Trinity-Pawling Spring 2019 Magazine

maga zine | spring 2019

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE THE COMMUNICATOR THE COLLABORATOR THE CREATIVE THINKER A SELF-AWARE PERSON AN ETHICAL CITIZEN

ON THE AIR RADIO TRADITION AT TRINITY-PAWLING

ROBERT M. “STRETCH” GARDINER ’40 IN MEMORIAM

LEARNING BY DOING

STUDENTS ARE ACTIVE, ENGAGED, AND OUT OF THEIR SEATS

Headmaster’s Message

A Road Map to Awareness I miss road maps. Specifically, I miss consulting a road atlas before and during long drives to unknown areas.

Technology and innovation usually introduce new ways of solving problems that can often be more effective and more efficient. At the risk of sounding like a Luddite, the replacement of the road map by GPS technology is not one of those changes I prefer. Rather, my GPS navigation system dulls my mind. It makes me a passive driver rather than a self-aware, observant driver.

Consulting a map before or during a journey gives one a sense of space and a larger perspective on the destination. Using a map forces the driver to plan ahead, to think about the journey before departing. It provides the driver with an overall vision so that one is more aware of what to expect on the trip. My GPS does not provide this type of perspective. It just tells me what to do, and I react accordingly. Too often, I find myself taking a turn too soon because a voice tells me to “turn now.” In short, my GPS makes me a responsive driver, more so than a responsible one. Yet, too often, I turn on the GPS, tempted by its ease and the convenience of its expediency.

Ease and expedience often take precedence over what is meaningful. Today’s adolescents must learn to navigate a world where information is ubiquitous and fast-paced.

In fact, they are bombarded by information. Too often, adolescents today are drawn into the realm of social media where “likes” and “friends” are seen as the primacy of self-

worth. Too often, self-awareness is validated through the screen rather than taking the time for inward reflection.

When a faculty committee grappled with identifying the skills and characteristics we aspire to instill in TrinityPawling graduates, it was gratifying to see self-awareness emerge as one of the priorities. Trinity-Pawling has always emphasized the importance of teaching boys to be aware of their distinctive gifts and talents.

The importance placed on community, manifested in opportunities to come together in the dormitory, in chapel, or at family-style meals underscores the School’s belief that young people grow in their selfawareness through their relationships with others. The new initiatives in the School’s curriculum that promote students’ individual interests and the creation of original content through project-based learning provide another avenue for them to become more aware of their gifts, their strengths, and their weaknesses.

Trinity-Pawling’s focus on promoting self-awareness in our students provides a road map for their future. Its value rests in the conviction that this road map will provide perspective and insight for young men learning how to navigate the roadways of an ever-changing world, without being told exactly what to do.

Onward!

Follow Headmaster Bill Taylor’s blog: www.trinitypawling.org/headmastersblog

table of Contents spring 2019

Features DEPARTMENTS

2 THE SCROLL Spring Break service trip in the Dominican Republic … Christian Strader ’21 designs Winter Project around surfing and environmental stewardship … The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

5 A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

20 Portrait of a Graduate FIVE ATTRIBUTES THAT DEFINE GREATNESS

Trusting in trees with Dianne Avlon P’96…

A lifelong ethos of effort with Gedney Webb ’86 … Cracking code with Tyler Marma ’19 In the Classroom with Anne Pearson Faculty Minute with Kim DeFonce P’01, ’06 The Big Picture: Learning by Doing

30 PRIDE ATHLETICS Sports Recap Pride Spotlight: Ryan Spark ’06 and Tomas Rodriguez ’15 – On the World Stage

24 On the Air RADIO TRADITION AT TRINITY-PAWLING

8 Rick Hazlewood ’89, P’21 – At the Intersection of Family, Business, and Tradition

10 Wally Danforth ’82 and John Oh ’10 – Welcome to the Board 12 David Murphy ’77 and Chris Murphy ’13 – Service Before Self ON THE COVER: Trinity-Pawling’s commitment to project-based learning allows students to pursue their passions, as seen in these Senior Independent works in progress. Ben Sleeper ’19 finished a wooden kayak that is a family heirloom. His grandfather built the frame and Sleeper completed it by putting a canvas skin on the old frame. Avid guitarist Will Rickert ’19 pursued the craft of luthiery and hand-built a mahogany, EVH semi-hollow body, electric guitar.

Connor Sallee ’08 – Riding with a Singular Goal

37 CONNECTIONS Joe Rice ’50 finds success through persistence … Bob Vermes ’63 shares a tale of father-son and brotherly connections…

Jeff Webb ’54 leaves a lasting stamp on Trinity-Pawling Upcoming Events Class Notes

56 END NOTE Faculty Children

the scroll T W I T T E R : F A C E B O O K : I N S TA G R A M

HEADMASTER BILL TAYLOR IS TWEETING — CONNECT WITH BILL @TPSHEADMASTER!

“Congratulations to @TrinityPawling senior Ziqing Wang for being named a top scholar in the Regeneron Science Talent Search! @Society4Science #EthosofEffort #Science” — @TPSHEADMASTER

“Excited to begin a new school year @TrinityPawling! #Onward #RollPride #EthosofEffort”

“Healthy relationships w/ caring faculty promotes student inquiry & builds self awareness @trinitypawling @nytdavidbrooks #EthosofEffort #schoolasfamily @boardingschools” — @TPSHEADMASTER

— @TPSHEADMASTER

WE POSTED

Our Spring Break service trip with @westoverschool made it safely to the Dominican Republic last night! They enjoyed a wonderful, authentic meal in La Zona Colonial where they will tour this morning before heading out to La Guama to begin their work for the week with @bridgestocommunity. #EthosOfEffort “So excited to be working with everyone this week!”

— BRIDGESTOCOMMUNITY

Follow us on social media! twitter.com/TrinityPawling twitter.com/TPSHeadmaster

youtube.com Trinity-Pawling School

facebook.com/TrinityPawling @trinitypawlingschool @TPrideHockey @TPridefootball @rollpridelax @tpridebaseball

flickr.com/photos/trinity-pawling_school/sets/ linkedin.com /Trinity-Pawling Alumni

#

#RollPride #adayinthelifetp #tpshoutout

#tptraditions #Onward! #ethosofeffort

We will consider all correspondence for publication unless you stipulate otherwise.

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Write to us: Trinity-Pawling Magazine, 700 Route 22 Pawling, NY 12564 Email: communications@trinitypawling.org For class notes and alumni matters, email alumni@trinitypawling.org

TOP POSTS ON INSTAGRAM

One of my favorite things about T-P is my instrumental music class. We play a variety of styles and have awesome jam sessions. Here’s one we recorded earlier today! — WILL RICKERT ‘19 “Very cool !!”

— ROBGEORGES

“Shredding!”

— DAVIDKALERGIS

“wow!!!!!”

— TERESAALLENLESKE

The Varsity Farmers' newest project is well underway!

The boys are in the process of fencing in a brand new one-acre garden plot on campus. They've also started using their new 2-wheeled tractor to plow and rototill 2 more plots where they will soon install some greenhouses. Keep up the great work, gentlemen! #EthosOfEffort “We love seeing your progress each weekend on our dog hikes.”

— HOFFDADDY67

“That is awesome” — SWEBBER3

“Visions of Mr. Harrington and the work crew (for those who can remember that far back).”

— SMITH_ELLIOTT

It was Senior Night for Pride varsity basketball at their home game against Kent on Saturday night.

Congratulations to all the seniors — Marcus Beato, Connor Harris, Michael Koch, Bryce Nash, and Sandy Sossoadouno — and their families!

What a fantastic season! #rollpride “Thank you again for all you did and congratulations to all the boys!”

— BETTINABORELLIKOCH

“How beautiful” — SOCIALVENUEMANAGEMENT

This past weekend, the boys competed in a broomball tournament on the frozen pond! #adayinthelifetp “Pond is definitely a nice touch” — KYLEZACHAREWICZ

SPRING 2019

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POPULAR POSTS

Smith said we couldn’t be roommates.

We said then we won’t be Prefects. We were Prefects and we ran the Zoo in Johnson 2. Brothers for life.”

— STEWART MCKNELLY

“Pfffff....roomate? Ha!! Cluett 3rd floor Single. Starr South 1 & 2” — MIKE PAPA

Friday nights on duty in Owen House!

Let’s hear where you lived on campus!

Tag your roomate! #TPshoutout #owenhouse I T-P! “I only had 1 roommate: Maurice Vaughn, Colonnade South, Dunbar South, Cluett 3 South. Senior year we were both named Prefects. Mr. Phil

“Hastings (formerly Colonnade) freshman year, Johnson Hall 2 sophomore year, Cluett 3 junior year and Starr Hall my senior year.”

— PETER C. ZANELLI

“Ryan Spark, good times up in Cluett 3. I was actually thinking about the PlayStation set up you had yesterday.

Was it Madden ‘05 you played heaps of??”

— ROB CHAMBERLAIN

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Liam Dietrich ’21 earned All-American status at the Prep National Championship over the weekend, placing 4th overall!

Congratulations, Liam! #TPshoutout to all of Pride varsity wrestling for placing 20th out of 122 schools at Nationals...a great end to the season! #rollpride “Totally awesome!”

— KIKI WAGNER

WE POSTED

“Congratulations Liam and all the Pawling wrestlers who competed. So proud of you.”

— JOLYNN TRIPP

“So proud of all the wrestlers this weekend! Congratulations, son! You made me a SUPER proud mom!!”

— KRISTIN FRISINA

We our trustees! A special thank you & #TPshoutout to Chris Roux ’73 (pictured back row, second from right) for offering our Valentine's Day $14,000 match in the #GoForTheGold giving challenge!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Christian Strader ’21 designed his Winter Project around his passion for surfing & environmental stewardship. His research pointed to more sustainable & eco-friendly materials used for making surfboards.

ON CAMPUS Smith Field House, buzzing with

Another round of applause for the fantastic cast & crew of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! 3 great performances & 3 packed houses made for a very successful weekend. Bravo!

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This group traveled down to New York City to see To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway, starring Jeff Daniels, at the Shubert Theatre! They also had the opportunity to chat with one of the actors after the show...what a great experience! #adayinthelifetp

the excitement of the Western New England Championships.

Come out and cheer on the Pride Wrestling team! #TPshoutout

A VIEW FROM THE QUAD “ I have very distinct memories of

playing drums on the quad, under the beautiful blue sky of warm spring Sundays.”

Gedney Webb ’86 A Lifelong Ethos of Effort

BY CYRUS ROTHWELL-FERRARIS

In July of 1982, Gedney Webb ’86 had no idea he’d be leaving New Jersey to go to school in Pawling, New York. On a whim, Webb’s father brought him to visit campus for a ‘practice interview’ with a trustee friend.

Upon walking into All Saints’ Chapel, Webb remembers thinking he could see himself joining the Trinity-Pawling community.

“My mindset shifted the day I got on campus and found out that if I didn’t give good effort, I’d be in study hall at night.” Contrary to his public school habits, Webb says he began to try harder in his more difficult classes. He realized an opportunity for “meaningful learning experiences by meeting with teachers outside of class.” Webb also quickly found mentorship and eventually a lifelong friendship with Father Tom Orso. The Trinity-Pawling community recognized Webb’s commitment to the campus ethos of effort, and he was awarded the annual Citizenship Award as both a sophomore and a senior.

Webb was head prefect, sang in the Trinitones, and played hockey and soccer. At Trinity-Pawling, his interest

in music started to grow beyond singing. Without an abundance of music courses, Webb had to find a way to get his hands on instruments. “With a genuine desire to learn and be part of the community, I earned a little bit of leeway, and I used that to go play the piano in the chapel at night, sometimes even after lights out.” Webb implores current Trinity-Pawling students to follow their calling, even if it means bending the rules. “Find the people that will support you in that passion. If you have it, you will go far.”

Webb speaks from experience. Following this drive, Webb went on to study music theory and composition at Kenyon College before embarking on a successful career as a music editor for big-budget films. He worked on wellknown movies Chicago, Six Days Seven Nights, and Safe Haven, and was awarded a Golden Reel award in 2003 for Best Sound Editing in a Feature for his work on Chicago.

He credits a tireless drive to Trinity-Pawling’s Effort System, calling the ethos of effort “a lifelong lesson, really.

It’s not X’s and O’s or balancing a budget. It’s not on or off, right or wrong, black or white. It’s just continuing with the mindset of trying harder, of doing it again.”

Webb lives in New Jersey and is currently working in Manhattan, immersed in a science fiction film called Gemini Man with celebrated director Ang Lee. Webb says the film uses extensive special effects and portrays Will Smith in two roles, one of which is a CGI enhanced, 24-year old version of the iconic actor. The film comes out in October.

More than thirty years after his graduation, Webb is still in touch with a group of 15 friends from the Class of ’86 through a group text. Rarely does a week go by without someone in the group checking in. “With an open heart and an open mind,” Webb says, “I made the most out of every day at Trinity-Pawling.” The dividends have paid out a lifetime of connection, determination, and success.

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

Dianne Avlon P’96 TRUSTING IN TREES

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

Museums, churches, historical foundations, and charitable institutions from New York City to Charleston to Shelburne, Vermont — wherever Dianne Avlon has lived and formed deep connections, she gives back to the community through sharing her time and considerable expertise.

Avlon served on her first board — as an 11-year-old. “I was on the board of the Children’s Civic Theater in my hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. We worked as a group on every matter of importance and that has been my approach ever since.”

Avlon got involved with parent fundraising while her son Reynolds ’96 was a student at Trinity-Pawling. “I was so grateful for what the School had done for my son.

When Arch Smith invited me to serve on the Board in 1998, I readily accepted that honor.” She is now in her 21st year as a trustee. “Serving on the board is a blend of work and pleasure. Amazingly, my son’s school has become my school!”

In addition to her board work, Avlon is a master gardener with an innate aesthetic sensibility. While strolling the campus in May 2003, Avlon noticed many of the plants and trees needed some attention. She pulled together a portfolio of photographs of the campus plantings and met with then-headmaster Arch Smith. “Arch and Gay Smith were always so attentive and spent much of their free time tending the plantings. Arch became my champion and with Gay, we established the Beautification Subcommittee of the Board of Trustees.” That committee has been going strong for the past 15 years.

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The Beautification Subcommittee’s first project was to move the Simpson Sundial from the front quad to the center of the parterre garden between Cluett and the Dann Building. This not only provided visual pleasure but also served as a functional ‘highway’ between the two buildings.

That garden was dedicated in September 2007 to honor Holly Smith and Gay Smith, the wives of the headmasters, for their work with campus gardens over the decades.

When working on behalf of the Trinity-Pawling campus, Avlon has maintained that beauty and utility should go hand-in-hand. “When I veered more to the consideration of the visual, Arch would remind me that the functional needs of the boys must be weighted at least equally, if not more heavily.”

