The Bulletin - Spring 2017

Bulletin THE ROCKY HILL SCHOOL

SPRING

2017

IN THIS ISSUE .Profiles: People and Programs Embracing Mindfulness Tales of the Greater Good

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M A G A Z I N E

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C O M M Spring U N 2017 I T Y

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CONTENTS 3

Head of School Message

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Welcome Aboard

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What’s New?

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Embracing Mindfulness

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Mariner Report

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Faculty Profile

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Experimental Design

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Renaissance Woman

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RISD Reflections

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Student Art

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Wyzga Wisdom

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What’s YOUR Story?

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Around the Rock

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Tales of the Greater Good

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Homecoming

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PTL News / Milestones and Farewells

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Commencement 2016

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Special Awards

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Alumni Letter

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Career Day

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Business After Hours

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Class News

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In Memorium

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Reunion 2017

The Bulletin is made possible by:

LEGACY FAMILIES Back row: left to right: Alexis Weiler ’20 (Mary Lynne Kennedy ’80), Perry Clark ’19 (Richard Clark ’85), Cassidy Santos ’17 (John P. Santos, Jr. ’90), Charlotte Roch ’18 (Dawn Dunley and Ray Roch ’83), Will Janikies ’17 (Bill Janikies ’83). Middle row: Skylar Etsitty ’28 (Anemone W. Mars ’93), Dylan Lehouiller ’21 (Lia DiLeonardo Lehouiller ’90), Luke Lehouiller ’26 (Lia DiLeonardo Lehouiller ’90), Alex Lehouiller ’24 (Lia DiLeonardo Lehouiller ’90), Sydney Boss ’23 (Monica Iacono Boss ’91), Charlotte Boss ’22 (Monica Iacono Boss ’91). Front row: Morgan Boss ’26 (Monica Iacono Boss ’91), Amelia Riley ’29 (Alyson Powell ’94), Abby Millard ’27 (Jill Osowa Millard ’94), Eleanor Riley ’31 (Alyson Powell ’94). Inset: Max Lehouiller ’20 (Lia DiLeonardo Lehouiller ’90).

James Tracy, Ph.D., Head of School Beth DeGerlia P’16, ’19, Director of Development Art Entwistle IV, Athletic Director and Athletic Trainer Meg Getsinger, Visual Arts Department Chair Matt Gnolfo, Director of Diversity Peter Hanney P’23, ’27, Director of Communications and Marketing Krista Haskell, Director of Counseling and Wellness Liz Isdale P’16, P’22, Director of Alumni Relations Michael Jedrey P’11, Head of Middle School Pam Matson, Science Department Chair Patty Pontarelli P’07, ’12, Head of Lower School Sean Tinsley, English Department Chair Photography: Ruth Clegg; Peter Hanney P’23,’27; Trevor Holden, for New England Institute of Technology; Scott Lapham; Charlie Laurent P’26; Rob Lee P’22, ’24; Patty Pontarelli P’07, ’12; Blue Wheeler. Cover photo: The Rocky Hill School community gathered under the stately elm on the lawn of Hopelands during the installation of Dr. James Tracy as 10th head of school.

ROCKY HILL SCHOOL 530 Ives Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818 Rocky Hill School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its admission, financial aid, employment, educational policies, or other school programs.

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Class of 2016 Lifers: Sabrina Dumas, Douglas Cochran, Allison DeGerlia, and Lauren Silva

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HEAD OF SCHOOLmessage

BY JAM E S T R ACY, PH. D .

As I write this, I sit looking across the beautiful Rocky Hill School campus to the deep cerulean waters that lap our shore.

In early January, I had the pleasure to participate in the inaugural ceremony for our new preschool playground. I walked with the little ones and their teachers from the preschool to the new installation, where many of the parents, teachers, and staff who had made the playground possible were awaiting them.

Upon seeing the adults standing there, one of the cherubim excitedly asked Miss Lisa, “Why are there so many big kids here?”

Adorable, of course, but also proverbial wisdom from the mouth of babes!

Her exclamation set me to ruminating on the comment famously made by Isaac Newton: “I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”

Our preschooler articulated a sagacious truth: at our best, we are never more than “big kids.” I say “at our best,” because the challenge, as adults, is to retain a child’s curiosity, openness to discovery, passion for finding smoother pebbles, and profound experience of the mysteriously awe-inspiring ocean that lies ever undiscovered before us. Our waterfront campus thus becomes not merely bucolic setting and experiential classroom, though it is certainly both of those, but also metaphor for discovery and mindfulness of the sublime.

Visit www. rockyhill.org/ bestschoolsblog to read Dr. Tracy’s thought pieces about the most important current issues and emergent trends in education.

I find that Rocky Hill School teachers have the rare attribute of modeling these very qualities every day as educators. Put another way, and as I have often said, Rocky Hill School faculty retain the original passion that led them in the first instance to become teachers.

This issue of The Bulletin, my first as Head of School, richly reflects the Rocky Hill School community’s passion for learning and celebratory discovery that is at the core of all true education, little and big kids exploring together on the shores of the unbounded.

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WELCOMEaboard New Board Members Rich Clark ’85 has been a member of the Rocky Hill School community since 1976, entering the School as a 4th grade student in Mary Bennett’s class. Rich and his wife Sue are parents to 10th grader Perry, who joined Rocky Hill School in 2010. Rich’s own father, the late Richard Perry Clark, served on the Board of Trustees and as Board Secretary while Rich was attending Rocky Hill School. His brother Rob and sister Jenn are also graduates.

In addition to his role on the Board of Trustees, Rich has served as a member of the Alumni Board and the Facilities and Grounds Committee. Rich is also past President of New England Grows, the New England Nursery Association, has served on the board of The Quest School, is Vice President of the Clark Memorial Library, and has served as an instructor of Horticulture at the University of Rhode Island.

A graduate of Cornell University, Rich, along with Sue, owns and manages Clark Farms, with locations in Matunuck, Wakefield, and Richmond, Rhode Island. Clark Farms has been serving Rhode Island home gardeners and businesses for over 25 years. They also own Fresh Ground Garden Café, a small eatery in Richmond and a favorite lunch spot of Karl Wadensten ’78 and his team at Vibco which is located nearby. Rich has been an invaluable resource and supporter of many

campus projects, most notably the Jaime Gardener Garden Classroom and the Land of Fires Nature Trail.

Dr. Elizabeth Allen, her husband Dr. Peter Pogacar, and her three children Jacob ’19, Benjamin ’20, and Jillian ’25 joined the Rocky Hill School community in 2013. Elizabeth has been a class rep for the Parent Teacher League and served two years as the chair of the Fall Classic. Her previous board experience includes three years on the governing council of the Compass School in Kingston, RI from 2011–2014, initially as the Treasurer, and ultimately as the President of the Board.

Elizabeth attended Cornell University, graduating with a B.S. in Cognitive Development. Following graduation, she worked in the field of children’s museum design at Jane Clark Chermayeff Associates. There she was involved in the development of a science playground at the New York Hall of Science, as well as an environmental exhibit, Ojo Isla!, in collaboration with the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico in San Juan.

Elizabeth later earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, with a developmental focus, from New York University. During graduate school, she spent two years as a fellow at Harvard University’s laboratory for developmental studies.

New Faculty Rocky Hill School welcomed seven new faculty members for the 2016-17 school year.

Back row, from left: Ashley Ferranti, ELL Teacher and Department Chair; Caroline Hersh-Rodeen, Middle and Upper School Mathematics; Emily Serotta, Music Teacher, Choir Director, and Performing Arts Department Chair. Front row, from left: Kurt Heise, Upper School Social Studies; Craig Mudie, Upper School Spanish; Sarah Marcus, K-2 Teacher. Inset: Scott Lapham, Digital Photography Teacher.

Rocky Hill School sincerely thanks Robert M. Powers P’12 for his service to the School.

Robert served as a Trustee from 2013-2016 and Secretary from 2015-2016.

2016–2017 Board of Trustees (as of 3/1/2017) Edwin J. Santos, President

Dr. Elizabeth Allen

Mary H. Grant, Ph.D.

James Lehouiller

Ande Frost, Vice President

Richard Clark ’85

Mary Ann Hackett

Joan Osowa

Donald McCaughey, Treasurer

Bradford T. Davey ’89

Dr. Justine Johnson

Gordana Novakovic Petteruti

Mitchell R. Edwards, Esq.

Mia Caetano Johnson ’89

Stephen G. Soscia

Monica Iacono Boss ’91, Secretary 4

The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

What’s NEW? Idea Lab Created

Rocky Hill School’s newest classroom, the Idea Lab, is designed to foster 21st century learning using a hightech, changeable and interactive classroom space. The Lab actively invites and promotes design thinking, creativity, collaboration, and multiple forms of learning, producing, and communicating. Students and faculty are provided an ideal environment for experimentation, interdisciplinary activities, and alternative forms of expression, while encouraging research, risk-taking, invention, and innovation.

Unlike any other learning and making environment on campus, the Idea Lab is a dynamic, technology-infused space for students and faculty across all divisions and disciplines. The Lab can effectively accommodate a presentation model where students or faculty are addressing the class as a whole. Its mobile Steelcase furniture can be quickly rearranged to support small teams for creative brainstorming, with students using the whiteboard wall spaces and portable whiteboards to capture and record their ideas for all to see. The Idea Lab is located in the Hale Science Center building, and was made possible with the generous support of The Champlin Foundations and parents of the Class of 2016.

New Scholarships Offered

Rocky Hill School is pleased to announce newly created merit scholarships in the areas of performing arts, visual arts, and community advancement. These scholarships recognize high performing students and their contributions to their community. In addition to the merit scholarships, the Alumni Association created an Alumni Scholarship for children and grandchildren of Rocky Hill School Alumni.

Playground Upgrades

New playground equipment in the Preschool was dedicated with a ribbon “run-through” in January 2017. Preschool students lined up and ran through blue and white ribbons to formally open the new climbing structures, sandbox, and mulch area. A special thanks goes out to all of the donors and supporters of the new playground, especially Paula Santos, P’11, ’14, ’18 and Kristin McCaughey, P’23, ’27, co-chairs of the 2015 Gala where funds were raised to purchase the equipment.

Rocky Hill School and LearnLaunch, a nationallyrecognized organization in Boston dedicated to connecting, supporting, and investing in the education technology ecosystem, have forged a first-of-its-kind partnership. Plans are being developed to renovate the Pony Barn on campus into an Innovation Center where selected education technology companies that are part of LearnLaunch’s co-working space/accelerator cohort will test and develop new educational technology with students and faculty. This is an entirely new paradigm that will be unique in the nation: entrepreneurs developing educational products while embedded within a preschool to grade 12 test bed. Both organizations are excited to bring this new and innovative approach to developing educational innovation to Rhode Island.

Middle School Head Mike Jedrey, P’11 and grade 3-4 teacher Charlie Laurent, P’26 accompanied five Rocky Hill School students on a visit to LearnLaunch’s Across Boundaries Conference in Boston. Joining Mr. Jedrey and Mr. Laurent were Jacob Pogacar ’19, Elsa Block ’20, Ben Liebermensch ’22, Charlotte Boss ’22, and Lily Kerachsky ’22. At the Edtech showcase, our contingent was able to hear students from 25 New England schools present remarkable programs, activities, and accomplishments.

Read more at www.rockyhill.org/innovation Safe Sports School

Rocky Hill School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School award for its athletics and physical education programs. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment.

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The simplicity of being challenged to remain present in the moment benefits our entire community by settling our minds and bodies, reducing stress and anxiety.

EMBRACING

mindfulness

BY KRISTA HASKELL, DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING AND WELLNESS, AND PATT Y PONTARELLI P’07, ’12, HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

Our dedicated and passionate Nursery-Grade 12 faculty pave the way for meaningful learning opportunities each day as we witness the relationship between social emotional development, academic achievement and, more importantly, life skills.

Our enthusiastic and engaged students tap into their talents, strengths, and interests as they learn to ask questions, take risks, and problem-solve. Through both collaborative and independent work, students are challenged to apply their knowledge and skills each day. In an effort to enhance the overall educational experience, the faculty and students have begun to incorporate mindfulness practice into daily life and work in all divisions.

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Mindfulness is defined as the “awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment by moment.” * As part of our efforts to put our core motto, “know thyself,” into direct practice, we embrace opportunities for self-awareness, self-management, and mental and physical well-being throughout each day. The simplicity of being challenged to remain present in the moment benefits our entire community by settling our minds and bodies, reducing stress and anxiety. Our students are then ready to mindfully tap into their inquisitive nature and love of learning as they joyfully experience their academic potential.

By building a compassionate community with empathy at its core, and fostering a sense of empowerment in all we do, our goal is to create a lasting positive impact on the future of our students and the world in which they will thrive.

Mindfulness, backed by research, is at the root of this compassion and empathy. Being able to stop, take a breath, have a sense of what’s happening around us, and then move forward, allows both children and adults, the moment we need to find a ‘quiet place’ within. We learn to ‘respond vs. react’ to daily situations.

Taking this moment always increases the potential to make our interactions and engagement with one another respectful, kind, and far more meaningful.

Middle School students take a “mindful moment” before the start of their day.

How does Rocky Hill School embrace mindfulness?

