As an educational leader, I find myself looking forward a good deal of the time. What skills will students need to possess in the future in order to be well-prepared for a changing world and a dynamic workplace? What will be the short and long-term implications of the pandemic on student learning and well-being? What do we need to be doing now to ensure that Trinity-Pawling will be well-fortified to provide a transformational learning experience for its students five to ten years from now? How will we strategically augment the financial foundation of the School to ensure that it can weather another unforeseen storm in the future like we were able to do with the recent pandemic?
Indeed, much of my job is about looking forward, and then planning backward from that vision. When I tend to look backward in time, it is often to ensure that important traditions and successful strategies are not overlooked in the planning process for the future. As a result, it has always been difficult for me to look back solely for the purpose of reflection.
This month, Trinity-Pawling will undergo its decennial accreditation by the New York Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). This process includes a four-day visit to campus by educators from other New York State independent schools who have been tasked with the responsibility of confirming that the School is meeting certain standards for the present and has a plan in place to direct its momentum towards a sustainable future.
The faculty and staff of Trinity-Pawling School have spent the past year and a half preparing for this process through the creation of a comprehensive self-study of the School’s progress since the last accreditation in 2012. This self-study also points to the future that has been illuminated by our Strategic Vision that was adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2021.
In reading through the self-study report created by our team of faculty, I could not be more proud of where we are as a school. Much has been done over these past ten years to move the School forward: the curriculum has been enhanced to better leverage ways that boys learn best through experiential learning; the endowment has been significantly enhanced; and there has been the creation of new facilities and the renovation of older ones; among many other changes designed to strengthen the School and the experience of our students.
The self-study process revealed the many ways that the School has sought to lean into important traditions to bolster their relevance for the present and the future. The self-study points toward the future and illustrates how the School can continue to improve and grow stronger in ways that have been outlined in our Strategic Vision.
This self-study process also highlights the tremendous work that has been done by the faculty of Trinity-Pawling School over the past ten years. They are the driving force behind the School’s progress and the means by which the goals of our mission will be realized in the experience of our students. Significantly, though, it is the faculty that is the entity by which continuity from the past is brought to relevance as the School moves forward through its present and into its future.
Onward!
by William W. Taylor
On March 6, 2023, an excited group of Trinity-Pawling students and faculty embarked on the trip of a lifetime to South Africa. Led by seasoned traveler and Director of College Counseling Slade Mead and tour guides Marius Du Plooy and Vanessa Cloete, the group started their trip in Cape Town, the jewel in the crown of South Africa, and over the course of 14 days, made their way around the beautiful country — from Robben Island to the Cape of Good Hope to Durban, Sodwana Bay, and more!
The action-packed itinerary featured a seemingly endless list of sights and experiences that showcased the breathtaking scenery and rich culture of South Africa. Highlights of the trip included hiking Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and through the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens; visiting Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island, the lighthouse at the Cape of Good Hope, the District 6 Museum, Jubula Beach, the Company Gardens, the church of Desmond Tutu, and a Zulu village; taking surfing lessons; participating in South African drum lessons; exploring Seal Island; snorkeling in Sodwana Bay; seeing amazing wildlife on a sunset safari, on game drives in the KwaZulu Natal region, and at the Emdoneni Cheetah Project; and helping to paint the clubhouse of the Belinda Soccer team in the Gugulethu Township. And those are just the beginning!
“Taking a school group to South Africa is exhilarating as you watch everyone respond to the new culture,” began Slade Mead. “The awe inspired by seeing the vistas from Table Mountain or hiking and coming across a herd of giraffes; or the satisfaction of volunteering in a township and then enjoying a lunch, featuring chakalaka, followed by a friendly soccer game with members of the community.” He continued, “Or perhaps experiencing a new food like Apartheid’s necessitated Durban Bunny Chow; or surfing in the Atlantic and snorkeling in the Indian Ocean; or watching the exhilaration of the group experience a sunrise after hiking up Lion’s Head in the pre-dawn darkness. Or visiting iconic places like the beauty of the bluffs at the Cape of Good Hope or the brutality of Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island. In a little under two weeks, everyone in the group becomes a better world citizen.”
