fall 2011 brewster connections
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Brewster Academy's Fall 2011 edition of Brewster ConnectionsTRANSCRIPT
Fall 2011BrewsterConnections
Inside:
Celebrating 125 Years
Alumni Who Embody Brewster’s Core Values
Return to Campus: Reunion MomentsSummer Programs Office • 603-569-7155 • [email protected]
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Brewster AcAdemy
80 AcAdemy drive
wolfeBoro, NH 03894
Daniel T. Mudge, President(Tapley-Ann ’98, Ashley ’02)
Leslie N. H. MacLeod, Vice President(Todd ’97)
Roy C. Ballentine, Treasurer(Brian ’97, Susan ’94)
Douglas H. Greeff, Secretary (Hilary ’11)
Michael Appe
C. Richard CarlsonEstate Trustee
David L. Carlson ’54
Arthur W. Coviello Jr.
Candace Crawshaw ’64
Claudine Curran(Alex ’06, Gen ’11)
George J. Dohrmann III (George ’05, Geoffrey ’12)
Stephen C. Farrell Sr.(Stephen Jr. ’12)
Karey Fix(Will ’11, Keenan ’13)
Peter Ford ’80
Michael Keys (Matthew ’04)
Barbara Naramore
Arthur O. RicciEstate Trustee
The Reverend Nancy Spencer SmithEstate Trustee
Steven R. Webster (Brooke ’08, Tori ’11)
Trustee Emeriti
Walter N. “Rink” DeWitt ’54 (Kate ’86)
P. Fred Gridley ’53 (Deborah ’81)
Grant M. Wilson (Grant ’87, Kirsten ’88)
Brewster AcAdemy
2011-2012Board of Trustees
Expect to Stay Cool: Brewster Academy Summer Session students enjoy the lake on a hot July afternoon.
retiring trustees
Helen S. Hamilton, Secretaryboard member since 1974
A.B. Whitfield(Trey ’89)board member since 2008
Who knew it could be so easy?
dominique aubry ’03 has a lot on her plate:
• Facilities contract manager for the Philadelphia school district
• Active volunteer roles for UPenn and Brewster
• A new consulting business with her brother Pierre.
• With so many demands on her time, she is happy that one
of her priorities is so easy to fulfill. Dominique set up a
recurring gift to Brewster’s Annual Fund. Each month, she
makes an automatic gift to Brewster via her credit card.
To Do LisT:
Pick up dry-cleaning
Book vacation
Caitlin’s Halloween costume
Change oil
Make my annual gift to Brewster
Monthly Debit Annual Gift $10 $120 $25 $300 $50 $600 $100 $1,200
“Being so busy, this is the easiest way for me to give, making
smaller monthly gifts while making a great impact annually.
I just set it and forget it! I’m so glad Brewster offers this.”
Just as your monthly gifts will add up, your giving, combined
with that of other alumni, makes a significant impact for Brewster.
To learn more about setting up a recurring gift with Brewster, please
contact Beth Hayes ’81 at [email protected].
For a spotlight on Dominique, please see the Hoopla column on page 30.
Fall 2011
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
©2011 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
ContributorsSarah Anderson, Jim Bastis, Steve Burgess, Mike Cooper, Marcia Eldredge, Beth Hayes ’81, Matt Hoopes, Kristy Kerin, Lynne Palmer, Bob Richardson, Shirley Richardson, Sally Smith, Martha Trepanier ’83
PhotographySteve Allen, Andrea Cooper, Marcia Eldredge, Paul Horton, John McKeith, Sally Smith, Phil Stiles
Departments 19 On the Road 20 Newsmakers34 Class Notes40 In Memoriam42 Writing Brewster’s History
2 Headlines The Year Ahead, the Years Behind
4 Celebrating 125 Years of Strength and Spirit
5 Grace Tells Graduates “Life is About Extra Credit”
10 We Know What They Did Last Summer Students share stories from summer “vacation”
12 Opening of School: Giving Meaning to the Brewster Principle Also, meet faculty award winners, Curvey Scholars, and new faculty
17 After 37 Years of Service, Helen Hamilton Retires
22 Return to Campus: Reunion 2011
26 Core Values: Matt Hoopes Profiles Graduates Serving Themselves and Others With Their Best
2 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
At our opening faculty meeting,
I spent a few minutes sharing a
portion of The Beloit College Mindset
List. First created in 1998, each year’s
list reflects the “world view” of college students
entering their freshman year. Since our seniors are
close to the same age as these students, I thought
it was worth taking a few minutes to get everyone
in the “mindset” of some of our incoming students.
Here’s just a sampling from the list:
The only significant labor disputes in their
lifetimes have been in major league sports.
Ferris Bueller and Sloane Peterson could be their
parents.
As they’ve grown up on websites and cell phones,
adult experts have constantly fretted about their
alleged deficits of empathy and concentration.
Refer to LBJ, and they might assume you’re talking
about LeBron James.
Their school’s “blackboards” have always been
getting smarter.
They’ve always wanted to be like Shaq or Kobe:
Michael Who?
Life has always been like a box of chocolates.
Now that you can relate to the “world view” of some
of our students, let me offer a few demographics on
this year’s student body.
The Year Ahead, the Years Behind
We welcomed 144 new students to campus. For
the first time in the school’s history, girls represent
65 percent of the freshman class: 35 girls out of 54
freshmen! This year’s overall student body represents
20 foreign countries and 28 states. Of our 364
students, 295 are boarding students and 69 are day
students. With three freshmen entering as Curvey
Scholars, we now have nine area day students
benefiting from the generosity of the Curvey family
(Meet the scholars on page 13).
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR
Celebrating 125 Years
The 2011-2012 year is special in that we begin
celebrating 125 years since the founding of Brewster
Academy. The “Academy” dates back to 1820 when
it was founded as Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough
Academy; however, in 1886, upon his death, it was
the will of John Brewster to provide for an Academy
in his home village of Wolfeboro. Through John’s
wishes and his endowment, the following year the
school would become known as Brewster Academy.
Born in Wolfeboro, John had attended Wolfeborough
and Tuftonborough Academy before enjoying a
successful career as a Boston businessman. John
never forgot his roots and understood the value of
an education and how important it was for young
people to have the prospect of attending school to
gain the skills and knowledge to pursue a career.
It was John’s determination to make a difference
in the lives of young people that led him to make
a remarkable contribution to educating not only
the youth of this small village but to students who
would travel to central New Hampshire to enroll as
boarding students. Through his lasting endowment
to the Academy, he left a wonderful legacy and
example for us all.
Throughout this year, special note will be made of
these remarkable 125 years of teaching and learning
at Brewster Academy. To read about our efforts
to celebrate the Academy and leverage its strong
reputation, see the article on page 4.
Next Phase of Project-Based Learning
Our academic program continues to evolve to
ensure that we are instilling in our students the
skills needed to meet the challenges they will face
as college students and professionals in a rapidly
changing world.
Work completed on the curriculum this summer
will allow us to expand the two-week project-based
learning period that all sophomores and juniors took
part in last year to include freshmen. For seniors,
the project-based learning experience will take on
an even more significant role. Seniors will have the
opportunity to work all year on a capstone project
that will be an engaging and stimulating way for
students to integrate and express the range of
skills that they have developed over their time at
Brewster. This has been designed as a constructive
and authentic way for seniors to demonstrate their
preparedness for graduation.
3www.brewsteracademy.org
Blended Learning
Additionally, we are piloting two significant
enhancements to our use of technology as we
continue to take advantage of new resources that
can help us deliver our program. We have introduced
Rosetta Stone into some of our foreign language
classes as a way to bring more personalization to
that learning experience. We also are piloting the
use of the course management system Moodle in
some selected courses as a way to support us in
delivering our curriculum to students in a robust,
uniform online environment. We are excited about
the opportunities that these two tools will provide
for making the classroom experience even richer for
our students.
Social and Emotional Literacy
After a year of intensive training with faculty and
administrators, this fall marks the beginning of
bringing the RULER Approach to our students. We
knew from the initial discussions in our training that
in order for the approach to be effective, it would
take the whole school. Feedback from researchers
at Yale who have worked with our trainers and staff
attests to our readiness and ability to introduce the
RULER Approach to our students.
Throughout the year, we will continue to partner
with researchers at Yale, along with collaborative
help from the University of New Hampshire, as
we embark on the implementation of the RULER
Approach: Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling,
Expressing, and Regulating emotions. Evaluation and
monitoring of our progress is a priority and to this
end, students will complete a baseline assessment of
their emotional literacy skills in the fall and then will
complete a follow-up evaluation in the spring.
On the athletic fields, in the dormitories, and in
classrooms students will be engaged in strategies
to assist them in skills essential and integral to
learning, becoming more self-aware, making sound
judgments, and achieving success in school and
beyond. We are confident that our commitment
to social and emotional literacy will enhance our
students’ experience and overall development. At a
time when adolescents can benefit the most from
knowing more about their emotions and how they
can impact themselves and others, we are providing
them with a vital ingredient in their growth and
development in a most intentional manner.
We will continue to update the website on RULER
and implementation of it, so please refer to
www.brewsteracademy.org/headlines for updates
or to become familiar with it.
The Face of Campus
Over the summer six residence halls underwent
extensive renovations. The dorms on Lamb and
Mason courts – some of you may remember these
as Houses One through Six – received new roofs
and windows; insulation upgrades; and individual
room heating controls, all of which will help tighten
the buildings, increase energy efficiency, and add to
the comfort of our students. Additionally, they all
received new carpets, furniture, fixtures, and painting
throughout.
A section of the lower level of Hughes House was
converted into a “quad” (a popular space) for four
lucky boys assigned to this dorm.
The front of Avery House received a facelift thanks
to the efforts of faculty member Matt Found and
alumnus Cory Hunter ‘95. Hydrangeas and window
boxes have replaced the shrubs, offering a more
open and welcoming walk up to this small girls’
dorm. Cory also further enhanced the beautification
project begun in Mason Court a few years ago by the
Tambone family.
The tuned track in the Smith Center was replaced
with a more solid decking and a new generation of
track surface material. This track surface is in use
in several schools and colleges in the Northeast
and will be the track material used in the 2012
London Olympics. Additionally, the lanes alternately
incorporate Brewster colors adding to the Bobcat
spirit of this showcase facility.
Finally, in helping to get into the mindset of our
students, I’m pleased to announce that I’m on
Twitter. I hope you will follow me at: BA_DocCoops
Dr. Michael E. Cooper, Head of School
4 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
Over the past 10 years, Brewster has spent much time and
attention considering and researching Brewster’s image and
perception to develop the strongest brand value that alumni,
students, parents, and friends can be proud of when they talk about their
school and their experiences. Overwhelmingly, the Brewster brand is
strong and continues to attract families who prioritize education and are
seeking Brewster because of the strength of its reputation that delivers on
the promise of a truly customized learning environment.
This enrollment year witnessed some measurable accomplishments that
attest to Brewster’s strength of program, including:
• thestrongestenrollmentyieldfromspringRevisitDays;and
• thelargestpercentageoffemalestudentsinthelowerschoolinthe
history of Brewster.
Your personal experiences with Brewster – whether as a day student
during the Cold War era, a boarding student during the early period
of laptop computers, or a new parent today – are linked to images
remembered and recalled from time to time or are now envisioning for
your child.
As we begin this year celebrating our 125th anniversary as Brewster
Academy, there are many milestones to reference and more achievements
ahead. We hope that the images that you recall or experiences yet to
happen will generate a sense of familiarity, inspire you to become more
connected with your school, and provide a valuable source of pride.
To that end, we have worked with our resident graphic designer and
faculty member, Steve Burgess, creating the logos and images on this
page (and the cover) that will now become a consistent and celebratory
representation of Brewster Academy in the area of the arts, athletics, and
our 125th anniversary year.
The images that you see here are extensions of the branding exercise that
we have applied most recently to all of our recruitment materials and
publications and incorporate the colors and existing designs that have
been associated with those programs. We hope that these images will
become recognizable elements of Brewster Academy as we weave them
throughout our efforts to promote the school to prospective families,
celebrate the lives and achievements of our alumni, and celebrate our
accomplishments as a school.
Strength of ReputationShowing the Brewster SpiritBy Lynne Palmer
5www.brewsteracademy.org 5www.brewsteracademy.org
Spencer Montgomery and Meredith Haynes
Maggie Hess and Markus Kennedy
Yutaka Morino
and Maria Found
Ryan Ingram
and Peter Mann
Sarah MacDonnell
and Mitch Chapman
Brewster Alumnus TOPHER GRACE Tells Graduates THAT LIFE IS ABOuT ExTRA CREDIT and FINDING A DOOR and GOING THROuGH IT
By Marcia Eldredge
On May 28, Brewster Academy graduated 117 students at its 191st
Commencement, and graduate Topher Grace ’97 returned to campus
to deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2011.
The ceremony took place in the Smith Center for Athletics and Wellness with
Head of School Dr. Michael E. Cooper presiding. Day students Beth Duffy and
Dana Hughes were the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
“JuST DOING wHAT IS ExPECTED IS NO LONGER ENOuGH”
Grace began his remarks by recalling his own graduation and how familiar he was
with his fellow Bobcats’ Brewster experience.
“I have done this all before. I know all about being a Brewster Bobcat and living
in Sargent Hall and eating every meal at the Estabrook. I know about having an IS
teacher and trying to get JBS scholar. I know all about the Ac and study hours and
work hours and the long winters up here at Wolfeboro and the Polar Bear Club
and the winter carnival and the BAPA book and the Bubble and headmaster’s
holidays and how beautiful it is when it all turns to spring here. I know about the
great teachers here.”
He promised to be brief and to the point but wanted to make sure the Class of
2011 knew that “just doing what is expected is no longer enough.”
“As wonderful as it is to go off into the world – and there are so many great
experiences that lie ahead for you guys – high school graduation is the end of
something. It is the end of anyone else really caring about what you do with your
life. Sure there is homework and grades in college and when you go to work you
have to be on time, and I promise you, if you do something illegal, you will be
arrested, but the days of adults really getting into your business are over.
“What a relief some of you are saying to yourselves, and you’re right. It’s great to
have all that freedom. But no one is going to be there anymore to pester you to
hand in an assignment or try again to make it better, or no one is going to make
you sign up for sports or encourage you to paint or do theater. Your parents and
teachers here at Brewster have given you the tools but now it is up to you, no
one is going to force you to do a good job, in fact, no one is going to force you to
do anything.
“And I promise you, if you want to get by and be average, it will work. The world
is not only full of average people who do only the minimum required, it is built
for them. See it’s hard to find opportunities, and it’s even harder work to take
advantage of them.”
Topher Grace ‘97
6 BrewsterConnections – Fall 20116 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
He then reflected on all the well meaning advice he received at his Brewster
graduation. What stayed with him, however, was something his father said: “Life
is like a hallway. And if a door opens, go through it.”
“I didn’t really get what he meant when he first said it to me. It didn’t make a lot
of sense until I got a call from Bonnie and Terry Turner, the parents of a friend of
mine here at Brewster, my freshman year at USC. They had seen me in a musical
that I did here with Mr. Campbell, and they wanted to know if I wanted to
audition for That ‘70s Show.
“I had no intention of becoming an actor. I’d never been to an audition in my life.
In fact I was pretty nervous that I was going to really stink and embarrass myself.
I didn’t know how to act with other professional kids there. I didn’t know how to
memorize lines. Hell, I didn’t even know how to find the building. But I’m pretty
glad that when that door presented itself, I went through it.
“Life is about extra credit. It’s about finding a door and going through it. Yes, it
will take more work, it will take hard work but here’s the good news, there are
doors everywhere and college is the perfect place and time to explore different
hallways, different doors, and find out what you’re passionate about. So freshman
year of college when someone asks you if you want to try out for an a cappella
group but you can’t sing and you get terrible stage fright, or join an ultimate
Frisbee league but you’re a total klutz, or intern at a Fortune 500 company for
peanuts or go on a date, or try pottery or go skydiving, say yes, go through that
door … you never know what’s going to be on the other side.
Trust me, when I was sitting here at my Brewster graduation, I never thought that
going through one of those doors would lead me to standing up here at your
Brewster graduation. Thank you.”
Following Grace’s remarks, the HOWL chorus performed “On My Way,” as sung
by Phil Collins in the movie “Brother Bear.”
Next, and perhaps most exciting for the graduates, was the awarding of diplomas.
Yearbook dedicatee and Associate Director of Athletics Kate Turner read the
names of the diploma recipients as they were presented.
Before closing the ceremony, Cooper reminded the graduates to
remain steadfast to the kind of legacy they want to leave
behind in their journeys. In referring to their recently
published Winnipesaukean yearbook, he said “All one has to
do is to look at the theme of your yearbook to know how
important the notion of legacy is to the class.”
He referred to the recent death of professional baseball
player Harmon Killebrew, saying that although his prowess as
a power hitter was one part of his legacy it was his character
and the class that he brought to the game that was perhaps
his most important legacy.
“So, Class of 2011, your goal of wanting to leave a legacy helps
to put you on the path to lasting happiness, but it doesn’t
guarantee happiness. Your
challenge will be ‘Do I want to
leave the kind of legacy of a
Harmon Killebrew? And what
will it take to accomplish
that?’
“I know I speak for
everyone when I wish you
all the best in your next
chapter and hope that
there is lots more to be
written in your book of life
and that the notion of how
you want to be remembered
only further guides and directs
how you continue to grow
across adulthood. Don’t ever
lose that sense of obligation.”
Cooper then congratulated
the Class of 2011 in the eight
languages of their home countries.
Following the
benediction by
The Rev. Harry
G. Widman,
graduates
recessed out
of the Smith
Center into the
congratulatory
arms of their
teachers,
families, and
friends.
