When the Hamden Hall Varsity Swim team rallied to capture the New England title this winter, few student-athletes or fans would likely imagine that they would see another comeback as remarkable. And yet, that’s exactly what the Varsity Baseball team did this spring during a thrilling campaign that culminated in being crowned N.E. champs. Head coach, Brad Chernovetz spent some time reflecting on the season, the team’s efforts, and some of the intangibles that made it all happen.
In case you do not know, prior to becoming the head coach for Varsity Baseball, Coach Chernovetz, was no stranger to Hamden Hall. In addition to officiating a multitude of Hornet basketball games during the David Beckerman era, Brad also was part of Pete Griffin’s football staff back in the day. A throwback to the “old school” 3 sport athlete days, Brad played football, basketball, and baseball at Amity HS, and then quarterbacked at Wagner College, where he also pitched, explaining that his success in both positions was not about throwing velocity as much as about location. Brad actually started the baseball program at Career H.S., where he is a member of the faculty, in 1998, before taking the reins at Hamden Hall.
Class of 2016 alumna Valoryn Liu joined LionTree Advisors, an investment banking firm in San Francisco, Calif., as an investment banking analyst for mergers and acquisition advisory in the media and technology industry sector.
Loud applauses and cheers from family and friends marked the celebration of the 110th Commencement as the soon-to-be graduates dressed in white caps and gowns walked across the stage and received their diplomas.
A great sense of celebration was in the air as our sixth-grade students took a big step and paraded into the Taylor Arts Performing Center for their graduation ceremony.
Eighth-grade students took to the podium in Taylor Performing Arts Center to deliver their final declamation speeches as part of their year-end history class capstone project.
As live music pumped through the amplifiers and pop-up, club-sponsored tables decked the grounds, Upper School students and families enjoyed the afternoon at MayFest 2022 on the Davis Street lawn across from the main campus.
Theresa Vitolo Vingiano of North Haven died on May 30, 2022, at the age of 94. She was the loving grandmother of Hamden Hall graduating senior Ava Vingiano. Her other granddaughter, Erika Vingiano, also attended Hamden Hall.
Theresa's son, Anthony "Bill" Vingiano, is a member of the Hamden Hall Board of Trustees and his wife, Laurie, is a longtime member of the Hamden Hall Parents' Association, currently serving as past president, advisor, and treasurer .
Born and raised in New Haven, Theresa was predeceased by her husband, Anthony "Big Bill" Vingiano, whom she met while working at Sargent & Co. The couple had three children.
Theresa was a NY Yankees fan and enjoyed watching sports and cheering on her favorite teams.
The Hamden Hall Community extends sincere condolences to the Vingiano family.
Seventh- and eighth-grade students got the opportunity to explore the world and share a taste of cultural cuisines and desserts during the cultural food assembly hosted by the Middle School Diversity Club.
Seas of blue attire and roaring cheers could be seen and heard in the Taylor Performing Arts Center as the Lower School community hosted a special assembly celebrating Grade 4 teacher Sara Dixon as she will be retiring at the end of the school year.
Big wheels and the sound of a truck horn could be heard rolling through the Hamden Hall campus as special guest Anthony Spero, a.k.a. “Tony the Trucker,” visited his fourth-grade buddies and provided a tour of his freight truck.
The Co-ed Varsity Golf team traveled to the Oak Ridge Country Club in Feeding Hills, Mass., on Wednesday, May 25, to compete in the Kingswood Oxford Invitational Tournament.
The Co-ed Varsity Golf team traveled to Maple Moor Golf Course in White Plains, N.Y., for the Fairchester Athletic Association Golf Championship on Monday, May 23.
Sixth-grade students turned a collection of whimsical poems from the book, Could You Hug a Cactus?, into a musical showcase during a recent performance in the Taylor Performing Arts Center.
From Wolfgang Mozart to Pyotr Illyrich Tchaikovsky to the Beatles, Middle and Upper School instrumental students joined together in musical prowess for the annual Spring Concert in Taylor Gymnasium.
From Wolfgang Mozart to Pyotr Illyrich Tchaikovsky to the Beatles, Middle and Upper School instrumental students joined together in musical prowess for the annual Spring Concert in Taylor Gymnasium.
