MKA Fall 2017 Review Magazine

MKA revıew

THE MAGAZINE OF

MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY FALL 2017

An Open Community with Character at Its Core

THE MAGAZINE OF

MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY FALL 2017

F E ATURE

36

MKA Character at its Core

DE PARTME NTS

02

FROM THE HE AD MASTER

03

AROUND MKA Campus, student and faculty news

50

PA R E NT NEWS

54

TRUSTE E N EWS

57

ALUMNI NEWS

64

A G E NE ROUS L I FE Stories of Giving

70

CLASS NOT ES

32

51

An Open Community with Character at Its Core.

The MKA community is as diverse as it is united.

We welcome new members, new ideas, and new perspectives to our three campuses and one school.

Here all aspects of good character, from integrity to empathy, are not only taught but lived, and each person’s journey is encouraged, celebrated, and shared, enhancing the success—and the sense—of community.

Editors Gretchen Berra Kim Saunders Design Aldeia www.aldeia.desgn Copy Editor Diane Lundy Assistant Editors Debbie Allen Kaitlin Maillet Lois Montorio Photographers Michael Branscom Phil Cantor Steve Clayton James Demaria Norman DeShong David Holladner David Kenas Derek Morf Karen Schifferdecker

Evidence of our mission is found in the KNOWLEDGE, VISION and INTEGRITY of our students and our alumni: K N OW L EDGE • Academic excellence • Intellectual independence • Love of learning VISION • Personal engagement with the world • Understanding of human complexity • A sense of humility and compassion I N TEG R ITY • Strength of character • Responsibility as a citizen and leader • An honorable and generous life

FAL L 2015

03

FROM THE HEADMASTER

BY T HOM AS W. N AM MACK

Cultivating Community A healthy school community provides the conditions that foster the positive development of each student. Those conditions include respect for the individual, engagement with relevant challenges and meaningful work, celebration of growth, and a shared commitment to the values inherent in the institution’s mission. That is all fairly abstract and weighty stuff, so how does a school like MKA keep it real?

There’s no doubt that an independent school education, such as offered by MKA, is a privileged experience.

“Privileged” is a loaded word and it is a condition or state of being that can undermine a school’s mission, a community’s integrity, and an individual’s character. An MKA education is not accessible to every young person who would like to attend our school or whom

02

we would like to enroll. The MKA budget is “tuition driven”—which for our school means that 91% of the operating costs are paid for by tuition with the balance of the budget being met by endowment income, auxiliary operations revenue and annual giving from friends, parents, employees, Trustees and alumni.

A dynamic and reflective community provides the feedback, prompts the adjustments, and energizes the values that maintain our awareness of and shapes our attitudes toward the privilege of an independent school education.

Through MKA’s unique faculty Professional Growth Process, the recent strategic planning work, school climate surveys, exit interviews, and affinity groups for students and parents, as well as the many interactions of daily life at school, we are continually

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

checking the promise of an MKA education against the experience of those who make up the MKA community. MKA’s Mission Statement vests our community with a clear and aspirational influence: “MKA’s diverse, collaborative and inclusive community inspires students to lead lives of noble character, purpose and distinction.”

The student, faculty, and alumni voices captured in this issue of the Review express a common note of gratitude in response to a variety of MKA people, experiences, and opportunities. Often, it is among our alumni, of all ages, where the most meaningful evidence of the School’s reason for being can be found—where we can see what these graduates have done both with what they have been given and with what they have earned. Those expressions of appreciation, such as the following note from a member of the Class of 2017, are a testament to individual character and the strength of our community: “My family and I cannot thank you enough for what MKA has done for me. Please know that I am forever grateful and that my Mom and I are at your service for whatever role we can play to lend our support in voice or sweat to MKA and its noble mission.”

Gratitude and humility in response to the privilege of being a well-loved child and of receiving a world class education are evidence of the school’s mission fulfilled, and should be a source of confidence for all of us regarding the future of MKA. ■

Students gather in the newly renovated spaces at Upper School.

A A ROUN D M KA

IN THIS SECT IO N : Big News Campus News Student News Graduation Faculty News Athletics

A RO U N D M K A

FIELD TRIPS

Washington, D.C. One of the highlights of junior year is the trip to Washington DC, celebrating the completion of the notorious Junior Thesis as well as marking the beginning of the transition to senior year. The trip begins with trips to museums across DC, ranging from the National Portrait Gallery to the National Air and Space Museum. My group visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum, an experience that visibly affected each person participating. The challenge many face when analyzing the Holocaust is how to make sense of the massive number of victims. The museum manages to make the number tangible, connecting every visitor with images, descriptions, artifacts, and other methods of demonstrating the atrocities committed.

The experience starts with receiving an Identification Card modeled after a victim of the Holocaust, detailing the life of the person, including his or her family, occupation, and residence. The tour began, and rather than a normal setup where visitors move freely throughout the museum, visitors follow a set path. The path begins with the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany and chronologically takes the visitor throughout the history of the Holocaust and World War II. While at most museums visitors focus on certain parts that are of interest, at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, visitors feel compelled to read and capture every detail the museum offers.

The first day ends with dinner at Union Station and a night visit to the Lincoln Memorial. The following day, the class is split into groups, each meeting with a government or news related person, including a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, a Senator, and a news reporter for National Public Radio. At a time when immigration was, and continues to be, a topic of heated discussion, my group was able

04

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

By Nico Espinosa-Dice ’18

Fifth graders visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of their study of ancient Egypt. They were especially excited to try out a new iPad app that allowed their teachers to create a custom treasure hunt for the exhibit. To complete the hunt, students were asked to locate and photograph specific artifacts and then answer questions about the objects by examining them closely and reading the museum signage.

Everyone had a great time with the hunt and learned a lot, too!

MKA’s Upper School students in literature and history went on a class field trip to visit the World Trade Center Memorial and Museum. It was a gorgeous, special, and moving day for everyone!

to speak with Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security and MKA alumni Peter Edge ’82. We were able to ask questions about the effects of changes in administrations, as well as the balance between preventing and reacting to crimes. We later made a trek through the pouring rain to the United States Capitol, where certain groups were able to see the Senate and the House of Representatives. The day ended with the well-known boat ride, where students were able to enjoy a nice dinner and a relaxing time with friends.

On our last day, we visited Arlington National Cemetery. Students were given time to walk through the Cemetery, visiting the graves of Robert and John F. Kennedy. The class later gathered around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Students had time to admire the precision and accuracy with which the tomb guard conducted himself during the ceremonial “Walking of the Mat.” Later, the president and vice-president of the class presented a wreath to be laid at the tomb.

Following our visit to Arlington National Cemetery, we had lunch at Union Station before departing on the buses for school. Overall, the trip included many enjoyable moments along with informative experiences through which we were able to gain insight into the Nation’s capital.

A RO U N D M KA

Fleming 5k MKA 8th graders coordinated the Fleming 5k, previously the MKA 5k, to honor and remember their teacher, coach, and friend Tom Fleming. More than 400 people came out to Brookdale Park to celebrate Tom’s life at this inaugural 5k run/walk. The wildly successful event raised over $22,000 in Tom’s name.

All funds will be donated to The Human Needs Food Pantry and Special Olympics New Jersey.

Congratulations to everyone involved, especially CherylAnne Amendola, Deb Goodrich, and the 8th grade students whose tireless work helped make this event so successful!

FAL L 2017

HONORED STUDENTS MKA’s Abhay Bhandari, who accepted a $40,000 grant on behalf of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Overlook Medical Center. Abhay was one of several student representatives from 13 area high schools who served as members of the Overlook Foundation Junior Board for the 2016-17 school year. Philanthropy took on new meaning for teens from the Overlook community as they learned how a nonprofit board functions, worked through the grant process, and raised funds for their chosen cause.

05

A RO U N D M K A

In the Community Sukriti Krishna received a 2017 Community Service Award from the Junior League of Montclair-Newark Inc! Due to her exemplary dedication to volunteerism, she has been selected as one of their $500 award winners. Sukriti says, “Community service has always been a big part of my life. It is important for me because it allows me to give back to the community and realize how much I have in my life. It can be said that the majority of kids my age tend to take what they have for granted, but through community service, I have become grateful for what I have in my life, and I also developed a deeper understanding of the world around me. I have done a variety of community service from volunteering at the Montclair Animal Shelter, tutoring kids at the Boys and Girls Club, playing sports with mentally disabled teenagers at Academy 360, traveling to Guatemala and working with Houses to Homes, participating in Habitat for Humanity builds, visiting underprivileged kids in India, and volunteering with the Wayne YMCA over the summer, and I am currently looking into volunteering with a hospital in the pediatrics wing or doing a ride-along ambulance service. These service aspects make up a majority of my time, but there is nothing else I would rather do more. Community service does not just allow me to give back to my community, but it also allows me to learn more about the community and appreciate what I have to the fullest amount.” Upper School Dean of Student Life and Tri-Campus Chair of Integrated Ethics Kerry Verrone says, “This is a very well deserved honor for Sukriti. I am proud of Sukriti for all the work she has done with many different, worthwhile organizations, but I am particularly grateful for the leadership role she has assumed here at MKA in motivating her peers to become involved in service. As Co-Chair of our Upper School Outreach program, Sukriti has organized and led our weekly trips to tutor students at the West Orange Boys and Girls Club; indeed, we have had weeks where we needed a bigger bus to hold all of our student volunteers, and Sukriti is a big reason for this shift in school culture!”

06

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

HELPING HANDS Fifth grade students delivered handmade Valentine cards and cans of soup to the residents of The Montclair Inn. The students engaged the residents in conversation and board games. A violin performance (by Matthew Bonarti) and dance (by Jaelyn Alexander) was enjoyed by all!

A RO U N D M KA

2 0 17

Field Days Go Blue! Go Green! Field Day could not have been more good-spirited fun! Highlights of the day included running races against classmates, jumping for joy after succeeding in hitting the target to dunk a parent or teacher in the Dunk Tank, and, of course, the traditional “Tug-O’-War.” The children enjoyed cotton candy and a delicious barbecue lunch, followed by a visit from the ice cream truck. Once again, we thank Bob Fiory (Paula Fiory’s husband), for bringing the ice cream truck to Field Day. This is a wonderful day for our students!

Guest Speakers Martin Schmalenberg, an expert in the Japanese art of bonsai, gave a presentation to the students of David Hessler’s Japanese History course. He also brought in specimens from his rock collection to show students how terms that represent ideas such as “simplicity” or “imperfection” fit into the art of bonsai and the Japanese aesthetic.

Mr. Schmalenberg showed students some techniques for growing bonsai including how to get a tree to grow around a rock and how to shape bonsai into certain forms. The students were impressed with Mr. Schmalenberg’s knowledge and skill. They also were surprised to learn that the smallest bonsai he had brought in was the oldest at over 105 years!

Montclair author Christina Baker Kline visited 7th and 8th grade Middle School students to speak about and sign copies of Orphan Train Girl, the new young reader’s edition of her #1 New York Times bestselling novel, Orphan Train!

FAL L 2017

07

A RO U N D M K A

Student

Achievements

Congratulations to Cristina Cusmai ’20 who won the Best Delegate Award in the House Armed Services Committee at the Harvard Model Congress in Boston!

Night of Noise The GSA hosted the”’Night of Noise” to help celebrate the end of Ally Week. The fundraiser for GLSEN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to championing LGBT issues in K-12, was a huge success raising over $400 with a wide variety of performances including the Unaccompanied Minors, the Stem Team, and the Spoken Word.

Precluding the triumphant evening event was MKA’s participation in Friday’s Day of Silence, a national event organized to bring attention to the silence and secrecy that closeted LGBT students face every day for fear of emotional and physical harm. This was the 11th year that the Upper School has observed the Day of Silence in support of the cause where many students and teachers choose to participate by conducting their day without speaking during school hours. At the end of the school day, Christian Fuscarino, the Executive Director of Garden State Equality and founder of The Pride Network, spoke at MKA’s Ally Week assembly to a rapt audience.

08

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

A huge congratulations goes to Alex Korfage ’21 who was one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2017 New Jersey National Geographic State. The National Geographic Society invited up to 100 of the top-scoring students in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Dependents Schools and U.S. territories to compete in the State Bees.

Keenan McAuliffe thanked the US community for MKA’s participation in cycle for survival. We raised $30,745 from MKA alone! Sophomore Casey Borella raised over

$10,000!

A RO U N D M KA

ST U D E N T L IF E The 2016-2017 House Cup was decided at our annual Field Day. After an afternoon of tug-of-war, a faculty obstacle course, and exciting games, the winning house was…MONJO! Introduced in 2007, all students, faculty, and staff are divided into Houses named after the original buildings that housed Montclair Academy, Brookside, and the Kimberley School—Bradley, Monjo, Strong, and Walden. Led by House Captains, the entire Upper School community meets in their Houses on a regular basis, and results from monthly competitions, that range from flag football to a battle of the bands, determine the winner of the Montclair Kimberley Academy House Cup.

During this entire school year, the Pre-K/3rd grade buddies wove colorful baskets using hula hoop looms.

The children used their creativity to convert recycled T-shirts into beautiful works of art. This endeavor is part of the sustainability and service-learning buddy curriculum. On Conference Day, Pre-K and 3rd grade parents and students sold the woven baskets outside Brookside’s lobby. They sold out! The money raised will be donated to Toni’s Kitchen.

As part of MKA’s commitment to service learning, 28 students from the Upper School slept outside at MKA on Saturday, April 23rd as part of MKA’s first Covenant House sleepover. Students raised $2,600 for the Covenant House shelter for homeless youth, made lunches to hand out to the homeless, and heard from Covenant House representatives about the problem of youth homelessness —all part of increasing awareness about homelessness.

Last April, MKA welcomed fourteen students and two chaperones from the Lycée Madeleine Daniélou. They were greeted with a potluck dinner in the Upper School Dining Hall and went off to their individual homestays with MKA families. The French students attended classes with their American hosts and were fully immersed in Upper School life!

FAL L 2017

Congratulations to MKA’s Shea Hammond who headed to the US Paralympic Men’s National Soccer Team Camp!

This trip marked Shea’s third selection to a Paralympic National Team camp. Ranked 6th in the world, the Paralympic Men’s Team had a wonderful showing at the Rio Olympics and is now busily preparing for a hectic international schedule this year. “I know that I will again be the youngest or second youngest at camp, but the players are amazing regarding the age difference.

The dedication shown by the guys is incredible, and it will be such an honor to again put on the national team shirt at camp and train with the team.

Luckily, MKA has been very supportive, ensuring that I am able to keep up with my school work while I am on National Team duty” Shea proudly commented about his recent selection.

Eligibility for the team is for men and women who have suffered a stroke, have Cerebral Palsy (CP), or had a traumatic brain injury. Shea suffered a stroke in utero and, as a result, has hemiparesis on his left side. “I am so fortunate to have an amazing training team at Parabolic and within SDFC. We all battle the damage that our conditions bring, but some of the guys at camp were injured IN battle. These men have become my heros. They are always tireless in their effort to be the best, and now proudly represent the USA on the soccer field instead of the battlefield” Shea added when asked about the make-up of the team.

09

A RO U N D M K A

Global Citizens Upper School Chinese teacher Dr. River He led a group of students to Seton Hall University and gave the final presentation in the New Jersey 11th Annual Chinese Cultural Project Contest, co-hosted by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at Seton Hall University and the New Jersey Chinese Studies Foundation. Our MKA team won the championship, earning a trophy, a certificate, and a grant award of $1,000.

This year’s research topic was “How American and Chinese traditions and cultures influence our values and behaviors.” MKA Chinese students Jephtane Sabin, Taylor LeFevre, Julia Thompson, Grant Gonsalves, Lannea Martinez, Chyna Brodie, and Julia Hansen worked on collecting materials, designing surveys, conducting interviews, and writing research papers. The MKA team received 193 survey responses and conducted 33 interviews from our community! After two rounds

10

of selection from a pool of 30 schools, MKA made the final round with four other public schools. In the 15-minute final presentation, the MKA team delivered a formal research presentation, performed traditional Chinese talk shows and “Step-Fan” dance, then answered questions from the Head Judge, Prof. Richard Simmons of Rutgers University. All the judges highly praised the MKA team for its understanding and insight into Chinese culture research, its strong proficiency in Chinese, and its efforts to present the project in a fun and exciting way.

Dr. He stated proudly: “This state championship is a tremendous success for our young Chinese program. As we know, it is challenging for our non-heritage Chinese students to compete and win at this competition

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

in which most of the participants are from Chinese families, or from bigger Chinese programs of public schools. I appreciate how much the students put into this, and I am so thankful to the MKA faculty, students, and parents who support us on surveys and interviews and encourage us to work harder. I give my special thanks to Ms. Fangzhou Zhang who gave valuable suggestions and went on site to support us. This is a team success for MKA students, teachers, and parents.”

A RO U N D M KA

MKA Upper School students shine at the 12th Chinese Bridge Speech Contest for U.S. High School Students!

For the sixth time, MKA students were not only invited to participate in the final round of the Chinese Bridge Speech Contest for U.S. High School Students, but also earned awards at the competition. In previous years, MKA students and alumni Sam Cleverley ’15, Payson Ruhl ’15, Isaiah Kramer ’16, and seniors Jayson Thompson, Julia Thompson, and Sophia Ward have attended the competition, won prizes and been recognized for their superior achievement in the language. This year, congratulations goes to MKA junior, Lailanni Lucien, who participated in the contest held on April 22 at the University of Massachusetts Boston and earned the second-place award for her performances in the face of stiff competition.

Lailanni only started learning the language last September in Chinese1 class. This time she did an outstanding job of preparing for her performance leading up to the event. Upper School Chinese teacher Dr. River He notes: “Lailanni is very talented in language learning as a student who is currently enrolled in three foreign language classes in our department. The speech contest provided me and Ms. Yingqian Xiao with a welcomed opportunity to encourage our level 1 and 2 students to practice their Chinese in order to become more proficient in both language and culture.”

The NJ Scholars Program is an intensive, residential, academic program for highly intelligent and motivated students who have completed their junior year. Every high school in the state of New Jersey is permitted to submit a maximum of two applications. Out of hundreds of applicants, only 39 students from the entire state are accepted each year. This year, the Upper School is proud to announce that BOTH of our applicants have been accepted into the NJ Scholars Program. Please congratulate Jared Brunner & Shaurya Salwan.

The New Jersey Governor’s School in the Sciences is a prestigious, three-week residential program where students are immersed in college-level scientific research. This program exposes students to a range of topics, as well as to scientists, and offers opportunities for research using industrial, governmental, and academic resources. The program brings together about 50 gifted rising seniors from throughout the state for an intensive learning experience. The curriculum includes neurobiology, cell biology, physics, chemistry, and math.

For the first time in five years, one of MKA’s candidates has been chosen to participate. Please join me in congratulating James Tsatsaros.

On March 9th, over 50 Upper School students participated in the final New Jersey Math League contest of the year. Senior Josh Talbot ended the year strong with a perfect score in the contest!

FAL L 2017

A huge congratulations to Sophie Sabin ’18 who applied for an internship this summer at NJTV–the PBS affiliate in Newark– and got it! Sophie wrote her junior paper at MKA on the Newark riots, and said the experience of doing this research and the assignment had a big impact on her. For the internship application, she was able to propose helping NJTV cover the 50th anniversary of the riots this summer, which impressed them and helped her get the job!

Alison Cottingham ’19 was one of 15 students selected by the Montclair Film Festival to participate in the festival’s Junior Jury!

11

A RO U N D M K A

MYTHS & FAIRYTALES MKA’s Will Higgins wins the Paper Mill Playhouse 2017 Rising Star Award for an Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in this year’s Upper School Musical Guys and Dolls! Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair Nicole Hoppe says, “The F&PA department congratulates Will Higgins for his Rising Star Award WIN for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role!

In true Will-style, his acceptance speech was short, simple, heartfelt...and stopped the entire audience with laughter (It was the only one of the night to do that). We are so proud!”

The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards, presented by the Investors Foundation, are modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards. Paper Mill Playhouse’s program serves the entire state of New Jersey, with nearly 100 entered productions from public, private, and parochial high schools. Since its inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey. Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin), Shanice Williams, star of NBC’s The Wiz Live! and Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon).

DANCE SHOWCASE The Middle School was treated to a colorful and expressive program of dances presented during morning assembly by the Dance Department under the direction of Monica Elmore.

Students in grades four through eight showcased their talents using varied dance genres including, ballet, modern, hip-hop, and Latin, and featured choreography by both students and Ms. Elmore. A special thank you goes out to eighth graders Emma Ruddy, Lulu Halbert, and Christine Lindholm, who were performing on the Middle School stage for the final time.

12

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

Guys and Dolls Congratulations to the remarkable Upper School thespians who gave outstanding performances in this year’s winter musical Guys and Dolls. Fifty-six students made up of forty-one actors and fifteen stage crew members, were all a part of putting together a magnificent show which delighted sold-out audiences each night under the direction of the superbly talented Upper School Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair Nicole Hoppe. Nicole says, “This year was MKA’s return to traditional theatre, with our own modern spin on it. Guys & Dolls is such a classic show, and I think our production stayed true to what makes the show great while making it our own as well.

The energy onstage and in the audience was amazing; we could not have asked for more.”

This is Nicole Hoppe’s ninth year and show at MKA. The musical is MKA’s largest production. Set in the 1940s New York City, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, Guys and Dolls is a celebrated musical comedy about rolling the dice and falling in love under the bright lights of Broadway.

THE WITCHES

LOST IN YONKERS

Sixth graders presented their play The Witches, by Roald Dahl. Under the direction of guest director Lisa Gunn-Becker, the sixth graders brought to life Dahl’s wildly imaginary tale of witches and their encounters with children. Sets, lighting, projections, and sound were designed by MKA’s Technical Director Diane Giangreco, and managed by the expertly-trained sixth grade stage crew. It was a truly entertaining evening of fun and suspense.

Lost in Yonkers is a dark comedy written by Neil Simon. The Upper School’s production of this classic was performed in our black box theatre last May, and featured a cast of seven talented actors, one from our Middle School campus playing the young role of Arty. The play was directed by the accomplished John Wooten, artistic director of Premiere Stages. This production was a heartfelt show that left audiences touched by the performances.

A RO U N D M KA

THEATER AWARDS Huge congratulations go to the cast and crew of this year’s fall play, Rumors, by Neil Simon. The play received the New Heights Award from Montclair State University’s Theatre Night Awards program! The award is given to schools “that are truly raising the standard of excellence for high school theatre.” It is the only New Jersey contest for high school plays, and the first time MKA has ever entered. Upper School Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair and Director Nicole Hoppe said, “I think Neil Simon is one of the most amazing playwrights, and this was the first time I was able to direct one of his pieces.

I was blessed to do it with the most amazing cast and crew I can ever imagine.

I think getting a New Heights Award is perfect for us, because these students have truly raised the height of theater at MKA with this production.” Bravo to all!

The 21st Annual Seventh Grade Shakespeare Production of Macbeth was performed on June 2, 3, and 5, 2017.

As always, the production involved the entire seventh grade in conjunction with the English Department as part of the seventh-grade English curriculum. Each year, director Christian Ely adapts the original Shakespeare play to the current members of the seventh grade. This year’s adaptation included modern day updates such as current fashions, ever-present media coverage, and the use of cell phones and twitter feeds to further the idea that Shakespeare’s themes are timeless. This all worked to underscore how relevant Shakespeare’s Macbeth is to today’s social and political trends.

PRIMARY ART SHOW The 2017 end-of-year Primary School Art Show Retrospective once again wowed the crowds. Students, friends, and families came together to celebrate the array of art on display and were impressed by the creative and beautiful artwork. Sculptures, paintings, drawings, charcoal, and pastels delighted the attendees. Children played on the front grounds while parents milled about in conversation. The weather was beautiful and spirits were heightened as the Primary School moved into the final weeks of celebrations and end-of-year events. We would like to congratulate and thank Primary School Art Teacher and Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair Barbara DuRant for another sensational Primary School Art Show.

FAL L 2017

WORK IT A musical theater workshop at the Upper School featured two Broadway stars, Charlotte d’Amboise and her husband, Terrence Mann. The 14 students, representing all four grade levels, were involved in a one- hour dance workshop where they worked on all three areas of musical theater: singing, dancing, and acting.

Charlotte taught them original choreography, they then went into our choral room where students were able to sing a musical theatre song for Terry and work with him on the specifics of their individual performances, making them infinitely better. At the end, the kids were able to engage in a 20-minute Q&A session with both Charlotte and Terry where they answered questions about how they stay in great physical shape and described many aspects in regards to the life of a performer. The students were enthralled the entire time and felt they learned so much. It was an incredible day and one that won’t be forgotten by all in attendance.

13

F U T U R E F O R WA R D U P D AT E S

BIG News

A RO U N D M K A

14

And now it is time for our Primary School ‌ Our Future Forward campaign has addressed major facilities needs with the renovation of the Penick Center at the Middle School, construction of the Academic Center and Green Roof at the Upper School, and the complete turfing and reconstruction of Muenster Field. We now turn our attention and focus to our littlest learners.

Renovation and construction will transform life for everyone at Brookside. Imagine a reconfigured car line, parking areas, and plaza space in front of the school, and a new entrance, combination auditorium and cafeteria, renovated gym and library spaces, and faculty room inside the building. The Primary School will get the long- needed attention that ensures that facilities reflect the excellence of the programs and people of the Brookside community.

With a goal of $2.2 million in philanthropic support toward a total cost of $10 million, groundbreaking is planned for Spring 2018 with construction completed before the start of the 2018-19 academic year.

Questions about the project or how your support can make it a reality?

Contact Geoff Branigan, Director of Development, at 973.509.7940 or gbranigan@mka.org

MKA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

A RO U N D M KA

News Shorts

1

3

SEVENTH GRADE MATH STUDENTS used the virtual reality app Star Chart to explore constellations in the spring sky.

