Excitement is building on campus as the transformation of Trinity-Pawling’s Mo Vaughn ’86 Baseball Field takes shape. With the installation of a state-of-the-art turf surface now completed, each day brings a little more green and a lot more promise for the future of the program.
This groundbreaking project will make our field the only turf baseball facility in the prestigious Founders League, providing Trinity-Pawling players and coaches with an unparalleled space for both training and competition. The new surface will offer improved playability, durability, and weather resilience — ensuring that the team can practice and compete at their best.
“This field represents not just an investment in athletics but in the spirit of our community,” said Head of School Bill Taylor. “It’s a tribute to the legacy of Mo Vaughn ’86 and an exciting step forward for Trinity-Pawling.” He added, “We are grateful for the leadership and generosity of all those who helped to bring this project to fruition, particularly the Class of 1964!”
Stay tuned for more updates as this transformative project moves closer to completion. The countdown to the first pitch on this incredible new field has begun!
View the recent drone footage shot by Griffin Fleur ’20.
Photo by Griffin Fluehr ’20
This year’s Wintersession at Trinity-Pawling was an inspiring showcase of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. This two-week student-centered experiential learning session gave students the opportunity to delve into projects that sparked their curiosity and passion. Through either a Winter Project, the Global Collaborative Challenge (GCC), or a Senior Independent Project (SIP), students engaged in hands-on learning experiences that fostered personal growth and an exploration of their gifts and talents.
Winter Projects are a hallmark of Wintersession, where faculty from different academic disciplines collaborate to create interdisciplinary topics. Students can choose from a variety of projects — or even design their own. This year’s Winter Projects included initiatives like “The Recharge Room,” where students explored sports science and athlete recovery by designing a fully functional sports recovery station for Trinity-Pawling School — a dedicated space for athletes to recuperate after training and competitions.
Another group embodied the spirit of giving through “To Whom Much is Given,” focusing on community service projects that made a tangible difference in the greater Pawling community. Their efforts included assisting at a local food bank, as well as reading books and playing games with children at a nearby nursery school.
The Global Collaborative Challenge (GCC) provided students with an opportunity to tackle real-world issues with innovative ideas and teamwork. Topics ranged from reducing plastic waste and its impact on marine life to discussing the responsibility of social media companies in monitoring platform content. These challenges required students to conduct in-depth research and propose actionable solutions in a presentation to faculty and their peers, all while gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding these global concerns.
The Senior Independent Projects (SIPs) highlighted the creativity, ingenuity, and dedication of Trinity-Pawling’s seniors. Here are just a few of their impressive endeavors: Gianni Fidanza ’24 explored the beverage industry by creating Pride Pop, a Trinity-Pawling-themed seltzer, with plans to debut it to a larger audience at Commencement. Jake Giarrizzo ’24 combined artistry and altruism with his Bowls for Joy project, crafting handmade bowls to sell, with proceeds donated to local animal shelters. Luc Bush ’24 took a personal approach to innovation, designing and constructing a rocking chair for the Learning Commons to support individuals with ADHD — a thoughtful project inspired by his own experiences with the benefits of movement while studying.
Wintersession highlights Trinity-Pawling’s commitment to empowering students as active participants in their education. Through hands-on projects, the program encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, preparing students to become creative life-long learners with a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. This year’s Wintersession inspired growth and equipped students with skills and experiences that will have a lasting impact in and beyond the classroom.
by Missy McCluskey
During Wintersession, Tyler Peterson ’25 and Jack Lashlee ’25 organized a Trinity-Pawling Cornhole Tournament as part of their Senior Independent Projects. The goal? To raise funds for the Toy Closet Program at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. The tournament turned into an evening of fun and generosity, drawing approximately 90 students and faculty to participate for a great cause.
The initiative was deeply personal for Tyler, who shared his story and inspiration during a Chapel Talk with the Trinity-Pawling community. Together, Tyler, Jack, and their supporters raised nearly $2,000 — a sum that was used to purchase toys for pediatric patients. Thanks to their efforts, many young hospital patients will now have a brighter and more comforting experience during their stays.
Read Tyler Peterson’s Chapel Talk here:
“For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Tyler Peterson, and this is my second year here at Trinity-Pawling. Whether you know me well or not at all, it is easy to notice my voice amongst others. Truth be told, aside from my voice getting deeper, this raspiness of my voice has been around for over 12 years.