In 2010, Avlon started to dream of creating an arboretum on campus. After doing extensive research, including visits to a number of arboreta along the eastern seaboard, Avlon’s committee pitched the idea to the Board of Trustees. “We received the green light and then got to work. Fellow trustee Jim Bellis ’72 was instrumental in this process, as a professional arborist with a vast repository of knowledge and a wealth of experience. He chaired this project and provided invaluable guidance on species and placement.”

“ SERVING ON THE BOARD IS A BLEND OF WORK AND PLEASURE. AMAZINGLY, MY SON’S SCHOOL HAS BECOME MY SCHOOL!

The arboretum was established in the central part of the campus and has expanded steadily across the acreage.

Since this was to be a collection of specimen trees in an educational institution, Avlon wanted a variety of unique trees, not just a string of sugar maples or locusts.

This diversity enhances the campus aesthetic and ensures the overall health of the arboretum. To cohere the class and spark a leadership opportunity, the sophomore class plants its own tree every spring, around Earth Day in late April. Aspiring leaders in the class collaborate to find innovative ways to fund “their” tree which adds to the collection on campus.

Trinity-Pawling’s arboretum was officially dedicated on the autumnal equinox, September 21, 2012. Of the many native trees which grace the campus, the arboretum includes 241 specimens and over 30 varieties.

The School’s Commemorative and Memorial Tree Program has in large part provided specimen trees and shrubs, further enhancing the collection of stately trees that already exist on campus. By 2019, at least 25 trees around campus have been dedicated to various

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alumni, faculty and staff, trustees, and friends of the School, including beloved faculty members John Lloyd Owen, Bill LaBelle, and alumni including Tim Murphy ’78, Billy Cartier ’89, and Earl Scott Carlin ’11, to name a few. Trees have also been planted in memory of long-term trustee Millie Berendsen and Lois Colley, P ’71, ’73, ’75, ’78.

As an outdoor classroom and interpretive walk, signage enlightens visitors as they wander among the trees and plantings. Each specimen bears a metal placard indicating both the common name and the botanical Latin name, along with the origin of the tree or bush.

“Common names can vary but the botanical name is universal,” Avlon points out.

“Many colleges and other large institutions have them, but Trinity-Pawling is among the few secondary institutions to have its own dedicated arboretum. Boys subconsciously benefit from living in a beautiful, organized environment. Being surrounded by well-tended plantings and trees refreshes the community spirit.”

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

Rick Hazlewood ’89 AT THE INTERSECTION OF FAMILY, BUSINESS, AND TRADITION

BY KATE VENGROVE

It’s truly all in the family for Rick Hazlewood ’89, P’21. From managing John Bull, the thriving 89-yearold Bahamian shopping destination started by his great-grandfather, to encouraging the Trinity-Pawling educational experience for his son Whit, Hazlewood is dedicated to tradition, mentoring, and excellence in every facet of his career and life. Evidenced by the

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success of the family business and the continuation of the Hazlewood legacy at the School, his commitment and vision are paying off!

“I actually learned a tremendous amount about grit at Trinity-Pawling. Both in my classes and on the field, the focus was on practice and working hard so that the test, or the game, was a walk in the park.

Even if I needed to study index cards while tying my tie in the morning, that time and effort paid off in the long run,” Hazlewood reminisced.

Certainly, grit is a necessary component in the world of retail, especially in today’s economy.

Hazlewood currently oversees all operations at John Bull, focusing most of his time on stewarding relationships with his vendors, as well as researching and acquiring new brands. The company, first a tobacco store opened by Sir Asa Pritchard, has evolved to become the “shopping paradise of the islands” and the official Bahamian Rolex retailer. The collection of stores carries six luxury departments, including among them leather, perfume, jewelry, watches, and cosmetics, and is the premier destination for tourists from all over the world.

When asked how he navigates it all, Hazlewood states, “I owe a lot of credit to my father and grandmother who started me off on the (retail) floor, where I worked for nearly 10 years learning the nuts and bolts of the business, the products, and how to troubleshoot any problems that would arise. From there, I spent time with our watch buyer and learned the art of purchasing. Now, I am the main point of contact for both our outside vendors as well as the company’s various division managers — the key to our success is meeting the expectations of both customers and vendors. It’s a critical balance.”

Even more, Hazlewood sees retention of his employees as the lynchpin to both the company’s profitability and longevity. John Bull has a robust human resources department and believes in supporting the growth and education of its staff. They

provide access to expert speakers, managerial courses, and continuing education for all employees.

“One of my favorite success stories is that of a current boutique manager. He came in as a salesperson and worked the floor for a few years — now he oversees the Breitling boutique in our branch at Atlantis, the largest casino on the island. There is nothing more rewarding to me than witnessing the growth of our employees within the company,” Hazlewood expresses.

Like son, like father, grandmother, and greatgrandfather — throughout John Bull’s history, its owners have carefully stewarded the business through expert training and now career development for staff — an investment well worth the time, energy, and expense. In today’s economy, customers choose to shop in a physical store (versus online) for the experience, and the Hazlewoods are experts at providing the most distinctive one possible.

And what are Hazlewood’s thoughts on that other important family legacy? “I had such a wonderful experience at Trinity-Pawling and wanted the same for Whit. To be fair, we did look at other schools and I tried to be open-minded,” Rick jokes, “but I was thrilled when Whit chose T-P. For so many reasons, it was the perfect place for me, and is now for him — the School offers a real platform for learning discipline and the art of getting along with people, two necessary traits in our business!”

At the intersection of family, business, and tradition, the Hazlewood legacy has been an important one for the Bahamian economy, and now for Trinity-Pawling as well!

“ I actually learned a tremendous amount about grit at Trinity-Pawling. Both in my classes and on the field, the focus was on practice and working hard so that the test, or the game, was a walk in the park.

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

Welcome to the Board Wally Danforth ’82 and John Oh ’10

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

Being invited to serve on the Board of Trustees is the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus, parent, or friend of the School. Yet with this role comes enormous responsibility, for each member holds the School in their trust for future generations. As such, they are responsible for the hiring and evaluation of the Headmaster; the fiduciary oversight of the School; and the short and long-term strategic direction and health of the institution.

Here’s an introduction to two of the School’s newest trustees.

WALLY DANFORTH ’82 Wally Danforth arrived at Trinity-Pawling as a freshman from Pittsburgh. By his senior year, he was captain of varsity soccer, squash, and baseball, in addition to serving as a prefect. “T-P changed my life. It allowed me to develop my skills in all areas, gain confidence, and strive to be successful at whatever I chose to pursue. I also formed the strongest relationships that still endure today.”

Danforth majored in fine arts and political science at Kenyon College. He spent the first decade out of college in sales then shifted to financial advising in 1996, his career for the past 24 years. He remained as engaged as he could with the School over the years, participating in alumni gatherings in Pittsburgh and squash alumni matches in Pawling a number of times. “I knew T-P had evolved significantly since 1982, and I always wanted to see the changes in person.”

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Danforth met his future wife, Patti McLaughlin, at a Christmas party in 1999 and knew she was the one. “We married in 2005 and we had our daughter Cooper in 2007.” The family lives in Fox Chapel, a suburb of Pittsburgh. In October 2013, Patti and Wally took over a 100-year old neighborhood grocery store. They had studied and visited specialty food stores along the East Coast and used that knowledge to create “Feast on Brilliant” in Aspenwald, on the eastern edge of Pittsburgh. “Patti has always been a foodie so this is her dream and full-time venture. I’m just lucky enough to be the greeter at the door some weekends,” Danforth says with a grin.

“When Headmaster Bill Taylor invited me to serve as a trustee, of course I said yes. My goal now is to find creative ways to increase fundraising and enhance alumni engagement with the School. I don’t want to be just a figurehead; I want to produce measurable results and help the School continue to move forward and improve the quality of life for the students and faculty.”

“It’s an honor to represent a school that means so much to me. I’ve served on other corporate boards and can see that the quality of our board members is spectacular. The young have great energy and ideas, and the longer-term trustees bring deep experience and wisdom. The faculty and the structure provide the ideal foundation to help young men develop.”

Danforth still plays squash and let it slip that after a 15-year hiatus, he’s back playing drums in a rock and roll band named…the Love Handles. “I like to think I’m the Neil Peart of my band,” an allusion that any Rush fan of the ’80s would recognize.

JOHN OH ’10 John Oh spent four years at Trinity-Pawling. “I’m indebted to MacGregor Robinson who saw my potential and believed in me. Who could tell how well I would adapt to a new school and culture?” Oh acknowledges that while the education he received was crucial, the relationships he developed were equally important.

“My T-P brothers helped me assimilate to a new culture. In Korea, teaching and learning happen through rote memorization. T-P taught me to question everything and think critically. Whether it was classroom discussions, debates in dorm, or just talking with my friends, I had to develop argumentation skills in order to back up my statements.”

Oh served as a prefect his senior year and then matriculated at Johns Hopkins University. Oh returned to campus several times during college to share some of his insights and advice with the student body.

“People saw I was still invested in the School, and I’m grateful that Bill Taylor invited me to serve as a trustee. This is my first glimpse at nonprofit governance, and I now have a better understanding of the challenges involved in leading an institution.

The Board has one common objective: to support and strengthen the School. I look forward to dedicating my time and energy in whatever areas the team deems necessary.”

Oh currently works as a stock analyst. He and his wife, Jane, married in 2016 and live in Jersey City. Their son James Edward was born in October 2018. Oh will serve as a Young Alumnus Trustee, a two year position. “My long term goal is to improve the world, starting with repaying the debt of gratitude I feel to this School that helped shape me as a young man.”

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

David Murphy ’77 and Chris Murphy ’13 Service Before Self

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

David Murphy ’77 balanced dual careers in the Army and in wealth management as a regional director of TD Banknorth. Chris Murphy ’13 teaches math and chemistry, coaches varsity cross country, serves as a dorm parent in Johnson, manages the service (formerly work) program, and serves with the Vermont Guard. I sat down with father and son in the Gardiner Library and Learning Commons to hear their thoughts on service and leadership. Here are excerpts from that conversation.

How has Trinity-Pawling impacted you?

Chris: I’ve been sculpted by two places: Trinity-Pawling and Camp Keewyadin in Vermont where I spent 14 summers of my life. In both places, I feel compelled to give back however I can. Now as a faculty member, I can really see the School’s emphasis on mentoring.

David: I loved my years at Trinity-Pawling. I remember when we brought Chris here for his interview in the spring of 2009. MacGregor Robinson explained the School’s ethos to the families gathered in the admissions area. “If you want your son to become a gentleman, bring him here.” This School provides young men with guidance and direction and a consistent message that is welcome in today’s conflicted society.

Can a service mentality be taught or cultivated?

Chris: I think so. The service program is seen as a chore but if presented to the students properly, they understand the importance of their contributions. For example, I often explain to the boys how the tasks they undertake in Scully Hall allow the dining hall staff to focus on feeding the community. The boys have to give of themselves to help the overall goal. Part of our job as faculty members is to help the boys learn the steps to get the job done, in class, sports, or the service program. We build someone up so he can tackle problems on his own.

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David: Cultivated, yes. Soldiers and boarding school students come from a diverse range of socio-economic and religious backgrounds. The military is the last great melting pot in America. But everyone comes together to achieve a common goal. They each must put themselves to the side and strive for the greater good. As a leader, you have to put yourself in the shoes of those you’re trying to motivate. At T-P, the faculty knows how to motivate and steer students in the right direction. The core moral standards have been retained for generations.

Describe your military service.

David: After Trinity-Pawling, I went to Norwich University and graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. I married my wife, Lisa, who is also a Norwich alum. I spent four years in active service as an infantry officer in Hawaii. After that, I joined the Army National Guard. I took the Special Forces Qualification course and moved up the ranks.

In the mid-1990s, the nation’s active military was reduced in size by half a million troops. We couldn’t keep up with worldwide commitments so I was sent off wherever needed for three to four weeks at a time during that period. In 2009, I was asked to serve in Afghanistan.

A six-month posting quickly became a year. As colonel, I was responsible for identifying, tracking, targeting, and mitigating the illicit flow of money into the Afghan theater of war. That led me to serve in 2010 on Special

Operations Command in Tampa, responsible for tracking and eliminating the illicit flow of money on a global basis.

I retired from the military in 2012. Unfortunately, my work with Special Operations coincided with Chris’s years at T-P so I missed much of his time here. My civilian career was in wealth management as regional director of TD Banknorth. I left that position in late summer 2017.

Chris: The day after my T-P graduation in 2013, I went to Fort Benning, Georgia and spent the summer as an infantryman with the Vermont Guard. I was a lowly private. That fall, I went to University of Vermont and spent all four years in ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps). I also trained with the Vermont National Guard for a year and a half. When I graduated from UVM in 2017, I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

What compelled you to serve?

Chris: I didn’t want a desk job — I wanted adventure.

I’d seen some of the things Dad had done so I had a pretty good sense of what I was getting myself into. Dad supported me but never pressured me.

I chose not to pursue active duty but to continue with the Vermont Guard. I could still derive benefits of the Army by serving part time. The Vermont Guard is in a unique position as the only unit designated to fight mountain warfare. I trained at Fort Drum in upstate New York in the spring of 2018. By trade, I’m an armor officer in charge of tanks and vehicles but I’m also a platoon leader. I currently go to Lyndonville in northern Vermont to train four days each month and have a month commitment every summer.

I like that I’m entrusted with great responsibility. I’m in charge of 30 troops and expensive equipment and important missions. It’s a daunting and exciting challenge and I just hope I don’t screw it up! I also love the physical challenge. It’s kind of crazy — I can be jumping from helicopters on a Sunday and be chasing students down for dish crew on Monday.

David: I remember that feeling too. I could go from a day on Wall Street and then be launching myself out of a plane at 1500 feet a few hours later. A different mindset. Or maybe not…

Chris: We all have other jobs beyond the Guard. My right hand man is a construction project manager. I work with undergrads from Norwich University, and privates who have masters degrees. We have plumbers, teachers, trash haulers, businessmen, farmers, nurses, and electricians.

Like Dad said, it’s a true melting pot. And our job is to work together to achieve a common goal.

Reflecting on your careers, what makes you proud?

Chris: In my work with the Guard, at Keewaydin, and now as a faculty member at Trinity-Pawling, I’m teaching young kids and servicemen the skills that will help them develop confidence and make progress. It’s meaningful work.

David: I had to make moral decisions that impacted others’ lives. As the years have gone by, I’ve received notes from former soldiers who say I made the right call and stood up for what was right. There may be no money in that, but I sleep better at night.

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A VIEW FROM THE QUAD

A MIND ON A MISSION Tyler Marma ’19

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

14 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

Tyler Marma tapped a W on his laptop keyboard and a small motorized vehicle moved across the table. He pressed D and the robot veered to the right. An S rolled the machine in reverse. Marma built this Mars rover prototype in the summer of 2018.

