Alumni

Favorite Cornerstone memory: While it is impossible to choose just “one” memory as even though I was at Cornerstone for just two years, I accumulated a lot of wonderful experiences. However if I really have to pick just one, I would say one of my favorite memories is when we would have a “Mad Lib” break in Mrs. Rawlings’ class and we would go around the room and each contribute a noun, adjective, verb, etc. to make up a silly story. I remember each time the class would laugh hysterically as Mrs. Rawlings would read the story back to us with our suggestions, giving us all a fun-filled break.

How did Cornerstone prepare you for what you are doing today?: At Wheaton, I was an American History major. My passion for history was first “ignited” in the classroom of Mrs. Rawlings at Cornerstone as she would recount to us historical events, such as the Civil Rights Movement, that had me mesmerized. Learning about Ruby Bridges, sit-ins, Martin Luther King Jr., etc. instilled in me an intense interest for not only history as a whole, but specifically African American history. My interest in history has followed me through not only my academic career, but also my professional as I have completed internships at both the Lowell National Historical Park and Old Sturbridge Village. I credit Cornerstone for setting me and encouraging me on my academic paths.

Other comments?: I think incorporating alumni onto the website is a great idea Ms. McQuade. Something that would also be a great idea would be an alumni reunion!

Cara Liasson

Karen,

It has been a long time since Cameron attended Cornerstone for kindergarten and first grade, but I wanted to let you know that she is graduating from High School this year (in Allen, TX) and she has been a very successful student. Her GPA is a 4.4 and she will be attending William and Mary in the Fall. She has been in the National Honor Society since 8th grade and has become a wonderful writer and insanely good at calculus. I know that the start she had at your school made a huge difference in her success.  You gave her the foundation (or Cornerstone) she needed to become a motivated learner. I am so glad to see that Cornerstone is still going strong and that other children are getting that same advantage. Thank you for being such an integral part in educating our girl.

Sincerely,
Patti Staubs

I’m currently a sophomore studying journalism at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and I’m an editor with our student newspaper, The Daily Orange.

Cornerstone holds some great memories, especially Drop Everything And Read, and short stories that we wrote during holiday seasons.

Additionally, the teachers at Cornerstone were so encouraging. Even from such a young age, they helped foster the love of reading and writing that I’m now using as the foundation for my higher education and future career.

Casey Russell

Hi! I’m at Middlebury College studying political science and Chinese. I have so many memories of it so it’s hard to choose just one! I distinctly remember the village my class built out of branches behind the shed during recess, and how invested we all were in keeping it going for several years. I also loved and still have many of my research projects – an interactive model Viking boat as part of a Leif Eriksson paper, a decorated poster of Australia for our continents project, clay tapirs from an early rainforest unit. I just remember how every learning assignment turned into an opportunity to be creative.

-Rowen Price

This is my humble homage to Cornerstone for the wonderful 8 years I spent here:

Cornerstone, my home away from home,
My education it has so deeply honed.
Brimming with love, learning and glee,
It is so unique and truly special to me.

My memorable year with Mrs. McQuade,
Is a beacon of light that will never fade.
She is my mentor with a smile so bright,
Her cheer can light up my darkest night.

Then my love of learning grew even more,
With Mrs. McCormack, whom I so adore.
Her hugs and warmth surely make me smile,
She is a gentle hero with a nurturing style.

Miss Simoneau taught me prudence, patience.
She helped me mature, her love is contagious.
With core values of kindness and gratitude,
She lives in the moment with a great attitude.

Mrs. Short added fun and humor into my life.
She promotes excellence, for which I strive,
She propels me higher and her words inspire,
She is a shining star that I especially admire.

My love for Cornerstone runs very deep.
These dear memories I shall forever keep.
Que Sera, Sera, what the future holds for me
Certainly rooted in Cornerstone it will be.

Arianna Kamal
Currently Attends Milton Academy

Hi Mrs. McQuade!

I hope you’re well! I was in your kindergarten/ 1st grade class back in 1999-2001. I was reminiscing about Cornerstone with Brittany Rosenthal (also in the class with me) when I stumbled upon the website and ended up filling out the alumni form.

I’d like you to know that you have always been my favorite teacher. After I left Cornerstone to go to Hastings in 2nd grade, all my memories are sort of blurry, but I’ve always remembered your classroom so fondly and so well. Thank you for your love and guidance, and for telling me how impressed you were that I was sounding out flower even though I kept spelling it flour (I was so proud).

I attached a picture of my family at my sister Laura’s graduation a couple months ago for the alumni form! She only had you for a year in 1st grade, but remembers you well and is also a big fan of Cornerstone!

Best wishes,
Megan Zhang

Hi Mrs McQuade,

Hope you are doing well. So nice to connect with you.

The girls remember you and the Cornerstone Academy teachers very fondly. Nishka is a Senior this year and Aarushi a Sophomore in High School.
The fundamentals that Cornerstone Academy ingrained in them is carrying them forward most certainly.

Thank you sooo much.

Here are a few articles on Nishka that may make you smile.

• Westborough senior named National Merit Scholar
• Nishka Pant: Indian American High School girl one of six winners of the 2019 Bay State Games Future Leaders Scholarship
• Westborough Seniors Are National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists

Dear Mrs. McQuade,

I hope you are doing well! I recently graduated from Shrewsbury High School and I will be starting college in a couple of weeks. I will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study chemical engineering. I wanted to thank you for all that Cornerstone Academy has given me. I would not be the person I am today without the Cornerstone experience.

