Dwight Today Fall 2023

DWIGHT TODAY A MAGAZINE FOR THE GLOBAL DWIGHT COMMUNIT Y FALL 2023

INSIDE

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Making the Impossible POSSIBLE

Dwight’s Varsity Baseball Team, circa 1916 and 2023

Dwight is dedicated to igniting the spark of genius in every child. Kindling their interests, we develop inquisitive, knowledgeable, self-aware, and ethical citizens who will build a better world.

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 1

FEATURED STORIES

06

POLINA NIKITINA ’23 SHARES HER VOICE FOR UKRAINE

18

GLOBAL CONCERT SPARKS “NEW HORIZONS”

22 LIONS ROAR TO VICTORY!

28

SPARKATHON: A GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION AND INNOVATION

LAURIE SILBERSWEIG: EDITOR EMILY CHASE: DESIGN DIRECTOR PHOTOGRAPHY: OSCAR BRETT, DIANNA BUSH, TOBIAS EVERKE, DA PING LUO, STOMPING GROUND, AND DWIGHT FACULTY AND STAFF COPYRIGHT © 2023: DWIGHT SCHOOL

2 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

42

PURSUING PASSISON PROJECTS IN SPARK TANK

50

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2023

CHANCELLOR'S LETTER

Dear Dwight Community, Throughout Dwight’s history, students and alumni have been “making the impossible possible.”

These inspiring words — while a mere four — hold unlimited potential. They echo throughout our campus, as we encourage young people to dream bigger, reach higher, and go beyond what they believe to be their own limits. These words also reverberate around the world through our Dwight Schools global network.

In that spirit, last spring we invited students to challenge themselves and one another in a weekend-long global design competition called Sparkathon, which stretched across continents and time zones. As you’ll read about in this issue of Dwight Today, over 100 students answered a call to action to help our partner, the Ocean Conservancy, tackle the ocean plastic pollution crisis.

Teams of students applied their innovation and collaboration skills to generate ideas and an array of impressive solutions; their prototypes emerged from an incalculable well-spring of ingenuity.

We see it often in our makerspaces and Spark Tank incubator — and champion it wherever and whenever it takes flight. Seeing it sparked around the world on every Dwight campus in just 48 hours was an extraordinary thing to witness.

Dwight students in our global network also compete in our time-honored Camerer Essay Competition, yet more often they come together to collaborate. Last February, they did so for our annual Dwight Schools music festival, which culminated in a glorious global concert at Lincoln Center. Their musical sparks of genius lit up the stage and brought down the house. You can read more about this signature Dwight cross-campus event in the pages that follow.

As always, I am deeply proud of our students’ impressive talents, countless accomplishments, and collective commitment in the spirit of the IB to make our world a better place.

Fondly, Stephen H. Spahn Chancellor of Dwight School DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 3

GLOBAL VISION

Have You Seen Our

NEW

Dwight New York Look?

4 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

GLOBAL VISION

We redesigned Dwight School’s website with you, our Dwight community, in mind.

With a new look and feel, we added fresh features, clear navigation, and easy access to key links like MyDwight.

Check us out at dwight.edu/newyork.

Have You Visited Our

NEW Global Network Website?

We’re excited to have launched a brand-new website dedicated to our Dwight Schools global network, showcasing each of our seven campuses, along with news about our Lions’ international collaborations, journeys, and more.

Visit dwight.edu for your passport to Dwight worldwide.

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 5

SPARK OF GENIUS

Polina Nikitina ’23 Shares Her Voice and Champions Her Home Country Senior Polina Nikitina, a singer, songwriter, and accomplished musician who was new to Dwight last year, brought her impressive talent and spark to campus — and in very short order galvanized attention for her passion project entitled “Gotham.” A powerfully evocative song and beautifully rendered music video, “Gotham” was created by Polina and her friend Martin as “an artistic movement to support Ukraine after being separated by the war in our home country,” she says. “We grew up together in Kyiv and were bandmates at school. Following the 2022 winter break, we were unable to return due to the Russian invasion.

Our school was shut down and we were scattered. Martin landed in Italy and I went to Cyprus before coming to the U.S.” Polina’s journey since the war began has been both extremely arduous and triumphant. She and her immediate family are safe, yet she is disconnected from her friends and home; she flourished academically and artistically at Dwight, yet her heart was with those left behind facing the one-year anniversary of the onslaught and continued devastation, when we spoke with her last winter.

A LONG ROAD TO GOTHAM Polina, who has been writing songs since the age of seven, began working on “Gotham” in spring 2022 when she was taking online classes in Cyprus. “My family was helping back home financially, but I was thinking, ‘what can I do?’ I lost all of my friends because we were torn apart and I wasn’t creating anything musically,” she shares. “The only thing I could think of writing about was Ukraine so that I could support the people I loved and my culture.”

In a few months’ time, Polina’s family relocated to Miami and she decided to reach out to Martin, who writes music for films, to reconnect and suggested a collaboration. “It wasn’t until he sent me a snippet of music that I landed on my idea for ‘Gotham’,” she recounts.

“His haunting melody sounded exactly like Gotham, as in Gotham City in ‘Batman’ movies, which I had gravitated toward previously for

6 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

songwriting inspiration. It felt like Russia had turned our home cities into dangerous and ghostly places and this bit of music evoked that feeling, making it perfect for a song about Ukraine.”

At times, it was difficult for Polina to envision ever completing the project. Unable to connect face to face, she and Martin communicated across time zones through text, which is most assuredly not conducive to the creative process. “While Martin was producing the track in Italy, I was in Miami writing the lyrics and recording under a blanket to be as quiet as I could while my family was asleep — while both of us were also trying to finish our junior year of high school, further delaying things,” reports Polina, whose voice on “Gotham” is just as haunting as the music. She also created the storyboards for the video and sketched some of the characters, which she then handed off to artist friends still in Ukraine to complete and animate.

They all seemed destined to struggle. The time difference continued to be a barrier. “Every time our ideas didn’t match, it took days or weeks for us to come to a solution. Sometimes we lost connection completely due to power outages in Ukraine. However, in the end, the process proved to be rewarding and we completed it after six months,” Polina shares. “As artists, ‘Gotham’ was our way of expressing patriotism and the pain we felt as a nation due to the continuous Russian crimes against us, while also presenting a shred of hope for our people. The video includes a number of Ukrainian cultural symbols and legends, and the song is dedicated to Ukraine and its bravery.”

Polina explains that when she came to New York in fall 2022, this video was also her way of advocating for her home country in a new one. Her hope was not only for her fellow countrymen and women to see it, but also for them to appreciate that someone had created something in English to raise greater awareness outside of Ukraine — and for those in the U.S. to see it. In fact, Polina wants as many people as possible around the world to watch the video. She shared the song with the

POLINA NIKITINA ’23 Dwight community through 566 Records, our student-run label and music website; and took her project to Dwight’s Spark Tank, seeking an innovation grant to help with promotion to shine a greater spotlight on what’s happening.

Both experiences reflect the unique opportunities that Dwight students have, and Polina greatly appreciated having them as she finished her high school career here. “I had heard a lot about Dwight and how great the School and teachers are, and it’s true,” Polina says. “Dwight is so supportive and I love all of my teachers.”

ARRIVING AT DWIGHT AND FLOURISHING IN THE ARTS Polina was studying at one of the only IB Schools in Ukraine when the war broke out and she finished her junior year virtually. Resilient and determined, she applied to Dwight, moved to New York just one day before school started, and dove right in. It is no understatement to say that her accomplishments would be extraordinary for any teenager, let alone for anyone who has navigated the unfathomable challenges of displacement and separation from one’s home amid crisis.

At Dwight, Polina quickly gravitated toward our theater program, which became a large part of her life on campus. She had always enjoyed acting in Ukraine and found that becoming another person on stage helped to build her confidence in all areas of life. So she was quick to audition for our fall 2022 Mainstage Theater production of The Liar and later the spring musical, Gypsy, and was cast in both. “When everyone rehearses together four days a week for a show, you become a community,” she says. “I’m really grateful for that and for Dwight’s great theater teachers, who are so passionate.”

As a songwriter, Polina is a storyteller, so it’s no surprise that one of her favorite classes has been IB DP English and that she enjoys creative writing. Just like most of her songs, which draw on her own life experiences, Polina’s prose and poetry do the same. Another favorite class is IB DP Theater, where she and fellow students create their own works individually and collaboratively, which they then stage and design as well as perform.

A MUSICAL DESTINY Polina comes from a musical family, which she says “really impacted me and my way of thinking. My father is a professional bass guitarist, who always encouraged me to be creative and use my imagination.”

At age eight, Polina began taking piano lessons and for eight years spent every day — hours upon hours weekly — in music pre-conservatory, graduating at age 16. “I dedicated many years to piano lessons, studying music theory and music history, which have all shaped me as a musician,” says Polina, who has built on that foundation to play the piano for the songs she pens herself, which is her ultimate passion.

It seems that Polina was always writing songs. “When I was very young, my mother noticed that I really liked playing around with words and challenged me with ‘Why don’t you write me one song per day?’ I did and liked using my words to express my thoughts and draw on my experiences.” After forming a band at school that performed covers, Polina discovered that using her own voice literally and figuratively is what makes her happiest. “It’s about finding your voice and being heard,” she contends, “Young people, like myself, have stories to tell and while it’s great to perform them well, it’s more important that we are heard.”

Polina’s story caught the attention of the West Side Rag, which shared it with their readers. Her voice in every way is definitely being heard — and amplified — through “Gotham,” which we strongly suspect will not be the last time.

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 7

COMMUNITY

8 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

ALUMNI

FAST BREAK AND SWISH! Our 2023 Dwight, Franklin, and Anglo-American alumni basketball game drew old friends and teammates — along with some new Lion cubs!

Alumni squared off, blue vs. white, and in the spirit of the game left it all on the court at our Dwight School Athletic Center. They’re set to meet again on the hardwood on February 3, 2024. Let’s run it back!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 9

GLOBAL VISION

LIONS MOVE ON THE

Dwight’s commitment to providing a global education extends well beyond our IB curriculum. We offer students exceptional opportunities to learn about different countries and cultures firsthand. Through a wide range of immersive experiences, both domestically and overseas, they broaden their perspective and develop the competencies needed to become successful global leaders. Along their routes, students also forge meaningful connections with their classmates and peers on other campuses, while sharing their experiences and sparks of genius. The bonds of friendship — and the memories made — last long after they return home.

LONDON

Singing Lions head across the pond for Dwight School London’s Annual Choir Fest — a cross-campus musical celebration — bringing together students in harmony.

When not collaborating in song, students explore London’s fair city.

WASHINGTON, DC

Eighth graders travel to Washington, DC, for their annual class trip to explore the many monuments, museums, and memorials in our nation’s capital connected to what they learn in the classroom.

10 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

KENYA, EAST AFRICA

Upper School students head to Kenya over Spring break to embark on an incredible adventure. They visit the WISER School for Girls in Muhuru Bay, continuing Dwight’s long tradition of supporting WISER’s mission of educating girls and empowering them to become agents of change in their own community. After their time on campus comes to an end and fond farewells among new friends are shared, Dwight students go on safari at Maasai Mara National Reserve.

IRELAND

Lions have journeyed to Ireland for an unforgettable rugby-filled Spring break. During their action-packed adventure, they play matches against local rugby clubs, learn from their coaches, cheer on the pros, and enjoy some sightseeing of the Emerald Isle.

Our grade 4 students also venture to our nation’s capital on their first overnight class trip, which ties into their classroom learning. Each year, this experience lays the foundation for another first — a week-long voyage to London for fifth graders.

WASHINGTON, DC DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 11

GLOBAL VISION LONDON

It’s always a jolly good time each spring for students in grade 5 when they travel across the pond to visit their peers at Dwight School London, see the landmarks of this majestic city, and experience their first international trip as Dwight global citizens.

Not long after returning home, they welcome their newly made friends — year 6 students from London — to The Big Apple for the reciprocal experience.

NASA

Eighth graders travel to the NASA Space Center in Huntsville, AL, to participate in the Rocket Center USA program. They learn about space travel and rocket science, participate in simulated missions, experience lower gravity levels, and much more. It is always far out!

EASTERN EUROPE 12 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

Upper School students have explored the rich culture and history of Eastern Europe on a Dwight summer trip to Krakow, Prague, and Berlin, focusing on sites related to WWII and the Holocaust, the Cold War, and the legacy of communism.

WORLD SCHOLARS CUP

Middle School students participate in the annual World Scholar’s Cup competition — and have done so with flying colors! After excelling in the regional round held at Dwight, they advanced to the 2023 global round at University College London to compete against scholars from 80 countries for a spot in the finals. Read on to learn more and see how they did!

GLOBAL VISION

STUDENTS LAND TICKET TO CHAMPIONSHIP AT

WORLD SCHOLAR’S CUP GLOBAL ROUND IN LONDON

A mighty congratulations to our Middle School pride of World Scholar’s Cup participants for their exceptional performance in the summer global round of the competition in London!

top eight junior debaters, ages 11 through 14, Dwight Lion Alice ’29 who had gained a top score, was nominated from among 500 scholars to participate on a team with top debaters globally.

The World Scholar’s Cup is an academic competition in which students from top international schools around the world study a common curriculum designed to make learning relevant and fun. They then compete against one another as teams in collaborative writing, debates, and other challenges at the regional level, and depending on their results, move on to the global level. The theme of this year’s World Scholar’s Cup was “Reconstructing the Past.”

Throughout the week-long event, students also participated in community-building activities with their competitors. They made new friends during a scavenger hunt and the Scholar’s Fair, where every school has its own booth showcasing its home nation’s culture.

LIONS STUDY HARD AND ROAR LOUDLY! Dwight’s team began working in January with their dedicated coach, Marie Nieto, Head of Middle School Humanities, in preparation for the New York City regional round, which was held at Dwight in March. Ms. Nieto, who brought her passion for the World Scholar’s Cup to our School, won the 2019 Coach of the Year, when she and our students participated in the global round held that summer in Beijing.

Middle School students, who apply to be part of the program, commit their lunch periods to attend study sessions with Ms. Nieto several days a week. They also put in additional time after school, when they continue studying the curriculum together in teams of three.

This past year, 53 Dwight Middle Schoolers participated in the regional round, showcasing their critical thinking, teamwork, research, writing, collaboration, debate, and public speaking skills — and all were eligible to move forward. Among them, 22 students ventured across the pond over the summer to compete against 500 fellow scholars from around the world at University College London.

After the opening ceremony, the competition got underway with the “Scholar’s Bowl,” where teams raced against the clock to solve analytic and multimedia challenges. Writing exams and debates followed, earning them a number of medals and titles, and setting a strong tone for the rest of the competition.

In the Debate Showcase, an additional event with the global round’s

Our scholars’ educational journey didn’t end with the competition.

They enjoyed seeing some of London’s cultural and historical sites.

The trip and competition were packed to the brim with teamwork and plenty of excitement. All Lions won various medals and trophies; here is the line-up of our individual and team achievements: • 2nd place for Australia and the Americas and 8th place Overall: Max ’27, Nathan ’27, and Jonas ’27 • 7th place Champion Overall Scholar: Max ’27 • 2nd place Individual Debate: Alice ’29 • Individual Writing: Evalyn ’28 • Individual Challenge: Max ’27 • 4th place Team Debate: Max ’27, Nathan ’27, and Jonas ’27; 9th place: Lais ’29, Alice ’29, and Jerlea, a sixth grader from Bahamas International School who joined our team • 4th place Team Writing: Faye ’28, Evalyn ’28, and David ’28 • Team Bowl: Max ’27

“Aside from the excitement of winning what truly matters is the chance for our students to connect with and challenge peers worldwide. It was wonderful seeing them making friends, while also showcasing their academic skills on such a global stage and they should be very proud,” shares Ms. Nieto.

At the closing ceremony, Noah ’29, who had been nominated by fellow Scholars, had the distinct honor of carrying the U.S. flag on behalf of all American students.

Dwight Lions placed among the top ten of 166 global teams, qualifying them to advance to the finals — the Tournament of Champions at Yale University this fall. There, 16 students went up against the top 1,000 Scholars from 40 countries and brought home an impressive tally of 20 gold and 33 silver medals, with Jonas ’27 taking 6th place in the Individual Challenge and Max ’27 ranking in the top 10% of Champion Overall Scholars — a truly amazing result!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 13

GLOBAL VISION

The smiles of our Upper School students are as bright as their sparks of genius!

