THE RIVERS EDGE Vol. XLIX, Number 5
The Rivers School, Weston, MA
Construction under way on two new turf fields at front of campus BY MEREDITH SHAH ’21 ASSISTANT EDITOR
As you likely already noticed, the grass softball and soccer fields that previously resided on the left-hand side when you pull into the Rivers entrance every morning are a thing of the past. These athletic fields are being replaced by two new artificial turf playing fields that will soon become part of the scenic landscape here at Rivers. A new football field will run parallel to Winter Street and a soccer field will run perpendicular to the street. These fields, which will be used for lacrosse in the spring, will be ac-
companied by a covered pavilion between the two that will have seating and restrooms to accommodate large turnouts at athletic events, and, according to Head of School Ned Parsons, “will serve as both a community gathering space and a fan viewing area.” Indeed, the new pavilion will make the turf fields more accessible to crowds and provide a connection point between the fields and the main campus for the many Rivers sports enthusiasts that come out to support Rivers athletics. What were once Davis Fields seemed to disappear almost in the span of a day when the project
abruptly started on May 15th. “This is a particularly fastmoving project made possible by a small group of community members who decided the timetable for the project needed to be accelerated,” Mr. Parsons wrote in a message to the community. According to Parsons, this dedicated and generous group donated most of the money needed to complete the two turf fields with the sole provision that the fields be completed in time for the fall sports teams to use. In order to build and fit both of the turf fields, however, more space was needed. Hovey AvContinued on page 2
the student experience. Adams is excited to collaborate with his fellow faculty on enhancing teaching. “Rivers has so many great teachers,” Adams said. “So that should make [this part] of my job a lot easier.” In terms of technology, Mr. Adams is the right man for the job. In the words of Head of School Ned Parsons, “[Adams’] considerable passion for, and knowledge of, educational technology was a boon for the faculty we wanted to bring to bear on our classrooms.” Mr. Adams believes that Rivers prepares students for life in the real world and technology is a major part of that. “I really hope that Rivers can be a place
that’s considered a thought leader when it comes to the implementation of technology [in the student experience],” he said. Adams will sadly not be coaching football in the fall, but will still coach Nordic skiing and JV lacrosse, as well as teach three sections of math. As for Dr. Dalton, his position will involve the scheduling for the school, academic program management, and data analysis. Scheduling, while rather selfexplanatory, is difficult and time consuming; Dalton will receive training from the current Director of Academic Scheduling Carol Davidson, who is retiring after 28 years at in the position at Rivers. Continued on page 3
New administrative roles to be filled by Dr. Dalton, Mr. Adams BY SAM LYONS ’22 STAFF WRITER
This coming fall, new faces from the math and science departments will be taking on leading roles in a slightly restructured administration. Math teacher John Adams will be taking on the position of Director of Educational Technology, while science teacher Chris Dalton will assume the role of Assistant Dean of Faculty. Though both positions are extensions of Dean of Faculty, the two men seek to take their new responsibilities to the next level. In the case of Mr. Adams, his job will revolve around improving styles of teaching and incorporating technology strategically into
June 7, 2019
Prize Day 2019
The Faculty Prize Dudley H. Willis Trustee Prize
Marguerite R. Monaghan ’19 Michael S. Manasseh ’19 and Natalie C. Hall ’19 The Jeremiah J. Sheehan Memorial Prize Henry M. Muller ’19 The Hooper Lawrence Memorial Prize Stephanie M. Dailey ’19 The F. Ervin Prince Award Colin M. Falvey ’23 The Harvard Club Prize John Morgan ’20 The Thomas P. Olverson Prize Jacquelyn M. Benjes ’20 The Williams College Book Award Apsara R. Balamurugan’20 The Brown University Alumni Book Award Jonah R. Berg ’20 The Columbia Book Award Marguerite R. Monaghan ’19 The Johns Hopkins Univ. Alumni Faculty Prize Margaret C. Leeming ’21 The Kenneth F. Benjamin ’50 Citizenship Award Samuel M. Lyons ’22 and Elizabeth C. Girard ’22 Robert W. Rivers Prize for English Hunter A. Taylor-Black ’19 The Mathematics Prize Brendan J. Long ’19 The Science Prize Colette M. Meier ’19 The George Woodbridge History Prize Lindy S. Billhardt ’19 The Interdisciplinary Studies Prize Lauren A. Barich ’20 The Otto Alcaide Language Prize/Spanish Bethany Pasko ’19 The Otto Alcaide Language Prize/French Nora E. Brown ’19 The Austin A. Chute Memorial Prize Callie Kamanitz ’19 The Modern Language Prize for Chinese Matthew J. Jones ’19 Three-Dimensional Arts Prize (Ceramics) Caleb J. Leeming ’19 Three-Dimensional Arts Prize (Sculpture) Michael A. Webber ’19 The Two-Dimensional Arts Prize Hunter A. Taylor-Black ’19 and Abigail J. Warwick ’19 The Photography Prize Julia Bauriedel ’19 The Choral Music Prize Natalie C. Hall ’19 and Rebecca B. Stachel ’19 The Classical Music Prize Lindy S. Billhardt ’19 David Killam Instrumental Music Prize Michael S. Manasseh ’19 The Nonesuch Players Prize Caleb J. Leeming ’19 Priscilla Wallace Strauss Athletic Prize Leslie W. Schwartz ’19 The James A. Navoni Athletic Prize Antonio F. Andreozzi ’19 Independent School League Award of Excellence Stephanie M. Dailey ’19 and Henry M. Muller ’19 Senior Award for Exceptional Dedication to Athletics Stephanie M. Dailey, Caroline M. Grady, Ethan J. Lemley, Alexa M. Francesconi, Ashley A. Shegog, Leslie W. Schwartz, Michael A. Webber Cum Laude Winners: Michael Manasseh, Anna Donlan, Hunter Taylor-Black, Lindy Billhardt, Emilia DeJesus, Nathalie Ahn, Jay Callahan, Brendan Long, Stephanie Daily, Natalie Hall, Colett Meier, Natasha McMillan, Marguerite Managhan, Caleb Leeming
The Rivers Edge
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June 7, 2019
News
Two new turf fields, pavilion to be ready by September Continued from page 1 enue, the street adjacent to the far end of Davis Field, is largely comprised of faculty and staff housing that Rivers owns and rents to individuals. To create the necessary space to accommodate the fields, the trees on the far end of Davis Field were all cut down and three of the houses on Hovey Ave. were torn down. The impact on the fall season will be tremendous and coaches and players are excited. “The new turf fields will greatly enhance our athletic programs on many fronts,” said football coach Tom Bourdeau. “Having three turf fields in total allows for all varsity as well as most subvarsity ‘field teams’ to play games and hold practices on brand new state-of-the-art synthetic fields.” Bourdeau added that he is “extremely grateful to all those who have donated their time, effort and financing to make this project happen.” The fields are a part of the school’s 2015 strategic plan laid out by Parsons and the Board of Trustees. This plan was created to “guide The Rivers School” into the future, according the website for the strategic plan, and it is clearly achieving that goal. Through the construction of the new Center for Science and Visual Arts, the renovation of the Black Box Theater, and these two new fields, Rivers is definitely
moving rapidly into the future of private high schools in the Boston area and holding its place in the ranks of top-tier independent schools with beautiful new facilities for diverse types of disciplines and interests. The point of the Strategic Plan, according to the official literature, is to “plan academic, arts, and athletic spaces that properly match and support the excellence of our programs and the powerful teaching that characterizes Rivers.” It continues, “This is an exciting time in our history, and an opportunity to engage the entire Rivers community in building the future for this remarkable school.” For the most part, the driving force behind most of the current projects on campus is the FutureMakers campaign, Rivers’ $50 million capital campaign to raise money to create a strong, financially stable, and impressive future for the school. The money is being allocated in several ways, with 60% of the money funding the new Center for Science and Visual Arts, which will have a huge impact on campus upon its opening. For the future plan for the school, according to Director of Advancement Krissie Kelleher, the Board determined that improved academic spaces and financial sustainability were the most vital needs of the school moving forward. The Future-
A rendering of what the front of campus will look like come September. The two new turf fields will be for football, field hockey, soccer and lacrosse. A new pavilion at the center will house restrooms, storage, and food. Makers campaign will provide the necessary financial foundation to address these and several other needs, along with separate donors giving money for other projects—like the new turf fields. The new fields will certainly prove useful and not just for the fall teams. The new synthetic surfaces will be used by soccer, football, field hockey, and lacrosse teams throughout the course of the year. These fields will have a huge impact on the athletic pro-
gram in the way of creating more space for teams to hold practices and likely fostering higher turnout for sporting events. With three turf fields, weather and field conditions will no longer disrupt scheduling. “As we experienced this past spring and fall with record setting rainfall, our teams and coaches won’t need to be concerned if the fields will be ‘ready’ to play with the artificial surfaces,” Bourdeau said.
