JULY 2024 NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 | |
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SUMMER GREETINGS FROM
PETER BECKER '95
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Click directly on the image for a reflection on the end of the school year from Peter Becker '95, including an invitation for alums to join us in our all-school summer read, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks. | |
We All Came Together for Alumni Weekend 2024!
Another spectacular Alumni Weekend is in the books. The weather shifted, the sun emerged, and Rhinos returned to mingle and reminisce. While classes ending in 4s and 9s celebrated milestone reunions with special class gatherings, many other alums joined us for the festivities as well. The storied Class of '74 was inducted into the Old Guard and created new bonds with the Class of '24 during their shared luncheon. Saturday, the Alumni Parade was capped off by the installation of Peter Becker '95 as Taft's sixth head of school, and the evening All-Alumni Dinner Dance honored retiring faculty Baba & Peter Frew '75, and Susan & Steve McCabe. Alumni also had the opportunity to experience a taste of Taft today by attending open classes, discussing AI at Taft with current students and faculty members, viewing Will Simons' sculpture exhibit in the Potter Gallery, and socializing in affinity spaces. For a sweet trip down memory lane, alums headed to the Jig for "Milkshakes with Marty and Smoothies with Sandy."
You can see some of the weekend's best moments in the Alumni Weekend photo galleries and catch up on all the details in the upcoming Fall 2024 Taft Bulletin, which will be available in print and online around the end of August.
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Save the Date!
Mark your calendars and celebrate with us again next year:
May 9-10, 2025
Reunion gatherings for classes ending in 5 & 0
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Update from Board Chair
Sarkis D. Izmirlian II '90, P'20,'22,'24
The Spring Board meeting was a culmination of a full review of our governance capabilities. The Board has updated its committees, practices, term limits, and, importantly, created a Committee on Trustees to evaluate the performance of the Board and vet new trustees and potential non-trustee committee members.
Read the complete letter here.
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Call for Nominations for the Board of Trustees
We’re excited to announce that we are accepting nominations for the Taft School Board of Trustees. If you know someone who is passionate about our school and its mission, we’d love to hear from you. The Board plays a crucial role in guiding our future, and your recommendations are important to us. Please email your nominations to nominations@taftschool.org.
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Jeffrey "Skunk" Baxter '67 Honored with AFS Hedy Lamarr Unsung Heroes in Science & Technology Award
Congratulations to Jeffrey "Skunk" Baxter '67, who was honored with The America's Future Series (AFS) Hedy Lamarr Unsung Heroes in Science & Technology Award on April 22. Baxter, an American Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist, is best known as the lead guitarist with The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, and Spirit. For decades, he has also been a missile and national security expert working with some of our nation's most advanced technical laboratories, national security agencies, and military branches. It is the latter that has earned Baxter AFS recognition. You can read more here.
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The 10th Anniversary of the Global Leadership and Service Collaborative
More than a decade ago, then Head of School Willy MacMullen '78 invited Dean of Global and Diversity Education Jamella Lee to his office to talk about a unique opportunity available through the Edward E. Ford Foundation. "He said they were interested in public-private partnerships, and private schools like Taft with a public purpose," Lee recalls. "He asked me what I thought, and all I remember saying and thinking was, 'We can do this.' I could see it: Young people from Waterbury and Taft working together for a greater purpose—breaking down barriers, bridging divides. What an amazing opportunity."
In May of this year, program alumni, partners, leaders, families, friends, and supporters gathered to celebrate the milestone 10-year anniversary of this collaboration.
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Turandot: A Night at the Opera
Each year, James M. Barton '60 offers members of the Taft community an opportunity to travel to New York and enjoy a performance at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, followed by dinner in New York City. In April, Tafties were thrilled to take in Puccini's Turandot. Many of the attendees enjoyed a preview on campus when The Met's senior editor Chris Browner '12 returned to campus with performers from The Met’s Young Artist Development Program to share the story of Turandot and its inception. Thanks to Chris and Jim for sponsoring this event again this year.
