Rippowam Cisqua SchoolP.O. Box 488, Bedford, New York 10506

Lower Campus: 914-244-1200Upper Campus: 914-244-1250

www.rcsny.org

Non Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDPermit No 6030

Bedford NY

Rippowam Cisqua School

BulletinSpring 2012

Richie Meyers:Over the YearsAlso In This Issue: Young Alumni Roundtable onCollege Admissions

Homecoming 2011

Rippowam Cisqua School:Alumni Profiles

On Saturday, June 9th 2012, theRCS community will celebrateRichie Meyers’ extraordinary 45years of teaching, coaching, andmentoring at RCS! The schedulefor the day includes:

11:00am Gather in the Upper CampusCourtyard

11:30am Remarks from Richie's friendsand colleagues, includingformer RCS Heads of SchoolDick Wade and Eileen Lambert

12:15 Barbecue lunch

A few of the many reasons to support The RCS Annual Fund

The Annual Fund is the School’s most important ongoing fundraising activity. Like most independent schools, tuition revenues at RCS do not cover the entire cost of runningthe School. Tuition provides approximately 82% of the annual operating budget with the AnnualFund supplying 7%. The School relies on this source of income in order to meet the essential needsof students and faculty. This year, the difference between tuition revenues and total operatingexpenses amounts to approximately $5,100 per child.

Our Annual Fund goal this year is $1,200,000 and 100% community participation. Last year, wereached $1,220,000 and 90% participation — remarkable results in a remarkable year — thanks to an incredibly engaged parent volunteer organization. If you would like to make a gift, please take amoment to fill out the enclosed pledge envelope and send it back to us with your contribution.

If you have questions about the Annual Fund, please contact Susie Danziger at 914-244-1292 or susie_danziger@rcsny.org

Mission StatementThe mission of Rippowam Cisqua School is to educate students to becomeindependent thinkers, confident in their abilities and themselves. We arecommitted to a dynamic program of academics, the arts, and athletics, andsupport an engaged faculty to challenge students to discover and exploretheir talents to the fullest. Honesty, consideration, and respect for others are fundamental to Rippowam Cisqua. In an atmosphere that promotesintellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning, Rippowam Cisquastrives to instill in students a strong sense of connection to their communityand to the larger world. We, as a school, recognize the common humanity ofall people and teach understanding and respect for the differences among us.

Table ofContents

2 Letter from the Lower Campus Division Head

3 Letter from the Upper CampusDivision Head

4 Letter from the Head of School

20 RCS in Pictures Spring 2011-12

22 Homecoming 2011

24 Collin McLoughlin ’03 Visits RCS

26 Alumni Board Association

28 Master Teaching Fund

30 Back to Bedford: 60 Years Later!

32 Rippowam Cisqua School A Look Back

36 RCS Faces Off in D1 Lacrosse

39 Distinguished Alumni Award

40 Young Alumni Party

41 Class Notes

50 In Memoriam

52 Alumni Connections

1

Rippowam Cisqua School Bulletin ispublished by the Advancement Office:

Edlira Curis, Assistant Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Relations Manager

Susie Danziger, Director of Annual Fund and Communications

Aggy Duveen, Website Manager and MasterTeaching Fund Coordinator

Barbara Jarvis, Advancement Executive AssistantDebe Stellio, Advancement Operations ManagerBob Whelan, Assistant Head of School for

Institutional Advancement

Send address changes to alumni@rcsny.org.

Credits:Design: Peapod Design, New Canaan, CTPhotography: Tim Coffey, Stamford, CTEditor: Susie Danziger

Board of TrusteesAmanda Riegel, ChairMaria G. Fields, Vice ChairWilliam D. McLanahan, TreasurerAlexandria S. Altman, SecretaryScott A. BarshaySteve BeanRalph J. BernsteinRobert S. Boyd ’75Kirtley CameronDr. Neil J. CapolongoJohn W. ChambersJames A. DiamondGregory J. FlemingJames D. KallmanElizabeth L. Kilgallon, DVM, dACVSDesta LakewPhilip S. Lawrence ’80Anna LeeJames B. Renwick ’63Erika Aronson-Stern

Ex OfficioMatthew Nespole, Head of SchoolPatricia Grunebaum, Parent Association ChairDeborah A. Hurrell, Chief Financial Officer Robert F. Whelan, Assistant Head for

Institutional AdvancementChristopher Wirth, RCS Alumni Association

Board Director Chair

Rippowam Cisqua School

BulletinSpring 2012

5 Cover Story: Richie Meyers: Over the Years

10 College Roundtable

16 Community Service

It’s hard to believe how quicklythis year is going by. Thetransition from being a long timeeducator to the Head of theLower Campus has been anexhilarating, exciting, and, attimes, exhausting experience.

Perhaps not unlike our students, I relisheach morning when I walk into schoolwondering what I will discover that day.Working as a team, the faculty, staff, and I tackle a broad range of challenges eachday: helping students, managing schoolevents, meeting with parents, planningcurriculum, and collaborating with eachother. What truly keeps this “Energizerbattery” going each day stems from afavorite quote of mine that simply states,“the human tendency to regard the littlethings as important has produced manygreat things.” Each day, I make it my goalto notice the little, positive things to keep it all in perspective and to make surethat every decision we make fulfills ourmission of educating students to becomeconfident, independent thinkers who lovethe process of learning.

That focus on the small, positive thingseach day also brings me great joy andsatisfaction and gives me the inner

drive to lead the Lower Campus in a compassionate manner. As I walk thehallways visiting classes, shaking hands,and talking to teachers, staff, parents, andstudents, I witness countless small, yetpowerful, moments occurring each day.

As I write this, it’s easy to recall some ofthe most memorable moments that I havewitnessed this year and how touched Ihave been by them. For example, seeingthe face of a child engaged and sittingquietly during an assembly as he listens toa Chinese tale using puppets; observing achild during the Kindergarten Night Partytake the hand of a classmate as she noticesher fear of the dark; seeing an olderbrother walking his younger brother arm-in-arm to class; or observing a childchoosing his “just right book” from abasket, feeling comfortable and proud ofhis choice. Perhaps my favorite, the feelingI get when a shy child reaches out for myhand to shake for the first time as our eyesglance at each other and we smile.

These magical moments extend beyondjust students. They appear when a parentpays me a heartfelt compliment about hischild’s grade level performance, or a kindlook a mother gives her child as theyhappily leave the building for the day, orwhen a father hugs his daughter goodbye

in the morning, wishing her a good day, andthe child glances back with a warm, lovingsmile. I have also noticed a parent arriving a few minutes early because she missed herdaughter all morning and anxiously waits to embrace her.

There are many other precious littlemoments such as a teacher speaking to acoworker with compassion as she shares thestory of an illness in her family, or teachersspeaking professionally in faculty meetings,attempting to reach resolution on an issue.It is so refreshing to hear the genuinelaughter coming from the faculty roomduring lunch and I am so gratified when I see a teacher releasing her assistant to help another in class.

As I think about my own reflections, I can’thelp but wonder what would happen if eachof us took the time to reflect on ourselvesand our own experiences, taking the time tonotice the positive moments, no matter howbig or small. I think that every day, as we all continue to work together, enjoy oneanother, and embrace our truly amazingschool community, we’ll each find thecountless little things that truly make ourlives great.

Letter from the

Lower CampusDivision Head

2 Letters from Division Heads

3

is fundamental to Rippowam CisquaSchool. Warmth, humor, and compassioncharacterize individual student-teacherrelationships.”

I have had the honor of working withCoach for fifteen years. In that time, Ihave watched him win the hearts ofyounger students who, at first, may havebeen taken aback by his intensity and hisunrelenting desire to have each studentgive his or her best every day; hispenchant for “high fashion,” and hisimpromptu stoppages of practice to tell ajoke, a story, or to quote a historical figure.

Coach Meyers is indeed a character withan incredible sense of humor. That hasnot changed. What has also remainedconsistent is his ability to challenge andsupport his players, and to show themhow much he cares about them and theirfamilies. Any player who has taken thetime to sit down with Coach knowsexactly what I’m talking about. His abilityto connect with each student at his or her level is simply amazing.

As a result, those sixth or seventh graderswho were unsure of how to engage withCoach Meyers grew into eighth or ninthgraders who understood what he was allabout, and they love him for it. When Ihave the opportunity to talk to alumniabout their experience at RCS, they oftenremark that Coach taught them to

Vince Lombardi, the Hall of Fame coach of the Green BayPackers football team, once said,“Coaches who can outline plays ona blackboard are a dime a dozen.The ones who win get inside theirplayer and motivate.”

I cannot think of anyone who epitomizesthis quote more than Rich Meyers. Thefields and courts have been his classroom,and this master teacher of forty-five yearshas been instilling a love of sports,competition, and of life itself, into the lives of thousands of RCS students for forty five years.

Coach Meyers’ unique combination ofpassion, humor, loyalty, honesty, intensity,and compassion have enabled him to impartin students the confidence and determinationto accomplish more than they ever thoughtpossible in athletics. Without question, thelife lessons he taught have continued to resonate long after our students’ sportscareers have ended. Not only has CoachMeyers created a level of excellence in ourathletic program, he has challengedgenerations of RCS students to live life tothe fullest, to never quit, and to embracelife’s challenges head on, with an optimismthat demands we give our all.

Our School philosophy states, “Theinteraction between adults and children

understand what it takes to win, and that they craved his leadership, honestfeedback, loyalty, and, of course, the expert way in which he taught thefundamental techniques of the sports hecoached. Many have said that he is thebest coach they have ever had, and that he believed in them more than theybelieved in themselves.

When I think about the legacy that CoachMeyers leaves behind, several thoughtscome to mind. His commitment to ourSchool, and his players, is second to none.He is without question a master teacher. Hehas helped develop hundreds of successfulhigh school and college athletes. However,more than all of his accomplishments onthe field, it is his unique ability to buildrelationships with his players that last fordecades that sets him apart from others.Despite his own athletic success, RichieMeyers will be remembered for his ability to bring out the best in those he coached,as athletes and as individuals.

It is often said that sports is a microcosmof life. At RCS, no one taught, and lived,the life lessons that are such an integralpart of one’s involvement in sports morethan Coach Meyers. Thank you Coach, foryour tireless efforts to teach us what ismost important in life.

Letter from the

Upper CampusDivision Head

4

At the All School Reception inNovember of 2011 the RCScommunity came together tocelebrate our exceptional faculty.Recently I took a few moments toreflect on that evening and readthe personal profiles thatmembers of the faculty wrote, aspart of that evening, in responseto: Why I Teach.

Our faculty’s personal statements clearlydemonstrate that the adults entrustedwith leading our children on theireducational journey are committed tofostering each child’s intellectual growth,nurturing each child’s curiosity and loveof learning, and challenging them to bethe best that they can be.

In my own life there were several teacherswho inspired me in just this same way,and led me to commit myself to a professional life dedicated to education. I still remember vividly Ms. Lenchmen’sgentle, yet unyielding, efforts to help melearn to read and write my letters in firstgrade. I remember the arm my fourthgrade teacher Mrs. Brighton put aroundmy shoulder to help me work through mytears when I simply couldn’t make senseof a math concept, and recognize that

mistakes and failure are a component of the learning process. I remember mytenth grade teacher, Dr. Horlick, saying “I am proud of you Matthew, well done.”when he returned my essay arguing theimportance of the Supreme Court’s Plessyv. Ferguson decision in our country’s effortto live up to ideals it was built upon. Eachin their own way challenged me to be abetter thinker and a better person.

I know when children move on fromRippowam Cisqua they do so with lastingmemories of the teachers who have guidedthem. Each student, current and past, hashis or her own version of Ms. Lenchmen,Mrs. Brighton, and Dr. Horlick – teacherswho have touched their hearts and inspiredtheir minds. In time, all Rippowam Cisquagraduates look back and see the value ofthe gifts they have received from theirteachers and how their years here havehelped them become adults who will makethe world a better place.

In this edition’s bulletin we take time tocelebrate one of Rippowam Cisqua’slongest tenured faculty members: RichieMeyers. Coach Meyers’ classroom is theathletic field. For forty-five years Richiehas coached appropriate technique toeffectively block a linebacker, run a pickand roll, and lay down a sacrifice bunt.

His teams have enjoyed great success but,more importantly, he uses the athleticfield to teach the importance of teamwork, respect and character. The lessons he has taught will serve his students for a lifetime.

Richie and his fellow faculty members’commitment to our students make ourSchool Community a place of excellence.They are the catalysts in our efforts to fulfill our Mission to create confident, lifelong learners.

I hope you enjoy our Spring Bulletin as it rekindles fond memories ofRippowam Cisqua.

Warmly

Matthew

Note: If you would like a copy of the “Why I Teach” booklet, please contact Susie Danziger in the Advancement Office at susie_danziger@rcsny.org

Letter from the

Head of School

5

Richie Meyers:Over the Years

In June of this year, Richie Meyerswill retire after forty-five years as ateacher and coach at RippowamCisqua. Richie has played a role in shaping the lives of studentsthrough six decades, providing aconsistent, vital thread from thepsychedelic sixties into the seconddecade of the technology-driventwenty-first century.

“This career has been a dream – it hasjust been a blessing. If someone hadtold me as a teenager that I would havethis kind of career, I never would havebelieved it.”

During Richie’s tenure, the School hasundergone many changes: it has doubledin size from 250 students to over 500; ithas been led by eight different Heads ofSchool who have shepherded theinstitution through some dramatic times,including the merger of the traditionalBedford Rippowam School with the moreprogressive Cisqua School to becomeRippowam Cisqua School; the consideration and subsequent tabling of the development of a high school; andthe growth of a modestly sized alumnibody to one that is now nearly 3000strong who support the School in manyways. It has been an extraordinary runwith much to celebrate and recognize.

Before finding his way to Bedford andRippowam in 1965, Richie Meyers wasliving in Colorado and coaching footballat his alma mater, Western ColoradoState in Yuma, Colorado. Yuma is a small

farm town where, at the time, 125 of the200 boys went out for football, providinga reprieve from their routine of farmchores, school, and studying. In his self-effacing way, Richie admits that theseboys looked up to him and saw him as arole model. As much as he enjoyed it, hewas fully expecting the position to beshort-term and he was mentally preparedto enlist and head off to Vietnam in thenot-too-distant future.

In order to take a pre-service physical,Coach took a quick trip home to NewRochelle, New York, where he spent hisformative years. His trip was spur of themoment and planned so quickly that heleft the bulk of his belongings behind inColorado, packing only a small duffle bagand his dog into his 1951 Chevy. Forty-five years later, Richie still hasn’t foundthe time or inclination to go back andcollect his belongings.

While he waited for the results of hisphysical and his deployment orders, helooked for an interim job. A friend toldhim about the Bedford Rippowam Schoolwhere they were looking for a part-timephysical education teacher. Rippowamhad just built a new gym and needed ateacher with expertise in athletics.

The Bedford Rippowam School was quitedifferent in 1965 from the RippowamCisqua School of today. There was atraditional sense of formality that Richiehad never encountered before. Forexample, when a teacher entered theclassroom, students would all rise, andthere was virtually no noise in thehallways when students moved from classto class. In addition, each of the boyswore a jacket and tie, items Richie didn’teven own in high school. Richie thoughthe would stick out like a sore thumb atthis elite school. “I grew up on 164thStreet in the Bronx,” Richie recalls,“Bedford was a different world to me. I had never lived in a house. When Istarted out at Rippowam, I lived in acottage on the Clarke estate. After I’dbeen there a few weeks a couple ofstudents came to see me. ‘Coach how can you live in such a small place?’ theyasked. A couple of days later, some of mypals came up to see me from the Bronx.‘Rich! How’d you land such a greatplace?’ they asked.” Richie didn’t think he would ever fit in or get the job, butHead of School Walter Wyeth thoughtdifferently and asked him to stay and help out for a month.

As Richie integrated himself into thecommunity, making friends with everyonehe met, Headmaster Wyeth took a realliking to him. He recognized that Richiehad a lot more to offer the School thanjust his athletic ability. Mr. Wyeth felt hehad a ”New York sensibility” – a Bronxsoulfulness that was quite foreign to thereserved nature of Bedford’s old guard,and could cross-fertilize with the existing“culture of love.” Without Richie’sknowledge, Mr. Wyeth wrote the DraftBoard stating that Rippowam reallyneeded Richie to stay in New Yorkbecause he was irreplaceable. Richie

“Always think you can! It’s mind over matter, you have to think things first and then make them a reality.”