They put their knowledge of coordinate systems, coordinate graphing and ordered pairs to work creating a drawing of the constellations. [1] Each 8th grade history class presented their PROJECT CITIZEN work to their peers, faculty, and staff. Each class was asked to choose a public policy problem that they could then engage government in solving.

Classes researched and created policy solutions for topics such as veterans’ health and homelessness, the expansion of New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program, and the opioid epidemic in our state and the country as a whole. [2] The environmental science class and ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION CLUB traveled to Brooklyn, NY to see the amazing Sims recycling plants, and to Newark, NJ to see the cove into

FAL L 2017

2

5

4

energy from waste plant. We learned that there is no “away.”

Everything we put in a waste container goes somewhere, and these places are making useful products from our waste. Both facilities were amazing. [3] This year, the 8th graders designed interesting and creative experiments for their 8TH GRADE SCIENCE PROJECT that built on their foundation of science lab experiences in the Middle School. In some cases, students found data that supported their hypotheses, and in other cases, they did not. Regardless, all students stepped into the experience of thinking like a scientist and puzzling through their own work.

Some interesting topics include: titration, limiting reactants, centripetal force, reflection, and creating batteries. [4] MKA’S ANNUAL STEP SHOW brought down the house! Joining our Alumni steppers and current steppers were the Summit Step Team (Genisis) and two teams

6

7

8

from North Star Academy—Da Boyz and Sassy Sophistication.

Congratulations to all of the entertainers and to Debbie Allen, MKA’s Step Coach who put it all together! [5]

of a Tesla vehicle. The Student Ed Tech Leaders were able to explore a Tesla Model X with Falcon Wing doors and a range of 295 miles on a single charge.

[7]

In celebration of Earth Day, MKA welcomed over ten local media outlets to the UPPER SCHOOL’S GREEN ROOF where editors toured our new facility and then spoke to Headmaster Tom Nammack and Sustainability coordinators Laura Zimmerman and Ben Rich about the features and benefits of the LEED certified roof. [6]

The second grade performed the PRIMARY SCHOOL’S ANNUAL MAYPOLE DANCE on May 1st! The students worked hard to dance in time with the music and remember the complex sequence of the dance and all the steps. At the same time, they remained acutely aware of the space as they danced and carefully wove the ribbons. This year, each second-grade class performed different choreography during one section of the dance, making it the most complex Maypole Dance ever! We are so proud and appreciative of how beautifully the second graders carried on this special MKA tradition. We would also like to congratulate and thank Primary School Dance Teacher Kristin Weaver who directed and choreographed her 20th Primary School Maypole Dance. [8]

Nathan Cecco, Program Manager Tesla Academy recently visited MKA. THE STUDENT ED TECH LEADERS FROM THE UPPER AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS learned about the history of Tesla and their mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Mr. Cecco described the unique approach to customer-paced training before, during and after the purchase

15

A RO U N D M K A

Student Awards Congratulations to the outstanding Montclair Kimberley Academy students that have been honored with Academic, Athletic, and Service Awards. We could not be more proud of their hard work, dedication, and the impressive feats they have accomplished during the 2016-2017 school year. Among those awards given and the students that received them are:

S E NI O R AWA R DS COMMENCEMENT AWARDS The Marjorie Winfield Easter Award for sportsmanship, self-discipline and behind-the-scenes service: Grace Andres The Ethel M. Spurr Award for cooperation, responsibility, service and citizenship: Kate Renshaw-Lewis The Rudolph Deetjen Award for athletics and academic achievement: Ben Yanes Caylie Privitere The Robert Hemmeter Memorial Award for intellectual curiosity, love of books and sports and enthusiasm for living: John Gouwer The Peter R. Greer Character Award for the habits of truthfulness, honesty, kindness and promotion of mutual trust and friendship: Mariam Abukwaik Head’s Award for seniors who have made a unique contribution to MKA and have changed the school for the better: Cory Berberian Jacob Sasfai Melissa Goekbora Maddie Sirois

FACULTY AWARDS 12th Grade Avery Barras Distinguished Scholar (All A’s): Michael Bromley The Scott M. Johnson Memorial Award: Matt Rubenstein

16

The Everett Glenn Memorial Award: John Baney The Bud Mekeel Memorial Scholarship: Jordan Andrews The James D. Timmons Scholarship : Brittany Jones

Foundation Award: Hannah Kramer (Honorable Mention winner in Visual Arts) The Marilyn Faden Award for Excellence in the Theatre Art: Musical Theatre:Liam Gerard and Hannah Gross Drama: Will Higgins Technical: Esther Redshaw

10th Grade: Ronny Bhatia Grant Gonsalves James Lukenda Aman Sinha Nyla Williams 11th Grade: Ethan Kuhl Sharya Salwan Andrew Stahl

DEPARTMENT AWARDS William Miller Prize in Science: Jacob Waldor

UND E RCL ASSME N AWARDS

Nazarian Prize for Mathematics: Josh Talbot

Mary K. Waring Scholars: David Carcamo Gus Wallach

The Downsbrough Science Scholarship: David Carcamo

DEPARTMENT & FACULTY AWARDS

The Margaret Jenkins Osborne Prize for Excellence in Science: Wyatt Blair

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal: James Tsatsaros

The Computer Science Award: Gregory Costeas

The Frank Brogan Memorial Scholarship: Jared Brunner

Barras Prize in English: Gus Wallach History Prize: John Gouwer World Language Prizes: French: Parker Richardson Latin: Quinn Meistrich Spanish: Max Goldfarb Chinese: Jayson Thompson Fine & Performing Arts Awards: Visual Arts: Kate Renshaw-Lewis Instrumental Louis Armstrong: Alex Rivlin John Philip Sousa Award: Josh Talbot Dance: Morgan Zaref Communications: Alex Golub Musical (Vocal): Samantha Schmutter and Ben Yanes Strings : Dorothy Cucci and David Carcamo The National Young Arts

The John Rabke Memorial Award: Sukriti Krsihnan The John Rabuse History: Jane Asher The Elizabeth O’Neil Feagley Award for creativity: Sarah Willis The MacVicar Prize : Jaren Brunner Nico Espinosa-Dice Dominic Flocco Ethan Kuhl

FACULTY SCHOLAR AWARDS: 9th Grade : Alexander Chon Natalia Eichmann Diana Kazarian Isabella Liu Beyer White

MKA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS: BRONZE Class of 2017: Katie Alpert Class of 2018: Ahmed Abukwaik Haley Blank Teddy Bulajic Danielle Fuchs Dani Golden Ethan Kuhl Zoe Kusnierz Sophie Sabin Andrew Stahl Class of 2019: Sarah Abukwaik Adam Erbes Patrick Flint Julia Helliesen Andy Roselund SILVER Class of 2017: Shivani Rao Class of 2018: Luca Winters Ben Stuart James Tsatsaros Class of 2019: Quint von Lengerke GOLD Class of 2017: Hannah Gross Michael Bromley Class of 2018: Manav Datwani Sukriti Krishnan

ATHLETICS AWARDS: Essex County Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients: Brian Bond ’17 (Football and Lacrosse) Annie Wallace ’17 (Field Hockey and Lacrosse) Klein Award: Amanda Mack ’20 Jonathan Park ’20 Lily Pryor ’19 Trey Wilson ’19 Jaclyn Kemly ’18 John Sweetwood ’18 Sam Dowd ’17 Angelo Weber ’17 NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete Award Recipien: Billy Massey ’17 Men of Essex Awards: Julia Thompson ’19 (Fencing) Brian Bond ’17 (Football)

Yogi Berra Museum’s Best Teammate Award: Erin Nicholson ’17 2016 MKA Varsity Award: Davis Cook ’17 (Cross Country, Indoor Track and Track and Field) Billy Massey ’17 (Cross Country, Indoor Track and Track and Field) Caylie Privitere ’17 (Cross Country, Indoor Track and Track and Field) Al Staph Award: Zachary Schaller ’17

A RO U N D M KA

Cum Laude Society Congratulations to the 20 seniors from the MKA class of 2017 who Sydney Abraham were inducted into the Cum Laude Ruby Bello Society at a formal ceremony held Wyatt Blair at the Upper School. The Cum David Carcamo Laude Society, established in l906, Jenna Donatello is modeled on the Phi Beta Kappa John Gouwar Rohan Israni Collegiate National Honor Society Miles Milke and recognizes the scholastic Kate Henshaw-Lewis achievement of secondary school Parker Richardson students. It is the highest academic Alex Rivlin honor bestowed on members of the Matthew Rubinstein graduating class.

Jacob Sasfai Headmaster Tom Nammock Maddie Sirois said of the inductees, “MKA elects Joshua Talbot students to Cum Laude on the basis Jayson Thompson of exceptional contributions to the Jacob Waldor Gus Wallach intellectual life of the school. Your Morgan Zaref capacities for engagement, inquiry, Jonah Zinn effort, reflection, and judgment are why you are here. In your classes each of you deliberately chose to be a member of the crew and not just a passenger—you have helped to make things go and you have created academic and intellectual benefits for the faculty and the students around you.”

Denise Sarkor, a Cum Laude graduate from MKA’s class of 2003 was the keynote speaker. With over eight years of strategy, finance, and operations experience, Denise established her first company last year in February 2016 called New Roots Development.

New Roots Development offers professional life and business coaching to working professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs, and creatives. The company’s mission is to serve over 1,000,000 individuals in establishing a firmer footing in life holistically both as individuals and in relationship with others.

2017 INDUCTEES ARE:

Denise advised the students in regards to their future careers, “Studies indicate that your generation will change careers more often than any previous generation. You along with your peers will face economic pressures from the abuse of our planet as well as from the rapid pace of innovation, notably Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, 3D-Printing, and other key technologies. My advice is that, to the best of your ability, you choose your boss and not a job. Work for people you admire and seek to remain at the forefront of your field by reading valuable content. Ensure that you are always in rooms with individuals who are smarter than you are and who exercise compassion through philanthropy; this requires humility, but it will ensure your environment continues to stretch you. Be Excellent. Seek advice of those who are knowledgeable about your interests and balance this with executing on your own ideas as that will build confidence. Don’t be afraid to fail and in fact, embrace failure as an indication that you are willing to be innovative and try new things.

In the book, Grit by Psychologist Angela Duckworth, she presents findings that it is not your level of education, finances or even your talent that will make you or keep you successful, but rather how much passion and perseverance you bring to the pursuit of your goals, both personal and professional.”

The class of 2017 graduated 19 “Lifers” who gathered at Headmaster Tom Nammack’s house for the Annual Lifer Reception to receive their coveted MKA personalized blanket.

Brian Bond, Alexander Eiden, Quincy Farmer, John Fusaro, Liam Gerard, Lily Gorodensky, William Higgins, Evan Hryshko, Brian Hulse, Benjamin Kaplan, Miles Milke, Caylie Priviteer, Kate Henshaw-Lewis, Charlie Richardson, Alex Rivlin, Alex Sandoval, Jacob Sasfai, Hailey Sylvander, and Ben Yanes

FAL L 2017

17

A RO U N D M K A

Congratulations

18

MKA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

A RO U N D M KA

FAL L 2017

19

Ritika Abraham, University of Miami: Rohan Abraham, The University of Tampa: Sydney Abraham, Smith College: Mariam Abukwaik, New York University: Katherine Alpert, Vanderbilt University: Grace Andres, Furman University: Jordan Andrews, Amherst College: John Baney, Dickinson College: Ruby Bello, Fairleigh Dickinson University: Cory Berberian, Syracuse University: Wyatt Blair, University of California, Berkeley: Brian Bond, University of Pennsylvania: Cameron Brady, Virginia Tech: Michael Bromley, New York University: James Buckley, New York University: Matthew Buckley, The George Washington University: David Carcamo, Johns Hopkins University: Reilly Cirenza, Miami University, Ohio: Zofia Clarke, Royal Holloway, University of London: Sarah Coffel, Muhlenberg College: Rebecca Connelly, Elon University: Davis Cook, Franklin & Marshall College: Gerard Corbo, Rutgers University, New Brunswick: Nico Corbo, Rutgers University, New Brunswick: Gregory Costeas, Pennsylvania State University, University Park: Dorothy Cucci, Boston College: Bhavik Desai, New York University: Jenna Donatiello, University of Southern California: Samantha Dowd, University of Colorado, Boulder: Alexander Eiden, Villanova University: Abigail Erbes, Auburn University: Alison Esterow, Bucknell University: Quincy Farmer, Brown University: John Fusaro, University of Delaware: Ian Garinger, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Liam Gerard, University of Hartford: Christina Giersz, Rhode Island School of Design: Melissa Goekbora, Lehigh University: Maxwell Goldfarb, Tufts University: Alexandra Golub, Hamilton College: Lily Gorodensky, Elon University: John Cotton Gouwar, Grinnell College: Hannah Gross, Skidmore College: Caroline Hatfield, University of Miami: William Higgins, New York University: Evan Hryshko, Rhode Island School of Design: Brian Hulse, Miami University, Ohio: Rohan Israni, University of Chicago: Benjamin Kaplan, Drew University: Ashwin Lal, Texas A&M University: Jared Levine, New York University: Margaret Lukenda, University of Massachusetts, Amherst: Nicholas Mack, College of William and Mary: Evon Magnusson, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: William Massey, Amherst College: John McKee, Michigan State University: Quinn Meistrich, Johns Hopkins University: Eric Mendelson, University of Rochester: Miles Milke, Colgate University: Robert Miller, Oberlin College: James Modica, University of California, Davis: Erin Nicholson, Indiana University, Bloomington: Malena Ordnung, Naropa University: Leah Otner, Northeastern University: Tyla Parker, Siena College: Cayla Privitere, Franklin & Marshall College: Shivani Rao, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Esther Redshaw, Hobart and William Smith Colleges: Kate Renshaw-Lewis, California Institute of the Arts: Charles Richardson, Gettysburg College: Parker Richardson, Amherst College: Alexander Rivlin, Dartmouth College: Dominic Romeo, University of South Carolina, Columbia: Matthew Rubenstein, Wesleyan University: Hallie Ryan, Colgate University: Alexander Sandoval, Cornell University: Matthew Sanger, University of Miami: Jacob Sasfai, Columbia University: Zachary Schaller, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Samantha Schmutter, Case Western Reserve University: Kojo Simmons, Northeastern University: Madeleine Sirois, Bates College: Katherine Smith, University of Miami: Joseph Smukler, Wake Forest University: Hailey Sylvander, Fordham University: Joshua Talbot, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Jayson Thompson, Yale University: Izumi Umeda, Rutgers University, New Brunswick: Jacob Waldor, Pomona College: Anna Wallace, University of Vermont: Gus Wallach, Middlebury College: Justin Wallman, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: Angelo Weber, University of Miami: Rachel Weiswasser, Lafayette College: Lamara White, Gettysburg College: Shannon Wilson, Albright College: Danielle Wolk, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: Benjamin Yanes, Gettysburg College: Morgan Zaref, University of Wisconsin, Madison: Jonah Zinn, Georgetown University

20

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

A RO U N D M KA

FAL L 2017

21

A RO U N D M K A

In their Own Words: Graduation MKA isn’t just a place of learning, but a community marked by its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Evidence of this bond can be found at all levels, from peers to faculty and staff. Some schools have not realized the potential that a tight-knit community can have for innovation and collaboration. That is certainly not the case for MKA. I have lost track of the times I’ve witnessed or participated in a conversation with teachers outside of class, it creates this sense of friendship as both parties tease out common interests, passions and hobbies all of which makes for a seamless transfer of knowledge in the classroom. You have played an instrumental role in some of the most monumental moments of our lives. I, along with the rest of the graduating class, have navigated these experiences and challenges with one goal in mind: to be global thinkers who are smarter and kinder than when we first arrived at MKA. What’s truly impressive about this family is that we genuinely care for one another and our school. We built a community based on a mutual expectation of respect and understanding. BRIAN BOND ’17

MKA is a great community, with fantastic administrators, students, and teachers. I’ve been at MKA since Pre-K, and every year, when new students and new teachers come to our school, they just make our community that much better.

I want to thank all the teachers who’ve helped us along the way, and shape us into the people we are today. To all of the students, congratulations on graduating and you’ll be great whether you’re going to high school here at MKA, or at any other school. JONAH BARBIN ’21

Your passion, enthusiasm and spirit

Well here’s what I know about the Class of

will echo throughout the Primary

2017: we are blessed. We move ahead with

School’s halls after you have left this building. You, our very own stars,

the love and confidence of our families,

have shone in different ways. Each

friends and faculty that we are surrounded

year you faced a new set of learning

by here today. Not everybody can say that,

goals. So, MKA’s Class of 2026, as Dr. Seuss, the beloved children’s

which is something we need to understand.

author, so aptly stated, “Oh the

We’ve won the blessing lottery. Just look

Places You’ll Go.” Congratulations!

around you. We’re facing our futures with

Today is your day! We send you all forward with all our love!

GINGER KRIEGER, Head of the Primary School

22

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

the knowledge and integrity that comes from a special place like MKA. WILL HIGGINS ’17

A RO U N D M KA

In our grade’s future, I hope that we can allow

These are truly capable and good young

ourselves to be open and passionate about what

people sitting up here. I say that not just

we want to achieve, and that we’re not afraid of

because of how they’ve achieved here in Middle School, but because each

failure, because history shows us that sometimes

and every one of them has shown me

our greatest ideas only start working on the 100th

something this year that tells me that

try. And I know we can do this, because we’re

they get it. That they’re ready to learn and embrace the process of finding the

prepared. As students

path to joy and happiness. We’ve just

here at MKA, we’re told

got to get out of the way a little—and let

to never stop asking

them do it. So—while you’re gazing up at them now with love in your eyes please

questions, that the

—don’t just think about what they have

journeys we take are

to do next—and how you’re going to help

just as important as getting there. ISABEL LUCAS ’21

them get there…Think about how ready— and able—they are—because they are… trust me. So—congratulations parents, your time on Middle School car line is now officially over! And congratulations 8th graders! Your time as Middle

You all deserve “thanks” for making us a better school —for

being the “people” of MKA. When someone asks,

Schoolers is now officially over!

RANDY KLEINMAN, Head of the Middle School

“What is MKA all about?” I think we can safely say it is about the people. It’s about each and every one of you who have shared yourselves with us; it’s about the faculty who have been critical in your development; and it’s about your family, who are the reason you are who you are today. As we participate in today’s ceremony and you gather for the last time as a class—a very special and talented class—remember the people who have made your lives so special and who have shared their gifts and talents with you—I know I will. DAVE FLOCCO, Head of the Upper School

Your family will be your engine of renewal as you make your way in college and beyond. As alumni, I urge you to make MKA part of your broader family. Like a family, we have celebrated together, we have laughed together and we have mourned together. MKA is a place to which I hope you will return many times in the years ahead, and some of you will return to MKA as our future colleagues, parents, volunteers and Trustees. You will be a source of renewal for the school and MKA will be a source of renewal for you—a place to come back to—where we will always take a great interest in your lives. What a privilege it has been to witness your growth and what a source of pride it is to send you out into the world. TOM NAMMACK, Headmaster FAL L 2017

23

A RO U N D M K A

Math Competitions

STORY TIME

Code Quest Aaron Goidel and William Goodall (class of 2019) competed in the Lockheed Martin’s Code Quest competition at the company’s Moorestown campus last April. The students took first place in the advanced division by completing 11 out of 18 problems given to them in two-anda-half hours. The problems were math and logic problems that they solved by writing code. The problems increased in point value as they increased in difficulty, covering a variety of topics from data cataloging to cryptography to probability.

THESIS Twelve juniors presented information about their research at the first annual Junior Thesis Evening in the Upper School Academic Center. They presented on a wide variety of topics including: CIA support for the Shah of Iran, whaling and Quakerism on Nantucket, anti-immigration sentiment in early twentieth century America, and the advertising campaign that made it cool for women to smoke in the 1920s. These twelve students gave five- minute presentations followed by questions from the audience. Their interesting presentations demonstrated excellent speaking skills as well as superior research skills. This event was sponsored by the History Department and the Upper School junior history teachers.

24

First grade students polished up one realistic fiction story from their collection to share with their parents.

The preparations included editing for punctuation, word wall word spellings, and spacing. Finally, children shared their books with one another to practice reading it aloud. The stories shared at the celebration were one in a series each child created, each book giving the same character a new adventure.

Upper School math teachers Laura Treadaway and Michelle Barbetta brought 25 students to the Essex County Math League at Caldwell University. Our Algebra 1 team (from the Middle School: Martine Gulliver, Natalia Espinosa Dice, Kelsey Freeman, & Dhruv Jetley) earned 2nd place for the Algebra 1 team, while Natalia & Dhruv both earned 2nd place individual trophies for Algebra 1. Our Precalculus team for the Upper School (Michael Golub, James Lukenda, Eleanore Maxwell, Casey Szilagyi, and Dylan Hall) earned 3rd place for the Precalculus team. MKA placed 4th overall in the competition. Congratulations to all of the students on their work!

UPPER SCHOOL WORLD LANGUAGES STUDENTS EXCEL ON NATIONAL LANGUAGE EXAMS The Upper School World Languages Department congratulates the many students who exceled on national language exams this past year. French students took Le Grand Concours, sponsored by the AATF (American Association of Teachers of French), and many garnered awards for their exceptional achievement: on the Level 2 test, Maya Kwapniewski, Ariel Freedman, Evan Portnoi, Will Blake, James Lukenda, and Rohan Sinha; on the Level 3 test, Valerie Bejjani and Luke Hunter; and, on the Level 4 test, Ethan Kuhl. Special congratulations go to Michelle Medawar, who earned a first-place ranking with her perfect score on the Level 2 test.

Latin students enjoyed success on the National Latin Exam, sponsored by the ACL (American Classical League) and NJCL (National Junior Classical League): on the Level 1 test, Aja Blair, Julian Okun-Dubitsky, Jonathan Park, and Danny Zinn; on the Level 2 test, Shaheer Ahmed, Ronny Bhatia, Rachael Boardman, Simone Gulliver, Kendall Larrier, Bella Liu, and Madison Marano; on the Level 3 test, Gianna Balonze, Haley Blank, Jaclyn Kemly, and Hailey Sylvander; and, on the Level 4 test, Sydney Abraham, Ruby Bello, Aashik Bhalodia, David Carcamo, Hannah Gross, and Benny Ryan.

Spanish students took the National Spanish Exam, sponsored by the AATSP (American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese), and many earned recognition for their excellent performance: on the Level 2 test, Amna Arain, Valerie Bejjani, Anna Bradley, AJ Christian, Alex Chon, Ciara Daly, Gabby Delgado, Jillian Fishback, Jamie Fuchs, Arman Ganchi, Madison Green, Meghan Halvey, Grace Huntington, Matthew O’Donnell, Adin Papendick, Alexis Riley, Jasmine Rowe, Parker Santo Domingo, Emily Sasfai, Beyer White, and Nathalie Wilson; on the Level 3 test, Mark Apinis, Grant Gonsalves, William Goodall, Ruhee Juvekar, James Lukenda, Madison Marano, Navya Salwan, Aman Sinha, Casey Szilagyi, and Nyla Williams; and, on the Level 4 test, Max Booker, Danielle Fuchs, Charlotte Jenkins, Gregory Jenkins, Zoë Kusnierz, and Keenan McAuliffe. Special congratulations go to Rolando Quintana, who earned a Silver and an honorable mention among bilingual students on the Level 3 test, to Natalia Eichmann, who earned first place among bilingual students on the Level 3 test, and to Jennifer Chan, who earned first place on the Level 4 test among students whose only contact with Spanish is in the classroom. Congratulations again to all of our students on their accomplishments!

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

A RO U N D M KA

Faculty Short CONGRATULATIONS TO…

Middle School History Teacher and Ethics Coordinator, CherylAnne Amendola on being selected as the 2017 New Jersey History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehman Institute of American History! Founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a nonprofit organization devoted to the improvement of history education.

The Institute has developed an array of programs for schools, teachers, and students that now operate in all fifty states, including a website that features more than 60,000 unique historical documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection. Each year the Institute offers support and resources to tens of thousands of teachers, and through them enhances the education of more than a million students.

The Institute’s programs have been recognized by awards from the White House, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Organization of American Historians.

A panel of teachers, administrators, and scholars from the state selected Cheryl for her achievements in American history education and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History thanks Cheryl for her “outstanding work and dedication.”

As the 2017 New Jersey History Teacher of the Year, Cheryl will receive a $1,000 reward, a certificate of recognition, an archive of books and historical resources, an invitation to attend a 2018 Gilder Lehman Teacher Seminar and Recognition at a ceremony in NJ. She is also one of fiftythree finalists for the $10,000 National History Teacher of the Year Award which will be announced in the fall.

Cheryl we wish you congratulations as your state honors you for a job well done and for representing MKA so well as the NJ history teacher of the year!

FAL L 2017

Assistant Head of the Upper School, Steve Valentine and MKA’s former Director of Ed Tech (and consultant on May Term’s Start up 101), Reshan Richards were joined by alumni Sara Feraca ’16 and Ibrahim Abukwgaik ’15 at SXSW EDU to speak about MKA’s May Term program, and in particular, the ways in which Startup 101 has flourished in its first two years.

Start Ups May Term reflects MKA’s highest aspirations for each graduating class: it offers them some of the freedom they will experience in the future, encourages them to pursue a passion, asks them to take responsibility for their own learning, and implores them to engage with the world. The goal of May Term’s Startup 101 is to use design thinking methodology to define a problem, research it, ideate solutions, prototype minimum viable concepts, select a solution, and implement the solution in a fourweek introduction to entrepreneurism, design, and leadership that will culminate with a pitch to investors and entrepreneurs from the Northeast. Congratulations to these extraordinary presenters who successfully shined a light on this innovative program in which MKA carves out time for our seniors to explore their interests and passions.

