Hackley Review Commencement Supplement 2018 by Hackley School

HACKLEY HACKLEY REVIEW

COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

The Hackley school year comes to a high spirited, celebratory end each year. Our fourth graders look ahead to Middle School, our eighth graders to Upper School, and our seniors look to adventures beyond Hackley. But as we look forward, we also take some time to reflect on the many accomplishments of the year, and to appreciate the opportunity we have had, once again, to “enter here to be and find a friend.”

Table of Contents The Year in Visual Arts �� 2 The Year in Performing Arts ��6 The Year in Athletics �� 10 Fourth Grade Recognition Day �� 14 Eighth Grade Recognition Day �� 16 The Cum Laude Address �� 19 Senior Dinner Address ��21 Class Day Awards ��22 2017–2018 Athletics Awards ��26 Community Council 2017–18 ��26 The Salutatory Address �� 27 The Valedictory Address �� 30 The Commencement Address ��32 Congratulations to the Class of 2018! ��36

ĵĵ Be sure to login to Hackley Online, click on the Resources tab, and open the Smug Mug Photos page to find all the 2017-18 photo galleries.

The Year in Visual Arts

Tierra Robinson '21

Lower School Art Show

Kindergarten Art Show

Aiden Wilson '20

Upper School Art Show

Rowan P. '24

Jack Chen '19

Nicole Mondrus '18

Lei Anne Rabeje '18

Tabitha J. '23

Kaitlyn Q. '22

The Year in Visual Arts

Kindergarten Art Show

Robert Patterson '19

Gaby Caramonica '20

Ocean Saric '21

Ingrid Lauerwald '19

Annabelle Ives '20

Lower School Art Show

Livia K. '22

Ariana Swei '18

The Year in Performing Arts

Upper School Chorus

Lower School Chorus

Middle School Band

Upper School Jazz Band

Upper School Collage Concert

Upper School A Comedy of Errors

Second Grade Pirates!

The Year in Performing Arts

Middle School Chorus

Middle School Twelve Angry Pigs

Upper School Strings

Third Grade Spanish Play

First Grade Flat Stanley Play

Upper School Band

Middle School Strings

Upper School A Comedy of Errors

The Year in Athletics For individual athlete recognitions, school records and more, visit www.hackleyschool.org/athletics-news.

The Varsity Field Hockey team had another strong season, winning the Ivy League Championship for the fourth straight year and for the fifth time in the past six seasons. The team also made an inspired run in the NYSAIS tournament, earning a second seed and coming up just short with a 3-2 overtime loss in the Championship game.

Finishing with an overall record of 16-2, Girls Lacrosse clinched their seventh consecutive Ivy League Championship and with an undefeated league record of 11-0, made it six straight seasons going undefeated in the league. They also regained the NYSAIS Championship beating Rye Country Day 17-12 in the championship game.

The Hackley Wrestling Team exceeded all expectation driven by experienced leadership and an influx of talented and hardworking newcomers. The team came together as a group and delivered exceptional results throughout the season, with four athletes winning First Team All-Conference honors.

Girls Track & Field saw many personal bests, including a new record, an individual NYSAIS champion, and four athletes competing at Nationals.

Hackley Boys Golf continued its domination of NYSAIS and Ivy League competition, winning its third consecutive Ivy League title with back to back to back undefeated seasons.

Hackley Boys Squash dug deep to deliver strong results this season, with athletes competing at US Squash Nationals.

Boys Winter Track continues to grow and thrive. The team performed well individually and collectively, earning 4th place at NYSAIS.

The Hackley Girls Basketball Team ended up with a final record of 12-12, which included a trip back to the state tournament and a win in the first round before losing to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state champion.

The 2018 Hackley Boys Lacrosse Team had an outstanding year, finishing 15-2, winning the NYSAIS Championship, and sharing the Ivy Prep League Title with Fieldston, the team it defeated in the NYSAIS Final.

The Hackley Fencing Teams had an excellent season with five of six squads medaling in the ISFL final season standings, and capturing nine individual medals.

The 2017 motto for HGVS was "It Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Over, Til It's Over." That motto rang true in every game this season as numerous games were decided by either a single goal or came down to the wire. Their heart and determination to win was evident when the team came from behind to defeat the defending NYSAIS champion in overtime with a score of 3-2.

Boys Basketball delivered hard fought results with a young team that promises great strength in the future.

The Year in Athletics

Hackley Football went undefeated in October and won a second, consecutive Metropolitan Independent Football League championship.

Girls Tennis demonstrated great skills, a unifying team spirit, and excellent sportsmanship, with doubles teams earning All Ivy and strong NYSAIS finishes. As a team, they delivered a win over previously undefeated Horace Mann in front of Alumni Day crowds.

Hackley Softball posted an 11-5 record and made it to the championship round of NYSAIS for the first time since 2001.

With only nine players returning from the 2016 campaign, the Boys Soccer season started with a 0-3-1 record. Once the team recorded its first victory (1-0) against eventual NYSAIS champion Trinity, the season gained strength, carrying through the quarterfinal round of the state tournament.

The Hackley Girls Squash Team performed well in a rebuilding year, benefiting from many new faces and a new facility which inspired some great squash.

After early challenges, the young Boys Tennis team came together to win five of its last seven matches in the season.

Boys Track & Field season saw growing strength through the season, culminating in new records and individual championships.

Girls Golf saw tremendous growth this season with three starters returning from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s squad and three young members joining the team.

The Hackley Boys and Girls Cross Country team experienced another great season of Invitationals, including a girls Division III win, a 5th place finish for the boys at Somers, and top finishes for both teams at the Brown Invitational.

Hackley Swimming rewrote the record books this season, setting three new school records and one Ivy League record, as swimmers delivered many personal bests.

The Hackley Girls Winter Track Team had a strong season of building fitness and competition results, earning five All-Conference recognitions.

Opening the season with a walk off win against Horace Mann, Varsity Baseball struggled with injuries, but returns all but two players for the 2019 season.

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HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

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Fourth Grade Recognition Day Anne Burns, Director of Lower School, shared these thoughts with members of the fourth grade and their families at Recognition Day, June 6, 2018.

When Mr. Wirtz began his Headship at Hackley last year, one of the first tasks he gave to the faculty and administration was to define what the portrait of a Hackley graduate looked like. What are the traits we hope students take away when they leave us? What do they learn that really stays with them and are lifelong skills both in terms of character and of scholarship? This was a really interesting exercise and resulted in our being able to agree on the key elements we feel we are expecting when students leave us in twelfth grade. You all, however, are not graduating from the high school, but you are graduating from the lower school. So although you have not had all your years of being educated at Hackley, I asked you to reflect, in writing, on the three main headings of Hackley’s portrait of a graduate and what they mean to you. Your answers were varied a bit, and yet not. I was pleasantly surprised, as I reviewed each of the three areas, at how often your personal reflections echoed what others had written. And I thought—that’s a really good thing. Because what it tells me is that you had a genuine shared experience in learning in the Lower School. It also confirmed that what you think about now as a graduating fourth grader coincides perfectly with our portrait of a graduate. Kind of amazing. Let me reflect back to you what you wrote. Habits of character: You have all participated enthusiastically in our character education program and have taken it to heart. I took your answers and tallied them up to see if there were a few that were the most meaningful to you. Let me read you the six character traits that were mentioned more than once or twice and then perhaps a few of you would like to guess which of them were in the top three. The character traits you wrote down were: Perseverance Empathy Determination Kindness Honesty Courage Who thinks they know which got the most mentions?

