were years when the fundamental character of the school—its student-centered and family orientation; its emphasis on educating the whole child; its specific traditions like public speaking—were durably established. By this point, the Progressive movement that had dominated American politics in the first two decades of the century had faded; but progressivism as a cultural force was still running strong, particularly in educational circles. Such currents were absorbed, in definite if finite form, at GCDS, and while the school would grow and change with the tenor of the times, this trait, if at times recessive, would remain a durable strand in the school’s DNA for the next century.

A major reason for this was its founding headmaster, John Lynn Miner. Miner— known as “Lynn” to friends—was born in the western New York town of Sherman in 1887, the son of a Protestant minister. He attended Allegheny College in western

Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1909. After a teaching stint in Istanbul and study at Leipzig, Miner did more graduate work at Columbia before accepting teaching posts at Allen Stevenson School in New York and a headmaster position at the Harvey School in 1916. When, a decade later, the founders of Country Day were looking for its first leader, Miner stood out. Founding mother Dorothy Baker found him “very unaffected” and “evincing a basic knowledge of what children would start with.”

Miner, still in his thirties when he took the job, was everything the founders hoped for and yet nothing like what they expected. He had none of the academic credentials or family pedigree that characterized an era dominated by the imperial head of school. A humble, soft- spoken mentor to faculty and students, Miner was also an avid outdoorsman, a true intellectual (in particular a disciple of John Dewey), and world traveler with a particular interest in the Far East. His vitality was key to the success of GCDS at a formative moment in its life.

The essence of Miner’s vision—its unmistakable progressive elements jostling alongside an emphasis on core skills—emerges

HOS Adam Rohdie at the Senior Breakfast in May

John Lynn Miner, first headmaster

Early days at Country Day

clearly in a handbook distributed to faculty during his tenure.

Briefly [he writes], the purposes of our teachings are:

1. To teach each boy to solve problems independently.

2. To develop in each boy the ability to express himself as perfectly as is possible and to carefully avoid repression through unfriendly criticism and fear.

3. To have each boy understand so thoroughly the progressive units of each subject that they become part of him like a vivid personal experience and cannot be forgotten because they need not be remembered.

4. To teach each boy a method of work— accuracy of expression, form, correct spelling, and correct sentence structure. No paper is to be accepted which is not neatly written and clearly expressed.

5. To make boys interested in school studies by relating them to their lives, taking their ages, maturity, and interest into account.

6. To encourage, by personal interest, the investigation of manufacturing and business plants and the pursuit of a nature or scientific avocation, and the reading of good books.

The commercially minded emphasis, embedded in a wider intellectual outlook, seems to reflect Miner’s understanding of his constituency (one that remains promi-

bles tournaments were popular; one student remembered, “It was cutthroat. Wall Street moguls might have gotten their early trading experience trading marbles at Country Day.” Halloween was an especially beloved holiday, marked by much merriment. The entire school participated in graduation ceremonies, which included choral singing and short plays by the younger boys.

The vitality of these activities was rooted in faculty participation. Miner hired a cadre of talented and committed teachers, many of whom enjoyed housing on the newly established Old Church Road campus. Faculty served as coaches and lunched with students in the dining hall, fostering strong ties among them.

AFTERWORD

By Adam Rohdie, Head of School

As I write this afterward in late 2024, I am struck by two realities. The first is how much we have accomplished. GCDS opened the 2024–2025 school year (our 99th) with more than 1,450 students enrolled. We will employ well over 400 people. The campus now includes three different locations and sits on over 125 acres in Greenwich. Our annual operating budget will be over 90 million dollars and our endowment will sit just north of 100 million. We continue to attract the best and brightest faculty and staff. Our seniors are being accepted into the most highly selective colleges and universities, and we are lucky to receive close to seven applica-

tions for every potential opening we have for enrollment. These metrics are cause for celebration and are good reasons for our school to be proud.

The second reality is aspirational. While I am extremely confident in the future of GCDS I never stop thinking about what the future holds. From the moment our founders conceived of a school that offered something broader than was available at the time, we have been a school that honors tradition, and at the same time studies new information on how best to prepare students to thrive in college, career, and in life—continuously challenging ourselves to evolve the teaching and learning experience to ensure our students’ success in the rapidly changing world they will enter.

In my conversations with college presidents and business leaders, they are desperate to find graduates who can work well with others, who can communicate in writing and verbally. They are looking for young people who are self-starters, who are resilient in the face of challenges, and who love learning for the sake of learning itself. This will be our challenge moving forward—we must maintain our North Star and continue to do the extremely hard work of creating a curriculum that has realworld applications, that challenges students to their core and at the same time excites them to work harder than they ever have. I relish this challenge. )

Books will be available at the start of the school year in September.

100 YEARS

GET READY TO CELEBRATE OUR CENTENNIAL!

Stay tuned for upcoming events and activities in the 2025-2026 school year.

Celebrating DEDICATION & SERVICE

At the annual Parents’ Association APPLE Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon on May 2, the following members of our faculty and staff celebrated their 10, 15, and 20-year anniversaries at Greenwich Country Day School. We thank them for their dedication and service to our school.

10 YEARS

Kate Demmerle, College Counseling Administrative Assistant

Jodi Frattaroli, Lower Elementary Student Support Teacher

Kelley Giovannangeli, Upper Elementary Spanish Teacher

Trish Kepler, Director of Mathematics, N–Grade 5

Glaura Laubscher, Grade 3 Teacher

Jeffrey Macri, Controller

Cheryl Plummer, Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid

Emily Sternberg, Director Employee Relations and Business Affairs

Joe Vadala, Facilities Staff

15 YEARS

Abby Arcati, Lower Elementary Student Support Teacher

Tim Helstein, Director of Athletics

Karen Perkins, Physical Education Teacher, N–Grade 5

20 YEARS

Nicole Buruchin, Lower Elementary Creativity Lab Teacher

James Gussis, Middle School

LINDA NORTHROP FACULTY CHAIR AWARD

Given annually in honor of Linda Northrop to that member of the faculty or staff whose character and kindness as a teacher, friend, and role model reflect the qualities that Linda so cherished as a GCDS parent for

Anne Allen, Assistant Head of Lower Elementary, Afters & Co-Teacher Program Coordinator

WELCOME NEW HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

Greenwich Country Day School is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles W. Miller as the next Lower Elementary School Division Head, effective July 1, 2025.

Selected from a strong pool of candidates from both the U.S. and abroad, Mr. Miller was the unanimous choice of the LES faculty and parent interview groups, which included current parents and Board of Trustees members.

Mr. Miller currently serves as Elementary Principal for three PreK–5 school buildings in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, where he oversees 350 students and supervises 50 educators. His 15-year career in education spans classroom teaching, diversity coordination, and administrative leadership in both public and independent schools. Previous roles include US Dean of Students and Director of Peer Relations at The Birch Wathen Lenox School in New York.

Mr. Miller holds a Master of Education in School Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Lesley University, complemented by extensive professional development in educational leadership and diversity.

His leadership philosophy emphasizes building trusting relationships, creating collaborative environments that blend social-emotional learning with academic rigor, and differentiating instruction to meet diverse learning needs. Mr. Miller

YWCA GREENWICH Honors Two GCDS Students

YWCA Greenwich presented Gender and Racial Justice Scholarship Awards at its annual Stand Against Racism event on April 25, partnering with the town and more than 100 community organizations. Two GCDS students received the YWCA Greenwich Gender and Racial Justice Scholarship Awards for demonstrating a commitment to making their schools and com munities more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and antiracist.

Sophia Schwartz ’25 captains the GCDS varsity softball team and is president of the the Black Student Union. She initiated the Building with Purpose Intersession and supports the neurodiverse community through Abilis club and Tiger Tutors.

Katie Byxbee ’25, hard of hearing since birth, is a Junior Olympic water polo player, swim team co-captain, and co-president of the ROY-G-BIV club supporting LGBTQ+ youth. She volunteers regularly at Second Congregational Church.

“Throughout my career as an elementary principal, I have always believed that children learn best when they feel known, challenged, and inspired. At GCDS, I saw that belief in action at every turn. I am excited to partner with students, families, and colleagues to continue nurturing a joyful, excellent, and mission-driven learning environment.”

—Charles Miller, incoming Head of Lower School

has consistently demonstrated commitment to inclusive practices and strong family-school partnerships.

Mr. Miller will join GCDS with his wife Christina van Hengel and their three daughters: Brielle (2), Stella (5), and Ellie (7).

The GCDS community welcomed incoming Head of Lower School Charles Miller and his wife, Christina van Hengel, to campus at a reception on May 7. Pictured here with Emily Stern, Board Chair, and HOS Adam Rohdie.

Sophia Schwartz ’25

Katie Byxbee ’25

Building a Strong ALUMNI NETWORK

Nearly 5,000 alums strong, the alumni office is committed to fostering a strong community well-beyond our students’ time at GCDS. Through alumni events, ongoing communication, career exploration and networking, we create multiple pathways for meaningful engagement.

SENIOR INTERNSHIPS

To fulfill our mission of lifelong connection, the alumni office begins working with students during their senior year. Partnering closely with the faculty, we provide a continuum of support that bridges students’ academic experience to professional paths. During their senior

year, students are exposed to a variety of career paths through professional panels, and spend the spring semester focusing on interview tips, developing networking skills, completing resumes and cover letters, and onboarding to GCDS Connect, our digital career platform.

The senior experience culminates with a four-week internship. With more than 80 partners this year, in a wide-range of industries, the Senior Internships are important career exposure, a meaningful introduction to professional expectations, and opportunity for students to begin building connections. In addition to these early career steps, the alumni

By Liz Orum Duffy ’98 Director, Alumni Relations

office has been able to build strong relationships with our seniors, reinforcing our lifelong commitment to our alumni.