Mike Cooper presents the Arthur
M. Hurlin Award to Taylor Booth
Laura Duffy, Lynne Palmer, and Jaime Laurent
Mike Cooper and the 46 “Lifers” (four-year students) were
ready to celebrate at a May dinner in their honor.
Commencement speaker Topher Grace ’97 and underclassmen
7www.brewsteracademy.org 7www.brewsteracademy.org
The Ivy
The Ivy Address marked the opening of the Commencement celebration and
took place on the eve of commencement exercises. Keeping with tradition,
the top academically ranked postgraduate and the third academically
ranked senior offered reflective remarks to graduates, their families,
and faculty. The ceremony concluded with Academic Dean Marilyn Shea
presenting the senior prefects with an ivy plant – a lasting and living symbol
of the graduating class. The ivy was planted in the gardens around the
Academic Building where it will comingle with the ivy of previous classes.
This year’s Ivy Address speakers were senior Stephanie Menezes and
postgraduate Max Hooper. Dana Hughes, a three-year student from Wolfeboro, offered the salutatorian
address to his classmates. In his introduction of Hughes, Mike Cooper referred
to Hughes as “a distinguished scholar whose work ethic and readiness to reach
out and help many students helped him earn the Math Department Award his
sophomore year and the Harvard Prize Book Award for science his junior year. His
senior year, he earned the role as president of our National Honor Society. He
has served admirably in our Math Tutor Center and excels at tennis … He has
captained the boys’ junior varsity hockey team and received the MVP award. He
has led teams over the past two years to participate in the highly competitive
Moody’s Math Challenge.”
Hughes told his fellow graduates that rather than talking about class memories
and the great times he had at Brewster, he owed them something meaningful
and chose to speak about the one thing he felt was most important to achieving
success no matter where someone is in life: prioritizing.
“You need to know what takes priority in your life and when you figure that out,
it becomes considerably easier to make the right choices,” Hughes said.
He encouraged his fellow graduates to always give 100 percent to all that they
do. “It’s important that you put work and effort in on a regular basis. … No
amount of studying at the very last minute will ever equal the work put in over
a long period of time. … A two-week project with one day of effort will not have
the same successful outcome as 14 days of effort.”
In reference to this he recalled his interview with the director of admission of
the College of Engineering at the University of Miami. The director reminded
him that a grade of 91 in physics might seem good enough, and in fact it is
an accomplishment to be proud of, but if an engineer only has 91 percent of the
relevant knowledgeable of the task at hand that doesn’t make for the best engineer.
Hughes asked his classmates to consider his favorite quote by basketball coach
John Wooden: “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to
do it over?”
In closing he said, “You all – current Brewster students and the graduating class
of 2011 – are some of the most benevolent individuals I have come across in
my lifetime and created one of the kindest communities that you can’t just find
anywhere in the world. … I most certainly would not be the person I’m today
without the influence of this great community. Thank you everyone for the past
three years [that] I will not be forgetting anytime soon.”
EFFORT DOES MATTER
Putting Down Roots: Senior prefect Jolie Wehrung holds the ivy to be planted on behalf of the Class of 2011. She is joined on her right by Ivy Address speakers Max Hooper and Stephanie Menezes, on her left by senior prefect John Wadlinger; and Mike Cooper and Dan Mudge (P ’98, ’02), president of Brewster’s board of trustees, are in the back.
THE CLASS OF 2011 BY THE NuMBERS
117 - number of graduates
46 - number of graduates who were Lifers
54 - number of graduates who held leadership positions
33 - number of graduates who will play sports in college
13 - number of graduates who left behind at least one sibling at Brewster
8 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
Beth Duffy, a four-year student
from Wolfeboro, delivered
the valedictorian speech. In
introducing Duffy, Mike Cooper
said: “Our next student speaker
this morning is a Brewster Lifer
whose history with us actually
began at age 3 in 1995 when her
mom joined the Brewster faculty.
She was one of five students
selected to the National Honor
Society in her junior year. She has
been a member of the Judicial
Board for the past three years and
this year was named one of the
three chief justices of the board.
A four-year member of HOWL,
she has also favored us with her
talented performances on the
Brewster stage, including her much
celebrated role as the princess in
our winter musical production of
Once Upon a Mattress.”
Duffy’s remarks focused on all the inevitable changes that she and her
classmates encountered during their years at Brewster. Admitting that she was
not very comfortable with change, she nonetheless learned that life without
change leads to a stagnant and boring existence and, that although she doubts
she will ever be in love with the unknown and unexpected, she has come to
accept them.
“Many of my classmates were in the same boat of awkwardness and confusion
as to who we would become. Tiny boys and girls crowded the Bubble, and, above
the sounds of cracking voices and shrill screams, we forged bonds and friendships
that are still in place today. As time went on, those scrawny boys were replaced
with their more muscular counterparts, and the awkward girls grew into
confident young women.”
“These physical transformations were accompanied by other changes in maturity
and respect levels. Brewster has turned even the most scatterbrained, frazzled
individuals into well-organized students ready to succeed. Our school has also
taught us to advocate for ourselves. Instead of students turning to indifference
toward their schoolwork and grades, we were taught to communicate with a
teacher if we were confused about an assignment or redo a test or paper if we
weren’t fully satisfied with our grades.”
Duffy thanked her classmates and almost-graduates for being a group filled with
such camaraderie and acceptance. “We’re now headed towards real life, but if we
take what we’ve learned, from Brewster and from each other, and if we accept
the changes that are sure to come our way, things will only get better from here.”
Members of the Class of 2011 are attending the following colleges and universities:Assumption CollegeBabson CollegeBentley CollegeBoston University (4)Bowdoin CollegeBrooklyn CollegeBryant CollegeCalifornia Lutheran UniversityColby-Sawyer CollegeCollege of IdahoCollege of the Holy Cross (2)Concordia University, CanadaDalhousie University, CanadaDePauw UniversityElmira CollegeElon UniversityEmerson CollegeEndicott CollegeFairfield UniversityGettysburg CollegeGilmore SchoolHartwick CollegeHarvard UniversityHigh Point University (4)Hobart and William Smith Colleges (5)Keene State CollegeLewis & Clark CollegeLoyola UniversityMarist CollegeMarymount Manhattan CollegeMiami UniversityNew Jersey City UniversityNew York University (2)Northeastern University (3)Norwich University (1)Pennsylvania State UniversityProvidence College (2)Purdue University (2)Quinnipiac University (2)Roger Williams University (3)
Rollins College (2)Rutgers UniversitySiena CollegeSmith CollegeSouth Kent SchoolSt. John’s UniversitySt. Michael’s College (3)Stetson University (3)Suffolk UniversitySusquehanna University (4)Syracuse University (2)Texas A & M UniversityTexas Christian UniversityTrinity UniversityUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of Colorado, BoulderUniversity of Connecticut (2)University of HartfordUniversity of KansasUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst (2)University of MiamiUniversity of MississippiUniversity of New HampshireUniversity of PittsburghUniversity of Prince Edward Island, Canada (2)University of RedlandsUniversity of Rhode IslandUniversity of Tampa (2)University of Vermont (4)University of Washington (2)Villanova UniversityVirginia Military InstituteWentworth Institute of TechnologyWestern State CollegeWhittier College (2)Wittenberg UniversityXavier University
Athletic Director’s Award • Chelsiea Goll • Yegor Bezuglyy
The Headmaster’s Prize • Beth Duffy
The Postgraduate Award • Max Hooper
Faculty Service Award • Hannah Pope
Faculty Service Award • Ashley Rose
Ronald “Buzzy” Dore Memorial Award • Will Fix
Jill Carlson Memorial Award • Chelsiea Goll
Faculty “Growth Achievement” Award • Hilary Greeff
Mabel C. Tarr Award • Beth Duffy
David Sirchis School Service Award • Stephanie Menezes
Arthur J. Mason Foundation Award • Calder Billings
Burtis Vaughan Award • Sarah MacDonnell
Arthur M. Hurlin Award • Taylor Booth
To learn more about these awards, visit: www. brewsteracademy.org/commencementawards
8 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
EMBRACE CHANGE 2011 Commencement Awards
9www.brewsteracademy.org
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The Brewster Story: The Definitive History of Brewster Academy
“The Brewster Story is a must read for anyone who has attended the school or
has an interest in the Academy. The Story relates the early philosophy of John
Brewster and how the school has followed those ideals in creating the current
Academy. It was of great interest to read of the many hurdles that were overcome
in the early years and to see the perseverance of a number of key people that
kepttheschoolfunctioningduringwaryears,fires,personneladjustments,and
financialwoes.…Thankyouforthehistorylessons,BobandShirleyRichardson.”
Bruce H. Crowther ‘64 (GP ’14)
Grandparent Chair 2011-2012
GIFTS OF HISTORY
With the publication of The Brewster Story in May, Brewster Academy wishes to
acknowledge the individuals who contributed their time and resources to bring
the history of the Academy alive in the pages of The Brewster Story:
Former faculty members Bob and Shirley Richardson, who, upon their
retirement in 2004, spent seven years researching, conducting interviews, poring
over archival material, writing, and editing The Brewster Story;
Richard Joseph (Sam ’11) for donating the publishing and printing costs of
The Brewster Story. “With a page count at 352 and an initial printing of 600
books it was no small undertaking, and Brewster is forever grateful for
Richard’scontributiontothehistoryofBrewster,”saidMikeCooperin
acknowledgingRichardJosephattheIvyAddressinMay;and
Alumni, faculty and staff, and friends for sharing their stories and photos with
Bob and Shirley
10 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
REBECCA
MARISSEAu
‘12 (Wolfeboro)
spent two weeks
at an Archaeology
Field School at
Strawbery Banke
Museum in
Portsmouth, New
Hampshire.
wHY ARCHAEOLOGY? The Field School was excavating near the 1762 Chase
House, which belonged to Stephen Chase, a wealthy Portsmouth merchant.
Recently, Strawbery Banke staff began looking at old 18th century insurance
maps and noticed that there were other structures on the property in 1762 that
are not currently standing. Further research and archaeological investigation
revealed that the structures were the original privy and carriage house.
wHAT REBECCA LEARNED: Archeologists are very interested in excavating
privies because when they were no longer privies they were used as trash
receptacles. The families would throw food scraps, ceramics, glass, and anything
else they deemed trash into the privy. This leaves evidence of day-to-day 18th
century life for the archaeologists.
I participated in the excavation of the former carriage house and privy
foundations. Though I was fortunate enough to not have to dig in the privy itself,
I was given a unit with many artifacts in it!
wHAT REBECCA AND HER TEAM ExCAVATED: Two 1780-1820 pearlware
teacups, Victorian thimble, animal bones (shows what they ate), part of a carriage
wheel, leather, keys, horseshoes, thermometer, and a toothbrush.
RAYMOND SORIANO ’12 (Laredo, Texas) enrolled in a six-week course in
astronomy and oceanography at the University of California, Berkeley. When he
wrote the following, Raymond was in the middle of a two-week research project
on the 15 exoplanet transit observations at the Central Texas Astronomical
Society (CTAS).
In particular, I am recording the luminosity of the exoplanets with various
calibration filters as a means of taking into account signal-to-noise ratio, cloud
cover, and light from
nearby stars to obtain
accurate photometrical
measurements.
wHY THIS COuRSE?
I chose this endeavor
because of my strong
interest in astronomy,
which was inspired
when I competed in
the New Hampshire
Astronomy Bowl last
March.
wHAT RAYMOND
LEARNED: I learned
about stellar/galactic
formation, sky geography, atmospheric interference, and planetary processes. At
the CTAS, I am learning how to set up and operate the observatory telescope,
use various filters to determine the quality of camera exposures, and that the 15
different exoplanets change in position and luminosity as they interfere with the
light of nearby stars.
My experience at CTAS has taught me to pay close attention to every detail
on the computer data, since any error can possibly result in inaccurate
measurements that can change the overall outlook of the transit observation(s).
I have three mentors who are highly educated in physics, chemistry, and
engineering. They are very detailed in all that they do in sharing their knowledge
of astronomy. At UC Berkeley, I learned from my experience that life in a large
university requires a huge responsibility from an individual to succeed because
there is no supervision inside and outside of class.
AMY MISIRA ’12 (Cockeysville,
Maryland) interned for the nonprofit
Children Across Borders headquartered
in Tampa, Florida. This organization
provides sustained support in the form of
education, health, housing, and wellness
to underprivileged children throughout
the world.
we know what They Did Last SummerBrewster students are adventurous and giving of their time. Here Connections shares the stories of how some students spent their summer days and, for at least one stargazer, his nights.
11www.brewsteracademy.org
wHY THIS ENDEAVOR? Some day I would like to start a foundation, and I
was offered the opportunity by family friends, so I could learn the inner workings
of a nonprofit organization (NPO).
wHAT AMY LEARNED: I learned it is a lot of work to start and maintain a
nonprofit. I know it’s not just about raising money. You need a lot of connections.
I learned that running an NPO is a team effort. Everything works better when
you have people who believe in the cause and are there for you. For my nonprofit,
I want to support and offer supplies to Orphanage 2 in Samara, Russia.
ALBERTO RIVERA-
BARLETTA ’13 (Mexico City,
Mexico) spent three weeks
on a 50-foot sailboat with 11
other teenagers in the waters
off the British Virgin Islands.
wHY A SAILBOAT wITH ALL THOSE TEENAGERS? One reason I chose
this ActionQuest adventure program is the fact that it was a different summer
experience. Most summer programs, students/campers, stay in cabins or tents.
But we lived on a sailboat. This unusual set up for a summer program intrigued
me. They offer a variety of programs, from community service to marine biology.
wHAT ALBERTO LEARNED: After two summers in ActionQuest, I have
become an advanced diver and have received my sailing license and community
service hours picking up trash in a local town.
Being out there for 21 days without TV, cell phones, Internet, cooking the meals,
cleaning the boat, being with great staff, and 11 other people my age on a 50-
foot sailboat is different. You learn how to be comfortable with yourself. It helps
to realize who you really are. As I began realizing who I was becoming, who I
really was, I began to define future goals.
HOw HE GREw FROM THIS ExPERIENCE: The three weeks I spent with
ActionQuest, was the best three weeks of my summer. I feel I have become more
aware of global issues, my self-confidence increased, I have developed social skills
I use today, and I have defined future goals. The BVIs, which, believe me, is not
the most modern or sophisticated region in the world, does have its own spark.
That spark made me more aware of countries like the BVIs, and that they are not
as lucky as many of us. It made me feel more thankful for what I have.
Overall this experience was amazing, and I will always treasure it.
MORGAN ROBINETTE ’12 (Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire) was part
of a team of volunteers helping to keep a public island on Lake Winnipesaukee
“beautiful and running smoothly.”
wHY RAGGED ISLAND? Ragged Island used to be a part of the Loon Center
in Moultonborough. When the center decided to sell it, it was passed into town
ownership and became a public island.
To preserve the island, the houses not being used were taken off island, leaving
their sites to be cleaned up. Our priority was getting rid of glass, pipes, and
anything with nails, including wooden shingles, structural planks, and siding.
There are two main beaches open to the public, as well as a set of bathrooms, so
we need to keep it clean.
I chose this project originally because of the loons. I love the loons on the lake.
From our lake house on Cow Island, you can hear them every night, calling to
each other. It’s magical. Ragged Island is a very popular nesting site for loons and
after I had learned that they were becoming endangered, I wanted to help them.
I have found that I now do it because I enjoy it. I love seeing the island loved by
so many taken care of. I like seeing the happy people when they go to the island.
It gives me a feeling of worth to have seen this island grow from being dirty and
unkempt to being a well-respected destination on the lake.
wHAT MORGAN LEARNED: I learned many things but mostly about work
ethics and about striving for something bigger than myself. I volunteer because
it helps me feel like a part of a community, and I feel it’s my job to commit to
something that is bigger than myself. My mom always told me that helping
others was the right thing to do, and now I can relate to it.
HOw SHE GREw FROM THIS ExPERIENCE. I believe that what you do will
always affect who you are as a person. I feel as though I have more to contribute
to this world. I know that I will not stop here. My work on Ragged Island has
confirmed that for me. I grew as a person on this project, more aware of my
impact on others, and how I can make it positive.
Morgan also spent much of her summer interning in Brewster’s Technology Office.
DAISY LEPERE ’12 (Belmont,
Massachusetts) travelled across the
globe to northern India to participate in
a community service project with the
nonprofit Mountain Cleaners in the state
of Himachal Pradesh. Mountain Cleaners
is committed to cleaning up India, little
by little, through a combination of direct
action, liaison, and awareness raising.
wHY INDIA? I chose to go to India because I love to travel, and I wanted to get
a sense of what life was like for other people, and we got to work with kids.
wHAT SHE LEARNED AND HOw SHE GREw: I learned about the customs
and traditions in India as well as the problems there. I grew from this experience
by seeing the differences between how life is for me and how life is for others. It
was very eye opening and very humbling.
12 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
This year the opening All-School Assembly coincided with the 10th
anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11. It seemed appropriate
then that Dr. Cooper focused his remarks on the connection that
those events had to the Brewster community.
“Asyouwalkthroughcampusorheadouttotheathleticfields,youwill
no doubt notice two signs: one that reads Fry Field and one that reads
PalazzoField.Youmightalsonoticetheplaqueinthe“flagpolegarden”
neartheSmithCenter,”Coopersaid.
“Today, especially, the names on these signs and the plaque deserve our
pauseandreflection.Theybarethenamesoftwograduateswholosttheir
livesintheWorldTradeCenteronSeptember11.”