Moreover, the addition of the new footbridge to Nonesuch Field will prove super helpful for athletes and fans alike as they make the trek to the more remote field. Ultimately there is a lot happening at Rivers right now. While students are getting ready to enjoy the long summer break, there is definitely a lot to look forward to for the start of the next academic year.
allow us to get to practice and games so much more quickly,” Davock said. “The pretty view will hopefully attract more fans from campus as well. I’m also really looking forward to the new fishing possibilities the bridge will provide.” The new bridge should allow for a scenic shortcut to Nonesuch Field next year, and students, parents and faculty are all looking forward to its completion in the coming few weeks. When students and faculty return to campus this fall, they can also expect to see major progress in the new Center for Science and Visual Arts. The majority of the exterior should be done, and the inside decor will begin to go in. This should include brick on the outside of the building, as well as most of the windows in place. With this, the construction fence that takes up most of the turf right now will be pushed back opening up new space. In its place will be a completely new turf area for students, while at the far end a new grass area will be added along with landscaping and new trees. This will allow students to still enjoy sunny afternoons playing Spikeball or lounging in the sun during breaks. The new building will open the doors to new opportunities for the school, while still creating places for old traditions to live on. Stu-
dents around campus are thrilled about what’s to come as well as to say farewell to the construction. “I can’t wait for the new building to be completed, and I think it will enhance student life here at Rivers,” said rising senior Max
Bauriedel. “Some of my classmates are definitely bummed that our grade will only get to enjoy the Center for a few months, but we know that this is a major step forward for the future of Rivers.”
Construction update: what campus will look like this fall BY RYAN RAHBANY ’20 and PAT LAWN ’20 STAFF WRITERS
When the summer draws to a close and students flood back to Rivers, the campus will have a whole new look for the 20192020 school year and years to come. The exciting new additions include two turf fields, a bridge to Nonesuch Field, a renovated Black Box theater, and the impending opening of the expansive Center for Science and Visual Arts. Each project is operating on its own time line, with the current plans for everything to be done by January of 2020. Immediately following approval by the Board of Trustees in April, construction began on what were previously known as Davis Fields, and is scheduled to be completed by the start of the school year. “This is a particularly fastmoving project made possible by a small group of community members who decided the timetable for the project needed to be accelerated, said Head of School Ned Parsons. “To make that happen, they generously donated the majority of the funds needed for the project, stipulating only that the fields be ready for use by this fall.” The project includes the implementation of two turf fields
that will be enjoyed by an array of teams, students, and fans. This news is particularly exciting to football players that will now return to playing on a turf field after a one year hiatus. “The team is pumped to get to work on the new turf,” said rising junior Gregg Dennison. “Along with the new field, a few new additions are being added to the team which we are all excited about. Hopefully the new turf will bring more students out to watch on game day.” In addition to the football team, field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse teams will call these new fields home for the foreseeable future. To cap off the project, a covered pavilion in between the two fields and will provide restrooms and seating for fans and community members. Look forward to an exciting fall athletic season on the new fields later this year. During the next few weeks, a footbridge over the wetlands to Nonesuch Field will be fully constructed and ready to go. Primarily, softball and boys’ soccer will use Nonesuch Field next year, according to the athletics department, and the bridge near the base of Haynes Hall to the Nonesuch Road will significantly shorten the walk to practice and games for athletes and fans alike. Soccer captain Aidan Michael Davock is very excited. “It will
Middle School Boat Launch
The 7th graders participated in the annual boat launch/race on Nonesuch Pond last Friday. The groups designed and then constructed each boat with cardboard and duct tape. Photo S. Porter.
