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![18 Winter 2015
A Look Back at The Drowsy Chaperone
Performing Arts Department Chair: Fiona Hutchison
All we can say is “I’m sorry” to those of you who missed
York Prep’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone last
spring. Drowsy was unquestionably one of the best produc-
tions to ever come out of York Prep in its 46 years. “Some-
times things just line up,” said Ms. Fiona Hutchison, Chair of
the Performing Arts Department. “Nobody could’ve predicted
how well Drowsy would be received. We didn’t know as little as
a week before we opened. All we knew is that the kids were
having a blast at rehearsal. [We] knew it would be fun. We just
had no idea how much fun it would be for the audience. But,
wow, did it deliver”.
Drowsy told the story about the “man in the chair,” a lov-
able, musical theater buff, who whenever feeling down about
life, pulls out his vinyl copy of a fictitious 1920’s roaring Broadway musical aptly titled The Drowsy Chaperone; and when he
does this, the musical comes to life in his living room.
Mr. Ronald Stewart, our school’s co-founder and head-
master, recommended the show to the Performing Arts
Department. “Mr. Stewart told us it was funny and short and
that he loved it when he saw it on Broadway,” said the show’s
director Mr. John Viscardi. “So, I ordered a copy and I have to
admit after I read it, I thought it was one of the funniest books
and scores I’d ever come across.”
After reading the play, Mr. Viscardi went over to the
Library of the Performing Arts to view a digital archive of the
original 2006 Broadway show. He was surprised by what he
found. “It wasn’t that funny,” shared Mr. Viscardi. “I mean,
there were moments, but so much of it was long and drawn
out. I just thought they missed a bunch of stuff.”
Mr. Viscardi wasn’t the only one who felt this way. He made
changes to the play and after the evening’s first performance,
a woman came up to him. She said that the production she had just witnessed was one of the best she had ever seen of
Drowsy. The woman thought Mr. Viscardi’s creative team had
even managed to find jokes that weren’t in the original produc-
tion. That woman was no ordinary audience member. She was
Ms. Lisa Lambert, the composer and lyricist of the actual Broad-
way show!
“We were all floored,” said Mr. Viscardi. “That kind of thing
just doesn’t happen. I mean…it just doesn’t happen.”
Ms. Lambert went on to attend the remaining three York
Prep performances and on the evening of last performance,
she even brought along the choreographer from Broadway’s
Book of Mormon and the original musical director of Drowsy.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/york-winter-newsletter-2015-150227204147-conversion-gate01/85/York-Prep-Winter-2015-Newsletter-18-320.jpg)
![York News 19
“She loved it,” beamed York Prep Musical Director Mr.
Thomas Hodges. “We loved the music from the beginning, and
the students had so much fun singing the songs. Honestly, it
wasn’t hard to provide musical direction for this show. I mean,
it’s always hard, but the students were so enthusiastic and
passionate that it was truly nothing but fun. And meeting the
original musical director of the show was such a treat –not to
mention meeting Ms. Lambert herself. It was magical”.
“It’s really a testament to Ronnie and Jayme Stewart and
their love of the arts,” said Ms. Hutchison. “All they ever want
to do is look to make the school the best in its field. And now,
with their support of the arts (and more specifically in the
performing arts) I can honestly say we are right up there with
the best performing arts high schools, not only in the city, but
in the country. And that is something to be proud of.”
Not being a Performing Arts school has led to remarkable opportunities for many of York’s students. “I never imagined I
would ever be in a musical!” said senior Sam Kay. “Everyone knew me as a student and basketball player, but I felt in a rut. I felt
I needed a new challenge, and when Thomas Hodges asked me to be in the The Drowsy Chaperone, in a leading role, no less,
I just said yes! I didn’t know I’d be tap dancing and singing as well as acting! But I worked hours with Thomas and on my own,
learning to sing well above my range, and I worked literally hours learning to tap dance. Honestly, it was one of the most
amazing experiences of my life!”
Senior Eli Krauss, who hopes to pursue a career in filmmaking, has been involved in the Drama Department from his first
years at York. With regard to how easy it is to get involved, he said, “When you think of auditioning, you normally think it’s a big
threat. But at York it’s the most comfortable, friendly, relaxed process. And if you’re not interested in acting, all you have to do
is ask if they need any help. There are so many different angles, from set building to back stage to stage-managing. The Drama
Department has been such a big part of my experience. I don’t know where I would be without it.”
Sophomore Joseph Newman-Getzler said, “Doing Drowsy Chaperone was the biggest role I’ve ever been given and the
most satisfying! It was the first time I ever looked really deeply into a character to what motivates them, because the play
doesn’t give you everything. The experience was just so warm and inviting. The people I worked with--Ms. Hutchison, Mr.
Hodges, Mr. Viscardi, Molly [Model], and Trevor [Viscardi] and everyone--were so kind to me. It was one of the most invigo-
rating and rewarding experiences of my life!”
The cast of The Drowsy Chaperone included 7th
grader Sariah Johnson, 8th
graders Breaker Novogratz and Gabriel Squitieri;
freshmen Olivia Heskett and Caroline Watters; sophomores Joseph Newman-Getzler, Felix Sanchez, and Andrew Vella; juniors
Daniel Arias, Emma Benten, Nieve Ferguson, Callam Kurtz, and Trevor Viscardi; seniors Cody Corrall, Isabel Greenberg, Sam
Kay, Eli Krauss, Molly Model, and Gayla Kornbluh (Class of 2014).
International Buffet and Musical Celebration
Director of Community Relations: Sherry Grand
The International Buffet and Music Celebration was a night to remember. On November 13, 2014, the York Prep gymnasium
was transformed into a festive bistro complete with candle-lit tables. The event hosted approximately 100 students, fami-
lies, and faculty members. Students and their families prepared an array of delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts from
around the world.
The musical highlight of the evening feature student performances by the Glee Club as well as the cast of the York Prep’s
original musical, Underground. The terrific evening was enjoyed by all!](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/york-winter-newsletter-2015-150227204147-conversion-gate01/85/York-Prep-Winter-2015-Newsletter-19-320.jpg)
![York News 21
originating a part that I’ve ever had. And I’m really glad I had
that experience before going off to college since I’d like to
pursue acting professionally. It was a great experience.”
First timer to the stage, senior Ascari Chotoosingh didn’t
know what to expect but wanted to give it a try. “It was a very
positive experience. I had a lot of fun working with my fellow
cast members. I learned a lot about acting on stage and I got a
lot of experi-
ence. I was ner-
vous about get-
ting such a big
role at first, but
as time went on,
and once I
memorized all
my lines, I gained confidence. Working with [senior] Sarah Calaman helped a
lot. She was in a lot more shows than I was and she was so friendly. In fact,
everybody was really friendly and really welcoming. It was just a very positive
environment!”
The cast of Underground included freshmen Olivia Heskett and Caroline
Watters, sophomores Joseph Newman-Getzler and Felix Sanchez, juniors Daniel
Arias, Emma Benten, Nieve Ferguson, Trevor Viscardi, and Brandon Young, seniors Sarah Calaman, Ascari Chotoosingh, Ellara
Chumashkaeva, Cody Corrall, Michael Demos, Isabel Greenberg, Gabriel Icikson, Eli Krauss, Molly Model, and Lucas Mollod.
Student Government Organization
Advisors: Melissa Feibusch, Brittany McKinney, and Jillian Schmidt
Through York Prep’s Student Government Organization (SGO), a group of elected student representatives organize events to
give back to their school and community. Under the senior leadership of Presidents Edward Haddad and Samuel Kay, the
SGO expanded this year with the addition of four new cabinet members. Seniors Jared Axelowitz, Miles Liu, and Lucas Mollod
serve as vice president, treasurer, and parliamentarian, respectively. The cabinet is rounded out with Charles Stevens, a junior
who serves as the SGO’s secretary.
This year, the SGO chose different philanthropic organizations to sponsor each month. October was devoted to raising
money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an organization committed to finding a cure for breast cancer. The SGO sponsored
a raffle during the faculty dodgeball game to raise funds for the Foundation. During November and December, the SGO teamed
up with the NYC Cares Winter Wishes program to give holiday presents to inner city students in need. The York Prep commu-
nity shone throughout this initiative, as our students, parents, and faculty fulfilled many holiday wishes.
In addition to supporting various charitable causes, the SGO hosted the Halloween Spooktacular, headlined for the second
consecutive year by magician Gary the Great. Gary again dazzled both students and faculty. The event concluded with the
annual costume contest; this year’s winners included 6th
graders William Mansouri and Charlotte Soiefer; sophomore Liam
Mandelbaum; and junior Emma Benten.
The SGO’s commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, supportive, and fun environment is seen in all aspects of their
agenda. The advisors and elected officers hope to engage the entire community at York Prep, from sixth grade through
graduating seniors, in supporting one another on the fields, courts, stages, and wherever else an extra dose of camaraderie
might be needed. We hold fast to the notion that there is no better place to show and exhibit pride than at school. York Prep
pride begins with us. Go Panthers!](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/york-winter-newsletter-2015-150227204147-conversion-gate01/85/York-Prep-Winter-2015-Newsletter-21-320.jpg)
![44 Winter 2015
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
Middle School Basketball
Coaches: Jeremy Arnstein & Hayden Morris
For the 2014-2015 season, York Prep’s middle school basketball team has a strong core of returning eighth grade students
including Bryce Gatch, Jacob Kay, and Sam Lowe. They are complemented by a strong influx of eighth grade talent with the
additions of Khalil Watkins, Brooks Valentine, Ira Heppard, Daniel Helfgott, Dakari “Doc” Chenault, and Cole Tarrant. The
coaches also are very pleased with the seventh graders, who will be the backbone of the future York Prep team. This group
includes Nicolas Romeo, Daniel Neustadter, Caden Burton, Benjamin Barraclough, and Leila Nouri.
Coming off from last year’s successful season, first-year Head Coach Jeremy Arnstein predicted only improvements as the
program headed into the 2014-2015 season. “We have had four great practices to start the year,” said Mr. Arnstein. Of
expectations for the coming year, he said: “For us, it’s not about winning or losing. We are looking to get better every day, both
as a team and as individual players. If we can do that, the winning will take care of itself.” When asked about his favorite aspect
of practice so far, 8th
grader Brooks Valentine responded, “My favorite part is the running. [It’s] really hard, But I know it means
we are getting better.”
Varsity Cross Country
Coach: Erwin Bernal
York Prep’s 2014 varsity cross country team, led by Coach Erwin Bernal, climbed out of
some uphill (and downhill) battles and had a successful season overall. Running the five-
kilometer course at Van Cortlandt Park is always a daunting task, but every single York Prep
runner was up for the challenge. Freshmen Toi Chotoosingh, Asa Goodman, Andrew Isaacson,
Michael Lee, Emma McGoldrick, and
Aaron Pawha made up a majority of
the team along with sophomores
Manny Demos, Sasha Khazatsky, Ben
Kotran, and Miles Magee, as well as
junior Dylan Geiringer.
In fact, as the season wore on, the
athletes improved on their running
times and performed their personal
bests. Although mostly underclass-
men filled the roster this year, team members held their own against
older competitors.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/york-winter-newsletter-2015-150227204147-conversion-gate01/85/York-Prep-Winter-2015-Newsletter-44-320.jpg)
Uploaded byYork Prep
York Prep Winter 2015 Newsletter
This newsletter from York Prep school provides updates on various school news, events, activities and sports programs. It discusses the college application process for the classes of 2015 and 2016, including early decision acceptance rates. It also lists the colleges attended by the class of 2014 and upcoming dates. The newsletter highlights many extracurricular clubs, trips, performances and athletic teams at the school.
