ReflectionsSTATEN ISLAND ACADEMY SPRING 2016 LETTER OF REFLECTION Reflections reetings from Staten Island! These are exhilarating experience. We want to ensure that we provide an optimum times at the Academy. Our faculty has decided to comprehensive support program that addresses the social, The Magazine of Staten Island Academy G adopt Design Thinking as a model for our students to emotional and academic challenges that our students are Spring 2016 develop the 21st century skills necessary for them to engage likely to encounter. Through individualized learning plans in their local community and in the world in ways that are in the resource center, we want to be sure to educate all of gratifying, stimulating and fun. With the adoption of this our children in the importance of self-advocacy as they design model, it is our hope to encourage curiosity and transition into college. Finally, we have set a goal to increase 2015 - 2016 Board of Trustees innovation. The Harvard Business Review magazine describes our current fund for financial aid so that we can provide Staten Island Academy 2016 the collective principles of Design as empathy with users, a access to every deserving young person of talent from the Marinella Ahmadi discipline of proto-typing and a tolerance for failure [that New York/New Jersey area who aspires to experience an MISSION STATEMENT Paul R. Ainslie will lead to discovery or rediscovery] through various trials Academy education, regardless of need. Victor P. Avis ’79, DDS, President and errors. It is the intention of this approach to give our Successful students — achieving their goals in Finally, I would like to close by sharing with you some James Barbaria students the proper tools to work in a responsive and school and in life — are at the heart of the learning inspirational remarks that Dan Master ’71 gave at last year’s Alan Bernstein flexible culture that will intentionally explore different community that is Staten Island Academy. An commencement exercise. Allow me to summarize. He told our independent, co-educational, college prep school Elizabeth Bifulco perspectives so that our children will learn to think students that they needed to learn two more lessons before they for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, the collaboratively and originally. The intent is to embrace Steven I. Caplan were to receive their diplomas. The first lesson was that the Academy provides an inspiring balance of interdisciplinary learning that will lead to problem solving, Albert R. Cauz, Head of School* Class of 2015 did not build the Staten Island Academy that intellectual challenge, exploration, service and to deep research, to teamwork, to strong presentation skills Cynara L. Coomer, MD they came to, and it is the responsibility of all graduates to help opportunity. Our students learn to be critical and to going beyond the classroom and into our Joseph D’Arco Vice President keep building the next Staten Island Academy. He stated that thinkers, ethical leaders and self-reliant problem communities, knowing that it will be mental agility and solvers, who are equipped to navigate a complex back in the 60’s neither he nor his parents were responsible for Sergey Guberman versatility that will grant them a life characterized by and ever-changing world. We prepare our students to Timothy Colton Harrison the buildings he enjoyed as a student at SIA. He noted that become life-long learners. Academy students find fulfillment and happiness. Anita Laremont, Secretary they were built by others, but it was his great fortune that these their own voices, develop their talents and raise As I write you, the Board of Trustees has adopted three new buildings were there for him and his parents just when he their aspirations. Staten Island Academy proudly Nathan Lev-Ari strategic goals for the Academy. One of them is to explore needed the school. He then exhorted these new alums, and all recognizes, respects and affirms the dignity and Angie Master the possibilities of a 21st century classroom building that alums for that matter, to accept the moral responsibility of worth of all members of our community. Lily D. McNair, Ph.D will be approximately 26,000 square feet and will be maintaining and building the next Staten Island Academy, so Nelson Minier characterized by having innovation labs, writable walls and that in the future when students and families need this school, DIVERSITY STATEMENT Joseph Anthony Puma, MD the flexibility to provide space for what we hope will be SIA will still be here for them . as it has been for every Staten Michelle Savino, Parents’ League President Rooted in the belief that diversity creates many dynamic interdisciplinary courses. We would like the Island Academy graduate in their time of need. Further, he excellence, Staten Island Academy welcomes a Frank Scarangello building to be energy efficient (maybe even LEED rated). It went on to ask: “Why should philanthropy be a