Welcome, Alumni

List of 11 items.

• Aaron Silidker ‘99

  10/1/2024

   

   

  Aaron Silidker ‘99 credits the Country School with allowing him to “tinker” and explore his passion for mechanics, which he now does as the founder of RoamRig van upgrades.
  
  I currently run a small business in North Branford called RoamRig. We make electrical parts/accessories for a very narrow niche of the camper van market, specifically for Sprinters and one model of Sprinter based van called the Winnebago Revel. The Country School always encouraged independence and finding your "thing" as a student. The spirit of independence and exploration at Country is certainly something I've carried with me through my education and career. The Country School 100000% encouraged me to explore and tinker. Tinkering has and will always be my "thing." It led me to my business. 

  
  

  There are LOTS of Country School teachers and experiences that center around independent thinking and exploration...for me, that was tinkering. 

  
  

  I will give you a specific one about Chris Wallack. At some point, Country School had a device for painting lines on the fields. As a kid who always, ALWAYS loved tinkering with machines, I thought this one was super cool. Put some paint in, start an engine, pull a handle, and paint comes shooting out. One day during gym class, Mr. Wallack let me play with the line striping machine. Clearly this was only barely adjacent to gym class and physical activity, but he allowed it. He trusted me.

  
  

  Another fun mechanical-related memory was The Country School auction in 1996 or so. As an 11 year old, I donated an oil change for someone's car. Former Head of School Ed Blatchford bought it, and I changed the oil in his Honda Accord. What other school would have a headmaster who lets an 11-year-old change their car's oil and filter? Mr. Blatchford’s wife, Claire, a hearing-impaired woman, let me, then a 5th Grader, call her on a TTY system because I was so interested in learning how it worked, which leads me to another fun story: my desk alarm. 

  
  

  The summer before 5th Grade, I took an electronics class at the Eli Whitney museum and built an electronic alarm with a very loud buzzer that would sound (and stay on until reset) when someone opened a door. When I arrived to school that fall, I learned that there were two 5th Grade homerooms, and we used to move from one room to another. The tops of our desks lifted up, allowing us to store all of our belongings. Kids from the other class used to go through my desk, which irritated me. Thankfully, my homeroom teacher, Mr. Krugman, indulged my passion for tinkering. He let me install the alarm I had made that summer on my desk so that no one could go in there.

  
  

  The Country School was a place that recognized that I liked to tinker and explore, and my teachers definitely nurtured that wherever possible. As an adult I marvel at how wild it was–in a good way–that Country School let me be me and let me explore and build.`

• Alexandra Long ‘01

  10/1/2025
  
  

  As Director of Student Activities at Choate Rosemary Hall, Alexandra Long uses her Country School background every day to bring smiles to the faces of Choate students, and credits several iconic Country School teachers with inspiring her to lead with kindness.

   

   

  How did your Country School background help you get to this point?
  Country School was where I truly discovered myself and developed the personality I have come to love and respect. Receiving the Spirit Award in 8th Grade on Prize Day was one of the most meaningful moments of my life. It felt like it captured who I was then and who I aspired to be moving forward. That recognition, along with the encouragement I received at TCS, gave me the confidence to embrace my outgoing personality. Today, that same energy fuels my work as Director of Student Activities where I get to create fun, joyful, and memorable experiences for students.

   

  Do you see any overlap between your Country School experience and the experience you provide for students at Choate?
  When I see a Choate student wearing a TCS shirt, I light up and can’t help but shout that I went there too. It’s such a joy to bond with students who share that same connection and know the school that means so much to me. We often talk about how special Country School is and reminisce about the trips and experiences that made it unforgettable. That sense of community and shared joy is exactly what I try to create for my students now.

   

  Were there specific Country School teachers or experiences that inspired you to follow this path?
  It’s hard to name only a few, but I’d like to give some special shout-outs. Mrs. Hartsoe was a saint, driving our carpool every day and showing such patience and kindness. Mr. Bennett and I share a birthday, and we still bond over that connection to this day. Mr. Wainio, who was my advisor one year, helped me see my leadership skills early on and encouraged me to use them to support my peers. Each of them played a role in shaping the path I would eventually take.

