June 2009 - Knox School

KSnox
The
Beacon
chool
Semper ad Lucem
541 Long Beach Road
St. James, New York
June 2009, Issue 7
Special Points of Interest
Spring Musical
Poetry Slam
8th Grade Graduation
Photography Show
International Fair
Honor Roll
2009 Awards
Ethnic Pen
Musical Ride
Senior Sing
Prom
National Honor
Society
Senior Projects
2009 Commencement
College Placement
Time
r
e
m
Sum
y
s Eas
i
g
n
i
Liv
P. 1
P. 1
P. 2
P. 2
P. 3
P. 4
P. 5
P. 6
P. 7
P. 7
P. 8
P. 9
Dear Friends,
The school year came to a momentous close with The Knox School Commencement Ceremonies on June 6. Now, the campus is quiet and empty with the students and
most of our faculty gone on vacation. The end of the academic year was filled with numerous delightful activities and events for the entire Knox community.
Though much celebration marked this time, the Knox family suffered a heartbreaking loss with the untimely and tragic death of Kaeli Sara Kramer, our 2008 valedictorian. The Knox family, as well as Kaeli’s teachers and classmates from The Waldorf
School and Centenary College celebrated her life at a memorial service held on campus on
June 4. In her short time on earth, Kaeli touched the lives of so many individuals and truly
had a positive impact on us all.
The summer affords us the time to make improvements around the campus.
Work has begun to replace the old tennis courts. When the renovation is completed in
early August, the new courts will look exactly like the U.S. Open courts in Flushing, NY.
The new school year will bring new additions to the Knox family. The four new
teachers that were hired for the 2009-2010 academic year are as follows:
Stephen Chu
Columbia University
B.A., Mathematics
New York University
P. 9 M.S., Mathematics
P.10 State University of New York at Stony Brook
P.11 Doctorial Candidate in Mathematics
Katherine Faigen
Bryn Mawr College
B.A., English; Creative Writing
Lauren Bernet
St. Joseph’s University
B.A., English
St. John’s University
M.L.I.S., Library & Information Science
Bryan P. Williams
University of the South—Sewanee
B.A., English & Mathematics
Artist Christian White will once again be returning to campus as an Art and Digital Art Teacher. Christian is a well known local artist and his art work can be found in numerous art galleries throughout Long Island. Christian is also the husband of Laura White,
Chairperson for Performing and Visual Arts.
The Senior Class of 2009 has undoubtedly left their mark on Knox and will challenge the Class of 2010 to strive to build upon the legacy that has been left for them. I
know that Class President, Jenna Hardy, and her classmates are up for the challenge!
In conclusion, Lucy and I would like to truly thank everyone for their loyal support over the past school year. We extend to you our best wishes for a rewarding and productive summer.
Sincerely,
June 2009
The Beacon
Little Shop of Horrors
Annual Performing Arts
Awards
The Oberon: Gareth Williams
Presented to the student who has demonstrated
outstanding potential in the performing arts.
Kat Barry ’10 as Audrey, Nick Reina ’10 as The Plant,
Frank Sohn ’09 as Dr. Orin Scivello and Gareth
Williams (Bedstone) as Seymour
The Terri Rose Richard III Award: Bianca Gracie
Given for outstanding contribution to
technical theater at Knox.
The Elsa Trophy: John Boyd & Melissa Fenik
For the student who sacrifices the most to ensure
the success of the school’s dramatic performance.
The Jane Bagley Award: Emily Gladstein
The student who gives the best
performance in a play.
Gareth Williams (Bedstone)
as Seymour
The Linda Shephard Cup: Emily Gladstein
Awarded to the student who gives the best
performance in a Musical Theater production.
The Performing Arts Award: Katherine Barry
The voice of The Plant was
done by Youn Chang Seo
Melissa Fenik ’09 as Crystal, Emily Gladstein ’10 as Mrs.
Mushnik, Taylour Dickerson ’12 as Ronnette, Ellen Ma ’11 as
Chiffon and Derek Fearon ’10 as Bernstein
Poetry is a Slam
As part of the class’ study of the sounds of poetry, the
seniors in the Poetry elective developed a fondness for slam
poetry as practiced by Def Poetry Jam and The Poetry Lounge.