responsibility multiplicity of voices and perspectives that Bharath Sithian ’04, Alumni Representative* will be an area on campus where connection, collaboration, for alumni? Because,” he said, “when you look at the faculty of includes, but is not limited to, ethnicity, gender, Colleen Kelleher Sorrentino, Treasurer science, technology, engineering, math, art and humanities Staten Island Academy, past and present—the heart of the race, religion, sexual orientation, family structure are laterally blended so that our students are engaged in institution—it is incumbent upon alumni to recognize those and economic backgrounds. We are committed to Honorary Trustees “big thinking” ideas. Through capstone-type experiences special teachers to whom you owe a debt that can never be a program that deepens understanding of our Vito V. Soranno afforded by this new building, we will ensure for future repaid, by supporting Staten Island Academy today and in the multicultural world and affirms inclusivity in and generations that Staten Island Academy is a school that future with your time, your money and your talents.” *Ex Officio outside the classroom. We expect members of our values curiosity over the simple compliance of coverage of Keep the Academy in your thoughts and in your hearts! community to engage in open and ongoing material; therefore, we will keep re-examining our program dialogue on diversity issues to promote awareness, so that the Academy will be in possession of a cutting-edge And please come by for a visit! understanding and respect and to use these curriculum for now and in the future. conversations as catalysts for individual and Sincerely, collective growth. To move beyond tolerance, we We have also set as a goal the enhancement for services in support and assist our students, faculty and the Patrick ’52 Academic Resource Center in order to better parents in successfully negotiating and embracing support students with all sorts of learning differences, so Albert R. Cauz the distinctive heritages, beliefs and differences that they will possess the self-awareness that will lead them Head of School that form our common humanity. to academic support and appreciate the fact that resiliency Staten Island Academy is an important part of achieving a well-balanced academic 1 contents Message from the Head of the School 1 10th Anniversary of the House System 4 Memorial Garden and Tree Dedication 6 Celebrating Michael Shanley Jr. 8 Celebrating Mary Jean Strubel 9 Dr. John Peoples, Jr. ’50 10 Year in Athletics 2013-2014 12 Year in Athletics 2014-2015 14 Development Report 2013-2014 17 Development Report 2014-2015 34 Letter to Alumni 44 Class Notes 51 Alumni Gatherings and Get Togethers 58 Commencement 2014 60 Commencement 2015 62 Business Suits and Boxing Gloves 64 Reflections is published by Staten Island Academy’s Communications Office, which welcomes contributions by faculty, staff, alumni, parents and our community. Staten Island Academy, 715 Todt Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10304, 718.987.8100 Head of School Albert R. Cauz Director of Admissions Caroline Stirn Crane ’83 Graphic Designer Tam Patane Design Manager of Communications Nicole Tolnes Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Teresa Pelosi Events Manager Laurie Turchiano Development Office Associate Laura Shack Printed by Regina Printing, Belleville, NJ Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram 2 3 10th Anniversary of the House System By Dina Large he start of a new school year brings with it a host of fresh in the Sochi games and a desire to “have fun together.” And, Texperiences: new classroom teachers and textbooks, just last spring, the wildly popular Trivia Crack app made an changes in daily schedules, and exciting new relationships to appearance as a House competition. explore. For students in the Academy’s Upper School, a new While events still play a large role in the overall House school year also means the beginning of another season of program, a number of other components have developed participation in our House Program. As Coordinator of the over the years, which have significantly enhanced the House program since 2009, it is always an exciting time for me as I experience for the Upper School. Inspired by our Service watch the new school year unfold and wonder how our new Learning initiative, community service is now a major combination of Upper School students and faculty will impact year-end category, with Houses earning points for the its presence on campus. number of documented hours served, as well as for the Now in its second decade at SIA, the Academy’s House percentage of House members participating in a service Program provides unique opportunities for members of the endeavor. To encourage and acknowledge House Upper School community to share positive interaction at all enthusiasm, spirit points are awarded following every event. grade levels and in all academic disciplines and departments.