Around kindergarten, my voice started to sound like I was going through puberty and it had this awful rasp to it like I had been screaming for hours. My mom eventually decided that I needed to see a doctor because something wasn’t right. My first appointment with the doctors didn’t end well since, in order to examine my throat, the doctor had to put a scope up my nose, and 5-year-old me kicked and screamed, not letting the doctor near me. It was then decided that I would have to go to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital to get put under so the doctors could see what was going on without me trying to put up a fight. What I did end up learning was that I had non-cancerous bumps on my vocal cords that caused me to have this raspy voice from which I could barely form a sentence without losing my voice or having to restart.
My family first thought that this surgery would be a one-and-done situation, laser off the bumps, and they would never come back — seems simple, right? Around three months later my mom noticed my voice was getting pretty bad again, so we had to go back to the hospital to undergo another surgery to have them lasered off. Around another three months went by, and yet again, the growth started to come back. So back to the hospital, we went to receive yet another surgery.
I continued getting surgeries every three months for a couple of years until I was around 8 or 9 years old and ended up getting two surgeries in under a week because my voice was so bad. At that moment the time gap between surgeries started to increase, getting longer and longer until my next surgery would come. For the last three years, I had not needed to receive surgery until this past August, clocking in my 27th surgery.
I felt like a veteran to this now, but long before, the hospital was my worst enemy and my parents had to stop telling me when my surgeries were going to be because I would freak out until the time came. It was like the hospital was my Achilles heel, and anytime we went there, I felt vulnerable and weak. No one else had this problem. Why did God give me this obstacle? In my mind at the time, there was literally no positive aspect to constantly getting surgeries. The only thing that came from it was people making fun of my voice and me feeling like an outcast because this issue was so rare.
At some point during my surgery timeline, I was introduced to the Toy Closet, a big chest with all types of toys that patients could choose from after their surgeries. It was a way for patients to be distracted from their situation and location by bringing them the joy of picking out a gift. This toy chest soon became my support beam when I was in the hospital getting surgeries. No matter what happened or how scared I was, I had the support of a comforting gift to get me through it. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but in the eyes of my 10-year-old self, walking through those big hospital doors and into the operating room was the scariest thing on earth. Waking up in the recovery room with other patients and families, my eyes would shoot right to the toy chest. My immediate pick was usually a Lego set or something hands-on, but I would notice other kids and families gravitate towards comfy stuffed animals. In my mind I would ask myself, why not get a fun toy or something to actually play with? But what I did not realize was those pillows or stuffed animals were to help protect and comfort the patient’s cough after a tough surgery.
It soon came to my attention that my scenario of why I was in the hospital was far less severe than what other kids in the hospital were experiencing. I realized that I actually had it quite well in regard to my overall experience during my short sessions at the hospital. I would be in the hospital for no more than eight hours and leave the same day I came, while other patients would receive more serious in-depth procedures and spend the night in the hospital or even a couple of days.
With this idea in mind, my Senior Independent Project for this year was formed. I wanted to give back to a hospital I have spent over 12 years going to and help out children who are stuck there during the holidays or just need a smile to put on their faces. Just like me, hundreds and hundreds of kids love and enjoy the toy chest, as it gives them hope and optimism that they will get through whatever struggles they are going through.
If I can play a small part in that by buying some toys on their wishlists and surprising them with some early holiday gifts to brighten their situation, I am going to need the entire Trinity-Pawling community behind my back. I decided to run a charity cornhole event and build fresh boards during the duration of Wintersession for the tournament as a fun backyard game to bring our entire community together. I want all of you to show me how strong our community is and prove to me that this brotherhood truly is like no other. Help me brighten up someone else’s day as they battle through challenges like no other and maybe we can be that leading factor in motivating them to keep pushing.
Thank you, and let’s show Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital what the Pride can do.”
If you’d like to contribute, donations can still be made to Tyler and Jack’s fundraising page here: bit.ly/41G4jqK
In the coming months, members of the Trinity-Pawling community will be able to purchase a copy of TPopoly, thanks to the collective efforts of ninth-graders Alex Blake, Jackson Cairl, Harrison Choate, A.J. Greier, Leo Gromov, Mikhail Khan, Liam O’Sullivan, and Jack Sullivan.
For their Winter Project, the group of boys worked in committees, determining the game values and color groups into which each Trinity-Pawling campus property belongs; which campus customs and traditions to include on the cards drawn from the center of the board (appropriately named “Fides” and “Virtus” cards); which player tokens (think Prefects’ briefcases) best represent life at Trinity-Pawling; and even the Trinity-Pawling equivalents of “Jail” and “Go to Jail.”
