Seniors Explore New Activities During ISP After 36 Years, Adored School Counselor Mrs. Lionetti ...

20 Pages·2013·2.38 MB·English

The NaTioN's oldesT oN The weB:
CouNTry day sChool www.pingry.org/re-
Newspaper cord
VolUmE CXXXIX, NUmbEr 7 The Pingry School, Basking Ridge, New Jersey JUNE 9, 2013
C OM M E NC E M E N T 2 0 1 3
After 36 Years, Adored School Seniors Explore New
Counselor Mrs. Lionetti Retires Activities During ISP
school newspapers and when involved in advising her stu-
and reflected upon the his- used the film programs at
By Ben KAminoff (V) the position opened up, she be- dents, Mrs. Lionetti realized
By ABhirAm KArUPPUr tory and her impressions. school to construct her
After thirty-six years as a came the advisor to the Record. that she wanted to “learn more
(iV), mAtt fromm (iV), and She put all of her journal video.
member of the faculty, beloved She said that putting the about the mind.” She began
ChArlotte Zee (iV) entries together into one
School Counselor Mrs. Patricia paper together was very dif- taking psychology courses and
Lionetti is retiring. Throughout ferent back then and that “We workshops on the side when Beginning May 3, all final volume of journals Andrew Zola and
her years at the school, she has would get the articles on long she learned that “Counseling 132 seniors completed their and photographs. Claire Chen experimented
held many positions, including strips of paper and have to paste was something I really wanted classes in order to pursue with photography, taking
English teacher, advisor to the them onto a board.” Mrs. Lio- to do.” Mrs. Lionetti obtained Independent Study Proj- Dani temares split her different types of pictures
Record, psychology teacher, netti added, “It was one of my a Masters degree in Counsel- ects (ISPs). Projects in New York City.
Peer Leadership advisor, and favorite experiences at Pingry. ing Psychology and deciding ranged from musi- Chen also learned
school counselor. The group of kids who worked that she wanted the ability to cal endeavors to hik- about different film
In September 1977, Mrs. Li- on the paper was phenomenal.” ing trips and allowed techniques.
onetti first came to the Hillside While she became more Continued on Page 12 the seniors to explore
campus as an English teacher. their interests and Hoping to gain
At the time, she was a faculty take full advantage experience in the
wife living in faculty housing of their final month fashion industry,
on the old campus when her in high school. Catherine Ding in-
neighbor, the Chair of the Eng-
terned at the Susanna
lish Department, offered her a
Arts, Design, Monaco Company in
position as a substitute teacher
PhotogrAPhy, New York City. In
for someone on sabbatical.
film addition to splitting
The next year, Mrs. Lionetti
her time between the
was hired full-time as a middle
school English and linguistics michaela scruda- retail portion of the
teacher. to and sarah mullery clothing store and
While there, the administra- interned at Dyanne the e-commerce de-
tion asked her to do something Belle Jewelry shop, partment, she helped
extra and they put her in middle shadowing a personal out with various
school P.E. “You can just imag- mentor and working tasks around the of-
ine what it was like in a tiny heavily in advertise- fice.
basement gym with 60 boys and ment. A drawing by s. li to fund her isP.
30 girls,” Mrs. Lionetti joked. Kelly mao stud-
“Never having been a team- nicole Blum wrote ied the history of art
sport athlete, I was not helping about and visited various time between making a at Pingry and at New York
these kids improve their basket- places in New Jersey and documentary about her City art museums. She also
ball skills at all. The girls played in New York City. She grandparents and volun- created artwork to add to
Duck Duck Goose a lot.” teering at the Cancer Sup-
visited the Metropolitan a portfolio she had been
Mrs. Lionetti soon became port Community in Bed-
Museum, Central Park, and building beforehand.
an English teacher in the up- minster. She interviewed
other sites in and around
per school. She was the editor her grandparents to learn
the area. She took photos
of both her college and high more about her lineage and Continued on Page 15
R. Davis (V) of the places she visited
SENIOR REFLECTIONS COLLEGE SUMMARY 1902 & MAGISTRI AWARDS DEPARTING FACULTY SPORTS
P. 2-5 P. 6-7 P. 9-11 P. 12-14 P. 19-20
2
THE PINGRY RECORD senior refleCtions JUNE 9, 2013
EDITORIAL Learning Self-Acceptance: Casagrande
Oh, the Places
Reflects on Her Freshman Dreams
We’ll Go
By yUmi CAsAgrAnDe (Vi) imagined. Everything I just differently from what I ex- change is great. Even though
You know what? Heels mentioned from my “want pected, but because it just little happened the way I
are really painful. If you’ve list” never actually happened. seems so foolish and naïve to planned, senior year was the
I remember the first time I saw Pingry’s Upper
ever asked me at the end of I ended up turning in my plan out my whole life based best year of my Pingry ca-
Campus. I was five years old. I was sitting in a
the day, “How do your feet Peer Leader application late, on a girl I sort-of-kinda knew reer. Because I wasn’t a peer
booster seat in the back of my car. The car ride felt
not hurt?” and I’ve said with which automatically ended my freshman year. leader, I was able to use that
like a lifetime. I stared up at the clock tower, and my
a calm smile, “Oh, I don’t my Brady-Brunch-esque peer The thing is, I didn’t know period to take drama with Mr.
parents told me, “This is going to be your school!”
know, I guess I’m used to group dream before senior Jackie Burkhart at all. I was Romano. The time I would
A few months later, I started kindergarten at the
it,” I have a confession to year even started. I quit the too shy to talk to her, so my have spent being in musical
Lower Campus. I did not see the Upper Campus again
make: I was lying. Nothing play after my freshman year, perfect image is really one rehearsal was spent enjoying
until the Winter Festival in December, so I was con-
is easy while being elevated and I ended up skipping out that I created myself. I don’t my friends and doing nonsen-
fused from September through December as to why
six inches off the ground. Go- on the winter musical this blame myself for obsessive- sical things, and I was able to
my school was not the place my parents had said it
ing down stairs is terrifying year, too. My ly looking up to put my focus on the Ballad-
would be, the place that felt like it was on the other If I’ve learned
because you feel like you’re go-to look this her though. It’s eers, who are like my second
side of the world, with a really big clock tower in
going to tumble forward onto year became anything this year, easy to say that, family. Not getting in early
front. There must’ve been a change in plans, I thought.
your face, and going up stairs leggings, not “you should just decision is the reason I’m
Actually, there was no change. I was going to the it’s that change isn’t
feels like you’ve just exer- even pants, be happy being now going to Tufts, which I
Upper School… a few years later. I eventually learned
cised for two days straight. and oversized a bad thing. you; you’re the can sincerely say is going to
the difference between elementary, middle, and high
So why put myself through sweaters, and only Yumi Casa- be the best place on the whole
school, and realized that I wouldn’t go to the place
the pain? Why not just em- by the end of senior year, grande in the universe.” planet second to Pingry--and
with the clock tower until I was as old as the girls that
brace that I am, and forever heels were a lost cause. My However, that’s exactly the huge Forever 21 in the
came to babysit my sister and me, maybe even older.
will be, only five feet tall? report card is scattered with it: I had no idea who Yumi Short Hills Mall.
Now, I am a babysitter. Now I made it through el-
Well, there are two reasons— more than one B, and, unlike Casagrande was. How was I In the end, those Bs didn’t
ementary, middle, and high school; I made it through
the first reason is simple: the process of photosyn- to go about being this awe- even matter. I’m getting so
all one hundred and seventeen months, all thirteen
heels are pretty. The second thesis, which creates sug- some individual when I didn’t giddy right now thinking
years. Now the Upper Campus isn’t a daunting maze,
reason is, regardless of how ary sweetness, the college even know who she was? back on my whole year, and
and the clock tower isn’t as tall as it used to seem.
creepy it may sound, I idol- process was not too much So, I see my obsession with I’m just so happy. I went to
Oh, and now, Pingry is just a quick trip down
ized a girl who was a senior fun for me. And while this Jackie as a necessary step in prom with a K-Pop star this
I-287. (I mean, it always was, but for years, it didn’t
my freshman year and she, sounds like the beginning of the “getting to know myself” year. I don’t feel like I have
feel like it.) It doesn’t take a lifetime to get there; if
without fail, wore high heels a very tragic sob story, it’s process. Did I take it too far? to wear high heels anymore,
anything, the trip is too short in the mornings, espe-
everyday. actually the beginning of a Yes. Would I say I know who and I’ve subsequently saved
cially when I’ve got a first-period test I’m not super
For the sake of seeming really action-filled mystery, I am now? Definitely one my feet from future deforma-
excited to take.
less of a stalker than you a celebrity gossip magazine step closer, but not fully: I tion. Since everything went
Pingry is different now, and I am different. I felt
now probably imagine me to that only prints the truth, or still haven’t decided what my the opposite of my plans, I
so small at the beginning of my Pingry career, but by
be, I’ll refer to her as Jackie a heart-warming coming-of- favorite color is, but that’s a was forced to finally let go of
the end, I felt huge. I felt as if I had conquered it, as
Burkhart. age novel. conversation we can save for trying to be Jackie Burkhart
if I had squeezed every drop out of Pingry.
