GCDS News June 2024

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

For decades, we have taken our Grade 8/9 students to Washington, D.C. I love this trip as it is a chance for the class to develop a deeper bond as a group outside the classroom and, at the same time, get a firsthand look into our nation’s capital. This annual trip provides the perfect backdrop for engaging in conversations around moral and ethical dilemmas, allowing for discussion around resilience, respect, integrity, and empathy.

Kindergarten students’ flower project collaboration.

In this issue of GCDS News, you will see many examples, such as the D.C. trip, that create opportunities for our students to wrestle with a variety of realworld issues. These include the Grade 10 American Dream project, where students work through the challenges and approaches encountered by policymakers, economists, and analysts in our society today; a Junior Thesis student’s research into cancer and immunotherapy; Middle School students’ journey through publishing a novel; and examples celebrated during the Festival of the Arts, where students work together to create inspiring performances or pieces of art, such as our Upper School and

These experiences, along with the many others featured in this issue, showcase our students’ ability to pursue their own interests and passions and to work collaboratively as they apply the knowledge and skills they acquire to solve complex, real-world problems. We are not only teaching academic skills but also guiding them to fine-tune their moral compass, wrestle with ambiguity, and struggle with complexity. John Dewey, one of the founding fathers of educational thinking, once said, “Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking: learning naturally results.”

I am so proud of the learning accomplished this year by every one of our students! I wish you all a terrific summer—read lots of books, and I can’t wait to see everyone back in September!

Adam C. Rohdie

Grade 8 Travels to Washington, D.C.

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

ChiChi Ubiña, Ariana Lubelli-Brown, Jon Lopez, Kate Flanagan, Whit Hawkins, Louise Wales, Rustin Gudin

MAGAZINE DESIGN

Foogoo Communications Design

MARKETING GRAPHICS

Kirsten Bitzonis

WEBSITE

Kate Flanagan

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: Denise Meza Reyes, Lower Elementary Arts Teacher, and Chloe Doneger, Grade 2

Cover Photo: ChiChi Ubiña JUNE 2024

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

FREEDOM, POWER & MOBILITY

By Dr. Andrew Ruoss, Upper School Academic Dean

Examining the Complexity of the American Experience

Perhaps more than recent generations before them, our current Upper Schoolers have lived through public narratives that have described each successive year of their adolescence as “unprecedented,” “complicated,” and “complex.” Leaning into this experience, a talented, interdisciplinary team of 10th grade American Studies faculty has embraced the challenge of working with their students to decode the dynamics of contemporary American society. The capstone of this exploration is the American Dream Project, through which students analyze the core societal systems that undergird American life. Cultivating the skills of large-scale, interdisciplinary research, the project also serves as the gateway to

the advanced electives, thesis research, and independent studies that await our 10th graders in their Junior year ahead.

NAVIGATING THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Throughout the year-long American Studies program—centered on paired American history and literature courses—10th grade students examine

By Dr. Andrew Ruoss, Upper School Academic Dean

the American experience through three lenses: Freedom, Power, and Mobility.

“These three strands run through the stories and history of American lives,” says Annie Ogden, who serves as the 10th grade Curriculum Coordinator and American History Teacher. Over the course of the year, students have worked with faculty to trace these thematic strands throughout American history

“I was originally focused on drug policy, and that led me to investigate the juvenile detention system and mental health. I’m digging into research on treatment and the juvenile detention system and the psychological effects of this system. I’m very interested in psychology and concepts like societal order and freedom. I’m able to pull together all of the literature and history we’ve studied to focus on this issue.” — Margaux Citrin ’26

The Grade 10 American Dream Project fosters interdisciplinary investigation.

and literature. Using F. Scott Fitzgerald’s

The Great Gatsby as a reflective springboard, students launch into this final project, interrogating the American Dream: the ideal that every American has the opportunity to pursue prosperity through hard work, determination, and ingenuity. The project guides students to apply their learning across their classes as they investigate a contemporary challenge within American society.

As Ogden frames the project, “We’re saying to them: you’ve studied the narratives, ideas, and theories of progress in America—its historical context, its literary representation. Now place yourself in the complexity of the American experience. What do you care about? How might you build a thoughtful solution to a nuanced societal problem?” After a month immersed in interdisciplinary investigation, students finish the year with a public presentation of their data, including proposals for policy solutions. “Through a month of intensive personal work, along with group discussion, debate, and feedback, our 10th graders learn that grappling with complexity requires intellectual resilience and flexible thinking,” Ogden reflects.

COLLABORATIVE TEACHING & RESEARCH

The American Dream project exemplifies the skills of interdisciplinary, mentored research that are at the core of the Upper School experience. The 10th grade teachers structure their class time, space, and challenges to support this approach to learning. Anthony Bowes, Social Sciences Department Lead and 10th Grade American History teacher, describes the rhythm of the American Studies program: “Throughout the year, the English and History classes echo each other: we guide students to work across their classes to explore American literary traditions and the major movements, moments, and debates of American history—navigating The Crucible and Colonial America, reading Frederick Douglass while studying Antebellum South.” With this capstone project, students are in the driver’s seat. They select a societal system through which to analyze a contemporary issue

of their choice. Starting with literary analysis of The Great Gatsby, the students simultaneously delve into archival research, tracing the impact of the American education, legal, and housing systems on the characters’ journey within the text. Then, utilizing the resources of the New-York Historical Society and the archives of The New York Times, they map the evolution of communities on Long Island and in the five boroughs of New York, tracing the historical dynamics that Fitzgerald sought to illuminate.

“The project is designed to guide students through the process of unwinding a complex social issue: start with one source as an entry point, then expand the aperture,” says Bowes. Springing from the case study of Gatsby, each student then delves into their own investigation of one of the three systems of

education, housing, and law in contemporary American society. Students researching the same system work together to analyze “ripped from the headlines” topics of wealth inequality, housing access, and criminal justice.

The teachers have also created the space and conditions for students to debate and collaborate in this investigation. Scheduled back-to-back, History and English sections combine periods and take over large and flexible breakout spaces in the Upper School. As their teachers structure Harkness discussions, open debates, and workshopping sessions, students learn how to leverage the different research, ideas, and perspectives of their peers to better their own understanding and analysis. “As they gain confidence in their own research, you see the students gradually work together to explore the relationships between

My research focus is standardized testing—the SAT and ACT—and the political and policy arguments around it. In particular, I’m interested in researching debates on the value of diversity: How do standardized assessment programs, like the SAT, work to allow or hinder colleges to construct communities? How do we measure effectiveness? What are the statistics around this issue? All year, I’ve been exploring the theme of opportunity through American literature and history. Standardized testing is positioned as a gateway for opportunity.” — Will Stern ’26 “

Students created a podcast covering issues facing Americans today.

“I’m focusing on the intersection of mental health and housing policy. I’ve been jumping into the data specifically around race/ethnicity, mental illness, and housing accessibility. How do these three issues interact and affect each other? Math has helped me work through statistical analysis, whereas novels like Frederick Douglass and Sula have given me the windows to understand the human experience in these issues. I’m thinking about how Americans shift their understanding of the American Dream based on personal and political identity.” — Mia Secko-Thompson ’26

issues—learning from each other’s dead ends, successes, and approaches to complexity,” reflects Ogden.

LEVERAGING TRADITION & INNOVATION

An important mission of this project is to show students the value of blending both traditional and innovative sources for understanding the dynamics of American society. According to 10th grade English teacher Lily Fox, “the project honors the American literary canon while also making these crucial and

diverse works of literature directly relevant to our 21st-century lives.” Fox continues, “You see how students borrow from the works we’ve read—Emerson, Morrison, Baldwin, Douglass—to inform our lives as Americans now.”

These literary perspectives are further enriched by the quantitative analysis that 10th graders bring to the project from their Math classes. As Algebra II and Trigonometry teacher Kosanna Poon explains, “we’ve worked with the students to build large, current data sets for each of the three societal sys -

Students visited the courthouse in Stamford, CT, to learn more about the criminal justice system.

tems under investigation. We challenge them to run regressions and analyses of median income, CPI, housing cost indices, inflation, and education statistics.”

The students then apply this analysis to their solution proposals, and they work together to understand how all of these statistical frameworks interact to demonstrate the health, direction, and accessibility of the American economy. Along the way, Poon explains, “students work through the challenges and approaches encountered by policymakers, economists, and analysts today.”

ENGAGING A WORLD OF CHANGE

As our country heads through an election year, and as American society confronts an array of conflicts, emerging technologies, and new challenges to communication, public health, and governance, it is more important than ever to equip students to engage with the world in which they live. Through challenging programs like the American Dream project, our faculty bring the mission of GCDS to life: to enable our students “to discover and develop what is finest in themselves” and to to apply those skills and talents to better the world around them.

What are you working on?

In this series, we highlight students as they are deeply engaged in the process of learning, taking responsibility for extending their knowledge and skills, and constructing opportunities for real-world application. In this issue, we highlight students, who through their Intersession, Junior Thesis, and Advanced Research Class are pursuing their interest in STEM-related fields.

KAI HARASHIMA ’25

Strategy, Subterfuge, and Deception

How Cancer Evades the Body’s Natural Defenses

Kai Harashima’s large posters at Junior Thesis night looked like works of art, with eye-catching graphics of cells interacting with one another. However, the subject was hard science—brain cancer research. “I’m using art as a way to communicate complex scientific concepts that can be difficult to understand,” he said. In addition to his typical course load, Kai spent his junior year working to understand brain cancer during the winter Intersession and as part of his year-long Junior Thesis project. At Weill Cornell in New York, Kai shadowed researchers at the Children’s Brain Tumor Project for two weeks and wrote a daily journal about what he observed from watching them. He learned how to read scientific papers, created a dictionary of scientific words, and documented the types of materials and processes that were used. At the lab, he was introduced to a process called “staining,” a way of “painting”

the brain to clearly visualize its cellular, structural, and molecular components.

Kai’s Junior Thesis project investigates how cancer cells evade the immune system. “If the immune system is built to defend your body against any diseases or anything that potentially harms it, then how can cancer cells become invisible to the immune system? This idea is the foundation of immunotherapy. I’m looking into the biological mechanisms behind why that happens and then broadening my scope to how immunotherapy prevents these mechanisms and makes cancer visible to the immune system.”

Kai, who is pursuing an Engineering and Arts Diploma, joined GCDS in 9th grade because he was “inspired by the school’s new way of thinking”—the focus on interdisciplinary learning and a curriculum that allows for deep exploration. “You don’t just go to separate classes. I’m encouraged to use my interest in graphic design and computers for my work in science.”

Kai also appreciates GCDS’s focus on the application of learning. “I was able to go to Weill Cornell and actually see how biology and the scientific method gets applied in a real-world setting.”

What are you working on?

MICHAEL CAPEK ’24

The Effect of Temperature on Growth, Fertility, and Survival in Cherry Shrimp

Michael Capek got his first fish tank in 4th grade. Since then, he has become a serious aquarium hobbyist, with a 100-gallon saltwater tank and a 50-gallon freshwater tank at home. Among his many interests within the hobby, he has developed a particular fascination with Cherry Shrimp, scientifically known as Neocaridina davidi

“Cherry Shrimp are very popular in the aquarium hobby because of their ability to be bred into various colors and patterns,” Michael explains. “As I read more about them, I discovered their possible ecological implications.”

“They have the potential to be invasive because they grow very fast and do well in different environments,” explains Michael. “The Cherry Shrimp are originally from Taiwan, but they are popular in tanks around the world. And because those tanks are often dumped into local bodies of water, the shrimp have spread to Hawaii, Japan, Germany, and Poland.

“Without a class like Advanced Research, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to study shrimp and marine biology. The curriculum is designed for me to explore my interests.”

Scientists are worried they could take away resources from native shrimp.”

As a student in Dr. Nathan Haag’s yearlong Advanced Research Class this year, Michael delved into the effect of temperature on the shrimps’ breeding patterns, growth, and survival. “I haven’t seen much research on the effects of temperature on Cherry Shrimp, but I believe it’s important due to climate change.”

Dr. Haag, a marine biologist himself, encouraged Michael, who is pursuing a Sustainability Diploma, to pursue this line of study and worked with him to set up an experiment. Michael arranged tanks with filtration systems and observed shrimp in hot, warm, and cold environments, checking on them twice daily and measuring them regularly. He counted their eggs and offspring and tracked their growth rates.

Michael compiled all his data into a research paper; he found that temperature didn’t affect breeding but did affect growth and survival—hotter water produced larger shrimp but less survival. In fact, he and Dr. Haag have been discussing publishing his findings in a scientific journal. This would give him an advantage as he enters the University of California, Santa Barbara, to study zoology and aquatic biology in the fall as a freshman.

Michael joined GCDS in 9th grade from another school because he was looking for more clubs and students with similar interests in the natural world. “Here, there’s a Wildlife Club, Earth Rise, a sustainability club, and a Sustainability Diploma. And there are a few of us interested in fish and tanks. Without a class like Advanced Research, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to study shrimp and marine biology. The curriculum is designed for me to explore my interests.”

NATALIE SIMPSON ’25

Effects of Roller Coasters on the Human Body in Regard to Acceleration and Gravitational Forces

Natalie Simpson is a thrill seeker and lover of roller coasters. “I was always the kid begging to go on the bigger rides, even when I wasn’t tall enough. I’ve actually been on most of the top ten roller coasters in the world,” she says. Her personal favorites are the Intimidator 305 in Virginia and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal in Florida.

It’s no surprise then that Natalie’s Junior Thesis project focused on studying roller coasters. As an Engineering Diploma student, she combined her interest in STEM with her passion for thrill rides. For an Advanced Research class taught by Dr. Nathan Haag, US Biology Teacher, Natalie created her own prototype of a roller coaster.

For both her thesis project and Advanced Research class, she explored the safety and design of thrill roller coasters, particularly focusing on G-Forces, accelerations, and ride elements like inversions and drops. Throughout her project, Natalie engaged deeply with concepts in physics. She took Honors Physics this year, but her research often pushed her beyond her current studies. She sought guidance from her advisor Doug Carr, an US Physics Teacher, and Mr. Shechter, also an US Physics Teacher. Her project also incorporated some biology as she investigated what happens in the body when on a roller coaster.

“I was talking with the physics department about design considerations and different equations I needed to use to test,” she says. “My research identified the VelociCoaster as the ideal thrill roller coaster due to its integration of thematic animatronics and different kinds of inversions. The forces on it were high enough to be thrilling, but not so high that you’d black out.”

Natalie found the Junior Thesis experience rewarding. “After a

“I like the process of designing something, asking questions about it, testing to see what works, and making prototypes. This thesis and research project were all about solving problems.”

year of study, I never really lost interest in the topic. There were so many areas to explore and challenges to overcome.”

Natalie looks forward to completing her Engineering Diploma next year. “I like the process of designing something, asking questions about it, testing to see what works, and making prototypes. This thesis and research project were all about solving problems.”

Outside her deep dive into roller coasters and physics, Natalie enjoys a full course load with plenty of humanities courses. She also participates in cross country, squash, and crew, along with extracurricular activities like plays and volunteering. “I’m always looking for a balance.”

Counted Among the Best

The Upper School Math Team clinched an impressive 9th place in the “Small Schools Division” at the Connecticut State Association of Math Leagues (CSAML) marking a significant achievement and bringing our competition season to a close on a high note.

“It’s hard to believe we are only five years old, and we are already making waves at this level. This year’s success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and spirit of our entire team. The groundwork has been laid for even greater achievements next year, and we look forward to pushing the boundaries of what we can accomplish together.”

Irhan Iftikar (Not

Henry Santangelo, Sol Hochman)

Front: Kosanna Poon (Coach), Kristina Estock, Analily Garcia Alvarez, Andy Pauley (Captain), Yash Jain (Captain), Linnea Shah-Gustafsson, Kevin Politi

Back: Andrew Dutcher (Coach), Danny Dominguez, Shep O’Keeffe, Kaki Weiksner, Imran Iftikar,

Pictured:

— Andrew Dutcher, Upper School STEM, Mathematics & Economics Teacher, and Math Team Coach

Kevin Thompson, Assistant Head of Upper Elementary School, Embodies TIGER PRIDE profile:TEACHER

BY ANDREW NIBLOCK Director of Schoolwide Initiatives

Dr. Kevin Thompson is an inspiration. He radiates curiosity, enthusiasm, and care. It’s infectious, and he invites students, teachers, and families every day to join him in the adventure that is the GCDS Upper Elementary. In the fall of 2022, he made the move from beloved homeroom teacher to the post of Assistant Head of the division. His smile now greets students as they bounce through the front door each morning. His experience and training make him a valuable counsel for faculty. His earned wisdom and engaging demeanor are deeply appreciated by the families who value his friendship.

His story is unique and remarkable, and he brings his life lessons, his hopes for the children in his care, and a ready sense of humor to every conversation. I was able to ask him a few questions recently, and some of his amazing story is below.

When did you fall in love with teaching?

I fell in love with teaching in ninth grade after my first summer as a teaching assistant with the Horizons Student Enrichment Program—a program that had literally changed my life. Having graduated from the eighth-grade program the previous summer, I was one of the few graduates invited back to work in the second grade with an amazing teacher and incredible students. I was hooked! From that moment on, I knew I was destined to be an elementary educator.

Why do you teach?

I teach because it was what I was meant to do. I have a passion for educating young people and making a difference in the lives of others. It’s the best profession to be able to contribute to the benefit of society. It’s the ultimate service.

What drew you to school leadership?

First, I can have an impact on many students’ lives rather than just the students in my homeroom, and can influence the over-

all culture and climate of a school. I feel a sense of purpose regarding the importance of education and wanting to contribute to the success and well-being of students. And finally, in my role as an administrator, I have a platform to foster partnerships and relationships with a variety of people. Building relationships is imperative to the work of cultivating community.

Penn has included a Thank-You-Note as an essay option for their application. As a leader and a teacher who would you write to? Who inspired/inspires you?

A couple of months ago I was tasked to reach out to someone I admire and I chose to write to Barack Obama. Here are some excerpts from my letter.

“There isn’t a person on the planet (aside from my wife, Julia, a celebrity herself, but she already knows me) who I admire more than you. We are both doctors—this might be the only time in my life that I can say I’m part of the 1%, although it’s getting close to 2% of the American population. But we are some highly educated Black men!

I think our coolest similarity is that we are both superheroes. You are a superhero to me and millions of people all over the world and I am a superhero to all of the kids in my care on a daily basis in my role as an educator. Or at least I try to be. I try to be a beacon of hope to others, just like you’ve always encouraged me to be. Maybe not directly, but in your books, in your speeches, and in your actions. You’ve inspired me to be the best version of myself, and I’ve tried to instill these values in my own children, my students, and anyone who will listen or follow my lead in being SPECTACULAR (that’s my favorite word, btw).”

What is something we all should learn, or unlearn, about UES students?

I think that everyone should learn that UES students are capable of tackling complex problems and having difficult conversations. This year has presented some challenges that some adults and students have never had to face, and our students have pushed themselves to problem-solve and persevered through it all. There isn’t a thing that an UES student can’t do with the support and guidance of nurturing and caring adults who want nothing more than to see their children succeed in developing what’s finest in themselves.

What is important for kids that you believe should be part of every day in the UES?

