RECOGNIZING
EXCELLENCE Fall 2026 Magazine | RCDS Student Achievements from the 2025-26 School Year
Celebrating our graduates! Members of Rye Country Day School’s Class of 2026 are attending the following
Colleges and Universities Amherst College Johns Hopkins University (2) University of California, Berkeley (2) Binghamton University (2) Manhattanville University University of California, Davis Boston College (2) Massachusetts Institute University of Chicago (4) Boston University (3) of Technology University of Delaware Bowdoin College (2) McGill University (2) University of Michigan Brown University Middlebury College (3) University of Notre Dame (2) Bucknell University Northeastern University (2) University of Pennsylvania Canterbury School Northwestern University (3) University of Richmond (2) Carnegie Mellon University (4) Princeton University University of Southern Case Western Reserve University Rice University (2) California (4) Claremont McKenna College Rochester Institute of University of St Andrews (2) Colgate University (3) Technology University of Texas Columbia University (4) Santa Clara University University of Virginia Cornell University (8) Spelman College Vanderbilt University CUNY City College Swarthmore College Vassar College CUNY Lehman College Syracuse University Wake Forest University Dartmouth College (2) The University of Edinburgh Washington University in St. Louis Duke University Tufts University (3) Wellesley College Franklin and Marshall College Tulane University (2) Wesleyan University (3) Georgetown University (3) United States Air Force Academy Williams College Harvard University (5) United States Military Academy Yale University (One attendee unless otherwise indicated)
Rye Country Day School recognized students in the twelfth, eighth, and fourth grades during three festive graduations. Read about these milestone events on page 2.
UPPER SCHOOL GRADUATION
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2026! 2 ||Recognizing RecognizingExcellence ExcellenceMagazine Magazine2024 2026
The Rye Country Day Class of 2026 was recognized during the School’s 157th Graduation Exercises on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The ceremony featured remarks from Student Body President Nola Coady ’26, Senior Class President Selena Zhang ’26, Head of School Randall Dunn, and Upper School Principal Jenny Heath. The Upper School Concert Choir gave a beautiful performance of “Ad Astra (To the Stars…)” and the WildScats a cappella group sang “I’ll Be There” by Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, and Bob West. “The world needs accomplished people who care, who listen, who build bridges, who show empathy, and who use their talents to improve the lives of others,” said Mr. Dunn. “The world needs you. Stand up for what matters to you. Help someone who can never repay you. And above all, love the journey.” The graduation address was delivered by Ginny Black, Middle School Language Arts Teacher, who retired from RCDS at the end of the 2025-26 academic year after 48 years of extraordinary service to the School. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Ms. Black delivered her final line: “Graduates, today, you may be ready to let go with your hands, but you don’t ever have to let go with your hearts. Please hold us close because we love you so much.” The ceremony culminated with the presentation of diplomas by Mr. Dunn, Board of Trustees President Rosa Perkins P’26, P’28, and Upper School Principal Jenny Heath. As graduates crossed the stage and officially became Rye Country Day alumni, the entire community celebrated their accomplishments and wished them success in the exciting journeys ahead.
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2026 UPPER SCHOOL
COMMENCEMENT SPEECH Ginny Black Thank you! Good Afternoon, Mr. Dunn, Ms. Heath, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Heintz, Members of the Board of Trustees, proud families and joyful friends, my dear colleagues, and most importantly—the outstanding Rye Country Day School Class of 2026. When I was a little girl, one of my most favorite things to do was to play school in the laundry room of our home. The washer and dryer were Avocado Green. I wore beads and my mother’s high heels. Avon lipstick—Candy Pink. My Dad hung a little blackboard for me to write on with chalk, and I had a grade book that I filled with fictional names. My favorites were Isadora, Marguerite, Gisele, and Jareen. I loved those names, and when it came time to name my own daughter, her dad shook his head in disapproval to all of them. And so the march of names stopped and stayed with Samantha. Except that when she started here at Rye Country Day in Pre-K, her friends called her Smee, SammyWhammy-Whooo, or just plain Sam. So much for my penchant for elegant names. After so much practice in the laundry room, it was no surprise that teaching would become my life’s work and passion. Since Kindergarten, I have never NOT gone back to school in September. In fact, I’ve spent 70.1% of my life in the classroom. So, when people ask me what has kept me here for 48 years, the answer is simple. I’ve stayed because of My People. In recent years, I tried my best to hold on to time, and then came to realize that the fragile beauty of being alive would intervene no matter how hard I tried to hold on. Which is why it is both an honor and a privilege to be here with you today, and most importantly to be sandwiched inbetween My People—my beloved students 4 | Recognizing Excellence Magazine 2026
and my cherished colleagues. To speak the words “My People” is to claim more than connection. To say “My People” is an act of gratitude. It acknowledges trust—that families trusted me and my colleagues with those they loved most. My People include those of you sitting in front of me—the families who entrusted us with something precious. You gave us the gift of your children and your faith. That trust has never been lost on us. Not once. The reason why all of us need “Our People” is because life is too heavy to carry alone. “Our People” keep us humble and walk alongside us when we struggle. My colleagues—who include everyone in every corner of this school who keeps this place running and thriving—possess something truly rare: a deep generosity of spirit. They share their time and encouragement freely, without hesitation. Over the years, I’ve come to see that schools are not sustained by buildings or programs alone but by people—by the quiet kindness and trust of colleagues who lift one another up, day after day, without fanfare. Walking into school early every morning always reminded me of Central Perk on Friends. It’s a shared space of warmth and camaraderie, a steady heartbeat in the middle of the chaos of the outside world. Watching lives unfold here in a place that always felt like old flannel—worn-in and welcoming—has been a gift to me. When I first arrived in 1978 after two exciting years of teaching in Tehran, Iran, my mornings were shared with MY mentor, Cary Fuller. Every morning in the tiny faculty room—now the LS girls’ bathroom—
Cary typed (yes, on a typewriter!) our worksheets for the day as I stood behind him, adding my two cents to his funny, fuller view of grammar. Then I ran off the worksheet on the mimeograph machine. Remember that intoxicating perfume of a freshly mimeographed worksheet and purple-stained fingers? Afterward, we’d go downstairs with the ladies in the lunchroom, Dolly and Toddy, who toasted day-old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for us for breakfast. Times change. Yet this kind of spirit has endured at Rye Country Day and continues to make the school so special — this quiet, steadfast camaraderie rises here as naturally as morning light. It’s a place where there is always one more generous person who makes the day lighter. During that fateful blue-sky morning of 9/11, when the planes flew into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, the Class of 2003—my daughter’s class—was stranded in D.C. on their class trip. It was my colleagues who cared for and protected those students. When Scott Nelson got word that the class was ok, he put a little note on my desk chair that said, “Samantha is safe. They’re all ok.” I still have that precious little piece of paper. This kind of steadiness and love defines this community and carries into classrooms every day, making those spaces safe, exciting places to learn and grow. This kind of easy grace is stitched together by years of shared mornings, shared burdens, and shared laughter. My people are the teachers and staff who have walked these halls with me year after year. You are the ones who stayed late and believed fiercely in young minds. We belonged together to do the hard, important work we love doing.
During the hush of those early mornings— when snow falls quietly and ice forms—Binns and his team are already outside clearing the way so no one slips and falls. The Flik family is inside, preparing warm breakfast sandwiches that welcome us into the day. These daily acts of care matter more than we often say.
discovered that a single choice—a comma, a strong verb, a phrase tucked just right—can sharpen an argument and soften a truth.
Teaching is never a solo act. It’s a chorus, and I have been the luckiest person in the world to have sung alongside the very best.
Remember Mash Me, our masks, 6D Darlings, and all of those prepositions— aboard, about, above, according to, after— and the eternal truth that punctuation saves lives: “Let’s eat, Grandma” versus “Let’s eat Grandma.” (That comma before a noun of direct address matters a lot.)
And now, my favorite people, my STUDENTS, present and past—some of you sitting in the audience today, now parents. (I think I counted more than 10!). You are the reason I got up every day. You are the ones who make my eyes light up with your joy and curiosity, your humor and antics. You gave my work its deepest meaning.
And together, we learned to always fight for the Oxford Comma, not just as a mark of clarity, but as a small stand for meaning and being understood.
All of you brought stories with you, and it has been the honor of my life to help you learn how to tell them—clearly, bravely, and in your own voice. Once you learn how to tell your story and to hear someone else’s, you can’t help but say, “That’s just like me.” We found our connections through the echoes of our diverse experiences. Together, by reading great books, you learned more than plot and theme—you learned how fragile civilization can be, how dangerous silence is, and how easily power can reshape truth. You learned that memory is an act of love, that choice matters, and that broken things—and broken people—are not beyond repair. You listened for the voices left out and then included them. You learned that words are weapons—to think before you speak. These were not lessons delivered from the teacher’s desk; they were discovered in the tenderness of respectful, civil conversation—in the warm space of a classroom, humming with love and trust.
I’ll never ever forget and will always be perfectly amazed by the way each and every one of you, every day, without fail, said, “Thank you, Mrs. Black,” before leaving class—unheard of in most schools. And now, I get to thank you for being the BEST students this teacher could have ever hoped for. You are my proof of Joy. You will go many places after today. New schools. New seasons of life. And while your accomplishments will matter, what will matter more is this question you need to ask yourself: Who are your people?
These exceptional graduates are readers and writers who care, who empathize, and who know how to laugh and have fun. They are amazingly kind.
In the end, it will not be titles or trophies that carry you. It’s the trusting relationships you make that are sacred. Nurture and respect them. Make sure your eyes let people know that you see them. Choose your circle carefully. Protect it fiercely. Show up faithfully. Be someone worth gathering.
They learned that grammar and writing are close friends—the way subordinate clauses and verbal phrases can deepen a thought and add rhythm to your writing. They
With the most heartfelt shalom, I say it’s your turn to go out into the world to use your talents and make this world a place where all things fit together,
including justice and fairness. Bring what is broken back into wholeness. I know you can do it. You are such beautiful writers and speakers, and you’ve learned how to use your voices to speak your truth with courage. Never forget that our humanity is bound up in each other, because we can only be human together. Enjoy fresh snow every day and carve your way down the highest mountains. YOU will always be my favorite people. Before my last lesson, I want to take a moment to acknowledge someone special. Randall, I’ve had the privilege of working with you these past few years, and you have truly warmed this place from the inside out. You have led with a deeply human heart—with kindness, connection, and courage—not just as ideas, but as daily practices. You have set a tone that has been felt in classrooms and in the spirit of this community. For that, we THANK YOU. And so, before we say goodbye, please allow me one last lesson. My dear graduates, in this tender in-between time—before the world takes your hands—everything I’ve tried to teach you can be gathered into this Robert Frost poem entitled “Wild Grapes” that describes a brother and sister in an autumn glade, a season of change. The brother climbs a white birch tree and bends a branch so his sister can reach some grapes. She grabs the branch, but when he lets go, she is left hanging in the air, clinging to it for dear life. Her brother tells her to drop and let go, but she holds on tightly. Finally, he climbs down and bends the tree to the ground to help her. When he scolds her for not letting go sooner, she says something poignant that feels especially true today: I had not learned to let go with the hands, As still I have not learned to with the heart, And have no wish to with the heart-nor need, That I can see. The mind-is not the heart. I may yet live, as I know others live, To wish in vain to let go with the mindOf cares, at night, to sleep; but nothing tells me That I need learn to let go with the heart. Graduates, today, you may be ready to let go with your hands, but you don’t EVER have to let go with your hearts. Please hold us close because we love you so much. Thank you. www.ryecountryday.org | 5
MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADUATION
The eighth-grade Class of 2030 was recognized in the Middle School Graduation on Wednesday, June 3.
Middle School Principal Pen Vineyard, Head of School Randall Dunn, and graduation speaker Brie Wolins ’30 offered remarks. The Grades 7 & 8 chorus sang “I’ll Be There for You” (theme from Friends) and Student Body President Hank Brown ’27 welcomed the new ninth graders to the Upper School. Congratulations to our newest Upper Schoolers!
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GRADE 4 MOVING-UP CEREMONY
Fourth graders were celebrated
at their MovingUp Ceremony on Tuesday, June 2. Lower School Principal Stacey Sotirhos, Assistant Middle School Principal Betsy Stedman, and Head of School Randall Dunn offered remarks. Much to the delight of the students and the audience, Mr. Dunn continued his annual tradition of writing and reciting a poem mentioning each student by name. In small groups, every member of the three fourth-grade classes spoke about different aspects of the Lower School and the way it positively impacted their lives. Their reflections were titled: Courage Teamwork Leadership Perseverance Engagement
Active Learning Connection and Belonging Empathy Being Yourself
Congratulations to the newest members of the Middle School!
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2026 PRIZE DAY At the annual Prize Day Ceremony on Monday, June 1, RCDS students were recognized for their exceptional work and achievements during the school year. Congratulations, Wildcats, on your hard work and dedication in 2025-26. ALUMNI PRIZE The School’s highest honor, awarded to that senior who has made the most outstanding contribution to the life of the School. Matthew Lee ’26 Selena Zhang ’26
MARY ANN REICHARDT MEMORIAL AWARD In memory of the School’s Director of College Counseling. Given to a senior for a combination of outstanding academics and contributions to the School. Sahar Harris ’26
HEAD OF SCHOOL’S PRIZE Given to the student who models leadership, courage, or academic excellence. Chaaranath Badrinath ’26 Nola Coady ’26
GRETCHEN PULVERMANN ’30 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Given to an accomplished senior who will study performing arts in college. Natisse Marrero-Cruz ’26 Vreeland Tuncer ’26
PARENTS ASSOCIATION PRIZE In recognition of exemplary personal growth and service to others. Dana DaCosta ’26 Lincoln Feng ’26 Ishana Kumar ’26 GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP PRIZE The Global Citizenship Prize is awarded to a junior who makes meaningful contributions to the broader community with a deep sense of respect and appreciation for diverse perspectives, cultures, people, and environments. Zara Khemlani ’27 Kevin Neilinger ’27 JAMES P. GODFREY ’95 AWARD Presented to that student who has performed significant service on behalf of others. Eda Buyuk ’27 Chase Talpins ’27 CHRISTINE NELSON ’80 AWARD Presented to tenth graders in recognition of outstanding citizenship. Sadie Kolodner ’28 Chris Estill ’28
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WILL MCCURDY ’05 AWARD Presented in recognition of courage, character, and commitment. Dylan Fenyes ’26 Richie Morrow ’26 SENIOR DEANS’ AWARD Awarded to seniors who have made an outstanding contribution to their class and to the School during their senior year. Claire Jiang ’26 Harry Moss ’26 CLASS OF 2008 PRIZE Given annually to that freshman who has had the most positive influence in and outside of the classroom, noting his or her enthusiasm and dedication to school work and extracurricular activities. Andy Bhatt ’29 Audrey Demong ’29 DENNIS PARKER ’73 PRIZE Given to a senior who has made our school community more inclusive by celebrating diversity, raising awareness about issues of equity and social justice, and inspiring others to recognize the humanity of all people. Dania Suliman ’26 Eliana Thomas ’26
STEAM AWARD Presented to the senior who actively promotes and inspires collaboration and displays passion for design and creativity within the STEAM initiative. Eliana Chorost ’26 Alex Gurion ’26 SUSTAINABILITY AWARD Awarded to the student who best exemplifies the School’s sustainability program by seeking an understanding of the world around us, creating an atmosphere of environmental awareness, and promoting responsible stewardship of our planet. Darren Wong ’26 Shawn Wei ’26 1869 PRIZE Awarded to two seniors who have achieved academic excellence throughout their program of study at RCDS and beyond, demonstrating their extraordinary academic curiosity and capacity. Mia Herz ’26 Arav Ramaswamy ’26 GLEN ROBERTSON AWARD (FOR FACULTY) Andrés Cerpa Upper School English Teacher; Grade 11 Dean
BOOK AWARDS
The Alumni Book Prizes are presented each year to certain members of the junior class who best meet the criteria established by various colleges and universities in recognition of outstanding achievement by high school students. BROWN UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD Given to the junior who combines outstanding attributes with excellence in English. Chaim Sciamma ’27 Awards continued on page 11
ALUMNI PRIZE RECIPIENTS By Lori Ferguson
The Alumni Prize is the School’s highest honor, and it is awarded to seniors who have made the most outstanding contribution to the life of the School. Matthew Lee ’26 is a study in contrast, a gifted STEM student who leaned into studies—doubling his science and math coursework to facilitate greater learning— and the lauded RCDS Theater Crew Chief who deftly juggled interpersonal relations between actors and stage crew during numerous school productions. “I’ve always embraced a logical approach to the world,” he observes. “My parents are both doctors and I’m fascinated by how science comes into play to make our world better.” He, too, has considered pursuing a medical degree, but at present it is research that has his heart. “I’m interested in drug development and pathology,” he says. Working with the theater program requires a logical approach as well, Matt argues. “As Crew Chief, I’m called upon to juggle interpersonal relations with respect to spatial and logistics issues,” he explains. “There are frequent tensions between the cast and crew; my job is to make sure that everyone’s vision is represented, and everyone is happy at the end of the day.” Matt admits he was astonished to hear his name announced as the 2026 Alumni Prize winner. “It meant a lot to me to be recognized in this way, as throughout high school I have always preferred to do the thankless jobs,” he confesses. “I just do whatever needs to get done and I was very surprised to learn that people thought I should earn an award for my efforts.” The size and ethos of the RCDS community make it easy to get involved, he continues. “Rye Country Day is a small community and everyone’s available—it’s easy to walk up to anyone and say ’hi.’ It fosters a unique dynamic.” Matt also treasures the freedom and flexibility the School encourages. “As students we’re given the ability to adapt, grow and change as we mature,” he says. “I’ve been at RCDS since Pre-K, and I have certainly changed over time. For example, who I am today is markedly different than who I was in Middle School. I think the bravest and smartest thing that anyone can do is become a different person.” While he may have changed in some ways, Matt remains engaged and eager to make a difference within his new community at Brown University this fall. “During my 14 years at Rye Country Day, I learned that everything you do should be for the betterment of yourself and others,” he concludes.
