| Class Notes |  | | | | | Ann Miles Colgrove '76
Ann will join the Mastercard Foundation as Director of Microfinance in July, 2011. Her husband, Peter, continues his work as counsel at Farrel Fritz, LLP.
Brooke Jospe Barona ’93
Brooke writes, “I am an attorney at Barnes and Noble and living in NYC with my husband, Frank, and my bulldog, Simon.”
Jason Checca ‘96
Jason and his wife Carrie are living in California and their son, Zachary Davis Checca, was born January 26, 2011.
C.J. Huber ‘99
On February 22nd, C.J. and his wife, Kristin, welcomed their son, Nicholas Joseph, to the world.
Willa Sky Bacon Freer '99
Willa and her husband, Patrick, welcomed their 2nd daughter, Millicent 'Millie' Sky Freer on May 23, 2011. Beatrice (2 years old) is loving being a big sister and spending extra time with her grandparents, John and Elizabeth McIlvain (former Portledge teachers and current trustee).
Ken Turano '99
Ken married Jen Cornella on May 28, 2011. They celebrated with a reception at the Four Seasons in Palm Beach, Florida.
Christina Eccleston Villecco '00
Christina writes, "My husband, Tom, and I had our first baby boy, Tucker, on May 15th. Arriving one day before his Mom's birthday, he was nearly 9 pounds and growing everyday."
Gerard Miller '01
Gerard is planning on running the ING NYC Marathon to raise funds and bring awareness to Hole In the Wall Camps. In an email, he wrote . . . Please help me reach (or even exceed!) my goal. With your generosity, we can all share in the joy of knowing that we are helping to create memories that will last a lifetime for a child with a serious illness. To learn more, click here.
Rachel Engstrand ‘06
Rachel writes, “As far as grad school goes, I got accepted to a graduate school program on Erasmus Mundus in Evolutionary Biology. The program is a collaboration between four European universities and Harvard. It's two years and fully funded. I am going with my boyfriend next fall. I am hoping to do my research on tropical ecology in South America.”
Joy Clarke ‘07
Joy writes, “I was accepted as a 2011 Corps Member for Teach For America so I will be moving to Memphis, TN in May to teach Middle School English!”
Mila Kirstie C. Kulsa '08
Mila writes, "I'm an incoming senior at NYU, majoring in psychology as an honors student. I am also pursuing a pre-professional concentration in pre-medicine. Recent honors include being inducted into Psi Chi, the international honors society in psychology. I continue to volunteer at multiple health care facilities and develop studies in perceptual and clinical research. Finally, I remain active as a figure skater and ballroom dancer."
Gauri Bhatia '08
Gauri graduated from Boston University in May and ended up in the web page photo with Katie Couric. (Gauri is the woman clapping right next to Katie.) She wrote on FB that "I am looking for an internship in a law firm this summer and taking the LSAT in June. In September, I will be moving to Italy to work in an English immersion preschool until next June. And then I plan to start law school in September 2012." 
Farone Rasheed '09
From a note sent to Madame Atkins . . . bonjour madame! Hier, j'ai passé l'examen de placement. I got the second highest score of all the SUNY Buffalo, Michigan, and Singapore exchange students so I placed into the Advanced section. I'm surprised how much I know - I'm actually able to carry friendly conversations with cashiers, or people I meet and I help the group get by in town since only a few of us speak well enough. In my French class, we are doing a project where we, as journalists, go into town with a camera and microphone and interview people on cultural questions. Pretty interesting. (Note: Farone is studying in Troyes, France.)
Haley Tynes '09
Hayley sent an email to let us know she has been honored with her sorority's outstanding service award and scholarship for academics and involvement at school. She also won Hofstra's outstanding sophomore student award in April which is also for academics and involvement at school. The last honor she mentioned was that she was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma honor society based on her freshman GPA and has an academic honors scholarship.
Addie Reilly ‘10
Addie, a freshman at Fairfield University, was named Rookie of the Week for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Lacrosse League in March, after scoring 7 points in one week.
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| Head of School Search Update | | | | | | The Board of Trustees of The Portledge School is pleased to announce they have retained Heidrick & Struggles International to conduct a search for the next Head of School. The new Head of School will succeed Steven Hahn, who has announced he will retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year.
The Heidrick & Struggles search team will include Nat Sutton, Vice Chairman, George Conway, Principal, and Victoria Reese, Managing Partner (legal, risk, compliance and government affairs practice). Victoria is also a resident of Lattingtown. Additional information on these search professionals is provided in their biographies accompanying this announcement.
To read more, click here. | |
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| | Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2011 Portledge Alumni eNewsletter | | | | | | The academic year at Portledge is wrapped up and summer is upon us. Events such as Blue/White Day, Young Alumni Brunch and Graduation surely mark the close of another great year on campus. We will be hard at work in the Communications and Advancement Offices all summer long, working to bring you Alumni events and news.
