LREI News 2025-26

Letter from the Director

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Dear LREI Community,

Young children are asked this question frequently, and while they have only the beginning of an idea of what it means to be a grown up, they do know how to dream. There is something about the dreaminess with which our little ones deliver their answers that is so sweet and inspiring. The older we become, the more likely we are to be weighed down with more practical concerns. However, some of us manage to hold onto our childhood dreams, with our earliest goals growing with us until we inhabit them in adult form. Now, that is inspiring.

In the LREI News this spring, you will read about a number of alumni who did just that — fulfilled their childhood dreams. They had a vision for where they wanted to be, and they are there right now. Will they stay there forever? Who knows, but it sure is exciting to see all that their ambitions have wrought. There is nothing quite like a dream come true.

Wishing you all the best and that your dreams continue to inspire you and to bring joy to your life.

Best of everything,

Phil Kassen, P’18, ’22 Director

Where Dreams Take Root

Director Phil Kassen and Assistant Director Allison Isbell sat down for a conversation about how LREI’s progressive program helps students develop the tools to pursue their dreams and set them up for lifelong success.

Phil: We just had a High School tour during which a student said, “I know that I’m going to do something that I really love, and I’m going to be successful at it, and that’s because I went to school here.” She doesn’t know what her dream is yet, but she feels confident she’ll achieve it. I wish I had asked her what she meant by that — how did we set her up to feel so confident? Some of it is the individual student, but much of it is the LREI experience.

Allison: I think we can piece together the stepping stones that students identify that are part of their journey and part of the pre-K–12 scaffolding toward independence. That’s both in the content and in the development of skills in independent thought and inquiry.

Our students know they can approach something new, think critically, research, and ask questions. That’s part of finding your way to your dream — you have to be able to hook yourself into something. I think of alumni pursuing things we never could have imagined [for them], but when I look back, I can see the throughline.

Phil: There are kids who come in knowing they want to be doctors, for example, and kids we never would have guessed would land where they did.

One thing embedded in the School, from the time children are four, is reflection. We ask them, “Why did you make that decision? What help do you need?” They write their report

cards in Middle School and reflect on assessments in High School. There’s an ongoing requirement that students reflect on their learning and interests. It becomes habitual. It’s part of the soil they’re growing in.

Allison: Also, through their coursework, honors projects, X-Blocks, clubs, Student Government, Junior Trip, and Senior Project, students have opportunities to design and carry out long-term, meaningful work. They leave [LREI] knowing how to engage in something new because they’ve done it so many times already.

Phil: X-Block is a good example of High School students being entrepreneurial. There are lots of schools that have entrepreneurship programs, and they’re almost always focused on starting a business, as opposed to following your dreams. We provide opportunities for them to ask, “Where do I fit and where do my dreams fit within the world I’m headed into as a young adult?”

The Senior Project is a great way to practice that — six weeks focused on something consequential: planning, meeting challenges, and communicating.

Allison: Yes, it’s a prototype for how to do that later. It includes scholarship, time management, feedback, and seeking outside expertise. Alumni who return to LREI often refer to their Senior Project as a formative moment. They talk a lot about learning how to ask for help. They learned early to go to a teacher or a mentor. That gave them a real leg up in college and in the workplace.

Phil: And the ability to spot a mentor and accept input as support, not criticism.

Allison: And recognizing feedback as something that helps you learn and grow, rather than a critique or a judgment, which can be hard to learn when you’re young. Because our grading and assessment system provides feedback rather than verification, that setup alone helps them recognize that when a teacher shares information, it is meant to help them grow and learn, not just serve as a stamp of approval.

Another vital piece is relationships with teachers. Students talk about this constantly. Being seen and known by a teacher is a key factor in success. Alumni often connect their path to a particular teacher who inspired them or encouraged them to stick with something when it was hard.

We know students want purpose. The skills we’re cultivating help them find their way to that, whatever shape it takes.

ALLISON ISBELL

Phil: There’s also a connection to the amount of time LREI students spend out in the world.

When you have a conversation with somebody who loves what they do, they’re really generous with their time. We put our students in that position frequently, so they’re ready to open themselves to unfamiliar experiences and to engage with people they don’t yet know. A piece of that comes from the amount of time we say to our students, “Well, go ask that person that question.” For example, when they’re four and go to the farmers market, they can’t find the yellow apples. We say to them, “Let’s go ask the farmer.” That’s the beginning of the agency needed to learn about the world, answer their questions, and follow their interests.

Then, when students are 20 years old and they see a potential mentor, they can go up to that person and say, “Look, I’m really curious about what your research is, and I’d love to talk to you more about it.” That is the exact same conversation as with the farmer about a yellow apple. LREI students engage in this for 14 years.

Allison: Our students aren’t practicing these skills in a fabricated, disconnected place. Fieldwork allows them to take what they’re learning and apply it in practice for a real, relevant purpose. They’ve been practicing this skill of seeking the information that’s important to them and pursuing their interests since they were young. It makes sense that when they leave, they just continue that cycle on their own.

Phil: Following your dreams can sound impractical, but it’s really about matching skills, interests, and opportunities. That’s only getting harder, which makes our work more important each day.

Allison: We don’t even know what the jobs will be; the world our students are moving into is increasingly complex. But we know they want purpose. The skills we’re cultivating help them find their way to that, whatever shape it takes. We need to ensure every student leaves with confidence in their abilities.