YOUNG ALUMNI SUPPORT

We actively support our graduates as they enter the workforce by connecting newly established professionals with our experienced alumni network. This support happens through personalized one-on-one guidance and continued access to GCDS Connect, our platform that enables direct networking based on industry and location. These meaningful connections have become essential resources for recent graduates navigating

All the calls that I had in the fall semester helped me improve my ability to interview and talk with individuals who are already professionals in their field.”

— Zach Sternberg ’19/’22

Emily Hamilton ’25 and Ellie Rosolen ’25 at habitatgreenwich, a local design boutique

Kai Harashima ’25 and Ben Shefter ’25 with Peter Pauley ’80 at QP Global, an investment firm in Greenwich

GCDS Connect

their early career journeys and developing professional skills.

“All the calls that I had in the fall semester helped me improve my ability to interview and talk with individuals who are already professionals in their field. Through that practice, I got the corporate risk and brokering summer intern role at a firm in New York. Thanks again for your help and I hope everything at GCDS is going great!” Zach Sternberg ’19/’22.

The alumni office furthers the GCDS spirit by providing continuous support to our graduates at every stage of their professional journey. We’re committed to being a valuable resource for our alumni network and welcome opportunities to connect—whether you’re seeking career guidance or have expertise to share with fellow graduates. Please be in touch!

PARENTS OF CLASS OF 2017

Parents of the Class of 2017 alumni gathered on April 16 at the home of Rob and Ellen Sweeney P’12, ’14, ’17. Mr. Rohdie provided updates on both campuses, and former parents enjoyed reconnecting with old friends

1 Evelyn Mero-Ortiz, Luis Mero 2 Jennifer Quasha Deinard ’86, Andrew Schoelkopf, Traci Reed Fiore ’80, Dawn Hasapis, Scott Sternberg, Grace Schoelkopf

3 Dana Getz, Ellen Sweeney, Ellis Johnson

4 Lisi Miller Vincent ’86, Rob Sweeney 5 Liz Sandler, Randal Sandler 6 Jeannette Baez, Fancisco Gonzalez, Anne Noel Dawson

Gillian Hines ’25, Fiorella Deus ’25, Dr. Katherine Vadasdi, and Djeneba Dembele ’25 at Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists, ONS, in Stamford

PARENTS OF ALUMNI COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

Parents of Alumni demonstrated their commitment to community service on Feb. 18, 19, and 20 by preparing three nutritious meals for the children and families served by Kids in Crisis.

Sanders,

Congratulations to Jen Donnalley, Director of Center for Public Good, for receiving the Good Neighbor Award from Neighbor to Neighbor, a Greenwich-based food pantry, at the 50th Anniversary event on April 24.

“Jen embodies being a Good Neighbor. She has worked tirelessly for Neighbor to Neighbor for 25 years. Before we were officially open on Saturdays, Jen had a key. She and Greenwich Country Day School students would fill bags with non-perishable food for clients who couldn’t make it to Neighbor on a weekday to pick up on Saturday. She has introduced countless students to the experience of volunteering and working to benefit those in need in their community—planting a seed that will grow over their lifetimes.”

— Karen Royce, Board Chair, Neighbor to Neighbor

John

Amy Jurkowitz

Charlene Zhao, Wynn McDaniel

Charlene Zhao, Stephani Nedzamar, Wynn McDaniel, Sherry Arjomand, Lois Stark, John Sanders, Tracy Freedman, Amy Jurkowitz

Jen Donnalley (center) with GCDS colleagues

ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES

Please note that all class news is available digitally on GCDS Connect www.gcdsconnect.com

1940 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

We regret to inform you that James Stillman Rockefeller, Jr. passed away on Jan. 8, 2025. We regret to inform you that John Grady passed away on March 13, 2025. Please see In Memoriam on page 72. John Grady ’76 writes: My father loved GCDS. He came to Country Day after “graduating” from the last one-room schoolhouse in CT (in Stamford). He loved sports and played baseball with President George H.W. Bush ’37. Upon graduation he went to Phillips Exeter Academy. I was very

MILESTONES

Births & Adoptions

Alden Vail to Todd Portier ’98 and wife, Ashley, on Jan. 10, 2025

Isabel Rose to Emily Lessen ’03 and husband, Robbie, on Feb. 13, 2025

Welles Kellam to Ashley Kellam Cordo ’05 and husband, John, on Dec. 2, 2024

Scarlett Madeline to Nathalie Weiss Rhone ’05 and husband, Matt, on Feb. 19, 2025

Annabelle Jean to Caroline Witmer Gormley ’05 and husband, Mark, on March 20, 2025

Pierce Harrison to Jake Shulman ’06 and wife, Amanda, on Nov. 18, 2024

Jonathan Peters III “Nate” to Elizabeth Tubridy-Peters ’07 and husband, Jono, on Feb. 21, 2025

George Hudson to Jeannie Witmer Chapin ’07 and husband, Peter, on March 23, 2025

Evie Belle to Amanda Shulman ’08 and husband, Alex, on Jan. 25, 2025

Nolan Peter to Olivia Marcus Parnon ’09 and husband, Eric, on Dec. 14, 2024

proud to follow in his footsteps as a member of the Class of 1976.

1945 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

1946

We regret to inform you that Virginia Lasell Westgaard passed away on Jan. 25, 2025. Please see In Memoriam on page 72.

1947

Congratulations to Margaret Hart Rogers, the recipient of our Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award. One of the first girls to enroll at Greenwich Country Day School in 1943, she made history again when she returned

Marriages

Josie Toso ’05 married Owen Fassnacht on Sept. 18, 2024.

Erin Sanders ’05 married Collin Popp on Nov. 2, 2024.

Jessie Stuart ’07 married Ben Ross on Oct. 24, 2024.

Nehemiah Brooks ’11 married Cevanie Escarmant on March 21, 2025.

Margaret Schroeder ’11 married James Lofton on Dec. 7, 2024.

Greyson Wall ’13 married Grace Robinson on Aug. 24, 2024.

Deaths

James Stillman Rockefeller, Jr. ’40 on Jan. 8, 2025

John Grady ’40 on March 13, 2025

Virginia Lasell Westgaard ’46 on Jan. 25, 2025

William Carey ’48 on Dec. 6, 2024

Katharine Gillet Thomas Page ’48 on Dec. 8, 2024

Nancy Jane Donnelly Bliss ’50 on Dec. 23, 2024

Frederick Trask ’52 on March 2, 2025

Teri Noel Towe ’63 on Feb. 3, 2025

Jim Meeker ’66 on March 21, 2025

Janet Johnson ’84 on Nov. 30, 2024

to campus in 1955—this time as the dynamic Girls Athletic Director, inspiring a new generation of young women in sports.

1948

We regret to inform you that William Carey passed away on Dec. 6, 2024. We regret to inform you that Katharine Gillet Thomas Page passed away on Dec. 8, 2024. Please see In Memoriam on page 72. Connie Ellis writes: Katharine “Gill” died on Dec. 8, 2024, at her home in Kennebunkport, ME. Gill, an artist and teacher, whose sculptures were exhibited in Boston and around New England, also served as a docent at the Portland Museum of Art. Following graduation from Vassar College, Gill married Dr. Lyman Page whose career required their living in six states and Saudi Arabia over five decades. Gill handled it all gamely, raising three children and contributing her talents to all these communities. I had the honor of speaking at her memorial service in January. We were close friends, starting in kindergarten at Rosemary Junior School, switching to GCDS in its first coeducational year (third grade for us), then again as classmates at Vassar. Richard W. Montague shared a photo of him standing on Norwegian territory in front of the FINOSE (Finland-Norway-Sweden) threecountry “corner” border cairn on Lake Golddajärvi in northern Fenno-Scandinavia. “Behind the cairn lies Sweden, to the left is modern Finland. Where I am standing is Norway. The picture dates from April 16, 2015, at which time I was 81. For many past years, I have been cross-country skiing, mostly alone, to this tripoint, a distance, on skis, of some 25 km out and back from the E-8 highway, which passes through the remote Finnish settlement of Kilpisjärvi on the eastern shore of Lake Kilpisjärvi. As you can see, I’m dressed for ‘arctic skiing,’ my touring skis and poles are leaning against the cairn’s pylon. I’ve got my survival gear stored away in the large, redcolored backpack (for the nearest help is some 10 km or more distant!). I am alone in the ‘middle of nowhere.’”

1950 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

We regret to inform you that Nancy Donnelly Bliss passed away on Dec. 23, 2024. Please see In Memoriam on page 72.

1952

We regret to inform you that Frederick Trask passed away on March 2, 2025 (for-

What’s happening in your life?

Did you make a career change? Have you been recognized by your community? Did you have a GCDS reunion? Please share your news!