ROBERT LEATHER Health, PE and Wellness Dept, Biomechanics and Physiology Teacher, Boys Soccer Varsity Head Coach I have spent the past five years working with Dr. Robert Horn on soccer related research. Dr. Horn is a faculty member at Montclair State University and an expert in the field of motor learning. Our recent research has resulted in the design of a test that assesses defensive tactical knowledge. Validated tests of tactical knowledge are necessary to map the developmental path of tactical knowledge, to study interactions between knowledge and performance, and to examine the effects of external factors, such as coaching style on tactical development. We designed a 47 multiple choice question test, assessing various principles of defensive play, using subjects across different playing and coaching experience levels. We applied statistical analysis to our results, and found varying degrees of differentiation, based on the complexity of the question, and the classification of the coaching and playing groups.

Our work was recognized by North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA), and Dr. Horn was invited to present our findings at their national conference. This will lead to publication of our test as a validated way to measure a soccer player’s defensive tactical knowledge, and thus an opportunity to develop an attacking tactical knowledge test. This work will allow me to test our student athletes at MKA, and also pass on some of my experiences of research methods in our new Biomechanics and Physiology course.

25

A RO U N D M K A

MKA Celebrates the Life of Beloved Faculty Member and Friend,

Tom Fleming

MKA 8th graders coordinated the Fleming 5k, previously the MKA 5k, to honor and remember their teacher, coach, and friend Tom Fleming.

With the news of Tom Fleming’s death last spring, Montclair Kimberley Academy lost an integral part of our school’s community. A beloved teacher and coach.

Tom had been at MKA for 18 years, most recently holding the position of fourth grade teacher and the Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Head Coach in cross-country and track and field.

A native of Bloomfield, New Jersey, Tom was an American distance runner; two-time NYC Marathon champion, outstanding coach, beloved teacher, exceptional colleague and extraordinary mentor. Tom groomed a number of the top distance runners in New Jersey in the last two decades, including three of the best in MKA school history. He said his greatest thrill was seeing his young athletes improve their times, distances and heights, and always striving to do the work necessary to be the best they can be. “I’ve enjoyed coaching the kids at MKA where they are the epitome of the student-athlete, and they strive to eventually attend the finest colleges they can.”

MKA Athletic Director Todd Smith noted Fleming’s contributions to his sport and to his students, “Tom Fleming was a beloved teacher, coach, mentor, and friend to many and this is gut wrenching news for the MKA community and for the running and track community as a whole throughout Essex County, New Jersey and the country. Tom’s love for his sport, love for his athletes and love for teaching the next generation of runners was truly remarkable. Most

26

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

importantly, Tom loved the 4th graders he got to spend every day with and truly was an inspiration to all.”

Tom’s prestigious career did not start in the classroom. He discovered his love of competitive distance running in his junior year of high school, when a passionate track and field athlete was born.

Taking his talents to Paterson State College (now William Paterson University) in Wayne, New Jersey, Tom would graduate in four years with a double-major in Special Education and Elementary Education, a feat he holds equally as important to his many athletic accomplishments. As a William Paterson Pioneer, he would become a four-time NCAA All-American, received the Special Achievement Award from the N.J. Sports Writers Association in 1973, became a New Jersey AAU three-mile champion in 1972 and AAU six-mile champion in 1969, 1970, and 1972, named the NAIA All-American in 1970 and was Conference champion for four consecutive years. As a senior in 1973, Tom entered the Boston Marathon and passed the defending Boston Champion Olavi Soumalaninen of Finland, to secure the runner-up spot with a time of 2:17:03. This would become the first of Tom’s two second-place finishes at the Boston Marathon. He was inducted to William Patterson University Athletic Hall of Fame on April 11, 1980.

Tom went on to win the New York City Marathon twice in 1973 and 1975. He raced a strong fifth place at the 1976 Olympic Marathon trials, and finished

A RO U N D M KA

fourth at the famous Fukuoka Marathon in Japan in 1977 (then the unofficial World Marathon Championship). His other marathon victories include the 1978 Cleveland Marathon, the 1978 Toronto Marathon, the 1981 Los Angeles Marathon, and the Jersey Shore Marathon three times, with a course record in 1981.

Tom was a National Distance Coach with USATF from ’91–’97. He was the Coach and Founder of Nike Running Room and the three-time Women’s USATF National X-C Team Champions ’90, ’91, ’92.

Most recently, Tom’s impact was noticed by the Mercier Club, which recently bestowed upon the MKA track mentor the prestigious Monsignor Edward Larkin Award during the North Jersey Catholic Civic Organization’s annual dinner.

Tom was once quoted as saying, “Somewhere, someone in the world is training when you are not. When you race him, he will win.”

MKA Headmaster Tom Nammack described Fleming as “an extraordinary teacher, mentor, coach, and colleague whose legacy of excellence will make us better people and strengthen our community and school.’’

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced “The Oval” in Essex County Brookdale Park in Bloomfield and Montclair will be named the “Tom Fleming Athletic Complex” in honor of the late Tom Fleming, an iconic professional runner, and MKA beloved teacher and coach.

The complex includes a state-of-the-art, quarter mile, rubberized running track and a multi-purpose football and soccer field with a synthetic grass surface.

FAL L 2017

Founders’ Cup 2017 Congratulations to Tom Fleming (1951-2017), who was named the recipient of the 2017 Founders’ Cup for Teaching Excellence. The Founders’ Cup, presented annually by the Alumni Association, is based on nominations from all MKA constituencies. The award honors a full-time faculty member who exemplifies the highest levels of teaching and who contributes to the well-being of the MKA community, both in and out of school.

A world-class runner in the l970s and 1980s, Tom won the New York City, Tokyo, Cleveland International and Los Angeles marathons. He was a former American record holder at 25K, 30K, 50K, 15 miles and 20 miles, a member of the United States Olympic Track and Field team, and a member of the USA Pan American team. Tom was a USA Personal Coach, a USATF Head Team Coach, and was awarded a United Nations Peace Medal.

Fleming, who received his B.A. and M.A. from William Paterson University, worked at MKA for the past 18 years and was a beloved member of the community. He tragically passed away this past spring. As a coach at MKA, Fleming was loved by his athletes and achieved a remarkable amount of success, leading his teams to multiple county, conference, and group meet titles. He also had dozens of runners win individual titles, and many of his runners have gone on to have successful college careers.

Fleming’s real impact at MKA, however, was as a fourth-grade teacher at the Middle School. The following quote is from a Founders’ Cup nomination that was submitted that really sums up the influence Fleming had on his students: “This is the first time that I have made a submission for the Founders Cup. While we have been fortunate to have had so many incredible MKA teachers for our children thus far, none has made a bigger impact than Tom Fleming. I would like to think that I would be submitting this entry regardless of the unthinkable loss just last week, but given Tom’s sudden loss it is all the more apparent just what an incredible impact he had on our son, Pierce. When we first met on Orientation Day, I had the feeling that he and Pierce were going to click. And click they did. Quick witted, fast talking, highly enthusiastic and a tad irreverent - this was a perfect match. Tom not only took the time to understand Pierce as a learner (at MKA it is easy to become spoiled as a parent with these expectations) but Tom got to know the real Pierce. And that is where the magic happened for him ... connecting with a teacher in such a profound way that it cements the love of learning.

As parents, we simply could not have asked for anything more. Our children have always loved school, but this year was a game changer for Pierce. Though I knew little of Tom’s running history at the Orientation meeting, I soon came to realize that Tom’s determination and work ethic would quickly rub off on his students. It was contagious. Being in that classroom meant that you were expected to go the distance and strive for your personal best (P.B.). Never would we have expected that our son would be practically begging us to wake him up early so he could attend Mr. Fleming’s 7:15 a.m. math review. Pierce had become frustrated with his own carless errors on tests and thanks to the extra time with Tom he helped him to develop strategies to overcome these obstacles. Reviewing an entire math test to look for possible mistakes was entirely too daunting for Pierce. Tom suggested that he complete one page and then review that before moving on to the next. Bingo! He got his first 100%. Pierce was beaming, and so was Tom. His new P.B. When Pierce decided that he was going to start riding his bike to school, Tom was thrilled. But he did not stop there. Tom offered suggestions on how to lighten his backpack, the best route to the bike rack, and even how to sneak in the 7th grade hallway if he was running late. Just two days before Tom died, Pierce came home so excited to share the news of his recess that day. “You’ll never guess what I did today! I spent the entire recess talking to Mr. Fleming!” While I will never know the exact details of that conversation, I am beyond grateful that Pierce not only had that precious time with him, but that Pierce’s reaction was one of great delight to be able to spend that time (RECESS time) with his favorite teacher, Tom Fleming. He inspired my son, his classmates and the MKA community (parents included!). Clearly Tom Fleming epitomizes the qualities of an outstanding teacher. Knowledge + Vision + Integrity = MKA. MKA = Tom Fleming” Alumni Council President Jaclyn Spedaliere ’00 presented the award at the end-ofyear faculty meeting, on June 14, 2017 to Tom’s sister and brother-in-law.

27

A RO U N D M K A

Music Shorts

SPRING CHORAL CONCERT The Middle School held its first annual Gallery Night and the Spring Choral Concert. The Gallery Night featured selected artwork from grades four through eight that highlighted the visual art curriculum taught at the Middle School. Also included in the show, were stopmotion animation clips from Media Art classes as well as a student made digital film. The Spring Choral Concert involved students in grades four through eight singing in both Concert Choir as well as the select Chamber Singers ensemble. We were treated to several solos throughout the evening, including violinist Joey Bejjani who accompanied the fourth and fifth grade chorus for their performance of The Season Song

by Patti Drennan with words by John Parker. The Chamber Singers featured vocal soloists Madelyn Quart, Samara Haynes, Cassie Polanskyj, Warren Roth, and Natalie Morral, and the sixth through eighth grade Concert Choir featured solos by Natalie Morral, Madelyn Quart, and Caroline Sheffet. What a wonderful way to celebrate spring!

SPRING CONCERT The voices and instruments of the Primary School rang out in joyful song at this year’s Spring Concert. Our community began the concert with the Pledge of Allegiance and our National Anthem as the third grade accompanied us on handbells and choirchimes. The entire student body then sang a powerful piece about standing up for each other and helping those around us. The kindergarten and second grade delighted the audience with a French duet, “L’oiseau et L’enfant,” and the kindergarten students stayed on to sing “Together is Better than One.” Pre-K sang the traditional pieces “Skinnamarink” and “I’m a Rainbow.” Third grade strings students skillfully played three songs on violins and cello. The first grade sang a Spanish song, “Qué Buena Suerte,” as well as “There’s a Hero in You.” The third grade then sang a beautiful rendition of “Why We Sing.” We concluded the program with a recorder, vocal, and handbell extravaganza of “Symphony #9” by Ludwig van Beethoven, and “Oh, MKA,” our school song. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jane Smith, who ,once again, expertly directed and put her heart and soul into the beautiful and memorable program!

28

Congratulations to the Upper School Chamber Singers who had an incredible showing at this year’s Music In The Parks scoring above all other high schools coming in First Place as a full, mixed choir! Two “Overall” High School awards were given to two of our students Kiki Porter ’18 was given the Overall Solo Vocalist Award, and Rob D’Alessandro ’19 won the Overall Accompanist Award for the second year in a row. Upper School Chorale Director Maria Gilmartin said, “I am so happy for all of our kids. They were all happy too. Kiki and Rob were outstanding, and their awards were very well deserved.” Bravo to all of the students!

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

JAZZ CAFE It was a great night for the audience and all of the talented musicians who played in the amazing Jazz Café! The evening featured both the Upper School Jazz Band, directed by Chuck Olsen, and the Middle School Jazz Band, directed by Linda Larkin. The Middle School Dining Hall was transformed into a jazz café by Alisa Corbett and Elise Toland and was filled with an enthusiastic crowd. The music covered a variety of genres including traditional jazz, Latin, funk, and rock and roll. As a grand finale to the evening, the two bands combined forces to perform a rousing rendition of “Evil Ways” by Clarence “Sonny” Henry.

A RO U N D M KA

Carnegie Hall Concert The annual Carnegie Hall Strings performances never fail to leave the audience in awe of the unquestionable talent that so many students bring to the MKA community.

This year’s showcase was no exception. Tri-Campus Strings Director Dimitri Hadjipetkov demonstrated the versatility of his students through the wide variety of his composition choices from his selection of several well-known classics such as Carmen Suite, as well as the Game of Thrones theme music, to the assortment of baroque concertos and romantic symphonies.

Collectively, the concerts at Carnegie Hall are distinguished for their exhibition of talent extending far beyond the strings musical family, incorporating vocals, woodwinds, or percussion instruments. This year, the performance featured a drum player as an accompanist to the Game of Thrones theme music, and the Chamber Singers choir joined the Upper School Advanced Strings Ensemble in a movement from Handel’s Messiah.

The progression in musical difficulty and skill throughout the duration of the performance was gratifying because it was a testament to the growth of

FAL L 2017

students from a Brookside neophyte to a soloist in the Upper School Advanced Strings Ensemble. No matter how inexperienced one is initially in a particular field, the Carnegie Hall performances are one of the many examples of the potential that each MKA student has to become proficient in whatever they pursue.

Overall, the Carnegie Hall performance is an invaluable and educational experience for student musicians because it provides them with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and to practice performing in front of a larger audience. Mia Bohi-Green, a violinist in the Advanced Strings group, shared her insight on her experience at Carnegie Hall, “It’s a very humbling experience to be in such a nice place, knowing that the school invested so much for our last concert of the year.”

While the Carnegie Hall performances are ultimately the culmination of all of the Strings students’ hard work since the beginning of the year, they are also a great way for the MKA community to come together and celebrate the school’s plethora of talent as well as enjoy some meaningful, evocative music.

29

A RO U N D M K A

FAST FACTS

MAY TERM

2

MKA Alumns presenting their May Term Project at South

by Southwest EDU

17 Internships

10

students creating and performing original music during May Term

May Term Symposium The 2017 May Term Interactive Symposium took the Academic Center by storm on May 31, 2017. The energy in the room ran high as 150+ students, parents, teachers, and Board members explored the work of our creative seniors, stationed throughout the space. Riffs of heavy metal intermingled with Startup 101’s app pitch, comedy skits, art exhibits, documentary screenings, reports on farm-living and unusual SEC filings, and social media ventures...and this list just skims the top of the night’s offerings. The evening’s program challenged attendees to ask questions and learn as much as they could. The seniors delivered spectacularly on sharing their journeys with all who asked.

From Gus Wallach May Term gave me a chance to learn about myself. I set out to write poetry and, by doing so, to answer the question, “Is this something I truly love, something I want to pursue?”

Fast-foward to June and I am grateful to have had this experience. Because one book of poetry-interspersedwith-interviews later I can say, affirmatively, that writing has become integral to who I am as a person.

Without May Term, I wouldn’t have know this. Looking back, I realize what makes this month so special and promising—trust. The whole idea of

30

May Term is predicated on trust: by allotting students an entire month to do whatever they want, MKA shifts the responsibility to our hands. And the results are fantastic. To be entirely honest, at various points in my high school experience, I [sometimes] felt a lack of trust between faculty and students. However, I believe May Term is different—a step, if not a stride in the right direction. May Term serves as a wonderful example of the productivity and passion MKA students are capable of cultivating when their school shows them trust and belief.

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

18

students traveling to Europe and China during May Term

11

students writing non stop during May Term

44

Creative Endeavors during May Term

3

successful Startup 101 cohorts established since the program’s inception

A RO U N D M KA

From Sydney Abraham For me, May Term was a time to really explore some potential interests without the pressure of a full-time job, internship, or even [college] major. Like most people at this age, I don’t entirely know what I want to do yet, so my internship was a great opportunity for me to spend some time in the world of nonprofits. I loved my internship with Here.Now; it was a comfortable place for me to learn how to survive in an office environment, and it challenged me to move beyond my comfort zone. Additionally, I really appreciated being able to share my work at the May Term Symposium. It felt like a great opportunity for me to summarize my experiences and work, both for an audience and for myself.

From Hannah Gross This may I interned as a Producer’s Assistant for Matt Kwatinetz, the Producer of the Off Broadway show, Ernest Shackleton Loves Me. My duties included, but were not limited to, the following: consolidating ticket sales and marketing reports and then comparing those reports on excel, selling and keeping track of merchandise, and helping Matt create advertising by hand delivering packages to different journalists that we wanted to see and write about the show. Along the way I met and made friends with many people involved in the show, including the two stars (Val and Wade), the costumer/ light tech (Kelly), and the show’s pianist/composer (Ryan). Ernest Shackleton Loves Me was awarded Best New Off Broadway Musical by the Off Broadway Alliance. I will be continuing to consolidate reports for Matt until the show’s run ends on June 11th.

From Josh Levine For May Term, I worked at Temple Sharey TefiloIsrael, in South Orange. I have been a member of this temple for almost 15 years, and have gone through the pre-school and religious school there. Throughout the month of May, I worked on projects. One entailed organizing years and years of photos taken by members and individuals attending temple events.

The ultimate goal will be to upload these pictures to the temple website. This month has taught me a great deal about hard work and the importance of attention to detail. In almost all my tasks I was responsible for organizing and sorting certain objects whether they be pictures, books, or memorial plaques.

Without a system of organization and focus on details these tasks would have been futile. My May Term internship was certainly a meaningful bookend to my MKA experience, and I am grateful I was able to spend it doing something that made a difference.

FAL L 2017

31

A RO U N D M K A

PROM

2017

32

For me, there is nothing better than watching our students after a long year of learning and taking assessments, celebrate by enjoying each other. To see them with their dates and friends, laugh, joke and dance the night away is a great way to begin the summer.� TONY JONES, 12th Grade Dean

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

A RO U N D M KA

WHERE THEY ARE NOW… —well, to diminish it dramatically, anyway.)

I learned a ton deputizing for Betty Schwier when she served as the class dean to the Class of 1996, whose magnificent president, Lee Vartan, realized his dream of having Prom at the Waldorf-Astoria. My all-time favorite role at MKA: Coach of the Mock Trial Team. Nobody in Essex County wanted to be matched up vs. the Courtroom Cougars in those days.

FORMER FACULTY MEMBER

Pieter Kooistra

What do you consider some of your greatest professional accomplishments to date?

Tell us a bit about yourself.

close attention to them, affirming the

I’m turning fifty at the end of the summer and therefore engaging in a certain degree of looking back and taking stock as I gear up to press forward for the next fifty years.

Having taken a year (2003-2004) away from full-time teaching in order to serve as my then one-year-old son’s day-today companion (Oh, those happy days at the Bronx Zoo and hiking through the Rockefellers’ woods and fields in Pocantico Hills!), I’ve now spent a quarter-century happily immersed in teaching, starting at MKA in 1991. For the past thirteen years, my wife, Dana, and I have been at The Lawrenceville School, where our older son, Eli, is a rising junior. Noah, our 13-yearold, is a rising eighth-grader at Princeton Friends School. We’re a soccer-mad family, and thanks to the good old days, when Tim Howard and Mitch Decter et al were bossing the pitch for the Cougars, I still root for Everton, where Tim went after his MetroStars and Man United days. (Even if I cheered for him, I could never root for the Red Devils, so aptly named.) Actually, my last visit with an MKA alum occurred on a soccer sideline, when I realized that Noah was playing not far from the home of Jake Elberg ’96.

things they’re already doing well, then

Years that you taught at MKA and the positions you held: I was at MKA 1991-97, six rich, wonderful years surrounded by great people. I loved doing outdoor trips with Dave Love and “The Free Group.” (A few weeks back, while I was climbing at High Rocks in Pennsylvania, I relished happy memories of being put on a static line at the top of HR’s highest cliff by an eminently practical Dave Hessler, who knew just the way to cure my acrophobia

FAL L 2017

Hmmm. That’s hard to say. Teaching, in my experience, isn’t about the teacher’s accomplishments. It’s, first of all, about meeting students where they are, paying

providing feedback that can alert them to the next logical moves to make to engender

night in—what, May ’95?—when Beth Noell and Sharif Siddiqui moved the tent we were sharing while helping with the Middle School trip out by Rattlesnake Mountain.

We’d set up in a place that had seemed perfect to me. But later, Beth and Sharif decided to move the tent. Well, once it was dark, after I’d returned from a couple of hours of hauling water and then of attending a campfire, I wandered, exhausted, into the tent and passed out. A middle-of-thenight downpour turned the ground to which these geniuses had moved us into an active streambed. I only heard the rush of oncoming water for about ten seconds before, to my amazement and dismay, I found myself right in the middle of a gushing brook that surged through our tent. To add insult to injury, Beth and Sharif slept right through my misery, as they were up on the shoulders of this temporary steam. As the faculty member, I was, of course, assigned to sleep between these two. Hilarious! Well, now it is.

meaningful growth and to stimulate expanded experience and understanding.

Biggest lesson you’ve learned to date?

“My” achievements are only to the tiniest degree my own. Innumerable people, the vast majority of whom I’ve never met, have contributed to the institutions and cultural conventions that have made my life so rich and engaging. People need to grow, to be challenged and, at key points in their confrontations with challenge, to be supported by others who care about their particular success. Enormous numbers of Americans —and, for that matter, people all around the globe – are feeling lonely and disaffected and, therefore desperate and sometimes angry. There are many reasons for this. But the only way forward is for human society to engage in a far more ambitious, disciplined program of investment in shared human progress. The MKAs and Lawrencevilles of the world are remarkably powerful engines of positivity and progress. What I’ve learned —at least, what I believe I’ve learned—is that we need to figure out how to scale up in a big way. I have some projects to which I’m committed for the next few years.

Afterwards, I look forward to figuring out how to address the scaling-up challenge (as so many others are already immersed in doing).

What are some of your favorite memories of MKA? It’s funny how sometimes the worst memories are the best. I was miserable on that

How did your time at MKA help you to “achieve balance in your life?

I don’t think it did. To be honest, I think it taught me to swan dive into too much and to do so with joy, and that’s why I loved my MKA years and have continued to cherish the work of teaching—i.e., of designing courses and lesson plans, of convening classes, of slogging through piles of papers, of cranking out reports, of squeezing in urgent meetings, of dashing off to practice, of thinking about how to make headway with the for-tomorrow list while driving back to campus while it’s already dark, etc. Yeah —I don’t think MKA helped me to achieve balance; it taught me how to juggle, fast.

Thanks, MKA!

Any advice for the students currently at MKA? On the one hand, appreciate the loving hard work that the adults at MKA have done to design a great curriculum and co-curriculum for you. Do everything in your power to greet what these fabulous people have designed on the terms they envisioned when doing so.

But then, when you discover, yet again, that they couldn’t possibly have anticipated all of the idiosyncratic needs that derive from your being the one and only YOU, do things your own way as much as you absolutely have to. As Mark Twain suggested, it’s hugely important that you “not let your schooling interfere with your education.”

33

A RO U N D M K A

ATHLETICS 2017 During the recently completed 2017 Winter Athletics season, the following MKA teams, coaches and athletes achieved honors:

Julia Thompson ’19 Capt.; MKA Most Valuable Fencer Award; 1st Team Foil, All Tri-County Fencing League; 1st Team Foil All-State, Star Ledger; District 5 Foil Champion; 2nd Team All-State, NJIFA Madison Green ’20 Honorable Mention All Tri-County Fencing League

GIRLS’ SWIMMING Head Coach: Patrick Collins (9th Year), Record: 0–10 Reilly Cirenza ’17 Capt.

Julia Malloy ’18 Capt.

Leelah Klauber ’18 MKA Most Valuable Swimmer Award

ICE HOCKEY Head Coach: Tim Cook (1st Year), Record: 8-9-4 James Buckley ’17 Honorable Mention All-McInnis Division, NJIHL CONGRATULATIONS TO… Angelo Weber ’17 (Boys Basketball) on winning the MKA “Captain’s Award” for Winter 2016-17. The “Captain’s Award” is given out each season to that male OR female captain who has exhibited the qualities that we look for in our team captains...leadership, dedication, respect, work ethic, and being a role model, both on and off the field to his or her teammates and peers. Angelo’s teammates know that he is competitive but is always a “team first” individual. He never worries about his own stats and accolades but does everything he can to help his teammates and our club compete day in and day out in one of the toughest basketball counties in the state.

WINTER BOYS’ BASKETBALL Head Coach: Tony Jones (17th Year, Record: 16-10 Quincy Farmer ’17 Capt.

Abbie Erbes ’17 Capt.

Erin Nicholson ’17 Capt.; MKA Coaches Award; 2nd Team All-Colonial Division, SEC; Honorable Mention, All-Prep B

Head Coach Elizaveta Kiryanova (1st Year), Record: 4-5

David Carcamo ’17 MKA Coaches Award

Head Coach: Tom Fleming (18th Year)

Matthew Petrocelli ’18 MKA Coaches Award James Lukenda ’19 MKA Coaches Award B; 1st Team 1600m All-Prep B

GIRLS’ INDOOR TRACK & FIELD Head Coach: Tom Fleming (18th Year)

Jayson Thompson ’17 1st Team Epee, All Tri-County Fencing League

BOYS’ SWIMMING

Aashik Bhalodia ’18 Honorable Mention All Tri-County Fencing League

Caylie Privitere ’17 Capt.

Head Coach: Patrick Collins (9th Year), Record: 1–9 Wyatt Blair ’17 Capt.

Benjamin Kaplan ’17 Capt.

GIRLS’ FENCING Head Coach: Elizaveta Kiryanova (1st Year), Record: 0-9

MKA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

SPRING BASEBALL Head Coach: Ralph Pacific (27th Year), Record:9–1 Alex Rivlin ’17 Capt. MKA Most Valuable Player Award; Honorable Mention Pitcher Liberty Division, SEC; 2nd Team All-Prep B Angelo Weber ’17 Capt.; MKA Most Valuable Player Award; 1st Team Infield Liberty Division, SEC; 1st Team All-Prep B Robert Hollander ’18 MKA Defensive Player of the Year Award; Honorable Mention All-Prep B Chris Lewis ’18 Honorable Mention Outfield Liberty Division, SEC; 2nd Team All-Prep B John Sweetwood ’18 1st Team Outfield Liberty Division, SEC; 2nd Team All-Prep B; Selected for Underclassmen All-Star Game

SOFTBALL Head Coaches: Jessica Sarfati (7th Year), Record: 10–10

Joshua Talbot ’17 MKA Most Valuable Fencer Award; 1st Team Foil, All TriCounty Fencing League; 2nd Place District 5; 2nd Team All-State, NJIFA

Jaclyn Kemly ’18 Capt.

