gsb alumni magazine: summer 2012

Reunion 2010

Commencement 2011Best High School Musical in New Jersey

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L S U M M E R 2 0 1 2

Table of ConTenTs

Board of TrusTees

FROM THE HEADMASTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

FEATURES GSB’s Rising Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 History of the Future: Helping Students Shape Their World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

COLLEGE CORNER College Entrepreneur: Kailey Raymond ’08 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ALUMNI NEWS Reunion Story: Making New Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Alumni at Graduation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 New Alumni Trustees Named . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Alumni Step Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Associate Director of Development Named . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 New Alumni Director Joins GSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

GSB NEWS Commencement 2012: Moving On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SBS Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Upper School Unit: 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Singapore Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Long-term Members of the GSB Family Retire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 New Communications and Marketing Department at GSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 NBC Meteorologist visits Lower School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 GSB’s Merit Scholars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 GSB to Launch New Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

ATHLETICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

PATRONS New Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Auction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Construction Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Retiring Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 A True GSB Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

ALUMNI NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Gill St. Bernard’s Alumni Magazine is published three times a year by the Development Office.

S.A. Rowell, Headmaster

Allyson B. Daly, Director of Communications and Marketing

James F. Diverio, Director of Development

Kathleen M. Andersen, Director of Publications

Michael Liddy, Associate Director of Development

Ginny Needham-Doyle, Director of Parent Relations and Special Events

Chanelle Walker, Director of Alumni Relations

Megan Zakrzewski, Communications Specialist

Julie Ruby, Data Manager

Gill St. Bernard’s SchoolP.O. Box 604, St. Bernard’s RoadGladstone, NJ 07934-0604908-234-1611www.gsbschool.org

Photography in this issue by Alex Cena, Becky Bedrosian P ’11, Elayne Wishart P ’01, Stephen Taylor P ’14 and GSB staff photographers, unless otherwise noted.

Cover: GSB’s “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” – the best high school musical in N.J. Cover design by Pete Heineck.

Harry Chowansky III Matthew Clark ’94Samuel Corliss, Jr. Gia Dunn Liz Fucci Donald Fuentes Robert Hemm ’46 Judith Fulton Higby ’65 John HowardAdrienne Kirby Douglas Matthews Edmond Moriarty III Elizabeth NametzSandra Niccolai James O’ConnorRobert J. O’Leary Patricia Hallett Muchmore ’66Todd Ross ’94Marianne SaladinoRobert Sameth, Jr. ’89Maureen Stefanick Lori Taylor

Vlad TorgovnikJanine Udoff

HONORARy TRUSTEESPatricia ArestyJoseph Behot Miguel BritoLaurie BruecknerBrandon ClarkWilliam F. CongerRichard Emmitt Barbara EvansNelson FerreiraMichael GoldenJeffrey Gray Michael MandelbaumRichard Markham Mary McNamaraEllen NardoniMark Paris Katherine SmithJayne Vespa Michael Weinstein ’87

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T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L

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The athletic program at Gill St.

Bernard’s School has recently received

a great deal of attention, given our

teams’ success in a number of sports.

In fact, the 2011-2012 academic year

was so successful that the school won

the New Jersey State Interscholastic

Athletic Association (NJSIAA)

“ShopRite Cup” for the Non-Public

B Division in the state of New Jersey.

(See page 27).

However, equally impressive were

the achievements of the Arts Program. Those of us at the school (and many alumni)

have known for years that Gill St. Bernard’s has been outstanding in this area,

especially the theater. Every show is “Sold Out” and tickets are hard to come by,

even if you are the Headmaster. In 2008, the GSB Players’ production of The Secret

Garden won Best Musical honors at the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards,

along with several others. This year’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood proved

that such recognition was no fluke, as the show garnered five awards, including Best

Musical. Kudos to Director Paul Canada, who has received Paper Mill awards for his

sets and costumes, as well as direction. Also of note, are David and Amy Southerland

who have now twice earned recognition for Musical Direction.

Given that the main competition for the awards are performing arts academies and

large public schools (2,000+ students), the achievements of our school are simply,

spectacular. Along with the achievements of our athletic teams, it is obvious that GSB

is a truly amazing school that has been able to balance outstanding academics with

strong arts and sports programs.

These successes are a source of justifiable pride, not just for me, but I hope for our

alumni, teachers and all our school families. In addition to catching a GSB basketball

game this winter (or a tennis match in the fall!), you also need to see the next show.

That is, of course, if you can get a ticket…

S. A. Rowell

F E A T U R E S

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“…And the Paper Mill Rising Star Award for Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical goes to,” the announcer said, in much the same tone as at the Tony Awards, after which these awards are modeled, “…Gill St. Bernard’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood!” Much like at the Tonys, the theater exploded with applause at the announcement.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star program is a state-wide competition that celebrates excellence in high school musical theatre in public, independent and parochial schools.

GSB’s production also took home four additional awards and an honorable mention. (See sidebar on pg. 3.)

“Each year, as a new cast and crew begins its journey of discovery in the theatre, and I have the opportunity to get to know each member better, I am reminded how lucky I am to be working with such a unique and special group of people – and the cast and crew of Edwin

Drood was among the most special in recent memory,” said Paul H. Canada, chair of the performing arts department.

“While faces change each year as students (and parents) graduate, and students (and parents) enter the program, the dedication, hard work and talent that each new group demonstrates is what makes the theater program at Gill St. Bernard’s so exceptional. Each year, since 2007

GSB’s Rising Starsby Kathleen M. Andersen

A hush fell over the audience at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, N.J. on June 5 as it waited anxiously to hear which play would be named the best high school musical in New Jersey.

(L. to r.) Scott Geldzahler ’12 and Jasen Miyamoto ’12 on stage at the Music Hall Royale.

Above: (L. to r.) Savannah Schechter ’12 and Andrew Devine ’13 in some of the award-winning costumes. Right: Jessica Kundla ’13.

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when we began participating, The GSB Players have received numerous accolades from the Rising Star Program.

With 11 nominations and five awards this year, I am honored and gratified that the students, artistic staff, parent volunteers, and our program have, once again, been recognized as among the brightest and the best in New Jersey,” he added.

David Southerland, Upper School choir director, said, “Sadly, I wasn’t there to see the kids win the Rising Star award, but I’m certainly extremely proud of them. I love every cast of all the shows we’ve done, but there was something very special about this particular group of kids and the high level of integrity, respect, and cooperation they showed throughout the process. Even during breaks, we’d find the cast rehearsing lines, going over their music, or practicing the choreography. It was remarkable!”

What added even more sparkle to the

evening was that this was the second

time in five years that GSB had received

this honor. The school’s production

of Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman’s

The Secret Garden took home the award

for Outstanding Overall Production

of a Musical in 2008.

In fact, over the past six years, GSB has

received 47 Rising Star nominations

(including five for Outstanding

Overall Production of a Musical), eight

Honorable Mentions, and a total of

14 Rising Star Awards.

“The success that our students, faculty

and the school itself has achieved in

the Paper Mill Playhouse competition

over the years comes as no surprise to

many in our school community,” said

Headmaster Sid Rowell. “We already

know that our performing arts program

GSB’s Rising Star Awards

2012 – The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Rupert Holmes

Award – Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical

Award – Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Jana Bernard ’13

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction – Amy and David Southerland

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Paul H. Canada and Beth Holland P ’12

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Direction – Paul H. Canada

Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement in Hair and Make-up Design – Venus Nedd P ’06, ’09 and Lee Amoroso P ’11,’13,’19

2011 – A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Paul H. Canada and Beth Holland P ’12

Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement by an Actor/Actress in a Featured Role – Jana Bernard ’13

2010 – Kiss Me Kate by Cole Porter and Sam and Bella Spewack

Award – Outstanding Achievement by an Actor in a Leading Role – Christian Bormann-Paris ’11

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Paul H. Canada

Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement in Choreography – Margery Schiesswohl

Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design – Joe Skowronski

Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design – Paul H. Canada

(L. to r.) Alexandra Gunst ’12, Jana Bernard ’13 and Savannah Schechter ’12

entertain the audience.

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is an outstanding one. Now, everyone else does, and they realize that Gill St. Bernard’s is that rare school that has been able to truly balance achievement in the arts with those in athletics,” he added.

One hundred high schools from throughout New Jersey participated in this year’s Rising Star program. Four evaluators attended and critiqued each production and gave their recommend-ations for nominations in 15 artistic and technical categories. Gill St. Bernard’s garnered a total of 11 nominations and one Honorable Mention this year. In addition to the categories which the school won, it was nominated for:

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Savannah Schechter ’12;

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Jessica Kundla ’13;

Outstanding Performance by a Chorus;

Outstanding Choreography – Margery Schiesswohl, Upper School theater teacher;

Outstanding Lighting Design – Joseph Skowronski;

In evaluating the play, one of the judges wrote, “This production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood was by far one of the most enjoyable experiences of the entire season.

From the moment I entered the theater to the minute I exited, I was completely immersed in the world of London’s Music Hall Royale.”

