2018
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December
Impressive Performances Characterize the 2018 Fall Sports Season
Rivers fall student athletes were recognized for their accomplishments during the Athletic Awards Assembly held on Friday morning, December 7. More than 20 athletes earned All-League or All-NEPSAC recognition, and two students received All-State honors.Read More -
Jazz Composer Offers Master Class to Rivers Musicians
Read MoreStudent musicians in two Rivers Conservatory ensembles, the honors big band and the jazz ensemble, were treated to a master class run by renowned jazz musician and composer Dr. Felipe Salles. -
Students Earn Victories and Make Contacts at Debate Conference
The Rivers debate team traveled to Providence, Rhode Island this past weekend to participate in the Junior State of America (JSA) fall conference titled “Building Bridges: The Road to Compromise.”Read More -
November
Rivers Students Accepted into Prestigious Music Festival
Following a rigorous audition process, nine Rivers School students have been accepted into the prestigious Senior District Music Festival hosted by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. Of those nine, six also have been recommended to audition for the All-State Music Festival.Read More
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Three Student-Athletes Commit to D1 Colleges
On Wednesday, three Rivers School student-athletes signed letters of intent to play sports at three different Division 1 colleges. The letters were signed during a short signing ceremony held in the MacDowell gymnasium that was attended by the families and friends of the students.Read More -
Fall Teams Compete in Post-Season; Coach Donahue Notches 200+ Wins
With several varsity teams prepping for the NEPSAC quarterfinals on Wednesday, November 14, the cross country teams got a jump on the post season at the New England Championships at Canterbury School on Saturday. Mark Ryan ’20, Cam Stathos ’21, and Stephanie Dailey ’19 earned All-New England honors and the boys’ team finished 4th overall.Read More -
Leighton Young Garners Model UN Award
Nine members of Rivers’ Model United Nations Club participated in the 20th anniversary Model UN Conference at the University of Connecticut this past weekend. Three hundred students from 20 schools were delegates, finding solutions for world problems through simulations and substantive debate on 15 committees in sessions that began on Friday evening and continued through Sunday afternoon. Rivers’ representatives included Nora Brown ’19, Matthew Cronin ’19, Amanda Gary ’22, Matt Jones ’19, Hannah Lapides ’22, Isabel Salvin ’20, Nico Stuart ’21, Parker Weil ’19, and Leighton Young ’19, who was chosen as the best delegate on the Joint Crisis Committee.Read More -
Nonesuch Players Present Our Town
The Nonesuch Players will stage an adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s American classic Our Town in the Black Box Theater on November 8, 9, and 10 at 7:00 p.m. Set in 1938 in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, Wilder’s play offers a rare vision of our humanity. The town is populated with inhabitants who may seem old-fashioned and naïve, but in reality are very similar to us “in our growing up and in our marrying and in our living and in our dying.” Tickets are $5 and may be purchased online.Read More -
October
Rivers Kicks Off $50 Million Fundraising Campaign
More than 400 members of the extended Rivers community, including faculty, parents, and alumni, gathered together at Gillette Stadium on the evening of Tuesday, October 30 to celebrate the public kickoff of a $50 million capital campaign. Called FutureMakers: The Campaign for Rivers, it is the largest fundraising campaign in the school’s history.Read More -
Jazz Festival Set for November 10
Members of Rivers jazz ensembles are gearing up for their annual Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 10. The day-long festival will feature an afternoon of performances by small ensembles, directed by Dan Loschen, Phil Sargent, Sean Farias, and Bill Jones. The festival will end with a concert at 6:00 p.m. in Bradley Hall featuring the Middle School Big Band, the Rivers Big Band, the Select 1 and 2 Combos, and a joint performance by the Rivers Honors Big Band and the Dave Umstead Big Band.Read More -
Faculty Talent on Display in Bell Gallery
“On a conceptual level my sculptures are a nod to the idea of portals through which one’s life experiences are framed and witnessed,” says visual arts teacher Rindy Garner in her artist’s statement for the Faculty Art Show, now on exhibit in Bell Gallery. Her words sum up what the faculty offers the Rivers community each year—a glimpse into their artistic lives and their personal vision of the world around them.Read More -
Waterman Field Rededicated at Homecoming 2018
Homecoming 2018 was one of Rivers’ most exciting, from the debut of the new Red Wing mascot on Friday morning right on through Saturday night’s 37-13 football victory over St. George’s on the newly dedicated Waterman Field. Friday evening, girls’ varsity soccer took on Brooks for an exciting 5-0 win under the lights, following the cross-country meet with Nobles, Dexter/Southfield, and Montrose and volleyball against BB&N in the late afternoon.Read More -
