Fiona Duffy Director of Institutional Advancement and PA Liaison
On a chilly afternoon on Shepard Field, the Green and Gold soccer teams played valiantly to a 0-0 tie. Our bear mascot was there, of course. (Other, real ones have been spotted in the neighborhood.) So were plenty of students and teachers cheering the players on. Earlier in the morning, the Middle School held its weekly meeting, at which the teachers urged their pupils to wear coats in this chilly autumnal weather. “I have seven in my cubby!” a fifth grader announced proudly—clearly a personal best.
Two days before, on a visit to high schools in New Jersey, TPS graduates, both fine young men, talked about their college aspirations and asked when they could return to the school to play basketball and see their friends. We heard the same thing last week at a gathering of alumni in New York City. All of them, ranging from a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer to some freshly minted college grads, were delighted to see some of their teachers and one another, asked for news of the soccer team (an excellent squad, with a record of 4-2-2), and wondered rather loudly when they too could return to Blairhame.
TPS does this to people. They use the word “magical” all the time. Graduates say that, of all the schools they attended, TPS was the best and their favorite, where they learned the most and had the most fun. And as you watch the boys and girls and their teachers in action, you can easily see why this is so. There are traditions, respect, rules—and there are also flashes of lightning, laughter, and lots of happy learning.
Last year Tuxedo Park School pulled off a near-miracle. It opened its doors to all its students all the time—well, nearly all the time. It insisted on bringing its young pupils together with their teachers and with one another, because that is how the best learning happens. Not on a Zoom screen, invaluable though it has become, but in the life-giving personal contact of teachers and students. With precautions, restrictions and lots of extra expense, the school soldiered on. And it did so as well as any other school, or maybe even better.
The faculty and staff deserve all our thanks and gratitude for keeping TPS alive and well in a dark year. It also deserved—and very much needed—your continuing support as it accomplished the nearly impossible: delivering an exceptional education under the most difficult circumstances. I cannot thank you enough for helping to keep this little ship afloat in stormy weather, sailing cheerfully through the tempest with its remarkable crew. The seas are not yet completely calm, but we feel confident that we have passed through the worst of the tempest, and we look forward to welcoming all our friends and families back to school soon.
Meanwhile please accept our gratitude for your great generosity. Every penny of it was needed, and we promise to continue to do our very best with the wonderful children who are in our care.
With thanks and all good wishes, SJ Head of School
Administrative Team 2021 – 2022
Stuart Johnson Head of School
Serena Mueller Associate Head of School for Academics
Michael Murphy
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Ruth Teague
The 2020-2021 school year will have a special chapter in Tuxedo Park School’s history book. These pages will describe courageous and devoted administrators, faculty, and staff who navigated waves of uncertainty with new and ever changing challenges to best serve students. They give a new emphasis and importance to the words “in-person” as we recorded many firsts at our school. TPS’s chapter will include stories and images of students thriving academically, socially, and emotionally, together with their teachers and their friends, in a way that few other schools would match.
Focused on how children learn best and determined to ensure a safe in-person return for students, faculty, staff and administrators, Tuxedo Park School made significant investments in technology, faculty professional development, equipment, and supplies. Our indoor and outdoor spaces were re-purposed and class sizes deliberately reduced to allow proper social distancing. We made many difficult decisions with health and safety as our top priority.
Against the odds, Tuxedo Park School warmly welcomed all students back to Blairhame for in-person learning for the 2020-2021 school year. A monumental achievement for our deserving students and their families.
Although we had all hoped the pandemic would be behind us by now, we are not there yet. The school’s amazing team continues to assess, innovate and reimagine, and it is working tirelessly to provide a rich, safe, and joyful TPS experience for children. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I thank them. And, I thank you. Your generous contributions makes all of this possible. Thank you for your continued support of our Annual Fund and for making our first ever virtual TPS Annual Benefit a great success!
I hope you will soon have the chance to welcome Stuart Johnson, his wife Susan, and their son, Stuart to the TPS family. Continuing one of many traditions, Mr. Johnson inducted our newest students onto Green and Gold teams and initiated the 2021-2022 school year with the ringing of the bell. He brings with him a wealth of experience, wisdom, and passion for education. His transition is well underway and we look forward to his leadership with excitement and confidence as we begin to write a new chapter.
Thank you for providing your much-needed support as we advance Tuxedo Park School and serve our treasured community.
With sincere gratitude, Donaghy, Tuxedo Trustees
Since 2015, when Michael ’23 entered first grade, Monica served in various roles within the Parents’ Association including PA Chair. Grateful for the opportunity to experience many TPS moments up-close, she has grown to love the TPS school community and looks forward to serving as a Trustee. Just this year, Bernard and Monica enrolled their youngest son, Matthew ’29, into first grade. Professionally, Monica has worked as an attorney, project manager, and managing director of a boutique executive search firm. The Baez family currently lives in West Nyack, NY.
Jessica is an Orthopaedic Surgeon in private practice with offices in Manhattan and Wyckoff, NJ. She graduated from Williams College and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Jessica specializes in disorders of the foot and ankle, and dance medicine. She is an orthopaedic consultant for many dance programs including New York City Ballet, the School of American Ballet, and Broadway. Jessica served as a class parent for two years at TPS and looks forward to serving on the Board. She resides in Franklin Lakes, NJ with her children, Mia ’23, Lucas ’25, and her husband, Srino Bharam. Board Members
Kemi is a privacy engineer at Google, Inc. where she helps develop privacy preserving technologies. Kemi is currently pursuing a master’s degree in data science from the Harvard Extension School and has obtained a master’s degree in information systems from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in management science/operations research from Kent University in the UK. In addition to her service on the TPS Board of Trustees, Kemi served as a TPS class parent twice. Kemi lives in Nyack, NY, with her husband, Shola, and her children, Mobolaji ’22 and Morayo ’23.
by John Ham
In her poem, Blairhame, TPS alumna Donna Reis ’79, describes ascending on a playground swing and seeing, “Irises wave like ghosts from forgotten terraced gardens.”
Long after Mrs. Blair’s irises disappeared from view, we decided to use those forgotten terraced gardens for some good. The maintenance department, at that time led by Charlie Hardy and Bill Pfeister, cut down the weeds, banished the snakes, and prepared the way for some new growth. The terraces remain, and the garden is back in use as an outdoor classroom, a food supply for humans (and the critters who help themselves!), and a place of peace and reflection.
For many of us, planting a garden has taken on a new urgency and meaning. Mr. John Ham, resident historian and Upper School faculty, has lovingly tilled and tended this little patch of Tuxedo Park and shared a good bounty of vegetables and flowers with friends and colleagues this past summer.
There were six beds in use this year. The far half I cleared of weeds in the spring. They have returned, as they always do, and my goal is to remove that portion so we can put it to an as yet undetermined use in the spring. I planted beets, borage, tomatoes, two varieties of string bean (one bush and one a pole climber), and corn all in one bed - with mixed results. I was quite familiar with the how-to’s of planting when I was a boy. That was a while ago. The beets were a failure. The bed was just not deep enough. The borage was a success and supposed to be edible; I simply enjoyed its small blue flowers. The bush beans were quite satisfying for the rabbits, and the pole beans were plentiful and tasty. The tomatoes were also enjoyed by rabbits or chipmunks, but I had my share.
Primary School science teacher Sandy Morrisohn and her students planted two beds with potatoes (they were delicious), onions, and garlic; the remainder of that bed was devoted to tall, beautiful flowers visible from the playground. Sandy also planted sunflowers, which reached a height of at least 10feet. The birds and critters are still enjoying the seeds. The remainder of that bed was also filled with flowers. In the heat of the summer, there were honey bees, bumblebees, too few butterflies, and the occasional hummingbird passing through to see if there was anything of interest. Later in the summer, Sandy planted pumpkins, which have blossomed but are unlikely to bear fruit before frost.