Another judge said it ran “like a well-oiled machine.”

Lisa Cooney, Paper Mill director of education, spoke about the program, “Programs like the Rising Star Awards have raised the bar and create opportunities for student-performers and theater technicians to be recognized for their achievements, while giving them access to thousands of dollars in scholarship money. Many Rising Star nominees and winners are now working professionally and we consistently hear from top-tier colleges and casting directors that the Rising Star Award is a significant accolade for an aspiring theater artist.”

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a play-within-a-play based on an unfinished murder mystery by Charles Dickens. It begins at London’s Music Hall Royale where the actors are presenting their premier performance of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The play is structured around the troupe’s dubious talents, and, in each performance, the audience casts a vote for the outcome and seals the ‘fate’ of its characters.

The cast with director Paul H. Canada (front row, far left) and Paper Mill executives (back row far right and far left) at the awards ceremony.

GSB’s Rising Star Awards (cont.)

2009 – Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Savannah Schechter ’12

Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design – Donald P. Schlachter P ’91, ’97

2008 – The Secret Garden by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Award – Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Musical Direction – Amy and David Southerland

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Paul H. Canada and Lynn Helferich P ’06, ’08

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design – Paul H. Canada and John Helferich P ’06, ’08

2007 - She Loves Me by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joe Masteroff

Award – Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Leading Role – Lauren Ullrich ’08

Award – Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design – Paul H. Canada

Honorable Mention – Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Alexis Nedd ’09


F E A T U R E S

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Much of the progress aimed at bettering education in the 21st century has focused on teaching children for the future—such as offering more access to new technologies and encouraging appropriate use of Internet resources. However, we are not adequately teaching children about the future: how it may look and feel, what challenges it may present, and what opportunities may be available for today’s youth to shape that future.

By encouraging children to critically examine current events and trends, and by facilitating such examination through the educational process, we can show them how to use today’s news as the springboard by which to explore tomorrow’s possibilities. In doing so, we can help children to be better prepared for whatever they may

History of the Future: Helping Students Shape Their WorldGSB is offering a new Upper School elective in 2012-2013 that will “explore the future through the lens of current events.” This class is described as a challenging and thought-provoking analysis of what the future may look like over the course of the students’ lifetimes.

One of the teachers of the course, Robert Orr, who also teaches math and geometry, explained the thinking behind the course in an article he wrote for the National Association of Independent Schools publication, The Reporter. The article is reprinted here.

encounter in the wide array of possible futures ahead of them.

There are various approaches by which we can encourage students to focus on the future. Among these are the importation of current events into the curriculum in all subject areas, and the creation of a current events discussion group or club. With regard to the latter, our eighth grade discussion group at Gill St. Bernard‘s School (New Jersey) regularly brings 15 or more students to the table voluntarily each Friday at lunchtime for lively discussions of global events.

A critical component by which we can challenge students to consider the future is the creation of a course in future studies. Several teachers at Gill St. Bernard’s have developed

Eighth graders discuss current events with teacher Robert Orr during their lunch period last year.

Five key goals for the course: • to challenge students to

think deeply about the events of today and tomorrow through many perspectives, while recognizing the many interconnections that exist among topics and events;

• to heighten the students’ consciousness about the ways in which those events may impact their lives and the future of the world;

• to capture the interest and imagination of students so that they may continue long past the course to analyze the news, while thinking about how it may affect the future;

• to encourage students to recognize that, through their actions, they can help to shape the future; and

• to develop a model of educational innovation.

College Entrepreneur: Kailey Raymond ’08

Kailey Raymond ’08 is getting a head start on her

career path—thanks to her hard work, a great idea,

a talented partner and the $10,000 grand prize in

Richmond, Virginia’s “Next Best Start-Up” contest.

The idea for inLieu, her company, an online

crowd-funding platform, was born in a senior year

entrepreneurship seminar at the University of Richmond

(UR) called “Creating a Business Plan.”

“On the first day of class, we were tasked with creating

a business that we would eventually pitch in the annual

University of Richmond Business Pitch competition in

April,” Raymond said.

“After a few weeks of brainstorming, my classmate,

Geoff Weathersby, came to me with an idea inspired

by his own experience. That same semester, he had

launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise money for

a scholarship in memory of his father. All he wanted was

for people to donate to charity in lieu of giving flowers,

but there was no simple way to achieve this.”

Taking this idea, the two classmates applied the concept

across the entire gift-giving market. “For the next three

months, we researched, created a 10-minute pitch, and

wrote a business plan,” Raymond said. Thus was born

inLieu, a site that will let users post life events online

and request donations to a cause of their choice “in lieu”

of gifts. The for-profit company will accept credit card

donations and take a 10 percent cut of each gift.

Eventually, all this hard work paid off when the two

entrepreneurs won $3,500 in UR’s Business Pitch

contest. They then took it to a higher level and entered

the “Next Best Start-Up” competition which is sponsored

by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Their $10,000

prize will be used for web development and marketing.

Raymond is quick to give credit to a wide network of

mentors. “Our success would not have been possible

without all of the incredible support we have received

from everyone within the Richmond community. We

have several extremely generous mentors who have

dedicated countless hours to guiding us through every

step,” she said.

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such a course for high school students, History of the Future. To meet the need for current, relevant, interesting, and challenging material, we have created a website that will serve as our continually evolving “textbook.” The website, www.exploringthefuture.org, contains scores of links to news articles and videos, news sources, websites of future-oriented organizations, annotated information about books and videos categorized by discipline, links to future-oriented games, suggested reading and movies in science fiction, and more. We update the website daily, often adding links to new articles and videos, and regularly adding new editorial commentaries to promote thought and discussion.

Students will participate in the course through multiple ways: daily discussions of the news and what future scenarios it may predict, reading carefully selected passages from books and magazines, developing and analyzing their own sources of information, writing and recording commentaries for the website and for submission to online and print publications, exploring the impact of social media and then using those media to promote their ideas, interacting with experts via Internet video services, and designing their own visions for the future. The students will have active roles in selecting content and methods of evaluation, engaging in teamwork, and getting involved in causes they deem important to creating a better future.

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From the GSB teacher-created website exploringthefuture.org

“Exploring the Future” is designed specifically for teachers and for high school and college students who wish to consider the world of tomorrow and how world changes may affect their lives. All others are welcome, too.

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F G I L L S T . B E R N A R D ’ S S C H O O L C O L L E G E C O R N E R

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The website plans to go live in November. “However, if anyone’s interested, we do have a splash page at inlieugiving.com! If you enter your email address, we will be sure to keep you updated on the latest inLieu news,” Raymond said.

Raymond graduated from UR in the spring with a double major in Spanish and Business Administration. She received numerous awards and recognitions while at the school, including being on the Dean’s List in all semesters, being a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, the Phi Sigma Iota Language Honor Society, the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society, a Phi Beta Kappa Honoree, an Omicron Delta Kappa Honoree, a finalist in the

McWick Case Competition, the recipient of an IBM Merit Based Scholarship, a Holt Scholarship for Study Abroad, and a Robins School of Business Merit Based Scholarship.

She was also involved with a few extracurricular activities. She was part of Alpha Phi Omega—a community service fraternity—and helped to re-charter a chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity. She was a tour guide for three years and was also part of the club swim team.

Raymond credits GSB with helping her tremendously in preparing for college. “I was a three-sport athlete in high school, taking several AP classes, so I think that learning the skill of time-management was crucial for a college setting. Also, Mrs. Ripton taught me a thing or two about writing a concise and

persuasive essay, which definitely made my first couple of semesters easier. Lastly, I think that the small school atmosphere of Gill, where you had to participate in class and talk to your teacher, gave me an advantage in college because I kept the same habits.”

What are the future plans for inLieu? “We hope to transform it from a concept into a business. Geoff and I have deferred offers for jobs in Washington, D.C. and New York City in order to pursue inLieu to its end. In a start-up, every day is a new challenge and the expectations are constantly changing. So, although I don’t know what the future holds, I sure am excited to give it my best shot.” ~ KMA

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Kailey Raymond ’08.

Corporate logo of Raymond’s company.

REUNION 2012


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May 4 and 5 were perfect times for alumni to reconnect with old friends, visit with former teachers and share stories about their days at GSB. From the gathering on Friday evening in Hockenbury Academic Center to the impromptu guitar concert put on by two members of the class of 1977 on Saturday afternoon, everyone had an enjoyable and memorable time.

The most moving event of the weekend was the planting of a Chinese elm tree in memory of Tom Kelly ’87 who passed away suddenly in 2011. His many family members and friends gathered to remember and honor Tom.

Shown here are some photos of the weekend.

Above: (L. to r.) Ian Nevins ’97 with son, Liam, and sister Lindsay Nevins ’01 enjoy visiting.

Right: Aleks Matviak ’89 and his family have a good time at Reunion.

REUNION 2012

F A M I L y D A y / H O M E C O M I N G

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R E U N I O N

Clockwise from top left:

Alyssa Tabakin Miller ’92, husband, Gary and children Jessica and Justin at Reunion.