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York Prep Winter 2015 Newsletter
- 2. 2 Winter 2015 CONTENTS SCHOOLNEWS: News From Our Head News From Associate Head Class of 2015 - Class of 2016 Class of 2015 Early Decision Class of 2014 Colleges Attending Class of 2015 College Applications Upcoming Dates York Scholars 2015 Pre-Scholars Course Sched. 2014-15 Junior Scholars Program York Technology Infrastructure Constitutional Law Classroom Adolescent Girls Group Peer Tutoring Visit from the NY School for the Deaf News from the Library Farewell to Dear Friend Felix Fibich TRIPS & TOURS: Escape the Room Field Trip Dodge Poetry Festival Metropolitan Museum of Art New-York Historical Society NYC Tours Museum of Mathematics Field Trip SPECIAL EVENTS: The Drowsy Chaperone International Buffet/Music Celebration Underground: The Musical Halloween at York Prep Battle of the Bees CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS: Student Government Organization The Beekeeping Club Model United Nations York Celebrates Superbowl XI York Prep Bake Sales D.E.A.R. Book Club Open Studio Writers by the Park 2014 WYRK Upper School Book Club Opera Talk The Paw Genesis York Prep Math Club Yearbook Club Jewish Heritage Club Chess and Games Club Glee Club Ukulele and Guitar Club Zumba Field Day Swim Club Fitness Room Madden Club Performing Arts Electives Same Sky Club Women in the Arab World Club Young Doctors Club Gay-Straight Alliance Out Loud Club Faculty News ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT: York Prep Athletic Program Lady Panther Scores 1000th Point York Prep Intramurals Girls Varsity Volleyball Boys Varsity Volleyball Girls Middle School Volleyball Girls Varsity Soccer Boys Varsity Soccer Middle School Soccer Girls Varsity Basketball Boys Varsity Basketball Boys Junior Varsity Basketball Middle School Basketball Varsity Cross Country Girls Varsity Softball Varsity Baseball Varsity Golf Middle School Track & Field Varsity Track & Field Varsity Winter Track 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 21 24 25 25 26 26 26 27 27 28 28 29 29 29 30 30 30 31 31 31 32 33 33 33 34 35 35 36 36 37 37 38 39 39 40 40 41 41 41 42 42 43 43 44 44 45 45 46 46 47 47 NEWS FROM OUR HEAD January 2015 Dear Parents, Alumni, and Friends, I hope you enjoy this Winter Newsletter from York Prep. Like all previous newsletters, it focuses on supporting and celebrating the people who matter most to us, the stars of our school - our students. It is primarily written by our wonderful faculty, who share the vision of taking students to their highest potential by nurturing their strengths and getting to know them as people. The variety of activities we provide, speak for themselves. Our athletic teams continue to be competitive and demonstrate sportsmanship. We try to expand each year on the number of curricular and extra-curricular programs we offer. This year we added a new videogame design and coding class. We installed 50 ultra-fast wireless ports so that, along with our universal use of interactive whiteboards, every room in the school is a place for state-of-the-art learning. Our library was rebuilt over the summer to provide more portable computer stations and space, making it the most popular location in the school for students who have any free time in their schedule. Students can use the library laptops or connect their own devices to our wi-fi network. Edline continues to be the main portal through which we communicate with our parent body. I am proud of our faculty in the way they consistently maintain this invaluable tool. It helps our stu- dents with classroom organization and, perhaps more importantly, keeps parents informed on a weekly basis of their child’s progress. While I hesitate to pick out one area of excellence in the school, I should recognize that our Fall Musical Underground, was written and scored by two members of our performing arts faculty, Tho- mas Hodges and John Viscardi. Our students gave the musical its New York debut, and it served as a great vehicle to showcase the students’ talents in both performance and technical production. For the Spring Musical, the Performing Arts Department, under the leadership of Fiona Hutchinson, are already forming the cast for Legally Blonde. Safety is of paramount importance to any school. In these uncertain times, we have added new security measures. Thus we have bullet proof glass protecting the front desk, two security guards, security cameras and new photo identification cards for all of our community that provide swipe access to the building. This is the eleventh year of my “Headmaster’s Thoughts” and we now have a blog from which you can get the “reflections” I have written over the past decade: www.yorkprepheadmasterblog.com. To those of you who actually read them, I am grateful for your humorous feedback. So let me return to the topic of my first line, which is that I hope you enjoy this newsletter. It is difficult to express in print the energy and joy of our community. I thank those of you who have entrusted us with your children. Together, as a collaborative team, we work to nurture and empower our students as thinkers and leaders. I look forward to many years of association and friendship. Sincerely, Ronald P. Stewart Head
- 3. York News 3 NEWSFROM THE ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL January 2015 Dear York Prep Community: I was very fortunate to have had an inspirational teacher when I was in high school. I say fortunate because all too often children are left uninspired during their educational career. With high-stakes testing, stanines, and teacher evaluation linked directly to test scores, it’s no wonder that education becomes an arduous task rather than a passion for knowledge. So much time is spent “covering” material that rarely do students have a chance to “uncover” what’s in front of them. So yes, I was fortunate to have had one inspirational teacher when I was in high school. His concern for his students was that they engaged with material, asked why, and never settled for just the right answer. Through his class, students learned to love learning; teaching science was only the medium he used to engage us. Not surprisingly, his test scores were always among the highest as well. I contacted him recently, through Facebook of course, and let him know that his approach to education made a profound impact on me as a lifelong learner. I, too, wanted to instill a love of learning in my students. History for me was only the vehicle in which to begin the journey. From there, students could find adventures, make connections, and realize that learning does not only occur within the walls of a classroom. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” This simple, but profound statement made by the Irish poet W.B. Yeats is how I think about every lesson I teach. That lesson can be in the classroom, in the hallways, or on a school trip. What I treasure most about being a member of the York Prep Community is that I see that dedication towards education in every faculty and staff member here. I had one inspirational teacher, whereas students at York Prep are surrounded with motivational educators. The community is focused on helping students “uncover” material and develop an individual mind. Guiding students in this way can often be difficult. It’s sometimes uncomfortable to understand “why” and easier to just give the “right answer.” However, if we want our graduates to be agents of change, then we have to get them thinking differently about why they learn. This newsletter is a perfect representation of how York Prep creates life-long learners. Many of the clubs and activities found in these pages were developed because of student interest. Clubs like Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.), the Gay Straight Alliance, and the Young Doctors’ Club, showcase a variety of student interest and passions. Opportunities to extend learning outside of York Prep, such as the Dodge Poetry Festival and Model U.N., indicate that we are constantly bringing our students into the world. None of these opportunities would be available if our students and faculty did not work together to create a culture of learning at York Prep. It is our hope that this culture of learning extends well beyond our students’ years at York Prep. Please sit back, flip through the pages, and enjoy the path that our students are taking to light their fire for learning. Best, Art Viscusi Associate Headmaster
- 4. 4 Winter 2015 Classof 2015 This year’s seniors began college classes and private counseling last January 11, 2014. We believe that their artistic and academic talent is excellent, but at first their curiosity led to nervous “over-shopping” and anxiety. This coupled with a still difficult roll out of The Common Application added to the already tense “final stretch” pressure. But we stuck with it, and Ms. Rooney and a few techno-seniors worked out all the glitches, so our students met all the original deadlines. Thanks Ms. Rooney! While only forty-four percent (44%) of the seniors applied ED (see Edline College Guidance for explanation) to college, almost 100% of the seniors also sent at least one EA, and many sent all of their applications EA. We are still convinced ED applications are the best way to improve a student’s chances at their top choice. Even more so now that colleges need to fill up as early as possible for financial reasons. Many seniors have received scholarships without applying for financial aid. We have kept a list of these particular colleges! The results began coming in early-November from some schools (not all Common App!), but the excitement really ramped up by early to mid-December when decisions came rolling in! Congratulations to all of you who know where you are going next fall! Bravo! To those of you who were deferred, make sure your third quarter and final grades are your best. We will continue to watch and “nudge” admissions on your behalf! Be patient, and whatever you do, keep studying because mid-year grades really count and colleges can reverse their decisions if your grades drop 10% or more. Really! Good luck, Seniors and Senior Parents! See you at Graduation, May 20, 2015, 3:00 pm sharp! Class of 2016 This year, College Guidance for Juniors began a month earlier than ever before on December 11, 2014. We hope this will established a calming atmosphere for the approach to the senior year college process. We always stress, without overcon- fidence (!), that our program has a proven track record of success, and that parents who trust us better enjoy their child’s junior and senior years. College Guidance class began in earnest after Christmas vacation. This program lowers anxiety, oddly enough, by breaking the process down into small specific steps. We must impress upon you that our entire collection of junior and senior notes is on Edline in the College Guidance folder. Please take the time to look over these two sections to see how comprehensive we are. Please try to find your answers at least once before calling or emailing! Also, please read all emails we send you as well as nag letters. They really do help if you print and display them and urge your student to check off steps taken in a timely manner. We also sent out an announcement that we are using Naviance Search Engine for college research. Please explore this website at your leisure. We ask all junior parents to email us your important questions, to answer our requests quickly and fully, and to tell your child to stop by any time to ask questions. This is the beginning of the transition from passive child to proactive adult: the student is our client!! Please keep emails short and specific! Make certain your child’s name is in the subject line. Please also take the time to decide on this summer’s activity—preferably a college program and not a teen-tour or even a “volunteer or community service” teen-tour. Please consider skill improvement courses if your child could benefit from them. Visiting colleges with your child should not begin too early, so you do not over-raise expectations. Please let us make our “long list” early in the new year, then plan some travelling. Keep reality in mind while choosing to visit colleges. Overreaching adds pressure on students! Check the website for our suggestions with your child to try to find a good fit. Keep looking, but be finished by September 2015. By orientation in September, 90% of students should have visited at least 8 colleges and decided on ED for one. Of course, nothing is written in stone, but beginning your search after school starts is always a bad way to begin the toughest academic year. Remember, Orientation is mandatory for seniors!
- 5. York News 5 Wewill continue to cover SAT vs. ACT, test tutoring, test-optional colleges, students’ passions and enthusiasm, and much more for the juniors … just to mention a few points! This is a team effort; we urge you to let us work with your child and with the colleges. Parents who “over-hover” do a disservice to us all and often offend their colleges if they get involved! This also includes making appointments for interviews and signing up for SATs and ACTs. Your child needs to learn to be independent in this process and realize they can do this! Please refrain from creating College Board (SAT)/ACT accounts for your child. They will learn to do this in class and it prevents creating confusion when a student accidentally creates a second account. We are excited to begin working with your child and hope we all have a great 2015-2016 College Season. Ms. Rooney and I are an unrivalled team when it comes to sound and creative college guidance with amazing results. We pledge to continue our strong efforts to find every individual’s “perfect fit” for college. Jayme Stewart Janet Rooney Co-Director of College Guidance Co-Director of College Guidance 1970-2015 2002-2015 American University Babson College Barnard College Bennington College Cornell University Franklin and Marshall College George Washington University University of Miami University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School Vassar College Wake Forest University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Johns Hopkins University Muhlenberg College New York University Quinnipiac University Skidmore College Syracuse University CLASS OF 2015 EARLY DECISION APPLICATIONS American University Bard College Baruch College Bennington College Bentley University Brandeis University Brown University Chelsea College, UK City College Dickinson College Drew University Eckerd College George Washington University Hofstra University Ithaca College SUNY Binghamton SUNY New Paltz Syracuse University University of California, Los Angeles University of Colorado, Boulder University of Delaware University of Michigan University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Richmond University of Rochester University of Tampa University of Wisconsin Vassar College Johns Hopkins University Johnson and Wales University Lehigh University Loyola Marymount University Marymount Manhattan Muhlenberg College New York University Pace University Penn State University Pitzer College Richmond, UK Rhode Island School of Design Rochester Institute of Technology Roger Williams University Savannah College of Art and Design CLASS OF 2014 COLLEGES ATTENDING
- 6. 6 Winter 2015 NewPaltz*, Oneonta, Purchase*, Stony Brook Swarthmore College Syracuse University* Towson University Trinity College Tulane University* Union College* University of Arizona* University of California - Irvine, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Merced University of Central Florida University of Colorado, Boulder* University of Connecticut* University of Delaware* University of Hartford* University of Hawaii, Manoa University of London, UK University of Manchester, UK University of Massachusetts, Amherst* University of Miami* University of Michigan* University of Mississippi University of Montana University of New Haven Univ. of North Carolina, Wilmington University of North Dakota University of Oklahoma University of Pennsylvania, Wharton University of Pittsburg University of Rhode Island* University of San Francisco University of Southern California University of Tampa* University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Vermont* Vassar College Vaughn College Villanova University* Virginia Commonwealth University* Virginia Technological University Wake Forest University Webster University Western Michigan State Univ. Wheaton College* Hobart and William Smith Colleges* Hofstra University* Indiana University* Ithaca College* Jacksonville University Johns Hopkins University* Johnson & Wales University* Julliard School Kenyon College Laboratory Inst. Merchandising Lafayette College* Lehigh University* Liverpool Inst. Performing Arts, UK Loyola Marymount University* Lynn University Marist College Maryland Institute of the Arts Monmouth University Muhlenberg College* New York University* Northeastern University* Nova Southeastern University Pace University Parsons* Penn State University Point Loma Nazarene Univ. Pratt Institute* Quinnipiac University Rhode Island School of Design* Ringling College of Art and Design* Roger Williams University* Rutgers University Sacred Heart University San Diego State University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art & Design School of Visual Arts* Seattle University Sewanee University Skidmore College* Smith College St. Edwards University St. John’s University Suffolk University SUNY - Albany*, Buffalo State*, Univ. of Buffalo*, Binghamton*, Geneseo, Adelphi University* American University* Babson College* Baldwin Wallace University Bard College Barnard College* Bates College Bennington College Bentley University* Boston University Brandeis University* Bucknell University California Institute of the Arts Cal State - Channel Islands, San Marcos, Sacramento Central School of Drama, UK Chapman University Clark University* Clemson University College of Charleston* Connecticut College Cornell University* CUNY - Baruch*, Hunter, City* Curry College* CW Post Dickinson College Dowling College Drew University* Drexel University* East Carolina University Eckerd College Elmira College Elon University* Embry Riddle University Emmanuel College Emory University Eugene Lang College Florida Institute of Technology Florida State University Fordham University* Franklin & Marshall College* George Washington University* Gettysburg College Goucher College Guild Hall School Music Drama, UK Guilford College Hamilton College Hampshire College Haverford College CLASS OF 2015 COLLEGE APPLICATIONS (* = more than 1)
- 7. York News 7 UpcomingDates February 4: Feb. 16-20: February 23: February 27: March 2: March 4: March 6: March 8: March 13: March 14: March 16-27: March 30: April 1: April 3: April 4-5: April 6: April 29: May 1: May 2: May 4-7: May 6: May 7: May 8: May 14: May 19: May 20: May 25: May 27-29: May 29: June 1-5: June 6: June 8: June 10: July 31: Deadline - Documentation for Extended Time SAT/ACT 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Mr. Roper’s Adult History Program: John Quincy Adams - “Before and After” - Room 309 Mid-Winter Break - No Classes Classes Resume Quarter 3 Ends for Seniors Quarter 4 Begins for Seniors 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Mr. Roper’s Adult History Program: James K. Polk - “It was Said - it was Done” - Room 309 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Parent-Teacher Conferences - No Classes Daylight Savings, Set Clocks Forward One Hour Quarter 3 Ends for Grades 6-11 SAT Spring Break - No Classes Classes Resume, Quarter 4 Begins for Grades 6-11 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Mr. Roper’s Adult History Program: Chester Allan Arthur - “A Presidency of Redemption” - Room 309 Good Friday - No Classes Passover Easter Monday - No Classes Field Day - Mandatory Attendance Last Day of Senior Classes, Quarter 4 Ends for Seniors SAT Senior Final Exams 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Mr. Roper’s Adult History Program: John F. Kennedy - “Profile or Courage” - Room 309 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Evening of the Arts Senior Exam Make-Up Day Prom 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Graduation Rehearsal 1:00 p.m. Dismissal 3:00 p.m. Graduation Memorial Day - No Classes Review for Final Exams Last Day of Classes, Quarter 4 Ends for Grades 6-11, Awards Assembly 2nd Semester Final Exams - Grades 6-11 SAT Exam Make-Up Day Summer School Begins Summer School Ends