Upper School science teacher Dory Masefield used two beds. There are some perennials in those, and there was a bountiful crop of peas and squash. There are flowers still in bloom. The bees swarmed over the blossoms all summer. Dory and her freshman science class also constructed a shed and then painted it in giant, bright sunflowers. The shed purchase was made possible by a STEM grant given by Orange and Rockland Utilities and helps the students organize and take care of their tools and store seeds, etc.
Our students will be back in the garden come spring, learning about different types of seeds, getting their hands in the soil, observing the local birds, and absorbing all the wonder of plant and insect life.
Nick Tsilibes joined the TPS faculty in 2001, first as a PE teacher and then as the Athletic Department Coordinator. In Nick’s own words: “I fell in love when I first saw the lake and then the school.”
What is your favorite thing about working at TPS? I enjoy having the educational freedom to teach what the students need. Of course, we use the national standards to guide the curriculum, but we can also customize our program to help each student reach their physical and mental potential in a way that is unique to each student.
Do you prefer to coach or teach? The coaching philosophy at TPS is “the game is the teacher.” We try to have all our students play as much as possible and learn from actual game experience, whether in practice or a contest. You can teach a sport based on a game, or a little scrimmage played every day.
How did PE change during the pandemic? It was an interesting time because during lockdown, teaching PE through a Zoom class was challenging. We began as an elective. Since students were staring at a screen for multiple hours a day, we were not sure there would be any demand for PE classes. We had a small following, but I quickly realized that it was challenging to teach skills remotely.
I decided to try a lot of body workouts and got inventive in an effort to raise participation. For the littlest students, we had stuffed animal workouts and for the older students, dressing up in costumes made it fun. A Super Hero workout was a way to get the students moving and fit while not realizing they were exercising. They worked out from their living rooms, or bedrooms, or driveways. After a long day of Zoom, they really began to look forward to it.
When did you decide to hike in the woods? In the fall of 2020, we did not know enough about the virus and what it would mean for PE and athletics, but we wanted to have a program of exercise for our students’ physical and mental well-being. We are lucky to be surrounded by beautiful woodland, so I looked to the outdoors after reading a quote saying, “More sunlight, less blue light.” That resonated with me. With so much natural beauty around our campus, we headed into the woods in the fall of 2020.
I was amazed at the appetite for hiking that even our youngest students had. Pre-K students were able to hike the Brook Road Trails to the bridge and back. These are three-and-four-year-olds who I never thought could do that, but they did, they loved it, and it made them proud. It was enlightening and affirming. I was influenced by the Japanese tradition of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, which is simply the act of spending time outdoors under the canopy of trees, soaking in the forest atmosphere and connecting with nature through the senses.
After eight years of teaching our youngest students music, Brooke decided to stay closer to home and her son. We will miss Brooke’s gentle way with the children, the marvelous concert performances, and the sounds of our older students’ elective drum class.
After three years at TPS, Anna decided to move closer to her family and took a job at the University of Pennsylvania, which she thoroughly enjoys. While at TPS, Anna taught English to the fifth and sixth grades. With her sense of fun, enthusiasm for teaching, and her joie de vivre, she made learning infectious. We thank her for her dedicated work with the students in the classroom, as an advisor, as our co-coordinator for DEI initiatives, and her work as a coach both on the basketball court and on the fields.
Our classes became more than just walking through the woods. Students enthusiastically became absorbed in the natural world around them and learned to identify different kinds of amphibians, reptiles, mosses, lichens, liverworts, trees, and ferns. There were landmarks on the trails that the students gave names to, like the “Fairy Trail,” which was covered in bright green moss.
All the students in the second grade class were very adventurous hikers and enthusiastically pushed themselves to complete long trails in 45 minutes. They returned to school refreshed and sometimes a little wet, but always with a great sense of accomplishment. One of my fondest memories was early in November of 2020 when we went up to a trail behind the Pink House (the Head’s residence). There are some glaciated boulders there, and the students named one set “The Boy’s Hotel” and another “The Girl’s Hotel.” We found a box turtle that (science teacher) Mr. France thought was about 60 years old, so we could document that. The kids were fascinated.
We are doubly lucky to have the woods and someone as dedicated to our students’ growth and well-being as Nick Tsilibes. Thank you, Nick, and a special thank you to Mr. Michael Bruno for his dedication to keeping the trails in great shape for all of our hikers at TPS.
Meghan has also moved from TPS to Burlington, VT, where she lives with her sister and works in theater. Having a flair for delivery of the spoken word, Megan conducted her Latin classes with enthusiasm, making this language alive and exciting. She greeted students in the hall with a hearty “Salve!” and used Latin in her everyday life as often as possible. Meghan’s work at TPS did not stop at the classroom door. She worked as an advisor, a coach, and a light board operator in the upper school musical. She also enjoyed Green and Gold Coordinator status for a year, enjoying the history and traditions of TPS, and we admired her green and gold wardrobe!
Cristin O’Connor was a presence at TPS for 11 years and became our ‘go-to’ person for everything surrounding organization and scheduling. In addition to teaching French and occasionally math, Cristin was an advisor to upper school students, the yearbook advisor, and a girls basketball coach. Field trips, sports schedules, and class trips were flawless under her careful supervision. Cristin also assisted the development office during the run-up to the school auction by acting as the faculty liaison and offering experiences that students enjoyed. She was an “all in” faculty member, and we are grateful for her service to our students and this community.
“These are the things that make me grateful for working at TPS.”
“I have many beautiful flowers”, he said,“but the children are the most beautiful flowers of them all.”
The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde
The TPS benefit gala is as important a fun-raiser as it is a fundraiser. As parents and friends gather to enjoy a great night out and help the school reach important goals, the sense of purpose is strong. 2019 was our last in-person gala. We have missed being together.
In April of 2020, although plans for a benefit were well underway, lockdown took us by surprise followed by the experience of virtual schooling, which none of us expected to last for as long as it did.
In 2020, now on the other side of Zoom, and since we were still not able to gather en masse, we decided to give hosting a virtual benefit a go. It was not without some uncertainty that we embarked on this new undertaking, but with considerable planning, we could feel all the elements of a successful evening knitting together. From the start, we wanted to get it just right.
So, our flowery theme, TPS In Bloom, was born from the idea of TPS not just functioning, as a school should through crises, but actually flourishing, and our students, nurtured with love, kindness, and creativity, blooming into majestic color, much like a garden in spring.
And we honored those who tend this beautiful garden, our faculty, who we consider our pandemic heroes.
Beautiful boxes filled with all the necessities for a great cocktail by a dedicated group of alumni moms, were delivered or picked up earlier in the week and on Friday, May 14, families and friends started their evening off with a catered dinner from alumna Heather Bullard ’83, of Tuxedo Park Events.
At 7:00 pm our screens filled with smiling faces ready to make the signature cocktail of the evening demonstrated by The Tuxedo Club mixologist, Brian Weber, and assisted by former Green Team captain Jack Santiago ’12
Our host for the evening was the magnetic Chris Wragge from CBS2 News and brother to Annie ‘00 and Drew ‘06 Heissenbuttel
We raised money and we raised our glasses to toast a wonderful evening for TPS. We finished with a beautiful song, Best for You, from Glaser Brothers, Jordan ’08 and Justin ’09. Our thanks to them and to all who made this evening a great success.
We have held April 30th at The Tuxedo Club for the 2022 benefit.