• Andre Salkin ‘16

  3/4/2025
  
  André credits the Country School with giving him a love of learning and great memories, from Meyer Mall to Uncle Tony’s bolognese. He uses this experience as an Education Report for the Santa Fe New Mexican.
  
  Looking at the faculty and staff page on the Country School website fills André Salkin ‘16 with gratitude. According to André, these familiar faces “had a hugely positive effect on me. I would hate to start naming names — but shoutout to Jason Wainio, my coach, latin teacher, and advisor. And I think I was in his boat one time during the Delaware River Trip.”

  
  

  André is now a reporter for the Santa Fe New Mexican, mainly covering stories about schools and education policy. The infectious love of learning that André found at the Country School has led him to this career as a key member of the Santa Fe community.

  
  

  André writes that, “I give big credit to all the faculty and staff for providing our class a really good education.” Along with Mr. Wainio, others stand out as André looks back on his Country School days, including Wendy Meyer, David Acheson, and Tony Capaccio. André writes, “There were a lot of people who really challenged us. I think just about everyone helped in passing down a love for books, and in Mr. A's, case, a serious look into artistic inquiry.”

  
  

  André shares his deep appreciation for “Uncle Tony” especially, writing, “Anyone who knew him, knew that he would offer the shirt off his back or to come in on a weekend to teach a basketball lesson. And when he would, without fail, offer to help with whatever you needed, he'd hand you a tupperware of some of the most delicious homemade Italian you can imagine. I remember his bolognese.”

  
  

  Tony and others “helped build an environment that had a lot of respect for the learner figuring complex things out on their own with the support necessary if needed. It helps build a love of learning, too, for when kids eventually become adults, a forever important asset for a human being, and maybe one of the highest aspirations for an educational institution.”

  
  

  In his role as an education reporter, André has taken a deep look into Santa Fe’s schools and seen the challenge to imbue a love of learning in students. But he feels that the Country School gave that to him: “In the pre-renovation gymnasium walls riddled with holes (partially my fault), Mr. Wainio's Circus Maximus board game, Mrs. Meyer's Meyer Mall simulated economy — and in Tony's bolognese, there it was. A network of just the right amount of space and support for young learners to discover why school is important.”

• Colin Higginson ‘19

  10/1/2024

   

   

  Colin Higginson ‘19 credits the Country School for instilling in him resilience, strong work habits, and a love of history, which he uses now at Trinity College Dublin and hopes to use in achieving his goal of opening his own medical practice.
  
  I am currently enrolled in the Business, Economics, and Social Studies (B.E.S.S.) program at Trinity College Dublin with a concentration in Business and Economics. I plan on applying to medical school upon completion of my undergraduate business degree and am considering taking a gap year to complete my prerequisite STEM courses. With my degrees in business and medicine, I hope to eventually open my own medical practice which will allow me greater control over my schedule and work environment in the short term, as well as provide opportunities for affordable and personalized healthcare to my community in the future.

   

  My academic experience at Trinity is far from what I expected it to be. Unlike many American institutions, Trinity places great emphasis on final exams and essays, with many accounting for as much as 70% of a student’s final course grade. It goes without saying that preparation for these exams is stressful, as there is little room for error and even less room to make up for a poor exam grade. When I encountered roadblocks while studying for these exams, I often found myself reflecting on my academic experience at The Country School. My teachers never gave up on me and impressed upon me the importance of resilience and attention to detail. Because of their dedication to my success, I have adapted to the many challenges that accompany studying abroad, and have grown to appreciate the time and effort my Country School teachers contributed to my academic and extracurricular success.

