Watkinson is pleased to announce that English teacher Millie Maggio ’13 will present a session at the fifth Experiential Learning Conference in Tbilisi, Georgia produced by the Caucasus & Central Asia Association of IB World Schools (CCAAIBWS) running from May 1-3, 2026. Maggio will be speaking about developing a community AI ethos. The conversation will both consider best practices for bringing students into broad conversations about the ethical ramifications of AI, and also a discussion of the benefits and threats that come along with the offloading of intellectual labor.
The CCAAIBWS was established In December 2021 with the formation of the Board consisting of the European Azerbaijan School, the Tbilisi European School and the Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Nur-Sultan. This was quickly followed by the first International Experiential Learning Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 10-12 December 2021. It was hosted by the European Azerbaijan School and saw international and local experts and educators gather to share experiences and ideas. The CCAAIBWS recently expanded its membership to a total of 36 schools.
To learn more about Watkinson’s private school educational philosophy, particularly as it pertains to AI, please schedule a visit.
Congratulations to the students below for being selected for the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards!
The Connecticut Regional Scholastic Awards is a professionally juried event that recognizes only the best Connecticut student artwork. This year, seven Watkinson students had 11 artworks selected for the show; this is notable given that Watkinson has 220 students and is competing against large, regional public schools. The work of the Gold Key winners qualifies to be judged for the national competition.
• Charley G. ’26, Gold Key for mixed media; Silver Key for photography; Honorable Mention for portfolio
• Desteni D. ’27, two Silver Key awards for photography
• Kyle H-B. ’27, Silver Key for photography
• Liam M. ’26, Silver Key for photography; Silver Key for portfolio; Hartford Art School scholarship
• Liam W. ’27, Silver Key for photography
• Sam L. ’26, Silver Key for photography
• Spencer P. ’26, Honorable Mention for photography
The Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibit is on display at Hartford Art School’s Silpe Gallery from January 12-30 (M-Th: 12-6, and Fr-Sa: 1-5).
Gallery of Art.
A Hidden Presence, by Desteni D. ’27Desteni, by Liam W. ’27Girlhood, by Desteni D. ’27Hold Me Tightly, Charley G. ’26Overwhelmed, Kyle H-B. ’27Regrowth, Spencer P. ’26Ring Me Home, Charley G. ’26Studio, Liam M. ’26This Side Up, Liam M. ’26Untitled, Sam L. ’26
To learn more about Watkinson’s private school art curriculum, schedule a visit.
Celebrating Ron and Judy Schlossberg for Shaping Lives Through Philanthropy
Watkinson School is pleased to announce the private school’s annual gala A Watkinson Affair is on May 2, 2026 at 6pm at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. In addition to a live and silent auction, an alumni speaker, and a paddle raise, the centerpiece of the evening’s program will celebrate Ron and Judy Schlossberg for Shaping Lives Through Philanthropy.
When asked about their four decades of support, Ron and Judy shared, “Watkinson discovers, respects, and cultivates the uniqueness of every individual. Our personal values and the school’s values are one and the same.”
A Watkinson Affair directly supports Watkinson’s annual fund, which provides essential funds to support teacher salaries, technology, financial aid, athletics, global studies and creative arts programs, and much more.
An extensive list of volunteers makes this event possible, chaired by Kendra Wiesel and the honorary chair is Kathleen Kane-Francalangia. The evening begins at 6pm, with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, a program, dessert, and dancing. Save the date for this special and festive gathering. To become a sponsor, contact thomas_murphy@watkinson.org.
Watkinson School is pleased to announce that faculty member March Schrader has had his short play Everyday Thursday published in the September 2025 edition of the Mini Plays Review which is an international journal of short plays and monologues. Schrader is a playwright, theatrical set designer, artist, and visual arts teacher.
Schrader describes, “The mini play has its own unique challenges and rewards. As a writer you have to create fully formed characters and a plot that lets readers and actors believe these are people you can care about with very few words.”
Director of Watkinson’s Creative Arts Program Stacy Donovan comments, “March is a diversely talented artist. He has designed many sets for our productions, taught several visual arts classes, and I have used several of his plays in my theatre courses. Congratulations, March!”
Watkinson School is Hartford’s oldest co-ed independent day private school for grades 6-12/PG. Watkinson’s mission is to develop in our students the power to shape their lives and the world around them. Come see for yourself at our next info session for prospective families.
A live taping of the Colin McEnroe Show’s Holiday Special
Watkinson is pleased to announce that Colin McEnroe will return to camus on December 4 at 7pm. Join us for a live taping ofThe Colin McEnroe Show’s Annual Holiday Special featuring music and storytelling by his gang of talented lunatics. Audience singing is encouraged and maybe even required. Baby reindeer not admitted without a parent/guardian.
Tickets are $15 and seating is general admission. Held in Watkinson School’s Foisie Family Amphitheater. All proceeds benefit Watkinson School’s Watkinson Now Scholarship Fund. Watkinson School has ample free parking on campus.
Watkinson School is Hartford’s oldest co-ed independent day private school for grades 6-12/PG. Watkinson’s mission is to develop in our students the power to shape their lives and the world around them. Come see for yourself at our next info session for prospective families.
Watkinson School, Hartford’s oldest independent private day school for grades 6-12/PG, is pleased to announce that the school has been selected to be featured on Empowered Hosted By Meg Ryan to highlight its College Preparatory Education program and showcase the exceptional opportunities and experiences students gain through a Watkinson School education. Empowered produces short-form documentaries that are featured on Public Television across the country. Watkinson’s feature, which can be seen here, will start airing on September 8, 2025.
Empowered Hosted by Meg Ryan is a critically-acclaimed television series dedicated to promoting female empowerment and excellence in education. The collaboration between Watkinson School and Empowered highlights the institution’s innovative approach to preparing students for success in both college and life. The producers approached Watkinson in November of 2024 about inclusion in the series. Watkinson joins the ranks of other schools (including Loyola and Auburn Universities) and leading businesses (including IBM, Panasonic, and the National Civil Rights Museum).