Mr. Sakis Decossard and Mrs. KC Petillo Decossard, P’28
Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Dow, P’05
Mr. and Mrs. Sean P. Duffy, F, P’00, P’02, P’05, P’07
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Stadler, P’08, P’09, P’15
Dr. Peter DeNoble and Dr. Shaghayegh DeNoble, P’25, P’27
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Donaghy, P’13, P’15, P’16, P’18
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Finkelstein, P’13
Mr. Matthew McLennan and Mrs. Melanie McLennan, P’31 Rudolph J. Torello Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Marc N. Biamonte, P’18, P’21
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Carpentier, P’17, P’20, P’23, P’25
Drs. Joshua and Se-A Chung, P’21
Ms. Jennifer DuBrul, P’18, P’20
Mr. Andrew Dunn and Mrs. Elizabeth Dunn ‘98
Mr. Bradford Helgeson, P’19, P’22, P’24
Mr. Justin Jennings and Ms. Allison Taylor, P’28
Mr. Tony Romando and Mrs. Brenna Haysom Romando ‘92, P’27, P’29 Mrs. Serene Swirbul
Mr. Thorsten Wagner and Ms. Johanna Wolfe, P’30
Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Baez, P’23, P’29
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Capella ‘79, P’20, P’21, P’24
Mr. Christopher Huntington and Dr. Jodi Huntington, P’27, P’29
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kennelley, P’09, P’10
Mr. George Kress and Mrs. Dawn Angney-Kress, P’22
Mr. and Mrs. Sean Madden
Dr. and Mrs. Constantine Rossakis, P’19, P’24
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Vasseghi, P’13, P’15
Dr. David Kuo Wei Yao and Dr. Jenny Qingyu Lu, P’22
Dr. and Mrs. Rotimi Akinyemiju, P’21
Mr. Frank S. Bell Jr., P’81, P’93, G’09
Dr. Srino Bharam and Dr. Jessica Gallina, P’23, P’25
Mr. and Mrs. Hank Christensen
Mr. and Mrs. Terrance Coughlin, P’16
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Curland, P’07, P’09, P’11
Mr. and Mrs. Samir Desai, P’22
Mr. and Mrs. Mark E. Feiner ‘87
Mr. and Mrs. John Gay, Jr. ‘62
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hansen, P’18, P’20
Mr. Christopher Heffernan and Ms. Emily A. Millen
Mr. Devesh Karandikar and Dr. Haleh Pazwash, P’20
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Kashevaroff, P’16, P’21
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Kelly, F, P’19
Mr. and Mrs. John A. MacKinnon
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. McKay ‘61
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mueller, P’27
Dr. and Mrs. Eric Munzer, P’26, P’28
Mr. Okoronkwo and Dr. Okoronkwo, P’29, P’30
Dr. and Dr. Wilkie Paes, P’27, P’29
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Pash
Mr. and Mrs. Francis W. Peverly, P’16
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Reichgott, P’24
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Rifkin, P’17, P’19
Ms. Fatima V. Sanandaji ‘94 and Mrs. Manda Sanandaji
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Shaw, P’09, P’10, P’13, P’14
Mr. Aime Simeus and Dr. Adrienne Salomon, P’27
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Stansbery, P’16
Mr. Edward Thomas and Ms. Amy K. Jolin, P’14, P’16, P’19
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Van Poucke, P’25, P’29
John
Mr.Ms.AnonymousAmbroseSarinaAppelgrenandMrs.ArkadyAptekarev, P’13, P’15, P’17, P’22
Mr. Rodney Arthur and Ms. Tania Lao-Arthur, P’18, P’19, P’22
Mr. Allen T. Barnett and Ms. JoAnn Hanson, P’08
Mr. Thomas Bekele-Arcuri and Dr. Zewditu Bekele-Arcuri, P’22
Ms. Cassandra Bellabe-Rosemberg, P’19, P’21
Mrs. Terry Berryman, F
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander B. Bierce, P’97, P’00, P’02
Paul Bonfiglio and Sarah Pascual
Natalie Easter
Kevin S. Edwards
Kazuma H. Engelkemier
Seiji H. Engelkemier
Dr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Feiner, P’83, P’87
Prof. J. Scott Finn ‘69
Frances Fisher
Ms. Rita Flynn, P’12, P’15
Peter and Emily Foley
Joseph Fontana
Tyler France
Dr. Neil Garofano, F
Mr. and Mrs. R. Daniel Gladding, P’95
Mrs. Kathleen O’Gorman Bower ‘55
Mr. Matthew Brescia and Ms. Lindsey Quistgaard, P’21, P’25, P’29, P’32
Dr. Jennifer Briggs ‘74
Mrs. J. Brooke Broome, F
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Brown, P’28, P’31
Ms. Heather Bullard ‘83
Mr. and Mrs. James T. Burger
Mr. Worth Auxier and Ms. Sandra Burnett ‘69
Dr. and Mrs. Rafael F. Capella, P’74, P’75, P’79, G’05, G’08, G’20, G’21
Amanda Carpenter Anna R. Cassidy
Ms. Carol Castellano
Mr. and Ms. James A. Cathcart III ‘50, P’76, P’80
Mr. and Mrs. Guy Celariste, P’21
Mr. Camilo R. Cepeda ‘90
Dr. Michael Cho and Ms. Nancy Ahn, P’25, P’26, P’30
Ms. Anne Christensen ‘01
Mr. and Mrs. James Christensen ‘97
Meghan Clary
Rev. Dr. Edwin Cromey
Michael Curland
Mr. Anthony Daino and Dr. Joyce Ann Sinno, P’22
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Darden, P’28, P’28
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Darling
Katie Mr.WalterDavidL.DeaneandMrs.Philip DeLeon, P’26
Ms. Jamie Bradley, F
Robert Mrs.KathrynMr.CatherineDeNobleDuffySeanDuffy‘02B.DunderdaleSallyDwek,G’22, G’24
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Dwek, P’22, P’23
Mr. David Glaser, P’08, P’09
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas F. Gmur ‘60
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Green, P’80, P’84
Sheila Groskin
Meir Gur-Lavi
Mr. John Ham, F
Mr. Richard Hartman Jr. and Mrs. Valerie Hartman ‘89, P’24, P’30
Ms. Anne Heissenbuttel ‘00
Mrs. Beverly Heissenbuttel, P’00, P’06
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Helmeset, P’23
Ms. Portia Hinshaw, F
George Howard
Mr. and Mrs. George Howe, Jr., P’26 Peter B. Humphrey
IBM Matching Grants Program
Mr. and Mrs. Gamal F. Ibrahim, F
Dr. Adam Kalkstein and Dr. Yasmine Kalkstein, P’22 Matthew S. Kashevaroff
Mr. and Ms. Jeremy Kelman, P’22, P’24
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Kerney ‘75 Mr. and Mrs. Al Kranzo, F Mr. and Ms. Jon Lebda ‘86, P’23
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Leventhal, P’26, P’31
Mr. and Mrs. John S. Lindsay III, P’06, P’09
Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Luck, P’02, P’21
Dr. and Mrs. Josh Lupinek, P’30
Mr. Jeffrey MacFarlane and Ms. Laura C. Tillsley, P’30
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Machado, F, P’21, P’23, P’25
Mr. Steve Mao and Mrs. Suning Mao-Zhou, P’23
John DorotheaMarisK.