• Emphasis on overall health and wellness awareness through programming initiatives; guest speakers; student, faculty and parent workshops; and more •F ocus on modeling, encouraging, and fostering non-judgemental faculty and student self-care through diverse mindfulness practices •P artnership with the Center for Resilience that includes faculty mindfulness training; program and curriculum development; building community support; mentoring; expansion of a “toolkit” for sharing mindfulness practice; facilitating group collaboration with

Lower, Middle, and Upper School faculty trained as Mindfulness Ambassadors; mindfulness education; and experiential opportunities for parents and others • I ncorporation of mindfulness practices for students and faculty during classroom morning meetings, advisory periods, and faculty meetings • Inclusion of classroom “mindful minutes” and “brain breaks” throughout the school day, as needed evelopment of a mindfulness •D lending library of resources for children and adults • I ncorporation of designated mindfulness areas for students throughout our campus

Middle and Lower School students practice a breathing exercise.

• Implementation of mindfulness tools—glitter jars, aromatherapy diffusers, relaxation music, iPad® apps, books, visual prompts, chimes, Tibetan singing bowls, yoga cards, bubbles, stress balls, and fidget toys, to name a few

*as defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine Emeritus and creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Spring 2017

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MARINER REPORT

BY ART ENT WIST L E I V, M ED , ATC, L AT DIRECTOR OF ATHL E T I CS AN D CERT IFIED ATHLE T I C T R AI N E R

2016 Varsity Sailing: NESSA; Coaches: Rob Lee, John Hughes, Ben Greenfield

2016 Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse: 1–4 SENE; Coaches: Larry Medeira, Scott LaMay; Captains: Benjamin Lanowy ’16, Jamie Frost ’17, Douglas Cochran ’16

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

2016 Varsity Cross Country: SENE; Coaches: Sean Tinsley, Tom Farrell; Captain: Alejandro Perez ’17 2016 Girls’ Varsity Softball: 12–3 RIIL DIII; RIIL DIII South Champions; Coach: Matt Gnolfo; Captain: Allison DeGerlia ’16

2016–17 Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey: 14–4 RIIL DII; RIIL DII South Runner-up; Captain: Ben Hernowitz ’17

2016 Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey: 5–11 RIIL DII; Coaches: Traci Fairchild, Aura Rizzo, Trixie Dumas; Captains: Heather Lind ’17, Brooke Mongeon ’17

2016 Girls’ Varsity Soccer: 1–8–1 SENE; Coaches: Claire Wiley, Rochelle Devault; Captains: Annie Coaty ’17, Bridget Kist ’17, Kaylynn Polley ’17

2016–17 Girls’ Varsity Basketball: 8–7; Coaches: Jon Pincince, Kurt Heise; Captain: Annie Coaty ’17

2016 Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse: 3–8; SENE; Coaches: Meg Getsinger, Aura Rizzo, Kaz Yamada; Captains: Annie Coaty ’17, Sabrina Dumas ’16

2016–17 Boys’ Varsity Basketball: 9–8 overall record, a 5–8 NEPSAC record, and a 5–2 Class D record; Coaches: Abdul-Nuri Mahmoud, Sean Tinsley; Captain: John Ponte ’17 2016 Boys’ Varsity Soccer: 7–5–3; SENE; Coaches: Joshua Schatz, Kurt Heise; Captain: William Janikies ’17 Spring 2017

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FACULTY PROFILE

Mar i n er Rep or t , c on t i n u ed

2016–17 Individual Swimming: Elizabeth Moya ’19, Jacob Pogacar ’19, and Cortlandt Meyerson ’20 participate in swimming through our Athletic Alternative program

BY MICHAEL JEDR E Y P’ 11 HEAD OF MIDDLE S CHO O L

Rocky Hill School was fortunate to hire Theresa Conroy in 1999, and over the last 17 years, she has certainly made her mark as an exceptional teacher of mathematics, as a Middle School educator, as a coach, and as a friend and colleague. Theresa grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, which anyone who has visited her classroom would know immediately. Her beloved Cleveland Cavaliers certainly made last year a special one, and the Indians almost made it to the MLB promised land as well. It was a good year to be from Cleveland. Theresa went to Fairview Park High School, where she was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame for basketball, track, and cross country. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Cleveland State University, playing varsity basketball all four years, and softball for one year, for which she was inducted into the CSU Hall of Fame. After college, Theresa went on to coach basketball, tennis, track, and softball at Ohio Northern University. While there, she earned her Master’s degree in Sport Science from Bowling Green State University.

Theresa came to Rhode Island in 1995 and worked as an Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Brown University for three years. After Brown, Theresa taught special education at the Northern Rhode Island Collaborative School in Providence. While there, Theresa was offered a great opportunity, one that was hard to refuse, to coach varsity girls’ basketball at Rocky Hill School. After two years of coaching, Theresa joined the Rocky Hill School faculty as a full-time mathematics teacher in the Middle School.

Over the past 16 years, Theresa has developed the Middle School mathematics program, one that fully prepares our students for the rigor that awaits them in the Upper School, but also engages and excites them to learn mathematics. Her signature activities, such as the 8th grade Tiny House Project and the 6th grade Spending Spree Project, have become part of the foundational fabric of the Middle School. Theresa helped steer the transition to the 1-to-1 iPad® program in the Middle School, and was the first to adopt the full use of online textbooks at our school. As part of the sixth grade advisory team, Theresa is committed to the social, emotional, and academic transition of our new students, many who enter the Middle School on the cusp of adolescence. As a coach, she continues to have a profound impact on our young athletes, developing not only the individual skills but a sense of team, and a spirit for Rocky Hill School. Theresa is a leading voice in the Middle School, and a good friend to all.

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

2016 Tennis: Coaches: Peter Barlow, Matt Kallas. Team Captains: Hunter Gallant ’17, Anessa Petteruti ’17; Team Awards: 2016 SENE League Second Place

2016 Varsity Golf: 2–7–1 SENE; Coaches: Mark Buckley, Sean Tinsley; Team Captain: Benjamin Hernowitz ’17

In March, the Deckhands Theater Company performed The Drowsy Chaperone under the direction of Trinity Repertory Company staff

Experimental design Active Practices in Rocky Hill School Science

BY PAM MATSON, S CI E N CE D E PART M EN T CHAI R

Is there a difference in effectiveness between liquid and bar hand soap? Will pillbugs choose an environment with a soft or coarse fabric base? What is the effect of electrical currents moving through the soil on the plants growing there? How do plants respond to prolonged exposure to wind? Does the type of food contributed to compost have an effect on the growth of plants? What impact on seed germination will magnetic fields produce? After a forest fire, does the type of wood ash in the soil affect the growth of plants? Will plants grow more successfully with natural or chemical fertilizers? If nuclear reactors leak radiation, what is the effect of that radiation on seed germination? Will lactase enzyme degrade lactose with equal effectiveness in varying fat content milk sources? Will natural insecticides perform effectively?

All of these questions, and so many more, have been posed by Upper School students in Rocky Hill School biology classrooms. Similar developmentally measured questions and pursuits are taken on by students throughout the Rocky Hill School science experience. Well before New Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were adopted in 2013 at the state level, we deliberately engaged students in genuine inquiry. The NGSS set these standards because “A high-quality science education means that students will develop an in-depth understanding of content and develop key skills—communication, collaboration, inquiry, problem solving, and flexibility—that will serve them throughout their educational and professional lives.”* This has been one of the core guiding philosophies in Rocky Hill School science classes for over a decade, while complimentary technology and the latest information is integrated on an ongoing basis. Pursuing this pure science requires patience and an investment of time. In biology classes, the cornerstone project in the greenhouse requires

students to be scientists. From an initial investigation proposal grounded in documented research, through the original experimental design and the descriptive lab report, pairs of students work on their inquiry-based investigations employing each of the skills highlighted in the NGSS statement.

Why is Rocky Hill School so successful in reaching students using this model? Resources that include a heated greenhouse and the School’s waterfront, outstanding and spacious laboratory facilities, dedicated teachers, and a genuine understanding of the value of this project-based learning from all areas of the school has allowed Rocky Hill School to be a leader in experimental design in the classroom. Beyond the science experience, students are engaged in problem solving and collaboration that will serve them well beyond the Rocky Hill School campus. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States. January 2017

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STUDENT PROFILE

RENAISSANCE

In truly rare company do we find ourselves when we meet people like Anessa Petteruti ’17

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

woman

BY M AT T GNOLF O D I R E CT OR OF DIVE R SI T Y

Limitlessly both talented and humble, Anessa has embodied the motto of Rocky Hill School, “know thyself,” as fully as have any in recent or distant memory.

The epitome of a well-rounded student, Anessa is a most accomplished academician, athlete, musician, and leader, and the accolades she has earned within each aforementioned arena have been nothing short of astonishing for an individual of any age, let alone a high school senior.

As an academic, Anessa’s list of accomplishments is vast.

Anessa is a student of the Classics who not only has earned distinction on the National Latin Exam every year she has taken it, but she was also awarded the Latin Scholar Award as a junior—an award bestowed unto the top Latin student at Rocky Hill School. Also as a junior, Anessa was presented with both the prestigious Harvard Book Prize and the RPI Medal for which she was already granted a $100,000 scholarship should she choose to attend. She also worked for a summer at a Brown University chemistry lab.

Truly, Anessa’s academic achievements extend beyond the walls of Rocky Hill School as well, as she earned the Society of Women Engineers Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, The Pell Medal for Excellence in U.S. History, and as a junior was elected into the National Honor Society.

Anessa has also earned the distinction of Class Scholar each of her years in the Upper School.

Anessa’s accomplishments range far beyond those of the academic genre. She was the team captain and #1 seeded singles player on the Varsity Tennis Team for all four years, never played a single female opponent, and won more than 80% of her matches. Anessa was voted MVP and received SENE All-League Honors as a 9th, 10th, and 11th grader, and was the Singles Tournament Champion in the 2015 SENE Tournament and a finalist in 2016—where she was the only female player in a pool of 36. In 2015 and 2016, she was selected to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League All-State team in the independent school division.

Not to be outdone by the challenges that the field of creative arts poses, Anessa is one of the most accomplished musicians of anyone in her age group, and dare anyone say, of most anyone beyond. Her piano

studies span 10 years, including the last four as a student at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston, to which she commuted each weekend.

In 2015, she attended the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria where she studied piano performance under world-renowned pianist Ya-Fei Chuang. As a selected member of the NEC studying piano theory and performance under the instruction of Clara Slater, Anessa was chosen to perform at Carnegie Hall for the American Fine Arts Festival in October of 2016. She was also a member of the 2016 New England Conservatory Performance Tour in Germany with concerts in Jordan Hall-Boston, Weimar, Leipzig, and Berlin. She is the recipient of several regional and national piano competition awards including the Gershwin Award, 1st statewide prize, and the recent 2017 Liszt Award at the University of Rhode Island Piano Extravaganza. Anessa is the President of the Chopin Student Musicians Club in Providence and an accomplished chamber musician at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School.

One might reasonably think that with Anessa’s list of commitments and accomplishments, she would not have much time to contribute to the extracurricular life at Rocky Hill School—a false assumption, to be sure. Anessa still finds the time to be a head of Nathan Hale Society, a student organization that is responsible for organizing and carrying out parent tours, hosting new and prospective students, and training student tour guides.

Anessa is also a head of Rocky Hill School’s Certamen Team—a group of young Classicists who compete nationally in Classics Quiz Bowls, and is on the editorial boards of The Hill literary magazine and The Tide, Rocky Hill School’s online student newspaper. Last but not least, look for Anessa on the internet at foodfinessa.com— Anessa’s own website that weaves together her passion for technology, media, and, you guessed it, cooking!

Anessa will graduate in June from Rocky Hill School, where she has attended since first grade. Her brother, Robert ’13, and sister, Alina ’09, attended Rocky Hill School since kindergarten and first grade, respectively.

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ALUMNI PROFILE

Reflections from John Dunnigan P’18, RISD professor and Head of the Furniture Design Department The RISD experience is based on the premise that artists and designers are form givers who bring ideas into the material world. Our students are learning to think critically and make consequential work in pursuit of innovation and making a positive contribution to society.

They do that by honing the skills necessary to express critical thinking in resolved works, which is based on the symbiotic relationship between thinking and making. This happens in the studios and classrooms where the mind, the eye, and the hand are developed together in a series of projects, which are then reflected upon in the amazing process of critique.

RISD reflections

BY MEG GETSING E R VISUAL ARTS DEPART M E N T CHAI R

Andrew Nota RHS ’14, RISD ’18 Reflections on his experience at Rhode Island School of Design

Over the past few years, I have broadened my understanding of self, a quest that started when I was a senior at Rocky Hill School, a place that we are prompted to “know thyself ” and has deepened with my experience at RISD. Providence is a place constantly in flux. RISD does not only question the works of students but makes a concerted effort to get directly involved, on a global scale, in questioning art, social systems, and ways of life. This has had major influence on my life and my work. RISD has taught me that my mind is my best tool and constant questioning is the best mechanism for personal growth.

I am now making concept work that questions traditional systems of making.

An example would be my newest project, The Ribcage Chair. It was designed to flex and contort with the human body. How can I redesign the process by which we make things so that it is not just another static object? How can I make a piece of furniture a living system? RISD has provided me with the tools to justify my works as answers to these questions. I believe that all “made” objects need to have a conversation with its user. RISD will keep me questioning ‘why’ and that is a basis for a healthy, progressive education. It has taught me that making meaningful work, that connects with an audience, is a profound, yet feasible, task. My peers and professors have inspired me to direct my efforts towards works that spark conversation about conservation and the natural world. My next endeavor is to make an impact, through my work, by questioning contemporary making practices through balancing redesigning with sustainable materials and practical making processes.

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Andrew is at the midway point in this process and his projects are exploring both the problem-solving of design and the consciousness-raising of art as he moves toward choosing a territory of practice for his Senior Degree Project next year. As Andrew’s professor, I can tell that his experience at Rocky Hill School helped him with thinking and making as well as in other ways including giving him confidence in what he wants to do.