As a culminating part of that unit the students wrote their own
slam poems and performed them in the Upper Dorm Lounge.
It was not just the writing that was great, it was the
performances as well. All of the students brought very different
things to the table in terms of writing and performance. Many
students chose to focus on political themes, others discussed
personal relationships, memories, and realizations about themselves and life. Some students acted out their poems while others memorized part or all of their 500 word poems. Students
Bianca Gracie ’09 Rocks the
Joe Lee ’14, Peter Krulasik ’13, David Vibert,
from other classes attended, creating a party-like atmosphere
Poetry Slam
Paul Lee ’13 and Frank Cassata ’14 Get in the
and giving the performing students a good audience. Some
Poetry Slam Mood
students chose to drop by to do repeat “slamming” during their
free periods. This poetry slam was a great way to end the string of exciting and educational things that the students have been
engaged in.
- David Vibert, English Teacher
Semper ad Lucem
Eighth Graders Join the High School Community
Middle School Subject Awards
The Middle School History Award: Tiffany Ye
Presented to the student who displays a high level of interest, inquiry
and achievement in the study of history.
The William Turner Shoemaker Middle School Mathematics award: Tiffany Ye
Given to the student, who best demonstrates
accomplishments in the field of mathematics.
The Middle School Science Award: Jason Kim
Presented to the student who best demonstrates accomplishments in the field of science.
The Middle School English Award: Aaliyah Picanso
Given to the student who demonstrates excellence through written expression,
creativity and literary scholarship.
Jason Kim, Lulu Dong, Heyn Hwang, Aaliyah Picanso, Peter Krulasik, Sa
Rang Koo, Paul Lee, Holly Kang, Scott Lee, Tiffany Ye
Middle School Core Value Awards
Integrity: Joe Lee
Kindness: Aaliyah Picanso
Courage: Holly Kang
The Middle School World Language Award: Scott Lee
Given to the student exhibiting a sincere interest and effort,
in learning a language, and serving as a leader to others in class.
Elsa Eriksen Middle School Performing Arts Award: Aaliyah Picanso
Recognizes the student who best demonstrates the enthusiasm and perseverance
essential to excellence in theatre or music.
The Middle School Visual Art Award: Scott Lee
Given to the art student who demonstrates extra effort and uses time
wisely to make creative works.
Respect: Tiffany Ye
Responsibility: Scott Lee
Scholarship: Tiffany Ye
Photography Students Recently Displayed Works In Gallery
Patty Colombraro, John Boyd ’09, William Zhu ’11, Channell Campbell ’09,
Kara Elwood ’09, Lauren Biello ’09, Kelvin Kong ’09 and Cameron Gilhooley
Sara Davis ’12
Alex Burst ’09
The Photography classes’ works were recently
exhibited at foto foto Gallery located at 372 New York
Avenue in Huntington. The show ran May 1-31, 2009
and featured thirty-three of the student’s images. Students that participated in the exhibit were Portfolio
Photography students John Boyd ’09, Cameron Gilhooley ’09, Kara Elwood ’09, Channell Campbell ’09
and Frank Sohn ’09. These seniors are also advanced
students completing their third year in Photography.
Other photographs featured in the show were by Photography I students who are also seniors: Kelvin Kong
’09, Lauren Biello ’09 and Alex Burst ’09. Sara Davis
’12 and William Zhu ’11, who are one semester Introductory Photography students, were also represented.
The reception held on Sat. May 2nd, 2009 was
well attended by the community as well as many local
professors from many Long Island colleges. Seven images were purchased the night of the reception. The
exhibit will also travel back to The Knox School where
it will be hung alongside Impressionist paintings from
Ms. Staebler’s Studio Art classes for graduation week,
June 1-7, 2009.