Head of School Teri Schrader comments, “It is incredibly rewarding to receive this distinction. As Watkinson is one of the oldest educational institutions in Hartford, being chosen for this project is evidence that the school is among the most essential and relevant educational institutions.”
Watkinson’s mission is to develop in our students the power to shape their lives and the world around them. Come see for yourself at our next info session for prospective families.
With deep gratitude, Watkinson School announces the installation of brand new air conditioning units in the dining room of Feringa Hall, a Victorian-era building on the National Registry of Historic Places, made possible through the generous support of Ron and Judy Schlossberg. The school extends its heartfelt appreciation for this capital investment, which will significantly improve comfort for the entire Watkinson community during the late spring, summer and early fall months.
Ron Schlossberg, an alumni parent to his late son, Eric ’91, and passionate former member of the Board of Trustees, and his wife Judy, have been steadfast supporters of Watkinson School for decades. “We approached the school with a simple question,” they shared. “What could we do to show our appreciation to the faculty for their tireless efforts?” Working with the Development department and school leadership, the Schlossbergs identified an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a space utilized by every member of the Watkinson community.
The Schlossbergs’ dedication to Watkinson stems from a deep appreciation of the school’s mission and its educators. “Watkinson is a small school with a big mission,” noted Ron, whose years as a Trustee reinforced his belief that “the school’s continuity is a collective responsibility of all of Watkinson’s community stakeholders.” He and Judy recognize that the execution of the mission, “to develop in our students the power to shape their own lives and the world around them,” rests significantly on the faculty’s shoulders.
“What a great opportunity to make the workday a little easier for everyone involved,” the Schlossbergs remarked about their decision to fund the air conditioning project. “This gift is an expression of gratitude for every teacher — past, current and future — who has dedicated their lives and their skills to execute Watkinson’s mission.” The school wholeheartedly embraced this sentiment, acknowledging the profound impact this gift will have on the daily experience of faculty, staff, and students alike.
This thoughtful contribution exemplifies the Schlossbergs’ understanding that supporting educational infrastructure directly enhances the teaching and learning environment. Watkinson School is profoundly thankful for their vision and commitment to improving our private school campus facilities. As every member of the Watkinson community will now literally “feel” the Schlossbergs’ generosity in Feringa Hall, their gift stands as a testament to the power of targeted philanthropy and the deep connections that bind the Watkinson family together.
Want to know more about capital projects at Watkinson? Contact Thomas Murphy.
Celebrating Phyllis Shikora and Doug Cohen P’03, 06, 09 for Shaping Lives Through Philanthropy
Watkinson School is pleased to announce the annual gala A Watkinson Affair is on April 26 at 6pm at The Goodwin Hotel in Hartford. In addition to a live and silent auction, an alumni speaker, and a paddle raise, the centerpiece of the evening’s program will celebrate Phyllis Shikora and Doug Cohen P’03, 06, 09 for Shaping Lives Through Philanthropy.
A Watkinson Affair directly supports Watkinson’s private school annual fund, which provides essential funds to support teacher salaries, technology, financial aid, athletics, global studies and creative arts programs, and much more.
An extensive list of volunteers makes this event possible, chaired by Kendra Wiesel and the honorary chair is Kathleen Kane-Francalangia. The evening begins at 6pm, with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, a program, dessert, and dancing. Tickets for the event are already sold out; sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available.
Congratulations to the students below for winning awards in the Connecticut Region of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! The work of the Gold Key winners qualifies to be judged for the national competition.
The Connecticut Regional Scholastic Awards program is a professionally juried event that recognizes only the best Connecticut student artwork. This year, seven Watkinson students won awards or honorable mentions; this is noteworthy given that Watkinson has 250 students and is competing against large, regional public schools.
Abagail B. ’25 — silver key, photography
Basmina K. ’25 — honorable mention, portfolio
Ben R. ’25 — silver key, painting
Gabriela R-L. ’25 — honorable mention, portfolio
Mairin C. ’26 — silver key, photography
Kevin Q. ’26 — honorable mention, architecture and interior design
Will C. ’27 — gold key, photography
Will W. ’27 — honorable mention, photography
Virginia B. ’28 — gold key, photography
Will C. ’27Virginia B. ’28Abagail B. ’25Gaby R-L. ’25Will W. ’27Kevin Q. ’26
Watkinson School, a private school for grades 6-12/PG, is Hartford, CT’s oldest co-ed independent day school. To schedule a tour of our private school and to see what our students’ parents and alumni have to say about their experiences at Watkinson School, click here.
Governor Ned Lamont announced yesterday that he is nominating the Honorable Raheem L. Mullins ’97 to serve as chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. In addition to serving as a justice on the state’s highest court, the position of chief justice is responsible for serving as the head of the judicial branch of state government and overseeing the administration of the state’s courts.
Justice Mullins is currently an associate justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, where he has been serving since November 1, 2017. At the time he took the oath of office, he became the youngest person to ever serve on the Supreme Court. During his tenure on the court, he has participated in more than 150 cases and authored approximately 70 majority opinions.
Immediately prior to joining the Supreme Court, he served as a judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court from 2014 to 2017, participating in more than 200 appeals and authoring approximately 95 written opinions. He also served as a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court from 2012 to 2014, during which he presided over criminal jury trials and civil matters for the Judicial District of New Haven. Additionally, he presided over habeas corpus trials and various other civil matters for the Judicial District of Tolland at Rockville.