The Rivers Edge
June 7, 2019
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News
Archibald named dir. of diversity, equity and inclusivity BY TOMMY KANTAROS ’20 CO-EDITOR
It’s the end of an era. After a decade of serving as the Director of Diversity, John Bower made the tough decision to step down. Yes, we will still see Mr. Bower around school and even in the diversity office, but he will have a different title: Assistant Head of the Middle School and coordinator of Middle School diversity, equity and inclusivity programming. While being the Assistant Head of the Middle School and running the Middle School chorus, being the Director of Diversity has been a lot to manage for Bower. And, because of how strongly the school is founded on the principles of diversity and inclusivity, it was paramount that the school hire someone who could be full-time focusing on diversity. To that end, earlier this spring the school announced that Ava Archibald will serve as the new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity. Starting in July, Archibald will assume the position and many at Rivers feel that she will make an immediate impact on the community and help the school with its diversity goals. With the addition of Archibald, the office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity will now have three
people on the team: Bower, Archibald, and English teacher Katie Henderson. Archibald will be in charge of monitoring diversity at Rivers and developing new programs and practices that effectively increase diversity, while also providing support to various groups within the community when needed. Archibald began her career in the classroom, teaching English at the Cambridge School of Weston, according the school’s web story in April. She had long been interested in social justice issues and used literature as a lens to examine such issues, teaching works by James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, Zora Neale Hurston, Jamaica Kincaid, and others. In 2006, she was given an opportunity to teach a social justice class—not a common offering at the time. Archibald describes that as an “a ha moment”: “I realized I could just teach social justice issues and not come to it through the back door of teaching English.” Archibald has been engaged with the subject of diversity ever since, first at CSW and later at St. Mark’s School, where she served as founding director of community and equity affairs. Most recently, Archibald has worked as senior manager for the equity dialogues program at YW Boston (formerly the YWCA). Along the way, she
Dalton, Adams to take on new roles next fall
Continued from page 1 For those of you whose definition of “academic program management” needs some elaboration, it basically entails managing all logistics surrounding final exams. These logistics include timing, location, and proctors of exams, as well as their significance for overall grades. Data analysis is a relatively new addition to an administrative position. “We’ll be collecting and using all the information on campus - about student life, academics, teachers - so we can understand what our students lives are like a little better and help make decisions that have the most positive impact on the students possible,” Dalton said. Dalton is well-prepared for the job; he has worked in consulting, where one is tasked with managing large programs and large projects. In this field, he worked with west
also found time to attend culinary school, and though she didn’t end up pursuing a restaurant career, she remains a serious chef. Of the people who were able to meet and interview Archibald during the hiring process, all had great things to say about what she will provide for the community. “I’m eager to see her bring her strategic mindset to the task of taking our ongoing work and deepening it to develop and execute initiatives in areas like admissions, curriculum and hiring,” said Head of School Ned Parsons. Bower, who knows Archibald well from their work in diversity at St. Marks, also had great things to say about Archibald. “Ava is a well-known, trusted expert in the field of diversity, equity and inclusivity,” Bower said. “She understands that everyone is coming at diversity work from a different perspective and level of experience, and one of the things I appreciate most about her is how approachable she is.” Bower is eager to see what Archibald will do in the upcoming year. “Whether you are just tipping your toes into the work or you’re diving deep, Ava is someone you want to be supporting you through it,” Bower said. “She asks tough, thoughtful questions and leaves a tremendous amount of space for personal exploration
and discovery.” Diversity Outreach Coordinator and Assistant Director of Admissions Karin Narcisse also had positive words to say about Archibald. After meeting her during the interview and hiring process, Narcisse said, “She will do a great job strengthening the Rivers community and supporting all of the students and faculty.” As the Rivers community leaves for the summer, all can be
sure that they are in good hands with Archibald in charge. An expert in her field, many are excited to see what she will bring to the table at Rivers. “The work, to me, is about helping make Rivers a place where everyone feels comfortable,” said Archibald. “My title is a mouthful to get out, so I sometimes use shorthand: I’m here to make sure everyone plays nicely together.”
coast Children’s Hospitals and large pharmaceutical companies like Shire. His experience in organizing and analyzing their data will translate well to his new job at Rivers. Though Dr. Dalton will not be teaching three of his usual four sections, he will carry on teaching his iconic biology and chemistry I class. Dalton will also not be coaching third’s soccer, but he is considering starting a club; ideas include an “outdoors club, a science club,” and, he mentions enthusiastically, “a birding club!” These two men, who are both returning as Upper School advisors, are well deserving of their new roles. Students have unanimously praised them for their work in the classroom and beyond, and their impact on Rivers will be all the greater in these new roles. And, who knows, the birding club may be a big draw.
Make it Rain!
Science teacher Chris Dalton.
Ava Archibald, the new director of diversity, equity and inclusivity, brings a wealth of experience to the position. Archibald, who formally worked at St. Mark’s and CSW, will begin in July.
Math teacher John Adams.
Given the rainy spring we’ve had, the theme of the final Red & White Competition was, fittingly, Rain! Emcee Dave Lyons (on stage) once again led a spirited school-wide event that was a fun filled farewell to the academic year. In addition to the usual trivia and sing-a-longs, students also had to catch “cats and dogs” in an umbrella. (top). Photo by Steve Porter.
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The Rivers Edge
June 7, 2019
EDITORIAL Transition is tradition
Held after a week full of exams, one might think the last thing students would want to do is go back to school for another day. Yet, graduation is a milestone not only marking the end of one class’s time at Rivers, but also the beginning of a new era for others. As soon as the sun starts shining in May, our campus is transformed. The water guns and Spike Ball nets come out and many students spend their down time laying on the turf with their friends in hopes of getting a start on summer tans. High school, at this point in the year, is more or less over for the seniors. They know it, and so does everyone else. Their main priority - after APs and senior projects - becomes reminiscing on the amazing years and beginning to say their good-byes to a place they owe so much. Graduation then, on the second Saturday in June, may feel like an afterthought, but it hardly is. The Rivers community gathers for graduation to celebrate what this moment means to those sitting on the risers. We gather to recognize those who spent anywhere from two to seven years strengthening and contributing to our classrooms, sports teams, musicals, orchestras, choruses, art shows, clubs, and more. We gather to celebrate those who worked hard to better themselves and to better Rivers as a school and a community. Seniors deserve all the appreciation and adulation they receive on this day, because, whether they know this our not, each and every one of them left a mark on our school in some way. Graduation is also a chance for younger students to realize their new position in the community. For juniors, they enter the position of being the oldest students. They become the role models. For sophomores, they enter their most challenging academic school year yet and will apply the skills they have been practicing over the past two years. And for freshmen, they become role models themselves to the incoming freshmen. Each new position carries great weight with its own mixture of stress and excitement. It is necessary to ponder change and the new expectations we will be held to. While the community will applaud the Class of 2019 for all that they have done, at the same time we look to the future and prepare to live up to the important legacy they leave behind. As we join together and wish our seniors farewell, we are faced with mixed emotions. We are sad to see our club leaders, our captains, our first chairs, and our friends go. However, we are excited to send them off on their next journey in life and watch them continue to grow and succeed at the next stage of their education. We gather on this day to celebrate our seniors and all they have accomplished, but we also gather as a community to recognize transition. A commencement in its purest form.
Intent and impact: the removal of a painting BY LUCY TONTHAT ’22 with HUNTER TAYLOR-BLACK ’19 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
March 2019, the walls of the Bell Gallery were filled densely with pieces from winter term art classes - except, there was a blank space on the wall. Senior Hunter Taylor-Black’s painting depicting two women embracing was missing. Hunter’s painting was the last piece to be hung and didn’t go up until after the visiting days for prospective students. The delay left many people in the community with the impression that what her painting represented was not suitable for the visitors. In my eyes, the delay felt like a missed opportunity to showcase to prospective and current students that all art and identities are welcome at Rivers. According to art teacher Lisa Townley, she and Hunter spent a lot of time thinking about and modifying the painting so that it best achieved the goal they set out to accomplish: to start conversations, to make Rivers more accepting. “How do we challenge the Rivers community without making people uncomfortable? Start conversations, you know, but not shock art,” said Townley. They considered whether the subjects should be old or young, tall or skinny, male or female, clothed or nude. As they thought more and more about these factors, Hunter’s piece morphed and changed beneath her paintbrush. What was the result? Two younger women - one facing forward, the other behind her - covered only by bikini-like undergarments, embracing each other lovingly. Hunter’s Artist Statement: “Staring at a massive canvas, I was
pushed by a single question: what is it that you want to say? And it was in answering that question that led me to the painting now hanging in the gallery: an attempt to address a lack of representation and conversation surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community. I created this piece for The Rivers School, to hang specifically in that Bell Gallery and to start conversations I feel like our community has been missing. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t also create it for me, as a peace offering to some sophomore version of myself who felt she needed to hide every time she walked through these halls.” Personally, I view Hunter’s artwork as an act of self-expression and identity, an act that took vulnerability and courage. I view the painting as having given a voice, a place on our prestigious walls, to LGBTQIA+ members of our own Rivers community. When art engages the fullest, most diverse audience, it makes its greatest impact and leads to the most productive conversations. Sadly, the decision to delay its hanging had a strong impact on the members of our community leading many to feel that not all identities had been validated and supported. And perhaps most upsetting to me is that we, as a community, haven’t had the chance to share the impact this choice has had on us. This seems almost like another lost opportunity to talk about the things that make us uncomfortable and to take the steps towards becoming the community we so often talk about. I hope next year we’ll revisit the conversation about how to best celebrate and validate the different identities in our community that make Rivers Rivers.
