Dear RCDS Families,

I hope you and your loved ones are well. As our students and faculty continue to impress and inspire us through their work during RCDS@home, it is important to pause and take stock of all that is happening for all of us. The abrupt transition to online learning represented uncharted waters for school communities around the world. I am proud that the Rye Country Day community—students, families, faculty, and staff alike—has risen to the challenge with its signature dedication and energy.

It is not lost on me just how momentous this transition and adaptation are. From teaching and learning to daily life, we are all learning new ways to do things, rethinking the way we have been doing them, and navigating continuous change. It can be daunting and exhausting, but out of challenge comes opportunity. I am working to be mindful of this every day. This difficult time has shown me just how much we can accomplish, even under extraordinary duress. Whether it is Upper School students meeting with computational biology experts or the Rye Mayor via Zoom, Middle School artists making evocative art about the changed and quiet world they see out their windows, or Lower School students donning superhero masks and capes in an adorable reminder of the bravery of even our youngest community members, we are carrying on.

There are a number of questions about the coming weeks and months, and what all of this means for Rye Country Day School. Right now, I'm afraid there are still unanswered questions, but I do want to update you on our thinking around a few key events and thoughts about the future:

• Will the RCDS campus remain closed for the rest of the school year?
  Earlier today, Governor Cuomo extended his order for school closures through the end of the academic year. This news is desperately sad, but not surprising. Many of us, administrators and faculty included, have spent the last few weeks preparing for the seeming inevitability that campus would not open again this school year. All along, I have asked us not to make decisions before we are required to do so, but rather, to plan so that we are ready when decisions are made. As of today, the decision is now made. Rye Country Day's campus will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. That said, Rye Country Day School is very much open and in session as we continue to deliver the School's mission via RCDS@home.
  
  
• What are our plans for end-of-year events?
  With Governor Cuomo's decision today to close schools for the remainder of the academic year, we will now focus on creating virtual end-of-year celebrations and events. Efforts are under way to gather creative ideas and input from the seniors and their parents. This is a very difficult topic for everyone involved as we are all grieving the loss and disruption caused by this pandemic. While planning is still in process, we do know: 1) The senior class will gather in-person at some point on campus for a graduation ceremony. Even if it is not until mid-summer or next fall, we will make certain that this happens. 2) We will do something virtually during the scheduled Grade 8 and Grade 12 graduations and Grade 4 moving-up ceremony. 3) We will make sure that the Class of 2020 knows how important they are to the School and how proud we all are of their many accomplishments and contributions to our community. They have shown an incredibly positive spirit and real resilience during these challenging times. They deserve a very special celebration!
  
  
• What is going to happen with summer programming? Will Mini Camps happen? What about June Camps? Summer Session? ACTION?
  I assume the Governor's recent orders mean schools are closed through the public school calendar, which is late June. In anticipation of this possibility, we purposefully held off on Mini Camps and June Camps registrations. We will now work with Mini Camps Director Nicole Leath, Athletic Director Wendy Haft, and the division principals to see if Mini Camps and June Camps can be adapted to distance learning in some format.
  
  Governor Cuomo indicated that a decision about school closures for the summer will be made by the end of May. The RCDS Summer School can happen on campus or online, if necessary, using distance learning; therefore, we are continuing to accept registrations for Summer School courses. We know there is interest in taking some Upper School required courses, such as Health and Introduction to Computer Science. In addition, Summer School Director Kyle Mitschele is looking to add more academic enrichment courses.
  
  Academic ACTION is an academic enrichment program that Rye Country Day offers to students from neighboring public middle schools. We intend to run this program on campus or online, depending on the Governor's decision regarding school closures.
  
  
• What about next year?
  We know that many colleges and universities are announcing plans for next fall as we speak. We are in the fortunate position of not needing to make such decisions right away. But, rest assured, we are discussing and preparing plans for multiple scenarios. Most important at this time is that we get through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year on strong footing. This summer, we will assess where classes ended, what was not covered, and where we need to start next fall. We also will take stock of all that we learned during RCDS@home and develop plans for next year. We will have medical, educational, and technology advisory committees informing our decisions, and whatever we do, we will do it thoughtfully and with our students' wellbeing at the center. Our greatest hope is that we will all be together again in person come fall. If this is not possible, we are fortunate to have the time this summer to plan and prepare so we can flexibly innovate and quickly implement solutions around technology, schedules, class size, and health/safety measures in order to maximize the on campus experience.

