Post on 13-Mar-2016
description
Summer Programs Office • 603-569-7155 • summer@brewsteracademy.org
EXPECT TO LEARN, EXPECT TO HAVE FUN
Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage
P A I DWht Riv Jct, VT
Permit #86
Parents of alumni:If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please e-mail us at alumninews@brewsteracademy.org with his or her new address.
Brewster AcAdemy
80 AcAdemy drive
wolfeBoro, NH 03894
CheCk OUT WhAT’S gOINg ON ThIS SUmmeR ON CAmPUS:www.bREwsTERACAdEmy.ORg/sUmmER
AND, RemembeR TO LIke US ON FACebOOk!
brewsterConnections Spring 2013
Brewster AcAdemy Summer Session
Daniel T. Mudge, Chair(Tapley-Ann ’98, Ashley ’02)
Arthur W. Coviello Jr., Vice Chair
Roy C. Ballentine, Treasurer(Brian ’97, Susan ’94)
Douglas H. Greeff, Secretary(Hilary ’11)
Ronn Bronzetti ’92
C. Richard CarlsonEstate Trustee
David L. Carlson ’54
Candace A. Crawshaw ’64
George J. Dohrmann III (George ’05, Geoffrey ’12)
Karen W. Fix(Will ’11, Keenan ’13)
Gabrielle “Bri” J. Gatta ’05President, Alumni Association
David E. Hadley(Olivia ’12, Juliet ’15)
Michael Keys (Matthew ’04)
Leslie N. H. MacLeod(Todd ’97)
Barbara Naramore (Maya ’16) Arthur O. RicciEstate Trustee
The Reverend Nancy Spencer SmithEstate Trustee
Steven R. Webster (Brooke ’08, Tori ’11)
Ex OfficioDr. Michael E. Cooper
Trustee Emeritus
P. Fred Gridley ’53 (Deborah ’81)
Brewster AcAdemy2012-2013
Board of Trustees
Photo in HDR by Steve Burgess, Brewster photographer instructor.
We’re waiting to hear from you – participation and your stories are what count!Join in by honoring the people who made a difference during your time at Brewster. To give online visit brewsteracademy.org/HonorYourMentor
Ms. Natalie M. AmantiMs. Jane Baker Ms. Barbara BarklowMr. Bret BarnettMr. Will BarnettMr. Lawrence P. “Larry” BartnickMs. Pam BishopMr. David Bolduc “Coach B”Mr. Eric Burns-WhiteMr. Matt ButcherMr. Andy CampbellMr. G. Cyrus CookMrs. Laura CooperMr. Paul CroteauMr. Stewart “Stu” Dunlop Mr. Charles EstyMr. Dick and Mrs. Anita FahyMrs. Mary FallonDr. Joyce Ferris Mrs. Maria FoundMr. Peter FriendMr. Fred GarnseyMs. Barbara Giroux Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Shadow GorrillMr. Chris Hafner ’00Ms. Beth Hayes ’81 Mr. BG Hodges ’62 Mr. Matt HoopesMs. Christine Howe-Cousar
Ms. Florence JaynesMrs. Jaime (Wehrung) Laurent Mr. Kevin LawlorMr. Bill Lee Ms. Julianne Lopez Mr. Kenneth A. MacIverMr. Peter MannMr. Byron and Mrs. Margaret Martin Mr. Edward Murphy Mr. Ronald and Mrs. Susan Nentwig Ms. Florence Jaynes “Ma” PageMr. Dave Pollini ’57 Mr. Bob and Mrs. Shirley Richardson Mr. Vincent D. RogersMr. Herbert E. Sargent Mr. David SmithMr. Rex SnyderMs. Barb ThomasMr. Herbert Tinker ’16 Ms. Kate TurnerMr. Burtis F. Vaughan Jr. Mr. Paul “Pop” WhalenMr. Dan Wyman Ms. Barbara (Lewando) Zulauf ’38 All the great staff that is still there from ’95Formal Dinners and the whole staff at BrewsterThe Entire Staff
… and growing.
BG Hodges really taught me
just a huge amount about
myself – about how to find one’s
creativity, about how to take just
kind of random everyday things
and turn them into brilliant,
creative works of art.
– Chris Hafner ’00
Mr. Sargent motivated me,
encouraged drafting over study
periods, and his motivation
resulted in essential grades
for a scholarship to UNH Civil
Engineering.
– Cecil Wentworth ’36
Dr. Ferris is the person I would like to honor this year. While many people at Brewster made an impact, she was the most influential! Dr. Ferris unconditionally cared about
each and every student at Brewster. No matter how many mistakes you made she made you feel like you were the only one that mattered! I had left for a year and Dr. Ferris
wrote me a note telling me that she would love to have me back. That was huge for me! She helped me grow as a person and taught me to view people for who they are!
– Hilary (Sherman) Hawkins ’91, P’14
Mr. and Mrs. Nentwig –
Thanks for everything!
– Alexander Pappas ’88
Burt Vaughan. He was
kind, always helpful –
ANYONE taking Latin
needed encouragement ...
– Lois Carey ’52
MOrE THAn 100 ALuMni HAvE HOnOrEd THE fOLLOWing MEnTOrS WiTH THEir gifTS TO BrEWSTEr.
Who will you add to the list?
Spring 2013
Inside
BrewsterConnections is published twice a year
and mailed to alumni, parents of students, and friends of
Brewster Academy80 Academy Drive
Wolfeboro, NH 03894www.brewsteracademy.org
©2013 Brewster Academy. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
BrewsterConnectionsHead of SchoolDr. Michael E. Cooper
Director of Admission and External AffairsLynne M. Palmer
Editor, Director of CommunicationsMarcia Eldredge
ContributorsBianca Barcelo ’13, Taylor Cantrall ’13, Dr. Michael Cooper, Marcia Eldredge, Matt Hoopes, Rachael Jeffers ’05, Matt Lawlor, Lynne Palmer, Bob Richardson, Shirley Richardson, Sally Smith, Danielle Tidd ’13
PhotographySteve Allen, Brewster Academy Archives, Steve Burgess, Andrea Cooper, Marcia Eldredge, Matthew Fassett, Beth Hayes ’81, BG Hodges ’66, Phil Stiles, Danielle Tidd ‘13
2 Head Lines The Value of Trying
4 In the Classroom When the curriculum meets the real world
6 Artist in Residence Topher Grace ’97 on the set of Bye Bye Birdie
8 Debate Team Delivers a Strong Argument Students hone their critical-thinking skills with topical issues
10 Bye Bye Birdie Teen love, angst, and a pop idol clash on the Brewster stage
12 Meeting Our Greatest Expectations Together Celebrating success, sustaining strength for the long term
14 Brewster Artists An exhibit of excellence
16 Living and Learning in Vietnam One student’s mid-year service project
24 A New Year, New Trustees Meet the newest members of the Brewster board
28 The Winni Classic Hockey enthusiasts return for winter fun
30 Hoopla: On the eve of their 25th reunion, alumni recall lessons learned as students
Cover DesignYuting “Sherry” Xie ’15 (Shanghai, China) created the pen and ink drawing in studio art class. The drawing won a Silver Key in the Scholastic Art Awards of New Hampshire program.
Departments 22 Newsmakers26 On the Road38 Class Notes43 In Memoriam44 Writing Brewster’s History
Page 4
Page 10
Page 28
2 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
The Value
of Trying
There are occasions during the year that I’m afforded time to reflect
on all that happens at Brewster Academy. Writing this Head Lines
column is one of those times. This time of reflection is always
telling and usually reveals to me just how much goes on in our
community every day. As you will see in these pages of Connections, there are a
number of opportunities in which students live, learn, and lead in all corners of
campus life, making for a vibrant and exciting school community.
Another place to watch what unfolds daily at the Academy is on our new social
mashup page. We recently gave this section of our website a facelift, and I
encourage you to visit: http://social.brewsteracademy.org/ I think that once
you visit it that you will agree much is happening.
The social mashup is a viewfinder into the Brewster experience, an experience
created from the intentional learning environment that we have created
and continue to evolve for our students. We know that when students make
real-world connections in their coursework that they find more value in their
assignments and classroom discussions. We know that the content skills students
learn and the mastery they achieve are as important as the critical thinking and
problem solving that happens while debating and discussing relevant topics.
In the following pages, students attest to these important components of our
curriculum as we take you inside the academic classrooms and share the talents
of our visual and performing artists.
While thinking about all the opportunities presented to our students in such
a vigorous education community, a reflection from Marie Garland ’88, who is
excited to return to campus in June to celebrate her 25th Reunion, resonated
with me. In this Connections’ Hoopla column, she writes: “At Brewster, we tried
something new or challenging and even if we came up short, we discovered that
there was value in the trying.”
When I think about the theatre students who, like Marie, might have stepped
out of their comfort zone to try out for a part or our athletes who recently tried
out for a spring sports team, while not all getting the part or making the team
to which they aspired likely found great value in their trying. Often we find the
greatest sense of accomplishment from those things at which we had to work
the hardest.
It is one of our goals to sustain that will and enthusiasm to try something new
or previously unobtainable and to do so in a nurturing environment that allows
for that stretching of oneself. Our 25-year alumni recall such moments, some of
which they say shaped their lives or directed their personal or professional paths,
and as educators, how rewarding to see that happen and to be a part of it.
3www.brewsteracademy.org
Dr. Michael E. Cooper, Head of School
The Value
of Trying
MovinG Forward
I’m pleased to report that major renovations to the Estabrook
dining hall are underway as I write this Head Lines. In addition to
the enhanced aesthetics that will make the dining hall a brighter
and cozier place to enjoy meals, students will also appreciate the
renovation of the servery that will reduce the amount of time they
wait in line for lunch, giving them a few extra minutes to relax with
friends before heading off to their next class. With this renovation
scheduled for completion by graduation, our main capital focus
turns to the renovation of Anderson Hall to create a more modern
and permanent home for our performing arts program. I hope you
will take the time to read about this endeavor on page 12.
We hope our parents, alumni, and friends will make plans to join us
on campus April 26 and 27 for our Spring Student Showcase (see
page 7). This two-day “showcase” is just that, a showing of students
and student work in action through visual and performing arts and
sports contests. Additionally, we have reserved May 8 as a special
day for our grandparents to share the Brewster experience with
their grandchildren (invites will be mailed to grandparents).
Also, please take the time to get to know three of our newest
trustees (page 24), who officially joined the board in January. We
are privileged to have them serving on the Academy’s board of
trustees.
As is generally the case this time of year we begin to think anew
as we transition from winter to spring. Our renewal sustains us
for the remainder of the year and gives us focus as we complete
another academic journey leading to graduation. We hope that you
will find the same kind of inspiration in these pages that keeps us
energized and motivated in preparing students for their next phase
of education. We enjoy sharing that joy and look forward to hearing
your stories about how Brewster inspired you and who it was that
helped to provide that spark.
For the School,
Brewster Academy is pleased to announce that James C. Curvey will be the 2013 commencement speaker. Curvey is vice chairman at Fidelty Investments, one of the world’s largest financial
services companies. In 1999 Business Week magazine named him one of
the top 25 managers of the year. He holds a bachelor of science degree
from Villanova University and a master of arts from George Washington
University, and in 1999 received an honorary doctor degree from
Villanova.
The Curvey family has a longstanding commitment to supporting
education. In 1999, Curvey established a scholarship program at his alma
mater Villanova University, which provides scholarships to students from
Curvey’s hometown of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. The program has
twice been expanded and now includes four scholarships annually to
Villanova-bound students from five high schools in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania.
In 2008 he and his wife Shirley donated more than 11 acres of lakefront
property in nearby Alton to Brewster Academy. With the donation, it
was the Curvey family’s desire to create scholarships so that more local
students would have the opportunity to attend Brewster. Thus, the Curvey
Scholar program was established and this year the first three Curvey
Scholars will graduate with the Class of 2013.
2013 CommenCement Speaker
4 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Providing students opportunities to think critically and problem solve creatively while connecting these thought processes to real world relevancy is a hallmark of the Brewster program. Here we
highlight the excitement and engagement that students are bringing to the learning process through three course topics: economics, history, and English.
openinG BellCatherine LeBoeuf ’13 (Dieppe, New Brunswick) has five minutes before economics class starts each day to check her stocks and make a trade. She is one of 93 students, or 26 percent of the student body, vying for the top trading spot.
“The kids love to check their stocks,” she said. “It’s a game but the stocks are real. It’s a real competition,” LeBoeuf said. “We have learned how to read stock charts and how a stockholder is part of a company and it makes you feel valued, as if you are really part of something.” She’s referring to Brewster’s stock market game.
“I didn’t know anything about the stock market until this year and now I know how it works and how to make money,” she said. Then she went on to explain how “the market” works at Brewster, “Mr. [Michael] Jacobs gives students $100,000, and we can borrow up to $100,000.” Although LeBoeuf is enrolled in economics, the competition is open to any student in any grade.
“In a module on supply and demand we talked about the current situation in the U.S and how the stock market affects it. Trading is an important part of everyone’s life even if you don’t hold any stocks. When the election was happening, we looked at the election from the perspective of how an economist would fix the debt problem and how politicians can’t do that because they have to raise taxes and no one wants to raise taxes.”
“Economics is a really popular class because it is fun and interesting and it keeps you up to date with everything,” she shared. “I think a lot of kids are putting a lot of effort into it.”
Jacobs likens the competition to fantasy sports but on the trading floor rather than in the sports arena. “It gives students the opportunity to learn about something independently. I show them the basics of stocks and bonds and then I just let them go.
“For a couple of weeks, the focus of class was understanding what it means to buy and sell stocks, to short and cover stocks, and the ideas of risk and risk tolerance. Now we have moved on to a new module, but the stock market game is always there in the background. I love it
In the ClaSSroomWhen the Curriculum Meets the Real World
By Marcia Eldredge
because some students get so involved. They spend a lot of time learning about companies and following current events because they want to do well in the game. There are a lot of students involved in the game that I don’t even teach. The game is such a great learning tool because it gives students an incentive to talk about the market.”
leBoeuf’s advice on Choosing Stocks
“You have to look at a company that has potential. I first invested in RIM (Research In Motion, the makers of the BlackBerry), but I’ve read it’s not going to do well so I sold my stock. “My advice is to do your research because you can gain or lose quickly,” LeBoeuf said.
“Find something you enjoy. I picked Tim Hortons because you can’t go wrong because everyone drinks coffee. I watched the news; researched the companies; spoke with my dad; looked at the #1 spot, and then invested.”
Among her stocks: Amazon, Apple, ebay, Google, Green Mountain Coffee, Halliburton Tim Hortons, and UPS. On the day we spoke in January, she was up $5,000 with Green Mountain Coffee but down $2,000 with Apple.
LeBoeuf’s highest position held in the stock market competition has been six. According to her, the same Bobcat traders have held the top 10 spots for some time.
At press time, Alex Hall ’13 (Durham, North Carolina) was in first place having grown his $100,000 into $295,527 with a well-timed investment in Netflix.
“Two years ago, Greg Devonshire ’11 won the game. On day one of the game, he put all $100,000 into lululemon. The stock went up, and he never looked back,” Jacobs said. “Last year’s winner
was Sam Blodgett ’12. He turned his $100,000 into $1,000,000. He made 30-40 transactions each week. He seemed to have a preternatural sense of financial timing.”
“Overall, the game generates a lot of excitement. It starts conversations. It connects people to each other. It gives some students an excuse to learn on their own,” Jacobs said.
“We have learned how to read stock charts and how a stockholder is part of a company and it makes you feel valued, as if you are really part of something.”
LeBoeuf agrees. “It’s more of a thinking class than a lecture class because you learn more because you figure it out yourself. Now that I know how the stock market works, I will keep watching it and gain more knowledge and once I get an income, I will hopefully know where to invest my money.”
Gun Control in the united StateSIt was by chance that T.J. Palmer’s U.S. History class was scheduled to begin debating gun control days after the shootings in Newtown,
5www.brewsteracademy.org
Connecticut. Palmer used the tragic event to engage his students in discussions around the ongoing national debate on gun control.
“When a class studies relevant, real-world events it typically generates more interest and enthusiasm in the classroom because I can reference examples on television, in the movies, events ‘in their world’ that they can connect the information to in order to make it real,” Palmer explained. “Most recently, we had finished a module on gun control and then the school shooting in Connecticut occurred and that was all the students wanted to talk about. They all had a real reference point and were quickly able to articulate informed opinions about the subject.”
Shannon Godin ’14 (Pembroke, Ontario) described the format of these classes.
“First students chose whether they were pro- or anti-gun control. We were encouraged to take the opposite opinion of what we really believed because Mr. P said we would learn more this way. I did a lot of the research on the web and since Mr. P is all about having credible sources, we have to make sure our sources hold up. In the world we live in today there is a ton of violence so there is a lot of information out there on this issue. It wasn’t hard to find.” She researched current laws in the United States and other countries, access to guns, mental health issues and gun owners, and past shootings.
After the students had prepared their arguments, they paired up with a classmate who had an opposing opinion. Sitting across from one another, they had a limited amount of time to argue their case. Their partner then had 30 seconds to prepare his or her rebuttal and then argue their point. This went on for a few days.
“A lot of success in debate is knowing what the opponent is going to say and countering that,” Godin explained. “In an argument I think there are aspects you will agree on with the other side. But I was never truly persuaded. I would faintly agree with them and think ‘that was a good point so how can I counter that?’”
Although Godin is not of voting age yet, researching information and statistics on this very real issue helped prepare her to formulate a mature opinion, she says.
the world CaFe
Students in Al Simoes’ Contemporary American Literature and Critical Analysis class explore the question: What does American literature tell us about who Americans are as a people? Simoes has offered his 11th grade students a unique way to explore this question through one of their readings, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
For two days at the end of winter trimester, the Bobcat Den was transformed into a 1920s jazz-age café, offering students a setting away from the classroom to “express their ideas and opinions thereby creating a collective intelligence through shared, insightful, and meaningful conversations,” Simoes said.
the Café discussion
Each table is adorned in tablecloths and lamps reminiscent of 1920s café décor. Plates of sweets are placed at each table, beverages are available, and jazz softly streams out of Simoes’ vintage portable turntable. Each table appoints a host who remains at the table throughout the conversations and who serves as facilitator and recorder of conversations. The host reveals the prompt or question to be examined, discussed, and explored. Conversations begin to flow naturally; ideas emerge. After about 10 minutes, students move to another table (they may not join a table with members from their previous group).