As a parent of a current Rocky Hill School student who is involved in the arts program, I can see the way students are exposed to a variety of 2D and 3D disciplines will help them make informed decisions about what they want to pursue and help them appreciate how the arts encourage creativity and innovation.

Student ART Hannah Wahl-Dunnigan ’18

Peter Chen ’19

Katlyn Conforti ’18

Ruochen (Scarlett) Shen ’18

Manny Maldonado ’19

Advice from Andrew Nota ’14 for students applying to art school:

Elsa Block ’20

•K eep an open mind. Your interests will change along the way.

Faythe Schulte ’19

• Be confident in yourself. Your work speaks about who you are and you are your biggest tool.

•U nderstand that some artistic pastimes should stay passions. When deciding what form of art to pursue, make sure it can provide for both your social and physical wellbeing. e patient with your art. The •B true learning comes during the development of the idea not the final result.

•H ave as much fun as possible.

Be as creative as you can. Art schools are safe spaces to pursue art in any direction.

Eve Weiner ’20 Spring 2017

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FACULTY PROFILE

WYZGA

WISDOM

BY PAT T Y P O N TA R E L L I , P ’ 07 , ’ 1 2 H E A D O F LOW E R SC H O O L

“I’M FASCINATED WITH THE UNIVERSE.”

“LISTENING IS FAR UNDERRATED.”

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

W

ithin minutes of Eric Wyzga’s arrival on campus, young voices can be heard shouting out, “Mr. Wyzga! Hey, Mr. Wyzga! What have you got, Mr. Wyzga?” With a hamster cage in-hand, Eric’s long stride quickly brings him into a sea of smiling faces, lively chatter, and the free-spirited animation of our Lower School students. Eric offers a witty response as he continues walking to his classroom in Gibson Hall. Like the Pied Piper, a happy trail of children skip along behind, often with a bug or worm for him to add to one of his intriguing collections.

Such a scene is by no means novel. Mr. Wyzga’s name brings a smile to everyone’s face, and his demeanor and approach are providing learning experiences that go well beyond Lower School Science. Parents have gone out of their way to acknowledge Eric’s talents and the positive impact he has on their children, some of whom he will teach from preschool through fifth grade.

Prior to his arrival at Rocky Hill School 10 years ago, Eric taught with the organization Nature’s Classroom. Traveling extensively to schools throughout Cape Cod and much of New England, Eric longed for an opportunity to establish roots in a community that values and fosters not just a love of learning, but also an educational experience that takes students beyond the classroom walls. Rocky Hill School has been his home ever since.

“YOU CAN’T TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY.”

Eric brings learning to life in his science lab. He excels at using all aspects of our campus as his outdoor classroom to provide his students the opportunity to explore, investigate, discover, and make meaningful connections. Eric is a “master at his craft” and his students guide his spontaneity and teaching. Though a facilitator of lessons, the joy that Eric experiences as a learner himself enthusiastically shines through in every revelation and twist and turn that his science class presents. Eric capitalizes on any teachable moment, for his students and himself.

Eric the professional is reflective of Eric the person.

His kind and caring nature, wit, sense of humor, resourcefulness, and creativity have earned him the respect of his colleagues and The SanAntonio Faculty Achievement Award in 2016. When he isn’t wearing his teacher hat, Eric can be found engrossed in carpentry projects or fitness regimens, including training for national cyclocross competitions.

“I love building and creating things, which is why I took up a trade and became a stone mason after graduating second in my major from college. My parents were somewhat baffled, says Eric. “In terms of my job, I’ve basically cobbled together the two earliest influences I had as a child: Sir David Attenborough and Jim Henson, and somehow I made a career out of it.”

And our Lower School students, and Rocky Hill School community, are grateful he did!

Spring 2017

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What’s YOUR Story?

BY B ETH DEGERL I A P’ 16 , ’ 19 DIRECTOR OF DEV ELO PM EN T

Telling stories has long been an impactful way to recount history, evoke emotion, and inspire others.

Throughout the pages of this magazine and within Mariner Tales, our annual appeal for support, we share the stories of our School and community. Our cast of characters includes alumni, parents, students, and faculty who have been undeniably shaped by the School and have helped shape it as well. There is a reciprocal relationship between schools and families/students that thrives when we support one another, share our strengths, and forge a lifelong interest in our mutual success.

As we look to celebrate our 50th commencement this June, we know that our alumni are making a difference in the world. Class News, alumni profiles, Facebook posts, and student testimonials speak volumes about the Rocky Hill School experience. Our faculty beam with pride when students come visit to catch up and share news. We find equal joy when we help a student or alum make a new connection, land an interview, or get into their dream school. At the installation of Dr. Tracy this fall, students shared stories about what it is like to be a student today. Our alumni in the audience were as proud of their school as the parents were of their children. The past, present, and future of Rocky Hill School is intertwined in each of us, and we all have a part to play in the chapters yet to be written.

The School is thriving and there is much momentum around incorporating innovation, inspiration and imagination into the curriculum in new and dynamic ways. As education

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Geoff Boss P’22, ’23, ’26; Andy Boss P’23, ’27; and Brad Boss GP’22, ’23, ’26, ’27 cheer on the teams and show their school spirit at Homecoming.

shifts from traditional content-driven methods to skill-based, interactive learning, schools like Rocky Hill School are poised to lead the way. As a small, independent school we are responsive to the needs and interests of our students.

Our faculty and students are driven by a passion to learn and succeed. This is a time when we need our community to get behind this energy and synergy by donating their time, talent, and treasure.

How can you help?

Volunteer: Parents and alumni can share their time and talent on special projects, serving on a committee or board, helping plan an event, or connecting with our students. If you want to get more involved, contact the development office and we can get you connected. Many opportunities are outlined at www.rockyhill.org/donate/ volunteer-opportunities. Call or

email Director of Development Beth DeGerlia at bdegerlia@rockyhill.org or 401.884.9070 ext. 129.

Annual Fund Donor: Our most critical fundraiser, the Annual Fund, supports operational needs. Each year, we set goals for curriculum enhancements, campus improvements, faculty and staff support, and accessibility for students.

Much of what we plan and offer requires funding beyond tuition.

We enter each year with good faith expectations that those who love the School will help us reach our goals.

Our goal this year is to raise $325,000 in Annual Fund support. Gifts range from $20 to $20,000 and every gift makes a difference. You can give online at www.rockyhill.org/donate or by mailing a check to the School.

2015–2016 FUNDED PROJECTS

Annual Report of Giving 2015–2016 Each year we summarize the collective good will and support of our community in the Annual Report of Giving. Please take some time to review the report online and make your 2016-17 contribution at www.rockyhill.org/donate. Here are a few highlights: A total of 548 donors gave to the School in 2015–16, resulting in contributions totaling $415,773. An additional $57,700 in net proceeds was raised at the Fall Classic Golf and Tennis Tournament.

These gifts supported the unrestricted Annual Fund as well as various capital projects, endowment funds, and other donor-advised purposes.

Rocky Hill School Small School | Big

Annual Report

Opportunities

2015-16

Alumni Scholarship Basketball Team Chairs Boat Storage Racks Community Service Programs Dock Renovations Faculty/Staff Professional Development Field Hockey Goalie Equipment Field Trips Garden Classroom “Home of the Mariners” Welcome Sign Idea Lab Classroom Internet Access Points Land of Fires Science Supplies Leadership and Sportsmanship Conference Parent and Faculty Speaker Forums (RHed Talks) Robotics/Fab Lab and Maker Equipment and Competitions Sailboats and Deck Cradles (7) Technology Support Tennis Court Repairs Tuition Assistance Programs Upper School Science Equipment Upper School Soccer Uniforms World Cultures Week

Faculty come out in force to show their support at the Fall Classic Golf and Tennis Tournament dinner.

SPARK Gala: On Friday, April 28 the community will gather for a dinner, dance and auction at the new WaterFire Arts Center in Providence.

We ask all parents, alumni, and friends of the School to join us and bring your friends! If you cannot attend, perhaps there is an auction item you could donate or you can even send in an absentee bid. Details are at www.rockyhill.org/gala and our goal is to net $125,000 in proceeds.

Our next chapter will be one we all will want and need to be a part of.

I hope you will continue to part of the story by contributing in a way that feels impactful to you. There’s no telling where our story will go if we all continue this journey together.

DINNER | DANCING | AUCTION

April 28, 2017 | 6:00 P.M. WaterFire Arts Center, Providence, R.I.

INFO AT ROCKYHILL.ORG/GALA Spring 2017

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AROUND THE ROCK

As of 3/6/2017

SCHOLARS Hunter Gallant ’17 was named a 2017 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist and was designated as a candidate in the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Hunter was one of more than 4,000 selected candidates from nearly 3.5 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2017.

Seniors Megan Caruso and Jamie Frost received Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Hunter Corbett ’17 earned a Silver

Medal in Poetry from the 2016 National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

The Rocky Hill Upper School Math Team competed in the Rhode Island Math League: Meet 1, beating all of the schools in their Division. A special congratulations goes out to the top team scorer, Lingnan “Nina” Zheng ’19.

Several students earned medals for their strong results on the National French Exam: Giorgio Pecoraro ’16 (Gold), Ruo Chen “Scarlett” Shen ’18 (Silver), and Nate Talbutt ’18 (Bronze). Honorable Mentions to Yuxuan “Catherine”

Chen ’18, Malcolm Meyerson ’16, Sera Johnson ’17, Faythe Schulte ’19, and Alejandro Perez ’17.

Twelve French students were awarded an official DELF diploma by the French Ministry of Education: Level A1: Charlotte Roch ’18, Faythe

Schulte ’19, Ptolemy Tassone ’19; Level A2: Annie Coaty ’17, Deirdre Irvine ’17, Sera Johnson ’17, Alejandro Perez ’17, Nate Talbutt ’18; Level B1: Filip Augustowski ’17, Giles Lanowy ’17, Malcolm Meyerson ’16, Giorgio Pecoraro ’16.

Griffin Rademacher ’16 was named a winner of a National Merit Award Scholarship and is one of just four Rhode Island students to earn this distinction.

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Field Hockey all stars—Heather Lind ’18, Brooke Mongeon ’17, and Katia Mendez ’18

Mr. Laurent’s Mini Mariners celebrated their FIRST LEGO League Champions Award, considered the highest tournament honor. The award recognizes a team that “embodies the FIRST LEGO League experience, by fully embracing our Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in both the Robot Game and Project.”

Rocky Hill School field hockey players truly shone at the 2016 Division II AllStar Game. Katia Mendez ’18 played stellar midfield, co-captain Brooke Mongeon ’17 had a shutout, and cocaptain Heather Lind ’17 scored the winning goal in overtime to win the game 2-1 for the South Team.

Congratulations to Allison

Around Champion at the Pilgrim Harvest Gymnastics Invitational.

She finished first on bars and floor and third on vault, and qualified to compete at the Rhode Island State Championships.

DeGerlia ’19, Ben Hernowitz ’17, Heather Lind ’17, and Jenna O’del ’16 for their published

contributions to “History Unfolded: U.S. Newspapers and the Holocaust,” an upcoming exhibition at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

LEADERS & ATHLETES Alec O’del ’18 became the proud

owner of the trademark for his chocolate business brand, O’delicious!

Jade Ma ’23 participated in the

2016 Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. last summer.

Jasper Summers ’21 took first prize in the Summit Neighborhood Association’s Sixth Annual Cook-Off with his pumpkin tiramisu.

Lizzie Hayes ’22 was declared All-

Jason DeGerlia ’16 earned his second degree black belt from Shield Martial Arts and was named a Sensei.

Brennan Hill ’24 earned his Junior black belt from Ichiban Karate.

Brennan began karate when he was five years old and has been in the black belt cycle since June 2016.

Lizzy Hayes ’22, Pascale Burnett ’20 and Sinead Burnett ’21 spent

their Thanksgiving holiday lobbying Senator Jack Reed with a contingent from the JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research.

Alyssa Grayson ’19 continued her

great work with 4H. She received state medals in Leadership and Wildlife and Fisheries and was awarded service pins for 500 hours, 750 hours, and 1,000 hours of volunteer service with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She also competed in the 4H Dog Program at the Eastern States Exposition where she received a blue ribbon for her educational poster, placed third for her educational display, and won Reserve Grand Champion Steward.

Sydney Boss ’23, Lily Kerachsky ’22, Charlotte Boss ’22, Lizzie Hayes ’22, and Katie Kerachsky ’23 helped organize a

community screening of He Named Me Malala to raise funds for access to education for women.

Skye Skultety ’22 earned two

Champion and one Third Place ribbons in horseback riding for her divisions by the Rhode Island Horseman’s Association. She is also a Reserve Champion in her division for all of New England.

PERFORMERS Abby Costantino ’18 (and her close

friend, Megan Mahoney) adapted the book and movie, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, into a musical for the Middle School’s winter performance. Together they wrote the score, lyrics, and the script.

Five musicians were recognized with Superior ratings in the 2016 Rhode Island Music Educator’s Solo and Ensemble Festival: Lauren Silva ’16 (clarinet), Anessa Petteruti ’17 (piano), Max Lehouiller ’20 (double solo bass), Jeremiah Malone ’21 (tuba), and Jack Sweeney ’21 (clarinet).

Jade Ma ’23 won first place in reading/reciting Chinese prose/poems at the Chinese School of the Chinese Christian Church of Rhode Island in the spring of 2016.

Clarinetist Jaylene Lanzot ’19 participated in the 2016 Providence College Festival Band, which is made up of select high school musicians from all over Rhode Island and members of the Providence College Band.

