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32 | on the mountain winter/spring 2012
and experience in school leadership have
prepared me well to approach a new situ-
ation with tact and patience, while at the
same time ready to make changes once
the need for them is evident. Throughout
the exhaustive search process that led to
my appointment the Board seemed to
understand and support my leadership
style.
You’ve been a teacher, a dorm
parent, a coach, and a depart-
ment head (to name a few).
How do your experiences
in these past roles at other
schools shape your outlook on
the role of a Head of School?
I’ve been fortunate to work in so many
different roles over the years and those
experiences definitely impact my out-
look as a school head. First and fore-
most, they have helped me to maintain
a holistic perspective of the remarkably
complicated little worlds that boarding
schools are… the ways in which all of the
pieces fit together and how no individual,
group, event or situation can rightly be
taken out of its context within the larger
reality of the school.
Also, having served at several schools
— and having visited many compet-
ing schools over the years — allows me
a luxury of perspective. Even the best
schools cannot afford to operate in a
vacuum.
Finally, as a school leader, it’s impor-
tant to be connected to all of the day-to-
day realities of the educational process
as well as the business imperatives that
require so much attention. I’ve been
called a school head who likes to lead
“from the front.” I think my experiences
over the years — in the classroom, in the
dorm and on the playing field — help me
stay better connected to students, faculty
and staff.
What will you miss most
about the desert? What do
you look forward to the most
about the Mountain and the
Hudson Valley?
Well, the warm dry climate of the desert
is hard to beat, but having grown up
and lived for years in New England, I
have certainly missed the ocean and the
dense green forests so characteristic of
the Northeast. When we were on campus
in October, Dale and I toured the Black
Rock forest preserve and enjoyed it a great
deal. The campus shares the sense of dis-
covery we encountered there… intimate
spaces that unexpectedly open to dramatic
views. I find that a wonderful metaphor
for the educational process itself. We’re
also excited to be moving “within striking
distance” of New York City. The city’s
many cultural attractions are a major
draw for us. And last, but certainly not
least, we are so happy to be moving closer
to our daughter, son-in-law and grand-
daughter, whom we have not seen nearly
enough over the past years in Arizona.
Any chance of a Storm King
School Cycling team being
created for the 2012-2013
school year?
Too early to say… I’m an avid cyclist as
you know, and I’ve coached cycling teams
at most of the schools I’ve served over
the years. If there is adequate student
interest and if it fits within the scope of
the athletic program, then perhaps we
could look at it. But I expect that within
the first year of my headship my time will
be pretty well consumed by the demands
of the office. I’ve always found it impor-
tant to coach or teach while serving as
headmaster, to help me remain personally
in touch with student life. But this first
year will involve a whirlwind of planning,
travel and fundraising activities that are
sure to take me off campus and make a
steady coaching commitment difficult.
We’ll see what student interest looks like!
Paul Domingue,
continued from page 5
At SKS she has an opportunity to be
involved in sports and extracurricular
activities that she never would have had
back home. And involved she is! Katrina
has found a place for herself in almost
every available activity. She is an impres-
sive piano player and has performed at
every Parent Weekend and other concerts.
Last year, she started acting in the
school plays. A natural leader and
organizer, she is a member of the Stu-
dent Government, The National Honor
Society, the Judicial Board, the Blue Key
Club, community service programs, the
Prom Committee, is the Layout Manager
for
The Voice
magazine, has been a dorm
leader and is the Co-President of 2Xist —
SKS’ women’s club. Sharing her culture
with others, Katrina teaches a Chinese
Class and organizes Chinese New Year’s
events. She even finds time to play on the
volleyball and basketball teams.
Paula and Brian Ohl (parents of Cam-
eron ’13) have been Katrina’s guardians
for her three years at SKS. Katrina is like
a member of their family. “She is an intel-
ligent and thoughtful young woman,”
Paula said. “Katrina is inquisitive and
always seeking answers when approach-
ing any subject at hand. She is also very
skilled in organizing a group and is a nat-
ural leader who brings students together
to accomplish a goal or work on a project.
I can honestly say that Katrina has been a
wonderfully enriching experience for our
family. I have learned so much by being
the guardian of an international Chinese
student. I feel grateful to have been given
the opportunity to learn about this com-
plex and fascinating culture that couldn’t
be more different than ours!”
Katrina has applied to several colleges
including Boston University, Northeast-
ern and Penn State but hopes to attend
New York University to study business
accounting and management. She has
made so many friends amongst fellow
students and faculty and is looking for-
ward to keeping in touch with them after
she graduates.
Katrina W.,
continued from page 12