In the meantime, remember, we are in this together, and we will get through this together. In the days and weeks, and even months to come, we will remain connected and we will continue to support one another. And, we will look forward very much to that wonderful day when we will be together in person again.

In partnership,

Scott A. Nelson
Headmaster

From Yuto Abe '22, Hudson Friedman '22, Ellie Stevens '22, Diego Morales Ciriaco '22, Jack Merrill '22, and Peter Nicholas '22

A group of Grade 10 student-athletes has teamed up off the field to give back and help the many people who are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. Knowing that public purpose is enhanced through partnership, Yuto Abe '22 reached out to God's Love We Deliver, an organization that prepares and delivers nutritious, high-quality meals to people struggling with serious illnesses in New York City, Westchester, and Nassau Counties, and parts of New Jersey. After working with the organization to understand its needs, Yuto created the fundraising team Wildcats Paving the Way! with Hudson Friedman '22, Ellie Stevens '22, Diego Morales Ciriaco '22, Jack Merrill '22, and Peter Nicholas '22. To date, they have raised nearly $3,000, funding more than 275 meals for God's Love We Deliver clients.

Commenting on this student-led effort, Director of Public Purpose Rebecca Drago shared, "These students have been thoughtful about the ways they approached the project, asking questions when they have them but ultimately leading the way on supporting this organization. I am proud that these students took such initiative during a time of need!"

Read more about Wildcats Paving the Way! here https://www.glwd.org/blog/wildcats-paving-the-way-in-westchester/

Seniors,

So many years of pride and joy, culminating into your Senior day. Enjoy your day as we celebrate each of you. Thank you for the memories that will last a lifetime.

Love,
Your RCDS Coaches

Check out this masterful RCDS@home digital collaboration by the WildScats, Rye Country Day School's Upper School a cappella group! Special thanks to Music Director Mary Marcell and Middle School Computer Science teacher Don Fitz-Roy for helping our students put this together.

Senior Peggy Helman has been selected to receive a 2020 St. Vincent's Hospital Youth Award. Every spring, the Auxiliary Board of St. Vincent's Hospital Westchester recognizes area high school students whose volunteer service exemplifies the hospital's core values of respect, integrity, compassion, and excellence.

This recognition includes a U.S. Congressional Certificate of Achievement and the St. Vincent's Presidential Certificate. Peggy will also be featured on the St. Vincent's Youth Awards website and in the hospital's spring newsletter.

Peggy is an outstanding student who has demonstrated a deep commitment to public purpose and community service during her years at Rye Country Day. As a 2019 Community Engagement Fellow, she collected and analyzed lead levels in New York and Westchester water in partnership with the New York League of Conservation Voters. As president of the RCDS Environmental Club, she organized a school-wide climate march in conjunction with the global youth climate march, leading over 100 RCDS Upper Schoolers to Rye City Hall in collaboration with peers at Rye High School. Peggy also co-founded Students Having Open Conversation, an open forum on campus for discussing current events and pertinent issues at the School. Peggy has also taught piano and trumpet through A-Chord for Kids, a student-led volunteer program through which Upper School students teach music to children at the Port Chester Carver Center. Read her submission for the award, which outlines her Public Purpose work, here.

Congratulations, Peggy!

Aldo Stefanoni '20 was awarded a scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Aldo was selected from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding national finalists. Scholarship recipients are those that are judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Congratulations, Aldo!

Check out Spot, the robot 'dog' that is helping remind people in Singapore to maintain a safe social distance! Spot was designed by Boston Robotics, where RCDS alumnus Al Rizzi '82 is Chief Scientist. Spot has become a central figure in Boston Dynamics's response to COVID-19, which uses mobile robots to protect healthcare workers and now the public.

Video from CNN:

Video from Boston Dynamics:

In October 2018 Dr. Rizzi visited Rye Country Day students to discuss the amazing robots he's developed over the years.

We are pleased to announce that this year's Graduation speaker is Chiamaka Nwakeze, RCDS Class of 2006. Chiamaka is a joint graduate student at Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health through the NIH M.D./Ph.D. Partnership Training program. After completing her doctorate at Columbia, Chiamaka will attend Harvard Medical School.