Perseverance received seven; Empathy, 17; Determination, 16; Kindness, six; Honesty, 13; and Courage, nine. The numbers speak for themselves. In fact, if we add the numbers for “kindness” with those of “empathy,” then we go from 17 to 23, which means that half of your class values the care of others. And if we add “perseverance” to “determination” then we go from 16 to 22. This speaks to very cohesive shared values. Pretty wonderful, fourth grade. I’m proud of you for that, as all your teachers are as well. Habits of Scholarship: Students wrote about being organized, planning time well, doing one’s best, asking for help when needed and learning from our mistakes. Great habits. You also wrote about things that you learned in Lower School that you feel you will remember always and that improved your learning, so I thought you would enjoy hearing what you and others feel will always be a part of that knowledge base. Again, as with habits of character, many of these were identified by more than one of you, and a few are unique. • Spanish class and the fun projects was an area you identified as helping you grow in scholarship. • In History and Social studies many of you mentioned geography which you feel you know well and were able to build upon every year. • One person wrote “In first grade I was taught how to remember how to spell the word ‘because’ by remembering the sentence, ‘Big elephants care and understand small elephants.’” And in Kindergarten, one person learned how to spell “yellow” because his teacher sang a song about

The Class of 2026

it. And what habits of scholarship do those techniques help you to develop? Using tricks to recall information where helpful, perhaps? • In science, you developed habits of scholarship learning about electricity using real batteries to make a light go on, and one student felt that the unit on physics will be very helpful in the future.

• Math: So many different topics were flagged by you as areas you feel you have gained a sense of accomplishment that I can’t pick one. So I will assume that you feel that you have accomplished a very strong background in math in general and are ready for the fifth grade Singapore math curriculum.

• In math, bar models, area, perimeter, long division, multiplication, measurement and decimals are among a few of the topics that you feel you have mastered.

• Art: Really learned how to draw well with an eye to shading in particular and that you gained a rich new art vocabulary. One student wrote “When I started Hackley I could barely draw a tree. This year my best drawing was of a tree.”

• In literacy you mentioned having internalized such habits as using context clues when reading and questioning the character’s actions and motivations.

• PE: Learning many new sports. Among them, badminton, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and track and field

• You learned many good habits of scholarship when making an iMovie, using Google docs or learning how to code such as ingenuity, patience, trial and error, creativity. The final area in our portrait of a graduate is Habits of Accomplishment. I asked you to come up with something that feel you really accomplished during your time in the Lower School. You responded with what you learned in each subject. • Literacy: Learning how to write non-fiction, fiction and poetry • Science: Learning how to dissect owl pellets and learning many facts about wolves • History: American History, from beginning to end

• Spanish: Being able to speak in full sentences. • Library: Understanding how to do research—for example citing sources and using databases. • Technology: Knowing now how to make an iMovie on your own. • Music: Sense of accomplishment in improving your vocal skills and learning to play an instrument and read notes I think it is safe to say that you have begun to form your habits of character, scholarship and accomplishment during these Lower School years. You have had a beginning at Hackley that will only get stronger in the years ahead. You are more than ready for Middle School. I wish each of you a rewarding journey in your years ahead at Hackley.

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HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2017

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Eighth Grade Recognition Day This year’s eighth grade chose History teacher Tony Maisonet as their Recognition Day speaker.

Dear Members of the Class of 2022, welcome to your “coming-of-age ceremony” and thank you for asking me to be a part of it in such a special way. This day is a ritual designed for you, a rite of passage into the unknown rest of your life. You’ve outgrown the Middle School; we can no longer keep you in the “middle,” suspended in animation. For as much as your parents would love to keep you as children forever, the unstoppable train of time will move you into adulthood in just a few short years. Here you are up on the stage, like works of art on display. Today we focus on how beautiful you are as precious icons of what your families and your school cherish. An icon is an image that represents what a community holds most sacred. So, this entire ritual that we are standing inside today is built around you, for today you find yourselves moving through that “middle” time and space that we call “liminal.” You’re basking in the light of this transitional moment, the threshold that stands in between where you’ve been and where you are going. There is always a place and time in our lives when we are going between one place and another; between one time and another; between one relationship and another. Communities build their rituals around these moments when we celebrate birth, birthdays, and quinceaneras; graduations, and marriages, retirements, and, yes, funerals, when we mourn the passing out of life. Each moment is a portal into a major encounter with the reality of change and the ultimate truth of our mortality. This is the undeniable truth that the Buddha spoke of—all things pass; all things end. Curiously, the goal of the ritual isn’t the ritual itself; it merely sets the stage for something wonderful to take place. This bubble in time, the sacred moment, allows you to get ready and set for what’s to come, but you need to pause and look around before the beauty of this moment is gone forever. Look around you...and notice who’s here. Notice your friends, your peers sitting next to you sharing the same nervous expectations. Behold all your teachers

and coaches who have come to celebrate this day with you. Observe the several generations of your family who have come to partake in this moment—from siblings, to parents, to grandparents. In your hearts, feel the presence of your ancestors standing tall within you and smiling with approval. When we come together like today, we remember that neither one of us is alone—that the illusion of separation that we often feel as with move through life is just that—an illusion. None of us could be here today without the nurturing of the people who have loved us. Moreover, think of all the efforts from people, known and unknown, who have made it possible for us to be here, for you to be here basking in this light of this moment. Yes, you have worked hard to be here; that is true. But what is also true is that no one can achieve anything, anywhere without the labor, or the hard work of others. Today is also a day of thanksgiving for all that we have received from our friends, and teachers, and coaches, and parents, and ancestors who have made this possible. And now that I have reflected on the significance of this day, I want to share my thoughts about something that threatens to unravel everything that we cherish about this moment—about this celebration of hard work, of friendship, of family, and of community. Here at Hackley the very foundation of all our endeavours on the hilltop is that it is safe to be who you are; to feel secure in your identity. Here it is safe to cross the threshold that separates you from me because the foundation of our community is trust. It is this trust that is implicit in the inscription on our

E I G H T H G R A D E R E C O G N I T I O N D AY

The Class of 2022

letterhead and engraved on the lintel of our doorways: “United We Help one Another”; “Enter Here to be and find a friend.” These inscriptions shouldn’t be mere niceties that we recite like so much wishful thinking. These are prescriptions that need to be practiced so that we can continue to build something wonderful here. But, before I try to cross the threshold that separates you from me to be your friend, before I try to unite with you so that we can help one another, we must first agree to try to not hurt one another. For this reason, there need to be some ground rules so that we don’t fail at our endeavour. Yes, this attempt to bond with you has rules. There is a covenant between us to respect each other’s sacred space. My identity, which is sometimes visible and sometimes not, has to be sacred ground where blasphemy is not allowed. My color, my culture, my gender, or who attracts me or who I pray to, if I pray at all, cannot be ridiculed or reduced. If they are, then I cannot but put up the walls to protect myself from getting hurt. The space in between us is a place of vulnerability, and crossing this space between us requires courage. If we can get beyond our differences that seem to separate us, then the mystery of intimacy can be revealed and the electricity of life can take place.

Not to make this moment somber, but as a student and teacher of history, I spend my time studying what people who have died left to us as legacy. About 50 years ago this summer, this nation suffered a loss of one of its most promising leaders. A member of his family said this of him: ". . . My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it…” Your parents may remember Robert Francis Kennedy for many different reasons, but I admire him mostly for his words on the campaign trail of 1968 when he had just found out that Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated on April 4. Right then and there where he was, in front of a crowd of followers, both black and white, he delivered one of the most touching and poignant speeches of his short political career. He said this: “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or they be black.”

