As he began his commencement address, Bill Taylor reflected on the movie titles that best describe the classes he has addressed in the past, and those that best describe the transformation of the Class of 2018. Here is an excerpt from Taylor’s commencement speech delivered on Saturday, May 26, 2018:
“We are here, of course, to celebrate you – the Class of 2018….yours is a special class, one with its own character and collective sense of self.
Classes have a way of standing out as collective entities, just as individual students stand out in the memories of teachers who taught them. In my career in education, I have seen many different classes graduate. Sometimes, for me, classes begin to evoke movie titles in terms of how I remember some of them. Now, since of I am of a certain age, it stands to reason that the movie titles that come to my mind are also of a certain age.
There is one playful class that always reminds me of Ferris Beuhler’s Day Off. Another similar class, one not as colorful, reminds me of Catch Me If You Can. Then, there is the class that will also evoke memories of A Beautiful Mind. And, since every class has its opposite, there is a class that stands out as Dumb and Dumber. There was the Groundhog Day class and the one that was simply The Sum of All Fears.
So, to what movie title shall we ascribe the Class of 2018? I have to be honest with you that at the end of last year, the titles in the running ranged from Crash to O Brother Where Art Thou — meaning no one really knew what your class was going to do. And, I will admit that for some, the expectations were not great which is admittedly unfair.
After the first few weeks of this school year, there were rumblings through the hallways of Cluett and the Dann Building. Something was amiss in the early expectations of the Class of 2018. You were not adrift or without goals. On the contrary, you emerged this year as a class full of leaders, of thoughtful protectors of the ideals of the School, of young men dedicated toward your own growth, that of your classmates, and of the School.
So, in my mind, the movie that I will associate with your class is The Incredibles. You are the class that secretly harbors superpowers that were concealed from those of us who thought we had you figured out. This is the class, for example, that has not lost a single member during the course of the year which is, in and of itself, somewhat incredible in the lives of schools and their senior classes.
Well Done!”
Watch Bill Taylor’s full commencement speech here.
Trinity-Pawling offers three dedicated spaces in the major academic buildings on campus, where faculty and students can engage in hands-on learning and design creative solutions. These sites work as a unified whole towards meeting the creative needs of the entire community.
Our Innovation Sites—we call them “I-Sites”—are defined by their interchangeability and functionality, rather than by a specific discipline. Each space is intentionally designed to serve different stages in the design process: ideation, digital media, prototyping, and fabrication.
With a natural flow between spaces, the I-Sites allow students to design, create, prototype, and test all within a safe learning environment. They serve as a home base for collaboration, foster creative responses, and provide an extension of what takes place in the traditional classrooms and labs throughout campus. These unique spaces offer both students and faculty access and support to create projects, learn new skills, or experiment with a new technology. The Innovation Sites are one of the many ways that Trinity-Pawling prepares students for the future—by instilling the confidence to challenge, inquire, and develop ideas.
Here’s how we create in the Innovation Sites:
Dann I-Site:
Electronics
CAD design
Graphic Design
3D Design Prototyping
Computer Programing
Digital Film Making studio
Video Editing Suite
Gardiner Learning Commons I-Site:
Prototyping
Studio materials
Wood, plastics
Electronics
Ideation lab area
Art Center I-Site
Fabrication shop
Wood, metal
The excitement of Commencement Weekend could be felt across Trinity-Pawling’s campus. In just twenty-four hours, the seniors would put on their blue blazers and sit alongside each other in All Saints’ Chapel one last time, looking back on their year of accomplishments and ahead at their next adventures.
