With the 2023 Fall Athletics season officially closed, a plethora of our Varsity student-athletes have been recognized with honors and awards for their outstanding performance and commitment to their sport by the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) and the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC).
The Upper School Music Department has been recognized for its continued excellence as a combined 28 choral and instrumental students have advanced to compete in the Southern Region High School Music Festival sponsored by the Connecticut Music Educators’ Association.
Families, food, and art were just a few ingredients that made up the Grade 4 Heritage Food and Art Show as students and teachers Emily Schimelman 2002 and Stephanie Riedel hosted the culminating event of the classes’ Immigration Unit.
It was a day of cultural understanding and conversations as the Upper School community welcomed six students from Hope Haven Rwanda to campus for a visit and special assembly.
Middle and Upper School Latin students took learning into their own hands as they had the opportunity to participate in a demo workshop testing the new online component of the Cambridge Latin Course. The course will be part of the 6th edition package that will launch in 2024.
Middle and Upper School Latin students took learning into their own hands as they had the opportunity to participate in a demo workshop testing the new online component of the Cambridge Latin Course. The course will be part of the 6th edition package that will launch in 2024.
The third floor of the Whitson Building was filled with the aroma of cultural foods as eighth-grade students in teacher Jill McLeavy’s Spanish class spiced up the conclusion of their unit of study with a food party.
The Hamden Hall Community gives thanks and offers a special salute to all who have served and continue to serve our country. While school was not in session for Veterans Day, the week prior had been filled with discussions, art projects, and activities around campus.
Class of 2009 alumnus Greg Reiner understands the societal impact of the digital world and works to elevate the product experience as Lead Product Manager at Meta.
Middle School students put their engineering and design skills to the test in their latest hands-on learning project as they tinkered away in the MakerSpace Design Lab to create handheld marble mazes for an in-class competition.
The Boys’ Varsity Water Polo Team won its back-to-back matches against Loomis Chaffee and Phillips Exeter Academy during Homecoming weekend on Saturday, October 28.
Once a Hornet, always a Hornet! The Hamden Hall Community celebrated Homecoming 2023 with two full days of activities and athletic games on both our Whitney Avenue and Skiff Street campuses.
Once a Hornet, always a Hornet! The Hamden Hall Community celebrated Homecoming 2023 with two full days of activities and athletic games on both our Whitney Avenue and Skiff Street campuses.
Once a Hornet, always a Hornet! The Hamden Hall Community celebrated Homecoming 2023 with two full days of activities and athletic games on both our Whitney Avenue and Skiff Street campuses.
Happy Hamden Hall-o-ween Homecoming!!! Though this annual tradition usually arrives earlier in the month, before they go out trick-or-treating, the Hornets are ready to put a serious scare into a variety of opponents this weekend. Because the ACT testing was moved, the athletic schedule includes plenty of action on both Friday and Saturday afternoon to enjoy. Here is a bit of a preview of a few of the teams.
Boys Soccer:
Boys Varsity Soccer kicks off the festivities when they face off against Marianapolis Prep. Under the guidance of new head coach, Michael Moore, who has plenty of experience at the club, high school, and college level, the Hornets continue to gel and mature. “Our team has shown great resilience throughout the ups and downs of the season thus far. I love how coachable and respectful all of our players are. From the first day they have welcomed both my assistant and me with open arms.” Moore’s assistant is Rory Mullally who is part of the local premier Rush program.
Kindergarten students got into the spooky season spirit as they donned graphic purple, green, and orange shirts with spider webs, witches hats, pumpkins, and ghosts for a fall performance in the Taylor Arts Performing Center for families and their fifth-grade buddies.
Streams hide an underwater world of organisms and ecosystems in a fantastically varied web of life and sixth-grade students put on their water shoes, grabbed their nets, and spent the afternoon exploring the waters of the Mill River in East Rock State Park for a hands-on science activity. The project focused on biodiversity sampling of stream and forest ecosystems.
Current grandparent Predrag Delmic, 71, of Wethersfield, CT, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Hartford.
As a board-certified behavior analyst, Class of 2010 alumnus Eric Warren Jr. enjoys helping people help themselves as he establishes planned behavior strategies for them and other impactful client-care services.
The annual Honor Roll Dinner recognized about 300 Upper School students for making the honor roll last semester – along with acknowledgment of other academic accomplishments including National Merit and AP Scholars.
The Hamden Hall community kicked off its ongoing commitment to being a kind and respectful environment for all with myriad educational activities and a school-wide pledge commitment and banner signing as part of the No Place for Hate program.
