Spring 2011 Vol. 35, No. 3

Mountain Campus Receives Two Million Dollar GiftsBy Cynthia H. Gubb, Director of Advancement

The Mountain Campus program has made a giant step forward towards an opening date of the fall of 2012 because of the incredible generosity of two families. In a stunning announcement this spring by Headmaster Mark Tashjian, two separate gifts and pledges of $1,000,000 were made in support of this environmental studies program.

The Vermont Country Store, and proprietors Lyman

Orton ’59 and sons Eliot, Gardner and Cabot, have made a gift in honor of their beloved mother and grandmother, Mildred Ellen Wilcox Orton, a member of the Burr and Burton Seminary Class of 1928. “Her sense of responsibility to the local community was a guiding principle throughout our lives,” stated Lyman, her son. “She always reached out and supported the needs of our local community while she was actively engaged in The Vermont Country Store and even more so after she retired. We felt this was an appropriate way to honor her memory and

her contribution to society over the years. She loved every-thing about our special corner of Vermont and this is an innovative and visionary way to continue to build a sense of responsibility for the stewardship of our unique and beautiful landscape that she loved so much.”

Susan Hunter, James Hunter, Elizabeth Solomon and Barbara Trotta, also honored their mother and father, well-known philanthropists Irene and James “Bing” Hunter, with a gift to the Mountain Campus. “Our parents always saw the critical need and value of giving back to the community as a life-long responsibility,” stated Susie Hunter. “They would be very pleased to know that their legacy continues through our support of this exceptional environmental studies program. Our mother and father both felt strongly about supporting important projects in their local communities and set a high benchmark for themselves and others. We couldn’t be more pleased to be involved with this project and we hope our example will motivate others to support this endeavor.”

continued on next page

The ViewThe Quarterly Newsletter of Burr and Burton Academy

editorFrederica Templeton

designIrene Cole

photographyGary Baker ’72

headmasterMark H. Tashjian

director of advancementCynthia H. Gubb

associate director of advancement

Rich Thompson Tucker

board of trusteesSeth Bongartz ’72

Chair

Barry RowlandVice Chair

Andrew Shaw ’75Secretary

Lee SpiveyTreasurer

Robert AllenSharman Buechner Altshuler ’82

Ed Campbell ’70

Michael CohenLu French

Skip MartinBonnie Nunn

Carol Bresko O’Connor ’67

Cindy Casey O’Leary ’74

John C. Phillips, Jr.Michael Powers ’60

Sanfra WeissTony WhalingMark Wright

trustees emeritiOrland CampbellManchester Village

Dr. Robert E. Treat ’55Manchester Center

How to contact us:telephone 802-362-1775

telefax 802-362-0574website www.burrburton.orgTo send an email to faculty or staff type first initial last name @burrburton.org

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Two Million Dollar Gifts (continued from page 1)

“I am simply at a loss for words to express our thanks for the generosity of these two visionary families,” stated Tashjian. “With these two overwhelmingly generous gifts, the Mountain Campus program can begin to move forward to complete Phase II.” He continued, “What better way to honor the legacy of three amazing people, Mildred Orton and Irene and Bing Hunter.” Tashjian concluded, “We are deeply honored and humbled by the support of these two families. We thank the Orton family, The Vermont Country Store and the Hunter family for these generous gifts and commitment to the vision of the Mountain Campus.”

In the past two years, much has been accomplished to move the Mountain Campus program forward. Phase I has been completed with the majority of the infrastructure completed and a small cabin built for use by faculty and classes. The philosophy and focus of the program has been better defined, so that students who participate in the program will finish their semester with a deep understanding of the human connection to the natural world in the context of the past, present and future. Whether inspiring youth to seek out a career in an environmental science or engineering field, or just creating more awareness of their individual impact on the environment, this program will have a transformative effect on all who experience it.

On the fundraising front, the impact of these two major gifts has allowed the project to move forward to Phase II. Final design of a net zero, sustainably constructed, LEED Platinum certified building is underway and the director of the program started in July. “None of this would be possible without these two amazing

gifts from the Orton family and the Hunter family,” stated Tashjian. “If all goes as planned, the first environmental studies semester will launch in September 2012. The program will be self-sustaining and operate independently from the program expenses of the main campus.”