Our Mission in Action: Giving Back with Banana Bread

At the end of every week, LREI fourth grader Edie G. can be found in her kitchen, mixing up batches of banana bread. What started as a weekend baking hobby has blossomed into a small business. Edie plans to save half of the proceeds to buy equipment for a summer backpacking camp trip, and the other half will go to The Fund for LREI, the School’s annual fund.

Edie bakes between 10 and 14 loaves each week, selling them at Maiden Lane, a local bar in the East Village owned by her dad’s friend. At $50 a week, she’s already raised around $200, with a goal of giving $300 to LREl. She decided to donate a portion of her earnings because she has enjoyed helping her mom run The Fund for LREI table during the annual GiveRED week. “And,” she says, with a grin, “I also want to help my grade win, even though I know it’s not about the dollar amount,” referring to the class participation challenge.

Her business inspiration came from her dad’s best friend’s mom, who taught her the art of banana bread baking during visits to Philadelphia. “I bake banana bread almost every weekend just for fun,” Edie says. “So to do that times five isn’t that much harder.”

But as Edie has discovered, running a small business takes real commitment. She manages the math of scaling recipes, handles special requests from customers, and mixes large batches by hand. “You have to be able to put aside the time and do it,” Edie advises other students, “It’s not that easy. You shouldn’t go so big that you can’t fulfill it.”

Edie enjoys baking and her dad is a professional chef, so it certainly runs in the family! But, she isn’t sure if it will be her future career. Still, for now, she’s focused on fulfilling her weekly orders, supporting LREI, and proving that even fourth graders can run successful businesses when they’re willing to commit the time and effort it takes to do something meaningful. Our dream? More banana bread!.

The Fund for LREI

Like all independent schools, we raise annual funds from our entire community to support our unique mission and enhance every student’s experience. Gifts to The Fund allow us to provide peerleading financial aid, support our faculty’s professional development work, provide fee-free domestic overnight trips, over 150 field trips each year, arts, athletics, and technology.

Please visit lrei.org to support The Fund for LREI today, or contact Director of Annual Giving Ryann Imperioli at rimperioli@lrei.org for more infomation.

Dreams Really Can Come True Celi Khanyile-Lynch ’09

Associate, Planetary Health at RA Capital Management; Founder, Green Source Africa

Through her career, Celi Khanyile-Lynch ’09 has been motivated by a single, guiding question: How can systems — economic, political, and environmental — be shaped to create meaningful, lasting impact? That question has led her across both the public and private sectors, ultimately to her current role on the Planetary Health team at RA Capital Management, which invests in private companies focused on reducing emissions, increasing access to critical resources, and restoring environmental quality. In her role, she analyzes investment opportunities addressing climate change and environmental sustainability.

Previously, Celi held similar positions at Wellington Management and Morgan Stanley, supporting private equity and venture teams focused on climate and impact investing. Earlier in her career, she worked in local and state government within the executive offices of former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, contributing to a range of policy and operational initiatives. These experiences have shaped a deep understanding of how public policy and private capital can and must work together to drive change.

I’m only where I am today because of the people who took a chance on me — and for the many times I listened, acted, and pivoted along the way.

in Tom Murphy’s economics and policy class introduced her to finance’s potential as a powerful lever for change. Confronting issues like food insecurity and housing inequality pushed her to engage with complex, systemic problems.

LREI’s interdisciplinary, discussion-based approach continues to shape how Celi works today. She remembers how weekly high school seminars with professionals across fields helped connect classroom learning to real-world application, while the School’s emphasis on writing, research, math, and communication laid the foundation for success in finance. In her current role, those skills translate into challenging conventional thinking, conducting rigorous research, and identifying overlooked opportunities that generate both strong returns and measurable impact.

Celi can trace the roots of her career trajectory to her time at LREI. “[The School’s] emphasis on community service had a lasting impact on me,” she recalls. Participating in Student Government and volunteering at East New York Farms with Nick O’Han’s (former High School Principal and history teacher) community service group sparked her interest in public service, while researching topics such as the subprime mortgage crisis

Celi defines success not only by portfolio performance, but by a growth mindset. “Your first job is rarely your dream job, but it can be the bridge to the next one if you stay open and curious,” she says. “Listening is often the fastest path to discovery. Reach out to someone you admire; ask for 15 minutes of their time. I’m only where I am today because of the people who took a chance on me — and for the many times I listened, acted, and pivoted along the way.”

Dreams Really Can Come True Liam Cohen ’13

Ph.D. Candidate in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics at UCSB

From the earliest grades, LREI encourages students to follow their questions wherever they lead. For Liam Cohen ’13, that progressive principle sparked a lifelong fascination with science, and, ultimately, a path to the frontiers of quantum physics.

Today, Liam is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), working in condensed matter experimental physics. Under the mentorship of Professor Michel Devoret, a 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics, Liam explores new architectures for superconducting quantum circuits that operate at unusually high frequencies and temperatures. His research has the potential to transform how future technologies process and protect information.

Liam’s journey has been shaped by deep curiosity and sustained mentorship. During his doctoral studies at UCSB with Professor Andrea Young, he studied the quantum Hall effect in graphene-based van der Waals heterostructures, which he describes as “handmade micro-sandwiches of materials made from sheets only one atom thick.” His work led to devices that demonstrated the existence of elusive anyonic particles in graphene, a major technological step toward a new kind of error-resistant, or “topological,” quantum computer.

LREI taught me that having the confidence to take a step into the unknown is invaluable.

He also recalls projects that raised ethical questions, including a middle school experiment making biodiesel that prompted him to reflect on environmental responsibility — an awareness he still carries into his work today.