Mr. Edward C. Mattes, Jr. ‘71 Mrs. Pauline Mauskopf, G’24, G’22 Melissa Mazzella
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. McCann Melissa
Mr.Mr.KathleenMcCoy-GarzioneMcDowellandMrs.AndrewJ.McLarenandMrs.BrendanMcManus, F
Mr. and Mrs. Lamont Melvin, P’25
Drs. Albert and Rosa Metz, P’20 Thomas Meyer
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Moore, P’28, P’30
Mr. Colin Moriarty and Ms. Lynn Granito, P’28
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Morrisohn, F, P’11, P’12 Mrs. Carol Mueller
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Murphy, F, P’15, P’20
Mr. Finnian L. Murray and Mrs. Emily L. Murray ‘90
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Murray ‘00 Joshua K. Nealon Network for Good
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Nials, P’22, P’24
Mr. and Mrs. James Obeng, P’14, P’22
Ms. Cristin O’Connor, F
Ms. Michelle O’Hara, P’22, P’24
Mr. and Mrs. Shola Olateju, P’22, P’23 Orange & Rockland
Mrs. Sherrel Osman, G’26
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Ottaunick, P’06 Steve Panico
Mrs. Jenepher B. Parr ‘49
Mr. Thomas Payne and Mrs. Ensuida Pashollari-Payne
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pecoraro, P’21, P’18
Miss Alexa M. Perillo ‘11
Dr. and Mrs. Manuel Perry, P’08 Jan Petrow
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Pierson, P’26, P’28
Mr. Jared Pilosio ‘02 Roger Priest
Ms. Nadine Pulver, P’9, P’12, P’14, P’19
Dr. Seth Pulver, P’09, P’12, P’14, P’19
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Racanelli, P’24 Rose Racanelli
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Regna
Mr. and Mrs. James Rhatigan, P’29
Mrs. Elisa G. Richards ‘55
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Richards, F, P’25, P’28
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rizzuto, P’14, P’16
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rodin
Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Rohde ‘07
Dr. Ericka Rovira, P’28
Mr. Gus Saliba and Ms. Lisa Noroian, P’19
Mr. and Mrs. Dirk Salz, P’81, P’82
Mr. Carlos F. Santiago and Ms. Elizabeth Stradar, P’12, P’14, P’16
Mr. Todd Schietroma and Ms. Debbie Salgado, F, P’17
Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Schiller, P’26, P’29
Mr. and Mrs. Max Schwartzman, P’29, P’28, P’25
Rabbi Benjamin Sharff and Dr. Joy Sharff, P’21, P’24, P’27 Robert Sharff
Mr. Christopher Shaw ‘75
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Shepard ‘75 Joyce Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Siracuse, P’24
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Slomin, P’18
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Smith, P’79, P’82 Sally Sonne
Mr. and Ms. Houston Stebbins, P’05 Zoe
Mrs.Mrs.Steinberg-DiStefanoLaurenK.StrobelMaryEllinGreening Swan ‘54
Mr. David Alban and Ms. Megan Sweeney, F, P’15
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Ruth Teague
Mr. Vincent Gomez and Ms. Glenny E. Torres, F
Mr. Nicholas Tsilibes and Ms. Sandra Tripp, F, P’19 Antonio Velazquez
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Vignola, F
Mr. and Ms. Jeffrey Vogel, P’22
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Watts, F, P’01, P’04
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Watts ‘04 Eliza Werner
Mr. and Mrs. George Whelan, P’24
Mr. Alex Wise, F
Dr. Robert A. Myers and Mrs. Marie-Claude P. Wrenn-Myers, P’86, P’89
Mr. Ching Yam and Mrs. Cheryl Seraile, P’23, P’24
Mr. and Mrs. Sean Duffy
• Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Priest • Mr. and Mrs. Peter Watts
Nancy Ambrose
We were so saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Shepard, wife of Jack and mother of Jake, Rob, Fred, and Louise. Mary’s presence at TPS was felt by all who knew her. She not only supported Jack but she also worked as a teacher and put her nursing skills to use on more than one occasion. Mary left her mark on TPS and on all who were lucky enough to know her. Alumni recall her gentle and nurturing warmth and one described her as “kindness personified.”
She was a wonderful figure to many but none more so than to her own children. She will be dearly missed by Jake, Rob, and Fred. We extend our sincere condolences to them and their families.
Mary Grindley Shepard passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on November 16, 2021, surrounded by her loving, ever-grateful sons. Mary was born on March 21, 1932, in Birmingham, MI, to Mary Bushnell Grindley and Robert F. Grindley. She attended the Kingswood/Cranbrook School where she was the president of the student council, a star field hockey player, and sang in the lead role of their school plays her junior and senior years. She then matriculated to Skidmore College where “Grin” was known by her classmates for her warm friendship and engaging personality and was elected president of her freshman class. She graduated with a nursing degree in 1954 and began her career as a visiting nurse in Boston. On a momentous vacation tour to Scotland in the summer of 1956, her life changed forever when Jack Shepard, a teacher at the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, MA, hitched a ride on her tour bus and asked to sit next to her. It was love at first sight for him and they married on June 22, 1957. Their first son, Jake, came 11 months later in 1958, followed by sons, Rob, in 1960, Fred, in 1963, and their daughter, Louise, in 1969. In 1962, Mary and Jack moved from Eaglebrook to Tuxedo Park, NY, where Jack began his 18-year tenure as Headmaster of Tuxedo Park School. Shortly before Louise was born, Mary changed her
Barbara Baker Mallory died peacefully in Palm Beach, FL on May 2nd surrounded by her three children. The eldest daughter of Alice & John D. Baker, Barbara was born in 1936 and was raised in New York City and Buck Hill Falls, PA. She graduated from the Madeira School and Bennett College with a degree in Interior Design in 1956. In 1957 she married Thomas Downs Mallory of Bradford, PA and Palm Beach, FL.
After briefly living in New York City following her husband’s U.S. Army enlistment, Barbara and Downs moved to Tuxedo Park, NY in 1964. For the next 35 years they raised three children and enjoyed an active, outdoor lifestyle. Barbara managed her own interior design company; she was one of only a few women at the time in Tuxedo Park to run her own business, Barbara Baker Interior Design, and to use her maiden name in her work. Her projects ranged from Tuxedo Park, and nearby New York City, to Nantucket, Florida, Chicago, Sun Valley, and Jackson Hole. In her community, she became president of the Tuxedo Park Garden Club and eventually the Orange and Dutchess County Garden Club, while also volunteering extensively with the Tuxedo Park Club, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and the Hudson Valley chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Perhaps most unique to Barbara was her vigor in sports. On the golf course she was only the 2nd person in Tuxedo Park Club history to win the club championship 5 times. In the fields and streams she was a master wing shooter and gifted fly fisherwoman. She was an amateur mycologist and an outstanding cook of wild game. Barbara was elected into the International Women’s Fly Fishing Association which is composed of the top female anglers worldwide. Downs accompanied her when the
profession to teaching music, bringing forth her talent and lifelong love of music. While raising three rambunctious boys and a baby girl, she obtained a master’s degree in teaching from the Teachers College at Columbia University in 1974. After 18 idyllic years in Tuxedo, they moved on to Tampa, FL for 11 years to Jack’s second headship while Mary switched back to her nursing role in helping the less fortunate in Tampa. Mary and Jack retired to New London, NH, in 1993, where they were greeted with the news that the first of four grandchildren would arrive in 1994. Mary spent the next 26 wonderful years in New London filled with joyous family celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and enriched by new friendships and the beauty of New London. In her retirement, Mary maintained her giving nature by volunteering at Kearsarge Regional Ecumenical Ministry, New London’s Council on Aging Chapin Center, and the thrift shop at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir and was an active communicant. The greatest challenges in an otherwise blessed life were the tragic, untimely death of her daughter Louise in 1987, the passing of her beloved husband in 2013, and the last two years of her life when dementia set in. Mary will always be cherished for her selfless, kind, and generous loving spirit that made her the best mom any child could ever hope for. Mary is predeceased by her sister Jean Grindley Akerson, brother Robert Grindley, daughter Louise and adoring husband, Jack. She is survived by her sons, Jake and his wife, Joan, of Niskayuna, NY, Rob and his wife, Eileen, of Milton, MA, Fred and his wife, Sue, of South Hamilton, MA, and her grandchildren, Michael, Nate, Hannah and Christopher. A funeral was held on Saturday, December 11 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in New London, NH with a reception following at New London Country Club.