Jeremiah Malone ’21 was accepted to play tuba in the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble.

Sadie Reimer ’17 has performed

the Newport Nutcracker with Island Moving Company for 10 years. This year, she was one of four (out of 84) students chosen to perform alongside the professional dancers. Sadie has completed 80 performances of The Nutcracker.

Six students performed in the 2017 Rhode Island Music Educators AllState Concert:

Senior Division Orchestra: Rafael Boccuni-Godfrey ’19 (violin), Estaban Wu ’19 (violin) Junior Division Orchestra: Jeremiah Malone ’21 (tuba), Gregory Tatevian ’21 (violin), Neha Basu ’20 (treble choir/soprano), Max Lehouiller ’20 (double bass) Thomas Fitzgerald ’22 landed the role of Moth in the Trinity Repertory Company production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

ARTISTS Deirdre Irvine ’17 earned a Gold Key at the Scholastic Art Competition.

Her piece titled, “Familie,” is a relief print that she industriously carved from “found” foam core.

Alyssa Grayson ’19 was selected as

a showcased artist during the month of June at the Community Artist Program at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center in Charlestown, RI.

Ten Rocky Hill School students had their artwork featured in the 28th Biennial Young Adult Exhibition at The Hera Gallery in South Kingstown:

FACULTY & TRUSTEES Matt Gnolfo, Director of Diversity,

represented the USA while competing in the IJF Veterans World Championships for Judo in Fort Lauderdale, FL in November. A total of 751 Judoka from 61 countries competed.

Sean Tinsley, Chair of the Upper School English Department, ran in the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon with Team for Kids, a team of adult runners who raise funds for critical services provided by New York Road Runners Youth Programs.

Edwin J. Santos, President of the

Board of Trustees of Rocky Hill School, was recently named in GoLocalProv’s Power List—Education and Health, a list of “the power brokers that make the decisions about their organizations and, de facto, the future of Rhode Island.”

Middle School art teacher Rachel Armentano facilitated a two-day

professional development workshop for the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services’ art teachers. The workshop included developing openended lesson plans, differentiating instruction, using digital tools to plan and engage, and creating layers of learning within lessons.

Head preschool teacher Lisa Reimer performed in Love Letters at the Edward King House in Newport in November.

Congratulations to Librarian and Technology Integrator Darshell Silva on her election to the board of the Rhode Island Society of Technology Educators. Darshell will serve as a Non-public School Representative to the RISTE.

Elsa Block ’20, Rafael BoccuniGodfrey ’19, Megan Caruso ’17, Chloe Ponte ’19, Faythe Schulte ’19, Ruochen “Scarlett” Shen ’18, Mingyuan “Toby” Tang ’19, Hannah Wahl-Dunnigan ’18, Alexis Weiler ’20, and Eve Weiner ’20.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Spring 2017

21

Tales of the

GREATER GOOD

Interact Club students work to assemble 3D printed prosthetic hands with the East Greenwich Rotary and NEIT Roteract Club.

BY B ETH DEGERL I A P’ 16 , ’ 19 , D I R ECTO R O F D E V E LO P ME N T

The impact of service extends far beyond the tangible good it does for others. At Rocky Hill School, we aim to foster empathy, self-awareness, and respect in our students while helping them recognize the power they have to make change in the world.

For generations, Rocky Hill School students have been given opportunities to provide direct service, raise awareness, and build community both on and off campus.

Whether they are part of a service project, members of a club, or eager to change the world, we are pleased to share these tales of students past and present who truly embrace the spirit of service.

Empty Bowls

Students presented a memorable evening for parents as part of the Empty Bowls Project, an international, grassroots, crafts-based effort to end hunger. Using an empty ceramic bowl as a visual metaphor for hunger, students took their parents through an educational journey where they sampled soup recipes that were tied directly to issues around hunger.

Sixth graders focused on poverty, food costs, and nutrition by way of their soup recipes. The seventh grade educated visitors about cultures of immigrant and refugee populations that are often threatened by poverty in Rhode Island. Their soup recipes were multicultural and introduced many to new and interesting flavors and spices. In lieu of a fee, each family was asked to bring a bag of nonperishable items and/ or hygiene products. In exchange, the family took home one 22

The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

of the ceramic bowls that were hand-crafted by our students and faculty. Food donations benefited the North Kingstown Food Pantry. Hygiene products were donated to Dorcas International, a nonprofit that assists 80% of refugee families starting out in Rhode Island. A representative from Dorcas visited campus and shared pertinent information about refugee and immigrant families in Rhode Island and around the world with the students.

3D Printed Prosthetic Hands

Rocky Hill School’s Interact Club, the East Greenwich Rotary, and the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) Rotaract Club joined forces in January to assemble ten 3D printed prosthetic hands that will ultimately be used by children in need. Five additional hands will be shipped unassembled to an Interact Club in Rwanda to be assembled and distributed within their community. The Interact Club aligned with Enable Community Foundation, a non-profit organization that connects with schools to help make prosthetic hands produced on a 3D printer. The hands are assembled by students and ultimately distributed to amputee children in need throughout the world. All of the hand parts were printed at NEIT in a process that takes nearly 16 hours and costs approximately $50 in materials per hand. The East Greenwich Rotary donated $750 towards the printing costs and secured a matching donation of $750 from a Rotary District grant. The Rocky Hill students obtained the hardware needed to assemble the hands and raised more than $500 to sponsor the project.

Lower School Highlights

The fifth graders worked on a math project where they found a holiday treat recipe that they had to double, halve, and calculate to make enough for the entire Lower School. The students then had the opportunity to bake their treats for the Welcome House shelter in Peacedale.

The class visited the Welcome House to drop off the donations and learn about the work they do in the community for the homeless.

Our By the Bay Preschool sponsored its annual collection for the Potter League Animal Shelter. The class collected animal toys, hot dogs (yes, hot dogs), cleaning supplies, and more.

Lower School families donated dozens of bags filled with toiletries, games and crafts, books, and gifts for homeless families served by Crossroads RI. One week before the start of the School’s winter break, fifth and eighth grade students packed up 25 donated backpacks.

Several students accompanied Middle School art teacher Rachel Armentano to Crossroads RI’s to deliver the donated goods. While there, the students also set up and facilitated art activities for the families.

Middle School Highlights

The Middle School Chorus visited their good friends at the Atria Harborhill assisted living center to sing holiday favorites. Eighth graders make regular visits throughout the school year.

The seventh grade #NoHungerNovember breakfast generated over 70 non-perishable food items and a $50 donation to the North Kingstown Food Pantry. Pat Tilley P’08, ’11, a Food Pantry volunteer, joined the Middle School advisory for a presentation on the importance of the food pantry and a description of the families it serves. Middle School students also toured the pantry, weighed and sorted food, checked expiration labels, and stocked the shelves.

Middle School students work with the Lower School to sort and pack backpacks for children at Crossroads RI, an organization that supports the homeless.

This team of Middle School students helped organize a community screening of He Named Me Malala to raise funds for and awareness of the effort to improve access to education for women around the globe.

On November 29, Dr. Jim Tracy introduced the documentary He Named Me Malala to about 230 community members at the Greenwich Odeum theater in East Greenwich. The event not only brought awareness to the global issue of the right to education for girls, but it also raised $2,700 for the Malala Fund. Five of the 10 youth organizers were Rocky Hill Middle School students.

Upper School Highlights

The Community Service Club organized several projects this year. Two projects were focused on supporting underprivileged children in Rhode Island. Students joined Ms. Fahey and Ms. Eaton at GiftsToGive in Acushnet, MA to help sort clothes, clean toys, and assemble packages for organizations that serve underprivileged youth. They also spearheaded the annual holiday gift collection for children being supported by Communities for People, a Providencebased agency serving children who are separated from their parents. The number of gifts filled one of the School’s minibuses, and they were delivered in time for the holidays.

A holiday gift collection was first suggested by Katie Meringolo ’12 whose profile is featured in The Bulletin!

Students Making Activist Communities (SMAC) held a fundraiser to support Native Americans who are protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) that runs through their sacred land and water supply. The group staged a “call in” where students gathered in designated locations during their free time to register complaints to the local police department regarding DAPL and civil rights issues.

Some Upper School students are engaged in servicebased Independent Studies they designed. Nicole Jourabchi ’17 is serving as the Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) Student Ambassador. She offers support and advice to younger ACE students and helps increase awareness about learning differences and teaching techniques. Faythe Schulte ’19 is focused on breast cancer awareness. She formed a team, the RHS Mariners Against Cancer, to walk in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk this fall which included 70+ people. Together they raised over $3,700 in donations and ranked 17th out of 427 teams in their fundraising.

Spring 2017

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ALUMNI PROFILES

PAUL ZARELLA ‘87

As Paul prepares to celebrate his 30-year reunion at Rocky Hill School this June, it is a natural time to take stock of the past and the future. Paul has been busy since the 1980s building a career in real estate, but he has remained connected with Rocky Hill School over the years. He can often be seen on his old stomping ground during Reunion and the Alumni Basketball Game. Paul has also been a Fall Classic and 5K sponsor for Rocky Hill School. We caught up with Paul to hear more about his life today and how he gives back to the community.

1. Tell us a little about life after Rocky Hill School.

After Rocky Hill School I went to Stetson University in Florida. Upon graduation, I came back to Rhode Island and began work in real estate. Eventually, I settled down in East Greenwich with my wife Kayla and daughters, Lilliana and Cecelia. I now own my own agency, Williams & Stuart Real Estate.

2. You have made it a priority to engage in community service. Please share what you have done recently.

Community service has always been important to me.

This year my company engaged in many fundraising and volunteering activities including our annual bowling outing on behalf of the American Cancer Society and our golf tournament to benefit A Wish Come True. Also, we sponsored and worked the finish line of the Making Strides Breast-Cancer Walk in Providence, as well as other events. I also participated in the Real Men Wear Pink program to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of your service?

Engaging in community service is rewarding not only for the results, but also for the process. It’s great to see people coming together for a common cause and it is amazing what you can accomplish when you work as a team. I’m often humbled by how kind and generous many people are.

4. What do you see as priorities for schools today related to service learning?

I think it’s important to instill early in students the idea of giving back. We need to show kids how people can come together and become a sum greater than their parts.

Paul ’87 is pictured with his daughter at the Rocky Hill School 5K held as part of Homecoming this year.

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

5. What aspect of your experience at Rocky Hill School do you feel influenced your own character develop and desire to give back?

Having attended Rocky Hill School, I was blessed with an education that has allowed me many opportunities in life.

The faculty and coaches always worked hard to extract the most they could from me, and the other students, giving us the foundation we needed to be productive, positive members of our community.

Katie ’12 is seen working with students as part of her service with City Year.

KATIE MERINGOLO ‘12

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of your service?

Katie attended Rocky Hill’s Upper School where she was a strong athlete and a demonstrated leader. During her years in the Upper School she came to understand how to put her care and concern for others into action. She remains committed to service today. She shared this wonderful update.

The most rewarding aspect of my work is watching a fire of determination and self-confidence well up within a student. It is the most satisfying feeling to see a once timid and reserved student raise his/her hand to engage in classroom dialogue. I am most proud when I no longer see the fear of rejection hold back a student from speaking his/her mind both in and out of the classroom.

1. Tell us a little about life after Rocky Hill School.

After I graduated, I traveled 3,000 miles away from home to southern California, where I attended Pepperdine University. My four years at Pepperdine were amazing for many reasons. Other than creating life-long friendships and enjoying consistent 75 degree weather, I was challenged intellectually by some of the most passionate and determined professors I have ever encountered in my academic career (Rocky Hill is right up there as well; don’t worry). The guidance and mentorship of the Pepperdine community led me to the job I have now, working for the educational non-profit called City Year, as a tutor and mentor in a high school in south Los Angeles.

2. You have made it a priority to engage in community service. Please share what you have done recently.

Interestingly enough, I engage in community service every day. At City Year, I am not considered an official “employee,” but rather hold the title of “Americorps Member.” This is a fancy way of saying that I am a volunteer for City Year. Every day I engage in community service, teaching lesson plans, forming relationships with students, and working alongside administration to create fun, interactive, educational environments.

4. What do you see as priorities for schools today related to service learning?

Personally, I find community service to be an essential component to a student’s socio-emotional development.

By this I mean that I believe that a student’s active participation in his/her own community will strengthen his/her ability to empathize with various cultures, people, and perspectives. Growing the muscle of empathy will help students to communicate so much more effectively, openly, and creatively among their school peers and the society around them. This is why community service is so important to be incorporated into a school’s curriculum.

5. What aspect of your experience at Rocky Hill School do you feel influenced your own character develop and desire to give back?

If I had not attended Rocky Hill School, I most likely would have not developed my desire to give back. Rocky Hill gave me chances to not only engage in community service projects, such as Ms. Fahey’s service trip to Mississippi, but also create my own. With the support and guidance from multiple teachers, and especially my advisor, Ms. Haskell, I saw a service-related idea of mine come alive called the Mariner Boxes initiative. This experience specifically gave me so much—it gave me confidence, a voice, and room to use my creativity in a positive way. Most importantly, the Mariner Box initiative taught me that strength comes in numbers and community creates change.

Spring 2017

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HOMECOMING 2016

BY P ET ER HANNE Y P’ 2 3 , ’ 27 DIRECTOR OF COM M UN I CAT I O N S

Saturday, October 15th dawned bright and sunny, the perfect day for Homecoming. The day began with the 5K River Run & Walk, proudly sponsored by Alex and Ani and the McCaughey family. A big congratulations goes out to Zack Wilson ’20 for winning this year’s 5K race.