“Justice Mullins has had an impressive career serving on all three levels of Connecticut’s courts, and during his years on the bench he has earned the respect of many in the state’s legal community and those who have come before him as a fair, transparent, measured, and sensible jurist with a keen interest in researching and analyzing any number of complex legal issues that come before him,” Governor Lamont said. “I appreciate that he understands the impact that the court system has on the lives of the people who live our state and the need for it to function efficiently, evenhandedly, and equitably. Justice Mullins has already served as a member of the state’s highest court for several years, participating in more than a hundred cases and authoring dozens of opinions. He is well-suited to transition to the position of chief justice and his leadership in this role will benefit Connecticut’s judicial branch.”
“I am honored by the nomination to serve as chief justice of the State of Connecticut and am grateful for the confidence Governor Ned Lamont has in me,” Justice Mullins said. “My respect for the judiciary runs deep, having served at all three levels – as a Superior Court judge, an Appellate Court judge, and a Supreme Court justice. If confirmed, I will strive to enhance the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s accessibility, efficiency, fairness, and responsiveness to the needs of the diverse communities we serve. I will work diligently to live up to the responsibilities of the position and to honor the hard work and sacrifices of all those who have come before me to make this day possible.”
Born in Middletown, Connecticut, Justice Mullins graduated from Watkinson School in 1997, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and earned a Juris Doctor degree from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating from Northeastern, he clerked for Judge Frederick Brown on the Massachusetts Appeals Court from 2004 to 2005. Justice Mullins is admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court and the Connecticut Bar.
Before becoming a judge, Justice Mullins served as an assistant state’s attorney in the Appellate Bureau of the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice. In this position, he argued appeals before the Connecticut Supreme Court and Appellate Court. Before becoming an appellate prosecutor, Justice Mullins served as an assistant attorney general in the Child Protection Division of the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office and tried cases before judges in the Superior Court for juvenile matters.
Justice Mullins is currently a faculty member of the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Civics Academy and participates in the annual Read Across America event and the Judicial Branch’s Speakers Bureau. He serves as chair to the Code of Evidence Oversight Committee, is a fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation, and is a member of the Watkinson School Board of Directors. He has also previously been a member of the Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court, the Young Lawyers Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, the board of directors for the Fund for Greater Hartford, the government division of the Connecticut Bar Association, the Law Library Advisory Committee, and the Task Force to Study the Feasibility of Amending Title 46b to Permit a Person Other Than a Family or Household Member to Apply for a Restraining Order.
The Office of the Governor is forwarding Justice Mullins’ nomination to the Connecticut General Assembly for the advice and consent of the Judiciary Committee as an interim appointment to succeed Chief Justice Richard A. Robinson, who is retiring from the court effective September 6, 2024. At the start of the next regular legislative session, which begins January 8, 2025, the Office of the Governor will again forward Justice Mullins’ nomination for the advice and consent of the full legislature. If confirmed by both chambers of the General Assembly, Justice Mullins will then begin serving a full eight-year term as chief justice.
Oscar-nominated screenwriter David Hemingson ’82 spent the day on campus on April 9, 2024. He attended classes, spoke at All-School Meeting, and in the evening was the guest of honor at a fundraiser for Grace Scholars at Watkinson. Watkinson School is grateful to Mr. Hemingson for his generosity of time and attention to our students and our community.
David Hemingson is a veteran television writer who in 2023 made one of the most astonishing feature film debuts in recent memory as screenwriter and producer of Focus Features’s widely acclaimed The Holdovers, directed by Oscar winner Alexander Payne.
During his day on campus, Mr. Hemingson spoke at All-School Meeting, led a two-hour masterclass with Creative Arts Program diploma students, and attended 10th- and 6th-grade Humanities classes. In the evening, Watkinson held a fundraiser for Grace Scholars at Watkinson, which consisted of a VIP Dinner followed by a conversation between Mr. Hemingson and Head of School Teri Schrader, for which attendees could submit questions in advance.
About Hemingson’s visit, Schrader says, “A day like this feels like a once-in-a-lifetime gift. David was so extraordinarily attentive with all our students. During his time with our CAP Diploma Students, he shared generously in responding not only to the rich and thoughtful questions the members of the class had prepared, but also asked our students about their work. With our sixth graders, he gratefully received the poems they crafted for him, but also asked them about their hopes for their future. When one student shared their intention to make animated films, Dave and the student had a real conversation about that. He was, for us, a guest artist who honored our students’ intentions and questions, and spoke with them as though they were already “in the field,” never speaking down to them.”
Much of the day and evening conversation focused on Hemingson’s extraordinary success with “The Holdovers.” Following its world premiere at Telluride, The Holdovers earned five Academy Award® nominations, including Best Original Screenplay for Hemingson’s work and Best Picture. Hemingson’s screenplay has been a focal point of the film’s considerable acclaim, netting him a staggering 37 nods from critic associations and awards bodies, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Original Screenplay and winning the National Board of Review’s Best Original Screenplay award.
All of these events provided the means to lift up and shine a spotlight on Watkinson’s scholarship program called Grace Scholars at Watkinson, a fund created in 2018 by founding donors Janice and David Klein and designated to enable 8th grade graduates of Hartford’s Grace Academy to enroll at Watkinson for high school.
Both Grace Academy Head of School Princess Hyatt and Grace Scholar Maria D. ’24 spoke at the event, with Maria extolling, “As a Grace Scholar at Watkinson School, I have been given every opportunity in the world. I’ve met leaders, speakers, and mentors that have dedicated themselves to shaping the world around them. It has inspired me to put myself out there and make a difference. This is one of the many ways Watkinson has pushed me to be the best version of myself.”
Princess Hyatt added, “Watkinson and Grace Academy are not just providing an education; we are nurturing the holistic growth of youth, fostering intellectual, spiritual, moral, and social development. This partnership is a beacon of hope, illustrating what can be achieved when two great institutions come together with a shared vision of empowerment and transformation.”
