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Head of School Peter Becker '95
January was a busy month that seemed to pass all too quickly. Mr. Becker shares his insights and reflections on the month that was.
______________________ Background Image: Snowpocalypse 2026, photo by Kaiyun Xu ‘27
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MLK Week 2026: The Soul of the Civil Rights Movement
Build Purpose
Our 2026 MLK Week Community Experience was rooted in the arts—in the influence of Black music on the Civil Rights movement. Dr. King gave the movement its words, Dean of Community Justice and Belonging Thomas Allen noted during his MLK Week address, but it was the music—and the musicians—that gave it its soul. Their music, he said, remains a testament to the power of art in the face of injustice. Exploring the movement through music was an idea that took root when Taft’s 2025-26 Legacy 6 Cohort—Ethan Harry ’28, Mehar Trehan ’26, Sydney Anya ’28, Erin Arole ’28, Zoë Woodhall ’27, and Wilson Littman ’28—visited Memphis, Tennessee, in the fall. They spent time at The National Civil Rights Museum, housed in the former Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968. They visited the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, and Sun Studio, known worldwide as “The Birthplace of Rock’n’roll.” In visiting these sites, the Legacy 6 recognized a deep and inextricable bond between the evolution of Black music, the Civil Rights Movement, and Dr. King’s messages of beloved community and communities of love, courage in the face of injustice, and nonviolent resistance. The Legacy 6 shared what they learned and felt with Taft through an all-school community meeting, and through an ambitious, powerful, and interactive experience—a living museum. Museum spaces filled Taft’s campus with curated performances by Collegium Musicum, Taft’s Jazz Band and Orchestra members, faculty performers, Taft’s Step Team, each representing musical genres across time. The Legacy 6 members introduced each genre and performance, and shared insights and knowledge gleaned in Memphis. It was an extraordinary experience for the Taft community—one of connection, learning, and understanding.
Hear more about the Community Experience in the video below:
Watch the Legacy 6 community meeting, where they talked about their time in Memphis.
Background image: Stepping into the Faculty Room during the 2026 MLK Community Experience was a profoundly spiritual moment. Under the direction of Dr. Jessica Pierpont, who traveled to Memphis with the Legacy 6, Collegium Musicum members performed This Little Light of Mine. Their ethereal voices coming from above evoked a sense of serenity and a moment of spiritual reflection. Although the American gospel classic was written in the 1920s and was considered a lullaby, it later became an anthem of strength, unity, and defiance for Civil Rights activists.
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The Soundtrack of Change
Lead with Courage
In addition to the work and experiences shared by the Legacy 6, MLK Week included two Morning Meeting talks, each taking a deeper dive into the history of Black music. Dean of Community, Justice, and Belonging Thomas Allen introduced the community to three powerful Black voices tied to the Civil Rights Movement, while writer, educator, and DJ Dr. Todd Craig explored 50 years of Hip Hop culture and music.
Thomas Allen Voices of Freedom: The Soundtrack of Change
“During the Civil Rights Movement, music was more than music,” Mr. Allen told the Taft community during his 2026 Martin Luther King Day address. “When I think about the Civil Rights experience, I think, ‘Man, I can’t imagine being told I can’t sit on the bus where I want to sit. Or I can’t drink water out of this water fountain. Or I can’t stay in this hotel.’ But the people who lived that experience seemed to have this resolve—this thing that said, ‘I can. I can get through this.’” Music was a strategic tool. It was used to communicate, to motivate terrified marchers, and to disarm violent opposition. And while the soundtrack of change featured many, many strong and important voices of freedom, Allen introduced the community to three that stood out in ways that marked the progression of the movement: the fury, the faith, and the change. Nina Simone had the fire, the anger, the fury; Mahalia Jackson believed in her heart and with her full faith that Dr. King’s dream could be realized; and Sam Cooke used his popularity and voice to shine a light on injustice. Watch Mr. Allen’s full talk below. It concludes with a deeply moving and powerful performance of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come, featuring vocalist Isaac Obeng ’26, musicians from Taft’s Chamber Orchestra, and Instrumental Music Teacher TJ Thompson.
Dr. Todd Craig Beats, Rhymes, and Hip Hop’s Life: A Journey Through the Sights, Sites, and Sounds of Black Music
“It’s crazy to imagine that Hip Hop culture is over 50 years old,” Dr. Todd Craig told the Taft Community. “To put this into perspective, Hip Hop culture has been around for more than half a century and was able to make its way through the commentary of the first 10 to 15 years of its sonic, artistic, and visual existence. That commentary was ‘It’s a fad.’ ‘It’ll die down next year.’ ‘These kids will get sick of it real soon.’ Fifty years later, nobody is sick of it. As a matter of fact, 50 years later, Hip Hop is a global popular culture that stems from Black artistic production.” Dr. Craig, an author, educator, and DJ, visited Taft as part of the 2026 MLK Week Experience—an experience rooted in the impact, influence, and evolution of music on the Civil Rights Movement, US history, and global culture. At once an exploration of Hip Hop history, Hip Hop culture, music theory, and “Black sound,” Dr. Craig’s talk was a deep dive into sampling and how the DJs and their innovative sampling practices shaped the genre, and our cultural history. Watch Dr. Craig’s full (and fascinating) talk below.