Before taking their seats on the Quad for graduation rehearsal, we chatted with several members of the Class of 2018, asking them perhaps the toughest question they’ve faced all year: what will they miss the most when they leave Trinity-Pawling? Here’s what we learned:
- Reading the weekly publication of The Phoenix;
- Eating the Fruit Loop cereal in Scully Hall…for breakfast, lunch, or dessert;
- Learning of a Headmaster’s Holiday and enjoying the unexpected day off;
- Watching or playing in the Rock Concert and seeing the talents of the whole community;
- Learning from a fun and welcoming faculty, who made even the not-so-interesting subjects enjoyable;
- Playing Intramural Softball in the spring (and beating the Faculty team!);
- Spending time with the faculty dogs;
- Building bonds on the fields, courts, rink, or in the locker rooms;
- Enjoying life in the dorms, playing videogames and relaxing with the boys;
- Being a part of a community that feels like a family.
Congratulations to the Class of 2018! We know you will continue to leave your mark on the world, just as you left it on Trinity-Pawling School. Onward!
David Wechsler ’97 is on the fast track — and not just in his career! He recently came up with a perfect way to combine his love of running (David ran both track and cross country during his time at Trinity-Pawling) and his desire to connect classmates and the alumni community.
“I enjoy attending the New York holiday reception each year, but always wanted another opportunity to reunite with Trinity-Pawling alums and teachers in the Manhattan area. While visiting with faculty members and mentors Jim McDougal and Brian Foster ’79 at my 20-year reunion last fall, we tossed around the idea of the T-P community participating in a race.” David remarked.
Those conversations provided the inspiration for a new alumni event to be held July 14th in Central Park. The run, a race organized by New York Road Runners (of which David is a member) will start at 8am and proceed around the 4-mile inner loop of the park.
“The theme of this particular run is a ‘retro 4-miler,’ so expect to see some fun outfits. Brian Foster is digging up old Trinity-Pawling gear for our team,” said David.
David credits Trinity-Pawling with his love of running. The school he attended previously didn’t have a strong sports program, and David gravitated to the athletic opportunities at Trinity-Pawling. The athletics, the preparation for college and beyond, and the bonds he created at the School all mean a great deal to David.
“I still keep in touch with many of my classmates. Additionally, the experience of running competitively has proven to be a life-long passion of mine. I’ve recently had the opportunity to do some coaching here in New York for The Collegiate School’s Middle School track team, which has been a real pleasure for me. It has all come full circle,” David reflects.
When not running with the NY Harrier’s Running Club or coaching, you can find David working in the world of high net worth asset management. After 15 years as an equity trader at Neuberger Berman, he recently began a new role as Director of Operations and Head of Trading at Blue Square Wealth, an independent asset management firm. With such a busy schedule, it’s quite amazing that he has found time to help coordinate this inaugural run for Trinity-Pawling. David simply comments, “I’m just excited to participate in the race and see old faces, both classmates and teachers. My main goal is to reconnect with the T-P community. If it becomes an annual event, even better!”
To sign up the run, click here.
“The best part is seeing the boys’ transformations from day one in September to the morning of graduation,” began Chris Gillman ’05. “It’s great to see each of them come into their own.” With graduation just a few days behind him and the school year now complete, Gillman took a moment to reflect on his year as Senior Class Advisor for the Class of 2018. The position, he says, gets more rewarding every year.
In addition to his teaching, dorm parent, and coaching duties, Gillman also oversees all aspects of life on campus for the seniors each year. Academically, he helps each of them stay on track and on top of their assignments. He assists with organizing college visits, athletic schedules, and extra study time. When necessary, he even follows up with students on the little things, like ensuring their weekend slips are signed and turned in. With ninety students in this year’s graduating class, staying so involved in each of their lives is no easy feat.
“It’s important that every senior gets the same amount of attention from me during the year,” explained Gillman. “It’s certainly not easy, but I try to touch base with 100% of them at least once a week. It helps the boys know that I’m present and reachable—whether it’s in or out of the classroom.” With accessibility as one of his highest priorities, Gillman makes every effort to support his seniors throughout the year. “I make it a point to attend something that each of them participates in,” he shared. “Whether that’s a play, game, concert, club event, presentation…they know they have my support.”