Before pursuing his doctorate, Liam earned a bachelor’s degree from MIT, double-majoring in physics and electrical engineering. But the foundation for his scientific path was laid much earlier during his 13 years at LREI. “I’ve wanted to be a scientist or an inventor for almost as long as I can remember,” he says. “LREI always gave me the opportunity to explore my passion for science, while instilling a creative ingenuity that has served me greatly to this day.”

From building a wind-powered drawbridge in second grade to joining LREI’s robotics team ahead of schedule, Liam was consistently encouraged to think ambitiously and creatively.

That curiosity-driven, hands-on learning continues to shape how Liam approaches research. “Research means asking the right questions, even when you don’t know where they’ll lead,” he says. “LREI taught me that having the confidence to take a step into the unknown is invaluable.”

Looking ahead, Liam hopes to apply for faculty positions, establish his own lab, and mentor the next generation of scientists. He recommends that current students surround themselves with passionate, thoughtful people who challenge them. “Others will inspire you to push further, think deeper, and learn more, and in turn, you will do the same for them.”

Dreams Really Can Come True Esme Edwards ’15

Executive Director at Feed Our Streets, Inc.

As the executive director of Feed the Streets Los Angeles, Esme Edwards ’15 has built a career around serving others. Based in Los Angeles, Feed the Streets provides meals, hygiene supplies, clothing, and ongoing support to unhoused and food-insecure individuals across the city. Since joining the organization in 2020, Esme has helped it fulfill urgent community needs, from distributing more than 16,000 meals during January’s wildfires to launching pantry tables in Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles for families impacted by the government shutdown and gaps in SNAP benefits.

Alongside leading Feed the Streets, Esme completed a Master’s degree in clinical psychology at Antioch University Los Angeles and is currently training as a therapist. “Ultimately, I want to converge these two careers,” she explains. “I got involved with Feed the Streets because I was looking to do more on the ground mutual aid work. Through this work, I’ve built my own community and found a consistent space to show up for the unhoused population in Los Angeles in a way that feels real and impactful for me.”

Esme traces much of that sense of responsibility back to her time at LREI. The School’s emphasis on social justice helped shape the understanding that this work is not extracurricular but an essential part of how we live in our communities. Even in the classroom, Esme says, “We placed ourselves within the context of what we were learning, which laid the foundation for that responsibility. However, it never felt like a responsibility as much as it felt a reasonable way to live your life, which is in service of others, which is, in turn, a service to yourself.”

Choice was another defining aspect of Esme’s LREI experience. From selecting electives to exploring varied interests, its progressive program allowed her curiosity to flourish, and her appreciation of that mindset guides her leadership today. At Feed the Streets, choice means offering a variety of food, allowing people to select clothing, and honoring how individuals want to receive care. “When you meet people with choice, rather than resistance or rigidity, it creates a sense of belonging and respect that communicates to them that their wants and needs matter,” she explains.

For students still discovering their dreams, Esme advises not to stress about it too much. Reach out to someone doing work you admire or want to get involved with, and try it out. “I think we don’t always know what our dreams are until we are years in and they’ve become our lives.”

We placed ourselves within the context of what we were learning, which laid the foundation for that [social] responsibility.

Dreams Really Can Come True Luke Schimmel ’18

Product Designer at Apple

Growing up, Luke Schimmel ’18 always had working at Apple on his radar, though it felt more like a distant aspiration than a realistic goal. Today, in his first job after college, that dream has become reality: Luke is a product design engineer at the global technology company. His path from LREI’s classrooms to working on the iPhone wasn’t linear, but that’s part of his success story.

While the specifics of Luke’s work are confidential, his role focuses on transforming early design concepts into fully realized products. He describes it as high-level mechanical engineering, collaborating closely with industrial designers who sketch ideas for future devices and helping turn those concepts into functional, manufacturable objects.

[My job] is basically like one giant team project.”

Luke’s interest in math and science emerged early, but engineering didn’t fully click until high school. Physics class with Kelly O’Shea stands out as a turning point. Through hands-on problem sets and building physical models, such as carts that demonstrated real-world forces, Luke found satisfaction in seeing mathematical principles in action. “I realized you could do the math and things would actually work that way in real life,” he says.

LREI’s project-based learning further fueled his curiosity about technology. An “Internet of Things” X-Block with Director of Technology Jacob Farkas introduced him to coding, setting off a series of increasingly ambitious projects. These ranged from building a smart air conditioner that integrated with Amazon’s “Alexa” for his Senior Project to developing an automated window-shade system while completing his undergraduate degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. That final project became a centerpiece of his portfolio and a talking point during his Apple interviews.

With support from the LREI College Office, Luke chose to pursue engineering in college, though the path was anything but straightforward. He changed majors multiple times and explored a wide range of internships, from jet engine design to software development. That willingness to experiment ultimately led him to Apple’s headquarters in California.

Luke receiving the Principal’s Award for Creativity at Senior Banquet, 2018

What resonates most from his LREI experience today is collaboration. “[My job] is basically like one giant team project,” Luke says. Working alongside people with diverse technical backgrounds reminds him of the collaborative learning environment he experienced at school. He also credits LREI’s open-ended approach to learning with helping him “cut through the ambiguity” — a skill he relies on daily.

Luke advises current students, “Don’t lock yourself in too early. When I was in high school, I didn’t even know this field existed.” While it may have taken him a little longer to figure out what he wanted to do with his career, his curiosity and flexibility have opened doors to opportunities.

Dreams Really Can Come True Michelle Mardones ’20

Neuropsychology Technician at Massachusetts General Hospital

For Michelle Mardones ‘20, the path to a career in neuroscience and rehabilitative care began not with a single defining moment, but with a school environment that consistently encouraged critical thinking, advocacy, and self-belief.