Hesharedalittleabouteachalumnus.PeterFry,classof1983,wasjust36
years old, married with two young daughters. Tommy Palazzo, class of
1975, was 44 years old, also married and with three daughters.
“AtBrewster,Peterwasastabilizinginfluence,aleaderbyexample,
“Let’s Give Meaning
to the Brewster
Principle”By Marcia Eldredge
Mike and Andrea Cooper and senior prefect Evan Cohn greet a new student.
One of a few bouquets placed on September 11 at a campus memorial.
It wouldn’t be orientation without the annual swim test!
Welcome Back! Returning students at registration.
12 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
a young man who knew what was the right thing to do under any
circumstance, both cool and cool headed. He always represented what
was right and that combination led to his being highly respected by the
entire community. At Curry College, he became an All-American lacrosse
player,”Coopersaid.
Tommy and his brother Robbie ’74 (to whom Palazzo Field is also
dedicated) were outstanding athletes. At the dedication of Palazzo Field,
Robbie spoke about how much Brewster had meant to the brothers and
howtheyhadmaturedatBrewstersaying,”Theywerethefinestyearsof
ourlivesaswelearnedhowtobecomeadultshere.”
Mike continued, as students Peter and Tommy were respected by their peers
in the Brewster community. As adults they lived honorable lives. “I ask you
to honor them by upholding the Brewster Principle: Respect, Integrity, and
Service:serveyourselfandotherswithyourbestinallyoudo.”
“Lets give meaning to the Brewster Principle. Let’s have a great year and
let’shavesomefun.”
13www.brewsteracademy.org
Mike Cooper and James C. Curvey at a spring luncheon with Patrick Perry, Sean Cassidy, and Rebecca Jones, now sophomores; and Bianca Barcelo, Ashley Rogers, and Cristina Adams, current juniors.
Class of 2015 Curvey Scholars: Tre Galligan, Chase Gardner, and Bella Monzione with Mike Cooper on the first day of classes.
The 2011-2012 school year marks the
third year of welcoming Curvey
Scholars to the Brewster community.
In December 2008, James C. Curvey and his
family donated 11 acres of waterfront property
in Alton to Brewster Academy. Through the
land donation, it was Curvey’s desire to create
scholarships so that more local students would
have the opportunity to attend Brewster.
InSeptember2009,thefirstthreeCurveyScholars
entered Brewster as members of the Class of
2013. A year later, three more local students
entered as freshmen. The most recent scholars
bringthetotaltoninestudentsbenefitingfrom
the generosity of the Curvey family.
Thisyear’sfreshmanscholars–Thomas“Tre”
GalliganIII,ChaseGardner,andIsabella“Bella”
Monzione – are leaders in their class and will no
doubt take advantage of all the opportunities
that await them at their new school.
The ScholarSTre is from Gilford and wanted to attend a
school that encouraged the development of the
learner and the athlete in order to challenge him
on both levels. Tre’s former teachers describe
himas“aquietleaderwholeadsbyexample”
and a hard working young man who is a
positiveinfluenceintheclassroom.Afootball
player, last season Tre was named offensive
player of the year, which he attributes to his
constant positive attitude.
Chase Gardner is from Wolfeboro where he
earned a 4.0 GPA in an accelerated curriculum
at Kingswood Regional Middle School. He has
been playing basketball and soccer for eight
years and also plays the trombone. His most
rewardingsubjectisEnglishbecausehebelieves
that “having the ability to read and write is
Brewster welcomes Three More Curvey ScholarsCurrently nine local students are recipients of the Curvey family’s generosity
invaluable – I like expanding my vocabulary by
beingexposedtonewwords.”
Chase’s former teachers describe him as an
active member of the team’s leadership group,
highly respected by faculty and peers. “Chase is
well balanced and very thoughtful for a person
hisage.”
Bella is from Alton and attended Cornerstone
Christian Academy. She is an avid equestrian,
enthusiastically committed to all aspects of
horsemanship. She was looking for a school
with the same small community aspect as
Cornerstone Christian as well as diverse
opportunities where she could get more
involved. Bella’s former teachers see her as
“very inquisitive, taking the initiative to learn
andtobesuccessful.”
Tre,Chase,andBellajoincurrentCurvey
ScholarsjuniorsCristinaAdamsandAshley
Rogers from Alton and Bianca Barcelo from
Wolfeboro;andsophomoresRebeccaJonesand
Patrick Perry from Wolfeboro and Sean Cassidy
from Alton.
14 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
Teachers Gorrill and O’Blenis at the Top of the Class
By Marcia Eldredge
Each year since 1997 Brewster has honored two or three faculty
members for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments in
one of two areas, Excellence in Teaching and Career Growth. They
are nominated by faculty, administration, students, parents, and trustees.
At the opening All-School Assembly in September, Mike Cooper
announced that this year’s faculty award recipients were long-time faculty
member Bruce Gorrill and Rob O’Blenis, both science teachers.
career GrowThGiven in recognition of the faculty member who, over the course of the
year, has demonstrated the most accelerated professional growth within
the Brewster program, the Career Growth Award was presented to Rob
O’Blenis, science teacher and community life parent who started teaching
at Brewster in 2005. In nominating Rob for the award, colleagues had the
followingtosayabouthim:“Thisawardistheperfectmatchforhim.”
“He has been extremely supportive of colleagues as they step into the
classroom.”“Hehasgreatintegrityandagreatattitude.”
In 2010, Rob was asked to become one of a select group of faculty and staff
to be trained in and then become a staff trainer in the newly introduced
EmotionalLiteracyprogramandhehasdone“anamazingjob.”Infact,
“heisthe‘meta-momentking’.”
Additionally,“Helovesworkingandlivingataboardingschool,”and
“Hestepsintohelpinotherareasoftheschoolwhenheseesaneed.”
“OurstudentsandBrewsterarefortunatetohavehim.”
Students also praised ‘Mr. O,’ as he is known, for his dedication and
teaching style.
exampleS of career GrowTh aT BrewSTer: • Utilizingsupportoffered
• Productivityanddegreeofexcellenceinthecurriculumthey have developed
• Highevaluationsinfivedifferentclassesfromtheirdirector, peers, and students
• Demonstratedexcellenceinthedeliveryofbestpracticepedagogies
• Strongandvaluablecontributionsmadetoallteamefforts
• Significantuseoftechnologyincurriculumdesignand delivery and taking advantage of the Internet
• Buildinganawarenessandsensitivitywithinthecommunity of the needs of the students
15www.brewsteracademy.org
Current faculty who are past recipients of the
Excellence in Teaching AwardLaura Cooper (2010)
Bret Barnett (2009)
Matt Butcher (2008)
Janis Cornwell (2006)
Raylene Davis (2005)
Barb Thomas (2004)
Julianne Lopez (2003)
Kim Yau (2003)
Bruce Gorrill (2001)
Maria Found (1997)
Current faculty who are past recipients of the
Career Growth AwardTom Sullivan (2010)
Jamie Garzon (2009)
Lauren Shealy (2008)
Lauren Hunter (2007)
Matt Butcher (2006)
Bret Barnett (2005
Yu Lui (2003)
Raylene Davis (1998)
exampleS of excellence in TeachinG aT BrewSTer: • Professionalisminallaspectsoftheirendeavors
• Assistingothersinsupportofstudents
• Fairassessment
• Efforttoassistcoreteachersintheireffortsinsupportoftheir students
• Tenacityanddrivetoseethatstudentsarefairlyassessedand assisting in the development of adaptations for them
• Consistency,fairness,andqualityofactionplansandgreatfollow through—Team primacy
• Positiveattitudeinallinteractions
“I think that Mr. O is a really good teacher. I really like that his teaching
style is very hands on. I am doing very well in science this year, and
I think that is because of the way he teaches and the fact that he is
organized with homework and well organized in the classroom, which
makes it that much easier to understand. I also appreciate the fact that he
is always there for extra help and he really wants us all to be the best we
canbe.”
“Your class is my favorite class this year. I love how you do notes in class,
that you always make sure I understand what is going on, and all of the
opportunities you give to help me. You seem to love what you are doing
andthatmakesmewanttoloveit,too.”
excellence in TeachinG This award is given in recognition of demonstrated excellence in teaching
practices and overall contributions within the Brewster program. The
recipient of the 2011 Excellence in Teaching Award is Bruce Gorrill, science
department chair. This is the second time that Bruce has been awarded the
ExcellenceinTeachingAward,havingfirstreceiveditin2001.
Bruce’s colleagues have a lot of respect for his abilities and in nominating
him for the award, praised his high standards and leadership. “He is an
excellent role model in the classroom, creating and maintaining a very
student-centeredclassroom.”
Colleagues agree that Bruce is one of the most technology-savvy faculty
members, taking the time to learn how new classroom technology tools
canbestbenefitstudentsandhisdeliveryofcoursework.
“He has an impressive use of technology in the classroom and within
thecurriculumdevelopedinhisdepartment.”“Hisuseoftechnology
encourages other faculty to incorporate technology and to embrace new
ideasandchangesintheirclassrooms.”“HeisoneofthereasonsBrewster
maintainsourtechnologyedge.”
“He has been at the forefront of Brewster’s programmatic changes, such
astheBrewsterModel,project-basedlearning,andMoodle.”
“Bruce has never lost the sense of ‘it’s all about the kids.’ He is very vested
inourstudents.”
Students,too,havehighpraiseforBruceGorrill.“Goodjobkeepingthe
classalwaysontask.Ilikethefactthatyouusealotoftechnologyinclass;
itreallyadvancesmyskillsnotonlyinphysicsbutalsoforotherclasses.”
“Science isn’t usually my strong point, but I’m loving physics this year.
Mr. Gorrill is an amazing teacher and I’m learning a lot. I feel challenged
butnotoverwhelmed.”
“Mr. Gorrill, I like the fact that you always are there to answer any
questions and that you are willing to go over a problem if people don’t
understandhowtodoit.Greatjobdrawingeverythingoutonthesmart
boardforvisuallearners.”
“Mr. Gorrill cares about each individual in our class and he is willing to
helpeachstudentinawaythattheycanlearnthebest.”
16 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
Some of Brewster’s new community members: from the top Carrie MacDonald, Maureen Edmonds, Sally Smith, Elizabeth Bonsu, Karl Edmonds, and Jen Smith
KristyKerinjoinedtheAlumniandDevelopmentOfficeteamon
June 1 as the director of advancement. In this role, she oversees
theAnnualFund,majorgifts,andcampaignplanning.Most
recently she was the director of donor relations at Middlebury College in
Middlebury, Vermont, her alma mater.
Kristy brings broad experience working with leadership donors, annual
fund campaigns, events, and donor stewardship. As a member of
Middlebury’s annual fund team, she helped establish strategies that led
to record-breaking alumni giving rates as high as 62 percent participation.
Kristy credits these outstanding alumni participation results in large part
to alumni volunteers, and she is eager to help build robust volunteer
networks at Brewster.
When asked what it was about Brewster that attracted her, she replied:
“This is an exciting and critical time for the Academy. I was impressed
with the school’s leadership under Dr. Cooper, the unique teaching model,
the personalized approach to education, and the inspirational vision for
the future. I am excited to partner with Brewster’s alumni, parents, and
friendstohelpadvancetheAcademy’sgoals.”
KristyalsoservedastheassistanttrackandfieldcoachatMiddlebury.
Shewasrankedinternationallyasahighjumperandcompetedinthe2004
U.S. Olympic Trials. Her husband, David, and their two sons, Daniel and
Matthew,joinKristyhere.
CarrieMacDonaldhasjoinedthecommunityasthedirectorofstudent
health services. She began her career as a pediatric nurse on a medical
surgical unit at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical
Center. Most recently she worked for a behavioral, developmental, genetic
pediatric specialist where she worked with children and adolescents with
ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism. She has a B.S. in Nursing from
the University of Southern Maine.
SallySmithjoinedtheOfficeofAdmissionandExternalAffairsonJuly
1 as special events and programs coordinator. She comes to Brewster
with 20 years experience in higher education and independent boarding
schools. Her experience includes director of alumni relations at Plymouth
State University where she received her master’s in counseling and
human relations.
Sally’spreviousworkinofficesofalumni,admissions,andcollege
counseling involved extensive event planning and provides her with the
insight for comprehensive implementation and streamlining of events
at Brewster Academy. She looks forward to working with numerous
campusofficesintheplanningandoversightofeventsonandoffcampus
involving different constituents.
“My years as a student at Williston-Northampton School naturally
influencedmydesiretoserveinaboardingschoolenvironment.Iam
fortunatetobepartoftheBrewstercommunity,”shesaid.
A native of the Lakes Region, Sally lives in Center Harbor with her
twochildren.HerdaughteriscurrentlyinherfirstyearatHighPoint
University in North Carolina and her son is a sophomore at Inter-Lakes
High School.
New Community MembersOver the summer, Brewster Academy welcomed three new administrators and seven new faculty members to the community.
NEw FACuLTY
Elizabeth Bonsu is an instructional support teacher on the freshman
Team Cooper. She has worked with both adolescents and adults in
community health resource centers and organizations in Connecticut and
Massachusetts. Elizabeth has a B.A. in psychology from Curry College.
JonathanBrowheristeachingU.S.historyonthejuniorTeamThomas.His
history background includes a primary concentration in U.S. history and
a secondary concentration in Latin American history. He holds a master’s
in education from Plymouth State University and a B.A. in history from
Bates College. He is the community life parent in Bearce Hall.
17www.brewsteracademy.org
Not many people can say they
have been involved with an
organization for 37 years, but
Helen Hamilton of Bow, New Hampshire,
can.Atage80,shejuststeppeddownfrom
Brewster’s board of trustees, having served
as secretary of the board and chair of the
education and personnel committees.
Despite ending her long tenure on the board,
sheisfarfromfinishedwithdedicatingher
life to helping others. Her commitment to
education is life-long.
Not an alumna or even an alumni parent,
Hamilton was drawn to Brewster simply
because of her passion for education. She
brought much expertise and experience,
having been the dean of students at
SpringfieldCollege,thedeanofstudent
affairs at the University of New Hampshire,
and a YWCA executive/administrator in
Springfield,Massachusetts,Toledo,Ohio,and
Manchester, New Hampshire. She also taught
Trustee Steps Down After Long TenureHelen Hamilton’s Passion for Education Still Strong
By Sarah Anderson
Karl Edmonds teaches algebra and geometry on the freshman Team
Cooper. He also is the boys’ varsity soccer coach. Originally from Liverpool,
England, Mr. Edmonds came to New Hampshire in 1989 when he earned an
athletic scholarship to play soccer at Southern New Hampshire University.
He holds a master’s in international business and a B.S. in business
administration from SNHU.
Maureen Edmonds is an instructional support teacher on the senior Team
Yau and the community life parent in Brown Hall. Maureen has extensive
teaching experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She
has a master’s in education and a B.A. in communications and English
fromNiagaraUniversityandhasspecialeducationcertificationfromthe
University of New Hampshire.
Ellissa Popoff teaches modern world history on the sophomore Team
Martin and is the head coach of the girls’ varsity ice hockey team. She has
a master’s in psychology from Connecticut College and undergraduate
degree in history and psychology from Williams College.
Zach Ross, a 2005 graduate of Brewster, is an instructional support
teacher on the sophomore Team Martin and the community life parent
in Sargent 3. Previously at Brewster he has been a substitute teacher and
assistant coach in the boys’ crew program. He has an MBA from the Royal
Melbourne Institute of Technology and an undergraduate degree from
Susquehanna University.
JenSmithisamathteacheronthejuniorTeamLopez.Shehasadegree
in mathematics and education from Shippensburg University and is the
community life parent in Haines House.
18 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
in Manchester and at Easthampton High School,
in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Hamilton worked as the executive director
of Kids Voting New Hampshire Inc., a youth
development organization, and she founded
the Capital Area Student Leadership Program
(CASL) for high school sophomores.
Clearly recognized as an active member of her
community, Hamilton and her husband were
named Distinguished Citizens of the Year in
Concord in 2004.
Not only has she been active by contributing
to her community, she also has always been
physically active. An athlete all her life,
Hamilton did not start running road races until
shewasabout42.Thenformorethanfiveyears,
she became nationally ranked as number one in
her age category for the 5K. “I love racing, and I
stillmissittoday,”Hamiltonsaid.
In a recent interview, Hamilton spoke about
her time as a member of Brewster’s board of
trustees. She addressed some of the changes the
school has experienced during this time. “It was
averydifferentscenein1974,”Hamiltonsaid.
She highlighted the implementation of
technology as a positive change. “We were
reallyaleaderinthatarea.”Shealsospoke
abouttheBrewsterModelasasignificantshift.
Hamilton was on the selection committee for
now Head of School Dr. Michael Cooper. She
said that choosing a new head of school was a
longprocessandthattheboardmade“aterrific
decision.”ShecommentedonDr.Cooper’s
steadyprogressandthe“significant,intelligent
changes”hehasbroughtabout.Hamiltoncalled
welcome, karey Fix
Brewster parent Karey Fix of Chicago has
joined the board of trustees. She and husband
Bob are the parents of Keenan ’13 and Will,
who graduated from Brewster in May. Karey
previously taught at a private elementary
school in Winnetka, Illinois, before beginning her
own business, Fix-Tex: a line of high-end hand
painted fabric and furniture.
She was actively involved in Keenan and Will’s
elementary school, chairing the school’s primary
fundraiser for eight years. She has served on the
boards of The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago,
Lincoln Park Zoo, and Rush NeuroBehavioral
Center and has been an active participant of the
Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation.
them“tremendouschangesineducation,”
referring to those in the disciplinary realm,
faculty and student retention, technology, the
leveling of the classroom, team teaching, and the
Emotional Literacy Program.