14 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

GLOBAL CONCERT

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 15

PERSONALIZED LEARNING

FIFTH GRADERS SHINE

AND SHARE THEIR LEARNING It was a big day for fifth graders, who had worked hard and prepared for months in advance — their PYP Exhibition had arrived! The class showcased their projects for their families and members of our Dwight community, demonstrating the extent of their learning throughout the Primary Years Program.

The process began previously when as fourth graders, they voted on their Exhibition IB transdisciplinary theme of “Sharing the Planet.” They dove in in earnest at the beginning of 2023, spending an extensive amount of time engaged in collaborative inquiry and individual research focusing on the idea that action leads to change. Students posted blogs, built prototypes, wrote an original song, created art displays, and more guided by their teachers.

Through their work, they also demonstrated their deep knowledge and understanding of their own chosen topic related to the theme, synthesizing the essential elements of the Primary Years Program — action, concepts, knowledge, and skills — and exhibiting the attributes of the Learner Profile they have developed since preschool.

The annual Exhibition marks the transition of fifth graders from the Primary Years Program to the Middle Years Program — a milestone in their IB educational journey.

16 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

DWIGHT GLOBAL

DWIGHT GLOBAL ONLINE SCHOOL NAMED THE OFFICIAL EDUCATION PARTNER OF THE

INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION JUNIORS

We’re delighted to announce a game-changing partnership forged with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour Juniors. The ITF, which is the world governing body of tennis founded in 1913 to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the sport, selected Dwight Global Online from a field of applicants as the Official Education Partner of its World Tennis Tour Juniors division.

This exciting partnership will provide the world’s best young tennis players with the opportunity to benefit from Dwight Global’s wide range of outstanding online education programs. ITFJ recognized that our School, which is ranked one of the top two online high schools in the U.S. by Newsweek magazine, sets the platinum standard in online private school education for students in grades 6-12 and is the ideal choice for aspiring young tournament players who want to balance their pursuit of excellence on the court and in the classroom.

“The demands placed on junior players are enormous, and having the time needed to dedicate to training, practice, and travel on the ITF tour makes all the difference in maintaining a competitive edge. We’re pleased to provide players with a world-class private school education combined with the flexibility they need to perform and compete at the highest levels,” says Blake Spahn, Vice Chancellor of The Dwight Schools and Captain of the 1994 Columbia University Ivy League Championship Tennis Team.

Photo courtesy of Tennis Australia/David Mariuz

Quite a few Dwight Global students have been pursuing their tennis sparks of genius since we founded the School in 2014. A Dwight education prepares them to be leaders in their sport and in the classroom at D1, D2, and D3 universities.

“We are dedicated to cultivating the interests and passions of scholar-athletes and educating the sports leaders of tomorrow,” says Louisa Childs, Head of Dwight Global Online School. “We are thrilled to partner with the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors to offer top-notch academics tailored to meet the needs of aspiring tennis stars and to inspire the next generation on the world tour.”

Dwight Global will provide all ITFJ players with a 50% tuition discount; webinars about college planning, mental health, and leadership; and dedicated college counselors skilled in athletic recruitment, who will work with each player to gain acceptance into their top-choice universities.

Additionally, ITFJ players will have unique opportunities to study at any brick-and-mortar school in our global network, enjoy Dwight residential experiences, participate in performing arts collaborations, and go on trips with Dwight students worldwide.

We are also excited to launch Dwight Global traveling teams, where students can train, study, and compete together. Several prominent players on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors are current students or graduates, including Michael Zheng ’22, 2022 Wimbledon boys’ singles finalist, who plays college tennis while studying at Columbia University; and Cooper Williams ’23, 2023 Australian Open boys’ doubles champion and 2023 Wimbledon boys’ singles semi-finalist, who enrolled at Harvard this fall. Some of our current students include Claire An, 2023 USTA Easter Bowl girls’ singles 16s champion; and Shannon Lam, 2021 USTA Easter Bowl girls’ singles champion.

Matt Byford, Head of the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors, says, “We are pleased to partner with Dwight Global, giving players competing at ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors events opportunities for online learning. While much focus will be on a junior player’s prowess on court, it is vital that players also prioritize their education. Dwight Global enables players competing on the tour to find a good balance between their athletic and academic careers.”

Tennis and Dwight Global make for a great match!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 17

ALUMNI PROFILE

OUR GLOBAL CONCERT CELEBRATES 150 YEARS AND SPARKS

NEW HORIZONS

Our 2023 Dwight Schools Global Concert marked many seminal moments: the return to our annual music festival in person in New York after three years, Dwight’s milestone 150th anniversary, and the beginning of our School’s next chapter. Welcoming an audience of over 600 Dwight community members to the beautiful Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Eric Novod, Head of Performing Arts, declared, “Tonight we celebrate, we enjoy, we listen, we sing, we play, and we certainly do not take for granted just how truly special these joyous moments are for every single one of us — on stage, backstage, and in the audience. The next 150-year journey in the storied history of the Dwight Schools is off to an exciting start!”

Exciting indeed, as more than 180 students from Dwight in New York, London, Seoul, Dubai, and Dwight Global Online School took to the stage to share their talents, passion for music, and Lion-sized spirit in what is our mostanticipated cross-campus collaboration of the year. While our global community has remained closely connected throughout the pandemic and we continued our annual concert tradition virtually in innovative ways, the coming together of students and music faculty in New York again was magical. They were joined by high school students from Franklin School, Dwight’s affiliate in Jersey City, which opened last fall to welcome its first students. While musicians from Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School were unable to participate in person, their recorded pieces were incorporated into a concert video.

IN GLOBAL HARMONY In the months leading up to the concert, students from each School rehearsed on their own campus, yet it wasn’t until they gathered in person for a few days of intensive rehearsals to finetune their collaborative performances that the program took its final shape. During that time, students connected with friends they’ve met previously and made new ones, experiencing special moments while pursuing their sparks of genius side by side.

18 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

GLOBAL VISION

In addition to clocking many hours together in rehearsals with our global music faculty, students who flew to New York visited a number of sites in The Big Apple — and everyone enjoyed some down time when they went to a Broadway show, Kimberly Akimbo, mid-week and a special dinner on the eve of the concert.

When their big day arrived and the first chord of music was struck, the audience was taken on a spirited musical journey around the world, which spanned genres: classical, traditional Indian, rock, pop, jazz, and Broadway pieces. Each School performed its own set with ensembles and featured soloists, who showcased their artistry, including students studying at Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music Pre-college Programs. Parents, family members, faculty, staff, and our global Heads of School were impressed and quite proud.

Our youngest performers were 30 members of our Fifth Grade Choir here in New York, who sang “Constellations,” an original piece of music composed by Jacob Bruner ’23 with lyrics written by the fifth graders. The name of the song was inspired by the stars in our Dwight crest, representing infinite sparks of genius of students worldwide! This performance experience provided them with a taste of special global concert opportunities to come.

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 19

GLOBAL CONCERT “New Horizons” concluded with a rousing finale that included The Dwight Schools Orchestra, Band, and Choir in which everyone was on stage performing a piece entitled “River,” which was conducted beautifully and expertly by Dwight Global student Chuyi Luo ’23. Chuyi, studies composition at Juilliard and is a conducting fellow with the New York Youth Symphony. “River” was arranged by alumnus Andrew Abrahamsen ’14. Andrew debuted his own composition in 2014 at our global concert from the Carnegie Hall stage. Now, almost a decade later, his passion for music is sparking inspiration in the next generation of Dwight students through our Music Conservatory, where he is a composition and piano instructor.

PAUSING TO HONOR DWIGHT FAMILY MEMBERS During this special evening, Dianne Drew, Head of School and Global Education Director for all Dwight Schools, took to the stage during intermission and said, “Both our 150-year history and future are written thanks to the incredible dedication of our wonderful faculty and staff around the world, and we are delighted to honor those who have been members of our Dwight family for 20 years or more.” Each one has made innumerable contributions to igniting sparks of genius in our students and we are grateful for their long-term service.

• Jan Kraft, Director of Music at Dwight School London: 20 years • Alicia Morris, Director of Admissions and Placement for K, and Associate Head of the Early Childhood Division: 20 years • Octavio Mercado, a member of our Maintenance team: 22 years • Sabrina Hecker, Timothy House Teacher: 23 years • Ellen Sayers, DP Art Teacher, Head of Visual Arts, and Dean of Eleventh Grade: 23 years • Annette Harchik, Quest Teacher for Kindergarten-grade 8: 24 years • Caroline Venturini, Executive Assistant to Head of School and Main Office Manager: 24 years There are several members of our Dwight family whose years of service mark a quarter of a century or exceed that milestone: • Barry Gragg, DP Physics Teacher and former Head of Upper School Science: 25 years • Terrence Christgau, MYP Theater Teacher, and Director of the Master Theater Program and Upper School Theater Productions: 26 years • Arthur Samuels, College Counselor: 31 years • Sandra Darzy, Study Center Supervisor: 32 years • Enver Purovic, Security Guard: 34 years • Luz Giraldo, DP Spanish Teacher: 35 years Ms. Drew added, “I would be woefully remiss to end our recognition here. Chancellor Stephen Spahn and Vice Chancellor Blake Spahn are also among our longest-serving Dwight family members: Blake for 27 years and Stephen for an amazing 56 years! They have been supported by their better halves, as Connie Spahn worked in Admissions at Dwight for more than a quarter of a century and Maryll Spahn has continued the family tradition.”

Ms. Drew went on to say, “Our global network of Schools stands apart due to the exceptional learning opportunities that we offer students worldwide, as well as the extraordinary strength and continuity of leadership. Chancellor Spahn has taken Dwight from a small boys school to a global powerhouse and ignited a truly countless number of student sparks. Blake, himself a Dwight alumnus, is extending that vision, propelling it far into our next 150 years.”

Before returning to the music, we applauded all of our honorees for their long-term commitment and never-ending creativity, which have helped to shape our School today. As the evening’s celebration came to end, we had crossed over together into exciting new horizons!

This fall, Lion musicians around the world have been preparing for our next global concert, “United Harmonies,” to be held for the first time at Dwight School Dubai, on February 23, 2024. We know that it will be another amazing night of togetherness to remember!

20 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

ON CAMPUS

ONE PART LEADERSHIP, TWO PARTS COLLABORATION:

A Sixth-grade Recipe for Success

Last spring, we saw the return of our grade 6 leadership dinners, under the mentorship of restaurateur and Dwight alumnus Jacob Hadjigeorgis ’02! Jacob began mentoring our students through this program in 2016, which begins in the classroom with discussions about leadership skills and then moves into the kitchen.

Jacob's team, including Executive Chef and Culinary Director David Perez, shared how these skills translate into different roles in the running of a restaurant. The experts also shared insights about best food practices, customer service, and creating an enjoyable dining experience.

Students learned what it takes to run the front of house, the back of house, and then were guided through how to set up their own pop-up restaurants in our Quad. They selected a different theme for each of three nights and then created the menus and designed the décor to showcase them: international night, a trip to outer space, and savoring the four seasons. Our sixth graders assumed different roles and prepared and served wonderful meals for their parents, teachers, and administration — a pride of hungry customers!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 21

SPRING LIONS

END STRONG

With one playoff championship title, three regular-season championship titles, four NYSAIS appearances, and six league playoff appearances, our Spring Dwight Lions definitely made their mark! Read all about their success below.

BOYS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL ∕ ∕ ∕ Coaches: Tiam Chuck, Jan Gallao, and Cam Pangalangan It was truly a memorable season for our Lions, as they finished with a 15-2 record. Their notable achievements, which reflected their talent and determination, include winning both the ISAL League and playoff championship titles!

The 2023 roster had doubled in size from the previous spring, totaling 18 players, which can be challenging, but they came together as one big family united by a common goal. “Being able to create a safe and enjoyable space for students from different backgrounds to collaborate and work towards a shared objective is truly a wonderful experience,” says Coach Tiam Chuck, known among students as Coach T. One of the most exciting moments of the season was when the team found themselves one point away from losing a set against their rivals, Brooklyn Friends.

Despite being down 18-24, they never gave up and showed incredible resilience and teamwork, ultimately winning the set 28-26. Impressively, the team successfully executed a 6-2 offense, a complex strategy typically utilized by older, more experienced teams. This was notable, as the team of mostly younger athletes was only launched two seasons ago, and resulted in their becoming league champs. They also earned the #4 seed in NYSAIS, which is another marvelous accomplishment for such a new program.

Several players stood out throughout the season. Tom Ifrah ’24 showcased undeniable presence on the court, establishing himself as one of the best players in the league. Daniel Barschdorff ’24 embraced a new position and displayed commitment to constant improvement, delivering powerful swings and consistent serves under pressure. Daniel Born de Andres ’26 and Ethan Cortez ’24 proved to be crucial setters, seamlessly transitioning defensive plays into offensive opportunities while also contributing as strong servers. Zach Wolf ’25 left his mark with consistent blocks, aggressive swings, and well-placed serves, showcasing his skills and impact. Alex Gingold ’27 played a vital role in the team’s defense, consistently keeping the ball in play and executing offensive plays in the back row, while also serving aggressively when needed.

The team’s success set the foundation for a promising future and everyone is excited about what is yet to come.

22 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

ATHLETICS

WITH LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIPS GALORE! GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS ∕ ∕ ∕ Coach Stefania Sidoli At the beginning of the season, the 15 students on the team had never played together. However, they quickly came together with a shared goal in mind and worked diligently to achieve it. Their commitment and unity were key factors in their success, leading our Lions to earn the #1 seed as the undefeated ISAL team!

Several student-athletes made notable contributions on the court throughout the season. Captains Vanessa Greenwald ’25 and Evelyn Sargsyan ’25 played a crucial role as dedicated leaders and worked closely with fellow teammates. They ensured that everyone felt included and valued; their leadership and dedication fostered a sense of camaraderie and togetherness.

Penny Binn ’24, the team manager, played an essential role in organizing team bonding events and providing positive support at every game, adding to a positive and cohesive team environment. Gabriela Finchelstein ’26 stood out for her determination, grit, and hard work on the court. Her laser-focused goal of winning and professional approach to the game served as an inspiration to her teammates and to those watching.

Vanessa says, “We had a common goal to win, and that’s what we did” — and with that the team looks forward to reclaiming the title of League champions in 2024!

BOYS VARSITY TENNIS ∕ ∕ ∕ Coaches: Michael Horvath and Roxanne LaRaia The Boys Varsity Tennis team faced numerous challenges throughout the season, but managed to come together and achieve great success. The initial hurdle they encountered was an incredibly demanding competition schedule, which included back-to-back matches each week. This posed a daunting task for the team, but they approached it with determination and a strong work ethic.

Our Lions went on to achieve an undefeated record in the ISAL, demonstrating their dominance. Julian Vasquez ’23, who played in the first singles spot, commanded the court, making his wins for the team look effortless; while Jack Koczan ’23 and Maximo Handal ’24, first in doubles, kept the energy up, securing wins with their great teamwork. In their last game of the season against French-American School of New York (FASNY), the team had to rally together against strong opposition to capture their final win, which all came down to the third doubles team of Jonah Pintoff ’25 and Alex Hirnigel ’27. Their quick thinking and perseverance culminated in an impressive victory as they claimed the ISAL championship.

VARSITY SOFTBALL ∕ ∕ ∕ Coaches Anthony Rodriguez and Juliette Polis Our Varsity Softball team had a great season and made it to the ISAL semi-finals, securing a second-place finish and demonstrating how far they

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 23

ATHLETICS have come in just four years since they first took up a bat. These Lions rallied together and covered the positions admirably, granting them a regular record of 5-2.

One memorable moment came in the game against LREI when Lulu Deyer ’25 made a noteworthy play that stopped the last run from tying the game. It was the final out of the inning, concluding an intense three-hour match-up. Lulu’s play secured a win and marked the team’s first victory in the league, showcasing the resilience and skill the girls possessed. They put in the hard work during practice and it showed with an impressive tally of ten home runs, including two grand slams. In the championship game, pitcher Darby London ’25 delivered over 12 strikeouts, highlighting her prowess on the mound.