Selena Zhang ’26 entered Rye Country Day School as a selfdescribed “shy” ninth-grade transplant from Seattle, eager to join the RCDS community but unsure how best to get her footing. It did not take this natural born leader long to figure things out. By the end of her senior year, Selena had served as Class President three years running, revamped the School’s Oral Proficiency Intern curriculum, launched a literacy program in Port Chester as a Community Engagement Fellow, and founded a Library Apprenticeship Program at RCDS. She did this all while carrying a rigorous academic courseload that ranged from Multivariable Calculus to an Independent Study in philosophy. “I really enjoy doing things that stretch me,” she avers. Selena says this focus on education and helping others just feels right. “Having just moved from across the country, I came to Rye Country Day with a fresh set of eyes,” she explains. “My family taught me the value and importance of education. When I realized the opportunities and resources available to me here, I knew they had to be shared.” Asked how it felt to be awarded the Alumni Prize, given to the senior who has made the most outstanding contribution to the life of the School, Selena is characteristically modest. “It left me speechless. The students at this school make it easy to want to give back, so being recognized in this way feels extra special.” Selena says it is this sense of community and service that she will carry with her as she departs RCDS. “People here are invested in one another. I’ve discovered that being surrounded by ambitious, supportive peers and faculty encouraged me to grow in ways I never would have expected. I am grateful for every one of them.” As she prepares to matriculate at Columbia University this fall, Selena says she is excited to see what the next chapter brings. “Every course I took at RCDS opened a new doorway of interest for me,” she enthuses. “I’m looking forward to using the open-minded curiosity that high school taught me to continue exploring in college and beyond.”
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HEAD OF SCHOOL’S PRIZE RECIPIENTS By Lori Ferguson
The Head of School’s Prize is given to students who model leadership, courage, or academic excellence. “Intellectual Powerhouse” is how many RCDS teachers characterize Chaaranath Badrinath ’26. Since arriving as a ninth grader, Chaaranath has excelled in his studies, doubling or tripling his load of science courses each year, plowing through the mathematics curriculum, pursuing independent study in differential equations, and diving deeply into the Humanities, English and the Social Sciences. Chaaranath has also brought his love of mathematics to medicine, pursuing extensive research into cancer at the Cleveland Clinic and Moffitt Cancer Center through Rye Country Day’s Science Research Program. “I love problem solving, and math offers a fabulous lens into how the world works,” he avers. “Math enables you to model and measure problems to achieve results.” Chaaranath is particularly interested in using mathematical models to optimize cancer treatment protocols. “I’m using mathematical models (Evolutionary Genetic Markov Models) to model how cancer evolves resistance and reacts to treatment, using Deep Reinforcement Learning to derive optimal strategies for drug cycling to prevent resistance within tumors,” he explains. “I’m hoping to publish my results in the near future to showcase my work to the scientific community.” Earning the Head of School’s Prize for being a student who models leadership, courage, or academic excellence was an unexpected but welcome surprise, he says. “Receiving the prize is validation that I had an impact on the community; it’s confirmation that others recognized my efforts.” Chaaranath admits that serving as a leader and role model for other students has always been important to him. “Whether involved with the APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) Club, the Robotics team, the Math team, or the Young Physicists Tournament, I am always trying to pass down my knowledge and experience to the students who come after me,” he observes. “I want to empower people.” Chaaranath credits Rye Country Day’s small class size and emphasis on strong faculty membership for changing his view of the world. “There are a lot of really smart people here, but everyone is committed to helping each other grow, in and out of the classroom,” he explains. “I learned that if you find people with similar interests and collaborate with them, it raises everyone up. You need other people’s help to do the best at the things you want to do,” he concludes. Chaaranath will enter Harvard University in the fall as an applied math major. “Math isn’t a subject to be studied in isolation, it can be employed to solve problems in many different fields,” he asserts. “I’m interested in continuing to explore biological applications through research with Harvard affiliates. I hope to find ways to use math to continue pushing boundaries to solve realworld problems in medicine and make people’s lives better in the process.”
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When Nola Coady’s ’26 is mentioned, superlatives immediately begin to flow. Thoughtful, energetic, unflappable, unfailingly positive, force of nature—these are but a few of the descriptors this Head of School’s Prize winner induces. Nola’s characterization of her enthusiastic approach to life is more modest. “I’m the youngest of four, so I learned persistence and determination from a young age,” she says with a chuckle.
Nola repeatedly demonstrated a determination to meet every moment at RCDS with a commitment to community and a collaborative spirit. Recognized for her talents as both a teacher and a leader, she served as Student Body President, a Peer Leader, and an active student-athlete. She was also a determined student who pursued an aggressive course load in the humanities. A self-described “big language lover,” Nola began studying Spanish as a child through a dual language program and continued to strengthen her command of the language throughout her time at RCDS through intensive work with the School’s AP Spanish Literature teacher. Nola also applied her language skills as a teacher in the School’s Saturday Enrichment Tutorial, an academic enrichment program that enhances language skills for students and adults in neighboring communities. “Rye Country Day’s motto of Not for Self, but for Service is one that resonates deeply,” she says. “And my mom has always been a big community volunteer, so she’s a great source of inspiration as well.” Queried as to her feelings at being recognized as a student who models leadership, courage, or academic excellence, Nola hesitates. “I didn’t know much about the Head of School’s Prize before receiving it,” she admits. “But when I learned what it was all about, I was incredibly grateful. It’s amazing to receive this recognition in such a competitive place. It was a fantastic way to close out my senior year,” she continues. “I love the community I built for myself at RCDS,” says Nola. “My teachers, friends, teammates, coaches, the Dean of Students … they all contributed so much to my education. During my time at the School, I learned the importance of always striving for excellence and always being kind. RCDS gives us a unique gift and it’s up to each of us to make the most of all we have been taught.” Not surprisingly, Nola is already imagining what that path looks like for her. She will attend Harvard University, where she plans to explore a career in education or educational policy. “It would be cool to be a professor,” she says, “or maybe I’ll go to law school.” But first she’s taking a gap year, further sharpening her leadership skills through a NOLS Wilderness Expedition trip to New Zealand in the fall and interning or traveling in the spring. “I can’t believe my time at Rye Country Day is over,” she concludes. “I loved it and I’m so sad to have graduated, but it’s on to new things!”
PRIZE DAY Continued from page 8 DARTMOUTH COLLEGE BOOK AWARD Given to a junior who best combines academic excellence with actual participation in all facets of extracurricular life at RCDS. Ella Schwalbe ’27 HARVARD COLLEGE BOOK AWARD Given to the junior who best combines academic ability with achievements in other fields. Tancrede Weinstein ’27
ATHLETICS
MARY BORTON TROPHY Presented to that senior girl who has contributed most to the School’s athletic program. Clare Keating ’26 RICHARD LE MAIRE ’63 AWARD Presented to that senior boy who has contributed most to the School’s athletic program. Milin Torgalkar ’26
THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI BOOK AWARD Given to the junior whose personal character, intellectual curiosity and passion to learn, as evidenced by excellent performances in all branches of Arts and Sciences, shows promise of sustained scholarship. Illaria Liedtke ’27
FAA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE The Fairchester Athletic Association ScholarAthlete Award is presented to senior studentathletes who have reached the highest academic standards while playing a minimum of two varsity sports and earning FAA All-League honors. Charlie Pearle ’26 Milin Torgalkar ’26
THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD Given to a junior who is at the top of the class academically and demonstrates both intellectual leadership and strong character. This student also best exemplifies the spirit behind Princeton’s motto, “In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity.” Michael Goneos ’27
SCOTT A. NELSON SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD Recognizes the senior student-athlete whose passion for athletics, combined with their commitment to academics, strengthens their team, their class, and the entire RCDS community. Kate Keating ’26
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA BOOK AWARD Given to the junior of high academic achievement who exhibits outstanding character as demonstrated by important service to school or community. Julia Burgess ’27
CLASSICS AWARD Drew Mulderry ’26 Milin Torgalkar ’26
CLASSICS
LATIN AWARD Lucius Liu ’26
CREATIVE WRITING CREATIVE WRITING AWARD May Hakimizadeh ’27
HUMANITIES
JOSHUA BENNETT ’06 HUMANITIES AWARD Miles Dinger ’26 Winn Metrailler ’26 CORNELIUS TACITUS PRIZE Bailey Donovan ’27 Aiden Wu ’27
MATHEMATICS
MATHEMATICS AWARD Chaaranath Badrinath ’26 JUNIOR MATHEMATICS AWARD Illaria Liedtke ’27 ROBERT REESER MEMORIAL AWARD Kayla Parameswaran ’26
MODERN LANGUAGES MODERN LANGUAGES AWARD Dana DaCosta ’26 CHINESE AWARD Cason Dean ’26 FRENCH AWARD Selena Zhang ’26 SPANISH AWARD Nola Coady ’26
MUSIC
YALE UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD Given to a junior who has achieved excellence in academics, displays intellectual curiosity, and has contributed to other aspects of non-academic life, which includes contributions to our own community as well as others. Alexandra Steyn ’27
COMPUTER SCIENCE
V. JANET LOTT SPIRIT OF THE THEATRE AWARD Dominique Alvarez ’26
ORCHESTRA AWARD Leon Zhou ’26
DEPARTMENT AWARDS
GLEN ROBERTSON MEMORIAL AWARD Dania Suliman ’26
MUSIC DEPARTMENT AWARD Vreeland Tuncer ’26
DANCE AWARD Xindi Liu ’26
NATURAL SCIENCES
ART
ENGLISH
LELIA CARTER BIRRELL ’68 AWARD Presented to that student with outstanding achievements in the visual arts. Alexa Chua ’26
COMPUTER SCIENCE AWARD Emily Gu ’28
DRAMA & DANCE
ENGLISH AWARD Lydia Sussman ’26
CHORAL AWARD Frank Zingg ’26 JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AWARD Jack Herzog ’26
SCIENCE AWARD Charles Iwanski ’26 Mei Macintyre ’26
SOPHOMORE ENGLISH AWARD Sanaa Sade Swain ’28
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS 198 Rye Country Day students were recognized by the College Board’s 2026 Advanced Placement Program for their outstanding achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Exams. AP INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA The AP International Diploma is a globally recognized certificate awarded to students who display exceptional achievement across a variety of disciplines. Alice Rikkers ’26 133 AP SCHOLARS WITH DISTINCTION Students who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Tia Agarwal ’26 Max Maven Agulay ’27 Emilia Allison ’26 Sarah Anderson ’27 Arjun Arora ’26 Chaaranath Badrinath ’26 Ayana Banerjee ’27 Niev Bhandare ’28 AJ Bodenstein ’26 Nina Bortner-Hirszman ’26 Salvatore Bove ’26 Henry Brown ’27 Julia Burgess ’27 Eda Buyuk ’27 Emilia Camillo ’27 Ray Cao ’26 Josie Choi ’26 Eli Chopra ’26 Eliana Chorost ’26 Alexa Chua ’26 Nola Coady ’26 Catherine Colao ’26 Mats Danger ’27 Karter de la Fuente ’27 Cason Dean ’26 John DeFlorio ’27 Aarush Dey ’27 James Ding ’26 Miles Dinger ’26
Bailey Donovan ’27 Jack Dorin ’26 Nathaniel Dunlop ’26 Andrew Eason ’26 Kayla Erickson ’26 Maguire Estill ’26 Dylan Fenyes ’26 Jacob Fisch ’27 Elaine Fong ’27 Riley Freeman ’26 Hiroshi Fueno ’26 Michael Goneos ’27 Keaton Greenberg ’26 Angelina Gui ’27 May Hakimizadeh ’27 Helen Halvorson ’26 Sahar Harris ’26 Molly Hart ’27 Henry Harvey ’27 Tyler Hatstadt ’26 Amy He ’27 Val He ’27 Mia Herz ’26 Henry Holtman ’26 Charles Iwanski ’26 Claire Jiang ’26 Katherine Keating ’26 Lavender Kerridge ’26 Zara Khemlani ’27 Bennett Klurfeld ’27 Sara Komaroff ’27 Jackson Koslow ’26 Ishana Kumar ’26 Adrian Lallemand ’27 Matthew Lee ’26 Wesley Lichtenstein ’27 Illaria Liedtke ’27 Xindi Liu ’26 Mei Macintyre ’26 Sejal Mackey ’27 Emma Maini ’27 Felix Mao ’27 Parker Maritzen ’27 Elle Mason ’27 Harrison Millan ’26 Juliette Moore ’27 Richie Morrow ’26
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Andrew Mulderry ’26 Ema Okubo ’26 Tojumi Otakoya ’26 Daphné Panié ’27 Devan Patel ’26 Ryan Pauta ’26 Charlie Pearle ’26 Caroline Pereira ’27 Lillian Pereira ’27 Skyla Perez ’26 Xavier Perkins ’26 Stephen Pinder ’26 Felipe Quintero Ochoa ’27 Arav Ramaswamy ’26 Magnus Rasmussen ’27 Elsa Reisman ’27 Steven Ren ’26 Alice Rikkers ’26 Andrew Salce ’27 Ella Schwalbe ’27 Chaim Sciamma ’27 Mark Shalette ’27 Sophia Shen ’26 Ken Sherry ’26 Ryan Shurgin ’26 Summer Sisitsky ’27 Alexandra Steyn ’27 Lydia Sussman ’26 Chase Talpins ’27 Alexander Tartaglia ’28 Eliana Thomas ’26 Milin Torgalkar ’26 Arianna Toussi ’26 Chase Tucker ’27 Jacob Tucznio ’27 Juliet Tuncer ’27 Vreeland Tuncer ’26 Peter Valenton ’27 Jane Wang ’26 Shawn Wei ’26 Tancrede Weinstein ’27 Luke Werwaiss ’27 Emily Williams ’26 James Wolff ’27 Darren Wong ’26 Kaitlyn Wong ’27 Lila Woodruff ’27
Aiden Wu ’27 Cooper Wu ’26 Jenny Xu ’27 Amaya Yokuty ’27 Annabella Yu ’26 George Zhan ’27 Selena Zhang ’26 Leon Zhou ’26 Natalie Zhu ’28 Noah Zugman ’26 28 AP SCHOLARS WITH HONOR Students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Michael Allen ’27 Zachary Berg ’27 Alexander Goldstein ’27 Emily Gu ’28 Amanda Gui ’27 Graham King ’27 Henry Kosann ’27 Liliana Leand ’27 Marina Leifert ’28 Andrew Leonard ’27 C.C. Liu ’28 Sophia Maldonado ’27 Marlena Masucci ’26 Marguerite McDonald ’27 Kevin Neilinger ’27 Nicholas Neubardt ’28 Sebastian Rafferty ’27 Xavier Reilly ’27 Camila Reyna ’27 Jocelyn Rice ’27 Brooke Schuster ’27 Meera Spencer ’27 Dania Suliman ’26 Alex Terranova ’26 Renna Thukral ’26 Aleida Vargas ’26 Melody Wu ’28 Arianna Yu ’28
37 AP SCHOLARS Students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. Adriel Appiah-Gyasi ’26 Bianca Arencibia ’28 David Arencibia ’26 Simi Arora ’28 Henry Axelsson ’28 Olivia Bongiorni ’26 Elias Carmel ’28 Dana DaCosta ’26 Maleah Dunkley ’27 Mayssah El-Khayari ’27 Ethan Feng ’28 Charles Fong ’27 Julia Gallardo ’26 Jonathan Gavidia ’26 Alison Gipstein ’28 Dimitris Goneos ’26 William Hawkey ’27 Bruce Jin ’28 Ethan Kantor ’27 Samuel Kietlinski ’27 Sadie Kolodner ’28 Sarah Leslie ’27 Emmy Liang ’28 Alexandra Lynch ’27 Winn Metrailler ’26 Ava Morgan ’27 Samantha Motola ’26 Kayla Parameswaran ’26 Cayden Reed ’28 Nicholas Riley ’27 Ellora Shah ’27 Raccan Shah ’27 Maya Torgalkar ’27 Miles Wolf ’27 Jonah Zeiden ’27 Michelle Zhan ’29 Frank Zingg ’26
These lists reflect the College Board’s AP Scholar reporting as of August 25, 2026.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS The National Merit Scholarship Program is one of the country’s most recognized academic competitions for high school students. Each year, thousands of students enter, but only a small percentage advance to Finalist standing and fewer still receive scholarship awards. James Ding ’26 and Selena Zhang ’26 were recognized among the nation’s top academic achievers after receiving scholarships through the highly competitive 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Both advanced to the Finalist level and were selected based on their academic achievement, extracurricular accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. James received the National Merit $2500 Scholarship, one of 2,500 single-payment awards presented nationwide to Finalists with an outstanding combination of accomplishments and academic promise. Selena received the corporate-sponsored National Merit Pfizer Inc. Scholarship, awarded to a Finalist who met both the rigorous standards of the National Merit Scholarship Program and criteria established by Pfizer. This fall, James will attend the University of California, Berkeley, and Selena will attend Columbia University.