RSC Alumnus Matthew Aucoin Receives MacArthur “Genius Grant”
The Rivers School Conservatory was thrilled to learn that Matthew Aucoin, acclaimed alumnus and commissioned composer for RSC’s 2017 Annual Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young, is the recipient of a 2018 MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant.” Aucoin, who grew up in Natick and Medfield and studied piano at RSC with Sharon Schoffmann from 2002-2008, is a multi-talented musician—composer, conductor, writer, and pianist. He began composing music at the age of 10 and in recent years conducted the premieres of two of his operas—Crossing, at Boston’s American Repertory Theater, and Second Nature, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.Read More -
Venture Capital Club Expands Operations
Members of Rivers’ Venture Capital Club set a new goal for themselves at the end of their first year —to establish a competitive venture capital league with neighboring high schools. To date, they have enlisted three other schools – The Winsor School, Needham High School, and Newton South High School - to form a core group of competitors and have scheduled several competitions for the upcoming year. Leading the club this year are Matt Jones '19 and Leighton Young '19, while Bradley Stoller '19, who organized the club last year, has moved on to become the regional president of the organization, now called High School Venture Capital Competitions.Read More -
Students Earn National Merit Honors
Eight Rivers students recently received National Merit commendation for their performance on last year’s PSAT/NMSQT, a test cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Commended students included seniors Nora Brown, Emilia DeJesus, Anna Donlan, Maren Durant, Callie Kamanitz, Michael Manasseh, Colette Meier, and Simonida Spasojevic.Read More -
September
Conservatory Program Hosts Master Class
Thursday afternoon, Rivers’ Conservatory Program welcomed master saxophonist Dave Liebman for the first Conservatory Program master class of the year. Mr. Liebman, who has performed with renowned jazz artists Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, and Chick Corea to name a few, gave an outstanding master class to all of the Upper School and Middle School Conservatory Program students. Michael Manasseh ’19 and Henry Lewis ’20 performed with Mr. Liebman along with RSC faculty bassist Sean Farias.Read More -
Service Opportunities Abound
As Rivers students settle into the new year, the Upper School service clubs have been popular choices for co-curricular activities. Students looking for ways to get involved in community issues need look no further than the summertime commitments of their classmates for inspiration. For a number of students, the summer months provided the opportunity to volunteer at local non-profit organizations and build relationships with others in the Metrowest community. They worked with a wide range of people—from preschoolers at an immigration service center to patients at a VA hospital.Read More -
Clubs Offer an Abundance of Choices
Rivers’ annual Club Fair on Friday was like an all-you-can-eat buffet where Upper School students were sure to find cocurricular activities to satisfy their appetites, and were hard-pressed not to over-fill their schedules. At booths surrounding the lunch tables in Kraft Dining Hall, club leaders—who had described their goals during morning assembly—made personal pitches to interested students.Read More -
Tim Clark Explores Ceramics via 3D Printer
This summer, Visual Arts teacher Tim Clark was fully immersed in the creation of ceramic objects, exploring both familiar and less familiar techniques of creating work. He was producing clay objects using his hands, the potter’s wheel, 3D printers (both clay and plastic printers), as well as using plaster molds as a means of creating ceramic forms. He took “Adventures in Slipcasting, Prototyping, and Mold-Making” at Harvard University’s Ceramics Program, participated in a wheel throwing workshop with artist Stuart Gair, and created the objects for a site specific art installation currently on view at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA. This outdoor exhibit runs through September 27.Read More -
Biochem Students Go on Scavenger Hunt
Read MoreSophomores in Mr. Schlenker’s Biology & Chemistry 2 class could be found rooting around in the woods behind the science building last Thursday morning, conducting their annual “Ecology Scavenger Hunt.” Over the next few classes, they would make far richer—and lasting— connections between what they encountered in the woods and their subsequent assignments than if they had spent that time examining online or print images of specimens. -
Women2Women an Eye-Opening Experience
Natalie Hall ’19 and Samirah Moody ’21 had a unique opportunity this summer to meet young women from around the world without leaving town, as participants in the Women2Women America International Leadership Program. The ten-day conference in July, based at Simmons College, brought together an international group of teenage activists in order to “train them in the areas of leadership development, cultural awareness, conflict resolution, and civic engagement.”Read More -
Welcome Back to School!
