Alumni News Archive

The Whirlpool Robotics, Hackley's 11th grade ROV team of Cydnee Copeland, Travis Knaggs, and Sam Nadol, had an exceptional performance at the Villanova MATE Regional competition on May 13!

Congratulations to Jenny Leffler, the recipient of this year’s Anton and Lydia Rice Inspirational Teaching Award! The award is presented each year to a member of Hackley’s faculty who, in the estimation of the Senior Class, "has lit and sustained the fire of learning and inspiration, stimulated their intellectual curiosity, and inspired them in positive ways to seize the day and grasp the challenges they will face in the years ahead."

Charles Franklin has been named Hackley's new Head of School, beginning July 1. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Franklin based on the recommendation of the search committee and the hundreds of survey responses and feedback received from members of the Hackley community, including faculty, staff, families, students, and alumni.

Click here to view an online version of Class Notes 2020. 

On Saturday, March 11, Hackley hosted the Hudson Valley First Lego League Explore Division Expo. Hackley fielded two third and fourth grade teams, the Hackley Hurricanes and the Hackley Lightning.

Hackley alumnus Justin Roberts ’01 returned to the Hilltop as a guest speaker in David Sykes’ economics class on Friday, April 21. A partner at Rubric Capital Management LP, Justin shared his expertise and insights on investing, a topic that has been of particular interest to the class throughout the year.

In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, Lower School teacher Krysta Dudley '01, P '32, 34, writes, "When I sit down to consider the why — why do so many people return to the Hilltop, some after decades? — there is one undeniable answer: the community and the way that it makes us feel." Read the post here.

In January 2023, Danny Casper ‘19 and his curling team won silver at the 2023 FISU Winter World University Games in Lake Placid this past January. Click Read More for a Spotlight on Danny.

In February, alumnae from the Classes of 1985 to 2014 gathered in Greenwich, Conn. for the Women of Hackley Entrepreneur Panel Event, our first in-person event since 2019. The event featured a panel of inspiring entrepreneurs Kim Nichols ’93 P '28 '29, dermatologist and founder of Nichols MD of Greenwich Boutique Care for Beautiful Skin; Stephanie Naccari ’95, founder of Get it Done By Stephanie, a professional organizing firm; and HAA Director Ali Galgano ’01 P '34 '36, gemologist and founder of Serpentine Jewels. They shared their stories and gave us a glimpse in their impressive businesses. Moderator Sally Parker Nichols closed the discussion by asking, "Can women have it all?" The answers were fascinating and depended on what your personal definition of "all" meant. Thank you to Ali for hosting the event at the stunning Serpentine Townhouse.

By Dianne Fahy '92 

On February 15th, the Middle School Alumni Connect Club had the privilege of connecting with Aurora Straus '17. After asking about favorite teachers and where she went after Hackley, the students sat in awed silence when Aurora revealed that her current work involves being a race car driver. "You are the one in the car, wearing the helmet?" one asked in disbelief. "So the Daytona 500 means you drive five hundred laps, all at once?" another asked in awe."Wait, what do you mean you are part of a team?" another asked, trying to make sense of the crew of people who support the driver. It was great to connect with yet another alum to widen the perspective of our students. Thanks again to Aurora for taking the time to meet with us.

Dianne Fahy ‘92 is a Middle School math teacher and MS-Alumni Connect Club founder and club advisor.

Nordic CTO & Innovation Officer, podcaster, and author Thomas Anglero '84 was recently on a panel at the World Government Summit in Dubai discussing disruptive technologies. He is pictured here with the Assistant Minister of Technology for the Republic of Azerbaijan who also sat on the panel. The summit brought thought leaders, global experts and decision-makers from around the globe to share and contribute to the development of tools, policies, and models that are essential in shaping future governments.

Hackley Girls' and Boys' Varsity Basketball teams compete in the annual Coaches vs. Cancer benefit in January at the Fieldston School. All proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society. The Girls' team played in honor of their coach, Margaret Scarcella '84, a cancer survivor. "The girls take it upon themselves to have shirts made to honor my cancer color...[It's] ver touching," notes Margaret."we all know someone affected by cancer, and during this great event, there are no losers on the court. The only loser here is cancer."

Fareed, Principal at Arthur D. Little, was recently named one The Top 25 Digital Transformation Consultants and Leaders of 2023 by the Consulting Report. Click here to read the article. 

Author Sarena Straus ’88’s new sci-fi novel is out!

In his latest book Unreasonable Hospitality, restaurateur, author Will Guidara ’97 shares many of the lessons about service and leadership he learned over the course of his long career in the restaurant business, and makes the case that any business can choose to be in the hospitality industry by taking ordinary transactions and turning them into memorable experiences. Click here to watch his TED Talk "The secret ingredients of great hospitality."

In January 2023, Taylor Robin ’20 returned to the Hilltop to perform with her a cappella group, Shades of Yale (a group founded in 1988 and celebrates music of the African diaspora and African-American tradition) as part of our recognition of Dr. King’s legacy and impact. click here to learn more about Shades of Yale.

Hackley School is excited to announce that Phil Variano will be the third coach from Hackley School inducted into the Ivy Preparatory School League Hall of Fame in June.

Alec Hirschfeld '65's memoir titled What the Camera Didn't See shines a light on the action behind the scenes and follows his career as a camera assistant to a director of photography. Click READ MORE to learn more about Alec, his book, and to read a review from his mom.

Hackley School is proud to share that we have won two InspirED School Marketers Brilliance Awards for works published on the School’s blog—Hackley Perspectives. (Click above to read the judge’s comments.) Cyndy Jean’s piece, Radical Self Love: Leaning into the Journey of Discovery and Growth, published December 2020, won Gold. Aisha Laspina-Rodriguez’s piece, Celebrating the Self—Honoring Heritage, published February 2021, won Silver. Click here to learn more.