The Hamden Hall community kicked off its ongoing commitment to being a kind and respectful environment for all with myriad educational activities and a school-wide pledge commitment and banner signing as part of the No Place for Hate program.
The Hamden Hall community kicked off its ongoing commitment to being a kind and respectful environment for all with myriad educational activities and a school-wide pledge commitment and banner signing as part of the No Place for Hate program.
Class of 2011 alumna Morgan Massey married Neville Graham on September 9 at St. Mary’s Church in Branford, Conn., with the reception held at Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club.
The Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team welcomed MacDuffie School at the Beckerman Athletic Center for a weekend match on Saturday, October 14, winning 3-0.
Being an ally and promoting kindness, inclusion, and belonging was the focus of a recent interactive leadership training workshop attended by a select group of Upper School students.
The Skiff Street Athletic Fields were filled with laughter, interactive discussions, and team-bonding activities and games as the freshman class and the 12 seniors selected for the Peer Leadership Program partook in Activity Day.
To assist Middle School students in developing responsible online behavior, new instruction called Digital Citizenship and Literacy will be implemented into advisory groups this fall.
The Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team took the field at the Skiff Street Athletic Complex for an afternoon game against Greens Farm Academy, ending in a 1-1 tie.
Past Parents, Ann and David Talbott of Guilford, Conn., died on September 17 and September 19, respectively. They were the parents of Hamden Hall alumna, Shannon Talbott, Class of 1990.
The Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team faced off against Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Masters School during an afternoon game on Saturday, September 30, winning 3-0.
Sunny skies and the East Haven shoreline welcomed our fourth-graders as they explored the intertidal zone habitat at the beach home of Board of Trustees President Andrew Acquarulo and his wife Pam Acquarulo.
Barbara Halbing Fiskio, Class of 1950, of Wellesley, Mass., died on September 6 in Boston while recovering from injuries sustained in a fall. She was 90.
David Shutan, a long-time businessman in the New Haven area who was also active in the local Jewish community, died on September 21, 2023, in Boca Raton, Fla., at the age of 97. He was the father of Hamden Hall alumni, Caron Shutan, Class of 1975, and Bruce Shutan, Class of 1979.
The Boys’ Varsity Water Polo Team competed against Fairchester Athletic Association Rival Greenwich Country Day School on Wednesday, September 20, winning 11-5.
Establishing peer-to-peer connections is definitely the Hamden Hall way, and our Middle School Advocates Program is one way bonds are cultivated between Middle and Upper School students.
Class of 1957 alumnus Edward Alling has not returned to campus since graduation, but has lived quite the life since leaving the pines including serving his country.
Six Upper School students have received the Learning Pathway Certification from Global Online Academy after engaging in an exclusive digital learning experience.
The Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team took the field at the Skiff Street Athletic Complex for its season opener on Saturday, September 9, winning 4-3 against Wilbraham & Monson Academy.
The Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team welcomed Wooster School and Wilbraham & Monson Academy for the first two games of the season over the weekend, winning 3-0 in both matches.
Class of 2021 alumnus Liam Kohler has taken his collegiate studies abroad as he is spending the fall semester at the University of Galway in Ireland. Liam is a current junior at Connecticut College.
A former professional soccer player and college athlete has been named the new Boys’ Varsity Soccer coach. Michael Moore kicks off his first season with the Hornets this fall.
Former college athlete Kaeley DeNegre has been named the new Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey Head Coach for the upcoming fall season. Lauren Griffin will remain with the team as the assistant coach.
Class of 2012 alumnus Walter Davis Jr. finds the world of advertising and its influence intriguing as he works as an account director in the Partnership Sales sector at Xandr (Microsoft) in New York City.
Creating a sustainable future motivates Class of 2007 alumnus Zachary “Zach” Ross as he works as a director at Opinion Dynamics, a consulting firm that specializes in research and evaluation for energy efficiency, building decarbonization, and transportation electrification.
Please join us for our upcoming meetings. Meet other parents and learn how to get involved in our Hamden Hall community. Meetings are open to all parents. We look forward to seeing you there.
A special event hosted by Class of 2003 alumni and married couple Alexander “Sandy” Grindley and Lavinia Choate Mackall welcomed family and friends for an enjoyable afternoon.
Pomp and circumstance marked the celebration of the 111th Commencement as the 77 members of the Class of 2023 dressed in white caps and gowns walked through the main campus courtyard to receive their diplomas.
As the spring sports season has come to a close, a plethora of our Varsity student-athletes have been recognized and honored for their outstanding performance and commitment to their sport throughout the season by the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) and the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC).