Five rounds of table shuffling occur so that all students have the opportunity to discuss the open-ended questions at each table. One prompt that students explored:
Early in the novel, Nick says of Gatsby that he “turned out all right at the end.” Later, however, after he tells Gatsby “You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together” he abruptly calls this “the only compliment I ever gave him because I disapproved of him from beginning to end.” What does this curiously ambivalent admiration for Gatsby tell us about Nick, and especially about his relation to Gatsby’s “incorruptible dream?”
“Café patrons” were attentive, engaged, and contributed to the conversations. Beyond the café, students complete an evaluative or analytical thesis from one of the questions they explored.
“Thank you all for contributing to the ‘greater good’ over the past two days and providing ‘Scotty’ with his due respect. We are now ready to express what we have learned on paper in true literary style when next we meet,” Simoes concluded.
“The jazz-age café was a fantastic chance to dive into the theme and symbol-filled Great Gatsby in a relaxing environment which immersed us into the 1920s … the unique 1920s ambiance and the in-depth selection of questions made the jazz-age cafe both fun and rewarding,” said Jack Sengstacken ’14 (Hollis, New Hampshire).
“Bonne chance et, au revoir.”
Al Simoes discusses The Great Gatsby with English students at the Jazz Café.
6 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
For a week in January, the cast of Bye Bye Birdie welcomed a special guest to the stage. Actor Topher Grace ’97 returned to campus
as an Artist in Residence to offer his acting expertise to the cast and to attend performing arts courses to share his insights with students.
In acting class, the students learned about the process of working in film and television, both in front of and behind the camera, said drama instructor Guinevere Boston. “The students asked great questions and really took the opportunity to listen and get to know Topher, and share with him some of what they have done in acting.”
With Grace’s guidance, film class students began sketching a script for the short film they produced for the introduction to Bye Bye Birdie (See page 10.) Topher encouraged the students to throw out ideas and helped them to generate enough ideas to start a script. The next day Topher spent the morning working with a group of acting students, including Will Foote ’13 (who played Conrad Birdie), filming scenes for the opening video sequence of the production.
Topher also spoke to film appreciation class about the process of making movies and about his time at Brewster.
Bye Bye Birdie
“The first rehearsal [with Topher] was a blast.” Boston said. “We focused on a pivotal ensemble number. Again, we worked as a group to generate ideas and then we got up on our feet and got to work. The students were full of enthusiasm and energy, and we had really fun and exciting results.”
“He’s awesome,” said Foote. “The first day we just sat on stage and he pounded out so many suggestions. He doesn’t just go with the script. He gets really creative.”
“On the final day with Topher on the set, he spent the rehearsal with the cast working on a big ensemble piece, working on a few smaller scenes with some principals, and running through one of the large chorus numbers,” Boston explained. “I think that the students in drama were inspired by having someone who has achieved success in the entertainment industry take time to give attention to the play and to a film project,” she said.
“Working with Topher Grace gave me an opportunity to work hands on with someone who has found success in acting,” said Bryce Shipman ’15, who
artISt In reSIdenCe: topher GraCe ’97
played Albert in Bye Bye Birdie. “His best advice to me was that if I wanted to be successful in this field, I should play a part the way I want to play it, not the way others feel I should. When you work with someone as successful and intelligent as Topher Grace, it makes you bring your ‘A game.’”
“Topher was really invested in working with the students in a hands-on way and paid a lot of attention to their ideas and creative input. The students were really able to interact with him and create with him, and I think that this helped validate their hard work and creativity. He did a great job listening to them and getting them involved, and they did a great job ‘showing up’ – they stayed focused, open, thoughtful, and playful,” Boston said.
She also noted, “I think that it meant a lot to the whole student body to hear about how important his time at BA was. He made a point of stressing to them that this time in their lives is the time to try new things; that they should pursue the passions they have and discover new ones.”
For those who haven’t seen Topher on the big screen, plan to catch him in April when The Big Wedding opens, a comedy romance featuring an ensemble cast. He also appears in what’s been called an “anti-romantic comedy” A Many Splintered Thing (no release date yet).
The cast and crew of Bye Bye Birdie with Artist in Residence Topher Grace ’97
“His best advice to me was that if I wanted
to be successful in this field, I should play a
part the way I want to play it, not the way
others feel I should. When you work with
someone as successful and intelligent as
Topher Grace, it makes you bring your ‘A
game,’” said Bryce Shipman ‘15
GraCe’S aCtinG CreditSTelevision: That ‘70s Show
Film: Traffic, Spider-Man 3, Valentine’s Day, Take Me Home TonightStage: Lonely, I’m Not
PARENTS: Join Us April 26-27SprinG Student ShowCaSe
Return to campus and join us for two days of student
excellence including visual and performing arts, academic team
presentations, and athletic contests. Enjoy the many and diverse
talents of Brewster students while spending time with your
student on campus. Friday night features performing arts in
Anderson Hall. Saturday night features lacrosse games under the
lights on the new turf of Brown Field with a grand opening field
dedication between games. For details and to let us know you’re
coming, visit: brewsteracademy.org/Schoolevents
edItInG WIth GraCeBy Bianca Barcelo ’13
I spent around three hours editing the opening movie for Bye Bye Birdie with Mr. Campbell, Ms. Boston, and Topher Grace ’97 in Mr. Hodges’ room. The premise of the video was a newscast, starring the one and only Mr. Campbell as the news anchor. He reports on rock and roll star Conrad Birdie’s (Will Foote ’13) impending draft into the Army. The video comprises a series of Saturday Night Live-esque clips revolving around Birdie.
After the raw footage was shot, we spent an hour reviewing all of the clips and trimming it down. Topher took charge of the spacebar for fine-tuning, while I pressed the buttons to trim the clips. Topher taught me some new tricks on the editing software as well. We then spent a while looking for background music for each clip. Mr. Campbell and Topher then recorded a voiceover to use with one of the sketches. After we had made a rough cut of the video, we watched it to see if we could make any more improvements. We did this two more times before agreeing on the final product.
Topher was fun to work with and had really great ideas that I hope everyone enjoyed at the play. Through this experience, I learned from Topher that editing is an integral part of making a video, and that, sometimes, good editing is all you need to get some laughs.
Topher Grace ’97, Guinevere Boston, and Andy Campbell.
Topher Grace ’97 coaches Zoe Lindgren ’13 and Will Foote ’13.
Cast members of Bye Bye Birdie rehearse a scene.
7www.brewsteracademy.org
8 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
The 2012 presidential candidates were not the only ones honing their debate skills this fall. Throughout the fall and winter, 15 members of the Brewster debate class were busy studying current
issues involving constitutional due process, universal health care, the criminal justice system, and human rights abuses.
While not running for office, at least not yet, there is no shortage of political issues to debate and resolve for Brewster debaters. The debate team offers a platform for students to become informed on topical issues playing out nationally while learning public speaking, presentation, and recitation skills.
Brewster’s debate team is a member of the Massachusetts Forensic League (MFL)/Massachusetts Speech and Debate League, as New Hampshire has no equivalent state level organization. Brewster debaters also are members of the National Forensic League (NFL).
Bob Simoneau, French teacher and former business manager, has assisted the debate team on and off since the late 1980s (some years Brewster did not have a debate team). He became the coach and advisor in 2011.
As the advisor, he teaches different debate formats, such as Lincoln-Douglas (LD), Policy, and Congress, as well as the various speech venues supported and offered by both the MFL and the NFL to help prepare students for debates. Additionally, Simoneau maintains the NFL/MFL scores of wins and loses and determines if any of his debaters have earned extra points for speeches given at their school or in the greater community.
BreWSter deBaterS reSolve to delIver a StronG arGumentDebate offers platform to explore relevant ideas, think critically, and voice opinions
By Marcia Eldredge
“The biggest challenge for students is learning to analyze the resolution, preparing constructs in both the affirmative and negative, and learning how a value debate like Lincoln-Douglas is mechanically run,” he explained. “I teach constructs, values, value criterion/standards, contentions, warrant/proofs, cards, and summations as well as how to successfully argue in a competition.
“Students do not know until about five minutes before a debate if they are going to argue in LD the affirmative or negative of a specific resolution,” he added.
Students typically participate in three NFL/MFL sanctioned events in the fall and three in the winter. If they qualify to attend the state championships in March, they could then go on to qualify for the national competition in June.
topiCS
During the first half of winter trimester, novices and new members of the team prepared constructs and argued the resolution: “The United States ought to guarantee universal health care for its citizens.” Varsity members assisted novices to prepare affirmative and negative constructs and learn the stylized order of the Lincoln-Douglas format. Teams debated against each other to gain experience with the varsity members judging.
During the second half of the winter trimester, three novice and four varsity members of the team traveled to Lexington High School in Massachusetts to argue the January-February resolution: “Rehabilitation
Brewster Debaters • Front row l-r: Will Tamposi ’14, Baldur Dagbjartsson ’14, and Taylor Cantrall ’13 • Back row l-r: Bianca Barcelo ’13, Bob Simoneau, Elston Bell ’14, Monica Metcalf ’13, Tabitha Barr ’15, Madalyn Grutzius ’14, Kai Armstrong ’14, Dan Lyons ’14, Niklas Kraft ’15, Keenan Fix ’13 • Not pictured: Nicole Levesque ’15, Haoran Li ’16, and Ashleigh Wirtz ’15
9www.brewsteracademy.org
A debater can log anywhere from
two hours to two days on a single
case, depending on how extensive
the arguments behind the topic are
and how committed the debater is.
ought to be valued above retribution in the United States criminal justice system.”
In February the team traveled to Harvard University to compete in speech events and Lincoln-Douglas debates at the 39th Annual Harvard National Invitational Forensics Tournament. If their schedules allow, students were considering entering the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League State Tournament in early spring.
Following, debate team president Taylor Cantrall ’13 (New Durham, New Hampshire) offers a glimpse of what it’s like to prepare for and attend a debate.
My sophomore year at Brewster, I became aware of the debate class. I was intrigued and decided to attend one of the meetings, which are held on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. When I arrived there were only four members and six new recruits, including myself. I don’t know what I was expecting, kids expressing their opinions or maybe a chance to learn a little more about current events. What I found was an outlet for intellectual discussion fostered by the structure of Lincoln-Douglas debate, which is a morality-based debate format where two opponents must represent either the affirmative or the negative side of a resolve statement.
To prepare for a debate, we are given a topic with a resolution that is the same resolution used by debaters nationwide. In the weeks leading up to a debate trip, a debater must prepare both an affirmative and a negative case. The topic is researched, members of the team toss around pros and cons to both sides, and arguments are written with sufficient statistical, factual, and analytical proof. A debater can log anywhere from two hours to two days on a single case, depending on how extensive the arguments behind the topic are and how committed the debater is. I usually spend about 10 hours preparing for a debate trip. In order to make the time commitment involved in case writing manageable, debaters at BA are given class time to work on cases, as well as plenty of notice so that we can squeeze in those extra 20 minutes of case writing in between sports and homework.
Then it’s time for the debate trip, and a host of Brewster students pile into a Microbird bus while sporting our dress code finest to fulfill the
formal attire expected at a debate. One thing about debate at Brewster
that I’ve always found very interesting is that it brings together an eclectic
group of students. Kids from all corners of the school – lacrosse players,
actors, crewbies – have found their way into the twice-weekly meetings
and stayed, not because it was the thing all their friends were doing, but
because they knew they had opinions that they wanted to explore and
share.
Debate tournaments are usually hosted in public high schools. Once
arriving at our destination, Brewster debaters grab our backpacks and
follow the throng of kids into an auditorium or cafeteria where we
will set up our stuff to reread our cases or prepare a flow, which is the
paper used to take notes throughout the debate round. Then the round
scheduling is released, almost always a few minutes after the time the
round was actually scheduled for, so debaters rush off to their classroom
while trying desperately to remember room numbers and navigate
unfamiliar hallways. The quiet of the room where the debate takes place
is in stark contrast to the noise and mayhem outside. The actual debate
involves two opponents, a judge, and any additional spectators, such as
new debaters who want to observe a round. A debate usually lasts about
45 minutes, during which each opponent is allotted a specific amount of
time to present and defend their case, as well as refute their opponent’s.
The judge decides who wins based on a large spectrum of factors such as
what arguments were dropped, who had the sounder logic, or more proof,
and who did the best job speaking, just to
name a few. Once the judge has completed
the ballots, we return to our corner of the
auditorium to report a win or a loss, and
await the next round. After a debate trip,
our brains are inevitably tired, but there is a
satisfying feeling of having been able to voice
the arguments that have been bottled up
inside of us in the previous weeks.
This wonderful program continues to grow at Brewster. Today, debate
is no longer just a club but an academic elective that provides the
opportunity to learn not only Lincoln-Douglas, but also any form of
speech or debate. There are currently 15 members of the debate and
speech team. We participate in many events ranging from dramatic
interpretation to radio broadcasting to good old Lincoln-Douglas. Yet,
the purpose of debate at Brewster remains the same, it provides the
opportunity for us to research real-world issues and explore relevant
ideas, as we learn how to think critically and to voice our opinions.
Grandparents: Save the Date • GrandparentS’ day, May 8
Spend a memorable day with your grandchild at Brewster. Visit a class, take a tour, enjoy lunch, and attend afternoon sports events.
Look for an invitation in the mail, or RSVP to: Sally Smith, special events and programs coordinator603-569-7470 • sally_smith@brewsteracademy.org
10 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Bye Bye BIrdIe“Bye Bye Birdie is a perfect show for teenagers. It touches on teen angst, pop idols, clashing with authority figures and parents, and most importantly, teen love,” said Guinevere Boston, Brewster’s drama instructor. “It was a great choice for our community because of its relevance to many topics to which they can relate. It was also very different from the musicals we have done recently; it was more modern in its music, dance, and dialogue, which was really fun for all of us.”
Birdie and Kim MacAfee (Taylor Cantrall) on The Ed Sullivan Show for “One Last Kiss.”
“Hymn for a Sunday Evening (Ed Sullivan)”
Albert sings “Put on a Happy Face” to One Girl (Tabitha Barr) who is sad because she thinks she will be too old for Conrad when he gets out of the Army.
Fans are devastated that rock star Conrad Birdie has been drafted into the Army.
Agent and songwriter Albert Peterson (Bryce Shipman) and secretary and girlfriend Rosie Alvarez (Shira Braiterma) plan a publicity stunt for Conrad Birdie’s impending departure for the Army.
11www.brewsteracademy.org
Excited fans follow Conrad Birdie (Will Foote) around Sweet Apple, Ohio.
After Kim runs away, her father Mr. MacAfee (Mr. Peter Moses) leads a chorus of “Kids,” lamenting on how disobedient kids are.
Birdie is not popular among the town’s parents but drives the teenage girls crazy. In an attempt to break up Albert and Rosie, Birdie’s overbearing mother (Zoe Lindgren) brings him a new secretary (Ms. Jen Smith).
Conrad Birdie is a guest in the McAfee home.
CaSt and Crew: Albert, Bryce Shipman; Rose, Shira Braiterman; Conrad
Birdie, Will Foote; Mr. MacAfee, Peter Moses; Mrs. MacAfee, Maria Found;
Randolph MacAfee, John Campbell; Kim MacAfee, Taylor Cantrall; Hugo,
Sam Scott; Ursula, Monica Metcalf; Deborah Sue, Kati Wilcox; Margie, Alexis
Felt; Alice, Jasmine Towns; Harvey Johnson, Kyzer Gardiola; Helen, Bianca
Barcelo; Nancy, Leana Giron; Penelope, Sarah Nichols; Suzie, Sydney Baker;
Freddie, Mayor, Policeman, Hans Kuno; Karl, Daniel de Beer; One Girl, Tabitha
Barr; Bobby, First Reporter, Robbie Enos; Mrs. Peterson, Zoe Lindgren; Gloria
Rasputin, Jen Smith; Charles F. Maude, Conrad’s Guitar Man, Traveler, Jake
Anderson; Mayor’s Wife, Grace Cawley; Mr. Johnson, Train Man, Chris Carlson;
Second Reporter, James Cook; Third Reporter, John Quirk; Mrs. Merkle, Lauren
Hunter; Drum Majorettes, Maria Found, Lauren Hunter, Anya Found; Crew,
Meredith Alden, Jeremy Hess, Katherine Lintermann
“I was really impressed by this year’s play! Brewster always
puts on great performances but I think this year was
especially well put together. I was really surprised by
Bryce’s voice too – I had no idea he could sing! ”
– Kat Truelson ’13
12 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
In August 2011, the Brewster Academy Board of Trustees launched the first phase of a campaign to address the Academy’s greatest needs, focusing on growing a healthy Annual Fund, investing in creativity
through a focus on the arts, and enhancing Brewster’s leadership athletic programs. “The focus in these three areas,” according to Head of School Dr. Michael E. Cooper “puts the emphasis on aspects of the Brewster experience we believe will have the most impact on how we continue to meet our expectations and the expectations of others. To fulfill those great expectations requires investment and commitment.”
As we celebrate our successes over the past few years and work toward the completion of this first $5 million phase, I sat down with Director of Advancement Kristy Kerin to discuss campaign priorities and how these projects help ensure the Academy’s relevance and ability to approach personalized education for 21st century learners.
where we’ve Been – CeleBratinG SuCCeSSeS!
The Brewster community has come together in remarkable ways collectively making important investments in the Academy. “In the past two years we have more than doubled alumni participation while raising more than $1 million for the Annual Fund, which supports everything from daily operations to financial aid for deserving students from around the country. A healthy Annual Fund means a healthy school – and Brewster certainly has reason to celebrate,” Kerin said.
The campus also has undergone the first phase of a wireless conversion, allowing students and teachers to make use of technology in new ways. As this initiative continues, teachers will no doubt continue in
WorkInG toGether to meet our GreateSt expeCtatIonS By Rachael Jeffers ’05
the tradition of innovation – finding new and engaging ways to utilize technology in the 21st century classroom.
Finally, in just under one year, dedicated supporters of Brewster’s leadership athletics program helped to raise $1.2 million for an outdoor turf field. Kerin lit up when talking about the new facility: “This newest addition to the Brewster campus is sure to become a hub of activity as the community gathers to cheer on Bobcat athletes in the spring and fall seasons. We have accomplished so much together and propelled by this progress, are looking toward the future with a sense of strength in our community.”
where are we GoinG?
