Kyle Miller ’18 is as passionate about the written word as he is about ice hockey. The sophomore hockey recruit from Bristol, CT, speaks of hockey as “a great game that requires smarts and toughness.” Head Varsity Hockey Coach Robert Ferraris ’93 describes Kyle as having “strong fundamentals and game intuitiveness; he is rugged and fearless without sacrificing the good of the team.”
It was Kyle’s fearlessness on the page that prompted instructor Tim Pillsbury, the faculty advisor for Trinity-Pawling’s student newspaper The Phoenix, to take note of Kyle’s passion for writing and personal expression. “I was drawn to the rawness and emotionalism of his work, as well as his courage.” Pillsbury suggested that Kyle pursue an independent project-based learning assignment during the winter term.
Kyle ultimately published a 65-page book titled Black Eyes Open. Curating and editing dozens of poems that illustrate a journey from darkness to light, he produced a prolific and intimate body of work that is “rare to see in someone of any age, let alone a high-school sophomore,” adds Pillsbury.
Because the project was required to be interdisciplinary, Kyle built upon his foundation of self-expression through writing with an investigation into photographic self-portraiture. He opted to go beyond “the selfie” and examined self-portraits created by the masters. “Kyle bravely embraced the poetic photographic process,” said Connie Rafferty, the digital media producer with whom he worked to create the photographs. “His vision for the portraits very quickly moved beyond the literal to the metaphorical. And the final result is powerful.”
Miller produced the book while maintaining his normal course load of advanced placement courses and being an outstanding contributor to the Trinity-Pawling Varsity Hockey program this winter. Coach Ferraris adds, “Kyle is reliable on both sides of the puck, and is a rare defensemen for his age. We are lucky to have him.” Nurturing his love of poetry was, of course, a goal for Pillsbury, “When someone loves something as unique and valuable as poetry that needs to be fostered.” And Kyle is pretty happy with the result, “I am grateful for this opportunity and the support I received throughout this process. I hope this collection will help anyone navigate hard times and move towards the light.”
Miller shoots…and he scores!