Joy! Inside Out is one of my favorite movies, and I want each student in the UES to experience some form of joy everyday. I do everything I can to ensure that a large majority of them do. And if it’s not me, then there are a number of remarkable adults in our building who are trying to do the same.

You talk a lot about TIGER PRIDE in the UES. What does it mean to you and how do you incorporate it into the fabric of the division?

TIGER PRIDE is one of the main reasons I was drawn to GCDS back in 2018. I remember doing some research on the school before my interview for a fourth-grade teaching position and these values are what stood out to me because of my strong belief in character development in young people. TIGER PRIDE is more than just a collection of words. Over the past six years, I’ve truly grown to believe in this, and it’s something that I try to instill in each student that comes into the UES. Whether it be through the Social Emotional Learning lessons that I deliver to fourth and fifth graders, or how we celebrate one of the TIGER PRIDE values each month, my goal is to make sure that every student knows how important these values are to me and our school, and I feel very honored that the students and faculty have embraced this and followed my lead.

You recently received your Doctorate in Education. What did you study and why?

Yes! I earned my doctorate in May of 2022 with a concentration specifically on curriculum and instruction. I chose to focus my dissertation work on social and emotional learning and tailor-

TIGER PRIDE is more than just a collection of words. . . . I’ve truly grown to believe in this, and it’s something that I try to instill in each student that comes into the UES.”

ing my research towards making recommendations on how to improve those practices at GCDS Nursery through Grade 12. Part of the reason I went on to pursue a doctorate was due to how strongly I believe in best practices for teaching and learning, but also because I really believe in TIGER PRIDE. I took those values and aligned them with the five competencies from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Those competencies focus on five interrelated skills that are both interpersonal and intrapersonal in nature. They are: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships skills, and responsible decision-making. Using relevant research and in collaboration with some of my colleagues in the UES, we are in the process of making TIGER PRIDE a tangible thing that we can actually teach, similar to how we would teach reading, writing, or math. There’s still a lot of work to do, but we’ve made great strides this year and it fills me with joy to be able to put my own research into practice.

What don’t people know about you that is important?

I don’t know if people know that I had a really hard upbringing and a tough childhood. That is an important part of my story and my identity that I am not shy about sharing. I have experienced so much in my four decades on this earth and have had to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to get to where I am. But I did it, and I’m here, and I’m extremely proud of my accomplishments.

A COMMUNITY OF AUTHORS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Every Wednesday during recess, a group of students rushes to make their way to Room 204 for a literary gathering. Seven young writers convene in El Gagnon’s classroom to discuss their works, ranging from novels and short stories to plays.

At the start of the school year, Kiki Taylor ’28 proposed the idea of a “Writer’s Club” to Ms. Gagnon. “As a writer myself, I was thrilled with the idea. I’ve been working with Kiki on her recent novels. She thought it would be both fun and beneficial to form a community of young GCDS authors who share a deep passion for writing.”

Middle Schoolers

Win

Writing Awards

The Middle School Writer’s Club delves into the intricacies of organization, plot development, characterization, word choice, and sentence structure. They also provide one another with constructive critiques and suggestions.

“While I am technically the faculty facilitator, bringing my knowledge and experience of writing to the students, I am every bit an author-member and participant like the others, gaining from their thoughtful insight and creative minds,” explains Ms. Gagnon, who is currently working on her own novel.

Kiki is already a published author of “Chasing the Waves,” a historical fiction novel available on Amazon featuring a protagonist who stows away on the Mayflower, and is currently working on her second book, “Apex,” a science fiction novel. Lyla Sheedy ’28, an aficionado of fantasy novels, is crafting a tale about dragons, wizards, and warriors. Abbie Mackay ’28 is working on two novels: “One on the Run,” which follows a mother and daughter attempting to escape German-occupied France during WWII, and “Espionage,” a spy thriller set in the same era. Annabel Kleinknecht ’29 is penning a murder mystery titled “The Last Soul.”

“All of these girls possess immense potential to become published authors one day,” said Ms. Gagnon.

Middle School English Teacher El Gagnon with club members Annabel Kleinknecht, Abigail Mackay, Kiki Taylor, Lyla Sheedy

The Hudson to Housatonic Region had over 2,000 submissions from students in grades 7–12. GCDS students won several awards in different categories. Congratulations!

Cayden Ever ’28

Honorable Mention The Power of Music (Personal Essay & Memoir)

Judah Hochman ’28

Silver Key Award My Voice (Poetry)

Scarlett Li ’28

Silver Key Award A Wish for Happiness (Short Story)

Scarlett Li ’28

Honorable Mention No Longer Perfect (Personal Essay & Memoir)

Lyla Sheedy ’28

Gold Key Award Village Bookstore Prize Every Awakening (Science Fiction & Fantasy)

Lyla’s work is being considered for recognition at the national level of the Scholastic Writing Awards.

Scarlett Li, Cayden Ever

Lyla Sheedy, Judah Hochman

SAVORING ICONIC NOVELS

By Tim Donahue, Upper School English Teacher

Upper School English teacher

Dr. Gregory Grene is a proponent of slow food. If you took his popular Intersession class on Gastronomy, you would learn that, against the avalanche of highly processed schlock, there’s an enduring value to traditionally prepared, local foods. So, you might have been on the receiving end of one of his enthusiastic “Try it!” overtures for dim sum, or Madeleines, or boeuf en daube, and learned to enjoy a new taste.

The son of David Grene, one of the foremost translators of Greek classics and a long-time professor at the University of Chicago, he was raised with very much a “slow foods” approach to literature. “We are all ancient Greeks,” he says. “They thought things no one else was thinking in the world.”

Dr. Grene studied classical literature at Trinity College in Dublin; he studied Shakespeare and worked as a Broadway actor; and a few years ago, at Columbia University, he published his doctoral dissertation on the primacy of Foundational Texts. “I am passionate about literature that has had enough time to find its place in our consciousness, that has framed the ways we think, that has changed the world,” he says.

Last spring, coming into his third year at GCDS, Dr. Grene translated this conviction into his year-long Iconic Novels elective. It began with the relatively straightforward Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, examining how memory affects narrative. Toward late October, students plunged into the 860page Anna Karenina, where Leo Tolstoy’s narrative technique of free indirect discourse acts “like a camera that characters swallow and that goes through the whole body.” And, as Tolstoy’s narrative moves from the conscience “of the main character, to a dog, to the coachman, there is a fog that creeps from one character to another.”

The second semester began with Albert

Camus’ The Stranger, and an examination of its famously unreliable narrator, who begins with the confession “Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know.” But all of this coursework, built through Socratic Seminar-style discussions among the twelve seniors and four juniors, served as a training ground for its ambitious climax: James Joyce’s Ulysses, which traces a single day—June 16, 1904—through the lives of several characters in Dublin, over a sprawling 750 pages.

While Dr. Grene can readily cite the literary heavyweights who have shaped his readings, like Louise Rosenblatt and Harold Bloom, or clarify the quiddities of Joyce, like the status conferred to those Dubliners who drank Apollinaris water, he believes firmly that “the classroom is a democracy.” He says, “I’ll start the toboggan going down the hill, and then I’ll deliberately sit out and have students take the lead.”

During my most recent visit to Iconic Novels, students were comparing the “Cyclops” chapter of Ulysses with the short story “Counterparts,” from Joyce’s Dubliners collection. The class began, as it often does, with “turn to your neigh-

bor” conversations: students were reading their short comparison essays as he went ’round and noted vignettes he would solicit them to share through the 55-minute episode. I’ve been Dr. Grene’s colleague for the past decade—priorly at Fieldston—and I’ve never seen him fill more than 15 percent of the airtime with his own words. “He lets you run the class,” says Ella Davis ’24. “Everyone is bouncing off each other’s ideas.” Sol Hochman ’24 also appreciates the reliably student-centered classroom: “There is no in-class activity, no lecture, just an open floor to discuss the book.”

Anyone who disparages high school kids and their addiction to Tik Tok would

“I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT LITERATURE THAT HAS HAD ENOUGH TIME TO FIND ITS PLACE IN OUR CONSCIOUSNESS, THAT HAS FRAMED THE WAYS WE THINK, THAT HAS CHANGED THE WORLD.” — DR. GREGORY GRENE

Dr. Gregory Grene with with Lindsey Keating ’24 reading Ulysses

“THIS CLASS TAUGHT ME WHY PEOPLE ARE SO FASCINATING.”

— ELLA DAVIS ’24

behold another land here, where there are no screens, but only pen and paper. On that rainy afternoon, students spoke of how masculinity is a byproduct of Irish nationalism, how nationalist ideas complicate individual identity, of the similarities between characters’ alcoholism and their religiosity, of the “othering” of the main character who, Felix HentschCowles ’24 wrote, “struggles to stifle his feeble nature.” They spoke of the flawed elixir of escape fantasies, they compared Joyce’s style of free indirect discourse to Tolstoy’s, they discussed the limits of sympathy, and Joyce’s invitations to empathy.

From behind the dais, where he stood chin on hand, Dr. Grene would sometimes wave his maestro’s wand to say things like, “I completely take your point.

It’s a beautiful point. But let me ask you a question. . . .” On one occasion, he cold called a student, to gently prompt, “Tell me something that popped for you.”

She was ready. Every student was ready. Everyone had heavily-annotated books, citing passages that ranged from pages 301 to 552. Comments were lengthy and responsive; students called on each other. Someone cited the Marx she’d learned in history class; another cited the method of denotation she’d learned in Creative Writing. Penelope Hentsch-Cowles ’25 captures this widening gyre well: “One of my favorite things about the class is it allows me to expand beyond my immediate reality. Books are our collective attempt to understand our human condition better.” Ellie Stark ’24 agrees: “These texts teach empathy: You can put yourself into the shoes of the other.” Ella put it quite simply, “This class taught me why people are so fascinating.”

Dr. Grene coaches soccer and wrestling; he’s also a bona fide rock star—for over

The Enduring Nature of Art

Preeminent Shakespeare Scholar Visits Upper School

Upper School students and faculty were treated to a talk by Stephen Greenblatt, a distinguished Shakespeare scholar and literary historian at Harvard University and grandparent to Abby ’25 and Alexa Greenblatt ’27, on May 2. The Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare, a biography of Shakespeare, transported the audience in the US Commons back to ancient history, specifically 17,000 BP (Before Present), to the Font de Gaume Cave in southwestern France, renowned for its prehistoric cave paintings. Drawing upon these ancient artworks and a recently unearthed bone flute, Dr. Greenblatt delved into the enduring nature of art throughout human history.

“With human technology and science, all achievements are absorbed and then discarded in order to be replaced with newer, more revolutionary achievements,” said Dr. Greenblatt. “That is not so with painting, music, storytelling; poiesis (myth-making), as the Greeks called it.”

“These works of art from tens of thousands of years ago persist; they are not better or worse over time; just different; still beautiful; from a people and a time that we have absolutely no true understanding of, from a world that has completely vanished, yet we still have this beautiful, compelling, relatable, relevant art,” he said.

two decades he’s been the front man for the prolifically-gigging Irish band The Prodigals. (He also started a school in Haiti—just Wikipedia him!) Still, he finds his Grecian urn in the hum and promise of a classroom, where he is called to “embrace the excitement of thought and imagination” and where he truly believes “the way we understand the world is through narrative.”

Dr. Grene is impelled to “invert the common zeitgeist” in his classroom. “With everything getting fractured, everything broken and splintered,” he says, “reading a 680-page novel and maintaining the belief of thought—this is subversive and iconoclastic and important.”

If he is spawning a teen rebellion through the deconstruction of text, it’s hard to think of anything more nourishing.

Dr. Stephen Greenblatt with granddaughters Abby and Alexa Greenblatt

Dr. Greenblatt is fascinated by how artificial intelligence will affect the production of art and confident that in spite of technological advances, storytelling and art-making will carry on. “There are certain foundational activities of human beings that are part of who we are. I believe the arts will be more compelling and irreplaceable than ever.”

AUTHOR VISITS

Watercress and Grand Canyon

Author/Illustrator Jason Chin presented to all three Old Church Road divisions on April 25. Chin shared unique ageappropriate presentations with each division, chronicling his journey as an artist, outlining his steps of research for nonfiction topics, and sharing his commitment to curiosity and learning. Chin has won many awards for his work, including the 2022 Caldecott Medal for Watercress by Andrea Wang and a Caldecott and Sibert Honor for Grand Canyon

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Author Janae Marks visited the Middle School on April 4, sharing her writing process and talking about the inspiration behind her books. Marks’ books include From the Desk of Zoe Washington, A Soft Place to Land , and On the Air with Zoe Washington Split Second, her newest book, will be released this fall.

Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms

Joe Feldman joined our faculty on Feb. 15 for a presentation and conversation about the way we approach feedback and assessment. He shared important data about how to use grades as motivation as well as how bias can show up in grading practices if we are not intentional in our work. At their

core, grades and feedback are essential parts of school. They allow teachers to talk with students about gaps in learning, demonstrate growth over time, and celebrate the learning journey taking place.

FACULTY BOOK CIRCLE

White Cat, Black Dog | By Kelly Link

Kelly Link is one of those writers who has had a slow but steady ascent from the literary margins (in science fiction) to MacArthur Grant winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist. Her 2023 White Cat Black Dog consists of seven stories based on fairy tales from around the world, each given a wry postmodern spin.

Victim | By Andrew Boryga

Javier Perez, a young Nuyorican from the Bronx, has the misfortune of witnessing the murder of his father, but grows up under fairly normal circumstances in the barrio with the help of his mother and best friend, Gio. Javi’s life takes a turn in high school when a visiting college counselor from a nearby independent school helps him craft a college essay that gets him admitted to an elite upstate college. Once there, Javi begins to thrive—and begins to embroider his background to the point of fabrication. This gets him sucked into a social media vortex in a story that is clearly meant to be a parable of our time.

The circus came to town on April 18 and 19! Our Kindergarten performers entered the gymnasium to the cheers of their parents and schoolmates. Elephants, seals, lions and tigers, and dancing bears, acrobats, clowns, rodeo riders, and the strong ones dazzled their audience with amazing tricks and fancy dance moves. This long-honored GCDS tradition was certainly The Greatest Show on Earth. For the children, the memories will last a lifetime!

Stellar Learning

“Pluto

Gets the Call” Integrates Science and More

This year, the first-grade play explored the solar system. The much anticipated end-of-year project integrated what students learned in their classes, especially in science. The music and script centered around the students’ fascination with planets, stars, and moons.

Lower School Science Teacher Beth McDonough has been reading the book “Pluto Gets the Call” to every first-grade class for four years now. “Weaving science into the play has been extremely beneficial for my teaching in the Science House. This year, students exhibited a deeper understanding of key vocabulary words. Because the classes are practicing their lines everyday, students were

memorizing key facts without even realizing it! It made classes more enjoyable and I was able to provide more in-depth experiences.”

“This collaborative approach encourages cross-curricular connections, with students linking the play to their learning not only in science, but also social studies, literacy, and art,” said Rebecca Amado, a first-grade teacher.

The end-of-year timing allowed students to practice their burgeoning reading fluency, expressiveness, and public speaking. The play also connected to social studies, exploring ideas of community and running a theater. During the Upper School production of “Legally Blonde,” first graders visited the Debbie

Blake Kerrick Theater in the Performing Arts Center and created their own theater models as part of their end-of-year projects.

In art, students worked on the scenery. In the past, parents handled the scenery, but now it is student-driven. They incorporated sustainability by using digital playbills with QR codes instead of printed ones.

“Students learned to work as a team and sing complicated two-part songs while simultaneously dancing. Through performance, they were able to teach the rest of the Lower Elementary about the solar system!”

—Billy Janiszewski, LES Music Teacher

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Students Journey to Senegal, Rwanda, and Taiwan

The Upper School launched its Global Trips Program this January with two-week excursions to Senegal, Taiwan, and Rwanda. Approximately 30 students delved into the life and culture of their host cities while visiting schools and meeting teens their age. These experiences are designed to expose our students to a wide range of world views, explore the systems that undergird global societies, and develop an understanding of what it means to be an impactful global citizen.

SENEGAL

GCDS students traveled to Dakar, Senegal, to take part in global eco-citizenry. After a week immersed in the sights, sounds, and food of Dakar, the group traveled to the island of Gorée, a UNESCO World Heritage site off the west coast of Dakar accessible only by ferry. There, they partnered with students from the Lycée d’Excellence de Mariama Ba, an all-girls boarding school on the island.

Together, the students planted indigenous flowers, plants, and small trees in an effort to prevent soil erosion on the island. The two groups collaborated to create a public awareness campaign, including posters and a video about reducing and recycling waste and the importance of being an eco-citizen. The trip ended with a presentation by GCDS students and the LEMBA students on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of implementing and revitalizing the global partnerships for sustainable development.

Students also visited two of Senegal’s most famous museums, IFAN Historical Museum, the House of Slaves, a museum and memorial to the victims of the Atlantic Slave Trade.

“Upon landing in the country, my phone presented the dreadful ‘no service’ symbol, which remained plastered on its screen until we returned to the States. Without that distraction, I knew it was the start of a palpable, meaningful cultural immersion. One of my favorite memories is when I booked an appointment with the island’s loctician, Valentino, who so spiritedly retwisted my dreadlocks. Given that the appointment was seven hours long, we shared a memorable conversation about life in our respective countries. I appreciate that

“While many competitive independent schools offer global travel opportunities, the vision for GCDS Global Academic Programs is distinctive. Rather than discrete student trips, our immersive experiences serve as extensions of on-campus learning.” —Mary Alindato, Upper School World Language Teacher and Co-Director of Global Academic Programs

“During my stay in Senegal, I ventured beyond my initial interest in the French language and sustainability and found myself intrigued by the local religious landscape. My time in Senegal fostered personal growth, taught me the value of engaging with and appreciating different cultures, and transformed me into a more open-minded, independent individual, leaving a lasting impact on my perspective.” —Charlie Meyer ’24

“Initially, I was scared that I would have nothing in common with the Afghan girls, but by rooming with them and getting to see their day-to-day lives I realized how many similarities we share. These girls taught me so much and opened my eyes to the world we live in. Despite our seeming differences, these girls also enjoyed music, dancing with their friends, and reading, all of which I enjoy too. By being given this opportunity to travel outside of my comfort zone I feel as though I have become more empathetic to those around me and have acquired a newfound curiosity for people’s stories.” — Lulu Wills ’26

Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda

I was exposed to a new country and its methods of governance and eco-citizenry, and that I could interact with locals, many of whom I still connect with on Instagram today,” said Daniel St-Louis ’24.

RWANDA

A group of female students traveled to Rwanda where they stayed at the School of Leadership—Afghanistan (SOLA).

SOLA is a school for young women who fled Afghanistan when the Taliban took power in 2021 and made education for girls illegal. GCDS students formed intimate bonds with the SOLA students, learning about each girl: the stories behind their names, cherished food traditions, and what they like to read. They went on a safari and explored the extraordinary landscapes of Rwanda and also learned about the history of the country, including the Rwandan genocide, where 800,000 people were killed in just three months, devastating the country 30 years ago.