“On an ongoing basis, the Academy is engaged in a thought-provoking process of strategic planning, examining trends in education and Brewster’s role as a leader in secondary education,” Kerin said. “It is evident that our relevance to students and families is directly linked to our ability to deliver a personalized education that prepares students for life in a global society.
“The Annual Fund will continue to play a major role so that we can be responsive to student, faculty, and community needs.” Kerin cited some of those needs as programmatic investments, dormitory upgrades, wireless conversions in all campus buildings, and financial aid support.
In addition, Kerin noted, “Brewster will continue to invest in its facilities to ensure students have every opportunity to explore their interests and talents. This year, Brewster’s main capital focus is the renovation of Anderson Hall to create a true home for the performing arts that provides our talented students and dedicated arts faculty the resources and space they need to thrive.”
how Can we SuStain BrewSter’S StrenGth For the lonG terM?
“We know that being our best means staying true to our core values
phaSe one Goal = $5 Million
Two-year Annual Fund Goal: $1.9 million (over half way complete)
Anderson Hall Renovation: $2 million
Outdoor Turf Field: $1.2 million Complete!
13www.brewsteracademy.org
by providing a student-centered, personalized education based on the Brewster Principle of respect, integrity, and service. Simply put, we know that we need to continue to invest in the very best people who take these values to heart,” Kerin said.
“Being our best also means being innovative, to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of current and future students. This requires partnership – with our board, with current parents, with alumni – who give back to Brewster with their ideas, their time, their energy, and their philanthropic support.”
why renovate anderSon hall?
Renovations to Anderson Hall will transform this historic church, which in recent years has served as Brewster’s auditorium, into a true performing arts center. This revitalized space will provide students and faculty with expanded opportunities to explore all areas of performance and production with a new stage, set shop, and classroom space. The creation of a new lobby and updates to the acoustics, seating, and other amenities will draw audiences into this creative space in a whole new way.
Board member David E. Hadley (P’12, ’15) and wife Laureen believe strongly in Brewster’s commitment to the arts. “Brewster offers so many ways for students to excel and blossom as learners, athletes, artists, and citizens. The robust arts program at Brewster has so much potential that remains untapped due to infrastructure limitations. There is so much talent on the BA campus. As a school community, we need to find a way to maximize the arts opportunity for every current and future student.”
Brewster students and faculty bring the arts to life – through music, dance, and dramatic performance. With the renovation of Anderson Hall, Brewster will have the facilities to match its outstanding performing arts program.
The 1887 Heritage SocietyYou’re Invited!
Would you like to leave a lasting legacy at Brewster?Do you want to make a gift and provide for your heirs?
Would you like to make a gift that costs you nothing today?
Learn how you can make a difference by becoming a member of Brewster’s 1887 Heritage Society.
Jim Bastis, Senior Major Gifts/Planned Giving Officerjim_bastis@brewsteracademy.org • 603.986.7445 or 603.569.7140
www.brewsteracademy.plannedgiving.org
For more information on the Anderson Hall renovations and other campaign projects, visit brewsteracademy.org/
campaignpriorities or contact the Alumni and Development Office. We welcome your partnership!
14 BrewsterConnections – Spring 201314 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
exhIBIt of exCellenCe
On these pages we celebrate Brewster’s visual
arts and the creativity of 12 students whose
artwork was awarded recognition in the 2013
Scholastic Art Awards of New Hampshire
program. The work represents five mediums:
painting, drawing, ceramics, photography,
and mixed media. These talented students
are enrolled in studio arts or digital
photography classes. Among the 12 artists
are a Gold Key winner (the highest honor);
four Silver Key winners (the second highest
honor); and seven Honorable Mentions
(judged as exceptional works of art). There
were approximately 1,500 pieces of artwork
submitted to the jurors.
“We were ecstatic to see that 12 of our
Brewster artists were awarded for their skills
and creativity,” said Tara Junkin, visual arts
instructor. “The Scholastic Art Show is a
wonderful vehicle for sharing the artistic
talents of our students as well as celebrating
their accomplishments in the arts.”
Later in the spring, Gold Key works will be
entered into national judging. In New York
City, panels of nationally renowned artists, art
professionals, and arts educators review Gold
Key works from across the country. Jurors
select work for national recognition based
on three criteria: originality, technique, and
emergence of a personal vision.
Gold Key: Me in a Dream • Makenzie Moon ‘14 (New York, New York)
Silver Key: Hollow VasesJunyi “Cynthia” Mei ‘14 (Anhui, China)
Silver Key: Keep Calm and RightYuting “Sherry” Xie ‘15 (Shanghai, China)
Silver Key: AscendingAnna DiMaggio ‘15 (Westford, Massachusetts)
Sliver Key: Strength in EmptinessRiichiro Yamamoto ‘14 (Miyakojima-shi, Japan)
15www.brewsteracademy.org
Honorable Mention: Nature’s PatternGrace Robinson ‘15 (Bronxville, New York)
Honorable Mention: SunriseCameron Borrelli ‘13 (Peabody, Massachusetts)
Silver Key: AscendingAnna DiMaggio ‘15 (Westford, Massachusetts)
Honorable Mention: The Golden AgeNora Mittleman ‘16 (New York, New York)
Honorable Mention: Children of the CodTaylor Fry ‘14 (Chatham, Massachusetts)
Honorable Mention: Brewster AcademyYi-Wen “Ashley” Cheng ‘14 (Taipei, Taiwan)
Honorable Mention: ModestyDanielle Tidd ’13 (Alton Bay, New Hampshire)
Honorable Mention: CensoredKatherine Lintermann ‘13 (Stow, Vermont)
15www.brewsteracademy.org
16 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Before graduating from high school, Danielle Tidd ’13 (Alton, New
Hampshire) wanted to travel and be of service to people. In December, with the help of the president of Rescue Humanity, her wish came true. Nine days into her December break, Danielle boarded a flight to Vietnam. The New Hampshire native spent six weeks teaching English to children and adults, absorbing the culture, making new friends, and becoming more independent, all while keeping up with her Brewster classes.
While in Vietnam, Danielle updated a blog, sharing experiences and photos of her travels. Some excerpts from her blog are included below.
Following is a Q&A with Danielle, completed while she was in Vietnam. At press time, Danielle was due to arrive back home to reunite with her family and Brewster friends.
you have not Graduated FroM hiGh SChool yet, So you have
tiMe to travel and help otherS. what CoMpelled you to take tiMe
durinG your Senior year to travel and teaCh otherS?
I wish I had more of an elaborate answer for this question, but, I really just wanted to travel and help people. I didn’t care where in the world I went, it just so happens that after plans in Kenya, and then Nepal fell through, that plans in Vietnam worked out. how are you StayinG CauGht up with your BrewSter StudieS?
I pick away at assignments everyday when I’m not teaching, including weekends to stay caught up. I have received alternative assignments for several of my classes. For example, I do all the same reading and writing as my French class; however, I send them weekly video journals in order to practice my speaking. Math has been the most challenging. I teach myself out of the book, which takes longer than learning in class. I do the
lIvInG and learnInG In vIetnamDanielle Tidd Embarks on a Mid-Year Service Project
By Marcia Eldredge
homework for my own practice and send pictures of my tests and quizzes to Mr. Sullivan. It takes some self-discipline, but as of now, I’m not behind in any of my classes. BrewSter eMphaSizeS ServiCe to SelF and otherS, what role did
theSe prinCipleS play in your deCiSion to Give oF your tiMe?
I believe the teachers at Brewster are the people that truly embody these principles. When I first talked with Mr. Butcher about some vague idea for any kind of new experience a year ago, he guided me in the right direction and gave me some more refined ideas. As my plans began to take more shape, Mr. Gorrill was there to help me through all the details of getting my trip planned and approved. I believe that because the Brewster faculty stands by the school’s principles of service to self and others, that my original idea formed into a legitimate trip. iS it your FirSt tiMe out oF the Country?
My family took a trip to Europe when I was in the fifth grade. Excluding Mexico and Canada, this is my first experience outside of the country as a young adult. what adviCe do you have For peerS who May Be intereSted in
undertakinG SuCh an adventure? what iF they don’t have the
MeanS or the drive to Go So Far away?
Start with an idea, make a plan, and be ready for that plan to fall through. Then make another one, and keep trying until one works out. I paid for my trip with money from my summer job. If you don’t have the money, or don’t want to watch your bank account disappear, then I highly recommend doing some fundraising ahead of time.
I also suggest finding a program. It would be pricier, but much easier because they set up your whole trip.
If you don’t have the means or desire to go so far away, then there are plenty of people in need of help in the U.S., and in areas around the Brewster community. Look into national or local organizations, or
“While teaching basic English to these sweet kids,
I learned that it doesn’t matter if you’re a kid with
Cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, or an adult with
a Ph.D., a smile still means the same thing …”
Danielle in the fishing village Nhon Ly.
Danielle and Sister Anne brought candy and chips to school children in Nhon Ly.
17www.brewsteracademy.org
internships that interest you more. Whatever it is you want to do, you have to take the initiative and make it happen. how haS thiS experienCe
ChanGed you?
This experience has made me more independent and confident when confronted with things that are new and different. Because I don’t speak Vietnamese, I had no idea how I would teach English to people here. I’ve learned how to better tackle challenges and
communicate without words. I’ve also realized that people who have less tend to be more generous. The people in Vietnam are incredibly hospitable and giving, when they themselves are living on the bare minimum. I’ve learned how selfless people can be, and I hope that I can take their lessons with me to become a better person.
BloG exCerptS
deCeMBer 22: After about 50 hours of travelling, and a New Year’s Celebration on the plane, I made it to Saigon. [My host family] Leanne, Damin, Kim Ahn, Hao, Vi, and Junior met me at the airport. Today we went into downtown Saigon to run some errands. There are 9 million people in Saigon, 4 million of which get around on mopeds. I got the chance to ride around in the chaos today. After we returned we went to the nursery school down the road to pick up Hao and Vi. I was also introduced to the nuns there, and we began planning how I will teach the 3-6 year olds English a month from now when I return to Saigon. I am the fifth white person to ever come to this area, and only the second American. I’m also about a foot taller than everyone. Everyone stares, sometimes jaws dropped, but Damin and Leanne’s translations tell me that they are saying good things.
January 11: My week in pleiku I spent the last week in Pleiku. On Monday Leanne and I visited Khontum, a city closer to the mountains. There we went to a boarding school for highlanders. Highlanders are people that live in villages in the mountains. They didn’t speak English, so Leanne acted as a translator as they shyly asked me questions. After some time the girls became more
comfortable. They confused me when they asked me how my skin was so beautiful. I wasn’t sure if they meant clear, or smooth, or something along those lines. Turns out light skin is considered beautiful here. I guess we all do really want what we can’t have. This is the first time anyone has envied my fluorescently pale skin. By the end of my two hours there, I had danced with them, showed them basic exercises such as: push-ups, sit-ups, and squats, and I was given a bracelet one of the girls had made.
However most of my time was spent in Pleiku. My days here in Pleiku involved a lot of English teaching. In the mornings I would go to the center for children with Cerebral palsy. Each day we went over the alphabet, numbers, colors, and parts of the body. Most of the kids can’t walk, and several of them have Down syndrome as well. While teaching basic English to these sweet kids, I learned that it doesn’t matter if you’re a kid with Cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, or an adult with a Ph.D., a smile still means the same thing and acts as a universal language. After I helped feed the children lunch, one of the nuns would bring me to the convent Leanne is staying at for lunch. Here I taught English to Sister Tran. After a few hours with them, I would come back to the boarding school that I am staying at. I would teach the nuns English over dinner, and then teach a class of over 50 middle and high school students.
January 26: I have spent the last 10 days in and around Qui Nhon. In fact, the day I arrived I went with a few of the nuns to a small fishing village on the island of Nhon Ly. … We passed out chips and candy to children there, and then a local brought us to some beautiful cliffs on the ocean. After being primarily in cities, it was nice to finally get to see some of natural Vietnam. When we returned to Qui Nhon, my regular day consisted of a class with 8-14 year-olds in the morning, 18-28 year-olds in the afternoon, and class with the nuns in the evening. However, I was given more time to do my own schoolwork here, than in Pleiku. I also walked to the beach everyday to get some reading out of the way, and to get in some swimming (I had been told not to). Sister Teresa explained my swimming as an addiction after she found out I had been going everyday. On my last day we visited the orphanage in Mang Lang. Now I’m back in Saigon for my last week of volunteer work.
Vi and Hao, members of Danielle’s host family.
Women working in the lush rice paddies outside of Qui Non.
Danielle flanked by her adult students in Qui Non.
Read more of Danielle’s blog at: http://get-exploring.tumblr.com/
18 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Although the 2013 NCAA national men’s basketball championship had yet to be
captured by press time, of the 68 teams represented in NCAA March Madness,
at least 12 teams include former Brewster Bobcats (brackets were still being
determined). These Bobcats are:
Iowa State University, Melvin ejim ‘10
North Carolina State University, tJ warren ‘12
Syracuse University, CJ Fair ‘10
University of Akron, Chauncey Gilliam ‘08
University of Arizona, Mark lyons ‘08
University of California Los Angeles, khalid McCaskill ‘11
University of Kansas, naadir tharpe ‘11
University of Minnesota, Maurice walker ‘10
University of Michigan, Mitch McGary ‘12
University of Oklahoma, andrew Fitzgerald ‘09
University of Pittsburgh, durand Johnson ‘11
University of Vermont, luke apfeld ’09, trey Blue ‘08
March MadnessMarch Madness
18 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Lady Bobcats sport Bobcat bows, circa 1900 These 1901 Bobcat uniforms appear adaptable to the whims of New England weather.
In 1963 kneepads were a part of the Lady Bobcat uniform.
Brewster has been fielding basketball teams for three centuries, which means Brewster has been outfitting players
for success on the court for that long. Here’s a look at how the Bobcat uniform has “evolved” over the decades.
dressing for successdressing for success
Bobcat basketball players continue to find success on and off the court. Here’s a
look at some of their accomplishments.
Athletic honorsFive members of Brewster’s Class of 2012 have earned Rookie of the Week,
some multiple times, during their first season of collegiate play. Three other
former Bobcats have earned Player of the Week by their respective collegiate
conferences:
Semaj Christon ‘12, Xavier University
Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week (five times)
Melvin ejim ‘10, Iowa State University, Big 12 Conference Player of the Week
CJ Fair ‘10, Syracuse University, Big East Conference Player of the Week
Mark lyons ‘08, University of Arizona, Pac-12 Player of the Week
Mitch McGary ‘12, University of Michigan
Big Ten Conference Rookie of the Week (two times)
Jakarr Sampson ‘12, St. John’s University
Big East Conference Rookie of the Week (six times)
aaron thomas ‘12, Florida State University
Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week
tJ warren ‘12, North Carolina State University
Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week (two times)
new englAnd chAmpions: Another BAnner seAsonThe Brewster boys’ varsity A basketball team won the NEPSAC Class AAA title in March. They defeated
#1 seed St. Thomas More School 77-75 in overtime for the win. elijah Macon ’13 (Columbus, Ohio), who
led Brewster in the final game in scoring with 15 points and who ripped down 12 rebounds, was named
tournament MVP. The Bobcats last won the New England title in 2010.
One day after winning the New England title, the team set off to defend their 2012 title at the National
Prep School Championship. They made it all the way to the finals before falling to Northfield Mount
Hermon 78-73.MVP Elijah Macon ’13, Jared Terrell ’14, head coach Jason Smith, and Mike Cooper.
19www.brewsteracademy.org
Women working in the lush rice paddies outside of Qui Non.
Former BoBcAts in the nBA
Jeff Adrien ’05, Charlotte Bobcats
Will Barton ’10, Portland Trailblazers
Craig Brackins ’07, Philadelphia 76ers
Thomas Robinson ’09, Sacramento Kings
Xavier Silas ’06, Philadelphia 76ers
19www.brewsteracademy.org
By the 1970s uniforms were shrinking. Meghan Uehlein ’13 in her circa 2013 uniform. Jared Terrell ’14, Ron Patterson ‘13, and John Edwards ’13 in their Brewster blue on game day.
AcAdemic honorsluke apfeld ’09, Melvin ejim ’10, and andrew Fitzgerald ’09 each have been
recognized at least once for their accomplishments off the court recently. They
were eager to share that Brewster helped them find success in the classroom and
in the bigger world of college athletics and responsibilities.
Apfeld, a dual major at the University of Vermont, was named to the Capital
One Academic All-District 1 Team. He also was a 2011-2012 Division I-AAA
Athletics Directors Association Scholar-Athlete and a 2011-2012 America East
All-Academic.
“Brewster taught me to think critically and outside of the box. I also learned to
be accountable for my work and prioritize accordingly,” Apfeld said.
He continued “Brewster tries to help students make meaningful connections to
the real world through its curriculum and program. I have to give credit to Coach
Jason Smith and Coach Josh Lee. Not only did they set me up for success on
the court, but they taught me that a college education and college basketball
are privileges. They taught me to be accountable in every aspect of my collegiate
experience, and that hard work does pay off.
“My greatest accomplishment since leaving Brewster will happen this May when
I graduate with two degrees (English and sociology) and begin work on my
graduate degree in educational leadership,” Apfeld shared.
Ejim, a history major and a forward for the Iowa State University Cyclones, was
named to the Capital One Academic All-District 6 Team. Additionally, he was an
All-Big 12 First-Academic pick in 2012 and last fall became a member of Iowa
State’s chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
On his accomplishments, Ejim shared: “If I had to choose one thing from the
many great things God has allowed me to accomplish after leaving Brewster it
would be academically becoming a member of a very prestigious Honor Society
Phi Kappa Phi and athletically becoming a captain of the Iowa State men’s
basketball team.”
“Brewster helped me in a number of ways. The structure really helped me focus
on time management with things like study hall and alternating class schedules,
and it also showed me the importance of being able to balance both academics
and athletics. Brewster put me in the best position I could have been in to
start college – Brewster’s college-like schedule and classes allowed me to be
comfortable and informed when it came to academics in college and not stressed
and overwhelmed like many others.”