Opinions & Editorials
A tribute to editor Henry Muller BY MAX MEYERHARDT ’21 STAFF WRITER
Senior Henry Muller’s time at Rivers has been nothing short of exceptional. From playing both varsity hockey and tennis, being a student advisor and a devout fan of all Rivers sports, Henry displays enthusiasm and passion in everything he does. Having joined Rivers in the 8th grade, Henry is a true veteran and has not only taken so much away from Rivers during his time here but given back too - most notably through his involvement in The Rivers Edge. Henry describes “working alongside some of Rivers’ best writers for the past two years” as nothing short of “incredible.” After trying out the club at the tail end of last year as a junior, Henry immediately sensed the strong community Edge participants have with each other and how their work can bring people together from many different realms of school. Despite having very little experience on the paper before, Henry’s leadership skills helped him become the editor of The Edge this year and, with able assistant editors Johnny Kantaros and Nathalie Ahn by his side, has had a huge impact. “Last year the Edge faltered a bit and we had no rising seniors involved in the paper,” said Alex Stephens, the paper’s faculty advisor. “ Then Henry stepped up at the end of the year and all these amazingly
talented writers and reporters followed. The success of the Edge this year is a testament to his talents as a leader. He’s set the tone for years to come.” Together, Henry and the staff have been able to foster a great and supportive Edge community that, with their and Mr. Stephens’ guidance, has informed and enlightened the school through insightful articles on such varied topics as the Fortnite craze, Game of Thrones, the college admissions scandal, and numerous school sports and community updates throughout the year. And it wasn’t uncommon for Henry to write four or five articles per issue, picking up the slack wherever needed and doing so with great skill. Henry’s recently discovered passion for journalism will not stop at Rivers, however, as he hopes to continue writing next year at Williams College. He notes, “At the end of the day, I have a deep respect for what news brings to communities, especially small ones like Rivers and many colleges.” Despite loving being a leader and editor of the Edge, Henry says it has not always been an easy task, and he often spent hours - with the help of Nathalie, Johnny, and Mr. Stephens - editing and proofreading articles to ensure the Edge is printed to perfection each and every edition. He is encouraged to do this not only for himself but because “seeing the passion [club mem-
bers] put into their work for the Edge is what made me want to be a writer and eventual editor for our newspaper.” The hard work paid big rewards as the staff produced five excellent issues this year and was honored with a First Place with Special Merit award in the American Scholastic Press Association’s national newspaper competition. Aside from everything he has learned from being on the Edge, Henry has also learned valuable lessons at Rivers that he can apply to his life in the future. “The most important thing I have learned at Rivers,” Henry forthrightly says, “is that being smart doesn’t get you very far on its own. Nobody cares if you are smart if you don’t work hard, but people always appreciate and value those who try their hardest.” Henry reflected this valuable point in his senior speech when he described being completely lost in his AP AB Calc class for which he had to meet with his teacher numerous times to understand the concept, hence, putting in the most work. Perhaps Nathalie Ahn sums it up best: “Henry is the editor other schools dream about. His passion and love for the Edge is unmatched by anyone, and his leadership has clearly paid off with national recognition. The Edge turned the corner toward greatness and it’s largely thanks to that man.” The Edge and the entire Rivers School could not be prouder.
The Rivers Edge
Editors Tommy Kantaros ’20 Julia Larkin ’20 Assistant Editor Meredith Shah ’21 Staff Writer Sofia Buckle ’20 Staff Writer Annabelle Hasselbeck ’20 Staff Writer Brooke Nelson ’20 Staff Writer Will Conway ’21 Staff Writer Sam Lyons ’22 Faculty Advisor Alex Stephens Contributing Writers: Charlie Foley ’22, Ryan Johnsen ’20, Pat Lawn ’20, Max Meyerhardt ’21, Hunter Taylor-Black ’19, Ryan Rahbany ’20, Lucy TonThat ’22 Photography: Janet Cuimmei, Chip Riegel, Steve Porter, Alex Stephens THE RIVERS EDGE is published by the students of The Rivers School. THE EDGE is a forum for the ideas, issues and concerns of the student body. Letters and contributions from the entire Rivers community - students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni are welcomed and encouraged. Unsigned letters will not be published, but names will be withheld upon request. Please send letters to The Editors, THE RIVERS EDGE, The Rivers School, 333 Winter Street, Weston, MA 02493.
June 7, 2019
The Rivers Edge
Page 5
Features
Up close and personal with the new school co-presidents BY ANNABELLE HASSELBECK ’20 and BROOKE NELSON ’20 STAFF WRITERS
Coming off a very successful term as the junior class co-presidents, rising seniors George Reinhart and Maggie Barrow were elected school co-presidents for the 2019-20 school year earlier this spring. The junior co-presidents and close friends stood out from a crowded and enthusiastic field of candidates who gave speeches during the all-school election. While the quality of their speeches certainly stood out, it was the collective experience of both that captured the imagination of the student body. George has been the Class of 2020’s president since freshman year, making him a very influential and experienced member of the student council. Being class President, George said, “is part of how I give back and show my appreciation for the school.” As much as he loves Rivers, George knows the school still has room for improvement. “The senior co-presidency offers a unique opportunity to create change here,” George said. “So I want to take advantage of that opportunity, in turn affecting positive change here at Rivers.” One of George’s qualities that has made it easy for the junior class to elect him every year is his inherent inclusivity and relatabil-
Maggie Barrow and George Reinhardt set ambitious goals for 2019-20 school year
New co-presidents Maggie Barrow ’20 and George Reinhardt ’20 are ready and eager to get to work on plans for the new school year. Photo by Brooke Nelson ’20. ity. In his agenda for next year, George, who was born in England and speaks with a confident British accent, wants to make the Student Council meetings open to more students and faculty, especially middle schoolers. George and Maggie also have hopes to make blue jeans a part of the regular dress code. All hands are up for that one! However, the team’s bigger focus is to create meaningful and positive change in terms of mental health at Rivers given the academic pressures
many are feeling. George has learned a lot from his three years as president. One of the biggest things he has learned is that getting stuff done as co-president takes time, effort, and communication. “Rivers - and I can imagine most schools - is very bureaucratic, and so accomplishing change requires lots of patience and lots of emailing,” he said. Of course, school co-presidents are a team effort and George could not say enough about work-
ing with Maggie again. “I could not be more thrilled to work with Maggie again next year,” George said. “She and I worked very well this year, and we also care deeply about similar topics of discussion at Rivers.” Like her fellow leader, Maggie Barrow shares many of the same views and qualities. The Belmont native had her first co-president position in 7th grade, her first year of Rivers. Her ability to voice her classmates’ opinions and concerns and be very open to
suggestions during her first year as president allowed for some of the student body to get a glimpse of her many positive qualities. “I decided to run for president again my senior year because I love to be the voice of the school and advocate for my peers,” Maggie said. Her outgoing personality radiates wherever she goes, and she hopes that any member of the community would feel comfortable talking to her or George. She too is very excited for next year and has a number of ideas that she wants to implement. “Next year, I want to continue to bring each aspect of the school together whether that is the middle and upper school or the sports teams and the conservatory,” she said. The three-sport varsity athlete (field hockey, hockey and lacrosse) wants everyone’s voices to be heard. “I hope to create focus groups and work with other leaders of the school to make sure that all ideas are being circulated through multiple people,” she said. George and Maggie’s dedication, motivation, and genuine appreciation for Rivers will no doubt help them have a lasting impact on the community. And both hope their tenure as president will make next year truly special for all Rivers students. “Rivers has been my home for the last five years,” Maggie said, “and I would do anything to give back to this school.”
