January News
New Activities, Trips, & Digital Lab

Students at the Federal Reserve (Photo by Taras Ferencevych)

History and Economics Teacher Taras Ferencevych recently took his Advanced Placement (AP) Economics class on a field trip to the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City. The class had recently begun their unit on monetary policy studies. After an ID check and additional security measures, students were led into the main hall of the bank to look at an extensive collection of coins and received an informative presentation culminating in a fascinating story about the 1933 Gold Double Eagle $20 coin that was recently purchased for over $8 million. Perhaps the most interesting part of the experience was being taken to the gold vault, five stories underground, where they were all able to stand about six inches away from approximately $4 billion in gold bars! For more on this adventure, click here.

Although it sometimes seems that students and their families choose SKS for its varied sports opportunities, its outstanding arts programs, its close-knit community and more, we are ever mindful that our primary focus is to help students prepare for higher education. At SKS, we are proud that all of our students achieve their goals of attending colleges of distinction.  

College Counselor Jim Leppla has been working with seniors since early in their junior years to identify colleges that might be a "good fit" for them, and he (along with English teachers and faculty advisors) have been helping to see that applications, essays, and other materials are carefully prepared. At this time of year, there is some nail-biting as some students wait to hear the results of their hard work while others celebrate this milestone.

Mr. Leppla notes that the work is by no means complete. Many students are reworking their essays and applications and making decisions about their college choices. Thirteen students in the current senior class of 41 students have already received acceptance letters. As a whole, the class has submitted 320 complete applications to 135 different colleges and universities.

Last week, Elana K '11, who is currently a student at Roger Williams University, stopped by to see friends and teachers at SKS. She offered the following comments:

Elana K and Head of School Steevie Chinitz hug at graduation last spring

My years at Storm King were filled with laughter, happiness, and a sense of security. Senior year left me feeling anxious, yet excited, about going off to college. I was ready to embark on a new journey outside of the Mountain, but I was still nervous and apprehensive about leaving SKS. I knew I was prepared to face the challenges of college life. As a boarding student, I ate, socialized, and lived with students from different countries. Living away from home led me to be more independent and learn how to live with a group of individuals every day. I was afraid about keeping up academically with a full schedule, but the Mountain Center [at SKS] helped me to learn to prioritize and budget my time. It's important to not stress the small things because in the end those are not important. One of the toughest things for me about leaving SKS was not being able to see my friends every day like I was used to. With all of today's technology, I have been able to keep in touch with most of them. To the class of 2012, I wish you all good luck on your future endeavors and follow your dreams. I miss you guys.

"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts."

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Stay tuned for the results of the Class of 2012's college applications. For a partial list of colleges where SKS students have enrolled in the last five years, click here. 

CSI in New York City (Photo by Kristen Casey)

ESL and English teacher Kristen Casey provided this photo of a trip that she and some students recently took to CSI: The Experience : Discovery Times Square in New York City. The students were given information about a crime scene and had to walk through the exhibit observing a mock crime scene, examining DNA and comparing blood types to help solve the crime. It was great fun! Students felt like crime-scene investigators whom they had seen on television. They also received credit for fulfilling one of the cultural requirements that all students must complete this year.  

Every weekend, SKS offers trips in three areas: Arts/Culture, Outdoor Adventure, and Community Service. Students must complete two trips in each category per year.

Graphic design student Phuong V gave The Voice a new look this fall

The fall issue of The Voice: The Literary/Arts Magazine of Storm King School is now available online! To download, click here.    

This issue features a whopping 41 items, including short stories, photography, painting, musings, poetry, songs, and computer art. Phuong V redesigned the magazine's layout, giving it a fresh new look. SKS takes pride not only in the range of content, but also in the number of students and faculty who choose to contribute to the publication. Past issues of The Voice and alumni publications are also available here.

Jeremy Freeman

English Department Chair Jeremy Freeman is a man with many talents. As a carpenter and a stonemason, he built homes in Colorado and in the Hudson Valley. He completed his Masters of Arts in Religion at Yale Divinity School. He trained and has played as a professional bagpiper. And, he is working to earn his degree as a licensed gestalt psychotherapist.  

Two of Mr. Freeman's former teachers, at separate times in his life, perceived his potential for working with young people and urged him to pursue teaching. In his roles in the classroom, as a dorm parent, and as a coach, Mr. Freeman helps his students to learn about themselves. He recently helped a student who was struggling with a college essay by asking her to envision a conversation with her grandmother, who had died a few years before. "The student's eyes lit up, and she wrote beautifully. Students know everything. You just have to help them see it."  

Mr. Freeman was recently featured in the fall 2011 issue of an independent school guide published in magazines belonging to the Weston Magazine Group. To read the entire article, click here. 

Caroline F and Madison S work in the newly updated digital arts lab

SKS has long been known for its strong Performing, Visual, and Creative Arts programs. It has now expanded its digital arts lab to offer a broader computer-based art experience thanks to contributions from alumnus Roger D. Auerbacher '66. The newly improved art lab includes nine computer stations with Adobe Photoshop. There are scanners, an overhead projector for demonstrations, and digital cameras.

Art Department Head Amanda Penecale is now teaching both Digital Photography and Digital Art courses that run in the art lab. Students are also working in the lab to create the school yearbook. These courses give students a chance to engage with current digital art tools and see the possibilities for a future career in the art world. Students are learning to edit and make valuable changes and artistic decisions within the computerized environment. Working with new technology is like learning a new language; it is difficult, but the results are extremely rewarding. SKS has some great young artists who are ready to run with the technological advances of our modern day.

Digital arts lab (Photos by Amanda Penecale)

Alumni basketball game

Twenty SKS Alumni/-ae, ranging in Class Years from 1972 to 2010, came back to campus last weekend to take on our Boys' Varsity basketball team and see who the real "Kings of the Mountain" were. The alumni took a three point lead with less than three seconds left, but thanks to some timely free throw shooting by Amani G '13 and a buzzer beater by Nihal G '13, the game went into overtime tied at 38. The lead changed back and forth throughout the overtime period until a last second basket by Tim Munch '04 carried the day for the Alumni. The next day, Alumni and students teamed up to challenge faculty and staff. This time the outcome was never in doubt; Athletic Director Kevin Wilkins and Dean of Students Al Lewis led the faculty to a commanding 53 to 44 victory.

For more on these games and additional SKS sporting events, including wrestling updates, click here and select  "News" or visit our Media Gallery by clicking here and selecting "Photos."

Alumni basketball game

Dunking the ball (Photos by Brian Cronin and Michelle Martinetti)

The Office of Admissions cordially invites you to attend an Open House for prospective students and their families. The Open House will begin in Orr Commons at the center of The Storm King School campus.

This Open House will provide an opportunity to tour our beautiful campus. After the tour, you will see a short video about the School and participate in a discussion about the application process. There will be plenty of time to answer your questions about the School.  

Open House Schedule:
10:00   Tour of Campus
11:15     SKS Video
11:30    Overview of Application Process and General Question
                and Answer Session
12:00    Open House Concludes
 
Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.
314 Mountain Road
Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520
845-534-9860
admissions@sks.org

Monday, February 20, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Saturday, March 3 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon

Saturday, April 28 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon

Open Houses start in Orr Commons in the center of The Storm King School campus.  We will start with a tour of the campus after brief welcoming remarks.  You will learn about the School and its programs.  After the tour, you will see a short video about the School and participate in a discussion about the application process. For Monday Open Houses only, participants will be invited to stay for lunch.   

It is helpful if you call (845-534-9860) to register in advance.