June 10, 2022 | Vol. 21-22, No. 33 - GRADUATION EDITION
|
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2022 |
|
|
| A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL Andrew Webster, Head of School, made his annual charge to the graduating class at the 139th Commencement Ceremony. Below is an excerpt: Good morning, seniors, nearly graduates, parents, teachers, alumni, Trustees, and those joining us from around the world through livestream. Seniors, look out at this crowd and recognize how many people have invested time, care, energy, and love into your lives. Think for a moment about others who have done so but who cannot be here today. Realize that you would not have reached this milestone and would not inhabit your current versions of yourselves without their support and guidance. Why don't you blow them a kiss and give them a round of applause? Read Mr. Webster's full address here |
|
| NOTE: Click "View Entire Message" to read full newsletter |
GRADUATION PICTURE ORDERING INFORMATION |
Available for Grades 5, 8, 12 - by June 15 |
|
|
| CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATES AT COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY The Wardlaw+Hartridge School held its 139th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 10 on the front field. The Class of 2022 marched in to an ovation from the W+H community of parents, families, faculty, trustees and friends. The program began with the Star-Spangled Banner and a welcome from Dr. Bob Bowman, Head of Upper School. Class president Shiv Tickoo '22 represented his class with a wonderful speech during which he shared memories and encouraged his classmates to make a difference in the world. Andrew Webster, Head of School, delivered his Charge to the Class of 2022 and Ayesha Sitlani, Board of Trustees President, provided greetings and best wishes during her remarks. The 53 graduates received their diplomas after Chris Teare, Co-Director of College Counseling, announced their names. They were greeted by Mr. Webster and Dr. Sitlani and after all graduates received their diplomas, they tossed their caps in the air with jubilation. Congratulations to the Class of 2022! CLICK HERE FOR THE 2021 MATRICULATION LIST |
|
|
| CLASS OF 2022 HONORED AT SENIOR DINNER Members of the Class of 2022 at The Wardlaw + Hartridge School joined their parents, family, faculty and staff members and administrators at the annual Senior Farewell Dinner on Monday, June 6 in the AP Room. Dr. Bob Bowman, Head of Upper School, welcomed the guests and Andrew Webster, Head of School, made opening remarks. Vocalist Krishna Patel '22 and the saxophone duo of Shankari Theivanayagam '22 and Ananya Murlidharan '22 performed during the early part of the dinner hour. Classmates Rose Kassam '22, Grace Lu '22 and Nicole Sandrik-Arzadi '22 made speeches about the Past, Present and Future, respectively. Gurinder Singh '22 led a Senior Toast to Faculty, Aarush Dharayan '22 made a Senior Toast to Parents, and Shiv Tickoo '22, Senior Class and Student Council President, presented a framed class photo to Dr. Bowman. Students who excelled in their internship and thesis projects were recognized, along with the Global Scholars in the Class of 2022. The senior departmental subject awards for outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and the arts were also presented. Senior Awards of Distinction were presented to Rose Kassam '22 (W-H Pin), Shiv Tickoo '22 (Alumni Association Award), Nicole Sandrik-Arzadi '22 (Parents' Association Award), Shiv Tickoo '22 (Stevenson Award), Izabel Korycki '22 (Headmaster's Cup) and Gurinder Singh '22 (Upper School Head's Award). CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL SENIOR AWARDS SENIOR DINNER PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
| LIFERS ENJOY LUNCH AT HILL HOUSE A small group of lifers from the Class of 2022 and their parents attended a luncheon at Hill House, home of Andrew Webster, Head of School, on Saturday, June 4. The event was catered by Sage Dining Services and hosted by Mr. Webster and his wife, Aurea Hernandez-Webster. Lifers are classified as students who have attended W+H since at least first grade. This year's lifers are: Rose Kassam '22, Ananya Murlidharan '22, Faizah Naqvi '22, Shankari Theivanayagam '22 and Nate Valcourt '22. |
|
|
| FACULTY, STAFF, TRUSTEES HONORED AT APPRECIATION DINNER Congratulations to W+H faculty and staff members who were honored with milestone service awards at last week's Faculty and Staff Appreciation Dinner sponsored by the Board of Trustees. Gerard Gonnella '89 (Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Director of International Student Program) was recognized for 25 years of service, while Karl Miran (Athletic Director), Rick Fontaine (Instrumental Music Teacher), Maria Hinestroza (Lower School Spanish Teacher), Don Kluizenaar (Upper School Physics Teacher), Shannon Sari (Lower School Music Teacher) and Judy Orak (Business Office Administrative Assistant) received Windsor chairs for 10 years of service. Andrew Webster, Head of School, and Dr. Ayesha Sitlani, Board of Trustees President, shared remarks during which they expressed their appreciation for the faculty and staff. Dr. Sitlani also recognized the service of six departing Board members, who also received Windsor chairs: Sunil Shah, Greg Casagrande '81, Angelica Diaz-Martinez, Rob Rizzo '89, Kostas Georgiou and Swati Raghuwanshi. |
|
|