Send news and photos to alumni@gcds.net

(Submit by Nov. 1 to appear in the January issue. )

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

1942 Peter Harrison

1947 Margaret Hart-Rogers

1948 Kim Townsend

1950 Carolyn (Carly) Rogers

1955 David Corbin

1956 Margaret Erickson Ellsworth

1957 David S. Edson

1958 Lee Ingram

1959 Jon Dixon, Jim Riley

1960 Sandra de Leeuw Dell

1962 Alice Fisher, Peter McCabe

1963 Sheila Blair, Walter Hinton

1965 Red Jahncke

1967 Cathy Shraga

1968 Bertrande Coleman Tom Rawson

1969 Mary Alice Fisher Carmichael

1970 David Bull, Amie Knox

1971 Harriet Staub Huston Preston Goddard

1972 Bradford Bancroft

1973 Tom Melly, David Waddell

1974 Geoffrey Bermingham William Schlosser

1975 Blaine W. Parker, Jr.

1976 Ashley King Goddard

Bradley Palmer

1977 Robert Getz

1978 Elise Hillman Green Wendy Waddell

1979 Patrick Jeffrey *

1980 Nancy “Quinn” Keeler

Traci Reed Fiore

1981 Suzanne Jack

1982 Christine Corcoran

Thomas Crystal

1983 Jim Israel, Trevor Fearon

1984 Heather Lane Spehr

1985 William Sterling

Elizabeth Terrell

1986 Katherine Anderson Gray

Christopher Lane

1987 Jennifer Foulke Meyers

1988 Melissa Floren Filippone

1989 Elizabeth Shaio Archibald

Tracy Keim Ward

1990 Leila Jones Shields

Emily Hoffman Stern

1991 Adrian Gray, Martha Payne, Friso Van Reesema

1992 Jason Vintiadis

1993 Clay Floren

Jennifer Sanders Prince

1994 Meaghan Nolan Van Reesema

1995 Paul Mello

1996 Veronica Arzeno Chiavaroli

1997 Jay Helmer, Chapin Kelly, Blair Gallagher Sheehan

1998 Christopher King

1999 Ashley Flight, Lillian Nigro

2000 Curtis Browning

2001 Kendrick Luse

Katharine Yeskey Singh

2002 Paige Corbin Kyle

Ginger Northrop Ruff

2003 John Badman

Jonathan Delikat

Meagan Fisher

Sophie Nitkin

Gregory Weisbrod

2004 Catherine Anne Lowden

Kelsey Vanderlip

2005 David Hakim

Spencer Slocum

Robert Swindell

Christina Lawrence

2007 Lizzy Berdoff, Brooke Pinto, Cindy Ruiz

2008 Nicole Black

Elizabeth Arenz-Hoshein*

2009 Olivia E. Marcus

Charles Pasciucco

2010 Tessa L. Fox

Charles Januszewski

2011 Zach Berzolla

Parker Holbrook

Eliot Johnson

Posey Memishian

2012 Caitlin Brady

Michael Harteveldt

Phebe Huth

Allie Keigher

2013 Gabrielle Finkelstein

Sarah Mathes

Charlie Reimers

Charlie Weld

2014 Chrissy Roca

Bridget Slocum

Ben Zabin

Isabella Tarbell-Arnaboldi

2015 Gabbie Coffy

Kate Epifanio

Ryan Morris

2016 Julian Martelly

Grace Mullen

2017 Carolyn Jeffery

Jamie Jeffery

Olivia Marshal

Maggie Sandler

2018 Lulu Forrest

2021 Jack Linardos

2019/2022

Caroline Hart

Kayla Richards

Mackenzie Ross

2023 Jolie Karen

2024 Zainn Amin

Anna Basinet

Asher Goldstein

Avery Sleeper

*New Class Representative

By adding Greenwich Country Day School to your estate plan, you will become part of a dedicated group of supporters who prioritize GCDS’s legacy of leadership and innovation.

Join now to be part of our School’s Centennial Celebration in 2025-2026, a chance to honor a century of purpose, pride, and possibility.

For more information, reach out to the Advancement team at anabel.perezwills@gcds.net or dee.orsino@gcds.net

THE 1926 SOCIETY | PLANNED GIVING

mer faculty as well) Please see In Memoriam on page 72.

1955 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

1956

Congratulations to Ursula Griswold LaMotte, the recipient of our Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award. Ursula was a county legislator for almost two decades. Since her retirement she is on the board of many organizations and continues to help support her community.

1960 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

1961

Daniel Badger writes that since COVID, four classmates, Peter Harris, Dan Badger,

and Tom Weber, Howard Cutler, have been Zooming monthly. ‘Finally, we decided it was time to meet up, which happened over four days in early March on Pawleys Island, SC. A good time was had by all, especially because two of us brought guitars.”

1962

Sandy Gerli writes: “Greetings from Knightdale, NC, in the Raleigh suburbs! Enjoying life and church here, and spending time with my granddaughters, Amelia and Natalie, who live in Raleigh with my son, Carrington, and his dear wife, Diana.”

1963

We regret to inform you that Teri Noel Towe passed away on Feb. 3, 2025. Please see In Memoriam on page 72. Margo (Miggie) Chisholm writes that her year has been one of recovery. She had a very bad brain infection last April and was very lucky to have survived, despite lasting effects on both physical strength and brain function. She is doing

much better than many folks thought she might, but no more tennis! Instead, she’s kept grounded through conscious dance/movement and meditation that bring a great deal of serenity even in this chaotic time. She chooses to adopt a pace of love for all beings as much as she possibly can, believing that’s the way to bring healing to our world. Miggie is still living in Santa Cruz, CA, and loving it. Involvement with several non-profits feeds her heart and allows her to use some of her professional and coaching skills. She feels enormously blessed in her life with all its gifts and challenges. Caroline (Cindie) Lovelace writes she has just returned from her second trip to Egypt. Highlights included GEM, the Grand Egyptian Museum next to the pyramids in Giza—phenomenal, a place she recommends to anyone who loves ancient art displayed in a wildly modern, dazzling museum! The next day, her group received a special permit to spend a lovely afternoon under the gorgeous blue sky between the paws of the Sphinx, a welcome change as

eight years ago, as a solo tourist, she had to stand a good long distance away to view the Sphinx from above, behind a railing, with many other people from all over the world. This time she found the up-close and personal experience unexpectedly moving. His paws are gigantic, something she never really understood until walking the entire circle in the sand around his paws and his body. Being so close was a magical experience, like a walk back through eons of time (5,000 years, as per the view of most Egyptologists). After the rest of the group went back to the UK, Cindie had her own adventure at Abydos, exploring the site where the earliest kings of Egypt are buried, most now under simple piles of stones. Her archeologist guide was able to show her exactly where each of her favorites was interred in pre-pyramid times, a period that has fascinated her ever since she began studying Egypt five years ago. The guide humored her, and they hiked the processional way all the way to the wadi, the break in the high cliffs which the ancient Egyptians believed was the passageway to the land beyond this one, the underworld. She had a blast! Sheila Blair writes: “I am still happily retired with my husband in Richmond, NH, glad that spring has arrived and the gardening season is upon us. I weathered the winter with lots of reading (thanks to a very good public library!) and a lovely two weeks over the New Year in Guatemala and Belize with our daughter, Felicity. It couldn’t have been nicer: jungles, Mayan ruins, handicrafts, snorkeling, canoeing, swimming in everything from oceans to rivers, lakes and lagoons. I had last been to Tikal 50 years ago. I predated most of the guides. Back then we had to camp out;

Peter Harris, Dan Badger, Tom Weber, and Howard Cutler, all Class of 1961

Robin Coleman ’65, Jerry Jeffery ’65, and Alec Coxe ’64 celebrating Robin’s 75th birthday.

Richard W. Montague ’48 in front of the FINOSE, the corner of Finland-Norway-Sweden in 2015.

IN MEMORIAM

JOHN CUSHWA “PETE” GRADY ’40, 100, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2025. John was born in Stamford, CT, on Jan. 25, 1925, to the late Mary Dugan Grady and George Grady. John attended Greenwich Country Day School and Phillips Exeter Academy (Class of ’44). After initially attending Bates College, he transferred to Harvard University (Class of ’47) where he lettered in football. John was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Block Island After his Naval service and his father’s early death, John became President of George Grady Press, a business devoted to the printing of academic, literary, and fine arts books. John spent his entire career in the printing business. In 1959 while working in Manhattan, John was introduced to his beloved Michelle “Mimi” O’Shea. They married in 1960 and moved to Greenwich in 1967 where they raised their three children. John and Mimi were parishioners of St. Michael Church and members of the Belle Haven Club for more than 50 years. After Mimi’s passing in 2017, John continued to live in Greenwich until 2020, when at age 95, he moved to New Jersey to be closer to family.

John is survived by his three children and their spouses: John George Grady (Leigh) of Herndon, VA; Margot Grady Vaughan (Tom) of Morganville, NJ; and Maria Grady Murphy (Jay) of Cleveland Heights, OH. John was a loving “Gramps” to his six grandchildren: John Thomas Grady (Rachel), Kristin Grady Smith (Parker), Thomas Vaughan, Brian Vaughan, Tommy Murphy, and Danny Murphy. John is also survived by his three great-grandsons (John Declan Grady, Chase Smith, and Callan Grady). John was predeceased by his parents, his wife Mimi, and his dear sister, Patricia Grady Parks.

JAMES STILLMAN ROCKEFELLER, JR. ’40 (1926–2025) died at his home of seven decades on Jan. 8, 2025, the day after his 99th birthday. Jim, also known affectionately as “Pebble,” was a writer, boatbuilder, pilot, museum founder, philanthropist, father, and husband. He was also a lover of nature and interesting characters.

Jim was born in the Manhattan apartment of his parents, Nancy Carnegie Rockefeller and James Stillman Rockefeller, Sr., and raised in Greenwich, CT. He was the grandson of William G. Rockefeller, great-grandson of James Stillman, and great-grandnephew of both John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. He was predeceased by his brother, Andrew Carnegie Rockefeller, and sister, Georgia Rockefeller Rose. Jim attended Greenwich Country Day School and Deerfield Academy, then served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After graduating from Yale University, where he studied English and history, he spent several years traveling and exploring before finally settling down in Camden, ME. In 1974, he co-founded the Owls Head Transportation Museum (the largest working transportation museum in New England) along with Tom

Watson Jr. and Steve Lang and served as its chairman until 2017. For over 20 years, at Bald Mountain Boat Works, Jim built and restored boats, vintage cars, and airplanes alongside his colleague and friend, Fred Holbrook. As a pilot he clocked more than 2,000 hours in the air, flying until the age of 90. An accomplished writer, Jim wrote three books and numerous magazine and journal articles. Man on His Island, which details his travels in the Pacific, was published in 1957. His second book, Med Liv Ombord (With Liv Onboard), recounts his journey with his first wife, Liv Heyerdahl, through the canals and rivers of France in a small Viking boat. First published in 1959 in Norwegian, it was then republished in 2017 as Still and Rushing Water in English. Wayfarer published in 2018 and winner of the 2019 Maine Literary Award for Memoir, describes his life of adventures, deep loves and losses, and fatherhood, depicting throughout the enduring passion of his relationships and his love of nature.