6

Coach Meyers with Barrett Goldstein ’12

Richie Meyers: Over the Years continued…

7

found this touching, but also troubling.In between the laughs and the storiesthere is a twinge of regret that Coachfeels for not having fulfilled what heviews as his duty to his country.

In the early years, in addition toteaching at Rippowam, Richie took onthe role of high school football coachin New Rochelle. He would leaveBedford at 2:00 p.m. each afternoonand head back to his hometown. Thisenabled him not only to teach, but alsoto keep a foothold in his true passion,coaching football. As Richie’s shortstay turned from months to years todecades, he progressed up through theranks, from teacher to coach toAthletic Director, where he foundlifelong satisfaction and some of hisgreatest friends. Throughout this time,he never lost touch with his NewRochelle roots.

Richie enjoyed the dual life ofcoaching in New Rochelle andteaching at Rippowam and felt that he was making a real contribution bydoing both. He said that the drive each day was transformative for him, when he went from “salty” New Rochelle to the more refinedsurroundings of Bedford. Richierecognized the differences and deeplyappreciated how lucky he was toexperience both. It was during thoseearly years that he met his wife, Eileen,(the aunt of the current RCS DivisionHead Bill Barrett) in New Rochelle.Eileen and Richie were from the sameworld, and Richie loved sharing hisnew life in Bedford with Eileen.

Richie and Eileen enjoyed their lifetogether but, unfortunately, it endedmuch too quickly. Their daughter Juliewas born in 1972 and just ten yearslater, Eileen died of cancer. Eileen wassick for several years, which took a tollon the family. Sadly, Richie had losthis mother in a similar fashion tenyears earlier. For Richie, it was difficultto cope with losing the two mostimportant women in his life in thisway. He had no control over the

Richie Meyers throughout the years...

situation, and it was something that couldnot be overcome with hard work,perseverance, or any of the other skills hetaught, and learned, as a coach. Julie andher new son, William Richard (the nameis no coincidence) who was born in 2011,continue to bring Richie great joy.

After his wife’s passing, Richie becameincreasingly more involved withRippowam Cisqua and the lives of thekids he coached. He had watched theconservative Bedford Rippowam Schoolunite with the more progressive CisquaSchool, and helped navigate the changesat the merged institution – after all, thistype of juxtaposition mirrored Richie’sown life. While the atmosphere becameincreasingly less formal over the decades,the unwavering constant throughout washow wonderful and supportive the facultywas. Richie noted that no matter whichdecade one might examine, the facultyhas always been comprised of“exceptional teachers who consistentlywent to great lengths for their studentsand for one another.” He fondly recallsStan Feret, who taught at Rippowam from1947 to 1977 and who is recognized bymany as one of the greatest teachers inthe School’s history; ex-naval officercoach Roy Bruninghaus, who taught mathand coached baseball from 1948-1980;and Larry Tighe, a beloved teacher, whowas involved with the School on everylevel until his death in 1994.

Rippowam became Richie’s home and hetook pride in the School community andhis kids. Rippowam was a very smallschool when he joined it and, in Richie’sview, “many of the larger schools liked todump on Ripp.” In relatively short order,however, Richie turned that reputationaround, much to the chagrin of otherschools in the league. He would oftenmeasure success by the way Rippowamstudents performed when they went tohigh school and beyond, which farexceeded what anyone would haveanticipated for this small country dayschool. Their ongoing success gave him, and continues to give him, the most joy. He credits the small, supportiveenvironment with preparing these RCSalums to flourish at the next level.

As he watched children grow up andteachers come and go, Richie increasinglybecame aware that he was the constant;and while there are graduates in theirtwenties, thirties, forties, and even fifties

who say that Richie had a profound impacton their lives, Richie points out that thestudents have had just as significant animpact on him as he has had on them.

Richie is not only unusual in his skills andtalent as a coach, but also in his ability toenjoy an exemplary degree of success oversuch a long period of time. His coachingsecrets are both practical and sincere. Hebegins by helping young athletes learn tobelieve in themselves. His mantra is:“Always think you can! It’s mind overmatter; you have to believe things arepossible first, and then make them areality.” He also believes coaching is hisgift. Whether he is on the field, in thehallways of a school, whether in NewRochelle or in Bedford, he’s alwayscoaching. He believes discipline is veryimportant, particularly when coaching.Even the kids who sometimes thought hewas too tough have come back to thankhim for setting high expectations for them.He loves to see students who have takenhis words of wisdom with them and putthem to good use.

Playing sports is not just about competingor winning to Richie. The kids under hiscare have learned life lessons about hardwork, discipline, conditioning, but he has

8 Alumni Profiles continued…

Richard Meyers Western Colorado Hall of FameInduction Class of 2006 for Football and Wrestling

Richard Meyers attended Western from 1962-64 and competed in football,wrestling and baseball. In football, Meyers played for legendary Western Statecoach Kay Dalton and, during those three years, helped lead Western to a 22-6record, including back-to-back Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)Championships in 1963 and 1964. As a senior, Meyers was a linebacker anddefensive captain for Western’s “Head Hunters,” as the defensive unit wasknown. Meyers spent two years on each of Western’s baseball and wrestlingteams. In baseball, Meyers was a starting pitcher and also one of the top playersfor the Mountaineers. On the wrestling mat, Meyers was a member of the 1963and 1964 NCAA National Championship squads.

“I always emphasize teamwork – everyone has a part in the game, even the kids sitting on thebenches. I worked my boys very hard, but I amalways very protective of them. I am always ontheir side.”

Richie Meyers: Over the Years continued…

Richie on the field with the varsity football team

always emphasized having fun as well. “Itis out on the field where the kids learn totalk to one another; where they learn tohelp the other guy. I always emphasizeteamwork – everyone has a part in thegame, even the kids sitting on thebenches. I worked my boys very hard, butI am always very protective of them. I amalways on their side.”

Richie has loved coaching at RCS andtakes enormous pride in being part of theRippowam Cisqua athletic program. “Thiscareer has been a dream.” Richie shared,“It has just been a blessing. If someonehad told me as a teenager that I wouldhave this kind of career, I never wouldhave believed it.”

While Richie’s single regret might havebeen not serving his country, one couldeasily argue that he has been fulfilling arole of service for 45 years through hiswork with the students of Rippowam. Hehas been a coach, teacher, mentor, andfriend, who has helped guide young menand women into adulthood. Many ofCoach’s past students still keep in touchwith him. On average, he hears from atleast one past player per week – and notjust as a result of “bumping into” them intown, or just to say a quick “hi.” Theywrite him long, caring emails sharing

where they are, what they are doing, andhow he helped shape their lives.

Rippowam Cisqua has been fortunate tohave Richie be an integral part of theSchool community for so many years. It ishard to imagine what the fields, the halls,the cafeteria, and the gym will be like

without his daily physical presence, butit’s safe to say that his legacy will be partof the School’s fabric for years to come.Just as his former students continue tostay in touch, Richie reminds that he willalways remain connected with RCS“because it will always be in his mind, inhis heart, and in his soul.”

99

Richie flanked by alumni and Upper Campus Division Head, Bill Barrett, at Homecoming 2011

10

Young Alumni RoundtableCollege Admissions

On December 21, 2011, just a few hours before thetraditional Revelry celebration, the RCS community’scelebration of the winter solstice, the Upper Campuswelcomed back a group of young alums for the first of,hopefully, many Young Alumni Roundtable discussionsfocused on the college exploratory process. It was apleasure for the faculty and staff in the room toobserve these “grown ups” gathered together and tohave the opportunity to hear about their experiences.

The group shared stories and lessonslearned around the challenging, yet veryexciting process of selecting a college.The panelists included: Anita Carroll ’07(New York University), AlexandraFriedman ’08 (Connecticut College),David Lee ’08 (University of Colorado/Boulder), Cara Rosenbaum ’05 (BrownUniversity), Zander Rosenbluth ’08(Trinity College), Andrew Toporoff ’07(Georgetown University), Missy Walker’07 (Tulane University), Hope Walker ’08(Cornell University) and Amanda Weld ’07 (Union College), all of whomcontributed to this one hour discussionand provided many helpful tips for theaudience of younger Ripp alums.

Upper Campus Head of School, BillBarrett, moderated the conversation andsparked some interesting discussionsamong the students. The groups coveredtopics such as how to begin the collegeprocess, what to do and not to do, what’sthe most important thing to remember,what they would do differently, and whatthe adjustment is like once you finallysettle in.

11

for her. Cara shared the importance oftouring with an “official tour” guide, notjust a friend who attends the school,because the tour guide can give you abroader perspective. Alexandra suggestedto the group that if they are interested in a subject, club, or team, to meet or havelunch with a member of the programbecause it will provide insight into theschool that wouldn’t otherwise beavailable. All nine alums strongly suggestedthe wise course of applying to manyschools with a wide range of entrancedifficulty levels, as admission outcomes areoften varied and largely unpredictable.

Managing the stressAs the conversation picked up, the college students could sense that some of the high school students were alreadyexperiencing some of the stress of thecollege process and they shared somepositive words of wisdom on managing theemotional component. David offered thatthe process wasn’t as bad as he thought itwould be and that it was easier than theboarding school application process. Carashared that many of her classmates from

“If I could tell you just one thing…”The discussion began with each of thecollege students sharing a piece of adviceon what high school students should bethinking about as they embark on theprocess. The alums’ advice included a lot of invaluable suggestions:

Hope shared the advice to visit a numberof schools that vary in composition, size,and emphasis, to get a sense of what kindof school a student might like, and thenseek out more schools that fit that profile.Missy encouraged the group to visitschools while classes are in session,because it provides better insight intocampus life and the composition of thestudent body. Zander cautioned the groupto not form final opinions based on justone tour, because sometimes little thingslike bad weather or a particularly goodtour guide can overly influence one’sexperience. Amanda emphasized theimportance of attending revisit days onceacceptance news has arrived. She sharedthat it was when she went back to revisitUnion that she realized it was the right fit

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Fieldston had never been through anapplication process before because theyhad been attending the same school since kindergarten and the college process were much more difficult for them. Missychimed in and said that the processalways works out – even though thatmight be hard to believe now – and noone ever ends up without a single option.Amanda suggested not to stress out toomuch about SAT scores either. She saidthat she regretted how much time shespent studying for the SATs and workingwith tutors because nine out of tenschools to which she applied didn’trequire SATs. Be sure to look to see whattests the schools of interest require tohelp keep it all in perspective.

Surprise!Bill asked the college students to sharewhat came as a surprise, and there wereindeed many! Andrew shared that he was surprised when he received hisacceptances to discover that the resultswere often different from school to schooleven though their admissions criteria wasquite similar. He encouraged the studentsto apply to a few reach schools becauseone never knows what might happen.Zander suggested to be sure to have atleast three or four schools that feel like agood fit. In addition, both Andrew andAlexandra mentioned they were surprisedby the fact that, once they were away, they had a tendency to compare theirlives as college students with the dailyroutine and structure they hadexperienced in high school. They bothfound that university life offered more“unstructured time,” and it required more effort on their part to find a perfectbalance of structure and free time in a day and actually get their work done.“Don’t expect to fall in love with theschool right away,” Missy concluded,reminding everyone that there will always be a period of transition for afreshman at university.

College Roundtable Discussion continued…

Back row: Cara Rosenbaum ’05, Zander Rosenbluth ’08, Hope Walker ’08, Missy Walker ’07,David Lee ’08; Front row: Anita Carroll ’07, Andrew Toporoff ’07, Alexandra Friedman ’08,Amanda Weld ’07

13

Early Action, RollingAdmission, Early Decision,what does it mean?The group beautifully explained theconcepts, and the pros and cons, of EarlyAction, Early Decision, and RollingAdmissions, all of which may providefeedback before the standard responsetime of late March/early April and canprovide “something in the back pocket”so students are more confident as theysubmit regular action applications. Here’swhat they shared:

Early Decision: Students may apply toone school ED or ED 2 (which someschools offer on a later timeline) and arerequired to submit their application inNovember/December and receive aresponse in December/January. ED isbinding so, once accepted, a candidateMUST enroll. The students’ advice was

to only apply in cases where there iscertainty about that school. They alsopointed out, however, that the ED pool at some schools might be smaller sosometimes the odds of getting into aschool are better through ED.

Early Action: Students may apply to up to two schools EA. This process alsorequires the student to submit his or herapplication early and provides a responsein December, but the difference is that anacceptance is not binding.

Rolling Admission: Schools that offerrolling admissions will accept applicationsat any point during the process and willusually have a response back within 4-6weeks. There aren’t any limits as to thenumber of applications that can besubmitted through rolling admissions, andthe results are not binding.

The Search vs. the ApplicationWhen asked which was more challenging,developing the list and staging the searchvs. preparing the application, most sharedthat putting together the list was verydifficult, but also essential. Cara sharedthat she was disenchanted because theredidn’t seem to be a school that hadeverything she wanted. However, as shehoned her list, the ideal qualities in aschool became increasingly clear and thepotential options began to make moresense. She also shared, interestingly, thatsometimes the application can tell acandidate something about the schooland help that school find its way on, oroff, one’s final list. Zander shared thatputting together the list was a challengeand the results were somewhatunexpected. The summer before his senioryear, he visited 20-25 campuses, which

David Lee ’08 and Missy Walker ’07

Fall term of senior year is already ladenwith emotion – having the college essayhanging over one’s head is too much. “As you prepare for your SATs,” Caracontinued, “I found it helpful to treatpreparing for the test as just another classI had to study for, thus including it in myregular studying schedule.”

When the discussion transitioned to ageneral discussion of how to enjoy senioryear while going through the collegesearch process, everyone had an opinion.Andrew reminded that “You aren’t alone– you and your classmates are all doingthe same thing and can talk about ittogether; it’s actually a rite of passage.Plus it is exciting and a great opportunityto travel and see new places.” Andrewalso pointed out that it helped that hehad integrated the search processthroughout his high school years,beginning the summer after hissophomore year, with a few college visitsbuilt into the family vacation.

If I had to do it all again…Although the college students seemedhappy with their choices, there weredefinitely things that each of them wouldhave done differently during the searchprocess. For example, Alexandra wouldhave expanded her search. In hindsight,she realized that she stayed “too close tohome” and that, if she had to get on aplane to get to school, it would actuallybe okay. For those alums who were aplane flight away, they felt that there isn’t much difference between a one hour flight and a three hour flight. Inretrospect, Cara emphatically said thatshe would have started earlier. “I put it off because I was afraid that I would betoo stressed out, which wasn’t really true.” She felt that had she started evenone month earlier (Presidents’ weekinstead of spring break), it would havemade a difference.

ultimately yielded 10-15 to which he was interested in applying but, as theprocess continued, not all of those schoolsended up on his final list.

The secret to drafting the essay andcompleting the applications seems to liein beginning early (the summer beforesenior year is ideal for writing the essay)and treating the “college search” as an

additional academic subject. This wasevident right down to Cara’s wise adviceto add a column to one’s “planner” thatincludes weekly college assignments andMissy’s sage words to dedicate a few hoursevery week to those assignments so thatthey “don’t take over your life.” Hope,Missy’s younger sister, did not heed hersister’s advice to draft the essay over thesummer and immediately regretted it.

College Roundtable Discussion continued…14

Alumni moms, Mindy Friedman, Anna Lee, and Nina Freedman, look on

Zander Rosenbluth ’08 and Anita Carroll ’07 listen as Cara Rosenbaum ’05 shares her experiences

The adjustment to college lifeZander offered that the major differencebetween high school and college is thatthere is far much more reading, and hehas far less time to get his assignmentsdone. Missy said the adjustment wasdifficult and that it’s important to bepatient and allow time to adjust. She saidthe fact that she loved Deerfield so muchmade it harder because she was constantlycomparing Tulane to Deerfield andTulane didn’t always measure up. Sheactually applied to transfer in the middleof her freshman year but, by the time theacceptances came, which they did, shelearned that she really loved Tulane. “Ifyou are coming from an environment youreally love, you will continually compareeverything to your high school.” “Allowyourself to like your new school,” addedAlexandra who still had strong feelingsfor Choate. Amanda chimed in with avery similar story. She said, “Don’t expectit to be easy and immediately click. Ididn’t love Union initially, but now Ican’t imagine myself anywhere else.”Several of the students pointed out thatmoving to a larger school can be hard –especially when coming from a smallnurturing high school. David Lee, whowent from Millbrook (student populationof 200) to Boulder (20,000 students), saidthe hardest part was trying to recreate thefaculty relationships, which had been soimportant to him at Ripp and Millbrook.“It may seem that there is no obviousteacher to go to but, if you look toteachers in smaller classes and TA’s in thelarger classes, they really are there andwant to help you.”