To me, Jackie Burkhart Thinking back and reflect- Mr. Li’s class. and take an educated shot at
I squeezed every lesson out of my education, every
was the definition of perfect. ing on my “plan,” I cringe. If I’ve learned anything being me.
task out of my extracurricular activities, and every
She was the lead in the play, I cringe not necessarily be- this year, it’s that change So far, it’s going pretty
party out of my social life. Especially senior year,
she was super smart, she cause everything turned out isn’t a bad thing. If anything, well.
when I knew it was almost over. I wasted nothing,
was a Peer Leader, she was
let nothing slip through my fingers.
really pretty (she looked like
At the beginning of any new chapter, we feel small,
a young Mila Kunis), she
because a new chapter entails unmarked, unfamiliar
dressed fabulously every
territory. We’re going off our own beaten paths and
single day, and she got into
forging new ones. The only option we have is to dive
her first choice college—
right in and use the tools we gained in the previous
early decision, no less.
chapter. What tools we lack, we’ll adopt in the new
Ever since the day when
one.
freshman Yumi first gazed
College is a new chapter. It’s life after Pingry,
upon Jackie in play rehearsal,
which is where I have spent over half of my lifetime.
she has been a huge motiva-
But I’m not worried, and, hopefully, my fellow seniors
tion and inspiration for who
aren’t, either.
I want to be. Now, that being
Pingry gave us the tools we need in this chapter to
said, I had a very clear image
conquer the next one, to squeeze every drop out of
of how I wanted my senior
each of our college experiences.
year to turn out.
Pingry gave us the tools to create new tools in the
To be truthful, I had every-
future, and I, among many others, can’t wait to see
thing planned out: I would be
what my classmates and I will do with them. I can’t
a Peer Leader with a group
wait to see what legacies we will create, what suc-
of little munchkins that were
cess stories younger generations of Pingry students
the perfect balance of well-
will hear about us someday, and what kind of role
behaved and entertainingly
models we will be.
quirky; I would grace the
You better keep up, guys, ’cause the Class of 2013
Pingry stage with a final
will not let you down.
performance in the center
spotlight; I would dress like
—Kasia Axtell an effortlessly stylish Teen
Vogue model, all while some-
how managing to get straight
As, and as a result, get into
college ED.
Fortunately, none of this
actually turned out as I’d C. Zee (V)

Jack McCaffery Remembers:
VolUmE CXXXIX
NUmbEr 7
Pingry Was All About Love
reading here. I abandoned my turbulence, middle school
editors-in-Chief By JACK mcCAffery (Vi) quest for true love after DBA was rough on me and it heav-
Director of layout Kasia Axtell Photo editor Love is noticeable: wheth- stopped calling me angel ily influenced my decision
er it’s a touch, a spoken face. That really cut me deep. to apply to Pingry in eighth
Alyssa Baum Ben Kaminoff Rachel Davis
word, or a shared look, when The kind of love I’m talk- grade.
someone loves another hard ing about, the kind of love Coming into this school, I
Video editor Copy editors faculty Advisor enough, people take notice. that I have found in my four didn’t think it would be very
Samantha Korn Anna Butrico Dr. Susan Dineen Finding love at Pingry hasn’t years at Pingry, is a love for different from my middle
been hard for me, and looking an empathetic, warm, and school days.
Matt Fromm
back on my days here fills me accepting community. My first experience with
tech Assistant Abhiram Karuppur layout Advisor with inexplicably warm and This is my story of discov- my new Pingry classmates
Mark Shtrakhman Lori Kim Mr. Thomas Varnes fuzzy feelings. ering that love… was at a pool party organized
Charlotte Zee For anyone holding out for My experiences in public by a Pingry family from my
me to profess my love for one middle school were, for lack town, meant to welcome new
of the hundreds of beautiful of a better word, classic.
All rights reserved. All contents © 2013 the Pingry record. Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle after use. ladies at Pingry, you can stop Filled with drama and social Continued on Page 4
3
THE PINGRY RECORD senior refleCtions JUNE 9, 2013 THE PINGRY RECORD senior refleCtions JUNE 9, 2013
Ali Welch, A Pingry Lifer, Is Excited For the Next Chapter
But Reluctant to Leave Her Second Home Behind
By Ali WelCh (Vi) am sad - and actually mean it. injured for all of my junior definitely brought out our the super fan that I had al- how I’ve never changed
I never thought I’d be As a lifer—yes, I am one year season, everyone on grade’s sentimental side, as ways attempted and failed schools and escaped the
saying goodbye to Pingry. of the few people who have the team welcomed me back everyone really stepped it to be during my prior high dread of being the “new kid,”
The end never seemed real. actually been at this school and made me feel as though up to support each other in school years—and it was an I was embarrassed. It felt as
It was always something so since kindergarten (I know, I’d never left. Even after I every aspect of student life. It indescribable feeling to see if I had missed out on this big
surreal and distant; I couldn’t I’m a freak)—this school has injured myself again during all started with Andrew Del- how many fans from all four life change that was normal
take it seriously when it was been part of thirteen years of the season, I treasured the lapina’s (VI) enthusiasm for grades of the high school for every teenager.
brought up in conversation. my life. It’s not easy to say time I spent watching games the Blue Army, a fan club for came to support their fellow However, when I look
Now, the talk is relevant goodbye, but at the same on the bench with the rest of all Pingry student activities. classmates. Soon enough back on the diverse myriad
because graduation is here. time, I know thirteen years my team. Winning the state Andrew really knew how to people from of personalities
I will never be in such
In the beginning of the is long enough and I’m ready title for the second year in get the Pingry community every grade I encountered
year, when someone brought for a change. At least that’s a row was one of the many pumped up, whether it was started posting a close community during my thir-
up graduation or asked me the answer I’ve been giving highlights of my senior year. for Friday Night Lights, the about plays, teen years at
filled with so many
how I felt, I always gave when parents ask me how I I will never forget the friend- Soccer State Championship, bake sales, or Pingry, I realize
the generic response: “It’s feel about graduating. They ships I made and the laughs or the winter musical. His any commu- driven and talented that one school,
so sad! I don’t want to think also ask me, “What will you I shared with those amazing posts in the Facebook group nity-related this school,
people again.
about it. Let’s just enjoy this miss most?” and I don’t have girls on and off the field. were always moving, moti- events. was enough. I
year!” Now that I am never to think before I answer, “the I know it may sound corny, vational, and a mile-long in This school- will never be
going to take another class people.” but I feel that the people length. wide participation culmi- in such a close community
at Pingry, attend another My journey this year be- that make up the Class of I made an effort to go to nated in the Pingry Compli- filled with so many driven
Morning Meeting, or eat in gan with soccer preseason 2013 have all influenced as many sporting events as ments page on Facebook. and talented people again. I
the cafeteria again, I can say I in August. Although I was me in some way. This year I could—trying to become Pingry students Kate Sienko already miss being around
(VI) and Erin Dugan (III) my classmates—listening to
created this page so that any- their opinions, hearing about
one could pay any member their days, hanging out on the
of the Pingry community a couches together.
compliment while remain- Everyone warned me that
ing completely anonymous. high school was going to be
Students’ heartfelt messages hard and probably painful.
to classmates made me ap- Instead, I am leaving high
preciate Pingry’s supportive school reluctantly, reminisc-
community. ing about all the memo-
Although every Pingry ries this place holds for me
student is naturally com- and how much I grew from
petitive, everyone really just spending seven hours a day,
wants each other to succeed. five days a week, here.
I got shivers when Michael I am proud to say I am
Arrom (VI) performed “Fine part of the Class of 2013, the
by Me” and the entire school class that was there for each
gave him a standing ovation other through the highs and
as he finished, making his the lows. We definitely made
final Pingry performance one memories to last a lifetime,
he (and I) will never forget. and I could not have asked for
It takes so much courage to a better end to my long career
perform in front of so many as a Pingry student.
people, yet Pingry’s encour- In ten years, when some-
aging atmosphere opens us one asks me what I miss most
up to incredible talents and about high school, my answer
stories. will be the same as it is now:
When I used to think about “the people.”