At the very beginning of his seaward explorations on his boat Mandalay, Jim met his first love—the children’s book writer Margaret Wise Brown— on Cumberland Island, GA. They were engaged to be married, but she died while away in France. Margaret introduced him to the island of Vinalhaven, ME, where he spent years after her death loving the island and its ocean. Jim later met Stella, the mother of his first child James Bennet (“Wawa”) during his travels to Tahiti. Both Stella and “Wawa” are now deceased. He married Liv Heyerdahl in 1956 in Norway, where their two children Liv Merlin and Ola Stillman Rockefeller were born. Liv Heyerdahl died when the children were still young. Jim was also predeceased by his two stepsons, Bjorn and Thor Heyerdahl, Jr., children of Liv and the Kon-Tiki explorer, Thor Heyerdahl. Since 1983, Jim had been deeply in love with Marilyn Moss, the writer and former CEO of Moss Inc. They were happily married for over 41 years, enjoying sailing and flying adventures together, along with quiet times at home watching birds in the garden and their view of Penobscot Bay.

As a philanthropist and enormously kind-hearted man, Jim contributed generously to nonprofit organizations that addressed homelessness, civil rights, education, and nature conservation, among other causes. Perhaps more significant was his impact on the lives of individuals whom he helped in countless ways, including college tuition assistance for Maine students. He had an ability to believe in people who did not yet believe in themselves, and to nurture each person’s unique talents. Jim was an extraordinary man with endless curiosity, a sharp wit, a kind demeanor, and an appreciation of life’s simple pleasures. Jim described his own life as privileged, being able to “do pretty much whatever I wanted, but hopefully giving back a small part of what I have been given.” To those who knew, cherished, and admired Jim, he gave humor and wisdom. He was known for his singular phrase that was at once advice, encouragement, a farewell, and more: “Courage.”

Jim is survived by his wife, Marilyn; younger sister, Nancy McFadden Copp; his children, Liv and Ola; his stepchildren, Genevieve and Jeffrey; his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.

VIRGINA “GINA” LASELL WESTGAARD ’46, 92, passed away on Jan. 15, 2025 at her home in Denver, CO. She was born Nov. 10, 1932, in New York City to Chester Harding Lasell and Ruth Drake Lasell. She grew up in Greenwich, CT, and attended Greenwich Country Day School and Miss Porter’s School before attending Vassar College. After leaving college to marry her first husband, William Stanley, they moved to Denver where they raised their three children. In 1985, Gina completed her BA with a History

of Art degree from Metro State College and stayed on to teach and tutor for three years. Gina married Tor Westgaard in 1986. They traveled extensively and lived in Maine for six years before returning to Colorado to be near their children. Gina was an active member of the Denver Botanic Gardens, running the annual plant sale, giving outdoor and conservatory tours, and everything in between. She was a proud recipient of her “40 year” pin. She also volunteered at Planned Parenthood and was a member of the Board of Trustees at Kent Denver School. Gina loved to read, play bridge, hike the Colorado mountains, learn about wildflowers, and play tennis. As a mother, wife, and friend, Gina was kind, graceful, compassionate, and stoic.

Gina is survived by her beloved daughter, Helen Stanley Baker (David McClure), grandson, Morgan Clinton Baker; great-grandchildren, Mercury and Jupiter Baker; stepchildren, Gyda Flanigan (Sean), Toralee Hellyer (Bobby), and Rolf Westgaard (Celeste); and numerous stepgrandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Tor Westgaard; daughter, Leila Stanley Stephani; and son, Frank Drake Stanley.

KATHARINE GILLET “GILL” THOMAS PAGE ’48 died on Dec. 8, 2024, at age 89. She was the third daughter of Walter Meredith Thomas and Helen Augusta Thomas (nee Wales) of Greenwich, CT. Her father nicknamed her “Happy” for her positive attitude and love of life, qualities she retained throughout her life.

She attended Westover Preparatory School where she became president of her class and then went to Vassar College, graduating in 1956. She played field hockey and sang in the school’s glee clubs. She met Lyman Page, a Columbia Medical Student, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends and they married soon after she graduated. Lyman’s training took them to California, Virginia, New Hampshire, back to California, and to Kennebunkport in 1970. Later they would live in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Saudi Arabia, eventually returning to their home in Kennebunkport.

Gill was an artist, teacher, dedicated mother, and was active in all communities where she lived. She received a graduate degree in art and education at the University of Maine and taught at Kennebunk High School and in Westbrook. Gill showed and sold her sculptures in galleries in Boston and locally, including the Kennebunk River Club’s annual art show. In addition, she was a docent at the Portland Museum of Art and a member of the Director’s Circle. She was active at the Brick Store Museum bringing Sisters Gerald and Vincent of the School Sisters of Notre Dame of the College of Notre Dame in Maryland to the Kennebunks to teach printmaking.

Gill sang with the Yankee Bells and was in the South Congregation Church choir. At the church, she served as secretary, clerk, and was on other church committees. She was president of the auxiliary at Webber Hospital and Southern Maine Medical Center, and played an active role in The Capers, a hospital fundraising event. She was an avid tennis player winning competitions at the Kennebunk River Club including the women’s senior doubles in 1990.

She was predeceased by her husband and two sisters. She is survived by two sons, Lyman Alexander Page Jr. and Andrew Murtland Page; her daughter, Gwen Meredith Page; and by four nephews, four nieces, four

grandsons, one granddaughter, three grandnephews, two grandnieces, two great-grandnephews, and a great-grandniece.

WILLIAM GIBSON CAREY III ’48, 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 6, 2024, in Waitsfield, VT. Born on Feb. 27, 1935, in Greenwich, CT, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who cherished his family above all else. He was a graduate of the Kent School and Union College. While at Union, he met Kip, and together they built a life of adventure, love, and enduring family traditions. His connection to Vermont began when college friends introduced him to the Mad River Valley. In 1962, he and Kip with their dear friends Carl and Sue Maynard transformed a humble sugar house on Bragg Hill into a family treasure–a home central to his family to this day. Professionally, Bill had a rich and varied career. After excelling in sales and marketing at Airco in its welding products division, he along with Kip modernized and enhanced his family’s ranch business in Throckmorton, TX. In 1990, he co-founded Newport Hospitality Group, a hotel management company where he left a legacy of employee-focused leadership. Through each endeavor, Bill cultivated a culture of collaboration, innovation, and care. A lifelong tinkerer and adventurer, Bill rebuilt his first car at age 15 and never stopped taking things apart to learn and improve them. From sailing Dancer on Long Island Sound to skiing the trails of Mad River Glen and Alta, maintaining his cars and planes, and restoring a 1958 mahogany boat named Gerpatcyn, he embraced the joy of discovery and shared it with those around him. He was happiest outdoors–fishing the waters of Nantucket, skiing with his grandchildren, and piloting his plane across the country. Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was a generous guide, a wise mentor, and a loving family man who inspired and supported countless friends and family members.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Kate (Kip) P. Carey; his two sons, Gib (Sarah) and Andrew (Liza); his six grandchildren: Christopher (Katie), Eliza, Madeline, Lindsay, and Hadley; and his greatgranddaughter, Eloise.

NANCY JANE DONNELLY BLISS ’50, 88, died peacefully on Dec. 23, 2024, at home in Brunswick, ME. Nancy was born to William Joseph and Edna Lincoln Donnelly on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1936, in Philadelphia, PA.

Nancy was educated at Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich, CT, Abbot Academy, Andover, MA, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY. After her graduation from Abbot Academy, Nancy continued to be a connector with her classmates by being the class secretary and organizer for many years of long friendships.

Nancy was a longtime Kindergarten and Phonics/Reading teacher at Greenwich Country Day School until her retirement to Brunswick, ME, in 1996. Upon retirement, she continued to be an advocate for early education and learning by reading regularly to preschoolers at various locations around Brunswick including Success by 6 and Head Start.

She was a dedicated environmentalist and proponent of recycling and composting. She participated in the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, while living in CT, and was instrumental in bringing environmental education, awareness, and action to the Greenwich Country Day community. Nancy wrote many letters to the editor and to Senators Angus King and Susan Collins of Maine on various topics important to her including clean air and drinking water, recycling, protected land use, and more.

Her faith led her to Days Ferry Congregational Church in Woolwich, ME, where she wore many hats over the last 20 years, including Sunday School teacher, Bible Study leader, prayer shawl knitter, deacon, and more. Nancy was always reaching out to others with her practice of writing notes of encouragement and support. She also loved to bake quick breads to give to new neighbors, a church member on the prayer list, or a friend in need.

Nancy was an avid walker and birder continuing with these activities right up until two weeks before her death. She loved observing the natural world around her and was committed to preserving it by supporting various worthwhile organizations including Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Audubon, and Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Her summers at Camp Kehonka on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire were treasured memories of hiking, canoeing, and swimming in the lake where she developed lifelong friendships. Nancy enjoyed genealogy and researching her family roots in New York State and Ireland. Family was very important to Nancy and she treasured special times together, especially in the summer down at “the point” in Georgetown, ME. She was lovingly called Mimi by her four grands and being a part of their lives as they matured into young adults brought her great joy. She especially treasured her visits with her one-year-old great-grandson, Riley, as he grew this past year.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Howard Blatchford Bliss; daughter Sarah her husband John Seamans of Newbury, MA; son Daniel and his wife Joanne (Jody) Bliss of Colorado Springs, CO; her grandchildren: Daniel his wife Katherine Seamans of Dresden ME, Holly Seamans of Topsham, ME, Courtney Bliss and her fiancé Matthew Kinney of Canaan, NH, and Howard William (Will) Bliss of Nobleboro, ME, and great-grandson Riley Seamans of Dresden, ME. She also leaves behind in-laws, John and Caroline Bliss of Bath, ME, and Joanne Carr Donnelly of Westwood, MA, four nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Besides her parents, Nancy was predeceased by her brother William J. Donnelly ll and sister in-law Mary H. Bliss.

