Congratulations to Director Julie Frazier-Smith and the TASIS High School Theater Company for four exceptional performances of the jukebox musical inspired by the music of Elvis Presley in the Palmer Cultural Center on March 20–23. See photos and learn about the cast and crew.

OurLand Nature Reserve and Education Center co-founder Vijo Varghese delivered an engaging keynote address to the senior class in the Palestra, spoke to the entire High School at an assembly, visited a number of economics and biology classes, and sat down with student writer Elisa Angelino ’26 for an interview over the course of a three-day visit in March that marked the conclusion of the 2024–2025 TASIS Speaker Series.

While she and her classmates spent a week preparing for their exams at a historic Carthusian monastery in Siena, Maria Rozanova ’25 interviewed many of her fellow seniors to learn how they are managing the demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

A standout performance in the Skills category at the VEX V5 Robotics Competition in Basel has earned TASIS Tigers 2 a spot at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, on May 6–8. This marks the third time in four years that Coach Amy Bloodworth’s program has produced a team that will represent Switzerland on the world stage!

The TASIS team was delighted to be back in London with an enthusiastic group of alumni and guests at the elegant Swiss Embassy.

Our cover story for the 2024 edition of TASIS Today focuses on the remarkable life and career of Master Teacher Mark Aeschliman, who inspired thousands of students over the course of his brilliant 45 years in the classroom.

From International Week celebrations, Academic Travel trips, and outdoor adventures to time in the classroom, on the court, and around the Harkness table, we take a photo-driven look at the past month at TASIS.

The founders of Climate Advocates Voces Unidas delivered a fascinating presentation to seniors in the Palmer Cultural Center and visited a number of classes over the course of a three-day visit in late February that represented the third chapter of the 2024–2025 TASIS Speaker Series.

We wish all of our alumni a belated Happy 2025! This bumper issue of Alumni Notes features an array of stories covering everything from technology to art and travel to reality television.

Sonia Krikunchik ’26 shares and describes 10 images she captured on the physics Academic Travel trip in February that included visits to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the Mühleberg hydroelectric plant, and the Einstein House.

A Service Learning group for 10th graders at TASIS, the focus of Intergenerations is to connect students with the residents of Al Pagnolo, a retirement home in nearby Sorengo. Stella Timm ’27 sat down with faculty leaders Abby Gagnon and Brian Barry and also interviewed an Al Pagnolo resident to shine a light on the important work this group does.

This year’s special skiing/snowboarding trip for seniors was held in Laax from February 13–16 and included two and a half days on the slopes, snowshoeing, ice skating, a treetop hike, delicious meals, and an assortment of other group activities. Charlotte Welborn ’25 provides advice for students who may travel to Laax in the future.

Sonia Krikunchik ’26 interviewed many of her fellow 11th-grade students to learn how they are managing the first year of the challenging International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

TASIS began International Week 2025 on the morning of February 17 with an inspiring Opening Ceremony that included remarks from Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff, a Parade of Flags, a lovely musical performance, and the presentation of Torch Awards. Learn more and watch the full ceremony.

Sofia Arce Perez ’26 recaps the team’s week-long trip to The Hague in late January.

From the return to campus and recommencement of classes to events in the Palmer Cultural Center and time in the mountains, we take a photo-driven look at the past month at TASIS.

Led by Director Julie Frazier-Smith and Music Director Melody Tibbits Zanecchia, Elementary School students delivered four outstanding performances of the Disney classic in the Palmer Cultural Center on January 23–24. 

The second installment of the 2024–2025 TASIS Speaker Series brought to campus the leaders of Zagato Atelier, a company that has been synonymous with coachbuilding—a specialized craft that combines art, design, and engineering—for more than 100 years. Mr. Zagato and Ms. Rivolta Zagato delivered a keynote address to TASIS seniors and visited several classes over the course of their two-day visit on January 20–21.

As we prepare to turn the calendar to 2025, we take a look back at some of the many highlights from another exciting year at TASIS. 

We provide a look at the many things that have happened on and off campus during a wonderful holiday season at TASIS. 

At a special High School Athletics assembly on the morning of December 2, Athletic Director Masa Yo ’04 and Associate Athletic Director Alex Zanecchia ’02 presented awards to deserving members of the cross country, volleyball, and soccer teams.

From eye-opening Academic Travel trips across Europe and stunning outdoor adventures within Switzerland to stellar performing arts events on campus and engaged academics in the classroom, we take a photo-driven look at the past month at TASIS.

Guided by Artistic Director Julie Frazier-Smith, dancers from the TASIS Elementary School, Middle School, and High School put on an incredible performance in front of a packed house in the Palmer Cultural Center on the evening of November 27.

