Friday Feature: New faces of Thayer

To get to know our new faculty and staff a little better, we asked them to answer a few questions about themselves. 

Today, we learn more about:

• Administrative Assistant (Advancement & Engagement Dept.) Nia Durant
• Upper School Math & Computer Science Faculty Ryan Caswell
• Director of Information Technology Kyle Spenser
• Middle School Counselor Sammy Kominiarek

Meet Nia Durant

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: Most seafood
Favorite book: A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French
Favorite movie: As Good as It Gets

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

Coretta Scott King

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

"Use what you got to make what you want."

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school?

It gets better after this.

What’s your idea of the perfect day?

If it includes a fair amount of coffee, amazing food, a long walk outdoors, and some quality time with someone or several people I really love, then it’s a pretty wonderful day.

Meet Ryan Caswell

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: My favorite food has to be wings, preferably lemon pepper.
Favorite book: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (the only book I have ever cried to).
Favorite movie: Apollo 13. I'm a big Tom Hanks fan!

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

It would have to be one of the founding fathers such as Benjamin Franklin, just so I can ask what they think of America today.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

Making a mistake and owning up to your mistakes is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and growth.

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school?

All of the experiences, good and bad, will mold you into the person you are today. Don’t fret on the bad experiences, but use them as a time to learn.

What’s your idea of the perfect day?

A perfect day is either hanging out with my son, Nathan, or out on the golf course!

Meet Sammy Kominiarek

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: I love shrimp tacos
Favorite book: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Favorite movie: Mamma Mia!

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

I would like to have dinner with Amelia Earhart.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” - Mary Oliver

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in middle school? 

In middle school, I wish I knew that it’s as important to be kind to yourself as it is to be kind to others.

What’s your idea of the perfect day? 

My perfect day involves blue skies and sunshine. I would make chocolate chip pancakes and fruit salad for breakfast, go hiking with my family and our dog, have my friends over for a home cooked meal, and eat ice cream sundaes for dessert.

Meet Kyle Spenser

Editor's note: Kyle officially joined Thayer midyear last year, but had not yet been featured. Welcome, Kyle!

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: It’s hard to pick one. Nachos, hot fudge sundaes, and a well crafted, meticulously created sandwich.
Favorite book: My favorite fiction book is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. My favorite non-fiction book is Here, There, and Everywhere… by Geoff Emmerich and Howard Massey.
Favorite movie: Again, impossible to choose because I LOVE movies. I had a mild obsession with Audrey Hepburn in my 20’s (didn’t everyone at some point?), and my dad was a pilot in the Navy, so as a kid I used to watch Top Gun probably once a month. I’m a Marvel and Star Wars fan, but my favorite thing is introducing my wife to classics that she’s never seen before. We recently watched The Graduate.

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

Jimmi Hendrix or Steve Jobs. It’s a coin-toss.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

No one remembers you for what you had, but they will alway remember what you gave them.

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school? 

If you’re certain about something, then follow through regardless of how people may try and steer you in different directions.

What’s your idea of the perfect day? 

Spending time with my family and dog. Maybe at the park, or enjoying an activity or sporting event. The weather would be ideal — no humidity and not too cold or too hot.