   

  While I admittedly had no plans to study abroad during my time at The Country School, my history teachers definitely influenced my decision during my college application process. I have many fond memories of studying history, especially with Mrs. Kelly and Mr. Wainio. I have truly appreciated learning about Trinity College Dublin’s extensive history, and I am reminded of my time studying the ancient Romans and Greeks at TCS every time I enter Trinity’s idyllic front gate.

• Madie Leidt ‘12

  3/4/2025
  
  

  Madie credits The Country School’s outdoor education and athletics programs for her career as a professional hockey player in Hungary. With the World Championships coming up in April, Madie is using that experience to be a leader on the Hungary National Women’s Hockey Team.
  
  Madie Leidt’s hockey career has brought her to the world stage. Playing professionally for Kanadai Magyar Hokiklub in Budapest, she is also a key member of the Hungarian Women’s National Team. It has been a whirlwind of a year, as Madie and the national team made it to the Olympic Qualifiers in February, coming up just one goal short of qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Madie remains positive, however, highlighting that she will play for Hungary at the World Championships outside of Prague this April. The future is certainly looking bright.

   

  Even before her recent success on the ice, Madie’s hockey career reached great heights, including captaining Middlebury’s National Championship team in 2022 (and scoring a key goal in the Championship Game). 

   

  There were certainly key experiences at the Country School that set Madie up for this success. She writes, “I often reminisce about the outdoor education opportunities and various sports I was able to try because of TCS.” Highlights for Madie were the trips to Moab and the Delaware River, believing that “ten days camping in Utah, four in Delaware, and many other trips afforded me opportunities to learn, lead, and work with my classmates in ways that not many 5th-8th graders can say they have.” These special moments brought out the best in Madie and gave her a lot of skills she uses today. 

   

  Of course, her athletic experience at TCS influenced her hockey career, and she credits Chris Wallack and Brian Osterhout with instilling important skills in P.E. class and on our teams. According to Madie, “Mr. Wallack and Mr. O., were both gym teachers while I was at TCS, and they always encouraged me to go as far as I possibly could with sport. They gave me countless opportunities on various TCS sports teams like lacrosse, soccer, softball, etc.”

   

  She writes that her early years playing Country School sports “set me up to captain three varsity sports as a junior at Taft, captain my college team to a National Championship, and now play at the professional level.”

   

  Now playing at the highest competitive level for her sport, Madie knows that her Country School days were key to her accomplishments. She sums it up nicely, writing, “All in all, TCS played a huge role in building the foundation of the student, athlete, and human that I am today.”

• Oliver Haslegrave ‘93

  12/9/2025
  
  

  Oliver Haslegrave is a rising star in the interior design world. As the founder and creative director of Home Studios in Brooklyn, he is helping to change the way people think about indoor spaces. 

  
  

  In 2009, Oliver founded Home Studios, bringing beautifully modern designs to restaurants and bars in New York City. Since then, Home Studios has expanded its brand throughout the country from Los Angeles to New Orleans, and in recent years, has also worked on residential projects. Anyone who sees these restaurants, townhouses and apartments will notice Oliver’s distinctive vision; his designs are more works of art than businesses or residences. 

  
  

  After opening Home Studios, Oliver quickly became recognized for his talent. In 2013, his restaurant Alameda was named one of the five best-designed restaurants in New York City by Eater magazine. Since then, the accolades have continued to pour in. The 2014 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards named Tørst the best-designed bar in North and South America, and in 2017 Gwen was named a James Beard Award for Restaurant Design Finalist. Other restaurants have been recognized in Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and Esquire. 

  
  

  Oliver himself has gained a reputation for excellence. Just this year, Wallpaper* magazine named him on its USA 400 list as someone who is “shaping the United States’ creative landscape” and “leading some of the country’s most noteworthy projects.” He was joined on that list by Beyoncé, film director Wes Anderson, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

  
  

  Oliver has been featured in prominent magazines, including Architectural Digest, Interior Design and T Magazine of the New York Times. These articles highlight Oliver’s ability to redefine the look of restaurants and apartments and his goal to tell stories through architecture. As T Magazine described it, he “works like a set designer, pulling from disparate sources to create intricate, dramatic spaces that tell stories of their own.”