Dr. Craig explores writing, rhetoric, sound studies, and popular culture through the lens of the DJ and Hip Hop culture. He is a writer, educator and DJ whose career meshes his love of writing, teaching, and music. He received his doctorate in English from St. John’s University, a master of education in learning and teaching from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in African American studies from Williams College. He started his education journey at St. George’s School as A Better Chance Scholar. He taught courses in English Composition and Rhetoric, Hip Hop Studies and African American Studies within the City University of New York. He is now the Marks Family Senior Director for the Marks Family Center for Excellence in Writing at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of K for the Way: DJ Rhetoric and Literacy for 21st Century Writing Studies, for which he received the 2024 David H. Russell Award for Distinguished Research in the Teaching of English from the National Council of Teachers of English, and the 2025 Advancement of Knowledge Award from the Conference on College Composition and Communication. K for the Way also received an Honorable Mention for the 2025 Outstanding Book Award from the Rhetoric Society of America. Dr. Craig’s forthcoming book projects include Beyond An Institution Adrift: The Third Current of Writing at CUNY in the 21st Century and The Sonic Biography of Thin Air: A Mixtape for Sonic Rhetoric.
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The Harkness Method: U.S. History with Megan Valenti
Learn Deeply
In 1930, oil magnate and philanthropist Edward Harkness was considering a substantial monetary gift to Exeter. His own experiences at St. Paul’s School and Yale led him to believe there were better—then untapped—methods of teaching that could improve learning for all students. He wanted his gift to foster a revolution. And it did. Harkness told Exeter Principal Lewis Perry that he envisioned a classroom where students sat around a table, conference style in conversation—no rows of desk and chairs, no podium between student and teacher, no raised platform for the instructor. Every voice would be heard, every student an equal, learning a true collaboration. Perry came up with a plan, and Harkness came up with $5.8 million. Today, most private schools and many universities include Harkess tables, methods, or discussions in their classrooms, including Taft. Hear more from History Teacher Megan Valenti.
Fun Fact: True Harkness tables are built according to the original 90-year old copyrighted and patented design, developed by Harkness, himself. The standard size of the traditional oval Harkness table is 7 feet wide and 11 feet long, with seating for 12 students and one teacher.
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Number Theory: The Queen of Mathematics
Learn Deeply
Torie Korenha ’26 likes solving complex problems. She is planning a future rooted in mathematics, she says, and that’s one of the reasons she chose Taft. Torie is currently studying number theory with Dr. Mostafa Mirabi, a highly regarded and award-winning researcher and educator. Dubbed the “Queen of Mathematics,” by German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, number theory blends beauty, depth, and simplicity. Dr. Mirabi’s Honors Number Theory course at Taft is the pinnacle of mathematics study. Hear from Torie and Dr. Mirabi in the video below.
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Athletics
Pursue Excellence
The Big Red spirit is alive and thriving on campus. Director of Athletics and the Afternoon Program Andrew Dunn embodies the spirit and embraces the energy.
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Yale Model United Nations
Active Learning
Members of Taft’s Model United Nations Club recently participated in the 52nd Yale Model United Nations Conference (YMUN LII) on the Yale University campus in New Haven, CT. Participants were challenged to think critically while representing the interests of individual nations in a range of work committees. In doing so, they researched historical disputes and conflicts, investigated humanitarian crises and responses, and worked towards collaboration to solve the most pressing of current international issues. They passed dozens of resolutions that addressed a wide range of topics, developing leadership, empathy, and teamwork skills along the way. During the conference, Karen Wang ’28 earned Honorable Delegate commendation for her work representing the Russian Federation in the United Nations Development Program, a committee under the aegis of the Economic and Social Councils. UN Development Program Delegates were charged with crafting innovative policies to support displaced groups and restore their “natural right to a healthy livelihood,” and with exploring and developing strategies to improve access to quality education, create sustainable job opportunities, and support youth civic engagement, all with the goal of empowering youth and improving regional stability. Jane Hempel ’28, representing Cardinal Andrew Harkness, received “Best Position Paper” recognition for a written piece submitted in advance of the conference and related to the charge of the 2025 Papal Enclave crisis committee. In addition to electing a new Pope who could guide the Church during a time of global transition, the committee members debated how to balance theological authority with geopolitical responsibility. Delegates discussed treaties, soft power, public messaging, and new structures for global engagement. Congratulations to Karen and Jane, and to all of the YMUN LII participants: Crystal Alcantara, Erin Arole, Manuella Bawuah, Sterling Carter, Anni Chavez, Lindsey Fang, Sofia Gong, Amy Guo, Adriana Kari, Madison Kirkland, Vi Lapham, Esther Lee, Letitia Liu, Bonny Long, Artem Rak, Madeline Scheidt, and Lisa Soma.