After graduating from Barnard College in 2024 with a major in neuroscience, Michelle immersed herself in research and leadership. On campus, she helped found a mentoring program through the Psi Chi Honors Society in psychology, connecting students across Columbia University. Her academic work culminated in a neuropathological case study at the Mount Sinai Brain Bank, where she researched veterans with movement disorders and traumatic brain injury.

Today, Michelle is a psychometrist at Harvard Medical School’s Massachusetts General Hospital, administering neuropsychological assessments for patients with memory and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this role, she discovered the potential of rehabilitative care. She looks forward to the next step in her journey this year, pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy, with the goal of addressing healthcare disparities that often delay diagnosis and intervention across the lifespan.

When she reflects on her time at LREI, she describes it as the place where she learned to find and use her voice. She says, “Whether through independent study investigating children’s literature and inequity, leading conversations in affinity spaces, or collaborating with others through student government, I have LREI to thank for teaching me how to advocate for others. It is through this voice that I can advocate for the care of my patients today.”

LREI’s emphasis on exploration and collaborative, discussionbased problem-solving helped Michelle recognize what genuinely sparked her curiosity long before she knew which career she would pursue. Her Senior Project, which focused

on infant development and the role of environment, was particularly formative, as it helped her realize how she learns best. With the support of her teachers, she learned how to conduct independent research and present it in ways that were both rigorous and engaging — skills that have proved invaluable in college and beyond.

I have LREI to thank for teaching me how to advocate for others. It is through this voice that I can advocate for the care of my patients today.

As a child of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Michelle has constantly battled “imposter syndrome.” What grounds her, however, is the sense of belonging she found at LREI, where she gained both affirmation and confidence through affinity spaces and elective courses focused on intersectionality and social justice. She credits LREI teachers Charlene Cruz-Cerdas and Ileana Jimenez as mentors who shaped her understanding of education as a practice of freedom, a concept that continues to guide her as a learner, advocate, and future clinician. “Anyone can be a researcher if you simply allow curiosity to steer your learning,” she says.

Dreaming of the Future:

Current Students Look Ahead

“My dream is to become an entrepreneur, a female founder of a successful and sustainable venture that impacts and helps people.” ISABEL R. ’26

“My dream is to become a lawyer who lives in Spain, specifically in Barcelona . And I want to be working with immigration, so that I can help make it easier for people to come into our country.” DAYLIN J. ’26

“My dream is to own a company that positively impacts people and gives back to the community somehow.”

LUCIA C. ’26

“My dream is to be the CEO of my own company.”

TALLULAH R. ’26

“I want to become a professional skateboarder.”

EARL C. ’26

“Right now, I hope to change the world in a positive way as a part of the Democratic Party.”

ANGUS C. ’26

“I just want to explore, whether that be knowledge or new places.” CATALINA M. ’26

“I want to continue to sing. I want to sing because that’s what truly brings me joy.” IRIS E. ’27

“When I’m older, I want to work on the business side of fashion.”

MADDIE S. ’27

“I’d like to go into psychology.” ELLIE S. ’27

“I like writing and reading, so maybe I’ll do something with literature; maybe become an author.”

RYAN S. ’28

“I want to be a lawyer, a businessman, or a basketball player.”

TYLER H. ’30

“I think I want to be a musician.” LEO A.R. ’32

“I want to be an interior designer.” ALMA B. ’32

“I want to be an architect.” LARKIN B. ’32

“I want to be a skier.”

OSCAR M. ’32

“I want to be a babysitter.” SADIE O. ’36

“I want to be a singer.” AAREN L. ’36

“I want to be a left-fielder in baseball.” OLIVER F. ’36

“I want to be a lot of things when I grow up!” ELODY B. ’35

“I want to be a vet.” MIKE C. ’35

“I want to be a sports reporter.” OWEN S. ’35

“I want to be an actress because my grandmother was an actress, and I want to be like her.” MAEVE M. ’35

“I want to be a pilot or a basketball player.”

SEBASTIAN S. ’35

“I want to be a fashion designer, third grade teacher, or an artist.”

MADISON C. ’35

Nurturing Dreams

Rohan Cassells

Director of the Co-Lab and Middle School

Art Teacher

Being able to push my students’ abilities is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching in the Visual Arts Department and as Director of the Co-Lab. My principal asked what engagement sounds and looks like in a classroom, and I responded, “It sounds like nervous laughter and a sense of wonder on their faces, and an almost giddy excitement to start working.”

My principal asked what engagement sounds and looks like in a classroom...it sounds like nervous laughter and a sense of wonder on their faces, and an almost giddy excitement to start working.

Tasha Hernandez P’32

Second Grade Teacher

I continue to appreciate opportunities to get out into the world to do research and explore questions that the children have about various topics! I love when alumni return to see what the new second graders are up to and reminisce about trips taken around the city, building with blocks, and building cities. I am constantly amazed by how much they actually remember about specific projects or interesting facts learned. The Brooklyn Bridge will always come up in conversation, as well as our city building projects focused on the needs of people.

Momii Roberts P’26, ’33, ’35

Eighth Grade Humanities Teacher

Manjula Nair

High School Math Teacher and Eleventh Grade Dean

At LREI, we start with the expectation that students are people who know things, and we build on their knowledge. Our pedagogy helps students see that they are experts and practice talking about what they are learning. Electives let them explore things they’re passionate about — or find passions they wouldn’t have known about.