Additionally, the team scored an impressive total of 133 RBIs throughout the season.

Coach Rodriguez reports that Mica Quelle ’23 owned the catcher’s position, providing a solid and reliable presence behind home plate. Erica Frenette ’23 showcased her exceptional skills at first base, Darby London ’25, a true powerhouse, proved to be both a formidable pitcher and the best hitter in the league. Finally, Zander Bradley ’26, stepped up and excelled at second base, demonstrating not only skill, but also smart decision-making and effective communication with the team.

The memories and achievements from the 2023 season will undoubtedly be cherished by everyone involved and the team will be looking to claim the championship title next time.

VARSITY BASEBALL ∕ ∕ ∕ Coaches Ted Belcher and Jonathan Ascher Our Lions finished the season with a 6-2 record and secured the third place spot in the ISAL standings. The team faced their biggest challenge after their first loss, which dealt a blow to their morale. However, they quickly regrouped and refocused, putting in the hard work and determination necessary to bounce back.

Among the season’s most memorable moments was when Max Schoenfeld ’25, the team’s ace pitcher, was on the mound. He displayed incredible skill and precision, throwing an impressive 66 strikeouts over 33 innings. Max’s pitching prowess was a sight to behold and a true asset to the team.

Several other players also made notable contributions throughout the season for their batting abilities. Team Captain Oliver Teitelbaum ’23 showcased leadership both on and off the field, ending the season with a batting average of .240 and 3 RBIs. Michael Kolodny ’23, known as the team’s hype-man, finished with a batting average of .300 and 6 RBIs. Harry Litman ’23 stood out with outstanding batting statistics, concluding with an amazing batting average of .545 and an impressive on base percentage of .643.

The team is confident in their abilities and determined to win the ISAL championship in spring 2024.

VARSITY RUGBY ∕ ∕ ∕ Coaches: Heidi Rubenstein, Adam Higgins, and Arnold Chavis Despite finishing with a record of 2-4, our Lions’ performance was praiseworthy, as they secured second place in the MET NY DII league standings out of four teams.

The team rallied together and remained united and supportive of one another when key players were out with injuries. They demonstrated incredible strength, both physically and mentally, as they faced and overcame challenges as a tight-knit unit. Players stepped up and embraced new positions, highlighting their adaptability and commitment to the team’s success.

Among the most cherished memories of the season was the week the team spent together on their training trip to Ireland over Spring break — this unforgettable experience provided an opportunity for the players to bond on a deeper level by immersing themselves in a new culture and creating lifelong memories. This ultimately translated into a memorable send-off game for seniors, where a majority of them scored points, culminating in an impressive 57-0 victory vs. Brooklyn Tech.

Coach Rubenstein praises Ollie Bartlett ’23, the Captain and season high scorer, for showcasing exceptional leadership and receiving the All-league Award. Jonah Saltzman ’23, the Vice Captain, displayed outstanding leadership on and off the pitch, serving as a role model for his teammates. They, together with fellow seniors

24 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

Jacobo Bustos, Tristan Fraley, Jason Hernandez-Lopez, Adam Kaplan, Abdalla Mogeh, Hugo Murray, Brennan So, Dev Banerji, and Xuan Stabb, will all be missed as standout players and for their many contributions to the program.

VARSITY GOLF ∕ ∕ ∕ Coach Max Aken-Tyers This year, the Varsity Golf team had great success as they secured the runner-up position in the regular ISAL standings and playoffs, with a few players also qualifying for NYSAIS. Coach Aken-Tyers shares how thrilled he was by the incredible achievement of Ryan Berkowitz ’23, who astounded everyone by getting a remarkable hole in one at the NYSAIS tournament. This unforgettable moment not only showcased Ryan’s individual talent, but also served as a source of inspiration for others and was a great way for a senior to end the year.

Throughout the season, our Lions displayed an astonishing level of confidence, skill, and maturity, which were evident in notable victories, such as defeating Leman in the ISAL semifinals. Standout players like Ryan Berkowitz ’23, Enrico Hoover ’23, and Ben O’Connor ’23 played a significant role in the team’s success, consistently delivering impressive performances and contributing to the team’s overall strength.

VARSITY TRACK & FIELD ∕ ∕ ∕ Coaches: Doug Sklar, Holly Nohavitza, Undine Groeger, and Corey Butcher Lions made it to the finish line in the regular ISAL standings with the girls’ team finishing third, while the boys’ team finished fifth. Together, their efforts resulted in a third-place finish overall in the league, as well as some athletes being eligible to compete in the NYSAIS competition!

What stood out was the consistent progress of Lions, who showed up with genuine effort and desire to become the best versions of themselves. Their commitment and hard work were evident in their performances and personal growth.

The coaches would like to recognize Jack Yoon ’23 for his contributions of energy and enthusiasm throughout his Track & Field career. Even when unable to participate, Jack consistently demonstrated loyalty to his teammates by being present and cheering them on.

Additionally, some students achieved personal bests throughout the season: Ana Figaredo ’25 with a new personal record of 11:47:52 in the Girls 3000m, Andrea Pennisi ’25 with 1:45:00 in the 800m, and Jamie Knox ’25 with a time of 10:37.71 in the 3200m. The coaches would also like to recognize the exceptional leadership of Captains Alma Laufer Barhad ’25, who has done great in the long jump, Ia Utmelidze ’25, Maria Arutyunyan ’25, and Andrea, all of whom kept the pace in runs, ranging from 800-3200m. They excelled in leading team warm-ups and activities that built camaraderie.

With many memorable moments and outstanding results, the coaches look forward to seeing how the team continues to roar in 2024.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD ∕ ∕ ∕ Coaches: Doug Sklar, Holly Nohavitza, Undine Groeger, and Corey Butcher Our Middle School Track & Field season was one of growth for our younger Lions. One standout moment was when Astrid Brinzer ’27 gave her all during the 800m and 1500m races, displaying determination and perseverance. As she ran, she screamed with excitement and motivation, fueling her performance and inspiring those around her. Astrid ended the season with four medals around her neck from multiple events in the ISAL championship meet and one from ACIS! She will move up to our Varsity team next year, as her teammates also look forward to making strides next season.

Congratulations to all of our Spring 2023 hard-working Lions, who earned a well-deserved summer break before returning for this fall’s preseason!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 25

AT DWIGHT, WE SPARK CREATIVITY NURTURE INNOVATION VALUE DIFFERENCES THINK GLOBALLY 26 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

CHAMPION CHANGE

ATHLETICS

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 27

TION C A O T L L L CA ENT D A GLOBA U T S S E T IGNI ON I T A V O N IN

It takes a global network to solve global problems — and that’s what Dwight tapped into for our first-ever Sparkathon, a 48-hour design competition for students across all of our campuses.

We partnered with the Ocean Conservancy, a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting the ocean and its wildlife, and challenged students — whose ingenuity knows no bounds — to apply their creativity and collaboration skills to help tackle the plastic pollution crisis worldwide. We posed the question: Are you ready to change the world? The resounding answer was “yes!”

Sparkathon drew over 100 students on 31 teams from every School in our global network, together with Franklin School in Jersey City, NJ, which joined our family of Schools last fall.

This exciting cross-campus event, which spanned continents and time zones over the weekend of May 20-21, 2023, immersed students in an experience unlike any other. After forming their own teams (the competition was open to students in grades 6-12), they were charged with developing innovative ways to clean up and remove plastic pollution from our oceans and to educate the public about the causes of, and urgently needed solutions for, this crisis.

28 | DWIGHT TODAY 2022

SPARKATHON HOW SPARKATHON WORKED Sparkathon immersed students in an experience unlike any other. After they had registered for the competition in teams of four-six students, students selected a challenge to solve from among the following three: Challenge #1 | Capturing Trash How might we more efficiently collect litter and floating trash (big and small) from stormwater runoff, rivers, lakes, and/or coastal waters? Can it be done without relying on large volunteer efforts?

Challenge #2 | Changing Behaviors How might we build awareness of the plastic pollution crisis?

What tools, campaigns, and technology can help support education that results in our communities using fewer plastic items, especially unnecessary single-use items that we can do without?

Challenge #3 | Smarter Cleanups Since volunteering to clean up trash that has escaped into the environment is an important piece of the larger solution set, how might we improve the efficiency of traditional volunteer cleanups where trash is collected by hand?

Teams were allowed to start investigating and brainstorming over the five days leading up to the weekend and when the competition — which took place in real time beginning first on our campuses in Shanghai and Seoul — was underway, sparks of innovation were flying!

Throughout the weekend a team of Sparkathon faculty mentors from each School and Ocean Conservancy experts were on hand in person and virtually to answer questions and provide advice and feedback. In addition to tapping into their research, problem-solving, design, and innovation skills, students were called upon to use their teamwork, project management, and pitching skills. All utilized a cloud-based tool that Dwight created with developers in Ukraine called the Spark Incubator

DWIGHT TODAY 2022 | 29

ATHLETICS

Platform (SIP) to document and share their work, which included creating a prototype of their solution. SIP also enabled students to video chat across campuses to exchange ideas. They continued working diligently until the submission deadline of 4:30 pm on Sunday, when teams uploaded their final pitch presentations and videos.

“All I want is for our students to know that their ideas matter to us,” shares Lesa Wang, Director of Global Spark Programs and Head of Design for The Dwight Schools. “To see teenagers around the world spending their weekend time at School, collaborating and hyper-focused on finding solutions to a pressing global problem … isn’t this what the spirit of the Sparkathon is all about? This event was the result of months of work by an incredible team of visionary educators from Dwight and Franklin Schools, who joined forces also as collaborators, and I am so appreciative of their time and commitment. I am also grateful to The Dwight School Foundation for its support, which allowed us to realize this dream for our students,” says Ms. Wang.

THE WINNING TEAMS The breadth and depth of the work students produced were striking and our panel of judges had some difficult decisions to make. We applaud all of our Sparkathoners and extend congratulations to the following teams: Overall Sparkathon Winner: Harry Collins ’26 and Emre Gots ’26, SuperCoolTeamName, Franklin School!

30 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

SPARKATHON

Challenge Leaders: • Challenge #1: Daniel Russo ’24, Shaurya Singh ’24, Rafa Grilo ’26, and Ruhie Mehendale ’26, Team Plastic Pirates, Franklin School • Challenge #2: Selina Ju ’25, Eloise Peny ’25, and Aileen Qi ’25, Team Pleurotus, Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School • Challenge #3: Zander Bradley ’26, Ofer Rubin ’26, Jackson Shell ’26, and Henry Ullman ’26, Team Eco Warriors, Dwight School New York Honorable Mentions: • #1: Hugo Winfield ’29, Shimada Keeney ’29, and Encheng Zhang ’29, Team The Ocean Cleanup Guys, Dwight School Dubai • #2: Daniel (Daeyeon) Han ’26, Andrew (Che) Lee ’26, and Jay Lee ’26, Team Aquaman, Dwight School Seoul • #3: Vrinda Sharma ’25, Anastasia Voica ’25, and Herbie Wares ’25, Team HWT, Dwight School London • #4: Samik Krishnan ’24, Ariba Syed ’24, Maria Palma Bejarano ’26, and Chahrazed Yehia ’27, Team PAC-Tech, Dwight Global Online School While each School proudly celebrated their own winners, the students on the winning Franklin team was rewarded with a whale-watching boat trip. Additionally, this fall, they made a special visit to Tufts in Massachusetts, where Dwight has a connection with the University’s Center for Engineering Education and Outreach. The Franklin team presented their idea to mechanical engineering students to explore the possibility of realizing their winning invention with the expertise and mentorship of Tufts students.

The Sparkathon excitement has quickly spread; one team here in New York presented their project to our Spark Tank Committee before school ended in June. They are excited about taking their work to the next level and we hope that others will follow.

WITH THANKS We thank all of our dedicated Sparkathon mentors worldwide; the SIP developers, who supported us remotely from Ukraine; and our judges: Truett Sparkman and Sarah Weller from the Ocean Conservancy; Peter Arnell, founder of Intellectual Capital Investments; Dale Dougherty, President of Make Community LLC; and Atziri Ibanez, Chief of Staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Education.

We are especially grateful to our esteemed partner, the Ocean Conservancy; The Dwight School Foundation — and most of all to our amazing students, who devoted their personal time, boundless creativity, and unfettered energy to help solve one of today’s most pressing issues. We are fortunate, indeed, to have a global community to spark innovation for a better world.

Sparkathon 2.0 is already in the works and until then, congratulations again to all!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 31

GLOBAL VISION

DWIGHT SCHOOL HANOI

IS TAKING SHAPE

On the Hanoi construction site, Dianne Drew, Head of Dwight School New York and Global Education Director of The Dwight Schools; and Jason Hayter, Associate Head of Dwight School Hanoi and former Head of Dwight School Seoul, surveyed the progress of our newest campus. Located in The Manor Central Park, a new residential development and destination in the heart of Hanoi, the School will welcome its first students in fall 2024.

32 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

ON STAGE

Bring up the Curtain, for Here Comes

As Dwight community members filled The John Cullum theater at the American Theater of Actors in Midtown, there was electricity in the air. When the lights dimmed and the overture began — the music swells with legendary tunes like "Some People” and “Everything’s Coming up Roses” — it was clear that something spectacular was about to begin!

For the uninitiated, Gypsy tells the tale of Rose “Mama Rose” Hovick, portrayed by Lily Ventura ’23 — and her two daughters, Louise, the wallflower, portrayed by Acadia Colan ’24; and Baby June, the charismatic child star, portrayed by Brooke Radosevich ’24 — and their journey to earn their rightful place in show business.

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 33

COMMUNITY

MAY WE ENTERTAIN YOU? Act one opens in the 1920s with a spotlight on Baby June, portrayed by Anouk ’30 and her troupe of sharply dressed “Newsboys” singing “May We Entertain You.” Their vaudevillestyle act showcases a variety of talents, including dancing, acrobatics, and of course singing! We are then introduced to Mama Rose, portrayed by Lily Ventura ’23 — an overbearing, outspoken, and sharp-tongued mother — who barks orders at the cast and introduces the audience to her demanding personality and passionate love for performance. Although she and her family face many setbacks, she finds a savior in the humble former agent, Herbie, portrayed by Guilherme Sequeira ’24, who she persuades to manage her daughters and their act.

This is how our Mainstage Theater Spring Musical production grabbed our attention — and kept it — thanks to the outstanding direction, choreography, design, costumes, and talent of our cast, crew, and adult mentors. Their sparks of genius illuminated both the front and back of the house!

As the girls grow, “Baby June and her Newsboys” become “Dainty June and her Farmboys.” Their dreams start coming true with performances on the coveted Orpheum Circuit, a chain of vaudeville theaters. Soon after, June is offered the chance to attend a performing arts school, which Rose wholeheartedly refuses. After all, their act is finally a hit — why should they stop now? Feeling betrayed and fed up with Rose and life on tour, June elopes with a troupe mate and runs away, sending Mama

34 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

Rose into a whirlwind of emotions, culminating in act one’s finale, “Everything’s Coming up Roses.”

THE PRICE OF FAME Act two begins with a flash forward to the mid-1930s. Louise is now a young woman and has taken her sister’s place. To earn money, she and company take a job at a burlesque house, but Rose is devastated that their years of work have landed them in not-so-desirable circumstances, Louise insists that they fulfill their contract rather than remain penniless, to which Rose concedes. Opportunity strikes when the club’s headliner is unable to perform, and despite her initial disgust for the tawdry establishment, Rose volunteers Louise to take her place. Louise reluctantly agrees, but as she takes the stage for the final reprise of “May We Entertain You?” Lousie begins to transform into the titular “Gypsy Rose Lee.” It’s here where she finds her wings as one of the most successful burlesque performers and fulfills her mother’s lifelong dream of fame.

As Louise finds her independence, Mama Rose finds herself cast aside. In the heat of the final conflict, Rose admits to her daughter and herself her flawed intentions and that she required her children to rise so high to live vicariously through them.

Realizing that she has driven away everyone she loves, Rose begins her 11 o’clock-number dream sequence, “Rose’s Turn,” giving her the opportunity to showcase her unrecognized talents and finally see her name in lights. After a rousing exhale, Rose lets out one final belt as the lights go down.