Schrader adds, “Over the past nine years, seven young women from Grace Academy have come to Watkinson, with a total financial aid amount, including Grace Scholars at Watkinson grants, of $918,100 — almost a million dollars of Watkinson funding. This is an extraordinary amount of support from a school of our size and evidence of how we so cherish our relationship with Grace Academy, our sister in Hartford. We look forward to continuing to enact our commitment to the students we share. We know Grace girls make our school a better school and we look forward to continuing to grow our commitment.”
More than 150 guests registered for the April 9th event, which raised crucial funds for the Grace Scholars at Watkinson fund. Watkinson gratefully acknowledges Fiducient as the sponsor of the VIP Dinner and “Evening with Mr. Hemingson”; thanks to Fiducient, all funds raised will go directly to scholarship support.
Want to know more about Grace Scholars at Watkinson? Contact us.
On Wednesday, March 27, the CT Supreme Court’s “On Circuit” program came to Watkinson. Annually, the court selects a location at which to hear arguments, with the goal of educating students about the role and responsibilities of the Judicial branch of our government and specifically the appellate system through this interactive and engaging real-life experience. The court heard two cases, one criminal and one civil, and the students were allowed to ask questions of the attorneys after the cases were presented. Watkinson offers profound thanks to Justice Raheem Mullins ’97 for making this possible.
Head of School Teri Schrader greeted the students and community members in attendance, conveying that the day was a chance for Watkinson’s students to get close to the practices of democracy. She cautioned attendees to remember that when the practices of government feel remote, cynicism can emerge. Schrader was thrilled that Watkinson hosted the CT Supreme Court and that our students got to see them work and understand the judicial process anew.
About their visit, numerous representatives of the court remarked on the rapt attentiveness of Watkinson’s students, most notably Justice Mullins. Chief Justice Richard Robinson remarked that the day was “a very proud homecoming for Justice Mullins who speaks highly of Watkinson and it’s easy to see why.”
The event was preceded by a breakfast with the justices where students, faculty, alumni, and trustees were able to greet and speak with the visiting Justices.
Watkinson School’s SPHERE Summer Program is an academic enrichment program that successfully integrates fun-filled summertime activities with educational hands-on activities and classroom academics. Students who attend SPHERE achieve exponential growth in their reading and math abilities. The goal of SPHERE is to help students discover that learning can be achieved through varied creative and recreational activities. Our small classes provide special attention and time to explore areas of interest. SPHERE provides an environment with supportive and personalized instruction that prepares the student for the upcoming school year.
Head of School Teri Schrader says, “For over fifty years, Sphere has been an important part of Watkinson School, welcoming our youngest students to campus for a summer of learning and fun. We are proud of our longstanding relationship with our neighboring schools in the city of Hartford and East Hartford and to the partnerships created as we strive to support young children in their academic development during the summer months. Year after year, SPHERE students at Watkinson demonstrate not only academic progress in math and reading, but also enjoy exploring the arts and sciences, riding bikes, and playing outdoors in a safe and beautiful environment. SPHERE is synonymous with summer at Watkinson, and we can’t imagine it otherwise!”
SPHERE is a non-profit, five-week program for 60-70 Hartford and East Hartford youth entering grades 1-5. The program begins Monday, June 24, 2024 and ends Friday, July 26, 2024.
The day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with lunch and morning/afternoon snacks included. The main goal of SPHERE is to extend learning beyond June to prepare students for September in a caring, fun, and creative environment. This is achieved by simultaneously addressing any learning gaps that exist, strengthening current academic and interpersonal skills, and building confidence through exposure to the upcoming grade’s content.
SPHERE classes are aligned with the Common Core State Standards in literacy and math. In addition, students receive science, art, and technology instruction. Our small classes provide personalized and culturally-relevant instruction that prepares the student for the upcoming school year.
SPHERE is made possible through funding from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Ensworth Charitable Foundation, Petit Family Foundation, Berkshire Bank, Stanley and Hinda Fisher Fund, George and Grace Long Foundation, J. Walton Bissell Foundation, and United Way of Central and Northeastern CT,
Application materials are also available upon request by emailing sphere@watkinson.org or by calling: 860-236-5618 ext. 156. Applications for returning students have priority acceptance up to March 25, 2024. After March 25th, if openings are available, new students will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Only completed application packets will be considered.
Watkinson School, a co-educational independent private day school for grades 6-12/PG, is Hartford’s oldest independent school. Watkinson’s next info session for prospective students isApril 5 at 9am.
Watkinson School is pleased to announce its new Chief Financial and Operations Officer is Julia Winer of West Hartford, CT.
The CFOO provides strategic financial and operational leadership and is part of the senior leadership team. Winer will work closely with Head of School Teri Schrader, who taught Winer when she attended the Francis W. Parker Charter School which Schrader helped found and was the Head of School for 10 years.
About her appointment, Winer commented, “I chose Watkinson because I believe the most important and compelling work that is happening in education today is happening here. I am driven to be a part of that work and to be part of the team that advances Watkinson’s mission. And I am eager to invite more people locally and beyond to get to know Watkinson the way I do.” Winer has been a member of Watkinson’s board of trustees for five years, most recently serving as vice president.
Teri adds, “It’s only natural that Julia has returned to education. She is the perfect choice for Watkinson as she has a deep understanding of and is profoundly committed to schools like Watkinson. She is deeply rooted in this community, having attended the University of Hartford and being an exceptional leader in Hartford. I am excited to have her intellect and passion at Watkinson!”
Winer comes to Watkinson School by way of MD Ally, where she was the Vice President of Operations. Prior to that, Winer was the Chief Corporate Office and Chief of Staff at Hartford’s Silver Fern Healthcare, and Director of Public Policy and Strategic Planning at the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC). She was also an adjunct professor in the University of Connecticut School of Business, teaching “Business Communications” for UConn’s Full-Time MBA Program and “Statistics in Business” for UConn’s Executive MBA Program.