Looking back on his time as a senior at Trinity-Pawling in 2005, Gillman remembers his Senior Class Advisor—Brian Foster—and all that he learned during that formative year. “I’ll never forget the advice and support that Brian gave me as a senior,” he explained. “He was a mentor to me then and now, as I lead the seniors. I have the unique privilege to take what I learned from him and apply it to my own messages.” And that, he says, makes a big difference in how he leads the boys.
As he watches the Class of 2018 move on from Trinity-Pawling, Gillman hopes that they remember one thing, if nothing else: the importance of being a leader. “One concept I focus on from the very beginning of the year is what it means to be a senior in a community like Trinity-Pawling,” he shared. “They don’t have to be a prefect or a proctor…every one of them is a leader when they enter their senior year. And they’re going to be leaders again, in college and beyond. My hope is that they continue to lead by example, carry themselves well, and leave a positive mark wherever they go.”
Trinity-Pawling’s recent “Stretch with Stretch” Giving Challenge was a great success, both in terms of funds raised and increased participation. Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends stepped up to the plate and truly stretched for Trinity-Pawling!
This year’s Challenge kicked off on April 16th, after esteemed alumnus and former Board president, Robert M. “Stretch” Gardiner ’40, made an offer: reach 1,000 donors in three weeks and he would gift the School $100,000!
Class agents, parent volunteers, faculty, and students all participated in building the excitement. A life-size 6’7” Stretch cut-out even roamed around campus so that everyone could pose and tell the world, “I stretched with Stretch!”
In a fortuitous coincidence, the last day of the Challenge fell during the Board of Trustees meeting. Alumni and trustees Tom Ahrensfeld ’73 and Philip Norkeliunas ’89 both offered generous incentives that couldn’t be passed up! Their challenges were met with much enthusiasm by fellow trustees, alumni, and parents alike and at 11pm on Friday, May 4th, we reached our goal with a gift from 1,000th donor John Turner ’56!
Overall, it was a highly-memorable and fun three weeks, all for the benefit of Trinity-Pawling. How fortunate we are to have such a supportive community! Many, many thanks to everyone who participated, and especially to Stretch Gardiner ‘40 — who stretched well above his original $100,000 gift — and to Tom Ahrensfeld ‘73 and Philip Norkeliunas ‘89 for making it all possible. We started with the promise of $100,000…and ended up raising close to $400,000 for the School!
If you missed out on contributing during the Challenge, there is still time to make your donation this fiscal year. We are close to our overall Trinity-Pawling Fund goal, but still need your support before June 30, 2018!
Each and every gift makes a difference for the School and its community. Find your giving options at www.trinitypawling.org/giving
Varsity lacrosse won two of their last three contests including wins over Hotchkiss and Kent. JV lacrosse also defeated Hotchkiss and Kent while losing a one goal contest to Taft. Coach Harff described the game as the best lower lacrosse game that he has seen. Goalie Danny Csaszar ’20 was the backbone of the successful Third lacrosse team this spring.
Varsity baseball defeated Taft and Kent to complete their season with a record above .500. Jaz Burton ’18 and Tre Fletcher ’20 supplied much of the offense, while pitchers Ryan Smith ’18 and Marc Maestri ’18 kept the opposing teams in check. JV baseball came from behind in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Taft in one of their last games of the season.
The golf team played their best golf of the season at the Kingswood Invitational Tournament. Max Levine ’20 shot a 77 to lead T-P in that event.
Through a tough season, the varsity tennis team forged ahead to improve with each game and hopes to find success with their gained confidence next year. JV tennis finished the season with a 7-3 record.
The track team traveled to Loomis for the New England meet. Chiz Umunawke ’18 finished 2nd in the 100 meter dash and 5th in the Javelin. Aaron Armitage ’21 finished fourth in the discuss and Nate Miller ’18 was 6th in the same event.
