Poly People

Addie Schoenberger

“Learning through wonder! I want to encourage students to learn about the world around them and ask questions. If the wonder about their environment starts at a young age, it will continue into adulthood.”

Akili Tommasino ’05

Akili Tommasino ’05 studied art history at Harvard and founded the Prep for Prep/Sotheby’s Art Academy in 2017 “to give high school students of color an earlier window into the art world.”

Alex B. ’26

“[Alex] designs and builds objects for 3D printing in Fusion 360, which is a complex program used in industry.”

Alexandra Fried ’20

“The teachers are the best part of going to school at Poly Prep. They are excited to teach their subjects, which makes it easier for students to be enthusiastic about learning.”

Alexandra Nava-Baltimore ’20

“Being a student at Poly allows me to live what I learn. Poly has been my home, my studio, my classroom, and my inspiration.”

Angela Gittens P’23

“The highlight of my teaching career is having alumnae return to tell me that seeds for their love of speaking other languages were originally planted in my classroom and that they travel throughout the world using their language skills beyond the walls of a classroom.”

Ann McCartney ’94, P’32

“I was a Poly Middle School student myself in the late 1980s, that’s when I learned to love learning.”

Ann Oransoff

“Teaching kids the foundational skills of computational thinking: abstraction, problem decomposition, pattern recognition, and algorithm design are skills that they can use in all facets of their lives.”

Anne L. ’27

“I love the arts and Poly let’s you express yourself and what you love to do. Not all schools let you be that creative.”

Caesar Fabella P’18

“I want to engage my students through a process of self-discovery and interactive pedagogy. I want their experience of history to come alive through dynamic and hands-on activities that are student driven.”

Channing Austin ’20

Third baseman Channing Austin, who played on Team NY at the National High School Baseball Championship in Houston in 2019, committed to play for the University of Virginia Cavaliers.

Charlotte Knutsen ’21

“[Charlotte] asks penetrating questions in class and is constantly using the classroom space to test and improve her thinking,

Chris Davenport ’91

Chris Davenport ’91 has been a reporter for The Washington Post since 2000 and covers the defense and space industries for the Post‘s financial desk.

Christy Hutchcraft

“[Ms. Hutchcraft] has constantly supported me and made me feel like I could actually make a real career out of writing. In her classes, she offers insights that have changed my perceptions dramatically and strengthened my creative process.”

Clover G. ’28

Clover G. ‘28 co-wrote a song called “Not Anymore,” which she performed with classmates at the Lower School Winter Concert.

Daniel Doughty

“I love finding a way to engage students who might not think of themselves as musicians.'”

David Reid

“Teaching is at its richest when it’s not teaching, but learning—learning together, exploring questions without answers, and finding the limits of knowledge.”

Diahann Billings Burford ’90, P’20

Diahann Billings Burford ’90, P’20 was the second girl to serve as president of Poly’s Student Government. “Diahann was a force of nature,” recalled Paul Raso, retired science teacher and former Student Government advisor.

Dr. Morton Levitt ’64

A 2019 recipient of Poly’s Distinguished Achievement Award was Dr. Morton Levitt ‘64, professor of pathology at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University.

Dr. Neil Schluger ’77

“…I developed a love of learning, even for its own sake, and Paul Raso was one of the teachers who helped to instill that in me.”

Ellen M. Martinez P’08, ’10

“[Middle School] students are interested and enthusiastic about learning. Language is often a new subject for them.”

Emily Giurleo ’13

“I certainly wouldn’t be a software engineer if Ms. Turkenkopf and Ms. Licata hadn’t encouraged my love of math and science.”

Eugenia Xiao ’14

Multi-talented Eugenia Xiao ‘14 earned a BA from Cornell and then a MS in Nursing from Columbia University School of Nursing.

Fiona Greig ’97

“Athletics gave me a natural home.”

Gauri Purohit ’21

“Poly has given me a vast array of opportunities in both academics and the arts, which have allowed me to immerse myself in math courses beyond the standard curriculum and participate in theatre performances.”

Gigi Georges ’84

Gigi Georges ‘84, a recipient of Poly’s Distinguished Achievement Award, has had an extensive career in politics, public service, and academia.

Guy Devyatkin P’00

“When a student returned for an alumni day and told me that he had become an environmental biologist because of his experiences in my class, that was quite special.”

Hallie Stephenson ’20

“My favorite part about going to Poly Prep is that I am able to find such an incredible group of people who want to see me succeed and care about my future. The mentors I’ve found at Poly have given me confidence and have inspired me to pursue things that I was at first unsure about.”

Hank S. ’24

“Poly understands how sports and academics are equally important in students’ lives. We get an hour of PE almost every day and have a wide array of sports to choose from and many teams to join both in Middle School and Upper School. There are facilities and fields for almost every sport you can think of.”

Heidi Zarou ’86, P’22, ’22

“In the Lower School art studios, every day is a journey, an exploration into new and exciting territories with our youngest learners where creativity, imagination, and energy abound.”

Helena Elko

“One highlight this year has been to see my seventh grade art students fall in love with drawing,”

Jared Banner ’03

Jared Banner ’03 played four seasons of varsity baseball at Poly. He was named Executive Director, Player Development for the New York Mets in 2018.

Jean Belford P’24

“This exciting and important award [AP Computer Science Principles Female Diversity Award] recognizes Poly’s commitment to female diversity, as well as the girls’ interest and enthusiasm for computer science.”

Jeanine Smartt Liburd ’88, P’21, ‘24

“I honed my ability to craft my ideas and utilize language to be persuasive and share my perspective.”

Jennifer Nelson P’12, ’14, ’19

“[Music] is an inspiring activity that engages every part of ourselves simultaneously.”