34

Oscar Worob ’20 Honorable Mention All-McInni Division, NJIHL

Billy Massey ’17 Capt.; MKA Coaches Award

Jordan Andrews ’17 Capt.

Head Coach: Jessica Bishop ’04 (5th Year), Record: 17–8

Brian Schindler ’19 2nd Team AllMcInnis Division, NJIHL

Amanda Mack ’20 Honorable Mention All-Colonial Division, SEC

Myles Farmer ’18 MKA Offensive Player of the Year Award; 2nd Team All-Independence Division, SEC

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Jared Brunner ’18 MKA Most Improved Player Award

BOYS’ INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

BOYS’ FENCING

Luke Kolaja ’20 MKA Defensive Player of the Year Award; 1st Team AllIndependence Division, SEC

Gus Wallach ’17 Capt.; MKA Coaches Award

Kerri McGuire ’18 Capt.; 1st Team All-Colonial Division, SEC; 1st Team All-Prep B

Angelo Weber ’17 Capt.; MKA Coaches Award; MKA Winter Captain’s Prize Recipient; 1st Team AllIndependence Division, SEC

Trey Wilson III ’19 Honorable Mention All-Independence Division, SEC

Zachary Schaller ’17 Asst. Capt.; MKA Most Valuable Player Award; 1st Team All-McInnis Division, NJIHL

Yasmin Elmasry ’20 MKA Rookie of the Year Award

Ethan Tse ’18 MKA Most Valuable Swimmer Award

Jenna Donatiello ’17 Capt.; MKA Offensive Player of the Year Award; 1st Team All-Colonial Division, SEC Erin Nicholson ’17 Capt.; Yogi Berra Best Teammate Award Recipient; 1st Team All-Colonial Division, SEC Grace Turvey ’18 MKA Players’ Player Award; Honorable Mention All-Colonial Division, SEC Amanda Mack ’20 MKA Rookie of the Year Award; 1st Team All-Colonial Division, SEC Geena Pacifico ’20 2nd Team All-Colonial Division, SEC Emily Talkow ’20 2nd Team All-Colonial Division, SEC

A RO U N D M KA

Spring 2017 Team and Student-Athlete Honors and Awards *During the recently completed 2017 Spring Athletics season, the following MKA teams, coaches and athletes achieved honors:

BOYS’ LACROSSE

GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD

Head Coach: Paul Edwards (15th Year), Record: 1–14

Interim Head Coach: Alden Basmajian (1st Year); Essex County Coach of the Year. Record: 2-4

Ben Yanes ’17 Capt.; 1st Team AllAmerican Division, SEC; 2nd Team All-Waterman Division, NJILL; US Lacrosse Academic All-American, USILA; MKA W. Noll Klank Award Ryan Dancy ’18 2nd Team AllAmerican Division, SEC; 1st Team All-Waterman Division, NJILL; 1st Team All-Prep B Nico Espinosa-Dice ’18 Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC; Honorable Mention All-Waterman Division, NJILL; MKA Alumni Outstanding Teammate Award Alex Melitz ’18 2nd Team AllAmerican Division, SEC; 2nd Team All-Waterman Division, NJILL; MKA Alumni Outstanding Teammate Award Ethan Gross ’19 MKA Most Improved Player Award Daniel Arcilla ’20 MKA Most Promising Newcomer Award

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

Caylie Privitere ’17 Capt.; MKA Spring Captain’s Prize Recipient Anna Schaller ’19 MKA Coaches Award Anna Bradley ’20 MKA Coaches Award

BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD Interim Head Coach: Alden Basmajian (1st Year); Essex County Coach of the Year.

Record: 2-3 Michael Bromley ’17 Capt.; MKA Players’ Player Award; MKA Spring Captain’s Prize Recipient; Honorable Mention All-Colonial Division, SEC Davis Cook ’17 2nd Team AllColonial Division, SEC Billy Massey ’17 Capt.; MKA Spring Captain’s Prize Recipient; 1st Team All-Colonial Division, SEC; 1st Team 1600m All Non-Public, Star Ledger; 3rd Team All-State, Star Ledger

Head Coach: Chelsea Intrabartola (2nd Year), Record: 11–11

Eric Mendelson ’17 Capt.; MKA Coaches Award; MKA Spring Captain’s Prize Recipient; 2nd Team All-Colonial Division, SEC

Katherine Smith ’17 Capt.; MKA Players’ Player Award; Honorable Mention All-Liberty Division, SEC

Ryan Magee ’18 MKA Coaches Award

Annie Wallace ’17 Capt.; MKA Offensive Player of the Year Award; 2nd Team All-Freedom South Division, NJIGLL; 1st Team AllLiberty Division, SEC Rylie Frieder ’19 MKA Most Improved Player Award Lily Pryor ’19 1st Team All-Prep B; 1st Team All-Freedom South Division, NJIGLL; 1st Team AllLiberty Division, SEC

Matthew Petrocelli ’18 1st Team All-Colonial Division, SEC Brian Reynolds ’18 Honorable Mention All-Colonial Division, SEC Nicholas Wilson ’18 1st Team All-Colonial Division, SEC James Lukenda ’19 2nd Team All-Colonial Division, SEC

BOYS’ TENNIS

Ally Raff ’19 Honorable Mention All-Freedom South Division, NJIGLL; 2nd Team All-Liberty Division, SEC

Head Coach: Val Azzoli (13th Year) Record: 12-6; 2017 NJISAA Prep B State Champions; 2017 SEC Liberty Division Champions

Kirsten Zeug ’19 1st Team AllFreedom South Division, NJIGLL; 2nd Team All-Liberty Division, SEC

Bhavik Desai ’17 Capt.; MKA Most Spirited Player Award; 1st Team All-Liberty Division, SEC

FAL L 2017

Rohan Israni ’17 Capt.; MKA Coaches Award; 2nd Team All-Liberty Division, SEC Joseph Smukler ’17 Capt.; 1st Team All-Liberty Division, SEC Guyon Ganchi ’18 1st Team All-Liberty Division, SEC William Michaels ’19 MKA Points Leader Award; 2nd Team All-Liberty Division, SEC Arman Ganchi ’20 1st Team All-Liberty Division, SEC Milian Seeve ’20 2nd Team All-Liberty Division, SEC

GOLF Head Coach: Jeff Beer (12th Year) Record: 5-10 Ashwin Lal ’17 Capt.

James Modica ’17 Capt.

Ethan Tse ’18 MKA Most Improved Player Award Jake Ghamar ’19 MKA Most Improved Player Award; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC Bennett Knowles ’20 MKA Most Valuable Player Award

MKA’S ANGELO WEBER IS CHOSEN FOR THE 40TH ANNUAL N.J. SENIOR ALL-STAR BASEBALL GAME CLASSIC Each year, every baseball coach in Morris, Essex, Warren, and Union Counties are asked to nominate potential player(s) for the NJSBCA Senior All-Star Classic at Diamond Nation in Flemington, NJ. Selection to this game is based upon the nominations to the Northwest Selection Committee which is comprised of a head coach from each county in the section. It is required that each player nominated “must be an outstanding player in your county (top 25 in northwest section).” Varsity Baseball Coach Ralph Pacifico says, “This is an unbelievable honor for a great person!” Angelo is the third MKA player in 26 years to be chosen.

Congratulations to him on this incredible accomplishment!

CAPTAIN AWARDS Congratulations to the Track and Field Captains on winning MKA Captain’s Awards for Spring 2016-17. Caylie Privitere ’17, Michael Bromley ’17, Billy Massey ’17, and Eric Mendelson ’17. The “Captain’s Award” is given out each season to that male OR female captain who has exhibited the qualities that we look for in our team captains...leadership, dedication, respect, work ethic, and being a role model, both on and off the field to his or her teammates and peers. Angelo’s teammates know that he is competitive but is always a “team first” individual. He never worries about his own stats and accolades but does everything he can to help his teammates and our club compete day in and day out in one of the toughest basketball counties in the state.

35

M K A

AN OPEN COMMUNITY WITH CHARACTER AT ITS CORE

by

Kerry Verrone

Upper School Dean of Student Life, Tri-Campus Chair of Integrated Ethics

ON SUNDAY, JUNE 11, the students in the Class of 2017 were called up one by one to accept their diplomas during our annual Upper School Commencement at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. As I watched each senior proudly receive this last official “document” of their time at MKA, I reflected on how far these students had come since receiving the first official “document” of their journey here, their acceptance letters into the school community. Indeed, together, these two documents serve as fitting bookends for a rich and rewarding MKA education.

If we dig a little deeper into the first and last experiences of an MKA education, we find that students entering Pre-K are welcomed into a nurturing, engaging classroom inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. This renowned method of early childhood education, rooted in student-driven and project-based learning, serves as the foundation for the subsequent experiences of all of our Primary School students. Thirteen years later, students completing the twelfth grade embark upon the culminating experience of May Term, during which they pursue an individual interest or passion. From service projects to global travel, from internships to academic and creative endeavors, May Term offers all of our students a unique opportunity to choose their own path as they reach the end of their MKA journey. These two experiences share a number of intriguing commonalities. Both invite students to ask open-ended questions, collaborate with their peers, and share their work. Both also invite students to explore new ideas, consider differing perspectives, and learn about each other’s personal journey. In essence, both our Pre-K Reggio-inspired classroom and our May Term program demonstrate our shared commitment to cultivating character and celebrating community.

Throughout their time at MKA, no matter when a child enters our school, all students enjoy a number of similarly rich experiences across all three campuses that serve to foster a community of ethical learners. At Primary School, our youngest learners thrive in the supportive, community-focused environment of Responsive Classroom. At Middle School, an intentional advising curriculum supports all students on their respective journeys as individuals and as members of a community. At Upper School, as a part of the foundational Global Citizenship course, all ninth-graders grapple with design thinking challenges which require innovative approaches and underscore the importance of empathy.

Altogether, these experiences and many others like them provide our students with ongoing opportunities to practice MKA’s Character Standards in and out of the classroom. Ultimately, it is the sum total of all of these experiences which gives true meaning to teaching and learning at MKA.

FAL L 2017

37

The MKA community is as diverse as it is united. We welcome new members, new ideas, and new perspectives to our three campuses and one school. Here all aspects of good character, from integrity to empathy, are not only taught but lived, and each person’s journey is encouraged, celebrated, and shared, enhancing the success—and the sense—of community.

38

Adrienne Phillips ’92 How did MKA teach you to be a citizen of the world?

We had a number of exchange students pass through high school over the years, and a British student once stayed with us for a few weeks. Our cultural differences were particularly evident during our teenage years but to this day, we have his parting gift in my sister’s childhood bedroom… “The Phillips’… Elliot’s favorite American family” and we all learned from each other. I also recall taking an African studies class in high school taught by John Rabke. It was an introduction to the geography, politics, history, etc. of many African countries, and studying that amongst many from privileged backgrounds was not easy. Mr. Rabke created a safe environment for open dialogue.

What did MKA teach you about living and working in a diverse community? How did you benefit by MKA’s diverse community?

Diversity and inclusion have become hot topics today; however, when I attended MKA in the 80’s and early 90’s, I don’t recall them being overtly discussed. As I think about a diverse community, it means a blending of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; thus although diversity and inclusion were not discussed, my experience at MKA was formative. For example, though there were few African Americans during my years at MKA, we came together to form a group, the Organization of Black Students, which was supported by the administration and allowed members of other ethnic and racial groups to participate. We organized an annual Kwanzaa celebration for the school which was well attended and shared the African-American tradition with the majority. From that I learned early on the importance of educating and sharing my heritage so that others could learn more about me. In the same regard, I attended my share of bar mitzvah’s and other religious and cultural events with my classmates and their families and hence became familiar with different traditions and perspectives.

Did MKA celebrate or encourage your individual path to becoming an adult?

MKA encouraged my individual path with a flexible curriculum, electives, ability to take advanced placement courses, and a host of extracurricular activities (eg. figure skating for me). Because of this, my self-discipline and time management skills were nurtured early on.

FAL L 2017

Illustration: www.robkimmeldesign.com

Do you have a story where you helped a fellow alumnus or if you were helped by a fellow alumnus in your current or past careers?

Frequently friends reach out for medical advice and referrals. There was a former high school student who spent her winter session away from Cornell University in a research lab at my hospital, and she shadowed me in the clinic. I mentored her as she considered a career in oncology. I also learned that we were both on the fencing team at MKA, albeit more than 20 years apart.

Was there a teacher at MKA who modeled empathy, integrity or other strong character traits for you? How so?

Mrs. Tyson- Spanish in middle school. Mrs. Speed- calculus in high school. Both were patient, compassionate, and funny.

39

Mariam Abukwaik ’17 Montclair Kimberley Academy has been a home of mine for eight years now. Recently, my friends and I were reflecting on our time here. I wasn’t sure how to explain the upper school experience so I decided to break it down into the three core words of MKA’s mission statement: knowledge, vision, and integrity.

Knowledge—I think we all know that MKA is academically challenging. But MKA has transformed the word knowledge for me. Knowledge has turned into a unifying goal because of the countless research papers this class had to complete before that 8 a.m. deadline, and then having to push through second semester senior year. Every single one of us has been on the pursuit for knowledge. For some of us, a classroom wasn’t the only place we were meant to learn, so instead we found our love of learning through a global experience trip or on the stage. Some seniors here have been studying music since before they could do algebra. Others used a paint brush before a pencil. Regardless, the love of learning is in every aspect of student life here at MKA. Knowledge is not just about books or memorizing facts. MKA and my senior peers showed us that knowledge is about taking what a situation hands you and turning it into something better than what it already was.

Vision—When I look at this class of artists, athletes, scientists, and humanitarians. I also see human beings filled with good vibes, senses of humor, and really dapper clothes right now.

Although each one of us has our own complex personalities, we are a unified group that has continuously showed compassion and love for each other. We are a vision of excellence and beauty through the little actions that add up to create a great image.

Integrity—I once asked a friend if he thinks it’s easier to make good decisions or bad ones.

Now he said the bad ones, and honestly sometimes I agree. But this graduating class makes me question that. I’m not saying we are perfect because that’s impossible, however this class’ integrity makes me question whether it is harder to make the good decisions. I’ve seen the way the senior captains from the track team have been rocks for their teammates after losing their Coach Tom Fleming. I see how our senior artists have inspired many younger students with their artwork spread throughout the school. I have had the privilege of hearing our very own musicians share their hearts with the whole school in our fine auditorium. These few examples take an immeasurable amount of courage.

The Class of 2017 is truly a class with knowledge, vision, and integrity. I have heard those three words for eight years, and they are now finally hitting me. Through the ups and downs of life here at the Academy, looking back, those words have come out of each member of this class in a variety of ways. Thank you all for making me see the true meaning behind knowledge, vision and integrity.

40

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

Parker Richardson ’17 Over the years, MKA has become the place where I am most comfortable, where I can proudly be myself. In fact, it’s the place where I became myself, and I believe where we’ve all become ourselves.

I went to a semester school the spring of my junior year. There, I existed a close-knit community, and I was nervous to leave that bubble. The first day back at MKA this past September, I received too many wide smiles and welcome backs to count. It hit me that I had left one close knit community only to return to another. I could not have been happier to be home, at MKA. We are graduating from a great institution with a great, noble group of people who can and will go on to do great things. Here, we have a community in which we can truly rely on each other, through the hard times and the good.

Smile into that.

And once this moment is over and these moments are over and we’ve officially graduated, we can still go back and smile into what is soon to be the past. Smile into our high school experience, the people we’ve become, and the relationships we have nurtured.

In January, I participated in the lip sync house competition with Dorothy and Evan in which we performed Destiny Child’s Survivor. I am not a performer.

But that day, I was. As soon as we walked off stage, I wished we could go back on. Had you told me freshmen year that I would willingly “sing” and dance in front of the entire school, I would not have believed you. I was quiet. I didn’t talk much in class. I stuck to my group of friends. We won the lip sync, by the way.

Had you told me senior year that I would be giving a speech to hundreds of people, to somehow sum up our high school experience, I would have laughed (nervously) and said I’d be honored. Obviously, something changed. I am not the person I was freshman year, or even junior year. For that, I am so thankful. I am so thankful that at MKA, I have been challenged by my peers and teachers to take risks and to embrace discomfort. I learned to speak up in class, and that if you say hi to people in the hallways, you can make friends.

The best part is, though our high school experience is coming to an end as I speak, our community is not gone. It is a community in which we deeply value all of our members and push each other to be our best selves.

FAL L 2017

41

Abe Abukwaik ’15 Did MKA celebrate or encourage your individual path to becoming an adult?

Absolutely—MKA is the reason I am where I am today.

My path towards adulthood started early in my high school career but really shifted into high gear when I was selected to participate in Startup 101, a May Term option for seniors that introduces students to the world of entrepreneurship through the creation of a company or to be more specific, the proof of concept for one. Startup was my first major step into entrepreneurship, and it has defined my career and life today. Ere to that experience, I had an idea for what I wanted to do. That idea included a vision to build companies of my own and/or help build other early stage startups, but at the end of the day, those were only ideas. The Startup 101 experience got me started. Since then, I have been fortunate to lead several successful ventures of my own and now play a major role in a startup that originated through an MKA connection.

What effect did going to school in MKA’s open community have on your life?

MKA’s open community represented a network of alumni that were more than eager to help me succeed. Getting started in entrepreneurship was challenging because, at the time, all I had was a burning desire to succeed. I was only 18, I had little prior work experience and no network of my own.

With a background like that, it was difficult for individuals I had just met to trust me and take me seriously. Rejection was common, and support was almost nonexistent from the outside. However, from our community everyone I reached out to was more than supportive and always went the extra mile in guiding me through my entrepreneurial ventures.

That support and guidance resulted in a series of fortunate experiences that gave me the confidence and the track record I needed to speak and work with individuals not associated with MKA. My age became one of my greatest assets, and I was able to share experiences with others that let them know I was not just talking about what I wanted and could do but that I actually could do it! None of that would have been possible if I did not have the initial support and immediate trust and belief from our community.

42

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

Please tell us a story about a character lesson you learned at MKA.

MKA taught me to be selfless in providing help and support to those who seek it. As a student in high school, it was common to hear individuals from the Alumni Committee make announcements on how supportive our community is, but at the time I had never thought anything of it. It was only when I started to really get involved with the community that I realized how amazing it truly is. As I mentioned before, getting started was a major challenge for myself. Experiencing the instant trust and openness to help from other alumni was eye opening. Those experiences taught me what it meant to be a part of the community and how much everyone is willing to give back. That level of support not only helps individuals within our community advance in their own careers and lives but it also strengthens the community as a whole by setting a standard for all of our members. The support I have received from our alumni taught me the value of being selfless in supporting others and giving back.

Understanding those values has helped me develop as a contributing member to our community as well as the other communities that I am associated with.

Was there a teacher at MKA who modeled empathy, integrity or other strong character traits for you?

How so?

One of the best characteristics about MKA is it’s size. Students have the opportunity to connect and learn from every faculty member regardless of whether they actually have them as a teacher or not. All of the faculty members that I knew had taught me at least one important life lesson. Two individuals that stand out are my soccer coaches Jordan Raper and Rob Leather. Jordan trusted me to play on the Varsity Team as a freshman and Rob trusted me to be the captain my senior year. They taught me leadership, how to work with people who were older and younger than I was, and how to inspire those around me and share my enthusiasm for what I love to do. They also taught me that you’re not always going to win, but regardless of what happens you need to work your absolute hardest and put everything on the field. My field today is my workspace and I by no means win every day, but my drive to continue pushing myself to the limit and never stop trying is a characteristic and value that stems from their influence.

Lynn Salehi Middle School Dean of Student Life

Community in Practice : The Buddy Program at the Middle School What could make an eighth grader voluntarily end their summer vacation a day early? The only thing I know of is the chance to be a “big brother or big sister� buddy to an incoming MKA Middle School fourth grader. For more than a decade, MKA eighth grade students have volunteered to help incoming fourth graders feel at home in their new school building. At the end of the prior school year, rising eighth graders write letters that are sent home to new fourth graders over the summer, introducing themselves and welcoming their new friends. On Orientation Day, they help them learn to open their combination lockers, show them around the building, and teach them the best strategies for navigating the dining hall lunch line. Once a week for the first month of the school year, fourth and eighth grade buddies meet at recess to play games together and get to know each other better. Often a circle of eighth grade friends will bring their fourth-grade buddies together so everyone can get to know each other. These friendships last throughout the year, and fourth graders are always excited to get a hello from their buddies as they pass through the eighthgrade hallway.

A highlight of the buddy program is the overnight trip to Frost Valley in midSeptember. About a dozen eighth-grade buddies accompany the fourth grade on the trip, helping them haul their bedrolls, assisting with meals and activities, and joining them for songs and stories around the campfire. For many fourth graders, it is their first overnight away from home, and having an older friend close by is reassuring. Both fourth and eighth graders report that being with their buddies is a highlight of the trip, and before they have even returned to school many fourth graders are already asking how they can be a buddy when they reach the eighth grade themselves!

FAL L 2017

43

Jill Maza Upper School Librarian / Head of Libraries How does MKA’s open community effect your work as a teacher? Your life?

Both personally and professionally MKA’s open community has allowed me to grow in many ways I’d not have expected. I am continually challenged by the conversations we have as a community, the pedagogical explorations I’ve embarked upon with colleagues and my one on one interactions with students. The professional development opportunities offered by MKA, both those opportunities I’ve been able to attend outside our walls and those within—especially Integrated Ethics Institute—have provided a constant support for this growth.

How do you see the influence of MKA character development play out in students? In fellow faculty, staff and administration?

I certainly see it play out in the deliberate and intentional way, our students and faculty/staff/ administration question often and deeply. We are rarely satisfied with the status quo and in constantly questioning—and ensuring that we’re asking the right questions—we’re digging deep to make sure we’re not ignoring an important perspective. While I see this influence play out in countless ways, nowhere was it more visible than when I chaperoned the Global Experience trip to Tanzania last June. We traveled with World Leadership School, a program that espouses the idea of “walking together” to help students parse the difference between empathy and sympathy. Watching our students “walk together” with their Tumaini Secondary School counterparts was inspiring.

How do you teach character?

Character lessons weave organically through my MKA experiences and responsibilities. While it might bounce from deeper dives like a community conversations on showing character in the way we consider intersectional feminism to the more routine character needed to be resilient and honest as a researcher, character lessons seem nearly ubiquitous. I most directly teach character through my role as a global citizenship teacher. During the 2016 fall semester, we revamped the course to use design thinking as its guiding principle. For those unfamiliar with design thinking, it is a “problem-finding” model that provides students with a toolkit to take action on social issues.

The first step, from which the entire rest of the process unfolds, is empathy. We spend a large portion of the semester exploring ways to develop empathy and to design solutions that don’t falsely assume the needs of those affected by the issues we’re exploring

44

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

Please tell us a story about a time when you were proud of a student’s character

I am proud of MKA students’ character on a daily basis, whether it be through an insight shared in a community discussion, confidences made in advisor group conversation, thoughtful guidance sought by an individual student, a global citizenship class debate or the report back from a May Term internship site on the character of one of our seniors. Out of the dozens of stories I could share, I’ll choose one of the most recent.

With the recent buzz surrounding the Netflix series, “Thirteen Reasons Why” our student book club leaders decided to read and discuss the book. After leading a lengthy and probing discussion with the group’s 20+ members, Sophie Sabin (’18) and Paul Korfhage (’18) knew they wanted to extend this conversation beyond the confines of book club. Though it fell at perhaps the busiest time of the school year, they made sure to carve out the time to make the conversation happen because they felt it too important to skip. Working with Joan Weller and me, Sophie envisioned, planned and moderated two lunchtime discussions that opened up the conversation to include viewers of the series, readers of the book, and simply interested parties. Ultimately, she guided deeply meaningful discussions attended by faculty and 50+ students and helped our community delve more deeply into this important topic. The professional development opportunities offered by MKA, both those I’ve been able to attend outside of our walls and those within (especially the Integrated Ethics Institute), have provided me with a constant support for growth.

Lauren Hyman Kaplan ’ 93 As an alumna of MKA (class of 1993), it has been an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to send my daughter, Lola, to MKA. Lola started MKA in Pre-K and is currently in 5th grade. One of the main reasons, we chose MKA for Lola is because of the school’s strong commitment to balancing both the cognitive and social-emotional aspects of educating children. When Lola started MKA, I was asked to help the school enhance its social-emotional learning program and to help develop an anti-bullying program.

It was clear that the administration believed in the importance of explicitly teaching social-emotional skills and character development to children. Over the past six years, we worked together to develop clear PK-12 anti-bullying standards that hang in all of the classrooms in the school. We developed PK-12 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies. I conducted multiple trainings of staff, faculty, and parents around SEL topics and bullying prevention.

MKA has demonstrated a clear commitment to these essential life skills. If children do not have welldeveloped social and emotional skills, they will not be successful academically. MKA continues to work on its integration of social-emotional learning on all three campuses, and I am proud that my daughter will continue to experience this as part of her overall education at MKA.

Please tell us a story about a character lesson you learned at MKA and do you have positive character traits now that you can trace to your roots at MKA?

I learned the qualities of perseverance, hard work and responsibility during my time at the Upper School.