Congratulations to the following varsity athletic award recipients for the 2018 spring season:
Tennis
Adams Award – William Yau ’18
Coaches Award – Henry Daniel ’20
Golf
Annual Award – Kyle Miller ’18
Coaches Award – Max Levine ’20
Track & Field
James K McDougal Award – Chiz Umunakwe ’18
Coaches Award – Charles Csaszar ’18
Lacrosse
William LaBelle Award – Marc Welch ’18
Offensive MVP – Brenden Lundy ’18
Defensive MVP – Thomas Harkin ’18
Coaches Award – Scott Stensrud ’19
Baseball
Adams Award – Nate Tanner ’18
Jack Karpoe Award – Jaz Burton ’18
On Sunday, May 20, 2018, the Trinity-Pawling community rallied with Westover School in their annual Relay for Life event—the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It was a rainy Sunday morning, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the twenty Trinity-Pawling students who ventured over to Westover to join the fight against cancer.
The afternoon consisted of team members walking laps around the Westover gym and participating in games, activities, and socializing. Mike McQuade ’18, Nico Bonasera ’18, Will Rickert ’19, and Logan Morales ’20 arrived at the event with their saxophone, drum set, electric guitar, and bass, respectively, and entertained event attendees.
“We concluded the evening with the luminaria ceremony,” explained Director of College Placement Slade Mead, who plays a big role in Relay for Life each year. “Our luminarias had been displayed the day before in a beautiful candlelit service on the Trinity-Pawling campus. With Westover’s lumunarias joined by ours, the gym had over 300 lit bags. It’s always an incredible moment.” The bags beautifully spelled out C-U-R-E.
Trinity-Pawling has partnered with Westover School in the annual Relay for Life event since 2012. This year, the joint event raised over $8,000 for the American Cancer Society. The fundraising efforts were led by Matt Ernster ’18 and his Senior Independent Project—the restoration and auction of a 1964 Vespa. After over 200 hours of labor bringing it back to life, Matt and his mentor, Mr. Antonio-Barnes, auctioned off the refurbished Vespa for an incredible $4,300, donated entirely to Relay for Life.
“This project means a lot to me and it has been an unbelievable experience working over the year,” shared Ernster. “I am taking away a lifetime of mechanical knowledge while contributing to an amazing cause. What an opportunity!”
Thank you to Westover School for hosting this year’s Relay for Life event and to all students, faculty, staff, and parents who helped make it a success. Next year, as the host school, Trinity-Pawling’s rising seniors Scott Stensrud and Nolan Laplante will lead the planning, assisted by CJ Mezzatesta ’20. We look forward to another year of supporting the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives and celebrate life.
Hear Matt talk about his Vespa project here!
On May 18th & 19th, under the brilliant direction of Kent Burnham, the Trinity-Pawling Drama Society brought William Shakepeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to life and enchanted audiences with their humor, passion, and playfulness. The comedy portrays the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to Hippolyta, the former queen of the Amazons. These include the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors who are controlled and manipulated by the fairies who inhabit the forest, in which most of the play is set.
At first glance, audiences were swept up in the magic seen in the creative costumes and set. Momi Antonio-Barnes’s talent for costume design was abundantly clear as the actors complemented the script and scenery in chic city style and fairy-like splendor. Adam Dinsmore’s ’91 set design was equally impressive and not only gave the actors an inviting stage but the audience an enticing visual backdrop, as well. It was the actors, though, that brought it all to life.