C. Zee (V)
Pingry Veteran Vinita Davey Advises Current Students to Take
Risks, Seize the Day, and Sometimes Make Fools Of Yourselves
By VinitA DAVey (Vi) Part of being a lifer means began to actively seek out me in ways I never thought it man reading this is simple: It’s been a long ride, Pin-
I’m what Pingry calls a that you come to have a very ways to challenge myself would. It has shown me that carpe diem. Never take Pingry gry, and in many ways I’m
“lifer,” someone who has been world-weary view of what throughout the rest of my high there are new opportunities for granted, and never stop ready to move on, to make
going to this school since kin- Pingry is like. For me, being school career. available to anyone who wants looking for ways to challenge new friends and have new
dergarten. I remember my first at Pingry for so long lulled me This year, I’ve put myself to take advantage of them. yourselves or seek out new teachers and sleep in a differ-
day of school at the Lower into a sense of complacency. out there more than I ever They may hide in places you’d experiences. Do something ent bed. But as I go on in life,
School very clearly, walking By high school, I had long thought I would— I took on never think to look—the Attic that scares the crap out of I will leave a piece of myself
around dazedly, awed at how ago assumed that the school a position of leadership in Theater, the Fencing room, the you, even if it means making here at my home of more than
huge it all felt, and how big and my classmates had noth- SDLC, and I allowed myself Record office—but they’re a fool of yourself, because the a dozen years. It’s been real,
and impersonal and terrifying ing more to offer me, that I to be hypnotized in front of the there if you look hard enough. experience may change you in Big Blue, and thanks for the
it was. As a Kindergartener, knew it all. entire freshman class and the My advice to any underclass- ways you never anticipated. memories.
everything looks larger than I stopped taking risks and Peer Leaders on Peer Leader-
life to you. became content with being ship night. Also, in April, I
Although I’ve only been just another face in the crowd- traveled to Shanghai alone.
back once since sixth grade ed hallways. The decision to One of the opportunities
graduation, the one time I did finally step out of my comfort that I am the most grateful
visit, the thing that struck me zone wasn’t a conscious one, for this past year has been the
more than anything was how but after being accepted as a opportunity to get to know
tiny the class- Never take Pingry for finalist in the students in other grades. The
rooms, the min- LeBow Ora- many things that the under-
iature toilets, and granted or stop torical compe- classmen have to offer are
even the teach- looking for ways to tition, I came things that I never expected
ers, who cast face to face prior to experiencing them
such an impres- challenge yourselves with the real- firsthand this year.
sive shadow in ity that I wasn’t Between being a Peer
or seek out new
my imagination, challenging Leader, having mixed-grade
were. experiences. myself any- classes (most notably my
I remember more outside Chinese 4 Pre-AP class, which
walking into the Upper School of the classroom. consists of four freshmen and
the first day of seventh grade The day that I made my five seniors), and being a
and feeling overwhelmed LeBow speech as a sopho- part of SDLC, I’ve gotten the
by what I perceived to be more about an intensely per- opportunity to get to know
the vastness of the campus. sonal subject was one of the so many amazing freshmen,
However, I adjusted to it scariest moments of my life, sophomores, and juniors. I’ve
quickly—it was all part of but it helped jolt me out of learned the lesson that people
the Pingry experience, after my cocoon. always have more to offer you
all, and being a part of Pingry After that experience, I than what meets the eye.
was something I was entirely began to realize that I liked So Pingry, after thirteen
used to. putting myself out there, and years, has ended up surprising
4
THE PINGRY RECORD senior refleCtions JUNE 9, 2013
Katie Ruesterholz Looks Back On her Most Embarrassing
Moments With Love and Affection
By KAtie rUesterholZ these stories, a certain glow 120-pound girl, still sadly and down the hallway with throw chalk at people?” have had over the years. How
(Vi) appears on their faces. You stuck in the seemingly never- my entire bum hanging out. Yes, some things never when I was at my lows, they
When I ask my parents to see a genuine smile on their ending pubescent stage of And to top it all off, I was change. For I’ve had chalk were always there to pick me
reminisce on their middle faces, which can only emerge her life. wearing granny panties! thrown at me numerous times back up. Or how we used to
school and high school years, when they recollect all of To add to this, I had the Now, they’d think that by and have been called an laugh so hard together that
I get a wide range of stories. these youthful memories. most horrific fashion sense. the time I got to high school, imbecile even more often. our abs were sore the next
I get the embarrassing an- And while I cannot say On one particular day, I ar- I’d have it all figured out. I must admit, though, the day. Or in poor Hayley Ad-
ecdote from my mom about that every moment at Pingry rived at school in this pink- How wrong they’d be. attacks were all warranted. vokat’s case, how we laughed
how she lit her hair on fire has been perfect, I can say pleated skirt paired with an As a junior, I remember And while he I’ve had chalk thrown so hard that I pro-
in front of the whole school that when I am, one day, in even more atrocious brown running through the hallway made me cry jectile-vomited
during a football game. (Yes, my parents’ shoes, reminisc- turtleneck. While this may to physics class (I was late my freshman at me numerous times right where she
she was that girl…the one ing about my younger-self, seem bad enough, you can’t as usual), and I decided it’d year, I have was sitting.
and have been called
who threw the fire batons.) this glow will also appear on even imagine what hap- be a brilliant idea to race my learned after Yes, my time
From my dad, I get those my face. When my children pened next. As I’m walking friend, even though I was having him an imbecile even more at Pingry was
“tough-guy” stories of him so inquisitively ask me to tell down the hallway with a wearing four-inch stilettos. for two more special because
shoving people through lock- them about my teenage years, nonchalant attitude that all And as we were flying by the years that he often. of all of the peo-
ers, running five-minute I will beam and say this… children effortlessly carry, senior couches, I arrogantly really is a big ple I got to share
miles, and winning impos- I’ll begin by explaining to a teacher pulls me aside and turned to her and shouted, teddy bear. He has a way of it with. It was the smiles from
sible wrestling matches. (It them how dorky I was. And whispers, “Honey, I don’t “Look, I’m beating you, even making people laugh, and it everyone in the hallways to
never ceases to amaze me while I have so many embar- mean to embarrass you, but in my heels!” just won’t be the same, not the all-nighters we pulled
how things can get so exag- rassing stories, I would prob- you forgot to zipper the back At that moment, my feet seeing him everyday, or per- together that formed the
gerated over the years!) ably tell them of my ward- of your skirt.” skidded across the floor and haps five times a day (that is, framework of so many great
While I never lit my hair robe malfunctions. When I Panic and unimaginable I proceeded to fall flat on if you were one of those. And friendships, friendships that
on fire or shoved someone entered Pingry in the sixth mortification flushed through my butt! Don’t worry: all of by those, I mean a lunchtime I never will, nor can, forget.
against a locker, I notice grade, I was far from cool. my body. Yes, I had walked the seniors got a nice view regular). And when I am done tell-
that when my parents recall In fact, I was a five-foot, out of my house, into school, of me soaring by, and if you And then, I could elabo- ing my children these stories,
look close enough, you’ll see rate and tell them how the they will notice something.
that the skid mark has never teachers didn’t just explain The glow from my face will
completely faded. rudimentary material but begin to fade, because you
After I have successfully taught me life-lessons and can only live in your memo-
portrayed my dorky self to guided me as I grew up. ries for so long. And when
my children, I can move While Dr. Parvensky might this glow has completely
on to more sentimental sto- be disappointed to know vanished, they’ll ask me,
ries. Perhaps I’ll begin by that I don’t remember the “Mom, are you sad?”
describing all of the great Periodic Table of Elements, And as I’m about to an-
relationships I had with my or Dr. Murray might be mad swer, I realize that they just
teachers. I would start with that I have somehow forgot- don’t quite understand yet.
the infamous Trem. ten the entire American His- And while I know they won’t
I will never forget the tory curriculum, I can say completely comprehend what
time some fire fighters came that I have learned something I’m about to say—because
to our house because our much greater. sometimes we just can’t see
carbon-monoxide machine What I have discovered how good things are until
was beeping, and some old from the faculty at this they’re already over—I’ll
guy saw my Pingry sweat- school goes far beyond the say it anyway.
shirt and said to me, “Do you subjects that they teach. For “I’m not sad, but rath-
know Trem?” Astonished, you see, it is because of each er I’m nostalgic. I’m sure
I responded, “Yes, he’s my and every one of them that I you’re too young to get it,
teacher.” And the guy, even have matured into the person but sometimes I just want
more shocked, goes on to say, I am today. nothing more than to be able
“Wow, he was my teacher And finally, I will tell my to go back and do it all over
back in 1975! Does he still kids of all the great friends I again.”
