In a world rife with isolation, anger, and polarization, Trinity-Pawling School is challenging the norms and providing a counter-cultural education that prepares young men for the challenges of the modern world. During Parents’ Weekend on October 20-21, Head of School Bill Taylor spoke to families about how Trinity-Pawling addresses the issues of today’s culture and why this “counter-cultural” approach is vital for the future. Here is a summary of Bill Taylor’s address to Trinity-Pawling families:

Today’s Culture:

Isolation: Over 40% of adolescents report feeling lonely regularly, despite the promise of digital connection through social media. Electronic screens curtail interpersonal skills, leading to a culture of isolation.

Anger and Tension: Aggressive language pervades society, from print media to social media, and throughout our society, contributing to a culture of anger and fear.

Challenges for Boys and Men: There is a growing disparity in college enrollment and employment, indicating challenges for young men. Slower brain maturation and an educational focus on testing and memorization contribute to this trend.

Polarization: Division and aggression are prevalent, undermining the idea of a common good and fostering a culture of zero-sum competition.

Academic Rigor: Academic success is often equated with rigor, with the belief that the more rigorous, the better.

Education as a Counter-Cultural Force:

Community: Trinity-Pawling believes in the philosophy that learning thrives within relationships. The School pushes back against isolation, emphasizing community.

Kindness: Trinity-Pawling promotes kindness, respect, and belonging, mitigating anger and tension.

Opportunities for Boys and Men: The School provides distinctive opportunities for boys, focusing on active learning, engagement, and self-awareness.

Understanding and Mutuality: Trinity-Pawling fosters a culture of understanding and mutuality, opposing the polarization prevalent in society.

Vulnerability as Strength: The School teaches that vulnerability is a sign of strength, leading to greater self-awareness and self-confidence.

Vigor over Rigor: Trinity-Pawling values vigor, encouraging boys to tap into their energy, and discover their strengths, joys, and passions.

Trinity-Pawling School offers a counter-cultural education that plants the seeds of community, kindness, opportunity, understanding, vulnerability, and vigor. In a world driven by isolation, anger, and competition, these values may seem unconventional, but they are time-tested principles that lead to personal growth and success. By challenging the norms, Trinity-Pawling is shaping future leaders who will thrive in the ever-changing landscape of the modern world.

Watch Bill Taylor’s full speech here.

Meet Trey Boula ’24, a Prefect and Pawling, New York native who has called Trinity-Pawling his second home for the past four years. With a diverse array of interests and hobbies, including wrestling, movie nights with friends, video gaming, working out, and enjoying a spirited game of pickleball with the boys, Boula is a well-rounded individual.

In his senior year, Boula is eagerly anticipating the chance to spend quality time with his friends before they part ways for college. To him, being a Prefect means being someone who leads by example, always ready to motivate and guide others in any way possible. In late September, standing before his peers, teachers, coaches, and his aunt and uncle, Boula did just that by sharing his thoughts and experiences in a profound and heartwarming Chapel Talk.

In this Q&A (with Judy Redder) and the following Chapel Talk transcript, we delve into the personal experiences of a Trinity-Pawling student who has not only embraced his vulnerability but also discovered new horizons, leadership opportunities, and profound connections within the Trinity-Pawling community. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of a Trinity-Pawling education and a boost for the human spirit.

JR: It takes some people a lifetime to embrace their “vulnerability” — how has Trinity-Pawling helped you do that?

TB: Trinity-Pawling has helped me embrace being vulnerable because of the community. The community here is so tightly-knit, it is nearly impossible to feel uncomfortable going outside your comfort zone. This has allowed me to start to live outside my comfort zone, thus allowing me to be vulnerable on a more day-to-day basis.

JR: You mentioned trying new things at Trinity-Pawling, like playing baseball — what other new things have you been given the opportunity to try at T-P?

TB: T-P has given me the opportunity to try numerous new things, including going to the gym, establishing deeper friendships on a more personal level, doing community service work, and even figuring out new things about myself. An example of this would be that I am actually smart, I just needed teachers who believed in me and were willing to help me when I struggled from time to time.

JR: Becoming a Prefect must have been exciting — tell me how it feels to be a leader and role model at T-P.

TB: Becoming a leader at T-P has been extremely exciting. It has allowed for personal growth through challenges and people I have come into contact with. Becoming a leader has helped me expand my horizons further than I thought were possible for a 17-year-old. Overall it feels great knowing I can help lead, at least someone, in the right direction.