Sincerely,
Nidhi Ramesh

Hi Mrs McQuade,

Hope you all are staying safe in these unprecedented times.
You’d be happy to hear that Nishka is this year’s Westborough High School Valedictorian and headed to Brown University in Fall.
Thank you for the solid foundation that Cornerstone academy’s environment set for her. We are truly grateful.

Mandy Pant

Hi Mrs. McQuade!

It’s great to hear from you. I can’t believe it’s been 8 years since I graduated from Cornerstone!

I’m about to begin my second year at American University. I’m in the Politics, Policy & Law Scholars program, which is a combined 3 year BA/ 4 year MA program. I’m majoring in CLEG (communications, legal institutions, economics, & government). Aside from that, I just finished up an internship in Governor Baker’s Office of Boards and Commissions.

As for my favorite Cornerstone memory, I’d have to say it would either when you taught me how to ice skate in 1st grade or the yearly trips to the Wayside Inn. Hope all is well!

Best,

-Harsh Deshmukh
American University Class of 2019

Dear Karen,

I saw your article on “20 years” and I’m not sure why I couldn’t believe it was that long ago considering Jordan is 19. I am SURE he is going to want to fill out the alumni form because JUST the other day, a song came on the radio about being kind and helpful and Cornerstone made it’s way into the conversation!

He just finish Cadet Basic Training at the United States Military Academy-West Point and started classes yesterday. He did a Prep year at Cushing Academy after 4 years at Wachusett Regional and he loved Cushing!! He has always liked a strict schedule and being challenged and I truly believe that is from his few years at Cornerstone.

As I was reading your article, I thought about how much my mother would have LOVED to read about your success! She always loved you and Cornerstone (as you were remember she close-talked all of her FAVORITE people!!) 🙂

Thank you for being an extremely IMPORTANT part to Jordan’s success! I hope you like the picture! This was just from this past Saturday shortly after the “Long Gray Line” ceremony when he was accepted into the Corps of Cadets at West Point. 🙂

I hope you had a great summer and I will stop by if I am in the neighborhood!

-Krissy Teevens

Hi Karen!

I wanted to take the time to share my thoughts and give thanks for the wonderful impact Cornerstone Academy had on the lives of our three children. Danny, Mackenzie and our youngest Ashlyn all had the privilege of being a part of the Cornerstone community and although they all were not there the full seven years offered by the school, the benefits for each of them were countless.

Danny, now almost 24, graduated the Massachusetts Fire Academy in June of 2019. He worked incredibly hard and never gave up on his dream to help people through a life of service as a firefighter. He currently works for the Sherborn Fire Department as an on call firefighter and also works full time for his uncles excavation company and is gaining wonderful hands on experience there. For Danny, an individual who struggled with many learning disabilities, Cornerstone gave him the opportunities, attention and challenges he needed to grow as a learner but more importantly, to BELIEVE in himself as a learner. The confidence Cornerstone gave him, made him resilient and he never gave up on himself because of it.

Mackenzie, now a freshman at Norfolk County Agricultural High School, grew tremendously from her Cornerstone experience. The individual attention the school provided helped her to see that she was a capable learner and the openness of the teachers to challenge her in unique ways allowed her to develop strategies that helped her to improve her skills. To say she is thriving at the Aggie would be an understatement! The hands on nature of the education offered there is right up her alley and she loves all the animals she is able to work with. She loves school and that comes from a wonderful early experience.

Ashlyn is now a middle schooler in her first year at Christa McAuliffe Charter School and is also doing very well. She is a wonderful reader, takes her learning and the quality of her work seriously, and is adjusting well to the new challenges she finds in the community and academic environment of her middle school.

The unfailing commitment of Cornerstone teachers to provide each child with a wonderful and unique educational experience helped our children to grow into the people and learners they are today. More than that though, the community, the friendships, the support and the love they found at Cornerstone taught them that school is an amazing place to be. For that we are very grateful.

Jody and Joe Comley

Hi Mrs. McQuade,

This is Shreya Balaji, I graduated from Cornerstone in 2012. I am a junior (soon to be senior at the end of this week!) at the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI. I just wanted to thank you, first of all, for all that Cornerstone has done for me, in terms of building my character and giving me the strongest academic foundation.

I was wondering if I could come in and visit before the school closes for the summer, to catch up with you and also see the school. Please let me know if this is possible, I would love to come and thank you in person for all that Cornerstone has done for me.

Sincerely,
Shreya Balaji

Hi Mrs. McQuade!

I hope you’re doing well! I’m happy to hear that Cornerstone is celebrating 20 years!

My favorite experience at Cornerstone is when we made our own butter from heavy cream and ate it with muffins in Ms. Horrigan’s 2nd grade class!

After graduating from Mount Holyoke College Magna laude with a BA in Psychology and Business, I have started my own home-based business for desserts in Chennai, India. I love making mini cupcakes, brownies, and cookies!

Tanvi Shah

Favorite Cornerstone memory: So I was in Cornerstone academy from Kindergarten till 2nd grade and those were awesome school years! I remember playing cards (WAR) with everyone and always having fun while learning! I think my favourite memory at Cornerstone was making our own butter and eating it with muffins in class!

After Cornerstone what schools did you attend?: I am currently in Mount Holyoke College in Western Mass and am a Psychology major with a Business minor.

Hi Karen,

Hope you are doing well. We just dropped Rahul at Brown today as he begins his college adventure. I was going through his old pictures and wanted to let you know given that Cornerstone was a big part of his education.

Many thanks,
Ram & Priya