In 2025-26, 14 Rye Country Day seniors were named finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program based on their exceptional performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Additionally, 30 RCDS students were named National Merit Commended Students, receiving Letters of Commendation and becoming candidates for special scholarships. FINALISTS Arjun Arora ’26 James Ding ’26 Lincoln Feng ’26 Alex Gurion ’26 Helen Halvorson ’26 Tyler Hatstadt ’26 Claire Jiang ’26 Xindi Liu ’26 Jason Ren ’26
Steven Ren ’26 Jane Wang ’26 Emily Williams ’26 Selena Zhang ’26 Leon Zhou ’26 COMMENDED STUDENTS Tia Agarwal ’26 Chaaranath Badrinath ’26 Ray Cao ’26
Josie Choi ’26 Eliana Chorost ’26 Nola Coady ’26 Catherine Colao ’26 Cason Dean ’26 Jack Dorin ’26 Nathaniel Dunlop ’26 Andrew Eason ’26 Maguire Estill ’26 Mia Herz ’26
Charlie Iwanski ’26 Matthew Lee ’26 Lucius Liu ’26 Harrison Millan ’26 Harrison Moss ’26 Drew Mulderry ’26 Devan Patel ’26 Ryan Pauta ’26 Skyla Perez ’26 Xavier Perkins ’26
Stephen Pinder ’26 Arav Ramaswamy ’26 Sophia Shen ’26 Ryan Shurgin ’26 Zoe Sterling-Dixon ’26 Milin Torgalkar ’26 Vreeland Tuncer ’26
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MATHEMATICS NEW YORK MATH LEAGUE CONTEST
AMERICAN MATH COMPETITIONS
The Math League Contest is a nationally recognized mathematics competition designed to challenge and inspire students from elementary through high school. Over one million students from the United States and Canada participate each year in grade-level Math League contests that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and a love of math through fun, timed challenges. The goal is to encourage student interest and confidence in mathematics through solving worthwhile problems.
The Mathematical Association of America hosts the annual American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) to identify talent and foster a love of mathematics through friendly competition. The AMC is a series of exams that build problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge in middle and high school students. The AMC 10/12 is a high-school level competition that was administered in November, with over 300,000 students from more than 4,000 schools.
TOP SCORERS AT RCDS GRADE 5 1st - Albert Z. ’33 2nd - George C. ’33 Luca M. ’33 Ryder M. ’33 Jack S. ’33 Claire Z. ’33 GRADE 6 1st - Eoin C. ’33 2nd - Graeme R. ’32 3rd - Adrian B. ’32 Loic L. ’32
GRADE 7 1st - William Z. ’31 2nd - Ellen Y. ’31 3rd - Octavian S. ’31 GRADE 8 1st - Miles Rosen ’30 2nd - Jayan Kesavan ’30 3rd - Zayd Kherani ’30
MATH OLYMPIAD Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MEOMS) is one of the most influential and fun-filled math competitions programs in the United States and throughout the world. More than 120,000 students from every state and 39 additional countries participate each year. The objectives of MOEMS are to teach multiple strategies for out-of-thebox problem solving, develop mathematical flexibility in solving those problems, and foster mathematical creativity and ingenuity. TOP SCORERS AT RCDS GRADES 5/6: 1st - Albert Z. ’33 2nd - Loic L. ’32 3rd - M elanie L. ’33 Claire Z. ’33 Chase B. ’32 Campbell P. ’32
GRADES 7/8: 1st - William Z. ’31 2nd - Ellen Y. ’31 3rd - Matthew G. ’31
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The American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) is an intermediate examination intended to provide challenge and recognition to high school students in North America who have exceptional mathematical abilities. Students who excel in the American Math Competitions (AMC 10 and 12) are invited to participate in the AIME. The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and the United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO) are the third tier of AMC. Participants are invited based on their exceptional performances on the first two exams, the AMC 10/12 and AIME, from an initial group of approximately 300,000 students who sat for the AMC exams in November. Those who score in the top 2.5% for their exams and qualify, and those who score in the top 3.5% of the AIME qualify for the USAMO/USAJMO competition. AMC12A 1st - Chaaranath Badrinath ’26 2nd - Illaria Liedtke ’27 3rd - Charles Iwanski ’26
AMC12B 1st - Illaria Liedtke ’27 2nd - Oliver Jin ’30 3rd - Chaaranath Badrinath ’26
AMC 10A 1st - Melody Wu ’28 2nd - Oliver Jin ’30 3rd - William Zhou ’29
AMC 10B 1st - Melody Wu ’28 2nd - Jade Zhao ’29 3rd - William Zhou ’29
AIME Chaaranath Badrinath ’26, Oliver Jin ’30, Alex Kochut ’28, Illaria Liedtke ’27, Melody Wu ’28, Jade Zhao ’29, and William Zhou ’29 advanced to the AIME, a 15-question, 3-hour exam designed for high-performing students who excel in the AMC 10 or AMC 12. USAJMO Melody Wu ’28 earned the additional distinction of qualifying for the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO), one of the most selective mathematics competitions in the country.
*Students Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
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SPANISH AWARDS The National Spanish Exam was administered to RCDS students in the Middle and Upper School in the spring. GOLD MEDAL LEVEL 01 Classroom Experience Category Apolline P. ’31 Caroline B. ’31 Justin G. ’31 Michael C. ’31 Clemence V. ’31 Jackson N. ’31 LEVEL 01 Outside Experience Category Sabrina M. ’31 LEVEL 1 Classroom Experience Category Winnie Wang ’30 Caroline Masucci ’30 Leópoldine Weinstein ’30 Cole Sisitsky ’30 Oliver Jin ’30 LEVEL 2 Classroom Experience Category Bianca Gupta ’29 Jeremy Choi ’29 Mateo Lallemand ’29 Helena Pierry ’29 Olivia Pierry ’29 Maxime Medda ’29 Emily Hau ’29 Enzo Farina ’29 Alicia Levy ’29 LEVEL 3 Classroom Experience Category Riley Man ’28 Alexander Tartaglia ’28 Daphné Panié ’27 LEVEL 3 Outside Experience Category Lidia Kang Pastrana ’29 LEVEL 4 Classroom Experience Category Dana DaCosta ’26 Ella Schwalbe ’27 Sara Komaroff ’27 Adrian Lallemand ’27 Julia Burgess ’27
LEVEL 4 Outside Experience Category Kevin Neilinger ’27 LEVEL 4 Bilingual Category Camila Reyna ’27 LEVEL 5 Outside Experience Category Skyla Perez ’26 LEVEL 5 Classroom Experience Category Illaria Liedtke ’27 Alexandra Steyn ’27 SILVER MEDAL LEVEL 01 Classroom Experience Category Evren G-K ’31 Joy A. ’31 John H. ’31 Luke G. ’31 Michael X. ’31 Skylar S. ’31 Ellie J. ’31 Eric A. ’31 Matteo M. ’31 Tito O. ’31 Alexis G. ’31 LEVEL 1 Classroom Experience Category Angelique Agulay ’30 William Bommer ’30 Hanling Duan ’30 Sophia Ware ’30 Lucas Shalette ’30 Maclane Auerbach ’30 LEVEL 1 Outside Experience Category Nikolas Rowland ’30
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LEVEL 2 Classroom Experience Category Louis Panié ’29 Mira Browning ’29 Joseph Martorina ’30 Makayla Wolins ’29 Camilla Mason ’29 Joy Chen ’29 Charlotte Kerlan ’29 Nina Krishnan ’29 Harry Eylward ’29 LEVEL 3 Classroom Experience Category Zachary Mathias ’28 Bruce Jin ’28 Sahana Bhat ’29 Andrew Eglit ’28 Giorgia Martorina ’28 LEVEL 3 Outside Experience Category Eva Juarez-Lace ’28 LEVEL 4 Classroom Experience Category Summer Sisitsky ’27 Eda Buyuk ’27 LEVEL 4 Bilingual Category Iker Ezama Martinez ’29 BRONZE MEDAL LEVEL 01 Classroom Experience Category Shea B. ’31 Harper G. ’31 Clara F. ’31 LEVEL 1 Classroom Experience Category Madelyn Segal ’30 Katherine Bjornson ’30 Alexander Woodruff ’30 Jordan Herzog ’30 Sheamus Eylward ’30 Jayan Kesavan ’30 Leila Xiao ’30
LEVEL 2 Classroom Experience Category Noah Gurion ’29 Carter Fishbach ’29 Olivia Prather ’29 LEVEL 3 Classroom Experience Category Spencer Eglit ’28 Hudson Parameswaran ’28 Henry Burgess ’28 Izzy Bernie ’28 Grant Dinger ’28 LEVEL 4 Classroom Experience Category Zara Khemlani ’27 Amaya Yokuty ’27 Marguerite McDonald ’27 HONORABLE MENTION LEVEL 01 Classroom Experience Category Mason W. ’31 Daniel A. ’31 Charlotte S. ’31 Madison S. ’31 Chloe S. ’31 Carter K. ’31 Elise G. ’31 Max H. ’31 Max W. ’31 Daniel W. ’31 LEVEL 1 Classroom Experience Category Lavi Dao ’29 Omaya Garay ’29 Joshua Lewis ’30 Gracey Ansong ’30 Katelyn “KC”Greenberger ’30 Caroline McCooey ’30 Serena Finkelstein ’30 Emily Pierog ’30 William Akason ’30 Ellie Schaible ’30
LEVEL 1 Outside Experience Category Brandon Day Pitts ’30 LEVEL 2 Classroom Experience Category Emily Wirth ’29 Alex Greenberger ’29 Olivia Napoli ’29 Anoushka Dey ’29 LEVEL 3 Classroom Experience Category Henry Axelsson ’28 Bruce Guo ’28 Aarshia Pandey ’28 Simi Arora ’28 Jack Moss ’28 Aanya Upadhyay ’28 Jake Javitch ’28 Alexa Kochut ’28 Brandon Testa ’28 LEVEL 3 Outside Experience Category Jacob Maldonado ’28 LEVEL 4 Outside Experience Category Kaitlyn Wong ’27 Parker Maritzen ’27 Sejal Mackey ’27 Sadie Kolodner ’28 Molly Hart ’27 May Hakimizadeh ’27 Sarah Anderson ’27 LEVEL 4 Outside Experience Category Karter de la Fuente ’27 Sophia Maldonado ’27 LEVEL 4 Bilingual Category Valentina Platt-Higgins ’29
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials. **Students who received perfect scores.