After her outstanding RCDS career, Chiamaka received her A.B. with high honors in neurobiology from Harvard University. At Harvard's 2010 Commencement, Chiamaka was one of two student speakers (view her speech here).

Rye Country Day is thrilled to welcome Chiamaka to our virtual Graduation ceremony to speak to the Class of 2020 as we honor these impressive graduates for their many accomplishments.

As the school year nears its conclusion, Rye Country Day students are excited to share their culminating creative work! This page is a virtual gallery for our signature end-of-year exhibitions and art events, including:

All-School Art Exhibition
This showcase features work from students across all grades from spring and year-long art courses.

The 15 THINGS Community Art Project
Students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni arranged a collage of 15 items that have been meaningful to them during RCDS@home and submitted photographs of themselves with the items. A poignant opportunity to pause, reflect, and create.

Senior Art Portfolios
The Class of 2020 shares their impressive and inspiring artwork, marking the conclusion of their RCDS career.

Film Festival
This annual festival showcases the directing, acting, editing, cinematography and screenwriting talent in the RCDS community.

VISIT THE ART WEEK WEBSITE HERE

Dear RCDS Families,

Last Friday, I again had the pleasure of participating in our weekly Coffee & Conversations virtual Q&A hosted by the Parents Association. The topic of discussion was preparing for the 2020-21 school year. For those who could not join us, I write today with a summary of what was shared. I hope you will pardon the length of this letter, but to be overly brief would be to minimize what is of great and nuanced consequence. So, I hope you will join for me a valuable, albeit lengthy, read.

Let me start with addressing the question on everybody's mind: Rye Country Day School intends to open in-person in the fall to the full extent permitted by authorities. To that end, the Board of Trustees and I have assembled a Re-Opening Task Force, comprising medical, facilities, technology, legal, curriculum, communications, finance, and professional development committees. The steering committee's guiding query is: How can we continue to deliver our mission and the signature Rye Country Day learning experience in the fall, knowing that there are numerous uncertainties? First and foremost, we will, as we have done since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, follow the guidelines of government and health officials at the local, state, and national levels. Given that many experts have predicted a possibility of a second wave of the novel coronavirus, we want to make sure that we are able to deliver our mission in-person, remotely, or as a "hy-flex" blend of the two, with the ability to pivot nimbly between modes of instruction, if necessary.

Re-Opening Communications
For your planning purposes, you can expect to receive updates from me on the dates listed below:

• On Monday, June 8, you will receive a letter with an update on our planning for 2020-21
• On Friday, June 19, these updates will be discussed at a Coffee & Conversations Zoom gathering hosted by the Parents Association
• On Tuesday, June 30, you will receive a follow up letter with additional updates, and our concrete opening plan.

I understand the level of email communication has been overwhelming during this time of social distancing and remote learning, but I ask that you please look out for these messages and set aside time to read them in full as they will address pressing matters.

Where We Are Headed
Keeping the safety of our community as our top priority, opening school in the fall for in-person learning means being prepared to operate with robust mitigation and safety protocols. With the clarification that our planning is very much still in progress, I want to share some of the general mitigation steps recommended by the CDC that we have to consider at this moment.

• When School opens, operations may have to be adjusted to reduce density on campus because of the increased risk of transmission it poses. We will devise ways to increase the space between desks and people to at least six feet for all of our classrooms and learning spaces. Large school gatherings, field trips, and assemblies may need to be re-thought to ensure safe social distancing (when reconfiguration is not possible, certain events or experiences may be cancelled). We may also have to limit non-essential visitors and students from other schools.
  
• In the interest of density reduction, we may be allowed to have only a portion of our student population on campus at any given time, while the other portion would learn from home simultaneously. This will involve installing technology that provides remote access to classrooms from off-campus. Another possibility is staggered arrival and dismissal times. We are fortunate to have an expansive campus that presents numerous opportunities for repurposing of spaces and the redistribution of students.
  
• We also know we must manage traffic in the health office. We are considering having two health offices, with one dedicated for students who present with fevers and other potential symptoms of COVID-19 and another for all other health needs.
  
• Last but certainly not least, handwashing, personal hygiene, campus sanitization—as reinforced by CDC—will be vigilantly upheld.

