In his Commencement Address to the Class of 2025, Head of School Bill Taylor reflected on the journey of the Class of 2025 through the lens of “becoming” — a process, he explained, marked by a deepening sense of self-awareness: “The awareness of who they are becoming… the awareness of what are their distinctive gifts and talents… the awareness of what distinguished each of them as human beings… and the awareness of the men they are becoming.” Building on that idea, he introduced the central theme of his address: vigilance. He defined it as “that sense of being alert, of being aware of what is going on around you and the opportunities that we are presented with if we are being alert to our surroundings.”
He explained that vigilance doesn’t only arise in moments of danger. “More often, the opportunities to sharpen our vigilance happen when we feel at ease, when we are comfortable, and when we are just going with the flow.” He praised the Class of 2025 for how they had embodied this idea: “First of all, I need to let everyone know that the Class of 2025 is a great class… And, for me, and for others who are paying attention, it is your vigilance that helps make this class truly distinctive and, indeed, GREAT.”
To the class as a whole, Taylor extended his thanks for the ways they showed up throughout the year: through over 30 chapel talks on topics like awareness, community, attitude, commitment, and forgiveness; through their leadership in chapel and contributions to school spirit; and through the depth and intention of their Senior Independent Projects. “You have indeed been vigilant toward the recognition of the gifts and talents of your classmates and other students at this School.”
In closing, Taylor challenged the Class of 2025 to take their vigilance with them — and to anchor it in self-awareness and integrity. “Be watchful. Be aware. Know when you have to act. And, equally as important, know when you may be better off waiting before acting. All of this involves vigilance.” He concluded with a reminder of what had made the class great: “Your vigilance is shaped by your integrity,” he said. “Not only that, strive to ensure that your vigilance is also connected to the fabric of integrity and relationships that have helped nurture your journey of becoming at Trinity-Pawling.”
Maxx Miller, the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025, is, by definition, an excellent student. As Head of School Bill Taylor shared in his introduction, “what makes him an excellent student is not just his robust intellect. Rather, what makes him an excellent student is his overall commitment and dedication to hard work and his deep awareness that this work has value to living life.”
Reflecting on Maxx’s many strengths, Taylor remarked, “For some unexplained but actually remarkably fitting reason, the Roman Emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius popped into my mind.” A follower of stoic philosophy — the belief that life is about virtue, managing what you can control, and not being fixated or distracted by things that you cannot — Aurelius once wrote, “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” In both mindset and action, Maxx embodies this philosophy. “Maxx does not take shortcuts,” Taylor said. “He approaches tasks, whether they be academically, athletically, or civically related, by putting his nose to the grindstone and getting ‘stuff done.’”
In his address to the Class of 2025, Maxx distilled his experience into three powerful lessons that he hopes his peers will carry with them beyond Trinity-Pawling.
First: Be prepared to be unprepared.
Maxx reminded his classmates that the real world won’t always come with the resources and support they’ve had at school. “We all have to be able to produce something from nothing,” he said. “We have to be able to create a path when no path has been made yet.” He urged them to build confidence and adaptability, no matter the circumstances.
Second: Don’t chase a title, a position, or physical success.
Reflecting on his own journey toward becoming valedictorian, Maxx admitted that early on, he chased the achievement rather than the experience. “I learned to value the process over the product,” he said. “A lion who loves to hunt will catch more than a lion who loves to eat.” The heart of his message: find fulfillment in the work, not the reward.
Third: Don’t be stubborn.
With humility, Maxx shared how he had struggled to take criticism and admit when he was wrong. Over time, however, he learned the importance of accountability and growth. “When someone holds me accountable, they are helping me grow,” he said. “Take this with you. Don’t be stubborn; be able to take advice and criticism, and apologize when you make mistakes. This will create strong relationships and facilitate personal growth.”
Maxx closed with deep gratitude for his classmates, thanking them for shaping his five years at Trinity-Pawling. “You seniors have made my time here incredible,” he said. “The world hasn’t seen the best of us yet.”
Maxx will continue his journey next fall at Washington and Lee University, where he’ll also join the wrestling team. His wisdom, work ethic, and steady leadership will no doubt continue to serve him—and inspire others—for years to come.
Introduced by Head of School Bill Taylor as “genuine,” “reverent and irreverent in a remarkably human way,” Head Prefect Kweku Arthur-Mensah’s address to the Class of 2025 was both heartfelt and honest.
Taylor praised Kweku’s ability to lead with authenticity throughout the year, describing him as someone who “found an authentic way to retain his jovial personality and congeniality with the more serious demands of being the top student leader.” As he presented him with the McCollum Award, Taylor concluded: “He is not pretentious, not frilly… he is steady and humble.”