The Mountain Campus program is best described as a “semester abroad” focused on environmental studies and outdoor leadership. Located in Peru, Vermont, the 100 acres of land is ideally suited for environmental studies, encompassing wetlands, beaver ponds, forests, meadows, a stream, and abundant biodiversity. The land is beautiful, natural, rugged, and waiting to be studied, explored, honored, and experienced.

Each semester, roughly 40 students will immerse themselves in intellectual, physical and leadership challenges opening a window to a unique opportunity that is not possible in a more traditional classroom setting. The core disciplines will be environmental science, humanities, and outdoor leadership, but the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum will allow students to integrate art, music, economics, mathematics and other disciplines into the learning and exploratory processes.

Tashjian continued, “We want to see our students who participate in this program become the heroes and heroines of their generation. This new opportunity is vitally important to our students and to our planet.” For more information on the Mountain Campus project and the environmental studies program, please call Cynthia Gubb, Director of Advancement at 802-549-8201 or email her at cgubb@burrburton.org.

Green Building Expert Bensonwood To Build Mountain Campus HomeBensonwood, a design/

build firm in Walpole, New Hampshire, known for its timber-framed homes, has been chosen by the school to design and build the academic building for the Mountain Campus in Peru.

“Tedd Benson and Bensonwood have re-imagined how buildings are

designed and constructed,” said Headmaster Tashjian. “With their off-site fabrication facility, Bensonwood can design and build a high-quality, low-cost, extremely efficient building that meets all of our program objectives. And it will be beautiful! They do exquisite work, and we look forward to seeing the creation of a

signature building that fits with our ambitions for this extraordinary program.”

Founded in 1974, by Tedd Benson to bring the ancient craft of timber framing back to the construction of contemporary homes, Bensonwood is today widely acknowledged to be the premier designer/builder

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Ben Freeman began his duties as the founding director of the Mountain Campus on July 1, 2011. According to

Headmaster Mark Tashjian, Freeman “has a unique combination of smarts, leadership skills, background in experiential education and an enthusiasm for the Mountain Campus project…the hiring committee found him compelling at both a personal and professional level.”

Although the Mountain Campus is not slated to open for another year, Tashjian said it was important that they have a director in place. “In order to do this right it’s going to take a lot of thoughtful planning and program development and you just can’t do all that unless you form a team with a leader,” Tashjian said. “The main objective is to think through the design and development of the program, the logistics, the admissions process, basically all the nuts and bolts tasks.”

Freeman said he was pleased that Tashjian and the Board of Trustees decided to hire him for the position this far in advance because he felt it was important to have the time to develop an understanding of the cultural, political and environmental landscapes. The planning year will give him an opportunity to get to know the people and the pertinent issues as well as work on developing the curriculum and having input on the design of the building. He has already been working with the group that is meeting with the design/build firm of Bensonwood.

Freeman is looking forward to working with teachers Paul Kelly and Cindy Schlieder Mowry ’87 on some small programs at the Mountain Campus next year, getting a feel for what students are interested in. “I see our curriculum as having a very significant place-based focus in that we will be looking at what defines the landscape around us both from an ecological perspective, looking at it as observers, and from the active,

historical perspective of being involved in it as participants,” said Freeman. “Alongside natural ecology, we’ll study what is called human ecology: land use, history, culture, and politics with an eye toward sustainability. We’ll be asking what it means to live in a place, to understand it, to sustain it, and to sustain a community.” They also will be concentrating on community, on leadership, and on creating effective change agents for their future communities. “We’ll be focusing on empowering students with the knowledge and skills to be able to investigate things they care about as well as the conviction and confidence to go about making them better.”

Freeman, 38, grew up outside Boston and received his undergraduate degree in geology and environmental science from Colby College in Maine. He also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University. He spent five years at the Island School in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, where he taught biology, ran the outdoor program, and, in his final years, was acting Head of School. He was also a course leader for three years with the National Outdoor Leadership School. For the past five years he has been dean of students at the Putney School in Vermont. He and his wife, Jennie, have three young children and they are delighted to be able to live and work in the Manchester area.

Founding Director of Mountain Campus

“We’ll be focusing on empowering students with the knowledge and skills to be able to

investigate things they care about as well as the conviction and confidence to

go about making them better.”

Green Building Expert Bensonwood To Build Mountain Campus Homeof energy-efficient, high- performance homes across the United States and Canada. To make their building advances accessible to more people, Bensonwood created its 3B Matrix™, a series of Open-Built components that offer a wide variety of design possibilities while greatly reducing the design and

engineering costs normally associated with high-quality construction.

