by the CA Communications Intern Team
Kennedy Byrd (‘18), Lily Lee (‘18), Maya Agnihotri (‘19), Alex Bandong (‘19), Abby Geigerman (‘19)
While summer is a time of relaxation, it is also a time to try new things and embark on different types of learning opportunities. This is true for students, and also our employees. Here is just a sampling.
Just in time to understand the recent controversy over historical monuments, Assistant Head of Upper School Michael McElreath (above) spent most of his summer exploring U.S. history and memory with seven CA students. They travelled extensively in North Carolina and made a week-long trip that took them to Charlottesville, Harper’s Ferry, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Washington, DC. Here, the photogenic group is standing in front of the main North Carolina memorial at Gettysburg National Battlefield.
This summer, Upper School English teachers Kara Caccuitto and Kristi McGauley spent a week studying with other educators at Pembroke College, University of Oxford. Mrs. Caccuitto took a course called Shakespeare in History, reading and analyzing plays and secondary material. Each day the teachers explored different plays, attended seminars, and had discussions. Outside of classes, they were able to connect with teachers from around the world and learn about their different educational systems. As tourists, the teachers were able to see the famed Bodleian Libraries, climb the bell tower, see the plays Mucho Ado About Nothing, and Love’s Labours Lost, take fencing lessons, go punting on the river, and preview an exhibit on Jane Austen.
This summer, alumni coordinator Kathleen Mason and her family celebrated a special milestone: the 90th birthday of Kathleen’s grandmother, Janet Foley (left). The festivities took place in Blair, Nebraska, on the same homestead Mrs. Foley’s family was given when they immigrated from Ireland; in fact, one room in the house has a family tree spanning multiple walls, along with detailed books of the family’s history. Generations of Kathleen’s family gathered to bring the family tree to life, creating a joyous occasion that will literally be one for the books.
A Friday Fellowship Grant from CA sent Middle School math and science teacher Andrew Chiaraviglio to Boston for a teacher’s conference on technology use in Boston. Mr. Chiaraviglio and his wife also got a taste of winter this summer on a trip to Argentina to visit with his family and friends.
In the span of just 50 days, Upper School science teacher Gray Rushin (right) traversed the famous TransAmerica Bike Trail with only his bike, camping gear, and an undying spirit of adventure. Starting at the Atlantic Ocean and ending at the Pacific, Mr. Rushin journeyed across America without a plan, embracing the unknown and the immense freedom the open road has to offer. He crossed the continental divide 3 times in 1 day, surfed in Montana, lost feeling in his hands, but most important, successfully conquered his biggest challenge to date – only to be left feeling ready for more.
Media Studio Coordinator Steven O’Neill and his family spent in The Smoky Mountains, Tennessee. Their destination? The Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge, thanks to his Titanic-obsessed daughter (Sophia, class of 2024). They also enjoyed a visit to Dollywood, which Mr. O’Neill rated “legit,” with five good roller coasters and a calm, laid-back atmosphere.
Information Services Director Dmitry Manakhov (left) participated in an International Society for Technology in Education conference in San Antonio, Texas. One of his souvenir purchases, a flower crown, made its debut at CA’s traditional opening of school handshake ceremony, where he was dared to wear it.