Seniors leave lasting legacy: cute & unusual backpacks BY RYAN JOHNSEN ’20 CONTRIBUTING WRITER
It happens every spring: the weather warms up, the grass is greener, flowers bloom, and “senioritis” goes into full effect. Google defines senioritis as “a supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.” At Rivers, however, it means having fun and making the most of one’s final days of high school. A perfect representation of this is the proliferation of colorful backpacks for seniors this spring. One of the most noticeable backpacks on campus is lacrosse goalie Pat Mahoney’s. Interestingly, he has worn his colorful bag with a fuzzy duck that can be seen across the quad for the entirety of his senior year, which is not common. Although some of the stress from senior fall was minimized by his commitment to Colorado College for lacrosse, he says that was not his motivation; Mahoney mainly wanted to express himself and enjoy his last year at Rivers. “I wanted everyone to do it the entire year, and I got some of my friends to do it,” Mahoney said. “I bought five bags for $5 at Walmart and did not expect
Seniors Meghan Lally and Kaitlyn Nadeau with their matching Dory backpacks earlier this spring. much of the quality. The first couple ripped, but the one that I have now has lasted for the rest of the year. Backpacks give us permission to be weird and to be ourselves, and are also really funny.” After March break, when most of the Class of 2019 learned where they would be spending the next four years, many seniors
started to don their colorful and youthful backpacks. Some students sported backpacks decorated with characters from popular kids movies and shows, such as Dory from “Finding Nemo” (or “Finding Dory”), Lightning McQueen from the “Cars” movie series, and various Disney princesses. Future UCLA Bruin Anna
Donlan chalked the trend up to what she witnessed seniors before her doing, saying that “it’s a tradition that seniors in the past have done.” Like many others, future Villanova Wildcat Abby Deneen views senior spring and the backpacks that come with it as “a time for a lot of fun, and to not stress about school.” Meghan Lally’s backpack with Dory on it that says “just keep swimming” has caught a lot of people’s attention. When asked how she picked her backpack, she stated, “I like the color pink, I wanted an inspirational quote, I like ‘Finding Nemo’ and Dory is my favorite character. And Kaitlyn Nadeau has the same bag.” The backpack that created the most buzz on campus was future RPI football player Matt Rish’s Domino's bag. He turned an insulated Domino’s Pizza delivery bag into a bookbag. The randomness and implementation of a food brand on a school bag was enough to put smiles on everyone’s faces. Sophomore Will Conway said that the bag is “absolutely electric.” Although the backpack itself is awesome, the story behind its fruition is even better. “I was driving with Dan Shanley on Route 27, close to Mel’s, for a football team dinner,” Rish
explained. “I found the bag in the street, so I stopped my car and ran in the middle of busy Route 27 to get the bag. My uncle put straps on it to make it a backpack.” Some seniors, however, never decided to purchase a new and more noticeable backpack than they had before. A reason for this is that most of these backpacks are not only cheaply made, but also have limited space for books, laptops, and binders. Even though students are into college and graduation is imminent, Rivers still stresses finishing the year off strong and does not let up in the difficulty or magnitude of the workload. “Though I had gotten into college,” said future Babson Beaver Kian Behjat, “I still cared immensely about my schoolwork and maintaining my GPA, so I kept my regular backpack.” So, with the 2018-2019 academic year coming to a close, the seniors have left their final mark on the school. Their backpacks, and lack thereof come graduation, are a physical representation of the sense of childlike enthusiasm and play this class has had will leaving an impact on this school. Let’s see what the Class of 2020 can do next year.
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June 7, 2019
The Rivers Edge
Arts
Talented performers entertain at the final Coffee House BY RYAN JOHNSEN ’20 CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Coffee House at Rivers has been an off and on tradition for the past 20 years, but the club was reborn last year by Sara Stephenson and Sarah Morgan members of the Class of 2018. The energy and enthusiasm for the Coffee House was picked up this year by seniors Ella Caggiano, Nora Brown, Quinn Tuff, and Pat Mahoney. What started out as a small gathering of music enthusiasts on two Thursdays in the fall and winter turned into an epic (nearly three hours!) and impressive school event showcasing the incredible and diverse talents of Rivers students. The Black Box in Haffenreffer on Thursday, May 23rd was buzzing with energy. There were no seats left within 20 minutes of the starting time, so numerous people had to stand in the back and along the walls. The attendance rivaled that of some of our biggest athletic events. To top it all off, the whole show was dedicated to Caroline Grape ’18, a singer in many Coffee Houses during her time at Rivers, who is battling a rare form of cancer. Caroline was the guest of honor and sat among her friends in the front row. There were many musical performances that featured the school’s incredibly talented musicians. Some memorable performances included Sydney Greer ’20 singing “You and I” by Lady
The final student-run Coffee House, organized by seniors Quinn Tuff (top middle) and Ella Caggiano (right), featured a long list of performers and ran for nearly two and half hours. Performers played to a packed Black Box. Photos by A. Stephens Gaga, Kevin Kamanitz ’21 performing his own rock song, and history teacher Mr. Bagley singing “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar. Among the many acts were Tayja Sallie ’21, who performed an original song, and Daniel Weitz and Henry Lewis, each of whom dazzled with their prodigious musical talents. Of course the night also featured cover rock songs and original music from Tuff, Caggiano, Brown, and Mahoney, but there were also ensemble show-stoppers from the a capella club. Along with these musical performances, Willy Mulder, a senior headed to Northwestern, performed a stand-up comedy act that had the whole room gasping
for air between hard laughs. Another non-musical act were two poems by Jackie Quinlivan, who is headed to Bucknell next year. The night ended with a rousing version of “Wagon Wheel”. Something that was very noticeable for a first-time attender of the Coffee House was the supportive environment. Enthusiastic cheers could be heard throughout the night, and stage-shy people or first-time performers could be seen feeling more at-ease with the friendly crowd. Organizer Pat Mahoney is someone who is fairly new to music and performing, but he felt right at home. “I actually picked up the guitar for the first time at the age of 18 and learned,” Ma-
honey said. “This is the perfect place to try stuff because it’s such a supportive environment.” Fellow organizer Quinn Tuff agreed and encourages people to give it a try. “Anybody can do it because everybody is so supportive,” Tuff said. “There were 29 people performing!” It was truly an amazing environment to be in, and it is evident why these seniors wanted to continue the club. Caggiano says she does it not only for the music, but to allow others to step out of their comfort zone. “I am so passionate about singing and making music with my friends,” Caggiano said. “It’s so important to encourage others to get on stage and perform. The Coffee House atmo-
sphere is so inviting and supportive, and people really feed off that energy. I am inspired by how much talent there is at Rivers, and it seems to get better and better.” This club is more than just a night where people can showcase their talents, it is a space where people can take risks and be supported by the Rivers community. Although this school is known for its academics, superb classical and jazz music programs, and powerhouse sports, it definitely has earned the title of Coffee House powerhouse, as well. Not only is there talent, but there are also people willing to try something new and support others. It is an amazing night and you would be crazy not to attend.