Fitzgerald, an administrative leadership major at the University of Oklahoma, is
an All-Big 12 Academic Second Team honoree. Despite his success on the court –
he’s the third-ranked scorer on the Sooners and the team captain – he considers
the Academic All-Big 12 honor his greatest accomplishment since leaving
Brewster.
“Getting named to the All-Big 12 Academic Team last year was a big deal for me.
I work hard to balance my studies and my basketball commitments and being
recognized for that was nice,” Fitzgerald said.
He added, “Brewster really prepared me well because it made me live and attend
school away from home, and I had to be independent at times. It made me
prepare for classes on my own, balance a budget of the money I had, and just
take care of myself on a daily basis. I felt I had an advantage over my peers in
that first year of college.”
20 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
On January 5, in front of the Bobcat faithful, head boys’ basketball
coach Jason Smith picked up his 300th win at Brewster when his Bobcats defeated Athlete Institute Academy (Toronto) 90-49. Throughout his 13 seasons at Brewster, he has put together a 300-94 record winning two NEPSAC titles (2008 and 2010) and two National Prep School Championships (2010 and 2012).
“Jason’s 300th win is a true representation and testament of his dedication and commitment to Brewster basketball. Coaches who reach milestones like this in the time frame in which Jason has accomplished this marker generally do so because of the time they spend in recruiting, coaching, and developing their players,” said Head of School Dr. Mike Cooper. “Brewster Academy is proud of Jason’s accomplishment and is excited about the prospect of him continuing this winning tradition and commitment to excellence.”
Smith, a Concord, New Hampshire, native and a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, was initially hired to teach in the Academic
a BIG WIn for CoaCh SmIth
In the last issue of Connections, we reported on students who had committed to playing sports at colleges and universities next year, since then more students have made commitments, with still more students waiting before they make their final decisions. Here is an update:
BaSketBall
Robert Champion (Waxhaw, North Carolina), College of the Holy Cross
Alex Hall (Durham, North Carolina), Connecticut College
Zuri Pavlin (New York, New York), Connecticut College
Michelle Poole (Wolfeboro), Muhlenberg College
Patrick Wallace (Charlotte, North Carolina), North Carolina State University
iCe hoCkey
Abby Gahm (Eagle River, Alaska), Yale University
Catherine LeBoeuf (Dieppe, New Brunswick), Brown University
Katie Parkman (Stratford, Prince Edward Island), Hamilton College
Laurence Porlier (Maria, Quebec), Syracuse University
Meaghan Spurling (Amesbury, Massachusetts), Saint Anselm College
Support Programs Department and coach basketball. He is now an associate director of admission.
“We are all very proud of Coach Smith,” said Athletic Director Matt Lawlor. “Jason has an unbelievable work ethic and is very passionate about his program. Yes, the wins are impressive over the years, but he is an outstanding teacher of the game and a great leader of young men on and off the floor.”
CoaCh SMith’S StatS:
2000-2001 (14-10)
2001-2002 (18-12)
2002-2003 (18-13)
2003-2004 (24-6) NEPSAC CLASS A Runner-Up
2004-2005 (17-9)
2005-2006 (18-9)
2006-2007 (29-6) NEPSAC CLASS A Runner-Up
2007-2008 (31-4) NEPSAC CLASS A Champions
2008-2009 (22-12)
2009-2010 (35-5) NEPSAC CLASS A Champions; National Prep School Champions
2010-2011 (31-3) National Prep School Final Four
2011-2012 (33-1) National Prep School Champions
2012-2013 (30-5) as of March 3
more BoBCatS CommIt to ColleGIate SportS teamS
laCroSSe
Austin Giorgetta (Parker, Colorado), McDaniel College
Mike Pappalardo (Wyckoff, New Jersey), College of Wooster
rowinG
Ryan Cook (Wolfeboro), Boston University
SoCCer
Charlie Kelly (Liverpool, England), Hobart and William Smith Colleges
For more updates, visit: brewsteracademy.org/collegiatecommitments
Some of the seniors who will contribute to collegiate sports programs next year: Clockwise from top left: Michelle Poole, Ryan Cooke, Laurence Porlier, Catherine LeBoeuf, and Katie Parkman.
21www.brewsteracademy.org
get social with brewster!
Introducing our new social media mashup page—a place to find the latest Brewster photos, posts, tweets, videos, blogs, and more!
Find the MaShup paGe at:
www.brewsteracademy.org or social.brewsteracademy.org
Newsmakers
22 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
moon Awarded for Art excellence
Makenzie Moon ’13
(New York, N.Y.) received
a Gold Key award for
her watercolor “Me in a
Dream.” The recognition
came in the 2013
Scholastic Art Awards
of New Hampshire program. She was the only
Brewster student who received a Gold Key Award,
although four Brewster students received Silver
Keys and the works of seven Brewster students
received Honorable Mentions (see page 14). Of the
approximately 1,500 works of art submitted by
students, 162 Gold Keys were awarded.
“Makenzie has really come into her own in relation
to her artwork. This summer she worked with many
great teachers at the Rhode Island School of Design
and further developed her own style in painting,”
said Brewster visual arts instructor Tara Junkin.
“Makenzie continues to have high expectation for
her work, as she seeks to express her creative voice
through the art of painting, ceramics, and poetry.”
Found is silver medalist in world 3v3 games Gunner Found ’16
(Wolfeboro) and his 3v3
U14 Seacoast United Mountaineers earned the silver
medal at the 3v3 World Championships in January.
The team’s trip to the Worlds began over a year ago
when Found put a six-member team together that
went on to win area and state tournaments before
qualifying for the Northeast Regional tournament in
York, Pennsylvania, last summer. As one of the top
four teams in this tournament, the Seacoast United
Mountaineers secured their spot in 3v3 competition.
“This is a great achievement for Gunner and his
team,” commented Karl Edmonds, Brewster’s head
soccer coach. “It also looks great for the future of
Brewster soccer having its younger players play in
great competition and receiving accolades.” Found
was the only freshman on the boys’ varsity soccer
team this past season.
The 3v3 World Championships were held at the
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando,
Florida.
Field hockey players tapped for Academic squad
Seniors Catherine
leBoeuf (Dieppe, New
Brunswick) and Camryn
Bindra (Short Hills, New
Jersey) were selected to
the 2012 Gladiator by
SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association High
School Academic Squad. The High School National
Academic Squad program
recognizes high school
seniors who have achieved
a cumulative, unweighted
GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 or
the equivalent through
the first quarter of the
2012-2013 school year.
Both LeBoeuf and Brindra were two of the team’s
three captains, and LeBoeuf earned Most Valuable
Player honors for the 2012 season.
Basketball players named to All-star team
Varsity basketball
players Michelle poole
‘13 (Wolfeboro) and
Morgan Fuller ‘14
(Moultonborough, New
Hampshire) were named
to the NEPSAC Girls’
Basketball All-Star Team.
They were scheduled to
play for the Class C East
All-Stars against the West
All-Stars in early March.
Poole has been a member
of the varsity team since
freshman year, and Fuller
joined the team as a
sophomore.
www.brewsteracademy.org 23
cooper to be honoredA.B. Whitfield (P ’89),
COO of the Trey Whitfield
School in Brooklyn,
New York, announced in
January at an All School
Assembly that the Trey
Whitfield Foundation
is excited to honor Mike Cooper for his service to
Brewster, the Trey Whitfield School, and above all –
his dedication to education. As Whitfield put it, they
are so happy to honor Dr. Cooper as he is “One of
the best friends anyone could have asked for. A real
person, striving to do something good in the world.”
Cooper will be officially honored at the Trey
Whitfield Foundation Awards Dinner in July.
Braiterman is symphony soloist
Shira Braiterman ’13
(Wolfeboro) was a
featured soloist with the
New Hampshire Youth
Symphony Orchestra
at their gala concert in
January. She performed
Vivaldi’s Double Flute Concerto in C Major.
It is Braiterman’s third year as a member of the
youth symphony orchestra, which performs high-
level symphonic literature for advanced high-school
string, wind, and percussion students. She also plays
the cello and saxaphone.
national honor society inducteesSix students were inducted into the John Brewster
Scholar Chapter of the National Honor Society
in January. They joined eight current members.
Congratulations to yoshi yang ’14 (Kaohsiung
City, Taiwan); anna dong ’13 (Beijing, China); kat
truelson ’13 (Newton, New Hampshire); Cynthia
Mei ’14 (Anhui, China); abby Gahm ’13 (Eagle River,
Alaska); and nicole levesque ’14 (Wolfeboro).
An induction ceremony acknowledged the hard
work and effort of these students who stand out
as exemplary among their peers with respect to
scholarship, leadership, character, and service, noted
Maria Found, faculty member and NHS advisor.
the perks of Being a wallflower
Gillian Brown ’01
was a co-producer of
The Perks of Being a
Wallflower, the film
based on the critically
acclaimed coming of
age novel by Stephen
Chbosky. She worked
with producers Lianne Halfron, Russ Smith, and
John Malkovich as well as Chbosky to develop and
package the screen adaptation. In February, the film
won Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit
Awards. Brown spent four months on location in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, working with the studio,
cast, and crew until the film wrapped.
“It was really wonderful to be a part of this project
because the book was influential to the lives of
so many young people, and as a result, the movie
generated a lot of excitement early on,” she said.
“Working with Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and
the other young actors was a real pleasure. They
brought such energy and vitality to the well-loved
characters that Stephen created in his book.
“The Perks of Being A Wallflower is an important
story to tell,” Brown continued. “I remember reading
the book for the first time and thinking, wow,
that’s exactly what high school felt like! I think all
of us can relate to these characters in one way or
another – Charlie’s heartbreaking earnestness or
Sam’s insecurity, or Patrick’s loneliness. And I think
we can relate to the feeling of belonging that they
experience when they find each other. Stephen
received hundreds of letters from kids who read his
book saying that it had saved their life. So having the
opportunity to work on a project that has the power
to make a kid feel a little less alone in his or her
experience, to make them feel like they belong, that
they too are infinite, now that’s a real gift.”
dearborn Breaks college recordFormer Bobcat runner krisztina dearborn ‘10,
a junior at Central Connecticut State University,
broke the CCSU women’s track and field record in
the 3,000 meter run in January. Dearborn broke
the record at the Great Dane Classic in New York,
N.Y., with a time of 10:08.33. The previous record
of 10:12.24 had stood since 2000. The CCSU team
placed 13th in a field of 21 schools at the meet.
desjardins is Beanpot winnerIce hockey goal Chloe desjardins ’11 helped the
Northeastern University Huskies to their second
consecutive and 16th Beanpot championship in
February. She was the netminder for the Bobcats for
three seasons and is ranked third in Brewster girls’
hockey for most shutouts (14). From Saint-Prosper,
Beauce, Quebec, previously Desjardins represented
Team Quebec at the U-18 Canadian National
Championships and earned the Outstanding
Goaltending award for the tournament.
Yau named president of coaches Association
Kim Yau, senior team leader
and head varsity field
hockey coach, was recently
nominated and named
president of the New
England Preparatory School
Athletic Council (NEPSAC)
Field Hockey Coaches Association. For the past two
seasons and in 2005, she served as NEPSAC Class C
tournament director.
Yau took over the Brewster field hockey program in
2002. During her tenure, her team has earned nine
selections to the New England tournament, twice
winning the championship, and earned three Lakes
Region titles.
24 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Brewster Academy’s Board of Trustees plays an important role in decision making here at the Academy and each member brings a unique perspective to the process. Whether they come from the
business world, are graduates of the Academy, parents of current or past students, or simply engaged members of the Brewster and Wolfeboro communities, their guidance is invaluable to the Academy and our community as we look toward the future and work to provide the type of student-centered education so many have come to expect from Brewster.
We are happy to announce the addition of three new members to the board, David E. Hadley P ’12, ’15, Ronn Bronzetti ’92, and Gabrielle “Bri” Gatta ’05. These are three dedicated individuals who know Brewster in different ways and bring various talents and skills as new trustees.
Gabrielle “Bri” J. Gatta ’05 is a business associate at UBS Investment Bank in New York City. Gatta is a graduate of Colgate University where she majored in French and philosophy. As a student at Brewster, Gatta was a student leader, passionate participant in student activities (especially Winter Carnival), and a determined athlete, as a member of both the varsity lacrosse and cross-country teams, which she captained in her senior year.
In an interview with Gatta, she highlighted the small class sizes, diverse student body, strong academic and athletic offerings, and the team structure as just a few keys to Brewster’s success. She also mentioned the traditions – from the two-mile run at the start and end of each season and the swim test to formal meals and those things only Brewster seniors get to do (singing with all the other senior girls at the tree lighting or walking on the senior plaques) – as special memories. Gatta also noted Brewster’s stellar location as a key asset: “Wolfeboro is such a unique place to go to not just high school but boarding school. It provides an exceptional backdrop for excellence – athletically, academically, professionally, and beyond. Lake Winnipesaukee will forever hold a piece of my heart, and thanks to Brewster I cannot imagine going to high school anywhere else in the world.”
When asked recently what she felt is most exciting or interesting about the direction Brewster is heading, Gatta responded: “The new turf! I admit, I too had my doubts at first, after having numerous practices and games on Brown Field and remembering it through all the seasons as grass/snow/mud, but it is undoubtedly symbolic of how much Brewster has grown since I was on campus, as well as where the school is headed. It not only makes Brewster more competitive, but demonstrates how many people believe in what Brewster is doing. Donations made this possible, and to have so many believe in Brewster’s future is inspiring. The Smith Center was my generation’s ‘turf’ but the community has stepped it up and brought the turf outside – brilliant!”
David E. Hadley (P’12, ’15), Bri Gatta ’05, and Ronn Bronzetti ’92
neW memBerS JoIn BreWSter’S Board of truSteeSA Parent and Two Alumni are Welcomed
By Rachael Jeffers ’05
David E. Hadley P’12, ’15 brings more than 20 years of executive experience to the board from his career in business and the building materials industry. He is the CEO and owner of Boston-based Pella Windows & Doors Inc. and Minneapolis-based Pella Northland LLC. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration from Wilkes University, a graduate certificate in administration and management from Harvard Extension School, and is an Owner/President Management program Executive Education alumnus of Harvard Business School. Having served multiple terms on corporate and non-profit boards, Hadley is also currently a member of the board of trustees for Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and we are happy he is bringing his talents and experience to Brewster’s board of trustees.
As a parent, Hadley has observed Brewster from a personal perspective over the past few years and has described it as being, “like miracle grow for children.” As Hadley notes, “The student-centered team approach and the focus on emotional literacy are not just marketing catch phrases at BA. They are at the core of the culture of this phenomenal school. Students truly do find their best selves here. It’s amazing to see children fully blossom and at such an accelerated rate. Many schools talk about their commitment to the student, Brewster Academy delivers on that commitment.”
Reflecting on the experiences his two daughters have had at the Academy, Hadley shared the following stories highlighting how each of his girls found their way in a new environment, guided and mentored by a caring community of educators:
Our oldest daughter, Olivia ’12, now a freshman at Lafayette College, entered Brewster as a junior, and we were feeling very guilty about moving the family and disrupting her high school experience mid-stream. She was understandably overwhelmed and upset for the first few weeks. After attending BA for just one month, music teacher Andy Campbell convinced Olivia to perform at the All-School talent show. She reluctantly agreed. At the last minute, Andy decided to have Olivia be the opening act. She received a standing ovation and found both her high school home and career passion at that precise moment.
25www.brewsteracademy.org
A singer/songwriter, Olivia wrote and composed a song for her senior classmates and with help from HOWL (the school chorus) and the orchestra, she performed her own song in front of an estimated 800 people at graduation while Andy Campbell led HOWL and the orchestra. Miracle grow.
Our youngest daughter, Juliet ’15, now a BA sophomore, was always the athletic one. We were thrilled when she made both the varsity field hockey and lacrosse teams as a freshman. We were even more thrilled when she actually started a handful of games in both seasons. Watching from the sideline, I have personally witnessed varsity field hockey coaches Kim Yau and Janis Cornwell lead their teams to a 2010 NEPSAC Championship. I also witnessed them suffer bitter disappointments. One reason I respect and admire these two extremely competitive and talented coaches so much is that, win or lose, they conduct themselves with poise, grace, and dignity. I am proud to say they are, and have been, positive role models for both my daughters in the classroom and on the athletic field. I feel the lessons they teach BA student-athletes about winning with grace and losing with dignity are invaluable life lessons.
We see the impact of the Brewster experience at every turn as Juliet learns to challenge herself and meet new goals. Near the end of her freshman year, she came home and announced that she was going to run for class prefect and then at the start of her sophomore year she was asked to become an alumni student ambassador, working with the school’s Alumni and Development Office. Most recently Juliet was invited to attend the USA Field Hockey Futures program, a feeder program to the Olympic team. Always the shy, reserved one, at Brewster, with the support of mentors like Janis Cornwell and Kim Yau and many others, Juliet has blossomed both on the field and in the classroom into a confident leader. Miracle grow.
Hadley says his career as a CEO has prepared him to measure and monitor the trend lines of the key imperatives within an organization as these speak directly to the long-term success and sustainability of any business entity. In Hadley’s view, the key imperatives at Brewster Academy for the past few years are all trending dramatically upward. Simply put, Hadley points out that, “… in a challenging economic environment, the leadership team at Brewster has found a way to win while our competitors continue to struggle to find a sustainable business model. There is still plenty of work ahead but this great school has a bright future thanks to an entire team of dedicated people.”
Hadley brings a never-ending drive for improvement and a true love for Brewster to his new position on the board, and he is excited for the opportunity to join this talented group of leaders.
Ronn M. Bronzetti ’92 has been an active member of the alumni community since his graduation and brings a depth of knowledge to the board with respect to fundraising for independent schools and cultural non-profits. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Bronzetti is on the board of Breakthrough Greater Boston and is a member of the Planned Giving Group of New England, the Council for Advancement
and Support of Education, and the National Association of Independent
Schools. He is currently the Associate Director for Leadership Giving
at the New England Conservatory in Boston and lives in Wellesley,
Massachusetts, with his wife Sara.
When asked about what sets Brewster apart from other schools, Bronzetti
responded by citing the “breathtakingly beautiful campus,” the student-
centered focus on education, and the integration of emotional literacy
and project-based learning into the curriculum. Bronzetti noted that,
“Brewster’s innovative teaching methods are designed to address and
meet the individual needs of the students, while reinforcing the skills and
lessons that can only be acquired within a group setting. This is why I think
Brewster’s method of experiential learning does much more than simply
prepare its students for a successful college experience; I also think it equips
them with the kind of leadership and development skills necessary for the
kind of lifelong lessons that can be carried into the workforce as well.”