Kweku began his speech with heartfelt thanks to God, his family, and mentors like Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg P’10,’15,’23, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Coratti, and Father Lennox. He then tackled a familiar question asked of many students: “Why would you go to an all-boys school for four years of high school?” In Kweku’s case, the answer included six.
To explain, he told a story from his sophomore year — a time of, as he put it, “knucklehead shenanigans.” During preseason, with hours to kill between practices, he and a group of friends found themselves caught up in some questionable hijinks in the dorms. What began as harmless boredom quickly escalated, and eventually, disciplinary consequences followed. “I wanted to be a leader at Trinity-Pawling one day, and I had humiliated myself,” he recalled. “I remember asking Mr. Keel if he thought I could be a prefect one day — he said I’d have A LOT of work to do.”
That transformation, he explained, is at the heart of the Trinity-Pawling experience. “At some point in everybody’s Trinity-Pawling career, you will take an L,” he said. “T-P sets the bar high, and it forces students to get outside of their comfort zone every single day.” What matters, he emphasized, is how you respond.
He spoke with pride about his classmates, citing personal examples of their perseverance: Jackson Crisp ’25 rising from the bottom of the class to Cornell; Ryan Bellamy ’25 going from being doubted to varsity basketball captain; and members of the hockey team climbing from JV to one of the best teams in prep. “That’s grit,” he repeated throughout the speech.
Kweku paid special tribute to the late Matthew Dooley ’23, a classmate who fought brain cancer with quiet courage and left a lasting legacy. “That is grit. That is what being a T-P man is all about.”
He concluded with a charge to his classmates: “When challenges come, when roadblocks get in the way, as a Trinity-Pawling man, you attack that challenge head-on.” Quoting the Bible, he added: “There is no darkness that which the light cannot overcome. Class of 2025, be the willers of light and go out and be the willers of good into the world.”
With strength, sincerity, and his signature humor, Kweku closed by reminding his classmates that they are never alone. “If things ever do go wrong… rest assured you have 82 brothers that you can always lean on.”
In his final year at Trinity-Pawling, Brian Foster ’79 stood before the Class of 2025 not only as their Commencement speaker but as a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend who has shaped the School community for nearly four decades. Head of School Bill Taylor introduced Foster with admiration, noting that even as a young faculty member, “he had that sense of gravitas.” Taylor reflected on Foster’s unwavering commitment to Trinity-Pawling and its students, describing him as someone who “thinks about students all of the time.”
Foster began his address with a heartfelt reflection on his long journey at Trinity-Pawling, saying, “In 1987, I began my career here as a math teacher and hockey coach, never ever thinking that thirty-eight years later I would be giving a graduation speech.” He then spoke to the themes of relationships and gratitude, values he has both modeled and instilled in generations of Trinity-Pawling students.
Reflecting on the year, Foster expressed gratitude for the many moments that made it memorable. He recalled the powerful messages shared during chapel talks — on faith, mental health, resilience, and identity — and the excitement around campus traditions like Thanksgiving dinner and Candlelight. He also thanked the seniors for their effort and heart on the athletic fields, highlighting hard-fought wins like football’s victory over Taft, soccer’s shorthanded win against Hotchkiss, and hockey’s comeback against Taft in overtime. “Those are the games that I will never forget,” he said.
Foster then turned to a tradition of his own: thank you notes. Inspired by a mentor’s simple gesture years ago — he made a commitment to write notes of appreciation. “It started with the seniors on my hockey teams, and I continued as athletic director, writing notes to all of your coaches following their seasons.” As one final gesture to the Class of 2025, Foster prepared a personal thank you note for each graduate, along with a blank card. “All I ask is that in the next few days, you sit down and write someone you love a note, buy a stamp, and send it.”
He closed his speech with the kind of heartfelt encouragement that has defined his career at Trinity-Pawling: “Your time at Trinity-Pawling has prepared you for the complexities of life. You, Class of 2025, are ready to embark on the next chapter. I love you all and wish you all that life has to offer.”
At this year’s Senior-Parent Dinner, the Class of 2025 and their families were honored to hear from a distinguished Trinity-Pawling alumnus, Tag Demment ’64. A lifelong scholar, global thinker, and advocate for sustainable development, Mr. Demment shared his remarkable journey from struggling teenager to world-traveling researcher and academic leader.
Reflecting on his time at Trinity-Pawling, Demment spoke candidly about his teenage uncertainty, arriving at Trinity-Pawling with no center of gravity, and typical teenage angst. But a transformative English teacher, Mr. Owens, helped anchor his thinking and inspired him with the poetry of Robert Frost. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled,” Demment shared, quoting from The Road Not Taken, “and that has made all the difference.”