JR: What’s your favorite place on campus?
TB: The Cave because of the pool table.

JR: Favorite T-P tradition?
TB: Stepping Up

JR: What’s on your Senior Year Bucket List?
TB:
1. Try to figure out how to pay for college
2. Become friends with the entire senior class
3. Finish strong in academics and sports

 

Chapel Talk by Trey Boula ’24

“Good morning for those of you who don’t know me. My name is Trey Boula and this is my fourth year here at Trinity-Pawling.

For those of you who were here in the Winter Term of last year, you might have remembered a speaker who came in to talk to us, Chris Herren.

Chris talked about drugs and the impact that they have had on his life. Now I’ve never been and plan to never be addicted to drugs or try them for that matter, but something in his speech did stick out to me and has remained with me until today. He kept bringing up: “What is your story?” and well that’s what I’m here to talk to you guys about today.

The reason I want to bring up my story is it’s something I never really talk about because it puts me in a vulnerable spot. This is another concept that keeps popping up, whether you have heard it from Mr. Taylor’s opening Chapel Talk, or the panel this weekend with the alumni, or even Coach Davenport during pre-season, being vulnerable is good, that is why I want to talk about my story today.

Here it begins. I grew up just like everybody else in a loving family with my dad, my mom, my brother Travis, my sister Audrey, and my dog at the time Grace.

However, this didn’t last long. By the time I was six, my parents had gotten a divorce due to my mom having mental health issues. She moved away because she was unable to support me or my siblings safely.

Now this didn’t really impact me because I was too young to really understand what it meant. I just knew she would no longer be around. However, it definitely took a toll on my dad because he was now the sole breadwinner and had to do everything himself without the support of my mom.

Unfortunately, this would mean we would have some financial problems throughout my childhood. There were times when the hot water would shut off because he’d forget to call the company to have the oil refilled, or the lights would turn off, because he didn’t pay the bill, or even the Internet would turn off.

However, this never mattered much to me because I always knew I had my dad, my brother, and my sister looking out for me and making sure I had everything that I needed.

My dad worked as a fence worker installing fences for a living so whenever he came home, he was always exhausted, but he always managed to fight through and put dinner on the table for me, and my siblings.

This is how life was, and to be completely honest with you, it was perfectly fine with me. I had a system and I stuck to it.

Little did I know that this would soon all come crumbling down. June 28, 2017, would be the last day I would see my dad alive. He passed away that night, due to a heart attack.

Now at the time, I was definitely upset and in shock, but I still didn’t really know what losing someone really meant. Well, I figured it out rather quickly as it meant I was no longer getting breakfast whenever I woke up for school, it meant I would never be getting yelled at for not knowing how to do my math at the kitchen table, and it even meant I would never have his clams casino anymore, which if you have not had clams casino I don’t know what you have been doing because you’re missing out big time.

Now my story is not all sad, although it might seem like it. Just two months after my dad’s death I ended up moving in with my aunt and uncle, whom I currently live with today, however, this did mean that I would end up losing someone else, my brother, who was my best friend.

He did not want to transfer schools his senior year and leave the life he knew so well, so he stayed in my childhood home by himself to finish his senior year.

However, my sister did follow me, which in a way was very helpful. Because I was definitely empty inside having lost my hero, my dad, my best friend at the time, my brother, and I didn’t exactly know what to feel.

Now some of you who are good friends of mine might know that I no longer live with my sister because of some of the choices that she made. She ended up moving back in with my mom just two years after she moved in with my aunt and uncle.

Now I stayed with my aunt and uncle because I knew they gave me the best chance I possibly had at making it in life.

A little context: my dad cared about me more than I’ll probably ever know but he never really forced me to try hard in school or pick up anything outside of school. So, I just went through the motions when I was at school.

In other words, I was no academic weapon, more like a dull butter knife you use to cut chicken at Scully Hall.

I never cared for academics, and I never played a sport. But when I moved in with my aunt and uncle, I soon realized that this would no longer be an option.

I HAD to get my grades up and I soon figured it out. I also picked up football, wrestling, and at the time, track and field.

I was maintaining my grades while playing three sports. I did this for all three years I was in middle school, and as far as I was concerned, I was doing great.

