Introducing our Athletes of the Week program! Each week, 爆走黑料 coaches nominate one student-athlete from their team who stood out by demonstrating our core values of purpose, passion, and integrity. These athletes show exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field, embodying what it means to be a 爆走黑料 Wildcat. Read below for more information on each of the Athletes of the Week.

Sloan Gajda ’27-Boys Varsity Cross Country

Sloan had a great run at Taft on Saturday on a very challenging course. Using his trademark sprint at the end of the race, he passed several runners to finish 7^th听overall. He’s been working hard all season, and the coaches are excited to see him peaking at the right time of the season.听 His teammates and coaches looking forward to what Sloan will do in the last few meets of the season.

Gus Cunha ’31- Boys JV Cross Country

Gus logged the miles over the summer and came into the season well prepared for competition.听 He’s been running well all season but had a breakout performance this past weekend on a very challenging Taft course.听 Gus works hard every day in practice and brings a great attitude to even the most challenging workouts.听 His coaches are excited to see Gus having so much success, and they look forward to his continued growth as a runner in the seasons ahead.

Alex Murphy ’32- Girls Varsity Cross Country

In her first year with the program, Alex has already shown tremendous growth! This weekend at Taft School, on a very tough course, she ran 1 minute and 30 seconds faster (26:17) than her previous time. This is a result of her commitment and effort in training sessions. She is willing to push herself outside of her comfort zone by challenging herself to run with different groups during practice. 听Her work ethic, her growth, and her commitment to the process and the team are exciting to watch. Her teammates and coaches can鈥檛 wait to see her continued growth as they head through the remainder of the season!

Henry Saliba ’27- Varsity Football

Henry Saliba had a monster game for the Wildcats in their 20-13 win over Cheshire on Friday night. Henry led the team with 11 tackles while also having 2.5 TFL and .5 Sacks. Henry has been a large part of why the Wildcats have had a strong defense all year. The team will continue to look towards Henry for his strong play as they work through the back half of the season.

Brooke Cherewatti ’27- Varsity Field Hockey

Brooke has been a valued member of the varsity field hockey team since she was in the 8^th听grade! This season, Brooke was named captain, as voted by her peers, and it has been awesome to see her come full circle from the 12-year-old who joined us 5 seasons ago. This week, Brooke was essential in our victories over Taft and Pomfret. She plays with such poise at the sweep position that the team is fully confident she will shut down anyone who comes her way as the last player back. Brooke confidently steps up against all players as they barrel down the field at full speed towards her. On Saturday, Brooke was also reliable in her play at left and right back. Her coaches have been so excited to see Brooke blossom into the player and leader that she is, and the team cannot wait to see all that is still in store this season for Brooke!

Kiara Santos ’27 鈥� JV Field Hockey

Kiara has been a leader and stand-out midfielder and center back in the first three games of the season. When energy is flagging on the field, Kiara consistently inserts positivity and spirit back into the game. In a recent game against Pomfret, Kiara displayed impressive focus and determination. She executed her free hits with precision, spotting gaps in Pomfret鈥檚 defensive line, and even lifting the ball over the opposing team鈥檚 sticks to successfully reach her teammates on the other side. In her senior year, Kiara has consistently led by example, playing hard in both practice and games, and encouraging her fellow Cats to do the same. Her coaches and teammates look forward to more strong play from Kiara in the final games of the season.

Kiran Matamala ’27- Boys Varsity Soccer

Senior captain Kiran Matamala has been a force of stability for the boys varsity soccer team throughout an injury-ridden fall.听 The New Rochelle native has had to step up his leadership during a very challenging schedule over the past few weeks.听 Not only has Kiran helped varsity veterans continue to compete at their highest level possible during a tough stretch of games that included Choate, Loomis and Taft, but he has also helped many newcomers to the team acclimate to the intense training and the games demands. Kiran now leads his teammates into the final stretch of the fall, where the Wildcats will face local rivals like WMA, Suffield, Deerfield, and NMH.听 Kiran has done a wonderful job of leading the team this fall, and he looks forward to finishing his 爆走黑料 career leading the team to great performances down the stretch.

Henry Estes ’27 鈥� Boys JVA Soccer

Henry has demonstrated a versatile and impactful role for the Wildcats this season. Henry provides both defensive stability and offensive creativity, making him a valuable presence all over the field. As a center back, he does an excellent job winning the ball from opposing attackers, organizing the defense, and turning defensive stops into attacking opportunities. Henry also contributes at center midfield and forward, where he creates dangerous attacking opportunities with well-placed passes, uses his dribbling to generate offense, and competes fiercely for every ball. This week, Henry added a strongly struck direct kick against Taft to his tally of goals. His versatility, tenacity, and ability to make an impact at both ends of the field will be relied upon as the team works through the remainder of the season.

Nathan Neumann ’32- Boys Juniors Soccer

Nathan has been the paradigm of “purpose, passion, and integrity” on the juniors soccer club this year. From the beginning of the season, he has consistently brought hard work and a team-first mentality to the field every day.听 Mix in a sweet touch on the ball, and you have a fun kid to watch.听 He scored his first goal of the season last week against a loaded Eaglebrook team when he turned his right foot into a sand wedge on a free kick just outside of the eighteen dropping a shot over the outstretched arms of the Eaglebrook keeper.听 While the Wildcats couldn’t equal the measure of the Eaglebrook offense, losing 4-2, Nathan’s play gave the 爆走黑料 faithful something to enjoy over the course of the afternoon.