Jesse R. ’27

“At Poly we do a lot of team activities, which will definitely help me prepare for the future when I will need to be a good team player and never say “no, I cannot do this. It’s way too hard.’”

Jill Bolstridge

“The skills learned in drama class—creative problem-solving, risk-taking, and collaboration—are transferable lifelong skills.”

John W. ’32

“John W. ’32 loves P.E. and shows good sportsmanship after each contest.”

Junie B. ’24

“Junie is a bright and smart student who goes beyond just academics. She was willing to help other students who were struggling,”

Kahaliah Sandy ’21

“Kahaliah has a great ear and confidence to carry out a conversation in Mandarin.”

Khari F. ’24

“There are so many good people around and there is always someone you can ask for help when you need it.”

Kyra N. ’25

“I love looking out the window in my classes and seeing the big willow tree sway across the pond.”

Laura B. Coppola ’95

“I love marrying the academic and scholarly study of art history with the practice of making art so that students really get to exercise their intellect and their creativity in tandem.”

Laura Caldwell

“I live my life as a student, waking each day excited to learn something new, and my goal is to pass that curious spirit along to every student in my class.”

Leslie Grinage ’99

“Being in an educational environment such as Poly prepared me well to live in and value a pluralistic society.”

Linda Aponte P’13

“My goal for my students is that they be scientifically literate… I hope using the education they have they will endeavor to do the right thing.”

Lola Stephens ’21

“Lola S. ’21 is a top science student, always pushing her own boundaries to understand information and concepts at the deepest levels,”

MaKiyah T. ’24

“I decided to come to Poly because of its amazing extracurriculars. I’m really interested in theater, visual arts, language, and sports, and Poly offers all of them.”

Margaret C. ’26

“From a dramatic musical to creating an abstract painting. Poly has so many classes from which you can choose what you really want to do.”

Maria DiCarlo P’23

“My goal for all my math students is that they look back on their math classes and feel that my department has nurtured their abilities to be creative problem-solvers and independent thinkers.”

Matt Durando ’96, P’30

“The energy of our students is contagious and inspires teachers to make each moment as meaningful as possible. Teachable moments sprout up like flowers in the springtime.”

Max P. ’25

“Max is always willing to stop what he is doing to help out a classmate, who may be struggling, and is a great asset in the classroom.”

Max Rose ’04

Alum Max Rose ’04 was elected to represent NY District 11 in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018.

Nick Storz ’17

Poly Blue Devils pitcher Nick Storz ’17, who was listed among the Baseball America 2017 Top 100 Draft Prospects, chose to play for LSU, where he is an imposing presence on the mound.

Nina E. ’32

“Nina E. ’32 brightens our Kindergarten classroom with her luminous spirit and irrepressible enthusiasm.”

Noah S. ’24

“[Noah] has a clear passion for understanding the intricacies of mathematical problem solving, as well as making connections between past and current learning and how all of what we learn relates to the world.”

Nyla Welch ’20

With an exceptional talent for language, Nyla has traveled abroad through Poly’s Academic Travel program twice, to Martinique and France.

Olugbala Williams

“I believe teaching to the whole child, which for the preschool age means focusing on social emotional growth. Children in my class learn to self-regulate, handle frustration, become comfortable with making mistakes, and how to empathize.”

Parsa A. ’25

During the seventh grade’s reenactment of the Constitutional Convention, Parsa had the leadership role of George Washington and proved to be a fair and responsible president of the convention.

Patti Smith P’20

“Every child is an artist; some are natural renderers, some are great at sculpture and 3D work, others have a great sense of design. Our goal is for every child to be successful in an area of visual art.”

Rowan McAllister ’15

“Art was always my favorite class, but I’ve found I use my math and engineering skills almost as much…to really connect all the dots of my education.”

Ryantony Exuma ’22

“Just like stringing notes together to create music, in French class, Ryantony strings together words, manipulates syntax, and applies grammar to express himself in such a thoughtful and euphonious manner…”

Samantha Chan ’21

“Poly encourages students to seek help from teachers, lead meaningful conversations in class, and voice their opinions at community forums.”

Sarah Ely

“I often say I have my dream job because I am teaching the subject that I wish I could have been taught in elementary school. Getting to teach young students and affirm and uplift our Spanish heritage speakers in the Lower School is a privilege.”

Sonja Lindberg ’16

“I worked more and harder than I ever had in English classes. After a few weeks, I came to love it.

Sophia C. ’31

Sophia C. ’31 is full of creativity and during choice time, she enjoys working with her classmates to create books about topics she loves.

Stacy Hunter P’15

Before coming to Poly, Stacy Hunter was an architect and a software engineer. “What interested me then and what continues to interest me now is examining the region where design and computer science meet.”

Susan Beiles P’88, ’90, ’95

“I hope they [my students] will love to study the ever-changing story of the United States and to be as excited as I am to study history.”

Tess Sutter ’21

“Tess’ work ethic, values, and ability to be a consummate teammate while striving for excellence have been recognized by her teachers, coaches, and peers.”

Valentina A. ’27

“When I first walked into Lower School, I was a little nervous. I would be the newcomer. However, there I was walking through the doors of the most loving, caring, empathetic, and supporting school ever.”

Wendy Haft ’84

Wendy has coached every sport from basketball to tennis, but focused on softball. In 2015, she returned to Poly to present the Yale Cup at our end-of-year Athletics Awards Ceremony.

Will Hochman ’10

“I felt like maybe I could become who I imagined myself to be.”

William L. ’24

“William dedicates himself to excellence both in and out of the classroom.”

Zoe D. ’29

Zoe D. ’29 loves to solve puzzles and to create things such as the animations she creates using Scratch (or the Scratch coding environment).