Ms. Lily Wang Pursues Interdisciplinary PhD

Jun 10, 2018 | Faculty + Staff

by Allie Matthias (V)

Ms. Wang will be leaving Pingry this year after teaching Chinese for six years. Lily Wang, better known as Wang Laoshi by her students, will be moving on to continue studying as she pursues a Ph.D in the convergence of Buddhism and science.

Ms. Wang came to Pingry in 2012, seeking teaching experience at a prestigious school. She was invited to teach at Pingry and took a position in the world language department’s Chinese program. She taught many different levels of Chinese, ranging from Chinese 1A with middle schoolers and Chinese 7 with high school seniors. This past year she taught Chinese 2, Chinese 3, and Chinese 4 Pre-AP. She has also become involved in the science department: she gave a Journal Club presentation in 2015 and became an IRT mentor this year. Ms. Wang guided Brian Li (Form IV), Josie Jahng (V), and Emily Sanchez (IV) with the Biogas IRT project.

Ms. Wang has enjoyed her time at Pingry and made great connections with both faculty and staff. “I think the people are very kind and supportive here, she said, “and the staff and faculty work in harmony.” It’s an atmosphere she will miss.

Her favorite part of working at Pingry was that “it was such a pleasure to teach students of diverse backgrounds.” She considered it “a unique opportunity” to teach so many different students who have enjoyed a variety of cultural experiences.

By working at Pingry, she “learned a lot.” She said, “Pingry has a unique culture and a very close community. I learned a lot of American culture from Pingry.” She will carry her memories from Pingry with her into her future endeavors and careers.

She has impacted students and her fellow faculty throughout the year with her genuine love of teaching and her respect for students. Leo Zhu (V), who was Ms. Wang’s student for three years, said, “Wang Laoshi is very flexible and understanding. She is aware of the busy-ness of junior year and is accommodating to make sure that you can put your full efforts into everything.”

In fact, this own writer’s Chinese ability has improved greatly as a student of hers. All her students will miss talking to Wang Laoshi in the language office.

Seasoned Teacher, Advisor, and Mentor Señora Godfrey Will Be Missed By All

Jun 10, 2018 | Faculty + Staff

Seasoned Teacher, Advisor, and Mentor Señora Godfrey Will Be Missed By All

By Martha LeWand (IV)

After nineteen years of serving the Pingry community, seasoned teacher Señora Malla Godfrey is retiring.

After graduating from Syracuse in 1969, Sra. Godfrey started her teaching career at Milburn High School in Milburn, New Jersey. From there, she moved to Connecticut to teach at Low Heywood Thomas, a girls’ school in Stamford. After ten years, she left teaching to raise a family and start a business. When she and her family moved back to New Jersey, her two daughters, Dana (’94) and Avery (’03), attended Pingry, while her son, Jason, decided not to be known as “the third daughter” and went to Morristown-Beard.

Sra. Godfrey became a teacher at Pingry in 1999, while her daughter Avery was a student. Since then, she has taught multiple levels of Spanish. This past year, she taught upper school students at levels 2/3 and 4. During her long tenure, Sra. Godfrey has been an advisor to not only her students, but to the ski team and Quiz Bowl.

Reflecting upon her time at Pingry, Sra. Godfrey credits all of her past and current students for having the most notable impact on her life.

“I love being with the students,” she noted. “Pingry has provided me with the opportunity to work with such amazing kids and help them accomplish their goals despite the stress.”

When asked about a favorite memory, Sra. Godfrey again emphasized the focus on the students.

“My goal as a teacher is to encourage kids to have fun learning,” she said. “Being with my students every day, sharing the good and bad times, seeing them smile from ear to ear when they accomplish something and not falling apart if they occasionally crash, — all of that has motivated me to get up every day.”

She hopes to be back at Pingry as a substitute and visitor in the years to come!

Dr. Desimone Leaves a Legacy of Historical Scholarship

Jun 10, 2018 | Faculty + Staff

Dr. Desimone Leaves a Legacy of Historical Scholarship

By Udochi Emeghara (V)

After exactly 20 years, the beloved Dr. Al Desimone is leaving Pingry. Appointed in 1998, Dr. Desimone has been an integral part of the Basking Ridge campus. He has been the faculty advisor for Pingry’s Vital Signs and headed Model Congress for 10 years of his tenure here.

Dr. Desimone attended Harvard as an undergraduate. He then went on to the University of Massachusetts for his M.A. and Ph.D. Dr. Desimone taught at the Nichols School in Buffalo for seventeen years where he taught AP US History. Following his tenure there, he came to Pingry.