  
  

  A key to Oliver’s success is his ability to blend his passion for art, film, and literature into striking interior layouts. This interdisciplinary approach has helped him continually find new inspiration. According to Oliver, “One of the coolest things about design is that there’s always a new way of doing something.”

  
  

  Oliver’s Country School roots grow deep. Oliver himself is remembered fondly by his teachers, coaches and classmates. At his 1993 graduation, he was lauded for being a “multi-talented young man” who “continually sets higher goals for himself.” In 5th Grade, Oliver was a finalist in the MacLane Poetry Recitation, and in 8th Grade, he received the Cox Bowl. In his tribute for this award, Mr. Wallack wrote that Oliver “earns an A for effort” and described him as a “fanatical athlete and even greater sportsman.” The Haslegrave family has been making a mark on the school for generations, presently with his nephews Alden Barnes ‘33 and Charlie Lichter ‘29. 

  
  

  Oliver’s love of design was clear early in his Country School days. His classmate Rob McNary remembers that, “he was designing the coolest things even when we were in elementary school.” His passion for reading, academic ability and interest in the world made him “such a good influence” to his peers.

  
  

  From his Country School days to his groundbreaking career, Oliver lives out the Country School’s mission to “honor our students’ creativity, sense of wonder, and intellectual curiosity.” His impact on the architectural world is profound, and he continues to inspire others through his work. We are proud to call him one of our own.

• Robbie Cozean '16

  12/15/2025
  
  

  Q: How did your Country School education help you find success as a runner at Notre Dame?

  
  

  A: I believe an important part of finding success in anything, whether it be sports, academics, or your career, is pursuing endeavors that you are passionate about, and I think a special part of Country School is the warm and supportive environment that is fostered on campus helps you discover those things that you are passionate about. I attribute my experiences on the TCS team, from runs on the trails behind campus to the support I received from Mr. Fixx and Mrs. Coyne, as a large reason as to why I first fell in love with running, and that passion is what drove me to compete for 5 years at ND.

  
  

  Q: Did your TCS background help you to balance running with academics in college? Are you still running today?

  
  

  A: Yes, I believe the strong academic foundation that I gained from my time at TCS helped prepare me to be able to handle the stress of balancing academics and athletics at a school like ND. Listening to my peers in college talk about their pre-college experiences, it was evident that TCS prepares you for the rest of your academic and professional life in ways few other schools do.

  
  

  I'm still running now. It's definitely challenging trying to balance my career and running, but I still enjoy it. I ran my first marathon this fall and plan to run another one in the spring.

  
  

  Q: Beyond running, what are you doing now in your career? Were there specific teachers or experiences at TCS that helped you get to where you are today?

  
  

  A: I work for an investment firm in Austin, TX. I think there are many teachers and experiences at TCS that helped me get to where I am, and, if I were to list them all, I'd have to write a multi-page paper. That being said, an important lesson that TCS instilled in me was being able to put yourself in another person's shoes. I work with business founders every day who have spent their entire lives building the companies we look to invest in, and I believe the ability to understand their perspective is critical to building trust that we are the right firm to partner with. TCS has absolutely fantastic academics, but it's the life skills gained outside of the classroom that really sets it apart.

  
  
  

• Sage Aronson ‘04

  3/4/2025

   

  Sage credits his Country School teachers, especially Mrs. Hartsoe, with inspiring him to be a scientist today. Developing cost-effective equipment, Sage is providing access to important tools for all scientists.
  
  In October 2024, Sage Aronson ‘04helped to launch a new microscope called SLICE at the Society for Neuroscience. This launch was the introduction of a new era in imaging technology, making light sheet microscopes much more affordable for researchers.  

  
  

  Sage currently works as Director of Special Projects for MBF Bioscience. Before this, and while getting his PhD, he started his own company that produced imaging devices for researchers. According to Sage, the device “has been used in over 20 countries to study everything from schizophrenia, to Alzheimer's, to fundamental questions about how the brain processes information.”