I have the philosophy that you learn by talking, you teach by listening. The more students talk, the more they learn. Participating doesn’t just mean answering my questions; it means asking questions. The goal is to assess what students know and move them forward in their thinking. We help them understand how they think, so in the future, they can move themselves forward.

A hugely gratifying part of teaching at LREI for so many years is watching my students evolve from insecure, uncertain eighth graders into confident, capable graduates. One place I have noticed seeds of this growth is through their Citizen Action Projects (CAP), where students have one of their first opportunities to engage in self-directed fieldwork. We prepare them to make their first cold calls to an expert, schedule and conduct interviews, and set out to volunteer. Through this work, LREI eighth graders find that their voice on important issues matters beyond our classroom.

A recent New York Times article on climate change featured young activists. I was excited to see a former student from years ago, Keanu Arpels-Josiah [’24], prominent among the interviewees. Keanu’s CAP project focused on water pollution in eighth grade, and now he is an expert in the field. I’m reminded of the seeds planted years ago that have been a part of his journey.

Tom Murphy P’29

High School History Teacher

Sometimes a recent alum will mention a class they’re taking that covers the same material we studied in high school. On occasion, someone will say they chose to study economics or political science because they were excited by one of my courses. I’m lucky that my electives reflect many of my own interests, and so when someone says they were inspired, it feels like an unexpected gift.

Have You Dreamed of…

Writing a guidebook to New York City

(and having millions of followers on social

media?)

If you spend any time on Instagram, you have probably come across New York Nico’s account (@newyorknico), aka LREI lifer Nicolas Heller ’07! As the “unofficial talent scout of New York City,” Nick documents and shares all the wonderful and weird characters, places, and moments he encounters. He visited Jane Belton’s “Writing NYC” class in January to discuss his new book, New York Nico’s Guide to NYC, which highlights 100 of his favorite places in the City.

Playing at Gov Ball?

Check out Geese at New York City’s biggest multi-genre music festival, Governors Ball 2026! Declared “America’s Most Thrilling Young Rock Band” by GQ Magazine, LREI alums Emily Green ’20 (guitar) and Dominic DiGesu ’20 (drums) are literally living the rock star dream, recently being featured in Rolling Stone, playing soldout shows at the Brooklyn Paramount, and performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and SNL

Acting in an awardwinning film?

Have you seen Marty Supreme yet? The Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated movie features our very own Emory Cohen ’08 as Ira Mizler. Emory has also starred in Brooklyn (2015) and in the Netflix drama series The OA We’re proud to see Emory’s continued success on screen.

Directing and editing a powerful documentary?

Nate Lenza ’09 and Benjamin Wellington ’09 teamed up to make Roads of Fire (2025), which explores the complexities of the global migration crisis through the interweaving stories of an asylum seeker in America, a human smuggler in Colombia, and a network of grassroots activists in New York City. They visited the High School in September and shared how the film classes they took at LREI helped inspire them to pursue their careers.

Performing on Broadway?

Congratulations to Olivia Reis ’18, who just made her Broadway debut as Antigone in Oedipus on Broadway, which ran at Studio 54 from October 30, 2025, to February 8, 2026. It must have been fate, as she starred in LREI’s production of Antigone in the fall of 2017! Olivia has also appeared on the TV shows FBI: Most Wanted and Only Murders in the Building

The Performing Arts Center: Facilitating Community at LREI

Have you been to a play or other event at the Charlton Street Performing Arts Center this year? If so, you’ve noticed that it has had a major glow-up! Following significant summer renovations, the space now features enhanced acoustics and lighting, modernized seating throughout the theater and balcony, and state-of-the-art technology.

This transformation marks the second milestone in LREI’s three-phase capital improvement initiative, the Facilitating Community campaign. Phase one refreshed the Sixth Avenue Auditorium last year with new interiors, lighting, and flooring.

Phase two, the PAC renovation, is now complete. Phase three will begin soon with the restoration of the exteriors of both our historic buildings at 272 Sixth Avenue and 40 Charlton Street, preserving these landmark structures for generations to come.

The PAC serves as a vital gathering space for our entire community, hosting everything from classes and lectures to theatrical productions and musical performances. The upgraded facility will allow students to showcase their work in a high-quality venue and provide families and faculty with an inviting space to gather for the events that define school life at LREI.

Students and faculty alike are very happy with the updates. Kaajal Gilchrist ’27, a member of the Student Government, appreciates the extra space in the balcony. “There’s now a student section. Standing on the stage during morning meetings, we can see both sides of the crowd.” High School Drama Teacher and Play Director Joan Jubett P’30 agrees. “[The balcony] is my favorite seat in the house. It’s where I watched my students each night of the fall play and took notes. You can see the stage in full.” She adds, “There’s an added benefit to the fabric on the walls and the lighting changes, which is a warmer sound, and it’s more welcoming.”

Over 30 generous donors have contributed to this initiative to date, reflecting our community’s commitment to creating physical spaces that support our progressive mission. It has been exciting to fill the renovated PAC with performances and gatherings this year that have brought our community together, and we look forward to all it will showcase in the future.

There’s an added benefit to the fabric on the walls and the lighting changes, which is a warmer sound, and it’s more welcoming.

Guiding Students Toward Their Dreams: Inside the LREI College Office

Associate Director of College Guidance

Dana Mackey and Director of College Guidance Carey Socol P’23, ’26

At LREI, the journey toward college is as much about selfdiscovery as it is about applications and essays. In the College Office, the focus is not on rankings or prestige but on helping students find the environments where they can continue to grow, thrive, and stay true to who they are.