Olivia Arsenault ’29 – Girls Varsity Soccer

Liv put together an outstanding performance in Saturday鈥檚 win against Pomfret, where she contributed a goal and an assist. Liv embodies what it means to be a great teammate. She is always willing to play whatever position the team needs, embracing every role with a positive attitude and an unmatched work ethic. Liv is physical, tough and competes hard. She is also a quiet leader who leads by example, consistently putting in extra effort and doing whatever it takes to help the team succeed. Her versatility, toughness, selflessness, and dedication make her an invaluable part of the team.

Avery Desmarais ’29- Girls JV Soccer

Avery is a critical member of the JV Girls Soccer team. She is a fierce competitor, a quality that was on display this weekend in the team鈥檚 contest against Pomfret. She demonstrated excellent field awareness, kept possession under pressure, and skillfully maintained the bounds. Outside of her technical skills, her constant vocal support of her teammates always helps keep the energy up. In practice, Avery steps up as a natural team leader. She is quick to encourage those around her and can always be relied on to help guide team drills and strategies. The team is so lucky to have her!

Rachel Xing ’29-Varsity Volleyball

Returning as a starting middle blocker, Rachel continues to impress with a steady, unflappable, positive attitude. On the court, her defensive net play shields the team from the opponent’s front line, while her increasingly decisive attacks are an invaluable offensive weapon.听 At practice, she is quick to smile and even faster to celebrate her teammates’ successes. This attitude has made a tangible, positive difference in the team’s affect. Now in her sophomore year, her game is expanding with more instinctual court awareness, a growing repertoire of spike angles and approaches, and a more dependable serve. She has the potential to anchor the team for the years to come. Her teammates鈥� and coaches appreciate all she has contributed and look forward to her continued growth.

Liliana Nofal ’31- Thirds Volleyball

Liliana has stepped into a bigger role for the Thirds Volleyball team this year, becoming a consistent and reliable presence on the court, particularly in the front row. A returning player, Liliana holds herself to a high standard and brings focus and determination to every practice and game. She is always looking to improve her own skills while helping those around her get better. While she may not always lead with her voice, Liliana leads through her actions, steady presence, and commitment to her teammates. Her beaming smile and positive attitude are contagious, and her teammates look to her as someone they can count on.

Alex Hedstrom ’28-Boys Varsity Water Polo

Alex has been an excellent leader for the water polo team. During practice, he motivates the entire team, helps make practice plans, and teaches the younger players. During games, he constantly matches up with the top opposing player. His hard work in the toughest situations helps put other players in a position to succeed. Alex is simply a competitor who loves to play! The coaching staff is grateful for his attitude and effort.

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Introducing our Athletes of the Week program! Each week, 爆走黑料 coaches nominate one student-athlete from their team who stood out by demonstrating our core values of purpose, passion, and integrity. These athletes show exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field, embodying what it means to be a 爆走黑料 Wildcat. Read below for more information on each of the Athletes of the Week.

Finn Mailloux ’28-Boys Varsity Cross Country

Finn had an outstanding run on Saturday in the wildcat鈥檚 meet against Avon Old Farms.听 Finn was 爆走黑料’s second runner to cross the finish line, running a sub-19:00 5k for the first time this season.听 Finn works extremely hard in every practice, is a great teammate, and represents all the qualities that are desired in a 爆走黑料 athlete.听 He is poised to continue to improve as the season progresses.

Pranesh Prakash Babu ’29-Boys JV Cross Country

Pranesh has been improving steadily since the start of the season.听 He works hard in practice and his efforts paid off this past Saturday in the away meet at Avon Old Farms.听 Pranesh improved his time on a cold and windy day.听 The coaches are excited to watch Pranesh continue to improve throughout the remainder of the season.

Julia Lloret ’30- Girls Varsity Cross Country

Julia鈥檚 steady progress has been exciting to watch. Over the last three races, she has continued to drop her time, including an impressive three-minute drop in one week. This weekend at Westover Academy, Julia raced hard on a tough course and was able to achieve a Personal Best with a time of 25:36. This helped the Wildcats win the race over Ms. Porter鈥檚 and Westover Academy! Julia shows up to every practice and race with a smile and a positive attitude, and she is quick to cheer on her teammates. Her teammates and coaches are excited about what lies ahead for Julia and the Wildcats. Congratulations on a great stretch of racing.

Alex Turrisi ’27- Varsity Football

Alex led the way on defense for the Wildcats in their 36-7 win over Deerfield. He finished the day with a team leading 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and an interception. Additionally, Alex had 5 QB hurries. Most importantly, Alex continues to always be a great teammate and never gets outworked! The Wildcats will continue to rely on Alex as they work through the remainder of their season.

