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May 2022
May 2022
From the Spring Arts Festival, Academic Travel trips, and a Walk for Water to athletics celebrations, awards ceremonies, and Graduation Week events, we offer a photo-driven look at the past month at TASIS.
This Month at TASIS
Up for the Challenge
More than 20 members of the TASIS community took on the Beat the Bells challenge on May 1, aiming to race down to Lake Lugano and back to campus in under 45 minutes—before the Sant'Abbondio bells rang at 10:00. Levi Gras '27 paced the field with a sparkling time of 32:45, English Department Chair Chris Love was not far behind, and TASIS parent and Board of Directors member Lars Titland, Yasha Gras '29, and Service Learning leader Alexi Love rounded out the top five.
TPA Shows Appreciation for Faculty
On May 5, the TASIS Parent Association hosted a wonderful Cinco de Mayo celebration for faculty in the Casa Fleming Garden. See more photos.
Taking a Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes
Middle School students participated in a Walk for Water on the afternoon of May 4 to raise awareness for the global water crisis by simulating what many people must go through on a daily basis to secure clean water. See more photos.
Drummers Kick Off Springs Arts Festival
Students from Mr. Daniele Bagutti’s percussion studio got the 2022 Spring Arts Festival off to a rockin’ start by performing in the Snack Bar on May 6. See video highlights and a photo gallery.
Sailing in Paradise
A group of 30 High School students and five faculty chaperones had a wonderful time learning to sail in beautiful Porto Cervo, Sardinia, over the second weekend of May.
A Season to Celebrate
High School athletes and coaches gathered on the Villa De Nobili Terrace on May 11 to hand out team awards and celebrate another successful spring sports season. See more photos.
A few days later, Athletic Director Masa Yo hosted a Spring Athletic Awards assembly to announce the 2021–2022 Athletes of the Year and the award recipients for the Varsity Golf, Tennis, and Track and Field teams.
Off to See the Wizard
A terrific cast and crew of Middle School students displayed lots of courage, heart, and brains as they performed The Wizard of Oz thrice in the Palmer Cultural Center over the weekend of May 13–15. See more photos.
Dance and Theater Showcase
Students in theater and drama classes taught by Mr. Matthew Frazier-Smith and choreography workshops and dance classes led by Ms. Julie Frazier-Smith worked together to create original sketches and dances that they performed for the TASIS community on the evening of May 17. See a recording of the outstanding performance and more photos.
Proud Younger Sister
Among the hundreds of pieces of art packed into the Palestra for the Spring Visual Arts Exhibition, an Elementary School student found the mandala drawn by her older sister and was proud to show it off to her classmates. See a 3D scan of the full exhibition.
Talents on Display
Musicians from all divisions performed for a live audience in the Palmer Cultural Center on May 19. See a recording of the full performance and a link to a photo gallery.
Future Maestros
Students in Ms. Melody Tibbits Zanecchia’s 5th-grade music classes participated in an Introduction to Conducting Workshop led by Maestro Andrea Cupia on May 20. The students conducted members of the Opera ViVa Orchestra and High School student soloists Caroline Titland ’24 (vocal), Isabela Martins Arruda 24 (piano), and Melis Kaya ’25 (piano). See more photos.
Laudable Scholars
At the annual TASIS Academic Awards Assembly on the afternoon of May 20, Head of High School Academics Dr. Mark Abisi inducted six members of the Class of 2023—Susanna Campbell, Chongyi Feng, Spencer LeGresley, William Pacini, Eleonora Poli (not pictured), and Luigi Rebuffo— to the TASIS chapter of the Cum Laude Society, an organization founded in 1906 that recognizes exceptional scholastic achievement. See more photos of the Academic Awards Assembly.
Performing with the Best
Student soloists and choristers backed by Maestro Andrea Cupia and members of the Opera ViVa Orchestra showcased their talents in the Palestra on May 22. See a recording of the full performance and a photo gallery.
Not a Walk in the Park
As part of their ongoing quest to secure the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, seven High School students hiked five kilometers and climbed more than 1000 meters of vertical to Capanna Tomeo in Valle Maggia to complete their qualifying Adventurous Journey, an independent overnight trek with only remote adult supervision, on May 21–22.
Full Send
An intrepid group of seven High School students and two faculty chaperones ventured to Interlaken on May 21–22 to repel, jump, slide, and swing their way through a canyon as part of the TASIS Academic Travel Program.
Worthy Juniors
Each spring the TASIS High School Faculty selects three exceptional students from grade 11 to receive the prestigious Junior Awards. Congratulations to this year's deserving recipients: Helga Gradeci, Claudia Clarke Gosalvez, and Nitya Dalmia! Learn more.
The Bare Necessities
An all-star cast and crew of Elementary School students wrapped up the Spring Arts Festival with two outstanding performances of The Jungle Book KIDS in the Palmer Cultural Center on May 25–26. See more photos.
Seniors Give Back
Thank you to all the members of the Class of 2022 for their beautiful gift: a new wooden bench that has been placed near the MCF Library. Generations of future TASIS students will enjoy studying and spending time with friends in this picturesque location.
Prom at a Castle
Seniors enjoyed their prom at beautiful Castello di Morcote on May 26. The evening started with a lovely aperitivo in the cantina, and then students and faculty chaperones hiked up the hill to the castle to enjoy a fire-dancing performance, a delicious dinner, and some terrific programming organized by High School interns Marco Roccato and Vivienne Mafé. See more photos.
Time to Reflect
Seniors, their families, and the TASIS Faculty gathered in the Palestra on the evening of May 27 to enjoy a delicious meal and to hear six members of the Class of 2022 reflect on their time at TASIS. Watch the speeches and see a gallery of images.
Applause for the Class of 2022
TASIS honored the 102 members of the exceptional Class of 2022 with a beautiful Commencement Ceremony in the Palestra on the morning of May 28. Watch the full ceremony and see a gallery of images.
Reunited on Campus
More than 30 members of the Class of 2017 returned to campus on the evening of May 28 to celebrate their 5-year reunion. The close-knit class visited old campus haunts, reminisced with long-time friends, and enjoyed a fun evening in the Casa Fleming garden. Learn more.
University Day at TASIS
The TASIS College Counseling Office was honored to host admissions representatives from New York University, London School of Economics, University of St Andrews, and University of Leiden for a “University Day” on May 30 that consisted of a variety of informative programming—including an assembly, a moderated panel, breakout workshops, and a session led by young TASIS alumni—designed primarily for grade 11 students as they prepare to enter the most important stage of the college admissions process. The day ended with a parent-only meeting in which the visitors offered expert advice on a number of topics, including the importance of research in the university application process, the criteria they seek in applicants, and the link between careers and courses. Learn more.