FREDERICK “FRITZ” TRASK III ’52 ,87, died peacefully March 2, 2025, in Englewood, CO. He was the husband of Penny Jackson Trask and the late Melissa Willim Trask; father of Ted, Laura (Thomas) Schneider and Adam (Jenny); and “Pops” to Quinn, Charley, Henry, Will, Samantha, Tanner (Courtney), Zachary (Molly) and Kelly. Fritz attended the Groton School and graduated from Harvard College, Class of 1960, with an A.B. in History. He further earned an M.S. in Mathematics from Bowdoin College. Fritz had a long career, which included teaching at Greenwich Country Day School, General ReInsurance Corporation, Executive Director of the Craig Hospital Foundation, Vice President of the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation, and Executive Vice President of the Boettcher Foundation.

TERI NOEL TOWE ’63 passed away on Feb. 3, 2025. Teri, an art historian and music historian, was born in Connecticut in 1948 and grew up in a cultured and cultivated household, where he early on developed a passion for the arts, particularly painting. He majored in History of Art at Princeton, graduating with departmental honors and winning a prize in the History of Architecture.

A passionate lover and collector of classical music, particularly of the late Baroque period, he was for many years active in radio, presenting a weekly classical music and talk show on WBAI-FM from 1974 to 1986. More recently, he hosted “Towe on Thursday” as a classical DJ at WPRB Princeton (see wprb.com), producing memorable programs about Bach, Baroque music, and his favorite performers. His published work, other than record criticism and liner notes, includes critical discographies of compositions by Handel and Bach. His collection of Bach recordings is reputed to be the most complete in the world. He twice won the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for significant writings in music and was the recipient of numerous honors and awards.

A lawyer by profession, Teri graduated from the School of Law of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1973.

JAMES BECKET MEEKER ’66 of Greenwich, CT, died peacefully March 21, 2025. He attended Greenwich Country Day School and The Taft School. In 1973, he graduated from Denison University where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Having majored in communications, Jim’s career interests after college took him to New York, where he worked at ABC and Jack Morton Worldwide in the companies’ entertainment and client service teams. Jim grew up in Greenwich spending time playing hockey, tennis, and squash. Jim’s many community interests included being a member of the Nutmeggers, Greenwich Skating Club, and he served on the board of the Field Club of Greenwich.

Jim was known for his kind-hearted spirit and love for his family. Most weekends were spent at the Field Club with his boys and on his boat, Sea Bear. Tubing with the kids and tying up with friends for sunset dinners around Captain’s Island were some of his greatest joys. Through all of his travails, Jim never lost his spirit and zest for life.

He leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Cindy, their two sons, Jeffrey and William, and a sister, Pamela Thye.

JANET LOUISE JOHNSON ’84 passed away at her Manhattan home on Nov. 30, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was 55 years old, having bravely fought a six-year battle with breast cancer. Janet leaves behind her devoted partner, Jordan Jackson, her mother, Donna Johnson, of Riverside, and her sister, June O’Brien, and brother-in-law, Conor O’Brien, of Somerville, MA.

Born and raised in Riverside, CT, Janet was an honors graduate of Greenwich Country Day School in 1984. She went on to Greenwich High School, where she excelled as a competitive tennis player, holding positions

on both the number-one doubles team and second singles team.

During her childhood, Janet was deeply involved in the equestrian world, riding her beloved ponies, MayFayre and Huckleberry, and competing at the highest levels. At just 14 years old, she won the prestigious Eastern States Large Pony Hunter Championship. She trained with Cynthia Williams and later with the Fairfield Hunt Club, where she traveled the A circuit and was ranked nationally. Janet graduated cum laude from Barnard College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a major in philosophy. Shortly after, she joined Lacombe, Inc., working alongside renowned photographer Brigitte Lacombe as her agent for over 35 years. Janet traveled the globe, managing all aspects of the agency and forming lasting friendships with many of the world’s most fascinating figures. She worked on many projects including the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, having an integral role in shining the light on its laureates and ideas. Her expertise

and passion for the business led her to become president of Lacombe, Inc., where she continued to inspire those around her.

In Tivoli, NY, Janet built a tranquil retreat that became a sanctuary for her and Jordan. There, she poured her heart into cultivating a magnificent garden and built a community of lifelong friends. A lover of books, Janet was particularly captivated by the works of Henry David Thoreau, but it was her garden where she felt most at home, reveling in the slow, thoughtful pace of small-town life. She had an innate ability to see the beauty in places and people before they became fashionable and was known for her uncanny memory and vast network of artist friends, many of whom went on to achieve great success.

Janet supported the arts in all forms, amassing an impressive collection of works from artists she deeply admired. A natural raconteur, Janet had a rare gift for storytelling, always capturing the attention and affection of those around her. She was generous with her time, her wisdom, and her love. Janet touched countless lives, and her kindness, warmth, and deep connection to both the art world and the people she loved will be profoundly missed.

now there are thousands of tourists per day. But it’s nice to see that I can still climb pyramids.” Following the replacement of his left hip last year, Henry Ziegler continues supporting the medical establishment: “I continue to have pieces replaced. In March, surgery on my hand to relieve the arthritis— in a cast for five weeks! Never realized how reliant I was on my right hand. . . .” In October, Henry and Zhi traveled to Prague to visit family. There they have two granddaughters, ages 3 and 1. At home in Maryland, they have two grandsons, ages 13 and 11, who are ardent Orioles fans courtesy of their granddad. Ward Davol and wife, Diane, in Greenwich, are still working—he at real estate brokering and she at PURE Insurance in White Plains. They are now almost but not quite empty-nesters, and all children are gainfully employed. Rector, with a bachelor’s and master’s from High Point University., is a recruiter at Financial Independence Group in Charlotte. Miller, with a bachelor’s from Elon University, commutes from Greenwich to New York where he works in business development at DailyPay, an earned-wage access provider. Ray Hornblower reports that his daughter Natalie ’25, whom you may remember we met at our 60th reunion, is now a senior at Country Day. She will attend Tulane University and major in biochemistry, a subject she loves. His son, Sam, now works for Bloomberg Television as a producer, after 17 years at CBS’ 60 Minutes where he produced among other reports “The Opioid Playbook”

and “Price Gouging the Pentagon.” Son, Luke, practices corporate law in Morristown, NJ. Walter Hinton writes that classmate Teri Noel Towe died on Feb. 3, 2025, at his home in South Amenia, Dutchess County, New York. He was 76 years old. Teri joined our class in the ninth grade in 1962, coming from The Buckley School in Manhattan. In a short time, he made his mark at GCDS, succeeding academically and playing the part of the Lord Chancellor in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe. Despite mobility challenges in later years, Teri was indefatigable about attending class reunions at Princeton and GCDS. He borrowed the school’s audio recording of our Iolanthe production, commissioned a reproduction by audio engineers, and distributed CDs at our 50th reunion. He said that he had the most fun and fulfillment in school during the one year he spent with us at Country Day. (He always retained the Beethoven sweatshirt and Bach portrait that he painted in Mr. Herron’s art class.) Teri’s classmates will miss his energy, erudition, sense of humor, and positive outlook on life. Guy Lawrence sent this personal recollection of Teri: “During our ninth-grade year, because my family had moved from Riverside to North Stamford, my parents drove me to and from school each day. The pickup spot was the gate where Old Church Road and Fairfield Road intersected. Teri also was picked up at the same location. Somehow he always beat me to the gate, and whereas his pickup was usually late, my pickup (usually my mother) was early. As a

result, by the time I reached our car, Teri had monopolized and lectured my mother with a historical and often hysterical lesson about Bach and his organ compositions. Her retelling of these conversations entertained me on the ride home and my stepfather at dinner in the evenings.” Susie Fisher Thorness writes: “ My husband Bill and I divide our time between home in Seattle and a country place in Chimacum, WA, where we tend an orchard of 50 trees. We sell our fruit to the Finnriver Cidery. I continue to enjoy gardening and lead the crew of Master Gardeners who tend the gardens at the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle. Annual travel includes a trip to Colorado for the Telluride Film Festival and family visits to the San Francisco Bay Area. We are currently traveling regionally to promote Bill’s new book, All Roads Lead to Rome, a memoir about his father and WWII.” Connie Fisher writes: “Spring in Seattle is a big expansion of light and foliage. I’m teaching Yoga for Osteoporosis at Greenwood Senior Center and am a volunteer for the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation. Ushering at the Seattle Symphony is my other volunteer job, and over Labor Day weekend I’ll be in Telluride volunteering at their film festival. Work is out, volunteering is IN. This spring, I’m going with my next door neighbor and twin Susie and her husband, Bill Thorness, to Norway. We’ll bring them his newly published book, see Susie’s note above. I so enjoyed seeing classmates at our last reunion! Looking forward to the

next one, or any opportunity to meet up. If you are in Seattle come visit and attend the symphony on my complimentary tickets.”

