Alumni Profiles & Words with Wildcats

"Coach Lawrence, just showed a confidence in me that made me think I could do whatever I really set my mind to."

In 2017, RCDS alumna Chiamaka Nwakeze '06 visited with students in all three divisions.

"I reflect on what I learned at Rye Country Day on a daily basis—I had incredible teachers and was part of a generous community that helped me grow."

"I came into high school extremely passionate about playing baseball in college, but to this day, I still thank Coach Lawrence for giving me the opportunity to play at RCDS, guiding me throughout the entire college process and really growing me into the player I became."

"I often find myself sharing stories about the RCDS teachers that influenced me ... RCDS has had a huge impact on my career and my life."

"My most memorable class had to be choir with Ms. Marcell. Her passion for music always inspired us to be the best that we could be for her."

"Leadership takes many different forms and makes use of many different strengths. I would say that in order to give back, try to understand both what you have to give and what you hope to gain from an experience so that that you can most help and be helped by the service you choose."

"It is RCDS that helped me recognize that after an extensive corporate career, I could reinvent myself and pursue a career in wellness teaching yoga."

"I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and the learning opportunities I had while at RCDS. There were certainly moments of doubt and frustration, but RCDS served as a platform for my academic career, and I truly don’t think I would be where I am today without the training and preparation that I received during my four years at RCDS."

"A big point of reflection for me is what it takes for students to become truly invested in their studies and their growth as learners. At my school, we know how important it is to instill that sense of intrinsic motivation among all of our students. I think back on my time at RCDS and try to pinpoint what shaped me into a student who was excited and driven to learn."

"First and foremost, I will always remember my friends and the bonds that we made over the years. The teachers, a few of whom are still there, were truly gifted and created an amazing environment for academic growth."

"[RCDS] taught me the importance of giving back to the community in some way—I specifically chose to give back to my country, but you don’t have to swear an oath to support and defend the constitution to make a difference in your own community, if that’s where you decide to give of your talents. Not for Self, but for Service is a great motto for RCDS to have because we are privileged to have attended such an institution, and using the gift of exceptional, private education to better the world around us is so important."

“The School taught me a valuable lesson on the importance of opportunity and shaped the way I look at the world.”