That road took him far. After earning a degree in architectural sciences from Harvard, Demment traveled across Africa and eventually shifted paths — both geographically and professionally — into the world of wildlife research. He earned his MS and PhD in zoology and botany from the University of Wisconsin, including two years studying baboons in Kenya.
In 1982, Demment joined the faculty at the University of California, Davis, where he earned tenure and later helped establish the school’s pioneering sustainable agriculture program. But it was his deep commitment to development work that defined his later career. He led the CRSP (Collaborative Research Support Program), partnering with more than 35 U.S. universities and over 300 institutions in developing countries to build capacity, improve child nutrition, create insurance systems, and even design mobile phone-based tools for rural farmers.
After retiring from UC Davis, Demment continued his global impact through the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), an organization comprised of presidents of 238 public universities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where he oversaw international development initiatives. His proudest moments over the course of his career have been bringing people together to solve complex problems. Demment believes solutions emerge in collaboration with others and that Trinity-Pawling’s close-knit environment is a perfect place to get that balance right and set students up for a productive life.
Closing his talk, Demment encouraged the Class of 2025 to embrace the unknown, take bold paths, and contribute to a better world. “Enjoy this moment and use this gift to make a difference in the world,” he said, “You are needed.”
With wisdom forged from a life of curiosity, courage, and global service, Tag Demment reminded all in attendance that the Trinity-Pawling experience is a foundation for far-reaching impact.
At Trinity-Pawling’s 118th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 24, 2025, the following Commencement Awards were presented to these outstanding graduates and community members:
Dunbar Award for Service: Sue Webber
Valedictorian for the Class of 2025: Maxx Anthony Miller
McCollum Award to the Head Prefect: Kweku Elijah Arthur-Mensah
Biology Award: Jackson Ferris Crisp
Citizenship Award, Senior: Luke Joseph Sansobrino
Colley Award for Leadership: Gavin Burke
Creighton E. Gatchell, Jr. Sportsmanship Award: Ryan John Impellizeri
Elizabeth Peale Allen Community Service Award: Hunter Emir Baran
Elliot Prize in Senior Mathematics: Mark Wang
Ernest J. Reiter Award for Physical Science: Brian Francis Knapp
Excellence in Art Award: Yilei Liu
Excellence in Chemistry Award: Hunter Emir Baran
Excellence in Environmental Science Award: Maxx Anthony Miller
Excellence in History Award: Maly Benedek Álmos
Excellence in Instrumental Music Award: Mark Wang
Excellence in Spanish Award: Patrick Leonard
Excellence in the Senior Independent Project (SIP): Maly Benedek Álmos, Gianni Luks Fidanza, and Luke Joseph Sansobrino
Excellence in Theater Award: Robert George Lyndel Edwards
Gamage Award for General Excellence: Aidan Joseph Turner
Head of School’s Award for Excellence: Amy Foster
Henderson Prize in English: Nicholas Joseph McAvoy Jr.
Honor Student, Grade Twelve: Maxx Anthony Miller
Kevin Neal Acrish Award: Jackson Ferris Crisp
Norwood L. Pinder Prize in Journalism: Jack Michael Lashlee
Outstanding Achievement in Global Collaborative Project, PG: Brian Francis Knapp and Patrick Leonard
Tennant Drama Award: Joseph Fiore Sposato
Weeman Athletic Award: Aidan Joseph Turner
Wells Award: Justin Nels Fugelsang
Trinity-Pawling’s beloved Stepping Up Ceremony was held in All Saints’ Chapel on Friday, May 23, 2025. The Stepping Up tradition traces its roots all the way back to the 1930s. In this service, held just before Commencement, each class steps up to the next level. Underclass academic honors are awarded, leadership roles for the following year are announced, and the service concludes with naming the next group of Prefects who will lead the School forward. We’d like to congratulate all students on a fantastic school year!
At the Stepping Up Ceremony, the 2025-2026 Prefects were announced in style! Congratulations to these rising seniors who were voted Prefects for the 2025-2026 school year:
Arthur Figueiredo, Head Prefect; Axel Caramico, Junior Prefect; Chase Laramee; Dominic Zani; Jameson Foglesong; Everett Hand; Carl Luo.
We look forward to their leadership on campus!
We also extend congratulations to all of the students who won awards and honors at the 2025 Stepping Up Ceremony. To view the full list of Stepping Up 2025 awards, please visit our website.
Thank you to all students, faculty, and staff for another fantastic year at Trinity-Pawling!