Initially, Dr.DeSimone primarily taught AP US History, but in his second year, a teacher was needed to teach AP Government. Thus, he has been teaching AP Government and AP US History every year except this 2017-2018 year when he only taught AP Government.

As stated before, Dr. Desimone headed Model Congress for about ten years. In his third year, students in his AP Government class wanted to establish a Model Congress team (the school already has Model UN but nothing that focused on Congress). Eventually, Mrs. Madeline Landau, the teacher who had initiated and advised the student-edited publication Vital Signs, retired, so Dr. Desimone took over that project.

As it was under Mrs. Landau, the purpose of Vital Signs had been to allow students to research important issues in politics, society, and world affairs and develop articles that accurately explore the nuances of these issues. Under his leadership, the paper grew to include a wider variety of perspectives on current world issues.

As he retires, Dr. Desimone stated that he would like to pick up hobbies that he had to leave due to time issues. He hopes to read more literature and write articles about historical events and how they are relevant to society today. He also looks forward to traveling with his wife and spending time with his son and daughter-in-law and their 15 month-old daughter in NYC.

Still, he states that he will miss his colleagues and students as he closes this chapter in his life. He also hopes that as Pingry continues to expand its academic and extracurricular scope, the students will still have time to give their best effort to all their activities, whether it be academics, the arts, athletics, or other extracurriculars. In Dr. Desimone’s words, “our virtues are our vices.” As members of the Pingry community, we are often extremely busy and are pulled in a million different directions. As a result, we do not spend as much time on certain tasks that we should or would like to because we do not have enough time. Hopefully, we as a community can take Dr. Desimone’s advice.

The Pingry community wishes Dr. Desimone a good retirement!

We also wish farewell to Ms. Barbara Conroy, Mr. Brian Smith, and Ms. Theresa O’Byrne!

Teacher and Coach Mr. Forte Departs after an Unforgettable 36 Years

Jun 10, 2018 | Faculty + Staff

by Ketaki Tavan (V)

Mr. Joe Forte is known by many names. Joe to his friends, Coach Forte to those he has inspired and coached, and Mr. Forte to his students that he has taught over the years, 36 to be exact.

Mr. Forte is part of the Magistri faculty, faculty with more than 25 years tenure, beginning his career in the Hillside campus in 1982. He was originally a physical education and health teacher before becoming the department head for physical education. He was also the Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Wrestling and Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Golf, although according to his friend and colleague, Mr. Doug Scott, “the funny thing is that when he took over the golf job thirty years ago, he didn’t know how to golf. He learned how to golf along with the players. He’s a hall of fame coach now.”

Coach Forte was inducted into the NJSCA Hall of Fame in 2015, during his 29th year coaching the team. In that same year, he led the team to three NJSIAA State Championships, five NJSIAA Sectional Championships, four Prep State Championships, and four conference championships. While he coached wrestling, he produced many county, district, prep state, regional, and state champions.

One of Mr. Forte most memorable contributions to the school was the garden located outside the cafeteria. He created the garden alongside Ms. Shelley Hartz, who when asked about her experience with Mr. Forte said, “Building the garden with Joe Forte was one of my best memories at Pingry. It gave me an opportunity to work with someone that I really didn’t know and build a relationship with him, and certainly to learn from him about the garden. I believe that the success of the garden is a result of Joe.” Since its introduction to the school, the garden has been the classroom for both the middle school and high school in which it has hosted numerous garden lunches and sustainability courses.

“We look at the auxiliary department and all the things they do with rentals and stuff, we look at the classes now that are in the garden and the outdoor ed and the farm team. We forget that before all of that, someone had to be the first to say I’ll try. Mr. Forte was the first one to say, ‘I’ll try’.” Mr. Scott, said, adding that Mr. Forte “will never tell you any of this stuff.”

Others agree that Mr. Forte will always be remembered for his open mind and open heart. He was the head of the Big Blue Summer Day Camp and conducted numerous clinics. He and his wife continue to take part in fundraisers for veterans, cancer, and those who are less fortunate. Active in the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program, he raised money alongside then co-captain of the Boys’ Varsity Golf team, Jake Mayer ’17, to honor an alum who gave his life to protect one of his own men.

Mr. Joe Forte has given a lot to the school over the course of 36 years. He created a garden, contributed to athletic achievements, taught classes, directed camps, and fundraised. Though, he himself is leaving the Pingry community, he leaves behind a significant legacy

Beloved Spanish Teacher and Can Drive Organizer Señor Nazario Retires

Jun 10, 2018 | Faculty + Staff, Featured

by Darlene Fung (V)

After 41 years of teaching Spanish, coaching, and running the annual holiday can drive at Pingry, Señor Victor Nazario is retiring.

