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While the graduating Class of 2024 may have been small in size, they certainly made up for it in camaraderie, character, and achievements. On June 11, the 8th Grade graduation ceremony commenced with a procession of faculty, administration, and staff, leading the way for our esteemed 26 graduates. Dr. Jesse Dougherty, Head of School, extended a warm welcome, setting the stage for the insightful address by the chosen student speaker, Henry Macauley Woodhouse ’24.

In a heartfelt speech, Woodhouse reflected on the 8th Grade’s journey at Green Vale. He likened their experience to completing a jigsaw puzzle, with each person and experience contributing to their growth. He acknowledged the essential roles played by the Head of School, Early Childhood and Lower School Directors, teachers, custodians, kitchen staff, security guards, administrators, and parents in shaping their path.

Woodhouse emphasized how the class of 2024 has matured intellectually, emotionally, and socially, preparing them for the next chapter of high school. He compared their growth to fitting the pieces of a puzzle together, with each individual and memory being a crucial part of the final picture. Woodhouse highlighted the importance of carrying forward the lessons learned and memories made, saying, "As we move forward, we need to reflect back on what was great in our last puzzle to bring into our new one." He concluded by expressing his gratitude for the time spent at Green Vale, a place he will always consider his second home.

Faculty speaker, Karenn Ressa, Upper School Librarian and Green Vale veteran of 27 years, shared her love for birdwatching and drew parallels from Christian Cooper's experiences to impart valuable life lessons to the graduates. Ressa emphasized the significance of discovering and nurturing one's passions, standing firm in one's principles, exercising caution in social media interactions, and upholding human dignity. Reflecting on Cooper's story, she underscored the importance of listening to one's intellect, conscience, and heart in navigating life's complexities. 

Graduates took the stage for the full class’ choral performance of “I’ll Always Remember You” by Miley Cyrus. In keeping with a remarkable tradition, each graduate’s faculty advisor delivered personalized remarks about each student as the diplomas were presented. 

Dr. Dougherty, began his valedictory address by expressing gratitude to the parents for their unwavering support and partnership, highlighting unique aspects of their involvement. Dr. Dougherty also thanked the trustees for their commitment to the school's mission, the faculty for their dedication to learning, and all Green Vale staff for their pride in their work. He acknowledged the critical role these groups played in preparing the graduates for their future, instilling in them the values and skills needed to become conscientious adults.

Addressing the graduates, Dr. Dougherty celebrated their academic and character development, citing philosopher John Dewey's belief in the power of reflection over mere experience. He noted that the graduates have learned to learn, developed strong character through community acts, and built agency, the capacity to shape their futures. "As Dewey noted, your real learning comes from reflection more than the experience itself," he said, underscoring the importance of continuous reflection and learning. 

Dr. Dougherty praised the graduates for their readiness to face future challenges, encouraging them to keep reflecting, learning, and communicating as they move forward.

Lifers (graduates who attended Green Vale since Nursery or earlier)
Lilly Kenny
Evan L’Esperance
Harry Woodhouse
Annabelle Qin

Graduation Awards
Buckley Award for Effort and Achievement
Madelyn Carroccio
Sarah Modell

Head Of School Awards
Lilly Grace Kenny
Shane Morris
Jackie Shi

Robert Fenwick Jackson Bowl for Excellence in Academic and Athletic Endeavor
Lana Alvarez
William Edward Morris

Thomas M. Bancroft, Jr. Citizenship Award
Alexandra Kae Lustig
Dylan Moritz

Penny Doerge Character Award
Christopher John Martelli

Benjamin Farnsworth Vanderpoel Award
Oliver Thomas Moodie

Derby Medal For Strong Character
Shayla Durrett

Year-End Awards
The Frederick Driscoll Award: 
Tabler Kelsey

Brock Award For Excellence In Art: 
Sarah E. Modell

Class Of 1967 Music Award For Effort And The Advancement Of Music At Green Vale:
For Chorus: Shayla Durrett    
For Ensemble: Dylan Moritz 

Cheryl L. Webb Girls' Athletic Award:
Lilly Grace Kenny

Joseph J. Julien Athletic Award For Excellence In Athletics: 
Dylan George Ahern

The Marguerite K. Wheeler Award For Mathematics: 
Janis Vitols

Carlyle J. Coash, Jr. History Award:
Alexandra Kae Lustig

The Jonpatrick Barry Science Award:
William Edward Morris

Warner Speech Contest Winner:
Shayla Durrett

Ruth E. Deakins Bowl For Class Six Highest Average:
Shyer Bhasin, Sonia Malhotra & Mina Mitby

Sevastopoulo Bowl For Class Seven Highest Average: 
Kaito Cavallo, Jacob Jurim & Jourdyn Taylor

The John C. Green Bowl For The Highest Academic Average In Class Eight (Girl & Boy) 
Dylan Moritz & Shayla Durrett

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, GVS Lower School students were treated to a special presentation by Neha Bajaj, a GVS parent (Nate, 2nd Grade) and author of Noah's Intense Day. The occasion was not just about sharing a story; it was a celebration of neurodiversity, individuality, and fostering a more inclusive environment.

Bajaj began her presentation by explaining the process behind her heartwarming book as she guided students through the ins and outs of writing, revising, and illustrating, all of which contributed to bringing Noah's world to life. Diving into her own journey as a writer, Bajaj revealed a secret: she is an avid reader, just like many of the students before her.