- 8. 8 Winter 2015 YorkScholars 2015 English Department Chair and Director of Scholars Program: Paul Sturm Seven students in our 2014 graduating class successfully completed the York Prep Scholars Program, a special three-year enrichment sequence that addresses the needs of York Prep’s most academically capable students with a rigorous and exciting curriculum. These students received diplomas indicating that they have graduated with Honors. The Scholars Program aims to deepen and expand students' understanding of their standard honors curriculum and to introduce new and exciting ideas, concepts, and themes. Topics such as the golden ratio, the art of the Italian renaissance, evolution, and the performance of Shakespeare are presented independently in mini-courses taught by members of the faculty who want to focus on their particular intellectual passions and specialties. Entry into the program is selective: 10-15 percent of our sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to join. Participating students satisfy certain general criteria and develop individual scholarly and creative projects. Scholars Program students attend two ongoing special seminars each quarter, meeting once per week. Those who engage the whole sequence will have completed 21 seminars by the time of their graduation. Among those seminars are a number with Mr. Paul Sturm, Director of the Scholars Program, where participants workshop their Senior Scholars’ Projects. A special luncheon ceremony the day before York Prep’s 2014 graduation marked the outstanding achievements of that year’s senior Scholars, whose names as well as the titles of their senior projects are as follows: Alexander Butler: Identity – A Film Deianni Galloway: The Effects of Temperature on the Rate and Duration of Luminol Chemiluminescence Nina Line: Using Photography to Explore Light’s Effect on the Psyche Anny Lutwak-Schneider: An Exploration of 3D Photography Sky Singer: An Inquiry into the Ethics and Efficacy of Enhanced Interrogation and Gitmo: Is It All Worth It? Sean Tarzy: Prep Fiction – A Film Rosette Zarzar: The Effects of Bottled Water on the Environment and Public Health Most of these graduating Scholars had completed the full three years of the program, which continues to receive highly positive feedback from previous Scholar graduates who have gone off to college. Clearly, the program offers our most aca- demically capable students the opportunity, the motivation, and the support to work at the upper range of their potential. The best part is that they seem to be having a good deal of fun doing so. This year, in addition to established classes, we are offering some exciting new seminars: The World of Opera: Spotlight on Bizet’s Carmen, Exploring Microbiology, When Comedy Was King; and “We Hold These Truths.” York remains very proud of its Scholars, and the staff continues to take great satisfaction in watching them stretch their academic and creative muscles. In addition to the intrinsic benefits of their enhanced curriculum, our Scholars also receive a gratifying degree of recognition in the form of college acceptances. Our graduated Scholars have attended or are now attending such schools as Barnard College, Brandeis University, Brown University, Colgate University, Cornell University, Harvard Col- lege, Johns Hopkins University, MIT, NYU-Tisch, Oberlin College, Pomona College, Stanford University, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Pennsylvania, and Williams College. Go Scholars! $ $ $ $ $ $ $
- 9. York News 9 TheYork Scholars and Pre-scholars Course Schedule for 2014-15 Director of Enrollment: Elizabeth Norton York Prep’s Junior Scholars Program is off to a spectacular start. In Junior Scholars, seventh and eighth grade students are offered a unique set of courses that supplement their regular curriculum if they are doing well academically and are able to manage the extra work. Students must have at least an 88% average, a good attendance record, and strong effort grades to be accepted into the program. Ms. Ruby Disko introduced seventh grade Junior Scholars to Exploration of Crystals, a course in which students learned not only to identify and understand crystals but also how to grow their own. The students finished the course with a trip to the Guggenheim Hall of Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History. Eighth grade Junior Scholars learned robotics under the guidance of Mr. Jeremy Arnstein. Students began by building the frames, sensors, arms, and wheels of the robots. Once the students had created their hardware designs, they moved on to programing the robots to interact and manipulate their environments. Currently, Mr. Thomas Henson is teaching The Graphing Calculator to the seventh grade Scholars group. This course encompasses training in the features of the graphing calculator, focusing primarily on topics covered in seventh grade math. In Tour of Microsoft Excel, Ms. Ruby Disko teaches eighth grade Junior Scholars to go beyond “the tip of the iceberg” by learning how to make tables and convert them into graphs, using formulas to gather information, and learning shortcuts. For the final Junior Scholars session in the spring, both 7th and 8th grade students will choose from three courses: Italian, Poetry, and Debate. 11th Grade: Session 1 1) Italian Renaissance Art I – Dr. Reese 2) A Seminar in Modern Poetry – Ms. Umansky Session 2 1) Lincoln’s Second Inaugural – Mr. Roper 2) Polar Coordinates – Ms. Povshko Session 3 1) An Introduction to the History of Art (20th Century and Beyond) Ms. Kolosso 2) The Golden Ratio - Mr. Misiak Session 4 1) Multi-Variable Systems of Equations – Mr. Preston 2) Exploring Microbiology – Dr. Viscusi 12th Grade: Session 1 1) When Comedy Was King – Mr. Tull 2) Senior Thesis Seminar I – Mr. Sturm Session 2 1) Dada, Surrealism, and Fantasy – Ms. Kolosso 2) Senior Thesis Seminar II – Mr. Sturm Session 3 1) Senior Thesis Seminar III - Mr. Sturm 10th Grade: Session 1 1) An Introduction to the History of Art (Pre-20th Century) – Ms. Kolosso 2) Lincoln’s Second Inaugural - Mr. Roper Session 2 1) Logic - Ms. Povshko 2) The World of Opera: Spotlight on Bizet’s Carmen – Mrs. Weschler Session 3 1) Performing Shakespeare - Mr. Tull 2) (Double Session) Session 4 1) Considering Evolution - Mr. Misiak 2) “We Hold These Truths” - Mr. Viscusi 9th Grade Pre-scholars (begins in the 3rd Quarter): Session 3 1) Poetry Workshop - Ms. Umansky 2) Sequences and Series - Ms. Povshko Session 4 1) Mandarin Calligraphy - Ms. Jin 2) Google+ Documents - Mrs. Minaudo Junior Scholars Program
- 10. 10 Winter 2015 YorkTechnology Infrastructure Upgrades Highlights Director of Technology: Richard Abba York Prep’s wireless pilot project was successfully completed this past year with the installation of about 50 wireless access points, both in the main building and in our satellite site. These access points support the latest, fastest wireless standard, “ac”, which is approximately three times faster than its predecessor. A strong signal is available everywhere. Between 400 and 500 wireless devices attach to the network each day. We have adopted the BYOD (bring your own device) model, allowing students to use laptop computers, tablets, and phones of any type. Laptops kept in the library also can be checked out by students as needed. Faculty also received laptop computers, permitting them to work from anywhere, inside or outside of the York Prep school buildings. We are continuing to research new ways wireless devices can be integrated effectively into the educational program of the school. Through our newly-implemented online application procedure, available through our website, applicants to the school now can submit all materials electronically. A checklist feature enables both the applicants and the Admissions Office to monitor the status of the various steps required to complete the application process. Lastly, the acquisition of a new library software system, Alexandria, is helping to analyze the current holdings to facilitate a major revamping of the York Prep collection. History Teacher: Michael Roper Written by seniors Daniel Durocher and Ascari Chotoosingh Afew weeks before midterms or finals start, Mr. Roper’s classroom is transformed into a courtroom. Each student takes a turn standing behind the podium in the middle of the room. Here, Mr. Roper becomes something of a lead prosecutor, questioning his students about their Constitutional Law term papers. Legal terms fly back and forth as this formidable teacher tests his students’ knowledge of the constitution and the Supreme Court cases they have researched and studied. This is the oral defense of Mr. Roper’s class term papers. Those who know Mr. Roper are well aware of his unorthodox teaching methods, with daily quizzes and long lectures often punctuated by humorous anecdotes. The oral defense is a signature requirement of Mr. Roper’s classes, especially in his law class. This year, 12 of Mr. Roper’s students chose cases from the past decade, such as Georgia v. Randolph (2006), Morse v. Frederick (2007), and Roper v. Simmons (2005). Despite the stress from research, writing, and preparing for the oral presentation, students still felt incredibly lucky to stand at that podium and defend the theses that they worked so hard on developing. Adolescent Girls Group Social Therapist and School Counselor: Evelyn Rowe-Cosentino The Adolescent Girls Group is a didactic, interactive, and task-focused group. Girls of all ages are welcome to come and develop techniques such as mindful mediation, peer sharing, providing feedback, and social self-appraisal. The group helps girls with social-emotional maturation, self-acceptance, communication, and interpersonal competence. Issues addressed include, but are not limited to, a broad range of emotional and physical changes—puberty, stressors, relationships, self-esteem, social belonging, peer pressure, body image, anxiety, fitting in, academic strain, increasing social and emotional resources, and familial conflict. The group meets once a week during lunch and is open to all interested girls. Constitutional Law Reimagined in the Classroom
- 11. York News 11 PeerTutoring Advisors: Ruby Disko, Thomas Henson, and Ethan Pennington Throughout the year, students can be seen signing in and out of the library to log their peer tutoring hours. Under the leadership of fac- ulty advisors Ms. Ruby Disko, Mr. Thomas Henson, and Mr. Ethan Pennington, peer tutoring remains a successful program here at York Prep. The peer tutoring program embodies York Prep’s mission to pro- vide top-notch education within a supportive and empowering environ- ment where students assist one another rather than compete against each other. During the week, students meet throughout the building with peer tutors to work on all kinds of assignments. The program encourages students to take charge of their learning, self-advocate, and make use of the resources York Prep makes available to them. “Peer tutoring is beneficial for both students involved,” said Ms. Disko. “The student being tutored receives extra explanation in language that is familiar to them, and the student tutoring reinforces his or her own understanding by explaining concepts to peers.” If you are interested in participating in the peer tutoring program, speak with a faculty advisor and join us. A Visit from the New York School for the Deaf ASL Teacher: Kate Logan York Prep’s American Sign Language (ASL) students had the extraor- dinary opportunity this past November to spend time with 14 students from the New York School for the Deaf. The students were from a myriad of faraway countries, including India, Guatemala, and Jamaica. Despite the apparent differences, York Prep students developed mean- ingful connections through the common bond of ASL and a shared admiration of deaf culture. Sophomore ASL student Anna Sporn said that she used to think deaf people were “so different” from hearing people. Meeting with the students from the New York School for the Deaf helped her realize that this was far from true. “This was an amazing experience I will never forget, and I feel so fortunate to get to learn ASL and commu- nicate with deaf friends,” Anna said. Another ASL student, junior Kayla Gartenberg said, “One kid told me he was excited to come so he could be exposed to the hearing world and make hearing friends. When he told me this, I was very happy because we both shared that excitement and the meeting was a learning experi- ence for both of us.” ASL classes will continue to promote occasions for York Prep students to utilize their ASL skills and expand their understanding of deaf culture.
- 12. 12 Winter 2015 Newsfrom the Library School Librarian: Joanne Walsh “What is the History homework?” “I don’t understand this math. Can you help me?” “I’ve got to get my homework this afternoon before I go home.” “Oh, good. There is a table free over here. Let’s work there.” Stop by the library any afternoon after dismissal and these are a few of the comments you will overhear among the students. Most afternoons, every seat is filled and students are working, both independently and collaboratively. There is a hum of activity, learning, and tangible energy. Some days, you will find students seated on the floor in groups discussing books, working on assignments during a free period, or cranking out homework during lunch. The library’s revitalization is a direct result of its renovation over the summer. Gone are the desktop computers and carrels; instead, we have new tables and chairs making the room more open and bright. It now can accommodate more than 30 students on laptops, far more than the number that could be seated prior to the renovation. It isn’t just the library’s physical appearance that has changed. Bibliophiles will be happy to learn that we are also expand- ing our fiction section for pleasure reading. The first order of 400 new books just arrived with something to tickle everyone’s fancy—from tales of adventure and time travel to historical fiction and fantasy. As the school year progresses, there will be additional books, author visits, and more. Librarian Ms. Joanne Walsh’s warmth with students can be felt in the air in the new library space. “This is my first year at York Preparatory School and I am so excited to be here,” she said. “I have been a librarian for 15 years now and, as I tell all the students, it is the best job ever. Of course, when I was younger, I thought librarians got to read books all day—we don’t, darn it!—but I do get to work with books and recommend them to eager readers. In my opinion, it can’t get much better than that.” Please stop by to study, to work, or even chat with Ms. Walsh about any book recommendations you have for her or to request book purchases for the library. A Farewell to our Dear Friend, Felix Fibich History Teacher: Michael Roper Written by senior Miles Liu When staring into the eyes of oppression and tyranny, few people can truly fight for their freedom. Felix Fibich was one of those people. Mr. Fibich was a Polish modern dancer, choreographer, and teacher who specialized in Jewish dance and theater. He was also an icon in the York Prep community. Mr. Fibich’s story is one of great sacrifice, sorrow, and victory. He was born on Aug. 5, 1917, in Warsaw, where his mother owned a restaurant and his father was a cantor. Felix thrived as an artist in Yiddish theater companies in Poland and in 1936 he met his wife, Judith Berg. In 1939 Poland was invaded by the Germans and Felix’s parents both died in the Holocaust. After witnessing the horror of the massacre and subjugation of the Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis, Felix decided to escape Poland in 1940 and travelled to the Soviet Union. Felix then moved to New York in 1950 and continued his escapades as an artist.
- 13. York News 13 FelixFibich became a close friend of history teacher Michael Roper. Through that friendship, he became acquainted with the York Prep community. Felix would come to talk to Mr. Roper’s U.S. History students about escaping near death and fleeing Poland and the great tribulations Jewish people faced throughout Europe. On March 20, 2014, after enduring and witnessing monstrosities, yet continuing to live a vital life, Felix Fibich died peacefully at the age of 96. Over the years, Felix had become so close to the York Prep community that Mr. Roper and his students were invited to attend a service for Felix at the Holocaust Museum. Mr. Roper, in an emotional and captivating speech at the service, spoke about Mr. Fibich’s philosophies and about how he once told a class that “until you become a minority of one, you will never be free.” Those few words were powerful enough to even set some of the students in the classroom free. Felix was known for more than just his exceptional art. He was respected for his courage and his sacrifice. York Prep best knew him as a man who had witnessed so much violence but still sought to uncover the beauty in the world. With the power of art, Felix Fibich brought enjoyment amid wickedness and—with the power of wisdom—sought to overcome ignorance. Felix never failed to smile and gift us with his ever-burning light. Let each of us keep Felix’s dream of happiness and freedom alive and celebrate the life of a man who fought for all to be free by becoming a minority of one. Escape the Room Field Trip Chair of Reading and Writing: Sammantha Farkas Freshmen and sophomore students taking Fundamentals of Reading and Writing participated in a team-building mystery field trip in early December to celebrate the conclusion of the course’s mystery genre unit. “Escape the Room” is a mystery game located in two different locations of New York City; York Prep students visited the midtown location. Participants are placed into a room and have an hour to escape. Each room harbors a different mystery, and participants work together to solve the mysteries in each room. Every piece of furniture, picture, and prop plays a role in the game. The clues may include reading a cryptic message on the wall, rearranging a map, or solving a puzzle. Once you have solved one clue, you are provided with a key or a code that will unlock another clue; the key may unlock a filing cabi- net or even open a hidden passageway leading to another room. Half of the York Prep students were placed in the Agency mystery room, while the other half attempted to solve the Office mystery room. Students practiced team building by seeking out clues and working together to dissect and analyze them so they could determine the importance of each clue. They also used their critical thinking skills to make deductions and their persuasive rheto- ric to convince their teammates of their viewpoints. Only 20% of all participants actually solve all of the clues and make it out of the room in under an hour. The York Prep classes did not to get out within an hour, but both groups were very close, only one or two clues away from escaping. In the mystery genre unit of the Fundamentals of Reading and Writing course, students learned valuable strategies in reading comprehension and written expression which improved their higher-order thinking skills. Their active reading chal- lenged them to seek out suspects and motives and to differentiate clues from red-herrings. The field trip to “Escape the Room” brought the students to a live mystery!