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Trinity-Pawling community gathered in Gardiner Theater for the annual yearbook dedication ceremony and presentation of other academic awards.
The 2025 Trinitannus was dedicated to Amy and Brian Foster ’79. For 70 combined years, Brian and Amy Foster have been dedicated to Trinity-Pawling — welcoming, supportive, and deeply committed to the community. As they both retire, the Class of 2025 shared a few reflections on the impact they’ve had:
“The Fosters have made a great impact on my T-P experience. I would like to thank Mr. Foster for running our athletic programs, and Mrs. Foster for her unwavering efforts in encouraging students to read more.”
“They do incredible work for the community. Both deserve to be recognized for all their hard work and dedication to us.”
“They do everything and always put the community first.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Foster have been the backbone of the Trinity-Pawling community throughout my five years and long before that. The Fosters make everyone around them better, uplifting their fellow faculty whom they consider their family, and they hold each and every Trinity-Pawling student to a high standard, constantly believing in the mission statement of “providing a transformational educational experience that helps students discover and pursue their talents.” Whether it’s in the classroom or athletic fields, they are always pushing us to be better. This is why the 2025 Trinitannus should be dedicated to them. They have made T-P home for many of us and shared and welcomed many in their community that we hold dear.”
Congratulations, Amy and Brian!
Awards, Recipients, and Leadership Positions:
The following awards and honors were presented during the dedication ceremony. Congratulations, all!
Drama Officer: Jake Wixtead ’26
The Phoenix Article of the Year: Justin Fugelsang ’25
The Phoenix Writers of Distinction: Ian Arnott ’25 and Maxx Miller ’25
The Phoenix Editor: Kai Wilson ’26
The Phoenix Associate Editors: Luca Fugo ’26 and Alex Gersten ’26
Head Tour Guides for the Office of Admission: Nolan Watts ’26 and Chase DeFlippo ’26
Junior Tour Guide for the Office of Admission: Enzo Fugo ’27
Model U.N. Student Leaders: Jack Fries ’27 and Enzo Fugo ’27
John Lloyd Owen Creative Writing Award: Thomas Imbimbo ’27
10-year Faculty Service Award: Katie Berlandi
Robert H. Yunich ’61 Award: Jake Giarrizzo ’25
Phil Haughey ’53 Athletic Award: Axel Caramico ’26, Tanner Braden ’27, Jack Rodman ’25, and AJ Turner ’25
Congratulations Class of 2025!
Below is the matriculation list for the members of Trinity-Pawling’s Class of 2025. We wish our graduating seniors all the best on their journeys to college and beyond!
Assumption University
Babson College
Belmont University
Bentley University
Bishop’s University
Boston College
Bowdoin College
Bucknell University
Clark University
Clarkson University
Clemson University
College of Staten Island CUNY
Cornell University
Denison University
Dickinson College
East Carolina University
Endicott College
Fairfield University
Franklin & Marshall College
Gettysburg College
Hamilton College
High Point University
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Jacksonville University
Kenyon College
Merrimack College
Michigan State University
Middlebury College
New Mexico Military Institute
Northeastern University
Oberlin College
Pace University (Westchester)
Penn State University (University Park)
PennWest California
Pratt Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rutgers University (New Brunswick)
Sacred Heart University
Saint Anselm College
Sandhills Community College
St. Lawrence University
The University of Tampa
United States Military Academy at West Point
University of Connecticut
University of Dayton
University of Idaho
University of Massachusetts (Dartmouth)
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)
University of New Haven
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Washington and Lee University
Washington University in St. Louis
Wesleyan University
William & Mary
Be sure to join us in celebrating the college commitments of the Class of 2025! Follow the Trinity-Pawling School Class of 2025 College Decisions IG page here.
On the evening of Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Trinity-Pawling community, parents, families, and friends gathered in All Saints’ Chapel to celebrate Middle School Stepping Up — a ceremony in which the Middle School class celebrates the past year and ‘steps up’ into their new roles at the School. Let’s hear a round of applause for all students, award recipients, faculty, and Middle School Coordinator Todd Hoffman for a great year. Congratulations to all!