Throughout the trip, faculty member Geri Barker and current sophomore Roni Eloranta ’25 joined forces to document the group’s adventures on the @trinitypawlingtravels Instagram account. In case you missed their coverage, be sure to check out the photos and videos of the Trinity-Pawling travelers’ unforgettable experiences.
“On Sunday, March 19, we arrived home at 5:30 AM with our hearts full,” the caption of the final Instagram post reads. “Thank you, South Africa. We all made memories that will last a lifetime.”
by Emma Quigley
Liz Moore joined the Trinity-Pawling English Department at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. A graduate of St. Anselm College and Clark University, she spent her first two years teaching through an Americorps fellowship at the Nativity School of Worcester. Now in her first year at Trinity-Pawling, Moore teaches English and English Honors to students in grades 9-11, is the faculty advisor of the Debate Club and the Trading Cards Club, and is actively involved in the Student Senate. On the athletic field, she coaches varsity track and field and JV basketball. A quintessential boarding school “triple threat” (teacher, coach, and dorm parent), Moore’s compassionate, can-do spirit continues to enrich campus life for all members of the Pride.
When did you first know you wanted to be a teacher?
I didn’t know I wanted to be a teacher until after college. I accepted a teaching fellowship through Americorps that allowed me to teach for two years at the Nativity School of Worcester. It was there that I fell in love with teaching. The feeling you get when a student finally grasps a challenging concept or tackles a difficult project is indescribable.
How would you describe your teaching style?
It’s very active and hands-on. I incorporate games and activities wherever possible. While we do a lot of reading and writing, I use a student-driven approach to review content and to prepare for exams. I also try to vary the way that students learn: independently, partners, groups, or whole-class.
Any standout projects you’ve worked on with your students this year?
I love any moments in my class that bring my students joy. In English 1 this year, we played a campus-wide game of Assassin using clothespins to simulate the distrust of wartime, similar to that felt by the main characters in Ishmael Beah’s A Long Way Gone. In English 1 Honors, students learned about enlightenment by reading Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. One of the ways to get closer to enlightenment is to learn from others, so students were tasked with interviewing someone they admire and learning about how they live their lives. In English 3 Honors, students worked through an escape room after reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. They put together multiple elements of the novel in an active way.
What is your favorite aspect of living and working at Trinity-Pawling?
My favorite part about life here at Trinity-Pawling is that I have the opportunity to know my students as more than scholars. I see them on the athletic fields, at meals, and in the dorms. I’ve found that getting to know the boys in these various capacities has helped me better teach and advise them as their educator and dorm parent. I know them very well.
What are you most looking forward to about the Spring Term on campus?
The many school traditions that are coming up that I will get to experience for the first time! While it is bittersweet, I know that Stepping Up will be a day that I won’t forget. I’m very proud of the seniors and I can’t wait to celebrate their accomplishments. I’m also looking forward to warm weather and getting to spend time outside with my coworkers and students! I was the KanJam champion in the fall, so I’m excited to reclaim that title.
by Emma Quigley
We all had an amazing time reconnecting at the Delray Beach Reception, hosted at the beautiful home of Andy and Paul Miller ’63, P’92, and at the Golf Outing at Old Palm Golf Course hosted by Dick Bauer ’70. It was great to see alumni, current parents, grandparents, former faculty, and even a current student come together as a community. Head of School Bill Taylor shared an insightful update on the School’s progress and emphasized the importance of all-boys schools in today’s society. And let’s not forget about the delicious food! From gourmet sandwiches to mini fish tacos, everything was a hit.
Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Tom Densford shared his experience attending his first Trinity-Pawling reception. “Golf in the morning was a special treat. With approximately 40 people at the reception later that day, I heard some amazing stories from our alumni about their time at Trinity-Pawling. It was a pleasure speaking with different alumni from across the decades,” he said.