As Bajaj read Noah's Intense Day aloud, she painted a vivid picture of some of the challenges faced by individuals with autism. Through Noah's eyes, students began to understand a life filled with sensory overload, social complexities, and the profound emotions that shape his daily life. Bajaj explained how Noah's story isn't just about autism; it's about understanding and embracing differences, and fostering empathy in our community.

The heart of the story lies within Noah's journey of self-discovery. As he navigates through his intense emotions and sensory experiences, he learns to appreciate the unique bond he shares with his brother, Shaun, who faces similar difficulties. Through their connection, readers witness the power of acceptance, compassion, and the unwavering support of family.

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Anticipation filled the Harris Theater for the 2nd Grade's performance of Rainbow Crow—a Lenape Native American legend that tells the story of a crow with brilliantly colored feathers who sacrifices his beauty to bring warmth and light back to his freezing, darkened world. 

Directed by music teacher Jess Beja and supported by the creative talents of art teacher Brigid Coffey and music director Kayla Sorenson, the stage was certainly set for a magical journey bringing nature to life.

Head of School Dr. Jesse Dougherty set the tone with words of encouragement, praising the students' collaborative spirit and their dedication to portraying characters with finesse. As the young actors took their places, their faces lit up with smiles and their enthusiasm was palpable in the waves exchanged with the audience.

Coffey’s skillful set design transported the audience into the heart of nature, setting the perfect backdrop for this legendary tale. Accompanied by Sorenson's wonderful talent on the piano, the students—dressed as creatures from the story—sang with gusto, filling the theater with melodies that captured the essence of the story. 

From playful Mice to Sky Spirits crowned with rays of sunshine to Crows adorned with rainbow-feather boas, each child embodied their character and narrated their lines with pride and confidence. Through the crow's journey, the themes of selflessness, sacrifice, and the importance of community and the environment resonated deeply, leaving a lasting impression on all who watched.

As the final notes of "Over the Rainbow" faded into a roaring applause, it was a clear testament to the students' hard work and dedication. 

Additional thanks goes to Head of Lower School Heather Wagner; our 2nd Grade team: Lisa Del Prete, Christina Gong, Takesha Graham, and Helen Yu-Holguin; our technology extraordinaire Danielle Maggi; the music and art departments; photographer and videographer Chloe Johnson; and all of the enthusiastic attendees in the audience.
 

GVS parent William Deng spoke to Upper School students about his role as Head of Corporate Strategy at the National Football League (NFL), offering a captivating glimpse into the inner workings of the renowned sports organization. 

Deng, father to Marshall (Pre-K) and Wyatt (2nd Grade), kicked off his presentation with an exclusive peek into a video produced annually by NFL Films, taking students on a journey through the exhilarating highlights of this past football season. Students were on the edge of their seats as play-by-play moments unfolded on screen, garnering some pronounced “oohs and aahs” along the way.

Delving deeper, Deng shared insights into the elite world of the NFL, explaining the rigorous process of actually securing a spot on an NFL roster as a player, a feat achieved by 0.005% of hopefuls. With a touch of humor, he quipped, "If you ever aspire to join the NFL, taking my path might just be the easiest route."

But Deng's path wasn't without its own twists and turns, likening his journey to Sheryl Crow's "Everyday is a Winding Road." Prior to assuming his current role in 2023, Deng spent eight years in the NFL’s Media Strategy & Business Development group, spearheading various media partnerships. With a background in finance and strategy from esteemed institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Interbrand, and The Clinton Foundation, Deng holds a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Diving into riveting statistics, Deng revealed football's status as America's favorite sport, capturing the hearts of 70% of the population, with NFL programming ranking 93rd among the top 100 programs—and continuing to grow globally. Also on the rise, is the NFL's Flag Football League, now a part of the LA Olympics in 2028.

Highlighting the NFL's staggering $20 Billion annual revenue stream from media, ticket sales, events, merchandise, and sponsorships, Deng offered students a glimpse into the multitude of career opportunities within the NFL, spanning strategy, content production, legal, and beyond.

With a focus on his role as Head of Corporate Strategy, Deng simplified the term “strategy,” defining it as setting a goal, and then creating a plan to achieve that goal. His specific responsibilities include identifying trends, setting goals around long-term growth potential, and ensuring everyone stays on task and works together. From enhancing game safety and excitement to engaging the next generation of fans, Deng's strategic vision encompassed every facet of the NFL's operations.

In closing, Deng imparted invaluable advice on the power of networking, resilience, and self-discovery, urging students to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. “Always listen, work hard, learn your strengths, and don't be afraid to fail and try again.”

As his words lingered in the air, students departed with newfound inspiration and a deeper understanding of the NFL's inner workings.

Green Vale hosted its annual Book Fair on April 8-12 in the Cheryl Webb Gymnasium.

The gym seemed to come alive, as books of every shape, size, and genre lined the tables, their colorful covers calling curious minds to explore. Students from Pre-Nursery to 8th Grade entered the Book Fair and their eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of so many books waiting to be discovered.  

Throughout the week, students browsed the aisles, eager to find their next favorite read. The Book Fair concluded with a grand finale at Grandparents & Friends Day—as the students enjoyed one last go-around to take home their literary treasures.

A heartfelt thank you to all volunteers, especially co-chairs Susie Anderson and Maria Lustig, who worked hard to ensure that everything ran smoothly. 

The Book Fair at Green Vale was is more than just a chance to buy books—it is an opportunity to foster a love of reading and discover new stories. By the end of the week, students left the Book Fair with arms full of books and hearts full of excitement for the adventures that awaited them within the pages.