A graduate of the University of Hartford, Winer also has an MBA from the University of Connecticut School of Business, and an MS in International and Comparative Education from the University of Oxford made possible by a John G. Martin Scholarship from the University of Hartford. In 2022, the University of Hartford awarded Winer their prestigious Anchor Award for Impact on Social Responsibility/Civic Engagement and featured her on the Hawk to Hawk podcast.
Watkinson School is Hartford’s oldest co-ed independent day private school for grades 6-12/PG. . Watkinson’s mission is to develop in our students the power to shape their lives and the world around them. Our next info session for prospective families is August 9 at 6pm.
Watkinson’s international, award-winning debate team is looking for new members! This activity welcomes all Watkinson students, both Upper and Middle Schoolers and introverts and extroverts alike. We are offering two week-long virtual morning programs this summer during the weeks of June 26th and July 10th and an option for once-a-week virtual summer classes for students of all experience levels. For over a decade, Watkinson has partnered with Westfield Academy, a local community debate school to make this amazing extracurricular activity available to our students. Debate helps create global citizens, lifelong learners, and leaders. It helps students become strong public speakers and analytical thinkers, develop a broad and deep interdisciplinary knowledge base, and keep up on current events. Plus it is a lot of fun! Students have the opportunity to participate in regional, national, and even international debate competitions.
Highly Successful
In past years, Watkinson students have won multiple international debate competitions including at Yale, UPenn, and McGill; four Watkinson students qualified for the National High School Parliamentary Finals; three have been ranked the top 10 in the country; and one student won the entire International Public Policy Forum competition. Come to a virtual info session on 6/8 or 6/15 at 7 p.m. or on 6/13 at 8:30 a.m. Download the flyer here.
Watkinson School is proud to announce Emily Parker as its next Director of College Counseling. Emily comes to Watkinson after 13 years in the college admissions world. For nearly the last decade she has been the Associate Director of Admission at Brown University, and prior to that she was the Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. A veteran member of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling volunteer leadership, Emily has been a guiding force in planning New England regional conferences, most notably chairing the annual conference in 2021. She is both universally well-respected by her peers and has a network of college connections that spans the globe. Head of School Teri Schrader adds, “I am excited and confident that our students will benefit enormously from Emily’s ability to advise them from her unique perspective as a college admissions insider.” Emily will succeed Terry Ullram in Watkinson’s college office and will visit campus several times prior to graduation, allowing both students and faculty to meet her before her official start day of July 1.
Watkinsonis pleased to host a book signing and intimate meet and greet with Dr. Doe Hentschel, a current Watkinson trustee, who recently published “Look Ma, No Hands”. The book signing is free and open to the public at 4:30pm on Tuesday, April 18th in our Feringa Dining Hall. About her book, Dr. Hentschel describes, “It was the biggest job I had ever had, ten times bigger in fact! And I thought I was ready. Ten days after accepting the job offer, I smashed both my elbows in a bicycle accident.” Six months with both arms in casts presented incredible challenges and generated numerous stories that Dr. Hentschel, a natural storyteller, recounts in Look Ma, No Hands.
For more than four decades, Dr. Hentschel has developed transformative, creative, and pioneering continuing education programs and policies. As a strategist, collaborator, innovator, teacher, and facilitator, she has distinguished herself in multiple settings. A leader and visionary in the field of adult education, she was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame in 2013.
The free book signing is from 4:30-5:15pm and Dr. Hentschel will read excerpts from her book at 4:45pm. Books can be purchased in advance on Amazon or at the signing for $20.
Watkinson School is proud to announce that Jan and David Klein will be honored with the 2023 Philanthropist of the Year Award at A Watkinson Affair on Saturday, February 25 at Hartford’s downtown Marriot.
The Philanthropist of the Year Award is presented to an individual or family with a history of exceptional generosity through their own financial support, generosity of spirit, and civic responsibility. They set the highest example of leadership which, in turn, encourages others to take philanthropic roles in the Watkinson community.
Jan and David are founders of the Grace Scholars Fund, distinguished donors, current and past trustees and alumni parents to Jordan ’06. Jan and David reflected on receiving this award, “We continue to support and be involved at Watkinson because our daughter was the beneficiary of the incomparable experience of Watkinson, which prepared her so well for her future. We want to ensure that Watkinson can, for today’s and tomorrow’s students” develop the power to shape their lives and the world around them”. We also passionately believe in Watkinson’s commitment to be intentionally diverse – racially, culturally and economically, and to seek and welcome students who would thrive in this wonderful educational environment, whose only roadblocks to attending Watkinson are financial.”
This award was instituted in 2022 and the inaugural recipient was Kathleen Kane-Francalangia.
In 2022, Isaiah R. ’25 was one of 30 athletes across the country selected for TEAM IC, an organization that represents Inside Cheerleading (and, previously, Woodward Cheer). Inclusion is based on skills and passion for cheer, and also emphasizes character, leadership, and academics (3.0 g.p.a. or higher). Isaiah applied again for 2023 and really hopes to be honored with another selection.
Isaiah has participated in All-Star Competitive Cheer for five years. Since 2020, he’s been a member of the USA Wildcats, based in Naugatuck, CT. In December 2022, Isaiah’s teams competed in their first competition of the season: the Champion Cheer and Dance Grand National Competition in New Jersey. Both his teams finished in first place and earned invitations to the championship events for their divisions held in April. Additionally, Isaiah’s Senior Elite team, which competes at the highest level, received the highest score of all teams at the event. Isaiah’s mother, Charlene, adds, “It’s a big honor to receive an invitation as it’s based on your team’s overall performance at an event amongst other very competitive teams. Scoring is very challenging as it’s based on the team’s routine of tumbling, stunts and dance, and the level of difficulty as well as the ability to successfully complete the routine with minimal or no errors. It can be a lot of pressure but the team pulls together to execute and support each other. Isaiah is looking forward to resuming competitions in January.”