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

I think that RFK would be sad to know that the divisions of our country and our entire world go far beyond “black and white.” We would have to add divisions between male and female, gay and straight, rich and poor, able and disabled, citizen and noncitizen. It is as though at this time in our history, the seams that join the fabric of our diverse society are being pulled apart by hatred, and as a response, instead of building bridges of understanding, we are constructing walls of separation. There is no doubt about it: you are inheriting from us a world that is becoming harder and harder to navigate, harder and harder to make sense of, because it is being filled with senseless violence that seems to be suggesting that this experiment of our Founding Fathers isn’t working all that well. The amazing idea that is captured in E. Pluribus Unum—Out of Many, One—doesn’t seem to be valued lately. But if I may borrow from the wisdom of the prophets, we might begin to accept their understanding that when we create a society where some are more valued than others, when the identity of some is considered less deserving of respect and is diminished, society cannot last for long. What makes society possible is quite the opposite: to embrace those who we think as strangers so that we can harness the gifts that we all bring to the community. If we as a school community and a as nation don’t come together right here, right now to overcome this divide, there will be no society worth sustaining, for it will be torn apart by the

savageness of human life that will come rushing in to smother the love that makes life worth living. My children of the class of 2022, you have a gift, a charism, and I suppose every class has one; yours is the ability to embrace difference. For the past year I have witnessed your willingness to hold each up when you are heading into challenges, rather than tear each other down. It is one of the most indelible marks of your character as individuals and as a group. NEVER LET THIS GO...This is the gift that you carry to the Upper School. But, like all gifts, it must continue to be perfected through practice, and cultivated each and every day. So today, on this last day when I can address all of you, I give you the mission to be our ambassadors of community. When you arrive in early September, you will be receiving over thirty new members of your new Freshmen class. Welcome them; embrace them, teach them how we cherish difference and how we value identity to thrive on the hilltop. Ah, but also be open to learn from them, because they too have been on a journey of discovery that has led them to our community carrying wonderful gifts. No doubt, there will be some days ahead when uniting to help one another might seem daunting or when entering these walls to build friendships might seem difficult, so I will leave you with the encouraging words of a beautiful poet. Maya Angelou said: “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

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CUM LAUDE

Cum Laude The Cum Laude Address Alexandra Kessel ’08 Alexandra Kessel ’08 addressed the new members of Hackley’s Cum Laude Society chapter on Monday, June 4, 2018. After Hackley in 2008, Alexandra Kessel went on to Georgetown University, where she majored in Business and International Finance. Following her 2012 graduation, she worked for six years in the Equity Solutions Group at Goldman Sachs, focusing on option overlay strategies and Alexandra Kessel '08 structured investments for family offices and institutional clients. In 2018, she moved to Ionic Capital Management, where she is a Vice President of Investor Relations and Business Development, and spends her days focused on client relationships, fundraising, and strategic projects. A passionate “foodie,” Alex cooks, blogs about cooking, hosts cooking classes, and throws dinner parties. Her passion for food is also reflected in her work with Bowery Mission, where she cooks and serves monthly dinners for the Mission's Women Centers on the Upper East Side and in Harlem.

I want to begin by congratulating you on this tremendous accomplishment—making it into the Cum Laude Society is no small feat! Although this is a natural time of reflection, you are likely even more focused on your next steps, and ultimate path forward. You’ve come this far, but where will you go? When I sat in your seat I thought I had “the plan.” I was prepared to put myself on a straight path to becoming a leading figure at a big bank. And so I went from this hilltop to another hilltop, Georgetown, where I majored in Finance and International Business at the McDonough School of Business. I interned at Goldman Sachs my junior summer, and returned upon graduation to work on an equity derivatives desk in the Investment Management Division. I was on my way!

Unsurprisingly this bold proclamation was met with stunned faces. Suddenly I was going to exchange my black tailored suits for a kitchen uniform of sweats that would inevitably be covered in various food particles. Trade my three computer screens and Bloomberg terminal for an eight burner stove. Give up my glam TriBeCa work digs for a commercial kitchen in far-out Brooklyn that required an hourand-a-half commute. Despite the optics, I was ecstatic about the idea.

That is, until my mom’s birthday dinner five years later, which I (somehow) felt was an appropriate moment to announce that I was trading in my corporate finance life to start a soup company.

Ultimately, I came to the tough realization that I loved the idea more than the reality, but that I did in fact need to deviate from “the plan.” So, earlier this year, I achieved my vision of a more entrepreneurial

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

Top row: Ariana Swei, Alexandra Griffen, Carly Griffin-Fiorella, Paul Lapey, Alexander Wenstrup, Christopher Augustin, Connor Larson. Middle row: Julia Stewart-Wood, Samitha Josyula, Ben Susswein, Bryce Chu, Benjamin Moskow, Ariana Kyimpopkin, Jasmine Bayrooti. Front row: Demetra Yancopoulos, Jessica Feldman, Ilexa Schechter, Grace Rubin, Francesca Docters, Eleanor Grueskin

environment as my next step forward, and said a bittersweet goodbye to a 40,000 person firm for a fund comprising a lean team of 40. It was never my intention to go off-course, so every step of the way these past years I’ve been so grateful that Hackley gave me the foundation to tackle it all. As you go forward, I urge you to carry the following with you: 1. Create community in everything you do. “Enter here to be and find a friend” is part of the Hackley DNA. It’s our job to be inclusive, even to those who don’t extend the same courtesy. Doing so will grant you a network that is invaluable in turn. 2. Show off your writing skills! I was probably one of the most painful writers to ever arrive on the Hilltop. I dreaded each and every Monday afternoon comp—I always struggled to translate my thoughts into words, and my grammar was downright atrocious. I’m never going to be a Hemingway, but I did emerge a very solid writer with skills that have allowed me stand above my peers and colleagues both at college and at work. This is a tremendous asset; leverage your writing skills at every opportunity—from each email you send to to every analysis you complete. 3. Get out of your comfort zone. Hackley provided me with a safe environment in which to first test this out. I was petrified of public speaking. But after campaigning and convincing my peers that I was worthy of being their school president, I had to suck it up and deliver! I would stand at the lectern, so thankful that it covered my legs, for they would be shaking uncontrollably. My palms were clammy. My voice quivered. And

yet I pushed through. And after much practice, I can now deliver a public address without these embarrassingly giveaways. Only by being uncomfortable do you grow, and ultimately become comfortable. 4. Mr. Van Leer’s sage advice—KISS. Which stands for “Keep it simple, stupid”—or silly, if we’re being politically correct. If you’re anything like me, you’re a Type A perfectionist who often makes little things into big ones. Yet there’s only so much time in the world, and ultimately something is only as complex as you make it. Save yourself the emotional energy and headache, and try to be purposeful and streamlined when tackling any task or decision. 5. Pursue your passions, which Hackley encouraged unequivocally. On the Hilltop, I was able to try my hand at everything from architecture to golf, despite the fact I lacked talent in most endeavors. There are inevitably going to be times along your path when you feel defeated for either personal or professional reasons, or both. You need to have the things you can count to pick you up when you’re down. For me, this is cooking—I find it cathartic and it’s gotten me through tough times. Whatever you think your path is, be ready to question, research, adjust, and sometimes completely pivot from that original plan—and always use what you learned on the Hilltop to guide you. I graduated from Hackley 10 years ago, but it has never left me, not a single day, since then. Thank you, and congratulations.