Grace Laurie ’27- Girls Varsity Field Hockey

Grace is one of the most versatile players on the field for the girls varsity field hockey team. This season, she has played every position except goalie. Grace has tremendous stick skills and a consistent, powerful drive. This has come in handy as a shooter on corners and helping take free hits. Grace has also been a leader by example with hard work and determination each day in practice. It has been awesome to see her wrap her arms around a new team as a one-year senior. Her coaches have been so excited for Grace to hit her stride this week playing forward. In two games, she tallied 2 goals and 3 assists. Grace has already left a mark on the program, and the team knows there are even more great things ahead for her this fall!

Madi Goulet ’27- JV Field Hockey

In her senior year, Madi Goulet made the impressive decision to try a new sport for the first time. Her teammates and coaches are so glad she picked JV field hockey! Despite this being her first year on the team, Madi has hit the ground running (literally and figuratively), quickly becoming a key member of defense. In the first two games of the season, she repeatedly foiled the other team as they tried to make a break towards the goal, getting her stick down just in time to block a player’s advance. Though the Cats lost to Berkshire, they successfully shut them out in the second half of the game, and Madi was a key reason no attempts on goal were successful. Madi has quickly become an integral part of the team in more ways than one, and Madi’s coaches and teammates look forward to more strong play from her throughout the season.

Thomas Daibert da Silva ’28- Boys Varsity Soccer

Thomas has performed extremely well for the boys varsity soccer team this fall. Thomas’ gritty play has helped the Wildcats remain competitive in difficult games against very good opponents over the past few weeks. He anchored a defensive effort last Wednesday that almost bettered Class A powerhouse, Choate, and he helped the team remain competitive against a complete Loomis team for 90 minutes on Saturday.听 The Sao Paulo native has played both as a defensive mid and as a center back for the Wildcats this fall, and he has had to partner with many different teammates in the back due to injury. Regardless of what the circumstances are, Thomas comes to play hard in every game. Despite playing most of his time far from the opponents’ goal, he has managed to score a few goals early in the season to help the Wildcats to impressive results. Thomas and his teammates are back in action this Wednesday at Cheshire.

Cam Bertke ’29 -Boys JVA Soccer

Cam is one of the most versatile players on the boys JVA squad. He can play just about anywhere on the field, but he has proven important on the team as a defender, shutting down attackers and rarely letting them get a clean look at the goal. He reads the game well, wins his one-on-one battles, and keeps the back line organized. In addition to his defensive prowess, he gives the cats real offensive pushes, stepping out of the back and getting the team moving forward. Recently he scored a direct kick goal in the team鈥檚 victory against Millbrook School with a precise shot off the post. He鈥檚 also our go-to target on corners. Cam is strong in the air, which makes him a threat during every set piece. His teammates and coaches are very grateful to have him and look forward to his continued reliability

Lev Duryea ’28- Boys JVB Soccer

Lev has been one of the goalies for the JVB soccer team for the past two years. During this time, he has developed many of the skills necessary to become a confident and reliable goalie. During practice, he works hard to improve his technique and continues to develop his skills. He has played in every game this season and has yet to concede a goal, keeping a clean sheet in every appearance. In addition to his performance in goal, he is a positive teammate who communicates well with everyone on the team. His dedication, hard work, and commitment make him a very important part of the team’s success so far this season. His coaches and teammates are very happy with his contributions and dedication to the team, and they look forward to his continued success.

Clara D’Amuri ’27- Girls Varsity Soccer

Clara is a senior captain who has continued to lead the wildcats through adversity with determination, toughness, and an unwavering commitment to giving 100% every time she steps on the field. Whether in practice or games, she brings relentless effort and a willingness to do whatever it takes for the team. She has been dominant winning 50/50 balls, playing physically, and setting the tone with her intensity and competitive spirit. Clara holds her teammates to a high standard and, most importantly, backs it up by leading through her own actions, work ethic, and commitment to the team. Clara鈥檚 teammates and coaches will continue to lean on her as they work through the back half of the season.

Vivian Quesada Gama ’27-Girls JV Soccer

It is Vivian’s first year playing soccer, and she is a vital part of the girls JV soccer team. She brings positive energy to each practice, always puts her best foot forward, and works tirelessly during games. She is a strong defender and can always be relied on to chase the ball and stick with her mark. The team is lucky to have her and can’t wait to see how she continues to grow this season!

Kayleigh Mazuroski ’27- Varsity Volleyball

Kayleigh brings a combination of spirit, athleticism, and skill combine to produce a foundational mainstay for girls varsity volleyball. Her steady play in the backrow provides a critical presence to the team鈥檚 defense and her versatility allows her to play almost any position on the court. The victorious pink game over family weekend demonstrated her critical contributions to the team as she made big plays all over the court to deflect the kill attempts of the opponent and spark the transition to offense. Her teammates and coaches appreciate all she brings to the court and will continue to rely on her for her strong play and infectious attitude.

Oma Okoro ’28- Girls Thirds Volleyball

Oma may be new to the team this year, but she has already made a tremendous impact through her energy, positivity, and kindness. During the team鈥檚 game at Miss Porter鈥檚, when the gym was quiet, Oma took it upon herself to bring the energy, clapping and cheering nonstop from the bench. Her enthusiasm was contagious, lifting her teammates both on and off the court. In practice, Oma is persistent, hardworking, and committed to improving her skills. She is the definition of a great teammate, and her positive attitude makes everyone around her better!

