Upper School (US) World Language Faculty recently organized field trips that allowed our students to explore different cultures and traditions. During a workshop on Afro-Latino music, dance, and history at the Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center in New York City, the nonprofit arts and community organization Los Pleneros de la 21 guided both students and faculty through Bomba and Plena Afro-Puerto Rican music and dance. “The field trip was part of the curriculum for a new Spanish elective class, Afro-Latinidad: Language & Culture, I designed and am teaching for the first time this semester,” said US Spanish Teacher Sra. Collado, who collaborated closely with Sra. Levin’s Spanish 6: Language & Culture class and Dean Tuc’s Dance class. “This is one of the most fun and engaging field trips I’ve been on so far,” said Kenneth Seymour ’26. “I felt immersed in the activity as opposed to just observing, and it connected beautifully to the Afro-Latino history we’ve studied in class. It was very special to me to learn and play music deeply rooted in rich cultural tradition.” On another day, students from Mr. Burke’s Sixth Grade Latin and Ms. Brandow’s US Latin classes took a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to observe examples of ancient texts they’d been learning about. “My Latin students have been studying how to translate ancient Roman gravestones—a tricky skill because it involves more than just understanding the Latin grammar, but also recognizing common abbreviations,” explained Mr. Burke. “Despite the difficulty, studying this material is rewarding because it gives us a small glimpse into the lives of ordinary Romans.” While at the Met, students also examined other Roman art and artifacts. Here’s to bringing language and history to life, one field trip at a time!

D-E’s HOPE: Fashion With a Purpose club presented a fantastic fundraiser earlier this spring, with a theme of “Futuristic Fashion,” and featuring original and curated D-E student and faculty designs. An innovative, cross-divisional program involving Lower, Middle, and Upper School students, the show was the culmination of a months-long process to create original, wearable fashions. The event was highlighted by students modeling the designs, live musical performers, an impressive upcycled stage and set design, and engaging presenters. All proceeds raised supported the recipient organization, Brooklyn-based Big Reuse. Following the show, some of the featured pieces and process sketches were later exhibited in the Swartley Art Gallery, showcasing the student designers’ hard work and artistry. A reception last week celebrated the myriad accomplishments involved in this production, “This was one of the strongest bodies of work students have created for the HOPE Fashion Show,” said Art & Design Teacher Caitlyn Young, who has advised the club for more than a decade. HOPE student leader Lola Kletsman ’27 added that the planning and preparations were “very much a group effort” and included a thrift store field trip to ensure all the materials used were sustainably sourced. Hats off to everyone involved in this year’s memorable and inspiring HOPE Fashion Show! HOPE Fashion Show Photos Credit: Amber Mills 

D-EMUN finished strong during the recent Model UN conference at Cornell University (CMUN), including winning the Outstanding Large Delegation Award! This recognition was both exciting and rewarding, according to Nick Bevilacqua ’27. “It truly reflected the effort every member of our team put in, and it felt like a culmination of all the work we’ve done together,” he said. Individually, Nick, Julian Dreyer ’29, and Gabriel Rhodes ’26 received Best Delegate awards for their Specialized and Crisis Committees; Joseph Lee ’28 received an Outstanding Delegate award; and Max Koppelman ’26 received an Honorable Delegate award. In addition, the following members received nods for their General Assemblies: Prisha Vora ’27, Outstanding Delegate; Ripley Golden ’26, Verbal Commendation; and Livya Patel ’29, Verbal Commendation. Prisha, whose General Assembly discussed the topic of Green Energy Resource Colonialism, said her biggest takeaway from CMUN was “understanding that being the loudest voice in the room is not a successful strategy to do well,” adding that, “I really focused on working with a wide variety of delegates, both experienced and first-timers, and this taught me how to balance a diverse group.” Nick noted that he made a conscious effort to step back and appreciate the experience itself. “As I’m heading into my senior year, I know I don’t have many of these opportunities left, and it made me realize how special they really are.” To the D-E community, D-EMUN Co-Advisor Dr. Vendell expressed, “This is our final collegiate conference—thank you very much for the support that you have given us all year!”