Dr. Jim Tracy unveiled the new Idea Lab, as well as the Class of 2016 gift to the School, a large “Home of the Mariners” sign that has since been installed in the rear parking lot.

We enjoyed a wonderful turn out for alumni players and fans at the Alumni Games. Alumnae vs. Varsity Field Hockey tied 4-4; Alumnae Soccer won 3-1 over Varsity; and Alumni Soccer lost 2-3 to Varsity, where Esteban Osorio ’19 was “man of the match” with 26

The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

a hat-trick. The winning goal was scored on a penalty kick against Douglas Cochran ’16, who played goalie in the second half. The Alumni and Friends reception on Hopelands’ front porch, where the Rocky Hill School spirit and camaraderie of all those who attended was clearly evident, was a wonderful way to conclude the day.

A huge thanks goes out to all of the parents and students who volunteered their time and talent at this year’s Homecoming. The funds raised help offset many fun events including the Semi-formal and Prom. We would also like to thank Clark Farms, Super Stop & Shop, Jitters Cafe, and the Catallozzi family for their donations.

We also thank our other 5K sponsors: Williams and Stuart Real Estate, the DeGerlia family, Family Health and Sports Medicine, South Bay Veterinary Clinic, the Frost Family, DeMolay International, and Roch’s Fresh Foods.

PTLnews

BY NICI LANOWY, PT L PR E S I D E N T

As I reflect on this past year at Rocky Hill School, the word “change” jumps to mind; change for the better and a brighter future, I might add. I consider myself an optimist, as I prefer to view the glass as half full, not half empty. I see the world as a vibrant place full of opportunity and hope, and our new PTL President Nici Lanowy and PTL trajectory is certainly full of possibilities.

Every school faces adversity as well, and this Middle School Representative Laurie Lindemann volunteer at Homecoming. year was no exception, but Rocky Hill School’s indomitable spirit always prevailed.

Our new Head of School, Jim Tracy, has ushered in a whole host of intriguing ideas, exciting initiatives, and new ways of being that have challenged our status quo. He has brought renewed energy, dynamism, and professional experience, as well as an exemplary network of business contacts, to the School. Dr. Tracy has also shown us his ability to lead with strength and conviction through more difficult issues such as student and alumni safety, enrollment challenges, and personnel changes. Above all, however, he has challenged us to think deeply about the essence of Rocky Hill School and what we desire for our children’s education in the future.

As the PTL President, I have had the opportunity to meet with various members of the Rocky Hill School community to discuss the “whys”, the “hows”, and the “what fors” about the need for change. I believe I have seen the very best side of Rocky Hill School in the process. We are an intelligent, resourceful, nurturing, and resilient community. We have shown that we can remain calm in the face of adversity, analyze situations carefully, think creatively, and act appropriately with empathy and concern for all parties involved. Under the leadership of Dr. Tracy, Rocky Hill School has garnered increased media coverage and admission inquiries are up. The number of families who have visited the campus for the last two Open Houses has greatly increased over last year, and the School is fostering strong relationships with other Rhode Island schools, state government agencies, local nonprofits, and international enterprises.

Milestones & Farewells Every year, the faculty and staff join together to celebrate the year and each other. Faculty and staff who celebrate five-year milestones are acknowledged. In addition, we recognize those faculty and staff members who have retired or decided to move on to new adventures. In 2016, we honored the following people.

MILESTONES 2011–2016 (5 YEARS) Michael Chatterley (Upper School Ceramics) 2006–2016 (10 YEARS) Todd de Wardener (Director of Plant Operations) Traci Fairchild (Middle School Physical Education and Health) Pamela Matson (Upper School Science) 2001–2016 (15 YEARS) Michael Lawson (Director of Auxiliary Programs & Facility Use) Patty Pontarelli (Lower School Head) Belinda Snyman (Interim Upper School Head) 1996–2016 (20 YEARS) Catherine Washburn (Director of Admission)

FOND FAREWELLS Peter Branch Head of School (2013–2016)

Rocky Hill School still has many projects and initiatives in the pipeline: the Vision Quest and the LearnLaunch partnership to name but two. With change comes natural and understandable anxiety. There can be a desire to stick with the familiar and remain safe and comfortable. However, if we fail to challenge ourselves to make our School more innovative and effective as a 21st century educational institution, then we will eventually stagnate and become antiquated and obsolete.

Elizabeth Carley Third Grade Teacher (2007–2016)

I challenge you to embrace the changes underway and to help strengthen our unique community. We all need to collaborate, offer our best effort, provide support, and work as a team to reach our objective. Please, recognize the dedicated effort of our talented faculty and staff; volunteer your time to enhance the overall Rocky Hill School experience; encourage your children to be the best student(s) they can be; donate to the Annual Fund; participate as a guest, sponsor, or auction item donor at one of our fundraising events such as the SPARK Gala; and encourage a family member, friend, work colleague, or business partner to invest in the educational experience offered at Rocky Hill School for their own child(ren). Like you, they’ll be glad they did!

Joseph LePain Director of Technology (2015–2016)

Ben Greenfield Upper School Physics (2012–2016) Matt Kallas Upper School History (2013–2016)

Meg Myette Performing Arts Director (2000–2016) Kelly Peterson Second Grade Teacher (2012–2016) Kathy Priest ACE, ESL (2010–2016) Chelsea Rheault ESL Coordinator (2012–2016) Spring 2017

27

CLASS OF 2016

AMAIA ALDAZAB AL *

HI D E YO S HI K AM I YA *

AMANDA B ARKER *

B EN JAM I N L AN OW Y **

JARED B ARROSO

YUX UAN ( S HAW N ) LU O *

T IFFANY B ENT LEY

M ARY M CK EN N E Y **

DOUGLAS COCHR AN

M ALCO L M M E YERSO N **

ALLISON DEGERL I A *

JEN N A O ’ D EL *

NATHANAEL DEMORANVILLE*

G I O RG I O PE CO R A RO *

SAB RINA DUMAS *

YI YUN Q I U

DIHAO FENG *

G R I F F I N R AD EM AC H E R **

EIYAZH FOSTER

D O N N A RUS S O

T YLER G ATES

DAN I EL S AM UD I O *

MENGYU ( ALICE) G UO *

L AUR E N S I LVA **

NAT HANIEL HALLOW E L L

LUK E UR S O

ZACHARY JENNIN G S *

HAO CHEN ( RO B I N ) WA N G

NOAH JORGENSE N *

RUI HAN ( N I KO ) X I A *

LILY KALLAS *

**Magna Cum Laude, * Cum Laude

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS Kirkland Gibson Faculty Summer Enrichment Fund Matt Gnolfo SanAntonio Family Faculty Achievement Award Eric Wyzga Alumni Athletic Achievement Award Jared Barroso ’16

Foreman Award in Fine Arts Ruihan Xia ’16 Peggy & Henry Sharpe English Award Mary McKenney ’16 Gregor Award in Mathematics Yuxuan Luo ’16

Classics Book Prize Griffin Rademacher ’16

Dr. Richard R. MacMahon Science Award Malcom Meyerson ’16

Hugh D. Campbell French Prize Filip Augustowski ’17

Roberta Wintersteen Knight ’61 Book Award Jenna O’del ’16

Spanish Language Award Amaia Aldazabal ’16

William W. Mauran Bowl Lauren Silva ’16

(left to right) Ed Santos, President of the Board of Trustees; Neil Steinberg, President and CEO of The Rhode Island Foundation and Commencement Speaker; Peter Branch, Head of School.

Rocky Hill School held its Commencement exercises for 31 graduating members of the Class of 2016 on June 10. Neil D. Steinberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rhode Island Foundation, addressed the Class of 2016 as the Commencement Speaker.

Mary McKenney, a U.S. Presidential Scholarship Candidate, delivered the valedictory speech. Allison DeGerlia, Class of 2016 Alumni President, presented the Senior Class Gift of the “Home of The Mariners” sign for the rear entrance to the campus.

Congratulations to Rocky Hill School’s 49th twelfth-grade graduating class!

Spring 2017

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Outstanding Alumni Award Dr. Mary Lynne Kennedy ’80, P’20 The Rocky Hill School Alumni are an important part of the School’s past and future. We are fortunate to have engaged alumni who maintain their connection to their alma mater while also finding success in the greater community.

The Rocky Hill School Alumni Association and the School are proud of the many accomplished alumni and at the 2016 Moving Up Day ceremony on June 9, recognized a distinguished alumna of the School, Dr. Mary Lynne Kennedy ’80, with the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.

The Richard S. Barker Sr. ’54 Community Service Award Recipient Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78 The Richard S. Barker Sr. ’54 Community Service Award was established in 1998 in recognition of continuous support and significant service to the Rocky Hill School community. In 2013, the Award was named in honor of Richard S. Barker Sr. ’54 for his lifelong service to Rocky Hill School.

This award honors an individual who has accepted leadership responsibility in a variety of roles, has demonstrated loyalty to the School, and has a desire to perpetuate its commitment to excellence in all areas of education.

It recognizes an individual whose life and accomplishments exemplify the school’s motto “know thyself ” which the School seeks to foster in its students and identifies an individual whose contributions make our School a finer, better place.

This year’s recipient has been a member of the Rocky Hill School community for over 40 years. In that time she has served many roles, supported countless events, and has most recently been the voice of the alumni serving as the Alumni Association President. Her sincere dedication to education and appreciation for the School has fostered in her a passion to re-engage her fellow alumni. Her six years of service on the Alumni Board, and 38-year role as Class Scribe, are a testament to her unwavering love for her school, her former faculty and classmates, and the students that have followed in her footsteps. We were very pleased to present Mrs. Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78 with this most deserved honor.

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Mary Lynne, proud parent of Alexis Weiler ’20, graduated at the top of her class and was an accomplished athlete in both softball and basketball. She attended Brown University to the delight of her parents and went on to the University of Rhode Island where she earned her Ph.D. in Psychology. Mary Lynne returned to Brown to earn her Post-doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology in 1996.

Mary Lynne became a consulting licensed neuropsychologist at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and is a consultant in schools, including here at Rocky Hill School. Mary Lynne has a private pediatric practice that focuses on assessment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and mood disorders.

While Mary Lynne was establishing herself professionally, she never forgot the value of her experience at Rocky Hill School. As a Rocky Hill School parent, she has served as the Middle School Representative for the Parent Teacher League since 2014. She has also served as her alumni class scribe and has been an active advancement volunteer, supporting fundraising and admission efforts. Mary Lynne has been a member of the Alumni Board since 2010 including serving as Secretary 2013–2015 and was instrumental in bringing back Alumni Career Day. At the Moving Up Day ceremony, Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78 presented Mary Lynne with the Outstanding Alumni Award for her continued commitment to Rocky Hill School and her many professional and personal accomplishments.

SARAH SHAW SISK I N ’ 7 8 , ALUM N I AS S O CI AT I O N P R E SI D E N T

“ I hope 2017 has been a good one so far and that all are happy and healthy. In reflecting on the last year, I continue to be amazed at the great things happening at our alma mater.

Whether it is mindfulness programming or the new Idea Lab, the garden classroom or the new fleet of sailboats, our scalloped shores are ever-changing, yet the School remains dedicated to our motto, know thyself, just as it did when we were students.”

s an alumna of the School and Alumni on June 10th, please let Director of Association President, I had the Alumni Relations Liz Isdale know opportunity to welcome our new Head of (eisdale@rockyhill.org).

School to the community Our Alumni during his installation in September.

Channel website Dr. James Tracy is our 10th Head Rocky Hill School Alumni has been of School and I noted I have been a Association Scholarship revamped and is student or alumna for six previous better than ever!

In 2015, the Rocky Hill School Heads of School! It was a wonderful Visit alumni.rockyhill.org to check Alumni Association established opportunity to share the School’s rich it out. On this password protected a scholarship to be awarded history with him and the community. site you can update your records, annually to an alumni child or Alumni certainly offer a unique find classmates, keep up on current grandchild who best embodies perspective of the past and a have a events at the School, make your the qualities of a Rocky Hill vested interest in the future of our Annual Fund donation, and post School student through alma mater as well. It is clear that Dr. employment opportunities. If you outstanding scholarship, Tracy values all Rocky Hill School have a business, you can be a sponsor sportsmanship, or citizenship. students, past and present, and we for just $100.00/year. It’s a great way Recipients of the alumni look forward to working with him for to market your business to your scholarship must demonstrate years to come. The ceremony was not fellow Alums! Again, let Liz know if a financial need as stipulated complete until everyone celebrated in you are interested.

by Rocky Hill School’s Financial true Rhode Island fashion with a Del’s Aid policies and procedures.

Lemonade social.

Finally, I want to thank the Rocky Applications for financial Hill School community for honoring This past year we focused on assistance will be filed with the me at commencement in June. I was raising funds for the new Rocky School and Student Services thrilled to receive the Richard S. Hill School Alumni Association (SSS). The alumni scholarship Barker Sr. ’54 Community Service Scholarship and made a gift of will be used towards tuition only Award, and was so astounded, I was $5,000 to help fund it. We are so and will be given to a maximum speechless! What an amazing award happy to offer a scholarship that of two students annually. to receive—one I hope I can always will help young alumni experience live up to. Thank you all! the wonderful education that we all found so inspiring. The need-based We are so excited about Reunion scholarship, valued at $1,000, is available for the 2017– this year. Please join us on June 10 as we celebrate 50 2018 school year and all children and grandchildren years of high school graduates! Our first high school of alumni who apply for admission will be considered! commencement was held on June 8, 1967 and seven Funds were raised through our Alumni Brickwalk marched to receive their diplomas: Phillip Botten, sales and the Alumni Reunion silent auctions. Please Cynthia Cutter Leach, Paul Galkin, Paul Hoxsie, support our alumni fundraising initiatives and Candace Kane, Daniel Osborn, and Lucy Tillman. the Scholarship by purchasing a brick; they are a Come join us as we honor them, milestone years ending wonderful memento to your parents or a teacher! in 2 and 7, and our School’s great achievements!