Participating in many sports over the years, including Little League baseball, flag football, and and basketball, his participation in Acrofitness (a group based in Simsbury) was his constant favorite as it combined gymnastics, acrobatics, stunt, and dance — and it led him to his focus and passion for All-Star Competitive Cheer.
Membership for TEAM IC is very competitive and Isaiah’s responsibilities included:
-Representing the best interests of the All-Star Community, his team and program as a whole over self-interests, and leading by example as a brand ambassador and member of TEAM IC.
Dr. Katie Kresek is the first American woman to win a Tony Award for orchestration. During her recent visit to Watkinson, she helped the Upper School Ensemble students with their original arrangements. She also spoke with Creative Arts Program students about her career path as a Tony-winning Broadway orchestrator, a collaborative violinist, a recording artist, and an educator.
To learn more about being a private school student at Watkinson and or about our Creative Arts Program, visit campus today.
Watkinson School, a private school in Hartford, CT, is pleased to announce that Technology & Communication Support provider Jessica Dickens has been selected to be a featured artist in the Connecticut Women’s Art Show on April 24, 2022. In its fifth year, the showcase is curated by CT Philanthropist Margaret Patricelli and is presented in her home as a benefit to the Hartford Public Library.
Jessica is an accomplished jewelry artist and designer whose creations are distinct. She describes, “my jewelry collection is inspired by abstract, organic designs that are bold and unique. I create jewelry by marrying colors and textures that seem an unlikely pairing to create eclectic designs that capture attention. Each wearable art piece becomes an extension of the person and speaks to the unique beauty we all possess.” In addition to doing a significant amount of custom designs for individual clients, Jessica’s work has been featured on Jewelry Television (JTV) Jewel School, Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine, fashion show runways, and arts and crafts festivals. She recently published “The Lone Wolf Jewelry Designer’s Guide to Business Art and Life.”
The other artist featured in the 2022 show is abstract painter and alumni parent Sandy Welch. Both artists are giving a portion of all proceeds from the show to the Hartford Public Library. Attendance is by invitation only.
Because of COVID-19, the showcase last happened in 2019 and sculptor Marilyn Parkinson Thrall was the featured artist.
For more information about the CT Women’s Art Show, please contact info@watkinson.org.
Watkinson School, a private school for grades 6-12/PG, is Hartford, CT’s oldest co-ed independent day school. To schedule a tour of our private school and to see what our students, parents, and alumni have to say about their experiences at Watkinson School, click here. Our next info session for prospective families is May 5 at 9am.
Congratulations to the students below for winning awards in the Connecticut Region of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! The work of the Gold Key winners qualifies to be judged for the national competition.
The Connecticut Regional Scholastic Awards program is a professionally juried event that recognizes only the best Connecticut student artwork. This year, seven Watkinson students won awards or honorable mentions; this is noteworthy given that Watkinson has 250 students and is competing against large, regional public schools.
Jacob B. ’23 — gold key, photo
William E. ’22 — Gold Key, CAEA Best in Drawing Award, Drawing Category
Hannah J. ’23 — honorable mention, photo
Evan P. ’22 — silver key, sculpture
Ayana P-M ’22 — silver key and gold key, painting
Z Reed ’23 — silver key, drawing
Alina W. ’22 — honorable mention, film
Alina W. ’22Ayana P-M ’22Ayana P-M ’22Evan P. ’22Hannah J. ’23Jacob B. ’23William E. ’22Z. R. ’23
Watkinson School, a private school for grades 6-12/PG, is Hartford, CT’s oldest co-ed independent day school. To schedule a tour of our private school and to see what our students’ parents and alumni have to say about their experiences at Watkinson School, click here. Our next info session for prospective families is April 7 at 9am.
Top Rated Private School Recognizes Student from Hartford, CT
Watkinson School is pleased to announce that our private school has awarded the Monique Colletti Leadership Grant to our private high school 10th-grader Ninah G. of Hartford, CT.
Upper School Head Ryan Reese adds, “We are so excited for Ninah, as she is not only deserving of this award due to her application materials, but, more importantly, because she continues to find and embody leadership roles within our community each day. She wrote about examples of leadership from her own life and from history in her essay for the award, and she has stepped into important leadership roles within Ravens and Titans, our BIPOC affinity groups, this year, as well.”
The fund supporting this grant was established in 1998 by family and friends in memory of Monique Colletti, class of 2000, who died in a car accident on June 27, 1998 while returning home from a school-related trip to the American Youth Foundation’s international youth leadership program at Camp Merrowvista. At the time, Monique was a tenth grader.
This award intends to nurture students’ efforts to enhance their leadership skills. The Collettis want nothing more than to see young people have the opportunity that Monique had when she attended Merrowvista; the opportunity to hone their skills as leaders and prepare themselves to make a difference in the world.
The Colletti Leadership Grant is awarded every other year to a student leader who is energetic, sympathetic, and has the curiosity for knowledge and the experience necessary to attend a leadership camp or program. The recipient is chosen on the basis of a written application essay, as well as the input of two adult references. The awardee then seeks a program of interest, submits it for consideration and approval, attends the program, and then reports back to the Watkinson community about the experience. The student will also report to the Colletti family by writing a summary of the impact of the experience. The grant provides up to $1,200 to fund an experience with a leadership program.
Watkinson has an established tradition for recognizing excellence; see previous award winners here.
Watkinson School, a private school for grades 6-12/PG, is Hartford CT’s oldest co-ed independent day school. To schedule a tour of our private school and to see what our students’ parents and alumni have to say about their experiences at Watkinson School, click here.
Watkinson private school is pleased to announce its new Director of Community, Equity and Inclusion is Courtney Massenberg.
