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Millbrook graduates: ‘Poised, confident, and articulate’

Millbrook graduates: ‘Poised, confident, and articulate’

Valedictorian Hannah Ross wins applause at Millbrook High School commencement June 21.

Gavin Marr

MILLBROOK — Due to poor weather forecasts, spirited friends and family of the Millbrook High School graduating class gathered indoors for the commencement ceremony on Friday, June 21.

Principal Eric Seipp began the ceremony by demonstrating his reluctance to move the event into the school’s auditorium.

“I know many of you are extremely disappointed with the decision to have our ceremony inside. Please know that this decision did not come lightly,” said Seipp.

Shortly after, Seipps’ remarks sparked laughter across the crowd after sharing some words of wisdom, “Be the person your dog thinks you are.” Seipp recognized and reinforced the graduates’ most notable attributes, “...poised, confident and articulate.”

Next on stage was Caroline Hernandez Pidila, Superintendent of Schools. She addressed the class as “the resilient class of 2024.” Pidila acknowledged a theme of uncertainty through their time, and their growth because of it.

In her message to the graduates, Colett Alonge-Watz, chemistry Instructor and Class of 2024 Co-advisor, celebrated cherished memories of several graduates. From eventful trips to Universal, to minute kind gestures, the class had an apparent and positive impact on Alonge-Watz.

Salutatorian Natalie Fox took to the podium to reflect on her years at Millbrook High School. Fox highlighted the class’ journey from virtual classrooms to in-person celebrations, including memories of winning state championships.

In the last speech of the day, Valedictorian Hannah Ross shared a quote, “If you want to go across the ocean, you first have to build a boat. You haven’t built the boat yet, you haven’t put in the ground work that’s needed. Without that you’re not going anywhere.” Ross’ narrative on the navigation of the life she believes her peers can lead is certain to resonate.

Before caps flew, Principal Seipp along with Board of Education President Perry Hartswick and Superintendent Pidila presented diplomas to the 64 graduates of the class of 2024.

Gavin Marr

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A life reshaped by clay in “Matin”

A life reshaped by clay in “Matin”

Left to right: Hannah Wheeler, Matin Malikzada and Yonah Sadeh.

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On Monday, Oct. 26, a group of students, teachers and local residents gathered at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville for a screening of the new short documentary “Matin.” The film tells the story of Matin Malikzada, a seventh-generation Afghani potter making a new life in New Milford, Connecticut. The film was made by local filmmaker Yonah Sadeh, creator of the Video Wall at the David M. Hunt Library, and Berkshires-based potter Hannah Wheeler, who were both present for the screening, along with Malikzada himself.

As a member of the seventh generation of his family to master the art of pottery, Malikzada had done things the way his family had for over a century. Istalif, the village where his family has lived for generations, was known throughout Afghanistan for its pottery, with wares sent across the country for use as everyday cups, bowls, plates and other vessels. The pottery-making families of Istalif gathered clay from the same mountain, about 30 to 45 minutes away by donkey. Every July, they would head north toward the Uzbekistan border to gather ishkar, a plant they processed by hand to make their signature glazes.

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Meg Sher finds her calling among the stacks

Meg Sher finds her calling among the stacks

Meg Sher, executive director of the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village.

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When Meg Sher came to Falls Village in 2006 from Old Lyme, Connecticut, where she grew up, she never imagined she’d someday be the executive director of the David M. Hunt Library.

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Crescendo’s 23rd season speaks to the heart and mind

Crescendo’s 23rd season speaks to the heart and mind

Christine Gevert, founding artistic director of Crescendo, conducts the audience at a performance.

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For Christine Gevert, founding artistic director of Crescendo, music from centuries past is anything but a relic. It is a living, breathing art form, full of drama, emotional complexity and, occasionally, surprises. As the regional choral and period-instrument ensemble launches its 23rd season, Gevert is once again bringing forgotten masterpieces into the present.

“Early Music has been my lifelong passion and the focus of my specialization in Europe and South America,” Gevert said. “Bringing this repertoire to our audiences in a nuanced way that does justice to its incredible depth, intensity, and beauty is deeply important to me.”

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Close Encounters with Music celebrates 35 years of musical discovery

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For 35 years, cellist Yehuda Hanani has been inviting audiences to experience classical music in unexpected ways. As founder and artistic director of Close Encounters with Music, Hanani has built a concert series that goes beyond the music itself, exploring connections to literature, history, politics and the human experience.

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