DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 8, ISSUE 2

WINTER REFLECTIONS FROM

PETER BECKER '95

As winter's darkness deepens, Peter Becker '95 reflects on the power of kindness and service to bring light to our communities. Click directly on the image above to hear Peter's thoughts on the season.

A LEGACY IN HARMONY:

CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF BRUCE FIFER

After 29 remarkable years of service to Taft, faculty member Bruce Fifer has announced his retirement at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Known for his passion for the performing arts, dedication to teaching, and extraordinary ability to bring voices together in harmony, Fifer has been a true leader in Taft's arts department.


"Bruce has had a wonderful impact on choral music—and the arts overall—at Taft over the last three decades," said Head of School Peter Becker '95. "He is well-loved by thousands of Tafties throughout the world for his joyful presence, love of the arts, and his dedication to his Taft students and colleagues. As a former member of Collegium, I am very grateful that Chris Shepherd introduced me to Bruce almost 30 years ago on the eve of his start at Taft and that I have gotten to work with him these last two years and see how choral music has flourished under his leadership."


Beyond his accomplishments, Fifer's true legacy lies in the connections he's made with Taft students. Click below to read the full story.

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ALUMNI NEWS

Morning Meeting Speaker Andy Isaacson '94: Building Compassionate Communities


Taft recently welcomed Andy Isaacson '94 back to Taft for a compelling Morning Meeting talk about his work across the globe, the value of connection, and the power of compassionate communities.


Isaacson is a journalist, educator, and producer. His writing and photography have appeared in The New York TimesNational Geographic, and numerous other publications—stories that span every continent, from the science of climate change, protests on the Mexican border, living on the world's most remote inhabited island, and drifting with sea ice aboard a polar research vessel through the Arctic Ocean.


Through his work at the School of The New York Times Summer Academy, Isaacson connects with high school students while teaching immersive journalism. He is the co-founder of Camping to Connect, a BIPOC-led nonprofit organization that guides young men of color from urban environments into nature, fostering leadership, self-awareness, and social connection.


Click directly on the image above to watch Isaacson's all-school presentation from December 3 and click below to read the full story and view the photo gallery.

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2024 D'Arco Cup: Service and Celebration


On December 7, six bus loads of Rhino fans (approximately 250 students!) traveled north for this year's Lucille A. D'Arco Cup game hosted by Berkshire School. Lucille was a passionate fan and supporter of both schools: Her son, Brad '99, captained the Taft team as a student, then went on to coach the Berkshire team after college. In 2008, Lucille lost a courageous battle with breast cancer. Since then, the two schools have honored her legacy on the ice in a game dedicated to her memory, to raising funds and awareness around breast cancer, and to commemorating the D'Arco family's involvement with and love for both institutions.⁠ While the Rhinos fell to Berkshire 5-1, the game was a powerful reminder of the connections that bring our schools together and the enduring impact of Lucille's legacy.

SAVE THE DATE: UPCOMING EVENTS

Taft Alumni Career Connections Continue on Zoom


Taft's Alumni Career Connections is a new series designed to intentionally connect Taft alumni within specific fields of interest and to foster a positive networking environment. In November, Padget Crossman Luetgerath '06 and Carroll Leatherman '98—both accomplished executive recruiters in the finance sector—launched the series with an engaging conversation on careers in finance. This January, the series continues with a focus on sustainability and renewable energy. Stay tuned for more details in early January!

Alumni Career Connections

The 1975 girls' ice hockey team.

Saturday, February 22, 2025: Alumni Hockey

Celebrating 50 Years of Girls' Ice Hockey at Taft


Join us for this annual event hosted in memory of Scott W. Richardson '82. The coed game starts in Odden Arena at 11:30 a.m. This year, we're proud to honor another milestone as we celebrate 50 years of girls' ice hockey at Taft—a legacy of teamwork, grit, and achievement that continues to inspire.


Stay for lunch after the games, then stick around to cheer on the Rhinos during their regular season match-ups. See you on the ice!

Register

Music for a While


A signature program at Taft, Music for a While performances feature professional musicians from across the globe, as well as local musicians and Taft students. They represent all genres of music from folk and funk to chamber and chorale. All performances are free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Upcoming performances at Woodward Chapel include Rumbarroco: Latin Baroque Fusion Ensemble on January 17, at 7:00 p.m.; Art from the Heart with Taft's Adjunct Instrumental Teachers on February 14, at 7:00 p.m.; and the ever popular Jazz in the Undercroft: Mardi Gras Cabaret on March 1, with T.J. Thompson's Jazz Ensemble at 7:00 p.m.


View Schedule

Save the Date!


Mark your calendars and celebrate with us again next year:

May 9-10, 2025



Reunion gatherings for classes ending in 5 & 0


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TAFT ON THE ROAD

Connecting with Taft Alumni & Families Across Asia


Chief Advancement Officer Lawrence Crimmins and Director of Enrollment Management Amanda Bohnsack visited Asia in November, connecting with alumni and Taft families at evening receptions in Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to hear updates from campus and strengthen their connections to the Taft community. Click on the image above to view a slideshow with highlights from the visit.