McCaffery Explains How the Love He Found During His
Time At Pingry Has Shaped the Man He Has Become
Continued From Page 2 supportive group of close environments and perhaps for school. While I would love today is a product of the year, take advantage of this
friends, and as part of a larger those still at Pingry who are to stay, my parents probably kindness, support, and love environment because I’m not
kids to the community. Arriv- community that I felt would still not quite feelin’ the love. won’t let me, and I think Ms. that every member of this sure we will ever find a home
ing at the party, I expected to be open and receptive to my Senior year has been the Markenson is tired of giv- community has shown me in like this again. This school is
be snubbed by the cool kids individualism, I was able to greatest learning experience ing me dress-code warnings the past four years. a special place. Thank you,
and ignored by everyone else. mature and become a little of my life thus far. This year, (never a detention though— For all of you who don’t Pingry. I love each and every
As a greeting, I was liter- more comfortable in my own my class has come together thanks!). The person I am have to go on to college next one of you.
ally given a bear hug by a skin. in ways I never thought pos-
sopping-wet, very cute girl Throughout junior year, I sible. I’ve become friends
on whom I’d had a huge experienced more of the same with people I never imagined
crush when I went to school warmth and acceptance from I’d be close with, and my
with her in the 4th grade. I our community. What as- teachers have gone from be-
was too stunned to be both- tounded me during this time ing cold, heartless arbiters of
ered about my wet clothes. was hearing that there were homework to my strongest
This gesture set the tone for some students who still felt and most loving advocates in
my transition to Pingry. isolated here at Pingry. It was the college process. This last
I think I first realized that a small number, but the senti- change was quite welcoming.
Pingry was a really special ment clearly had a presence Looking ahead and seeing
place during my sophomore at our school, and it bothered the end of my Pingry career
year. I had difficulties with me. Why didn’t people feel so close makes me want to
my grades as a freshman, and the same way as I did? I cry. Experiencing Mike Ar-
my parents had threatened questioned a few people I felt rom’s last performance a few
to pull me out. However, I comfortable with, and I came weeks ago actually did make
convinced them to let me try away with a new perspective me cry. I don’t want it to end.
again, and I was able to get on the matter. A lot of the seniors can’t wait
myself together by the time I really believe with all my to get out and leave Pingry
sophomore heart that peo- in the dust; they are ready
I am a product of the
year started. ple willing to to go out into the world and
Building kindness, support, put themselves conquer new territory in a
close relation- out there and big college setting, or some
and love that every
ships with a take a risk by other kind of adventure. Am
number of stu- member of this opening them- I the only one who wants to
dents and fac- selves up to the curl up in a little ball on the
ulty, I made community has greater com- senior couches and just stay
friends that shown me. munity will get here forever? I’ve loved this
loved me for more out of the place too hard to just get up
who I was, not who I was Pingry experience than those and leave.
trying to be or what people who don’t. This is both a les- I’d like to offer one last
expected me to be. With a son for me going into new thank you to everyone at this
5
THE PINGRY RECORD senior refleCtions JUNE 9, 2013
Kate Sienko Examines Her Ninth Grade Time Capsule
and Considers How Much She Has Learned
By KAte sienKo (Vi) I was absolutely terrified. On first time, I was forced to girls on the team. away from home, I will nity like Pingry, there will
“Miss Kate, do you like the first day of school as the stand tall. I was able to find Although the majority of be forever grateful for the always be a helping hand.
growing up?” A barely 4’5” small, yellow bus pulled up my voice, and while my face the school does not know global awareness Pingry has In preparation for this
fourth grader said and looked to my driveway, I remember has never turned so red in about the water polo team created for me. reflection, I sat down and
up at me anxiously await- feeling as if I were in kin- my life, I now appreciate its or how the sport is even Finally, and perhaps one opened my freshman year
ing an answer. Did I like dergarten again, reluctant repercussions. played (neither did I), I have of the most important lessons time capsule that I had made
growing up? It was only the to let go of my mother’s At my freshman orienta- a great love and respect for I have learned while “grow- in Ms. Yorke’s English class.
first day of my independent hand. A world of unfamiliar tion, I vividly remember my fellow teammates as they ing up” at Pingry is that I had written about my hopes
senior project working in the hallways, faces, and classes sitting in Hauser listening welcomed and accepted me while it is often unfortunate, and goals for my high school
library at my old elementary was awaiting me, and I was to upperclassmen impart from day one. We were most disappointment is essential experience. At the end of my
school, and I had already scared. What if I didn’t make their words of wisdom. Try definitely a group of misfits, in one’s development. From four years, the only thing I
been stumped with a ques- any friends? What if the as many new activities as and together we had the time legitimately failing a test in wanted was to be happy.
tion unlike any other. As I teachers were mean? What if you can they said. It will be of our lives and that was the AP United States History Yes, there were many late
looked at the little girl’s wide the classes were really hard? worth it. Finding my voice only thing that mattered. last year to starting my final nights and yes, I was stressed
eyes and glossy hair tied What if I didn’t like the food? at Pingry has helped me During my time at Pingry, basketball season 0-7, I’ve at times, and yes, there may
back in a pink bow, I saw my As I look back on this gain the confidence to do I have also gained a sense of learned that it’s about how have been tears (and not
younger self. Nine years ago, apprehension now, I realize just that. awareness and perspective, you respond to the situation always out of joy), but after
I was that little (well littler) that there was, of course, After nine years of play- two vital components that that truly reflects who you reflecting on my four years
girl with a short bob, missing no reason for my worry- ing soccer, I decided the shape one of my defining are. Whether you lose one as a Pingry student, I am
teeth, a curious mind and a ing. The worst thing that summer before my junior values: appreciation. Last game or fifty consecutive proud to report that I am
love of learning. could possibly happen was year that the soccer chapter summer, I embarked on a trip games, you fail a test, you happy. I’m happy with my
As I now perhaps a little of my life had ended. The half way across the world to don’t get the star role in the growth and who I’ve become
Not only am I happy,
reflect upon embarrassment or deal that I made with my South Africa that has forever play, or you don’t get into as an individual.
the entirety but as Ms. Easter disappointment; parents was that I would impacted my life. I met and your dream school, take a Not only am I happy, but
of my years however over the have to go out for another worked with students like deep breath. It’s not the end as Ms. Easter Evans would
Evans would say, I’m
growing up, past four years, sport. I announced to my Nelly and Nikiwe whom I of the world; in fact, often say, I’m blessed. Pingry is
I believe I blessed. I’ve learned that parents that I was going to will never forget. Even with times it’s only the begin- not just the school that I at-
have a better these are essential go out for water polo and so minimal resources, these ning of a new opportunity tend from 8:15-3:30pm; it
perspective of not only what in shaping one’s character on the first day of preseason, students approached every as long as you have the right has become a second home.
growing up means, but also and helping one to grow. I walked into the pool with day with a genuine passion perspective. Mustering the From having life talks with
how I have grown myself. In If you know me, you know my Vera Bradley towel and for learning and living. As strength to overcome adver- Mr. Poprik and Mr. Burns,
fact, I now realize that high that I am certainly not the found that I was one of two a girl who had barely been sity is key, and in a commu- to jamming out in the photo
school is the place where I loudest or most garrulous room with my whole class
have grown the most. With person, nor have I ever been. and Mr. Boyd, to screaming
all of this in mind, I was As I began my life at Pingry, my lungs out with the Blue
finally ready to provide my I was introduced to the con- Army, to sharing a locker
response to the little girl’s cept of harkness discussions with my two best friends,
question: yes. when the idea of expressing to snuggling on the couches
As the little girl was un- my thoughts and opinions during Peer Leadership, to
derstandably questioning the and sharing them with my leading pep talks before
validity of my response, I peers was quite intimidating. basketball games, I will miss
began to elaborate and was On one of my first days of the little things.
soon swept up by my nos- freshman biology with Mr. I will take away with me
talgia. Although high school De, I was selected to explain a deep love for the most
has only been four years out a certain process to the class. incredible people I have had
of my eighteen thus far, I After proceeding to barely the opportunity to share my
consider these four years at whisper my explanation, I high school experience with.
Pingry to not only be some of was asked to stand on my To the faculty, advisors,
the most important, but also chair and begin again, but coaches, classmates, friends,
some of the best. this time louder. Already teammates, fellow peer lead-
As the older sibling in 5”11, standing on that chair ers, peer groupies, and my
my family, I was the first to only made me increasingly family, I just wanted to say
embark on my high school aware of how much of a gi- thank you from the bottom of
experience, and I admit that ant I was; however, for the my heart. I’m truly blessed.