group travelled internationally on fishing expeditions to Russia, New Zealand and
and Barbara moved to Wilson, WY and Palm Beach, FL. In Wyoming she continued to hunt and fish while entertaining her many friends and extended family at their beautiful home alongside the Teton Mountains. They enjoyed being members of the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club and played many rounds of golf with friends. In Florida, they reconnected with old friends, enjoyed the Bath and Tennis Club, the Everglades Club, and the Society of the Four Arts while keeping up their sporting life. Like her red hair Barbara was a bold and boisterous mother, grandmother, aunt, godmother, and wife for 61 devoted years. She loved all people, animals and natural things and her indomitable spirit gave her the courage to face her last 11 years with Alzheimer’s. She was not afraid to talk about her disease and helped many people cope with this same diagnosis.
Barbara is survived by her older son Thomas D. Mallory, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; daughter Meredith Mallory George of Darien, CT; younger son Baker D. Mallory of Ridgefield, CT; nine grandchildren; and sisters Alice Cullen of Villanova, PA and Joan Baker of Santa Fe, NM. She is predeceased by her husband Thomas Downs Mallory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Barbara Baker Mallory to: Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. SHEPARD
Barbara Baker Mallory 1936-2021
In her Valete speech, Emily Sharff summed up her time at TPS:
I have loved these four years, where I have been taught by wonderful and dedicated teachers. Every day brought new challenges but I am so thankful for the supportive faculty who have helped me grow academically and as a person throughout middle school. I am grateful for my parents who have moved with our family from place to place and are constantly finding us somewhere to go to school. With them, I found TPS and another family.
Throughout the years I have spent here, I have had the honor of watching the graduates blossom into the people they are today. They are intelligent, creative, hardworking, athletic, artistic, and kind leaders who I am excited to see continue to grow. I have enjoyed studying, laughing, crying, and bonding with them over the years.
Graduation signifies an end and a beginning. Many of my classmates and I will move on to high school, become TPS alumni, and will carry only memories of TPS. Some will stay for 9th grade and be TPS alumni the following year. Graduates, whatever may happen as your lives unfold, know I will miss you all.
“
Good morning. Thank you, Headmaster Stansbery, the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, proud parents, families, and most of all thank you to the class of 2021. It is such an honor to be here to celebrate you. Tuxedo Park School is as special a place for me as it is for you. We share a love for this magical place that is indescribable.
When I was a student here 28 years ago, which basically makes me a fossil, I was busy crushing our rivals like DwightEnglewood and Hackley in field hockey, rooting for the gold team (Go Gold!) and thinking of the future. This certainly was not the future I was imagining with shortages of toilet paper and Lysol. Just a few months ago this whole ceremony may have been done through a small rectangular screen in your home. It’s safe to say none of us were prepared for what has gone on for over a year.
I can’t imagine what it was like to be separated from your classmates and then to return and quickly adjust to a new normal: wearing face masks, having temperature checks and keeping a safe distance away from one another. This is a shared experience that will bond you forever. That’s what makes this Class of 2021 so amazing. What you have achieved this year is remarkable. You’ve navigated unchartered waters. Students in TPS years from now will be assigned whole chapters on this last year. They’ll be writing papers and taking quizzes on what you’ve gone through.
Now, as we slowly transition to some normalcy while also recognizing the hardships and tragedies many have faced, let’s remember that YOU are embarking on a new voyage in your life. Out of all the pain, frustration, and isolation comes an opportunity – a chance to recalibrate your perspective, your priorities, and your passions. The point is, there will be an expectation, a pressure to change. And I hope you approach that challenge as a positive opportunity. Not to become a completely different person, but to reflect on who YOU are –and consider different aspects of your life that may have been neglected before the pandemic.
Your life is your own one-person show. Your name is on the marquee. You are the star. Life isn’t a dress rehearsal, so I’d like to offer you three life lessons that this school has imprinted on me and that I would like to point out to you. Three lessons that are crucial to being your own star so you can shine bright and brighten the world around you.
One – Believe in Yourself: Today is just the first step on your journey. If you don’t know by now, you’ll learn soon – nothing in life comes simply. There will be peaks and valleys, bumps and scrapes. And while it may be a cliché, it is a fundamental truth: a powerful belief in yourself is important because you are your strongest ally. Others will make checklists for you – with items like: graduate college, get a certain type of job, get married by 29, 2.7 kids by 35 and so forth. Do not, and I repeat do not, pay attention to those checklists or those people who insist that their way is the right way. Of course, it is important to listen to others’ perspectives, but never let the expectations of others pressure you into doing it their way or the way they think a life should be lived. Let me tell you from my own experience: I urge you to consider your own direction. It is an opportunity for growth and Afterstrength.TPS,Iattended
Groton School, followed by Vanderbilt University where I majored in art history and French. After Vandy, I was all set to attend Christie’s Masters Program in London – what a dream step into the art world! Then, two weeks before graduation my mother called to tell me that my family didn’t want me studying Andy Warhol paintings of soup cans and instead, to “get a job in finance.” A classic Persian mom move. So, I said goodbye to working with Monet, and hello to working with money. Twenty years and here I am with a successful professional life – but I do wonder, what if?! What if I had followed my dream path? Where might I be today?
Two – Be Kind:
Don’t confuse kindness with politeness. Don’t confuse being kind with being nice. There is a lot of nice out there. But there’s not a lot of kind. Being kind has been part of my success. In the world of finance, a lot of people work hard. That isn’t a unique characteristic. But kindness? And consideration? A rarity.
So, what is kindness? Being kind is having empathy for others; for realizing that people are like tips of icebergs -- you see the top but not what’s going on underneath the surface. I found I earned respect from my team, colleagues, and clients by being kind. By being thoughtful, thorough, and caring. Being kind fosters positivity and trust, which is then felt by everyone else. Being kind was one of the key tools that helped me advance in my career and keeps me grounded. Being kind is a sign of strong character. Being kind is a beautiful legacy to leave behind.
I’m going to give you four words you don’t want to hear: PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE. I’m not saying throw it down a well, but how often do you scroll, close it, then two minutes later you’re opening it again? Guilty, here. How often have you been talking to your friend and browsing YouTube at the same time, only to ask them to repeat everything they said?
If there’s one thing you should take from this last year, it’s the importance of being present in the moment, of those face-to-face interactions we have not only with friends, but with the physical world around us. Challenge yourself to carve out time during the day that is phone and social media free. You can start small at first – like 30 minutes. I know going cold turkey for a day would send you into panic attacks. Instagram and Facebook will not disappear. I know, I checked recently and they’re still there. Put down your phones so you can start having more authentic, more present human interactions.
Don’t take this the wrong way, I think it’s wonderful how social media has connected the world, but maybe that has come at the expense of the human connection. Focus on being there, right there wherever you are – like right now, being with your classmates and your families, being together. Focus on taking it all in right there wherever you are. Being present will help you live with passion and purpose.
So, there you have it, three lessons to being your own stars. All three of these principles: Believing in Yourself, Being Kind and Being Present have been part of your education in this distinguished school. Tuxedo Park School is your foundation. You’re not always going to have full control over the road you travel. You must adapt and rely on your core principles. I find strength in the principles I developed and strengthened through my friendships, relationships, and in my education. Principles that TPS has given me – and I trust it has given you, too.