“Our group of ten GCDS girls discovered the profound impact of personal connection, moving beyond stereotypes and media narratives. Rwanda revealed itself not as a place of tragedy but as a vibrant nation of resilience and warmth. Meeting Afghan peers, denied the right to education, underscored the value of learning and family. This journey left a mark

“Friendship bracelets. Cricket and volleyball games. Blackpink and the Macarena. Painting canvases in the style of Imigongo. Story circles in which we shared our names, cherished food traditions, and pick-me-ups. Laughs, smiles, hugs, and tears. Women celebrating and upholding women. Within minutes, it became clear that nationality, politics, and immigration status did not matter: We all had traveled thousands of miles to learn and find community within Mother Rwanda, its wondrous landscapes, and people welcoming us with open arms. Determined for the Genocide to never resurge, one of Rwanda’s top priorities is education: that people know enough to question hatred and the propaganda behind it,” said Dr. Niki Kiviat, Upper School World Language Teacher and Co-Director of Global Academic Programs.

“When we arrived, the SOLA girls were waiting at the gate when we drove in and were all cheering and clapping while welcoming us. Their warmth immediately set the tone for our stay. They taught us a traditional dance called the attan, how to cook a delicious dish called atak, and taught us how to speak one of their languages, Dari. Having to leave their country and family to chase an education is a harrowing experience, which requires fortitude and bravery. Through the girls, we learned to value everything we have and to try to never take things for granted. Their generosity and kindness were inspiring, and something none of us will ever forget,”

Rwanda Taiwan

Taiwan

TAIWAN

During their trip, students collaborated with three diverse schools, exploring their individual passions in arts, sports, gastronomy, and climate politics. Through daily interactions with local Taiwanese, students navigated bustling streets, explored vibrant night markets, and immersed themselves in local culture and language. The trip included hikes in national parks, visits to the National Palace Museum; students even attended a presidential campaign rally, experiencing Taiwan’s democracy firsthand.

At Tsai Hsing School, students engaged in sustainability projects and read with kindergarten students. Chia-Yi Industrial Vocational High School (CYIVS) welcomed them with traditional performances and hands-on tech classes. Homestays provided insights into Taiwanese life, and painting classes fostered crosscultural connections.

“Every morning, despite the 13 hour time difference, students were ready to go! Their curiosity and enthusiasm expanded their horizons and enriched their young lives. Our mission is to help shape our students to become global citizens,” said Vicky Huang, Mandarin Teacher.

“This journey has left a mark on me, not only did it enhance my language skills but also broadened my worldview and cultural sensitivity. The mountains, night markets, and political discourse all contributed to my personal growth and understanding. Taiwan, with its diverse variety of experiences, has become a chapter in my journey of self-exploration,” said Djeneba Dembele ’25.

“We spent three days with the students of Chia-Yi Industrial Vocational school, and even did a homestay experience for two nights with them! My favorite activity was visiting the Alishan Forest together. I have been to plenty of places and seen plenty of nature, but I have never seen anything like Alishan Forest, where we were surrounded by trees in the clouds. I bonded with many of the kids from the school, and practiced Chinese while hiking. We talked about their lifestyle, the laws of Taiwan, and other things that they like to do.” — Abby Greenblatt ’25

SOLAR ECLIPSE

On April 8, students, faculty, and staff streamed out of school buildings and gathered on the fields outside. Wearing protective glasses (safety first!), they looked up to witness the moon passing between the sun and Earth. Oohs and aahs were heard all around for the once in a generation event—the next one is in 2079! On Old Church Road, the Middle School played the GCDS Solar Eclipse exclusive version of Bonnie Tyler’s classic “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” In the run up to the eclipse, science teachers prepared lessons and activities for students. A few lucky Upper Schoolers in the Outdoor Club drove with their Computer Science teacher Gordie Campbell to White River Junction, VT, which was on the path of totality.

Spring Fair

The Spring Fair brought out hundreds of GCDS families to Old Church Road on May 17. Nursery through Grade 8 students enjoyed exciting rides, carnival games, an inflatable obstacle course, surfboard simulator, miniature golf, soccer, face painting, a magic show, cotton candy, and more. Dunking Ms. Davis, Ms. Baird, and Mr. Helstein in the dunk tank was a highlight for the crowds!

Beloved GCDS Tradition Better Than Ever!

MOSAIC Diversity Conference

On April 20, Greenwich Country Day School and Rye Country Day School co-sponsored the 12th Annual MOSAIC Middle School Diversity Conference. This interactive conference centers around empowering participants to create inclusive and supportive learning communities within and across schools. Eight participating Fairchester schools sent 55 middle school students and 20 high school facilitators to GCDS to explore the importance of identity, diversity, and community impact. The conference featured speaker Beth Atiavila Mudaki, also known as “The African Storyteller.” Her keynote address focused on shared joy, creation,

1 Campbell Greene ’24, Gillian Hines ’25 (both in the middle)

2 Steele Barhydt ’26 3 Beth Atiavila Mudaki, featured speaker

and collective wisdom through storytelling, reflecting her commitment to building inclusive communities. The day ended with each school action-base planning and sharing their hopes of how to create and sustain a diverse community.

GCDS Senior Wins YWCA Gender & Racial Justice Scholarship

Ceanna Hidalgo ’24 was awarded the 2024 YWCA Greenwich Gender & Racial Justice Scholarship on April 26 at Greenwich Town Hall. The award recognizes her commitment to fostering diversity, eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity at GCDS and in her community.

During her time at GCDS, Ceanna has advocated for a students of color association and an inclusive dress code. She has also been a leader at the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, an annual gathering sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools.

“Ceanna has utilized all the opportunities provided to her at GCDS to invest in and grow our equity program in the high school. She fervently and consistently brings new all-school programming to GCDS because she wants students to connect

and have conversations, understanding that bridging these two skills helps build empathy and allyship amongst her peers,” said Emmanuel Saldana, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Ceanna Hidalgo ’24

Holocaust Survivors Share Harrowing Stories with Students JOURNEYS TO FREEDOM

Two Holocaust survivors, Ellen and Jerry Kaidanow of New Rochelle, aged 87 and 90 respectively, shared their poignant stories with Upper School students on May 7 and Middle School students on Dec. 14. Their accounts, as told by their daughter-in-law, detailed their harrowing journeys to freedom.

The Kaidanow’s daughter-in-law, also Ellen, expressed to students that by listening to this story, they were “bearing witness to the Holocaust,” emphasizing their responsibility to share these learnings with others.

Marshall Spooner, Head of Middle School, reflected, “This was an incredibly powerful and special opportunity for students to see history come to life. As the years pass, and memories of the Holocaust begin to fade, to be able to hear and experience two Holocaust survivors and their story is something that our GCDS community will remember forever.”

“Hearing about the luck involved in both Ellen’s story of being hidden by her babysitter and Jerry’s story of a soldier seeing him hidden in a chicken coop but not turning him in really brought their tales to life. It made me feel grateful for my own childhood, where I get to make decisions for myself and feel safe.”

— Ellie Damashek, Grade 8

Ms. Kaidanow imparted crucial lessons, urging students to embrace diversity, understand others’ beliefs, and celebrate differences. She emphasized the importance of being an “upstander” in the face of injustice and reminded students that the Holocaust commenced with words and the dehumanization of others. “Words matter,” she emphasized.

Olivia Anikstein ’28, Benjamin Gaspar ’28, Ellen and Jerry Kaidanow, Elijah Jordan ’28, Thea Klemperer ’29

RESILIENCE AND PERSONAL GROWTH LEADING THE WAY TO

Psychologist Dr. Kate Lund ’86

Each week, Dr. Kate Lund ’86 hosts the podcast "The Optimized Mind," diving deeply into stories of resilience. She invites business leaders, personal development coaches, athletes, authors, educators, and influencers across domains on the air to share insights on maximizing potential and seeing possibility on the other side of challenge. For Lund, these conversations are not just interviews, they are examples of the human capacity to overcome obstacles and thrive.

Over her career, Lund, a clinical psychologist, and resilience expert, has worked with countless individuals including parents, athletes, and leaders, helping them overcome obstacles and thrive in their personal and professional lives. She has also consulted for schools, universities,

and nonprofits. An early stint in broadcasting during college (she has a great radio voice) has brought her expertise and talents full circle.

“The podcasts are one of my favorite things right now,” says Lund, who started her show in 2021. “I meet all these fascinating people and learn how they’ve worked through challenges in their lives. I absolutely love it. The show is growing, and we will hit 100 episodes in August.”

Some of Lund’s recent memorable podcasts include a conversation with Chuck Garcia, author of The Moment That Defines Your Life: Integrating Emotional Intelligence and Stoicism when your Life, Career, and Family are on the Line, with Nick Karwoski, an entrepreneur and former professional athlete and the iconic sports psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr (see QR Code to listen).

Lund describes resilience as the abil-

Psychologist

Kate Lund ’86

ity to move through and beyond challenges and to see possibility on the other side of challenge, but she doesn’t stop there. “It’s really being able to manage through and beyond challenge successfully within your own unique context, while integrating the principles of resilience into your day-to-day way of living. The goal is to maximize our potential within our own context and make resilience a lifestyle.”

Lund is also the author of the book Bounce: Help Your Child Build Resilience and Thrive in School, Sports, and Life, which was informed by her observations in her children’s early school years. In the book, she outlines seven pillars of the resilient child: tolerating frustration and managing emotions; navigating friendships and social pressures; sustaining focus on a single task and a larger goal; developing courage; building motivation; building confidence; and creating optimism.

“I wrote a book as a roadmap for parents to help their children build resilience when faced with challenge. A big piece of this is the ability to understand and appreciate individual differences in their children and to help their children do the same, both in themselves and others.”

For most of Lund’s career, she has had an active psychology practice. Over the past several years, her approach has been more eclectic. She is continuing her clinical practice while consulting for companies. Recently, she worked for Parallel Learning, which conducts virtual assessments for students with learning challenges. “I work with parents to help them see beyond test scores and focus on their children’s strengths,” she said.

As part of her work with athletes, she works as the “mindset” person for Boom,

a fitness company in Boston, helping athletes maximize their potential and achieve their goals.

In her 2019 TED Talk, Lund traced her journey to the study of psychology back to her childhood. Lund grew up with hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebral spinal fluid does not circulate as it should, causing pressure to build up on the brain. Fortunately, the condition was managed with a shunt, a medical device implanted in the brain.

“My entire Country Day experience incorporated the shunt experience because I was in and out of school a lot for shunt revisions. That was an unusual experience for a kid,” said Lund, who attended GCDS from Pre-K through Grade 9.

She acknowledges that it wasn’t easy. “It was difficult, particularly in fifth grade, coming back after a long absence. But overall, it was a supportive environment even though I was bouncing in and out of the hospital. I got a sense of my own abilities and was able to develop the places where I was strong and work through the places where I wasn’t, and that really stood me in good stead.”

The TED Talk, Lund explains, was built around the idea of finding the ordinary within our particular circumstances. “I really wanted during those years to fit in and be like everybody else. But I had my own unique context. I remind people that they can’t maximize their potential if they are looking outward at others’ accomplishments.”

Unable to play contact sports, Lund found tennis, which became an outlet for her. “At first, I never won. I had my health limitations, but I was happy to be out there. I was playing for the sake of playing. And then the trophies came much later,” says Lund, who went on to play tennis at Greenwich Academy and in college.

Lund’s ties to GCDS run deep. Three of her oldest and closest friends to this day are from Country Day. Lund is grateful to Mr. Bates, a math teacher, who coached tennis. “He gave me the chance to be on the team—that was huge.” Lund remembers that Mr. Griswold was a “fabulous English teacher; I really enjoyed him and his classes.” Mrs. Clarke, a first-grade teacher, was a standout for Lund. “She was a lovely woman and teacher. I remember that classroom well. There was a class dog, and I am, to this day, a huge dog person.”

In recent years, Lund has noticed an uptick in anxiety and underlying unhappiness among parents and children. In her clinical work, she has observed that young people feel a high level of pressure to succeed in certain predetermined ways. This drive for children to succeed is also at the core of parents’ anxiety, explains Lund.

“If young people don’t hit certain marks, they see it as a massive defeat, and it impacts their overall sense of self. It’s very important to help kids recognize early on their own unique potential and to support them in moving toward whatever it is that interests them. They need to think about ‘what do I want and how can I get there?’ Setting goals is an important part of this process for kids, along with recognizing how they can use their strengths to their advantage.”

In response to these issues, Lund has been working with her clients to quiet their minds, to slow down, and find time to step away. She focuses on being optimistic in the face of challenges.

“Human nature leads us to what we didn’t do well. That can really get us trapped in a negative mindset and cycle of negative self-talk. We want to encourage kids and parents to focus on the small wins, focus on the things that did go well on a given day, even if you think you had

“NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE POSSIBILITIES FOR YOUR KIDS. DON’T BE AFRAID TO HELP THEM PIVOT AND REDEFINE THEMSELVES. WE DON’T WANT PARENTS OR KIDS TO DEFINE THEMSELVES BASED ON

EXTERNAL ACHIEVEMENT. WE WANT TO HELP KIDS BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES FROM THE INSIDE OUT.” — DR. KATE LUND ’86

WITH KATE LUND RECOMMENDED PODCASTS

• Making Wise Decisions with Dr. Jim Loehr

• An Athlete’s Journey with Nick Karwoski

• The Moment That Defines Your Life with Chuck Garcia

a horrible day. Challenge is real, and we’re going to face it daily. And we’ve got to be able to balance it with what is going well and the ability to look beyond it.”

Lund sees a role for schools in helping to lessen children’s anxiety by teaching them about emotional intelligence, including qualities like self-awareness, self-regulation, and understanding how their behavior impacts others, starting as early as Nursery.

“I strongly believe that schools should prioritize emotional intelligence, alongside academic achievement, to create a balanced education. EQ is increasingly one of the key qualities employers seek,” said Lund based on her experience working with business leaders.

Lund’s most important piece of advice for parents is: “Never lose sight of the possibilities for your kids. Don’t be afraid to help them pivot and redefine themselves. We don’t want parents or kids to define themselves based on external achievement. We want to help kids believe in themselves from the inside out.”

When not working, Lund enjoys time with her husband, twin boys and two dogs. She recently trained one of the family dogs, Wally, a two-year old Brittany Doodle as a therapy dog. The two visit Seattle Children’s Hospital twice a month. “It makes me happy to know that Wally and I can bring a bit of joy to the kids and families we visit.”

Anniversaries Celebrated & Faculty Chairs Awarded

At the annual Parents’ Association APPLE Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon on April 26, the following members of our faculty and staff celebrated their 10- and 20-year anniversaries at Country Day. We thank them for their dedication and service to our school.

20 YEARS

Steph Lehn, Grade 4 Teacher

Doug Melillo, Technology Support & Systems Operator

Evelyn Mero-Ortiz, Assistant Director of Food Services

Dee Orsino, Associate Director, Annual Fund

Adam Rohdie, Head of School

10 YEARS

Rebecca Amado, Grade 1 Teacher

Bill Auerswald, Chief Financial & Operations Officer

Vanessa DePaola, N–Grade 5 Physical Education Teacher

Liz Duffy, Director of Alumni Affairs

Emily Forbes, Director of Annual Fund & Capital Campaigns

Maria Puntereri, Grade 3 Teacher

20 YEARS

10 YEARS

In addition, the following faculty members were awarded Faculty Chairs:

LINDA NORTHROP

FACULTY CHAIR AWARD

Given annually in honor of Linda Northrop, a Country Day parent, 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 about GCDS.

Rick Columbo, Assistant Head of Upper School

MITCHELL FAMILY FACULTY CHAIR AWARDS

Thanks to the generosity of the Mitchell family, four chairs, one for a faculty member in each division, have been created to honor the great faculty of GCDS and reward excellence in the classroom.

Beth McDonald, Lower Elementary Science House Teacher

Steph Lehn, Grade 4 Teacher

Morgan Withrow, Middle School Science Teacher , Upper School Student Support Coordinator

PARENTS ASSOCIATION

SPEAKER SERIES

DR. LISA DAMOUR

Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents

On Feb. 29, Dr. Lisa Damour discussed her New York Times bestselling book, “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers,” with GCDS parents. Her book serves as a guide to help parents understand the intense and often fraught emotional lives of their teenagers—and how to support them through this critical developmental stage.

Drawing from her years of experience as a psychologist and the latest research, Dr. Damour offers sound, practical guidance for parents and caregivers. Data shows that the single most important thing for teens is having strong relationships with caring adults. “The most

Familiar Faces, New Roles

MIDDLE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Marshall Spooner, who served as Interim Head of Middle School for the past year, is now officially Head of the Middle School.

Taylor Jones, a Math teacher and department chair, has been named Assistant Head of the Middle School

DIRECTOR OF THE ARTS

Jesse Tennyson has been named the Director of the Arts and will oversee the entire school’s visual and performing arts programs. For the past decade, Jesse has been an integral part of the Music Department as a band teacher.

important thing is for parents to be a steady presence in their lives,” said Dr. Damour.

Dr. Damour also emphasizes the value of negative emotions in young people. “As much as we try to protect our kids from painful feelings, we have to let them be upset. Dealing with hard experiences provides an opportunity for growth in kids.”

JOHN O’SULLIVAN Giving Youth Sports Back to Our Kids

John O’Sullivan, author of Changing the Game: The Parent’s Guide to Raising Happy, HighPerforming Athletes, and Giving Youth Sports Back to Our Kids , met with parents and coaches on May 1 for a conversation around raising and supporting happy, high-performing athletes. In his book, O’Sullivan asks “Where did the fun go?” He said that the rise of expensive youth sports programs, and the myth that athletics is the ticket to a top college have led parents and coaches to shift values to focus on wins instead of enjoyment and trophies at the expense of development. In the long run, O’Sullivan said that children will be the culmination of the messages they have received, the opportunities they have had, and the values they have learned from being an athlete. That’s why adults, including parents and coaches, need to help ensure that athletics is a positive and rewarding experience for children.

“Marshall’s unparalleled care, expertise, and humor will be paired with Taylor’s energy and enthusiasm making for great Middle School leadership.”

—Adam Rohdie, Head of School

Marshall Spooner and Taylor Jones

Jesse Tennyson

PRESENTED BY The Middle School

BY

In a captivating blend of eerie charm and theatrical talent, the Middle School brought the beloved characters of The Addams Family to life with remarkable flair. From Gomez’s suave charisma to Wednesday’s rebellious spirit, each actor delivered performances that were both entertaining and heartfelt. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for a hauntingly memorable performance!

Brooklyn Setterberg, Adrian Tortoledo, Benjamin Gaspar, Gisele Putka, Charlotte Stein, Annabel Kleinknecht

DIRECTED

Ashleigh Hahn, MS & UES Musical Theater Director

1 Scarlett Li, Brooklyn Setterberg, Charlotte Stein, Jasper Larken 2 (front) Brooklyn Setterberg, Mildred Osafo-Bekoe, Leah Bartley

3 Chloe Steinhardt, Riya Sharma, (front) Molly Zeitlin 4 Sophie Miller, Julia Palma, Gwynnie Grogan, Charley Allen 5 Gisele Putka, Jane Pecorin, and the female featured ensemble of The Addams Family

The extraordinary pit was filled with GCDS staff; the musical numbers were executed with precision and were accompanied by expressive choreography. The impressive set design transported the audience into the Addams’ delightfully macabre world.