Matt Composto Assesses His Education: He Learned to Think
For Himself, Think Critically, and Discover New Truths
By mAtt ComPosto (Vi) could not be created by simply By allowing me to grow the students anything,” while unfair to conclude without talk- stimulating and fascinating to
I was frequently told never transcribing a teacher’s idea into a more passionate writer humorous, was a unique ap- ing about some of my experi- discuss.
to begin a writing piece with a onto a page. Pingry teachers without directly attempting to proach that asked the students ences outside of the classroom. Since I opened my reflection
quote, but now that it is time demanded more. My essays mold me into one, my teachers to use reason and creativity to Whether hanging out at the with a rule-breaking quote,
for me to leave Pingry, I feel had to be mine. The level of have given me the opportunity solve unexpected problems. Physics office or sitting at Eng- I can see no better way to
confident enough to break ownership that I felt for my to form my own opinions and For me, the rumors were lish teacher, Mr. Tom Keating’s close than supplying another.
this rule. Oscar Wilde, the essays only grew as I continued come up with my own connec- true: Honors Physics was the often heavily populated table, Friedrich Nietzsche, a famous
frequently acerbic Irish writer writing. Soon the books that tions without ever explicitly most difficult class that I took I found myself constantly sur- philosopher who needs no in-
and poet, said, “Education is would have been unscathed in teaching me how. in high school, but it was also rounded by groups of teachers troduction, believed that “the
an admirable thing, but it is an earlier time were covered in When I tell people that I the most rewarding. I left and students who were eager doer alone learneth.”
well to remember from time to scribbled notes and opinions in love to write I am usually met Honors Physics with a deep to talk about everything from In many crucial ways, my
time that nothing that is worth preparation for the creation of with smiles; when I finish my understanding of the material an obtuse physics problem to Pingry teachers have embraced
knowing can be taught.” a gripping essay. sentence by telling them that that I had not memorized, but the latest episode of “Break- this sentiment. By abandoning
While this quote may not Pingry teachers did not I am also very interested in rather learned. Honors Physics ing Bad.” or limiting traditional lec-
appear to belong in an article teach me to do this; their high physics, however, I am almost had not “taught” me anything, Even outside of the class- tures in favor of a meaningful
meant to meaningfully reflect expectations were unyielding always met with bewilderment. per se. It had challenged me, room, I found myself in an emphasis on critical think-
on my time at Pingry, I assure and I took it upon myself to Although many people think and in response to that chal- environment just as conducive ing, many of my classes have
you that it is both relevant and make connections and form my that these two subjects could lenge I immersed myself into to discussion. My opinions “taught” me nothing, but have
true in many ways. own opinions without the fear not be more different, I find that the material and developed a were just as welcome and allowed me to discover and de-
My eight years at Pingry of disapproval. both of them most thoroughly genuine curiosity for it. discussions never became un- velop many worthwhile skills.
were filled with lessons about As a result of this encour- epitomize Pingry teachers’ re- By not forcing me to endure necessarily heated. Most im- In response to the challenges
Roman culture and Hamlet, agement, I soon found myself fusal to subject their students to a formulaic introduction to portantly, I was almost never I faced in the classroom, I
but my most memorable ex- drawn to the inevitable “choose the mechanical lecture. new material, Honors Physics treated with condescension. began structuring my own es-
periences were, in fact, not your own topic” opportunities While the lecture is a valu- was innovative and should My fellow students and teach- says and thoughts without the
the products of a lesson plan. that came up frequently in my able tool that is used effectively represent, in my opinion, the ers did not try to “educate” me fear of disagreeing with my
Many of my teachers at Pingry high school classes. I tried in many classrooms, the best best way for a Pingry class to about the flaws in my opinions teachers. I became an active
challenged me without for- to take advantage of these Pingry teachers that I have challenge students and allow or the superiority of theirs. participant in my academic
mally teaching me the way to chances to be creative and had choose to couple it with them to develop their own When I learned something growth by pushing myself to
overcome the challenge. Upon unique by using the cover page critical thinking and discovery. understanding of the material. new or changed my opinion, develop my own opinions.
entering high school, my native of each one of my books as a Honors Physics, perhaps Pin- Although many of my in- it was always my choice. My My Pingry teachers and
desire to always find the “right” general map that documented gry’s most infamously difficult credible teachers have encour- discussions outside of the peers have created an ideal en-
answer was replaced with the that book’s memorable quotes class, was built on a founda- aged me to grow academically classroom introduced me to a vironment that fosters the intel-
desire to find “my” answer. and made links between that tion that echoes Oscar Wilde’s and personally without “teach- series of diverse opinions that, lectual and creative growth of
For example, essays that book and key ideas by other sentiment. The idea that the ing” me to or forcing a strict while often not in agreement young students without forcing
examine Jay Gatsby’s character authors. teacher didn’t plan “to teach model upon me, it would be with my own, were always them into a meaningless mold.
6
THE PINGRY RECORD College sUmmAry JUNE 9, 2013
2013 Senior Class College Application Summary
sion II, Restrictive Early Action, in years past. In terms of getting international enrollments for In addition, 20% of the senior this year was the least stressful
By lori Kim(iV)
Early Action, Rolling Admission, accepted early, the students were the class of 2013, as there were class will be attending an Ivy time for him in years. He said,
The class of 2013, which con- and Priority Admission. This is very strong.” last year, many students are ma- League school this fall, compared “April to May was surprisingly
sists of 132 students, will be at- a significant jump compared to Recruited athletes account for triculating to schools that Pingry to 19% last year. Three or more stress-free, and a lot of it had to
tending 64 different schools next last year’s figure of 88% apply- 22% of this year’s graduating students have not matriculated students were accepted into each do with many students being ac-
fall. Overall, students applied to ing early to schools. Of the 92%, class, a considerable increase from to in a long time, such as Babson of the eight Ivies, and at least one cepted early. A lot of decisions had
140 different colleges and univer- 79% of the applicants successfully last year’s 18%. Thirty students College, Barnard College, Univer- student will be matriculating to to be made and I was impressed by
sities this year, down from 157 last gained some type of early admis- will be playing 11 different sports sity of Delaware, Elon University, each. Additionally, this year’s how maturely students did that.”
year, and each student submitted sion to at least one school. in either Division I or Division III Georgia Institute of Technology, class had the highest number of When asked if he had any
an average of 9.6 applications, , According to Mr. Timothy college leagues next year, playing University of New Hampshire, Harvard acceptances in the past words of advice for rising seniors,
down from 10.4 last year. Lear ’92, Head of College Coun- at 23 different schools in all. This Art Institute of Chicago, Skidmore four years. Mr. Lear referred to a column from
Following a trend that has seling, early application has been number is also unusually high College, Stevens Institute of Tech- Mr. Lear commended the Class the 2008 May Issue of The Record
become popular in recent years, the “dominant trend in admissions when compared to the average nology, Union College, Ursinus of 2013 for their overall sense of titled, “If Only We’d Known: A
92% of the 2013 class applied for the past two to three years,” number of recruited athletes over College, University of Virginia, camaraderie during this year’s Message From Seniors to Under-
to their respective colleges and adding that, “As an office, we the past five years. and Wellesley College. application process, noting, “I am classmen,” from which he quoted
universities via some form of pushed students and families to Members of this year’s class The highest matriculation impressed by how well students his three pieces of advice, in
early action program, known as consider schools early in order to applied to a diverse group of schools for the class of 2013 are were celebrating each other’s suc- order of importance: “When your
Early Decision I, Early Deci- weigh their options sooner than schools. Although there are no Harvard, Hobart and William cesses. It is easy to get wrapped friends start breaking down from
Smith Colleges, Princeton, and up in the school process, but stress, be supportive. Embrace the
Tufts, with five students attend- students were rooting for each Zen”; “Create a realistic college
ing each. In addition, Columbia, other.” He added, “There is a lot to list with both safeties and reaches.
Georgetown, Lehigh, Northwest- worry about, but it is unique how Learn to love your match schools
ern, University of Pennsylvania, students seemed to handle it well as much as your reaches”; and the
and Vanderbilt have four students and get along.” last, “College admissions are not
enrolled at each. He also added that springtime fair. Deal with it.”
Colleges with the highest Pingry matriculation.
Highlights:
• Students admitted to and attending US Naval Academy in con-
secutive years for the first time since 2001
• Northwestern: highest number of students attending (4) since
2001
• Howard University: highest number of students attending (3) the number of students matriculating to ivy league universities.
• Students admitted to NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai and
New Schools for 2013:
were provided free campus visits (but enrolling at Harvard and
• Babson College • Skidmore College
Swarthmore)
• The College of New Jersey: highest number of students attend- • Barnard College • Stevens Institute of Technology
ing (2)
• University of Delaware • Union College
• Portfolio student admitted to Fine Arts Program at Cal Arts,
• Elon University • Ursinus College
Chicago Art Institute (1), and Carnegie Mellon
• Three musical audition students admitted to Conservatory Pro- • Georgia Institute of Technology• University of Virginia
grams at Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Mellon (1), Manhat-
• University of New Hampshire • Wellesley
tan College of Music, Northwestern, and USC (2)
since 2001 • Art Institute of Chicago since 2001
A Us map depicting the regional distribution of students. Percentages are approximate.