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Senior Dinner Address To Grow in Character and Purpose Chris Loomis Upper School History teacher and dean Chris Loomis, chosen by the Senior Class as this year’s Rice Award winner, delivered the Senior Dinner speech on June 4th. In his talk about learning from the inevitable obstacles and challenges we all face, he expressed his gratitude to the Class of 2018. Chris Loomis, Francesca Docters, Ben Moskow, Don Rice '57

You were the first students I taught when I arrived here three years ago, and it has been such a privilege to get to know so many of you—and to watch you grow into such amazing, accomplished young adults. As I told my Media students last week, I will be so proud to see all of you graduate on Saturday, and at the same time I have to admit that selfishly I’m terribly sad to see you go, because I’ve loved teaching all of you so much. […] For your teachers, Hackley is a dream job. It’s not just a step on the ladder, it’s the place you climb to and hang onto as long as you can. And the most important reason for that is all of you. From our first classes together, you have been caring, committed,

passionate, thoughtful, tolerant, and kind. […] In other words, what makes you so special to me as a class is how all of you try so hard to be good to yourselves, to one another, and to this community.

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

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Class Day Awards Class Day is a Hackley tradition in which the student body and faculty gather together to acknowledge the end of another year full of growth in “character, scholarship, and accomplishment.” The Robert Pickert Award for Coaching Excellence Chris Arnold Middle School Subject Awards Mira Z. ’22 English Thomas D. ’22 History Zachariah Y. ’22 Spanish Noah T. ’22 French Thomas D. ’22 Latin The traditional Hackley Class Day trophies.

Kamila L. ’22 Chinese

The Ron DelMoro Award in Teaching

Anton & Lydia Rice Inspirational Teaching Award

Mary Murray-Jones

Chris Loomis

To a Lower School Teacher, nominated by his or her peers for excellence in teaching.

Senior Dinner speaker, chosen by senior class Yearbook Dedication

Kaitlyn Q. ’22 Art Hannah C. ’22 Chorus Noah T. ’22 Inst. Music Griffin S. ’22 Drama

Mary Lambos Award

Jenny Leffler

Glenn Hasslinger

Middle School Miller Bowl

Chosen by the Class of 2018

Joseph N. ’22 Improved Student

Oscar Kimelman Award

Calista S. ’22 Kindness and Courtesy

Awarded to a Middle School teacher, nominated by his or her peers, for excellence in teaching.

Vladimir Klimenko Chosen by the Class of 2016, recognizing the teacher who has most contributed to their own subsequent progress

Max C. ’22 Enthusiastic Cooperation

C L A S S D AY A W A R D S

Pauline M. Gillim Library & Reading Award Jonathan B. ’22 Arthur Niles King Science Award Kamila L. ’22 Capt. Charles M. Kelly, Jr. & Ethel Kelly Mathematics Award Noah T. ’22 Lawrence M. Symmes Award Noah T. ’22 Presented to the Most Constructive Middle School Student The Hilltop Award Cyndy Jean Chosen by the “Lifers” in the Class of 2018 Community Council Award Francesca Maria Docters ’18 Awarded to the Council member who made the greatest contribution to the Council’s activities

Cyndy Jean, who started at Hackley teaching 2nd grade and then taught 5th grade prior to becoming Middle School Director, received the Hilltop Award from grateful "lifers" whose lives intersected hers at so many junctures.

Paul Fredrick Peruzzi ’19 11th grade

Class Of 1936 Cup

Given to the freshman, sophomore and junior students who best personify the spirit of service to others — a quintessential Hackley tradition

Presented to the outstanding sophomore for distinction in any or all phases

Community Music Awards Matthew John Dioguardi ’18 Band

Ira Seebacher Scholarship Photography Award

Benjamin Louis Susswein ’18 Chamber Ensembles

William Ling Zhou ’18

Hannah Grace Goodwin-Pierce ’18 Chorus The Class of 1972 Community Service Awards Kiriann Elizabeth Fitzpatrick ’21 9th grade Madeline V. Zuckerman ’20 10th grade Cory Kent Gorczycki ’19

Awarded to the student whose work in photography has over three years achieved the highest distinction in technical skill and artistic vision Class Of 1938 History Award Benjamin Regan Marra ’20 Awarded to a Sophomore for the most distinguished essay in History

Oren R. Tirschwell ’20

Albert R. Dupont Award Sebastian Jose Docters ’21 Presented to the outstanding ninthgrader for distinction in any or all phases US Miller Bowl Kioni Marshall ’18 Improvement of Mind and Attitude Michael Nicholas Mezzacappa ’18 Kindness and Courtesy Spencer Robert Diaz ’18 Recognizing Enthusiastic Cooperation

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

Hackley Bowl

Head of School’s Award

Matthew William Fisch ’19 Outstanding Junior boy

William Belden Waterhouse ’18

Isabelle Germaine Thomas ’19 Outstanding Junior girl

Performance, sportsmanship, and leadership on and off the athletic field has set an example for all Hackley students to follow

Junior Subject Book Award Matthew William Fisch ’19 English Matthew William Fisch ’19 History Maximilian Mills Mallett ’19 Latin Anastasia Popova ’19 Math Raghav Raj Chopra ’19 French Tucker Warner Wilke ’19 Spanish Alexa Skye Augustine ’19 Chinese Anastasia Popova ’19 Science David Jiahe Jiang ’19 Technology

Mrs. Frederick W. Sherman Book Prizes Georgia Aaron Panitz ’18 Classics Ariana Aurelia Kyimpopkin ’18 English Angel Torres ’18

Class of 1921 Athletic Trophy Onyedikachi Kenneth Ohia-Enyia ’18 Awarded by the Athletic Department to a male for distinction in Upper School athletics McIlhenny Bowl LiliAnna Khosrowshahi ’18 Awarded by the Athletic Department to a female for distinction in Upper School athletics

Christina Wang ’18 Alan Seeger Prize In Writing Alexandra Bailey Griffen ’18 History Cosima Sue Boettner ’18 Modern Language Jasmine Grace Bayrooti ’18 Connor Jensen Larson ’18 Mathematics Demetra Alexis Yancopoulos ’18 Ariana Helen Swei ’18 Visual Arts Hannah Grace Goodwin-Pierce ’18 Performing Arts—Drama Matthew John Dioguardi ’18 Technology

Lillian Yerkes ’19 Katherine Strasser Greenberg ’19 Visual Arts The Benjamin E. Bergen ’96 Award Tajah Denay Deborah Burgher ’20 Varsity “H” Award Logan M. ’22 Boy-MS Athletics Maya M. ’22 Girl-MS Athletics

George Wangensteen '16 presented the Kimelman Award on behalf of the Class of 2016 to Vladimir Klimenko.

C L A S S D AY A W A R D S

Will Waterhouse ’18, Head of School's Award recipient.

Miller Bowl winner Kioni Marshall '18 and Andy King.