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World Fest 2024
On April 21, Tafties gathered along Main Hall for our annual World Fest celebration, an opportunity for community members—who currently represent more than 60 nations worldwide—to share their cultural heritage through the customs, art, music, food, and traditions of their families. Students don traditional dress, prepare regional foods, and celebrate their heritage through the arts during the festival.
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Spring Dance Showcase
The annual Spring Dance Showcase in May featured moments of deep reflection and joy. Through their pieces, our talented performers and choreographers explored movement and technique, culture and history, vulnerability and the human condition. The result was a powerful celebration of art, talent, and intellectual introspection. You can watch the entire performance by clicking on the image above.
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Spring Play: Good Question: A Cabaret
Great music, exceptional performers, singing, dancing, and a whole lot of fun set the stage in Bingham for Good Question, Taft's spring play. This cabaret-style performance of three one-act plays was directed by Vincent Chen '24, Sara Takanabe '24, and Heidi Li '26. Audience members were captivated by the creativity and energy that brought each act to life, making this production a memorable highlight of the season.
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Spring 2024 Sports Wrap-up
Taft's spring varsity sports season was filled with remarkable achievements and strong finishes across the board. Girls' lacrosse ended with an impressive 13–3 record, making it to the Founders League Championship final. Boys' lacrosse showcased their skills with a 12–6 season, also reaching the league championship game. Girls' crew celebrated victories at the Founders Day Regatta and du Pont Cup and placed fifth at the NEIRA Championship, while boys' crew claimed the du Pont Cup and took ninth at NEIRA. Girls' golf finished with an 11–1 record, securing second place in the Founders League and third at the NEPSAC tournament. Boys' golf excelled with an 8–2 record, capturing the Founders League title. In Coach Peter Frew '75's final season, boys' tennis won the SNETL Championship and finished second in the NEITA Class A Championships. Girls' track secured second place in the Founders League and sixth at the NEPSTA Championships. Boys' track had a solid season, placing seventh in the Founders League and 11th at the NEPSTA Championships.
Catch up on all the sports news, including the Spring 2024 Athletic Awards and Spring Signing Ceremony by clicking below. Go Big Red!
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Taft Athletics Sportswear
Show your Big Red pride with exclusive Under Armour® sportswear and more from our Taft Athletics alumni pop-up shop. Place your online orders from July 11 through July 18 to gear up in style. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity!
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Taft's 134th Commencement
Under blue skies and beside Potter's Pond, the Class of 2024 officially graduated during Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 26. The night before—Prize Night—was a time to celebrate the many achievements of this exceptional class. Congratulations to all of the members of the Class of 2024, their families, friends, and supporters.
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SAVE THE DATE: UPCOMING EVENTS | |
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Taft Visits Nantucket
July 30, 2024, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Join us for a summer reception at the Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum in Nantucket and catch up with fellow Tafties.
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Taft Visits Southampton
August 1, 2024, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Join us for a summer reception at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton and mingle with fellow Tafties.
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Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
September 10, 2024, 7:10 p.m.
Join fellow Tafties at Fenway Park for a night at the ballpark cheering on the Red Sox as they take on the Baltimore Orioles! We will be located in the Loge Box, Section B125. Per person ticket price is $60 and includes $15 for concessions. Please note the Taft School has secured 20 tickets for this game!
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New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
September 12, 2024, 7:05 p.m.
Join fellow Tafties for a night at Yankee Stadium to watch the New York Yankees take on the Boston Red Sox! Tickets are located in Section 130. The per person ticket price is $135. Please note the Taft School has secured 20 tickets for this game!
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LGBTQIA+ Virtual Affinity Space
September 24, 2024, Zoom event, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Join us for an LGBTQIA+ virtual affinity space hosted by the faculty advisors of the Gender & Sexuality Alliance. A Zoom link will be provided to registrants closer to the date.
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Taft's fourth, fifth, and sixth heads of school together at Alumni Weekend! From left, Peter Becker '95, Amy Julia Truesdell Becker '94, Lance Odden, Patsy Odden, Willy MacMullen '78, and Pam MacMullen. | | | | |