Art exhibit showcases the diverse talents of Class of 2019 BY CHARLIE FOLEY ’22 CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As with every passing year at Rivers, the Senior Art Exhibit showcases some of the best artists from the graduating class by placing their pieces in the Bell Gallery in the Lower Campus Center. This year is no different with about 50 seniors featured, a little more than half of the graduating class. The Class of 2019 will be remembered for many things and the incredible artwork they produced is certainly one of them, which made for a bit of a challenge in selecting pieces for the show.
Wood sculpture created by Caroline Grady
“We wanted to be as inclusive as possible for this show to celebrate the great work done by our graduating class,” said ceramics teacher Tim Clark. And the arts faculty certainly succeeded. The show is impressive in the caliber and variety of the work. Some of the top senior artists included in the show are photographs by Julia Bauriedel, Camille Phelan, and Tully Mahoney. There are also stunning ceramic pieces by Maggie Monaghan, Caleb Leeming, and Thando Khumalo. Wood sculptures by Michael Webber, Chris Bucking, and Christian Bosse also are all fantastic. Lastly, 2D work by award-winning artists Matt Cronin, Hunter TaylorBlack, and Abi Warwick complete the gallery. Much of the work is awardwinning. Just recently, first prizes in the Small Independent School Art League competition went to seniors Lisa Byrne, print making; Michael Webber, sculpture; and Chris Bucking, woodworking; with second prizes awarded to Matt Cronin, print making, Caleb Leeming, wheel-thrown ceramics, and Julia Bauriedel ’19, photography.
The tradition of having a senior show for the final gallery exhibition of the year once again shows the incredible depth and breadth of the student artists at Rivers. The Class of 2019 had no shortage of established and award-winning artists as well as incredible newcomers to the Bell Gallery. Photo by Stephens. But even this list leaves out some really wonderful work. Walking through and interacting with the gallery space, one can’t help but be drawn to Jackie Quinlivan’s painting of a horse, Nate Sherman’s intriguing glass sculpture, ceramic vessels by
Cade Webber and Zoe Brown, and a dark wood sculpture crafted by Caroline Grady. The pieces are as diverse as the artists who created them. “I think our exhibitions were consistently strong this year, especially the student shows,”
visual arts teacher Jermey Harrison stated. The show this year includes all the sections of studio arts offered here at Rivers. The exhibit truly shows all the impressive talents of the Class of 2019.
June 7, 2019
The Rivers Edge
Page 7
Sports
Coach Walker notches 200th win during strong season BY WILL CONWAY ’21 STAFF WRITER
The Rivers varsity lacrosse victory against Groton on May 18th marked Coach Justin Walker’s 200th win. This momentous occasion is merely the jewel in the crown of what was in some respects a challenging season for the team, with a 13- 6 record overall, and a 10-5 in the ISL. Walker’s career at Rivers has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the last 17 years, Coach Walker’s Red Wings teams have a combined 200-97 record, and in 2009 the team won its first ISL Championship. Rivers boys’ lacrosse has not had a losing season since 2005. In 2006 and again in 2014 he was named ISL Coach of the Year. Since 2002, Walker has had 23 players go on to play DI lacrosse and 52 to play NCAA lacrosse. Three of his players have been named US Lacrosse AllAmericans, and two have been named US Lacrosse Academic All-Americans. Walker is also the founder and director of Top Gun Lacrosse’s Premier Select Teams, the Fighting Clams. While the 2019 Red Wings fell short of an ISL title, they were in the mix. The season began with Rivers squaring off against
Coach Justin Walker has had much to celebrate over his 17 years at the helm of the Rivers boys’ lacrosse team. One of the top programs in the ISL, Walker earned his 200th win in May. Photo by J. Cuimmei. New England powerhouse Loomis-Chaffee, resulting in a tough 8-12 loss. However, the team regrouped and went on a remarkable run, winning the next eight consecutive games against Phillips Andover, Milton, St. Mark’s, Thayer, Brooks, and BB&N tearing through a talented portion of the ISL. With a streak akin to the Bruins rush towards the Stanley Cup, it made the team’s loss to Governors Academy all the more devastating. However, the team went 9-2 in April and started May with a hard fought 11-10 victory over Tabor Academy, the high water mark of the Rivers lacrosse team’s season. This was followed by a tough 5-9 loss to ISL favor-
ite and national powerhouse St. Sebastian’s. Fortunately, this was followed by a redemptive win against St. George’s, with the picturesque backdrop of Narragansett Bay. Unfortunately, after the win at St. George’s, the boys dropped a pair of heartbreakingly close onegoal losses to ISL rivals Belmont Hill and Roxbury Latin. A bounce back 12 -2 thrashing of athletic juggernaut Lawrence Academy and the following win over Groton that marked Coach Walker’s 200th ISL victory were an ideal end to the team’s season. The team wrapped up their 2019 campaign with a hard fought 9-8 loss to Nobles.