Jay Mooney ’87 gets a hit during the alumni/faculty softball game.

Sid Rowell, headmaster, chats with (l.to r.) Kris Goodrich ’99, Jamie Palatini ’06 and Andrew Vazzano ’06.

Ken Nemlick ’80 and Ferebee Watson Conchar ’78 reminisce.

Lisa Young-Morrissey ’77 visits with James Maynard ’76 and his wife.

Ivan Matviak ’87 looks over the archives.


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Far right: SBS alumni renew old friendships.

Right: (L. to r.) Geroge Fessenden ’39 explains some of the older St. Bernard’s School archives to Fred Engleberger ’71.

Below: Bob Ort ’89, Ivan Matviak ’87 and Michael Weinstein ’87 during the clambake on Saturday.

Right: Welcoming alumni to the clambake.

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R E U N I O N

Clockwise from top left:

The class of 1992: Chris Landrieu, Lynn Neuweiler Powers, Alyssa Tabakin Miller, Scott Muhlstein, Chris Colella, Kate Metzger, Susan Kissel, Ted Metzger, Jessica Barna Metzger, Karen Kole Quraeshi.

Kris Goodrich ’99 and Jaime Messina Goodrich ’01 at the clambake.

Jill Davies Rubacky ’76, Sandra Davies Moore ’77 and Frank Schaefer ’77 look over an old yearbook.

The memorial tree planting in honor of Tom Kelly ’87.

Classes from the ’70s and ’80s enjoyed the clambake on Saturday: (Standing, l. to r.) Chris Burt ’81, James Skidmore ’80, Jill Davies Rubacky ’76, Sandra Davies Moore ’77, David Sherman ’77, Jamie Dugan ’77; (front row, l. to r.) Vicky McKittrick Oliva ’77, Daniel Flynn ’77 and Tara Cambria ’77.

ALU

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Several alumni were present at Commencement to congratulate the graduates and to reconnect with each other.


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(L. to r.) Jordan Rich ’11, Cos Arnett ’11, Jake Ball ’12, Geoffrey King ’11, Teddy Gordon ’12, Zack Zirpolo ’11, Zack Ball ’10.

(L to r.) Maggie Bedrosian ’11 and Sarah Quinn ’12.

A L U M N I N E W S

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Left: (L. to r.) Andrew Gunst ’09 and Gerry Cirillo, dean of students.

From the class of 2011 (l. to r.): Stephanie Amoroso, Brendan Connell, Chelsey Puglisi.Shannon Ludlum ’03.

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Judith Fulton Higby is a 1965 graduate of The Gill School. Her relationship with the school is a long and consistent one. Her younger brother, Jim, attended the Lower and Middle Schools of Gill, and her two sisters, Milly ’68 and Joan ’71, graduated from Gill as well. Her father, James Fulton, was Chairman of the Board of the school in the early to mid-1970s and was at the helm when Gill and St. Bernard’s merged. Higby served as alumni trustee in 1976. Corporate moves took her and her family from New Jersey to Wilton, Conn. then to the Chicago area before returning to Wilton in 2000. She was the recipient of the Glen Ellyn, Illinois Citizen of the Year award in 1999, and along with her husband, Hal, the recipient of the Wilton Citizen of the Year award in 2005. While she was a stay-at-home mother of three, Higby has been free to volunteer throughout her 40 years of marriage for many organizations at many levels. She is currently president of the Wilton Library Association board, past president of the New

Canaan Society for the Arts, event committee member for the local Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County and an active member of the GSB Alumni Council among other things.

Patricia Hallett Muchmore is a 1966

graduate of The Gill School. A graduate

of Briarcliff College, she has had a

career in sales and sales management.

Most recently, she was a co-founder

and partner in Stronghold Consulting

Group. She has held senior management

positions with the Carlisle Collection,

Doncaster, and Moretran Leasing Co.

Formerly president of the Junior League

of Morristown, Muchmore served as

executive director of the Council of

Growing Companies. She has served on

a number of non-profit boards focusing

on education. Most recently, Muchmore

has been an active participant in the GSB

Alumni Council. She and her husband,

John, have four adult children, five

grandchildren and have been residents

of Pottersville, N.J. for 35 years.

Robert Hemm is a 1946 graduate of St. Bernard’s School and is currently an active participant in the GSB Alumni Council. He is the retired president of Blair Marketing and has also been an active private equity investor. More recently, Hemm founded Lansear Productions, a documentary film company whose features have aired on CNN and the History Channel. He is a member of the Explorer’s Club in New York, was the New York chairman of the March of Dimes telethon in 1985-86 and the chairman of the Parents Council at Washington and Lee University in 1972. Hemm attended Virginia Tech University. He and his wife live in Pelham Manor, N.Y.

Matthew Clark ’94 has been reappointed as the alumni representative to the Board. He is in the midst of transitioning to become the small-cap bank analyst at Credit Suisse in New York City. He graduated from Lehigh University in 1998. He has been an active and supportive alumnus for several years. He and his wife, Candace Voorhees Clark ’94, have two children, Porter and Charlotte, and live in Mendham, N.J.

New Alumni Members of the Board of Trustees

Three alumni have taken their places on the GSB Board of Trustees this year. They join the current Alumni Representative to the Board, who is appointed each year and other alumni representatives. (For story on other new Trustees, see pg. 29.)

Robert Hemm ’46.

Matthew Clark ’94.

Patricia Hallett Muchmore ’66.

Judith Fulton Higsby ’65.

A L U M N I N E W S

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Alumni Step Up

Alumni have been stepping up for GSB

in larger numbers this year. A group of

enthusiastic and interested graduates have

(re)established an Alumni Council. While

a final set of by-laws will be reviewed

and voted upon by the founding council

members this fall, the group has already

begun to coordinate with the alumni

relations department to identify key areas

of focus for the next couple of years.

In part through the interest and activity

of this group, potential trustees have

been identified. Three alumni were voted

onto the Board of Trustees this past May.

(See story on pg. 14) This is the largest

group of alumni to be voted onto the

Board in a single year and brings the total

number of alumni on the Board to six.

It is also the first time The Gill School,

St. Bernard’s School and Gill St. Bernard’s

School are all represented on the Board

at the same time.

Many other alumni found reasons to

support the school as well. A gift from the

Silverman Family Foundation (Britany

Silverman Nelson ’97) sparked a

challenge and many graduates from the

last two decades answered the call to

increase that fund. (Two students were

able to travel abroad on a Unit trip in May

due to funds from this scholarship.) The

family and friends of the late Tom Kelly

’87 have also begun to raise funds to help

students travel. In this case, details are

still emerging. The funds will be used for

making a Unit to China more affordable

for students who could benefit from

such a program. (More to follow on

this story in the next issue.)

Alumni participation continues to steadily

grow and this year saw a wonderful

increase in dollars raised for GSB by

its graduates. The support came from

graduates of the last seven decades as

well as our most recent graduates.

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Associate Director of Development Named

Michael A. Liddy has joined GSB in the new position of Associate Director of Development. He will be assisting the Director of Development in a variety of ways, including overseeing Annual Fund activities, assisting in developing a planned giving program, and coordinating office research, among other things.

”I am thrilled and honored to be joining the team at Gill St. Bernards,” said Liddy. “Gill is a premier institution with outstanding teachers and endless oppor-tunities for boys, girls, young men and young women. I can’t wait to tell their stories, to meet with alumni and alumnae, and to work with our devoted and generous parents. It’s going to be a great year!”

Liddy had been director of institutional advancement at Marylawn of the Oranges Academy. Prior to that, he was director of the annual fund at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School and director of development at Seton Hall Preparatory School. He had also been a sales district manager for major accounts for Automatic Data Processing (ADP).

Liddy has a B.A. from Providence College and attended Seton Hall Preparatory School in high school.

New Alumni Director Joins GSB

Chanelle M. Walker has joined GSB as the new Director of Alumni Relations, replacing Ethan Dubow, who has left to become the director of alumni giving at the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Penn. She will work closely with the Alumni Council, plan Reunions, maintain the alumni section of the website and be the main contact for alumni at the school.

“I am very excited to be a part of the GSB community and I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead,” she said.

Walker had been the events coordinator at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center Foundation in Paterson, N.J. before coming to GSB. She has also worked at the New York Public Library and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison.

She has a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.A. from the University of the Arts. Walker is also a proud alumna of Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, N.J.

Michael A. Liddy.

Chanelle M. Walker.

COMMENCEMENTThe Class of 2012: Moving OnThe morning was partly cloudy — which was a perfect foil to the heat of the day — as the first commencement to take place in Todd Quad got underway at 10:00 a.m. on June 9. A bagpipe band led the procession, followed by Director of Studies and School Marshal Peter Schmidt carrying the school mace, Dean of Students Gerry Cirillo carrying the Senior Register, and two flag bearers (Nicholas Blackman ’13 and Katherine Giordano ’14). A number of trustees, past recipients of the St. Bernard’s School Chair of Excellence in Teaching and current faculty marched along with the students.

