Alumni News in Fall 2005 "Badger Tracks"

(LS indicates Lower School and is followed by the year of graduation from 8th grade . US indicates Upper School followed by the year of graduation from 12th grade. Grade levels are shown for students who left Craig prior to the 8th or 12th grade )

Peter Leman (LS, 85). Peter stopped by the day before Thanksgiving to catch up with remembered Craig friends. He and his wife, Kimberley (married in 2000), now have two children, PJ born 6/12/04 and Jeffrey born 7/30/05. Peter is director of Quality Assurance at The Hartford where he specializes in one to two million dollar contract surety accounts. He has a staff of ten in different offices throughout the country and travels about 40% percent of the time both domestically and internationally. Peter has risen fast in the company as one of the youngest executives in a Fortune 100 company. He attributes some of that success to Craig. “Craig School gave me the necessary tools and attention to succeed personally and professionally — I learned to work with people on a personal level and to deal with authority.” Peter loves to catch up with old friends.

John Miller (LS, ’95, 7th) John is a Lance Corporal and crew chief in the Marine Corps. He is currently undergoing specialized training in San Diego, CA as part of an elite amphibious assault unit. John went to Morristown-Beard after Craig where he excelled in lacrosse and made the all star team, playing in championship-level games. After Mo-Beard, John went on to earn his Associates Degree from Champlain College in Burlington, VT. He visited Craig this past fall and described some of his experiences in the Marines.

Matthew Chapnick (LS, ’97) Matt writes that he has moved to Boca Raton, Florida. He is working at a GNC and attempting to become certified as a personal trainer. He comments that the training is tough since you have to know “the human body inside out, “ but if it doesn’t work out he will consider other careers.

Selena Iscaro (LS, ’98) Selena is attending the County College of Morris where she has completed an Associates Degree in Business Administration and is now studying Human Services.

Gretchen Munch (LS, ’98) Gretchen is a senior at East Stroudsberg University with a double major in special education and elementary education. She worked last summer as a counselor for the Craig Summer Enrichment Program.

Stephen Tshanakas (LS ’98, 6th) Steve paid Craig a visit this past fall. He is finishing a program in Communications this semester at County College of Morris and will be looking for a job in either video editing or filming. On his graduation in 2004 from Randolph High School where he was involved in the mass media program, Steve won a scholarship for pursuing further education in the field of communication.

Kim Markoff (LS, ’00) Kim writes: “I’m currently a sophomore at Uconn (University of Connecticut) studying psychology. I plan to start a PH.D in school psychology upon my scheduled graduation in 2008. My goal is to become a psychologist specializing in autism and PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder). Since a PH.D requires a tremendous amount of work, I will be starting my undergrad research with a professor next fall. In addition, I joined the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta and I currently tutor children at an elementary school located near Uconn.” Kim has been a teacher’s aide in a local public school for the past two summers working one-on-one with an autistic boy.

Becky Schmidt (LS, ’00) Becky is currently attending County College of Morris where she is considering a nursing career. She is working nearly full time as a nanny and loves to shock people by claiming that the baby she is caring for is her own.

Carin Arvesen (LS, ’01) Carin is a senior at North Hunterdon High School. She is studying for her EMS exam to become a member of the White House Station rescue squad.

Ian Clemente (LS, ’02) Ian came back to Craig to present the Overall Achievement Award to graduating 8th grade student, Alex Sessa, during the lower school graduation ceremonies held June 17, 2005. His message to the students touched on preparation for high school and some reminiscences about Craig during his years at the school. Now in his senior year at Morris High School, Ian can look back on an impressive academic record, each year exceeding a 4.0 average; placing in the top ten in the National Science Olympiad in Biology and Chemistry and 3rd place in Physics; winning the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, the Pythagoras and Leonhard Euler Mathematics Award and a merit award for service in the school. Among the colleges Ian is considering for next year are Union, Princeton, and Johns Hopkins.

Chris Miller (LS, ’02) Chris is a senior at Community High School. A year ago he was a semi-finalist in the Risk Tournament of Champions, a world strategy board game. He plays the ocarina and a celtic drum, has a yellow belt in a school of Japanese martial arts, and is learning to speak Japanese.