Alums gathered to reconnect and celebrate the season at the Yale Club in New York City (December 9) and at the Harvard Club in Boston (December 10).

ON CAMPUS

88th Service of Lessons and Carols



This year's Service of Lessons and Carols marks the 88th celebration of this cherished Taft tradition—and the final one under the direction of Bruce Fifer, whose leadership of Taft's music program has inspired generations of students. Click on the image above to watch the 88th Service of Lessons and Carols from December 17, 2024, and join us in honoring Bruce's remarkable legacy as he prepares to retire at the end of the academic year.

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Dr. Mirabi Recognized as Top Mathematics Researcher


Dr. Mostafa Mirabi, Taft Mathematics Faculty, has been selected to serve as a reviewer/referee for the American Mathematical Society (AMS) for the second consecutive year. His selection by AMS recognizes his position as one of the top researchers in mathematics—a truly extraordinary achievement. Dr. Mirabi is the only AMS referee globally who is currently part of a high school faculty.

Science Teacher Michael McAloon Awarded Chrysalis Fund Grant for Pollinator Studies


Science faculty member Michael McAloon was recently awarded a Chrysalis Fund grant to support his ongoing pollinator research. The funding will help bring awareness to the diversity of pollinators and the plants they pollinate, while stimulating deeper learning, interest, and understanding among McAloon's Taft students.


Scientists note that pollinator studies are critical for records of biodiversity and are a good indicator of the health of an ecosystem. McAloon's biology students will capture and identify insect pollinators, swab the pollinators for pollen, and use DNA barcoding techniques to link the pollen to species to examine which plants those pollinators are visiting on both campus and two local nature preserves over a two- to three-year span. He envisions most of the same students being involved throughout the life of the study—first as juniors (who will pass the data to seniors), then seniors repeating the collection and conducting higher-level data analysis and reporting.


Click below to read more about the ongoing work McAloon and his students are doing with Maijuna beekeepers in the Peruvian Amazon.

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Fall Dance Showcase


One of the most spectacular events of the fall term is always the Fall Dance Showcase, featuring performances by dancers and choreographers working and studying at every level and across genres. This year's pieces explored a range of powerful emotions, from desperation and loss in Ashley Triumph's Don't Stop Dancing to Tatsha Kumthampinij's study of the delicate harmony of existence and the struggle to find beauty in the unknown in We Exist. There was also exuberance, as performers brought Dance Teacher Sarah Surber's choreography to life in Hoe-Down, with music from composer Aaron Copland, performed by Taft's Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band and conducted by Instrumental Music Teacher T.J. Thompson, and the ode to the joy of dance that was Fiona Chou's Don't Believe Me? Just Watch. And there was so much more—a gift to the community reflecting the vision, talent, and dedication of our student artists.


Watch the full Fall Dance Showcase by clicking on the video above and view the photo gallery below.

View Photo Gallery of the Fall Dance Showcase

Fall 2024 Season Wrap-up


The fall 2024 season showcased Taft's dedication and excellence across various sports. The varsity boys' soccer team achieved a historic milestone by securing their first NEPSAC Class A championship and clinching the Founders League title for the second consecutive year, finishing with an impressive 17–3–1 record. The varsity field hockey team demonstrated remarkable skill, concluding the season as NEPSAC Class A runner-up and co-champions of the Founders League, boasting a 15–4 record. In cross country, the girls' team came in fourth in the Founders League with Charlotte Murphy '25 taking home both the individual title for the Founders League tournament (18:26) as well as the NEPSTA Division I Championship (18:02). The boys' cross country team also delivered strong performances, securing third place in the Founders League tournament. Tate Celebi '25 placed second overall in the Founders League race with a finishing time of 16:43, and placed 20th in the NEPSTA Division I Championship, the highest of any Taft runner, with a time of 16:49. Additionally, the Rhinos celebrated three thrilling victories over Hotchkiss on the final day of the regular season, highlighting the competitive spirit of our teams.


To explore these and other standout moments, please click on the links below. Go Big Red!

Fall 2024 Season News
Hotchkiss Day 2024
View Sports Galleries 

Taft Boys' Soccer Team Store


Celebrate Big Red's historic victory! Taft boys' varsity soccer claimed the NEPSAC Class A title, and you can commemorate the achievement with exclusive championship gear. Featuring a star above the Taft soccer logo, this limited-edition collection is available now through our pop-up online store. Don't miss out—the store closes on December 23, and orders will ship in three to four weeks.

Taft Soccer Championship Store

In a Word, What Makes Taft Taft?

Non ut sibi—not to be served. Our motto is not just an ideal, but a way of life that shapes every student's experience. From local projects to global initiatives, Taft students and alumni embrace the call to serve others, making a difference in the world around them.


As 2024 draws to a close, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the Taft community this year—your generosity strengthens Taft and supports every student, every day. Your gifts help us continue Taft's legacy of service and ensure that future generations will carry it forward.

Thank you!

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