And, if you have an item for our upcoming auction

Spring 2017

31

CAREERday The goal of Career Day is to expose juniors and seniors to the real-life college experiences and career paths of Rocky Hill School Alumni and to share ideas about areas of study and post-college opportunities. Not every student has an idea of what to study in college, and not every college graduate opts for a clear-cut career path. Alumni share their journeys and offer insight about their professions hoping this will help some of our current students as they look to chart their own courses.

The Alumni Association held a Career Day for the classes of 2017 and 2018 on November 4, 2016.

After gaining feedback from students during the last Career Day, faculty member and Math Department Chair Maureen Fahey redesigned the program to include a longer schedule with three individual sessions per student, a Skype keynote address, and lunch with alumni speakers.

The new format was well received by students, faculty, and alumni.

Thank you to our November 2016 Career Day speakers! Alumni interested in participating in the tradition of sharing their career journey in November 2017 should contact the Alumni Office at alumni@rockyhill.org or call 401-884-9070 x132.

Jed Hancock-Brainerd ’00

Theatre Artist and Adjunct Professor in Theatre at Rhode Island College MFA from the London International School of Performing Arts in Lecoq Based Actor Created Physical Theatre, BFA in Theatre Arts from URI. Ben Kahn ’03

Director of Sales, Wink University of Vermont ’07, B.A., Political Science; University of Colorado MSc. Global Energy Management

Whitman Littlefield ’07

Assistant Managing Editor of Social Media and Innovation at The Providence Journal Hobart William Smith College ’11, English and American Studies; Syracuse University ’13, M.A. Digital Media Management Ana Bess Moyer Bell ’06

Drama Therapist, Founder of COAAST California Institute of Integral Studies B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies ’13, New York University ’16 M.A., Drama Therapy.

Donna Tocco-Greenaway ’76

Attorney, Author, Political Science Professor at Salve Regina University Ph.D. from Salve Regina University in Humanities, J.D. from University of Pittsburgh, and B.A. from American University, where she majored in Literature.

Phuong Vu (Rita) ’11

Research Technician at Massachusetts General Hospital Worcester Polytechnic Institute ’15, B.S., Biochemistry

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Alexis Wyrofsky Kahn ’03

Vice President, Credit Agricole CIB B.A. from Georgetown University with a double major in Government and French. She currently holds her FINRA Series 79, 7, and 63 licenses.

Mary DeMaria Kochones ’94 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Senior Vice President of the Rights and Clearances Department, Prometheus Entertainment Boston University, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Television.

As keynote speaker, Mary shared her story from her office in California via Skype and included a video clip from the project she is currently working on. She shared the ins and outs of producing Season 10 of “Ancient Aliens,” which airs on HISTORY, Season 4 of “The Curse of Oak Island,” which airs on the A&E Network, and Season 6 of “Kendra On Top,” which airs on WEtv.

BUSINESSafter hours Last year, the Rocky Hill School Alumni Association, Parent Teacher League, and Board of Trustees launched Business After Hours, a networking effort for members of our community. Between 50 and 70 people attended each of the three events in 2016. Board of Trustees President Ed Santos P’11, ’14, ’18 kicked it off in January as keynote speaker, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian helped welcome Dr. Jim Tracy to the community during the July event, and Jim Pontarelli P’07, ’12, President of RDW Group, presented “Psychotherapy For Your Brand” in November.

The next Business After Hours will be hosted at Rocky Hill School in August, and will be held in collaboration with the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce and the East Greenwich Rotary Club. Stay Tuned!

Business After Hours Networking Event Goals:

• Engage and connect all stakeholder groups in the Rocky Hill School community • Leverage community talent to network regarding business opportunities (Business-to-Business) • Connect with potential employees and employers • Resource Rocky Hill School students and alumni for internship and career opportunities at area businesses • Expand the Rocky Hill School community’s business-to-business network that includes some of Rhode Island’s most influential business professionals

Top photo: Jim Pontarelli of RDW Group presented “Psychotherapy For Your Brand” during the November Business After Hours; Bottom photo: Parents, trustees, alumni, and faculty connect at Business After Hours, a networking event co-sponsored by the Alumni Association and the Parent Teacher League.

2016 Business After Hours Sponsors Big River Spirits Sam Dumas ’79 and Trixie Webber Dumas ’81 Monica Iacono Boss ’91 and Geoff Boss Ruth A.B. Clegg Photography Inspire Medical Spa & Wellness Center Pam & Amir Jourabchi Matunuck Oyster Bar

Business After Hours Committee Monica Iacono Boss ’91, P’22, ’23, ’26; Ruth Clegg; Christopher A. Cote, P’21, ’23; Beth DeGerlia P’16, ’19; Ande Frost P’10, ’15, ’17; Mary Ann Hackett P’09, ’10; Liz Isdale P’16, ’22; Mia Caetano Johnson ’89; Pamela C. Jourabchi P’17; Nici Lanowy P’16, ’17, ’21; Mike Lawson P’18, ’23; Marcia Liss, Ph.D. P’16, ’18; Erin Reedy P’22, ’23, ’25; Gordana Petteruti P’09, ’13, ’17; Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78; Kristin Walberg Urbach ’87; Kate Wilson P’20, ’22

Roch’s Fresh Foods Uncle Tony’s Pizza and Pasta Family Style Restaurants Vineyard Vines West Bay Gourmet Zen Real Estate Group Christopher Cote P’21, ‘23, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, and Dr. Jim Tracy

Spring 2017

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CLASS NEWS

As of 1/15/2017

Donald and Pam Bockoven and family

1954

1959

Susan Bell Barnett ’54 reached out to let the Alumni Office know that she is an Episcopal minister and has not decided to retire yet. She found her passion in mentoring young incarcerated women in the Ozark Mountains.

Jeffrey P. Ellis ’59 writes, “In June, we took a 29-day, 6,000+ mile sojourn from Michigan to San Diego and back. We went through four national parks: Ft Larned, KS, where Cam’s great uncle was the Commanding Officer from 1867 to 1869; North Rim, Grand Canyon, where it was unseasonably hot, so the warm clothes we brought never came out of the car; Zion; and Bryce Canyon. This trip gave me a whole new appreciation of our country. Left to right: Jeff; daughter Catherine holding her daughter Layla; brother-in-law John Morris; sister Brenda; wife Cam; grandson Zack; granddaughter Makayla; and son, Seth. Missing are son Ian and his wife Katherine. Ian is in the Navy and is deployed.

1956 Pamela Saute Dumas Bockoven ’56 married Donald Bockoven on December 26, 2016 and changed her name to Pamela Bockoven.

1957 Gillian Ehrich ’57 writes that she “moved from New Gloucester, ME to South Portland, where planes fly overhead and traffic moves slowly at times, where I can hear boat horns and walk on the beach with my dog.” She is active in bees and against pesticides and tar sands. Her grandson Cameron lives and works in Olympia, WA, and her daughter Gillian, husband Jake, and two granddaughters, Lucia and Zinnia, live in Boulder, CO. Her daughter Shannon, and husband Al run a B&B in New Gloucester, ME. “All is well at this moment. Happy 2017.”

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

August saw the arrival of a Ukrainian exchange student, Ruslana Maslennikova, ‘Rusa,’ who will be with us until the spring. We still work with Christmas Outreach, handing out winter clothes.

This year there are over 800 families registered.”

FIFTIETH REUNION

1967

Congress creates PBS. The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band released. Rocky Hill School graduates its first 12th grade class.

1967 Scribe: Lucy Tillman, alumni@rockyhill.org

1968 Nancy Hoxsie Mead ’68 In 2016, Nancy was in Puerto Rico until mid February, then in Rhode Island training for another trip to Italy where she walked across Italy from the Adriatic to the Mediterranean. She spent the month of April checking out mosaics and volcanoes.

In December, Nancy was co-chair of the South County Garden Club Holiday House tour and returned to Puerto Rico until February 2017. A very busy lady!

1968 Scribe: Nancy Hoxsie Mead, Hoxsiemead@aol.com

1969 1969 Scribe: Christine Hoxsie Morris, alumni@rockyhill.org

1970

1973

1970 Scribe needed, alumni@rockyhill.org

1973 Scribe: Catherine Tingley Fairbairn, alumni@rockyhill.org

1971 Jonathan V. Hall ’71 Last November, Jonathan started a new position as wetland specialist for the Tulalip Tribe on Puget Sound, WA. Luca Razza ’71 writes, “The Alumni Reunion last June was fantastic! We had eight members attend, which I think establishes a record for our class!

It definitely was fun and all enjoyed catching up.

1974 Jane E. Puhlma ’74 loves working as a professor at Edinboro University where she teaches undergrads and grads in the speech pathology program. She got married in December and is loving life with her husband, stepson, and puppy.

Jane is currently researching vocabulary interventions for children with cochlear implants.

Margaret C. Sanders ’74 is happily nannying and pursuing her art and photography in Charlotte, NC. 1974 Scribe: Joyce E. Hempstead, joyce.hempstead@roxburylatin.org

1975 1975 Scribe: Donna Tocco Greenway, dgreenway@cox.net

We also agreed to fund a memorial for one of our classmates who had passed away years ago. Mary Jane Long approached the group with the idea of the purchasing two bricks that would be placed in the garden walk for our deceased friend, Deb Colarulli. The bricks came out great and we are sure Deb would have approved!

Also, a mention of thanks to Liz Isdale for making it happen. We all look forward to meeting again in 2017!”

1976 Scribe: Mary Jean Keebler Roche, mjmom02@aol.com

FORTIETH REUNION

1977

President Carter pardons Vietnam draft evaders. Star Wars hits theaters and goes on to be the second highest-grossing film of all time. The RHS musical production was Finian’s Rainbow.

1977 Scribe: Susan Magee Rinebolt, suebru1212@juno.com

F O R T Y- F I F T H R E U N I O N

1978

1972

1972 Lori (Silverstein) Dorsey ’72 works at the RI Department of BHDDH in the Behavioral Health Unit, and as Women’s Services Network Coordinator. She has been elected by the national organization as the Women’s Network Regional Representative for New England. Lori continues with her part-time private counseling practice with a focus on substance abuse issues. She and her husband, David, love spending their free time with their three grandchildren, ages 6, 8, and 13, and traveling. “I’m not really thinking of retiring yet!”

1972 Scribe: Lori Silverstein Dorsey, oreocatri@cox.net

Karl A. Wadensten ’78 writes, “Tatum is at RISD grad school studying industrial design with a concentration on interior studies and working part-time at VIBCO with her dad. After graduating from Salve Regina, she was nominated to be part of Leadership Rhode Island’s Young Leader Program. Sven ’13 is in his fourth year at Northeastern in a five-year engineering program, and is doing a co-op at Cambridge Engineering in St. Louis, MO. Lars is at URI studying business and supply chain management, working at VIBCO, and traveling the world with his dad and YPO members while studying lean process.

1976

1971 Scribe: Roger Ray, rray4@cox.net

Five men attempt to bug the DNC headquarters—the start of the Watergate scandal. Atari introduces the arcade version of Pong, the first video game. Field hockey starts for girls in grades 7-12.

VIBCO. I also volunteer for Relay For Life and Peter volunteers for the American Red Cross in disaster management and first aid. I continue as Alumni President and was honored last June to receive the School’s Community Service Award at Commencement.”

Sarah Siskin ’78 writes “All is well in NJ. Our sons are all grown now. Chris is married, and he and Annie are in Florida with their two children, where they own Title II Manufacturing. Annie also works as a paralegal. Chris Jr. is 5 and Calen will be 1 in April.

Magnus is a sophomore at Wheeler School, and was on the injured list in football for the entire season. He is rehabbing with hopes to gear up to the ski season. I am expanding markets to far reaches of the globe with new products and innovations, helping to rebuild roads and bridges around the world.

I am continuing to work with the Rhode Island Governor’s Office on the economic development board, and on the Lean Operational Excellence steering committee, helping state agencies eliminate waste. This year, I lead two trips to Japan to study Toyota production systems. I am giving keynote addresses at conferences around the U.S. for Shingo, PMPA, and other organizations, unlocking the genius in people and empowering bottom-up management. Emily C. VerardoGoodrich ’12 graduated from Georgetown and has joined the VIBCO team as Process Improvement and Value Stream Manager.

My mom was ill this year but is now on the mend. Peter owns Safe Care Ambulance and our youngest son, Adam, works for him. I work from home, data-mining for Karl Wadensten ’78 at Spring 2017

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CLASS news Emily is also a teacher’s assistant at URI for a class that I teach, and was also nominated to be part of Leadership Rhode Island’s Young Leaders Program.”

1978 Scribe: Sarah Shaw Siskin, forked427@comcast.net

1979

1984 Ashley Cooper Bianchi ’84 got remarried in July to Dominic Bianchi, the photo is a RHS family photo plus husband Dominic. From left is Alletta Cooper ’00, me and my husband Dominic, Page Cooper Sciotto ’86, and Kevin Sciotto ’86.

Dan Bentley ’79 is a Senior Vice President for Bank of America and lives in McKinney, TX. He and his wife, Carolyn, and daughter, Hope, visited the campus last summer. They were able to spend some time with dear classmates, remembering the “good old times” at Rocky Hill School.