Congratulations to Director Matthew Frazier-Smith and the TASIS High School Theater Company for four amazing performances of the Oscar Wilde classic on November 21–24. Learn more and watch video recordings of two of the shows.

Described as “a force for positive change in the world of university counseling,” Ms. Fishbein was honored at the Council of International Schools Global Forum in Basel, Switzerland, on November 15.

Elisa Angelino ’26 shares and discusses 10 images she captured on her global issues Academic Travel trip to Brussels, Belgium, in late October that was designed to show students why the city has become such an important place for global politics.

Joy Wang ’25 shares 10 compelling moments she captured on the art history Academic Travel trip to Vienna, Austria, in late October and discusses what made them meaningful. 

Serafina Ballerini ’26 discusses 10 moments from the Varsity Girls Volleyball team’s Academic Travel trip to French Switzerland, where they played a few friendly matches before earning an impressive second-place finish at the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS) Tournament in Lausanne.

Charlotte Welborn ’25 shares and describes 10 photographs she took on the IB Biology Academic Travel trip to Zurich, Switzerland, in late October.

Lola Hutchinson ’27 captured 10 memorable moments on the 10th-grade Honors World Literature Academic Travel trip to Florence, in which students explore the homeland of the illustrious Italian poet Dante Alighieri.

Sofia Arce Perez ’26 shares and describes 10 photographs she took during the TASIS Model UN Club’s Academic Travel trip to the MUNMO 2024 conference in Malmö, Sweden, in late October.

From engaging academics and adventurous travel to celebratory assemblies and festive gatherings, we take a photo-driven look at the past month at TASIS.

Our latest edition of Alumni Notes introduces us to four young entrepreneurs, catches up with an award-winning filmmaker, takes us to the chill of the Arctic, and more.

Mingcheng Zhang ’26 sat down with High School Science Teacher Mr. Athan Rodostianos, who started at TASIS in 2021 and currently teaches both Physics and IB Physics 2 (HL and SL).

Elisa Angelino ’26 interviewed Ms. Stéphanie Roth, who teaches across various levels of Italian in the High School, serves as a High School advisor, and also works as a dorm parent in the Residential Life Program.

Sofia Arce Perez ’26 sat down with High School History Teacher Mr. Antony Shelley, who started at TASIS in 2019 and currently is the K–12 Curriculum Coordinator, serves as a dorm parent, and teaches IB History and EAL Modern History.

Lola Hutchinson ’27 interviewed Ms. Simone Meister, who teaches all levels of German in both the Middle School and High School, serves as a High School advisor, and works with 10th-grade students in the Opsahl Global Service Program.

Sonia Krikunchik ’26 sat down with Mr. Jerald Bleckel, who has taught IB and AP Physics and coached the Varsity Girls Basketball team since he started at TASIS in 2021.

Charlotte Welborn ’25 interviewed Middle School Music Teacher Ms. Angela Dusing, who has filled a variety of roles at TASIS since coming aboard in 2020.  

Maria Rozanova ’25 sat down with Mr. Robert Schlesinger, who teaches IB and EAL Biology in the High School, coaches several sports, and is involved with the 9th-grade Service Learning Program.

Joy Wang ’25 interviewed Ms. Jessica Cohen, who has taught High School English Language and Literature at TASIS since 2023 and is also involved with several other aspects of the school.

Stella Timm ’27 sat down with High School Science Teacher Mr. Brett Foster, who initially started at TASIS as a science tutor after moving to Switzerland in 2020. 

Serafina Ballerini ’26 interviewed Ms. Veronica Maffezzini, who started at TASIS in 2011 and currently teaches Italian and history to 5th-grade students and is the team leader of the Elementary School’s Italian teachers.

Layla Habab ’25 sat down with Mr. John Schmid, who has taught AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, and history since coming to TASIS in 2023.

Lola Hutchinson ’27 interviewed Elementary School Teacher Ms. Laura Hand, who started at TASIS in 2018 and currently is a 4th-grade homeroom teacher, the team leader for grades four and five, and a High School dorm parent.

Giulia Cordovado ’27 sat down with Mr. Davide Cannata, who started at TASIS in 2023 and currently teaches IB Italian Language and Literature, IB Italian Literature, Pre-IB Italian Language, Italian Language and Literature, and Italian History.

Middle School and High School parents visited campus on October 10 to attend classes with their children, watch a beautiful assembly that commemorated the incredible life of TASIS Founder M. Crist Fleming, and enjoy an evening reception in the Palmer Cultural Center.

From a successful start of school and an eventful alumni reunion to dorm hikes in Ticino and a boat dance on Lake Lugano, we take a photo-driven look at the past month or so at TASIS.