RCDS Celebrates Graduates Inducted to the
PHI BETA KAPPA SOCIETY
The Rumson Country Day School celebrated the
achievements of its graduates inducted to the Phi
Beta Kappa Society. The nation’s most prestigious
honor society, PBK recognizes excellence in the arts
and sciences each year. To date, RCDS knows of more
than 60 alumni who have been selected for membership
and suspects that there are more.
Kathryn Clark, ’12, the most recent alumna
known to have received the honor, graduated from
The Peddie School and then Rhodes College magna
cum laude with a degree in art history. She was also
the recipient of the national Unsung Hero Award and
one of seven students inducted into the Rhodes Hall of
Fame – an honor based on individual merit, leadership
in student activities, service to others and overall contributions
to the campus community.
“RCDS taught me to think of challenges as opportunities,” Clark said.
“The rigorous yet supportive environment prepared me for so many things.
The school prepares well-rounded students who think about things in an
interdisciplinary way. This skill lends itself to others like multitasking and
Interested in what your house is worth,
call me for a free CMA.
Fran Cherchio
REALTOR®
c: 201-253-5757
O: 866-201-6210 ext 790
fcherchio@gmail.com
francine.cherchio@exprealty.com
18 APRIL 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
Kathryn Clark, RCDS class of 2021
adaptability – something that served me well heading into the workforce
six months ago amid the pandemic.”
Fellow RCDS alumnus and Phi Beta Kappa member Matthew
Haddad, ’97, agrees.
“I credit RCDS with everything, frankly,” Haddad said. “The environment
was both nurturing and demanding in a way that pushed
you to excel. My teachers inspired me to think beyond the narrow and
taught me to be dedicated regardless of what you’re doing. This set the
tone for my future.”
Haddad’s journey after RCDS took him to Christian Brothers Academy
and then on to Lafayette College, followed by Cornell Law School.
Now a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher in New York City, he recognizes
that his nine years at RCDS were instrumental in shaping his life
both professionally and personally.
“RCDS’s motto, ‘learn for life,’ and the four pillars – kind, honest,
responsible, respectful – they made us stronger,” he said. “I carry them
with me today.”
Haddad hopes to instill these values in his children, which is one
of the reasons he recently enrolled his daughter in RCDS’s Early Childhood
Education Program.
Families interested in enrolling their children are encouraged to
learn more at rcds.org.
Matthew Haddad, RCDS class of 97
/TheJournalNJ.com
/rcds.org
link
link