The process begins slowly. Ninth graders are encouraged to immerse themselves in the LREI community — joining activities, taking new classes, and figuring out what interests and excites them, while keeping an eye on their transcripts. The College Office team also takes the time to get to know students by attending sports events and plays. By tenth grade, students and families receive a more formal introduction to college, beginning with PSAT and pre-ACT testing. The College Office also offers “coffee talks” for tenth grade families, which provide a space to learn more about the college process and ask questions. They keep their door open and are available for questions and conversations.

Things pick up in eleventh grade with additional PSAT testing, then the launch of College Class in January, a weekly seminar that explores the college process and landscape in all its forms, from small liberal arts colleges to large research universities. Students conduct research, discuss, and reflect together, laying the groundwork for an open, thoughtful search. By senior year, the class becomes more practical and guides students through the application process, with additional individual review of their materials by the counselors. The first submission is a moment of celebration, with students donning a crown and hitting the submit button right there in the office.

While parents often have input and ideas about the college process, at LREI, the hard work truly belongs to the students. Families are welcome and included in the conversation, but the goal is to empower students to take the lead. “Our job isn’t just to get them to college,” notes Assistant Director of College Admissions Cyril Amanfo. “It’s to get them through it, to help them find a place where they’ll keep discovering who they are.”

What truly sets the LREI College Office apart, though, is its progressive, student-centered approach. No student is assigned to a single counselor; instead, the three-member team works with every student collectively. This shared approach eliminates internal competition and allows students to connect naturally with whichever counselor they feel most comfortable. “We’re all trying to succeed for the whole class,” says Director of College Guidance Carey Socol. “It sets the tone for the students too, with less competition and more collaboration.”Rather than secrecy or rivalry, the process is marked by openness and mutual celebration. Students often discuss their college choices with one another, share insights, and recognize each other’s successes — an atmosphere rare in the high-pressure world of college admissions.

With its student-led process and strong emphasis on reflection and fit, the LREI College Office exemplifies the School’s progressive values in action: thoughtful guidance, authentic relationships, and confidence in each student’s path toward their dreams.

Assistant Director of College Admissions

Cyril Amanfo with Simone B. ’26 and Sandro G. ’26

“[The College Office] is such a positive environment. Whenever I come in here, I’m always smiling.”

Sandro G. ’26

“They’re really there with you every step of the college journey. There is always someone you can go to ask questions and have that support around you when you are unsure.” Simone B. ’26

Class of 2025 College Matriculation

The American University of Paris

Amherst College

Bard College (4)

Barnard College

Berklee College of Music

Brandeis College

Brown University

Carleton College

Colgate University

Cornell University (3)

Denison University

Emory University (2)

Howard University

Hunter College (CUNY) IE University - Madrid

King’s College London

Lehigh University (2)

Lafayette College (2)

McGill University (3)

Mount Holyoke College

The New School - Parsons

New York University (2)

Northwestern University

Northeastern University

Oberlin College

Occidental College

Rensselaer Polytechnic University (RPI)

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

Rutgers University

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Skidmore College

Syracuse University

University of California, Los Angeles

College acceptances and matriculation for the Class of 2026 will be posted on LREI’s website. Scan here for updates.

University of Chicago

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

University of Pittsburgh

University of Richmond

University of Southern California (2)

University of St. Andrews (2)

University of Vermont

University of Wisconsin at Madison (2)

Vassar College (2)

Wake Forest University

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University (4)

William & Mary

Yale University

This Year in Photos

From Your Alumni Council President

Dear LREI Alumni,

If you joined us this past October for our firstever cluster Reunion Weekend, you experienced something special: multiple generations gathering on campus, reconnecting in classrooms, marching together in the No Kings protest, and celebrating two extraordinary community members — former High School Principal Ruth Jurgensen and Adria Price ’56 — at the All Alumni Reception. If you couldn’t make it, you were missed, and I hope you’ll find another way to stay involved.

The shift to biennial reunions, with regional events in between, reflects both practical reality and genuine opportunity. Not everyone can return to New York every year, but everyone deserves ways to stay connected. Whether you’re able to visit campus or would rather meet up with fellow alumni closer to home, we’re working to create meaningful touchpoints for all of us.

But alumni engagement isn’t just about one weekend every two years. The Alumni Council exists to keep our community vibrant year-round — planning events, fundraising, building connections, and ensuring that the values at the heart of LREI’s mission continue to thrive. We need your voices, your ideas, and your participation. Whether you graduated five years ago or fifty, whether you live in the City or across the country, there’s a place for you in this work.

Send us your ideas, or better yet, join us. LREI gave us so much — a chance to think critically, to engage in the world around us, to make a difference. We can help ensure it continues to do so for generations to come.

With gratitude,

Pinky Fung ’02, P’32, ’35

What is the LREI Alumni Council?

The Alumni Council is open to all alumni and aims to maintain an enduring connection between former students and the School. Working closely with the Advancement Office, the Council encourages alumni engagement in school life, supports programs and services that strengthen the alumni community, and champions the ongoing growth and development of LREI. The Council also plays an important role in advancing the School’s mission by helping to raise funds that directly support students, faculty, and the life of the institution.

We meet four times a year to:

Plan Alumni Events

Discuss Ideas for Alumni Engagement

Alumni Giving Challenge

Select Reunion Honorees

Alumni Council

2025-26

Pinky Fung ’02 (Council President) Akim St. Omer ’02 (Council Vice-President)

Althea Bardin ’02

Deborah Raji ’02

Emmanuel Joseph Bain ’00

JC Rojas ’02

Lindsay Wilkinson ’02

Shayna Jeffers ’02

Shoy McKen ’04

Toni Mayo ’02

MichaelPatrick'71,P'03

Adria Fisher Price ’56

Susan Meyer ’58

Vittorio Maestro ’64

Ways to Get Involved

Join the Alumni Council

Become a class agent

Submit a class note to the LREI News

Share a job posting, internship, or volunteer opportunity with LREI’s alumni community.

