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The Gordon School

Gordonians in the spotlight

On podcasts, in the boardroom, on the team, in the news, at the awards podium

It has been a minute since the last roundup of Gordonians in the spotlight, and there are dozens of students, parents, faculty, alumni, former faculty and extended family members to catch up with.

Seen a member of the Gordon extended family out in the world being incredible? Email Mr. Griffin at ggriffin@gordonschool.org

 

 

Why yes, that was Tavie Abell '06 (above) on the podcast Radical Ones, "where ​modern day heroes share how they're solving our largest problems," talking about how to make the US government younger and smarter. Tavie, a Forbes Magazine "30 under 30" honoree, is co-founder and CEO of Govern for America, which recruits and trains young leaders to take on leadership roles in local and national government.

Why yes, that was Gordon parent Shideh Shafie sharing the Catalyst Award, given annually by the Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine "to honor female faculty who have made outstanding contributions through clinical work, teaching, mentorship, role modeling, or administration with great local or regional impact." Shafie is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Clinician Educator at Brown University, and she brought Gordon students together with Lifespan for the Windows of Healing project this winter.

 

Why yes, that was a Gordon seventh grader (above) on The Public's Radio in May, sharing the essay he wrote for seventh grade humanities on their weekly This I Believe segment. Gordon people have contributed dozens of This I Believe essays over the years; catch up at www.gordonschool.org/thisibelieve

Why yes, that Director of Fine and Performing Arts Milly Massey named chair of the board of the Wilbury Theatre Group. This summer's programming at Wilbury has included Dolores Goes to Poetry City, written by Gordon parent Darcie Dennigan, based on the poems of Farnoosh Fathi.

 

Yes, that was underwater cinematographer Lauren Benoit '08 featured in Return to Shark Vortex, which aired last night during the finale of the Discovery Channel's annual Shark Week.

The hourlong show featured innovative shark-cam techniques deployed by Benoit and her team in the waters of southern Rhode Island.

With a degree from the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Benoit has leveraged her experience as a marine biologist into a career filming sharks in the wild, with adventures that have brought her face-to-face with celebrities like Will Smith, as well as the ocean's OG celebrities, the Blue and Mako Sharks of the North Atlantic. 

She's a Gordon graduate, so it's no surprise that she views herself as an advocate for others - her case, an advocate for misunderstood marine animals. While promoting the show in the media, she and her spouse and partner Joe Romeiro have been taking care to talk about - and dispel - dangerous myths about sharks.

 

Why yes, that was Cameron Rust '19 (above) invited to participate in the U16 national basketball team trials. You may have seen the coverage in the South County Independent.

Why yes, that was former After School and Summer Programs Director Mimi Coleman was honored as the Volunteer of the Year at Hasbro Children's Hospital late in May. At Hasbro, she's bringing the same dedication and positivity that Gordon families came to know her for; she's served a stunning 1,041 hours since she began volunteering there last February, and she's been singled out as "energetic, compassionate, and dependable... she fill any space she enters with joy."

 

Why yes, that was Lana Mburu '20 and Gordon Billings '19 (above left and center) receiving the Headmasters Award at Barrington's St Andrews School. The award is given to one student in each grade; Georgia Craddock '17 (above right), who received the award during her freshman year at St Andrews, was also honored by the school this June. 

Why yes, that is alumni parent Mary Beth Meehan who is being celebrated at WaterFire Arts Center July 15th. She's been a frequent guest speaker in Gordon's Middle School, and her work is familiar to anyone who spends time in downtown Providence (or downtown Newnan, Georgia)

Why yes, that was a long list of Gordon student and alumni parents included in Rhode Island Monthly's annual list of top doctors, including Linda Snelling, Lynn Iler, Michael Herzlinger, Gerardo Carino, Jan Groblewski, Gary Frishman, Simone Thavaseelan, Adetokunbo Oyelese and Julia Katarincic

 

Why yes, that was seventh grade parent Ted Peffer profiled in a recent Providence Business News. His I/O Labs is just up the street from Gordon's campus.

Why yes, that was an epic battle of the Gordon alumni when Moses Brown's tennis team eked out a 4-3 win over Wheeler near the end of the season. Gabe Kravitz '19, Kavi Mongia-Gasper '20, Seb Dobron '17, and Sebastian Orth '19 all had big wins, and Spencer Romain '17 lost a close one. Other Gordon family members on hand at the match included Andrew Song '20, Ayush Gupta '17, James Talbot '20, Finn Sargent '18, Peter Buonanno '19, Christian Chase '18, Nathan Haronian '17, Jake Murray '19, Salter Arms '19, and Kinara Mongia-Gasper '15.

 

Yes, that was a Gordon fifth grader raising funds for India in Providence's Lippitt Park this May. It was one of several efforts organized by Gordon family members to support relief for the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in India. Lower School parent Christine Chitnis helped lead an hugely successful online drive in April, and eighth grade parent Rupa Datta hosted a dance event that is doubled as a fundraiser.

Why yes, that was Head of School Noni Thomas López joining the board of Trinity Repertory Company. Trinity is one of three local organizations where she serves as trustee; she's on the boards of Community Preparatory School and Inspiring Minds too, as well as the National Association of Independent Schools, the Association of Independent Schools of New England, and the Headmistresses Association of the East.

 

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