1 Lily Cipolla, Charlotte Stein 2 From left to right: Abbie Mackay, Avery Burton, Kylie Branch, Riya Sharma, Cassidy O’Donnell, Blake Higdon 3 Jane Pecorin, Ryan Walmsley, Talia Sandhu and members of The Addams Family featured ensemble 4 Members of the The Addams Family ensemble 5 Adrian Tortoledo

Flowering Together

A Kindergarten & Upper School Art Collaboration

Kindergarteners made their way to the Art Studio at Stanwich Road to paint with Upper School ceramics students. Over a couple of weeks in April, kindergarteners drew flowers that were then crafted by Ceramics students into 3D replicas.

“The project is an example of the many ways that we partner across divisions to bring older and younger Tigers together.”

— Denise Meza

Reyes, LES Art Teacher

“I loved working with a kindergartener and putting her in charge! It was so much fun when she made all the decisions.”

— Chloe Caliboso ’24, Ceramics Student

LEGALLY BLONDE

Stella Melucci as Elle Woods with ensemble: (front row) Analily Garcia Alvarez, Charlie Meyer, Ben Stein, Jeffrey Piper, Danna Justiniano, Alexa Greenblatt, (back row)

Chris Suy, Kristina Estock, Marli Young, Willa Ball, Philip Candito

1 Yash Jain 2 Charlotte Best, Sawyer Young, Jashiyah Mccoy, Wilson Crowell, Chris Suy

PRESENTED BY

The Upper School

DIRECTED BY Betsy Durning, US Theater Director & US English Teacher

This musical is about rejecting stereotypes and being true to oneself. To convey this message, it leans into stereotypes, some of which elicit laughter while others may make us cringe. But it is through these stereotypes that we are asked to examine our own judgments, perceptions, and societal expectations. Through the infectious energy of our cast, the vibrant set and costume designs, and the catchy tunes, the audiences embarked on a journey of challenging assumptions and embracing individuality.

1 Nate Smith, Zach Bostock 2 Danna Justiniano, Sawyer Young, Celeste Escobar, Nate Smith, Yash Jain, Philip Candito, Linnea Shah-Gustafsson, Avery Sleeper, Dylan Ever, Kit Knapp 3 Avery Sleeper, Charlie Meyer

Marli Young, Willa Ball, Jeffrey Piper, Ben Stein, Andy Pauley, Wilson Crowell, Chris Suy, Sawyer Young, Philip Candito, Stella Melucci

Arts of the Festival

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 2 with the Upper School Arts Exhibition (see page 44). On May 5, the Festival of Arts Grand Opening showcased student artwork in their divisions. The month-long Festival continued with the Dance Showcase, concerts, and Lower Elementary plays. Artist in Residence Lama Tenzin Yignyen spent a week at Old Church Road and created a sand mandala with students. Look out for more coverage of FOTA in the September issue, including Matilda, the Upper Elementary Musical, a roundup of divisional concerts, and an Upper School Cabaret Night.

Friends of a Feather Sing Together!

Presented by the Nursery

In early May, our youngest students spread their wings in their very first production at GCDS, “Friends of a Feather Sing Together.” Their voices soared as they sang, spoke, danced, and played instruments to bird-themed songs that showcased their musical skills and knowledge of birds.

Festival of the Arts

As part of the festival, Lama Tanzin was invited to create a sand mandala in the Upper Elementary School commons. Lama Tenzin, ordained as a monk by the Dalai Lama in 1969, has constructed and taught about mandalas at schools across the U.S. While working painstakingly on the multi-colored design with grains of sand, he talked to the students about the power of compassion, peace, and setting positive intentions. Lama Tenzin and our students performed a dismantling ceremony of the completed mandala, and cast the sand into the Long Island Sound, an expression of life’s impermanence.

Upper School Musicians Perform in Quebec’s Great Cathedrals

Upper School musicians traveled north to Montreal and Quebec City for their first GCDS international trip from April 25–29. Members of the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, Tiger Tones, and the String Ensemble showcased their talents in two iconic cathedrals: Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City, the oldest Anglican Church in North America,

and St. James United Church in Montreal. They also had the opportunity to attend masterclasses with renowned professors at McGill University, took part in a traditional Quebecois music and dance workshop, and enjoyed a performance of Mozart’s Requiem and Jupiter Symphony at Place des Arts in Montreal.

“Beyond the musical experiences, the students immersed themselves in the rich food, history, and culture of French Canada, making this trip an unforgettable educational and cultural experience for all involved,” said Jesse Tennyson, Director of Bands.

Festival of the Arts

UPPER SCHOOL ARTS EXHIBITION

Upper School arts diploma students, both performing and visual, showcased their portfolios on May 5. Artwork lined hallways in the art wing for a gallery-like atmosphere, and individual musical and theatrical performances took place in the band room.

Santiago Hahn ’24

Jonah Saidi ’24

Violet McCann-Anthony ’24

Olivia Borsey ’24

Ellie Stark ’24

Buggy Boogie!

Presented by Pre-Kindergarten

The Pre-K presented “The Buggy Boogie,” a musical play that featured many of the insects that they learned about in their classrooms, in early May. Students sang, danced, and played instruments to bug-themed songs that delighted the audience and earned them a standing ovation!

Thayer Ross ’24, Paige Setterberg ’24, Owen Hoffman ’24

Max Dubner ’24

DANCE SHOWCASE

The GCDS dance curriculum is challenging and offers something for everyone—ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, and even pointe. Through guided development, we have created an environment for young dancers to grow into beautiful artists. The showcase took place on May 11.

MOUSE SOUP

Second graders performed a play based on Mouse Soup, a children’s book by Arnold Lobel, in mid-April. A mouse must trick a weasel so he doesn’t end up being turned into the main ingredient in the weasel’s tasty dinner!

Meet:

Twins Elizabeth & Olivia Friedberg ’16

Members of the Cornell University Varsity and the Canadian Women’s National Field Hockey Teams

An Interview by AINSLEY CARELLA ’24,

Captain

of the GCDS Field Hockey Team

What inspired you to start playing field hockey?

Elizabeth: I grew up playing ice hockey and soccer. At GCDS, it was the first time I ever saw a field hockey stick. Field hockey combined my two childhood passions because it’s a lot like soccer, but you have a stick like ice hockey.

Olivia: I remember stepping onto the grass field at GCDS with a large bucket full of wooden sticks, and everyone got to choose the one they wanted. I had never played field hockey before, but I was given an opportunity to try a new sport to fill the time before the winter ice hockey season. I quickly realized that this was a sport I would continue to play.

Do you have any standout memories from your time at GCDS, on the GCDS FH team, or playing sports at GCDS in general?

Elizabeth: We used to play on grass fields in the middle of campus, and my friends would be pass by during our games, coming to and from their activities. It was a lot of fun to play our sport

and be watched by all our friends. I also remember that during ice hockey season, we put all our gear on except for our skates and then walked down to Greenwich Skating Club. When it snowed we would just sled down the snowy hills with our bodies.

Olivia: I vividly remember the long walk in winter from the GCDS middle school, across the grass fields, down past the lower field, across the bridge, and through the lower fields to get to the rink. Back then, it felt like the most dreaded part of our routine, but looking back, it brings a smile to my face, especially recalling the moments when we were late and had to sprint the route.

Who at GCDS has had a significant impact on you?

Elizabeth: I came in fifth grade from Stanwich, my first teacher was Mr. Sinay. He was always a daily source of inspiration and calmness in the morning. I remember he would play music videos at the beginning and end of school. He would sing along, and so did I. Also, I had a coach, Ms. Fitzgerald, who I looked up to. She was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the game of ice hockey. She made me want to play sports longer to see where it took me.

Olivia: Mr. Helstein spread positivity and excitement in the athletic department. His constant smile and enthusiasm made everyone happy to be around him. He played a big part in making my athletic experience at GCDS truly special and contributed to my journey in sports being so fulfilling.

What attributes of TIGER PRIDE did you bring with you to Cornell and playing on the Canadian National Team (their dad is Canadian)?

Elizabeth: When I was a Tiger, everyone had this sense of resilience and teamwork. There was a pursuit of being the best and achieving excellence at GCDS. I’ve carried that into everything I’ve done. Those three things are very important, whether it’s sports or school—striving for the best but also working with the people around you. GCDS taught us that very well.

Olivia: To reach the level of field hockey required for Cornell and the Canadian National Team, I found that one of the most invaluable tools was the ability to create connections with teammates. Having played alongside hundreds of different individuals, I learned the importance of building meaningful connections on and off the field. The best way to make these connections, as simple as it may seem, is through the very same values of TIGER PRIDE: Being thoughtful, inclusive, generous, empathetic, and respectful. The more you’re able to trust your teammates, the stronger your performance becomes. A perfect example is last year when we, an unranked team that trusted each other, played Louisville, ranked #4, and, in a huge upset, defeated them 2-0.

Olivia

Elizabeth

When

I was a Tiger, everyone had this sense of resilience and teamwork. There was a pursuit of being the best and achieving excellence at GCDS. I’ve carried that into everything I’ve done.” —Elizabeth Friedberg ’16

What position do you play at Cornell?

Elizabeth: I play midfield or defense. We usually scout the teams before we play them, so I move around the field depending on what our scout recommends.

Olivia: I am primarily a side midfielder but sometimes play forward.

Do you have a special connection with your sister on the field?

Elizabeth: Definitely. A lot of people say it’s twin telepathy: just because we’re twins, we have this power, which I don’t think is entirely wrong, but I think it’s more that we’ve played sports with each other since day one. We always think a step ahead because we know each other so well. It definitely is a strategic advantage.

Olivia: Growing up, people would always say to us, “You guys have twin telepathy,” because we were always able to know where each other was without looking up. We have played on the same team in every sport for as long as I can remember, and we maybe did not exactly have actual twin telepathy, but when playing with someone for that long, you develop an understanding of each other’s movements and tendencies on the field. It’s less about seeing where she is but about the trust, connection, and confidence we have developed with each other.

I play both soccer and field hockey and find there are many strategic similarities between them. From positioning to communication, there’s no doubt my soccer career has made me a better field hockey player. What overlaps have you observed from your other sports that have helped you in field hockey?

Elizabeth: Each sport, specifically golf, teaches you a lot about your mindset in games and in life. You have to stay calm in stressful situations. So let’s say you make a bad shot, you have to think of the long term, how you’re going to beat your opponent and map out each shot you’re going to take next. That’s taught me a lot about staying calm in stressful situations.

Olivia: Despite the differences in playing surface and some rules, both sports share fundamental principles, including spatial awareness, timing, and strategic positioning. I definitely believe that being a multisport athlete helps build a diverse skill set and adaptability in different game situations. Additionally, exposure to different team dynamics enhances communication and teamwork, contributing to a more cohesive and effective performance.

How do you see the skills you’ve developed from sports assisting you in future endeavors?

Elizabeth: Field hockey is a very fast and dynamic game, and this has actually helped me with my internships and jobs. You’re in these one-on-one situations with your opponent—you play in these competitive environments and create that pass. This will help when working in dynamic fields, such as finance.

Olivia: Being an athlete has taught me the values of teamwork, leadership, discipline, and resilience. As a player on both Cornell University’s Varsity Field Hockey Team and the Women’s National Canadian Field Hockey Team, I have learned a great deal about myself and what it takes to succeed: how to compete, work as part of a team, the commitment required, and how to focus on and achieve long-term goals.

What advice would you give our budding athletes wanting to play sports in college?

Elizabeth: I have two pieces of advice. People nowadays specialize in one sport, but I recommend playing many sports. When the time comes to specialize, you can. I’ve learned so much from every sport, lessons I couldn’t have learned from just specializing in field hockey. Plus, I cherish all the memories and friends I’ve made along the way. My second piece of advice: the recruitment process can be very long and hard, and you encounter so many challenges and bumps in the road along the way, so it’s really important just to keep working through them and trying your best. Perseverance is key.

Olivia: You fell in love with your sport for a reason. The process of getting recruited and the sacrifices you have made to reach this point will be extremely frustrating at times, but remember why you started playing in the first place. Stay dedicated, work hard, and always believe in yourself. Embrace the journey, trust your abilities, and never lose sight of your passion for the game.

Athletics Winter Highlights

1 Boys Varsity Hockey made it to the FAA semi-finals.

2 Girls Varsity Basketball hosted their first playoff game and had GCDS’s first 1,000-point scorer, Brianna McDermott ’25.

3 Varsity Swimming went to their first NEPSAC Championship. The girls team took 5th overall and boys took 2nd. We medaled in 10 different events between the two teams.

4 The Upper School Squash Teams competed at Squash Nationals for the first time and Middle School Black Squash also competed at the Philadelphia tournament.

5 Boys JV Basketball was the FAA JV Tournament runners-up.

6 Varsity Wrestling had four wrestlers qualify for the NEPSAC Tournament, the most we’ve ever had.

Boys Varsity Basketball FAA Regular Season and Tournament Champions. Received first ever NEPSAC Tournament bid.

See page 55

Brianna McDermott ’25

Middle School Squash Team (Black)

Community Rallies Around Athletes and Great Cause

At Hoops Night and Pack the Rink our student-athletes not only showcased their skills in front of the community, they also raised awareness and funds for a great cause. This year, the focus was on the Golden Lights Foundation where both events combined to raise nearly $4,500 to go towards funding research for childhood cancer. Throughout the year, athletics and the Center for Public Good partner to engage in different forms of community service together.

Fifth grader, Carter MacDougall, and varsity squash coach, Ollie Holland, represented Team USA at the 2024 Squash World Championships. Carter qualified among the top 5 players in his age group.

Girls Varsity Hockey

Dance Team Ambush

Boys Basketball WINS FIRST FAA CHAMPIONSHIP

The boys varsity basketball team won their first Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) championship on Feb. 24, playing against Brunswick School. A varsity team for only three years, the Tigers brought home an impressive 63-53 win on the Bruins’ home court.

The Tigers’ robust defense defined the game, holding the Bruins to a mere 26 percent shooting from the field and limiting them to only 14 points in the paint. The Tigers also won the battle for rebounds, finishing with a tally of 39-37. In front of an enthusiastic, standing-room only crowd, the Tigers did not take their halftime lead of 32-16 for granted and continued to apply pressure on their formidable opponent.

Offensively, the Tigers were led by Taj Walters ’25 with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Mekai Brown ’27 added 20 points and 9 rebounds and Calder Truesdale ’24 finished with 8 points, 5 assists, 4 steals and 5 deflections.

Athletics Director Tim Helstein shared, “The atmosphere was electric with the GCDS community there to support and the team remained focused and played as one unit. It was a proud day to be a GCDS Tiger!”

Coach Patrick Scanlon added, “I’m really proud of our team, especially the senior leadership of Calder Truesdale, Jesse Ripka, and John Berbano, who were key in bringing the team together. It was a great performance against a talented, tough, and well coached team.

The GCDS boys varsity basketball team earned the No. 7 seed in the NEPSAC ‘B’ tournament.

1 Taj Walters ’25 and Griffyn Flood ’25

2 Mekai Brown ’27

Pack The Rink

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Turkeys vs. Tigers

Middle School students faced off against their teachers in 3rd annual Faculty vs. Tiger basketball game on Feb. 27.

Niblock Invitational

On Dec. 12 & 13, Girls and Boys Middle School Basketball teams played local middle schools to help raise funds to support ALS research.

MITCHELL FAMILY TOURS THE DON

The last steel beam, signed by students and faculty members, was placed into the frame of The Determination Over Negativity (DON) Mitchell Family Athletic Center on May 13. The construction of the athletic facility began in September 2023 and will continue through this summer and into the fall. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is expected to take place in November.

The building, named for NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell ’12 who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, will house a full-size NCAA basketball court that can be divided in half to

create two full high school-sized courts running perpendicular. The building will also be large enough to host all-school events and assemblies.

Donovan, his mother Nicole Mitchell, a former Lower Elementary School teacher, and his sister Jordan ’17 toured the construction site on May 20 and are thrilled about the progress. “This is something I dreamed of,” said Donovan, who plans to attend the ribbon cutting in the fall. “It’s a blessing to make my mark on a place that made a mark on me and helped me to grow into the man I’ve become. The DON will be right next to the building where my mom taught.”

“This is a transformational gift, not only for our athletics program but for the entire school,” said Head of School Adam Rohdie. “It’ll be the one place at GCDS where our entire school can gather for our assemblies before Thanksgiving, the Winter Holiday break, and at the end of the year. I can’t thank the Mitchell family enough for their generosity.”

Left: Nicole Mitchell, Donovan Mitchell ’12, and Jordan Mitchell ’17

COMING WINTER 2025!

Tigers’ New Home Ice

GCDS has entered into an agreement with a new indoor skating rink, slated to open winter 2025—Wings Arena on Barry Place in Stamford, CT. This will be the indoor home rink for the GCDS Upper School girls and boys ice hockey programs. Sitting on the border of Stamford and Old Greenwich, the

NEW Food Truck

Designed by Graphics Students

Students in Graphic Design 1 designed a wrap for the new GCDS food truck, utilizing all four sides of the vehicle as their canvas. Their goal was to create designs that not only grabbed attention but also embodied the essence of GCDS, resonating with both our community members and visitors during various games and events. After presenting their proposals to a panel of administrators, students explained the reasoning behind their designs. Following feedback sessions, a proposal by Liv Starr ’27 and Sophie Patchen ’26 was chosen and applied to the food trailer. The design features student athletes in action, with the door prominently displaying the words “TIGER PRIDE” to reinforce our community values.

rink provides a nearby location for consistent indoor practice and game ice, six days per week, as well as dedicated locker rooms for the program.

Wings Arena will feature a new full-size ice sheet and two dedicated varsity locker rooms for the GCDS girls and boys hockey teams. Locker rooms will provide comfortable locations for changing, gear storage, skate sharpening, stretching, video analysis, team meetings, and athletic training for our hockey players.

Athletic Director Tim Helstein shares, “Having our own designated rink and locker rooms sets us apart from many of our peer schools. With ice time being a premium and hard to come by in Fairfield County, we now have two rinks (with the Greenwich Skating Club outdoor rink) to give our Middle School and Upper School programs the exposure and instruction needed to excel at the sport. This is another step in making our athletic program one that gives our student-athletes a top-notch experience and a place for the school to call home on ice.”

With ice time being a premium, we now have two rinks to give our programs the exposure and instruction needed to excel at the sport.

Athletics

Spring Highlights

1 Boys Varsity Lacrosse placed second during the FAA regular season and made it to the finals of the FAA championships.

2 Girls Varsity Lacrosse placed third during the FAA regular season, made it to the semi-finals of the FAA championships.

3 Boys Varsity Tennis: Edward “Ebby” Laitala ’27 and Felipe Miguens ’26 finished second place in the FAA Boys Tennis Championships; varsity advances to the NEPSAC tournament for the first time in program history.

4 Boys Varsity Rowing: Alex Simko ’25 won the Silver in the youth U17 in singles boys rowing, USRowing Northeast Youth Championships in Lowell, MA.

5 Girls Varsity Golf: Mia Rodgers ’25 finished 3rd of 96 NEPSAC golfers at the 38th Annual Pippy O’Connor Independent School Girls Golf Championship Tournament.