Well done!
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On Stage!
Finding Joy in Purpose
Winter Play: Moon Over Buffalo
Mr. Gales is one of the directors of this year’s winter play and we could not be more excited. In addition to the Woodward Black Box Theater providing a spectacularly intimate and authentic theater experience, Mr. Gales and team are putting together what looks to be a celebration of comedy, a tribute to the talents of our theater tech and stagecraft teams, and an ode to high energy, physicality, and the art of farce. Sounds amazing, right? Hear more about Moon Over Buffalo from Mr. Gales.
Join us for Moon Over Buffalo February 19, 20, and 21 in Black Box Theater. Performances begin at 7 pm each night.
Winter Dance Concert: Celebrating Our Seniors
Over the years, Seniors Torie Korenha, Sarah Li, Maya Takanabe, Eden Thompson, Yolanda Wang, and Yolanda Wei have graced the stage in Bingham Auditorium and grown as artists in the Pailey Dance Studio. Their talent as dancers and choreographers, their skill as visual storytellers, and the emotion their art evokes has brought light, joy, reflection, and depth to our community. It is hard to believe that the Winter Dance Concert will be their last as Taft students. Please join us in honoring these talented artists Friday, February 27th and Saturday, February 28th for the Winter Dance Concert. Both performances begin at 7 pm in Bingham Auditorium. The concert also features a performance piece by Taft’s Dance Ensemble, created under the tutelage of Derion Loman, Artistic Associate at the world-renowned dance company, Pilobolus.
Seniors Torie Korenha, Sarah Li, Maya Takanabe
Seniors Eden Thompson, Yolanda Wang, Yolanda Wei
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Reflection and Gratitude
Shirt Off My Back Initiative
For many Taft seniors, the start of the new year ushers in a time of reflection. This year, senior class members of the Boys’ Varsity Hockey Team paused to reflect not only on what their careers on the ice have meant to them, but on the totality of their Taft experiences. And to do so with gratitude. “As student athletes, so much of our growth happens off the ice through the teachers and staff who support us, challenge us, and believe in us every day,” said Assistant Captain JT Rothstein ’26. “We wanted to take time to recognize faculty and staff members who have had a lasting impact on our lives.” Through a new initiative called Shirt Off My Back, each senior hockey player honored a community member who supported, guided, or inspired them during their time at Taft. Honorees were invited to the Shirt Off My Back appreciation ceremony, which took place on the ice before a recent game. Players read words of praise and reflection, and presented their mentors and guides with gifts of gratitude—including Boys’ Hockey T-shirts. “We wanted this project to represent gratitude and recognition and to literally give the ‘shirts off our backs’ to honor the people who helped us become better students, teammates, and people,” notes Rothstein. “It was a simple but meaningful way for our team to publicly express gratitude and celebrate the educators who have helped shape our experience at Taft.” Congratulations—and thank you—to all of the honorees. Excerpts from the players words of praise, gratitude, and reflections follow. Dylan Chery celebrated English Teacher Samual Rosario “Mr. Rosario is dedicated to making his students better every day. He taught me that working hard and focusing on the process will always outweigh the results, both inside and outside the classroom. He is someone I have always been able to rely on.” Domenico Clarizio recognized Dean of Students and Mathematics Teacher Lindsay Leal “Ms. Leal truly cares about her students and always goes out of her way to support everyone. She makes me feel comfortable, valued, and seen.” Tommy Drienik honored Strength and Conditioning Program Director and Admission Counselor Will Turner. “Since day one, Mr. Turner has been someone I can go to for help with anything. His kindness and genuine care make Taft a great place.” Lincoln Durfee acknowledged English Teacher Emily Estes “Ms. Estes is such a passionate and personable teacher. The positive impact she has had on the community is clear.” Joe Gannon expressed gratitude to Mathematics Teacher Michael Mastrocola ’08 “Mr. Mastrocola has always made me feel welcomed and valued. He cares about everyone, and wants nothing but success for his students and athletes.” Topher Jones recognized History Teacher Andrew Taylor ’72 “He has always been a great teacher, role model, and supporter for me. He can always put a smile on my face with his jokes and energy.” Carson Lowry recognized History Teacher Martin Aspholm “His head is always up, his energy high, and he has so much Taft pride. Nobody has more passion for Taft than Mr. A.” JT Rothstein honored English Teacher Marie Butterly “Ms. Butterly has been an amazing teacher for me over the past two years and helped me develop into a better reader and writer. She is always invested in the success of her students and is dedicated to helping us grow both academically and personally.” Brady Smith acknowledged Assistant Director of Admissions R.J. Swift Mr. Swift is one of my most trusted adults in the school and never fails to brighten up my day. I greatly appreciate everything that he does for me.” Jackson Tucker celebrated English and Art History Teacher Alex Werrell “Mr. Werrell always has my best interest at heart. He has always been there for me when I needed guidance or assistance, and I know I can count on him for anything.” Cullen Tully honored Penn Teaching Fellow Young Hur “Mr. Hur is genuinely interested in our lives. His energy and support around the dorms keep the vibes high.” The Boys’ Varsity Hockey Team recognized Facilities Team Member Michael Verrastro Mr. Verrastro treats all of us like family and takes pride in the rink and in our team.