The project also entailed writing the code that would make the autonomous vehicle move. “I have to be absolutely precise,” he says. “Remove one semicolon and the whole code fails!”

Marma has been writing code since he was in elementary school. “I learned from my dad who’s a software engineer. He always had the newest technology at home so that’s where I started. Basic coding, drag and drop stuff. I also grew up building Lego robotics since I was in first grade.”

In the spring of his junior year, Marma participated in Trinity-Pawling’s Science Symposium, part of an accredited research program administered by SUNY Albany. Colleen Dealy of the Office of Advancement learned of his project entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence & Planetary Missions’ and suggested Marma get in touch with Tom Ahrensfeld ’73.

Ahrensfeld has connections to Ocean Infinity, a company that enacts deep sea explorations using unmanned autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). For example, Ocean Infinity was contracted to find the remains of the Malaysian Air flight that crashed into the Indian Ocean in 2014.

Ahrensfeld linked Marma with Ocean Infinity’s technical director who ultimately created an internship for Marma. This internship became Marma’s Senior Independent Project. “I focus on component failure data analysis. When anything goes wrong on an Ocean Infinity autonomous submersible during a mission, a comprehensive error report details every component’s functioning. The technical director has given me access to those records, and I sift through the data and try to find solutions that will prevent future problems from occurring.” By studying these errors and foreseeing

possible solutions, Marma learns how the AUV functions.

“My goal is to create a small scale mission of an AUV and generate risk scores of various components for each part of the mission.”

Marma’s Senior Independent Project allowed him to explore his passions of technology and scientific research.

According to Nate Jaffe, the faculty member who oversees the Science Symposium, “Tyler has a sophisticated understanding of robotic and computational issues. He has taken on one of the more ambitious projects among my students and made spectacular strides with very little adult oversight. Tyler has contributed greatly to the research program and this independent project has also given him the chance to take his own knowledge and skills to a whole new level.”

“My Senior Independent Project taught me how to work in a real-life business situation,” Marma explains.

“Parts of the data analysis can be mind-numbing, but it’s rewarding when one of my suggestions helps Ocean Infinity resolve a component issue. Working with Ocean Infinity provided me with an exposure to robotics, artificial intelligence, data collection, and exploration of uncharted places. It’s an exciting opportunity because it rolls all of my interests into one project.”

Marma will matriculate at Syracuse University in the fall where he plans to study information management.

Syracuse was impressed with his Senior Independent Project and accepted him Early Decision.

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IN THE CLASSROOM

Anne Pearson LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT CHAIR RETIRES AFTER 14 YEARS

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

“I like to keep my teaching fresh.”

For the past 14 years, Anne Pearson has been the consummate educator. An early proponent of projectbased learning even before it became a campus-wide initiative, Pearson had her classes building aqueducts, collecting and studying ancient coins, crafting scale models of weaponry. She embraced Smart Board technology a decade ago and taught her colleagues how to incorporate it into their own modern language instruction. And for the past two years, she has included more spoken Latin using a method called Comprehensible Input and TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling).

Her belief? “The more I teach, the more I learn.”

In the 1990s, Pearson earned her Masters in Religion from Yale, and that coursework reconnected her with Latin and Greek. She then taught Latin at a small private school but was attracted to the broader range of students and learning styles at Trinity-Pawling. She joined the Trinity-Pawling faculty in 2005 and has chaired the modern language department since 2010. Pearson will retire at the end of June.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with my students. I love their humor, their sincerity, their willingness to admit their challenges and commitment to resolve them. The joy they experience when they hit their ‘Aha!’ moment is amazing.”

She adds, “It’s also fun when my third-year boys relax and

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connect with the material, realizing how much grammar they have absorbed. They even start making jokes in Latin!”

A resident of Brewster, New York, Pearson commuted to school daily. Although not required to participate in extracurricular activities or athletics, Pearson loves a new challenge and feels naturally compelled to lend a hand wherever possible. She volunteered to coach thirds tennis when the team needed a guide. “We had a perfect record that season!” she recalls proudly. She orchestrated the Chess Club with former staff member Frank Karalak, returning to the library one evening each week so the students could play matches. She co-directed a middle school theater production when she saw that the theater director could use additional supervision. “We had a blast and the boys did a terrific job improvising their lines. They exceeded expectations!” And she literally dug in with Josh Frost ’04 as he created the Varsity Farming program in 2016. “I have some gardening experience and was happy to help Josh. This was a great way to work with kids in a new area and a nice balance to being in the classroom all day.”

Once retired, Pearson says she will miss the daily interactions with the students and thinking how to do everything one step better. However, she looks forward to sleeping late on Saturdays. Pearson and her husband, Wayne, will move to their new home in New Hampshire where they will spend quality time with their five-year-old grandson who lives in an adjacent town.

Pearson offers final words of wisdom to the students: “Trust that the faculty have your best interests at heart and are doing everything possible to help you get to the next level.”

Gratias tibi agimus, Magister Pearson.

FACULTY MINUTE

Faculty Minute with Kim DeFonce

BY JUDY REDDER

Kim DeFonce P’01, P’06 has filled many roles during her 26 years at Trinity-Pawling School. In 1993, she joined the Office of Admission as a part-time administrative assistant, a job she shared with Amy Foster. After moving on campus in 2002, DeFonce also served as a dorm parent in Cluett, Owen House, and Starr. DeFonce has served the Office of Admission under four directors: Chris Kelly ’81, Tom Sheppard, MacGregor Robinson, and now JP Burlington ’95. She currently serves as Associate Director of Admission and is a devoted advisor to a small group of students.

What is the first question you ask a prospective student during an interview?

“Everyone is different, so it depends on the vibe, but usually I ask about their tour guide and what they liked about the tour — I want them to feel like we’re just having a conversation, it’s not a test. And then I always ask, ‘what makes you want to go to a boarding school?’ I also encourage boys to trust their instinct. First impressions are real — when you visit the right school you know it.”

What is the most important lesson you try to instill in your advisees?

“Have a good moral compass — if you’re a good person, you’ll be fine. And don’t dwell on the small stuff. I remind the boys to keep an eye on the “big picture” and reassure them that they will grow through most things. I want my advisees to feel like we’re family and they can come to me with their concerns. Sometimes they just need time to breathe.”

What advice do you give to a newly-enrolled student and his family?

“Give it time! Boys have to get used to a lot of change and it’s not always easy — for some, it’s their first time away from home. Within two to four weeks, everything will fall into place. All the things they fell in love with about the School start happening — sports, clubs, friendships. The adjustment just takes time.”

What is the best part about living on campus?

“Trinity-Pawling is my family, my life, and my home.

Being surrounded by teenagers keeps me young. And, no commute!”

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The Big Picture At Trinity-Pawling, education is experiential and action-packed. The skills engaged in project-based learning, including time management and self-reflection, prepare students for the types of collaborative learning that occurs in college and in the workforce. Absorbing, analyzing, synthesizing, and applying information with the goal of creating something new also enhances the dynamism of each student’s project experience. This hands-on exploration exposes students to the real world and helps them discover their gifts and talents along the way.

“My project involved collecting reclaimed wooden items, then reconstructing the items to make a table. I used a combination of modern tools and older techniques.

Learning how to use a CNC router connected my project with the future of tools in the workplace as well,” explained Christian Keyes ’19. “Throughout this project I learned more about myself than I ever thought I could. Patience, dancing between my schedule and my mentors’ schedules, adapting plans even when they went astray. I loved the independence, and the environment in which creating a table is encouraged,” said Keyes.

LEARNING

BY DOING 18 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

Head Alumni Ambassador and Varsity Football Captain Christian Keyes ’19, works in the Gardiner Arts Center Set Shop with assistance from Logan Weis ’22 (on the left).

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Graduate PORTR A IT OF A

Five Attributes That Define Greatness

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

A ll across the Trinity-Pawling campus hang banners featuring students engaged in their daily lives.

Beneath each colorful photograph is a complementary principle: A Trinity-Pawling graduate will be an effective communicator… a thoughtful collaborator… an ethical citizen of the world…a creative and critical thinker…a self-aware young man. These core principles provide the foundation for a TrinityPawling education.

As Headmaster Bill Taylor sees it, “Students must learn critical information and be able to apply and convey this knowledge in creative, collaborative ways. They must learn to ask probing questions that reveal new opportunities for meaning and insight. Trinity-Pawling students gain self-awareness through taking healthy risks and embracing the relational trust inherent in this community. And they will experience divergent viewpoints that foster a broader understanding of the world.”

Here are five alumni who embody these traits, skills, and talents that they developed in their years at Trinity-Pawling.

Chris Wren ’53

Effective Communicator Christopher Wren dedicated 38 years as a reporter, foreign correspondent, and editor for The New York Times from 1973 to 2001. He headed the Times’ news bureaus in Moscow, Beijing, Cairo, Ottawa, and Johannesburg. Wren lives in Thetford, Vermont with Jacqueline, his wife of 54 years.

“Looking back now, I realize every course I took at Trinity-Pawling added to my knowledge of the worlds I was assigned to cover as a foreign correspondent. Because the question I had to answer every day I reported was, why-why-why?”

At Trinity-Pawling, Wren studied Latin and Spanish. At Dartmouth, he majored in English and minored in Russian. Wren went to Columbia School of Journalism and landed jobs at Look, Newsweek, and The New York Times. “When I started at the Times, they needed someone who spoke Russian. A year before I opened the Times bureau in Beijing, I took intensive Chinese at Stanford. Having those language skills created opportunities for me. When people tell me 20 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

they want to be a journalist, I ask them what languages they speak. If it’s only English, I tell them they’re going to have a short career.”

A reporter’s job is to listen. “You can’t communicate unless you know how to listen. To learn about a place as a correspondent, you have to listen to people around you and respond in a way they understand. In many cases, the people don’t know who you are or why you’re there so you have to create a rapport on some level. Most places I was posted were fraught with danger. Establish a trust or you’ll get shot.”

“As Moscow bureau chief, I was expected to cover and interpret every development of significance defining the cold war between the Soviet Union (Russia) and the United States and its Western allies. As Beijing bureau chief, my beat encompassed more than one billion Chinese transitioning from a brutal Maoist garrison state to a more reformist regime where ‘to get rich is glorious’ became the mantra. As Cairo bureau chief, my coverage extended from Tunisia to Iran and from Lebanon to Sudan. In South Africa, I was responsible for stories from Zimbabwe to Namibia and the Cape of Good Hope.”

“In all these places, I had to file two or three stories a day on tight deadlines and explain not just the who-whatwhen-where-how, but why the reader should care. If I failed to file early or on-time, that space would be claimed by another Times news bureau. I was also competing with rivals like the Washington Post, Reuters, CBS, and NBC. If I got scooped too often, I could be replaced. So I made the daily deadlines.”

For a decade, Wren was a visiting professor in Dartmouth’s Master of Arts and Liberal Studies programs.

“I taught my expository writing students to cut words and be precise. It’s like coaching basketball — you have a team of twenty to choose from but only five can be on the court.”

Since retiring from the Times in 2001, Wren has written several books. “When I’m casting about for a book topic, I try to find something that hasn’t been written. If I were covering the Revolutionary War as a correspondent, who would interest me as a character? That led me to Ethan Allen and Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom, which came out in 2018. It’s the same with news reporting: what can you teach your readers that they didn’t know before?”

Chukky Okobi ’96 A Self-Aware Person

Chukky Okobi is a master practitioner of neurolinguistic programming, or NLP. “That’s just a fancy term referring to how we can use language to influence the mind,” he explains. Okobi founded his company, Basic Instructions, with one objective: “to help my clients get rid of limiting beliefs and write the story of their life.” He offers three services: motivational speaking, mental and emotional release, and NLP mindset coaching.

According to Okobi, storing negative experiences in your mind and harboring limiting beliefs has a long-term detrimental effect. If you want to evolve or to change your situation, follow his four Basic Instructions: Let go of the past. Have a clearly-defined goal. Take actions to move that goal towards reality. Stay focused.

“These simple principles got me to the NFL.” From age seven, Okobi wanted to be a professional athlete — in football, baseball, or wrestling. But after he made varsity football his freshman year at Trinity-Pawling, he locked onto his goal. Every decision he made from that year on was directed towards playing in the NFL. “I taught myself to level up. I worked my way from T-P to Purdue to red shirt to four-year starter to All Big 10 performer to NFL draft to Super Bowl. I just adhered to these four basic instructions and achieved my goals.”

Okobi explains that he developed this mindset at Trinity-Pawling and laid the groundwork for his life. “My mom dropped me off when I was 13 — I had no idea what was happening. But some people at the School became integral characters in my life: Ted Kneeland, Arch Smith, the Reades, and of course, Coach Coratti. Each played a role in shaping me. And it wasn’t always easy!”

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Okobi views mistakes as merely lessons that help us develop a clear vision of what not to do again. Separate the emotion, look objectively at the situation, learn from it, and move forward.

After five years at Purdue, Okobi played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2001 to 2006. The Steelers won the 2005 Super Bowl. Okobi shifted to the Arizona Cardinals in 2007 and the Houston Texans in 2008. He took two injuries as a sign that it was time to move on.

As a mindset coach based in Kansas City, Okobi serves as his client’s GPS system. “I tell my client to define their destination and follow the instructions I provide, but they have to drive. It’s their life, their vision. They’re in charge — they create their own opportunities.” In other words, “follow the basic instructions and you can have anything you want.”

Rick Meyer ’68 Creative and Critical Thinker

Film, theater, television, Broadway, Off Broadway. New York City to L.A. From age 3, Rick Meyer has worked in every aspect of the business: acting, writing, producing, directing, stage managing. He’s done lighting, sound, mixing, electric, and carpentry. “If there was a job, I would say, yes — what time?”

Meyer spent his final high school year at TrinityPawling. “My one year in Pawling exceeded the preceding five at Trinity School in Manhattan. Matt Dann required me to make Headmaster’s List every term to keep me invested in my education, and I revered John Lloyd Owen who taught me AP English.”

Writing remains Meyer’s passion, both screenplays and novels. “I don’t like to write; I have to write. What drove me to write a novel when I was eight? What pushes athletes to compete? It’s an itch, a compulsion I was born with. I love words. I was fortunate to have a series of good English teachers, John Lloyd Owen chief among them.”

Meyer’s first novel, published in 1998, won the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Fiction. Meyer took the prize money and used it to start the John Lloyd Owen Creative Writing Award at Trinity-Pawling. “I wanted to do something to spark creative writing among the students and to honor his legacy.” The creative writing contest still takes place each spring.

Advice for aspiring writers? “Find a situation that 22 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

works for you, a time and a place you enjoy. Longhand, laptop, it doesn’t matter. Just write! Get something down and the juices will start to flow. I write when most people are sound asleep, 3 or 4 AM. That’s handy when my writing partner is halfway around the world in Australia.