Rivers officially opened for the 2018-2019 school year on September 4 with a day jammed packed with classes, meetings, workshops, and practices, ending with a raucous construction-themed Red & White competition, a nod to the future Center for Science and Visual Arts that is soon to be under construction. Click here to watch the day unfold.Read More -
August
Rivers Students Share Summer Experiences
Rivers students are gearing up to return to campus, eager to share the various activities that have kept them busy all summer, including sports camps, summer jobs, and travel with family and friends. Others have already posted their summer adventures on Rivers’ social media channel— Medium.com—where they’ve chronicled Rivers-sponsored programs ranging from an internship at Amazon Robotics to making paella in Cádiz, Spain. Check out the photos and posts about Rivers’ service learning trip to Montana, Spanish language immersion program, and science and business internships, all providing students with remarkable hands-on experiences.Read More -
Trip to Sweden an Enriching Experience
For Dr. Amy Enright, her trip to Stockholm, Sweden this summer was far more than a week filled with visits to museums and other cultural and historical sites. It was an opportunity, supported by a Rivers Faculty Enrichment Grant, to experience first-hand how history is constantly in the making and how cultures can and do adapt to that changing history. Both her AP Modern European history class and her work as Director of the New Center for Community and Civic Engagement will be influenced by what she witnessed and participated in during her trip.Read More -
July
Summertime and There’s Plenty of Music
This summer, Rivers’ jazz students have been attending a variety of summer jazz camps to advance their musical skills. Close to home, Calvin Carswell ’21, Kevin Kamanitz ’21, Calvin Smith ’21, and Jack Willard ’24, are all enrolled in the Rivers School Conservatory’s Summer Jazz Program, along with new Conservatory Program students, Frank Kasparian Weisman ’22 and Ethan Kasparian Weisman ’24. They’ve all enjoyed the mentoring of Rivers alumnus John Nydam ’15, a rising junior at Princeton University, who is majoring in music with certificates (minors) in jazz studies and computer science.Read More -
Rivers' Summer Internships Are Underway
For more than a decade, Rivers has been placing rising seniors in internships at local medical, technology, and research institutions. This summer students will be working at venues ranging from Amazon Robotics to Children’s Hospital’s Simulation Lab. The goal of the internship program has been to find positions for students that allow them to acquire advanced skills and complete meaningful projects while working side-by-side with professionals. Alumni who have participated in the program in the past have called their experiences life-changing.Read More -
Upper School Students Visit Montana
A group of Upper School students—including two rising freshman—traveled to Montana for 10 days in June to volunteer on a Cheyenne reservation while immersing themselves in the Native American culture and natural beauty of the American West. The students stayed on a reservation, spoke with Native American elders and attended local events, restocked free-book community library posts, went horseback riding, visited National Parks, and much more. While they were there, their faculty advisors Tori Wilbur and Yoshi Fujita encouraged them to write journals chronicling this unique experiential learning opportunity. Below are some excerpts from their trip, posted on their Montana Service Trip blog.Read More -
Summer in Spain “Unforgettable”
With barely a pause to catch their breath, a dozen Rivers students finished their finals, packed their bags, and hopped on a plane for two action-packed, lesson-filled weeks in Cádiz, Spain. Accompanied by language teachers Melinda Ryan and Mary Lane Brown, these eager participants in Rivers’ Summer in Spain program immersed themselves in the language and life of Spain, living with local families, taking traditional language classes in the mornings, and visiting historical and architectural sites each afternoon. Their adventures have been captured in Rivers’ Summer in Spain blog, filled with photos and student reflections.Read More -
June
Gabriella Sanna to Lead The Rivers School Conservatory and Performing Arts Department
The Rivers School and The Rivers School Conservatory are pleased to announce the appointment of Gabriella Sanna as the new Director of the Conservatory and chair of Rivers’ Performing Arts Department, beginning August 1. Ms. Sanna is well-known by the Rivers community, having previously served as Chair of RSC’s Chamber Music Department (2004 – 2010), Registrar for the Conservatory (2002 – 2004), and private piano instructor at RSC (1999 – 2016).Read More -
Harley Lank P’21 Elected Rivers’ Board President
At its annual meeting this week, Rivers’ Board of Trustees elected current trustee Harley Lank P’21 as its new president, to succeed outgoing president Bob Davis P’06,’08,’13. Lank brings considerable expertise to his new role as Board president, having served on both the Finance and Facilities committees of the Board. He is a portfolio manager for Fidelity Investments, responsible for managing equity and high-yield bond funds, including the Fidelity Advisor Leveraged Company Stock Fund and the Fidelity Advisor High Income Advantage Fund. In addition, he manages various funds marketed to investors outside of the United States. Lank received a bachelor of science degree in business from Syracuse University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. He and his wife Audra have a son, Tanner ’21, at Rivers.Read More -