Some boys spent hours in the Trinity-Pawling archives in the Gardiner Learning Commons, while others polled peers and faculty to determine the answers to questions such as, “Which campus building is the Trinity-Pawling version of Boardwalk?” or “Which Founders League school is Trinity-Pawling’s main rival?”
A Cincinnati, Ohio-based company will manufacture TPopoly, which will be available for sale to the greater Trinity-Pawling community as a great gift for graduation, the holidays, a birthday, or even to a recently admitted boy soon to become a member of the Pride!
Stay tuned to The Quad for the soon-to-be-released pre-order form!
by Rich Hoffman
The Arts Department at Trinity-Pawling serves as a center for innovation and expression, showcasing the incredible talents and creativity of our students while fostering a strong sense of community. Through a diverse range of experiences, from captivating performances to hands-on workshops, the Arts help to enrich the lives of students and faculty alike.
The Fall Term was jam-packed showcasing the arts at Trinity-Pawling. Under the leadership of Director of Instrumental Music Chris Kelsey, the Fall Rock Concert put a spotlight on our talented student musicians, who took the stage in October to showcase their talents across various music genres, highlighting the rich diversity within our student body.
Trinity-Pawling Theater Department and Director of Theater Arts Ricky Oliver presented the fall play in October. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, engaged audiences with powerful performances, demonstrating the dedication and hard work of our theater students. For our students who are interested in theater production but prefer to work behind the scenes, our new set design course is a creative and collaborative option. This allows students to immerse themselves in the theater while creating dynamic environments that enhance the overall quality of the productions.
In a unique integration of athletics and the arts, art teacher Joe Garguilo’s photography courses recently incorporated sports photography into its existing curriculum. This initiative allows students to gain hands-on experience capturing the excitement of athletic competitions, helping them develop technical skills while documenting moments that showcase our school spirit and athletic achievements — Roll Pride!
The Arts Department encourages creativity for the whole community through initiatives like Open Studio Nights. These evenings provide students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to explore new skills, including painting, pottery, and more. This initiative expanded into the recently held Santa’s Workshop, where participants crafted handmade Christmas gifts such as wool ornaments, candles, and cutting boards. These events not only nurture creativity but also build a sense of community as students and faculty work together and share their creations.
The Open Mic Club, under the guidance of Spanish teacher Jesús Moreno, has hosted a series of Open Mic Nights that invite all students and faculty to showcase their talents in music, poetry, and performance. These inclusive events encourage self-expression and foster connections among students as they share their gifts and talents with the community.
The Trinity-Pawling Arts Department continues to inspire and engage students through a myriad of creative opportunities. As the year unfolds, we look forward to seeing how our students will continue to explore their artistic potential.
by Missy McCluskey
Painting of All Saints’ Chapel by Trinity-Pawling art student Max Yuan ’27
As students headed back home for the holidays, winter sports came to a pause after an exciting start to the new term! The first couple of weeks included action from the Trinity-Pawling squash, wrestling, hockey, and basketball teams.
The Pride varsity squash team has had a dominant start to their season! They earned three wins in their four matches, with wins coming against Nichols, Millbrook School, and Suffield Academy. They will resume play on January 8, 2025, playing host to Kent.
The Pride varsity wrestling team has been a stand out for the School! They have attended two meets, both in enemy territory at Hotchkiss and Avon. Both times, the wrestlers have been up to the task, earning some impressive placements. Senior Tyler Fromm has had an especially impressive start. They return on January 11, 2025, at Salisbury.
Varsity hockey kicked off their season with a 1-2-0 start. Their win came from a dominant 6-1 win over the Hill School, and both losses were tight matchups down to the buzzer against strong Avon Old Farms and Loomis Chaffee teams. Their top point scorers have emerged to be Liam Lefebvre ’25 and Andrew Migliore ’26, each with 5 points.
Pride varsity basketball has emerged with an especially strong beginning to their season! Despite losing a very close 46-49 game versus Hotchkiss, they have since been undefeated with two convincing victories against Westminster and Salisbury.
The Winter Term for sports at Trinity-Pawling has been nothing short of thrilling! After the athletes get some well-deserved rest over break, let’s be prepared for an electric back half of winter sports!
Visit our website for schedules, scores, and livestream links.
by Ian Arnott ’25
Our Pride Perspectives webinar series is continuing through the 2024-2025 academic year! We hope you’ll tune in for our next presentation:
The Power of Mentoring Boys
Monday, January 6, 2025
7:00 PM (EST)
About the Webinar:
Trinity-Pawling’s culture of relational interaction between faculty and students creates an exceptionally meaningful and collaborative learning environment. In addition to being dedicated educators, many faculty members serve as mentors in ways that contribute immeasurably to our students’ growth and progress.