“Students are really getting into more places
and being able to attend the colleges and
universitiesoftheirchoice.”Hamiltonalso
praised Brewster’s athletic department, saying,
“All of the students are in programs in which
thecoachingisfarsuperior.”
Whenasked“What’snext?”Hamiltonlaughed
andsaidsheisalwayspursuingprojects.She
still works with CASL and is on the scholarship
committee for Concord Hospital.
She is always involved in education somehow.
“What it will be now, I don’t know, but it will
be something. Maybe I will go back to school
myself!”
Hamilton stressed the crucial role education
plays in her life. “Education is a very important
thingforme,”shesaid.“Iamreallyconcerned
about what’s happening in public schools. These
kids (Brewster students) are really lucky to be
able to go to a private school and to learn how
tobegoodcitizensandcontributingones.”
Hamilton learned about being a contributing
member of society at a young age. After
attendingSpringfieldCollegeandthe
University of Maine, she was travelling into
theinnercityofToledo,Ohio,andSpringfield,
Massachusetts, at night by herself to work with
individuals from all walks of life. “I really had a
good perspective on people from all categories
ofwealth.”Sheisconfidentthatthiskindof
experience – contributing to one’s community
–benefitsone’sgrowthanddevelopment.She
encourages young people to start early with this
kind of involvement.
Always fascinated by education, Hamilton
continues to expand her mind and is currently
reading a book about language and how it
begins as she watches her baby grandchild
begin to navigate the world of language.
“Intoday’sage,itisveryraretofindsomeone
likeHelen,whoselflesslydevoted37yearsas
a trustee to an institution. Her guidance and
wisdomwillbemissed,”saidboardpresident
Dan Mudge. “We will continue to treasure our
long-standingfriendshipwithHelen.”
LIVE LEARN LEAD
new York citySeptember – Current parents and friends of
Brewster gathered for a reception at the home of
Lisa and Michael Kurtz (Zoe Lindgren ’13). Mike
Cooper and Lynne Palmer shared news about the
opening of school and updates from campus.
While in New York City, Mike Cooper had the
opportunity to connect with young alumni at a
business breakfast hosted by Colin Foster ’88 at his
downtown office of Virtual Doorman.
BermudaSeptember
– Mike and
Andrea
Cooper and
Lynne Palmer
represented
Brewster at a
boarding school
fair in Hamilton,
Bermuda.
In conjunction
with the fair, Mike, Andrea, and Lynne visited with
current Brewster families at a reception at the
Rosemont Guest Suites, hosted by Samantha and
Neal Stephens (Wilson ’12, Keely ’13, and Holly ’15).
Boston, head of the charlesOctober 23 – Join us at the Head of the Charles to
cheer on Brewster rowers as they compete in the
world’s largest crew regatta. Stop by the Brewster
tent expected to be near the Finish Area Launching
Site (FALS) and the Elliot Bridge.
The middle eastOctober 20 - 23 –
Admission officer
Jay Anctil will
represent Brewster
at boarding school
fairs in Dharan,
Saudi Arabia,
sponsored by Saudi Aramco. Jay will discuss the
Brewster program with prospective students and
families. Currently five students attend Brewster
whose families live in Saudi Arabia.
nevada and TexasNovember – Lynne Palmer will represent Brewster
at a boarding school fair in Las Vegas on November
5 and at a national conference for educational
consultants in Dallas on November 10.
asiaNovember 7 - 17 – Jim Bastis, director of alumni
and development, will visit with parents and alumni
in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, and
Taipei and Taichung City, Taiwan.
massachusettsJanuary 15, 2012 – The Brewster boys’ basketball
team will play in the 2012 Spalding HoopHall Classic
in Blake Arena at Springfield College in Springfield.
Game time is tentatively schedule for 4 p.m. and will
be broadcast on ESPN. For more information:
www.thehoophallclassic.com/index.php
RoadBrewster
On The
The Stephens siblings – Keely ’13, Wilson ’12, and Holly ’15 – are among 10 students from Bermuda studying at Brewster this year.
19www.brewsteracademy.org
Brewster parent representative Maria- Dulce Smith (Max ’12, Sarah ’05) at a school fair in Saudi Arabia last year.
Newsmakers
20 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
national Geographic features nieman photo
Simply Beautiful Landscapes, National Geographic’s
2011 Engagement Calendar, features a photo by
David Nieman ’11 (Wolfeboro). Nieman’s image of
Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, was
among 52 “evocative nature scenes” selected for the
calendar.
He took the photo a few years ago in late December
while visiting family on the Maine coast. “I noticed
the snow on the roof of the lighthouse first. The
contrast between the powdery snow and the dark
rocks creates a really nice effect. I think what really
pulls the shot together is the black and white quality,
the fog, and the crashing water.”
Nieman is now studying film and photographer at
Emerson College.
mcGary Blogging for eSpn, played in elite For the upcoming school year, Mitch McGary ’12
(Hinsdale, Indiana), the top-ranked power forward in
the ESPNU 100, has agreed to chronicle his thoughts
on everything from his recruitment to pop culture in
a blog for ESPNHS.
In August, McGary played
in the Boost Mobile Elite
24 event, which featured
24 of the top high school
basketball players in
the United States. The
game was televised live
on ESPN. McGary is the second Brewster player to
be selected for this showcase game. will Barton
‘10, who now plays for the University of Memphis,
played in the 2009 game.
Tw foundation honors Blair and francis
Recent graduate
keshia Blair ’11 and
Najee Francis ’15
were among the
academic honorees at
the 19th Annual Trey
Whitfield Foundation
Awards Banquet.
Both students are
graduates of the Trey
Whitfield School
(TWS) in Brooklyn,
New York.
Blair, an honors student and lifer at Brewster,
is originally from Guyana. She is now studying
humanities and Spanish at Stetson University and
working toward her dream of becoming a criminal
justice attorney.
A Brooklyn native and salutatorian of TWS’s class of
2011, Francis carries on the legacy of Trey Whitfield
graduates continuing their education at Brewster.
The Trey Whitfield Foundation was founded in 1989 to
commemorate the life and spirit of Trey Whitfield ’89.
Its mission is to pursue Trey’s dream that everyone,
regardless of ethnic background, has equal access to
the educational opportunities that they need to reach
their potential in life; that every child will have a
helping hand and every young person will get support
from someone who cares about their future.
wolfeboro Brochure features walker’s workMarlee walker’s ’11 (Wolfeboro) photo of
downtown Wolfeboro appears in the 2011
Wolfeboro Area Chamber of Commerce brochure.
Walker captured the photo as part of an assignment
in her digital photography class. She is studying at
the University of Vermont.
all-american mitch chapmanLacrosse player Mitchell
Chapman ‘11 (Oshawa,
Ontario) was voted All-
American, which is the
highest distinction a high
school lacrosse player
can achieve. Chapman is
the seventh Brewster lacrosse player to receive this
honor. He will play for Bryant University next season.
Shaw is pitcher of the YearBrennen Shaw ‘11
(Presque Isle, Maine)
was named Lakes Region
Pitcher of the Year. Shaw
plans to play hockey at
Assumption College.
www.brewsteracademy.org 21
all Stars around the DiamondSteve Balsamo ’11
(Atkinson, New
Hampshire), Spencer
Montgomery ’11
(Kensington, Prince
Edward Island), and Josh
Gallant ’12 (Exeter,
New Hampshire) were
named Lakes Region
League All-Stars. Despite
these honors, Balsamo
and Montgomery
plan to play hockey in
college at Hobart and
William Smith Colleges
and the University of
Prince Edward Island,
respectively. Gallant will
be back on the diamond
for his senior year at
Brewster.
first Team lax all Stars
Lacrosse players Jimmy Murphy ’11 (Duxbury,
Massachusetts), Trey Adams ’12 (Akwesasne, New
York), Calder Billings ’11 (Bridgewater, Vermont),
and Patrick Eaker ‘11 (Redding, Connecticut) earned
First Team All Stars this spring. Next spring Murphy
will play for the University of Hartford, Billings for
the University of Vermont, and Eaker for Marist
College. Goaltender Adams will return to Brewster
for his senior year.
For the girls, Emma Jones ‘11 (Wolfeboro) and Sarah
MacDonnell ’11 (Quispamsis, New Brunswick,)
earned All Star lacrosee team honors. Jones plans to
play lacrosse and soccer at Susquehanna University.
MacDonnell will play ice hockey for the University of
Connecticut.
Dearborn competes in world mountain running championships
Former Bobcat runner
krisztina Dearborn
‘11 (Mirror Lake, New
Hampshire) competed
in the World Mountain
Running Championships
in Tirana, Albania, on
September 11. She led
her U.S. teammates and
placed 24th out of 45
female runners in the 4.5
km up/down lap course.
This summer, Dearborn became one of three women
and four men selected to the under-19 U.S. Junior
Mountain Running Team.
She is a sophomore at Central Connecticut State
University where she is a member of the cross-
country and indoor and outdoor track teams. Until
June 2011, she had never run a mountain race.
“You definitely have to get your mind out of the
track setting and think about your strength rather
than your speed to get yourself up the mountain,”
she said. “This is beyond what I could have imagined
a year ago,” Dearborn said. “It’s unbelievable.”
ceo Drouin raises $1.2m for Startup
In July Nate Drouin ’10 was the subject of articles in
Bloomberg News and Boston Business Journal. Drouin,
originally from Wolfeboro, is CEO of Fundraise.com,
an online fundraising company that he launched
in March 2011. In July, the company was infused
with $1.2 million from investors. Fundraise.com is
marketed as an easy to use fundraising platform for
charities large and small spanning a variety of causes
and fields including education, politics, sports, and
faith-based organizations. Drouin expects Fundraise.
com to generate more than $2 million by the end
of 2011.
campbell part of 9/11 composition for Symphony
Brewster music director
Andy Campbell was
commissioned to
compose a piece for
the New England Wind
Symphony for their
concert honoring the 10th
anniversary of 9/11. In creating the composition,
Campbell worked closely with Clayton “Skip” Poole,
the music director for the symphony, and Elliott
Markow, the guest violin soloist.
It is an arrangement of Scott Joplin’s Solace, a fitting
title for the piece that was performed at the Capital
Center for the Arts “Salute to the American Spirit”
concert on September 11.
Standing: Sarah (Fallon) Morrison ‘82, Jock Bradley ‘80, Kristianne Widman-Johnson ‘80, Beth Hayes ‘81, Andy Laubi ‘81. Seated are Sam Kramer ‘81, David Gorfine ‘81, Bill Esty ‘81, Peter Engisch ‘81, and Barry Sanel ‘81. The banner was for Griff Campbell ‘80 who could not attend but helped to get many folks back to Reunion!
Reunion 2011Return to Campus:
Celebrating their 50th Reunion are 1961 classmates (front row) Carol
Chamberlin-Clough, Dottie (Fuller) Leonard, Tony Leitner, Rollie Rodrigues,
Victor Elios, Dom Gentile, Dick Flaherty, (row two) Donna (Wagenfeld) Cann,
Noel (Wright) Cantwell, Linda (Stevens) Roeder, Marion (Barrows) Rines,
Joanne (Michaud) Moody, Barbara (Hersey) St. Gelais, Jim Maxwell, Bob Berry,
Posey (Leavitt) Funkhouser, Judy (Wasson) Kelley, Kay (Lord) Witham, Mickey
(Pineo) O’Brien, Gail (Bourden) Antonucci, Martha (Letteney) Wlajnitz, Emery
Trowbridge, (row three) Patsy (Perry) Jones, Rick Rain, Ralph Ferguson, Jim
Nelson, Tiffany (Eckoff) Philman, Dotti (Johnson) Kay, Mark Whitehead, Head of
School Michael Cooper, Joe Hassett, Rick Hale, Barbara (Kimball) LaPlume, and
Bob Kennington. Missing from the photo but in attendance at Reunion were Jim
Clough and Joyce Brown.
Compiled by the Office of Alumni and Development June 3-5, 2011 – Brewster alumni were welcomed to Reunion Weekend by sunny
Wolfeboro skies and a sparkling Lake Winnipesaukee. From the Class of 2006 to
the Class of 1941, alumni came together from around New Hampshire, across the
country, and from Canada, Bermuda, Germany, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Turkey.
Across campus and throughout the weekend were alumni gatherings of all sizes,
from quiet reflections by the lake, to the All-School Assembly and Reunion dinners,
friends old and new came together for a memorable celebration weekend.
While alumni and former faculty come from varied places and different
generations, our alumni family is bound together by their shared Brewster
experiences. Here’s a look back at that June weekend.
REuNION HIGHLIGHTS …50 Years Later: the Class of 1961 More than 30 members of the Class of 1961 returned for their 50th Reunion
dinner. It was the first time this group had gathered in 50 years! “We had a
wonderful, wonderful time,” wrote a class member in a thank you note.
The hard work of four energetic and organized class members – Linda Stevens
Roeder, Dotti Johnson Kay, Noël Wright Cantwell, and Posey Leavitt Funkhouser –
pulled this celebration, and all those who made it a wonderful evening, together
(see page 28 for an article on the teamwork that went into planning). One of the
highlights of the evening was watching a presentation of their senior yearbook on
video. There were many laughs and even a few tears.
So many of those who attended had not been on campus since the day they
graduated. All promised not to stay away again for too long. Saying goodnight was
not the easiest thing to do for many in this group.
25 Years Later: the Class of 1986 On a beautiful night on Wolfeboro Bay, the Class of 1986 enjoyed a special dinner
in their honor on Saturday at the Pinckney Boathouse. They were joined by Head
of School Mike Cooper and wife Andrea, former Headmaster David Smith and wife
Sheila (P ’91, ’93, ’95), Tim and Peg Radley (P ’90, ’92), Doug and Mary Fallon (P ’94,
’00), Ed Rothfus, Bob and Maureen Simoneau (P ’90, ’93, ’02, ’07), Matt Hoopes,
and Bob and Shirley Richardson (P ’77, ’81, ’84).
After cocktails and a sunset class photograph, alumni and faculty enjoyed a
delicious three-course dinner. During dinner each class member received a booklet
of bios, written by classmates, about their “Life After Brewster” adventures.
To see more photos or to purchase photos
from Reunion 2011, please go to:
www.brewsteracademy.org/Reunion2011
Enjoying the 1991 20th Reunion were (back row) Brian Corsi ‘91, Megeen Simoneau ‘02, Hadley Clark ‘91, Heather Tarter ‘91, Susan (Aranosian) McTague ‘91, Beth Dales ‘91, Jen (Dabney) Nystrom ‘91, (front row) Henry Lord ‘91, Lee Edwards ‘91, John Burfeind ‘91, Colin Douglass ‘91, and Max Holzman ‘91.
Celebrating their 25th Reunion at the Pinckney Boathouse were (back row)
Geraldine Griffin ‘86, former Headmaster David Smith, former faculty and alumni
icon Matt Hoopes, former admissions officer Sheila Smith, former faculty member
Ed Rothfus, Jaime Bonazoli ‘86, former faculty Doug Fallon, Head of School Mike
Cooper and Andrea Cooper. (front row) former faculty Shirley Richardson, Bjorn
Otterness ‘86, former faculty Mary Fallon, former faculty Bob Richardson, Betsy
(Lurie) Ross ‘86, Liddie (Kimball) Hayes ‘86, Rob Shickel ‘86, Kate (DeWitt) Nelson
‘86, faculty Bob Simoneau, and (kneeling) Peter-Bruce Wassitch ‘86.
The Class of 1986 extended a special invitation to Ed Rothfus, to whom they had
dedicated their yearbook. It was the first time he had visited in 25 years. “I will
never forget the great weekend with my family at Brewster,” wrote Ed about the
weekend. Alumni received individual videos of their yearbook, which they watched
on a large screen TV, bringing down the house with reels of laughter.
Class member Peter-Bruce Wassitsch and wife Ana Elissa traveled the longest
distance – from Nassau, Bahamas – to attend Reunion. Peter-Bruce had not been
back in 25 years but was obviously enjoying himself, pointing to the sailing team
banner hanging on the wall above him, which announced his team’s winning season.
Alumni All-School Assembly
Mike Cooper began the alumni assembly on Saturday by commenting on a remark
he often hears from alumni, which is that “Brewster has changed so much.” He
couldn’t disagree with this refrain; however, he reminded those in attendance that
if we didn’t change, we wouldn’t be the great school that we are today.
Cooper, along with Lynne Palmer (P ’08, ’09, ’12), director of admission and
external affairs, and Matt Lawlor, athletics director, then shared some of Brewster’s
points of pride with those gathered.
In preparing students for college and careers, Brewster has a commitment to its
students to prepare them to achieve success and adapt in a rapidly changing world,
Cooper explained. This means evolving the curriculum to best position our students
for such success.
Part of Brewster’s curriculum evolution is educating the whole person by giving
students the skills to effectively relate to and work with individuals in all areas of
their lives. Extensive research on success and readiness in the workplace shows
that social and emotional intelligence is more important to professional success
than IQ, Cooper explained. Equipped with this knowledge and a partnership with
researchers at Yale University, Brewster is implementing an emotional intelligence
program to ensure that students have all the skills – academic, personal, and social
– necessary for success in a university or college and for life.
Palmer spoke about leadership athletics in the admission process. Explaining
that about 10 years ago Brewster made a decision to identify specific sports and
focus on recruiting both student-athletes and highly qualified coaches for these
teams. The sports are girls and boys’ soccer, basketball, ice hockey, and lacrosse.
Anyone who follows Bobcat sports knows that most of these teams have met with
considerable success in the past decade, including earning numerous New England
and Lakes Region League titles and even one national championship.