Most of the college-aged alums felt thattime management was one of the largestadjustments, in part, because they weregoing from a very structured environmentto a place where students are much morein control of their time and also becausethere is just more on their plates. Hopeoffered that it’s important to learn how tosay “no” which, in a city like NewOrleans, can be really challenging. Shesaid it was important for her to remember

that she wasn’t missing anything if shedidn’t go out EVERY Friday and Saturday,and that she was going to college to learn.Cara added that, because students areafforded so much free time, it is easy toput off work. Cara said that she took anopposite approach and said “yes” toeverything when she arrived because abusier schedule forced her to think abouttime management more seriously andgetting her work done. Once the work gotharder she realized she needed to weed outsome of the activities and only participatein those that were meaningful to her.

On feeling prepared…There was unanimous agreement amongeveryone around the table that they werewell prepared for high school and college.Anita felt, particularly compared to herclassmates, more than ready for thecaliber of writing that was required bothat Masters and NYU. Anita’s program inthe Gallatin School of IndividualizedStudy at NYU requires her to create herown schedule and curriculum, and herwriting skills were particularly important.

On traveling abroad…In further discussing college life, Caraspoke of her “year abroad” experience. “I always wanted to study abroad, I wasnervous before leaving, but now I am thebiggest advocate for it,” she said firmly.Travelling and navigating through thecultural differences certainly offers uniquelearning opportunities that Cara valued.They all recommended that if one isinterested in a specific culture or languageto check to see if the college in questionhas a program that complements thatinterest. Also check the travel abroadschedule with potential athletic schedulesto make sure the prospect of participatingin both programs is a possibility.

Cara concluded the conversation notingthat, as Ripp alums, they had actuallyalready gone through a similar process ofevaluating schools, filling out applications,and transitioning to a new environmentin selecting their secondary schools.Through that experience, these alums

had made invaluable discoveries aboutthemselves and the educationalenvironment in which they would thrive,so the college application process foundthem so much more prepared. “You arealready in a good place,” Cara comfortedeveryone in the room. As the discussionended, the young alums currentlyattending high school walked awaysharing a collective understanding thatthe process is one of growth anddiscovery, regardless of the ultimatechoice or destination.

The celebration continued at the home of Emma ’11 and Sophie Boyd ’12(daughters of Robert ’75 and Katie) and,as per the RCS tradition, the night endedwith the marvelous celebration of Revels.Many thanks to all of the alums forcoming back to share their stories andcelebrate with us.

For those RCS alums who are justbeginning the college process,remember that there are RCSgraduates at many collegesthroughout the country. If you would like to meet with, or speakwith, one on an upcoming visit,please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@rcsny.org for anintroduction.

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Each year the School, in partnership withparents and faculty, builds service-learningopportunities into the curriculum and into the extra curricular program. 2011-12 has seen a heightened level of involvement asteachers, students, and parents have embracedcommunity service and taken it to a higherlevel on both campuses.

Community ServiceStudents from both campuses give back

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The mission of Rippowam Cisqua School reminds of the importantrole that community service plays in children’s lives…

“In an atmosphere that promotes intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning, Rippowam Cisqua strives to instill instudents a strong sense of connection to their community and to the larger world.”

Upper Campus students after making dinner for Neighbors Link

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incorporating learning at an after-schoolevent to better understand how theirwork will help their neediest neighbors in the greater community.

• Fourth graders sorted and packed itemscollected during the annual fall clothingdrive for the CCNW – more than 616pounds of clothing was donated.

• In December, the SeniorPreKindergarteners and Second Graderssorted, packed, and delivered 66 poundsof new pajamas, robes, and slippers tothe CCNW for its Share the Warmthclothing drive. They also made holidayornaments for the CCNW to give outto their food pantry patrons.

• In February, students sorted, packed,and delivered food collected from theSchool community. In addition, thechildren decorated reusable grocerybags for the CCNW to give out to their food pantry patrons.

• As we go to press, students arecollecting school supplies for thechildren of CCNW.

The kids who have participated in theseevents have learned the importance ofreaching out, and that helping others feels good and can also be a lot of fun.

Lower Campus ActivityOn the Lower Campus, the primary goal of the program is to offer age-appropriate community serviceexperiences that will meaningfully engage these early learners and create a sense of purpose and satisfaction forthem in helping others.

From a curriculum standpoint, there havebeen grade-focused activities designedspecifically to connect students with someof the themes of the School’s charactereducation program, Character Counts.Activities include:

• Making tissue paper flowers, holidaycards, and birthday cards for elderlywomen at a local group home

• Planting bulbs to beautify the School playground

• Becoming “pen-pals” with patients at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla

• Singing holiday songs at “My SecondHome,” an elder care program in Mount Kisco

• Cleaning up the lunchroom floorbetween lunch seatings

• Singing holiday songs throughout the School

Complementing the curriculum-basedefforts, the Parent AssociationCommunity Service Committee hasengaged students in after-schoolcommunity service activities. Each gradehas been given the opportunity tospearhead one of four school-widecollections for the Community Center ofNorthern Westchester (CCNW) while

Lower Campus delivering tissue paper flowersUpper Campus garden workLower Campus cafeteria clean up

Fourth graders singing at “My Second Home”

Upper CampusContributionsAs children move to the Upper Campus,community service plays a different rolein their lives. Students begin to developtheir own interests and passions and beginto engage in community service thatcomplements those interests. Many willbring their ideas and projects of personalinterest to school to heighten awarenesswith classmates through assemblies,fundraisers, and classroom activities. Inaddition, the Parent Association organizesactivities on Friday afternoons throughoutthe year that align with the School’smission and provide a welcome service forthe local community. For those studentswho stay for their ninth grade year,service is fully integrated into thecurriculum through activities, as well astheir year-long portfolio projects.

In the 2011-12 school year there havebeen record levels of volunteerism. A sampling of the activities include:

In September, the ninth grade class,accompanied by five teachers, participatedin two Habitat for Humanity projects. Oneinvolved hanging sheetrock in a home thatwould eventually be occupied by threegenerations of a single family, with a

second project that found students buildingtwo-foot by four-foot rectangular plantersthat would later add splashes of color to the surrounding neighborhood.

In November and December, studentscollected canned food and pajamas for the CCNW and Neighbors Link, Mt.Kisco. The School community collectedmore than 500 food items and a largeassortment of pajamas, slippers and robesto help make the holidays a little morecheerful for the families who utilize thecommunity center.

In January, the Upper Campus wasintroduced to the small town of Shihalia,Kenya by teacher Vincent Kwarula. With Vincent’s support, the students have been raising funds to contribute to the renovation of the local school aswell as the installation of a water pump in the town.

distributed sandwiches, clothing, andtoiletries to the homeless. One week later,twenty-seven fifth through eighth gradestudents made dinner for sixty to bedelivered to Neighbors Link in Mt. Kisco.The students painstakingly mixed, chopped,and cooked to help the newest members ofthe local community feel more at home.

On four Fridays in January, February, andApril, small groups of students spent theafternoons at the Ronald McDonaldHouse in Valhalla, making dinner for thefamilies who were in residence there. In addition to sharing their culinarycreations, students also wrote letters tothe residents to let them know that they were thinking of them during thisdifficult time.

In February, the ninth grade participatedin “Midnight Run.” Students weretransported to Manhattan where they

The kids who have participated in these eventshave learned the importance of reaching out andthat helping others feels good and can also be a lot of fun.

Seventh graders at Ronald McDonal House Participants in Breast Cancer Walk

18 Community Service continued…

In March, twenty-one students spent aslightly chilly Friday working in theRippowam Cisqua Garden. The kidsspent the afternoon planting seedlings inindoor planters, including beets, radishes,lettuce, arugula, kale, and swiss chard;transplanting early plantings into thegarden’s “stagecoaches” to accelerate their

growth; and giving the garden a goodspring-cleaning.

In April, Upper Campus students visitedthe SPCA in Briarcliff, where 28 studentshelped with spring cleaning, filled “kongs,”painted the driveway, and filled donationgift bags for the annual walk-a-thon.

The RCS community service programprovides powerful opportunities forchildren at every level to engage inservice learning that is appropriate fortheir age. Check back here next spring for an update on all of the School’scommunity service activities.

RCS Community Service on a National Level

Sixth grader Matt Schwartz’s work with the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, home to theLakota Sioux Tribe, has garnered national attention. Pine Ridge Reservation has a population of close to 40,000, and its needs are tremendous.

Unemployment is over 80%, the high schooldrop out rate is 70-80%, and substance abuseand suicide are at alarming high levels. Mattlearned about the Reservation through anABC News 20/20 segment this past fall,entitled “Children of the Plains,” andsubsequently wrote a letter to Diane Sawyerasking how he could help. Within two days, he received a response back from thesegment’s producer. Matt learned that thechildren of Pine Ridge read far below thenational standard and he was inspired to help. Matt quickly and methodically began a campaign to raise money to donate to theWounded Knee School on the Reservationfor a new reading program and computers. He has maintained a special relationshipwith Diane Sawyer, her producers, and 20/20,and will be featured in a spring update on thePine Ridge Reservation. RCS Upper Campusstudents were treated to a presentation byMatt in April, which ABC News’ 20/20 tapedthat is expected to air as part of the update.For more information on Matthew’s project,please visit www.muddyroadfoundation.org.

Matt visiting the Wounded Knee School

The Schwartz family at Pine Ridge Reservation

Pine Ridge resident, Robert LooksTwice, and Matt Schwartz

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20

RCS in Pictures2011-12

Lower Campus Grandparents Day

All School Picnic

Upper Campus Grandparents Day

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Mariposa Auction

RevelryFun Run

2011Homecoming

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On Saturday, October 1, 2011,outlined against a blue-grayOctober sky, several hundredstudents, parents, alumni, andfriends gathered together forRippowam Cisqua School’s firsthomecoming. What started out as a drizzly day, turned into anafternoon of sunshine, football,food, fun, and even a victory forthe RCS Varsity Football team!

The day was intended, in part, as anopportunity to get the RCS communitytogether and, in part, to celebrate thefinal football season for Coach RichieMeyers, who was just starting his 45th

season. The team looked fantastic andtook to the field that fine Saturday andplayed with precision, toughness, and hearten route to a 28-6 win over St. Luke’s.

The game’s highlights included twotouchdowns by Connor Bamford ofBedford, one of which was a forty yardrun, a flea-flicker pass to Mt. Kisco’s MikeCerruti for a third touchdown, and athirty yard touchdown run by BarrettGoldstein of Katonah.

As the boys’ varsity football team dictatedthe tempo on the gridiron, kids of all agestook part in sack races, impromptu soccergames, and a spirited tug of war on theadjacent playing fields. The barbecue wasgoing all afternoon, making certain thatno one would leave hungry, and theweather played its part, defying what hadbeen a certain forecast for rain, andopting instead to offer up perfect fallweather as a backdrop for the occasion.

At the conclusion of the game, the crowdassembled for a testament to CoachMeyers who, at the outset of his final yearof coaching, was honored by Taft Athletic

Director Dave Hinman (a former RCScoach and teacher), RCS AlumniAssociation Chair Christopher Wirth ’94,Joe McMenemon ’01, Alex Soros ’01,Upper Campus Head Bill Barrett, andHead of School Matthew Nespole. To aperson, each speaker echoed a similarsentiment about the impact that CoachMeyers has had on the student athletes hehas coached, namely, that the athleticarenas have served as the classroom forthis master teacher to purvey essential lifelessons that extend well beyond athletics.

After being presented with the game ball,Coach Meyers appropriately closed outthe event, sharing a sentiment ofgratitude that he’s felt at having theprivilege of playing a meaningful role inthe lives of so many young people, andhow touched he was that so many of hisformer athletes returned for the occasion.

Save the Date!Homecoming 2012Saturday, September 29th We hope you can join us!

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On Friday, November 18th, theRippowam Cisqua Upper CampusPlayhouse was alive with energy.On the heels of the first day ofexams, fifth through ninth gradestudents were greeted with an endof the week assembly that was anything but typical.

Collin McLoughlin, a Bedford native andan alumnus from the Rippowam Cisquaclass of 2003, was waiting when thestudents arrived. Mr. McLoughlin, anaccomplished singer/songwriter andburgeoning “YouTube” star, wowed theaudience of nearly three hundred studentsand faculty with a short acoustic set.While the musical performance was asterling one, equally significant was Mr. McLoughlin’s message, which wasuncanny in its consistency with the coreof the Rippowam Cisqua philosophy – betrue to yourself, don’t be afraid to takerisks, and follow your passion.

After playing two songs (Chasing Dreams, a cut off his solo album, followed a version of the song Save the World Tonight, made popular by the group Swedish House Mafia),Collin shared his fascinating journey withthe students. His musical career began backin 2001 at Rippowam Cisqua when hepicked up a guitar, for the first time, in musicteacher Bill Fornara’s class (Mr. Fornara,who watched Collin’s performance with

pride, is still an RCS music teacher). As partof the program, all middle school studentsare required to learn the basics of guitar. Formany, it sparks what may become a lifelonginterest but, for others, it is simply part ofthe music and arts curriculum at the School.Collin shared that he didn’t love the guitarthat first year, noting that early acoustic guitar staples didn’t resonate with him at the time. However, when he picked up theinstrument again at the Wooster School,where he attended high school, a spark was,in fact, ignited. As Collin put it, he becameobsessed. He found himself constantly

playing and writing songs, which he contends were not good, but in listening tothis up-and-coming star, it’s hard to believe!

After graduating from the Wooster School,Collin went on to Colgate University andthen to NYU for graduate studies in MusicBusiness. During his college years, Collin continued writing and recording songs foracoustic guitar. Following a successful tour tosupport his guitar-based music, he joined ahip-hop/R&B group in college. Collin wasinvolved in all aspects of the business: writing and singing, co-producing songs,

Collin McLoughlin ’03Visits RCS and shares his talents with the students

Collin McLoughlin ’03 performing in the Crosby Fiala Playhouse

Highlights24

and managing the group. Their initial demotape was met with rave reviews by fans andcritics alike, leading to a college tour acrossthe east coast. During this phase, Collinrealized he loved being up on a stage, connecting with a crowd, and that it waswhat he wanted to do. Last spring, Collinmade the bold decision to put his graduatestudies on hold and pursue his dream. Hehas performed with Wale, Fabolous, K’naan,Sam Adams, and Lupe Fiasco, all of whichhave served to open doors for him. In addition, he’s gone on to do a number ofYouTube cover songs, one of which (StereoHearts) has realized over 1.2 million views!

After singing and sharing his background,Collin showed the video for a version ofGavin DeGraw’s Not Over You, that wasreleased on YouTube on Monday, November21, 2011. Since Collin’s appearance at RCSwas on November 18th, these lucky kidswere able to see the video before it was even released!

As fun as it was to watch Collin perform,his rapport with the children during a Q&A session was equally lively, with questionsthat ranged from “What team were you on?”(for RCS alums, he was on the Red Team),“How long is the program at NYU and whydid you leave?” (He knew that, to reallymake a go of it, he had to pursue his dream

full time), “Have you ever worked withJustin Bieber?” (unfortunately, no, althoughhe would love to!), “What sports did youplay?” (lacrosse and crew, and both teamsports were instrumental in helping himdevelop the qualities of persistence andresilience that are essential to making it insuch a tough business), and “Were you inthe sixth grade musical?” (Yes, participationin the musical at RCS is a requirement for6th grade students and his role as the leadin “Jungle Fantasy” was his first real exposure to being on stage). Before playing

his video, Collin shared with the kids howscary it was to take this risk and his realization that, if he didn’t, he would alwayswonder “What if?” He also reinforced for thestudents how important it is in school to beopen-minded, try lots of different things, andthen, when you identify a passion, pursue it… no matter what!