Then I decided to come to T-P which is where at the time my older cousin, Liam Dietrich, was attending.

I would be lying if I said that T-P hasn’t changed me and helped me become an even better student and athlete, as well as a more rounded person, but it was definitely not easy my first year.

However, having my cousin here was a huge help. He sort of got me into the swing of things and told me that everything was gonna be okay even if at the time it did not seem like it.

He was on the football team so even though I did not see him in class I got to see him every day during practice and that was definitely reassuring.

He was also on the wrestling team so when winter came, I not only got to see him, I got to wrestle him every day.

By the springtime, I was pretty comfortable with the School and I decided I was going to do something different than him. I was going to play JV baseball, something I’d never even tried before coming to T-P, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made while I’ve been here.

Coming here has been nothing short of life-changing. Now I’m sure you have heard this a whole bunch, but I will keep reinforcing this idea every day that I am still here. If I can leave you with anything today it is this: don’t take anything for granted.

If I’ve learned anything in my life is that you never know when something is going to end, so why take it for granted?

There is a great quote I’m sure everyone here has heard: “Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, but Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” — from Kung Fu Panda. I know this is from a children’s movie, but I personally think it is a cinematic masterpiece. Along with this, it really amplifies what I’m trying to push across to at least one of you today.

Looking around, T-P is a gift, it has so much to offer. There will be opportunities that arise every single day, big or small. Get involved and take advantage of everything. Don’t worry about tomorrow and don’t dwell on the past. Live in the moment right now.”

“It’s the purest form of baseball…” began Head Varsity Baseball Coach Cody Doyle, reflecting on his sixth summer of coaching in the esteemed Cape Cod Baseball League. “…and a community I’m truly honored to be a part of.”

Founded in 1923 and nicknamed America’s League, the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) is the premier collegiate summer baseball league in the United States. Each summer, players from across the nation and from all NCAA college divisions are recruited to play in the highly respected 10-team league. Many CCBL players go on to play professionally in the MLB — including Aaron Judge, Chris Sale, Pete Alonso, and Trinity-Pawling’s very own Mo Vaughn ’86, just to name a few.

Doyle began coaching on the Cape just before arriving at Trinity-Pawling and he feels fortunate to be able to return to his post as an assistant coach each summer. In addition to working primarily with the catchers, as well as coaching first base, Doyle serves as the Youth Clinic Coordinator and organizes the youth sessions and Little League clinics sponsored by the CCBL each summer. Although he and his fellow coaches “don’t see much beach time,” he shared with a laugh, Doyle says the busy summer gig has everything he needs: “great weather, great people, and great baseball.”

“I have grown a lot as a coach from my time on the Cape, and the community aspect of the CCBL is so special,” he continued. “I get to meet a lot of people, develop my own coaching style, build relationships with players and other coaches, and follow the success of future major leaguers. It’s truly a great experience — one that I look forward to each year.”

A graduate of Sacred Heart University, Doyle played four seasons of collegiate baseball before bringing his talents to Trinity-Pawling in 2019. Since then, from September to May each year, he has served as a math teacher, a dorm parent in Starr, and a three-sport varsity coach for the Pride (football, hockey, and of course, baseball). His days in June and July are jam-packed with baseball practices, games, youth clinics, and workouts in the CCBL. Then, after some brief and well-deserved downtime in August, Doyle returns to campus to do it all over again. Year-round dedication, on and off the field, is the name of his game.

Looking ahead to the upcoming varsity baseball season, Coach Doyle concluded: “The new school year is off to a great start and I’m excited for the spring. We have a solid group of returners and lots of new talent too,” he added. “I’m hopeful that we can build on the momentum we had at the last half of the 2023 season. We’re ready to put in the work!”

by Emma Quigley

It’s been nearly four years since Solomon Hess took his final bow on stage at Trinity-Pawling during the winter production of Urinetown the Musical. The former Head Prefect is now a senior at Vassar College with a double major in drama and film and a showstopping capstone project. “From the very beginning, I was drawn to doing something unique…something a little more challenging,” he shared. “I’m involved in many different areas on campus and I wanted my capstone project to reflect that.”

With a special connection to stand-up comedy and a knack for playwriting and composing music, Hess’ project — an original stand-up comedy special, When I Grow Up — came to life. On October 5-6, 2023, after months of hard work in writing and producing the show, Solomon performed his piece to two packed houses in Vassar’s mainstage auditorium.