ON STAGE

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 35

A CLASSIC FOR THE AGES One of the great American musicals, Gypsy is filled with more than a few cautionary tales, all the while being enveloped in a warm sense of perseverance, heart, and merriment. With expert direction by Terrance Christgau, Director of Upper School Theater Productions and of the Master Theater Program, and the immense talent of this incredible cast, the audience went on quite an emotional journey. We laughed through numbers like “Mr. Goldstone, I Love You,” while laments like “Some People” tugged at our hearts.

Upper School C Mama Rose....... ast ........................... ...........................

Louise.................

Lily Ventura ’23 ........................... .........................A June.................. cadia Colan ’24 ........................... ................Brook Herbie................. e R adosevich ’24 ........................... ............ Guilher Tulsa.................. me Sequeira ’2 ........................Sa 4 ntiago SanchezTessie Tura.........

Lara Alonso ’24 ........................... .......................P Mazzeppa.......... olina Nikitina ’2 ...........................

3 ...........................

Electra/Mrs. C Maysa Souri ’24 ratchit.............. ........................ M Yonkers, Pastey ia Rasmussen ’2 , Stagehand, Bou 5 cheron ........................... ...........................

Gypsy is an ode to the longing some feel when trying to find ... Sebastian Arb Angie, Toreador eiter-Hoole ’24 able..................... their place and achieve their dreams. But for many, the true ...........................

L.A., Toreadorab .

Olivia Beal ’25 le........................ ................MacP heart of the show is its relationships. Mr. Christgau explains, Dancer, Toread he e Gleason ’25 orable, Agnes... ...........Olivia M “the meat of this show — the reason I chose it — is because Dancer, Toread itc he orable................. ll-Burrell ’24 .....................So Uncle Jocko, M it is a heart-wrenching fable … about relationships and about phia Severson ’2 r. Goldstone, St 5 age Manager, A ........................... betrayal in many forms … The question is does Louise forgive nnouncer, Phil ........................... ... ... ...

Po ... p, ... .......... Oliver W Mr. Kringelein, her? Do we, the audience? Does Rose forgive herself?” yatt ’26 Cigar, Announc ........................... er These musings have left audiences coming back to this classic ........................... ...... Zachary Gin Weber, Toreador cliffhanger with some of Broadway’s greatest music ever — di-Chiafullo ’24 able, Wardrobe Mistress.........M W ai tress Toreadorab or

by Julie Stine with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim — time and a Vazquez ’24 le, Marjorie, Ren Sign Person, To ee.............. Esm time again. readorable......... e Tublin ’25 ........................ Za Sign Person, To yneb Sumar ’25 readorable......... ..................... Em ma Goldman ’2 6 G rade Five Cast Baby June........... ........................... ......... Anouk va Baby Louise........ n der Paardt ’30 ........................... ................Carol Baby L.A........... in a Sequeira ’30 ........................... ....................Lily Baby Yonkers.....

Morgenthau ’3 ...........................

0 ..........................

Baby Angie........

Bella Zhang ’30 ........................... .................Chloe Girl Scout/Dan Norrington ’30 cer....................... .................. Nived Urchin/Dancer. a Gautham ’30 ............................ ......................Bia Marcondes ’30

FIFTH GRADERS SHINE ALONGSIDE THEIR OLDER COUNTERPARTS Our production wouldn’t have been complete without the incredible work of our mighty fifth grade cast! Starring in a plethora of roles, they took on the younger versions of the

36 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

daughters and the troupe throughout the show. They participated in several weeks of intense rehearsals — a big commitment, even for our older students — filled with choreography runs, learning music and harmonies, and taking notes from our older students, who acted as mentors to their younger counterparts.

Congratulations to the fantastic cast and crew of Gypsy!

PERSONALIZED LEARNING

BLENDED LEARNING:

A Unique Benefit of Dwight Schools

Combining tradition with innovation is a longstanding Dwight hallmark, from pioneering the International Baccalaureate in the Americas to establishing campuses on different continents across the globe.

One uniquely powerful innovation — blended learning — provides Dwight students enrolled at campuses in London, New York, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, and Hanoi (opening fall 2024) with an option to take some of their classes online at Dwight Global Online School. Founded in 2014, Dwight Global Online is yet another successful innovation. A highly ranked and widely respected online school for students in grades 6-12, Dwight Global is one of a handful of schools in the world to offer the online International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

Our Blended Learning program allows students to have the advantages of a brickand-mortar school and the flexibility of an online school, so they can pursue with dedication both rigorous academics and their professional pursuits and passions.

Two students who have embraced blended learning are seniors Lara Destani, whose family travels around the world, so Dwight Global enables her to continue her education wherever she is; and Chahrazed Yehia, who transferred from Dwight Global to Dwight School Dubai for the 2023-24 year.

Blended learning has been well received by families, and enrollment has increased 25 percent in the last year, reports Dwight School New York’s Alexander Cunningham, who is the Blended Student Dean and Dean of Grades 9 and 10.

“Great teachers and schools are responsive to student needs,” Mr. Cunningham said. “Dwight exemplifies this in our structure, not just in the classroom. Our support of blended learning students is support of their unique situations, identities, and approaches to learning. As educators, we strive to help our students find their best fit into the world around them.

Blended learning allows students to find their best fit at Dwight as well.”

Blended learning sets a new level of global possibilities for secondary education worldwide. Students attend a Dwight School in person and take a few classes online through Dwight Global. This allows them to have a more flexible schedule to train, practice, or perform — and provides a wider range of class options for all students as well.

“Academically, this means that students get to choose from the widest array of courses, so they can find those that strike the right balance of challenge and approachability,” said Mr. Cunningham. “Students also get to be a part of multiple communities of learners, with the broadest possible geographic reach, while practicing new ways to communicate, make friends, and learn about other perspectives.”

Dwight Global’s Director of Academics and Student Affairs, Elizabeth Hutton, agrees: “The Blended Learning program is a wonderful option for students who enjoy the day-to-day of a brick-and-mortar school while also looking for more flexibility embedded into their weekly schedule — students get the best of both worlds. They have the additional time they need to pursue their passion at a high level, but they are still primarily attending school ‘on the ground’.”

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 37

VISUAL ARTS

Middle School students created a magical world for their Bentley House theater production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. So many students wanted to take part, there were two casts!

38 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 39

SENIOR IB VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION

SPRING VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION GRADES 1-4 AND 6-11

40 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

Sparking Expression COMMUNITY

THROUGH THE VISUAL ARTS During late spring, as students complete their visual arts learning journeys for the year — or at Dwight before graduating — they proudly share their final works with us. These pieces are inspired by their IB studies in the classroom, showcase the skills and techniques they’ve honed across media, and reflect their unlimited creativity and talent.

Here are just a few of the many works crafted by our student-artists:

SENIOR IB FILM FESTIVAL

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 41

Pursuing Passion Projects in

13-YEAR CLUB

In Spark Tank — which is deeply aligned with our School mission to ignite the spark of genius in every child — we fuel innovation for young student-entrepreneurs, who pursue their passion projects. These range from designing new products and starting their own businesses, to making a difference in the lives of others through socially responsible initiatives and non-profit organizations. Along the Spark Tank pathway, participants develop their ideas with guidance, mentorship, and innovation grants from The Dwight School Foundation. They also learn a range of practical and business-related skills, providing invaluable experience and preparation for the working world.

A SIGNATURE PROGRAM Founded in 2015, Spark Tank itself was fueled by the belief that young people shouldn’t have to wait until they’re in college or older to realize the dream of starting their own enterprise — and it quickly became a Dwight signature program. Our School was distinguished as one of the first to empower K-12 students to embark on exciting journeys to develop something of their own imagining and bring it to market.

Over the last eight years, more than 100 students have participated. Oftentimes, students develop projects inspired by their own passions or real-world problems they want to solve — sometimes born from personal experiences — and all learn how they can make an impact now and build a better world through entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. Mirroring the IB design thinking cycle that students learn in the classroom, the Spark Tank development cycle consists of five stages: idea, research, prototype, operations, and launch.

In addition to gaining entrepreneurial skills, students receive validation for their initiative, develop their own voice, build confidence, and forge relationships with mentors. Some of these mentors are members of The Dwight School Foundation’s Spark Tank Committee — industry experts and entrepreneurs in our parent and alumni community, who provide feedback and guidance to students as they develop and pitch their ideas through Spark Tank events every trimester. Last year, Fernando Castellanos (Regina ’19, Fernando ’21, and Mateo ’28), who has served on the Committee since 2015, assumed the role of Chair.

A LOOK AT WHAT WAS SPARKED IN 2022-23 Over 100 students worked on entrepreneurial projects as part of their Design class curriculum and the inaugural Dwight Schools global Sparkathon design competition; and many participated in Spark Tank after school, under the leadership of Matt Moran, Spark Tank Program Director, who has spearheaded the program since its inception. The students who presented their work at Spark Tank events in 2022-23 are: • Polina Nikitina ’23, who wrote a song entitled “Gotham” and created a compelling music video dedicated to her home country of Ukraine under siege. Her goal was to raise awareness of the war and pay tribute to the courage of Ukrainians. Read more about Polina, who received a $1,000 innovation grant for launching her project, on page six.

42 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

INNOVATION

• Mariam Diallo ’25, whose Connecting West to West project aims to raise funds to purchase supplies and educational resources for schools in Guinea. Her goal is to raise awareness about the need to improve education in West Africa.

• Maria Arutyunyan ’25, Danielle Reische ’25, and Grace Capiraso ’25, who took over SustainABLE Start, the organization founded in 2019 by former Dwight students, and rebranded it as Mission Essentials NY, reflecting its expanded mission to distribute hygiene products, clothing, school supplies, food, and more daily necessities to New Yorkers in need.

• Pierce Rovine ’24, who wants to make education about the real estate market more accessible through a website and game called Property Tycoon, where players can invest and buy and sell properties. He passed the idea stage.

• Ethan Cohen ’29, whose idea, NFTs for School Fundraising, is designed to raise money for Dwight, and ultimately enable other schools to do the same, by turning student artwork into NFTs for sale.

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 43

PERFORMING ARTS

• Brent Rosche ’25, Jamie Knox ’25, Adrian Fang ’25, and Antoine Vandewiele ’25, who are collaborating on Access for All, Brent’s grade 10 Personal Project. The aim is to help build computer skills through a curriculum of lessons and interactive projects for younger students and schools in low-income areas. They passed the idea, plan, and prototype stages.

• Alexi Khezri ’25, who wants to develop his tenth grade Personal Project, Algorithmic Trading, by writing and editing code to simulate algorithmic stock trading.

• Zoe Lowenthal ’25 and Francesca Eisenstadt ’25, inspired by their Sparkathon project, SeatheChange, are creating a Dwight club to advocate for a plastic-free community, raise money for the Ocean Conservancy, host clean-up events, and raise awareness to help tackle the plastic pollution crisis. They passed the idea stage, and hope this club will also take root across our global network and at other New York schools.

We look forward to more students bringing their Sparkathon projects to Spark Tank — and to even more young entrepreneurs diving in with their novel ideas and creativity!

44 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

PERFORMING ARTS

DWIGHT’S 13-YEAR CLUB

WELCOMES 12 NEW MEMBERS!

Commencement celebrated the Class of 2023, marking the final milestone in their Dwight educational journeys; among them were 12 seniors who have been part of our community since Kindergarten — members of our 13-Year Club: Matthew Archer-Nieto, Dev Banerji, Jacob Bruner, Victoria Buendia-Serrano, Lucca Ginsburg, Adam Kaplan, Hugo Murray, Andrew Scibilia, Sarp Sevil, Kyra Spahn, Xuan Stabb, and Jack Tonkin.

These “Dwight lifers” have shared a history as long-standing classmates, and before they headed off down their own paths after graduating, we asked them a few questions, hoping to capture a glimpse of their unique interests and Dwight experiences. Here’s what some of them had to say: XUAN STABB What is your spark of genius?

My spark of genius is simply being curious. Since I was young, asking questions has felt as automatic as blinking or breathing. Everything around us has mystery, complexity, and beauty worth investigating deeper. As a result, I find too many things interesting! I haven’t necessarily found that one specific area I’m irrevocably drawn to. However, my spark of genius has manifested so far in my particular love of history, literature, theater, and fencing. In these areas, I find my mind most excited to learn and experiment.

What is your favorite Dwight memory or what have you enjoyed most?

I can’t pin down one memory that encapsulates my Dwight experience. I think that’s because it’s the mundane I’ll remember the most; the little rituals: going to lunch with friends, greeting teachers in the halls, debating with peers during class. Every moment, whether joyous or banal, was filled with a stellar collection of people who all helped build an atmosphere that felt like home.

How has Dwight fostered your spark?

Spending my childhood in Dwight’s Timothy House developed within me the habit of looking at something and saying, “I want to learn more.” What built this habit of being curious was having a curriculum that emphasized empathy.

I distinctly remember teachers using the IB Learner Profile to highlight the importance of caring and kindness. This reminded me that every classmate has a unique story worth listening to. By fostering my curiosity in people, Dwight allowed me to extend that curiosity to specific subjects. Throughout Middle and Upper School, Dwight provided me with intelligent and enthusiastic teachers who strengthened my desire to explore.

HUGO MURRAY What is your spark of genius?

My sparks are business and entrepreneurship.

What college will you attend?

Princeton What might you major in — and possibly consider as a career?

I have no distinct career path in mind, which is why I plan to study virtually everything I can! I am currently undecided, but I plan to take courses in my favorite subjects: history, literature, theater, and chemistry. However, I also want to broaden my skill set by trying new subjects as well, such as film, religion, and economics.

How has Dwight fostered your spark?

Dwight provided me with passionate and diligent teachers, who have helped me to grow and apply Dwight’s education towards my individual interests.

COMMUNITY

What is your favorite Dwight memory or what have you enjoyed most?

One of the best parts about Dwight is the close-knit community. I feel I’ve built great relationships with all my classmates, teachers, and staff and have great memories with all of them.

What college will you attend?

Babson College What might you major in — and possibly consider as a career?

I’ll pursue a degree in business administration and management.

I want to concentrate in real estate and finance, as I consider these the primary directions of my future career.

KYRA SPAHN What is your spark of genius?

My sparks of genius are biology and chemistry.

How has Dwight fostered your spark?

Dwight has fostered my spark of genius by pushing me to ask questions and make connections.

I am also so grateful for all the incredible teachers I’ve had throughout my years at Dwight, and want to extend a special thanks to Dr. Metcalf for fostering my love of biology.

What is your favorite Dwight memory or what have you enjoyed most?

My favorite Dwight memories involve competing on the Mock Trial Team.

I will always remember the countless hours we spent in M15 crafting arguments, attempting to model the trajectory of falling ladders, and trying to come up with metaphors for way-too-specific scenarios. Special shout out to the team for our big win against Dalton!

What college will you attend?

Yale What might you major in — and possibly consider as a career?

I am planning to major in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology with the future goal of pursuing a degree in medicine.

ANDREW SCIBILIA What is your spark of genius?

I don’t really have a specific spark of genius, but if I had to say it would be learning about the world around me.

How has Dwight fostered your spark?

Dwight has allowed me to experience many different styles of learning and various environments, which have enabled me to adapt and grow in many different areas.

46 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

What is your favorite Dwight memory or what have you enjoyed most?

I’ve had so many memories here, too many to count; but if I had to choose one, I’d say when I got up on stage in elementary school during the Moving Up ceremony and literally screamed the chorus of the Dwight School song.

What college will you attend?

American University School of Public Affairs What might you major in — and possibly consider as a career?

I plan to major in political science.

VICTORIA BUENDIA-SERRANO What is your spark of genius?

My sparks are innovation and activism. Through community service work, I’ve realized that my passion is helping people who are less fortunate. I’ve always been taught to leave this world a better place than I found it. In 2020, I founded my nonprofit, Forming Futures, which is focused on helping low-income families in need by providing them with school and hygiene supply kits. So far, we have donated over 67,000 products to 3,579 people and look forward to continuing to help our community.

How has Dwight fostered your spark?

Dwight’s focus on community service from a young age, in addition to the monetary support and valuable feedback from Dwight’s Spark Tank program, helped me to grow as an innovative entrepreneur.

What is your favorite Dwight memory or what have you enjoyed most?