6 Boys Varsity Track & Field won the FAA Championship, Girls Varsity Track & Field placed 4th. Liam Kennon ’26 won first place in the 100- and 200-meter races at the NEPSAC championships. See story page 62

Mia Rodgers ’25

Alex Simko ’25

Ebby Laitala ’27

Felipe Miguens ’26

Boys Track & Field WINS FIRST FAA CHAMPIONSHIP

The GCDS Boys Track & Field team won their first Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) championship on Saturday, May 11, prevailing over Brunswick School at their home track by a score of 147-144. The Girls Team took home an impressive fourth place, their highest ranking to date. Over the course of the meet, there were 11 school records, 6 wins, and 14 All-FAA performances.

“In the span of four years, our Seniors have set a brilliant example of the joy of training to become excellent in this sport,” said Peter Heinz, Head Coach of the Track & Field team. “Now, the results of their efforts speak for themselves. These athletes, without a track or a dedicated place to practice, have built a team culture that prizes its members and celebrates everyone’s progress. No surprise, the team has grown and grown.”

“There is nothing more powerful in sports than watching athletes set goals, work towards them, and achieve those goals surrounded by the cheers and excitement of teammates,” said Tim Helstein, Director of Athletics. “Yesterday was that day and another historic moment in GCDS Athletics history.”

1 Liam Kennon ’26 won first place in the 100- and 200-meter races at NEPSAC 2 Steve Paul ’24 won first place in the 100-meter race at the FAA Championship

3 Long distance runners Kendall Collier ’24 and Gisele Putka ’28 4 Hurdler Chase Richards ’24

Girls Varsity Softball

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our big thinkers are everywhere . . .

We are grateful to our past and current parents, many of whom are leaders in their fields, for generously sharing their time, talent, and expertise with our students.

Claude Johnson

History through the Black Fives Basketball Era

Claude Johnson (P’19) founder of The Black Fives Foundation, kicked off Black History Month. Johnson spoke about the importance of preserving, celebrating, and honoring the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball. The Black Fives refers to the all-Black basketball teams that existed in the US from 1904–1950, after which the NBA signed its first Black players. The Black Fives Era played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in American sports during the early 20th century.

Ali Goldstein & Kelly Thompson

L’Oreal Executives Talk About Women in Leadership

Ali Goldstein (P’26) and Kelly Thompson (P’27, P’26) have worked for iconic brands such as L’Oreal Paris, Lancome, and CK ONE. Currently, Goldstein is Brand President of L’Oreal Paris USA and Thompson is VP of Marketing at L’Oreal Luxe. Having worked at L’Oreal for more than 20 years each, they described working in the beauty industry and keeping up with trends, the importance of building brands, how they managed their careers, and what it means to be a woman in a leadership role.

Our students are surrounded and inspired by our community of big thinkers, each with their own passions and ideas.

Lara Spencer

Good Morning America Anchor is Driven by Curiosity

Name?

Lara Spencer (P’17, P’23) is the anchor of Good Morning America, author of Flea Market Fabulous, and host of Flea Market Flip. Spencer knew from a young age that she wanted to be a newscaster. During her Lunch & Lead presentation, Spencer thanked her 5th grade teacher who told her that her voice was distinct and special and that she was also a really good writer. In her role as anchor, she needs to be “persistent, tenacious and curious,” every day.

Brent Montgomery

Media Executive is a Storyteller at Heart

Brent Montgomery (P’36, P’31, P’33) has launched a variety of businesses across the entertainment, sports, marketing, culinary, real estate, and investment sectors. He is behind the hits Fixer Upper, Hell’s Kitchen, Pawn Stars, and the Emmy® Award-winning Queer Eye. In 2018, he established Wheelhouse, an entertainment group that works with many of the world’s most famous athletes and entertainers. Montgomery told students why he created Wheelhouse: “I really started with wanting to tell my own stories since I was always executing someone else’s ideas. I always kept thinking it would be really fun to get my own ideas out there. I didn’t realize how hard that was going to be; it took about seven years until I was able to sell my first own idea and show.” He also shared advice: “The best advice I got early in my career is to treat common people like kings and kings like common people because they’re used to having people fangirl or fanboy over them. While some people thrive off of that, it’s also really nice just to connect with people on a human level.”

Palm Beach Reception

In January, we gathered with alumni, parents of alumni, and grandparents for a Reception in Palm Beach, hosted by Ellen and Richard Richman P’97, P’01, GP’37. It was a delightful evening spent reconnecting with GCDS friends and exchanging updates on campus happenings.

1 Frieda and Lawrence Shefter 2 Donna and Marvin Schwartz 3 Chris Shumway, Adam Rohdie 4 Jill Shulman, Christina Truesdale 5 Carrie Shumway, Alexa Shumway ’19 6 Adam Rohdie, Ellen Richman, Richard Richman 7 James Lansing, David Shulman 8 Ken Hubbard, Helen Fitzgerald, Brian Fitzgerald 9 Wendy Hubbell ’73, Anne Ward 10 Irene Shaw, Edward Shaw 11 Bruce Berry, Alexandra Gardner, Nicholas Papanicolaou ’94 12 Carol and Will Browne

PARENTS OF CLASS OF 2016

Each year, we gather the Parents of Alumni from a specific graduating class. In February, we welcomed the parents of the Class of 2016. Mr. Rohdie provided updates on our two campuses, and former parents enjoyed reconnecting with old friends. It was a wonderful evening of rekindling friendships.

1 Merritt B. Merritt, Scott Williams 2 Lisa Stuart, Blake Delaney 3 Michele Smith, Nicole Boruchin, Kim Brush, Tasha Nagler, Patricia Moran 4 Lynn Friedberg, Kim Brush, Stacey Essaid 5 Michael Fiore, Chris Brush, Frank Moran, Daniel Friedberg 6 Denisse Padilla, Edgar Ortega 7 Laurie Cameron, Michele Smith 8 Steve Lukens, Suzanne Lukens, Adam Rohdie, Traci Reed Fiore ’80

Earthrise Club Hosts WHEELATHON

As part of their Earth Day celebrations, the EarthRise club, an environmental student group, held a morning of fitness, sustainability, and safety.

On April 27, students and their families rode laps around the Old Church Road campus loop with their bikes, scooters, wheelchairs, and skateboards. They raised $2,000 for Good Sports, a non-profit organization that supports under-resourced schools and helps children access sports equipment. Bike safety and maintenance experts were on hand: Bob DeAngelo, Co-Chair of Active Transportation Task Force, certified bike instructor of the League of American Bicyclists, and GCDS Senior Colin Lee. Todd Portier ’98, who works at GCDS French Farm, explained how the GCDS hydrofarm container works, and participants sampled greens grown there. The group plans to make the event an annual spring tradition at GCDS!

Alumni Volunteer in Boston

Lauren Broadhurst Cook ’96, CEO of Ellis Early Learning, was thrilled to welcome Jen Donnalley, Director of the GCDS Center for Public Good, and a crew of Boston-area alums for a volunteer event at the Jamaica Plains-based preschool. They organized files, wrote notes, and made gift bags for their teachers.

Mrs. Barrett (The Art of Loving Well, anyone?) was there to help with her daughter and grandson, as was Debbie Kerrick’s daughter, Courtney Smith ’14. “As generous as their volunteer service (and book donation!) was, it was such a treat to reunite with such wonderful teachers and nearby alumni. Ellis remains very grateful,” said Lauren.

Interested in hosting a CPG event in another city? Email jen.donnalley@gcds.net to share your idea! @ellisearlylearning

Front row: Lisa Ghaffari ’11, Jen Donnalley, Courtney Smith ’14, Annabel Barrett Powell Back row: Lauren Broadhurst Cook ’96, Kai (Annabel’s son, Liza’s grandson), Liza Barrett (former GCDS teacher), Isaiah Preyer ’14, Peaches Memishian ’11, Denisa Neza ’23

ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES

FLASHBACK TO 2012 Spring

Fair

(Photo: Michael McGovern)

MILESTONES

Births & Adoptions

Montez “Tez” to Molly Plimpton ’96 and husband Montez Haywood on Feb. 3, 2024

Gordon Bennett to Peter Burns ’01 and wife Katie Koelle Burns on Feb. 24, 2024

Abigail Grace to Joe Cosentino ’01 and wife Ashley Russo on Jan. 2, 2024

Luke to Remy Sanders Dowd ’03 and husband Craig Dowd on Dec. 26, 2023

Nora Grace to Spencer Slocum Grabon ’05 and husband Sam Grabon on Dec. 7, 2023

Hudson to Ricky Bourke ’07 and wife Chauncey Harrison on March 5, 2024

Marriages

Nicholas Allen ’07 married Megan Kyle Guise on March 23, 2024 in Laguna, CA.

Lee Lowden ’08 married Sumner Allen on March 16, 2024 on Kiawah Island, SC.

Deaths

Joseph Maher Jr. ’44 on Dec. 28, 2023

Robert Dunn Haws ’46 on Feb. 7, 2023

Emily Lockwood Howe Buttaro ’47 on Oct. 17, 2023

Joel S. Mitchell, Jr. ’49 on March 24, 2024

Margaret “Peggy” Cragin ’50 on Jan. 1, 2024

J. William “Bill” Houlder Hudgins ’52 on Jan. 30, 2024

John Edwards ’58 on Dec. 2, 2023

Jennifer Parmelee ’73 on Nov. 19, 2023

David Hornblower ’79 on Jan. 12, 2024

Whitney Clark Sheppard ’80 on Dec. 27, 2023

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

1944 Celebrating a Milestone Reunion! October 18–19, 2024

We regret to inform you that Joseph Maher Jr. passed away on Dec. 28, 2023. Please see In Memoriam.

1946

We regret to inform you that Robert Dunn Haws passed away on Feb. 7, 2023. Please see In Memoriam.

1947

We regret to inform you that Emily Lockwood Howe Buttaro passed away on Oct. 17, 2023. Please see In Memoriam.

1948

Connie Ellis shared why New York City is ideal for seniors. “Perhaps best is a wide-ranging population of friends and colleagues to share it with. My daughters and their families are close by. I am lucky. Life is busy: tennis, gym, two book groups, a translation project. I will also be involved in the upcoming elections.” Richard Montague wrote that he was flying to Akaslompolo in Finnish Lapland (north to the Arctic Circle!) for a week of cross-country skiing, a trip he has taken for the last 25 years at this time with his wife. This time will be more special because he will turn 90 while there. The area has 200 miles of prepared cross-country skiing trails. He also told of a recent and relatively disappointing visit to the village of Sils-Baselgia in the Upper Engadin valley of eastern Switzerland, disappointing because it was further south, and warmer, subject to climate change, even though the village is more than a mile up in the mountains. Kim Townsend shared a while back: “I reached out to seven of you whose email addresses I had. If anyone else would send hers/his, or if anyone would like to write to me (4 Barque Rd., Bath, ME, 04530), I’d be grateful. I am a dyed-in-thewool Thoreauvian, the man who famously declared ‘I have traveled much in Concord,’ so just typing the above was exciting for me.”

1949 Celebrating a Milestone Reunion! October 18–19, 2024

We regret to inform you that Joel S. Mitchell, Jr. passed away on March 24, 2024. Please see In Memoriam.

1950

We regret to inform you that Margaret “Peggy” Cragin passed away on Jan. 1,

2024. Please see In Memoriam. Nancy Donnelly Bliss: “I remember Peggy well—busy, energetic gal. I had forgotten that she taught at the Academy for so long. I also remember Peggy’s parents. Her mom had a Girl Scout Troop for us for a while. I don’t remember it lasting long as we were busy with sports and homework, etc. I recently had a letter from Karen Jensen Dustin who has moved. I must send her a note. We are all getting old! Nearing 90!”

1952

We regret to inform you that J. William “Bill” Houlder Hudgins passed away on Jan. 30, 2024. Please see In Memoriam.

1957

Margaret Von Hennig Bragg continues to live in Greenwich but spends the winter season in Vero Beach. “I have one son living in Greenwich, one in the Fairfield area, and one in Vero Beach. I am still creating paintings and monoprints and exhibit at Meghan Candler Gallery in Vero Beach and at Sandra Morgan Interiors in Greenwich. I enjoy my rose garden and visits with my grandchildren who fortunately live in Greenwich. Lily is in 7th grade at Greenwich Academy and Chase is going into the 5th grade at Brunswick.”

1958

We regret to inform you that Johnny Edwards passed away on Dec. 2, 2023. Please see In Memoriam. Michael Hanson shared: “Years after we left GCDS, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to play a lot of ice hockey with Johnny as teammates on the Greenwich Skating Club’s men’s team. He was a good friend and a really good hockey player (as well as a real ‘rink rat’). His defensive style was smooth, calm, and efficient. He got me (his goaltender) out of a lot of trouble many times. I would love to come to his memorial service in January, and would be especially motivated if I could be there with some old friends from the GCDS Class of ’58.”

1960

The Class of 1960 welcomes new class rep Sandra de Leeuw Dell ! Pierre Wasserman : “Last year was my first trip to the US in more than a decade and I chose to cross the Atlantic with my wife Blanca on the QM II. The plan was to spend a few days in NYC then fly to Burlington, VT, to visit a good friend in Morrisville. I also wanted to get a feel of what life was like in New England now after living all these years in (la petite)

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

James W. Riley III

1960 Sandra de Leeuw Dell*

1962 Alice Fisher, Peter McCabe

1963 Sheila Blair, Walter Hinton

1965 Michael Sandifer

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 Nathan Allen/Patrick

Jeffrey

1980 Traci Reed Fiore

Nancy “Quinn” Keeler

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 Katharine Yeskey Singh

Kendrick Luse

Switzerland. Unfortunately, we tested positive the night before debarking in Brooklyn which somewhat modified our plans. After the required quarantine, we made it to Morrisville and were able to see our friend, who was one of my teachers in Switzerland in the ’60s, but had to keep our distance. I have two wonderful grandchildren who live in Geneva and keep me quite busy and moti-

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 July 15, to appear in the September issue. )

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

2006 Peter Desrosier

2007 Cindy Ruiz, Brooke Pinto, Lizzy Berdoff

2008 Nicole Black

Liz Arenz-Hosbein *

2009 Olivia E. Marcus

Charles Pasciucco

2010 Tessa L. Fox

Charles Januszewski

2011 Zach Berzolla

Parker Holbrook

Eliot Johnson

Posey Memishian

vated.” Jim Cluett : “Still living in Sanbornton, NH. Judy and I are well and had a great summer. Nice garden. Beans, kale, tomatoes and peas are especially abundant. We just had a fantastic visit from our daughter Catherine and family who live in Hawaii. On Molokai . . . to Maui fires. (Yes, it’s too far away.) Catherine went to Molokai to be the editor of a weekly newspaper. After 15 years,

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 Marshall

Maggie Sandler

2018 Lulu Forrest

2021 Jack Linardos

2019/2022

Caroline Hart

Mackenzie Ross

Kayla Richards

* New Class Representative

she just took a job with Hawaii Public Radio as a reporter. I’m enclosing a photo of all of us at the bottom of Cannon Mountain in Franconia. We took the tramway to the top.” Martha Enos van Nierop shared that she is still in Darien, CT, where she moved after starting out in NYC. “My husband, Jan Hendrik, established an import/export company where I became involved in the day-to-day

IN MEMORIAM

JOSEPH M. MAHER, JR. ’44 , a pillar of strength and the beloved patriarch of his family, departed this world peacefully on Dec. 28, 2023. He was surrounded by family at his home.

Joe was born on Oct. 12, 1929, in Greenwich. He was the son of Joseph Maher, Sr., and Miriam McMurtry Maher. He attended Greenwich Country Day School, the King School, and University of Massachusetts at Amherst. After serving in the armed forces, he moved to Bethel in 1959 and founded D and B Concrete company. It was here that he was introduced to Joan Green of Danbury. After a ten-month courtship, they married. They settled in Newtown and raised three children: Jay, Jamie, and Jill. He was a loving father who worked tirelessly to provide for his family.

All who knew Joe would admit he was “one of a kind.” He could captivate an audience with humor and charm. On Saturday nights he was a dapper dresser as he enjoyed fine dining with friends. His true joy was his commitment to work. Always the first on the job and among the last to leave, he started each day with enthusiasm and purpose. His career in the concrete and swimming pool business spanned 75 years. He was blessed to have engaged in his craft well into his eighties. His life was well lived. Always forward thinking with no regrets.

Besides his parents and wife Joan, Joe was predeceased by siblings Elizabeth Hanify, Priscilla Bolten, and John Maher.

He is survived by his longtime partner, Anne Trister, who cared for him in his final days; his sons, Jay (Maureen), James (Jane), and daughter, Jill (Robert) LeBlanc, all of Newtown; his grandchildren, Jake, Michael, James, Sean, Kevin, Brian, Emily, Tim, and Megan; and his great grandchildren including Robin, William, and Johnathan; and his siblings, Victoria Lee and Stewart Thorne.

JOEL S. MITCHELL, JR. ’49, of Rye Brook, passed away at the Osborn on Mar. 24, 2024. He and his wife Dorothy (DeeDee), who predeceased him, moved to their permanent home at The Arbors in Rye Brook in 1979. They lived there very happily until 2020. He was born in Battle Creek, MI, on Aug. 26, 1935. The family moved to Greenwich, CT, in 1944. He graduated from Greenwich Country Day School, Deerfield Academy and Dartmouth College. Joel lived and worked in New York City prior to moving to Rye Brook. He was a long-standing member of the University Club, an enthusiastic booster of Manhattan and a huge fan of the Yankees. He was a dedicated volunteer in Westchester County, principally at the community college and Meals on Wheels. He and his wife were also active in cat rescue work. He was an avid long distance cyclist and racquet sports player and enjoyed any opportunity to be outside. Joel is survived by his sister Ruth Mitchell Freeman ’47 of Lake Wales, FL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

ROBERT “BOB” HAWS ’46, was born in Stamford, CT, on Oct. 30, 1932 and died on Feb. 7, 2023, surrounded by his family including his wife, Frannie with whom he had been married for 69 years. Bob Haws graduated from Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts then went on to Yale University, graduating in 1954 with a business degree. Soon after he joined the Navy, going on to become a Lieutenant J.G. fighter pilot.

In 1962, he moved his family to Hawaii, co-founding Sea Life Park. Eventually he became President of Royal Hawaiian Air Service, and then VP of Customer Service at Hawaiian Airlines. He then moved to Las Vegas, to manage Scenic Airlines. Bob retired in 1991. He and Frannie returned to Kaneohe, Hawaii. He is survived by his wife, Frances Pryor Haws, 2 daughters, Robin Kaimikaua (Kimo) and Cynthia Haws, 4 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, George Haws.

EMILY LOCKWOOD HOWE

BUTTARO ’47, aged 90, of Shoreview, MN, formally Aberdeen, SD, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. She left this world surrounded by her family with a prayer and birds out her window.

Emily Lockwood Howe was born to James and Henrietta (Wood) Howe on Apr. 12, 1933, in Boston, MA. She attended Greenwich Country Day School and graduated high school from Rosemary Hall, in Greenwich, CT. In her school years, Emily was called a “natural athlete” and was the captain of her field hockey team. She just loved talking about when her team beat the men’s team from the Netherlands. Emily graduated from Vassar College in 1955.