Whatever uphill battle you find yourself in, whatever uncertain footing lays ahead, remember to lean on what makes you, you – to keep your balance. That’s your guard rail. Class of 2021, it’s time to level up. It’s time to walk into that next phase of your life with your eyes open, ready for whatever comes. You are the star, there’s only one of you, and you only have this one life. The world is waiting. Let’s show them what you got!“
“ You are the star, there’s only one of you, and you only have this one life.”
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Alix tells us about her memories of TPS and her life after graduation below. The arts have played a big part in Alix’s life. Today, she is the Executive Director of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA.
When did you attend TPS? I was there from nursery school through ninth grade, graduating in 1975. I’m the youngest of three. My brother, Paul, and sister, Betsy, graduated several years before me.
What are some of your fondest memories? I have a lot of sweet memories, but honestly, most of my favorites are more impressionistic than specific — like the smell of turpentine in the art room and the thrill of starting a painting project there. Or going to see the “big kids” put on performances of Oliver or The Music Man. I loved the promise of the library —I think I checked out a hundred biographies there. I also have many memories of just exploring the building and grounds with my classmates (all those little rooms on the third floor!). I can still perfectly picture Shannon, the Shepards’ old golden retriever, curled up, sleeping in front of the big main doors. It was such a beautiful place to go to school, and the “old” building always felt like it held a million mysteries.
Who was your favorite teacher, and why? Kind of an impossible one to answer—I liked so many. Mrs. Cox, my kindergarten teacher, was the one who made me love school, so I’ll pick her. She was so welcoming and made us feel safe and loved. And she lived on a farm! I was obsessed with animals, so that blew my mind. When my own kids were kindergarten age, she and I were briefly back in touch. I was so glad to be able to tell her what she’d meant to me.
Where did you go after TPS – for secondary school and then college? I went to Choate Rosemary Hall, then Colgate, then to UMass for my master’s. I met my husband in graduate school, and we settled here in Western Massachusetts, where we’ve raised two sons, now in their 20s.
Did you study something that you had an affinity for in your younger life? I was an English major in college then got my MFA in poetry. I loved to read and write as a kid—in school and out of school—so that makes sense. TPS emphasized the arts so much. I’m glad to know it’s still like that! What was your career track before landing at the Eric Carle Museum? I was a magazine editor for about 20 years. I spent much of that time running the editorial teams for a group of magazines that The Walt Disney Company owned (people were always surprised to learn that Disney published magazines and that the offices were here in Massachusetts!). So it was a big career change for me when I left in 2008 to direct The Eric Carle Museum. It must be lovely to have a job where you can immerse yourself in children’s books and education. What brings you the greatest source of pleasure from your job? It’s been so much fun getting to know the artists and authors who make picture books. They’re a creative, witty, big-hearted group. Eric Carle died this year at 91, which was a huge loss for the children’s book world and for all of us at the museum—but I feel enormous gratitude that I was able to know him so well.
What is your favorite children’s book? I always loved reading my kids Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me. It speaks so poignantly to the experience of being a parent. We try to reach the moon for our kids!
If you had one wish for the future of the world, what would it be? I have so many wishes! Let’s start with more compassion—for each other and for our planet.
Although Lily only attended TPS for a few years, it is the place where she made some good friends, focused on her academics, made an impact on her future course of study and her life. Lily is currently living in Paris as a journalist and is a contributor to the Washington Post and BBC Travel. Her articles include an interview with famed French chef Alain Ducasse and a trip to visit Marc Chagall’s home.
After TPS you attended Peddie. How did TPS help you prepare for this next step in your academic career and did your love for French start here or was there another influence? I have very fond memories of TPS. It certainly helped with being prepared for Peddie in terms of the rigorousness of the courses and close relationships with teachers, so the transition to boarding school was very smooth. I took Latin at TPS, which probably helped with my French later on. But my love for France actually started because of a family connection to the country; my grandparents met and lived in France for a number of years, and my father graduated from high school here. Growing up, there were always nostalgic discussions around the dinner table about their memories of France, which likely made me want to see what all of the fuss was about. Ten years later, I can say I understand now!
Liz Gunnison Dunn is a graduate of the Class of 1998 and has served the school in many capacities, first as a leader of the first Alumni Council and now as a Trustee. She has worked on the head of school search committee that led to the appointment of Stuart Johnson, acts as an alumni representative for the annual fund, and helps to organize, manage and populate alumni reunions. She is a James Beard Award nominated food writer, covering food and drink for such prestigious publications as The Wall Street Journal and Esquire Magazine, and has published two cook books. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Andrew, and their three adorable sons.
When did you first come to Tuxedo Park School and what was your first impression? I remember it very clearly: I was four years old and I came with my mother to visit the classroom before starting in Pre-K. The teacher’s name was Mrs. Kennedy, and she radiated warmth and calm. She was one of those people who seemed put on earth to be an educator. She let me hold the class bunny, and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Mrs. Kennedy turned out to be one of my most cherished teachers, and in middle school became my field hockey coach. A couple of days a week she had us do a mile run, down Potuckit Road and back. I was not a strong runner and just hated it. One day I asked her, “When will it get easier?” And she said, “It doesn’t get easier, Lizzie, you just get faster.” I don’t think she intended it to be a metaphor for life, but I think about that often, to this day.
What parts of life at TPS did you particularly enjoy? From Kindergarten to third grade, I attended my local elementary school, and we spent a lot of the day filling out worksheets at our desks. When I rejoined TPS, the work was so much more hands-on, so collaborative, and the days just flew by. It felt like summer camp to me, and never like drudgery. We lived outside the park, and going through those gates was like entering a fairytale world, separate and apart from everything else. I loved Thursday ski days. I also loved the Green/Gold rivalry, and the sense of belonging that the teams created.
What was the trajectory for your further education and career after TPS and did any of your early education and experiences have an impact on your future decisions? After TPS I attended Hackley, and then went on to college at Yale. I was lucky to have wonderful and very enriching experiences in both places. After graduating, I briefly worked in strategy consulting, then went into journalism and remained there. Staying in consulting would have been the safer career choice, but journalism was a passion. TPS definitely
gave me a solid foundation in writing that I have been able to build on over the years, and I would say that the relentless intellectual curiosity that journalism requires was touched off at TPS.
What is it about writing that you find fulfilling? So much. I love that, as a journalist, the job is basically to always be learning – to take a huge amount of raw information and shape it into a coherent story. This year alone I’ve worked on reporting projects that allowed me to dive into African culinary traditions, the economics of running a coffee shop, agricultural irrigation, and how carbon offset markets work. I love that the job allows me to speak to so many interesting and brilliant people. Beyond that, I find purpose in writing things that might help readers make sense of the world around them.
Do you have any advice for budding authors? My number one tip: just get on with it! It’s very common for aspiring writers as well as professional ones to put off doing the actual writing. It’s tough mental work and there’s a temptation to procrastinate, the same way as you might put off going to the gym. But, to stick with that metaphor, writing is like a sport: native talent counts, but 90% of success comes down to practice.
What do you envision for TPS in 10 years? There’s a lot of focus these days on how a school prepares its students for adult success, but childhood is, in itself, a truly precious, and fleeting, stage of life. While of course I hope that TPS always sets up its students to excel in high school, and in college, and in their careers, even more than that I hope that it’s always a place where students can live their best and happiest childhoods.