A member of Watkinson’s senior leadership, the Director of Community, Equity, and Inclusion provides strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and active oversight of Watkinson’s efforts to become a more inclusive, just, and anti-racist community. The Director is responsible for promoting cultural awareness; fostering a sense of belonging for all; and creating, implementing and supporting equitable and inclusive educational and community opportunities. The Director supports and facilitates constructive dialogue about identity, bias, equity, and social responsibility, supporting students and adults within the school community to engage effectively across differences, both on and beyond campus. The Director leads Watkinson’s five-week Summer SPHERE educational program, which has been serving elementary school children from the city of Hartford for over fifty years.
Courtney comes to Watkinson School by way of New York City, where she began her career in education as an elementary school teacher for the NYC Department of Education, the largest and most diverse school system in the United States. After teaching in multiple grades and districts, she went on to serve in various roles including city-wide K-8 teacher evaluator, district-wide principal coach, and founding principal of a creative arts middle school. During this time, she also earned her master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, as well as two administrative certifications.
Almost 20 years later, Courtney returns to Connecticut where she was raised and educated in the independent school system. Not only did she attend Renbrook School in West Hartford and graduate from the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut, she is also the proud sibling of a Watkinson Alum, Class of 2000.
Throughout her career in education, Courtney has leveraged her diverse experiences to engage teachers, school, and district leaders in powerful conversations about how to reduce race, gender, socioeconomic, and other barriers to learning as well as promote an inclusive environment where all are proud to belong. She looks forward to continuing this important work at Watkinson and is thrilled to be a new member of the community.
Private middle school 6th-grader Cooper M. ’27 was awarded first place in the Junior Individual Exhibit category in the Hartford Regional History Day Contest. As a result of his first-place finish, Cooper’s work proceeds to be judged at the statewide level in the State History Day Contest in May. Watkinson Private Middle School Head Jenny Esposito comments, “This is a wonderful, spectacular accomplishment. Cooper showed extraordinary motivation in the midst of the pandemic and did exceptional work. We are both happy for and proud of him.”
The theme for this year’s History Day Contest is “communication: the key to understanding” and Cooper immediately connected his fluency with ASL with the fact that the American School for the Deaf is right here in Hartford. “I am fluent in ASL because my mom is a sign language interpreter, and I always had a Deaf nanny and Deaf babysitter. I also went to a preschool for Deaf and hearing, and I went every summer to a science camp for Deaf and hearing at Gallaudet University. We are friends with many families who are Deaf. It is part of my life! I had the idea for this presentation board to be about Deaf actors because one of our good friends is Lauren Ridloff (a Deaf American actress known for her role as Connie on the TV series The Walking Dead) and her family, and Lauren is going to be in The Eternals as a new Marvel character. We have been friends with Lauren and Doug and their two sons for many years. Everyone is Deaf in that family. So that is why I picked this idea.”
Because of COVID, Cooper did most of his research by email and video chats with people. He considers himself fortunate that he is originally from NYC and that he and his mom know a lot of Deaf actors. “I could email them directly and they’ve known me my whole life so they responded. I also know the hearing actor BD Wong and he agreed to answer interview questions too. I did not have to talk to anyone that I did not already know. This made a big difference.” See Cooper’s complete presentation here.
The virtual state contest takes place on May 1. The day starts at 9 a.m. with a Welcome Ceremony, followed by a number of other virtual activities and historical content. See the day’s events and view all the projects here.
To continue our commemoration of Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month, special guest, art historian, and educator, Valentín Concha-Núñez, will give our private school an interactive, virtual museum tour on Wednesday, October 14. We will explore “Representation of Latino Art” as Concha-Núñez presents several beautiful masterpieces created by Latinx artists across different cultures, art forms, and eras.
With a dual background in education and art history, Concha-Núñez’s approach merges lots of contextual information with an open, multi-modal learning style that works for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Currently a museum educator at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, his main focus is, “…to ignite empowerment and civic participation to enrich communities through the arts and culture.”
Aaron Grier ’18 and Teague O’Connor ’05, both Watkinson super fans, met for the first time.
While on campus to wish athletic director Kerry Boyle farewell, Aaron Grier ’18 and Teague O’Connor ’05 met for the first time. Aaron was excited to meet the namesake of the Teague O’Connor Spirit Award, which he won in his senior year. Both alumni are super fans of Watkinson and continue to show their school pride.
The Connecticut Regional Scholastic Awards program is a professionally juried event that recognizes only the best Connecticut student artwork. This year, eleven Watkinson private students won awards or honorable mentions. Watkinson is in the top 10 schools in the state for number of awards. One school received 15 awards, one school received 13, and 7 schools received 11 awards, a remarkable feat given that Watkinson has 250 students and is competing against large, regional public schools.
byUniversity of Hartford Communications Intern Samantha Urban
For over a decade, four Venezuelan students, typically seventh graders, visit Watkinson School. The new private middle school students will be immersed right into the everyday activities of a typical Watkinson student: going to classes, eating lunch, participating in advisory and extracurriculars, you name it.
With their visit scheduled for February 5, 2020, this year, Spanish teacher Marcy Webb devised a way to connect with these visiting students. Using Flipgrid, an online audio platform that allows students to record audio and video, the sixteen students in her 7th grade Spanish I class created mini-bios of themselves, all in Spanish, to share with the Venezuelan students before they arrived.
The mini-bios worked perfectly with where her students are curricular and included things like where they are from and what they like to do for fun. In the end, students posed a question to their Venezuelan counterparts.
“We thought it was a nice, real-world use of the students’ language skills, which, unfortunately, they don’t always get a chance to demonstrate”, said Webb. She said that students had a fun time crafting their own bios and were excited to see how the Venezuelan students would respond.
Low and behold, the Venezuelan students have already responded and our seventh-grade language students are looking forward to seeing what they had to say. The receiving of these videos provides the students a chance to use their listening skills in trying to comprehend the Venezuelan responses.
Schrader and French, Bernbach and Reese to lead workshops at the 2020 NAIS Annual Conference.
