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.
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!
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!
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
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.”
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.
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
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
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 Hispanic Recognition
Program Scholars
Elle Braverman Benjamin Ramos
Maxwell Sanchez Raquel Gomez
Presidential Scholar Candidates
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
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Grace Wang (III)
Girls’ squash has enjoyed a successful season this year. Players Renee Chan (IV), Rachel Chen (VI), Mahek Hemani (III), and Alisa Chokshi (V) led the team to a final placement of eleventh at High School Squash Nationals.
Each player on the team had great records. Some outstanding records were held by Chen, who finished the season at 4-2, Hemani, who finished at 5-1, and Lauren Drzala (III), who finished at 2-2.
The team played multiple matches over the course of their season, winning against schools Blair Academy 5-2 and 7-0, Poly Prep 5-2 and 7-0, SCHA 5-2, and Penn Charter 4-3, and losing to Lawrenceville 1-6, Greenwich Academy 0-7, and Choate Rosemary Hall 3-4.
The team traveled to Philadelphia for the High School Team National Championships seeded 16th, the bottom of Division 1. However, with great effort and skill, they were able to walk away with the eleventh-place title.
Individuals Chen and Chan competed in the NJ High School Squash Championship on January 7, with Chan walking away with the win. Both Chen and Chan competed at US Squash Junior Nationals last year with teammate Alisa Chokshi; their success further demonstrates the aptitude of the team.
Girls’ squash not only had successful individuals but also “a lot of team bonding,” according to newcomer Eva Schiller (III). “The team is really close-knit.”
While captains Chen and Namita Davey (VI) will be leaving this year, the team is sure to continue to produce exceptional performances in the years to come.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Grace Wang (III)
Boys’ squash had a successful season this year, boasting a 6-0 record. Players Krish Bhavnani (VI), Chris Zachary (V), Collin Wen (IV), Alex Chiang (IV), Jeffrey Xiao (V), Waleed Nisar (IV), and Jason Lefkort (III) were this year’s members of the varsity team, which placed fifteenth at High School Nationals.
Some outstanding records were held by Zachary, who maintained 5-2; Wen, who upheld 6-1; Chiang, who ended at 5-2; and Xiao, who finished with 4-3.
The team dominated many matches this season, winning against Blair Academy 7-0 twice, Princeton Day 7-0, Poly Prep 7-0, Rumson Fair Haven 7-0, Delbarton 7-0 and 5-2, Milburn 6-1, Lawrenceville 4-3, and Shipley 5-2. Pingry lost to SCH 2-5, Haverford 0-7, and Brooks School 3-4.
The team traveled to Philadelphia for the High School Team National Championships seeded sixteenth going in, and, as stated earlier, they left the competition placing fifteenth.
During the season, Bhavnani and Zachary competed in the NJ High School Squash Championship on January 7, with Bhavnani walking away with the win. Bhavnani claimed the team’s sixth consecutive win of the championship title by winning 3-1 over Zachary.
Though Bhavnani will be leaving this year, the team will keep their sights on a seventh consecutive win and aim to continue performing exceptionally in the years to come.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Nick Robinson (V)
The girls’ winter track team has had a remarkable season. The team came in third place at the State Relay Championships, second place at the Skyland Conference championships, and tied for first at the Prep State championships. In addition, the team had three first-place finishes at the Varsity Classic Meet from Nikki Vanasse (IV) in the 1600 meters, Ryan Davi (III) in the 800 meters, and Caroline Dannenbaum (IV) in the pole vault.
Coach Chris Shilts commented on the team’s achievements, explaining “We come from a lot of different angles.” He also credited the success to good leadership from captains Anna Wood (VI) and Avery Schiffman (VI).
Coach Shilts said his goal for the team next year is to “keep getting better with commitment to the team.” In addition, Cathleen Parker (V) said, “Next year, we want to win more meets throughout the season, send more runners to selective invitationals, and win States.”
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Nick Robinson (V)
The boys’ winter track team has had a great season this winter. The team came in second place at the State Relay Championships, a significantly better showing than that of last year. The team also came in third place at the Prep Championships, another big step up.
Captain Ben Vazquez (VI) said, “Despite many injuries, we stayed very strong throughout the season.”