For example, I was involved in many extracurricular activities during my junior and senior years. During my senior year, I specifically remember feeling overwhelmed by the amount of academic school work, varsity soccer practices/games and my work as the Editor of the Yearbook and other extracurricular activities. During that year, I learned how to balance all of my commitments, get everything done on time, and the ability to complete multiple projects successfully.

I had the help and support from MKA teachers and advisors who encouraged me throughout that year.

Was there a teacher at MKA who modeled empathy, integrity or other strong character traits for you? How so?

During my time at Brookside, I remember very nurturing and warm teachers who saw each individual child and helped us grow and learn. I believe Brookside has had that same impact upon my daughter.

In the Upper School, I had many teachers who modeled empathy and integrity. I felt known and understood by many teachers in high school. In addition, I was able to build strong connections with many of my teachers during my time at MKA. In fact, I have had the honor to now have working relationships at MKA with two of my favorite teachers (Karen Newman, my 9th grade English teacher and Donna Carrera, my 4th grade teacher).

FA L L 20 17

45

Maureen Bates

2nd grade teacher and Curriculum Coordinator

Visitors to Brookside often comment on the sense of warmth, caring, and kindness that is so characteristic of our school’s culture. The feeling is summed up with our Brookside slogan: “We Care, We Are Kind, We are the Cougars.” The slogan was an idea that arose from the Primary School Social-Emotional Learning Committee, which is comprised of teachers, administrators, our school counselor, and parent representatives. Lauren Hyman Kaplan ’93, MKA’s Social-Emotional Learning consultant, MKA alumna and current MKA parent, first raised the suggestion that having a slogan could help our students develop a sense of belonging and positive identity as members of our school community. Under the leadership of Primary School Counselor Jodi Smith, the committee took into consideration many components of social-emotional learning, including our MKA character standards, our values as a Responsive Classroom school, knowledge of child development, our five anti-bullying standards, and our diversity and inclusion statement of purpose. After some discussion, the committee arrived at a slogan with a bit of alliteration and a lot of power. A beautiful

“We Care.

We Are Kind.

We are the Cougars.”

46

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

banner featuring the slogan was custom designed to hang in our entryway. Special T-shirts were generously printed, courtesy of Head of Campus Ginger Kriegel, for teachers and Brookside students to wear. The slogan celebrates the critical social-emotional learning in which our youngest MKA students are engaged each day. It reminds us all that who our students are becoming is just as important as what they are learning.

Paige Boncher Upper School World Language Teacher and Editor of the blog “Loving to Learn and Living to Teach”

Julia Helliesen ’19 Social Platforms Building Community: Humans of MKA

After following Brandon Stanton’s blog, “Humans of New York,” for several years I realized that I wanted to start a similar forum at MKA, one which would delve into our community and help us learn about each other, find our commonalities, and explore our differences.

So, in May of my freshman year I brought the idea for a “Humans of MKA” to the administration at the Upper School. From the beginning, my idea was well-received and supported. The administration helped me to get my footing. They introduced me to the Tri-Campus Communications Department, specifically Gretchen Berra, the Associate Director of Communications and Marketing, who helped me to more fully develop my idea and launch the project this past October. Ms. Berra has continued to guide me since.

My goal from the beginning has been to find the connections in our community by providing a platform for students to share their unique stories with each other in the MKA community. As I say on the blog, which can be found at mka.org/humansofmka, “The goal of this project is to connect students with one another and strengthen our bond as a community.” Through probing questions that were posed each week in an interview format, I think that we have achieved this goal. There were approximately thirty interviews conducted last year on topics ranging from politics, family holiday traditions, theatre, and Upper School traditions. We did indeed learn a great deal about each other and, on a personal level, we reached my goal to better unify our school community.

FAL L 2017

At MKA, learning is not just the goal of the student. As teachers, we know that our ability to express a genuine curiosity in our own discipline can help, in turn, to engage the students in our classes. But to model learning as a way of life—that is also central to our mission as educators. To this end, the Upper School Faculty Blog “Loving to Learn, Living to Teach” (www.mka. org/usfaculty) highlights the specific ways that the faculty members at the Upper School display a passion for learning in and out of the classroom.

In its first year, the blog has already featured the experiences of nine Upper School faculty. The blog’s posts explore these teachers’ efforts to bring their subjects to life with fresh approaches or new perspectives. In one post, for example, Spanish teacher Valbona Watkins shares how she set up a Skype conversation with a friend in Cuba the day after Fidel Castro’s death so that she and her students could hear a native’s perspective on this momentous event. Other posts detail teachers’ takeaways from conferences that they’ve attended throughout the year, such as the Dodge Poetry Festival in Newark, NJ, or lines of inquiry that they’ve explored over the summer, such as the question of free speech in studio art. Despite the varying angles of the posts, the underlying theme is clear: Upper School teachers are committed both to improving themselves as teachers and scholars of their subjects, as well as to sharing their discoveries for the benefit of the whole community.

47

Peter Edge ’82 How did MKA teach you to be a citizen of the world?

During my 12 years at MKA, I was very fortunate to travel on several occasions on school sponsored trips to various locations in Europe. The trips were not only a great learning and cultural experience, but also an exercise in enjoying the freedom to explore and interact with people from other countries in a way that was very different from going on a family trip. As a result of this travel, I was encouraged to travel extensively to other parts of the world, both on academic sojourns as well as in my professional life. This experience at a young age provided me with a willingness to experience new cultures abroad as well as to find a line of work that was international in scope and perspective. Fast forward to today and my perspective on the world has grown immeasurably and the benefit on having a “world community” perspective has been phenomenal!

What did MKA teach you about living and working in a diverse community?

MKA was influential in providing me with a formal education that emphasized critical thinking and enjoying the value of learning and experiencing different cultures. Exposure to a wide variety experiences made life at MKA interesting. Whether it was a field trip to an Indian restaurant or a visit to the Native American exhibit at the Montclair Art Museum, the exposure at a young age to a wide variety of cultural experiences certainly gave me a foundation that I have built on since my time at MKA! Did MKA celebrate or encourage your individual path to becoming an adult?

MKA definitely encouraged my path to becoming an adult, often in ways that I didn’t recognize as a pre-teen and teenager. The structure in the classroom, on the athletic fields as well as through the extracurricular activities all contributed to who I am today and how I conduct business. Recently,

48

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

I was able to reflect on this fact when addressing the juniors during their April DC trip. I was reminded of what it is like to be a junior finding your way intellectually as you make your way through a challenging high school environment. The numerous and insightful dialogues that took place that day were extremely refreshing, and their thirst for knowledge and insight was a breath of fresh air.

It’s through these types of experiences that MKA students are groomed to be the world’s future leaders. I was encouraged to lead in a wide variety of ways while at MKA; whether it was on the athletic field or involvement in student government it’s through these activities that contribute to a foundation for future leadership activities as well as community engagement.

Was there a teacher at MKA who modeled empathy, integrity or other strong character traits for you?

How so?

The teacher at MKA who modeled empathy, integrity, and many other thoughtful and patient character traits was math teacher Judy Nesbit. Ms. Nesbit was the most patient and caring teacher that I had while at MKA. Math was always a challenge for me, but not only did she make it fun, she exercised patience in making me a better math student. But it wasn’t only math that Ms. Nesbit shared with her students but many life lessons and discussions that took place during the classroom sessions. The same level of patience that she took in teaching, she also took in listening to her students and letting us speak freely. Conversations in all areas and topics took place in and around those math classes. As an adult, remembering how Ms. Nesbit interacted with her students has been very helpful to me to apply as a parent of three and as a law enforcement leader!

Tim Cook Upper School History and Economics Teacher Head Hockey Coach How does MKA’s open community effect your work as a teacher?

Your life?:

MKA’s open community sets the culture of my classroom and helps dictate all decisions I make as a teacher. It is extremely valuable to be able to work as an educator in an environment where discourse and dialogue are actively encouraged, and students are given the space to posit their own opinions in respectful manners. As technology and globalization continue to alter markets and the structure of society, students will need to be comfortable in diverse environments and be able to adapt to new situations as they arise. Being comfortable in uncomfortable situations (both culturally and intellectually) is crucial to our student’s development as lifelong learners.

My students serve as an inspiration for me. If they can be confident enough to step outside of their comfort zone, then I need to be as well.

Rigidity is not conducive to learning, or teaching, and my students inspire me to think about new ways to approach the content area of history, and overall life.

How do you see the influence of MKA character development play out in students? In fellow faculty, staff and administration?

It is clear that character development is a huge priority in every aspect of life at MKA. The adults at MKA are aware that mistakes are crucial learning opportunities for our students to grow. In order for those opportunities to be utilized properly, guidance must be given to students about what values we hold as a community, and why those values are given preference. Also, adults at MKA are aware that proper modeling of good character traits is vital if the students are going to believe that the mission statement of our school is authentic and worthy of their efforts.

How do you teach character?

In my experience as a teacher and leader of young adults, character has a way of teaching itself if given the time and respect that it deserves. At times we as educators can get bogged down in content or assessment, and while these are important aspects to learning, one of the most integral lessons is how to conduct oneself in a group environment of mutual respect. Learning lessons should not be ignored, even if they come at an inopportune time.

Furthermore, it is vital that students are given the autonomy to develop and express their own views on what constitutes good character, and to have a hand in determining our identity as a community.

Please tell us a story about a time when you were proud of a student’s character.

Although I am proud of obvious instances of character (such as two 10th graders turning in a handful of money that they found in the gym at the end of a class meeting) I am even more in awe of the daily behavior of our students towards each other. At a time when it seems like the United States is not capable of respectful dialogue and discourse, MKA students consistently give each other the space and time to verbalize ideas across the political and cultural spectrum without fear of being attacked. This gives me hope for the future of our nation.

FAL L 2017

49

P PA R E N T N E WS

Students practice their moves in Monica Elmore’s Middle School dance class.

PA R E N T N E WS

Dear Parents,

PAMKA BOARD OF OFFICERS 2017-18 Karen Gulliver President

Welcome back to the start of the school year! I hope this letter finds you well and you had a wonderful summer break! As PAMKA President, I am honored to welcome all of our new families and our returning families to join us in the many ways we support and foster a vibrant school community.

There are so many ways to get involved! Time commitments can vary from giving an occasional volunteer hour at our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair, to spending an hour a week tutoring students at the KIPP Schools in Newark, from donating an item to our Spring Fundraiser Gala, to planning and attending our events!

The scope of PAMKA’s work depends upon the support and involvement of all of our families. The MKA community is as diverse as it is united and we welcome you to to share your time and talents with PAMKA and with the school. You’ll be glad you did!

Thank you in advance for your support. I wish you all a great school year ahead!

Sincerely, Karen Gulliver, PAMKA President

Sue Gyves Secretary Tripti Singh Finance Vice President Stephanie Salzman Communications Vice President Tina Jordan Community Vice President Debbie Turvey Volunteer Coordinator Vice President Alison Cirenza Special Events Vice President Stacey Polanskyj Primary School Campus VP Lisa Tilton-Levine Middle School Campus VP Rebecca Zaref Upper School Campus VP *Two-year position. All others are one year.

THE PAMKA MISSION STATEMENT PAMKA is a parent volunteer organization established to provide opportunities for parents to participate in the support and enhancement of the students’ educational experience at Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA). PAMKA pursues its mission working in cooperation with the school administration through activities consistent with the policies and goals established by the Board of Trustees of MKA.

SAVE THE DATES!

November 5 – 8, 2017 Tri-Campus Book Fair November 14, 2017 Community Blood Drive November 30 – December 1, 2017 Winter Gift Boutique December 4 – 8, 2017 Tri-Campus Giving Tree Holiday Drive Hosted by the Primary School February 24, 2018 Parenting Workshops

FAL L 2017

51

PA R E N T N E WS

Cougar Pride Day Cougar Pride Day 2017 took place on a gloriously sunny and warm April afternoon. With planning and organization expertly handled by chairs Leigh Conforti and Jamie Decter—over 500 students, both current and new, attended along with parents, alumni, faculty and staff to enjoy a wonderful day of fun, food, and friends. In addition to tried-and-true activities, such as Capture the Flag, inflatable rides and carnival games, there was also an Instagram Photo Booth this year. The Clothing Swap was a huge success, raising over $1,000 for our school.

Cougar Pride Day is one of the few occasions during the year that offers all three campuses the opportunity to come together and celebrate our school spirit.

52

MKA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

PA R E N T N E WS

A Successful Year

GALA

Reach for the Stars Members of MKA’s Parents’ Association (PAMKA) gathered together at their annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 10th to celebrate another successful year of community building and fundraising efforts.

Finishing up the first year of her term as PAMKA President, Karen Gulliver thanked her Board, the 2016–17 Slate and the many members of MKA’s faculty and staff for their steadfast efforts and ongoing support throughout the past year. Those in attendance were then privileged to hear from CherylAnne Amendola, PAMKA Faculty Trust Grant recipient, who shared her experience visiting England and touring historical sites.

Headmaster Tom Nammack addressed the large audience, giving thanks for all that PAMKA does for the MKA community, with a special note of appreciation for Karen Gulliver and her tireless commitment to PAMKA and MKA. PAMKA Finance VP Beth Fuchs reported on PAMKA’s significant fundraising efforts that resulted in the organization being able to present $215,350 to the school.

This gift funds four Faculty Trust grants for next year, a $117,000 donation to MKA’s Faculty Compensation Endowment and Wish List items for each of the campuses.

Following approval of the minutes, and the 2017–18 Slate of Officers, Karen Gulliver concluded the meeting.

Outgoing members of the PAMKA Slate then met with incoming volunteers to transition their jobs in preparation for the 2017–18 school year.

Parent Workshop Parenting Workshops 2017 were very well-received by all who attended.

Parents experienced a morning of expert-led seminars and were able to garner insight from wonderful speakers on a number of pertinent topics relating to our children. Thank you to Chair, Krisan Swaminathan, and the Parenting Workshops Committee for organizing an educational and enjoyable morning.

FAL L 2017

MKA’s Parents’ Association (PAMKA) hosted their annual Gala—“Lights, Camera…Auction”—at Green Brook Country Club on Saturday, April 8. It was a night of fun, friends and good food and was a resounding success for PAMKA and MKA. Congratulations go to event chairs Nancy Wolk (MKA Upper School parent) and Julie Pak (MKA Middle School parent), and the dedicated team of volunteers who orchestrated this wonderfully successful event. Over 200 parents and friends enjoyed a festive evening bidding on silent and live auction items. Auction leaderboards helped build the excitement, together with the drawing of basket and tuition raffles. In addition to the delicious food, we had our new “Hole-in-Wine” and entertainment provided by Kent Axell, magician and mind reader.

Proceeds from the event, PAMKA’s largest single fundraiser, go to support MKA Faculty Endowment, Campus Wishlists and Faculty Trust Grants—travel opportunities for teachers to pursue their academic passions around the world.

Lecture Series On March 8, Bryan Stevenson addressed a packed house of more than 450 guests and delivered a spellbinding Bryan Stevenson, address on his racial and founder and director social justice work that of the Equal Justice Initiative, author of Just left the audience teary, yet Mercy: A Story of Justice hopeful. Mr. Stevenson’s and Redemption. message included the following advice. “The opposite of poverty is not wealth. The opposite of poverty is justice.” To promote a more just world, we need to measure justice by how we, as a society, treat those who are poor, broken and marginalized and to know their suffering. He addressed the need for our country to come to terms with its history of racial violence. Mr. Stevenson’s concluding message included a call to the audience to be brave, and even uncomfortable, in standing up for justice. An inspiring evening for all.

53

T T RUSTEE N E WS

Upper School students walk past MKA’s new Academic Center on their way to class.

T RUST E E N E WS

Dear MKA Community, OFFICERS Kathleen M. Logan President

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the start of the 2017-2018 school year. I would like to especially welcome the 180 new students and their families to our family—the MKA family. MKA is a community united by the sentiments expressed in its Mission Statement, a mission of inclusivity, noble character and purposeful thought.

It is with great appreciation that I welcome two new members to MKA’s Board of Trustees: Naveen Ballem is an MKA alumnus from the Class of 1990. Naveen and his wife, Priya, have two sons attending MKA. The older son is in 4th grade, the younger son is in Kindergarten.

Barbara Holmes is a philanthropist and community volunteer. Barbara and her husband, Dane, have three children attending MKA, two daughters in Middle School and a son in Kindergarten.

It is also with tremendous gratitude that we say farewell to four extraordinary Trustees: Ken Barrett joined MKA’s Board of Trustees in 2009. Ken has served with distinction and provided thoughtful and strategic guidance to the Board. Ken is the father of three MKA alumnae, Paige ’09, Devon ’10, and Kendal ’14.

Jon Strain joined MKA’s Board in 2008. Jon has served us well, and was one of the most insightful Trustees to serve on the Board. He is the father of three MKA alumni, Jack ’11, Rob ’16, and Joe ’16.

Chiming Tse joined MKA’s Board in 2011. Chiming is the father of two MKA alumni, Tim ’13, Stephen ’16, and his son Ethan will graduate in 2018. Chiming’s work on the Board was extraordinary and his contributions will be difficult to replace.

Lori Yanes joined MKA’s Board in 2012. Lori’s three sons are MKA alumni, Zach’13, Dan ’15, and Ben ’17. During Lori’s time at MKA, she volunteered for almost every available position, and finally as a Board Trustee. Lori’s dedication to MKA has been remarkable.

These retiring Trustees have consistently demonstrated their commitment throughout years of work. We are indebted to them for the time and talents they have so generously donated to our school.

As a parent of two graduates, I have first-hand knowledge of the wonderful influence that an MKA education has on a young person’s life.

The MKA commitment to developing a student’s character, intelligence, and compassion is inspiring. With this in mind, the Board of Trustees looks forward to a truly dynamic and enriching school year.

With warmest regards, Kathleen M. Logan, President, Board of Trustees

Christina A. Cotton Vice President Linda H. Sterling Vice President Jeffrey G. Szilagyi Treasurer David A. Crichlow Secretary MEMBER TRUSTEES Merrick G. Andlinger Naveen Ballem ’90 Jennifer A. Barbetta Anya C. Barrett ’89 James L. Bromley Evelyn M. Colbert Paige L. Cottingham-Streater ’79 Carolyn N. Everson Clifford B. Finkle IV ’92 Peter J. Fusco ’89 Karen T. Gulliver Tracy E. Higgins Barbara Holmes Michael V. Johnson Thomas W. Nammack Kenneth S. Rivlin Luke A. Sarsfield III ’91 Jaclyn V. Spedaliere ’00 Mei-Mei H. Tuan HONORARY TRUSTEES Aubin Z. Ames ’54 John E. Garippa Alice M. Hirsh Susan H. Ruddick Newton B. Schott, Jr. ADVISORY TRUSTEES Barry W. Ridings ’70 Robert L. Tortoriello

For more information about our Board of Trustees, please visit www.mka.org/about/board-of-trustees

FAL L 2017

55

T R U ST E E N E WS

Trustees & Graduates

2017

From the top, left to right: Trustee Jim Bromley celebrates the graduation of son Michael with his wife Kris, alumni William ’16 and family. / Trustee Mei-Mei Tuan commemorates the graduation of son Jason along with her husband Andrew Thompson, daughter Julia ’19 and family. / Trustee Lori Yanes and her husband Jose celebrate the graduation of their son Ben Yanes along with sons Dan ’15 and Zach ’13. / Trustee Ken Rivlin celebrates with graduate Alex and wife Renee. / Trustee Christina Cotton commemorates the graduation of her son, John Gouwar, along with husband Brian Clarkson.

Dave Hessler’s Upper school Japanese history class welcomes Trustee and alumna Paige Cottingham Streater ’79 to class where she spoke to the students about several current events including the crisis in the Imperial Family in regards to the next heir to the throne, and the path she took to become Executive Director of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission.

56

A A LUM N I N EWS

Students (now Alumni) and Stylus members, head home from school.

A LU M N I N E WS

Dear Fellow Alumni & Friends, I hope that you had a relaxing summer and are charged for the upcoming seasons! As we welcome the fall, we welcome a new school year consisting of fast-paced, busy, and blustery days which seem to just fly by.

At MKA, and on the Alumni Council, things are no different.

We closed out the 2016–17 school year with celebratory events and good times. Our 2017 Career Day was a resounding success! Presented to the junior class, we had 14 alumni professionals representing industries from digital media to dentistry. Our seniors counted down the “100 Days to Graduation” during which they participated in new and different happenings, including, of course, the Senior May Term projects which culminated the year with the beloved Senior Breakfast. The Alumni Council shook things up a bit with a new venue for the Winter Social, The Clubhouse in Montclair. We had fifty alumni in attendance (spanning the 70’s to the 00’s), including many new faces, giving them the opportunity to reconnect with their fellow alumni as well as former faculty.

Looking forward to the fall, we expect another busy season of events. The well-attended Young Alumni Happy Hour will be held in NYC this September. The Alumni Office will also hold its fourth annual MKA Day; this is an important day for all to help support our alma mater. Prior to MKA Day, we’ll look forward to Reunion and Homecoming Weekend. We’ll be celebrating classes ending in ’2 and ’7, however all alumni are encouraged and welcome to attend our events. Homecoming this year will also allow us a formal presentation of our Distinguished Alumni Award to recipient Karestan Chase Koenen, PhD ’86. Congratulations Karestan!

I would like to recognize our Alumni Council for another outstanding and successful year; without their dedication and hard work, our accomplishments would not be possible. Specifically, I would like to recognize Casey Breslow ’03, and Jon Bruno ’02 for their time and commitment, and especially to Dennis Rodano ’87 for fulfilling his nine years of service to the Council, each of whom has been instrumental during this time. Thank you!

The Alumni Council would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new members! Please join me in welcoming: Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04, Kimberley Kohlman ’91, and Jessica Simpson-Cook ’99. We are very much looking forward to your contributions and continued success on the Council!

Best, Jaclyn Spedaliere ’00, Alumni Council President

Executive Committee Jaclyn Spedaliere ’00 President Amanda Englander ’04 Executive Vice President Brittany Berckes ’06 Secretary

58

John Thompson ’03 Treasurer Klaudia Pyz ’98 Networking Vice President Council Bryan Becker ’96 Jared Cook ’01

Rich Cosgrove ’84 Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04 Pamela D’Amato Davis ’89 Caitlin DiRuggiero ’06 Anne Fetherston ’88 Michael Fortunato ’02 Joanne Pundyk Goldberg ’87

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

(L) Krishna Vallabhaneni ’90, and (R) Brian Donahue ’94 at the May 2017 DC Alumni Reception.

ALUMNI COCKTAILS & CONNECTIONS IN WASHINGTON, DC

On Wednesday, May 10th, alumni in the DC Metro area were invited to an intimate reception at Tonic Restaurant located in Foggy Bottom. Alumni from classes ranging from 1975 to 2007 were able to meet, mingle, and network with one another as well as with MKA staff. The evening included a brief program with remarks from Headmaster Tom Nammack and Trustee Paige CottinghamStreater ’79. Local alumni were excited to hear about the new networking platform, www.mkaconnect.org, where they can post great job and internship opportunities in our nation’s capital. Thank you to all of our alumni for attending this special evening and for your generous contributions to the Annual Fund.

SENIOR BREAKFAST

The Alumni Relations office hosted the Senior Breakfast on Thursday, April 27th, to celebrate the Class of 2017. Seniors enjoyed a slideshow of memories through the years created

by Jenna Donatiello ’17. Director of Alumni Relations Eric Gutierrez and Alumni Council member Jared Cook ’01 welcomed the Class of 2017 into the MKA alumni community and spoke about all of the opportunities that are afforded to them as MKA alumni. It was a great morning celebrating the senior class, though bittersweet to say goodbye as they headed off to May Term.

Lauren Hyman Kaplan ’93 Cooper Knowlton ’03 Kimberley Kohlman ’91 Jennifer Jones Ladda ’84 Angela McCaffrey ’06 Nilie Pajoohi ’89 Stacey Polanskyj ’92

Diane Ridley-White ’84 Jessica Simpson-Cook ’99 Advisory Committee Dan Carson ’83 Rich Stanton ’87

DI STINGUI S HE D ALUM N I AWAR D

A LU M N I N E WS

Karestan Koenen ’86

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? I am currently a professor at Harvard where I do research and teach about trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I never planned to go into academia and certainly never thought I would be a professor at a place like Harvard. I truly believe that I have the best job in the world.

I get to spend my days interacting with smart, talented people, discussing ideas and doing science that aims to improve people’s lives.

Although I work incredibly hard, I control my hours, my schedule, and the content of my work. I am lucky that I work in an area, PTSD, which is high priority for funding, so I am mostly able to do the research I want to do.

How did you first become interested in psychology and psychiatry - what was the appeal? I never planned to become a psychologist or a professor.

After graduating MKA, I attended Wellesley College where I received my B.A. in economics and also studied African history. My dream was to become a development economist, working in Africa. I had traveled to Kenya after my first year at Wellesley and had been captivated by the country and its people. After Wellesley, I worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City focused on evaluating the

economics of developing countries.

I then went to Niger, West Africa where I served as a Peace Corps volunteer. I worked with women in my village developing businesses and in the local health clinic, weighing babies. I thought I would go on to get an advanced degree of some kind in economics and work for USAID. My plans for my life were derailed when I was raped, in Niger, while traveling with my sister over Christmas break. Shortly after, I was medically evacuated back to the U.S. where I was diagnosed with PTSD. In response, I left the Peace Corps and returned to my parents’ home in New Jersey.

I found a therapist and became interested in psychology while dealing with my own PTSD. I did not take any psychology classes at Wellesley, so I started literally by taking Psychology 101. I quickly became engaged in the area, found an opportunity to volunteer as a research assistant in a psychology laboratory, and sought a master’s degree in developmental psychology at Columbia University.

I pursued a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with the goal of eventually having a private practice and helping other women who had similar experiences. But while in graduate school, I fell in love with research.

I finished my Ph.D. and eventually received my psychology license, which enables me to see patients, but my focus has really been on research for the past 15 years.