Emily married Peter Joseph Buttaro on May 7, 1960. They moved to Aberdeen in 1967, where they spent more than 45 years as active members of the community, raising their three children. Emily worked with her husband, publishing a series of educational books covering principles of longterm health care administration as preparation for the national licensure exam. They, and a single employee, did all the work themselves, from writing, editing, and printing to distributing them across the country. Nevertheless, Emily always found time to have fun. She participated in the Moose and the Knights of Columbus. She volunteered for the Dacotah Prairie Museum and Birthright. She loved golf, bridge, bowling, painting, drawing, senior shape-up . . . and ice cream, lots and lots of ice cream. Emily even kept her East Coast roots alive by having an annual lobster feed in her backyard.

Blessed in sharing her life are children: Tina (Robb Puffenberger) Buttaro of Philadelphia, Pete (Heather) Buttaro of Columbus, NE, and Rieta (Chris) Mikkelsen of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren: Jazz, Riley, Mason, Jens, and Ben; great-grandchildren: Journey, Zeb, Davey, Charlie, and Vojta; and sisters: Rieta Trepiccione and Edith Goodnight. Emily was preceded in death by her husband, Pete, and her brother, James Howe.

MARGARET “PEGGY” CRAGIN ’50

Born in Cincinnati, OH, to Grace Rowe Mackall and Charles Matthews Mackall, Margaret (“Peggy’) was a force of nature from the start. The oldest of six siblings, Peggy, and the Mackall family, more broadly, had a long presence in the Greenwich community. Peggy graduated from Greenwich Country Day (“GCDS”), Farmington School, and earned a B.A. from Vassar in 1958, where her granddaughter proudly currently studies.

Peggy married Stuart Wilson Cragin in 1960 in Greenwich in Christ

Church and had four children, all of whom attended GCDS, and three attended Greenwich Academy/Brunswick.

Peggy received her teaching degree from Columbia University and began a career at Greenwich Academy that spanned 34 years (1977–2011). Peggy’s impact at Greenwich Academy was profound. She taught upper school math (geometry, her specialty), was the “Dean of Discipline,” introduced technology to the school, started a GA summer camp for underprivileged kids, was GA’s “Nautilus” (fitness) instructor, and had the yearbook dedicated to her in 1987. When she left GA, she urged students as part of the “Senior Voice” series that they “Needed something that is all your own— something that will sustain you through thick and thin no matter what happens in the rest of your life.” For Peggy, that was teaching both in the classroom and outside. A student once wrote, “When I look back, my strongest memories are in your class, not the math part, but, more importantly, all the advice you gave us on how to live our lives to the fullest and be good people . . . I realized that you understood things about people that they, themselves may not.”

Peggy was involved in many clubs and organizations in Greenwich. She was on the Greenwich Country Day School and Cos Cob Library boards. She was a member of the Greenwich Garden and Horticulture clubs. Peggy also started a business selling skating dresses to Greenwich Skating Club figure skaters once she realized that with four children, she would spend many hours near the ice. She regularly dropped her children off at the Round Hill Club during the summer, as one would do in the ‘80s to manage highenergy kids. Peggy was also an avid quilter, having several of her quilts earning awards at regional quilting shows.

Throughout her life, Peggy would spend her summers in Amagansett, NY, first in a family house built in 1909 and eventually in her own home across the street. She grew up sailing at Devon Yacht Club, which began a love of sailing that she spread to her siblings and their children (all 16 of them).

Peggy is survived by her four children: Reginald Washburn Cragin, Geoffrey Stuart Cragin ’83, Benjamin Mackall Cragin ’85, and Grace Cragin Heintz ’86; and seven grandchildren, including Charlie ’13, Abigail ’15, and Sam Cragin ’17 of Darien, CT; Baxter and Samantha Cragin of Putney, VT; and Stuart and Casey Heintz of Boston, MA. Peggy is also survived by four siblings: Louis Mackall, John Mackall, Lucy Mackall Sachs, and Joan Mackall.

J. WILLIAM “BILL” HOULDER HUDGINS ’52 , mariner and resident of Edgartown “crossed the bar” at his home on Davis Lane in Edgartown on Jan. 30. He was born in Chicago, IL, on June 14, 1937.

His formative years were spent with his mother Vallie (Olson) his dad, Houlder, and sister, Llyssa, on Old Church Road in Greenwich, CT. where he attended Greenwich Country Day School, and then at 54 Brimmer Street in Boston where he went to the Manter Hall School.

His dad died at age 63 and his mother later married Wellington Wells and moved to New Hampshire.

Bill’s early sailing experiences were at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club where he was a presence throughout his adult life. Following his love of the sea, he went to the West India Steamship Company in West Palm Beach where he studied to become a deck officer. His first job upon graduation was Third Mate on the SS West India.

When Bill was 10 years old his dad, who everyone called Hudge, commissioned the building of INFANTA, a Philip Rhodes Designed 47' yawl built at Kretzer Boat Works in City Island, NY. It was Bill’s start of his love affair with

the ocean. Decades later, he was reunited with INFANTA when he was 72, sailing aboard her from Edgartown to Newport.

He joined the Edgartown Yacht Club in 1969 where he had once been the Fleet Measurer. Bill was also a member of the Edgartown Reading Room for more than 35 years, serving as Vexillary and on the House Committee. Upon reaching age 80 he was elected an Honorary Life Member in recognition of his long association and service. Both clubs were a short walk from his home on Cooke Street and later his home on Davis Lane.

Aside from being a member of just about every civic organization in Edgartown and elsewhere on the Vineyard, his civic mindedness led him to become one of Edgartown’s first volunteer EMTs along with Courtney Brady, who predeceased him by two weeks, also a yacht club member.

Bill was a yacht delivery captain, having made many intracoastal trips to Florida and back. There wasn’t a marina, yacht basin or yacht club that he wasn’t familiar with. He knew all the waterfront characters in most every port on a first name basis. Many are the stories of Bill stepping off the boat he was delivering and immediately walking up to the harbormaster, the commodore or a local wharfinger and shaking hands like old friends. If he did not know you, you soon became his friend.

His last regular job before semi-retirement was as captain of Wind Shear out of Edgartown, owned by Dr. Leonard Greene. He later continued his seafaring as a relief captain on large yachts when the actual captain had shore leave. Bill would get the call and off he would go, of course never telling anyone where he went and then regaling everyone with his stories upon return.

He is survived by his nieces Linda Spering of Suisun City, CA, and Tanya Langland of Stockton, CA, nephew Eric Helgesson of Talent, OR, and two cousins, Susan Waldrop of Bethesda, MD, and Jean Zeitz of Arlington, VA.

JOHN EDWARDS ’58 It is with heavy hearts but fond memories that we remember John Alexander Edwards, Jr., of New Canaan, CT. John passed away on Dec. 2, 2023 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was 81. John was born Nov. 8, 1942 in Greenwich, CT, to John Alexander Edwards and Reid Grandy Edwards. He attended Greenwich Country Day School, followed by Taft and then Boston University. He went on to earn Master’s of Industrial Engineering and Master’s of Business Administration degrees from Columbia University. It was here that in 1971 he met the love of his life, Katherine Bette Coe. They were married Aug. 26, 1972; the first chapter in a 51-year love story. John worked as a Comptroller in the reinsurance industry, but beneath the suit and tie beat the heart of an architect. Thus upon his retirement in 1990 he embraced this passion, embarking on a second career designing and renovating homes—both his own and a number of others around New Canaan. The home he passed away in was his favorite canvas, one that he poured his heart into over the years. It was a family joke that their “downsizing” house grew over the years to be larger than any other they’d owned as John continued adding to it. Family was of utmost importance to John. He believed in showing up, most especially for his wife, children and grandchildren. Over the years you could count on one hand the number of children’s events or important moments he missed. And that devotion extended to all those he loved—aunts, uncles, a stunning number of cousins and a dear collection of friends. Whatever the need, you could count on John to be there—a quiet but steady presence–who always, and always quietly, found a way to help (with a sly grin and subtle wit). John was a lifelong athlete. He played varsity soccer at Boston University

and was an avid golfer, but his most enduring love was for hockey, which he played from childhood into his seventies. He played with a series of teams including the Maryland Old Crabs, the New York Commuters and for many summers in Charles Schultz’s annual Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament held in Santa Rosa, CA.

While John loved home, he was also an avid traveler. Over the years the family summer trips to Europe, Africa, China, etc. became the stuff of lore. John wanted his children to know the greater world beyond their somewhat sheltered upbringing, and crowded these trips with a manic and determined intensity. In later life, John and Kathy continued their explorations—at a more relaxed pace!—in the company of dear friends and journeyed to their now far-flung friends and family whenever and wherever needed. John is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Katherine Edwards, son John Alexander Edwards III (Jaety) and wife Geraldine Edwards, daughter Melissa Edwards Pearson (Lissa) and her husband John Pearson, and four granddaughters: Caitlyn and Hayley Edwards; and Katherine and Margaret Pearson (Mae). He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Doran (Dotsie), her husband Robert Doran, nieces Susan Doran and Kathy Gesualdi, and a great-nephew Reid Gesualdi. We are deeply indebted to John’s caregivers, most especially Neville Travers, for the years of compassionate care which enabled John to fight his battle with Parkinson’s at home and with dignity.

JENNIFER “JENNI“ PARMELEE ’73

passed away peacefully on Nov. 19, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with a rare neurological disorder. Jenni was born Sept. 6, 1958 in New York City. She attended the Andover Academy and Princeton University where she graduated in 1980 with a major in international political science. Jenni was a journalist with the Associated Press, the Washington Post Company, and Voice of America. More recently, she worked for the United Nations World Food Program. Jenni is survived by her husband, Tsegaye Hidaru, and daughters Sarafina Parmelee and Sophie Parmelee.

DAVID HORNBLOWER ’79 of Pound Ridge, NY, died on Friday, Jan. 12, at age 60, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. David and his twin brother, James, were born on Sept. 29, 1963 to Ralph Hornblower, Jr. and Phoebe Blumer Hornblower of Greenwich, CT. David is survived by his wife, Melissa King; his daughter, Meghan E.B. Hornblower, Washington, DC; his brothers, James W. Hornblower ’79 (Fiona) of Concord, MA, John G. Hornblower ’76 of Aspen, Colorado, Paul S. Hornblower ’65 of the Dominican Republic and Ralph Hornblower, III ’63 (Cynthia) of New York City; sister, Priscilla Hornblower ’68 of Cambridge, MA; and former wife, Nicole Hornblower. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom he cherished. He was predeceased by both parents; as well as by his sister, Rosalie Hornblower ’61.

David was a graduate of Greenwich Country Day School, St. George’s School, Hamilton College and the Harvard Business Analytics Program, forming lifelong friendships at each. At Hamilton College, he co-founded the rowing program, of which he remained a staunch supporter throughout his life, forged close ties with his Sigma Phi brothers and relished his year abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. A passionate pilot, David spent the

bulk of his aviation career at JetBlue, where he not only flew, but also held leadership roles in the pilot’s union. Previously, he flew with Delta and its subsidiary Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Prior to his career in aviation, David held roles in insurance with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. Most recently, David served as Chairman of Octilumen Technologies and was a committed volunteer with the Pound Ridge Fire Department, receiving “Volunteer Fire Fighter of the Year” in 2022. David loved time with family and friends, whether on his many trips or at the family’s Squibnocket Farm property on Martha’s Vineyard. His sunny disposition will be deeply missed by all whom he touched.

WHITNEY CLARK SHEPPARD ’80, aged 59, died peacefully on Dec. 27, 2023, at Greenwich Hospital, after a bravely-fought battle with melanoma. Born in New York City on Dec. 8, 1964, Whit was the beloved son of Linda C. Waterman, the late Christopher R. Sheppard, and the late Mike Waterman.

Whit moved to Greenwich as a very young boy, and attended Greenwich Country Day School and Brunswick. He graduated from Deerfield Academy, Southern Methodist University, and also earned an MBA from the University of Texas and a master’s in journalism from the University of Oregon. With his brilliant mind and insatiable passion for travel and adventure, Whit wore many hats and enjoyed stints in New York, Dallas, Austin, Eugene, Taos, Paris, Melbourne, Richmond, Boston, and Greenwich. French teacher, ESPN journalist, Morgan Stanley analyst, Boston College tennis coach, and independent school advisor were among Whit’s many professional roles. Whit was also very involved in the recovery community and served as a sponsor and mentor in Alcoholics Anonymous for nearly forty years, lifting up those struggling with addiction and touching many lives.

All who knew Whit would agree that far and away his greatest and proudest role in life was being an incredibly devoted father to his amazing daughter, Emily Vaughan Sheppard. Whit and Molly Taylor Sheppard shared their daughter, Emily, with love and grace, even after divorcing many years ago. Nothing brought Whit more joy than spending time with Emily, whom he adored beyond measure. He especially loved sharing his passion for travel with her as they created incredible memories together, exploring Australia, South Africa, Mauritius, Anguilla, Mexico, the UK, and France, on their epic father-daughter adventures.

Whit was a bibliophile, rackets enthusiast, golfer, dog lover, foodie, linguist, and globetrotter. He had a great sense of humor and loved words, cultures, languages, animals, and babies and children of all ages. Whit was a gentleman, charming and kind, old-school. He loved a good meal, a great book, tide rides in Martha’s Vineyard, a fresh croissant, chai tea lattes, and playing tennis, paddle, and squash. Ever handsome with a twinkle in his eye, Whit will be sorely missed.

In addition to his daughter, Emily Sheppard, mother, Linda Waterman, and ex-wife, Molly Sheppard, Whit is survived by his brother, Neil Waterman and sister-in-law, Jen Waterman, his sister, Brooke Sheppard Stahl ’81 and brother-in-law, Ryder Stahl, and many adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and his beloved rescue dog, Auggie.

OBITUARY CORRECTION: Patricia Cluett ’59 was the daughter of Robert H. and Alice V. Knight (not Alice I. Valle Cluett) as published in January 2024.

business. The years flew by raising two children, Daniel van Nierop ’90 and Emily van Nierop ’91, and both attending GCDS from 6th to 9th grades before heading off to boarding schools. Our son lives in Medford, MA, with two children and our daughter lives in San Rafael, CA, with her two children. Before COVID, trips to Medford and San Francisco were possible, but now we are a bit more cautious. We now try to all get together in Canada at a lodge on Lake Temagami, and Christmas brings us all together here in Darien. We have now retired and life is more leisurely. We just returned from skiing at Okemo with our son, his wife, and children. Three days of fabulous skiing, and what’s surprising is I was still able to make it down some black diamond runs! Now it’s back to a more slow-paced lifestyle with Chorale rehearsals and aerobics.” Lee

Purser : “El Pescadero, Baja, Mexico, a very small town about an hour outside of Cabo San Lucas, is my home now. Life here goes at a very slow pace. Retiring ages ago mostly due to back pain, I lived in Dharamsala, India, off and on for 12 years to study with the Dalai Lama and other teachers. Returning, I taught at Insight Community of the Desert in Palm Springs, CA, and then at Florida Community of Mindfulness in Tampa, giving back what I had so freely been given. I moved here to be close to my daughter five years ago and I built a home. I then started a scholarship fund for the children of migrant workers to go to public high school, which is not free here—$400 per year is out of reach for families who earn only $25 to $50 per day. This year we sent 14 kids to high school and two to college. Am I old? I’m not sure that has much meaning anymore. What’s more interesting is cherishing today. Who knows what that will bring?” Aileen Pittori Erickson : “My husband, Joe, had a somewhat challenging year healthwise, but all seems now mostly resolved. Modern medicine at best is a miracle worker. Joe and I have continued to spend a lot of time in our studios. Joe works at home in Cambridge and had his biannual exhibit at Boston’s Gallery NAGA in April. As for myself, for over 50 years my studio has provided space in a building I love plus an artist/Boston South End community, but since the powers that be turned the Boston Center for the Arts’ no-live-in, working residencies into a three year program, I will have to give up mine on July 1, 2025. That might be traumatic as affordable, accessible studio space is rare. Our two-year-old-plus grandchild Henry in Brooklyn has been another focus. I commute by Amtrak pretty

often to sleep on the comfortable couch and help out for two or three days at a time. Regarding miracles, how working parents manage is another one. So at the moment I feel deeply grateful for what I have had and still have.” Emily Nelson Agnew : “I have lived in Greenwich for many years with my husband and brought up our three girls there. In 1999, I left the marriage and moved to California. I ended up in a beautiful spot on the Mendocino Coast, where I had a healing retreat center. After 14 years, it became a bit too much to manage myself, and I moved to Taos, NM, to be near my eldest daughter, Heather, and family. In 2021, I moved back to Northern California for a gentler climate and to be near my friends, my sister, my niece, and my middle daughter, Holly. I live in an active, 55+ community and am thankful to still be active! I walk 2X every day with my dog, hike occasionally, go to the gym, and do Pilates. A new passion is for Contra-dancing—it is very vigorous and lots of fun! I enjoy visiting my children and grandchildren in their various locations. Besides Heather and family in Taos and Holly in Oakland, I visit my youngest, Abby, and family on their ranch in Big Timber, MT. Abby has started a wonderful business leading horse and mule adventures into the wilderness and trail rides on the ranch. Check out wideskyadventures.com . While in Taos, I joined the Threshold Choir and am still singing here in

Santa Rosa. I also continue my lifelong interest in holistic healing and wellness and have discovered an amazing breakthrough technology that I call my ‘longevity patch.’ It has helped me and many people deal with various symptoms of aging.” John McCarthy reports from Switzerland that he has a new granddaughter, Ellia, courtesy of son John III and wife Alaleh in Maryland, along with a college-bound grandson Aidan and middle school granddaughter Nadiya, and spent the Christmas holidays with them. Meanwhile, John volunteers as an intern (you saw the movie) at The Earth Foundation in Geneva where his daughter Angela is the CEO and driving force behind The Earth Prize, a

Jim Cluett ’60 with wife, Judy, daughter, Catherine, and family in Hawaii

Lee Purser ’60 and daughter in Baja, Mexico

Members of the Class of 1963: Taffy Fisher Field, Jim Kitendaugh, Sheila Blair, and Guy Lawrence reunited in Portland, ME.

global competition for teenagers to come up with practical solutions to environmental sustainability problems. Thousands of students from 114 countries and territories submit solutions each year. Anne Tinker Gaud : “My husband, John Henderson, and I live in Charleston, SC, and continue to summer at our family house in Mattapoisett, MA. In early March we moved to Bishop Gadsden, a retirement community 20 minutes from downtown Charleston, where we have lots of friends. I’m on the Boards of some Charleston historic organizations and enjoy time with family and friends, includ -

Top: Peter Bretschger ’69 at the New York YC, 12-Metre Regatta, in Newport, RI, with son Chris. Left: Peter conducted a frostbiting sailing clinic at American YC, Rye, NY, with son Peter, Jr.

ing six grandchildren ranging from 9 to 19.”