The Mountain Campus building will be manufactured in Walpole and then assembled on the Peru site. There are numerous benefits to this process, including the company’s ability to fabricate each section of the structure

indoors. The Mountain Campus Center is being designed as a LEED Platinum, Net Zero building, thus meeting the highest standards for energy conservation and sustainability.

“Bensonwood is proud to be a part of Burr and Burton’s Mountain Campus initiative,” said lead architect

Randall Walter. “As designers and builders, we’re inspired by something Winston Churchill said: ‘We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.’ That concept holds great significance for an educational outpost with a mission to connect students to the natural world and to each other.”

Burr and Burton Academy faculty members Kevin Morrison and Cory Herrington received the fifth

annual Rowland Endowed Faculty Chair Awards from Wendy and Barry Rowland during a special meeting at the school in May.

Morrison is the school’s director of technology and is responsible for overseeing the technology needs of the school. He also teaches technology courses, is director of the BBA Summer Camps and is assistant coach for the boys JV lacrosse team. Herrington teaches social studies, coaches the boys ice hockey team, and is the school’s grade-level coordinator for the junior class.

The faculty chairs are awarded every year to acknowledge and honor teachers who are accomplished in their field, and who inspire students and their peers. In addition to funding a teacher’s salary, the endowed positions include a professional development award that will permit the instructor to upgrade course materials, attend conferences, travel or pursue other academic enrichment activities.

Spanish teacher Katie Bove received the Rowland Sabbatical Award, which is given annually to provide teachers with the opportunity to continue their education, conduct research, experience other cultures through travel or pursue projects that will directly relate to their field of teaching at Burr and Burton. She will spend her sabbatical in Lima, Peru, where she will volunteer with

disadvantaged children and at a local high school, with the goal of researching and developing a new Service Learning program for Burr and Burton students.

Ceramics teacher, Lauren Silver, received the David Bigelow Fund Award for Excellence. She will use her award to study the art of Islam in Spain. English as a Second Language teacher Chris Costello received the Ormsby Hill Trust Fund grant, which she will use to travel to China with the UVM Asian Studies Outreach Program.

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Rowland Faculty Chair Awards Presented to Kevin Morrison and Cory Herrington

Barry and Wendy Rowland present this year’s Rowland Faculty Awards to Burr and Burton Academy teachers Kevin Morrison (left) and Cory Herrington (right).

Find us on Facebook at Burr and Burton Academy

and Burr and Burton Alumni Association

at burrburton

You can receive guaranteed retirement income for life with a Burr and Burton

Academy charitable gift annuity.

• 5.8% return (6.9% effective return)

• $100,000 gift annuity = $5,800 per year income*

• $4,019 of this income is tax free

Gift annuities start at $10,000 for one or two beneficiaries. Call 802.549.8135 or visit www.burrburton.org/plannedgiving *Individual, age 70

We love Burr and Burton and the income from

our charitable gift annuity. doug ’47 and joan shaw

GIVING GIVES BACK!

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New York Times best-selling Chinese author

Da Chen visited Burr and Burton this spring where he spoke to several freshman classes about his early life in China and the art of being a writer. He also demonstrated Chinese calligraphy and played Chinese folk tunes on his flute. The students had read Colors of the Mountain, his memoir about growing up during the Cultural Revolution in China under the oppressive policies of Mao and the obstacles he overcame to come to the U.S.

Headmaster Mark H. Tashjian recognized the exceptional service of fourteen faculty and staff members this spring and thanked them for their dedication.

Assistant Headmaster Steve Houghton received special recognition for his 30 years of service to the school. Jeff Houghton, director of the Target Program, and Murrie Polifka, were lauded for their 25 years of service. School photographer and life skills teacher Gary Baker ’72 and drafting teacher Bruce Regan were recognized and thanked for their 20 years.

Health Clinic Director Meg Cornell, Registrar Mary Grabarz, English teacher Rob Hunter, and science teacher Dale Spring received the thanks of the school for their 15 years of service. Honored for their 10 years of service were Science Department Chair Dave Curtis, English teacher Nancy Strain, Target teacher Stephanie Fowler, John Brochu of the Maintenance Department, and cafeteria assistant Diana Link.