How did you get into the advocacy work for victims of sexual violence? When I returned home from the Peace Corps, after being raped, I thought my life was over. My dreams for my career were shattered. I certainly never imagined that 20 years later, I would testify, in detail about my rape, in front of the House Foreign

Affairs Committee. Or that I would speak about my rape on 20/20 or with CNN. Or write about it in The Boston Globe. If anyone had told me, at age 24, that I would do any of those things, I would have thought them completely insane.

On the evening of January 14, 2011, I was bathing my son when my friend called and told me to turn on the television. She reported that 20/20 was doing an episode on rape in the Peace Corps. I watched the episode online later that evening, when my son was asleep. I remember being stunned.

The women being interviewed had experiences very similar to mine, 20 years later.

The most striking aspect of the interview was the Peace Corps’ treatment of the women who reported being raped. My own experience with the Peace Corps following my rape was devastating.

I will not go into details beyond giving one example. [A full account can be found in various places online including: http://abcnews. go.com/Blotter/peace-corpsvolunteers-testify-congresssexual-assault/story?id=13574590].

After the rape, I spoke with the Peace Corps country director in Niger about whether to take any legal action. I was told that it was my “word against his” and “we believe him.” I was shocked that these young women, decades later, were being treated the same way.

No progress had been made. I immediately felt I needed to help in some way. I reached out to 20/20.

The investigative journalist, Anna Schecter, who would go on to win several major awards for her coverage of the study, interviewed me. This led to my being asked to testify along with several other women as well as the mother of a young woman who had been murdered while serving in the Peace Corps. continued on next page >

FAL L 2017

59

A LU M N I N E WS

Karestan Koenen continued > My 20/20 interview was shown on Good Morning America the same day that I testified. The testimony and the media coverage that followed really launched my advocacy work. I quickly found that I was in a unique position. I had experienced rape first-hand and, at the same time, was a Harvard professor who studied trauma and PTSD. I could illustrate the problem of how the Peace Corps handled sexual assault with my personal story as well as provide science-based recommendations to improve those policies. I worked with congressional staff to write the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011, which was signed into law by President Obama later that year. I attended the Oval Office signing ceremony and met the President. This work led to other opportunities to advocate for victims of sexual violence.

What is it that you most enjoy about your work? The aspect of my work that I most enjoy is the opportunity to pursue mission driven science with incredibly talented and ambitious colleagues. We all share the goal of advancing knowledge to improve the lives of people suffering from PTSD and other mental disorders.

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of the role I have had in mentoring young people. I mentor masters and doctoral students, as well as post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty. My goal as a mentor is to help my mentees, at all levels, become the best version of themselves. Nothing compares to the satisfaction I feel when I succeed in that goal.

In what ways did your MKA experience prepare you for the path your life has taken? I came to MKA in my sophomore year of high school, from a fairly mediocre public school, where I had been able to be one of the top students without doing much work.

The academic demands at MKA came as a total shock.

Suddenly, I was competing with students smarter and better prepared than I was. This experience was incredibly humbling and difficult. However, MKA’s academic demands prepared me well for college and graduate school. I am not sure I ever would have pursued a Ph.D if it had not been for the experience I had at MKA. What advice would you give today’s graduates who might be interested in a similar career? I always find this a difficult question to answer because my career, while very successful, did not follow a linear path and certainly did not follow from the plans I made. My father was a very wise man whose advice I still rely on daily. He always told me if I worked hard and pursued what most excites me, I would be successful. This has proved true for me, time and time again. ■

60

Winter Social The Alumni Council hosted its annual Winter Social on Thursday, March 30th, at The Clubhouse in Downtown Montclair. Stirring things up this year, the Winter Social was held in New Jersey and included a “tricky tray” raffle, where many of our alumni went home with amazing prizes.

The event was a great success with over fifty alumni in attendance (spanning the 70’s to the 00’s), including many new faces, especially LeRoy Watkins ’99 who trooped it out from Massachusetts. The Winter Social is an event that alumni look forward to all year, giving them the opportunity to reconnect with their fellow alumni as well as former faculty. A special shout out to former student Dave Genova, who generously provided the venue, and a huge thank you to the Alumni Council Committee who organized the event: Bryan Becker ’96, Klaudia Pyz ’98, and Angela McCaffrey ’06.

10 Reasons To Sign Onto

A LU M N I N E WS

MKA Connect

THE NEW CONNECTIVITY AND NETWORKING APP FOR MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

MKA friends you lost touch with User-posted photos — both new and nostalgic Inner-circle job postings to advance your career Advice from your trusted MKA network User- and MKA-posted events

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Young alumni internships, jobs and mentors Social media channels to keep up-to-date Real-time conversations for immediate response A network of thousands Miss out and you’ll miss a lot

Log on to customize your MKA Connect today.

Give us an 11th reason — yours —updates section.

FAL L 2017

MKAConnect.org

61

A LU M N I N E WS

Career Day 2017 Career Day is a signature student-alumni event that provides our juniors and seniors with the opportunity to interact with alumni leaders from various industries. Students rank their top careers of interest and are then assigned to each alumni leader. New this year, students heard from three alumni, as there were three 35-minute sessions with a five-minute transition in between. A variety of prompting questions were provided to help facilitate discussion.

On March 8th, the students had the privilege of hearing from 14 alumni professionals who represent the following industries: digital media, marketing, real estate, finance, publishing, consulting,

Left to right: Igor Alves ’99, Garret Bedrin ’98, Jared Cook ’01, Ryan Schinman ’89, Aaron Mandelbaum ’97, Gi Gi Paralkar ’98, Josh Rudbart ’04, Amanda Englander ’04, Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04, Giselle Farrell ’01, Petia Morozov ’84, Molly Webber ’09 (Missing: Geremy Farrell ’03 & Claire Sterling ’90)

psychology, architecture, dentistry, design, entertainment, nonprofit management, and business technology. Not only were students able

other professionally learned that they also share the common bond

to network with alumni, but alumni were also (re)connecting with

of being fellow MKA Cougars. Overall, the Upper School had another

each other. As a result, two of our guest speakers who knew each

successful Career Day.

ALUMNI EVENTS MKA ON THE ROAD 2017-2018 MKA Alumni Cocktails & Connections in Boston Klank Family

L to R: Coach Rodano, Coach Mosca, Ben Yanes ’17, and Coach Edwards

Klank Klassic

& ALUMNI GAMES DAY 2017 Although it was a rainy day, the 12th Annual Klank Klassic took place on Saturday, June 17th on Van Brunt Field. This year the “odd” classes won the game (10-9), with Ben Yanes ’17 scoring the winning goal.

Unfortunately, the baseball game was cancelled due to the heavy rain that left the field in poor condition.

The Klank Klassic is held each year to commemorate the life of MKA lacrosse coach William “Noll” Klank who passed away in 2003. Noll’s entire family was in attendance including wife Sandy, his son and two daughters, Kristen ’95 and Tracey ’97. During halftime, Varsity Coach Paul Edwards recognized the Klank Family and acknowledged some of this year’s players for their achievements during the season including Ben Yanes ’17 who was awarded the W. Noll Klank Memorial Award. This is awarded to a senior who truly demonstrates what it means to “Cross the Line.”

With over 50 people in attendance, players from both teams, along with parents, children, and friends, enjoyed a post-game reception at Egan’s.

62

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

9/12/17 MKA Alumni Cocktails & Connection in Los Angeles 1/23/18 MKA Alumni Cocktails & Connections in San Francisco 1/24/18 MKA Alumni Cocktails & Connections in Philadelphia 5/9/18 *If you would like to host a regional event, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Eric Gutierrez at egutierrez@mka.org

A LU M N I N E WS

100 Days to Graduation On March 3rd, the Alumni Relations Office celebrated 100 Days to Graduation for the class of 2017. Students received treats from the office, including chocolate bars decorated

SAVE THE DATE!

September 19, 2017 Young Alumni Happy Hour Social Bar & Lounge New York, NY 6:30–8:30 p.m.

with their graduation date (6/11/17) and a magnet, pictured here. While the seniors seemed shocked that graduation was already only 100 days away, they were excited, and they appreciated the recognition of this milestone day.

October 14-15, 2017 Reunion & Homecoming Weekend For details visit www.mka.org/homecoming2017

Alumni Volunteer Celebration As part of National Volunteer Week, the Alumni Relations Office and the Board of Trustees recognized and celebrated alumni who have volunteered during the past two years with a reception on April 27th at The Crosby in Montclair. Headmaster Tom Nammack and Trustee Christina Cotton attended the reception and individually thanked alumni for their time and service to MKA. This was the first alumni volunteer celebration, but it will not be the last, as we begin a great tradition that we will continue to host proudly. A special thank you to Ryan Schinman ’89 who helped secure the space at the newly opened restaurant.

October 20, 2017 MKA DAY November 14, 2017 Alumni Networking Event New York, NY Time/Location TBD November 24, 2017 Alumni Winter Games Hockey Alumni Game Clary Anderson Arena Al Rehus Alumni Basketball Game Upper School Gym 4:30–6:30 p.m.

HONORARY ALUMNI AWARD The Honorary Alumni Award (HAA) was created in the spring of 2010 to address the desire of the Montclair Kimberley Academy Alumni Council to honor those members of the MKA family who have made a significant, easily recognizable and direct impact upon MKA students and the community of learners. The recipient of this award

January 4, 2018 College Alumni Luncheon & Senior Class Visit MKA Upper School Montclair, NJ 1:00–3:00 p.m.

can be any employee of the school who has served MKA for ten years, in any capacity. Award recipients can be teachers, administrators, custodians—anyone who has made the kind of mark on MKA that unquestionably deserves merit and recognition. It is not a surprise that the 2017 HAA recipient is Debra “Debbie” Allen, Tri-campus Alumni Relations Coordinator and Upper School Step Coach.

April 17, 2018 Alumni Volunteer Celebration Time/Location TBD

Debbie has worked at MKA for over 30 years and has been a vital member of the MKA community. She is loved, admired, and respected by students, colleagues, and alumni. Many have described Debbie as selfless, caring, strong, funny, loyal, and hardworking, which are just some of her qualities. Alumna Cait DiRuggiero ’06 comments, “Debbie is the consummate professional, doing her job with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Everything she is involved in you can rest assured will be completed correctly and efficiently, as she is the most trustworthy and disciplined

June 16, 2018 Klank Klassic & Alumni Games Day Upper and Middle School Fields Time TBD

person I know.” Congratulations, Debbie, on this well-deserved award!

FAL L 2017

63

G A GEN EROUS L I F E

YOUR GENEROSITY SUPPORTS OUR STUDENTS. We believe in our ability to empower our students and we know that to support new generations our future must include expanded and renovated facilities, robust Annual Giving, and a stronger Endowment that provides security and confidence.

A G E N E RO US L I F E

Linda Sterling

Volunteer Extraordinaire

Linda Sterling exemplifies the thoughtful and passionate MKA volunteer. After her children (Emma ’12 and Aaron ’14) graduated from MKA, Linda’s primary role with our school has become that of volunteer - and what an extraordinary volunteer she is. Linda is a Vice President on MKA’s esteemed Board of Trustees, and serves on the Development Committee and the Educational Programs and Policies Committee. She was also the Annual Giving Chair and Co-Chair for three years in a row from 2014 to 2017. During Linda’s tenure as Annual Giving Chair, the Annual Fund consistently reached $1 million by January 1st. She helped guide Annual Fund volunteers year after year by personal example and thoughtful brainstorming sessions. Linda has never failed to motivate volunteers to do their best.

FAL L 2017

“Linda’s level of dedication, commitment, tenacity, experience, and ultimately celebration and gratitude is admirable to all of us who have the pleasure of working with her.”

Talia Selove, MKA’s Director of Annual Giving says that, “Linda’s level of dedication, commitment, tenacity, experience, and ultimately celebration and gratitude is admirable to all of us who have the pleasure of working with her.”

In addition to her volunteer work for MKA, Linda currently serves on the Board of KIPP New Jersey, where she has tutored for over 12 years. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties. As a Duke University alumna, Linda coordinates alumni interviews for prospective Duke students in North Jersey and is Chair of the National Advisory Board of DukeEngage, a program that provides funding and opportunities for Duke students to undertake community service projects around the world. In addition, Linda has served on the Boards of other local organizations, such as the Montclair Golf Club, Human Needs Food Pantry, Montclair Art Museum, and Bloomfield College.

Linda’s generosity goes beyond volunteer outreach.

For many years Linda has taken part in a 200-mile 48-hour bicycle ride for the Pan Mass Challenge—a charity bicycle ride to fight children’s cancer—and has personally raised over $600,000. Linda is consistently one of the top ten women fundraisers for this organization year after year.

Kate Logan, President of MKA’s Board of Trustees kindly notes that, “Linda inspires others to do more, to be more, and to give more. Her thoughtfulness, her work ethic and her dedication to MKA is remarkable. I am honored to serve alongside Linda on MKA’s Board of Trustees.”

Linda motivates those she works with to strive for excellence all the while promoting the fact that excellence is achievable. Her joy while helping others is commendable and easily seen by all who know her.

MKA is extremely fortunate to have a volunteer such as Linda, and we look forward to many more years of her knowledge, guidance and enthusiastic energy.

It is an honor and a privilege to work with her, and those of us in the MKA community who have had the opportunity are incredibly grateful for all she does for our school.

65

A G E N E RO U S L I F E

Q&A with Alumni Daniel Allen ’07 Tell us a bit about yourself I started at Brookside in

the 2nd grade and graduated in 2007. While at the Upper School, I lettered in football and track and headed the Architecture and Habitat for Humanity Clubs. After 11 years at MKA, I went on to study foreign affairs at the University of Virginia. Since then, I’ve been mostly working in the nonprofit and public sector, with two terms of AmeriCorps at Habitat for Humanity, NeighborWorks America, and a federal contractor in Homeland Security.

For the past year, I’ve been working in the federal government, beginning with the Environmental Protection Agency and now the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In my free time, I volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, coach a team for Soccer Without Borders, am an active member of the UVA Club of Boston, and obsessively watch every single Manchester United game.

What do you consider some of your greatest professional accomplishments to date? How did your time at MKA help you achieve them? During

my second term of AmeriCorps, I completed a nationwide survey of federal, state, and local government funding to local affiliates for Habitat for Humanity’s Government Relations and Advocacy office. It was a difficult, yearlong, process, but my reports have helped HFH better advocate on behalf of their affiliates using hard data. Though this was a slightly more difficult undertaking than our junior yearlong history research papers, the ability to focus on a singular assignment for an extended period of time as we did has been an invaluable asset. As an aside, though I took zero enjoyment in it at the time, my paper on the Suez Canal Oil Crisis was my first academic exploration into foreign policy, which I grew to love studying at UVA.

Biggest lesson you’ve learned while at MKA? I had

the great privilege of running for Tom Fleming for four years. Tom would constantly exhort to us his axiom “Somewhere, someone in the world is training when you are not. When you race him, he will win.”

At the time, I thought he just wanted us to train more assiduously and win more (he did, and he made that

66

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

Dan Allen ’07 (top left) celebrating fellow alumna Mathilde Battsek’s wedding with classmates Holly Battsek, and Peter Nolan

very clear), but it’s something that has stuck with me and can be applied to all facets of life. There will always be someone training longer, studying more diligently, or working harder than you if you let them.

The onus is upon you to work towards your goals relentlessly and achieve them before someone else.

What are some of your favorite memories of MKA?

Though they were few and far between, winning games (I think we managed three in my junior and senior years combined) for Cougar football was an amazing and unforgettable experience. Losing was an awful, weekly affirmation that we had been outworked all week in preparation to be outperformed that weekend. Knowing how hard we worked for those wins, despite playing against usually bigger and significantly deeper teams, those were incredible highs that my friends and I still reminisce about.

Why do you support MKA? While you’re in school at

MKA, it’s commonplace to brush off the character standards as abstract ideas and forget them once you’re outside the halls. However, striving for a fairer community and understanding that it is the responsibility of those who can to help those who cannot help themselves has been instilled in me since the second grade, and it would be quite difficult to say that they had not been guiding principles for my career in service. Additionally, being confident and informed have become two developed characteristics that have become more important than ever in

A G E N E RO US L I F E

“MKA provided me with countless opportunities to develop my interests within the close community of faculty and friends. ”

my field. I hope that MKA will continue to produce students who embody these ideals.

In addition, though there are still few faces like mine, I appreciate that MKA is working towards creating greater diversity. Furthermore, I am thankful to the opportunities that previous black alumni provided students like me both as resources for advice as well as through exposure to colleges with programs like the Black Alumni Network Initiative’s annual college trip, organized by Bob Cottingham ’84 and and Paige Cottingham Streater ’79. I hope I can continue to pay it forward as they have.

Kathryn Auw Prasad ’01 Tell us a bit about yourself I am a Montclair native, and I attended MKA’s Upper School for four years. I received a Management Science degree from MIT in 2005, and I returned to the New York area after graduation to work at Bear Stearns and now Morgan Stanley. I met my husband in 2007, and we married in 2014. We currently live in Manhattan.

What do you consider some of your greatest professional accomplishments to date? How did your time at MKA help you achieve them? / Biggest lesson you’ve learned while at MKA? In my career, I am most proud of my recent role

transition. In 2016, I left my seat as a trader to be a COO within our Fixed Income lending businesses. Given the gravitas of the responsibilities, I was initially hesitant and did not feel prepared to be effective in the new position. At MKA, I learned to be a problem solver to affect change, and that lesson has helped me through my career. As a junior, I enrolled in a newly formed science research class started by Dr. Leger and Mr. Marchioni, and I had to continue digging until I proved or disproved my hypothesis. Similarly, at work, I encounter business opportunities that bring new conundrums of how to assess the risk, book the opportunity, or manage the position; but whatever the problem, research and creativity lead me to a solution.

What are some of your favorite memories of MKA? I have so

Try everything and don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s just as important to find out what you don’t like and aren’t good at as it is knowing what you do like, which might surprise you.

many favorite memories of MKA that it’s hard to pick a few!

I loved the Student Travel Program to Greece that Ms. Budd and Mr. Noyes led in my freshman year; our group had an eye-opening week immersing ourselves in the rich history of Athens. I also recall my friend Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer hanging from a ladder off the Auditorium’s balcony during a Morning Meeting performance; the fact that the school encouraged such creativity in its students was inspiring.

Why do you think it is important to be an involved alumnus of MKA? Attending

Why do you support MKA? / Any advice for the students currently at MKA? MKA provided me with countless

Any advice for the students currently at MKA?

MKA makes you a part of a small, but tight knit, and supportive community. Alumni in the past have been helpful to me when navigating industries and cities and I think it is imperative for us to return the favor for the next group of young alums who are just starting out and can use the guidance. It’s up to us to continue to make our network successful and stronger in the future.

FAL L 2017

opportunities to develop my interests within the close community of faculty and friends. I picked up a new sport (lacrosse), and teachers helped me to accelerate my learning curve through extra courses. I cherish my experiences and the friendships I formed at school that carry through to today. The community of MKA is unique, not often seen in other schools, and I give back every year so that this special culture can continue to foster the future generations. MKA offers many outlets for students to explore, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities.

67

A G E N E RO U S L I F E

The McAndrew Family

MKA is fortunate to count the McAndrew family as part of its community since 2014. Jason and Heidi have a “deep appreciation for the caliber of education” that their daughters, Charlotte “Charlie” and Harper, are receiving. Charlie is excited to move to the 4th grade at the Middle School for the 201718 school year. She is particularly excited to join her friends for lunch in the Dining Hall and can’t wait to work on her own laptop.

Harper is equally excited to take on the challenges of 2nd grade.

Heidi and Jason are loyal supporters of both PAMKA and MKA’s Annual Fund. They generously support the Annual Fund because they recognize that there are aspects of the MKA mission that wouldn’t be possible without the support of the entire community. Jason says that he finds comfort in “knowing that our contributions have a direct and immediate impact on students by ensuring that they have the resources required to foster their ethical development, intellectual growth, and personal success.”

68

Heidi and Jason appreciate the opportunities to gather as a community and celebrate the achievements of Charlie, Harper, and their classmates.

Heidi comments that “events like writing celebrations, art shows, music concerts, class plays, and the Strings Concert at Carnegie Hall highlight the hard work, collaboration and pride of both students and faculty.” Charlie and Harper are very proud of their hard work and accomplishments, and their MKA pride is always on display. Heidi shares the story of Charlie’s ninth birthday party where Charlie and her friends broke out into a full-throated rendition of the school song Oh MKA, Oh MKA! Charlie and Harper also have quite a bit to be proud of in their extracurricular successes. Charlie and her pony, English Princess, won champion and reserve champion in two divisions of the Garden State Horse Show. Harper has finished her preparatory year of ballet at the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center. She

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

has advanced to the children’s division and is looking forward to performing on stage. Heidi and Jason credit MKA in playing a significant role “in giving Charlie and Harper the confidence to turn their dreams into a reality.”

Travel and entertaining are favorite activities for the McAndrew family. Heidi and Jason love to travel with the girls and explore new places as much as possible. They also spend a good portion of the summer enjoying extended family and the natural beauty of Jason’s home, Ontario, Canada. When they are in Montclair they enjoy entertaining friends with Jason in charge of the grill and Heidi in charge of dessert and wine.

We cannot wait to see what the future holds for these two very talented young ladies. The MKA community wouldn’t be complete without Heidi, Jason, Charlie, and Harper. We are grateful for everything the McAndrew family does to support our school, faculty, and students. ■

A G E N E RO US L I F E

Heritage Society Stories and Happenings

by Lainey Segear

In April, I took a trip to the Boston area to visit some of our Kimberley School and Montclair Academy alumni. My trip began in Weston, Massachusetts where I met with Noel Thorbecke Estes (TKS ’66) at her beautiful home. She had recently visited MKA for her 50th reunion, and she told me stories of how her classmates were able to reignite old friendships and are now planning many reunions. Noel has also been gracious enough to offer her home for a gathering of MKA alumni this fall. My next stop was to visit with Sheldon Buck (MA ’54), one of the school’s original “lifer” students. Sheldon began his Montclair Academy journey at the age of three at Brookside.

I also made my way to Chatham where I met with former Trustee and mother of four Montclair

FAL L 2017

Academy alumni, Joan Denny Carlisle (TKS ’46). Joan shared many old pictures and stories from her time at The Kimberley School. My last visit was to beautiful Martha’s Vineyard, where I met with Leigh Berrien Smith (TKS ’45).

Each person taught me an interesting fact about MKA before the merger. Leigh Smith’s knowledge of the school as a former student, teacher, and parent of both The Kimberley School and Montclair Academy students was particularly enlightening. During my visit, Leigh and I discussed the importance of a legacy gift such as hers and what it means to MKA. Her commitment as a member of our Heritage Society will transform the experience of every future student who walks the halls at MKA.

As an important part of MKA’s future, the Heritage Society recognizes those individuals who have provided for Montclair Kimberley Academy in their estate plans or through other planned gifts. By providing for MKA through a planned gift, donors help to ensure the future health and vitality of the school. These gifts are a critical element in helping to build MKA’s endowment. We will be forever grateful to Leigh Smith, not only for her commitment and love of the school as a teacher, parent, and alumna, but also for her generosity and planning for MKA’s future!

For questions or to consider MKA in your estate plans, please contact Lainey Segear, Major Gifts Officer, lsegear@mka.org or (973) 509-7933.

69

C CL ASS N OT ES

THE GATHERING The Gathering is a tradition that occurs at the start of each school year. Every member of the faculty, staff and student body comes together from all three campuses to ring in another year at MKA.

C L ASS N OT ES

E D I TO R ’S N OT E

The deadline for news for the FALL MKA Review is May 1, and the deadline for the SPRING issue is January 1. News can be submitted at any time in response to the Alumni Office’s annual mailing, on the back of Annual Fund remittance envelopes, via mail or email to: alumni@mka.org or your Class Representative. We keep ongoing files for each class and welcome photographs in digital or hard copy.

If your class does not have a Class Representative listed, please consider volunteering for the position! It is a great way to re-establish contacts with old friends, does not require a great deal of time and is essential to the ongoing vitality of the school. Thank you.

MKA sends deepest sympathy to 1935 the family of / TKS /

Ruth McCord Alexander

who passed away on February 24, 2017. Ruth had just celebrated her 100th birthday on February 6.

The Alumni Office heard from the 1937 brother-in-law of / TKS /

Kathryn Holton

Sjolander,

who let us know that she passed away in February 2017.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family.

MKA sends its deepest sympathy to 1939 the family of who passed / MA /

Peter Funk

away on September 19, 2016.

1941

/ TKS /

/ Mrs. Enid

Hyde, 5402 Duvall Drive,

Bethesda, MD 20816, enidghyde@aol.

com / MA / MKA sends its sincere condolences to the family of Perry Minton who passed away on March 13, 2017.

1942 The Alumni Office heard 75TH REUNION

OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ MA /

of the passing of Allan Sandford Brown who died on June 9, 2016.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family.

1943

/ TKS /

/ Miss Lucile

Mason, 10 Crestmont Rd.,

#6b, Montclair, NJ 07042, janm142@ aol.com / MA / The Wynne,

daughter of Capt. William notified the Alumni Office

FAL L 2017

of his passing on February 12, 2017. Our sincerest condolences go out to the family.

The son of John Randall “Randy” Gritzen, has notified the Alumni Office of his passing on April 8, 2017. Our deepest sympathy go out to the family.

1945

/ TKS /

/ Mrs. Leigh

Smith, 847 Franklin

Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, lbsmith15@yahoo.com

Time rushes by when some of us are becoming nonagenarians this year! Cynnie Carswell Blair was anticipating a very special luncheon for her 90th hosted by her daughter, Gail, when we spoke.

Among expected guests along with other relatives were several she’s known since her teens, including one who was in her wedding. After all that excitement Cynnie planned her summer routines, returning to NJ—NY area. Meanwhile, her retirement facility keeps offering interesting talks and activities regularly, and she definitely feels she’s among the fortunate.