To learn more about Collin, you can visit his website, collinmcloughlin.com, or search for him on YouTube where he is aregular presence!

Collin surrounded by 8th grade girls

Collin flanked by RCS teachers Bill Fornara, Tom Morrissey, Chris Perry, and Bill Barrett

Mr. McLoughlin’s message, which wasuncanny in its consistency with the core of the RippowamCisqua philosophy, wasbe true to yourself, don’tbe afraid to take risks,and follow your passion.

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Highlights

Alumni Update from Christopher J. Wirth ’94, Chairman of the RCS Alumni Association Board

Dear fellow alums,

During my two-year tenure as chair of the RCS Alumni Board, I havehad the pleasure and privilege to work closely with a growing number ofengaged alums. My goal, when I accepted the position, was to work inpartnership with the School to increase communications to and amongalumni, increase the number of alumni actively involved with theSchool, and help institute one to two annual events. I am proud of theprogress we have made in a short period of time. During this academicyear, we have focused our efforts on three major fronts as outlined below:

EventsIn close collaboration with the School, thisyear we established a new tradition of anannual Fall Homecoming. It was held on abeautiful autumn day last October and hadmore than 350 alums, current students,parents, faculty, and staff in attendance.This event is a great opportunity for thealums and the entire RCS community toget together and reconnect with theSchool community. Mark your calendarsfor a trip back home for Homecoming 2012on Saturday, September 29, 2012.

The New York City Gathering of Alumscontinues to be a much-anticipated eventbut, in light of the addition ofHomecoming and alumni events held oncampus, the NYC Gathering of Alums willnow be a biennial event. Watch youremail for a Save the Date next spring inadvance of a May 2013 get together.

As referenced above, there have also beena number of smaller class-specific events

Class RepresentativesTo increase communication to and amongalums, we have adopted an Alumni ClassRepresentative model utilized by manyhigh schools and colleges. Our “family ofrepresentatives” has grown to nearly thirtythis year as we continue to reach out toour alumni body looking to engage newand active volunteers. I am grateful tothose representatives who have agreed totake on this important position. I havebeen happy to discover that they havefound it surprisingly fun, as well as a greatopportunity to reconnect with classmateswith whom they had previously lost touch.I would like to offer a special shout out tothe alumni volunteers from the classes of1961 and 1984 for their persistence andsuccess in locating all their classmates!The results of everyone’s hard work isvisible in the form of more frequentalumni news and class notes, successfulreunions and events, and a more accurate and up to date alumni database.Congratulations to all on a job well done!

held on campus (see page 30 for a descriptionof last fall’s 60th reunion with the class of1951). If you are interested in connectingwith a class or group of RCS alums, contactEdlira Curis in the Advancement Office atalumni@rcsny.org. She can help providecontact information for your RCS classmates.

Supporting RCSAs a community, we have shown great pridethrough our continued support of the RCSAnnual Fund and the Master Teaching Fund.Our contributions to the School make adifference in the lives of current students andfaculty. We should all be proud to give back toa community that has given so much to each ofus over the years. I’m delighted to report thatmany of you have embraced our Annual FundRed-Blue challenge and have renewed your teamspirit this spring. Thank you! I hope you will allcontinue to support your team, each other, andthe School this year and in the years to come.

Sincerely, Christopher J. Wirth

RCS Alumni Association Board

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Class Representative Gap YearsWe are still looking for volunteers to help with the following years. If you are interested, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@rcsny.org.

Looking for Class Reps for the following classes:

50s 60s 70s 80 90s 00s 10s

1953 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 20101954 1962 1972 1981 1995 20021955 1963 1973 1983 1996 20031956 1964 1974 1986 20081957 1965 1975 1987 20091958 1966 1976 19881959 1967 1977 1989

1968 19781969 1979

RCS Alumni Board ofDirectors 2011-12

Christopher Wirth ’94, ChairBoard of Trustees Ex-Officio

Stephen Ohler ’66, Vice ChairSusannah Sard ’58, SecretaryRichard Cahill ’92, Treasurer

Meg Atkin ’76Todd DeSimone ’93Katie Prezzano Durfee ’82Nancy Eaves ’92Harry Grand ’93Randy Wilson Hall ’94Cynthia Mas ’71 Forrest Mas ’04 Bill Meyer ’84Philip Ohler ’75Elly Dwyer Rice ’94Vanessa Seide ’93Lisa Pagliaro Selz ’66 Elsie Swank ’04

Ex officioMatthew Nespole, Head of SchoolRobert F. Whelan, Assistant Head of

School for Institutional Advancement

New Members

Forrest Mas ’04 Forrest graduated from St. LawrenceUniversity in May 2011 where hestudied Economics and Mathematics.He currently lives in New York City and works for TS Capital as aFinancial Analyst. Forrest’s parents,Cynthia ’71 and Paul Mas, reside inBedford Village, across the street from the Upper Campus, so Forrestcontinues to make frequent trips back to Bedford and to Ripp! Forrestjoined the RCS Alumni Board inSeptember 2011.

Elsie Swank ’04Upon graduating from RippowamCisqua School, Elsie attended theWestminster School in Simsbury, CTand then Hamilton College in Clinton,NY. She graduated from Hamilton with a major in Communications and a minor in Spanish. Elsie studiedabroad both in London, England andin Madrid, Spain. She now works as a script/production coordinator atABC’s Good Morning America. Elsie joined the RCS Alumni Board in September 2011.

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Remember, Reconnect,and Return to RCS forHomecoming Weekend: September 29, 2012

All alums are invited back to enjoyHomecoming on Saturday, September29th and to cheer on the RCS footballteam. The RCS Alumni Office ishappy to help classes ending in 2 or 7(e.g. class of 1962, 1967, 1972, etc.)that are interested in holding areunion during Homecoming. Please contact alumni@rcsny.org or914-244-1296 for ideas and help. We look forward to hearing from you!

Master TeachingFund Recipients

The Master Teaching Fund wasestablished in 1991by RCS alumni in honor of the School’s retiredmaster teachers. The goal of thisendowed fund is to support theprofessional and personaldevelopment of today’s teachers.

In the fall of 2011, the RCS AlumniAssociation awarded eight Master Teachinggrants to RCS faculty, including the NicholasBluestone award. This award is given in honor of Nicholas Bluestone who was amember of the class of 1994. The purpose of this special designation is to serve as aperpetual remembrance of Nick’s love of RCS and his interest in the Arts. A majorconsideration in awarding this grant is thatthe applicant seeks funding support for ajourney of discovery.

Mike Kober is a history teacheron the Upper Campus and has beenwith RCS for thirty years. Heintends to purchase a digital cameraand take some photography classes.All of this will be quite useful as heventures off to visit five NationalParks, which Teddy Rooseveltestablished during his presidency.

Recipient of the Nicholas Bluestone Award

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Evey Albert is an artteacher on the Upper Campus.She has been with RCS forfifteen years, and she will beusing her grant to go on anAfrican safari. She will travel to Tanzania and focus on the Serengeti, a visit to alocal school, and a visit to aMasai home.

Chris Perry is both ascience teacher and Spanishteacher on the Upper Campus.He just completed histwentieth year with RCS andhe plans to travel to Ecuadorand the Galapagos Islands.Chris will also purchase alaptop computer which heplans to take with him on histrip for downloading photosand also to begin a blog abouthis travels.

Kimberly Fox is acomputer teacher on the LowerCampus and she has justcompleted her tenth year atRCS. Kimberly’s love of musicand singing helped her decideto use her grant to purchaseguitar and piano lessons, vocalcoaching, and a microphone,guitar, and amplifier.

Niki Karanasos is aSenior PreKindergartenteacher. She has been withRCS for ten years, and she will use her grant to travel toFrance. Visits to museums andMonet’s gardens are part of hertrip itinerary.

Karen Koeppl is a fifthgrade teacher who has beenwith RCS for twenty five years.Karen will be using her grant tofund a trip to the Virgin Islandsto hike in the National Park,especially the Reef Bay Trailand nearby Petroglyphs.

Amy Stern is a sixth grade teacher and she has just completed her fifth year.She will use her grant to spend a week in Martha’sVineyard for the purpose ofphotographing and painting the beauty of the island.

Barbara Sweeney is afirst grade teacher and has justcompleted twenty years atRCS. She will be using hergrant to travel to Amsterdam,Paris, and Provence in order tofollow in the footsteps of vanGogh, Rembrandt, and Seurat.

To help support the MasterTeaching Fund Endowment,please send your donations to: Advancement Office,Rippowam Cisqua SchoolPO Box 488Bedford, New York 10506

Please make checks payable toRippowam Cisqua School andidentify “MTF” as the funddesignation in the memo line ofyour check. If you have additionalquestions, please contact BobWhelan, Assistant Head ofSchool for InstitutionalAdvancement, at 914-244-1291or bob_whelan@rcsny.org.

Saturday, October 18th was a typical Bedford fall day with sunny skies,brisk air, and colorful leaves all around. It was not, however, a typicalday on Rippowam Cisqua School’s Upper Campus where Head ofSchool, Matthew Nespole, welcomed thirteen members of the class of1951 back to Bedford for their sixtieth reunion.

This was the first significant reunion for their class and, for many of them, this was thefirst time they had seen each other in sixty years. Classmates came from as near asBedford and its surrounding areas, and as far as Vermont and Oregon. Revisiting theschool and the then- and-now discussions “sparked a lot of reminiscing,” said PennyBrouder ’51 and a special “re-bonding with our class,” added Robert Laidlaw ’51. Ms. Brouder and Mr. Laidlaw were the two main organizers of the event.

“It was inspiring to meet with this special group of alums who thoroughly enjoyed‘coming back home’ and walking the familiar hallways which hold so many memoriesand connections to their past” said Bob Whelan, Assistant Head of School forInstitutional Advancement, after giving a tour to this distinguished group of alums. Theentire group enjoyed sitting together in a circle in the modern RCS classrooms as theyreflected fondly on all of their favorite teachers from sixty years ago. In addition to themany anecdotes and stories exchanged, as well as hugs given out, the reunion provided a unique opportunity to observe the long tradition of excellence, love of learning, anddeep personal connections that are the hallmarks of a Rippowam Cisqua education.

Back to Bedford: 60 years later!

Susie Laughlin

Above, from left to right: Gail Faithful,Denny Height, Karla Darlington, Win Taylor,Susie Laughlin, Rob Laidlaw, Peggy Law,Sandy Darlington, Tim Holbrook, BillHusted, Penny Brouder, Nan Frost, Ellen McCance Parker, all class of 1951

Karla Darlington, Robert Laidlaw, walking to the Music House Bill Husted, Nan Frost, Ellen McCance Parker

Sandy Darlington, Win Taylor Tim Holbrook, Penny Brouder Class of 1951 sitting in a newly renovated 6thgrade classroom.

Penny Brouder and Gail Faithful looking at a class photo from 1961.

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Over the past three years, through the pages of theBulletin, we have had the opportunity to meet manywonderful, engaged alums of Rippowam Cisqua. Wehave also discovered that there are a number of familiesthat have become linked because of their connectionto RCS. They are either alums who became and stayedclose after they graduated from RCS, or families whohave joined together through marriage. We would liketo introduce you to two such families; couples who met as a result of their Rippowam years. Hearing their stories offered us a glimpse back at what Rippowam was like 20, 50, even 70 years ago. We hope you enjoythis trip back in time.

The stories of these two families share similarities that are uncanny.Each features the union of two families with matriarchs who playeda significant role in the regional history of this area. Both accountsinvolve fate, RCS, and, of all things, the beach. “It all began atRCS…” said Georgia Goodhue Reath ’94, as she told the story ofhow she and her husband first met. Little did they know that nineyears later, after a long period of friendship and dating, the couplewould marry and share RCS stories together happily ever after.Marilen Tilt ’57 met her husband, a former Cisqua student and theson of one of the founders of The Cisqua School, not long after shegraduated from high school. We spoke with Georgia and Marilen –two RCS alumnae with strong connections to the School andsimilar Rippowam Cisqua romances despite the generational gap.Both women spoke highly of their Rippowam days and the role theSchool continues to play in their lives.

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Rippowam Cisqua School A Look Back

Above clockwise: Georgia Goodhue Reath ’94 RCS Yearbook Photo; Alexander (Roo) Reath ’93 RCS Yearbook Photo; Katama Guernsey ’92 RCS,Yearbook Photo; Peter Guernsey ’94 RCS Yearbook Photo; Roger Vincent ’59, Rod Tilt, Marilen Grosjean Tilt ’57 Alumni Day 1993; The 2011Tilt Family Holiday Card photo; Marilen Grosjean Tilt ’57 Rippowam Yearbook Photo; Will Goodhue ’04, Jen Wells, Randy Goodhue ’64, LynGoodhue, Roo Reath ’93, Pip Reath, Sam Goodhue ’97, Georgia Goodhue Reath ’94

Grosjean/TiltMarilen Grosjean Tilt ’57 and herhusband Rodman (Rod) Tilt attendedThe Rippowam School and The CisquaSchool, respectively, have strong ties tothe history of our School, and have both maintained an exceptionally closerelationship with Rippowam Cisqua overthe years. Marilen and Rod have threechildren of their own who are all RCSalums. In addition to being an alumnaand a parent of alumni, Marilen alsoworked on the Cisqua (Lower) Campusfor several years as a learning specialist,served as a member of the Board ofTrustees following the merger of the twoschools, and later worked closely withRoger Vincent ’59 in establishing theAlumni Association Board. Marilen wasone of the first members of the AlumniBoard. She and her husband have had a multifaceted relationship with theSchool, but let’s go back to where it all began.

When did you and Rod first meet?

We did not know each otherduring our years at Rippowam and Cisqua.There was a generational gap between ourfamilies so our parents did not know eachother either. My family lived in Bedfordbut, because my father was from Belgium,we spent most summers in Europe. Myfather believed that travel was an

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important part of our education, and theTilts were more rooted in Bedford and itsenvirons. In fact, I remember one summer– the only summer my siblings and Iconvinced our parents to vacation locallyso that we could have a summer ofplaying tennis and going to the beach –we rented the Tilt’s summer home inFisher’s Island. My sister and I slept inRod’s bedroom during that vacation, longbefore I actually met Rod. It was one ofthose interesting coincidences in life,which take on significant meaning whenyou look back in time.

Fast forward a few years after mygraduation from Rippowam to thesummer I returned home upon graduatingfrom high school. Persuaded by mymother and quite unwillingly, I went to a summer party, organized by one of her friends in town (the Boyd Family).Rod, who had just graduated from St.Lawrence, was at the party. That is wherewe met for the first time, but we wereboth headed off that coming fall and wedid not see each other again for fouryears. It’s funny, I had known Rod’s sistersat Rippowam but never knew that theyhad an older brother. Rod had alreadystarted his professional career inArgentina and I went off to college inBoston. Upon graduating with a major in history, I had decided to become ateacher. During my second year inBoston, I had a surprise visit from Rod,

who charmed both my roommate and methat evening as he helped with the dishesafter dinner! It was during that visit in1965 that we renewed our relationship,began dating officially, and got marriedsoon after in 1966. We lived in Argentinafor the first two years of our marriage andreturned to Bedford in 1968. Our firstchild, Emlen, was born soon after.

You and Rod had fourchildren together and they allattended Rippowam Cisqua – whatwas it like raising your children inBedford and being a parent at RCS?

My four children all graduatedfrom Rippowam Cisqua and continue toremain very fond of the School and veryconnected to many of their RCS friends.Upon graduating from ninth grade, Emlen (class of ’84) attended GreenwichAcademy and the University of Colorado.She currently lives in Colorado with herhusband. My daughter Elizabeth (class of ’85) went to Pomfret School inConnecticut and to St. Lawrence. Sheand her husband have settled inMinneapolis. Mary (class of ’92) alsowent to Greenwich Academy and then to Vanderbilt University. She and herhusband are moving soon to Charleston,South Carolina. My son, Roddy Jr. (classof ’99) went to Taft and Trinity College.He is currently in Business School at theUniversity of Virginia and is very excitedto have just secured an internship in NewYork for the summer. I am hopeful thatperhaps Roddy will return to Bedford oneday and we may have grandchildrenattending RCS.