To the Editor:

Enjoyed Ms. O’Leary’s article on Anita Shreve, a super author. However, under Burr and Burton authors there isn’t any mention of William H. Jordan, a few years ahead of me [class of 1952]. He wrote Twice Dead, A Caper and an autobiography about his father Wesley Jordan, a rodmaker [Jordan the Rodmaker: A Biography of Wesley D. Jordan at Cross-South Bend-Orvis. Whitefish Press.]

I loved Twice Dead, figuring out where in Manchester it all takes place. I know Bill plays a mean left-handed game of golf-my father told me so…my appreciation for the View and the people who keep me up to date such as B.J. Thompson Hood ’54.

Barbara MacLean McLernon ’54

LETTER TO THE E D I T O R

FaCulTy anD STaFFRecognized for years of Service

Broadcasts in the Riley Center for the Arts

With generous support and guidance from Northshire Performing Arts, Ltd. (NPA),

Burr and Burton Academy has installed a state-of-the-art sound and projection system in the Riley Center for the Arts that includes full, high-definition video projection on a 20-foot wide screen, a Bose sound system, and satellite reception capability. Burr and Burton will offer high-definition simulcasts of Metropolitan Opera performances through The Met: Live in

HD Education program to offer accompanying educational programs for students. The inaugural simulcast took place on April 30, 2011, featuring Verdi’s Il Trovatore.

In addition to the Metropolitan Opera simulcasts, the enhanced technology will provide the Performing Arts Department with exciting new options and the community with a variety of cultural and newsworthy high-definition programs.

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The Performing Arts Department roared back

to the 1920s this spring with the football-themed

musical Good News performed to

sold-out audiences in the Riley Center for the Arts.

Directed by Jim Raposa, the production was a light-

hearted combination of energetic dancing, hilarious

plot twists, and nostalgic tunes.

headmaster’s list

Berkshire BankHomestead Landscaping

The Orvis Companyr. k. Miles, Inc.

Rugg Valley LandscapingStratton Mountain Resort

The Manchester GymVermont Country Properties /Sotheby’s International Realty

Vermont Country Store

high honors list

Equinox Hotel and ResortFinn and Stone, Inc.

Mack MoldingThe Perfect Wife Spiral Press Café

W. H. Shaw Insurance Agency, Inc.

honors list

Bank of BenningtonCasella Waste Management, Inc.

Dee’s ElectricHigh-Tech Plumbing and Heating

Mettowee Mill NurseryTPW Management

Witten Woolmington Campbell & Boepple PC

academic letter

Aspen MotelBattenkill Communications

Briggs-Fowler Insurance AgencyCatherine A. Cech, DMD

Dublois and AssociatesEquinox Construction Company, Inc.

Glebe Mountain GardensGrandma Miller’s Homemade

Pies and PastriesHand Motors

Law Offices of Eichel and TeasonMulligans of Manchester

Bradley D. Myerson Law OfficesNorthshire BookstorePeople’s United BankSpringfield PrintingWorks Bakery Café

academic pin

A Safe Place Self StorageDecorative InteriorsFlying Cow SignsLaney’s Restaurant

Manchester Carpet CareManchester Sport Enterprises

burr and burton academy is sincerely grateful to our

2010 – 2011 CorPorATe SPonSorS

If you would like information about becoming a Corporate Sponsor, please contact

Shannon O’Leary at 802.549.8281 or by e-mail soleary@burrburton.org

SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS

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2 0 1 1 G R A D u At e S

Burr and Burton Academy’s Class of 2011 heard some

final departing advice from a series of guest speakers during the commencement ceremonies on June 10, held on Pettibone Field.

Following the traditional walk down the Senior Steps, led by bagpiper Ellen Green, the 178th commencement exercises began with an invocation by the Rev. Dr. James H. Gray of the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert.

The salutatorian address was given by Trevor McDonald, who spoke of the difficulties he encountered trying to learn to play the cello in middle school, before abandoning the quest a few years later. Everyone gets to make choices in their lives, and then live with the consequences, he said. “There will be many instances in life when we will choose to leave something behind. There will also be times when you will wonder about the part of you that was left behind. Often we will never be able to fully understand what we have lost in our decision.” But

that should not prevent them, as individuals, from continuing to move forward.