- 14. 14 Winter 2015 DodgePoetry Festival English Teacher: Leah Umansky The Dodge Poetry Festival is a biennial event that draws approxi- mately 155,000 people from 43 states into an environment in which everyone adores the spoken and written word of poetry. Visitors par- ticipate, free of charge, in what is widely acknowledged as the largest poetry event in North America. Six York Prep students joined in at the festival grounds near New- ark, NJ, for the Dodge Poetry Festival’s Student Day on October 4, 2014. Sophomore Victoria Laboz; juniors Carlos Bello and Daniel Arias; and seniors Molly Model, Cody Corrall, and Sarah Calaman attended. York Prep English teacher Ms. Leah Umansky (a published poet) was thrilled to share the festival with the students, as she too first attended the festival when she was in high school. The York student participants gave the festival rave reviews. “This trip made me feel inspired to go to poetry slams in the city and explore poetry even more,” said one student. Another said, “Being in a space with well-known writers, young writers, and inspiring people all around, I now have a better understanding of why poetry is so special and why I enjoy it so much.” Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Treasure Trove of Learning History Teacher: Eric Tull At York Prep, traveling 5,000 miles across the globe and 3,000 years back in time is possible with just one half-hour walk. This fall, the short hike through Central Park transported Mr. Tull’s 7th grade Ancient History classes back to the Egyptian realm of the pharaohs and to the Golden Age of Greece. In October, the group visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they capped off their understanding of the Egyptians by entering their powerfully built tombs and temples and admiring their precision-made tools and stunning jewelry. In December, they sharpened their “archeologist’s eye view” of the Greeks by touch- ing bronze and marble statuary and by examining the preparatory equipment of an Olympic athlete from 2,500 years ago. They also admired the murals painted on the inside of a Roman nobleman’s home and, upon encountering a Greek statue of the mythical Sphinx, contemplated its age-old riddle while peering into its eyes. Mining the Metropolitan Museum’s educational treasures doesn’t stop there for students at York Prep. Every spring, York Prep’s sixth graders visit the museum to enjoy artwork from the many cultures they study in Mr. Tull’s World Geography class and World Language classes. As with the seventh graders, taking in the treasures of the Chinese dynasties or the Spanish Golden Age is just a walk in the park for sixth grade York Prep students.
- 15. York News 15 New-YorkHistorical Society Advisor: Michael Roper Written by senior Winston Freeman Iattended two lectures at the New-York Historical Society to fill a requirement for my history class. Originally, I believed that it would be a chore, and the knowledge that I would have to take copious notes during the lectures did not overcome my worries. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the lectures I attended. While the stress I had envisioned was present, the interesting material of each lecture more than made up for the stress. The first lecture I attended was “Jefferson Davis: Embattled Rebel” given by historian Mr. James McPherson. Jefferson Davis was the president of the Confederate States during the Civil War. Through the lecture I learned that the short history of the Confederacy is inseparable from the Civil War. This history extends to Davis, commonly thought of as incompetent, for no other reason than his being on the losing side. Mr. McPherson’s lecture focused on the strained relationship between President Davis and General Joseph E. Johnston. Davis wanted Johnston to continue fighting, while Johnston had no qualms about retreating and giving up land to fight another day. As McPherson humorously noted about their relationship, “Johnston’s hatred of Davis amounted to a religion.” As the lecture progressed, I realized that it was not what I had imagined—it did not solely follow Jefferson Davis’ presi- dency during the war, but rather honed in on Davis and Johnston’s association during the war. By focusing on two people, McPherson didn’t cover as much ground, but I think it was better that way. He kept the lecture interesting, lively, and free from the constraints of a syllabus. Overall, these lectures were enjoyable and I would advise attending at least one, especially if you are interested in history. Written by senior Daniel Caragiulo Going to the New-York Historical Society (N-YHS) is more than just an honor, but a privilege. I was skeptical at first about visiting this American history museum and library. I was worried that I would be unable to stay awake during the lec- ture, but I was also very excited to be in such a prestigious and intellectually stimulating space. My first trip to the N-YHS blew all of my expectations out of the water and proved to be one of the most riveting experiences of my life. This could be due to my love of history, but I don’t think so. I see all my fellow peers bright eyed, excited, and focused every time we visit. The speakers are always top notch and often have incred- ible insight to offer. Someone displaying passion for what they do is very captivating and this is something one witnesses when attending the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Distinguished Speak- ers Series at the N-YHS. Junior Kayla Gartenberg agrees, “Every visit to the N-YHS captivates and fascinates me. Every speaker has lots of great wisdom to impart on the audience.” Each speaker brings a mastery to the stage that is unmatchable. On these visits Mr. Roper’s exponentially elevates the experience with his incredible joy and humor. I know I speak for my peers when I say that a trip to the N-YHS is something looked forward to and loved.
- 16. 16 Winter 2015 NYCTours Advisor: Michael Roper Written by junior Daniel Arias Throughout the years I have lived in New York City, I walked along the streets every day not knowing the history of my home town. I walked daily by historic landmarks not knowing that my strolls were taking me through our nation’s past. History teacher Michael Roper’s New York City tours have presented students like me with the opportunity to truly appre- ciate every city block. The most vivid memory I have of one of Mr. Roper’s tours was when we were walking through Woodlawn Cemetery and came upon the graves of Miles Davis and Duke Ellington. As a big fan of jazz with a large amount of music from these two artists, I found that to be a great moment. Being able to see the final resting place of these great artists was an immense honor, especially considering that I have passed Woodlawn Cemetery on multiple occasions without knowing such influential people were buried there. Along with visiting famous sites, my fellow students and I are required to give a report on a notable person found on the tour. On the tour through Woodlawn, my assigned notable person was Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the civil rights activist who organized the Seneca Falls Convention with Lucretia Mott and wrote her Declaration of Sentiments. The Declaration of Senti- ments is often credited with initiating the first organized women’s rights and women’s suffrage movements in the United States. Learning about Elizabeth Cady Stanton was not just some school project; I actually used the information I learned by giving a presentation about her in class when we covered the topic. Junior Trevor Viscardi described his experience on Mr. Roper’s tours as fascinating and truly exciting. “Having heard of Mr. Roper’s tours for years, I was anxious and excited to finally attend one of them,” said Trevor. “Our walk took us through and around what was once New Amsterdam. Mr. Roper has this brilliant way of bringing history to life by using just the right amount of hard facts as well as silly anecdotes, which are always the right amount of tangential. Suddenly, the cobbled streets weren’t just a novelty; rather, they offer commonly over- looked relics. The tours connect on a very personal level as well; it brings us back to the roots of our city, my city. Having been born and raised in New York, finding out Pearl Street was named after the pearl color created by the plethora of oyster shells the citizens of New Amsterdam cast down was elating. Although the trip was exhausting and cold, it wasn’t by any means unpleasant.” On the trip to Woodlawn cemetery, where we walked for hours viewing the graves of many famous New Yorkers, Trevor found the most interesting thing about that tour to be that, despite the fact that we were a huge group of high school students, we “retained—for the most part, at least—a respectable demeanor.” It has become clear over time that the tours, as well as Mr. Roper himself, tend to bring out the best in people. The tours are just as interesting and fun as many have professed them to be and, although it is hard getting up early on those Sundays, it really is worth it. Nowhere else will you find such a knowledgeable and passionate tour guide as Mr. Roper.
- 17. York News 17 TheMuseum of Mathematics Field Trip Math Teachers: Erica Millado and Ted Preston The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) on the lower east side is a beacon for mathematicians and math-lovers alike. MoMath’s location only 20 minutes away from York Prep made it an ideal location for teachers Ms. Erica Millado, Ms. Maria D’Angelo and Mr. Ted Preston to broaden their students’ perception of math. Last September, a class of seventh graders and a class of seniors embarked on a collaborative exploratory visit together to the museum. Students engaged in many of the hands-on exhibits at the museum, which highlighted different areas of math- ematics. Throughout the museum visit, students uncovered many real-life applications of the mathematical concepts they were learning in class. Mr. Preston’s seniors served as chaperones for Ms. Millado’s seventh graders. The students all agreed that there is something for everyone to learn at the Museum of Mathematics.
- 18. 18 Winter 2015 ALook Back at The Drowsy Chaperone Performing Arts Department Chair: Fiona Hutchison All we can say is “I’m sorry” to those of you who missed York Prep’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone last spring. Drowsy was unquestionably one of the best produc- tions to ever come out of York Prep in its 46 years. “Some- times things just line up,” said Ms. Fiona Hutchison, Chair of the Performing Arts Department. “Nobody could’ve predicted how well Drowsy would be received. We didn’t know as little as a week before we opened. All we knew is that the kids were having a blast at rehearsal. [We] knew it would be fun. We just had no idea how much fun it would be for the audience. But, wow, did it deliver”. Drowsy told the story about the “man in the chair,” a lov- able, musical theater buff, who whenever feeling down about life, pulls out his vinyl copy of a fictitious 1920’s roaring Broadway musical aptly titled The Drowsy Chaperone; and when he does this, the musical comes to life in his living room. Mr. Ronald Stewart, our school’s co-founder and head- master, recommended the show to the Performing Arts Department. “Mr. Stewart told us it was funny and short and that he loved it when he saw it on Broadway,” said the show’s director Mr. John Viscardi. “So, I ordered a copy and I have to admit after I read it, I thought it was one of the funniest books and scores I’d ever come across.” After reading the play, Mr. Viscardi went over to the Library of the Performing Arts to view a digital archive of the original 2006 Broadway show. He was surprised by what he found. “It wasn’t that funny,” shared Mr. Viscardi. “I mean, there were moments, but so much of it was long and drawn out. I just thought they missed a bunch of stuff.” Mr. Viscardi wasn’t the only one who felt this way. He made changes to the play and after the evening’s first performance, a woman came up to him. She said that the production she had just witnessed was one of the best she had ever seen of Drowsy. The woman thought Mr. Viscardi’s creative team had even managed to find jokes that weren’t in the original produc- tion. That woman was no ordinary audience member. She was Ms. Lisa Lambert, the composer and lyricist of the actual Broad- way show! “We were all floored,” said Mr. Viscardi. “That kind of thing just doesn’t happen. I mean…it just doesn’t happen.” Ms. Lambert went on to attend the remaining three York Prep performances and on the evening of last performance, she even brought along the choreographer from Broadway’s Book of Mormon and the original musical director of Drowsy.
- 19. York News 19 “Sheloved it,” beamed York Prep Musical Director Mr. Thomas Hodges. “We loved the music from the beginning, and the students had so much fun singing the songs. Honestly, it wasn’t hard to provide musical direction for this show. I mean, it’s always hard, but the students were so enthusiastic and passionate that it was truly nothing but fun. And meeting the original musical director of the show was such a treat –not to mention meeting Ms. Lambert herself. It was magical”. “It’s really a testament to Ronnie and Jayme Stewart and their love of the arts,” said Ms. Hutchison. “All they ever want to do is look to make the school the best in its field. And now, with their support of the arts (and more specifically in the performing arts) I can honestly say we are right up there with the best performing arts high schools, not only in the city, but in the country. And that is something to be proud of.” Not being a Performing Arts school has led to remarkable opportunities for many of York’s students. “I never imagined I would ever be in a musical!” said senior Sam Kay. “Everyone knew me as a student and basketball player, but I felt in a rut. I felt I needed a new challenge, and when Thomas Hodges asked me to be in the The Drowsy Chaperone, in a leading role, no less, I just said yes! I didn’t know I’d be tap dancing and singing as well as acting! But I worked hours with Thomas and on my own, learning to sing well above my range, and I worked literally hours learning to tap dance. Honestly, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!” Senior Eli Krauss, who hopes to pursue a career in filmmaking, has been involved in the Drama Department from his first years at York. With regard to how easy it is to get involved, he said, “When you think of auditioning, you normally think it’s a big threat. But at York it’s the most comfortable, friendly, relaxed process. And if you’re not interested in acting, all you have to do is ask if they need any help. There are so many different angles, from set building to back stage to stage-managing. The Drama Department has been such a big part of my experience. I don’t know where I would be without it.” Sophomore Joseph Newman-Getzler said, “Doing Drowsy Chaperone was the biggest role I’ve ever been given and the most satisfying! It was the first time I ever looked really deeply into a character to what motivates them, because the play doesn’t give you everything. The experience was just so warm and inviting. The people I worked with--Ms. Hutchison, Mr. Hodges, Mr. Viscardi, Molly [Model], and Trevor [Viscardi] and everyone--were so kind to me. It was one of the most invigo- rating and rewarding experiences of my life!” The cast of The Drowsy Chaperone included 7th grader Sariah Johnson, 8th graders Breaker Novogratz and Gabriel Squitieri; freshmen Olivia Heskett and Caroline Watters; sophomores Joseph Newman-Getzler, Felix Sanchez, and Andrew Vella; juniors Daniel Arias, Emma Benten, Nieve Ferguson, Callam Kurtz, and Trevor Viscardi; seniors Cody Corrall, Isabel Greenberg, Sam Kay, Eli Krauss, Molly Model, and Gayla Kornbluh (Class of 2014). International Buffet and Musical Celebration Director of Community Relations: Sherry Grand The International Buffet and Music Celebration was a night to remember. On November 13, 2014, the York Prep gymnasium was transformed into a festive bistro complete with candle-lit tables. The event hosted approximately 100 students, fami- lies, and faculty members. Students and their families prepared an array of delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts from around the world. The musical highlight of the evening feature student performances by the Glee Club as well as the cast of the York Prep’s original musical, Underground. The terrific evening was enjoyed by all!
