Student News Summer 2011

PCS at a Glance
August 2011
Student
Milestones
Eliza Fath (Gr. 10) won the
American
Chamber
Symphony
competition and soloed with the
symphony on June 11th playing the
Hayden C Cello Concerto.
Jake Helgenberg (Gr. 12) will be
joining the Pennsylvania Balletʼs
Company
2
this
September.
Meaghan Dutton OʼHara (Gr. 12)
and Peter Walker (Gr. 12) were
named apprentices with the New
York City Ballet Company in June.
Both seniors are students at the
School of American Ballet and were
recipients of this yearʼs Mae L. Wein
Award. Shu Kinouchi (Gr. 12) will
join American Ballet Theatreʼs Studio
Company in September.
Cece
Montgomery (Gr. 12) received a
contract to dance with the Colorado
Ballet Company.
Radio Silence NYC members Zach
Allen (Gr. 10, Timothy Holmes (Gr.
10) and Dylan Brennar (Gr. 11)
were
interviewed
on
CNNʼs
“Anderson
Cooper
360”
in
conjunction with the bandʼs antibullying campaign, parnered with
Do.Something.org.
The segment
aired on June 9, 2011.
Shir Levy (Gr. 12) won the first prize
at the 2010-11 American Protogé
Piano and Strings Competition held
on March 6, 2011 at Carnegie Hall.
STUDENT NEWS
CONTINUES INSIDE
The Class of 2011
PCS conducted its 95th Annual Commencement Exercises on
Thursday, June 16, 2011 at Merkin Concert Hall on West 67th
Street. After the graduating seniors processed to their seats on
stage, accompanied by a string arrangement of Elgar's Pomp and
Circumstance, they were welcomed by Harold S. Spitzer,
Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Dr. James Dawson, Head
of School. Mr. Spitzer thanked senior parents for their combined
Annual Fund/Senior Class Gifts totaling over $46,000 in support of
the Technology Initiative. The initiative will provide every PCS
faculty member with a laptop to further integrate technology into
the PCS curriculum. Immediately after the welcoming remarks,
the diplomas were presented by the Academic Dean, Marcy
Mann, and the Associate Head of School, Carol Kleban.
Senior Academic Awards are presented earlier at the Senior Awards
Assembly in May, but the names of the award recipients are reprinted on
page 2 of this newsletter. The recipient of the Jeffrey Lawrence Award
for Excellence in All Subjects, Christine Mozer, was asked to stand. Also
recognized were the Betty Ivey Martin Award for Outstanding Service to
the School recipients, LeRaisha Sampson and Audrey Twitchell.
Rachel Antonoff and Young Park were the recipients of this yearʼs
Alumni Awards. Following the award presentations, Dr. Dawson
addressed the Class of 2011. After Dr. Dawson's remarks, the stage
was cleared for another PCS tradition -- one last performance by
members of the graduating class, plus prepared remarks by
several seniors who had requested to speak.
Senior Honors
Excellence in Art:
Jake Helgenberg
Marie Zahn
Excellence in Chemistry:
Jacqueline Schiller
Excellence in Chorus:
Kathryn Lee
Donald Longo Award
for Creative Writing:
Peter Walker
Excellence in Drama:
Warren Craft
Excellence in
Senior English:
Agisae Kim
Excellence in French:
Chelsea Melone
Achievement in French:
Kathryn Lee
Superiority in Physics &
Mathematics:
Eamon Foley
Marie Zahn
Excellence in Spanish:
Lindsay Turkel
The performers at this yearʼs Spring Benefit included current
students and returning alumni. This yearʼs event, held on May
th
4 at the Manhattan Penthouse, raised over $100,000 for the
Tuition Assistance Fund (Photo by Jefrey Gamblé).
Outstanding Contribution Xiaoyan Erica Guo
to the Music Dept.:
Outstanding Contribution Chelsea File
to the Theater Program:
Jeffrey Lawrence Award
for Excellence in
All Subjects
Christine Mozer
Betty Ivey Martin Award
for Service to the School
LeRaisha Sampson,
Audrey Twitchell The awards were presented at the Senior Honors
Assembly on Friday morning, May 27, 2011.
Parent Open House
Thursday, October 6, 2011
6 – 9:00 p.m.
th
The Eighth Grade presented Guys and Dolls on April 13 &
th
14 .
The show was directed by Vincent Sagona, musical
supervision by Roberta Kosse, costumes by Kimberley
Fiterman-Duepner, choreography by Chelsea File ʼ11 and
backdrop by past parent Shelila Gleicher (Photo by Kimberley
Fiterman-Duepner).
Donʼt Be Left Out:
Have you been receiving monthly issues of PCS at
a Glance online? Itʼs the monthly PCS parent
newsletter, emailed to all PCS families from
September to June. If you have not been receiving
your copy, please let John Tucker know
(jtucker@pcs-nyc.org) so that he can check your
address. Glance online includes, news, deadlines,
links to photo galleries, school publications and the
website.