Your involvement with RCShas continued and evolved over theyears – can you share with us someof your fondest memories as astudent, parent, teacher, trustee, and alumni?

As a student at Rippowam, mymost special memories are of all theteachers and all my friends. My classmate,Alden Prouty, is one of my closest friends.My experience at Rippowam was asignificant part of my growing up as a

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Mary Tilt’s wedding, October 2011. From left to right: Rob Cabot, Emlen Tilt Cabot ’84,Olivia Weiner, Louis Weiner, Elizabeth Tilt Weiner ’85, Fred Weiner, Stephen Hammond,Mary Tilt Hammond ’82, Rod Tilt, Roddy Tilt ’99, Marilen Tilt ’57.

young girl in Bedford, which is why bothRod and I were eager for our kids to attendRippowam Cisqua as well.

As a parent, attending so many RippowamCisqua graduations has been an amazingexperience and it has created some veryspecial bonds in our family. I often creditRCS for focusing on the development ofthe whole child and that commitment isvisible as I look at my own children todayand the successes they have achieved.

I also cherish my experience as a teacherat Rippowam Cisqua. Teaching came latein my career, but I loved every minute of it. At the age of 48, I decided to go back to school to get a degree in earlychildhood development and became alearning specialist. My first position at the School was as an assistant in Jim Jaffe’s classroom, which was a wonderfulexperience. I started teaching on the LowerCampus in the fall of 1991 and had theprivilege to work as a learning specialistalongside many beloved teachers who arestill with the school today, including Sandi Klein and Barbara Sweeney.

My tenure as a Trustee began on the board of The Cisqua School in 1971 and, following the merger of Cisqua andRippowam in 1972, I continued to serveon the board of Rippowam Cisqua until1977. Through my involvement I foundthat in some ways, the School has changedover the years to stay current with thetimes and in many ways it has stayed thesame – particularly in its dedication to the students and the amazing faculty.

Tell us a little about Rod’sconnection to RCS?

Rod’s mother, Jean Tilt, is a much-celebrated figure in the history of TheCisqua School. She is one of the sixwomen who founded the school back in1942. These women came together to

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address their dissatisfaction with thequality of education available to theirchildren. Because of the war, many publicschools had closed and, for families in Mt. Kisco, there were no strong schoolsnearby for young children. (TheRippowam School was considered too far to travel at that time). These sixwomen started The Cisqua School in thebasement of St. Mark’s Church in Mt.Kisco. In 1946, Jean’s mother-in-law, LadyGabriel, provided The Carlson Cottage to house the school. The school moved toits present location in 1956.* Throughoutthe early years, Mrs. Tilt served on theboard of Trustees and took pride inestablishing this small progressive school,which offered a broader view of educationfocusing on each and every child. Mymother-in-law would remind us often ofhow Mrs. Sedgwick, the first Head ofSchool, stood outside in all weather togreet the children as they came in – anact which spoke volumes about herphilosophy of relating to all students asindividuals. Later, in my experience as a parent and educator at RCS, I wasdelighted to find out that the samephilosophy of individual attention, andeven the act of greeting all children inthe morning, is part of the RippowamCisqua tradition.

As the parent of three RCSalums, what advice would you give to the many generations ofRCS alums?

I urge the young generations of RCS alums to not forget their firstteachers who played such a meaningfulrole in this first chapter of theireducational life – your Kindergartenteachers can make a world of difference!

* The architect who designed the CisquaSchool building (current RCS LowerCampus building) is the father of RCSalum Nick Platt ’50, Mr. Geoffrey Platt.

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Goodhue/Reath Georgia Goodhue Reath ’94 is thedaughter of RCS Alumnus Francis(Randy) Goodhue ’64 and the sister ofSam Goodhue ’97 and Will Goodhue ’04.Her husband Alexander (Roo) Reath ’93and his brother Tim Reath ’89 and hiscousins Peter Guernsey ’94 and KatamaGuernsey Eastman ’92 all attended RCSin the 1980’s and 1990’s. We caught up onthe Goodhue/Reath family during a recentconversation with Georgia, who currentlylives in Boston, Massachusetts with herhusband Roo and their three-year old son.

Georgia can you share with ushow you and Roo met and how yourrelationship started?

We will have to go back to thesummer of 1993, just after I completedeighth grade at RCS. My family spentsummer vacations in Marion, MA. Nearthe end of that summer, I had a surprisevisit from my classmate Peter Guernsey andhis cousin Roo. Roo was a year ahead of meand had just graduated from Ripp as a 9thgrader. The prior summer, Peter hadmentioned that he was going to stop by fora visit in Marion the following summer butwhen he arrived that year-old conversationwas a distant memory. (My dad was not toohappy with the surprise, nor was I as I wasalready having a wonderful summer!) It was

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Georgia Goodhue Reath ’94, Pip Reath, Roo Reath ’93

A Look Back continued…

over the course of those few days, whenthe three of us stayed up all night talkingabout anything and everything that Ibecame enamored with Roo. I was reallysurprised that I could not stop thinkingabout him. When the trip was over, Rooand Peter headed back home. I neverthought I’d hear from Roo again, until …a few weeks later, just after we had arrivedhome, Roo called with an invitation tolunch and a game of tennis. I wassurprised and thrilled.

How were you able tomaintain your very new relationshipafter that summer?

We went on separate paths for awhile – Roo went to Taft and then toHamilton College. I went to Deerfieldand then to Middlebury. It was importantto me to follow my own path and makethe decisions I needed to make for me.So, for the next eight years we werealways together, but living in separateplaces. This was before cell phones, so theexpensive phone bills were an ongoingissue with my father! Upon graduatingfrom college, though, I did make mychoice based on where Roo was. We both settled in New York City and weremarried in 2004. While in New York, wefrequently returned to Marion, where wereally liked the more relaxed lifestyle. In2008 we made the decision to move toBoston to be closer to the town where our romance first began. We now spendalmost every weekend in Marion.

Do you think about comingback to Bedford to raise yourfamily in your hometown?

Roo and I often get nostalgicabout Bedford and RCS, as all of ourfamily history is rooted there but, for now,we are committed to staying in Boston.At times it is tough because our familiesare not in Boston but we are happy thatwe are creating our own family traditionsand we see everyone over the summerwhen they come to visit.

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We have a busy life here, too. Roo worksfor the Boston office of Integro Group, anInsurance Company, and I teach yoga.Roo and I are also expecting our secondbaby in July. We are currently looking for a school for our son for next year and arehoping to find a school similar to Ripp uphere. In fact, when we talked after the lastschool we visited we both said, “It feelslike Ripp,” which was very reassuring!

Can you tell us a little bitmore about your passion for yoga?When did you first discover yogaand what inspired you to open yourown studio?

I started practicing yoga in collegeand I was addicted from that day forwardbut I didn’t expect it to be my life’spassion. When I first moved to New York I worked as a paralegal and plannedto eventually go to law school to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps. I was very attached to my grandmother, MaryGoodhue, and was inspired by her work as a state senator and as one of the firstwomen in the US Assembly. I rememberfondly that she was the featured speaker at my Rippowam ninth grade graduation.Unfortunately, she passed away in March of 2004 – the same week Roo and I were celebrating our engagementwith a large family party. The celebrationof our union turned into a celebration of my grandmother’s life – it was nicebecause all our friends and familymembers were already in town so we had a wonderful time.

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As much as I admired my grandmother, Ilater realized I was not passionate about lawand decided to explore my other interestsand passions, yoga being one of them. Iwent back to school to receive a graduatedegree in counseling and psychology fromColumbia University. Soon after, we movedto Boston, and I started my own business,Blue Light Yoga. I now teach yoga as wellas lead workshops and retreats nationallyand internationally.

Yours is is a multigenerationalRCS family with a specialconnection to the School – manysiblings, cousins, and in-laws areRCS alums. Any special memoriesthat are mentioned at theGoodhue/Reath dinner table?

RCS has a special place in the hearts and minds of my family for obviousreasons. First of all, it is incredible to have a common childhood experience with myfather and my husband, which creates aspecial bond between us. My father oftentalks about the longstanding red/bluecompetition and his fond memories of Field Day, specifically the tug of war! Hewas always thrilled to relive the red/bluespirit when Sam, Willy and I were at RCS. We also all remember fondly manyamazing teachers who strongly influencedus. Both Roo and I were very close to Ann Thacher, who was always amused by the fact that Roo and I got married.Missy Swan was also an inspiration for mepersonally. Ninth grade was a fantasticexperience of bonding and maturing. There are so many wonderful things I haveto say about RCS. Perhaps most telling isthe fact that Roo and I continue to besurrounded by our RCS friends and many of them have become our closest friendsover the years – Roo’s best friend is hisclassmate, Harry Grand. The two of themwent to high school and college togetherand have remained close since fifth grade,the year Harry joined RCS. We both have young families and it is wonderful to watch as our children grow up togetherand become best little buddies as well.

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Roo Reath ’93, Henry Reath, Tim Reath Jr. ’89, Stuart Reath, Tim Reath III

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RCS Faces Off inD1 Women’s Lacrosse

On March 29, 2012, the University of California at Davis women’slacrosse team faced off against the University of Vermont women’slacrosse team in a tightly fought battle.

The UVM Catamounts edged out the Davis Aggies, 16-13. Despitethe 3,000 mile geographic divide the competitors had one thing incommon: two Rippowam Cisqua alumni going head to head in aDivision 1 competition. Sydney Mas, ’07, now a sophomore at UVM,and Hannah Mirza, ’06, a junior at UC Davis, are both star players ontheir respective teams, contributing to their schools both on and offthe field.

Above: Left: Hannah Mirza ’06Right: Sydney Mas ’07

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Sydney Mas ’07Sydney started playing lacrosse in herseventh grade year at Rippowam despitehaving focused much of her early athleticcareer on ice hockey. In fact, she hadalways thought that she’d play ice hockeyin college, but upon graduation from RCSshe began to really fall in love withlacrosse during her secondary school yearsat St George’s. Initially, she didn’t thinkshe was good enough to play Division 1,but she soon started getting phone callsfrom D1 colleges and universities. Shesays, “While picking a college it was reallyimportant for me to consider if I gotinjured or for some reason was not able toplay lacrosse, ‘would I still be happy atthis school’?” Realizing this, she madesure that the reason she chose UVM wasfor a combination of the lacrosse programand everything else it had to offer.

The success Sydney has enjoyed at UVMis an extension of her success at St.George’s, where she was a senior captain,team MVP, first team All American, andfirst team All League. Now a sophomoreat UVM, Sydney reflects on her first yearon the college team, when she won 2011America East Rookie of the Year, 2011America East All-Conference First Team,2011 America East All-Rookie Team.Additionally, she set a new league recordfor the most goals in a single season by afreshman (55) and led the league inpoints (63).

The number one difference betweenlacrosse at St. George’s and lacrosse at aD1 University is time. Sydney reports,“there is a lot more training and hours putinto lacrosse at the D1 level than there isat the high school level. Before college, Inever lifted weights. At UVM we havestrength and conditioning three times aweek on top of practice. Needless to say, I was sore my entire freshman year!”Despite all the hard work, what Sydneyloves most about lacrosse is the teamaspect, something she was first exposed toas a Rippowam athlete.

Sydney loved playing sports at Rippowambecause “it gave athletes of all levels a lot

of confidence and taught everyone greatsportsmanship and how to play a sport as a team. I also like how, in the earlieryears of Ripp, they had kids try each ofthe sports before deciding which one they wanted to play. I think it is reallyimportant for young athletes to play manydifferent sports and to try different things.Growing up playing three different sportsmade me a far more dynamic athlete andhas contributed to my success in college.”

Hannah Mirza ’06In contrast to Sydney, Hannah Mirzadidn’t start playing lacrosse until hersophomore year of high school, her firstyear at Miss Porter’s School. AtRippowam, Hannah had played soccer,basketball, and softball. Once she transitioned to MPS, she continued withsoccer and basketball, but wasn’t veryinterested in pursuing softball so she madethe switch to the lacrosse team, where sheimmediately found a home on the Varsitysquad. Hannah saw a good deal of successon all of her sports teams at Miss Porter’s,where she was the most improved playeron her lacrosse team sophomore year,followed by earning MVP her junior yearin both lacrosse and basketball. She wascaptain of the lacrosse and soccer teamsher senior year, and she was on the all-star team for all three sports junior andsenior years.

Hannah always thought she wanted toplay sports in college, but she wasn’t surehow to formulate a plan to make thathappen. Because Miss Porter’s is one ofthe “smaller” schools, it often made itharder for players there to be recognizedby local colleges. When Hannah’s senioryear had come along and she hadn’t mademuch of an effort to contact coaches, herparents helped her get set up with arecruiter who made a sports resume for

her. The hardest decision for Hannah was“actually deciding which sport I wantedto play in college. Somehow I decided Iwanted to play lacrosse because I hadn’tplayed for very long and thought that Icould continue to improve my skills. Iwasn’t quite ready to give it up yet

because it was so new to me.” She endedup sending her sports profile, which contained stats, awards, and video, toabout 25 Division 1 schools. One coachthat was particularly interested was theUniversity of California at Davis coach.Ultimately, she visited the campus late in her senior year, met with the coaches,and signed a letter of intent shortly afterspring break.

Hannah loves the Davis program. Theteam practices year round and has anunofficial fall season beginning in

“I think it is really important for young athletes to play many different sports and to try different things.”

“What I love most about lacrosse is the teamaspect, something I was first exposed to as aRippowam athlete.” Sydney Mas ’07

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October. The official season runs fromFebruary through May of each year. Theathletes practice twenty hours a weekalmost all year round and get workouts to do over the summer. Not only didHannah win the Rookie of the Yearaward her freshman year, but she alsocompiled the highest goals total by afreshman since 2006. She led the teamwith 25 draw controls. In her sophomoreseason, Hannah set a school record with58 draw controls, and was ranked 10thnationally with 3.87 per game.

The Face-OffSimilar to Sydney, Hannah’s experiencewith Rippowam athletics influenced herfuture athletic endeavors. By the time shewas in seventh grade, Hannah knew shewanted to play multiple sports in highschool and college. “Coach Meyers andMr. Morrissey planted that idea in myhead early on. I also loved playing adifferent sport each season.”

When UC Davis and UVM faced off atthe end of March, both Hannah andSydney knew they were going to face oneanother. Hannah found it exciting to playagainst Sydney and got to “guard her a

few times when we were on defensewhich was fun because she definitely hashalf a foot on me. I felt more competitivewhen I saw her on the other team andwhen we were watching film.” Similarly,Sydney had heard talk of Hannah prior tomeeting on the lacrosse field. Before eachgame, her coaches dissect the other team,and they talk about their key players andhow to stop them. “Hannah was one ofthe girls we talked about because she issuch a crucial part of her team. I wastaken aback when my coaches wentthrough the UC Davis roster andmentioned Hannah as someone weneeded to watch out for. I was so excitedto find out that we were going to beplaying each other since the last time Iplayed sports with her was in seventh

grade!” Though ultimately UVM came out with a narrow win, Sydney reports itwas a “close game. UC Davis made uswork for it.” Sydney found it fun to playagainst someone she knew and reports, “It was awesome to see how good Hannahhas become since we played together atRipp. After a goal was scored we wereboth jogging back and I gave her a littlenudge to say ‘hey’.

Both the Davis and UVM women’slacrosse teams are strong programs that are on the upswing, and both Hannah and Sydney are pleased to be assumingleadership roles on their respective squads. Both teams are vying for success in conference play, and both teams are looking for even more depth anddevelopment in upcoming seasons.Hannah, a double major in Mechanicaland Aerospace Engineering, and Sydney, a Business major and Global Studiesminor, have certainly learned theimportance of time management,discipline, communication, leadership, and commitment through their experienceswith athletics. Both student athletes, just as they did during their tenure atRippowam Cisqua, are making memorableimpacts at their respective Universities,both on and off the field. Hannah remindsyounger female athletes to never give up.She says, “When men’s athletics get moremoney or more recognition and publicity, I get very frustrated, but don’t ever let itmake you stop playing because it definitelypays off in the end. I love my teammatesand I love my school and I have anopportunity that not many people dobecause I have dedicated so much time to athletics in my life.”