1965 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

Red Jahncke writes: “Over the last year and a half since my wife, Robin, passed away, I have continued my second career as a journalist and have been taking care of my first grandchild/son, Dylan. I have managed to keep up my sports obsession with mixed results, including a great long weekend of skiing in Park City in early March with friends who are now full-time PC residents followed by an ill-fated game of tennis during which I ruptured my Achilles. I am 10 days post-surgical repair as I write. Recovery will occupy most of 2025 according to my surgeon.” George Hager writes: “I’m fine, living happily with my wonderful wife, Monica Healy, a former Senate aide (Sen. Mac Mathias, liberal Republican from MD),

who went on to run the Washington office for Maryland Gov. William Schaefer and the Democratic Policy Committee for Senat Majority Leader George Mitchell, then did government affairs and lobbying for Teach for America (TFA) before starting her own good-guys lobbying firm for TFA and others (I’m impressed just writing all this). No kids, alas, but numerous God kids, nephews, nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces whom we adore and spend as much time with as we can and try to spoil as much as possible. I retired in 2016 after a long career in journalism— New Orleans Times-Picayune (first in N.O. and then their Washington bureau), Congressional Quarterly, Washington Post , USA Today, and hosted a Saturday or Sunday 3-hour show on C-SPAN for a few years. I was a reporter, editor, and finally an editorial writer. I absolutely loved it; it was the perfect career for somebody who’s curious, likes to explain things to people, and likes to go places (including Central America for the wars there) and meet people (includ -

ing the stripper Fanne Foxe of Wilbur Mills fame, Daniel Ortega, Napoleon Duarte, Russel Long, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden and Jay Saucier, who ran the best R&B lounge and cockpit (rooster fights) in Southwest Louisiana), etc., etc. Along the way, I dealt with my severe fear of flying by learning how to fly, owning three planes (sequentially), and flying back and forth across (and up and down) the country numerous times. I miss it, but after age 69, it gets hard to impossible to get airplane insurance. I loved riding my road bike until an accident nearly killed me in 2020, and also loved rowing my single scull on the Potomac until my balance went bad (see bike accident). Now I hike in the nearby woods. Lately, I’ve been indulging my habit of arguing with lawyers by serving as a public member of the DC Board on Professional Responsibility, DC’s lawyer disciplinary board. Most cases I’ve been on are one, two or three days tops, but since September I’ve been on what is now the longest case in Board history. The hearing committee I’m on (two lawyers and one ‘public member’—me) has so far heard about 35 days of testimony in the case of three lawyers who put their names on cases in five states that sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election and award enough votes to Trump that he would have beaten Biden. The charges involve filing lawsuits that the Office of Disciplinary Counsel alleges were frivolous—based on fact-free allegations, etc. The work is entirely voluntary (no pay), but I figure I’m a lock for heaven for doing this. I also have profound new respect for classmates who are (real) judges, like Charlie Lee . Being a judge is hard—trying to maintain strict neutrality, not make friends with people you see in the courtroom every day, not pre-judge the case, listening to

Ashley Bourne Dewey ’79 with a new granddaughter, Miller Redmond.

Left: Hattie Hartman ’69, Celia Alexander ’01, Anne Alexander Barnum ’69 Top: Will Nixon ’72 is an author.

Sheila Blair ’63 with her daughter Felicity at Tikal in Guatemala.

Sheila Blair ’63

hours of sometimes mind-numbing testimony, and so on. One perk: Unlike when I was a journalist, witnesses have to answer my questions. And I like to require people to call me “Your Honor.” If only they would.”

Burr Toohey writes: “First, we have a reunion coming up. It will be our 60th—oh my! It will be in October. I plan to be there and hope to see you ALL! Well, my mother died in June 2024, three months shy of her 102nd birthday. She was lucky to have lived in her own home—with caregivers. She had her wits about her to the end. None of us kids were with her. She died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning. The house has been sold but it is still standing, I gather from friends; the driveway has been or will be moved from the Lake Avenue entrance to Rockwood Lane (a better address). Lots of work to clean out things there, as you can imagine. Now I have to clean out my house here in CO! Quite a chore which has taken months, and still plagues me. I have done some traveling and plan on more in the upcoming months: Nairobi to spend a week with a friend there—April; Mongolia to bird watch and hopefully see the Snow Leopard–June; Antarctica to bird watch (really my only reason for travel–late December. I am looking forward to it all.” Peter

Rene Robinson Pallace ’79 with her three daughters and granddaughter.

Scherman writes: “Peggy and I are doing really well. Not a lot of travel in the past few months but look forward to Charleston next month. Have a beach house booked in June to host some of our children and one granddaughter. One son and another granddaughter will visit from Costa Rica in July. Nothing better than family! Looking forward to our 60th this fall!” Vicky Milbank Whitney writes: “Thinking about our great GCDS class, all the fun and laughs

James Hornblower ’79 and Meghan Hornblower Krom at the Hamilton College boathouse with crew boat named after rowing program founder David Hornblower ’79

we had. I am still working as a broker in the Brookline and Newton suburbs of Boston. Have 10 wonderful grandchildren whom I visit often, and six horses that make it necessary for me to keep working. Looking forward to our next big reunion and seeing some old pals again.” Nick Deegan writes: “Pretty much steady as she goes here on the

LEAVE A LEGACY Take a Seat

Thank you alumni and parents of alumni for supporting the new Amanda G. Winklevoss ‘94 Performing Arts Center!

Giving Day 2025 was record-breaking!

500 Donors

$115,000 Raised

13 Class Seats Supported

Together, our community came together to leave their legacy for the future of GCDS.

For more details, please visit our website using the QR code.

high plains, spring snowstorms followed by warm weather. True spring should break in the next month or two. All is well with us. Family local and active. Great-grandson will snag his driver’s license in two weeks. So time marches on!” Andy Stevens writes: “Michele and I have been in Charleston, SC, for the past 10 years. We don’t miss the winters in Connecticut.” Robin Coleman , Jerry Jeffery, and Alec Coxe ’64 celebrated Robin’s 75th birthday in West Palm Beach.

1966

We regret to inform you that Jim Meeker passed away on March 21, 2025 Please see In Memoriam on page 72. Jan Muller Finn

writes: “I entered GCDS in the fifth grade and Jim was one of my first friends at the school. Entry at such a ‘late date’ was difficult as many of my classmates had been together since preschool. Jim made the transition for me very easy and we remained good friends throughout our time together at GCDS. He was always kind, always upbeat, and incredibly generous with his time. I fondly remember many conversations I had with him, whether in the Middle School playground, the halls of the Upper School, or assemblies. Jim was a great listener and seemed to offer just the right advice at the right time. He also had a tremendous laugh and a great sense of humor. Jim truly represented the unique spirit and camaraderie of our 1966 class. He will be sorely missed.” Ginger (Beav) Bevis Littleton writes: “Jim was a ‘lifer’ (K–9) with me at GCDS. We would ride the bus every day and I always remember picking him up at the Deer Park entrance. He loved his family dearly and dealt with his health issues with grace and humor. He will be missed dearly.” Jeremy Smith writes: “I was terribly sorry to have just learned that James died. We had been close friends throughout our formative years as classmates at GCDS. We often spent many happy times together at each other’s homes and riding our bikes to the Field Club. I am sure he will be deeply

missed by all who knew him. With my sincere condolences to James’s family.”

1967

Suzie Petersen wrote in March that she has her hands full tending to her home on the outskirts of Honolulu in Hawaii. “It seems like I’m busy all the time with practically every machine breaking down in my house and trying to renovate at the same time. . . .” Then there are the dogs (her golden retriever, 13-year-old Alfie, gets daily rehab for his spine), cats, and the koi pond. “I’m probably doing too much at this stage of life but feel like it needs to be done. As a hobby, I’m cultivating crown flower plants so that I can safely raise monarch butterflies. Otherwise, they’ve been eaten by geckos and birds.” Friend and classmate Tom Cleveland commissioned Duncan Ewald to do a watercolor of Suzie’s dog Alfie. She reported that classmates Phil Nelson and Charley Griswold (those four great friends have dubbed themselves “The Knuckleheads”) were at the time “freezing their butts off in Iceland while on a photographic excursion!” Margot Trotter Davis, PhD, is still conducting opioid research at Brandeis University in Boston. She says “the work we do is making an impact in lowering the overdose rates. It’s always nice to hear good news.” She is also maintaining her psy-

Eliza and Thomas Decarlo, children of Lizzie Reifenheiser Decarlo ’99

Morgan Christie Matkovic ’99 with her daughters and the book she wrote about autism.

chology practice which, due to COVID, g rew more than she expected. However, “work/ life balance is important as we now have five grandchildren under 5. My kids have been busy! Both sets of families live nearby so we are so lucky to have a front row seat in their lives.” In her spare time, she and her husband go to New York often to take advantage of their condo in Midtown. Whit Knight has written his first novel, Three Virtuous Women and Other Stories, which was in the interior design stage in March. He started working on plotting and planning last September, but didn’t have a publication date. He is writing his second novel, The Art Francisco Way and Assorted Poems, Prayers, and Promises. “It has been a hoot. Writing is (now) the priority,” he reports.

1968

Congratulations to Chris Whipple, the recipient of our Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award. Chris Whipple is an acclaimed author, documentary filmmaker, political analyst, and speaker. He’s been called “an indispensable observer of American power.”

1969

Jim Grant writes that he is enjoying retirement “after 10 years of tax deadlines, late nights, early mornings, virtually no vacations, and, before that, 25 years at General Reinsurance Corp. In my retirement: I have taken three sailing classes, acquired a boating license (I may buy a yacht), worked on my house, and, best of all, took a vacation in the Dominican Republic (during tax season, no less). In June, I am traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, where I will spend two weeks with my Alma Mater (St. Lawrence) where they have a campus. I’m looking forward to seeing the great migration of animals through the Serengeti National Park, traveling to Lake Victoria (the original of the Nile River), and going into the hills. It will be an edu -

cational experience hosted by several professors so I expect to learn something. One of them is an ornithologist (a bird expert) so we will go into the rainforest to observe African birds. The real dangers to human beings in Africa are not the lions and hippos and snakes, but the mosquitos. I have a list of no less than half a dozen inoculations to get before I go, ranging from malaria, yellow fever, hepatitis, rabies, and more.” Sounds like Jim is making progress on the bucket list. Tom Coyle writes he recently kicked off his third career of speaking to public safety/municipalities on the topic of Leadership (Trust, Inspire, and Influence–turning good managers into extraordinary leaders–leading4life.com) with the Greenwich Police Department. The presentation was well-received and Tom is excited for “next steps.” Both of his children are in pub -

lic service–one as an analyst with the FBI office in Anchorage and the other as Marine Corps LTCOL, heading to the National War College this June and with a promotion to full Colonel. “Very proud of them both!” Bill Lorentzen writes that he and his wife, Vikki, recently moved to a new house in Safety Harbor, FL, near Clearwater on the Gulf Coast. He’s a professional guitarist. His wife is a wonderful singer, and they often work together. Their musical talent flowed down to the next generation as well. Their son is a keyboardist/bassist and composer in L.A. and recently produced and arranged most of an album for jazz bassist Stanley Clarke. Bill chuckles, “Believe it or not, my first instrument was one of those black plastic recorders we got in 4th grade. I played it so much my mother banished me to the basement. That little recorder really started

Talia and Isla daughters of Lilly Hubschman-Shahar ’02

something!” Anne Alexander Barnum writes: “My son Sam Alexander ’03 and his wife, Sylvie, had a little boy, my first grandchild, in Paris on Feb. 20, 2025. My daughter, Celia Alexander ’01, and I flew over to meet him in early March. My claim is that he is totally and adorably beautiful! While in Paris, I also met up with Hattie Hartman, Celia’s godmother, who so kindly came from London for a weekend. It was truly special to spend that time with Hattie and all!”