- Patty Colombraro, Photography Teacher
Photos on this page taken by Patty Colombraro
June 2009
The Beacon
Annual International Fair is a Huge Success
The 2009 Knox International Fair was held on April
21st and was a wonderful success. The event began with a
talent show in the Bancroft Phinney Gymnasium, with many
diverse acts performed by students and faculty. Chinese,
Korean, Japanese and Haitian songs were sung by groups,
duets, a trio and soloists. Students from French classes performed an original skit, and two students, Angel Valdes ’12
and Macarena Vera Esquiva ’09, performed a traditional
Spanish dance from Seville. In addition, there was an impressive demonstration by the Tae Kwon Do club, choreographed
and led by Ryan Shin ’10, and William Zhu performed a
nunchucks routine. Finally, faculty member Sylvie Aristilde
and the Fashion Club dazzled the audience with a fashion
show of international outfits from countries such as Japan,
Korea, China, Spain, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, and Sudan.
The second half of the International Fair was held in
Senior Tuck, where display booths, exhibits and lots of food
Yuri Tago ’09 Models
Angel Valdez ’12 and Macarena Vera
awaited everyone. Students learned about many different
Traditional Japanese Dress
Esquiva ’09 Show off their Dancing Skills
cultures from around the world, and had the chance to practice calligraphy, get a Sudanese hemp tattoo, taste delicious, spicy Korean food, try a
French crepe, join a soccer juggling
contest, and drink traditional Chinese
tea. Parents and students prepared
food from countries such as Austria,
Turkey, Mexico, Sweden, Korea,
China, Israel, Spain, Jamaica, Cuba,
Guyana, Puerto Rico and France.
- Brenda Pigou
Kim Sanichar ’09 and Tali Levin
World Language Chair
’12 represented Guyana
The Tae-Kwon-Do Club Shows What Their Made of!
Aaliyah Picanso ’13 and John Boyd ’09
Model Traditional Clothing
Carmen Osman P’09 and her daughter Sheriffa
Osman ’09 dress English Chair Linda Butler in traditional
Sudanese Dress
Edward Zhang ’10 and Laura White, dressed in
Scottish clothing, enjoy the Taiwan Table
Photos on this page taken by Matt Frageau
Semper ad Lucem
Students Participate in Annual Ethnic Pen Conference
Some of the Middle School students as well as several of the 11th grade elective students recently accompanied Mr. David Vibert to the Ethnic Pen Youth Writer’s Conference. This conference is held annually in Bay Shore,
NY at Bay Shore High School. The nationally recognized conference has hosted such keynote speakers as Frank
McCourt, Julia Alvarez, and Naomi Shihab Nye. Schools from around Long Island send students and teachers to the
conference, and this year Nikki Perales ’14, Aaliyah Picanso ’13, Skyler Blackwood ’10, Frank Cassata ’14, Jenna
Hardy ’10, Jesse Thompson ’10, and Mr. David Vibert drove down to participate. The group got to see keynote presentations by Def Poetry Jam poet Roger Bonair-Agard; Iraq war poet Brian Turner, author of “Here, Bullet”; and the
Hafiz family, authors of “The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook.”
The group also attended two poetry-writing workshops, one an invitation-only event with
Brian Turner and another with a 19-year old disabled poet from Mexico. The group also saw a
presentation by the Ghetto Film School from the Bronx. The conference was specifically designed to engage high-school students. For the group, this was an eye-opening experience as they
were exposed to writing and situations far from their normal lives. For many, this was their first
time attending any kind of organized event centered on writing.
- David Vibert, English Teacher
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Despite the almost endless rain, we had a very eventful conclusion to the school year. In late April we
had a very successful International Fair, complete with ethnic cuisine and performances by some very talented
Knox students. The following week, science students presented their science fair projects in Tuck. The projects
were informative and many students also prepared detailed explanations of their research for project reviewers.
The spring musical, “Little Shop of Horrors”, which debuted on May 8th, showcased the theatrical and musical
talents of our students. The students involved in the production worked tirelessly to put on a top-notch performance. Kudos for a job well-done!
Preliminary course requests will be sent home shortly for parental review. Please take time to review
the course requests as well as curricular offerings for the 2009-2010 academic year posted on Edline. There
have been a few changes for 2009-2010: All 9th graders will be scheduled for Conceptual Physics. AP Statistics
and AP Computer Science have been added to the Advanced Placement offerings. Modern Cultural Geography will replace Geographical Cultures as the 9th grade history course. Eleventh grade students will sit for
Comparative Religion pushing United States History into the 12th grade offerings. There are also term electives
in Astronomy, Oceanography, and Current Topics in Science for those who have completed their lab science
requirement. Eleventh graders will now complete two terms of American Literature (English III) and twelfth
grade students will complete two terms of British Literature (English IV). The English department will offer
term electives in the spring open to upper level students.