Tony To ’29 – Boys Varsity Water Polo

Tony has developed into a great supporting water polo player. He has worked hard in practice to earn playing time, and he has taken advantage of that playing time to improve. He knows his role in the water, allowing other players to focus on their own positions. Tony has improved all his skills: swimming, ball handling, physical defense, and mental awareness. Tony has been a huge part of the team鈥檚 improvement this year and his coaches look forward to his continued growth in the pool.

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If they were more serious than usual, it鈥檚 because, quite suddenly, there鈥檚 more on the line this week. For one, their annual Pink Game was coming up on Friday, October 9, a showdown at home against Class B rival Berkshire. Senior captain Brooke Cherewatti called it 鈥渢he game of our season.鈥�

As in years past, the game would feature a fundraiser in honor of breast cancer awareness; money raised during fundraising events throughout the week, including bracelets sold on gameday by team parents, would go to the Elise Olmann-Kahle 2025 Memorial Fund, set up to honor the legacy of Ollmann-Kahle 鈥�25, a six-year senior who passed away in October 2024 after a years-long battle with cancer. The team ended up raising $2,158 for the event.

鈥淭he game means a lot to us,鈥� said junior co-captain Ava Carr. 鈥淎 lot us have personal family experiences with cancer. Just playing it鈥擨 know it sounds clich茅, but it鈥檚 something bigger than us.鈥�

And if the rush of playing the Pink Game wasn鈥檛 enough, the team is also playing inspired field hockey, spurred on by ending a 40-year losing streak to a perennial powerhouse. With coaches Alex Tancrell-Fontaine and Sarah Sawyer at the helm, the girls are cooking with gas鈥攁nd they intend to keep that fire lit.

On Sept. 30 and in just their second game of the season, the Wildcats posted a 2-1 win against Hotchkiss鈥攖he first win for 爆走黑料 since 1986. For many of the players, especially junior Keira Gould, it was a moment they had an intense personal investment in. Last year, Gould, who plays center back, scored in overtime against Hotchkiss, but the goal was called off.

鈥淥h my God, it was the best day of my life,鈥� Gould said of this year鈥檚 momentous victory.

Senior Riley Stocker felt the same, calling it 鈥渒ind of surreal.鈥�

In addition to giving the team something to celebrate, the Hotchkiss game also, as Cherewatti explained, gave the team a boost of motivation.

鈥淚t gave us energy,鈥� Cherewatti said. 鈥淚t showed us we can do hard things.鈥�

鈥淚t was really important to us,鈥� added Carr.

For Athletic Director Jade Morris, ending the 40-year drought is an amazing accomplishment.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be prouder of this team,鈥� Morris said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a determination about this group that reminds me of our 2024 team that beat Middlesex in overtime to win the NEPSAC championship.鈥�

Morris credits much of the team鈥檚 success to the group鈥檚 grit, and the community-building efforts of its coaches.

鈥淭hey have an incredible ability to motivate individual players while bringing them together around something bigger than themselves,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a genuine commitment to team success over individual accomplishments.鈥�

That culture, she elaborated, 鈥渋s reflected in the leadership of our seniors, the resilience of the group, and the confidence of younger players like [9^th grader] Maizy Lonergan, who stepped up when their team needs them.鈥�

It鈥檚 clear, however, in watching the team prep and listening to its supporters, that no single player hoards the spotlight. It鈥檚 a group effort, always.

鈥淚t鈥檚 how hard they compete for one another how much they believe in each other and their refusal to back down from a challenge,鈥� Morris said.

As Gould came out of the weightroom, she summed up the team鈥檚 single-minded determination, how this week has been more serious for them than usual.

鈥淲e have fun and we鈥檙e goofy,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut when we need to, we lock in.鈥�

The game against Berkshire ended in a 1-1 tie.

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Members of the Board of Trustees, school administrators, and representatives from the project鈥檚 design and construction teams gathered on the Academic Quad to celebrate a building that will open in the spring of 2028. Supporting a wide range of teaching approaches and academic experiences, the 24,000-square foot building will house 14 state-of-the-art classrooms, seminar and meeting rooms, and an expansive 2,700-square-foot atrium.听

Head of School Robert W. Hill III opened the ceremony by reflecting on the significance of the moment. Once finished, the new Academic Center will be the first academic building constructed in more than 70 years. 鈥淲e鈥檝e seen the tremendous impact that our new Residential Quad has had on our community,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his new center will do the same thing for our academic program, which is at the heart of everything we do here.鈥�听

Philip Chen, Principal and President of , was also on hand to speak and celebrated the continuing partnership between the firm and the school. Also at the ceremony were representatives from , which is serving as construction manager and builder on the project, as well as , the project manager. 听

Two 爆走黑料 Board members shared remarks as well. Rich Monopoli 鈥�89, Chair of the Facilities Committee, reflected on the planning and vision behind the project, followed by by Kevin Hoben 鈥�65, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, whose $10 million gift helped launch the Academic Center project in spring of 2026.听

Construction on the Academic Center is scheduled to begin in November 2026. To learn more about the project and track its progress, visit our web page.听听

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Strawberry runners had spread beyond their designated bed in the garden and had taken root between neighboring beds. To curb the strawberry’s growth, club members carefully moved the young plants back into the strawberry bed so that they could establish roots before winter dormancy. We look forward to seeing them thrive and bear fruit in the spring!