Vazquez has had some incredible races in the 800 meter. Additionally, Tyler Williams (VI) and Henry Wood (III) excelled in the 400 and 1600 meter races respectively.
Coach Mr. Christopher Shilts said, “We only had ten boys; we overachieved.” Regarding the team captains, Mr. Shilts said, “Tyler and Ben have quietly become great leaders.”
Looking forward to next winter, Mr. Shilts said he wants to “get more boys out next year” and focus more on commitment to the team.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Alison Lee (IV)
After coming back from winter break with a 1-6 record, the wrestling team made a strong comeback, bumping their record up to 10-9.
One big accomplishment of this season was winning the Rutgers Prep tournament. The team also celebrated Brandon Spellman (V) as their first county champion in over a decade.
The team’s “technique, conditioning, and toughness have improved all season long, thanks to dedication and discipline,” Head Coach George Sullivan said.
This attitude was evident in their match against Manville. Though the team lost 30-40, they “battled through every bout and set the tone for the rest of the season. We were battling injuries and had a string of losses, but the team put that behind them and gave it everything they had anyways,” Mr. Sullivan said.
The team also has the potential to put several wrestlers deep into the postseason, with some wrestlers hoping to advance to regionals. “With a chance to have a historic postseason finish,” said Mr. Sullivan, “I know that our wrestlers have put in the time and effort to finish on top.”
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Alison Lee (IV)
With a 16-6 record, the girls’ basketball team has played a strong season this year.
Despite graduating three seniors last year, many players are “stepping up and developing their roles,” Head Coach Ms. Courtney Tierney said.
One outstanding game this season was against Peddie. With a final score of 68-53, the team played with “tremendous heart and focus,” Ms. Tierney said. “Our hustle and the pace in which we played and scored was amazing.” The team has also won games against Voorhees, Mount St. Mary, Somerville, Warren Hills, North Plainfield, and Hillsborough.
“My hopes are that we continue to enjoy the challenge of competing on a high level with the best teams,” Ms. Tierney said. “They are not afraid to make mistakes, and if they do they fight to get it back on defense. They run the floor and play with such high intensity.”
The team continued playing well at the County and Prep Tournaments.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Alison Lee ’20
The boys’ basketball team has had an eventful season this year, maintaining a 4-17 record. The team has had many notable individual accomplishments throughout the season.
In a close match against district rivals Belvidere, captain Michael Weber (VI) scored his 1000th point this season, a spectacular feat for any high school basketball player. In addition, Nate Hefner (V) “scored a buzzer beater when they were one point down against Belvidere,” Head Coach Mr. Jason Murdock said.
After having a concussion that benched him for part of the season, four-year varsity player Zach Aanstoots (VI) returned to the team. Weber said, “many underclassmen [like] Pat Stefurak (IV) and Shane Shannon (IV) have improved tremendously as the season has progressed.”
Overall, Mr. Murdock says the team “had a great cohesiveness, good work ethic, and a level of competitiveness.” For the next season, he plans to build more teamwork by taking the team to summer training camps and playing in summer leagues. He would like to develop a greater sense of urgency towards development and commitment, though he is proud of the direction the program is going in.
Mar 25, 2018 | Athletics
By Josie Jahng (V)
The co-ed ski team has enjoyed a fantastic season this year. Led by Head Coach Julianne Coxe and Captains Lindsey Hogan (VI), Nick Ladino (VI), Annie Leithead (V), and Conor Mahoney (VI), the team has been working hard both in the weight room and on the slopes to prepare for their races.
Although the team graduated some valuable seniors, the addition of several newcomers has created great depth to a strong veteran squad. Leithead believes “the team has a really good dynamic this year, which has definitely contributed to [their] success on the slopes.”
Leithead, one of the team’s top performers, has qualified for the NJSIAA Race of Champions for the second time and will be accompanied by talented underclassmen Rosemary Collins (III) and Matt Dispenza (IV). When asked about training plans for the next few weeks, Leithead said, “The three of us are all working hard and focusing on our technical skills to get the best possible results at ROCs.”
The team ended up qualifying for States, where they secured 5th place in New Jersey.
