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.
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
At Lower School Assembly on Friday, February 24, students shared some activities and projects they worked on this past month honoring Black History Month. They delved into Black history makers such as writers, actors, athletes, inventors, activists and astronauts. PreSchool/ PreK students wore space helmets they made as they shared information about Mae Jemison, the first Black woman astronaut to go up into space. The kindergarteners showed art work inspired by Alma Thomas who was an artist who used lots of shapes and colors in her paintings. They also shared that she was the first African American woman to have her art showcased at the White House. The third grade class read the book Giant Steps to Change The World by Spike Lee and learned that you don’t have to be big or strong to take action to create social change like Marva Collins or Muhammed Ali, but you do need to be brave and speak the truth. Other Black historic figures featured in the assembly were George Washington Carver, Garrett Morgan, Ruby Bridges, Misty Copeland, Jesse Owens, Mathew Henson, Bessie Coleman, Katherine Johnson and President Barack Obama. The students did a wonderful job researching, creating, and presenting work based on the lives and legacies of some of the Black American heroes they studied this month.
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.
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.
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.