We wish all students and their families a restful and safe summer and look forward to seeing everyone
in September.
Regards,
Sharon L. Lawrence
Assistant Head of School
June 2009
The Beacon
Annual Musical Ride is a Success
The Musical Ride Group as part of their performance
Photo Taken By
Bruce Lawrence
The Musical Ride is an annual equestrian
event that is set to music. The students orchestrate the entire event by choreographing and selecting the music for the ride. This year, Brianne
Sullivan ’09 was the Riding Club President and in
charge of heading this project. All of the riders
worked very hard!
This was an especially meaningful Musical Ride for the veteran riders as their friend and
previous fellow rider had recently passed away.
The group took time off to mourn her death but
soon rallied together to make the ride a success
and tribute to her.
For Lauren Biello ’09 and Brianne Sullivan ’09 this Musical Ride held a special meaning
for it was their last time participating. This performance marked the end of their time in the
Knox riding ring. They will be missed in the barn
but their great example of what it is to balance
being a student and a rider will be carried on by
their teammates.
Senior Sing is Emotional for all in Attendance
The Annual Senior Sing program is a turning point for the school. While the faculty and staff try to
instill the last pieces of advice and life skills to seniors from September through June, this is the event where the
school is reminded that the seniors are soon to be on their own. As the seniors grace the audience with their
songs of choice, the lyrics often remind the school that their time at Knox is coming to an end. The songs sung
this year were, “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly, “Graduation Song Friends Forever” by Vitamin C and
“Time of Your Life” by Green Day.
The lyrics were powerful to hear and were meaningful for the students singing them. Emotions were
evident on the seniors’ faces as they realized it was their turn to give this last gift to the school. It was a beautiful gift indeed.
Seniors sing the Spring Song before starting in on
their musical selections for the event.
The class of 2009 lines the inside of
the tent during their Senior Sing
The Senior Sing is the last event
before graduation
Photos of this event taken By Jenna Skarda
Semper ad Lucem
2009 Prom
The 2009 Prom took place on May 15, 2009 at the Sunken Meadow Pavilion. Invitations were given
to Knox faculty and all of the high school students. The event was a big success! The venue was beautiful, the
DJ had everyone up dancing and the students looked amazing in their formalwear.
Sheriffa Osman ’09 and Jake Sommers ’09
Grace Sun ’12 and Angel Valdes ’12
Grace Sun ’12 and William Zhu ’11
Kat Barry ’10, Edward Zhang ’10 and Guest
Henry Tao ’11 and Lexi Maughling ’12
Sherry Cui ’12, Echo Zhou ’11
and Ellen Ma ’11
Matt Behar ’12 and Brianne Sullivan ’09
Julian Davis ’09 and Tracey Howard ’08
Connor Hardy ’09 and Guest
Keenan Koff ’09 and Brianna Malone ’09
Collin Lee ’10 and Jenna Hardy ’10
Maggie Comneck ’12 and Tali Levin ’12
Photos on this page taken By Jack Hundley
June 2009
The Beacon
Knox Opens A National Honor Society Chapter
George K. Allison, Headmaster, Brenda Pigou, World Language
Chair, Jessica Wen ’10, Sharon Lawrence, Assistant Headmaster,
John Staebler, History and Italian Teacher
The Knox School is proud to have become a
part of the National Honor Society! Knox opened a
National Honor Society Chapter named “Semper ad
Lucem” and has inducted its first two members. Jessica Wen ’10 was the first student to participate in
the induction ceremony. Jason Zhou ’09 was the
other student to be inducted into the Semper ad Lucem Chapter of the National Honor Society, but he
could not participate in the ceremony because he
was in the middle of his senior project.
Criteria to become a member of this elite society is rigorous. A student must maintain a grade
point average of 87 for three consecutive terms. The
four areas a student must demonstrate excellence are
scholarship, leadership, community service and
character. The school looks forward to watching this
society grow in the coming years.