Teaching and education have always been a part of Sr. Nazario’s life. “Academics has always been in my house,” he said. “We didn’t have a TV, so my grandfather read all the classics to me”. He also grew up with three aunts, all of whom were teachers, and in school, he always helped his classmates with their Spanish work.

Before coming to Pingry, Sr. Nazario taught, coached, and worked in a department store all at once. One day at the department store, he met Bill Lionetti, former head of Pingry’s language department, who mentioned that Pingry was looking for a Spanish teacher. Mr. Leonetti invited Sr. Nazario to his house to chat, and then introduced Sr. Nazario to the headmaster, Mr. Cunningham, who eventually hired him.

In addition to teaching and coaching, Sr. Nazario has also contributed greatly to the Pingry community through his annual holiday can drive. This past year, the Upper School raised over 1,000 pounds of cans this year, far more than ever raised before. Sr. Nazario started doing the can drive during his second year at Pingry. As he explains his involvement, “The assistant head of the school came to me and said ‘Vic, I think you can take care of this’, and that was it”.

He then met Ms. Rosa Floyd, who collected all the donated cans at her organization in Elizabeth, NJ, and became his role model for the years to come. Sr. Nazario said, “Everyone should have a Rosa Floyd in their life. She always gave, without asking for anything. Towards the end, she was using money that should have gone towards her medication, and giving it to those she said needed it more.” With Ms. Floyd as his example, Sr. Nazario was never fixated on number of cans he wanted people to donate. “I just wanted to give and help as many people as possible,” he said.

One piece of advice from his years of teaching that Sr. Nazario would like to give Pingry students and faculty alike is to follow your passions. He says, “You must love what you do, but you cannot make that thing the only aspect of your life. You should make it the central pole around which you build the rest of your life”.

One of Sr. Nazario’s favorite parts about teaching at Pingry is the camaraderie between the teachers in the language department. “We’re always trying to tickle ideas and see what we can done using our creativity,” he said.

Along with his fellow language teachers, Sr. Nazario will also greatly miss the students, who challenge and bring him joy every day.
“To tell you the truth, he said, “the kids are what I am going to miss the most from Pingry.”

The 1902 Emblem and Magistri Laudandi Emblem

Jun 10, 2018 | School News

The 1902 Emblem

The Class of 1902 Emblem is awarded to Josephine Cummings of the Class of 2018, who, while at The Pingry School, by the efficiency and the amount of service and loyalty of attitude has done the most for the school, and who has been judged therefore by schoolfellows and faculty to have shown of them all the greatest amount of school spirit.

The Class of 1902 Emblem represents the highest ideals of The Pingry School. The nominees chosen by their classmates and faculty are considered to embody the very principles of integrity and service that lie at the heart of the institution. Thus, even to be nominated for this award is regarded as a paramount honor.

Years at Pingry: 4
Trademark Characteristics: Hard-working, compassionate, adventurous
Activities: Student Government, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Winter Track, Green Group, fyi sci, Outing Club
College Plans: Yale (after a gap year!)
Career Possibilities: Something that makes me happy (hopefully!) Favorite Memory at Pingry: Lying on the turf with the Field Hockey team after our last game and listening to music and talking about all “the moments of gold” that we had together. (and crying)
What I’ll Take Away: Sleep deprivation… but also a love of learning beyond anything I could have imagined, amazing memories, and the knowledge that being a good person matters more than pretty much anything.
What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Don’t let the stress overwhelm you. Before you know it you’ll be asking yourself where the time went and why you spent just a littttttle too much time studying. The friendships and memories you make will be the things you want to remember after high school ends.

Josephine Cummings

Clyde Leef

The Magistri Laudandi Emblem

In every class, there is one student who graciously gives of him/herself to help theschool and fellow students, who demonstrates a personal integrity and generosity that inspire thebest in others. This person’s own achievements are many, yet his/her sense of purpose is to the greater good. While others may be identi ed as”the student most likely to succeed,” this person is prized as “the student who helps all succeed.”

The Magistri Laudandi Award is awarded to Clyde Leef.

Years at Pingry: 13
Trademark Characteristics: Green water bottle, Math help
Activities: Football, Peer Leadership, Pottery, Tutoring
College Plans: Georgetown University
Career Possibilities: Hopefully Favorite Memory at Pingry: Football season, especially preseason. Spending all day with the closest group of people and working hard in a common pursuit of the same goal is extremely rewarding
What I’ll Take Away: It’s about how hard you work, not the end product. My most ful lling classes were de nitely not my best grades. Separately, it’s not all about working. Taking time for yourself and whatever makes you happy is the key to staying on track.
What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: It’s ok to not be ok — find a person/people you can trust and allow yourself to be open.