Email alumni@lrei.org for more information

Alumni Gatherings

Reunion 2025: A New Format

On Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18, LREI alumni of all generations returned to campus for Reunion Weekend 2025. Over those two days, we celebrated connection, shared history, and community. It was also LREI’s first-ever “cluster reunion,” bringing together multiple classes. Going forward, Reunion Weekend will occur every other year, with regional gatherings planned in between to reach alumni across the country.

Throughout the weekend, alumni had many opportunities to reconnect with one another and with the life of the School. They were invited back into the classroom for sessions with LREI teachers, explored the School’s new Co-Lab fabrication space, and joined Lower School students for a folk song sing-along. Others participated in a walking tour of the Village that highlighted its cultural history or attended a talk on the life and legacy of LREI founder Elisabeth Irwin.

Alumni also gathered beyond campus, with a group attending the No Kings Day March together before returning to school to share food, drinks, and conversation. Class-specific events, including milestone reunions, informal meetups, and virtual gatherings, created space for alumni to reconnect in ways that felt personal and inclusive.

A highlight of the weekend was the All Alumni Reception, which brought together alumni, former faculty, parents, and friends to honor two remarkable members of the LREI community. Ruth Jurgensen, former English teacher, High School Principal, Board member, and current Executive Director of the NBA Foundation, was recognized as Honorary Alumna, alongside Distinguished Alumna Adria Price ’56, a longtime member of the Alumni Council and one of the LREl’s most dedicated supporters.

Alumni are warmly encouraged to stay connected by joining the Alumni Council or reaching out with ideas for future gatherings, programs, or regional events. The School looks forward to building on the energy of this first cluster reunion in the years ahead.

Alumni Gatherings

The Larry Kaplan Alumni Basketball Game

On Wednesday, December 17, LREI alumni of all class years returned for the annual Larry Kaplan Alumni Basketball Game. In the afternoon, young alumni visited the High School to see former teachers, reconnect with old friends, and play games in the library. Then, at 6 PM, alumni teamed up to play with current LREI students, faculty, and staff for an exciting game at the Thompson Street Gym. Over 60 alumni came to play in the game or cheer from the sidelines! Current and alumni families also attended. After the game, alumni over the age of 21 met up at a local bar for a happy hour. We can’t wait for next year’s game!

Class Notes

1940s

Nancy Dubois Deutsch ’40 just celebrated her 99th birthday and still sees her years at Little Red as lifechanging.

1950s

“[I’m] in my late 80s; retired 10+ years from medical school and still teaching physics and biology — very rewarding. My wife, Brooke, and I are going to the demonstrations. Brooke received an award for her recent book. I am now recovered from fusion back surgery.”

Carter Bancroft ’54

The Elisabeth Irwin Heritage Society

Please consider joining the Elisabeth Irwin Heritage Society with a planned gift to LREI. For more information, please contact Director of Advancement

Jenny Weil at jweil@lrei.org or 212-477-5320.

STAY CONNECTED —

WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!

Please email your latest news, milestones, photos, or life updates to alumni@lrei.org

“I graduated from EI 72 years ago, got my Ph.D in psychology in 1969, and worked as a researcher, clinician, program developer, evaluator, and a county employee for 43 years. I retired from the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health seven years ago and continue to be involved in Behavioral Health issues on Committees as the field changes. In addition, I enjoy life in the great City of Los Angeles and regret watching what is taking place in our world and the U.S. government. Let’s hope for the best. I always recall what we learned about politics at LREI. I recall my years at EI positively, and if I lived in N.Y. would be involved with the School now.”

Astrid Beigel ’54

“I’m happy to say ‘Hello’ to everyone in our class. My historical novel, Sword of the War God: A Novel of Pericles, Aspasia, and Ancient Athens, is almost ready for the publisher (it carries the story of my previous novel, Pericles and Aspasia, into the Peloponnesian War. Warmest wishes to all.” Yvonne Korshak ’54

“Grateful for the warm, encouraging atmosphere of LRSH.”

Virginia Shipley ’59

1960s

“I retired two years ago from nearly 50 years of teaching art history at Juilliard. I’m now the art editor of the online magazine Persimmon Tree. I continue to write and give lectures from time to time. And I am writing a history of the Juilliard String Quartet.” Greta Berman ’61

“Our beautiful first great-grandchild, baby girl Montana, was born March 15, 2025.”

Paul Jay Golden ’62

“I was the executive director of Head Start in the Seattle area for 21 years, always searching for funding to build more preschools. In retirement, I advocate for the same cause! We succeeded in obtaining public capital funding for preschools.” John Bancroft ’63

“These days, I think with great gratitude about the way Little Red and EI taught me to think critically and gave me lifelong friends.” Josie Segal Gallup ’64

“I have a newborn grandson, Leo Cornelius Hurwitz, who lives with his parents in Los Angeles. That makes six in total; the oldest is 18.” Tom Hurwitz ’64

“[I’m] continuing to enjoy living in Vermont. EI definitely helped to develop my sense of adventure.”

Linda Rubenstein Coleman ’69

1970s

“[I’m] finishing a book on healing and building identity with children through play for publication in 2026.”