What brings you the greatest joy in your life? My three sons! They bring me a huge amount of joy every day (well…almost every day!). But a close second is any opportunity to learn about the world around me. I’m truly happiest when I’m solving a puzzle or learning something
What made you make the move to Paris? It all started when I was 16 years old and set off to a one-year language immersion program based in Rennes, France. Being exposed to a new language and culture – while experiencing the city like a resident, rather than a tourist—felt electrifying. I quickly realized that returning home after one year wouldn’t be in the cards for me. So I finished my Junior year in Rennes, transferred to high school in Paris, lived with a host family, and finished my senior year in the capital. After starting university in London and living there for two years, I moved back to Paris, where I’ve been since.
What advice would you give a young French student today?
Find an immersion program! French classes are essential for building a foundational understanding of sentence structures, grammar and
vocabulary; it would be extremely difficult to jump into a program without a basic understanding of the language. Once this is established, however, I think immersion is essential to learning the language in a conversational way, with all of the modern slang and idioms that the French use on a daily basis. I had come to France with an extremely basic level of the language; after two months of immersion, I was dreaming in French.
Is Paris back to where it was before the pandemic? In short, yes—for those who are vaccinated. Everyone is required to present a “health pass” to enter cultural spaces, bars, restaurants, and pretty much anywhere deemed “fun,” and these places are in full swing! The health pass can be obtained by vaccination or by a negative test result, which is valid for three days, making it less accessible to those that have chosen to forgo the jab.
George tells us that he finally retired in 2019 and married his sweet heart in October of 2020. As George says, “That’s good news during a rather bleak year!”
Benson (“Barry”) Bobrick writes, “While my literary work of late has been slight, (the Foreword to a study of Shakespeare’s plays, and the introduction to a book funded by the NEH), my domestic life has been happily upended by the adoption of a Norwich Terrier puppy, named Samson, whom my wife and I acquired last November. Over the years, we’ve cared for a host of pets with more or less equal devotion, but Samson may be the most endearing of them all. Here he is: in my lap on the Smith College campus, in early June, with a statue of St. Francis and the Birds. In other news, two more of my books, Angel in the Whirlwind and Wide As the Waters, will soon be available in audio format. Mirabile dictu, almost all of my 15 books remain in print. Regards to my classmates, whom I remember well.”
Scott’s “Next chapter” commenced in October 2018 with a move from Alabama to Richmond, VA, which he is thoroughly enjoying. We wish him good luck as he is “taking time to settle into this wonderful community.”
Keith was recently appointed as president and CEO of N2 Biomedical, LLC of Bedford, MA. The firm specializes in hardening coatings for orthopedics and spine implants. Brandon Edwards, Keith’s son, has just graduated from Villanova and is employed as a software engineer. Keith tells us that he stays in touch with several alumni, including Philip Nash and Ed Mattes.
On July 1, 2020, Eric retired after nearly 25 years as an elementary teacher in the Bronx, primarily as a science specialist. 2020 has been a very challenging year for him. His wife has had a prolonged illness due to COVID-19. Eric is looking forward to enjoying the next stage of their lives together after she fully recovers.
“In 1998, I was the third African American to graduate from Tuxedo Park School in its almost 100-year history. Fast forward to March 2020, and only 3% of computer-related jobs belong to African American women. All my life, I have been in the minority, from school to work. So I found a way to join the majority by becoming one of the 64% of new businesses led by women of color.”
Using her MBA and ten years of experience working in the digital space, Lauren founded her own digital agency called The Hyacinth Group, where they turn browsers into buyers. “My company helps local Hudson Valley business owners reach their full potential with websites that work smarter, not harder. As we transition into life after COVID-19, a winning web strategy is more critical than ever. My team of digital UX experts, graphic designers (led by Perry Crosson ‘99) and SEO copywriters can help increase sales by improving how customers experience their brand online. Our digital team can quickly create a SEO-friendly website to engage customers with responsive templates in Shopify, Squarespace, or WordPress. We also optimize existing websites so they not only look better but perform better as well. It’s easy to sign up for an eCommerce website builder yourself, but a professional digital agency can take your sales to the next level. And the cost is surprisingly affordable with our flexible small business packages. To learn more about our professional website services, contact The Hyacinth Group to schedule a free quote.”
Annie and Tyler Wendling met through mutual acquaintances in Colorado, where Annie is now living. They married in April and celebrated with their family at The Tuxedo Club in early November. Cheers and congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Wendling! Annie and Tyler love their life in Colorado, particularly in the great outdoors, enjoying fly fishing, skiing, and hiking with their dog, Biscuit.
We recently caught up with Betsy and asked her to share what she has been doing during the pandemic. “I am a volunteer with Musicians On Call, where I act as a guide taking musicians around hospitals to deliver the healing power of music to patients at their bedside. During the pandemic, our programming moved to virtual events and live streams, and it has been wonderful to be able to stay connected with patients all across the country in this way. It’s a beautiful program and I feel so lucky to be a part of it!” There is nothing quite like the gift of music. Thank you, Betsy, for sharing yours!
Kevin and Lena were married on August 4, 2020- the day Hurricane Isaias made landfall in New Jersey, but as Kevin tells us, it did not slow them down! “We got married in the backyard of a family friend in Paramus, NJ, and had to dodge a huge tree blocking all of Paramus Road just to get there! My brother was my best man, Lena’s friend Marisa was her maid of honor, and we were married by my college roommate and fraternity brother, Joe!”Congratulations to Kevin and Lena and many years of happiness!
Recently Kate shared,“I have dreamed of making a Bixby Chocolates advent calendar for some years now and I am so excited to share we made it happen! Printed in Maine with Franklin Printers Inc, this is a Winter in Maine collection that is not to be missed! Available at www.bixbyco.com exclusively.” They use “only the most premium and sustainable ingredients. All of our chocolate is ethically sourced.” All other chocolate candy is non-GMO, kosher, and gluten-free with no corn syrup, additives, or preservatives—pure goodness in a wrapper.
On Sunday, October 24, Joe led a group of volunteers in a walk to help bring awareness and conversation to suicide prevention. “I had the privilege of serving as co-chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) 2021 NYC Out of the Darkness Walk. I am proud to announce that we reached our goal of raising over $240,000 to help bring hope to those affected by suicide. I will also say that this was a day of firsts: first time being interviewed on live TV, first time leading over a thousand people in a yoga stretch, and first time as co-chair for the event. A day of firsts I won’t forget. One word sums up the day, gratitude. If you’re interested in getting involved with AFSP in the future, please reach out!”Congratulations, Joe- TPS is so proud of you!
It was great to hear from Anasa, a film video editor based in London and working on fashion films. She is currently living with her husband in New Zealand and working on some local projects there.
Pierre Francois Wolfe
Pierre Francois’ life has been busy, to say the least, as he tells us here, “Since graduating from the 9th grade at TPS in 2008, I’ve had several significant life events. After graduating from Warwick Valley High School, I received a BA in physics from Skidmore College and a BE in computer engineering at Dartmouth College as part of a dual-degree program. Since 2016, I have been living around Boston and enjoying working on embedded computer systems at MIT Lincoln Laboratory in support of radar research for the government. From 2019 to 2021, I completed an MS in computer engineering at Boston University through an employer-sponsored scholarship program. My thesis was on hardware acceleration of a specific type of cryptography. Since then, I have returned to working on interesting research projects at Lincoln Laboratory. My fiancée Erica, whom I met while we both were attending Skidmore, and I are now planning our wedding for August 2022 after she completes her law degree at Boston College. We enjoy traveling, cycling, gaming, and relaxing with our families. We just moved to Arlington, MA with our two cats (Matcha and Chai) and puppy (Earl) and are excited to see what our next adventures will be.”
