ONE HUNDRED

HARLEY STORIES

ONE HUNDRED

HARLEY STORIES

Claire Labrosa P ’29, ’31: My Harley Story

I first came to know The Harley School through the Horizons at Harley program, an academic enrichment initiative that creates joyful opportunities for learning for students from the city of Rochester who might not otherwise have access to our incredible campus. Watching Horizons students explore, create, and grow here showed me what happens when a community truly believes in the transformative power of education. The public purpose at the heart of both Harley and Horizons—the belief that learning should be joyful, inclusive, and rooted in curiosity ultimately led me to consider Harley as the right place for my own children.

When my son Leo first joined Harley’s Middle School, and later my daughter Silvia followed, I was reminded of the same spark I saw in those Horizons classrooms. My children have been challenged academically in ways that inspire them to think deeply, ask questions, and love learning for its own sake. Their teachers know them not just as students, but as whole people—guiding, supporting, and celebrating them in the most Harley way possible. That care and attention have helped my children not only succeed, but enjoy school, which feels like one of the greatest gifts a parent could hope for.

Beyond academics, Harley has given my children the freedom to explore every side of themselves. They’ve discovered new sports without the weight of competition, found confidence through creativity, and continued their artistic pursuits—like Leo joining Vocal Chords this year. Each day, I see them becoming more thoughtful, capable, and compassionate people. For me, that’s the true essence of a Harley education: a place where curiosity meets kindness, where learning feels like joy, and where children grow into their fullest selves.

Claire Labrosa 

Executive Director of Horizons at Harley 

VISIT THE 100 STORIES PAGE

VISIT THE 100 STORIES PAGE

VISIT THE 100 STORIES PAGE

More 100 Stories Blog Posts

Archives: Admissions Pieces  Yesterday and Today

Archives: Admissions Pieces Yesterday and Today

You never know what you might find when you dig into the Harley Archives! One recent discovery: meeting notes taken by Heather Hutton (English, 1982-87) from a "What It Means to Be a Harley Teacher" committee consisting of (from left to right above): Leah Watson P...

Ready for Adventure: Rachel Zinman ’84

Ready for Adventure: Rachel Zinman ’84

Rachel Zinman ’84 has built a life that weaves together movement, music, teaching, and deep inner inquiry—but the threads of that life were set in motion long before she became an internationally recognized yoga teacher, author, and musician. They began at Harley....

A Love of Learning: Laurie Miller ’66

A Love of Learning: Laurie Miller ’66

Laurie Miller ’66 didn’t experience Harley in the usual way. When she entered in Grade 5, she was already living a life most adults would find exhausting. While her classmates were just beginning their school days, Laurie had often already been awake for hours,...

Staying Relevant: Paul Mokdessi ’77

Staying Relevant: Paul Mokdessi ’77

When Paul Mokdessi ’77 thinks back on his time at Harley, what stands out isn’t just what he learned—it’s how he learned to think. Paul entered Harley in Grade 7 at just 11 years old, commuting each week from Warsaw, nearly 50 miles away. Mondays meant a drive to...

@Between Two Oaks:  YouTube Fun with Class of 2026

@Between Two Oaks: YouTube Fun with Class of 2026

Current seniors Liam Reader '26 and Hatcher Morrow '26 walked into Multimedia Journalism and they had an idea. From their teacher, Gabe Rivas (Digital Media, 2023-present): When these students enrolled in Multimedia Journalism, they had a specific vision: a...