I’ve enjoyed my IB History class the most. Everyone there has such a passion for history and such positive energy, which makes class discussions and projects seem more like fun activities as opposed to actual work.

I’ve especially enjoyed Ms. Poirot’s teaching and how she makes all her lessons engaging. These lessons helped me develop my critical thinking and research skills, which I will apply throughout my college journey.

What college will you attend?

Columbia University What might you major in — and possibly consider as a career?

I aim to major in financial economics with a minor in either chemistry or computer science. My goal is to work in the finance sector, particularly in venture capital.

13-YEAR CLUB

ADAM KAPLAN What is your spark of genius?

My spark of genius has changed numerous times over the past 13 years, but I think I’ve landed on writing.

How has Dwight fostered your spark?

My spark has been fostered through my inspirational English classes and teachers.

What is your favorite Dwight memory or what have you enjoyed most?

I’ve enjoyed growing up alongside many of the same people, but also meeting an influx of new people as each year passed.

What might you major in — and possibly consider as a career?

I plan to major in political science, which I became interested in during my Dwight Global Politics class and has driven me to want to become an ambassador. I am excited to see what the future holds.

MEET MORE MEMBERS OF OUR 13-YEAR CLUB:

Sarp Sevil

What college will you attend?

Union College What might you major in — and possibly consider as a career?

English, but I’m not fully sure yet.

MATTHEW ARCHER-NIETO What is your spark of genius?

My spark is my wish to help others both within and outside my community. I have done so through Dwight service programs, such as Meals on Wheels; and I also created a non-profit with classmates to help people who are less fortunate in New York City, including students who don’t have enough school supplies. Through the non-profit, I hope to give them some of the opportunities that Dwight has given me.

Dev Banerji

Jacob Bruner

How has Dwight fostered your spark?

Dwight fosters sparks by giving students opportunities to explore whatever path they want to pursue. It is the community non-profits that Dwight works with that has given me the chance to find my spark, and the same is true for many of my classmates. I remember going with them to the senior home around the corner to donate lunches and play the music we learned in our Timothy House music class.

What is your favorite Dwight memory or what have you enjoyed most?

It’s our eighth-grade Washington, DC, trip, especially exploring the Washington Monument with all of my friends, which was an experience I will never forget.

I made new friends that have lasted throughout high school. I have gone back to DC and each time I go I feel a sense of nostalgia from that trip. It has had a lasting impact on me and will forever be a memory I cherish.

What college will you attend?

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Lucca Ginsberg

Jack Tonkin

We are, indeed, excited to see what the future holds for all of our 13-year Club members!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 47

Benjamin O’Connor ’23 IN THE THEATER SPOTLIGHT

Senior Benjamin O’Connor has worked tirelessly behind the scenes since Middle School as a member of the technical crew on numerous Dwight theater productions, stepping into the roles of programmer, light board operator, and electrician. Through his hard work and skill, Ben also became the first student lighting designer of our Upper School Mainstage Theater productions this year.

When he first arrived at Dwight in sixth grade, Ben enjoyed learning about the art of theater in Kim Guzowski’s class. A passionate MYP and DP Theater Teacher, Ms. Guzowski had joined Dwight the same year and quickly became an inspirational force for Middle School students through her dedication to expanding our theater program within and beyond the classroom. She encouraged Ben to sign up for her after-school class, introducing students to theater tech, which he took to quickly. As an educator and mentor with her own professional background in theater and the technical disciplines of lighting, sound, and stage management, Ms. Guzowski also tapped professionals in scenic design, carpentry, rigging, and costume fabrication to work with students. She encouraged Ben, and all the afterschool participants, to explore the disciplines that appealed to them most; Ben gravitated to lighting.

“I didn’t have a theater program in my previous school, so I was thankful for this program — and all the opportunities that I’ve had at Dwight — which have opened many doors and had a positive impact on me,” says Ben. “Dwight’s theater program is a really great stepping stone, and Ms. Guzowski and Mr. Christgau, Head of Upper School Theater Productions, are so committed to their student performers and crew.

We all learn so much and work together as an ensemble.”

JOINING THE CREW Ben began working on lighting for his first show, Anon(ymous), with a fellow classmate in seventh grade. This was a Bentley House production,

48 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

which true to all shows in Middle School, includes every student who wants to participate as an actor, designer, director, musician, or technician. Together, they learn and create theater with the help of professional mentors. Ben and his classmates put in lots of hard work over months to plan and execute every aspect of the production.

Others followed, and though he had also lent a hand with sound and in making sets on some other shows, Ben’s focus was always on lighting, partially because of his interest in computer science. “The lighting board is like a big computer, though not programmed with code. The work also draws on some physics with regard to the angles of lights, which I enjoy, and requires hands-on work to hang them.”

As he developed more skills and confidence, Ben continued to sign on for every theater production since Anon(ymous), with the most recent being the Mainstage productions of The Liar and Gypsy. He has also crewed for our seasonal Scene Nights and the IB Directors’ Workshop in which Upper School students showcase the work they do in their theater classes.

THE WORK PAYS OFF Ben has dedicated himself to the technical lighting aspects of theater arts for six years. He describes it as not dissimilar to some of the work he’s done in English class. “We begin by reading and learning about the script, which is just like analyzing texts. We have to understand the vision of the writer — and other artists like the director and the lighting designer — and then make decisions about how we’re going to deliver on that vision based on what the script calls for and the director’s interpretation,” he explains. “We map the show with lots of paperwork and spreadsheets before the more exciting parts enter into the mix, when we program what we want the lights to do. After months of work, it’s great to see how things come together and all the work pays off.”

Ben’s experience has spanned working on lighting cues, programming, operating the light console, hanging the lights, operating the spots,

PERSONALIZED LEARNING and serving as lighting designer. He has learned from Ms. Guzowski; Mr. Christgau, who was previously a theater lighting designer and technician; and professional lighting designers who have collaborated on some Dwight productions, gaining insights from those working in the industry. Ben did the same in summer 2022, when he programmed lights for a performance by the American Liberty Ballet, thanks to Ms. Guzowski, who recommended him to the lighting director.

She tells us, “Ben is a brilliant programmer and technician, and he is incredibly responsible. I would feel very comfortable hiring him professionally! It’s really been quite an amazing experience to work with him and to have been part of his evolution at this level for so many years. Ben is a fantastic inspiration to the generation of technical theater students coming up.”

BEING PRESENT While tech crews are often separated from the work actors are doing on stage, Ben enjoys the feeling of community that comes from being part of Dwight’s theater program. He says, “We always get ready together before every performance to be present in the room for each other.”

Ben has also been there for younger students. In 2022-23, he served as a lighting mentor for those working on Bentley House productions, including a student likely to step into Ben’s shoes in ninth grade to help take on lighting for Upper School productions. When asked what advice he would give to someone thinking about trying their hand on crew, Ben says he would encourage them to reach out to the Theater Department and see what opportunities they have — and then take whatever is available to you. “A lot of my experience, especially early on, came from just saying yes to opportunities.”

“Ben is the first student I have ever found at Dwight with the aptitude, talent, drive, and willingness to do all of the work that a lighting designer must do to be successful,” shares Mr. Christgau. “His receptivity to learning has opened the door and set a standard for what is possible for a Dwight student in theater tech and design. Ben will be appreciated and remembered here for a long time.”

BEYOND THE THEATER When it comes to other interests, Ben has been a member of Dwight’s Varsity Golf Team since tenth grade, which is not surprising since physics also plays a role in both reading the green and making shots. In the classroom, math and science have been tops, with Ben taking DP physics and computer science during senior year. He plans to continue pursuing opportunities in the theater at Cornell University. Enrolled in the School of Engineering, Ben wants to pursue mechanical engineering and possibly aerospace engineering in the future.

Before beginning, Ben had one final Dwight Scene Night left to light in June, where his spark of genius shone brightly before taking his final bow on campus.

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 49

PERSONALIZED LEARNING

Celebrating the Class of

50 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

2023

PERFORMING ARTS

with Lots of Lion Pride and Joy! In a time-honored academic tradition, seniors turned their tassels from right to left and the Class of 2023 became our newest alumni! Their cap toss followed as Riverside Church — filled with family, friends, faculty, and staff — erupted in applause and cheers. This was the culmination of Commencement for both Dwight School and Dwight Global Online School in which 151 students earned their diplomas.

Their big day began with a processional down the aisle to the sound of Pomp and Circumstance played by Vita Zambetti, our Timothy House Music teacher. The smiles of seniors were shining as brightly as their sparks of genius and their pride was palpable. Alexander Cunningham, Dean of Grade 12 in New York, officially ushered in the ceremonies, which marked the conclusion of our 150th-anniversary celebrations. What a great way to cap off our milestone year!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 51

PERSONALIZED LEARNING

In her address to graduates, Dianne Drew, Head of Dwight School and Global Education Director, spoke of their resiliency as the cohort of students who bore the full brunt of COVID-19 and triumphed in its wake. She recognized members of the 13-year Club, or Dwight “lifers,” who have been at Dwight in New York since Kindergarten or earlier; as well as students who have completed all of high school at Dwight Global.

Imparting some final words of advice, Ms. Drew reflected on the theme of generosity and the importance of having “a shared understanding of what generosity can do for a community” when traversing difficult times. She elaborated, quoting something powerful Michael J. Fox, who lives with a very serious health challenge, said: “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable. Optimism will be an important and necessary beacon for our graduates to reach for as you embark on this next chapter of life. Sustaining optimism through the lens of generosity will help shape your lives in ways you may not even realize and undoubtedly, it will carry you through times of significant challenge. … We have great faith in your future success, knowing that the seeds of your pathway ahead have been forged here at Dwight.”

Chancellor Stephen Spahn, marking his 56th Dwight graduation, shared his own words and wishes for the Class of 2023, and in his own time-honored tradition reminded graduates that his door will always be open to them and “they will forever be Dwight.”

Dwight’s Head of Upper School Eric Dale and Associate Head of Dwight Global Shannon Hoffman had the honor of recognizing all award recipients for their outstanding academic achievements, leadership, contributions to our community, and notable talents on the playing field and in the arts.

Two of those students shared their sparks of genius by filling the sanctuary with the sounds of beautiful music: Dwight Global’s Katelyn Moon performed "Marche Miniature Viennoise" on the violin; and Lily Ventura from Dwight New York sang “What I Did for Love,” accompanied by Ms. Zambetti.

The spotlight turned to student-speakers who represented themselves and their fellow members of the Class of 2023: Nathan Smith, recipient of the Dwight Global Leadership Award; Abigail Harrison, Dwight Global Valedictorian; Jacob Bruner, Dwight School Salutatorian; and Kyra Spahn, Dwight School Valedictorian. Each one spoke from the heart about their individual experiences, shared moments with classmates, lessons learned, and appreciation for all those who have supported them on their Dwight educational journeys.

This was an especially memorable moment for Kyra, whose personal journey at Dwight was carved alongside family very close by as the granddaughter of Chancellor Stephen Spahn, and daughter of Vice Chancellor Blake Spahn ’89 and Co-Director of Lower and Middle School Admissions Maryll Spahn. Kyra, like her father before her 34 years prior, later received her Dwight School diploma from her father!

52 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

PERFORMING ARTS

When the time had finally come for the presentation of diplomas, Louisa Childs, Head of Dwight Global Online School, followed by Eric Dale, Head of Upper School at Dwight School, read the names as each student rose to accept theirs with a handshake.

When all of the diplomas were in hand, Dwight Senior Class President Avery Meer, together with Dwight Global’s Senior Class Representative Veronica Torres, led the graduates in turning their tassels, marking their final milestone together.

Following the ceremonies, the Class of 2023 gathered with their guests for a reception in the South Hall for hugs, congratulations, and one last moment together before they all go off to pursue their sparks at the finest colleges and universities around the world.

We look forward to welcoming them back on campus for visits and reunions for many years to come!

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 53

PERSONALIZED LEARNING

CLASS NOTES Bruce Klein ’51 Bruce attended Dwight when the School was located on Park Avenue. He remembers Headmaster Winton Miller as an outstanding leader and role model.

Jan Dorman ’61 “After retiring from my business in 2017, I began a new career as the Director of the New York Senate Higher Education Committee in 2019. Our committee legislatively oversees post-secondary education in NYS (all colleges and universities, public, and private), scholarship, and student opportunity programs, and 56 licensed professions regulated by the NYS

54 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

Education Department. There is much to do after retirement, and it is all good!”

Dwight gave me my superpowers as a writer and fearless public speaker.”

Paul Onish ’64 (Franklin) Paul reminisces about “making jiffy popcorn with the Union burner and breaking the Bell Jar.”

Steven Schecter ’71 (Franklin) “After living in Hong Kong and Manila for more than 20 years, I returned to the U.S. last year. I’m currently in Austin, TX, and working on the next generation of softwaredefined vehicles for Cariad (the software division of Volkswagen) as a Senior Program Manager. I suppose at some point I’ll retire and head back to Asia, but for now I’m having too much fun!”

Steven Silver, MD, MS ’65 (Franklin) Steven is a retired orthopedic surgeon (limb salvage) and health policy analyst living in Longmeadow, MA. Paula Oppenheim Cope ’71 “After 32 years, I’ve finally hit the exit ramp as a management consultant. I’ve had the good fortune to work in 32 states and three countries with 950 clients in all industries.

Palmer Gaget ’73 (Franklin) “I’m a former fashion editor; 20 years ago, I moved from Soho to the East End of Long

knew each other and neighbors would smile and say, ‘hello.’ My photos are about those moments — images of our beloved storefronts and history. Please say hi any time and visit my shop at EtsyPhotos.com.

Love to all, Alice.”

Todd Feltman ’91 “My book, Transforming into a Powerful Third, Fourth, or Fifth Grade Navigator of School Success Handbook, has been published by SchoolRubric. It will help upper elementary school students take charge of their education.”

Nicholas Shaw ’93 Is excited to announce that he recently published a book, My Teacher, My Son: Lessons on Life, Loss, and Love.

Alex Ingram ’00 “In the early stages of the pandemic, my family and I purchased land and a home in Connecticut, where we’re finally feeling comfortable. In addition, our daughter started high school and we’re very excited and proud of all of her accomplishments.”

Andrea von Wunster ’08 Andrea was promoted to Nike Team Partnership Manager Italy, Greece, and Turkey at Nike, Inc. 1976 Dwight yearbook staff

Island to raise my family and haven’t looked back since. I’ve been a real estate agent in the Hamptons for the last decade, maximizing the potential of properties for my clients.”

Bruce Blau ’76 “The Class of 1976 had a networking event on June 13 to gear up for our 50th reunion, which will take place the same weekend as Dwight’s 2026 reunion! While planned only two months prior, we still had 12 out of 42 classmates present.

The 50th will be like our other milestone years with a save the date going out one year

prior and will be hosted by Nina Spiegelman (Cantor), Keith Mascheron, and me.”

Suzannah Blackberg ’81 “I’m a teacher, who is always there for my students to keep them informed and safe, even when I’m not working in the classroom.”

Beth Alice Edelstein ’81 (Franklin) “You might remember me with a camera at Franklin — now I’m a professional photographer. I have a successful Etsy store, ‘The Chick Who Clicks,’ and most of my photos are of New York City. Since being at Franklin, the charm of mom and pop shops has disappeared into giant, personality-less glass towers. I miss the time when people

Naomi Gayner ’20 “Taking theater and my involvement in Dwight plays under the direction of Mr. Christgau, Ms. Guzowski, and Ms. Durham and being part of the Master Theater Program have allowed me to increase my production skills in theater! I have served as a Production Manager for three productions at the E52 Student Theatre at the University of Delaware. I also directed my first show, ‘The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong’ in November.”

Natasha Girshin ’21 “I’m a junior at Brandeis studying Psychology on a pre-med track, planning to add to research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). I’m also following my passion for writing, which started when I led and participated in the Dwight Writers Club.”