1984 Scribe: Erin E. Clement, eec0715@cox.net

1985

Charlotte Pillsbury Wood ’79 started a new marketing job in September for The Family Giving Tree, a Bay Area nonprofit. “Doing something that helps those most in need makes going to work every day a real joy.” She and her husband David are the parents of two sophomore young men—one in high school and the other at the U.S. Naval Academy.

1979 1979 Scribe: Charlotte Pillsbury Wood, charlottepwood@comcast.net

1980 1980 Scribe: Mary Lynne Kennedy, MLKMDW@juno.net

1981 1981 Scribe: Lisa Batta Spicuzza, spicuzza2@cox.net

T H I R T Y- F I F T H R E U N I O N

1982 The space shuttle Columbia

makes its first mission, deploying two communications satellites. E.T. —The Extra Terrestrial and Michael Jackson’s Thriller are both released. Campbell Center is opened.

1982 Scribe: Pamela Timperley Buckenmaier, alumni@rockyhill.org

1983 1983 Scribe: Jo-Anne Coghlin Intrator, jcintrator@comcast.net

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The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Francis Belanger ’85 writes, “I am a Catholic priest in the Dominican Order.

After many years serving in Hanover, NH, the location of my other alma mater Dartmouth, and then a stint in Cincinnati training new Dominicans, I am now stationed in New York City. While on sabbatical for a few months, I will be working at the United Nations with church agencies on a few different peace and justice initiatives.”

1985 Scribe: Elizabeth Brown, Zeph2Pixie@yahoo.com

1986 1986 Scribe: Lauren M. Smith, smith.lauren_m@yahoo.com

THIRTIETH REUNION

1987

Reagan says he accepts responsibility for Iran-Contra arms policy that went astray. Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand make the first transatlantic hotair balloon flight. The Virgin Atlantic Flyer travels 2,790 miles, from Maine to Ireland.

The RHS drama production was You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Robert H. Breslin ’87 is doing very well as a financial advisor for Sorrento Pacific Financial. His three children attend Dover public schools and all love soccer, skiing, and lacrosse. Bob loves coaching his kids and was looking forward to a great ski season with them.

Jarod D. DiSanto ’87 is the New England Area Manager for The Peoples Bank. With great success, he has been in the industry for over 25 years. Jarod’s son, Nicholas, obtained his Master’s Degree in accounting and getting ready to sit for

his CPA. Jarod’s oldest daughter, Madison, is dong well in her first year at URI, and his youngest daughter, Isabella, is in junior high school and is an all-star competitive singer. Jarod is has been happily married for 20 years to Kristin Ciabattoni (sister of Joe Ciabattoni ’89). He says that Kristin has made a loving home and life for him and the family, and that he is the luckiest guy in the world to have such a beautiful wife.

Elizabeth S. Ermgodts ’87 is living in Kansas City as a successful real estate agent and leads her other company www.fabricfetish.etsy.com. She has three children, Alex (14), Ella (12), and Sophie (10). Lisa loves being busy with her children and watching her oldest, Alex, competitively swim; supporting her daughter, Ella, with soccer; and cheering on her youngest, Sophie, at softball.

Sally K. Grant ’87 is living in Baltimore—lacrosse capitol of the world— with her husband Coach Rob, and lax players John and Sophie. She can be found on Capitol Hill advocating for critical infrastructure and cybersecurity. On a special note, Sally named her daughter Sophie after her Rocky Hill School role model Sophie Biddle ’92. When Sally met Sophie in 1982, she said, “If I ever have a daughter, I want to name her after Miss Biddle because she is the most beautiful person inside and out!”

Derrick E. Maloney ’87 is working at Rogers Williams University as Capital Project Manager. Derek enjoys living in Cranston, listening to music, and gardening.

His son Liam is a junior in college studying music and acoustic engineering, and his daughter Keelin is a senior at LaSalle High School, receiving honors in her art classes.

1987 Scribe: Sally Kenyon Grant, sallykenyongrant@gmail.com

1988 1988 Scribe: Spurgeon W. Thompson III, spurgeonthompson@hotmail.com

1989 1989 Scribes: Rhaea N. Photopoulos, rhaea31@ yahoo.com; Mia Ann Caetano Johnson, mcaetanojohnson@verizon.net

1990 1990 Scribe needed: alumni@rockyhill.org

1991

1994

2000

Kerry L. Doyle ’91 lives with her family in Tiverton, RI and was recently promoted to the rank of Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California School of Social Work where she has worked since 2011. She is planning to start her doctorate work this spring. Kerry is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and enjoys speaking at national conferences about the benefits of yoga on mental health.

One of the highlights of 2016 was adopting a Lab puppy named Baylie.

Mary T. Kochones ’94 has been working at Prometheus for more than 12 years and is now SVP of the Rights and Clearances Department. She is currently working on Season 10 of “Ancient Aliens” which airs on HISTORY, Season 4 of “The Curse of Oak Island” which airs on the A&E Network, and Season 6 of “Kendra On Top” which airs on WEtv. Mary lives in Sherman Oaks, CA with her husband, Steve, and their two daughters, Isabelle and Chloe.

David Geddis ’00 writes, “I live in Maine with my wife and two boys and work for Central Maine Power. I am also a firefighter in my town. I enjoy being involved with youth sports and coaching my kids’ teams.”

Rachael E. Piro ’94 has taught elementary school since receiving her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Wheelock College in 1999. In addition she started a new career three years ago as a group fitness instructor and enjoys teaching pilates, barre, spin, and cardio/interval classes. In 2003, Rachael moved from Boston to northern Virginia.

Liana J. Magner ’91 writes, “I got engaged this past summer and will be getting married in Little Compton, RI in July 2017.”

2000 Scribe: Stephanie Soscia, ssoscia@gmail.com

2001 2001 Scribe: Bridget Sullivan, BSullivanRD@gmail.com

FIFTEENTH REUNION

2002 President Bush addresses

the UN, calls for a “regime change” in Iraq. New England Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI. Go FOURTH is introduced and Motria Holowinsky retires after 28 years.

Lauren B. (Friedman) Koblick ’02 and her husband Richard proudly announced the birth of their daughter, Madison Brooke, on March 22, 2016.

1991 Scribe: Liana J. Magner, liana.magner@mercer.com

T W E N T Y- F I F T H R E U N I O N

1992

Rioting erupts in Los Angeles after four police officers are acquitted of beating Rodney King.

Compact discs surpass cassette tapes as the preferred medium for recorded music.

The commencement speaker was Prentice K. Stout, who wrote Land of Fires.

Elizabeth Stone Clement ’92 continues her 17-year career with the RI Department of Environmental Management and is enjoying every moment with son Thomas (born January 2014) and Brian Clement ’86. She is looking forward to seeing classmates at the upcoming 25th Reunion in 2017.

1994 Scribe: Tracey Brown Banach, tracey_eb@hotmail.com

2002 Scribe: Kristin McLimans Mitchell, kmitchell1226@gmail.com

1995

2003

1995 Scribe: Rebecca M. Krasnof, drbecky@gmail.com

Alexis Kahn (Wyrofsky) ’03 & Ben Kahn ’03 were married in New Canaan, CT on August 6, 2016. Soon after, Ben started a job as Director of Sales at Wink, a smart home automation platform.

Alexis works at Crédit Agricole CIB in Corporate Client Coverage. They live in NYC.

1996 1996 Scribe: Erica Harrington Perkoski, Ericaharrington@msn.com

TWENTIETH REUNION

1997

The Hale-Bopp comet is the closest it will be to Earth until 4397.

Princess Diana, 36, killed with two others in Paris car crash. The Hopelands mural was restored and the clock tower in the Carriage House was struck by lightning.

1997 Scribe: Marianne C. SanAntonio, msanantonio@mail.une.edu

1998 1992 Scribe: Crystal Siebel Hoyt, alumni@rockyhill.org

1993 1993 Scribe: Lisa Dorson Borge, lrborge@gmail.com

1998 Scribe: Katherine Hoagland Scott, khscott@hotmail.com

1999 1999 Scribe: Megan Andreozzi Fox, mcandreozzi@gmail.com Spring 2017

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CLASS news Kamlyn Keith ’03 wrote, “In May 2015, I graduated from Roger Williams University with a Master’s degree in Public Administration, after several years of taking courses while working full time at the Rhode Island Department of Education. My most recent endeavor in my nine years at the Department has been as the project coordinator for 2020 Vision for Education: Rhode Island’s Strategic Plan for PK-12 & Adult Public Education, 2015-2020. Written by a 26-member community team over the course of six months and with public feedback on each draft. It was adopted by the Board of Education in October 2015 (www.ride. ri.gov/Strategic-Plan).”

2003 Scribe: Nicholas F. Pereira, NickFP@gmail.com

2004 Alexander M. Champagne ’04 is living on King Street in East Greenwich and works at REMAX professionals in East Greenwich. He is captain of the Narragansett Grays, a men’s lacrosse team, and coaches the Rock Hill School Middle School Boys’ A basketball team. “That’s me in a nut shell right now! The real estate market is heating up.”

Samuel L. Tyree ’04 On June 4, 2016, Samuel married Laura Strand in Fairfield, CT. They are happily married and live in Manhattan.

2008 2004 Scribes: Kristin Kacewicz Clarke, kskacewicz@gmail.com; Kathryn A. Donnelly, katherndonn@gmail.com

2005 Kate Corvese ’05 and Adam Noelte were married on October 15, 2016 on Laudholm Farm in Wells, ME. The wedding ceremony was performed

by Catherine Washburn, Rocky Hill School’s Director of Admission.

The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

2008 Scribes: Hannah C. Knowles, hannahcknowles@gmail.com; Sarah L. Knowles, sarahlknowles@gmail.com; Allison E. Rooney, allisonerooney@gmail.com

2009 Hannah Gardner ’09 continues to love living in Portland, OR. As much as she enjoys working as the recruitment coordinator for a local nanny agency, she is ready for the next adventure. In April 2017, she will be thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, walking 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada. Where she ends up after that…well, she will have plenty of time to think about that.

2009 Scribe: Ellie Sharpe, esharpee77@gmail.com

2010

Stuart J. Flanagan ’05 announced that his business, Newport Renewables, was one of 30 businesses selected for the first statewide rollout of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Led by co-chairs Lloyd Blankfein, Warren Buffett, Michael R. Bloomberg, and Dr. Michael Porter, the program provides businesses with practical education, business support services, and access to capital since its inception in 2009. Rhode Island represents the first time that Goldman Sachs has committed to a state-wide initiative to deliver this innovative program.

2005 Scribe: Kate Corvese, kate.corvese@gmail.com

2006 2006 Scribe: Laura Verardo-Goodrich, Laura. verardogoodrich@gmail.com

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2007

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) becomes the first female U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Boston Red Sox win the World Series. The 2007 Senior Class gifts the Senior Walkway.

2007 Scribes: Patricia L. Capuano, pcapuano@gmail.com; Courtney Lada, courtney.e.lada@gmail.com

Kristin Clarke ’04 writes, “My husband Elliott and I welcomed (Thomas) Wynn Clarke on February 2, 2016.”

Maya Taylor ’04 writes, “Last June Maya Taylor ’04 and Jeremy Skehan were married in the Great Friends Meeting House in Newport, RI. They celebrated with friends and family including Sarah Taylor ’10 and Tory Dumas ’10. Maya and Jeremy live and work in Brooklyn, NY.”

TENTH REUNION

Chelsey E. Frost ’10 took a fivemonth road trip around Australia and New Zealand, paid for by working for locals in exchange for housing and food as she went along. She went bungy jumping on the South Island of NZ, surfed Byron Bay and surrounding beaches, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, explored the rainforests up north, and spent many nights sleeping in the back of her car and eating canned beans for dinner! After her return home, Chelsey moved to Alaska for six months beginning in May 2016 to work for a charter fishing company. She spent her free time hiking the surrounding mountains and exploring the coastline via kayak and paddling. Chelsey is learning the value of hard work and what it means to veer from a 9-to-5 work path. “It’s extremely stressful at times, but also affords me the most rewarding experiences I could have ever imagined.”

Breanna Lynch ’10 spent last year teaching English in Bolbec, France and is currently finishing up a Master’s degree in teaching at Smith College. She’s also student-teaching French at Northampton High School and will look for a full-time French teaching job later this year.

Katherine H. Meringolo ’12 writes, “I am currently working for an educational nonprofit called City Year as a near-peer, mentor, and tutor at a high school in South LA. Because of my time spent in the classroom, I have decided to pursue a graduate degree in education and social work. I am currently applying to multiple schools, so we will see where I end up— East Coast, West Coast, or abroad!”

Simon B. Winokoor ’12 will graduate in the spring and move to New York City to start a career in finance with Barclays Investment Bank.

Medelise S. Reifsteck ’10 writes, “I’m currently teaching English in Thailand. I finished my first year and will be here another two years.”

Xiaotian Wu ’10 tells us, “I recently passed my naturalization test, woot for U.S. citizenship, and for voting in the next election! I am now in my third year of a Ph.D. program at Dartmouth.

Being in the same place for more than six years may be too much for some of us millennials, but not me! I must have a lot of mass since I have such great inertia!

Jokes like these are probably why I am still in school. Wishing much success and happiness to all of my fellow classmates and everyone back at the Hill! I hope you are utilizing your inertia to stay in motion instead!”