Neal Brodsky ‘70

“[I’m] still working at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, doing biostatistics for epidemiologic research; also continuing to be active in progressive politics in Teaneck, N.J. It was a pleasure to get together with a number of my classmates at our 55th reunion.”

Daniel Rosenblum ’70

“After many years in Chicago, I moved back to New York, and it’s great to be back. I also started working recently for a health network in Queens.”

Oliver Fultz ’73

In Memoriam

Michael Boudin ’57

Joseph Depierre ’55

John Hammond ’60, P’94

Lewis Gersh P’25,’27

FlorenceMason'61

NancyMerjos‘49,P'77,'80

Haranjeet Narulla P’28, ’37

PaulMendelson‘75

Marybeth Seitz P’17

Bob Weinberg ’49

Dolores Wharton ’45

1980s

“During the pandemic, I researched my family’s ancestry, trying to locate the grave of my uncle who died serving in World War II. With the help of Operation Benjamin, we found his grave in Jerusalem. In April 2023, I visited his grave with a rabbi to give Jewish prayers, the first honoring in 70 years. His gravestone is being rebuilt. This April, we will have a rededication with special invited guests, including the U.S. ambassador, the head rabbi, and the Jewish War Veterans of America chapter in Israel. Through combined efforts, PFC Silver will move from decades of obscurity to lasting recognition and honorable remembrance for many decades to come. Also of note, I researched my family at the New York Historical Records and the Dorot room at the New York Public Library, and found the graves of my greatgrandfather, uncle, and aunt in Queens and New Jersey.

“I’m also writing my memoir and was featured on Kboo and just had my artwork featured on a Japanese magazine, AATONAU!” Rosa Silver ’82

1990s

“I’m a SAHM [stay-at-home mom] of seven children, ages 12 to 25, and married for almost 29 years. It’s been a ride, but a good one!” Wanda Opitz ’91

“I am excited to share that I was selected for the Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health (DELPH) Program, led by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. I will be learning alongside a peer network of 20 scholars from across the country, participating in a series of skill-building workshops, coaching, and professional networking opportunities, and in-person intensives. I am looking forward to bringing the insights and leadership strategies I gain back to my work in Delaware, where I have been living for almost 15 years.”

Shebra (Edwards) Hall ’97

In 2025, Nat Towsen ’99 signed with Arc Literary Management, which represents him in the prose and graphic novel markets. He continued to tour across America as a stand-up comedian, including stops in Los Angeles, Denver, Boulder, Boston, Toronto, and scenic Rochester, N.Y. In the summer of 2025, he debuted Riverside Comedy Club, an outdoor comedy show in Riverside Park. Find out about upcoming shows on his Instagram: @nattowsen

2000s

Emma Smith-Stevens ’00’s novel

The Australian is now out in paperback. A poignant and satirical meditation on masculinity, fatherhood, isolation, New York City, fame, and loss, her critically acclaimed novel examines the ways we come to know each other, and ultimately ourselves. Keep an eye out for Emma’s story collection, Greyhounds, coming later this year!

“[We] welcomed a baby boy named Jack last December!” JC Rojas ’02

Ariel Cohen ’03 is teaching fourth grade in Alameda, Calif. She has three children, ages 7, 3, and 1. She remembers her time at LREI fondly and hopes her fellow alumni are well.

“Baby Mila is thriving at 5 months and regularly repping LREI!”

Jerelyn Rodriguez ’07, Trustee

2010s

“I work as a project manager at a sculpture fabrication country down the street from LREI now. I spent my 20s abroad in Madrid, Spain, entering my sector.” Rene Servisi ’13

Since graduating with her master’s degree last year, Alexandra Klemer ’15 has relocated across the country to an analyst position with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

2020s

“I am proud to share that my team and I won second place and the $500 prize at the Brandeis University Datathon 2026, competing against over 40 teams of talented graduate business analytics students. Our challenge was to forecast the outcomes of the 2026 NCAA tournament by building a predictive model. In the real tournament, our model successfully predicted three of the actual Final Four teams, which is a massive statistical achievement.”

Daniel Olusheki ’25

Former Faculty

“This video [of the winter assembly] brought back the wonderful feeling of community that I experienced working at Little Red. So many memories of assemblies right before winter break, when all of our voices sang as one. LREI holds a special place in my heart.”

Bonnie Hausman, former faculty

Upcoming Alumni Events

Spring 2026

Young Alumni Party (40 Charlton)

Alumni Council Meeting (Zoom)

LREI Street Fair

2026-27 (Dates are tentative and subject to change)

Alumni Council Kickoff Meeting

Larry Kaplan Alumni Basketball Game & Happy Hour

LREI Alumni College Panel (Zoom)

Alumni Council Meeting (Zoom)

Alumni Council Meeting (Zoom)

Young Alumni Party

Alumni Council Meeting (Zoom)

LREI Street Fair

TBD

LREI On the Road

Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 27, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 31, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Wednesday, December 16, 2026

Thursday, January 21, 2027

Thursday, January 28, 2027

Thursday, April 8, 2027

Wednesday, May 13, 2027

Thursday, June 1, 2027

Sunday, June 6, 2027

2026-2027

LREI 2027 Art Party Spring 2027

Reunion 2027 Fall 2027

Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School

272 Sixth Avenue

New York, NY 10014

Return Service Requested

Justin Denis Multimedia Storyteller

Ryann Imperioli P’33 Director of Annual Giving

Elisabeth Ingwersen Mendez Director of Alumni Affairs and Advancement Events

Kate Peck Associate Director of Advancement Services

Jenny Weil P’24, ’28 Director of Advancement