Join Head of School Bill Taylor and members of the Trinity-Pawling faculty to learn more about how our faculty creates a transformative educational experience that prepares students for success. We look forward to connecting with you soon!
For the full list of webinars in our Pride Perspectives series, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to admissions@trinitypawling.org.
This holiday season, parents, alumni, and friends of Trinity-Pawling came together for a series of memorable holiday receptions, each one fostering a deep sense of connection and shared pride in our School’s rich history. We would like to express our profound appreciation to our gracious hosts who generously brought the Trinity-Pawling community together during this festive season.
A special thank you goes to Jean Doyen de Montaillou and Michael Kovner ’58 in New York City, Peggy and Phil Haughey ’53 in Boston, and Jennifer and Bill Taylor at Trinity-Pawling.
Their hospitality and commitment to uniting our alumni, parents, and friends made these gatherings truly remarkable. These events provided a delightful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new faces, and strengthen the bonds that make Trinity-Pawling such a vibrant community.
These holiday gatherings not only allowed us to reflect on our shared history but also gave us the chance to look forward to the future, as we continue to support one another and uphold the values that make Trinity-Pawling a place of distinction. The spirit of generosity, camaraderie, and commitment to the School was evident in every moment, and we are deeply grateful to all those who attended.
View all of our Holiday Reception photos here.
by Rebecca Smith
As 2024 draws to a close, we invite you to reflect on the profound difference your philanthropy can make. Here are six transformative ways your support will impact Trinity-Pawling students and faculty in the new year.
Your gift today will support:
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Your generosity will open doors for talented young men who could not attend without support. Every year, donor contributions help provide millions of dollars in need-based financial aid — a life-changing investment in student futures.
Faculty and Staff Excellence
Thanks to donors, our educators will remain leaders in boys’ education. Donor-funded professional development will ensure faculty stay at the forefront of the ways boys learn best. Additionally, competitive salaries will enable us to attract and retain exceptional mentors who inspire Trinity-Pawling students every day.
Arts and Athletics
Creativity and teamwork will thrive through your generosity. From inspiring performances to exhilarating competitions, your support will drive student success on the field, on stage, and in the studio.
Campus Enhancements
Your philanthropy will enrich the spaces where boys learn and grow. From modernized dorm lounges to state-of-the-art athletic and academic facilities, your support will leave a lasting impact on campus life.
Student Life
Your support will fuel the programs and activities that make the Trinity-Pawling experience life-changing. From student events to leadership opportunities, your generosity will help every boy feel a sense of belonging and purpose.
Special Projects and Innovations
Your donations will empower innovative programs like the Institutes for Active Learning and the Center for Learning Achievement, where boys will discover their distinctive gifts and talents.
A Look Ahead
As we look toward 2025, we are inspired by all the possibilities your generosity will create. There’s still time to shape what’s next — make your gift before the end of the year to be part of another extraordinary year at Trinity-Pawling School!
Make Your Gift Now
Ways to Contribute:
● Online: www.trinitypawling.org/give
● Phone: 845-855-4833
● Venmo: @TrinityPawlingSchool
● Check: Trinity-Pawling School, Office of Advancement, 700 Route 22, Pawling, NY 12564
You are cordially invited to join Trinity-Pawling for our Spring events
Mark your calendar!
Palm Beach Reception and Golf Outing
April 8, 2025
Palm Beach, Florida
Hosted by Dick Bauer ’70, Trustee
Commencement for the Class of 2025
May 24, 2025
Trinity-Pawling School
If you have any questions about upcoming Trinity-Pawling events, please reach out to Rebecca Smith at rsmith@trinitypawling.org.
To receive details about our forthcoming events, please submit your updated contact information to ensure you’re on our mailing list.
Alumni, share your good news with the Trinity-Pawling community!
Please send in your Class Notes for the Spring 2025 Trinity-Pawling Magazine. The submission deadline is January 15, 2025!
Have you recently gotten married, entered retirement, welcomed a new baby into the family, embarked on some interesting travels, received a promotion at work, or won a community award? Let us know!
Special Reunion Classes ending in ’00 and 05, this is your year — share your updates and rally your classmates to join the celebration at Homecoming and Reunion 2025 this fall!
You can submit your news online at www.trinitypawling.org/classnotes
Questions? Email us at alumni@trinitypawling.org