| 8TH GRADERS STEP UP AT CEREMONY The Class of 2026 completed its Middle School journey during the Stepping Up Ceremony on Wednesday, June 8 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. The morning event began with a processional to Rondeau and continued with the Pledge of Allegiance and everyone singing America the Beautiful. Jennifer Rose, Middle School Head, welcomed the students, parents, friends and other members of the W+H community. Andrew Webster, Head of School, began the announcement of award winners by presenting merit scholarship awards to Braelyn Brandl '26 and Dharren Culver '26 and achievement scholarship awards to CJ Strauss '26 and Yash Sachan '26. Mr. Webster also recognized the lifers among this year's eighth grade graduates. Read full story here STEPPING UP CEREMONY PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
| 5TH GRADERS MOVE UP TO MIDDLE SCHOOL Students at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School moved up to Middle School during the Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony on Tuesday, June 7 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. Students said farewell to Lower School with family, friends and faculty and staff members in attendance. The program began with the processional to Prince of Denmark's March and a flag salute before everyone Shannon Sari, Lower School music teacher, led third and fourth graders in singing America the Beautiful. Andrew Webster, Head of School, provided a welcome for the guests in attendance. Elizabeth Stillman, one of the fifth grade teachers, shared reflections of the year and offered advice and encouragement to her students. The presentation of certificates followed with Ellen Ritz, fourth grade teacher, reading the names as Mr. Webster and Mr. JohnEric Advento, Lower School Head, joined teachers Mrs. Stillman and Ms. Jaclyn Church in congratulating the graduates. Mr. Advento shared closing remarks during which he saluted the students, their parents, and the W+H teachers for making his first year at the school a wonderful experience. He sent the students off to be greeted by Jennifer Rose, Middle School Head, in the PAC lobby on their way to the reception in the courtyard. MOVING UP CEREMONY PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
| K CLASS GRADUATES TO FIRST GRADE Kindergarten students participated in an interactive outdoor Moving Up Ceremony in the amphitheatre on Monday, June 6. With parents, family and friends in attendance, the young students announced their readiness for first grade. Following the processional and pledge of allegiance, Kindergarten teachers Mrs. Jennifer Geissler and Mrs. Trina Junod welcomed the guests and shared heartfelt messages of gratitude. Their students then presented various readings, including Friends at School, The Kindergarten Class, Open a Book, Leaving Kindergarten, The Smile, The Kindergarten Graduation Song, All Are Welcome, Do My Best, The Pledge of Kindness and Here We Come. The students shared their Favorite Memories of Kindergarten before receiving their certificates. Mr. JohnEric Advento, Head of Lower School, offered closing remarks and congratulated the students, who were greeted by first-grade teachers Bethany Howell and Jennifer Molloy with cookies in the courtyard. K GRADUATION PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
| ATHLETES, TEAMS HONORED AT RAMS RECOGNITION NIGHT The Wardlaw+Hartridge athletic department held Rams Recognition Night to celebrate the accomplishments of the school's athletes and teams, on June 1 in the AP Room. Karl Miran, Athletic Director, led the ceremony with Ryan Oliveira, Head Athletic Trainer, and Courtney McClain, Assistant Athletic Director. Two juniors who compiled at least nine varsity letters received W+H blankets: Cherice Clarke '23 and Loveleen Sindhar '23. The varsity girls' golf team received the Highest GPA Award and also celebrated its many amazing accomplishments, including a second consecutive perfect season and state championship triumph. Longtime W+H tennis coach Ron Haynes was honored as Coach of the Year. His girls' team won the division title last fall. Read full story here RAMS RECOGNITION NIGHT PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
| SENIORS MAKE IMPACT IN SERVICE WEEK The Class of 2022 spent three days in service during the final week of regular classes before Commencement. Day 1 was a successful first day of Senior Service at the Community Food Bank of NJ in Hillside. A group of 18 seniors, with Nicole Nolan, Director of Global Scholars and Community Outreach, and Nick Pelullo, Upper School Latin teacher, assembled and packaged 616 boxes for children on free and reduced lunches. These boxes go home with students on Fridays so they have food through the weekends. Seven seniors joined Karl Miran, Athletic Director, and Cristian Fernandez, English teacher, at Habitat for Humanity in South Amboy on the second day of service. They helped break down and clear sheetrock and clean the lot post construction. Another group of five seniors, ac-companied by Jason Murphy, history teacher, and Hua Liu, Mandarin teacher, painted the interior of the home and built a shed the following day. Mrs. Nolan joined 20 seniors at Watchung Reservation with fellow chaperones Kyle Modes, chemistry teacher, and Liz Rooney, English teacher, on the final day of the service week. This group focused on general cleanup of the grounds. |
|
|