Juliet Taylor Walsh : “My husband, Jim Walsh, and I live in New York in the same apartment we have lived in for 47 years! We are both retired and before COVID we traveled extensively and took full advantage of our freedom. Jim now has some health issues which have kept us close to home. Our life is quieter and smaller but satisfying and fun in its own way. Living in a NYC apartment building has turned out to be its own variety of ‘assisted living.’ Good friends and neighbors, Central Park in our front yard, easy access to theater, concerts, muse -

ums. And, no need for a car! We have two sons who both live in Washington, DC, which makes it easy for all of us to go back and forth. We dearly treasure our time with them and their families!” Stevee Greeff : “Catching up—when was the last time? Hmmm. I don’t think I was married yet to Jamie Stollenwerck, who I ran into when he and his brother Stoney stopped by one late September weekend in 2012 for a Camp Monadnock reunion. I’ve had a little summer place up there since I moved back from Italy in ’95. We decided to go the old-fashioned route three years later. Since then we’ve been living in Vero Beach from which we travel a good deal as ¾ of our family lives, not surprisingly, in Europe. Jamie has a daughter and her family in Brooklyn but his elder daughter married a charming German teacher/photographer and they have two adorable blonde grands, a girl, 8, and boy, 5, in Nuernberg. I have my daughter and her husband in Milan, and three grown granddaughters in Spain and Italy; my son who was married last February at the ripe old age of 49 to a smashingly gorgeous Moroccan gal who has lived her life in Paris and London . . . they are now mostly in Oxfordshire. They all visit us, too, happily, the next one being Friday when my daughter comes over for FL R&R for a week. I still paint a bit—mostly pastels, portraits, or small wooden things, which are my favorites and don’t require a studio. A knee op is coming up in a couple of weeks—but it’s my second, so no real surprises, one hopes. Had back surgery too, so my mobility is not topnotch, but then again, I never was an athlete. It’s water aerobics for me! Linda Dupont Richardson : “Rip and I celebrated our 58th anniversary this past June. Having known each other since 3rd grade, we have so many memories in common which is such fun! We retired in 2007. (Rip from a banking career, and I as a hospice counselor/social worker.) At that time, we bought our second home in Sewanee, TN, in the Cumberland Mountains where we spent two weeks every month year-round. In 2018, we moved to our present apartment at Vicar’s Landing, an adult living facility in Ponte Vedra, and we sold the TN home. Our daughter, her husband, and two children (William, 19, and Ella, 16) live 15 minutes away and our son, Tim, lives only 20 minutes away. Also, my brother and his wife live close by as well. Feeling very blessed.”

Sandra Dell deLeeuw : “I’ve been living in Norwich, VT, for the past 25 years after living in New York City for 37 years. What a change! I love it here. I also love my job as a

realtor and have no plans to retire. I have two daughters, a granddaughter, and a grandson. All live near me and that’s a blessing. 2023 was a rough one with four surgeries on one leg, but I’m recovering well, almost back to normal. I’m so happy when I hear from my classmates. Some of us have been talking about a 65th reunion. I hope we can make it happen.”

1962

Greetings from your co-representative Peter McCabe . All is well in my—and GCDS’s— neck of the woods; Spring began in the second week of March, and Put’s Hill, by the Second Congregational Church, was covered with crocuses on the 15th. I’m still working full time, play tennis on Saturdays, and spent part of Sunday trying to see which of various methods might kill my rapidly encroaching mile-a-minute vines. Sent out a note and heard from several classmates. Lesley Hencken Starbuck : “I have my own business and work part-time as a Certified Life Coach and also work part-time studying and training for my last certificate in psychodrama. I’m still passionate about theater, and when time permits, I write poetry and children’s books.” Ken Neher shared that my email request caused him to reminisce about his time growing up in Greenwich, especially adventures at GCDS.

“It was a special time with many great friends.” He added that after grad school, his work took him to adventures at several companies in North Carolina, and in Pittsburgh and Minneapolis; that in early retirement he taught business courses and spent a lot of time with his three grandchildren. Penny Wick DeYoung : “Jim and I, after 42 years in our house in Winnetka, are putting it on the market this Spring! We have the barn in Idaho, and we might move back to Chicago or who knows? We’ve been traveling to Japan and New Zealand. We have six grands, ages 17 down to 1. We are all bumping along and scattered across the country. I hope everyone is doing the dance!” Rick Platt : “Branching out from my business of high-performance auto-racing parts, where I remain employed full time, I was a firsttime exhibitor in January’s 2024 PGA Golf Merchandise Show, where I displayed my latest invention—the Rimac brand golf ball compression-testing device (www.rimacgolf. com). It was well-received, and is intended to establish a long-overdue standard for measuring the compression of golf balls which I have demonstrated can influence the distance chip shots and putts will travel by 20–25%.” And, “continuing my tradition of playing the worst golf on the best courses, Diane and I have ventured to Kiawah Island and Scottsdale this year.” Joan Scherman

Mary Alice Fisher Carmichael ’69 with her daughter, Lally, after a mini squall during a Twilight race at Indian Harbor.

Dorr shared that she and Fred recently adopted a 15-year-old Italian Greyhound who was seized from her owner “who was either relocated to a shelter (no dogs allowed) or arrested, depending on which you believe.” The dog had multiple health issues, all surgical, most of which were taken care of by the shelter, though she still needs to have a blind eye removed. Joan added

that “she is poetry in motion and so fast!” Joan couldn’t be happier as the Greyhound has become best buds with her adopted long-haired dachshund. Sandy Gerli shared that he is doing well in Knightdale, NC, just east of Raleigh. His granddaughters are almost 3 and 7 and live nearby. Sandy’s son and daughter-in-law both work at Lenovo computers nearby. Sandy adds: “I’m looking forward to some high-tech eye surgery in early April to address some glaucoma issues. Otherwise, my health is good and I’m active in church in Raleigh. Cheers to all

ANNE PATTERSON ’75

my classmates!” Nancy Hoffman shared that she is an active retired RN, volunteering wellness consulting. “Living in Seattle, particularly in my neighborhood, we have many coyotes, so it is becoming quite scary to walk my small dog at night. I just ordered bear spray to have on hand just in case. The coyotes are now breeding so they are very hungry. They go after the rats, and the many bunnies that we have, particularly in the summer with all the babies. They have killed all the outdoor cats, no longer can one have a cat that goes outside. So we are hav-

ing to learn how to live together. They can’t move them, nor kill them, which I don’t want. Meanwhile, the many varieties of cherry trees are starting to bloom. It is one huge mass of pink and white cherry trees, so beautiful.” Finally, to close this note, I’m going to quote Nancy once again—“And that’s about all the news there is.”

1963

A hearty group from the Class of ’63 got together for a weekend in February at Taffy Fisher Field’s place in Portland, ME. High-

2020 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA

On Dec. 6, 2023, US students visited the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in Manhattan to experience Divine Pathways created by Anne Patterson ’75, the 2020 Distinguished Alumnae. A stunning, site-specific textile installation, Patterson created it for the cathedral’s vaulted

nave. “We loved the whole experience. Her description of the creative process helped the artwork come to life. It was also amazing to climb up the stairs to the cathedral roof and see the artwork from a number of angles,” said Gillian Hines ’25, a student in Ms. Kim’s Studio Art class.

lights of the trip included a ferry ride in Casco Bay, an invigorating hike around Peaks Island, a visit to the art museum, and a lot of good food and good company. “There’s plenty of life in us yet!” said Sheila Blair.

1965

The Class of 1965 welcomes new class rep Red Jahncke ! Oivind Lorentzen : “For the last 33 years (frightening number), I have been living a stone’s throw from GCDS. I drive regularly by the school and keep alive the memory of walking over the Fairfield Road bridge back to the gym from those beautiful lower fields. As a frequent but outside observer of the school, I can happily report good news to those of you who live further away. GCDS looks like it’s really thriving. . . . So our happy but distant memories of the place are safe and sound. Meantime, I have also managed to free up time for more sailboat racing and skiing . . . which has been fun.” Burr Toohey : “I live in Boulder, CO, and would love to meet up with any of my classmates who are passing by in Denver or Boulder. I visit Greenwich often because my mom is now 101 years old. She still has her mind for which we all are grateful. She is frail but with-it and fun to talk to. Red can attest to this. And a few years ago Charlie Lee and Michael Sandifer could too—you guys need to go visit her—she is in her home and you attend her church. Until a few months ago, she was reading 2 newspapers a day, doing The New York Times crossword daily, and playing bridge. Her eyesight is failing, sadly. So now it is audiobooks and some bridge. Not easy

for her. She attends church via Zoom and that is a delight for her. My two highlights over the last year—one very, very sad and one quite lovely. I will start with the devastating one. In March 2023, a year ago today in fact, my youngest brother, Rob, committed suicide. He lived in Australia and left his wife and son behind. We had a heartwarming ceremony last April for Rob. His GCDS 1969 classmates and other friends found the strength to highlight his humor and mischievous ways so eloquently and with the love of so many years of friendship. The distance of living so far away adds to the complication of ‘why’ did this happen. We are still mired in grief. At the other end of the spectrum of emotions, I had a spectacular trip to Africa: Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia to bird-watch for three weeks in Aug./ Sep. 2023. If you are a bird watcher, you would know the thrill. If not, the large animal viewing could be and was incredible. I was enthralled with Namibia about which I knew little. Great group, great guides, no trip issues—what a delight! I hope you all will consider attending our 60th GCDS anniversary, upcoming in 2025 (can you believe it?). Last time some of us met was for our 50th. It would be great to have at a minimum all Greenwich residents (which we did not get for our 50th) plus some others. Plan for Oct. 2025! I look forward to seeing you in 2025.” Peter Weeks : “Greetings from Virginia! I’m entering my sixth year as Mayor of the historic rural village of Bluemont. I live on the Blue Ridge Mountains overlooking the village close to my brother, Nick, who moved here from the San Fran -

Plimpton ’96 and Montez Haywood welcomed son Montez “Tez” born on Feb. 3, 2024.

cisco area at the time of the pandemic. My passion for conservation and the environment has led me to become President of Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains whose mission is to preserve and protect these beautiful mountains. I have the pleasure of visiting with Michael Sandifer ’65 whenever I visit my sister, Perry, who also lives in Greenwich. Looking forward to our 60th reunion next year!” Sibyl Sanford : “For about 50 years now, I have lived in Bellingham, WA, which is a very beautiful part of the country. My son Phil and his family live

Catherine Cattan Shump ’78 (center) and family

Molly

close by in Seattle, and I have two wonderful grandchildren, Katie and Nick, who are a great source of joy for me. Phil has worked at Microsoft for many years. I spend my days seeing friends, enjoying my walks in nature, and painting in my art studio, which is modeled after a Japanese tea house. I still play the piano as well. I have kept in touch with Caryn Cluett Greg and I also saw Burr Toohey in past years when she lived in the west and visited the area. All my best to you, and all our classmates too.” Duncan Andrews: “I had fun catching up with GCDS classmates at the 50th and hope we can do it again for the 60th—we’re not getting any younger. As for my brief history, I have lived in the Boston area since 1975 upon my return from 2½ years in the Peace Corps in Khon Kaen, Thailand. I met the love of my life at a bank where we both worked and were married in 1979 (she is up for sainthood after nearly 45 years with me),

and have been in Wellesley ever since. We have two sons: Will, 43, an incredible drummer in three different bands who lives in Lynnwood, WA, with his partner Terra and is manager of Seattle’s premier drum store West Coast Drums; and Matt, who lives 10 minutes away from us in West Newton with daughter-in-law Adrienne and our two grandchildren, Wesley (10 on April Fool’s Day, palindrome DOB 4/1/14) and Charlotte who is 3 and a half, both of whom keep us young(er) and are a joy. I can’t afford to retire so I’m working as an admin assistant for my cardiologist and will try to do so for a couple of years—not the way I had planned it, but a layoff at the tender age of 60 and an unsuccessful entrepreneurial venture took a big chunk out of my retirement funds. I did check off one of my bucket list items last May 1st when I and two others hosted a Boston reunion of our college a cappella group from the ’60s and ’70s and sang the National

Anthem at Fenway Park (until last year I was a 45-year season ticket holder, so I shamed the Sox into letting us perform), and if anyone wants to check it out, Google “Princeton Nassoons at Fenway Park” and you get the ‘behind the scenes’ longer 8-minute video which features probably the only stop and restart of the SSB because we jumped the gun before we were announced, and the second video is just the SSB. I wish all my GCDS classmates the best and hope more chime in with updates on their lives.” Charlie Lee: “I remain happily married to the former Leslie Simmons ’64, after 45 years. We live on a pond in North Stamford. Our son Thomas ’98 is practicing law with Bryan Cave in San Francisco, and he and his beautiful lawyer wife, Goli, have two fine sons, Charlie and Teddy. Our daughter Leslie Sarah Lee ’01 is working in Brooklyn at an ad tech company, Vistar Media, where she is the senior vice president of marketing. Needless to say, we are very happy about our family. Personally, I am in my eleventh year on the Connecticut Superior Court bench. I am happy about that too, as it is an interesting new chapter at our stage of things.” Peter Scherman : “Me and my partners decided it was time to retire from our company, The B&B Team, which provided advisory services to current and future innkeepers. We made that announcement to the Innkeeping industry in late February 2020 at a national conference. When we arrived home in early March and the world shut down, everyone asked us what we knew that they didn’t, or similarly said that our timing was superb. I’ll go with the latter and chalk it up to good luck. We were able to sell the business and fully retire, which is more than awesome. We are currently in Costa Rica visiting two children and two grandchildren. We have three more back in Virginia. My two adult step-children’s father passed away during Covid, so I asked them if they’d allow me to adopt them. Happily they said yes, so I now officially have five children and three grandchildren. They are all amazing and wonderful human beings. Makes one proud! I keep busy with a myriad of projects but enjoy more time on my front porch with a mug of coffee and binoculars. We live in the country and have lots of birds and assorted wild animals. Life is good, and barring anything unforeseen, I look forward to our 60th. Take care. Peace to all my classmates. My time at GCDS was very good, indeed.” Muffie Stone Fitzgerald : “Desmond and I continue to enjoy our five grandchildren. I briefly saw Vicky Milbank Whitney in Florida a few weeks ago which was fun.” Cathy McKee Donovan : “I

haven’t been back to Greenwich for 12 years when my Mom passed away. I will look forward to the news of our classmates. My husband, Lee, and I moved from Annapolis, MD, to Okatie, SC, (near Beaufort) in 2007. We built a house together and lived there 10 years until he was diagnosed with cancer. We came back to MD for better health care, and, sadly, I lost him that year. I decided to stay in MD where Kendall, Megan, their spouses, and three grandchildren live. Now I am on the Eastern Shore of MD and have been helping take care of Megan’s boys (now 6 and 8) since they were born. Wow, they have a lot of energy! Meg is a Baltimore hospital Physician Assistant and her husband is a Captain in the Baltimore County Fire Dept., which means they work long hours and each has a 1½ hour commute. Kendall lives in Harwood and they have a 14-year-

old daughter. Devin, my youngest, and her husband live in Nashville with two more grandchildren (also 6 and 8). I went to Italy two years ago with Devin and Jeff on an unforgettable trip to the west coast of Italy. I have always loved traveling and joined a guided trip to Scotland last summer on my own. Rhine River cruise this summer.” Nick Deegan : “My wife Jo Dee and I still live in Gillette, a ranching and energy community in northeast Wyoming. Retired from the district court bench (mandatory) at age 70 a

few years ago, although I continue to serve on our Community Corrections Board. We have a couple of great-grandchildren (through Jo Dee) who are young teens. So lots of basketball games, dance recitals, track, golf, etc. Twice yearly, in the spring and fall, we travel to our bungalow in the SoCal desert for six weeks or so. Lots of camping in the summer, usually in the Black Hills. That’s about it. Was so great to see so many of our classmates at our 50th. Seems like yesterday.”

Christopher King ’98 recently adopted two rescue Chihuahuas, Thelma and Louise.

B*Cured Benefit Committee/Attendees including seven members of the GCDS community: (Back row) Francesca Kolber Warren ’88, Karena Bullock Bailey ’92, Julie Galluzzo Karish ’92 (Front row) Chrissy Baird, Ashley Mendel Fox ’93, Courtney Wilson, Karen Rubenstein

John Arlin ’88 was sworn in as Battalion Chief for the Dumont Fire Department.

ISAIAH PREYER ’14 CAREER DAY GUEST SPEAKER

The GCDS Middle School welcomed back Isaiah Preyer ’14 for the Grade 8 Career Day on Jan. 19, 2024. Isaiah, an electrical engineer, graduated from the University of Connecticut. After college, Isaiah moved to Maryland and worked at Genesis Engineering Solutions Inc. for a year and a half on GENSAT-1, a small satellite, which launched in 2023. Following that, he was contracted out to NASA Goddard to work on Electrical

Peter Burns ’01 and Katie Koelle Burns welcomed Gordon Bennett Burns, “Gordie,” born Feb. 24, 2024. His older brother “Mac” is taking great care of him.

Integration and Testing for Roman Space Telescope. Isaiah is currently back in the Connecticut area working at Eppendorf and pursuing his master’s degree. “Visiting GCDS is like coming home. Seeing familiar faces and walking the same hallways, creates a wave of nostalgia. It is exciting to witness the continuation of the excellent care I experienced, and the growth of the community,” said Isaiah.

Spencer Slocum Grabon ’05 and Sam Grabon welcomed Nora Grace on Dec. 7, 2023.

1967

Margot Trotter Davis : “It has been rewarding to be in a field for my career that keeps evolving, is intellectually challenging, and in the press daily. I work at Brandeis University studying behavioral health with a focus now on the opioid crisis. I also treat patients with addiction and other condi -

tions. Yes, it is time to retire . . . but I’m not so sure I’m there yet. There is still too much to do.” Mark Lyons : “Just a note to say that a recent photograph of mine has entered an important public collection here in France, the FRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It’s from a series of portraits of exiled persons in various regions of Italy made over the last five years. The 60 ”x85” ink-jet print entitled ‘Free Contacts, Olamide, 2019’ now lives in Bordeaux.”

1968

Harry Fisher: “In January, I was elected to be the Chairman of the Town of Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation, which is the finance board that sets all budgets and taxation in the town. It is arguably the most powerful position in town as the chair holds a tie-breaking vote on a board that is split six Republicans and six Democrats.”

1969 Celebrating a Milestone Reunion! October 18–19, 2024

Richard Parker: “2024 is a big year for many of us. Although a few may have turned 70 prior to January 1, for the majority of us, it is this year—meaning seven decades of life. I say Happy 70th to the Class of ’69, and I wish you all health, joy, and the energy to work toward the Common Good in 2024.”

Mary Alice (Fisher Carmichael): “Last November, Richard Parker gave a fabulous Zoom lecture series on the Bhagavadgıˉtaˉ, which Corky Clarke and I signed up for. Richard is an amazing teacher, combining interpretation and insight with a bit of humor every now and then. To teach this scripture in only three 90-minute sessions is quite a feat. He focused on key sections, and I felt we came away with an excellent foundation for this important historic literature.”

(Comment from Paul Pavlis about Richard: “That’s quite a journey—from star hockey player to Bhagavadgıˉtaˉ !”) Moby Dick was next on Richard’s zoom agenda, and he began 2024 teaching a course on the Romantic Poets. Carla and Corky Clarke are Down East Mainers. As Corky was writing his news in early March, Carla was on her way to a “nice cold water dip in Casco Bay with friends—air temp 34, water temp 35. She was in for 7+ minutes.” Corky said he “was having trouble justifying the pain of joining her. Crazy but she regales me of all the health benefits. I’m happy with the hot tub.”