Bronzetti is grateful for the teachers at Brewster (people like Bob
Richardson, Mary Fallon, Joyce Ferris, Rex Snyder, and so many others)
who supported him during his most formative, and admittedly, frequently
challenging years. When he thinks of Brewster now, the memories are
all about the many people and relationships that he enjoyed at school. In
particular, Bronzetti commented, “I loved the sense of community that we
had in our dorms. As a boarding school, Brewster granted us the rarest
of educational opportunities – to live with other students from around
the country and abroad. That, in itself, was extraordinary. Additionally,
I’ll always treasure my time spent with my teammates and coaches
on the wrestling, crew, and cross-country teams. These three sports,
although very different, taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance,
teamwork, and goal setting.” In his new position on the board of trustees,
Bronzetti still believes that “Brewster’s greatest strength has always been
its talented and exceptionally committed faculty members.”
The future looks bright for Brewster, and Bronzetti takes encouragement
from witnessing the way that Brewster’s alumni network worked together
to meet and surpass the Strength in Numbers Challenge. He noted
that this was impressive because, “Not only did we more than double
our alumni Annual Fund participation over the previous year, we also
demonstrated an overwhelming amount of favorable feelings for our
school, and I think this can only be a healthy indicator for future growth
and alumni engagement.”
Bronzetti looks forward to sharing his experience in educational
fundraising with the board and is thrilled to be in a position to engage
alumni with the school.
Representing both the alumni and parent constituencies that are part
of what make Brewster such a strong community, we were happy to
welcome all three of our new members to the board of trustees for their
first meeting in January and look forward to the wealth of knowledge and
diverse experience they each bring to Brewster’s governing board.
RoadBrewster
On The
Asia (china, Japan, Korea, hong Kong)
Jim Bastis and Raylene Davis enjoyed an evening with young alumni in Tokyo. Front row (l to r): Hirona Imamura ‘05, Mio Tanaka Yoshioka ‘05, Shiori Taguchi Brummer ’02, and Tomoko Oyama ’03; Back row with Bastis and Davis are Scott Algate ’05 and Daigi Sakamoto ’02
November – Just before the holiday season, Jim
Bastis of the Alumni and Development Office
traveled halfway around the world to visit with
Brewster families and alumni in Beijing, Shanghai,
Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul. As Jim described on
his trip blog, a dinner in Tokyo brought together
seven current Brewster families, and the highlight
of the evening was having tomoko oyama ’03 and
Mio tanaka yoshioka ’05 join the dinner to share
memories of their Brewster experience and how it
helped them in college and beyond. In Seoul, Jim and
Raylene caught up with Bo kyung Choi ’07, Mo kim
’05, and Jason kim ’00. Jim spent time with Brewster
families in all five cities and enjoyed hearing about
their experiences as Brewster parents. Thanks to all
the families and alumni who hosted Brewster events
and special thanks to the parents of doris xiang
’14, Sam wang ’13, Jason han ’14, kyle riley ’14,
and yoshiaki tomita ’14 who were all instrumental
in arranging events in their respective cities. To see
more photos and learn more about the trip, visit
Jim’s blog at: http://jimbastis.blogspot.com/
2013 hoophall classicJanuary – After returning from the winter break, the
Bobcat defending national champions took on South
Kent School at the Hoophall Classic in the home of
the Basketball Hall of Fame. Fans from campus joined
alumni and Brewster friends in the stands to cheer
on the Bobcats to an 88-55 win. Fans joined Brewster
staff for a pre-game reception at the Classic.
el program Attracts interest February – After attending Brewster’s presentation
on emotional literacy at The Association of Boarding
Schools conference in Washington, D.C., Fryeberg
Academy invited Dean of Students Joe Fernald to
the Maine school to present to faculty. “Specifically
they were interested in what emotional literacy
looks like in action and in the classroom,” Fernald
27www.brewsteracademy.org
Dale Grout ’64, Candace Crawshaw ’64, Grace (Campbell) Douglas ’58, Roger Williams ’48 and his wife Barbara, Hope MacDonald ’45. Second row: Moni (Stevens) Zarinsky ’54, friend Heidi Peterson, Martha (Weyand) Trepanier ’83, Elaine Crowther and Bruce Crowther ’64, Beth Hayes ’81, friends Ron and Paula Howard, Whitney White ’07. Back row: Jim Bastis, Don Grout ’64, Kristy Kerin, Stephen Hatch ’48, David Douglas ’59, Jon Samuelson ’78, Rachael Jeffers ’05, Erik Jones ’93, and John MacDonald ’74. Missing from photo, Harvey Stephenson ’38.
Roger Williams ’48 brought along some BA memorabilia to share with the breakfast group.
regional Alumni chapters Keeping Busy
said. He presented the RULER Approach (Recognizing,
Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating
emotions) and the four anchors to the Approach. The
administrators also were interested in how Brewster’s
Engaged Discipline System works.
Upcoming events – Join Us
SprinG in BerMuda
April – Thursday, April 18
Tired of winter temps and wool sweaters? Join
Brewster alumni, parents, and friends for a reception
at The Reefs hosted by Roz and david Carlson ’54.
Make a weekend of it! Bermuda Brewster parents
are planning additional gatherings including possible
tours, cruises, golf, and meals. Contact Sally Smith
for information at 603-569-7470 or sally_smith@
brewsteracademy.org.
SprinGtiMe art walk –
portSMouth, new haMpShire
May – Friday, May 3, 5-8 p.m.
Join the Lakes Region Alumni Chapter for a free
evening stroll through a number of downtown
Portsmouth art galleries as part of the Art ‘Round
Town gallery walk. Finish the evening by meeting
up with Brewster friends at a local pub, and enjoy
appetizers courtesy of Brewster. Contact Beth hayes
’81 for additional information at 603-569-7133 or
beth_hayes@brewsteracademy.org.
Are you in the Boston, New York, or Chicago
areas? Be on the look out for upcoming Regional Alumni Chapter events in your area, and please
contact the Alumni Office at 603-569-7133 with
ideas or suggestions for events this spring
and summer.
The Reefs Resort in Bermuda
lakes region – wolfeboro January – More than 20 alumni rose early on a bitter
cold morning to enjoy breakfast in the Estabrook
– sound familiar from those winter walks across
campus before class? We were happy to have the
opportunity for alumni – representing classes from
eight decades – to reconnect and share memories of
their time on campus. roger williams ’48 brought
along his graduation program, a varsity letter from
football, and even some playbills to spur stories.
What are your BA ‘treasures’ that remind you of
time on campus?
28 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Wolfeboro Bay was the site of Brewster’s first Winni Classic alumni pond hockey tournament in February. Despite the snowstorm, the wind, and the plunging temperatures as the
day went on, the air also was filled with plenty of laughter and good times as alumni returned to campus for the competition or to watch the games.
Seen on the alumni bench: Evan Carlson ’03, Mike Christopher ’01, Kris Clement ’06, Mikael Clement ’12, Chris Drakos ’12, Steve Farrell ’12, Eric Kaskiewicz ’99, Michael Kaskiewicz ’96, Graig LeBrun ’98, Ben Lord ’03, Henry Lord ’91, Dennis McNally ’00, Michael Morancy ’06, Vilhelm Nilsson ’12, Joe Rizzo ’03, Mike Romagnoli’01, and Bryan Shea ’12.
For the women Emilie Arseneault ’08 and Kate Buesser ’07 returned but don’t feel too bad for the “alumnae” team. Kate brought a few of her teammates from the Boston Blades, including two Olympians, and members of the U.S. and Canada national teams. In the end, the “alumnae”
the 2013 WInnI ClaSSIC BREWSTER ACADEMY • 2013
won but the Lady Bobcats never gave up. Before the two teams headed for the warmth of the Pinckney Boathouse, the Lady Bobcats invited their guests to participate in an on-ice version of the Harlem Shake – certainly a fitting ending to a day of fun and friendly competition on the lake.
In addition to the two 4v4 games, Fishing Club Advisor Byron Martin offered ice fishing demonstrations outside the Brewster Bobhouse and the Brewster Big Friends’ Club coordinated sledding for the youngest attendees. Chili, chowder, cocoa, and a warm fireplace awaited guests inside the Pinckney Boathouse while a fire pit outside offered a quick warm up and s’mores.
As part of a fundraiser for the student-driven Cancer Fund at Brewster, Angelo ‘G-Lo’ Varrone, equipment room manager, and a few students braved the chill to serve Italian meatball sliders from his Ristorante
Italiano kiosk.
The alumnae, with a couple of Olympic guests, won the women’s match up.
Nearly 20 alumni returned to participate in the first Winni Classic pond tournament. Although the Winni Classic Cup remained out of their reach, we hope they will return next year to settle the score.
29www.brewsteracademy.org
Evan Carlson ’03 and Ben Lord ’03
The Pinckney Boathouse’s expansive views offered a warm spot to watch the games.
Connie Moynihan traveled from Maryland to cheer on son Kyle Moynihan ’13.
Canadiens Kris ‘06 and Mikael ’12 Clement with Coach T.J. Palmer.
Coach T.J. Palmer sculpted the Winni Classic trophy for the men’s game.
The Bobcat escorts the Brewster boys to the game.
Bobcats Marina, Ashtyn, Laurence, and Maddie await their shift. Mike Cooper began the games with a ceremonial puck drop.
Fishing Club Advisor Byron Martin enthusiastically instructed attendees on the art of ice fishing.
Kate Buesser ’07 scores for the alumnae.
30 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Just about everyone looks forward to the arrival of spring with its rebirth,
greening and blooming, and on-coming warmth. I look forward to spring as
it is reunion time – another kind of rebirth, the return to being one’s former
18-year-old self. Early on I was like many others who shied away from reunions,
probably because as a teacher I was afraid I wouldn’t “measure up” to my Wall
Street classmates. When I did venture back, it took only a few minutes of being
back on my old campus to realize what reunions were all about: a time of
remembering, reuniting, and reviewing life.
Former Headmaster David Smith used to remind graduates at
commencement that as far as the school, faculty, and classmates were
concerned from that day onward they would be frozen in time as 18 year-olds in
their yearbook. Perhaps with today’s social networking and Facebook this is no
longer quite as true, yet nothing replaces a 20-year delayed hug, followed by a
teasing insult, and a shouted long-lost nickname – the coming together of a class
reunion!
Reunions also are time to consider the past and its effect on one’s career and
life. As you read the following Hoopla column, you’ll learn how Brewster has
worked its charms on many alumni. Some may think ‘if only’ they had been more
involved, worked a little harder, things might have turned out differently. Last
year one alumnus asked me, only half-jokingly, “Think there’s anyway I could
return to Brewster as a PG? I’d promise to do all my assignments ...”
Almost everyone has his or her favorite teachers – someone who took the time
to give extra attention, who helped in a time of need, who became a mentor and
with whom a later, meaningful relationship formed. Reunions are also a time to
reach out to important friends, to invite them to join their class at a milestone
reunion.
Matt Hoopes was a faculty member from 1975 to 1996. During this time he and his journalism students founded The Brewster Browser and the Outcroppings literary
magazine. Since his “retirement” from the classroom in 1996, Hoopes has worked as the alumni correspondent from his hilltop banana farm on the island of Eleuthera, The
Bahamas, helping to keep the alumni connection alive. In each issue he brings life-after-Brewster stories to the pages of his Hoopla column.
to be 18 again, 25 years later alumni value lessons learned
Celebrating their
25th reunion, the
following members
of the Class of 1988
write about their
memories of Brewster
activities, stories,
and friends. They’ve
also mentioned the
teachers who inspired
them, often with
advice that they’ve
used and held on to all
these years later.
Whether it is your
5th or 50th reunion,
take advantage of the
occasion and renew
old (and older!) friendships while you revisit a place where early dreams of one’s
future formed. Looking forward to seeing all on campus May 31 - June 2. In the
meantime do consider ‘honoring’ your own faculty mentor with an annual gift
donation of any size.
As always I look forward to learning about your updates as well as your Brewster
memories.
Hoopes and Sandy, his new Bahamian Potcake pup, one of a litter of six found during Hurricane Sandy. Potcakes lick clean a pot’s burnt remains
left from baking over an open fire.
HOOPLAby Matt Hoopes
31www.brewsteracademy.org
Joel Richman attributes the courage for a mid-life
career change to Brewster.
I’m working at a technology-based public relations firm called SHIFT
Communications, where I’m one of the managing vice presidents. It’s the career I
went to college to get into, but I took a convoluted route to get here. After what
I call my “false start” at Lynchburg College in Virginia, I dropped out to work for a
year in the Caribbean. When I returned to Boston, I transferred to Northeastern
University in pursuit of a journalism and public relations degree.
I’m going to skip over details of the years after college, but for a timeline
continuity here are the Cliff Notes: I worked part time at a bar while in school
and was offered a full management position after I graduated. There was a
lot more money in food service than entry-level copy writing so I stuck with
hospitality for a while. It was a 10-year distraction. Toward the end I started my
own place with some partners, but after clocking more than a year of 70-hour
weeks, I left for an entry-level position at a boutique PR firm. To this day I still
say my worst day in PR is better than my best day running a restaurant.
I directly attribute the ability to make a stark career jump to my time at
Brewster. When I got to Brewster in 1985, I was a failing product of a mediocre
small town school system. Issues created by dyslexia included poor grades, which
led to a drop in self-esteem. I lost interest in sports and let my relationship with
my parents and hometown friends degrade. Thankfully my parents recognized
what was going on and made the sacrifices necessary to get me into an
environment we all now call “The Brewster Experience.”
Everything during my first year was foreign. I shared a room with a goofy,
reggae-loving kid who enjoyed staying up very late, and made other friends from
California, Texas, New York City, Charlottesville, Florida, and Bermuda. Everyone
was different so nothing needed to be the same. I quickly forgot the small town,
insular, and nearly depressed kid I was when I arrived, and began to enjoy the
idea that I’d be able to build a real plan for myself at Brewster.
Three required sports forced me to take better care of my health as well as
flipped my fairly negative attitude to one that thrived on competition. I’m not
built for running – toddlers do it better – but I got into cross-country in the fall
as a way to train for ‘my’ sport of wrestling. Rex Snyder, the Sargent Hall dorm
parent and wrestling coach, became a regular fixture in all aspects of my life. He
kept order on the dorm floor, always had an ear to lend when something came
up and I needed to chat, and he came down hard on us when my friends and I
misbehaved. He also had a spooky knack for expertly blending into the shadows
and vegetation to keep those of us from jeopardizing our Brewster Experience
with a Budweiser! Rex and wrestling taught me how to adapt to different
Joel richman
situations while remaining calm so I could assess my challenges. As a result, my
ability to focus increased, and, as we all know, with focus, anything becomes possible.
Another mentor at Brewster was Mary Fallon who taught me how to torture
a rough story draft article into a piece I was proud to share. Mary pushed me
to apply critical thought to not just my content, but also to the content’s
arrangement, word choices, and even tempo. To this day I remember Mary saying
“write with swagger” – I try to everyday and still use the phrase with those who
now report to me.
Very little of what I’m up to these days would be possible at all if Matt Hoopes
hadn’t pushed me well out of my comfort zone. Hoopes brought me into the
school newspaper where he, rather than letting me volunteer, forced me to
become an editor. I suddenly had real deadlines and needed to learn newspaper
layout. I had to talk to strangers about strange things and then tell those stories
in simple, digestible ways. It took focus. Hoopes also put me on the Judicial
Board, which in my estimation was a little like “the pot calling the kettle black.”
Putting this all down on paper has made me realize I actually missed my 15th
and 20th class reunions. Imagine passing on one’s 20th high school reunion.
Seems there have always been other priorities that took over the prospect of a
weekend lakeside with old friends. Like most of my class, I’m married now, with
a 16-year-old stepdaughter and a four year-old of our own, but this reunion I
will be there! I miss the guys I lived with in House 2 (Mason House), and over
at Bearce. I’d love to connect again with friends like Jill Chapman, liz and her
husband, and my former roommate, Jorian rose, Jeff Bucknan, Jon Gates, Jim
Snidow, eric Schwartz, and many, many others. hope to see all on campus!
Joel Richman’s wife Andrea, stepdaugher Ashley, 16, and daughter Hannah, 4.
32 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
HOOPLA
“For me, Brewster was a very positive place that
embraced me as an individual and empowered me to
become a confident person.”
After Brewster I took my time finding the right path. It helped that John
Hamblett,’87, my boyfriend of two years, had already led the way to Colorado,
which is where I soon followed. Finding my place at Western State College, I
graduated four years later with a degree in outdoor recreation. The winter of
1998 led me to the start of where I am today. Some very dear friends were
trying to make a go of producing and executing big mountain free skiing events,
and they needed help. I am proud to say I’ve been with this company from the
beginning. Mountain Sports International is now a diverse sports marketing,
event production, and multi-media company. Over the course of the past decade,
MSI has produced and played an integral role in events ranging from world-class
free skiing competitions in remote mountain environments to large-scale urban
sporting events taking place in the heart of major metropolitan areas.
Career aside, John and I finally got married in 1995 and are proud parents of
Willy, 12, and Silas, 7, and Chester (our highly energetic and spastic Golden
Retriever.) We now live in Eliot, Maine, where we enjoy being closer to family and
the ocean.
Brewster was very likely the best thing that ever happened to me. It was my
home for the most important four years of my life. For me, Brewster was a very
positive place that embraced me as an individual and empowered me to become
a confident person. I arrived as a freshman from Brooklyn, New York, with orange
hair from too much ‘Sun-In’ and not much of a clue as to how to navigate myself.
I departed (very sadly, I’ll admit) after graduation, a healthy, somewhat athletic,
and bold young woman ready to take on the next adventure. Without question,
the friends during those years are the ones I cherish. Though we may not stay as
connected as I would like, I still feel a very close bond with the majority of my
Brewster friends.
When asked if any teacher had made a difference to my stay at Brewster,
perhaps became a mentor in years to come, I would definitely point to Ron and
Sue Nentwig as they treated me as their own kid and taught me more than they
Barb Matthews hamblett
will ever know. They were my teachers of favorite subjects, my coaches, and
dorm parents. They were also advisors on every delicate part of high school life.