Nominees for 1902 Emblem (E) and Magistri Laudandi (M) Awards

Arnav Agrawal (M)

Years at Pingry: Only 3 🙁
Trademark characteristics: Outgoing, copious amount of nicknames, honest, wears nothing but Pingry Soccer shirts
Activities: Soccer, Tennis, Entrepreneurship Club, FBLA
College Plans: Cornell!
Career Possibilities: No idea
Favorite Memory at Pingry: Singing ‘Coming Home’ on the bus on the Soccer Trip in Spain, playing in the Student-Faculty Basketball game

What you’ll take away: The amazing community I’ve met at Pingry, from friends to teachers to coaches. Coming to Pingry sophomore year was the best decision of my life.
What piece of advice would you give to under- classmen? You’re so lucky to be attending Pingry. Make the most of it by getting to know your teach- ers and the rest of the students. Don’t be afraid to try new things or talk to someone you don’t know. Also, you can always relearn coursework, but you can never re-attend the party you missed.

Naiyah Atulomah (M)

Years at Pingry: 7
Trademark Characteristics: Kind, helpful, and relatively optimistic
Activities: Swimming, Community Service Club, iRT, Girl Scouts, Baking
College Plans: Johns Hopkins University

Career Possibilities: As of now, I’m thinking of becoming a Biomolecular Engineer or a medical researcher
Favorite Memory at Pingry: Winning Prep Championships and seeing the entire girls swim team at the edge of the pool cheering on our team- mates. It was amazing to see everyone swimming their fastest and showing great sportsmanship.

What I’ll Take Away: I have learned to havecon dence in the work I do because Pingry hastaught me that if I put the time and effort into my work, I will see the results.
What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Don’t be scared to join different clubs and talk to new people, you never know when else you will have this opportunity.

Ouarida Benatia (E, M)

Years at Pingry: 7
Trademark Characteristics: Always smiling, Always laughing until my sides hurt, Always exchanging life stories with strangersActivities: Stage manager for the Fall Play and the Winter Musical, FYI SCI Blog Manager, AFS Leadership, Peer Leadership, Blue Key, Outing Club, Daphnia Research Enthusiast, Babysitter for the (wonderful) Webster Family, Volunteer EMT
College Plans: Northeastern University!!!
Career Possibilities: Itinerant surgeon serving underprivileged areas abroad, A judge after that
Favorite Memory at Pingry: The day I gave my speech on honor for the Honor Board Speaker Series, I was also asked to provide the closing word for The Pingry Review. Everyone around me was so supportive and so wonderful and I truly felt the Pingry love.

What I’ll Take Away: Growing up, I was notoriously shy and kept to myself (it was written in every single report card comment I had received in elementary school). By being at Pingry and learning from the people I look up to in this environment, I have been able to step out of my bubble and get to know more of the people in our community. I will take away my newfound passion for wanting to know more about people in my life that I might not have stopped to talk to before, whether that be a teacher or a maintenance worker or a student I smile at every day in the halls.
What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Say “YES” more. During my junior year, I decided that I would “say yes” and sign up for almost everything announced at each morning meeting- whether that be an Outing Club campout or a Bridges Run or an opening for an FYI SCI position. That is how I got involved with 90% of the activities I participate in today- I can’t imagine how dull my life would be without that. Also, go tothe after-talks/ discussions for every in uential speaker at Pingry.It’s a whole other presentation in itself and the wealth of knowledge you can attain from these people is unbelievable. So just ask yourteachers to go and let the in uence ensue! You never know whatpiece of advice can change the path of your life forever.

Jacqueline Chang (E, M)

Years at Pingry: 8

Trademark Characteristics: shortest in the grade (hi Shruti!), amicable, spirited, caringActivities: EMT, Student Government, iRT, Hu- mans of Pingry, Varsity Track & Field, Varsity Swim Team (manager)

College Plans: Johns Hopkins University 2022! #gobluejays (Hi Naiyah!)

Career Possibilities: Med school? Doctoring? I’m only 18!! (help)

Favorite Memory at Pingry: Heelying [with red and green lights] around the school the last day before winter break

What I’ll Take Away: life-long friendships <3, dope selfies with the Class of 2018, bragging rights on my Membean level (5)

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Take it all in. It’s over faster than you would expect. Also, always say hi to Mr. Keating in the hallway.

Sehyr Khan (M)

Years at Pingry: 8

Trademark Characteristics: Avid proponent of whole- some memes, hummus memes, and dog memes. I am always running in the hallways probably because I think I’m late because my watch is two minutes ahead of the Pingry clocks. I describe people I admire as “cinnamon rolls” and I love and hate myself for it.