Imaginations soared and the wonderment of the rainforest came alive as third-grade students performed The Great Kapok Tree in the Taylor Performing Arts Center.
Class of 2012 alumnus Marc Cafasso has joined the long family line of lawyers after passing the bar exam in July of 2021. He now works as an associate attorney for the law firm Jason Stone Injury Lawyers in Boston, Mass.
May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander (APPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes and honors the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islanders. To celebrate, the Asian Student Union hosted guest speaker Dr. Henry Lee, a renowned forensic scientist and the founder of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science.
The Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse team celebrated senior players Becket du Bell, Lambert Yan, Matteo Romero, Paul Gregory, Colin Gore-Grimes, Max Fuoco, and Ethan Qian during a recent match on Tuesday, May 10.
Fifth-grade students turned back time and transformed into influential Revolutionary figures through costume and actions in the annual Living History Museum presentation.
The fifth induction ceremony for Hamden Hall’s chapter of Rho Kappa, the National Social Studies Honor Society, featured the installment of 17 Upper School students by advisor Dr. Lisa Hill.
Estelle M. Herman of New Haven died on May 5, 2022, at the age of 103. She was the mother of Hamden Hall past parent and alumna, Michele Herman Brownstein (James Brownstein), Class of 1972, and grandmother of Hamden Hall alumni Megan Brownstein Rutstein, Class of 1998, Kimberly Brownstein Greenberg, Class of 2001, and Blake Brownstein, Class of 2009.
Private funeral services are being handled by Robert E. Shure and Son Funeral Home, New Haven. Burial will be in B'nai Jacob Memorial Park, New Haven. The period of mourning will also be private.
To leave a message of condolence on the funeral home website, please click here.
A rainbow of ribbons swirled in the air and around the May Pole in Taylor Gymnasium as second-grade students in Erin Correa’s class commemorated May Day with the time-honored tradition, the May Pole Assembly.
A Hamden Hall alumnus who went on to graduate from West Point and is now a military justice advisor in the 3rd Infantry Division Office of the United States Army will be the 2022 Commencement speaker.
Eleven Upper School students and members of the Model U.N. club stepped into the shoes of global delegates and engaged in dialogue surrounding worldwide issues as they traveled to Cornell University to compete in the 2022 Model United Nation Conference (CMUNC).
The Girls’ Varsity Softball has been on a hot streak winning a series of league games with the most recent victory against Hopkins School on Tuesday afternoon, May 3, with the score 16-5.
Over the last few weeks, the Hamden Hall community organized and collected items for a donation drive benefiting Ukrainian families. All school divisions participated in the effort with students, faculty, and staff overfilling donation boxes with medical supplies, toiletry items, and children’s items such as coloring books, toys, and crayons.
Over the last few weeks, the Hamden Hall community organized and collected items for a donation drive benefiting Ukrainian families. All school divisions participated in the effort with students, faculty, and staff overfilling donation boxes with medical supplies, toiletry items, and children’s items such as coloring books, toys, and crayons.
Over the last few weeks, the Hamden Hall community organized and collected items for a donation drive benefiting Ukrainian families. All school divisions participated in the effort with students, faculty, and staff overfilling donation boxes with medical supplies, toiletry items, and children’s items such as coloring books, toys, and crayons.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball team added another win to their season as they took the field against league rival Greenwich Country Day School on Friday afternoon April 29, winning 14-4.
The Boys’ Varsity Tennis team continued their victory streak, winning their third consecutive match 6-1 against Christian Heritage School on Wednesday, April 27.
Kindness, teamwork, and respect help make the world a better place. First-grade students in Beth Messina 1996 and Rebecca Godinez’s classes shared this message in their recent live performance in the Taylor Arts Performing Center.
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…no it’s Grade 6! Students in Caroline Shelton and Andrea Calandrelli’s classes got to live out their superhero dream with a crossover art and design project in which they crafted their own superhero or supervillain stuffed pillows.