Senior Projects Leave an Impression on Knox
The Class of 2009 Senior Projects were very well executed. Students maintained daily online journals or
blogs, submitting 10 blogs over the course of their project or internship. The online journals provided fellow project participants, advisors and committee members with the opportunity to keep up with the projects, offer comments, pose questions,
and provide support to the project participants. It was an exciting and often inspiring two weeks as we followed the progress
of our seniors. Upon their return, the entire school community watched their final PowerPoint presentations. Two projects
were exemplary and recognized at the Upper School Academic and Character Awards Ceremony: Alexandra Burst’s project
at Red Hills Provincial Dining and Sheriffa Osman’s project at the Mygoma Orphanage in the Sudan.
- Sharon Lawrence, Assistant Head of School
Senior Projects
Bianca Gracie
Indashio Fashions in New York, New York
Brianna Malone
Mid-Ship Chartering Company in Istanbul, Turkey
Melissa Fenik
Smithtown Township Arts Council in St. James, NY
Jason Zhou
McLaren Engineering Group in Nyack, NY
Jason Zhou ’09, Jake Sommers ’09, Brianna
Malone ’09 and Shariffa Osman ’09 wait
to give their presentations
Jake Sommers
Wind-up Records in New York, New York
John Boyd
Nassau County Legislature in Nassau County, NY
Sheriffa Osman
Mygoma Orphanage in Sudan
Jake Sommers ’09 gives his presentation
to the school on his experiences
The school and project judges wait to hear
the next student’s presentation
Alexandra Burst
Red Hills Provincial Dining in Oregon
Photos on this page taken by Jenna Skarda
Semper ad Lucem
2009 Commencement
Commencement Awards
Carolyn Fell Award
John Boyd
The Stewart Bowl
Kelvin Kong
The Clifford K. Eriksen
Headmaster’s Award
John Boyd
Brewster Lawrence Award
Bryan Kim
The Semper ad Lucem Plaque
Bianca Gracie
Kara Elwood and
Cameron Gilhooley spend time
together before
Graduation
Top Row: Wenyu Jiang, Channell Campbell, Keenan Koff, Bryan Kim, Frank Sohn, Macarena Vera
Esquiva, Heyn-Jib Hwang, Brianna Malone, Connor Hardy
Middle Row: Melissa Fenik, Jake Sommers, Yurie Tago, Youn Chang Seo, Bianca Gracie, Julian
Davis, Kimberly Sanichar, John Boyd II, Lauren Biello
Bottom Row: Dana DiDonato, Clyde Owusu, Alexandra Burst, Kelvin Kong, Brianne Sullivan, Jason
Zhou, Jamie Kim, Cameron Gilhooley, Kara Elwood
Bianca Gracie collects her
Semper ad Lucem Plaque
Brianna Malone and Keenan
Koff walk to their seats
John Boyd II reads the
Senior Poem
Bryan Kim and John Boyd II
chill out before Graduation
Clyde Owusu and Sheriffa
Osman walk to their seats
Dana DiDonato and Julian
Davis walk to their seats
Channell Campbell, Dana DiDonato, Kim
Sanichar and Yurie Tago before Graduation
Bryan Kim walks back
to his seat after
receiving the Brewster
Lawrence Award
Jason Zhou and Kelvin Kong hang
out before Graduation
Photos on this page taken by Patty Colombraro
June 2009
The Beacon
Seniors Leave the Falcon’s Nest
Dear Class of 2009,
I have written four other versions of this letter and
each one did not incorporate my admiration for your class. We
all arrived on campus at the same time in the fall of 2005. We
all were a bit unaware of how to properly execute our passions
and talents. Over the course of the past four years we have all
learned from each other. You taught me how to be patient,
most of the time. You taught me how to be a better teacher,
mentor, and friend.
