“In our recent exercise to illustrate our Portrait of a Graduate, we established that a Trinity-Pawling graduate will be an ‘ethical citizen of the School and the world. He will exhibit a strong moral compass and demonstrate respectful, empathetic, compassionate, and mindful behavior regarding actions and intentions with oneself and others.’ Moreover, ‘a Trinity-Pawling graduate will be a self-aware young man. He will act with a mature approach to situations.’
Of course, our Portrait of a Graduate is an aspirational exercise. It summarizes what we intend to achieve as educators in this distinctive learning environment. In a very real sense, these are goals of our ‘hidden’ curriculum, the curriculum that exists behind the academic curriculum. Our primary curriculum outlines what our students learn. Our hidden curriculum focuses our attention on how our students will learn and grow as respectful, honorable, young men.
It is our hidden curriculum that reveals the core of Trinity-Pawlings culture. It is the reason why we do the things that we do. Our hidden curriculum calls us to gather at the Chapel and at meals, to reinforce the fabric of our community by focusing on relationships, respect, and honor. Our hidden curriculum calls us to focus on sportsmanship, as well as sports. Our hidden curriculum calls us to see our students in various stages of ‘becoming’—each of them possessing their own distinctive gifts and talents. Our hidden curriculum calls us to be mentors to students and to one another.
Unlike our academic curriculum, which is outlined on paper, our hidden curriculum exists in the ethos of the School’s culture. As we embark on this new year, this community will be focusing on the core of this School as we nurture its culture.”
– Headmaster Bill Taylor
Listen to Headmaster Bill Taylor’s Opening Day chapel address to the students here.
Dennis Slater got his Trinity-Pawling diploma in May 1968, turned south out of the front gates, and didn’t set foot on campus for 40 years. For whatever reason, he decided to come back for his class reunion in 2008. What he experienced that weekend opened his eyes—and his heart. “I have returned to campus every year since then, and our 50th reunion at the end of September will be my tenth consecutive visit. I plan to come back to Pawling every year until they ring my bell at the alumni memorial service.”
During Slater’s visit in 2008, he saw how the School had evolved over four decades. “I was so impressed and finally realized what Trinity-Pawling meant to me and to so many others. I’m a business and financial planner by nature and have the utmost respect for how all the headmasters since Matt Dann have brought the School along.”
Slater spent four years at Trinity-Pawling and then attended Rutgers University majoring in accounting and business administration. He has lived in Florida since 1975, where he held financial executive positions in the automotive industry. He currently owns a strategic business planning advisory firm called CEO-CFO Solutions, LLC and is the principal owner of the USCIS-authorized Florida EB-5 Regional Center based in Tampa.
Slater is chairing the Class of 1968 Scholarship Legacy Fund, with a goal of raising $196,800. The kick-off is slated for the September 29th Reunion Weekend. Spurred by good-natured competition, Slater hopes this initiative will surpass the Class of 1967’s target of $100,000. “Several significant pledges have been made already to get us on the way, but now we need more classmates to step up,” Slater says. “This gift will stand as our Class’s legacy and generate vital scholarship funds for Trinity-Pawling students. What a great way to impact the School!”
“My biggest regret is that it took me so long to return to campus, but that absence has only intensified my passion for Trinity-Pawling. The School has done a fabulous job, and I’m honored to be associated with its evolution.”
For more information on how to contribute to the Class of 1968 Scholarship Legacy Fund, please contact Dennis at SlaterTampa@gmail.com or Director of Major Gifts Colleen Dealy at cdealy@trinitypawling.org.
Leadership is both an art and a skill. It can be learned, but not easily taught. The seven young men who were tapped as prefects at Stepping Up last May earned that honor thanks to their demonstrated commitment to the School: contributions to clubs and activities, success in the classroom and athletics, and overall presence as role models. Headmaster Bill Taylor assigns each prefect a specific area of oversight as part of that young man’s leadership responsibilities. Here’s a snapshot into the Class of 2019 Prefects and how they perceive their duties.
John Garvey (Head Prefect, Hamden, CT) “From what I have observed in my three years here, prefects have been the ones who made a notable difference day in and day out. The role comes with adversity and long hours of responsibility, but being able to overcome everything will lead to class success. My job is to enrich student life and stay attuned to overall morale. The Class of 2019 intends to uphold the traditions of Trinity-Pawling.”
Robby Phillips (Junior Prefect, Pawling, NY) “Being a prefect means not only being a leader before the whole school, but also doing what’s needed behind the scenes to make the student experience the most enjoyable and rewarding it can be. While I oversee the academic picture, I feel my role is to serve as a voice between the faculty and students. What inspires me the most is simply that the school community has entrusted me with this position, which makes me want to do the absolute best I can. I think the most challenging piece will be balancing my responsibilities as prefect with my place as a student.”