Pauline J. (Leduc) Guay died on April 11 in South Windsor, Conn. She was the grandmother of Hamden Hall alumni Michael R. Guay, Class of 2007, and Nicholas A. Guay, Class of 2009. Pauline was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Leonard, who died in 2020. Together they had three children, Paulette Stelmach, David Guay, and Hamden Hall past parent Michael Guay.
Pauline had a career in the fashion industry as a designer's assistant/model and was well-known for creating beautiful clothes for herself and her family.
Hamden Hall extends sincere condolences to the Guay family. To read Pauline's obituary, please click here.
Class of 1986 alumnus Peter Dean has accepted a new job as a reference and instructional services librarian at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss.
The Boys’ Varsity Tennis team hosted Marianapolis School at the James R. Maggart Tennis Court for an afternoon game on Wednesday, April 20, winning 5-2.
Middle School students embarked on an outdoor nature and conservation trip as part of their community service initiative. In observance of Earth Day, both seventh and eighth-grade students along with faculty volunteers spent the day creating a greener community in conjunction with Gather New Haven.
Eighth-grader Andrei Balas has transformed his personal computer refurbishing project into community philanthropy as he works with organizations to donate the newly programed computers to those in need.
The Parents' Association will host the following events for our school community. Please plan to join us!
Teacher Appreciation Day: On May 3, teachers and faculty will be honored with a wonderful breakfast in the Teachers' Lounge. Click here to donate an item to our event or to volunteer to serve.
Plant Sale: Our Annual Mother's Day Plant Sale is May 5 and 6 in the courtyard from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. This event is open to all students and gives them the opportunity to honor their moms and the special people in their lives with beautiful plants from Vaiuso Farms in Branford.
HHPA Parent Social: Come socialize, meet other parents, and enjoy beverages and hors d'oeuvres under the pines in the courtyard on May 25 from 6 - 8 p.m. Weather-permitting, we will be under the tent in the main courtyard. Click here to sign up today!
The Annual Golf Tournament Sunset Mixer: For the past two years, the HHPA has partnered with the Office of Advancement to help host Hamden Hall's Annual Golf Tournament, which is held at New Haven Country Club on June 20. The Parents' Association will host the Sunset Mixer portion of the event from 4 - 6 p.m. with dinner following.
Join us for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, live music, and a whiskey tasting. We will also have some great silent and live auction items to bid on. This is a wonderful event for any non-golfers to be part of the fun! Tickets for Sunset Mixer are $75. Click here to learn more about the event and to purchase tickets.
For anyone who would like to donate an item for our live or silent auction, please contact Gina Criscuolo at (203)464-0416 or JoAnn Scillia at (203) 623-2310. We welcome all donations!
Invest in Our Planet is the theme of Earth Day 2022, and second-graders invested their time and artistic skills in continuing a longtime Hamden Hall tradition: the Earth Day Groceries Project. In this project, Grade 2 teamed up once again with Hamden’s Whitneyville Food Market to donate colorful decorated bags for shoppers to use.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball team continues to heat up as they won 10-5 against MacDuffie School in a non-conference game on Wednesday afternoon, April 20.
Hamden Hall Upper School students now have the opportunity to gain knowledge and build a better financial understanding to prepare them for the future with a new course offering, Personal Finance and Economics.
As National Poetry month continues, slam poetry is firmly taking root under the pines as the Upper School community gathered together for a mid-week assembly organized and hosted by the Poetry Club.
The high caliber of success in the classroom continues as Middle and Upper School students participated in the 2022 National Latin Exam, a 40-question annual exam that covers general knowledge of Latin grammar and vocabulary, translation, and derivatives.
The high caliber of success in the classroom continues as Middle and Upper School students participated in the 2022 National Latin Exam, a 40-question annual exam that covers general knowledge of Latin grammar and vocabulary, translation, and derivatives.
Ronald M. Carroll died on April 13, 2022, at the age of 73. He was the grandfather of Hamden Hall alumni Alyssa Carroll, Class of 2016, and Amanda Carroll, Class of 2018, and father-in-law of Lorri (Jonathan) Carroll, Director of Lower School. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Karen, whom he met in Kindergarten. They married in 1968 and went on to have two children, Jonathan and Ronald.