FRENCH AWARDS Middle and Upper School students participated in Le Grand Concours, the National French Contest in March. Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals and Honorable Mention were awarded. PLATINUM MEDAL Level 1A Federico Ciardi ’30 Level 2A Helena Pierry ’29 Olivia Pierry ’29 Level 2B Liana Visentin ’29 GOLD MEDAL Level 01A/MS1 Lucas M. ’31 Mason Y. ’31 Level 1A Matthew Greene ’30 Miles Rosen ’30 Zayd Kherani ’30 Charles Sawyer ’30 Melanie Santos ’30 Level 2A Olivia Prather ’29 Tian-yi Chen ’29 Level 3A Ian Zhao ’30 C.C. Liu ’28 Kayla Rosen ’28
Level 4A Dana DaCosta ’26 Level 4C Adrian Lallemand ’27 Maxime Medda ’29 SILVER MEDAL Level 01A/MS1 Catharine M. ’31 Maya Sevana J. ’31 Level 1A Miles Yan ’30 Shawn Pean ’30 Adeline Polisi ’30 James Slater ’30 Chase Rosen ’30 Level 2A Lauren Visentin ’29 Chloe Berg ’29 Chloe Schwalbe ’29 Eloise Barr ’29 Grace Feng ’29 David Komaroff ’29 Katerina Borbat ’30 Level 3A Marshall Brown ’28 Nola Coady ’26 Alexandra Lund ’28 Charley Kercher ’28 Lilly Kercher ’28
Julie Chen ’28 Madeleine Stokes ’28 Zain Ansari ’28 Chris Estill ’28 Georgina Murphy ’28 Ariana Quispialaya ’28 Arianna Yu ’28 Level 4 Luke Werwaiss ’27 Level 5AP Cooper Wu ’26 BRONZE MEDAL Level 01A/MS1 Carson G. ’31 Maddie H. ’31 Nicolas S. ’31 Liam G. ’31 Level 1A Jordana Ponticelli ’30 Zachary Pearle ’30 Level 2A William Zhou ’29 Lidia Kang Pastrana ’29 Audrey Demong ’29 Jolie Robinson ’29 Level 5AP Selena Zhang ’26
HONORABLE MENTION Level 01A Robert D. ’31 Anya V. ’31 Theo W. ’31 Angela J. ’31 Francisco P. ’31 Kevin L. ’31 Level 1A Lia Bischoff ’30 Hailey Hamilton ’30 Matthew White ’30 Ethan Kolodner ’30 Level 2A Valentina Platt-Higgins ’29 Claire Tucker ’29 George Brown ’29 Level 3A Ailey Denson ’28 Lila Al-Omoush ’28 Ari Rogers ’28 Emmy Liang ’28 Marin Gokgol-Kline ’28 Level 4 Juliet Tuncer ’27 Maleah Dunkley ’27 Jacob Fisch ’27 Jenny Xu ’27 Zara Khemlani ’27
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CHINESE AWARDS CLASS National Essay Contest RCDS students participated Six RCDS students who participated in the 2025-26 Chinese Language in PHSK, the RCDS Chinese Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS) National Essay Contest in March. Gold, Silver, Contest earned awards. Themed “AI and Me,” this year’s contest received over 700 entries from students across the United States. RCDS students Bronze and Honor medals were impressed the judges with essays that demonstrated exemplary Chinese language skills alongside critical thinking and thoughtful reflection about the impact of artificial intelligence on daily life and the future. awarded. GOLD MEDAL PHSK1 Alana Fan ’30 ** Brynn Man ’30 ** Lauren Stokes ’30 Conrad Chua ’30 Brie Wolins ’30 PHSK3 Irena Mao ’30 ** Gloria Chen ’30 Emma Maini ’27 Skyla Perez ’26 SILVER MEDAL PHSK1 Lucas L. ’31 Mickey M. ’31 Isabella H. ’31 PHSK2 Jack Slovin ’28
PHSK3 Cason Dean ’26 Charlie MacGuffie ’28 Chase Tucker ’27 BRONZE MEDAL PHSK2 Teddy Kroin ’28 Chiara Perkins ’28
GOLD Gloria Chen ’30 — Heritage Track, Intermediate Level Irena Mao ’30 — Gold Award, Heritage Track, Intermediate Level Alana Fan ’30 (8th grade) — Gold Award, Regular Track, Beginner Level SILVER Brie Wolins ’30 — Regular Track, Beginner Level Isabella H. ’31 — Regular Track, Beginner Level Lucas L. ’31 — Regular Track, Beginner Level
PHSK3 Gavin Rusch ’30
CLASS Poster Contest
HONORABLE MENTION PHSK1 Margot M. ’31 Ria D. ’31 Stephanie B. ’31 Sophie S. ’31
The Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS) National Chinese Poster Design Contest is an art and language competition organized for PreK-12 students learning Chinese across the United States. This year’s competition theme was “Me and My Community.” Five RCDS students received recognition.
PHSK4 Alexa Chua ’26
SILVER Irena Mao ’30 – Heritage Category Brynn Man ’30 – Heritage Category Margot M. ’31 – Regular Category
BRONZE Isabella H. ’31 – Regular Category Arya P. ’32 – Regular Category
**Students who received perfect scores.
The National Greek Exam
GREEK AWARDS
The National Greek Exam is an annual assessment administered by the American Classical League (ACL) to students in the United States who are studying Ancient Greek. The exam is designed to assess students’ knowledge of the grammar, vocabulary, and syntax of the Greek language, as well as their ability to read and translate passages from Greek literature. It is typically taken by high school students who are enrolled in a Greek course, but it is open to students at all levels of study. In 2026, one Upper School student received a certificate. INTERMEDIATE ATTIC Green - Merit Certificate Maya Torgalkar ’27
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*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
NATIONAL LATIN EXAM The National Latin Exam (NLE) is administered annually to Latin students across the United States and around the world. The NLE is not meant to be a competition but rather an opportunity for students to receive reinforcement and recognition for their accomplishments in the classroom. This year, 43 Rye Country Day students in Grades 7-12 were named NLE award winners across multiple levels of achievement. MIDDLE SCHOOL
CUM LAUDE Awards Hunter L. ’31 Lucius B. ’31
INTRODUCTION TO LATIN SUMMA CUM LAUDE Gold Medal Awards Matthew G. ’31 Abbey C. ’31 Charlie L. ’31
BEGINNING LATIN I SUMMA CUM LAUDE Gold Medal Awards Leticia Blundel ’30
MAXIMA CUM LAUDE Silver Medal Awards Teddy S. ’31 MAGNA CUM LAUDE Awards Nolliee F. ’31 Ellen Y. ’31 Veer B. ’31 Alexander J. ’31 William Z. ’31 Gray W. ’31 Octavian S. ’31 Pepper B. ’31
MAXIMA CUM LAUDE Silver Medal Awards Rhys Davies ’30 Quinn Henerey ’30 MAGNA CUM LAUDE Awards Meimei Zhao ’30 Alex Lowham ’30 Ethan Zhang ’30 Brooke Winter ’30 CUM LAUDE Awards Gus Valentino ’30
UPPER SCHOOL INTERMEDIATE LATIN I SUMMA CUM LAUDE Gold Medal Awards Andrew Moreland ’29 Michelle Zhan ’29 Jack Segal ’29 Lemy Tran ’29 MAGNA CUM LAUDE Awards Troy Dunne ’29 Phineas Murray ’29 INTERMEDIATE LATIN II SUMMA CUM LAUDE Gold Medal Awards Niev Bhandare ’28 Alison Gipstein ’28 Nicholas Neubardt ’28 Melody Wu ’28
MAXIMA CUM LAUDE Silver Medal Awards Hunter Snell ’28 Hudson Mastoloni ’28 CUM LAUDE Awards Henry Hart ’28 Mack Eubanks ’29 ADVANCED PROSE I MAGNA CUM LAUDE Awards Kevin Neilinger ’27 Felix Mao ’27 CUM LAUDE Awards Maya Torgalkar ’27 Max Agulay ’27 Graham King ’27 ADVANCED POETRY I MAXIMA CUM LAUDE Silver Medal Awards Harrison Moss ’26 Lucius Liu ’26
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SCIENCE
Curiosity, Discovery, Passion, Excellence!
REGENERON INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR (ISEF) Illaria Liedtke ’27 earned first place in Biomedical and Health Sciences and a Grand Award at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for her research into a potential noninvasive approach to neuroprotection in central nervous system disease. She competed at ISEF alongside Chase Talpins ’27, whose research explored the use of Neurospora intermedia to address industrial food waste. Their advancement followed a remarkable showing by the RCDS Science Research Program at the Westchester and New York State science and engineering fairs, where 11 RCDS students earned recognition at WESEF and five at NYSSEF. 2026 WESEF RECOGNITIONS Grand Award (Advancement to ISEF) Illaria Liedtke ’27 Chase Talpins ’27 1st Place Illaria Liedtke ’27 Remote, Tunable Modulation of Astrocytic Calcium Signaling via an Engineered Paramagnetic Matrix: A Non-Invasive Platform for Neuroprotection in CNS Disease Chase Talpins ’27 Investigating Circadian Rhythmicity and Growth Phenotype in Neurospora intermedia to Utilize Industrial Food Waste 2nd Place Ishana Kumar ’26 Reducing Breast Cancer Mortality through Assessing and Mitigating Biases in Access to Cancer Care
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3rd Place Marguerite McDonald ’27 Exploring Light Pollution: The Effect of Artificial Light at Night on Trophic Interactions in a Freshwater Ecosystem
Excellence in the Application of AI Melody Wu ’28 Designing virus-like particles for RNA vaccines and therapeutics using electron microscopy, artificial intelligence, and game theory
4th Place Alex Gurion ’26 Fine Tuning Media Cultures for Mycobacterium smegmatis and Observing Colony Aggregation Variation with Sugar and Specific Carbon Source Supplementation
Environmental Inspiration Award Daphné Panié ’27 Do Buffers Work Better When the Ocean Can’t Breathe? Testing Chemical, Mineral, and Biological Buffers in Sealed and Open Systems
Felix Mao ’27 How Does Gen Z Talk Online? Analyzing the Gen Z Mental Health Discourse on Reddit using a Corpus-Based NLP approach
2026 NYSSEF RECOGNITIONS 1st Place Illaria Liedtke ’27 Remote, Tunable Modulation of Astrocytic Calcium Signaling via an Engineered Paramagnetic Matrix: A Non-Invasive Platform for Neuroprotection in CNS Disease 2nd Place Shawn Wei ’26 PlastiLess: A Highly Efficient and Reusable Fe3O4@TiO2/Ag Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Degradation of Polyethylene Microplastics Under Simulated Sunlight and Optimization via Response Surface Methodology
Chaaranath Badrinath ’26 Reinforcement Learning-Driven Optimization of Heterogeneous Cancer Treatment and Novel Mathematical Information-Treatment Models Innovations in Biological Sciences Research Award Eliana Chorost ’26 Examining the Effect of Hypoxia on Apoptosis in Cr(VI)-treated BEAS-2B Lung Epithelial Cells Illaria Liedtke ’27 Remote, Tunable Modulation of Astrocytic Calcium Signaling via an Engineered Paramagnetic Matrix: A Non-Invasive Platform for Neuroprotection in CNS Disease
Chaaranath Badrinath ’26 Reinforcement Learning-Driven Optimization of Heterogeneous Cancer Treatment and Novel Mathematical Information-Treatment Models 4th Place Felix Mao ’27 How Does Gen Z Talk Online? Analyzing the Gen Z Mental Health Discourse on Reddit using a Corpus-Based NLP approach Chase Talpins ’27 Investigating Circadian Rhythmicity and Growth Phenotype in Neurospora intermedia to Utilize Industrial Food Waste
Excellence in Medical Research Award Michael Goneos ’27 Long-Read Sequencing Analysis Reveals Widespread Allele-Specific RNA Modifications
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
international finalists in the GENIUS Olympiad, which recognizes high school projects addressing environmental challenges through science and engineering. Their work ranged from bridge-scour mitigation and water purification to ocean chemistry and robotics; MacGuffie and Yan went on to earn a Bronze Award at the international finals for The Wildcat Robot.
2026 U.S. INVITATIONAL YOUNG PHYSICISTS TOURNAMENT RCDS won the 2026 U.S. Invitational Young Physicists Tournament, defeating a national field in a research-and-debate competition built around months of experimentation, theoretical analysis, and rigorous scientific argument. The victory was RCDS’s fourth title in the tournament’s 19-year history—more than any other participating school. YPT Coaches Dr. Mary Krasovec, US Science Teacher Craig Barasona-Burt, US Science Teacher Matt Stanger, US Math Teacher Dr. Angelo Bove, US Science Teacher YPT Team (by problem) Photometry of Flash Bulbs Michael Goneos ’27 (Travel team, Presenter), Amy He ’27, Illaria Liedtke ’27 (Travel team), Steven Ren ’26 (Travel team), Shawn Wei ’26, and Annabella Yu ’26 Eddy Currents and Braking Forces Chaaranath Badrinath ’26 (Travel team, Presenter, Captain), Niev Bhandare ’28 (Travel team), Aarush Dey ’27, Charles Iwanski ’26 (Travel team), Felix Mao ’27, and Magnus Rasmussen ’27
2026 WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECOAWARD Shawn Wei ’26 translated environmental research into tangible impact through his PlastiLess project, which uses a recoverable photocatalyst to break down polyethylene microplastics. PlastiLess earned a 2026 Westchester County EcoAward. The underlying research also led Shawn to co-publish work in Materials in Electronics, a refereed companion to the Journal of Materials Science, bringing student research beyond competitions and into the scientific literature. 2026 BIODESIGN CHALLENGE SUMMIT Josie Choi ’26, Mei Macintyre ’26, Caroline Pereira ’27, and Chase Tucker ’27 earned a Silver Award at the 2026 BioDesign Challenge Summit for Oxyfloat, their bioengineering solution designed to improve water quality. RCDS stood out in an international field
Euler-Eytelwein Equation Salvatore Bove ’26, Tyler Hadstadt ’26 (Travel team, Presenter), Claire Jiang ’26, Xindi Liu ’26 (Travel team), Arav Ramaswamy ’26, Cooper Wu ’26 (Travel team), and Leon Zhou ’26 Multi-Bounce Kinematics Arjun Arora ’26, Andrew Eason ’26 (Travel team, Presenter), Alison Gipstein ’28, Alex Gurion ’26, Xavier Perkins ’26 (Travel team), Jason Ren ’26 (Travel team), and George Zhan ’27 GENIUS OLYMPIAD Aarush Dey ’27, Charlie MacGuffie ’28, Thomas Yan ’28, Juliette Moore ’27, and Daphné Panié ’27 were selected as
cafeteria waste and process scraps through the ZEUS anaerobic digester, reducing waste and climate pollution, returning nutrients to school gardens, educating students, and creating a model that can be replicated at other schools. • Mira Browning ’29 and Emily Hau ’29 created Wildcats for Water to tackle stormwater runoff on the RCDS campus. They designed a native plant rain garden to redirect water and filter out pollutants, improving water quality before it reaches local streams and boosting ecosystem health and biodiversity. With the help of the community, Mira and Emily planted an on-campus garden and installed a brand-new rain barrel system. Five teams earned honorable mention: • Ocean Blueprint - Marguerite McDonald ’27 and Daphné Panié ’27 - Outstanding Plan for Making a Global Issue Locally Relevant • Oxyfloat - Josie Choi ’26, Mei Macintyre ’26, Caroline Pereira ’27, and Chase Tucker ’27 Outstanding Creativity and Use of Technology • Reforestation Made Easier - Xavier Reilly ’27 • Excellent Project Research and Analysis • Sustainable Scour Solutions - Aarush Dey ’27 • Best Designed Experimentation and Modeling • Urban Bloom - Emmy Liang ’28 and Natalie Zhu ’28 - Strong Long-Term Impact Potential
dominated by university and graduate programs representing more than 60 schools across more than 20 countries. BEDFORD 2030 GREENLIGHT AWARDS At the 11th Annual Bedford 2030 Greenlight Awards, two RCDS teams tied for second place. • Eda Buyuk ’27, Christopher Estill ’28, C.C. Liu ’28, Madeleine Stokes ’28, and Chase Talpins ’27 developed Close the Loop using existing infrastructure on campus to track
URBAN BARCODE PROJECT At the Urban Barcode Project Regional Symposium, Sadie Kolodner ’28, Caroline Pereira ’27, and Kayla Rosen ’28 earned the Best Poster Award for research using DNA
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SCIENCE
Curiosity, Discovery, Passion, Excellence! monitoring to study biodiversity recovery at the Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary. Julia Burgess ’27, Michael Goneos ’27, Illaria Liedtke ’27, and Tancrede Weinstein ’27 presented complementary DNA-barcoding research examining how the invasive Tree-ofHeaven may affect local plant biodiversity.
to a panel of experts. The result continued a five-year streak in which RCDS has placed first in at least one competition category.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY REGIONAL ENVIROTHON RCDS’s Envirothon Team won the oral presentation category at the Westchester County Regional Envirothon for the second consecutive year. Challenged to develop a comprehensive strategy for reducing residential non-pointsource pollution, the team presented its solution
Envirothon Team & Coaches Shawn Wei ’26 Kerry Linderoth, Ray Cao ’26 Director of Aarush Dey ’27 Sustainability Zara Khemlani ’27 Nicole Zazzarino, Parker Maritzen ’27 Science Lab Marguerite McDonald ’27 Technician Juliette Moore ’27 Henry Myers, Daphné Panié ’27 Director of Forest Chase Talpins ’27 Education at Rye Tancrede Weinstein ’27 Nature Center Peter Valenton ’27 Charlie MacGuffie ’28 Marin Gokgol-Kline ’28 Finley Bethea ’28 Jack Raczynski ’29
SHARING KNOWLEDGE THE RCDS RESEARCH JOURNAL Launched in the winter of 2026 and founded by Alexandra Lund ’28, The RCDS Research Journal (TRRJ) established the School’s first student-led, peer-reviewed research publication. With student
editors and reviewers working alongside faculty advisors, the journal created a new venue for original Upper School scholarship across STEM and the humanities. THRICE PUBLISHED Leon Zhou ’26 graduated with three research papers published or accepted in scholarly journals, including work on graphene-based biosensors for early Alzheimer’s detection published in ACS Omega, alongside research in technology commercialization and the ethics and environmental implications of semiconductor supply chains. His work has also taken him to research programs and conference presentations beyond RCDS.