Activities: Balladeers, Fyi-Sci, SDLC, Pingry Girls XC and Track, Peer Leadership, and Blue Key

College Plans: Wellesley College

Career Possibilities: I am obsessed with ophthalmol- ogy and world languages, hopefully I do something that combines the two.

Favorite Memory at Pingry: That’s hard, but it’s most likely the day the girl’s XC team came third at states this past fall. I had nothing to do with the win, but I was so proud to see my peers attain their goals together and be a witness of the culmination of everyone’s hard work. It made me so proud as a young woman and Pingrian. I also really loved the mornings I spent in the Chemistryand Physics of ce with Mr. Grant and the coolest groupof teachers ever, they made a tough year so much better without realizing it. Another was when my hummus pa- nini didn’t stick to the parchment paper sophomore year, it hasn’t happened since. Sorry, I didn’t stick to only one.

What I’ll Take Away: The wonderful educational ex- periences I had with all of my teachers, I am eternally grateful for them. Also, a fork from the cafeteria.

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: I cannot give just one piece so here are two: talk to everyone, give every person and every thing a shot, you never know who or what could positively impact you. Also, eat well, drink water, and take no one’s non- sense, you have a world to change.

Jared Lefkort (M)

Years at Pingry: 8

Trademark Characteristics: always laughing, scientist, friendly, kind, intelligent, outgoing

Activities: FYI Sci, tennis, Junior Academy of the New York Academy of Sciences, Peer Leadership, SMART Team, Blue Key, Journal Club Presenter, Volunteer at Trinitas Hospital

College Plans: University of Pennsylvania – planning on majoring in Health and Societies with a concentration in Global Health

Career Possibilities: Doctor/public health/health policy

Favorite Memory at Pingry: Boundary breaking on the Senior Peer Leadership retreat, I have never felt closer or more supported by my peers in all of my time at Pingry.

What I’ll Take Away: Pingry has provided me with many unique opportunities and the skills to positively impact the people around me and has taught me to pursue what makes me happy.

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Take advantage of all of the opportunities you can at Pingry, try new things and reach out to people you never thought you would be friends with, you’ll be surprised how much life can change in four years.

Shruti Sagar (M)

Years at Pingry: 10

Trademark Characteristics: passionate, trustworthy, practical, friendly

Activities: field hockey, peer leadership, IRT

College Plans: Tufts University

Career Possibilities: Something public health, biology, or research related. I’m not really sure, I just know that I want to use my interests to help people and make the world a better place.

Favorite Memory at Pingry: There are so many, but two that stand out are the senior peer leadership retreat in June or singing “Maybe I’m Crazy” and “Phoenix” with our entire grade on the last day before winter break and ISP.

What I’ll Take Away: Getting to know people and having meaningful conversations with them is more important than any academic or extracurricular accomplishment or accolade. In other words, it’s nice to be important, but it is way more important to be nice. Every single person at Pingry has a story, and there is something really cool and unique to be learned by everyone about everyone if you let yourself do so.

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Your happiness, stress, sadness, or excitement is just as valid as the person next to you. Don’t compare yourself to others, because you are just as worthy of success and even of failure as the people you surround yourself with. Also, go to as many games, concerts, performances, and research exhibits as you can, and just try to get to know as many people as you can. It’s really cool to see your classmates get excited about the things they love, and it’s really inspiring to know that you are surrounded by a generation of future change makers. You never know what or who you will nd that will impact your life in the most random yet meaningful way.

Rachel Chen (E, M)

Years at Pingry: 7

Trademark Characteristics: Smiling a lot, always on my way to a meeting, writing sappy goodbye letters, listening to Disney and showtunes unironically, napping in the library, liking dogs more than babies

Activities: Squash, The Record, IRT, Student Gov- ernment, SDLC, Pingry Politics, Lebow

College Plans: Harvard University

Career Possibilities: Open to anything! Possiblymedicine, probably not nance

Favorite Memory at Pingry: Competing in Lebow: the first year because I found an empowering passionin public speaking, and the second year because afterwinning the rst year, I had the platform to deliversome real talk (and defend SAGE dining!) to the whole school.

What I’ll Take Away: An appreciation for thedif culties of zebra sh husbandry and newspaperediting; the ability to crank out essays under time pressure; love and respect for the patience of some teachers; and six years of unforgettable friendship and memories.

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Find something that you love and devote yourself to it! And then, more importantly, go out of your way to support other people in the things that they love.

