THE NATION'S OLDEST ON THE WEB: COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL www.pingry.org/stu- NEWSPAPER dents/therecord.html VOLUME CXXXIII, NUMBER 6 The Pingry School, Martinsville, New Jersey JUNE 10, 2007 COMMENCEMENT 2007 43 STUDENTS Entire Senior Class Faculty Polled About School Strengths mind that the following survey ulty and curriculum are focused TO JOIN FRESHMAN By DAVID YOUNG (V) was conducted. The survey to give the students a deep sense Pursues ISPs in May focuses on what Pingry teach- of learning from the moment It is always daunting to write ers have to say about Pingry. It they walk into a classroom.” CLASS OF 2011 By JENNY SOONG (III) and JENNY GORELICK (III) about Pingry’s tradition of ex- sought to find out what the teach- Their colleague Mrs. Susan cellence; its track record of ac- ers feel is the singular strength of Ortner, also a member of the complishments is simply too this learning institution. Spanish department, attributes On April 30, the entire senior ing each song. Grade Totals 127 Students extensive. This is especially the Fifty-four teachers completed Pingry’s academic strength to class dropped their classes in With the ambition of earning case at this time of the year, when the survey, corresponding to a “rigorous, serious programs in order to pursue their interests in a certificate from the American so many seniors and families response rate exceeding 70%. all academic, health, and artistic depth through Independent Study String Teachers Association in celebrate their school-related The average tenure of these areas” and to “teachers devoted Projects (ISPs). Students experi- the highest category, Catherine 13 Fewer Students Than achievements. teachers is 15.2 years at Pingry. to giving students their best.” mented with everything from at- Chong memorized three con- These achievements include No significant differences are Others highlight the students’ Class of 2010 tending film festivals to traveling trasting musical pieces. In addi- the seniors’ admission to excel- evident, however, between the efforts, like art teacher Mrs. abroad, ultimately presenting tion, she perfomed with Melissa lent colleges or to colleges of younger and older teachers. In Laurinda Stockwell: “I’m im- their projects at ISP Night, held Loewinger and Annabell Suh their choice. After all, this ac- other words, their response can- pressed by Pingry students’ By NEHA SRIVASTAVA (III) on June 6. in a two-hour recital and studied complishment—Pingry students not be predicted on the basis of ability to think and write well Chinese two days a week in order being acknowledged nation- their tenure at Pingry. about their thoughts. These skills This spring, the Admissions ARTS to prepare for her trip to China ally by the finest college institu- Of the teachers surveyed, are becoming extinct!” or history Office admitted 82 new ninth Music over the summer. tions—is an enduring Pingry 31% feel that the single “greatest teacher Mr. Phillip Gratwick: grade students, with 52 percent Michelle Yuan took lessons Pursuing his interest in music, legacy. In 2004, The Wall Street strength” of Pingry is academ- “The students here really are of those accepted matriculating. with a classical vocal coach with Daniel Davidson composed, Journal ranked Pingry as the top ics. In the “no-nonsense words” very motivated to do well, and These 43 students will join the the intention of developing a played, and recorded himself on school in NJ, and among the top of science teacher Mr. Drew most of them are prepared to put 84 returning students to form the healthy singing voice and im- the saxophone, guitar, keyboards, 20 in the country, for enrolling Burns, “Ultimately, any school in the necessary time.” class of 2011. proving her speaking voice. For bass, and percussion. Not only the highest percentage of stu- must be judged on the strength Some teachers view Pingry’s The students were picked the final product of this venture, did he explore a wide range of dents in the top 10 colleges in the of its academic program as this academic strength as a collabo- from a pool of 260 (less than the she compiled a CD of her vocal styles, but he also combined the country, which included 7 Ivies. program represents the focus and ration between faculty and stu- record-setting 275 last year). recordings. Additionally, she and recording process with his own From Pingry, 24% of the 2003 mission of a school—to educate dents, and new English teacher The new student body comes Cori Hundt worked on a two- instrumental skills. class had matriculated in these students and to prepare them Ms. Alisha Davlin concludes: from 26 different middle schools person play in order to further colleges, and this percentage for life beyond high school and “…Pingry has wonderful, dedi- in various communities across develop their acting abilities. Visual Arts becomes even more impressive college.” cated faculty and very intelligent, New Jersey. 