Back row from left, Seniors: Lincoln Durfee, Carson Lowry, Brady Smith, JT Rothstein, Domenico Clarizio, Dylan Chery, Cullen Tully, Joe Gannon, Jackson Tucker, Tommy Drienik, Topher Jones Front row from left, Honorees: Mr. Mastrocola, Mr. Swift, Ms. Butterly, Ms. Estes, Mr. Turner, Mr. Rosario, Mr. Werrell, Ms. Leal, Mr. Verrastro, Mr. Taylor Missing from event and photo, Honorees Mr. Hur and Mr. Aspholm
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Looking Ahead
A Weekend With the Arts: February 13th and 14th
Friday, February 13th: Art from the Heart
Taft’s adjunct music faculty members return for our annual Art from the Heart classical music concert in Woodward Chapel Friday, February 13th at 7:00 pm. Lisa Laquidara, violin; Fred Krug, classical guitar; Daniel Scifo, organ; Gjorgj Kroqi, cello, and Ray Pierpont, piano will perform works by Frédéric Chopin, César Franck, Dmitri Shostakovich, and more.
Saturday, February 14th: Mardi Gras Celebration with T.J. Thompson and Friends
T.J. Thompson and Friends returns to the Woodward Chapel Undercroft on Valentines Day, Saturday, February 14th at 7 pm for their annual (and enormously popular) Mardi Gras cabaret. Come early to get a table—doors open at 6:30 pm. BYOB. Snacks, set-ups, and refreshments available, or bring your own.
Winter Play: February 19th-21st
Taft theater will mount Moon Over Buffalo, a comedic play by Ken Ludwig about a fading duo of stage actors, Thursday, February 19, Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21. All three shows begin at 7 pm in Woodward Black Box Theater.
Winter Dance Concert: February 27th and 28th
There will be two performances of Taft’s annual Winter Dance Concert this year, Friday, February 27th and Saturday February 28th. Both shows begin at 7 pm in Bingham Auditorium. The shows will feature works created by our students with guidance from the renowned dance company, Pilobolus.
Grands' Day: April 15th
Mark your calendars: Grands' Day is set for Wednesday, April 15, 2026! Invitations go out next week. Grands are invited to attend classes, hear from Mr. Becker, attend arts and athletics events, and more.
Commencement 2026: May 23rd and 24th
In four short months, the Class of 2026 will be graduating from Taft. To help you plan for the weekend, here is an outline of events:
Saturday, May 23rd
- 5:00 pm: Concert in Bingham Auditorium featuring Collegium Musicum, Jazz Band and Chamber Ensemble
- 6:00 pm: Prize Night in the tent by the pond
- 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Reception, Dinner and Dance for Seniors and their Families, Mac Quad and Moorhead Wing
Sunday, May 24
- 10:00 am: Commencement in the tent by the pond
- 11:30 am: Luncheon for Seniors and their Families in Moorhead Wing
- 4:00 pm: All Seniors must be off campus
There will be photographers at these events to take family portraits as well as individual Senior photos during Commencement. In addition, we will be livestreaming Prize Night and Commencement for those who cannot attend.
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Our school calendar is full and dynamic. Check it regularly for updates.
Music!
In case you missed it... You can enjoy the Annual Service of Lessons and Carols here.
Perspectives
Taft in 10 is designed to keep you up-to-date on campus happenings. For a deep dive into student life through the student lens, be sure to read every edition of the school newspaper, The Taft Papyrus. Bookmark it! TaftSchoolPapyrus.org
Background Image: Winter Storm Fern, by Yuqi Qian ’27