It’s hard, even now, to speak to how much they mean to both John and myself.
They are simply the best, and we love them dearly.
I’m really looking forward to our upcoming reunion and reconnecting with
everyone, and just having a really good time! As the 25th reunion is such a
milestone, (and, let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger!) I hope that everyone
will rally and make the effort! Can’t wait to see everyone in House 3 (Hughes
House) plus ... Megan Scully, dara isaacson, patty lawless, leslie zaslower,
Jenny ryan, tara hines, ellie Beckwith, Meg Crandal, Marie Garland, alexis
pappas, Brad kirkpatrick, tim Furgueson, Bill watt, Jorian rose, Jeff Buckman,
Joel richman, nelson lemmon, James Snidow, henry harris, tony hall, eric
Schwartz, Shawn Minor, Sayers harman, Chuck henry, John Cameron, and Jon
konheim. If all these folks make it, it’ll be the best reunion ever!
Barb Matthews Hamblett ’88, husband John Hamblett ’87 and their sons Silas, 7, and Willy, 12.
33www.brewsteracademy.org
“My experience at Brewster truly shaped what was
to come for me.”
I beat it out of Wolfeboro in the spring of 1988 and promptly rented a
beautiful but tiny closet of an apartment on the corner of Commonwealth and
Mass Avenue in Boston. John linde ‘86 moved in with me that summer, and
we planned to write some music before I began my freshman year at Emerson
College – but that was two blocks and four months away. We ended up not
accomplishing much, but we saw the sights and partied a lot. I think I went to
see Midnight Run with Mike Geffers at some point.
I did a full year at Emerson before my Indi-rock band, Bullet LaVolta, got signed
to RCA Records. I told my mom that I was leaving school to pursue my music
dreams, and she was supportive. Within days of my second semester ending, I
was whisked away to Europe on tour. We performed in Holland, Germany, Austria,
Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, and the UK. Having just turned 19, I felt damned
fortunate. Several U.S. tours followed with Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney.
We released our major label debut on September 21, 1991, the same day as
Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” They won. We broke up eights months later. Confused
and depressed, I formed the Juliana Hatfield Three with my roommate at the
time, Juliana Hatfield. We released three gold records for Atlantic and toured
the globe numerous times. In 1998 I decided to get a real life and moved to Los
Angeles with my girlfriend, Janet, and a van loaded with all our junk.
I bumped into my old best friend and Brewster classmate tony hall there. He
told me he was editing TV commercials and making a killing. I immediately
enrolled at Moviola to learn the Avid editing machine. My first job was at a
motion picture advertising company called TKO Pictures. I mostly fetched
sandwiches for the trailer editors but soon was up and running, cutting big
Hollywood movie promos. My first was for Zoolander. I won several editing
awards (Key Arts) and made the jump to senior editor at BLT and Associates
in 2003. Three years later, I made a big jump to vice president and creative
director at In Sync Advertising. I built my dream house in Echo Park, an artistic
neighborhood in L.A.
todd philipsIn the spring of 2011, I had
reached total creative burnout
– the toll from working 9 a.m.
to midnight every day. Having
worked on everything from Avatar
(the good) to Magic Mike (the
bad) to Big Momma’s House 3 (the
ugly), I decided to take a break.
I lived in New York for a month,
then Martha’s Vineyard for the
month of August, and ventured to
Dubai for a spell. In the spring of
2012, Universal Pictures hired me to spearhead the campaign for the new Oliver
Stone movie, Savages. I parlayed that into a freelance gig at Motive Creative for
the last eight months, overseeing the campaigns for Argo, Silver Linings Playbook,
and Lincoln.
I have decided to mini-retire again for a while with my dog, Henry, a gorgeous
Shiba Inu. Trips that I have planned this year include Spain, Argentina, Brazil,
and perhaps the Class of 1988’s 25th reunion (if tony hall agrees to go). After
putting my hand in a kangaroos’ pouch, partying with Kurt Cobain, meditating
at a Buddhist retreat in Kyoto, and producing the advertising campaign for the
biggest movie of all time, I realize that none of this would have ever happened
without the influence that Matt Hoopes, Mary Fallon, Glen Depine, and Peter
Friend had on me. My experience at Brewster truly shaped what was to come
for me. Glen Depine’s music program nurtured my drumming, leading up
to performing in the New Hampshire All State Jazz Ensemble. The English
curriculum opened my mind to a world that led to my career in film. From
Hoopes teaching Salinger early on to Peter Friend exploring Dostoevsky, I found
these classes indispensable in shaping my future.
I have never married, love my life, and have no idea what’s to come next.
Todd Philips
34 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
HOOPLA
“I talk to many classmates on a daily basis! Can’t ask
for a greater gift than true friendships!”
After Brewster I attended Bethany College in West Virginia and graduated in
1992 with a B.A. in elementary education. I moved back to Boston and went to
Simmons College and eared my master’s in special education in 1996. For the
next 11 years I taught in the Boston Public School system and for the last four
years I’ve been a reading specialist in a school in Beverly, Massachusetts.
I also squeezed in a lot of traveling, all over the world, during those earlier years,
and yet I ended up marrying my next door neighbor, Brent Munroe. We now live in
beautiful Marblehead, Massachusetts, and have three daughters, Jessie, 9, Anna, 8,
and Sara, 3.
I have so many Brewster memories, mostly fun ones, but some “learning
experiences,” and one of these stands out as one I’ve gained from it all these
years later. During my junior year on a Headmaster’s Holiday some friends from
my dorm and I went off campus and partied prior to a game that afternoon.
We took advantage of the extra freedom, and it was good that we were caught
in that it brought together what teamwork and team spirit is all about. We all
were terribly embarrassed, especially as we had let down the best dorm parents
possible, Ron and Sue Nentwig.
I lived with them in House 3 (Hughes House) and they treated me as if I were a
member of their family. They were incredible mentors to me – and all of us. They
both pushed me on the field, in the classroom, and in the dorm. Even when I let
Courtney Crane Munroe
them down, such as with the behavior during the Headmaster’s Holiday, they
never gave up on me. I know that there is no way I could have made it through
my four years without either of them.
Equally important, however, were the friends I made while at Brewster. I still talk
to many, some on a daily basis, and it’s an incredible experience to have close
friends who I’ve known since I was 14. I can’t ask for a greater gift than that of
true friendships.
Several of us have already started plans to get all our class back for our 25th
reunion. Both a website and a Facebook page are set up and comments are flying
and photos of our early days are posted. I really want to see everyone at our 25th!
Courtney Crane Munroe’s ’88 daughters Jessie, 9, Sara, 3, and Anna, 8.
Tim Furgueson ’88 with daughters Reagan, 9, and Reeve, 10.
“As much as I enjoyed my college experience,
my time at Brewster had far more impact, both
personally and professionally.”
Graduating from Brewster as a “Lifer,” I
attended Roanoke College in Virginia. While I
was majoring in sociology, I made a decision
to pursue a career in asset management
during my senior year. I began an internship
with Wheat First Securities (now part of
Wells Fargo.) The experience was very
positive and helped solidify a job with Smith
Barney following graduation from college.
In 1997 I met my wife, Mimi, in Dallas, Texas. We were married in 2000 and
currently live in Essex, Connecticut. We have two daughters, Reeve, 10, and
tim FurguesonReagan, 9. After spending 17 years at Smith Barney, I felt it was time to shed the
“corporate world” and take a more independent approach. I resigned from Smith
Barney in 2010 and now am managing money for a well-known boutique asset
management firm based in Essex.
Looking back on my Brewster Academy experiences, I credit the late Walter
Hertz, who taught me economics, with helping me form my interest in the asset
management business. Little did I know at the time his insistence that the class
read The Wall Street Journal, coupled with his unique teaching style, would direct
me to my life’s career. If our attention wandered, he would launch into German,
and as the school’s fencing coach, he often compared fencing techniques to
business methods. As much as I enjoyed my college experiences, my time at
Brewster had far more impact, both personally and professionally. To this day I keep
in touch with far more friends from Brewster than I do with friends from Roanoke.
Brewster was a great experience and I look forward to returning this June to see
a lot of familiar, perhaps older, faces. Anyone know where Sayers is? If so, make
sure he shows up. Lastly, Hoopes has agreed to buy a drink for all who show for
their 25th ... guess red wine is probably covered under Obamacare! Stay thirsty
my friends!
35www.brewsteracademy.org
“The devotion of faculty, their belief in the good in
me, and their conviction to nourish me took me far.”
Matt Hoopes challenged me to ask myself, “Why did I become a nurse?” I
appreciate the opportunity to reflect on the work that I do, but I have found it is
hard to sum up what it means to be a psychiatric nurse in a few words. In short,
it is because I want to make a difference in people’s lives and connect with them
at an emotional level.
When I decided to go for it in 2004, people asked me, “Why nursing?” I might
have answered, “I was staring out the window of my corporate sales job right
after I got my MBA when I thought ‘I should give up working weekdays, 9-5, for a
career in nursing, so I can work long hours, weekends, and holidays.’”
I work in a psychiatric hospital. I help people with depression, schizophrenia,
addiction, and bi-polar disorder to confront some very frightening challenges in
their lives. It never gets boring, and I can see almost immediate results when I
medicate patients.
Before I decided that helping people was what I needed to do, I had graduated
with a major in finance. The first company I worked for offered a matching
gift program, and although my request to match my gift to Brewster Academy
was rebuked (looking back I suppose it was naïve of me to ask that company
to match contributions in the first week of employment), it reminded me how
passionate I am about my Brewster Academy experience.
I asked my mom years later why she had enrolled us in boarding school. She
replied, “After your father and I divorced, you needed to have a role model to
show you how to behave.” Also, at the time, I was having great difficulty in my
school. While the Brewster community as a whole was insulating and supportive,
there was one individual who stood above the rest. Matt Hoopes took me under
his wing, via opportunities to build my self-esteem. Thanks to his journalism
class, I found my strength as a writer, but more importantly, in his presence, I
found my footing in how a young adult behaves.
There were times when I felt he was testing me if I could show compassion and
empathy. Once I callously laughed to Hoopes about another student. I criticized
how this girl had written her newspaper article. I said “Look how she complains
in the article about how much time it took her to do the assignment.” He turned
to me and said, “Yes. Isn’t that sad?” I stopped laughing. I didn’t pass that “test”.
Soon I was at a dance and that same girl who I had just criticized to Hoopes,
came up to me and asked me to dance. She was disabled but it didn’t matter if
Charles Michaels
anyone teased me, which they didn’t. What mattered was rewarding her for how
much courage she had just shown. We danced. I was 16. It was another test.
Some people say nursing is a calling. Many years later, a man rolled up to me
in a wheel chair and shared that he may need assistance when finished using
the bathroom. I said I would help him. I waited near the bathroom until he
finished. In the end he didn’t need my help. I felt like I was being tested “How
would I react?” If I failed the tests before, I passed it this time.
Matt Hoopes and many other faculty members made a difference. Their devotion
and belief in the good in me and their conviction to nourish me took me
far. They planted seeds that would blossom and attract to me a lovely, devoted
wife, whom I met at the college of my choice.I stop short at saying Brewster is
responsible for teaching me everything I would need to survive as a psychiatric
nurse. That honor I bestow upon our children. My wife has asked, “Doesn’t
working there make our house seem serene and nice?” To get a message to one
another, we have to wait for a lull in the constant soundtrack of our four children
conversing.
I am very excited to attend the upcoming 25th year reunion of the class of
1988. When social media brought so many of us back together, I found Jon
konheim, our valedictorian, on Facebook. I played a game of Scrabble online with
him. True to his reputation of excellence, he won. That was three years ago. Since
then, I have been studying strategies to master the game. I have practiced daily
with andy Feldman and liddie kimball, and I am looking forward to picking up
with Mr. Konheim where we left off.
Charles Michaels’ ’88 with wife Sharon and their children Shira, Rebecca, Esti, and David.
36 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
HOOPLA
“When I think of my time at Brewster, it doesn’t
surprise me when I see myself today and realize
everything I did there is part of what I became.”
With four degrees (bachelors’ in communications and economics, a juris
doctor, and an MBA) behind me, I know the value of education, but I feel real
life experiences are more important. Many of those experiences come from
interacting with different people. Brewster introduced me to a lot of interesting
people. I regret that I’ve not stayed in touch with many classmates, but I
certainly learned from both friends and foes while I was there. Those who
weren’t as friendly as they could have been helped me understand people better,
and those who were friendly became extremely close and supportive. I had a
great time at Brewster and it was the people who made it such an important
part of my life.
I became so involved in so many extracurricular activities, I barely had time for
school work, let along myself. Today, it’s no different between my jobs, my family,
charity work, and friends, I rarely have time for myself. My aspirations continue
to grow each day. Brewster was great at providing so many different outlets
that allowed you to explore and learn more about yourself. One of the most
important aspects of my experience at Brewster would be the independence it
taught me. I learned to rely on myself to get a job done and learned a lot about
myself along the way.
I always loved the camaraderie I gained from playing sports. While I worked
myself up through jv teams to three varsity teams and one captain position by
my junior year, during my senior year I dropped all three to try something else. I
left soccer for a role in the musical Damn Yankees, and I left wrestling to manage
the girls’ varsity basketball team. And I left tennis to play on Brewster’s first
rugby team, a great experience, even though we only scored once all season, we
had fun playing and brutalizing each other in practice.
I was influenced by many teachers at Brewster, and I developed some very good
relationships, both in and out of the classroom. Probably the one teacher who
had the greatest impact on me was Mrs. Fallon. She was my dorm parent during
my senior year. We had great conversations on many non-school subjects. Mrs.
Fallon was my creative writing teacher and was able to tap into my creative
side getting me involved in the writing process as well as understanding proper
development. She had to push me every step of the way and it paid off as today
I use my writing and analytical skills daily. Mrs. Fallon cared and taught me by
example about being a good person. Mrs. Fallon is a gem!
Among some of the others who made an impact: both Mr. Nentwig and Mr.
Snyder to whom I can thank for allowing me to hone my skills and be covert
Jon konheim
when sneaking around after hours. Mr. Smith was always a phenomenal role
model. I shared a lot of time with him; found him to be a truly wise individual.
I respected all that he did for Brewster and he was an excellent guidance
counselor to me.
Of all the teachers I spent time with, Hoopes was the one who saw me the
most throughout my Brewster years. I could never figure out how this bearded,
Yugo driving, would-be Bahamian found his way to our small New Hampshire
school, but Brewster was fortunate to have him. Like Mrs. Fallon, Hoopes helped
me develop some of the skills I utilize today as a result of all our work on the
Browser. He taught me organization, layout, and editing. And I’ve enjoyed keeping
in touch with him, even though I can only read half of what he scrawls on his
annual alumni post cards.
It’s impossible to set on paper in so few words all that Brewster has meant to
me. Living on the west coast, it’s hard to visit Wolfeboro. I wish I could make it
back for Reunion to share laughs and reminisce, but I have a family commitment.
I was married in 2000 to my wife Amy, and we have three gorgeous daughters,
Ashley, 12, Haley, 9, and Carly, 6. We now live in Encino, California. I will commit
in writing that I’ll be there for our 30th!
Jon Konheim ’88 with wife Amy and their daughters Carly, 6, Haley, 9, and Ashley, 12.
37www.brewsteracademy.org
“At Brewster, we tried something new or challenging
and even if we came up short, we discovered that
there was value in the trying.”
Flexibility, Resilience, and Friendship. In 2013, this is what I would say I learned at
Brewster. If you had asked me in the mid-1990s, I might have said I learned how
to read carefully and deeply and to write well and often. That is because at the
time, I had just finished my master’s degree in communication and was starting
on a doctorate at The Ohio State University. Reading and writing were my life,
and I was grateful to Mr. Friend for having taught me to do both well. If you had
asked me in the early 2000s, I might have said I learned how to learn and so,
how to create a learning community. From 1999 through 2008, I was teaching at
the college level and so, reflecting on the learning process helped me be a guide
with my own students. Many of the teachers I had at Brewster – the Nentwigs,
the Richardsons, Ms. Douglas, Dr. Ferris – came to mind as role models for what
they did both in and out of the classroom. But now, after a career change I can
say that the most important things I learned had to do with being open to new
experiences, discovering and sticking to what is essential, and keeping those who
are important close to my heart.
I recall being nervous about a lot of things at Brewster: acting, singing, playing
lacrosse, higher-level math. But the teachers knew how to read us, and they
pushed us to overcome these hesitations. Ms. Howe-Couser took a chance on me
as Rosalia, which meant singing a duet with liz Scully ’87 as Anita in West Side
Story. I practiced and practiced my part with Mr. DePine and he finally just gave
up and told me to sing loudly, even if I couldn’t sing on key! Ms. Dower not only
taught me that I’m a secret Francophile, but also encouraged me to try lacrosse
after sitting on the sidelines as a student trainer for a year. Again, I was not the
best nor the fastest, nor the most coordinated player, but I tried many different
positions and learned that I loved the grace of the game. Mr. Brown helped
me master integrals and derivations, and I learned that the process of solving
problems was its own reward even if I couldn’t always get the right answer.
Not a top scorer in basketball? The Caffins taught me to be a better teammate
by seeing the court and the play as it develops. In each of these experiences, I
learned how to challenge myself and invent new ways to enjoy the outcome,
whatever it may be. At Brewster, we tried something new or challenging and even
if we came up short, we discovered that there was value in the trying.
I suspect we all also learned to listen to our hearts and find what truly matters,
no matter the challenge we faced. These are typical lessons for those entering
adulthood, and in the Brewster spirit, the faculty was there for us then, too. After
messing up pretty seriously my freshman year, Mr. Esty taught me that I could
turn my life around. “Rex” (Mr. Snyder) helped me accept whatever life throws at
me and emerge wiser for it. Mr. Weeks made me see possibilities in myself and
others, not just limits. After my grandfather passed away on the eve of a school
Marie Garland
trip to the Soviet Union, Mr. Gefers taught me the value of grief. And Hoopes?
If I remember to pick my battles wisely today, it is because of him. I may have
learned these lessons for the first time at Brewster, but I continue to learn them
over and over as life unfolds. These are the lessons that make us resilient.