Award Recipients
Maurice Jackson Hoover Jr. General Excellence Award: Jayvian Vazquez ’29
8th Grade Citizenship Award: Peter Savino ’29
7th Grade Citizenship Award: Michael Loosen ’30
Choral Award: Jayvian Vazquez ’29
Performing Arts Award – Technical Theater: Michael Loosen ’30
Performing Arts Award – Acting: Teddy Lloyd ’29
The Phoenix Writer of Distinction: Mac Hendrix ’29
Most Improved Middle School Student: Brenden Pontoriero ’29
Excellence in History Award: Ebo Arthur-Menseh ’29
Excellence in Science Award: Johnny You ’29
Excellence in Math Award: Colton Greier ’30
Excellence in English Award: Mac Hendrix ’29
Excellence in Foreign Language Award: Mac Hendrix ’29
Excellence in Instrumental Music Award: Tristan Albra ’29
Excellence in Fine Arts Award: Sam Overman ’29
Overall Distinction in the Humanities – Teddy Burke ’29
We’re Hiring: Athletic Trainer at Trinity-Pawling School!
Trinity-Pawling School is seeking a dedicated Athletic Trainer to join our dynamic athletics team. More than just a specialist in injury prevention and recovery, you’re a trusted presence on the sidelines — professional yet approachable, calm under pressure, and a steady support for student-athletes navigating both challenges and triumphs. You lead with empathy, communicate clearly, and build trust — because athletic training here is about more than physical health; it’s about resilience, growth, and connection.
What You’ll Bring:
✔ Expertise in adolescent development and the unique needs of teenage boys
✔ Strong communication skills and a compassionate, team-oriented approach
✔ A passion for helping student-athletes thrive — physically, emotionally, and socially
Bonus: Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach credentials are a big plus!
Ready to make an impact? Join a school where your work truly matters. Apply here.
Your gift today fuels the moments that shape Trinity-Pawling boys for a lifetime.
The Trinity-Pawling Fund helps make possible the transformational experiences that define our School. As we near the end of our fiscal year on June 30, your support ensures that every Trinity-Pawling boy will continue to grow, discover, and thrive in a community built on effort, integrity, and brotherhood.
- A handshake on the quad shows a boy that he belongs.
- Study sessions spark breakthroughs in class.
- Laughter in the dorms builds life-long brotherhood.
- Victory on the field becomes lasting confidence.
- A boy who steps up in the Chapel becomes a young man discovering his purpose.
These are the moments made possible through your generosity. Your gift provides scholarships, supports dedicated mentors, and strengthens dynamic academic, athletic, and student life programs that set Trinity-Pawling apart.
Ways to give:
Online: www.trinitypawling.
Venmo: @TrinityPawlingSchool
Phone: 845-855-4836
Make your gift by June 30, 2025!
Thank you.
Trinity-Pawling School has an exciting lineup of upcoming events that promise to captivate and inspire. Whether you’re an alumnus, parent, or member of the wider community, mark your calendars and get ready to experience the events that Trinity-Pawling has to offer. Stay tuned for more details!
June 13, 2025
Shanghai, China Gathering
7:00-9:00 PM
Han Tianheng Art Museum
A special thank you to Mr. Jing Zhou and Ms. Yinzhi Han P’28
June 14, 2025
Beijing, China Gathering
7:00-9:00 PM
CP Center
A special thank you to Mr. Ping Tse and Ms. Yanxia Zang P’29
June 17, 2025
Tokyo, Japan Reception
7:00-9:00 PM
La Provence at InterContinental Tokyo Bay
A special thank you to Mr. Yu Tamura ’10
June 19, 2025
Seoul, South Korea Reception
7:00-9:00 PM
Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas
A special thank you to Mr. Nam Kyu Kang ’97 and Mr. Joon Sung Kim ’04
August 4, 2025
Cape Cod Reception
6:00-8:00 PM
Harwich Port, MA
Hosted by Becca and Tom Ahrensfeld ’73, and Chris Roux ’73
RSVP here.
October 3-4, 2025
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
Celebrating class years ending in 0s and 5s!
Trinity-Pawling School
Register today!
October 10-11, 2025
Parents’ Weekend
Trinity-Pawling School
December 8, 2025
New York City Holiday Reception
6:00-8:00 PM
Union Club of the City of New York
Hosted by Jean Doyen de Montaillou and Michael Kovner ’58
December 11, 2025
Boston Holiday Reception
6:00-8:00 PM
Hosted by Peggy and Phil Haughey ’53
To learn more about upcoming events or to RSVP for an event, please visit our website.
Alumni, as you reflect on this past year, we hope you will share an update with Trinity-Pawling!
Did you get married, enter retirement, welcome a new baby into the family, switch careers, or win a prestigious award? Did you declare a major, graduate from college with a new degree, or land an internship? Do you have any exciting plans? Let us know!
The deadline for the next Trinity-Pawling Magazine is June 15, 2025 — submit your class notes today!
Questions? Reach Out!
Email alumni@trinitypawling.org or contact MJ Davenport at 845-855-4883.
We look forward to hearing from you!