We crank out screenplays and kick ideas around for short films. I plunk my butt in the recliner, open my laptop, turn on the TV, and start to write. CNBC, reruns of NCIS, there’s an endless supply of those and I can practically quote them by heart. It’s white noise to keep my ADD from firing up."

Meyer spent ten years as an industrial roadie, setting up business meetings and stage managing shows for major corporations (AT&T, Exxon, Mobil, Canada Dry, Merrill Lynch) around the country. “I also got to install a disco in Pittsburgh in the 1980s. Hanging lights on three-inch I-beams 67 feet above the marble floor? That was a trip!”

Writing, theater tech, set design, acting, directing — pursuits that have allowed Meyer to create and problemsolve for his entire life. Meyer lives in Pinehurst, North Carolina with his wife, Carol, and their son Rick, whom he calls his best friend.

Dennis Ilmela ’17 Ethical Citizen

Model United Nations became an unexpected thread through Dennis Ilmela’s high school life. His school in Helsinki, Finland hosted the International Model U.N. conference in 2013, when Ilmela was a freshman. “As hosts, we were required to participate so I grudgingly got involved.” Ilmela discovered he loved learning how government works. When he arrived at Trinity-Pawling as a sophomore, he joined Model U.N. He credits that organization with helping him develop his interpersonal and debating skills. “Model U.N. taught me to look at the global scale of every problem and issue.”

Ilmela’s language skills improved significantly at Trinity-Pawling where he learned to network and developed a wide range of friends. As an international student, three-sport varsity athlete, and member of Model U.N., Ilmela never allowed himself to be pigeon-holed.

“I could bounce from table to table at meal times and sit wherever I wanted. I didn’t identify with a single group so I could hang out with them all.”

As a senior, Ilmela had wanted to take the ACT test in early February but discovered that for some arcane political reason, the February date was not offered to high school students in New York State. “Mr. Mead even threw his hands up and suggested I do something to change the law.”

And so he did. With the guidance of Slade Mead, Director of College Counseling, Ilmela transformed an aggravation into his Senior Independent Project. He emailed every high school college counselor in New York State. He asked for all students 18 years or older to sign a petition requesting the State to amend this standardized testing law. “More than 25,000 students signed the petition, and my Senior Project helped push that issue to the State floor. In November 2018, Governor Cuomo signed a law allowing the standardized test to be administered throughout New York State in February.”

Mead points out, “Like all great causes, your actions may not help you, but they advance the next generation.

Dennis had already graduated, but he was the impetus to change a New York State law that will impact high school students from now on.”

After graduating in 2017, Ilmela returned to Finland to enter the military. “Finnish citizens are required to do at least one year’s service. I went to Reserve Officer School and trained as a 2nd Lieutenant and served as a platoon leader in the anti-tank division.” He is currently studying in a three-year program at the Helsinki School of Business. He plans to finish his degree in the United Kingdom in order to study in English again.

Ilmela envisions working abroad in some business capacity. “It’s important to understand global issues and learn to adapt as the world markets shift.”

Mark Horncastle ’88 Collaborator

After graduating from Trinity College with a degree in political science, Mark Horncastle spent four years in Washington, D.C. He secured an entry-level position with Capital Speakers Inc., an organization that managed news media celebrities and politicians. “I was writing

and editing bios, profiles, speeches, and marketing pieces while gaining invaluable experience and exposure to profoundly successful people.” His clients included large corporations, trade associations, and universities with his firm representing national and international political news media and celebrities.

Horncastle’s next move was to earn his MBA in finance from Vanderbilt. A mentor suggested he consider investment management, and he landed a job with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette/Credit Suisse. “Investment management was compelling to me because I could be part of a team, yet still have full control of my accounts and run a business within a framework I could control, guide, and build.” Horncastle spent the next 18 years in Atlanta and Florida establishing his own business as he developed relationships and serviced their accounts. Horncastle received recognition from Barron’s in 2012 as one of America’s Top 1000 Financial Advisors (#58 in Florida). In 2015, Horncastle rose to Managing Director and Financial Advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, a wealth management firm.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to surround myself with successful people. Early on in Washington, I was exposed to national political figures and helped manage a portion of their careers. That gave me a foundation to be comfortable around successful people. As a financial advisor, I work with clients who have all hit grand slams in their careers. As Managing Director of the firm, I’ve built a team of super smart, dedicated people who help carry our vision into a competitive marketplace. My entire business success is based on collaboration with my team. I could never do this alone; we are a partnership by definition.

We’ve been fortunate to keep most of our client base over many years and add clients with a stringent measure of ‘fit’ and mutual philosophical agreement.”

“Successful collaboration is also a joy,” he adds. “There is no better feeling than succeeding while being part of something beyond just yourself. In the end, my goal is maximizing happiness for my family, friends, business relationships, and myself.”

Invest in relationships on both a personal and business level. Be decent and transparent in your intentions. Surround yourself with successful people. Support others and help them achieve their own goals. These are four principles from Horncastle, who lives in Fort Lauderdale with wife Lorena, and their three children, Emma 11, Audrey 9, and George 7.

“ The best way to learn radio is to just get on air and figure it out as you go.

” ­— Zach Silva ’10

Jonathan Link ’21 and Jack Kalin ’21 host Voices of Trinity-Pawling 24 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

On the Air

Radio Tradition at Trinity-Pawling

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

Zach Silva ’10 relaxed behind the mixing board surrounded by three large computer screens, a turntable, and a tower of sound equipment blinking myriad lights. Two young men sat across the table from him, bulky headphones clamped over their ears as they leaned anxiously into the puffy black microphone. At precisely 6 PM, Silva inched forward, his hands adjusting sliders and knobs to cue up the opening song. “Coming to you live from the studio of WPWL in beautiful downtown Pawling, here is ‘All Ye Who Love Music,’ a track recorded by the T-P Trinitones in 2006.” With those words, Ryan Winn ’17 kicked off what would morph into The Voices of Trinity-Pawling, a tradition of Trinity-Pawling students and radio broadcasts.

“Voice is the expression of your personality.” The legendary broadcast journalist Lowell Thomas received this wisdom from his father, and it shaped his career. Music, politics, sports, movies — whatever their interest, TrinityPawling boys now have radio as a platform to express their passions and cultivate their own voices.

Silva’s career in radio began during his senior year at Trinity-Pawling when he was invited to do voice-overs and promos for WPWL. The following fall when Silva arrived as a freshman at Northwestern University, he headed straight for the radio station, WNUR. “I started doing news broadcasts and then a rock show. I didn’t have any experience beyond an obsession with music.

But the best way to learn radio is to just get on air and figure it out as you go.”

The next summer, Silva secured an internship back at WPWL where he gained hands-on experience editing and producing.

Radio and music have remained dominant threads in Silva’s life. At Northwestern, he founded and produced an hour-long Friday evening talk show called ‘Your World,’ featuring news updates and discussions with guests about an array of topics. The show still airs today. Silva became the station’s programming director and news director for his junior and senior years. He recalls it as a “nearly full-time job on top of classes.”

Silva completed his degree in communications and international studies from Northwestern in 2014; he stayed on to earn his Masters in Leadership for Creative Enterprises in 2015. A resident of Brewster, New York, Silva has served on the board of WPWL since 2015, works as an engineer and producer at the studio on Saturdays, and still spins a rock show called Melophobia. His primary job is with the Agency for Performing Arts, a full-service talent agency in Manhattan, where he manages concert tours for musicians.

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Let the Music – and Conversation – Roll A love of music also led Louis Inghilterra ’17 to the WPWL studio. His vinyl collection exceeds 2,500 albums and he owns about a dozen record players. Inghilterra started the Record Club at Trinity-Pawling as a freshman. “Zach Silva heard about our club from (librarian) Mrs. Foster, who was also on the WPWL board at the time, and invited us down to the studio in February to watch him produce his music show.” Inghilterra, a junior at the time, was hooked.

Meanwhile, roommates Ryan Winn ’17 and Chris R. Taylor ’17 had just completed their junior year Winter Project on the history of radio in Pawling, researching the renowned broadcast journalists — and Pawling residents — Edward R. Murrow and Lowell Thomas. Says Winn, “We came to WPWL to record the story. To keep it interesting, we interspersed the narrative with original songs from the album Chris and I had also made as part of the Winter Project. We had a lot of scripted material and music so we had no problem filling that hour.” Zach Silva engineered that first show on March 3, 2016 and invited the students to consider a weekly program. That offer sparked the creation of the Voices of Trinity-Pawling.

Winn and Inghilterra, with the assistance of Amy Foster, developed the program which they recorded and streamed from WPWL almost every Friday evening for a year and a half. The show quickly became a collaborative effort. Winn played emcee, Inghilterra handled the music, and their friends Cole Stewart ’16 and Trey Aiello ’16 covered Pride sports.

“It was basically a radio talk show about T-P. We featured events on campus and invited other students and teachers as our guests,” says Inghilterra, who has just finished his sophomore year at Colorado State University. “It was my first time broadcasting and I loved it. I set up playlists and timed the music in between the other interviews. I learned how to think on my feet as I conducted interviews. I worried about messing up, but I gained self-confidence. Zach offered advice on how to plan for a show, gave us tips on interviewing, and got us comfortable behind the microphone.”

“By the time we completed our third show, we were able to wing it,” adds Winn, now a sophomore at Bowdoin College. “The shows were most entertaining when they weren’t scripted. We learned how to keep the conversation flowing.”

Winn developed significant performing chops at Trinity-Pawling, participating in the Trinitones, theater, and Broadcast Journalism where he conducted pre- and post-

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game video interviews with Pride athletes streamed on the School website. When asked how radio differs from video broadcasting, Winn replied, “On radio, your audience can’t see you; you can’t rely on body language as self-expression.

You learn to fill the air with words so each show becomes more of a conversation than a visual performance.”

A three-sport varsity athlete and prefect at TrinityPawling, Winn credits the combination of all these opportunities with improving his public speaking and personal confidence. “Radio taught me that everything doesn’t have to be scripted. The conversation can be spontaneous, genuine, and entertaining. I learned to be more comfortable with myself and go with my gut. It definitely improved my ability to converse with anyone and keep it flowing.”

Silva agrees with Winn’s observation. “Radio gave me a platform to present music and ideas I’m passionate about.

I could create each show and wasn’t tied to a prescriptive formula. Now as a producer, I can provide a venue for Trinity-Pawling boys to discover radio. Guys like Louis and Ryan were naturals and caught on quickly. They showed a great deal of respect and professionalism for this medium.”

Voices of Trinity-Pawling 2019 Four students from Kent Burnham’s public speaking class took to the microphone for the first time on a Friday evening in late January. The boys had prepared a series of interview questions for the 56-minute show. Scott Stensrud ’19 of Lagrangeville, New York acted as host and directed the flow, filling in the gaps and making segues to the songs they had pre-selected. He grew more confident over the hour as he settled into his role. The students asked questions of each other: how’s the basketball team doing this season, tell me about your background, why did you come to Trinity-Pawling, and of course, they had a spirited debate about the upcoming Super Bowl. They kept the banter focused and lively, but once they turned off the mic and cued up a song, they sank back into their seats and exhaled. “Man, that is hard!” said Truth Harris ’20 from Mount Vernon, New York. “I thought we had a ton of material but we blew through it so fast!” However, as the class shuffled out of the studio and headed for pizza down the street, two of them were already making plans to come back another Friday night.

Robby Phillips ’19, a six-year student and prefect from Pawling, hosted a session with Director of College Counseling Slade Mead and Chief Financial Officer Glenn Carey shortly after Election Day 2018. “I wanted to

THROWBACK RADIO BILL TAYLOR WKCO 91.9, Kenyon College (1981 -1985)

Trinity-Pawling faculty member Kevin Richards hosts a show with Jonathan Link ’21 examine the results of the midterm elections. We had some pretty lively discussion since Mr. Mead was an Arizona State Senator and Mr. Carey was mayor of Pawling and remains very involved in the political scene.” Phillips also shared insights from his internship with the Antonio Delgado campaign for New York’s 19th District.

In April, Phillips invited the newly-elected New York State Senator Pete Harckham on the show. They discussed his legislative agenda, his work in Albany, and his role in turning the State Senate ‘blue.’

“Hosting my first show was pretty difficult since it was the first time I’d been on the air,” Phillips acknowledged. “Throughout the hour I got more comfortable as I learned to talk normally and just have conversation. Having Mr. Mead and Mr. Carey on with me definitely helped it run more smoothly. We ended up having fun.”

Amy Foster continues to shepherd the program, along with assistance from faculty member Kevin Richards, encouraging students from all walks to get involved. “Every show is different, and each group creates their own content. Sports talk, music, travel, community events, what it’s like to be an international student. The guys learn to over-prepare and also to think on their feet. They’re nervous at first but once they realize it’s just like hanging out with their friends talking in front of a microphone, they loosen up.”

Foster appreciates how this show challenges the boys to get out of their comfort zones and express themselves creatively. “I stay involved because I love watching kids open their horizons and think it’s a relatively unique opportunity for them. They can also develop a digital portfolio of work.”

Headmaster Bill Taylor agrees. “I think there is great value in the Trinity-Pawling radio opportunity. It provides the students with a voice in the local community. In addition to making them more confident public speakers, it’s yet another avenue for them to explore their interests and their growing self-awareness.”

Listen to Voices of Trinity-Pawling at www.mixcloud.com/ PawlingPublicRadio/playlists/the-voices-of-trinity-pawling/

I began my involvement with WKCO at the beginning of my freshman year. Originally, I partnered with a friend and we called it the "Bill and Pete Show."

That first year, we played mostly classic rock and roll but gradually transitioned into rocka-billy music (Stray Cats, etc.) and alternative music (Clash, Talking Heads, Sex Pistols, etc.).

We continued to partner into our sophomore year with my sets focusing more on alternative music and his sets more on "indy" music. Junior year, I developed my own show and by senior year, I had the coveted spot on Saturday nights before everyone went out to the various parties.

By that time, I was playing almost exclusively alternative music. (Taylor’s show was voted the most popular on the radio that year.)

I loved playing the music, but I also grew to enjoy commenting on the music and figuring out the best segues between records. Of course, it was all vinyl in those days. I often would record my radio shows and used them as party tapes for the fraternity or just amongst friends.

Being on the radio definitely made me a better communicator and a more confident speaker.

Most importantly, though, it was just plain fun!

TODD HOFFMAN WHCL 88.7, Hamilton College (1986-1990) I was recruited by my freshman roommate, Topher. We did the “T & T” show for three years.

Somehow we landed the Saturday 6 to 8 PM slot and played mostly classic rock. We took requests as people were getting into their Saturday nights.

People called us to play songs they didn’t have.

With no internet or Amazon at the time, we could give our audience music they might not have been able to find in the record store.