Students also replanted some of the garlic collected during our last harvest and gathered bean pods left on the vines over the past month for drying. The dried beans were saved as seeds for future planting, allowing this season鈥檚 harvest to help start the next.

Meanwhile, members have been preparing听beds for cover crop planting in the coming weeks. Two beds are currently ready, with a loose layer of dry stems and other plant material covering the soil until planting. Cover crops will help protect the soil from erosion, retain nutrients, and add organic matter as they decompose.

From saving seeds to protecting the soil, students are learning how caring for the garden continues beyond the harvest. Each afternoon offers an opportunity to practice sustainability and prepare this shared space for another season of growth.

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Introducing our Athletes of the Week program! Each week, 爆走黑料 coaches nominate one student-athlete from their team who stood out by demonstrating our core values of purpose, passion, and integrity. These athletes show exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field, embodying what it means to be a 爆走黑料 Wildcat. Read below for more information on each of the Athletes of the Week.

Noah Lehane ’28- Boys Varsity Cross Country

Noah has been running well since the start of the season and is one of the top runners on the team this year.听 He finished second in this past weekend’s meet against Westminster and Kingswood-Oxford, helping the boys’ team secure two victories in the process.听 He ran a personal best time on the Wildcat鈥檚 home course. Noah works hard in practice and sets a positive example for his teammates.听 His coaches and teammates are excited to watch him continue to improve this season.

Owen Butler ’31 -Boys JV Cross Country

Owen logged the miles over the summer, and his running has improved significantly as a result.听 He works hard in practice and attacks every workout with a positive attitude and a desire to get better.听 Owen ran a great race last weekend against Westminster and Kingswood-Oxford on a hot fall afternoon.听 His coaches are really excited about Owen’s future as a member of the xc team.

Marie Schneider ’28- Girls Varsity Cross Country

Marie, a newcomer to the girls varsity cross country team is already making her mark! Since her first practice, Marie has impressed her coaches with her hard work and positive attitude. Her calm presence matched with a fierce competitive spirit, paid off at this week鈥檚 meet: she cut a full minute from her previous race time, finishing in 23:59. Her remarkable improvement helped the team earn valuable points and secure a win over Westminster, Kingswood-Oxford, and Ethel Walker. Her teammates and coaches can鈥檛 wait to see what she does next!

Riley Stocker ’27- Varsity Field Hockey

Riley is the epitome of 爆走黑料 field hockey. She is a leader in every sense of the word. She leads with her actions and her words. It has been great to see how she inspires her teammates and lifts all those around her. In her second year as captain, Riley has comfortably navigated moments of success and moments of challenge.听 This week, Riley was a gamechanger in both games, showcasing her scoring ability and defensive prowess. Riley has greatly improved her stick skills and was able to generate offense on many occasions by finding her teammates and making awesome leading passes, resulting in scoring opportunities. Her coaches cannot wait to see all the continued success that Riley will have this season, and there is no doubt she will inspire her teammates to work as hard as she does.

Emma Hwang ’27-Girls JV Field Hockey

Emma Hwang is not only a defensive force on JV Field Hockey, but is also a leader, setting a positive example on the field every day. In the team鈥檚 first two games of the season, Emma anchored the defense as the sweeper. In the Cats’ most recent game against Berkshire, Emma was a fearless fly during multiple corners. During a rush on the offense, the ball ricocheted off Emma鈥檚 foot, triggering another corner. Undaunted by the potential injury to her toe, Emma lined up again and successfully deflected Berkshire鈥檚 repeated attempts on goal. Emma is a consistently positive presence during practices and games alike, encouraging her teammates and helping to foster a supportive team culture. Emma鈥檚 coaches and teammates look forward to more strong play from her during the remainder of the season.

Alec Conklin ’27- Boys Varsity Soccer

As a senior, Alec knows what it takes to compete at the highest level for the boys varsity soccer team. Alec enters his third season with Varsity this fall, after playing for teams who reached the NEPSAC finals in the past two years.听 Despite battling an ankle injury, Alec has dug deep to give his best effort for the Wildcats over the past few weeks. He stepped up his leadership in games and in practice when all three captains were unable to play due to injury.听 He led warmups and cool downs, and he was the standout voice of the team in practices and games. Alec’s love for the program, his work rate, and his intense competitive spirit makes him a worthy opponent.听 The intangibles he provides the team on the field not only allow his teammates to focus on goalscoring opportunities, but they also demonstrate the best possible mindset for the team to continue their success from the past few years. Alec and his teammates will need to tap into their intense competitive spirit this week when they host Choate and Loomis.

Minjun Park ’30 鈥� Boys JVA Soccer

Minjun has shown what hard work looks like, both in practice and on game day. His tenaciousness has earned the approval of his coaches and the respect of his teammates. After a particularly good week of practice and effort in a recent game, he earned the captaincy for our recent game against Millbrook. Starting for the first time, He made the most of the opportunity. He scored the first goal of the game, setting the tone for the team, and igniting the offense en route to 6-1 victory. His speed lets him beat defenders to the ball, and his desire keeps him chasing it until the final whistle. Just as important, his attitude makes the team feel connected, even when the going gets tough. The Wildcats are lucky to have him!