Jennifer Coyne (E, M)

Years at Pingry: 4

Trademark Characteristics: Blunt, overly- friendly, short, extra-gluten, always on Membean

Activities: Field hockey, Handbells, Credit Union, IRT, Swimming (ha!), Lacrosse, Outing Club

College Plans: Yale University

Career Possibilities: Honestly anything except a doctor (thanks mom and dad!)

Favorite Memory at Pingry: That time we all sang Phoenix and Maybe I’m Crazy before winter break

What I’ll Take Away: Forming and nurturing relationships with people supersedes everything

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Fail early and fail often! Getting consecutive 62% and 58% on math exams is not the worst thing in the world (I speak from experience, and I am sorry, Trem.). Remember to have fun, because the good ol’ days are now!

Alexis Elliot (E, M)

Years at Pingry: 13

Trademark Characteristics: Compassionate, driven, confident, outgoing, humble, savvy

Activities: The Pingry Record, Founder of EduPair, Peer Leader, Varsity Soccer, Honor Board, SDLC, BasketballCollege Plans: Harvard University

Career Possibilities: Diplomacy and International Business

Favorite Memory at Pingry: Playing on the World Cupeld with all of my sisters from PGS

What I’ll Take Away: Some of the best friendships and most interesting people! And if you set your mind on a goal, the path to get there may not be straight, and you may not even reach it. But if you keep working at it, you’ll look back on the growth you’ve achieved and be a better person for it.

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Find out what you’re good at, and try to capitalize on it as much as possible. It not only will help you be successful, but will also give you something positive to add to the Pingry community. And while you go through high school, it’s easy to fall into the trap of being focused on your individual pursuits. Try and break out ofthat mold and be sel ess with your actions. Take time tolearn about other people and build lasting relationships because at the end of the day, those are what matter most.

Iman Khan (M)

Years at Pingry: 8

Trademark Characteristics: Kind, loving, wise caring

Activities: Community service work/helping others, singing, ahhh idk what else to putCollege Plans: TBD, but as of now, Rutgers University NBCareer

Possibilities: International human rights lawyer or working for the UN

Favorite Memory at Pingry: Mohammad al Samawi coming to speak

What I’ll Take Away: The importance of having people who genuinely care about you in the faculty and staff — how transformative it can beespecially when you are going through a difficulttime in life in general and school is feeling the strongest consequence of it

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Work hard, love harder and be kind to one another. You all need each other. This is such a sensitive time for many of you and just that one smile or one conversation with another person can make the biggest difference in someone’s life.

Jackson Proudfoot (E)

Years at Pingry: 4

Trademark Characteristics: Driven, passionate, that computer kid

Activities: Outing Club, Robotics, STC, iRTCollege Plans: Duke University

Career Possibilities: Computer Engineer

Favorite Memory at Pingry: The backpacking trip to Grand Gulch, Utah during Spring Break of my Junior year.

What I’ll Take Away: The realization that everyone has their own story and an appreciation for all of the people who have helped me get to where I am today and who will help me get to where I am going tomorrow.

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: If you stop trying new things you may never discover some hidden passion trapped inside of you waiting to be released.

Alexandra Pyne (E, M)

Years at Pingry: 7

Trademark Characteristics: Kind, passionate, genuine, and lively

Activities: Honor Board, Soccer, Basketball, Fyi Sci, Peer Leadership 🙂

College Plans: Yes, I plan to go to college!

Career Possibilities: I’m open to anything…may- be something in biology, psychology, or education?

Favorite Memory at Pingry: Soccer practices and games with my PGS sisters and basketball workouts in the BAC!

What I’ll Take Away: Incredible friendships,insights from great teachers, self-con dence, andan unhealthy number of bagels consumed

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Be kind, work hard, and do what makes you happy.

Madeleine Parrish (M)

Years at Pingry: 8

Trademark Characteristics: Loves everyone, optimistic, kind, coffee addict

Activities: Peer leadership, softball, student government, humanities research

College Plans: University of Chicago

Career Possibilities: Something in government or public service, or maybe law, maybe journalism, we’ll see

Favorite Memory at Pingry: Peer leadership retreat, and the time we blasted Maybe I’m Crazy, Phoenix, and Silence in the senior area and all knew every lyric.