In Memoriam Richard Gryte ’48 April 7, 2022 Sarah Doyle Power ’83 (Anglo) October 10, 2023 Jacqueline Morgan ’86 February 19, 2022 Adina Azarian ’91 June 6, 2023 Thomas Craig IV ’02 July 9, 2023 Stephanie Shafir ’12 February 26, 2023

DWIGHT TODAY 2023 | 55

PERSONALIZED LEARNING

Just for Our Toddler Lions:

A NEW YOUNG 2S PROGRAM

It’s never too early to ignite the spark of genius! That’s why we’re excited to have introduced Dwight’s Young 2s Program, formerly known as Small Wonder Next Steps, which is designed for children who turn two between September 1 and January 1 of the academic year and are ready to join a classroom community independent of their trusted adult.

Our Young 2s program runs for the full academic year, providing a wonderful first classroom experience for our littlest lions in a warm and nurturing environment on both our Riverside and 94th Street Campuses. It’s just another one of so many things that make Dwight’s Preschool so special!

56 | DWIGHT TODAY 2023

Annual Report 2022-23 THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Table of Contents Letter from The Dwight School Foundation Board Chair...........................................................59 Letter from the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and Head of School............................................59 Year in Review.................................................................................................................................. 60 Volunteers......................................................................................................................................... 61 The Dwight School Foundation by the Numbers.........................................................................62 Spark Tank.........................................................................................................................................63 Professional Development and Financial Aid............................................................................... 64 Spark Talks.........................................................................................................................................65 Spark 21 Campaign - Capital Giving............................................................................................. 66 Annual Fund.....................................................................................................................................67 International Society................................................................................................................67 Supporters................................................................................................................................ 68

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Senior Gift............................................................................................................................... 70 Parent Giving.............................................................................................................................71 Alumni Giving...........................................................................................................................72 Alumni Parent Giving..............................................................................................................73 Faculty and Staff Giving..........................................................................................................73 Grandparent, Former Faculty and Staff, and Friends Giving........................................................74 Corporate and Foundation Giving..........................................................................................74 Spring Benefit...................................................................................................................................76 Ways to Give....................................................................................................................................80

Established in 1969, The Dwight School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is governed by a Board of Trustees and provides professional development grants to faculty, and financial aid and innovation grants to students.

The Dwight School Foundation Board of Trustees Susan Kessler, Chair Julie Stratopoulos, Treasurer Victoria Alianelli Rachel Bardhan Aileen Bruner Libby Callaway

Andrew Chrisomalis Darly Corniel Sean Gallagher Gillian Hearst Michael Kalnick Hasan Kazmi

Dave Lindsey Amanda Lowenthal John Prentice ’08 Ravi Singh Antonia Koller ’89 Ex-Officio (Alumni Council President)

Dear Parents, Alumni, and Friends of Dwight, Welcome to the 2022-23 Annual Report!

Though we have already made our way through three months of a new school year, we can collectively take stock of the year before. And what a year it was—Dwight’s 150th!

As I think back on this banner year, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be part of such a giving community—in every sense of the word.

Once again, our community came together to raise much-needed funds. This year’s Annual Fund came in at more than $1.4 million! Our community came together to raise spirits as well, through events such as the Volunteer Appreciation Cocktail Reception, Alumni Reunion, and Spring Benefit—which raised an additional $500,000.

Thank you to everyone for everything you do. It is always such a pleasure to work with all of you in support of our wonderful School and students.

Warmly, Susan Kessler (Stephen ’10, William ’14) Board Chair, The Dwight School Foundation

It was wonderful to see our historic School more committed than ever to supporting its students in its 150th year. As we came together to honor the school’s history in this watershed year — at events like the Alumni Reunion and Spring Benefit, in particular — it was wonderful to see the outpouring of support and love for our School.

Your financial support allowed the Foundation to award $1.4 million toward the overall Financial Aid budget, assuring that Dwight continues to provide students with an exceptional education regardless of their financial means. Over 120 professional development grants were awarded to faculty, strengthening the craft of our dedicated teachers.

Our Spark Tank has grown to include more students and a variety of projects, with multiple students developing their own businesses and nonprofits through Dwight’s incubator.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Our community was also very giving of their time, volunteering for Dwight. I’d especially like to highlight those who lent their expertise and insight to the Board of Trustees, Alumni Council, and so many committees.

I thank all of our volunteers, Trustees, and council and committee members for their tireless efforts.

Dear Dwight Community and Friends,

Our community contributed more than financial support. Hundreds of parents, alumni, and alumni parents offered up an even more valuable commodity: their time. So we would like to take a moment to thank our many volunteers, whose work has added so much value to the Dwight experience for our students, parents, and alumni.

This Report shows the continued strength of our School 150 years into its history. We look forward to our next milestones, onwards and upwards!

Best regards,

Stephen Spahn Chancellor

Blake Spahn Vice Chancellor

Dianne Drew Head of School

59

Year in Review Thank You for Supporting The Dwight School Foundation!

Your generosity during 2022-23 made the following possible:

$1.4 million

Over 120 professional development

grants forfaculty

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

in financial aid grants for students

grants for three students

Spark Tank innovation developing their own businesses and nonprofits through Dwight’s incubator, joining who have participated in this program since its founding

100 students

60

Our community gathered virtually and in person for our:

Our volunteers continued to make a difference:

Spring Benefit Spark Talks Spark Tank Events Alumni Reunion Alumni Women’s Circle Alumni Basketball Game Volunteer Appreciation Cocktail Reception

Board of Trustees Alumni Council Annual Fund Committee Senior Gift Committee Spark Tank Committee Spring Benefit Committee Women’s Circle Committee

Volunteers We would like to thank all of our volunteers who so meaningfully supported The Dwight School Foundation’s efforts in 2022-23:

Amanda Lowenthal

Marisa Allan

Denise Marcondes

Ravit Barbi

Jessica Marlin

Rachel Bardhan

Julia Martin Alvarez

Aileen Bruner

Bernadette Mastrangel

Barbara Burns

Daphne Mello

The Alumni Council helps identify and promote meaningful ways for graduates to stay connected with each other and with the School. The Alumni Council President is an Ex-Officio member of the Foundation Board of Trustees.

Libby Callaway

Nicole Nelson ’89

Jessica Capiraso

Caitlin Nussbaum

Fernando Castellanos

Fiona Paltridge

The Annual Fund Committee solicits gifts from Dwight community members to provide critical support for student financial aid, faculty professional development, and Spark Tank innovation grants.

Marco Chimilio ’93

Yi Pan

Linda Cho

Geidy Perez-Storch

Andrew Chrisomalis

John Prentice ’08

Darly Corniel

Zakiya Raines-Heyden

Ann Ferguson

Shobana Rajasekaran

The Spark Tank Committee approves funding for K-12 student projects and provides ongoing mentorship and feedback.

Niesha Foster

Tabish Rizvi

Sean Gallagher

Judith Rotardier-Vasquez

The Spring Benefit Committee solicits auction items, promotes ticket sales, and helps with event planning and logistics.

GaKia George

Zachary Rothfeld ’13

Geri Gerard

Victoria Sanford

The Women’s Circle Committee connects our alumni community of women, supports their professional growth, and creates networking opportunities for sharing career expertise, insights, and resources.

Lisa Goldenberg

Reza Sarbakhsh ’00

Rachel Hayes Gayle ’90

Jessica Schottenstein ’07

Gillian Hearst

Nina Schwartau

Scott Hefler ’97

Jessica Shell

Jeffrey Huart

Damali Shepard

Jayashanmugapriya

Annie Sigal ’93

Jayaveerapandian ’17

Ravi Singh

Michael Kalnick

Julie Stratopoulos

Sonu Kapoor ’17

Brantley Turner

Hasan Kazmi

Eddy van der Paardt

Susan Kessler

Beatriz Warecki

Andrew Klein

Tracy Weiler

Antonia Koller ’89

Tracey White-Knuckles

Amy Landis ’93

Krystle Wilson

Dave Lindsey

Yiqian Zhang

The Dwight School Foundation Board of Trustees advises and works closely with the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Head of School, and Foundation Office to determine how Foundation resources can be best utilized to support the Dwight community.

The Senior Gift Committee solicits gifts from fellow senior parents and helps identify spaces to be named in honor of the graduating class.

The Parents Association Executive Board assists us with promoting Foundation initiatives to the parent body and increasing collaboration. The Parents Association President is an Ex-Officio member of the Foundation Board of Trustees.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Victoria Alianelli

61

The Dwight School Foundation by the Numbers 16% ANNUAL FUND CAPITAL

REVENUE 2022-23

20%

INVESTMENT INCOME (DIVIDENDS, INTEREST, AND NET GAINS ON INVESTMENTS)

54%

SPECIAL EVENTS

Annual Fund...................................... $1,441,941 Capital..............................................$1,247,034

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

10%

FINANCIAL AID GRANTS (PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, FACULTY TRAINING, SPARK TANK, AND SPARK 21 CAMPAIGN PROGRAMS)

EXPENSES 2022-23

34%

8%

62

GENERAL AND ADMIN EXPENSES

58%

Financial Aid.................................. $1,400,000 Professional Development, Faculty Training, Spark Tank, and Spark 21 Campaign Programs..............................$188,080

Spark Tank 2022-23 Spark Tank Committee Fernando Castellanos, Chair Jessica Capiraso Bernadette Mastrangel Tabish Rizvi Eddy van der Paardt

Spark Tank, Dwight’s incubator for K-12 students, is deeply aligned with the School's mission to ignite the spark of genius in every child — and part of what makes a Dwight education so unique. Through the Spark Tank program, students are empowered to learn how they can make a difference and help build a better world through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and service.

This year, The Dwight School Foundation awarded innovation grants to three students developing their own businesses and nonprofits, joining 100 students who have participated in the Spark Tank program since its founding.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

1 2 3 4 5

IDEA

PLAN

PROTOTYPE OPERATIONS

LAUNCH

63

Professional Development

Curriculum Innovation Graduate Studies IB Training

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Non-IB Conferences and Workshops Other (GIN/STEAM) TOTAL

6 12 34 63 14 129

NUMBER OF GRANTS

Professional development enhances the expertise of Dwight faculty and benefits all students. This year, The Dwight School Foundation awarded 129 grants to teachers to pursue the following:

Financial Aid In 2022-23, The Dwight School Foundation awarded $1.4 million in financial aid.

As financial aid awards from the School had increased by 40 percent from 2020-21 to 2022-23, these funds were more important than ever.

64

Spark Talks This virtual series featured innovators and entrepreneurs in the Dwight community who shared their insights and expertise in a wide range of industries. Each speaker was interviewed by a student moderator and answered live questions from the audience. The Foundation hosted three Spark Talks with strong attendance from our entire community and is grateful to all for participating.

Spark Talk Presenters ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Marco Chimilio ’93 Zachary Rothfeld ’13 Brantley Turner

Students in grades 8-12, parents, and alumni are invited to join us for a

Virtual

SPARK TALK

The Stories We Tell on Film: Crafting a Compelling Narrative

Tuesday, January 10 6 pm | Online

Zach Rothfeld ’13 Documentary Producer

Dwight alumnus Zach Rothfeld ’13 is a documentary writer and co-producer. After graduating from Emerson College with a BA in Film, he got his start working on ESPN’s “The Last Dance,” where he selected archival footage for the series chronicling Micha el Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. Curren tly, Mr. Rothfeld is serving as the Co-Producer and Writer for HBO’s “100 Foot Wave,” collaborating with the edit team to craft the series’ narrative about surfing pioneer Garrett McNamara’s quest to conquer a 100-fo ot wave and its transformation of Nazare, Portugal.

Presented by

65

Spark 21 Campaign - Capital Giving With its goal to usher in a new educational era at Dwight, the Spark 21 Campaign continued to invest in Dwight students, faculty, and programs for its final year, funding the following grants:

We are deeply indebted to the following families for their generous gifts to the Spark 21 Campaign: Elizabeth Callaway and Robert Carey The Fribourg Family Foundation Michael C. Kalnick, Esq. Leonard A. Lauder and William P. Lauder Ninah Lynne and Elizabeth Lynne Planet Andrew Pizzo The Spahn Family Julie and Nick Stratopoulos

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

FINANCIAL AID Thanks in part to funds donated to the Spark 21 Campaign, the Foundation awarded $1.4 million in student financial aid in the 2022-23 academic year.

PROGRAMMING Through Foundation funding, the WILD (Wilderness Instruction and Leadership Development) program, an innovative outdoor initiative, continued to foster community, build leadership skills, and help ensure that Dwight students can thrive in any environment.

The Foundation underwrote an Entrepreneur in Residence to impart cuttingedge skills and experience to our faculty and students. This role also supported our first-ever Dwight Schools Global Sparkathon, a weekend-long design competition in which students in grades 6-12 competed in teams against students from other Dwight Schools around the world. In collaboration with the Ocean Conservancy, students were challenged to develop innovative ways to clean up and remove plastic pollution from our oceans and educate the public about the causes of — and urgently needed solutions for — the plastic pollution crisis.

66

Annual Fund The Annual Fund is our main fundraising initiative and supports student financial aid, faculty professional development, and Spark Tank innovation grants.

International Society

The International Society recognizes those who have made leadership gifts to the 2022-23 Annual Fund of $1,872 or more.

The amount of $1,872 signifies the year Dwight was founded.

Presidents’ Circle ($50,000+)

Anonymous (1) Zheng He and Jing Gu The Lindsey Family The McIntosh Family Fund The Spahn Family Root Tree Foundation

Anonymous (2) Anita Arnell ’30 and Hanaco Fujita Sean Gallagher Gillian Hearst Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Kellen, Caroline Kellen ’98, and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation Anthony Ledru and Victoria Alianelli Robert S. and Amanda R. Lowenthal Michael and Alyssa Shabsels Foreign Ministers’ Circle ($15,000-$24,999)

Indrajit and Rachel Bardhan Benjamin and Nicole Dell Ezra and Marlene Field Caroline and Spencer Greenwald Eva Hoffman and Ken Cornick Peter Labbat and Karen Kiehl John F. Prentice ’08, and Acorn Hill Foundation, Inc. The Svarre Family Ambassadors’ Circle ($10,000-$14,999)

Anthony and Diane Arnold

Jeremy and Jessica Shell Consul Generals’ Circle ($5,000-$9,999)

Anonymous (4) Mary Ann Bettin Loren and Moran Brown Chris and Aileen Bruner Jonathan and Christina Dever Paolo Fuschini and Monica Scorcia, in honor of Alessandro Fuschini ’31 Gardner and Ingrid Heidrick Alexa Jervis and Gregory Racz Dan and Kim Kelleher Susan and Peter Kessler The Knox Family KT Elghanayan Fund Scott Landis ’92 and Amy Landis ’93 David and Isabel Lasky Ruth Levine, in honor of Jonah Pintoff ’25 Chelsea and Casey Lynch Joanna and Justin Metz Alan and Lori Nieder Sanket Sant and Saleena Goel-Sant Dr. Jared Sender and Miriam Sender

Presidents’ Circle................................................$50,000+ Prime Ministers’ Circle....................... $25,000-$49,999 Foreign Ministers’ Circle......................$15,000-$24,999 Ambassadors’ Circle............................. $10,000-$14,999 Consul Generals’ Circle............................ $5,000-$9,999 Diplomats’ Circle....................................... $2,500-$4,999 Founders’ Circle.......................................... $1,872-$2,499 Young Explorers’ Circle ............................................ $100+ alumni from the ten most recent classes

Dwight Supporters

Sponsor......................................................... $1,000-$1,871 Advocate.............................................................$500-$999 Contributor........................................................$250-$499 Friend....................................................................up to $249

Charles and Susan Shabsels Robert and Donna Shafir Julie and Nick Stratopoulos Fatima Zohra Sylla Maren and Will Warren Barry and Stacey Wolf Andrew and Kimberly Yoon Diplomats’ Circle ($2,500-$4,999)

Anonymous (5) Albert and Hannah An Scott Brown and Alisha Mahoney Laura and John Charecky Samuel Chenillo and Cecilia Rebolledo Robert Fear George and Diane Fellows, in honor of Michael Orlando ’24 Lisa and Brian Goldenberg Julie Hirschfeld and Bennett Killmer Jay and Jessica Hur Karl and Takae Kamb, in honor of Karl Kamb III Alyssa and Andrew Klein Michelle Kornbleuth and James Chana Radford Klotz and Shahnaz Batmanghelidj Alexei and Jimena Kroujiline