- 20. 20 Winter 2015 UNDERGROUND:The Musical – A York Prep Original Performing Arts Department Chair: Fiona Hutchison Last December while waiting for students to arrive to class, Music Director and teacher Mr. Thomas Hodges sat at a piano and played a song called “Underground” that he had written some years earlier for Drama Director and teacher Mr. John Viscardi. Less than one year later a musical was born. Mr. Hodges wrote the music and lyrics; Mr. Viscardi the book. At the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater on December 4-6, with a cast and crew of over 30 students, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart produced Underground to stellar reviews. “I love teaching at York,” said Mr. Hodges. “I love working with the students and the faculty, but I really cherish working with John and Fiona. We are all so supportive of each other and the students, and we are all always thinking of ways to create and engage the students in the arts. Underground came out of that passion” Underground chronicles the journey of teenagers who live underground in the NYC subway tunnels. It follows them as they try to survive and follow their dreams. “Underground is really three stories,” says Mr. Viscardi. “It tells the story of Grace, a young girl who lives underground with her mother Althea and who tries to pursue her dreams as a singer. It tells the story of Maddie who, along with her brother Max, pursues her dream of being a documentary filmmaker. And it tells the story of Doormat, one of our most likable under- ground hooligans, as he pursues his dream of making friends and leaving behind something meaningful in the world. Really, it’s all about dreaming and what it takes to make your dreams a reality. It’s quite special.” Working closely with Mr. Viscardi and Mr. Hodges was Ms. Fiona Hutchison, the third of this powerful Performing Arts creative team. “I love what John and Thomas bring to the table. They are creative, supportive of each other, and just have great ideas. They just go, go, go.” Underground was not only a first for collaborators John Viscardi and Thomas Hodges, but it was a first for many in the cast as well. “The role of Doormat was the biggest role I’d ever been given, and I wasn’t originally going to play it,” said senior Gabe Icikson. “I had a smaller role in the play, but two weeks before opening I asked Mr. Viscardi and Mr. Hodges if I could go on in the understudy performance, and they said if I could really get the role down and prove to them I was ready, they would let me. So I worked day and night studying the lines with my father and during lunch with Mr. Hodges, and honestly, it was one of the greatest things I’ve done in high school. It meant so much to me. And it meant so much to my mom and grandmother as well.” But it didn’t come easy to Gabe. “I was nervous, but Ms. Hutchison told me to try out for the play. She really made me believe I had the potential to do it. The Drama Department is great at encouraging the kids, to show them it’s not as scary as they think”. Senior Lucas Mollod thought Underground “was really cool. It was different from any other show I’ve been in. Normally I read the play, then try to see a video of the production, but I couldn’t do that with Underground. It was the closest thing to
- 21. York News 21 originatinga part that I’ve ever had. And I’m really glad I had that experience before going off to college since I’d like to pursue acting professionally. It was a great experience.” First timer to the stage, senior Ascari Chotoosingh didn’t know what to expect but wanted to give it a try. “It was a very positive experience. I had a lot of fun working with my fellow cast members. I learned a lot about acting on stage and I got a lot of experi- ence. I was ner- vous about get- ting such a big role at first, but as time went on, and once I memorized all my lines, I gained confidence. Working with [senior] Sarah Calaman helped a lot. She was in a lot more shows than I was and she was so friendly. In fact, everybody was really friendly and really welcoming. It was just a very positive environment!” The cast of Underground included freshmen Olivia Heskett and Caroline Watters, sophomores Joseph Newman-Getzler and Felix Sanchez, juniors Daniel Arias, Emma Benten, Nieve Ferguson, Trevor Viscardi, and Brandon Young, seniors Sarah Calaman, Ascari Chotoosingh, Ellara Chumashkaeva, Cody Corrall, Michael Demos, Isabel Greenberg, Gabriel Icikson, Eli Krauss, Molly Model, and Lucas Mollod. Student Government Organization Advisors: Melissa Feibusch, Brittany McKinney, and Jillian Schmidt Through York Prep’s Student Government Organization (SGO), a group of elected student representatives organize events to give back to their school and community. Under the senior leadership of Presidents Edward Haddad and Samuel Kay, the SGO expanded this year with the addition of four new cabinet members. Seniors Jared Axelowitz, Miles Liu, and Lucas Mollod serve as vice president, treasurer, and parliamentarian, respectively. The cabinet is rounded out with Charles Stevens, a junior who serves as the SGO’s secretary. This year, the SGO chose different philanthropic organizations to sponsor each month. October was devoted to raising money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an organization committed to finding a cure for breast cancer. The SGO sponsored a raffle during the faculty dodgeball game to raise funds for the Foundation. During November and December, the SGO teamed up with the NYC Cares Winter Wishes program to give holiday presents to inner city students in need. The York Prep commu- nity shone throughout this initiative, as our students, parents, and faculty fulfilled many holiday wishes. In addition to supporting various charitable causes, the SGO hosted the Halloween Spooktacular, headlined for the second consecutive year by magician Gary the Great. Gary again dazzled both students and faculty. The event concluded with the annual costume contest; this year’s winners included 6th graders William Mansouri and Charlotte Soiefer; sophomore Liam Mandelbaum; and junior Emma Benten. The SGO’s commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, supportive, and fun environment is seen in all aspects of their agenda. The advisors and elected officers hope to engage the entire community at York Prep, from sixth grade through graduating seniors, in supporting one another on the fields, courts, stages, and wherever else an extra dose of camaraderie might be needed. We hold fast to the notion that there is no better place to show and exhibit pride than at school. York Prep pride begins with us. Go Panthers!
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- 24. 24 Winter 2015 TheBeekeeping Club Advisor: Ms. Janet Rooney The Beekeeping Club was launched five years ago at York Prep after it became legal again to maintain an apiary in the borough of Manhattan. While the hives are quite dormant during the cold winter months, the Bee- keeping Club remained busy every Tuesday of the fall semester under the leadership of Ms. Janet Rooney, an aspiring beekeeper herself. Students spent time learning how to use a smoker, manipulate the frames, treat the hives for mites, feed the hives with sugar water and fondant, and wrap the hives for the winter. In September, Ms. Rooney and several of her top beekeeping students were invited to attend the Waldorf Astoria’s second annual Battle of the Bees. This honey-tasting contest included competitors from the Waldorf, Brooks Brothers, the Durst Organization, the NYC Beekeepers Association and York Prep. Although the first prize went to the Waldorf, York Prep students had an amazing time competing. Headmaster Ronald Stewart and Mrs. Jayme Stewart both attended to offer support. The impressive list of judges included top chef Eric Rippert from Le Bernardin; James Oseland, editor of Saveur magazine; and Tim Gunn, a mentor from “Project Runway.” Top chef and TV personality Alex Guarnaschelli hosted the event. The beekeep- ing club would like to give special thanks to Ms. Elizabeth Norton from our Admissions Office, who was especially helpful in creating swag bags for the event! Last spring, Ms. Rooney reached out to professional beekeeper Mr. Danny Senter of Teaneck, New Jersey, to help teach students the basics of beekeeping. Danny’s interest in beekeeping began when he visited a friend’s farm. After conducting extensive research on caring and cultivating bees, he started beekeeping on his own. By the next spring, he had two of his own hives. Danny now manages three small apiaries and is called upon regularly to rescue honey bees from some of the oddest places. Danny gets extra help from Dr. Ray Aarons of New Jersey, another aspiring beekeeper with two hives at his school. The club will resume meetings in January for some classroom discus- sions and presentations on beekeeping. We will head back to the roof in March to see which hives survived the winter and to introduce new hives. This spring, the club will undertake a new endeavor – honey harvesting. In the past, an outside beekeeper collected the honey; this year, however, students will learn the process of collecting honey from hive to jar. The club would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Stewart for their generosity in supplying brand new bee suits and for the materials needed to maintain our rooftop garden and the apiary.
- 25. York News 25 YorkPrep Model United Nations Club Advisors: Brendan Buckley and Anthony diSalvo The York Prep Model United Nations Club is in the midst of another excit- ing competition season. In December, the club’s more than 20 mem- bers attended the first-ever Model UN conference held at the United Nations International School in New York. They all did an exemplary job. Senior Max Fleischman and junior Evan Torma-Rookley made the York Prep commu- nity beam with pride when they won awards within their committees. This January, the club will attend the 31st annual Ivy League Model United Nations Conference in Philadelphia, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. With more than 3,000 delegates from around the country scheduled to attend, this conference always attracts excellent Model UN teams and interesting guest speak- ers. This year, York Prep will be representing South Korea, Mauritius, and the Netherlands. Additionally, three York Prep students will have seats on Crisis Committees, where they will deal with issues surrounding the historical events of the Treaty of Westphalia and the Knights Templar during the Crusades. “York’s Model UN team is made up of some of our best, most committed, and hardest working students,” said the club’s faculty advisor, Mr. Brendan Buckley. “It is an absolute pleasure to work with these students and watch them grow personally, socially and academically.” History Teacher: Eric Tull Every February, the York Prep Pantherdome hosts the annual York Prep Social Studies Superbowl. 2015 marks the 11th anniversary of the event (hence “Superbowl XI”), which takes place every year on the day after the NFL Superbowl. The four high school classes compete fiercely against each other, answering questions about history, geography, government and current events. Representatives of each grade chose questions from three categories based on difficulty, with accompanying point values to match each set of questions. History teacher and moderator Mr. Michael “Walking Textbook” Roper writes and poses all the questions, with new features and new categories of questions added each year, including quotes and images of flags or famous figures for students to identify. Mr. Roper is assisted by History Department Chair Heather Marshall and the history team. York Prep’s reliable Physical Education coaches handle the officiating. York Prep Principal Stefanie Lopez presents the winners with bestselling books on a variety of historical topics. The victors also earn bragging rights for an entire year. In last year’s contest, the sophomores barely squeezed past the freshmen in a suspenseful tie-breaking overtime round. The sophomores were then beaten by the senior class of 2014 in the final round. The York Prep Superbowl has been won by seniors, sophomores, and even freshmen. The eleventh grade has yet to win a championship. Could this be the year the juniors finally claim victory? We’ll have to see. York Celebrates Superbowl XI
- 26. 26 Winter 2015 YorkPrep Bake Sales Advisor: Sammantha Farkas The tight-knit community of York Prep comes together during our weekly bake sales, sponsored by our many student-led clubs. These bake sales not only raise money for the clubs—for example, the Student Government Organization, Same Sky on Campus, and the Gay/Straight Alliance—but also increase awareness about important activities which these clubs undertake. Hungry students devour delicious baked treats while learning about the accomplishments of the club sponsoring that week’s bake sale. Bake sales take place every Friday in the Lobby and offer a sweet addition to life at York Prep. D.E.A.R. Book Club Advisors: Lynn Butterworth and Martha Caruso To start off the academic year, the Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) Middle School book club read and discussed Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, which tells the story of Meggie and her father Mo, who has an extraordinary ability. When Mo reads aloud from books, he can bring characters to life. Mo discovers his power after reading from the book Inkheart and seeing a few of the book’s wicked characters come to life right on Mo’s cottage floor. Mo’s discovery is made all the more terrifying when he realizes that by freeing some of the characters from the book, he had accidentally read Meggie’s mother into the book. In exploring the book Inkheart, D.E.A.R. book club members had a wonderful time discussing the books they would like to “be read into” and the various novel characters they would love to see “read into our world.” With the start of the second semester, the middle school book club began reading Black Beauty, Anna Sewell’s 19th century classic. Open Studio Advisors: Cora Kolosso and Karl Hartman Open Studio is an art club that meets after school in the Art Room, Monday through Thursday. The club opens a space that encourages all interested high school and middle school students to explore new artistic mediums. Students also can come to work on any art-related projects for their classes. A number of students have been working diligently on painting and drawing projects in Open Studio, including sopho- mores Samantha Newmark, Dana Kornfeld, Haewon Lee, and Victoria Laboz. All are welcome!
- 27. York News 27 Writersby the Park 2014 English Teacher: Ethan Pennington Writers by the Park held its fourth consecutive summer session, led by faculty members Ms. Leah Umansky, Ms. Lee Pinkas, and Mr. Ethan Pennington. Writers by the Park enables sixth through eleventh grade students to explore multiple genres of writing within the many resources of Manhattan. In “News Makers,” students took a trip to the New York Times building in midtown and spoke with author and journalist Dan Barry. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author has written three books, in- cluding Bottom of the 33rd : Hope and Redemp- tion in Baseball’s Long- est Game, which won the 2012 PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports writ- ing. Barry discussed his writing process with the group and even shared stories from his career. Students in Ms. Umansky’s “Seminar on Contemporary Poets” studied the works of Anne Sexton, Walt Whitman, and Frank O’ Hara. They traveled to Poets House in Battery Park and produced pieces to be featured in York Prep’s literary magazine, Genesis. Led by Ms. Pinkas, students in the “Artists Influencing Artists” work- shop wrote poems and stories inspired by visual art and text. Practicing the art of erasure, students began with a page of text and erased portions until their own poems emerged—these were both visually appealing and linguistically innovative. They added their own voices to classic poems and used “found text” to assemble new poems. Students continued to be inspired by art when they visited the Frick Museum and wrote poems based on paintings, sculptures, and furniture there. Class activities and the trip laid the framework for a collection of written pieces ready for publication. Join us next summer to explore the many genres of writing. WYRK Advisors: Lance Choplin, Sebastian Pinaud, and Karl Hartman We are happy to announce that WYRK, York Prep‘s weekly video production club, is back in full swing. With a new team of sponsors, a seasoned group of seniors, and a rabidly enthusiastic set of new club members, WYRK is making more than just morning announcements. Weekly shows have included interviews, live action short films, animations, public service announcements, and a trailer for a horror movie that doesn’t exist (but should). Students learn how to write, film, edit, act, and direct videos as a collaborative team. To help them along their way, the team has just received a brand new set of video production equip- ment. WYRK airs on Friday mornings and meets on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Everyone is welcome to attend. We encourage all kinds of creativity and talent at WYRK, whether on camera or behind the scenes.