Stanley Pennock Prize In Science

Valedictorian

Vinay Rao Bijoor ’18

Jasmine Grace Bayrooti ’18

Bruce F. Roberts Scholar Athlete Award Eleanor Higgins Arnold ’18

Class of 1963 Charles Tomlinson Griffes Award

Salutatorian Connor Jensen Larson ’18

Richard Perkins Parker Memorial Cup

Royal A. Clark Memorial Award

Alexander Thomas Wenstrup ’18

Rohun Rajpal ’18 Steven A. Frumkes Award Ijeoma Ezeihe Nwokorie ’18 For the Friendliest Senior

The Lower School Chorus at Class Day

Francesca Maria Docters ’18

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

20ı7–20ı8 Athletics Awards Soccer

Track & Field

GIRLS’

LiliAnna Khosrowshahi ’18

Caroline L. Stevenson ’18

Community Council 2018–19 PRESIDENT

Zaya Gooding VICE PRESIDENT

Rahat Mahbub

BOYS’

Matthew P. Braver ’19

Jonah D. Gorevic ’21

Capt. Charles M. Kelly Jr., Cross Country

Indoor Track

GIRLS’

Caroline L. Stevenson ’18

BOYS’

Jonah D. Gorevic ’21 Mark Jin-Young Ohm Memorial, Football

Onye K. Ohia-Enyia ’18 Connor Larson ’18

Javon Coleman ’18 Chad Lasseter ’18

Dana Grace Van Buren ’19

Taylor Robin

Herbert A. and Charles M. Allen, Lacrosse

Kireeti Josyula and Emily Afriyie

Stanley B. Pennock, Football

Samuel L. Goldberg ’18 James C. Reilly, Football

Michael Hoffman ’18 Field Hockey

Ellie Arnold ’19 Squash GIRLS’

Megan N. Chen ’18 BOYS’

Ryan A. Chen ’21 Frederic W. Neilson, Wrestling

Robert G. Horan ’21 Jack A. Bosco ’20 Fencing GIRLS’

Tyler J. LaRoche ’18 BOYS’

Max Bryant ’21 Swimming GIRLS’

Georgia A. Panitz ’18 BOYS’

Liam P. Bogart ’18 Garrett B. Towne ’18 Basketball GIRLS’

Jordan S. Wade ’19 BOYS’

Enzi Teacher ’20 Golf GIRLS’

Alexandra C. ’22 BOYS’

Jimin Jung ’20

Softball

Spencer R. Diaz ’18 Bruce D. Hislop Lacrosse

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Charlie Hite SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT

Grant Albright SENIOR CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Mirabel Mallett and Matthew Jean JUNIOR CLASS AGENT

Mikhaila Archer JUNIOR CLASS PRESIDENT JUNIOR CLASS REPRESENTATIVES JUNIOR CLASS AGENT

Emelyn Wenstrup SOPHOMORE CLASS PRESIDENT

Bobby Hite ’18 William B. Waterhouse ’18

Hadassah Henderson

Girls Lacrosse

Oliver Griffen & Edward Steffelin

LiliAnna Khosrowshahi ’18 Tennis GIRLS’

Margaret Broaddus ’20 Leah B. Holmes ’20 BOYS’

Jared Tillis ’20 3X4 Award Winners

Bridget Barsanti Giovanni Crispi Alexandra Griffen Tyler LaRoche Connor Larson Fletcher Levin Sean Malcolm Ijeoma Nwokorie Carolyn Santangelo Abby Satty Julia Stewart-Wood Patrick Walker Laura Walter-McNeill Olivia Weinberg Lucia Yannuzzi Students who played on Hackley athletics teams in each of three seasons in all four years of Upper School.

SOPHOMORE CLASS REPRESENTATIVES SOPHOMORE CLASS AGENT

Sophia Thomas Freshman Class officers will be chosen in Fall 2018 BOARDING REPRESENTATIVES

Kathy Fan & Jason Mark EIGHTH GRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Mason N., Daniel O., Ava T., Bella W. SEVENTH GRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Cyndee C., Claire E., Harper K. SIXTH GRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Isabella B., Rafael C., Matthew G. FIFTH GRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Spencer F. BOARD OF MAGISTRATES

Seniors

Matt Fisch, Max Mallett, Samantha Rosenstein, Isabelle Thomas, Valentina Castro, Will Goldsmith, Jack Kneisley, Matthew Jean

Juniors

Jordan Miller, Connor McMahon, Erin Lynch, Annabel Ives, Tajah Burgher

Sophomores

Charlie Rudge, Kiriann Fitzpatrick, Eki Uzamere

 click here for video of the Address

Commencement Addresses The Salutatory Address

Connor Jensen Maines Larson ’18

Over the course of our high school careers, we have learned so much as Hackley students. We've been taught how to think wisely and to communicate effectively. We know how to collaborate, and we understand the importance of respectful dialogue among a diversity of perspectives. But, our education here is not restricted to the academic arena. On this hilltop, Hackley has taught us how to be team players and group leaders. We've learned the importance of mindfulness, and we've gained a sense of social responsibility through many service learning opportunities. Each and every day, we've been encouraged to give unreserved effort, and in doing so, we have learned to appreciate our unique abilities and talents. For all of these tremendous attributes, the Hackley education is very special. However, there is one thing in particular that resonates most strongly with me. It is the knowledge that Hackley’s unofficial motto, inscribed above the arch into the Grille Room right over there, is a message that is true to its core, and which has been absolutely central to my experience of this school: “Enter Here to Be and Find a Friend.” When I was a chubby-cheeked Freshman arriving at Hackley for the first time, I was nervous and shy.

Although part of me was excited to start high school, most of me was anxious about fitting in and sad to be leaving my old middle school buddies behind. Thank goodness for Bryce Chu, who made the same journey with me and gave me the comfort of knowing that I would not be sitting at a lunch table completely alone. Looking back, though, I realize I had no need to be worried. Immediately, the Hackley community opened its arms and welcomed me in, making me feel at home in this remarkable place. Everyone I interacted with truly exemplified the motto: my teachers, my coaches, and most importantly, my classmates—all of you. Above all else, our Hackley community is a network of friends. These friends are people with whom we feel comfortable and safe. People we can laugh with, learn with, and lean on when necessary. Our friends are the ones who confide in us, and the ones who support us.

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

These friends form the community that is Hackley, and I’m positive that years down the road, it’s this incredibly strong community of people, and moments with these friends, which will be the most memorable to us when we reflect on our high school experiences. So who are these friends? Our friends include our classmates, who studied with us, collaborated with us, and asked questions to help us form a deeper grasp of what we learned every day. Memories of them include spirited discussions around the Harkness table, when Max and Kioni debated poetry using critical feminist theory; watching the music video Ben O and Fletcher made for an Econ project, where they rewrote the lyrics to Meek Mill’s R.I.C.O. to be about trade wars; doing lab work with the members of “Sigma Pi Pi,” Hackley’s all-girl Organic Chemistry class who referred to themselves as a sorority; and I, for one, will always remember frequent tangents about Canada, or art, in my back-to-

back Stats and Calc classes with Alex, Demetra, and Ms. Richardson. Our friends also include our teammates, who encourage us to put forth our greatest efforts every day, celebrate with us in all our victories, and support us in tougher times both on and off the field. Just a few weeks ago, we saw both Lacrosse teams as well as the Golf team take home NYSAIS titles, fundamentally relying on the teamwork, camaraderie, and support of everyone on their rosters. We also strengthened bonds on trips to Florida and California, while enjoying all-u-can-eat breakfast at the Golden Corral, or watching the distance runners narrowly defeat the Sprinters in beach volleyball. Our friends include our clubmates, too. The people who joined us in supporting causes we were passionate about. They helped us organize events and accompanied us on adventures around the world. We saw Lei and Alexi working with members of Unity to implement round-table discussions and school-