Shawn and Kimberly Lytle, in honor of Dylan Lytle ’25 Daniel Mahoney, in honor of Alisha Mahoney and Scott Brown Aarti Mehendale The Minaev Family, in honor of Konstantin Minaev ’24 Diana and Jürgen Nott Daniel and Fiona Paltridge Stamatis and Nicoleta Reves Isabelle Riviere and Michel Sadelain Tracy and Scott Sigal ’95 Kate Solomon Lyle and Jill Wilpon

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Prime Ministers’ Circle ($25,000-$49,999)

Sharon and Jon Corzine Benson and Erika Kutrieb Alan and Diane Lieberman, in honor of Penny Binn ’24 MGR Foundation Brett and Elizabeth Milgrim The Nawrocki Family Maria Pappalardo Katherine Lehman and Arthur Samuels III

International Society Leadership Circle

Founders’ Circle ($1,872-$2,499)

Anonymous (4) Selma Bueno Louisa Childs and Philipp Smaylovsky Giles and Ellen Clarke Steve Haislet and Karen Strehle Meridith and Shannon Hill Marla Kessler Geralyn and Tyler Lucas The Mockingbird Foundation The Parker Family Candace and Jonathan Perkin Erika and Scott Pintoff

67

2022-23 Annual Fund Committee Gillian Hearst, Co-Chair Julie Stratopoulos, Co-Chair Marisa Allan Linda Cho Darly Corniel

Liliana Rodriguez and Michael Berkowitz Pavan and Deepa Tripathi Eric and Tanya Weisleder Jin Zhang and Yi Pan

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Young Explorers’ Club ($100+ alumni from ten most recent classes) Benjamin C. Alpert ’18 Cormac D. Bradley ’22 Moctar Niang ’15

Supporters Sponsor ($1,000-$1,871) Anonymous (6) Yordan Angelov and Aoi Yamagishi Vasily and Olga Baskin Hugh Brennan Barbara Burns and Mul Mathews Jack Callaway The Chrisomalis Family Hyuk Jin Chung Danielle Curi and Max Herrnstein Hubert and Mathilde de Lambilly Alessandra and Alfredo Deza Dianne Drew and Dr. Alex Phan Bonnie Eissner and Joseph O'Connor Arnaud and Valerie Fallevoz Aaron and Niesha Foster Claudia Frederico and Francisco Prisco Richard C. Goodwin ’46 Ziad Hammodi and Reyna Payero

68

Lisa Goldenberg Andrew Klein Amanda Lowenthal Denise Marcondes Daphne Mello

Fiona Paltridge Yi Pan Annie Sigal ’93 Jessica Shell Tracy Weiler

Charles and Keli Hoppenstein Rhian Horgan and Garrett

Anonymous, in honor of the

Contributor

Spahn Family

($250-$499)

Camporine

AmazonSmile

Anonymous (9)

Kenneth and Barbara Jackson Michael C. Kalnick, Esq. Mona and Nasir Khan Nakul Krishnaswamy and Piyali

Andrew Atkins and Erin O'Hara

Aida Ahmetaj-Regjaj and Burim

Meg and Jay Axelrod

Regjaj

Juan Manuel Barbera and

The Arnaboldi Family Cormac D. Bradley ’22

Kothari

Veronica Arnolfo Tiki and Jeremy Barnes

Anders and Susanne la Cour Frances Langenhahn Kara and Dan Margolis Arun and Tara Mathew Julian Medina and Annie Sigal ’93 Gabriel and Daphne Mello Agnes and Hubert Mosejczuk Steven Newman Jenny and Jeremy Novak Norman and Sandy Pessin, in honor of Morgan Elefant ’24

Dr. Bruce B. Blau, DDS ’76 Uri and Iris Carmel John and Chanley Davis Becca Everly and Chris Harland Simmons Furlati Ian and Maxine Goldman Laurie and Howard Kaminsky Garry Kasparov and Dasha Kasparova Tom Krouwer

Barry and Sandra Berkowitz Elizabeth Callaway and Robert Carey Heather Mason Carter Linda Cho, in honor of Henry Brennan ’29 and Callie Brennan ’34 Yoo Chung and Inae Lim The Diaz Noguerol Family Jun Dong and Xue Ting Li Thomas and Gina Gray Lyn and David Grogan

Abhinay and Parul Poonja Stefanie and Darryl Romanoff Lynda Rovine ’83 and Josh Rovine Alessandro and Maria Scarsini Eric and Meredith Scharf Craig and Stacey Shapiro, in

Dwayne Lashley and Takara

honor of Matthew Shapiro ’26

Toscano

The Shapiro Family, in honor of

Liana Pai and Geoffrey Quelle

Ari Shapiro ’30

Dino and Evelyn Paparelli

Eric Shuffler and Amy Bressler Eric and Michele Streck William Strong Jaime Suarez and Gabriela Herrera,

Chris and Patresse Phillips

in honor of Rebecca Suarez ’28

The Rosengren Family

Joseph and Bridget Tichar Vanessa Wilson

Jon and Sharmee Mah

Shira and Allen Rubinstein

The Olesen Family

David and Silvana Torres

The Pepori Family

Advocate ($500-$999) Anonymous (12)

Jens Ulff-Moller and Susan

Gregory Petrick and Cynthia

Boynton

Smith

Christopher and Tracey White

Ron and Laura Posner

Strong-Lashley Mitchell Levine Fernando and Wendie Lopez Alexis and Lee Martinez Stella Mkrtchian and David

Scott and Cynna Plantz Philippa and Larry Portnoy Keren and Steven Rosenblum ’93

Robert Hayes, in honor of Amelia and Lucy Gayle Scott A. Hefler ’97 Adam Heltzer and Jacquie Sandberg Markus and Christelle Hirnigel Craig and Jean Horenstein Asli Yigit Isiker Faika and Robert Jackson Vinay and Vinita Kapoor Elana Katz The Kiernan Family Joshua Kigel and Ann Tilley

Supporters Ronald Shechtman and Carolyn Meadow Daniel and Michelle Silver Mr. Harry Toung and Dr. Dorothy Lebeau Zach and Michelle Williams Yan Yan Xi and Ryan Oliveri Michael and Sasha Zolik Kate and Dmitri Zolotkovsky

Reza Sarbakhsh ’00 and Samar Keshavarz Elizabeth Schiff, in honor of Brian Kaufman ’09 and Jacob Kaufman ’10 Adriaan Scholvinck ’03 Jessica Schottenstein ’07 Christopher Scott-Hansen Zachary Shapiro Damali Shepard The Singer-Zhou Family Rebecca Skinner and Jeffrey Joslin Shiqin Song and Yi Zhang Irshad and Shamim Sumar Ms. Lori Taylor and Mr. Mark Miller Bill Thomashower, Franklin ’66 Anthony and Sara Turilli Fabrizio and Francesca Uguzzoni Bunny Varrichio Nelson Vasquez and Judith Rotardier-Vasquez Caroline Venturini The Wagners, in honor of Jeb Wagner ’29 and Jemima Wagner ’33 William and Anne Wagner Sarah Waldron Michael, Ellie, Charlie, and Teddy Wiesenfeld Richard S. Wilson ’53 Christoph Winkler and Tsedale Melaku Elaine Yudkovitz and Jeffrey Levine

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Friend (up to $249) Anonymous (22) Christine Allen Benjamin C. Alpert ’18 Debra and Daniel Alpert The Anderson-Song Family Wallace Arthur, Franklin ’49 Madison M. Awalt Caroline Axelrod ’03 John Bandman, Anglo ’84 Arnold Barkman, Franklin ’59 John R. Bartram, Franklin ’73 Sian and David Beal Shelby Berry Jaya Bhavnani Elizabeth Billard Agnes Bisselle Daniel Bjelis Paul Boghossian and Tamsin Shaw The Brinzer Family Colleen Brown Eduardo O. Capeluto Candace Cardwell Terrence Christgau Eric R. Dale Enrico and Sara Dalla Mora Ms. Darzy Pamela Estes The Faucqueur Family Allison Feldman Shauna Fitzmahan Alvin and Lydia Foster Caroline Crosson Gilpin Polly Giragosian Jennie Goldstein and Benjamin Moaba Carol Manning Graham ’74 Richard Guberman ’85 Claudia Guerra

Danya and Michael Haber Jacob Hadjigeorgis ’02 and Aphroditi Hadjigeorgis Annette B. Harchik Elliott and Gail Hefler Pamela Hellman Shellee Hendricks The Imerman Family Robert W. Jarvis Amanda and Zach Katagiri, in honor of Alden Katagiri ’35 Shane Koball Antonia Koller ’89 Laurie Krasik ’94 John Kunin ’81 Johan and Masami T. Le Tenoux Monica B. Leardi ’80 Robyn Levinson and Jason Rowley Barry and Harriet Lipsitz, in honor of Brent Lipsitz ’07 Stephen J. Lurie, Franklin ’74 Janet Manu Sarah Mattingly Scott and Sarah May Suzy Nachman Mercado ’82 Olivia Merrick-Haight and Christopher Haight Amy Shapiro Moffatt ’77 Matthew Moran Alicia P. Morris Andrew and Anne Namm, in honor of Blain Namm ’97 Elaine Natalicchi Moctar Niang ’15 Leslie Norton Meredith Nuber James and Patricia O'Hara Paula Oppenheim Cope ’71 and Timothy Cope Carole Ostroff, in honor of Gregg A. Ostroff ’97 Stephen Presti Moira Price Miri and Daniel Radomski Rayna Rapp Laurie and John Reische Tom and Katie Salvatore Victoria Sanford and Raul Figueroa-Sarti

69

Senior Gift Grade 12 families direct their Annual Fund donations to a specific purpose or part of the School to be dedicated in their honor. The Class of 2022 directed their gift to name plaques on a stairwell at Dwight’s Main Campus, and the Class of 2023 named the new cafeteria. This naming tradition will serve as a lasting legacy and source of pride for alumni, especially when they return to campus.

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Class of 2023 Senior Gift Donors Anonymous (2) Chris and Aileen Bruner Samuel Chenillo and Cecilia Rebolledo Giles and Ellen Clarke The Diaz Noguerol Family Bonnie Eissner and Joseph O'Connor Jenny and Jeremy Novak Liana Pai and Geoffrey Quelle The Pepori Family Victoria Sanford and Raul Figueroa-Sarti The Spahn Family Nelson Vasquez and Judith Rotardier-Vasquez, in honor of Julian Joaquin Vasquez '23 Andrew and Kimberly Yoon

70

Class of 2023 Senior Gift Committee Aileen Bruner Rachel Hayes Gayle ’90 Judith Rotardier-Vasquez Victoria Sanford

Parent Giving The Faucqueur Family Robert Fear Ezra and Marlene Field Aaron and Niesha Foster Simmons Furlati Paolo Fuschini and Monica Scorcia, in honor of Alessandro Fuschini ’31 Sean Gallagher Eric and Rachel Gingold Lisa and Brian Goldenberg Ian and Maxine Goldman Thomas and Gina Gray Caroline and Spencer Greenwald Claudia Guerra Danya and Michael Haber Jacob Hadjigeorgis ’02 and Aphroditi Hadjigeorgis Steve Haislet and Karen Strehle Ziad Hammodi and Reyna Payero Becca Everly and Chris Harland Zheng He and Jing Gu Gillian Hearst Gardner and Ingrid Heidrick Adam Heltzer and Jacquie Sandberg Meridith and Shannon Hill Markus and Christelle Hirnigel Julie Hirschfeld and Bennett Killmer Eva Hoffman and Ken Cornick Charles and Keli Hoppenstein Craig and Jean Horenstein Rhian Horgan and Garrett Camporine Jay and Jessica Hur Asli Yigit Isiker Alexa Jervis and Gregory Racz Karl and Takae Kamb, in honor of Karl Kamb III Laurie and Howard Kaminsky Vinay and Vinita Kapoor Garry Kasparov and Dasha Kasparova Amanda and Zach Katagiri, in honor of Alden Katagiri ’35 Dan and Kim Kelleher Marla Kessler Mona and Nasir Khan

The Kiernan Family Joshua Kigel and Ann Tilley Alyssa and Andrew Klein The Knox Family Shane Koball Michelle Kornbleuth and James Chana Laurie Krasik ’94 Alexei and Jimena Kroujiline Benson and Erika Kutrieb Anders and Susanne la Cour Peter Labbat and Karen Kiehl Scott Landis ’92 and Amy Landis ’93 Frances Langenhahn Dwayne Lashley and Takara Strong-Lashley David and Isabel Lasky Johan and Masami T. Le Tenoux Anthony Ledru and Victoria Alianelli Robyn Levinson and Jason Rowley Fernando and Wendie Lopez Robert S. and Amanda R. Lowenthal Geralyn and Tyler Lucas Chelsea and Casey Lynch Shawn and Kimberly Lytle, in honor of Dylan Lytle ’25 Jon and Sharmee Mah Janet Manu Kara and Dan Margolis Alexis and Lee Martinez Arun and Tara Mathew Scott and Sarah May The McIntosh Family Fund Julian Medina and Annie Sigal ’93 Gabriel and Daphne Mello Joanna and Justin Metz MGR Foundation Brett and Elizabeth Milgrim The Minaev Family, in honor of Konstantin Minaev ’24 Stella Mkrtchian and David Toscano Alicia P. Morris Agnes and Hubert Mosejczuk The Nawrocki Family

Steven Newman Alan and Lori Nieder Diana and Jürgen Nott Jenny and Jeremy Novak The Olesen Family Liana Pai and Geoffrey Quelle Daniel and Fiona Paltridge Dino and Evelyn Paparelli Maria Pappalardo The Pepori Family Candace and Jonathan Perkin The Brinzer Family Erika and Scott Pintoff Scott and Cynna Plantz Abhinay and Parul Poonja Ron and Laura Posner Miri and Daniel Radomski Laurie and John Reische Stamatis and Nicoleta Reves Isabelle Riviere and Michel Sadelain Liliana Rodriguez and Michael Berkowitz Stefanie and Darryl Romanoff Root Tree Foundation Keren and Steven Rosenblum ’93 The Rosengren Family Lynda Rovine ’83 and Josh Rovine Shira and Allen Rubinstein Victoria Sanford and Raul Figueroa-Sarti Sanket Sant and Saleena Goel-Sant Alessandro and Maria Scarsini Eric and Meredith Scharf Dr. Jared Sender and Miriam Sender Michael and Alyssa Shabsels Craig and Stacey Shapiro, in honor of Matthew Shapiro ’26 The Shapiro Family, in honor of Ari Shapiro ’30 Jeremy and Jessica Shell Damali Shepard Eric Shuffler and Amy Bressler Tracy and Scott Sigal ’95 Daniel and Michelle Silver The Singer-Zhou Family Kate Solomon

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Anonymous (45) Aida Ahmetaj-Regjaj and Burim Regjaj Albert and Hannah An The Anderson-Song Family Yordan Angelov and Aoi Yamagishi The Arnaboldi Family Anita Arnell ’30 and Hanaco Fujita Anthony and Diane Arnold Andrew Atkins and Erin O'Hara Juan Manuel Barbera and Veronica Arnolfo Tiki and Jeremy Barnes Vasily and Olga Baskin Sian and David Beal Paul Boghossian and Tamsin Shaw Loren and Moran Brown Scott Brown and Alisha Mahoney Chris and Aileen Bruner Selma Bueno Barbara Burns and Mul Mathews Eduardo O. Capeluto Candace Cardwell Uri and Iris Carmel Heather Mason Carter Laura and John Charecky Samuel Chenillo and Cecilia Rebolledo Linda Cho, in honor of Henry Brennan ’29 and Callie Brennan ’34 Yoo Chung and Inae Lim Hyuk Jin Chung Giles and Ellen Clarke Danielle Curi and Max Herrnstein Enrico and Sara Dalla Mora John and Chanley Davis Benjamin and Nicole Dell Alessandra and Alfredo Deza The Diaz Noguerol Family Jun Dong and Xue Ting Li Dianne Drew and Dr. Alex Phan Bonnie Eissner and Joseph O'Connor Arnaud and Valerie Fallevoz

71

Parent Giving (cont.)