- 28. 28 Winter 2015 Advisor:Sherry Grand As a new member of the York Prep community, Mrs. Sherry Grand has been made to feel very welcome by seven students in particular, every Tuesday at lunchtime, in Room 307. The Upper School Book Club meets weekly to discuss all types of literature, ranging from plays to novels. Each student is an active participant in these weekly discussions, where they are free to share their opinions and reactions to the literature they read. This fall, the club read and discussed the 1934 stage play The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman as well as the novel The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. Club members also spent time discussing the lives of the writers them- selves and the time period in which they wrote. Upper School students are welcome to join us in choosing the club’s next piece of literature! Advisors: Alicia Weschler and Thomas Hodges What could Luciano Pavarotti, Elmer Fudd, and a gaggle of bullfighting groupies possibly have in common? It may seem implausible, but students have had illuminating encounters with each of them along the thrill- ing voyage of discovery that is York Prep’s Opera Talk. During Opera Talk, students and faculty come together—regardless of prior knowledge or exposure—to enjoy opera’s pageantry of music, theater, elaborate costumes, and intricate sets. In the darkened classroom, audio and film of memorable performances transport attendees to other times and places, followed by a free-form discussion of whatever resonated with anyone. At the first get-together, the group heard different versions of “Nessun dorma” from Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, starting with Luciano Pavarotti’s world-famous rendition. Students listened to the piece with no awareness of the words or context. They then received a translation of the song and a summary of the opera’s story. Participants unanimously agreed that, although understanding the background of song added interest, the song had moved them even without knowing what the singer was saying—such is the power of music and the human voice. The second meeting focused on the award-winning cartoon, “What’s Opera, Doc?” in which Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd take on roles of characters in Richard Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” The seven-minute parody features music adapted from several Wagnerian operas (the short cartoon exploits the stereotype of the big loud lady with the horned helmet). After viewing the full cartoon, club members listened to some excerpts of the original Wagner pieces. Georges Bizet’s endlessly popular Carmen engaged the group during two Opera Talk sessions. Carmen’s entrance song, “Habanera,” wowed students as they appreciated the synergy of good singing and good acting. Some instantly recognized the melody of the “Toréador Song,” a bullfighter’s rousing tale of fame and victory. “Something I loved about this segment was how easily accessible opera can be to any audience given the right venue for exploration,” said Mr. Hodges. Opera Talk meets every other Monday in Room 324 during lunch. Comments from students have been enthusiastic. “I can really connect to opera because it’s very expressive,” said freshman Chloe Safra. Sophomore Liam Mandelbaum found a distinct advantage to belonging to this club. “You really don’t have to sing,” he said. Opera Talk Upper School Book Club
- 29. York News 29 Advisor:Lee Pinkas The latest issue of York Prep’s school newspaper, The Paw, rolled off the presses just in time for Thanksgiving. The array of topics covered by York Prep’s intrepid reporters featured sophomore Joe Newman-Getzler’s interview with senior Molly Model, an accomplished student performer; and two strong opinion pieces about violence in America by seniors Micco Sarno and Miles Liu. Under the editorial guid- ance of seniors William Magee and Micco Sarno, the issue also featured cartoons, a photo journal, interesting interviews, and an open letter to director and animator Hayao Miyazaki. Writers and artists of The Paw include freshmen Khari Derrick, Alisa Kazarnovsky, Talya Lubit, and Joshua Schwam; sophomore Joe Newman-Getzler; juniors Joseph Beyda, Winston Freeman, Max Skidelsky and Dean Zimberg; and seniors Fatimah Amla, Miles Liu, Ava Kuslansky, and Malcolm Moore. Be on the lookout for The Paw’s spring 2015 issue! Advisors: Leah Umansky and Danica Radeka York Prep’s yearly literary magazine, Genesis, features student-authored poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and original art. It is always thrilling to see such a strong student literary voice at York Prep. Our senior co-editors Cody Corrall and Sarah Calaman are doing a beautiful job conducting weekly meetings and creating a genuine sense of community among club members. The two art editors, seniors Fatimah Amla and Ellara Chumashkaeva, are hard at work this winter surveying stu- dent art from grades six through 12 for publication in Genesis. Genesis bestows awards and is excited to announce the winners of the fifth annual Upper School Contest of 2014: Best Poem - “A Long Time Ago” by junior Nieve Ferguson Best Artwork - “A Dream World in Midnight” by sophomore Haewon Lee Best Prose - “The Prohibition Racketeer” by senior William Magee Genesis editors already have received wonderfully creative submissions for the next issue to be published in spring 2015. Students from all grades are encouraged to join and submit their work. The group meets on Wednesdays at lunch in Room 325. York Prep Math Club Advisors: Stacy Povshko and Ted Preston The York Prep Math Club meets twice a month to solve challenging math problems independently and collaboratively to enhance students’ mathematical minds. The club is open to students of all levels. The club’s overall goal is to improve problem-solving skills and to make math enjoyable. We use a variety of materials to prepare students for several contests held throughout the year, including the MAA’s American Mathematics Competitions, MATHCOUNTS, and Math is Cool. If you have never been to a math club meeting, do not hesitate to attend. Genesis The Paw
- 30. 30 Winter 2015 YearbookClub Advisors: Cora Kolosso, Karl Hartman, and Sebastian Pinaud The 2015 production of York Prep’s yearbook, The Legend, is off to an exciting start with the submission of senior pages on deadline. The Year- book Club is made up of three of the school’s most talented digital artists, seniors Fatimah Amla, Cody Corrall, and Ava Kuslansky, with whom the art department’s teachers have enjoyed collaborating. This trio of young women has worked together as joint Editors-in-Chief, sharing all the responsibilities of editing copy, photos, and art and really tapping into their creativity and Photoshop skills to make this year’s year- book one of a kind. Each senior has been given an entire page in the year- book to create a photographic collage. Parents of seniors were invited to purchase a family page in The Legend, a longstanding tradition at York Prep. The Yearbook Club meets every Friday and, along with their faculty advisors, this small group is well on its way to produc- ing a quite legendary yearbook for the Class of 2015. The Chess and Games Club Advisors: Stacy Povshko, Eric Tull and Ted Preston The Chess and Games Club meets during lunch every Thursday in Room 208. The club promotes community and team-building through friendly competi- tion. Club members play popular board games together, such as Backgammon, Checkers, Chess, Connect Four, Dominoes, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and Yahtzee. Ms. Stacy Povshko, Mr. Eric Tull, and Mr. Ted Preston are co-sponsors of the club. All students and faculty interested in competing are welcome to join. The Jewish Heritage Club Advisors: Tirza Kassai and Scott Kornberg The Jewish Heritage Club allows all students to get a taste of what Jewish holidays and Jewish traditions are all about. Members meet during lunch at least twice a month, typically on Wednesdays before or after a Jewish holiday, to discuss the different Jewish customs associated with that holiday. Students can pose any questions they have about Judaism or Jewish culture and traditions. This year, the club enjoyed apples dipped in honey – which symbolizes the hope for a sweet new year – for Rosh Hashanah. Because it is tradition on Rosh Hashanah to eat different exotic fruits, the club also brought in a dragon fruit (also known as pitaya) for students to try. During Succot, students built mini “succahs,” or huts, out of toothpicks and marshmal- lows. They also discussed what it means for food to be kosher and what the symbols represent on the packaging of different kosher foods. We hope to continue delving into the many varied practices of Jewish religious observances and getting to know more about this rich culture and religion.
- 31. York News 31 Advisor:Thomas Hodges The Glee Club is a wonderful forum for York Prep students of all grades to come together and sing out with joy. The choral group cultivates community building as well as experiencing music as a celebration of life. As Glee Club members will tell you, the words “I can’t” are forbidden in Glee Club meetings; instead, they are replaced with “I haven’t yet.” Glee Club is a welcoming environ- ment for students with all ranges of experience in singing. Club members have worked on Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” and the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” which they performed at the International Buffet and Music Celebration on November 13. In true Glee Club style, members of the audience were invited to join us on stage and sing at the dinner performance and many obliged. The International Buffet and Music Celebration also included individual performances by several Glee Club members. Sophomore Max Nusbaum sang “It All Fades Away” from the Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County, and freshman Olivia Heskett sang “Another Hundred People” from Stephen Sondheim’s Company. The talented cast of York Prep’s fall musical, Underground, which included Glee Club members, made an appearance at the dinner and previewed selections from the musical. Glee Club is currently gearing up for impromptu performances at the school this spring. Stay tuned! Advisor: Adam Chernick Ukulele Club started the year off strong, with a great mix of returning students and new members. Club members are very excited to announce that we have transformed the club into the Ukulele and Guitar Club! We have introduced the acoustic and electric guitar to the club, alternating weekly between playing the ukulele and the guitar. The club has a loyal group of students, including juniors Selim Sabbagh, Allie Falack, Isaac Marcos, Joseph Beyda, Mara Hutton, Eric Ilkiaeiv, and Jamie Levinson. Aside from reviewing the basic chords for the ukulele and guitar, the group has learned several songs by major artists, including hits by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rebelution, Jack Johnson, Bob Marley, and Sublime. All students are encouraged to join, regardless of musical experience. The door is always open to future ukulele and guitar masters as well as visitors and listeners. We meet in Room 207 every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and look forward to seeing you there! Advisors: Janine Turcio and Eric Tull If you pass Room 405 on a Thursday at lunchtime you can hear laughter, shrieks of delight, and all kinds of Latin and hip-hop music. If you stick your head in, you can see a professional Zumba trainer in the person of P.E. teacher Janine Turcio leading students of all ages in a wild and crazy dance exercise routine. But once your body is in the room, you are hooked and you are moving. Students from grades 6-12 get a good physical workout, make new friends, and have an absolute blast. Knowing a good time when they see one, a number of teachers have joined the fun also, as have groups of students from visiting schools (like the New York School for the Deaf, pictured here). Let’s face it, no one can resist joining a club with the motto: “Every meeting is a party!” Glee Club Ukulele and Guitar Club Let’s Get Ready to ZUMBA!
- 32. 32 Winter 2015 FieldDay Athletic Director and Physical Education Department Chair: Peter Bianco This fall, York Prep traveled to Tibbetts Brook Park to take part in Field Day, an amazing opportunity for students and faculty mem- bers to take time out from their busy schedules and spend a day together away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park’s facilities include soccer fields, volleyball courts, baseball and soft- ball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, and basketball courts. With help from faculty members, York Prep’s Physical Educa- tion Department organized and set up activities for the students. Teachers and staff ensured the safety of the children while creating a fun environment. Aside from the more traditional sports stand- bys, activities enjoyed at Field Day this year were KOOB, ultimate frisbee, football, and hula-hooping. Halfway through the day, lunch was served with world-famous York Peppermint Patties as an additional treat. Everyone is looking forward to the next Field Day event in the spring!
- 33. York News 33 SwimClub Advisors: Joyce Perley and Thomas Henson Whether doing the doggie-paddle or the butterfly stroke, the York Prep Swim Club made waves when they returned to the water at Asphalt Green on Friday afternoons in the fall. Freshmen students Khari Derrick and Aaron Pahwa continued to participate in the club they first joined as novice sixth graders. The whole group got along swimmingly with a mix of new faces from both the middle and high school. Advisors Ms. Joyce Perley and Mr. Thomas Henson took dips in the pool as well. Everyone enjoyed diving for objects at the bottom of the pool and prac- ticing different swimming techniques, among other swimming-related activities. Anyone with a swimsuit and an inter- est in healthy exercise should consider Swim Club. Members are looking forward to “diving” into this coming spring, when the club meetings start up again. Fitness Room Athletic Director and Physical Education Department Chair: Peter Bianco York Prep’s fitness area, adjacent to the main gymnasium, continues to en- hance greatly students’ physical conditioning. In the Fitness Room, students can learn weight training techniques, body weight exercises, and cardio and aerobic activities under the guidance of the on-duty Physical Education faculty member. Equipment available includes state-of-the-art elliptical machines, a Fit 3 Multi-Gym machine, and a Tour de France exercise bike linked to Google Maps to simulate the climbs and downhills of actual cycling routes throughout the world. Students of all ages are welcome and encouraged to work out in the Fitness Room. Madden Club Advisors: Desiree Aaron-Stanton and Julia Gomez This is the first year of the Madden Club, in which students learn the rules, the plays, and the tactics from coaches to win big in the NFL. Students in grades six through 12 gather once a week during lunch to play Madden 2015 on PlayStation 3, playing four-minute quarters with each win counted towards entry into the playoffs. Madden Club members always exhibit good sportsmanship and eagerly assist others to learn the ins and outs of American football. Despite fierce competition, students spend most of their time making new friends during club sessions, older students serving as role models for younger ones. The club offers students a change of pace during a busy academic day and a chance to share NFL knowledge and gaming skills with one another.
- 34. 34 Winter 2015 PerformingArts Electives Tapping Along! Performing Arts Department Chair: Fiona Hutchison Arts electives have increased exponentially at York this year with multiple offerings in media and visual arts as well as in the performing arts. This year, Performing Arts Department Chair Ms. Fiona Hutchison has headed up a new dance elective for 10th , 11th , and 12th grades. Partnering with Studio Maestro, a dance facility just steps away from York, Ms. Hutchison teaches a vibrant and fun-filled tap class to our budding York Prep hoofers. Set Design is a new addition to the elective choices for juniors and seniors. Mr. Karl Hartman and Mr. John Viscardi co-teach this hands-on set design and construction class with real-time application. The students design and construct sets for both main stage performing arts shows produced at York Prep. In the first semester, this class produced an extraordinary set for York Prep’s production of Underground, a new musical about kids who live in subway tunnels. The set included a beautifully crafted subway platform, a vast and ominous subway tunnel, and a functioning 3D city scape. It was amazing! Piano instruction and song writing are also new on the scene. Mr. Thomas Hodges, York Prep’s musical director and teacher, leads the charge. With the addition of eight new electric keyboards, Mr. Hodges has high schoolers across the board learning how to play piano and compose their own songs. Quite a treat from a teacher who is both a professional musical director and award-winning composer!
