ANTHONY RUSSO
“ The school motto has always spoken to me,” Coach Anthony Russo shared.“ Sports is about character, and the life lessons that we( Saint David’ s coaches) teach the boys always connects directly back to that foundation.”
Twenty-five years later, Russo reflects on his professional journey. After seeing a print ad in The New York Times for a part-time coaching position at Saint David’ s, he jumped at the opportunity.“ I knew that I loved working with kids. I interviewed with Pedro Morales at the 94th Street gym location, and the rest is history.”
Spanning three decades of success, Coach Russo is particularly proud of his accomplishments with the varsity soccer and varsity lacrosse programs.“ From Jorge Roman to Bernie Evangelista, I have coached with great friends and mentors. When I first started in 2001, my first assignment was a baseball team with Coach Roman; who had two rules for the boys: Be on time, and no excuses— and it was that mindset that set an accountability which I’ ve kept with all the teams that I have coached since.”
When asked about the camaraderie with the staff, Russo concluded that he’ s received more than he’ s given,“ All of these years later, it’ s the coaches and the boys who have done so much for me. When alums come back to campus, you can feel the strong bond because it was formed in the value of sportsmanship, and not just the result of the game. For them, I am forever grateful.”
ALEXIS AOYAMA
When asked what the best thing about Saint David’ s is, Mrs. Aoyama’ s response was true to form,“ The boys,” she proudly declared with a smile.“ Everything we do( at Saint David’ s) has always been, and will always be true to mission. We have always had a vibrant community, the close bonds of our parents and alums, past and present.”
These are elements that have been at the heart of the school long before she arrived at East 89th Street over 25 years ago.“ It was the year 2000,” Mrs. Aoyama shared.“ I had recently completed graduate school and a friend of mine Margaret Buonanno was teaching sixth grade, and referred me to the Upper School Head, Ms. Peavy.” When a fourth-grade teaching opportunity became available, the timing proved to be perfect.“ My official visit was the day after I ran the Boston marathon, and I can still recall doing a demo lesson with Four Pi.”
Mrs. Aoyama went on to become the Dean of Studies in 2008, Assistant Headmaster in 2015, and Head of the Upper School in 2018.“ Our program has grown and evolved- and that is a huge focus of my work,” she shared.“ Utilizing our Teaching for Understanding framework to leverage our program and connect with cultural, scientific, and artistic institutions allows for us to take advantage of our location and optimize the boys’ learning experiences.”
Spring 2026 • 31