The class valedictorian, Alina Sidorova, who arrived in the United States as a sixth grader unable to speak a word of English, graduated at the top of her class academically, and received three of the academic awards given during the ceremonies for American History, Science and Spanish. “Each one of us up here today has the potential for a life full of adventure, discovery and love,” she said. “We are the lucky ones.”

David Curtis, chair of the Science Department, gave the faculty address. Each year, the graduating seniors vote for the faculty member they would like to have give the special address, and Curtis, a long-term biology teacher, was their choice this year. He gave an energetic speech, in which he noted that for thousands of years, earlier generations had worried that the younger generations coming up were

not quite as skilled, poised or as well-equipped to carry on running things. But if that were so, mankind would have sunk to a very low level by now, he said. “Find something you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. Find something hard to do at the same time….Challenge yourselves. Do great things. Write great stories. Dance great dances. Cure cancer. If you’re going to be a roofer, roof church steeples.”

The commencement address was given by 24 year-old David Sengeh, a native of Sierra Leone and the founder of Global Minimum Initiative, a nonprofit organization that has distributed thousands of mosquito nets to help reduce malaria. He encouraged the graduates to not be afraid of failing, because that was often the pathway to eventual success. “When you leave BBA.... you will be faced with challenges,” he said. “ We are blessed with the freedom to

fail. The worst mistake would be to not try something.... What is most important as we go out into the world is our passion to learn from others, be humble enough to accept our mistakes and try not to repeat those same mistakes.”

Class co-presidents, Richard Sui and Luke Drabyn, announced that the class gift of $3,800 would be divided: $2,000 will given go toward the purchase of furniture and equipment for the new cafeteria lounge, and the remaining $1,800 will be donated to David Sengeh’s nonprofit organization to assist in purchasing more mosquito nets.

The 166 members of the Class of 2011 then received their diplomas under a brilliant blue June sky with the bell tolling in celebration of their achievements.

Please visit our website to read the full transcripts of the speeches www.burrburton.org/Graduation2011.

SportS WrapBURR AND BURTON ACADEMY

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Another Very Successful Spring Sports Season

By Lauren Read ’05by special permission of the manchester journal

I’ll start with the always impressive girls tennis team. The Bulldogs captured a third straight Division II state title - and the fourth in five years - to continue to lay claim to the best in the state. What impressed me about those girls though was not the way they ripped through opponents, dropping only three matches in the last three years or that they went undefeated this season. It was the way they handled themselves. A team that has been this dominant can be excused if they overlook opponents and get a little overconfident.

Not this team. Head coach Lisa Kelly had them focused

on that ultimate goal and these girls truly wanted to beat the best. After losing to South Burlington late last season, the team requested that the Division I squad be added to this year’s schedule. Then, a team that had been in four straight title matches expressed nervousness, not taking for granted the opportunity to get another win. It’s an impressive attitude and one that I am sure led to the Bulldogs success on the tennis court. Sadly, Burr and Burton will say good-bye to six very talented seniors and Coach of the Year Lisa Kelly, but hopefully the school will always remember that squad’s dominance on the court and the way they approached the game off it.

The season did not end so well for the Burr and Burton baseball team as they fell in the Division II state finals. In the end, an eight-day layoff quieted the Bulldogs red-hot bats and they could not find enough in the final. It was hard to watch this team fall (which I did from

my computer as I was not able to travel to Montpelier for the final game). I enjoyed covering them all season, because they had fun and personality. But they also played the game. Head coach Adam Provost had this team well schooled in all elements of the game, from hitting and pitching to base running and strong fielding. From watching a player practically dive across the plate to lay a bunt down on a suicide squeeze, to a perfectly executed cutoff from centerfield to save a

run, to some impressive base running to extend rallies, the Bulldogs played baseball with few errors, not something that can often be said of high school ball. But this team also joked and kidded and had fun, something you want to see from a bunch of kids playing a game.

At the end of the girls lacrosse season, Burr and Burton also saw the end of an era. Since 2000 (and maybe farther back but the VPA records stop there) the girls lacrosse team has made the Division II state semifinals every single year. That is 12 straight years deep in the playoffs for head coach Dave Miceli. In those 12 years, his

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team has gone to seven state title games and captured four Division II state crowns. Quite an impressive run for someone who has to be considered one of the best lacrosse coaches in the state.