Will Rickert (Pawling, NY) “I’m in charge of the Arts so I want to encourage more kids to step out of their comfort zone and participate in the Arts. I want them to discover new talents.”
Nolan LaPlante (Lake Tahoe, CA) “As Prefect of Zeal, I unite the student body through activities and events and keep the campus enthusiasm high. My goal is to get kids out of their dorm rooms, challenge them to be a little vulnerable, and find ways to have good, clean fun.”
Jack Haims (Bronxville, NY) “My area to oversee is honor. As a member of the Honor Council, I want kids to consistently do the right thing, help them to value honor, and be aware of the Honor Code.”
Ryan McBeth (Port Moody, British Columbia) “I’m focusing on service. I plan on collaborating with Father Robinson to help the boys find ways to serve, contribute, and to get involved with the world in a fun and meaningful way.”
Evan Ruschil (Katonah, NY) “Mr. Taylor put me in charge of victuals. Once I realized that meant food, I decided I should work with the dining hall and Cave staff to make the food consistent with what we want to eat. Guys like to eat so this is a pretty important role.”
Good luck to all the 2019 Prefects!
Backed by a career of writing, teaching, coaching, directing, and producing, John Teaford joined the Trinity-Pawling community as an English teacher this past August. “My resume can seem as though it’s describing the lives of numerous people—writing, film, sport, academia—but in truth I am just a “young man” who has lived a very long time,” Teaford commented. “I have also been very fortunate to meet with many unique opportunities along the way. My new tenure at Trinity-Pawling is the most recent of these.”
As he begins the new school year, Teaford brings a lifetime of varied experiences to both the classroom and the playing field. With a passion for writing, he is especially delighted to be joining the English department. “The most lovable thing about teaching English is the lack of exactness inherent to it…rules get bent, communication proceeds regardless of proper grammar or punctuation, and a book says what we interpret it to say,” he shared. “The author may have written it, but the book belongs to me. I love that.”
Teaford also looks forward to bringing his coaching expertise to the Pride. He has coached at the prep school and professional levels in several sports, including speedskating, Nordic skiing, cycling, and triathlon. He has even led athletes to Olympic teams, medals, and world records, including the United States Speedskating Team. At Trinity-Pawling, he will take on Middle School basketball and JV baseball. “I’ve come to learn that coaching is simply another form of teaching,” Teaford explained. “I find that personal connection to the athletes is most important. It can overcome any technical shortcoming the coach might have, and often results in athletes overcoming their own perceived limitations.”
Still, Teaford’s fascinating experiences do not stop there. He also spent many years as Director of Feature Films and Producer/Director of Broadcast Documentaries for Warren Miller Films, the organization that makes the quintessential ski movies. “The best part of that job was choosing the locations for all the films…the Alps, Andes, Himalayas, Rockies. My passport filled to bursting nearly every year!” Teaford shared.
Fueled by his versatility and ambition, Teaford is ready to dive in to his next set of adventures at Trinity-Pawling. In the classroom, on the fields and courts, and everywhere in between, he hopes to convey to his students, if nothing else, one simple and poignant message: do what you love.
Experiential learning is a fundamental part of the curriculum at Trinity-Pawling. The Practicum for Civic Leadership allows students to actively explore, take initiative, learn by doing, and think critically and creatively. For seniors and postgrads, the focus is on the Senior Independent Project.
Prior to departing for summer vacation in May, each rising senior committed to a topic of personal interest to pursue over the last few months. Among the list of projects: building a wooden kayak, publishing a scholarly journal article on GDP, researching and filming sharks for a documentary, and starting an insurance company.
“In the late spring, the boys worked with their faculty mentors to brainstorm and outline their projects,” explained Scott Harff, Assistant Director of College Placement and a key faculty member in the SIP process. “Many of them left with a strong plan of action for their summer vacation with hopes of coming back with most of their projects complete.” The fall and early winter, he says, is the time for seniors to put the finishing touches on their projects.
One of the many benefits of the Senior Independent Project is how it fits into the student’s college process—providing a unique glimpse into their academic capabilities and personal interests. “The seniors are able to incorporate their projects either as the topic of their Common Application essay or a talking point with visiting college reps,” explained Slade Mead, Director of College Counseling. “Allowing our students to shine in a subject they are excited about is a win-win for both the student and the college.”