The Taylor Performing Arts Center was full of joy and feelings of nostalgia as the current 28 sixth-grade students said goodbye to their Lower School journey during a graduation ceremony in their honor.
Calls to action and the echoes of thought-provoking dialogue regarding global human rights issues could be heard throughout the Taylor Performing Arts Center as the eight students took the stage to deliver their final declamation speeches. The speeches serve as the year-end capstone project for history classes with teachers Bud Kohler and David Sokoloff.
Former English teacher and faculty member Arnold “Arnie” Sabatelli has been quite busy as he delves into the world of writing and producing as a freelance writer and content creator.
Lower School art teacher Sue Bennett 1973 and her husband and former faculty member Dave Bennett recently participated in the 27th Annual Leonardo Challenge hosted by the Eli Whitney Museum.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team won the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Tournament Championship game against Winchendon School on Saturday, May 27, with a score of 4-3.
Learning and studying history went beyond the classroom as fifth-grade students took on the personas of different historical figures who were known as agents of change in the Changemakers Living Museum presentation for parents and guests in the Lender Refectory.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team took to the field to play the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Tournament semifinal game against Kings Edgehill School on Wednesday, May 24, winning in a 3-0 shutout.
The Co-ed Varsity Golf Team placed first in the Kingswood Invitational Tournament/ New England Prep Championship on Wednesday, May 24, with a score of 385.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team welcomed St. Luke’s School for the quarterfinal game of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) tournament on Monday, May 24, winning 6-5.
The spacious lawn of the Davis Street campus was alive with musical performances, sports games, delicious food, and other activities and crafts as the Upper School community enjoyed the annual MayFest celebration.
Food builds bridges and has the power to bring people and cultures together. That was the case as seventh- and eighth-grade students came together in Lender Refectory to celebrate culinary diversity and enjoy a huge buffet of delights during the recent Cultural Food Assembly.
Twelve Upper School students have been selected to join an impressive roster of past student ambassadors as Peer Leaders for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team won the Fairchester Athletic Association League semifinal game against St. Luke’s School on Tuesday, May 16, with a score of 2-0.
It was a morning celebration of music, theater, and art as third-grade students performed Over in the Greenlands inspired by the book, Wutaryoo, by author Nilah Mgruder. The performance served as a cross-curricular project through the guidance of teacher Alexis Harris 2001, Lower School art teacher Sue Bennet 1973, theater teacher Lisa Daly, and music teacher Rachael Jungkeit to conclude the Grade 3 unit of study on the African Savanna grasslands.
Ann Rademacher Burrow, Class of 1946, died peacefully in Hamden on January 29, 2023 at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Gerard "Jerry" Burrow, and is survived by three children.
The Girls’ Varsity Softball Team returned to the Skiff Street Athletic Complex for its final home game of the season against Hopkins School on Friday, May 12, winning 6-5.
Alumna Susan Thalheimer Strauss, Class of 1947, died on May 10 in Iowa City. She was 93. She is survived by her daughter, Joan Strauss. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. John Strauss, whom she married in 1950, and daughter Mary Strauss-Penka.
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month and the Grade 11 Student Government hosted an activity day during assembly time to help Upper School students alleviate stress, pause for a moment of self-care, and take a well-deserved break from academics.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team won the regular season Fairchester Athletic Association League Championship against Hopkins School on Wednesday, May 10, with a score of 8-2.
Eighth-grade students didn’t have to travel to the United Nations to speak on public policy decisions regarding climate and transportation; all they had to do was visit history teacher David Sokoloff’s classroom in the Whitson Building. Once there, they heard and delivered presentations and penned open letters to UN ambassadors to advocate for the adoption of electric vehicles and resolutions to update climate change pledges.
Class of 2005 alumnus Jason Carrese has dedicated his career to serving patients as an Internal Medicine Hospitalist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at UConn Health.
The Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team honored players Ethan Coady, Kai Chometa, and John Golioto as part of the Senior Day celebration before taking to the field against Kings School for an afternoon match on Friday, May 5.
The Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse team took on Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Kingswood Oxford for a mid-week match on Wednesday, May 3, winning 12-4.
Head of School Bob Izzo has announced that seniors Charles “Charlie” Wortman and Kamini Purushothaman have been chosen as the Class of 2023 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively.
The Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Team hosted Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Holy Child for an afternoon match on Monday, May 1, winning 16-11.