“The performances went really well! And although I was alone on stage, I had an awesome team behind the scenes, including a crew of 2-3 working backstage and in the booth, running sound cues and lights; a director; and a musical director,” he shared. “They helped to make it all possible.” Partnered with Morgan’s Message, Solomon’s project not only entertained but also raised funds for the nonprofit’s work in student-athlete mental health and advocacy. A night of comedy for a worthy cause.

It will likely not surprise you to learn that When I Grow Up is not Solomon’s first original production. For his Senior Independent Project (SIP) at Trinity-Pawling, he wrote, composed, and directed A Train Through the Dark, an original musical which debuted in Gardiner Theater in January 2020. The production raised a grand total of $2,734, all of which was donated to the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP).

“That was when I had my first taste of what it means to be a producer,” Solomon reflected. “Writing and composing the show was just the beginning. Then there was casting, directing, musical directing, designing the tech, marketing the performances…it meant so much to me to make sure the show went up and went up well. That SIP experience was unforgettable, and it really prepared me for my time here at Vassar.” In fact, Solomon produced a second staging of A Train Through the Dark at Vassar during his junior year. “I wanted to bring the show to life again, and with more resources and experience, we were able to raise even more money for AFSP.”

So, what’s next for this up-and-coming producer and playwright? “After graduation, I would love to take When I Grow Up to fringe festivals where I can gain exposure and make connections in the industry,” he explained. This coming January, during Vassar’s annual arts festival MODfest, Solomon will also help to produce a professional staged reading of yet another original play of his, titled The Game — a moving piece that won a 2022 Vassar playwright award.

While looking back on his capstone experience at Vassar, Solomon noted an important connection to his Trinity-Pawling SIP — and one of the many reasons he loves the performing arts. “Producing a show, no matter the scope, is a learn-by-doing experience,” he concluded. “From A Train Through the Dark to When I Grow Up, I have learned so much, overcome obstacles, and grown as a producer and a performer. After all, you have to challenge yourself to make something happen.”

We have no doubt that you will continue to do just that, Solomon. Bravo!

by Emma Quigley

It was 1960 when retired USMC Captain Terry Smith graduated from Trinity-Pawling School. After departing campus that spring, he would not return again for over six decades — but he soon discovered that no matter how much time has passed, a Trinity-Pawling brother will always be welcomed back with open arms. Captain Smith visited the School as an alumnus first for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2022, and again this past month for a series of historical presentations on Vietnam. It was an honor to have him back on campus!

As a young graduate from Trinity-Pawling, Captain Smith attended Brown University for a year before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He was one of the first American Marines deployed to Vietnam during the war. Following his military service, he went on to have a successful journalism career with National Geographic and also worked as the Congressional liaison for the Governors’ Association. He is now retired in New Mexico, where he is extensively involved in veteran affairs and PTSD advocacy.

While on campus earlier this month, Captain Smith met with every history class in Gardiner Learning Commons to discuss the history of Vietnam, share his experiences during the war, and discuss topics of how the United States got involved, how the war was covered by the media, and more. On the evening of Monday, October 2, Captain Smith also held an engaging and thought-provoking all-school presentation in Gardiner Theater.

“What a treat to share my experiences with all the students. It is important that young people know their history so they can avoid repeating it,” Smith commented to faculty member Slade Mead, who helped to coordinate the veteran’s meaningful campus visit. “Our leaders made some serious diplomatic and military mistakes in Vietnam. Perhaps my visit to campus sharing my thoughts will impact one or two students who will be in a position of leadership in the near future.”

On behalf of the entire Trinity-Pawling community, we extend our sincere thanks once again to Captain Smith for taking the time to return to campus and share his invaluable insights and perspective on a pivotal event in history.

by Emma Quigley

Peter and the Starcatcher is an imaginative telling of what could have happened before we meet the characters of the beloved story Peter Pan. The story follows a nameless orphan on an adventure on the sea where he meets British sailors, a bossy young girl on a secret mission, vengeful islanders, mermaids, and a scrappy band of pirates led by a charismatic captain, Black Stache. Peter and the Starcatcher will be Director of Theater Arts Ricky Oliver’s first full-stage production at Trinity-Pawling, with 7:30 PM performances on November 3 and 4, 2023. Here follows a brief conversation we had this month, amidst his busy schedule of rehearsals and production.