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INVITED! Niev Bhandare ’28 attended the 95th Annual Conference of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists in Denver, Colorado, where he was the only high school student invited to participate. This prestigious learning opportunity included a workshop organized by the Dental Anthropology Association and led by Dr. Caitlin McPherson, a visiting assistant professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland with expertise in biological anthropology and forensic work with the FBI. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Founded by Ishana Kumar ’26, the Research and Innovation in Science and Engineering (RISE) after-school program gives students in Grades 6-8 opportunities to design experiments, pursue authentic research questions, and work with
faculty mentors. A recent club highlight for students was presenting their research at several regional fairs, including the Westchester Regional Middle School Science and Engineering Fair, Westchester Regional Middle School Science and Engineering Fair, where they earned numerous awards and recognitions: Michael C. ’31 and Michael X. ’31 — Investigating the Effect of Acid Rain on Plant Germination 1st Place, Plant Science Robert D. ’31 — A Comparative Study of Herbal Antimicrobial Activity (Yarrow and Plantain) 1st Place, Microbiology Mila G. ’32 — Investigating How Age and First Language Influence the Stroop Effect 2nd Place, Behavioral Science and Best Poster Award Recipient Daniel W. ’31 and William Z. ’31 — Testing Structural Stability: How Different Materials Withstand Earthquakes 2nd Place, Engineering and Energy Award Recipients Nikolas Rowland ’30 — The Effect of Mineral Supplements and Vitamin D on Bacterial Growth 3rd Place, Microbiology and Rosalind Franklin Microbiology Award Recipient Livia T. ’32 — Social Media Preferences Across Age Groups: A Survey-Based Study 3rd Place, Behavioral Science and Most Promising Research Project Recipient
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
2026 STEM SYMPOSIUM At the second annual STEM Symposium, more than 90 Middle and Upper School students presented work spanning science research, physics, engineering and design, biodesign, environmental science, computational biology, and independent study. Their projects addressed questions ranging from cancer treatment and RNA sequencing to biodiversity, public health, and sustainable design. The event was an inspiring demonstration of our students’ passion and their commitment to applying their scientific learning to investigate real-world problems. STEM Symposium Featured Programs & Classes • Science Research Program • Young Physicists Tournament • RISE Club (Research & Innovation in Science & Engineering) • Engineering & Design Class • Biodesign (AP Biology Class Projects) • Environmental Science • Computational Biology Class • Independent Studies
SCAN TO VIEW THE PROGRAM DETAILING EACH PROJECT AT THE SYMPOSIUM
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RECIPROCAL EXCELLENCE K e y C o m p e t e n c i e s f o r S t u d e n t s a n d Fa c u l t y
PORTRAITof a GRADUATE Adaptive & Critical THINKER
who joyfully pursues knowledge and skills, including critical thinking, analysis, reasoned decisionmaking, experimentation, innovation, and transfer of learning through open-mindedness, cognitive agility, and persistence.
Creative & Reflective COLLABORATOR who contributes thoughtfully, respectfully, and flexibly to an ever-evolving learning community that works, plays, ideates, creates, and problem-solves together.
Authentic & Effective COMMUNICATOR who clearly and intentionally shares ideas, information, and questions through listening, dialogue, writing, speaking, using technology, presenting, and creating with purpose, curiosity, and passion.
Engaged & Compassionate CITIZEN who demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and empathic orientation necessary to foster a community of belonging and thrive in a complex society; one who acts intentionally, courageously, and with kindness to promote the common good locally, nationally, and globally.
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With the adoption of the updated Portrait of a Graduate and new Portrait of a Teacher, Rye Country Day School has articulated a complementary set of aspirations for students and the educators who guide them. Developed through multi-year faculty and community work, the two portraits define the skills, habits, and practices at the heart of an RCDS education—and they create a shared language for how students learn, teachers teach, and the School’s mission comes to life.
PORTRAITof a TEACHER
Dynamic & Reflective DESIGNER
who constructs a challenging and engaging curriculum that encourages critical thinking and transfer of knowledge and skills through responsive pedagogical practices, collegial collaboration, and continued professional growth.
Intentional & Responsive FACILITATOR who creates a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that empowers students to draw on their individual strengths and engage in creative, collaborative problem-solving.
Supportive & Empathetic GUIDE who demonstrates and models the respectful exchange of ideas and encourages students to listen, question, dialogue, consider different perspectives, and effectively communicate in various modes.
Ethical & Informed COMMUNITY BUILDER who fosters a sense of belonging for all students, promotes principled decision-making, and inspires students to become empathetic, courageous, and purpose-driven global citizens.
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TRAVELING MINDS
2025-26 TRAVEL PROGRAMS Through its Global Studies program, Rye Country Day School prepares students to participate actively and ethically as global citizens. In 2025-26, learning came to life through travel—from the Civil Rights landmarks of Georgia and Alabama to conservation work in Costa Rica, Spanish immersion in Barcelona, and language and cultural exchange in Aix-en-Provence. Across each journey, students broadened their understanding of the world, connected with people and cultures, and discovered their place within a global community.
Global Studies Programs COSTA RICA In June, 15 Upper School students completed nine days of field research, wildlife encounters, and conservation work in Costa Rica. One of RCDS’s annual educational travel programs, the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that included sea turtle rescues, rainforest exploration, and friendships forged through shared challenges.
Scan the code to read more about our 2026 Travel Programs.
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THE AMERICAN SOUTH In June, rising ninth graders had the opportunity to bring their Grade 8 American History studies to life by visiting many of the places where the Civil Rights Movement unfolded. This year’s four-day journey took 11 students through Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, where they explored the history, courage, and ongoing legacy of the struggle for civil rights.
Language Exchanges FRANCE In March, students traveled to Aix-en-Provence to live with local host families, attend classes at La Nativité K-12 private school, participate in after school activities, and discover the region of Provence. SPAIN For the second consecutive year, RCDS Upper School students traveled to Barcelona, Spain, as part of the School’s Spanish Language Exchange Program, continuing a meaningful tradition of cultural immersion and international connection. In June, the group spent 10 days in Barcelona, where they lived with host families, attended classes, and connected with peers from Oak House School. The exchange will come full circle this fall when the Oak House students travel to Rye Country Day for the second half of the program. HOSTING GUESTS FROM CHINA In February, Upper School Chinese-Language Classes hosted students from Fudan Fuzhong, which is affiliated with Fudan University, in Shanghai, China. Completing the exchange, the Chinese students’ 2026 visit to Rye reciprocates the RCDS students’ trip to Fudan in the spring of 2025.
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2026 SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS Known as the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in Grades 7–12, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are judged by luminaries in the visual and literary arts. This year, 38 RCDS students were honored for their outstanding original work, winning Gold and Silver Key designations as well as Honorable Mention. After placing in the regional rounds, five RCDS students were named National Medalists for their works of art in this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
ART AWARDS SALVATORE BOVE ’26 Silver Key Happiness Pending (Digital Painting, Drawing, & Collage) ALEXA CHUA ’26 Silver Key Bear in a Chair (Digital Painting, Drawing, & Collage)
AMANDA GUI ’27 Gold Key Weathervane (Photography) We’ve Got What You’re Looking For (Photography) Silver Key Grace (Film & Animation) MOLLY HART ’27 Silver Key Flight (Film & Animation) Just a Light Shower (Photography) Honorable Mention Fork in the Road (Photography) Good Afternoon, Farmer Brown (Photography) Before It All Comes Crashing Down (Photography)
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Gold Medal LOUIS PANIÉ ’29 — Time, Suspended (Photography) EMMA WOLFF ’29 — A Forever Kinda Thing (Screenplay/Script) Silver Medal ILLARIA LIEDTKE ’27 — on the extinction of teenage girls (Poetry) CHIARA PERKINS ’28 — girl math (Poetry) WILLIAM ZHOU ’29— Through the Gate of Light (Photography)
VAL HE ’27 Silver Key Blue Transcendent Compositional (Illustration) Honorable Mention The Elephant in the Room (Ceramics & Glass) SADIE KOLODNER ’28 Gold Key Sway (Photography) Solitude (Photography) EMMY LIANG ’28 Honorable Mention My Psychedelic Seahorse (Painting)
ILLARIA LIEDTKE ’27 Gold Key Portrait in 221 Voices (Drawing) Silver Key Amidst the Wreckage (Painting) C.C. LIU ’28 Gold Key Left at Home ( Mixed Media) LUCAS M. ’31 Silver Key Last Wave (Illustration) FELIX MAO ’27 Honorable Mention Just Give Me a Chance (Painting)
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
IRENA MAO ’30 Silver Key Where Love Lands (Painting) Honorable Mention Dive for Hope (Painting) When the World Slows Down (Drawing) JULIETTE MOORE ’27 Gold Key Fragmented Cycle of Life Collage (Experimental Photography) Sheng Jian Bao (Film & Animation) Snack Time, Screen Time (Photography) Silver Key Hybrid Lily (Drawing) When Blossoms Fade Collage (Experimental Photography) Hints of Life (Experimental Photography) Honorable Mention Stormy Sea Glass Vase (Ceramics & Glass) Library Quiet Hours (Drawing) Hand Folded Box Woven with Color (Graphic Design) Head Over Heels (Graphic Design) Sheng Jian Bao (Graphic Design) No Frills Dining (Photography) Elephant Joy (Photography DAPHNÉ PANIÉ ’27 Gold Key Unravel (Photography) Vertical Void (Photography) Silver Key Aftermath (Photography) Honorable Mention Nature Strikes Back (Photography) Vanishing Point (Photography) Beam of Indifference (Photography) LOUIS PANIÉ ’29 Gold Key Time, Suspended (Photography) Silver Key Whiteout (Photography) WILLIAM ZHOU ’29 Gold Key Through the Gate of Light (Photography) Silver Key Towards the Dawn of Life (Photography) Branches of Infinity (Photography) Honorable Mention The Noise of Today (Mixed Media) Going With The Flow (Photography) The Death of Free Speech (Photography) Weight of the City (Photography)
MAKAI SONG ’28 Honorable Mention Heaven’s Couture (Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage) MELODY WU ’28 Gold Key The Show Must Go On (Editorial CartoonHerb Block Foundation) Silver Key Once Upon a Future Time (Editorial Cartoon-Herb Block Foundation) Get Off the Line (Editorial CartoonHerb Block Foundation) Honorable Mention Easy Come, Easy Play (Editorial CartoonHerb Block Foundation) Gladiator (Editorial Cartoon-Herb Block Foundation) JADE ZHAO ’29 Gold Key Feelings I Can’t Swallow (Painting) Honorable Mention The Warmth She Holds Onto (Painting)
WRITING AWARDS EMILIA ALLISON ’26 Silver Key Together, We Optimize (Short Story) SIMI ARORA ’28 Gold Key The Copper Table (Poetry) Silver Key From Fear to Connections (Personal Essay & Memoir) CHLOE BERG ’29 Silver Key Buzzfeed (Poetry) Magdeleina (Speculative Fiction) Honorable Mention The Heart (Short Story) MARSHALL BROWN ’28 Honorable Mention Marshall (Personal Essay & Memoir) AARUSH DEY ’27 Silver Key A Glacier’s Memories (Poetry)
ANOUSHKA DEY ’29 Honorable Mention The Quiet Ache (Poetry) ALANA FAN ’30 Honorable Mention The Swing Set (Poetry) The Writer (Poetry) MICHAEL GONEOS ’27 Gold Key Ferrous (Poetry) Silver Key Phosphorescence (Poetry) Scar Tissue Has No Sweat Gland (Poetry) Honorable Mention Negative Space (Poetry) ANGELINA GUI ’27 Gold Key The Last Flight (Poetry) Honorable Mention Time in Space Unknown (Poetry) MAY HAKIMIZADEH ’27 Silver Key Prologue (This Poem Was About You Before I Even Knew It Was About You) (Poetry) Honorable Mention An Outdoor Wall at the Levee (Poetry) Chopping Through Silence Culinary Defiance and Gendered Resistance in “Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies (Critical Essay) Homage (Poetry) The Half-Life of Love (Poetry)
ILLARIA LIEDTKE ’27 Gold Key on the extinction of teenage girls (Poetry) Silver Key an ode to Chang’e, the goddess of the moon (Poetry) in which I realize I am too late (Poetry) So You Want to Be a Researcher, Huh? (Personal Essay & Memoir Honorable Mention How to Lose a Mouse, a Moon, and a Mother (Personal Essay & Memoir) FELIX MAO ’27 Honorable Mention In This Economy (Speculative Fiction) JULIETTE MOORE ’27 Gold Key The Language of Love (Critical Essay) The Struggles of Self-Identity in an Oppressive Society (Critical Essay) Honorable Mention Sea Star Wasting Disease Disrupts Ocean Ecosystems (Critical Essay) DAPHNÉ PANIÉ ’27 Honorable Mention Glossary of the Past (Poetry)
MOLLY HART ’27 Honorable Mention Is That Not Human? (Poetry)
CHIARA PERKINS ’28 Gold Key girl math (Poetry) User Manual for a Mixed-Race Body (Poetry) Silver Key Versailles (Speculative Fiction) Honorable Mention The Ivan File (Short Story)
ZARA KHEMLANI ’27 Silver Key Intertwined (Poetry)
OLIVIA PIERRY ’29 Honorable Mention Gone (Poetry)
SADIE KOLODNER ’28 Honorable Mention The Fragility of Civilizations A Discussion of the Problems That Led to the Fall of the Han Dynasty and Roman Republic (Critical Essay) Where Differences Meet (Personal Essay & Memoir)
ELLA SCHWALBE ’27 Honorable Mention Do Bookstores Still Have a Place? The Strand’s-98 Year Legacy Says Yes (Journalism)
MARINA LEIFERT ’28 Honorable Mention A Pathos Heard ’Round the Border (Critical Essay)
ALEXANDRA STEYN ’27 Silver Key How to Be a Girl in Five Steps (Poetry) Honorable Mention Is a Scream Still a Scream Everywhere (Poetry) remind me… I forget (Poetry)
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2026 SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS MILIN TORGALKAR ’26 Honorable Mention Fatum Invictum, Patientia Aeterna (Unconquered Fate & Lasting Patience) (Personal Essay & Memoir) The Things I’ve Lost (Personal Essay & Memoir) Viktor’s Frost (Short Story) TANCREDE WEINSTEIN ’27 Gold Key Rubric (Poetry) Silver Key Duérmete (Poetry) In the Backyard (Poetry) Marked by Sight (Poetry )
Honorable Mention How to Hold the Last Breath (Poetry) In the Eyes of the Dreamer (Critical Essay) EMMA WOLFF ’29 Gold Key A Forever Kinda Thing (Screenplay/ Script) Silver Key I Couldn’t Be Less Sick of You If I Tried (Personal Essay & Memoir) 15:29, 15:28, 15:27… (Speculative Fiction) The Antithetical of Love (Poetry)
Honorable Mention A Letter from the Lobotomized I Don’t Know a Lot of Things (Poetry) We Are Only Here to Help (Screenplay & Scripts)
JADE ZHAO ’29 Silver Key testimony of a paintbrush (Poetry) Honorable Mention Starbucks and Magnolia Lane (Personal Essay & Memoir
AIDEN WU ’27 Honorable Mention How Should We Feel About Our Nation’s Past? (Critical Essay) Savages in Heaven (Poetry) Whiteness and Power America’s Shifting, Exclusive Definition of the White Race (Critical Essay)
WILLIAM ZHOU ’29 Silver Key The Day I Lost You (Poetry)
professional actors to stage the production of her play, which ran four performances at the Blank Theater’s Skylight Theater in Hollywood.