After the group assembled at Todd Quad, The Reverend Monsignor Kevin Flanagan, retired, St. Lawrence Parish, Chester, N.J., gave the Invocation, and Headmaster Sid Rowell welcomed parents and guests to the ceremonies. In a tradition begun last year, students who have been at GSB since pre-school and their parents were then called forward to receive yellow roses (parents) and key chains (students). Jacob Ball, Madison Campbell, Cristina Ferreira, Kathryn Grabowski, Ryan Kian, Justin Knichel, James Laughland, Blake Madden, Jack Markham, Samantha Morris, Lauren Moscioni, Ann Opel, Nicole Pisack, Abigail Richardson, Samuel Rosenthal, Savannah Schechter, Daniel Sonnenberg, Jessica White and Morgan Zaidel and their parents received the roses and gifts. The Upper School Concert Choir then sang “Time to Say Goodbye” by Sartori, Quarantotto and Peterson.

16

Upper School Director Sue Petrone presented the Julien T. Brown Cup to Daniel Sonnenberg, assisted by last year’s recipient, Connor Milanaik ’11.

Fine Arts Department Chair Jane Kunzman presented the Ferber Visual Arts Award to Mackenzie Dunn.

GSB CLASS oF 2012 COLLEGE ENROLLMENT

Agnes Scott College: Casey Arnold

American University: Paul Wells

Amherst College: Nicolette Miranda

University of Amsterdam: Renee Riegman

Arcadia University: Cory Mundt

Babson College: Linnett Graber

Boston University: Ioana Brankova, Barry Eichen, Taylor Gordon

Bryn Mawr College: Liandra Curtis

Bucknell University: Dominic Hoffman, Emmy Metzler, Madison Campbell

Carnegie Mellon University: Mackenzie Dunn

Centenary College: Monica Ferrara

The University of Chicago: Abhi Gupta

University of Colorado at Boulder: Sydney Buchalter

Colorado College: Jacob Sabetta

Cornell University: Morgan Zaidel

Dartmouth College: Alex Mitola

University of Delaware: Cristina Ferreira

University of Edinburgh: Natalie Zuckerman

Elon University: Danielle Williams, Waverly McConnell

Emory University: Sophia Ilaria

Fairfield University: Michael Hyland, Charles Ferruggia, Jessica Raia, Alanna Noll, Peter Pellegrinelli

University of Florida: Anthony Mea

Fordham University: Savannah Schechter

Franklin and Marshall College: Jennifer Quispe

Furman University: Lauren Moscioni

Georgetown University: Dominique Vitalis

Hamilton College-NY: Samantha Graber

Harvard University: Ann Opel

Lafayette College: James Laughland

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Left: Todd Quad at Commencement

Below: History Department Chair Dr. John Ripton (l.), presented the History Department Award to Sarah Quinn and Abhi Gupta. Quinn also received the Frances Rohn Memorial in Mathematics, the Carol J. Heaney Memorial Science Award, the Peapack-Gladstone Bank Award in English, the Joyce Creasey Memorial Award for Women’s Athletics and the Jean Loizeaux Award for highest scholastic honors.

Olivia Giordano received the Bennett Service Recognition Award for community service from Director of Studies

Peter Schmidt.

C O M M E N C E M E N T


In a long-standing tradition, any senior who wishes may address the gathering at Commencement. This year, there were four students who chose to do so: Jack Markham, Dominic Hoffman, Nicolette Miranda and Savannah Schechter. In addition, the senior members of the GSB Concert Choir sang “Winter Song” by The Head and The Heart. The following students were recognized for serving on the Honor Board: Kathryn Grabowski, Sophia Ilaria, Andrew Ramey and Abigail Richardson.

Cum Laude graduates were also recognized. These students must be in the top 20 percent of their class academically and must have demonstrated good character, honor and integrity. They were Jacob Ball, Matthew Brookman, Kathryn Grabowski, Abhi Gupta, Sophia Ilaria, Nicolette Miranda, Alex Mitola, Jasen Miyamoto, Ann Opel, Sarah Quinn, Abigail Ramey, Abigail Richardson, Brett Sleyster, Daniel Sonnenberg and Morgan Zaidel.

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Above: Kathryn Grabowski (r.) received the Elisabeth Gill Girl Award from Sue Petrone, Upper School director and last year’s recipient, Alexis Grieco ’11. Grabowski also received the Jean Loizeaux Award for highest scholastic honors and the Foreign Language Department Award.

Right: Upper School Choir Director David Southerland (far left) presented the Lisa Schmidt Music Award to (l. to r.) Savannah Schechter, Jacob Sabetta and Ann Opel.

Nicolette Miranda received the Lindabury Senior Honor from Sid Rowell, headmaster.

Lehigh University: Samantha Morris, Hope Watkins

Loyola University-MD: Miquel Whooley-Gabbidon

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Sarah Quinn

Middlebury College: Theodore Gordon

The College of New Jersey: Joseph O’Dowd

New York University: Alexandra Gunst, Ryan Kian, Charles Efthimion, Olivia Giordano

Northeastern University: Justin Knichel, Blake Madden

Northwestern University: Brett Sleyster

Parsons The New School for Design: Samuel Rosenthal

Pennsylvania State University: Nathan Holland

Princeton University: Kathryn Grabowski

University of Pennsylvania: Abigail Richardson

University of Pittsburgh: Daniel Sonnenberg

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Johanna Carabantes

University of Richmond: Nathan Sherman, Matthew Brookman, Winston Guest

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey: Nicole Pisack

Skidmore College: Jonathan Alland, Nurianny Montilla

Springfield College: Laurence Piretra

Stevens Institute of Technology: Jessica White

Tufts University: Scott Geldzahler

Vanderbilt University: Jacob Ball

Vassar College: Jasen Miyamoto

Villanova University: Abigail Ramey, Andrew Ramey

Wake Forest University: Jack Markham, Tom Rapp

Wesleyan University: Cameron Reid

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The class of 2012.

Cory Mundt (r.) accepted the Computer Science Department Award from Irv Taylor, department chair.


SBS CHAIR oF ExCELLENCE IN TEACHING

Each year the St. Bernard’s School Chair of Excellence in Teaching is given to a GSB teacher to recognize the outstanding contributions made to the lives of the students not only by that teacher, but also by all GSB teachers. The award was created by a group of SBS alumni who wanted to recognize how much their teachers meant to them by honoring one current teacher at GSB each year.

Many former SBS Chair recipients were present at Commencement to honor this year’s recipient—first grade teacher Anne Wilson. Last year’s recipient, Robert Orr, Middle School math teacher, helped present the award to Wilson at Commencement. In doing so, he shared his own feelings as well as some of the comments from the nominating letters.

“This teacher is consistently kind, caring and friendly,” said Orr. “She creates an atmosphere that is comfortable and secure for all.” He then went on to quote from nominating letters and emails:

“Anne Wilson is kindness itself, managing to make everyone feel welcome.”

“She is the ultimate professional.”

“Anne is a quiet leader who leads by example and gives credit to others.”

“She is the rock people can rely on for clear thinking and stellar values.”

Wilson joined GSB 19 years ago, coming from the Cathedral School in Allentown, Penn., where she was a reading specialist. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College and a M.Ed. in Reading from Kutztown University.

Above: Alex Mitola (l.) and Dominic Hoffman (r.) were jointly presented with the Men’s Athletic Award by GSB Athletic Director David Pasquale.

Below: Jack Markham (l.) and Morgan Zaidel (r.) received the Susan H. Stover Award for loyalty and service to the school from Sid Rowell, headmaster.

Right: (L. to r.): Sid Rowell, headmaster, Anne Wilson, first grade teacher, who is sitting on the SBS chair, and

Robert Orr, Middle School math teacher.



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GSB Upper School Unit: A Tradition ContinuesThis year’s Unit saw the first cash disbursement from the Silverman Family Unit Scholarship, which was given to help underwrite two students’ travel to Costa Rica to learn about turtle conservation.

That was just one of the many Unit opportunities this past spring. Students also explored a variety of areas outside their normal classroom experience.

They studied the world of advertising, and about the ART involved in ARchiTecture, wrote restaurant reviews, went to cooking school in Boston, and toured several theaters in New York. A group went canoeing and kayaking, while others studied Tae Kwon Do. Several students learned how to make animated films, while others discovered what it would be like to teach in elementary school.

Some groups helped with different community service projects or worked with senior citizens’ homes and hospitals. One Unit course learned how to create a garage band, while another learned about the relationship between dogs and humans. Major off-campus trips involved travel to Hawaii and Acadia National Park, as well as the Costa Rica trip. A group of students also traveled to the Dominican Republic to help at an orphanage.

GSB

NEW

S LS Director Goes to the Source of Singapore MathPeggy Campbell-Rush, Lower School director, traveled to Singapore over spring break to see how GSB’s teaching methods for Singapore Math compare with those used in the area where this new approach to math was developed. What she learned, put succinctly, is that GSB is right on target.