Since its launch in March, the Alumni Portal has received many visitors. We still need your help to keep contact information for you and your classmates up to date, so visit often! For help logging in, email Peter Cox at pcox@portledge.org.
Enjoy the Spring/Summer Alumni eNewsletter!
Stephanie Avidon
Turk Lewis '87
Christina Villecco '00 | |
| Reunion 2011 Recap | | | | | | On Saturday, June 18th more than 55 alumni, faculty, former faculty, trustees and friends gathered for the first Annual Reunion at Portledge. Everyone enjoyed food, drinks and music performed by Claude Zdanow '06, John Schmergel '05, Turk Lewis '87, Daniel Cohen (former faculty), Bill Peek (faculty) and guest drummer Dave Ashdown. It was a fun evening as alumni reconnected with one another and with former teachers. Mark your calendars and don't miss Reunion 2012, happening on June 16th!
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| Alumni Spotlight: Jeff Berlin '83 | | FOLLOW YOUR HEART | | | |
Twenty-eight years after leaving the security of the Portledge community, Jeff Berlin has traveled the globe and followed his heart and dreams exploring what he loves best – photography and aviation. He is currently living in Los Angeles and has made a name for himself as a celebrity photographer, most recently working on an independent film project where he shot still photos and video that will appear in the film. He is also the editor-in-chief of PilotMag magazine, a consumer magazine for pilots.
Jeff graduated from Portledge in 1983 and reminisces about Portledge having a nurturing atmosphere. While he was here he made friendships that endure today. He truly believes the school gave him his academic foundation and the confidence to pursue his passions. After Portledge, Jeff studied at Southern Methodist University, earning his BA in communications. He had high hopes of going into television production after college but most enjoyed his photography and writing courses. Portledge cultivated his love of art through the various classes and hands-on field trips offered, and his parents were always involved in the arts, further expanding his exposure and kindling his passions. Looking back on his Portledge days, Jeff admits he didn’t always apply himself like he should have, attributing that to a lack of discipline as a kid. However, he obtained a strong foundation to successfully pursue what was in his heart.
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| Young Alumni Brunch | | | | | |
The Young Alumni Brunch was held on Wednesday, May 18th. Members of the Class of 2011 first posed for their class picture wearing their college shirts. Then, everyone walked to Stoddart House for brunch catered by Chef Kevin. Afterwards, Steve Hahn, Turk Lewis '87 and alumnus Keith Merker ’89 said a few words about the importance of staying involved with the school and Portledge alumni. Class agents were selected. Congratulations to Ryan Gottfried, Brandon Kaplan, Tori Phillips, and Jessica Tynes. At the end, everyone signed the alumni register and received their class gift. It was a fun day for all!
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| 38th Annual Auction, The Crystal Ball | | | | | | Portledge held its 38th Annual Auction Saturday, April 16th at the Engineer's Club in Roslyn Harbor. The event was a huge success and was among the most successful fundraisers the school has hosted. We also saw the largest alumni attendance ever! We hope to bring even more alums back for Auction 2012.
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| Faculty Announce Retirement | | | | | | This year we have three retirements to announce: Karen Johnson, US English Teacher; Sheena Schlegel, LS Division Head; and Angie Twist, US Librarian. We also want to extend a fond farewell complete with well wishes to Kelly Luken, US History Teacher, and Rick White, Chief Financial Officer. Click each name to read more. | |
| Athletics Recap Spring 2011 | | | | | | It was another solid Varsity sports season at Portledge this spring as Varsity teams such as Boys Tennis, Boys Lacrosse and Girls Softball continued their winning ways, while Girls Lacrosse, Boys Baseball and Golf went through successful rebuilding programs. The major story all spring was the progress of Varsity Boys Tennis as they sought to bring home team championships in both IPPSAL and ACIS play. The Panthers, led by Head Coach David Sarles, were able to partially achieve their goal in that they dominated the very competitive ACIS Varsity Boys Tennis League comprised of independent school teams from throughout the metropolitan area; however, they were denied the double championship when they lost a heartbreaking 3-2 match in the IPPSAL finals to the team from the Kew Forest School (Queens N.Y). The Panthers were led all spring by incredible #1 singles player junior Alex Schidlovsky (Sea Cliff), who secured an undefeated regular season record of 12-0 on his way to both IPPSAL and ACIS Player of the year honors. Alex was also champion of the ACIS Individual Singles Championship Tournament. Although the team will graduate as many as six letter winners, a deep group of returning Portledge racquet men should ensure continued success for Varsity Boys Tennis in the future. Girls Softball continued their strong play in IPPSAL by recording an overall mark of 10 wins and only 3 losses, while finishing as IPPSAL Runners Up to Long Island Lutheran. The Lady Panther Softball team also received, for the first time in school history, an At Large Bid to compete in the NYSAISAA Championship Tournament. A host of returning players, including sophomore pitching sensation Samantha Kaplan, should help push Portledge Softball to even greater heights next spring. More exciting spring sports news came in the form of a revived Varsity Boys Lacrosse program. Under Head Coach Phil Hills Portledge Boys Lax finished with a mark of 9 wins and 7 losses which marked the first winning season since the spring of 2008. The Panthers were eliminated from the state independent school championship tournament in a thrilling 12-11 overtime loss to the Dalton School (NYC). Portledge will have eight returning starters, including three potential Division I college prospects from the Class of 2012: attackman Nick Lobley (Sands Point), who totaled 58 goals & 25 assists this spring, and shut-down defenders Zach Pilson (East Northport) and Matt Sullivan (Baldwin). | |
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| | Upcoming Events | | | | | | Soccer Tuesdays Come join fellow alumni, students and faculty every Tuesday night for spirited scrimmages. Annual Alumni Hockey Game and Reception
Saturday, July 9th, 4:00pm
Cantiague Park, Hicksville
Reception to follow at Bracco's, Freeport
Portledge Mets Night
Wednesday, August 10th, 7:00pm
Citi Field, Pepsi Porch
Bring the whole family
Click here to purchase tickets and reserve your spot!