Nathan Pok ’27- Varsity Football

Nathan Pok played his best game of his 爆走黑料 career in a 24-20 win over a talented Loomis team. Playing both corner and safety for the Wildcats, he finished the day with four tackles and 3 PBUs. Nathan also had a tremendous day on special teams as he is on the Punt, Punt Block, Kickoff, and Kickoff Return team. Nathan鈥檚 Teammates will continue to look towards him for his strong contributions and leadership by example as they work through the remainder of the season.

Yvette Jimah听 ’30- Thirds Volleyball

Yvette has emerged as a steady and dependable leader for the thirds volleyball team. Voted co-captain by her peers alongside Khloe Perrier, Yvette leads through her consistency, positive energy, and focus. She is often one of the first to arrive at practice, putting in extra time to develop her skills, and has become the team’s most reliable server. Her growth as a player is matched by her ability to keep her teammates focused and on task. Yvette’s steady presence and character have earned the respect and trust of her teammates, making her an invaluable part of the team!

Wes Gibbons ’28 – Boys Varsity Water Polo

Wes has been a critical part of the water polo team this season, contributing in every possible way. He leads the team in scoring, including 7 and 8 goals in a single day against Andover and GCDS. He is always ready to swim and leads the offense with ejections drawn. He regularly matches up with other team鈥檚 top players. Wes has become a true leader during practice. He takes his role as captain seriously helping run practice and motivate the younger players. Wes has helped the team grow and will continue to be an valuable leader for the Wildcats.

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The senior banner is one of four used at formal ceremonies. While the banners for the three younger classes feature images of iconic 爆走黑料 vistas created by Carrie Rubinstein 鈥�90, each senior banner is a unique creation, designed by a student artist selected by the visual arts faculty. The tradition dates back to 2013.听

Lynch鈥檚 banner features two iconic elements of the 爆走黑料 campus: Mt. Tom, rising in the background, and the Parents Bridge that connects Sawyer Field to the Academic Quad. 鈥淲hen Ms. Staples asked me to make the banner, I felt a lot of pressure because how do I represent my class with one image? So, I tried the bridge and Mount Tom because I feel like those are symbols of the school, and things that everyone has in common. We all walk over the bridge鈥攊t really connects the campus together.鈥�听

Lynch began work on the project at the end of her junior year, collaborating with 爆走黑料鈥檚 Design Director, Aruna Goldstein, to refine the design. It debuted during Senior Dinner after Convocation and will be used well after the year is over, including at the class of 2027鈥檚 future Reunions.听

For Lynch, the project was the culmination of years spent exploring the arts at 爆走黑料. She has taken courses ranging from drawing to her current architecture class. 鈥淭here are so many options on what you can take,鈥� Lynch said. 鈥淚 took a drawing class, I鈥檓 taking architecture right now, and I took AP Studio Art. Within those classes, there is a lot of freedom to try different media and different techniques. It helped me figure out that I like drawing and love watercolor, and how to combine those.鈥�听

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Rodriguez spent a three-day weekend at 爆走黑料, sitting in ceramics classes and delivering an artist鈥檚 talk on Friday night, and then hosting open studio sessions over the weekend. Rodriguez worked specifically on a sculpture of a Wildcat, and encouraged students attending the sessions to make their own versions of a Wildcat鈥敱吆诹镶�檚 school mascot.听

鈥淥ne of the things that I try to do is relate to the students,鈥� Rodriguez said. 鈥淗ow can I engage the community? The Wildcat鈥攖hat鈥檚 an easy engagement because it鈥檚 the mascot and everybody can identify with that one thing, but everybody will interpret it differently. I try and bring that into my teaching鈥攍et鈥檚 start where we are all kind of together on something, then let鈥檚 expand from that.鈥�听

Rodriguez is no stranger to the classroom. He currently teaches at Temple University鈥檚 Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also travels around the country to showcase his work and techniques, often at schools. His work鈥攚hich can be as large as six feet tall鈥攈as been displayed at various museums. The Smithsonian Institute has acquired two of his ceramic sculptures which pay tribute to the classic painting American Gothic and the Kansas City Airport features another display of his work.听

鈥淚 like to engage with young people and see what the pulse is, what they鈥檙e thinking about,鈥� Rodriguez said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e making things happen and I like to know that they鈥檙e being supported and I like to know what they鈥檙e up to. For me, it鈥檚 also a learning experience when I come to these places.鈥�听

Rodriguez鈥檚 favorite medium is clay. Playing with a bit of the material during the interview, Rodriguez talked about what makes clay special to him.听

鈥淚nitially it was that clay is really receptive to the touch,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hatever I do with my hands, it鈥檚 recorded in clay.. I love pottery, too, but sculpture for me is what really drew me in. I like to make larger scale work that鈥檚 more physical for me, because then I can use my body and it feels like a very one-to-one relationship.鈥�听

Rodriguez focused on that relationship when working with students. Encouraging the student-artists to just create, the ceramics studio was busy with the sound of moving hands forming clay. Along the way, Rodriguez popped in with tips and tricks for students to get more out of the material. He also created a couple of demonstration pieces to demonstrate different sculpting technique, and showcase what can be created out of clay.听