DJs make mistakes too. Someone requested Depeche Mode, so we picked out a 45 rpm large disc and put it on the turntable. They called back to tell us it was on the wrong speed – we had it on 33 rpm. Doing the radio show taught us skills: improvisation, creativity in reacting to calls, and how to build a play list that flowed while integrating requests. Music is still a mainstay of my daily life.

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 27

Elizabeth P. Allen Retires as President of the Board

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

In May 2019, Elizabeth P. Allen retired from her role as president of Trinity-Pawling School’s board of trustees; she held this leadership position for 16 years.

“Serving as board president has been the best opportunity I’ve had for volunteer and nonprofit service because of the people I’ve worked with on the board and in the administration. I’ve been buoyed by the excitement of education and the ability to help develop policies that make Trinity-Pawling so vibrant. Serving as a trustee has been a great gift to me.”

When asked to reflect on the growth of the School over the past four decades, Allen first laughed in amazement. “I never dreamed I’d be involved this long!

But this work is so meaningful to me.”

She then shared observations that reveal the depth of her institutional knowledge. “Anyone who lived through the 1960s and 70s knows it was a tumultuous time. Phil Smith P’79 came to Trinity-Pawling in 1970 and worked diligently to make the School a fine educational institution. At the time, Trinity-Pawling and Trinity School Manhattan were governed by the same board of trustees, called the Trinity Episcopal Schools Corporation. That board was New Yorkoriented, so Phil and a few friends of Trinity-Pawling 28 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

put together an advisory group in 1975 to offer counsel to the Manhattan board on matters that pertained specifically to Trinity-Pawling. Phil invited me to serve on that advisory group, along with then-president Dick Colhoun P’70, P’72 and others. In 1978, Trinity-Pawling separated officially from Trinity School, and we formed our own distinct board. I’ve been on that board ever since. That’s 44 years!”

What has kept her inspired and engaged? “My incredible colleagues over the years, the vitality of the School, and the dedication of the leadership.”

Allen has served as a trustee under three headmasters: Phil Smith, Arch Smith, and Bill Taylor, each of whom advanced the School to new heights. “Phil Smith developed programs that made Trinity-Pawling an attractive place for families to send their kids. Under his leadership came the language retraining program and coeducation from the mid 1970s to mid 1980s. Phil also was instrumental in helping to create the Founders League in 1984. Joining that conference put our athletics into a larger, more competitive arena.”

“Arch Smith came in as a science teacher, with a gift for detail and data,” Allen continued. “However, he was also an excellent writer and brought a broad spectrum of

skills that served the School well in his 25 years as head, in particular his financial acumen and skill at building out the campus. Now at the helm, Bill Taylor is an innovator and strong moral leader, with deep experience in the Episcopal church. Bill understands how to create curriculum that will serve the needs of today’s population while also training them for the future.”

Allen is pleased to see the same spirit of excitement and commitment in today’s trustees that infused the newly-formed board of trustees in 1978. “We discuss and disagree and have different ideas, but in the end we all come together in the service of the School. There’s an unusual synergy among the trustees, more so than on other boards on which I have served. We have 25-year-old young alumni working alongside trustees with 20-plus years of experience. They feel the camaraderie and see the respect we all have for one another. I encourage all the trustees to apply their various gifts and skills to support the mission of the School.”

Allen praises the mentors who preceded her as president. “Dick Colhoun was a do-er, an entrepreneur.

Back in the early 1980s, he and I took several day trips to schools like ours around the New England area to see how they were serving their constituencies. Of course, we were casing the joints and seeing what we could learn!

And Stretch Gardiner ’40 was an amazing influence on my life. He was such a kind human being and a dear friend, with enormous persuasive skills and a commanding presence, yet a gracious style of leadership. Other mentors include Millie Berendsen and Tip Kenyon P’77, both perceptive leaders and incredibly wise friends who would offer sound advice. I miss them to this day.”

Strategic planning every ten years has been crucial to Trinity-Pawling’s growth since 1990, according to Allen.

“The School’s willingness to engage in these long range planning committees, comprised of trustees and members of the faculty and staff, allows the School to dream for the future. I was honored to chair the Long Range Planning Committee 2000. Serving on those planning committees provides amazing groundwork for developing leadership.”

In 2002, then-president Stretch Gardiner and Headmaster Arch Smith invited Liz Allen to lunch.

“ What makes Liz so unique is that she is strategic in her thinking; she empowers those around her to ask the difficult questions; she creates a climate that supports learning and collaboration; she uses these characteristics to alter what people feel is possible and appropriate.

That is true leadership, and Liz’s leadership abilities in this regard are unparalleled.”

— Doug Ebert ’64

“During the meal, they asked if I would be willing to succeed Stretch as president of the board. I didn’t see that coming at all! After my chin hit the floor, I agreed and stepped into the role in 2003. I had no idea how I was going to follow this giant of a man, but everyone supported me. I realized I could do the job if I got myself out of the way, did what I thought was the right thing, and consulted with the head and others.”

Over the past 16 years as president, Allen says her leadership has evolved greatly. “I had to prepare well, be a perceptive listener, and keep the board focused on upholding the mission of the School. But above all, I strove to support the headmaster and ensure that he has sufficient time to rejuvenate.”

Throughout its 112-year history, Trinity-Pawling has remained grounded in its Episcopal values. Every Long Range Planning Committee since 1990 examines the School’s core values, and All Saints’ Chapel remains the heart of the community. However, Allen notes that society changes and schools must evolve as well to meet the emerging needs of the population. “Trinity-Pawling has always discerned ways to flourish while remaining grounded in its mission. This School does a superb job educating young men, supporting their families, and encouraging the development of the faculty and staff.

I feel enormously proud of my deep connection to this School and grateful for this opportunity. And I would be honored to stay on as a trustee if they’ll have me.”

Rest assured, Liz. A seat at the boardroom table awaits your return in September. The Trinity-Pawling community remains indebted to you for your sagacious leadership and steady presence for 44 years, and counting.

Well-done, good and faithful servant.

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 29

pride athletics

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS VARSITY BASKETBALL The varsity basketball team ended the season with a 12-13 record. The season started with some difficulty, as the boys dropped their first two games. They went on to win their next two, and the season progressed in much the same fashion – win a few, then lose a few. The team closed out the year well, however, with a nail-biting last second win over Berkshire and a 26-point blowout against Kent during the Pride’s senior night. The team had 4 players win Honorable Mention NEPSAC Class A honors: Chris Gleaton ’20, Truth Harris ’20, Mike Koch ’19, and Bryce Nash ’19. With a number of talented returning underclassman, including Harris and Gleaton, the team will look to build on their successes next year.

VARSITY HOCKEY The varsity hockey team finished the 2018-19 season with a record of 9-12-2. The boys had a difficult start to the season, losing or tying 7 of their 8 games in December. Some early season injuries and an extremely difficult first half schedule made for a challenging December and January. Yet as the team healed and competition eased, the wins started coming. The team notched wins in 5 of their last 7 games of the season, including multiple wins over Taft and an 8-2 blowout against Brunswick. Led by senior goalie Evan Ruschil ’19, the stout D-group had one of the lowest goals against averages in the league, but a lack of scoring made winning games a difficult task. The team graduates 11 seniors this year, and with a strong core of returning players, optimism is high for next season.

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VARSITY SKIING The varsity ski team came into the year with a smaller and more inexperienced team. Griffin Fluehr ’21 and Harrison Salisbury ’20 led the team in placing and finishes, holding their own in many races throughout the season. The team finished in 7th place at the NEPSAC Championships this year and looks forward to growing as a team next year.

VARSITY SQUASH The varsity squash team came into the year with few returning players and a lot of inexperience in the lineup. While the team failed to win a team match, players triumphed in their individual matches throughout the year. Huma Bekhiet ’19 led the way at the #1 spot, winning a number of matches and regularly taking on the opposing teams’ toughest players.

As a whole, the team showed great improvement throughout the season. They look forward to a promising year ahead with a large group of returning players.

VARSITY WRESTLING The varsity wrestling team finished their dual meet schedule with a record of 10-4. The team finished 2nd at the Western New England Tournament and 4th at the New England Tournament, edging out Brunswick by a half of a point. 8 Trinity-Pawling wrestlers earned All-New England titles by placing in their respective weight classes. The Pride then brought 6 wrestlers to Prep Nationals and finished 20th out of 122 schools. All six wrestlers won matches and contributed to the team finishing one place ahead of Brunswick, placing in the Top 20. This was the second highest finish for the Pride since 2006. Lucas Hughes ’20 and David Bancroft ’20 both made the top 16 – two matches away from placing. Liam Dietrich ’21 earned All-American status by placing 4th in the 285 lb weight class! This is the highest finish for any Pride wrestler at Nationals since 2008. The team’s future looks bright, as they return 8 All-New England wrestlers and 1 All-American next year.

ROLL PRIDE! S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 31 S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 31

pride spotlight

RYAN SPARK ’06 AND TOMAS RODRIGUEZ ’15 On the World Stage

BY EMMA CHRISTIANTELLI

32 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

2,000 athletes. 46 nations. 10 days. 2 Trinity-Pawling alumni on the fields. The 2018 FIL Men’s Lacrosse World Championship was certainly an event for the record books.

Every four years, the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) hosts the Men’s Lacrosse World Championship, the sport’s pinnacle competition. From July 11-21, the 2018 championship was held in Netanya, Israel. Across 10 exciting days, a total of 46 nations competed for the coveted championship title — ­ making the 2018 tournament the largest in FIL history. Among those competing nations were Australia and Puerto Rico. Wearing those nations’ jerseys were two of Trinity-Pawling’s very own: Ryan Spark ’06 in the goal for Australia and Tomas Rodriguez ’15 on defense for Puerto Rico.

“The experience was unbelievable,” began Rodriguez. “I never thought I’d be playing lacrosse at the international level and representing Puerto Rico was such an honor.” Rodriguez earned his spot on the roster for the Puerto Rican national team in 2017. A defenseman in his junior year at Pace University at the time, he also had two years of Division I lacrosse at the University of Maryland Baltimore County under his belt.

Spark’s journey to the championship began several years earlier. He was selected as an alternate for the 2010 team and a serious ACL injury prevented him from trying out for the 2014 team. “That adversity presented me with many character-building moments,” Spark reflected. “It allowed me to find a healthy balance between my life and the sport. When I was selected for the 2018 team, I felt that I earned the right to be on the world stage and was so proud to represent Australia.”

For both Spark and Rodriguez, playing at the international level was an experience unlike any other.

“Playing against nations like the U.S., England, and Iroquois was an incredible opportunity to test my skills,” Spark explained. “My teammates and I made a lot of sacrifices to take the journey to the world championship.

Representing my country and playing in front of my family and our incredibly passionate fans was an experience I’ll never forget.”

Rodriguez, too, enjoyed the excitement that came with playing for a nation. “23 of us were representing all of Puerto Rico. We weren’t just playing for ourselves — we were playing for all those who played before us and anyone who will play after us. We received support from the entire island. That’s a feeling I’ll carry with me whenever I suit up.”

With over 2,000 athletes in Netanya at the time, it seemed unlikely that Rodriguez and Spark even knew the other was there. Emily Tucci, Trinity-Pawling teacher and athletic trainer, was following the competition and made the introduction. “Mrs. Tucci reached out to wish me luck during the games and put me in touch with Ryan Spark, who played for Australia,” Rodriguez explained. The next day, after his game against the Iroquois, Rodriguez noticed Australia taking the field to warm up. “I ran over to the goal and asked the guys if any of them went to TrinityPawling. The smile on Ryan’s face was a dead giveaway.”

Though the two players had never before crossed paths, they felt an instant connection. “That’s what T-P does for you. It builds this incredible brotherhood and support system. There’s nothing like it,” Rodriguez shared.

Both Rodriguez and Spark finished in the Top 10 at the 2018 World Championship. Australia finished fourth overall; Puerto Rico finished eighth and made history as the first-ever first year program in the tournament to make it to the Top 10.

“Knowing we could hold our own against the best players in the world…that was exhilarating,” shared Spark.

And to top it all off, both Spark and Rodriguez were able to meet on the world stage and realize just how far the Trinity-Pawling brotherhood goes.

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 33

pride spotlight

Connor Sallee ’08 RIDING WITH A SINGULAR GOAL

BY KATE VENGROVE

How many cups of coffee does it take to keep a pro cyclist racing all day? Fresh off the first leg of an all-day training ride, Connor Sallee ’08 took a break at a local Florida Starbucks to share the details of his exciting career as a professional cyclist, as well as clue me in on the unlikely connection between coffee and cycling.

Currently in the off-season of his year-long pursuit of country-wide wins, Sallee has again signed on with a pro team of 10 cyclists who are sponsored by Cyclus Sports. Their

34 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

team, licensed through USA Cycling and governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), spends the winter apart to train, reconvening in March on the race circuit in hopes of earning many individual and team wins.

“When we’re out there, it’s a real team vibe. We are all pulling for one of us to grab that 1st place positioning. There is a tremendous amount of strategy involved,” comments Sallee. Responsible for 10 of those team wins last year, Sallee humbly and practically takes it all in stride. “We just want

“ When we’re out there, it’s a real team vibe. We are all pulling for one of us to grab that 1st place positioning. There is a tremendous amount of strategy involved. ”

the best possible outcome for the team, and of course a first place win means we all get paid!”

Sallee’s passion for cycling began at an early age. “When I was in 6th grade, my teacher’s son was the director of a pro team. He spoke with us about the merits, and fun, of cycling.

As soon as I got home, I jumped on my dad’s bike, and the rest is history!” Sallee jokes. For many years, he trained and rode alongside Trinity-Pawling classmate Graham Lang ’08.

“We would race all summer long and we worked with Mr. Dinsmore ’91 to set up a school cycling team.”

Just to keep things interesting, and to supplement his income, Sallee recently started his own coaching business — Corndog Coaching, LLC. Referring to the unusual choice of business name, Sallee laughed, “It’s a long story,

but when I was working in a bike shop in Dallas, I acquired the nickname ‘Corndog’ ... and it stuck.” There’s certainly nothing corny about his work with clients, however. Sallee utilizes technology similar to a FitBit to track data markers such as heart rate, speed, cadence, and power output to help measure and improve his clients’ performance. Working with everyone from amateurs to those with professional aspirations, Sallee is able to provide tips and workout plans based on data, and his clients have been thrilled with the results. “The goal is always singular — to get faster,” states Sallee.

Much of the mental attitude and work ethic that Sallee relies upon to succeed, he learned right here at TrinityPawling. “To be held accountable and responsible at such a young age is an incredible learning experience. The School instilled in me an important sense of determination that I utilize every time I race,” Sallee reflects. “Oh, and I still use my planner!” he jokes.

We imagine Sallee is planning for many more wins in the next year, and can’t wait to follow his success!

As for the answer to the opening question: “It’s infinite!