Spring Sports Recap
Read MoreRivers’ spring teams made great strides this year after a slow start due to early season storms. Caroline Phelps ’18 won her second All-American designation after helping girls’ lacrosse finish with its strongest record in years at 9-3. Rivers’ golf team, captained by Ian Brostowski ’18 also had a great season, finishing second in the ISL with a remarkable 14-1-2 overall record. Members of Rivers’ track and field team won many individual events at both the ISL and NEPSAC championship meets. Senior Nic Stathos came in first in both the NEPSAC 1500 and 3000 meter races. Myles Epstein ’19, who earned a Globe All-Scholastic, repeated his performance at the ISL Championships, coming in first in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Samirah Moody ’21 came in second in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes, after having won both events at the ISL meet. Sarah Stephenson ’18 was second in the 3000 meter and Rohan Dhir ’18 was third in the high jump. -
Rivers' Class of 2018 Graduates
Read MoreIt was a picture perfect morning to celebrate the graduation of Rivers’ Class of 2018. Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered under the tent on the Quad on Saturday, June 9, to honor the 95 members of the graduating class. Head of School Ned Parsons welcomed the seniors and their guests. After congratulating the graduates on the impact they’ve already had on the Rivers community and beyond, he reminded them that commencement is indeed a beginning. -
Rivers Celebrates Annual Prize Day
Read MoreRivers’ annual Prize Day ceremony was held Friday, June 8, honoring students for their achievements in academics, the arts, and community service, and for personal character. Several faculty and staff members were also recognized for their service and contributions to the Rivers community. Among the prize recipients was Joseph G. Nedder ’18, who won the prestigious Faculty Prize, awarded annually to the senior who “best exemplifies the school’s traditions of industry, responsibility, and loyalty.” -
Eighth Graders Attend RFK Memorial Event
Yesterday, the eighth grade trip to Washington DC took an unexpected turn. The students and faculty stumbled into an incredible event on their way to watch the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. An event was gathering at the Amphitheater that is right behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy on the 50th anniversary of his death. In attendance were the Kennedy family, former President Bill Clinton, and Civil Rights icon John Lewis.Read More -
May
Students Value Intergenerational Connections
Rivers students forged connections with their elders through a growing number of initiatives both on and off campus this year, and found they have much to offer each other. Most recently, students in the spring IDS elective “Systems Thinking for the Common Good” found an appreciative and responsive audience for their projects about social change movements at the Golda Meir House in Newton. They visited twice to present their projects to a group of residents, generating lively discussions about current social issues and the differences in generational activism. Some of the topics the students addressed were the #Metoo movement, the fight for a $15 minimum wage, and the March for Science.Read More -
Alumni Reconnect at Reunion 2018
Saturday’s weather may not have been the best—a sunny morning soon turned cool and rainy—but it didn’t deter stalwart alums from 1940 on from gathering for Reunion 2018. The highlight of the day was the afternoon Awards Reception and Presentation, where Chris Ehrlich ’88 received the Alumni Excellence Award, Rachel Hunter ’08 was awarded the Young Alumni Achievement Award, and Jon Wasserman ’88 was the recipient of the 2018 Rivers Cup.Read More -
Bioethics Students Explore Tough Questions
For each of the past two years, groups of Rivers seniors have devoted hours to tackling issues that most adults would find daunting, through Rivers’ Bioethics Program, spearheaded by Dr. Julian Willard, Chair of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department. This year’s participants—Louise Ambler, Emma Chowdhury, and Julia Slayne—recently presented their research papers not only to the Rivers community but also to Boston’s Community Ethics Committee (CEC), a diverse group of citizens who meet monthly to provide feedback on medical ethics policies to the Harvard teaching hospitals. Next year’s Bioethics Program participants will be juniors Lisa Byrne, Natalie Hall, Colette Meier, and Rebecca Stachel.Read More -
Nicholas Hardy '20 Named to US Sailing Worlds Team
On Wednesday May 9, US Sailing named the 14 new members of their Youth Sailing World Championship Team to include Rivers student, Nicholas Hardy '20. Nicholas has been sailing since 2007 when he first enrolled in a sailing camp at the New Bedford Yacht Club.Read More -
The Rivers Middle School Players Present The Lion King Jr.