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Shiqin Song and Yi Zhang The Spahn Family Julie and Nick Stratopoulos Eric and Michele Streck William Strong Jaime Suarez and Gabriela Herrera, in honor of Rebecca Suarez ’28 Irshad and Shamim Sumar The Svarre Family Fatima Zohra Sylla Ms. Lori Taylor and Mr. Mark Miller Joseph and Bridget Tichar David and Silvana Torres Mr. Harry Toung and Dr. Dorothy Lebeau Pavan and Deepa Tripathi Anthony and Sara Turilli Fabrizio and Francesca Uguzzoni Jens Ulff-Moller and Susan

Boynton

Nelson Vasquez and Judith Rotardier-Vasquez

The Wagners, in honor of Jeb Wagner ’29 and Jemima Wagner ’33

Maren and Will Warren

Eric and Tanya Weisleder

Christopher and Tracey White Michael, Ellie, Charlie, and Teddy Wiesenfeld

Zach and Michelle Williams Lyle and Jill Wilpon

Christoph Winkler and Tsedale Melaku

Barry and Stacey Wolf

Yan Yan Xi and Ryan Oliveri Andrew and Kimberly Yoon Jin Zhang and Yi Pan

Michael and Sasha Zolik

Kate and Dmitri Zolotkovsky

Alumni Giving Anonymous (3)

Benjamin C. Alpert ’18

Wallace Arthur, Franklin ’49 Caroline Axelrod ’03

John Bandman, Anglo ’84

Arnold Barkman, Franklin ’59 John R. Bartram, Franklin ’73 Dr. Bruce B. Blau, DDS ’76 Cormac D. Bradley ’22

Richard C. Goodwin ’46

72

Scott A. Hefler ’97

John F. Prentice ’08, and Acorn

Antonia Koller ’89

Keren and Steven Rosenblum ’93

Laurie Krasik ’94 John Kunin ’81

Scott Landis ’92 and Amy Landis ’93

Monica B. Leardi ’80

Stephen J. Lurie, Franklin ’74 Suzy Nachman Mercado ’82

Carol Manning Graham ’74

Amy Shapiro Moffatt ’77

Jacob Hadjigeorgis ’02 and

Paula Oppenheim Cope ’71 and

Richard Guberman ’85

Moctar Niang ’15

Aphroditi Hadjigeorgis

Timothy Cope

Hill Foundation, Inc.

Lynda Rovine ’83 and Josh Rovine

Reza Sarbakhsh ’00 and Samar Keshavarz

Adriaan Scholvinck ’03

Jessica Schottenstein ’07 Annie Sigal ’93

Tracy and Scott Sigal ’95 The Spahn Family

Bill Thomashower, Franklin ’66 Richard S. Wilson ’53

Alumni Council

Antonia Koller ’89, President Annie Sigal ’93, Vice President Marco Chimilio ’93 Scott Hefler ’97 Jayashanmugapriya Jayaveerapandian ’17 Sonu Kapoor ’17 Amy Landis ’93 Reza Sarbakhsh ’00 Jessica Schottenstein ’07

Alumni Parent Giving Anonymous (4) Debra and Daniel Alpert Meg and Jay Axelrod Juan Manuel Barbera and Veronica Arnolfo Indrajit and Rachel Bardhan Terrence Christgau Giles and Ellen Clarke Hubert and Mathilde de Lambilly Jonathan and Christina Dever Pamela Estes Lisa and Brian Goldenberg Lyn and David Grogan

Robert Hayes, in honor of

Barry and Harriet Lipsitz, in

Elliott and Gail Hefler

Andrew and Anne Namm, in

Mr. and Mrs. Michael M.

Elaine Natalicchi

Amelia and Lucy Gayle

Faika and Robert Jackson

Kellen, Caroline Kellen ’98, and the Anna-Maria and

honor of Brent Lipsitz ’07

Elizabeth Schiff, in honor of

Brian Kaufman ’09 and Jacob Kaufman ’10

honor of Blain Namm ’97

Robert and Donna Shafir

Carole Ostroff, in honor of

Meadow

Ronald Shechtman and Carolyn

Gregg A. Ostroff ’97

Rebecca Skinner and Jeffrey

Gregory Petrick and Cynthia

William and Anne Wagner

Tom Krouwer

Chris and Patresse Phillips

Vanessa Wilson

The Lindsey Family

Rayna Rapp

Stephen Kellen Foundation

Daniel and Fiona Paltridge

Batmanghelidj

Smith

Radford Klotz and Shahnaz

Mitchell Levine

Philippa and Larry Portnoy

Joslin

Eric and Tanya Weisleder

Elaine Yudkovitz and Jeffrey Levine

Faculty and Staff Giving Eric R. Dale Ms. Darzy Alessandra and Alfredo Deza Dianne Drew and Dr. Alex Phan Allison Feldman Shauna Fitzmahan Caroline Crosson Gilpin Danya and Michael Haber Annette B. Harchik Pamela Hellman Shellee Hendricks Robert W. Jarvis Amanda and Zach Katagiri, in honor of Alden Katagiri ’35

Joshua Kigel and Ann Tilley Katherine Lehman and Arthur Samuels III Robyn Levinson and Jason Rowley Sarah Mattingly Scott and Sarah May Olivia Merrick-Haight and Christopher Haight Matthew Moran Alicia P. Morris Meredith Nuber Ron and Laura Posner Stephen Presti

Liliana Rodriguez and Michael Berkowitz Zachary Shapiro The Singer-Zhou Family Shiqin Song and Yi Zhang The Spahn Family Ms. Lori Taylor and Mr. Mark Miller Caroline Venturini Sarah Waldron Michael, Ellie, Charlie, and Teddy Wiesenfeld Kate and Dmitri Zolotkovsky

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Anonymous (5) Christine Allen Madison M. Awalt Shelby Berry Jaya Bhavnani Elizabeth Billard Agnes Bisselle Daniel Bjelis Colleen Brown Candace Cardwell Laura and John Charecky Louisa Childs and Philipp Smaylovsky Terrence Christgau

73

Grandparent, Former Faculty and Staff, and Friends Giving Anonymous (5) Anonymous, in honor of the Spahn Family Barry and Sandra Berkowitz Mary Ann Bettin Hugh Brennan Jack Callaway Elizabeth Callaway and Robert Carey The Chrisomalis Family Sharon and Jon Corzine KT Elghanayan Fund

George and Diane Fellows, in honor of Michael Orlando ’24 Alvin and Lydia Foster Polly Giragosian Caroline Crosson Gilpin Jennie Goldstein and Benjamin Moaba Robert Hayes, in honor of Amelia and Lucy Gayle The Imerman Family Kenneth and Barbara Jackson Michael C. Kalnick, Esq.

Corporate and Foundation Giving THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Anonymous (1) Acorn Hill Foundation, Inc. ADP AmazonSmile Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation Apple Ardea Cares Charitable Contribution The Axelrod Family Foundation Bank of America Matching Gift Program The Conestoga Road Foundation Ellington Management Group The Fribourg Family Foundation Goldman Sachs Gives Goodwin Foundation

74

Google Inc. Henry Luce Foundation HSBC Bank USA JP Morgan Chase KKR KT Elghanayan Fund MGR Foundation Mockingbird Foundation Morgan Stanley The Parker Foundation Piper Sandler Companies PwC Root Tree Foundation The Sharon Levine Foundation Shashoua Family Foundation Soros Fund Management Tiffany & Co. Tower Research Capital

Elana Katz Nakul Krishnaswamy and Piyali Kothari Ruth Levine, in honor of Jonah Pintoff ’25 Alan and Diane Lieberman, in honor of Penny Binn ’24 Daniel Mahoney, in honor of Alisha Mahoney and Scott Brown Aarti Mehendale James and Patricia O'Hara

The Parker Family Norman and Sandy Pessin, in honor of Morgan Elefant ’24 Tom and Katie Salvatore Christopher Scott-Hansen Charles and Susan Shabsels Bunny Varrichio

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

75

Spring Benefit At our 2023 Spring Benefit, we celebrated Dwight’s 150th anniversary with over 300 members of our community. The evening included a spectacular auction, dinner and dancing, and a live fundraising appeal and raised $500,000 in support of student financial aid, faculty professional development, and Spark Tank innovation grants.

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

We also heard from Joshua Kigel, Director of Quest and Special Studies, about Dwight’s commitment to personalized learning and the impact of professional development on his team; and students Lily Ventura ’23 and Layla Purovic ’23. Lily sang a beautiful rendition of “All That Matters” from Finding Neverland, and Layla spoke about her invaluable experiences since 8th grade and what she believes sets the Dwight community apart.

We are incredibly grateful to our Spring Benefit Co-Chairs, Darly Corniel, Aileen Bruner, and Geidy PerezStorch, and to the entire committee. We are also grateful to our donors, guests, and volunteers for their participation and generosity.

76

Spring Benefit Spring Benefit Donors Faculty Ticket and Event Underwriters Samuel Chenillo and Cecilia Rebolledo The Chrisomalis Family Gillian Hearst Dan and Kim Kelleher Nitin and Elena Saksena Julie and Nick Stratopoulos Live Appeal Donors Anonymous (1) Andreas Bauer and Gina BaracBauer Phil and Meredith Berkowitz Augusto Carrizo and Fausta Ballesteros Rhian Horgan and Garrett Camporine James Hudson and Silvia Schwarzer Jay and Jessica Hur James Kaplan and Amy Egger Antonia Koller ’89

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Tiered Tickets Anonymous (1) Chris and Aileen Bruner Benjamin and Nicole Dell Charles and Keli Hoppenstein Susan and Peter Kessler Lola Koch Robert S. and Amanda R. Lowenthal Shawn and Kimberly Lytle, in honor of Dylan Lytle ’25 Declan MacManus and Diana Krall MGR Foundation Martin and Caitlin Nussbaum Ivan Pavlovich and Amanda Shinall Geidy Perez-Storch and Oliver Storch Root Tree Foundation The Svarre Family Brien and Mary Wassner

77

Spring Benefit

THE DWIGHT SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Anthony Ledru and Victoria Alianelli David Lindsey Jr. ’18 Jackie Ray Lindsey Jessica A. Lindsey Michael and Sarah London The McIntosh Family Fund Julian Medina and Annie Sigal ’93 Andrew and Shanna Milman Dana O'Keefe and Lisa Ostberg Johannes and Anna Oosthuizen Geidy Perez-Storch and Oliver Storch Khan Sakeeb Anwar and Zarin Anika Jeremy and Jessica Shell The Spahn Family Justin and Hillary Wyatt Kate and Dmitri Zolotkovsky In-kind Donors Anonymous (3) Lisa Abrahamson and John Arne Wang Aida Ahmetaj-Regjaj The Allan Family

78

Tara Allmen, MD Tanja Andrejasic Wechsler The Aquino Family Filippo Arnaboldi Axiom Learning Barbazzano L.P. Bastille Flowers NYC Bell Family Company Phil and Meredith Berkowitz Bespoke Brows NYC Beyond Basics Physical Therapy and Wellness x Nature Bruce B. Blau, D.D.S. ’76 Book Nook Enrichment Bow Bridge Blooms Bradford Renaissance Portraits Chris and Aileen Bruner Garrett Camporine and Rhian Horgan Michael and Jessica Capiraso Carnegie Hill Test Prep Catbird The Cavalli Family Champions Martial Arts Upper West Side Chess at Three

Classic Kids Photography Club Getaway Darly Corniel and Brian Gurski, on behalf of Sebastian Gurski-Corniel '29 Ken Davenport and Tracy Weiler Josh and Cristina Diamond Dianne Drew Dwight School Eataly Eli's Night Shift Elite Island Resorts EmilybyEmily Arnaud and Valerie Fallevoz Todd Feltman ’91 FFF Academy Soccer Camp FineWomen Productions Juliya Fisher, MD FAAD Sean Gallagher Pam Goldberg Barry Gragg Zakiya Raines Heyden Charlie and Keli Hoppenstein Jay and Jessica Hur ILevel, Inc

InHouse Test Prep Institute of Culinary Education IT Cosmetics Jane Mogel Interior Design Jose Andres Group Dasha and Garry Kasparov Kiehls Since 1851 The Kraus Family Christopher Lapczynski and Jessica Marlin, in honor of Blake Lapczynski and Dillon Lapczynski ’34 Kiyoko Layne Leshem Loft LLC Loftie Robert S. and Amanda R. Lowenthal Maison Pickle Christina Marschik Mathnasium Manhattan Julian Medina and Annie Sigal ’93 Daphne Mello Delphine Michaud The Minaev Family Modern Age

Spring Benefit 2023 Spring Benefit Committee Aileen Bruner, Co-Chair Darly Corniel, Co-Chair Geidy Perez-Storch, Co-Chair

Prestige Prep Kim Pritsker Prohibition Eddie and Fatmira Purovic ’93 Greg Racz and Alexa Jervis Miri and Daniel Radomski Meghan Rafferty Vasco and Ines Ribeiro Roberto Falck Photography Daniel and Lisa Rose Judith Rotardier-Vasquez Rowe Plastic Surgery Rutheny Jewelry Dr. Sandip Sachar, Sachar Dental NYC

Jessica Marlin Bernadette Mastrangel Caitlin Nussbaum Zakiya Raines-Heyden Nina Schwartau Damali Shepard Akshie and Tejas Shah Amy Shapiro Soyulla Artists Maryll and Blake Spahn ’89 Joe, Jenny, Mason and Lola Squires Stretchlab The Svarre Family SwimJim, Inc. Teachers Who Tutor NYC Eric Thomas and Julie Bryant Tiffany & Co. Todd Haiman Landscape Design Tribeca Language

Annie Sigal ’93 Beatriz Warecki Krystle Wilson Yiqian Zhang

Isabel Turban and Facundo Vazquez The Ueng Family Lawrence Ullman VHG Group Ms. Lesa Wang, Mr. Zach Horvet, and Mr. Reid Bingham Beatriz Warecki and Eddy Van der Paardt Amanda Wooden Woodloch Resort Lori and Michael York Rocio Zapata

ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

Moët Hennessy The Newkirk Family Kristin Tarsi Nordstrom NYC The Novick Family NYC Elite Gymnastics Liana Pai Maria Pappalardo Pinnacle Prep Dr. George Pliakas at Central Park Orthodontics PortfolioWorks Premier Chess Stephen Presti and Sorush Panahi

Victoria Alianelli Barbara Burns Linda Cho Niesha Foster GaKia George Geri Gerard

79

Ways to Give The Dwight School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. There are several ways to contribute to the Annual Fund, and we are grateful for your consideration: ONLINE Please visit give.dwight.edu

BY WIRE Please contact Moira Price at 646.400.0314 or mprice@dwight.edu for instructions

BY MAIL Checks should be made out to The Dwight School Foundation and mailed to: The Dwight School Foundation 144 Riverside Boulevard New York, NY 10069

BY PHONE Please call the Foundation Office at 646.400.0314 GIFTS OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES/STOCK A gift of appreciated stock, which has been held for more than one year, allows you to avoid the capital gains tax on the appreciation. It also qualifies you for an income tax charitable deduction based on the fair-market value of the stock on the date that you make the gift. Please contact Moira Price at 646.400.0314 or mprice@dwight.edu to make a gift in this way.

MATCHING GIFTS You may be able to double or triple your gift! If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer and send it (completed and signed) with your gift to The Dwight School Foundation. Please contact Moira Price at 646.400.0314 or mprice@dwight.edu if you have any questions.

Foundation Office Moira Price Foundation Director Aggie Bisselle Donor Relations and Stewardship Manager Olivia Merrick-Haight Director of Alumni and Foundation Engagement Meredith Nuber Director of Special Events This report gratefully acknowledges gifts received between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. While best efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of this report, please notify Moira Price, Foundation Director, if there are any errors or omissions at mprice@dwight.edu or 646.400.0314.

Photography by: Dianna Bush | Stomping Ground | Da Ping Luo | Dwight School staff Produced by The Dwight School Foundation and Communications Department The Dwight School Foundation 144 Riverside Boulevard | New York, NY 10069 646-400-0314

We had a wonderful time last Spring celebrating one of our favorite Dwight School traditions — our annual Moving Up Ceremony! On this happy occasion, Lions of all ages gathered one last time before Summer break to recognize accomplishments, share musical talents, and cheer on our students as they officially move into the next grade.

Together, we sang our Dwight School song with heaps of pride!

291 Central Park West New York, NY 10024

212.724.6360 dwight.edu

It’s always colorful and creative for Lion cubs in Dwight Preschool!