You would never believe it, but cyclists have a unique passion for a good cup of joe, and know where the best coffee shop is in each racing town! Many even carry an extra suitcase with them for all of their java accessories — grinders, machines, and beans,” says Sallee. So if you’re ever in doubt about where to grab that next cup ... “just go ask a cyclist!”

by the numbers The Bold Impact of Your Gifts EACH AND EVERY GIFT MAKES A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE FOR TRINITY-PAWLING. Gifts made to the School provide the necessary resources to fully cover the breadth of the Trinity-Pawling experience — an experience that alumni, parents, and friends of the School have come to know and love throughout the School’s rich history.

Contributions cover everything from clubs and sports, to faculty salaries, to new curricular initiatives. Here are just some highlights of your gifts in action.

100s 38 WINTER PROJECTS WITH TOPICS LIKE ORGANIZE A SPIKEBALL TOURNAMENT FOR CHARITY AND PAINT PORTRAITS OF SYRIAN REFUGEES WERE COMPLETED THIS YEAR. 36 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND TRAINING, ARE ATTENDED

BY FACULTY EACH YEAR.

14

20

OFF-CAMPUS SERVICE-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES EACH TERM ENABLE STUDENTS TO WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

NEW CARDIO MACHINES IN THE SMITH FIELD HOUSE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PRIDE TO WORK AND TRAIN TOGETHER.

3D PRINTERS GIVE STATE-OF-THE-ART STATUS TO NEW PROJECT POSSIBILITIES FOR DIGITAL MEDIA AND ART STUDENTS.

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BEAUTIFUL ACRES PROVIDE MANY OUTDOOR LEARNING AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES ON CAMPUS.

CONNECTIONS Joe Rice ’50 FINDING SUCCESS THROUGH PERSISTENCE

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

Sitting on Joe Rice’s desk is a clock engraved with the following quote: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press on! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

Rice co-founded Clayton, Dubilier, and Rice, one of the most venerable private equity investment firms in the world. To celebrate the 25th anniversary, Rice gave his partners these clocks inscribed with Calvin Coolidge’s powerful credo.

“We started this firm from scratch in 1978. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do but by plugging away, we’ve made it into a highly-respected organization. And it seems that Trinity-Pawling’s continued focus on effort upholds the spirit of Coolidge’s words.”

Rice spent two years at Trinity-Pawling and matriculated at Williams College. “I had wanted to attend Williams since I was 12 years old, and TrinityPawling helped me achieve that goal.” After Williams, Rice served in the Marines and then earned his law degree from Harvard. He practiced law until he founded his private equity firm in Manhattan.

Rice retired in 2013 and now has the time to travel with his wife, Franci Blassberg. “Franci teaches a course in investment at universities around the country and internationally. Cornell, Berkeley, and this spring she’ll be at Tel Aviv University. I travel with her and take classes at each university, picking interesting courses focused on political science or government. In Israel this spring, I hope to spend time studying the geopolitics of the Middle East.”

“Lifelong education remains paramount to Franci and me. We support our respective academic institutions: Cornell for Franci and Williams and Trinity-Pawling for me.” Rice understands that his contributions to the School’s endowment have a deep and lasting impact.

“ Joe’s steadfast commitment to

perseverance as reflected in his illustrious career inspires me to press onward toward goals of constant growth for the School.”

— Headmaster Bill Taylor

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 37

connections

Jeff Webb ’54 A LASTING STAMP ON TRINITY-PAWLING

BY CYRUS ROTHWELL-FERRARIS

“I went to Trinity-Pawling entirely on scholarship, and that gave rise to my desire to give back to the School, since that’s how I got started.”

Jeff Webb ’54 began collecting stamps and coins at eight years old, inspired by his fascination with American history and the proximity of this history to his hometown of South Salem, NY. He shared a memory of his father spinning his tale of the 1776 Battle of White Plains. The British had planned to sail schooners up the Bronx River to reinforce existing troops, but Webb chuckled at this notion, “The Bronx River! If you’ve driven from New York City to Pawling, you know that river is more like a creek.” Without reinforcements, the British lost the battle, and the Revolutionaries soon won the war, paving the way for a nation that introduced mass post and the minting of currency.

‘Spider’ Webb — as he was known at Trinity-Pawling — continued his hobby collecting rare stamps and coins through his boarding school years. During this time, ‘Spider’ also served as a head prefect and was a twoyear president of the Trinity-Pawling Glee Club, which functioned as a locus for social infrastructure between Trinity-Pawling and all-girls’ schools. At Glee Club concerts, members of the men’s and women’s groups were paired off as dates by age and height, but as the head member, Webb got a date with the women’s club president. Webb shared that “the president of Emma Willard School was… Jane Fonda. I can claim that I went on two dates with Jane Fonda!”

Webb has a wry sense of humor, and an extensive yet unassuming knowledge of American history, but his voice dropped to a serious tone when he said, “I look back at my years at Trinity-Pawling as really the happiest years of my 81 years of life. Life is full of good days and bad days, whereas my time at Trinity-Pawling were four magnificently joyous years.”

Webb explained that American stamps come in a few forms, and his exhaustive collection shows the meticulosity of this passion. His collection had copies of 38 T R I N I T Y - P A W L I N G M A G A Z I N E

every single commemorative stamp ever made in the U.S. In addition, he owned every airmail stamp, almost every revenue stamp for newspapers, and had all but the first four stamps of a ‘Missionary’ collection issued in Hawaii.

Webb estimated that those missing stamps went for five to ten thousand dollars each!

Last year, Webb decided to turn his collection of a lifetime into the gift of a lifetime. He submitted his complete collection of stamps and coins, which he collected over the past 71 years, to an auction house.

Every stamp and coin was sold, and with the proceeds, Webb established a generous scholarship fund for Trinity-Pawling students in need of financial assistance.

Webb purchased a few copies of the items he sold — a sheet of two-cent, carmine stamps issued in 1926 that commemorate the Battle of White Plains, and six coins.

The coins celebrate America’s achievement in exploration from the days of Christopher Columbus to the space shuttle Discovery. These stamps and coins will be on display at the School to inspire future collectors.

After his time at Trinity-Pawling, Webb attended Amherst College where he graduated in 1958. He worked in insurance for over 35 years before retiring in 1995 as Senior VP of Prudential Reinsurance Company. Webb lives in Morristown, NJ with his wife Mary Hennessy, and spends the colder months of the year in Bonita Springs, FL. He still sings as a soloist at his local church, channeling mornings in Chapel as head of the TrinityPawling Glee Club.

BOB VERMES ’63 A TALE OF FATHER-SON AND BROTHERLY CONNECTIONS

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

“My dad met Matt Dann in the late 1950s and was enamored with him,” recounts Bob Vermes ’63. “He determined that Trinity-Pawling would be the best place for me.” Vermes spent four years in Pawling where he thrived with the Effort System. “I developed self-discipline and focus. The small classes taught in the Socratic style encouraged me to participate and not just sit back. It was the best way for me to learn, and that carried into my years at Northwestern and grad school.”

While at Northwestern, Vermes wavered between medical or law school. After graduating, he followed his father’s path to Cornell Medical School in Manhattan.

Pursuit of a research project ultimately led him to meet Alan Gibofsky, a first-year student at Cornell Medical School. “Alan was a genius even at 19, and we became great friends.” Gibofsky’s father had a genetic kidney disorder and needed dialysis. Vermes’ father was a doctor at New York Presbyterian. “My dad arranged for Alan’s father to receive treatment. That got me interested in kidney transplantation which became my research project for med school.” A urologist took Vermes under his wing.

“I spent the next year watching kidney transplants, flying on helicopters to pick up and transport kidneys, and monitoring various renal machines.” Although he loved the work, Vermes realized that med school was not for him. So he went to California in 1970 to study law.

By day, Vermes worked as an office manager for a pharmaceutical company in the San Fernando Valley.

“My medical school experience gave me enough background to pass the requisite pharmacy license. In exchange, the pharmaceutical company paid for my law school education.” Vermes specialized in medical law and has worked as a workers’ compensation defense lawyer for the past 39 years. “With workers’ comp cases, everything is based on medical reports, so my two years in med school actually paid off! My career has been a perfect balance of medical and legal.”

Vermes finds his work stimulating and can’t imagine retiring. “I’ve done hundreds of trials and thousands of depositions, and I love prepping for trials. I pore over medical files to determine our next steps. There’s a collegial atmosphere among the doctors and judges, the antithesis of a criminal court.”

Back to Vermes and Gibofsky. “We remained friends over the years and are like brothers. I knew he would eventually need a kidney transplant because he inherited his father’s polycystic kidney disorder.” Fifteen years ago, Gibofsky called Vermes to say it was time.

“Without hesitating, I told him I would give him my kidney. Subsequent medical testing confirmed we had a perfect match.” Vermes flew out from California in November 2003, and the procedure took place at New York Presbyterian Cornell. “The doctors performed the innovative laparoscopic surgery. Three small holes through my stomach, removed the kidney, and within minutes Alan, who was in an adjacent hospital room, had my kidney. I was out of the hospital in two days.”

As for Gibofsky, he’s a world-renowned rheumatologist and teaches at Cornell Medical School. Also trained as a lawyer, he teaches law at Fordham as well. “Alan idolized my dad for what he had done for his own father. He became a surrogate son to my dad. My father had been president of the Faculty Club at Cornell and took Alan and me there to lunch frequently. Ironically, Alan is now president of the Faculty Club.”

Vermes and his wife, June, have three daughters and six grandchildren, all of whom live within five miles of the Vermes’ home in Irvine, California. Vermes and Gibofsky see each other several times a year and speak frequently.

“Alan has a home in the Berkshires, and he texts me every time he passes through Pawling.” They reunited in November 2018 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the kidney donation.

The power of brotherhood knows no bounds.

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 39

connections

Bill Shannon ’69 THE CONNECTOR

BY MARIA BUTEUX READE

Ask Bill Shannon ’69 a classmate’s name, and he’ll rattle off the fellow’s hometown, college, current residence, and line of work. That depth of knowledge applies to many members of the surrounding classes from the late 1960s as well. Rain Man-esque? Just a reflection of the deep connections Shannon has fostered with alumni over the decades.

“Fraternalism is brotherly love.

Coach LaBelle wrote a beautiful As guys in an all-male boarding letter in return.” school, you become like brothers Shannon spent four years at who love each other. In many Trinity-Pawling where he led the ways it’s magical. It could be ranks as head prefect and received that those moments seem more ten varsity letters in hockey, precious and magical as you get football, and lacrosse. He served older. Regardless, the fact is, you on the board of trustees from 1994 love the guys and you hold those to 2003. Former Board President friendships as tight as you can Stretch Gardiner ’40 asked over the span of your life.”

Shannon to chair the Development Shannon holds fast to a Committee. “How could I say simple tenet: “Life is short, no?” Shannon, who worked for Bill Shannon ’69 with Dennis Slater ’68 and brothers look out for each several years in development at other. You want to be there for a his other alma mater St. Lawrence brother and you know that a real brother will be there for University, helped push fundraising to new levels during you. As a teammate, confidant, and trusted friend, you his tenure. always show up when it is most important. You attend Beyond Trinity-Pawling, Shannon was the managing weddings with joy and funerals with sadness, but always director for Latin America in the international division with gratitude and love.” of United Distillers and Vintners, now part of Guinness.

Along with Scott Menzies ’69, Shannon was at Rick He left the company in 1999 and subsequently worked Bergland’s side in 2012, two days before he died. George for U.W. Marx, an Albany-based family business owned Brush ’69 and Bill Shattuck ’69 flew into Baltimore a few

by Peter Marx ’73. Shannon retired in 2018 and splits his weeks earlier to say goodbye to Ricky. Menzies and Rick time between Dorset, Vermont and the Capital District Jamieson ’69 lived nearby and were with Ricky regularly near his hometown of Troy, New York. in the last months of his life. Shannon felt honored when “Coming to Trinity-Pawling was a gift. Matt Dann Ricky gave him one last assignment. “Ricky asked me gave me a chance and in return, I gained discipline and to write a letter to Bill LaBelle to tell him how much we confidence. I developed lifelong relationships with my (members of the 1969 lacrosse dynasty) loved him, how classmates, coaches, and teachers. It’s a family, and family Ricky became the man he was because of him, and what commits to each other and rises to the occasion when an influence LaBelle was on all of us. So I did. And needed or invited. It’s pretty simple, right?”

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from THE archives FOR THE JOY OF WORKING WITH HIS HANDS ADAPTED BY MEGAN BURLINGTON

Cortlandt “Bud” Heyniger ’33 was a man of many interests — during his time at the Pawling School he played center on the football team, threw the discus and hammer in track, played defense on the hockey team, and sang second bass in the Glee Club. He then went on to co-invent the Sailfish and later the Sunfish with childhood friend Alexander Bryan.

Al and Bud’s collaborations in boat design began with the pair building iceboats in a lumberyard loft in Waterbury, CT following World War II. They turned their focus to creating the Sailfish sailboat, which after some trial and error became available for $128.50. In the first year, 100 Sailfish were sold, but business really boomed after the Sailfish appeared in the 1948 Boat Show and then a photographic article in Life Magazine.

Modifications to the Sailfish, including a longer beam and more comfortable seating for the sailor, led to the invention of the Sunfish in 1951. These boats were originally made of wood, but fiberglass models came on the market after 1959. A lighter, faster boat meant an increased demand for production. Al and Bud happily sold their company, Alcort, in 1969 — as men who enjoyed working with their hands, they knew their strength did not lie in managing a growing business.

In 1995 the Sunfish was inducted into The American Sailboat Hall of Fame, cited as being the most popular fiberglass boat ever designed and with sales at that time in excess of 250,000.

Bud passed away in 1992.

upcoming events

Join the Celebrations!

Graduation Weekend May 24-25, 2019 Trinity-Pawling Campus

Admissions Open House October 14, 2019 Trinity-Pawling Campus

Boston Reception December 5, 2019 The Harvard Club

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend October 4-6, 2019 Trinity-Pawling Campus

Parents’ Weekend October 18-19, 2019 Trinity-Pawling Campus

New York City Reception December 10, 2019 The Union Club

15th Annual Golf Outing October 7, 2019 Southward Ho Country Club, Bay Shore, NY

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Admissions Preview Day November 11, 2019 Trinity-Pawling Campus

TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES A Trinity-Pawling education changes EVERYTHING. Boys arrive with potential and leave with passion, purpose, and a work ethic that will serve them the rest of their lives. They are shaped by the experiences that are distinctly Trinity-Pawling.

Through your generosity, you support a culture of TRANSFORMATION, where a boy’s highest POTENTIAL is DISCOVERED and UNLEASHED. Your gift to the Trinity-Pawling Fund fuels these bold discoveries. Each donation is an investment in both the present and the future of our boys and the School.

Make your gift today at www.trinitypawling.org/giving or via the reply envelope in this magazine Thank you for your investment.

