by Romy Ronen

In collaboration with USA Fencing, Dwight Global students and community members had the chance to ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell on August 19 in New York City. The event brought together members of the fencing community, including USA Fencing board members, Olympians, World Team fencers, and Dwight Global student-athletes.

For Dwight Global’s fencing students, the day was a chance to meet athletes they look up to and spend time with other members of the fencing community outside of the competition floor. Among those in attendance were Olympians and World Team fencers Maia Weintraub, Andrew Mackiewicz, Sharon Monplaisir, Elizabeth Tartakovsky, Anne Cebula, and Nzingha Prescod.

Dwight Global students Declan Hart-Syed ’28 and Ellis Bach ’32 attended the event. As competitive fencers themselves, meeting some of the country’s top athletes made the day even more meaningful.

For Ellis, the event was a memorable way to meet several of the Olympians he has followed throughout his fencing career. Outside of the sport, Ellis is also a creator behind Bach Bros Studio, his YouTube channel, where he creates and shares videos. Speaking with Olympic and World Team fencers allowed him to hear from athletes who have competed at the highest level of the sport.

“At first it definitely was shocking that the Olympic fencers were right in front of me, but I was really honored to be there myself,” Ellis said.

The celebration also highlighted the strong relationship between Dwight Global and USA Fencing. The partnership supports student-athletes as they pursue a rigorous education while continuing to train, travel, and compete at a high level. For fencers whose schedules often include tournaments, practices, and travel, a flexible academic environment can make balancing school and athletics much more manageable.

That flexibility has been valuable for Ellis as he manages his rigorous academic coursework alongside fencing and his work at Bach Bros Studio.

“I’m happy because I have a lot more time during the morning to work on my channel and fencing, and I think that time management is one of the best things about joining Dwight Global,” he said.

Declan has also made his mark as a competitive fencer. He fences with Tim Morehouse Fencing Club and has competed in major USA Fencing events, including the March 2026 North American Cup, where he earned a silver medal in Division II Men’s Foil. Balancing the demands of high-level fencing with his academics has allowed Declan to continue challenging himself both in the classroom and on the strip.

For Dwight Global’s fencing community, the day was more than just a chance to ring the bell. It brought together students, Olympians, coaches, and leaders in the sport while celebrating the dedication that connects them. For Ellis and Declan, it was also a reminder that being a student-athlete can extend far beyond the classroom and competition floor.

As Dwight Global continues its partnership with USA Fencing, events like the NASDAQ Closing Bell create memories for students while celebrating their dedication to both academics and athletics.

Learn more about Dwight Global’s partnership with USA Fencing.