Finally, I learned that friendships are what make life purposeful. Although I’m
excited to see “friends” from the faculty at Reunion, I’m really hoping I get to
see classmates Chuck Michaels, Charlie henry, and Barb (Matthews) hamblett
from Student Council; tara hines, Jen (rader) dennis, evelyn eidelmann, and
leslie zaslower from basketball; The California Connection of Jon konheim and
randy Berenson; and dani desMarias and raychul Goldenberg, my fellow day
students. I see some of these folks and more thanks to the magic of Zuckerberg,
but ‘seeing’ people online is just not the same as seeing them in person (mostly
because there’s no beer!). I do, however, regret that I will not likely see people
from the classes of ’86, ’87, ’89, and ’90, too. In a small family like Brewster, it
was impossible to stick with your class.
I know BA is asking us to honor our mentors, but as you can see, I’ve had far
too many to single any one out. These days, though, I work in organizational
development, trying to help leaders put together the right combination of
people, places, and projects to make big things happen. From that perspective
(though this will make me sound like the “biggest brownnoser” my classmates
voted me to be), I would have to say that Headmaster David Smith is a mentor.
Afterall, I have to believe he played a – the – major role in making sure all these
people came together in one great place in those years at BA, making it possible
for a little magic to happen. So thank you, David, for being such a great leader. I
hope I get to tell you this in person at the Reunion!
Marie Garland with husband Kyle Kubick and their children Maia, 9, and Cole, 4.Photo by Kim Chandler © 2012.
Class Notes
38 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
1933
Jack Porter, son of John porter ’33, contacted the
Alumni Office to let us know that his father passed
away on January 22. Over the years, John shared
many favorite Brewster memories with his children.
John loved his time at Brewster very much. The
family asks that anyone interested in making gifts
in John’s memory, please do so in his name to the
Brewster Academy Annual Fund.
1949
nancy hoppe works in media outreach and publicity
for the Democratic Women’s Club of Upper Pinellas
County, Florida. She recently helped with the hosting
of honoree Victoria Kirby for the club’s Black History
Month.
1951
nancy drew writes: “I am, of course, retired. I had
a beauty shop in Michigan for over 25 years. I now
enjoy painting, crocheting, and some bowling.”
1981
Barry Sanel is living in Kent Cliffs, New York, with his
wife Ava and his children, Allison and Aaron. “Outside
of work where I’m the commercialization manager
on packaging innovation for Diageo, the largest spirits
company in the world, I am also a fire commissioner
at the Kent Volunteer Fire Department.”
thomas Blue writes that his wife of 15 years, Becky,
passed away in November, 2008. He has retired. He
says hi to all of his classmates.
1982
neal Meyers writes: “As of November 2012, I
have taken on a new role with Ahold, in their
finance department. I am working with ERM/
Internal Controls and auditing for Ahold USA
(parent company of Stop & Shop and Giant Foods
companies). I also got married in October 2012 to
my beautiful wife Denise. We have a home in North
Providence, Rhode Island.”
1983
rick Clay-Storm sold his farm in Fryeburg, Maine,
and moved all the way south to North Conway. He
left his stint in the educational world and is entering
the real estate appraisal field. He and his wife and
two boys are all fine.
1986
Joanna (lavarello) robertson has been an
emergency department nurse in Seattle for 14 years
and loves it. “My husband David and I have two cats,
Charlie and Bruno, and are in the process of taking
care of a new stray cat. Brewster seems just like
yesterday, and I really miss New England and a good
blizzard! We may be taking a trip to South Africa this
1977
derek Murphy is the new executive vice president
and general manager of USA Today. One of his roles
will be to manage the transition of USA Today to
a digital-first enterprise. Previously he was general
manager of multicultural media at AOL Huffington
Post Media Group. Murphy served Brewster for many
years as a trustee.
eric haucke is sorry that he missed his 35th class
reunion last June, but writes: “I just returned from a
romantic Maui holiday with my girl Tammy, and we
had a fun time. These days I’m semi-retired, working
out, staying fit, and donating to Democratic causes.”
1979
harold “Bill” Finethy wrote that he got stuck in
Coinjock, North Carolina, with 40-mph winds on his
way south to spend the winter on his boat in Florida
and hopefully Bimini, Bahamas, as well.
Nancy Drew ’51 (third from left) with her sisters, including Dorothy Woodroof ’49, far right. Sister Garaldine Sullivan ’48 is not pictured.
Experienced Alumni Recall Their Brewster Days
Recollections
39www.brewsteracademy.org
Stephen Hatch ’48
Laconia, New Hampshire
We went to Brewster during WWII. We had
some teachers who shined! It was a difficult
time though, no one was happy because of
the war; even though we were winning, we
were losing boys. Everything in 1944-1945
was geared for the war effort and things were
rationed, like sugar, butter, meat, and gas.
I played football and baseball. In 1946 we
had over 100 postgraduates, veterans at-
tending Brewster under the GI Bill. We had
a great football team! Under coach Lawrence
Bartnick, we played college teams including
Dartmouth, Tufts, and the University of New
Hampshire. I will always remember Mel
Massucco; he went on to play for and coach
Holy Cross football. Brewster opened up a jv
team for the guys who would have normally
played first string.
In 1945 I worked for Brewster for $89 a
month. I mowed, washed floors, and was
never allowed to wear shorts.
My favorite teachers were my English
teacher, “Ma” Page, and Natalie Amanti, our
bookkeeping and typing teacher. She had
great posture! I was also fond of my Spanish
teacher, Carol Piper. Tony Genewich was a
favorite coach – he went on to marry Natalie
Amanti. These were fine teachers.
We had class assembly every day. We said
The Lord’s Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and
sang hymns. Vincent Rogers was our princi-
pal and a teacher. He was a very nice person.
Mr. Vaughan was also well respected and
boy, when he played the piano at assembly,
you could hear him in Ossipee!
which is like a ‘mini doctor’, and I will see my own
patients, practice independently, do procedures,
write prescriptions – and hopefully haul in a little
more cash! I’m still working in the emergency
department. I’m looking forward to getting out of
the city, hopefully back to the mountains or maybe a
small coastal town.”
1992
Matt Cullen launched a new company last year.
“We manufacture green industrial coating. Keeps me
busy. Fingers crossed it will be my home run.”
summer, but if that doesn’t work out, I really want to
visit Wolfeboro, and of course Brewster.”
1987
Matthew neutra writes: “Pulling up on my 11-year
anniversary at Bose. Now I am working in research
with a focus on pushing the boundaries of our
customers’ retail experience.”
1989
kristin van wagner is off on yet another adventure
and quotes Tennyson along the way: “I can not
rest from travel; I will drink Life to the lees.” She is
sailing from Easter Island to Japan and will be on
the high seas for 18 weeks. Follow her wake here:
kitvanwagner.com
Corey levy writes: “After living in China for 10
years it’s great to be back in Boulder, Colorado! Just
launched a new high-end bath furniture line. See it
at www.luxebathworks.com”
1990
Courtney rupp writes: “I’m still in Tennessee with
my husband and our 5-year-old son Ben. I had a
partial knee replacement and am not working at the
moment.”
kimberly Macdermott writes: “My life is very busy:
I have been in grad school the last couple of years,
but finally graduating in May as a nurse practitioner,
Stefan Mandanis ’85 and family.
Elizabeth (Palmer) Traverso ’93 and family.
Class Notes
40 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
1993
erik Jones has moved from Virginia back to his home
town of Effingham, New Hampshire, where he works
at the town’s post office and the public library.
Mark Carlson married Olga Zajac in March on the
island of Provo in Turks and Caicos.
Jason reaume writes: “Just got back from
Afghanistan from my fourth combat tour. I’m being
stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.”
rob hibbitts writes that he would love to make
it back to BA for his 20th reunion,”but right now
am making some serious career changes and life is
turned up to 11!”
In his free time, Tim enjoys doing anything outside
in New England including, mountain biking, running,
hiking, kayaking, and golfing. This past summer he
successfully competed and finished a Warrior Dash
race at Gunstock Mountain and a Spartan Race that
was held at Fenway Park in November 2012.
2000
Meredith (Crumley) Stevens writes: “I’ve been
happily married to a wonderful man since August
2010. We do get up to Wolfeboro in the summer;
however, we have been working on restoring our
home in Gloucester so summers are busy. Hope all is
well with everyone from the Class of 2000.”
2001
Brett danahy is entering year two of a new sports
and entertainment company launched last year.
He represents clients such as NBC Sports, USTA/US
Open, Cirque du Soleil, Little League Baseball, and
Disney Touring Shows. Brett and wife Caryn have a
son Jackson Patrick born November 3, 2012.
Jeff krumsick made a big change in life, from college
at the University of Denver to a job back home.
for the pharmaceutical industry. It’s a challenging
field and I get to travel now and then to the U.S.
Unfortunately not too often to New Hampshire but
maybe that’ll change soon. Best regards.”
rebecca randall writes: “I have been working with
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco for the past five
years and loving it. I have been the camp director
for the past four years, a 200-acre camp, serving
1,200 campers each summer. I’ve been working with
‘at risk’ youth for almost 10 years now. BGCSF is a
great organization and the kids would really amaze
you. They have amazing hearts and such tough
backgrounds. I really have the best job in the world!”
timothy Croes has been working at The Baysider
as the paper’s sole staff reporter for more than two
years, covering the news in Alton, New Durham, and
Barnstead. Prior to moving back to New Hampshire,
he was a sports reporter for the weekly, The Central
Virginian, for nearly two years. Tim continues to
coach at Brewster, assisting with the snowboard
and junior varisty baseball teams. He also recently
started working as a blogger for www.fundraise.com, a
company started by nate drouin ’10, and maintains
the company’s blog, blog.fundraise.com, Facebook,
and Twitter accounts.
BA Pride! Eden is the daughter of Shawna (Allison) Gedgaudas ‘95
1998
Jill krumsick and her fiance Jeff Howard have
moved to San Francisco, where they love to go city
exploring. They are planning a wedding in Marfa,
Texas, in April.
1999
Gregor deutschle writes: “Hi Brewster, I hope
everybody is doing well at Brewster. My last visit to
BA for Reunion 2009 was a blast, and I’m hoping to
come back soon. I’m currently working as product
manager developing new primary packaging solutions
Sedge and Samara, the children of Sarah Bunker Kern ’93.
41www.brewsteracademy.org
2003
laura Guerin writes “going for my second bachelor’s
degree, this one in civil engineering. Fun doing school
work again!”
Ben lord and girlfriend Tina Cormier recently
became engaged. No wedding date yet.
2004
danah Gordon has founded I.C.O.F. – In Case of
Fabulous – “a retail accessory experience dedicated
to the woman looking to add a little glam to her
wardrobe.” She has a blog and an online store
dedicated to custom-made hair accessories and
providing jewelry and accessories for photo shoots
and jewelry parties. Danah plans to expand to
accessories for men by spring. “Although I do have
a career in health care administration that I am
building, I do plan on one day opening an I.C.O.F.
boutique (or two or three). The Brewster motto
remains my motivation. I will continue to live and as
I learn I will continue bettering my capacity to lead.”
Jeff higgs and wife Emily are expecting a baby in
April.
Jeremy krumsick is still living and working in New
York and was planning to marry Cristina Suarez in
February.
2005
Gavin Bodkin and brother Chris ’07 have launched
Blu2Green. “After graduating college, the pressure
of finding a job let alone a career was heavy,” Gavin
shared. “The economic state at the time of the
company’s conception was rugged at best so I had
to find employment outside of my environmentally
focused major just to sustain myself.” Thanks to
the resourcefulness of the brothers, blue wrap – the
sterile housing used to protect surgical instruments
– will get a second life. Gavin says roughly 1 million
pounds of blue wrap is discarded each year, and
Blu2Green will reduce the amount of blue wrap
going from the operating room to the landfill. The
Bodkins plan to create usable products, such as tote
bags and neckties (like the one Chris is wearing
above), with blue wrap.
2006
Gregory parker writes: “I will be returning to school
in March – going for my master’s degree in history.
I’ll also be teaching a couple of theater classes
nearby. Hoping to spread my love of art and the
process of theater. Very promising!”
August Fallon is the son of Gillian Brown ’01 and Mo Fallon ‘94
2007
Jennifer white, a certified natural foods chef, has
started a business in New York City as a natural
foods chef and health coach. “I am in training to
become a certified holistic health counselor through
the Institute for Integrative Nutrition – the world’s
largest nutrition school – where upon graduation I
will become a certified member of the American
Association for Drugless Practitioners.” Jenn received
her B.B.A. in marketing from Loyola University
Chicago where she studied marketing, finance,
entrepreneurship, accounting, and operations. Visit
her website: thegourmetour.com
2008
kelsey Glencross and her dog Lola live in Boston.
She enjoyed living on Nantucket last summer and
works at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
erin knapp graduated from the University of
Vermont last May with a bachelor of science in
public communication. “I am working for the New
England Patriots organization in the marketing
department. My responsibilities include client
services, sponsor relations, social media, and sales
support. Prior to graduating I held internships with
the University of Vermont Athletic Association,
Adidas Group, as well as the International Ice Hockey
Federation.”
2010
allyson reiner is studying abroad in Italy this semester.
Charlie Silverstein writes: “Life is fantastic! Instant
Classic Skateboarding is now ICS Clothing, and
aluMni laCroSSe GaMe
Sunday, May 19 is the day for the annual alumni
lacrosse games. This year’s games will take
place on the new turf surface on Brown Field.
The springtime tradition brings alumni, parents,
and friends back to campus for an afternoon of
friendly competition. A BBQ for all players at the
Pinckney Boathouse will follow the games.
If you plan to play, please RSVP to Bill Lee:
bill_lee@brewsteracademy.org (alumni) or
sally_smith@brewsteracademy.org (alumnae).
Blu2Green founders: Gavin Bodkin ’07 and brother Chris ’05 in his blue wrap tie.
Class Notes
42 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
we are rocking and rolling!” Mason Maddox ’09 is
involved with the company, and Charlie keeps in
touch with dylan Miller, Ben Goldlust, and Stone
lauderdale.
katie thomas writes: “Hopefully graduating from
Clarkson University with a major in both mechanical
and aeronautical engineering with a mathematics
minor in spring of 2014.”
J. Michael vandenberg writes: “I live in New York
City and graduated from The Institute of Audio
Research with a degree in audio engineering. My
production/dj career has bubbled a little bit (I
received an offer to be an in-house producer for a
well known label earlier this year) and am doing
whatever I can to make it in the music business,
which involves lots of headaches and late nights, but
its incredibly fun and rewarding in the end. I miss the
BA crew and hope to make it up there soon.”
2011
Connor nolan has started a clothing company,
Coleno Apparel: colenoapparel.com. Stores in
Burlington, Vermont, are carrying his clothing and he
is getting orders from around the world.
2012
daniel lopez, andy o’Brien ’07, and dorriane
Barr ’85 volunteered as judges for the 39th Annual
Harvard Invitational Forensics Tournament in
February. Each participating school is required to
bring judges and these alumni volunteered for the
Brewster team.
In January, the Board of Trustees honored employees for their service to the Academy with a luncheon in their honor. The following employees were honored for 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of dedicated service:
Front row: Lauren Hammond (10 yrs), Eileen Taylor (10 yrs), Kim Ross (25 yrs), Marilyn Shea (25 yrs), Denise Morrill (10 yrs), Brenda Fuller (5 yrs), Lynne Palmer (25 yrs), BG Hodges (15 yrs), Daniel Mudge (President of the Board of Trustees), Kirsty Ridings (5 yrs), Fred Fernald (10 yrs) Back row: Dr. Michael Cooper (Head of School), Raylene Davis (15 yrs), Doug Skelley (5 yrs), TJ Palmer (25 yrs), Bob “Trep” Trepanier (15 yrs), Kyle Strauch (5 yrs) Missing from photo: Jim Copithorne (5 yrs), Sheila Elliott (5 yrs), Mary Roetger (5 yrs), Diana Salazar (5 yrs), Zack Apgar (10 yrs), Emily James (10 yrs), Susan Nichols (25 yrs)
BrewSter pride!
zoe lindgren ’13 (New York, New York) purchased
this coat from a vintage thrift store in New York City
and her roommate katie Marie wilcox ’13 (Durham,
New Hampshire) sewed the BA Banner on the back
and Zoe’s varsity softball letter on the front.
aluMni BoBCatS oF the Month
Read about Alumni Bobcats of the Month at
brewsteracademy.org/alumni-athlete. Most
recently featured: Andrew Fitzgerald ’09.
43www.brewsteracademy.org
in Memoriam
Class of 1933John H. PorterJanuary 22, 2013Gloucester, Massachsuetts
Class of 1938Jeannie (Paolucci) MulveyDecember 1, 2012Wolfeboro
Class of 1939Elizabeth (Kent) BickfordMay 17, 2011Macon, Georgia
Class of 1948Roger H. DoreNovember 8, 2012Concord, New Hampshire
Class of 1949John C. RicoOctober 26, 2010Wolfeboro Falls
Class of 1954Janet (Colby) DuBoisMay 20, 2012Ft. Pierce, Florida
Class of 1967Bruce N. Finkle (and former faculty)January 3, 2013Bedford, New Hampshire
Class of 1972Donald R. Tucker Jr.November 23, 2012West Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Former StaffArlene BeanJanuary 28, 2013Wolfeboro
Chances are you may never have met Robin Found.
However, if as a parent you
forgot your portal password,
or as a student you needed
to change your schedule, or
as an alumna or alumnus
you requested a transcript,
undoubtably Robin was there
for you. She has worked as
the Academy’s registrar for
12 years but this June she will
leave all those passwords
behind (happily we think)
and walk into retirement. And, knowing Robin, she will walk into retirement.
Five days a week for 12 years Robin has walked to and from work. “Although I am told that I
walk about five miles each day (home via Sewall Road) I have never measured it in miles,” she
says. “During Brewster’s team pedometer challenge walk, I logged in the range of 134,000 steps
for the week. I will never stop walking voluntarily. Even as I child, I walked or rode my bike to
school. Never took the school bus. Walking to and from work each day has been such a wonderful
opportunity to be able to enjoy nature while transitioning from work to home and vice versa.”
roBin Shared thiS reFleCtion oF her tiMe at BrewSter:
“I feel privileged to have been part of the Brewster community for the past 12 (starting my
13th) years and appreciate the support and cooperation this community has provided me. What
adventures and remarkable growth in facilities, in technology, and in curriculum enhancements
during those 12 years. I have had the opportunity to learn and grow with a fantastic group of
committed teachers, staff, and administrators and have truly enjoyed serving Brewster and being a
part of the life and energy of this community.”