The dream has come true for Hornet alum Luke Schoonmaker, Class of 2018, when he was recently drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the NFL Draft. The overall #58 pick played tight end at the University of Michigan, where he was a major contributor to the #2 nationally ranked Wolverines’ stellar 13-1 season. A two time All Big-Ten selection, Schoonmaker was described by NFL.com as a tight end with “good body control and is fluid in and out of breaks. His ability to find soft zones allows him to get open and earn yards after the catch. Schoonmaker is a solid and willing blocker who can develop in that area given his size.” That combination helped Michigan capture the Big Ten title last fall before being edged by TCU in the national semifinal game.
The art of storytelling through poetry and spoken-word evokes emotions allowing listeners to become part of the story. Standing on the stage of the Taylor Performing Arts Center with nothing but a microphone and a notebook, spoken-word poet Sarah Kay performed excerpts from her book, No Matter the Wreckage, for Upper School students and faculty as part of the Visiting Writers Series, a program supported by the Betty Lou Blumberg Endowed Chair of English. Mrs. Blumberg was also on hand in the audience and met Sarah at the conclusion of the assembly.
Hamden Hall is pleased to announce that United States Senator Chris Murphy will deliver the keynote address to graduates at the 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 9.
It was a sea of colorful togas and tunics as Latin students in Grades 7-12 were high in spirit as they spent the day at Holiday Hill for Connecticut State Latin Day, an immersive event where students from all over the state participate in activities and presentations inspired by the classics.
Spring fever has definitely taken hold, so here is a look at the rest of the Hornet teams. Though many of the programs rely on a core of veterans, a remarkable number of talented underclassmen and middle schoolers are sprouting with talent.
One team in full swing (pardon the pun) is the co-ed Varsity Golf squad. The biggest question everyone had before the season was how much would the Hornets miss one of the best golfers in the nation with the graduation of Ben James, already a standout at the University of Virginia. (For a look at Ben’s incredible start in the collegiate ranks, click on this link:
The Co-ed Varsity Golf Team traveled to the Apawamis Club for a match against Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Rye Country Day School on Wednesday, April 19, winning 200-230.
It was a week of cultural immersion, global learning, and conversation as nine Middle and Upper School students from the French B and French 2 classes hosted a small group of French exchange students from a private school near Lyon, France.
It was a week of cultural immersion, global learning, and conversation as nine Middle and Upper School students from the French B and French 2 classes hosted a small group of French exchange students from a private school near Lyon, France.
Middle School students partook in an off-site outdoor and nature conservation trip as they spent the day working to maintain Connecticut’s nature landscapes by lending helping hands and supporting two organizations, Greater New Haven and The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA). The initiative was part of the Middle School’s annual Earth Day observation and was planned and organized by the efforts of teachers Paulomi Aldo and Aidan Clark-Long.
The Art Cottage has been bustling with Lower School students all week as each class spent time crafting art projects that honor Earth Day and raise awareness on environmental issues.
“What makes a good friend?” What can you do if someone is unkind to you or a friend?” Lower School students pondered those questions as they enjoyed a morning full of conversations and art projects with their buddies. This activity served as the final project for the No Place for Hate campaign for the school year.
The Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team welcomed Ethel Walker School for an afternoon match at the James R. Maggart Tennis Courts on Wednesday, April 12, winning the game 6-1.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team took to the field at the Skiff Street Athletic Complex for an afternoon game against St. Luke’s School on Tuesday, April 11, winning 4-3.
Class of 2004 alumnus Dr. Alexander Carrese turned his love of learning and belief in compassionate patient care into a career of helping others as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician at Interventional Spine & Sports Medicine, PC., in Middlebury, Conn.
Room 15 on the bottom floor of the Whitson Building is home to art and history as Middle and Upper School Latin Students brought scenes from the myth of Hercules to life through the creation of a colorfully painted 20-foot long wall mural.
Room 15 on the bottom floor of the Whitson Building is home to art and history as Middle and Upper School Latin Students brought scenes from the myth of Hercules to life through the creation of a colorfully painted 20-foot long wall mural.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team completed its third shut-out win following a road game against Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Rye Country Day School on Monday, April 10.
Elliott Kerzner of Delray Beach, formerly of Hamden, died on April 10. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy, two children, and several grandchildren.
Robert Hill, father of Dr. Lisa B. Hill, Hamden Hall's Director of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity and Chair of the History department, died on April 8 in Virginia.
The winter athletic season certainly was one to remember, and history was made when on the same day the Boys Varsity Swim team achieved the incredible New England Championship Threepeat, while Girls Basketball capped off an outstanding season by also capturing a New England title. Though there is no pressure to match that feat, the spring teams certainly hold high aspirations to be just as competitive. The season has just gotten underway, so here is a look at a few of the teams and perhaps what to expect. (A second post will cover the teams not featured here.)
The Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) and New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) awards honor and recognize student-athletes for their outstanding performance and commitment to athletics throughout the season. Honors include All-League, All-League Honorable Mentions, All-NEPSAC, All-NEPSAC Honorable Mentions, and more. The following is a summation of notable achievements and accolades earned by our Varsity athletes throughout the course of the 2022-2023 Winter Season.
The Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Team opened its season with a weekend tournament hosted by Lexington Christian Academy on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1.
The Girls’ Varsity Softball Team played its first home game of the season at the Skiff Street Athletic Complex against MacDuffie School on Monday, April 3, winning 15-1.
The Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team claimed a 5-0 shut-out victory against Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Greens Farms Academy on Monday, April 3.
Do you remember the excitement of dropping a marble into a maze and watching it roll, spin, and finally land at the bottom of your track? Middle School students put that excitement into their latest hands-on learning project as they tinkered away in the MakerSpace Design Lab to create handheld marble mazes for an in-class competition.
The Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team traveled to Lexington Christian Academy on Friday, March 31, for a two-day weekend tournament against Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall and Kents Hill School.
The steadfast commitment to helping others and bettering the healthcare system has led Class of 2008 alumnus Royce Brunson to take on the role of Chief Revenue Officer at Health Recovery Solutions, a digital company that supplies remote monitoring and telehealth solutions to healthcare providers with the aim of reducing patient readmission.
The scientific minds of students in Hamden Hall’s signature program, Science, Innovation, & Design, were on full display as students in both Upper and Middle School presented their independent research projects at the 75th Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair. The students were mentored and advised by Director of Science, Innovation, & Design Dr. Frank Gasparro, Upper School science teacher Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald and Middle School science teacher Paulomi Aldo.
Class of 1984 alumnus Austin Baskett enjoyed a long career within the beauty sector of business, but has joined the semi-retired life while going back to his roots as a graphic designer and illustrator as he will be a featured artist in the Denver International Airport this year.
Class of 1993 alumnus Reginald “Reggie” Tucker works in the world of finance day-to-day; but in his spare time, he is a creative mind who turns recycled materials into art.
The art of storytelling is more than weaving together words, but connecting minds and hearts to feelings and shared experiences. Class of 1998 alumna Lauren Hansen builds stories for the ears as she is currently working and developing two podcasts with iHeartMedia.
It all starts with a question. What is this? How does this work? What is the hypothesis to the problem? Students in Grades 4-6 investigated those questions and turned them into answers as they put their scientific knowledge on display at the Lower School Science Fair.
The Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team won the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Championship on Sunday, March 5, besting Wilbraham and Monson Academy 64-56.
Science is a field of study with many roads. All roads have one common thread - an inquisitive mind, which is a key foundation skill for a budding scientist. Middle School students now have the opportunity to think like young scientists and engineers with the expansion of the Hamden Hall Signature Program, Science, Innovation, & Design.
The Co-ed Swimming and Diving Team competed in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Championship on Saturday, March 4, at Cornerstone Aquatics Center with the Boys’ Team placing first with 368 points and the Girls’ Team placing fourth with 175 points.
The love and passion of sports has led Class of 1968 alumnus Richard Kent to pursue a new professional venture as both an adjunct sports law professor and business partner with SANIL, a sports agency that helps collegiate student-athletes navigate ownership of their name, image, and likeness.
It all starts with a question. What is this? How does this work? What is the hypothesis to the problem? Students in Grades 4-6 investigated those questions and turned them into answers as they put their scientific knowledge on display at the Lower School Science Fair.
Class of 1999 alumnus Jesse Sorrentino, D.D.S., has made it his mission to connect with patients and provide them with the best treatment options and care as the owner of BPS Periodontics, a private periodontal practice with two offices in Simsbury and Farmington.
The colorful illustrations and vivid animal imagery of children’s author Jan Brett came to life as fifth-grade students celebrated Read Across America Day by turning her stories of The Hat, Cozy, and The Mitten into a live theater performance in Swain Library.
The Academic Decathlon Team composed of senior Anish Dhawan, sophomores Theodora Aslan, Helena Chaine, Daniella Li Alexander Yi, and freshman Tobias Liu placed second overall at the CT State Competition of the U.S. Academic Decathlon at New Fairfield High School
The Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team returned to the Beckerman Athletic Center for the first game of the Fairchester Athletic Association League Tournament against Greenwich Academy on Tuesday, February 21, winning 60-17.