How We Get There
The Board of Trustees has prepared budgets, both this year's and next, that will enable us to meet the increased needs of our community and be ready for the unforeseen investments required to prepare our spaces for flexible and perhaps blended instruction in the fall. For example, we may need to install technology and distancing equipment in each classroom to deliver a blended model; we may have to hire more nurses and more cleaning staff; and we will need to acquire additional medical materials and personal protective equipment. In addition, we have a number of families in our community who are experiencing significant financial hardship at this time due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is our collective responsibility to make sure those children remain safe, have access to food and medical treatment, and are enrolled in the school where they are known and where they belong.

Recognizing Our Families
As we re-envision the school day, we have been very cognizant of the challenges that remote learning has presented for our families. Please know that we all recognize the incredible work you have done to sustain and support your children's learning, and we thank you for your essential partnership. I have always stressed the importance of family-school partnership and collaboration, and the past few months have been a resonant affirmation of that belief. The School is committed to providing support for all families as we jointly navigate this new and changing landscape of learning. Our partnership is our strength.

Thank You
I want to thank the members of our community who have donated to #RCDStogether, an emergency appeal for the Annual Fund. These donated funds—many of which were second gifts for this fiscal year—will enable us to meet the demands of technology, financial assistance, and professional development as they continue to increase in the coming months. These gifts will also enable us to support RCDS families and students who are in need right now. The generosity of this community is testament to its dedication and commitment to the School's mission, and my gratitude is vast and deep. Thank you.

RCDS Excellence Will Endure
Rye Country Day will do everything in its power to provide the highest quality education for our students. If we have to wear masks and routinely record temperatures, we will. If we need to expand our medical staff, we will. If we cannot play team sports, we will target individual athletic opportunities. If we cannot have ensemble drama or music productions, students will express themselves through monologues and solo performances. Technology is of course key. It has set us apart during RCDS@home, and it will continue to do so next year. In addition, we will ensure that our faculty continue to receive the professional development and skill building necessary to maintain their expert instruction whether in person or online. The School will adjust, and our educational experience will retain its unparalleled excellence.

Closing Thoughts
Our mission states that in a nurturing and supportive environment, we offer a challenging program that stimulates individuals to achieve their maximum potential. Over the past three months, this community has worked collectively and tirelessly to deliver on that mission. During RCDS@home, students, families, faculty, and staff showed in the face of great adversity and on short notice that our values can and will prevail. I am so proud that Rye Country Day met the challenge of online learning head on, and we are stronger because of it.

As we approach the conclusion of the school year during what has been and what will continue to be an unprecedented time in RCDS and world history, I am humbled by the dedication of this community. Together, we are charting a path forward, and we are ensuring that our signature commitments to learning, excellence, and community carry us through. With caution and a keen eye on current developments, I close this letter expressing how eager I am to see our school resume in-person learning in the fall.

Best wishes,

Scott A. Nelson
Headmaster

On Saturday, May 16, eight RCDS students participated in a virtual Teen Makeathon with the theme of environmental solutions. The event, which was hosted by the Young Founders Institute, provided students with a "hands-on, fast-paced, collaborative design thinking exercise." Eighty-eight teen entrepreneurs from all over the country worked in groups to come up with possible solutions to the environmental issue of plastics in the ocean. Their ideas were then presented to the CEO of Renewlogy, Priyanka Bakaya, who was also the Makeathon's keynote speaker. In addition to giving students the opportunity to work directly with a sustainability CEO, the Makeathon gave participants the chance to practice mental model creation through empathy.

RCDS students learn about the issue of plastic waste in our oceans in the Sustainability curriculum and through participating in "Coastal Clean-Up" events at the Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye. This experience provided a helpful foundation for the students who participated in the Teen Makeathon.

RCDS junior Arly Rodriguez and her team pitched the idea of launching an educational campaign to teach people how to recycle more effectively. She noted, "The program gave me a shark tank vibe. A problem was presented and we had to market off our ideas or solutions. Overall, it was a great experience."

Seventh grader Isabela P., whose team presented the idea of making plastics without toxins so that the plastics can be burned instead of thrown away, reflected on the experience stating, "I learned how to express my own ideas by pitching them to people I had never seen before. I would recommend this to really anyone who would like to strengthen their communication skills and wants to become an entrepreneur—even if you are a total beginner like me!"

Sophomore Gabriella Jolly was very inspired by the event. "I learned so much both about sustainability and how to solve a widespread problem with different solutions," she said. She has already expressed interest in organizing a similar event at RCDS.