Robin plans to enjoy time with her husband Steve and garden, bike, ski, and perhaps travel. And if
her last name sounds familiar, it should.
Robin is the mother and mother-in-law of faculty members Matt and Maria Found, respectively, and
the grandmother of freshman Gunner Found (above).
roBIn found to retIre
update uS! Send us your Class Note, and we will do our best to include it
in the next BrewsterConnections: alumninews@brewsteracademy.org
Mystery photoOn which Brewster building does this
weathervane reside? Be the first to e-mail
the correct answer to Marcia_eldredge@
brewsteracademy.org and win a gift card to
Brewster’s new online campus store.
44 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
HistoryHistoryHistoryHistoryWriting Brewster’sHistory
It would be 50 years before the Academy constructed another building on
campus. Brown Hall, built by Josiah Brown, was offered to the school for
use as a dormitory in 1915, however, it is still owned by the Josiah Brown
Trust. During World War II, the town used Brown Hall for war activities,
including teaching women Morse code. With the exception of the war
years, Brown Hall has remained a Brewster dorm.
riChardSon houSe, aCquired 1888
In 1854, this colonial Victorian house was built for Charles F. and Mary
Jane Symonds. In 1888, the Brewster trustees purchased it from Mrs.
Symonds, but John I. Sanborn, proprietor of a clothing store in downtown
Wolfeboro, continued to rent it for many years. His wife Ella Grant and
daughter Alice I. Sanborn, a 1906 Brewster graduate, lived in the house
for an extended period of time and thus it came to be known as Sanborn
House.
Later Burtis F. Vaughan Jr. and his family lived in the house until 1959
when he was named principal of the Academy and moved with his
family to Lord House. Next, Dean Rupert Brown and his family occupied
the house until 1966 and then our family became the newest residents
of Sanborn House. Our family, including daughters Lauren ’77, Susan,
’82, and Andrea ’84, remained in residence for 34 years. During this time
Robert and I held different positions, including academic dean and chair of
the history department (for Robert) and for me the positions of freshman
English teacher, learning skills instructor, and later dean of college
placement.
The house offers stunning views of the lake and Belknap Mountains. In
the early 1960s a row of lilac trees was planted offering privacy for the
deck and backyard. It is not known when the ell was built, but a garage
was added in 1963. A low stonewall was constructed in 1983 along the
driveway next to the house.
In 1996, the Academy honored our family by renaming Sanborn House
Richardson House.
As our second installment on the growth and development of
the Brewster campus unfolds, it is interesting to note that the
initial 42 acres of land given to the Academy trustees by Daniel
Pickering in 1888 was bordered by 10 privately owned houses along South
Main Street – from the Pavilion Hotel, located on the current Memorial
Field, to Haines House and what would become Academy Drive.
Arthur F. Estabrook, chairman of the
building and grounds committee,
immediately began the process of
acquiring seven of these homes and
having them either torn down or
moved to another location to allow
for the construction of Lord House
and Kimball House. Only three of the
original homes would remain as part
of campus. The 10 private houses were
built close together and the decision to
raze or move them was in part due to
Estabrook’s desire to open up campus in an effort to afford better views of
the lake and the mountains.
By 1905 the central campus was complete with the addition of Sanborn
House, Doe House (now Main Street Dorm), Haines House, and the
Pavilion Icehouse. The accompanying map shows the Brewster Academy
campus in 1905.
Campus, circa 1905
Arthur F. Estabrook one of the original “architects” of campus.
Becoming a Campus: 1888-1905By Robert and Shirley Richardson
45www.brewsteracademy.org
Main Street dorM (doe houSe, SarGent houSe, the oriGinal
inFirMary), aCquired 1895
In 1854, this house was built as a residence for Bradstreet Doe Jr. and his
family. It’s not known when the ell and porch were added, but in the mid
1800s, porches were being built onto homes at the time of construction.
Their location depended on the best view.
In 1895, as the new Academy was being established, Arthur Estabrook
purchased the house to become part of the expanding Brewster
campus.
For many years this house was known as Sargent House honoring
Herbert E. Sargent who lived there with his family for over 50 years and
who taught math and science and had a keen interest in agriculture.
Located behind the house were several apple trees. The Bradstreet Doe,
Jr. family may have planted them, but the tree closest to The Estabrook is
thought to have been planted by Sargent and still bears fruit today.
In 1965 Sargent House became the infirmary and residence for the nurse
and family. A low stonewall was built on the west side of the house in
1988, and during the summer of 1991, teachers Timothy Radley and Jason
Thatcher closed in the porch on the east side. Later a full dormer was
added.
In 2006, the infirmary was moved to the former rectory adjacent to
Anderson Hall, and the building became the Main Street Dorm with
faculty housing.
Eventually, it became known as Haines House and is still a dormitory
today.
During World War II, Principal Rogers used the second floor of Haines
barn to raise a flock of chickens in order to save some money and provide
eggs and chicken for the school dining table. Since teachers who lived on
campus were permitted to take all of their meals in the dining hall with
the boarding students, a top priority was keeping the dining hall kitchen
well supplied. The coop in Haines barn was big enough to nest a great
number of chickens and to provide the cook with eggs and poultry. After
World War II, the barn no longer housed chickens but was used as storage
space. Over the years, the barn has lost its farm-like character and the
lingering aromas of barn life.
In the summer of 1996 an enclosed stairway at the east end was added
to the house as a fire escape, and the attic was transformed into two
bedrooms to accommodate more students. Dormers were added on the
north and south for more light.
In 1996 Jamie Butler ’98 and Kevin Ginest ’96 wanted to improve student
life and activities on campus so they approached the headmaster with the
idea of creating a climbing gym for students. They saw it as a facility that
could be used by sports programs, dorms, and clubs for team building.
Not long after, the Haines barn was transformed into a top-notch facility
and the “basecamp” for the Outdoor Skills Program.
Haines House, circa 1895
Today’s Art Building once served many functions, including as an icehouse and boathouse.
haineS houSe, aCquired 1903
As Arthur Estabrook continued pursuing his acquisition of nearby homes
and buildings, one of the few original homes that remained privately
owned was Haines House.
On January 25, 1854, Joseph Haines and his wife Hannah Fernald, both of
Wolfeboro, purchased a small plot of land and built Haines House where
it sits today. In 1903 Estabrook purchased the land, house, and barn to
serve the needs of the growing Academy. For many years this old house
was known as “The Annex” and housed several male boarding students.
iCehouSe/BoathouSe/art Center, aCquired 1903
After the original Academy Building burned on November 2, 1903,
the acquisition of the icehouse/boathouse was critical to the academic
survival of the school. The sound structure formerly had been the
lakeshore icehouse for the old Pavilion Hotel located where the Civil War
Monument now stands. Easily accessible, it was quickly dragged up to the
upper campus by oxen and placed halfway between the Main Building
and Kimball House. Often referred to as “Principal Lord’s Boathouse” it
was used for classroom space which was desperately needed to continue
with scheduled course work and provided a fine setting to accommodate
science classes and chapel meetings while the new Main Building was
being constructed.
The multipurpose icehouse/boathouse became the present day Art Center
where classes in drawing, painting, and ceramics are offered and where
endless design and creative projects take place.
In the next issue of BrewsterConnections: campus expands with the
additions of Brown Hall, 1915; Memorial Hall/Rogers Gymnasium, 1954;
and Sargent Hall, 1965.
As years passed, the structure was no longer needed for academic
use and the building was utilized for storage. In the early 1960s
when Brewster was transitioning back to its role as a boarding
school, there was a movement underway by students, teachers,
and parents to fund a place for a recreational room, a place where
students could congregate after school and on weekends. It was
quickly decided that the icehouse/boathouse would be a perfect
location for a recreation hall. New linoleum was installed and the
boys’ woodcraft class replaced the windows and pine paneled
the entire room. Parents, trustees, and students contributed to the
purchase of a ping-pong table, a pool table, TV set, and a radio. The
principal made arrangements to have soft drink and candy and cracker
machines installed and a faculty-student committee set up rules and
regulations for administering the facility. It was the first student lounge
and an ideal place for students to go during free time.
In the 1980s a screened-in porch was added to the front of the structure
as the requirements of the school expanded. Over the years the building
has served many needs: classroom, chapel, writing center, publication
workroom, student lounge, and alumni center. Finally, in 1988, the
building was moved again to its present location between Goodwin and
Fox houses. The porch area was closed in to provide more space and a
second floor was built over the old porch.
46 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2012
View from Wolfeboro Bay, circa 1895
46 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
This new tool connects you with classmates through your iPhone,
iPad, or Android allowing you to:
• Access a secure directory for classmates
• Locate alumni in your area or on the road with the Nearby map feature
• Stay current on the latest BA news, videos, and events
• Submit photos and Class Notes
• Network with other Bobcats on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media.
DownloAD THE frEE BA Alumni ConnECTS APP ToDAy.
IT’S AS EASY AS 1 – 2 – 3:
1. Search for Brewster alumni Connect in the iTunes App store for Apple devices or in Google Play for Android devices
2. Use your primary e-mail to log in and create a password.
3. Enjoy reconnecting and remember to send updates to the Alumni Office.
Questions? Visit the FAQ page online at brewsteracademy.org/alumniapp or
contact Beth Hayes ‘81 in the Alumni and Development Office at 603-569-7133 or
beth_hayes@brewsteracademy.org.
wish i knew how to get in touch with … wait! there’s an app for that!inTroDuCing BrEwSTEr’S nEw, frEE, AnD ExCluSivE Alumni APP.
47www.brewsteracademy.org
Connections’ readers, including alumni, coaches, and
friends, nominated to Brewster Academy’s Athletic Hall of
Fame some outstanding contributors to athletics while at
Brewster and in their personal or professional lives. After
reviewing the accomplishments of numerous nominees,
the Academy is pleased to announce it has selected the
following individuals and team for induction into the
Athletic Hall of Fame:
inTroDuCing THE
HAll of fAmE inDuCTEES
Maura kehoe ’01, attended Brewster for only one
year and was the first female from Brewster’s
girls’ ice hockey program to accept a Division I
athletic scholarship. In 2000-2001, she captained
the first girls’ ice hockey team to win a New
England Championship. Maura attended Colgate
University where she received the Marian LeFevre
Coach’s Award for expressing interest, attitude, and
dedication to the program and also was recognized
as an AWHCA National Scholar-Athlete.
Milt Morin ’62 was a key member of the 1961
football team. “Sarge” was a post-graduate student
athlete who also played on the basketball team and
was voted “best natured” by his classmates. Milt
went on to play college football at the University
of Massachusetts winning the Yankee Conference
Championship twice, attended the Tangerine Bowl,
and was twice named All-American. He was selected
14th in the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns where
he played 10 seasons. (Milt passed away in July 2010)
william pottle was athletic director at Brewster
Academy for 20 years. Bill was the founder of the
Abenaki Boys’ Lacrosse Program in Wolfeboro, which
has produced numerous college lacrosse players. In
2009, he received the NEPSAC Distinguished Service
Award and is a Northern New England Lacrosse
Coach of the Year. Bill also served as athletic director
at Kimball Union Academy.
robert “Bob” roland ’66 played football, was co-
captain of the 1966 basketball team, and played
lacrosse, earning defensive player of the year. He
received a Lifetime Commitment Award following
his 14-year service as athletic director at Gloucester
High School and 36 years as a teacher and coach.
The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and honors
members of the Brewster community (including
posthumously), who have distinguished themselves
as outstanding contributors to athletics while at
Brewster and who have continued to exemplify the
core values of the Brewster principle of integrity,
contribution, and service in their personal and
professional life experiences.
the 1961 Football team who celebrated a tremendous
season losing only one game to Phillips Exeter Academy
by one point. The “Bobcat Bruisers” produced three
professional football players and numerous college level
athletes and had, arguably, one of Brewster Academy’s
most successful seasons of play.
47www.brewsteracademy.org
Join uS at the induCtion CereMony
This year’s honorees will be celebrated at the
Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony to be held on
June 1, 2013, at 4 p.m. in the Turner Hall of Fame
Room in the Smith Center. To read about current
members, go to brewsteracademy.org/halloffame
48 BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Friday, May 31Admissions Information session and tour for prospective students
Reunion Art Show Kick-Off, Art Work-shops, and Tour of Arts Facilities
25th and 50th Reunion Class Dinners
Class gatherings by decades arranged by classes, check brewsteracademy.org/reunion2013 or class Facebook pages.
Saturday, June 1Canoes, kayaks, and fishing available
Student Talent Showcase
Alumni Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee
Lunch in the Estabrook
Alumni of Color Meeting
Campus Tour
Ultimate Frisbee or Par 3 Golf on campus
Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Lobster Bake Overlooking the Lake
Music and Dancing at Pinckney Boathouse
Lakeside Campfire - S’mores and stories …
Sunday, June 2Farewell Brunch – Pinckney Boathouse
BrinG your FaMily!Children under 12 eat and sleep for free on campus.
Babysitting information available by request.
CElEBrATing gEnErATionS of PEoPlE mAKing A DiffErEnCE
rEunion 2013may 31-June 2
Daniel T. Mudge, Chair(Tapley-Ann ’98, Ashley ’02)
Arthur W. Coviello Jr., Vice Chair
Roy C. Ballentine, Treasurer(Brian ’97, Susan ’94)
Douglas H. Greeff, Secretary(Hilary ’11)
Ronn Bronzetti ’92
C. Richard CarlsonEstate Trustee
David L. Carlson ’54
Candace A. Crawshaw ’64
George J. Dohrmann III (George ’05, Geoffrey ’12)
Karen W. Fix(Will ’11, Keenan ’13)
Gabrielle “Bri” J. Gatta ’05President, Alumni Association
David E. Hadley(Olivia ’12, Juliet ’15)
Michael Keys (Matthew ’04)
Leslie N. H. MacLeod(Todd ’97)
Barbara Naramore (Maya ’16) Arthur O. RicciEstate Trustee
The Reverend Nancy Spencer SmithEstate Trustee
Steven R. Webster (Brooke ’08, Tori ’11)
Ex OfficioDr. Michael E. Cooper
Trustee Emeritus
P. Fred Gridley ’53 (Deborah ’81)
Brewster AcAdemy2012-2013
Board of Trustees
Photo in HDR by Steve Burgess, Brewster photographer instructor.
We’re waiting to hear from you – participation and your stories are what count!Join in by honoring the people who made a difference during your time at Brewster. To give online visit brewsteracademy.org/HonorYourMentor
Ms. Natalie M. AmantiMs. Jane Baker Ms. Barbara BarklowMr. Bret BarnettMr. Will BarnettMr. Lawrence P. “Larry” BartnickMs. Pam BishopMr. David Bolduc “Coach B”Mr. Eric Burns-WhiteMr. Matt ButcherMr. Andy CampbellMr. G. Cyrus CookMrs. Laura CooperMr. Paul CroteauMr. Stewart “Stu” Dunlop Mr. Charles EstyMr. Dick and Mrs. Anita FahyMrs. Mary FallonDr. Joyce Ferris Mrs. Maria FoundMr. Peter FriendMr. Fred GarnseyMs. Barbara Giroux Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Shadow GorrillMr. Chris Hafner ’00Ms. Beth Hayes ’81 Mr. BG Hodges ’62 Mr. Matt HoopesMs. Christine Howe-Cousar
Ms. Florence JaynesMrs. Jaime (Wehrung) Laurent Mr. Kevin LawlorMr. Bill Lee Ms. Julianne Lopez Mr. Kenneth A. MacIverMr. Peter MannMr. Byron and Mrs. Margaret Martin Mr. Edward Murphy Mr. Ronald and Mrs. Susan Nentwig Ms. Florence Jaynes “Ma” PageMr. Dave Pollini ’57 Mr. Bob and Mrs. Shirley Richardson Mr. Vincent D. RogersMr. Herbert E. Sargent Mr. David SmithMr. Rex SnyderMs. Barb ThomasMr. Herbert Tinker ’16 Ms. Kate TurnerMr. Burtis F. Vaughan Jr. Mr. Paul “Pop” WhalenMr. Dan Wyman Ms. Barbara (Lewando) Zulauf ’38 All the great staff that is still there from ’95Formal Dinners and the whole staff at BrewsterThe Entire Staff
… and growing.
BG Hodges really taught me
just a huge amount about
myself – about how to find one’s
creativity, about how to take just
kind of random everyday things
and turn them into brilliant,
creative works of art.
– Chris Hafner ’00
Mr. Sargent motivated me,
encouraged drafting over study
periods, and his motivation
resulted in essential grades
for a scholarship to UNH Civil
Engineering.
– Cecil Wentworth ’36
Dr. Ferris is the person I would like to honor this year. While many people at Brewster made an impact, she was the most influential! Dr. Ferris unconditionally cared about
each and every student at Brewster. No matter how many mistakes you made she made you feel like you were the only one that mattered! I had left for a year and Dr. Ferris
wrote me a note telling me that she would love to have me back. That was huge for me! She helped me grow as a person and taught me to view people for who they are!
– Hilary (Sherman) Hawkins ’91, P’14
Mr. and Mrs. Nentwig –
Thanks for everything!
– Alexander Pappas ’88
Burt Vaughan. He was
kind, always helpful –
ANYONE taking Latin
needed encouragement ...
– Lois Carey ’52
MOrE THAn 100 ALuMni HAvE HOnOrEd THE fOLLOWing MEnTOrS WiTH THEir gifTS TO BrEWSTEr.
Who will you add to the list?
Summer Programs Office • 603-569-7155 • summer@brewsteracademy.org
EXPECT TO LEARN, EXPECT TO HAVE FUN
Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage
P A I DWht Riv Jct, VT
Permit #86
Parents of alumni:If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please e-mail us at alumninews@brewsteracademy.org with his or her new address.
Brewster AcAdemy
80 AcAdemy drive
wolfeBoro, NH 03894
CheCk OUT WhAT’S gOINg ON ThIS SUmmeR ON CAmPUS:www.bREwsTERACAdEmy.ORg/sUmmER
AND, RemembeR TO LIke US ON FACebOOk!
brewsterConnections Spring 2013
Brewster AcAdemy Summer Session