The Rivers Middle School Players invite you to join them for a visually lush, dance-filled production of The Lion King, Jr. The first show will open on Thursday, May 17, at 7:00 p.m. with additional performances on Friday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 19, at 2:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre.Read More
"It’s been wonderful to work with this cast,” said Director Diane DeVore. “I am impressed by their work onstage and the way they have supported and encouraged one another off stage as well." -
Track and Field Athletes Retain Titles
Members of Rivers’ Track and Field team competed Saturday in the ISL championship meet at The Governor’s Academy, and retained their titles in several key events. Myles Epstein ‘19 won the 100 meter (in 10.95) and 200 meter (in 22.56) for the second year in a row, and also won the long jump (21’8”). Samirah Moody ’21 successfully defended her 2017 title in the women’s 100 and won the 200 meter with times of 12.49 and 26.48, respectively. Myles also earned the ISL Coaches Award for outstanding Track and Field Athlete of the tournament.Read More -
Golfing for a Great Cause
On Monday, May 7, more than 120 Rivers alumni, parents, and friends enjoyed some of the best spring weather yet at the 18th Annual Rivers School Golf Tournament to Benefit Financial Aid. The event raised more than $75,000 to help deserving and qualified students attend Rivers, and provided a welcome opportunity for members of the community to reconnect on the Robert Trent Jones-designed course at Charter Oak Country Club.Read More -
Lisa Byrne ’19 Wins Top Award in Next-Up! Exhibit
For the second year in a row, a Rivers artist garnered First Prize, in the Next-Up! art competition, hosted by the Page Waterman Gallery in Wellesley. Lisa Byrne ’19 received First Prize for her drypoint entitled Artist’s Hand. In addition, three Rivers artists received honorable mention: Joelle Mentis ’18, Self-Portrait, Oil on Canvas; Isabel Silvia ’18, Cascading, Porcelain; and Emily Smith ’18, Unity, Porcelain.Read More -
David Tierney to Conduct Final RSO Concert
David Tierney will conduct his final concert as Director of The Rivers Symphony Orchestra on Sunday evening, May 13, at 7:00 p.m. at NEC’s Jordan Hall. The concert will feature four student soloists— two graduating seniors in The Rivers School’s Conservatory Program and the two concerto competition winners from The Rivers School Conservatory. Ashley Burgarella ’18 will play the first movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto while Alex Clay ’18 will play Carl Maria von Weber’s Clarinet Concertino. One of the concerto competition winners, Rivers eighth grader Theo Teng, will play the first movement of Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto.Read More -
RISE Day Combines Action and Education
On Monday, April 30, Rivers’ sophomores took a break from classes to devote to RISE Day, the culmination of a yearlong service-learning program designed to encourage personal growth and the development of leadership skills through service. Students spent the morning off-campus volunteering at seven different non-profits before returning for lunch and an afternoon service project packaging thousands of meals for End Hunger Northeast. Rounding out the day were presentations on various service opportunities by classmates and upperclassmen.Read More -
Spring Awards for Ensembles and Soloists
Fifteen classical musicians from Rivers participated in the MICCA (Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association) statewide solo and ensemble festival on Saturday, April 28th at Concord Carlisle High School. Five entries came away with gold "superior" ratings, and one soloist received a silver rating. In addition, three of the gold rated entries were recommended for the prestigious Honors Concert, which showcases the top performances from the day. Each adjudicator was only allowed to select one or two gold medal recipients from the day that they felt represented the highest level of performance, so Rivers’ musicians were well represented at the very top.Read More -
April
'Under the Big Top' Generosity Is Over the Top
The Rivers community set a new record for giving at Saturday’s Parents’ League Auction, grossing $370,750 at the annual event that raises funds for professional development and student technology, as well as a fund-a-need initiative to benefit the new Center for Community and Civic Engagement. Nearly 400 parents, faculty, and staff attended the Under the Big Top event, enthusiastically bidding on silent and live auction items that ranged from a luxury suite for 16 at a concert at Gillette, to a trip for two to Iceland, to a fishing charter with the Wicked Tuna crew.Read More -
Students Co-Chair Model UN Conference
Four of Rivers’ Model UN Club members showed off their impressive leadership skills as co-chairs of the student-led conference held at the Cambridge School of Weston last weekend. Juniors Natasha McMillian, Thando Khumalo, Becca Stachel and Leighton Young partnered with students from Dana Hall and CSW to organize the debate and preside over the conference whose theme was “Youth and Diplomacy.”Read More -
Rivers Givers Grant $12,000 to Non-Profits