How many plays and musicals have you directed?

I’ve directed about 10 plays and musicals over the course of my professional and educational career.

Why did you choose Peter and the Starcatcher for your first production at Trinity-Pawling?

I chose Peter And The Starcatcher because it’s an energetic, creative piece that requires athletic storytelling and true ensemble acting. The action is fast, and every actor plays different roles so there is very little downtime off-stage.

How did you approach the casting for Peter and the Starcatcher?

During auditions, instead of preparing audition material, I led the actors through a series of improv exercises to see how the students worked and played together creating different scenarios. This is the essence of the play itself.

How are rehearsals going?

Really inventive and really fun! We are all collaborating on how we can best try to tell the story on the Gardiner Theater stage. The action of the play moves through a lot of cinematic elements that we, as stage artists, need to craft. It has been a lot of fun to generate with this group of creative actors.

What other faculty members are you collaborating with on the production?

Mr. Garguilo (Art Teacher) has been collaborating with us to create some fantastic scenic and lighting elements. Also, Mr. Reilly (MakerSpace Facilitator) has helped some of our magical elements come to life, including Mr. Grin, the iconic crocodile who we meet in Act Two.

We wish the talented cast and crew a great weekend of performances!

by Judy Redder

Please join us in congratulating the 2023 recipient of the Edward A. Arditti ’51 Award for Faculty Excellence: Dr. Glenn “Doc” Mandigo!

This endowed fellowship honors a member of our faculty for excellence in teaching. It was established in 1995 by Edward Arditti ’51 and his son Ted ’94 as a way to celebrate our teachers for their distinguished work and dedication.

In presenting the award on October 20, Head of School Bill Taylor shared an excerpt from comments submitted by fellow faculty members, celebrating Dr. Mandigo:

“Doc always puts the boys first.”

“Doc epitomizes what it means to be a student-centered teacher and has no bounds in what he is willing to do to give our students the best experience possible.”

“He is the epitome of a ‘school person,’ which is the highest praise, indeed. By this, it means that he does anything to help both the students reach their full potential and also works to help the School live out its mission. He strengthens the School each and every day.”

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Doc! Thank you for all that you do for the School community and for your extraordinary dedication to Trinity-Pawling.

In September, our School had the pleasure of welcoming our alumni from the Class of 1948 to the Class of 2018 for one of our School’s most joyous celebrations, Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.

The reunion kicked off with a special Honor Guard Pre-Event Reception, specifically honoring the classes celebrating their 50th reunion and beyond. Amidst an uplifting atmosphere, Head of School Bill Taylor officially welcomed the Class of 1973 to the Honor Guard, acknowledging their longstanding support and impact on our School. A special tribute was also paid to Joe Callo ’48 and John Daniels ’48 (not in attendance), honoring their 75th reunion!

As the sun set Friday evening, our alumni assembled under the tent behind Gamage House, enveloped in the glow of a bonfire and torches. Inside the tent, guests were treated to delectable cuisine and beverages, accompanied by an eclectic blend of music from across the decades provided by our in-house DJ Head of School Bill Taylor.

Kicking off day two, our alumni guests, alongside the entire student body and faculty, assembled in Gardiner Theater to honor the many successes of our alumni through our Distinguished Alumni Awards. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Awardees were Thomas F. Ahrensfeld ’73, G. Christian Roux ’73, and Christopher S. Wren ’53. They were lauded for their exceptional commitment to Trinity-Pawling School and remarkable accomplishments in their respective fields. Following the ceremony, a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Mr. Ahrensfeld and Mr. Roux offered insights into how the invaluable lessons learned at Trinity-Pawling have shaped their lives. Watch the Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony here.

The celebrations continued with the induction ceremony for our Athletic Hall of Fame and the inaugural Arts Halls of Fame. As our School’s first dedicated art teacher, no person deserves to be the Arts Hall of Fame inaugural inductee more than Edwin G. “Ned” Reade III. Mr. Reade served Trinity-Pawling for 45 years as an award-winning teacher, honored coach, dorm parent, advisor, and mentor. Following the Arts Hall of Fame Induction was the induction of multi-award-winning football player Charles Sticka ’52, lifelong racquet sports player and notable sports writer David C. Lott ’68, and Trinity-Pawling’s first Founders League Lacrosse Champions the 2008 Lacrosse Team into our Athletic Hall of Fame. Watch the Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony here.