“Coach Meyers and Mr. Morrissey planted the idea(to play multiple sports) in my head early on. I loved playing a different sport each season.” Hannah Mirza ’06

2006 Varsity Soccer Team, Hannah is in the front row 2nd from right and Sydney is in the centerrow 2nd from right.

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On December 16th, 2011, onbehalf of the Alumni Association,Chairman of the Alumni Board, Christopher J. Wirth ’94presented Ambassador NicholasPlatt ’50 with the DistinguishedAlumni Award for outstandingachievement and leadership in his profession and service to the community.

Ambassador Platt returned to theclassrooms on the Upper Campus toreceive this award and spent the day withcurrent students as well as a group ofalumni, administration, faculty and staff.He started the day with a seminar withninth graders and then followed up withthe sixth grade, who had just completed aunit of study on ancient China. His timewith students culminated in a full UpperCampus assembly, during which allcurrent RCS students and faculty had an opportunity to meet and hear fromAmbassador Platt about his pastexperiences. At the end of the assembly, a small group of alums, faculty and RCStrustees joined Mr. Platt for a luncheon in the library in celebration of hisachievements and his award. RogerVincent ’59, the founder of the AlumniAssociation Board and the first recipientof the Distinguished Alumni Award,Christopher J. Wirth ’94, currentChairman of the Alumni Board, Marilen

Tilt ’57, Alden Prouty ’57, Cynthia Mas ’71, Nancy Dwyer Eaves ’92, RandyHall ’94, and Niko Viglione ’02, LowerCampus faculty member, were some of the alums who joined the celebration.

Throughout the day, Ambassador Plattshared his passion for history and writinginterweaving stories about his RCSexperiences and teachers, in particularLaura Paddock, who introduced him tothe value of good writing skills. He alsohighlighted the historical impact of the1972 visit to China and, during theassembly, shared a brief movie with thestudents which included his personalimpressions, memories and details on hisrole as part of the American delegation.He answered many questions, from bothstudents and faculty/alums about thenature of the current US-Chinarelationship as well as the economic and political challenges and advantagesboth countries face today. As part of his address to the students, AmbassadorPlatt emphasized the importance ofdiscovering and pursuing one’s passionand talents. He pointed out that enteringthe Foreign Service and studying Chinesein the 1960s was not an easy or commonchoice; however, he remained guided bythe RCS motto “Dare to be True,” andfound that following a dream, andworking hard toward realizing it, makesfor a rewarding path, even if it’s not theeasiest one.

On behalf of the entire Rippowam CisquaCommunity we congratulate Mr. Platt onhis successes and we are thankful for hiscontinued dedication to Rippowam Cisqua.

Distinguished Alumni AwardPresented to Ambassador

Nicholas Platt ’50

Ambassador Nicholas Platt ’50, is adistinguished American diplomatwith a long career in the ForeignService. With a background inChinese language and history,Ambassador Platt became an experton China and in 1972 accompaniedPresident Nixon on an historic trip to Beijing. He went on to serve as athree-time ambassador to Zambia, thePhilippines, and Pakistan. Mr. Platt isalso the author of the book The ChinaBoys, which describes the preparationsand the events that led to theresumption of relations between theUnited States and China and his rolein the making of history – one of hisfavorite subjects as a student. Aprofile of his book can be found in the RCS Fall 2010 Bulletin.Ambassador Platt was a student at Rippowam in the late 1940s,attended St. Paul’s for high school,and holds degrees from Harvard andJohns Hopkins University. Mr. Platt’smost recent visit to RippowamCisqua was two years ago when heand his classmates celebrated their60th Rippowam Cisqua Reunion.

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Young AlumniParty

Each year, our youngest alums(five years out and less), alongwith our current ninth graders,are invited to a gathering of fellow alums and teachers.

This event has been graciously hosted for the past two years by current parentsKatie and Robert Boyd ’75. It was alsohosted in the past by past parents Shirley and George Bianco and Susie and Cabot Lodge. The gathering takesplace on the evening of Revels to allowthe alums to honor the tradition ofcelebrating the Winter Solstice with the rest of the RCS community.

Members of the class of 2011 Ben Spain ’10, Farrah Asaad ’10, Amber Kinui ’10, and Treat Hardy ’10 with Bob Whelan

Cara Rosenbaum ’05 with Missy Swan andKathy Perry

The Perry Family including Ben ’05 and Eric ’08

Isabel Donohoe ’12, Jess Cordiano ’12, Julia Conway ’12

Xandra Coleman ’10, Anne Fraiman ’10,Eleanor Sednaoui ’10, Tora Hallstrom ’10

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1959Robin Coryell: My mom was the kindergarten teacher at Rippowam. Welived in the big white building with theFerets and the Bruninghauses. I was infourth grade in 1953 and then we moved to Chappaqua. I moved to Colorado in 1964 and moved back here in 2001. Someof my classmates were: Elizabeth (Betsey)Wyeth ’60, Tracy Gross ’59, SusanKemble West ’59, John Cartwright ’58,Seymour Preston ’58, Eric Jacoby,Walter Fowler ’59, Arthur Patterson ’58,Gardner (Gary) Emmons ’58, ClareSprings ’59, Elizabeth (Tibby) Clark ’60,Jane (Gina) Arents (she had a brothernamed Peter) and Bunky Bruninghaus ’58.I am sure there were many more. I havesome wonderful photos of us playing andsome class photos.

I now live in North Salem and run a youththeater company in many Westchestertowns. I would love to hear from any of thestudents who went to Ripp at this time. Ihave wonderful memories. Marjorie Giffordas the lovely music teacher, Amy Jones, thepainter who taught us art...field days, all thewonderful faculty. All of it was special andmagic and I would love to know what hasbecome of you. I have a wonderful son wholives in Boston and am so happy directingtheater. My email is rjcoryell@aol.com. If Ihave forgotten anyone, I’m sorry.....it wasjust a long time ago!

After three years of post-graduatetraining, I started a career in academiabut then joined a private practice inLexington where I worked for thirty years, closing my clinical practice thispast July. Since then I have devoted mytime to advocating for the civil rights of the gay, lesbian, and transgendercommunity as well as volunteering forfree medical clinics for Americanswithout health insurance.

We have a daughter who is married to a wonderful woman. Our daughter isfinishing a doctoral degree in psychologyand her partner is the head of the‘wellness’ program at the Winsor School. They live in Cambridge. We have a son who is a professional photographer living in San Francisco. We live in Boston proper and spend most weekends in Truro.

Would love to hear from any of thosewho recall Mr. Woods, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Bruno, Mrs. Donaughue, Ms Frankel,and others. I can be reached via email at:rmfreidin@comcast.net

1958Class RepresentativeSusannah Sard: sardes@verizon.net

1951Class RepresentativesPenny Brouder: pbrouder@optonline.netRobert Laidlaw: laidlawrs@yahoo.com

Thank you to Robert and Penny and tothe entire class of 1951 for a wonderful60th reunion last October!

1957Ralph Freidin: This past spring Ireconnected in our college alumni magazinewith my classmate Rodney Gott ’57. Werecited names of other classmates and sadly to say we did not know the story orwhereabouts of any. My note is to tell whatand where I have been in the past 55 yearsand hope some of my class will contact me.From Rippowam, I went to The Hill Schooland from there to Columbia College andfrom there to Washington UniversityMedical School. In my third year, I marriedMiriam, who was a first year medicalstudent. After graduating from med school,I spent two years in Washington, DC as acommissioned officer in the Public HealthDepartment. From there, we moved toBoston to complete our medical training –mine in internal medicine and Miriam’s inpsychiatry. We have been living in Bostonsince moving here in 1972.

AlumniClass Notes

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Roger Vincent: Tom Smidt ’59 and wifeVicki recently hosted Roger Vincent and his wife, Nancy at their home inAlbuquerque, NM.

Pictured left to right: Roger Vincent, Vicki Smidt, Nancy Vincent, Tom Smidt

1961/62 ReunionFriday, May 18 & Saturday, May 19, 2012

Anita Braganca Stockbridge: Please make note of our 50th (!) class reunion inBedford Friday, May 18, 2012 (Field Day)with optional dinner at the Bedford PostInn (formerly Nino’s restaurant), andSaturday May 19 with lunch and a tour of the school followed by dinner at AnitaBragança Stockbridge’s home. Thosehopefully attending so far are Bernard(Ben) Smith, Margie Bailey, AnitaPagliaro, Debbie Choate, Jane Bishop,Sandy Putnam, Susan Branch, AlexSanger, John Renwick, Rick Larsen, NedPost, Jamie Robertson, Anita Bragança,Sally Adams, and Janet Brown. Hopefullythere will many others. We are still trying to make contact with several lostclassmates. Please email Alex Sanger at:ASanger@ippfwhr.org or Anita Bragança at:adebs291@gmail.com for more information.We hope to see everyone there!

1965John (Woody) Brooks writes that he nowresides in Newport, Rhode Island and inNYC with his wife, Elizabeth. His son,John III and his wife Stacey are living inMaynard, MA. “They have brought usgreat joy with our first grandson, William –aged 1.5 years” writes Woody. Their oldestdaughter, Candice, is happily married forseveral years to Victor and they currently

live in Boston. Their youngest daughter,Alexandra is working away at boardingschool. Woody adds: “We continue toenjoy a great life, have several successfulcompanies, and travel the world. Bestwishes to all my classmates and a great2012 to all!”

Woody Brooks’s grandson, William Brooks

1966Class RepresentativeSteve Ohler: sohler@aol.com

1971Class RepresentativesAlex Gordevitch: agla1956@gmail.comCynthia Mas: cynthia.mas@renwicksothebysrealty.com

Alexandra Gordevich: After reconnectingwith so many good friends at our 40th classreunion last May, my son Xander and Iflew to the Left Coast for a visit. I am notsure whether it was the near deathkayaking adventure, the trading in of ourcar for bicycles, or the exquisite day wespent hiking around Mt. Rainier with BenHall ’71, Peter Halle ’71, his wifeAmanda, and their good friend Patricia thatsealed the deal, but we fell in love withSeattle and moved out here in December.We are settling in and just loving it. Wehave lots of space – so we welcome visitors!

Left to right: Benjamin Hall ’71, AlexandraGordevitch ’71, and Peter Halle ’71 near Mt. Rainier, September 2011.

Rick Leonhardt: There is no doubt that our40th reunion renewed many old, but deep,connections. While I wasn’t able to makethe trip I feel like I was a part of thathistoric gathering. I took a training coursein October aboard a 47 foot Nordhavntrawler up in the Seattle area. I invited Ben Hall ’71 and my graduate schoolgeology professor, Kent Nielsen to join me.We all had a chance to take the helm, madeseveral stops including Port Townsend, didsome sightseeing, and got to sample bothlocal music and local beer. There was aroutine check by a coast guard boat, whichpulled up alongside us complete with 50caliber machine guns and all – the fullmilitary gear got our attention. A good timewas had by all. The relationships we form in school–whether between classmates orbetween student and professor–are some ofthe most deep and enduring. I certainlyappreciated the time I spent on the waterenjoying two such relationships. Now withRipp classmate Alex Gordevitch ’71 andher son, Xander, living in Seattle, I caneasily imagine another trawler cruise next spring.

Kent Nielsen, Rick Leonhardt ’71, Ben Hall ’71

Jim Pierce: I have been in Texas for thirtyyears now. My adult life is best summed up by a bumper sticker I saw years ago: “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.”

This is not to say that I do not value myRippowam education. I do. We grew up inan absolute horror show of an era. Ourteachers were either weathered WWIIveterans or young men figuring out ways to avoid the draft in Vietnam. We were a

living conundrum. But somehow we allpersevered, and this past summer, many of us reconnected. Rippowam was, andremains, the common denominator.

Suffice to say, my OLDEST friends aremy Rippowam friends. And my lifelongBEST friend is a Rippowam friend. Sosomewhere, somehow, there is somethingthat matters in those statements. And onthe off chance there is an independent orRepublican voter amongst the alumnibase, please read my book, Opine Needles(http://www.opineneedles.com). Maybe, just maybe, the end result will be thatRippowam has more than one Republican alum!

On the family front, my oldest daughter is at the CU Boulder, as are offspring forMandy North ’71 and Tad Montross ’70.But kids being kids, they have yet toreach out to one another. My next willattend Plan II at UT Austin. That meansnothing to Yankees, but in Texas, that islike going to Harvard or Stanford. It’s aliberal arts double major college withinthe university that accepts 400 kids ayear. She works harder than I did. Thenthere is my son. He is in 9th grade, andhe loves football and baseball. He hasn’tquite attained the soaring heights one can climb whilst reading Hemingway but,the apple never falls too far from the tree,so maybe there is hope yet. Then there isBar, my youngest (11) and perhaps theposter child for fourth child syndrome...whatever that is. She is a pistol, andmakes me sad when I realize that mychildren are quickly becoming a visiononly in the rear view mirror.

Liz Babbin Tucker sends a photo of Mrs. Crocker’s Kindergarten classmates 45 years later! Liz and Nick Tucker ’72are married and Jane McKim ’71 visitedthem in California (and didn’t want to go home!!). You may contact Liz at:www.etuckerart.com (art),lizztucker.blogspot.com (thoughts…ideas…experiments),twitter.com/etuckerart (follow me).

Liz Tucker ’71 and Nick Tucker ’72

Liz Tucker ’71 and Jane McKim ’71

1974Lisa Atkin lives in Brooklyn with TonyKiser, his daughter Maisie, and theirbulldog Max. Lisa is a partner in theadvertising firm of Barron and Barron,where she has worked for many years. Lisa travels a great deal and coordinatesphoto shoots for ad campaigns. She has flairas a stylist and for making elephants andmodels feel at ease.

1975Class Representative:Philip Ohler: pohler@mac.com

Audrey Jones Mosley writes: Still living inWarren Village, VT on the banks of theMad River. This will be my 19th year doingwildlife rehabbing for migratory birds, andtaking care of our own pets. Planning to doa tour around NE Canada on our bikes thissummer. I am an independent caregiver forseniors in their homes and I do Hospicework as well. Jack and I are very well andthe door is always open to any old friendswho are passing by.

1976Class RepresentativeMeg Atkin: mrafiny@gmail.com

Meg Atkin lives on Fishers Island and is a teacher at the very small public schoolthere. She has been a teacher for twenty-seven years and has loved working with the pre-K/K age group. “They keep me onmy toes and keep me laughing every day,” says Meg.

1977Anne Clark writes: It has been almost 35years since I graduated from RippowamCisqua. In that time I went to boardingschool in Virginia, a year of college in Ohio,moved to New Mexico, graduated from theUniversity of New Mexico (UNM) with aBA in Economics, got married, graduatedUNM with an MBA, started working forthe State of New Mexico, had two children,became a mediator, became an artist, andbecame a mediation teacher. It was a longsentence, but a quick summing up of 35years, 33 of which have been spent with my husband, Blair, in New Mexico.

The school year of 2012-2013 will be the year of graduation in our family. Ourdaughter, Grace, will be graduating fromUNM with her B.S. in nutrition anddietetics in May 2013; our son, Sawyer, willbe graduating high school at the same time;and I will be graduating (a.k.a. retiring)from NM state government in earlyNovember 2012. The promise of thesegraduations is great: a young womanentering the career world for the first time, a boy entering college, and a working stiffmoving from a five-days-a-week officeenvironment to something yet to bedefined. Blair will be the only one without a major status change, and I think he feels it will be challenge enough dealing witheveryone else’s. Life is good!

Here is a link to my artwork:http://www.discoveredartists.com/gallery/AnnedeLainWClark

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1978Debbie Atkin Haggerty lives in Milton,MA with her husband Bryan and their twodaughters, Annabel and Maeve. Debbieruns her own Media advertising business, is a busy mom, and practices yoga.

Cathie Atkin Kavanaugh lives inStockbridge MA with her husband Leoand son Leo. Cathie is a natural cook whodoes catering and, in addition, she is the“tasting” chef for a grocery store calledGuido’s in the Berkshires.