What I’ll Take Away: Lifelong friendships and a community of people to always root for

What Piece of Advice Would You Give to Underclassmen?: Every single one of your classmates has something they are passionate about and you have so much to learn from them – foster relationships with as many of them as you can

Senior Awards – Class of 2018

Jun 10, 2018 | School News

Academic Awards

John R. Whittemore ‘47 Biology Award – Jacqueline Chang, Alexandra Pyne

Ernest C. Shawcross Chemistry Award – Jennifer Fish, Graham Matthews

Physics Award – Jennifer Fish, Graham Matthews

Science Book Award – Rachel Chen, Ami Gianchandani

Science Research Award – Jennifer Coyne, Mitchell Pavlak

Science In Society Award – Raquel Gomez, Alexandra Pyne

Whitlock Prize for Math – Jennifer Fish, Clyde Leef

Advanced Math Prize – Josephine Cummings, Ami Gianchandani

Computer Science Prize – Jessica Li, Jackson Proudfoot

Economics Prize – Michael Lu, Aloysius McLaughlin

Robotics Prize – Jackson Proudfoot

Union College Casmir A. France Award for Excellence in English – Jennifer Coyne, Ryan Fuentes

Paul H. and Sarah Rouslin Excellence in English Award – Jennifer Fish, Megan Pan

Martin B. O’Connor ’26 Journalism Award – Rachel Chen, Megan Pan

Yearbook Award – Brooke Murphy

Justin Society Award Competition

Prize for a Body of Work: Megan Pan

Prize for Drama: Alyssa Chen

Prize for Flash Fiction: Maya Huffman

Prize for Poetry: Alyssa Chen

Prize for Memoir: Namita Davey

Jean S. MacDonald History Prize – Maya Huffman, Madeleine Parrish

Psychology Prize – Giancarlo Castillo

Language Prize

Chinese: Ethan Chung, Rebecca Lin

French: Jennifer Coyne, Josephine Cummings

German: Michael Lu

Spanish: Arnav Agrawal, Jason Weiss

Advanced Language Prize

Chinese: Naiyah Atulomah, Alexandra Pyne

French: Alyssa Chen, Megan Pan

German: Aidan Dillon

Latin: Lindsey Yu

Spanish: Alexis Elliot, Madeleine Parrish

The DeGryse Prize in Modern European Languages – Raquel Gomez

Arts & Drama

Director’s Award for Achievement in Dramatic Arts – Megan Pan

Drama Department Stage Manager Prize – Ouarida Benatia

Drama Department Award for Technical Theatre – Sidney Shannon

Michael E. Popp Photography Prize – Conor Mahoney

Brendan J. Donahue ’79 Memorial Prize for Fine Arts – Nicolas Ladino

Brendan J. Donahue ’79 Memorial Prize for Pottery and Sculpture – Clyde Leef, John Patterson

Barbara Berlin Prize in Art History – Sehyr Khan

Music Award – Maya Huffman

School Service & Leadership

Michael Jupka, Jr. ‘76 Blue Key Award – Sehyr Khan

Community Service Award – Naiyah Atulomah, Alexandra Brauer

Paul R. Leary ‘90 Award – Madeleine Parrish, Tyler Williams

John Taylor Babbitt ‘07 Award – Myla Stovall, Owen Wolfson

Student Government Achievement Award – Michael Weber

Special Awards

The Pingry School Gift To Our AFS Student – Asja Alispahic

Pingry School Parents’ Association Women’s Sports Award – Ami Gianchandani

Centennial Cup — Gift of the Class of ’61 – Chukwumaobim Nnaeto

Sandy Apruzzese Big Blue Award – Sana Sheikh

Class of ’26 Reese Williams Award – Emma Lombardo

C. B. Newton Pingry-Princeton Scholarship Prize – Megan Pan

The Elizabeth Allan Smith ‘83 Memorial Pingry-Duke Scholarship Prize – Jackson Proudfoot