In his artist鈥檚 talk, Rodriguez focused even more on his creative process and what drives him to make sculptures.听

鈥淚 hope that people come away feeling like they can pursue their creative practice, whatever that is,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really passionate about the work that I make, but it really is a focus on pursuing what you want to do and relying on community to help guide you, because we can鈥檛 really do it by ourselves.鈥�听

Learn more about Rodriguez and his work on . See photos of his visit to campus on our .听

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Johnson, a Los Angeles-based artist, works with groups to create fun and interesting art projects out of cardboard. For this trip to 爆走黑料, he worked with students and faculty members to create three-dimensional cardboard letters, spelling out the final stanza of the school鈥檚 alma mater, O 爆走黑料.听

The idea for the project was borne out of Johnson鈥檚 work with large corporations like Google. On some of his stops, he had employees at the companies create the cardboard letters, but for shorter phrases.听

鈥淚 just thought at that time how cool would it be to do a longer form version of that with young people,鈥� Johnson said.听听

So instead of shorter, inspirational quotes鈥斺�渢hat might have been a little more focused on the arts kids鈥濃�擩ohnson thought about what kind of longer phrase or statement he could make. Wendy Staples, the Grum Project Director, then stepped in and introduced the idea of the alma mater.听

The one logistical issue was sourcing all of the cardboard. With over 150 characters to make, a simple run through recycling bins on campus wasn鈥檛 enough. That鈥檚 when the 爆走黑料 community came through. Middle Schooler Braden Kouflie 鈥�31 and his family stepped in with a donation. His mother, Elizabeth Kouflie, owns Commonwealth Packaging in nearby Chicopee, and Commonwealth Packaging donated all of the cardboard used during the project.听

The work happened over the better part of a week, both in arts classes during the day and during open studio hours at night. Johnson was an ever-present figure in the sessions. For him, the journey to creating is just as important as the final product.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 not about making that bronze sculpture that鈥檚 going to sit outside forever,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really into what I call the 鈥榪uilting circle mentality鈥� where we鈥檙e all around a table just talking, and there鈥檚 a different type of energy. If we went on a hike right now, we would have a conversation; if we went to dinner, it would be something different. But if you and I sat here and just made stuff together, there鈥檚 something different that happens.鈥�听

That 鈥渟omething different鈥� showed up as Johnson spoke. With students working during the interview, it was clear to see one student make progress on a letter, hold it up for their friends to look at, then a steady burst of laughter and giggles as jokes were cracked.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 not about the finished product as it is the social aspect of working together to achieve a larger goal,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淎 lot of people do workshops where you leave with your mask or your little painting; I try to do these projects where you really don鈥檛 leave with anything but the memories and the experience, and what you leave is a little something that creates a bigger, beautiful thing as a group.鈥�听

It’s worth noting, too, that this is Johnson鈥檚 second visit to 爆走黑料. A Grum artist in January 2020, Johnson鈥檚 first trip had students build trophies out of cardboard. For Staples, it was an easy decision to invite Johnson back.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 because his artwork is really accessible to anyone,鈥� Staples said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 simple shapes, easy construction鈥攜ou could really use boxes from everywhere, right? This is something that you can make art out of what you have around you. And I think Kiel鈥檚 energy is just exciting. He plays with imagination and I think that鈥檚 really accessible for kids.鈥�听

The results of Johnson鈥檚 2026 project will be on display in the Sabina Cain Family Athletic Center, hanging above Court 2. Learn more about Johnson and his work on , and read more about his 2020 visit in this article from our website.听

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Introducing our Athletes of the Week program! Each week, 爆走黑料 coaches nominate one student-athlete from their team who stood out by demonstrating our core values of purpose, passion, and integrity. These athletes show exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field, embodying what it means to be a 爆走黑料 Wildcat. Read below for more information on each of the Athletes of the Week.

Kamal Sergeev ’27- Boys Varsity Cross Country

Kamal has had a great start to his senior season.听 He trained hard over the summer and came into the season prepared to run his best.听 He had great performances at both the Brush Invitational and this past weekend’s Richard Miller Invitational at Westminster.听 Kamal was 爆走黑料’s top runner in both races, coming in third place at Westminster.听 Kamal is also doing a wonderful job as one of the team captains, and his leadership is helping the team bond and become a cohesive unit.听 The coaches are excited to watch Kamal continue to improve during the rest of the season.

AJ Tanihaha ’27- Boys JV Cross Country

AJ has had a great start to the cross-country season.听 He trained hard over the summer and has continued to improve since the start of the season.听 He was one of the top runners in the JV race at this past weekend’s Richard Miller Invitational at Westminster.听 Besides being an extremely hard worker, AJ is a positive presence in the program.听 He supports all his teammates and encourages everyone to be positive and enjoy the time together as a team.听 The coaches are extremely grateful to have AJ in the program.听 And he makes a pretty good cookie as well!