Left to right: Debbie Atkin Haggerty ’78,Cathie Atkin Kavanaugh ’78, Lisa Atkin ’74,Meg Atkin ’76

Atkin girls at RCS (left to right): Lisa Atkin’74, Meg Atkin ’76 and front row left to right isCathie Atkin Kavanaugh ’78 and Debbie AtkinHaggerty ’78.

1980Brad Hubbell writes: “we are having lotsof fun as our family grows. Our children,Zack (7), Corinne (2), and Alex (5) arekeeping us active and entertained. Ourarchitecture practice is growing with newprojects throughout Marin County,California. We’d love to hear news fromthe East and the rest of the class of ’80.”

Left to right: Zack (7), Corinne (2) and Alex (5)

1981Dana Lamb writes: “I was married in Stowe in June to Holly Hannaway ofMarblehead, MA. My wife gave birth toour first child Henry Hannaway Lamb on Oct 20, 2011.”

Dana Lamb ’81 and Holly Hannaway

1984Class Representatives:Bill Meyer: bill@meyer.netRachel Cooke Mills: fptmills@msn.com

Editor’s note: A special Thank You to RachelCooke Mills and Bill Meyer for submitting the following wonderful class notes on theirclassmates.

Carl Andresen is reportedly living inRidgefield, and working in finance. “Isuppose he could also be a lion tamer…”writes Rachel!

Lewis Barbieri welcomed his first child, ason, last May. He keeps himself busy therest of his time being the Director of theOffice of Research and Contract Analysisat the University of Arizona. He has beenliving in Tuscon for the last six years.

Wells Beck is the Managing Director atBarrett Assett Management in NYC. Hecommutes daily from Darien, CT to thecity with Jenn Pryor Taylor ’84. He hasthree children who hopefully help himherd geese in the summer.

Josh Canning Rumor has been teaching in sunny St. Croix, playing his music, andtraveling the globe far and wide. He is ahammock inspector in his free time, Rachel tells us.

Susie Cascio Travers graduated fromConnecticut College and has settled intoPound Ridge, NY with her daughter. She now works as the Vice President ofEquity Research at Mutual of AmericaCapital Management.

Todd Catlin is happily selling antiques,gardening, and looking forward to our30th reunion. He lives in the quiethamlet of Washington, CT.

Rachel Cooke Mills writes: Besidesspending a lot of free time lately combingFacebook, Linked In, and every other search site for classmates and laughing athow much we are still the same – just a bit “platinum” around the edges – I havebeen keeping myself out of trouble bychanneling my Artist and Athletepersona being a Personal Trainer, StainGlass and Mosaic teacher, afterschool artteacher, soccer coach, and Front DeskGuru for the Recreation and CommunityEducation Department in Freeport,Maine. I am constantly training for thenext race or triathlon. My son Colby (12)is attending a private day school just likeRipp and my daughter Hannah (9) hasgot that athlete and artist thing as well.The 30th reunion will be here before weknow it – can’t wait to see everyone.Thanks to all the classmates who headedme in the right direction to track downsome of our lost and missing classmates.Miss you all!

Dorsey Foote is living in Baltimore, MD working for a non-profit in Outreach for the Baltimore Community Foundation.

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Barbara Glatt Wisotsky graduated from Bucknell University. Rachel adds:“Barbara has let out her artsy side and hasstarted her own business, Belles LettresCalligraphy in Brookside, NJ.”

Colin Gordon is a Media Planner atMPG in Chicago.

Tom Grant is currently working in BatonRouge, LA producing “Sons of Guns” forDiscovery which, according to Tom, is“somewhat of a departure, going intoReality TV, before diving back into thestarving artist world of documentaries.”

Chris Grum has had an adventurouslife – perhaps you’ve heard him. Afterworking as an on air personality for CBSRadio and WZOU Radio in Boston, he is now living in Houston, TX and isPresident of Premier Custom Travel.

Jimmy Harned is living in the NYC area, still has a great smile and works for Tonefarmer.

Caroline Hazard graduated fromMacalester College and now is living inWashington, DC. She spends her freetime mountain biking and traveling theglobe, but her real job is working as anenvironmental/energy consultant focusingon residential energy efficiency.

Eddie Herrell is a Senior SoftwareEngineer at Midway Games, a computergaming company in Austin, TX. Who saw that coming, adds Rachel.

Oliver Hodapp is Head of ProjectManagement at Cegedim RelationshipsManagement in Frankfurt, Germany.Cegedim is a computer software company.

Sam Hotchkiss is enjoying a vibrantcareer as a guitarist in New Orleans witha band called Juice! He can be frequentlyheard at Circle Bar and Atchafalaya.Look him up – he hasn’t changed a bit.

Andrew Kaeyer had an illustrious careerplaying lacrosse at Marietta College inOhio, moved up to Boston, and is now

Senior Vice President/Principal atHunneman Capital Group.

Josh Kernan is busy raising two boys in theSan Francisco area and still finds time to be an investment strategist for his owncompany. He is Partner and Co-Founder of Simple Alternatives, LLC. He keeps intouch with Sara Loveman ’84 and quite a few other alums and was one of the lead trackers for the MIA in his class.Thanks Josh!

Walter Koetke: following a spectaculareducation at Carnegie Mellon University,Walter now lives in Montara, CA with his wife and two boys and is working forModel N, Inc., a software companyfocusing on revenue management forpharmaceutical and medical devicecompanies. Rachel writes: “We alwaysknew Walter would end up in the computer field didn’t we?”

Andy Kurian actually got a degree and usesit! Andy got his MBA from NYU and, afterworking for a few companies, decided tostart his own business. He is Founder andManaging Partner of Spencer Hudson andlives in Weston, CT with his family.

Ally Kurian Pastushan is living in NewCanaan, CT with her three kids andworking for Elizabeth Arden in Stamford,CT as a Global Program Manager.

Sara Loveman Lowenstein is, reportedly,living out west in San Francisco and keepsup with Josh Kernan ’84. “But my bestguess would be that she is working for theCIA and trying to stay on the down low,”adds Rachel.

Bill Meyer writes: “Hello to class of ’84. I recently joined the Ripp Alumni Boardand am having fun getting back in touchwith everyone in the Ripp community. I have been living in Pound Ridge forfourteen years, married with two kids (ages thirteen and ten). I have beencoaching my son Henry’s hockey and lax teams. I would love to catch up witheveryone at a Ripp spring event or at our 30th in a few years… yikes!”

Reeve Nicholson is living the high life in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Geep Oliver is living the life of a happyfather with two adorable children, a boyand a girl.

Chris Perera has launched himself into theworld of TV/movies and is the SupervisingProducer/Show Runner for a NationalGeographic Channel series on medicalmarijuana entitled “American Weed.”

Philip Pilla, the forever athlete is President of HiDefSpex out of New Yorkspecializing in shooting lenses and glassesfor sport shooting.

Ted Pryor: Looking for a good meal? Dropin to the Michael Jordan Steakhouse inNYC and ask for the Executive Chef – TedPryor. He was recently featured on TV onEXTRA with Maria Menounos giving a fewcooking tips.

Jennifer Pryor Taylor: Besides sharing acommute from Darien, CT with WellsBeck every day, she is happily living withher husband, Chad, and daughter, Quinn.She works in NYC at American ExpressPublishing and gets to do all the fun stufflike traveling and tasting wine whileselling advertising.

Victoria Seaman: Wouldn’t you be busychasing five kids? Well Tory is, but she stillhas time to get her teaching credentialsfinished and play lots of tennis with herhusband.

Jennifer Spofford Sanger is living thegood life on Fishers Island, NY, working for Race Rock Garden Company, raisingher family, and a house or two – really!Check out the pictures on FB!

Geordie Wardman has gone south of theborder and lives in Sayulita, Nayarit,Mexico with his two boys. Besides surfing,he runs an online business focusing onvacation and tour deals in Mexico andspends a good deal of time traveling thecountry. His next move is north of theborder to Vancouver in the near future.

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David Weinberg got his JD from Universityof PA and embraced the world of law. He iscurrently living in NYC and working asAssistant Dean of Career Services at SetonHall University School of Law.

Chace Wierdsma has returned from themotherland. After living in the UK for afew years, he is back in Katonah workingfor ACS International School andenjoying teaching his daughter to be ahockey player.

Oliver Wolcott: “I am pretty sure Oliver isfamous but living a quiet life in Haverford,PA with his two boys and, while notchasing the boys around, he has some freetime to be Vice President of BusinessDevelopment at Solairus Aviation.”

1985Class RepresentativesElizabeth (Libby) Pezzano Whitman:TheWhitmans@msn.com

1986Honor Prouty Brodie sends a warm shoutout to all her Rippowam Cisqua friends: “Hi old friends. I’m living in NY with my husband John and our two childrenNicholas and Alexandra. I’m the Creative Director at Tory Burch. Hopeyou are well and happy. Xo Honor”

1987Marisa Felt is living in San Franciscowith her husband Thompson and 2 sons,Guy (8) and Albert (4). Thompson isworking on a new software product called Copper, and Marisa is the Head ofMiddle School at Hamlin, a girls K-8independent school. “We love our newhome and community,” says Marisa. “Look us up if you are visiting!”

Wendy Jacobs Hampton writes: “It’s been an exciting year for us out here inTelluride. My company, Soiree Telluridewas hired as the wedding planner forRalph and Ricky Lauren’s son David when he married Lauren Bush this past

September. It was the job of a lifetime, thewedding was flawless, and I truly enjoyedworking for both the Bush and Laurenfamilies. I also made a small world Rippconnection while helping Danny andSheryl Tishman (current RCS parents) withsome of their Telluride events. Our twodaughters, Breton who is turning 6, and Zoeturning 4, are living the good life with 40+days of skiing this winter. We will be in NYthis summer. My husband owns a grocerystore in Millbrook and it’s a great reason totake a Colorado break and spend some timein NY.”

Breton (6) and Zoe (4)

1988Marah Rosenberg writes: “I am currentlyworking at Girl Scouts of USA (nationalHQ). I’ve wanted for a long time to makethe move to nonprofit, and I am nowlooking to network with other Alumnawho are also in nonprofit. Find me onLinkedin!”

1990Larry Ikard: Larry and wife Destiny Ikardwelcomed baby #2, Brian Witten Ikard, to the world on December 19, 2011.Daughter Ellie is now 2 yrs. 5 months. Thefour of them live in New Canaan, CT.

1991Class RepresentativeAngela Cavallo Grand:angegrand@gmail.com

1992Class RepresentativeAllie Feldman: alliefeldman@yahoo.comNancy Dwyer Eaves:nancy.dwyer@gmail.com

Allie Feldman just had a baby in October2011. Congratulations Allie! Allie and her husband, Christopher Black, arecurrently living in Fairfield, CT. Allie justtook on the role of a class representativefor the class of 1992 as well – get back in touch and email Allie atalliefeldman@yahoo.com.

1993Class RepresentativeDan Ryan: DRyan@heindrick.com

Molly Pulsifer Casto and her husbandSean welcomed their first baby, a son, onNovember 6, 2011. His name is JonahPatrick Casto. Molly, Sean, and Jonah live in Portland, ME.

Harry Grand, and his wife Emily, recentlycelebrated their daughter’s first birthday.

Harry and Emily Grand and their daughter Lily.

1994Class RepresentativeRandy (Jane) Wilson Hall:janedhall@yahoo.com

John (Woody) Abbott and Meredith with wedding party in Beaver Creek, CO.,July 30, 2011.

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Christian M. Macy is in the process ofstarting a business in Boulder, CO, whichaims to change the world throughentrepreneurialism and education. The business was recently featured inBoulder’s Daily Camera newspaper. (editor:more info at http://goo.gl/CQlvs)

He and his wife, LuAnne E., areawaiting the birth of their second child inearly April. Their first child, Nathaniel E.,is the most rewarding challenge either of them have ever had the pleasure toexperience. Christian can be reached via phone: 480.559.9296

Chris Wirth shares with us photos of histwo children, Zachary and Emily, with their grandma, former JPK Teacher, SuzanWirth. Since retiring from RCS, Suzan has been extremely busy as the proudgrandmother of five grandchildren. Herhusband Ken, also a former RCS parentand Board Member is keeping himself busythese days as the business manager for theoriginal cast from the Broadway HitShow – Jersey Boys. They tour as “TheMidtown Men” and will do over 100 showsthis year throughout the country.

Ken Wirth with the Midtown Men

Suzan Wirth with granddaughter, Emily Wirth

Susan Wirth with grandson, Zachary Wirth

1995Liberty Howell sends along a photo fromher recent wedding with her husband, Joe Orlowski. Ripp alums in attendancewere Eleanor Jackson ’95 and MargaretJackson ’99, Straat Tenney ’94, HappyMenocal ’95 and Liberty’s sister CecilHowell ’98. Congratulations Liberty!

Eleanor Jackson and H.Straat Tenney ’94wed on July 16th 2011.

Happy Menocal and her new husband,John Swansburg, had a beautiful weddingthis past December in Charleston. Someof the Ripp alums in attendance were:Meredith (Dede) Dixon ’95, LibertyHowell ’95, Christina Warner ’95 andJim Renwick ’63.

1996Marissa Ayala (pictured below) graduatedfrom the New School with a Master’s inCreative Writing in 2010 and is nowcurrently a New York City TeachingFellow and a Special Education teacher ata progressive public school. This spring,Marissa will graduate with a Master’s inSpecial Education from Hunter Collegeand, in the summer, will travel and teachin India.

Eliza Sommerville O’Neill writes: “HiRCS. We are pleased to announce thatMarilyn is a big sister. We welcomed alittle boy named Cormac in early August.All are well, healthy, happy, and living inSouth Salem.”

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From left to right: Johnny Boynton ’94, William Abbott ’98, Woody (John Wood Abbott) groom,first young man to Woody’s right is Paul (Kayser) Dixon ’94, and the last young woman on rightis Katherine (Kate) Abbott Wartels ’98, and Katherine Windecker “Winnie” Wartels in fore-ground. William’s fiance, Karen Kwong is next to him, Woody’s bride is Meredith Allen Abbott,and Kate’s husband, Edward Wartels is standing next to her with his arm around her.

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1997Class RepresentativeSam Goodhue: sgoodhue@jhnetwork.com

1998Class RepresentativeJake Grand: jwgrand@gmail.com

1999Class RepresentativeRoddy Tilt: rktilt3@gmail.com

On August 6th, 2011 Claudia (Charlie)Adamski married Jory Caulkins at St. Mary Roman Catholic Parish inRidgefield, CT. The reception was heldoutdoors at the American Yacht Club inRye, NY. Other Ripp alums in attendanceincluded her three sisters: Maxi Adamski’01, Teddie Adamski ’03, and JojoAdamski ’07, her brother in-law Graham Caulkins ’02 as well as formerclassmates Kaitlin McMenemon ’99and Emily Scaros ’99.

Claudia Adamski and Jory Caulkins

Adamski sisters: from left to right: Maxi(Theresa) ’01, Charlie (Claudia) ’99, Teddie (Dorothea) ’03, Jojo (Paulina) ’07

Robert Burchetta writes about his careerchange in November 2011 from anAssociate at JPMorgan’s Private Bank to aPrivate Banker/Vice President of Credit-Suisse’s Private Bank in Greenwich, CT. He recently took and passed his Series 66(he has his Series 7, 6, 63 and 66) and was accepted as a member of the UnionLeague Club of NYC on 37th Street andPark Avenue. He is on the event host committee of Project Renewal, a non profit organization that benefits thehomeless of NYC by providing them with access to jobs and housing.

He has been living on the Upper EastSide of Manhattan for the past five years,and dating his high school sweetheart,Kate Morgenier, from Pound Ridge, for the past nine years...pressure’s on now!

Jessica Goldstein Malzman writes thefollowing about her recent wedding: “OnSeptember 24, 2011: I, Jessica Goldstein,married my college sweetheart, AriMalzman (we met at Cornell University,Class of 2006) in Ithaca, NY. We weremarried in Sage Chapel on CornellUniversity campus and had our receptionat John Joseph Inn & Elizabeth Restaurantin nearby Groton, NY. My sister, VanessaGoldstein ’01 was my Maid of Honor andmy brother, Parker Goldstein ’13 was agroomsman.” Also in attendance at mywedding were some fellow RCS alumni!