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wide walkouts, connecting the Hackley community with a nationwide movement. Our School President Fran and the rest of Community Council gave up hours of their time every week to plan movie nights, Stings, and Snowballs which brought the community together even more. Round Square members travelled to Ecuador, Cuba, and Southeast Asia, bonding together and bringing back stories and elements of different cultures to this community. Our friends include individuals who inspired us, friends whose exceptional talent and effort made us excited and proud. We watched Onye train incredibly hard, and go on to place 3rd in the nation in the 400m dash at Nationals last year. We saw Celia’s amazing acting skills enliven the Hackley stage, and then watched her go on to perform alongside Idina Menzel. We read Christina’s poetry in copies of the Vision and heard her recite it on the stage at Coffeehouse. And we celebrated her receipt of the national Scholastic Medal in Writing. And, our friends include people who made us laugh, brightening our days when we needed it most. Who can forget Bemo’s hysterical Babka story, which he told in a Chapel talk this spring. Or, unexpected bear hugs from Sully in the senior lounge, and our tradition of “stacking” on top of anyone found lying on the bean bag there. Or, all the jokes which spill out of “the league,” most of which I probably can’t mention here. But it’s not just classmates that comprise our community – in many ways, we’ve found friendships in Hackley’s faculty as well. Teachers and coaches, like Karps, whose contagious enthusiasm and unwavering encouragement made an unforgettable impact on every one of his students and runners. And of course, the amazing Ms. Leffler, our Dean, who has always reached out with gestures, both small and large, to support everyone in our grade, especially in the most stressful of times.

Lastly, this tight-knit community that Hackley brings together extends beyond the boundaries of its campus. It includes our families. Our own parents, who care about us so deeply that it’s hard to find words to express just how grateful we are. (Mom and Dad, I hope you know thankful I am for everything.) Also, our siblings, some of whom are students here themselves, like my siblings Tommy and Maia, and all of whom have been by our sides the whole way. And, our relatives beyond that: aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers, many of whom came to support us here today, some from as close as Westchester County, others from further away places like New Hampshire and Canada, which is where my own phenomenal grandparents travelled from to be here. So, as we head out in different directions and embark on the exciting adventures that lie ahead, there are two hopes I have for our futures. First: That we’ll stay in touch with this remarkable community. Even though we are leaving the hilltop, the Hackley spirit remains at our core. We know how special this place and these people are—let's make sure to stay connected. Second: I hope that next year, everyone’s community will be as welcoming, and become as influential, as Hackley was for us. If it is, keep it that way, and cherish it. If it isn’t, strive to make it a community like ours. Greet new people with an open and embracing attitude. Reach out to professors, faculty, and other mentors for guidance. Give of yourself, and always be kind. Because strong and diverse friendships will support, inspire, and make you happy in life. To everyone assembled here today: thank you for being a part of this community. To my teachers, my classmates, and our families, I am honored and grateful to have you as my friends. And now, as inscribed above another Hackley arch, "Go forth and spread beauty and light."

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

click here for video of the Address 

The Valedictory Address Jasmine Grace Bayrooti ’18

Thank you all for being here today to support the Hackley class of 2018. It is a tremendous honour for me to address you today. My fellow graduates, we have worked so hard for this moment and it is exciting to finally celebrate all our accomplishments and all we have gained during our time at Hackley. I think I speak for the entire class when I say that, whether it has been two years or 13 years, our time here has been a period of incredible intellectual and personal growth. Today we are holding our diplomas having overcome the many challenges of high school. Our successes are largely thanks to you: our family, friends, and teachers for your support and inspiration that gives us the motivation to learn and carry our ambitions to the sky. We are extremely grateful for everything you and Hackley have done for us during our time on the Hilltop. Some of us in the class of 2018 have been at Hackley since before we can remember, while others first set foot on campus just two years ago. Some of us have parents on faculty or may live on the Hilltop, while others commute daily. We have all had very different experiences here, but each and every one of us brought something new and valuable to the community, whether it is the beautiful voices we hear in coffeehouse, outstanding abilities on the sports field, leadership skills in council, artistic talents showcased around the school, or devotion to

community service. And as different as we are, we all found our place here, even if it might have been difficult at first. When I came to Hackley in 9th grade after being homeschooled since kindergarten, I was very unsure about what to expect. I was apprehensive about my fit at the school, reluctant to give up my academic freedoms, and even more reluctant to give up the freedom to sleep in in the mornings! Although I never fully adjusted to waking up early every day, the community that embraced me made it all worth it. My Hackley experience began with Alex Shoshani the summer before my freshman year. A mutual friend put us in contact and Alex promptly invited me over without knowing anything about me other than that I was coming to Hackley. We connected from the beginning and are still close friends to this day. Alex’s welcome set the tone for my experience and epitomised Hackley’s unofficial motto “enter here to be and find a friend.” What was unexpected for me was the close relationships between students and faculty at Hackley. From my independent study with Ms. Tranchida, to engaging discussions with Dr. Ying, I have seen how the faculty members take a genuine interest in the students. Ms. Richardson in particular has been a

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model for the exceptional supportiveness of Hackley teachers. Not only did she push me academically and provide wise advice both in and out of the classroom, she even encouraged my Anglophilia when most others would give me a curious look. It is this very kind, understanding, and stimulating community that we hope to find and recreate in the next phase of our lives. In doing so, we would do well to remember Mr. Lipin’s words to the robotics team when they thought a task was finished. He would tell them, “the robot will never be finished, it can only be improved.” Likewise, it is so with our community and with ourselves. We are works in progress. Along these lines, I hope we go forward today looking for ways to be a better friend, student, programmer, sibling, scientist, author, and activist. For me, I am learning to say yes to some things that make me uncomfortable, like speaking in front of so many people. Next year, all the freshmen will enter your college as newcomers, but they will not all be coming from such a special community as Hackley. Graduating from Hackley not only means that you are academically prepared for college level work, but also especially equipped to impact those around you by being the friend you would like to meet.

While we have sadly come to the close of our time on the Hilltop, this is just the beginning of our futures and we will always carry the imprint of Hackley’s stamp on our lives. Here we learned not only about mathematics, science, history, english, and even the controversial topic of carnism, but have also had the opportunity to develop into more moral, empathetic, and knowledgeable global citizens, whether it was through Casten or Round Square trips, teamwork on the sports fields, tutoring the underclassmen, or collaborative study sessions. In a few minutes, we will be joining the ranks of all the Hackley alumni that have gone before us. It has been a privilege to study and grow alongside you during these last four years and I wish you all the best in college and beyond. I know that we will keep in touch and am already looking forward to our reunions in the near future. I urge us all to carry the many values we have learned from Hackley into the new community where we find ourselves next. I have full confidence that we are more than equipped to spring forward and embrace all that is waiting for us. Therefore, go forth and spread beauty and light.

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

click here for video of the Address 

The Commencement Address Harrison Unger ’06 This year’s Commencement speaker, Harrison Unger ’06 , is an actor, improviser, and writer, currently appearing on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre as “Dennis” in The Play That Goes Wrong. After graduating from Hackley as a member of the Cum Laude Society and winner of the Parker Cup, he went on to be a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Cinema Studies. He has since established an impressive career as an artist, performing in such venues as 59E59 Theaters, Joe’s Pub, the Park Avenue Armory, HERE Arts Center, and the New York International Fringe Festival/Fringe Encore Series. Harrison has also studied acting at the British American Drama Academy and the Atlantic Acting School, as well as improvisation at Upright Citizens Brigade and Second City. A visual artist as well, Harrison draws and takes photos under the name Harrington Plunger.