Will Nixon writes: “I live in Kingston, NY, by the Catskills, where I moved in 1996 to leave the Big City behind. I write books. My most recent is If Not in Heaven, Then in Saugerties, a town portrait in poems. I also have a small press, Bushwhack Books. I decided to become a writer when I won a prize at 9th grade graduation and 50 years later I’m still at it.”

1975 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

including speakers like Thomas Friedman and Patti Smith who played guitar as part of our Poet’s Voice series. I’m renovating a new house in Cos Cob and muddling through the intricacies of permitting in Greenwich. Can’t believe we are all filing for Medicare this year—how did we get that old? I don’t feel old but those birthdays do seem to be stacking up! Looking forward to seeing folks at reunion.”

1979

Ashley Bourne Dewey shares a photo of new granddaughter Miller Redmond, born in September 2025. Ashley’s “grand-dog” Baker, is also pictured. After living for many years in Vermont, Ashley now resides in the Lexington, KY, area. James Hornblower writes that in January 2024, the Class of 1979 lost one of its own, David Hornblower (obituary printed in the June 2024 issue of GCDS News). One of the remarkable aspects of David’s life is that when an undergraduate at Hamilton College, David founded Hamilton’s rowing team. Hamilton now has a well established rowing program, and in April of this year, David’s twin brother James, also a member of the Class of 1979, attended a dedication ceremony at Hamilton for a new boat to be used by the team, named in honor of David. David’s daughter, Meghan Hornblower Krom, was also in attendance at the ceremonies. James said, “David would be very proud.” He certainly would. Baltimore resident Rene Robinson Pallace had a wonderful visit to Austin, TX, with her three daughters and granddaughter. Rene reports that after two years of treatment for leukemia, granddaughter, Annette, is cured. “This is wonderful news.”

1980 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

1984

We regret to inform you that Janet Johnson passed away on Nov. 30, 2024 Please see In Memoriam on page 72.

1985 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

Congratulations to the Class of ’85 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Stephanie Dooney Wall ’s son Greyson Wall ’13 married Grace Robinson on Aug. 24, 2024, in Kennebunkport, ME. The

Erin Sanders ’05 married Collin Popp on Nov. 2, 2024

couple attended St. Lawrence University together and both currently work in Boston.

1986

Congratulations to the Class of ’86 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Congrats to Kate Kingsley Lund , the recipient of our Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Kate Lund is a licensed clinical psychologist and author who empowers individuals across all stages of life to build resilience, thrive in their own context, and overcome challenges.

1989

Congratulations to the Class of ’89 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

1990 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

1992

Congratulations to the Class of ’92 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

1993

Congratulations to the Class of ’93 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named

in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

1994

Congratulations to the Class of ’94 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Congratulations to Luke Bronin , the recipient of our Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award. Luke Bronin is a visiting Lecturer in Law and Senior Distinguished Fellow in Residence at Yale Law School and most recently served two terms as Mayor of Hartford, CT.

1995 Your class is celebrating a mile stone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

1996

Congratulations to the Class of ’96 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

1997

Congratulations to the Class of ’97 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Congratulations to Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss , the recipients of our Visionary Alumni Award. They are co-founders of Gemini, a crypto platform.

Ashley Kellam Cordo ’05 and husband, John, welcomed Welles Kellam on Dec. 2, 2024. With brother, Kai.

1 Todd Portier ’98 and wife, Ashley, welcomed their son, Alden Vail, born Jan. 10, 2025

2 Elizabeth Tubridy-Peters and husband, Jono, welcomed Jonathan Peters III “Nate” on Feb. 21, 2025

3 Amanda Shulman ’08 and husband, Alex, welcomed Evie Belle on Jan. 25, 2025

4 Olivia Marcus Parnon ’09 and husband, Eric, welcomed their son, Nolan Peter, on Dec. 14, 2024

Scarlett Madeline with Stevie ’38 and sister Riley to Nathalie Weiss Rhone ’05 and husband Matt on Feb. 19

Kate O’Shaughnessy ’03 won the prestigious John Newbery Award Honor for her young adult book.

John Sjolund writes: “I’m living in San Diego with my twin boys, Kofi and Rinn, who are 11 years old and in 5th grade. I’m still CEO of Luna Diabetes. Big news for us is that we started the pivotal trial of our device to get it to the FDA. For our line of work, medical devices, this is the big one so very exciting news for us. As for plans for the spring/summer, work, work, work . . . and the normal trips to Sweden to hang with family over the summer.”

1998

Todd Portier and wife, Ashley, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Alden Vail, born Jan. 10, 2025.

1999

Lizzie Reifenheiser Decarlo writes that she and her husband, Tom, welcomed their daughter, Eliza Bell Decarlo, on Dec. 21, 2023. “Our son Thomas, now 3 ½ years old, is a very proud big brother. We are settled in New Canaan and love bumping into old classmates in the area. I recently

joined Klingman & Associates, an independent wealth management firm, where I am a Wealth Advisor to individuals and families.” Morgan Christie Matkovic writes: “Following my youngest daughter’s autism diagnosis in 2023, I founded a nonprofit supporting girls on the spectrum and their families named Her Voice, CHS. I also penned a children’s book spreading autism advocacy, awareness, and kindness titled My Sister, Lila Lee. You can find more about Her Voice here: www.hervoicechs.com. Our book can be found here: morganmatkovic.com/ shop/p/mysisterlilalee.”

2000 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

2001

Congratulations to the Class of ’01 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Jessie and Garratt Stuart ’09, groom Ben, bride Jessie Stuart ’07, parents Lisa and Scott Stuart, Daisy Stuart ’16, Nate Stuart ’13

2002

Lilly Hubschman-Shahar writes that she recently transitioned to a new role in maternal/child health leadership. She is currently the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners where she oversees the Global Center for Lactation Training, contributes to advocacy efforts through the United States Breastfeeding Committee and the Global Breastfeeding Collective, and directs IBCLC promotion and advancement efforts within the Americas and Israel. Lilly lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband, daughters Talia and Isla, and two rescue pups.

2003

Emily Lessen and husband, Robbie Sparno, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Isabel Rose, born Feb. 13, 2025. Congratulations to Kate O’Shaughnessy for winning the prestigious John Newbery

Caroline Witmer Gormley ’05 and husband, Mark, welcomed baby Annabelle Jean on March 20

Jeannie Witmer Chapin ’07 and husband, Peter welcomed baby George Hudson on Jan. 25

Nehemiah Brooks ’11 married Cevanie Escarmant on March 21. In attendance were GCDS staff members Leon and Antoinette Martinez (back left), Deborah Peart-Griffin, former fourth-grade teacher and mother of the groom, and siblings Naomi Brooks ’09 and Naja Brooks ’13.

Award Honor for her young adult book, The Wrong Way Home. Kate writes: “To say I am freaking out is the understatement of the century!”

2004

Congratulations to the Class of ’04 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Jason Ienner writes that his company Audigent, of which he was employee 10 in 2020 and has been leading the entertainment division, was acquired by Experian in December. Jason’s wife, Mariah Strongin, will be starring in the forthcoming season of And Just Like Tha t on Max this spring. Andrew Nitkin will be getting married this summer to Jennifer Mandelbaum in NYC.

2005 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

Congratulations to the Class of ’05 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Josie Toso writes: “I’m working as a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety and OCD at Child Mind Institute in Manhattan. I got married in June 2024 in Barcelona and am currently living with my husband in Brooklyn.” Ashley Kellam Cordo and her husband, John, welcomed their son, Welles, on Dec. 2, 2024. They live in Riverside and are excited to watch their older son, Kai (3), grow into being a great big brother. Liz Levison Martinez writes she is enjoying life in Greenwich with her husband, Nick, and their almost one-year-old daughter, Florence. “I am working locally in real estate with Compass and dedicate time to volunteering at Kids in Crisis and Neighbor to Neighbor. This summer, the family plans to stay in Greenwich and is excited for a visit to Nantucket!”

Nathalie Weiss Rhone and husband, Matt, welcomed baby Scarlett Madeline “Scottie” on Feb. 19, 2025. Her big brother Stevie ’38 and big sister Riley are “so excited and couldn’t be more in love!” Caroline Witmer Gormley and husband, Mark, welcomed Annabelle Jean Gormley on March 20, 2025. Sister Jeannie Witmer Chapin ’07 had her baby George just three days later! Caroline writes “what a gift it has been.” Erin Sanders Popp writes she is currently working in Greenwich as an Associate Creative Director at Fleishman Hillard. She recently got married to Collin Popp on Nov. 2, 2024.

Josie Toso ’05 married Owen Fassnacht on Sept. 18, 2024.

Ali Gray Gantsoudes ’05, Josie Toso ’05, Christina Lawrence ’05, Dixon Knox ’05, Owen Fassnacht

2006

Congratulations to the Class of ’06 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Jake Shulman and wife, Amanda, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Pierce Harrison, on Nov. 18, 2024. Baby brothers, Alexander and Davis ’38, are so excited.