Achievement Awards in Writing, a national program celebrating excellence in student writing.
OTHER AWARDS visitors from across the country. Jade was also recognized at a reception hosted by Congressman George Latimer at the Neuberger Museum of Art for the 40 young artists who submitted pieces. The annual Congressional Arts Competition, which is sponsored by the Congressional Institute, recognizes and encourages artistic talent in high school students across the nation in each congressional district. NY District 16 Congressional Art Competition JADE ZHAO ’29 was named the 2026 NY District 16 Congressional Art Competition winner, one of the nation’s most distinguished honors for high school artists. Jade’s winning painting “Hands That History Forgot” stood out for its historical and emotional depth, highlighting this year’s theme, “America 250,” with a focus on history, liberty, and American symbolism. As part of this honor, Jade’s painting will be framed and displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, where it will be viewed by members of Congress, staff, and
Playwright Recognized The original play “Who Would Believe Sadie Kessler?” written by EMMA WOLFF ’29 was recognized in three theater festivals: the 34th Annual Blank Theater Young Playwrights Festival, the Writopia Lab’s 2026 Worldwide Plays Festival, and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Young Playwrights Festival. As one of only 12 winners selected in the Blank Theater Festival, Emma traveled to Los Angeles in the summer to work alongside an award-winning director and
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As a winner in the Writopia Festival, “Who Would Believe Sadie Kessler?” was performed at Writopia’s Lab in Manhattan in June 2026. In the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Young Playwrights Festival, Emma was invited as an Honorable Mention Guest Playwright, where she spent a weekend at the O’Neill with a creative team developing her original work. Emma attended and observed rehearsals and workshops regarding her script, and even had the opportunity to hear a table read of her script with professional actors. National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Achievement Awards in Writing Nine Rye Country Day School students were recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in its 2026
This year, 689 students from 38 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and several countries participated. Submissions were evaluated for expression of ideas, language use, perspective, and voice. Several RCDS Upper School students earned distinctions, including “First Class,” the program’s highest honor. First Class (Top Honor) ALEXANDRA STEYN ’27 Superior AARUSH DEY ’27 MALI GUEYE ’27 and JOCELYN RICE ’27 ELLA SCHWALBE ’27 LUKE WERWAISS ’27 Excellent KARTER DE LA FUENTE ’27 MOLLY HART ’27 JULIETTE MOORE ’27
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
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MUSIC NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION NYSSMA All-State ensembles connect the most accomplished high school musicians from across New York State to play together and work with renowned guest conductors. Students are selected based on their outstanding scores at the NYSSMA Solo Festival in the spring, which consists of playing scales, performing a solo piece, and sight reading. Only students who receive 99% or 100% on the audition are considered for All-State. Four RCDS musicians qualified to participate in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Ensembles in Rochester in December 2025. All-State Ensembles Xindi Liu ’26, Clarinet, Band Vreeland Tuncer ’26, Alto, Mixed Chorus Peter Valenton ’27, Tenor, Mixed Chorus Leon Zhou ’26, Viola, String Orchestra
WESTCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION Westchester County School Music Association (WCSMA) is a county unit of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) and the National Association for Music Educators. Fourteen Upper School Musicians were selected and participated in the Westchester County School Music Association (WCSMA) All-State ensembles at SUNY Purchase on October 30, 2025. These students performed solos in the Spring of 2025 and scored at the highest level in the county. Westchester Area All-State Ensembles Bianca Arencibia ’28, Soprano, Mixed Chorus Eda Buyuk ’27, Alto, Mixed Chorus Aarush Dey ’27, Baritone, Mixed Chorus Elaine Fong ’27, Harp, String Orchestra Sadie Kolodner ’28, Viola, String Orchestra Xindi Liu ’26, Clarinet, Band Emma Maini ’27, Violin, String Orchestra Juliette Moore ’27, Soprano, Mixed Chorus Nicholas Neubardt ’28, Bass clarinet, Band Chaim Sciamma ’27, Baritone, Mixed Chorus Vreeland Tuncer ’26, Alto, Mixed Chorus Peter Valenton ’27, Tenor, Mixed Chorus Thomas Yan ’28, Violin, Symphony Orchestra Leon Zhou ’26, Viola, String Orchestra
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Westchester All-County Ensembles Georgia K. ’32, Chorus Declan Marlow ’30, Chorus Orla M. ’32, Chorus Maëlle R. ’31, Chorus William Z. ’31, Clarinet, Band
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES & RECOGNITIONS Senior and three-sport varsity athlete and team captain Alexandra Lynch ’27 also earns top honors as a classical vocalist. Alexandra was named a Grand Winner of the 2026 National League of Performing Arts International Young Musicians Competition, earned First Place in the Connecticut NATS Upper School Classical category, and won the Hamden Symphony Orchestra Young Musicians Concerto Competition—the first vocalist selected in many years. These honors took Alexandra to two prestigious stages she performed as a featured soloist with the Hamden Symphony Orchestra and sang at Carnegie Hall. Alexandra has studied voice since age six and specializes in opera, classical repertoire, and musical theater. Her latest achievements add to an impressive record of competition honors and performances, including the 2024 Carnegie Hall Gala.
opportunities, Juliette and Chiara performed “Be Who You Are” with fellow chorus members during the Washington, D.C., Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The National Children’s chorus also performed their spring concert at Carnegie Hall this year.
After advancing as finalists in the Young Musicians Program competition, Emma Maini ’27 and Alex Tartaglia ’28 received a formal invitation to perform at the 42nd Annual Young Musicians Concert at Lincoln Center on May 5. The first RCDS students to earn this distinction, Emma and Alex delivered a resounding rendition of Beethoven’s “Spring” Sonata No. 5 Op. 24.
In a rigorous rehearsal environment, RCDS student and adult singers focused on ensemble cohesion, musical interpretation, and preparation for the final performance. “These sessions demanded sustained focus and commitment, as performers worked through the full program,” shared Music Department Chair Mary Marcell. Tia Agarwal ’26 Giorgia Martorina ’28 Max Agulay ’27 Hudson Mastoloni ’28 Mia Anderson ’29 Olivia Napoli ’29 Eda Buyuk ’27 Tojumi Otakoya ’26 Alexandra Craig ’29 Skyla Perez ’26 Audrey Demong ’29 Cayden Reed ’28 Anoushka Dey ’29 Alice Rikkers ’26 Yasmin Folarin ’28 Jolie Robinson ’29 Emily Hau ’29 Elan Song ’29 Henry Irwin ’29 Makai Song ’28 Ahnika Southworth ’29 Kenzie Kearns ’29 Dania Suliman ’26 Nina Kietlinski ’29 Sophia Tang ’28 Sam Kietlinski ’27 Aanya Upadhyay ’28 Kaiya Kline ’28 Peter Valenton ’27 Teddy Kroin ’28 Trey Webber ’28 Alexandra Lynch ’27 Selena Zhang ’26 Parker Maritzen ’27
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Young Musicians Program competition is a highly competitive and prestigious opportunity for outstanding seventh-through-twelfthgrade chamber ensembles from across the New York tri-state area. In the competition, Juliette Moore ’27 and Melody Wu ’28 also represented RCDS, advancing and performing in the Semifinalist Regional concert.
Rye Country Day Honors Choir singers Bianca Arencibia ’28, Juliette Moore ’27, Chiara Perkins ’28, and Ahnika Southworth ’29 were selected to join the GRAMMY Award—winning National Children’s Chorus and perform in the organization’s ensembles. Juliette and Chiara (second year) sing in the Scholars group, while Bianca and Ahnika are in their first year and sing in the Premier group. All four singers completed an extensive audition process to earn the opportunity to perform alongside some of the nation’s top young vocalists. Among this year’s exciting performance
Many members of the Upper School Choir and a number of adult members of the RCDS Festival Chorus, including their conductor, Mary Marcell recently brought their 2026 Festival Chorus repertoire, A Vision Unfolding, to one of the world’s most iconic concert venues Carnegie Hall! To further prepare, students traveled to Manhattan for rehearsals at the Times Square Westin, where they worked under the direction of Dr. Lee Nelson, Director of Choral Activities at Wartburg College (Iowa). Students sang alongside students from Wartburg, and two additional adult community ensembles, one from Oklahoma City, OK and one from Oakland, CA.
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
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PERFORMING ARTS
METRO & ROGER REES AWARDS Dominique Alvarez
The Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance and the Metropolitan High School Theater Awards (the Metro Awards) are highly prestigious programs that recognize exceptional young performers and celebrate excellence in student theater. After their outstanding performances and work in RCDS’s production of Les Misérables, four Upper School students and one Middle School student received recognitions from these renowned programs. AWARDS Dominique Alvarez ’26 (Eponine, Les Misérables) Winner - Metro Awards Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Female-Identified Role Nominee - Roger Rees Outstanding Performer Lily Leand ’27 (Stage Crew Manager, Les Misérables) Winner - Roger Rees Stage Management Fellowship NOMINATIONS Haley Millowitz ’27 (Madame Thenardier, Les Misérables) Nominee - Metro Awards Outstanding Performance in a Featured Female-Identified Role Nominee - Roger Rees Outstanding Performer
Lily Leand
Dominique Alvarez ’26 (Eponine, Les Misérables) Nominee - Roger Rees Outstanding Performer Valentina M. ’33 (Young Cosette, Les Misérables) Nominee - Metro Awards Outstanding Performance by a Child Performer Vreeland Tuncer ’26 (Rizzo in Iona Prep’s Grease) Nominee - Metro Awards Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Female-Identified Role
Haley Millowitz
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Valentina M.
Vreeland Tuncer
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
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PUBLIC PURPOSE
Not for Self, but for Service — Impact Recognitions
“The students were really excellent in the seminars this year, exploring the different approaches to changemaking and what resonates best with them,” said Ms. Drago. “The projects have been so great to see in action, as we finally get to see their ideas come to life. They have done a great job adjusting to the needs of the moment, building relationships with their community partners, and approaching their journal reflections thoughtfully.”
SUMMER OF SERVICE Community Engagement Fellows Implement Purpose-Driven Projects During the summer, 24 Upper School students participated in the Community Engagement Fellowship Program, partnering with community organizations to develop and implement innovative projects that address each organization’s needs. Exemplifying the RCDS motto, Not for Self, but for Service, the fellows worked alongside community partners to create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and impact. The students prepared for their summer projects through a series of seminars focused on public purpose project design, changemaking, and ethical engagement. Throughout the program, Ms. Drago, Ms. Morano, and Ms. Bell provided guidance and support as students explored different approaches to community engagement and developed projects rooted in collaboration and reflection. 2026 projects included partnering with organizations throughout Westchester and the surrounding region on initiatives spanning education, accessibility, the arts, health and wellness, civic engagement, and community connection. Fellows expanded food drive efforts to support Feeding Westchester; designed an accessible sensory garden with Abilis; led STEAM, science, and music enrichment programs for younger students; created mentorship and empowerment opportunities for young girls; supported civic engagement and literacy education; and developed creative programming through art, movement, and storytelling.
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The fellows will share their purpose-driven projects with the RCDS community at the Community Engagement Symposium in the fall. Thank you to our community partners and RCDS faculty mentors who made these meaningful experiences possible for our students! RCDS Community Engagement Fellows complete their summer projects with funding provided by the Rye Country Day community, allowing community organizations to benefit from students’ enthusiasm and passion at no cost and enabling Upper School students from all socioeconomic backgrounds with a commitment to public purpose to participate. Scan to view all of Rye Country Day’s Community Engagement Fellowship projects to date.
MILES THAT MATTER FOR 13 CAUSES This spring, the Upper School Public Purpose Student Leadership Board and Public Purpose Department hosted the second annual Miles That Matter Walkathon. On May 1, 225 students representing 13 clubs walked East Campus in support of local and national nonprofit partners.
Through the walkathon, participating clubs raised funds and awareness for these missiondriven organizations that address a range of local and national needs: • C.A.R.E. Club — St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester • Environmental Club — Save the Sound • Feeding Westchester Club — Feeding Westchester • Go Pink Club — The National Breast Cancer Foundation • Health Club — NAMI Westchester • HOPE Club — Filling in the Blanks • Hudson River Community Sailing Club — Hudson River Community Sailing • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Club — Leukemia and Lymphoma Society • One Love Club — The One Love Foundation • Organic Barrow Club — Our New Way Garden • Project Sunshine Club — Project Sunshine • Spread Your Wings Club — The Sharing Shelf • The Just Food Club — Our New Way Garden 2026 Upper School Public Purpose Student Leadership Board: Julia Gallardo ’26, Lincoln Feng ’26, Ishana Kumar ’26, Chase Talpins ’27, Tancrede Weinstein ’27, and Amaya Yokuty ’27
TURNING ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INTO ACTION Upper School students brought another dimension of environmental problem-solving to the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF) Civic Science Student Symposium at Mercy University, where they presented projects developed throughout the 2025-26 school year. Supported by CELF microgrants and guided by former Director of STEAM Dr. Cathie Bischoff and Director of Sustainability Kerry Linderoth, students investigated environmental challenges and designed practical responses rooted in science,
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
engineering, and community needs. Projects ranged from Wildcats for Water, a rain garden designed to improve stormwater management on campus, and Close the Loop, a food-waste reduction initiative connected to RCDS’s ZEUS composting efforts, to OXYFLOAT, an innovative water-quality project. Students also explored deer deterrence, snow management, urban biodiversity, sustainable pier infrastructure, and other biodesign solutions. Presenting their work to a broader community gave students the opportunity to move ideas beyond the classroom—testing how research, collaboration, and creative problem-solving can contribute to a more sustainable future. 2026 CELF Symposium Projects • Close the Loop — Eda Buyuk ’27, Chris Estill ’28, C.C. Liu ’28, Maddie Stokes ’28, Chase Talpins ’27 • Deer Deterrence Using Lavender Botanicals to Protect Seeds from Deer — Xavier Reilly ’27 • Oxyfloat - Josie Choi ’26, Mei Macintyre ’26, Caroline Pereira ’27, Chase Tucker ’27 • Snow Vault — Aarush Dey ’27, Peter Valenton ’27, Luke Werwaiss ’27 • Urban Bloom — Emmy Liang ’28 & Natalie Zhu ’28 • Vegetative Scour Mitigation in Pier Infrastructure — Aarush Dey ’27 • Wildcats for Water — Mira Browning ’29 & Emily Hau ’29
NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AMBASSADOR AWARD Felix Mao ’27 received the 2025-26 National Community Service Ambassador Award from UNA-USA and InnerView, the highest honor in their annual Community Service Impact Awards. Felix was recognized for his work with Intergenerational Impacts (IGI), the student-led nonprofit he co-founded in 2023. Through translation, multilingual resources, educational programming, and intergenerational activities, IGI now serves more than 150 local seniors each year, helping expand access to information while reducing social isolation. RYE SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP AWARD Miles Dinger ’26, Keaton Greenberg ’26, and Caden Powers ’26 received the Rye
Sustainability Foundation Youth Leadership Award for their work addressing fertilizerrelated nitrogen pollution. What began as AP Biology research—through which the students found that fertilizer runoff accounted for 81% of nitrogen pollution in Milton Harbor— developed into collaboration with the Rye Sustainability Committee and a proposal presented to the Rye City Council. The students also recruited younger RCDS students to help carry the advocacy forward. GREENWICH SUSTAINABILITY AWARD Chase Tucker ’27 was honored with the Town of Greenwich Sustainability Committee Award for her environmental science and conservation work, including research on mussels and oysters in Long Island Sound, her leadership in the Marine Biology Club, and her contributions to Oxyfloat.