Moving on down to Coratti Field, the alumni, current parents, and students united in spirited support for the Pride football team as they went head-to-head with Hotchkiss School. Despite an early lead in a fiercely contested, rain-soaked game, our team narrowly succumbed to a 15-16 defeat, evoking an atmosphere of resilient camaraderie and sportsmanship. Post-game, the alumni reassembled in the Alumni Room of Smith Field House for the All-Class Farewell Reception, where they enjoyed refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, and heartfelt farewells, before embarking on various class activities, including dinners in the town of Pawling and private gatherings.

The Class of 1973 culminated their weekend with an intimate 50th Reunion Dinner, hosted by the Head of School at Gamage House. Amidst heartfelt speeches and shared memories, class members presented Tom Ahrensfeld ’73 and Chris Roux ’73 with special tokens of gratitude, symbolic of their enduring dedication to Trinity-Pawling and their unyielding camaraderie as Trinity-Pawling brothers.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who traveled from near and far to join us. For those unable to attend, we missed your presence and eagerly anticipate your participation in the upcoming 2024 Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, scheduled for September 27-28, 2024.

Check out the full 2023 Reunion and Homecoming Weekend photo gallery!

by Tom Javery

On September 30, 2023, members of the Trinity-Pawling community gathered together to pay a heartfelt tribute to the Gardiner family — a family whose over 100-year legacy has enriched our community beyond measure! With the gracious presence of Liz Gardiner, her daughter, Glynn, and in memory of Robert “Stretch” Gardiner ’40, we celebrated the profound and lasting impact their family has had on Trinity-Pawling by dedicating two horse chestnut trees in their name.

Each spring as these trees bloom, we will be reminded of the continued growth and beauty across our campus, all made possible by the Gardiner family. A special thank you to the Trinity-Pawling Board of Trustees for generously donating the trees in honor of Stretch and Liz, and to everyone who joined in this wonderful celebration!

Please view the event photo album here.

The fall varsity athletes have had to contend with some rough weather this year as they battled through several consecutive rainy weekends. For the runners and mountain bikers, this has led to some sloppy and muddy conditions on their respective courses. Meanwhile, for the football and soccer teams, this meant playing in the rain on wet turf or grass. We applaud their efforts up to this point and look forward to more competitions, hopefully under the sun!

The season highlight for varsity football was their win against Kent. Brandyn Hackett ’25 scored two touchdowns, and Ethan Fry ’24 added to the score with a beautiful deep pass while on the move. Most recently, the team played Loomis Chaffee as they hosted their second annual #VSCancer charity football game in loving memory of Matt Dooley ’23. All proceeds from the game supported Vs. Cancer and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, which funds child life programs in local hospitals and lifesaving pediatric brain tumor research. Over the weekend, the team raised $3,000 for pediatric brain cancer research. Coach Davenport said, “We started slow in that game, but we came out really strong in the second half. Overall, the game is about Matt, and I’m happy we were able to raise that amount in his honor.”

The soccer team got off to a good start to the year after returning from their preseason trip to London. They secured early wins against Canterbury and Wooster, with Maddox Rivera ’24 performing well in goal. The offense has been led by Gabe Auringer ’24, as well as Sal Zani ’24. The team hit a bit of a rough patch in their schedule, facing both Loomis Chaffee and Berkshire, two top soccer programs. However, they bounced back and played strongly in a win against Rye Country Day during Parents’ Weekend. “Every game has positive takeaways, even when on the losing end. Whether it is something the team did well or recognizing an area to improve,” said Coach Zani. “With our team adopting this mindset, we will continue to grow our confidence and improve our game, allowing us to progress as a team.”

The cross country team has had some great races so far this season. Harry Clark ’24 has led the team with a second-place finish at Choate, as well as a first-place finish at a tri-meet with Kent and Berkshire. Other runners who have posted impressive times and finishes this season include Tyler Olsen ’24 and Oliver Denaro ’27. Coach McDougal is proud of the boys and their efforts this season, saying, “Our performances and desire to compete are both trending in the right direction. We are running faster and competing harder in each race, and that’s all you can ask for.”