2007

Congratulations to the Class of ’07 for coming together on Giving Day! A seat will be named in your class’s honor in the Amanda Gesine Winklevoss ’94 Performing Arts Center.

Jessie Stuart married Benjamin Ross on Oct. 24, 2024. Caroline Witmer Gormley and husband, Mark, welcomed Annabelle Jean on March 20, 2025. Sister Jeannie Wimer Chapin ’07 had her baby George Hudson just three days later! E lizabeth Tubridy-Peters and husband, Jono, welcomed Jonathan Peters III “Nate” on Feb. 21, 2025. Ellie is very excited to be a big sister!

2008

Congratulations to Amanda Shulman , the recipient of our Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award. Amanda Shulman is Executive Chef of Her Place Supper Club, and CoOwner of Libbie Loup Hospitality, which consists of Her Place Supper Club and My Loup, both in Philadelphia. My Loup was a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant in 2024, and in 2025,

Amanda is a finalist for James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.

Amanda Shulman and husband, Alex, welcomed Evie Belle on Jan. 25, 2025.

2009

Olivia Marcus Parnon and husband, Eric, welcomed their son, Nolan Peter, on Dec. 14, 2024. Olivia writes, “ My husband, Eric, and I are very much in love!”

2010 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

Siblings Brian Drittel and Darren Drittel ’13 both “matched”—were accepted to the same residency program—at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. Brian will be pursuing Pathology while Darren Internal Medicine.

Pierce Harrison to Jake Shulman ’06 and wife, Amanda, on Nov. 18, 2024. With brothers Alexander and Davis ’38

Richard Del Vecchio III ’16 (center), with Luke Terry ’16 and Jack McKenna ’16

Greyson Wall ’13 married Grace Robinson on Aug. 24, 2024

2011

Nehemiah Brooks married Cevanie Escarmant on March 21, 2025. Margaret E. Schroeder married James Lofton on Dec. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, FL.

2012

Congratulations to Donovan Mitchell, the recipient of our Visionary Alumni Award. Donovan is a professional Basketball Player, and six-time NBA All-Star.

2013

Siblings Darren Drittel and Brian Drittel ’10 both matched—were accepted to the same residency program—at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. Brian will be pursuing Pathology while Darren is pursuing Internal Medicine. Darren writes: “We haven’t lived in the same place since he was in 9th grade at GCDS and me in 6th, so it will be so nice to not only live in the same city, but to get to complete residency training at the same hos-

pital starting this summer! Classmates Liza Daniels and Jenna Finkelstein came down to open up the letter by my side!” Greyson Wall married Grace Walker Robinson on Aug. 24, 2024, in Kennebunkport, ME. The couple attended St. Lawrence University together and both currently work in Boston. Elsa Mark and Ian Edwards got engaged this April at Lake Tahoe. They attended GCDS, Greenwich High School, and UNC-Chapel Hill together and currently live in San Francisco.

Elsa Mark ’13 and Ian Edwards ’13 got engaged this April at Lake Tahoe.

Brian Drittel ’10 matched at NYU Langone Medical Center

Darren Drittel (middle) with Liza Daniels and Jenna Finkelstein all Class of ’13

Amanda Whelan, Lisa Ghaffari, Margaret Shroeder and husband James Loften, Caroline Miao, Peaches Memishian, all GCDS Class of 2011

Maisy Johnson ’26 and Lily Vincent ’24 in Simsbury, CT, this winter.

2015 Your class is celebrating a milestone reunion year! We hope to see you for Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10–12.

2016

Richard A. Del Vecchio, III graduated from the Greenwich Police Academy in March.

2017

Check out photos from the Parents of Alumni, Class of 2017, Cockta il Party on page 65.

2024

Lily Vincent writes: “ Maisy Johnson ’26 is playing ice hockey at Deerfield and I am

playing at Westminster. She’s a junior and I repeated a grade after leaving GCDS so I am a senior right now and I’m heading off to Trinity College to play field hockey next year! Maisy and I played each other three times this winter and it was so fun to see a familiar face and have the chance to talk to an old friend after the games! This is one of my favorite things about GCDS, whenever you reconnect with someone after going to a different school or after graduation it’s like no time has passed and you are right back on Old Church Road. There’s an instant bond that comes from shared love and memories. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger, and no matter where life takes you that will never change.” )

IN MEMORIAM FORMER FACULTY & STAFF

SUZANNE BURCH

Former GCDS Lower School Secretary, 1983–2007

(Grandmother of Ryan ’05, Sean ’14, and Nolan ’18 Morris)

Suzanne Cooper Burch, affectionately known as “Sue” to her friends and “Mimi” to her family, passed away on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at the age of 88. She is survived by her two daughters, Alison Burch Fallon of Denver, CO, and Sarah Morris of Stamford, CT, along with five devoted grandchildren: Hannah and Cooper Fallon, and Sean, Ryan, and Nolan Morris.

Born on March 13, 1936, as the third child of Donald and Doris Cooper, Sue grew up in Boston, MA, Washington, D.C., and Westport, CT. Sue attended Concord Academy, graduated from Staples High School, and completed her undergraduate studies at The Katharine Gibbs School in Boston. In July 1960, Sue married Richard N. Burch (deceased Jan. 11, 2024) of Forest Hills, NY, moving from Brooklyn Heights to Old Greenwich in 1967.

Alongside her two brothers, Cole and Peter, Sue spent her teen years in a full house in Compo Beach. Her grandchildren came to know her as the “Compo Cutie.” Sue was a lover of nicknames and music. In her later years, she spent quiet afternoons reading with her husband and completing The New York Times crossword puzzles. Sue’s cool-as-a-cucumber attitude was always a welcome calm amidst any chaos.

It was this charisma that distinguished Sue throughout her career in roles at the Rockefeller Fund, Bulkley Dunton, Arthur D. Little, and Outward Bound. As “Mrs. Burch”, the Lower School Secretary at Greenwich Country Day School, she welcomed hundreds of students with open arms and made them feel special. Sue lived by her “golden rule” of treating others with kindness, modeling true empathy and compassion to those around her. She retired in 2007 after managing the smiles, tears, and tummy aches of elementaryaged students for nearly 25 years.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

www.gcds.net/alumni

@gcdsalumni

Post, share, and follow us: #GCDSAlumni www.facebook.com/ GCDS-Alumni-Community

gcdsconnect.com

She was actively involved in the Garden Club of Old Greenwich, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), Greenwich Student Loan, and regularly volunteered throughout her life. A loyal friend and avid fan of her favorite teams, Sue embraced sports and played tennis and golf for many years. She cherished walks around Tod’s Point, dinners at Rocky Point, and reconnecting with her GCDS friends during retirement.

Suzanne and Richard shared a loving marriage for 64 years, residing in Old Greenwich until 2021. An independent, witty, and adoring woman, Sue was a positive force in the lives of all who knew her. She treasured time with her daughters and adored her grandchildren, the lights of her life, always reminding them, “Mimi loves you,” when time spent together came to an end. We will miss her warm smile and infectious laughter, which brought joy to all who knew her.

CATHERINE CRONIN Teacher, Early 90s–2000s

Catherine Cronin passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Dec. 14, 2024, in Greenwich, CT. Born in Queens, NY, on Feb. 9, 1943, Catherine was the daughter of the late John and Mary Cronin and the younger sister of the late Nora Cronin, who became a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is survived by her children, Deirdre and Sean Jennings; her brother, Daniel Cronin and his wife, Susan; her nephews, John and Daniel, and their wives, Sonya and Danielle; and her grandnieces, Nora and Kerry, and grandnephews, Jack, Conor, and Harrison. She was a faculty member at Greenwich Country Day School and Greenwich Academy. Catherine touched the lives of countless students over her teaching career. Catherine was a woman of faith, strength, and kindness.

Please see In Memoriam on page 72 for Nancy Donnelly Bliss ’50, GCDS Kindergarten and Phonics/Reading teacher from 1970–1998 and Frederick Trask ’52, Math Teacher from 1963–1967.

IN CELEBRATION OF OUR CENTENNIAL

We are proud to honor Distinguished Alumni from across the decades of our school history. Our recipients represent diverse industries, unique personal journeys, and exceptional achievements, and have made an incredible impact on their communities, while demonstrating extraordinary Tiger Pride.

We also recognize three alumni with the Visionary Award. These recipients have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to our school community, and their vision has transformed our work.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

Luke Bronin ’94

Public Servant & Educator

Kate Kingsley Lund ’86

Clinical Psychologist & Author

Ursula Griswold LaMotte ’56

Former County Legislator

Margaret Hart Rogers ’47 Former GCDS Athletic Director

Amanda Shulman ’08 Chef & Entrepreneur

John Weinberg ’72 Investment Banker

Chris Whipple ’68

Author & Political Analyst

VISIONARY AWARD

Donovan Mitchell ’12

Professional Basketball Player, Six-time NBA All-Star

Cameron Winklevoss ’97 Co-founder of Gemini

Tyler Winklevoss ’97 Co-founder of Gemini

Grandparents & Grandfriends Day!

Country Day celebrated its annual Grandparents and Grandfriends Day on May 9, beginning with a Thursday evening reception at the Upper School. Assistant Head Jacqueline Jenkins welcomed guests as tenth-graders Daya Garcha, Mary Chickering, Nikhil Raval, Jack Piper, and Samantha Flores presented their American Dream Project. Friday featured a first-grade concert and

Middle School Band performance, with Festival of the Arts displays throughout. Eighth-grader Alex Atkinson delivered a touching Tiger Talk, “American Pie,” describing how baking with her grandmother creates lasting bonds and preserves family traditions. The event successfully celebrated intergenerational connections and created memorable moments for all participants.

Grandparents & Grandfriends Day!

Greenwich Country Day School

P.O. Box 623, Old Church Road

Greenwich, CT 06836-0623

Return Service Requested