Commenting on the RCDS students' work, the Makeathon organizers shared, "They are really sharp. It was amazing getting to see the full brain power of the group at work on a single problem. The ideas came from a deep exploration of the problem and were excellent solutions!"

• Felix Dosmond '23
• Gabriella Jolly '22
• Samantha L. '25
• Xavier Lee '21
• Isabela P. '25
• Arly Rodriguez '21
• Ethan Silverman Guffey '20
• Leah S. '25

Wildcats Pave the Way!, a student-led fundraising initiative comprising Grade 10 student-athletes who are giving back to support those struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, is continuing its work. Yuto Abe '22 started the effort in partnership with God's Love We Deliver, an organization that prepares and delivers nutritious, high-quality meals to people struggling with serious illnesses in New York City, Westchester, and Nassau Counties, and parts of New Jersey.

To build on the group's already-successful fundraising efforts, Wildcats Pave the Way! member Peter Nicholas '22 developed the idea for a "24-Hour Wild Run," where participants supported by sponsors would run one mile every hour for 24 hours. The group of runners also had a special Zoom room so they could experience the big day together.

Commenting on the run, Yuto shared, "As students at RCDS, we thought it was important that we ask the RCDS community members to join in our endeavors to help those who need our help. This event was a great way to come together and connect as a community. We wouldn't have been so successful without the runners, sponsors, and everyone who supported and got involved to carry out this event." With 13 student runners along with faculty runners Mr. Ragusa and Ms. Zalph, the Wild Run, which was held on May 24, 2020, was a success. Combining athleticism with public purpose, every runner logged anywhere between 10 and 26 miles! To date, the Wildcats Pave the Way! initiative has raised over $10,000 to fund more than 1,000 meals in support of God's Love We Deliver, exceeding its initial goal of $5,000.

Participants in the 24-Hour Wild Run on May 24, 2020

Yuto Abe '22, Justin Cheigh '20, Leah Colin '22 , Hudson Friedman '22 , Lior Gurion '22, Julia Kavanagh '22, Jackson Merrill '22, Diego Morales Ciriaco '22, Peter Nicholas '22, Devan Phelan '22, Ellie Stevens '22, Christopher Suter '21, Marin Yearley '22, John Ragusa (RCDS Private Lesson Coordinator, Band Assistant, and Trumpet Teacher), and Jessica Zalph (Upper School Humanities Teacher).

Wildcats Pave the Way! Members

On Wednesday, May 27, Rye Country Day School hosted a Virtual Blue and Gold Dinner to officially welcome the Class of 2020 into the Alumni Association. Over 150 members of the RCDS community—seniors, alumni, administrators, faculty, and staff—participated in the live Zoom event, and there were a few very special surprise guests.

Alumni Executive Board President Scott Weiss '96 did the honors of bestowing alumni status on seniors, who are set to graduate on June 5 at a virtual graduation ceremony. The evening's student-nominated keynote speaker was Upper School English teacher Dr. David Lehner whose remarks were inspiring and assuring. He said to the soon-to-be graduates, "You will never lose the connection that you're feeling right now. And that sense of connection will make the transformations that you experience both in yourselves and then in each other all the more intriguing and prolific."

As the seniors applauded Dr. Lehner and reflected on his moving remarks, a few special surprises were on the way! Former White House Communications Director and ABC News Anchor George Stephanopoulos; two-time Super Bowl MVP winner and retired NY Giant quarterback Eli Manning; actor, comedian, writer, producer, and RCDS alumnus Nick Kroll '96; and American Television Journalist and presenter of CNN's Cuomo Prime Time Chris Cuomo each appeared on the screen to offer their personal congratulations and advice to the Class of 2020.The esteemed surprise guests acknowledged this challenging time in history and advised the seniors to look at their experience of graduating amidst historic uncertainty as an opportunity to become strong, resilient, and thoughtful leaders.

The night concluded with a message from the Kindergarten class, offering adorable and sage advice for the seniors as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. One savvy Kindergartner advised the seniors, ""Have fun [in college], make new friends, and do not talk back to your teachers!" Headmaster Scott Nelson, who emceed the festive evening, reminded seniors that seeing our students grow and thrive in their lives beyond RCDS brings meaning to the lives of our faculty and staff. He left them with an invitation to stay in touch and to visit the School as often as possible. RCDS will indeed always be home to our newest alumni!

