News Archive

September

Athletes of the Week – Week of Sept. 18

9/21/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Hackley Announces New Director of Advancement

9/21/2023

John Gannon P ’21 has been named Hackley’s next Director of Advancement.

Athletes of the Week – Week of Sept. 11

9/13/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Hackley Community Kicks Off Academic Year at Convocation 2023

9/12/2023

On Thursday, Sept. 7, the Hackley community came together at Convocation 2023 and formally launched the academic year with welcome notes from Associate Head of School Dr. Cyndy Jean, Community Council President EJ Regalado ’24, Board of Trustees President Dr. Harvinder Sandhu and Head of School Charles Franklin.

August

A Legacy of Learning: Faculty Mentorship on the Hilltop

8/17/2023

By Rozanne Rosenberg, Assistant Director of Communications

Ask any member of the Hackley community, and they are likely to tell you that people are what make Hackley, well, Hackley. Throughout its storied 123-year history, the students, alumni, families, staff, administrators, coaches, and faculty have made this institution what it is today. It is those same people who continue to champion Hackley’s legacy.

Behind the Headlines

8/17/2023

By Sami Rowbottom ’23 and Chloe Yancovich ’23, the Dial Editors-in-Chief

Ten years ago, Pete Barrett ’11 published a reflection titled “Renaissance Again: Hackley’s Dial” in the 50th anniversary edition of the Hackley Review. Barrett’s piece covered his experience with the Dial, his opinion on its growth, and its progress over the previous 85 years. Looking back at this article, it is clear that not much has changed.

Blues, Beignets and Bayous: A Southern Odyssey

8/17/2023

By Vladimir Klimenko, Upper School history teacher

“Are you excited to be finally going on your Southern Odyssey trip?” The question from colleagues and students echoes repeatedly in the days leading up to spring break. I manage to rouse up a nominal “yes” without elaboration.

From Paper News to the Ultra-Small Screen

8/17/2023

By Aisha Laspina-Rodriguez, Director of Communications

A lot can change in a decade, and we see that in the educational, experiential and physical growth right here on our campus. In the Communications Office at Hackley, how we share stories with and about our community has also changed.

July

Nine Hackley Student-Athletes Receive All-American Honors

7/14/2023

Hackley is proud to announce that we have nine student-athletes who have been awarded All-American or Academic All-American status!

Hackley Welcomes New Members, Roles to the Community

7/1/2023

On July 1, 2023, Hackley officially welcomed the School’s 13th Head of School Charles Franklin to the Hilltop. Additionally, former Assistant Head of School for Community and Inclusivity Cyndy Jean assumed the role of Associate Head of School, and former Middle School history teacher and dean Damon Hall stepped into the position of Assistant Director of the Middle School.

June

Celebrating 60 Years of the 'Hackley Review'

6/27/2023

This edition of the Hackley Review marks its 60th anniversary. The publication — which launched in fall of 1963 — was originally created by Hackley alumni and named the Hackley Alumni Review. “Although the Review is hardly an innovation in the area of independent secondary schooling,” wrote E. Nicholson Stewart ’59 in the first Editor’s Note, “the potential for the magazine is unlimited.” A vision that remains true today.

ISRP Juniors win Gold at International Genius Olympiad

6/23/2023

Hackley juniors Katherine Chen and Aniketh Arvind competed among 349 other finalists at the 2023 International Genius Olympiad held at the Rochester Institute of Technology from June 12 to 16.

ISRP Sophomores Have Strong Showing at Somers Science Fair

6/9/2023

On June 3, seven sophomores from Hackley’s Independent Science Research Program joined more than 600 students from the region to present their work at the Somers Science Fair.

Ars Vivendi: A Personal Reflection on Italy

6/5/2023

By Richard Robinson, PhD, Upper School English teacher

In March 2023, a group of Upper School students and chaperones visited Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan in Italy. In this Hackley Reflections piece, Dr. Richard Robinson, Upper School English teacher and one of the trip’s chaperones, reflects on his experience traveling throughout Italy.

Hackley Junior's Essay Accepted for Publication in 'The Concord Review'

6/4/2023

Hackley junior Sam Sanders recently earned the prestigious honor of having his essay on the ancient Greek historian Polybius accepted for publication in the summer edition of The Concord Review. Sam spoke with the Communications Office about the subject of his paper and the path to publication.

Athletes of the Week - Week of May 29

6/2/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Hackley Community Raises Over $3K for JCK Foundation in Color Fun Run Event

6/2/2023

On Sunday, May 21, the Hackley community gathered for our second annual Color Fun Run.