Celebrating their 5th Reunion, members of the Class of 2006 (back row) Sam Brown,
Steve Hard, Leif Cameron, Stephen Lopez, Andrew Reyes, Malcolm Collins, Luke Pelz,
Ashton Tierney, Henrik Schmitz-Sieg, (Front row) Molly Dorko, Rachel Berman, Liz
Bennett, Tori Neal, Sarah Moin, Erin Wadlinger, Veronika Payne, Tara Gangi
Celebrating their 10th Reunion are (bottom row) Margery Grella and Alana
Diaz; second row: Shannon Thibodeau, faculty member Shadow Gorrill, Georgia
Christofouro, Matt Dacier, Chris Lake, Liz Hutchins; back row: Zac Tartol, faculty
member Bruce Gorrill, Carrie Richards, faculty member Andy Campbell, and Matt
Sykes.
Lawlor followed by offering a few specifics, such as nearly 25 percent of the Class
of 2011 will play sports in college, including 12 students at Division I schools.
Currently, Brewster counts 58 alumni playing at the Division I level. This past year
Brewster celebrated a Lakes Region Runner of the Year, a US Lacrosse Coach of
the Year, an All-American lacrosse player, watched two students represent their
countries in world games, and, for the first time in many years, sent sailors to a
national competition. The year ended with the boys’ baseball team earning the
Lakes Region League title, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since 1983!
The Brewster Story During the assembly, Cooper
recognized former faculty
members Bob and Shirley
Richardson, who began
researching and writing
Brewster’s history in 2004.
After hundreds of interviews,
endless hours of poring over
long-ago archived photos,
news articles, and internal
documents as well as
documenting history in the
making, they wove together
The Brewster Story: The
Definitive History of Brewster
Academy, published in May.
“They have gone above and beyond to bring an exciting project to fruition,”
acknowledged Cooper before presenting the Richardsons with a framed panoramic
photographic of campus.
Reunion attendees, led my the Class of 1961 and Mike Cooper, “paraded” to Saturday’s lunch in the Estabrook.
Save The DaTeReunion 2012
June 1-3
Classes ending in 2 and 7 will celebrate special
reunions in June. The Alumni Office is working
with volunteers from these classes to make
Reunion an amazing and memorable event. If
you would like to be a Reunion volunteer, please
contact Beth Hayes ‘81 in the Alumni Office at
(603) 569-7133
Rick Rain ‘61 and Jim Clough ‘61
share a laugh at their 50th
Reunion dinner.
From the Class of 2001: Margery Grella, Georgia
Christoforou, Alana Diaz, and Shannon Thibodeau.
Lucinda Mayberry-Ming ‘79, Brewster faculty member Shamar Whyte, Marona Graham-Bailey ‘02, a friend, and Sonette Gilbert ‘80 front right.
Tiffany (Eckhoff) Philman ‘61 and Helen Chamberlain ‘49 share a moment in the Estabrook Dining Hall.
The Rev. Harry Widman was honored at the Saturday luncheon for his
many years of service and dedication to the Academy. Head of School Mike
Cooper acknowledged Harry’s years of teaching history (1972-1981),
many subsequent years of substitute teaching of nearly every subject, and
his role at Commencements over the years, delivering the invocation and
benediction. Following a few remarks of his own, and in true Harry Widman form,
Harry blessed the Reunion luncheon meal and received a loud round of applause.
Joining Harry at Reunion were his children Greg Widman ‘78 (seated next to Harry)
and (l to r) Greg’s wife Cheryl, Jeanne (Widman) Vargus and her husband Charles,
Sara Widman ‘76, and Kristianne Widman-Johnson ‘80.
26 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
HOOPLAby Matt Hoopes
I’m not sure most readers would believe the
incredible number of cards, phone calls, or e-mails
that I’ve received over the past almost 40 years that
have included variations of “What I learned during
my years at BA has been the core that’s directed me
through my life.” Others have ended their praises
with statements such as “... And I don’t mean just the
classes ... really the whole experience, the spirit, the
bonding, community serving ... all of it!”
This same feeling is echoed each June when alumni
return to campus for Reunion Weekend and the
praises of their Brewster years continue. Over the
years it has become obvious that Brewster has helped
make many lives more meaningful, more productive,
and more successful.
Brewster’s approach to educating young people has
remained grounded in responding to the needs of its
students with programs that reflect best practices
in education. Whether it was the first-of-its-kind
Learning Skills Program begun in the 1970s or the
comprehensive school reform initiative of the early
1990s, Brewster has always sought to apply proven
education research to evolve its program and provide
a truly student-centered approach to learning.
As a former faculty member and now alumni
correspondent, I feel that Brewster has always found
a way to reach and connect with every student
(even those few not particularly interested in being
reached). In some cases, it was a class, a sport, a
teammate, a teacher, a coach, or one enlightened
classroom discussion that helped connect students
to their education and what could be their path after
Brewster. Regardless of the decade, the relationships,
adventures, and new found knowledge were rolled
together into a life-lasting “Brewster Experience.”
The stories of the alumni profiled in this Connections
illustrate the personal successes that have come in
part, small or large, due to their Brewster experience.
While the program has evolved and may look
different for today’s students than it looked 40 years
ago, the core values of a Brewster education have not
wavered and to this day find their basis and direction
from “The Brewster Principle: Respect, integrity, and
service: serve yourself and others with the best in all
you do.”
Through their accomplishments we have attempted
to illustrate specific core values – character education,
teamwork, service, and best practices – embraced by
alumni.
I hope you will agree that these alumni, like so many
others, have served themselves and others with their
best in all that they do.
Matt Hoopes was a faculty member from 1975 to
1996. During this time he and his journalism students
founded The Brewster Browser, the Outcroppings
literary magazine, and the BAPA (Brewster Academy
Photo/Address) book. Since his “retirement” from the
classroom in 1996, Hoopes has worked as the Young
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.
Core Values:Serving Themselves and Others With Their Best
27www.brewsteracademy.org
HOOPLA
Dogus has had on our program. He truly defines the
term student-athlete. He has been a great team
leader and the ultimate teammate. Everyone in our
program who has played with Dogus respects him.
More important, I can’t tell you how many players
and coaches from opposing teams have mentioned
their respect level for Dogus. Because of his work
ethic and perseverance and the way he has carried
himself throughout his career.”
Although Dogus spent 17-hour days training with
team Anadolu Efes this summer, he found the time
to offer his perspective on his own character and
success thus far.
Dogus Balbay ’07, the point guard who led the
Bobcats to a 29-6 record and a runner up finish
at the 2007 NEPSAC Class A Championship, took
his talents to the University of Texas and quickly
became known throughout Texas and the college
basketball community as one of America’s top
players. His junior and senior years at Texas he was
named an Academic All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball
Team honoree, having maintained a 3.2 GPA or
higher. In June the point guard signed a three-year
contract with the Turkish professional team Anadolu
Efes S.K. and also is a member of Turkey’s senior
men’s national team.
As talented a player that he is, however, it is often
his character that distinguishes Dogus both on and
off the court.
To cap off his U.S. basketball career, he was awarded
the Most Valuable Student for the Class of 2011, an
honor bestowed on Balbay by Study In America Inc.,
an organization that helps Turkish and Azerbaijani
students research and apply to universities and
colleges in the United States.
“In selecting the Most Valuable Student for the
Class of 2011, we looked for the student who not
only achieved extreme success in and out of the
classroom but also one who possesses a character
that inspires and impacts others. A student who
is well rounded and demonstrates intelligence,
strength, and character,” explained Tamer Turkman,
president of StudyInAmerican.com.
“A team that drafts him will gain a player of
enormous talent and even higher level of character,”
he added.
Dogus’ Texas coach, Rick Barnes, couldn’t agree
more. “You can’t put into words the impact that
Character Counts Former Bobcat Dogus Balbay Named Most Valuable Student “A team that drafts him will gain a player of enormous talent and even higher level of character.”
28 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
HOOPLAHow did Brewster influence your development and success?Coming to Brewster without knowing a word of
English was very frustrating for me. My friends,
coaches, and the teachers at Brewster helped me
out to pick up the language in six months. The
environment at Brewster was extremely friendly,
from international students to staff members, from
equipment managers to dining hall members; they
were all friendly and made my journey at Brewster
much easier and smoother.
How is teamwork a factor in your life, and how has it strengthened your character?Being thousands of miles away from my family
and friends I knew that I had to organize my life by
myself and take some responsibility. That’s when the
“teamwork” factor actually came into my life. Having
a good relationship with my teammates, classmates,
teachers, and the coaches has strengthened my
character and leadership skills, because I earned their
trust by doing my job. Not just on the court, off the
court and in the classroom as well.
Your Texas coach says you truly define the term student-athlete and that you are a “great team leader and the ultimate teammate.” Can you think of a time at Brewster where you felt that you succeeded as a teammate with your classmates and in your classes?Well, that’s one of the reasons I came to the
States. It’s been always my dream to play basketball
and continue to get my education at the same time.
When I came to the BA, I wanted to be perfect at
both. Since I have taken four different ESL classes, my
classes were all diverse. There were many students
from different countries. Just having conversations
with them and interacting with a group of people
who came from different cultures changed my
perspective and actually opened my mind to the
world.
In the classroom we always had group assignments
where we had to help each other to basically
complete the puzzle. We all needed each other
to finish the assignments, and I felt like I was
succeeding when I helped my classmates doing work.
One of the most important things in learning a
language is being talkative and outgoing. I felt like I
led my classmates to be more talkative and outgoing
rather than being shy and being afraid of talking in
front of class.
Your character was a significant factor in your being selected Most Valuable Student for the Class of 2011. where do you feel your strength of character comes from?It definitely comes from my parents. All my family
members are well educated. They always wanted me
to have very strong personality. Knowing that they
will have my back whatever decision I make in life
also made me a better person and leader.
How did you learn about Brewster? Being a basketball player opened lots of new doors in
my life. At the age of 14 I received a scholarship from
Fenerbahce Egitim Kurumlari (high school). I was a
decent student in high school, but I had missed a lot
of classes since I was traveling at least once a week
with the professional club team. That’s when I realized
that school and basketball were not going well
together especially in Turkey. After I made my decision
to come to the States, the University of Texas offered
me a scholarship, but I did not know enough English
to pass the required tests to attend the college. One
of the assistant coaches at UT suggested I go to
Brewster. He is also a good friend of Coach [Jason]
Smith. After doing a little research about Brewster’s
athletic program and education system, without any
question I decided to come to BA.
I read that you felt it important to educate friends about Turkish culture and history. why? As aninternational student, how did Brewster’s diverse student body impact you? I think Turkey is one of the most significant countries
in the world, because of its culture, history, and,
most importantly, its location. It is a bridge between
Europe and the Middle East. It has a mixture of both
cultures. I have tried to educate my friends and
teammates about my country. I wanted to change
the perspective of people on Middle East. Not all the
Middle East people are bad or terrorist. Most people
in the states are predetermined about what they see
on TV. They think that’s what happens in the Middle
East on a daily basis. That’s why I wanted to change
this point of view and try to educate people about
Turkish history and culture. Brewster had a lot of
international students from different countries. It
was a little easier for me to have a conversation with
my classmates about international relationships
among countries.
luncheon meetings whenever we could get together.
Ideas were bandied about as to just how we would
accomplish all we wanted to do. Communication was
key as was allowing each committee person to work
on what she was most interested in.
Getting valid phone numbers and e-mail addresses
was a priority in order to contact as many
classmates as possible and encourage them to come
to our 49th reunion as a “rehearsal” for the BIG one.
The Brewster Alumni Office supplied us with much
The “self-appointed” committee of four: Posey Leavitt
Funkhouser, Linda Stevens Roeder, Dotti Johnson Kay,
and me started work about two and half years before
the big event in June 2011. The first official meeting
was held on campus on the senior patio, followed by
Teamwork and Early Planning: The key to a Great Reunion By Noël Wright Cantwell ‘61
29www.brewsteracademy.org
The fabulous four from 1961: Linda (Stevens) Roeder, Mary-Ann “Posey” (Leavitt) Funkhouser, Dotti (Johnson) Kay, and Noël (Wright) Cantwell.
1960 Lakes Region Champs (l to r): Victor Elios, Rollie Rodrigues, Joe Hassett, Dom Gentile, Bob Berry, and Dick Flaherty celebrate at their 50th Reunion.
of the information. We also searched the web for any
missing or invalid addresses.
In the 12 months leading up to Reunion, we sent
four separate letters encouraging classmates to join
us on our 50th. The Alumni Office kindly supplied
the postage. The letters went out on a rotating basis
so each classmate would received a letter from a
different committee member each time. After the
letters were completed, we all gathered to address
the envelopes, write a personal note, and sign them.
The first letter was a tri-fold flyer, loaded with color
photos of the 15 classmates who attended the 2010
Reunion with our personal notes mentioning how
much we missed those who hadn’t attended.
The letters were printed in the Brewster colors
and included visuals of our era. They contained
information such as the reunion dates, missing
classmates, a request for permission for their e-mails
and telephone numbers to be published for all to
see, hoping that there would actually be groups of
classmates encouraging each other to attend. In
one letter we included “remember when” of people,
events, and sayings that we all could relate to from
our Brewster days. Classmate Debbie Davis Keniston
helped set up a Class of 1961 blog and website.
This, along with e-mails, helped us tremendously!
Enclosed in one letter were the “save the date”
Brewster magnets, supplied by the Alumni Office.
The purpose of the letters and e-mails were three-
fold: to update the classmates on the progress
of the reunion; communicate who was attending
and encourage each to contact one another; and
to solicit ideas for a class gift and suggestions for
reunion souvenirs. Rather than have the committee
make all the decisions, we wanted it to be a class
effort. The committee members’ names, addresses,
and telephone numbers were all listed.
Of course, there are always those who would neither
respond nor give reasons as to why they could not
attend. Unfortunately, as well, there were some who
were not well enough to make the trip to Wolfeboro. If
anyone was “iffy,” we continued to keep them on our
call list with the hope that they would change their
mind. In some cases, it proved to be a positive effort.
Brewster graciously hosted a
private 50th Reunion dinner
in Hall of Fame at The Smith
Center where we had a great
time getting re-acquainted
with each other. Along with the
delicious sit-down dinner and
open bar, each classmate was
presented with a 50th class
pin and a coffee mug with the
50th Reunion and Brewster
logo. Upon arrival, we were
given a yearbook photo, which
hung from a necklace. We were
entertained with and each
class member presented with
a video of our 1961 yearbook with interludes of
memorabilia from our wonderful years at Brewster.
It brought back many fun memories of our days
there!
We encouraged everyone to bring in memorabilia for
all to see. A table was set up for the display. At the
reunion dinner, the committee had a memory board
of the 12 class members who are deceased. Their
photos from the class yearbook, along with their
date of birth and death, were nicely displayed on a
large poster board.
Along with the event filled weekend planned
by Brewster, there were many class parties held
throughout the weekend. Some members traveled
from as far a way as Mississippi and Florida.
Classmates had such a good time, they promised to
recruit even more so that our 51st would be even
larger! And we also held several get-togethers over
the summer for those unable to attend in June,
extending our fun for two additional months.
Our 50th class reunion gift was dedicated to the
Burtis F. Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund. All
donations, great or small, were greatly appreciated.
Although the fund had about $6,000 as a base, and
while we received some generous donations, we
were still unable to meet our goal to fully endow
this fund at the $25,000 level needed to generate
scholarship funds. Our hope is that next year we will
be able to complete it so that a deserving local day
student will reap the benefits.
The classmates were very much impressed with the
campus buildings and the whole campus atmosphere
in general, finding Brewster and Wolfeboro just as
wonderful as the place they left 50 years ago!
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the
wonderful assistance from the Alumni Office.
They were very
receptive to any
and all of the ideas
we presented as
well as we were
theirs. It was great
teamwork and we
thank them, so
very much, for all
they did to help
make it the best
reunion ever!
30 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
HOOPLA
Dominique Aubrey ’02 is the director of
talent, strategy, and operations for Teach For America
Miami-Dade in Florida. She holds a master’s in
education policy from the University of Pennsylvania
and a B.A. in political science from Lehigh University.
She spent a year as a City Year AmeriCorps member,
dedicating 1,700 hours of service teaching sixth,
seventh, and eighth grade students with emotional
support needs. While a corps member she designed a
service learning curriculum, implemented math and
science programs, and designed, organized, and led a
300-person school-based service day. She serves on
the boards of numerous professional organizations
and associations, including the Brewster Academy
Alumni of Color Group. Dominique is a shining
example of serving herself and others with her best
in all she does.
what first attracted you to volunteering? At what age did you start? I think it is first important to note
that if individuals are not naturally inclined to
volunteer (through school or your parents or church
or the Girl Scouts) they probably never will. It
doesn’t mean that they do not care but that they
would rather give their money than their time
unless they have a particular cause that moves them
enough to give of themselves. However, I find that
to be rare.
I started volunteering regularly in middle school. I
was the president of Future Homemakers of America,
and we went regularly to the local nursing home
and played games with senior citizens. I think from
a young age I always cared about issues that would
cause people distress or pain and wanted to fix
them. In addition, my family was very giving and
we often had exchange students and foster students
stay with us, which gave me insight into other
worlds and perspectives. Lastly, but probably as im-
portant, I am of Haitian decent (which is only more
relevant now because of the recent earthquake). But
when you are first generation (both my parents were
born and raised in Haiti), even though you did not
have the same struggles you understand struggle
much more clearly. I believe that is one of the
reasons why I always wanted to volunteer because
I realized quickly that everyone is struggling in one
way or another and sometimes all people need is a
little help to make it through. I believe volunteering
was and still is my way of giving back and thanking
the world for my life and opportunities. I believe
that volunteering is part of service and your “thank
you” for being on this earth … especially if you are
healthy and happy because you have even more to
be thankful for.