THE PINGRY RECORD senior PAges JUNE 9, 2013 7
College Placement
RaignE adlER sophia fEng gREgoRy koziol ayEsha saksEna
MuhlEnbERg CollEgE haRvaRd CollEgE bowdoin CollEgE univERsity of ChiCago
haylEy advokat JaiME fERns williaM laCosta lauREn salazaR
diCkinson CollEgE hobaRt and williaM sMith CollEgEs bRown univERsity wEslEyan univERsity
MahMoud aliaMER Ellis flannERy tiMothy landERs MiChaEla sCRudato
univERsity of ChiCago Johns hopkins univERsity washington and lEE univERsity unitEd statEs naval aCadEMy
doRian allEn JoRdan flannERy bRian li daniEllE sEdillo
daRtMouth CollEgE batEs CollEgE daRtMouth CollEgE lafayEttE CollEgE
MatthEw alto hEnRy flugstad-ClaRkE sydnEy li JEnnifER shahaR
noRthEastERn univERsity yalE univERsity stanfoRd univERsity ColuMbia univERsity
niColE aRata adaM fRaitEs RaChEl liMa kathERinE siEnko
tufts univERsity univERsity of RiChMond ColgatE univERsity tufts univERsity
MiChaEl aRRoM kaitlyn fRiEdMan MatthEw luCCiola MaRgaREt siEsta
univERsity of southERn CalifoRnia vandERbilt univERsity buCknEll univERsity villanova univERsity
kathERinE axtEll stEphEn fRiEdMan ConoR Malloy david solEd
haMilton CollEgE lEhigh univERsity univERsity of southERn CalifoRnia dukE univERsity
kEvin baquERo EMMa galgano kElly Mao siMon staCk
ColuMbia univERsity CoRnEll univERsity gEoRgEtown univERsity thE gEoRgE washington univERsity
Johanna bEattiE John galiaRdo John MCCaffERy Justin sullivan
williaMs CollEgE boston CollEgE haMilton CollEgE tufts univERsity
MiChaEl bECk CaMERon gEnsCh ColE MCColluM stEvEn sun
univERsity of RiChMond babson CollEgE buCknEll univERsity univERsity of pEnnsylvania
bEnJaMin bEhRMan MaxwEll gottlEib JEssiCa MCgREgoR John-tod suRgEon
saRah lawREnCE CollEgE gap yEaR noRthwEstERn univERsity howaRd univERsity
andREw bEnito JEnniE MikEll gRavEs hEnRy MEiRing yuto takaMoto
lEhigh univERsity noRthwEstERn univERsity dukE univERsity CaRnEgiE MEllon univERsity
spEnCER bianCo lEah gREER gRahaM MillER soloMon tayloR
lEhigh univERsity fRanklin and MaRshall CollEgE batEs CollEgE howaRd univERsity
niColE bluM JaMEs gRoss valERiE MoRin dani tEMaREs
stanfoRd univERsity stanfoRd univERsity pRinCEton univERsity yalE univERsity
bRigid bRuno Justin guMp saRah MullERy kathERinE thoMas
williaMs CollEgE union CollEgE Elon univERsity wakE foREst univERsity
MoRgan buRkE aManda haik daniEl MuRo hugh thoMpson
MiddlEbuRy CollEgE MiddlEbuRy CollEgE wEslEyan univERsity wakE foREst univERsity
tEMilayo butlER bEnJaMin haltMaiER CaRolinE MuRphy Ryan tooMEy
howaRd univERsity MaCalEstER CollEgE gEoRgEtown univERsity gEoRgEtown univERsity
EllEn Cahill CaRa hayEs aMaRaChukwu nnaEto Justin tRousdalE
bowdoin CollEgE washington and lEE univERsity pRinCEton univERsity noRthwEstERn univERsity
stEphaniE CaRR bEn hERRERa MiChaEl o’REilly alExandER tung
haRvaRd CollEgE univERsity of ChiCago univERsity of CalifoRnia at bERkElEy univERsity of CalifoRnia at los angElEs
yuMi CasagRandE John hiCkEy adaM palMER lisa ulkER
tufts univERsity noRthwEstERn univERsity uRsinus CollEgE lEhigh univERsity
ClaiRE ChEn bRian hoChbERgER kavita patEl alExa van bEsiEn
wEllEslEy CollEgE sChool of thE aRt institutE of gap yEaR univERsity of viRginia
ChiCago
bRandon Chow MiChaEl patRizio daniEl vaysbERg
swaRthMoRE CollEgE haRRison hoMER hobaRt and williaM sMith CollEgEs gap yEaR
tufts univERsity
MatthEw CoMposto JuliEttE pigott shiRlEy wang
bRown univERsity REbECCa hoyt dukE univERsity thE CollEgE of nEw JERsEy
hobaRt and williaM sMith CollEgEs
bRian Costa williaM poRgEs alExandRa wElCh
pRinCEton univERsity John hugin vassaR CollEgE haRvaRd CollEgE
pRinCEton univERsity
vinita davEy gEoRgE pyE stEphaniE wilf
swaRthMoRE CollEgE aManda hulsE hobaRt and williaM sMith CollEgEs univERsity of pEnnsylvania
univERsity of pEnnsylvania
andRas dEak Rahul Rakhit niColE wittE
syRaCusE univERsity MElissa JaMEs boston CollEgE havERfoRd CollEgE
univERsity of dElawaRE
andREw dEllapina sonalika REddi John wollMuth
vandERbilt univERsity ERin JEnson univERsity of CalifoRnia at bERkElEy lafayEttE CollEgE
swaRthMoRE CollEgE
lauREn dEvito saM RiCCiaRdi naoMi wong
villanova univERsity alEC kaisand gEoRgEtown univERsity baRnaRd CollEgE
univERsity of nEw haMpshiRE
CathERinE ding stEphEn RiEnzi ashlEy zhou
univERsity of pEnnsylvania EMily kaMEn stEvEns institutE of tEChnology haRvaRd CollEgE
pRinCEton univERsity
John dugan dillon RolniCk andREw zola
villanova univERsity Molly kandaRian vandERbilt univERsity ColuMbia univERsity
vandERbilt univERsity
halEy EiChER doMiniquE RoManElli
ColgatE univERsity MiChaEl kEtChuM thE CollEgE of nEw JERsEy
skidMoRE CollEgE
alExandER Epifano CaRly RotatoRi as of
gEoRgia institutE of tEChnology CaMERon kiRdzik haRvaRd CollEgE
yalE univERsity June 4, 2013
ChRistian fEChtER kathERinE RuEstERholz
davidson CollEgE ColuMbia univERsity
8 THE PINGRY RECORD senior PAges JUNE 9, 2013
senior awards
academic awards national Merit scholarship program Commended students
John R. whittemore ‘47 biology award kaitlyn friedman; alexa van besien Michael arrom Emma galgano kelly Mao dillon Rolnick
Ernest C. shawcross Chemistry award brian li; sydney li kevin baquero Jennie Mikell graves henry Meiring simon stack
antoine du bourg physics award Claire Chen; alexander Epifano; sydney li
spencer bianco Cara hayes daniel Muro Justin sullivan
science book award Michael ketchum; simon stack
stephanie Carr John hickey Michael o’Reilly dani temares
science Research award harrison homer
whitlock prize for Math alexander Epifano; brian li Matthew Composto gregory koziol Juliette pigott hugh thompson
advanced Math prize Molly kandarian; valerie Morin; alexa van besien alexander Epifano william laCosta sam Ricciardi Ryan toomey
Computer science award gregory koziol; valerie Morin alexander tung
Economics prize Cameron kirdzik
union College Casmir a. france award for Excellence in English Matthew Composto; valerie Morin
paul h. and sarah Rouslin Excellence in English award Mahmoud aliamer; vinita davey; national Merit scholarship finalists
katherine Ruesterholz
Claire Chen James gross Caroline Murphy
Martin b. o’Connor ‘26 Journalism award kasia axtell
yearbook award leah greer andrew dellapina brian li steven sun
Justin society award Competition fiction: vinita davey; ashley zhou Catherine ding sydney li shirley wang
flash fiction: kelly Mao sophia feng valerie Morin ashley zhou
poetry: Claire Chen; ashley zhou
Jean s. Macdonald history prize sophia feng; James gross; amanda hulse
psychology prize alexander Epifano; kaitlyn friedman
fifth year language prize french: ashley zhou national Merit scholars
german: william laCosta
honorable Mention, german: Matthew Composto andrew dellapina valerie Morin steven sun
latin: James gross; alexandra welch
spanish: vinita davey; lauren salazar
advanced language prize latin: gregory koziol; steven sun
spanish: sophia feng; katherine Ruesterholz
the degryse prize in Modern European languages stephanie wilf national hispanic Recognition program
Michael arrom* kevin baquero** leah greer**
arts & drama
ben herrera* daniel Muro**
director’s award for achievement in dramatic arts benjamin behrman
* honorable Mention ** scholar
pingry drama prize for Musical theatre Justin sullivan
Michael E. popp photography prize alec kaisand; katherine sienko
brendan J. donahue ’79 Memorial prize for fine arts brian hochberger
brendan J. donahue ’79 Memorial prize for pottery John dugan national achievement program outstanding participants
barbara berlin prize in art history Mahmoud aliamer; Emily kamen
Music award Michael arrom; Conor Malloy Mahmoud aliamer amarachukwu nnaeto