| MS MUSICIANS EARN BIG ACCOLADES Congratulations to the W+H Middle School student musicians for outstanding performances that led to a clean sweep of championship trophies at this year's Music in the Parks event! The Jazz Band, conducted by Rick Fontaine, and Vocal Ensemble, directed by Sharon Byrne, both won first place and earned Superior ratings. The Vocal Ensemble also received a trophy as the overall winner among all Junior High and Middle School choirs in the competition. MUSIC IN THE PARKS PHOTO GALLERY |
|
| | MS BONDS IN FULL CARDBOARD REGATTA The entire Middle School participated in the annual Cardboard Regatta on June 7. This has been a sixth grade tradition for almost a decade and is the perfect way to end a year that focuses on building time management and teamwork skills. This year, seventh and eighth graders participated because the school was unable to hold a regatta at the end of their sixth grade years due to COVID-19. Each grade was randomly divided into a boat crew of 4-5 students and presented with the challenge: to design and build a cardboard boat, in a set amount of time, which is capable of completing the quickest lap in the school swimming pool, powered by two on board sailors from their crew. Although every crew is given the same set of supplies, no two boats ever look alike! This year, the Middle School raced 24 boats across the swimming pool and even though only eight boats actually made it across, it was great to see the teamwork and creativity everyone put into their vessels! Read full story here CARDBOARD REGATTA PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
| MS STUDENTS COMPETE IN ROBOTICS On Friday, June 3, the Middle School robotics elective wrapped up the year and with its first ever in-house Robotics Tournament! The group welcomed Mrs. Barnett's advisory and past robotics elective members to spectate. The tournament was led by elective coach Mrs. Jafri and robotics team member Joy Patel '28. "The competition was fun!" Joy Patel and other robotics members said. "A learning experience filled with enjoyment!" Arshi Goel '28 added. Students shared valuable insights including "never wait till the end to finish your code" (Aphrodite Deng. '28) and "I can plan ahead, like how to build the bot." (Rehan Ali '28) Over the course of the year, the six teams built their bots and learned to code motors, servos and sensors. During the tournament, students earned points by running their autonomous bots on a game table. Teams played two rounds. Elana Nieporent '27 scored highest (120 points) followed by Hannah Torres '26 in second place, and Neela Bandla '27 and Duaa Noor '27 in third place. Other students participating in the tournament included Nylah Cunningham '28, Anna Zhang '28, Japjeev Singh '28 and Caden Leu '28. ROBOTICS PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
| FIFTH GRADERS HOST FINAL ASSEMBLY The final Lower School assembly of the year featured two important aspects our fifth graders reflected on during their classes: Identity and Leadership. They represented how diverse identities can be with the outfits they wore and led their classmates, their Kindergarten buddies and the Lower School audience dancing to different Latin rhythms and thinking about traits they possess that can make them good leaders. Our fifth graders especially showed their leadership teaching their Kindergarten buddies a dance from the song "Soy yo – This is me" which addresses embracing who we are. The assembly ended with the fifth graders and their Kindergarten buddies leading the audience dancing "Soy yo." FIFTH GRADE ASSEMBLY PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS DRESS TO IMPRESS |
|
|
THIRD GRADERS SHARE STATES PRESENTATIONS
|
|
|
From the W+H Parents' Association |
|
|
WHPA Supports School, Thanks Volunteers at Appreciation Lunch The Wardlaw+Hartridge Parents' Association hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Officer Installation Ceremony in the Oakwood Room on June 2. Guests enjoyed a lunch catered by Sage Dining Services while members of the WHPA Executive Board showed their gratitude to the many volunteers who spent time helping at school events throughout the year. The WHPA also gave special recognition to outgoing officers and senior parents. The WHPA made its annual large donation to the school, which was accepted by Andy Webster, Head of School, and Bill Jenkins, Assistant Head for Institutional Advancement. This year's donation of $15,000 will be allocated as follows: $8,000 toward Faculty Professional Development, $4,000 to the WHPA Endowment Fund, and $3,000 for the Annual Fund. |
|
|
Reminder to Parents: Re-enrollment Contracts Due This is a friendly reminder to families who have not yet submitted their re-enrollment contract and non-refundable deposit for the 2022-2023 school year. Please contact the Admission Office at 908-754-1882, Ext. 155 or email admission@WHschool.org if you would like us to resend your parent portal authentication code and enrollment contract link. We are here to help you complete the enrollment process and answer any questions you may have. We wish you and your family the best of health and we look forward to seeing you in the upcoming year! |
|
|
Follow W+H on Social Media and Share News with Community Wardlaw+Hartridge has a vibrant, active presence on social media with daily content posts highlighting our academics, athletics, arts and extracurricular programs.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and check out our Vimeo page! You can assist us in promoting the school by sharing our content within your network and posting it on your local town pages and feeds. |
|
|
|