When I got to Brewster I believe I started the first
community service club under the tutelage of Mr.
Radley, who was so kind and helpful that he made
you want to help. Our first service project was vol-
unteering at a nursing home every two weeks. I also
connected with the local high school’s afterschool
center where I would help out once a week for an
hour or two. I even got Brewster to do a coffeehouse
at the location with donations going to the center.
We also did various candy and food drives for local
nonprofits in the area. There were about 20 students
in that club – I made everyone I could participate –
and since volunteer hours were required, it worked
out really well and people enjoyed it all around,
which was the most important part.
Often people don’t want to give, because they feel
they have so little or they feel like they have their
own issues and so they can’t or won’t help others. It
was important for me to help students understand
A Life of ServiceA volunteer from a young age, Dominique Aubrey’s time at Brewster allowed her to continue helping others, a passion she continues to embrace.
31www.brewsteracademy.org
why they volunteer and to make it as easy as pos-
sible for them to get involved. I hope this made a
lasting impression on my peers.
Gap Year with AmeriCorps
After I graduated from Brewster, I deferred college
for a year and became a City Year AmeriCorps
member. I worked in Philadelphia teaching sixth,
seventh, and eighth grade students with emotional
support needs. AmeriCorps members are required
to participate in numerous community service
opportunities as well as become engaged citizens
(i.e., obtain a public library card, attend town hall
meetings). I think that my experience during City
Year solidified the relationship between volunteering
and citizenship and what it means to actually be
an engaged citizen. Engaged citizens are no longer
outsiders or exempt from what is happening around
them; they are not only part of the environment
but they are part of the change and the solution to
problems around them. Volunteering is a hands-
on approach to understand the world and your
relationship to it. If it does nothing else (not even
help) it does show the individual a glimmer of the
impact they can have and the joy they can bring. In
its purest form volunteering is probably one of the
few true win-win situations.
Volunteering Takes Many Forms
Upon beginning college at Lehigh University, the
way in which I volunteered changed. It was no
longer nursing homes and weekly tutoring. Instead,
I became involved in many organizations supporting
endeavors I cared about. As you volunteer more, you
begin to understand where you fit and what your
skill sets are. Volunteering is a great way to soul
search. I began looking at how I could assist large
institutions and ideological frameworks, how I could
make a large-scale impact, and how I could affect
decision making as a volunteer.
Volunteering is not just about finding a cause
to contribute your time; it also is about sharing
your skills and adding value to an organization or
institution simply because you care. At Lehigh I
participated in the Association of Student Alumni,
working to bring alumni back to campus. I also sat
on the student judicial board wanting to contribute
my student perspective and insight to the board. I
was president of our campus step team, which was
the first year my school had a multi-cultural step
team, and we were asked to perform at various
school events to exemplify diversity and camara-
derie. I became the first and only student to sit on
the University’s summer reading committee with
all the school deans. I also created a multi-cultural
recruitment program for which my alma mater used
a template for a new position they created.
Should students be required to volunteer?
Yes, the young should be required to volunteer and
not just their time but also their efforts in finding
solutions to problems. The beautiful thing about
students is that they still have an imagination
and can think of awesome ways to do things that
reinvigorate adults. Though volunteering should
be something that one chooses to do, I liken it to
making children eat their vegetables; they may not
want to but it’s a good thing. And, in a sense, even
if students are reluctant about volunteering, often
once they get involved most enjoy it and have a
little fun.
Volunteering should be something a young person
is required to do until they leave college; it must
become a habit. If an individual is not forced to see
hardship then he or she is not likely to be grateful
(unless they are extremely thoughtful) but most
need one to understand the other, as most people
see things and understanding things in dichotomies
and simply cannot assess something without being
able to assess the absence of that thing. Either way,
it is important for all humans to feel heartbreak for
another person who is unlike them for one reason or
another, from that experience they realize that our
humanness is what connects us to each other and
are able to feel for them and experience empathy.
why do you volunteer? I volunteer foremost because I believe it is a civic
duty. Second, it is a way to share my God-given
talents with the world, and third because it makes
me feel good (and it helps the person on the other
end). I give my time (and not money) because that
is the way in which I believe I can have the most
impact. Currently, I sit on a lot of organizations’
boards, helping them grow and become sustainable
entities. I also help with event planning and
community building.
what advice do you have for the many folks who have busy lives? I think like everything else, if you want something to
get done you have to make it a priority. Choose one
to three events or organizations to be involved with
and help where you can. Many boards, organizations,
and steering groups have committees where people
can volunteer at a less formal and time-consuming
level. For those who want to work directly with
individuals contact a few organizations that serve
children or the elderly and learn what some of
the specific needs are. Perhaps they need a small
donation basket for school supplies or volunteers to
hand out water for a cancer walk.
There are a million ways to get involved. The first
step is acknowledging your interest to become a
volunteer. Then consider what you like and find an
organization that supports this interest. Next, look
at your schedule to figure out when and where you
can help. Don’t worry if what you like is obscure,
there is always someone who is doing it – and if
there is not, then it is a great place for you to build
something new.
what are your thoughts on the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps as possible alternatives to military service, and do you think individuals should be encouraged to volunteer for a year between high school and college?
I believe volunteering is great whatever the time. I
volunteered between high school and college and it
was a great time for reflective pause before I started
my next journey in life. Although volunteering during
this time is not for everyone, it can be helpful in
framing and positioning their college experience.
However, volunteering in any capacity, especially for
a year will definitely increase a person’s level of civic
engagement and this is always a good thing.
And, yes, I support the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps
as alternatives to military service.
32 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
HOOPLA
his 48th birthday, he was told that his services were
no longer needed.
After months of reflection about his future, in
2001 he and wife Anne decided to start their own
business. They purchased Arborguard Inc., and
upon Anne’s suggestion, re-named the company –
Arborwell Professional Tree Management.
Under Peter’s leadership the company has grown
into one of the fastest growing businesses in the
country, earning a place on the Inc. 5000 list for
the past four years. The tree management company
now services commercial, residential, and estate
properties as well as municipalities and golf courses
from Sacramento to San Diego.
For the past five years Arborwell has appeared on the
San Francisco Business Times fast 100 list. Peter is an
ISA-certified arborist and in February 2011 became a
board member of the Tree Care Industry Association
(TCIA), a leading industry resource and accrediting
body for tree care companies and professional
arborists nationwide.
Learned Leadership SkillsWith the founding of Arborwell, Peter said he was
both excited to leave the corporate world and, for
the first time in his working career, he was happy
to be using his learned leadership skills to create a
“people business” in which communication between
his team members allowed the company to grow,
quickly, in the right way: “Hire the right people, give
them the tools needed to succeed, and let them do
their job.”
Peter credits his dorm parent and mentor, a very
young David Smith (who would become headmaster
within two years of Peter’s graduating), with instilling
the basis for his organizational and leaderships skills.
Peter was a student leader, helping bring student
concerns and desire for change, such as the student
dress code, to the administration. At times, he and
other leaders would work late into the evening with
David working on their plans for change.
David recollected the late 1960s and the early 1970s
on campus, noting that their were few students
who were somewhat conservative and preppy in
Upon graduation from Brewster in 1972, Peter
Sortwell wanted to be an artist. “Photography was
my passion,” he said. Faculty member Bob Richardson
– who many may remember wore many hats at that
time – was the photography teacher and convinced
Peter’s mother to buy him a telephoto lens.
Although Peter did not pursue the art of
photography following his Brewster graduation, he
found his passion in the potential of landscapes,
specifically trees.
After Brewster he went to neighboring Maine
to study the science of plants, trees, and soil –
knowledge that would serve him well in his family’s
landscaping and tree business where he spent
summers working. Upon completing his degree
in plants and soil sciences from the University of
Maine, he returned to the Beverly Farms area north
of Boston to help run S&S Tree and Landscape, the
family business.
Breaking GroundAfter working for nearly 10 years at his family’s
business, a business that Peter described as seasonal
and dysfunctional, he decided to uproot and head
west, settling in the San Francisco Bay area. Realizing
that tree management was what he knew, he took
a job with one of the leading company’s in the
industry, Davey Tree Expert Company, as their San
Francisco district manager. According to Peter he
worked long hours but learned a great deal about
the business and how to organize and manage a
growing company.
Next he joined Environmental Care Inc. (now Valley
Crest) with the goal of opening a tree care division
for the largest landscape maintenance company in
the country. This same year, 1986, he would achieve
that goal when he opened Arbor Care in San Jose
as a division of Environmental Care Inc. He spent
15 years growing and developing Arbor Care to 12
operating locations throughout the country. Then on
Best Practices in Professional Tree ManagementPeter Sortwell ’72, CEO of Arborwell
33www.brewsteracademy.org
these days. “We didn’t have many students then
that would fit the mode of the preppy, but we had
one in Peter. He both dressed the part and acted the
part,” David shared. “I can still picture Peter riding his
bike through a foot or so of freshly fallen snow after
formal dinner, wearing his checkered jacket, tie, and
pressed pants.”
Peter has lots of enthusiasm for his years at Brewster
and remembered activities and friends with fond
chuckles. He was well thought of by friends with a
dorm mate, Bob Arnold, ‘70, commenting “Great guy.
We had lots of fun with Pete: music, long hair, he
wore the best mod ties of anyone in the school!”
Arborwell’s website is evidence that Peter has not
lost his excellent taste in handsome ties.
Best Business PracticesAsked about the best practices in putting together
an organization that has grown to 15 operating
locations in California and produced over 16 million
dollars in revenues, Peter explained that it was
a combination of leadership and management
skills committed to early on in the company’s
development.
Because Peter knew many in the tree business in
the Bay area, including the best in the business, he
was able to recruit many talented experts to join
the Arborwell team, and he credits his team of 128
employees (125 more than he had at S&S!) with the
company’s success.
“I quickly learned to delegate, let everyone contribute
their ideas. I bought laptops for all so that they could
work from home. I learned not to micro-manage, but
to give various levels responsibilities so that they
actually were part of the team,” he explained.
In a profession that is very high risk, Peter has
created a culture of safety, with some employees
even certified by the TCIA in professional tree care
safety.
Arborwell also counts 21 ISA-certified arborists
among its employees, including Peter. These certified
individuals have passed a comprehensive knowledge
and competency exam, adhere to a professional
code of ethics, and must continue their education to
maintain their certification.
As a former board member of the National Arborist
Association (now Tree Care Industry Association
or TCIA) he has been involved in developing many
industry safety and quality standards that have
contributed to Arborwell’s success.
Additionally, Arborwell is one of about a
dozen companies in California to receive TCIA
accreditation. This certification ensures customers
that Arborwell has implemented best business
practices, among other important safety, quality,
ethical, and government standards.
“TCIA accreditation is important because it ensures
our customers of professionalism, proper insurance,
and up to date on all industry and government
standards,” Peter said.
Peter’s industry awards are a testament to his
commitment to best business practices. As a former
board member of the National Arborist Association
(NAA), he helped develop industry safety and quality
standards, including the A-300 pruning standard,
that have played a role in Arborwell’s success. He is
a past recipient of the President’s Award for his work
in designing the Excellence in Arboriculture Awards
program for the NAA. The East Bay Business Times
named him 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year, and
in 2009 the San Francisco Business Times
named Peter the Most Admired CEO.
As a current TCIA board director his focus is
on helping the tree management industry
better itself.
“I would like to build on the marketing of
accreditation and begin the process of
establishing industry metrics and
measurements for standards of learning
and education for running a tree
company. I want to give back and to
help our industry better itself.”
Peter’s volunteer efforts aren’t directed solely within
his industry. He also is a member of JobTrain, which
assists educational and job training preparation
for youth aged 14-21; the Students Rising Above
program, which invests in low-income, first
generation college students who have demonstrated
a commitment to educational achievement and
strength of character in overcoming tremendous
odds of poverty, homelessness, and neglect; and the
San Mateo Rotary Club as well as TCIA’s Voice for
Trees PAC.
Peter lives in San Mateo with his wife Anne. They
have two sons: Alex, 20, and Tom, 18, who, no doubt,
both want to be photographers too! Peter confessed
that the name of their powerboat is “Swell,” and no
doubt it is a wooden boat!
TuRNING BuSINESS GROwTH INTO ENERGYAs Arborwell grew, so did the ‘landfill’ and when
the company reached the point where they were
hauling 300 tons of wood chips a day, Peter
knew there had to be another way, another use
for the limbs, logs, and brush or biomass.
When Arborwell initially approached California
electric companies about recycling the biomass,
it was turned down because other companies
had made similar offers but were unable to
produce the quantity and quality of wood
chips needed to produce enough electricity.
With Arborwell’s commitment to meet the
requirements, both entities soon benefited.
In fact, Arborwell was able to reduce its
transportation and landfill costs – approximately
$300,000 annually – while the state gained
power: wood chips are burned in a furnace,
which provides heat that produces steam. This
steam turns the turbines and generators that
send power into California’s electrical grid.
According to Arborwell’s website: “Through
Arborwell’s wood chip recycling program, we
generate enough clean energy to power an
average of 330 three-bedroom houses every year.”
Class Notes
34 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
1957
Cecily (Ballou) Quimby writes: “Celebrated our 50th
anniversary July 1, enjoying our grandchldren and all
of their activities.”
1965
Frank Jaarsma retired after 32 years with Celanese/
Ticona Corporation as a staff engineer “I will be
relocating to Florida with my wife to enjoy the mild
winters and lots of sunshine.”
1970
Zeke Bates has been happily married to Kathy
Strout for eight years and lives in Epping, New
Hampshire. His son Chris works at Zeke’s store, Tiles
GoneWild, while his other son is working on his
doctorate in chemistry at Northeastern.
1976
Peter DeJager, wife Karen, and their children Jeff and
Jaime live in Wolfeboro. Peter owns and manages
Patricia (Glidden) Hanson ‘53, Patricia “PD” (Quinlan) Dawson ‘53, Monie Zarinksy ‘54, Ron “Red” Curran ‘54 and his wife Sally during Reunion brunch.
1981
Michael kiesling writes that while business in
surgical implants has picked up, with the uncertainty
of future health care reimbursements, he is
searching for a career opportunity with a bigger
medical company. “The family is great, and my wife,
Susan and I are enjoying watching our kids grow,
though I’m still getting used to my sons now being
6 and 10! They both love fishing, boating, and
swimming. I can’t get them to water ski ever since I
broke some ribs showing off!”
1982
Harold Parker wrote that he was appointed
prospects director for U.S. Congressman Charles F.
Bass and works in Concord.
1983
kenneth Benson was tired of the congestion in
New York City and moved to Stamford, Connecticut,
where he is a territory manager at Lane Sales Inc.
Mary Ann Stewart, her partner Michele Yelk, and
their Papillon puppy Casey live in St. Petersburg,
Florida. In March 2011 Mary Ann wrote: “Enjoying
spring training here in Florida. Going to Disney World
for our birthday, April 14. Both Michele and I have
it on the same day! We will be having a meal with
Mickey Mouse, family, and friends.”
1984
Glen Gordon writes: “Our restaurant just celebrated
its five-year anniversary. I live in Durham, North
Carolina, still single, and enjoying living in the South.
After five years, I love just saying ‘Ya’ll’ at least 10
times a day!”
commercial properties in southern New Hampshire
and is actively involved as men’s ministry director at
the First Congregational Church of Ossipee and leads
the weekly Lakes Region Men’s Fellowship Meeting
at the Pinckney Boathouse.
Stephen Tarbell writes: “[Matt] Hoopes said it
was 421 months since I was last in touch, which
struck me as a long time. I’m still living in Walpole,
Massachusetts, and managing Rocky’s Ace Hardware.
Suits me just fine as I get to give advice to my
friends and family all day long.”
1978
Chip Tothill writes: “I am still finding my main
income to be from ‘professional house painting.’
Yet, I do have an eclectic range of other skills and
trainings ... I have tried the last two years to actually
get a job at Brewster Academy. No openings for me
(as yet!).”
Experienced Alumni Recall Their Brewster Days
Recollections
35www.brewsteracademy.org
Mary Roberts Goodrich ’41 Alton, New Hampshire
In June Mary attended her 70th reunion at Brewster
“There were about 100 students when I came in my freshman year. Most were from Wolfeboro,onlymyfamily–fivebrothersand sisters – came over from Alton. My older brother Leslie was 16 when my twin brother Preston and I enrolled. Leslie had an International pickup truck, which he drove over in. We all had farm chores to do so as soon as classes were over, we’d all drive directlyhome.”
When asked to compare today’s Brewster campus with that of the late 1930s, Mary laughed.
“Therewasjusttheonebuilding,theAcademic Building. No gym, no library, no tennis courts, but we did have an ice rink, toboggantrack,andfieldsforfootballandhockey. The day students ate their lunches in thelockerroomsinthebasement.”
“Alargegroupofstudentsenjoyedskiing,and my brother usually carried skies in his pickup while the Thurrell brothers often drovetheirhigh-sidedtruck,filledwithagoodly amount of hay for the other skiers to sit on, and would drive over to the Ossipee slope. More often they’d go to the Abenaki Ski slopes where there was a rope tow available so as to make the skiing more enjoyable.Ourcoachesoftenspentmoretime keeping the tow running than they did coaching. It was fun to watch the boys and all weregoodsports.”
A favorite memory: The annual spring dance held at the Wolfeboro Casino near the lake. “The students all chipped in and did the decorationsandtherefreshments.”
