Gordon names in the headlines

Yes, that was Manya Glassman ’11 named as one of six NYU Tisch Graduate Film students whose thesis films received support from the Spike Lee Film Production Fund this spring. Professor Spike Lee is Artistic Director of the graduate program, and Manya had the honor of serving as his teaching assistant for the past two years.
 

Yes, that was a soon-to-be Gordon first grader meeting Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (in his Gordon Kindergarten t-shirt!). He spent his first day of summer vacation representing his tribal nation alongside his father, Tribal Councilman Jonathan James-Perry (Wampanoag, a tribe of Gay Head-Aquinnah) as they welcomed Secretary Haaland on a diplomatic visit to Wampanoag Homelands and tribal government center on Martha’s Vineyard.
 

Yes, that was a group of Gordon staff, alumni and parents helping launch Currents RI in August. Rodney López, Marlon Henry, Isaiah Osofisan ’00, Luke Anderson and Anthony Green are all collaborating on this project that hopes “to provide high impact investments in collaboration with Black and Brown individuals and organizations in Rhode Island by engaging men of color in philanthropic purpose.”
 

Yes, that was Blake Johnson ’11 in the “Monthly Member Spotlight” of Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association’s September newsletter. Blake worked as a teaching assistant and after school programs staff at Gordon while she was pursuing her B.S. and her law degree at Roger Williams University.
 

Yes, that is a soon-to-be Gordon Kindergartener slated to perform alongside his father, Sidy Maiga, as part of the Afrika Nyage Drum and Dance Festival in Providence next Sunday. Also on the bill: the Haus of Glitter Dance Company, which features Assi Coulibaly '08.
 

Yes, that was Spanish teacher Emilia Carrillo receiving her US citizenship in August. She celebrated with her two children, a soon-to-be Gordon sixth grader and Tomás Caruso-Carrillo ’22.

Yes, that was Maggie McConnell ’04 and her Gordon Preschool teacher Elizabeth Bakst reuniting as McConnell served as guest chef at downtown restaurant Clementine in August. They connected along with Maggie’s parents, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Jack McConnell & Sara Shea McConnell, and the evening was documented on Facebook by alumni parent (and former Providence Journal columnist) Charlie Bakst.
 

Yes, that was Rachael Romain ’16 named as one of the captains of Clark University’s field hockey team. Thanks to former Gordon field hockey coach Blake Fisher for sharing the news.
 

Also in Clark athletics and the Class of 2016: Jacqueline Faulise ’16 (above, in her Gordon days) was one of four student-athletes named to their All-Sportsmanship Team, “intended to recognize one student-athlete from each institution in every sport that best demonstrates the ideals of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference and its Code of Conduct, regardless of their overall performance or statistics for the season.” Summer at Gordon campers benefited from Jacqueline’s wise leadership in August as she helped lead Gordon’s Girl’s Basketball Camp.
 

Yes, those were after school music teachers Michelle Kaminsky and Susan Hodgin bringing music making into Rhode Island communities this summer. They teamed up with enrichments leader Gary DesLaurier to create portable instruments that the public - including Clara Aizenmann ’18, in the photo above - could pick up and play instantly. 
 

Yes, that was Gordon parent and trustee Krystal Tadesse on the 2024 Best Lawyers in America list issued in July. The honor came a few weeks after Tadesse was named by her peers as one of the 2023 Rhode Island Monthly Professional Excellence in Law honorees.
 

Seen a Gordon face standing out in the crowd? Report them immediately to Geoff Griffin at ggriffin@gordonschool.org or 401 480-9933

More Gordon names in the headlines