It was a joyous and memorable inaugural alumni experience for the next generation of Rye Country Day leaders who have shown inspiring resilience and strength of character in addition to their outstanding achievements in the classroom and beyond.

A tradition at the Blue & Gold Dinner is the announcement of the Class Agents, who will represent the Class of 2020 and facilitate their meaningful engagement with the School, their peers, and other alumni for the next fifty years and beyond. Congratulations to Tess Asness, Laura Baine, Chris Connor, Abhi Kumar, Sabrina Rreznik, and Lucie Swan on their election as Class Agents!

VIEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE VIRTUAL BLUE & GOLD DINNER

Two RCDS student poets recently received recognition for their writing.

"Atrophy," a poem by Amelia Lower '20, was featured in the annual Storm King Poetry Festival, which showcases student poetry from throughout the Hudson Valley. Read Amelia's poem on the festival's website here. Referring to this recognition, English Department Chair Iain Pollock said, "I'm glad that the world is starting to know what has long been apparent to the English department and to her peers in OMEGA: Amelia is a talented poet!"

Earlier this spring, junior Sasha Leonard won a national Gold medal in the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for a series of poems entitled, "The Book of Lamb: a Collection of Cursed Prayers." Read Sasha's award-winning poems here Mr. Pollock referred to this prestigious award stating, "Over the fall and winter, Sasha poured sweat and spirit into writing and revising these poems, and I am glad to see this unique poetic talent receiving the recognition she so richly deserves!"

Welcome to Rye Country Day's virtual 2020 Prize Day ceremony. We are so thrilled to recognize our outstanding prize winners for their impressive achievements throughout the 2019-20 school year. Congratulations to all!

Introduction, Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents Award, and Book Awards

Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents Award: Ellen Mollerus '20, Aaron Serianni '20

Brown University Book Award: Alexander Harasimowicz '21

Columbia University Book Award: Kathryn Farrell '21

Cornell University Book Award: Andrew Felton '21

Dartmouth College Book Award: Sarah Jensen '21

Harvard College Book Award: Deepta Gupta '21

The Johns Hopkins University Alumni Book Award: Muhamed Ka '21

The Princeton University Book Award: Max Hines '21

The University of Pennsylvania Book Award: Liam Bieber '21

Wellesley College Book Award: Jordan Miller '21

Yale University Book Award: Kyle Mandell '21

Departmental Awards

Art Department

Lelia Carter Birrell '68 Award in 2-D: Olivia Friedberg '20

Lelia Carter Birrell '68 Award in 3-D: Olivia Nash '20

Lelia Carter Birrell '68 Award in Photography: Miles Chun '20

Lelia Carter Birrell '68 Award in Videography: Theresa Quinto '20

Athletic Department

FAA Scholar Athlete: Robert Fox '20, Caroline Geller '20, Aaron Serianni '20, Isabel Stronski '20

15 Varsity Letters Special Achievement: Elizabeth Friedberg '20

The Richard Le Maire '63 Award: Cullen Coleman '20

The Mary Borton Trophy: Olivia Friedberg '20, Charlotte Price '20

Classics Department

Classics Award: Vladimir Reed '20

Latin Award: Ellen Mollerus '20

Computer Science Department

Computer Science Award: Charumathi Badrinath '20, Josep Pujadas '21

Computer Science Achievement Award: Kathryn Farrell '21, Sebastian Jolly '21

Drama & Dance Department

V. Janet Lott Spirit of the Theatre Award: Mateo Gómez '20, Peggy Helman '20

Glen Robertson Memorial Award: Hunter Daum '20, Evalise Melgar '20

Dance Award: Chidera Olewuenyi '20

English Department

Sophomore English Award: Grace Casale '22, Hudson Friedman '22, Maya Kini '22

Senior English Award: Charumathi Badrinath '20, Amelia Lower '20

Creative Writing Award: Isabel Stronski '20, Graham Weber '20

Humanities Department

Joshua Bennett '06 Humanities Award: Ellen Mollerus '20, Aldo Stefanoni '20, Hannah Tanenbaum '20

Cornelius Tacitus Prize: Lourdes Geraldo Espinal '21, Max Hines '21, Katia Soares dos Santos '21