Nina Assimakopoulos and her children, Ibana, 16,
and Isaac, 12, live in Bowling Green, Ohio, where
she is a flute professor at Bowling Green State
University. “I still enjoy running and watching my
kids swim in meets. I have accomplished many of the
life dreams I had as a student at Brewster, including
producing a CD recording, getting a Fulbright
scholarship to study flute in Germany, and remaining
physically fit.”
Jon Brown lives in Penfield, New York. He heads up
the interactive group for an advertising agency and
is president of a local mountain bike club. His wife
Mio teaches arts at a local college, sons Avery and
Ciaran are in college, and daughter Amy is in high
school.
Chris Butler lives in Plymouth, Massachusetts,
with his wife Michelle and their son Ryan, 7. He is
a U.S. Army veteran, holds a master’s in criminal
justice from Curry College, and is a sergeant with
the Plymouth police department. With his family,
he enjoys traveling and spending time on their boat
around Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.
Alex Dexter is still commercial fishing and recently
appeared on the TV show, “Lobster Wars.” “I’ve
captained my boat for 11 years. I’ve been married for
21 years, and my wife and I worked with the Disney
Channel for four years. No children, just one spoiled
rotten dog and one nameless cat.”
Mike Farraher and wife Allison welcomed their first
child in January, daughter Calabrese.
Steve Frothingham lives in Colorado with
his children Andrew, 16, and Elizabeth, 13.
“After a few years with The Associated
Press, I returned to my cycling passion
(and the Rockies) three years ago. I’m
editor of VeloNews.com, a bike racing
website and magazine in Boulder.”
Shon Greenblatt grew tired of Los
Bill Moore writes: “Karen and I are still doing well,
living in sunny Ft. Lauderdale. I’ve changed jobs and
am now the director of quality for a turbine engine
shop. We overhaul engines for 747s and DC10s.”
Rhonda (Valade) Vappi is back in the business of
helping people, working at Northern Human Services
in the Human Resources department. “My daughter
is finished with school and is a licensed massage
therapist. Our son Dan is going into 10th grade and
working to become an engineer. All is good!”
1985
Andy Russell just moved to Florida and has a
condo in St. Thomas. “I plan to spend the warmer
months back in Vermont and Maine. I still run a
manufacturing company, and when I’m not traveling
to one of my factories, I’m working via the internet.”
1986
Julie (konheim) Abt and husband Jon have three
children: Austin, Jordon, and Dylan. They live in
Highland Park, Illinois, where Julie is a stay-at-home
mom.
Eliot Assimakopoulos lives in Niskayuna, New York,
with his five children. He is the global sales director
for GE Digital Energy’s Smart Substation business.
He also is the commercial leader for GE’s Microgrid
Solution. He was a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps,
is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, and holds
an MBA from American Intercontinental University.
Liddie (Kimball) Hayes, Betsy (Lurie) Ross, and Geraldine Griffin at their 25th Reunion dinner in June.
Class Notes
36 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
Angeles so he moved his family east to New York
a few years ago. “I fell into the exciting world of
online advertising and marketing, where I work
today for Media Holdings in the financial district of
Manhattan.”
Geraldine Griffin is a former criminal defense
attorney who is now a professor of legal writing at
Suffolk Law School in Boston. She and husband Tom
have two daughters, Caroline, 7, and Jane, 4. Tom is
an attorney and a writer.
Lucy Hartford has been working in the private jet
industry since 2007. “Amidst all my different careers,
I’ve traveled the world from Mumbai, India, to
Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the coast of northern
Africa. In my spare time I raise funds for Children’s
Hospital in Los Angeles.”
Chip Haselton and wife Pam have two children. “I
worked for Sears for 20 years, leaving when Sears
merged with Kmart. Worked for Best Buy until I
started my own company five years ago.”
John Heyl lives in the Wolfeboro area. “I’m trying
to slow down in masonry as it accelerates the
aging process. Considering writing or teaching.”
His daughter Ashley, 21, is a graduate of Hallmark
william Merrill lives in Lafayette, California,
northeast of San Francisco. He is married with two
children: Jared, 3, and Sylvie, 1. “I work as a senior
vice president of trading at First Republic Securities,
a broker-based dealer in San Francisco.”
Bjorn Otterness lives in Ledyard, Connecticut, and
earned an MBA in Organization and Management
from the University of New Haven in 2000. “A fluke
accident occurred in the summer of 2002 when I
fell 50 feet onto an incline and some bushes. When I
woke up the next day, I learned that I was paralyzed
from the waist down. I have since adjusted to life
in a wheelchair. I drive my own car and returned to
school to receive my BS in accounting from Eastern
Connecticut State College. I do taxes three months
of the year, and I enjoy traveling.”
Bruce Pennypacker works in information technology
at Tufts University. “I’ve helped run five statewide
and regional theater festivals. I’m currently on the
board of directors of a community theater and
also the executive vice president of the Eastern
Massachusetts Association of Community Theaters.
Lastly and most importantly, I’m engaged to a
wonderful woman, Heather.”
Dennis Phipps lives in New York City where he started
DKP Media Group (www.dkpmg.com) “It has been a
really adventurous 25 years working with some fun,
talented, difficult, insightful, … world renown artist/
performers, along with a few business mavens.”
Susan (Janfaza) Poverman has a master’s in
severe special needs and worked in the Lowell
(Massachusetts) public schools for seven years
before taking time off to raise sons Max, 9, and
Adam, 6. “I changed careers three years ago, and I am
now a weight loss consultant with Jenny Craig.”
Trey Rhian and wife Stacy live in Hattiesburg,
Mississippi, with their three children: Regan, 13,
Alden, 10, and Jillian, 10. Trey and his brother run
Parthenon Envelope Company. He also owns the
recycling company Renewable Options.
Institute of Photography and son Tommy is a senior
at Hebron Academy.
Jamie Hill is the founder and CEO of admarketplace.
com “I’m still not married but have been dating the
same wonderful girl for the past two years.”
Joy Lambert lives in St. Maarten where she teaches
art and works as the college counselor at the
American school on the island. “There isn’t much
time to develop my own art, and I’m not painting
every day as I’d like. I can’t complain, life is good, and
I have a fantastic view of the beach from my porch.”
Matt Libby lives in Florida where he started a tile
and marble company. He has twins, a girl and a boy.
Jon Linde and Sara (Merrena) Linde were married in
1998 and live in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Jon is
an attorney, practicing antitrust and transportation
regulatory law. Sara is a senior marketing analyst.
They have two children, Teddy, 8, and Caroline, 6, and
a geriatric mutt, Prudy.
Valerie (Norfleet) McMorrow writes, “I’m loving
Vermont and our snowy winters and skiing and
snowboarding with my three beautiful children.”
Dave Merrill lives
in Neptune Beach,
Florida, and writes: “I
graduated from Eckerd
College, got married,
had four kids, started a
company, got divorced,
played some golf, got
fat, got skinny, got fat
again. Got married last
May to a wonderful
person. Now I spend
time running my
company, traveling,
and hanging out with
my kids.”
John Burfeind ‘91 and former faculty member Barbara Douglass.
37www.brewsteracademy.org
Jim Rice Is a principle software engineer for Dassault
Systemes. He and his wife have two daughters ages
7 and 5 and a son almost 1. “I still have family and a
summer home in Wolfeboro.”
Joanna (Lavarello) Robenson is an ER nurse. She
has been married for five years and became one of
Jehovah’s Witnesses 17 years ago. “I’m busy with
building projects, disaster relief, and teaching people
the Bible. So, actually, I’m saving lives in my secular
career and in my real career!”
Mark Roelli lives in Rockaway, New Jersey, and works
at General Electric’s corporate flight department as
an avionics technician. Mark and wife Simone have
two daughters: Gabriella, 5, and Sofia, 3. “Life is good,
but hectic!”
Betsy (Lurie) Ross and her husband have three
children: Ben, 11, Veronica, 9, and Boula, 4. She
volunteers with the Community Garden movement
in Columbus, Ohio.
Tom Rossi, married to Jordana, is a self-described
“Brewster rebel/poet/musician” and current
“Brooklyn singer-songwriter/music producer/
multi-instrumentalist/music therapist.” He has
studied in Africa, Cuba, and Brazil, and taken spiritual
journeys to Turkey. He plays healing music for
hospice patients and has released several recordings
in a few musical genres (www.TomRossi.com).
katie (wolfe) Ruesch is a teacher assistant for St.
Ann’s School, working with a special needs class. “I
was hoping to get my degree in special education,
but with three daughters – Emma, 13, Charlotte, 12,
and Grace, 9 all playing soccer – I just don’t have the
time right now.”
Chris Seifert lives in Boston and is married to
Patricia. He is the father of Mila and Lily and
stepfather to Clementine.
Rob Shickel lives in Hingham, Massachusetts,
with his wife and two children. “Summers are
spent on the coast of Maine and the beaches
of Massachusetts. Winters include skiing and
snowboarding while spring and fall are full of
baseball, lacrosse, and horse riding.” He is vice
president of Risk Management and Operational
Security for Devonshire Investors in Boston, a part of
Fidelity Investments.
Peter Stein lives in Aventura, Florida, and has
two girls ages 4 and 11. “I’ve had my own online
marketing business (www.steindigital.com) for
over 10 years.”
Mike Sullivan is a partner at Schlesinger Associates,
a global market research company that specializes
in qualitative and quantitative research. He and wife
Catherine have three children: Nick 11, Will, 8, and
Cate, 2. “We spend a lot of time skiing in Vermont
and sailing in the Florida Keys and the Northeast
when we can get away from the kids’ sports
schedules.”
For 18 years, Matt Symmes has worked for the
Massachusetts Department of Corrections. His wife
is a nurse for a local Visiting Nurse Company in
Rhode Island. They have two boys, ages 12 and 9.
To support his car racing habit, will Turner started
a BMW parts supply company in 1995. “Turner
Motorsport employs over 35 people in its parts
division and our three BMW race teams compete
in the Grand AM ROLEX Sports Car Series. In 2002
I married my college sweetheart. We have two
beautiful girls, 4 and 6.”
Bobcat Cheer: The first alumna/alumnus to identify all five of the cheerleaders in this 1958 photo will win a $25 gift certificate to the campus store (on campus or online). Send your answer to [email protected]
Congratulations to katie O’Brien ’06 who was the first person to correctly identify the staff member celebrating her silver anniversary at Brewster. Katie identified Kate Turner by her silver shoes and the silver anniversary clue that appeared in the Spring 2011 issue.
Mystery Photo
Class Notes
38 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
Peter-Bruce wassitsch and wife Ana Elisa have two
children Helena, 14, and Max, 10. “I’m in the business
of building vacation homes and the work has taken
me to most of the Bahamian islands. We still live
in Nassau and continue to enjoy boating, sailing,
fishing, and the island life.”
1988
Randy Berenson writes: “Hi, All! I hope that life is
treating you well wherever you are. I teach high
school math at an international boarding school in
Squaw Valley, California, and absolutely loving it!
Imagine the irony ...”
Pamela (Pisciotta) Munoz and husband are “busy
raising three boys, one bird, and one rescue beagle.”
Eric Schwartz is out of the seafood business and
working at SkylineBoston, which designs and
manufactures trade show exhibits. He was married in
2000 and has a daughter, 1.
1989
Dobro Goodale writes: “Life is cruising right along
California style! Luna got a full scholarship to
Groton. Kiteboarding season just started and still
playing lacrosse. Brewster remains a strong thread
in my life!”
Grant Hays writes: “Things are going well for
me in Los Angeles with lots of opportunities in
broadcasting at the highest possible level. I am
currently working for the California Angels baseball
team. The corporation owns AM 830 KLAA. I
broadcast games, edit highlights and production, and
produce talk shows.”
Corey Levy has moved back to the States after 10
years in China. “I still need to travel frequently, but
Boulder, Colorado, is home again and I love it here,
though I do miss the beaches and close proximity to
diving there.”
Michael Snyder and Jennifer Riley live in Hampton
Falls, New Hampshire. He writes: “We are still living
the fairy tale, going strong, and
loving life!” After the brutal
New Hampshire winter he
just went through, Michael
is thinking of moving in with
Hoopes next winter!
Michele (Giannone) Talwani
is the director of economic
development and marketing
at Families in Transition.
“We provide transitional and
permanent affordable housing
and services to homeless
individuals and families in Manchester and Concord,
New Hampshire. An incredible organization and one
in which I’m happy to be a part. Friends, find me on
Facebook – let’s connect!”
kristin Van wagner wrote that in May she was
leaving her desk job to try her hand at earning a
living on small expedition cruise ships: first stop –
Borneo and Southeast Asia this fall.
Matt woodward confessed that time has flown
by since his marriage to Monique last year. Before
their marriage they completed the restoration of
Matt’s house before they put it on the market and
started the remodeling of their 1894 Denver home.
Matt offered that while 100+ years is not old for
a New England home, it is for Colorado! Along the
way they managed to plan a wedding in Colorado,
small enough so they could spend time with their
guests. Matt and Monique honeymooned in Guyana,
Suriname, and French Guiana.
1990
Matthew Baker is doing well in Northfield, Illinois,
and says hello to everyone. “I will hit the big 40 in
October.”
Jonathan Dewoskin and his girlfriend remodeled a
loft in downtown Chicago. “I started a new company,
Roam Free Solutions LLC, to put a brand on my
consulting services. We install large scale wireless
networks for apartment buildings and public venues.”
keith keeler and wife Kim are approaching 10 years
of marriage and son Paul is 6. “We have been back in
New England for about five years, nice to see family
and friends (five winters – we will be going back to
warmer weather soon!). Hope everyone is well!”
1992
Jennifer Finn-Gonzalez and husband Eric welcomed
daughter Reagan in summer 2010. They live in Silver
Spring, Maryland. Jennifer works with abused women
and children as a mental health counselor, and she
loves her job. She said that she and her family live
very busy and wonderful lives and thanks Brewster
for the part the school played in her development.
Laura (Sills) LeBrun writes: “Hi, everyone. I am busy
being a second grade teacher and a mom. My family
really likes Steamboat [Springs] because we enjoy
our time outside. Quinn is in first grade and likes
skiing. Ryan is playing hard in preschool. My husband
Paul is a chef.”
Gregory McLean writes that “Life is good! I’ve been
married to Elizabeth for four years, and we have two
sons, Deelan, 17 months and Mason, 4 months.”
kate Radley ’92 and Lynn Ellis were married in June.
Among those attending the Denver nuptials were TJ
and Lynne Palmer; Peg and Tim Radley and son Mark
Shayla Coleman ’96, Jill Penrose ‘96 and Katie Boote ’96 reunited in June.
39www.brewsteracademy.org
‘90; David and Sheila Smith and sons James ’95, Tim
’91, and Dan ’93, along with his wife Inese.
The mother of the bride reported, “The ceremony
was a beautiful reflection of Kate and Lynn’s love
and values and was officiated by our own David
Smith. A familiar David sentiment celebrated the
conclusion of their union as he declared it the
beginning of ‘the first day of the rest of their lives.’”
Russell “Rusty” Starmer and wife Kristin live in
Truckee, California, with their Labradoodle, Ponzi.
In March, 2011 Rusty wrote: “We had a great ski
season in Tahoe this winter. Soon I will be preparing
customer boats for the 11th season of All-Star Boat
Care, but first we will be headed back to Baja for a
month of fishing and kiteboarding.”
Topher Grace ’97 with recent alumni at Commencment in May. Greyson O’Donnell, son of Jenna (Marks) O’Donnell ‘99
1996
Hamilton Cochran has lived in San Francisco, New
York City, and Rochester, New York, in the recent
past. “I hated being at a desk all day, but the two
years of experience and training at a well known
IT company in Rochester led me to my new job in
Aspen, Colorado.” He works in IT support for a resort
with mountain and hotel properties and on occasion
in the winter he has to ski to the various properties
to offer support. “Basically my dream job!”
1998
Scott Bixler was planning to wed Kathleen Kissane in
his parents’ backyard in Maryland on September 17.
Lee Denslow writes that on a recent visit to the
Bahamas he couldn’t make it to Eleuthera to visit
Matt Hoopes. “I am the vice president of sales
and marketing for Tradewinds, the Bloomberg of
commercial shipping. I am also in the process of
selling the clothing company GreenLobsterUSA,
which I created with two friends from St. Lawrence
University six years ago.”
Tapley-Ann (Mudge) Paxson and husband Dave
welcomed Tavin Ann Paxson on July 17. Everyone is
healthy and life is good. David and Tapley-Ann live in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Tapley-Ann teaches
children with learning disabilities at The Janus
School. They look forward to Tavin Ann’s first tour of
Brewster soon.
1999
MaryJane (Haynie) Dowling and husband Carl
live in Atlanta with their three children: Sophia, 4,
Mya, 2, and Garrett, who they welcomed in March.
MaryJane wrote that she is “the proud mom of three
beautiful children and so lucky that I get to be a
stay-at-home mom. I live in Atlanta and volunteer
for Youth for Understanding, a nonprofit exchange
program that I participated in during high school.”
Travis Larsen and Melissa Harding live in Oak Bluffs,
Massachusetts, with their daughter Violette born in
January and their two dogs, Sophie and Phoebe.
Jenna (Marks) O’Donnell and husband Mark
welcomed son Greyson George on May 2. Jenna
describes Greyson as a mini-version of Mark and is
enjoying every moment of her time with him and
feels incredibly blessed.