What traits and characteristics make us unique? How do we celebrate individuality? Those are the questions the Hamden Hall community was asked to ponder as all three school divisions came together to create a collage full of colorful Hornets that are now affixed to hives around campus. This project served as the second activity for the ongoing No Place for Hate campaign.
What traits and characteristics make us unique? How do we celebrate individuality? Those are the questions the Hamden Hall community was asked to ponder as all three school divisions came together to create a collage full of colorful Hornets that are now affixed to hives around campus. This project served as the second activity for the ongoing No Place for Hate campaign.
What traits and characteristics make us unique? How do we celebrate individuality? Those are the questions the Hamden Hall community was asked to ponder as all three school divisions came together to create a collage full of colorful Hornets that are now affixed to hives around campus. This project served as the second activity for the ongoing No Place for Hate campaign.
John Evers Robinson, Class of 1983, died in New Haven, Conn., in March of 1990 at the age of 24. Sadly, John met his demise at the hands of an unknown assailant in New Haven, and the case remains unsolved.
While at Hamden Hall, John played soccer, basketball, and was a member of the academic club called High School Bowl, the debate team, and on the staff of the school newspaper, The Advent. According to his classmates, he was friends with everyone!
John was a musician, and at the time of his death was the bass player and vocalist for an ‘80s band. In the last months of his life, John was working on the band’s first album. After his death, friends and family pooled money to produce the record posthumously.
A 1990 article written by Howard Altman for the New Haven Advocate described him as a gifted student, good friend, and strongly opinionated person who could win many arguments with points and wit. According to friends, he did everything 300 percent. “John was everyone’s friend, from the homeless person on the street to the Yale professor. He brought people together from different worlds. He would spend his last dime to help a friend. His smile lit up his whole face. He was a talented musician and one of the kindest of people. That’s the way he lived his life.”
The Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team returned to the Beckerman Athletic Center for Senior Night and to play the last home game of the regular season against Masters School on Saturday, February 18, winning 76-49.
A former U.S. Olympic gold medalist swimmer, Eric Shanteau, once said, “Being happy outside the pool means fast swimming in the pool.” Based on the season thus far, the Hamden Hall swim team is clear proof of that wisdom. The boys team recently finished 3rd in the Fairchester Athletic Association meet, and both they and the girls were thoroughly dominant in capturing another CISAC title last Wednesday at the Beckerman Center. They are also poised to make a run at yet another New England prep title. Yet in speaking with both head coach, Jen Lyman, as well as a number of senior captains, the success of this season is not to be measured by simply the wins and losses, but by how much fun the team has while swimming and in enjoying each other’s company and efforts.
The Co-ed Varsity Swimming and Diving Team captured titles at the Connecticut Independent School Athletic Conference (CISAC) Championships on Wednesday, February 15, with the Boys’ Team scoring 229 points and the Girls’ scoring 191.
The impressive talent of Hamden Hall’s Music Department will take center stage at the upcoming Connecticut All-State Festival as a host of Upper School choral and instrumental students qualified for the prestigious event following their audition at the Southern Region High School Festival.
Dr. H. Michael (Mike) Fiskio, Class of 1953, died on January 27, 2023, at the age of 87, at home in Middlebury, Vt. He was born in New Haven, CT. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, and three children. He was predeceased by his brother and Hamden Hall alumnus Peter Fiskio Jr., Class of 1950.
He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery at the University of Maryland in 1960. He then joined the U.S. Army, where he served in the Dental Corps from 1960 to1962. Following his discharge, he opened a dental practice in New Haven, CT.
Hamden Hall extends condolences to the Fiskio family. To read full obituary, please click here.
The Co-ed Varsity Swimming and Diving Team competed in the Fairchester Athletic Association League Invitational on Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11.
Class of 2020 alumnus Michael Lee has kept his passion for music and live performance alive as he is a full-time orchestra and board member of the Davenport Pops Orchestra at Yale University.
February marks the month-long celebration of Black History Month, and to honor important figures throughout history, sophomore Peighton Alston and senior Konye Taylor, president and vice president of the Black Student Union respectively, have been sending out daily emails featuring quotes and fun facts about notable people in Black history. The correspondences include scholar Carter G. Woodson, civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, mathematician for NASA Katherine Johnson, and many more.
How best to explore U.S. history and create an engaging learning atmosphere has been the question for Upper School history teacher Matthew Thomsen as he has worked diligently to redesign the current U.S. Honors History class.