Faculty Prize – Phito Jean-Louis

Charles B. Atwater Valedictory Award – Alyssa Chen

The Henry G. Stifel III Award – Joei Drozjock

Advanced Placement Scholars

Alexandra Brauer

Colin Edwards

Graham Matthews

Elle Braverman

Mitchell Flugstad-Clarke

Jackson Proudfoot

Jacqueline Chang

Jonathan Huang

Alexandra Pyne

Namita Davey

Sehyr Khan

Owen Wolfson

Sydney Davis

Nicolas Ladino

Advanced Placement Scholars with Honor

Naiyah Atulomah Sanford Ren

Krish Bhavnani Cynthia Scott

Jennifer Fish Wallace Truesdale

Maya Huffman Alison Verdesca Jeremy Lister

Advanced Placement Scholars with Distinction

Alyssa Chen

Dhruv Govil

Vineil Reddy

Rachel Chen

Jessica Li

Melissa Tungare

Raymond Chen

Michael Lu

Lauren Yu

Ethan Chung

Megan Pan

William Zhang

William Fallon

Madeleine Parrish

National Advanced Placement Scholar

Alyssa Chen

Raymond Chen

William Fallon

Cum Laude Society

Arnav Agrawal

Naiyah Atulomah

Elle Braverman

Jacqueline Chang

Alyssa Chen

Rachel Chen

Raymond Chen

Jennifer Coyne

Josephine Cummings

Namita Davey

Catherine Drovetsky

Alexis Elliot

Jennifer Fish

Ryan Fuentes

Ami Gianchandani

Maya Huffman

Clyde Leef

Jessica Li

Graham Matthews

Megan Pan

Mitchell Pavlak

Jackson Proudfoot

Alexandra Pyne

Vineil Reddy

Wallace Truesdale

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students

Arnav Agrawal William Fallon

Krish Bhavnani Jennifer Fish

Raymond Chen Jonathan Huang

Catherine Drovetsky Clyde Leef

Colin Edwards Rebecca Li Michael Lu

Graham Matthews Matthew Stanton

Madeleine Parrish Wallace Truesdale

Kassidy Peterson Melissa Tungare

Bao Pham

Jason Weiss

Jackson Proudfoot Lauren Yu

Alexandra Pyne

National Merit Scholarship Finalists

Alyssa Chen Namita Davey Megan Pan

Rachel Chen Jessica Li Mitchell Pavlak

Ethan Chung Jeremy Lister Vineil Reddy

Jennifer Coyne Conor Mahoney William Zhang

National Merit Scholars

Alyssa Chen Rachel Chen

National Hispanic Recognition

Program Scholars

Elle Braverman Benjamin Ramos

Maxwell Sanchez Raquel Gomez

Presidential Scholar Candidates

Jessica Li

Scholar Athlete Awards

Cipriano Family Scholar-Athlete Award – Jennifer Coyne, Clyde Leef

Somerset County Scholar-Athletes – Ami Gianchandani, Victor Vollbrecthausen

Skyland Conference – Aidan Dillon, Mairead Higgins

NJSIAA (State) – Kassidy Peterson

NJISAA (Independent Schools) – Krish Bhavnani, Rachel Chen

Athletics Awards

Girls’ Cross-Country Award – Anna Wood

Boys’ Cross-Country Award – Colin Edwards

Andrea Montague Field Hockey Award – Myla Stovall

Tom Boyer Football Award – Clyde Leef, Chukwumaobim Nnaeto

Michael Jupka, Jr. ’76 Football Award – Thomas Dugan, Andrew Weaver

Timothy C. Cornwall ’64 Boys’ Soccer Sportsmanship Award – Mitchell Flugstad-Clarke, Vineil Reddy

Dick Gradwohl Boys’ Soccer Cup for Most Team Spirit – Alexy Alin-Hvidsten, Wallace Truesdale, Owen Wolfson

Elizabeth Allan Smith ’83 Girls’ Soccer Award – Alexis Elliot

John R. Dufford, Jr. Tennis Trophy – Brooke Murphy, Lindsey Yu

Water Polo Award – William Fallon, Victor Volbrechtausen, Matthew Stanton

Frank L. Romano Boys’ Basketball Award – Zachary Aanstoots, Michael Weber

Joe LaValley Boys’ Basketball Award – Phito Jean-Louis

David M. Allan Memorial Girls’ Basketball Award – Megan Horn, Ally Pyne

Virginia Nazario Fencing Award – Malcolm Fields, Aubrey Molloy

Varsity Boys’ Ice Hockey Award – George Enman

Girls’ Ice Hockey Award – Caroline Petrow-Cohen

Girls’ Ski Team Award – Lindsey Hogan

Boys’ Ski Team Award – Nicolas Ladino

Girls’ Squash Team Award – Namita Davey

Boys’ Squash Team Award – Krish Bhavnani

Boys’ Swimming Award – Victor Volbrechtausen

Ashley G. Marsh and Family Swimming Award – Naiyah Atulomah

Michael Jupka, Jr. ’76 Wrestling Award – Aidan Dillon

Girls’ Winter Track Award – Avery Schiffman, Anna Wood

Boys’ Winter Track Award – Benjamin Vazquez

Class of 1935 Graham Churchill Baseball Award – Max Scherzer

Girls’ Golf Award – Ami Gianchandani

Boys’ Golf Award – William Capanna

Richard C. Weiler Boys’ Lacrosse Award – Jason Weiss

Girls’ Lacrosse Sportsmanship Award – Sana Sheikh

Pingry Girls’ Lacrosse Cup – Mairead Higgins, Shea Smith

Pingry Softball Award – Madeleine Parrish, Kassidy Peterson

Boys’ Tennis Award – Nikhil Rao

Boys’ Track Award – Zachary Aanstoots, Benjamin Vazquez

Richard G. Gradwohl Girls’ Track Award – Avery Schiffman, Sophia Weldon

Twelve Letter Award – Connor Smith, Anna Wood