The team’s record does not entirely reflect their competitive prowess and competitive spirit, as 4 of the team’s 6 overall losses were by a measly one goal. The team this year was lead by 9 seniors who have been incredible leaders on and off the field, working with Coach Walker to keep the Rivers boys’ lacrosse program at the highest level. Coach Walker’s infectious passion and energy is felt by all on the team, but it has had a profound impact on the life of one player in particular Middlebury-bound Johnny Kantaros. Kantaros entered Rivers as an 8th grader with hockey as his primary passion in his words a “hockey first athlete.” However, his friends urged him to ditch the tennis team his freshman spring and join them in trying out for the lacrosse team - a moment of peer pressure that has changed the course of Kantaros’ life. Although he was by his own account “not good enough as a middie” - the position that Kantaros would come to dominate in throughout his following years at Rivers - Coach Walker saw something in Kantaros during those freshman year tryouts, and decided to give this young and inexperienced player a shot by giving him a spot on the team as a long pole with the hopes of
developing him into a star player. Coach Walker’s hopes were soon fulfilled, as Kantaros has been a vital asset to the River’s Varsity Lacrosse team. Aside from the invaluable technical advice and training that Coach Walker has given the team, Kantaros, along with fellow teammate’s senior Tony Andreozzi and junior Tommy Miller cite Coach Walker’s “enthusiasm, support, and natural love of the game” as the force that “propelled the team forward.” Tony Andreozzi elaborated further, warmly saying that Coach Walker was “always there to support us, and worked tirelessly to bring our best selves forward both on and off the field.” Tommy Miller seconded the sentiments of Kantaros and Andreozzi, recounting that “Coach Walker is always here for us when we need him, and is a large part of our team's success.” Clearly Coach Walker’s impact on the team - both as a coach and a mentor - has been immeasurable. Coach Walker’s 200th victory at Rivers may be impressive, but his true legacy is the positive influence and support that he has given these young men - an influence that will surely shape their high school years and beyond.
Track stars shine, win big at ISL’s and New England’s
onships and, once again, the phenom won the 100m, 200m, and placed 6th in the long jump. On top of all this, Moody also helped her team to place 6th in the 4x4 relay. Other notable athletes were
Theo Haviland ’19 and Cam Stathos ’21. Haviland competed in the javelin competition at the ISL’s and placed 6th. Stathos ran the 1500 at ISL’s, placing 5th with a time of 4:20.26. He also scored points for the team at
New England’s by placing 6th in the 3000m. Along with these individual athletes, the boys and girls teams both performed well all season and at the championship meets, especially the girls team. At the ISL meet, the Rivers girls’ team only had three athletes competing, while other teams had around 10-15. Despite their lack of numbers, the Rivers girls’ team ended up placing 5th out of 11 teams. At New England’s, the girls had another successful day, placing 6th out of 20 teams. The boys also did well placing 9th out of 21 teams. Editors Note: Edge reporter Addy Vettel ’20 also had an impressive season in track. Vettel placed 1st at the ISL’s in the 1500m (4:42) and 1st in the 3000m (10:22). She followed up that impressive feat by placing 2nd in the 3000m at the New England’s.
loss of 9-3, but the team brought it back against Brooks and another victory as the team crushed them 12-5 and subsequently beat Govs with a solid score of 4-2. The team’s continuing fourgame winning streak solidified their newfound strength and camaraderie as they resolutely battled through the remainder of their season. These wins included consecutive triumphs against
BB&N, Middlesex, Brooks, and Govs. Strong pitching by seniors Matt Rish and Connor Ojerholm was certainly a big help. A close one-run loss to Lawrence Academy characterized the middle of the season, but the baseball team brought it back for a final victory against Roxbury Latin. Along the way, Rivers defeated St. Sebastian’s and Pingree by close margins,
and knocked St. George’s with a strong 8-4 win. “The culture has really changed,” said sophomore shortstop Jack Dorsey. “We worked harder this season and it paid off.” Though the baseball season ended with a tough loss to Nobles, morale was high after the game, no doubt a sign of good things to come.
BY ADDY VETTEL ’20 STAFF WRITER
This year the Rivers track and field team continued to impress with their remarkable performances across the board. Two standout performers from the very beginning of the season - and for the past three years - were Myles Epstein ’19 and Samirah Moody ’21. Epstein, who will be running at Dartmouth College next year, went the whole season undefeated in the 100m and the 200m. When it came to the championship races, he did not disappoint. Epstein finished first at the ISL championship meet in the 100m dash, with a blazing time of 10.86 seconds, only .03 seconds off the ISL record. Epstein also came out on top in the 200m in the same meet. The next week, at the New England’s meet, Epstein yet again won both the 100m and the 200m and also ran a leg of the boys’ 4x4 relay. Epstein may go down as the best sprinter in Rivers’ history and will be missed next year. Meanwhile, Samirah Moody, only a sophomore, also went undefeated the entire season. An impressive task for an underclassman. At the ISL championship meet Moody’s performances were off the charts. Moody won the 100m, 200m, and the long jump and in the process
The track team had another stellar spring. At the New England Championships, junior Addy Vettel took 1st in the 1500m while undefeated sprinter Miles Epstein (Dartmouth College) won the 100m and 200m and sophomore Samirah Moody took home the 100m crown. Photo by J. Cuimmei. set an ISL record in all three of these events. Because of this, and her amazing performances all season, Moody was honored with the Girls’ ISL MVP award. The next week, Moody competed at the New England’s champi-
Strong team play boosts baseball’s spring BY MEREDITH SHAH ’21 ASSISTANT EDITOR
The 2019 spring season started with Rivers’ varsity baseball team facing Milton Academy and walking away with a strong 3-2 win. Their season had its ups and downs, but ultimately was a winning year with nine wins compared to last year’s four. St. Mark’s was a tough early-season
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The Rivers Edge
Spring teams post strong seasons
Varsity Golf
After a win at Brooks’ home course in North Andover, the varsity golf team traveled to Ould Newbury to compete in their last match against Thayer and Governors. While missing senior captains Michael Webber and Jay Callahan, the team was missing many of its strongest assets. Still, excellent golf from juniors Carter Ablon and Tommy Kantaros, along with sophomore Ben Snyder helped to put up a fight against Thayer and Govs. It was, however, the second half of the lineup that really did a great job securing the win over Thayer. Wins from freshmen Will Elwood, Emma Braudis, and Ryan Douglas helped to close out the match. Sophomore Owen Nagode also came up big with a win. Over the course of the year, although not at the last match, strong play from Webber, along with junior Matt Cormier, helped the team immensely. Jay Callahan, who has battled a nagging injury all spring, put up some good scores when he played. Callahan will play for Williams next year. Lastly, the team competed in the ISL championship on Monday, May 20th, for an all-day 18hole stroke play event. The team brought five players: Ablon, Kantaros, Snyder, Webber, and Elwood.
Senior co-captain (and Edge assistant editor!) Nathalie Ahn had a strong season, including the game-winner against Nobles.
Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse
Beginning the season with a 15-8 win against Milton, Rivers girls’ varsity lacrosse had somewhat of a touch and go season in terms of their win-loss record (96), however, it is safe to say the team ended strong, with a 13-12 win against Nobles. “I think the season went pretty well overall,” said current freshman and soon to be sophomore Anna Miller. “We definitely worked hard to improve as the season went on and I am really happy with how we ended. Beating Nobles felt pretty good and I
look forward to next year.” This year’s team was made up of seven freshman, three sophomores, six juniors, and seven seniors. Current junior and Boston College commit Annabelle Hasselbeck said, “it was was really cool to have a bunch of new faces.” There is no doubt the team will triumph as they continue to work hard. “Our team was such a cohesive unit this season: no drama, no grade division,” said captain and Brown University commit, Nathalie Ahn. “This season was really special.” To make it even more special for Ahn, she scored the game-winner against Nobles.