In Singapore Math, students spend an elongated amount of time studying math basics such as fractions, multiplication tables, etc. to ensure that they master a concept before proceeding. GSB has used this method for the past six years, with great success.

Campbell-Rush, who visited more than a dozen classes in seven primary schools, found that there weren’t many differences between the Asian schools and methods used at GSB.

“This is the way I wish I was taught,” she said. “I went to Singapore to see if there is some magic they are using that we don’t have here. That’s not the case.”

(Watch for an in-depth story on Singapore math in the next GSB Magazine.)

(L. to r.) Freshmen Sarah Fenton, Daniel Spear and Brianne Hannafin clean the ivy from a tree near campus during the “Save

the World One Place at a Time” Unit.

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Jean Loizeaux, who joined The Gill School in 1966 as the Lower and Middle School librarian, asked then-headmaster Elliott Knoke “is there any possibility that I could be of service to you in the future?” There was… for the next 46 years! In 1967 she became a fifth grade teacher and since that time has served six Heads of School. Over the years she has taught students in grades 5 – 9 mathematics, English, French, history and science; she has served as assistant to the Upper School director and presided over the after-school study hall. Loizeaux was the 1989 recipient of the Edler Hawkins Award and the first recipient of the St. Bernard’s School Chair of Excellence in Teaching in 1992. She was also the only independent school teacher on the team who developed the criteria for ROGATE, a New Jersey enrichment program for the gifted and talented.

After retiring, Loizeaux will relax, enjoy

her free time, and play hostess to her

children and grandchildren as they

travel to—and through—New Jersey!

Janet Powell taught Upper School

French, Spanish and Latin at GSB in

the 1970s, 1980s and again in the late

1990s. She also taught ESL in area

schools and Spanish at Morristown-

Beard. Throughout her years at GSB,

her many community service activities,

as well as her Unit and homestay

trips to France, have helped to give

students a glimpse of the wider world.

Powell has a B.A. from Fairleigh

Dickinson University and an M.A.

from Kean College. She also attended

the Sorbonne in Paris, Rutgers, the

State University of New Jersey, and

Montclair State University. Powell and

her husband will be moving to their

home in Kennebunkport, Maine, as

well as traveling. Her daughter,

Bridget Tell ’00 is a GSB graduate.

Kathleen Andersen, director of publications, came to GSB in 1987. During her tenure she published more than 250 newsletters, 60 GSB Magazines, worked on five website designs, has taken innumerable photographs, and produced countless other publications and press releases. She was also the keeper of the school

Seven Long-time Members of the GSB Community Retiring

This June seven long-time faculty and staff members “retired” - but from the sound of their future plans, theirs will be anything but retirements.

Kathleen Andersen who documented life at GSB for the past 25 years, was also recognized.

G S B N E W S

23

archives. She has a B.A. from Marymount College and studied at the University of London and New York University. Andersen is looking forward to exploring new career directions, enjoying time with her grandchildren, and devoting more energy to her positions as Council-woman and Police Commissioner for the Borough of Califon. Her son, Kristopher, is a 1994 graduate of GSB.

Judy Jerolaman, head of the science department, joined GSB in 1985. She taught both Middle and Upper School children, as well as serving as department head for 20 years. She has written articles for the College Board website as well as an online teacher’s manual to accompany an AP Environmental Science text. She has also graded numerous AP Environmental Science exams over the past 12 years. Jerolaman has a B.A.

and an M.S. from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is looking forward to spending time on her property in Kentucky, farming and training her many horses. Her daughters, Stacy Jerolaman Mercado ’96 and Meaghan ’02, are GSB graduates.

Vincene Caporusso taught Spanish at GSB from 1992-1998 and again from 2006 to the present. She taught at both the Middle and the Upper Schools and countless students can thank her for introducing them to the language and culture of Spain and Latin America. She has a B.A. from Montclair State University and a Masters in Teaching from Marygrove College. Caporusso is looking forward to “finding new and exciting things to do for the next part of my life.” Her sons,Vince ’96 and Joseph ’99, are GSB graduates.

Paula Conway came to GSB in 1998 and has helped generations of Lower School

students with their reading. Her patience

and enthusiasm have made booklovers of

all who visit with her. Conway’s smiling

face and cheerful “Good morning” have

greeted hundreds of children as they

arrive at school each day. She has a B.A.

and an M.A. from Seton Hall University.

Conway plans to spend more time with

her five grandchildren!

Doreen Bracht, Upper School

administrative assistant, came to GSB

in 2000, initially as a receptionist in

the business office. In her position in

the Upper School office, Bracht was

responsible for helping make the Upper

School run smoothly – doing things such

as keeping track of student schedules,

coordinating report cards and providing

many of the behind-the-scenes details of

Commencement. In the next season of

her life, she plans to continue singing in

her ’50s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll/doo wop

band, take up golf and travel.

Left: Jean Loizeaux accepted a gift from the school, presented by John Howard P ’17,’21, Chairman of the Board, as Sid Rowell, headmaster, looked on.

Right: (L. to r.) Paula Conway, Vincene Caporusso and Doreen Bracht accept their gifts from the school.

Below: Judy Jerolaman and Janet Powell represent a combined 51 years of teaching at GSB.


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“In order for GSB to truly showcase all that we have to offer, we need to actively promote the great work we are doing here—everything from in-classroom and athletic activities to student achievements and milestones,” said Headmaster Sid Rowell. “A focus on building our communications and outreach programs will be key to the strategic growth for GSB.”

The core goals focused on improved community outreach within the Plan include strengthening communication with parents, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community to enhance GSB’s visibility and reputation and continue to build programs to further develop and deepen the relationships between alumni and GSB.

Demonstrating its commitment to enhancing the community outreach of GSB, the Board of Trustees approved the addition of a Communications and Marketing function for GSB which will be responsible for developing and executing against a strategic communications plan for the school.

Allyson B. Daly was recently named Director of Communications and Marketing to head up the new and exciting function. Daly brings to GSB more than 13 years of communications experience, mainly in the private sector. Daly’s previous employers include Bayer Healthcare, GE and Nokia where she took on positions

of increasing responsibility within internal communications and public relations. Daly has a deep knowledge of organizational communication including publications, website management, branding and message consistency, graphic design, crisis communications and community relations. Her most recent experience includes close attention to social media and how it can be effectively utilized to increase community presence for any organization. Daly holds a Master of Business Administration and a B.A. in communications from The University of New Haven.

Daly joined GSB in July and since then has appointed key members of her staff including New Media Specialist Michael LaBrie and Communications Specialist Megan Zakrzewski.

LaBrie will work to enhance and expand the online presence of GSB via social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter and manage the newly launched GSB website. LaBrie joins GSB from Prevent Child Abuse – New Jersey (PCANJ) where he was Manager of Communications and Web Technology since 2008. Prior to his work at PCANJ, LaBrie worked in similar roles of increasing responsibility for Bristol-Myers Squibb and PNC Bank.

LaBrie holds a B.A. in information technology and informatics

from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Zakrzewski will be responsible for creating value in all school communi-cations by supporting the development of content for communications that promote greater awareness and affinity among key stakeholders of GSB including all GSB publications, marketing materials, local media outreach and working closely with LaBrie to align on all online and social media presence. Zakrzewski joins GSB from the Ranney School in Tinton Falls where she most recently worked as Associate Communications Editor & Athletic Communications Specialist.

Zakrzewski earned her B.A. in journalism from Rider University.

“This is an exciting new addition for our school and I’m confident that the GSB community will support our newly formed Communications team as they take on these challenges and explore new opportunities to support the continued growth of GSB,” said Rowell.

The new department will be housed in Perch House.

Newly Formed Communications Team to Support GSB Growth

Realizing the growing competitive academic environment in which Gill St. Bernard’s School is part of, a focus on community and outreach is a key part of the recently renewed Strategic Plan for the school.

Allyson B. Daly, Director of Communications and Marketing.

Janice Huff Talks “Weather” to GSB’s Lower School

Janice Huff, NBC meteorologist, visited the Lower School in April to discuss meteorology and her job as a weather person. She answered student questions ranging from Can you predict a rainbow? to How long did you study to become a meteorologist? to What’s with this weird weather we’ve been having? It was Huff’s second visit to the school. She also came in 1998.

GSB to Launch New WebsiteLast year GSB engaged WhippleHill, a web design firm specializing in independent schools, to redesign its website and personalize school communication for individual constituents.

Behind the password-protected section of the site, each constituent group can expect news and information that is relevant. For example, students’ homework assignments will automatically display on their parents’ personalized page at login. The same will hold true for students’ and teachers’ pages.

WhippleHill can also generate content and distribute it far beyond the pages of the website. Parents can be notified by email, Twitter or mobile phone if a game is cancelled or if the GSB Players win a major theater award. And GSB now has a Facebook page! Check it out and “Like” the school.