Ron was a graduate of Fairfield Prep and earned an associate’s degree from Sacred Heart University. He spent his entire career at Southern Connecticut Gas Company as Information Technology Director. Ron loved all things racing, visiting car shows, car museums, and collecting car memorabilia. He enjoyed camping and boating with his family.
The Hamden Hall community extends deep condolences to the Carroll family.
Christian Montano, Class of 2014, has pivoted from the football field to a new career in finance as an investment banking analyst at Barclays Corporate and Investment Bank in New York City.
Class of 2020 alumnus Nikhil Samuel accepted an internship with the Center for American Progress as part of the National Security and International Policy team.
April marks National Poetry Month, and the Upper School community welcomed guest author Phillip Kaye as he reveled in the art of spoken word and performance poetry while reading excerpts from his book titled Date and Time. The assembly and workshops that followed were part of the Visiting Writers Series, a program supported by the Betty Lou Blumberg Endowed Chair of English, which allows the English Department to host workshops and lectures that support and promote Hamden Hall’s core values of excellence and participation.
Eighth-grade students put on their engineering hats and got creative as they tackled the Ball Maze Challenge. The hands-on learning activity challenges students to design and build mazes through which a half-inch marble can be maneuvered from a specified start and endpoint.
Class of 2012 alumnus Victor Joshua is giving back to the community and inspiring up-and-coming athletes with his business and basketball training program, RespeCT Hoops.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball team got off to a strong start in their season opener against Winchendon School at Beckerman Athletic Center on Wednesday, March 30.
The front desk in Grade 4 teacher Emily Schimelman’s classroom was full of state-of-the-art whaling artifacts as the students welcomed special guest Ms. Marisa from Mystic Seaport Museum to partake in the Curator’s Challenge as part of a primary source workshop activity.
Students in Hamden Hall’s signature program, Science, Innovation & Design (SID), continue to impress as their science-based research projects were honorably recognized and awarded at the 74th annual Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair hosted at Quinnipiac University.
Class of 2005 alumna Treanna Santillo Castronova and her husband Dr. John Paul Castronova III welcomed their first son, Luca William Castronova, on February 27, 2022.
As part of their monthly thematic classroom unit, kindergarten students took an exciting educational journey through the world of nutrition and health. Each week featured different topics including the food pyramid, understanding the difference between the five food groups, and learning about healthy habits. To culminate the unit, students made smoothies with Cafeteria Manager, Chef Kevin Stawitz.
Though the annual collegiate March Madness period is upon us, the 2021-2022 winter prep season has come to a close. The winter saw a New England repeat championship title earned by the Boys Swim team and a strong run by Girls Basketball to earn a Runners-up trophy in both the New England and Fairchester league tournaments. Regardless of where they finished or the silverware they took home, the overwhelming consensus by Hornet athletes was that the season was an overwhelming success for at least one reason alone - the chance to compete again and in front of family, fans, and friends.
Kirsten Groth Campisi, Class of 1987, has been an educator for 14 years. She taught second grade in a public school, William Green Elementary School, in Los Angeles from 1995 to 2002. After taking a break to stay home and raise her son for 12 years, she returned in 2015 to the classroom as a preschool teacher at Crestwood Hills Preschool in West Los Angeles.
Hamden Hall past parent Barbara Loucks died on March 12. She was the mother of Darrow Loucks, Class of 1977, and Trevor Jane Loucks Rosenthal, Class of 1979. Barbara was 93 and resided in Hamden. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Carleton Loucks.
Barbara was the host of "Barbara's World" on WELI radio during the 1970s and 1980s.
Hamden Hall extends condolences to the Loucks family. Funeral services will be private. To read Barbara's obituary, please click here.
Hamden Hall’s longstanding commitment to helping those in need continues as Middle School students commenced their annual community service project – Life is Delicious. This program serves clients at the Columbus House Overflow Shelter in New Haven and provides them with a hot meal.
Thomas Williams, alumnus from the Class of 1951, died on February 21 in Wallingford. Tom is survived by his wife Sharon Abbatiello, non-graduating student from the Class of 1966, and his five children. He is the father-in-law of Stephanie Stiefel (Luke) Williams, alumna from the Class of 1983.
