Alumni News Archive

(Hackley Review - Summer 2020 | Story by Suzy Akin) A conversation with Ingrid Fetell Lee, Class of 1997, on the “value of a life marked by friendship, balance, and joy.”

Ingrid Fetell Lee can teach us a great deal about joy and why it matters.

Since sharing this essay on Sunday, May 31 about the killings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, I have been a part of several crucial, painful conversations with community members, the overriding theme of which has been to see Hackley move from conversation to action on issues of racism and injustice. I am grateful to those who participated--both students and adults--for the direct nature of these conversations, leading me to insights on ways we can and must do better.

Join us on June 3 for a fitness class with Hackley trainer, Coach Lisa! The class is a full body workout for all fitness levels. RSVP to alumni@hackleyschool.org. 

Attention Classes of 2009-2016: Join us on June 4th at 8:00 PM for a virtual cocktail party featuring a mixologist who will teach us how to make a few summer cocktails. RSVP to alumni@hackleyschool.org. 

Please join us for our next virutal writing group on June 11 at 8:00 PM on Zoom! Email Margie McNaughton Ford '85 to sign up.

Interested in growing your professional network, connecting with Hackley alumni, or speaking with Hackley mentors? Join HackleyConnect, our online networking and event platform. It's a great place to post job and internships. Questions? Contact Margie McNaughton Ford '85 at mford@hackleyschool.org.

Rina, a rising senior at the University of  Pennsylvania, has an impressive resume, ranging from writing a book to a serious passion for golf. Read more about her here!

On this Memorial Day 2020, we join together in honoring the memory of all members of the Hackley community and across the nation who have lost their lives in active military service.  

Florence Arnold ’16 is currently interning for the Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites in Bethlehem, PA. 

In the midst of COVID-19 and Distance Learning, Hackley’s Service Team organized a campaign for students to create letters expressing their heartfelt thanks to essential workers and emergency responders in our local community. The response from all divisions was heartwarming.

Will Guidara of the Independent Restaurant Coalition spoke at the White House and pressed President Trump for more federal assistance and for more time to spend the relief money restaurants were already given. 

Dave Karger '91 reflects on his time with the Turner Classic Movies Channel and shares some of his cinematic classic favorites. 

Hackley 7th-grader Brodi C. ’25 started a new initiative called Strings4Hope, which uses virtual musical performances to lift the spirits of those suffering from COVID-19, social isolation, and for the front-line workers fighting the virus.

We celebrate and support those from the Hackley Community who are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. We are forever grateful for your commitment and courage.

As part of the Strategic Plan initiative to Elevate the Arts by Promoting the Hilltop as a Learning Hub, The St. Thomas Orchestra, which began rehearsing at Hackley in February, has continued to meet via zoom in order to maintain their sense of community.

This essay is the summation of Lara Schechter’s independent study as a Hackley Junior in which she researched and evaluated the impact that gender roles play in society with relation to athletics.

Musician Jonny Hirsch ‘99 playing one of his favorite songs, Santeria by Sublime, released while a student at Hackley. 

We share alumni news and event updates on our social media platforms. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook so you don't miss a thing. 

Hackley alum Phil Brooks (Class of ’14) virtually visited our Independent Research Program on Wednesday April 22, 2020.

Dr. Marissa Wagner Mery ’97’s OP-Ed piece in the “LA Times” highlights the challenges that could affect Covid- 19 survivors.

Allison Pataki ’03 and Marya Myers ’03 read their children’s book, “Nelly Takes New York”, over Zoom for the Hackley Community. They reveal a surprise at the end of the video!

We are proud of all our alumni on the frontlines of this current health crisis.

Senior Class Dean Chris Loomis reflects on the "day in the life" experience of distance learning at Hackley, our latest post on Hackley Perspectives.

During Hackley's spring break, Zach '22 and Zara '23 Yusaf made face shields for healthcare workers at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Emergency Department, one of the first Epicenters for COVID-19. The doctors and nurses reportedly all use them and really appreciated the well made masks. Thank you, Zach and Zara!

In addition to virtual meetings of classes, Hackley Upper School is running a series of great activities designed to bring students together socially and in the interests of health, wellness. and community. Among them, in addition to yoga and meditation sessions, is the invitation to come cook with their teachers!

We are proud of everyone in the Hackley community who are on the frontlines during this crisis. Dr. Aarti Ravikumar ’99 is at the forefront of setting up the drive-thru testing centers for COVID-19. She was recently featured in a video describing the drive-thru testing centers, her portion begins at 7:40 minute mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cwHsYJRDHo

Vinay Bijoor '18 has spearheaded and effort an effort to provide supplemental meals -- breakfast, snacks, lunch, or dinner -- as a "thank you" to healthcare workers at Phelps Hospital who are working tirelessly in these difficult times.