Student News
Grade 6
Gianna LePera appeared in a national commercial
for Red Lobster as well as one for Milgard. She
was a principal in a staged reading of “Meet Me at
the Oak” by Layon Gray.
Ted Karakitsos completed the 1st year on Level 7
with Chelsea Piers as New York State Champion
on Still Rings and New York State Champion on
Floor Exercise and he also placed 4th All Around in
the whole region.
The Eighth Grade Graduating class at the Middle School
Closing Exercises on June 10, 2011. (Photograph by
Kimbereley Fiterman-Duepner)
Charlie Plummer was recently cast in “Yeast
Nation,” a new musical from the creators of
“Urinetown.”
The show opens, like it's
predecessor, at the NY Fringe Festival this August.
Grade 7
Christian Ashdale Nosal got the part of Patrick
Thomson in HBO's "Boardwalk Empire".
Alex Wolff and his brother Nat (Gr. 10) appeared
live at School of Rock in Hackensck, NJ this spring
and at the Gramercy Theatre on Sunday, May 29th.
Grade 8
Laine Habony will attend the summer program at
the Chautauaqua Institute in upstate NY on
scholarship. She has had a wonderful year at both
PCS and SAB. She was able to perform at SAB in
several lecture demonstrations and looks forward to
the next school year!
Dash Kim (Gr. 8) trained and competed in Stowe,
Vermont this past winter.
Paige Simunovich returned to PCS this spring
after completing the "Mary Poppins" national
tour.
Winterʼs Eve Community Concert
Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, 6-7 p.m.
Grade 9
Shannen Healy continues to work on her album
scheduled for release in September. She is singing
in concerts at the Jersey Shore throughout the
summer as well as her continued performances at
Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson N.J.
Sarita Marom danced in The School of American
Ballet's Annual Workshop Performances (and
Benefit) held on June 4th and 7th this year. Sarita
attended the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet
(CPYB) 5 Week Summer Program, and the Fabrice
Herrault 2 Week Intensive August Course. Sheʼll
also be travelling to Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.
Clara Miller will be spending attending the summer
intensive program at Boston Ballet School.
Mason Ripka competed in the Westchester Open,
the Pro Squash Tour's (PST) first major (Jan. 31Feb. 4) at clubs throughout Westchester County
(NY). Mason is among the top ten nationally and
internationally ranked junior players in his age
group.
Naoko Tajima gave a recital at Juilliard's Morse
Hall on Feb. 12th.
3 Jonathan represented PCS by performing at the
annual meeting of the Lincoln Square Business
Improvement
District
in
June.
Jonathan
accompanied the one-woman show, "One Night
with Fanny Brice," which ran all spring offBroadway.
Skyla Schreter will attend Miami City Ballet and
Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell in
Washington, DC.
Hee So Son attended the National Young Leaders
Conference in Washington, D.C. this spring.
Jonathan Russell (Gr. 10) performing at the Lincoln Square
Business Improvement Districtʼs Annual Meeting on May 25,
2011.
Jonathan represented PCS before an audience of
community leaders, including New York City District Attorney
Cyrus Vance and New York City Council member Gale Brewer
(Photo by John Tucker).
Grade 10
Zach Allen and the other members of the band
Radio Silence NYC appeared on a segment of
CNNʼs “Anderson Cooper 360” that aired on June
9, 2011.
Gabrielle Estep will be a Junior next year at PCS,
and will be continue to train at the School of
American Ballet, for her third year. This summer
she will participate in the SSDI (Saratoga Summer
Dance Intensive) Program, while the NYC Ballet
will be performing there. Also, she will attend the
Pacific Northwest Ballet's School's summer course
in Seattle, Washington.
Eliza Fath
won
the
American
Chamber
Symphony competition. She soloed
with
the
th
Symphony on June 11 playing the Hayden C Cello
Concerto.
Brianna Gentilella played Amber in "Hairspray" at
the Tarrytown Music Hall (Jan. 29-Feb. 6). Timothy Holmes and the other members of the
band Radio Silence NYC appeared on a segment
of CNNʼs “Anderson Cooper 360” that aired on
June 9, 2011.
Jonathan Russell
performed
with
Peoebe
Legere at Iridium on May 17 and with the jazz
band, Giant Cicada at Feinsteinʼs in June.
4 Sarah Steele won Gold in the 16-18 year-old
Category 3 at the Berlin International Ballet
Competition in February. She danced in the closing
gala performance.
Nat Wolff and his brother Alex (Gr. 7) appeared
live at School of Rock in Hackensck, NJ this spring
and at the Gramercy Theatre on Sunday, May 29th.
Grade 11
Brianna Abruzzo performed in SABSʼ workshop
performances in June. She will attend the San
Francisco Ballet School summer intensive for 5
weeks and then the Pacific Northwest Ballet
summer intensive for 2 weeks.