Rivers Givers held their annual check presentation assembly on Friday, April 20, distributing grants worth $12,000 to four local non-profits: the Living Assistance Fund, Boston Youth Sanctuary, WATCH CDC, and Waltham Family School. The organizations were recommended by members of the Rivers community in the fall, and selected by the student-run philanthropy group after an extensive review process. Students spoke about the mission and program offerings of each organization before introducing the spokespersons and presenting the checks.Read More -
Students Win a Dozen SISAL Awards
Read MoreThe SISAL (Small Independent School Art League) Show results have been announced and Rivers artists received 12 awards overall, including four First Prizes, three Second Prizes, three Third Prizes, and two Honorable Mentions. Nine awards went to Upper School students and three to Middle Schoolers. -
Students Join #National School Walkout
Approximately 70 Rivers students joined today’s #National School Walkout, on the 19th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School in 1999. After observing 13 minutes of silence—in memory of the 13 lives lost at Columbine—around the campus flagpole with members of the school community, the students marched to the Wellesley town green, where they gathered and displayed signs of protest for passing motorists and pedestrians to see. Many drivers slowed and honked their horns in support as the students waved from the sidewalk.Read More -
Networking Breakfast Focuses on Tax Law
Rivers' Alumni Career Development Committee drew a wide range of alumni to their recent Networking Breakfast in Boston for a panel discussion on “Strategies for Navigating the New Tax Laws.” Greg Stoller '87, P'19,'21, a lecturer at BU's Questrom School of Business moderated the panel discussion by a trio of experts, including Larry Glazer '86, Arthur Page P'07, and Adam Gorlovsky-Schepp. Derek Kelliher ’08 was the chair of the event which was held at the Boylston Street offices of Bain Capital.Read More -
Alumni Athletes End Winter Season on High Note
Rivers alumni made significant contributions on the court and on the ice this winter, including a few notable highlights. Yale senior Jen Berkowitz, Rivers ’14, led their basketball team to their first Ivy League Tournament appearance, earning first team All-Ivy for her efforts. She then led the team to win the Women’s Basketball Invitational Championship, the only women’s team in Ivy League history to claim a postseason tournament title. Meanwhile Villanova freshman Jermaine Samuels, Rivers ’17, will find it hard to top the excitement of being on the NCCA championship team his inaugural year.Read More -
Student Wins Boston Globe Writing Award
Rivers student, Bethany Pasko ’19, received the Will McDonough Writing Contest award through the Boston Globe in March. Bethany’s essay, entitled “Abdication of Accountability—The NCAA’s Sportsmanship Transgressions,” won first place in the 11th-12th grade category, and was inspired by her research into current events related to NCAA oversight of collegiate athletics. The writing contest was open to students from grades 4 through 12 and garnered over 900 submissions.Read More -
Three Students Win National Medals
Three Rivers students were recognized this month for work submitted to the National Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. Ashley Burgarella ’18 won a Gold Medal for her short story entitled “Biography of Rosemary,” Gianny Cepeda ’18 won a Silver Medal for her photograph “Youthful Determination,” and Grant Regan-Loomis ’22, won a Silver Medal for his photograph “Cobweb.” All three pieces received Gold Keys in the Boston Globe Scholastic competition in January.Read More -
Student Composer Featured at Contemporary Music Concert
Rivers’ sophomore Apsara Balamurugan will be the only student represented as a composer in the upcoming 40th Annual Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young from April 6-8, 2018 at Bradley Hall. More than a dozen compositions will be premiered during the 3-day seminar which highlights music from the past 25 years, and has become a model for similar programs across the country and the world. “The Singing Wells” will be performed by Rivers’ Upper School Orchestra with Mr. Dan Shaud conducting during Sunday’s final concert at 5:00 p.m.Read More -
March
Sages and Seekers Participate in Study
Rivers’ sophomores are gearing up for Sages and Seekers, a unique program that will give each one a very personal glimpse into the life of a total stranger. The seven-week program pairs sophomores with local seniors to share life experiences and offer participants of both generations insights into the issues and circumstances that have shaped their lives. This year, both groups will participate in a research study run by a neuroscientist at the University of Southern California aimed at measuring the individual benefits of the program and its educational implications.Read More -
Students Get A Hands-on Look at Medicine
Thirteen Rivers freshmen and sophomores had a unique opportunity during spring break to experience the world of medicine up-close and personal. They attended a three-day STEM mini-course offered by Harvard Medical School’s MEDscience program. During the program, they were presented with a series of “patients” whose symptoms they had to diagnose and treat as a medical “team.” They practiced their skills on STAN, the same simulator used by Harvard medical professionals and students as well as Rivers’ Anatomy and Physiology students during their own MEDscience program each spring.Read More -
Students Perform in Vienna and Venice