When BBA fell in the semifinals, that run ended. Burr and Burton girls lacrosse will move up to Division I next year, ending the Division II run. It will also end what has become quite the rivalry, as BBA will no longer meet up with Chelsea deep in the playoffs. The two teams facing off in the state championship game has become almost routine in the last few years, with the teams meeting eight times since 2000 in the state semifinals and finals. While Burr and Burton girls lacrosse could very well continue their playoff dominance in Division I, it won’t be quite the same without their longtime rival.

Burr and Burton wraps up another successful year, with four state championships

and strong individual performances. Basketball star Jenna Hoffman ‘11 broke 1,000 points, Nina Shehadi

‘11 wrapped up a tennis career in which she lost only one match in four years, and the boys alpine ski team, the boys snowboard team, the varsity dance team, and the girls tennis team all captured state crowns.

For the boys lacrosse team under head coach Wil

Mackey it was a heartbreaker of a season. In games against Division I teams, the Division II Bulldogs were short by one goal too many times. Seeded No. 7, the Bulldogs upset second-seeded U-32 with a 14-13 come-from-behind victory with junior Max

Johnson tallying four goals and three assists including the game winner. In the semifinals they fell to No. 3 Green Mountain Valley School 10-7, ending a 9-8 season that did not reflect the high quality of the team’s play.

The boys tennis team saw an influx of new players this year but despite some solid individual wins from junior Max Gomez and sophomore Brennan Webb the team posted a 6-8 season.

After finishing third in 2010, the boys golf team, six-time champs in Division II, played their second year in Division I. A second place showing in the sectionals sealed BBA’s eleventh trip to the finals in May where

the young team, under the guidance of retiring coach Paul Kelly, came in sixth. Junior Kieran Halligan had the low round with an 85.

Juniors Patrick Hancock and Lizzy Jorgensen were top Bulldog finishers at the Division II track and field state championships, both earning sixth place in the high jump.

After an uneven season, the softball team lost the opening round of the Division

II playoffs against Otter Valley by just one run, concluding their season 6-11. Tamara Niles ‘11 and Shelby Pistocco ‘12 each had two hits. Earlier in the season senior pitcher Jenna

Hazlett struck out 10 as the Bulldogs beat West Rutland 9-2. They also had a big win over Arlington 21-2. Catcher Paige Malone ’11 was a standout all season behind the plate and was a strong hitter as well.

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Burr and Burton Academy’s Celebrating Global Community

gala was a tremendous success. The May 27th event under the tent at Hildene was magical, from the moment guests were greeted and serenaded by students, to the simply stunning decorations, to the fabulous hors d’oeuvres and buffet dinner representing countries from around the world, to the amazing entertainment by performing arts students, right through to the end of the evening with the exciting and competitive live auction. The sold out event raised over $150,000 to support student scholarships and programs at Burr and Burton.

Many thanks to all gala goers who purchased tickets to the affair, and bought pins and raffle tickets, bid and bought live auction items and enthusiastically supported the scholarship call. In addition, thank you to all friends of the school who purchased tickets for the 50/50 raffle before the event, and supported the online auction from home.

We’d also like to thank our gala sponsors, all of the people who provided sponsorships to allow faculty members to attend, the many community members who donated items for both the live and online auction, companies that provided product donations, the Chantecleer Restaurant for providing an extraordinary dining experience, and those friends who made a gift in support of the event. The sum of all of this support was truly amazing.

Most of all, we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Celebrating Global Community organizing committee led by chair, Leslie Keefe. Months of planning and many, many hours of volunteer time went into producing this event creating a night to remember in many different ways! If you see any of the committee members listed here, please take time to thank them for their outstanding volunteer efforts.

Celebrating Global Community a Huge Success

honorary chairsBarry and Wendy

Rowland

event committeeLeslie Keefe, ChairKaty HancockBettina Abrams Andrea BerumenLillian BogossianIrene ColeKathleen ColsonDrew Dunigan Lu FrenchSusan HeckmanPeggy Iglinski Judy LivingstonRachel Maiori ’03Bonnie NunnColleen ParenteDiana PikulskiTara PollioBecky Shehadi

Victoria SilsbyJudy Taylor ’57Betsy TieneSanfra Weiss

faculty and staffCynthia GubbShannon O’Leary ’04Nancy BrownRene DriscollNeil FreebernJulie FreebernErin GilliganMary GrabarzBetsy HubnerPia NolanLauren SilverFreddie TempletonAndrea Thulin

studentsLuke Drabyn ’11Daniel Frank ’12

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Jack Costa (Lucy Gobbi Costa’s ’81 husband), Erich Maier ’81 and his wife Amy.