Ari Breitman danced in the Ellison Ballet Spring
Showcase, May 28 & 29, at the Capezio Theatre.
Dylan Brenner and the other members of the band
Radio Silence NYC appeared on a segment of
CNNʼs “Anderson Cooper 360” that aired on June
9, 2011.
Harrison Coll danced in the SAB Workshop
Performances, June 4 & 7. He performed in two
ballets: Who Cares and Les Gentilhommes. This
summer Harriosn will be attending the Pacific
Northwest Summer Intensive for 5 weeks.
Rachel de la Torre placed 4th in uneven bars,
Level 10
New
York
States
Gymnastics
Championship in March and went on to the
regionals held in Boston April 15-April 17.
Silas Farley danced in the SAB Workshop
Performances in June. He attended the summer
intensive at Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle.
Montana Forster just completed another year at
Joffrey Ballet School. She is also part of AIM
Broadway Dance Center's youth performance
company. She recently won the Rising Star Award
for her solo performance at the AIM Invitational
held at The Kaye Playhouse. Montana was
featured on a recent episode of the “Dr. Oz Show”
along with other members of AIM. Montana is
currently working with choreographer Maria Torres
and will be performing at various venues in the
upcoming year.
Reed Kessler was selected to represent the
United States on the USEF European young riders
team. The team has had great success. Reed has
enjoyed multiple individual wins and the team has
twice so far finished silver medalists (2nd) at
Bonheiden Belgium and Reims France.
Shir Levy won the first prize winner at the 20102011 American Protégé International Piano and
Strings Competition held in Carnegie Hall on March
6th.
Pei-Wen Liao toured China in the fall of 2010.
She was the violin soloist with orchestras in 13
cities.
Grade 12
Jake Helgenberg accepted a position with
Pennsylvania Ballet 2 and will begin his
employment with the company in early September.
During the month of August he will resume training
with Francois Perron at the French Academie of
Ballet in preparation for his new position .
Ellie Hitt danced in
Performances in June.
the
SAB
Workshop
Meagan Dutton OʼHara danced in the SAB
Workshop Performances in June where she was
presented with a Mae L. Wein Award. Megan was
recently made an apprentice with the New York
City Ballet Company.
Shu Kinouchi performed with American Ballet
Theater (ABT) program at the Kennedy Center in
Washington, D.C. He has been attending the ABT
Summer Intensive in New York for five years as a
National Training Scholar and will join the ABT
Seniors Audrey Twitchell and LeRaisha Sampson, pictured
above with Dr. Dawson, were this yearʼs recipients of the Betty
Martin Ivey Award for Outstanding Service to the School
(Photo by John Tucker).
Studio Company in September.
Erez Milatin danced in the Ellison Ballet Spring
Showcase on May 28 and 29 at the Capezio
Theatre.
Cece Montgomery received a contract to dance
with the Colorado Ballet Company.
Christine Mozer is one of 20 young people
selected to receive a 2010 Young Heroes Award.
Honorees are featured in a year-long exhibit at the
National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.
Abbey Smith danced in the SAB Workshop
Performances in June. This summer Abbey will be
attending the Miami City Ballet summer intensive
dance program.
Dustin True danced in the SAB Workshop
Performances in June.
Lindsay Turkel danced in the SAB Workshop
Performances in June.
Peter Walker danced in the SAB Workshop
Performances in June where he was presented
with a Mae L. Wein Award. Peter was recently
made an apprentice with the New York City Ballet
Company.
5 PCSS at a Glance/Student News
Upcoming Events
Sept. 8 , Thurs.
is published by the Office of Public Relations
John Tucker, Editor
jtucker@pcs-nyc.org
Dr. James Dawson, Head of School
Carol Kleban, Associate Head of School
Dania Nauholnyk, Head of Middle School
Marcy Mann, Academic Dean
Sherrie Hinkle, Director of Admissions
Patricia Wallendjack, Director of Development
Victoria Mancuso, Business Manager
Amanda Bastian, Assoc. Director of Development
John Tucker, Public Relations Coordinator
Thanks to all of our student and parent contributors and
to Kimberley Fiterman Duepner, Pat Wallendjack and
Val at Albertʼs Printing.
The next issue of Student News will be published in
December 2011. You may send news for the next issue
to John Tucker (jtucker@pcs-nyc.org).
Sept. 12, Mon.
Sept. 29, Thurs.
Oct. 6, Thurs.
Oct. 10 , Mon.
Annual Circle Line Cruise
5:45 -8:15 p.m. Contact the
Development Office for
details (ex. 118 or 115).
Classes Begin
Rosh Hashanah, School
Closed
Parent Open House, 6-9 PM
Columbus Day, School
Closed
Admission Open House
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
PCS at a Glance/Student News
132 West 60th Street
New York, New York 10023-7402
Supporting the Arts
Celebrating the Mind since 1914
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