MILITARY SERVICE RECOGNITION The Rye City Council recognized Frank Zingg ’26 and Joseph Rafferty ’26 for choosing military service and leadership after graduation. Frank accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, while Joseph accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he will also play lacrosse. Their next chapters offer another expression of the School’s commitment to Not for Self, but for Service. NYS ESSAY RECOGNITION Jenny Xu ’27 was named one of five statewide finalists in the New York State Association of Towns’ Builders of America Essay Contest for her research on North Castle’s role in the Revolutionary War. Her work reached well beyond the classroom: it contributed to a documentary series commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, was featured in Talk of the
Towns & Topics, was presented to the North Castle Town Board, and was selected for inclusion in the North Castle Time Capsule. Jenny has also participated in North Castle’s High School Government Internship Program, working across municipal departments on local initiatives. 2026 COOLIDGE SENATOR Illaria Liedtke ’27 was named a 2026 Coolidge Senator and Coolidge Scholarship Finalist, advancing to a group of just 12 finalists from more than 4,200 applicants nationwide. The program recognizes academic achievement alongside an interest in public policy and commitment to public service. As a Coolidge Senator, Illaria will participate in a national summit featuring seminars and discussions about issues in policy, business, and civic life. EXPLORING LAW, INSTITUTIONS, AND SOCIETY The RCDS High School Law Review Club published the inaugural volume of the RCDS High School Law Review, giving students an opportunity to investigate constitutional and legal questions with real-world significance.
Alison Gipstein ’28 and Hannah Lewis ’28 earned national publication for their analysis of prior restraint in the digital age, while fellow students explored Section 230, investigative journalism, and First Amendment protections. The project connected rigorous academic work with larger questions about law, institutions, technology, and society. Special thanks to RCDS alumni Jemma Curtin ’12 and Robert Klein ’12, who volunteered their time to review early drafts of the Law Review, provide thoughtful feedback, and mentor club members. UN ADVOCACY RECOGNITION Zara Khemlani ’27 was recognized for her innovative approach to global engagement after winning the Diplomatech Challenge and presenting her AI-powered website, DiplomatMUN, at the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) Red White and UN Blue 2026
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PUBLIC PURPOSE Learning in Community
41 YEARS OF ACTION: RYE COUNTRY DAY’S COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM In July, Rye Country Day School’s ACTION program celebrated its 41st year, serving 65 dedicated students who are entering seventh, eighth, or ninth grade in neighboring public school districts. Throughout the four-week enrichment program on RCDS’s campus, the students participated in project-based courses across core academic disciplines, building new skills, exploring their interests, and continuing their academic growth. This year’s course offerings included:
Advocacy Summit. Designed to support Model United Nations participants, DiplomatMUN combines technology, diplomacy, and civic learning to help students engage with global issues. At the summit, Zara shared her work, connected with young advocates and changemakers, and learned from leaders in international development, global health, AI, and digital cooperation.
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• Art • Gardening with Math • Leadership & Innovation • Physical Education • Entrepreneurship • The Mythic Forge • Theater • Lights, Camera, ACTION ACTION participants also took their learning beyond the classroom. New this year was an interactive day at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT, alongside the annual tradition of visiting the Boundless Adventures ropes course in Purchase, NY.
“We were thrilled to have a roster of bright and talented students who arrived each day excited to experience the creative curriculum put together by our RCDS faculty members,” shared ACTION Co-Director Ethan White. “For more than four decades, the ACTION program has combined rigorous, project-based education with hands-on experiences to help motivated students discover what they are capable of achieving,” reflected ACTION CoDirector Jason Leath. “Watching our students grow in confidence, curiosity, and character over just four weeks is what makes this program so special, and it’s a privilege to welcome a new class of future leaders each summer.” The ACTION program is made possible through the generous support of our Wildcat community. Rye Country Day extends its gratitude to the donors, contributors, and outstanding faculty members whose support, time, and dedication have made this beloved community enrichment program a success for forty-one years.
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
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TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS A WILDCAT SPRING TO REMEMBER! The Wildcats capped an exceptional spring season with championships, records, national recognition, and milestone performances.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
On May 14, the Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse team won the FAA Championship with a 13-9 victory over Greenwich Academy, capping off an impressive 16-2 season. The team had a strong FAA Tournament, defeating GCDS 13-6 in the Semifinals to reach the Championship. This marks the third consecutive Championship for the team, after capturing back-to-back NYSAIS titles in 2024 and 2025. The Wildcats defeated Greenwich Academy two times this season, after only beating them twice in program history prior to this season. LACROSSE MILESTONES • Leela Torgalkar ’29 reached 100 career points on April 18, helping the Wildcats to an 11-5 victory over Greens Farms Academy. Leela added another milestone to her extraordinary sophomore season when she reached 100 career goals on May 14, scoring the achievement during the Wildcats’ 13-9 FAA Championship victory over Greenwich Academy. • Elle Mason ’27 eclipsed 200 career points, surpassing the milestone during an 11-5 win over Greens Farms Academy on April 18. • Sarah Anderson ’27 continued to climb the career record books, recording her 250th career point during a 12-2 victory over Long Island Lutheran on April 20. She followed that achievement by eclipsing 150 career assists on May 9 in a 15-5 win over Millbrook.
BOYS’ GOLF
On May 26, James Wallach ’27 earned the 2026 NYSAIS Individual Boys’ Golf Championship title with an even par score of 34 at Harrison Meadows Country Club. The 2026 NYSAIS Tournament Team was composed of Miles Dinger ’26, Graham King ’27, and James Wallach ’27 and earned 2026 NYSAIS Runner Ups. Miles and Graham both shot a 39 for a combined team score of 112, just three strokes behind first place.
BOYS’ TENNIS
Boys’ Varsity Tennis captured the FAA regular-season championship for the first time since 2005. The team finished the regular season with an impressive 10-2 record.
• Maya Torgalkar ’27 reached two significant marks in a span of three days. On May 5, she recorded her 100th career assist in a thrilling 9-8 overtime victory over Greenwich Academy. Two days later, she surpassed 100 draw controls for the season against Greenwich Country Day School.
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*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
TRACK & FIELD
BY THE NUMBERS
16-2
GIRLS’ VARSITY LACROSSE FINAL RECORD
3×
On May 16, the Girls’ Varsity Track & Field team was named Westchester County Class C Champions for the second consecutive year. The team amassed 36 points over the two-day event. • Payton Richardson ’28 took home first place in the 200m and 400m, securing 10 points from each event. • Jocelyn Rice ’27 finished second in the long jump and third in the triple jump to secure 14 points total from the two events. • The 4x400m relay team of Gracey Ansong ’30, Dylan Cliette ’29, Payton Richardson ’28, and Kayla Rosen ’28 finished fifth to secure two points. The Varsity Track & Field team had a strong performance at the NYSAIS Championships held on Wednesday, May 20, at Icahn Stadium in New York City. Michael Allen ’27, Marshall Brown ’28, Payton Richardson ’28, and Kayla Rosen ’28 all medaled in their respective events. • Michael Allen ’27: 3rd in 100m • Marshall Brown ’28: 1st in 1600m • Payton Richardson ’28: 1st in 200m (meet record), 1st in 400m (meet record) • Kayla Rosen ’28: 1st in Pole Vault In June, athletes from the RCDS Varsity Track & Field team competed at the NYS Federation Track & Field Meet, held at Webster Schroeder High School. Payton Richardson ’28 and Marshall Brown ’28 each medaled in their respective events. • Marshall Brown ’28 captured the Class C title in the 1600m and placed fifth overall in New York State, clocking in a personal best time of 4:10.16. This time became the new New York State sophomore 1600m record! • Payton Richardson ’28 secured the Class C Championship in the 200m for the second-straight year, clocking in at 24.41. She placed fourth in New York State, delivering a time of 24.48.
USA LACROSSE ALL-AMERICAN HONORS FOR MAYA TORGALKAR ’27— A PROGRAM FIRST
2
CONSECUTIVE WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLASS C TITLES FOR GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD
4:10.16
MARSHALL BROWN ’28’S PERSONAL-BEST CLASS C CHAMPIONSHIP 1600M
4
SPRING TEAMS THAT WERE EITHER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS OR RUNNERS-UP
11
SPRING TEAMS THAT REPRESENTED RCDS IN POSTSEASON COMPLETIONS
11
WILDCATS WILL CONTINUE THEIR ATHLETIC CAREERS AT THE NCAA LEVEL
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ATHLETICS RECOGNITIONS
Michael Allen ’27, Marshall Brown ’28, Payton Richardson ’28, and Kayla Rosen ’28 all earned First Team All-State honors for their outstanding performance at the NYSAIS Championship. Marshall Brown ’28 was named to the lohud Boys’ Outdoor Track & Field All-Star Team, earning First Team honors in the 1600m and Second Team honors in the 3200m.
Three members of the RCDS Girls’ Outdoor Track & Field team were named to the lohud Girls’ Outdoor Track & Field All-Star teams, which recognized the top 85 players across Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam counties. Payton Richardson ’28 earned first-team honors in the 200m, second-team honors in the 400m, and honorable mention in the 100m. Kayla Rosen ’28 garnered second-team honors in the pole vault. Jocelyn Rice ’27 received honorable mention recognition in the long jump. James Wallach ’27 was named to the lohud Boys’ Golf All-Star Second Team, earning one of just 12 first-and second-team spots among the top players from Section 1, CHSAA, and NYSAIS. Wallach’s spring résumé also included the NYSAIS individual championship and FAA All-League Second Team honors. Joseph Rafferty ’26 received a national honor, earning USA Lacrosse High School All-American recognition after a standout senior season in which he recorded 73 points—51 goals and 22 assists— and helped lead the Wildcats to the FAA semifinals.
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Joseph Rafferty ’26 and Milin Torgalkar ’26 were also selected as lohud AllStar honorable mentions. The distinction recognized them among the top 95 players across Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam counties.
BEYOND RCDS
Grace Feng ’29 placed eighth in both the Junior and Division I Women’s Foil events at the Division I & Para National Championships, becoming the only youth-category athlete at the competition to earn two medals.
The girls’ lacrosse program was particularly well represented. Maya Torgalkar ’27 was named to the lohud All-Star First Team, while Elle Mason ’27 earned Second Team honors, and Bailey Donovan ’27 and Leela Torgalkar ’29 received honorable mentions. The four Wildcats were among 103 players recognized across the threecounty region. Maya added a historic national distinction to her season, becoming the first player in Rye Country Day girls’ lacrosse history to be named a USA Lacrosse High School AllAmerican three times. The honor recognizes the nation’s top high school players for exceptional skill, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Kevin Liang ’31 and the CT Premier Boys’ 14U water polo team finished fourth at the USA Water Polo Spring Splash Tournament while pursuing qualification for the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics.
The Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse Team team itself also earned postseason recognition. After capturing the 2026 FAA Championship with a 16-2 record, the Wildcats finished No. 7 in The Journal News/ lohud final girls’ lacrosse rankings. Rye Country Day was the only independent school to appear in the publication’s top 10 for the second consecutive year.
Marlena Masucci ’26 became a national champion, capturing gold with RowAmerica Rye in the Women’s Youth 8+. Her crew posted a winning time of 6:40.75 to claim the national championship in the premier event. Marlena built on that success in July when she represented her team internationally at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England.
RCDS hosted a Spring Junior Bronze Squash Tournament, where Albert Z. ’33 captured the Boys’ U13 championship. USROWING YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS From June 11—14, Izzy Bernie ’28, Alex Greenberger ’29, Tyler Hatstadt ’26, Marlena Masucci ’26, Valentina Platt-Higgins ’29, Jack Raczynski ’29, Arav Ramaswamy ’26, Nicholas Riley ’27, Devon Smith ’26, and Juliet Tuncer ’27 competed at the USRowing Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida. Several student rowers reached the podium in Sarasota:
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
• Juliet Tuncer ’27 added another silver medal, racing for RowAmerica Rye in the Women’s Youth 2V 8+. Her crew finished in 7:00.16, becoming the second-fastest Women’s 2V boat in the country. • Valentina Platt-Higgins ’29 earned bronze for RowAmerica Rye in the Women’s U16 8+, placing third with a time of 7:27.10. • Fellow RowAmerica Rye rower Jack Raczynski ’29 also turned in a standout performance in Sarasota, finishing fifth in the country. • Arav Ramaswamy ’26 and Devon Smith ’26 raced together for RowAmerica Rye in the Men’s Youth 4−, winning the D Final with a time of 7:14.10. • Tyler Hatstadt ’26 and Nicholas Riley ’27 captured the gold medal while racing for Greenwich Crew in the Men’s 2V 8+, posting a winning time of 6:06.40. • Alex Greenberger ’29 earned a silver medal with Greenwich Crew in the Men’s U17 8+, finishing with a time of 6:15.52. • Izzy Bernie ’28 represented Greenwich Crew in the Women’s U17 8+, finishing third in the B Final with a time of 7:21.90. NEW YORK STATE ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS Before Nationals, Juliet Tuncer ’27 also put together an impressive performance at the New York State Rowing Championships in Saratoga Springs, New York. On May 9, Juliet rowed in the RowAmerica Rye Girls’ Second Varsity Eight, helping the boat capture the gold medal with a winning time of 5:20.66. Fellow RowAmerica Rye rower Jack Raczynski ’29 also turned in a standout performance in Sarasota, finishing first in the state. The following day, Juliet Tuncer ’27 took on a very different challenge, competing in the Girls’ Varsity Single Sculls. Juliet earned the silver medal with a time of 7:34.09. Remarkably, it was her first time racing a single scull, one of rowing’s most technically demanding events.
NCAA BOUND!
