Senior School Commencement exercises 

Shady Side Academy celebrated the 110 members of the Class of 2023 at Commencement Exercises on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Michael J. Farrell Stadium. The ceremony began at 9 a.m. with the Class of 2023 processing into the stadium as a bagpiper played a selection of traditional Scottish marches. 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 Jim Ambrose '05 welcomed the Class of 2023 to the ranks of Shady Side alumni. Senior Smrithi Shyam presented the class gift, a swinging bench to be placed outside the Glimcher Tech & Design Hub. Seniors Joseph Bellinotti and Elizabeth Kamin delivered the senior speeches, and John Taylor '64, the Mary and Robert Raymond Professor of Economics at Stanford University, delivered the commencement address (see videos below). The Jazz Combo performed Learn to Fly, and then Griffith, Senior School Head Trixie Sabundayo, Board of Trustees Chair Rob Mullin '93 and Dean of Studies Claire Logsdon presented diplomas to the graduates. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater and the benediction by Johnson, before graduates and guests enjoyed a reception at the stadium entrance plaza. Congratulations to the Class of 2023 and their families!

Class of 2023 College Decisions

Junior School Closing Exercises

The 49 members of the Junior School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The graduation ceremony was held at The Frick Pittsburgh for fifth graders and their families. The fifth graders processed onto the Great Lawn as the faculty Brass Quartet performed Pomp and Circumstance. President Bart Griffith '93 welcomed the graduates and their families to the ceremony. The Fifth Grade Band performed Apollo Fanfare, and a fifth grade slideshow was shown. Head of Lower Schools Dr. Jennifer Asmonga introduced Junior School lifer Sophia Stafford ’23, who gave the graduation address. Fifth graders each presented their memoirs, then the Fifth Grade Chorus performed I Am Becoming. Assistant Heads of School Melanie Smith and Dan Stern, along with Asmonga and Griffith, presented the graduates with their certificates, and Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2030 to the Middle School. The ceremony closed with the singing of the alma mater and the Brass Quartet playing Rondeau for the recessional, then graduates and their families enjoyed a reception on the terrace.

Congratulations to the Class of 2030 and their families!

COUNTRY DAY School Closing Exercises

The 18 members of Country Day School's fifth grade class were officially promoted to the Middle School at the Closing Exercises ceremony on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, on the school lawn. The graduation ceremony began with a musical prelude and processional in honor of late headmaster Richard Whiteman, a welcome by President Bart Griffith and the singing of America the Beautiful. Each fifth grader gave a three-word memoir, followed by the singing of the alma mater. Head of Lower Schools Dr. Jennifer Asmonga introduced Country Day School lifer Alex Kronman '23, who gave the graduation address. Fifth graders recited a poem they wrote, A, B, C, Farewell, then sangThe Garden Song before Griffith, Asmonga, Assistant Head of School Katie Nestor and fifth grade teacher Kelley Gregg presented graduates with their certificates. Head of Middle School Amy Nixon welcomed the Class of 2030 to the Middle School. The ceremony closed with the singing of Saying Goodbye and Wonderful Friends, letters from the fifth grade class and the recessional and reception.

Congratulations to the Class of 2030 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

Established in 2004 by the late Henry Posner Jr. ’37, his wife, Helen, and their four sons, Henry III '73, Paul '77 and Robert '78, the Posner Award for Meritorious Faculty Performance recognizes faculty 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. Each year this award, presuming as it does a high quality of teaching in all Shady Side faculty, recognizes and honors two teachers of transcendent influence, whose impact on a particular student or group of students has been uniquely beneficial and enduring. Over the past 15 years, Shady Side has extended this honor to 36 different faculty members.

John Curry, Middle School Mathematics Teacher

John Curry has taught mathematics at the Middle School since 1980. He also served in several administrative roles at the Middle School from 1991-2019, including dean of students, director of studies and assistant head of school, before returning to the classroom full-time in 2019. He is often described as being "kind, responsible, honest, respectful and always going above and beyond" for his students.

One former student and now parent said, "The lessons I learned in the classroom from Mr. Curry in self-discipline and personal responsibility set a foundation for the rest of my life, but his kindness and humanity outside of the classroom have had an equally profound impact. During Bring a Parent to School Day, Mr. Curry told me that it was a great honor for him when former students of his entrust their children to be taught by him. I would reverse that comment: it has been a great honor for me that my son has had the opportunity to expand his horizons and build his self-confidence under Mr. Curry's tutelage."

From always greeting students with an enthusiastic "Hello!" to referring to figures in textbooks as "cartoon goobers," Mr. Curry has left a lasting imprint on the students who have passed through the Middle School.

Jennifer Riscili, Junior School Third Grade Teacher

Jennifer Riscili has served on the Junior School faculty since 2003 in multiple roles – library assistant, first grade assistant, kindergarten teacher, second grade teacher and currently, third grade teacher. She also coaches the Junior School cross country team and has been a faculty representative for the Blue & Gold Fund for many years. 

Riscili ensures her students understand the importance of "mistakes are proof that you're trying" which is a quote she often shares with her class. One student said, "If we forget to do our homework, Miss Riscili always gives us another day and helps us remember next time. When any of us are having a hard time mastering our math facts, she always comes and helps us. She is silly and fun and has made my last two years at Shady Side Academy amazing!"

A parent wrote, "She inspires, motivates and makes learning fun. More importantly, Jennifer's deep educational background allows her to spot and correct early learning problems. With her help and guidance, we devised a plan which successfully addressed the issue. My husband and I have come to rely on her as an advisor and a role model for our children."

Riscili also has coordinated many service efforts over the years, including the second grade food drive, third grade pajama drive for foster children, the Junior School holiday giving tree. As Dr. Jennifer Asmonga, head of lower schools, said, "Miss Riscili is a teacher who educates with her whole heart."