Led by seniors Joe Webber (Bottom/Pyramus) and Nate Tanner (Puck), the cast delighted the crowd with not only their energy but with their ability to make Shakespeare’s play accessible. Oftentimes, Shakespeare’s works are hard to translate to a modern-day audience. This was not the case, though. Webber, whose stage presence is commanding and electrifying, provided many of the laughs in Shakespeare’s comedy, while Tanner brought out Puck’s impish, devious, and curious qualities with precision. The supporting cast was equally talented. In her first production with Trinity-Pawling, Layla McDonald, a sophomore from Brewster H.S., wowed the audience as Titania and was aided by her mischievous fairies amusingly played by Callia Ferraris, Arianne Gonzalez, Jessica Tocci, and Molly Wolf. Opposite McDonald was Trinity-Pawling sophomore Solomon Hess as Oberon. Hess is quickly making himself a leading actor and has a bright future ahead of him; his interpretation of Oberon was a pleasure to watch. Fellow sophomores, Rodger Ecker and Ben Yoon were just as spectacular. As Demetrius and Lysander respectively, they played opposite their love interests – Hermia (played by a charming Cara Leahy) and Helena (played by an alluring Eilis Barrick) – with much humor, humility, and honesty. They, too, will be a pleasure to watch in the coming years. Finally, the troupe of amateur actors, led by the always-magnetic Gianna-Marie Torres, benefited from performances by Lucas Hughes ’20 and newcomers Will DePalma ’18, Kyle Miller ’18, Abdallah Bekhiet ’18, and Tim Colmey ’18, who each brought his own charisma. Additionally, Harrison Salisbury ’20 and Jessica Tocci (Pawling H.S.) both made their presence known on stage when their characters were called upon.
This year, in theater, was a special one and the Trinity-Pawling community and beyond should be very excited for what is to come under Kent Burnham’s direction. Mr. Burnham is doing great things for the theater program, and his energy for theater knows no bounds! The shows this year – Almost, Maine, Peter and the Star Catcher, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream – inspired audiences and were a sign that Trinity-Pawling theater is better than ever.
Watch the full production here!
Alumni, share your good news with your Trinity-Pawling friends! Please send in your Class Notes for the Fall 2018 Trinity-Pawling Magazine. The submission deadline is June 10, 2018!
Have you recently gotten married, entered retirement, welcomed a new baby into the family, embarked on a great trip, received a promotion at work, or won a community award? Let us know!
You can submit your good news online.
Questions? Contact Janet Hubbard P’07 by email: jhubbard@trinitypawling.org or by phone: 845-855-4830.
Leadership donors, volunteers, and prefects will be gathering to participate in Trinity-Pawling’s Leadership Summit — a day of visioning and collaboration — on June 9, 2018.
Keynote speaker Dr. Jean Morrison will share her insights on guiding a school into this new era of education. Dr. Morrison is University Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Boston University. She provides leadership for the University’s overall academic, budgetary and planning processes and oversight of its academic programs, research, global programs, enrollment, and student affairs.
Headmaster Bill Taylor, esteemed educators, and change-makers who share an interest in Trinity-Pawling’s future will be speaking and leading interactive breakout sessions aimed at steering the School towards becoming the preeminent leader among independent boys’ schools. Our leadership alumni, parents, trustees, and friends play an important role in Trinity-Pawling’s rich history and are vital to its future.
Registration for the 14th Annual Trinity-Pawling Golf Outing is still OPEN at www.trinitypawling.org/golfouting
Our Annual Golf Outing will be held, once again, at the exclusive private golf course Morefar Back O’Beyond in Brewster, NY. Join us on July 17th for an all-day golf experience! Your fee includes three meals, an open bar, and generous prizes. Register now to secure your spot!
AWARDS:
Longest Drive
Closest to the Pin
Prizes for 1st and 2nd place foursomes!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8:00 AM – Registration and Breakfast at the Clubhouse
10:00 AM – Shotgun Start (lunch on the Course)
4:00 PM – BBQ and Awards
GOLFER FEES:
$750 Individual
$600 Young Alumni (Class years 2006-2017)
$2,700 Foursome
SPONSORSHIPS:
$600 Faculty Member
$600 Young Alumnus
$250 Tee (sign included)
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Trinity-Pawling Fund and the Miles H. Hubbard, Jr. ’57 Scholarship Fund. This scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to boys with exceptional athletic ability. Miles Hubbard ’57, P’82 served Trinity-Pawling as a teacher, coach, and athletic director for 37 years.
Questions? Reach out!
Janet Hubbard P’07
jhubbard@trinitypawling.org
845-855-4830