See the new look for the GSB website on the Inside Back Cover.

G S B N E W S

25

GSB’s Merit Scholarship Finalists

(L. to r.) Seniors Morgan Zaidel, Daniel Sonnenberg, Abhi Gupta, Sarah Quinn and Kathryn Grabowski (missing from photo) are GSB’s Finalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. Grabowski will attend Princeton University next year; Gupta will attend The University of Chicago; Quinn will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Sonnenberg will attend the University of Pittsburgh and Zaidel will attend Cornell University.

This spring was a record-setting season for GSB as several teams made deep runs in the state, conference and county championships. Gill’s student-athletes received county and statewide recognition for their outstanding individual performances, while several players qualified for the Tournament of Champions and all-area All-Star games.

VaRSity BoyS teNNiSThe GSB tennis team achieved unprecedented heights this season by claiming the program’s first-ever New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B Sectional Championship. The Knights Cinderella title run saw them upset Wardlaw-Hartridge in the semi-finals and dominate Moorestown Friends 4-1 in the final round. Gill overcame incredible odds and rallied to achieve an improbable sectional crown. The tennis team used the experience gained through the Somerset County and Prep B tournaments as a spring-board for success down the stretch of the season. The Knights recorded an extraordinary season with each athlete playing an integral part in the team’s triumphs this year.

VaRSity BaSeBallGSB’s baseball team enjoyed its third consecutive winning season, finishing with a 14-12 record this spring. The Knights knocked off No. 1 seeded Morristown-Beard en route to a berth in the final round of the Prep B tournament. Gill achieved a season-high five-game winning streak with a rousing victory over Rutgers Prep at TD Bank Ballpark on April 18. Senior captain Andrew Ramey collected his 100th career hit during the Knights 8-2 win over Belvidere on Monday, May 14. The Knights graduate six seniors who will pass the torch on to a talented group of underclassmen next season.


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Carl Brown ’14.

Andrew Ramey ’12.

AT

HLE

TIC

S

VaRSity SoftBallThis spring season was nothing short of spectacular for the Knights as they surged to a 17-9 overall record behind masterful starting pitching and timely hitting. The GSB softball team dominated its Skyland Conference competition, stringing together seven straight victories spanning from mid-April through May 1. Gill reached the final round of the Prep B Tournament before bowing out to Newark Academy. GSB made an impressive run in the NJSIAA State tournament, upending No. 1 Wardlaw-Hartridge and No. 2 Sacred Heart on the way to its first sectional championship in school history. Pitcher Nicolette Miranda ’12 received county and state recognition, as well as being named the Star Ledger Player of the Year, for her dazzling performance on the mound and remarkable exhibition of power at the plate. The Knights stellar season is a testament to their outstanding team camaraderie and full support from the coaching staff.

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A T H L E T I C S

GILL ST. BERNARD’S EARNS NJSIAA “SHoPRITE CUP”

For the first time in school history, Gill St. Bernard’s has been awarded the “ShopRite Cup” for the Non-Public B Division presented by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) in conjunction with ShopRite. GSB finished ahead of runner-up Montclair Kimberley and third place Newark Academy. This particular accolade is a reward for athletic success across all three seasons over the course of the entire 2011-12 school year.

At the end of each academic year the Cup is presented to one school in each of the six state classifications. Points are awarded for success on the state and sectional level, as well as good sportsmanship throughout the year.

“We are extremely proud of all of our coaches and student-athletes for earning this prestigious honor,” said GSB Athletic Director Dave Pasquale. “It’s a true testament to their collective talents, work ethic, and sportsmanship throughout the year.”

In the fall, GSB earned points from a state championship in cross country and a sectional title in boys soccer. Girls tennis won the Raritan Division of the Skyland Conference, and girls soccer reached the sectional and Prep B semi-finals.

In the winter, girls and boys basketball had prolific seasons, combining for an overall record of 56 and 9. The girls were state, sectional, county, and conference champions and were runners-up in the prestigious “Tournament of Champions.” The boys earned sectional, county, and conference crowns as well. Indoor track and field took second at the NJSIAA Non-Public B championships while swimming and fencing had considerable individual success.

The Knights clinched the Cup with a strong spring season, including a sectional title in boys tennis and an appearance in the sectional finals by the softball team. Girls track and field was the Non-Public B South sectional runner-up, golf was third in the section and sent two players to the Tournament of Champions, and baseball went 14 and 12 and advanced to the Prep B finals for the second consecutive year.

“It was certainly quite a year for us and the success of our programs has generated a palpable school spirit throughout our entire community,” Pasquale said.

Nicolette Miranda ’12.

A T H L E T I C S

VaRSity GolfThe golf team completed its most electrifying season in the program’s history. The Knights were runners-up at the Skyland Conference Championships and Prep B Championships, while placing third overall at the Non-Public B North Championships. GSB fell one stroke shy of qualifying as a team for the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions (TOC), but Nicholas Baker ’13 and John-William Murphy ’13 earned individual entries into the prestigious TOC. The Knights 10-4 overall record represents the best winning percentage in the history of the golf program. This spring season was a landmark year for GSB’s golfers and they aim to make another spectacular run as every starter is returning next year.

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VaRSity tRaCkThe GSB boys and girls track teams set several new school records this season. On May 1 Brian Steck ’13 set a new school record in the 800 meter (m) event, finishing in 1:55 seconds in a dual meet with Bernards. On Tuesday May 8, a pair of GSB track stars set new school records at the Somerset County Track and Field Championships in Hillsborough as Sarah Quinn ’12 set a new girls mark in the 3200 meter run (11:03) and Steck shattered the boys record in the 400 meter (50.8 seconds). At the Prep B Championships the girls team placed third overall behind Quinn’s first place finish in the 800m (2:27) and the 3200m (11:15). The GSB girls track team secured a runner-up finish at the NJSIAA Non-Public B Championships. Quinn swept the distance events, capturing gold in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m runs. For the boys, Steck won the 800m and 1600m leading Gill to a sixth place overall finish at the NJSIAA Non-Public

B Championships. Quinn and Steck headlined a list of nine athletes on Gill’s track team invited to compete at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in Old Bridge. The Knights concluded a record-setting spring season on a high note.

ICE HoCKEY MoVES To VARSITY

After six years as a junior varsity program, the GSB Ice Hockey team has been approved for varsity status and has been accepted by the Morris County Secondary Schools Ice Hockey League beginning with the upcoming 2012-13 winter season. The team will compete in the Haas/Charette Division, which includes Morris Catholic, Mount Olive, Morris Hills, Parsippany, Madison and Park Regional.

VaRSity laCRoSSeGill’s club lacrosse program is rising to prominence as the interest level in the sport grows year by year. The development of the program and the enthusiasm of the student-athletes bodes well for the future of this program.

Sarah Quinn ’12.

Nicholas Baker ’13.

PAT

RO

NS New Members of the Board of Trustees

“I am pleased to welcome all of our new trustees to the Board,” said Sid Rowell, headmaster. “Gia, Liz, Vlad and Lori are all current parents committed to the future vision of Gill St. Bernard’s School. Patty, Judy and Bob, whose story is told in the Alumni Section of this magazine, are equally committed, but also bring the perspective of our alumni to the table. I look forward to working with them in their new role.”

Gia Dunn P ’12,’14,’16 has been active at GSB since 2008. She was one of the three chairs for this year’s “Oyster Club” Dinner Dance and Auction. Dunn has been a team parent for the Booster Club as well as an Upper School room parent for two years. Other accomplishments include president of the Parent Association of the Bernardsville Middle School for three years and president and co-founder of the new Bernardsville Middle School

sports program for two years. Dunn has been involved with many local fundraising events with the Somerset Hills School district, St. Jude, ARC of Somerset and the Upper Raritan Watershed Association. She has a B.A. in fashion merchandising and design from the University of Rhode Island. She was the merchandising manager for the United States for The Body Shop. Dunn and her husband, Matthew, have three children, Mackenzie ’12, Kendall ’14 and Lucille ’16. Dunn and her family are long-time residents of Bernardsville.

Liz Fucci P ’17 is a long-time GSB volunteer. She was the Parents’ Association president in 2008, chaired the Fashion Show for two years, worked on the Dinner Dance and Auction committee for four years and is currently chair of the Parents Admissions Network (PAN). Fucci, who has a B.A. in psychology from

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Gia Dunn P ’12,’14,’16. Lori Taylor P ’14.

Liz Fucci P ’17. Vlad Torgovnik P ’16,’21,’25.

P A T R O N S

St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, is a homemaker. She and her husband, Mike, have a daughter and two sons, one of whom, Ryan ’17, attends GSB, and live in Far Hills.

Vlad Torgovnik P ’16,’21,’25 is a senior managing director and chief information officer of Millennium Management LLC. He is responsible for the firm’s global technology infrastructure. Prior to joining Millennium, he was at Bank of America where he was most recently managing director and chief information officer of the consumer technology & operations, home loans & insurance technology group. In 2006, he was recognized as the capital markets chief information officer of the year by Bankers Magazine. From 1992-2001, Torgovnik was with J.P. Morgan derivatives technology spin-out. He holds an M.S. in computer

science from Columbia University and a B.S. in math and computer science from New York University. He, his wife, Sandra, and their children Jessica ’16, Cody ’21, and Anna ’25 live in Basking Ridge.