“I recently moved from Chicago to Boston where I started in a new role as an associate brand manager at a packaging start-up called Calyx Containers. My favorite part of my new role is the collaborative start-up environment that fosters innovation and creativity and the company’s focus on sustainability. Go Green :)”
“Following completion of my master’s degree at the University of Alabama, I joined the NY Yankees in sales in late 2019. During the pandemic, I moved to New Orleans, where I now work in sales for the Saints and Pelicans. I hope everyone at TPS is
John Ham, resident historian, political analyst, and raconteur, is writing the history of Tuxedo Park School from where Vera Brigham left off in 1990. Here is an excerpt from his writings that he kindly shared.
The year that was - 2020-2021 | The pandemic continued. But the 2020-2021 school year began and continued, with all classes meeting in Blairhame with extreme ventilation, masking, keeping distance, health checks, and primary, middle, and upper divisions strictly separated from one another. Exceptions? Yes. We were ‘remote’ for all in the days immediately after Thanksgiving and Winter break, and the very few positive tests caused those exposed to be remote for two weeks.
There was no freshman class for the first time since 1995. There were no interscholastic sports. Seventh and eighth grades did not go to Frost Valley; Pre-K did not go apple or pumpkin picking; lunches were eaten outside, weather permitting, and in scattered locations when it was inclement. Family style dining awaits better times. There were no ski days or Upper School ski trip to Gore Mountain. We did not take a day to cheer on the Special Olympians at their ski races.
Amid all this change to our beloved traditions and routines and uncertainty, there were smiles and laughter.
Hiking and snowshoeing in the woods around campus filled in for team sports. And the students loved it! With the arrival
of spring, outdoor games took precedent. Mr. Tsilibes seems to have a bottomless bag of things-to-do-when-everything-isSometurned-upside-down.thingswenton.
The Pre-K 4/5 learned all about pumpkins, large and small. They also counted the seeds. Sixth grade studied Newton’s Laws of Motion with the Egg Drop Engineering Challenge. Fiona Duffy reminded us all of the Annual Fund. The seventh grade took a close look at the upcoming election. Day to day, it was reading, writing, arithmetic, French, Spanish and Latin, algebra, geometry, sciences, music, and art. The outward appearance was different; the inward reality was much the same. Once again, TPS had successfully “rolled with a punch,” adapted to necessity, and continued onward.
Perhaps the greatest difference is the absence of all persons except students, faculty, and school staff. There were no parents present for such things as the flying of a rainbow kite in celebration of the letter K. Still, we understood that parents, much as they might have wished to be present, are simply grateful that the children were in school and not taking classes remotely. There will be another year.
The English Children and Tuxedo Park School songs – a brief history. In a letter dated May 11, 2009, Peggy Gibson (nee Robinson) sent a recording of the TPS school song. It was part of daily life in the 1940s when Peggy, a young English evacuee, attended the school. Hurrah, hurrah for you dear school / With knowledge all abounding Let’s sing your praise forevermore / From hearts and voices sounding Peggy and her fellow emigrants were a group of children evacuated during the Second World War when Britain was under siege from the Luftwaffe. The effort was spearheaded in America by Mrs. H. C. Sonne and Mrs. Alexander Tomes. Mrs. Tomes’ niece was married to the son of British Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin and together with the Overseas Reception Board, these ladies arranged for the safe passage of the
children, a place to live, a house mother, and help. The house where the children decamped for the duration is now owned by Mr. Cole Harrell and Dr. Tai-Heng Cheng. To this day, it is affectionately known in Tuxedo Park School circles as “Children’s House.”
In an article written by Brendan Gill for the New York Times, February 5, 1944, Mrs. Sonne states,“Like almost everyone in 1940, we in Tuxedo were anxious to do what we could for refugee children. We formed a committee in June and offered to take forty children into our various homes. On October 5, with almost no advance notice, eighteen children arrived. Seven of these had already arranged to stay with relatives or close friends of their families. We brought the rest of them to Children’s House.”
Kindergarten held their KPO, and sixth grade held a hotly contested debate on the status of Pluto. No, not the Disney dog, but the small rocky body that is out beyond Neptune most of the time. Is it a planet or a dwarf planet? As you probably surmised, it all depends on definitions. What was the point? Simple: understanding Kepler’s three laws of motion.
We celebrated the 100th Day of School as we do every year.
There was heavy snow in February that persisted until two warmer days melted it quickly. Now, spring is upon us. Classes continue with each division still keeping to itself to minimize the effect of any exposure to the virus. Even with the restrictions, the masks, the absence or modification of treasured traditional events, it is better to be at school. There is an excited and purposeful bustle. There is serious scholarship.
There is gratitude for what we have, and 2020-2021 has not yet reached Field Day (modified) or the other end of year events. As of this writing, “Field Week” is underway. Events are taking place in the afternoon. There is plenty of excitement and spirit. There are no spectators. The Art Show, which always accompanies Field Day, is not on display in the History Room but in the new gym and on the website.
TPS in Bloom, the annual benefit, took place via Zoom on the evening of March 14, beginning at 7:00 pm. Fiona Duffy stayed up late and joined from Ireland. A good “distanced” time was had by all. The bidding was spirited. The benefit $ucce$$ful. In person next year? We are planning on it.
Having decided the children would be better off together, the committee enrolled them at TPS. The friends made at school established lifelong relationships, culminating in a 50th reunion in 1998. This illustrious group relived their memories in an assembly and, that day, established “The Children’s House Award,” still given every year to a middle school student who has shown a love of reading. In later correspondence, Peggy’s brother, Tony Robinson, recalls lots of singing around the piano, “It gave me a lifelong love of music, especially of children’s choirs.”
Though far from your beloved halls / Where wisdom dwells forever Our hearts to you will always turn / Our love will leave you never But even though we travel far / We’ll think of joys we shared So here’s our song of praise to you / Before we say, “Adieu” (Author unknown)
Change and renewal; departures and arrivals: Brooke Broome, who taught flute, piano, and percussion since 2013, has taken a position closer to home that gives her more time with her young son. Anna Cassidy, English, and Meghan Clary, Latin, have been at TPS for three years. We did not want them to go, but the wider world beckoned.
Cristin O’Connor departed TPS after twelve years. She taught French and Algebra, tutored, coached the girls’ basketball team, “generaled” the yearbook to publication, oversaw the myriad of administrative details of all trips, and that her hand was not visible is a tribute to its efficiency. Others will assume your roles, but they will not replace you.
Mr. Stansbery left TPS after six years as Head of School. In the most difficult of circumstances, he kept the wheels on and turning amid the pandemic. TPS was, as were all schools, “remote” last spring but has been open for in-person classes most days this year. That was and is no mean accomplishment. Thank you for your leadership in a difficult time.
Field Day was Field Week this year. Much slimmed down, the events took place Monday through Thursday in the afternoon. We missed having spectators and the bevy of dogs who regularly attend, but the spirit was high and competitive, the juices flowing. And in the end, Green was victorious. The Green Team Captain for the 2020-2021 year was Thomas Harle, and the Gold Team Captain, Donia Karandikar.
Stuart Johnson is the 12th head of Tuxedo Park School from July 1, 2021. And so begins a new era.
Today, the English Children are part of our beloved school history, and the Tuxedo Park School song reflects the core values we eschew and the spirit of competition that keeps the friendly rivalry going strong. Glory to Green and Gold was written and arranged by Director of Music Mr. Todd Schietroma, and our students sing with gusto at Friday assemblies:
Glory to Green and Gold / We will honor you / Kind, Fair, and True Our values will shine through / Glory to Green and Gold
We will always stand by you / We are TPS / We are TPS
Forever this our home / We are TPS / We are TPS Home of the Green and Gold Synopsis