Dorothy “Mike” Van Winkle

in Rumson, NJ also anticipated a happy event the day we talked—the wedding of the third of her four grands in Princeton, NJ that week. Only one grand remains unmarried, studying at Villanova. Daughter Susan is still in Vermont, but Mike’s son and other daughter are in New Jersey. I learned Mike will remain in her eighties a Morehouse

MA Montclair Academy / TKS The Kimberley School / MKA Montclair Kimberley Academy

while longer. She sounded great though poor eyesight and arthritis would upset anyone without her admirable attitude.

Sally DuBois Moberg is another who could complain, with fulltime oxygen needs now, but still cheerfully appreciates life with her daughter’s family in Ashville, NC. Son Duby’s family that has produced many great grands also is in the south, so Sally sees some of the little ones at times, to her delight.

I regret Jane Hagan Farno’s eldest son had to phone me months after her passing, as she hadn’t given me a hint of serious illness last year, lovely as she was. I also think often of Rudd (Trimble) Kenvin as her husband Roger has been extremely supportive of MKA, knowing Rudd was a happy Brooksider (along with Pat Driver Shuttleworth) for eight years before Kimberley in high school years. Roger remains in California on daughter Brooke’s premises with her daughter and college-age son; his daughter; Heather’s, son is at Yale.

Now I look forward to seeing Florence “Pete” Lamborn Peters back on the Vineyard where two of her sons remain; among other activities, son Eric is President of Vineyard Open Land Foundation, one of the important environmental organizations.

I prefer warm weather these days, and appreciated the chance to get to Hawaii (specifically Maui) the last week of 2016 with both daughters, Alison’s husband and their sons, (my 3 bachelor grands out of five all in their early 30’s).

None of us had been there and especially memorable was the trip by van up MT. Haleakaila.

We send our deepest sympathy to the family of Jane Hagan Farno, who passed away in June 2016. / MA /

/ Mr. William Grant, 537

Milano Road, Kissimee, FL 34759, grantwb@cfl.rr.com

Class Representative

71

L E GAC Y FA M I LY

“A man cannot leave a better legacy to the world than a well-educated family.”

THOMAS SCOTT

MKA is proud, fortunate and grateful to have a community that includes generations of families whose members have attended our founding schools of Brookside, The Kimberley School, Montclair Academy and today’s Montclair Kimberley Academy.

A Family Legacy Why is it important to you that your family had the same school experience that you did?

Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04 It is not important, but it is invaluable. To be able to share many of the same school memories as your parents or uncles and aunts that are decades older is remarkable. As a family, we have similar and shared memories of home life but to add shared memories of our school life growing up adds to our sense of camaraderie.

72

gives the confidence that the level of education and hard work you would want instilled in the next generation is passed on institutionally in addition to it happening at home.

Shannon O’Hara ’91 We all got a wonderful education. For us, it was a legacy, and I got to have many of the same teachers in both generations.

How would you describe the value of an MKA education?

Bernard Crawford ’68 MKA is a known commodity and provided me and my daughter, Jessica, with a pathway to higher education. The school simultaneously provided a safe and nurturing atmosphere.

Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04 MKA does not only educate you academically but also teaches you to be a well-rounded individual and instills in you the importance of becoming a contributing member of society.

Shane Fry ’89 We all received a wonderful education. Sharing the same school system also gives families an additional layer of core experiences even beyond the shared family bond. Additionally, since I believe the education we received to be excellent, it

Bernard Crawford ’68 There is value in learning in a competitive atmosphere. And there is value in learning and experiencing the benefit of teamwork. These attributes have been cornerstones of my professional life.

MKA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

Shane Fry ’89 I have noted often over the years that, compared to other people I interact with, I have been educated more completely and to a higher level in the pre-college years. That knowledge can add another layer of self-confidence.

Shannon O’Hara ’91 I felt I was much more educated than the standard student I was up against.

What are your fondest memories of MKA and why?

Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04 I have always said that the best years of my life were the ones that I spent at MKA; therefore, the fondest memories really are all of them. If I had to choose, I would say being a cheerleader —GO COUGARS!—as well as all the lifelong friendships I made.

One of my best friends till this day is Alexandra Milder, and the memories we made at MKA are ones we still talk about. As a matter of fact, when I first met Alex she was wearing this headband that had the French words oui ou non on it. It was such a dorky headband, and 15 years later I am still making fun of her about it.

Bernard Crawford ’68 My fondest memories are of playing football for Carmen Marnell. If you know him, you will understand. If you don’t, I cannot explain it.

Shane Fry ’89 With the school being small, it gave a nice sense of community. For me, it was always interesting to have family enrolled with me at the same time as well as teachers who remembered aunts or uncles.

Shannon O’Hara ’91 I have many fond memories, mostly involving my family, as John, David, and I all graduated together!

L EGAC Y FA M I LY

What are aspects of MKA that you hope never change?

Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04 The incredible support you are given from teachers, staff, and everyone in the MKA community.

It really is like a second family.

Bernard Crawford ’68 I hope MKA will continue to attract an ethnically diverse student body as well as encourage and support students of all economic backgrounds.

Shane Fry ’89 I’d hope the school would remain a place with varied educational topics to choose from and a great number of extracurricular activities.

That includes things like physical education and art. So many school systems have reduced that sort of thing in the name of budgeting, and they fail to see that a well- rounded student is a better human being.

Shannon O’Hara ’91 I hope the school stays small and keeps up with out-of-the-box educational subjects. It really prepares for college.

Can you please talk about your transition to college/ professional life? How did MKA help with that?

Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04 At MKA, I was taught to have a very strong work ethic, and it is my work ethic that allowed me to successfully navigate NYU, a huge university in which it is easy to slip through the cracks. My work ethic and determination also gave me the confidence to start my own business despite never taking a business class or knowing the first thing about business.

Shane Fry ’89 MKA set a workload and a set of expectations that were high. It made the future expectations of college

FAL L 2016

and the business world an almost insignificant increase. That truth, which I found many times, made the transition points in life less stressful.

Shannon O’Hara ’91 MKA taught me about the trimester system that helped me with college scheduling and learning. I liked being able to select my classes.

How did your experience at MKA influence who you are today?

Jessica Arismendy Crawford ’04 My experience at MKA gave me an incredibly solid foundation into adulthood. Not only was I given a strong academic education, but MKA also molded my character and confidence. Today, I am the proud owner of a successful small business, Aris Couture, a women’s boutique located exactly one mile from the Upper School. The outpouring of love and support I have received from my MKA family has played a huge part in running a successful business.

Bernard Crawford ’68 Who

we are on any day is a product of all that has come before. Montclair Academy was for me the first opportunity I had to develop interests I continue to rely upon today. Lot of good lessons.

Shane Fry ’89 I think it aided in opening my mind to subjects that, of my own choice, I never would have taken the time to investigate. School is, after all, not just educating, but socializing and raising awareness when done the right way.

Shannon O’Hara ’91 I still am in contact with MANY MKA individuals who enhance my life to this day. Networking is great!

Photo above: Crawford Family photo - including siblings and spouses, with their children, and grandchildren.

73

C L AS S N OT ES

1946

/ TKS /

/ Mrs.

Eleanor Ketcham,

4 White Oak, Elon, NC 28244, ellieketcham@aol.com Ellie Ketcham Notes from Eleanor Helm Ketcham: Margaret Shanks Moore

lives in NY City near her sister, Meteer. She is retiring now from community boards and from bridge, but stays actively interested in the wealth of arts in the city. And she has a two-and-a-half year old Havanese puppy to take care of.

Margaret and her husband raised their five children in California and only one of them lives in the East now, the others remaining on the West Coast.

She has 11 grandchildren, and the most amazing news is that one of them, just graduating from Penn State, has been named the “most knowledgeable expert on venomous snakes in the US.” Penn State is the center of snake study, she says, and her grandson started being fascinated by them as a very small boy.

Heidi Ames Troxell says she really has no news from her quiet retirement community in Maryland. She says the favorite joke there is that Our Main Sport is Falling! BUT, Heidi’s still driving; she helps edit the Literary Magazine, and she’s made many stimulating new friends.

She is enthusiastic about living in a retirement community. Her four children visit often, and one granddaughter did an internship in nearby Washington, DC. Abby Keebler Ryan says her three children all spend part of their summers in Maine near the Ryan’s retirement center. All three are retired, but Philip still serves on business boards in Switzerland.

Ruth and Judy both own horses and love to ride, Ruth in New Jersey, Judy in Maine. Abby says her husband, Art, is 92 and losing his hearing, just as my husband, Jack, is. No other news, Abby says.

Connie Ritchie DuHamel is our only classmate who still lives in Montclair. She lives at the

74

Rockcliffe, still drives and bowls… and sounds wonderful. Her six daughters live in New England or New York and everybody gets together at Little Compton in the summer.

Our condolences go to Judy on the passing of her husband David Connolly ’53.

1947

1955

70TH REUNION OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ TKS /

/ Mrs. Louise Hannegan, 49

Connolly

/ MA /

/ Mr. Sheldon Buck, 51

Cornell Road, Wellesley, MA 024827408, sheldonbuck@me.com / TKS /

/ Mrs. Cecily

Wilson Lyle, 433 Wright’s

Neck Road, Centerville, MD 21617,

Canterbury Lane, Lakeville, CT 06039,

cecilyle@hughes.net / MA /

weezieh@sbcglobal.net

/ Mr. Lawrence Martin, P.O. Box

/ MA / MKA

1058 , Lexington, VA 24450,

recently heard from the son of Alpheus Norman, who let us know that his father passed away on May 2, 2017. We send our sincere condolences to him and his family.

1948

/ MA /

/ Mr. John

Leonhard, 51 Fromm

martinlexington@centurylink.net

Condolences go out to the family of Rev. Oscar Mockridge who passed away on April 24, 2017.

1956

TKS /

/ Ms. Susan

Ferdinand, 125 Limerick

Lane, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865,

Court, Mahwah, NJ 07430,

facesbyferdinand@gmail.com

nhandjhleonhard@aol.com

writes: 2016’s reunion, our 60th, was a vibrant event. The Kimberley School Class of ’56 sang louder, laughed harder and talked faster, I’m quite sure, than any of the younger alumnae.

Age seems to have created a thesaurus of common experiences, diverse emotional triumphs and crises, and fascinating life-altering events. One afternoon was simply not enough time to share all that we wanted to share.

Enough philosophy. Here’s the news (with thanks to those who wrote again after my computer ate all of your original letters): Betsy Hasbrouck Cole divides her time between winters in Vero Beach, Florida, summers in Little Compton, Rhode Island and a retirement community, Fox Hill Village, in Westwood, Massachusetts near Henny Nelson Skeen and Gail Wilson and Peter. Betsy and husband, Bob, have seven grandchildren: one graduated from U. of North Carolina last May, one is at Denison and one at U. of Denver while another is preparing to attend Lehigh this year. Betsy enjoys flower arranging and interior design. Recently she and Bob put together two apartments

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Richard C. Kimm who passed away on April 17, 2016.

1950

/ TKS /

/ Mrs. Audrey

Maas, 4551 Gulf Shore

Blvd. North, #804, Naples, FL 34103, rdlew@aol.com

1951

/ TKS /

/ Mrs. Gail

Marentette, 93 Glen

Avenue, Llewellyn Park, West Orange, NJ 07052 / MA / We

send our deepest condolences to the family of Craig Scott Bartlett, Jr. who passed away on January 15, 2017

1952 / TKS /

65TH REUNION OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ Mrs. Martha Moran, 8011

Strauff Road, Baltimore, MD 21204, martha.moran1@verizon.net / MA / Our

condolences go out to the family of Franklin Bronander who passed away on January 9, 2017.

Our condolences go out to the family of Joseph Schubert who passed away peacefully at home on February 15, 2017.

1954

/ TKS /

/ Ms. Georgia

Carrington, 38 Silver

Spring Lane, Ridgefield, CT 06877,

carrgeo@aol.com

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

Susan Crook Ferdinand

C L ASS N OT ES

at Fox Hill Village. Betsy writes “I would love to hear from anyone in our class if you find yourself near us. You are always welcome!”

I wish I could share all of Nini de Jurenev’s charming letter. While she shares the horror expressed by many at the reunion “about what is happening to this country I love,” Nini is busy trying to get background checks (for firearms purchasers) enacted into law in New Mexico, an open carry state where it is legal to carry long guns in the state legislature, bars and restaurants. On the happier side, Nini reports that Santa Fe can boast of the creation of a local Neighbor to Neighbor organization “which for a minimum fee will help you when you get too old and frail to take out the trash.

This allows those of us who have no longterm care insurance to gracefully age in place.”

Jane Romeyn Dunning, a retired Episcopal priest of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, is “currently serving as Priest Associate at St. James Church in Greenfield and as Chaplain to the Shelburne Falls Fire Department. She and husband, Harry Dunning, married for 57 years, have two children and seven grandchildren. A former teacher at Rye Country Day School (for 20 years), Jane attended The General Theological Seminary in New York City and was ordained in 1991. She has been a knitter, a weaver, a spinner, a sheep breeder, an EMT, a paramedic and is an avid reader.

Meredyth Clark Graham is a busy lady. With her family, she regularly summers in Aruba. She still teaches ESL and plays tennis (you go, girl!), and is planning a Great Lakes cruis this Fall with husband Tom Graham and friends who introduced them 54 years ago.

Recently returned from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, Ann DeVausney Hallowell writes of the amazing wildlife and animals and diverse culture, rich in history. She followed Mandela’s

FAL L 2017

road for freedom from Soweto to Robben Island and places such as Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, and Victoria Falls.

Ann reports “Everyone we met asked us what is happening to your country?”

Carol Cooper Henry had dinner with Henny (Helen Nelson Skeen) followed her annual trek to the Vineyard with a stay at Massachusetts General for successful hip surgery. She is back swimming laps. Carol and husband, Bill, who is still working part time, enjoyed a winter vacation in Florida. They are very much involved with their five “grandgirls,” while daughter, Annie, and son, Charlie, are in training for the coming Ironman Triathlon in Canada and son, Bill, is editing the TV show Quantico.

Kay Merritt McCrosky writes that she is a confirmed city girl. New York City has been Kay’s home for many years.

From Eugene, Oregon, Lilla Emetaz McDonald sent her regrets for missing the reunion and says she would love to hear from everyone.

Carol Van Brunt Rasic writes “Janko and I spent Christmas under the palms in San Diego while visiting our daughter and her husband who were married on the beach in Quogue last June.

Molla Kaplan Reisbaum writes: “I continue to be an active realtor, working for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. My office is located in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

I cover all of Bergen County, primarily northwest Bergen County and other locations in Northern NJ. Real Estate does keep me busy.

The grandchildren are spectacular! Anna Caroline Reisbaum is finishing her sophomore year at Tulane, Ethan Reisbaum will be a freshman at the University of Maryland, Solomon Reisbaum Medintz will enter the University of Michigan, Joshua Reisbaum Medintz

MA Montclair Academy / TKS The Kimberley School / MKA Montclair Kimberley Academy

entering his junior year at beacon HS, NYC and Miranda Reisbaum Medintz enters the seventh grade in the fall. Lots of traveling to athletic fields all over the New York Metro area!

Bridge and community activities keep me engaged and involved.

Loved catching up with Sally Bever Zwiebach and Sue Crook Ferdinand! I do see Joanne Weisser Salomon, Always fun reminiscing!

Joanne Weiser Salomon, retired high school teacher, lives in Hackensack, New Jersey. Joanne is a Sapphire Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League, having earned 3,500 points.

Writes Joanne: “This is a big deal for me, a math challenged student who never passed a math class in her life.”

Sally Bever Zwiebach and husband, Burt, are selling their home of 50 years in Glen Cove, New York, and moving to an apartment in an active, over-55 community not far away. Sally keeps busy attending concerts and plays and taking classes in the city.

As for myself, I busy myself as the manager of processing administration for a company called America’s Fresh Start, which deals with foreclosure mitigation. Daughter Julie is an executive at America’s Fresh Start. In my spare time, and on a happier note, I have a tiny face painting company where my granddaughter now provides henna and will enable us to continue as a family business.

Daughter Liz is an accountant at Nestle, and son, Mark, is a producer at CBS News.

Finally, I would like to extend not only my thanks, but the thanks of the entire class, to Carol Barnard Ottenberg for her many years as class secretary. Carol made it to the reunion in spite of an awful infection. I only hope that I can be as loyal and long-lasting in the job as Carol. Thanks, Carol, and, to all whose letters were swallowed

Class Representative

75

C L AS S N OT ES

when my computer crashed in March, my apologies. / MA /

/ Mr. Eric Jaeckel,

PO Box 20153, Boulder, CO 80308, efjaeckel@hotmail.com /

/ Dr.

Lawrence Nazarian, 29 Surrey Place, Penfield, NY 14526, lfredn@aol.com

1957

60TH REUNION OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ TKS /

/ Mrs. Thelma “Tam” Miller

Knight, 3001 Linton Blvd. No. 201C, Delray Beach, FL 33445, tknight115@aol.com

We heard from Tam Knight that “Judy Kaplan fought a valiant fight against cancer for several years.”

She passed away on March 31, 2017. Sincere condolences go out to her family.

1958

/ TKS /

/ Mrs.

Diana Bethell Little,

1-K Buckingham Road, West Orange, NJ 07052, littlecorp@verizon.net / MA /

/ Mr. Henry Agens, 86 Eagle

Rock Way, Montclair, NJ 07042, hymelee@earthlink.net

As many of you may already know, our classmate and my longtime friend Dave Stroming passed away quietly on February 15, 2017.

He was two months short of his 77th birthday. At his bedside was Kathleen, his devoted wife of 50 years. He is survived by sons David, Mark, and Scott all of whom he was most proud, and by sisters Jane Stroming Johansen ’60 and Nancy.

Dave and Kathleen Stroming

For 40 years, Dave worked as a commercial loan officer in the banking industry. Was there ever a more devoted, dedicated NY Giants football fan than Dave? He

76

Dave Stroming ’58 and Andy Carey

was a Giants season tickets holder for 54 years!! As for baseball, he rooted for the NY Mets having switched allegiance from the Yankees. Most of us remember how much Dave admired and idolized Andy Carey, Yankees third baseman of the 1950’s. Dave finally met his idol in 2003 at a NJ card show we attended.

As classmates of Dave, we remember him as a good basketball and baseball player. He joined our class in the 5th grade at Brookside. We recall with great affection his dry sense of humor, which usually showed itself at appropriate times. Simply put: Dave was a good guy. May he rest in peace.

At long last, I got the opportunity to speak at length with Steve Heller. He’s led a diverse, wonderful life. Graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in three years, Steve then graduated OKU (honor society) from Penn Dental school. He started a practice in Tenafly, NJ in 1967 limiting it to surgery and prosthetics after a few years.

Concurrent with dentistry, Steve went into the “voice over” recording studio business (Super Dup) in NYC. (I myself recorded many VO commercials at Super Dup during my acting career).

Later, with a partner, Steve opened a dual 28 track music recording studio. In the late 1980’s, Steve sold both companies and moved from NJ to New Hampshire, and with his wife Marline, started an American Crafts and Antiques business that “was a passion.”

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

Steve married Marline in 1962. They had two boys; Sean (a chiropractor) and Josh (a psychiatrist). Marline, a woman Steve refers to as “the best possible wife,” passed away 19 years ago. Steve kept their New Hampshire operation going another five years after her death for the sake of their nine employees.

Steve, in recent years, did volunteer dental services in Haiti (a dozen trips) and in El Salvador.

He performed surgery only under the most primitive of conditions; working outside, in a plastic chair, with no X-rays or rotary instruments or electricity of any kind.

Steve is now living on Candlewood Lake in southwestern Connecticut and “trying like crazy to connect with a rational woman as a companion.” Quite a journey, Steve, and it continues.

Well, that’s about it. Until that time, accept all wooden nickels and do not beware of any Greeks bearing gifts. Hy Agens, your decidedly humble scribe.

MKA sends sincere condolences to the family of David Stroming, who passed away on February 15, 2017.

1959

/ TKS /

/ Ms. Jarvis

Reilly Nolan, 15612

Via Marchena, San Diego, CA 92128, jarvisno@aol.com

MKA sends their sincere 1960

sympathy to whose / TKS /

Caroll Tiernan

sister, Christine Tiernan ’69, passed away on February 17, 2017.

Sally Alice Unkles Smith wrote: President and Mrs. Trump attended the 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve 2016 service at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach FL. MKA alumnae Sarah “Sally” Kimball Petito ’68 was in charge of the Flower Guild’s Christmas decorations. Sally was on her team of over 100 members.

Mary Ann Coursen Doty received a note from Sally Alice Unkles Smith,

C L ASS N OT ES

to Margaret Crawford Bridge whose sister, Mary “Bea” Crawford, passed away on November 23, 2016.

informing her of the death of her stepson, Andrew Lyons Smith, III, who passed away February 22, 2017.

The MKA community sends their deepest condolences to the Smith family. / MA /

1966

/ MA /

/ Mr. A. Craig

Cameron, 11 Bay Point

Dr., Ormond Beach, FL 32174,

/ Mr. George Bleyle, 200

Laurel Lake Drive, Apt. E267, Hudson,

ccameron@cameronhodges.com /

OH 44236, 777bleyle@gmail.com

/ Mr. Douglas Fitzpatrick, 70 Eastern

1961

Vista, Sedona, AZ 86351

/ TKS /

/ Mrs. Winifred

1967

50TH REUNION

Sage Wilson, 13819 Vidal

Place, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 / / Mrs. Suzanne Hardy, 47 Bartlett Parkway, Winthrop, MA 02152

1962

55TH REUNION

OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ TKS /

/ 501 Portola Road, #8185

Portola Valley, CA 94028, bbcreed@ aol.com / MA /

/ Mr. Doug Donald,

189 Sedgefield Circle, Winter Park, FL 32792, D1Donald@aol.com

1964

/ MA /

/ John

Benigno, 597 Hansell

Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096, johnbenigno@hotmail.com / TKS / Mary Beatrice Crawford

passed quietly on November 23, 2016 after a long struggle with COPD. She is survived by her two children and one grandson.

Her final years were spent in South Jersey with her children and grandson. Bea will be fondly remembered for her love of horses, her kindness and generosity. She was one great lady and will be missed by many.

MKA sends deepest sympathy to the family of Mary “Bea” Crawford.

1965

/ TKS /

/ Ms. Katharine

“Kitty” Haines, 174 East

74th Street, Apt. 9F, New York, NY 10021 khaines22@aol.com Katharine “Kitty” Haines writes: Our

heartfelt condolences go to Susan DeBevoise Wright and her husband Jim on the untimely death of their grandson, Adam.

News from Sally Poor Owen.

“Harry and I are entering a new chapter in our lives. We are moving from beautiful Breckenridge Ski

FAL L 2017

OCTOBER 14, 2017

Mary Beatrice Crawford ’64

Area down to the Denver area.

This is a chance to leave the high altitude with its oxygen problems and be near to our kids and grandchildren. We will dearly miss this town and the people and especially our church. I have just returned this May from a wonderful trip to Spain with my daughter to celebrate my 70th b-day. Life is good.”

Andrea Sporer Simon said that “she has been travelling on her schedule. Going to Barcelona and London. Then, two trips to LA over the summer, a week at the Cape in August at a friend’s house and then Vienna and Budapest in September.

Despite its ups and downs life has been good.”

Ellen Malcolm says “Not a great deal is different in my life. I chair the EMILY’s List board and we’re thrilled at the 12,000 plus women who have contacted us about running for office. Since I was trained as a Baby Boomer anti-war activist, I have great respect for the Resistance and love seeing so many younger women entering the social change arena. As we say at EMILY’s List: Resist Run Win.” Many of us are celebrating a very big birthday this year. Happy & healthy to all!

I continue to spend time in NYC, Napa, Bermuda, and MA. But this year, I am adding London (I WON tickets to Wimbledon!) and Barcelona.

MKA sends sincere condolences

MA Montclair Academy / TKS The Kimberley School / MKA Montclair Kimberley Academy

/ TKS /

/ Ms. Margot Escott

1818 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Naples, FL 34110, margotescott@mac.com / MA /

/ Mr. Craig Perry, 3467

Pinestream Road, Atlanta, GA 30327, craigcperry@aol.com

1968

/ TKS /

/Ms. Avie

Claire Kalker, 10 Knolls

Road, Williamstown, MA 01267, heraldicone@gmail.com / MA /

/

Mr. Geoff Gregg, 6108 Percheron Trail, Summerfield, NC 27358, tartanone@ triad.rr.com

MKA sends sincere condolences to Bernard Crawford whose sister, Mary “Bea” Crawford, passed away on November 23, 2016.

1969

/ TKS /

/ Ms.

Christine Hannon,

97 North Street, Northampton, MA 01060, channon@smith.edu / MA /

/

Dr. Edward A. Griggs Jr., 100 Cedar Street, Apt. B24, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

notified the Alumni Office that her sister, Christine Tiernan, passed away suddenly of a heart attack on February 17, 2017. MKA sends its deepest condolences to the family.

Susan Tiernan Madrigan ’73

1970

/ TKS /

/ Ms.

Leslie Bryan, 844 East

Morningside Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, lbryan@dsckd.com / MA /

/

Mr. V. James Castiglia Esq., 3 Lark Lane, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438, vjc@ vjamescastiglia.com /

/ Mr. Peter

Webb, Mile Slip Farm, 48 Mason Road, Brookline, NH 03033, pwebb@ winerbennett.com

Class Representative

77

C L AS S N OT ES

Gordon Sussman writes: I’m in the spin dry cycle of my working life, so I get a fair bit of play time…. mostly paddling or biking. I’m in my third career…this time as a sinecure (Labor Analyst) for Wisconsin, and they need me more than I need them, which makes for an decent mix of business and recreation. Population pressure and geography make the Northeast a difficult place to safely and easily bike and paddle. (Lack of imagination too…great paddling in the Passaic/Hackensack Rivers and backwaters north of Newark Bay…not many paddlers). The Iowa ride is a great immersion in an alien culture for those too long planted in the NYC Megalopolis.