73 percent of new Robert Ventura, Chris Cum- Heather Benjamin researched when other top ranking colleges Along this line of thinking, eager students.” students come from public mins, and Austin Lan imitated color therapy, art therapy, design are included. Mr. Tom Keating of the Eng- Others see a synergy between schools, whereas only 27 percent and studied various styles and aesthetics, and public art and Elsewhere, Benilde Little, lish department adds, “I think academics and other areas. In come from private schools. genres of music by forming a murals in order to design murals in an article in The New York Pingry’s greatest strength will this regard, Middle School his- Out of the incoming 43 stu- band and recording a CD which to be painted in the cafeteria. The Times on January 7, 2007, de- always be academics because tory teacher Mr. Mike Webster, dents, thirteen are siblings of was sold to raise money for the murals consisted of shapes and scribes Pingry simply as “the that is the essential core students while lauding the “strong aca- current students or alumni. Three John Taylor Babbitt Foundation. colors in aesthetically pleasing Rolls-Royce of educational need to succeed in college and demic base” of Pingry, includes students are children of alumni, They performed live with Ventura combinations that contribute to institutions.” beyond.” also that it is supported by “nu- and two are children of current on bass, Cummins on guitar, and happiness, less stress, and re- There are many other Pingry Several teachers single out the merous athletic, musical, and art faculty members. Lan on percussion. newed energy. attributes worthy of comment. strength of the teaching faculty opportunities.” This year, an incredible 74 Amanda King researched Mark Miano furthered his One other example: of the 2006 to explain Pingry’s outstanding Coming in second, 29% of percent received straight A’s in various musicals and performed interests in visual art by painting Forbes 400 list, 5 graduated academics. the surveyed teachers look at their respective middle schools. a song from each musical in a a number of pieces using different from Pingry. The list goes on, Spanish teacher Mrs. Diana the community as the greatest “We always try to bring in recital. In addition, she wrote a types of paints and canvases. with many distinguished Pingry B. Abreu points to “the stellar strength of Pingry. the strongest students we can summary for each song describ- Neha Sampat explored art alumni in government, business, collection of extremely dedicated History Department Chair academically,” Director of Ad- ing what she learned and her with Mr. Friewald with the ob- arts, and sciences. teachers.” Mr. James Murray sums it up missions Sara Boisvert said. interpretation. Her most important Understandably, it is with For fellow Spanish teacher aspiration was to understand and Continued on Page 12 these multiple achievements in Mr. Gerardo Vasquez, “the fac- Continued on Page 14 Continued on Page 14 share the character’s feelings dur- SENIOR REFLECTIONS SENIOR AWARDS CLASS OF 1902 EMBLEM SCHOOL NEWS SPORTS P. 2—3 P. 4 P. 6-7 P. 9-14 P. 16 2 THE PINGRY RECORD SENIOR REFLECTIONS JUNE 10, 2007 EDITORIAL The People I Will Remember By JILLIAN LUBETKIN (VI) truly gained from Pingry is not ning into the history office and pencils or intentionally dumped Learning the Other a greater understanding of elec- venting, more like whining, to tubs of water on me during Before attempting to write tromagnetism or the ability to Dr. Murray. And having him lab. Steph Naratil nodding off. this reflection, I sat at my com- converse in Spanish, but rather, remind me that I am extremely Classy. Pingry Lessons puter, closed my eyes, and at- the following: anal-retentive. I will remember… tempted to recall my freshman I have learned that what Sitting on the couch in the My semi-private choral re- While on a college visit recently, I ran into a kid I self. Wow. Awkward times. I re- makes this institution great, Physics office, staring blank- hearsal with Taylor Guiffre. had gone to school with before I left to attend Pingry. member being new, feeling new. what makes any experience ly at tough problems, laugh- Prom. Sitting on the senior He continued to go to public school, and, through a mix Not understanding the concept great for that matter, are the ing with friends. Hearing Mr. couches and feeling time stand Bourne shout, “Friction Ques- still. My Peer Groupies and the of coincidences and the college process, we found each of free periods, advisors, or CP. people that are a part of it. Not getting why backpacks and tion Mark?!” and listening Peer Leaders. Trips to MOMA other at the same visit last month, six years since I had Pingry is remarkable because it couches littered hallways, and to him tell true and true true and Cloisters and less orga- seen him last.