- 35. York News 35 SameSky Club Advisor: Sammantha Farkas The Same Sky on Campus club sprung from students’ interests in learning more about global issues affecting the empowerment, importance, and value of women and girls in modern society. The Same Sky on Campus was started by juniors Courtney Cohen and Rebecca Meckler and is connected with the Same Sky Foundation, a trade-not-aid organization that believes in giving women a hand-up, rather than a hand-out. Students in the club have participated in numerous thought-provoking activities that increased their awareness of world issues and inspired them to spread the word about these topics. For example, students attended a United Nations conference about the prevention of genocide, where they listened to Canadian humanitarian Lieutenant-General Roméo Antonius Dallaire speak poignantly about his experiences in Rwanda. Students also skyped with the Foundation for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Girls School in Kigali to discuss issues surrounding girls’ empowerment. While these students are especially inter- ested in women’s issues abroad, they are also aware of injustices in our own backyard. Same Sky on Campus club members travelled to Jersey City to speak with women living at the Most Excellent Way half-way house. These young women shared their personal experiences with club members and provided insight into their struggles and successes. Same Sky hosted bake sales and bracelet sales to increase understanding about women who, thanks to Same Sky, are now gainfully employed making beautifully handcrafted jewelry and supporting themselves and their families. We are so thankful for the enthusiasm students have for Same Sky on Campus and for the successes achieved thus far in raising conscious- ness among young people in the York Prep community. Advisor: Arlette Ostrow The Women in the Arab World Club met regularly throughout the fall semester. Members of the club have been learning about the various issues plaguing women throughout the Middle East. Students have explored the historical context of some of these issues as well as the effect on women in the present day. Members research a variety of different topics, give presentations, and lead lively discussions. An outside speaker from Saudi Arabia was invited to join us in our discussion at one meeting. She recounted her personal experiences and observations to club members, thus enriching the students’ understanding of the conditions facing women of different socio-economic and demographic groups in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Arab region. The club plans to continue inviting speakers from similar regions to future meetings. The club has already lined up a student who is well-versed in the Koran to discuss the status and expectations of women outlined in the Koran. Women in the Arab World Club
- 36. 36 Winter 2015 Gay-StraightAlliance Advisors: Michael Roper, Thomas Henson, and Jeremy Arnstein Written by senior Jordan Isaacs The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) meets in Room 305 every Tuesday dur- ing lunch. Each week, guests from all walks of life visit and interact with the club. With Mr. Roper as our host, we discuss the roles that LBGT people play in our society. Each meeting starts off with an introduction of the guest, followed by the club’s traditional opening question from senior Jared Axelowitz: “When and how did you come out?” That question always sparks a beautiful story, which differs from person to person, illuminating who they are and their personal journey to where they are today. Each individual sheds light on different things that people experience while coming out and how it impacts their lives. In our first semester, Blake Skjellerup, an Olympic speed-skater from New Zealand, met with GSA students during a meeting. Blake is one of the first openly gay Olympic athletes in history. Blake shared with the students and teachers of GSA how he used to be bullied in high school and how speed skating helped him manage his anger. Later during the meeting, a student asked how tolerant the athletic world was of homosexuals; Blake said he found the athletic world very accepting of gays. Blake’s sexual orientation never prevented him from doing what he loves, speed skating. Another guest was a former kindergarten teacher named Clint. He was the funniest guest GSA has ever had. None of us could stop laughing as Clint told us hilarious stories about being a kindergarten teacher, coming out to his mother, and introducing his gay friends to his family. As is the case with many families, Clint’s family had difficulty coming to terms with Clint’s homosexuality; however, he said his parents always loved him, and he loved them in return. The Reverend Gilbert Martinez of the Church of Saint Paul The Apostle was a returning guest to GSA. The members of GSA have cherished both of Father Gil’s visits to GSA as well as the stories he has shared with everyone. Father Gil answered questions about how the Catholic Church and the Pope view homosexuality. During his more recent visit, Father Gil told the GSA how churches around the world may have to start teaching about homosexuality and the beneficial impact homosexuality has on the world. Father Gil is responsible for creating the “Out @ St. Paul” LGBT group at the church. Without Father Gil, the GSA would not have had the opportunity to meet all the inspiring, successful, and intelligent gay men and women that have graced the GSA with their presence. The Young Doctors Club Advisor: Melinda Viscusi This year, members of the Young Doctors Club have been learning how to properly perform physical examinations. Each student has had the opportunity to practice various medical skills and techniques in order to exam their fellow classmates. Every individual is a patient at some point. Members have thoroughly enjoyed the interactive sessions and are excited to learn why their own doctors “do the things they do.” Students are learning how vital it is to stay tuned into their bodies and to understand why certain tests and exams are performed. They are an extremely enthusiastic bunch and have expressed their thirst for learning about the medical profession in every meeting. Always stay inquisitive about your health!
- 37. York News 37 FACULTYNEWS English Teacher Authors New Book After first being published in the oldest monthly devoted to verse in the English- speaking world, Poetry Magazine, English teacher Ms. Leah Umansky’s Game of Thrones-inspired poems have gone international. Some of the poems have recently been translated into Norwegian by publisher Beijing Trondheim. Baby News Jump Start and writing teacher Mr. Scott Kornberg and his wife, Mrs. Milana Kornberg, welcomed Jonah Philip Kornberg on March 12, 2014. As handsome as his father, Jonah weighed in at seven pounds and two ounces. Big sister Chloe is thrilled to have a baby brother! We Live Out Loud Advisors: Ethan Pennington and Jon Serri Students in the Out Loud Club have gathered in Room 305 during lunch periods over the past three years to write songs, revise poems, and recite monologues. Started under the direction of Mr. Jon Serri and Mr. Ethan Pennington, Out Loud gives students a platform to share their original stories, poems, and written songs with the school community. The club’s student leaders, seniors Ava Kuslansky, Molly Model, and Isabel Greenberg, encourage the participation of their peers by promoting events and weekly meetings through advertisements posted around the building as well as in the daily announcements. Ava Kuslansky has written and directed short films that celebrate and high- light the talents of stu- dents in Out Loud. Fellow senior Jared Axelowitz has been featured in several of these shorts. Every January, the club holds a winter showcase, giving club members a forum for presenting their work. Last year, junior Nieve Ferguson delivered a powerful poem about the burdens of growing up. Sophomore Joseph Newman-Getzler had the crowd in stitches as he recited his poem “The Tragic Story of Missed Opportunities.” If you are interested in joining Out Loud, speak with Ava Kuslansky or Isabel Greenberg. All are welcome to join us in Room 305 every Monday during lunch and also encouraged to attend Out Loud’s 2015 student showcase.
- 38. 38 Winter 2015 AthleticDirector and Physical Education Department Chair: Peter Bianco York Prep’s Athletic Program strives for excellence throughout the school year, accom- modating both Middle School and Upper School students with athletic and club teams. In the Upper School, teams compete in the Independent School Athletic League (I.S.A.L.). In the past, many of the athletic teams successfully have completed their regular seasons and have gone on to the playoffs, where they played against top teams in the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) tournaments. York had a productive spring 2014 overall. The golf team capped off the season with a league championship run and winning it all. Both the boys varsity volleyball and boys varsity baseball teams made it to their respective league’s semi-final match. Varsity track and field athletes competed all season and finished their campaign with multiple runners making it to the State Tournament. The girls softball team had a rebuilding year and is looking forward to increasing both skills and winning total this upcoming year. Middle School athletes competed in track and field with passion, commitment, and heart. The girls varsity volleyball team had a fine fall season under the leadership of Coach Janine Turcio. The team learned more about the sport and steadily improved, finishing the season with a 4-4 record. Led by seniors Morgan Gerstle, Eliana Hamel, Kelsey Compton, Sydney Weiss, and Lauren Goldenberg, the girls overcame adversity throughout the season. Though they fell just shy of the I.S.A.L. playoffs, their hard work and dedication will carry into the off- season and into the next year. This year’s girls varsity soccer team, managed by Coach Lisa Rill, completed its third season. The competition was tough, and the girls showed plenty of resilience. The Lady Panthers fought hard all year long, finishing with a league play record of 3- 5. The fall season concluded for the boys varsity soccer team with a trip to the I.S.A.L. semi-finals. Under Coaches Hayden Morris and Doug Hill, the team finished with an im- pressive 6-2 record. Seven seniors contributed to strong leadership both on and off the field. The varsity cross country team had a successful season with Coach Erwin Bernal at the helm. The athletes displayed excellent courage and endurance throughout the year at Van Cortlandt Park; at the end of the season, several of them competed in the NYSAIS Champi- onship, representing York Prep with passion and heart. With a team made up primarily of underclassmen, the future looks bright for the cross country team. After a one-year hiatus, York Prep fielded a soccer team for the middle school. Coach Russell Josephs was just as excited as the students to get back on the field. Each match was a learning experience, and the students on the team benefitted from the competition and gained love for the sport. Coach Peter Bianco oversaw the girls middle school volleyball team in the fall. Despite not having a team the previous year to build their skills, the girls worked very hard, day in and day out, and competed on the court with passion and excitement. Swim Club members continue to make a splash. Ms. Joyce Perley and Mr. Thomas Henson accompany the students to Asphalt Green Aqua Center in the fall and spring months to practice. The club facilitates the development of aquatic skills and gives students a different perspective from in-school activities. Winter seasons are underway with boys varsity, junior varsity, and middle school basketball teams as well as the girls varsity basketball team and the varsity indoor track and field team. Everyone is encouraged to cheer on the Panthers at games, matches, and meets. All scheduled events can be found on Edline as well as the school website. ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT York Prep Athletic Program
- 39. York News 39 ATHLETICDEPARTMENT Lady Panther Scores 1000th Point Athletic Director and Physical Education Department Chair: Peter Bianco Anatural-born athlete with outstanding skills, senior Phoebe Wade started playing soccer as a youth with hopes of continuing on to the collegiate level. Scoring more than 30 goals for the York Prep girls varsity soccer team within the last three seasons, Phoebe is a major contributor to the success of the team, having scored a season high of 20 goals in 2013 alone. Phoebe has proven to be a stellar performer on the basketball court as well. The shining achievement of her high school athletics career occurred on the evening of December 10, 2014, when Phoebe scored her 1000th point with the York Prep girls varsity basketball team. Phoebe picked up a basketball in the 8th grade and has excelled since, starting at the varsity level since her freshman year at York. Her dedication to the sport resulted in an average of 17.3 points per game during her ca- reer and a single game high of 44 points. Scoring 863 points before step- ping onto the court her senior year meant Phoebe needed only 137 points before the season’s end. Phoebe Wade reached this goal just a few weeks into the 2014-2015 winter season and entered York’s athletic record books. Congratulations to Phoebe on this great accomplishment! York Prep Intramurals Athletic Director and Physical Education Department Chair: Peter Bianco York Prep is always open to a little competition among friends. Many students take advantage of intramural sports during their lunchtime to get active and have some fun. Intramurals allow students to play their favorite sports without the commitment to the school teams’ practices and game schedules. The courts are always open for a little one-on-one, whether students are interested in some pickup basketball or in any of the other available activities. All intramural sports take place in the Pantherdome from Monday through Thursday, under the Physical Education Department’s supervision. All students are invited to participate!
- 40. 40 Winter 2015 ATHLETICDEPARTMENT Coach: Janine Turcio The 2014 girls varsity volleyball team, coached by Ms. Janine Turcio, started slowly but made huge strides throughout the season, ending with a 4-4 record league record. The leadership and resolve of seniors Mor- gan Gerstle, Eliana Hamel, Kelsey Compton, Sydney Weiss, and Lauren Goldenberg were particularly evident in the matches against Bay Ridge and Birch Wathen Lenox, the highlights of the season. Tremendous energy flowed during the high intensity five-set match against Bay Ridge, where Hamel and Goldenberg worked diligently to save the ball. All-star server Morgan Gerstle garnered 11 consecutive service points to win the fourth set and the last five points of the deciding set to clinch the match. Freshman Mila Gak and junior Sydney Xue stepped up with amazing blocks and tips. This team of Lady Panthers was rounded out by sophomores Emma Bernstein, Allison Dickerman, Isabella Ding, Deanna Kyzyk, Victoria Laboz, and Caroline Matticoli along with juniors Katherine Ross, Marguerite Runyan, and Stella Solasz. The team fell just short of making the play-offs. With a solid group of veteran players committed to returning next year and fellow Panthers cheering them on, the girls varsity volleyball team can count on future success. Girls Varsity Volleyball Coaches: Hayden Morris and Katherine Higuera-McCoy The York Prep boys varsity volleyball team had an incredible spring 2014 season. Faced with the loss of a few seniors, the squad was fortunate to have a corps of very driven returning players alongside a group of talented newcomers. Corey Mermelstein (Class of 2014) and skilled hitter Angelo Ferrara (Class of 2014) led the team with experience and charisma. Current senior Richard Evans’ stellar turn as starting setter was crucial in getting the team to the top of the table and on to the playoffs. Key contributors to the team included seniors Gabe Diaz Rozas (the team’s leading blocker), Michael Demos, John Viscardi, and Mitch Buscemi. Sophomore Nakai Kulik was an amazing outside hitter for the team, and junior Dean Zimberg was our libero. The team was rounded out by sophomores Spike Edmiston and Rui Wang as well as Ryan Perry and Max Iseson (Class of 2014). After nail-biters against top-ranked Horace Mann, Brooklyn Friends, and Calhoun, the Panthers’ combined leadership, skill, and sportsmanship propelled them into the PSAA tournament. Although the boys fell short in the high-intensity semi-final match against Calhoun, they have proven to be a competitive threat as they move into the 2015 season. Boys Varsity Volleyball
- 41. York News 41 Coach:Peter Bianco York Prep’s 2014 girls middle school volleyball team developed quickly into a force to beat. With strong leadership from its captains, eighth graders Taylor Weiss and Sahai Stevens, the girls faced each match with excite- ment, passion, drive, and commitment. The rest of the team is made up of a talented group of girls, including: seventh graders Sariah Johnson and Amee Soto, and eighth graders Britney He, Isabella Janke, Annabelle Kinstler, Rhoda Kwarkye, and Flora Webb. The team finished the fall season 2-4, playing hard in every game. We look forward to a great turnout for the 2015 season! ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT Girls Middle School Volleyball Coach: Lisa Rill The 2014 girls varsity soccer team, coached by Ms. Lisa Rill, completed its third successful season with a 5-3 record. Led by princi- pal goal scorer senior Phoebe Wade, the girls made York Prep proud. Freshman Megan Igoe, goalie and forward, finished the season strong, scoring three impressive goals this season and guiding the Panthers to victory. The other ladies on the 2014 girls varsity soccer team include senior Hannah Katzman; juniors Chandler Anarella, Micaela Arena, Courtney Cohen, Mara Hutton, Kate Liggett, Emma Shaerf, and Lena Washington; sophomores Julia Danan, Dana Kornfeld, Aliona Maitland and Rose Sabbagh; and freshman Maya Finard. Finishing fifth in the I.S.A.L. conference, the entire team’s hard work and determination was evident on and off the field. Coaches: Hayden Morris and Doug Hill In a very successful season, the 2014 York Prep boys varsity soccer team made it all the way to the playoff semi-finals. In league play, the team tied for second place with an overall record of 6-2. Junior A.J. Levene’s prolific scoring led the way, averaging just over one goal per game. The team’s morale never faltered, despite being faced with injuries and inexperience among the newer players. The team persevered throughout, largely thanks to the strong leadership of ten upperclassmen including seniors Morris Adjmi, Mitch Buscemi, Mohamed Diaw, Gabriel Diaz Rozas, Michael Kvetenadze, Miles Liu, and Douglas Mishan; and juniors Spike Edmiston, Callam Kurtz, A.J. Levene, and Evan Torma-Rookley. Facing the loss of seven seniors after the 2014 season, the coaches and the seniors created an atmosphere and mentorship indispensable to preparing the underclassmen to step up successfully in the coming year. As hard as it is to say goodbye to some great guys, we are very excited to have sophomores Umair Amla, Finnegan Goldsmith, Griffin Kapelus, Nakai Kulik, Connor Lieberman, T. Bosco Merhige, Ryan Saevitzon, and Owen Sullivan, as well as freshmen Jakob Friedman Joseph Mayer, Kyle Nisguretsky, and Ike Silberman. With these students on board, the majority of the team will be back next season to make another run toward winning the championship. Girls Varsity Soccer Boys Varsity Soccer
- 42. 42 Winter 2015 ATHLETICDEPARTMENT Coach: Russell Josephs The 2014 York Prep middle school soccer team was reborn after a one-year hiatus. The team never had more than 11 players required to field a team, but what it lacked in numbers, it more than made up for in enthusiasm. The fall season started off slowly, but team members kept their head in the game and eyes on the prize. The team would like to thank the many York Prep supporters who travelled all over the five boroughs to watch them play their hearts out on the field. From Central Park to Red Hook to Randall’s Island, York Prep’s team supporters were always encouraging, vocal, and cheerful. The 2014 York Prep middle school soccer team was composed of the following dedicated players: 7th graders Caden Burton, Ben Lindenbaum (Team Captain), and Leila Nouri; and 8th graders Dakari Chenault, Ira Heppard, Daniel Helfgott, Julien Lemont, Samuel Lowe, Tyler Manning, Dylan Pollak, Miguel Towns, and Brooks Valentine. Middle School Soccer Girls Varsity Basketball Coaches: Janine Turcio and Lisa Rill The 2014-2015 girls varsity basketball team brings so much deter- mination, skill, and enthusiasm to the court each day that they are clearly destined for success this season. This group of girls is focused on nothing short of clinching the I.S.A.L. Championship and competing in the NYSAIS State Tournament. Coaches Janine Turcio and Lisa Rill have developed a very versatile team. Senior Phoebe Wade and freshman Megan Igoe are forces of nature with their ball-handling skills, consistent shot-making, and smart court leadership. Sophomore Erica Carey and 8th grader Sahai Stevens wow crowds by putting up three-pointers all day. Junior Mara Hutton constantly finds passing lanes to our forwards. Down in the paint, sopho- more Lilly Recht, freshman Maya Finard, and 7th grader Jennah DeGout always defend and put the ball back successfully. The girls started off the season dominating their first conference game against Rudolph Steiner, 69-25; every player contributed to the game whether scoring, stealing, or blocking shots. The rest of the team is made up of senior Hannah Katzman, junior Chandler Anarella, sopho- more Emily Nass, freshman Mila Gak, and eighth grader Taylor Weiss. With the captainship of Phoebe Wade, Mara Hutton, and Erica Carey, and dedication and love for the game from each member, the 2014- 2015 Lady Panthers are an exciting team to watch.