Lori Taylor P ’14 is the Parents’ Association representative to the Board. She served as vice president of the Association last year, and has been co-chair of the Fashion Show for one year and the Dinner Dance and Auction for two years. She has also served as chair of the Advertising Directory and as committee co-chair for Silent Auction and “Not Just Baskets” at the Fashion Show. Lori and her husband own Stephen Taylor Photography, Inc. in Bernardsville. Lori attended the University of Delaware. She, her husband, Stephen, and son, Jordan ’14, live in Flanders.

“THE oYSTER CLUB” GALA

More than 300 guests enjoyed a new venue as they helped GSB celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Dinner Dance and Auction. The event, which was subtitled “The Oyster Club” in recognition of the pearl as the symbol of a 30th anniversary, took place at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown, N.J. Arriving guests were welcomed to a Silent Auction on the balcony and dinner, dancing and the Live Auction in the ballroom. The event’s co-chairs were Gia Dunn P ’12,’14,’16, Jill Gateman P ’17,’20 and Marianne Saladino P ’14,’16.

This year’s Auction raised over $230,000.

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Construction Update

Approvals are in place and work has begun on the 2,400 sq. ft., two-story addition to Founders Hall. The foundation has been poured and the walls are going up. The gallery space is nearly completed and the building is on track to be finished by October.

This addition is designed to add an art studio and gallery space on the first floor for the Fine Arts program, and to increase seating in the outer dining room on the second floor. This will allow room for the inner dining room to become a mini-food court and the service area to be expanded.

Work in progress.

Retiring Trustees

Eight trustees stepped down from the Board this year after many years. “I am grateful for the gift of service to Gill St. Bernard’s School given by all of our retiring trustees,” said Sid Rowell, headmaster. “Each has generously supported GSB with their time, talent, and treasure. In so doing, they have made an enormous difference in the life of our school. I am happy to say that all will continue to be involved in the school in a variety of ways.”

Laurie Brueckner P ’99,’05 came on the Board in 1999 and served for 12 years. (She was off the Board for the 2002-2003 school year.) She served as both Board secretary and Board treasurer, a member of the Executive Committee, the Committee on Trustees, the Advancement Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee.

Miguel Brito joined the Board in 2001 and served four terms. He held positions on the Committee on Trustees and the Advancement Committee.

Kevin Nedd P ’06,’09 served three terms on the Board beginning in 2003. He was primarily involved with the Advancement Committee.

Michael Weinstein ’87 was the Alumni Representative to the Board in 2004-05 and 2005-06. He then served two three-year terms. Weinstein was active on the Finance, Audit, Buildings and Grounds and Advancement Committees.

Ellen Nardoni served two terms on the Board, beginning in 2006. She served on the Advancement Committee.

Katherine Smith P ’13,’19 joined the Board in 2009 and served on the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

Mary McNamara P ’16,’16,’20 served one year as the Parents’ Association Representative to the Board in 2010-11 and was elected for her first term in 2011. She was a member of the Finance Committee.

Jill Gateman P ’17,’20 had been the Parents’ Association representative for the 2011-12 year.

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Laurie Brueckner P ’99,’05.

Mary McNamara P ’16,’16,’20.

Katherine Smith P ’13,’19.

Kevin Nedd P ’06,’09.

Jill Gateman P ’17,’20.

Ellen Nardoni.

Miguel Brito. Michael Weinstein ’87.

P A T R O N S

A True GSB LegacyIn recent years on GSB’s Gladstone campus, the Hockenbury name has become synonymous with the new Upper School Academic Center. However, for the historians out there, let’s not forget Russell Hockenbury, Sr., who was in the first graduating class of St. Bernard’s School. He was the father of Russell “Junie” Hockenbury who remains an active GSB employee and long-time resident of Gladstone.

In fact, Junie and his wife, Lois, are legendary at Gill St. Bernard’s and in the local community. He has worked full-time at the school since 1945. Lois, who retired from M&M Mars, remains busier than ever with numerous local volunteer organizations. Their endless activity and their interest in travel have certainly kept them forever young.

It may also help that both are tireless supporters of the students here at Gill. Long before the recent years of Knights basketball success, the couple faithfully attended all home games and many away games, especially those of the girls’ team. Over the last three years they haven’t missed a boys’ or girls’ game at all—no matter the weather, the time, or the location. You will also see them at soccer games and theater performances regularly. Lois and Junie are also the first to be on the dance floor at a faculty-staff event or the annual auction/dinner dance fundraiser.

Obviously, their commitment to the students and the school which began in the 1940’s, has never waned. For a half century Junie took care of livestock and the farm, taught St. Bernard’s students farming and husbandry techniques, and, since the late 1960’s, has focused on campus maintenance and landscaping.

In 2009 Junie and Lois found themselves in the position to do more. They chose to support Gill St. Bernard’s with a significant gift to help the campaign to build the new signature Upper School building. Students and parents today can’t even imagine the campus without the Hockenbury Academic Center which houses 12 classrooms, a technology center, the library and a student center.

But they also had a long-term plan in mind. In addition to the support they gave to the campaign that built Hockenbury Academic Center, Lois and Junie have named Gill St. Bernard’s as one of their primary beneficiaries in their will. Lois explained, “We have been blessed to spend our lives in this area and we enjoyed every minute of it. We have been fortunate to work hard and play hard, and to see the world in the process. But this has been home and always will be.

“Junie and I appreciate what Gill St. Bernard’s has given us. The school doesn’t owe us anything. We want to give what we can to those around us who we appreciate, and so many who will come in the future. This is our way of making sure we do.” Junie adds, “I hope others realize it, too, and do the same.”

Ultimately, a sum of money really cannot measure the impact of the Hockenburys to this school. The institutional memory, the legacy of family, and the countless hours of work for, and voluntary support of, generations of graduates is invaluable. For more than 100 years the Hockenbury name has been gracing the campus. It has helped create these beautiful grounds in “Happy Rock,” as Junie likes to call his hometown. And because of their love for what the school was—and what it has become—the legendary Hockenbury name—and Lois and Junie in particular - will endure for another 100 years at GSB … and more.

The school has begun formulating a Legacy Society and more information will be shared this fall. Please contact Jim Diverio in the Development Office at (908) 234-1611 or [email protected] if you would like to learn more about making a bequest or other estate gift.

Junie and Lois Hockenbury.

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ALU

MN

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ESTHE THIRTIES CLASS OF 1939: SBS

Harold Barker sent us a copy of an old photo of him and his brother, William ’37, on top of a manure pile near the horse and cow barn of St. Bernard’s School. He said, “This is a good reminder of when it was considered a farm school. I think some of the old graduates would appreciate this picture.” (See photo on this page.)

THE FIFTIES CLASS OF 1955: SBS

Herbert Etheridge and his wife, Nancy, are just back from Colorado Springs where they visited their new granddaughter, Abigail. He wrote, “Colorado has had some very serious forest fires…The news has been reporting that as many as 14 or 21 have been deliberately set by an arsonist. One of the fires was started by someone firing guns at propane tanks as target practice! We seem to fight forest fires like they did in the 1800’s. To watch the landscape and homes go up in smoke with little hope that anything can stop it, concerns me. When we were in Colorado Springs, we did evacuate to Pueblo for two days. We just saw the pictures of the Air Force

Academy and the burning hills in the

background. CNN’s morning news

shows all the states fighting fires and

you wonder why we cannot do a better

job reducing loss.”

CLASS OF 1959: GILL

Helen Du Bois Veltkamp wanted to

share with all alumni an incident from

her days at The Gill School.

“The school at the time was divided

into Maroon and Grey teams for

athletic competitions. The winning

teams received ‘points.’ Pat Stericker

Green, myself and some of the other

boarders were called on to whitewash

the goalposts one afternoon by teacher

Marjorie Young. Pat spoke up and said

that she thought we should all get Grey

or Maroon points for doing this and

other similar things, since some of us

were not cut out to be athletes. I’ve

always remembered her generosity in

thinking of others.”

Lane Billings Lewis was part of the

3 Women Artists /3 Visions art show

held at the Bernardsville Library in

June. Diane Freeston Davidson

stopped by to check out Lane’s work.

“It was wonderful to see her; she hasn’t

changed one bit,” Lane wrote.

THE SEVENTIES CLASS OF 1975

Jay T. Jenkins sent us an email while

he was traveling. It said, in part, “I am

in Cairo as the elections are going on

and actually seeing first-hand the birth

of the new democracy from Tahrir

Square! I am here teaching Master

Classes for the Cairo Opera House and

the Samia Allouba Dance Organization.

