As our students were busy studying for final exams and getting ready to depart for Winter Break, they also took some time out to get into the holiday spirit. This year, the fun and festivities began on the evening of Saturday, December 15, when students converged on The Homestead, home of Headmaster Jonathan Lamb and Toni Scherrer, to realize a long-standing Storm King tradition – holiday cookie decorating.

Ms. Scherrer, affectionately known as “Ms. Toni,” spent the days before the event rolling, cutting, and baking dozens of sugar cookies made with her traditional family recipe. “I acquired the recipe from a storekeeper in the college town where we used to live more than 30 years ago. Mr. Lamb and I started making those cookies the first year we were married. Now my grandchildren enjoy the very same cookies, as do our students here at Storm King,” explained Ms. Scherrer. “When several groups of students came to decorate, they were given all the tools they needed to express their cookie creativity. I believe we hosted the most artistic cookie decorators ever this year.”

 

 

Following the last day of classes on December 17 and Reading Day on December 18, the entire school community came together for an evening of music and song.  At 5:00 pm, Storm King’s music and voice students took the stage at the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre to perform a selection of instrumental and vocal pieces at the 2018 Winter Concert.

The concert featured many different musical genres mixing holiday songs with classics like Rodgers and Hammerstein’s My Favorite Things and jazz numbers such as Girl from Ipanema performed by senior Caroline Hecht with musical hits such as On Broadway performed by 8th grader Joe Sullivan and rock and roll favorites including freshman Alex Neighbors’ lively performance of Great Balls of Fire. To end the evening in the spirit of the holidays, the Storm King Choir directed by Ms. Mikova-Johnson performed an ethereal rendition of Handel’s Hallelujah which prompted a standing ovation from the audience.

 

 

Following the concert, students, faculty, parents, and a few returning alumni, enjoyed a special holiday feast of prime rib, turkey breast, au gratin potatoes, delicious side dishes, and Chef Andrew’s special holiday yule log cake. “I’m so happy to be back and see everyone, especially at this time of year,” said Polina Shilovskaya, Class of 2018, who paid her alma mater a visit on her way back home for the holidays. During her visit, Polina and her friend and fellow alumnae Liza Shligerska ’18 presented Chef Andrew with a special holiday gift – a brightly-colored Christmas apron.

Many thanks go out to Mr. Lamb and Ms. Scherrer, SKS’ Department of Visual and Performing Arts, and Chefs Andrew, Giles, Kathy, and the rest of the dining hall staff for helping to spread holiday cheer at this week’s events. Special thanks and kudos to all of our students and faculty for completing another great semester at The Storm King School.