Horace Mann - Summer 2016 - 26

HM Board of Trustees Chair Michael Colacino '75 advises taking intellectual risks Horace Mann School Board of Trustees Chair Michael Colacino '75 followed Dean Feigin as the next speaker. Greeting those gathered he elaborated upon the Dean's description of the Class, and then announced to the graduates that he was going to speak to them about failure. But, first, he noted some of the successes this Class had enjoyed. "You have survived physics, Latin, wrestling. ... You have made line-following robots. You have seen situations where you had to toe the line. And there have been moments where you were gloriously out of line. You have added John Dorr Nature Laboratory to your permanent record, and your adventures there will give you something to tell your grandchildren. You've qualified for West Point. You've raised Incoming Head of the Upper Division Dr. Jessica Levenstein presents former Upper Division Head Dr. David Schiller with a money for a cure for cancer. You've contribdiploma as an honorary graduate of the Horace Mann School Class of 2016. uted new technologies to care for people with Alzheimer's. You've demonstrated incredible read: "Keep Ithaka always in your mind. Arriving there is what you are athleticism. You've built new homes for veterans, and your publications destined for." have been nationally recognized. If the world was only about success, Returning to his role as the next scheduled commencement speaker you would be fully prepared. But, a large part of life is not about success. Dr. Kelly welcomed and thanked those gathered under the tent, who, And my message to you is: failure is good. along with the graduates, their guests and HM faculty, included HM "Failure teaches you persistence. Failure teaches you empathy. Trustees and alumni, whose presence meant "so much to the graduates Failure teaches you humility. Failure teaches you success," the Board and to the HM community," Dr. Kelly said. Turning to the Class, Dr. Kelly Chair stated. He then urged the Class members to "Go out and fail. Do reiterated the esteem in which its members are regarded by the HM it noisily so others can see. Don't be ashamed ... Have an idea. Build it community, citing the kind, friendly, courteous, respectful and humble fast and dirty. Try it out. Get feedback. Rip it up. Try it a different way ... way the classmates conducted themselves during their HM years. 'Fail Quickly' is today's mantra. But fail. And then, magically succeed. And "You're a Class that expects honesty from yourselves and others. You make us drop our jaws in wonder at your success." Quoting Winston honor your commitments." In its dealings with the rest of the HM comChurchill, Colacino concluded, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It munity Dr. Kelly said the Class of 2016 exemplified the advice given by is the courage to continue that counts.' Congratulations. Go out, fail and Eleanor Roosevelt-"To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, succeed (and if you succeed on the first try that's OK too), but know that, either way, you make us proud." Upper Division Head Dr. David Schiller joins the HM Class of 2016 The Class of 2016 was one of the first that Dr. Tom Kelly, HM Head of School observed throughout his own Horace Mann School journey, now in its 11th year. Dr. David Schiller served alongside Dr. Kelly as HM Upper Division Head for much of that time. This year's graduation marked Dr. Schiller's last at HM, as he prepared to retire following 34 years as a teacher, English Department Chair, and Upper Division Head. It was thus time for Dr. Schiller to "graduate" as well, Dr. Kelly told the crowd. Veering away from his scheduled address to the graduates Dr. Kelly instead awarded the first diploma of the day. Calling then Dean of Faculty Dr. Jessica Levenstein and Board Chair Michael Colacino to the front of the stage, Dr. Kelly then asked Dr. Schiller to join them to receive his own diploma, as an honorary member of the HM Class of 2016. "In honor of 34 years of service to HM, please do us the honor of accepting your Horace Mann School diploma," Dr. Kelly said "Your good work will not go forgotten, and will always be a part of our school." Dr. Kelly then shared a poem that is known to all at HM as a favorite of Dr. Schiller's, among the many poems the Division Head had carefully selected to open each UD assembly. Quoting from "Ithaka," by C.P. Cavafy Dr. Kelly 26 Horace Mann Magazine Summer 2016 HM Class of 2016 Includes Graduates Headed to College Athletics T he Horace Mann School Class of 2016 distinguished itself in many ways, as internationally-acclaimed young scientists, as artists, as dancers and more. The Class also includes athletes who will pursue their sports in college. Among these graduates, all nationally-ranked in their sport are: Alexandra Banin '16 who will fence (foil) at Northwestern University; Alex Baumann '16, a Lions varsity baseball team catcher who committed last fall to play at Bucknell University; Chibuzo (ChiChi) Ikwauzom '16, a perennial HM volleyball star who will play at Columbia University; Michelle Nam '16, who fences epee internationally and will fence at Yale University; Hannah Seckendorf '16, a decorated Junior Championship squash player who is headed to Brown University; and Stephanie Tilneac '16, who will swim (butterfly is her specialty) at Swarthmore College. Bradley Goodman '16 will pursue crew during a gap year and Victor Park '16 will spend a gap year playing squash in preparation for college athletics. $ photo by Barry L. Mason News of the School

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