They have put their own lives at risk to take care of the Covid-19 victims. In an effort to say 'thank you,' let us get together as a community to provide "heroes" (meals) to our healthcare heroes. This is an effort to supplement the efforts of the 'meal train' - to help with breakfast, snacks, lunch or dinner.

Learning Bach Cello Suites was always on Yuna Tsuji '11's bucket list. When the quarantine came along, her social media feed was filled with terrible news sprinkled with people being creative.

We invited Hackley employees to share snapshots of their Work From Home set up here.

We are grateful to Alex Evangelidis '20 for allowing us to share Hackley's first Zoom Chapel Talk!

Katherine Hannon's piece on Food and Power not only highlights one of Hackley's creative, interdisciplinary courses growing out of Refining Excellence: Learning Beyond Boundaries, but also throws into relief the impact of coronavirus on issues of food supply and food scarcity.

Hackley Trustee Eric Gyasi ’01 Hosts  Night of Ghanaian Cuisine with Top Chef Eric Adjepong!

Sportscaster Ryan Ruocco '04 and former Yankee CC Sabathia, welcome athlete and celebrity guests to their podcast R2C2 for wide-ranging conversations!

Hackley's Science Department and Athletic Trainer team rallied to gather supplies that could be useful to the local medical community, delivering nearly 4,000 gloves to Westchester Medical Center.

Hackley Junior Arjun Dayal was inspired by outreach to the 3-D printing community to help health care professionals by making masks and face shields, and was interviewed by local news.  Watch the feature here.  Way to go, Arjun!

His work continues: on April 20, he donated 100 more face shields to White Plains Hospital!

Sofia Graziano '20 of the Hackley Girls Varsity Basketball team has been named to Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) 2020 All-State Team, as part of the All-State Private School Second Team. Congratulations, Sofia!

Richard Romero ’79, Master Instructor & founder of Seichou Karate Dojo, is offering FREE Virtual Karate classes to kids. 

Follow the link below for a message from our Head of School, Michael Wirtz

Hackley English teacher Wil Lobko reached at random for a poem to share with colleagues to kick off the month, and the poem he happened upon has particular resonance as we enter into "Day 3" of distance learning on the Hilltop.

Answer: This Hackley Hornet will compete on Jeopardy Tuesday night 3/17. Question: Who is Kris Sunderic '03? Tune in and root for Kris! #hackleyalumni

Two Hackley alumni visited Hackley Chinese language students and shared insights into the benefits of learning and speaking Chinese.

Save the date for ALUMNI DAY 2020 - October 3. We'll celebrate special reunions for classes ending in 0 and 5. Email Margie McNaughton Ford '85, Director of Alumni Engagement, if you are interested in joining your reunion committee. See you on the HILLTOP!

Former teacher and musician extraordinaire, Eliot Smith, has retired and now lives in Provence, France! He is hard at work with Wade Tonken, Hackley's very own video and music producer and another former Hackley teacher, Erick Storckman, on a new jazz-rock album. All songs on the project are written and sung by Eliot. The album set to be released in late 2020. For more information visit his website at https://buff.ly/37TzyyV

Click READ MORE to see a list of upcoming alumni events. To RSVP or if you have questions, reach out to Margie McNaugton Ford '85 at mford@hackleyschool.org.

Hackley's very own Celia Gooding '18 is starring in Jagged Little Pill, a Broadway play inspired by Alanis Morissette's album! If interested in attending, get your tickets here: https://buff.ly/2Ur0wYC.

In February, Allison Pataki ’03 released he fifth historical novel, The Queen’s Fortune - A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire. Click HERE for more information. 

The Hackley Fencing program had an amazing weekend at the Independent School Fencing League Championships.

Bruce Dunbar ’85 and Aidan Wilson ’20, two of the most accomplished Hackley swimmers of all-time, share the Hackley School record in the 500 Free (4:34.61).

Hackley's Pickert Field signage was enhanced with the language below chronicling Coach Robert Pickert's achievements as Hackley Teacher, Coach, Athletics Director, and Varsity Football Coach.

Hackley Varsity Wrestling Coach Fran Stanek was honored at this year's NYSAIS Wrestling Championship with the 25 years of Service Award in the sport of wrestling.

Enzi Teacher '20 and Conor McMahon '20 were named to the 2020 Golden Dozen Team. The Golden Dozen is an award given to the top student-athletes in the Westchester area in the sport of football.

Hackley will be hosting the 2020 NYSAIS Wrestling Championships on Saturday, February 8th in the double gym in the Walter C. Johnson Center for Health and Wellness, beginning at 10:00 AM.

On January 9, Hackley hosted Pavel Litvinov, this year’s Henry Wendt Visiting Scholar, who addressed Upper School students in the morning, visited classes, and then continued conversation with students over lunch.

Hackley Review Winter 2018-19 By Vladimir Klimenko