Mathematics Department

Mathematics Award: Jaume Pujadas '20, Alexander Shane '20

George Washington University Medal: Deepta Gupta '21, Sarah Jensen '21

Robert Reeser Memorial Award: Natalie Daetwiler '20, Josie Yeager '20

Modern Languages Department

Chinese Award: Lauren Mian '20

French Award: Ariane Voulgaris '20

Spanish Award: Amelia Lower '20, Wendy Corona '20

Modern Languages Award: Sebastian Lee '20, Kyle Mandell '21

Music Department

Choral Award: Mateo Gómez '20, Valeria Morales Ciriaco '20

John Philip Sousa Award: Sabrina Reznik '20

Music Award: Abhinav Kumar '20, Lauren Mian '20

Natural Sciences Department

Senior Science Award: Charumathi Badrinath '20, Abhinav Kumar '20, Jaume Pujadas '20, Aaron Serianni '20

All School Awards

Gretchen Pulvermann '30 Scholarship Award: Chidera Olewuenyi '20

Dennis Parker '73 Prize: Arianna Farquharson '20, Chidera Olewuenyi '20

Will McCurdy '05 Award: Alex Margolis '20

Class of 2008 Award: Makayla Blake '23, Tyler Moyer '23

Christine Nelson Award: Yuto Abe '22, Ritchel Amankwah '22

James P. Godfrey Award: Eesha Narain '21, Gideon Prempeh '21, Arly Rodriguez, '21

STEAM Award: Miles Chun '20, Jaume Pujadas '20

Sustainability Award: Peggy Helman '20

Mary Ann Reichhardt Memorial Award: Wendy Corona '20

Senior Deans' Award: Robert Fox '20, Olivia Nash '20

Parents Association Prize: Christopher Connor '20, Theresa Quinto '20, Sabrina Reznik '20

The Headmaster's Prize: Tess Asness '20, Charumathi Badrinath '20, Jaume Pujadas '20

Alumni Prize: Abhinav Kumar '20, Isabel Stronski '20

The Glen Robertson Award (for Faculty): David Lehner

Rye Country Day's Class of 2020 was recognized during the School's first-ever virtual Graduation Ceremony on June 5, 2020. The ceremony, which was delivered via webcast and produced by the sports and entertainment firm Van Wagner Group, featured remarks from Headmaster Scott Nelson, Senior Class President Tess Asness '20, and Graduation Speaker Chiamaka Nwakeze '06. The WildScats also gave a beautiful performance of "From a Distance" by Julie Gold.

Ms. Nwakeze, who holds her undergraduate degree in neurobiology from Harvard, is a joint doctoral student at Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health through the NIH M.D./Ph.D. Partnership Training program. After completing her doctorate at Columbia, she will attend Harvard Medical School. Ms. Nwakeze spoke to the graduates about their resilience in the face of significant change to education and everyday life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also referred to their role as "multicultural vanguards" in positively shaping America's future stating, "My hope is that your class's deep commitment to individual expression, the efficacy of dialogue to improve our understanding, and your radical inclusiveness will direct our path away from darkness and into the light of a brave, more inclusive, more just new world."

Mr. Nelson spoke not only to the graduates' high academic achievements but also to their resilience over the last few months and their inspiring strength of character. He concluded, "Congratulations to a most admirable and accomplished class of Rye Country Day School scholars. I look forward to hearing about your continuing successes. And, I know each and everyone of you will contribute to making our world a better place."

Video Clips from Virtual Graduation Broadcast:

The School capped its slate of celebratory events for the Class of 2020 with a festive Drive-Up, Diploma Pick-Up event on campus on Saturday, June 6. In partnership with the City of Rye, RCDS planned an exciting—and safe—opportunity for students to have an in-person celebration that included cheers and good wishes from over fifty faculty and staff in attendance.

Through sharing stories, listening, and voicing their call for change, RCDS students are showcasing their commitment to anti-racism, activism, and engaged citizenship.