While at Hamden Hall, Tom was a Thespian, and played football, basketball, and baseball. Tom founded Cheshire Tree Service.
Calling hours will be held at Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St., on Friday, May 20th from 4 to 7 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at The First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Dr., on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 10 am. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. To read Tom's obituary, please click here.
Hamden Hall sends condolences to the Abbatiello / Williams family.
Class of 2012 alumnus and former member of the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team Darren Payen returned to the court this month with the Connecticut Cobras.
David Pilot, Class of 1972, passed away suddenly on March 6, 2022. His death was unexpected, according to his classmate, Richard Peck, with whom David had been friends since 1963.
David, 67, had been living in New Haven after having lived for many years in New York City. He was an accomplished producer, writer, director, filmmaker, and playwright in the independent film and theatre industry.
As the school year winds down, students find themselves busy with homework, projects, and exams. To alleviate the stress, Upper School students were treated to a well-deserved break during Friday’s activity block with a host of art and coloring activities around campus.
Class of 2015 alumnus Jeremy Bronen is using his mechanical engineering degree and entrepreneurial spirit to help the elderly and disabled with the launch of the patent-pending toilet lift assist through the company SedMed.
Hamden Hall past parent Rabbi John R. Nimon of Lynchburg, Va., died at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, on Sunday, February 27. Besides his wife Lisa Barker Rosenfield, John is survived by his daughters, Hamden Hall alumni Yael Katzman, Class of 1991, Aliza Nannicelli, Class of 1994, and Rina Nimon, Class of 2004; his son Sam Nimon, his stepdaughters Julia and Emily Rosenfield, and eight grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Hyla Barnett Nimon.
Rabbi Nimon was born in Toronto and graduated from York University and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Through the years, he served as Rabbi in several Connecticut congregations.
The Hamden Hall Community extends sincere condolences to the family. To read Rabbi Nimon's full obituary, please click here.
Fifth-grade students jumped, slithered, glided, and crawled as they brought the stories of author and illustrator Eric Carle to life in celebration of Read Across America Day.
February marked the month-long celebration of Black History Month. The Hamden Hall community spent time reflecting and honoring the contributions of Black Americans throughout the course of our nation’s history with an array of classroom activities and projects.
February marked the month-long celebration of Black History Month. The Hamden Hall community spent time reflecting and honoring the contributions of Black Americans throughout the course of our nation’s history with an array of classroom activities and projects.
February marked the month-long celebration of Black History Month. The Hamden Hall community spent time reflecting and honoring the contributions of Black Americans throughout the course of our nation’s history with an array of classroom activities and projects.
Michael Bencivengo of North Branford, Conn., died on February 28 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is the father of Hamden Hall Board of Trustees member Laurie Ann (John) Letizia, and grandfather of Hamden Hall alumni John Carlo Letizia, Class of 2019, Luke Letizia, Class of 2021, and current student Addison Letizia, Class of 2025.
Besides Laurie Ann and her family, Michael is survived by his wife Linda, sons Michael (Michelle) Bencivengo, and Jeffrey (Jaclyn) Bencivengo, and four additional grandchildren. Michael and Linda have been longtime supporters of Hamden Hall and very involved in their grandchildren’s Hamden Hall experiences.
The Hamden Hall community extends sincere condolences to Laurie Ann and her family during this difficult time.
Funeral services for Michael are as follows:
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., Porto Funeral Home, 234 Foxon Road, Route 80, East Haven. Funeral Mass is Friday, March 4, at 10 a.m., St. Mary’s Church, 5 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven.
The World Language Department commenced its annual celebration of World Language Week by promoting linguistic diversity and shining light on American Sign Language.
The World Language Department commenced its annual celebration of World Language Week by promoting linguistic diversity and shining light on American Sign Language.
The Boys’ Varsity Basketball team tipped off against Greens Farms Academy on Tuesday, February 22, in the quarterfinals of the Fairchester Athletic Association Tournament.
Following a victory against Rye Country Day School, the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team advances to the Fairchester Athletic Association Tournament semifinals.