Members of Rivers’ Upper School Orchestra, Honors Big Band, and Men’s and Women’s choruses spent an exciting week performing and sightseeing in Vienna and Venice. During the trip all of the ensembles performed in both cities to enthusiastic audiences and students were able to sample the local music scene as well as the local cuisine. Go to @riversschoolconservatory on Facebook to see photos and videos of the trip.Read More -
Debate Team Busy On and Off the Floor
Read MoreRivers’ Debate Team has been hard at work throughout the year, with members competing in regional and national meets, while also stepping up into leadership roles in JSA, the Junior State of America. This year, Emily Shen ’18 and Olivia Xu ’20 served on the gubernatorial cabinet; Emily was the convention coordinator for the Winter Congress Convention in Washington, D.C. in January, and Olivia was the assistant director of logistics. Yasmin Myers ’20 volunteered as a logistics agent for the convention, which more than 500 students attended. -
Winter Sports Wrap-up
Read MoreRivers’ winter season came to an end with the boys’ varsity hockey team claiming the ISL Eberhardt Division title for the fourth time in five years and the girls’ varsity ski team clinching the #2 spot in the NEPSAC Championships. All four basketball and hockey teams made it as far as the semifinals in post-season play, and two teams went on to the finals. In fact, Rivers was the only school to have all four teams in the top four seeds in their divisions. The boys’ hockey team also received the coveted Eberhardt League Team Sportsmanship Award. Aidan Porter ’18 and Tess Sussmann ’18 were named League MVPs in hockey and basketball respectively, and both were named Boston Globe All-Scholastics. -
Big Bands Win MAJE Medals
Rivers’ Honors Big Band and Big Band both competed at the MAJE Senior District Competition on Wednesday, February 28 with great success. The Honors Big Band won a Gold Medal, while the Big Band—new this year and competing for the first time—won a Bronze Medal.Read More -
February
Ease into Summer with Rivers’ Mini-Term
With spring break just around the corner, it’s time to think about how to spend the much longer summer break. New this summer is an exciting way to bridge the divide between classes and vacation—a two-week Mini-Term from June 18 - 29. Taught by some of Rivers’ most dynamic teachers, these half-day courses allow students to spend the mornings and afternoons in two very different activities—they might start the day Creating Video Games with Code and then Explore Alternative Surface/Firing Techniques in the ceramics studio after lunch. Other mini-courses include Art Through Technology; Data Analytics; Field Methods in Environmental Science; Mindfulness, Literature, and Yoga; and Woodworking. Students may also enroll in just a morning or afternoon class.Read More -
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" a Great Success
The Nonesuch Players presented an evening of slapstick comedy and double-takes with their production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" Thursday and Friday, February 22 and 23, at Regis College Performing Arts Center.Read More -
Day of Consideration Focuses on Disabilities
Rivers held its annual Day of Consideration on Monday, February 12, and welcomed a number of guests who shared their thoughts and experiences on the subject of disability throughout the day. The program opened with a school-wide address by John Sharon, the Social Studies Department Chair at the Fenn School and the founder of Disabilities Understood, an organization that seeks to empower people of all abilities through education and training. His talk, entitled "Who Gets to Tell Your Story? Disability and Identity in a 'Perfect' World," set the stage for the workshops and activities that rounded out the day.Read More -
Honors Big Band Takes First Place at Berklee Competition
Rivers’ Honors Big Band and Select 1 Combo had an amazing experience at the 2018 Berklee High School Competition on Saturday, February 10. The Big Band won First Place – a first for Rivers, and the Select Combo won Fourth Place, in a competition that featured ensembles from more than 250 high schools across the nation, including performing arts schools. Michael Manasseh ’19 and Joe Nedder ’18 also won individual awards.Read More -
Photography Exhibit Opens in Bell Gallery
Read MoreRivers’ Bell Gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of iconic black and white photographs by Paula Horn Kotis that documents the 1948 journey of Jewish Holocaust survivors from a British displaced persons camp on the island of Cyprus to the port of Haifa in the new state of Israel. The collection was donated to the school by Rivers alumnus and former trustee Howard G. Davis III, Class of 1970. The opening reception for the exhibit, which runs through March 8, will be held on Thursday, February 15, from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.“My goal in donating the collection to Rivers was to provide the school with what I see as an invaluable teaching tool,” said Mr. Davis on a recent visit to the gallery. -
Artists and Writers Win Big at Scholastics
The results are in for this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and there’s lots of good news to share with Rivers students winning 37 awards overall. No matter how you look at the numbers, they’re impressive. There were 6 Gold Keys, 13 Silver Keys and 18 Honorable Mentions in all, with 32 awards in art and 5 awards for writing. Five students received multiple awards, with one student, Isabel Hardy ’18 receiving Silver Keys in both categories, for photography and poetry. Joelle Mentis ’18 received an honorable Mention for her entire art portfolio—a first for a Rivers student. Eleven recipients were Middle Schoolers and 21 were Upper Schoolers.Read More -
