Gordonians in the headlines
Health care heroes, authors, leaders, environmentalists, athletes, programmers, artists and more
Yes, that was Middle School parent Katie Batchelder sharing hard-won wisdom in a surprising forum: Judge Frank Caprio’s nationally syndicated Caught in Providence show. When Caprio heard Batchelder works as a hospice nurse, he asked her to share some of the advice she has received from the people she has cared for over the years.
Yes, that was friend of Gordon Christopher Denise winning a Caldecott Honor for his book Knight Owl in February. The honor came just weeks after Denise had led workshops for Gordon students during the Book Fair.
Yes, that was Tavie Abell ’06 discussing responsive government on the Future Hindsight podcast. Tavie is co-founder and CEO of Govern For America, a nonprofit that is bridging the gap between governments and emerging leaders to build a pipeline of diverse and dynamic public sector talent.
Yes, that was Gordon featured in the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s recent video. The video highlighted the partnership Gordon led with Gravity Renewables to support sustainable, low-impact power generation in Pawtucket.
Yes, that is Gordon grandmother Carolyn Paradise publishing her first book, Giraffes Count, while in home hospice. The book is dedicated to her Gordon second grader grandson, who “plays a major role in her happiness,” according to a moving story recently shared by WJAR Channel 10.
Yes, that was Gordon getting a shoutout on author Supriya Kelkar’s Instagram recently. A Gordon third grader had designed the medal Kelkar received for winning the 2022 Gordon School Multicultural Picture Book Award.
Yes, that was Myles Johnson ‘19, Lily Thornton ‘20, Daniel Duarte-Baird ‘21, David Battle-Cardemil ‘22, Mateo Cordero-Gagnon ‘22 and Calder Smith-Montross ‘22 among the programmers and engineers on number one and two Rhode Island championship robotics teams.These competitors did their first robotics work at Gordon, where the robotics curriculum begins at age three.
Yes, that was science teacher Cush Gillen and his Kindergarten daughter in EcoRI, talking about his the vermicomposting operation Magic Tree Vermicast. The article also featured Bootstrap Compost, who began composting Gordon’s food waste earlier this year.
Yes, those were canine birthday cards designed by Gordon students on Karla Harry Visiting Author Karina Yan Glaser’s Instagram February 4th. Students had sent cards celebrating the second birthday of Lalo, her corgi, who Glaser had discussed at length during her recent visit to Gordon.
Yes, that is Chris Monti, who many will remember from his years teaching Gordon’s after school music lessons, featured in Rhode Island Monthly recently. The magazine spotlighted his work performing for hospital patients as part of the Healing Arts Program at Lifespan.
Yes, that was alumni parent and longtime Gordon trustee Candida Monteiro on the team when Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute performed its five hundredth procedure to help prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. They’re one of only three hospitals in New England to achieve this landmark, and the milestone got widespread press.
Yes, that was Kari Buonanno ’15 in a recent video running seventy yards downfield to earn an assist for Princeton lacrosse. Kari was a key contributor when her Gordon lacrosse, basketball and field hockey teams all won championships in her eighth grade year.
Yes, that was Gianna Paratore ’19 on the Instagram feed of the US Naval Academy computer science department last month. She’s in her second year at the academy, majoring in cyber operations.
Yes, that is Admissions Director Caroline Mullaney in the most recent issue of Providence Monthly. She’s featured as part of the annual Leading Ladies section, talking about Family Individualized Tuition, the Gordon Family Table, and the joy of a job where every day is different.
Yes, that was alumni parent Deb Forman ’83 leading the RISD Museum’s Artists in Conversation series last Thursday. Forman is a professional painter with sixteen years of teaching experience and two instructional books.
Yes, that is alumni parent Dr. Roman Hayda, chief of orthopedic trauma at Rhode Island Hospital, profiled in the Boston Globe earlier this month. The article focused on his recent work in Ukraine, but those who knew him from his family’s time at Gordon know that he has a long history of service in war zones and regions struck by crisis across the globe.
Yes, that was a Gordon fifth grader taking gold this past weekend at Okemo Mountain’s February Youth Race. She came in first place in the girls’ slalom, earning her second gold medal this season, and her team finished first as well.
Yes, that was Cameron Rust ’19 committing to play Big 10 Division 1 basketball at Penn State next year. Cam was a dedicated team player throughout her time as a Gordon Gator, and Gordon is proud to be part of her story.
Yes, that was Gordon’s sledding hill recognized by the Boston Globe’s Dan McGowan as one of seven “timeless” Rhode Island spots for winter fun. McGowan featured it in his Rhode Map newsletter.
Yes, that was Brown University dean and Gordon parent Sydney Skybetter on Channel 10 recently, talking about representations of artificial intelligence in popular media. Skybetter works on the intersection of choreography and emerging technologies, and had plenty to say about the movie M3GAN and the robots who dance with BTS.
Yes, that is Owen Matheson ’19 and Abby Lee ’19 on the list of Rhode Island candidates for the Presidential Scholars Program. Each year, the United States Presidential Scholars Program recognizes up to one hundred and sixty-one of the US’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
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Seen a Gordon family member being amazing? Tell Geoff Griffin at ggriffin@gordonschool.org or 401 480-9933 +1 (401) 480-9933