THE RIVERS EDGE Vol. XLIX, Number 5
The Rivers School, Weston, MA
Construction under way on two new turf fields at front of campus BY MEREDITH SHAH ’21 ASSISTANT EDITOR
As you likely already noticed, the grass softball and soccer fields that previously resided on the left-hand side when you pull into the Rivers entrance every morning are a thing of the past. These athletic fields are being replaced by two new artificial turf playing fields that will soon become part of the scenic landscape here at Rivers. A new football field will run parallel to Winter Street and a soccer field will run perpendicular to the street. These fields, which will be used for lacrosse in the spring, will be ac-
companied by a covered pavilion between the two that will have seating and restrooms to accommodate large turnouts at athletic events, and, according to Head of School Ned Parsons, “will serve as both a community gathering space and a fan viewing area.” Indeed, the new pavilion will make the turf fields more accessible to crowds and provide a connection point between the fields and the main campus for the many Rivers sports enthusiasts that come out to support Rivers athletics. What were once Davis Fields seemed to disappear almost in the span of a day when the project
abruptly started on May 15th. “This is a particularly fastmoving project made possible by a small group of community members who decided the timetable for the project needed to be accelerated,” Mr. Parsons wrote in a message to the community. According to Parsons, this dedicated and generous group donated most of the money needed to complete the two turf fields with the sole provision that the fields be completed in time for the fall sports teams to use. In order to build and fit both of the turf fields, however, more space was needed. Hovey AvContinued on page 2
the student experience. Adams is excited to collaborate with his fellow faculty on enhancing teaching. “Rivers has so many great teachers,” Adams said. “So that should make [this part] of my job a lot easier.” In terms of technology, Mr. Adams is the right man for the job. In the words of Head of School Ned Parsons, “[Adams’] considerable passion for, and knowledge of, educational technology was a boon for the faculty we wanted to bring to bear on our classrooms.” Mr. Adams believes that Rivers prepares students for life in the real world and technology is a major part of that. “I really hope that Rivers can be a place
that’s considered a thought leader when it comes to the implementation of technology [in the student experience],” he said. Adams will sadly not be coaching football in the fall, but will still coach Nordic skiing and JV lacrosse, as well as teach three sections of math. As for Dr. Dalton, his position will involve the scheduling for the school, academic program management, and data analysis. Scheduling, while rather selfexplanatory, is difficult and time consuming; Dalton will receive training from the current Director of Academic Scheduling Carol Davidson, who is retiring after 28 years at in the position at Rivers. Continued on page 3
New administrative roles to be filled by Dr. Dalton, Mr. Adams BY SAM LYONS ’22 STAFF WRITER
This coming fall, new faces from the math and science departments will be taking on leading roles in a slightly restructured administration. Math teacher John Adams will be taking on the position of Director of Educational Technology, while science teacher Chris Dalton will assume the role of Assistant Dean of Faculty. Though both positions are extensions of Dean of Faculty, the two men seek to take their new responsibilities to the next level. In the case of Mr. Adams, his job will revolve around improving styles of teaching and incorporating technology strategically into
June 7, 2019
Prize Day 2019
The Faculty Prize Dudley H. Willis Trustee Prize
Marguerite R. Monaghan ’19 Michael S. Manasseh ’19 and Natalie C. Hall ’19 The Jeremiah J. Sheehan Memorial Prize Henry M. Muller ’19 The Hooper Lawrence Memorial Prize Stephanie M. Dailey ’19 The F. Ervin Prince Award Colin M. Falvey ’23 The Harvard Club Prize John Morgan ’20 The Thomas P. Olverson Prize Jacquelyn M. Benjes ’20 The Williams College Book Award Apsara R. Balamurugan’20 The Brown University Alumni Book Award Jonah R. Berg ’20 The Columbia Book Award Marguerite R. Monaghan ’19 The Johns Hopkins Univ. Alumni Faculty Prize Margaret C. Leeming ’21 The Kenneth F. Benjamin ’50 Citizenship Award Samuel M. Lyons ’22 and Elizabeth C. Girard ’22 Robert W. Rivers Prize for English Hunter A. Taylor-Black ’19 The Mathematics Prize Brendan J. Long ’19 The Science Prize Colette M. Meier ’19 The George Woodbridge History Prize Lindy S. Billhardt ’19 The Interdisciplinary Studies Prize Lauren A. Barich ’20 The Otto Alcaide Language Prize/Spanish Bethany Pasko ’19 The Otto Alcaide Language Prize/French Nora E. Brown ’19 The Austin A. Chute Memorial Prize Callie Kamanitz ’19 The Modern Language Prize for Chinese Matthew J. Jones ’19 Three-Dimensional Arts Prize (Ceramics) Caleb J. Leeming ’19 Three-Dimensional Arts Prize (Sculpture) Michael A. Webber ’19 The Two-Dimensional Arts Prize Hunter A. Taylor-Black ’19 and Abigail J. Warwick ’19 The Photography Prize Julia Bauriedel ’19 The Choral Music Prize Natalie C. Hall ’19 and Rebecca B. Stachel ’19 The Classical Music Prize Lindy S. Billhardt ’19 David Killam Instrumental Music Prize Michael S. Manasseh ’19 The Nonesuch Players Prize Caleb J. Leeming ’19 Priscilla Wallace Strauss Athletic Prize Leslie W. Schwartz ’19 The James A. Navoni Athletic Prize Antonio F. Andreozzi ’19 Independent School League Award of Excellence Stephanie M. Dailey ’19 and Henry M. Muller ’19 Senior Award for Exceptional Dedication to Athletics Stephanie M. Dailey, Caroline M. Grady, Ethan J. Lemley, Alexa M. Francesconi, Ashley A. Shegog, Leslie W. Schwartz, Michael A. Webber Cum Laude Winners: Michael Manasseh, Anna Donlan, Hunter Taylor-Black, Lindy Billhardt, Emilia DeJesus, Nathalie Ahn, Jay Callahan, Brendan Long, Stephanie Daily, Natalie Hall, Colett Meier, Natasha McMillan, Marguerite Managhan, Caleb Leeming