Senior School Commencement exercises 

Shady Side Academy celebrated the 117 members of the Class of 2021 during Commencement Exercises on Friday, June 4, 2021. The in-person ceremony was held outdoors at Michael J. Farrell Stadium for seniors and their guests. The ceremony began promptly at 9 a.m. with the Class of 2021 processing into the stadium as a bagpiper played The March of The King of Laois. The Chamber Choir sang You Are The New Day, and Rev. Thomas E. Johnson Jr. '73 gave the Invocation. Academy President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed families to the celebration, and Alumni Council President Mollie Hanna Lang '99 welcomed the Class of 2021 to the ranks of Shady Side alumni. Senior Annabel Everett presented the class gift, recognizing the SSA Facilities staff for their tireless work this year to make in-person learning possible for every student.  Seniors Eve Mango and Raymond Zheng delivered senior speeches, and longtime Director of Athletics Gene Deal delivered the graduation address (see videos below). The Jazz Combo performed Groovin' High, and Senior School Head Trixie Sabundayo presented diplomas to the graduates. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater and benediction, before graduates and guests enjoyed a reception at the Farrell Stadium Entrance Plaza. Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Class of 2021 College Decisions

Junior School Closing Exercises

The 35 members of the Junior School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. The ceremony was held in Withers Gymnasium for fifth graders and their families. The fifth graders processed into the gym as music teacher Joe Molinaro performed Pomp & Circumstance. Academy President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed the graduates and their families to the ceremony, and presented PE teacher Karen DiFiore with the Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance. A fifth grade slideshow was shown, and the fifth graders presented precepts inspired by the book Wonder. Head of Junior School Brad Davies delivered remarks to the graduates, the Ukulele Ensemble played Count on Me, and Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2028 to the Middle School. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater, and graduates and their families enjoyed a reception afterward.

Congratulations to the Class of 2028 and their families!

COUNTRY DAY School Closing Exercises

The 17 members of Country Day School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Monday, June 7, 2021. The outdoor ceremony began with the fifth grade processional, a welcome by Academy President Bart Griffith and the pledge of allegiance. Griffith presented the Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance to librarian and STEEM teacher Courtney Anderson, the first CDS teacher ever to receive the honor. Each fifth grader gave a three-word reflection, followed by the singing of the alma mater. Head of Country Day School Dr. Jennifer Asmonga introduced 2021 SSA graduate and CDS lifer Jake Rohr, who gave the graduation address. Fifth graders sangThe Country Day School Song before Griffith, Asmonga, Director of Admission Josh Frechette and fifth grade teacher Raquel Kramer presented the graduates with their certificates. Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2028 to the Middle School, and fifth graders read class poems by Joyce Sidman, Riding a Bike at Night and I Find Peace.  The ceremony closed with the singing of The Garden Song, the recessional and a reception.

Congratulations to the Class of 2028 and their families!

Faculty & Staff Awards and Honors

A number of awards are presented annually during Closing Days to recognize excellence, dedication and service by SSA faculty and staff.

The Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance

Thanks to the generosity of the late Henry Posner Jr. ’37 and the Posner family, the Academy has extended the Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance to 34 faculty members since 2004. The purpose of the Posner Award is “to recognize, inspire and reward those faculty members at Shady Side Academy who, through their special ‘gift of teaching’ and mentoring, have affected, in a highly special way, the learning, development and lives of one or more individual students. This award, presuming as it does a high quality of teaching in all Shady Side faculty, recognizes and honors a teacher of transcendent influence, one whose impact on a particular student or group of students has been uniquely beneficial and enduring.”

Courtney Anderson, Country Day School Librarian and STEEM Teacher

Courtney Anderson joined Country Day School as a librarian and information specialist in 2008. She is known for her creativity, patience and genuine interest in learning each student’s unique personality. Prior to becoming a school librarian, she spent seven years working with youth in social service organizations and two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal.

“She takes such a creative approach to teaching and utilizes the entire beautiful campus,” one parent wrote. “My son brought home a ‘bear habitat’ made of pieces of cardboard, leaves, sticks, acorns and cotton for snow. My son explained all about how bears hibernate to me and we played with the habitat for weeks.”

“One day during virtual learning, my son was the first to sign on,” she continued, “When she saw my son online, Mrs. Anderson exclaimed, ‘I got a new book in the library about fire trucks and we’ll check it out next week when you come back!’ I know a lot of children love books about fire trucks, but at the time, fire trucks were the only thing my son wanted to talk about, play with or see. I could tell that Mrs. Anderson knew that. It’s something special for a mother to be able to see a teacher know and care for her child. I’m so pleased that she is one of my son’s first teachers and that she’ll be helping him navigate his way through elementary school for the next few years.” 

Karen DiFiore, Junior School Health and PE Teacher

Karen DiFiore has taught physical education at the Junior School since 2008. She exudes warmth, care and concern for her students and creates amazing opportunities for them both in and outside of the classroom. She also coaches SSA’s elementary coed cross country team and serves as director of th East End Explorers summer day camp.

A parent wrote, “Karen has gone above and beyond creating the SSA Cross Country team that has won numerous medals and trophies, she sponsored an obstacle course to receive a grant to supply additional gym equipment, has assisted in the organization of the annual back to school picnic (including volunteering to be in the dunk tank for an hour) and so much more.”

“On a personal note for our family,” she continued, “when our youngest returned to school after being out for two months with a broken leg, Karen was an amazing resource to him and our family.  When he was at home he was too nervous to walk but with the help of his Pre-K teachers and Mrs. DiFiore, they had him walking in no time. Even his physical therapist noted the drastic improvement. Karen adapted PE activities to make sure he could be included and encouraged him in such a kind, positive way.”