It’s a two-week, intensive teaching

schedule of jazz, contemporary and

hip-hop dance. I will also be teaching

for the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive

in New York City in July.”

William ’37 and Harold Barker ’39.

CLASS OF 1978

Bettina Hayles Giordano and her daughter Olivia ’12 traveled to Tanzania this summer to teach English and math to children. (For a full description of what they did on their trip, see note under the Class of 2012.)


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THE EIGHTIES CLASS OF 1984

Ian Schoenherr illustrated a recent release by author Kristin Cashore called “Bitterblue,” which received rave reviews in the N.Y. Times Sunday Book Review. Ian created maps, castle diagrams, various Appendix illustrations, endpapers, the cover page, ornamental chapter openers, and double-spreads for the 563-page book. (See photo on this page.)

CLASS OF 1985

Peter Litkey will celebrate his 24th anniversary working for Chubb and Son insurance company on October 11. He wrote, “My niece, Jenny, turned 18 back in November and will be going to Rutgers University in New Brunswick next year. She will be studying Special Education. My nephews, Drew and Cole, are nine-years-old. I have been doing some missionary work for an organization called Teen Challenge which ministers to people who are addicted to drugs and liquor. I am also involved with a ministry called the Relief Bus which goes into gang infested neighborhoods to feed the homeless.”

THE NINETIES CLASS OF 1992

Michael Weismann is a producer at KTVK Channel 3 TV in Phoenix, Ariz. for Good Morning Arizona. He and his wife, Brooke, bought a house in Anthem, just north of Phoenix, recently.

CLASS OF 1996

Sean Ross is the manager of Tapeo, a Spanish restaurant specializing in tapas and located on Newbury Street in Boston. He met with the GSB Unit trip “Boston Cooking” this spring and welcomed them with a special menu

Dancing with the StarsWendy Kostowicz Van de Poll ’73 came in first in all 12 heats at the Yankee Classic Ballroom Dance Championships held in Boston in June. On-hand to cheer her on were former GSB classmates Meg Teele Rothberg and Louise Utzinger. Wendy competes in the International Latin category with Mica Milojkovic. She lives in Sandwich, N.H. with her husband, Rick, Samoyed, Marley, and Kava the bird. She is a licensed massage therapist for human, horse and hound. When not dancing or massaging she is an open water swimmer who swims across Squam Lake every year as a fundraiser for Loon research.

Illustrations by Ian Schoenherr ’84 for the book “Bitterblue.”

Sean Ross ’96 (l.) with the GSB “Boston Cooks” Unit group.

and a discussion about what he does as a restaurant manager. (See photo on pg. 34.)

CLASS OF 1999

Kristopher Goodrich and Jaime Messina Goodrich ’01 welcomed their second daughter, Lyla Rose, on May 15, 2012. “Everyone is doing well, despite her early arrival, and big sister, Eva, couldn’t be happier,” Jaime emailed. Lyla arrived a month early and weighed 5 lbs, 14 oz. (See photo on this page.)

THE 21ST CENTURY CLASS OF 2004

Rick Laughland is managing a FoxSports website covering the New York Jets (nyj.foxsportsnext.com). He is writing and reporting from the team’s practices and games and co-hosts a weekly podcast program. Laughland will also appear as a special guest on Fox Sports Radio, XM Channel 169, throughout the football season. You can follow him on Twitter: @rlaughland.

Parisa Bastani married Daniel Robert Howard in Half Moon Bay, Calif. on May 27. Flora Manship, was one of the bridesmaids. The Howards met at the University of Pennsylvania and are now living in New York City while Daniel starts his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. Parisa will continue as a marketing manager at Cisco Systems. (See photo on this page.)

CLASS OF 2006

May Khourshed is a research and evaluation officer for Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation in Cairo.

A L U M N I N O T E S

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She emailed: “I took a gap year and went to the University of St. Andrew’s, Scotland, and then transferred to the American University in Cairo.”

CLASS OF 2008

Kyle O’Neil completed his course work in environmental science/biology in January and student taught at Millburn High School and a Middle School in Florham Park. His passion for photography continues and he was the “artist of the month” at Trinity United Church in Warren, N.J. in January. His display was titled “Birds of the East Coast.”

CLASS OF 2010

Nick Galli completed his sophomore season with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Hockey Squad. Nick finished the season with 14 goals and six assists. In the final league game of the season, Nick scored three goals against cross state rival the University of Georgia to help the Yellow Jackets sweep the Bulldogs in season play.

CLASS OF 2011

Katy Galli ran cross country, winter track and spring track in her freshman year at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga. Katy broke six school records (including the triple jump and 100 meter hurdles). She was named Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) athlete of the week in February 2012. Katy was also named the Oglethorpe Female Student Athlete of the Year and captain of the cross country team for 2012. In April, UK Sky Sports filmed Katy and former U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Edwin Moses for a commercial which was aired during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

CLASS OF 2012

Olivia Giordano and her mother, Bettina Hayles Giordano ’78 traveled to the Rift Valley Children’s Village on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania this summer. Olivia wrote, “We lived in a

Lyla Rose Goodrich.

Parisi Bastani Howard ‘04 and husband, Daniel, with their wedding party. Flora Manship ’04 is fourth from the left.

house with 12 of the village’s 70 children and provided them with daily care and daily English and math lessons. Prior to our departure, we ran a donation drive through GSB’s H.O.P.E club and collected several duffel bags worth of medical supplies and sporting goods. Through a kind donation of Morristown Medical Center, facilitated by Regi Diverio (parent of Hayley ’11 and Nita ’15), we were able to deliver much needed medical supplies to the F.A.M.E clinic, which serves both the Children’s Village and the greater community. My mom and I plan to return to Tanzania to continue our volunteer work. If anyone is interested in learning more about the Children’s Village please visit www.tanzanianchildrensfund.org.”

FACULTY NEWS

Joanne Bodnar, Lower School art teacher, was elected president of the Hunterdon Watercolor Society for theupcoming year. She also received third place in a HWS Members Show and had a painting accepted into the Garden State Watercolor Members Show.

Debby Miller, second grade teacher, received her Teaching of Writing certificate from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and is now qualified to be a consultant with the National Writing Project.

OBITUARIES

James Dymock ’48 passed away on June 12, 2012 in Blacksburg, Va. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lillian, son J.D. Dymock and his wife, Myra, of Winterville N.C., son Mark Dymock and his wife, Kelly, of Charlotte, N.C. and daughter Melissa Lee Dymock of New York City, sister Mary Douglas Lowe of Chatham, N.J., four grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Sheila Marks Denzer ’49 passed away recently. Unfortunately we do not have any further information at this time.

Anita Nichols Clifford ’50 passed away in Essex, Conn. on May 19, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Henry, two sons, Henry III and Peter, brothers Jesse Nichols and John Hopkins, sister Susan Hopkins and seven grandchildren.

David Davenport Ward ’52 passed away in Stroudsburg, Penn., on September 16, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, son, Christopher, of Joshua Tree, Calif., a niece and several nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jennifer, and brothers Robert E. Ward and L.T. Ward, Jr.

LeeAllan Boyd Gutshall ’55 passed away on June 7, 2012 in Spring Lake Heights, N.J. She is survived by a daughter, Jane Power Walsh and her husband, Adam of Bradley Beach, a son, Michael, also of Bradley Beach and a grandson.

Josephine Villere Kruysman ’56 passed away on November 20, 2011 in Conn. She is survived by her daughter, Marie, and a granddaughter.


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Bettina Hayles Giordano ’78 and daughter Olivia ’12 in Tanzania.

In Memorium - Jack Ewing, Sr. GSB Trustee 1975-2010

Former state Senator and GSB Trustee John “Jack” H. Ewing, Sr., formerly of Bedminster Township, died on Thursday, May 31, 2012,

in Northfield, Vt.

Ewing joined the Board in 1975, shortly after The Gill School and St. Bernard’s School merged.

He served most of his tenure on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, which oversaw consolidation, the

building of Cox Lower School, the Athletic Center, the Conover

addition, and Hockenbury Acadmic Center, as well as numerous,

smaller projects.

Ewing served as an Honorary Trustee from 2006 to 2012.

As well as his many years on the GSB Board, Ewing was a

well-known public servant in the Somerset Hills area. He was a

Somerset County Freeholder and a five-term state Assemblyman. He was also a delegate to the

Republican National Convention in 1964.

Ewing served in the Army during World War II and was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for valor. He also served in the Korean War

in 1951 and 1952.

He is survived by his wife, Alison Pyne Ewing, his children, Maude

E. Nielsen, M.D., John H. Ewing, Jr. and his wife, Margaret, and Alison

P. Wagner, four grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Same Address – New Look!Check it out at www.gsbschool org

Farewell to GSB

Gill St. Bernard’s SchoolP.O. Box 604St. Bernard’s RoadGladstone, NJ 07934-0604(908) 234-1611www.gsbschool.org

Non-Profit Org U.S Postage

PAID W. Caldwell, NJ Permit No. 55

gsb alumni magazine: summer 2012

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