I currently live in Manlius, New Yorkwith my husband and I work as anExecutive Recruiter for Whitney Partners(my parents’ Executive Search firm inManhattan) where I am a Vice President.

Goldstein family: including Jessica Goldstein’99, Vanessa Goldstein ’01, and ParkerGoldstein ’13

Photo includes members of RCS class of ’99including Essie Cohen, Marissa Schaevitz,Olivia Miele, Robert Burchetta and Jessica Goldstein Malzman.

2001Class RepresentativeAlexander Boies:boies.alexander@gmail.comPaige MacDonald Clark:macpaige@gmail.com

Maxi Adamski: “I currently live in NYC,and will be graduating from Fordham Law School this May. In the fall, I willbegin work at an international law firm in Manhattan.”

Sarah Carnabuci: “I am living in NYC,and have been since I graduated fromMiddlebury. I work for the fashiondesigner Isaac Mizrahi, where I do public relations.”

Jessica Fischer writes that she is currently in the midst of moving but she is in New York and works downtownfor the United States Army Corps ofEngineers. She has completed projects at West Point Military Academy and apilot superfund upstate. Currently she isoverseeing Maintenance dredging projectsfor federal navigation channels in NewYork and New Jersey.

Vanessa Goldstein: “I live in LA andwork for Hasbro, Inc as the story editor intheir film division. Battleship is our firstfilm coming out this May, then GI Joe 2in June. It’s a big year so I hope my fellow

Class Notes continued…

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peers will go out to see the movies andsupport us!”

Her older sister, Jessica Goldstein ’99,married her college sweetheart in upstateNew York and Vanessa was her maid of honor! Parker Goldstein will begraduating from 8th grade at Ripp and,between the time Vanessa started in JPK and Parker’s graduation, they willhave had a Goldstein family member consistently attending Rippowam for twenty two years! Who can beat that?

Kate Jaffe: “I am currently working at St.Luke’s School in the West Village and amanticipating my Fall 2012 wedding at theNew York Botanical Gardens!”

Paige MacDonald (Clarke): “I live inNYC with my husband. I graduated fromColumbia with my MA in DevelopmentalPsychology and I now work for Indagare, a membership-based travel company.”

Kathryn Sorte: “I just graduated fromColumbia with my m.p.h. in health policyand management and am about to startwork as a health IT consultant in the city.

Liz Stillman: “I am currently living inNYC and I am a psychotherapist atAndrus Children’s Center. It is a mentalhealth clinic in Yonkers in which Iprovide therapy to children, adults, andfamilies. I also am doing school basedtherapy at a public school in that area.”

Kate Verdickt: “I’m living in New YorkCity and studying painting in the MFAprogram at the School of Visual Arts.”

Jonie Watts: “I’m presently majoring inBroadcast Journalism at Brooklyn Collegeand minoring in History. Once I finish my Bachelors I plan on applying to the J-school in Manhattan to pursue myMasters in Broadcast Journalism. I intendto specialize in international reporting. Ipresently work with the developmentallydisabled at Leake and Watts as I pursuemy studies.”

2004Class Representative: Louisa Farr: louisa.farr@gmail.comWilliam Goodhue:william.goodhue@gmail.com

Louisa Farr writes to tell us that she iscompleting her final semester at theUniversity of Edinburgh, graduating witha degree in English Literature & Italian.She adds: “I’m looking forward to livingin NYC after I graduate in June. I spent aweek in January with Lucy Arnell ’04 inFlorence and we had a great time!”

Left to right: Nora Menken ’04, Forrest Mas ’04, Louisa Farr ’04, Ben Chehebar ’04.

2005Class RepresentativePaige Seaborn: paige.seaborn@gmail.com

Peter Quinn writes: “I’m at UVM. Myemail address is (pgquinn@uvm.edu) andmy phone number is 914-263-1136.Andrew Laird ’05, Porter Sperry ’05,and I are all in the same frat here. Also, I went to China for the summer on abusiness course (through UVM), and thatended up being a really cool experience. Ialso played on the golf team for a while.”

Paige Seaborn will be graduating fromBucknell University. She just acceptedthe role of class rep for the class of 2005.Feel free to contact Paige with any RCSquestions or alumni news.

Jon Svenningsen will be graduating from Tufts University this year. He just

accepted an offer to work for two years atthe Law Firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen &Hamilton in New York City as a litigationparalegal. “I plan on doing this beforeapplying to law school in the future,”writes Jon.

2006Class RepresentativesEliza Ghriskey: erghrisk@g.cofc.eduJulie Bancroft:echols.bancroft@yahoo.com

2007Class RepresentativesSydney Mas: sydneyb.mas@gmail.comAlison Bianco: asb027@bucknell.edu

2011Class RepresentativesEmma Boyd: blooto123@aol.comSusannah Davies:susannahstar11@aim.comArianna Gelwicks: ajgelwicks@aol.com

2011-12 Administration

Matthew Nespole, Head of School Bill Barrett, Head of Upper Campus Michael Beesley, Director of TechnologyBetsy Carter, Director of Admissions,

Lower Campus John Della Vecchia, Director of

Buildings and Grounds Carol Gahagan, Head of Lower Campus Ashley R. Harrington, Director of

Admissions, Upper Campus Deborah A. Hurrell, Chief Financial

Officer Andrew Kuhn, Ph.D., School

PsychologistPage Vincent ’79, Director of Secondary

School Placement Robert F. Whelan, Assistant Head of

School for Institutional Advancement

Caroline Kuhn Bloy ’39Caroline Kuhn Bloy ’39 died April 30,2012, of cancer, in Wayland, MA. BornCaroline Parker Kuhn in New York City,Mrs. Bloy grew up in New York City andBedford, N.Y. in a family that included along line of West Point graduates. Mrs.Bloy graduated from Rippowam CisquaSchool, the Chapin School, and BouvéBoston School at Tufts College with adegree in physical education. Mrs. Bloymarried the Rev. Myron B. Bloy Jr., anational leader in college campusministries. The couple and their threechildren lived for many years in Newton,where Mrs. Bloy worked as a real estatebroker and also co-founded a foodcooperative of more than a hundredfamilies, operating out of her home'sbasement. For many friends and familymembers, the strongest memories of Mrs.Bloy revolve around Little Deer Isle,Maine, where she and the Rev. Bloy spentsummers at the house they built in the1960s. Mrs. Bloy retired in 1998 toTopsham, Maine, but she kept in touchwith a wide circle of friends, who knewher as “Kuhnie,” from as far back asgirlhood summers at Singing Eagle Lodgeon Squam Lake, N.H. She waspredeceased by her husband, her sisterMargaret Rockefeller ’42, and her brotherRichard Kuhn Jr. She leaves three

children Michael Bloy of Southborough,Peter Bloy of Newton, and Sarah Bloy ofBrunswick, Maine and six grandchildren:Anna, Frederick, Caroline, Cameron,Owen, and Luther.

“She loved the school!” wrote herdaughter Sara, in a recent email toRippowam Cisqua Alumni office.

Paul HaskellPaul Haskell, former RCS parent, diedon 11/16/11. Mr. Haskell is survived by his wife of 44 years, Burrill WatsonHaskell, his son, P. Thomson Haskell III’86 and daughter-in-law, Jill, of DanaPoint, California; his son, E. LivingstonB. Haskell ’87 and daughter-in-law, Katy,of Richmond, Virginia, and their childrenHenry Benson and Timothy MacFarlane.He is survived also by his sister, ElizabethV. Mack, and her husband Charlie, ofNew Canaan, Connecticut.

Taylor BaldwinTaylor Baldwin, former RCS student, diedon Tuesday, October 11, 2011. Althoughhe did not graduate from RippowamCisqua, Taylor maintained his connectionwith RCS and his classmates from theclass of 1972, and attended one of ourmost recent alumni events in New YorkCity, in May 2011.

Blair Fairchild Fuller ’40

Blair Fairchild Fuller ’40, diedin Pataluma, California onJuly 23rd at the age of 84.Over two hundred peopleattended the private memorialservice held for him inPetaluma. Mr. Blair was adistinguished professor, writer,and editor and a lifelongfriend to many. Recently, theRCS Alumni Office received aletter from Ms. Arlene HoganFuller, the wife of the late Mr. Fuller, with a notice of hisrecent passing and the kindestwords about RippowamCisqua. The letter read…

“On July 23, 2011, my husband BlairFairchild Fuller, passed away due tocomplications from lung cancer. Heregaled me with many stories ofhappy days at your school. As youmay know, he had a long and notedcareer as a creative writer andteacher, crediting RCS with hisinitial love of reading.”

We are proud to be remembered byMr. Fuller so fondly, and pleased toshare a little about his life.

Mr. Fuller graduated from Harvard in1950 with an undergraduate degree inphilosophy. He took time off duringhis years at Harvard to serve in theNavy in WWII. He began his professional career as an executive forTexaco in West Africa, an experiencethat inspired his early writing, whichfocused on the effects of colonialism.His career then took him to Pariswhere he worked as an editor for theParis Review. After two years, hereturned to New York and taughtEnglish at Barnard College. In the1960s he moved to California and

InMemoriam

Highlights50

taught at Stanford for nearly a decade inthe distinguished Creative Writingdepartment under Wallace Stegner.During this time, he co-founded theSquaw Valley Community of Writers andreceived two Fulbright Scholarships, oneof which took him back to Africa toteach in the 70s.

Over his long lifetime, Mr. Blair alsoserved on the Board of The Paris Review,remaining close friends with journalistGeorge Plimpton (one of the founders of The Paris Review), novelist PeterMatthiessen, and the 41st vice president of the United States, Nelson AldrichRockefeller, until his death. He remained alifelong friend of the novelist Philip Roth,visiting with him whenever he traveled toNYC. Blair served as a trustee for ACT inSF, for the Squaw Valley Community ofWriters, for the SF literary magazine Zzyvawhere he was board president and mostrecently on the Cinnabar Theater Board inPetaluma. Throughout his life he wasinterested and involved with both the fineand performing arts.

His literary works include two novels andmany short stories, and he was a two-timewinner of the prestigious O. Henry Prizefor short fiction. Blair wrote a non-fictionbook “Art in the Blood” which he self-published in the 90s. It chronicles theremarkable history of seven generations of artists in his family. His grandfather'spaintings hang in the NY MetropolitanMuseum of Art and the DeYoungMuseum in SF among others.

Mr. Fuller was born in Bedford to JaneSage White Fuller and architect CharlesFairchild Fuller, and his stepfather wasHarper and Row publisher Cass Canfield.He attended RCS along with his sistersSage Fuller Cowles ’39 and Isabel (Jill)Fuller Fox ’46. His cousin WendiBurden, along with his lifelong friend Sis(Louise Baldwin Chapin ’42) who alsoattended RCS, visited him a monthbefore his death. His wife Arlene says thatBlair had many RCS friendships thatsustained him over his long lifetime.During Blair’s time at RCS, his family wasalso very involved with the School and

his mother, Mrs. Cass Canfield was on theboard of trustees in the 30s and 40s. “DareTo Be True,” a book on the history ofRippowam Cisqua, published for the 75thanniversary of the school, features a photoof Blair Fuller’s mother winning the“Mother’s Race” on Field Day (below)and a quote from her that captures FieldDay pride and spirit at RCS:

“The greatest honor and glorythat I ever enjoyed in the eyesof my children was at aRippowam Field Day, when I won the Mother’s Race.”

The photo at the left is of Blair Fullerworking in his barn creating “sun signs” as he liked to call them. This particularsun sign was the last of a series of abouttwo dozen that he created over a ten yearperiod. This photograph was taken onemonth before he got ill. As evident inthis photo, Mr. Fuller possessed a lot ofhappiness, energy and joie de vivre!

51

Jane Sage White FullerBlair Fairchild Fuller ’40; Photo credit: Lynn Schnitzer/dillonbeachphotography.com

AlumniConnections

Highlights52

Rippowam Cisqua School – Alumni Page and the online Alumnielectronic directory (www.rcsny.org) Did you hear about an alumni eventcoming up, but don’t have all thedetails? Did you miss a recent eventand would like to read about it oreven check out some photos? Makesure you visit the School’s website andcheck out the Alumni Pages for allthe latest news and updates. Alsoemail alumni@rcsny.org to give usyour most current contact information.

Rippowam Cisqua Alumnion Facebook – The OfficialRCS Alumni Group

Did you know you can find RippowamCisqua Alumni on Facebook and evencatch up on latest news and postingsfrom other alums or the School?Simply log on to Facebook and searchfor “The Official Rippowam CisquaAlumni Group” and beginreconnecting with RCS alumni today.

Rippowam Cisqua Alumnion LinkedInWhether you are looking

to hire young talented professionals orthinking of a career change, be sure tojoin the RCS alums on LinkedIn tofind out more about fellow RCS alumsand their professional careers.

Ways to Reconnectwith RCS and Alumni

New Donor Challenge

The new donor challenge will continue until June 30th, 2012. A generous alum has offered the School $25,000 if the Schoolreceives 50 gifts from first time alumni donors this year. We areclose to realizing this challenge but you can still help. Any newgifts from alums during the month of June will be counted towardthe School’s goal of 50. If you have never made a gift before, thisis the perfect time to start! Go RCS!

RED – BLUE Challenge

We want to extend a heartfelt appreciation to all alums whoembraced the Red-Blue challenge this year.

The team spirit, evident in your response and support of Rippowam Cisquainspired a renewed Alumni connection – it took us all back to Field Day, theculmination of our years at RCS, when we took pride in our teams and took joy inour combined efforts. Stay tuned for this year’s winner to be announced on June14th, at graduation. Either visit the RCS website at www.rcsny.org or check youremail or Facebook page for a message from the School.

Regardless of who wins this competition, it is clear that the combined efforts ofthe entire alumni body this year provided support to a much larger team – theentire RCS community we are all a part of. Thank you all on behalf of everyoneat RCS!

Go Red! Go Blue!

Harry Grand ’93 Nancy Dwyer Eaves ’92

A few of the many reasons to support The RCS Annual Fund

The Annual Fund is the School’s most important ongoing fundraising activity. Like most independent schools, tuition revenues at RCS do not cover the entire cost of runningthe School. Tuition provides approximately 82% of the annual operating budget with the AnnualFund supplying 7%. The School relies on this source of income in order to meet the essential needsof students and faculty. This year, the difference between tuition revenues and total operatingexpenses amounts to approximately $5,100 per child.

Our Annual Fund goal this year is $1,200,000 and 100% community participation. Last year, wereached $1,220,000 and 90% participation — remarkable results in a remarkable year — thanks to an incredibly engaged parent volunteer organization. If you would like to make a gift, please take amoment to fill out the enclosed pledge envelope and send it back to us with your contribution.

If you have questions about the Annual Fund, please contact Susie Danziger at 914-244-1292 or susie_danziger@rcsny.org

Mission StatementThe mission of Rippowam Cisqua School is to educate students to becomeindependent thinkers, confident in their abilities and themselves. We arecommitted to a dynamic program of academics, the arts, and athletics, andsupport an engaged faculty to challenge students to discover and exploretheir talents to the fullest. Honesty, consideration, and respect for others are fundamental to Rippowam Cisqua. In an atmosphere that promotesintellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning, Rippowam Cisquastrives to instill in students a strong sense of connection to their communityand to the larger world. We, as a school, recognize the common humanity ofall people and teach understanding and respect for the differences among us.

Rippowam Cisqua SchoolP.O. Box 488, Bedford, New York 10506

Lower Campus: 914-244-1200Upper Campus: 914-244-1250

www.rcsny.org

Non Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDPermit No 6030

Bedford NY

Rippowam Cisqua School

BulletinSpring 2012

Richie Meyers:Over the YearsAlso In This Issue: Young Alumni Roundtable onCollege Admissions

Homecoming 2011

Rippowam Cisqua School:Alumni Profiles

On Saturday, June 9th 2012, theRCS community will celebrateRichie Meyers’ extraordinary 45years of teaching, coaching, andmentoring at RCS! The schedulefor the day includes:

11:00am Gather in the Upper CampusCourtyard

11:30am Remarks from Richie's friendsand colleagues, includingformer RCS Heads of SchoolDick Wade and Eileen Lambert

12:15 Barbecue lunch