  
  

  In his current role, Sage leads “a very talented team of engineers and scientists” who have a seemingly simple but very important task: “Build tools to help scientists ask better questions.” The unveiling of SLICE was a key development in light sheet microscope technology. While similar microscopes can normally cost nearly $500,000, Sage’s company “developed and launched a system for 1/10th the price that is equally or more performant.”

  
  

  Sage links the lessons he learned at the Country School to his ability to communicate and think about the brain. He writes, “I remember most problems I got wrong at TCS. I don't remember them because I'm ashamed -- rather, because it fundamentally changed how I looked at the world.” From these moments, Sage learned a valuable lesson: “It is important to fail. I fail every day. Science is really a procession of iterative failures marked by periodic successes. Creating an environment where failure is expected and used to learn is really important, and I think TCS did a great job at this.”

  
  

  In particular, he remembers a specific activity in science class with Terrie Hartsoe, who, Sage believes, is “a large part of why I am a scientist today.” 

  
  

  Sage writes, “I have a vivid memory of a class where we had a simple assignment: Write a protocol to make a PB&J sandwich. Everyone submitted their protocol and Mrs. Hartsoe followed each step. Mine was something like, ‘Put peanut butter on one piece of bread, jelly on the other, and press them together.’ So, she took the jar of peanut butter and placed it on top of the loaf of bread. Repeated with the jelly. Then smooshed them together.”

  
  

  Some alumni reading this may remember that same activity, where they were taught that overlooking steps in the scientific process can lead to unexpected results. Sage writes that this lesson taught him “It is EXTREMELY difficult to communicate how to do even the simplest of things. Now imagine communicating how to record from the brain. Whenever I am writing a protocol, I think back to this lesson. What assumptions am I making? How can what I wrote be misconstrued?”

  
  

  This formative experience and his comfort with failure at the Country School have led Sage to do groundbreaking work and usher in a new era of imaging technology.

• Sarah Bradford '07

  10/1/2024

   

  Sarah Bradford ‘07 credits her Country School teachers for encouraging her to think beyond our community, which she now does as an attorney helping recently-arrived migrants to New York find their footing in their new home.

  I am an Associate Attorney in the New York office of the global immigration law firm Fragomen. I represent companies and individuals on a wide range of U.S. inbound immigration matters, including temporary work visas, employment-sponsored green cards, and marriage- and family-based green cards.  While my company clients cover various industries, including electric vehicles, foreign policy and exchange, museums, tech, banking and finance, and personal care, the direct human impact I feel on a daily basis is rewarding and meaningful. 

  
  

  At Fragomen, where immigration has been the sole focus for over 70 years, I am part of a group where people seek our expertise and guidance during their bravest and extremely personal life milestones: transitioning their lives to a new country, sometimes on their own and other times for family unity or falling in love.  In my pro bono practice, I assist immigrant survivors of domestic violence, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, and recently arrived migrants through asylum seeker resource fairs and work authorization clinics across the five New York City boroughs.

  
  

  The tightly knit community of The Country School and the small student-teacher ratio established a strong foundation to nurture and attend to the details when serving client needs.

   

  The first teachers who come to mind are Mr. Wainio and Mr. Storms. Mr. Wainio was my Latin teacher and his teaching without a doubt served as a launchpad for my international curiosities and to continue studying language (Latin, Ancient Greek, and French) through high school and college. This instilled a global mindset which landed me in the field of immigration law out of undergrad and inspired me to pursue law school. Mr. Storms was my English teacher, and going to his classroom was always the highlight of my day. I attended Country School for a mere two years, but with Mr. Storms, I always felt included academically and in on the many jokes he was cracking.  I can say with certainty that his bibliophilic nature and love for learning were transferred to me, and now I am in a profession meant for people with a hunger for challenging their beliefs and knowledge base every day.