It’s not the Hamptons, or the Jersey Shore, but it’s a good mind cleanse for folks wrestling with the existential angst of being part of the power-elite. Or for folks who should be wrestling with it.

1971

/ TKS /

/ Miss Philippa

Bowles, 39 Orts Road,

Hamburg, NJ 07419, wvbond60@gmail. com / MA /

/ Mr. Jeffrey Jones, 77

Monroe Street, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009, coastdaylight98@yahoo.com/

/ Mr.

Anthony Vitale, 10 North Wood Avenue, Apt. 601, Linden, NJ 07036 Tony.

Vitale@TVOD.com

1972

45TH REUNION OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ TKS /

/ Ms. Deborah Peck, Esq.,

128 Victoria Bay Court, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418, deborahpeckesq@ gmail.com /

/ Mrs. Linda Finney

Williams P.O. Box 1446, Nantucket, MA 02554, czarinalinda@comcast.net

MKA sends its sincere condolences to the family of Tacey Phillips Carroll whose mother, Martha Belden Phillips, passed away on May 25, 2017. / MA / MKA sends sincere condolences to William Crawford whose sister, Mary “Bea” Crawford ’64, passed away on November 23, 2016.

78

1973

/ TKS /

/ Ms. Susan

Read, 38 College Circle,

Staunton, VA 2240 The

MKA community send its sincere condolences to Susan Tiernan Madrigan whose sister, Christine Tiernan ’69, passed away on February 17, 2017. / MA /

/ Mr. Tom Galligan, 504

Main Street, P.O. Box 2156, New London, NH 03257, tgalligan714@ gmail.com /

/ Mr. Gregory Lackey,

138 Paupukkewis Trail, Medford Lakes, NJ 08055, gregory.lackey@usps.gov

1974

/ TKS /

/ Ms. Erin

Cuffe Crawford, 121

Clarewill Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043, erincrawford@verizon.net

/ MA / John Blondel and I attended funeral service for Mr. Philip Anderson on Tuesday August 2, 2016 in Morristown, NJ. Earl also planned to attend but couldn’t due to a last-minute conflict. Also, represented at the service were the three classes immediately preceding our Class of 1974 (Montclair Academy’s final class): Geoff Close, Rich Cancelosi and Jeff Jones from Class of 1971; Tom Brueckner from Class of 1972; and Dean Paolucci from Class of 1973.

The service was well attended by family and friends of Mr. Anderson. Comments during service were made by presiding priests and reflective remarks

by Denny Anderson (son of Mr. Anderson, originally Class of 1973 but some may recall transferred to Delbarton in approximately 1971 and graduated from Delbarton as a member of its class of 1974).

Among other things, it was clear that MKA’s loss was MorristownBeard School’s subsequent gain.

As some may recall, Mr. Anderson went on to substantially improve that school’s profile and reputation over his tenure as headmaster from 1974-1992 (much as he had done during 1962-1974 tenure at MA as Asst. Headmaster and then Headmaster with campus redevelopment and curriculum/ faculty upgrades, etc).

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

The BOT member who headed the Headmaster search committee for Morristown-Beard in 1974 attended the service and postservice reception (coincidentally, Mo Beard was searching for a new Headmaster at the time). He remarked during reception with a chuckle and broad grin that after 40+ years, he still couldn’t fathom how fortunate that Mo Beard was to land a professional of Mr. Anderson’s stature and reputation.

A couple of other tidbits that some may not be aware of concerning Mr. Anderson (such comments made during service): Was NCAA national champ in pole vault as student at Notre Dame in 1944 (and is still the only student from ND to have distinction as national champ in this event); left ND in 1944 to join USMC until 1946 (primarily in Pacific and South Pacific) and then completed undergrad at Marquette after returning to US; and was Headmaster at a prep school in Milwaukee, WI when got recruited to MA in 1962 to be Assistant Headmaster (here, unlike Mo Beard scenario, Milwaukee school’s loss was MA’s (and our collective gain).

The service concluded with the playing of Marines’ Hymm as attendees exited the church. This was followed by a formal flag-oncasket ceremony outside front of church with Marines presiding, with Taps played and presentation of flag to Mrs. Anderson (still, to her credit, very much alive ’n kickin). An absolutely terrific fitting final tribute to an extraordinary individual.

1975

/ MKA /

/ Mr. Paul

Zuckerberg, 1790 Lanier

Place NW, Washington, DC 20009, paul.zukerberg@gmail.com

Congratulations to 1976

for his documentary about education, / MA /

Hal Goodtree

civil rights and the oldest historically black university in the

C L ASS N OT ES

Shaw Rising a documentary by Hal Goodtree

South. The documentary is called Shaw Rising: The Story of the 1st Black college in the South.

The MKA community sends sincere condolences to Frank Godlewski for the passing of his mother, Dorothy Godlewski, on May 27, 2017

1977 / MKA /

We send deepest sympath 1980

to whose father, / MKA /

Craig Bartlett III

Craig Bartlett ’51,

40TH REUNION OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ Mr. Robert Hubsmith , 16

Warren Road , Maplewood, NJ 07040, roberthubsmith24@gmail.com /

The MKA community sends sincere condolences to Lisa Godlewski Westheimer on the passing of her mother, Dorothy Godlewski, on May 27, 2017.

passed away January, 15, 2017.

1981

/ MKA /

/ Mrs. Laura

Itzkowitz (Laura Reisch),

37 Nottingham Road, Manalapan, NJ

/ Mr. Andrew Pedersen,

5 Whipporwill Valley Rd, Atlantic

07726, howardandlaura@optonline.

Highlands, NJ 07716, apedersenco@

net Robert Cunniff writes:

gmail.com Rob Hubsmith writes:

Interested in making an impactful reunion gift to MKA? Reach out to me so we can discuss how our class can make a difference.

1978

/ MKA /

/ Ms.

Pamela Zeug, 60 W.

57th Street, #15F, New York, NY 10019, pzeug@downinggroup.com / / Ms. Jane Lugaric Burkhard, 299

Crown Road, Kentfield, CA 94904, janeburkhard@comcast.net

MKA sends its deepest sympathy to the family of Tyler Phillips whose mother, Martha Belden Phillips, passed away on May 25, 2017.

1979

/ MKA /

/ Dr. John

Brink, 1246 Beach Haven

Road, Atlanta, GA 30324 /

/ Shawn

Ortiz, 2163 Gilbride Road, Martinsville, NJ 08836, csaortiz@optonline.net

FAL L 2017

I’ve been branching out from geology over the last year, and decided to give acting a try. Once I learned a few tricks on how to find work, I’ve been working steadily about twice a week—usually in New York City, but sometimes in NJ, Long Island or other nearby locations.

I’ve been on just about every TV show they film in New York as a background extra, and I’ve gotten several featured roles and some speaking parts on non-SAG television programs. I’ve also done a fair number of smaller movies - both feature films and independent/student films. I also just shot my first commercial!

My first-ever role was as a prison inmate on Fox’s Gotham, and I’ve appeared on the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum many times, in roles like: a British Redcoat, a Nobel-Prize-winning

MA Montclair Academy / TKS The Kimberley School / MKA Montclair Kimberley Academy

chemist, an ancient Roman, and a Nazi Officer. My speaking roles mostly come from truecrime recreation dramas like Six Degrees of Murder and A Crime to Remember. Most of those appear on the Investigation Discovery channel - they seem to like me as a police officer or a detective. My goals over the coming year would be to do more feature films, and become eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

David Newman ’81 has received the designation of “Certified Speaking Professional” (CSP), bestowed by the National Speakers Association (NSA), the highest earned international recognition for professional speakers.

Achieved by the top ten percent of speaking professionals, this recognition reflects more than a ten-year record of work, including over 340 paid presentations, anonymous evaluations by more than 20 clients with a rating score of 94.8 out of 100, and a peer-judged 90-minute full presentation. David is also past president of the Philadelphia Chapter of NSA. David runs Do It! Marketing, a marketing and coaching firm dedicated to helping speakers, authors, consultants, and experts get more leads, better prospects, and bigger sales through the power of speaking.

We send deepest sympathy to Laura Barlett whose father, Craig Bartlet ’51, passed away.

1982

35TH REUNION OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ MKA /

/ Mr. Thomas Robbins,

tomrobbins5@gmail.com

Our deepest condolences go to Colin O’Neill and the entire family of Roger W. O’Neill, of Cedar Grove, father, loving husband, grandfather and former Montclair Kimberley Academy Trustee, who passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and children on Monday, May 9th, 2016.

Class Representative

79

C L AS S N OT ES

1983

/ MKA /

/ Mr. Walter

J. Davis, 66 Oakwood

Drive, New Providence, NJ 07974, davisteam@comcast.net /

/ Mrs.

Maureen Natkin (J.P.), 5 Riverview Road, Irvington, NY 10533

In April, Nancy Cambria was honored with the James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism out of Hunter College in New York for her coverage of children and families living in Ferguson, Missouri a year after protests and unrest rocked the community. Nancy’s report, “The Crisis Within: How Toxic Stress and Trauma Endanger our children,” capped off more than a decade of award-winning reporting on behalf of children and families for the St. Louis PostDispatch. She and her husband, Jeremy Kohler, have two sons, Sam, 16, and Harry, 12. Nancy and her family also had fun meeting up with Tamar Birckhead (Lehrich) and her lovely family for a lobster feast during a visit to Connecticut in September. She also had a chance to catch up with Debbie Chang and her wife, Carla, this as they drove through St. Louis on a January cross country trip to the Women’s March in Washington, DC. Geoffrey Habron writes: After 15 years as Professor of Fisheries and Wildlife with a joint appointment in sociology at Michigan State University, in 2014 I accepted a position as director of electronic portfolio at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. Starting August 1st, I begin a new position as a faculty member of sustainability science in the department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Furman University in Greenville, SC. My family and I will continue living in Asheville.

1984

/ MKA /

/ Mrs.

Jennifer Jones Ladda, 17

Belleclaire Place, Verona, NJ 07044, jjonesladda@gmail.com

1985

/ MKA /

/ Mrs. Susan

Ciccone O’Donnell, 9

Andover Drive, N. Caldwell, NJ 07006, snmodonnell@aol.com

1986

/ MKA /

/ Ms.

Sherry Ahkami, P.O.

Box 3187, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, shirin@sdspineinstitute.com /

/ Ms.

Jennifer Remington-Knodel, 44 Hamilton Drive East, North Caldwell, NJ 07006, jenremknodel@aol.com

MKA sends deepest condolences to Shannon Crawford O’Hara whose mother, Mary Beatrice “Bea” Crawford ’64, passed away on November 23, 2016

1992

35TH REUNION OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ MKA /

/ Dr. Enrique Neblett,

718 Ainsley Court, Durham, NC

30TH REUNION

/

OCTOBER 14, 2017

Murray Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 07430,

/ Mr. Dennis Rodano, 14

/ Ms. Tamar Safer Radfar, 1 – 12

tsafer5400@aol.com/

/ Ms. Anne

Wayland Drive, Verona, NJ 07044,

Marie Verdiramo, 302 Timberbrooke

rodanod@verizon.net /

Drive, Bedminster, NJ 07921,

/ Ms. Lynne

Yellin, 413 Ridgecrest Drive , Chapel Hill,

amverdiramo@gmail.com

NC 27514, lynnegy@aol.com

1993

Congratulations to Dennis Rodano who completed his nine-year term on MKA’s Alumni Council.

1988

/ Mrs.

Susan Rankin, 106

Jefferson Drive, Tiburon, CA 94920, surankin@microsoft.com

1989

/ MKA /

/ Mr. Louis

Lessig, 2009 Morris Drive,

Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, llessig@ brownconnery.com /

/ Mr. Josh

Raymond, 33 Oak Place, North Caldwell, NJ 07006, jraymond@trenklawfirm.com

MKA sends sincere condolences to Shane Fry whose mother, Mary Beatrice Crawford ’64, passed away on November 23, 2016. / MKA /

/ Ms. Dara

Marmon, 330 E.39th, Apt.

gmail.com /

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

/ Mrs.

Renee Ciccarella, 43

Veranda Avenue, Little Falls, NJ 07424,

1994

/ MKA/

/ Mr.

Jason Awerdick, 23

Greenbrook Drive, Bloomfield, NJ 07003,

Congratulations to former lacrosse player Wiemi Douoguih who was inducted into the Washington and Lee University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He finished his career ranked fourth all-time at W&L in career goals (101) and 12th in career points (143). Douoguih still holds a share of the school record for goals in a game.

We send deepest sympathy to Susan Rankin whose father, Craig Bartlet ’51, passed away.

1991

/ MKA /

rmonteyne@yahoo.com

/ MKA /

21D, New York, NY 10016, daramarmon@

80

NY 10013, luke.sarsfield@gs.com

27713, enrique.neblett@gmail.com

1987 / MKA /

Franklin Street, Apt. 4, New York,

/ Mr. Luke Sarsfield, 105

jasonawerdick@gmail.com

1996

/ MKA /

/ Ms. Tanya

Barnes.tanya@gmail.

com /

/ Ms. Erica Hirsch, 10 West

15th Street, #710, New York, NY 10011, ehirsch77@yahoo.com /

/ Mr. Lee

Vartan, 3 Swayze Lane, Chester, NJ 07930, ldvartan@yahoo.com

Congratulations to Racquel Booth who recently opened her second college advisement and tutorial center. They offer tutoring for students in grades 2–12 and train students for high school entrance and SAT/ACT tests.

1997

20TH REUNION OCTOBER 14, 2017

also known as the elastic girl, given that name by the soviet-trained doctors in Russia, suffers from EhlersDanlos Syndrome. Because of this disease, Emily has connected with people all around the globe who are fighting for disability justice.

Emily has volunteered with Iraqi Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian / MKA / Emily O’Dell

C L ASS N OT ES

Pictured left, Deirdre Martin (Fenton)

children at the Children’s Cancer Centre at St Jude’s in Beirut. She has also conducted disability workshops and mental health awareness events in Beirut and Muscat. At the age of 30, Emily has received five Ivy League degrees and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard.

1998

Class of 2002

2001

/ MKA /

/ Ms. Dana

Pisacane, 119 Downey

Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, dana. piscane@gmail.com

Sincere condolences to Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer on the loss of his mother, Catherine Dwyer, in May of 2016.

2002

15TH REUNION

/ MKA /

/ Ms.

Gemma Giantomasi,

OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ MKA /

/ Mrs. Melissa Fortunato

80 Avon Drive, Essex Fells, NJ 07021,

Slomienski, 58 Oldchester Road, Essex

gemma.diaco@gmail.com

Fells, NJ 07021, slomienski@icloud.

1999

Woods Road, Little Falls, NJ 07424,

com /

/ MKA /

gmail.com /

/ Ms. Sandra

/ Miss Emily Santangelo, 27

Tritt, sandratritt@

emilyannesantangelo@gmail.com

Russel Charles Ashby

/Mr. Alexander Holz,

2003

2004

233 E. 3rd Street, Apt. 3C, New York, NY 10009, alexbhlz@gmail.com

2000

/ MKA /

/ Ms.

Judith Ferreira, 819

Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104-3211,

/ MKA /

/ Mr. John

Garippa, 2741 NE 58th

jferreir@pratt.edu /

/ Ms. Melanie

/ MKA /

/ Ms.

Katherine Santoro,

333 River Street, Apt. 539, Hoboken, NJ 07030, kate.santoro@gmail.com

Bieber, 20 West 72nd Street, Apt. 302A,

/

Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308,

New York, NY 10023, mel.braverman@

102nd Street, Apt. 10i, New York, NY

oceanhut@aol.com /

gmail.com

10025, brendan.a.mccaffrey@gmail.com

and her husband, John, welcomed a baby boy, Russell Charles, on January 22nd, 2017. He was 7 lbs., 14 oz., 21 inches, and cute as a button. Amy’s stepson, Chase (9), is thrilled to be a big brother!

Geremy Farrell volunteered for Career Day; check out his blog. http://geremology.com/careerday-geremys-peculiar-week-9/

Congratulations Zachary Waksal for being honored at the Chelsea Shul Gala in April, with the Young Leadership Award.

Congratulations to Brandon Uranowitz on his second Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Falsettos (his first was last year for An American in Paris).

/ Mrs. Anna

Cook, 5 Highview Court, Wayne, NJ 07470, anna_labowsky @yahoo.com /

/ Mrs. Jaclyn Spedaliere, 60 E.

Oak Street, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, jaclynspedaliere@gmail.com

Congratulations to Deirdre Martin (Fenton) who won an Oscar with her team last night for Best Documentary Film Feature, OJ: Made in America. Deirdre is one of the film’s producers. #MKAAlumni

Amy Trainor Ashby

/ Brendan McCaffrey, 235 West

#GoCougars #Cougarpride.

FAL L 2017

MA Montclair Academy / TKS The Kimberley School / MKA Montclair Kimberley Academy

Class Representative

81

C L AS S N OT ES

Michael Feldman ’80, Zach Richardson

and Jimmy Hamilton ’73.

Congratulations go out to Angela McCaffrey and Caitlin DiRuggiero, the owners of Corefire, for winning the Montclair Reader’s Choice Award for “Favorite Places To Workout” for the third year in a row. ’73

2007

10TH REUNION

Lhenée Riddick ’05

Edmund Kozak ’05

2005

/ MKA /

/ Mr. Brian May, 22 N. Bayard

Lane, Mahwah, NJ 07430, bmay88@

/ Mr.

gmail.com /

Edmund Kozak, 320

/ Mr. Harry Raymond,

23rd Street S, Apt. 905, Arlington, VA

19 E. 7th Street , Apt. 3, New York, NY

22202, e.g.kozak@gmail.com /

10003, raymond.harry@gmail.com

/ Mr.

Congratulations to Owen Jennings who married Kelly Anne McHenry of Ocala, FL. on May 20, 2017.

Manav Lalwani, 132 Blue Heron Drive, Riverside Court, Secaucus, NJ 070942391, 201-617-5312, manav.lalwani@ gmail.com

Congratulations to Lhenée Riddick on her marriage to Shawn McKoy on April 15, 2017. An evening ceremony was performed by Eric Osborne who attended MKA in his freshman year. Maid of Honor, sister of the Bride Janell Riddick, attended MKA from 3–8 grade. Bridesmaids included Jamie Piela ’05 and Cara Landolfi ’05. The photographer was Razzaq Manley ’04, another MKAer. Also in attendance was Jess Bishop ’04. It was an evening of partying and fun!

Congratulations to Edmund Kozak ’05 on his June 3rd marriage to Meghann Girard. Long-time friends and classmates Tom Bellifemine, Pat Cedrowski, Matt Culbreth, Max Eddy, Tim Hirsch, and Ivan Loughman-Pawelko were guests at the Maine wedding, and brother, Guy, Class of ’09, was Best Man.

2006

/ MKA /

/ Ms.

Natalie Azzoli, 8

Spruce Street, Apt. 50H, New York, NY 10038, nat6888@gmail.com /

/ Ms.

Angela McCaffrey, 93 Rensselaer Road, angelamccaffrey@gmail.com

The now Mrs. Christa Lynn Van Eerde, married Dr. Calvyn Travis Howells at The Madison Hotel in NJ, on August 27th, 2016.

The couple met at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland and are now living in

82

OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ MKA /

2008

/ MKA /

/ Mr.

Matthew Metzger,

235 Elizabeth Street, Apt #1B, New York, NY 10012, metzgemb@bc.ed /

/ Ms. Cara Placentra, 111 Worth

Street, Apt. 19B, New York, NY 10013, caraplacentra@mac.com

Christa Lynn Van Eerde ’06

the United Arab Emirates. Mrs. Van Eerde is completing her gemmological studies, and Dr. Howells is a researcher at Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi and CEO of De La Terre Limited.

Both were touched by the gathering of friends and family from near and far who shared in their joyous day. Their ceremony was conducted by Christa’s Uncle, who married her parents Albert and Linda Van Eerde, both of whom taught at MKA, and included performances of The Prayer and A Wonderful World by friends and family. It was followed by a delicious cocktail hour and lavish reception, during which the dance floor was never empty and included a mini ceilidh!

In attendance were other MKA alumni: Manav Lalwani ’05, Kassie Dantzler ’06, Sabrina Schmidt ’06 and her fiancé Devon Wambold, Juliette Roseth ’05, Albert Van Eerde ’73,

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

In January of this year Drew Levy, class of 2008, opened the Levy/Parisi Allstate Insurance located in West Orange, NJ. After graduating from Muhlenberg College in 2012, Drew spent 4 years in the software industry in New York City before deciding to go into business for himself.

Together with his partner, West Orange Mayor Rob Parisi, they launched their new venture. The agency specializes in automobile, homeowner and life insurance.

Drew Levy ’08 The team places an emphasis on providing first class customer service and is dedicated towards educating and helping clients and friends alike to understand how they should properly be protecting their families. Drew would be delighted to reacquaint himself with old friends and MKA alumni and provide a comprehensive insurance review. He would

C L ASS N OT ES

AT A GLANCE MARRIAGES 20 05 Edmund Kozak and Meghann Girard June 3, 2017 Lhenée Riddick and Shawn McKoy April 15, 2017 20 0 6 Christa Lynn Van Eerde and Calvyn Travis Howells August 27, 2016 20 07 Owen Jennings and Kelly McHenry May 20, 2017

IN MEMORIAM

Laura Placentra ’10

love to hear from you and can be reached at (973) 243-1400 or by e-mailing dlevy@allstate.com

2009

/ MKA /

/ Ms. Jane

Stanton, 240 South

Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042, janestanton18@gmail.com /

/

Mr. Brian Purcell, 89 Davis Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003, bnpurcell4@ gmail.com

2010

/ Ms. Devon

Barrett, 109 Llewellyn

Road, Montclair, NJ 07042, dlb792@ / Mr. Matthew Palmisano,

51 Grove Lane, West Caldwell, NJ 07006, matt.r.palmisano@gmail.com

Congratulations to Laura Placentra ’10 who won the D10 Decathlon for the 3rd consecutive time raising over $30,000 in three years for Memorial Sloan Kettering Children’s Cancer Center.

2011

/ MKA /

/ Seth Bynum,

32 High Street, West

Orange, NJ 07052, seth.bynum1@ gmail.com /

/ Ms. Carina Wong, 9

Deer Trail Road, North Caldwell, NJ 07006, carinamwong@gmail.com

Congratulations to Casey Garvin who is opening his 3rd Broadway show, Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theater.

2012

5TH REUNION

193 7 Kathryn Holton Sjolander, February 2017

wNJ 07042, erosini32@gmail.com

2013

/ MKA /

19 41 Perry Minton, March 13, 2017

/ Elizabeth

19 42 Allen Sandford Brown, June 9, 2016

“Lizzie” Amato,

ljamato420@mac.co /

/ Mr. Ed

Bozik, bozik@me.com

2014

/ MKA /

19 43 John Randall Gritzan, April 8, 2017 Capt. William Wynne, February 12, 2017

/ Ms.

Kassandra Fotiadis, /

Ms. Savannah Fusaro, Srf23@duke.edu

Sincere condolences to the family of Elliot Furbert, who passed away in March 2017

2015

/ MKA /

koridurando@gmail.com

Pianist Isaiah Thompson had a gig at the Jazz Museum in Harlem in April. He led the Isaiah J. Thompson Quintet, and all the music was his own compositions.

2016

/ MKA /

com /

/ Ms. Zoe

Bieler, zoe.bieler@gmail.

/ Mr. Charles Rilli, crilli33@

gmail.com

2017 Congratulations to for winning the Rising Star / MKA /

Will

Higgins

Award for Best Supporting Actor in a musical. His role was Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls.

/ Ms. Casey Musicant, 573

19 4 4 Lawrence Soule, March 20, 2017 Elbert Leonard Tremblay, April 1, 2017 19 45 Jane Hagan Farno, June 1, 2016 19 47 Alpheus J. Norman, May 2, 2017 19 4 8 Richard C. Kimm, April 17, 2016

/

Kori Durando,

OCTOBER 14, 2017

/ MKA /

/ Mr. Ed

Rosini, 32 Edgemont Road, Montclair,

kassandra_fotiadis@brown.edu /

/ MKA /

aim.com /

casey.musicant@gmail.com /

1935 Ruth Alexander, February 24, 2017

195 1 Craig Scott Bartlett, Jr, January 15, 2017 195 2 Franklin Bronander, January 9, 2017 Joseph Schubert, February 15, 2017 1955 Oscar Mockridge, April 24, 2017 195 7 Judith Slifkin Kaplan, March 31, 2017 195 8 David Stroming, February 15, 2017 19 6 4 Mary Beatrice Crawford, November 23, 2016 19 6 9 Christine Tiernan, February 17, 2017 2014 Elliot Furbert, March, 2017

FACULTY, FORMER FACULTY, STAFF AND TRUSTEES

Farmdale Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417,

Tom Fleming, April 19, 2017

FAL L 2017

Class Representative

MA Montclair Academy / TKS The Kimberley School / MKA Montclair Kimberley Academy

83

MKA LIFE

Support Students.

Enhance Academics.

Improve Facilities.

Make Your Annual Fund Gift Today! www.mka.org/giving

For more information contact Talia Selove, Director of Annual Giving at tselove@mka.org

84

M KA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my

FAL L 2017

i

MON TC L A I R K I M B E R L E Y A C A DE MY 20 1 VALLEY ROAD, M O NTCLAIR, N J 07042

“I have benefited greatly from being a part of the MKA community. Besides making lifelong friends with my teachers and peers, I have had the opportunity to share ideas and gain different perspectives. Whether in the classroom during robust discussions, during my month-long student exchange in Chile, or volunteer home-building in Guatemala, I was able to begin to discover who I am and the things that make me passionate.”

Jordan Andrews ’17