Founders Day
Saturday, September 24th, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Portledge School
Alumni Soccer Game and Reception
Saturday, September 24th, 3:30pm/6:00pm
Portledge/Browns Tavern
*Regional Alumni Event- Boston
Fall 2011
If you live or will be in the Boston area this fall, and are interested in attending or hosting, contact us!
Save the Date
Annual Alumni Holiday Party
Friday, December 2nd
Location TBD | |
| College Matriculations Class of 2011 | | | | | | Adeola Adegbite: George Washington University
Catherine Ardito: Villanova University
Anthony Barone: Berklee College of Music
Ori Benyamini: gap year
Ryan Cavanaugh: New York Institute of Technology
Denise Cheng: Fordham University
Vishal Chinchwadkar: Bentley University
Patrick Condon: gap year
Amanda Cooper-Ponte: University of Delaware
Stephen DiBartolomeo: Northeastern University
Jake DiOrio: Landmark College
Tia Douglas: Barnard College
Steven Dourmashkin: Cornell University
Christopher Fichtl: Pace University
Martyna Figiel: Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Poland)
Catherine Ganzekaufer: Smith College
Michael Goldstein: Rutgers
Ryan Gottfried: University of Michigan
Shermania Green: Hofstra University
Daniel Greenstein: University of Pittsburgh
Katharine Hirsch: University of Vermont
Edward Huai: New York University
Alexandra James: University of Tampa
Brandon Kaplan: Tulane University
Michelle Kerwick: Trinity College
Nicholas Leask: Stony Brook University
Benjamin Lobley: University of Vermont
Hunter Lombardi: St. Lawrence University
Blake Martin: Tulane University
Christopher McCloskey: Fordham University
Ryan Murray: Hofstra University
Thomas Parisi: gap year
Tatiana Parris: Purchase College
Anthony Pergola: Johns Hopkins University
Victoria Phillips: Villanova University
Alan Phipps: Skidmore College
Hara Prager: Tulane University
Maria Robbins: Manhattanville College
Bianca San Andres: St. John's University
Nkiru Sewell: Syracuse University
Alexander Sheerin: New England Conservatory of Music
Nikolai Snow: Washington College
Sophie Steell: University of Rhode Island
Matteo Trentini: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Chloe Tsiames: Sarah Lawrence College
Jessica Tynes: Franklin and Marshall College
Ashley Wade: New York Institute of Technology | |
| Portledge Student Honored With 'Beyond the Dream' Award | | | | | |  Jessie Sarkis ‘12 was one of the recipients of the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center 2011 “Beyond the Dream” Award. Jessie was the “Youth of the Year” honoree. Other honorees included: Honorable Kathleen Rice, Nassau County District Attorney, Public Servant Award; John Mooney, President, LB-C.S.E.A., Public Service Award; Dr. Robert Greenberg, Long Beach Public Schools, Educator of the Year Award; Rev. Walter Davis, Senior of the Year; Alex Lettas, CVS Pharmacy, Business Person of the Year; Evangelist Doris Stephens, Community Service Award; and Annette Belle Hall, Volunteer of the Year. | |
| Annual Fund Update | | | | | | Thank you to my fellow alumni who contributed to this year's Annual Fund. We had a tremendous increase in the number of participants with new donors and lapsed donors joining the effort. Alumni giving is the most visible sign of alumni involvement in the school and we hope to grow on this year's success next year.
To make a gift in this year's fund before June 30, click here. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated. | |
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