Hello and good morning, Hackley class of 2018! Hello parents, hello families, hello friends. Hello faculty and headmaster and trustees. Hi Sarah. (That’s my sister: she went to Hackley too.) Thank you all for inviting me to join you here today. So for the past nine months or so, eight times a week, for two hours at a stretch, I’ve been getting up in front of large groups of people and making a complete fool of myself— so I hope you’ll forgive me if that happens now, and know that it’s just my sense memory kicking in. I’ve been acting on Broadway for the first time, in a wild slapstick comedy called The Play That Goes Wrong—described by one audience member, aptly, as Noises Off on crack—but to my body, speaking here this morning might feel alarmingly similar: time will tell. Speaking of time, it’s been on my mind a lot lately, as I’m sure it is on yours at this moment. As you reflect on your time spent on the Hilltop, my mind traces the twelve short (and long) years it’s been since I was sitting where you now sit, wondering, celebrating, exhaling. I’m at once honored and surprised—maybe a little bemused even—to find myself back here addressing you today, and I’m struck by the fact that whatever I say to you now can’t help but be inflected by the nature of this moment for me and where I am in my own life. In many ways I, too, feel like I sit at the beginning of something, with the lion’s share of what I hope to create in my life and career still on the far side of the horizon. In that sense, being asked to

appear before you today feels like a down-payment of sorts, a good-faith investment of confidence you’ve made in a potential I aim to deliver on (hopefully with interest). And so what I offer you now is not wisdom as such, but more a finding and its offshoots gathered from my wildly unscientific adventures in the field thus far—touchstones that guide my way as I continue on my own path. The main finding? Time is not a line. It’s not a circle either, although it’s certainly cyclical all throughout. No: time, in my experience at least, is an accordion. A compendium of moments, forever expanding and contracting. These moments, and their fluidity when met with shifting perspectives, have been something of a theme in my life.

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Nine months spent on a given play can seem like a long time from an outside view—but at its core, acting, too, is about moments: truthful, surprising, spontaneous, relatable. Together these moments connect to form stories, which themselves are about connection too. I’m all about stories: they’re at the heart of everything I do. They have the power to help us better understand ourselves and one another, from mythology to psychology to how you’ll recount your Hackley exploits to the friends you’ll make at college or in the world beyond. The stories we tell ourselves, our own running personal narratives, inform our very perspective of the world and profoundly impact our experiences in it. Even to the point of shaping our experience of time. Let me explain: Part One: “You’re Always Younger Than You Think”

“What are you up to?” Sounds like a simple enough question, right? “What’re you up to?” So you can imagine my dismay upon finding the instant I graduated from college, that innocuous bit of conversational fodder had taken on a new existential resonance. In one fell swoop the cocoon of being in school, which was all I’d known for as long as I’d had the capacity to even know things, had vanished. Gone were the days I could blithely answer, “I’m about to be a senior” and briskly move on to more compelling topics of discussion, like “That is one serious cheese plate, right?” “What’re you up to?” For an overly introspective person like me, it felt like this question had weaponized. Now, this is a fraught question for any actor, especially when paired with its more insinuating cousin, “What are you working on right now?” Because sometimes the answer is: “Nothing!”—I know people who’ve gone to law school over this question alone. But the wiliest outgrowth of this question is its selfaccusatory sibling, often posed to oneself in moments of private reflection: “What have I accomplished at my age?” Mind you, I’d already had brushes with this one while still at Hackley, watching gymnasts and figure skaters compete in the Olympics and gradually realizing I was older than them. Back then I could accept I no longer had those options available to me though: I never had those particular ambitions for myself and was aware that on the menu of life those paths were soufflés and I would’ve had to order before the meal began, so to speak. It became a bit more

difficult being an NBA fan in college as I eclipsed an ever-increasing number of my favorite basketball players in age…but then again I topped out at 5’8” sometime around my sophomore year at Hackley and never had any realistic hoop dreams anyway. Yet at 22, newly graduated from college and embarking on an acting career in New York City, this question wielded the power to set me off, measuring my situation against friends in other careers that seemingly had the trajectories of their professional lives neatly mapped out before them. It nagged at me, lingering with each passing year—it’s got staying power if you let it. But then somewhere along the way, I was introduced to the amazing power of aphorisms: you know those little sayings, the type Ben Franklin used to toss off like he was determined to get a bumper sticker side hustle off the ground. Without ever really intending to, I seem to collect these bite-sized nuggets of wisdom like mantras whenever they appear useful lenses for viewing the world. Just like stories, I’m all about aphorisms. And the one that pertains here, which I heard in an improv class incidentally, is “Keep your eyes on your own work.” Now, this doesn’t entail putting blinders on and closing yourself off to the countless benefits of cross-pollination and observation. But judging yourself against the timelines of others is a sure road to ruin. More than anything, I want to caution you against the trap of always feeling old at each successive age. I’m 30 now, and as far back as my early 20s—and indeed all throughout that decade—I can remember perpetually feeling that I was behind the eight ball in some amorphous way, that others were outpacing me and passing me by, no matter what I was up to. Yet a curious phenomenon persisted: without fail, a few years later I’d look back on myself at that prior age and think how absurd I was to have harbored those worries; if only I’d been aware of how young I was then and uncluttered my mental hard-drive of that wasted space. This is not some nostalgic “Youth is wasted on the young” pablum I’m serving you here; rather, a reminder that age and our experience of it is all inherently relative. The countless friends I heard semi-seriously joke about having “quarter-life crises” upon turning 25 would likely find their 30-year-old selves taking impassioned issue with that stance, and they could just as quickly feel like spring chickens again in a room full of 60 year olds, who in turn could

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

feel like young bucks at an 80-and-up gathering. And on and on. What “Keep your eyes on your own work” revealed to me is that “What have I accomplished at my age?” was the wrong question all along; instead ask, “What am I after?” And better still, “How can I be of service?” Of course there will always be real world considerations to keep in mind such as making a living, but there’s also the paramount question of living with yourself. Find what it is you uniquely have to offer the world, what positively lights you up, and armed with that knowledge go about pursuing those things you’re most sincerely after in the most constructive way you know how. These things can take time, so you need not overly concern yourself with the checkpoints you perceive as being reached by those around you. Learn as you go. Build an imperfect momentum. This is a hard lesson for a perfectionist like me, craving structure: I’m not naturally disposed to a bohemian life and its required tolerance for uncertainty. Even now, in the midst of the biggest step forward in my acting life thus far, uncertainty abounds: whether awaiting news of extensions to our run along the way or the announcement of our show’s closing date, there’s the awareness that the quest for “what’s next” is always looming just around the bend for any actor, ready to resume the instant each project ends. But like it or not, there is some degree of uncertainty in

every career path, and that uncertainty will go down much smoother when in service of something you’re passionate about. So aspire to let those aspects of yourself that are most you, your essential “you-ness” as the good doctor Seuss might say, come to the fore in crescendoing proportions until that’s all that remains. It’s a lifelong process, but one well worth your while. Part Two (Don’t worry, there are only two parts): “Begin Again…and Again…and Again…”