   

  Funnily enough, the Class of 2007 dedicated our yearbook to both Mr. Storms and Mr. Wainio. The words in the dedication still ring true and make me think fondly of them. 

   

  Mr. Wainio, though some of us have only known you for a year, we all know you as a humorous, caring, Star Wars-loving, wise Latin teacher (and much more). You’ve believed in us through the years, even when we believed all hope was lost – from trying to make logic of Roman numerals to finding our secondary schools. Thank you for all of the values you’ve instilled in us and for all of the fun times we’ve had together, and ‘may the force be with you!’

  
  

  Stormy, you have always been there for us. At times we would like to decapitate ourselves because of your corny jokes, but when we walk into your class, we feel you are very avuncular toward us. You’re a wise pedagogue who is always ready to help us out. You are a true bibliophile whose amicable nature pacifies us all.

• Will Levis '14

  6/8/2025
  
  As the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, Will Levis has leveraged his on-field talent to better his community, making the Country School proud of his leadership and character. While Will is famous for his college and NFL career (and his Hellman’s Mayo ads), he also does a great deal behind the scenes to brighten people’s lives.

  
  

  Will’s athletic talent was obvious to his Country School classmates and teachers as soon as he arrived in 7th Grade. Mr. Wallack noticed his arm strength at recess, where Will “threw so hard–not purposefully–so hard, he knocked down some kids.” And on the basketball court, Mr. Waino recalled Will scoring 32 points in the second half of a game to help the team win. With performances like that, Mr. Wainio noted, “this kid had something a little different.”

  
  

  Beyond athletics, Will showed talent in the classroom and on stage. His teachers remarked at his bright mind, his diligent approach to academics, and the respect garnered by his peers. Will also had tremendous stage presence, highlighted during his 8th Grade performance in Oklahoma! Mrs. Wepler writes, “I still think of him as an outgoing and talented young performer during his time at The Country School. I remember Will having endless energy in rehearsals and on stage, captivating audiences with his comedic timing. Together with classmate Sarah Platt as Ado Annie, they were hilarious and fun to watch as they sang and danced together.”

  
  

  High School and College(s)

  Will graduated from Xavier High School as a top-level quarterback. His college career began at Penn State University, and after transferring to the University of Kentucky in 2021, he quickly rose to national prominence. By his senior year, Will’s ability, character, and smarts made him one of college football’s most highly-regarded quarterbacks. His teammates also thought highly of him, as he was elected a team captain in both seasons at Kentucky. He finished his college career as one of the best players in the program’s history, having the second-best record by a Kentucky quarterback and throwing for the fifth-most touchdowns in school history–something he accomplished in only two seasons. He capped his college career by leading Kentucky to victory in the 2022 Citrus Bowl. But Will’s accomplishments were not limited to the field, as he was twice named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll as a student at Kentucky. 

  
  

  Professional Career

  Will’s tremendous college career earned him high praise from NFL teams, and he was selected 33rd overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2023 NFL Draft. He made a splash in his NFL debut on October 29, 2023, throwing an NFL record-tying four touchdowns, and was soon named the team’s starting quarterback. Despite injuries in the 2024 season, Will still threw for over 2,000 yards and remained a team leader. He continues to impress fans with his talent and class, and heads into the 2025 season in prime position to maintain his status as an elite NFL quarterback.

  
  

  Living Country School’s Core Values of Kindness, Respect, and Responsibility

  Beyond his impressive football career, Will has also earned praise for his work off the field. He is known for reaching out to newly-acquired Titans players, acting as an unofficial ambassador for the team. In the community, Will’s acts of charity are almost too many to count. In college, he led two major fundraising campaigns to help Kentucky residents impacted by natural disasters. In addition, he has built close ties to the Tennessee Special Olympics; he even took twenty Special Olympics athletes on a shopping spree to Dick’s Sporting Goods. For all his good will, the organization honored him as a special guest at the Summer Games Opening Ceremony in May 2024.