Maria Charbonneau ’12 writes, “This past summer I traveled to Germany with my older sister, my best friend Hayley Greene ’11 and my German-born boyfriend. I did not return to the U.S. with my boyfriend because at a beautiful castle in southern Germany he became my fiancé! Since I am in my fifth year of pharmacy school at URI, we plan to marry in 2018 when my doctoral studies are complete. I am very excited to start this next chapter of my life with the love of my life. This photo was taken at the Plansee, an incredibly idyllic lake in Tyrol, Austria. We had serendipitously taken a wrong turn in Germany and found ourselves in beautiful Austria. Germany and Austria are lovely, without doubt, but we have agreed to honeymoon in a place totally new to both of us. If you have any good suggestions, let me know!”

an organization that develops curriculum and will teach residents at local halfway houses to better prepare themselves to be contributing members of society.

Kayla DiSegna ’14 writes, “I am finishing up my first semester of my junior year as a biology major. Thanks to Mr. Gnolfo I received an A+ in my Latin class, almost a perfect score! I’ve taken three sciences this semester: anatomy, microbiology, and organic chemistry, and made it through! Love Assumption life!”

John J. Leyden ’14 is majoring in psychology with a minor in biology and plans on doing his Master’s specializing in biological psychology. John is currently a researcher’s assistant.

Miranda H. Shea ’14 attended Wheaton College for two years, but now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. She may move back to the states in a year or so.

Kyla R. Teeters ’14 spent the last three months studying abroad and traveling across Japan, and is currently preparing for finals in Japan.

Kaylyn E. Walsh ’14 writes, “I’m studying abroad right now in Pau, France. Madame Rich’s classes are still harder and better than every French class I’ve taken since.”

2014 Scribe: Kayla Disegna, disegnak@merrimack.edu

2010 Scribe: Sarah Taylor, staylor7@conncoll.edu

2015

2011

2015 Scribe: Amanda Siegel, amanda_siegel@brown.edu

2011 Scribe: Stephanie Mattioli, smattioli@my.uri.edu

2016

FIFTH REUNION

Jared Barroso ’16 is loving college life at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA. He is playing soccer on the mens’ varsity team, where he play 18 out of 22 games and started in 11 this past season.

He is getting used to living away from home and is working hard on his studies in the sports management program.

2012

The end of the Mayan calendar, or the end of the world as some believed, is observed with little to no consequence. Superstorm Sandy ravages the Northeast coastline, making it the second costliest hurricane in the US. The Boys’ Varsity Soccer team captured the School’s first-ever NE Preparatory School Athletic Council Class D Championship.

Jordan M. Karnes ’12 will graduate in May with a Bachelors in Communications/Sports Journalism and English. He started graduate school in the fall 2016 at Suffolk University in Boston as a masters of communication student with a concentration in Public Relations/ Advertising.

2012 Scribe: Shannon M. O’Rourke, shannonn28@ verizon.net

2013 2013 Scribe: Courtney Harrington, Cmharrington94@gmail.com

2014 Amelia N. Caramadre ’14 is in her third year studying health sciences at Northeastern University and is completing a co-op with the Allergy and Asthma Center of Boston. In her free time, she started a club on campus, the Student Alliance for Prison Reform, and also started Spring 2017

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CLASS news Douglas Cochran ’16 writes, “I had a good summer living in Narragansett and working for Dr. Laura Meyerson P’16, ’20 at URI in her invasive species lab. It was a great opportunity to get practical experience in a college lab environment prior to my freshman year. The first semester at Rochester Institute of Technology has been a great experience so far as I am getting settled into the five year Civil Engineering Technology program.”

Douglas is also looking to minor in Mandarin as his goal remains to someday build cities in China. “It was great to get some of the Class of 2016 back together for Homecoming and the dedication of the Class Gift, the ‘Home of the Mariners’ sign.”

Tyler H. Gates ’16 made the Dean’s List with a 3.55 GPA at Johnson & Wales University in Providence. He attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas over spring break and called it “the most important, impactful, educational, and fun experience of my life.” Tyler also competed in the Rocky Point Bold’r Dash last year, “an insane 5K obstacle course.”

Allison DeGerlia ’16 writes, “Since graduating this past June, I have been enjoying time at Ursinus College where I am majoring in Media and Communications and double minoring in Peace and Social Justice as well as Education. I have been thriving on Ursinus’s small campus, which is close-knit and welcoming. I am one of three freshman in the Bonner Program, a scholarship program that focuses on community service and civic engagement.

Every week, I do 8-10 hours of community service with my other Bonner leaders, such as painting high schools, working in food pantries, tutoring kids, and working with the elderly. I am excited to continue this work in the coming semester as well as becoming a tour guide and a Big Sister.”

Daniel E. Samudio ’16 writes, “In my first year as an alum, I was really looking forward to finally playing in the Alumni game against my former teammates. Sadly, our team ran out of gas and lost by a lastminute goal to the Mariners. Everything is going great in college, but I truly miss Chef Rob’s cooking!”

alumni.rockyhill.org

Lauren E. Silva ’16 studied abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece for her first semester of college. Along with studying, she took part in community service opportunities to aid refugees and enjoyed the unique opportunity to travel throughout Europe.

Lauren is looking forward to continuing her studies in Boston at Northeastern University in the spring.

2016 Scribe: Lauren Silva, silva.la@husky.neu.edu

Donna B. Goldstein writes,“The reMARKable music room and resource center was dedicated on July 16 by House of Hope Community Development Corporation in memory of our beloved son, Mark Goldstein ’04.

The music room is a center where people who are homeless can listen to music, learn instruments and practice and play together. It was a day to celebrate Mark and the important and deserving people who will play music and reconnect with their community. Mayor Scott Avedisian was among the speakers and over 60 family, friends, and community leaders attended the dedication. Mark attended Rocky Hill School from 1989-1998.”

The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

Alumni Association A free online portal exclusively for alumni

F O R M E R FA C U LT Y

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ROCKY HILL SCHOOL

With hundreds of graduates across the United States and worldwide, the Alumni Association is cultivating stronger bonds with and among alumni, laying the foundation for fundraising in support of critical programs such as scholarships and the endowment. This online portal affords alumni an interactive, customized experience, including opportunities to connect with each other, view school and class events, and make online donations. It also serves as a single point of entry for alumni to self-maintain their profile and contact information.

IN MEMORIUM (as of 1/11/2017) Jeanne E. (McFarland) Clark (6/12/2016)

Cordell Grant (5/11/2016)

Mark Weiner (7/26/2016)

Mother of Jeff Clark ’79 and step mother to David J. Clark ’71 and his wife Meryl Wilson Clark ’71

Grandfather of Ella Myette ’14 and father of former faculty member Meg Myette

Husband of former Trustee Susan Weiner, father of Cathy, Steven, Zoë ’09, and Richard Weiner ’11

Mary Kenyon Bennett (Armstrong) (9/7/2016) Former faculty member and mother of LeRoy “Roy” A. Bennett ’75, Melissa Bennett Narcizo ’80, grandmother of Dakota Bennett ’12

Sandra Blake (8/30/2016) Grandmother of Allison ’16 and Jason DeGerlia ’19, mother of Director of Development Beth DeGerlia

Paul Brunell (1/2/2017) Former faculty member, Middle and Upper School Math 1999-2005, Head of Middle School (1999-2002)

Mary Ann (Prendergast) Cappelletti (9/22/2016) Mother of former faculty member Michael J. Cappelletti

Lucy M. Vitalo (Padula) Ciolli (12/6/2016) Grandmother of Elisa Vitalo ’99

Peter Woodward Collins ’06 (9/23/2016) Brother of Amelia (Collins) Morrill ’03

Richard A. Cornell (12/9/2016) Grandfather of Olivia Chatterley ’25 and father-in-law of faculty member Michael Chatterley (Heather)

Judy B. Hastings ’59 (7/4/2014) Stanley Henshaw III ’59 (3/9/2016) Alumni Association President 1968-1970 and Secretary 1966-1968

Bannon C. Williamson ’94 (11/28/2016) Elizabeth “Bess” Smith Wilson (9/8/2016) Mother of Sarah Lawson Viener ’87

Charles N. Mock (12/18/2016) Grandfather of Adam ’05 and Andrew ’07 Fogarty

Thomas A. Monahan, Jr. (5/19/2016) Grandfather of T.J. Carley ’15 and Patrick Carley, father of former faculty member Elizabeth “Liz” Monahan Carley

Brenda L. Sion Murphy (7/10/2016) Daughter of former Trustee Anthony Sion, Jr., and sister of A. Anthony Sion III ’73 and Jeffrey Sion ’85

Mary V. Murphy (Hopkins) (7/8/2016) Grandmother of Gregory B. Blasbalg ’90

Helen “Bunnie” F. Quinn (5/29/2016) Mother of Tara Quinn Reilly ’88

Frank Sarra (3/10/2016) Grandfather of Nicholas Petros ’05 and Alexander Petros ’10

Robert W. Sutcliffe “Bob” (1/1/2017) Father of Ian R. Sutcliffe ’10

Lisa Ann Gasrow (7/14/2016)

Robert V. Girasole (1/8/17)

Mother of Sarah Gasrow ’17

Father of Tracy Girasole Miner ’89

K. E. Glass (5/7/2016)

Aina Elizabeth Wadensten (12/1/2016)

Father of PTL President Nicola Lanowy, grandfather of Ben ’16, Giles ’17, and Jordan ’21 Lanowy

Mother of Karl Wadensten ’78 and Linda Wadensten ’85, grandmother of Tatum ’12, Sven ’13, Lars ’15, Magnus ’18, and Max Wadensten.

Mary Bennett came to Rocky Hill School in 1966 and spent 25 years shaping the lives of students. She taught 4th grade as well as music.

Mary also served as the Head of the Lower School for several years. Her daughter, Melissa Narcizo ’80, spent 13 years at Rocky Hill School and her son, Roy ’75, completed a post graduate year. Mary was a talented, creative, and dedicated teacher who will be greatly missed.

Spring 2017

41

REUNION 2017

#ThenNowAlwaysRHS

1986: (back) Melville Davey, Brian Clement, Thomas Hill, David Crocker; (front) Kevin Sciotto, Page Cooper Sciotto, Scott Metzger, Kristen Fain Dahl, Al Pesce, Michael Zarella

BY LIZ ISDALE P ’ 16 , ’ 2 2 , D I R ECTO R O F ALUM N I R E L AT I O NS

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Rocky Hill School’s Alumni Reunion was held on June 11, 2016, the day after 31 students from the Class of 2016 joined the ranks of alumni. Earlier in the week we were proud to see two alumni, Mary Lynne Kennedy ’80 and Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78, receive well-deserved acknowledgments.

Mary Lynne received the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award and Sarah was presented with The Richard S. Barker, Sr. ’54 Community Service Award. The School and the Alumni Association planned a full day of activities as we celebrated alumni classes ending in 1 and 6 while giving all in attendance the opportunity to connect with classmates, faculty, and friends!

The next event on the agenda for Reunion was the Alumni Lacrosse games. Unfortunately, the games were canceled due to severe thunder and lightning storms. A festive athletic theme kept the celebration going however as alumni and faculty gathered in the Campbell Center for dinner and some fun. Thank you to Trixie Dumas ’81, Sarah Taylor ’10, Tory Dumas ’10, David Carter ’75, and Roxanne Card for the fun nostalgic decorations that included Rocky Hill School sports memorabilia and vintage uniforms and equipment. Flik Dining, led by our very own Chef Rob Deluise, provided a delicious meal which alumni and friends enjoyed.

At the Alumni Association annual meeting, alumni received a review of the state of the school by Peter Branch, who would be retiring after serving as Head of School for three years. President of the Board of Trustees Ed Santos shared the board’s vision for the future and efforts for a smooth transition to the leadership of Head of School-elect, Dr. Jim Tracy. The group was pleased that Dr. Tracy joined alumni at the reunion celebration later in the day.

During Reunion, we held the Third Annual Alumni Scholarship Fund Silent Auction. The extensive auction included Red Sox tickets, pottery, assorted gift baskets and gift cards, Rocky Hill School gear, Gregory’s Coffee swag, an amazing Bloomingdale’s beauty basket, a Pampered Chef set, one-of-a-kind jewelry, artwork, and so much more!

Many thanks to the alumni and friends who answered the call for auction items for this event! The auction

The Rocky Hill School Bulletin

raised $2,000 to benefit the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Well done team!

In 2017, we will celebrate classes ending in 2 and 7 which includes a special acknowledgment of the 50th reunion of the first 12th grade graduating class, the Class of 1967.

Please save the date for Reunion on June 10, 2017. Would you like to be on the planning committee? Please get in touch with Reunion Chair Lauren Freidman Koblick ’02 at laurenkoblick@gmail.com or the Alumni Office at alumni@rockyhill.org.

1991: Colin Delaney and Monica Iacono Boss

Pam Saute Dumas Bockoven ’56

2006: Laura Verardo-Goodrich, Jordan Sack, Victoria Solomon

1981: Trixie Webber Dumas and Erica Waldman Aldazabal

1996: Michael Saccoccia and Jessica Young

1971: (back) Dolores M. Arias (Scott), Mary Jane Long, Leo St. Onge, Luca Razza, Maryl Clark (Wilson), David J. Clark; (front) Paul Sacco, Roger and Deborah Ray

Kevin Sciotto ‘86, Motria Holowinsky, Colin Delaney ’91

2015: Shane Woolley, Amanda Siegel, Ray Mancini, and Kate Nota

Peter Branch received a Head of School Alumni Association commemorative brick from Sarah Shaw Siskin ’78.

Spring 2017

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530 Ives Road East Greenwich, RI 02818 www.rockyhill.org

Reunion 2017 | June 10, 2017 Celebrating 50 years of 12th grade graduates, The Crest yearbook, and milestone years ending in 2 and 7. All alumni, faculty, and friends are welcome!

Register at www.rockyhill.org/reunion

#ThenNowAlwaysRHS