While she couldn’t make it back under the pines for our special Class of 1998 re-shirting ceremony, alumna Ekita Shaw was nonetheless happy to hear about this new tradition of commemorating the longevity of Alumni Lifers.
Class of 1998 alumna Megan Brownstein Rutstein will be re-shirted as an Alumni Lifer during our annual Lifers’ Shirting Ceremony on campus. Megan was shirted 25 years ago along with four of her classmates. As part of a new tradition, Megan will once again don a special T-shirt commemorating the fact that she was in our halls from PreSchool through Grade 12.
Class of 1998 alumnus and current parent Marko Lujic has dedicated his career to the field of medicine. He is currently an attending general surgeon with Hartford Heath Care Medical Group with offices in Southington and Plainville.
The Co-ed Varsity Swimming and Diving Team competed against Christian Heritage School, Covenant of Sacred Heart, and Williams School in a dual-meet on Saturday, February 4.
The origin of how the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac were selected came to life as first-grade students performed The Animal's Race: A Play About the ChineseZodiac for parents and students in the Taylor Performing Arts Center with an art showcase reception following.
The Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team tipped off against Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Masters School on Saturday, February 4, winning 77-65.
The interest of learning and passion for education remains steadfast for Class of 1998 alumnus and Lifer Scott Sheridan as he currently serves as the Lower and Middle School Educational Technology Integration Specialist at Westtown School, a K-12 boarding school in West Chester, Penn.
Playing with magnets is one of the earliest scientific discoveries children can unearth. Lower School science teacher Steve Jewett incorporated that “aha moment” into his classroom lesson as fifth-grade students have become immersed in the world of magnetism.
Playing with magnets is one of the earliest scientific discoveries children can unearth. Lower School science teacher Steve Jewett incorporated that “aha moment” into his classroom lesson as fifth-grade students have become immersed in the world of magnetism.
Classroom 35 on the third floor of the Whitson Building bustled with district and defense attorneys, character witnesses, reporters, jury members, and a judge as seventh-grade students brought author John Steinback’s book, Of Mice and Men, to life in a mock trial presentation.
It’s February 2nd and Punxsutawney Phil, the legendary groundhog came out of his burrow today and saw his shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter. So how well would Phil do, or any sports analyst for that matter, in attempting to accurately predict the future for the Girls Varsity Basketball team, who have already surpassed all expectations for this season, and have done so without their McDonald’s All American standout?
However they finish this season - and they are currently on track to vie for both the Fairchester League and New England titles again - clearly it’s the ride, and not the final stop, that means the most to the players. Eveani Okwuosa, a senior guard, says the chemistry is even better than last year. “We miss Kendra Hill and Ellie Moffat for sure, but with another year together, we have incredible chemistry. We are not only positive, but everyone can also be very honest with each other; we are all comfortable with offering and accepting feedback that pushes us harder.”
It was a mini-reunion for Class of 1980 alumna Helene Timpson Carter and Class of 1981 alumna Pamela Weltzein as they recently met up in San Francisco where they were both visiting family. The two have stayed in touch throughout the years and spent time catching up and wandering through Chinatown.
The Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey Team defended their home ice against Fairchester Athletic Association League rival St. Luke’s School on Friday, January 27, winning 3-2.
January 22 marked the start of Lunar New Year, a multi-day celebration that signals the arrival of spring in many Asian cultures. From classroom activities and projects, to art shows and assemblies, all three divisions are taking part in celebrating and learning more about the holiday and its traditions.
January 22 marked the start of Lunar New Year, a multi-day celebration that signals the arrival of spring in many Asian cultures. From classroom activities and projects, to art shows and assemblies, all three divisions are taking part in celebrating and learning more about the holiday and its traditions.
January 22 marked the start of Lunar New Year, a multi-day celebration that signals the arrival of spring in many Asian cultures. From classroom activities and projects, to art shows and assemblies, all three divisions are taking part in celebrating and learning more about the holiday and its traditions.
Class of 1996 alumna Heather Kramer Giordano has been working as a nurse practitioner for a hematology/oncology practice affiliated with White Plains Hospital in White Plains, N.Y., for almost 10 years.
The power of giving back to those in need is deeply rooted in the Hamden Hall experience and Middle School students commenced the first installment of their annual community service project, Life is Delicious. The program provides patrons at the Columbus House Overflow Shelter in New Haven with a hot meal and community connections. This year marks the first year the students hand- served the meal since 2020.
The Co-ed Varsity Swimming and Diving Team welcomed Greenwich Country Day School and Dexter Southfield School to the Beckerman Athletic Center Natatorium for a tri-meet on Friday, January 20.
The Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey Team took to the ice at the Ralph Walker Skating Rink against Kingswood-Oxford School in a league match on Friday, January 20.
The Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team competed in the Rose Classic Super Jam on Sunday, January 15, against Friends Central School and Neumann Goretti, ending with a 1-1 record.
In a call to action to serve others, Class of 2018 alumna Alexa Cornacchia has joined Nelson Ambulance in North Haven as an emergency medical technician.
Edward M. Shay, Class of 1977, died peacefully on January 11, 2023 after a long battle with brain cancer.
Ted was born in the Morris Cove section of New Haven, and spent most of his childhood in Orange. At the time of his passing, he was living in Guilford with his wife, Sybil, and three children, Michael, Alexandra, and Teddy.
Ted went on to graduate from Providence College with a business degree. Having a need to be active, he became an electrician.
Ted followed in his dad's footsteps and grew up playing hockey. He was a member of the Hamden Hall Hockey Teams where he formed a large group of life-long friends that stayed close. In 2018, Ted and his teammates were inducted into the Hamden Hall Sports Hall of Fame.
Since his diagnosis last year, Ted had been meeting with his former Hamden Hall classmates and ice hockey teammates on a weekly basis. Those classmates included Nick O'Brien 1976, Peter Hiza 1977, Brian O'Connor 1977, Ron Petrillo 1977, Bill Cummings 1978, John McColl 1978, Mike Poole 1978, Bill Riegelmann 1978, Doug Theroux 1978, Paul Winch 1978, Bill Carroll 1979, Mike Sequino 1979, Mark Ward 1979, Charlie Corvi 1981, and former coach Bob Schroeder. As such, the friends had been meeting regularly to support Ted during his most challenging days.
Hamden Hall extends sincere condolences to Ted's family and friends. To read Ted's obituary, please click here.
The Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey team faced off against Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Greenwich Country Day School on Thursday, January 12, winning 4-3.
The Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team competed against Fairchester Athletic Association League rival Greenwich Country Day School on Wednesday, January 11, winning 74-27.
Designing a solution to the real-world issue of excessive energy production requires understanding of different scientific methods. With Middle School Science teacher Paulomi Aldo, eighth-grade students turned their classroom unit study of thermal energy and heat transfer into a project-based learning activity and presentation.
Sixth-graders got the chance to earn money and shop for gifts in a fun classroom activity called “Calandrelli Cash,” as led by and named after Grade 6 teacher Andrea Calandrelli. Besides being fun, the activity allowed students to hone their math skills.
The Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey Team returned home to the Ralph Walker Skating Rink to compete against Fairfield Country Day School on Monday, January 9, winning 6-3.
Rear Admiral Clifford DeWolf of Litchfield, Arizona, died on April 13, 2019, and is buried in the National Cemetery in Washington, DC. Clifford is an alumnus of the Hamden Hall Class of 1946. He was married to the former Marcia Staub of Waterford, Conn., and they had five children.
Clifford, a native of New Haven, graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1950. He also attended Georgetown University where he earned a Juris Doctor Degree in 1957. Following his graduation from the Coast Guard Academy as an Ensign in 1950, he was subsequently promoted as follows: Lieutenant (junior grade) in 1952; Lieutenant in 1955; Lieutenant Commander in 1961; Commander on July 1, 1966; Captain on February 1, 1972. His date of rank as Rear Admiral began July 1, 1978.
He served aboard many Coast Guard cutters in his career, and was the Coast Guard's principal legislative counsel during the development and enactment of the Federal Boat Safety Act and the Ports and Waterways Safety Act.
Prior to assuming command of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, he was the Coast Guard's Chief Counsel.
Admiral DeWolf's awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Coast Guard Commendation Medal.
Hamden Hall extends condolences to the DeWolf family.
Cross-cultural festivities foster a sense of community, and students in the Jewish Student Union and Hispanic Student Union came together prior to the holiday break to celebrate and learn more about each other’s respective traditions and customs.
The Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team won its first game of the new year against Rocky Hill School of Rhode Island on Saturday, January 7, with a score of 51-48.
The Co-ed Varsity Swimming and Diving Team returned to the pool on Friday, January 7, to compete in a tri-meet against Masters School and Westover School.
Class of 2002 alumnus Josh Elliott won his reelection campaign to continue his work as the State Representative for the 88th District House in the Connecticut General Assembly. He was originally elected in 2016 and began serving in 2017 for the town of Hamden.
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.