The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team continued its home court success winning against Sacred Heart Greenwich on Saturday, February 19, and earning a berth in the Fairchester League Tournament.
Robots specially built at Hamden Hall “pitched in” to help showcase students’ mechanical, engineering, and tech skills during competitions at the recent VEX IQ Robotics Tournament.
Robots specially built at Hamden Hall “pitched in” to help showcase students’ mechanical, engineering, and tech skills during competitions at the recent VEX IQ Robotics Tournament.
What does the word identity mean? What’s important to your identity? Lower School students reflected on these questions they created and designed self-portraits during a classroom project as part of the ongoing No Place for Hate campaign.
Class of 1995 alumna Tricia Keith Baione supports and empowers MBA students to achieve their lifelong career ambitions through advisement and career-coaching.
Following a loss against the Brunswick School, the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team came back strong to win against Wooster School on Saturday, February 12.
Returning to the Beckerman Athletic Center on Friday, February 11, the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team rallied together to win against Wilbraham and Monson.
Even if you were not around to dance the night away at a disco, you’ve likely shaken your hips to “We Are Family”. It was a smash hit by Sister Sledge, a group of four sisters, and it continues to resonate when relations get together for special occasions. The Girls Varsity Basketball team may not be blood related, but they certainly possess a special camaraderie that has helped shape them into a dynamic and successful squad on the court and a close knit group of friends off it.
The Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey team returned to the ice following a string of rescheduled games to face off against St. Luke’s School on Monday afternoon, February 7.
Navigating through the new thematic unit, Whaling and Maritime History, fourth-grade students learned all about whales and the history of whaling ships during a history-to-go program visit from special guest Ms. Natasha. The program is part of the school’s partnership with Mystic Seaport.
The Hamden Hall community celebrated a milestone year this week for one of its sweetest traditions: the Lifers’ Shirting Ceremony. Established in 1982, the annual celebration of those seniors who have spent their entire academic careers under the pines has now spanned four decades. This year, five seniors from the Class of 2022 earned the “Lifer” distinction.
It’s been a good start to the week as the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team came in with the sweeping win against Greenwich Country Day School during Monday’s game on February 7.
The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team continues their stellar record in the second-half of the season, winning against Masters School on Monday, February 5.
Students have the opportunity to learn test-taking strategies and techniques while enhancing their comprehensive skills through a newly offered seven-week prep course workshop called the SAT 1600 Club.
Around the turn of the 20th century, a certain Harvard University alum who had been a wrestler for the Crimson once wrote, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again, because there is not effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
That alum was none other than Theodore Roosevelt; and though his message was not necessarily focused on wrestling, the fact that TR had transformed himself from a weakling in his younger days to take up not just wrestling, but also boxing and even jiu-jitsu, clearly influenced his perspective on how to contend with challenges and become a confident achiever. Spend a little time with a Hamden Hall wrestler or their coach, and you will find how TR’s message still rings loud and true today.
The dream of directing and producing has come full circle for Class of 2014 alumnus Dillon Bentlage as he co-founded the production company, Karen Twins Productions.
From an acrobat performance to a student-led Zoom session to stories of Chinese history, all three school communities celebrated Lunar New Year during last Friday’s assemblies.
From an acrobat performance to a student-led Zoom session to stories of Chinese history, all three school communities celebrated Lunar New Year during last Friday’s assemblies.
From an acrobat performance to a student-led Zoom session to stories of Chinese history, all three school divisions celebrated Lunar New Year during last Friday’s assemblies.
Theodora "Teddy" Hurwitz, mother of Hamden Hall alumna Allison Hurwitz Kroll, Class of 1985, died on January 26, 2022. She was 83. Teddy graduated from Mount Holyoke College, and the New Haven State Teachers College, and worked as an elementary school teacher. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Sydney "Sid" Hurwitz, a well-respected pediatrician. After 14 years as a pediatrician, Sid chose to take on a second residency in dermatology, and ultimately became a world-renowned pediatric dermatologist. They are survived by three daughters and four grandchildren.
The Hamden Hall Community extends condolences to the Hurwitz family. To read full obituary, please click here.
