The Pingry School

He remembers, in particular, a lesson in Grade 4 on first-point perspective. "You draw a horizon line and a dot in the center and make everything connect to that dot," he explains. In colored pencil and marker, he drew mountains, buildings, and a sunset awash in reds, yellows, and oranges. When Mr. Christian observed that the perspective of two of his buildings was off, he studiously reformed his lines. Problem solved. 

Nathan has also enjoyed learning how to make pottery. In Grade 3, as part of an interdisciplinary unit on state culture and history, he used clay to create Michigan's state flower, the apple blossom. His summer art assignment, as a rising fifth grader: inspired by the book, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, he sketched some of his favorite Michelangelo statues. 

"I like learning new things, like a new technique for how to draw or paint. I also like that Mrs. Baydin and Mr. Christian give you the basic instructions of what to do, and then you can make it however you want, however you envision it." 

Inspired by his father, also a cellist, Caleb began playing in the Lower School band in Grade 3. It was his first experience playing in a group, and he was hooked, he recalls. He went on to perform in the Middle School orchestra, and now, as a rising freshman, looks forward to collaborating with Upper School cellists and playing in the high school orchestra. One of his favorite musical initiatives at Pingry: a few years ago, he teamed up with two friends, both violinists, to create the Ace Trio; they still perform at parties and community service events.

Caleb gives thanks to his Pingry teachers, including instrumental music teacher Mr. McAnally and Upper and Middle School strings instructor Vera Izano, who have mentored him and helped him to apply to several outside orchestras—the New Jersey Youth Symphony (he reached its highest level last year) as well as the Regional and All-State orchestras of the New Jersey Music Educators Association—all of which he considers an extension of Pingry's music program. 

"I want to make the All-Easterns eventually [the National Association for Music Education All-Eastern Ensemble]. And there's a chamber orchestra within the New Jersey Youth Symphony. I want to make that, too. That's the highest level—only four people in the entire state make it." Oh, and he wants to make first chair in Pingry's Upper School orchestra, too.  

“One of the things that amazes me about Pingry is the school’s dedication to drama. Kids have the chance to be a part of something so professional from such an early age,” they add. “The productions are truly high quality, from the lighting booth to the staging to the sets. [Former set designer and visual arts teacher] Mrs. Asch used to work on Broadway! The experience of something so real continues to be crucial in my development at Pingry.”

In the Upper School, wanting to continue their dedication to drama, Cal served as a stage manager for the Middle School’s spring musical. “Even from behind the scenes, seeing something you put so much effort into come to fruition, and watching fellow students grow and improve, it’s so satisfying. You think, ‘Yes! We did it, and we did it together!’”

Looking ahead to their remaining high school career at Pingry, Cal plans to be a fixture in the drama department, whether on the stage or behind the scenes, while continuing to explore other interests. From a challenging Grade 9 drama class with Mrs. Romankow, which earned them the Drama 1 Award, to all the performance opportunities that await, they don't want to miss a chance to grow and learn, both as a performer and as a student. “Drama touches different parts of you and your life, and enhances them. I have learned to become a better listener, writer, and presenter, among other things. My self-confidence has increased tenfold, and I’ve gotten better at working with others collaboratively. The skills I’ve honed, the lessons I’ve learned, how far I’ve come? I’ll never forget them.”

In art class, his preferred mediums are paper (“Sketching cartoon characters makes me feel more relaxed”) and clay, and he fondly recalls the clay tile project that Lower School art teachers Lindsay Baydin and Russell Christian assigned in Grade 5. “We were given a clay tile and had to create something on it from an artifact of our ancient roots. My family is from Mexico, so I carved an ancient sun god on it. I painted it yellow, with a black background.”

He also vividly recalls a visit by contemporary American sculptor and visual/conceptual artist Willie Cole, and the collaborative “water bottle” project he launched with Pingry students. “It was so interesting to see what you can make out of these empty plastic water bottles. We strung them together with metal wire and made our own little people,” he says. “I liked his style of art the most. How many artists use plastic water bottles!”

So, when he’s not playing soccer or baseball or throwing the ball around in his backyard with his two younger brothers, Santiago '29 and Jordi '31, Diego may be found sketching. What does he enjoy most about making art? “You can’t do art wrong. It can be bad, but you can’t really do it wrong.”

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The following year, he landed the role of television-obsessed Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (“I enjoy video games, so it was a natural part for me,” Ram jokes). As a sixth grader, he played Francis Flute in Midsummer Night’s Dream, a role that required him to also portray Thisbe, a female, in the play within the play that takes place. “At first I thought, ‘Oh, gosh, do I really have to do this? But everyone was very supportive, and it was really fun.”

As a seventh grader, he transformed himself into The Tempest’s Caliban, “a misunderstood demon child,” as Ram characterizes him. Indeed, every year since his first show in the third grade, he has performed in a Pingry musical or play. Not a bad repertoire for a young thespian, whose self-drive and work ethic are evident. “You really have to work for something if you want to get it,” he says.

Ram, who sang in the Middle School boys’ chorus, credits his teacher, Pingry’s Music Department Chair, Dr. Andrew Moore, with teaching him a lot—and with allowing him and his fellow choir members to have a good deal of fun. As an Upper Schooler now, he hopes to become a Buttondown himself (his brother is a senior, making the prospect of performing together exciting).

What does he love most about acting? “The fact that you can do it with others. I love that you’re on stage with so many other people, combining your talents, and making friends along the way.”

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“It was just so much fun,” she recalls. “Being part of that play really helped me to adjust to the school and it took me out of my shell—now I’m definitely the loudest in my class! That experience solidified how much I enjoy acting and singing.”

Kat, as her friends call her, went on to play Martha in The Secret Garden in Grade 8, and, by her junior year, she auditioned for—and was accepted into—Pingry’s female a cappella group, the Balladeers. Since her first foray into acting as a Pingry Middle Schooler, she has been involved in two productions a year, and once she hit the Upper School, she began stage managing the Middle School musical as well. “It’s fun to inspire the younger kids,” she says.

Thanks to an Honors Bio class she took her sophomore year, Kat—also a science lover—is confident that she has identified a fitting career path, as an oncologist. “The same skills I learn through drama—relaxing, connecting with the audience and with my fellow performers—are also so important for doctors. I think I may have found the perfect way to combine the things that I love!”

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