As they begin the school year and continue to guide each student through the SIP process, both Mead and Harff love seeing the boys enjoy their projects. “It’s only the first week of classes and many boys have already excitedly approached me with their progress,” shared Harff. “And several of the boys have already finished! This group of seniors has definitely exceeded my expectations.”
It’s all about the experience. In a consumer culture that is saturated and increasingly disenchanted with “things,” experiences have become the new “go-to” opportunity for businesses (and people) looking to make an impact. Ed Feather ’90, has found his niche in this nouveau world, as he helps clients all over the globe create unique brand moments in order to motivate employees and gain clients of their own.
“When trying to attract business or make an impact with stakeholders, corporations are looking for the ‘wow’ factor. At Cramer, we create that magic, providing large-scale events and experiential marketing for global businesses. You know that moment in a movie or live performance when you get the chills and feel completely connected in? That’s our specialty!” remarks Feather.
To be sure, Feather is well-suited to his role. With a background in B2B and consumer advertising and marketing and a keen understanding of the client experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table for each account. One can’t help but be caught up in his excitement as he describes the ultimate “moments” that are created on stage at a conference, in a video, or within a marketing campaign.
“It’s incredible to work with a client to bring their vision and brand to life. Many of my accounts are in the B2B healthcare field and when they present to hospitals, they don’t want to “sell” at all—rather, the goal is for their potential clients to leave with the feeling that this partnership is inspired, critical, and a win-win. We support them in creating that evolved atmosphere.” Feather relates.
The company works with corporations from UPS to Siemens Healthineers, in diverse fields from technology to financial services. Cramer employs 150 people on its ‘studio model’ campus—everyone from strategists to video producers to sound engineers—in order to create the perfect marketing package for their clients. Feather oversees five major accounts, partners with the creative and production teams for events, video, and other experiential marketing programs, and, as the head of account services he manages a team of six, each with their own portfolio. It’s extremely busy and rewarding work.
When asked how his time at Trinity-Pawling served him throughout his years at the School and in his life, Feather remarks, “One of the best things about my experience at T-P was the Effort System. When I arrived as a freshman I quickly realized I did not ever want to be in Group 3 again. And this was exactly the right challenge to keep me motivated all four years, and beyond.”
As experiences go, we think Feather has chosen a pretty exceptional one in his profession—to be a magic-maker is quite an opportunity! To learn more about all of the creativity happening at Cramer, visit their website here.
“In the general scheme of things, three years is not a long time. But 50 years later, those three years at Trinity-Pawling were, and are, a big part of my life. They molded me, matured me, and helped me become a better person. I have come to appreciate the education I received and the value of my time at T-P.
From student, to class agent, to member of the Board of Trustees, I have spent the last 45 years keeping my connection with T-P intact. Trinity-Pawling is always a part of my life, then and now.
I return as often as possible to keep up with the dynamic community that Trinity-Pawling has become. The physical changes to the campus are only one aspect of the progress the School has made over the past 50 years. Each year the new students, new faculty, and new programs bring a fresh new perspective to the T-P experience. It is an exciting place to be and to be a part of.
I come back to visit Trinity-Pawling to see athletic events, old friends, new friends, and to see what these young men will become when they move on into the world. I will come back this fall for my 50th class reunion with memories—some great—some not so great, but with a true sense of pride in what my School has become and what it will be in the future.
Come back and join us, you won’t be disappointed. I personally guarantee it!”
– Peter McCabe ’68
The Trinity-Pawling cross country team returns 5 of the top 7 from the 2017 team: Nick Grande ’19, Thomas Howell ’20, Jack Long ’21, Jimmy Nolan ’21, and Andrew Zhang ’20. It is the hope of the coaching staff that this group of runners will learn from last year’s experiences and continue to develop as racers and runners. Also returning from last year are Rodger Ecker ’20, Ryan Kane ’21, Tommy Li ’21, David Poulos ’21, Tim Wang ’19, Ledi Wang ’21, Ben Yoon ’20, Jack Zhang ’19, and Tom Zhao ’19. All of these runners returned to school in better condition and the coaches expect them to push the top runners and in turn, improve the overall quality of the team. Newcomers Toby Berner ’21, Henry Daniel ’20, Thomas Fears ’21, Nico Mooney ’20, Sam Fechner ’20, Sam Stone ’19, Tucker Kellogg ’23, Brian Poulos ’22, Logan Weis ’23, Tian Yu ’20, and James Wang ’21 are all running well and the coaching staff is confident that they will contribute to the overall success of the team. The goals of this group are to improve every day, work hard every day, and embrace the idea of athletic competition.