Hockey by the Numbers
Rivers’ statistics students got to see some real world applications of their studies on Thursday when Jeremy Rogalski, Director of Hockey Analytics at the Boston Bruins, shared not only the story behind landing his dream job but also detailed how he translates a fast-paced game of hockey onto an Excel sheet and then teases out a wealth of information for the coaches and players to utilize to perfect their game. AP Statistics teacher John Adams arranged the lunchtime talk in Hutton Hall.Read More -
January
Upper School Arts Night Heads to Jordan Hall
Rivers’ Upper School musicians will gather in Jordan Hall in Boston for the traditional Upper School Arts Night on Sunday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. This is the first time that Arts Night will be held off-campus, and the first time the jazz ensembles will join their classical and choral counterparts in the world-renowned New England Conservatory concert hall. The Big Band, Honors Big Band, Select I Combo, Upper School Orchestra, and Men's and Women's Choruses will each take to the stage during the concert, which is free and open to the public.Read More -
Nyle Fort Speaks at MLK Jr. Assembly
Noted civil rights activist and religion scholar Nyle Fort delivered a passionate, thought-provoking talk to Rivers students, faculty, and staff on Monday at the annual MLK Jr. Assembly. He captured and held the audience’s attention as he shared his thoughts on Dr. King's legacy, and how the impact of Dr. King’s goals and actions have gone far beyond the “I have a dream” speech that he is most remembered by. He reminded students that Dr. King continued to fight against injustices not only toward black people but toward all people, quoting “No one is free until everyone is free.”Read More -
Coach Bob Pipe Logs 300 Wins
Director of Athletics and Head Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach Bob Pipe scored his 300th career win at Rivers on Saturday, January 20, in a 51-42 game against Loomis Chaffee. Players, parents, and fans honored Coach Pipe and the occasion by presenting him with the game ball, which the players gathered round to sign as soon as the game ended. However, this was not the first milestone for Coach Pipe this academic year: he had his 200th career win as Head Boys’ Varsity Soccer Coach with a 1-0 victory over St. George’s on November 3. All in all, it’s been a very good year for Coach Pipe.Read More -
Freight Farm Yields Greens and Ideas
Step out of the cold into the warm, fragrant interior of Rivers’ Freight Farm, and you’ll find yourself transported to a futuristic landscape. This self-contained hydroponic farm in a reclaimed trailer has really come into its own this year as a hothouse for greens, and a hotbed of innovative curriculum projects, especially this past week. From sixth graders to seniors, and lunch-time diners, too, the impact of the Freight Farm was felt on campus.Read More -
Dempsey '09 and Coach Trivigno Face Olympians: Winter Athletics Update
It’s not often a Rivers alumna has the opportunity to face off against Olympic competitors, even less likely both a Rivers alum AND a Rivers coach will do so together on the same team at the same time. But Jillian Dempsey ’09 and Boston Pride teammate and Rivers head varsity coach Dana Trivigno have been chosen to represent the National Women’s Hockey League in exhibition games against the U.S. Olympic Team this weekend. They will travel to Wesley Chapel,Read More -
Rivers Musicians Perform in Festival
Eight Rivers students braved the cold—and snow delay—this weekend to perform in the Senior District Music Festival, sponsored by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and held at Boston Latin School. They were Lindy Billhardt ’19, string bass, orchestra; Ella Caggiano’19, chorus; Alex Clay ’18, clarinet, band; Emilia DeJesus '19, chorus; Michael Manasseh ’19, drums, jazz band; Joe Nedder ’18, trombone, jazz band; Simonida Spasojevic ’19, flute, orchestra; and Daniel Weitz ’20, cello, orchestra.Read More -
Red Wings 5 for 5 in Holiday Tournaments
Rivers’ student athletes may have been on an academic hiatus over the holidays, but they put in hours on the ice and on the floor, winning five titles in five tournaments. Boys’ hockey won their first-ever championship in the St. Sebastian’s Tournament, and both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams won the Rivers Holiday Tournament. Then the Red Wings finished off the break with two more titles: boys’ hockey won this weekend’s Belmont Hill/Nichols Tournament and girls’ basketball won the Shooting Touch Classic.Read More -
Spanish Students Design AMAZON’s New Headquarters
As North American cities jockey for position as AMAZON’s second home base, Melinda Ryan’s Spanish III students presented pitches for their own ideal city to host the Seattle-based company. In preparation for the assignment the students read original on-line articles and news releases in Spanish about the parameters AMAZON requires for the new site that the company estimates would cost $5 billion to build and pump many times that amount back into the local economy.Read More
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