Four members of Watkinson’s leadership have been selected to lead hour-long workshops at the prestigious independent school conference presented annually by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Head of School Teri Schrader and Director of Communication Jenni French will lead a workshop on “Beyond Making Money: The Relationship Between School Culture and Revenue”; 9th and 10th Grade Academic Dean and English Department Chair Christina Bernbach and Upper School Head Ryan Reese will lead a workshop on “The Arc of Exhibitions: Seven Years from Skills to Mastery”.
The 2020 NAIS Annual Conference, for which the theme is “Your School, Your Legacy”, will take place February 26-28 in Philadelphia.
Head of School Teri Schrader had the privilege of being an invited guest on “Parenting Beyond the Headlines”, a podcast hosted by author, educational leader, and current Watkinson trustee Amy Alamar. The most current podcast episode, released on September 10, focuses on the importance of the middle school years, see a trailer here.
Alamar describes, “Our podcast is dedicated to helping families understand what’s going on in the news and how it affects their family and how to talk about it with their family. Of course we are in the back-to-school swing of things, and this topic is so crucial – parents and students often think “ugh” when it comes to middle school, and we want to support families in embracing the challenges by better understanding them. We also wanted to help highlight the beauty and importance of these years, with the rise of anxiety and depression in teens, this is the moment to support our kids and try to understand the magic in their development.”
We look forward to welcoming ALL private middle school students and private high school students and parents for Back to School Day on Friday, August 30th. Registration begins at 7:45 am in the Gym. Please note: all medical, athletic, parent consent, and retreat forms must be returned prior to this date. Parents are encouraged to stay until approximately 10:00 am, and private school students will be dismissed at 1:15 pm. This will be your opportunity to receive your student’s schedule, meet teachers and staff, attend All-School Meeting, and submit any outstanding paperwork; for students, there will also be class and individual photos (see below), as well as a run-through of your full class schedule, and lunch will be provided.
We will see all new families the day before for New Student / Parent Orientation on Thursday, August 29th. Parents will hear from division heads and enjoy a reception to meet other new families, while the new private school students will participate in activities to get to know each other, along with some teachers and returning students. The morning begins at 9:00 am; parents will be done by 10:00 am and students will be dismissed at 11:30 am.
We will have a pop-up School Store on Back to School Day! Come by and stock up on Wat Wear! We’ll have t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, water bottles, and more! Proceeds from the sale go to support our service work internationally in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Uganda.
Watkinson School completed its seventh season of Freshly Squeezed with Colin McEnroe by presenting the program’s community partners — Billings Forge, Hartford Stage, and the Mark Twain House and Museum — with checks from the proceeds to benefit their education departments. Watkinson’s Head of School Teri Schrader presented the profits from the 2018-19 Freshly Squeezed season ($2,341 was gifted to each organization) at a breakfast on June 6th. Fiduciary Investment Advisors is the sole sponsor for Freshly Squeezed and has been since the program began in 2012. After seven years, Watkinson has gifted more than $10,000 to each of the three nonprofits that are community partners to Freshly Squeezed.
Left to Right: Hartford Stage Associate Director of Education Nina Pinchin, Fiduciary Investment Advisors Chief Operating Officer Maureen Cooper, Watkinson’s Head of School Teri Schrader, Colin McEnroe, Fiduciary Investment Advisors Executive Vice President Michael Goss, Mark Twain House Director of Development Rosalie Roth, Billings Forge Executive Director Cary Wheaton.
Watkinson School congratulates all 42 of our CT private high school students from the class of 2019 who will graduate on Friday, June 7th. We are proud of their accomplishments and celebrate them attending the following Colleges and Universities: Bard College Bentley University Boston University (3) Brandeis University Bryn Mawr College Central CT State University Clark University (2) Connecticut College Eckerd College Fairfield University High Point University Hofstra University Lynn University (2) Manhattanville College Marist College New York University (4) Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design School of Visual Arts Suffolk University The George Washington University (3) The University of Texas, Austin Trinity College University of Connecticut (4) University of Hartford (2) University of New Haven Vassar College Washington University in St. Louis Yale University
Our CT private school student, sophomore Angelique P. will compete with Girls For Technology, Inc. and represent the State of Connecticut at Facebook headquarters to compete in the final round of the Engineer For The Week Challenge (EFTW) to further develop Artificial Intelligence (AI), EBONI – a Chabot for young Black professionals.
In the fall of 2018, Facebook announced a national open call for teens to design a working tech product and develop computer science skills by solving real-world problem. Girls For Technology created a team of four high school girls who met over 35 hours after school at the Wilson-Gray YMCA to create an artificial intelligence-powered Chabot. The girls created EBONI – a chatbot that is designed to help young Black professionals navigate the workplace while also promoting culturally competent workplaces.
The Engineer For The Week challenge both inspires girls in tech while simultaneously teaching girls software development skills. In October, Facebook executives were so impressed with the girls’ progress that their Education department director flew from Silicon Valley to meet with the team. The Girls For Technology team will advance to the final round and is invited to Facebook Headquarters from May 2nd to 3rd. Angelique is one of four high school girls on the team.
During their visit to Facebook, the team will further develop their product, participate in a Hackathon with Facebook engineers, and tour the Facebook campus. Finalist teams will take home tangible prizes along with the Good Deed award including $50,000 in cash prize donations to 10 select non-profit organizations.
Our Watkinson private school CAP students did a Broadway workshop last Friday in New York City at the Pearl Rehearsal Studios with Hamilton cast member Thayne Jasperson. Jasperson has been in the Broadway smash-hit musical since it opened, playing Samuel Seabury, singing and dancing in the chorus, and understudying the role of King George. Jasperson has also been on Broadway in Newsies and Matilda and was a featured dancer on So You Think You Can Dance. Students learned the words and choreography of a section of “The Schuyler Sisters” and had the opportunity to speak with Thayne about his career.
Other highlights of the day included a visit to the Eugene Richards show at the International Center for Photography and a performance of the Tony Award-winning musical The Band’s Visit.