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 43

class notes | 1950 | Stephen W. “Woody” Cornell Still going strong despite getting to the top (or bottom) of this list. Live in a fantastic family compound in the middle of Key West, with daughter and son, two other children still in Vermont. Travel this year includes a visit to family in London and a visit to our old home in France, also sojourn in the Easter Islands and our neighbor Cuba. Bought a Morgan car, but had to sell because could not get in or out, age will tell. | 1952 | Donald Aikman Still living on and enjoying Cape Cod. Playing bridge two afternoons a week. Digging clams and gathering oysters as desired. Serving on the Chatham Railroad Museum Group and the Chatham Historical Commission. Celebrated my 85th birthday earlier this year. Happily married for 56 years. Life is good!

| 1953 | Phil Haughey How great was it to see Tom Crowley and Chris Wren and their spouses at the Boston Reception in December.

All look terrific.

Dave Williams I am still in Tukwila, WA. I keep exercising to try to stay healthy. I recently passed my technician level amateur radio license test. Call sign is KI7LCZ. | 1954 | Stephan Wilkinson Ask me anything about the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Mitsubishi G4M Betty, Messerschmitt Bf 110 or the Occupation of the Channel Islands, my most recent articles for Aviation History and Military History magazines...and soon I’ll be an instant expert on the Republic F-105 Thud, my current research subject. In my dotage, I can’t imagine what I’d do if I had to retire. | 1957 | Bill Scully Best regards to all in ’57. I am headed to Vero Beach. Hope to see Jeff Meighan.

Peter Todebush Charlie Sticka came to Cutchogue to visit me to fulfill a ‘bucket list’ wish. We spent many hours together recreating vivid images of our time at T-P (Karpoe and Dann particularly), what happened in college (Trinity and Colgate), and memorable life experiences thereafter. This kind of camaraderie/friendship is hard to duplicate. *Sadly, Peter passed away on March 28, 2019. *

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book this winter. Finally, we started a website for those who want to travel vicariously with us. I look back on my years at T-P and see the formation of a base that has been really helpful both during my working years and now.

Count on the same happening to you.

| 1958 | Webster Russell At 78 I am still learning, however in a different venue. Now I learn not only through reading and writing, but through travel. I have been around the world twice. I will be going to Antarctica, the Amazon, and Cuba in 2019, and (the good lord willing) around the world a third time in 2020. We will be publishing our third book in November and wrapping up research on our fourth

Michael Kovner Here I am on The Royal Scotsman train trip through Scotland in September with my husband Jean Doyen de Montaillou. A most fabulous trip starting in Edinburgh going north through the Highlands and seeing the country and doing as much as we could! This is why I missed not only the September trustee meetings, but also my reunion. First photo we are on the train dressed in our everyday kilts, second photo is back home in Greenwich in our full dress kilts. Missed my 60th reunion!

Seems like yesterday. Sad to hear about the fabulous Stretch Gardiner ’40, but so happy I was able to know this remarkable man through my association with T-P. | 1959 | Richard Van Horn The highlights of our year include lots of time with our five grandchildren, a visit from Dick’s Pearl Harbor roommate Joe Hendrick and Paula, a September-October trip, first to Portugal with our friends Pete and Nora Garrod and John and Anna Mapes. Noreen and Dick then

a 20’ wooden sailing yawl. We sail it on Barnegat Bay, NJ, where we have a summer house. | 1962 |

joined an Overseas Adventure Tour to the Baltic States (Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania) and then Russia.

Earlier in the year in August, Dick joined our Chillingworth / Marrach grandchildren for a week-long whitewater rafting adventure at the Grand Canyon. | 1960 |

Scott Yeaw As for myself, I am fully retired as of June 2007 after 30 years of practicing urology in the Lehigh Valley region of PA. My wife Susan, a nurse, was my office manager and retired simultaneously. We are currently living in Nazareth, PA and enjoying time with our three daughters and 4 grandkids. After retirement we have been spending our winters in San Diego where we have a condo. Our youngest daughter Katy, lives there with two grandchildren. We stay active walking and bike riding and spend a moderate amount of time traveling. Our health is pretty good and we are otherwise quietly enjoying our retirement.

Skip Eads and the late John Davis from May 1, 2010.

| 1961 |

Denny Van Valkenburgh Attended and graduated college at Furman University. I played for the 89th Congress and President Johnson, October 1965 in the Oval Room of White House. I formed Folk Trio Ned Odum Boys and recorded for Columbia Records, then in TV advertising business. Retired and living in Augusta, GA. Married with two sons and three grandchildren, life is good.

John Weaver Lilley Sold my restaurant in Philadelphia, Friday Saturday Sunday, after 42 years to a young couple. They live upstairs, she runs the dining room and he is the chef. They are doing quite well. I’ve had the time and the pleasure to build

Tom Linacre This past summer I took a 6,245 mile motorcycle trip from Michigan to Quebec, Halifax, Rockport, ME, Killington, VT, Kingston, NY, Wilmington, DE, Fredericksburg, VA and Pittsburgh, PA. Along the way I was able to reconnect with several of my classmates (Andy Burgess, Jerry Hall, Marge Barton, and Kevin Kelley) who very graciously opened their

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class notes homes and hospitality to me. Oh yes, and I stopped at the school where I ran into a couple of staff members! What a great trip! Get out there and ride!

Ron Van Amberg Still practicing law, but cutting back a bit, playing old fogey soccer (over 48), banjo in a weekly bluegrass jam, and generally enjoying New Mexico, an incredible state. Almost had Tom L. as a neighbor, but he’ll get here eventually. | 1963 | Bill Peters Happily celebrating 50 years married to Lee, 2 great, successful sons, 2 equally "multi-degreed" daughterin-laws, and 5 grands right on target...I say my thanks daily for my blessings...My best to my ole classmates and all are welcome to visit! Have acclimated to retirement quite well...love to see all classmates....and of course, previous classes.

Fritz Weeman Our 55th Reunion was a great one.

Twelve of our classmates traveled to Pawling (no small undertaking) to reconnect with good friends going back over half a century. In attendance were Tom Britton, Bill Daniel, Bill Gatchell, Bruce Gillie, Dick Johnson, Steve Lewis, Paul Miller, Bill Norton, Will Rosenbaum, Bob Vermes (all the way from CA), Ladd Weinberg and yours truly, Fritz

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Weeman. We also saw Bill LaBelle and Bill Cooper who taught and coached us back in the day. It is amazing to see how well our school has developed both physically and academically. I’d rather not wait another five years to reunite. Perhaps we could get together in 2020 somewhere. Any suggestions? | 1964 | Peter Wyeth I enjoyed playing in the Miles Hubbard Fund benefit golf tournament at the Morefar Club with a number of my classmates. It was a fun time with great food and the School staff did a fabulous job. I also loved seeing the new room in the athletic center dedicated to the Class of 1964 in recognition for our support of T-P. Going back brings back so many memories of an important time in my life. I hope more classes will follow our example. | 1965 | Bill Fields I was re-elected to the Berkshire Hills School Committee on November 6th.

Comprised of three towns — Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge — entering my 2nd term. I also co-chair a committee to decide what to do with an aging high school building that is 53 years old.

Still playing basketball three days a week. I’m also part of a leadership team at our local community college that mentors students. Full-time retirement means lots of gardening, reading, playing b-ball, and meetings.

Have been happily married for 48 years and looking forward to our 50th anniversary.

| 1967 | John Shattuck It was great seeing old and best friends last year at our reunion.

Trying to retire, but still working— currently as an advocate for people who are deaf. Five grandchildren, WOW, great fun! | 1968 | Geb Slocum I want to say how great it was to see everyone at our 50th reunion. I hope that some of us can get together before our next reunion.

Rodney Rose Retired in August 2018 from Allied Beverage Group LLC after 40 years.

Karen and I recently bought a new home in Arizona — 2541 Cartegena Drive, Sierra Vista, Arizona 85650 — we both are looking forward to our retirements in Arizona. | 1969 | Emlen Drayton My wife and I still reside in Middletown, RI, after 32 years of marriage. I am still teaching physical science at St. Michael’s School but resigned from the AD position there after a 16-year stint. Our 4 kids are all grown up with college degrees. My oldest is a business woman in Florida, second is an arborist/musician in Newport, third is a writer/ philosopher in Newport, and 4th is in the movie business in L.A. My wife and I do a lot of work for charity as auctioneers. Mostly because of her we did manage to get two "Volunteers of the Year" awards from a woman’s shelter called Lucy’s Hearth and the Martin Luther King Center, both Newport non-profits.

Bruce Foulke After producing almost 60 albums for myself and other recording artists, I’m in the process of finishing an album with some amazing musicians and friends. Certainly a long way from the T-P band featured in our 1969 yearbook with Steve Hannock on guitar and Jerry Ade on keyboard! I also write grants for Mystic Seaport Museum. Living in Niantic and North Truro, semi-retired, but musicians don’t retire so there is that. | 1971 | Bob Spang Just came out of retirement to start new job with FEMA next month. | 1973 | James Desrosier After 22 years in Silicon Valley, my internment on the Left Coast has come to a close. The prodigal son has returned. I’m living in Greenwich, CT now. I cannot express how good it feels to be back home, because it would be an over-the-top expletive-laden borderline-manic rant. Coincidently, I dropped my California-born-and-bred kid at NYU after a long road trip. I have no expectation to see or hear much of him despite his proximity. I may still be his bank and a short subway-totrain ride away, but I’m also a realist about the fact he’s on his own and on his way. It’s all incredibly exciting.

I’m certain my elation seems giddy.

However, this move has been two decades in the making and to finally realize it is a freaking huge deal.

The cool part is that my incredible T-P brothers are no longer at bay a continent away. Look out. I’m back.

| 1974 | Reed Harbeck Halsted Hello after all these years. After working 30 years for the County of Fairfax, Virginia, I retired in 2014. And after 28 years of living in downtown Winchester, my wife and I are building a home in Basye, VA. Wishing all the blessing of health in 2019, Beck. | 1975 | Jeffrey Gorman Retired last year with 30 plus years in IT and finally decided to leave it to the next generation to build on our work! Next up? A major move! Living in Costa Rica on the Pacific coast.

Living “pura vida” with my wife, Victoria, and our local dog, Guapo!

Ian Patterson After being a working stiff for my entire adult life, I am amazed to report that as of July 2018 I have joined the ranks of the happily retired club. After six months of this new-found independence I can only conclude "I highly recommend it!"

Bring on the next chapter. My best to all and Go Pride! | 1976 | Brian Desrosier This past Homecoming I drove up to Pawling at the last minute to observe the soccer team of ’76, Bill Cooper, and Steve Harrington inductions to the Athletic Hall of Fame. Every time I stop in I realize I need to come back more often. It was really great to see everyone. It was terrific to meet Jack Karpoe’s daughter, see the Reades.

Ned is a FABULOUS MC! It was so great to see Janet & Miles Hubbard and particularly Bill LaBelle. Wow, he was my freshman dorm master and lacrosse coach; and he dedicated his life to boys like us. Bill Cooper told so many great little stories, and he

said he didn’t want to talk too long.

Well, I could have listened to him all day long. One thing he said that I paraphrase: "They say you can never go home again...well I am here to tell you, YOU CAN.... you can come home again, and it feels wonderful."

All of us alumni ought to all live that and get back to Pawling more often.

Bill’s whole family, intact, was there and that was a beautiful sight to see.

Lives well lived. An inspiration. It was also very nice to see the Fosters!!! And meet the very articulate and down-toearth Headmaster Bill Taylor.

I have been running the same business in Greenwich, CT for 35 years.... now doing business as Lighthouse Technology Partners. We are one of the most active U.S. Microsoft Partners deploying cloud solutions for small and midmarket customers.

We are what is now termed a Managed Service Provider (MSP), and will unveil the "IT Department for Main Street," this spring...Our Enterprise Solutions Group serves larger customers’ with security and compliance needs, among other things.

My son, Brian ’09 is getting married this summer! He works in finance for Synchrony Bank in Stamford. My daughter, Nicole, is 24 now and works in Stamford as well for Indeed.

I talk to Calvin De Marsilis every few months...and noted the Kirby name all over Newport last week when I visited. | 1977 | George Ross Recently the Class of ’76-’77 T-P soccer team was inducted into the Athletic Hall Of Fame. Many of us reunited at alumni day for the ceremony. What a wonderful honor and very exciting to see so many teammates: from JK to DK!! A special S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 47

class notes thanks to Coaches Bill Smyth and Ned Reade for all their efforts, past & present. We all returned home with rekindled happy memories of T-P, friendships, and victories (there were many). Note: Peter Lockwood (T-P Alumni Office) has some good photos of all of us at the ceremony. | 1978 |

Peter Schreckinger Entering our fourth year of living in Connecticut. My wife Anne Coudert continues to teach, now with a private inner city program down in New Haven, while I continue to work from home in the area of business development for an energy related client focused on battery storage. Our daughter Phoebe will be graduating from Grinnell College this spring and our dog Bella, who loves Guilford as much as she did Manhattan, is now in her 15th year. Sorry to have missed the 40th as I ran into an issue that Robin Hood won’t let me off the hook for. Glad to say things are ok as we move ahead. My congratulations to the ’76 soccer team for its recent induction into the Hall of Fame. Why did that one take 40 years? They were so damn HOT! | 1980 | Peter Long Hard to believe that 40 years "post graduation" is almost upon us. My teenage kids recently found my

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T-P yearbook and wanted a lot of explanations about the Skeleton Gang, The Islamic Court of Justice (well before it took on a different meaning), dinner in the middle of Route 22, etc. Wow, how the time has flown by! I live in Kansas City with my wife Ann and three teenage kids.

I am the CEO of a data compilation and analytics firm here in KC. My life is blessed. I am hoping to make it back for the 40th reunion, but that really sounds pretty scary to me. But thought I would toss that out there.

Anyway, Rashpeegee as we use to say - not sure why! | 1982 | William Peden I came to T-P with my wife on open house day and was go glad to see Mr. Ned Reade.

| 1984 | Kirk Vartan The Class of ’84 plans to show up en masse in 2019, and we hope any and all other classes nearby will join us. T-P trained us to be productive, courageous, and respectful. I consider all of you my brothers (and a few sisters). I hope you will always look out for each other when you can, and try to change the world, never forgetting your T-P pride and upbringing. In July 2017, we converted our pizza shops into Silicon Valley’s first worker cooperative. We now have 13 employee owners (I

became the President and General Manager). I plan to show the area the benefits of co-ops and why they might be a good solution for small businesses in any area, especially as a way for aging baby boomers to have an exit strategy, while leaving a legacy. I would be happy to share my journey from private ownership to worker cooperative with you! See you in 2019. | 1985 | Christopher Ekstrom Happy New Year! Looking forward to the best year for America since 1981.