The 2018 football team is getting ready for the home opener against Avon Old Farms on Saturday, September 22nd. The team has been working hard to prepare throughout the pre-season and has recently elected this year’s captains. In alphabetical order, the 2018 Trinity-Pawling football captains are Jake Conlan ’19, Eddie Gonzalez ’19, Christian Keyes ’19, and Donté Williams ’20. The Pride looks forward to competing for an Erickson League Championship and making their third straight New England Bowl Game.
Coach Clougher begins his second year as head coach of the varsity soccer team. He will be relying on quite a few young players to grow during the season. Captains Jack Haims ’19 and Mark Trainor ’19 will be counted for their leadership and steady play. New junior Bailey Monteiro ’20 will get the bulk of the playing time in goal. Andrew Belcher ’22 and Sebastian Padilla Ortega ’21 have shown promise in the midfield. Trevor Cole ’20 and Huma Bekhiet ’19 are strong defenders. Joey Musa ’19 will add some skill at the offensive end of the field. The team looks forward to competing against some of the best teams in the country.
Find the 2018 fall athletic schedule here.
Homecoming & Reunion Weekend is just around the corner—September 28-29—REGISTER NOW!
THE FUN INCLUDES:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th
8:00 AM Bill Stolz ’61 Chapel Talk
*Open Classes to Follow
10:30 AM ALL ALUMNI Golf Game Quaker Hill Country Club
11:00 AM–1:00 PM Scully Hall open for Lunch
1:00 PM Is your son a prospective student? Student-led tours will be available at this time (*Admissions interviews may be made by appointment)
3:00–7:00 PM Registration and Welcome Center open Cluett Lobby
4:00 PM Shuttle from Danbury hotels to campus
5:30 PM Dedication of the Adams Erdmann Tennis Pavilion
*Reception to Follow
7:00 PM Welcome Dinner & Distinguished Alumni Awards Tent behind Gamage House
Your class photo will be taken at this event!
9:45 PM Shuttle to Danbury hotels
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th
School Store Hours: 8:30 AM–12:00 PM AND 2:00 PM–5:00 PM
8:00 AM–9:00 AM Breakfast available Scully Hall
8:30 AM and 9:30 AM Shuttle From Danbury hotels
8:30 AM–2:00 PM Registration and Welcome Center open Cluett Lobby
9:00 AM-10:00 AM Q & A with the Headmaster Gardiner Library
9:00 AM Clay shoot at Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds
10:00–11:15 AM Alumni Panel Gardiner Theater
*Moderated by Eric Drath ’88
11:30 AM Alumni Memorial Service All Saints’ Chapel
12:15–1:30 PM Lunch and Alumni Celebrations Scully Hall
1:00–2:00 PM 50th Reunion Class StoryCorps Barone Dining Room
1:15 PM Campus Tours Cluett Lobby
2:00 PM Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 1964 Alumni & Hall of Fame Room, Smith Field House
3:30 PM Homecoming Football Game vs. Loomis-Chaffee Coratti Field
Post-Game Reception Smith Field House Terrace (following the conclusion of the football game)
BBQ Celebration Tent behind Gamage House
Class of 1968 – 50th Reunion Dinner Gamage House
9:00 PM Shuttle to Danbury hotels
10:00 PM Shuttle to Danbury hotels
Note: Schedule is subject to change, so check trinitypawling.org/reunion for updates.
We can’t wait to see you back on campus!
Questions? Reach out!
Janet Hubbard P’07
Director of Advancement Operations
jhubbard@trinitypawling.org
845.855.4830
Join us for an OPEN HOUSE event this fall!
Monday, October 8th or Saturday, November 10th
Active, engaged, and out of their seats—this is how boys at Trinity-Pawling experience learning.
If you know a boy that would thrive in this environment, invite them to come to campus and learn about our distinctive programs and how they bolster the way boys learn best—by doing.
Families will have the opportunity to meet the experts in boys’ education, and hear how we guide our students to become young men of integrity—ready to rise to the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Pass this invitation on or REGISTER to attend at trinitypawling.org/openhouse
Supported every step of the way by a dedicated community of mentor-educators and buoyed by a brotherhood of peers, Trinity-Pawling students discover their OWN GREATNESS, each and every day.
Your gift to the Trinity-Pawling Fund is the anchor—providing for all the daily needs of this top-notch educational experience.
Through your generosity, you support the culture of TRANSFORMATION—where a boy’s highest POTENTIAL is DISCOVERED and UNLEASHED.
With your partnership, there’s no limit to what can be achieved. Make your gift today at www.trinitypawling.org/giving
Thank you for your investment.