Peter Bretschger: “I continue to relish not having the daily grind of running a business, and I cherish the opportunity to travel and competitively race around the world as well as at home in Newport Beach. Last year, I competed in the 12-Metre World Championships (Defender US 33) in Newport, RI, followed by a wonderful dinner with Nina Barbaresi Grosvenor and her terrific husband Jim Grosvenor. Then came Antigua Race Week (Tripp 65 Prevail, 2nd in Maxi Class), and locally won several Harbor 20 Fleet regattas ( Adios). We did a Barcelona to Venice cruise last fall and just returned from cruising Auckland, NZ, to Sydney, AU. Best of all, I’m doing a lot of this with both sons.”

1973

We regret to inform you that Jennifer Beale Parmelee passed away on Nov. 19, 2023 (see In Memoriam). David Waddell : “It is with great sadness that yesterday, both Michael Battey and William Bill Healey informed me that our beloved classmate Jennifer ‘Jenni’ Parmelee lost her very courageous battle to progressive supranuclear palsy. I had been in contact with

Karla Drewson Russell who was unable to join us for the reunion and opted to travel to Washington, DC, to be with Jenni who she also shared a great friendship with since GCDS days. In your quiet time, please pray for Jenni’s family and for all the families of classmates we have lost. Sending much

Ricky Bourke ’07 and Chauncey Harrison welcomed Hudson Harrison Bourke on March 5, 2024.

Yoshito Iba ’01 is living in Tokyo, Japan, with his wife and two children.

Joe Cosentino ’01 and his wife Ashley Russo welcomed Abigail Grace Cosentino on Jan. 2, 2024.

love and prayers to all.” William “Bill” Healey : “I knew Jenni well at college and we stayed in touch over the years. I had tremendous fun just last week when Karla Drewson Russel was visiting Jenni in Bethesda and got us to do FaceTime. I was laughing and being very silly with Jen, telling her how much fun I had had at our 50th reunion, how fantastic it was to see people and what a joyful event it was. Her eyes lit up and she had a big old grin on her face, and I am confident that she really appreciated the memories. She will be missed.” Michael Battey remembers her as “a great friend and classmate.”

1978

Catherine Cattan Shump: “Hello all, it’s been a while since I sent news. Sorry to miss the big reunion coming up but my husband and I are still living on the West Coast in Los Angeles. We will be celebrating 35 years of marriage this year. I continue to work as Director of Development for a faith-based non-profit called HOPE worldwide. We do relief work in 60 countries. My husband is a high school teacher and is getting ready to retire. Once retirement comes, we will hopefully spend more time on the East Coast. Our daughter and her husband and two kids (our two adorable grandbabies) are in Providence, RI. Our son and his wife are out here in LA. We continue to enjoy our lives here, especially because we have a very special church family that we have been a part of for many years. I miss seeing so many of

you but I recently was able to spend time with my childhood bestie Ellen Koehler Kiley. Also sent photos back and forth with another childhood bestie Elise Hillman Green . But I do hope to see many more of you in the years to come and hope you are all healthy and happy.”

1979 Celebrating a Milestone Reunion! October 18–19, 2024

We regret to inform you that David Hornblower passed away on Jan. 12, 2024. Please see In Memoriam. James Hornblower shared that Dave loved Country Day and that many classmates have been extraordinary in their support. “He’s a real testament to lessons learned while at school. His service was well attended by fellow classmates.”

1980

We regret to inform you that Whitney Clark Sheppard passed away on Dec. 27, 2023. Please see In Memoriam.

1983

Happy Spring! It feels like yesterday that some of us were together for our 40th reunion. Geoff Hanson is the Arts & Entertainment Editor at The Aspen Daily News. You should see him on the slopes! Look him up if you’re ever in Aspen (geoff@aspendailynews.com). Marco Pirrone is preparing an Atlantic crossing on his sailboat Moonshadow with the ARC rally. He will go from Martinique up to St. Martin, BVI’s, Turks and Marsh Harbour, then Bermuda. The 2nd leg of the rally leaves Bermuda for the Acores on the 22nd of May. Then Acores to Lagos, Portugal, where the rally ends. From Lagos he will then go around Gibraltar straight to the Baleares. Final destination: Minorca. Should be fun! His last trip in November 2021 was from Las Palmas, Spain, to St. Lucia (a 14+ day journey). While I did get a gift at our reunion from Steve Mark, I did not know the story behind it! Steve and a friend hadn’t seen each other in years (they used to work together at the same small advertising agency), when they bumped into each other doing a little holiday shopping. “What are you up to these days?” asked Steve. “Thinking up board game ideas,” answered his friend. “Sounds interesting. We should put our heads together and produce something fun,” Steve replied, half-jokingly. A few months later his friend handed Steve a bag of dice and said, “Let’s come up with a dice game.” Steve returned the following week and proclaimed, “Got it! Let’s just play!” Game after game, the dice rolled, and the rules evolved. They were convinced they had a fun, fast, addictive new game on their

Mireille Gallegos ’04 is marrying H. Anthony Hoyt on April 28, 2024.

Members of the Class of 2011 met at a recent dinner in Cambridge: Zach Berzolla, Lisa Ghaffari, Peaches Memishian, Margaret Schroeder.

Remy Sanders Dowd ’03, husband Craig, and daughters welcomed Luke on Dec. 26, 2023.

hands, TENZI. Now all they had to do was convince everybody else. A week later, with a dozen TENZI prototypes in hand they walked into a local toy store to try to sell their game. “No thanks,” said the first toy store manager. “Not interested,” said the manager at the second toy store. But the manager at the third toy store had a sunnier outlook. “If you can explain it to me in less than 30 seconds,” she said, “I might be interested.” Well, they could, and she was. In fact, she sold two TENZI games to a delighted customer before they had even left the store! Since then, TENZI has been on a fantastic roll. It’s grown from one single store to over 5,000 stores. Amazing! Feel free to send along more notes and stories for our next newsletter!

1985

Gregory Guidotti had the privilege to lead a Super Bowl Advertisement and Amplification for the Nerds Candy business. “In the five years that I have had Nerds in our Ferrara portfolio, we have grown in from $50M in retail dollars to now over $600M . . . simply an unprecedented result.”

1988

John Arlin was sworn in as Battalion Chief for the Dumont Fire Department on Jan. 2, 2024.

1992

B*CURED, a Greenwich nonprofit raising funding for brain cancer research, held its fundraiser on March 2. Karena Bullock Bailey, Co-President of B*CURED, was overwhelmed by support from GCDS. Ariane Debraux Triay ’86 and Miguel, Anne and Clifton Gray ’89, Kendall Moore ’89, Tenley Reed ’90, Julie Galluzzo Karish, Zandra Pappas , Zani Gugelmann, Lindley Tilghman Pless, Kelly and Jason Vintiadis, Ashley Mendel ’93 and Charlie Fox, Alex Taylor ’93 and Brad Demong, Liz Orum Duffy ’98, and Chrissy and Chip Baird, Maria Puntereri, Sarah Sepot, Merritt Merritt, Luke and Glaura Laubscher, Christie Johnson O’Keeffe ’94 and John O’Keeffe, Martha Sugrue, Brooke Morris, and Stephanie Spooner all attended.

1996

Lauren Broadhurst Cook was thrilled to welcome Jen Donnalley and a crew of Boston-area alums for a volunteer event at the nonprofit she leads, Ellis Early Learning. Mrs. Barrett (The Art of Loving Well, anyone?) was there to help with her daughter and grandson, as was Debbie Kerrick’s daughter, Courtney Smith ’14. As generous

as their volunteer service (and book donation!) was, it was such a treat to reunite with such wonderful teachers and nearby alumni. Ellis remains very grateful! (See page 70) Molly Plimpton married Montez Haywood at Boston City Hall in December. Montez is a prosecutor for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office in Boston. Molly writes, “our son, Montez Plimpton Haywood “Tez” was born Feb. 3, 2024 and we couldn’t be happier!” Tracy Catlin is Tez’s godmother. Veronica Arenzo Chiavaroli writes: “I slipped and hurt my ankle back in February and had to see a doctor. I was lucky that one of our classmates, Dr. Sean Peden is an orthopedic surgeon at Yale New Haven and has an office in Stamford, CT. He was able to diagnose and treat the problem and was wonderful about following up. I told all of the nurses in his office that he was in my 3rd grade class, and his bedside manner is much

Top and bottom: Nicholas Allen ’07 married Megan Kyle Guise on Mar. 23, 2024. Several GCDS Tigers (friends and faculty) attended the wedding in Laguna, CA.

better now than it was in middle school! We had a great time catching up and I was grateful to be able to call on a classmate for help.”

1998

Christopher King: “I’m grateful to add to our loving family—Thelma and Louise. At this stage of their journey, they are rescues, Chihuahuas (possibly mother and daughter), and have added such joy to our lives.”

2001

Yoshito Iba shared that he’s currently living in Tokyo, Japan, with my wife and two kids. “My older son is starting school in April, as I don’t have experience growing up in Japan (GCDS all the way), I’m looking forward to learning the differences through my kids. Working at Paidy, a PayPal-owned BNPL company, which was bought just a few years ago as Japan’s largest startup acquisition at the time.” Joe Cosentino and his wife Ashley Russo welcomed Abigail Grace Cosentino on Jan. 2, 2024. Peter Burns and Katie Koelle Burns welcomed Gordon Bennett Burns, “Gordie,” born Feb. 24, 2024. His older brother “Mac” is taking great care of him.

2003

Remy Sanders Dowd and her husband

Craig Dowd and baby sisters welcomed Luke on Dec. 26, 2023.

2004

Celebrating a Milestone Reunion! October 18–19, 2024

Mireille Gallegos will be getting married to H. Anthony Hoyt on April 28, 2024. They met at Mireille’s first job where they both worked as software engineers. They both like to cook and to travel and are looking forward to a lifetime of adventures together. Delia Bedzaeth Gallegos ’99, Mireille’s sister, will serve as Mireille’s Maid of Honor. Their other sister and Mireille’s twin, Rachel Gallegos, will also be a bridesmaid. Mireille couldn’t be more excited or happy to have her sisters at her side.

2005

Liz Levison : “My husband, Nick Martinez and I are living locally in Greenwich and expecting our first baby in May! I am working locally as a real estate agent and we couldn’t be happier. I have really enjoyed reconnecting with other local alumni from all different grades.” Jessica Rogers Baker and Grey Baker are excited for their daughter, Tate, to start Nursery at GCDS next fall!

Sam Rosenfeld : “My wife, Chloe Gardner Rosenfeld ’09 (daughter of Lori Auletta, former GCDS Lower School Art teacher) and I are now both elected members of the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting! The Greenwich Time also put us on the front page of the newspaper which is crazy!” Spencer Slocum Grabon and Sam Grabon welcomed Nora Grace on Dec. 7, 2023.

Sam ’05 and Chloe ’09 Rosenfeld, new members of the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting, were on the cover of The Greenwich Time.

Lee Lowden ’08 married Sumner Allen in Kiawah Island, SC, on March 16, 2024.

Cody Jackson ’07, Jake Oliver ’07, and their mothers Michele Jackson, beloved former first-grade teacher, and Cassie Doykos, UES Math Teacher, met this past summer in Golden, CO, for a hike and lunch.

2007

Nicholas Allen married Megan Kyle Guise on March 23, 2024. His brother Christopher Allen ’04 officiated the ceremony and several GCDS Tigers (friends and faculty) attended the wedding in Laguna, CA. The couple resides in Long Beach, CA, where Nicholas teaches 2nd grade at the Village School and Megan owns her own dance company. Cody Jackson and Jake Oliver and their mothers Michele Jackson, former 1stgrade teacher, and Cassie Doykos, UES Math Teacher, met this past summer in Golden, CO, for a hike and lunch. “Lots of laughs and fun memories of Country Day for all of us,” said Ms. Doykos. Ricky Bourke and Chauncey Harrison welcomed Hudson Harrison Bourke on March 5, 2024.

2008

Lee Lowden married Sumner Allen at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, SC, on March 16, 2024. Lee and Sumner currently live in Charlotte, NC. Their wedding party included many GCDS Alums! William Lowden ’07, his brother, was Lee’s best man. Other groomsmen included JC Sites , and Chris Buffone . Lee’s sister Catherine Anne Lowden ’04 was a bridesmaid.

2011

Zach Berzolla shares that he has had a lot of fun getting regular dinners with classmates Lisa Ghaffari, Peaches Memishian, Margaret Schroeder, Amanda Whelan, and Caroline Miao in the Boston area over the last year and a half. It has been so fun catching up and hearing about everyone’s

work and personal milestones. Franchesca Peña just finished a stint as Site Manager for StoryCorps’ Mobile Tour where she spent a year on the road, visiting 12 states and collecting oral histories from communities across the United States. She is excited to return home for a bit before her next adventure.

Spencer Walsh ’23 (top and bottom) ran and won a half marathon in Ridgefield, CT, on Oct. 22, 2023.

2014 Celebrating a Milestone Reunion! October 18–19, 2024

Bridget Slocum : “Thanks so much to the Class of 2014 for participating on Giving Day. It was a lot of fun to reconnect with many of you. Stay in touch and be sure to share your updates.”

Franchesca Peña ’11 worked as a Site Manager for StoryCorps’ Mobile Tour.

Mackenzie Ross ’22 was sworn into the Air Force.

2016

Check out the Q&A with Elizabeth and Olivia Friedberg on page 50.

2021

Class

SPOTLIGHT

To nominate a class member, email alumni@gcds.net

Hunter Austrie ’21

Where do you attend college and what year are you?

I am in my third year at UConn Storrs Campus. What is your major/minor?

I have an individualized major named Sport and Media.

What is one thing you took away from your time at GCDS?

Something I learned at GCDS was flexibility and responsibility.

What is your favorite part of college?

The individualism aspect of college life.

What is one piece of advice you would give to current GCDS students?

I would advise all GCDS students to get involved at GCDS and try new things. You never know what you’ll like.

2022

Mackenzie Ross: “It is an honor and a privilege to be able to contract and swear in to the United States Air Force. I’ve worked very hard for this moment. I am finally taking the first step into my nursing career in the Air Force.”

Class SPOTLIGHT

To nominate a class member, email alumni@gcds.net

Janet Orozco ’22

Where do you attend college and what year are you?

I attend Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and I am a sophomore.

What is your major/minor? I’m majoring in international studies

Class Spotlight: Hunter Austrie ’21

What is one thing you took away from your time at GCDS?

At GCDS, I learned the valuable skill of working collaboratively with others. It has helped me with group projects in college, tasks at work, and with my internship.

What is your favorite part of college?

My favorite part of college is the connections I’ve made with so many people through classes

GOOD LUCK! GIO REYNA ’18

Head of School Adam Rohdie and students took to Offit Fields to wish alumnus Gio Reyna ’18 good luck as he represents Team USA at the Copa América soccer tournament this summer, from June 20–July 20, in cities across the country. A video of the school’s well wishes will be published on The Athletic ’s website, part of The New York Times’ sports department.

Gio (front row, far right) with teammates

and extracurriculars. I love hanging out with friends on the quad when the weather is nice.

What is one piece of advice you would give to current GCDS students?

I would highlight the importance of com-

munication, specifically asking for help. Your family, friends, teachers, and coaches want to see you succeed so it’s important to let them understand how you feel for them to best support you. After high school, you gain a lot of independence so it is normal to feel overwhelmed but reaching out to others will make all the difference.

2023

Spencer Walsh: “Since graduating from GCDS my life has taken off! I ran and won my first half marathon, I was admitted early action to Syracuse University and I will be attending the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamic. I have become a trustee on my family’s foundation (The Allatt Walsh Foundation) and have been spending my time doing non-profit work around Greenwich alongside my mom! I was the junior chair of the YWCA fall party and have found extreme fulfillment

and joy in giving back to the community I call home! I am currently studying in the College of Human Ecology within Cornell University working on getting my certificate in Nutrition and the Digestive System. My days are definitely full and I am so grateful to have the opportunities I have had and to be surrounded by amazing role models.” )

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FACULTY & STAFF NEWS

Left: Former teachers gathered for the holidays.

Below: Margaret Hart Rogers ’47 recently came back to GCDS to visit our Upper School Lacrosse teams. An alumna with deep GCDS roots, Ms. Rogers served as the Girls Athletic Director from 1955 to 1963 and introduced lacrosse to the school. She was delighted to connect with our student athletes, and they were honored to meet Ms. Rogers and hear stories of her time as a student and coach.

Sheila Belden, Martha Sugrue, Hope Wittrock, Tracy Van Akin DeTeso

MARGARET HART ROGERS ’47

Class Spotlight: Janet Orozco ’22

IN MEMORIAM FACULTY & STAFF

BOSWORTH

“BO” L. FARSON

Former GCDS teacher, Head of Upper School, and Placement Director

1983–2000

Father to alumni Brett Farson ’95 and Carla Farson ’03, and grandfather to Jaquelyn ’31, Melanie ’33, and Abigail Farson ’36.

Bo Farson passed away on Jan. 11, 2024. He relocated to Asheville, NC, for retirement, drawing pleasure from the scenic mountains that reminded him of his childhood in Western Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Idelle, built an expansive flower garden below their mountain home, a place for viewing and gathering with family and friends. Bo loved jazz his whole adult life. He was proud of his work in retirement, creating and directing the Western North Carolina Jazz Society. From 2003–2011, he produced 83 live jazz concerts in Asheville venues including the prestigious Diana Wortham Theatre, honoring the genre and musicians who inspired him. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts from Washington and Jefferson College, Master of Philosophy from UMass, and law degree from Fordham University, Bo chose a career path in education spanning 32 years. First at Riverdale School in NY, and subsequently at Greenwich Country Day School, his favorite roles were teaching American History and coaching baseball, football, and basketball.

He was a loyal fan of his beloved Pittsburgh sports teams and fond of

his hometown, Uniontown, and the dear friends of his childhood whose friendships he valued like family. He valued his relationships with faculty, some of whom raised their children on the GCDS campus, as he did. In 1980, he and Idelle built a family vacation home in Eleuthera, Bahamas. The island and friends he made there remained lasting memories. He will be remembered for his love of jazz, his generosity, humor, and devotion to his family. He is survived by his wife, Idelle, his daughter, Carla, his son, Brett, daughter-in-law Annie, and his granddaughters, Jaquelyn, Melanie, and Abigail, now continuing the tradition of attending the school where their grandfather’s work became a 17-year legacy of leadership in education.

ANN ROBINS

Grade 1 concert on Grandparents and Grandfriends Day

Former Assistant to Head of Middle School 1980s

Ann Robins, 94, passed away on Jan. 13, 2024, at Solstice Senior Living in Guilford, CT. She leaves behind six children, three stepchildren, 11 grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandchild.

Spire, 1987

Grandparents & Grandfriends Day!

Country Day hosted Grandparents and Grandfriends Day, a beloved annual tradition, on May 9 and 10. The program kicked off Thursday evening with a reception at the Upper School. Head of School Adam Rohdie welcomed the guests, and students Anna Basinet ’24 and Lauren Wills ’26, made presentations about their Intersessions. On Friday morning, guests enjoyed a concert by first graders and a performance by the Middle School Band, and they browsed artwork from the Festival of the Arts. The day also included a special Tiger Talk by 8th-grader Maddox Monterisi about his relationship with his grandfather and how small moments and simple interactions have a great impact on one’s life.

Greenwich Country Day School

P.O. Box 623, Old Church Road

Greenwich, CT 06836-0623

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