Congratulations to Pastor Dan Bracken on his new Church in Anchorage. If anyone visits Dallas, please contact me. | 1989 | Rick Hazlewood My son had an incredible freshman year at Trinity-Pawling and now all of a sudden he is well on his way into his second year. It has been great to be a part of the T-P community again and to reconnect with past teachers and dorm parents. The School looks amazing and still the best looking quad in all of New England!! I have enjoyed reconnecting with classmates and exchanging stories of days gone by, our 25th reunion was well attended and little did I know at the time that my son would be walking the same grounds, still so very grateful that he has the same opportunities as I did.

John Judson (submitted by John’s father) Our son is now in Chicago after Jakarta, Indonesia. Still with BP. Three children and great wife.

| 1990 |

Mitchell Inness Married Kathy on July 14, 2018. | 1993 | Robert Grant Happy to report that my family and I (Colleen and my four boys) have moved to San Francisco. I’m currently spearheading all global policy efforts for a leading company developing autonomous vehicles.

| 1995 | Michael Piccione Michael’s mother Linda Improta proudly reports the birth of her grandson: Born to Mike and Jody Piccione on February 23, 2019 at 11:56 AM, Aiden Thomas Piccione was 8 lbs. 7 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. | 1996 | Chukky Okobi Motivational speaker and NLP Master Practitioner, Mindset Coach for developing athletes and business executives and entrepreneurs

looking to maximize their results, productivity, performance, and quality of life. I have had success at the highest level in sports and entertainment. I not only have the education and tools to help you tap into your own human resources, I have the life experience through playing Big Ten and NFL football and winning championships in both.

It’s like in my football days blocking for Hall of Fame quarterbacks, my teammates like Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, and Kurt Warner. As their center, I was the man in front of the man. Working with me teaches you the power to attain world class success in your business or athletic career, I am the man behind the man.

I now reside in Kansas City, MO. | 2002 | Bruce Knickerbocker This April I returned to Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY as Administrative Nurse Manager after working in the Health Quest Corporate Quality and Patient Safety Department last year.

In June, I moved from Hyde Park, NY to Pine Plains, NY in northern Dutchess County. In August, my family sadly said goodbye to our mother Kathryn Knickerbocker after a brief battle with cancer.

Lastly, we ended the year with the joyful birth of our third child Cora Delaney Knickerbocker! I continue to participate in triathlons and marathons regularly and look forward to again returning to Pawling in June for this year’s sprint event after missing the 2018 event.

| 2003 |

Andrew Ignaffo I am currently a Healthcare Analyst down in Nashville, TN and I just got married a month ago in Nashville (October 6th) to Courtney Betsill :)

Bryan Tolley In November, my wife Alex and I welcomed our second child into the world. We are now a happy family of four. | 2004 |

Adam Gardner As of September, I moved into a fulltime position with Edge Lacrosse.

Edge Lacrosse has helped place over

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class notes 340 NCAA male and female student athletes into collegiate programs.

Former players include notable T-P alumni Bayley Tranmer ’16, Justin Scott ’16 and Ethan Black Fernandes ’17. | 2005 | gown she’s wearing has been passed down through five generations! Still, the real baby of the family is their English Setter, Doc, in the spiffy bandana. Congrats to all!

Sean Hopper In July, I successfully ran the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens at AT&T Park after 1.5 years of planning as the Director of Team Services. After completing the contract I moved to Seattle and married Phoebe Noe in October.

Ned Swain Ned left the world of digital marketing/sales and has moved into residential real estate with Brown Harris Stevens, New York City’s oldest and most prestigious brokerage firm. As a seventh-generation New Yorker, Ned is excited to help others find their own home in NYC. | 2006 | Andrew Foley This January I started an adult men’s hockey team at MB Ice Arena, where the Blackhawks practice. Cost is $240 for 20 games. Hit me up if you’re in Chicago!

Taylor Maury We learned that on May 25, 2018, Huxley and Taylor Maury celebrated the birth of their daughter, Anne Fontaine Maury. The christening

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Tim Stehly My wife and I celebrated the birth of our first child, Kieran Joseph Stehly in May. We reside right outside of Boston, close to family. I currently work for a major commercial insurance brokerage in the city.

first time back and Betty’s first look at northeastern foliage. They reside in Houston. | 2009 | Jungseo (Jason) Mo Jason married Sukyung Chung on December 8, 2018. He also completed his Bachelor of Arts & Science degree in Economics from Indiana University of Bloomington. | 2010 |

| 2007 |

Alfred Callahan Sorry to miss everyone for the 10th last year. We welcomed our second daughter, Lily, into the world this year. Currently I am an assistant chief for the fire department in my hometown of Southampton, which has been fun and challenging.

Alex Crain In October, Alex and his wife Betty, stopped by campus for a visit with his former dorm master Todd Hoffman.

Alex and Betty had just been in Tarrytown for a wedding. It was his

John Oh Jane Kim and John welcomed James Oh born in the morning of October 18, 2018. | 2011 | Joon Sub Lee Currently a first year medical student at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY.

| 2015 |

Gordon Phillips Gordon was on campus recently visiting younger brother Stuart ’21.

He is pictured with Dean of Faculty Todd Hoffman for a shoot-around on Coratti Field. Gordon is a senior and team leader at Monmouth.

Jay Choi While serving in the South Korean Army, Jay has had the opportunity to meet several VIPs. He’s pictured here with former Vice President Dick Cheney (2001-2009), former Secretary of Defense William Perry (1994-1997), and former President George Bush (1989-1993). Jay is halfway through his two-year service and will return to Berkeley at the conclusion of his commitment. Always a diplomat, Jay said that he’s hoping to get a picture with Obama next.

| 2016 | Thomas Patricola Recently moved out on my own, and I didn't realize that my time spent at T-P would have prepared me so much for the real world. Between finishing my degree in Culinary Arts and Business Management, and living on my own, it's amazing that my time in the dorms prepared me to take care of myself so much.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF TRINITY-PAWLING MAGAZINE BY JUNE 10, 2019.

Please submit your notes and photographs online at www.trinitypawling.org/classnotes

in memoriam In Memory of Robert M. “Stretch” Gardiner WITH HEAVY HEARTS, WE REMEMBER AND HONOR ROBERT M. “STRETCH” GARDINER ’40, WHO PASSED AWAY ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2018, AT THE AGE OF 95. Stretch’s legacy at Trinity-Pawling is profound. He was a member of the Class of 1940 of the Pawling School and was President of the Board of Trustees of Trinity-Pawling from 1991 to 2003. Stretch first joined the board in 1986 and was an instrumental leader in the life of Trinity-Pawling School. In 1991, Stretch served as Campaign Chair for the “Our Heritage, Our Future” capital campaign which raised $12.5M and led to the reconstruction of Cluett, the construction of McGraw Pavilion, and increased funds for faculty salaries and scholarships. Most recently, Stretch challenged the school community to “Stretch with Stretch” which raised nearly $400,000 last spring.

The Gardiner Library and Learning Commons and the Gardiner Theater stand as physical testaments to Stretch’s generosity and leadership. The School as a whole, however, has been forever enriched by his leadership. His confidence in the School, particularly the strength of its faculty, was infectious. His optimism and “can do” spirit were catalysts for the School’s growth as an institution.

With his passing, the School has lost a giant in its history. His legacy, though, will endure for years. Trinity-Pawling has forever been enriched by Stretch’s profound leadership and generosity.

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We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families of these Trinity-Pawling and Pawling School alumni.

Robert M. Gardiner ’40 November 3, 2018 Far Hills, NJ

John Alexander Kerr ’54 November 23, 2016 Sharon, CT

William F. Wink, Jr. ’62 December 27, 2016 Jacksonville, FL

Ralph L. Bates, Jr. ’49 January 17, 2019 Corfu, NY

Robert Rintoul, Sr. ’55 August 24, 2018 Guilford, CT

John L. Voegeli ’65 October 12, 2018 Hawthorne, NJ

Henry Vollmer III ’51 November 1, 2018 Ashley Falls, MA

Roger W. Moore ’60 October 17, 2018 Sarasota, FL

Oakleigh “Leigh” T. Cookingham III ’74 January 5, 2019 Red Hook, NJ

We also offer our warmest condolences to the families of these former faculty, parents, and friends of Trinity-Pawling School.

Mrs. Mary Curtin Duane P’72, P’76, GP’19 September 20, 2018 Bourne, MA Mrs. Nancy B. Gaffney P’96 September 2, 2018 Hamilton, MA Mrs. Elizabeth S. Gallagher November 29, 2018 Pawling, NY Mrs. Kathryn Knickerbocker-Hare P’02, P’03 August 8, 2018 Clinton Corners, NY Mr. Robert J. Marvin GP’08, GP’10 October 23, 2018 Rhinebeck, NY

Mrs. Jan Mueller GP’11, GP’14, GP’17 January 18, 2018 Fremont, CA Mr. Francis Palmer GP’08, GP’10, GP’14 November 21, 2018 Brewster, NY Mrs. Jane Keating Ryan December 15, 2017 New Canaan, CT Mr. Peter Robert Roux September 14, 2018 Darien, CT Mrs. Edith D. Sapp P’02 October 8, 2018 Corpus Christi, TX

Mrs. Jean B. Slocum P’66, P’68 November 30, 2018 Boothbay, ME Mr. Jerry G. Stone GP’02, GP’07 July 12, 2018 Downsville, NY Mr. William Tobin, Jr. GP’17 July 7, 2018 Kent, CT Ms. Kyle E. Utter August 28, 2018 Niceville, FL Charles Lawson Willard III P’84 June 01, 2018 Stonington, CT

This list includes the individuals whose deaths were reported to the Office of Advancement prior to February 1, 2019.

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HOMECOMING AND REUNION

GET READY TO CELEBRATE! OCTOBER 4-6, 2019 Mark your calendars now for a weekend that connects Trinity-Pawling — past and present.

Come back to campus, reminisce with old friends, and see what’s new at your alma mater!

QUESTIONS? Contact Janet Hubbard P’07 at 845-855-4830 or jhubbard@trinitypawling.org

Highlights of the weekend include: • Cocktails at Gamage House • Reunion Dinners • Athletic Hall of Fame Induction • Homecoming Football Game — show your pride and wear your Blue & Gold!

REUNION CLASSES IN 2019 2014 – 5th reunion 2009 – It’s your 10th reunion!

2004 – 15th reunion 1999 – 20th reunion 1994 – It’s your 25th reunion!

1989 – 30th reunion 1984 – 35th reunion 1979 – 40th reunion 1974 – 45th reunion 1969 – It’s your 50th reunion!

1964 – 55th reunion 1959 – 60th reunion 1958 and earlier – Honor Guard reunion

If you would like to serve as a Reunion Chair or on a committee, please email alumni@trinitypawling.org

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HOMECOMING AND REUNION

15TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 Southward Ho Country Club, Bay Shore, NY We are thrilled that TrinityPawling's 15th Annual Golf Outing will be held at Southward Ho Country Club. This event is graciously underwritten by Joe Alex ’96. For more information and to register for the outing, visit www.trinitypawling.org/golfouting

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end note

Faculty Children Without a doubt, faculty children bring pure joy to the Trinity-Pawling campus. They provide a sense of family that allows students to see themselves in a whole new way. When students join the Pride, they instantly become big brothers to faculty children, who cheer for them on the fields, sit next to them at dinner tables, and make them feel at home. We asked some of the children to tell us about living on campus.

What is your favorite food at Scully Hall?

“When they have the lobster meal at the end of the year — I get my own lobster!” says Avery. Tage likes the lobster dinner too. Meredith, Greta, and Annie are on the same page, “ICE CREAM!” Waffles are the favorite for Madison and Graham. Mackenzie is a fan of pasta with Ranch dressing! Joseph says, “meat.”

What is your favorite season at Trinity-Pawling? Why? A big chorus for winter: “Winter, because I can skate at the rink and on the pond. Winter, because we can play hockey and go ice-skating. Winter because there is snow falling and then ice appears so we can skate on it. Easy question — winter, because the sledding is great. Winter, because all the kids go sledding and snowboarding together. Winter, for sledding and snow days playing at the Field House.” Mackenzie and Madison like the summer when they can play with friends on the swingset and ride bikes around campus with their Daddy. Annie likes our pretty trees in the Fall and Graham likes the spring-time flowers in the campus gardens.

What is the best part about living in the same place as 300 teenage boys?

“It’s never boring!” says Avery. Annie says, “I like when they come for advisee dinner and play legos. I like to say ‘hi’ when they’re walking to chapel and telling them to hustle because they are late.” Graham says they are silly! “Giving them high-fives!” says Mackenzie. Madison likes when they come to her house for birthday parties. Joseph likes that he can watch their football practices after school. His sister Meredith says, “they are all so nice.” Tage likes always having someone to wrestle with and Greta likes watching them play games. Elizabeth points out the benefits of having lots of options for fun babysitters. “It is good to learn to talk to older people and joke around with big boys,” says Georgia.

What advice do you give to new faculty kids who move onto campus?

“You will become really close with your friends and their families since we all do so much together,” says Avery.

Elizabeth’s advice: “Lots of fun kids live here — interact with them or you will be missing out.” Georgia says to be nice and kind. “Think of everyone as your friend,” she says. “Don’t be late for the school bus — it always comes really early,” advises Tage. Greta recommends going to games like hockey, wrestling, and basketball. “It’s fun!”

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Trinity-Pawling Magazine is published by the Office of Communications for alumni, parents, and friends of the School.

Headmaster William W. Taylor Director of Advancement Regan S. LaFontaine Director of Communications Judy M. Redder Senior Writer Maria Buteux Reade Class Notes Editor Janet P. Hubbard P’07 Photo Credits Bizzy Amor Dartmouth Office of Communications Colleen Dealy Jim Deese Photography Tom Kates Adam Koble Photography Nicolle McDougal Connie Rafferty Tom Thrasher Copyright © 2019, Trinity-Pawling School Trinity-Pawling School 700 Route 22 Pawling, NY 12564 845-855-3100 www.trinitypawling.org

Trinity-Pawling School admits students of any race, color, creed, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs and athletic and other School-administrated programs.

For Parents of Alumni – If this issue is addressed to your son who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office with the correct mailing address.

Email alumni@trinitypawling.org or call 845-855-4829.

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Trinity-Pawling School 700 Route 22, Pawling, NY 12564 Change Service Requested

www.trinitypawling.org

A New Look For Trinity-Pawling’s Website Trinity-Pawling School is proud of its redesigned website! Launched in January 2019, the new site features a bold, modern, and inventive design. The dynamic homepage showcases the distinct value of a Trinity-Pawling education, highlighting our experiential learning opportunities, the close-knit brotherhood, and campus happenings. The streamlined navigation allows users to explore with ease, and our new faculty and staff directory is engaging and personable, showcasing the warmth of this wonderful community. And that’s just the beginning!

Dive in!

www.trinitypawling.org If you have any questions or comments on the new website, please reach out to the Office of Communications, at communications@trinitypawling.org