Overall, it was a fantastic day that delighted everyone who attended. Thank you to Andy and Paul Miller ’63 P’92, and Dick Bauer ’70 for hosting such a wonderful event! View the photos here.
On March 2, the School hosted a Pride Perspectives webinar titled “Trinity-Pawling Educated,” which featured a conversation between Head of School Bill Taylor and alumni panelists. Our alumni are living proof of the power of a Trinity-Pawling education: accomplished, courageous, enterprising, and always learning. For many, Trinity-Pawling was a life-changing experience and provided an education that deepened their thinking and broadened their horizons.
The alumni who participated as panelists have had varied experiences both during and after their time at Trinity-Pawling.
— Kirk Vartan ’84 is a former NBC technologist and high-tech professional who now owns two pizza shops and is a strong advocate of smart urban development and mobility solutions.— Osei Mevs ’94 is the Vice President of Government Relations at Acadia. He also sits on the board of Trinity-Pawling School.
— Kevin Emore ’99 is a freelance Strategy Consultant and sits on the boards of the Chef Ann Foundation and the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors Adaptive Sports Program.
— Kevin Kent ’08 is a Principal Data Scientist at Nuance Communications.
— Jay Choi ’15 is currently working on a startup in the food tech industry in Seoul, South Korea.
The group shared their experiences and achievements and discussed various topics such as the School’s mission, their transformative experiences, the gifts and talents they discovered at Trinity-Pawling, and the impact of an all-boys education. The conversation also touched on the LEAD program and student-centered programming.
Overall, it’s clear that each of these gentlemen has had unique experiences and paths after Trinity-Pawling, but all have stayed connected to the School community in various ways. Their diverse achievements and career paths can serve as examples for current Trinity-Pawling students and alumni alike. Watch the full webinar here.
During Spring Break each March, the Pride baseball and lacrosse teams travel to Florida for a week to experience a true Spring Training. During their time down south, each team has a number of practices and games to help prepare for the upcoming season. The boys were able to build athletic skills while also being able to bond as a team through time spent together.
Both teams had successful trips. The baseball team played a total of 4 games, going 3-1. They played their games against Canterbury and Governors as well as two Canadian academies. Although it was the first time for most of the boys to see live pitching, they were able to get the bat on the ball and drive in some runs. Seniors Joe Flannigan ’23 and Jaylen Greene ’23 also played well throughout the week, and Nick Hios looked solid on the mound. Peter Link ’23 also hit a home run in one of the games even though contributions came from everyone. Back up north, the team will scrimmage the Frederick Gunn School and Salisbury, before they open up their season against Kingswood Oxford on April 5 and then at Loomis on the 8, both on the road. Although those are two tough teams, the squad is excited following their success down south, and will look to continue that success throughout the season up north.
The lacrosse team played only three games amidst a large slate of practices. With that being said, they won all three games! One was against a formidable opponent in IMG Academy, which is essentially a full-year program. Andrew Tilton ’24 played a big role in the faceoff circle in that game while Landon Whitney ’24 played well on attack and Casey Sodolski ’23 led the way on defense. The three goalies, Landon Whitney ’23, AJ Turner ’25 and Fisher Winslow ’25 also played well in Florida. Both players and coaches are looking forward to continuing that style of play in the Founders League. After a tie to Staples High School on March 29 in a scrimmage, the first home game for the Pride lacrosse team is on Wednesday April 5 against Loomis Chaffee.
We wish the boys the best of luck in their upcoming seasons!
Join your fellow alumni, parents, and friends to SHOW YOUR PRIDE on May 4, 2023!
Together we will celebrate all Trinity-Pawling has to be proud of:
LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES
DEDICATED MENTORS
THE BROTHERHOOD
AND YOU, OUR STEADFAST SCHOOL COMMUNITY!
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen our beloved School for future generations!
Can’t wait to join in? Give today! We will still count your gift towards the giving day.
Online: SHOW YOUR PRIDE
Venmo: @TrinityPawlingSchool
Phone: 845-855-4830