Linda Buffum Cone ’61, David Dayhoff ’61, Leitha Keith Christie ’61, Carmen Wessner West ’61

Judy McCormick Taylor ’57 and Paul Carroccio ’96

Brad West ’51

Over 160 alumni, spouses, and friends of the school came back to the Hill

for Reunion Weekend 2011. A record number of classmates from the Class of 1961, the 50th Reunion Class, marched in the Commencement procession on Friday evening and enjoyed a special reception with Headmaster Mark Tashjian in the Lisa B. Tuttle Memorial Library follow-ing the ceremony. New to the schedule of events this year was an Alumni Star Party with Burr and Burton teacher and astronomy lover Bill Muench on Friday night. We had a great view of Saturn’s rings! Stan Wilbur ’58 and Dave Johnson ’61 displayed their Bulldog determination Saturday morning in the Joan and Joe Rizio Alumni Golf Tournament

despite the rain. Chef Amy Walter Chamberlain ’85 of The Perfect Wife Restaurant and Tavern catered a delicious dinner once again. For more photos of all the festivities, visit the Burr and Burton Alumni Association Facebook page at www.facebook.com/burrandburtonalumniassociation.

Back to the hill 2011

IN MeMoRIAM SPRING 2011

Gertrude E. Haldiman ’32 june 12, 2011

Nina M. Farnum ’33 april 5, 2011

Jessie Bolster Lyter ’34 may 6, 2011

Gertrude Helen Blackmer Stacy ’39 november 14, 2010

Elisabeth Overton Gordon ’62july 2, 2011

Scott Alexander ’87may 31, 2011

alumni Recognized at 2011 alumni awardsThe Athletic Hall of Fame

inductees this year included athletes Tarique Johnson ’93, John Harrington ’84, and Sarah Scranton Marcks ’98; Friend of Athletics Elizabeth “Betsy” Fowler; and Legends Bob Brock ’51 and Diana Wilson ’56. They were honored at a special presentation ceremony prior to the 2011 Alumni Reunion Dinner on Saturday, June 11, in the Riley Center for the Arts. “We are very pleased to honor our eleventh group of inductees,” said Athletic Director Kathi Frost Bierwirth ‘81.

“It is a great tradition to honor those who have contributed so much to the vitality and success of Burr and Burton’s athletic program.”

Burr and Burton Academy’s Alumni Association chose three new inductees for this year’s Alumni Recognition Awards. The annual awards are the Alumni Service Award, to recognize alumni who have been instrumental in their service to Burr and Burton; the Alumni Achievement Award, to recognize alumni who have used

their talents and achievements to better their community; and the Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award, which is given to a former faculty or staff member in recognition of their dedication and loyalty to Burr and Burton and its students.

The Alumni Service Award was presented this year to Judy McCormick Taylor ’57, one of the first women to be elected to the school’s Board of Trustees. The Alumni Achievement Award went to Faith Limric Burbank ’56 who spent her long career as a

teacher and active proponent of environmental conservation. The Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award was presented to retired social studies teacher and dean of faculty John Wright ’66. To read more about this year’s inductees please visit our website where you can download a copy of the evening’s program: www.burrburton.org/AthleticHallofFame.

More reunion photos can be viewed on our website: www.burrburton.org/SchoolPhotos.

The class of 1961 presents Mark Tashjian with their class gift.

Burr and Burton AcademyManchester, Vermont 05254

Non-Profit Org.U. S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 7

Manchester, VT 05254

Parents of Alumni/ae:If this issue is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify Advancement Coordinator Nancy Brown at nbrown@burrburton.org.

Honor young Film Directors and actors

It was a star-studded evening complete with red carpet,

fabulous couture, talented film-makers, and Burr and Bur-ton’s own “Joan Rivers,” Jen Hyatt. The First Annual Gawlik Awards were held on June 1, in the Riley Center for the Arts. It was a hilarious night of film, comedy, and dance held in re-membrance of Burr and Bur-ton’s much-loved film teacher, the late Brian Gawlik. For a complete list of all the winners please visit our website at www.burrburton.org/Recent Events.

Please remember Burr and Burton in your will, trust or retirement plan.