2000
Dustin Carlson writes that “Life out here in
Minneapolis has been very blessed. Jessica and I just
celebrated our third anniversary. No kiddies on the
horizon, but our friends are very busy with that stage
Class Notes
40 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
In MemoriamClass of 1930
Valma (Long) Elliott
July 3, 2011
wolfeboro
Class of 1935
Philip J. McBrien
March 2, 2011
union, Maine
Class of 1938
Lillian (Osgood) Brookes
March 20, 2011
wolfeboro
Class of 1940
Mary C. Brewster
February 1, 2011
wolfeboro
Class of 1948
Joseph P. Ford
August 9, 2011
Lee, New Hampshire
Class of 1949
Mr. John C. Rico
October 26, 2010
wolfeboro Falls
Class of 1951
Delbert C. Haley Jr.
December 31, 2010
Melvin Village, New Hampshire
Class of 1953
Alfred L. Bickford
December 28, 2010
Homosassa, Florida
Class of 1953
Orion M. Lord
March 28, 2011
Ellijay, Georgia
Class of 1955
Susan K. Broman
December 16, 2010
Bow, New Hampshire
Class of 1957
Donald A. Clark
April 2, 2011
Bedford, New Hampshire
Class of 1959
Matthew L. Collins
November 3, 2010
wake Forest, North Carolina
of life. .. and it’s been fun to watch and see it unfold.
The family is doing well. Plenty of challenges came
along … over the past two years, but we all banded
together to face them and it feels like we’re coming
through the other side now.”
Morgan Huntley
was married to
Jennifer Fulham
on June 11 in
Newport, Rhode
Island. Morgan’s
Brewster
roommate
for two years,
Hunter Strupp,
and his wife
attended.
Blair Pyne Facebooked an update: “I got married
in October 2010 and moved to League City, Texas,
just south of Houston and across the lake from
NASA. I’m now working for my uncle at his company,
Kirby, which is the barge company that transports
petroleum products via the inland waterway. I am
in a new position that deals with treating the water
that we use to wash the cargo tanks of our barges.
I’ll have help doing the lab work, which will be nice,
hopefully saving my hair from falling out!”
2001
katie McCarthy wrote that she is married and
expecting a baby in December. She has opened an
organic farm, www.KatesOrganics.com. She received
her masters in secondary education, is a realtor
(Green/ABR/Notary), and is currently studying for an
LPN-RN nursing program.
Douglas Miller, brother Patrick Miller ’03, and Marie
Maseng ’02 work together at the Ascend Realty
Group in Boston. Doug is a managing partner and
Patrick and Marie are associate brokers.
2002
Ashley Mudge has relocated from Wyoming to New
York City where she is teaching at The Cathedral
School.
Rylan Okie is living and working in Boston.
2005
George Dohrmann graduated from the University
of Denver in June with a degree in economics and is
going to graduate school. He still plays competitive
hockey and enjoys spending time with his two-year
old Bernese Mountain dog, Bentley.
Gabrielle “Bri” Gatta is back in New York City and
still working for UBS the Investment Bank. “I work
in the Leveraged Finance Group and was recently
extended a third year offer as a financial analyst. I
spent my first year concentrating on UBS’ oil and gas
industry in the Houston office, but am now covering
every sector (healthcare, energy, retail, media,
gaming). I moved back to Manhattan in October
2010, and it has been an incredible experience.
Newlyweds Morgan and Jen Huntley in June.
Marianna Sychterz, 2, joined mom Kim (Rawson) Sychterz ‘01 at Reunion.
41www.brewsteracademy.org
In MemoriamClass of 1961
George Lee Eldridge
June 29, 2011
Jamestown, California
Class of 1962
John B. Kelley
May 27, 2011
Arlington, Massachusetts
Class of 1965
Kathleen (Nichols) Lucas
February 23, 2011
wolfeboro
Class of 1975
Richard S. Joyce
November 11, 2010
Andover, Massachusetts
Former Faculty
Marie D. Forsberg
February 15, 2011
Lakeport, New Hampshire
George H. “Pete” Hall
June 17, 2011
wolfeboro
Margaret “Peg” Hertz
(spouse of the late former faculty
member walter P. Hertz)
June 20, 2011
Newburyport, Massachusetts
NYC is my second home, and I am happy to be
back. I am still juggling the 100-plus-hour work
weeks, which initially was an adjustment but is now
a welcomed challenge. I am training for the New
York City Marathon in November.” Bri was looking
forward to reuniting with the Cabin Crew up at Lake
Winnipesaukee over the summer.
Roger Greene finished a Brewmaster’s course in
Germany in June and is working on a master’s in
brewing and distilling in Scotland.
2006
Joe Montana visited Hoopes on Eleuthera, Bahamas,
last winter. Joe is living in San Francisco and is the
marketing media coordinator at Rickshaw Bagworks.
Mary Seaman wrote in April 2011 that she was out
in California working at Mammoth Mountain with
Ginger Leib, bringing a little bit of Brewster to the
west. Mammoth Mountain had record-breaking
snowfall and in December 2010 was home to the
most snow in the world.
Congratulations to Columbia graduate Niko Scott
on being named 2010-2011 England Basketball
League Division 1 Player of the Year. Scott plays for
the Reading Rockets.
2007
Alyssa Palazzo has moved to a new apartment in
Boston to finish her final year of college and live
closer to her Brewster friends.
2009
Daniel Csete spent the summer interning for head
coach Mario Cristobal and staff on the Florida
International University football team. He is back
at Goucher College for his junior year and playing
varsity tennis. Daniel suggests that we “Keep those
tennis courts busy at Brewster!”
In the spring Peter Rizzo studied abroad at Regent’s
College in London. “When I wasn’t studying theatre,
the history of England, or Shakespeare, I was
traveling. Over the course of fours months abroad, I
visited seven countries. My most profound experience
was visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp
in Poland. It was an indescribable trip. … I witnessed
the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It
was incredible to be immersed in the British culture
during such a historical event. To be a part of the
festivities as the royal family drove by was an event I
will never forget.”
Peter was back on campus over the summer working
with the Brewster Academy Summer Session students.
Joe Montana ’06 and Matt Hoopes in the Bahamas.
Douglas Miller ’01, Marie Maseng ’02, and Patrick Miller ’03 outside their Ascend Realty Office.
Former classmates Mary Seaman ’06 and Ginger Lieb ’06 worked together at Mammoth Mountain last winter.
Send us your Class Note, and we will do our best to include it in the next BrewsterConnections:
42 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
HistoryHistoryHistoryHistoryWriting Brewster’sHistory
THE BEGINNING OF MAJOR CHANGES
TheadditionofthefirstKenisonLibrary–asaseparatebuildingbehind
the Academic Building – in 1978 was the hallmark of what was to come. In
justoveradecade,significantimprovementsandadditionsweremadeto
the physical plant and campus, including:
• EnhancementstothemainAcademicBuildingtobetteraccommodate
new academic programs and a new front entrance design
• RenovationstoTheEstabrook:anewbookstoreandmailcenter
withindividualstudentmailboxes;renovationofstudentand
facultyquartersonthetopfloor;expansionofthekitchenand
diningfacilities;andanadditionofaStudentCenteronthesouth
sideofthebuildingthatgreatlyexpandedstudentservices;
• Anewmasterplanforroadwaysandwalkwayswasdeveloped
andimplemented;
• Theconstructionofsixnewfaculty/studentresidenceswithinthe
areas of what is now known as Lamb Court (Harris, Lamb, and
Vaughan houses) and Mason Court (Spencer, Mason, and Hughes
houses)
The 1980s Brought a New Look and Feel to Campus Students React to Changes
As we completed the manuscript for The Brewster Story, we were
frustratedwhenthefinalformatofthebookrequiredthatwe
trim the manuscript by more than 150 pages. Fortunately, an
unabridged copy of The Brewster Story manuscript soon will be included in
theBrewsterAcademyarchives.Here,in“WritingBrewster’sHistory,”we
will share material that was omitted due to space limitations. In this issue
we report on the tremendous campus change and growth of the 1980s.
If there is one common experience that students of the 1980s lived
through, it was this observable fact: on campus there was earth-moving
equipmentinconstantmotion;constructionworkersseemedtobea
permanentfixtureacrosscampus;newbuildingswereerectedwhileothers
weremoved;andlawnsdisappearedtobereplacedbynewpathways.
The norm became ongoing confusion and change, and one was never quite
sure where a new path would lead and where an old path would end.
Headmaster Smith thoroughly understood this dilemma. While observing
thelastfewinchesofsnowfallfromhisofficewindowoneafternoonand
noting the various footpaths created by the students, he remarked, “When
it is time to build sidewalks, we will know exactly where they should be
placedforallwehavetodoisfollowthestudents’tracksinthesnow.”
By Bob and Shirley Richardson
Campus circa 1980. Note the library, and the tennis courts but the absence of the Wilson Center,
the Pinckney Boathouse, the dorms of Mason Court, and Brown Field.
43www.brewsteracademy.org
• ThepurchaseandremodelingoftheAdmissionHouse,which
provided prospective students and their parents a comfortable
place for interviews
• TherelocationoftheAlumniandDevelopmentOfficebuilding,
followed by the redesign of the space into an arts and writing
center;
• ThedesignandconstructionofthePinckneyBoathousetoserveas
the headquarters of the sailing and crew programs (downstairs)
whiletheupstairsofferedmeetingandgatheringspace;
• ThepurchaseofBerryandPiperhousesandtherenovationof
Kimball House.
And as the physical facilities grew, so did the Academy’s academic,
athletic, and community life programs.
From interviews and written reminiscences, we were fascinated to learn
how students, faculty, and parents adapted to changing circumstances,
facilities,andprograms.Belowwesharethereflectionsoftwostudents
from this busy decade: Chuck Michaels ’88 and Matt Woodward ’89.
Theircommentariesfirstappearedin1988indifferenteditionsofthe
student newspaper, The Brewster Browser.
CHuCk MICHAELS ’88
When a student came to Brewster four years ago, the campus seemed
pure, lush with natural tradition. There was no growth, no construction.
The groomed campus lacked facilities, but the young student managed.
Since then he has watched the needed buildings bring new opportunities.
Hewasanunopenedflowerwhosebloomingwaswelloverdue.He
and the school underwent growth together. Sadly enough though, the
boyblossomedfirstandwillmissthegloriousawakeningofhisschool.
More growth will come to both the boy and the school. Both will change.
Graduation will come and what he knew the school to be will not be the
same in years to come. Each will go about new business, but knowing, too,
they both will grow and change.
Brewster is indeed a different school from
whatitwasthreeyearsago.…It’seasytosee
the school’s progress. We are strengthening
our standards in academics, thrashing our
opponents in sports, and charging full speed
ahead in campus development.
Future students will receive their mail from
personal mailboxes, and I’ll remember the days
when Dean of Students Dick Weeks wandered the
halls handing out stacks of mail. When the future
athletes can’t make up their minds as to whether
to take crew or track, I’ll remember walking past
Mt. Brewster’s grave of tennis courts. If there
comes a time of a future headmaster, one who’ll
be able to relax, as most of his work will have
Chuck Michaels ’88 at the
new Admission Office, which
was relocated from its office
in the Academic Building to
its own building in 1982.
The building that is the current Arts Center sits between Memorial Field and the Estabrook. It was
moved to its current location on the other side of the Estabrook in 1988.
additions are completed and formal dinner has had to be revised. When
the school meets together in the First Congregational Church, the building
isfilledtoitsmaximum.
While Brewster’s growing pains are yet to be over, they have been exciting
to live with for our class, especially the 12 lifers, and now as seniors we are
fortunatetobethefirsttobenefitfromthenewfacilities.Theschoolyear
hasjuststartedandtherewillbemanymonthsaheadforustoenjoythe
new campus, but although the school has grown and changed, the people
are the same. And our friends and faculty will be with us forever as we
remember Brewster.
BREwSTER’S SuCCESS
Why did Brewster continue to be successful and attract new enrollment
whileotherschoolswerehavingdifficulties?Wasitthebeautifullocation,
the expanded facilities, or a program that was earning a reputation of
educating the whole person? All of these factors were likely reasons.
Headmaster Smith often reminded faculty and staff that they were here to
serve the needs of young people during a crucial stage of their lives. Those
teachers who have walked the Academy’s halls since the school’s founding
and long after have known what a great opportunity Brewster has to
positivelyinfluencethenextgenerationwithinthisbeautifulenvironment.
ButasthereflectionsofChuckandMattremindus,theessential
ingredient of Brewster Academy is its community of students, faculty, and
staff who bond together to support each student in his or her growth into
self-confident,respectfuladults.
already been done for him, I’ll remember Mr. [David]
Smith dreaming of improving the community. I
dread leaving my beloved school. I’m unsure of
whatitwillbelikewhenInextvisit.PerhapsIjust
envy those who will follow me in that they will have
opportunities I didn’t have. Yet I had the chance to
grow with Brewster. I will always be proud to have
been a part of that growth. One aspect, I’m sure, won’t
change, and that is the community. I bid farewell to my
BrewsterandsayhellotofutureBrewster.”
MATT wOODwARD ’89
At the end of our freshman year Houses One, Two, and
Three were built. The construction of the three dorms
improved living conditions for both the students and
the faculty. The new buildings and the area around them
soonbecamethefocusofthecampus.Thenextmajor
changecameduringourjunioryearwhenHouseFourwas
constructed in the Bearce Hall area. While this put two dorms in the area,
they were still rather isolated from the rest of the campus.
During these three years the school’s population continued to grow,
slowly but steadily. In order to help accommodate the increased student
body,twonewclassroomswereconstructed.TheBusinessOfficewas
moved to a newly leased building on the far side of the campus and the
buildingthathousetheAlumniandDevelopmentOfficebecamethenew
[Arts and] Writing Center. The greatest changes have taken place during
this past summer and as seniors we are the only class to have been able
to watch the new growth all come together, and the only class to really
appreciate what we have in the new facilities.
WereturnedfromthesummertofindHouseFiveandSixcompletedand
this construction has made the Bearce Hall area the focus of the campus.
The completion of the boathouse that our class has lived with in one stage
or another for our four years has changed the waterfront dramatically
and has given the school an area where the entire school can gather for
meetings. Not only have new buildings been built, but also old buildings
have undergone a lot of renovation. New siding has been put on Sargent
Hall, making it conform to looks of the new houses. All of the smaller
dorms along Main Street have also been insulated and covered with
siding. The three entrances to the Academic Building have had new steps
and brickwork completed and the main steps have been greatly enlarged.
All the old buildings look much better than when we arrived for our
freshman year.
Along with all the new buildings, the student and faculty population has
grown to be the largest in the school’s private boarding history. With more
people on campus there is less space in the dining area until the Estabrook
Bob and Shirley Richardson were long-time faculty members who retired in 2004. They are the authors of The Brewster Story: A Definitive History of Brewster Academy, published in May 2011.
44 BrewsterConnections – Fall 2011
Today they are Spencer House and Mason House but in the 1980s they were simply Houses One and
Two, the first of the six residences built in the mid- to late eighties.
Daniel T. Mudge, President(Tapley-Ann ’98, Ashley ’02)
Leslie N. H. MacLeod, Vice President(Todd ’97)
Roy C. Ballentine, Treasurer(Brian ’97, Susan ’94)
Douglas H. Greeff, Secretary (Hilary ’11)
Michael Appe
C. Richard CarlsonEstate Trustee
David L. Carlson ’54
Arthur W. Coviello Jr.
Candace Crawshaw ’64
Claudine Curran(Alex ’06, Gen ’11)
George J. Dohrmann III (George ’05, Geoffrey ’12)
Stephen C. Farrell Sr.(Stephen Jr. ’12)
Karey Fix(Will ’11, Keenan ’13)
Peter Ford ’80
Michael Keys (Matthew ’04)
Barbara Naramore
Arthur O. RicciEstate Trustee
The Reverend Nancy Spencer SmithEstate Trustee
Steven R. Webster (Brooke ’08, Tori ’11)
Trustee Emeriti
Walter N. “Rink” DeWitt ’54 (Kate ’86)
P. Fred Gridley ’53 (Deborah ’81)
Grant M. Wilson (Grant ’87, Kirsten ’88)
Brewster AcAdemy
2011-2012Board of Trustees
Expect to Stay Cool: Brewster Academy Summer Session students enjoy the lake on a hot July afternoon.
retiring trustees
Helen S. Hamilton, Secretaryboard member since 1974
A.B. Whitfield(Trey ’89)board member since 2008
Who knew it could be so easy?
dominique aubry ’03 has a lot on her plate:
• Facilities contract manager for the Philadelphia school district
• Active volunteer roles for UPenn and Brewster
• A new consulting business with her brother Pierre.
• With so many demands on her time, she is happy that one
of her priorities is so easy to fulfill. Dominique set up a
recurring gift to Brewster’s Annual Fund. Each month, she
makes an automatic gift to Brewster via her credit card.
To Do LisT:
Pick up dry-cleaning
Book vacation
Caitlin’s Halloween costume
Change oil
Make my annual gift to Brewster
Monthly Debit Annual Gift $10 $120 $25 $300 $50 $600 $100 $1,200
“Being so busy, this is the easiest way for me to give, making
smaller monthly gifts while making a great impact annually.
I just set it and forget it! I’m so glad Brewster offers this.”
Just as your monthly gifts will add up, your giving, combined
with that of other alumni, makes a significant impact for Brewster.
To learn more about setting up a recurring gift with Brewster, please
contact Beth Hayes ’81 at [email protected].
For a spotlight on Dominique, please see the Hoopla column on page 30.
Fall 2011BrewsterConnections
Inside:
Celebrating 125 Years
Alumni Who Embody Brewster’s Core Values
Return to Campus: Reunion MomentsSummer Programs Office • 603-569-7155 • [email protected]
For endless summer opportunities,contact the oFFice oF summer programs at Brewster academy.
For your child or grandchild’s summer school experienceFor your wedding
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