Congratulations to the following Wildcats who will continue their athletic careers in college. AJ Bodenstein ’26 Bowdoin College — Squash Nate Dunlop ’26 Middlebury College — Soccer Clare Keating ’26 Amherst College — Lacrosse Ishana Kumar ’26 Wellesley College — Fencing Keira Lauri ’26 Yale University — Fencing Marlena Masucci ’26 Duke University — Rowing
Joseph Rafferty ’26 United States Military Academy - West Point — Lacrosse Devon Smith ’26 Wesleyan University — Rowing Oliver Smith ’26 Dartmouth College — Baseball Milin Torgalkar ’26 Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Football and Lacrosse
Winn Metrailler ’26 Harvard University — Squash
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SPRING 2026 VARSITY SPORTS AWARDS On Thursday, May 28, 2026, the RCDS Athletic Department hosted the Spring Sports Awards, honoring and celebrating varsity athletes. It was an exciting season for the Wildcats, with two teams winning championships and many impressive individual accolades. Each team’s athletes were celebrated with a variety of awards including All-League Honors, Coaches Award, Wildcat Award, and more. ATHLETICS SPIRIT AWARD Sejal Mackey ’27 BASEBALL FAA ALL-LEAGUE SECOND TEAM Paul Heintz ’27, Brady Hollwedel ’27 FAA HONORABLE MENTION Harry Holtman ’26 COACHES AWARD Ryan Shurgin ’26 WILDCAT AWARD Brady Hollwedel ’27 2027 CAPTAINS Hank Brown ’27, Paul Heintz ’27, Brady Hollwedel ’27 BOYS’ GOLF FAA ALL-LEAGUE SECOND TEAM James Wallach ’27 FAA HONORABLE MENTION Miles Dinger ’26 NYSAIS INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION James Wallach ’27 COACHES AWARD Graham King ’27 WILDCAT AWARD Miles Dinger ’26 2027 CAPTAINS Alex Comora ’27, Graham King ’27, James Wallach ’27 GIRLS’ GOLF FAA ALL-LEAGUE FIRST TEAM Jade Zhao ’29 FAA HONORABLE MENTION Serena Finkelstein ’30 COACHES AWARD
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Kayla Parameswaran ’26 WILDCAT AWARD Jade Zhao ’29 2027 CAPTAINS Simi Arora ’28, Jade Zhao ’29 BOYS’ LACROSSE FAA ALL-LEAGUE FIRST TEAM Joseph Rafferty ’26, Milin Torgalkar ’26 FAA ALL-LEAGUE SECOND TEAM Charlie Pearle ’26 FAA HONORABLE MENTION Xavier Perkins ’26 FRANK EFFINGER COACHES AWARD Sebastian Rafferty ’27 RAY KONOPKA WILDCAT AWARD Joseph Rafferty ’26 2027 CAPTAINS Henry Harvey ’27, Xander Harwood ’28, William Hawkey ’27, Sebastian Rafferty ’27, Alex Vlasto ’28 GIRLS’ LACROSSE 2026 FAA CHAMPIONS FAA ALL-LEAGUE FIRST TEAM Elle Mason ’27, Leela Torgalkar ’29, Maya Torgalkar ’27 FAA ALL-LEAGUE SECOND TEAM Clare Keating ’26 FAA HONORABLE MENTION Sarah Anderson ’27 DENISE FRANCELLA COACHES AWARD Nola Coady ’26, Clare Keating ’26, Kate Keating ’26 WILDCAT AWARD Clare Keating ’26
2027 CAPTAINS Bailey Donovan ’27, Maya Torgalkar ’27 250 CAREER POINTS, 150 CAREER ASSISTS Sarah Anderson ’27 200 CAREER POINTS Elle Mason ’27 100 CAREER POINTS, 100 CAREER GOALS Leela Torgalkar ’29 100 CAREER ASSISTS, 100 CAREER DRAW CONTROLS, 100 DRAW CONTROLS THIS SEASON Maya Torgalkar ’27 SAILING COACHES AWARD Henry Hart ’28 RYAN B. MAHONEY ’98 WILDCAT AWARD Frank Zingg ’26 2027 CAPTAINS Sara Komaroff ’27, Zack Wirth ’27 SOFTBALL FAA HONORABLE MENTION Elana Gershwin ’26 COACHES AWARD Dani Winter ’26 WILDCAT AWARD Elana Gershwin ’26 2027 CAPTAINS Molly Hart ’27, Amaya Yokuty ’27 BOYS’ TENNIS 2026 FAA REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS FAA ALL-LEAGUE Chris Estill ’28, Lucas Goldman ’28, Ethan Kantor, ’27, Winston Krow ’29 FAA HONORABLE MENTION Alex Lowham ’30 COACHES AWARD Chris Estill ’28 WILDCAT AWARD Darren Wong ’26 2027 CAPTAINS Aarush Dey ’27, Chris Estill ’28 GIRLS’ TENNIS FAA ALL-LEAGUE Eda Buyuk ’27, Abigail Smith ’28 FAA HONORABLE MENTION Kaitlyn Wong ’27 COACHES AWARD Nina Bortner-Hirszman ’26, Arianna Toussi ’26
*Students who are in the RCDS Middle School at the time of publication are listed with their first names and last initials.
WILDCAT AWARD Maggie Ben-Meir ’26 2027 CAPTAINS Eda Buyuk ’27, Illaria Liedtke ’27, Kaitlyn Wong ’27 BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD FAA ALL-LEAGUE Marshall Brown ’28 (1500m, 3000m) FAA HONORABLE MENTION Michael Allen ’27 (100m) FAA CHAMPION Marshall Brown ’28 (1500m) FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE Michael Allen ’27 (100m), Marshall Brown ’28 (1600m) NYSAIS CHAMPION Marshall Brown ’28 (1600m) NYS FEDERATION QUALIFIER Marshall Brown ’28 (1600m) COACHES AWARD Michael Allen ’27 WILDCAT AWARD Marshall Brown ’28 2027 CAPTAINS Michael Allen ’27, Marshall Brown ’28, Cole Haft-Abromovitch ’28, Jack Slovin ’28 GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD 2026 WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLASS C CHAMPIONS (SECOND CONSECUTIVE) FAA ALL-LEAGUE Gracey Ansong ’30 (4x400m Relay), Dylan Cliette ’29 (4x400m Relay), Jocelyn Rice ’27 (Long Jump, Triple Jump), Payton Richardson ’28 (100m, 200m, 400m, 4x400m Relay), Kayla Rosen ’28 (4x400m Relay) FAA HONORABLE MENTION Serena Lu ’28 FAA CHAMPION Jocelyn Rice ’27 (Long Jump, Triple Jump), Payton Richardson ’28 (100m, 200m, 400m) FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE Payton Richardson ’28 (200m, 400m), Kayla Rosen ’28 (Pole Vault) NYSAIS CHAMPION Payton Richardson ’28 (200m, 400m), Kayla Rosen ’28 (Pole Vault) NYS FEDERATION QUALIFIER Payton Richardson ’28 (200m, 400m), Kayla Rosen ’28 (Pole Vault) COACHES AWARD Alexa Chua ’26, Alexandra Lynch ’27 WILDCAT AWARD Payton Richardson ’28 2027 CAPTAINS Alexandra Lynch ’27, Jocelyn Rice ’27
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FACULTY AWARDS
ANNUAL EMPLOYEE TEA CELEBRATES OUTSTANDING FACULTY & STAFF CONTRIBUTIONS On May 26, 2026, Rye Country Day Faculty and Staff gathered to honor retirees and long-time faculty members, as well as recognize endowed chairs and award winners at the Employee Tea in the Middle School/Upper School Dining Hall. ANNIVERSARIES 40 Years of Service Donald Kyle ’81 Upper School Dean of Students; Upper School English Teacher 30 Years of Service Betsy Stedman MS Assistant Principal 20 Years of Service Joanne Aventuro Grade 3 Teacher Amy Haff Grade 1 Teacher Jenny Heath US Principal Leif Halverson US Learning Specialist Stacy La Bella Grade 4 Teacher Binns Moss Maintenance Supervisor Elvira Rebate LS/US Spanish Teacher Jac-que Robinson Director of Performing Arts Spaces and AV Technology RETIREES Ginny Black H’26 MS Language Arts Teacher 1978-2026, 48 years of service
John Hager MS/US Band Director 2000-2026, 26 years of service AWARDS Seniority Fellowship Awarded to faculty and staff who have served Rye Country Day for over 10 years are eligible for one of five Seniority Fellowships. Casey Hallen US Filmmaking Teacher & Grade 10 Dean Melissa Liebowitz MS Music Teacher Tammy McKenna MS Learning Specialist Charles Ogbonna Physical Education Teacher; Coach Heidi Southard Head Athletic Trainer; US Health Teacher Will McCurdy Memorial Award Established in 2015 in memory of Will McCurdy ’05. Given in recognition of outstanding advising in the Upper School. Anna Meechan US Math Teacher & Grade 11 Dean
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Laura Mungavin US Spanish Teacher Carol Lichtenfeld Memorial Award Established in 2019 in memory of RCDS Teacher Carol Lichtenfeld. Given in recognition of outstanding Middle School advising. Marcia Mignon MS Science Teacher Lower School Advising Award Established in 2022 to recognize a Lower School teacher who went above and beyond in support of students. Alex Kerker LS Learning Specialist Frank Effinger Outstanding Coaching Award Established in 2013 by Adam Friedlander ’79 in honor of longtime RCDS Coach and Field House Director Frank Effinger. Given in recognition of a member of the RCDS coaching staff for their outstanding service to RCDS. Pam Farber ’80 Coach
Linda Grossman Award Established in 2010 in honor Linda Grossman, Administrative Assistant to the Head of School. Given in recognition of a staff member for their outstanding service to RCDS. Jay Solis Assistant Director of Information Technology ENDOWED CHAIRS The Rye Country Day Endowed Faculty Chair program was established to honor and reward outstanding teachers in all three divisions of the School. The following endowed chairs rotate every three years. Brockman Lower School Chair Karen Cosgrove Lower School Second Grade Teacher - 2025-2028 (2026-27 - Second Year) Class of 2006 Chair Charlotte Green Upper School Humanities Teacher - 2025-2028 (2026-27 - Second Year)
English Department Chair Andres Cerpa Grade 11 Dean, Upper School English Teacher - 2024-2027 (2026-27 - Third Year) Lower School Chair Amy Haff Lower School First Grade Teacher - 2024-2027 (2025-26 - First Year) Middle School Chairs Tammy McKenna Middle School Learning Specialist - 2025-2028 (2026-26 - Second Year) Tim Silverman Grades 7 & 8 Dean - 20262029 (2026-27 - First Year) RCDS Parents Association Chair Craig Barasona-Burt Grade 10 Dean, Upper School Science Teacher 2024-2027 (2026-27 - Third Year) Wachenheim Family Chair Clemmie Everett Upper School Humanities Department Chair & Teacher Kyle Mitschele Middle School Social Studies Department Chair
COHEN FELLOWSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION Through yearly Cohen Fellowship for Excellence & Innovation grants, Rye Country Day School actively advances the School’s commitment to pedagogical excellence and continual professional growth for employees. These grants afford Cohen Fellows the opportunity to develop their passion for education and stay current in their individual fields through innovative knowledge acquisition. Through the personal and professional endeavors associated with the receipt of this award, Cohen Fellows help the School to build upon its tradition of excellence through creativity and innovation. RCDS gratefully acknowledges the generosity of The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation in the establishment of these transformative grants.
Joanne Aventuro Grade 3 Teacher
Chris Kaye US Art and Photography Teacher
Kelly Barker Director of LS Emotional Learning; LS Psychologist
Lisa Malloy Special Events Coordinator
Angelo Bove US Science Teacher
Amy Man MS Social Studies Teacher
Nicola Clarkson Physical Education Teacher; Coach
Andrea McLean US Learning Specialist
Margie deStaso-Fazulak Director of Human Resources
Aimee Rincon Senior Associate Director of College Counseling
Adele Dominicus MS Math Department Chair Kamauru Johnson Director of Counseling; US Psychologist
Lyvia Sage LS/MS French Teacher Betsy Stedman MS Assistant Principal Whitney Turner LS Computer Teacher
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FACULTY AWARDS Jen Doran
RESEARCH & INNOVATION GRANTS
Kate Henerey
Each year, the RCDS Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning invites faculty and staff to submit proposals for student-centered projects that advance the School’s mission and create new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and innovation across the RCDS community.
Libby Jelliffe Jac-que Robinson
Sarah Strong ’13
Daren Khairule
Maximo Perez
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Selected grant recipients receive support to develop and implement their projects over the summer and following school year. An essential component of the program is sharing insights and outcomes with fellow educators to ensure that the ideas, discoveries, and practices that emerge from these projects benefit the broader RCDS community. 2026-27 Research & Innovation Grant Recipients • Jen Doran, Science Instructor, Grade 9 Dean, and Director of Science Research Strengthening Inquiry and Research Across the RCDS Curriculum • Kate Henerey, Drama and Dance Department Chair & Jac-que Robinson, Director of Performing Arts Spaces and AV Technology - Beyond the Canon: Examining the Onstage/Backstage Racial Divide in Independent School Theater • Libby Jelliffe, Director of Learning Support Services and Middle School Learning Specialist & Sarah Strong ’13, Middle School Study Skills Coordinator and Grade 5 & 6 Dean - Brain Development, Learning and Wellness • Daren Khairule, Director of Academic Technology & Maximo Perez, Middle School Computer Science Teacher - Developing an AI Professional Development Model for Proficiency Without Sacrificing Scholarship
HEART SAFE SCHOOL This summer, Rye Country Day School was officially recognized as a Heart Safe School by Project ADAM New York, reflecting the School’s commitment to the health and safety of its community. The designation culminates a two-year effort led by School Nurse Patrice Brophy, who coordinated training, developed the School’s Cardiac Response Teams, and oversaw the certification process. At the June 5 ceremony, Project ADAM NY Co-Founder and Coordinator Dana Colasante presented RCDS with its Heart Safe School banner. Interim Head of School Dr. Stacey Sotirhos and Nurse Brophy accepted the recognition on behalf of the School. “Being a Heart Safe School is about more than having a plan in place; it’s about building a culture of preparedness, teamwork, and care,” said Nurse Brophy.
RCDS Cardiac Response Team: Patrice Brophy Kate Antonelli Janis Battista Stefano Bicknese Giovanni Donza Jennifer Doran Kevin Farrant Nicholas Fearon Charlotte Fleischman ’16 Genevieve Gaubron Ryan Horton Mike Kenny Leiat Klarfeld
Donald Kyle ’81 Elani Landman Melissa Liebowitz Isadora Machado David Menard Daniel Murray Jac-que Robinson Katherine Rosell Heidi Southard Russell Tombline Ariana Wimpy Melissa Wirth ’97 Jessica Zimmerman
Following the ceremony, members of the RCDS community participated in a cardiac emergency response drill, demonstrating the training and protocols that helped earn the designation. As a Project ADAM Heart Safe School, RCDS continues its commitment to creating an environment where every member of the community can learn, work, and thrive with confidence and care.
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FACULTY AWARDS
RCDS EARNS SECOND ENDORSEMENT FOR RESPONSIBLE AI IN LEARNING Rye Country Day School has earned the Essential Learning Experience (ELE) credential through the Middle States Association’s (MSA) Responsible AI in Learning Endorsement (RAIL) program. This marks the School’s second RAIL endorsement and its continued commitment towards responsible integration of artificial intelligence in education. RCDS was one of only 10 schools to receive the ELE credential from a pool of more than 100 schools eligible to pursue this second phase of the RAIL endorsement. The recognition builds on the School’s successful completion of the AI Literacy, Safety, and Ethics (LSE) endorsement last year. The ELE endorsement recognizes schools that demonstrate how artificial intelligence can be used intentionally to enhance meaningful teaching and learning experiences. During the 2025-26 school year, RCDS faculty participated in an Action Research Project, designing, implementing, and refining AI-supported lessons, assessments, and instructional strategies across disciplines. “This endorsement reflects the dedication and collaborative spirit of our faculty,” said Director of Academic Technology Dr. Daren Khairule. “Through thoughtful experimentation and continuous improvement, our teachers explored how AI can enhance learning while remaining grounded in the values that define an RCDS education.” Looking ahead, RCDS will introduce a new AI Framework during the 202627 school year, along with professional learning opportunities to support faculty as they continue to explore the role of AI in teaching and learning.
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