Senior Speakers [Apr. 18]

The 2021-2022 Senior Speaker series continued on April 18 and featured eleven members of the Class of 2022: Noel Batista, Spencer Dessert, Frankie Ferrentino, Uno Sanguansin, Zander Desnoes, Kelsie Nemeth, Vasundhra Vasanthan, Luke Violich-Czinczoll, Ben Warner, Brynn Bergin, and Aurora Prescott.

Noel Batista, a four-year senior from Bellmore, New York, spoke about some important lessons he learned stemming from the sport of baseball. He acknowledged, “Baseball didn’t teach me that I could be anything I wanted; rather, that I didn’t have to try and be anything else... I know now to trust myself as a student the same way I trust myself as an athlete.”

Spencer Dessert, a postgraduate from Bronxville, New York, touched on the theme of independence. He said, “When I say independence, I mean the willingness to be different... Choosing to take a postgrad year is definitely not a traditional option for most, but I can definitely say it was worth it.”

Frankie Ferrentino, a two-year senior from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, shared an important lesson he learned from one of his pre-Suffield coaches in his freshman year. The coach told him, “Winners control their emotions—never get too high and never get too low. They are competitors and let their best speak for them. Some days you’re on and some days you’re not, but it’s not how you react to the good that matters, but how you react when things don’t go your way.”

Uno Sanguansin, a four-year senior from Bangkok, Thailand, spoke about being the youngest of four brothers and the lessons he’s learned from each of them, which include: “you should always have a plan B” and “take as many risks as you can and never set a limit for yourself.”

Zander Desnoes, a four-year senior from Kingston, Jamaica, and Kelsie Nemeth, a four-year senior from Suffield, Connecticut, spoke together about their gratitude for their advisor, Ms. Tobye Cook. Zander said, “Ms. Cook quickly became a mother to me while I was away from home. She would message me every day just to see how my day was going and to check-in. This communication was a continued reminder of how much she cared.” Kelsie spoke directly to Ms. Cook, saying, “You have taught me so many things without even realizing it. One of them is that when life gives you obstacles, no matter how big and terrifying they are, you can persevere and come through even stronger.”

Vasundhra Vasanthan, a two-year senior from Seremban, Malaysia, elucidated on a particularly impactful ad she had seen on TV several years ago. She said, “This ad has always served as a reminder to treat everything and everyone with kindness and respect... Remind each other that we are a community that prioritizes empathy and compassion towards one another. A helping hand or a simple show of compassion can turn someone’s day completely around.”

Luke Violich-Czinczoll, a four-year senior from Marin County, California, spoke about choosing Suffield for high school and what he advises for his peers. He said, “I encourage all of you to step outside your comfort zone, leave your Fortnite behind, and find your place here. Suffield is a special place.”

Ben Warner, a four-year senior from West Simsbury, Connecticut, shared stories about his grandma who passed away a few months ago. When saying his last goodbye to her, he said, “I promised her that I would continue to take life on, seeking new experiences and doing it with the people I love. I live for that next adventure, the opportunity to grow as a person and learn important things along the way.”

Brynn Bergin, a four-year senior from Goshen, Connecticut, spoke about a hike she took during running camp this past summer, where she learned the importance of confidence. She said, “This experience taught me that you can’t go through life reliant on others to pave the way for you; you have to be confident in yourself.”

Aurora Prescott, a three-year senior from Somers, Connecticut, shared a theory she has that “doing things that scare you often end up in the best kinds of stories.” She then went on to tell several stories that supported this theory, from a questionable helicopter ride in Las Vegas to meeting Mr. and Mrs. Caginalp, who changed her life for the better.

The senior speaker series is a valuable Suffield Academy tradition and capstone part of the Leadership Program. It is a weekly highlight in our community.

 

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