  
  

  When reporting on his visit to the Special Olympics, Sports Illustrated reported, “Levis didn't just make a quick appearance at the games; he took the time to welcome the participants, pose for photos, sign autographs, and engage in heartfelt conversations with them… it's hard to say who cherished these moments more – Levis or the athletes.” Special Olympics Tennessee wrote about the event, “We appreciate Will's continued support of our athletes and his willingness to build lasting relationships with them.”

  
  

  Will has done even more for the community, such as attending cookouts at Nashville’s youth homes, taking children from the Boys and Girls Club on shopping sprees, and spending time with pediatric hospital patients. His work in Nashville has made an impact beyond football, and, as a reporter for Titans Wire wrote, the team “should feel privileged to have a guy with this kind of character on their roster.” 

  
  

  Close to home, Will remains supremely loyal to The Country School. In the summer of 2022, he made a special visit to campus and even gave Mr. Wainio an autographed picture that he signed in Latin (“Gratias ago tibi pro auxilio!” or “Thank you for your help”). He has also generously offered his time to Country School families, hosting several football workouts and training sessions for Country School students and alumni. 

  
  

  Will embodies the core values of The Country School by modeling sportsmanship and showing respect for others. While he is now a nationally-known figure, he has not forgotten his roots. He continues to fulfill the mission of the Alumni Association to “promote an active relationship” and to “work as ambassadors to support the best interests of The Country School.” We believe that Will is an exemplary model for our students and alumni in how to make the most of a Country School education. 

• Will Steiner ‘09

  3/4/2025

   

  Will Steiner ‘09 credits the Country School for giving him his competitive spirit and love of sports, which led him to become the first soccer player inducted into the Fairfield Prep Athletics Hall of Fame. He continues to use lessons from The Country School in his current work at Northwell Health in New York.
  
  

  I have so many fond memories from The Country School and amongst the top are the daily recesses and gym classes during which we played like it was the World Cup Final, the Super Bowl, the NBA Championship, or whatever equivalent depending on the sport we were playing. I started playing travel soccer very young; the expectations were already high, and the environment was demanding. I’m fortunate that I was able to play other sports like lacrosse and basketball for Country. Playing basketball and lacrosse and having regular gym class was so important for me  because it allowed me to compete with my closest friends while still having fun playing multiple sports. My parents always told me that the most important thing for me as an athlete was to make sure I was still having fun – this lesson carried through my athletic career and was certainly reinforced at The Country School.

  
  Country School was such a tight-knit community and I was so close with my friends that taking the field with them was pure fun and camaraderie. It certainly did not hurt that my closest friends also loved sports and all we wanted to do was be out on a field or a court playing together. I learned about teamwork and sportsmanship at TCS, as we had wonderful coaches and mentors to teach us not only the skills we needed to improve athletically, but how to hold ourselves and how to play hard and with respect for others. I carried these key lessons with me throughout my soccer career at Fairfield Prep and Villanova, both of which share similar values to those of The Country School. The importance of treating others with respect, playing together, and giving it my all were critical to my success athletically.

  
  Finally, it is impossible for me to think about sports at Country School and not mention my gratitude for and fondness of Mr. Wallack who devoted so much of his time towards the betterment of his students both athletically and as people. Country School emphasized the importance of treating others with respect, compassion, and generosity, values that I continue to live with today. I am grateful to have been in an environment where they were fostered so early on.

  
  I currently work in Business Development at Northwell Health, which is the largest health system in New York State and is the largest private employer in NYS. My team focuses on the strategic development of our ambulatory network. I love the work that I do and am privileged to work for a company that is devoted to creating a better healthcare environment for our communities. The Country School taught me at a young age how to be organized, committed, and diligent in the work that I do. The Country School challenged me academically, socially, and physically to be the best version of myself. I was a very active child and was most successful in a structured and challenging environment. Country School provided this for me and my peers from a young age. I learned early that to succeed in a challenging academic environment, I needed to be organized and structured in my time and efforts. This is critical in my professional career.