There’s a concept in Zen Buddhism called “beginner’s mind.” It refers to setting aside your biases and preconceptions when undertaking an endeavor, be it new or advanced, and replacing them with freshness and openness. And while the reason may not seem immediately apparent, I’ve always felt this pairs well with another aphorism I’ve hung onto: this one holds that for a life in the arts it is essential you “learn to have your heart broken well.” There’s fatalism in that advice: the unfortunate truth of any creative life is you are destined to spend more time than most in the tangled thicket of self-doubt—a hazard of so often being called upon to offer up yourself and your efforts to the scrutiny and judgment of others. But I think the essential message applies to setbacks encountered in any life path you might choose: don’t become embittered, but rather emboldened. If you’re

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open to them, positive and self-aware, these moments can be opportunities to garner invaluable lessons in your ongoing process of honing and improving. And here’s where the beginner’s mind comes in: above all, stay curious. In staying curious you remain resilient but not rigid, determined yet still able to be surprised. For an actor this takes the form of needing to build up a thick skin to the inevitable heaps of rejection—and make no mistake, it’s a Michelin-starred all-youcan-eat-buffet of rejection—yet never letting that callus wall off access to your emotions: vulnerability, spontaneity, playfulness. This is a delicate tightrope to walk, and can be a tall order when faced with the painful emotions that accompany disappointments. But it’s a crucial one: curious people are the most compelling people in the world because they’re continually growing, their inquisitive nature spurring imagination and empathy, their lives an ever-widening aperture of experiences expanding with the passage of time. On a personal level, I apply these concepts to how I approach each performance, with a “first show/last show” mentality: although I’ve performed the same show countless times at this point, I’m mindful that for most of the audience this will be their first, and perhaps only, experience of it. I can learn from what came before, sure, but the curtain’s come down on those shows now and the shows beyond the one at hand remain tasks for future me to tackle. Every audience is exhilaratingly unique, with its own collective energy, so I relish the fresh start of each performance, curious what this outing will have in store, ready to be surprised and surprise myself. As time expands and contracts, accordions on, it’s in the interweaving of these two concepts, the “beginner’s mind” and the “heart broken well,” that I see the accordion most vividly. In all its collected moments, life is an endless cycle of new beginnings, big and small. Its stages can often feel like personal graduations in hindsight; the significance of its milestones often best appraised with the benefit of distance. But there is a quicksilver quality to these moments: you can’t count on your experience of any given moment feeling as expansive or contracted as another. In clinging tightly to the spark of joyful new beginnings you’ll snuff them out; just as in

presuming stings of heartbreak will last forever, you’ll rob yourself of the chance to process and grow from them. Even in your most expansive-seeming moments unforeseen circumstances can make time snap back on itself and send the air rushing out of the accordion. All of which is to say: endeavor to make your now as open as possible. Embrace each moment for all its potential and immediacy rather than striving to predict it or control it. The past will always be a compilation of nows gone by; the future, a prospectus of nows to come. But whatever now you find yourself in, it will be you in there; that’s time’s continuum: your essential you-ness persists. It’s your life after all, so live it. Be it. It’s all in what you make of it, moment to moment. (By the way, “Essential Eunice” would be an excellent title for an old lady named Eunice’s tell-all memoir. If there’s anyone named Eunice here today, you can have that one, free of charge.) I’ll leave you with one last aphorism, “one for the road” as it were. I encountered it while watching TV when I happened upon the live-action Cinderella movie from a few years back. (Like I said, keep your now as open as possible: I’m not above gleaning wisdom wherever it arises.) This one goes: “Have courage and be kind.” Right on, Cinderella. I carry this into each new undertaking with me: the first rehearsal or first day of shooting on a new project can feel remarkably like the first day at a new school, replete with the same butterflies and self-doubt. So what’re you going in armed with? Talent? I don’t know—I’ve always found talent to be a lot like facial hair: it can be refined and shaped, sure, but mostly you’re just making the best of what you’re given. No: diving in headlong and radiating a good-humored openness is my move—with those qualities you clear an opening for others to do the same, and hopefully before long everyone’s at ease and being themselves, as fully as possible. So as you venture forth into all the invigorating, daunting, and wholly unexpected moments that await you, meet them with courageousness and kindness and you can’t go wrong. This all coming from some guy who’s in a Play That Goes Wrong though, so you be the judge. Thank you, and congratulations!

click here for complete Commencement photo gallery  click here for complete Commencement Diploma Ceremony  click here to download full Commencement video 

HACKLEY REVIEW COMMENCEMENT SUPPLEMENT 2018

Congratulations to the Class of 20Äą8! Eleanor Higgins Arnold Christopher John Augustin Christine Sullivan Barrett Bridget Sophie Barsanti Jasmine Grace Bayrooti Vinay Rao Bijoor Daniel Solomon Bileca Jocelyn Soleil Blockinger Cosima Sue Boettner Liam Patrick Bogart Chiara Johanna Calov Raimondo Antonio Sigismondo Carofano Michael James Castro-Blanco Megan Nicole Chen Bryce Patrick Chu Javon Coleman Giovanni Pat Crispi Spencer Robert Diaz Matthew John Dioguardi Francesca Maria Docters Julian Duckette Epps Jessica Sara Feldman Alexander Scott Finerman Rian Joseph Fitzpatrick Edwin Gerardo Garcia-Flores Homer James Jigme Gere Samuel Louis Goldberg Celia Rose Gooding Hannah Grace Goodwin-Pierce Alexandra Bailey Griffen Carly Rose Griffin-Fiorella Eleanor Yanow Grueskin Elijah Todd Hankin Alexandra Lynn Hayward

Daniel Francesco Hernandez Nicole Serena Heyward Robert Russell Hite Michael Sessions Hoffman Ian Clark Jacobson Samhitha Ratna Josyula LiliAnna Khosrowshahi Ariana Aurelia Kyimpopkin Paul White Lapey II Tyler Joule LaRoche Connor Jensen Maines Larson Chad Hunter Lasseter Katherine Yeoul Lee Silas Joseph Lenihan Fletcher Campbell Levin Sean Anthony Malcolm Hanna Madelena Cici Mark Kioni Marshall Beatrice Ann McColl Kaitlyn Elizabeth McVeigh Michael Nicholas Mezzacappa Elon Fatima Middleton Nicole Ashley Mondrus Benjamin Jacob Moskow J'air Myree Ijeoma Ezeihe Nwokorie Christopher Wall O'Sullivan Onyedikachi Kenneth Ohia-Enyia Benjamin Joseph Ostfield Georgia Aaron Panitz Josephine Song Pou Figueroa Cecilia Song Pou Figueroa Lei Anne Malolos Rabeje Rohun Rajpal

Lucas Michael Reeber Hallie G. Robin Grace Weeks Rubin Alexi Kaur Sandhu Carolyn Rose Santangelo Abigail Kate Satty Ryan Christopher Schaum Ilexa Ashley Schechter Madison Sophia Schwartz Sachin Sohal Shah Matthew Adam Shalett Alexandra Shoshani Caroline Llewellyn Stevenson Julia Donette Stewart-Wood Benjamin Louis Susswein Ariana Helen Swei Delia Jane Tager Maxwell Toll Tannenbaum Alexis Michelle Thorpe Angel Brianna Grace Torres Garrett Beach Towne Patrick Andrew Walker Laura Walter-McNeill Christina Wang William Belden Waterhouse Olivia Jule Weinberg Alexander Thomas Wenstrup Ian Wai Wong Isabel Eden Wong Demetra Alexis Yancopoulos Lucia Josephine Yannuzzi William Ling Zhou

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