Rising senior Eesha Narain '21 organized an all-school Coalition of Solidarity meeting, a special meeting of the Coalition of Differences initiative which was launched in fall 2020. Over 90 students, faculty, and staff gathered virtually to process and share together in community. Students thoughtfully shared their perspectives and experiences on the topics of racism and recent events. Headmaster Scott Nelson, Director of Diversity & Inclusion Ali Morgan, and Upper School principal Jon Leef also spoke on the topic of systemic racism and what we can do to be upstanders who are actively anti-racist in our advocacy for a better world. In faculty-moderated breakout rooms, participants discussed their thoughts and feelings about the current events and the longstanding, painful history of racism in America. It was a powerful moment in our community that will inform students' social justice work for the summer, which will be coordinated by the Action Against Racism initiative, a group of students and faculty coordinated by Director of Public Purpose Rebecca Drago and Director of Diversity & Inclusion Ali Morgan. Summer social justice programming, which is a continuation of and a reflection on the year's work in this area, will include book clubs, engagement opportunities, and partnerships both on campus and in the local community.

Recent graduates Ryan Hammel '20 and Bella French '20 organized and led a four-mile march through the town of Rye to demonstrate their support and dedication to fight for justice. Hundreds of local community members and RCDS students, faculty, and staff attended the march. The walk was also a fundraiser benefiting The Bail Project, a non-profit designed to combat mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system as a form of resistance against criminalizing race and poverty and an act of solidarity with local communities and movements for decarceration. To date the march has raised $5,418 in support of The Bail Project, far surpassing their goal of $3,000.

For anti-racism resources and support, please visit this page.

For more, visit ryecountryday.org/antiracism.

Dear RCDS Community,

As Headmaster Scott Nelson shared in his recent letter, moral responsibility and strength of character are mission-level values at Rye Country Day School. This means we must be anti-racist; we must be upstanders and engaged citizens. We must also acknowledge that there is serious work to do to address the issue of racism at our school and in our society. We must strive to learn by listening and asking critical questions. As a community, we are deeply committed to doing this work. We have heard from many leaders within our alumni community who are willing to join the conversation. We are grateful for your engagement, and we write today with an invitation along with resources and updates from the School.

Join the conversation
Scott Nelson has asked to meet personally with anyone who is willing to share their story and/or voice their ideas regarding race at RCDS. These meetings can be in person, via phone, or via Zoom. We, too, would like to meet with anyone interested in the same. Please reach out directly to us, and we will arrange the meetings.

Gratitude
We want to take a moment to acknowledge the members of our community—students, alumni, families, faculty, and staff—who have over the years done the crucial work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism at the School. You have given our community so much. We know that this work is difficult, and we see and appreciate your commitment. As we continue this work, we are grateful for all that you have done to bring us to this moment. We also want to acknowledge that this work can be exhausting, and this work can take a toll. To our black and brown community members, many of whom have been so active in anti-racism work at RCDS and beyond over the years, we want you to know we understand if you need or want to "sit this one out," and we respect your need to do so. We promise to have your back, to keep the work going, and to be here if/when you want to connect.

Resources
The following resources may be helpful as you process, reflect on, and learn about systemic racism in our country's history, as well as the current moment. To support the entire Rye Country Day community, there are resources on this page for teachers, students, parents/guardians, and alumni. For additional support and/or questions about these resources, or to share resources you recommend we add, please don't hesitate to contact either of us.

An update and what's to come at RCDS
Over the last weeks, students and faculty have led and participated in a number of initiatives, including an all-school student-led Coalition for Solidarity, a special meeting of the ongoing Coalition of Differences that was launched in the fall; a four-mile fundraising march through Rye led by recent graduates; a discussion and resource-sharing session for Middle School students; and numerous meetings of the Action Against Racism initiative, a group of students and faculty looking critically at our school, and working towards making RCDS an intentionally anti-racist community. We are so proud of and inspired by the leadership of our students.

This work builds on the ongoing efforts of our Diversity and Inclusion and Public Purpose initiatives, which strive to ensure that social justice and equity are central to the student, family, and faculty/staff experience at Rye Country Day. Over the course of the last school year, a 70+ person task force comprising faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, parents/guardians, and students convened to draft a Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for the coming years. The Board has endorsed the plan, which Mr. Nelson will share in its entirety in an upcoming communication.

In considering our past, present, and future work at RCDS, we must engage in constant critical assessment and honestly acknowledge that there is more for us to do to combat racism at our school and in our communities. We will be planning a number of opportunities for students, families, alumni, and faculty/staff to join and lead important conversations at the School, and we welcome your feedback and active participation. Be on the lookout for announcements about new programs soon.

Black lives matter.

In community,

Ali Morgan
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
ali_morgan@ryecountryday.org

Rebecca Drago
Director of Public Purpose
rebecca_drago@ryecountryday.org