At this time two years ago, current senior Michael Ferneini was heading into the home stretch of the varsity swim season, and like the rest of his teammates, preparing for the New England championships. The Hornets had come up just short for several years, but led by recent alums Duncan Farquharson, Joe Tenedine, Spencer McCleary, Steven Zhang, Liam Kohler, and MVP Sam Lovejoy, the Hornets hoisted their first NEPSAC championship banner in 2020. Their hopes of defending their title, however, were put on hold because of Covid. Last year the team held several virtual meets, and there was no NEPSAC meet.
Hamden Hall offers its condolences to alumna Linda Wilson, Class of 1963, who contacted us about the passing of her husband.
Dennis John 'D.J.' Leary, to whom Linda was married for 35 years, died in August 2021 following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He was 84 and a United States Navy veteran.
Soldiers around the world will soon receive Valentine’s Day cards from Lower School students as they participate in the annual community service project Hugs for Soldiers.
Past parent Alexander Caplan died on December 20, 2021, at the age of 90. He is survived by his daughter Cindy Caplan Weiser, Hamden Hall Class of 1974, William Caplan, Hamden Hall Class of 1976, and 3 grandchildren.
Alexander was co-founder of Star Distributors in Orange, Conn. Upon his retirement in 1980, he and Lynne began spending part of the year in Arizona. He was an avid tennis player and played well into his 80s.
Alexander's funeral took place on December 22, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Please join Hamden Hall in extending condolences to the Caplan family. To read full obituary, please click here.
Middle School students recently received writing tips, learned about the book-writing process, and were treated to some inside information about the latest book from author Jacob “Jake” Burt.
Following a string of rescheduled meets, the Wrestling team welcomed Storm King School and Suffield Academy on Wednesday, Jan. 19 in the first home dual at Beckerman Athletic Center.
With end-of-semester exams completed, Upper School students were invited to take a break and de-stress with a host of fun activities during their Friday morning meeting time.
Sunset on January 16 to January 17 marked the Jewish holiday, Tu B’Shevat or the New Year of Trees. The one-day festival lends itself to activities and projects that celebrate trees and nature, which Grade 1 teacher Beth Messina 1996 integrated into her classroom lesson.
Hamden Hall has been selected by the College Board as one of 60 schools to pilot a new course, AP African American Studies, with Director of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Dr. Lisa Hill serving on the oversight committee.
Hamden Hall has been selected by the College Board as one of 60 schools to pilot a new course, AP African American Studies, with Director of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Dr. Lisa Hill serving on the oversight committee.
Following the winter break, the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team returned to the court for some mid-season action against Kingswood-Oxford School this past weekend.
Hamden Hall’s High Schoolers into Business welcomed guest speaker Jake Teplitzky, an alumnus from the Class of 2016, to share his journey from the conceptualization of a business idea to starting his own company.
A record-breaking number of students in Hamden Hall’s signature program, Science, Innovation & and Design (SID), have projects slated for two state-wide science fairs: the 2022 Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and the Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair
The Early Childhood Program approaches learning in a play-based, hands-on manner allowing students to foster their creative and personal skills. In an effort to support the learning and play environment, teachers in all three PreSchool and PreKindergarten classes created student identity blocks.
Nancy (Adler) Eisenfeld, mother of Hamden Hall alumnus Michael Eisenfeld, Class of 1981, died on January 8, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. Nancy is also survived by her daughter, Susie. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Arnold Eisenfeld, in 2019.
Hamden Hall extends condolences to the Eisenfeld family. To read Nancy's obituary, please click here.
The art of debate can help students master their critical thinking and communications skills. With midterm exams underway this week, students in Grade 9 English traded in written questions and answers about literature for a classroom debate activity.
Amy Farquharson, Class of 2018, has graduated a semester early with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.
John Roche, Hamden Hall alumnus from the Class of 1960, died on December 30. John was a Hamden Hall "Lifer" attending Hamden Hall for 12 years. He then went on to graduate from the University of New Haven with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. John is survived by his wife, Mary, and his stepson Jeffery Kurpiewski.
Please join Hamden Hall in extending condolences to the family. To read John's obituary, please click here.
Hamden Hall Country Day School is a nurturing and inclusive community with a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.