- 43. York News 43 ATHLETICDEPARTMENT Boys Varsity Basketball Coaches: Doug Hill and Kevin Magee The 2014-2015 boys varsity basketball team features a strong core of returning players with junior Charlie Stevens and seniors Morris Adjmi, Mohamed Diaw, Edward Haddad, and Sam Kay. The team is also fortunate to welcome back last year’s talented newcomers: sophomores Alec Kerdell and Nakai Kulik, junior Malick Sylla, and senior Gabriel Diaz Rozas. Teamwork is second nature for this group of young men who worked so well together last year. New addi- tions rounding out the squad include sophomores Nick Mancuso and Bosco Merhige; junior Douglas Sitt; and se- niors Mitch Buscemi, Richard Evans, Michael Kvetenadze, and Miles Liu. After scrimmaging against Calhoun, the Panthers kicked off the season with games against Mary McDowell School and Churchill School. The Panthers have lined up two tournaments this year, the Peg Duggan Tournament at Horace Mann and Coaches versus Cancer at Fieldston School. This season is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The team hopes to see their fellow Panthers in the stands cheering them on. Boys Junior Varsity Basketball Coaches: Albert Broadus and Alastair Hutchison The 2014-2015 boys junior varsity basketball team comprises 14 talented young men looking to defend last year’s regu- lar season and tournament championships. Six players returned from last year’s undefeated team: junior Ethan Levy and sopho- mores Owen Sullivan, Jack Bradley, Gavin Jablonski, Matt Chatzinoff, and Tyler Hutton. Practices have focused on developing chemistry with the team’s new players, including freshmen Ike Silberman, Tyler Rosegarten, Gary Sykes, Joseph Mayer, and Lee Dennis; sophomores Ian O’Connor and James Lebowitz; and 8th grader Jaxon Mancuso. The team played its annual scrimmage with the School for Excellence on November 19. While losing 41-36, the players gained valuable insight in preparation for the upcoming season. After critiquing their early performance, the athletes were excited to start the official season on November 25 against Rudolph Steiner. Led by Ethan Levy’s 22 points and Tyler Hutton’s 12 points, the Panthers won 50-28. The players’ dedicated effort to foster a cohesive team identity is clearly paying off. The boys’ junior varsity basketball team looks forward to continuing success and greatly appreciates the support of the entire school community.
- 44. 44 Winter 2015 ATHLETICDEPARTMENT Middle School Basketball Coaches: Jeremy Arnstein & Hayden Morris For the 2014-2015 season, York Prep’s middle school basketball team has a strong core of returning eighth grade students including Bryce Gatch, Jacob Kay, and Sam Lowe. They are complemented by a strong influx of eighth grade talent with the additions of Khalil Watkins, Brooks Valentine, Ira Heppard, Daniel Helfgott, Dakari “Doc” Chenault, and Cole Tarrant. The coaches also are very pleased with the seventh graders, who will be the backbone of the future York Prep team. This group includes Nicolas Romeo, Daniel Neustadter, Caden Burton, Benjamin Barraclough, and Leila Nouri. Coming off from last year’s successful season, first-year Head Coach Jeremy Arnstein predicted only improvements as the program headed into the 2014-2015 season. “We have had four great practices to start the year,” said Mr. Arnstein. Of expectations for the coming year, he said: “For us, it’s not about winning or losing. We are looking to get better every day, both as a team and as individual players. If we can do that, the winning will take care of itself.” When asked about his favorite aspect of practice so far, 8th grader Brooks Valentine responded, “My favorite part is the running. [It’s] really hard, But I know it means we are getting better.” Varsity Cross Country Coach: Erwin Bernal York Prep’s 2014 varsity cross country team, led by Coach Erwin Bernal, climbed out of some uphill (and downhill) battles and had a successful season overall. Running the five- kilometer course at Van Cortlandt Park is always a daunting task, but every single York Prep runner was up for the challenge. Freshmen Toi Chotoosingh, Asa Goodman, Andrew Isaacson, Michael Lee, Emma McGoldrick, and Aaron Pawha made up a majority of the team along with sophomores Manny Demos, Sasha Khazatsky, Ben Kotran, and Miles Magee, as well as junior Dylan Geiringer. In fact, as the season wore on, the athletes improved on their running times and performed their personal bests. Although mostly underclass- men filled the roster this year, team members held their own against older competitors.
- 45. York News 45 ATHLETICDEPARTMENT Girls Varsity Softball Coach: Kim Matyko The girls varsity softball team had a rough go-around during spring 2014 with a season record of 1-5. The team was made up of a handful of Upper School students including juniors Sofia Cabrera, Marti Levine, Marguerite Runyan, and Emma Shaerf; and seniors Kelsey Compton, Lauren Goldenberg, Eliana Hamel, Bridget Herman, Jordan Isaacs, Sydney Weiss, and Ruby Zolot. These ladies all practiced diligently and competed hard, while developing a positive sense of the game. With a new year upon us, the team looks forward to hon- ing their skills and becoming championship contenders this spring. Varsity Baseball Coaches: Doug Hill and Jesse Smith-Weiss The York Prep varsity baseball team had a great run in its 2014 spring season. The team developed a deeper under- standing and love of the game. The lineup included freshman Garett Simon; sophomores Spencer Brown, Aidan Feeley, Rusty Gerber, Alec Kerdell, Adam Lustig, and Owen Sullivan; juniors Sam Kleinick, Andrew Lerman, and Dean Miller; and Daniel Gross, Jonathan Hamill, James Richards, and Sean Tarzy (Class of 2014). With a limited number of competing teams in baseball, York Prep finished with a 1-2 league record and advanced to the finals, where the Panthers lost to Birch Wathen Lenox. Coach Hill is looking forward to a successful season in spring 2015 with fresh young talent and a solid group of returning players. To see live streaming games, visit our Facebook page.
- 46. 46 Winter 2015 ATHLETICDEPARTMENT Coach: Robin Stark The York Prep varsity golf team had a fantastic spring 2014 season, winning the I.S.A.L championship. Playing each match at the Mosholu Golf Course helped them develop a strong sense of how to play on that specific course for competitive matches. After a disappointing loss to Friends Seminary by only four strokes just one week before the championship match, York bounced back to beat Friends by a few strokes in the finals. Team members included Robert Borkow and Will Lane (Class of 2014); seniors Sam Kay and Douglas Mishan; junior Alex Plaut; and sophomores Sophie Hom-Strauss, Ian O’Connor, and Ryan Saevitzon. Middle School Track and Field Coaches: Russell Josephs and Lisa Rill After training hard, working on form, hitting their times, and endlessly practicing passing the baton, the spring season middle school track and field team completed their first meet on April 9, 2014, at Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx. The boys captured first and second place in the 200m run, first place in the 800m, and first in the 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 relays. The girls took first place in the 4 x 100 relay, with strong finishes in the 200m and 800m runs. These impressive performances were repeated in subse- quent meets. The lessons these young athletes learned were priceless. They learned the values of consistency, discipline, accountability, confidence, and positivity—qualities stressed by the coaches and embraced by the athletes. To vary their training, athletes spent occasional days in the state-of-the-art York Prep Fitness Center working on cardiovascular endurance and strengthening the core. As an added bonus, current freshmen Jared Aini and Marshall Richardson joined junior Evan Torma-Rookley at the USATF Junior Olympics Qualifying meet in late June at Icahn Stadium. These student athletes gained valuable experience competing against their peers at an elite level. All told, the season was a resounding success. Without exception, team members lived up to the motto “The will to win is nothing if you have not the will to prepare.” We look forward to building on these successes in the spring of 2015. The 2014 York Prep Middle School Track & Field Team was composed of the following dedicated and hardworking athletes: Current 8th graders Olivia Clark, Jiayu He, Rhoda Kwarkye (thrower), Javairia Munnerlyn, Breaker Novogratz, Dylan Pollak, Caroline Siegel, Gabe Squitieri, Sahai Stevens (thrower), and Taylor Weiss; current freshmen Jared Aini, Saud Al-Saud, Henry Binder, Toi Chotoosingh, Khari Derrick, Val Ferraro, Dennis Lee, Joseph Mayer, Aaron Pahwa, Grant Paulus, Marshall Richardson, and Steven Sitt. Varsity Golf
- 47. York News 47 ATHLETICDEPARTMENT Varsity Track and Field Coaches: Erwin Bernal and Christina Schirone York Prep’s varsity outdoor track and field team had an excellent spring 2014 season. The boys came in second in the I.S.A.L. standings and the girls came in fourth in meets held at Red Hook Park and Pelham Bay Park. With coaches Erwin Bernal and Christina Schirone at the helm, every runner beat his or her personal bests. Some season highlights were the exciting 1600m races won by Riccardo Esclapon and Jackson Potter (both Class of 2014). Juniors Evan Torma-Rookley (800m), Malick Sylla (200m), Winston Freeman (3200m), and sophomore Ben Kotran (3200m) also emerged victorious in their respective races. Long-time runners from the class of 2014—Talia Stern, Owen Graig, Aaron Hersh, and Jared Rem—earned recogni- tion for their outstanding contributions throughout their time on the team. During their tenure, they all helped the continued growth and prosperity of the varsity track program. The track team annual trip to the NYSAISAA Championships/State Qualifiers at Icahn Stadium has always been a highly anticipated tradition for runners every season. In 2014, qualifying runners included senior Phoebe Wade and juniors Winston Freeman, Malick Sylla, and Evan Torma-Rookley. Rounding out the team were William Hascoe and David Richer (both Class of 2014); seniors Ascari Chotoosingh and Asher Lennon; juniors Chad Adam, Michael Haddow, Kyler Kubo, Ethan Levy, and Kate Liggett; and sophomores Lucas Friedson, Sasha Khazatsky, Deanna Kyzyk, Miles Magee, Samantha Newmark, Camilla Pincione, Anna Sporn, and Hayden Williams. Varsity Winter Track Coaches: Erwin Bernal and Patrick Goldberg As the New York City weather turns cold and dark, winter track heats up. York Prep once again will compete at the historic 168th Street Armory Meet against some of the best schools in the city. Along with the Ivy League meets, the Panthers are set to run in major invitational events throughout the season. In addition, the varsity winter track team will participate for the first time in the New Balance Games, one of the biggest indoor track events of the year. We have both boys and girls teams this year. Returning runners include sophomore Ben Kotran; junior Evan Torma- Rookley; and seniors Jared Axelowitz, Ascari Chotoosingh, and Michael Demos. Newcomers to indoor track include freshmen Toi Chotoosingh, Andrew Isaacson, Michael Lee, Aaron Pahwa, and Marshall Richardson; sophomore Manny Demos and Sasha Khazatsky; junior Kate Liggett; and senior Eliana Hamel. Students look forward to lacing up their sneakers and hitting the ground running!
- 48. YORK PREPARATORY SCHOOL 40West 68th Street New York, NY 10023-6092 FIRST CLASS MAIL