The mountain biking team has faced challenging conditions this year due to the rain. Nevertheless, the boys have ridden well throughout the season and have had strong races. In the first race of the season, Joey Tumolo ’25 and Henry Beimler ’24 both had commendable showings. Younger, first-year riders Zack Michalek ’27 and Anderson Pflaum ’27 also had a strong race. A few weeks ago at Hotchkiss, the team finished with good times and secured a second-place finish. Head coach Gabe Avis had this to say about the year so far, “Each boy is reaching their potential and growing exponentially as a mountain biker. The team is achieving great results and bonding over each shared accomplishment.” The team aims to maintain consistency in their solid riding for the rest of the season.

by Kyle Miller ’18

On Sunday, September 24, Athletic Director Brian Foster took a group of 10 students to Miss Porter’s for the first-ever Founders League Sportsmanship Summit. Trinity-Pawling, along with other schools in the Founders League, sent 10 student-athletes to represent them at the Summit. The primary goal was to foster a clearer understanding of what it means to be a good sportsman across the schools, while providing an opportunity for students to interact with peers from other schools within the league.

The Summit commenced with schools giving brief speeches about the athletic culture at their respective institutions. Afterward, a sports psychologist delivered a presentation on what sportsmanship should entail and opened the floor to both students and faculty for questions. She also posed thought-provoking questions to stimulate discussions among the attendees.

Following this, the schools were divided into different groups, with each group comprised of a representative from every school. This arrangement allowed students to meet peers of both genders from different league schools. Within their respective groups, students engaged in conversations about creating a code of conduct for sportsmanship that could be applied throughout the league, discussing what such a code would encompass. This part of the event was a highlight for both the students and the attending adults.

Ethan Fehrenbaker ’24, a senior participant, expressed, “My favorite part of attending the Summit was coming together as a league and meeting students from other schools with varying perspectives on the topic.”

This sentiment was shared by Athletic Director Brian Foster ’79, who emphasized, “It’s important for students to engage with individuals from different schools and learn about their respective cultures. This experience allows them to recognize the differences and similarities in the lives of students at other league schools.”

The Trinity-Pawling students who attended the event are as follows:
Hank Alessandro ’24
Deuce Duffield ’24
Roni Eloranta ’24
Ethan Fehrenbaker ’24
Aiden Grahn ’24
Brayden Lahey ’24
Luke Robinson ’24
Nolan Watts ’26
Jackson Williams ’25

by Kyle Miller ’18

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the parents, grandparents, and family members who graced Trinity-Pawling with their presence during our recent Parents’ Weekend. Your unwavering support and collaboration remain integral to the success of every young man here at our School.

Parents’ Weekend at Trinity-Pawling is a time of celebration, where families come together to witness the vibrant happenings on campus.

One of the distinctive features of Parents’ Weekend at Trinity-Pawling is our student-led conferences, providing an opportunity for the boys to showcase their progress and chart their course toward excellence in their respective classes. This process enables parents to gain firsthand insights into their sons’ classroom achievements and witness the burgeoning confidence fostered by their experiences at Trinity-Pawling.

At the core of Parents’ Weekend is the demonstration of the transformative experiences the boys are having. During a special presentation, parents were treated to captivating performances by our jazz band and the Trinitones. Additionally, they had the chance to engage in a Q&A session with five of our students while learning about their Trinity-Pawling experiences. Head of School Bill Taylor addressed parents, shedding light on the cultural challenges teenage boys face today and how Trinity-Pawling actively empowers them to develop their self-awareness.

Friday evening, Mr. Taylor and Jennifer Taylor graciously invited parents and faculty into their home to share food and drink, which exuded the warm spirit of our community.

Saturday kicked off with an NCAA discussion led by Director of Financial Aid Robert Ferraris ’93 and Associate Director of College Counseling Bill Dunham. This session provided crucial insights into the intricate college process, particularly for student-athletes. Throughout the day, students and parents continued to engage with teachers in conferences and enjoyed a delicious meal in Scully Hall.

The weekend concluded with an engaging pre-game social gathering at Smith Field House, setting the stage for parents to cheer on their sons as they competed in various matches across the campus.

Thank you once again to all the parents, faculty, and students who made Parents’ Weekend at Trinity-Pawling a truly memorable and enriching experience. Your continued support and active participation are invaluable in fostering a strong, vibrant community that nurtures the growth and development of our students.

We look forward to many more shared moments and successes ahead.

by Tom Javery