school service and leadership
the Elizabeth allan smith ‘83 Memorial pingry-duke scholarship
Michael Jupka, Jr. ‘76 blue key award Justin trousdale
Community service award Michael beck Juliette pigott
paul R. leary ‘90 award dorian allen; timothy landers
John taylor babbitt ‘07 award John galiardo
student government achievement award david soled
stifel award Ellis flannery C. b. newton pingry-princeton scholarship prize
valerie Morin
pingry-princeton scholars
special awards
brian Costa John hugin Emily kamen amarachukwu nnaeto
special prize to afs student uday Jubeh
pingry school parents’ association women’s sports award Carly Rotatori
Centennial Cup — gift of the Class of ’61 brian Costa
Class of ’26 Reese williams award Ellis flannery
faculty prize Raigne adler athletic awards
honorable Mention: katherine Ruesterholz; leah greer; John-tod surgeon
boys’ Cross-Country award Cameron gensch
Cipriano family scholar-athlete award John hugin; alexa van besien
girls’ Cross-Country award Ellen Cahill
Charles b. atwater valedictory award sophia feng
andrea Montague field hockey award nicole witte
tom boyer award John dugan; timothy landers
Michael Jupka, Jr., ’76 football award Jordan flannery
Cum laude society
timothy C. Cornwall ’64 boys’ brian Costa;
dorian allen Cameron kirdzik sonalika Reddi soccer sportsmanship award John hugin; Cameron kirdzik
dick gradwohl boys’ soccer Cup for Most team spirit spencer bianco; Christian fechter;
Ellen Cahill gregory koziol sam Ricciardi henry flugstad-Clark
Claire Chen brian li Carly Rotatori Elizabeth allan smith ’83 girls’ soccer award Carly Rotatori; dani temares
Matthew Composto sydney li katherine Ruesterholz John R. dufford, Jr. tennis trophy naomi wong
Catherine ding Rachel lima steven sun water polo award william laCosta
sophia feng kelly Mao dani temares frank l. Romano boys’ basketball award John galiardo
James gross valerie Morin alexa van besien Joe lavalley boys’ basketball award andras deak; Michael patrizio
John hickey Caroline Murphy alexandra welch david M. allan Memorial girls’ basketball award katherine sienko
Michael o’Reilly ashley zhou virginia nazario fencing award sophia feng; stephen Rienzi
varsity boys’ ice hockey award andrew dellapina; John hugin
girls’ ice hockey award Johanna beattie
girls’ ski team award Raigne adler
boys’ ski team award alex kaisand
advanced placement scholars
girls’ squash team award stephanie wilf
dorian allen* alexander Epifano** amanda hulse Juliette pigott* boys’ squash team award Justin trousdale
boys’ swimming award william laCosta
nicole arata Christian fechter Erin Jenson sonalika Reddi*
ashley g. Marsh and family swimming award Morgan burke
katherine axtell sophia feng** Emily kamen katherine Ruesterholz*
Michael Jupka, Jr., ’76 wrestling award Ellis flannery
kevin baquero** Ellis flannery** gregory koziol* danielle sedillo
girls’ winter track award stephanie Carr
nicole blum* henry flugstad-Clarke* william laCosta Jennifer shahar Class of 1935 graham Churchill baseball award Cole McCollum; Ryan toomey
Morgan burke kaitlyn friedman timothy landers katherine sienko boys’ golf award alec kaisand; hugh thompson
Ellen Cahill John galiardo brian li** david soled* girls’ golf award sophia feng
stephanie Carr** Emma galgano** sydney li*** simon stack** Richard C. weiler boys’ lacrosse award John dugan
girls’ lacrosse sportsmanship award Margaret siesta
yumi Casagrande* Maxwell gottleib Rachel lima steven sun***
pingry girls’ lacrosse Cup Johanna beattie
Claire Chen** Jennie Mikell graves* kelly Mao* Justin trousdale*
pingry softball award Jaime ferns; Rebecca hoyt
brandon Chow James gross* Jessica Mcgregor alexander tung**
boys’ tennis award brian li; Michael o’Reilly
Matthew Composto* Justin gump henry Meiring* alexandra welch* boys’ track award Jordan flannery
brian Costa amanda haik* valerie Morin** stephanie wilf Richard g. gradwohl girls’ track award Jessica Mcgregor
vinita davey Cara hayes Caroline Murphy John wollmuth twelve varsity letter award stephanie Carr; Cameron gensch
andras deak John hickey* Michael o’Reilly** ashley zhou** skyland Conference brian Costa; dani temares
Catherine ding* harrison homer kavita patel andrew zola* nJsiaa (state) william laCosta
nJisaa (independent schools) Cameron kirdzik; katherine Ruesterholz
* with honors **with distinction *** national scholar somerset County henry flugstad-Clark; Carly Rotatori
THE PINGRY RECORD senior PAges JUNE 9, 2013 9
nominees for 1902 emblem
The 1902
(e) & magistri laudandi (m)
Emblem
The Class of 1902 Emblem represents the highest
ideals of The Pingry School. The nominees chosen
by their classmates and faculty are considered to
embody the very principles of integrity and service
that lie at the heart of the institution. Thus, even to be
nominated for this award is regarded as a paramount
honor. This year, the 1902 Emblem is awarded to
Caroline Murphy of the Class of 2013, who, while at
The Pingry School, by the efficiency and the amount
of service and loyalty of attitude, has done the most
for the school, and who has been judged therefore
DoriAn Allen
by schoolfellows and faculty to have shown them all
e, m
the greatest amount of school spirit.
years at Pingry: 4
trademark Characteristics: Honesty, sense
CAroline mUrPhy of humor, colorful bowties
Activities: Swimming, Buttondowns, Drastic
E, M
Measures, UNICEF Club, Peer Leadership,
years at Pingry: 6 and Volunteer work
trademark Characteristics: Bubbly personality, smiley, willingness to help others, and red hair summer Plans: Lifeguarding, Swimming,
and Singing
Activities: Honor Board, Student Government, Peer Leadership, JTB Club, Soccer, Drama, Senior Giving
College Plans: Dartmouth
Committee, and Blue Key
Career Possibilities: Undecided
summer Plans: Spending time with my friends and family, traveling, and working faculty mentors: DBA, Dr. Moore, Mr. Lear,
College Plans: Georgetown University Mr. Vassall, and Madame Jordan
favorite Pingry memory: When I sang
Career Possibilities: I have no idea. There are so many possibilities out there.
my first solo for Buttondowns in front of the
faculty mentors: Ms. Markenson, Mr. Burns, Mr. Romano, Miss Wolfson, Mrs. Kinney, and countless school. I sang “California Gurls” by Katy
others. Thank you so much for your guidance and support throughout the years! Perry. I was really nervous going into the
performance, but as soon as I hit the first
favorite Pingry memory: Peer Leadership retreats and having lunch with John Quiñones note, I felt the support of the whole crowd
What i’ll take Away: Pingry is my second home. We are such a tight-knit community, and I have and community, and all my nerves vanished
immediately.
formed the best relationships with friends and teachers I could have asked for. Pingry has given me
What i’ll take Away: Most importantly, I’ll
opportunities, lessons, and memories that will always stay with me.
cherish the friendships I’ve made over the last
few years. The whole community is so sup-
portive, welcoming, and friendly. I know that I
have made friendships with both students and
faculty that will last a lifetime.
The Magistri
Laudandi Award
In every class, there is one student who
graciously gives of him/herself to help the
school and fellow students, who demonstrates a
personal integrity and generosity that inspire the
best in others. This person’s own achievements
are many, yet his/her sense of purpose is to the
greater good. While others may be identified as
"the student most likely to succeed," this person
is prized as "the student who helps all succeed.”