There were tears, there were smiles, there were breakups, hookups, smiles, pranks, F’s in class, A’s in class, awards
won, games lost, teachers and students who left, new additions,
and of course amazing memories. I will never forget Kelvin
starting class meetings senior year; Keenan, Connor, Jake, and
Julian playing basketball and baseball every free moment;
Frank and Jib leading on the soccer field; Youn Chang being
Top Row: Conner Hardy ’09, Jake Sommers ’09, Alex Burst ’09, John Boyd ’09,
“the voice”; Cameron and Kara constantly taking picture of
me; JB’s poems during morning meeting; Bri and Lauren rid- Jason Zhou ’09, Melissa Fenik ’09, Dana DiDonato ’09, Sheriffa Osman ’09
Bottom Row: Keenan Koff ’09, Bianca Gracie ’09, Jib Hwang ’09, Kelvin Kong ’09,
ing with grace each afternoon; Sheriffa leading the basketball
Clyde Owusu ’09
Photo Taken By Alyssa O’Brien
team; Channell and Kim always together and always smiling;
Dana laughing at almost anything and everything; Bryan’s courage to try new things each year; Yurie making everyone around her laugh
with her stories; Jason and Francis helping new students adjust to Knox; Macarena’s and Brianna’s arrivals, although later, still inspiring;
Burst’s afternoon chatting sessions in my office; Clyde getting hit with the baseball each spring; Melissa’s constant smile; Sheriffa always striving for the perfect grade; Jamie singing in Vocal Ensemble; and Bianca’s leadership and compassion.
These moments and more are things I will never forget. You will always hold a place in my heart. You may wonder why I never
really said ‘good-bye’ on graduation day; it is because I know we will all see each other again. Good luck next year and remember to visit
often. You always have a friend at Knox and a home beside the shore.
Much Love, Always,
Ms. Kerri-Anne Alexanderson
College Placement for the class of 2009
Lauren Biello
Savannah College of Arts and Design
Bianca Gracie
Northeastern University
Sheriffa Osman
Emerson College
John Boyd
New York University
Connor Hardy
Quinnipiac University
Clyde Owusu
Syracuse University
Alex Burst
Culinary Institute of America
Jib Hwang
Emory University
Kim Sanichar
Hofstra University
Channell Campbell
Pace University
Francis Jiang
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Youn Chang Seo
University of Hartford
Julian Davis
New York University, Tisch School of Music
Bryan Kim
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Frank Sohn
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Dana DiDonato
Dowling College
Jamie Kim
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Jake Sommers
The University of the Arts
Kara Elwood
Rollins College
Keenan Koff
Miami University, Ohio
Brianne Sullivan
Bridgewater College
Melissa Fenik
Savannah College of Arts and Design
Kelvin Kong
University of Washington, Seattle
Yurie Tago
Adams State College
Cameron Gilhooley
Sarah Lawrence College
Brianna Malone
Fairfield University
Jason Zhou
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Semper ad Lucem
With Love and Sadness, Knox Remembers Kaeli Kramer ’09
Our Hearts Go Out to Her Parents
Kaeli Sara Kramer
1990-2009
The memorial service for Kaeli was held in BancroftPhinney Gymnasium on June 10, 2009.
Students, Faculty and Kaeli’s friends from college
had an opportunity to pay their respects.
Sweet and friendly, kind and generous, intellectually curious and respectful, Kaeli Sara Kramer embodied the Knox
Core Values. She was one of our most esteemed graduates and the recipient of numerous permanent faculty awards, including
the Poise Cup for “a student embodying graciousness and dignity of character” which she received as a freshman. Kaeli was
valedictorian of her class and in her senior year, she was awarded the school’s highest honor, the Semper ad Lucem Plaque.
Kaeli had a special way of spreading light wherever she walked and her email address – especiallysunny – seemed to
describe her perfectly. She had a positive and inspirational affect on all whose lives she touched. She will be missed greatly by
her Knox family, but her legacy of light will endure.
b le f o r
t po s s i !
i
e
d
a
mily m
cream
orn Fa to enjoy ice
H
e
ek!
h
T
no x
na l w e
all of K fun end to fi
a
It w a s
The Beacon
Semper ad Lucem
Summer Adventures Camp
NOW IN SESSION
Thank you Horn Family for the Ice Cream!
KSnox
chool
541 Long Beach Road
St. James, New York 11780
Enjoy
um
Your S
mer
To learn more, visit us at
www.saak.org.