Boys’ Varsity Tennis
Although the boys’ tennis team s finished the season 4-14, the squad put up a few great wins against schools such as Dexter and Lawrence. Also, the team lost in tie breakers against St. Sebs and Brooks, which are fantastic teams as well. Led by senior captains Henry Muller and Griffen Bua, the team had some great guidance throughout the season. “What was so great about this season is we saw the emergence of some great tennis players like Tyler Day and Griffin Jones, who will look to get some more wins on the board next year,” Muller said.
Buckhout focused on court and off BY JULIA LARKIN ’20 CO-EDITOR
Anyone who has attended a girls varsity tennis match at Rivers knows junior Hannah Buckhout for her infamous and absolutely killer backhand that puts almost all other backhands to shame. Playing on the varsity team since 8th grade and seated as the number one singles player since her freshman year, Hannah has done nothing but continue to impress her teammates, coaches, and family through her hard work and dedication to the sport of tennis. Interestingly, Hannah did not start playing until she was 12 years old and living in Florida. “Throughout my life, I have moved nine times in total,” says Buckhout. “And while I always found it bothersome and somewhat sad, I would have never found my love for tennis if I hadn’t moved to Florida during my third grade year of elementary school.” Once amongst the sun and good weather, Hannah was able to explore the sport unlike any other time in her life. It was during this time that she realized her passion for tennis, but also the possibility of her being able to develop some real skills, and most importantly her desire to do so. A few years later, Hannah moved to Minnesota and participated on her first club tennis team. “Being that I was young, I was placed in the bottom of the two groups; however, as I continued to play at the club, they offered me a spot in the older group and this was the first time I realized I was above average,” says Buckhout. As she con-
tinued to play, it became clear that tennis was something she wanted to pursue throughout her middle and high school careers. Fast forward to her move to Massachusetts and her acceptance into Rivers, Hannah is at the height of her tennis career thus far. A typical week for her consists of almost 11 hours dedicated to playing, hitting, strength training, and conditioning. On Saturdays and Sundays, Hannah usually participates in a tournament. In the competitive tennis world, there are sectional tournaments (within Massachusetts) and national tournaments (outside of Massachusetts). Hannah has travelled to Florida, Arizona, Virginia, and Texas multiple times throughout this school year. “At the national tournaments,” says Buckhout, “any player is guaranteed at least two singles and one doubles match. This means I could be in the tournament for one day or four days. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss some school because of this.” Hannah has played in a total of 70 matches this school year, winning 43 of them! Regarding her future in tennis, Hannah wants to play in college. Her top priority is to attend a school with good academics, but if tennis can help her in any way she plans on using it to her advantage. “Tennis has always been such a big part of my life,” says Hannah, “and I could never just give it up. No matter what school I attend, I want to play, even if that means walking on the team without recruitment.” For someone who seems like
Hannah Buckhout rips one of her signature backhands during a match for Rivers this spring. Photo by J. Cuimmei.
they’ve got it all together, one can argue everyone is always working on something. For Hannah, that’s her forehand. While it is hardly a weakness, Hannah says she lacks the confidence she needs and wants in order to bring her game to the next level. “My forehand used to be a blatant weakness in my game,” says Hannah, “but I’ve been working on it a lot the past couple years and it has definitely improved.” Despite the sport being physically and emotionally demanding, Hannah has remained determined to stay on an upward climb and maintain her focus. While she listens to music and engages with teammates before a match, the one thing that calms her down most is her focus. “When playing an individual sport,” she says, “you have to pump yourself up, and the best way I know how to do that is to remind myself why I’m playing in the first place: because I love it.”
June 7, 2019
College Matriculation Class of 2019 Ahn, Nathalie Brown University Andreozzi, Antonio Junior Hockey Bauriedel, Julia Colorado College Behjat, Kian Babson College Billhardt, Lindy Boston University Bosse, Christiaan Tufts University Brown, Nora Middlebury College Brown, Zoe Queen’s University Bua, Griffin R. Elon University Bucking, Christopher Skidmore College Butler, Kyle L Colby College Byrne, Lisa Northeastern University Cadwalader, Witt Washington University in St. Louis Caggiano, Ella University of Miami Callahan, Jay Williams College Casey, Rory Babson College Connors, Jordyn Providence College Cornetta, Madelyn G. University of St Andrews Correia, James Bucknell University Cronin, Matthew Colorado College Dailey, Stephanie Bowdoin College DeJesus, Emilia Stanford University Deneen, Abigail Villanova University Donlan, Anna UCLA Durant, Maren Boston University Epstein, Myles Dartmouth College Finn, Fiona Brown University Foley, Emma C. Boston University Francesconi, Alexa Smith College Gallotto, Julie Sacred Heart University Grady, Caroline Bates College Hall, Natalie Washington University in St. Louis Hata, Rayna Colby College Haviland, Theodore Oberlin College of Arts & Sciences Jennings, Marie University of Denver Jones, Matthew Washington University in St. Louis Kamanitz, Callie Washington University in St. Louis Kantaros, John Middlebury College Keusch, Dylan Cornell University Khumalo, Thando Bowdoin College Lally, Meghan Syracuse University LaPlante, Nicholas Colby College Leeming, Caleb Vassar College Lemley, Ethan Bucknell University Long, Brendan Tufts University Luong, Estelle Boston University Mahoney, Patrick Colorado College Mahoney, Tully Providence College Manasseh, Michael Columbia University McMillan, Natasha USC Meier, Colette Colorado College Monaghan, Marguerite Wesleyan University Moore, Jonathan University of Michigan Mulder, William Northwestern University Muller, Henry Williams College Nadeau, Kaitlyn Trinity College Ojerholm, Connor University of Rochester Pasko, Bethany Wellesley College Paul, Charlotte Dartmouth College Peck, Charles Lehigh University Pfannenstiehl, Owen Worcester Polytechnic Institute Phelan, Camille Connecticut College Pipe, Brenna Delaney Endicott College Quinlivan, Jaclyn Bucknell University Regan, Liam Hamilton College - NY Rish, Matthew Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rivers, Julian Northeastern University Roan, Evan Tulane University Sanderson, Andrew Wake Forest University Sarrett, Zachary Worcester Polytechnic Institute Schwartz, Leslie Amherst College Scott-Shepherd, Khalil Howard University Shaughnessy, Kaitlin Williams College Shegog, Ashley Colby College Sheinkopf, Braden University of Delaware Sherman, Nathan Miami University, Oxford Shukla, Riya Northeastern University Slifka, Jason Lehigh University Spasojevic, Simonida Oberlin College of Arts & Sciences Stachel, Rebecca University of Michigan Stoller, Bradley Cornell University Taylor-Black, Hunter Stanford University Tuff, Quinn Elon University Wade, Grace Elon University Warwick, Abigail Rhode Island School of Design Webber, Cade Junior Hockey Webber, Michael Bowdoin College Weil, Parker Northeastern University Young, Leighton Colby College Zuvekas, Xavier University of Denver