A.J. Smircich (LS ’02) A. J. was a junior at Bayley-Ellard High School when the school closed so he is now completing his senior year at Watchung Hills High School where he is on the Honor Roll and on the lacrosse team. He credits Mr. Furlong with his love of the game and will be playing lacrosse in college. He recently won an academic scholarship to Dominican College and plans to attend next fall.

Tim Schmidt (LS, ’02) Tim is a senior this year at Montville High School where he is on the football team. He has a part-time job at a Garden Center.

Mark Spinelli (LS, ’03) Mark is a junior at Paramus Catholic High School where he has become active in the Model UN and Model Congress. He is also an avid lacrosse player, has attended summer lacrosse camps, plays in a summer league, and attributes his interest in the game and success to Mr. Furlong. His academic interests are history and politics and he is excelling as a debater and negotiator.

Jon Steinway (LS, ’03) Jon, now a junior at Hanover Park H.S., has been on the Honor Roll since his freshman year. He earned his varsity letter in tennis and plays both singles and doubles.

Stuart Walker (US ’03, 10th) Stuart enlisted in the Marine Corps in August, 2005. After finishing boot camp in December, he will be a recruiter’s assistant for a short time before reporting to Camp LeJeune for additional training. Email can be relayed through

Ken Hawthorne (US, ’04) Ken is attending the County College of Morris where he is enrolled in a two-year program in Exercise Science and Personal Training. He is considering eventually transferring to a program that offers a degree in physical therapy. Ken took a 1st place in the teenage group and a 4th and 6th place in the men’s group during this past summer in several body building competitions in Bridgewater and Brick Township.

Matt Serpineto (US, ’04) Matt plays bass guitar and is following a music program at the County College of Morris.

Steve Wall (US, ’04) Steve transferred this past year from Monmouth University to Fairleigh Dickinson where is a sophomore and on the Dean’s list. Steve chose Fairleigh partly for its smaller enrollment (roughly 2,200 students compared to 6,000 at Monmouth), but also because it offers a five-year master’s degree in teaching (M.A.T). Steve is majoring in history and intends to pursue a career in teaching possibly with a concentration in special education. Steve often sees Brian Perlstein (US, ’01, 9th) who is also in his second year at Fairleigh Dickinson and is on the Dean’s list as well.

Allison Gati, Katie McCusker and Sara Iannarelli (LS, ’05) This was emailed from three Craig students currently attending Purnell: “Hi this is Allison Gati, Katie McCusker, and Sara Iannarelli. We have been adjusting quite well to the Purnell School. We have made new friends and are doing extra curricular activities. We have learned many new things from the Purnell Community in such a short time. We have acquired many etiquette skills and have taken classes in the studio arts and the performing arts. We all have to say that the studio arts is our favorite. We have a great teacher that actually knows what he is doing. He is a very talented artist and we have learned many new techniques from him. We have also created some wonderful art work. Living at school along side our teachers is a great experience. They are almost always available for extra help or are there just to talk. I think that Purnell was a great choice for us. We have a lot to thank the Craig school for. We hope you guys are doing well and we look foreword to visiting you soon!”

Brian Griffiths (LS, ’05) Brian writes that he is attending the 9th grade at Thomas Wooton High School in Rockville, Maryland. His new address is 13205 Lantern Hollow Drive, North Potomac, MD 20878, phone 301-990-1687. He reports, “The school here has 2000 students. I joined the freshman planning committee and was involved in making the freshman float for the homecoming game last week” (October). His best subject is English.

Steve Malakoff (US, ’05) Craig had the pleasure of a visit by Steve in early November when Lynn University closed temporarily due to a power outage caused by hurricane Wilma. Majoring in aviation, Steve is currently taking courses given by two Deans at the University. He is “pulling A’s and B’s and is applying to an aviation fraternity.” Steve reports that he is fortunate to have a roommate who lives near Orlando thereby giving him access to all the theme parks. Steve’s ambition is to become an airline pilot and notes that Lynn has connections with Continental Airlines.

Paige Reeth (LS, ’05) Paige visited Craig on Thanksgiving break before returning to Purnell. She felt it didn’t take long to adjust to the school partly because she has had previous camp experience, but also because she feels the girls all have a lot in common. There is a strong emphasis at Purnell to develop positive relationships and avoid hurting feelings. Paige particularly likes the schedule of only three classes each day from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm followed by guided study when students meet with their teachers to discuss areas of difficulty. Sports are still an interest for Paige as she joined the soccer team in the fall and will be playing basketball this winter.