Hackley Perspectives: Doubt, Certainty and Confidence

6/2/2023

By Andy King, Director of the Upper School

In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, adapted from his Chapel Talk to the Class of 2023, Director of the Upper School Andy King encourages students to find the balance between doubt and certainty by living “a life marked by confidence with perhaps a new way of thinking about confidence. The pursuit of confidence is not the eradication of doubt nor the attainment of certainty. A confident person is someone who understands their doubts and manages them enough to move from doubting to doing and from questioning to acting.” Read the post here.

May

Hackley ISRP Students Named Finalists at Regeneron-ISEF 2023

5/25/2023

From May 13 to 19, Noah Nager ’23 and Aniketh Arvind ’24 of Hackley’s Independent Science Research Program joined more than 1,600 students from 64 countries at the Regeneron-International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Dallas, Texas.

Hornets Take Big Wins at NYSAIS Championships

5/25/2023

Hackley School had an exceptional day at the NYSAIS Championships this week! The Hornets crowned two team champions and three individual champions. We also had runner-up performances for two teams and one individual.

Athletes of the Week – Week of May 15

5/18/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Upper School Debate Team Dominates HSPDP Championship

5/16/2023

Hackley's Upper School Debate Team achieved an unprecedented accomplishment at the Championship for the East Coast High School Public Debate Program (HSPDP) League for the 2022-2023 season on May 6. Hackley was the top team overall with a 100% winning percentage and tied for the most number of wins despite having just three teams in the event.

Upper School ROV Team Takes 2nd Place in Regional Competition

5/16/2023

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!

Athletes of the Week - Week of May 8

5/12/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

US English Teacher, Coach, and 12th Grade Dean Jenny Leffler Wins 2023 Rice Award

5/12/2023

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."

Hackley Alumna Shares Lie Detector Research With ISRP Students

5/11/2023

The Independent Science Research Program recently hosted Adjunct Professor and Associate Research Scientist Michelle Levine ’96, as a guest speaker. During her visit, Professor Levine described her current research project focused on the ability to tell a lie from a truth, and her software platform that can train people to become better lie detectors.

Hackley Lacrosse Student-Athletes Hit 100-Goal Milestone

5/11/2023

Within two days of each other, Cliff Chapman ’24 and Brooke Koffler ’25, both recent Athletes of the Week, reached the 100-goal milestone in their respective sports. What makes this an incredible accomplishment for both student-athletes is that they have done this in under two years.

Hackley Trustee Shares Her Path in Finance With Economics Students

5/11/2023

On Friday, April 28, Hackley Trustee Dawn Fitzpatrick P ’22, ’24, ’28, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer at Soros Fund Management, spoke to Mr. Sykes' two economics classes. Ms. Fitzpatrick gave an outstanding talk to the 11th and 12th grade students, sharing a compelling history about her career path.

Hackley Announces 13th Head of School

5/9/2023

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.

Athletes of the Week – Week of May 1

5/5/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Middle School Debate Team Secures Most Wins at League Championship

5/5/2023

On Saturday, April 29, Hackley proudly hosted the New York Debate League Championship tournament, bringing the 2022-2023 Middle School Debate season to an impressive close. More than 50 teams from 13 schools gathered in our cafeteria during a rain-soaked day for this exciting event, which featured five preliminary rounds and an intense final public debate between the top two teams.

Stephen Zak ’16 ISRP Speaker

5/5/2023

The Independent Science Research Program (ISRP) was excited to host Stephen Zak ’16 as a guest speaker. During his visit, Stephen taught students the fundamentals of knee replacement surgeries and discussed his published clinical research paper.

PostAP Spanish Students Deliver Social Media Tips to Neighbors Link Families

5/4/2023

On Thursday, April 27, students in Mrs. Washington’s PostAP Spanish: Language and Culture class carried out the service component of their annual service-learning collaboration with community partner, Neighbors Link.

April

Athletes of the Week – Week of April 24

4/27/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Hackley Alumnus Shares About Investing With Economics Students

4/25/2023

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.

Hackley ROV Makes a Splash at the New England Robotics Regional

4/25/2023

Hackley Engineers, or Aquabots, from the Upper School Minor Submersible ROV Engineering Team earned recognition for their impressive performance at the New England MATE competition held on Saturday, April 22.

Hackley Alumna Shares About Food Businesses With Food & Power Students

4/24/2023

Christina Johantgen ’10 visited with the “Food and Power” class to share about her professional path and the various positions she’s held pertaining to our food system.

Kurt Coble Brings PAM Band to Hilltop

4/24/2023

On Thursday, April 20, and Friday, April 21, Hackley welcomed Kurt Coble and the PAM (Partially Artificial Musicians) Band to the Hilltop.