Addie Eakin ’27- Girls Varsity Cross Country

As a senior captain, Addie鈥檚 leadership, energy, and heart are at the core of the girls varsity cross country team. Addie brings a positive attitude to every practice and race, and she cares deeply about the people beside her. She works intentionally to build a team culture where everyone feels valued and included. She pushes her teammates to be their best, while also holding herself to the same high standard. Addie鈥檚 drive and determination were on display this weekend. Throughout the race she worked to close the gap, making ground in the latter part of the race solidifying a third-place finish at 23:39 and helping the team earn a 1st place Team win at the Westminster School Invitational. The previous weekend at Deerfield Academy, she ran a personal best of 22:23, a reflection of her dedication! Her coaches and teammates are excited to see Addie’s continued energy, drive, and commitment as she leads the team through the rest of the season.

Ella Skeiber ’28- Varsity Field Hockey

Ella has been everything you hope to have in a leader and teammate so far this season. Playing a new position, Ella jumped in with both feet. She consistently makes plays and sets up her teammates with her stick skills and ability to create space with her cuts. Ella plays lefty (there are no left-handed field hockey sticks) and has helped many new players get comfortable with a reverse-stick position. Beyond Ella’s ability to make the team better on the field, she is the loudest and most positive player off the field, too. She is always cheering on her teammates and is the first to lift them up in more challenging moments. Ella has been such a source of encouragement for the team already this season, and her coaches cannot wait to see all the success that is still to come!

Nate Ellis ’27- Varsity Football

Nate had a huge game for the Wildcats on Saturday night in their 27-24 win over Exeter. He finished the day with 239 yards and four touchdowns, while also catching three passes for 24 yards. His biggest touchdown came on the last play of the game as 爆走黑料 scored with no time remaining on the clock for the win.

Jay Cho ’27- Boys Varsity Soccer

Junior Jay Cho stepped up his performance in midfield for the Wildcats in the early weeks of the season. The Seoul native has been impactful both offensively and defensively during a challenging stretch of games against opponents like Berkshire, Hoosac, and Nobles. His willingness to win tackles, distribute the ball to dangerous attacking players, and assume leadership roles, have been key factors in the strong start to the regular season. Jay helped his team gain momentum with big wins over Cushing and Pomfret as the Boys Varsity soccer team head into the heart of their season.

Andrew Doubleday ’29- Boys JVA Soccer

Andrew has quickly become a critical player for the JVA soccer team this season, consistently leading the offensive attack with his speed, smart decision-making, and crafty play. He found the back of the net against both Eaglebrook and Berkshire, but his impact goes well beyond the scoreboard. His consistent effort and coachability offer a model of can-do attitude for all his peers, and his team can always count on him to show up and compete. His coaches particularly appreciate his focus and his enthusiastic attitude in drills and before games. His work ethic pushes both himself and his teammates to compete, improve, and stay focused. Going forward, it’s certain that whatever success the Wildcats have this season will depend a lot on his attitude and effort.

Kellen Ge ’30- Boys JVB Soccer

Kellen is a new member of the JV B soccer team, and he has fit in well with the team from the very beginning. He is a smart soccer player who understands what to do both with and without the ball. He moves well with the ball, has a good sense of the field, and does a great job finding and connecting with his teammates. He works hard at every practice and always gives his best during games. What stands out the most is his passion for soccer. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and you can see how much he enjoys competing and being part of the team. He brings a positive attitude every day and has already become an important part of the group. His hard work and commitment have helped the Wildcats remain undefeated so far this season. His teammates and coaches look forward to his continued growth and success in the upcoming matches.

Deven Shukla ’32 鈥� Boys Junior Soccer

When the clock clicked to zero on Wednesday afternoon, the 爆走黑料 juniors soccer team earned a 2-2 tie versus a talented Kingswood Oxford club from West Hartford, CT.听 The lion share of the workload was shouldered by an excellent performance from goalkeeper and seventh grader Deven Shukla of Northampton, MA.听 Deven made countless heroic and acrobatic saves that would have put 1990s US goalie Tony Meoloa to shame.听 He brought a level of poise and competitiveness that inspired his mates throughout the match and that the team will use to build upon for the rest of the campaign.听 Deven always comes to the pitch with a ready and willing attitude that raises the bar for practices and games.听 His coaches and teammates love his compete!

Hiya Patel ’28- Girls Thirds Volleyball

A veteran member of the Thirds Volleyball team, Hiya Patel has been a consistent and important presence for the team this season. Last week, she played a crucial role in the team鈥檚 first game and first win of the season against Kingswood Oxford. Hiya brings a steady attitude and strong work ethic to every practice and game. When she faces adversity or makes a mistake, she has an incredible ability to laugh it off, reset, and keep moving forward. Her teammates value her reliability and effort, but just as importantly, they appreciate the energy, humor, and positivity she brings to the group each day. Hiya is a great example of what it means to be a supportive teammate and a positive contributor to a team.

Shintaro Tsushima ’28-Boys Varsity Water Polo

Shintaro has been a critical part of water polos early season. His swimming and endurance have been tested every game, with Shintaro playing nearly every minute of every game. He has worked hard on his ball skills during practice, leading to a team-leading 4 goal performance against Exeter on Saturday. Shintaro pushes the other players to work hard and improve during swim sets in practice. Shintaro is in the water many hours per week, finding time to swim whenever he can. The Wildcats will count on Shintaro throughout the year!

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