This year the Magistri Laudandi Award is
niCole ArAtA
presented to Sonalika Reddi. m
years at Pingry: 4
sonAliKA reDDi trademark Characteristics: Outgoing and
friendly, optimistic
E, M Activities: Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Ice
Hockey, Varsity Lacrosse, Drama IV, Student
years at Pingry: 4
Government, and Peer Leadership.
trademark Characteristics: Loud laugh, making average jokes, always singing/dancing and saying “hi” summer Plans: Relaxing and playing field
in hallways hockey
Activities: Peer Leadership, Speech/Debate, Taekwondo, Writing poetry, Playing piano College Plans: Studying at Tufts University
summer Plans: Spend time with friends and family, summer job, traveling Career Possibilities: Possibly Law or Inter-
national Relations. Psychology and Anthro-
College Plans: University of California at Berkeley
pology are also interesting.
Career Possibilities: Business, Finance faculty mentors: I look up to a lot of my
faculty mentors: Ms. Chatterji, Peer Advisors teachers, but Mrs. Kinney is the bomb.com!
favorite Pingry memory: After I gave my speech in December, I looked out into the audience and favorite Pingry memory: I will always re-
member the day the whole Blue Army came
saw a sea of smiles. In that moment, I understood Pingry’s strength— support, kindness, and sense
out to support the field hockey team in the
of community. I will never forget the overwhelmingly phenomenal and appreciative response from
state tournament. With our school cheering
everyone that day. us on, our team camaraderie was really strong
What i’ll take Away: The people I have been surrounded by at Pingry have collectively influenced and the game was super exciting!
What i’ll take Away: Definitely the ability
my personal growth, helping me become the person I am today. The memories, life-lessons, and
to manage my time and stress level between
cherished moments of laughter, tears, and even mistakes will stay with me forever.
sports, activities, and homework.
10 THE PINGRY RECORD senior PAges JUNE 9, 2013
nominees for 1902 emblem (e) & magistri laudandi (m) Awards
BriAn CostA AnDreW DellAPinA soPhiA feng John (JACK) gAliArDo
e, m e e, m m
years at Pingry: 4 years at Pingry: 7 years at Pingry: 8 years at Pingry: 4
trademark Characteristics: Down to earth, trademark Characteristics: I’m loud, trademark Characteristics: Curious, easily trademark Characteristics: Being way too
hard-working, kind, and humble sometimes funny, incredibly loyal, and Pin- amused, and often late. large to be a normal person in society; easy-
Activities: Soccer, Student Government, and gry Athletics’ biggest fan. Activities: Fencing, Speech and Debate, going, friendly, optimistic, competitive
Peer Leadership Activities: Varsity Hockey, Buttondowns, Golf, Writing Center, Polyglot, Peer Lead- Activities: Football, Basketball, Lacrosse,
summer Plans: The beach with my family Quiz Bowl, and The Pingry Record ership Peer Leadership, Blue Army
and Texas with my club team summer Plans: Counselor at a Day Camp summer Plans: Volunteering for an edu- summer Plans: Working down at my shore
College Plans: Princeton and heading down to the Jersey Shore cational NGO in China, exploring, having house in Long Beach Island
Career Possibilities: Medical Doctor (Un- College Plans: Vanderbilt University a good time College Plans: Boston College
decided Field) or Business Career Possibilities: Undecided College Plans: Harvard University Career Possibilities: Undecided
faculty mentors: Mrs. Lionetti, Mr. Lear, faculty mentors: Mr. Poprik, Mr. Keating, Career Possibilities: Very uncertain – I’ve faculty mentors: Mrs. Kinney, Mrs. New-
Mr. Keating, Coach Bugliari, and a lot more. Sra. Godfrey, and Mags imagined myself as a diplomat, founder of man, Ms. Leonard, Ms. Lionetti, Mr. Horesta,
They all have done so much for me, and I am favorite Pingry memory: My favorite an NGO, gallery curator, garden designer, and Coach Murdock.
very thankful for their guidance. memory was definitely winning the 2012 and consultant, among other things. In most favorite Pingry memory: Winning our
Skyland Cup as part of the Pingry Hockey cases, I’m some sort of globetrotter (hope-
favorite Pingry memory: Beating Seton playoff game against Holy Cross in football
team in front of all of my classmates and fully).
Hall Prep in penalty kicks my sophomore this year and getting to run over to my parents
friends. To win something that my team- faculty mentors: Everyone I’ve been lucky
year during States. It was an unreal experi- on the sideline and see their faces was a very
mates and I had worked so hard for in front enough to get to know. I’m so thankful for
ence. special moment that I will never forget.
of so many of my friends was such a thrilling their patience and guidance over the years
What i’ll take Away: Pingry has taught me What i’ll take Away: The best four years of
experience favorite Pingry memory: Peer Leadership
so many values and has made me a better my life, lifelong friends and memories, and
What i’ll take Away: The amazing people Retreat – an incredible start to a great year
person. In addition, I have met some of my a place I can’t wait to bring my kids to on
I’ve met at this school and all of the incredible What i’ll take Away: A great education,
closest friends here. reunion days in the future.
friends I’ve made. What sets Pingry apart is loving and supportive friends, and a second
its unparalleled collection of people. home that I’ll always be able to return to.
VAlerie morin sAm riCCiArDi CArly rotAtori KAtherine sienKo
e e m e
years at Pingry: 4 years at Pingry: 4 years at Pingry: 6 years at Pingry: 4
trademark Characteristics: Helpful, car- trademark Characteristics: Intelligent, trademark Characteristics: Energetic, trademark Characteristics: A smile,
ing, optimistic, dedicated motivated, gutsy. caring, athletic, and always carrying a ginor- pearls, a pep-talk, and hugging extraordinaire
Activities: Student Technology Committee, Activities: Running, DJing, acting mous water bottle Activities: Peer Leadership, Photography,
basketball summer Plans: Hiking Activities: Soccer, Painting and Drawing, Basketball, Water Polo, Soccer, ECLC, GLP,
summer Plans: Working, traveling to College Plans: Learning Arabic, ultramara- Track, Peer Leadership Writing Center
thon running, DJing, music production , and
Quebec summer Plans: Safari trip to Tanzania and summer Plans: Coaching the New Provi-
straight As at Georgetown.
dence Summer Swim Team; Block Island
College Plans: Princeton University the Seychelles in Africa
Career Possibilities: I’d like to do something
College Plans: Tufts University!
Career Possibilities: Actuary, applied math- active and creative. I’m not sure what that College Plans: Harvard College
Career Possibilities: A writer, a photojour-
ematics is just yet. Career Possibilities: veterinarian, orthope-
nalist, a teacher; who knows. I just want to
faculty mentors: Mr. Burkhart, Mme faculty mentors: Mr. Keating, Thanks for dic surgeon, teacher
love what I do.
Jordan letting me freelance all those journals. Mr. faculty mentors: Mr. Thomson, Mags,
faculty mentors: Mr. Poprik, Mr. Boyd,
favorite Pingry memory: Computer sci- De, basketball and biology. Mr. Spezio, I’m Mr. Keating, Mr. Delman, Mr. Lear, and Dr.
Mr. Burns, Mrs. Kinney, Ms. Boisvert, Sra.
ence class with Mr. Burkhart going to miss our training-room talks with Dineen
Godfrey, Mr. De -- the list is endless. Thank
What i’ll take Away: I’ll walk away from JT and Creels. favorite Pingry memory: winning the state you to all for your guidance and support!
favorite Pingry memory: It’s hard picking
Pingry having met so many amazing people. championship my senior year with the Pingry favorite Pingry memory: Peer Leadership
out a singular memory from Pingry. There’s
I have made a lot of close friends and got- girls soccer team retreat and the closing ceremony at Zuur-
been a lot of good and a lot of bad. There has
ten the chance to make connections with What i’ll take Away: Pingry has provided bekom Intermediate School in South Africa
been a lot of amazing academic moments
some wonderful, dedicated teachers. I have which you all would probably view as pedan- me with some of the best opportunities, teach- What i’ll take Away:The confidence to
grown immensely as a person, not only with tic and pretentious. The past four years have ers, and friends that I could have ever asked embrace my passions, to explore opportuni-
more knowledge but also with more self- been a complete blur. All I know is this: I’m for. The memories I have made will last me ties, and to believe in myself. But even more
confidence. I’m leaving Pingry with countless happy to be done. a lifetime and I will always know that I have importantly, a deep love for the most incred-
fond memories, ready to go to college and What i’ll take Away: Self confidence and a home at Pingry. ible people I will never forget.
make an impact on the community. a closed mouth (hopefully).