Athletes of the Week – Week of April 17

4/21/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Hackley Perspectives: Why I Coach

4/19/2023

By Joe McDermott '14, Varsity Football coach

In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, Joe McDermott '14, Varsity Football head coach, writes, "I've learned that the most fulfilling part of being a coach is the hope that the discipline and perseverance my players learn from being on this team will ultimately be applied to the other areas of their lives.” Read the post here.

Athletes of the Week – Week of April 10

4/13/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Hackley Alumnus Returns to Hilltop as ISRP Guest Speaker

4/12/2023

The Independent Science Research Program (ISRP) recently had the pleasure of hosting Hackley alumnus Kiegan Lenihan ’15 as a guest speaker. Kiegan is currently working at Carbon3D in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he is applying geometry and mathematics to drastically improve 3-D printing technology.

ISRP Alumnus Draws Connection Between Current Research and Research at Hackley

4/12/2023

The Independent Science Research Program (ISRP) was excited to host ISRP alumnus Josh Zhang ’19 as a virtual guest speaker. During his visit, Josh presented his recent research at Notre Dame on combination treatments for pancreatic cancer. What was particularly exciting is that there was a direct connection between his current research with the acute pancreatitis research he completed while in ISRP at Hackley!

Hackley Upper School Students Participate in Robotics Competitions

4/3/2023

Upper School Submersible ROV Engineering students participated in robotics competitions during spring break.

March

The Old Oak Earns a New Life on the Hilltop

3/22/2023

It is said that Hackley’s iconic Old Oak welcomed generations of students, families, and employees to the Hilltop from its place at the entrance of the Quad for more than 100 years.

MS Debate Team Nabs Most Total Wins in Tournament

3/8/2023

Hackley’s Middle School debate team had their best showing in several years at the final regular season MS debate tournament of the academic year at the Dalton School on Saturday, March 4!

Krysta Dudley '01, P '32, 34, Lower School teacher

Hackley Perspectives: A Community Built on Kindness

3/7/2023

By Krysta Dudley ’01, P ’32, ’34, Lower School teacher

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.

Athletes of the Week – Week of Feb. 27

3/2/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

February

Seniors Joseph, Abraham, Rao Represent Hackley at NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships

2/27/2023

Hackley seniors Cole Joseph, Liam Abraham, and Will Rao represented the Hornets at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling Championships in Albany on Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25.

Athletes of the Week – Week of Feb. 20

2/24/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Athletes of the Week – Week of Feb. 13

2/16/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Our Hackley Review Winter 2023 edition is here!

2/13/2023

This issue explores the ways in which Hackley’s talented and dedicated faculty work to create dynamic, enduring learning experiences around and beyond the Hilltop.

Athletes of the Week – Week of Feb. 6

2/10/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Wrestling Team Places 4th at Ivys; Captain Cole Joseph '23 Wins Con Ed Athlete of the Week

2/9/2023

Congratulations to Hackley's Wrestling team for placing 4th at the 2023 Ivy League Championships, and to Captain Cole Joseph '23, who was named lohud's Con Edison Athlete of the Week for the week of Jan. 29.

Tuo Liu, modern languages teacher and Middle School DEI coordinator

Hackley Perspectives: Performing Arts and Heritage on the Hilltop

2/7/2023

By Tuo Liu, Modern Languages teacher, Middle School DEI Coordinator

In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, modern languages teacher and Middle School DEI coordinator Tuo Liu writes, "Art allows us to better understand each other’s experiences, not just within the Hackley community but in a global context. Art not only embodies the Hackley ethos of learning from different perspectives, but also challenges us to take risks — another key Hackley tenet.” Read the post here.

Athletes of the Week – Week of Jan. 30

2/3/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

ISRP Seniors Present Research at Westchester Rockland JSHS

2/3/2023

Independent Science Research Program students Akshi Khowala '23 and Kiran Marfatia '23 joined more than 150 students in the Westchester Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) on Saturday, Jan. 28.

January

MS Debate Team Earns 2nd Place Overall in Latest Tournament

1/25/2023

Hackley's Middle School debate team earned 2nd place overall at the Tuckahoe Middle School tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21! With nine teams entered and 27 debaters participating overall, Hackley continues to demonstrate its commitment to the Middle School debate program.

'Hackley Perspectives' Wins Two 'Brilliance Awards'

1/19/2023

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.)

Athletes of the Week – Week of Jan. 9

1/13/2023

Every week, the Athletics department highlights some exceptional Hackley Hornets who are helping to spur on their teams.

Phil Variano Named to Ivy Preparatory School League Hall Of Fame

1/13/2023

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.

ISRP Senior Vihaan Dheer Named Regeneron STS Scholar

1/11/2023

Hackley is proud to announce that Independent Science Research Program senior Vihaan Dheer was recognized as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar for his project entitled, "The Optimization of Flux Trajectories for the Adiabatic Controlled-Z Gate on Split-Tunable Transmons."